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First Seniors' Residence in Coaldale opened in 1955
Conference of Mennonites in Alberta chose Coadale for Seniors' Home
The story and photo was originally posted on Town of Coaldale Facebook page.
Did you know that the first seniors’ residence in Coaldale was the Mennonite Home for the Aged constructed in 1955?
Following majority approval by a meeting of the Conference of Mennonites in Alberta in 1952, Coaldale was chosen for a much-needed seniors’ home. In 1953, a two-acre plot of land was purchased and various fundraising efforts were undertaken to raise the $19,500 needed for materials. The home was constructed primarily by volunteers. The home was able to accommodate 16 residents on the main level and in the basement and included two bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and a large common living room. In 1967, an additional 3 rooms plus an additional kitchen, two bathrooms, dining room, and living room were added onto the facility. Room and Board ranged from $70-$90/month. In 1976, the Sunny South Lodge was built and could accommodate 44 residents. The common areas included a lounge, dining room, and a visiting area. Each unit for residents was equipped with its own bathroom and residents were encouraged to decorate their rooms as they wished, and were allowed to bring in one or two pieces of their own furniture. In 1978, Sunny South Manor was opened, containing 12 units which each included its own kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. Residents could decorate and furnish their own unit. The facility itself included a games room, common sitting room, and laundry facilities.
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Global Youth Summit
MCA representative needed
MC Canada's Joint Council is excited to invite your applications for young adult representatives to the Global Youth Summit (GYS) July 2-5, 2021, in Salatiga, Indonesia. The theme of GYS 2021 is Life in the Spirit: Learn, Serve, Worship.
MC Canada is looking for one young adult from each of the five Regional Churches (one of whom will be the official delegate) to represent the Nationwide Church at GYS, and also to attend the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Assembly a few days later. The five representatives will all work together on the GYS project that will be assigned to the delegate prior to GYS. They will also travel and attend the MWC Assembly together. They will write a report to MC Canada and their Regional Churches after their travels. MC Canada asks that the person chosen as delegate commit to a three-year term as representative to the network of Young Anabaptists (YABs) after GYS.
As the representative of your Regional Church, Mennonite Church Alberta, the costs of the application to the GYS, MWC, and vaccination and travel costs will be covered through MC Canada, up to $5,000 per person. The age requirement is 18-30 as of July 2, 2021. Applicants must have a valid passport at the time of travel and be members of an affiliated congregation of MC Canada.
For more information and to apply to go http://home.mennonitechurch.ca/GYS2021.
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This is your invitation from our North American Young Anabaptist (YABs) representative Larissa Schwartz to attend GYS 2021 in Indonesia as a delegate or participant! Start planning and saving! July 2-5, 2021, Salatiga, Indonesia.
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To speak with someone about this opportunity, please contact Joint Council member Andrea de Avila (andreadeavila@mymts.net) or your Regional communicator, June Miller (jmiller@mennonitechurch.ab.ca).
We look forward to your application. Thank you for considering this opportunity to represent MC Canada in our global Anabaptist family.
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Submit your poetry, art and prophetic visions for Anabaptist journal
Anabaptist Witness is a global journal, co-published by MC Canada, that explores key issues facing the church in mission. The next “Omnibus” issue is a chance for folks to share their hopes and dreams for mission, and their struggles and questions, too. Poetry, sermons, art, and academic reflections, even songs and prophetic visions are welcome! Deadline for submissions is November 1, 2019. Check out the call for submissions here. (Anabaptist Witness is a publication of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Church Canada, and Mennonite Mission Network.)
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Prayer request from MC Canada partner Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT): prayers for Lesvos
Due to war, poverty, and the impacts of climate change, thousands of migrants have fled in these last years to Lesvos—a Greek island located near Turkey. Some described the Lesvos refugee camps “as the worst on earth.” Migrants face not only overcrowded, unsanitary, and impoverished living conditions, but many are also charged by the Greek government with hefty fines and lengthy prison sentences. Since 2014, CPT’s Lesvos Team has advocated for those suffering and built partnerships to transform violence on Europe’s external borders. Please pray for strength and resilience for the Lesvos Team. You can follow their work on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CPTLesvos.
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International Witness
Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia invites our prayers for their General Assembly meeting August 29-31, 2019. They write, "Besides hearing reports, we will have agendas to discuss and decide. There will be an election of the President of MKC. Please remember us in your prayers for edifying fellowship, God's guidance and peaceful meeting." Meserete Kristos Church and Mennonite Church Canada walk in an intentional relationship focused on leadership development both in Ethiopia and Canada.
Walking with Indigenous Peoples in Mindinao: “Our teams at PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) and Coffee For Peace (CFP) are being led, spiritually, to work with the leaders of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) who seek The Creator’s heart and who walk with what we mutually understand as The Creator’s just and peaceful statutes as they serve as stewards of their ancestral domains and as they struggle to realize their right to self-determination. This spiritual perspective of partnership governs the inclusive development strategies we practice in the field.” - Dann Pantoja, Witness worker in the Philippines (read more from his blog post here).
