Mennonite Church Eastern Canada
Mennonite Church British Columbia
A brochure, “Take a new road together: Missional opportunities for you and your congregation,” has been sent to congregations in the September issue of Equipping Canada. The brochure invites individuals to learn about missional formation and congregational partnerships in mission. (Information is also available at www.mennonitechurch.ca.)
The initiative provides five ways to explore missional church perspectives, each designed for different groups. It also lists ways that congregations can partner in mission.
The hoped for outcome, says Jack Suderman, executive secretary of MC Canada Witness, is to help congregations establish clarity of purpose, and address how their programs, budgets, and character align with their vision, and ultimately to partner with others to continue God’s mission.
The journey will take participants from inspiration through conviction to transformation, says Suderman. “But the biggest challenge is transformation, and no one should underestimate that. I liken it to the Kyoto accord—citizens truly desire to do what is good and right for the environment, but are they willing to take the car to work for only two days a week?”
MC Canada has a half-time staff person in each area conference (except Alberta, where an appointment is yet to be made) charged with responding to churches’ requests for missional formation and partnerships.
“We were invited to help a congregation go through a visioning process last year,” said Suderman. “This congregation had reams of activity, everybody was busy, but energy was lagging and people felt a lack of purpose to their busyness....”
The congregation shared its vision, mission and purpose statements with Suderman, who “noticed right away that all three of the statements lacked any reference to God.”
Leaders determined that a new emphasis on God’s mission could provide the sense of connection to a greater purpose. They set a priority statement, which focuses each activity in its alignment with God’s purpose. “Significant energy has already come from this,” said Suderman.
—From MC Canada release by Daniel Rempel
Opportunity for
missional training
Church leaders can sign up for a new missional formation course offered by Mennonite Church Canada in 2003.
Billed as “Leadership/Mentor training,” the course will be held in four sessions, tentatively scheduled for January 5-7, May 4-6, September 7-9, and December 7-9. Monthly internet interaction will keep participants connected between sessions.
The cost is $450 for the course. MC Canada covers travel costs, meals and lodging for the four sessions.
Participants will: strengthen their understanding of being a missional church; explore biblical and theological foundations; engage in worship; explore historical, missiological and contextual development; discover practical implications and experiential models for ministry; prepare to mentor other congregations; dialogue with other leaders.
Contact Marilyn Houser Hamm, director of congregational partnerships, by e-mail: mhhamm@mennonitechurch.ca, or toll-free phone: 1-866-888-6785 (Winnipeg callers use 888-6781).
Prayers for
Colombia
In the midst of escalating violence, the Mennonite Church of Colombia invites “urgent prayer.” Members made a public declaration of faith through a Bread and Peace fast on September 21, the Universal Day of Peace and Nonviolence called for by the United Nations.
The July 29 death of Gabriel Montes, a Mennonite peace and justice volunteer, and the threats of death and deportation of Christian Peacemaker Team members, have heightened concerns for Mennonite church workers there.
Montes, a farm leader and collaborator with Justapaz’s peace building project on the northern coast of Colombia, was assassinated when he was leaving his house. The 60-year-old left behind a wife and four children.
For further information on Colombia (including their declaration rejecting violence) as well as worship resources and suggestions for ways your congregation can respond, go to: http://mennonitechurch.ca/news/releases/2002-09/09-03colombia.php
Pray “urgently” for Gamaliel and Amanda Falla who returned to Colombia this summer as MC Canada Witness partners through the Mennonite Mission Network. On August 14, while setting up their new home in Barranquilla, they were robbed of their salary and expense money as they left the bank. It was an armed attack with threats to kill if they did not comply.
They also lost a list of initial contacts for the church in Barranquilla. They are very shaken and Amanda is traumatized about going onto the streets again.
Spiritual directors plan
‘Days of Quiet Prayer’
Spiritual directors from Mennonite congregations in Ontario are planning monthly days of prayer in different regions of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. The spiritual diretors have been trained and are interested in providing contemplative prayer opportunities for pastors and interested lay persons.
Each day, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will be an occasion for both private and communal prayer. Bring a bag lunch (drinks to be provided), Bible and journal. The cost is $12 payable on the day. Pre-register at MCEC office, phone (519) 650-3806, no later than one week prior to an event.
