PM 40063104 R09613
October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20
Suderman refl ects: Part 2 page 6
Youths !explore page 14
Serving up 40 years of memories page 21 DeskTop
Mines, Pa., are an ugly, bloody testament to the reasons A test of faith the Amish and their Anabaptist cousins, the Hutterites he Amish of Lancaster County, Pa., spiritual siblings and some Mennonites, believe so firmly in separation from of the Old Order Mennonites of Ontario’s Waterloo the world. It is not because of fear, or the wish to shelter TCounty, have managed to live with intrusion and insult themselves from violence and temptation, or to establish an for decades—the kind of taunting against which detective earthly Utopia. It is so that when violence and temptation John Book (played by Harrison Ford) struck back in the descend on them with all the force of an equine-borne apoca- 1985 Hollywood film Witness. But this assault—the binding lypse, they can muster the strength and resolve to survive it and execution of little girls at school—is a violation so together, one leaning on the other, leveraging their com- deep that it will test their faith to the point that some will, monality, simplicity, humility and grace to stand firm and privately, not survive it. faithful to their beliefs against a murderous onslaught that We have only begun to learn of the deep mental afflic- would tear any of the rest of us to pieces. tions that drove 32-year-old Charles Roberts to murder five Although they do not wish for it, they come by martyr- female children in cold blood and seriously injure others. dom honestly. Dozens of early Anabaptists were drowned He appears to have recognized a hard-wiring problem in or burned at the stake in the 16th century, as the Roman his brain that drove him to sexual assault; he constantly Catholic Church attempted to eradicate the upstart sect mourned the loss of an infant daughter. His mission on Oct. that preached a theology that contained no priestly interme- 2 was to be his final assault on the Providence that had per- diary, adult baptism upon a self-aware confession of faith, mitted all this, among people who prize faith above all else. and a simplicity that ignored the icons, sacraments and The media—satellite trucks, hairspray and makeup in liturgies of the established church. tow—did as they did at Montreal’s Dawson College not a As they pursue their lives of faith, the Amish have come month ago: They focused on killer and motive, leaving the to expect that, periodically throughout history, the ills of the victims to be dealt with another day. As they now turn their world will visit themselves upon their community. It will cost lenses, microphones and notebooks in the other direction, them dignity and sometimes death. But dignity is carried by they will be perplexed by the simple resolve of the devas- the vain, and death is a passage to a different type of life. tated families to grieve, to close ranks against a prying and As a Mennonite, myself, I know that in their boundless cynical world, to lift their eyes upward in painful supplica- grief and profound loss, they will remember again why they tion and, eventually, to forgive. chose to separate themselves from the world. At work will be the same theological imperative that —Larry Cornies drove the family of Elmira, Ont., hockey star Dan Snyder to The author is the Maclean-Hunter chair of communication ethics at Ryerson make their peace with Dany Heatley after the NHL player University in Toronto; he attends Valleyview Mennonite Church in London, crashed his Ferrari, killing his passenger and teammate. Ont. and is on Canadian Mennonite’s board. A longer version of this edito- Oct. 2’s events in that tiny schoolhouse near Nickel rial first appeared inThe Globe and Mail.
Mission statement: Published by Canadian Ross W. Muir, Managing Editor, Mennonite Publishing Service, Canadian Mennonite [email protected]; serves primarily the people and churches of Barb Draper, Editorial Assistant, Mennonite Church Canada and its five area [email protected]; conferences. Canadian Mennonite is a bi-weekly Anabaptist/Mennonite Tim R. Dyck, Graphic Designer, [email protected] periodical which seeks to promote covenantal relationships within the Correspondents: Leona Dueck Penner, National Correspondent, church (Hebrews 10:23-25). It provides channels for sharing accurate and [email protected], 204-888-6781 x178; Amy Dueckman, fair information, faith profiles, inspirational/educational materials, news B.C. Correspondent, [email protected], 604-854-3735; and analysis of issues facing the church. Donita Wiebe-Neufeld, Alberta Correspondent, timanddonita@ attglobal.net, 780-436-3431; Karin Fehderau, Saskatchewan Head office:490 Dutton Drive, Unit C5, Waterloo, ON, N2L 6H7 Correspondent, [email protected], 306-933-4209; Evelyn Phone: 519-884-3810 Toll-free: 1-800-378-2524 Fax: 519-884-3331 Rempel Petkau, Manitoba Correspondent, [email protected], Web site: canadianmennonite.org 204-745-2208; Dave Rogalsky, Eastern Canada Correspondent, Please send all material to be considered for publication as follows: [email protected], 519-579-7258 General submission address: [email protected] Circulation/Finance: Lisa Jacky, [email protected] Letters to the Editor: [email protected] Advertising: Karen Suderman, [email protected], toll- Calendar announcements: [email protected] free voicemail: 1-800-378-2524 ext. 224, home office: 519-745-4507 Transitions announcements: [email protected] Board of Directors: British Columbia: Henry Neufeld, John W. Goossen. Material can also be sent “Attn: Submissions/Letter to the Editor/ Alberta: Brenda Tiessen-Wiens. Saskatchewan: Bernie Thiessen, Calendar/Transitions” by postal mail or fax to our head office. Margaret Ewen Peters. Manitoba: Aiden S. Enns, Bernie Wiebe, Editorial Staff: Tim Miller Dyck, Editor/Publisher, Paul Krahn. Eastern Canada: Mary Lymburner, Brice Balmer, Ester [email protected]; Neufeldt, Larry Cornies. Please contact Lisa Jacky at [email protected] or x221 for subscriptions and address changes. A mail-in subscription order form is in the Tomorrow section. Postmaster: Send returns to head office. We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program toward our mailing costs (PAP Reg. No. 09613, Agreement No. 40063104). ISSN 1480-042X
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 ThisIssue
October 16 2006 4 UpClose Volume 10, Number 20 Ethiopian student ‘teachers’ 4
6 Faith&Life God’s People Now reflections 6 Stay on the chosen path 9 10 Arts&Culture Gracious Christianity review 10 Siberian Mennonite history 10
11 InConversation Peace clowns await sentencing 11 Letters 12 Love subverts the lingo 12 The age of paranoia 13 14 WiderChurch Youths !explore 14 Page 11 Meeting the Iranian president 16 Aid sought for Amish families 17
Page 9 21 LocalChurch Camp Koinonia turns 40 21 Foodgrains bank harvest up 22 Transitions 26 Electronic delivery All subscribers can get the complete contents 27 TheChurches of Canadian Mennonite Working towards covenant 28 delivered free by e-mail or view selected articles online. For either option, 29 ToMorrow visit our website at canadianmmenonite.org. Page 21 The Oct. 30 issue will be ready by Oct. 26.
