MCEC PRAYERS FOR SUNDAY, March 31, 2024
Pray for Mennonite Church Canada Witness worker, Tom Poovong, together with Thai colleagues, Pastor Khamphan and Pastor Thipphawan as they travel in Canada during the month of April. They will be in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Pray for the relationships being built and connections made in this travel. During their time in Ontario (April 4-9) Norm Dyck and Yoel Masyawong from the MCEC team who will be hosting them as they meet with congregations, Conrad Grebel and the Lao Mennonite Fellowship of Canada.
Continue to pray for Myanmar, Ukraine, Gaza and throughout a world that cries for peace. Pray for those who are displaced, those who search for family members, those who make decisions and those who attempt to provide aid. Lord, hear our prayers.
MCEC ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, March 31, 2024
MCEC Financial Zoom Call, April 17, 2024, 7-8 p.m. online.
The internal financial statements will be presented in advance of the Annual Church Gathering. This conversation provides an early opportunity for conversation and to ask questions. This event is open to pastors, delegates, treasurers, councils and congregational leaders. Register through your Annual Church Gathering registration or at mcec.ca. If you have registered through the ACG registration, you do not need to re-register.
Annual Church Gathering, April 26 & 27, 2024, Leamington, ON. Inspired by Hope. Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus. “We need you this weekend,” says Ben Cassels, MCEC moderator. “We need you voice, engagement, wisdom and prayers as we gather to be the Church.” Hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God. Doug Klassen, celebration of ten years of ministry impact with Legacy Initiatives Fund; welcome new congregations and more! Registration is open in both English and French.
Consider the Birds: Point Pelee Pre- MCEC Annual Church Gathering Contemplative Nature Walk, Friday, April 26, 2024, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Point Pelee National Park – Join MCEC Eco-Minister Wendy Janzen for an afternoon excursion to Point Pelee National Park. The park is just 16 km south of UMEI, and is famous for the spring bird migration. Come and enjoy the unique Carolinian forest, the Lake Erie shoreline, spring wildflowers, and whatever birds and wildlife we find. More information at mcec.ca.
ONLINE PUBLICATIONS FOR SUNDAY, March 24, 2024
Canadian Mennonite University [CMU] Through This Place March 2024 issue
Mennonite Central Committee [CMU] bulletin announcements for this week
COMPASS REFUGEE CENTRE — Open House Thursday April 4, 2024
PASTORS IN EXILE (PiE) WINTER EVENTS — Click here for poster
NEW HAMBURG RELIEF SALE PROMOTION DINNER
April 29, 2024, 6:00pm. @ Calvary United Church St. Jacobs. Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and the sweet sounds of Surrendered. Click here for details and tickets.
HIDDEN ACRES
Spring Seniors Retreat at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp — On Monday, April 29th join us for a day of fellowship, community and conversations. Dr. Martha Taylor will share with us in the morning and Jane Kuepfer will host a panel discussion in the afternoon as we intentionally explore end-of-life conversations. Click here for brochure and registration form.
SILVER LAKE MENNONITE CAMP
SLMC Summer Camp – Registration is open! Visit slmc.ca/summer-camp to view all programs available at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp this summer.
Music is Medicine Retreat – Come to Silver Lake for a weekend of singing and instrumental music from April 19-21. All meals provided. Register at slmc.ca/retreats.
J.S. BACH: ST. JOHN PASSION
The Grand Philharmonic Choir presents J.S. Bach: St. John Passion at Centre In The Square, 7:30 p.m. on Friday March 29. Andrew Haji takes on the role of the Evangelist; other musicians include Justin Welsh, Rebecca Genge, Daniel Cabena, Daniel Lichti, and the musicians of the former K-W Symphony. Join us for this beautiful and dramatic interpretation of the Biblical narrative, conducted by Mark Vuorinen. Tickets $34 to $88 ($21 for students and under-30s; $11 for children up to the end of high school) at Centre box office: 519-578-1570 or www.centreinthesquare.com
CONSCIENCE CANADA — Spring 2024 Newsletter and Peace Tax Return
Dear Conscience Canada supporters: It’s tax time: time to reflect on the doors that are opened when we close the door on war, to invite others, including our government, to imagine what we could do with the resources our societies invest in militarism and war. Conscience Canada hopes you’ll find our Peace Tax Return and Spring 2024 newsletter useful for this time. And we hope you’ll be able to join us for our April 20 AGM (announced in the newsletter). As I write, it’s Valentine’s Day, so here’s some peace related history former board member Anna shared https://www.consciencecanada.ca/?p=1747. May we all know and learn to use the power of nonviolence that enables us to protect what we love. love & best wishes, Jan Slakov, on behalf of the board of Conscience Canada
MEDA
Join the Waterloo Network Hub their Annual Spring Banquet on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, at Shantz Mennonite Church located at 2473 Erbs Rd, Baden, ON, N3A 3M3. Hosted by Gary & Brenda Leis, this event will feature live music, dinner by Grace Frey Catering, welcoming remarks by Dorothy Nyambi, President and CEO of MEDA, presentation by Katelynn Folkerts with MEDA on Cassava Seed Systems. Doors open at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm. Cost: $55.00 per person. Register online by April 12th at: https://www.meda.org/events/. You won’t want to miss this!
