Press Release

Ryan Siemens is resigning his position as Mennonite Church Saskatchewan’s Executive Minister as of January 31, 2022 to take on the position of Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee Alberta.

Ryan has been serving as the MC Sask Executive Minister since 2015 and we are grateful for the leadership and visioning he has given our congregations and as he represented MC Sask. He will be greatly missed, and we wish Ryan, Sandra and their boys God’s richest blessings as they begin this new journey in Alberta.

"I’ve been deeply blessed to serve the Mennonite community in Saskatchewan over the last 15 years; first as pastor at Grace Mennonite Church in PA, and most recently as Executive Minister of MC Sask. I have enjoyed walking with pastors, both seasoned and new, visiting congregations throughout this beautiful province, and representing MC Sask at nationwide tables. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve you. Now I look forward to continuing my service to the Mennonite community by joining MCC Alberta. I am excited and honoured to have this opportunity to lead this beloved organization and I solicit your prayers as our family makes this transition."

The MC Sask council has begun the process of planning for the interim and for the search for a new Executive Minister.

A message from Mennonite Church Canada’s executive ministers:

We are responding to inquiries from constituents regarding religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccines. For a religious exemption to be granted, rationale for exemption must be clearly indicated within our sacred texts or confessional statements.   

We wish to clarify that there is nothing in the Bible, in our historic confessions of faith, in our theology or in our ecclesiology that justifies granting a religious exemption from vaccinations against COVID-19.

We have heard concerns from some members of our constituency regarding the vaccines. However, we do not believe these concerns justify an exemption from COVID-19 vaccinations on religious grounds from within a Mennonite faith tradition.

From the earliest biblical writings, in the words of Jesus Christ and in ecclesial writings since Jesus’ ascension, the command to love God and love our neighbour is paramount. Vaccinations allow us to live out this command. Not only do they reduce the severity of symptoms for those who become infected with COVID-19, but they reduce the risk of spreading the virus to those around us. We also note that individuals should make personal health care decisions based on advice given by their doctors.

We pray for unity among us in the Spirit of Christ, who calls us into this life of love, especially for our most vulnerable neighbours.

Doug Klassen, Mennonite Church Canada
Garry Janzen, Mennonite Church British Columbia
Tim Wiebe-Neufeld, Mennonite Church Alberta
Ryan Siemens, Mennonite Church Saskatchewan
Michael Pahl, Mennonite Church Manitoba
Leah Reesor-Keller, Mennonite Church Eastern Canada

I see a new world comin’

It was a very good day.  Rain didn’t stop the 100 or so people from attending the 4^th gathering of Mennonites, Lutherans and descendants of the Young Chippewayan Band on Stoney Knoll near Laird, SK on August 24^th.
We all gathered in a large circle in the huge tent that was set up for the occasion.  While we visited and renewed acquaintances, another small group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders participated in a pipe ceremony in a traditional teepee.  This traditional ceremony is a way of asking the Creator for a blessing on the day.