Cover: Under a canopy of brilliantly col- oured trees, guests at Camp Koinonia’s 40th anniversary celebrations enjoyed hot chili served from huge cauldrons by Jake Neufeld, the camp’s former director. See story on page 21. —Photo by Evelyn Rempel Petkau
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 UpClose
Waterloo, Ont
Canadian professors learn from the Ethiopians.” Both teachers were overwhelmed by their Ethiopian students the faith of their students. Peters’ recounted meeting a student oved to tears over and over days, to get to Addis Ababa. When he for the first time. After a few minutes again were John Peters and graduates, he hopes to return to active of conversation, the student asked to MPeter Frick. The members ministry and found a school in his go to his room to pray. Prayer pillows of Waterloo North (Ont.) Mennonite village, so that his children can get an are readily available and brought out Church spent four weeks this past education. as needed, so that people can kneel to summer teaching at the Meserete Such stories of dedication to get- pray. People expect that when two or Kristos College (MKC) in Addis ting an education are common. When three have prayed, God will respond, Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Their asked what their highest dream would Peters enthused. tears flowed not from the grinding be, the students, many in their 30s Worship in the churches Peters and poverty or the difficulties their and 40s, replied, “To get a Ph.D. and Frick attended would be charismatic students and hosts face, but from the come back to teach.” by Canadian Mennonite standards, faithfulness, piety, fervour, generosity, “In North America, most get an but normal in many African evan- and deep and imminent spirituality education to get a better job, to have a gelical churches. Frick noted that they encountered. better standard of living,” says Frick. the demythologization of the New The Ethiopian Mennonite Church is “In Ethiopia, those getting an educa- Testament in the 1960s by Rudolf the largest and one of the fastest grow- tion are hoping for an improvement in Bultmann—who called the miracle ing Anabaptist groups in the world, the lives of their people. There is less stories “fables”—made no sense to his with approximately 350 congregations, dichotomy between work and life for students. Several of the students are 750 church plants and 120,610 mem- bers. The church is growing so fast that the need for trained pastors is Ethiopian Isaiah 6 They said “amen” and “hallelujah.” One far outstripped by the ability to teach thing mattered—Jesus. I taught cultural anthropology at Meserete 5. And I said, “What is this? It is a con- them. tradiction of life. Adversity is the norm, Peters—a retired Wilfred Laurier Kristos College in Ethiopia in June and July. Upon my return to Canada, the pas- not a disruption.” University professor of sociology—re- sage where Isaiah had a holy encounter 6. And I said, “This is the true gospel. ported that the church really needs to with God came to me three times in the first What is it with me? How is all this, in be teaching four times as many people five days. I could not shake the passage and the light of my church or the church in as it currently can. was struck with awe and wonder. I wrote North America?” At the MKC College, Frick—aca- my own Isaiah 6. 7. Yet, I have seen the Lord. It is as if demic dean and associate professor of live coals were carefully passed over the religious studies at St. Paul’s College, 1. In the year I went to Ethiopia, I saw grey hair of my head, and gently placed University of Waterloo—taught a the Lord sitting on a throne, high and in my mouth. radiant. The incense of his presence filled 8. And I heard the voice of the Lord say- course in philosophy, theology and my soul. ing, “You have often listened to my Word. logic, while Peters taught comparative 2. I saw godly people, men and women, You have argued and debated theology. cultures. committed to the Way. They believed in I have blessed you with health and with Students are sent to the college by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. material goods. And you don’t get it. their congregations and are assigned They believed in the God of Sarah, David Listen to the people of Ethiopia. Respond to either a two-year diploma program and Daniel. They believed in the miracles to their cry for help. Join their hands in or four-year degree program by their of Jesus. the Way.” congregation and the college. The 3. They believed in the presence of the 9. And I said, “The live coal you have degree program, in particular, raises Spirit as recorded in the book of Acts. placed in my mouth reaches my soul. I questions of whether the students will They were bold in telling the story that am warmed. I am humbled. I am quiet.” makes people free. Their living was one 10. After a time, I said, “I will do what I return to their isolated congregations of sacrifice, but they did not see it as can—for your kingdom, for the people of and, if they do, will they fit in. sacrifice. Ethiopia.” Frick told the story of a ministerial 4. They were gentle in spirit. They often 11. And the Lord said, “That is all I ask.” student who has no road to his vil- smiled and laughed. In their gather- 12. And I said, “Should it please you, lage. To come to college, he leaves his ings they worshipped God by clapping, Lord, leave the coal burn. It warms my family, walks two days to the nearest swaying and moving their feet—truly soul. It gives me purpose and life.” bus stop and then rides the bus for two a participation of mind, soul and body. —John Peters
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 UpClose
Klassen new MC Canada resource development director Dave Klassen has been named the eastern director of Mennonite Church Canada’s Resource Development de- partment. Klassen, of Waterloo North Mennonite Church, brings extensive Africa experience and perspective to his new role of inspiring generous hearts on behalf of the church. Born to missionary parents in Congo, he grew up in Africa and North America, Photo by Dave Rogalsky later working extensive terms with Waterloo North Mennonite Church members Peter Frick, left, and John Peters Mennonite Brethren missions and spent the summer teaching at Meserete Kristos Church College in Addis Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Ababa, Ethiopia. in Congo, Nigeria and Uganda. He has extensive speaking experience, having exorcists and all of them had experi- support for MKC’s building program, travelled across Canada as global edu- enced God’s active work in their lives. to create space for more students. The cator of MCC Ontario. He has a degree All but one of Peters’ students was government has donated land to create in international development, as well a first-generation Christian, converted a university offering both divinity and as a year of engineering studies. “I from nominal Orthodox Christianity liberal arts curricula, but so far only believe in what God is doing around or Islam. Before their conversion, $1.5 million of the $20 million needed the world, and I believe that the main some students had practised one of has been raised. They also hope to tool God uses is the church. This is the these two religions in a mixture with raise money for scholarship support to church doing it, and it’s really neat be- animist traditions. send more students to school. About ing a part of this,” Klassen says of his Both Peters and Frick hope to re- $1,500 will support a student and his new appointment. turn to Ethiopia to teach in the future. family for a year. —MC Canada release by Dan Dyck In the meantime, they are looking for —Dave Rogalsky
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Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 Faith&Life
General secretary on the state of Some assume that our tra- reflects ditional understanding about ‘God’s People Now’ sexual practice and same-sex relationships are part of the P a r t II non-negotiable understandings of our church, while others would suggest that this is open to the MC Canada general secretary Robert J. Suderman continues his discernment of the local or broader reflections on his cross-country God’s People Now tour of congrega- church. Some would say that the way cur- tions so far. The visits conclude at the end of this month. In the Oct. riculum for Sunday school is chosen, 2 issue, he presented the first six of 13 issues that churches feel are the education that pastors need to important. What follows are the final seven, plus his thoughts on have, and the ways in which pastors where the national church can go from here. Also included are words are selected for the congregation are subject simply to the preferences of of wisdom from Henry P. Epp, former chair of the Conference of the local congregations. Others would Mennonites in Canada, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. prefer to see more consistency and unity of criteria in these decisions 7. Essence and identity across the national church. Related to the concerns about polity and the locus of author- And others, again, are simply incon- ity (No. 6 in the last issue) are concerns about how to define sistent—assuming that the patterns of the “essence” or “core” of our identity—those things that are their congregations are good and those understood to be “non-negotiable” and those that are not of others are not. foundational. Sometimes these concerns are related to the proper use 8. Structuring for effectiveness of the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective in the Related also to the concerns of deci- life of the congregation, sometimes not. sion-making and authority are con- Some understand our identity as a “peace church” as part cerns about structuring congregational of our ethnic baggage and thus is not biblically central to life in the best way to discern and who we need to be as a church. Others would see this as the make the decisions needed to be the screen that identifies us as truly “Mennonite.” church. There is a strong preference in some areas for a “leadership board” model of congregational discernment. In this model, few, if any, decisions come to the annual meeting of the congrega- tion other than those that would be legally required. Pastors, along with a “leadership board,” are charged with the task of providing leadership for the congregation. And the congrega- tion must provide them the freedom to make the necessary decisions. Other models are very “democratic”
Photo by David Martin and insist that all decisions, including MC Canada general secretary Robert J. Suderman, centre, in con- what colour to paint the bathrooms, versation with members of Bloomingdale (Ont.) Mennonite Church. must be processed and approved by a congregational vote. I have been surprised at how many congregations have engaged, are engaging, or are planning to engage, significant restructuring processes
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 Faith&Life designed to adapt governance of the congregations to the demographic and social realities they are facing.
