Mennonite World Conference is encouraging remote viewers of its July 5-10 assembly in Indonesia to organize watch parties.

Former MWC event planner Ray Brubacher of Ontario did not want to wait until July to find out if he would participate alone at his computer or if groups would emerge to share the experience.

Unable to attend in person, he is organizing watch parties for Anabaptists in his region.

On-site attendance is limited due to lingering effects of the COVID pandemic; however, the hybrid event enables everyone to participate from wherever they are. Plenary sessions, workshops and the Global Church Village stage will be livestreamed and recorded.

Online registrants can enter the Assembly Hub to join conversation spaces with participants from around the world, attend workshops and view photos and videos.

“We encourage local congregations to register for the assembly,” said Jardely Martinez, assembly communications coordinator. “You can view the livestream in real time with Indonesia or host a watch party at a time of your convenience.”

A pastors and leaders group in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., is planning two viewing sessions from Wednesday to Saturday.

“I learned in Zimbabwe to keep it simple,” Brubacher said.

Likely hosted at a Mennonite Church Canada congregation, these watch parties will be open to all Anabaptist-Mennonites from the region. Brubacher is especially keen to see newer congregations attend, especially those on the margins of dominant culture in Canada.