65 th Annual Report Book 2016 Continuing the Call. Mennonite Women Canada.. a place to belong. a place to connect

Transcription

1 65 th Annual Report Book 2016 Continuing the Call Mennonite Women Canada.. a place to belong. a place to connect

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mennonite Women Canada Annual Report 2016 Mennonite Women Canada Executive 2 Bible Study Advisory Council Mennonite Women USA 3 President s Report 4 Regional Representatives Reports MCBC Women s Ministry 6 Alberta Women in Mission 8 Mennonite Women Manitoba 9 Saskatchewan Women's Ministry 10 Women of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada 11 Annual Bible Study Guide 13 Pennies & Prayer Legacy Fund 14 International Ministries 16 Short Term Ministries 16 Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund 17 Opportunities for Giving Description of Projects 19 Opportunities for Giving Remittance Form 20 Statement of Receipts & Disbursements Minutes of the July 2016 Annual Meeting 22 1

3 MENNONITE WOMEN CANADA EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT (2016 -) Shirley Redekop 4 Ernst St Elmira, ON N3B 1K5 Phone (519) presmwcanada@gmail.com SECRETARY/TREASURER (2016 -) Elsie Rempel 531 Dominion Street Winnipeg, MB, R3G 2N3 Phone (204) elsiewrites1@gmail.com PRESIDENT ELECT (?) Regional Representatives ALBERTA Evelyn Buhr 716 Knottwood Road South Edmonton, AB T6K 1W5 Phone (780) pebuhr@telus.net Or office@edmonton1st.mennonitechurch.ab.ca BRITISH COLUMBIA Waltrude Gortzen Blue Jay Street Abbotsford, BC V2T 6N7 Phone (604) waltrude@shaw.ca MANITOBA Elsie Wiebe 4 Evergreen Dr Morden, MB R6M 0B9 Phone (204) wwiebe2@mts.net Kate Janzen Box 7 Site 21, Cochrane, AB T4C 1A2 Phone (403) bkjanzen@velocitynetworks.ca EASTERN CANADA Phyllis Ramer Box 303 Zurich ON N0M 2T0 Phone (519) peramer@hay.net SASKATCHEWAN Mel Harms PO Box 514 Osler, SK S0K 3A0 Phone (306) cmharms3@gmail.com 2

4 Communications Committee Waltrude Gortzen Blue Jay Street Abbotsford, BC V2T 6N7 Phone: (604) Shirley Redekop 4 Ernst St Elmira, ON N3B 1K5 Phone (519) presmwcanada@gmail.com Naomi Unger (2018) Box 127 Rabbit Lake, SK SOM 2L0 Phone: (306) dnunger@sasktel.net Liz Koop th Street St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P7 Phone: (905) koopfarms@becon.org Barb Draper (2018) 38 Queen St. Elmira, ON N3B 2T3 Phone: (519) rbdraper@golden.net BIBLE STUDY ADVISORY COUNCIL, March 2016 Mennonite Women Canada Members Shirley Redekop 4 Ernst St Elmira, ON N3B 1K5 Phone (519) presmwcanada@gmail.com Elsie Rempel 531 Dominion Street Winnipeg, MB, R3G 2N3 Phone (204) elsiewrites1@gmail.com Sue Steiner (July 2018) King Street East Kitchener, ON N2G 4T8 Phone (519) scsteiner@sympatico.ca Mennonite Women USA Members Marlene Bogard, Director 718 N Main St Newton, KS Phone (316) marleneb@mwusa.org Gail Shetler 506 Revere Dr Goshen IN Phone (574) bgshetler@yahoo.com Beth Martin Birky 307 W Kercher Rd Goshen IN Phone (574) (home) bethmb@goshen.edu 3