9. Volunteerism MC Canada general Related to the concerns about restruc- secretary Robert J. turing is the concern about finding Suderman, left, reflects enough volunteers to fill the commit- on the state of the tees needed for the church to function. Mennonite Church with Finding committed Sunday school a member of Living teachers, church council members, Water Community deacons, trustees, youth mentors and Christian Fellowship in sponsors, and musicians is not easy. Photo by David Martin New Hamburg, Ont. Increasingly, congregations are looking to streamline their structures that would essentially involve fewer considered an honour to be asked. “We seldom, if ever, have persons on fewer permanent commit- anyone turn us down,” they said, seemingly perplexed that I tees. Comments I heard included: would ask. • “People don’t want to commit to a three-year term.” 10. Inter-generational dynamics • “If we get folks involved in occasion- Often related to the concerns about worship in the congre- al projects, they will more willingly gation (No. 4 in the last issue) are the inter-generational commit to participate.” dynamics of congregational life. These dynamics echo the • “People are willing to help, but they experience with worship—some congregations have been don’t want to be in charge.” able to “turn the corner” and others have not. • “Our folks are so very busy; we just In each case where they have, it has been possible can’t make regular commitments because the various age sectors of the congregation have anymore.” begun to “stand guard” for the preferences and the wellbe- • “How can we compete with minor ing of the other age sectors rather than for just their own. hockey, swimming lessons, dance When this happens, there is a remarkable spirit of harmony classes and the many options for and an absence of competition among generations. involvement that there are in our In one congregation, the worship team of young people communities?” always asks the group of 80-year-old-plus women whether However, I need to highlight two they enjoyed the words of the new songs, whether the music experiences here. was too loud, and if there were enough familiar songs in the One was in Saskatchewan, where service. These older women, in turn, are the most vocal sup- the small congregation has 70 posi- porters imaginable of the youth. tions to be filled and they have too When I asked, “How did you get to be like this?” they many volunteers to do so. They are answered, “Some years ago we weren’t like this and we’ve looking at restructuring in order to all learned our lesson.” create more opportunities for commit- In other congregations, each age sector understands that tee work! When I asked them about its role is to defend the needs and preferences of its own their secret, they humbly replied, “We sector. When this happens, the walls seem to get higher and just enjoy getting involved in the work the issues become more divisive. of the church.” The drums used in worship by the youths seem so much The other was an experience louder, and the traditional hymns get more boring, when in Ontario. One congregation has you are defending your own rights rather than advocating 15 youth and adult Sunday school for the welfare of others. classes, each one with two committed I have been surprised at the key role a spark of leader- teachers. I asked them whether they ship makes in “turning the corner.” Such leadership does had any trouble finding teachers, and not necessarily come from the pastor. Someone—be it a se- they said, “No, none at all.” nior, a council member, a deacon or a teenager—has taken I asked for their secret, and they Continued on page 8 told me that every August their superintendent and assistant super- intendent go through the membership list and “appoint” which persons would be given the “privilege” of teach- ing that year. They then go and tell these persons the good news, and it is
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 Faith&Life
for personal and congregational life. Some congregations have redesigned not only their models for ministry and their organizational structures, but Suderman From page 7 have also remodelled existing physical structures or designed new buildings some energetic initiative, and it makes all the difference in that are more aligned with their mis- the world. sional understandings. Many have restructured their 11. Local and global governance and program ministry to The slogan “from across the street to around the world” respond more fully to their renewed captures well another challenge that needs to be highlight- understanding of the vocation of the ed. Congregations are struggling to become more relevant church. It is fair to say that the mis- locally, yet they clearly also wish to be globally connected. sional vision has mobilized a massive Immersing themselves in their own context appears to attempt at renewal in virtually all be new to many. They are trying to find creative ways of parts of our denomination. It is too doing that. In many places, individuals from the church are soon to gauge the fruit of this for our very active in community affairs, but this activity does not future. provide a strong sense that the congregation itself is active in the community. 13. Priorities and strategies Some are attempting to encourage individuals to see their And that leads me to one final pattern. involvement in their vocations and community commit- Congregations recognize their need to ments more intentionally in light of being representatives fine tune the ways they set priorities of the church. Others are seeking to harness the individual and budgets so that these reflect bet- initiative and bless it as being the “church.” Still others are ter what they want to do and who they seeking ways for the congregation to connect much more want to be. Congregations understand intentionally with its own context. that the plethora of ministry options A predictable result is that these efforts absorb resources, at their fingertips requires that they both financial and human. And then congregations come become more intentional about defin- face to face with their other passion—the desire to be glob- ing priorities and then using these as ally connected. The push and the pull of these priorities screens for decision-making. presents significant challenges for decision-making. Responding to funding requests because “it’s my grandchild,” or 12. Missional church impact “cousin,” or “she’s from our congrega- The focus on the “missional church” paradigm over the last tion,” or “they do good,” is increasingly number of years has had a dramatic impact on the life of unsatisfying because the outcomes are our church. All area churches have gone through intentional difficult to gauge and impossible to revisioning and restructuring processes that have been monitor. nurtured by the missional church vision. Yet many congregations do not have Many congregations have initiated processes that exam- the will to change processes, partly ine their lives, identity, purpose, history, priorities and ac- because they have not adequately tivities in light of this paradigm. There is a new confidence defined or agreed on their priorities in being Christian in our world and the implications of that and strategies. Congregations are
Members of Hunta Mennonite Church in north- ern Ontario discuss church issues with MC Canada general secretary Robert J. Suderman, right. Photo by David Martin
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 Faith&Life increasingly aware that choices will need to be informed not simply by op- portunity, but also by their covenantal commitment to other parts of the Leamington, Ont. church, their concerns about identity, missiological principles and the prior- Stay on the chosen path ity of strengthening the church. While congregations recognize that enry P. Epp, former chair and vice-chair of the they need to change, the momentum Conference of Mennonites in Canada (CMC) from of how things have always been done, H1963-68, celebrated his 90th birthday this summer. along with local and family connec- During a telephone conversation with Canadian tions, are often too strong to allow de- Mennonite, Epp, who served as a minister for 20 years in cision-making to take on a new shape. Canada and two in Germany, and as a teacher in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and South America for another two What can we do now? decades, reflected especially on his experiences with CMC. It is exhilarating to be the church in Issues that were important in his day, Canada. It is challenging, perplexing, he said, included: frustrating and disheartening. But • The German/English language debate. there is also abundant joy, significant • Raising finances to pay for the pur- community, deep commitment, ener- chase of Canadian Mennonite Bible gized vision and tenacious persistence. College in Winnipeg, an institution that The challenges are significant and “set the [theological] pace at that time.” they will not easily be “resolved.” We • Struggles between the “old guard and can only hope to “address” them. Are the younger fellas related to fundamen- there things we can do immediately? talism and modern thought, which was Yes! interesting, to say the least.” • Pray for each other across the • The beginning of Canadian Mennonite church. Make a special point of pray- magazine started by Frank H. Epp. ing also for congregations, leaders and “[The magazine] had a slow start be- people in a region different than your cause it was English. But in the end it own. went okay. The majority were in favour, • Talk to each other often. Find ways but some thought, ‘Why should we do of communicating with people in this when we have Der Bote?’” your own congregation, but also with As for Mennonite Church Canada persons from beyond that circle. Share today, there are differences “between your experiences and listen carefully young and old, which, of course, is noth- to the experiences of others. ing new.… We have to be realistic about • Visit each other. I hope we can facili- that,” he emphasized. “Times change. tate cross-country visitation exchanges Processes change. But we don’t have to for ministry and relationship-building. sacrifice our faith over that. This debate But don’t wait. Your congregation has is not an unhealthy thing. We need each the capacity to do that right now. other and should be open to the fact that Epp with his birthday cake. • Strengthen your congregation. Be we’re living in a different age.” intentional in the ministry you engage He offered these final words of wisdom on the occasion of and the decisions you make. Decide to his 90th birthday with a quiet laugh: “Stay on the chosen become a more active member in the path…realizing that we live by the grace of God.” larger church body across Canada and —Leona Dueck Penner don’t assume that this will happen without intentional commitment. • Contribute your strengths to oth- ers and be open to allow others to help with your weaknesses. There are many gifts that, if offered and received in our body, will serve to strengthen us all. —Robert J. Suderman
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 Arts&Culture
