“Energy is building in Edmonton”

As spring arrives and the snow melts, a small but mighty group of people are working busily away preparing for Gathering 2022, Mennonite Church Canada’s next nationwide gathering in Edmonton, this summer.

We Declare: what we have seen and heard, July 29 to Aug. 1, is Mennonite Church Canada’s second nationwide gathering, and the first hosted by Mennonite Church Alberta.

“Energy is building in Edmonton as we prepare to host We Declare,” says Brenda Tiessen-Wiens, moderator of MCA.

• Registration for We Declare opens April 13 at mennonitechurch.ca/gathering2022!

MCA’s Gathering 2022 planning team are members of First Mennonite Church Edmonton, which is MCA’s largest congregation. They each bring their own unique gifts and passions to their volunteer work on the committee.

“It’s been three years since we gathered in Abbotsford to ignite the imagination of the church,” says Paul Bergen, who is coordinating the planning team and organizing logistics for event tours. “In Edmonton, we’ll gather to reexamine what it means to tell the good news and to bear witness to the gospel of peace.”

'In Edmonton, we’ll gather to reexamine what it means to tell the good news and to bear witness to the gospel of peace.'

Michael Ediger who is handling logistics with Evario Event Centre, looks forward to showcasing his city, which is “especially vibrant in the summer.”

Ediger is retired but currently helps First Nations communities plan, maintain and operate their school facilities and bus systems.

“I’m excited to see the broader church come together to worship and learn,” says Ediger.

Local folks have also stepped up to give workshops for Gathering 2022, focussing on local ministries and the environment.

Suzanne Gross, worker for MCA’s North Edmonton Ministry, will facilitate a tour for Gathering participants on eco-sustainable church design and interfaith work. She is also part of the worship planning committee for the event.

“I love to explore cultural meaning and values through intercultural and interfaith encounters,” says Suzanne, "and to create synergies of belonging through music.”

Joanne Moyer is associate professor and director of environmental studies and geography at Kings University in Edmonton and a member of Mennonite Church Creation Care Network. She will facilitate sessions on creation care themes throughout the weekend.

“I’m excited to welcome visitors to the beautiful Edmonton river valley and ravine system, and share things I’ve learned about this place that has become my home,” says Moyer. “My tour on watershed discipleship focuses on learning about a place, its inhabitants and how to live well there.”

Kathleen Stoesz is a school-based occupational therapist. With a passion for supporting kids as they grow and learn, Stoesz, is organizing the children’s programming for We Declare.

“I think it's important that children experience church (at whatever level) as safe, inclusive and joyful,” says Stoesz. “I'm excited to see kids from across Canada getting to know one another and engaging with church in a way that is new to them.”

'I'm excited to see kids from across Canada getting to know one another and engaging with church in a way that is new to them.'

Tim Wiebe-Neufeld, executive minister of MCA, is excited for the nationwide church to experience MCA’s diversity.

“Our MCA community of 12 congregations come from a variety of cultural backgrounds,” he says. “From our urban and rural locations across Alberta we join together and support each other as we worship and live out our faith.”

We Declare will be Mennonite Church Canada’s first hybrid event, with participants able to participate in plenaries and worship services online through a virtual event platform.

Registration for We Declare opens on April 13, 2022, and will be online at mennonitechurch.ca/gathering2022. Information about the event, including speakers, schedule and location, is also available on the webpage.

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Media contact:

Katie Doke Sawatzky

kdsawatzky@mennonitechurch.ca