Grace Peace Group
We'd love to hear from you. You are welcome to contact Laur at [email protected] for all things Grace Mennonite about Peace. And Kit at [email protected] for things about Mennonite Action. We take the Teachings of Jesus very seriously and gratefully.
In August and September…
Grace Peace Group – Following Jesus; Pursuing Peace
In August and September…
Date Squares (Thank you Anita S) and Peace Letters distributed to:
• 8 MPs
• 8 MPPs
• Mayor of St. Catharines
• 12 City Councillors
Date Treats and Peace Letters distributed to:
• Niagara Regional Chair
• 12 elected mayors from Niagara's area municipalities
• 19 elected representatives from Niagara's area municipalities
TOTAL: 60!
In August and September…
Date Squares (Thank you Anita S) and Peace Letters distributed to:
• 8 MPs
• 8 MPPs
• Mayor of St. Catharines
• 12 City Councillors
Date Treats and Peace Letters distributed to:
• Niagara Regional Chair
• 12 elected mayors from Niagara's area municipalities
• 19 elected representatives from Niagara's area municipalities
TOTAL: 60!
Peace Group Update
Laur and Jan brought dates squares and peace letters – on behalf of Grace Peace Group – to City Council on September 9 - to be distributed at their meeting. Thank you Anita S for your amazing baking! The dates are from Palestine.
Our next “action-in-love” is to provide the same to Regional Council. If you would like to bake date squares, let me know. I’ll provide the dates! 😊
Grace Peace Group – Following Jesus; pursuing Peace.
Our next “action-in-love” is to provide the same to Regional Council. If you would like to bake date squares, let me know. I’ll provide the dates! 😊
Grace Peace Group – Following Jesus; pursuing Peace.
July 30, 2024 - Grace Peace Group Members Visit Four MPs and our MPPs in the Niagara Region
On Tuesday, Laur and Diane K and Jan visited the offices of all of the MPs and MPPs in the Niagara Region – asking for their support for a cease fire in Gaza and more. We gave them a letter to explain our concerns, and date squares with dates bought from Palestine. Thank you Anita for making these!
Jesus is our Peace and we want to share the Peace of Christ with our politicians in hope that they will also want to share Peace. I also provided an info kit on the Bears and Blankets program. Grateful to be part of the Grace MC family and to be able to do Kingdom work. Thank you Jesus!
You can see pictures from our visits at https://www.gracemennonitechurch.com/pictures---page-two.html
Jesus is our Peace and we want to share the Peace of Christ with our politicians in hope that they will also want to share Peace. I also provided an info kit on the Bears and Blankets program. Grateful to be part of the Grace MC family and to be able to do Kingdom work. Thank you Jesus!
You can see pictures from our visits at https://www.gracemennonitechurch.com/pictures---page-two.html
Mennonite Action and Grace Peace Group - July 21, 2024
On Sunday, July 21, Mennonite Action had 15 representatives from 4 local Mennonite churches at a Peace March in Niagara Falls – calling for an end to the war against the people of Palestine. This was organized by our Palestinian and Jewish brothers and sisters! There are Christians suffering in Palestine too. Thank you Kit!
RESPONDING TO THE GAZA CRISIS AS PEACE CHURCHES: Seeking the Mind of Christ
Special Guest Dr. Tom Yoder Neufeld
Saturday July 6th, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.,
Grace Mennonite Church, 677 Niagara St., St. Catharines
With over 36000 mostly civilian deaths (thus far), and the entire 2.1 million population of the Gaza strip suffering from conflict-induced famine, the observing world is shocked, appalled, and risks being mesmerized into moral paralysis in the face of the catastrophe. What are pacifist Christians called to do--and not to do—to promote peace in Gaza? What insights does the New Testament have, and especially the book of Ephesians, to guide us in practical ways to pursue peace without getting caught up in the spiral of conflict?
