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 St. Agatha Mennonite Church. A small community with a big heart that welcomes all to be united by the love of Jesus Christ.
- God of mercy, we lift up the people of Myanmar and Thailand in the wake of devastation. Though the world’s attention fades, the pain and loss remain. Strengthen those offering relief amid conflict, and bless the quiet acts of love by local congregations. May their efforts to bring peace and healing bear fruit. Stir our hearts to generosity, that we may support their work of hope in a broken world.
- Red Dress Day: As we prepare for Red Dress Day (May 5) and stand in solidarity with Indigenous women and girls, we pray for their safety, care, and justice. We remember the lives lost, the families grieving, and the voices calling for change. Lord, hear our prayer.
Mennonite Church Canada
Registrations are officially open.
Register now for MC Canada Gathering 2025. Three tracks to choose from: Gathering 2025 (the main Gathering), U30 Gathering 2025 (part of the main Gathering with unique elements for young adults), and Youth Gathering 2025 (a unique event designed specifically for youth - Grades 6-12). There is also a separate registration for those who are only participating in one of the Pre-Gathering events.
Check out this short, thought-provoking video invitation from Gathering 2025 speaker, César García (General Secretary, MWC). He gives us a glimpse into what he’s preparing to share with the Nationwide Church at this year’s Gathering.
International Witness
Support congregations in Myanmar and Thailand.
The images of the devastation of last week's earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand are already fading from our TV screens but the reality of death and destruction is still very real for our sister church companions in the region. Let us continue to walk in solidarity and prayer with this part of our family in faith. The military’s continued bombing during the tragedy hinders relief efforts. Yet, local congregations are quietly showing God's love to their neighbours. They also hope to gather 100 people in May for training in peace theology. Please consider giving generously to support their tireless work to provide healing and hope in a broken world. Designate gifts to your local and regional church to “Myanmar” or give online
Webinar: "Martyrdom and Christian discipleship in today's Palestine."
In this 500th anniversary year, Anabaptists celebrate a robust discipleship that means putting one's very life on the line - sometimes literally. Emerging Palestinian theologian Sam Munayer is reflecting on what it means to follow Christ in the context of violence, religious extremism, and political turmoil in the land we often call "Holy." Join him and Mennonite Church Canada Palestine-Israel Network for a Zoom conversation on the subject on Saturday, April 12th at 12 noon (CDT). For the zoom link or for more information email mc.canada.pin@gmail.com.
Climate Action &
Indigenous Relations:
Indigenous Relations
Calls for Justice
Certainly, this month is all about the lead up to Red Dress Day (May 5) - consider joining a local march, walk or vigil. Considering the ongoing Calls for Justice, MC Canada congregations are invited to pray on May 4 for the safety and care of Indigenous women and girls. CommonWord has a variety of online worship resources available https://www.commonword.ca/Browse/10647.
Climate Action
Celebrate Emissions Reduction Grant stories and possibilities.
Read how Langley Mennonite Fellowship (MCBC) chose a more expensive green option for their HVAC. Join Sandy Plett (MC Canada Climate Action Coordinator) for celebration of 2024 ERG grant recipients and prepare for the 2025 launch of further grants. Details.
CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre
Share these resources in your newsletters, bulletins and social media posts!
Register for Online Book Launch.
We’re thrilled to have both Natalie Frisk (author of A Light to Share) and Aimee Reid (author of Stitched Together) for a Zoom book launch. The authors were commissioned for this Anabaptism at 500 commemoration year. Register to receive the Zoom link - https://forms.gle/HAH3mgP1iLVkb4bLA
Earth Month 2025
A short guide to help you celebrate Earth Month 2025 (April), including worship themes, stewardship questions, and other prompts – https://www.commonword.ca/go/4212
New Series from CMU Press. The Lyrik Poetry Series offers a generous and very affordable selection of the best work, past and present, by Canada’s foremost Mennonite poets. The Lyrik volumes present a range of poems from across each poet’s career, the selections determined in conversation with the poets themselves.
Church Year Resources
Materials to buy, borrow or access online. Includes Together in Worship resources.
Prone to Wander. The 2025 Lenten devotional from MennoMedia. Includes a worship guide, small group/study guide, and retreat guide. Borrow or buy.
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
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- Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations. This week we pray for St. Agatha Mennonite Church. A small community with a big heart that welcomes all to be united by the love of Jesus Christ.
- God of mercy, we lift up the people of Myanmar and Thailand in the wake of devastation. Though the world’s attention fades, the pain and loss remain. Strengthen those offering relief amid conflict, and bless the quiet acts of love by local congregations. May their efforts to bring peace and healing bear fruit. Stir our hearts to generosity, that we may support their work of hope in a broken world.
- Red Dress Day: As we prepare for Red Dress Day (May 5) and stand in solidarity with Indigenous women and girls, we pray for their safety, care, and justice. We remember the lives lost, the families grieving, and the voices calling for change. Lord, hear our prayer.
- Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations. This week we pray for St. Agatha Mennonite Church. A small community with a big heart that welcomes all to be united by the love of Jesus Christ.
Announcements:
- MCEC Financial Zoom Call, April 9, 2025, 7-8 p.m. online. This online Zoom conversation provides an early opportunity to ask questions ahead of the Annual Church Gatherings. Open to all. Registration is open.
- MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2025, Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10 - 11:30 a.m., online. Join us for this year's online business meeting, Called to Action by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Each congregation can register delegate and non-delegate attendees. For more information and to register.
- MC Canada Gathering 2025 Registration is now open! Three exciting "tracks" for registration: Gathering 2025; U30 Gathering 2025 and Youth Gathering 2025. Check out the MC Canada website to read more about our speakers, workshop choices, child care information, Leadership Day, youth information, young adult opportunities and more!
- MCEC Weekly Devotional: Receive weekly encouragement from MCEC pastors! Sign up for MCEC Connect to get a new devotional in your inbox each week.
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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