Weekly Announcements

Weekly Letter and Announcements – No. 129

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

Worship Service – Sunday September 4, 2022 at 10 a.m. 

Cassel Mennonite will be hosting an in-person worship service with Tavistock and East Zorra Mennonite churches. All are welcome to meet at Cassel Mennonite Church (696556 17^th line). There will be no service in our building.

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

Next Sunday – September 11, 2022 – Welcome Back Sunday!

Prelude/Accompanist: Heidi Wagler               Song Leader: Myron Ruby

Worship Leader: Dylan & Hannah Yantzi         Message: Pastor Mike

Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler

On Sunday September 18 Fred Lichti will be sharing in the message time during worship and continue to dialogue with us in the Sunday School time. Fred will tell some stories from our church history. We plan to use this Sunday to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the coming of the Amish Mennonites to Canada and better understand ourselves as standing within the stream of Amish Mennonite history. Fred will lead us in telling stories about persons who are part of the stream of East Zorra’s history, attempting to highlight certain themes and principles which connect with Anabaptist-Mennonite theology and our faith and life today. We also note that 2022 marks East Zorra Mennonite Church’s 185^th Anniversary.

EZMC Announcements

As we move into September we are planning for some changes to our weekly newsletter format. We will continue with weekly mailings to provide the announcements and updates you will need.

The Sewing Circle Committee would like to invite you to join us on Tuesday September 6, 2022 for comforter knotting or quilting. All are welcome. You can join us for part of the day or all day starting at 9:00 am. Bring your lunch along if you plan to stay all day.

Masks are available and we will be socially distancing as well.

We are excited to begin our regular Sunday school programs beginning September 18th for Nursery to grade 8.

Please take some time to look over all the different opportunities we have available to volunteer this year. We welcome you to sign up for as many positions/dates as you are able to. We also want to send out a special invitation to all the Men in our church. Your presence and influence in our Sunday school program is so important. We welcome any amount of participation you are able to give us!

**Please note: For grades 1-5, even though you will see 4 spots for volunteers each Sunday, we only need 2 volunteers.  Each Sunday 2 members from JCET will make up the other 2 volunteers so there are a total of 4. Please sign your name beside your choice of activity that you want to lead, Devo for grade 1-2, 3-5, craft or game, and JCET will fill in the spots that are left blank. 

Blessings & Thank you from JCET

(Holly Barron, Jess Yantzi, Erin Yantzi, Susan Martin) 

We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in the Fall. Please submit updated photos, addresses, phone numbers by September 9^th

Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!

Please note that we encourage every person or family unit to submit a photo. A picture in a directory helps so much, and is so welcoming! Mike, Brandy, Petra and Rebekah have joined us and are getting to know us, an updated photo directory with pictures of everyone will be a wonderful gift. 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.

In the next few weeks your mailbox position may change slightly as additions are made. If you don’t have a mailbox and would like one please contact Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca. If your mailbox label has gone missing please let Lisa know so she can replace it.

As Phase 2 of the Greenspace begins, projects will be dependent on donations. Accompanied by a note, designated for the Green Space, donations can be given by cash or cheque in the church offering, or mailed, dropped off, as well as e-transferred to church treasurer Dawn Zehr. 

Should donations exceed Green Space expenses, the extra will be used for other church projects.                                                   Thank you, GS committee

Beyond Our Church Community

Saturday September 10 – Support World Suicide Prevention Day – Walk of Light. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Schmidt Wood Trails entrance in Baden (behind the pool) Please see the attached poster for more information.

Fall Seniors’ Retreat at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp, September 19th. Our theme this fall is “Seeing the Land and History Through an Indigenous Lens”. For more information and to register please visit our website @ www.hiddenacres.ca   or contact the camp at 519-625-8602, info@hiddenacres.ca.  Space is limited so register early! Brochures are available on the table outside the nursery.