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2019-20 MCA Calendar
Sept 21 All Committee Meeting
Oct 5 Ride for Refuge
Oct 19 Healthy Ministry Boundaries
Oct 26 Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Nov 1-2 Vision 20/20: Phase IV - Incarnating God's Call
Nov 16 General Council
Feb 8, 2020 General Council (Zoom)
Mar 20-21, 2020 Annual Delegate Sessions
June 5-7, 2020 MCA Women's Retreat
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Christian Muslim Dialogue
You are invited to the 7th Annual Christian Muslim Dialogue, Heart of Hospitality, to be held on October 26 at 9:30 am at ACCA Centre, 3530, 91 St. in Mill Woods, Edmonton. This is one way to be witnesses of Jesus' love and break down the kinds of stereotypes and discrimination that Jesus refused to accept. Hosted by: A Common Word Alberta ( www.acwalberta.ca) in conjunction with MCA's North Edmonton Ministry.
Featuring: Neveen Ayad & Scott Sharman Register for your $10 tickets at :
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Save the Date!
Healthy Ministry Boundaries: Training for Pastors and Congregations
A Mennonite Church Alberta Equipping Day Event for Pastors, Congregational Leaders, and Others involved in Church Ministry Programs
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Trinity Mennonite Church
9am-4pm
Healthy relationships are characterized by respect and trust, and nurtured when all know and agree on the parameters (boundaries) of the relationship. For pastors, chaplains, congregational leaders, and other volunteers, knowing what the appropriate boundaries are for healthy congregational, pastoral, and ministry relationships is an important part of building and maintaining trust. Boundaries are complex and fluid, and vary depending on cultural, ethnic, geographical/regional and religious realities. In this workshop, we will increase our awareness of the need for healthy and appropriate boundaries in pastoral and congregational relationships; look at guidelines and suggestions for developing appropriate boundaries and self-care strategies; talk about power and vulnerability; and learn from each other’s experiences in these areas. Sponsored by the Congregational Leadership Committee of MCA.
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Ride for Refuge is on October 5, 2019.This is a fantastic opportunity to support our International Witness Workers and God’s amazing work throughout the world. Join friends and families across Canada to bike or walk and raise financial support for ministry around the world. Form a team today! For more information visit MC Canada’s website.
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Need curriculum? Sunday School, VBS, Bible Study. Need Periodicals? Leader, Purpose, Rejoice? Order from Menno Media's new Canadian site. MennoMedia.ca
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www.commonword.ca
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Worship Calendar:
Sept 8 Christian Formation Sunday
Sept 22 International Peace Sunday
Sept 30 Orange Shirt Day
Oct 4 World Animal Day
Oct 6 World Communion Sunday
Oct 10 World Mental Health Day
Oct 13 Thanksgiving
Oct 16 World Food Day
Oct 27 Mennonite Heritage
Nov 1 All Saints Day
Nov 3 Mission Sunday
Nov 10 Peace Sunday
Nov 11 Remembrance Day
Nov 20 Universal Children’s Day
Nov 24 Memorial Sunday
Nov 25 Intern'l Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Join Common Read:
 We are partnering with MennoMedia to encourage a nationwide reading of The Bible Unwrapped: Making Sense of Scripture Today, by Meghan Larissa Good. This nationwide book club is called CommonRead. Drawing from the best of contemporary biblical scholarship and the ancient well of Christian tradition, scholar and preacher Meghan Larissa Good helps readers consider why the Bible matters. Known for presenting complex theological ideas in accessible, engaging ways, Good delves into issues like biblical authority, literary genre, and Christ-centered hermeneutics, and calls readers beyond either knee-jerk biblicism, on the one hand, or skeptical disregard on the other. Join the CommonRead today: www.commonword.ca/go/1726.
Adult Curriculum Guide:
 Fall also brings with it the need for new Adult Curriculum options. Whether you need something for the entire church or just your small group, CommonWord offers curriculum on a wide range of topics. Simply visit our website (http://www.commonword.ca/go/1520), choose a topic that interests you, and then choose from the wide range of study material that’s available.
Featured Resource:
In Invited, writer Leslie Verner says real hospitality is not having a Pinterest-perfect table or well-appointed living room. True hospitality is not clean, comfortable, or controlled. It is an invitation to enter a sacred space together with friends and strangers. Through vivid accounts from her life and travels in Uganda, China, and Tajikistan, and stories of visiting congregations in the United States, Verner shares stories of life around the table and how hospitality is at the heart of Christian community. Order at www.commonword.ca/go/1824.
Buy, Borrow, Download from CommonWord
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