MCEC PRAYERS FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2023
Pray for those whose lives are impacted by war and trauma. Pray for those who are suffering in Ukraine, Russia, Myanmar, Afghanastan, Israel, Palestine and all other places in our broken world. Lord hear our prayers.
MCEC ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2023
MCEC Seeks an Office Administrator and Accountant. Are you a person with high attention to detail, strong administrative skills and two years accounting experience? Join the MCEC staff team. You will have experience in improving processes and finding efficiencies. The Office Administrator and Accountant provides administrative and accounting support to MCEC. This is a full-time, permanent, hybrid position. More information at mcec.ca.
MCEC Intercultural Worship Gathering, November 4, 2023, Worship begins at 4:30 p.m., Location: First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, ON – An evening of worship and praising God at the Annual Intercultural Worship Gathering with our family across MCEC. Join the potluck that will follow! Everyone is welcome. More information at mcec.ca.
MCEC Financial Update Zoom Call. November 8, 2023, 7 p.m., online. Save the Date. Hear the MCEC financial story at this time of the fiscal year. Meet John Head, our interim Operations and Finance Director. Registration is open at mcec.ca. This event is open to pastors, treasurers, councils and all other interested persons.
MCEC Fall Equipping Day for pastors, chaplains and congregational leaders – an equipping day on saying farewell, Saturday, November 11, 2023, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., East Zorra Mennonite Church. All are welcome for this informative day to talk about green funerals, funeral planning, advanced care planning, MAID (Medical assistance in dying) and palliative care. Bring your leadership teams. Hear stories from experts, pastors, practitioners and family. Registration is now open at mcec.ca.
MCEC Seeks an Events Coordinator. Are you a detailed oriented and clear communicator with experience in event planning? Join the MCEC staff team in Kitchener, ON. This person will coordinate and support the logistics of MCEC’s Annual Church Gathering in April 2024 as well as providing support as needed for other MCEC events. This is a part-time, 15 hours per week contract position from December 2023 – April 2024. More information at mcec.ca.
ONLINE PUBLICATIONS FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2023
AMBS News latest edition and November bulletin announcements
MCC Bulletin Announcement October 31, 2023
Mennonite Disaster Service [MDS] Behind the Hammer Fall 2023 issue
Parkwood Seniors Communities – Capital Campaign Update Fall 2023
PiE [Pastors in Exile] UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Pastors in Exile (PiE) is excited to gear up for fall programming for young adults in Waterloo Region. For more information about events see: https://pastorsinexile.org/fall-programs-2023/
*accessibility notes: wheelchair accessible building, single user all gender washrooms available
*transportation notes: close to the Allen St. Ion stop and the Spur Line Trail. Free parking is available at the church.
CLIMATE EMERGENCY VIGILS
Faith Climate Justice Waterloo Region and climate justice partners Divest Waterloo, the Working Centre, and 50by30WR have planned a series of 16 vigils to be held every Friday at Waterloo Public Square from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., beginning September 1 and continuing to December 15. These vigils are a local response to the global climate emergency: they seek to provide for people space and time to contemplate and reflect on the climate struggles facing our world. We have also attached an information letter prepared for Christians Together Waterloo Region by the Climate Emergency Vigil organizers Barbara Schumacher, Isaiah Ritzmann, Kai Reimer-Watts, Laura Hamilton, Becky Voll, and Henriëtte Thompson. You can contact the committee at climatevigilswr@gmail.com Attachments: Climate Emergency Vigils Information Letter for CTWR
CANADIAN MENNONITE
Graphic designer (half-time) sought to work for Canadian Mennonite from November 22, 2023 until May 31, 2025. Work with a creative team to help tell the church story. Apply by November 6. Go to canadianmennonite.org/employment for details.
BOOK LAUNCH
You are warmly invited by Laurier’s departments of Global Studies and Religion & Culture to help celebrate the recent publication by Dr. Edmund Pries. His book, Anabaptist Oath Refusal: Basel, Bern, and Strasbourg, 1525-1538 was recently released by Pandora Press, as part of their Anabaptist and Mennonite Studies series. Edmund will offer a brief talk about the book, followed by questions and discussion. There will be light refreshments. Please join us to for the celebration and sharing of ideas to mark this important contribution to scholarship. See Poster.
Details: November 8, 2023 3:00-4:30pm. The Hawk’s Nest, Fred Nichols Campus Centre. Wilfrid Laurier University. No registration necessary; all are welcome!
OMAS HOLIDAY MARKET
November 12, 2023 at Parkminister United Church. Proceeds support the Stephen Lewis Foundation in Sub-Saharan Africa Click here for details
KW SYMPHONY FUNDRAISER
Sunday, November 12, 2023, 7pm – St Jacobs Mennonite Church is hosting members of the KW Symphony in a Fundraising Concert entitled ‘Baroque and Beyond… A Musician’s Fundraiser.’ This concert of Baroque music will be conducted by Andrei Feher and feature Ian Whitman on solo bass and guest soprano Bethany Horst.
SILVER LAKE MENNONITE CAMP
Fall Work Weekend (Oct 27-29) – Spend Saturday helping to get camp ready for the winter season! This family-friendly weekend is FREE to attend, and food is provided.
SLMC Staff Alumni Retreat (Nov. 17-19) – Come to camp to reunite with friends and former staff! To register for Work Weekend or Staff Alumni Retreat, visit slmc.ca/retreats.
HIDDEN ACRES
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp’s Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday, November 21 from 6;30-8:30pm at Tavistock Mennonite Church. All are welcome to join us, either in person or virtually, for a short business meeting, hear stories of impact from Mano Watsa and Watsa Basketball Camp coaches and look ahead to 2024. Please RSVP to admin@hiddenacres.ca or 519-625-8602.
