Weekly Announcements

Weekly Letter and Announcements – No. 117

Resources to help us to stay Rooted in Christ and Growing together in Faith

Sunday June 12, 2022 Worship Gathering 10 AM

We continue with our worship series on the book of James. James 4:13 – 5:6 – Your money and your life! The service will also include a presentation from our Green Space Committee.

We are grateful for your financial giving to the ongoing work and ministry of the church. This week our offering focus is “Mennonite Church Eastern Canada and Mennonite Church Canada”.   Janet and Marv Yantzi will be hosting Coffee Time this Sunday. We would ask that everyone provide their own coffee mug to help simplify the preparation and clean up time. We will also provide paper cups for those who forget their mugs or come as guests on a Sunday morning.

We can continue to have Coffee Time when we have the volunteers we need. We are still in need of more volunteers. Please contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee maker.

Worship Services in June, July & August

June 19 – Commissioning for Heidi Wagler (Parish Nurse); Mug Presentation to Grade 12 Youth

June 26 – Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for Jean McDonald’s Parish Nurse ministry 

July 3 – Combined worship service with Cassel, Tavistock and East Zorra Mennonite Churches –                       East Zorra to host

July 10 – Dedication for VBS 2022

July 17 – Farewell for Lloyd & Margaret Oakey – Part 1

July 24 – Outdoor Service in Queen’s Park, Tavistock – Farewell for Lloyd & Margaret – Part 2

July 31 – Combined worship service with Cassel, Tavistock and East Zorra Mennonite Churches – Tavistock Mennonite to host

August 7 – Welcome Service for Mike, Brandy, Petra and Rebeka Williamson

August 14 – Ecumenical Outdoor Service in Queen’s Park, Tavistock

August 21 & 28 – Our regular summer worship time!

September 4 – Combined worship service with Cassel, Tavistock and East Zorra Mennonite Churches – Cassel Mennonite to host

EZMC Announcements

Subscriptions changes to Rejoice Magazine and Salt & Light are due this week.

If you are not on the subscription lists for either or both and would like to be OR if you no longer want to receive these, please email office@ezmennonite.ca by June 16^th. Please note that there is no cost to you for either of these publications.

JWalkers Year-end event – Friday June 17th 2022 from 7 to 9 pm at Trevor and Bethany Kropf’s house. All the outdoor games everyone loves and a campfire. Everyone bring a snack to share and a lawn chair.  

EZ Family Night

Mark your calendars for our next Family Night, scheduled for Saturday June 25th at 6:30pm at church! We plan to spend time in worship, followed by road hockey, a campfire and s’mores, and other sports in the Green Space. Bring your sticks! We can’t wait to see you!

The Green Space (G.S.)  committee is pleased to announce they are moving into Phase 2 which will be developed to include additional age groups being able to access and connect with our G.S. To move ahead we require further funding and are asking for your help by donating to make these projects happen. You can contribute through giving to EZ Mennonite Church and flagging it to the G.S. Further information to follow during the worship service this Sunday.”  

A Reminder to Volunteers

If you volunteered with Sunday School or are planning to help with VBS this summer our Safe Church Policy requires that we have a signed Volunteer Commitment Form once every program year. If you have not completed one for the Sept 2021 to Aug 2022 time period, you will either find one that was emailed to you or a paper copy in your church mailbox. Please return to the office as soon as you can. If you do not have a Vulnerable Sector Check on file you will receive a packet of information for that process. Thanks so much.

Coffee Time!

We can continue to have Coffee Time when we have the volunteers we need. We are still in need of more volunteers. Please contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee maker. We would ask that everyone provide their own coffee mug to help simplify the preparation and clean up time. We will also provide paper cups for those who forget their mugs or come as guests on a Sunday morning.

Student Aid Applications:

Students, are you considering a Christian school for your education for the next school year? (e.g. Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Canadian Mennonite University, Conrad Grebel University College, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary).  East Zorra is committed to supporting individuals who consider Christian nurture and leadership development to be part of their education. Student aid applications are due June 30 for the 2022/2023 school year (Sept 2022 – Aug 2023). If you are interested in applying or would like to know more, please contact Tracey Kropf at tracey.kropf@gmail.com.

