East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 66 Sunday September 3, 2023 No. 36
Sunday September 3, 2023
10 a.m. Summer Combined Worship Service with Tavistock Mennonite & EZMC
will be hosted at Cassel Mennonite Church.
Tuesday September 5th
9 a.m. Sewing Circle – Everyone is welcome to join us to knot comforters or quilt. Come for the day or part of the day.
Please bring your lunch and drinks.
Wednesday September 6th
6:30 p.m. E Z Play Group setup
Thursday September 7th
9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Next Sunday – September 10, 2023
Welcome Back Sunday
The Parables of Jesus: The Sower
Prelude: Bethany Klein Accompanist: Bethany Klein
Worship Leader: Jared Yantzi Song Leader: Connie Yantzi
Greeter: Jan Ropp Offering: Student Aid
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf Message: Pastor Ray
Coffeetime: Gwen & Dan Matthews
As we continue reading the Bible Together we will move into the New Testament. Our Fall Reading guide will be published for September 10.
In preparation for next Sunday we invite you to read the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; and Luke 8:4-15.
We invite prayers for our students and teachers as they head back to the classroom. A new teacher, classroom, school, classmates, or a move to high school, college or university, or going to school for the first time, can be both exciting and a bit scary. May the peace and presence of God bless all the new beginnings and experiences for students, teachers and parents!
EZMC Announcements
A CBC News Post from February 2023 Headline Reads: Canadian teens still struggling with Mental Health even as Pandemic wanes. “If you look at the different studies done since COVID-19, there has been a crisis — a mental health crisis — impacting children and youth,” said Dr. Stacey Bélanger, an expert in pediatric mental health at Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montreal.
The East Zorra Mennonite Church Health Ministry Team invites families or those interested in the mental health of children and youth to attend:
A Community Breakfast Workshop on Saturday Sept 16, 2023, at Quehl’s Banquet Hall with Guest Speaker: Cathi Watson, Counsellor from Interfaith Counselling Centre, New Hamburg. Continental Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Presentation at 9:00 a.m.
Come join us for breakfast and learn more about the mental health challenges facing children and young adults and what supports are available in our community. Learn what are the signs and symptoms? Who can diagnose? And where to go for help? Community Agencies will be represented to answer questions.
To register for this Free Event Email
Heidi Wagler, Faith Community Nurse @ heidi@ezmennonite.ca
If you would like to donate towards this worthy cause to jointly help cover expenses and in support of T.A.P (Tavistock Assistance Program ) you can E- transfer treasurer@ezmennonite.ca, Cash or Cheque accepted made payable to East Zorra Mennonite Church (Subject: Community Breakfast Workshop)
A few Opportunities to Serve!
Christian Education Programs Beginning Soon!
It’s that wonderful time of year when our Christian Education Programs will soon begin! Junior Christian Education Team JCET is very excited about our new curriculum (https://thinkorange.com/252-kids-ministry-curriculum/) that will help us teach children about Loving God, Loving Life and Loving Others based on Matthew 22:37-39!
If you are interested in being involved in the Junior Christian Education ministry by teaching or assisting in a class, please follow the link and sign up for what works for your schedule. We need teachers and helpers from nursery to grade 8! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Jess Yantzi, Holly Barron, Erin Yantzi, or Sue Martin (phone numbers are in the directory).
Volunteers Needed for the Nursery
We are exploring the possibility of returning the Nursery during worship time this Fall. For that to happen we need two volunteers each Sunday. If you are willing to help with this important ministry but have not completed your Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) we can provide the information you need to complete that. Your help and support for this ministry is very much appreciated. Please contact Lisa Suderman, our Office Administrator, if you are willing to help or if you have further questions
A note to Volunteers
All adults wishing to volunteer with children, youth, and vulnerable persons must have a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) on file in the church office as well as a completed Volunteer Commitment Form (VCF) for the current program year. Please contact Lisa in the church office to find out if your VSC is still current at office@ezmennonite.ca or for more information on how to get this process started. The VSC will need to in place before you volunteer. The VCF forms will be available along with the EZMC Waiver forms, during coffee time, beginning on September 10th Thanks so much.
Sunday Afternoon Services at The Maples and peopleCare
The ministerial is planning to offer bi-weekly Sunday afternoon services, at our 2 long term care homes in Tavistock, this Fall. The services (2:30 at peopleCare and 3:15 at The Maples) are 30 minutes services of readings and singing. We need your gifts and help to allow this to happen. Please reach out to Pastor Ray if you would be willing to help with a service or help to co-ordinate a service. Sharing your gifts in this way would be very much appreciated.
Greeters – More volunteers are welcome. 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, if you are willing to help with this ministry.
We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in October 2023.
- If you moved or have a new phone number since the printing of the Church Directory in October 2022 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 off and she will return 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 September 22, 2023.
Beyond Our Church Community
New Hamburg Thrift Centre is in desperate need of volunteers in different areas. There is concern that going into the fall there simply won’t be enough help to sort the volume of wonderful donations. Please see the poster on the bulletin board for more information on how to become a volunteer.
