Photo taken by Dave Klassen
Photo taken by Dave Klassen
Photo taken by Dave Klassen
Stirling celebrates 100 years
This May, we are celebrating God’s presence at and through Stirling in recognition of the 100th anniversary of our congregation this year. Over the course of 3 weeks, we are celebrating our past, our present and our future. Be sure to join us!
Recipe for Stirling’s 100th Anniversary
Sunday May 26th, we look to the future. Join us for a service led by the Junior Youth and featuring a Children’s choir. For Adult Faith Formation after the service, join Steve Manske in the Sanctuary for a conversation about the “Stewardship of (our) Land” discernment process. Zoom available.
Click here for background information on the stewardship conversation
Line drawing by Jim Hett done for Stirling’s 75th anniversary
Junior Youth representation of the church facing the future.
Jr Youth Artistic contribution description
Throughout history people have crossed paths for short or longer periods of time. People come from different places and bring different customs, ideas, traditions, spiritual practices and more. YET they come together. Neighbours. Family. Co-workers. Classmates. Ruth and Naomi. Paul and Silas. And many more.
This piece of art that the Junior Youth worked on has a collage of pieces of maps as the background, symbolizing the places where people are coming from and going to. The people represent those crossing paths for a time- our Stirling community. Some in the community look backwards with gratitude for memories and fondness for what has been and what is well known. Others, perhaps, look back with regret or sadness. Some are looking forward with fear or worry as the future is unknown and may bring change and discomfort. Others look forward with hope and excitement at what is to come and eagerness to journey together with those who are part of this community at this time.
Our Worship Services and Faith Formation
Worship Service
Currently, we hold weekly Sunday morning services in our church sanctuary with a livestream provided via Zoom. At times, we move our worship service outdoors. Rooted in the Anabaptist Mennonite faith tradition, our services seek to explore the revelation of Biblical scripture and its implications in our lives, in our community and in our world. Services are typically filled with scripture, prayer, singing, children's time and a sermon that draw from a particular theme or scripture text. There is a nursery located on the balcony for parents with young children, and we welcome the 'noises' from a multi-generational worship service.
Faith Formation
After our Sunday morning services we hold a Faith Formation hour with learning and growing opportunities for all ages. Children and youth explore their faith in smaller classes while adults typically gather as one larger group. There is also opportunity to visit with others over coffee/tea during this time. Please check the weekly update email for details.
Visitors or those new to Stirling - information on our services, opportunities to connect and updates on our church family are provided in our weekly emails. To get on this email list please email office@stirlingmennonite.ca.
Upcoming events at Stirling
Discernment on Land Stewardship
Stirling has the good fortune to be caretakers of five houses around the church. We have used these resources as one of our Missions, Peace and Justice Ministry initiatives for affordable housing. Following a report to Church Council on Waterloo Region’s affordable housing crisis, we are feeling called to do more with these resources and are looking to complete a thorough discernment of our calling.
Please see the Land Stewardship page, linked here, for more information and ways to participate in the discernment process.
Two Row Wampum
Considering a Spiritual Covenant with Six Nations
For a little more than a decade, we as a congregation have been on a journey of trying to live into reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of this land - learning what we can, building relationships and advocating for justice. In 2022, we began to more fully consider a particular, unique and hopeful opportunity to address some of those land injustices. We have been offered an invitation to enter into a Spiritual Covenant with Six Nations. This is part of a longer discernment process, and a critical part of the conversation at Stirling. Click on the photo to learn more.
“Highlights” - Reflections and News from Stirling
Where are We?
ADDRESS AND DIRECTIONS
We are located at 57 Stirling Avenue North, at the corner of Weber Street and Stirling Avenue N in Kitchener, Ontario.
Using GRT transit:
Bus 7, stop at the corner of Stirling and King Street and walk up the hill one block; Bus 8, stop at the corner of Stirling and Weber Street.
LRT, stop at the Charles and Borden stop and walk up Charles Street to Stirling Avenue. Turn right on Stirling Avenue and continue to the corner of Weber Street and Stirling Avenue where the church is located.
By car please use the map, for directions. There is free parking available with overflow street parking and spaces available in the adjacent cemetery.
Communication policy for church closure:
In the event that the church is closed on a Sunday morning, due to safety concerns or issues with the church building, an email will be sent to the congregation and a notice be placed on our website. In the event of inclement weather, the MLT will endeavour to make a decision by 8am and send out notice, including an additional call to AM 570 for notice, by 8:30am. Please continue to use your best discretion and judgement in cases of inclement weather, regardless of whether the church stays open or not.