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.

Previous Editions of MCEC Connect              Bulletin Cut & Paste

MC Canada Announcements

Starting a new congregation? Experimenting to find new life in an old one? Join practitioners and folks curious about new churches and church revitalization for sharing, dreaming, and kicking off a nationwide conversation, October 9, 7 p.m. CDT. Visit https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/nationwide-events/revitalization to register for this online event. 

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

1. 1. Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations. This week we are praying for Wellesley Mennonite Church. Matthew Bailey-Dick provides pastoral leadership for this community. Pray for this community as they continually grow as Christ’s disciples of healing and hope who worship, learn and live generously.
      
      
   2. Chip Bender and Wendy Janzen will be installed at Erb Street Mennonite Church on October 19, 2025. Pray for Chip, Wendy and the congregation as they begin their ministry together. To share your encouragement and support with Chip, you can reach him at Chip@erbstchruch.ca and Wendy at Wendy@erbstchurch.ca. 
      
      
   3. Kim Penner will be ordained at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church on October 19, 2025. Pray for Kim and the congregation as they celebrate her calling to ministerial leadership. To share your encouragement and support with Kim, you can reach her at kim@stirlingmennonite.com.
       
      
   4. Pray with Mennonite Church Canada Witness workers, Tom and Christine Poovong, as they host evacuees because of rising tensions last weekend from the Thai-Cambodia disputed, shared border area. Tom says, “The Gospel of Peace is needed now more than ever.” Thousands of families in Cambodia and Thailand have been displaced due to this conflict.
      

 
Announcements:

1. Micah Peters Unrau, MCEC Church Engagement Associate, is available to visit your congregation. He gathers and shares stories of creative ministry, highlighting how God is at work across MCEC. Micah is currently focusing on themes such as youth and young adult presence in the church, pursuing right relationship with Indigenous communities and caring for God's creation. If your congregation is interested in engaging these conversations and learning from the experiences of others, contact Micah at mpetersunrau@mcec.ca.
   
   
2. MC Canada International Witness Sunday October 26, 2025. A day set aside for congregations to learn and connect with MC Canada International Witness. Learn about your global companions! Download Resources.
   
   
3. Challenge for the Church: Islamophobia Workshop, Saturday, November 8, 2025, Waterloo North Mennonite Church - The horrific events in Israel and Palestine of the past two years have evoked strong reactions around the world, including rising levels of discrimination and hatred toward Jews, Muslims, and Palestinians in Canada. This workshop by the MCEC Palestine Israel Network working group, attempts to understand better Islamophobia and how the church can respond. Registration is open.
   
   
4. MCEC Intercultural Worship Gathering and Potluck, Saturday, November 8, 2026, 4 p.m., Kitchener-Waterloo area - Location to be confirmed. Join us for the MCEC Intercultural Worship Service (and Potluck!) - a time of worship, unity and celebration. Potluck follows - bring food to share, always a highlight! More details. 
   
   
5. MCEC Financial Zoom Call, November 19, 2025 @ 7p.m. - Join Laurie Castello, MCEC Operations and Finance Director, Richard Steinmann, Chair of the Audit & Finance Committee, for an online mid-year MCEC financial update and discussion. Register for the link.
   
   
6. MCEC Intercultural Volleyball Tournament February 28, 2026, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener. A fun day of intercultural, intergenerational volleyball, fellowship and fun with congregations across MCEC. Registration opens in January.
   
   
7. MCEC Annual Church Gathering, Saturday, April 25, 2026, Steinmann Mennonite Church, Baden, ON. A one-day ACG designed to energize congregations in worship, discipleship and mission. Explore practical workshops, engage in meaningful conversations and discern God's guidance together for our shared future. Mark your calendars. 
   
   
8. Journey: A Missional Development Program Explore your call to ministry with Journey - God calls you to ministry and a journey begins. Explore your call to ministry with Journey, a distance-friendly AMBS program connecting learners with mentors to grow in spiritual leadership. Open to church members, pastors, church planters, and lay leaders. Next cohort starts Jan. 23, 2026. Apply by Nov. 14 to save $100. MCEC is a sponsor of the Journey program. Learn more and apply here.

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