MEDA NETWORK
- MEDA Convention 2023 information and registration and MEDA Breakfast November 23, 2023
ROCKWAY MENNONITE COLLEGIATE
Interested in learning more about Rockway Mennonite Collegiate? We invite students in grades 5-11 and their families to attend our Discover Rockway Information Night on Thursday, November 9 from 7 – 9 pm. Students – you can meet your future teachers, test drive our Robot, make a snack in our Family Studies room and check out the other cool things our school has to offer! For more information and to register for this event, visit our Discover Rockway webpage. See you soon!
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate will host its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 7:30 pm on Zoom. Visit Rockway’s AGM webpage to confirm your voting and membership eligibility by November 15. If you don’t want to vote but you want to be part of the evening, or you are already approved to vote, you can simply email AGM@rockway.ca to RSVP and receive the private Zoom link.
MENNO SINGERS
Menno Singers and artistic director Brandon Leis present ‘Now I lay me down to Peace,’ at First United Church (16 William St, Waterloo) on Saturday, November 4 at 7:30pm. The concert features the Faure Requiem, the Thompson Peaceable Kingdom and 3 Nocturnes by Elder. $25 Adults. $5 Children/Students. Tickets available on-line or at the door (cash or credit) www.mennosingers.com
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 3pm. Menno Singers and Mennonite Mass Choir present Handel’s Messiah with artistic director Brandon Leis, a 230 voice choir, soloists Bethany Hörst (soprano), Jennifer Enns Modolo (mezzo soprano), Owen McCausland (tenor) and Nathan Keoughan (baritone) along with orchestra members of the former KW Symphony. Tickets are on sale now at the Centre in the Square Box Office. www.centreinthesquare.com
BACH VESPERS
The choir and orchestra of Spiritus Ensemble will perform one of Bach’s most popular cantatas, based on the hymn ‘Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott’ (‘A mighty fortress is our God’), and his magnificent motet for double choir, ‘Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied’ (‘Sing to the Lord a new song’) on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 23 Water Street North, Kitchener. Soloists are Elizabeth Lepock, soprano; Jennifer Enns Modolo, mezzo-soprano; Chris Fischer, tenor; and Rich Hrytzak, baritone; Kenneth Hull conducting. Admission is free; donations are gratefully received.
THE MENNONITE STORY
The Mennonite Story has spent the last couple of years working out a feasible plan that would see the vision of sharing our story with the broader community continue. Thanks to the Schlegel Group, we are now sharing space with the Wagon Tours in the log house at the Farmer’s Market. While the museum is smaller than our space in St. Jacobs, we still have the church benches, show the movie, and dialogue with participants. A good part of our outreach is done by our amazing volunteers who provide guided tours in conjunction with the Wagon Rides. We are still sorting out some details, but wanted you to know we are still here, invite you to come and visit us, and stay tuned for more information in the spring about our operations.
CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY [CMU]
CommonWord Book Launch for So We and Our Children May Live. Join authors Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler as they offer hope for a better future alongside concrete actions for joining with Indigenous Peoples to protect life and advocate for sustainable change that follows Jesus. November 10 at 7:00 PM (CST), In person and via livestream. Visit commonword.ca/go/3438. Poster
Face2Face at CMU | This Event is Generated by Artificial Intelligence: Conversations with ChatGPT – You are invited on November 15 at 7:00 PM (CST) at Marpeck Commons or via livestream for an opportunity to learn and gain a deeper understanding of the uses, opportunities, and ethical concerns of generative AI’s role in our rapidly changing world. Visit cmu.ca/face2face for more information.
CONRAD GREBEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
The Grebel Gallery invites the public to meet artist Mary Kavanagh as she presents her exhibition, Trinity, Then and Now. This stirring exhibition examines the long-lasting impacts of the Trinity atomic bomb test, which took place on July 16, 1945 in the desert of New Mexico. Mary has dedicated her work to the investigation of the legacy of nuclear testing. Come to the Gallery on Wednesday, November 8 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm to join Mary and the community for an evening of conversation, connection, and reflection. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-peace-advancement/events/grebel-gallery-meet-and-greet-artist-mary-kavanagh
Conrad Grebel University College is hiring a new Director of Operations! The Director of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the College’s physical plant, information technology systems, human resources, food and hospitality services, security and safety, and front office and reception. The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, along with training and experience in the areas of business or personnel management, human resources, facilities management, and information technology. At least five years of management experience is preferred, ideally in a post-secondary institution. Grebel respects, appreciates, and encourages diversity. Applications will be reviewed beginning November 20, 2023, and will be accepted until the position is filled. Read the full description: uwaterloo.ca/grebel/careers
Make A Difference (MAD) Holiday Market | Saturday, December 2. 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Hosted by the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Undergrad Society at Conrad Grebel University College, all funds collected from participating vendors, the silent auction, and suggested $2 entry contribution will be donated to A Better Tent City, Waterloo. Fill your car with family and friends to make a difference while shopping for this holiday season! uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/mad-market
Three Choir Concert | Saturday, November 25, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Waterloo | Enjoy an evening of choral music with three choirs coming together to perform, including new music by two Grebel alumni composers: Julia Jacklein, and Candace Bustard, commissioned for Grebel’s 60th anniversary. $10 general admission, $5 for students. More information at uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/three-choir-concert
Benjamin Eby Lecture – Thursday, November 9, 7:30 PM, Grebel Chapel | Dr. Maisie Sum, Associate Professor of Music at Conrad Grebel University College, presents her research on the guembri, a symbolic artifact of the Black African diaspora in Morocco. This lecture will explore the lute-like instrument’s connections to spiritual practice, taboo history, and re-emergence as an icon of the nation’s openness, diversity, and rich cultural history. Register at grebel.ca/eby.
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