At LMC
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. All are invited to wear orange to church in commemoration. Reconciliation is an act of peacemaking in our time, but it can be difficult to know how to start. Here are some resources for learning and action:
– Look into the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action for churches (#48, 49, 58, 59, 60, 61). You can also read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples mentioned in Call #48.
– Read a reflection on Indigenous-Mennonite encounters and relationships from MCC Saskatchewan’s Randy Klassen, or watch Reserve 107, a short documentary about reconciliation between Mennonites, Lutherans, and the Young Chippewayan Band in Saskatchewan.
– Consider donating to the Pakitinâsowin Reciprocity Fund, which provides grants to small Indigenous non-profits and initiatives.
– Check out our church library for books like The Land is Not Empty (Sarah Augustine), We Are All Treaty People (Roger Epp), Unsettling the Word (ed. Steve Heinrichs), or the Intotemak special editions on Truth and Reconciliation. For kids, check out We Are Water Protectors (Carole Lindstrom).
Lendrum Piecemakers has started up again! Do you like sewing, spending time with friends, and making a difference? Come join the quilting team on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 to make comforters for MCC and enjoy fellowship with each other. No sewing experience necessary—if you can tie knots, we can use your help!
Where are you nourished? Who (or what) feeds your body, mind, and soul? Now that summer is over, join us as we return to our monthly Loaves and Fishes gathering. Everyone is welcome, wanted, and planned for!
Saturdays are busy at the church building, so this month we’ll gather in Kevin and Sherri’s backyard, Saturday, September 30 at 4:00 pm, with plans to eat at 5. Please bring something to share: food, a teaching you’ve received, a word of encouragement for others, or even just your presence. Also, we have lots of outdoor chairs, but if you can please bring your own lawn chairs, just in case. We trust that God will provide what is needed.
Welcome to the 2023/2024 program of Adult Christian Education at Lendrum Mennonite Church! This ten-month schedule is presented after the Worship Service on most Sundays, getting underway at 11:15 and winding up at noon. Here is a look at our upcoming sessions:
Sunday, Oct. 1—Children’s Christian Education at LMC: This week, Sarah R, our Children’s Christian Education Coordinator, brings us a session on what’s going on in the sanctuary basement each week! What are we doing? What are we learning? How do we help create community at church for kids?
Sunday, Oct. 8—Thanksgiving Sunday: There will be no Christian Education session on Thanksgiving Sunday. Instead, join us for lunch following the worship service! If you are coming to lunch, please contact the office to give us a sense of numbers to prepare for.
Sunday, Oct. 15—Membership 1: Adrienne W. and Doug Z. lead us through a discussion of what church membership means for us.
LMC’s Youth Group meets on Friday evenings, and on the 4th Friday of the month, they volunteer with PrayerWorks at St. Faith’s Anglican Church. For more information about upcoming youth events, or to be added to the youth group mailing list, please contact the office.
Please check your weekly bulletin for prayer requests and other church family news.
In the community
Mennonite Central Committee
Buckets of Thanks is a way to express your gratitude at thanksgiving by paying it forward with generosity. Each Bucket of Thanks (also known as a relief kit or relief bucket) is a five-gallon pail that’s filled with essential hygiene items and sent to people and families in need around the world. Learn more at mcc.org/get-involved/fundraiser/buckets.
Circles of Support and Accountability Program is in need of volunteers to work with people who have left prison and are reintegrating into society. If you’re interested in helping and can commit 1-2 hours per week, please contact CoSA Coordinator Ken Grahlman at kengrahlman@mccab.ca.
In Tune: Finding Harmony in Polarized Communities Save the date! On November 3 & 4, join MCC Alberta for a weekend to engage in conversations around the polarization we are feeling in our congregations and communities. Friday night’s fundraising event features Tareq Haddad, CEO of Peace by Chocolate! Learn more and register here.
Help us promote peace amid polarity with MCC Alberta’s Live In Harmony T-Shirt Design Contest! The winner’s t-shirt will be available at an upcoming conference. Visit Live in Harmony T-shirt Design Contest | Mennonite Central Committee (mcc.org) to enter.
There are still over 121 acres available to sponsor through Grow Hope this year! Visit Grow Hope | Mennonite Central Committee (mcc.org) to learn how you can help give security and hope to people suffering from hunger.
Canadian Mennonite University
Xplore – Xplore offers life-long learning courses that investigate dimensions of the Christian faith, our world, and life in it—all without assignments or exams! Join one or more of our offered courses (in-person or online) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. Courses will begin on October 3 and 4. Learn more and register here.
J.J. Thiessen Lecture – You are invited to hear Dr. Willie James Jennings of Yale Divinity School present his talk entitled, Gathering the pieces that remain: Weaving life together from the fragments of faith, race, and land. October 27 at 7:00 PM in Marpeck Commons or via livestream. Visit the CMU website for details and livestream.
A Time of Reckoning: Telling the CMU Story – Join a two-day symposium on October 27 and 28. Featuring short reflections and dialogue with CMU faculty, alumni, and church voices, participants will investigate what CMU is today and where it’s going in light of its mission. More details and free registration here.
Bridge Building Ministries
Soup and Bannock Lunches. Soup and Bannock Friday noon lunches resume Friday October 13 at Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society in the gym. All community members are welcome to join. It is an opportunity to bring Indigenous and settler people together, to break bread together and get to know each others’ stories.
A Common Word Interfaith Dialogue. The Annual Christian-Muslim ACWAB (A Common Word Alberta) interfaith dialogue is happening Saturday October 28. Learn more and register here.
The King’s University
Silent Auction & Dessert Reception. Join us for an evening of desserts, drinks, silent auction, and live ambient music as we fundraise for student scholarships, Saturday, October 14, 7:00 pm at Supreme Steel.
Palestine-Israel Network
The Palestine-Israel Network has organized a tour bringing Dr. And Rev Munther Isaac to Alberta. Munther is a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem Palestine. He pastors a Lutheran Church and is Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College. First Mennonite Church has agreed to host him Sunday morning, Oct. 15, with worship starting at 10:45. We consider this an opportunity for our Inter-Mennonite community to gather and learn from a fellow Christian who has a perspective to share about the Israel-Palestine situation. He also has two other speaking engagements in Alberta:
Downey Lectures (Oct. 10 & 11, 7:30 pm)
Ambrose University Academic Building
The Bible and the Land
Bible, Empire, and the Holy Land
A Theology of Peace and Justice: A Palestinian Perspective (Oct. 12, 7:00 pm)
The King’s University, the Micah Centre
Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers
You are invited to EMCN’s RISE awards!
Date: Friday, October 13, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: Edmonton Convention Centre, 9797 Jasper Ave NW, Edmonton
Attire: Semi-formal, Cultural | Look your Best
RISE stands for Recognizing Immigrant Success in Edmonton. It is a signature event celebrating equity, diversity, and inclusion in our great city. In addition to the award nominees, it is attended by representatives from all orders of government, leaders of industry and civil society, and engaged community members in an atmosphere that fosters allyship with newcomers and immigrants in Edmonton.
We will be recognizing the accomplishments of individuals and businesses who are building stronger and more equitable communities. The RISE Awards will inspire you with award presentations to distinguished community members in an atmosphere enriched with culture, musical performances, an intercultural dinner buffet, and a lively dance to close out the party.
Learn more and buy tickets here.
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