The MNO Synod has hired Cathy Morris as the Strengthening Ministry Coordinator/Conflict Management Consultant.

In her duties,
1. She will perform assessments in situations where individuals and/or congregational groups have issues between them and determine whether a facilitated process would be beneficial in trying to resolve these issues and/or come to a better understanding of the other parties' perspective. If such a process is recommended, then she would facilitate the process. The most common processes that are typically used in these types of situations are mediation and community conferencing.

2. Multiplying Ministries /Lay Ministries certificate - she will develop and facilitate a course on conflict management in the spring of 2008

3. Congregational Peacebuilding Partners - she is the representative for the MNO Synod on this committee. CPP is an ecumenical group in Manitoba that seeks to build capacity among churches and leadership for dealing with conflict.

A deep awareness of world community quickly formed as 81 people visiting from 12 nations gathered for the International Rural Church Association's (IRCA) fourth quadrennial conference. Members of the Canadian Rural Church Network hosted these visitors at Brandon University (July 3-9, 2007).

Participants, from South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland / Romania, Germany, England, Tonga, Indonesia, India, Czech Republic, Iceland and USA, were rural people (clergy and lay) and church leaders who shared concerns effecting rural communities, and sought to develop a deeper understanding about how churches might respond to these "Cries From and Heart" (which was the theme of the Conference).