Resources to help us to stay Rooted in Christ and Growing together in Faith
Sunday October 10 – Thanksgiving Sunday 10 AM
This Sunday we will be sharing in a Parent Child Dedication. We invite your prayers for Nathan & Sarah Ropp as they present Lillian and Lochlin and themselves in this act of dedication.
Register for Sunday morning in-person worship, anytime during the week, by contacting Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca Please indicate which Sunday you are registering for and who will be attending with you. If Lisa is unable to take your call, leave a message that includes your name and phone number. Your registration will then be confirmed either by email or phone. Deadline to register each week is Saturday by 10 a.m.
We are grateful for your financial giving to the ongoing work and ministry of the church. This week our offering focus is “Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) and Mennonite Church Canada”
Members of Cassel Mennonite Church have been invited to join our Zoom worship gathering on Sunday.
Attention kids JK-Grade 8!!! Come meet under the 20’x20′ (tent in the green space) for a Bible devotion, crafts, games & activities! Parents need to register children with the church office by 10 a.m. Saturday morning. (office@ezzmennonite.ca Parents must also plan to be in attendance at in-door worship and have their cell phones close by for emergency contact.
Parent drop off is 9:50-10:00. Parents must come with children to sign in and answer Covid protocol questions.
Come dressed for the weather and bring a mask & water bottle. We will be outside the entire hour.
We thank you for your response to last Sunday’s Poll Questions.
We received 58 individual responses to the Zoom poll.
Question Percentage Total
I feel ready to gather for in-person worship and plan to come regularly …19% 11
I feel ready but have not registered because I am leaving space for others..24% 14
I feel ready but until restrictions are lifted, in person worship seems less meaningful to me………………………………………………………………………………………………………7% 4
I feel ready but I feel there are not enough safety protocols in place …………3% 2
I am not ready and plan to remain at home and worship over Zoom until most restrictions are lifted……………………………………………………………………………..34% 20
I could be ready but am enjoying the comfort and convenience of worshipping from home ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12% 7
Total Respondents on Poll ……58
On Sunday when the poll was conducted we had 46 adults & youth in our building and 4 adults outside with our children. On Sunday we had 19 children enjoying outdoor faith formation time.
When we meet on October 19 the Church Ministry Council plans to discuss the questions/insights that arise as we reflect on this poll and other questions about further re-opening of our building.
We continue to invite conversation on these questions and other questions that are on your minds. Please reach out to us!
EZMC Pastors are inviting you to a scheduled prayer meeting. This is an age old practice with a new name! Please join us on Thursday October 14 at 7:30 pm for the Meeting of the CIA!*
*Christians In Action meet to care, share and pray to impact our world for good!
Contact the church office if you would like to attend
Extending God’s Love
October Food Drive and HOPE Pumpkins!
The mission committee is inviting you to begin gathering items for our October food drive. We invite those who are gathering for in-person worship to bring food items with you as we gather for worship October 10, 17 and 24th. Food donations will go to Wilmot Family Resource Center in New Hamburg. We also invite cash donations marked “Agape.” Agape is no longer operating a food cupboard but is sharing food cards with their members instead.
We invite those who are not gathering in-person for worship to drive to the church building on Sunday October 24th between 11:30 am – 1 pm. We will receive your donations then.
Along with collecting food and cash donations on October 24th we will also hand out HOPE Pumpkins as we did last year. We invite you to take a few pumpkins and carve the word HOPE on the pumpkin. Stencils along with a light will be provided!
We invite you to display your pumpkin and share one for a neighbour or friend to display too. As we did last year we would like to “light the night” through the last week of October and through Halloween! Light the night with HOPE!
Your Missions Committee – Greg Leis, Sheryl Leis, Dan Matthews, Jesse Yantzi and Pastor Ray.
EZMC Announcements
Today you will find a financial update attached to our weekly Friday email.
Church Directory – For those who were planning to send a photo and didn’t yet, Friday October 15th is the last day it can be received and included in the new directory.
Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month? You could send a tribute or make a call to Ray or Lloyd.
In an effort to clear up some space in the shed some small wooden childrens chairs as well as wooden benches and folding tables are available. If you are interested contact any of the trustees
Important Reminder to Parents – Our safe church policy requires a completed waiver for each child involved in Sunday School, Girls Club, Boys Club, and MYF who are under the age of 18. Please bring a completed form (double sided) to an event that your child(ren) attends if you have not already done so. Blank waiver forms will be available for you to complete when you arrive to check in and fill out the contact tracing sheet. Thanks so much!
EZMC Building Use for Committee Meetings or Music Rehearsals.
A designated meeting space that allows for physical distancing will be located in the basement. The boardroom and other small rooms are closed for now. Please contact Lisa and book the meeting space to ensure that it is available for use. You will be sent the health and safety protocols before your meeting.
Sanctuary space is also available during the week. Please book with Lisa to ensure it is available.
Beyond Our Church Community
Urgent need for sewing kits
We are in urgent need of 200 sewing kits for an October shipment heading to Ukraine. Can you help? Sewing kits open doors to additional income that can help a family make ends meet. Call your local MCC office for a list of contents or go to mcco.ca/kits.
Calling all 18-20 year olds!
Do you want to discover the beauty and brokenness of the world, while living in community and and ministering to others? MCC’s new six-month discipleship program to Palestine and Israel will help you learn more deeply what it means to be an Anabaptist follower of Jesus. More info at mcco.ca/seek.
Interfaith Community Counselling – Fall 2021 Support Groups
ICC strengthens the fabric of our community by equipping individuals, couples, and families to realize emotional wellness and triumph over life’s challenges
Understanding Me
This group provides education and support for women who have experienced emotional or physical abuse within their intimate relationship. This group is offered In Person starting Wednesday September 29th 6:30pm-8:30pm for 10 weeks.
Mindfulness and Self Compassion
This group offers skills, practices and tools to support you in accepting and loving yourself, building inner strength, resilience and thriving in you own life. This virtual group starts Wednesday October 6, 2021 (3:00pm-4:30) for 8 weeks.
Emotion Regulation using DBT skills
Learning mindfulness and cognitive skills to better understand your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and the techniques to change them. This virtual group starts Wednesday October 6, 2021 (5:00pm-7pm) for 9 weeks.
Register: Please contact Interfaith Counselling Centre at (519) 662-3092 or email intake@interfaithcounselling.ca
November 18-19, 2021 – Save the date: Reconciliation in action, MCC’s virtual peace conference. This year’s Peace Conference will take place online on November 18 and 19. Save the date and stay tuned for more details.
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is inviting you to “participate” in its first annual Rally for Recreation. It’s a great way to get outside while also supporting the work of Hidden Acres. For more information, visit www.hiddenacres.ca.
“Not Traumatic Enough for a Shock Blanket”: A thought-provoking exhibit by artist Yasmeen Nematt Alla invites us to consider the importance of trauma-informed community spaces and the ability art has to provide gestures of care. Running from Sept. 7 to March 7, 2022 at the Grebel Gallery. In person gallery visits available upon request. Visit uwaterloo.ca/centre-peace-advancement/grebel-gallery