5 Mennonite Women Canada Annual Report ~ March 2016 PRESIDENT S REPORT We are Women of Mennonite Churches in Canada, and Mennonite Women Can! In the past year, Liz Koop (St Catharines, ON) passed the torch of President of Mennonite Women Canada to Shirley Redekop (Elmira, ON) at the MWCanada Annual Meeting in July 2016 at the Saskatoon Assembly. Elsie Rempel (Winnipeg, MB) was also installed as Secretary/Treasurer. The guest speaker for our meeting was Dori Zerbe Cornelsen, who spoke about Saying Yes to Transition. We were encouraged to look forward in times of transition and that is what Mennonite Women Canada will do. As our theme verse says As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God s varied grace. In the midst of change, we still will share our gifts in many ways, and Mennonite Women Canada will continue the legacy passed on from our mothers, and grandmothers who brought 2 pennies and a prayer to their sewing circle meetings to share with others in need. Over the years this fund grew and continues to support Witness Workers around the world through the Pennies and a Prayer Legacy Fund. We continue to support Christina and Darnell Barkman in the Philippines and Taryn and Nathan Dirks in Botswana. The Dirks will be coming home in the summer but will be itinerating for several months in Canada. We will wait to hear more from the Future Directions process and the October meetings regarding other MC Canada Witness workers in the field. We support Tom and Christine Poovong, who minister in northeast Thailand, through our International Ministries Fund. Be sure to read the interesting reports from these families on our website, FaceBook page, and blog site. We continue to offer scholarships through our Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund to women studying Anabaptist theology at a Masters Degree level. Recipients this year are: Marlene Wiebe (CMU) and Danielle Fillion (CGUC). If you, or someone you know, is interested in a scholarship, applications are available on the Mennonite Women Canada website, or contact one of the MWCanada executive. These are accepted until June 30th. 4

6 We partner with Mennonite Women USA and Menno Media to publish the Annual Bible Study Guide. The 2016 BSG was Faith Travels: Trusting God in Life s Transitions, written by Marlene Kropf was timely. The 2017 guide, written by Anna Liechty Sawatzky, is titled Live Your Call: Embracing God s Mission. Be sure to look for the MWCanada page in the Canadian Mennonite, Women Walking Together in Faith to read interesting articles of Mennonite Women across Canada or the world. If you are interested in writing an article or know someone who is, contact MWCanada executive. Because of many changes that happened, the Connections newsletter was not published in the Fall of There will again be a newsletter this spring. Through all this, we pray that we are continuing the call that prompted women 65 years ago to meet and connect together, support each other, nurture their life in Christ, share their gifts, and serve and minister to and with others here and around the world. Mennonite women can, with your help and support. God is among us, leading the way. Submitted by Shirley Redekop President, Mennonite Women Canada presmwcanada@gmail.com Old and New Executive Left to right: Kate Janzen (AWiM), Elsie Wiebe (MWM), Elsie Rempel (incoming Sec/Treas) Lois Mierau (outgoing Sec/Treas), Liz Koop (outgoing Pres.), Shirley Redekop (incoming Pres), Dorothy Hamm (W MCEC) Waltrude Gortzen (MCBCWM), Mel Harms (SKMW). As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10 5

7 MCBC Women s Ministry 2017 AGM Report May the Lord direct your hearts into God s love and Christ s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3: March April May July October a. I attended the annual Spring Leadership Assembly in Winnipeg b. Mennonite Women Canada has a new candidate for President of Mennonite Women Canada but still looking for a new Secretary/ Treasurer. c. We have a New Women s Ministry Rep. in Saskatchewan Mel Harms from Osler, SK joins the Executive Committee. a. We received an unexpected gift from the Estate of the late Mary Bergen nee Redekop, former President of BC Women in Mission in the amount of $ The family would like these funds to serve as a legacy. b. Came up with the idea to use these funds as start-up money for an Education Scholarship Fund for women within MCBC that plan to attend one of the following Anabaptist Christian Institutions --- Columbia Bible College (CBC), Canadian Mennonite University (CMU), Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), Conrad Grebel University College (CGUC). Preference will be given to those with an interest in going into Christian Ministry. If no suitable applicants apply the funds will be held over until the following year. Inspirational Day April 30 th, 2016 at Eben-Ezer M. Church in Abbotsford Speaker: Ingrid Schultz Theme: Wisdom in Legacy Morning Session Grandmothers, Mothers & Mentors: Reclaiming Our Legacy (Text: 2 Timothy 1:1-7) Morning Session Daughters, Disciples & Dreamers: Sharing Our Legacy (Text: 2 Timothy 1:8-14) a. It was a wonderful event that was attended by about 140 women b. Offering gathered $4, c. Education Scholarship Fund to assist women in their Christian Education was approved. MC CANADA Assembly in Saskatoon from July a. This included the Mennonite Women Canada AGM as well. b. Happy to report that we have a NEW President. Shirley Redekop from Floradale, ON c. And Elsie Rempel from Winnipeg, MB and former MC Canada Staff will take the position of Secretary/Treasurer. Retreat Weekend October 14 16, 2016 at Camp Squeah. Speaker: Song Yang Her from Thornton, Colorado where she and her husband host a radio