Jerusalem Marketplace VBS 

Thank you to everyone that responded to our volunteer needs! The only position we need to fill now is someone for AV and Sound, Wed-Fri.

Parents of VBS kids- you should have received an email with a registration form on Monday. Please complete these at your earliest convenience. According to our pre-registration numbers we are FULL! For families that have told us they were “maybes” please let us know your decision sooner rather than later, because we are starting a wait list. Thank you!

A reminder about the “Work Bee” on the evening of Wednesday June 22nd at 7pm to prep materials, create decorations and get ready for VBS! We welcome anyone who wants to help! Drinks and snacks provided 🙂

The Decorating Committee needs your help gathering supplies for VBS! If you have wicker baskets, pottery/urns, woven mats, old bed sheets in stripes or bright solid colours, wood crates, silk decorative trees or blankets that you would be willing to share for the week please contact Marianne Witzel, Judy Mogk or Kristi Marriott to arrange dropping these off at the church and to check what items are still needed. Please label your items so they can be returned after VBS. Thank you in advance!

The 2022 Camp Subsidy Form is now available and you can complete and return to Dawn Zehr either by email (gdzehr@gmail.com) or mail (657173 15th line, R.R.#1 Tavistock, ON N0B 2R0).  Please note that this year no funds will be sent until camps can confirm their programming depending on Covid-19 restrictions in place. Forms are available by contacting Lisa Suderman by email at office@ezmennonite.ca  Paper copies can be mailed to you if needed. If you have any questions please contact one of the Christian Education Lay Ministers – Bethany Kropf or Jared Yantzi.

Beyond Our Church Community

Interfaith Counselling Centre’s Annual Silent Auction is live and will be open online until Sunday June 12^th. Proceeds from this fundraiser go directly to supporting families in our community. https://www.32auctions.com/ICCSilentAuction

Tuesday June 14^th Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp’s 55th Chicken BBQ and Pie Auction.

Both eat in and take out options are available this year. Visit www.hiddenacres.ca for more details and to purchase your tickets (or call 519-625-8602).

Come to Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp for our Family Camping Weekend on July 1-3. Visit www.hiddenacres.ca or contact the camp for more details (519-625-8602 – info@hiddenacres.ca).

The Amish Bicentennial 1822-2022

Join us as we REMEMBER and THANK GOD for the coming of our Amish Mennonite ancestors to Canada. There will be Heritage bus tours, Acapella Hymn Sings (one of which will take place at East Zorra Mennonite on Sun Sept 25), The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada (Speaker, Rebecca Seiling will present the “Landed Buggy” at Steinmann Mennonite), Indigenous Awareness Workshop (at Crow Shield Lodge), and the Thanksgiving Worship Service (Sun Oct 2 at Steinmann Mennonite Church). Some of these events require registration in advance. Please see the insert attached to this email for dates and more information. This insert is the first of five which will share some stories of the settlement as a way of learning and remembering.

Mennonite Central Committee is resuming shipments of emergency supplies to Ukraine.

Five containers are scheduled to go to Ukraine in the next couple of months, with more planned later this year. The containers will travel by ship to Rotterdam and then by truck through Germany, Poland and into Ukraine.
Ukraine has a massive need, and we need your help filling these containers. We have many comforters (thank you to our comforter knotting groups and individuals who have been sending us thousands of comforters). But, we need relief kits, hygiene kits and especially soap. Please go to mcco.ca/kits for details of kit contents. Material aid donations can be dropped off at our offices or thrift shops or funds can be donated and we will purchase the necessary items. You can donate online, call the office (519-745-8458) or send a cheque to MCC, 203-50 Kent Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1. Please include “material aid” in the subject line.

