MCEC PRAYERS FOR SUNDAY, March 24, 2024
Pray for the family of Gary Harder, retired MCEC minister, who died earlier this week, Monday, March 18, 2024. Gary served a lifelong calling to pastoral ministry, serving at Waters Mennonite Church in Lively, Ontario, First Mennonite Church in Edmonton and Toronto United Mennonite Church. He ministered in several interim pastorates at Mennonite Fellowship of Montreal, Hagerman Mennonite Church in Markham, and Wideman Mennonite Church also in Markham. He served the wider church by mentoring over 30 ministry interns, teaching church and ministry at Conrad Grebel University College, and serving on many boards and committees over the years. Friends and relatives are invited to a visitation at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church, 1310 King St. N, St. Jacobs, on Thursday, March 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and again on Friday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at the church on Saturday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow in the church basement. Read Gary’s full obituary.
Pray for the INNOVATE team as INNOVATE ministry draws to a close. Pray for the many lives and congregations who have been a part of the ReLearning Community/INNOVATE missional discipleship initiative. May God be praised for the lives changed, congregations strengthened and neighbourhoods transformed.
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 24, 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.
ONLINE PUBLICATIONS FOR SUNDAY, March 24, 2024
Mennonite Disaster Service [MDS] On the Level a monthly newsletter from MDS – March 20, 2024 issue
COMPASS REFUGEE CENTRE — Open House Thursday April 4, 2024
PASTORS IN EXILE (PiE) WINTER EVENTS — Click here for poster
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.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Nota Bene Players & Singers, conducted by Howard Dyck present Handel’s Messiah on Palm Weekend. The performance will be dedicated to the memory of longtime organist, teacher and conductor Jan Overduin.
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- March 22nd, 7pm, at Saugeen Academy, 381 10th St, HANOVER
- March 23rd, 7pm at St. Paul’s United Church, 29 Park St. W., DUNDAS
- March 24, 3pm, at First United Church, 16 William St. W., WATERLOO
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
In support of MEDA, join the Waterloo Network Hub for breakfast on Thursday, March 28th, 2024, at the RiverSong Banquet Hall located at 632 Hawkesville Rd, St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0. This event will feature Guest Key Speaker, Chloe Hamilton, Founder of Warm Embrace Elder Care Ltd, who will share her compelling journey. Time: 7:30 am. Cost: $25 Regular, $15 Student. RSVP: by March 22nd, 2024 at https://www.meda.org/events/
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!
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
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!
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.
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