8 ministry for the Hmong people around the globe! Theme: Piecing Together our Identity a. This year s retreat was a very inspiring weekend attended by about 100 women. It included a variety of workshops, including one in the Hmong language. b. The 2016 Retreat Planning Committee Pat Loewen, Carol Kropp, Leanne Kropp, Katelyn Gross, Candice Corder, Ann Dueck and Kay Moua planned all the weekend details for us with much care. Subsequent to the Retreat two members have resigned: Kay Moua due to ongoing health issues Katelyn Gross continuing her studies at SFU. We thank all of you for the contributions you brought to the committee. December a. Education Scholarship Fund Janette and I had a meeting with Abundance Canada (Mennonite Foundation) and the paperwork to set up this Fund is in the works. We received another donation towards this fund which now stands at $ Coming up in Inspirational Day Saturday, May 6 th, 2017 at Emmanuel Mennonite Church Speaker: Marlene Kropf author of Faith Travels the 2016 Bible Study Guide that is jointly sponsored by Mennonite Women Canada & Mennonite Women USA She is a spiritual director, retreat leader and ordained Mennonite Minister who lives in Port Townsend, Washington. Theme: Who am I Now? Trusting God in Life s Transitions Retreat Weekend Friday to Sunday, October 13 15, 2017 Theme: Living Courageously Margo Tschetter Hoffman leads a Muslim Women s ministry in Surrey. Heidi Kroeker Cave car crash and burn survivor; amputee; author of book Fancy Feet ; ICBC and Fire department speaker; mother & wife. She lives in Fort Langley, BC. Watch for further information about both events... In the News n Notes and on our Facebook page. Note: Our 2017 Ladies Retreat will proceed as planned for October despite MC Canada calling for a Delegate Assembly for that weekend From Women s Ministry Committee Waltrude Gortzen - Our Committee should consist of 3 members that oversee and give guidance to the Inspirational Day and the Retreat to the hosting church and Retreat Committee respectively. - Presently it is just I and Janette Thiessen, MCBC Admin who looks after our Finances and listens to me when I need to talk to someone. Thanks Janette! - At least 3 committee members are desperately needed. - Please get in touch with me, Waltrude Gortzen waltrude@shaw.ca or call me at Or do we need to look at Women s Ministry s future once again? In His service MCBC Women s Ministry Waltrude Gortzen

9 Alberta Women in Mission 2016 Annual Report So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in faith Galatians 6: 10 It is with much regret that we announce the closure of Alberta Women in Mission. Our group has become smaller and smaller over the past number of years, and with the changes last year regarding donations to AWM, it makes sense to close this chapter. Our four member groups will continue to work and meet as they have, and will be encouraged to maintain a close relationship through the MCA Women s Retreat. It is our hope that the remainder of our funds can be used by Mennonite Church Alberta to support the Women s Retreat and liaise with the national group, Mennonite Women Canada. A proposal for Executive to consider will be forthcoming. This past year we continued to prayerfully support the Women s Retreat Committee in the planning of the Spring Retreat at the Sunnyside Christian Retreat Centre at Sylvan Lake. The retreat was on May 20-20, 2016 and women from across Alberta came to listen and reflect on the theme (re)make: making and remaking our stories, with Carol Penner, our guest speaker. It was a wonderful inter-generational multi-cultural event and we look forward to the next retreat scheduled for June 9-11, 2017 again at the Sunnyside Christian Retreat Centre. Our guest speaker this year is Sara Wenger Shenk, AMBS President. We hope to see many of you there. We are so thankful for all of the amazing women who have been a part of Alberta Women in Mission since its inception in 1947, 70 years ago! The world has changed so much in that time, and what was a place for women who often had no voice, has given rise to the participation of women in all aspects of our church life. We celebrate the achievements of the past and look forward to future gatherings of women from across Alberta. Respectfully submitted by Ev Buhr AWM President 8