SAVE THE DATE: The much loved-Toronto Mennonite Festival returns to Willowgrove Farm on Saturday September 17. Save the date for delicious traditional (and not so traditional) Mennonite treats, fun activities for kids and families, the famous quilt auction and more. All proceeds support the work of Mennonite Central Committee. More info at torontomennonitefestival.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. The 4th insert/article is now available on the table outside the nursery and was attached to last week’s email.

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

Worship Service – Sunday August 21, 2022 at 10 a.m. 

Theme: Come to the Living Water

Join EZMC Zoom Worship Gathering – 10 AM

Gwen & Dan Matthews 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 host.

**As we gather for worship and other congregational activities, please note that masks are no longer required, including during congregational singing, however, we remain mask-friendly – if you and your family want to wear a mask, you should feel comfortable to do so. For your convenience we will continue to make hand sanitizer and masks available at the 2 main entrances to our building.  

Next Sunday – August 28, 2022 EZMC Worship Service at 10 a.m.

Theme: Come to the Water: Storms

Prelude: Laurie Yantzi      Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis      

Message: Pastor Mike

Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler

Extending God’s Love

EZMC Announcements

Please send any items for the Friday August 26^th letter to Pastor Ray by 9 a.m. that morning as Office Administrator Lisa will be away on holidays. Thanks so much.

We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in the Fall.

Please submit updated photos, addresses, phone numbers by September 9^th

Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!

Please note that we encourage every person or family unit to submit a photo. A picture in a directory helps so much, and is so welcoming! Mike, Brandy, Petra and Rebekah have joined us and are getting to know us, an updated photo directory with pictures of everyone will be a wonderful gift. 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.

In the next few weeks your mailbox position may change slightly as additions are made. If you don’t have a mailbox and would like one please contact Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca. If your mailbox label has gone missing please let Lisa know so she can replace it.

As Phase 2 of the Greenspace begins, projects will be dependent on donations. Accompanied by a note, designated for the Green Space, donations can be given by cash or cheque in the church offering, or mailed, dropped off, as well as e-transferred to church treasurer Dawn Zehr. 

Should donations exceed Green Space expenses, the extra will be used for other church projects.                                                   Thank you, GS committee

Beyond Our Church Community

Fall Seniors’ Retreat at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp, September 19th. Our theme this fall is “Seeing the Land and History Through an Indigenous Lens”. For more information and to register please visit our website @ www.hiddenacres.ca   or contact the camp at 519-625-8602,

info@hiddenacres.ca.  Space is limited so register early! Brochures are available on the table outside the nursery.

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is hiring! We have an opening in early September for a part time (about 16-24 hours a week) member of our housekeeping staff. The successful applicant will be responsible to ensure our facilities are kept clean and in good condition for our guests. They should have an interest or experience in a variety of housekeeping skills, be able to adapt their schedule to meet the requirements of Hidden Acres’ program and be willing to support the mission of the camp. Please visit hiddenacres.ca for more information. To apply, please send a resume to info@hiddenacres.ca. Deadline August 31, 2022.  

SAVE THE DATE: The much loved-Toronto Mennonite Festival returns to Willowgrove Farm on Saturday September 17. Save the date for delicious traditional (and not so traditional) Mennonite treats, fun activities for kids and families, the famous quilt auction and more. All proceeds support the work of Mennonite Central Committee. More info at torontomennonitefestival.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. The 3rd insert is now available on the table outside the nursery.

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

Worship Service – Sunday August 14, 2022 at 10 a.m. 

Ecumenical Worship Service in the Park hosted by the Tavistock Ministerial at Queens Park Pavilion in Tavistock

An offering time during our worship will give opportunity to support individual congregations and the ministry of Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP). Offering envelopes will be provided for TAP donations. Following the service everyone is invited to stay for the annual noon meal fundraiser hosted by the TAP board members and volunteers.

We hope you can come to worship, eat and fellowship together.

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

**As we gather for worship and other congregational activities, please note that masks are no longer required, including during congregational singing, however, we remain mask-friendly – if you and your family want to wear a mask, you should feel comfortable to do so. For your convenience we will continue to make hand sanitizer and masks available at the 2 main entrances to our building.  

