CONNECTIONS IS HERE AGAIN!

It's that busy time of year when we say good-bye to the lazy, hazy days of summer and start getting back into our fall and winter routines.  Once again our Communications Committee (Naomi Unger, Waltrude Gortzen, Barb Draper and myself) have put together our newsletter called "Connections". This issue contains information about our various projects as well as a section called "Celebrating our Ethnic Diversity" - interviews of Mennonite women from four different ethnic backgrounds.  Click here to read the complete issue which you can download, print and share with others. 

Your feedback is always welcome!

Upcoming Events - Fall 2013

Two of our area church women's ministries are hosting area-wide retreats this fall for women of all ages.  Publicity for these events has been taking place for some time in BC and SK.  A huge thank-you to women in leadership who use their gifts and talents to provide opportunities like this for women to retreat, re-energize, refresh, and renew.  Blessings to all those who participate!

Greetings from Saskatchewan Women in Mission: We have a retreat coming up October 18 and 19 at the Timberlodge Shekenah Retreat Centre near Waldheim.  Registration is 5:00 pm Friday and checkout at 4:00 pm Saturday.  The theme is "I Heard Her Voice: Courageous Women of the Bible".  Elsie Goerzen is our guest speaker. She is the MCC BC End Abuse Program Director. Register by October 1. Cost is $120.00 for the weekend and $70.00 for either Friday or Saturday. Music with Valerie Wiebe, Langham.

Join us on October 18,19, 20 for the MCBC Women’s Ministry Fall Retreat at Camp Squeah near Hope. The retreat starts on Friday at 6:00 pm and ends on Sunday at 2:00 pm.  The theme is Peace by Piece.  Guest speaker is Rebecca Seiling - wife, mother, and author of the Bible Study Guide, Let Justice Roll Down.  

Women walking in faith - September 2013 - Miracles of love and care"

"No matter what language you speak, romantic love is one of the greatest gifts to give or receive."

 This is how Linda Wiens begins her article found on page 13 of the September 16th issue of the Canadian Mennonite under the heading "Women Walking together in Faith".  To read about the "miracles of love and care" that she has experienced, click here.

Linda is a member of St. Catharines United Mennonite Church, St. Catharines, ON.  She is the  new communicator for Women of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada and a member of the executive of Mennonite Women Canada.

How you can help Syrian children!

When Syrian children return to school this fall, many will carry a weight much heavier than a backpack -- images of violence that forced them to leave their homes, friends and schools and worry about where they will live and what they will eat. Mennonite Central Committee seeks contributions to lighten the burden by providing cash for rent, kits to meet basic needs, locally bought food and supplies as well as social and educational support. Donate online at mcc.org/middleeastcrisis or by calling 1-800-313-6226.

--taken from MCCO Church Connections August 20, 2013

The Barkman's latest newsletter

Darnell and Christina Barkman along with their children Cody and Makai are Mennonite Church Canada Witness workers in the Philippines.  They are current recipients of our Pennies and Prayer Legacy Fund.  Their latest newsletter was recently posted on our web page under Stories/Interviews/Profiles.  They also have a BLOG that you might want to have a look at. 

A call to end the violence in Syria

From an MCC Ontario release on August 31, 2013

As we gather as  faith communities let us remember our sisters and brothers in Syria, and the thousands who have fled to neighbouring Lebanon. Our MCC workers in the region continue to work with local churches and other religious leaders to respond to emergency needs, and to build peace where there are glimmers of opportunity.   (Rick Cober Bauman, MCC Ontario Executive Director) 

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. 

--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mennonite Central Committee urgently calls on all governments and parties to the conflict to end the violence in Syria. We condemn in the strongest terms all forms of violence and war, including missile strikes, use of chemical weapons, targeted acts of violence against civilians, conventional warfare and suicide bombings. 

Further militarization of the conflict will only increase the suffering of the Syrian people and the shattering of Syrian society. 

We call on all nations to immediately end shipments of military equipment and arms to the Syrian government and to rebel groups, and to increase contributions of food and other humanitarian assistance to civilians in all areas of Syria and to Syrian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries, and their host communities.

We call on the international community, and Syrians from all sides, to negotiate with urgency and seriousness an inclusive political solution to the crisis, guaranteeing the rights of all Syrians. 

In the name of Christ, we pray and work for peace in Syria.

Alicia Good - Ordination on September 8

For those of you who follow this blog you will recognize Alicia Good as being one of last year's recipients of our Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund (SGAF).   This announcement appeared in Mennonite Church Eastern Canada's weekly newsletter: 

Alicia Good will be installed as Minister and Licensed toward Ordination at North Leamington United Mennonite Church on Sunday, September 8.  Pray for Alicia as she and the church confirm her calling to ministerial leadership. 

The executive of Mennonite Women Canada extends congratulations and blessings to Alicia and her family as she accepts this position and serves her new congregation in Leamington.