10 Mennonite Women Manitoba Annual Report, 2016 The role of Mennonite Women Manitoba is to resource women within MCManitoba churches, including offering small and large gatherings, promotion of Mennonite Media Bible Study Guide materials, and creating networks of support and idea sharing. The first gathering we hosted this past year was a, Sister Care Seminar, Equipping Women for Caring Ministry. There were about 45 to 50 women from across the province who participated in the seminar. The facilitators were Rhoda Keener, Sister Care Director for Mennonite Women USA and Carolyn Heggen, psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery. The evaluations were very positive and encouraging MWManitoba to continue to host gatherings similar to this one. There are several groups of women, since the seminar, who have taken up the challenge of actively caring for one another by meeting regularly and supporting one another by sharing their joys and concerns. We gathered a survey at the seminar and from the responses received, a keen interest in building on the resolutions brought out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, was realized. To assist women in taking action we developed an event planning template, a list of resources and contacts and an example of a listening group formed at one of MC Manitoba churches. We also invited Dorothy Fontaine, Director of Missions to one of our meetings. Dorothy has developed a wide network of relationships within the Indigenous communities and suggested actions we could take to make meaningful connections with our Indigenous neighbours. We are planning to host a Spring event focused on spiritual development. This event is planned for Saturday, April 29 and will be facilitated by Laura Funk. Laura holds an M.A. in Christian Ministry from CMU and currently has a private practice as a Spiritual Director. Laura will lead us through a day of spiritual enrichment, giving encouragement and practical tools as we seek to deepen our faith and to know God intimately. There are several women's groups within MC Manitoba who have been meeting and serving the church for 50 years and are making plans to celebrate this milestone in What does the future hold? We are just beginning to explore the possibility of hosting a, Women Doing Theology event in Fall, Current members of MW Manitoba are: Kathy Giesbrecht; MC Manitoba staff member, Jolanda Friesen, Larissa Pahl, Laura Funk, Elsie Rempel, Cheryl Thiessen, and Elsie Wiebe.. Report submitted by, Elsie Wiebe 9

11 Saskatchewan Women s Ministry Annual Report, 2016 As I sit here reflecting back on 2016 I wonder how the year managed to go by so fast. It s hard to believe that I ve been in this role for a year already, but I ve definitely needed it to start to find my footing. This role has become much more than I imagined it would, it s made me become more involved not only within our Saskatchewan churches but also within our national church as well. In the past year I ve met so many amazing people that have been a blessing and encouragement to me. It s given me a greater outlook on the bigger picture and making me focus on more than what s just going on within my own church. We held our annual Women s Retreat at Shekinah in October, which was hosted by the Langham ladies who did a fantastic job putting it all together. Our theme was A Faith Journey and a journey it was. We had around 50 women in attendance and over the course of the weekend we listened to each others stories in small groups and were lucky to have 3 women from all different age groups share their faith stories with us. There is nothing more powerful than to be able to listen and share our stories together and to grow together as women in faith. Our retreat for this year is booked for the November 3-5 weekend. On that note I am still in need of 2-4 more volunteers to help plan this years retreat. The more helpers the easier the planning! One of the questions being tossed around is whether or not we move the times to begin Sat afternoon and end Sunday at noon to allow more time for those travelling and to have more time during our first day together. I would love to hear feedback on this so please feel free to send me an at cmharms3@gmail.com or give me a call at (306) I m always open to suggestions! Thank you all for your support during this time of transition. I look forward to our times together this coming year. Mel Harms 10

