Release Date: February 4th, 2026Shaping Our Future Together: MCEC Invites Dialogue on Bylaw Changes
A Letter From Ben Cassels and the Executive Council
Dear MCEC Congregations, Delegates, and Constituency:
MCEC Executive Council is considering updating our bylaws and bringing these changes to this year’s Annual Church Gathering on April 25 for a decision on ratification. We are inviting your comments and questions on the proposed changes.
The changes fall into two categories. The first set of changes are updates of language, terminology, and general corrections. The second set of changes relate to the number of terms that Executive Council members are eligible to serve. The proposal under consideration is to extend the number of terms an individual may serve on the Executive Council from the current limit of 2 three-year terms to a maximum of 3 three-year terms.
Executive Council invites your questions and comments about these proposed changes before making a decision.
This proposed change to the number of terms is rooted in the responsibility of Executive Council to provide good and wise governance to MCEC. This change would provide opportunity for council members to develop a deeper understanding of the vision, purpose, and role of MCEC and its congregations. We believe that MCEC would benefit from individuals on the Executive Council who have more experience, longer organizational memory and greater institutional knowledge.
Further, it this change would allow more time for members of Executive Council to participate in or provide leadership for longer term initiatives or projects, or to move into officer roles within the council. We recognize that it takes considerable time for council members to fully understand MCEC’s scope and complexity. Overall, we believe that the possibility of a longer length of service would contribute to organizational stability and continuity, acknowledging that not all council members would be available to serve 3 three-year terms.
Executive Council invites your questions and comments about these proposed changes before making a decision to proceed with bringing them to Annual Church Gathering.
Comments can be emailed to moderator@mcec.ca and any are invited to attend one of two Zoom gatherings on Thursday February 19th at 7pm or Friday February 20th at 12pm.
Register for the Zoom gatherings and see the full list of proposed bylaw changes.
Thank you for your continued support of MCEC.
Ben Cassels
MCEC Moderator