Mennonite Church Canada

Mennonite Church Eastern Canada

Mennonite Church Manitoba

Mennonite Church Saskatchewan

Conference of Mennonites in Alberta

Mennonite Church British Columbia

Northwest Mennonite Conference

Mennonite Church Canada

Staff numbers lower
than projected

Mennonite Church Canada is on track with plans presented for delegate approval at last year's annual assembly in Abbotsford.

Referring to the flurry of appointment announcements over the last months, general secretary Dan Nighswander suggests that "it may have looked different to Canadian Mennonite readers, but in fact we have not hired more staff than projected at Abbotsford 2001."

Proposals at Abbotsford 2001 projected staff numbers at 59 (not all full-time), while the current staff complement is 49. As anticipated, said Nighswander, "we have more bodies than we have full-time positions," noting the fact that there are currently 49 staff but 24 full-time staff and 25 part-time staff (including one interim position). At this time last year, Mennonite Church Canada had 32 staff.

In addition, there are two half-time positions that are not yet filled (peace and justice director, and resource development director for Eastern Canada), and an additional four half-time positions in Mission Partnership and Education. Long-term dreams call for a half-time position for Young Adult Ministries and a half-time director of National Ministries.

The revised full complement of staff is currently projected to be 55 people. This compares with some 65 staff Canada supported under the former binational structures.

-MC Canada release

Treasurer resigns
by 'mutual consent'

Gerhard Epp, treasurer for Mennonite Church Canada, has resigned effective April 12. He began in this position on June 1, 2000. The resignation, according to both Epp and Pam Peters-Pries, executive secretary of the Support Services Council, was arrived at through "mutual consent."

Until a new treasurer is hired, Peters-Pries will be handling inquiries about finances. She can be contacted at (204) 888-6781, e-mail ppeters-pries@mennonite church.ca.

"Gerhard has worked very hard and conscientiously for Mennonite Church Canada," commented Peters-Pries, "and we wish him well in his future pursuits."

Things to know about
Equipping Canada

There are (at least!) three things all 250 MC Canada congregations should know about Equipping Canada. The information packet, sent to all congregations 10 times per year is: 1) chock full of resources, ideas, and news; 2) now available on line at www.mennonitechurch.ca; 3) for everyone-lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, small groups, pastors, church councils, youth leaders, worship leaders.

If you've never seen it, ask your pastor or church secretary for it, or test drive it at www.mennonitechurch.ca. Highlights of the March issue include: notes from Dan Nighswander, general secretary; prayer request; news from Justina Heese of Formation; news about the Youth Assembly in July; reflections from Henry Paetkau, denominational minister; request for submissions to new baptism and church membership manual; Witness notes; congregational partnerships.-MC Canada release

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Mennonite Church Eastern Canada

Lao ministry to
'emerging church'

The Toronto United Lao Mennonite Church is being recommended for emerging church status at the MCEC annual session on April 12-13 in St. Catharines.

From June 10 until September 2001, this congregation met as a "praying group" in the home of one of its four families. Then they rented office space in a warehouse on Weston Road in Toronto for worship and fellowship. The congregation worships in two languages (Laotian and English) and reads the scriptures in four: Thai, Mandarin, Laotian and English.

This congregation is one outcome of six years of ministry by Boris and Bonnie Sithideth in the Laotian community in Toronto. The MCEC Mission and Service Commission has funded this ministry, and supported it through the minister of missions, Mary Mae Schwartzentruber, and through a Reference Council which benefits from a long-term relationship with (and volunteers from) the Mississauga Mennonite Fellowship. Laotian pastors Ong Ath Phounsavath and Kuaying Teng have also offered support to this ministry.

The already growing Toronto United Lao Mennonite Church has been anxiously awaiting this official status to make its presence more widely known in the former North York area.

-MCEC release

Peace Troupe offers
practical training

Peace Troupe is a pilot project initiated by the MCEC Peace, Justice and Social Concerns Commission. Facilitators offer training on topics such as nonviolent confrontation, sexual harassment, racism, bullying and domestic violence.

In the workshop on domestic violence, participants examine Bible passages to discern what can guide us in confronting domestic violence and what actions faith communities can take in their communities. Participants report that they learn practical tools.

-MCEC release

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Mennonite Church Manitoba

Kliewer resigns as
executive director

The Mennonite Church Manitoba board of directors has announced the resignation of Victor Kliewer, executive director, effective this summer. He joined the staff in 2000 and has guided the conference through a major restructuring of policies and practices.

