TheChurches 6-22

It just gets easier
to give

An electronic fund transfer service now provides an easy way to make regular donations to the ministries of Mennonite Church Canada. Designed for monthly donors, the service allows donations to be made automatically from the donor’s bank account.

“This offers many advantages to donors and their supported ministries,” said Al Rempel, director of resource development. Smaller, regular donations are more attractive for some donors than large, single contributions at the year end. The donor also avoids fees associated with writing cheques, and has a more ongoing relationship with the ministries they support.

Rempel said this is “a great way to help people connect in an ongoing way with the ministries that are impacting lives through their support.” Regular contributions also offer a more stable, predictable funding stream, simplifying budgeting for MC Canada just as it does for the donor.

“Donations of $20 or less per month all come together in significant ways to make our vision and mission a reality,” said Rempel. Those interested can request a form from Rempel by calling toll-free 1-866-888-6785, or download it from www.mennonitechurch.ca/give.

The form outlines terms designed to protect donors and ensure that their wishes are honoured. Together with a voided cheque, the form can be submitted to the MC Canada office to set up the service.

—MC Canada release

New administrative
assistant

Flora Umurisa is the newest face in the Mennonite Church Canada office.

“I love to work here because I know that I am contributing to God’s work,” Umurisa said of her new position as administrative assistant to International Ministries. She has lived in Winnipeg for the last two years and attends Calvary Temple Church.

“I am delighted to have Flora as part of our International Ministries team,” said Janet Plenert, director of International Ministries. “Her gentle spirit and administrative assistant skills are a big asset to the department.”

—MC Canada release

Leadership
transitions

The congregations of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada have experienced many leadership transitions and ministry milestones.

On October 20, David Nicols was ordained at the Waters Mennonite Church at Lively, near Sudbury, Ontario. David and his wife Erma spent four years with Mennonite Central Committee in Lesotho. They also worked at a retreat centre in Campbellville, Ontario. Nicols is currently in the Master of Theological Studies program at Conrad Grebel University College.

Herb Sawatsky was installed as minister of youth and education at Niagara United Mennonite Church on November 3. He and his wife Lorrie, with their daughter, Aleah, come from B.C., where he received a Master of Christian Studies degree at Regent College in Vancouver.

Randy Dueck began as assistant pastor responsible for youth ministry at St. Catharines United Mennonite Church in November. He and his wife Cheri come from St. Catharines. He was a youth worker in Orchard Park Mennonite Brethren Church in Virgil before taking his B.A. in Bible at Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina.

Ruth Martin will be ordained at Hillcrest Mennonite Church on December 8 for her ministry with Tri-County Homes. She is coordinator of pastoral services and works in pastoral care at Nithview Home in New Hamburg, and at Greenwood Court in Stratford.

Prior to this, Martin worked for five years as program administrator at Welcome Inn Community Centre in Hamilton. She has studied at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and in the Master of Theological Studies program at Conrad Grebel College.

Mennonite Church Manitoba

Celebration banquets
in Manitoba

Camps with Meaning supporters gathered in three locations this fall to celebrate God’s work in the camping ministry of Mennonite Church Manitoba. Banquets were held at Camp Koinonia, Douglas Mennonite Church in Winnipeg and Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church on November 2, 3, and 9, respectively, The overall attendance was approximately 730 people.

The program at the banquets focused on praise for God’s activity through the camping ministry. Summer campers and staff told stories about growing in faith. Songs, several composed by camp staff, were performed by a camp group.

A video prepared by Laura Derksen captured a camper’s life through a week of camp, using footage from all three camps. An offering was taken at the banquets to which guests responded generously.

Mennonite Church Saskatchewan

Resignation at
Cornerstone church

Malvin Braun is resigning after almost 14 years as senior pastor of Cornerstone Church Mennonite. He and his wife are moving back to British Columbia to spend time with family.

Cornerstone has had several long-term pastors. In the last 53 years, in two locations, the church has employed only four senior pastors. Peter G. Sawatzky ministered for 19 years, Norman Bartel for 14 years, and Carl Enns for 7.

“We‘re looking for someone who is willing to stay awhile,” said Braun in discussing his replacement. Braun will be on staff until August 2003.

Positive tone at
Council meetings

Mennonite Church Alberta committees gathered for annual General Council meetings at Camp Valaqua on November 2. The meetings had a positive tone, with committees reporting a good year.

There were several highlights. Camp Valaqua recorded summer camper attendance of 520, and has $40,000 in hand toward the construction of a needed staff residence. Women in Mission has purchased hymnals for Camp Valaqua. Provincial youth activities co-coordinator, Matt Love, reported that plans for snow camps are looking good. He is excited about the Canada-wide youth assembly this summer.

Kelvin Rempel, member of the congregational life committee, is currently setting up web sites for Alberta congregations to post information, histories and news items. Missions and service sponsored a few children from the Siksika nation to attend camp and have provided $1,000 worth of scripture in the Blackfoot language for the reserve. Currently they are searching for a volunteer to work with Kanadier people in Two Hills.

The Lethbridge Service Adventure unit has lower participation this year, and needs some financial assistance to keep things going.

The executive encouraged members to go by their dreams, not by thoughts of money. Once dreams and visions are in place, then is the time to assess financial possibilities. Jim Shantz, new MC Alberta conference pastor, commented, “It was a good first meeting for me; there’s a general feeling of moving ahead.”

Baergen appointed as
mission facilitator

The Pastor’s Council held its second-ever meeting in Calgary on November 12. Jack and Irene Suderman and Marilyn Houser Hamm represented MC Canada, spending some time discussing missional church implementation. They strongly encouraged pastors to consider taking part in the four missional church teaching modules planned for this next year. MC Canada will help fund pastors who wish to take part.

Marilyn introduced Marvin Baergen, of Trinity Mennonite Church, as the new half-time missions and service facilitator for Alberta. This position is funded by MC Canada. Some job description details and a starting date are still in the planning process. Pastors laid hands on Marvin and prayed for him and the work he has been called to do.

New conference minister, Jim Shantz, shared his testimony with the group to help pastors get to know him.

Mennonite Church in British Columbia

Workshop explores
cultural diversity

Fourteen church planters and leaders from Mennonite Church British Columbia congregations recently attended the Intentionally Multicultural Churches workshop. They joined members from 12 other denominations in exploring issues related to church life and cultural diversity, as well as the emerging inter-cultural generation.

The experiences and struggles of various language groups showed similarities as they have made the transition into the Canadian culture. The workshop indicated that English-language, ethnically diverse congregations are a growing reality for many denominations. How best to develop churches which recognize this is an area of growth for most.

This annual workshop is one that the Evangelism and Church Development Committee is hoping will be a resource tool for MC British Columbia churches. For more 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.