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Christmas at Menno Place: 2025 Events & Activities
It’s December! The season of Advent has begun and you’ll find Christmas all over the campus at Menno Place.
From trees and decorations brightening the halls to special chapel services, live music, holiday parties, Christmas movies, even a chance for the residents to get a photo with Santa here on campus, there’s something for the child in all of us.
- In Menno Hospital East 2 they’ll be doing Christmas baking.
- There’s a Christmas Tea happening in Terrace East
- Menno Home East 1 is making wreaths (with chocolate)
- The Pavilion is hosting a children’s Christmas piano recital
- Menno Hospital West 2 is going on a bus trip to see the Christmas lights
- Home East 2 is having a Christmas party
- Primrose Gardens is hosting a choir
And that’s just the beginning. As you’re putting together your Christmas plans you can find the holiday happenings for each area of campus in the monthly recreation calendars. The December calendars are up – you can find them through the link at the top of this website:
Residents can sign up for bus trips and other activities with the recreation staff in their area. In the apartments the Life Enrichment Associates are also available to help. If you have any questions about Christmas activities please don’t hesitate to reach out.
The chaplains have put together a full month of special chapel services each Tuesday in the month of December. Some weeks feature live music along with the chapel service. Families and friends are always welcome to join us for any of these services.
If you or your loved one is looking for a gentler space in the midst of the holiday season our annual Blue Christmas Service on December 16 offers a quiet, reflective space particularly well suited to those who may be lonely or grieving at this delicate time of year.
You can see the full chapel calendar below and find more Christmas resources and Advent readings here: https://www.mennoplace.ca/christmas/
Dementia Series – Educational Session on December 5th
Dear Families,
We are pleased to invite you to the first session of our Dementia Series, an educational program designed to enhance understanding and support for individuals living with dementia.
📅 Date: Friday, December 5th
🕥 Time: 10:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Menno Hospital Chapel
👩⚕️ Presenter: Dr. Atul Nanda, Geriatric Psychiatrist
Dr. Nanda will lead this informative session, offering valuable insights into dementia care and management. We strongly encourage family participants to attend this session and benefit from Dr. Nanda’s expertise.
We look forward to your participation.
Kind regards,
Smitha Varghese, Director of care, Menno Home and Hospital
Let’s rise to lift others this #GivingTuesday
Your #GivingTuesday donation will be matched while matching funds last, doubling your impact!
Learning Opportunity: Webinars for LTC Caregivers
Menno Home & Hospital Family Council would like to inform family and friends of 2 upcoming educational webinars
The Great British Columbia Shake Out – Oct 16, 2025
Menno Place will practice our earthquake preparedness safety drill – the Great British Columbia Shake Out – on Thursday, October 16th at 10:16am. DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON. All staff and residents at Menno Place will be participating with practice drills.
Drop, Cover, and Hold On when the earth shakes.
Taking the proper actions, such as “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”, can save lives and reduce the risk of injury. Everyone, everywhere, should learn and practice what to do during an earthquake, whether at home, work, school or traveling.
If you’re at Menno Place on Oct 16th, please prepare to participate in this drill.
At 10:16am you will hear an announcement: “Earthquake drill STOP, DROP, COVER, HOLD ON”
- You are required, if safe to do so, stop current activity, drop to the floor and take cover under a table or desk.
- You should count out loud for the duration of the simulated earthquake. This will help keep you focused and calm, as well as providing an indication of how long shaking can last.
- When the shaking portion of the drill stops, stay in place and count to 60, giving displaced objects a chance to settle.
Some education tips:
- Residents in beds, recliners, wheelchairs should not be transferred until after the shaking stops. Stay put. Cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow until the shaking stops.
- Wheelchair users: lock the wheels, cover your head and neck.
- A safe place for residents who cannot drop is next to an inside wall away from moving/falling objects
- Do not use doorways
For those who use adaptive equipment:
We Want to Hear From You – Family & Friends Satisfaction Survey 2025
Please take the survey by October 19, 2025 and let us know how we’re doing.
New Menu Options at the Fireside Café
Looking for a quick and delicious option for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a hearty snack? Come and see the new offerings in the bento machine at the Fireside Café (located in Menno Hospital just off the lobby).
Hot breakfast options now include:
- Bacon, egg and cheese on an English Muffin
- Spinach and egg white wrap
- Egg, sausage and potato breakfast wrap
We’ve also added savory and satisfying vegetable noodles along with these favorites:
- Shrimp fried rice
- Chicken souvlaki
- Roast beef
- Butter chicken
- Dal curry rice
- Chicken biryani
- Lamb curry
- Chicken fried rice
Prices start at $6.99. Items can be heated at time of purchase, or served cold to reheat at break time. Grab yours today! Coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks and ice cream are also available.
Mail Delays: Giving Alternatives During the Canada Post Strike
Thank you for the many ways you support Menno Place and help us care for our seniors with compassion and dignity. We know that some of you prefer to mail your donations, but with the ongoing Canada Post strike that began on September 25, mail delivery is currently delayed. If you were planning to give by cheque, we invite you to consider alternate ways of giving during this time.
You can make a secure donation online at mennoplace.ca/give, call us at 604.851.4000, or drop off a donation in person at the front desk of the Menno Hospital entrance. Cash or cheques are gratefully accepted in person—please place them in an envelope addressed to Garry Janzen. If you’d like to include details with your gift, you can print and fill out our donation form and bring it with you.
We’re so grateful for your continued kindness and generosity.
LTC Family Council Virtual Meeting – Oct 20, 2025
Menno Place Long Term Care (LTC) Family Council invites you to our upcoming meeting!
WHEN: Monday, October 20, 2025 7-8pm
Join us online to be a voice in decision-making that affects our loved ones and all residents. Lend your observations, experiences, ideas, and work together to improve the resident experience at Menno Home & Menno Hospital.
How to join :
Send an e-mail to the Family Council (mennoplacefamilycouncil[at]gmail.com) to request a meeting invitation. All Family Members and Friends of a long-term care resident at Menno Place are welcome to join and participate in the Family Council.
