MCC BC Annual Meeting and Conference a Day of Story-telling

More than 150 people attended the MCC BC Annual General Meeting and Conference on November 17 th at Yarrow MB Church. It was a day of inspirational story-telling and sharing as people heard from speakers involved in MCC work here at home and around the world.

A highlight of the day was keynote speaker Reverend Alex Elias Awad, who pastors a small international church in East Jerusalem and teaches courses at Bethlehem Bible College. Rev. Awad began the day by sharing his life story and the testimony of the impact of his mother on his life and the lives of his siblings. In the hours after his father was killed, caught in cross-fire in the first Arab-Israeli war, his family was asked to leave the home in an area of Jerusalem that they had lived in for generations.

“My mother didn't ask ‘Why God?' she asked ‘How, God?'” he said. “Because of my mother's great faith, I wanted to serve the same God.”

All of Awad's siblings love and serve the Lord in one way or another and attribute their strength to the faithfulness of God in their lives.

Other highlights of the day included reports from staff and volunteers serving in the areas of Employment and Community Development, Abuse Prevention, Refugee Assistance, Voluntary Service and Peace Education.

MCC BC Thrift Shop Coordinator Marie Reimer also gave a report on the nine MCC Thrift Shops, using a slide presentation to show delegates the journey that their donations take from sorting and pricing to point of sale. She also shared about their more innovative programs aimed a recruiting volunteers, like the Resume Builder Program that encourages youth to gain work experience by volunteering at one of the Shops. Eight students graduated from this program providing MCC with much needed volunteer time while gaining the experience they can now add on their resumes.

Young people serving in BC with MCC's International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP) provided special music for the day and shared songs in Arabic and English. The noon meal and coffee breaks were prepared by The Banqueting Table, a catering company that assists single mothers and women in need by helping them gain workforce skills. Their cinnamon buns were a definite highlight.

“These cinnamon buns are one of the reasons I come to this event every year!” one enthusiastic participant said.

Business was also attended to at the meeting. The budget was unanimously approved, new members were elected to the MCC BC Board, and special resolution to change by-laws to extend Board terms was also approved.