MCEC PRAYERS
Lord, we lift up all who are impacted by war around the world. As we enter the advent season, may the coming peace and hope of Christmas bring comfort to those who mourn, healing to those who suffer, and hope to those in despair. Surround the displaced with safety, provide strength to caregivers, and inspire leaders to pursue justice and peace. Let your peace take root in every nation, renewing hearts and guiding us toward reconciliation and an end to all violence.
MCEC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Introducing: Transformed. Inspired. Called. – An MCEC Devotional! This weekly online devotional brings heartfelt reflections from MCEC pastors straight to your inbox every Wednesday. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to deepen your faith journey with insights rooted in our shared MCEC mission. Sign up today for MCEC Connect and be part of this transformative experience!
MCEC Prayers for the Earth: You are invited to join in an online prayer for climate justice on the second Thursday of the month, for half an hour beginning at 11:15a.m. Our next prayer time is Thursday, December 12th. To receive a link please contact Herb Sawatzky at pastor@bethanymennonite.ca. Written prayers are also welcome.
MCEC Intercultural Volleyball Tournament, Feb 1st, 2025, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd., Kitchener. Come on out for a fun day of intercultural, intergenerational volleyball, fellowship and fun with MCEC congregations. This event has been growing since it started with more teams each year! More details soon.
MCEC Annual Church Gathering ONLINE 2025, Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10 – 11:30 a.m. This year, our Annual Church Gathering will take place as an online business meeting—a chance to connect and collaborate as an online community. Together, we’ll discuss important updates, including slate positions, new structures and finances. Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to meet Anthony Siegrist, MCEC’s newly appointed Executive Minister.
MC Canada Gathering 2025, July 2-5, 2025, Kitchener, ON. You’re invited to the MC Canada Gathering next summer, where our theme, “Each Gift,” celebrates the unique gifts each person brings. Rooted in 1 Peter 4:10, we’ll explore how our diverse talents and perspectives enrich the ministry of an intercultural church. The Gathering includes a Congregational Gathering, Youth Gathering and a U30 Gathering for young adults! Something for everyone. Save the dates!
ONLINE PUBLICATIONS
CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY The Blazer: Connecting Alumni and Friends of CMU 2024 issue and back issues
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE bulletin announcements and also Church Connections Newsletter
MENNONITE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mennonite Historian December 2024
NEW HAMBURG MENNONITE RELIEF SALE
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale is looking for a volunteer administrator for their Microsoft 365 site. More more information contact John Reimer at johnreimer@nhmrs.com.
FITNESS FOR YOUR AGING BRAIN
Space is at WNMC for additional participants and drop-ins. See: Better With Fitness – Exercise Programs for Your Body and Brain Email: fitnessforyouragingbrain@gmail.com
LEBANON EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Give now and double the impact of your gift.
With the escalating violence in Lebanon, people’s lives are in danger and the need for basic necessities is great. MCC partners have mobilized in central Lebanon and Beirut to help, providing meals, hygiene items, bedding, health services, hot meals and psychosocial support for children.
Every donation made by Canadians to a Humanitarian Coalition member is matched to a maximum of $3 million until November 3, 2024. MCC participates in the Humanitarian Coalition through our membership in Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
Donate today 888.622.6337 mcc.org/lebanonemergency
MENNONITE YOUTH ENSEMBLE
Menno Youth Ensemble is excited to present our Christmas concert: For the Beauty of the Earth, on December 13th at 7pm at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church. The concert will explore the wonders of nature and the joys of the Christmas season through choral music, original compositions, and carols. Admission is by donation. Click here for Poster.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Handel’s Messiah: Sat. Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. at Centre In The Square, Kitchener. With Grand Philharmonic Choir, musicians of the K-W Symphony, and soloists. Mark Vuorinen conducts. Tickets $34 to $88, 10% senior discount, $20 for students and under 30s, $10 for children in high school and under. Centre In The Square box office, 519-578-1570 or www.centreinthesquare.com CLICK HERE FOR POSTER
SPIRITUS ENSEMBLE
SPIRITUS ENSEMBLE presents: Magnificat: Baroque Christmas Favourites. The Choir and Orchestra of Spiritus Ensemble perform Bach’s Magnificat plus music by Handel, Charpentier and Corelli. Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 23 Water Street North, Kitchener. Tickets available through Spiritus Ensemble’s website and at the door. www.spiritusensemble.com for more details. CLICK HERE FOR POSTER
ADVENT JAZZ VESPER SERVICE
Advent 2024 Jazz Vespers, a moment of musical calm for a time that needs it – familiar carols in jazz settings with readings for the season. We’re looking forward to providing this service again with the usual batch of musicians: Allison, Brad, Paul, Linden, Tom and Greg. Our service will be Friday, December 20, 7pm, generously hosted by Rockway Mennonite Church, 47 Onward Avenue, Kitchener. All are welcome. Come for a rest. Grace and peace. Questions? Contact Ed Janzen: ejjanzen@uwaterloo.ca.