12 W MCEC Annual Report, 2016 Our new logo: The inspiration behind the logo design was to create a design that symbolizes a cross-section of the women we serve. The waves not only represent the Spirit that we pray flows through us, but also the waters that connect us in MCEC. Our 100+ congregations are connected through the waters of the Great Lakes, Saint Lawrence River, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. From Windsor, ON to Petitcodiac, NB is over 1800 km (West - East) while it is over 1000 km from remote Hunta, ON to Leamington, ON (North South). Sister Care: Besides bringing US Mennonite Women, Rhoda Keener, & Carolyn Heggen to Ontario to share the resource tool called Sister Care, W MCEC hosted two Sister Care Retreats. We still have copies of the DVD, Leadership Manual and Participant workbooks for anyone interested in using this material. We will continue to put Sister Care in our budget as we assess the interest. Reflection: Three years ago when I started as executive coordinator of Women of MCEC my desire was that women would know that Jesus loves them. I wanted women to know the power of His name and the grace that He extends to them. I wanted women to yearn for and move towards a relationship with their Lord and Savior that would be deep and rich. Our goal as an executive was to not only honour our roots, the women who have gone before us, but also to support and encourage those who will come after us. I pray that we will pass on the baton of leadership well. And that we will recognize the changes women have seen in their lifetime. More women have fulfilling jobs outside the home and hold leadership positions in the church and community. Sometimes I wonder if MCEC needs a separate women s organization. Each year as we pray and look for new executive members we wonder if we can continue. Our individual churches experience a real cross-section of women s ministry; everything from having no program to traditional programing to new and innovative ministries. The spectrum of awareness about WMCEC ranges from strong support to not knowing we exist. And yet there is something special about Mennonite women spending time together, encouraging one another, and worshiping together. Spring Enrichment: Our Spring Enrichment Day in April still brings over 250 women together for the day. The last number of years these gatherings have focused on telling our stories: 2015, in Listowel, we told stories of marginalized women at home and abroad. 11

13 2016, in Markham. Our theme was This is My Story, This is My Song. Women shared personal stories of immigration to Canada across the years. 2017, in St Jacobs, we are sharing our stories around the theme: body & soul. Carol Penner, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, is our main speaker, and will facilitate our Women Talk panel. Thank you for the leadership opportunities during my six years of involvement in W MCEC. I thank God for the privilege of working alongside of some wonderful women, who are now friends that will remain in my heart forever. Ephesians 3:15-21 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. April 21, 2018 Spring Enrichment Host: North Leamington Mennonite Church Guest Speaker: April Yamaski By Phyllis Ramer, Executive Coordinator 12

14 Annual Bible Study Guide Since 1992 Mennonite Women Canada (MW Canada) together with Mennonite Women USA (MW USA) has published an annual Bible Study Guide (BSG). Comprised of 12 or 13 lessons the guide is recommended for use in women s groups, Sunday School classes and for personal meditation. Every third year the writer is a Canadian woman. In July of each year a complementary BSG is sent to each MC Canada congregation and to the executives of the area church women s organizations. In 2016, 250 complementary copies were mailed out. Faith Travels: Trusting God in Life s Transitions became available in July 2016 and has been a best seller! Life is full of change and transition. Faith Travels takes women on a journey through the Old Testament, inviting them to walk alongside the Israelites from the wilderness and into the promised land. Just as the biblical story tells of a people who trusted God along the journey, this study helps readers consider God s promises in their own lives during times of transition. Marlene Kropf carefully weaves stories of Celtic Christians throughout the study as well, bringing together the larger story of our human desire to be faithful to God as the journey unfolds. This has been a best seller! info@commonword.ca Ordering information: MennoMedia's Kitchener, ON, office closed January 31, 2017 but they still serve their Canadian customers by phone: or customerservice at mennomedia.org. You can also order from Arlyn Friesen Epp at CommonWord in Winnipeg MB. Live Your Call: Embracing God s Mission will be available in July 2017 Author, Anna Liechty Sawatsky, has been immersed in life-long mission; first as a child of North American missionaries to Ireland, then as a student of mission, camp worker, and as a missionary in South Africa with her husband for eight years, where they relied on the Holy Spirit, learned from scripture and from the people around them to get through times of difficulty. After settling in Goshen, IN, three years ago, she embraced God's mission in her work as a social worker. In Live Your Call Anna presents insights from her years in mission where she lived mission as ministry in the dimension of difference in the knowledge that the only mission there is is God s. Her sessions are grouped in pairs, with each portion of the pair fleshing out the other. For example, speak and do challenge and complete each other. Given that all have different gifts but the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4), these lessons will push users in new directions and lessons that sharpen and refine their gifts for partnering with God in their lives. 13

