Policies
- Introduction
- The Harmonie Program
- Preparation and Travel
- Length of Term
- Support
- Evaluation
- Introduction
Individuals constitute the most precious resource of MCC. The following aims to clarify what we expect of Harmonie participants and what they can expect of MCC.
So that the work of the Harmonie participants can go smoothly, MCC attempts to provide financial, spiritual and administrative support. The policies provide a standard for decision making. They permit us to face, rapidly and efficiently, a variety of routine problems. Well formulated, the policies make life easier for everyone.
The policies should serve and not hurt those whom they were written for. There are situations where the predetermined policies do not suit and exceptions can be taken into consideration. In all circumstances the spirit behind the policies is to encourage order and avoid rigidity.
We hope that reading this will encourage the participants of Harmonie to serve joyfully and productively in the Kingdom of God.
A. Philosophy of the Harmonie program
The Harmonie program was created for young people between the ages of 18 and 24 who want to have the experience of the redemptive work of Christ through social action. Theology, service and music are the three principal disciplines in the Harmonie program.
The participants of Harmonie live together in an MCC house under the supervision of the team responsible for the program.
B. Declaration of Faith
The Harmonie program subscribes to the Christian confession of faith of MCC:
"We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the revelation of God and the Lord of all those who accept him by faith. We believe that the Christian church is composed of those who engage themselves to live under his lordship and to live in communion with each other. Christian love is the principal quality of Christian faith and becomes the foundation of relationships with all people with out consideration of their beliefs, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, or political opinion. Our position regarding conflicts, injustice, war and racial tension is founded on the biblical teachings of non-violence. The service that the Mennonite Central Committee renders is a positive expression of this declaration of faith." - Dora's translation from French
C. Personal conduct standards
Personal and group conduct of the Harmonie participants should be guided by each person's conscience, by the expectations of the local church, the local community, and the Harmonie program. The participants must grant priority to personal habits which encourage personal and community faith (this includes an agreement to not use non-medicinal drugs including alcohol and tobacco and abstinence from all sexual activity). The problems of bad behavior during the program will be settled in consultation with Harmonie personnel. The participants must voluntarily adopt a lifestyle following these standards of Christian life and be responsible in this decision.
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- The Harmonie Program
Theology
Harmonie is an effort of conceptualized theology. Harmonie offers to its participants a setting for discussion about God and about the relevance of the Christian faith today. We propose to attain this objective through two meetings per week which examines theology particularly from the Anabaptist perspective.
Service
Harmonie is an effort to sensitize participants about social questions. The participants will be put in contact with different realities in the local milieu that will help them to integrate faith and service. The participants will have the opportunity to incarnate the love of Christ and to identify themselves with people who have been marginalized by society. We propose to reach this objective through service in community agencies. Service implies WORK. The hours are long and the jobs may be sometimes tedious. The workers are sometimes called to do work that is unpleasant, but nonetheless essential. Service implies the WHOLE BEING. The attitude of the worker is as important as her or his performance. This rule of a good attitude can be applied also to the heart of relationships with the participants and coordinators of Harmonie as well as with the members of the church.
Music
Harmonie is an effort of Christian development. Harmonie offers a context in which the participant can develop her or his talents and capacities in a team. In the group or individually, the participant studies a musical instrument and/or sings in a choir according to their interests and capabilities. The participants perform in churches, community organizations and before the underprivileged. Practice stimulates creativity in service and affirms the skill of the participants.
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- Preparation and Travel
A. Orientation
Each person accepted to the Harmonie program will participate in an orientation at the beginning of their term. The orientation will cover three aspects: a cultural orientation to the city and the country; philosophy and policies of the Harmonie program and its three disciplines; and a general survey of the programs and projects of MCC.
B. Transport
The Harmonie participants must organize their own transport to and from Montreal in collaboration with their local MCC office.
