Release Date: April 28th, 2026

Gathered to Energize Congregations in Worship, Discipleship and Mission

The MCEC Annual Church Gathering was held this year in a new one-day, in-person format, welcoming 233 registered participants, including 147 delegates representing 73 congregations. The redesigned format created an energized and focused environment for connection, learning and decision-making.

Equipping and Energizing Congregational Leaders

A wide variety of interactive workshops were offered, designed to equip and energize leaders with practical tools, spiritual grounding and collaborative space to support healthy and vibrant congregational life. Workshop topics included:

• Church Revitalization
• Church Administrators
• Pastor–Congregation Relationships
• Embracing Cultural Diversity in Worship
• Faith and Fundraising
• Dynamic Bible Study
• Global Companions – Philippines
• Being a Teenager Today
• Ubuntu Dialogues
• Multi-vocational Ministry Panel
• Safe Church Policies
• What’s a Regional Church?

Together, these sessions supported the overarching goal of energizing congregations in worship, discipleship and mission.

Annual General Meeting

Our annual general meeting is a time when we come together as a community of faith to discern, discuss and make decisions that shape our shared ministry. Delegates approved motions related to:

• Accepting the minutes from last year’s ACG
• Approving Executive Council actions over the past year
• Accepting audited financial statements
• Appointing Financial Auditor
• Accepting MCEC spending plan (budget)
• Amending the MCEC Bylaws
• Accepting the slate of volunteers

A bylaw amendment was passed. Alongside updates to language, terminology and general corrections, the bylaws were revised to increase Executive Council members eligibility to serve to a maximum of three three-year terms.

Financial Highlights 2025-2026

Year-end financial results reported an operating deficit of $50,138, which was covered through a budgeted transfer from the Faithful Legacy Fund. The 2025–26 operating budget had anticipated a deficit of $175,753, the actual result was 83% lower than the previous year.

Church giving for 2025–26 exceeded expectations by $99,843 more than budgeted - a 2% increase over the previous year. Laurie Castello, Operations and Finance Director, along with Bruce Burgetz, Executive Council member, expressed sincere appreciation to congregations for their faithful and active participation in this shared financial work.

Facilities and Cost Savings

Recent renovations at the MCEC office have successfully reduced the office footprint by 57%, which will result in significantly lower occupancy costs in future fiscal years.

Spending Plan Approval 2026-27

Delegates approved the Spending Plan (Budget) for 2026-27:

• Anticipated revenues: $2,008,901
• Budgeted expenses: $2,058,429

In accordance with policy, funds from the Faithful Legacy Fund will be used to cover the projected deficit. Reflecting on the plan, Laurie Castello noted, "It would be tempting to tweak the numbers in this spending plan to achieve a balanced budget, but what is here is an honest and realistic assessment of our anticipated revenue and expected expenses. I believe we will get to a balanced budget and whether it is reported in the actuals next year, or the spending plan for the following year, together with the congregations of MCEC, we are committed to that goal.”

The Spending Plan was passed, affirming a shared commitment to transparency, faithfulness and long-term financial sustainability.

Congregational and Pastoral Milestones

Transitioned to Full Member Congregations:

• Hiyaw Amalak Evangelical Church (Ottawa)
• FreeChurch Toronto
• Westview Christian Fellowship (St. Catharines)

Released Congregations

• Bethel Mennonite Church – closed
• Grace Christian Church (Ottawa) – provisional membership withdrawn

Congregational Milestones

• Nith Valley Mennonite Church – 50 years
• Preston Mennonite Church – 225 years
• Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church – 100 years
• Wellesley Mennonite Church – 50 years

Pastoral Ordination Milestones

• 70 years: Herb Schultz
• 60 years: Glenn Brubacher
• 55 years: Winston Martin
• 45 years: David Shantz, Edmund Pries, Erwin Wiens
• 40 years: Dave Rogalsky, David Martin, Henry Paetkau, Renee Sauder,
  Tom Warner
• 25 years: Harry Nigh, Marvin Friesen

Great is Thy Faithfulness

As we look back on this year’s Annual Church Gathering, we do so with gratitude for God’s great faithfulness among us. In worship, conversation, discernment and stewardship, we witnessed again how God continues to sustain, guide and renew God’s church. We give thanks for the dedication of congregations, leaders and volunteers who faithfully share in this ministry, trusting that the same God who has carried us thus far will continue to lead us into the future with hope, courage and joy.