An alternative to Mennonite Brethren Studies and the Russian Academy of Sciences. mean-spirited Christianity The book, published in March, is the Jacobsen, Douglas, and Rodney J. apologists as Augustine, Aquinas, first fruit of the Siberian Mennonite Sawatsky. Gracious Christianity: Bonhoeffer, Brian McLaren, Henri Research Project, begun in 2002 by Living the Love We Profess. Grand Nouwen and Lesslie Newbigin, the the Center for Mennonite Brethren Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006. authors engage doctrinal issues in Studies at Fresno Pacific University. ways that invite the reader in. In the The goal of the project is to explore racious Christianity summarizes chapter on heaven, hell and the judg- the history of Mennonites in Siberia. the entire scope of classic ment, the authors suggest that goofy Some of these individuals and families GChristian theology from the and graphic descriptions of the final were exiled to the region by the Soviet nature of God to the end times. This judgment “fail to recognize that our Union. Others migrated voluntarily in book was written by two friends who actions and attitudes in the present the late 19th and early 20th centuries, became soul mates in their thinking have long-range consequences for both according to Paul Toews, director of the about Christian faith and life during ourselves and others…. Hell is the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies. their 10 years as colleagues at result of our unwillingness to embrace Mennonites came to Russia in the Messiah College. God’s love much more than it suggests late 18th and early 19th centuries at The central question which Sawatsky the limits of God’s grace.” the request of Empress Catherine II, and Jacobsen address is how Christians The authors’ hope was that Gracious to farm in the area known as “South can be more embracing of those who Christianity will “in some way Russia,” known today as Ukraine. are different from them and yet remain help those of us who call ourselves While some emigrated to North people of strong faith and commitment. Christian to be more gracious in the America beginning in the 1870s, many The authors suggest that the questions way we live, acknowledging our own still lived in Russia at the time of the “stem from observing defensiveness brokenness and reaffirming our com- Bolshevik Revolution. Mennonites and mean-spiritedness that pervade mitment to the humble, gentle and experienced great hardship and perse- so many expressions of Christian faith loving way of Jesus.” cution during the Soviet era, when the in America and around the world…. Shortly after beginning the writing government, which recognized neither We are convinced that the good news of this book, Sawatsky was diagnosed religious nor distinct cultural identi- proclaimed by Jesus, when it is properly with a very aggressive form of brain ties, treated them as though they understood, will never foster hate- cancer and he died as the final pages never existed. ful faith, but will make us gracious of the manuscript were being com- The project hired Andrey Savin, a instead.” pleted. He talked often and fondly in historian with the Russian Academy The book is timely, in that it address- those last months about the book, his of Sciences, to research archives in es the “one inch deep one mile wide” co-author, and about those he loved. Siberia and Moscow. He collected an spirituality that pervades so much of What is also true, is that those who annotated listing of 1,000 archival today’s thought. The prevailing as- loved him most—his wife Lorna and files, 103 selected documents and a sumption that it matters less what their three daughters—modelled in number of photographs and illustra- you believe than how you live—that those last months the fundamental tions that are included in the book. doctrine is a distraction at best—denies graciousness of which the book spoke. Publishing with the Russian the significance of a particular narra- —Bert C. Lobe Academy of Sciences increases the tive and the framework for ethics that visibility of the field of Russian it provides. This book reminds readers Fresno, Calif. Mennonite studies. The book also that their Christian faith and identity comes at a time of renewed interest are rooted in a particular narrative, in ethno-cultural studies in Russian and that it is this very particularity Book unlocks Siberian historiography. that enables, and calls for, a “gra- Mennonite history Toews spent the summer in cious” engagement with persons of Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, working with other faiths and persuasions. With few new book illuminates a little- two translators on an English edition and carefully chosen words, and with known chapter of the Mennonite of the book. That publication, also in abundant graciousness, Sawatsky and Astory. Ethno Confessions in a cooperation with the Russian Academy Jacobsen capture what John Howard Soviet State: Mennonites in Siberia, of Sciences, is scheduled for release Yoder called the “moreness” of the 1920-1980, Annotated Archival Listing in mid-2007. Plans are to publish two gospel. of Archival Documents and Materials more volumes of documents. Drawing on such influential is a joint publication of the Center for —Fresno Pacific University release
10 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 InConversation
did some checking on the Internet on Dec. 4 in Bismarck. recently and discovered that North Dakota’s Boertje-Obed’s wife, Michele Naar- INorth Dakota, Manitoba’s next- Obed, has kept many of us posted on door neighbour to the south, is home a regular basis concerning what is to more nuclear weapons than any peace happening to the three prisoners. other of the 50 states in the U.S. One of the messages she sent to her The Bureau of Atomic Scientists has network of supporters was a reflective estimated that the state provides a clowns piece her husband had written in cus- home for more than 1,700 nuclear await sentencing tody while awaiting trial: “Our inner warheads, not counting the ones voices ask: What would be the effect planted in concrete silos in the ground weapons of mass destruction. if farmers [here in North Dakota] al- ready to blast off. On June 20, these three Plowshares lowed signs to be placed near missile The writer on one website said that Movement peace and disarmament sites announcing, ‘War crimes here,’ a friendly cab driver in Bismarck had activists from a Catholic parish in ‘Nuclear terrorism here’? Such actions told him, “If North Dakota seceded from Duluth—Greg Boertje-Obed, Michael could be like the mustard seed para- the union, we would be the world’s third Walli and Father Carl Kabot—began ble, growing to where groups of people most-powerful nuclear state.” the disarmament and conversion would come together and say, ‘The en- “The Peace Garden State alone,” process of one of the deadliest weap- gines of crimes against humanity are says Adam Stone in one of his website ons of mass destruction through their not welcome in our midst.’ ‘What sort articles, “has the capacity to send any Plowshares witness. of example are we giving our children country of any size…back to the Stone Using household hammers, they by allowing these nuclear horrors?’ Age…. pounded on the concrete lid covering “We are reminded,” he continued, “In an age where conflicts are in- the E-9 missile silo on the Mandan- “of Plowshares Movement founder creasingly fought among supranation- Hidatsa-Arikara First Nation, which Phil Berrigan’s comment, ‘Don’t get al groups, rather than nation-states houses a Minuteman III nuclear mis- weary in the struggle to resist nuclear (both the U.S. and Israel are fight- sile. They poured their blood to make evils and to promote justice and love.’ ing wars against organizations, not visible the bloodshed resulting from Each one of us can take more steps to nations), is having an overwhelming the manufacturing, testing and use further peacemaking.” nuclear arsenal the wisest decision for of nuclear weapons, and they spray- We Manitobans have a “nuclear America?” asks Stone. “If Al-Qaeda set painted “It is a sin to build a nuclear wasps’ nest” under our very noses. off a dirty bomb in downtown Seattle, weapon” on the lid of the silo. What should we be saying and doing where would we send our nuclear Dressed as clowns, the three of- at such a time as this? To begin, let’s weapons? Southeastern Afghanistan? fered the gift of healing through be in prayer for Boertje-Obed, Walli Beirut? Tehran?” their willingness to be “fools for God and Kabot as they await sentencing. That so many of North Dakota’s and humanity.” With humour and And let us also be in prayer about warheads are so close to the laughter, they hoped to transform the what sort of witness we should be International Peace Gardens south of structures of destruction and death. giving as people of faith at this crucial Boissevain is ironic. One blogger has The three were arrested at the site time in the world’s history. proposed that North Dakota consider and in September were found guilty of —Larry Kehler changing its name to “Nuke Dakota.” “destruction of government property in This article originally appeared in a longer How should people of faith respond excess of $1,000,” and are now facing format in the September Charleswood Mennonite to this overwhelming mass of destruc- up to 10 years in prison and fines of up Church e-newsletter, Grapevine. tive material right under our noses? to $250,000. They are to be sentenced The reason for my prepar- ing this article is to tell you On June 20, three about three Christians—a Plowshares peace and priest and two veterans— disarmament activists from Duluth, Minn., who from a Catholic parish felt they needed to say and in Duluth, Minn.—Greg do something about this Boertje-Obed, Michael situation. They followed Walli and Father Carl through on their commit- Kabot—began the disar- ment, and went on trial in mament and conversion Bismarck last month for process of one of the their witness against the deadliest weapons of Photo courtesy of Larry Kehler mass destruction.
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 11 InConversation
Letters This section is a forum for discussion and discernment. Letters express the opinion of the writer only, not necessarily the position of Canadian Mennonite, the five area churches or Mennonite Church Canada. Letters should address issues rather than criticizing individuals Mutually exclusive Bible and include contact information. We will send copies of letters referring to other parties to understandings divide church them to provide an opportunity to respond in a future issue if their views have not already been printed in an earlier letter. Please send letters to be considered for publication to let- It is difficult for me to know if or how I [email protected] or to Canadian Mennonite, 490 Dutton Drive, Unit C5, Waterloo, should respond to Peter Braul’s letter, ON, N2L 6H7, “Attn: Letter to the Editor.” Letters may be edited for length, style and adher- “CIM discipline was fair and scrip- ence to editorial guidelines. tural,” Sept. 4, page 15. Living in Toronto, I did not par- Scripture just as Mennonite Church gregations that are part of Mennonite ticipate in the debates and the Alberta is following its understanding. Church Alberta. I do not agree these struggle in Alberta about Calgary What is very painful is that these two rules are faithful to Scripture. The Inter-Mennnonite Church. I suggest, understandings have been deemed choice is not whom we serve, as Braul however, the issue is not whether mutually exclusive by Mennonite says at the end of his letter. CIM Mennonite Church Alberta followed Church Alberta. members and I serve God and our its rules and constitution properly. I Right now, a congregation can- Lord Jesus Christ too. think Braul points inadvertently to not be both part of the Supportive The choice is which process to use to the main issue in his first paragraph. Congregations Network and a member resolve a significant difference in the He writes, “They [Calgary Inter- of Mennonite Church Alberta. Braul interpretation of Scripture. I do not Mennonite] had no intention of obviously believes this separation is believe separation and exclusion are following the teaching of Scripture.” right and just. He also says it is faith- proper methods to resolve differences. In fact, Calgary Inter-Mennonite and ful to Scripture. Braul, and perhaps Mennonite Church other congregations are following I agree that it is right and just ac- Alberta, seem to feel otherwise. their understanding of the teaching of cording to the rules developed by con- —Robert Boardman, Scarborough, Ont.
