June 24th

MCA Representative to Joint Council

Over thirty years ago, I moved to Calgary to teach at Menno Simons Christian School. I moved here from a teaching job in Mississauga and was often asked for a comparison of western and eastern Canada: which did I like better?   My answer was that I have family and friends, of whom I am very fond, in both the west and the east.  One of the aspects that excites me greatly about serving as Alberta Representative to Mennonite Church Canada's Joint Council is the opportunity to be part of a group that brings together all parts of Canada, east west south north.  As a group, we strive to discern the mission of the church and to facilitate its implementation.

As you might imagine, discussions with a group that has such a wide range of representation is not always easy or cohesive.   Numerous discussions involve representing as many viewpoints as possible from the regions in which we each live.  Communication that is open and respectful of the variety of people within the faithful church is vital.   With openness to God and to each other, commonalities do emerge over the course of the meetings.   Together, on Joint Council, we hope to align our visioning and goals with God's movement of reconciliation locally and worldwide.

The structure of Mennonite Church Canada is based on congregations: agenda setting at the national level is to come from the ideas and needs of the congregations in each of the regions.  When the opportunity arises for congregants to express viewpoints, through questionnaires or in discussions at meetings or other gatherings, please do consider contributing.  While direction setting is done as a group, the wisdom of the individual has great merit in enhancing the whole.  I am pleased to be representing this wonderful province, Alberta, on the Joint Council of Mennonite Church Canada.

Margaret Kruger-Harder
MCA Representative to Joint Council