The 17th world assembly of Mennonite World Conference will be held in Indonesia July 5-10. Since covid restrictions limit personal attendance, there is an online option (see mwc-cmm.org). Further, “global watch parties” of the assembly’s plenary worship services are scheduled for:

Tuesday July 5 – 7 pm at First Mennonite Church, 880 King St E, Kitchener

Wed through Fri – 3 pm & 7:00pm, First Mennonite Church, Kitchener

Saturday July 9 – 7 pm, First Mennonite Church, Kitchener

Sunday July 10 – 7 pm, Meheret Evangelical Church, 46 Krug St., Kitchener

Come and enjoy local intercultural gatherings while connecting with the global community of Anabaptist related churches. Bring your own water bottle. Masks may be requested. Offerings will be held for the ministry of Mennonite World Conference.

Scholarships for post-secondary education

At this time of year, many are thinking of applying for post-secondary and then subsequently, how that will get paid. Tavistock Assistance Program and Raymer Financial offer scholarships to hard-working and deserving students. The application process is quick and easy. The applicants are considered and offers are made expeditiously. We would love to see our young people bettering themselves through further education.  For further information and an application form check out: https://tapisforyou.com/community-scholarship-fund/

Resources to help us to stay Rooted in Christ and Growing together in Faith

Sunday October 17 Worship Gathering 10 AM

This Sunday we will be sharing in a Parent Child Dedication. We invite your prayers for Brent & Heather Ropp as they present Hailey and Rebecca and themselves in this act of dedication.

This Sunday we will also present Bible to our Grade 1 children. Please pray for Hunter Bowman, Daniel Green, Hudson Leis, Vanna Lupton, Abigail Schlegel, Sadie Schmitz, Elaina Tonelli, Bryson Witzel, Lydia Witzel, & Bauer Yantzi and their families. We pray that the Bible will be like a light to them as they live their lives. Any of these children not able to be at church on Sunday will receive their Bibles through the week.

Register for Sunday morning in-person worship, anytime during the week, by contacting Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca  Please indicate which Sunday you are registering for and who will be attending with you. If Lisa is unable to take your call, leave a message that includes your name and phone number. Your registration will then be confirmed either by email or phone. Deadline to register each week is Saturday by 10 a.m.

We are grateful for your financial giving to the ongoing work and ministry of the church. This week our offering focus is “Leadership”

Attention kids JK-Grade 8!!! Come meet under the 20’x20′ (tent in the green space) for a Bible devotion, crafts, games & activities!  Parents need to register children with the church office by 10 a.m. Saturday morning. (office@ezzmennonite.ca or call 519-655-6824. Parents must also plan to be in attendance at in-door worship and have their cell phones close by for emergency contact.

Parent drop off is 9:50-10:00.  Parents must come with children to sign in and answer Covid protocol questions. 

Come dressed for the weather and bring a mask & water bottle. We will be outside the entire hour.

Next Sunday October 24 is International Witness Sunday. We are excited that Dann & Joji Pantoja (Indigenous Names: Lakan & Lakambini) are planning to join us over Zoom from the Philippines!

Extending God’s Love

October Food Drive and HOPE Pumpkins!

The mission committee is inviting you to begin gathering items for our October food drive. We invite those who are gathering for in-person worship to bring food items with you as we gather for worship October 10, 17 and 24th. Food donations will go to Wilmot Family Resource Center in New Hamburg. We also invite cash donations marked “Agape.” Agape is no longer operating a food cupboard but is sharing food cards with their members instead.

We invite those who are not gathering in-person for worship to drive to the church building on Sunday October 24^th between 11:30 am – 1 pm. We will receive your donations then.

Along with collecting food and cash donations on October 24^th we will also hand out HOPE Pumpkins as we did last year. We invite you to take a few pumpkins and carve the word HOPE on the pumpkin. Stencils along with a light will be provided!

We invite you to display your pumpkin and share one for a neighbour or friend to display too. As we did last year we would like to “light the night” through the last week of October and through Halloween! Light the night with HOPE!

Your Missions Committee – Greg Leis, Sheryl Leis, Dan Matthews, Jesse Yantzi and Pastor Ray.

This Christmas, let’s proclaim to our community the good news a Saviour has been born! 

The Worship Committee is exploring the possibility of presenting a Drive-Thru Live Nativity possibly Dec 16th, or 17th.  Actors, animals, props, sets, narration, greeters, lights & sound, will all be part of this ‘live’ event.  

