Weekly Announcements

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 66             Sunday February 12, 2023                      No. 7

Worship Service – Sunday February 12, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering

The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together

Genesis 12: The God who makes and keep promises 

Prelude: Chantelle McNeish                Accompanist: Chantelle McNeish

Song Leader: Caleb Leis                      Worship Leaders: Tyler Yantzi

Message: Pastor Mike                          Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf

Welcome and Opening Greetings

Announcements

Call to Worship and Opening Prayer

Songs of Gathering & Praise VT #62 “God Is Here among Us”

                                      VT #75 “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven!”

Prayer for Offering 

          Offering Focus – Leadership

Time with the Children

Scripture Reading: Genesis 15:1-18

Message:  Pastor Mike

Song of Response:   VT #606 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

Prayer of the church 

Sending Song:          VT # 832 “The Lord Lift You Up”

Benediction

Today

Sunday School classes

Nursery to Grade 5 classes are being held downstairs.

Junior Youth class meets upstairs in Room #9

Youth class meets upstairs in the MYF room (Room #11)

Adult Sunday School – God’s Story, Our Story: Reading the Bible Together

Following the service and a time of fellowship, you are invited to the basement for a time of discussion as we reflect on the Bible story for the week. Using the questions from the reading schedule to guide us, we will try and figure out what each story means to us today as God’s people. We will plan to keep the Zoom link open and will have a leader to guide discussion for Zoom participants.

This Coming Week

Wednesday February 15^th  

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee – Please see the announcement for more details about this weekly bible study opportunity.

Thursday February 16^th  

9:30 a.m. E Z Play Group

6 p.m. SCRC Meeting

Friday February 17^th  

          7 p.m. MYF

Saturday February 18^th

          1-6 p.m. Private Party

Next Sunday – February 19, 2023

The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together

Genesis 12: The God who delivers and makes a way out of no way 

Prelude: Heidi Wagler                         Accompanist: Heidi Wagler

Song Leader: Myron Ruby                    Worship Leaders: Jared Yantzi

Message: Pastor Ray                            Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler

Coffee Time: Shirley & Phil Ruby

Extending God’s Love

Please keep the children and families of Syria and Türkiye in your prayers.

MCC is accepting donations to support people affected by the Feb. 6 earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. MCC is working with long-term partners in Aleppo and surrounding areas to provide emergency food, shelter, hygiene, sanitation supplies and trauma counselling. In a country already vulnerable from years of conflict, this was a devastating blow. You can share God’s love and compassion with our global neighbours by providing a gift online at mcccanada.ca/earthquake, by calling 800-313-6226 or by sending a cheque earmarked for “Syria and Türkiye earthquake” to MCC, 203-50 Kent Ave, Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1 

Dear friends at East Zorra Mennonite Church,

Tavistock Assistance Program would like to thank you for your generous donations throughout the past year but especially at Christmas time! You blessed neighbours in need with your kind, generous and thoughtful gifts, providing comfort, food, and warmth to many! You are a blessing to our community and you really do make a difference in people’s lives. Together, with neighbours helping neighbours, we can build strong and healthy communities!!

Sincerely, Linda Holst, Program Director

EZMC Announcements

The 2023 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).  Forms are available on the table by the Nursery or by contacting Lisa Suderman at office@ezmennonite.ca 

If you have any questions please contact one of the Christian Education Lay Ministers – Bethany Kropf or Jared Yantzi.

Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee

Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 at the Church

Winter blues got you down? Are you bored? Do you miss getting out of the house? Then come drop-in at the church and join us on Wednesday mornings as we open and read the Bible together over a hot cup of coffee or tea. Bring your Bibles and your questions as we reflect on a story from the Bible and what it teaches us about ourselves and God. Whether you are a Bible expert or completely confused, everyone is welcome!

Tuesday February 21st

5:30 – 7 p.m. Care Team along with members of the Congregational Life committee are planning to host a Pancake supper at the church. Please join us for this intergenerational evening of food and fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Gluten free and dairy free pancakes will be available. Please sign up on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board or email your intent to office@ezmennonite.ca. You may also call Lisa at 519-655-6824. This will help give us an idea of how many sausages to order.  

Thursday February 23^rd 12:10 p.m. TAVISTOCK & AREA MINISTERIAL 2020 Lenten Luncheons at Grace United Church (Elevator and Hearing Assistance). Each Thursday during Lent beginning at 12:10 p.m. with meditation and music in the Sanctuary followed by Soup and Sandwich Lunch. Suggested contribution is $5-$10 for lunch.

Theme is “Giving it Up”

Week 1:  Giving up Control

Many of us give up certain things during Lent. Are there things we should give up for the rest of our lives? We invite you to come and worship and reflect with us, and then share in conversation with others over lunch.

There will be no Lenten Service and Luncheon during Holy Week this year.

On February 25, Operation Sharing is hosting the Coldest Night of the Year, a 2 & 5 km winterrific walk hosted in 170+ cities across Canada, in support of their work in Oxford County with people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger. Our Missions Committee has registered a team (EZ Walkers) and plan to walk in Woodstock on February 25. If you would like to join our team of walkers and/or sponsor us to help raise funds please speak to one of the members of our Missions Ministry Committee: Susan Schmitz, Dan Matthews, Sheryl Leis, Jessie Yantzi or Pastor Ray. . You may also join the team of walkers or sponsor us by using this link: Sponsor EZ Walkers or Join the Team. Our goal is to raise $2000 or more to help respond to the growing needs in Oxford County. Thanks for your support!

Sunday February 26^th – EZMC 2022 Annual Meeting

The meeting will be held during Worship and Sunday School, in person and also available virtually on Zoom. The annual report was sent by email on Friday February 10^th but there will be some paper copies of the report booklet on the table outside the nursery. 

The Nursing Homes of Tavistock have requested that our ministerial churches begin offering Sunday afternoon services again. It feels important that East Zorra be involved in this important ministry to our seniors in Long Term Care. The ministerial is working on scheduling and response to this request. If your family, small group or group of friends, would be willing to be involved please speak to Pastor Ray or Susan Schmitz. The services are about 30 minutes and involve music, readings, prayers. Thank you for considering sharing in this ministry.

Do you love music? Do you know how to play the organ, piano, guitar or other instrument?  Or maybe you just love to sing? Is music at East Zorra an important part of your worship experience?  If so, the worship committee would like to encourage you. Perhaps God is calling you to share your gift at East Zorra, and possibly discover and develop leadership skills. We would love to mentor new leaders and also find out if there are any musicians among us that we are not aware of. If your answer is ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, and you feel so led, please speak to Connie Yantzi or Lindsay Zehr.

