Weekly Email Bulletin
A tool to inform and empower involvement within the MCEC community of congregations.
September 1, 2010
(A red header denotes a new item or additional information added, a black header denotes a repeat of important information.)
Attention: Pastors/Administration Offices
New Appointment in MCEC Office
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Mollee Moua from First Hmong Mennonite Church in the Congregational Ministries & Executive Operations Administrative Assistant role. Mollee has played an active role in children's faith formation programs, Christian Education and event planning at First Hmong and beyond. She begins on September 1st; her email is mmoua@mcec.ca.
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Welcome Party for Pastors Who Are New or Returning to MCEC
November 2, 2010
POSTPONED
Event as noted in the Formation, Education & Training for Pastors & Lay Leaders 2010-11 book (page 9), has been postponed. Stay tuned for rescheduling details!
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Another Sunday, Another Sermon:
Preaching for a Hearing
Register Today!
Workshop with Allan Rudy-Froese
Date: September 17, 2010, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon (six additional sessions to be determined by group)
Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church
57 Stirling Ave. N., Kitchener, ON
Cost: $400 (If you are interested in this program, but the cost is prohibitive, please contact Marianne Mellinger - mmellinger@mcec.ca.)
A practical class for beginning preachers and experienced preachers who would like to (re)visit the basics. We will explore various styles of preaching and the biblical and theological assumptions which are behind those styles. Bring your Bibles and wear loose fitting clothing. To register contact Joan Schooley - jschooley@mcec.ca / 519.650.3806.
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MCEC Fall Consultation 2010
Please be in prayer as MCEC gathers this fall to discern priorities and future direction for our collective ministry as a community of congregations.
Reminder to congregations to RSVP to Margaret Oakey, MCEC Administrative Assistant, moakey@mcec.ca
September 21, 2010, 7 - 9:30 p.m. - GTA Cluster @ Hagerman Mennonite Church
September 23, 2010, 7 - 9:30 p.m. - North East & Quebec Cluster
September 28, 2010, 7 - 9:30 p.m. - KW & KW Perimeter Cluster @ Waterloo North Mennonite Church
September 30, 2010, 7 - 9:30 p.m. - Niagara Cluster @ Vineland United Mennonite Church
October 5, 2010, 7 - 9:30 p.m. - Stratford and Wilmot Clusters @ Avon Mennonite Church
October 7, 2010, 7 - 9:30 p.m. - Woolwich Grey & Wellesley West Clusters@ Listowel Mennonite Church
October 12, 2010, 7 - 9:30 p.m. - Essex Cluster @ North Leamington United Mennonite Church
October 14, 2010, 7 - 9:30 p.m. - Ministry Partners @ Erb St. Mennonite Church
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Associates Resourcing the Church
Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership Workshop
Leading the Church Through Times of Conflict and Change
Leader: Betty Pries
Date: September 28-29, 2010, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: September 14
This workshop will deepen your understanding and confidence when you find yourself leading a church experiencing conflict and change. Through case studies, input, and discussion you will learn practical concepts and tested processes for engaging your unique situation. To register contact ARC - arc@arcministries.ca / 519.883.8906.
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Relational Boundaries:
Caring for Self and Others
Workshop with Ed Heide
Date: September 30, 2010, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hamilton Mennonite Church
143 Lower Horning Rd., Hamilton, ON
Cost: $35 - Drinks and snacks provided - bring brown bag lunch
This workshop will be repeated in Leamington area in March, 2011.
This seminar will assist pastors to understand the complexity of relationships, their own relational style, and will explore appropriate ways to respond in a variety of situations. To register contact Joan Schooley - jschooley@mcec.ca / 519.650.3806.
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Eighth Letter
The book of Revelation contains seven letters addressed to first century congregations struggling to find their identity. Two thousand years later, on October 1-2, 2010, Epiphaneia is inviting over twenty-five authors to present their own letters. Each letter will contain the author's most pressing message to the church today. Eighth Letter will be held at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 227 Bloor St E, Toronto.
Go to Eighth Letter to register, submit your own Eighth Letter or for more information.