Our goal is to help our community experience the true meaning of Christmas and to do this, many people are needed. We can’t do this without a great team.

If you want to be part of the planning committee to make this Nativity memorable, please contact Connie Yantzi at 519-503-4969 or mcyantzi@gmail.com asap, or by Friday, October 22.  Let’s let our light SHINE to our community this Christmas!   Stay tuned for more information about the many roles needed and how you can get involved!  

                                                       EZMC Announcements

Friday October 15^th – MYF pleasemeet at the church at 6:45 p.m. to go mini-golfing (mask required in vehicle) in Waterloo at Max’s Sportsworld (800 King St. N.). Weather permitting, following mini golf we will plan to have a campfire, snacks, and devotion at Dylan and Hannah’s house (697080 17th Line). 

Plan to pick up youth at 9:30 p.m. 

Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month?  You could send a tribute or make a call to Ray or Lloyd.

In an effort to clear up some space in the shed some small wooden childrens chairs as well as wooden benches and folding tables are available. If you are interested contact any of the trustees

Important Reminder to Parents – Our safe church policy requires a completed waiver for each child involved in Sunday School, Girls Club, Boys Club, and MYF who are under the age of 18. Please bring a completed form (double sided) to an event that your child(ren) attends if you have not already done so. Blank waiver forms will be available for you to complete when you arrive to check in and fill out the contact tracing sheet. Thanks so much! 

EZMC Building Use for Committee Meetings or Music Rehearsals.

A designated meeting space that allows for physical distancing will be located in the basement. The boardroom and other small rooms are closed for now. Please contact Lisa and book the meeting space to ensure that it is available for use. You will be sent the health and safety protocols before your meeting.

Sanctuary space is also available during the week. Please book with Lisa to ensure it is available.

Beyond Our Church Community

Urgent need for sewing kits – We are in urgent need of 200 sewing kits for an October shipment heading to Ukraine. Can you help? Sewing kits open doors to additional income that can help a family make ends meet. Call your local MCC office for a list of contents or go to mcco.ca/kits.

Calling all 18-20 year olds! – Do you want to discover the beauty and brokenness of the world, while living in community and and ministering to others? MCC’s new six-month discipleship program to Palestine and Israel will help you learn more deeply what it means to be an Anabaptist follower of Jesus. More info at mcco.ca/seek.

November 18-19, 2021 –  Save the date: Reconciliation in action, MCC’s virtual peace conference. This year’s Peace Conference will take place online on November 18 and 19. Save the date and stay tuned for more details.

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is inviting you to “participate” in its first annual Rally for Recreation. It’s a great way to get outside while also supporting the work of Hidden Acres. For more information, visit www.hiddenacres.ca.

“Not Traumatic Enough for a Shock Blanket”: A thought-provoking exhibit by artist Yasmeen Nematt Alla invites us to consider the importance of trauma-informed community spaces and the ability art has to provide gestures of care. Running from Sept. 7 to March 7, 2022 at the Grebel Gallery. In person gallery visits available upon request. Visit uwaterloo.ca/centre-peace-advancement/grebel-gallery

Friday May 14^th Announcement Sheet from EZMC Office

Student Aid Applications:

While fall continues to remain a bit uncertain for our students, EZMC remains committed to supporting individuals who consider Christian nurture and leadership development to be part of their education. Student aid applications are due June 30 for the 2021/2022 school year (Sept 2021 – Aug 2022).  If you are interested in applying or would like to know more, please contact Tracey Kropf at tracey.kropf@gmail.com.

The 2021 Camp Subsidy Form is now available and you can complete and return to Dawn Zehr either by email (gdzehr@gmail.com) or mail (657173 15th line, R.R.#1 Tavistock, ON N0B 2R0).  Please note that this year no funds will be sent until camps can confirm their programming depending on Covid-19 restrictions in place. Forms are available by contacting Lisa Suderman either by email at office@ezmennonite.ca  or by phone (519-655-6824). Paper copies can be mailed to you if needed. If you have any questions please contact one of the Christian Education Lay Ministers – Bethany Kropf or Dana Hyde.