Aiden Enns New Order voice
he man who handed out “666” pamphlets hood of all believers. It is embodiment politics, in the park yesterday warned me of a radical democracy, a quest for meaning beyond Tlooming Armageddon and talked commodities—or simply living more with about “accepting Jesus into my heart.” less. It’s moving to the periphery, pursuing He looked both confident and desperate. Love subverts humility and acknowledging the facade of The glossy Christian extremist brochure powerlessness among us do-gooders in the he gave me foretold of a mighty cosmic the lingo dominant subgroups of society—or cruci- battle and advised us would-be survivors form Gelassenheit (yieldedness to God’s to avoid the dreaded mark of the beast. will). Words, freaking words. His name was Simon and to my ears he was talking Simon told me he “took Jesus into his heart” in 1975, gibberish. after experimenting with the Hare Krishna movement I can no longer relate to goopy apocalyptics with their and others. So I asked him, “How do you know which metaphysical forecasts of doom. It’s science fiction to me, truth to pick?” I wanted to crack his certitude with an a metaphor at best. My worldview is less spiritual and epistemological knock. more material. Who needs to add four flaming horse- He obviously didn’t understand my loopy worldview, men to our current material realities such as unequal because he answered, “When I accepted Jesus into my distribution of food, clothing, healthcare and shelter, the heart [he began to smile at this point] I knew that…,” presence of surveillance cameras, prison, torture, stun and he repeated some cosmic mishmash I can neither guns, minimum wage and free trade agreements? recall nor comprehend. Freaking words. This world here and now has enough concerns. To fret In the park, on a warm day in fall, this man talking about the afterlife, to invoke the doom religious gibberish cared enough about of future beasts and dragons, is escap- This man talking me to hand me a pamphlet. His day ism, repression, distraction or delusion. job is driving a small bus for physically The language of cosmic, psychedelic religious gibberish handicapped people. He doesn’t attend doom seems irrelevant, nonsensical. a church and distributes literature What’s my response? I have my own cared enough about me produced in California. He had two cell gibberish. I like to talk about contested phones, one in either coat pocket, each space and counter-hegemonic dis- to hand me a pamphlet. with a different ring. He lives in my courses. I like to delegitimize the dis- neighbourhood. course of war, undermine dominant ideology with subver- He said he was alone. And I was trying to trip him up sive readings of texts, jam the culture with semiotic twists with my intellectual tricks. Lord have mercy on us both and make “normal” problematic for the middle-class. and may we meet again. My Anabaptist identity is folded into this mumbo jum- Aiden Enns can be reached at [email protected]. He is a bo. It stems from a consensus-driven, countercultural, member of Hope Mennonite Church in Winnipeg and sits on the non-hierarchical, post-patriarchal community—or priest- Canadian Mennonite board.
12 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 InConversation
CIM provides gays a place of acceptance Peter Braul’s letter, “CIM discipline was fair and scriptural,” Sept. 4, page 15, makes it clear why Calgary Inter-Mennonite Church must exist. Braul’s “we’re saved, you’re damned” view portrays a church with no place for gay and lesbian persons or their parents. CIM offers us a safe place to worship and to be completely accepted. I thank God for CIM. Mennonite for publishing it in your Photograph of ‘racing’ —Ron Brown, Didsbury, Alta. Aug. 21 edition (page 8). It has led to combines appreciated much discussion and dialogue. I am I just thought I would tell you how struck by the contrast between this Faith confession leads to much I enjoyed your Sept. 4 cover piece and that of the interview with faith in the future picture of all the combines racing! Josh McDowell on the same page. I Awesome picture and how nice to put I must write to say thanks to Sarah have more faith in future generations it on the front. Johnson for sharing her personal than he seems to have. —Melodie M. Davis, Harrisonburg, Va. confession of faith, and to Canadian —John Lichti, New Hamburg, Ont.
Phil Wagler Outside the box
n a sign of the times, a recent poll in the noia these days? Are we asylums of madness or United States found more than a third of communities of repentance? IAmericans believe their own government Repentance ought not be reduced to a one- masterminded the 9/11 attacks. time—and purely individual—change of mind Conspiracy theories are nothing new. My and heart. Repentance is as communal as it is wife can muster up frustratingly plenty individual, and as necessary today as it was of them when the Stanley Cup finals go to yesterday. The aroma of repentance ought to seven games in the middle of June. The age be in the air wherever Christians go in this But 9/11 has ushered in a new age of para- paranoid age. noia when citizens of a nation believe their of paranoia What would it mean to be communities of government is out to get them. Something ongoing repentance? What would it mean for tells me we’ve seen this dog and pony show before. us to be constant in renewing our minds in view of God’s Yes, this is the madness of a crumbling empire we are mercy, in order that we may move forward as missionar- beholding. ies of an eternal kingdom in the midst of a floundering Let us beware the Canadian snobbery, though, for this realm? Can we repent of old structures? Can we repent of is an empire without borders or political affiliation. So, new blueprints? Can we repent of uncaring bullheaded- here’s the real question that demands careful thought: ness? Can we repent of denominational, institutional, Has the age of paranoia infected the church? intellectual or anti-intellectual pride? Can we repent of Interestingly, “paranoia” is a Greek word we’ve cut and not repenting? pasted into the English vocabulary. It’s not found in the Or, shall we be asylums of the paranoid—where parking New Testament, but its beautiful cousin, lot proxies produce crackpot theories, “metanoia,” is. Indulge me in a brief This is the madness where we drive on brazenly or dig in our Greek lesson: “para” means “outside” heels, where we press on in our self-pro- and “nous” means “mind,” so paranoia of a crumbling empire claimed brilliance without considering literally means to be “out of your mind.” whether our social, political or theological It means you’ve stopped exercising your we are beholding. convictions reflect the kingdom of God or grey matter, you’ve let the hamster off are simply the parroting of the paranoid? the wheel, you’ve ceased running the elevator to the top Have we forgotten our true citizenship? Have we floor, you’ve stopped doing what makes most sense. forgotten that at best we see through stained glass? Have What then of “metanoia”? “Meta” to the Greeks meant we become the target of Jesus’ words to the church at “after.” Couple that with “nous” and you have “after Ephesus in Revelation 2: “I know your deeds, your hard mind.” In other words, “metanoia” is what happens after work and your perseverance.… Yet I hold this against the light has been turned back on in the penthouse, you: You have forsaken your first love.… Repent and do after the hamster has been freed to resume his exercise the things you did at first.” program. It is, in short, to change one’s mind and head Phil Wagler is leading servant at Zurich (Ont.) Mennonite in the opposite direction in light of truth received. In the Church. You can reach him at [email protected] or read his English New Testament, “metanoia” is the word “repent.” ramblings at www.theo-phil-us.blogspot.com. Are our congregations marked by paranoia or meta- Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 13 WiderChurch