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Tending the Soul of Individuals and Congregations: Training in Spiritual Formation
A common longing heard within our churches is to go deeper in our relationship with God and others. To help us learn to nurture a more intimate relationship with God and to tend our own and our congregation’s longings for spiritual transformation, a group of pastoral and lay leaders within MCEC have come together to offer training in the art of soul tending: cultivating awareness of the presence and activity of God in our daily lives and our congregations.
What’s Involved?
1. Six weekend retreats over two years which include workshops, small group practice, reflection time and experience with spiritual disciplines.
2. Between retreats, formation and learning includes: home-based reading, practical ministry within the congregation and a commitment to spiritual disciplines.
3. Throughout, participants receive guidance for personal growth and their role as spiritual leaders within the congregation.
Facilitator: Wendy Miller, Professor of Spiritual Formation at Eastern Mennonite Seminary and author of several books on spiritual direction and formation
Who can Apply?
Both lay leaders and pastors from MCEC are welcome to apply. Participants should be open to explore and deepen their understandings of God and allow space for others to experience their own unique relationship with God as well. Participants are required to actively take part in all six retreats, home and congregational work, & personal spiritual formation. Tuition covers 6 learning retreats with Wendy Miller, food and lodging.More information about Tending the Soul (i.e. dates, costs, application process).
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The Presbyterian Synod of Southwestern Ontario welcomes MCEC pastors on a “first come, first serve” basis to a workshop:
Guest Speaker: Dr. Thomas G. Long is the Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. A Presbyterian minister, Dr. Long has taught preaching for over 30 years. He is the author of textbooks on preaching and worship, collections of sermons and biblical commentaries on Matthew and Hebrews. His more recent books are Accompany Them With Singing: The Christian Funeral, Preaching from Memory to Hope, Testimony: Talking Ourselves into Being Christian, and The Witness of Preaching.
Attention: Congregational Treasurers & MCEC Supplementary Health & Dental Plan Members
Important Information Re: Health & Dental Plan
Check out our website for information regarding new rates effective September 1, 2010, remittance forms, and the all new Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) and Health Service Navigator.
Attention Youth Pastors, Sponsors & Youth
Weekend for Youth, Youth Leaders, Pastors, and Parents
Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, MCC Ontario, Canadian Conference of the Brethren in Christ invite you to:
wired: building relationships
Friday, October 29, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate
7:30 - 10:00 p.m. (for youth and parents)in 140 characters or less: building relationships with youth at home, in the church and beyond
Saturday, October 30, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (for youth ministry staff/volunteers)
12:00 - 3:30 p.m. (for parents and youth ministry staff/volunteers)Technology has an ever-increasing role in our lives. Young people are more connected to each other than ever. How can we utilize these technologies to help us build deeper, stronger relationships? Join Marv Penner on October 29-30 to explore how relationships can be nurtured in healthy ways within families and youth ministry using technology and face-to-face encounters. wired: building relationships is an interactive event that will help parents and youth discover how good face-to-face communication forms the foundation of solid relationships. in 140 characters or less: building relationships with youth at home, in the church and beyond will investigate how to build collaborative relationships between youth ministry staff/volunteers and parents. Marv will also explore how technology can support our relationships with youth, looking at both the strengths and liabilities of technological communication. Parents are invited to join youth ministry staff/volunteers for lunch and the afternoon session. Registration details to follow.
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Upcoming MCEC Youth and Junior Youth Events
Mark these dates and events on your calendars. More information to come!
- October 6 2010: Meet your Colleagues – for pastors with responsibility for youth
- October 24 2010: CGUC Youth Event – for youth groups: worship, music, interactive games and supper on University of Waterloo campus
- October 29 2010: wired: building relationships – for youth and parents; event held at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate (see announcement below)
- October 30 2010: in 140 characters or less: building relationships with youth at home, in the church and beyond – for youth ministry staff and volunteers, and parents of youth; event held at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate (see announcement below)
- November 7 2010: Junior Youth Breakaway at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate
- January 14 – 16 2011: Youth Winter Retreat at Silver Lake
- March 10 – 14 2011: Peace It Together conference at Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg
- April 2 2011: Bible Quizzing
The Fine Print:
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