CHRISTIAN WITNESS MINISTRY

 Christian Witness Ministry (CWM) helps the people of Erb Street branch out beyond our walls to help people in need around the world. As we reach out, our Christian faith grows and deepens as we learn new perspectives and understandings through seeking to bring about positive change in the world. Below are listed the various ways CWM helps our church to branch, grow and become more rooted in our Christian faith.
Refugee Ministry In April 2010, our church is sponsoring a Palestinian refugee family who were trapped in an United Nations Refugee Camp on the Iraq border. The family is settling in the K-W community. We are working with other Mennonite Churches and Islamic organizations that have sponsored other members of this Palestinian extended family.

Erb Street Idol Remix

Each year CWM hosts a night of music and entertainment whose goal is to raise awareness of the many mission and service programs supported by the Erb Street congregation through Christian Witness Ministry... the ones you are reading about here.
Christian Education Electives for AdultsCWM helps our community explore a peace and justice issue. Last year we focused on the native land rights of the First People of Canada.This year we are exploring transportation through an environmental lens.
Mary’s PlaceEach year, our youth and members of our church plan, provide the food, prepare and serve a meal at Mary’s Place, a 60-bed shelter for women (16 and older), transgendered people, and families who are homeless.
Environmental Task Forceis a new initiative to help our church work at becoming more environmentally friendly through education and other activities.
Service and Peace Witness FundCWM provides some financial support to congregants at Erb Street who participate in service and peace witness activities. Last year we supported a young adult who did a study seminar around sanitation and clean water in Peru. This year we supported a young adult who participated in the Canadian Mennonite University Outtatown program in South Africa.
House of FriendshipOur church has a monthly food drive which goes to support the ministries of House of Friendship. House of Friendship is a Christian agency that serves annually 32,500 women, men, youth, and children living on low income in Waterloo Region through 18 programs. We also have a representative on their board.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)Our church supports MCC, both financially and through involvement in their programs. MCC is a relief, service, and peace agency of the Mennonite and Brethren Churches in North America whose work is both local and international. CWM was involved with Mennonite Central Committee Ontario (MCCO) workshops about Native land claim issues and are part of a MCCO bridge-building group with our Muslim neighbours.
Partnership with Andrew and Karen SudermanThey are Mennonite Church Canada Witness workers who are working for three years with the African Indigenous Churches in South Africa. The church there has been instrumental to the peaceful transition to democracy and dealing with the severe economic and social challenges. Andrew and Karen are providing leadership training, conducting Bible teaching conferences, identifying volunteer situations, and encouraging a women’s theology group.
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief SaleEach year in May, MCCO hosts this relief sale that brings in many funds to support MCC work around the world. Erb Street volunteers help with the sausage breakfast, quilt sale, electrical set up and grounds clean up.
Out of the ColdOn each night during the winter, a church hosts the Out of the Cold program where homeless people can come, eat a warm supper and breakfast, and have a warm place to sleep overnight. Our church provides volunteers at First United Church, Waterloo on a rotating schedule with other area churches.
OtherWe provide birthday cake and pop as monthly treats for residents of a home for seniors who have mental health concerns.

Mennonite Disaster Service
(MDS)

is a volunteer network through which Mennonite-related churches can respond to those affected by disaster (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc.) in Canada and United States. We support MDS financially and we have a representative who keeps the congregation informed of volunteer activities.

Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support (MCRS)

This agency walks with people who come to our borders or airports and seek refugee status. Through sales of Zehrs grocery gift cards, we are able to raise over $3000 annually for MCRS.

Supportive Housing
of Waterloo
(SHOW)

is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to design, build, and operate permanent affordable, supportive housing in Waterloo to house the chronically homeless and hard-to-house individuals of Waterloo Region. Erb Street Mennonite Church sells Sobeys grocery and gift cards to raise funds for SHOW.