throughout the experience, my group joked about singing for cash on the Youths !explore streets, just to see if any passersby would contribute. But it was just a !Explore is an Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) joke until one of the DOOR leaders program for the young Esthers, Davids, Marys and Timothys in the encouraged us to try it. church who have heard God’s voice in their lives, as faint or bold as We eventually settled on a long it may come, encouraging them to be leaders among God’s people in tunnel in the train station and began to sing some familiar hymns. We were the Mennonite Church. !Explore is designed for high school youths amazed that in just 10 minutes we who are in Grade 11 or 12. Stories from five students who experi- had made over $27! enced !Explore this summer in Elkhart, Ind., follow. We noticed a homeless man further down the tunnel playing a tambou- Now that we are home, all of us are rine, and decided to pass our earnings Sarah working at our home congregations along to him. We approached him and Erb alongside our pastors. I took away asked if we could sing with him. As we from !Explore the assurance of my began “Amazing Grace,” I was sud- calling to the ministry, and new en- denly struck by the implications of the ergy and strength to continue on with words—“I once was lost, but now am my work at home. found/Was blind but now I see”—since In 10 years I hope that youths who the man was blind. Steinmann Mennonite Church, wish to take leadership in their church- These words took on a new mean- Baden, Ont. es will be able to. Youths have the ing, and everyone in the group was One day one of my pastors approached ability and gifts to express themselves, visibly crying or holding back tears. A me about applying for the !Explore and if they are given the opportunity few people wished us God’s blessings program. At that point, I really had no they can even surprise themselves. For and put money into the man’s cup, but idea what it was, or anything about it. I preached a sermon this summer, and it was nothing compared to what we But I figured that I did not have too if it were not for !Explore I would not made on our own. After another 10 many plans for the summer, so I might have been able to do that. minutes or so, we gave the man the as well apply. money we had made, and in a broken Upon arrival at !Explore, we went Katie voice he thanked us, telling us about to the Mirror Valley Retreat Centre in Yantzi the medication he needed but had Michigan, where we had introductions been unable to afford. of our lives and got to know everyone I was somewhat troubled as to how on a different level than you would in a group of well-groomed, well-dressed a normal relationship. We dove right white youths were given significantly into our theological questions and re- more money than an obviously needy ally personal elements of every person. black man. I was just thankful that we We then returned to AMBS, where East Zorra Mennonite Church, had gone ahead with what began as a we dove back into our theological ques- Tavistock, Ont. sarcastic idea, and I completely believe it was the Holy Spirit who led us to do tions in smaller discussion groups, and !Explore was super awesome! something unconventional. It was all sat in on seminars and a few classes. The biggest thing I came away with God, just like anything else that we do In the middle of the two-and-a-half was a first-hand experience of how because of him. weeks we went on a service trip to God works through the seemingly Chicago to work with DOOR. Here, we absurd and mundane experiences in worked with homeless people and the our day-to-day life. Angela less fortunate. We also were given the This hit me one day while in Dueck experience of touring Chicago and at- Chicago with the DOOR program, tending a different style of Mennonite when we were given a dollar and told church. to find ourselves supper. We could After Chicago, we returned to AMBS supplement it with any coins found on and continued on with what we left off the street or, if we were feeling brave, with, and at the end of the program we any money that we managed to earn Leamington (Ont.) Mennonite Church returned to Mirror Valley to prepare during the day. for going home. Having seen many panhandlers This summer I participated in the
14 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 WiderChurch
!Explore program. It helped shape my !Explore participants choose a theo- Sarah Garland leadership skills and strengthen my logical question they want to examine. faith through the many sessions at Each study group is partnered with Bergthal Mennonite Church, AMBS and experiences throughout the an AMBS staff member who acted Didsbury, Alta. DOOR program. as a mentor to the group. This was I decided to participate in the !Explore It was a time for me to reflect on one of my favourite parts of !Explore program because it offered such a wide who I am and what I want to accom- because, with only five participants in range of experiences, especially since plish. Although I did not answer these a group, each person was given more I am considering doing work within a questions completely, I have learned a opportunity to ask questions and get church context. lot about myself and what I generally answers from someone who really We participated in the inner-city want to do after high school. During knew what they were talking about. DOOR ministry out of Chicago and I the 18 days away, I was able to make Questions in my group ranged from feel like I gained a great deal of per- awesome friends and memories that “How did the Bible come to include the spective from that experience, and the will be with me for life. books that it does?” to “Can a per- practical ministry skills and spiritual Following the away portion of son be a Mennonite without being a disciplines I learned at AMBS will !Explore in the U.S., I completed 100 pacifist?” continue to be a great help to me. hours at my church. During these 100 My congregational experience It was also a great opportunity to hours, I experienced a variety of differ- was especially great because I got to discuss and learn more about theologi- ent ministries of the church, such as a customize my own program to fit my cal issues that are important to me funeral, worship leading, administra- interests and skills. I prepared and and others. tive work and visitation. shared a message with my congrega- After being a part of this program, I !Explore was a once-in-a-lifetime tion, co-led the junior youth Vacation am more seriously considering min- opportunity that I am grateful to have Bible School program, and organized istry as a career, and especially min- experienced. a youth service at my community’s istry within the Mennonite Church. I I plan to continue my education youth centre. The experiences were think that every Mennonite church in next year, either at Wilfrid Laurier especially great because I felt sup- Canada, as well as the United States, University or the University of port from adults in the church, and I should recommend this program to Waterloo, studying science. Even received comments from church mem- any youths interested in ministry. It is though my plans are to study science, bers encouraging me. I am excited amazing how this one-of-a-kind experi- I am committed to finding ways to use to see the future of the Mennonite ence gives youths a better perspective my gifts in the ministry of the church. Church; the future is bright. of the practical applications of minis- But I believe the youths of today try, and spiritual and theological skills. are seriously under-used and under- I am finding that I am learning Jessica valued. Invite the youths of your a great deal by working in my own Dyck congregation to do scripture reading congregation. By working there I and even worship leading. These get to practise worship leading and are the future pastors, deacons, planning, visitation, and youth and elders, Sunday school coordinators children’s ministry. Currently, I am and worship committee heads, so planning a camping weekend and I early involvement in the church is also hope to teach a children’s Sunday key to youths feeling accepted and school class. Poole (Ont.) Mennonite Church, appreciated. Milverton, Ont. I first heard about !Explore from my cousin Thomas. He was in the very first !Explore group (summer of 2004), and gave nothing but rave reviews. After the summer of 2005, a promo- tional DVD was sent out to all the churches. I viewed it and was hooked. A quick overview of the program: !Explore is split into two different experiences—the “group experience,” which is based out of AMBS, and the “congregational experience,” that takes place in each participant’s home congregation.
