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Assembly 2023
March 3 - March 4
$60
The annual Assembly of Churches has been traditionally held over the course of two days with workshops on Friday, a worship service in the evening and the AGM or business on Saturday. This year we have changed the format by integrating the worship service into our Saturday Assembly. By doing this, we hope to foster a time steeped in connection through worship, communion and meaningful stories.
Recognizing that there are continuing dynamics rippling from the pandemic, we are committed to participating in a face-to-face environment as much as possible. We believe that our opportunity to represent our community and engage with others is enhanced when we occupy the same space physically. For participation and voting, delegates need to be present in Winkler. *One exception is for delegates from our three northern churches.
Workshops will continue to be held on Friday.
Assembly Schedule
Friday
1:00 pm – Doors & Registration Open
1:30 – 2:45 pm – Workshop Slot #1
2:45 – 3:45 pm – Food, Fellowship & Matt Falk
3:45 pm – Workshop Slot #2
4:45/5 pm – Doors Close
Saturday
8:30 am – Doors & Registration Open
9:00 – 12:30 pm – Assembly
12:30 – 1:30 – Lunch Together
1:30 – 4:30 pm – Assembly
Delegates
Delegates are people appointed by their church leadership who have been chosen to represent the church as a whole. If you are unsure if this is you, please connect with your church leadership. All are welcome to attend the service and AGM, but the distinction is important. For your reference, we have provided the MBCM’s Constitution Article 6, Section 2 below:
Congregations in good standing shall be represented at Assemblies of Congregations of the Manitoba Conference by their leader or pastor and one (I) delegate for every fifteen (15) members or a fraction. Only delegates shall have voting privileges.
All delegates shall be in good standing with their local member congregation and shall have been authorized by it to be one of its representatives.
The Executive may invite any person to participate in deliberations at any Assembly of Congregations.
Pray with Us
As you prepare for Assembly, please join us in prayer. Pray that the Holy Spirit would inspire our discernment. Pray that we would remain rooted in God’s word. Pray that we will participate as people of Jesus. Pray that our work would find harmony with God’s mission to restore all things to himself.
We have provided a prayer guide below that you are welcome to use. Thank you.
FRIDAY WORKSHOPS
Unless otherwise indicated in the workshop description, all workshops are being held in person at Winkler MB Church on Friday, March 3rd.
1:30 - 2:45 pm
Choose from one of the following three workshops:
- Our MB Theological DNA and the Gospel
- Post Pandemic Impacts Youth Panel
- Shepherding the Flock Toward Multiplication
3:45 - 5:00 pm
- Church and Conference, What’s the Difference?
JOIN US BETWEEN WORKSHOPS FOR FOOD, FELLOWSHIP AND A LITTLE LAUGHTER!
Come together for a hearty snack, locally brewed coffee (or tea if you prefer) and a bit of fun with Matt Falk, local Manitoban comedian, from 2:45-3:45 pm on Friday. Matt will be performing for 30 minutes during our hour-long break.
We’ll connect over shared laughter, so please bring your smile as we enjoy each other’s company and some good food.
A church family’s decisions about the nature of God, Scripture, and the gospel will inevitably shape virtually everything else. This workshop will explore the various options for what different church families have highlighted in their definition of the gospel—and provide a rationale for which one is most faithful to our own MB theological DNA.
Led by Ken Esau, National Faith & Life Director
Navigating Post Pandemic Sociological Impacts on Youth
Panel Discussion
The pandemic has affected youth, impacting engagement, their relationships and changing the landscape of discipleship. This workshop will engage with this topic through youth leader panelists from around the province focusing on how we have navigated disciple making through and following the pandemic. Expect to get engaged and share your challenges and insights.
Led by Kara Friesen, former Youth Leader at Faithworks for 18 years, currently working at CCMBC.
Discipleship Challenges and Opportunities – Shepherding the flock toward multiplication and cross-cultural connections
We are seeing multiplying movements grow at exponential rates in many global contexts, where disciples are making disciples, who are making disciples. This is the goal of discipleship, yet we see so little of it here in North America and in many other parts of the world. This workshop will explore the challenges and opportunities experienced by local pastors in light of this topic.
Led by Bruce Enns, Multiply General Director & Lloyd Letkeman – Multiply Regional Mobilizer in Central Canada
The difference between the institutional relationships that MBCM churches share with each other and ministry within an MBCM church is signficant. Every context is unique, your church is uniquely shaped, gifted and resourced to accomplish the mission God has given you. This workshop will open this conversation in two ways. Firstly, how do we understand the relationship that churches have with each other? Secondly, churches are always negotiating their own contexts. How are our churches equipped and prepared for this challenging task?
Led by Jason Dyck, MBCM Director of Church Ministries.
MBCM REPORTS
The reports in this section are from the board & staff of MBCM as well as our 2022 Assembly Minutes and Financial Statements. PDF downloads are available.
Mennonite Disaster
Staying the Night in Winkler
We are aware that there is a hockey tournament happening in town over the Assembly weekend, but hotel rooms are still available. There are several hotels available – below we have listed two. There will also be a number of billets available in Winkler and Morden. If you are interested in this option, please contact Amanda at amanda@mbcm.ca.