Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan
600 45th Street West S7L 5W9 Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Your pocket change can make a difference in the world

Today we celebrate maternal figures who care for their communities and the legacies they pass on to us. Happy Mother's Day! #mccpeace

"...You could just explain it like 'it hurt, it hurt, it hurt' and they know what 'it hurt' means... When they tell me it's going to be okay, it feels different. Grieving is not something you should do alone." - Corniki Bornds Parents for Peace and Justice, an MCC partner, is a support and advocacy organization for families of children who have been lost to gun violence in Chicago. We invite you to join us as we pray, learn and act to prevent gun violence. Learn more: bit.l...y/2CdO3km #mccpeace

YAMEN is a great place for people to confirm their gift and their call, and for me it was proof that I can do something different than other doctors are called to do." Dr. Ela Castro, a 20192020 YAMEN participant shares about her experience working as a doctor at Casa del Migrante (Migrant House) in Guatemala City, Guatemala. #mccpeace #iamYAMEN #soyYAMEN #ccmpaz

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo MCC supports the Women's Situation Room, groups of local women trained to intervene in and resolve community conflicts. Anna Johari Etabo, Women's Situation Room coordinator, shares this story. #mccpeace

"Handmade comforters are a much loved and highly requested material resource. Compared with store bought blankets, an MCC handmade comforter is colorful and of good quality, and provides not only warmth but also a tangible message to people that their needs are not forgotten. They demonstrate God’s love and our care for people torn apart by war, conflict or disasters in ways that cannot be measured." - Tom Wenger, MCC material resources coordinator A man with paralysis (name... not provided for security reasons) is wrapped up with a handmade MCC comforter his family just received from MCC partner Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC). The blanket was part of larger shipments of MCC humanitarian assistance for Syrian IDPs (internally displaced person) and vulnerable host communities in Hama city, Syria, delivered in February 2020. _ Due to the global pandemic, our partners' request for material resources continues to grow. In order to fulfill these request, we need to collect 50,000 comforters this year. Many of these comforters provide assistance for Syrian IDPs (internally displaced person) and vulnerable host communities. Visit mcccanada.ca/great-winter-warm-up or mcc.org/great-winter-warm-up to see how you can get involved. #mccpeace Photo courtesy of FMEEC

"We realized that at a time when MCC needed funds more than ever...we felt that we needed to do something to help with the funds, even though it wouldn’t be our traditional sale. - Brenda Latulippe Relief sale volunteers use their creativity to support MCC no matter what changes a global pandemic brings. #mccpeace

"March 11, 2020: that was the last time a volunteer group came to the MCC Central States Material Resources Center (MRC) in North Newton, Kansas, to serve for the day." Kate Mast, workroom supervisor at the MCC Central States Material Resource Center in North Newton, Kansas, shares how volunteers are adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions and finding creative ways to help MCC send material aid (like comforters!) to our partners around the world. Click through the photos to read ...more! #mccpeace #TheGreatWinterWarmUpAtHome

Meet Josephine Lipscomb Josephine, from the U.S., is currently serving with MCC's SALT program in Bolivia. We recently asked her what is it like to be a SALTer in the midst of a global pandemic. : ? : a. The reasons I chose to participate in the SALT program last winter were unchanged by the pandemic; so I decided that if there wasn't a reason I couldn't go, I should continue with my placement. Once her...e, I have seen the ways in which the work of organizations like MCC are even more necessary during this crisis; and I'm really glad I am able to be a part of that. : - . ? : I've learned that setting time aside to de-stress is important, especially when working in an environment that at times is emotionally challenging, and navigating extra risks and precautions for COVID-19. But that doesn't have to look the same as it would in my home community. Even when some things I like to do aren't an option, I can adjust and find different ways to make space in my life. : ’ - , ? : While I don't know exactly what things were like here before the pandemic, I can see the work of MCC and its partners continuing and working to meet the increased needs caused by COVID-19. For example, in my placement at a children's home, the kids need to attend school online. While homework help is often a part of what volunteers do, now we're also helping the kids learn as much as possible from their zoom classes, (which can be a challenge due to a small number of computers for many students). : ? : One thing I wondered while I was applying was whether SALT would have the same level of support for its participants that a program that was only located in one place, or had a smaller age range, would have. But in Bolivia, despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, I've felt really well supported by the MCC team here. I've seen how MCC is an organization that can weather changes and difficult times like this by being flexible, but still keep doing the work of Christ in the world. __ Did you know that MCC is still recruiting for our 2021-2022 young adult service programs? Find out more at mcc.org/SALT or mcccanada.ca/SALT. **Please note, in all our service placements MCC is assessing the impacts of COVID-19 and adapting as needed. We are carefully monitoring the situation and adapting as conditions change. #mccpeace #iamSALT

