May 14th
MCBC Pastoral Highlight ~ Rachel Navarro ~ Emmanuel Mennonite Church

Rachel Navarro ~ Emmanuel Mennonite Church

 
 
5 Fun Facts about Rachel:
 
1. My high school didn’t teach sewing, so I’m learning to sew my own clothes as an adult! So far I’ve made a tank top, skirt, collared shirt, a pair of shorts, and a pair of pants.
2. I grew up in a multi-cultural family. My mom is Canadian born to Irish & English immigrants, and my dad came to Canada from the Philippines as a young adult.
3. I hate corn (unless it’s popped!).
4. I love musicals! My first experience seeing one live was when my parents took our family to see Les Miserables at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre when I was 10.
5. I attended 7 different post-secondary institutions before finally finishing my bachelor’s degree in 2020.

What’s happening at EMC?
 
Since I began my role at EMC, there have been many highs and lows. Lately it feels like we’ve reached a much-needed season of stability after surviving a lot of crises! With the breathing room we’ve gotten from having a full staff team and great lay leadership, we’ve been diving into questions about our identity as a church and where we feel God is leading us. It’s daunting but exciting! 
Through the shaky seasons and the stable ones, I try to hold on to who I have always felt God calling me to be—someone who creates safe spaces where people (especially young people) can find belonging and explore who God made them to be. Youth group has always been my favourite vehicle for that, but recently I’ve seen it happening in our children’s program and our new young adults group. I’m here for all of it! There’s so much joy in seeing someone new not just being welcomed at the door but finding where they fit at Emmanuel. I hope and pray that we keep getting better at shepherding people through that process of discovery!

Grace & Peace,
Rachel Navarro
Family Pastor
Emmanuel Mennonite Church

May 7th
MCBC Pastoral Highlight ~ Graham McCarthy ~ Peace Church on 52nd

Graham McCarthy ~ Peace Church on 52nd

Graham McCarthy PH Transparent

What’s been happening at Peace Church on 52nd?  

Peace church on 52nd has a strong community presence - between community meals, food hub, presence at local events, support of AA groups, recovery houses, and ESL teaching, we have a strong presence. Every spring and Summer, we have a community garden that beautifies our neighbourhood, and provides food for the community.  this last week we got together to get it started, and people really utilize our garden and picnic tables as a space of peace and rest.

Oftentimes, someone will knock on the door of the church and say "Someone told me that this is the place I can go to for help." and it is such a gift to have such a reputation.  We have been slowly growing, especially seeing more children attend with us.  This church hasn't had a children's program for quite some time, and we'd appreciate prayer for discernment and solutions to this gift! 

 

5 Fun Facts about Graham:

  1. Graham can make perfect eggs every time
  2. He performs Improv Comedy in Vancouver
  3. Recently, Graham has been creating a series of videos called "Vancouver's Forgotten Monuments"that have been quite well received online! 
  4. Graham first felt a call to ministry when he was 10 years old and performing for his church as a ventriloquist for children's time
  5. He worked on the Downtown Eastside for seven years before coming into church ministry
    Bonus Fun Fact: Graham recently got engaged to MCBC's Ministry Support Administrator, Katrina Froese! 

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