• Pray for Mr. Ewy as he copes with the responsibility of accidentally causing the accident that took the life of his spouse and a long-time friend.
• Pray for the families of these elderly couples as they struggle with the loss of a loved one and continue to support the healing process, emotional and physical, of the surviving spouse.
• Pray for the driver of the transport truck as he struggles with this tragedy, wondering what he might have done to avoid it.
• Pray for the pastors and church communities who have so suddenly lost two of their cherished senior members.

REMEMBERING A FAITHFUL SERVANT
We are saddened to report the death of Arley Shantz on January 19.  Arley was a faithful director and executive member of the Mennonite Aid Union (MAU) for many years and assisted with the early transition from the MAU to MAX.  Arley struggled with cancer for some time.  He leaves his wife Mabel, four children and several grandchildren.  Arley and Mabel are long time members of Wilmot Mennonite Church near New Hamburg, Ontario. 
 
CELEBRATING MUTUAL AID GENEROSITY
To celebrate and encourage the practice of Mutual Aid in congregations, four Certificates of Appreciation were awarded by MAX Canada Mutual Aid Ministries program at the close of 2008.  "The certificates are provided to extend positive affirmation when we become aware of significant acts of Mutual Aid in our congregations.  We want to recognize those who have unselfishly practiced mutual aid," said Nelson Scheifele, Director of Mutual Aid Ministries for MAX Canada.
 
The 2008 certificates were awarded to two congregations and two individuals:  Prespatou Mennonite Church near Fort St. John, BC; Petitcodiac Mennonite Church in New Brunswick; Gerald Zielman of the Zurich Mennonite Church (Ontario) and Wilbur Roth of First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ontario.  The certificates read in part, "For being our Mutual Aid Hero and providing outstanding Mutual Aid Ministry".
 
Prespatou Mennonite was awarded the certificate for offering generous spiritual and financial support to a family whose 23 year old son required extensive treatment for Leukemia at a centre eight hours distance from their home.  Petitcodiac Mennonite extended generous financial and medical leave assistance to their part time pastoral couple during a health crisis.  Gerald Zielman organized a congregational MDS crew to assist a young uninsured couple with water damage in their home due to frozen pipes.  Wilbur Roth assisted a family at First Mennonite with water seepage problems and improper sump pump drainage to prevent further damage to their home.  

• Give thanks for the generous spirit of so many in our congregations and communities who share so generously of themselves on behalf of others.

Nelson Scheifele (Left), Director of Mutual Aid Ministries presenting Certificate of Appreciation to Wilbur Roth, First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, January 10, 2009.