JCET is still in need of volunteers to help with the children. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board across from the JCET desk, in the basement. Below is a description of the various types of roles needed. If you have any questions please ask anyone on the team (Jess Y., Holly, Erin Y. Sue M.)

Nursery/Preschool and JK/SK TEACHERS:

Plan for an hour which includes: welcoming children and have an activity on the table (puzzles, playdough, etc); story, activity and activity sheets using the Gospel Light curriculum which is provided.  Play time is also encouraged as it builds friendships & many other skills (getting along, cooperation, listening, leading, imagination, etc)

JK/SK join the older children for assembly time for the first 10 min of the Christian Education hour.

Nursery/Preschool and JK/SK HELPERS:

Welcome and assist the teacher and children.

Grades 1-5

DEVOTIONS: Using the curriculum provided, tell the story, ask questions from God’s big picture and do the Bible verse Object talk provided. Approx. 15-20 min.  

CRAFT/GAMES: Plan to lead either the games or craft suggestions provided.  There are also discussion questions to help tie the activity to the story. Approx. 15-20 min.

JWalker TEACHER: Plan for an hour. Students watch a video from the Meeting House and then have a discussion based on the video.

JWalker HELPER: Assists the teacher to help keep order, offer input into the discussion and is a 2^nd adult in the room. 

VBS 2023- July 10-14

Please save the date for this year’s Vacation Bible School at East Zorra. Our theme this year is Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity. The week will be set up similar to last summer, with kids split into Tribes, daily Celebration Time, rotations to new shops in the Marketplace (crafts) and new games to play in the Palace Playground. We will also learn about Daniel’s story each day and how he stayed committed to the one true God when others were turning away from Him. We look forward to learning that God is with us through every situation and emotion! 

We will be opening registration to the community this year so share these dates with your friends! To do this, we will need lots of volunteers. Please consider how helping out with VBS 2023 can fit into your summer plans.

Naomi Witzel naomiwitzel8@gmail.com

Ashley Witzel ezvbsbabylon@gmail.com

Beyond Our Church Community

Monday February 20^th 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Free Family Day Open House at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp. Come for a fun and relaxing day with your family! Pretzel-making, roasting bannock around the fire, sledding, skating, games, puzzles, crafts, ping-pong and more! RSVP to info@hiddenacres.ca or call (519) 625-8602. Check www.hiddenacres.ca for more details.

Monday February 27^th  7 – 8:30 p.m. (room 2202) Film Screening | Zwingli: Der Reformator (The Reformer. Zwingli: A Life’s Portrait), hosted by the Institute of Anabaptist and Mennonite Studies at Conrad Grebel University College. The MCEC church community is invited to watch and discuss Swiss filmmaker Stephan Haupt’s award-winning 2019 depiction of the early Reformation in Zurich. Dr. David Neufeld will provide a brief introduction to the film and lead a post-screening discussion with attendees. Go to grebel.ca/events

Monday February 27^th 7 p.m. (CST) Face to Face | Polarization: Get over it! Stories that lead the way –Jayme Menzies of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba MLAs Kelvin Goertzen, Dougald Lamont, and Jamie Moses will share examples and stories of how they’ve overcome polarization in big and small ways in their various contexts. Join in-person and livestream.  . More information and livestream at cmu.ca/face2face. 

Monday March 13^th Grandparent and Grandchild Day at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp. The annual Grandparent-Grandchild Days sponsored by Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp..  This retreat is for grandparents and their grandchildren in Grades 1-6.  Greg Taylor will be leading the day, focusing on the theme of God of Wonders: Discovering the Creator Through Space. Check out www.hiddenacres.ca for more details. 

The 10^th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality will be hosted at Conrad Grebel University College from June 4 to 7. Registration is now open! All are welcome to attend and take advantage of workshops and seminars by researchers, scholars, faith leaders, seniors, policy makers, and care partners. Early bird pricing is available until March 18, 2023. Visit uwaterloo.ca/ageing-spirituality/ for more information and to register.

Registration is open for Ontario Mennonite Music Camp (OMMC), running August 13 – 15 at Conrad Grebel University College. OMMC provides an exciting camp adventure for 12- to 17-year-olds, pairing exceptional musical instruction with traditional camp activities. Campers will find a safe and supportive community to explore their love of music, strengthen their leadership skills, and deepen their faith. Register by April 15 for the early bird discount: grebel.ca/ommc

Walking Together Book Study – MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group

Join the MCEC Truth and Reconciliation Working Group in this 4-part book study, Walking Togther: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance. We will begin our study with Edith and Neill von Gunten, the authors, on Wednesday, February 15.

We will meet every other Wednesday evening from 7 – 9 Eastern time.

(Wed Feb 15, Wed Mar 1, 15, & 29). Walking Together invites the church to grapple with questions of racism and Christian supremacy in order to see that all peoples and cultures bear Creator’s beauty and gifts, and that our reconciliation—even our salvation—depends upon embracing that truth.

  More Information and to Register

The constituency-based MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp:

• Winter and Spring Retreats:  Come to Silver Lake in 2023 for some fun camp experiences! Coming up soon are… Winter Camp for Grown-Ups (Mar 3-5), March Break Family Getaway (Mar 14-17). Go to SLMC Retreats & Events for more info and to register.
• Summer Camp Registration is now Open:  Visit the SLMC website for more details about overnight camps, outtrips and day camps. New this year – March Break Day Camp in Kitchener (Mar 13-17). Click here forCamp Info and Registration

Call for German Mennonite Poetry – Do you or your relatives have self-composed German Mennonite poetry that you’re interested in sharing with the community? Brubacher House Artists-in-Residence are collecting previously untranslated German language poems for a bilingual collection of German Mennonite poetry from the Waterloo Region. Email submissions to brubacherpoetryproject@gmail.com. More information at uwaterloo.ca/brubacher-house

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 66             Sunday February 5, 2023                      No. 6

Worship Service – Sunday February 5, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering

The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together

Genesis 12: The God who calls Us 

Prelude: Bethany Klein                       Accompanist: Bethany Klein

Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr                  Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis

Message: Pastor Ray                            Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler

Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Praise 57 VT Holy Spirit Come with Power; 88 VT Praise the Lord, The Almighty
Prayer for the Offering
Offering Focus – Mission Partners
Time with Children
Scripture Readings: Genesis 12:1-9; Hebrews 11:8-12
Message: Abraham, Sarah and the God who calls us
Song of Response: 715 VT Longing for Light
Moment for Mission
Sharing Time & Prayer of the Church
Sending Song: 830 VT Go, My Children
Benediction

Today

Coffee Time will be hosted by Gwen and Dan Matthews.