15 PENNIES AND PRAYER LEGACY FUND This endowment fund had its roots in a project begun by General Conference women s groups in the US and Canada in Women were invited to contribute two Pennies and a prayer which was directed to the needs of returning missionaries. In 1957 this Missionary Pension Fund officially became a Canadian Women in Mission (CWM) project and the fund continued to grow. In 2003 when the General Conference separated into two national conferences, the respective women s organizations also separated into two separate entities Mennonite Women USA and Canadian Women in Mission (renamed Mennonite Women Canada in 2010). At that time the Missionary Pension Fund was divided proportionately with the Canadian group receiving about 30% of the funds or $70,000. Each year up to $5000 in interest and principal is used to support two programs of Mennonite Church Canada that involve women. Currently we are connecting with Darnell & Christina Barkman (Philippines) and Nathan & Taryn Dirks (Botswana) and helping to support them through Mennonite Church Canada s Witness program. We had to dip into the principle by $ to meet these commitments. We are grateful for this gift - a remarkable legacy of caring and compassion from our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers who had the vision of how small gifts could grow and make a difference. It is a legacy that calls us to dream again. Contributions to the Pennies and Prayer Legacy Fund will help carry forward our commitment of caring and compassion for future generations. Only $ was donated to it by Women's Groups this year. Donations were made by the following: The Goodwill Club of Coaldale Mennonite Church, AB Helping Hands, Calgary, AB First Mennonite Church, Edmonton, AB Koinonia Group, North Star, Sask (Jan 2017) Lethbridge Women's Fellowship, AB MC Saskatchewan Saskatchewan WiM Springridge Mennonite Church, AB Tiefengrund WiM, Sask Zion, WiM, Sask Zoar Mission Circle, Sask We are thankful for all donations towards this fund. We encourage you to honour the life of a loved one by making a memorial donation or to recognize a milestone event in your family, congregation or community with a celebration donation. You can send a cheque payable to Mennonite Church Canada (be sure to designate Mennonite Women Canada PPLF) to: Mennonite Church Canada, 600 Shaftesbury Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R3P 0M4. Or you can make an online donation on our website at 14

16 Connect with our PPLF recipients! Darnell and Christina Blog: Nathan and Taryn Blog:

17 Connect with our International Ministry Fund recipients too! Tom & Christine Poovong Long Term Workers in Thailand Home Congregation(s):Trinity Mennonite Church, Calgary, Alberta Tom and Christine s Prayer Letters are posted on our web page at Short-Term Ministries Please remember them in your prayers! Offering a variety of cross-cultural opportunities for persons of all ages and interests, Mennonite Women Canada supports Mennonite Church Canada s short term ministries. This includes service partnerships with Journey International, Serve Nazareth, and Bethlehem Bible College. In addition, there are also short term opportunities to serve alongside experienced, long term Witness workers (e.g. language teaching, peace-building, pastoral ministry, etc.) and those involved in repeat short term teaching assignments. Check out short-term ministry opportunities at 16

18 SPIRITUAL GROWTH ASSISTANCE FUND Our Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund (SGAF) assists women with the costs of academic and/or applied study at the Master s level in church related ministries (such as seminary, theology, peace and conflict resolution) from an Anabaptist perspective. Women who are members of a congregation belonging to Mennonite Church Canada are eligible to apply. Funding may be granted for part of the tuition costs (payable to the institution) at the discretion of the executive of MW Canada. First time applicants are given priority, but applications for continuing support are also considered. The deadline for applications every year is June 30. Application forms are available online at or by contacting presmwcanada@mennonitechurch.ca The following are letters from our current recipients. Danielle Fillion Raimbault from Kitchener, ON studying at Conrad Grebel College University, Waterloo, ON March 5, 2017 I have been studying at Conrad Grebel University College in Ontario for three years and will graduate with my Masters of Theology in this August in Throughout my time at Grebel, I have learned about and researched in many areas that will prove to be helpful in my future work. I currently am working as a youth pastor at Listowel Mennonite Church and a chaplain at a retirement residence. I also continue to be involved at Hawkesville Mennonite Church as the Administrative Assistant and various other volunteer roles I hold there. I am very grateful to Mennonite Women Canada and their support as I worked through my studies at Grebel. It allowed me to continue my various volunteer roles and showed me the excellent body of women of which Mennonite Women Canada consists. Thank you, Danielle Raimbault Marlene Wiebe, from Altona, MB. -- Studying for Chaplaincy at Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, MB. I would like to to tell you one thing about each of my courses: In the course, Who is Jesus I found myself walking along dusty roads with Jesus on His road trips performing signs of the kingdom, or I try to think of the kingdom more as relationships. I took Christian Spirituality, and gained a new appreciation of the Pentecostal movement; how devoted they are to loving Jesus. In Old Testament,... well, I fell in love with the Old Testament. It has beautiful imagery about living abundantly and how Yahweh cared so 17

