MCEC PRAYERS (rec’d Sept 5):
Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations. This week we pray for Ma Destinée. Rheau Jean-Claude and Marjorie Brutus provide pastoral leadership to this congregation in Montreal. Pray for them as they strive to be a beacon of hope for their wider community.
Continue to pray for areas in the world who cry out for peace: Ukraine, Russia, Myanmar, Israel, Palestine, Sudan and more… Where there is conflict, bring reconciliation; where there is division, bring unity. Help us to be peacemakers, showing love and compassion to all.
MCEC ANNOUNCEMENTS (rec’d Sept 5):
MCEC Pastors Fall Retreat – Meeting God in the Old Testament: Hearing the Advent Voices. Thursday, October 17, 2024, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thamesford, ON. Join Zac Klassen and Tanya Dyck Steinmann for a transformative pastor retreat as we renew our faith, nourish our souls and equip ourselves for the sacred season of Advent. We will delve into the prophetic voices of the Old Testament, exploring their significance during Advent. Register at mcec.ca/events.
MCEC Junior Youth Fall Event – Healthy Friendships – October 20, 2024, 1 – 5 p.m, UMEI Christian High School, Leamington, ON. What does it mean to be a good friend? What did Jesus teach us about how to have healthy friendships? Join us at UMEI in Leamington as we dig deeper into creating meaningful friendships! Register at mcec.ca/events.
Mennonite Church Canada International Witness Sunday – October 27, 2024, Welcome to the Banquet Table: Sharing in God’s Global Feast. Congregations across Canada are invited to celebrate the relationships and gifts we have and share with our brother and sisters around the globe. Worship resources including prayers, music suggestions and sermon starters are available at mennonitechurch.ca.
MCEC Palestine Israel Networking Group presents Challenge for the Church: Antisemitism, Saturday, November 2, 2024, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Waterloo North Mennonite Church, 100 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo. How has the Church been antisemitic in the past? How can the Church resist antisemitism today? Join us for a day that calls us to a deeper examination of Mennonite thought and action. We invite churches to join us for this workshop on antisemitism, as well as a companion event March 2025 Challenge for the Church: Islamophobia. Register at mcec.ca/events.
ONLINE PUBLICATIONS
MWC (Mennonite World Conference) Update from Deacons Commission September 2024
THANK YOU FROM FAIRVIEW PARKWOOD COMMUNITIES
“I wish to express my gratitude to the Waterloo North Mennonite Church congregation for their ongoing support as we navigate the future together and seek opportunities to continue FPC’s legacy of outreach. Elaine Shantz, President & CEO
Here is a link to the FPC Annual Report which provides additional information. https://parkwoodmh.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-FPC-CommunityReport-Web.pdf
A FRESH START
A note of encouragement from Ann L. Schultz, MCEC Executive Team Leader, as we begin a new church and school year. MCEC is a diverse community transformed by the love of God, inspired by the hope we find in Jesus and called to action by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“I was recently introduced to a quote by Rick Warren who said: “God specializes in giving people a fresh start.” At the cusp of a new church and school year, I find this quote particularly insightful to me, following a summer of both joy and sadness. As we enter this new church year, I am grateful for a God who invites us to enter new spaces and fresh starts.” Read more
INTER-MENNONITE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
IMCC is excited about our upcoming Fall 2024 season and are still looking for a few more singers to join us! Our rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings at W-K United Mennonite Church for children in Grades 1 and up and provide an excellent music education experience while singing with friends. Please contact: conductor@imcchoir.org for information about how to register. Ian VanderBurgh, Administrator and Treasurer
CHRISTIANS TOGETHER WATERLOO REGION (formerly K-W Council of Churches)
You are invited to a special meet-the-author event on Sunday, September 15, at 2 p.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 49 Blueridge Avenue, Kitchener. The author is Leah Reesor-Keller, and her book is entitled Tending Tomorrow: Courageous Change for People and Planet. This is an interdenominational event offered to the whole community.
HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP
Hello friends at Waterloo North MC, I wanted to reach out to ensure that you know how grateful I am. You are a large part of the 200+ community members who came together to provide backpacks and essential school supplies for 740 children in your community! That’s 740 children who returned to school today with everything they need to succeed, Thanks to you! Here’s a special message from some of our Family Outreach staff, who came together to share their thanks in this short video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RPnlffOjDI With gratitude, Sarah Amoah (she/they) l Fundraising Coordinator
MEDA BREAKFAST
Thursday September 19, 2024. RSVP by September 13. Please join us for an inspiring morning as we hear from Vanh Kalong, a Laotian refugee whose journey from fleeing her home country to becoming a successful entrepreneur is nothing short of remarkable.
As the founder of My-Thai Group, an award-winning Thai restaurant brand with locations across Ancaster, Brantford, Cambridge, Paris, and soon Waterloo, Vanh has built a successful business that reflects her passion to live an impactful and purposeful life. Since founding her business in 2001, she has not only achieved financial success but also dedicated herself to giving back, helping others along the way.
Come hear Vanh share her story of resilience, courage, and entrepreneurship. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a business professional, or someone seeking motivation, this event will provide valuable insights and inspiration to fuel your own journey to success. Click here to register.
SHALOM COUNSELLING SERVICES
10,000 STEPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH — Saturday, Sept. 21 — Shalom Counselling Services, 9 Avondale Ave. S., Waterloo — Registration begins at 9 am — Walk starts at 9:30 am. Participants will travel a route to the Iron Horse Trail, along the trail, and back to Shalom. Join us and set your own goals, whether it’s taking 10,000 steps or 1,000 steps, or fundraising $10,000 or $100. Choose a goal that works for you and help us provide more affordable, accessible counselling services in the Waterloo Region. Sign up on our website: https://shalomcounselling.org/steps. After the walk, there will be a community block party to celebrate our achievements. Please come out and support local mental health resources. Thank you for your continued support and prayers, Shalom Counselling Services
SILVER LAKE MENNONITE CAMP
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp has extended their Executive Director application deadline into Fall 2024. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator with strong financial management and people skills. Those interested can view the job description at slmc.ca. Please send your resume and cover letter to boardchair@slmc.ca.
SLMC Fall Retreats – Registration is open for Fall Retreats at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp, including Men’s Retreat (Sept. 13-15), Bruce Trail Hikes, and Work Weekend (Nov. 1-3). Register at slmc.ca/retreats.
CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY [CMU]
Xplore – “Lord teach us to pray”, “The Great Oratorios” and “Coming to terms with Christian Anti-Semitism” are some of the fall courses offered through CMU’s Xplore extended education program. Courses begin October 1; for course information and to register, visit cmu.ca/xplore. Churches may consider hosting an Xplore watch party with people from the community.
CommonWord Book Launch: Blessed are the Undone and Holiness Here – On Wednesday, September 25 at 7:00 PM, authors Angela Reitsma Bick and Karen Stiller discuss faith deconstruction and the mystery of holiness. Join in person at Marpeck Commons or watch the livestream at commonword.ca/go/4054.
CommonWord Book Launch: Transformative Moments in Chaplaincy – On Thursday, September 26 at 7:00 PM, Ken Kuhn, Interim Chair of the Justice and Corrections Committee of the Manitoba Multifaith Council, Bernie Mullins, Provincial Chaplain of Manitoba, and former prison chaplain and author Donald Stoesz discuss God at work through prison ministry. Join in person at Marpeck Commons or watch the livestream at commonword.ca/go/3973.
CONRAD GREBEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Signs of Peace: A Retrospective of Peace Posters | July 2 – October 31, 2024 at the Grebel Gallery. Featuring over 40 posters from organizations and initiatives connected to Grebel, this pop-up exhibit encourages viewers to reflect on the messaging and design work that goes into inspiring peace action. uwaterloo.ca/centre-peace-advancement/grebel-gallery
September 26, 2024: The Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario, along with the Ontario Heritage Trust, will unveil a commemorative plaque to be placed at the site of the Montreal River Alternative Service Camp (just north of Sault Ste. Marie). Canada’s Alternative Service program ran from 1941-1946, with over 10,000 participants, many of them Mennonite. The unveiling will take place at Conrad Grebel University College at 4:00 pm. Then on September 28, the plaque will be installed at the Montreal River site. For more information, please visit the MHSO website at MHSO.org
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