 Greetings
in Christ!
With this issue of Equipping I bring to you good news about the future of working
together as a country-wide and global Anabaptist Mennonite family! In my new role
as executive director of congregational partnerships, I want to introduce to you
the fundamentals of congregational partnerships. I hope you will find these notes
informative, and I encourage you to share them with your missions and/or outreach
committee, church council members, and other pastors.
-Marilyn Houser Hamm
What… is a Congregational Partnership?
A Congregational Partnership is a cooperative arrangement between one or more
Canadian congregations, with a mission worker, mission partner, mission project
or congregation for the purpose of spreading the message of hope and peace we
have in Jesus Christ.
Why… get involved in a Congregational Partnership?
Have you ever wanted an adventure? Ever wanted to make a difference in someone's
life? Engaging in a Congregational Partnership is a great way to experience the
unexpected, and grow individually and corporately in your faith. In a Congregational
Partnership, we to do together what we cannot do alone… from across the street
to around the world. Expect to make a difference and to be different!
Who… gets involved in a Congregational Partnership?
Anyone can! Mennonite Church Canada WITNESS' new Congregational Partnerships
office has been established for the express purpose of facilitating congregational
partnerships. Helping congregational partnerships develop is a key component in
realizing a missional church vision. Are you looking for opportunities to connect
with another congregation? All that's needed is a passion for and commitment to
participating in God's mission in the world!
When… does one get involved in a Congregational Partnership?
Deciding when to get involved is up to each congregation. A Missions and Service
Committee may simply be at the "exploring opportunities" stage. Others
may have experience with past partnerships and want to develop another one. Still
other congregations may be wondering about the possibilities. Whatever stage you're
at, you're invited to contact Mennonite Church Canada WITNESS to explore the potential
for advancing a new and exciting relationship!
Where… can Congregational Partnerships be created?
The points of entry into a congregational partnership can be geographical,
relational, or theological. You might be a rural congregation looking to connect
with an urban church. Perhaps you want to explore a relationship with a church
in distant part of Canada, with an Aboriginal group, or a group from a different
culture in Canada. Or maybe you want to engage in peace building. No matter where
you enter, you can expect to make new discoveries, challenge conventional thinking,
and blaze a new trail!
How… does one get involved in or develop a Congregational Partnership?
This is the easiest question to answer! Simply call the Congregational Partnerships
office (Marilyn Houser Hamm, 204-888-6781, or email mhhamm@mennonitechurch.ca).
Our goal is to help you shape your desires and passions for ministry across the
street and around the world!
What does a Congregational Partnership Look Like?
 Partnership
with Mission Workers:
Cornerstone Mennonite engages in Macau ministry
Cornerstone Mennonite Church in Saskatoon, SK, is actively involved in supporting
the ministry of its members, George and Tobia Veith, in Macau. Last year, a delegation
of 15 adults and youth traveled to Macau for an exciting 12 day street ministry.
Congregation to Congregation Partnership:
Emmanuel Mennonite partners with Colombian Mennonite Church
Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler, Manitoba, is one of the first Canadian
congregations to covenant with an international congregation. Intentional visits,
ongoing communication, and discernment of partnership are beginning to shape a
long-term covenant in a Sister Church Partnership in Colombia. Although communication
in two languages is a challenge, the congregations are committed to carrying on!
Ministry Partnership:
Three-way partnership with Ecuador
The meetings are animated and bilingual when the Ecuador partnership meets!
Central Plains Mennonite Conference (a member of Mennonite Church USA), the Colombian
Mennonite Church and Mennonite Mission Network sit together to dream and plan
around their common vision for Ecuador: to provide Anabaptist resources and to
provide Anabaptist leadership training support for Indigenous Christians. Budgets,
goals, strategy and ministry reports happen with all partners present around a
common table.
Partnering for New Ministries
Emmanual Mennonite Church in Winkler Manitoba is engaging in a congregational
partnership with the Mennonite Church in Colombia. Other opportunities already
exist (through Mennonite Church Canada's Christian WITNESS program) in a number
of International Ministry locations. Funding is needed to develop these new and
exciting opportunities. Visions for additional new ministries are emerging and
welcomed. God's Spirit is moving among us!
North American Partnership Opportunities
Native Ministry Partnerships
Native peoples associated with Mennonite Church Canada WITNESS are ready to
engage in new partnerships. Manigotagan Community Church and Steinbach Mennonite
Church in Manitoba are developing a "twinning" partnership.
Urban/Rural Partnerships
How well do we know one another? How can rural and urban congregations benefit
one another? What happens if we lose our ties to the land and the community life
it fosters? How can a rural congregation benefit from the energy of an urban congregation
in creating community and welcoming those from diverse backgrounds?
Cross-Canada Partnerships
How well do we know one another? How can Mennonite congregations across Canada
feel "connected"? How can a congregation from Quebec and a congregation
from B.C. become sister congregations? What might grow out of such a relationship?
Peace & Justice Partnerships
The Violence Is Not Child's Play initiative has been piloted in Manitoba.
Coalitions of concerned parents, grandparents, educators, health care workers,
all caring persons committed to nurturing our children in the ways of peace-building,
are needed to advance the cause and encourage legislators to act. Congregations
are invited to "get in the act!"
The Making Peace With the Land conference, scheduled two days prior
to the Saskatoon Annual Assembly of Mennonite Church Canada, will explore Canada's
food system from a faith perspective. What partnerships and tasks might we undertake
to nurture, own, and act beyond this event?
 What
are your dreams and visions?
Share them with us at
Congregational Partnerships
Mennonite Church Canada WITNESS,
600 Shaftesbury Blvd
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3P 0M4
Attn: Marilyn Houser Hamm
email: mhhamm@mennonitechurch.ca
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