November 4thYoung Adults in MCEC
“I have wanted to draw young adults together for awhile,” says Rachel Reid.
Over the past year, a group of Mennonite young adults from across Ontario have made significant strides in coming together, forging faith-driven connections. From Leamington to Kingston to Kitchener-Waterloo, they have bridged hundreds of miles through virtual meetups. “It started small, but it was powerful,” says Rachel. “We had people joining in from all over talking, praying and sharing life.” What began as a simple connection has grown into something far more impactful, sparking a movement of faith and friendship.
In February, Rachel travelled with Aimee Reid to the Music & Worship Leaders Retreat at Laurelville Retreat Center in Pennsylvania. “That’s where we met Jane Schultz-Janzen from Shantz Mennonite Church in Ontario,” Rachel explains. “Her son and his friends were also working to organize more young adult events.” It was this encounter that sparked a change. “I had a desire to start something and it was connecting with Jane that really gave me the energy to move forward.”
To help bring young adults together, Rachel launched an Instagram account as a hub for connection. From there, online meetings began, linking young adults from across the geographically diverse MCEC. “I think our biggest meeting had about seven persons, so it was definitely a small group,” Rachel shares and quickly adds, “but that’s all you need for a meaningful small group!”
A worship night soon followed at Shantz Mennonite Church, with over a dozen young adults coming together to plan and lead the event. “That night was such a joy for me,” Rachel recalls. “I love to worship. Getting to worship with other young adults was really special.” The evening featured a blend of worship styles, from traditional hymns to contemporary music, creating an atmosphere where everyone could connect through their shared faith.
“I want to connect with other Anabaptists too. It doesn’t have to be just Mennonites—our family can grow. We’re all here to encourage one another and work together to follow Jesus’ call.”
In June, Rachel attended a young adult Anabaptist conference in British Columbia as a representative of MCEC. They met Zachary Shields, an event coordinator for a young adult Anabaptist task group in MCBC. Both share a similar vision for fostering connections among young adults. “What I valued most was being with other people at the conference,” Rachel says. “My favorite moments were the conversations during meals—networking, connecting and sharing ideas. I left feeling enriched by every single conversation.”
Rachel and Zachary are collaborating on another conference, set to take place in Ontario during the summer of 2025, coinciding with the MC Canada Gathering in July.
“My vision for this year is to keep offering online spaces for those who can’t attend in-person events,” says Rachel. “I’m also planning to host some in-person gatherings in the Hamilton, Niagara and Kitchener-Waterloo regions.” She envisions a broader, more inclusive community. “I want to connect with other Anabaptists too. It doesn’t have to be just Mennonites—our family can grow. We’re all here to encourage one another and work together to follow Jesus’ call.”
Rachel, a young adult based in Hamilton, is passionate about fostering friendships and faith connections among young adults across MCEC. Through a blend of online and in-person faith-based events, they aim to create a supportive community. To learn more, join the online conversations, or connect with Rachel directly, you can send a message on Instagram to @menno_ya or email them at mennoniteyoungadults@gmail.com.