Letter from Christian Witness

Dear Pastors and friends of Equipping:

“It may be a lot of work, but it sure seems like fun.”

This quote comes from a member of a small rural Saskatchewan church, where active involvement of all members is assumed for the sake of ministry and survival. “Pew-sitting” is not an option, according to persons in this congregation.

Such a perspective is inspiring. When work is fun, then fun can also be work. When the responsibilities of church-membership are “fun” and not energy-sapping obligations, then we grow as communities of joy, as our Vision: Healing and Hope states.

Colombian learning tour

Elsewhere in this Equipping packet, you will find information about an opportunity to encounter the Colombian context [117 KB PDF file - Help with PDF files] and churches. My wife, Irene, and I, will be guiding this tour. I know from many previous experiences that this opportunity will be stimulating, vision-stretching, and impacting. We encourage you to promote this opportunity in your congregation: you might even want to make this a congregational project. Travel dates are November 13-25, but space will be limited and early indication of interest is encouraged. I look forward to your presence on this tour.

Global Mission Fellowship

This August, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Mennonite Church Canada Witness, representing Mennonite Church Canada, will become a founding member of the Global Mission Fellowship. This Fellowship will meet for the first time in Bulawayo, and will bring together church leaders from all over the world to encourage missiological reflection, new partnership potential, and mutual encouragement from all directions to all directions. The creation of this Fellowship will help to adapt global mission strategy and cooperation from what has been to realizing its new potential. We look forward to representing you in this important step.

Christian Service Ministry conversations: Plan to Attend

Brad Reimer, Mennonite Church Canada Witness staff member, is organizing national conversations in order to gain feedback, measure interest, and imagine a new future for Christian Service opportunities in Canada. In recent cutbacks, Mennonite Voluntary Service, Service Adventure, Youth Venture, and Group Venture were all cut from Witness programming. Witness is encouraging conversations to see if alternatives can be stimulated and implemented.

There will be several opportunities for input. Consultations will be held on June 14/03 in the Danforth Mennonite Church in Toronto, and on June 21/03 at the Bethel Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, and on July 10/03 at the MC Canada Assembly in St. Catharines. A small task group has been appointed to work with Brad to develop options and recommendations for September/03. If anyone is interested in participating or providing some input, please be in touch with Brad at breimer@mennonitechurch.ca (tel. 204-888-6781 or 1-866-888-6785).

—Robert J. Suderman, Executive Secretary, Mennonite Church Canada Witness