East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday August 31, 2025 No. 35
Sunday August 31st
10 a.m. Shared Worship Service hosted at Cassel Mennonite Church.
There is no service at EZMC this morning.
This Coming Week
Tuesday September 2nd
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sewing Circle – Everyone is welcome to join us to knot comforters or quilt.
Wednesday September 3rd
- Adult Fellowship Grand River Boat Cruise in Caledonia. We will meet at the church @ 8:30 am to carpool. Cost is $80.00 per person, dinner and show included. See bulletin board for your food choice and indicate any food intolerances. Also indicate a w/c or walker for seating. Please sign up by Sunday August 17. Payment can be made to committee members; Ray and Laurel Zehr, Owen and Carol Cook, Mike and Karen Wirth.
- E Z Play Group setup
Thursday September 4th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 7 p.m. Mission Committee Meeting
Friday September 5th
- 9:30 a.m. CENT Meeting
Next Sunday – September 7, 2025
Prelude/Accompanist: Heidi Wagler Song Leader: Susan Schmitz
Greeters: Flo & Lorne Metzger Worship Leader: Bevin Witmer
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Mission Partners
Coffee: Kristen & Daryl Cressman Message: Pastor Mike
Please note the following offering designation change for September 14th.
September 14th was originally designated towards our Refugee Fund. However, at this point, our financial commitments to the refugee families we have supported over the past few years, have been fulfilled. As there are currently no additional commitments for refugee families, we have decided not to designate offerings towards this fund at the present time. We have changed the September 14th offering designation to ‘Where Needed Most’. Thank you for your generous support towards the refugee families.
Tavistock Fall Fair Parade
East Zorra is participating in the Tavistock Fall Fair Parade again! The theme this year is “Seed to Harvest” and the parade will take place on Saturday, September 6th at 11am. If you are interested in getting involved, we are looking for:
- Attendees! We would love to have members of all ages participate in the parade float. Meet at the old dairy sales (314 Woodstock Street s, Tavistock) at 10:15 for judging. Parade starts at 11am. The float will be a play on the Johnny Apple Seed blessing, so feel free to dress as farmers or just come as you are.
Thank you to those who have offered shed space and a tractor to pull the float.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Amy Yantzi at 519-301-9707 or Duane Swartzentruber at 519-535-3466.
Greeters – As a greeter (individual, couple, or family) you would stand at the top of the stairs outside the parent’s room and greet people as they arrive Sunday morning. We would encourage you to be here by 9:30 or shortly after when you serve in this role. Would you or your family be willing to serve as a greeter and be scheduled in for a few Sunday mornings through the year? Contact Lisa Suderman, our Office Administrator, by Tuesday September 9th if you are not on the list and would be willing to help with this ministry.
Coffee Time Hosts – If you would like to add your name to the list of coffee volunteers, please contact Lisa in the office by Tuesday September 9th. A coffee host prepares the coffee and cleans up after.
We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory later this year.
- If you moved or have a new phone number since the printing of the Church Directory in November 2023 and have not given your updated information to the church office, please do so. If you were not in the last directory but would like to be included, please contact the church office.
- We would love to see updated photos! Please send to Lisa, preferably in digital form (jpeg) by email at office@ezmennonite.ca. If you have a photo you would like her to scan, make arrangements to drop it off and she will return it to you. These photos can be casual. If you are submitting a photo please remember that professional photos are subject to copyright so permission would be needed from the photographer to include.
- Please note that we encourage every person or family unit to submit a photo. Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!
- Deadline to submit is October 28, 2025.
Beyond Our Church Community
The August edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service. In this edition, you’ll read about Jerry and Doreen Klassen, who served with MDS for more than 20 years, simply by responding when called.
Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/45LVhtM
September 12th – 14th Silver Lake Mennonite Camp Men’s Retreat Registration is open for the fall Men’s Retreat. Join us for a time of rest, amazing food and connection. David Lobe is returning as chef/sommelier with a mouthwatering menu already planned! Pastor Thomas Reimer and Mike Schmidt will lead some thought-provoking reflections. Take part in your choice of camp activities… sauna, basketball, fishing, sailing, canoeing and campfires! Special discount for those under 30 or underemployed. Click here for more details… slmc.ca/retreats
80th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
- Rockway Mennonite Collegiate is hosting a free Family Festival, followed by a ticketed Food Market Fundraiser at J. Steckle Heritage Farm on Saturday, September 13 to celebrate 80 years of Rockway AND to raise the last funds needed to complete our Capital Campaign! There are still a few tickets left. Check out the bands who will be providing our live music entertainment and visit rockway.ca/events to buy your tickets before September 2!
