March 1st
Ann L. Schultz Welcomes You to Annual Church Gathering 2024

Inspired By Hope 

smiling womanGreetings and Welcome to ACG 2024!

It is a pleasure and an honour to continue serve as MCEC’s Intentional Interim Executive Team Leader for 2023.  I thank you all for your words of support, encouragement and words of challenge during this time of transition at MCEC.

The theme for our ACG this year is from 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3:  “We always thank God for all of you when we mention you constantly in our prayers. This is because we remember your work that comes from faith, your effort that comes from love, and your perseverance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ….”

In this passage, Paul describes the good things he has heard about the churches of the region and he is grateful to the Thessalonians who have faced challenges in their beliefs, yet stood strong in their commitment to Jesus. I am inspired by the attitude and resilience of the Thessalonians, meeting these challenges with such grace, purpose and hope.

Like the believers in Thessalonica, the church today is facing its own challenges including decline in attendance and engagement, aging congregations and changing worship experiences to name a few.  And while at times, this has left us feeling unsure and maybe even afraid of the future of the church, I believe, just as the Thessalonians believed, God is at work in us, through us and around us!

Many good things are happening at MCEC, and throughout out time together this week-end, we will have the opportunity to celebrate our purpose and our strategic priorities as we reflect on the past year, and look ahead to coming year!

We come together as a regional church to:

  • energize congregations in worship, discipleship and mission,
  • encourage leaders of hope, vision and transformation;
  • embody God’s reconciling ministry for all creation is alive at work;

We come together as a regional church to prioritize:

  • Navigating change
  • Developing leaders
  • Collaborating with congregations and ministry partners in support engaging youth and young adults and intergenerational discipleship
  • Embracing diversity
  • Seeking peace and justice

We can learn a lot from the Thessalonians! As we grow into the future, may we all be “inspired by the hope we have in Jesus!”