A) Membership:

6 members

B) Tasks:

Mission:

Plan and develop in consultation with the Ministry Team a vigorous program of evangelism, witness and visitation

Service:

Coordinate and implement a service ministry within the congregation. Work with the many Mennonite and community agencies (e.g., MCC, MDS, WMSC, Mennonite Aid Union, etc)

Annual Report

2008/09

The Mission and Service Committee, on behalf of WNMC, responds to mission requests as they come in -- both from within and from outside the congregation. The committee also has received a mandate from the congregation to be proactive in the seeking out of mission initiatives. With the trust of the congregation, the committee (or an arm of the committee) has taken on the following this past year:

• Support was provided to Sunnydale, Out of the Cold, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite World Conference, House of Friendship, Shalom Counselling, Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support and Canadian Bible Society. This support is a part of our regular budgeted giving as a congregation.
• Each year, the Mission and Service Committee is giving a portion of money to donate to various projects as determined by the committee. This, these projects included:
  • Mennonite Central Committee - in response to their "now more than ever" campaign
  • Menno Homes for a project with Mexican Mennonites
  • Support for Mary's Place (A Kitchener shelter for homeless women)
  • Food bank of Waterloo Region
  • House of Friendship
  • Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support
• Financial support for Palmer Becker as he traveled to the Middle East on behalf of Mennonite Church Canada Witness.
• Financial support for Meserte Kristos College (MKC) in Ethiopia.
• Relationship building and financial support to the Congolese Mennonite Women Theologians. Primary leadership in this area is handled by the Congo Focus Group. We are hoping that the upcoming meeting in Paraguay between representatives from WNMC and Congolese women theologians will be a fruitful time in nurturing this relationship.
• Short term support to Leah Martin (who is going to Paraguay for Mennonite World Conference) and Amanda Snyder (who went to Guatemala with Rockway Mennonite Collegiate).
• Occasional Moment in Mission spots during worship services.
• Most recently, we have received an urgent request from Mennonite Central Committee to consider sponsoring Palestinian refugees caught at the border of Syria and Iraq. The committee is soliciting feedback from the congregation on this venture with an anticipated decision at the September congregational meeting.
• Two small groups within the congregation provide prayer support to Will & Ana Loewen (Korea) as well as to Dan and Yvonne Nighswander (South Africa). The Nighswander's have finished their time in South Africa and so this relationship has come to an end. The Loewen's will also be returning soon.
• The committee coordinated the WNMC Sausage-on-a-Bun event at the Relief Sale.
• In response to the congregation's mandate to invite missionally-focused above budget giving, we partnered with the Fellowship Committee to raise money for the Meserte Kristos College during and following the international dinner. We also accepted above budget offerings for the work of Mennonite Central committee in Uganda, during a screening of the film *Bending Spears* held at Waterloo North Mennonite Church.
• We plan to refresh the Mission and Service bulletin boards in order to highlight various initiatives in the coming year.