- All are welcome to Rockway Mennonite Collegiate on Sunday, September 14 for an Open House and Hymn Sing, celebrating 80 years of faith-based education. Drop in for the Open House between 1:30 – 4:30 pm to check out the memory displays, connect with old friends and see how the school has changed since you’ve last visited. At 2:30 pm, join Mark Diller Harder as he leads our Hymn Sing, accompanied by Ann L. Schultz, current and former music faculty members, alumni and current students. For more information and to RSVP and suggest your favourite hymn, visit rockway.ca/events.
Saturday September 20th 10,000 Steps for Mental Health. Shalom Counselling Services (9 Avondale Ave. S., Waterloo). 9 a.m. Registration 9 a.m. Walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Join us for our 10th annual walk in support of accessible mental health care in Waterloo Region. The route travels from Shalom to the Iron Horse Trail and back, followed by a community barbecue to celebrate a decade of steps toward healing. Whether your goal is 10,000 steps or 1,000, raising $10,000 or $100—every step and every dollar counts. Sign up or donate at: shalomcounselling.org/steps
Saturday September 20, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Doors Open Waterloo Region: MCC Hub., 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg. The MCC Hub is a participating site of Doors Open Waterloo Region. Tour the home to MCC’s material resources and thrift processing, including the innovative new meat cannery; explore behind-the-scenes operations and pack a relief kit for someone affected by conflict or disaster. See how we meet urgent needs and make a global impact — one can, one kit at a time. There’s fun for the whole family with a bouncy castle and face painting, too. Learn more here.
Monday September 22nd 7-8:30 p.m.(Online) MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting
The 2025 AGM will highlight MCC Ontario’s financial results and strategic progress while empowering congregation delegates to participate in decision-making through voting on key organizational business matters.
Learn more and register at MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting.
Peace Week: Elephant at the Border
Sunday, September 21, 28 and October 5 7 – 8:30 p.m. On Zoom
Amidst political discord and talks of annexation across the Canada-US border, what is the call of followers of Jesus to respond? MCC is hosting three webinars that will explore the power and possibility of nonviolence in light of U.S. aggression. Join a series of online workshops starting on Sunday, September 21st. Attend one or attend them all. These events are free and expand on conversations from our first series this past spring. Learn more and register here.
Tuesday September 23rd 1 – 2:30 p.m. Peace Week: Forced to Flee Simulation Experience in the Community Room at 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener
“Forced to Flee” is a simulation experience that will plunge you into the reality that over 100 million people face around the world when they are forced to flee their homes. You’ll be confronted with a series of difficult decisions while you develop an awareness and understanding about the global refugee crisis. The event is free, but please register here.
Thursday September 25th You are invited to the Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre’s 31st Annual Community Fundraiser (Poor Boy’s Luncheon) at the New Hamburg Community Centre (251 Jacob St.)
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. / Dinner: 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets available online or at the door: $10/person; $35/family
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation resources
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was included in the 94 Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report. This federal holiday is intended to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools, honour Survivors, their families and communities and ensure that public commemoration of the history and heritage of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process. We’ve created a learning resource on how we can all participate in reconciliation. Visit here to download the resource.
Community-powered Decolonization with Sarah Augustine and Friends
October 1 at 7 p.m., Shantz Mennonite Church, 2473 Erbs Rd, Baden
October 2 at 7 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo
You’re invited to join author and notable speaker Sarah Augustine, together with Adrian Jacobs and Mennonite Action, for two evenings of conversation about Indigenous justice and decolonization. These events are free but require registration. Learn more and register here Capacity is limited.
Mennonite Central Committee is hiring – Join our team! We are excited to announce new opportunities to join our team and make a meaningful impact in communities across Ontario. If you are passionate about community engagement, collaboration and fostering belonging, we invite you to apply.
- Digital Media Associate (Full time contract) – Kitchener
For full job descriptions and to apply, visit mcc.org/serve
MCC Ontario Peace Conference
Saturday November 1, 2025 at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate in Kitchener
The MCC Peace Conference is your chance to learn the art of everyday peace and experience first-hand how you and MCC are changing lives and communities through peacebuilding. This event will inspire and inform through general sessions and conversations with messengers of peace. Save the date (November 1) and stay tuned for more details!
Men Listening, Men Talking: A Men’s Retreat
Friday November 28 – Saturday November 29, 2025, Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp and Retreat Centre, 1921 37 Line, New Hamburg
Men are invited to participate in this retreat that will focus on building healthy relationships of peace in their daily roles as fathers, sons, husbands and neighbours. We’ll learn lessons from guest speaker Arthur Boers, teacher, author and pastor, as he reflects on the impact and healing of generational trauma in his childhood. Learn more here.