A note about Coffee Time – We will continue to have coffee every other Sunday. We would welcome a few more volunteers that would make it possible to serve coffee every week. We would ask that everyone provide their own coffee mug to help simplify the preparation and clean up time. We will provide mugs for those who forget theirs or who come as guests on a Sunday morning. Please contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee time host. A coffee host prepares the coffee and cleans up after coffee time. Thanks so much.  

Sunday School classes

Nursery to Grade 5 classes are being held downstairs.

Junior Youth class meets upstairs in Room #9

Youth class meets upstairs in the MYF room (Room #11)

Adult Sunday School – God’s Story, Our Story: Reading the Bible Together

Following the service and a time of fellowship, you are invited to the basement for a time of discussion as we reflect on the Bible story for the week. Using the questions from the reading schedule to guide us, we will try and figure out what each story means to us today as God’s people.

We will plan to keep the Zoom link open and will have a leader to guide discussion for Zoom participants.

This Coming Week

Wednesday February 8^th  

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee – Please see the announcement for more details about this weekly bible study opportunity.

Thursday February 9^th  

9:30 a.m. E Z Play Group

Friday February 10^th  

          7 p.m. MYF

Next Sunday – February 12, 2023

The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together

Genesis 12: The God who makes and keep promises 

Prelude: Chantelle McNeish                Accompanist: Chantelle McNeish

Song Leader: Caleb Leis                      Worship Leaders: Tyler Yantzi

Message: Pastor Mike                          Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf

EZMC Announcements

A reminder for those who signed up to knot comforters at the Resource Centre on Tuesday February 7/23 from 10:00 to 12:00.

Sewing Circle will not be having their usual meeting to quilt and knot comforters at church in February. They plan to meet again on Tuesday March 7^th.

Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee

Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 at the Church

Winter blues got you down? Are you bored? Do you miss getting out of the house? Then come drop-in at the church and join us on Wednesday mornings as we open and read the Bible together over a hot cup of coffee or tea. Bring your Bibles and your questions as we reflect on a story from the Bible and what it teaches us about ourselves and God. Whether you are a Bible expert or completely confused, everyone is welcome!

Tuesday February 21st

5:30 – 7 p.m. Care Team along with members of the Congregational Life committee are planning to host a Pancake supper at the church. Please join us for this intergenerational evening of food and fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Gluten free and dairy free pancakes will be available. Please sign up on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board or email your intent to office@ezmennonite.ca. You may also call Lisa at 519-655-6824. This will help give us an idea of how many sausages to order.  

It’s cold out there.

On February 25, Operation Sharing is hosting the Coldest Night of the Year, a 2 & 5 km winterrific walk hosted in 170+ cities across Canada, in support of their work in Oxford County with people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger.

Our Missions Committee has registered a team (EZ Walkers) and plan to walk in Woodstock on February 25. If you would like to join our team of walkers and/or sponsor us to help raise funds please speak to one of the members of our Missions Ministry Committee: Susan Schmitz, Dan Matthews, Sheryl Leis, Jessie Yantzi or Pastor Ray. . You may also join the team of walkers or sponsor us by using this link: Sponsor EZ Walkers or Join the Team. Our goal is to raise $2000 or more to help respond to the growing needs in Oxford County. Thanks for your support!

Sunday February 26^th – EZMC 2022 Annual Meeting

The meeting will be held in person and available virtually on Zoom. The annual report will be sent by email on Friday February 10^th but if you would prefer a paper copy, let Lisa know by Thursday February 9^th. Please note that paper copies of the report will be delivered to those who receive a printed copy of our Sunday bulletin each Friday.

The Nursing Homes of Tavistock have requested that our ministerial churches begin offering Sunday afternoon services again. It feels important that East Zorra be involved in this important ministry to our seniors in Long Term Care. The ministerial is working on scheduling and response to this request. If your family, small group or group of friends, would be willing to be involved please speak to Pastor Ray or Susan Schmitz. The services are about 30 minutes and involve music, readings, prayers. Thank you for considering sharing in this ministry.

JCET is still in need of volunteers to help with the children. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board across from the JCET desk, in the basement. Below is a description of the various types of roles needed. If you have any questions please ask anyone on the team (Jess Y., Holly, Erin Y. Sue M.)

Nursery/Preschool and JK/SK TEACHERS:

Plan for an hour which includes: welcoming children and have an activity on the table (puzzles, playdough, etc); story, activity and activity sheets using the Gospel Light curriculum which is provided.  Play time is also encouraged as it builds friendships & many other skills (getting along, cooperation, listening, leading, imagination, etc)

JK/SK join the older children for assembly time for the first 10 min of the Christian Education hour.

Nursery/Preschool and JK/SK HELPERS:

Welcome and assist the teacher and children.

Grades 1-5

DEVOTIONS: Using the curriculum provided, tell the story, ask questions from God’s big picture and do the Bible verse Object talk provided. Approx. 15-20 min.  

CRAFT/GAMES: Plan to lead either the games or craft suggestions provided.  There are also discussion questions to help tie the activity to the story. Approx. 15-20 min.

JWalker TEACHER: Plan for an hour. Students watch a video from the Meeting House and then have a discussion based on the video.

JWalker HELPER: Assists the teacher to help keep order, offer input into the discussion and is a 2^nd adult in the room. 

Beyond Our Church Community

Saturday February 4^th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and artistic director Brandon Leis present a new composition by local composer Justin LaPierre, ‘Messe de Sainte Anne ’, a weaving together of Québécois hymns and folk music, at St Matthews Lutheran Church (54 Benton St, Kitchener).

$25 Adults. $5 Children/Students.  www.mennosingers.com  

Back by popular demand, Selah’s Song, (written by Johnny Wideman, with original music by beloved Mennonite musician Bryan Moyer Suderman) tells the story of a young girl whose courage inspired a village and whose song became an anthem for peace. Selah’s Song is a heartwarming musical that is fun for all ages!
Selah’s Song will be presented at Shantz Mennonite Church on Friday, February 10th at 7:00PM. Admission by donation.  https://fb.me/e/3cPvQaHnk 

Monday February 20^th 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Free Family Day Open House at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp. Come for a fun and relaxing day with your family! Pretzel-making, roasting bannock around the fire, sledding, skating, games, puzzles, crafts, ping-pong and more! RSVP to info@hiddenacres.ca or call (519) 625-8602. Check www.hiddenacres.ca for more details.

