Thomas Beech Joins MCEC Team for the Summer

MCEC is excited to introduce Thomas Beech, who has joined our team for a 4-week summer internship analyzing data from across MCEC. We look forward to the valuable contributions he will bring to our team.

“I’m interested and excited about the various ways I can be involved in the church,” says Thomas. “There is a lot of vibrancy among new generations in the church. I think it is important to hold onto what is really special about the Christian and Anabaptist traditions and to be intentional and critical about how we bring that forward.”

Thomas will concentrate on analyzing the data sourced from the annual reports submitted by MCEC congregations earlier this year. This initiative aligns with MCEC's recently formulated strategic plan, "Growing into the Future," underscoring our commitment to make informed decisions based on evidence for long-term growth. During this first year, a pivotal task is to identify data needs and compile foundational data. Thomas will extract and scrutinize data to uncover trends like growth patterns, general themes, giving trends and congregational demographics. This directly correlates with MCEC's strategic objectives of navigating change, developing leadership, and fostering intergenerational discipleship.

“I look forward to analyzing what is actually going on in MCEC congregations, get a handle on what people find meaningful about the church and uncover the kernels of wisdom.”

In this collaborative ministry inquiry placement involving MCEC and Waterloo North Mennonite Church, Thomas will also contribute to his home congregation. At Waterloo North, his responsibilities will include reviewing and enhancing faith-formation curriculum, as well as participating in preaching and leading worship services. This ministry inquiry placement is a partnership between Waterloo North Mennonite Church, MCEC and Mennonite Church Canada. The ministry inquiry program provides opportunities for young adults to explore service and leadership in the church and its ministries.

“We are thrilled to welcome Thomas to MCEC for this experience and to collaborate with Waterloo North in providing a context for Thomas to explore and learn about the church and its ministry, as well as receive the gifts and insights he brings,” says Marilyn Rudy-Froese, MCEC church leadership minister. “His desire to engage both the congregation and the regional church, to learn, understand and contribute to the ministry of each, and share his questions and perspectives is a gift to us. We look forward to spending this time with him.”

Thomas is a student at the University of King’s College in Halifax, NS where he studied Interdisciplinary Humanities with a focus on philosophy and literature this past year. Next year he returns to study contemporary studies at King’s College and religious studies at Dalhousie University.

“There has historically been a lot of wisdom in how the structures of church have made the work of church happen,” he reflects. “I look forward to analyzing what is actually going on in MCEC congregations, get a handle on what people find meaningful about the church and uncover the kernels of wisdom.”

He has begun his work with MCEC this week. Welcome to the team Thomas!