Saturday, September 16th Shalom Counselling Service’s 10,000 Steps for Mental Health will begin at Shalom Counselling Services (9 Avondale Ave. S., Waterloo). Registration begins at 9 am with an official send off at 9:30 am. Participants will travel a route to the Iron Horse Trail, along the trail, and back to Shalom. Join us and start setting your goals. It could be taking 10,000 steps or 1,000 steps, fundraising $10,000 or $100. Set a goal that is right for you and help provide more affordable, accessible counselling services in Waterloo Region. Sign up on our website at: https://shalomcounselling.org/steps
After the walk their will be a community block party celebrating Shalom Counselling Services 40th Anniversary. Please come out and support local mental health resources.
With the support of Menno Singers family of choirs, it is our pleasure to introduce the Menno Youth Ensemble to Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas! Under the direction of Mykayla Turner and Joel Woods, this ensemble welcomes musicians between the ages of 14 and 24 to expand their musical and collaborative imaginations. Weekly rehearsals will culminate with regular performing opportunities and one major performance event per semester. The Menno Youth Ensemble is open to all voice-types and instruments, and all participants should be willing to sing. For more information or to register for the Menno Youth Ensemble, please contact one of the co-directors: Mykayla Turnermykaylat@smu.edu, Joel Woods. joel.woods@uwaterloo.ca
The Abner Martin Music Scholarship ($4,000 value last year) is awarded annually by Menno Singers to a student who: 1) will be enrolled in a full-time music major or minor program at the undergraduate or graduate level in 2023-2024); 2) is affiliated with an MCEC congregation; and 3) has demonstrated involvement and proficiency in musical activities in church and community. Application deadline is September 15, 2023. For more information and/or an application form contact Lewis Brubacher, lbrubacher@sympatico.ca
The Wednesday September 20th 9 am – 4 pm. “Up the Nith” heritage bus tour led by Fred Lichti is now full. There are still seats available on a second tour, Saturday October 14, 2023. (the seats are filling fast)
Through stories and stops along the way, learn about the oldest Amish Mennonite settlement in Canada and today’s diversity of congregations–from the “tradition minded” Old Order Amish to the “change minded” Mennonite groups of Amish heritage. Cost-$85 per person includes lunch at Schmidtsville Restaurant. Pre-payment required. The tour starts and ends at Crosshill Mennonite Church. To register contact Rosie Lichti Phone: 519-669-4689 or Text: 519-575-3517 or E-mail: frlichti@bell.net
Monday September 25th 7 – 8:30 p.m., Online MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting. We deeply appreciate your support, and how you are impacting so many lives in Ontario and around the world. Join us on September 25 for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) as we share MCC Ontario’s financial outcomes and a snapshot of our strategic plan progress. Official Congregational Representatives and Delegates who register as such are entitled to vote. Visit mcco.ca/AGM for details.
Monday October 2nd Hidden Acres Seniors Fall Retreat
The theme is Songs that Shape and Reshape Us. Our resource person is Ingrid Loepp Thiessen. Doug Cressman will accompany the singing.
Cost is $50 per person, registration is limited. Please find a copy of the brochure attached to this email.
MCC Ontario – Join our team!
We have two openings – one for a Production Manager at Thrift on Mill in Leamington and the other for a Restorative Communities and Supportive Housing Team Lead in Kitchener. Learn more about these positions at mcco.ca/serve.
Offices and Thrift Shops closed on Monday September 25th
All MCC Ontario office and thrift shops will be closed on Monday, Sept. 25 to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Learning resources are available on our website.
Cans, Kits and Comforters Tour: Explore the MR Centre
Material Resources Centre, 65 Heritage Dr, New Hamburg
Come along on a guided tour to explore the Material Resources Centre at 10 am on the third Thursday of every month. Drop in to learn more about the work of Material Resources. No registration required.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
Registration now open for a wide variety of fun retreats coming up this fall. Click here for more info about the retreats below… slmc.ca/retreats
- Labour Day Weekend Retreat (Sep 1-3) – A few rooms still available for this long weekend getaway.
- Men’s Retreat (Sep 15-17) – A relaxing weekend away to connect with others and enjoy a variety of fun camp activities. Saturday features a Russian Mennonite dinner with many favourite traditional dishes. Stories and reflections presented by host Mike Schmidt.
- Bruce Trail Hike (Sep 18-21) – Join us for a series of short-loop hikes near Owen Sound and learn about the cultural and natural history of the Niagara Escarpment. Accommodations and meals at Silver Lake.
- Fall Hike Retreat (Sep 29-Oct 1) – Stay at camp and enjoy a Bruce Trail hike on the Saturday. Everyone welcome, including families.
- Fall Work Weekend (Oct 27-29) – Help get camp ready for the winter season!
- Stay Connected – Follow SLMC on Instagram @silverlakemennonite and Facebook to stay up to date and see photos from Summer 2023!