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 15 WiderChurch
Akron, Pa., and Winnipeg American Mennonites as his country’s government,” brothers and sisters in faith. Marion told a gathering Wato said it was encourag- at CMU last month. “As International ing for Mennonite Central he approached the ballot Committee to organize box to drop the massive, support sought international election ob- folded stack of ballot paper servers—including several in, I noticed that his hand for Congo groups of North American was quivering uncontrol- he people of the Democratic Mennonites—to visit Congo lably. I can only imagine Republic of Congo need the for the July 30 elections. what must have been going Tsupport of the international It was also encouraging for Wato through this man’s mind as community during their current the observers themselves. he finally had the chance to struggle to form a democratic An old man, his hand quivering participate in his and his children’s government, according to Epampia as he voted, summed up the impor- future.” Mbo Wato, a Mennonite Central tance and meaning of the election As the run-off election approaches Committee (MCC) representative in for Winnipegger Joel Marion, one of and a new era of democratic rule the country. 12 people who went to Congo with begins, Wato said, “There is a popular Congo is preparing for a run-off the Canadian Mennonite University Congolese song that says, ‘Presence is presidential election in late October (CMU) Institute for Community worth more than money.’ I think this after more than 40 years of rule Peacebuilding to help monitor the is a time when Mennonites in Congo by unelected leaders. Wato, who is election. and Mennonites in North America Congolese, spoke about this political “You could tell by his posture and need to work more closely.” situation during a month-long visit to his gait that this man was immensely —MCC release by Tim Shenk, with churches, advocacy groups and con- proud of finally getting to vote for files from CMU studentTamara Vaags gressional offices in the United States. “What we want is that the interna- Wato tional community be fair to the two candidates and accept the candidate that people will choose and work with him,” Wato said. The Congolese people have suffered greatly under decades of dictatorship and two recent wars, and Wato sug- gested that the United States bears some responsibility for this because of its longtime support for Mobutu Sese Seko, the late Congolese dictator. Tens of millions of Congolese voted in parliamentary and presidential elections on July 30, and a run-off election between the top two presi- MCC executive direc- dential candidates will be held Oct. tor Robb Davis, left, 29. Now that the people of Congo are MCCMCC facilitatesfacilitates meetingmeeting MCC Asia program co-director Ed Martin, seeking to rule themselves, the United withwith IranianIranian presidentpresident and Iranian president States and other powerful nations Mahmoud Ahmadinejad should lend their full support to the are pictured at the democratic process, Wato said. Sept. 20 meeting be- Wato also spoke on behalf of Congo’s tween religious groups approximately 200,000 Mennonites. and the Iranian leader Many of them feel ignored or forgot- in New York City. ten by Mennonites in North America MCC photo because of a dramatic decline in mis- New York City play in reversing the deepening crisis sionaries, Wato said. between Iran and the United States. There are many reasons for this early 45 religious leaders from This was the first face-to-face meet- decline, including a sense on both Christian and Muslim faith ing between the Iranian leader and sides that Congolese churches should backgrounds met with Iranian leaders from mainline Protestant, be autonomous and independent, Wato N president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Catholic, Orthodox, evangelical and acknowledged. However, he noted that Sept. 20, in an open discussion about historic peace churches. The event many Congolese Mennonites are eager the role religious communities can was organized and sponsored by for closer relationships with North
16 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 WiderChurch
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Akron, Pa. In a prepared statement, MCC executive director Robb Davis focused on the need of religious leaders in the MDS, MCC offer support to Amish U.S. and Iran to pursue peace and community in wake of shooting encourage those in government to resolve differences peacefully. ennonite Disaster Service in prayer and support for the Amish “We believe that people of faith (MDS) and Mennonite Central community at this time,” said MDS must come together to mend the MCommittee (MCC) express executive director Kevin King. breeches that exist and seem to contin- their deep sympathy and prayers for Ken Sensenig, assistant director of ue to grow between nations and faith families affected by MCC East Coast, communities in this time,” Davis said. the Oct. 2 shooting Many non-Amish neighbours visited Amish com- “This is why we are here—to talk, to at an Amish school munity members af- raise difficult questions and to begin in Nickel Mines, Pa., helped by giving rides to ter the shooting and to build relationships that will lead to that left five female said he is observing honest and open exchange to confront students dead and hospitals. their resilience the very real divisions that tragically five others in critical and is impressed lead to animosity, hatred and the condition. with their response. Families banded shedding of blood.” Both organizations are in contact together to provide emotional support Davis followed with a question with Amish community leaders and and tend to immediate needs, such as about the language being used by the are offering support through a joint milking cows, while parents rushed to U.S. and Iran, such as U.S. president response. the hospital, Sensenig said. Many non- George Bush referring to Iran as one MCC and MDS are accepting Amish neighbours helped by giving of the “Axis of Evil” countries, while financial contributions to assist the rides to hospitals. Iranian protesters march through the affected community. Contributions “What impresses me is how strong streets shouting “Death to America.” to the “Amish School Recovery Fund” this community is in the face of ter- Ahmadinejad responded by say- will help the affected community with rible tragedy,” Sensenig said. ing that “Death to America” does not medical care, transportation, support- Donations can be made online at mean death to the American people. ive care and other needs. mds.mennonite.net or mcc.org. What it pointed to, he said, were prob- “We call upon churches to unite —MDS/MCC joint release lems with how U.S. government policy has negatively impacted the recent history of Iran. “There was no cause Waterloo, Ont. for anger as they are not addressed to the American nation, but to the Grebel profs respond Bill Urry’s “10 roles for the third party” aggressive, unjust, warmongering and in peacemaking from his book Getting to Peace. Under “prevent,” Urry includes bullying U.S. policies,” he said. to Dawson College providing for needs, teaching better When asked about his controver- shootings ways to get along and building bridges. sial views related to the Holocaust, “Resolve” includes mediation, arbitration, Ahmadinejad wondered why so much hen asked what Canadians can equalization and healing. MCC executive direc- attention was being paid to those who do to avert future tragedies like Psychology prof Scott McCabe focused tor Robb Davis, left, died in the Holocaust and very little to the Dawson College shootings on the impossibility of predicting the MCC Asia program W the millions of other civilians who also in Montreal last month, Marlene actions of an individual and the need for co-director Ed Martin, died during World War II. Epp, professor of history and peace everyone traumatized by the event to get and Iranian president and conflict studies at Conrad Grebel help as soon as possible. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad On the issue of nuclear weapons, Ahmadinejad said Iran is not produc- University College, said, “It may sound Philosophy prof Tim Kenyon spoke to are pictured at the naive, but some of the best ways to stop the media’s propensity to draw together Sept. 20 meeting be- ing such weapons, and has no need these kinds of things from happening are many unrelated events while reporting tween religious groups to. He also said that religious people to look people in the eyes when you meet on the latest anxiety-creating situation. and the Iranian leader should assume a role in monitoring them on campus, smile at them, wish He called much of the coverage “sloppy in New York City. nuclear activities in all countries, them a good day.” reasoning in cause and effect.”
MCC photo including the U.S. and Iran. What she was encouraging was Following the sparsely attended “The president broke very little righteousness and right relationships, presentation, a student who had gradu- new ground in his responses, but had instead of the anonymity and isola- ated from Dawson College and is now some helpful suggestions for the role tion that are so common in large urban studying at Waterloo U., and a profes- of people of faith in engaging more communities. sor with friends on the Dawson faculty, deeply around the issue of nuclear Epp and Lowell Ewert, another both spoke of the anguish they felt. Both Conrad Grebel professor, were two hoped that this forum would encourage nonproliferation,” Davis said following participants in a noon-hour forum on the work on the underlying issues that lead the meeting. shootings organized by the University of people to such violence. —MCC release Waterloo arts faculty. Ewert focused on —Dave Rogalsky
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Abbotsford, B.C.
CBC begins leadership search months, I do support the college and wish them well. Any institution enters presidential search committee itinerant preaching and teaching. a season of challenge and change formed by Columbia Bible “I came to Columbia after an exten- when there is transition in leadership. ACollege’s board has begun its sive process with the board, in which Columbia needs the constituency to work to find a new president for the I came to understand that I was the step toward them, not away,” he said. school. The office was left vacant after kind of leader for Both MC B.C. and the departure of Paul Wartman during which they were look- [T]his is the most serious the B.C. Conference the summer. ing. I am passionate of Mennonite The search committee is working about raising up lead- personnel situation for Brethren Churches to determine what kind of presi- ers for the kingdom of provide governance dential profile the school needs and Christ. the school in the last four and funding for the will be reporting back to the board “I love Columbia or five years. school. around the end of October, accord- and have enjoyed four Enrolment at the ing to Ron Penner, interim president years of leadership school is about 510 and vice-president for academics and there. During my tenure I received students this year, up slightly over administration. positive reviews and achieved the an- last year, according to Penner. The The school has been hit with sub- nual goals and objectives of the board. school is celebrating 70 years of opera- stantial losses to its leadership staff. “While I do not understand the tion this month. In addition to Wartman, vice-president process and outcomes of these past few —Tim Miller Dyck of development Walter Bergen and vice-president for finance Gerald Dueck