Kliewer is currently considering a return to pastoral ministry. A search committee has been appointed to seek a new director.

-MC Manitoba release

Camps offer
new adventures

Some new wilderness adventures await Manitoba youth this summer through Camps with Meaning. The Assiniboia Trail Ride, July 28-August 3, will provide 10 campers with horses for the ride through Spruce Woods Provincial Park. This trail ride is open to campers who have completed grade eight and have prior riding instruction.

On the Whiteshell Wanderers Canoe trip, July 20-26, canoeists will explore the famous Caddy Lake Canoe Route which reaches into the heart of the Canadian Shield. Campers must have completed grade seven and must have had prior canoeing instruction.

Camps with Meaning is also offering its first Bird Watching Retreat on June 7-9, under the leadership of experienced birder, Adolf Ens. The environs of Camp Koinonia in the Turtle Mountain Provincial Park will provide many species for observation.

For further information, call (204) 896-1616.

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Mennonite Church Saskatchewan

Bible conference
making comeback

At a recent meeting of the General Council, the Pastoral Leadership Commission finalized plans for two upcoming events. The Pastor-Spouse Retreat will be held June 9-11 at Camp Elim.

Making a comeback after several year's absence, the Bible Conference will be held November 15-16 at Hope Mennonite in North Battleford. The second of two pastor conferences will be tacked onto this event as well. It will be held on the 15th during the day and the Bible Conference will start that evening and continue till the next evening.

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Conference of Mennonites in Alberta

Spirits upbeat but
funding prospects slim

Welcome Home Community had its best turnout ever when approximately 60 staff, volunteers, and participant families came together for the annual retreat at Camp Nakamun near Edmonton. In spite of government funding cuts that have devastated programming, the atmosphere at the retreat was upbeat.

"It had almost the feeling of a reunion" reflected former staff person, Rebecca Kauffman.

Activities included swimming, skating on the lake, gym time, and family games. A meaningful time of sharing occurred when copies of a group picture were distributed and participants signed the backs for each other. The retreat wrapped up with a Sunday morning worship service.

With support from the City on a Hill program, a number of families and former staff continue to gather on Tuesday evenings at the Inglewood Christian Reform Church. Hope for future funding remains slim even though the benefits of such early intervention programs are acknowledged by government officials.

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Mennonite Church in British Columbia

Call for potential
church planters

The annual Canadian Church Planter Assessment will take place April 22-25 at Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre. Mennonite Church B.C., along with the Mennonite Brethren conference and five other denominations, will participate in the assessment.

The centre is part of a system being put into place to develop potential church planters across Canada. The Evangelism and Church Development Committee of Mennonite Church B.C. is seeking persons who want to explore a call to church planting. For further information, contact Chris Arney at (604) 850-6658

Unless otherwise credited, the articles in TheChurches pages were written by: Leona Dueck Penner (Mennonite Church Canada), Maurice Martin (Eastern Canada), Evelyn Rempel Petkau (Manitoba), Karin Fehderau (Saskatchewan), Donita Wiebe-Neufeld (Alberta), Angelika Dawson (B.C.). See page 2 for contact information.

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Northwest Mennonite Conference

Delegates decline
membership in MC Canada

At the March 22-23 annual meeting of the Northwest Mennonite Conference (NWC), delegates voted on Mennonite Church Canada membership. Based upon congregational feedback, the Board recommended: 1) that NWC terminate provisional membership and decline full membership; 2) that the above action take place at the end of NWC's next fiscal year, March 31, 2003.

The first motion passed with a 69 percent majority and the second motion passed with an 80 percent majority

The NWC will be taking this year to determine its denominational affiliations. The board is already soliciting congregational feedback in determining directions for conference growth. Options being explored include: membership with another denomination; sustaining NWC as an independent entity; beginning a new Mennonite entity.

The new Board members and officers are: Don Alberts, moderator; Arnie Weber, secretary; Dwight Roth, treasurer; Raul Gurdian and Lars Rude, additional members; Ray Landis, conference minister/facilitator; Margi Sayer office manager.

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Unless otherwise credited, the articles in TheConferences pages were written by: Daniel Rempel (Mennonite Church Canada), Maurice Martin(Eastern Canada), Evelyn Rempel Petkau (Manitoba), Karin Fehderau (Saskatchewan), Donita Wiebe-Neufeld (Alberta), Angelika Dawson (B.C.). Go here for a list of contact information.