Art of Being Creatures- Young Adult Application
October 30 - November 1, 2026
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
An Invitation
The vision for this binational, Anabaptist-led gathering on Peace, Climate, and Advocacy is to connect young leaders with one another and with others who work in faith spaces for the pursuit of peace, who prioritize responding faithfully to the Climate Crisis, and who co-labour with the Spirit, The Advocate, for justice.
We are dreaming of a Spirit filled gathering that engages Head, Heart, Hands and Feet as we pray, create, share food and learn from each other about Peace, Climate and Advocacy.
Who?
This is an intergenerational gathering with participants from Canada and the US, with a focus on 2 cohorts:
- Young Adults (ages 18-35) doing climate/creation care work or study and
- Folks who work in faith based (Anabaptist) organizations doing Climate/Creation Care work.
Generous sponsors have made it possible for us to invite 40 Young Adult participants to join us, with travel and registration costs fully covered by partners and sponsors.
30 of these spots will be filled by Young Adults already connected to the binational Anabaptist conversation around climate/creation care.
10 spots have been reserved for Young Adults “in the wild;” meaning folks who see this invitation and want to attend this gathering. If this is you, read on to learn how to apply for one of these 10 expense paid spots!
If you are accepted, your full sponsorship includes registration fees and lodging plus travel costs (travel costs to a max of $500 USD)
Space is limited, so apply now! All applications will be considered after Sept 10, 2026 and applicants will hear back from the organizers by Sept 12.
What?
The Gathering will include discussion and discernment times, workshops and input from partners like MCC and A Rocha, Mennonite Coalition for Indigenous Solidarity, and others. Saturday night will feature an evening of Ecological Storytelling, open to the public, with creative contributions by event participants. Sunday morning will include worship and a time to reinforce new networks and connections, launching participants back into the contexts of work and home with fresh energy, sparks of creativity and joy for the journey.
When?
October 30-Nov 1, 2026
Where?
Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Why?
- To deepen the understanding of intersection of peace and climate and the role of advocacy among faith and climate leaders,
- To build intergenerational and binational connections within the Anabaptist sphere of climate and peace work
- To spark creativity and Spirit filled action in the spaces of Climate, Peace and Advocacy
Cost?
Nothing - If your application is approved, your registration fee of $125 CDN plus transportation costs (up to $500 USD max) will be covered by the Art of Being Creatures collective, covering meals and coffee breaks for Friday through to Sunday.
Lodging?
If you are offered a spot, you will have the option of a billet (free group lodging on CMU campus or in the home of someone local and connected to this work) or to book your own accommodations (privately arranged accommodations will be your cost to cover) as you prefer.
The “Art of Being Creatures” Planning Group includes:
- Sandy Plett - Mennonite Church Canada Climate Action Coordinator splett@mennonitechurch.ca
- Kenton Lobe - Canadian Mennonite University, Mennonite Church Manitoba Climate Action Working Group, Germinating Conversations, farmer kenton.lobe@gmail.com
- Annalee Giesbrecht - Mennonite Central Committee Canada, Advocacy Engagement Animator and Coordinator, annaleegiesbrecht@mcccanada.ca
- Kirstin De Mello - Mennonite Central Committee U.S.,Climate Advocacy and Education Coordinator, kirstindemello@mcc.org
- Doug Kaufman - Anabaptist Climate Collaborative
- Zoe Matthies - A Rocha Canada, MB Program Manager
- Marta Bunnett Wiebe/Joni Sawatzky - Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba, Peace & Advocacy Program Coordinator
- Emily Phillips, MCC US Climate Advocacy and Education Intern
- Marnie Klassen - Freelancer
- Rylee Weishaupt - CMU Student
- Janeen Bertsche Johnson - Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary - Campus Pastor, Rooted and Grounded Conference Coordinator, Sustainability Team