March 1st

Important Voting Information Regarding MCEC Audit

Inspired by Hope at the MCEC Annual Church Gathering

MCEC Annual Church Gathering (ACG) is quickly approaching on April 26 & 27, 2024 in Leamington, ON. Doug Klassen, Mennonite Church Canada’s executive minister, will inspire and encourage us reflecting on scripture from 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3.
 
As MCEC prepares for the Annual Church Gathering, the Executive Council and Executive Team have intentionally decided to delay the vote on MCEC’s 2023 audited statements. MCEC’s fiscal year-end is January 31, leaving three months to complete the audit and distribute the audited financial statements. This has always been a tight timeline for MCEC Finance. With continuing staff transitions, and as a way to avoid the possibility of last-minute postings of the audited financial statements, the intentional delay allows MCEC and the auditor to complete this important work thoughtfully and thoroughly. We will also defer the vote for approval of a financial auditor for the fiscal year ending January 2025.

We will present the internal financial statements, as has been our practice, at the Annual Church Gathering on Friday, April 26, 2024. There will be the opportunity to discuss these statements at the ACG, however, the vote to accept the audited financial statements and the approval of the financial auditor will take place via Zoom during a special meeting of delegates on Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m.

Laurie Castello, MCEC’s new operations and finance director, and Rich Steinmann, chair of MCEC’s Audit and Finance Committee, will present the audited financial statements. Ed Simon, MCEC’s auditor, will also be present. We anticipate this will be a short delegate meeting. Please be assured that this delayed vote is still in full compliance with the legal requirements of the annual meeting. Please register for this special delegate meeting when registering for the Annual Church Gathering.

All other required voting, including approval of the minutes of last year’s ACG, Executive Council actions over the past year, spending plan for 2024-2025 and next year’s slate of volunteers will take place at the ACG on April 26 and April 27.

Similar to last year, we invite you to attend an additional online financial meeting held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 7 p.m. Richard Steinmann, Laurie Castello and John Head, interim operations and finance director, will present the internal financial statements. This online Zoom conversation provides an early opportunity to ask questions ahead of the Annual Church Gathering.

Please register for this conversation and the June 13th online meeting when registering for the ACG.

We thank you for your patience, support and prayer during this time of preparing for this important event in the life of our church. Together we continue to be a people transformed by the love of God, inspired by the hope we find in Jesus and called to action by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Registration will be open soon – we look forward to seeing you at the Annual Church Gathering in Leamington!