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Inside Discipleship at the Heart of Anabaptism 15 in Solidarity with Attawapiskat 16-17 Rebuilding Haiti: Photo Essay 18-19 2 Canadian Mennonite January 9, 2012

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Inside Discipleship at the Heart of Anabaptism 15 in Solidarity with Attawapiskat 16-17 Rebuilding Haiti: Photo Essay 18-19 2 Canadian Mennonite January 9, 2012 January 9, 2012 Volume 16 Number 1 Imaginations Focus on Elementaryat &work Secondary Education pg . 26 inside Discipleship at the heart of Anabaptism 15 In solidarity with Attawapiskat 16-17 Rebuilding Haiti: Photo Essay 18-19 2 Canadian Mennonite January 9, 2012 Editorial • identify yourself. One of the curses of the Internet is that persons can hide behind aliases, anonymity, monologues of non-persons. It is a cowardly act, one A matter of the heart totally lacking in accountability for words Dick Benner and messages. In the faith community, Editor/Publisher we are members one of another. We have covenanted to be each other’s “bread and “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, wine.” If we can’t stand behind our words O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14, NIV). with full identification, our words are empty and lacking completely in credibil- s we enter the year 2012, one Much more goes into our communica- ity and “heart.” of my goals for Canadian tion than the words and flashy images Bergen, Braun re-assigned AMennonite and for its primary that are created each day to command readership—members of the faith com- our attention. Rachel Bergen, national correspond- munity of Mennonite Church May I suggest a few non-verbal ent, has been re-assigned as co-editor Canada—is to maintain a high guidelines for the new year to raise of Young Voices, and New Order Voice level of conversation that fills the the awareness of the “heart” issues columnist Will Braun has been hired as pages of this publication. of good communication: senior writer. Both will work out of their In this information age, driven • make listening a part of locations in Winnipeg. The new positions more and more by the Internet, we talking. It is not an idle adage to were effective Jan. 1. live in a sea of words and visual images. note that God gave us two ears and one In her new role, Bergen The electronic media and social network- mouth in his wisdom of creation. We can will focus on building a ing have come to dominate much of our many times learn much more by listen- network of writers across waking hours. You would think that in a ing to the other person’s point of view, his Canada in an attempt to time of many tools of communication at or her life narrative, a story of struggle gain greater representa- our disposal, we would be more under- and anxiety in shared matters, or simply tion of voices for Young Bergen standing of each other; more efficient enjoying the good humour, the delight of Voices. Emily Loewen, in decision-making; more capable of hearing another’s words in a conversation. the present editor, will continue manag- working through issues that require logic, I have established an editorial practice ing the Young Voices section and write common sense, goodwill and good judg- when receiving an angry letter or hearing editorials and features from her location ment—all leading us to a higher quality of from someone who adamantly opposes in Toronto. Bergen will continue her as- life, a state of being approaching nirvana. my point of view, to pick up the phone and signment as national correspondent, but Sadly, no. As so many of us have call them to discuss the issue and to probe in a more limited role. experienced, having more ways of com- with questions what might lie behind his/ Braun, who has been a municating doesn’t necessarily improve her angst. It is amazing how this simple New Order Voice, along our relationships with each other. Because, act of “communication” changes the dy- with Aiden Enns, will as the poet who wrote the words of Psalm namic of the communication. develop stories of a more 19 in ancient times succinctly indicates, In talking voice-to-voice, I am able to interpretive nature on “words” are linked inextricably to a matter humanize the exchange, show an interest issues and events across Braun of the heart—and to a God who stabilizes in where the person might be coming Canada and occasionally our living as the “rock” and “redeemer” of from and establish a relationship with outside the denomination. His column, these actions. a person who is oftentimes a stranger. which appeared six times a year, will now There is a context to our communi- Our communication becomes much be devoted to theological issues written cating that is easy to miss in the rush of more than words on a piece of paper. It by various scholars and denominational words and images in our modern age. becomes heart-to-heart. leaders within MC Canada. About the cover: Circulation: Please contact Lisa Jacky toll-free at Rosthern Junior College students put their imaginations to work on 1-800-378-2524 ext. 221 or by e-mail at office@ an international service learning trip in support of a community in canadianmennonite.org for subscriptions and ad- Guatemala. Our Focus on Elementary & Secondary Education begins on dress changes. Subscriptions can also be ordered at page 26. our web site. