UPDATED - MCC board chairs respond to letters from church leaders (+ responses from church leaders)
On Oct. 14, MCC board chairs sent the following response to church leaders and concerned individuals who had written to MCC US national and regional boards ahead of their Oct. 17-18 meetings in Akron:
“Over the past two years, MCC has worked to listen carefully and prayerfully to all individuals who have chosen to share difficult experiences directly with us. Multiple changes have resulted, including increased staff support and policy changes. At the same time, it’s impossible to respond to complaints that are anonymous or made in online public forums without situational details.”
Response from Kathryn Smith Derksen: Receiving this response to my family's trauma was disheartening, to say the least. It is clear that my story was not read, or regarded, even though I am one of the only named survivors having gone public with MAST (MCC Abuse Survivors Together). I can personally attest to you that no one from MCC has reached out to listen to our story or offer an apology… I've been hearing for over a year now that MCC is committed to listening, but I have yet to see any evidence.
Read on for the rest of Kathryn’s response, and responses from Julene Fast and Rick Sittler.
Survivors Are Still Waiting. Speak Up Before MCC US October Board Meetings
MCC US will hold its first post-COVID All Boards Meeting on October 17–18 in Akron, bringing together regional board members from across the country. MAST and its allies see this as a pivotal opportunity for MCC to commit to meaningful engagement and begin the process of external investigation.
MCC Abuse Survivors Together invites the public to engage with MCC boards by writing to national or regional board members ahead of these upcoming meetings. As letters are shared with us, we will post them on our website.
We urge all who care about MCC’s future to speak up now.
Write your letter by October 15.
MAST will post letters on our website (with authors’ permission)
Browse published letters here.
Read MCC’s response and church leaders’ response to that here.
Pacific Northwest District Conference Board of Directors urges MCC to “act with urgency and appropriate transparency to identify and remediate the systemic problems…” as reported by MAST.
We are dismayed by the picture … of an organization that:
is more concerned with reputational harm than with the well-being of its staff
views the legitimate health and safety concerns of its staff as an inconvenience
uses NDAs to control the public narrative in unhealthy ways
abuses staff with legitimate health and safety concerns
… Simply put, this pattern cannot be allowed to continue into the future.
MCC responds to Sara Wenger Shenk (story in Canadian Mennonite)
The Canadian Mennonite has reported on Sara Wenger Shenk’s invitation, “A Modest Proposal to Pivot,” and MCC’s response.
In an email to the Canadian Mennonite, MCC leaders stated,
“We continue to appreciate Sara Wenger Shenk as a leader within the larger Anabaptist community…As she noted, Wenger Shenk’s statement reflects an incomplete knowledge of what occurred in multiple situations, MCC’s policies and procedures and of the steps MCC is actively taking toward change.”
Western District Conference Executive Board calls on MCC to “commit to a full external investigation of all allegations”
We call on MCC to commit to a full external investigation of all allegations, in which the choice of firm and the mandate of the investigation are approved by the MCC Abuse Survivors Together (MAST) steering committee. Such an investigation, we believe, should be transparent and independent, and commit to making the results of such an investigation public.
We also believe any external investigation should also review MCC HR policies and make recommendations for change. And we call for a commitment from MCC to make such changes as necessary.
External consultant releases recommendations for possible MCC “listening space”; MAST continues to call for external investigation
MCC Executive Directors have contracted with Jes Buller Stolzfus to design a “potential listening space” that would allow MCC to “listen to and learn from individuals who experienced harm while working with MCC.”
After speaking with 28 stakeholders, including members of the MAST Steering Committee, Stolzfus shared her full report and executive summary with the MAST steering committee on June 1, 2025. We have posted them here.
Stolzfus insists that if MCC does not respond with appropriate humility and commitment at this “pivotal moment,” it will risk deepening the “pain and mistrust” that many of its stakeholders currently experience.
The MAST steering committee agrees with Stolzfus and other respondents that urgent action is needed in response to the widespread harm that many have experienced, and recognizes the value of deep listening as a necessary part of a process of healing and accountability.
However, we remain skeptical of any listening process that is divorced from strong external accountability. MAST continues to call on MCC to commit to a full external investigation of all allegations, in which the choice of firm and the mandate of the investigation are approved by survivors.