JOHN B. MILLER AND FRIENDS ADVENT CONCERTS
John B Miller and Friends (including Andrea Weber Steckly, Carrie Guse, Joe Orlando, Matt Teeter) …invite you to join us for a worshipful Advent concert. Enter into this season of waiting with songs expressing the peace, hope and comfort of Emmanuel, God with us. This is our 13th season and we are grateful. ll concerts begin at 7p.m. No tickets are required, but a suggested $20 donation is appreciated at the door.) www.johnbmiller.ca Come, and be drawn into the holiness of this season. CLICK HERE FOR POSTER.
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- Dec. 13 – Holy Cross Church, Georgetown
- Dec.15 – Christ Lutheran Church, 445 Anndale Street, Waterloo (across from Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church on Lexington)
- Dec. 18 – Basilica of Our Lady, Guelph
- Dec. 21 – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Preston
ROCKWAY MENNONITE COLLEGIATE
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate proudly presents their all-school musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, February 27 – March 1, 2025. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.rockway.ca/events. We look forward to welcoming you and your family into Wonka’s world of Pure Imagination!
WILMOT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE HOLIDAY HAMPER PROGRAM
Dear Friends: As we prepare for the holiday season, we are once again asking for help with our Holiday Hamper program. This year, we anticipate the need in our community to grow, and we are preparing to provide 200+ hampers to individuals and families. Each hamper will contain age-appropriate gifts at a grocery gift card provided by sponsors as well as top-up items such as mitts, hats, socks, and other holiday comforts provided by community groups. You can help support the holiday hamper program in several different ways. Click here for more information.
SILVER LAKE MENNONITE CAMP
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp Winter and Spring Retreats registration now open. Go to slmc.ca/retreats for more info. Coming up soon are:
Fathers & Kids Retreat (Jan 17-19) – A weekend of snow fort building, snowshoeing through the woods, roasting smores over the campfire, and playing games in the dining hall! Dads enjoy free-time Saturday morning while staff provide programming with kids.
Women’s Retreat (Jan 31-Feb 2) – Come, experience the beauty of camp in winter. Be nourished by the relaxed pace, good food and meaningful conversation. Play in the snow, breathe deeply in yoga, cross country ski, go on a snowshoe hike through the woods. Reflection time led by Wendy Janzen.
Summer Camp: Registration for overnight camp and day camp opens February 1 at 8am. Outtrip registration opens Jan 7 – sign up before Jan 30 to get $100 off! Visit slmc.ca/summer-camp to have a look at the 2025 schedule.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp is seeking a Fundraising & Communications Manager. This is a permanent, half-time, hybrid position in Kitchener. If you would like to inspire and engage SLMC’s generous community, read more at slmc.ca/about/board-of-directors and apply soon!
MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE CANADA
Dear Friends… With colder than normal temperatures expected, Heather Muraca will sleep easier this winter. Last August, the Bush Creek East Wildfire tore through her property in Adam’s Lake, B.C. Heather’s trailer home still stands — with melted siding and a tarp covering holes in the roof. It’s unlivable because of water damage from fire mitigation efforts. Without a safe home, and with a heart condition, respiratory concerns and insurance coverage delays, Heather wasn’t sure what to do. She rented an office trailer in the fall, where she wintered last year. “It was terrible,” she recalled. “It was so cold in there. The water dish for my dogs was frozen solid and I… slept in my hunting gear and boots.” Heather didn’t look for help, believing there were many others in greater need than herself. But, thanks to the compassion of caring people like you, MDS was able to help her through a referral. With limited options available, an MDS project director took creative note of an off-grid cabin on her property. Over a two-week period, volunteers reinforced the structure, insulated, installed windows and wiring, repaired a dilapidated deck and house-wrapped the building. Because of the renovation, Heather will keep warm next to a woodstove this winter. “I was so worried not knowing what was going to happen,” she said. “[The cabin] is a million times better. It’s structurally sound. These guys are incredible.” Your Osiah Horst, Unit Chair gift in N empowered MDS to rebuild homes and restore hope for others like Heather. This Christmas, would you help us bring safe, warm housing to more survivors like Heather? With disasters like wildfires hitting close to home, more often, there are many more people needing shelter from the winter’s cold. Due to the Canada Post strike, I encourage you to consider our online and telephone giving options this Christmas season. You can: · Donate online at mds.org/donate-canada; or · Make a credit card donation by calling us toll-free at 1(866) 261-1274. I am so grateful for the generosity and care you’ve shown for our volunteer-driven mission. Your gift today will bring hope, warmth and a community around disaster survivors — so they don’t face a difficult journey towards recovery alone….. With gratitude and blessings, Ross Penner, Executive Director, Mennonite Disaster Service Canada, MDS Canada | 200-600 Shaftesbury Blvd | Winnipeg, MB R3P 2J1 CA
RECEPTION HOUSE WATERLOO REGION
It’s Giving Tuesday! Imagine being a child without a safe place to play—a space to laugh, run, and make memories. For newcomer children and youth staying in temporary accommodations, this is their reality. Right now, the only space they have to move around in is a parking lot. It’s not enjoyable or suited for the kind of play that supports their growth and well-being. We believe every child deserves a place where they can feel free to just be kids, no matter their circumstances. That’s why we’ve launched a campaign to build a playground: a safe, welcoming space designed just for them. This will be more than a playground; it will be a place for connection, joy, and healing during a time of great transition in their young lives. Your support can make this dream a reality. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to giving these children the space they need to play, grow, and thrive. Together, we can create a brighter holiday season for newcomer children and youth. Please join us in making a lasting impact by donating today. Let’s give them the gift of play! If you are hoping to make a donation, here are some ways to do so:
• Donations can be made through this link
• Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or Interac – To send a donation by e-transfer, add us as a recipient using the email address ap@receptionhouse.ca. We are set up for automatic deposit, so no security question is required. In the comment or memo section, please include your name and that it is a donation, as well as your mailing address for the tax receipt. You may also email ap@receptionhouse.ca in a separate email with the donation and address details if you prefer.