Next Sunday – August 21, 2022 EZMC Worship Service at 10 a.m.

Theme: Come to the Living Water

Prelude: Heidi Wagler      Worship Leader: Dawn Bender  

Music: Lindsay Zehr          Message/Sharing: Pastor Ray & Susan Schmitz

Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf

EZMC Announcements

We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in September 2022. 

• If you moved or have a new phone number since the printing of the Church Directory Update Page in January 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. A picture in a directory helps so much, and is so welcoming! As Mike, Brandy, Petra and Rebekah join us in August and get know us, an updated photo directory with pictures of everyone will be a wonderful gift. Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!
• Deadline to submit is September 9, 2022.

In the next few weeks your mailbox position may change slightly as additions are made. If you don’t have a mailbox and would like one please contact Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca. If your mailbox label has gone missing please let Lisa know so she can replace it.

As Phase 2 of the Greenspace begins, projects will be dependent on donations. Accompanied by a note, designated for the Green Space, donations can be given by cash or cheque in the church offering, or mailed, dropped off, as well as e-transferred to church treasurer Dawn Zehr. Should donations exceed Green Space expenses, the extra will be used for other church projects.                                                   Thank you, GS committee

Beyond Our Church Community

Fall Seniors’ Retreat at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp, September 19th. Our theme this fall is “Seeing the Land and History Through an Indigenous Lens”. For more information and to register please visit our website @ www.hiddenacres.ca   or contact the camp at 519-625-8602, info@hiddenacres.ca.  Space is limited so register early! Brochures are available on the table outside the nursery.

Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise market volunteers
The Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise is actively seeking volunteers to run our stall at the Wellesley Farmer’s Market until October 9. Volunteers must be 16+ years of age. Shifts are Saturdays 8:30am-12:30pm. The Raw Carrot provides employment for individuals on Long-Term Disability through the creation and sale of delicious soups. Soups can be purchased at Thrift on Kent, New Hamburg Thrift Centre and Elmira Thrift & Gift. You can also find us at the Wellesley Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings! Contact Leah Brown at leahbrown@mcco.ca for more info.

Volunteer with our Circle of Friends program!
Circle of Friends supports individuals who have experienced homelessness and have transitioned back into the community. Circles are small groups of 2-3 volunteers and one individual who meet each week for a few hours for a one-year commitment. If you’re compassionate, patient and a good listener this may be the position for you! Volunteers are needed now for Tuesday afternoons in Kitchener. Other days and times coming soon. To learn more, go to mcco.ca/volunteer or email Cindy at cindymacrae@mcco.ca.

SAVE THE DATE: The much loved-Toronto Mennonite Festival returns to Willowgrove Farm on Saturday September 17. Save the date for delicious traditional (and not so traditional) Mennonite treats, fun activities for kids and families, the famous quilt auction and more. All proceeds support the work of Mennonite Central Committee. More info at torontomennonitefestival.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. The 3rd insert is now available on the table outside the nursery.

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

Friday July 15 – MYF meet at the church at 7 p.m. to go mini golfing in Woodstock, we’ll return after for snack and games at the church. 

Sunday July 17, 2022 Worship Gathering 10 AM

Today, we continue our Summer Worship Series “Come to the Water” as Ray and Lloyd talk candid stories of learning and growth together as a pastoral team, over the last 16 months. It will be ‘up close & personal’ lessons in living an authentic life. This service will also be a Farewell (Part 1) for Lloyd and Margaret Oakey

Sunday’s service will include a time of commissioning for Brendan Leis, Congregational Chairperson; Susan Schmitz, Lay Minister of Missions; Merv Ropp, Care Team Member

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

   Janet & 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 host.

**As we gather for worship and other congregational activities, please note that masks are no longer required, including during congregational singing, however, we remain mask-friendly – if you and your family want to wear a mask, you should feel comfortable to do so. For your convenience we will continue to make hand sanitizer and masks available at the 2 main entrances to our building.  

