Resources to help us to stay Rooted in Christ and Growing together in Faith
Sunday October 3 – Communion Sunday 10 AM
Communion Preparation – We invite you to gather the communion elements you will need: water/juice/grape for everyone and any type of bread or cracker. For those gathering In-Person we invite you to bring your communion elements with you.
Communion unites us and strengthens us all as one body in Christ.
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 “Mission Partners”
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 indoor 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
This Sunday we plan to present a Poll Question for those gathering over Zoom. We are wanting a sense of the readiness of those gathering over zoom to return to in-person worship. We invite your response to the following question. You will be able to check one answer over zoom on Sunday.
Which statement best reflects how you currently feel about gathering for in-person worship?
- I feel ready to gather for in-person worship and plan to come regularly
- I feel ready but have not registered because I am leaving space for others
- I feel ready but I feel there are not enough safety protocols in place
- I am not ready and plan to remain at home and worship over Zoom until most restrictions are lifted
- I could be ready but am enjoying the comfort and convenience of worshipping from home
If you are listening in on the phone or not able to respond to the Zoom poll please give Pastor Ray a call this week with your response. 519-501-7831
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
Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month? You could send a tribute or make a call to Ray or Lloyd.
Please see the attached Church Ministry Council minutes which include important updates.
Does anyone have a King James Bible that they do not want? Please talk to Sue Martin if you do!
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!
Friday October 1st – MYF from 7 – 9 p.m. Meet at the church for an evening of outdoor games, getting to know each other time, fellowship and devotions! Youth please bring a mask for the indoor portion of the event.
Saturday October 2nd – JWalkers (Junior Youth) at Bethany and Trevor Kropf’s. 7 to 9:30 (arrive 6:45 for registration). Bring a lawn chair, your own water bottle, and a face mask. Dress for the outdoors. You can bring a blanket along if you like. Please RSVP so I know how many to expect. Reply to Bethany at tbokkropfs@gmail.com or text 519-503-2673.
If you sent a photo to Lisa in the past week and did not get a reply from her confirming she received it, please send again as we were experiencing email issues. 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.
EZMC Building Use for Committee Meetings.
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.
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
Thursday September 30th – Saturday October 2nd, 2021
MCC@100 – Mennonites, Service and the Humanitarian Impulse
A Virtual Mennonite Studies Conference at The University of Winnipeg. In 1920, Mennonites in Canada and the U.S. formed Mennonite Central Committee to aid famine-ravaged Mennonite communities in southern Russia (present-day Ukraine). Over the ensuing century, MCC has grown to embrace service in more than 60 countries. This centennial conference presents papers that examine the past, present, and future of MCC. Visit mcco.ca/events to learn more.
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.
Xplore: At the Intersection of Faith and Life, A 55-Plus Enrichment Program. Xplore offers courses that investigate dimensions of the Christian faith, our world, and life in it. All without any assignments or examinations! Xplore happens in a six-week block, with online courses offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, beginning October 5. Join us! cmu.ca/xplore.
“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