Grade 10 Family Night at Grebel and UWaterloo is back! On Thursday, February 23 at 5pm, Conrad Grebel University College invites all Grade 10 students and their families to share a meal at Grebel before attending the University of Waterloo’s annual Grade 10 Family Night. The Grebel tour starts at 5pm, followed by dinner at 5:30. The UWaterloo presentation begins at 6:30, followed by an academic and student life Information Fair. Lean about a world-renowned academic institution, as well as the supportive residence environment that Grebel, a close-knit and faith-based community, can provide for students. Email grebelstudentservices@uwaterloo.ca by Wednesday February 8 to register for supper.

Film Screening | Zwingli: Der Reformator (The Reformer. Zwingli: A Life’s Portrait), hosted by the Institute of Anabaptist and Mennonite Studies at Conrad Grebel University College. The MCEC church community is invited to watch and discuss Swiss filmmaker Stephan Haupt’s award-winning 2019 depiction of the early Reformation in Zurich. Dr. David Neufeld will provide a brief introduction to the film and lead a post-screening discussion with attendees on Monday, February 27, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, room 2202. grebel.ca/events

Grandparent and Grandchild Day at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp

The annual Grandparent-Grandchild Days sponsored by Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is planned for Monday, March 13.  This retreat is for grandparents and their grandchildren in Grades 1-6.  Greg Taylor will be leading the day, focusing on the theme of God of Wonders: Discovering the Creator Through Space. Check out www.hiddenacres.ca for more details. 

The 10^th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality will be hosted at Conrad Grebel University College from June 4 to 7. Registration is now open! All are welcome to attend and take advantage of workshops and seminars by researchers, scholars, faith leaders, seniors, policy makers, and care partners. Early bird pricing is available until March 18, 2023. Visit uwaterloo.ca/ageing-spirituality/ for more information and to register.

Registration is open for Ontario Mennonite Music Camp (OMMC), running August 13 – 15 at Conrad Grebel University College. OMMC provides an exciting camp adventure for 12- to 17-year-olds, pairing exceptional musical instruction with traditional camp activities. Campers will find a safe and supportive community to explore their love of music, strengthen their leadership skills, and deepen their faith. Register by April 15 for the early bird discount: grebel.ca/ommc

Walking Together Book Study – MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group

Join the MCEC Truth and Reconciliation Working Group in this 4-part book study, Walking Togther: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance. We will begin our study with Edith and Neill von Gunten, the authors, on Wednesday, February 15.

We will meet every other Wednesday evening from 7 – 9 Eastern time.

(Wed Feb 15, Wed Mar 1, 15, & 29). Walking Together invites the church to grapple with questions of racism and Christian supremacy in order to see that all peoples and cultures bear Creator’s beauty and gifts, and that our reconciliation—even our salvation—depends upon embracing that truth.

  More Information and to Register

The constituency-based MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.

Call for German Mennonite Poetry – Do you or your relatives have self-composed German Mennonite poetry that you’re interested in sharing with the community? Brubacher House Artists-in-Residence are collecting previously untranslated German language poems for a bilingual collection of German Mennonite poetry from the Waterloo Region. Email submissions to brubacherpoetryproject@gmail.com. More information at uwaterloo.ca/brubacher-house

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 66             Sunday January 29, 2023                      No. 5

Worship Service – Sunday January 29, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Welcome to our Morning Worship Gathering

The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together

Genesis 3: The God who finds what is lost 

Prelude: Worship Band                        Accompanist: Heidi Wagler

Song Leader: Connie Yantzi                Worship Leaders: Marlow Gingerich

Message: Pastor Mike                          Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf

Prelude: “Be Unto Your Name“; “Praise is Rising”; VT # 49 “All Who are Thirsty”
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Praise VT #116 “How Great is our God”; VT #393 “Build Your Kingdom”
Prayer for the Offering
Offering Focus – Leadership
Time with Children – Pastor Mike
Scripture Readings: Genesis 3: 1-19, Romans 8:37-39
Message: Pastor Mike
Song of Response: VT #162 “The Love of God”
Sharing Time & Prayer of the Church – Pastor Ray
Sending Song VT #597 “My Lighthouse”
Benediction

Today

No Coffee Time today

Sunday School classes

Nursery to Grade 5 classes are being held downstairs.

Junior Youth class meets upstairs in Room #9

Youth class meets upstairs in the MYF room (Room #11)

Adult Sunday School

God’s Story, Our Story: Reading the Bible Together

Following the service and a time of fellowship, you are invited to the basement for a time of discussion as we reflect on the Bible story for the week. Using the questions from the reading schedule to guide us, we will try and figure out what each story means to us today as God’s people.

12 pm Youth Ministry Team meeting with sponsors in the MYF Room

1 pm Private Party in the basement

This Coming Week

Wednesday February 1^st 

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee – Please see the announcement for more details about this weekly bible study opportunity.

Thursday February 2^nd 

9:30 a.m. E Z Play Group

Friday February 3^rd 

          7 p.m. MYF

Next Sunday – February 5, 2023

The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together

Genesis 12: The God who calls Us 

Prelude: Bethany Klein                       Accompanist: Bethany Klein

Song Leader: Myron Ruby                    Worship Leaders: Sheryl Leis

Message: Pastor Ray                          Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler

Coffee Time will be hosted by Gwen and Dan Matthews.

EZMC Announcements

The EZMC 2022 Annual Meeting will held on Sunday February 26, 2023.

• The meeting will be held in person and available virtually on Zoom.
• Please submit your Annual Reports, if you haven’t already done, to Lisa as soon as possible. Email to office@ezmennonite.ca  
• The annual report will be sent by email but if you would prefer a paper copy, let Lisa know by Thursday February 9^th. Please note that paper copies of the report will be delivered to those who receive a printed copy of our Sunday bulletin each Friday.

Tuesday February 21st

5:30 – 7 p.m. Care Team along with members of the Congregational Life committee are planning to host a Pancake supper at the church. Please join us for this intergenerational evening of food and fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Gluten free and dairy free pancakes will be available. Please sign up on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board or email your intent to office@ezmennonite.ca. This will help give us an idea of how many sausages to order.  

Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee

Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 at the Church

Winter blues got you down? Are you bored? Do you miss getting out of the house? Then come drop-in at the church and join us on Wednesday mornings as we open and read the Bible together over a hot cup of coffee or tea. Bring your Bibles and your questions as we reflect on a story from the Bible and what it teaches us about ourselves and God. Whether you are a Bible expert or completely confused, everyone is welcome!

