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Danforth Mennonite Church is happy to introduce you to our latest outreach initiative: a Mennonite Voluntary Service unit. This journey, we as a congregation have been on, has led thru' numerous unexpected twists and turns; but we have come to a decision to undertake this initiative with great expectation. Following is for the record and your interest.
How did we come to this point? The Process "Annual Meeting suggests task force explore MVS possibilities for Danforth" "MVS gets the GREEN LIGHT" "New Concerns Regarding Our MVS Initiative""Budget crisis prompts major cuts""During the Leadership Assembly in March, Mennonite Church Canada General Board and Councils had to cut 2 million from the current budget, to better reflect last years revenues" "Christian Service Ministries Program to be eliminated entirely and to take effect by April 10th 2003" "Danforth Mennonite
proceeds with MVS unit Reprinted
from the "Canadian Mennonite"
June 2, 2003 Volume 7, Number 11 Danforth
Mennonite proceeds with MVS unit Dalton Jantzi, MVS committee chair said,
"Our committee came to that meeting with our books open, with no
foregone conclusions. There were no cheerleaders, no pushing of agendas.
"It was the kind of climate which set the tone for dialogue that
was conducive to reaching a near consensus. My comment to Jim Wert, chair
of our church council who walked us through this process was, "This
has felt like decision-making at its best. It felt as though we were walking
on sacred ground." The church treasurer presented the meeting with
a budget picture of a unit with four occupant volunteers.The group also
consulted with former members of the Hamilton MVS committee. They carefully considered challenges of
missing support services such as promotion, applicant screening, crises
management, conflict resolution, ongoing administrative support, orientations,
and retreats-all services formerly provided by MC Canada program staff.
To overcome some of these obstacles, they will place a greater emphasis
on regional collaboration with other congregations who also host units
(Hamilton and Montreal), or international collaboration (perhaps a connection
to MVS USA). They also noted that there would be financial challenges
with fewer than four volunteers. Finally, participants asked themselves
if they have the energy to start and sustain an MVS unit. In the end they
decided that "Good ideas often They have committed to making the unit
work for two years: much of the preparation was completed, applicants
were interested in coming to Toronto, and work placements had already
been arranged. A two year commitment would allow time to see what new
structures or administrative arrangements might result. More than one
person noted ''... a sense of the work of the Spirit in this meeting in
a way that has not been experienced quite like this in some time,"
said Zehr. "We could honestly say that it seemed good to the Spirit
and to us to continue with setting up a unit with recognition that even
after our careful consideration there remain concerns and questions, and
so it is with a leap of faith that we continue." One can't plan for
exactly how God will work thru' this situation, she added. One sign of hope appeared in the form
of committee volunteers; a call for two more persons from the conger gation
resulted in four willing responses. Many current members have experienced
voluntary service through MVS and Mennonite Central Committee. Zehr said,
"We see it as an important investment in the young adults of the
Mennonite Church. In the past many MVSers have become our current church
leaders. The congregation is hoping and praying that this commitment will
bring about a new spirit of life and energy in their congregation. "We do not know what the new structure
or umbrella for MVS will look like but many of us are quite confident
that something new will evolve and ultimately will be necessary"
Danforth is striving to enhance connections with their local community
through the work placements MVSers will do and through the household and
the lifestyle commitments the members of the household will make. "Danforth
MVS Committee presents the ultimate
Summary The agenda for this meeting had four main items: sharing of information, a time of solitude and prayer, listening to one another, and discernment of where to go from here. Sharing of Information Conference
Call
April 4th, 2003 - 4:30 The following is a synopsis of a 90 minute tele-conference
call, coordinated by the Winnipeg MVS office on Friday, April 4, 2003.
Shannon, Tim and Dalton were the Toronto participants. Further Information from Tele-Conference (April 4, 2003) Now until January 31, 2004: Wild Card: Brad: MCCan is only making guarantees until
Jan/04, but local units are Overview of Current Administration a) Administration - one visit per year (used
to do two) b) Sharing Fund - essential to be as financially
viable as possible in c) Recruitment/Promotion d) Orientations - group orientations not
offered this year e) Retreats - no official involvement with
bi-national retreats f) HR Process - Brad will receive files,
process, and do interviews g) Visas - will still be done through MC Can h) Insurance - liability and contents insurance
for units is paid until Details
of Congregational Meeting April 30th, 2003 (to
follow) Summary of Congregational Meeting April 30th, 2003 1. The mood of the meeting could
be described as open, honest and cautiously hopeful. There was careful
and respectful sharing and listening that allowed each person present
at the meeting to voice their concerns and hopes about starting an MVS
program despite the cuts from Mennonite Church Canada. Reprinted from the "Canadian Mennonite" June 2, 2003 Volume 7, Number 11 Danforth
Mennonite proceeds with MVS unit Dalton Jantzi, MVS committee chair said,
"Our committee came to that meeting with our books open, with no
foregone conclusions. There were no cheerleaders, no pushing of agendas.
"It was the kind of climate which set the tone for dialogue that
was conducive to reaching a near consensus. My comment to Jim Wert, chair
of our church council who walked us through this process was, "This
has felt like decision-making at its best. It felt as though we were walking
on sacred ground." The church treasurer presented the meeting with
a budget picture of a unit with four occupant volunteers.The group also
consulted with former members of the Hamilton MVS committee. They carefully considered challenges of
missing support services such as promotion, applicant screening, crises
management, conflict resolution, ongoing administrative support, orientations,
and retreats-all services formerly provided by MC Canada program staff.
To overcome some of these obstacles, they will place a greater emphasis
on regional collaboration with other congregations who also host units
(Hamilton and Montreal), or international collaboration (perhaps a connection
to MVS USA). They also noted that there would be financial challenges
with fewer than four volunteers. Finally, participants asked themselves
if they have the energy to start and sustain an MVS unit. In the end they
decided that "Good ideas often They have committed to making the unit
work for two years: much of the preparation was completed, applicants
were interested in coming to Toronto, and work placements had already
been arranged. A two year commitment would allow time to see what new
structures or administrative arrangements might result. More than one
person noted ''... a sense of the work of the Spirit in this meeting in
a way that has not been experienced quite like this in some time,"
said Zehr. "We could honestly say that it seemed good to the Spirit
and to us to continue with setting up a unit with recognition that even
after our careful consideration there remain concerns and questions, and
so it is with a leap of faith that we continue." One can't plan for
exactly how God will work thru' this situation, she added. One sign of hope appeared in the form
of committee volunteers; a call for two more persons from the conger gation
resulted in four willing responses. Many current members have experienced
voluntary service through MVS and Mennonite Central Committee. Zehr said,
"We see it as an important investment in the young adults of the
Mennonite Church. In the past many MVSers have become our current church
leaders. The congregation is hoping and praying that this commitment will
bring about a new spirit of life and energy in their congregation. "We do not know what the new structure
or umbrella for MVS will look like but many of us are quite confident
that something new will evolve and ultimately will be necessary"
Danforth is striving to enhance connections with their local community
through the work placements MVSers will do and through the household and
the lifestyle commitments the members of the household will make. Your thoughts and prayers will be appreciated as we proceed with this venture of "FAITH" For further information please |
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