The events are: September 21 at Bloomingdale Mennonite; October 23 at Hillcrest Mennonite; November 16 at Stirling Avenue Mennonite; January 22 at Kitchener-Waterloo House Church; February 22 at Waterloo North Mennonite; March 26 at Bethany Mennonite; April 25 at Tavistock Mennonite; May 21 at Blenheim Retreat Centre; June 21 at Valleyview Mennonite.
Pauls appointed
interim director
Jake F. Pauls has been appointed interim executive director for Mennonite Church Manitoba, effective September 3 for a term of 4-12 months. Pauls has much experience in Manitoba churches. He also served on the review committee which helped put MC Manitoba on the course of change it has undergone over the past six years.
The agreement between Pauls and the board was done with considerable prayer and spiritual discernment.
Pauls is well known as a pastor. Since his retirement, he has done excellent work in team building and visioning in congregations. His experience and gifts equip him well for this interim position.
The search committee is still seeking a full-time, long-term executive director. (Phone suggestions to Hugo Peters at 256-9545 or to Erin Morash at 668-2027.)
Members are invited to remember Jake and the conference in their prayers.
—Bernie Wiebe, moderator, on behalf of Board of Directors
Helping churches
be hospitable
Many church workers look forward to the annual “Equipping” conference. In addition to meeting people involved in similar roles, it is a resource for those who wish to become better equipped for their church involvements. The conference will take place October 20 at Canadian Mennonite University. The theme is “Equipping the hospitable congregation.”
“The idea of making our congregations hospitable for worship, learning, community and mission will permeate the conference,” said Bob Wiebe, director of Education Ministries for MC Manitoba.
“How can I be a good steward? How can we form a peace group? What does ‘missional’ mean? and How can I teach successfully?” are just a few of the questions that will be addressed in workshops.
The conference will open with worship led by Marilyn Houser Hamm, with musicians Bryan Moyer Suderman and Vernelle Enns Penner, and puppeteer Gary Bergen. More information can be obtained from MC Manitoba at (204) 896-1616 or e-mail: office@mennochurch.mb.ca.
Highlights from
Camp Valaqua
The summer staff and campers are gone at Valaqua and the camp has resumed its busy rental schedule. Summer was a successful season, with 519 campers participating in residential and outtrip programs.
The theme “Get Real” challenged campers and staff to examine their lives to discover what really matters. They compared things society values—money, beauty, power—to what Jesus teaches about what to believe and how to live. Participants left encouraged to live a “real” life, paying attention to the real values that matter to God.
The annual fall workday, scheduled for October 19, will feature a special project. The “Vauxhall cabin,” a fully serviced and handicap accessible residence, will be a welcome addition to the camp’s facilities. Money from the sale of the former Vauxhall church has made this dream possible.
Congregational
news from Alberta
September 8 was a special morning for Edmonton First Mennonite Church. After worshipping in a multi-purpose room for five years, the congregation held its first worship service in the completed sanctuary. Colourful paper cutouts of hands, books, and musical notes symbolized the service, worship, and learning anticipated in the new space. A date for an official opening is being determined.
On September 14, Chau Dang was installed as lead pastor at the Calgary Vietnamese Mennonite Church.
Scrapbook retreat
new at Camp Squeah
A new kind of retreat is being held November 22-24 at Camp Squeah intended for those who like to be on the cutting edge, as it were. The idea for a Scrapbooking Retreat began with Jennifer Burkholder, whose motives may not have been entirely unselfish.
“I really wanted a weekend to get away and work on stuff without my kids around. And what better place to get away from it all than camp!” she said. “Somewhere between that conversation and now, I was given charge of the project.”
The first thing she did was enlist the help of two other scrapbook enthusiasts and together they have planned a weekend that is for both experts and novices who enjoy crafting experiences. Consultant Hillary Bergmann will offer mini-workshops, including ones on journalling and creative letters.
The cost of the weekend is $95. For more information contact Jennifer Burkholder, phone (604) 323-1655, e-mail: jenburkholder@shaw.ca or Tammy Braun at (604) 855-9344, e-mail: hbraun@telus.net.
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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