The Nursing Homes of Tavistock have requested that our ministerial churches begin offering Sunday afternoon services again. It feels important that East Zorra be involved in this important ministry to our seniors in Long Term Care. The ministerial is working on scheduling and response to this request. If your family, small group or group of friends, would be willing to be involved please speak to Pastor Ray or Susan Schmitz. The services are about 30 minutes and involve music, readings, prayers. Thank you for considering sharing in this ministry.

It’s cold out there.

On February 25, Operation Sharing is hosting the Coldest Night of the Year, a 2 & 5 km winterrific walk hosted in 170+ cities across Canada, in support of their work in Oxford County with people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger.

Our Missions Committee has registered a team (EZ Walkers) and plan to walk in Woodstock on February 25. If you would like to join our team of walkers and/or sponsor us to help raise funds please speak to one of the members of our Missions Ministry Committee: Susan Schmitz, Dan Matthews, Sheryl Leis, Jessie Yantzi or Pastor Ray. . You may also join the team of walkers or sponsor us by using this link: Sponsor EZ Walkers or Join the Team. Our goal is to raise $2000 or more to help respond to the growing needs in Oxford County. Thanks for your support!

JCET is still in need of volunteers to help with the children. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board across from the JCET desk, in the basement. Below is a description of the various types of roles needed. If you have any questions please ask anyone on the team (Jess Y., Holly, Erin Y. Sue M.)

Nursery/Preschool and JK/SK TEACHERS:

Plan for an hour which includes: welcoming children and have an activity on the table (puzzles, playdough, etc); story, activity and activity sheets using the Gospel Light curriculum which is provided.  Play time is also encouraged as it builds friendships & many other skills (getting along, cooperation, listening, leading, imagination, etc)

JK/SK join the older children for assembly time for the first 10 min of the Christian Education hour.

Nursery/Preschool and JK/SK HELPERS:

Welcome and assist the teacher and children.

Grades 1-5

DEVOTIONS: Using the curriculum provided, tell the story, ask questions from God’s big picture and do the Bible verse Object talk provided. Approx. 15-20 min.  

CRAFT/GAMES: Plan to lead either the games or craft suggestions provided.  There are also discussion questions to help tie the activity to the story. Approx. 15-20 min.

JWalker TEACHER: Plan for an hour. Students watch a video from the Meeting House and then have a discussion based on the video.

JWalker HELPER: Assists the teacher to help keep order, offer input into the discussion and is a 2^nd adult in the room. 

Beyond Our Church Community

Saturday February 4^th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and artistic director Brandon Leis present a new composition by local composer Justin LaPierre, ‘Messe de Sainte Anne ’, a weaving together of Québécois hymns and folk music, at St Matthews Lutheran Church (54 Benton St, Kitchener).

$25 Adults. $5 Children/Students.  www.mennosingers.com  

Back by popular demand, Selah’s Song, (written by Johnny Wideman, with original music by beloved Mennonite musician Bryan Moyer Suderman) tells the story of a young girl whose courage inspired a village and whose song became an anthem for peace. Selah’s Song is a heartwarming musical that is fun for all ages!
Selah’s Song will be presented at Shantz Mennonite Church on Friday, February 10th at 7:00PM. Admission by donation.  https://fb.me/e/3cPvQaHnk 

Monday February 20^th 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Free Family Day Open House at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp. Come for a fun and relaxing day with your family! Pretzel-making, roasting bannock around the fire, sledding, skating, games, puzzles, crafts, ping-pong and more! RSVP to info@hiddenacres.ca or call (519) 625-8602. Check www.hiddenacres.ca for more details.

Thursday February 23^rd Conrad Grebel is inviting Grade 10 (or 11 or 12) students and their families to come to Grebel first for a complimentary dinner and tour. They will learn about living in a supportive, faith-based residence community at Grebel while also being able to study at UWaterloo, a world-renowned academic institution. The Grebel tour will start at 5 pm. If families can’t make it in time for that, they are welcome to arrive at 5:30 for dinner. At 6:15, we will walk over to main campus for the presentation. It’s a great opportunity to see what UWaterloo has to offer and to start thinking about what courses they need to choose in grade 11 to make sure they’re setting themselves up for programs they might want to study! To register for supper at Grebel, please email grebelstudentservices@uwaterloo.ca by Wednesday February 8^th to indicate your interest. To learn more about Grade 10 Family Night, see this website: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/grade-10-family-night-registration

“Looking for a summer job? Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is Hiring for Summer Camp 2023! Located just outside of Shakespeare, ON, Hidden Acres provides opportunities for you to impact the lives of young people, serve God and others in a safe and fun environment, grow in your ability to be a great leader and have fun through it all! We are accepting applications for all positions until February 1. For more information or to apply, go to www.hiddenacres.ca or contact Emily Taylor at

519-625-8602 or emily@hiddenacres.ca“

Grandparent and Grandchild Day at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp

The annual Grandparent-Grandchild Days sponsored by Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is planned for Monday, March 13.  This retreat is for grandparents and their grandchildren in Grades 1-6.  Greg Taylor will be leading the day, focusing on the theme of God of Wonders: Discovering the Creator Through Space. Check out www.hiddenacres.ca for more details. 

Walking Together Book Study – MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group

Join the MCEC Truth and Reconciliation Working Group in this 4-part book study, Walking Togther: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance. We will begin our study with Edith and Neill von Gunten, the authors, on Wednesday, February 15.

We will meet every other Wednesday evening from 7 – 9 Eastern time.

(Wed Feb 15, Wed Mar 1, 15, & 29). Walking Together invites the church to grapple with questions of racism and Christian supremacy in order to see that all peoples and cultures bear Creator’s beauty and gifts, and that our reconciliation—even our salvation—depends upon embracing that truth.

  More Information and to Register

The constituency-based MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.

Call for German Mennonite Poetry – Do you or your relatives have self-composed German Mennonite poetry that you’re interested in sharing with the community? Brubacher House Artists-in-Residence are collecting previously untranslated German language poems for a bilingual collection of German Mennonite poetry from the Waterloo Region. Email submissions to brubacherpoetryproject@gmail.com. More information at uwaterloo.ca/brubacher-house

SEVEN PRINCIPLES WORKSHOP FOR COUPLES 

At Interfaith Counselling Centre, we are excited to be offering an 8 week Gottman “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work”. This is a group for Pre-Marital; Common Law; and Married Couples. The Seven Principles Workshop for Couples is based on the internationally acclaimed research of Dr. John Gottman as presented in his New York Times bestselling book – The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.  This educational workshop is designed to help couples improve their friendship and conflict management skills. This workshop will be offered via Zoom. 

