April 26thA Taste of MCA!
An enthusiastic crowd of 130 MCA friends gathered at Bergthal Mennonite Church, Saturday, April 22 for an afternoon of food, worship, fellowship, and visiting.
Food representing 13 countries filled tables to overflowing. Dishes included: borsht, platz, corn soup, chicken biryani, pancit, injera, spicy lamb, Italian wedding antipasto, frijoles charros, picadillo, vareneki, farmer sausage, Swiss muesli, baklava, and much more….
Musical offerings were by Pastor Mezgebu Tucho and family from Bethel International Church (Oromo), the Khushi Khalid family from Calgary First Mennonite (Urdu), the Calgary Chin Christian Church choir (Falam), and a video from the Edmonton Christian Life Community Church (Mandarin). Plus the whole group joined host Suzanne Gross and musicians Char Wiens, rob peters, and Darrell Krahn singing favourites such as Shout to the Lord, Strangers No More, We are One in the Spirit, and The Holy Spirit will come Down. Scripture passages were read in English, German, Oromo, Spanish, and Urdu, and praying was done in both English and Falam. A truly around the world experience.
Table conversation, a way to get to know each other, was steered by questions such as “tell something about how you played as a child” and “tell a story about a time when you were generous.”
Organizers are grateful for all who contributed and the good spirit among us. The Holy Spirit truly did come down!
Quotes:
Pastor Mezgebu “We had a wonderful time!”
Boei Sampok, a 14 year old from Calgary Chin Christian Church, came with about 30 from his church. He found the food good “Very cultural and diverse.”
Birgitt Thiessen (Calgary First Mennonite) said she really enjoyed the event. "The food was great, and the program was more than I expected. I would definitely attend again!"
Gladys Heidebrecht (Foothills) "I was surprised at the great turnout; the variety of churches represented; the diversity of food to sample; singing together; and visiting with friends & family at our table. Thanks to MCA for inviting us to gather in this way! "
Darrell Krahn, drummer (Foothills) "It was an unexpected pleasure to be able to play in front of so many people. What a blessing! I truly felt the spirit move with many cultures represented."
Pastor Bill Christieson (Foothills) “The gym at Bergthal was filled with a wonderful spirit of unity and curiosity. There was compelling joy in being together for the Taste of MCA. The array of “Mennonite” food included vareniki and sausage, Mexican soup, Filipino pancit, Ethiopian injera and stews, Cauliflower curry, baklava, sweet rice cakes and so much more. The singing was equally diverse and amazing. People's hearts and stomachs were filled. “
Photos and Videos