**Also note that during road construction on the Perth-Oxford Road, between the 15^th Line and Punkeydoodles Corners, additional time will be required to get to our building. Please take care as you travel!

EZMC Worship Service Next Sunday – July 24, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. 

Outdoor Service in Queen’s Park Pavilion Tavistock. Farewell for Lloyd and Margaret (Part 2)

We continue our Summer Worship Series “Come to the Water” – Searching

Pastor Lloyd and Keith Wagler.   

Please bring your own picnic lunch for our noon meal together. A cake to help celebrate our time with Lloyd and Margaret, served along with ice cream, will be our dessert. Coffee and cold drinks will also be provided for the noon meal. We hope you can join this farewell picnic lunch!

Singers still wanted!! If you would like to join a mixed group to help lead songs at our outdoor service on July 24 in the Tavistock Pavilion, please reach out to Connie at 519-503-4969 or mcyantzi@gmail.com.  No practice required, songs will be familiar.  Come out and share your voice!  “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our Salvation.  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Psalm 95:1-2

EZMC Announcements

Thursday July 28^th Adult Fellowship Social – 7 p.m. at EZMC 

Our guest speakers will be Erma Repei & John Thornton & Jill, sharing with us slides of their adventure of Kuwait. Social time will follow in the basement with cake & ice cream tea & coffee. This event will also be available to watch live via Zoom and the link will be provided in next Friday’s (July 22^nd) Letter. 

As Phase 2 of the Greenspace begins, projects will be dependent on donations. Accompanied by a note, designated for the Green Space, donations can be given by cash or cheque in the church offering, or mailed, dropped off, as well as e-transferred to church treasurer Dawn Zehr. 

Should donations exceed Green Space expenses, the extra will be used for other church projects.                                                   Thank you, GS committee

We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in September 2022. 

• If you moved or have a new phone number since the printing of the Church Directory Update Page in January 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. A picture in a directory helps so much, and is so welcoming! As Mike, Brandy, Petra and Rebekah join us in August and get know us, an updated photo directory with pictures of everyone will be a wonderful gift. Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!
• Deadline to submit is September 9, 2022.

Beyond Our Church Community

Volunteer with our Circle of Friends program!
Circle of Friends supports individuals who have experienced homelessness and have transitioned back into the community. Circles are small groups of 2-3 volunteers and one individual who meet each week for a few hours for a one-year commitment. If you’re compassionate, patient and a good listener this may be the position for you! Volunteers are needed now for Tuesday afternoons in Kitchener. Other days and times coming soon. To learn more, go to mcco.ca/volunteer or email Cindy at cindymacrae@mcco.ca.

Part-time Low German Outreach Program Coordinator and Childcare helpers needed at Poole Mennonite Church
This fall, a weekly outreach program to Low German families and their young children will take place at Poole Mennonite Church. Planners are looking for a Program Coordinator and Childcare Helpers. Speaking Low German is not essential, but it is helpful. For more information, please contact Janet Schulz at poolemen@perth.net or Lily Hiebert Rempel, MCC Ontario Low German Liaison, at lilyhiebertrempel@mcco.ca. The deadline to apply is ASAP. Don’t delay, apply today!

SAVE THE DATE: The much loved-Toronto Mennonite Festival returns to Willowgrove Farm on September 17. Save the date for delicious traditional (and not so traditional) Mennonite treats, fun activities for kids and families, the famous quilt auction and more. All proceeds support the work of Mennonite Central Committee. More info at torontomennonitefestival.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.

The 2^nd insert with more information will be sent with EZMC’s Friday July 22^nd letter. 

Weekly Letter and Announcements – No. 120

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

Sunday July 3, 2022 Worship Gathering 10 AM

This morning we welcome Cassel and Tavistock Mennonite churches to our worship service. 

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

   Janet and Marv Yantzi will be hosting Coffee Time this Sunday.

We invite everyone for refreshment and fellowship following the worship service. 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 host.

