Construction of the new Mennonite Brethren Ministry Centre in Winnipeg began mid-August. Unfortunately, wet weather and the subsequently soggy site slowed early progress. The project involves two buildings – a 20,000 square foot office building that will house Canadian Conference staff, the Centre for MB Studies, as well as Manitoba MB Conference staff, and a 6000 square foot building for Christian Press. Bockstael Construction Ltd. is the general contractor. Conference treasurer John Wiebe says the building is planned for summer 2005 occupancy.
Piles in place for the MB Ministry Centre, Winnipeg.
The executive directors of Conference ministries met for two days of planning in August. Executive director David Wiebe says discussions focussed on the recognition that churches should be at the centre of Conference ministries; corporately or as individual members, they fulfill the denominational mission statement “healthy growing churches reaching their worlds.” The effectiveness of each ministry will be assessed around this recognition, he says, and face-to-face communication with churches will be strengthened.
Rejoice!, a daily devotional produced by the Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren denominations can now be read online at the Canadian Conference website (follow the links under Resources). This guide, written by members of both denominations and edited by Byron Rempel Burkholder, continues to be available in quarterly booklets for $17 a year.
The Executive Board of the Canadian Conference, led by new moderator Willy Reimer, will have its first meeting October 29–30 in Abbotsford. One of the main agenda items will be to launch the strategic planning survey which will go to every Canadian MB church. It will be available for all members to participate.
Discipleship Ministries is searching for a new director of the Centre of MB Studies. The Centre collects and preserves historical records relating to the Conference, assisting individuals, congregations and the denomination with matters relating to the past, as well as promoting research and scholarship. DM director Cam Rowland says that besides the responsibility of administering the centre, the candidate should be able to “inspire people about our past for the future.” Discipleship Ministries is also pleased to announce that an editor has been appointed for the French periodical, Le Lien (see story this issue).
A DVD set containing a short recap of Gathering 2004 and the convention reports has been sent to all churches. DVDs of the Gathering seminars and speakers will be for sale through Kindred Productions.
