Mennonite Women Canada: October 2015

Oct 23, 2015

SWM Retreat at Shekinah Retreat Centre

Last weekend I attended the Saskatchewan Women in Mission Retreat held at Timberlodge, Shekinah Retreat Center The theme of the retreat was "Igniting our Creativity: Looking Back, Moving Forward". A full report will be available soon, but today I just want to post some of the photos I took.

Timberlodge, Shekinah Retreat Centre, Waldheim

Main gathering area for meals, inspirational sessions
and displays

Womens' groups had been asked to bring along an item that was

representative of their local group. These were shared during the evening session and included several quilts, wall hangings, posters and even a song

performed by one of the groups.

This quilt commemorates the groups that were
part of SWM from 1948 to 1985.

Esther Patkau, author of the book,
Canadian Women in Mission 1895-1952-2002,
shared some stories of her long involvement with women's
groups in her local church and the SWM.

This group had written words to a familiar hymn and has used
it as the theme for their group for many years.

A collage of the handbooks that the Zoar Mennponite Church
women's group in Langhgam has used over the years.

On Saturday morning, Pauline Steinman shared about
celebrating God's gift of creativity together and challenged
us to take risks and imagine a new reality for our
mission in the church and in the world.

Creating a paper labyrinth was one of the activities
available during a reflective half hour after the morning session.

In the closing candle ceremony Sharon Schultz challenged
us to see God's glory in our work and worship and in new
possibilities and opportunities; to walk together in unity
of love and purpose; to uphold one another
and to live in faithful obedience to God.

Oct 12, 2015

Thanksgiving Grace

Thanksgiving Grace

We are people with full hearts:
we feel blessed, we are blessed,
and on this Thanksgiving Day we say thank you with all our hearts.
Thank you for your love, and for the gift of your son.
Thank you for those dear to us, those near at hand,
and those much farther away.
Thank you for food.
Thank you for rich soil, good weather, hard-working farmers.
In a society where we are so often
self-sufficient, self reliant and self-satisfied,
give us humble hearts.
All we are and all we have comes from your hand;
it’s by your grace that we have life and breath
on this thanksgiving day.
Bless the hands that have prepared the food,
and those who are serving it.
Bless the food before us,
may it strengthen us to be a blessing to all we meet,
in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

~ Carol Penner (http://carolpenner.typepad.com)

Oct 7, 2015

CONNECTIONS OCTOBER 2015

Our latest newsletter - CONNECTIONS - is hot off the press!

Connections is published in April and October and is one way in which we connect with women across Canada. You will find an update of the various projects we support as well as a feature set of articles on a specific theme.
This time around we are focussing on the many women and women's groups and who have supported MCC and other local organizations by quilting or knotting comforters. Your efforts have brought much comfort to refugees and others in need around the world. Please feel free to download, print and share with friends.

YOU CAN READ IT HERE!