COMMUNITY NEWS – Sunday July 23, 2023

MCEC  PRAYERS

  • Join the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission group of churches in praying for the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso. Violent attacks and political unrest continue in the country, so there is a great need for prayer support. Pray that our brothers and sisters there will know how best to create space for peace in their local communities, especially in the Kénédougou region. Thank God for their witness and for God’s provision and protection during this challenging time.
  • The MC Canada Palestine-Israel Network calls us to pray. The last weeks in the Israeli-occupied West Bank have been marked by a rise in violence due to growing Israeli settlements and military control. Pray for the safety of Palestinians who live in fear of attacks and harassment. Pray too for the minority Christian communities of the land, that they may be strong and united in their witness to the hope, justice, and peace of the gospel.
  • Continue to pray for those who are living in areas impacted by war. We pray using the words of Psalm 13: “How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever? But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”

 

MCEC ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Join the MCEC Video Challenge! How are you or your congregation being transformed? Where is your inspiration coming from? What do you feel called into? Make your own short video sharing what you and your congregation are excited about. Videos will be premiered at Annual Church Gathering in Leamington, ON next April. What an amazing story it will be of how God is transforming, inspiring and calling people and congregations across MCEC. More information at mcec.ca.
  • MCEC Pastor’s Retreat, September 28, 2023, 9 a.m to 3:30 p.m., Ingersoll, ON. A day for pastors and chaplains to set aside for retreat, encouragement and rejuvenation. Consider gifting this day to your pastor or chaplain. Registration is open.
  • MCEC Urban Anabaptist Church Planters Workshop, September 30, 2023, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ottawa, ON. Tentmaking: Opportunities and Challenges for Developing Congregations with James Watson. A day of worship and prayer for church planters and pastors focused on tentmaking or multi-vocational ministry. Registration is open.
  • Mennonite Church Canada announces an Emissions Reduction Grant available to all MC Canada congregations. MC Canada will provide grants to congregations wishing to upgrade their facilities with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Applications for up to 50% (to a max. of $6000) of the cost of reducing their church building’s carbon footprint are now being accepted. More info and application available at https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/mc-canada-emissions-reduction-grant. Application Deadline: September 30.

 

ONLINE PUBLICATIONS

 

MCC COMMUNITY PEACEBUILDING MINI CAMP

  • If you know someone between the ages of 14 and 17, please pass on this exciting opportunity of experiential learning and to have their voice heard on social issues that matter. 
  • In the morning youth will be invited to walk through a simulated learning experience that explores the journey, struggle and process for families seeking refuge in Canada. In the afternoon we will go through a series of activities that will use their voice to think about how to address the harm-doing happening in our community.   
  • This is a chance to give their opinions and creative ideas on how to engage youth on these important issues. Participants are eligible to receive five community involvement hours and lunch, snacks and MCC swag are included!
  • July 24th at 50 Kent Ave. in Kitchener from 9:30 – 3:00pm
  • Register here.

 

RECEPTION HOUSE

  • Reception House would like to invite you to our first ever Circle of Connection Event in person since pandemic on Saturday, July 29th at Victoria Park, Kitchener. This event is an opportunity for us to meet and acknowledge the great work done by our volunteers and also gives us a chance to see who else might be interested in being part of our  family. Reception House couldn’t do the work we do and be where we are right now without the support of our volunteers.
  • Come join us for some fun games, snacks and refreshment and also to learn more about our community while building connections with others.
  • The registration is open until Friday, July 21st 2023. Call 226-750-0682.

