|
Date |
Prayer Requests:
Consider praying for the work of the Church! |
Announcements:
Stay in tune with the wider church |
Ministry Notes:
This is how your financial support of Mennonite
Church Canada is ministering...from across the street to around
the world! |
|
May 3, 2009 (Many Peoples’ Sunday) |
Increasingly, Mennonite Church Canada is reflecting
the global population with an ethnically and culturally diverse
community of believers. Pray that God’s gift of diversity
will bring wisdom and understanding to individuals and congregations,
and empower us all to reflect God’s shalom in these broader
communities. |
Attention
young adults:
Are you interested in learning and serving the church in an international
setting? Why not consider Radical Journey, a new program offered
through MC Canada in cooperation with Mennonite Mission Network
(MCUSA). Radical Journey is a one-year program that involves an
orientation month, 10 months of international service, and an integration
month in the participants home congregation. 2009-2010 international
sites include Paraguay, South Africa and England. Check out the
poster on the church bulletin board, look online at www.mennonitechurch.ca/serve/rji,
or call 1-866-888-6785 and ask for the Human Resource office. |
A new Mennonite Church has been born in Cuba! MC Canada
has been walking with the church in Cuba for about 20 years, sharing
Anabaptist theology through existing churches in a country already
rich with denominational diversity. Recently, Iglesia
Menonita en Cuba [www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1003]
grew out of the desire of local leaders to adopt a theology which
offers a radical Anabaptist alternative in their society. (WOW Prayer
Directory, p. 121-122) |
May 10 (Mother's Day) |
French novelist and playwright Honoré de
Balzac said, “The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the
bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” On this
day when we celebrate mothers, pray that through God’s church,
the millions of orphans and motherless around the globe will experience
love, forgiveness and nurture. Pray also that mothers will be encouraged
and strengthened in their roles. |
On April 2, 2009 in Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso, Lillian
(Haas) Nicolson and Norm Nicolson were blessed with
the birth of a daughter, Nadine Ruth Nicolson. The Nicolsons are
just one of many couples working with Witness who are growing their
families abroad. Your support and encouragement help them to establish
strong foundations in their ministries and enable them to nurture
their families in God’s global church. Praise God for the precious
gift of Nadine! (WOW Prayer Directory, p. 46)
Burkina Faso:
www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1004
Nicolsons:
www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1005
|
| May 17 |
The Macau Mennonite Church recently voted unanimously to
affirm the leadership of Treasure Chow through ordination. Pray
that God will bless Treasure with wisdom, energy, and renewed vision
as she goes through this process. Pray also that the church will
continue to be strengthened by her leadership. Treasure and her
husband, Bailey, are part of a ministry team in Macau that includes
Witness workers Tim and Cindy Buhler, and George
and Tobia Veith.
(WOW Prayer Directory p. 70-73)
Macau:
www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1000
Buhlers:
www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1001
Veiths:
www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1002
|
Mennonite Church Canada benefits from your support in many ways.
One important way is by attending the Annual
Assembly each year. Plan to come to Saskatoon this year
(June 4 to 7, 2009 – planned earlier than usual to
encourage attendance at Mennonite World Conference in Paraguay.)
At this year’s assembly we will discuss Church Health and Growth,
how to better Be a Faithful Church, and consider a proposal for Peace
in the Public Square. For more information and to register for this
even go to our website at
www.mennonitechurch.ca/
events/saskatoon2009.
Thanks for your support! |
May 24
|
Please pray that the Holy Spirit will minister healing
and hope to congregations whose MC Canada Witness worker partners
are transitioning out of their particular ministries. Significant
international relationships often develop through these partnerships.
Such transitions can be painful. Pray for the workers as they seek
new opportunities and adjust to new challenges, and also that these
congregations will consider supporting alternative Witness ministry
opportunities. |
On March 29, 2009, Trinity Mennonite Church in
Calgary signed a five-year covenant to partner with the Korea
Anabaptist Center in Seoul, South Korea [www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1006].
Trinity has recently begun a Korean worship service and will offer
their support through prayer, finances, and regular communications.
Thank you for your support of congregational partnerships and the
relationships that are growing between Mennonite congregations
in Canada and those around the globe. (WOW Prayer Directory, p.
80-81)
|
| May 31 (Pentecost) |
Father of our Living Lord, may the wind of your Holy
Spirit infuse us with your immeasurable love and loosen our tongues
in joyful praise that we might share your hope, healing and grace
with all whom we meet.
Amen |
Many MC Canada congregations value having basic resources
to help introduce people to the Christian faith and the Mennonite
Church as part of their outreach and faith formation ministries.
This winter, Christian Formation released a refreshed version of
the brochure “What
Makes a Mennonite,” [www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/832] in
English, and in two Chinese translations – traditional and
simplified alphabet. Thanks to the generosity of our congregations,
the important ministry of furnishing faith conversation starters
like this is able to continue and grow. |