19 much about the Israelites. The theology of the Old Testament provides the seeds of peace that later grow in the New Testament. In Christian Foundations of Ministry I planned a funeral, and presented it to the class. In The Biblical Story of Hope and Healing, my concept of the afterlife was altered. Our bodies will be resurrected, not just our spirits. In Methodology, I learned about how methodology helps us to understand issues more completely. I am now taking God Through the Centuries. My opening remarks reflect my reading the theologian, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza. Finally, I am taking Pastoral Care, helping us to respond to the church. My area of interest is chaplaincy. I am giving devotionals at a Senior Citizens residence. I have visited with about 13 women there. I have prayed with them, and have never failed to see a change in their faces after praying. To me, that says God has been present with them before ever I stepped into their apartments. I get to visit and hear stories about faith in tough times and great times. I can work my insights from class, scripture, and my life into conversation, but mainly I get to listen. We learned in Pastoral Care that the ministry of listening is central to caring for Senior Citizens. I have to take the courage that the Spirit chooses to give me, and trust that God will help me find my way in this path. I thank God that God has helped me through you. I thank you for your financial support. I thank you for your moral and spiritual support. Thank you for doing all of the work you do, for showing up at the meetings because that is sometimes super hard. But at the meetings you are listening to each other and to the Passion of Christ, the way. May God bless you as you seek to honour Christ in your ministry as Mennonite Church Canada Women. Thank you, Marlene 18

20 MENNONITE WOMEN CANADA OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS February 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018 PROJECTS AMOUNT Support Ministries of Mennonite Women Canada Your gifts help support all the ministries of Mennonite Women Canada. $10,000. Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund Mennonite Women Canada encourages women to consider using their gifts and talents in various ministries of the church. This scholarship fund is available to assist with costs of academic and applied study at a Masters degree level in church related ministries (such as seminary, theology, peace and conflict resolution) from an Anabaptist perspective. Funding may be granted for part of the tuition (payable to the institution) at the discretion of the executive of Mennonite Women Canada. Pennies and Prayer Legacy Fund This endowment fund supports the involvement of women in Mennonite Church Canada mission work. Each year $5,000 is used to support two projects chosen in consultation with Mennonite Church Canada. We also encourage memorial donations to this fund made in honour of a loved one or to celebrate a milestone event in your family, church or community. Publications & Communication Together with Mennonite Women USA and MennoMedia we publish a 70-page annual Bible Study Guide for use in women s groups, Sunday School classes and for personal meditation. Connections is Mennonite Women Canada s semi-annual newsletter available to churches across Canada by and also by hard copy. Our web site and our new brochures and banner inform women and promote our projects. Our blog is a place where women can connect with Mennonite Women Canada and with each other. International Ministries Mennonite Church Canada s ongoing ministry among the Isaan people in northeast Thailand seeks to invite people into Anabaptist faith communities and work at income generation and entrepreneurial development. Christine and Tom Poovong provide holistic pastoral leadership to the Maliwan Mennonite Church, helping to equip new believers to take on leadership of the church. In 2015, Christine and Tom helped the Maliwan church begin Menno Nursery, through which they interact with neighborhood families and children, mentor community leaders, and invite people to the way of Jesus and into the community of the church. Offering child care also frees parents to explore other income generating opportunities. Short-term Ministries Mennonite Women Canada is expanding its support of Mennonite Church Canada s short term ministries to include service partnerships with Journey International, Serve Nazareth, and Bethlehem Bible College. In addition, we will also include short term opportunities to serve alongside experienced, long term Witness workers (e.g. language teaching, peace-building, pastoral ministry, etc.) and those involved in repeat short term teaching assignments. $3,000. $1,000. $7,500. $7,500. $3,500. TOTAL $32,

