April 7th, 2020
U.S. and Canadian Mennonite Churches publish letter of encouragement during Holy Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


U.S. and Canadian Mennonite Churches publish letter of encouragement during Holy Week

Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) and Mennonite Church Canada have published a letter of encouragement to constituents this week during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter acknowledges the unusual circumstances and challenges surrounding this year’s Holy Week, while offering a message of hope and unity.

Doug Klassen, executive minister of Mennonite Church Canada, and Glen Guyton, executive director of MC USA, acknowledge that “that this is a difficult time for many, as we mourn losses of loved ones, jobs, life milestones and so much more due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” They encourage constituents to “take time to pray, meditate and hold tight to the hope that is in Christ Jesus.”

Klassen and Guyton also express the churches’ heartfelt thanks to those who are working at the forefront of the pandemic, acknowledging their “risk to self, long hours, creative problem solving and love for others.”

The letter concludes with an encouragement for people from all backgrounds to come together:

“This virus knows no boundaries – nor should we, as we share God’s infectious love, mercy and righteousness with neighbors… in such a time as this (Esther 4:13-14).”

Read or download the full letter here.

Mennonite Church Canada is a nationwide community of faith, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/

MC USA is the largest Mennonite denomination in the United States with 16 conferences, approximately 530 congregations and 62,000 members. It has offices in Elkhart, Indiana and Newton, Kansas. http://www.mennoniteusa.org/

Mennonite Church Canada and MC USA are Anabaptist Christian denominations and are part of Mennonite World Conference, a global faith family that includes churches in 86 countries. 

 

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Media contact: Katie Doke Sawatzky, kdsawatzky@mennonitechurch.ca, 1-204-888-6781, 1-866-888-6785 (toll-free)