A Lenten Discipline

Praying for Daria Egereva

Pr. Peter Kuhnert and Kata Kuhnert

 

In the season of Christmas 2025, the people of Mount Zion began praying for Daria Egereva, the Selkup Indigenous defender and climate change activist who was arrested in Moscow on Dec. 17, 2025.  She remains in custody, now 70 days after her arrest.

 

The Selkup people are an Indigenous Arctic people who traditionally live between the Ob and Yenisey rivers in what is now Russia. In Russia today, there are forty-seven small Indigenous minority groups. The Selkup are a small Indigenous nation that numbered more than 4,000 people in the 2002 Russian census.  They speak a dialect in the Southern Samoyedic group of Uralic languages. Traditionally, the Selkup people are semi-nomadic hunters and fishers. The name Selkup means “forest people”. 

 

The ongoing war in Ukraine is causing significant harm to Indigenous minority communities within the Russian Federation. Issues include military conscription and the imposition of contractual military service, forcing some small ethnic minorities to lose up to one-third of their men to the war effort. This has resulted in a disproportionate number of deceased Indigenous men. Further, new repressive legislation is seeking to curtail the human rights lobbying of Indigenous human rights defenders while environmental standards are reduced to allow extractive industries to expand activity to support the wartime Russian economy. (1)

 

Daria Egereva is an Indigenous Selkup wife and mother, a human rights defender, a co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) and a member of the United Nations Indigenous Peoples’ Coordinating Body (UN ICB). It was at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that Mount Zion church member Kata Kuhnert had the privilege of working directly under Daria’s leadership. Daria has also worked for many years as a human rights worker with the Centre for Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North (CSIPN), an organization explicitly named in UN Human Rights Council resolution 60/21 (Oct. 7, 2025) as an organization subjected to forced closure and persecution by the Russian Federation. CSIPN was a member of the Aborigen Forum- an organization designated by Russian authorities in July 2024 as an “extremist organization” despite the peaceful and non-violent advocacy work of this organization. On Dec. 17, 2025,  as part of a series of widespread searches and arrests targeting Indigenous activists and human rights defenders across Russia, Daria Egereva was arrested in Moscow by the Russian Federal Security Service.  If convicted, she (2)faces a potential prison sentence of 10-20 years. She was arrested within days of returning to Russia from the UNFCCC COP30 meetings in Belem, Brazil. This was the second annual COP meeting in which she participated as a co-chair for the IIPFCC. In her international work, Ms. Egereva was known for her focus on coordination, facilitation, and dialogue. (3)

 

On Feb. 6, 2026, Indigenous Peoples' representatives from the seven UN socio-cultural regions wrote an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking him to use his influence on Ms. Egereva's behalf.(4) Ms. Egereva remains incarcerated until her next trial date, currently scheduled for March 15, 2026. Today is Daria’s 70th  day of incarceration.

 

This Lent, please consider:

1. Praying for Daria and her family, that she may be released unharmed to her family and community without crimes wrongfully ascribed to her.

2. Pray for Indigenous communities under threat around the world – from climate change, wrongful imprisonment, denial of the right to self-determination, and the abuse of human rights and Indigenous rights.

3. Pray for the safety of all Indigenous leaders who work to further global climate change initiatives, such that all marginalized groups can participate in international governance in forums like the UN without fear of retribution from oppressive entities (whether they are government, corporate, or military).

Pray for Indigenous nations and peoples within so-called Canada as they too come under increasing economic and nationalist pressures from military and resource extraction projects that have a documented history of harmful ramifications for Indigenous self-determination. Did you know that the Department of National Defence in Canada is proposing to spend $5 billion dollars on military infrastructure on Inuvialuit and Gwich’in lands in Inuvik, NT and again
$5 billion dollars on the Yellowknife's Dene First Nation’s lands.

