Editorial: MCC association doesn't mean we discount allegations
♪ In this issue, we are including an investigative article covering allegations made by former Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) staff about unjust terminations by MCC. It is unlike anything we normally print, and this may raise questions about our reason for including it.
Letter
Recently we were made aware of a rumour that the General Board was beginning a review process for evaluating conference affiliations with other agencies. Specifically mentioned to be at the centre of this discussion was Mennonite Central Committee. Upon reading the Conference Council minutes of June 29, 2024, the rumour was validated.
Workers ask constituency to hold MCC accountable
The EMC office and The Messenger received a letter from our missionaries Lesley and Marianne Fast pointing us to an investigative piece by Canadian Mennonite about allegations made by Fast’s daughter and son-in-law against MCC.
Ramones departs, Ginter to begin at EMC office
We are sad to announce that Betty Ramones, who served as EMC Church Leadership Assistant for the past year, is no longer working as part of the EMC staff team.
Building bridges, not barriers
June 28–30, 2024, EMCers from across Canada gathered in La Crete, Alta., to worship and learn.
The Messenger is an award-winning publication!
ON MAY 3, 2024, Canadian Christian Communicators Association (CCCA) announced their awards that names the best work of its member community for 2023. The Messenger (and EMC) won in six categories. Check them out!
Alive and well in Roseisle!
Roseisle EMC , Roseisle, Manitoba THE HOLY SPIRIT has definitely been at work in our midst. We had three baptisms in 2022, and three in 2023. We pray for more this summer. There has been much interest in the catechism classes that Pastor Fernando Hiebert hosts every Sunday during the winter months.
Remembering Gil Reimer
GILBERT A. REIMER was born in Steinbach on March 31, 1938, to Benjamin L. and Elizabeth Reimer. After visiting his brother Cliff and Diana Reimer, missionaries in Panama under Gospel Missionary Union (now Avant), he applied to GMU to serve in Panama.
Stories of God at Work Span Generations and Places
The eleven testimonies we heard on February 11, 2024, at our baptism and membership service were heart-stirring. The worship in song moved us in celebration and joy. The resounding amens as we accepted the men, women and youth publicly to our church family were deeply moving.
Looking Back at 2023, Forward to 2024
There is so much happening that it’s hard to know where to begin. Our year in 2023 began with prayer goals concerning outreach, baptisms, “set free” and more.
Picture Prayers Answered
Upon entering the foyer of Abbeydale Christian Fellowship on February 18, 2024, it was obvious that something special was in the air. Each of the ten various displays set up there represented and encouraged a specific area of needed prayer.
A Time of Change
IT HAS BEEN an exciting time at The Church of Living Water with all the recent changes.
Anabaptist Dictionary of the Bible Phase 1 Nears Completion
The first phase of the Anabaptist Dictionary of the Bible (ADB) is nearing completion. This free online project at the centre of biblical interpretation and Anabaptist thought is adding article 49 toward a goal to cover all 66 books in the Bible.
The Four White Pills — Discussion summary.
Discussion summary about “The Four White Pills” — Kid’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Biblical Integration, and Genuine Experience.
Why are some missionaries silent?
Let’s talk about missionaries who rarely report in The Messenger or through any of our other publications. If you read any EMC missions publications, you will see occasional blank spots—maybe just an initial, no photo, no mission agency listed, no home church. And no details of the work they are doing, only general information about what to pray for. What’s going on? What’s the risk?
Celebrating beginnings, acknowledging transitions
A recent and important event at Kleefeld EMC is the installation of a new lead pastor. Greg Klassen and his wife Daniella, along with their three children, have been worshipping with us for the past year while Greg was attending Providence Theological Seminary. Greg was officially commissioned on September 17, 2023, and we are anticipating new blessings under his leadership.
The Armchair Anabaptist launches second season on ‘community’
The Armchair Anabaptist is a podcast that explores theological issues from an Anabaptist perspective with the goal of positively changing the way we live.