C. Personal Effects
As a general policy, luggage should be limited. Harmonie participants come from varied social and economic backgrounds. A superfluous display can only hurt efforts of understanding and empathy towards those who one serves and in the rapport of the participants with the milieu of the local church. MCC encourages Harmonie participants to reflect seriously about what is really necessary and what may be superfluous in their common living space. MCC will not pay the costs of transporting luggage which is over the limit permitted by the society of public transport or which exceeds space in the car being used for that purpose. MCC houses are equipped with all necessary furniture and appliances.
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- Length of Term
Harmonie begins September 15 and ends on May 15. Participants must live with the group throughout the term. A holiday at Christmas permits participants to return home if they wish to do so. Participants are responsible for the cost of transportation.
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- Support
A. Food and Lodging
The Harmonie program provides all basic necessities to its participants. MCC is responsible for providing food, lodging, basic furnishings including dishes, utensils, articles of hygiene including soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, non-electric razors, sanitary napkins, non-prescription drugs including analgesics and cough syrup, etc.
Laundry costs are covered by MCC with the exception of dry-cleaning. MCC does not pay for personal postage or for the repair of personal items like watches, computers or suitcases.
A residential telephone is available for the exclusive use of participants. The telephone number for the Harmonie residence is: (514) 935-5802. All personal long-distance calls must be paid for by participants. (Suggestion: Calling cards are recommended for over-seas telephone calls because they are far more economical than the local phone company).
B. Personal Allowance
Harmonie participants will receive a $15 personal weekly allowance.
C. Paid work during the term
Harmonie participants must abstain from applying for work or conducting significant personal financial business during their term with Harmonie. If the participant were to do such things she or he would be put in a position where motives would be questioned and the participant might be suspected of opportunism.
D. Enrichment
Harmonie should be an enriching experience that expands horizons. This is possible with a little planning and a modest budget. MCC believes that certain enrichments should be a part of the experience of each participant.
Retreats - We plan for the Harmonie participants to attend the annual MCC Eastern Canada retreat if the retreat takes place in Québec. The participants should prepare themselves by reading the suggested material on the theme of the retreat. A relaxing environment with modest accommodations, recreational activities and good food.
We expect the participants to take part in any retreat offered by the church they attend if the occasion presents itself and if the schedule allows for it.
Newspaper - We wait to see what the household chooses and then subscribe to a daily paper. A Mennonite periodical will also be at their disposal.
Library - The participants of Harmonie are strongly encouraged to become users of the public services such as the public library, museums, the House of Culture and others.
E. Healthcare
The North American and European participants must obtain their own medical coverage before attending Harmonie. African participants are covered by MCC.
Generally, Canadian participants can use their provincial health insurance. Before leaving their province, the Canadian participants should contact their provincial health insurance office to let them know about their temporary absence and to learn how that affects their health coverage.
We suggest that participants have a preventative check-up at their dentist before leaving the province or country to avoid urgent dental problems during their time in Montreal.
F. Transport
The costs of local public transportation are covered by the Harmonie program.
G. Special permission
Should an emergency situation in one of the families of a participant come up, whether relating to parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters, we presume that the participant in consultation with the coordinators of Harmonie will make the appropriate arrangements under the circumstances. It is clear that such permission does not include financial aide from MCC. We would expect rather that the family of the participant would take care of any resultant costs. At the same time, MCC is ready to contact the participants local church to solicit aide, if needed.
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- Evaluation
A. Evaluation
To favor the knowledge and enrichment of the Harmonie participants each participant will fill out a self-evaluation and will see her or his work evaluated by her or his supervisor. This evaluation is completed at the end of the assigned work by both the coordinators of Harmonie and by the supervisor of the agency where the participant was working.
B. Early departure
All efforts will be made to avoid early departures. If for personal or work reasons an early departure is necessary, the question must be discussed in depth and the decision made with the coordinators of Harmonie and fellow group members.
C. End of the program and return of the participants
The participants of Harmonie are encouraged to stop in at their regional MCC office during their return trip. The participants are also encouraged to renew contact with their local church. At that time, we ask the Harmonie participant to share their experiences in different ways. The interest and support of past participants are of significant importance in MCC's continuing response to the needs of this world. Continue the race! May this experience be a step in a life consecrated to the service of Christ and others.
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