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[1] ADC- Anti-Discrimination Centre. “To the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People”. Aug. 08, 2023.  https://share.google/p5JmxTedy5hMKtM83

2 Cultural Survival. “Stand with Daria Egereva and 17 Indigenous Leaders”. For immediate release Feb. 9, 2026. https://share.google/rLCBgnkzd5UY1bSO3

3 Global Petition Open Letter to President Putin ENG.pdf. Feb. 6, 2026.

4 TC Submits UN Urgent Actions for Daria Egereva.  https://share.google/OJIIeqGbBDrDrof5r

Daria Egereva. https://share.google/kHm1KBA7UvS1amHsI

 

Wednesdays in Lent Continue

Waterloo Anglicans/Lutherans 2026 Lenten Series

Formed By The Living Waters: Tools of the Trade

 

6: 00 pm  Each evening begins with a Community Meal of Soup, Bread and Water

7:00 pm  Worship - Holden Evening Prayer

7:15 pm   Presenter and Discussion

8:15 pm  Blessing & Journey home

 

Feb 25 - Christ Lutheran Church 445 Anndale Rd

“John 4:1-42” Pastoral Care

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Mar 4  - Trillium Lutheran Church 22 Willow St

“Jeremiah17:7-8, 13” Preaching

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Mar 11  - Holy Saviour 33 Allen St East

“Jeremiah 2:13” Advocacy

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Mar 18 -  Mount Zion 29 Westmount Road South

“Ezekiel 47:1-12” Community Engagement

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Mar 25  - All Saints’ 400 Northfield Dr W.

“John 7:37-39” Worship Planning

 

Wanted Soup Makers

Pastor Philip is looking for a few people to make soups for March 18 when we host neighbouring Lutherans and Anglicans for a Wednesday in Lent. If you can lend a hand, the sign-up sheet is on the Narthex table, or give Margaret a call.

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Financial Update

A continuation of SNOWMAGEDDON!​

Richard Brubacher, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair

Results in the Ministry & Mission (current) account for the first two months of 2026 recorded a deficit of $19,543, which is $1,038 better than plan, despite spending being $6,366 worse.

The spending issue is a continuation of heavy snow removal costs exceeding plan by $6,325 for the period.  The good news continues to be that receipts have offset this negative impact, driven by strong member support and marginally higher rental income for the period.

Additional Comments:

• Member gifts $37,825 are $4,825 better than plan.

• Rental Income from parking & facility of $12,994 is $2,396 better than plan.

• Disbursements of $74,255 are $6,366 worse than plan. The major issue in spending was heavy snow removal and salt costs which exceeded plan by $6,325 in the two-month period.

Read the full report here

 

Mount Zion Has Talent – March 15, 2:00 pm

A fun and music-filled afternoon is planned for March 15 at 2:00 pm, when choir members and other talented members of the congregation will unpack their talents and present a dizzying array of musical gifts. The “concert” is a fundraiser for our Choral Scholar program. Come out and expect the unexpected. There is a rumour that Sir Elton John may attend. 😊​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Mount Zion Women's Retreat   

Women of Mount Zion, you are invited to attend our 37th Annual Women's Retreat, on Friday, May 1st - Sunday, May 3rd, at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp and Retreat Centre, West of New Hamburg.  Pastor Tanya Varner, of Trinity New Hamburg, will lead us in the theme -Beloved - Resting in God's Grace.  Come and give yourself a gift of time, time for spiritual renewal, time for laughter, time to experience spring in the air at Hidden Acres.  

Cost is $140.  For more information, speak to Carol Ziegler at 519-886-6675, Anne Woolner at 519-743-2277, or Joan Schweitzer at 519-886-5977, or check the bulletin board in the narthex for registration forms.        Carol Ziegler​​​​

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​Mount Zion Café

​The Café will be serving coffee, cookies and conversation on Mar 11 and Mar 25 at 10 am. in the Glebe Room.​​​

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Celebrating Black Heritage

Mount Zion’s Black History celebration was a wonderful moment in our congregational life, and it shows what we can accomplish when we work together. Both the sermon by Intern Leo and the commentary by Bishop Carla and Bishop Ali Tote were powerful. The music, from the Hymn of Freedom to a drum version of "Oh Canada," was amazing, and the food was scrumptious.   

Thank you to all of you who teamed up to handle the myriad details that needed to be accomplished. A few special thank-yous to Mrs. Bell, who once again led her kitchen crew in producing a meal to be remembered; to Sherri Ann Kennedy, who took on the challenge of emceeing the program with gentle grace; and to Susan Brubacher, who managed many of the details.  Thanks, too, to the 50 or so volunteers who made the day a success.

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News from Justice through Service

Climate Emergency Vigil - March 22

Faith Climate Justice will hold a Climate Emergency Vigil on Sunday, March 22nd at 2 pm at Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. W., Waterloo.  The speaker will be Alison Gingrich Regehr, a specialist in stormwater infiltration and groundwater.  

