HOSTS of OPEN SPACE 2026

A Time to Connect group Making Safe & Caring Connections

A Time to Connect seeks to make safe and caring connections for LGBTQ+ people and/or their allies who are or were associated with the Mennonite Brethren world and beyond. Members of A Time to Connect group were at the Open Space 2023 in Winnipeg and seeing the beneficial outcome of that event, wanted to make this available in Ontario to nurture and continue the momentum of this journey.

In This Together We are in this together, working towards a more integrated Church

We envision and work toward a just world where LGBTQ+ people are fully integrated, recognized, respected, and valued in a spirit of mutuality in Anabaptist communities in Canada.

Canadian Mennonite University Venue for Manitoba Open Space 2025

CMU is an innovative Christian university,

rooted in the Anabaptist faith tradition:

Educating for Peace – Justice

Learning through Thinking and Doing

Generous Hospitality... Radical Dialogue

Modelling Invitational Community

Countdown Until Open Space 2026:

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Schedule

FRIDAY

6:30pmRegistration

Arrive and Register, coffee.

7-9pmPlenary & Generate Topics

Welcome, Safe place covenant shared. Open the space, and generate breakout session topics deriving from our guiding question: "How can we build communities of resiliency & bravery to care for one another in challenging and even hostile environments?" Group topics, and choose your session to attend or facilitate.

3pm & 5pm with break in betweenBreakout #1 & Breakout 2

Attend the topical session of your choice that surfaced from our guiding question. Each breakout session is 1 1/2 hrs of open dialogue together. Break in between.

6:30 - 8pmDinner together

Dinner will be catered at the church, as we dine together and deepen relationships, encouraging one another.

8pmDismiss

Go to homes or nearby Ramada Hotel

Saturday

8amWelcome & reflections

Morning gathering in sanctuary for scriptural reflections.

8:30 am & 10:30 amBreakout session #3 & #4

Attend the topical session of your choice that surfaced from our guiding question. Each breakout session is 1 1/2 hrs. Break in between.

12:00 -1:30pmLunch out

Take a walk to nearby restaurants in Vineland for lunch on your own or with a group of people. This is the one meal not included in your registration.

1:30pm - 3pmBreakout #5

Attend the topical session of your choice that surfaced from our guiding question. Each breakout session is 1 1/2 hrs. Break afterward

3:30pm - 4:30pmSummary overview

High level summaries that came out from each breakout sessions will be shared.

4:30-5:30pmTalking Stick Ceremony

Share reflections around the circle, listening to each other as people would like to share or be quiet. No feedback, just listening and sharing what came up for you,. A powerful time and hopefully encouraging. Prayer and dismiss.

5:30 - 6:45pmDinner at church

Dinner will be catered at the church, as we dine together and deepen relationships, encouraging one another.

Sunday

8amOptional small group breakfast

A few people will be gathering for morning breakkfast in Vineland to connect and connect. Location tbd

10amOptional - attend Sunday service

Optional to join either service at Southridge Community Church Vineland campus or the main campus in St Catharines.

Registration Information

  • Manitoba resident individual regular registration

  • Reduced cost for participants coming for ony Friday nighht OR Saturday

  • Student of any educational institution & under the age of 30; and outside Manitoba participants

I will arrange my own accomodations or hotel

We have a few host familes offering free stay at nearby homes. Would you like the registrar to contact you to see if one of these homes will be available for you?

Posture Guidelines and Expectations for Open Space

IN THIS EVENT
Participants will hear from and be heard by others
Participants engage with each other about opportunities and challenges that exist
Participants will have the opportunity to discern next steps together
Participants will have access to resources including each other’s wisdom.

GUIDING POSTURES
Everyone has wisdom. Everyone’s input is important.
Listen to understand.
Offer ideas, beliefs, convictions and stories with humility
When the going gets rough, engage curiosity, ask questions and listen carefully.
We will listen to, respect, and dignify people with whom we disagree.
Use inclusive language, respecting pronouns, and avoiding assumptions about someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

CONFIDENTIALITY
Participants agree not to divulge the names of others who attend.
Participants will hold people’s stories with care, and confidentially if required.
Participants will protect others from potential exposure and judgement by others, including those in leadership.

Resource Table at the Event

  • Various books & resources available to browse at event

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Can you make an optional donation?

Your generosity will go towards subsidizing students and out of province guests attend at a lower cost, to further the the diversity of the dialogue.

Suggested Amounts

Billing Information

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover

Guiding Posture & Confidentiality Statement

IN THIS EVENT

- Participants will hear from and be heard by others

- Participants engage with each other about opportunities and challenges that exist

- Participants will have the opportunity to discern next steps together

- Participants will have access to resources including each other’s wisdom.

GUIDING POSTURES

- Everyone has wisdom. Everyone’s input is important.

- Listen to understand.

- Offer ideas, beliefs, convictions and stories with humility

- When the going gets rough, engage curiosity, ask questions and listen carefully.

- We will listen to, respect, and dignify people with whom we disagree.

CONFIDENTIALITY

- Participants agree not to divulge the names of others who attend.

- Participants will hold people’s stories with care, and confidentially if required.

- Participants will protect others from potential exposure and judgement by others,

including those in leadership.

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