Sept 28 updates & announcements from MC Sask

We call our family of faith to pray for the people on Canada’s east coast in the wake of tropical storm Fiona, one of the strongest ever to hit Canada.
The hurricane-force winds, which peaked at about 175 km/h in some regions, left hundreds of thousands of residents without power. Fiona travelled across southwestern Newfoundland, eastern mainland Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, southeastern New Brunswick and the Magdalen Islands in eastern Quebec. Pray for our sisters and brothers at Petitcodiac Mennonite Church in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick. Gordon Driedger provides pastoral leadership to the congregation. He reports, “The storm just brushed by us so very little damage was done in our area. We will be watching and seeing where we can help our neighbours to the east, who have suffered so much damage.”
Mennonite Disaster Service Canada, our partner in ministry, is accepting donations to help those impacted by Fiona. More information and to give. ** **

Chinese Christians face ongoing pressure and discrimination Believers in China will take a training course this weekend about following Jesus in the Anabaptist tradition. Pray for them as Christians face increasing political pressures and discrimination in the country, for wisdom in how to gather and for joy in being together. ** **

MC South Korea holds annual retreat Pray for God’s Spirit to be present as Mennonite Church South Korea meets to hold its annual retreat this weekend (Oct. 1-2). ** **

Updates & Announcements

Note: Items with ** at the end of the announcement are new or have been updated
**please include in your bulletins

Oct. 2 Forest Church at Shekinah. 3pm. Ed Olfert brings his trademark wit and humility to add some stories to reflect on during our time of outdoor worship. All are welcome! **

RJC's Annual Fundraising Dinner - 1905 RJC AM: Live & on Location | October 29, 2022, doors open at 5:00pm, dinner & program begin at 6:00pm. A radio-style variety show in the RJC auditorium, featuring Joe Callahan (singer-songwriter) and Leland Klassen (comedian), as well as performances by other RJC alumni, friends, and students. Donations will go to support RJC's bursary program. Tickets on sale now for $25. Call (306) 232-4222 to reserve your spot. Space is limited. ** **

RJC's Corporation Meeting | October 29, 2022, 5:00pm. Join us for your annual report to the community in the RJC chapel prior to our fundraising dinner. ** **

Shekinah Work Day! Saturday, October 22nd - 9:00am to 4:00pm. Shekinah would love to finish the work around the windows on the inside of the Timber Frame cabins before winter and they need your help. This is not heavy work; however there are six windows in each of the four cabins, so many hands would make for an efficient work bee! Coffee will be served along with a tasty treat and lunch will also be provided. Please bring an impact driver or drill if you have one and small hand tools. Shekinah will have all supplies required for the work that needs to be done. Call Ron at Shekinah if you have any questions (306.945.4929). Come out and bring a friend!
And here are some upcoming events happening in the Timber Lodge before the end of the year:
November 19, 2022 - Wine & Cheese Event, 6:30pm
December 11, 2022 - A Very Shekinah Christmas, 2:00pm ** **

"Reading Paul in the Shadow of Empire" Course
With a focus primarily on Paul’s letter to the Romans, this course will explore how Paul called followers of Jesus to a life of faithfulness at the heart of the Roman empire.
This intensive MDiv course is available for credit through CMU or audited through MC Sask. Details and registration available at https://mcsask.ca/event/11070 **

Oct. 21-22, 2022: “Departing Canada, Encountering Latin America: Reflections on the Centenary of Mennonite Emigration from Canada to Mexico and Paraguay,” a conference hosted by the Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies at the University of Winnipeg. Sessions will take place in Convocation Hall, 2nd floor Wesley Hall Building at the University of Winnipeg, and will be livestreamed. Free admission. Program and registration at https://ctms.uwinnipeg.ca/events/departing-canada/ ** **

CMU Open House for prospective students and families! Drop in between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM (CDT) on October 21 for a tour of the CMU campus with our Admissions Counsellors, meetings with professors and current students, sit in on a class or chapel, and get your questions answered! No registration required. Visit cmu.ca/campusvisit. ** **

Xplore: At the Intersection of Faith and Life – Participate in courses that investigate the dimensions of the Christian faith, our world, and life in it—without homework or tests! Learn about Paul the Radical Jew, connecting with self and others after adversity, pacifism in the context of the war in Ukraine or Mennonites in Canada. In-person and online classes begin October 5, visit cmu.ca/xplore to register. ** **

J.J. Thiessen Lecture Series – Robin W. Jensen, Patrick O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame will deliver three lectures on October 18 and19, in person at CMU. Dr. Jensen’s title for her lecture series is “Picturing the Bible: How Artists Tell the Story”. Visit cmu.ca/jjt for times and location. **

MC Canada invites congregations to participate in study groups for Anabaptist Bible In preparation for the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism in 2025, MennoMedia, MC Canada and MC USA’s publishing ministry, is looking for five hundred study groups from various Anabaptist communities across North America, to participate in creating the first-ever Anabaptist Bible. Read more: https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/press-release/14337-mennomedia-seeking-500-study-groups-for-anabaptist-at-500-bible-project. ** **

MC Sask Camping Ministry Study Update:

In the last few weeks, facilitator Tim Nickel has been having good conversations with representatives and key constituents of MC Sask’s three camps, as well as conducting organizational assessments of each camp. These meetings, interviews, and finddings will serve of the basis of the Camping Ministry Study’s next steps as we seek to strengthen the relationship between our congregations and camps. ** **

As part of receiving a scholarship from the MC Sask Student Education Fund, applicants are requested to send a note explaining how they will be using their scholarship. These will be shared in the update over the next few weeks.

Kennedy Martens
Fiske Mennonite
Canadian Mennonite University

Dear MC Sask Community,

Thank you all for your generosity and support. I am extremely grateful to be a recipient of the MC Sask Student Education Fund Scholarship. This scholarship not only aids in financing my education, but also reflects the church’s values of investing in the education of young people.

I am a 3^rd year student at CMU majoring in Psychology and minoring in both Biology and Biblical and Theological Studies. This scholarship allows me to continue my studies at CMU where I can take unique courses such as Psychology and Christianity. I enjoy attending classes and exploring how these seemingly diverse topics are interwoven and in dialogue with each other, (although I do not always enjoy writing papers on these topics).

I hope to complete a bachelor’s degree at CMU in the next couple years and your support makes that possible. Thank you!

Peace and blessing,
Kennedy Martens ** **