GODSPELL
Breslau Mennonite Church presents Godspell. Come see this familiar story in a modern setting with memorable songs performed by members from the Breslau Mennonite Church community – on stage April 25-28. For tickets and more information visit https://www.breslaumc.ca
HAWKESVILLE MENNONITE CHURCH FAREWELL
Hawkesville Mennonite Church invites you to their ‘HMC Finale’ on May 5, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. HMC is dispersing after concluding 74 years of Ministry. Come and share in memories, stories, history and the many ways that HMC has impacted your life. Click Here for Poster.
100th ANNIVERSARY OF RUSSIAN MENNONITES IN ONTARIO
Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario Annual Meeting & Niagara Russlaender Centenary Tour, Saturday, June 15, 2024. Join the Society for a day tour of sites in the Niagara region to commemorate the centenary of the arrival of Russlaender Mennonite immigrants in Ontario. Fill out this form to be notified when registration opens. Details at www.mhso.org.
ROCKWAY MENNONITE COLLEGIATE
GRADE 9-12 DRAMA PRODUCTION — Grade 9-12 students of Rockway Mennonite Collegiate invite you to watch them perform as they take on the world of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson April 11-13. With many supporting actors in the cast, these plays come to life, with British accents and all. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information and to get your tickets, visit: rockway.ca/sherlock Deadline for ordering and buying tickets is April 3.
GRADE 7-12 INFORMATION NIGHT — Is your family looking for a change in September? Rockway Mennonite Collegiate may be a good option for you! Our teachers are passionate about creating engaging lessons, challenging their students to think critically and caring for their wellbeing. We encourage students to explore their faith while developing respect and appreciation for all faith traditions. Join us on April 16 at 7 pm to discover the Rockway Experience for your child. Visit rockway.ca to RSVP today!
29th ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC — It won’t be long until the golf courses reopen and we can get together for Rockway’s 29th Annual Golf Classic! Mark your calendars for Monday, May 27 and join us at Grey Silo Golf Club in Waterloo. The Early Bird registration closes on Monday, April 15 so sign up today and save! Why not come out for a day of fun, food and friends. For more information about the day, including cost and how to register, visit www.rockway.ca/golf
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate is accepting applications for the position of Vice-Principal. This is a full-time position effective July 2024. If you, or someone you know would be a good fit for our school, please view and share the full job posting at: rockway.ca/employment
CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY [CMU]
Germinating Conversations: Sustainable Food Production – CMU invites you to join Dr. Mario Tenuta and three farmer respondents in a conversation on soil, fertilizer, greenhouse gases, and climate change on Friday, April 5 at 7:00 PM in CMU’s Great Hall and online. Presented by CMU, MCC, Foodgrains Bank, and A Rocha Canada. Visit cmu.ca/events.
Let’s Get Dirty: The Lowdown on Earth’s Fabric in your own Yard – a Face2Face panel discussion on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:00 PM at CMU and via livestream. Hear from scientists, researchers, and farmers about the untapped potential that’s in your very own yard. Visit cmu.ca/face2face.
Full-Time (Permanent) Employment Opportunity – CMU invites inquiries and applications for a Residence Director (full-time, salaried with benefits). Visit cmu.ca/employment for details on this and other employment opportunities.
CONRAD GREBEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Celebrate the launch of On Mennonite/s Writing, a collection of essays by literary scholar Dr. Hildi Froese Tiessen, edited by Rob Zacharias. This book gathers eighteen essays that reflect a half-century of critical engagement. April 4, 7:30 PM, at Conrad Grebel University College (Chapel). Reception to follow. grebel.ca/events
Tap into the expertise of Conrad Grebel University College faculty members and invite a professor to speak at your church. Through Grebel-to-Go, faculty members speak on topics related to peace, music, worship, Mennonites, religious studies, theology, and history through lectures, presentations, workshops, adult and youth education, and sermons. Visit uwaterloo.ca/grebe/to-go for a list of speakers and topics.
Conrad Grebel University College is accepting student residence applications for the 2024/25 academic year. Grebel is an enthusiastic residence community that houses University of Waterloo students on the UWaterloo campus. Students in any year of study are welcome. Learn about rooms, spaces, food, fees, and important dates at uwaterloo.ca/grebel/apply.
The Annual Spirituality and Aging Seminar will take place on Friday, June 21st in-person and virtually at Conrad Grebel University College. Rev. Dr. Mark Roberts presents “From Problems to Possibilities: Faith Communities enabling those in the third third of life to flourish.” This seminar challenges the narratives about elders in communities, churches, and society at large; exploring the role churches can play in empowering older adults. Visit grebel.ca/spirituality for registration information. Professionals, practitioners, and all interested are welcome.
YOU CAN PROVIDE EMERGENCY RELIEF TODAY
MCC and local partners provide emergency assistance to affected families. Your donations and prayers help bring critical support to these global neighbours. To donate go to mcco.ca/volcano-relief