October 10thPastors “Fill Their Buckets” at Annual MCM Pastor's Retreat
On September 15, thirty-three pastors from across Mennonite Church Manitoba gathered for MCM’s annual Pastors’ Retreat at Camp Assiniboia. They were joined by seven MCM staff, including Co-Directors of Leadership Ministries Karen Schellenberg and Jeff Friesen who planned the event.
“Gathering for worship, fellowship, and play gives our spiritual leaders an opportunity to ‘fill their buckets’ so that they can minister to their local congregations in good and faithful ways,” Jeff says. “I found it inspiring to see our pastors loading up a trailer of wood for Camp Morgan and Camp Marcedes [in support of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women], joining together in song, and serving each other communion.”
“Perhaps the best part of the day for me,” Karen adds, “was observing pastors visiting with each other. I noted little groups of two or three, standing or sitting together, catching up, planning, caring. It seems more and more that our role is to bring pastors together, so that they can in turn bring their congregations together.”
Janessa Nayler-Giesbrecht (Jubilee) attended her first Pastors’ Retreat as a new pastor to MCM. “Among the highlights were the friendly faces both familiar and new, helpful resourcing and discussion, and plenty of laughter.” She goes on: “Perhaps the most meaningful time for me was communion at the end. During that time I was reminded of the love and gracious acceptance of Jesus, inviting us all to the table of the Lord, as I was invited to this new table at MCM.”
Mel Letkeman is at the other end of the spectrum, retiring this winter after many years of faithful ministry with Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach. “The event was encouraging because I saw younger pastors enjoying worship, gathering, and the celebration of God and God’s work. As I say good-bye, it’s good to know that what God is doing will continue next year, the year after that, and all years after that as ‘youngers’ take the place of us ‘olders.’”
We give thanks to God for our pastors! Look for ways to encourage your pastor(s): send an encouraging note, bake them a plate of goodies, or find another practical way to care for them. Pray also for Karen and Jeff as they serve both our pastors and our congregations as they relate to their pastors. Your gifts toward MCM support this vital work, and are very much appreciated!