Resources to help us to stay Rooted in Christ and Growing together in Faith
Sunday September 12 – Gathering Back Sunday! 10 AM!
We are excited about the events planned for this Sunday to welcome us back together!
10 AM – Our regular worship service over Zoom, and in-person for up to 65 people!
This service will include the opening portion of a “Backpack Blessing” for all children, youth and young adults heading back to school. Please bring your backpacks with you to worship if you are gathering in person.
This service will also include a time of dedication and blessing for our leaders in the various ministries of church life.
Following our worship gathering there will be an informal gathering outside in our green space.
12 Noon – We will share a picnic lunch together! To help keep everyone safe we are inviting everyone or every family to bring their own picnic meal, chairs or blankets.
1:00 PM – Green Space Dedication – We will take this opportunity to give thanks to God for this new space, and dedicate and bless it as an important space for being together with God!
We hope you can join us for all or part of this day!
**Important Notice – As we continue to plan for safe gathering opportunities it is important that we follow public health guidelines. One portion of this is accurate numbers and names of people in attendance at our church gatherings. Please register with Lisa indicating clearly which of the three in person gatherings you plan to attend this week. 1) Indoor worship; 2) Outdoor picnic; 3) Green Space Dedication. See registration details below.
Register for Sunday morning in-person worship, picnic, and Green Space Dedication, by contacting Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca Please indicate which events you are registering for this week 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 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 “Student Aid.”
Extending God’s Love
The family of Wallace Steinmann invites you to send a birthday card to help celebrate his 96th birthday on September 16th.
We extend our sympathy to Geneva Lichti and her family. Geneva’s sister Fannie Mae Schwartzentruber died on Wednesday afternoon. Visitation will take place on Saturday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. at Francis Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Sunday September 12th at 2 p.m. at Tavistock Mennonite Church. May God’s peace and presence surround Geneva and the Schwartzentruber family.
EZMC Announcements
East Zorra is excited about the season of Sunday worship gatherings this coming fall. A pool of capable ushers is desired to facilitate the flow of people. Ray & Lloyd want to meet with these special people.
They are calling a short meeting on Sept 12 at 9:15 am. Both those who haven’t ushered in the past, and those very experienced are invited. Anyone interested in helping with ushering can contact Pastor Lloyd to confirm their attendance so he can bring your favourite beverage, and inform of expectations for this frontline position.
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.
We will soon be printing the EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory. There is still time to submit a photo or make any changes to your information. Email to office@ezmennonite.ca
If you plan to be at the picnic lunch or green space dedication on Sunday September 12th take advantage of the beautiful surroundings to get a photo.
Please note that we encourage every person or family unit to submit a photo. The gathering restrictions of the last year have reminded us how difficult it is for newer persons to our congregation to get to know people. A picture in a directory helps so much, and is so welcoming! As Lloyd continues to get to know us, and as we anticipate welcoming a new pastor in the Fall, 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!
Beyond Our Church Community
CommonWord is here for you this fall! CommonWord is a Bookstore and Resource Centre in Winnipeg operated by Mennonite Church Canada and Canadian Mennonite University. As of August 30th, CommonWord will resume regular hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) serving you with trusted congregational resources, Anabaptist and related books, specialty foods, and new Indigenous products. Visit us CommonWord by phone (1-877-846-1593), email (info@commonword.ca) or online (commonword.ca).
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 16, 2021 MEDA Breakfast 7:30 – 9 a.m. at Stone Crock Restaurant/Tent behind the building. We’ve missed getting together and look forward to seeing familiar and new faces at our September event! All are welcome to join us for a Thursday morning breakfast, which will feature time to connect and reconnect with each other, and with MEDA. Mark your calendars! Cost is $20 payable online or at the door.
Please note: Waterloo Region’s face covering by-law makes it mandatory for attendees to wear a face covering, except when eating and drinking in their seats. Table capacity will be limited and collection of contact information for contract is also required to attend.
Toronto Mennonite Festival – Join us at a new location with a mix of familiar and not so familiar activities!
Saturday September 18 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Willowgrove Farm, 11737 McCowan Road, Stouffville
It starts with food! So come hungry and enjoy traditional Mennonite favourites. The fun continues with wagon rides, pick-your-own apples and Indigenous teachings. Shop for beautiful crafts and fresh produce and check out the silent auction. Space is limited. Save-your-spot today at torontomennonitefestival.ca.
Monday September 20th & Tuesday September 21st Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp Fall Seniors Retreat Join us virtually on September 20th to explore the topic: “Journey Toward Justice: Equal Rights for Palestinians and Israelis” with Christian Peacemaker Teams and MCEC Palestine-Israel Network. Then gather outdoors with us at Hidden Acres on September 21st for an informal time of connecting with each other and some of our resource people. For more information visit www.hiddenacres.ca or email info@hiddenacres.ca to register.
Monday September 20th MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting 7 – 8 p.m.
We deeply appreciate your support, and how you are impacting so many lives in Ontario and around the world. Join us on September 20 for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) as we share MCC Ontario’s financial outcomes and a snapshot of our strategic plan progress. Official Congregational Representatives and Delegates who register as such are entitled to vote. Visit mcco.ca/AGM for details.
You are invited to a Sausage on a Bun Drive-Thru Community Lunch & Fundraiser to support Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP). Sunday September 26th at Queen’s Park Pavilion from 11:30 am – 1:30 p.m.
Drive-thru and pick up your Sausage on a bun served with sauerkraut, fried onions and potato salad on the side. Also served with a cookie for dessert. Cost is by donation. No change provided.
Order by calling Paulette Roth at 519-655-2776 or 519-301-0091 or emailing tapisforyou@outlook.com
Sponsors – Krug’s Meat Market, Sam’s Valumart, Quehl’s Restaurant and Ana’s Kitchen. Poster is attached to this email.
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.
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
Conrad Grebel University College is marking Mennonite Heritage Week by drawing attention to the Indigenous-Mennonite Encounters conference, to be held at Grebel in May 2022, that will include stories and analyses of encounters and relationships between Indigenous peoples and Mennonite settlers. We also offer a list of resources that provides a variety of starting points to learn more about the intersection of Mennonite and Indigenous histories in Canada. Read more: uwaterloo.ca/grebel/news/mennonite-heritage-week-2021