Sunday May 16^th 1-3 p.m. MCEC Junior Youth Retreat TODAY (May 14) is the registration deadline

This year MCEC will be hosting a virtual Jr. & Sr. Youth retreat on zoom. Typically in May, MCEC runs a Jr. Youth retreat at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp. Given the pandemic this event will be hosted virtually this year. It will also be offered to Sr. Youth as well. There will be time spent all together in worship and plenty of time in break out groups for games and activities. Joining in the journey of MCEC listening to God, the theme of this virtual retreat is courageous imagination. There is no cost for this event. More details are available on MCEC’s website.

Wednesday May 26^th Interfaith Counselling Centre Annual Meeting – more info to follow 

Currently, we have an immediate need for a treasurer on our Board. The treasurer role would work with our finance committee and have regular communication with the Bookkeeper and Executive Director through monthly financial reporting. Individual(s) interested in this position must have financial qualifications or relevant experience with an understanding of financial accounting for not-for-profit organizations. Anyone interested can call the office (519-662-3092) to discuss further.

New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Online Auctions
Friday, May 28 at 7 pm and Saturday, May 29 at 9 am
We’re excited to bring the 2021 New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale to your living room on May 28 and May 29. Bid on dozens of outdoor items, experiences, gift packages, or one of more than 150 beautiful handmade quilts. Get a taste of the sale with NHMRS-in-a-Box, and join the Run for Relief – Run it your Way, all in support of MCC. Learn more at nhmrs.com.

Peaceful at Heart: Book club for men
Thursday, June 3, 10, 17 and 24, 8-9 a.m.Men are invited to join us for a 4-week book club discussing matters of Anabaptist perspectives of faith and healthy expressions of masculinity. We’ll discuss and explore the book “Peaceful at Heart: Anabaptist Reflections on Healthy Masculinity.” Spaces are limited. To learn more, and to register, go to mcco.ca/events.

Join us in “Saying Shalom to Wanda”

On Sunday, June 6^th, 2021 at 2 pm, Shalom Counselling Services will be hosting Saying Shalom to Wanda: Celebrating 24 years of leadership at Shalom.  This is an opportunity to celebrate, to thank Wanda for her leadership, and to recognize her passion for the delivery of mental health services in our community. For more information and to register for this virtual event visit shalomcounselling.org/sayingshalom or call Shalom at (519) 886-9690.

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp will host its 54th ANNUAL CHICKEN BARBECUE as a DRIVE THRU EVENT on Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. All proceeds support Hidden Acres’ summer camp ministry to children, families and individuals. Individual Meal $15.00; Family Meal (4 people) $55.00. Additional pieces of chicken will be available for purchase for $4/piece. ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY. Purchase tickets at www.hiddenacres.ca or call the camp at 519-625-8602.

June 8 – 23, 2021 9^th International Conference on Spirituality and Aging | : A virtual conference for researchers, practitioners, and interested others to engage issues of connection, in the context of spirituality and aging, in the midst of a pandemic times. Conference sessions will occur on seven occasions (90 minutes each) between June 8th and June 22/23, 2021. Registration is open until May 31 at uwaterloo.ca/ageing-spirituality

Grow Hope Niagara
Become a virtual farmer by partnering with CFGB and MCC to sponsor acres through Grow Hope Niagara and raise funds to help hungry people around the world. Your $400 per acre sponsorship can become up to $2000 through government matching. More info at mcco.ca/grow-hope.

Join our team!
We have several new openings, including a Raw Carrot Extension Site Manager, Church and Community Relations Associate, and various Canada Summer Job opportunities for youth aged 15-29. More information about any of these positions can be found at mcco.ca/serve.

Announcing the MCEC Courageous Imagination Podcast! This podcast will feature 10 episodes where we will hear people from across MCEC share about a variety of topics including listening for God, who we are together, and how God is calling us as the church to respond to the changing local and global context. Listen to the trailer at https://anchor.fm/courageous-imagination or search for “Courageous Imagination” wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Shopping that makes a difference!
Even though our thrift shops are closed, you can still shop online for quality second-hand merchandise and Raw Carrot soup. Get the things you need and want at thriftdifferent.com while supporting MCC.