Weekly News
Welcome! Here you will find all the news and events that your congregation will need for the week - MCEC in Prayer, Event Highlights, Mennonite Church Canada Updates, Announcements. Check out the hot buttons to ministry opportunities and pastoral transitions. Administrative Assistants: make sure to see the Bulletin Cut and Paste below. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates. New items will begin to appear on Monday and the newsletter will come to your inbox on Wednesday.
MCEC in Prayer
- Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations. This week we pray for Nith Valley Mennonite Church. Greg Yantzi provides pastoral leadership to this congregation. Please pray for this church community found just outside New Hamburg.
- Lord, we lift up all who are impacted by war around the world. Bring comfort to those who mourn, healing to those who suffer, and hope to those in despair. Surround the displaced with safety, provide strength to caregivers, and inspire leaders to pursue justice and peace. Let your peace take root in every nation, renewing hearts and guiding us toward reconciliation and an end to all violence.
Mennonite Church Canada
MC Canada Gathering 2025 | July 2-5 | Kitchener, ON
You’re invited to the MC Canada Gathering next summer, where our theme, “Each Gift,” celebrates the unique gifts each person brings. Rooted in 1 Peter 4:10, we’ll explore how our diverse talents and perspectives enrich the ministry of an intercultural church. As followers of Jesus Christ, we’ll come together as a nationwide community of faith to share, learn, and grow in the unique gifts God has given each of us.
Here is Doug Klassen's invitation to congregations and delegates!
Doug Klassen’s term renewed
Mennonite Church Canada’s Joint Council has extended Doug Klassen an open-ended term as executive minister of Mennonite Church Canada beginning June 1, 2025. Read more.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
MC Canada, as a member of the Canadian Council of Churches, encourages our congregations to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
International Witness
De Jongs completing ministry
Werner and Joanne De Jong are entering their final week at Meserete Kristos Seminary. Pray that they will be able to find ways to celebrate the years they have served as well as say their goodbyes. Praise God for the impact their presence has had on students and colleagues.
Mennonite church global companions
Mennonite church bodies abroad are seeking deeper, more mutual church-to-church relationships with MC Canada. These global companions want to share and compare their contexts, realities, and priorities, and from there, develop mutual learning relationships with Mennonites Church Canada. Read more.
Climate Action &
Indigenous Relations:
Climate Action
Take Action - Host a Vigil during COP 29
From November 11-22, world leaders, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and others will gather at the COP29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan to advance action on addressing the climate emergency. MC Canada’s partner For the Love of Creation invites groups across Canada to host candlelight vigils on the weekend of November 15-17. Information on how to plan and to register your vigil.
Indigenous Relations
Join the global conversation!
Mennonite Church Canada Indigenous Relations and International Witness invite you to an online conversation on "Land, Identity and Faith". Register here.
CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre
Share these resources in your newsletters, bulletins and social media posts!
Book launch, Nov. 7. Join the Mennonite Coalition for Indigenous Solidarity as we launch The Secret Treaty: A Lost Story of Ojibwe and Mennonite Neighbours. Hear stories of the West Reserve before Mennonite Settlement and first encounters between Ojibway and latecomers. Ponder the question “How do we forge a different way of sharing this land?” Buy or borrow the book (and access livestream link).
Book launch, November 27. Talking About Ice Join us on Nov. 27 as we celebrate the photographic and scientific work of Klaus Hochheim and talk about what’s next in climate change activism and in the astonishing world of ice. Conversation partners are photographer and curator Sarah Hodges-Kolisnyk, ice researcher Dr. David Babb, and writer & climate activist Josiah Neufeld. Hosted by Kenton Lobe, with a welcome by Martha Hochheim. Join us in person or via livestream, buy or borrow the book.
Book launch, December 4 Significance of Anabaptist origins What happened 500 years ago and why does it still matter today? Gareth Brandt’s new coffee table book, Radical Roots, addresses these questions in a creative and accessible way. Join us on Dec. 4 as he performs some spoken word poetry and talks about the significance of Anabaptist origins. Buy or borrow the book and access livestream link.
Author Talkback Interview Listen to Jesse Nickel, author of A Revolutionary Jesus, as he discusses violence and peacemaking in the kingdom of God. Buy or borrow the book or listen to the interview.
Church Year Calendar. From Advent through Ordinary Time, this unique calendar positions time within the Christian year, and includes scripture, liturgical colour and splendid artwork.
Church Year Resources
Materials to buy, borrow or access online. Includes Together in Worship resources.
Advent, beginning December 1
Christmas Eve, December 24
Bulletin Cut and Paste
Administrators: Thank you for sharing the MCEC story with your congregations. Please continue offering valuable feedback on how we can tailor announcements to empower you in your ministry.
Prayers:
- Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations. This week we pray for Niagara United Mennonite Church. Daniel Janzen provides pastoral leadership to this congregation. Please pray for this church community found just outside Niagara-on-the-Lake.
- Lord, we lift up all who are impacted by war around the world. Bring comfort to those who mourn, healing to those who suffer, and hope to those in despair. Surround the displaced with safety, provide strength to caregivers, and inspire leaders to pursue justice and peace. Let your peace take root in every nation, renewing hearts and guiding us toward reconciliation and an end to all violence.
Bulletin Announcements:
- MCEC Financial Update Zoom Call, Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 7-8 p.m., online. Join MCEC for an engaging mid-year financial update and conversation. This online Zoom event offers a unique chance to hear key insights and ask any questions you have about our financial progress.This is a fantastic opportunity for pastors, delegates, treasurers, councils and anyone else interested to be involved and stay informed! Make sure to register your congregational teams and delegates. More information at mcec.ca./events.
- MC Canada Gathering 2025, July 2-5, 2025, Kitchener, ON. You’re invited to the MC Canada Gathering next summer, where our theme, “Each Gift,” celebrates the unique gifts each person brings. Rooted in 1 Peter 4:10, we’ll explore how our diverse talents and perspectives enrich the ministry of an intercultural church. Here is Doug Klassen's invitation to congregations and delegates!
Nationwide Web-Hub - All MCEC congregations are welcome to join
If you are considering a change to your website, definitely consider the new nationwide web hub. It is much more than a web building tool. Contact Lisa Williams , Director of Communications, for more info.
Click below for information about the features, pricing, testimonials and links to launched websites.
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