This summer, our church family will celebrate being a covenant people at Mennonite Church Canada’s Assembly 2016, God-Faith-People in downtown Saskatoon from July 6 to 10.
Assembly 2016 consists of two programs: the general assembly and another for youth, with several opportunities for integration between the two. Both are shaped around a paraphrased text from Jeremiah 31:33: “This is the covenant . . . I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Keynote speakers for the general assembly include Safwat Marzouk, assistant professor of Old Testament at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind., and Willard Metzger, MC Canada’s executive director. Youth Assembly keynote speakers are Chris Lenshyn, associate pastor for youth and young adults at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Mission, B.C., and Reece Friesen, a pastor at Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C., and the graphic artist who created Pax Avalon, a graphic novel about the struggle to bring peace and order to our lives.
This year, attendees can choose up to seven seminars from a selection of almost 50. Learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery and how it still impacts Canada’s Indigenous Peoples today, or discover the biblical lines of connection between creation care and faith. Hear stories from Witness workers about the church at work in the world, or gain deeper insight into the relationship between young adults and the church. Seminars will also discuss aspects of the concluding reports from the Being a Faithful Church process and the Future Directions Task Force in preparation for Assembly 2016 resolutions.
Youth Assembly planners have worked hard at creating a balance between youth-only and intergenerational activities. There will be shared, as well as youth-specific, seminars, worship services and activities. (See “Youth invited to join #thecovenantcrew.”)
Between plenary sessions and seminars, attendees can explore the CommonWord Book and Resource Centre kiosk and its selection of resources that comprise the largest Anabaptist-themed collection in Canada. There will also be a juried art exhibit pulled together specifically for this event. Visit the Prayer Room, or have coffee with friends you haven’t seen in a while.
“It’s going to be a fabulous event,” says Coreena Stewart, MC Canada’s chief administrative officer and Assembly 2016 coordinator. “We’re thrilled with the venue, our line-up of speakers and seminars, and we are looking forward to hosting our Mennonite Church Canada family in Saskatoon this summer.”
God-Faith-People takes place at TCU Place, Saskatoon’s arts and convention centre. Located in downtown Saskatoon, TCU Place promises spacious rooms and facilities, and is close to many tourist attractions and services.
To learn more and register, visit bit.ly/saskatoon2016 before the closing date of June 15, 2016.
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