MC Canada churches match COVID donation

Congregations across Mennonite Church Canada have matched a $50,000 donation made by MC Canada to a Mennonite World Conference COVID-19 relief fund.

The fund helps MWC member churches struggling because of the global pandemic.

“This giving demonstrates to churches in other parts of the world that we belong to each other and that we, with more financial resources, can help those with less to carry out their witness as Jesus-followers in pandemic times,” said Arli Klassen, MC Canada Joint Council member and MWC regional representatives coordinator.

MC Canada’s Joint Council approved a $50,000 donation to the fund in May and asked congregations to match it in their giving for the rest of the year. Congregations across the five regional churches gave $50,946 in 2020, bringing MC Canada’s total contributions over $100,000.

Klassen said Canadian congregations have much to learn from churches in the Global South, who connected with needy families in ways Canadian churches did not, often leaving tasks and relationships to social agencies and government support.

As of November, the MWC fund supported 45 humanitarian initiatives carried out by 53 national Anabaptist churches in 28 countries. Its total project value is $436,824.

In India, desperate families were given relief kits with food and hygiene supplies. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, people received food relief, equipment and training in protective health measures.

“Mennonite Church Canada’s giving enabled this strong witness. We are growing in our understanding of what it means to be an Anabaptist faith community that transcends borders,” Klassen said.

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