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MCEC Weekly Bulletin

Your place for information from MCEC and Mennonite Church Canada
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MCEC Annual Church Gathering
Transformed. Inspired. Called.
April 28 & 29, 2023
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener, ON
Hebrews 12:1-3
Registration will open next week.

What do you want to talk about?
Do you remember that question? We have gathered responses from you and are now looking for facilitators. Please pray as we finalize discussion groups. Topics may include:
  • Anabaptist heritage
  • Church property redevelopment and stewardship
  • Congregations supporting each other on jouney of relationship with Indigenous neighbours
  • Declining attendance challenge
  • Environmenal impact of a peace church
  • Hospitality
  • Living out our core beliefs
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Intercultural Worship Service - Friday, April 28, 2003, 7:00 p.m.
All are welcome to attend Friday evening worship service. Be challenged and encouraged by Fansoie Legesse. Welcome new congregations joining MCEC. Celebrate with congregations who are transitioning to full membership. Welcome their ministering pastors and celebrate communion among new and now friends.
Church Planter's Workshop Spring 2023
The Gospel According to Jesus
with Derek Suderman
April 28, 2023
1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
First Hmong Mennonite Church
93 Doon Rd, Kitchener, ON

In this workshop we will look at how the Gospels (especially Matthew and Luke) describe the Gospel, as well as what Jesus rejects as a temptation. In particular, we will explore how Jesus both draws upon and reinterprets previous Scripture (Old Testament). As Mennonite Christians, what does this teach us about what it means to follow after Jesus as his disciples?

A workshop for MCEC church planters and leaders.
Palm Sunday thoughts from the desk of our Eco-Minister, Wendy Janzen
Palm Sunday, (April 2nd this year) the Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week, is an opportunity to reflect on scripture and practice from an ecological perspective. Many of our churches include palm branches in worship in some way – often as part of a children’s processional or a visual display.
What if, this year, rather than ordering palm branches imported from somewhere far away, you chose locally appropriate foliage? Consider instead cedar, hemlock, pine, or other local evergreen branches sourced from a church member’s property.

Why? If you are going to bring something from nature into worship, why not chose something local to help bring the story home and alive in new ways? Additionally, you avoid the problems of supporting unsustainable palm plantations, exploited workers, and the carbon footprint of shipping those palms to North America.

To read more, check out this article from Radical Discipleship. And here’s a “Pine” Sunday prayer for your use.
- Wendy Janzen
wjanzen@mcec.ca
 

Has your church considered hosting forest church worship, either for your congregants or your community?
Eco-minister Wendy Janzen is convening a quarterly virtual discussion group for pastors and lay leaders who are interested in exploring this expression of mission and worship. The first gathering will happen in June (the exact date and time yet to be determined). You may also be interested in the upcoming Wild Church Network retreat happening at Five Oaks in Paris, ON, June 14-19. More information and registration is available here.
MCEC Events & Workshops
Living the Gospel as a Diverse Group of Believers
A workshop on cultural integration
April 18, 2023
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Online, $25

As a denomination and as individuals, we want to become learners of our cultural and disciplinary identities to lead respectful, inclusive and culturally appropriate dialogues. Fanoise Legesse, MCEC Intercultural Mission Minister, will lead us as we explore questions around overcoming barriers, integration of ethnic traditions in new cultural context and the gifts we all bring as a diverse body of Christ.
Walking Together Book Study
MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group
Join the MCEC Truth and Reconciliation Working Group in this 4-part book study, Walking Togther: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance.
  • Wednesday, March 29
More Information and to Register
The constituency-based MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.
Peacemaking emphasized in new storybook Bible
From MennoMedia

From beginning to end, the Bible reminds us that we are made in God’s image and that God’s table has room for us all. God’s presence and peace become real to children of all ages in The Peace Table (Shine, July 2023), a comprehensive family storybook Bible with artwork from 30 illustrators.

The Peace Table can be pre-ordered through CommonWord, the title's exclusive retailer in Canada. Come to God’s peace table, where there’s room for everyone.

Read more
WEEKLY NEWS HOTLINKS
More great information and regular updates.
Don't forget to scroll the web-page so you get all the news!!
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  • Wellesley Mennonite Church
  • Kathryn Cressman and Hillcrest Mennonite Church
  • Places throughout the world where people cry for peace
Bulletin Announcement Cut and Paste
  • Living the Gospel as a Diverse Group of Believers Workshop
  • MCEC Church Planter's Workshop
  • MCEC Annual Church Gathering
Mennonite Church Canada Update
  • International Witness
    - Prayer Requests
    - Vietnam Update
    - MWC Transmission film series
    - Myanmar Update
    - Ethiopia Update
     
  • Indigenous Relations
    - Pray for MC Sask and MCC Sask and New Life Network
     
  • CommonWord
    - Anabaptism at 500
    - The Peace Table
    - Custodians documentary
    - Honest Conversations for Men of Faith
    - Holy Week Resources
    - Full Lent Resource Collection
    - Easter Resources
Pastoral Transitions

Partner Events and Information
  • Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
    - Rooted and Grounded Conference on Land and Christian Discipleship
    - Invite AMBS!
  • Canadian Council of Churches
    - Our Whole Society Conference @ Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo - May 7-9, 2023
  • Conrad Grebel University College
    - Employment Opportunity: Chaplain
    - 10th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality
    - University of Waterloo Music: End of Term Concert Series
    - The Place of Memory: Reflections on the Russlaender Centenary - July 2023
  • MennoMedia
    - Anabaptist Community Bible - Invitation to participate
  • Mennonite Disaster Service
    - Volunteers needed in Cape Breton, NS
  • Ontario Mennonite Music Camp
    - Employment Opportunity: Instructor Positions Available
  • Rockway Mennonite Collegiate
    - Bison and a Buggy
    - Frozen Jr. Tickets
  • Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
    - Indigenous Learning Retreat for people connected with the Church - April 26-27, 2023
  • Willowgrove/FRASER LAKE CAMP
    Job Opportunity: Head Cook and Kitchen Volunteer
Copyright © 2023 Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, All rights reserved.


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