September 2nd

Pastoral Letter - A Consequential Moment Part II

Download a .pdf version of this letter here.

Dear congregations of Mennonite Church Manitoba,

We are in a consequential moment. This is a time of tremendous political upheaval, leading to considerable economic and social turmoil. This is a time for courage in the way of Jesus.

That is how I began a letter to you more than 18 months ago—and that letter continues to have profound relevance for us today (read it here). This is still a time of tremendous political upheaval, leading to considerable economic and social turmoil. This is still a time for courage in the way of Jesus.

However, that “courage in the way of Jesus” comes with a cost. Living in continuous political upheaval and economic and social turmoil takes a toll on all of us. Especially when there is no apparent end in sight.

And so in this letter I am calling us to earnest prayer.

Pray for those most impacted by this upheaval and turmoil, those most vulnerable to harm in these days, in our communities, across our country, and around the world. Pray for their protection, for their provision, for daily strength, for perseverance.

Pray for each other. We are all living with ambient anxiety, a constant, low-level (and sometimes high-level) apprehension about what is happening in the world, what might happen in the future. Pray for peace in the world, and in our hearts and minds.

Pray for our political leaders. We are called to this, whether we agree with their actions or not (1 Tim 2:1-4). Pray for wisdom for them, for courage to do the right thing in the midst of tremendous pressures. Pray that their decisions would increasingly align with God’s reign of “justice, peace, and joy” (Rom 14:17).

And in this letter I am calling us to mutual care.

Care for one another. Check in with each other, especially those among us most susceptible to anxiety and depression, and those among us most directly affected by the tariffs and troubles of these times.

Care for those around us. Kind words, a gentle demeanour, and simple compassion are desperately needed in these days—just as much as strong-willed advocacy and action on behalf of those most vulnerable to harm.

Earnest prayer and mutual care. I invite you to join me in these acts of resistance to the prevailing spirit of our age.

And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7).

Yours in Christ,

Michael Pahl
Executive Minister, Mennonite Church Manitoba