January 26th

MCM Welcomes Melanie Neufeld as Director of Mission Engagement

Winnipeg, MB. January 26, 2022 – Mennonite Church Manitoba (MCM) is pleased to announce that Melanie Neufeld has been hired as Director of Mission Engagement. She will begin in her role March 1.

The position is a new one, bringing together two part-time positions: the Mission role formerly filled by Dorothy Fontaine (now Director of Camps with Meaning), and a Church Engagement role which has been part of MCM planning since 2017.

“We are excited to be able to meet these two needs among us as a regional church,” says MCM Executive Minister Michael Pahl. “Churches have been looking for additional support for their local outreach efforts beyond what we’ve been able to provide, and we’ve been needing someone to help connect congregations and individuals more effectively into the work we do together as MCM. We’re thrilled that Melanie will be stepping into this vital role.”

Melanie has served as Pastor of Community Ministry with Seattle Mennonite Church since 2007. During that time she oversaw the development of a neighbourhood response to homelessness, helping people get off the street and into needed housing. Through her leadership and the support of other faith communities, a non-profit organization was established called Lake City Partners conducting street outreach as well as operating a shelter and day center.

“I believe in the transformative nature of the church’s ability to contribute to community change,” Melanie affirms. “I am excited about being an encouragement and look forward to being a witness to what God is doing in Manitoba.”

Michael notes that Melanie also has the skills necessary to do the work of church engagement. “It became clear through the interview process that Melanie is a relationship-builder. She has the proven ability to bring people together around a common cause and to encourage the sharing of resources toward that cause.”

Although Melanie grew up in Ontario, she visited Manitoba many times to be with her paternal grandparents in Gretna. She later moved to Manitoba as a young adult to attend Canadian Mennonite Bible College (grad 1995), now Canadian Mennonite University. Most transformative was her service internship with Native Ministries (now Indigenous-Settler Relations) at Matheson Island and Pine Dock. Her passion for working with vulnerable populations developed as volunteer coordinator at Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba, a local voluntary service position with Mennonite Central Committee.

Melanie has graduate degrees in Social Work and Divinity, a dual degree program of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Joy is found in her practice of yoga, being in nature, and the nurture of a spiritual direction group. Melanie is married to Jonathan Neufeld and they have a 20-year old daughter.

Mennonite Church Manitoba is a covenant community of 38 congregations and is a member of Mennonite Church Canada.

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For more information contact:

Michael Pahl, Executive Minister, Mennonite Church Manitoba
204-896-1616 or mpahl@mennochurch.mb.ca

or

Darryl Neustaedter Barg
Director of Communications, Mennonite Church Manitoba
204-896-1616 or dnbarg@mennochurch.mb.ca