Please see the poster on the bulletin board for more information. 

MCC’s Applied Peacebuilding Skills Certificate Program, Online, January to May 2023. Learning the skills of peace is a lifelong adventure. Wherever you are in the process of learning the skills of peacemaking, the latest MCC program will help you to further develop and apply these skills within your home, work and community. Register for MCC’s nine-session program, which takes place every other Wednesday evening from mid-January to May 2023. Learn more at mcco.ca/events.

It’s official. As first shared following our Annual General Meeting in 2022, MennoHomes is rebranding as Beyond Housing. There are still some details that need to be taken care of as we make the switch to the new name but we are excited to finally be at this stage. We’ve launched a new website with a fresh clean look that we invite you to explore to learn more. It can be found here: https://beyondhousing.ca/

The January edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service. In our current issue: learn how MDS Canada is responding in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; Nick Hamm reflects on how God shares His goodness even during disasters; and Director of Operations Ross Penner reminds us that MDS work continues long after the headlines have disappeared. Where will you volunteer this year? 

Click on this link to read more: https://conta.cc/3QOHgCA

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 66             Sunday January 22, 2023                      No. 4

Worship Service – Sunday January 22, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering

The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together

We will begin a new Worship and Sunday School series

Prelude: Glorify                                  Accompanist: Chantelle McNeish                   

Song Leader: Melanie Wiegand           Worship Leaders: Hannah & Dylan Yantzi

Message: Pastor Ray                            Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler

Pre-Service Singing: This is Amazing Grace; My Lighthouse; Lord I Need You; Yes and Amen

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer

Songs of Praise: Goodness of God; Remind Me who I am

Prayer for the Offering

Time with Children

Scripture Readings: 2 Kings 22:1-13; 2 Kings 23:1-2; Luke 4:14-17; 1 Timothy 4:13

Message: Rediscovering the God of the Bible

Song of Response: VT 420 God of the Bible

Sharing Time & Prayer of the Church

Sending Song: This I Believe (The Creed)

Benediction

Today

Coffee Time Hosts: Shirley & Phil Ruby     

A note about Coffee Time – We will continue to have coffee every other Sunday. We would welcome a few more volunteers that would make it possible to serve coffee every week. We would ask that everyone provide their own coffee mug to help simplify the preparation and clean up time. We will provide mugs for those who forget theirs or who come as guests on a Sunday morning. Please contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee time host. A coffee host prepares the coffee and cleans up after coffee time. Thanks so much.  

Sunday School classes

Nursery to Grade 5 classes are being held downstairs.

Junior Youth class meets upstairs in Room #9

Youth class meets upstairs in the MYF room (Room #11)

Adult Sunday School

God’s Story, Our Story: Reading the Bible Together

Following the service and a time of fellowship, you are invited to the basement for a time of discussion as we reflect on the Bible story for the week. Using the questions from the reading schedule to guide us, we will try and figure out what each story means to us today as God’s people. Paper copies of the reading guide are available on the table outside the nursery.

We will plan to keep the Zoom link open and will have a leader to guide discussion for Zoom participants.

This Coming Week

Wednesday January 25^th

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee – Please see the announcement for more details about this weekly bible study opportunity.

Thursday January 26^th

9:30 a.m. E Z Play Group

          7 p.m. Health Ministry Team Meeting

Friday January 27^th

          7 p.m. MYF

Next Sunday – January 29, 2023

The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together

Prelude: Worship Band                        Accompanist: Heidi Wagler

Song Leader: Connie Yantzi                Worship Leaders: Marlow Gingerich

Message: Pastor Mike                          Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf

EZMC Announcements

The EZMC 2022 Annual Meeting will held on February 26, 2023.

• The meeting will be held in person and available virtually on Zoom.
• Please submit your Annual Reports to Lisa by Friday January 27^th by email at office@ezmennonite.ca. Some of our church programs were paused but many areas of ministry continued. Please report as it makes sense for your specific area. If you have questions, reach out to your Lay Minister for guidance. Thanks so much!
• The annual report will be sent by email but if you would prefer a paper copy, let Lisa know by Thursday February 9^th. Please note that paper copies of the report will be delivered to those who receive a printed copy of our Sunday bulletin each Friday.

Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee

Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 at the Church

Winter blues got you down? Are you bored? Do you miss getting out of the house? Then come drop-in at the church and join us on Wednesday mornings as we open and read the Bible together over a hot cup of coffee or tea. Bring your Bibles and your questions as we reflect on a story from the Bible and what it teaches us about ourselves and God. Whether you are a Bible expert or completely confused, everyone is welcome!

It’s cold out there.

On February 25, Operation Sharing is hosting the Coldest Night of the Year, a 2 & 5 km winterrific walk hosted in 170+ cities across Canada, in support of their work in Oxford County with people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger.

Our Missions Committee has registered a team (EZ Walkers) and plan to walk in Woodstock on February 25. If you would like to join our team of walkers and/or sponsor us to help raise funds please speak to one of the members of our Missions Ministry Committee: Susan Schmitz, Dan Matthews, Sheryl Leis, Jessie Yantzi, Pastor Ray or use the following link:

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=993747

Our goal is to raise $2000 or more to help respond to the growing needs in Oxford County. Thanks for your support!

The Nursing Homes of Tavistock have requested that our ministerial churches begin offering Sunday afternoon services again. It feels important that East Zorra be involved in this important ministry to our seniors in Long Term Care. The ministerial is working on scheduling and response to this request. If your family, small group or group of friends, would be willing to be involved please speak to Pastor Ray or Susan Schmitz. The services are about 30 minutes and involve music, readings, prayers. Thank you for considering sharing in this ministry.

Junior Christian Education Team (JCET) needs teachers January-June! Please Sign-up sheet in the basement, or use the link below, or call anyone on the team (Jess Yantzi, Holly Barron, Erin Yantzi or Sue Martin) for dates that work for you! Thanks for helping in faith formation to our children! 

Used Stamps – Thankfully four members have offered to trim the accumulated used stamps so they may be forwarded to the Canadian Bible Society!  Should you continue to receive snail mail, please clip leaving 1/4″ around the entire stamp and place the trimmed stamps into the box marked “Stamps” in the coat/mail room. 

Beyond Our Church Community

Monday January 23^rd 9:30 a.m. NHMRS Feature Quilt Reveal at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener or Online. Each year, a talented individual or team creates the feature quilt for the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. Feature quilts have depicted historical churches, the play of colour and light across fabric and a journey through Africa, among other innovative designs. On January 23, the curtain will be removed and the 2023 feature quilt will be revealed. Go to mcco.ca/events for more info.