Talk by Bob Burtt, April 19

Mount Zion will be hosting a talk on Sunday, April 19, after the service (and refreshments)  by journalist Bob Burtt, author of No Guardians at the Gate: The Elmira Water Crisis (2014) and Water: A Sacred Trust (2022), a book about the water supply in Waterloo Region.

Lake Chad Appeal

On Sunday, February 1, we were honoured to have Sophia Gebreyes of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Ethiopia speak to us about the LWF's work with farmers in both Ethiopia and the Lake Chad Basin — in the latter case, carrying out the CLWR Friends of Creation project, partnering with Global Affairs Canada. She told us how LWF workers have listened to and walked with the people of both regions about their farming practices; they know which measures are working, and, in her words, “now we are looking to scale up”.  

Our congregation has now raised $3,000 toward the $5,000 challenge goal by the end of March.    Matched by the Canadian government, we can think of this as representing 60 acres of farmland to be restored in the Lake Chad Basin, aiming for 100 acres.   Contributions can be made directly through our page at  clwr.org/mzlcwaterloo, or as part of your Mount Zion offering, indicating “Lake Chad Appeal”.   ​

 

By Living Waters Ministry School, Searching for Coaches

Martin Luther University College (Luther) received a Lilly grant to launch a new project, “By Living Waters Ministry School.” The role of the school will be to provide training and support for lay leaders in the Eastern Synod, and for the pastors and deacons who work to empower them. Luther, through the work of Dr. Rebekah Ludolph, and Synod, through the work of Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Katherine Gohm, are working together closely on the project. We are looking to train and hire four coaches to help lead By Living Waters programming.
We are looking for rostered or lay leaders with experience in one of four areas:
    Community engagement
    Community care/visitation
    Preaching and Lutheran biblical interpretation
    Collaborative leadership
Coaches are meant to be good listeners who can facilitate healthy conversation and who can accompany individuals/congregations/communities through change. A coach is primarily an encourager and an accountability partner. More details are included in the application.
Please forward your application to Rev. Katherine Gohm at  kgohm@elcic.ca by March 1, 2026.
For complete details and instructions on how to apply, CLICK HERE

 

Charitus Announces Calls for Partner Impact Grant Applications

Charitus has launched its 2026 Partner Impact Grant Program, offering matching grants to ELCIC congregations and institutions for projects addressing social and environmental needs in both church and broader community contexts. Grants of up to $3,000, covering up to 75 percent of project costs, are available to support impactful initiatives under three key objectives:

1.  Elimination of Poverty: Projects like low-income meal programs, food distribution, and assistance with essential items. 

2.  Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples: Initiatives to promote awareness, education, and community engagement, such as healthy meals, cultural camps, and work programs.

3.  Sustainable Environmental Practices: Ideas such as energy-efficient lighting upgrades, water conservation measures, or rain barrel installations.

This is an opportunity for your congregation or Synod to receive financial support for projects that make a tangible difference. Applications are open to all Charitus partners and congregations supported by their Synod. The submission deadline is May 31, 2026. For more details or to apply, visit Charitus Apply for a Grant.

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​New Supportive Housing Apartments - Volunteers Needed

​Magnolia Apartments is a new Indwell 41-unit supportive affordable apartment community located at 49 Queen Street North (formerly St. Peter’s), Kitchener. Tenants will begin moving in beginning mid-March, and we are looking for volunteers to assist with light appliance setup, furniture assembly, and cleaning in our new apartments. There is also a need to help a few tenants move into their new homes.

We welcome volunteers of all experience and skills. This is a great opportunity for groups of friends, work colleagues, church groups and families to practically help people in our community. 

You will join a team to set up some furniture in the building, do light dusting or mopping, or unwrap and wipe down appliances. We have four 3-hour volunteer sessions at different times to offer a few day-and-time options, as well as an opportunity to help a few tenants move in on March 14 & 15.  Please sign up - here. 

If you have any questions, please contact  – mwillcock@indwell.ca. 

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Thank you for your support of Indwell. We look forward to working with you! 

Mark Willcock, Community Engagement and Fundraising Manager

c/o Sonja Ayodele snayodele@indwell.ca   905-529-0454 x 239

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