We encourage you to join us in seeking the mind of Christ in this time of crisis with our guest Dr. Tom Yoder Neufeld, professor emeritus of Religious Studies (New Testament and Peace Studies) and Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College. Tom Y. Neufeld is the author of numerous articles and books focusing on Jesus, Paul, Peace, and the Bible. Pertinent titles include Ephesians (Believers Church Bible Commentary), 2002, Recovering Jesus: the Witness of the New Testament, 2007, and Killing Enmity: Violence and the New Testament, 2011.
Saturday July 6th, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.,
Grace Mennonite Church, 677 Niagara St., St. Catharines
With over 36000 mostly civilian deaths (thus far), and the entire 2.1 million population of the Gaza strip suffering from conflict-induced famine, the observing world is shocked, appalled, and risks being mesmerized into moral paralysis in the face of the catastrophe. What are pacifist Christians called to do--and not to do—to promote peace in Gaza? What insights does the New Testament have, and especially the book of Ephesians, to guide us in practical ways to pursue peace without getting caught up in the spiral of conflict?
We encourage you to join us in seeking the mind of Christ in this time of crisis with our guest Dr. Tom Yoder Neufeld, professor emeritus of Religious Studies (New Testament and Peace Studies) and Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College. Tom Y. Neufeld is the author of numerous articles and books focusing on Jesus, Paul, Peace, and the Bible. Pertinent titles include Ephesians (Believers Church Bible Commentary), 2002, Recovering Jesus: the Witness of the New Testament, 2007, and Killing Enmity: Violence and the New Testament, 2011.
March 27, 2024
On March 27, members of Grace Peace Group, Mennonite Action, and others met at the office of Chris Bittle MP for prayer, singing, delivering a letter, and bringing Mennonite buns (Paska bread.)
March 11, 2024
Members of our Peace Group at Grace Mennonite Church are making a point of visiting our area political representatives. We have visited Liberal (Chris Bittle) and Conservative (Tony Baldinelli.) We have brought a letter and a gift to the Mayor (Mat Siscoe) and members of St. Catharines City Council.
On May 11, Anita and visited NDP MPP Jennie Stevens and her associate Jeff. We wanted to talk to her about what she and her government were doing or could do regarding:
And Anita made and brought a gift of Mennonite Ginger Cookies! Get a recipe here! http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/2008/09/sparkly-ginger-cookies.html
On May 11, Anita and visited NDP MPP Jennie Stevens and her associate Jeff. We wanted to talk to her about what she and her government were doing or could do regarding:
- A cease fire in Gaza and aid distribution
- Long term care of our Elders and Disabled friends
- Homelessness and poverty and mental illness and street-drug addiction.
- Caring for Migrants and Refugees.
And Anita made and brought a gift of Mennonite Ginger Cookies! Get a recipe here! http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/2008/09/sparkly-ginger-cookies.html
February 2024
Today, members of Grace Peace Group brought kind and informative letters and rose candles to Mayor Matt Siscoe and the 12 St. Catharines City Council members. We asked for Ceasefire in Gaza:
a) To reduce – if not stop – the number of people in Gaza being killed or injured every day;
b) To allow humanitarian aid to enter and be distributed; and
c) To assist with Israeli hostages being returned.
Our letter will be posted on the bulletin board in the lobby.
a) To reduce – if not stop – the number of people in Gaza being killed or injured every day;
b) To allow humanitarian aid to enter and be distributed; and
c) To assist with Israeli hostages being returned.
Our letter will be posted on the bulletin board in the lobby.
December 2023
Dear Friends concerned about Peace in Palestine-Israel,
In December 2023, our Peace Group from Grace Mennonite Church met with our local federal MP representatives. We were expressing our concern for the people of Gaza and Israel, and our desperation for a ceasefire.
Below are pictures and a brief account. We came in peace - desiring peace.
Love always! Diane Kendall, John Rempel, Anita Stephen, Jan and Laur Steven
In December 2023, our Peace Group from Grace Mennonite Church met with our local federal MP representatives. We were expressing our concern for the people of Gaza and Israel, and our desperation for a ceasefire.
Below are pictures and a brief account. We came in peace - desiring peace.
Love always! Diane Kendall, John Rempel, Anita Stephen, Jan and Laur Steven