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada PHOTO: ROSTHERN JUNIOR COLLEGE Periodical Fund for our publishing activities. ISSN 1480-042X PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40063104 REGISTRATION NO. 09613 ‘A place that gives life’ 4 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE ITEMS TO CANADIAN MENNONITE contentsLarry Miller reflects on his 22 years at the helm of Mennonite World 490 DUTTON DRIVE, UNIT C5 Conference. ‘My growing interest in MWC surprised people who knew WATERLOO ON N2L 6H7 me,’ he says. ‘I sensed, however, that this might be a call to receive life Phone: 519-884-3810 Toll-free: 1-800-378-2524 Fax: 519-884-3331 through the global church.’ Web site: canadianmennonite.org Please send all material to be considered for publication to: The merger God has been waiting for 13 General submission address: [email protected] Two Toronto Lao Mennonite churches celebrate amalga- Readers Write: [email protected] mation after seven-year separation. Milestones announcements: [email protected] Obituaries: Lisa Metzger, [email protected] People of faith must call for climate justice 14 Calendar announcements: [email protected] Willard Metzger, MC Canada’s executive director, reports back from Material can also be sent “Attn: Submissions/Readers Write/Milestones/Obituaries/ the UN climate change conference in Durban, South Africa. Calendar” by postal mail or fax to our head office. Reprint requests: [email protected] Seniors, youths break down age barriers 20 When the grey-haired set met the blue-jean generation of Emmanuel Mission statement: To educate, inspire, inform, and foster dialogue on issues facing Mennonite Church, Abbotsford, B.C., at an evening gathering last year, Mennonite Church Canada as it shares the good news of Jesus Christ from an Anabaptist perspective. We do this through a regular publication and other media, both generations learned a lot about the other. working with our church partners. New editor on board 22 Guiding values: Young Voices adds Rachel Bergen as co-editor. The national corres- Hebrews 10:23-25 • Accuracy, fairness, balance • Editorial freedom • pondent joins Emily Loewen, Young Voices’ original editor, in order to Seeking and speaking the truth in love • Open hearts and minds in discerning God’s will • take Canadian Mennonite’s youth message across the country. Covenantal relationships and mutual accountability Focus on Elementary & Secondary Education 26 Area churches and MC Canada financially support 44 percent ofC anadian Read about happenings from Rosthern Junior College, Mennonite’s annual budget. Menno Simons Christian School and Mennonite Board of Directors (by appointing body): Educational Institute, as well as the history of MC Canada: Ed Janzen, Les Klassen Hamm, Joon Hyoung Park, Doreen Martens; Saskatchewan’s Pembroke School. MC B.C.: Linda Matties; MC Alberta: James Moyer; MC Saskatchewan: Joe Neufeld; MC Manitoba: Al Friesen; Regular features: MC Eastern Canada: Tim Reimer; For discussion 7 Readers write 8 Milestones 10 CMPS: Carl DeGurse, Margaret Ewen Peters, Tobi Thiessen Pontius’ Puddle 11 Yellow Pages 21 Board Chair: Tobi Thiessen, [email protected], 416-622-7850 Calendar 30 Classifieds 30 Head Office Staff: A matter of the heart 2 Dick Benner, Editor/Publisher, [email protected] Ross W. Muir, Managing Editor, [email protected] Dick Benner Barb Draper, Editorial Assistant, [email protected] The raising of Ebenezer 8 Dan Johnson, Graphic Designer, [email protected] Darren Pries-Klassen Lisa Jacky, Circulation/Finance, [email protected] Emily Loewen, Young Voices Editor, [email protected] Collaborative conflict resolution 9 Advertising Manager: Lisa Metzger, [email protected], toll-free Melissa Miller voice mail: 1-800-378-2524 ext. 224 Christmas is over, what now? 10 Correspondents: Daniel Horne Rachel Bergen, National Correspondent, [email protected], 204-885- 2565 ext. 259; Amy Dueckman, B.C. Correspondent, [email protected], 604-854-3735; Donita Wiebe-Neufeld, Alberta Correspondent, Online NOW! [email protected], 780-436-3431; Karin Fehderau, Saskatchewan Correspondent, [email protected], 306-933-4209; at canadianmennonite.org Evelyn Rempel Petkau, Manitoba Correspondent, [email protected], 204-745-2208; Dave Rogalsky, Eastern Canada Correspondent, ec@ Christopher Hitchens, atheist to the end, dies canadianmennonite.org, 519-579-7258. at age 62: Chris Herlinger, ENI In Canada, Jewish, Muslim comedians joke Award-winning about Christmas: Ron Csillag, ENI member of the Reading the Bible . ?: Paul Loewen Canadian Church Press ‘A place that gives life’ Larry Miller reflects on 22 years at the helm of Mennonite World Conference By Phyllis Pellman Good For Meetinghouse PHOTO by ELEANOR MILLER arry Miller remembers one moment clearly when, as a 38-year-old, he was weighing whether or not to accept the nomination to lead Mennonite World Conference (MWC).
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