**As we gather for worship and other congregational activities, please note that masks are no longer required, including during congregational singing, however, we remain mask-friendly – if you and your family want to wear a mask, you should feel comfortable to do so. For your convenience we will continue to make hand sanitizer and masks available at the 2 main entrances to our building.  

**Also note that during road construction on the Perth-Oxford Road, between the 15^th Line and Punkeydoodles Corners, additional time will be required to get to our building. Please take care as you travel!

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.

EZMC Worship Service Next Sunday – July 10, 2022 at 10 a.m. 

We begin our Summer Worship Series “Come to the Water” Throughout this summer series we will have opportunity to hear a few congregational members share from their life stories.

Extending God’s Love

We extend God’s love as we share with each other both our joys and our struggles.

I want to express my deep thanks to everyone for last Sunday…the service was lovely and has left me with so many positive memories…the gifts so ”ME” ( the birdbath was set up in my backyard Sunday evening)….the cards….the words of appreciation…the coffee and cupcakes…and the one-on-one wee chats we shared…

Thank you for being there with me over these past 21 years and helping me to “End Well”!

God’s love and Blessings

Jean

EZMC Announcements

Looking for help!  Could use another 4 workers.  

Saturday, July 9th in the morning:  Mike & Brandy Williamson are working at renovating

their new house in Woodstock.  

Our job would be to remove the linoleum and drywall in the basement rec room.

This would be a great opportunity to spend some time getting to know our new pastor!

Please contact Marv Yantzi if you are interested or have questions. 

We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in September 2022. 

• If you moved or have a new phone number since the printing of the Church Directory Update Page in January 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. A picture in a directory helps so much, and is so welcoming! As Mike, Brandy, Petra and Rebekah join us in August and get know us, an updated photo directory with pictures of everyone will be a wonderful gift. Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!
• Deadline to submit is September 9, 2022.

As Phase 2 of the Greenspace begins, projects will be dependent on donations. Accompanied by a note, designated for the Green Space, donations can be given by cash or cheque in the church offering, or mailed, dropped off, as well as e-transferred to church treasurer Dawn Zehr. 

Should donations exceed Green Space expenses, the extra will be used for other church projects.                                                   Thank you, GS committee

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.

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 

Parents of VBS kids – you should have received an email with a registration form. If you haven’t, don’t hesitate to contact us. 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!

Prayer Support

We invite you to stand with us in praying for our week of VBS, our children and volunteers. Covering this week in prayer is one of the most important tasks we can do; we know that prayer holds so much power.

Please pray for the following, and anything else that Holy Spirit presses on your heart:

– That we would be drawn closer to God’s heart, and understand His deep and sacrificial love for us

– That the Lord would stir, in each of our hearts, the joy that comes from walking with Jesus each and every day.

– That the curriculum, conversations and activities would be in line with God’s Will

– For safety

– For good weather so we can continue with our outdoor set up and events

“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer”

Matthew 21: 21-22

Please let us know by calling or emailing us, if you feel called to intercede for VBS in this way. We would love to share with all those involved in VBS, the network of support that is covering this week in prayer.

Ashley and Naomi

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 either by email at office@ezmennonite.ca  or by phone. 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

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 Fri June 10^th’s 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 needs Emergency supplies – Ukraine has a massive need and we need your help filling containers with emergency supplies. We need relief kit and hygiene kit supplies, especially soap. A full list of items can be viewed at mcco.ca/kits. Bring your donations to your nearest MCC office or thrift shop or donate financially and we will use our purchasing power to buy supplies. Donate at mcco.ca/kits, by cheque to 203-50 Kent Ave, Kitchener, N2G 3R1 (note emergency supplies on the memo line) or call 519-745-8458.

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/

Rockway Mennonite Collegiate invites applicants for the position of Director of Finance & Human Resources which is a Senior Administrative position starting in August/September 2022. Resumes and cover letters will be accepted until June 30, 2022. Visit www.rockway.ca/employment for the full posting.