21 Mennonite Women Canada Opportunities for Giving Donation Form February 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018 Date of donation: Donation from: (Region or Local Group) address: Donation Details Ministry Budget Giving Support Ministries of MW Canada(General Fund) Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund(Masters degree level) $10,000 $3,000 Pennies & Prayer Legacy Fund $1,000 Publications & Communications(includes Bible Study Guide) International Ministries(Living Water Church Ministries, Thailand, MC Canada Witness) Short Term Ministry Program(MC Canada Witness) Above budget designated donation:designation Total $7,500 $7,500 $3,500 $ 32, $ - Please make cheque payable to "MC Canada", with "MW Canada" in the memo line. Mail cheques and Donation form to: MC Canada 600 Shaftesbury Blvd Winnipeg, MB R3P 0M4

22 Mennonite Women CanadaStatement of Receipts and Disbursements for FYE 2017 Receipts and Disbursements Report (detailed) For the period February 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017 Receipts: International Ministries - Thailand, Living Water Church $ 5, Short Term Ministry $ Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund $ 1, Carry-over from FYE16 $ 1, $ 2, Pennies and Prayer Legacy Fund $ MFC Investment Interest for PPLF $ 1, $ 2, Publications & Communications $ 4, Support Ministries of MW Canada $ 7, Above Budget Designated Donations $ 10, MFC Investment Interest - General $ Total Receipts Disbursements: International Ministries - Thailand (paid out by MC Canada) $ 7, Short Term Ministry (paid out by MC Canada) $ 3, Spiritual Growth Scholarships: Marlene Wiebe $ 1, Danielle Fillion $ 1, $ 2, Pennies and Prayer Legacy Fund Payout: MC Canada program - Christine and Darnell Barkman $ 2, MC Canada program - Taryn and Nathan Dirks $ 2, $ 5, Above Budget Designated Donations $ 10, Publications & Communications Bible Study Guide $ 6, $ 6, Assembly and Retreat Expenses Spring Leadership Assembly $ 3, Printing Report Books $ Other $ 2, $ 6, Mennonite Church Canada Co-Ministry Support $ (13.00) Total Disbursements Excess of Receipts over Disbursements $ 33, $ 42, $ (8,860.99) 21

23 Mennonite Women Canada Minutes of the 64 th Annual Meeting Thursday, July 7, 2016 (9 am and 12 noon) TCU Place Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Attending: Liz Koop (President), Dorothy Hamm(Women of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (WMCEC) rep), Waltrude Gortzen (British Columbia (BC) rep), Kate Janzen (Alberta (AB) rep), Myrna Sawatzky (Saskatchewan (SK) rep), Elsie Wiebe (Manitoba (MB) rep), Lois Mierau (Secretary/Treasurer), Elsie Rempel (incoming Secretary /Treasurer) 1. Welcome and Opening - Liz Liz opened with referring to our motto as printed in the brochure and reminded us to not forget to nurture ourselves in the continuing work of MW Canada. Prayer. 2. Minutes - Spring Leadership Assembly, March 10 and 11, Lois/Waltrude moved/seconded the adoption of the minutes as circulated. Carried. 4. Financial Update Lois Lois handed out financial reports: Monthly Donation reports, Statement of Receipts and Disbursement to May 31, Shall there be a MW Canada display table at the Deep Faith Conference Oct. 6-8 at AMBS? New executive to follow up on this. (MW USA and MW Canada will share a table for $250 USD) SGAF recipients: If cards or notes are received from recipients, they can be scanned and put on the blog. They are asked for updates and a report is printed in the annual report book. 5. Annual Meeting Business Session Guests to be recognized: Erna Neufeldt, SGAF recipients 6. Assembly Offering - A decision was made in March 2016 that the MW Canada portion (one-half) would to go to the International Ministries (Thailand) project. - The SK portion will go to MC Sask camperships for kids to attend MC Sask camps Acknowledging monetary gifts Should we be acknowledging gifts from specific women s groups and individuals? If we receive individual donations these should receive a thank you card. Elsie R will continue the established pattern. 8. Bible Study Guide and Bible Study Advisory Council The 2016 BSG is now available (Faith Travels by Marlene Kropf). We are still looking for a replacement for Doreen Neufeld on this advisory council. 9. Canadian Mennonite Schedule Reminder to check the schedule to see when your next articles are due. President needs to send reminders to the next writers. If the articles are not forthcoming, Leona Dueck will also send a reminder. 22

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