Desalegn Abebe, MAST, and others speak out through teal ribbon campaign at Mennonite World Conference meetings
At Mennonite World Conference (MWC) meetings in Germany from May 23-28, 2025, MAST launched a support ribbon campaign, inviting people to wear a teal-colored ribbon as a public call for justice, accountability, and transparency for MCC.
Pastor Desalegn Abebe and Anicka Fast wore the ribbon during the meetings. They were soon joined by others, including MWC staff members and volunteers.
MWC General Secretary César García read a statement of support for Fast’s ministry in the Faith and Life Commission and emphasized that MWC supports efforts toward resolution of the conflict with MCC.
The topic of allegations against MCC received symbolic visibility during a morning prayer time on May 27.
In a conversation with MCC Executive Directors who challenged his involvement in the teal ribbon campaign, Abebe insisted on the need for MCC to respond appropriately to the allegations through an external investigation.
More survivors of MCC abuse speak out about NDAs, sexual harassment, financial fraud, bullying, and dangerous neglect of health needs
“It felt like one of those movies, where all of a sudden the whole system is trying to crush you.” –MCC representative couple whose reports of fraud in an externally-funded MCC partner organization were systematically suppressed or ignored by their supervisors, HR, financial services, international program, and planning/learning/disaster response
“Before I entered that job, I was proud to be who I am, an independent, strong-headed woman. But by the time I left I was crawling out of there, with barely any of my essence left intact.” –Survivor of years of gaslighting and sexual harassment within MCC
“I hid because I was ashamed. I sold my house, left the area. I couldn’t go to church in case [MCC leader] showed up. No one ever reached out to see if I was OK.” –MCC salaried staff who was fired and pressured into signing an NDA as a condition for receiving a severance package. This person shared with MAST that they had not written about the events in their journal, even years later.
MAST and its allies produce new advocacy resources: FAQ, pastoral letter, and suggestions for congregational involvement
Is it difficult to know what step to take next in response to the serious abuse allegations concerning Mennonite Central Committee?
Check out our new resources to support your advocacy or to respond to your questions: a pastoral letter, an FAQ, and a list of suggestions for congregational involvement.
Joanna Harader, an MC USA pastor, wrote this letter to all pastors who are wrestling with the challenge of helping their congregations confront the allegations of abuse within a beloved institution. Harader writes, “I do not think I am alone in serving a congregation in which some people want to completely cut off all ties to MCC while others want to ignore survivor stories and carry on as usual. Many of us who lead congregations are wondering how to most faithfully navigate these conversations.” She continues with some specific suggestions from her own experience. Check it out!
Central District Conference Board calls for independent external investigation, asks MCC and MAST to agree on terms
On March 26, 2025, the Board of the Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA wrote to MCC US leaders and to the MAST steering committee. CDC board members have given MAST permission to post this letter on our website.
The CDC board is the first church entity from among MCC's 14 sponsoring denominations to make a strong and public request for an independent external investigation - one which:
(1) addresses all allegations of bad endings with MCC, by providing “a hearing for all those who separated from MCC under contested or contentious circumstances”;
(2) calls for an external review of MCC policies;
(3) recognizes the need for the investigation to produce a public report, and
(4) insist that both MCC and MAST need to approve of the choice of investigative firm.
MAST responds to MCC’s “monograph” of “apology”
On Feb. 25, 2025, MCC began to circulate a “monograph” which it is calling “an apology.”
To us, this comes across primarily as further damage control, minimization, and denial – a classic “fauxpology.”
In its statement, MCC consistently minimizes the allegations and the harm, referring to workers who “experienced pain” or “left MCC feeling wounded,” while taking responsibility only in a vague way for unspecified occasions when MCC “systems were slow, unresponsive or dismissive,” when policies were not shared properly or communication “devalued or disempowered” workers. MCC falsely claims that “resolution” has occurred in cases of staff separation from MCC.
MCC’s vague apologies for poor communication and unclear policies are offensive in light of the seriousness of the allegations, and look like a way to pacify donors while failing to get to the bottom of what actually occurred.
Read further for reactions by Stephanie Krehbiel, Julene Fast, and Kim Thiessen.
MAST responds to MCC statement that denies “claims of systemic abuse”
On February 5, 2025, MCC posted a public statement in which the organization defends its decision to terminate John and Anicka’s employment in August 2023, “unequivocally” denies “claims of systemic abuse,” and emphasizes MCC’s integrity and care for staff in “difficult and complex situations.”
MAST finds this statement misleading, insulting, and harmful.
