John Reimer Appointed MCEC Operations Director

MCEC is pleased to announce the appointment of John Reimer as MCEC Operations Director. 

“I have always tried to live my life in service to others,” says John Reimer, newly appointed MCEC Operations Director. “Throughout my life I have been blessed with holding positions of management that were challenging and have also taught me new skills which I now bring to MCEC.” 

International Witness Support Networks: A Pastoral Reflection

International Witness Sunday reminds us that ours is a global church and gives us an opportunity to celebrate the work God is doing around the world.

MCEC Seeks a Regional Ministry Associate

MCEC seeks an experienced ministering person to serve as Regional Ministry Associate.

In this role, you will connect with pastors using a variety of mediums to hear from them regarding their lives and ministry. You will provide spiritual counsel to pastors and provide a ministry of pastoral presence within MCEC assigned Clusters. You will invest in and explore ways to support pastors in MCEC. This is a part time, .25 FTE, position with a flexible starting date.

Email your cover letter and Ministerial Leadership Information (MLI) to pastoraltransitions@mcec.ca. Applications will be accepted until November 3, 2021 or until this position is filled; applications will be reviewed upon receipt.

Meet Steven -- our Church Engagement Minister

Whatever your God-given giftings and/or passions are, there is a place for you in the body that only you can fill. It is my goal to work to connect those pieces.

A message from Mennonite Church Canada’s executive ministers:

We are responding to inquiries from constituents regarding religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccines. For a religious exemption to be granted, rationale for exemption must be clearly indicated within our sacred texts or confessional statements.   

We wish to clarify that there is nothing in the Bible, in our historic confessions of faith, in our theology or in our ecclesiology that justifies granting a religious exemption from vaccinations against COVID-19.

We have heard concerns from some members of our constituency regarding the vaccines. However, we do not believe these concerns justify an exemption from COVID-19 vaccinations on religious grounds from within a Mennonite faith tradition.

From the earliest biblical writings, in the words of Jesus Christ and in ecclesial writings since Jesus’ ascension, the command to love God and love our neighbour is paramount. Vaccinations allow us to live out this command. Not only do they reduce the severity of symptoms for those who become infected with COVID-19, but they reduce the risk of spreading the virus to those around us. We also note that individuals should make personal health care decisions based on advice given by their doctors.

We pray for unity among us in the Spirit of Christ, who calls us into this life of love, especially for our most vulnerable neighbours.

Doug Klassen, Mennonite Church Canada
Garry Janzen, Mennonite Church British Columbia
Tim Wiebe-Neufeld, Mennonite Church Alberta
Ryan Siemens, Mennonite Church Saskatchewan
Michael Pahl, Mennonite Church Manitoba
Leah Reesor-Keller, Mennonite Church Eastern Canada