Wednesday January 25^th 7 p.m. Grebel Gallery – Your Wall Can (Not) Divide Us. (Opening). This interactive exhibition at Conrad Grebel University College includes photos of street art pieces from a range of conflict-affected societies and an opportunity to leave your own ‘mark’ on the gallery walls. Come explore topics of resistance, political communication, commemoration, and identity expression. More information at: uwaterloo.ca/centre-peace-advancement/grebel-gallery

Thursday January 26^th  7:00-9:30 p.m. Online – Training Active Bystanders
If you witness a violent situation, will you know how to respond? Training Active Bystanders shows you how. Join us on Thursday, January 26 for our next workshop. Participants learn to analyze harm-doing and respond in everyday ways. For more info and to register, go to mcco.ca/events.

Thursday February 2^nd 7:30 p.m. Sawatsky Lecture | The Power of Misfitting: Disrupting Sinner, Saint, and Super Crip Controlling Images | | Dr. Darla Schumm will identify prevalent controlling images that religious communities ascribe to people with disabilities, and will offer ‘misfitting’ as a deliciously disruptive concept against the existing controlling imagery, while reorienting thinking about disability in both general and religious contexts. This lecture will be held in-person and livestreamed. Register to attend at: grebel.ca/sawatsky

Saturday February 4^th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and artistic director Brandon Leis present a new composition by local composer Justin LaPierre, ‘Messe de Sainte Anne ’, a weaving together of Québécois hymns and folk music, at St Matthews Lutheran Church (54 Benton St, Kitchener).

$25 Adults. $5 Children/Students.  www.mennosingers.com  

Back by popular demand, Selah’s Song, (written by Johnny Wideman, with original music by beloved Mennonite musician Bryan Moyer Suderman) tells the story of a young girl whose courage inspired a village and whose song became an anthem for peace. Selah’s Song is a heartwarming musical that is fun for all ages!
Selah’s Song will be presented at Shantz Mennonite Church on Friday, February 10th at 7:00PM. Admission by donation.

Walking Together Book Study – MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group

Join the MCEC Truth and Reconciliation Working Group in this 4-part book study, Walking Togther: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance. We will begin our study with Edith and Neill von Gunten, the authors, on Wednesday, February 15.

We will meet every other Wednesday evening from 7 – 9 Eastern time.

(Wed Feb 15, Wed Mar 1, 15, & 29). Walking Together invites the church to grapple with questions of racism and Christian supremacy in order to see that all peoples and cultures bear Creator’s beauty and gifts, and that our reconciliation—even our salvation—depends upon embracing that truth.

  More Information and to Register

The constituency-based MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.

Call for German Mennonite Poetry – Do you or your relatives have self-composed German Mennonite poetry that you’re interested in sharing with the community? Brubacher House Artists-in-Residence are collecting previously untranslated German language poems for a bilingual collection of German Mennonite poetry from the Waterloo Region. Email submissions to brubacherpoetryproject@gmail.com. More information at uwaterloo.ca/brubacher-house

SEVEN PRINCIPLES WORKSHOP FOR COUPLES 

At Interfaith Counselling Centre, we are excited to be offering an 8 week Gottman “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work”. This is a group for Pre-Marital; Common Law; and Married Couples. The Seven Principles Workshop for Couples is based on the internationally acclaimed research of Dr. John Gottman as presented in his New York Times bestselling book – The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.  This educational workshop is designed to help couples improve their friendship and conflict management skills. This workshop will be offered via Zoom. 

Please see the poster on the bulletin board for more information. 

MCC’s Applied Peacebuilding Skills Certificate Program, Online, January to May 2023. Learning the skills of peace is a lifelong adventure. Wherever you are in the process of learning the skills of peacemaking, the latest MCC program will help you to further develop and apply these skills within your home, work and community. Register for MCC’s nine-session program, which takes place every other Wednesday evening from mid-January to May 2023. Learn more at mcco.ca/events.

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is hiring! We have an opening in early February for a part time (about 15-20 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 www.hiddenacres.ca for more information. To apply, please send a resume to info@hiddenacres.ca. Deadline January 24, 2023.  

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 66             Sunday January 15, 2023                      No. 3

Worship Service – Sunday January 15, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering

Prelude: Katie Wagler                         Accompanist: Katie Wagler                

Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr                  Worship Leader: Pastor Mike

Message: Stephen Roy                         Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf

.          

Our guest speaker will be Stephen Roy, Church and Community Relations Associate with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Stephen has been part of the MCC Ontario team since 2021. He focuses on building and nurturing relationships between MCC and supporting churches.

Stephen will share the morning message and also continue to share with us in the Sunday School Hour.

Today

Please note that there will be no coffeetime today.

Sunday School classes

Nursery to Grade 5 classes are being held downstairs.

Junior Youth class meets upstairs in Room #9

Youth class meets upstairs in the MYF room (Room #11)

Adult Class   Following the service and a time of fellowship, adults are invited back to the sanctuary for a presentation from Stephen Roy and the ongoing work of Mennonite Central Committee around the world and how we as a church can continue to participate.

12:30 – 2:00 pm – Care Team, along with our pastors are hosting a Young Adult Luncheon for all young adults born in 1998 – 2004. Those young adults who have not had a chance to RSVP for this luncheon can still do so. Please email, by late Saturday afternoon. (ray@ezmennonite.ca)

This Coming Week

Tuesday January 17^th

1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl meets at Jean’s house.

     New knitters always welcome.

Wednesday January 18^th

          7 p.m. Mission Committee Meeting

Thursday January 19^th

9:30 a.m. E Z Play Group

          7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting

Friday January 20^th

          Junior Youth – Escape Room in Stratford 

7 p.m. MYF

Next Sunday – January 22, 2023

The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together

We will begin a new Worship and Sunday School series

Prelude: Glorify                                  Accompanist: Chantelle McNeish                   

Song Leader: Melanie Wiegand           Worship Leaders: Hannah & Dylan Yantzi

Message: Pastor Ray                            Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler

Coffee Time Hosts: Shirley & Phil Ruby         

Coffee Time – We will continue to have coffee every other Sunday. We would welcome a few more volunteers that would make it possible to serve coffee every week. We would ask that everyone provide their own coffee mug to help simplify the preparation and clean up time. We will provide mugs for those who forget theirs or who come as guests on a Sunday morning. Please contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee time host. A coffee host prepares the coffee and cleans up after coffee time. Thanks so much.  