John and Anicka say, “by leaving out the most significant pieces of our story (our reports of abuse, the NDA, and the harsh and vicious character of the termination), MCC’s entire story becomes grotesquely misleading.”
Read further for more details, and a general response from MAST as a whole.
Press release, January 31, 2025
MCC reaches non-confidential legal settlement with John Clarke and Anicka Fast
MCC releases misleading internal statement about the legal settlement and the Veritas investigation
MCC’s “internal third-party investigation” by Veritas Solutions finds that “senior MCC staff as a whole” engaged in harassment against John and Anicka
MAST calls for negotiations about an external investigation during upcoming “facilitated conversations”
MAST launches website at https://www.mccabusesurvivors.org/.
Survivors share the deep pain and isolation they feel due to unquestioned MCC loyalty in their communities
Mennonite church leaders support survivors at story-sharing event Dec 12, 2024
MCC releases internal statement about the legal settlement with John and Anicka and the Veritas investigation findings, Jan. 23, 2025
January 23, 2025. MCC Executive Directors sent an email to all staff with an update about the resolution of the legal case with John and Anicka, and a FAQ document about the case and the Veritas Investigation results.
MAST has written a response to this FAQ, which it considers to be “problematic, misleading, and inaccurate in multiple ways.”
Canadian Mennonite reports on Veritas investigation findings, labour board conciliation planned for Jan. 22, 2025, and facilitated discussions brokered by church leaders
One day prior to a planned conciliation meeting between John Clarke and Anicka Fast and Mennonite Central Committee as part of a Québec Labor Board dispute, Canadian Mennonite reports on the Veritas Solutions investigation findings and interviews Fast and Clarke about their expectations for the conciliation process, their reaction to the investigation findings, and their hopes for a restorative solution through a facilitated conversation being brokered by César García (general secretary of Mennonite World Conference) and Marisa Smucker (executive director of Mennonite Mission Network).
Veritas Solutions determines that actions by MCC “senior personnel” toward John Clarke and Anicka Fast constitute multiple counts of “harassment.”
Veritas Solutions determines that actions by MCC “senior personnel” toward John Clarke and Anicka Fast constitute multiple counts of “harassment.”
In Akron staff newsletter, MCC announces an “internal assessment of staff relations particularly in the International Program,” Dec. 18, 2024
“an internal assessment of MCC’s policies and procedures concerning staff relations particularly in the International Program will be conducted. This assessment will examine current practices in areas such as conflict resolution, abuse of power, terminations, and other challenging employee situations. Based on the findings, the assessment will offer recommendations to support healthier relationships between staff and supervisors, ensuring alignment with MCC’s core values. Linda Herr will oversee this internal assessment, reporting to the two national executive directors.”
In Akron staff newsletter, MCC announces transition for MCC US Human Resources Director, end of October 2024
“Update on MCC US HR Director Position: Considering the objectives set out for HR in the draft five year Strategic Plan and the continuation of Susan Wadel as the HR Director for Special Projects, MCC US will be opening a search for a MCC US Human Resources Director with an expanded role to fulfill the objectives set out in the upcoming Strategic Plan. Please keep an eye out for this HR Director job posting and share it with your professional and personal networks.”
Investigative article: “MCC accused of inadequate response to sexual assault allegation in Mozambique”
During her four years with MCC, Moyer worked on seven sand dams, seconded by MCC to Conselho Cristão de Moçambique (Christian Council of Mozambique—CCM) in the city of Tete. She loved the work. Moyer, who still lives in the country—now working for Equip Mozambique—is proud of the work she was part of and the people whose lives are better today because of it.
But Moyer paid a high price. In two interviews with Canadian Mennonite, Moyer told of a troubled workplace at CCM Tete… and alleged sexual assault by a fellow MCC worker.
She also speaks of how MCC’s response to sensitive and difficult situations failed to meet her needs.
MCC’s interim director of advancement, Laura Kalmar, responds to questions from editor of Canadian Mennonite
“As we hire an increasing number of staff from outside Canada and U.S. and deal with multiple and changing international employment laws, we are significantly growing our human resources staffing in international settings. We have just created the role of an international human resources director who will eventually be located outside Canada and the U.S. We are also following through on our commitment to place an HR professional in every international region where we work to deal with the often complex and varied needs of these regions. These additional staff in international settings allow for much stronger worker care and support. We are also increasing staffing by adding a position with MCC U.S. to respond to reports of abuses of power.”