Women as Peacebuilders

Mennonite Central Committee invites congregations to observe Peace Sunday on November 6, 2016 -- close to Remembrance Day -- or another appropriate Sunday. For Anabaptist churches, it is a time to remember that followers of Jesus are called to be people of peace.  Remembrance Day is a time when our country focuses attention on Canada’s military history and the sacrifice of Canadians who gave their lives in war.

This year’s Peace Sunday Packet focuses on the theme of “Women as Peacebuilders”.  It includes:

     - biblical reflections

     - worship resources (prayers, readings, a reader's theatre and a story for children)

     - stories of ten courageous women building peace

     - background information

CLICK HERE for more information or to 

DOWNLOAD the Peace Sunday Packet.

(Information from the MCC website)

Third Advent

"Advent is a festival of lights.  

We light candles for four weeks to symbolize core elements of our faith.  

The lights shine in the darkness of winter.  

As servants of God we are called to be light to the nations."

(Carolyne Epp-Fransen)

Carolyne and her husband, Gordon, serve as MCC Representatives for Jordan, Iraq, and Iran and live in Amman, Jordan.  To read Carolyne's blog, "A Light to the Nations", posted on December 10, 2014 as guest writer for the MCC Ottawa office, please click here.

Remembrance Day, November 11, 2014

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches, sharing God's love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice.

Starting on Nov 1 and in the days leading up to Remembrance Day, MCC is sharing stories of peace on Facebook.  These stories are part of their 30 page resource called "Peace Sunday Packet". 

The stories are of people resisting war, making peace in the midst of war, and practicing alternatives to war and violence. Some of them are about the First and Second World Wars, and others are more recent. Some of them are about Mennonites and Brethren in Christ, but many are not. Some stories are about Mennonite Central Committee partners building peace in different parts of the world." 

Community chaplaincy with women – ARISE

At the recent MCC Ontario fall meeting held in Kitchener ON, I attended a workshop called ARISE.  The description of the workshop was as follows:  "Join us for an interactive forum, including a performance of "Our Story", a play that features women from all walks of life and their experiences."  About 20 women attended the workshop.

"Our Story" is a dramatic presentation by Community Chaplain, Shauna Mayer, and her group of volunteers.  It was followed by a question and answer session. ARISE provides a supportive community for women who have experienced abuse, addiction or imprisonment in the Hamilton, Toronto and Kitchener area. With short skits, music and visual props we heard about the issues affecting marginalized women.  Bricks representing chaos, control, hatred, abuse, fear, trauma, pain, lies, despair, scars and doubt were stacked up representing a barrier. As transformation occurs within the lives of the women, the barriers are broken down and the bricks, now representing peace, freedom, kindness, respect, love, healing, forgiveness, truth, hope, beauty and trust are placed in a circle representing community. 

ARISE offers weekly support groups, one to one mentoring, retreats, practical support and creative arts workshops.  

ARISE is currently without a place to call home and the volunteers from the Toronto, Kitchener and Hamilton areas travel to meet with groups of women in various locations.  They are hoping to find a central location through which they can continue their ministry.  In the past 5 years the number of clients they work with has doubled.  Currently a fundraiser is being planned for April 2014 - a Toronto Art Exhibit which will feature photographic art taken by the women in the ARISE community.  All funds will go to continuing supportive programs for women.

Sharing seesion with the 7 women from ARISE

If you are interesting in booking a performance of "Our Story" for your congregation or school please contact Shauna Mayer at 416-540-5064.

More information and links can be found on the MCC Ontario Website.

http://mcco.ca/restorative/chaplaincy

Barkman's in the Philippines are safe!

Yesterday the Barkman's posted an update on their BLOG. They write: "Thank you for the prayers and concern regarding the terrible Typhoon that swept through the the Philippines Friday morning.  We, in Manila, have not been affected by the storm......as we read the news reports, we are seeing how terrible the devastation is in the central islands of the Philippines." 

Church workers in Manila are currently assembling a team of personnel to head out to the worst hit areas to start an assessment and help organize disaster response.  for more information please see the Barkman's BLOG.  Donations for relief efforts can be made through Mennonite Central Committee.  The Government of Canada is matching donations until December 9.   

Remembrance Day

On Remembrance Day our nation invites us to reflect on the wartime sacrifice of soldiers.  Many Anabaptist churches, as peace churches, choose to observe Peace Sunday as a way of recalling their identity as peace churches, as well as to offer a witness against war and violence.

MCC’s Peace Sunday Packet is intended to help churches plan a Peace Sunday worship service, as well as engage in peace action and witness.  It is intended for use on November 3 or 10, prior to Remembrance Day, or some other appropriate time.  This year’s packet -- Ambassadors of Reconciliation -- is inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.  Click here for more information.  

--from MCC Canada's website

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

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.