Our last in-person comforter event was the Great Winter Warm Up in January 2020. Since then, people like Judy Hartzler, of Columbus Mennonite Church in Ohio have been busy at home, creatively finding ways to safely make comforters. Thank you to all of the makers out there who dedicate their art and craft to support MCC's relief work around the world. (Here Judy plans her next comforter thanks to the design wall in her basement. We appreciate you, Judy!) _ Are you making an MC...C comforter for The Great Winter Warm Up: At Home this month? We'd love to see it! (Be sure to tag us @mccpeace) Visit mcccanada.ca/great-winter-warm-up or mcc.org/great-winter-warm-up to see how you can get involved. #mccpeace

When you donate a comforter to MCC, it goes to help people in places like Ukraine. Lyubov Miroshnichenko and her daughters Olga Sapronova (8) and Polina Sapronova (4) receive a quilt and other humanitarian assistance at New Life Charitable Fund in Nikopol, Ukraine, as part of an emergency assistance program in partnership with MCC. Miroshnichenko and her children are one of many families negatively affected by the COVID-19 quarantine restrictions in Ukraine. They are also on...e of many beneficiaries who received assistance during the COVID-19 emergency response project conducted from June to September 2020 by New Life in partnership with MCC. (The photo was taken outside in observance of social distancing protocols in Ukraine). _ Since we can't get together this year, we invite you to join us for the Great Winter Warm Up: At Home this February! This month, we'll be highlighting beautiful comforters and how they make a difference in the world. Visit mcccanada.ca/great-winter-warm-up or mcc.org/great-winter-warm-up to see how you can get involved. #mccpeace #Ukraine #mcccomforters

What is generosity? Why is generosity important? How can we be generous? This Christmas season, help your kids explore the meaning of generosity through this free resource. The resource includes instructions on how to make a paper lantern. We invite you and your littles to make your own lantern, hang it in your window, take a photo and tag us! (@mccpeace). We'll be sharing your photos throughout the holiday season!... mcccanada.ca/generosity mcc.org/generosity #mccpeace

It is Restorative Justice week in Canada. MCC has a long history of working in restorative justice and this week we will be highlighting some of the projects and organizations we support locally in Saskatchewan. Parkland Restorative Justice is based in Prince Albert and coordinates the long-running P2P program. For over 40 years this prison visitation program has brought volunteers to the Saskatchewan Penitentiary to build friendship with the guys inside. Parkland also runs a CoSA program to support people who are coming out of jail. To learn more visit: http://parklandrestorativejustice.com/

As the global pandemic continues, removing barriers to healthier living is more important than ever before. But healthier living is a lot easier when you have access to a safe latrine. Latrines built through MCC prevent the spread of disease and improve health for people like Floride Murhimanya M’nkwale and her husband Jacques Safari Lukwebo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s literally a gift that can save lives. Before they had the new latrine, Lukwebo needed to d...ig a new hole in the ground each year for a toilet or pay someone to do it for them. The hole was simply covered by wood planks. The new latrine will last for about 10 years before it needs to be emptied and it can be cleaned, which improves their health. Community of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Congo (CEFMC), an MCC partner, built latrines and rainwater catchment systems in the villages of Mosho II and Mosho III to reduce the incidence of diseases related to lack of sanitation and unclean water. In addition to two schools, beneficiaries include 80 of the most vulnerable households in the communities, especially those that have elderly, single-parent, orphans and people with disabilities. See more healthier living projects at mcccanada.ca/christmas or mcc.org/christmas. #mccpeace #WorldToiletDay

Alternative gift idea alert!: Plant a garden Christmas is just one month away! Looking for some alternative gifts? We got you covered. Check out mcccanada.ca/christmas or mcc.org/christmas to browse through gifts that will help change lives across the globe. Gifts like "planting a garden" make a difference in remote Indigenous communities in Bolivia where importing fresh vegetables and fruit is costly. MCC and community leaders such as Pura Fabarillo Velez are helping ...families plant their own gardens and capture rain to water them. #mccpeace #alternativegifts

Paul Shetler Fast, MCC's global health coordinator, shares about increasing his giving during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help make a difference too this holiday season. Visit mcccanada.ca/christmas or mcc.org/christmas. #mccpeace

"I am thankful for all the circumstances of my life because through them I came to know God. If all this hadn’t happened I wouldn’t have the life that I have now. And thanks to my new life, I can help others." Natalia Mezentseva is project manager for New Life Charitable Fund, an MCC partner in Nikopol, Ukraine. This year, we've been sharing 100 stories for 100 years of MCC. See them all at mcc.org/100-stories.... #mccpeace #mcc100years

In recent years, families living in Mubimbi refugee camp in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been so hungry that they had to resort to eating seeds meant for the next growing season. Thankfully, an MCC partner has come up with a solution. This Christmas, give the gift that will fend off hunger for families around the world. Visit mcc.org/christmas or mcccanada.ca/christmas for more details.... #mccpeace

First Hurricane Eta, then Hurricane Iota two hurricanes within two weeks in November brought destructive flooding to Honduras and Nicaragua and surrounding countries. The flooding destroyed entire crops that were just about ready to harvest and houses in both countries. Please support MCC and its partner churches and organizations as we supply emergency food and hygiene supplies to people in shelters right now and plan a longer-term response. mcccanada.ca/eta-iota-relief... mcc.org/eta-iota-relief #mccpeace