Canadian Mennonite
Volume 14, No. 05
Mar. 8, 2010
Reclaiming Jesus at Assembly 2010
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From June 29 to July 3, delegates from across the country will meet at Ambrose University College in Calgary, Alta., for Mennonite Church Canada’s Assembly 2010, with the theme, “Reclaiming Jesus™: Gladly wear the name.”
In an era where Christianity has been branded in ways that diverge from Anabaptist values, the assembly will explore Colossians 3:15-17, and how Mennonites are shaped and hallowed by the One whose name we bear: the “Jesus” brand. Worship, seminars and discernment sessions are woven around this theme.
Keynote speakers for the event are Gareth Brandt, a theology instructor at Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C.; Lucy Roca, a Quebec church planter and former Colombian refugee; and Doug Klassen, senior pastor of Foothills Mennonite Church, Calgary. MC Canada general secretary Robert J. Suderman will lead Bible studies each morning.
A late-night gathering on opening night is planned to help young adults get acquainted, and a second activity will extend their MC Canada/Canada Day evening celebration.
There is also plenty of room for the young at Assembly 2010. A children’s assembly from June 30 to July 2 will be led by Jon Olfert, director of MC Alberta’s Camp Valaqua, offering childcare and activities for kids from infancy through Grade 6.
Other activities for Assembly 2010 include a peace art exhibit, a Canada Day celebration barbecue and local area tours.
Participants can choose from a variety of pre-planned, post-assembly adventures such as an aboriginal learning tour to Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park in Cluny, Alta., viewing a production of Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver at Rosebud Theatre, and trips to the Calgary Zoo or the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.
The registration booklet and other details will be posted at mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1249 as they become available. Those who register before May 3 will receive a discount.
‘Youth ambassadors’ a new addition to Assembly 2010
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For the first time ever, the 2010 Mennonite Church Canada assembly will include youth ambassadors as participants in delegate sessions.
“Youth are an integral part of the church,” says MC Canada youth ministries facilitator Anna Rehan. “We need to hear their voices as we shape the future of our denomination. We want to tap into their vision and energy, and we need the help of individual congregations to make this possible.”
Congregations are encouraged to shoulder-tap interested youths and provide mentors who will guide them through the registration process and assembly proceedings. As an incentive, youth ambassadors will qualify for a reduced registration rate, that congregations are encouraged to help them pay.
Youth ambassadors will take part in delegate discussions and activities—with the exception of voting—which is limited by MC Canada bylaws to delegates who are congregational members. They will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of other events, including late night activities and a peace art workshop with Ray Dirks, curator of the Mennonite Heritage Gallery in Winnipeg.
“Youth have an incredible capacity to pull together on projects and issues,” Rehan says. “We see that every other year when the youth assembly is held. We’d like to help them maintain their momentum and enthusiasm between youth assemblies. We can only benefit from their participation.”
Kathy Giesbrecht, youth pastor at Home Street Mennonite Church in Winnipeg and associate director of leadership ministries for MC Manitoba, is encouraged by this move. “The presence of youth changes and challenges us, providing us with gifts only they can bring,” she says. “When they are with us, we are better.”
Youth ambassadors will use the adult registration form to register, which will soon be posted online at mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1249.
The next MC Canada youth assembly will take place in 2011.