GREAT WINTER WARM-UP WITH MCC
Dear Friends: It’s that cozy time of year again – time for the Great Winter Warm-Up (GWW) with MCC! We’re so excited to invite you back to this special event, where together we make comforters to share warmth and love with people around the world. Each comforter knotted during GWW becomes a lifeline for someone facing the hardships of disaster or conflict. Last year alone, thanks to kind and dedicated people like you, MCC sent over 53,000 comforters to places like Ukraine, Malawi, and Zambia. Each one offered not only warmth but a heartfelt reminder that they are not forgotten. This year, we’d love to see churches and comforter-knotting groups join in by holding or attending comforter-knotting blitzes in January and February. Whether you’re a comforter-knotting pro or new to it, there’s a place for you to join in! There are two wonderful ways to participate this year:
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- Host your own comforter-knotting blitz: If your church or group is planning an event, we’d love to know! We’d be thrilled to send someone to visit and support you. You can email me to share your plans. And please do snap some photos or videos of your gathering! We’d love to feature them on our social media to inspire others.
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- Join us at the Material Resource (MR) Centre in New Hamburg: On January 25, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, come by for a day of comforter-knotting, laughter, and warm drinks! Knotters of all levels are welcome. You’ll also get a chance to tour the material resources warehouse, and if you’re traveling from out of town, consider making a day of it by checking out the local quilt shops or grabbing lunch at a nearby café. We’d love to give you some recommendations!
Every comforter you help create is more than just fabric and thread – it’s a gift of God’s love to someone in need. Our goal is to make as many comforters as possible during this year’s Great Winter Warm-Up, so let’s come together and spread the warmth! More information at https://mcc.org/events/great-winter-warm-comforter-knotting-blitz With joy and gratitude, Stephen
Stephen Roy, Church and Community Relations Associate. (519) 745-8458 ext 236 / (226) 978-6124 https://mcc.org/resources/churches
CONRAD GREBEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Bonhoeffer: Cell 92 – January 10 and 11, 7:00 pm | A cinematic theatre production created by Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole. This thought-provoking single actor play focuses on the final period of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, a German pastor and theologian involved in the Protestant resistance to Hitler and National Socialism. Two nights only, at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo. Tickets: uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/bonhoeffer-cell-92
Anabaptism at 500: A service of Commemoration and Celebration – Thursday, January 16, 7:30 pm, W-K United Mennonite Church, Waterloo. | A service of music, reading, and reflection on the 500th anniversary of the first adult baptisms in Zurich, Switzerland. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptism-500-service
Bechtel Lecture | Commemorating Anabaptism’s 500 Years: Anabaptist beginnings and the stories we tell, Friday January 17, 7:30 pm, at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo. Dr. Karl Koop considers our dominant communal memories and the stories we tell, suggesting that in avoiding stories from the margins and stories we have marginalized, we will be left with a situation intellectually unsatisfying, and significantly limiting in our understanding of the past. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptist-beginnings
Looking for more purpose in your life? Whether you are interested in exploring vocations of ministry and service, deepening your understanding of Christianity and the church, or seeking personal enrichment, the Master of Theological Studies program at Conrad Grebel University College could be a great fit for you. Apply by February 1. Full tuition scholarships available for full-time Canadian students. uwaterloo.ca/theological-studies
Create meaningful impact with the Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) program at Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo. Combine interdisciplinary scholarship and experiential learning with a focus on nonviolent peacebuilding and community-led change. Apply by February 1. Discover more at uwaterloo.ca/mpacs or register for an upcoming information session.
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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