Celebrate Generous Support for Pastor
Floradale Mennonite Church (Ontario) gets top marks for knowing how to extend extraordinary care and mutual aid. On November 26, 2007, Fred Redekop, their pastor for 16 ½ years, suffered a serious heart attack resulting in triple bypass surgery. In spite of losing a very key leader, the congregation immediately sprang into action. "Food and meals were brought in immediately for the family" says Fred. His wife Shirley took six weeks off work to be with and care for Fred. The congregation used discretionary funds to cover her income as well as additional family expenses so the family's cash flow would continue intact. Further, following the sick leave policy of Mennonite Church Canada, Fred's salary has continued uninterrupted, allowing him four months of rest and convalescence without financial worries. The congregation invited members to sign up for a "dial a visit" program. When Fred felt strong enough, he was able to call people on the list and receive a friendly visit. "They were always considerate and kept their visits short", commented Fred. Without exception, Fred was remembered every Sunday in the congregational prayer time. Elders and others, particularly the youth pastor, Stefan Cherry, stepped in willingly to do extra duty so the church's programs did not suffer. Very appropriately, Fred plans to return to active duty on the Easter weekend, acknowledging that he will have to adjust his workload to his new health realities. Thanks to the Floradale Mennonite Church congregation for modeling care and mutual aid so well. What an extraordinary gift you have given to your pastor and his family. What an extraordinary example you have set for the MAX community. Should we be surprised that Floradale has a large number of MAX Canada members in their midst. They have understood the vision of "creating and sustaining wholeness".
UPDATES
Bill Reimer
In our January 18th Network Ministry communication, we reported on twenty-three year old Bill Reimer from Fort St. John, British Columbia who is struggling with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia and receiving aggressive treatment at the Cross Cancer Clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, an eight hour drive from his home. In a recent conversation, his father Henry shared that Bill began experiencing heart irregularities as the strength of the treatments was increased. Doctors have stopped the treatments until they can regularize his heart with medication. Bill is very weak at this point and can only walk short distances. Let us continue to pray for Bill and his mother Betty who is staying in Edmonton at the Mennonite Guest House to be with him. Pray also for father Henry who remains at home, missing the support of his wife and worrying about the health of his son. In spite of this, Henry has generous words for the support received from his faith community, the Prespatou Mennonite Church. This congregation is generously providing the family with $500 monthly to offset the costs of travel and accommodation while Betty is in Edmonton. We also celebrate that MAX Canada Mutual Aid Ministries has been able to under-gird the family and congregation with a Share Fund grant.
Ozias Burkhart
We shared prayer requests for Ozias Burkhart on three occasions since August 2007 relating to the surgical removal of a tumour that was exerting pressure on his brain. Beginning on February 20th, Oz will undergo a six week regimen of 30 radiation treatments at Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton,Ontario. While the tumour was benign, the radiation treatment is of a preventative nature, to prevent its regrowth. One of the risks associated with the treatment is short term memory loss. Please continue to uphold Oz, his wife Alice and their family in prayer as he moves through his treatments. |
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How can you assist the MAX Support Network Ministries?
- Insuring with MAX. Remember, Mutual Aid Ministries is supported by an annual tithe from the insurance operations.
- Encourage others of like mind to place their insurance (home, farm, church and business) with MAX. Remember, the more successful MAX insurance operations become, the more effective Mutual Aid Ministries can be.
- Make a contribution to the MAX Canada Share Fund, Inc. or the MAX Share Fund, Inc. Call 877-770-7729, ext. 202 (Canada) or 877-971-6300 (U.S.) for more details.
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We thank you for your support and commitment to the MAX Support Network Ministry and the other Mutual Aid Ministries programs. Please let us know of others who would like to join the Support Network Ministry email distribution list by sending their email address, with their permission of course, to mutualaid@maxkc.com.
Sincerely, |
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The MAX Mutual Aid Ministries Team |
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Creating and Sustaining