Extending God’s Love

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

EZMC Announcements

The EZMC 2022 Annual Meeting will held on February 26, 2023.

• The meeting will be held in person and available virtually on Zoom.
• Please submit your Annual Reports to Lisa by Friday January 27^th by email at office@ezmennonite.ca Some of our church programs were paused but many areas of ministry continued. Please report as it makes sense for your specific area. If you have questions, reach out to your Lay Minister for guidance. Thanks so much!
• The annual report will be sent by email but if you would prefer a paper copy, let Lisa know by Thursday February 9^th. Please note that paper copies of the report will be delivered to those who receive a printed copy of our Sunday bulletin each Friday.

Junior Christian Education Team (JCET) needs teachers January-June! Please Sign-up sheet in the basement,  or use the link below, or call anyone on the team (Jess Yantzi, Holly Barron, Erin Yantzi or Sue Martin) for dates that work for you! Thanks for helping in faith formation to our children! 

Sunday School sign-up Jan-June 2023

Used Stamps – Thankfully four members have offered to trim the accumulated used stamps so they may be forwarded to the Canadian Bible Society!  Should you continue to receive snail mail, please clip leaving 1/4″ around the entire stamp and place the trimmed stamps into the box marked “Stamps” in the coat/mail room. 

Beyond Our Church Community

Wednesday January 18^th 1-2 p.m. (online) SALT of the earth: The webinar
Have you ever considered living and working in a different culture with an MCC partner for a year? Join us for a virtual conversation with past SALTers who will share their experiences and answer any questions you may have. Come discover some examples of SALT assignments and where in the world you could go with SALT. Go to mcco.ca/events to learn more and register today.

Saturday January 21^st at 7 p.m. Palestine/Israel and International Law with Professor Michael Lynk at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church (57 Stirling Avenue North, Kitchener, ON). Mennonite Church Eastern Canada Palestine/Israel Network and Canadian Voices for Palestinian Rights invite you to hear Professor Michael Lynk:

• What International Laws apply to this situation?
• What is apartheid?
• What is Canada’s role in resolving the issues between Palestine and Israel?   

More information

The constituency-based MCEC Palestine Israel Network Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.

Monday January 23^rd 9:30 a.m. NHMRS Feature Quilt Reveal at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener or Online. Each year, a talented individual or team creates the feature quilt for the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. Feature quilts have depicted historical churches, the play of colour and light across fabric and a journey through Africa, among other innovative designs. On January 23, the curtain will be removed and the 2023 feature quilt will be revealed. Go to mcco.ca/events for more info.

Wednesday January 25^th 7 p.m. Grebel Gallery – Your Wall Can (Not) Divide Us. (Opening). This interactive exhibition at Conrad Grebel University College includes photos of street art pieces from a range of conflict-affected societies and an opportunity to leave your own ‘mark’ on the gallery walls. Come explore topics of resistance, political communication, commemoration, and identity expression. More information at: uwaterloo.ca/centre-peace-advancement/grebel-gallery

Thursday January 26^th  7:00-9:30 p.m. Online – Training Active Bystanders
If you witness a violent situation, will you know how to respond? Training Active Bystanders shows you how. Join us on Thursday, January 26 for our next workshop. Participants learn to analyze harm-doing and respond in everyday ways. For more info and to register, go to mcco.ca/events.

Thursday February 2^nd 7:30 p.m. Sawatsky Lecture | The Power of Misfitting: Disrupting Sinner, Saint, and Super Crip Controlling Images | | Dr. Darla Schumm will identify prevalent controlling images that religious communities ascribe to people with disabilities, and will offer ‘misfitting’ as a deliciously disruptive concept against the existing controlling imagery, while reorienting thinking about disability in both general and religious contexts. This lecture will be held in-person and livestreamed. Register to attend at: grebel.ca/sawatsky

Saturday February 4^th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and artistic director Brandon Leis present a new composition by local composer Justin LaPierre, ‘Messe de Sainte Anne ’, a weaving together of Québécois hymns and folk music, at St Matthews Lutheran Church (54 Benton St, Kitchener).

$25 Adults. $5 Children/Students.  www.mennosingers.com  

Walking Together Book Study – MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group

Join the MCEC Truth and Reconciliation Working Group in this 4-part book study, Walking Togther: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance. We will begin our study with Edith and Neill von Gunten, the authors, on Wednesday, February 15.

We will meet every other Wednesday evening from 7 – 9 Eastern time.

(Wed Feb 15, Wed Mar 1, 15, & 29). Walking Together invites the church to grapple with questions of racism and Christian supremacy in order to see that all peoples and cultures bear Creator’s beauty and gifts, and that our reconciliation—even our salvation—depends upon embracing that truth.

  More Information and to Register

The constituency-based MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.

Wanted – sewing machines!
Would you like to contribute to a local Indigenous organization in a meaningful way? MCC partner Crow Shield Lodge is looking for sewing machines to create traditional ribbon skirts in a workshop setting. Contact Rebecca Seiling at rebeccaseiling@mcco.ca or 226-750-9118 if you have a machine to donate or lend.

Call for German Mennonite Poetry – Do you or your relatives have self-composed German Mennonite poetry that you’re interested in sharing with the community? Brubacher House Artists-in-Residence are collecting previously untranslated German language poems for a bilingual collection of German Mennonite poetry from the Waterloo Region. Email submissions to brubacherpoetryproject@gmail.com. More information at uwaterloo.ca/brubacher-house

SEVEN PRINCIPLES WORKSHOP FOR COUPLES 

At Interfaith Counselling Centre, we are excited to be offering an 8 week Gottman “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work”. This is a group for Pre-Marital; Common Law; and Married Couples. The Seven Principles Workshop for Couples is based on the internationally acclaimed research of Dr. John Gottman as presented in his New York Times bestselling book – The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.  This educational workshop is designed to help couples improve their friendship and conflict management skills. This workshop will be offered via Zoom. 

Please see the poster on the bulletin board for more information. 

MCC’s Applied Peacebuilding Skills Certificate Program, Online, January to May 2023. Learning the skills of peace is a lifelong adventure. Wherever you are in the process of learning the skills of peacemaking, the latest MCC program will help you to further develop and apply these skills within your home, work and community. Register for MCC’s nine-session program, which takes place every other Wednesday evening from mid-January to May 2023. Learn more at mcco.ca/events.

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is hiring! We have an opening in early February for a part time (about 15-20 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 www.hiddenacres.ca for more information. To apply, please send a resume to info@hiddenacres.ca. Deadline January 24, 2023.