 

  ONTARIO MENNONITE MUSIC CAMP

  • Have you heard of OMMC?  Ontario Mennonite Music Camp is a faith-based music camp, welcoming campers aged 12-18 from Ontario and beyond. It runs from August 13-25, 2023. OMMC is supported by the Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada (MCEC) and Conrad Grebel University College, but students of all backgrounds and traditions are welcome to register for two weeks of developing their musical and leadership skills. OMMC is also open to students of all musical abilities. It costs $1400 to attend camp for two weeks, but there are bursaries available based on need.
  • Emily Rempel and Mykayla Turner are co-directing this camp alongside a full team of musicians. Emily graduated from Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, MB in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music degree and since then has worked in music, church, and educational settings in both Kitchener and Winnipeg. Since winter of 2021, she has been working at Westgate Mennonite Collegiate. Mykayla recently earned a Master of Sacred Music degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and she is now working as a worship coordinator for The Church at Nairn, an MCEC congregation. Emily and Mykayla are both looking forward to making music and memories at OMMC.
  • Applications will be accepted until August 1, 2023 (as space is available). Opportunities are also available for students in Grade 11 or 12 who are interested in acting as a Leader-in-Training for the 2023 season. To register for OMMC and find details for parents, campers, and staff, visit these links:
  • For further information about OMMC, feel free to email the co-directors at ommc.director@gmail.com.

 

 FRASER LAKE CAMP

  • Show love the Mennonite way @ Fraser Lake Camp: FLC (Bancroft, ON) is in urgent need of kitchen volunteers this summer.  If you are available to help cook any of the following weeks, please contact office@fraserlakecamp.com:  July 23-29, Aug 1-7, and Aug 13-19.
  • Practicing Peace Workshop at Willowgrove: On Saturday, August 12 at 1pm, Willowgrove is hosting an Anabaptist Peacebuilding workshop led by Peter Haresnape. Admission is by donation. For more information, please visit Willowgrove.ca/events.

 

 SILVER LAKE MENNONITE CAMP

  • Fall Retreats – Registration now open for a wide variety of fun retreats coming up this fall including: Labour Day Weekend Retreat (Sep 1-3), Men’s Retreat (Sep 15-17), Bruce Trail Hike (Sep 18-21), Fall Hike Retreat (Sep 29-Oct 1), Fall Work Weekend (Oct 27-29). Click here for more info… slmc.ca/retreats
  • Day Camps – Join the fun at one of SLMC’s Kitchener or Leamington day camps! Our program runs throughout July and August, for campers ages 5-12. Visit slmc.ca/summer-camp for registration and more info on times and locations!
  • Overnight Camps – There are still spots available for SLMC overnight camps and outtrips and we welcome last minute registrations! Go to slmc.ca/summer-camp to see what’s available.
  • Stay Connected – Follow SLMC on Instagram (@silverlakemennonite) and Facebook to stay up to date on what’s happening at camp and see recent photos!

 

 ABNER MARTIN MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP

  • The Abner Martin Music Scholarship ($4,000 value last year) is awarded annually by Menno Singers to a student who:  1) will be enrolled in a full-time music major or minor program at the undergraduate or graduate level in 2023-2024);  2) is affiliated with an MCEC congregation; and  3) has demonstrated involvement and proficiency in musical activities in church and community. Application deadline is September 15, 2023. For more information and/or an application form contact Lewis Brubacher, lbrubacher@sympatico.ca.

 

 SHALOM COUNSELLING SERVICES

  • Shalom Counselling Services’ 10,000 Steps for Mental Health will begin at Shalom Counselling Services (9 Avondale Ave. S., Waterloo) on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Registration begins at 9 am with an official send off at 9:30 am. Participants will travel a route to the Iron Horse Trail, along the trail, and back to Shalom.
  • Join us and start setting your goals. It could be taking 10,000 steps or 1,000 steps, fundraising $10,000 or $100. Set a goal that is right for you and help provide more affordable, accessible counselling services in Waterloo Region. Sign up on our website at: https://shalomcounselling.org/steps
  • After the walk their will be a community block party celebrating Shalom Counselling Services 40th Anniversary. Please come out and support local mental health resources.

 

  CONRAD GREBEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

  • “Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo is hiring a new Director of Student Services to build a community where students find belonging, form lifelong friendships, and develop as both successful university students and as whole persons, in alignment with the mission, values and identity of the College. The successful candidate will have significant leadership experience in university or college student affairs or in a similar setting. Applications will be reviewed beginning July 21, 2023. Visit the Grebel’s Career page at ca/positions

 

 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 

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