Waterloo, Ont. both left the school a few months ago, leaving just two of the five senior ad- MEDA shortlisted for $1 million Alcan Prize ministrators continuing on. None of the open positions have yet ennonite Economic fights malaria by promoting com- been posted. Development Associates mercial networks that make the nets Board chair Brian Friesen did not M(MEDA) has made the available to expectant mothers in discuss specifics of the individual shortlist for the $1 million Alcan Prize rural areas. cases, but did say that the situation for Sustainability. MEDA also had to outline what it had been difficult. “In two of these Based in Waterloo, Ont., MEDA would do with the $1 million US prize, situations—Walter and Paul—we’ve was selected as one of 10 finalists out if it wins. It came up with a plan to had lengthy and difficult conversa- of a field of 200 applicants from 55 use the Pakistan and Tanzania com- tions, but am pleased to say we were countries. mercial networks in reverse to benefit able to end amicably and are on good The prize, one of the most presti- the poor. terms, and are continuing to work gious in the development community, In Tanzania, the insecticide-treated towards improving those terms,” he is sponsored by Alcan Inc, a Montreal- nets eventually need to be recycled. told Canadian Mennonite. based global aluminum and packaging The proposal calls for turning the com- Friesen stated this is the most products company. Alcan created the mercial distribution conduit around serious personnel situation for the prize in 2004 to recognize outstanding to move the used nets from the poor school in the last four or five years. contributions in economic, environ- communities back to recycling plants “As a board, we are quite concerned mental and social sustainability by in Dar es Salaam. about turnover. It is not how we would not‑for‑profit, non‑governmental and In Pakistan, the plan again calls envision the school’s operation. But civil society organizations. for reversing the flow of goods and in terms of immediate challenges, we MEDA’s entry highlighted how its services by using the same chain of are fortunate that Ron Penner, who Pakistan embroidery and Tanzania sales networks to get environmental has many years experience, nine at mosquito net projects promote sustain- products like solar lanterns from Columbia, has done a tremendous job able economic and social development. manufacturers to the poor. in leadership. Because of the gift that The Pakistan project provides market The winning agency will be an- he has, we don’t feel like we are in access for rural women embroiderers nounced at the end of October. The panic mode.” who are confined to their homes by selection process involved assessment Wartman told Canadian Mennonite conservative culture and religion; it panels in Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, that he would be “taking time for some uses intermediaries to help the women Pakistan and Britain. MEDA is the restoration of soul, as Ruthanne and I with product design and commercial only Canadian organization on the seek God’s direction for our lives,” and access, so they can target higher-value shortlist. he has plans to do some writing and markets. The mosquito net project —MEDA release
18 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 WiderChurch
Abbotsford, B.C. Venue for 2007 assembly finalized ennonite Church Canada’s 2007 annual delegate Massembly and biennial youth assembly will be held at Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI) in Abbotsford, B.C., from July 3 to 6. Assembly planners originally were working to finalize a contract with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, but moved to the Abbotsford location at the request of the Mennonite Church British Columbia mini-executive. MC B.C. moderator Gerd Bartel said, “We believe that the most impor- tant function of the assembly for MC B.C. will be to engage as many people Photo by Bruce Hildebrand as possible from our churches, and we think that an Abbotsford location will On Sept. 19, Lois Nickel, Gord Friesen and Ben Funk cut the ribbon after best help us to do that.” Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) dedicated a newly renovated 140- Pam Peters-Pries, MC Canada’s ex- square-metre office space in Winnipeg to improve disaster response ca- pabilities. Close to 100 volunteers renovated the space over the summer ecutive secretary of Support Services, and local businesses donated materials and gave price concessions total- responded, “We want to encourage ling $5,000 to support the effort. Since September 2005—after hurricanes good relationships with and within our Katrina and Rita hit the U.S. Gulf Coast—MDS has been overwhelmed by area conferences and congregations in the support in donations and volunteer time. The number of projects more any way we can. We’re thankful that than doubled, from four in 2004 to 11 last year, while income nearly tripled, the MEI facilities are available, and from $445,000 to $1.3 million, during the same period. we look forward to having lots of MC B.C. folks volunteering at and attend- ing the assembly.” News brief ($96 to $669) and must be repaid after Marijke Olson of Emmanuel 14 months. Borrowers begin by taking Mennonite Church in Abbotsford Microcredit program out smaller loans; the largest loans has been named as the local hosting flourishing in Brazil can only be taken out after smaller coordinator for the adult assembly, loans are repaid. Borrowers pay 1.25 and Heidi Epp of Peace Mennonite From a farmer growing peppers in percent interest per month, funds that Church in Richmond, B.C., will be the Brazil’s rural northeast to a single help the program operate and create adult worship coordinator. The search mother who gives beauty treat- capital to lend to others. Three of the for a Kids Assembly coordinator con- ments in Recife, a Mennonite Central funds are in rural areas such as Chã tinues. Local members of the youth Committee (MCC) micro-credit Grande, where the majority of the planning committee are Tim Froese program is helping people build a loans are given to families for plant- of Emmanuel Mennonite Church, and better future for themselves and ing, clearing fields or raising animals. Jen Nickel (youth) and Russ Klassen their families. FRAME, which in The fourth fund is in the metropolitan of Sherbrooke Mennonite Church in Portuguese stands for Rotating Fund area of Recife, where most loans go to Vancouver. for Micro-Entrepreneurs, includes women starting small urban busi- Planners expect up to 500 youths four funds that have aided some 950 nesses, including handicraft endeav- and 500 adults to attend Abbotsford families since the program began in ours. As more entrepreneurs use the 2007. The theme is “Built to last,” 1997. Each fund operates through program to create or expand busi- based on I Corinthians 3:11, MC community groups or associations, nesses of their own, FRAME itself is Canada’s new scripture motto ap- including some within churches. The moving closer to becoming financially proved by delegates at Edmonton association is responsible for making independent of Mennonite Central 2006. sure each member is able to repay his Committee (MCC), a long-time goal for —MC Canada release or her loan. The program has some the program. 425 active loans at any one time. —MCC release Loans range from 200 to 1,400 reais by Marla Pierson Lester
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 19 WiderChurch
London, England Will Newcomb, direc- tor of Metanoia Book Service at the London Building bridges Mennonite Centre, right, chats with a group of for 10 years participants about Bridge ome 40 people gathered for an Builders. afternoon of English tea and Thiessen said the de- Shospitality in the garden of mand for Bridge Builders’ London Mennonite Centre (LMC) to training and services celebrate 10 years of ministry by the continues to exceed what centre’s Bridge Builders program. three full-time staff plus “Peacemaking…is such an impor- office support can offer. tant thing for churches, including “My prayer for the future Photo by Tim Nafziger those in the Anabaptist-Mennonite would be that Bridge tradition,” said Alan Kreider, who “The leaders get our mailings, buy our Builders finds a way to manage its served as the centre’s director from books and begin to share Mennonite growth,” he said. 1974 to 1991. ideas, perhaps without even realizing —MC Canada release by Alastair “I see God’s peacemaking as some- it, with their congregations.” McKay with Ann Graham Price thing that radiates out into all aspects of life; it is not simply a ‘no’ to killing, Choma, Zambia it’s a profound ‘yes’ to wholeness,” Kreider told the group. “We can’t make peace and justice out there if we B.C. beds delivered to Zambian hospital are not experiencing justice and peace acha Mission Hospital, a Macha Mission Hospital are treated in our own lives and churches.” Brethren in Christ health care for HIV/AIDS and related infections. Inaugurated in January 1996, facility in southern Zambia, Macha Mission Hospital was Bridge Builders was launched under M received a shipment of 44 mechanical founded in 1906 by Brethren in Christ the joint leadership of Nelson Kraybill, beds and other medical equipment missionaries. Today it is managed then the centre’s director, and Alastair from Mennonite Central Committee by the Zambian Brethren in Christ McKay, current Bridge Builders direc- (MCC) earlier this year. Church, the Zambian government and tor. Originally created to train and MCC collected mechanical beds that a local management board. It serves a educate Christian leaders and church can be raised and lowered by hand large, rural area of southern Zambia members in Great Britain how to lead from hospitals in British Columbia with a population of about 140,000. healthier churches, it has since added that now use only electrically powered —MCC release by Tim Shenk mediation and consultancy services. adjustable beds. In 10 years of ministry, Bridge Amanda Martin, a registered nurse, Builders has trained more than 2,500 teaches in a nursing school at Macha participants from a wide range of Mission Hospital as a participant Christian denominations, through in Serving and Learning Together workshops and weeklong mediation (SALT), MCC’s one-year international skills courses, and has also handled service program. many mediation and consultancy “The new beds, although considered cases. In addition, 400 people have antiques in North America, are perfect become part of the Bridge Builders for the hospital,” Martin wrote in an Network, which offers ongoing support e-mail. “Automatic/electric beds are to church leaders. standard in North American hospitals, Vic Thiessen, Mennonite Church but here they would be a problem [due Canada Witness worker and cur- to frequent power outages and lack of rent director of the centre, observes electrical hook-up at the bedside].” that Bridge Builders—as a ministry The shipment also included 55 hos- of LMC—is the only organization in pital mattresses, which replaced old the UK specializing in church conflict foam mattresses, Martin reported. transformation. “Because of this, [we Martin wrote that the beds and Photo by Amanda Martin have] been able to introduce the work mattresses make it possible for frail Brian Chisenga and Priscilla Koota, of the London Mennonite Centre to the patients to get out of bed more easily, workers at Macha Mission Hospital hundreds of church leaders from every and they allow hospital staff to elevate in southern Zambia, prepare one of denomination who have been trained the heads of patients who have trouble 44 mechanical beds recently donated by Bridge Builders,” he said, adding, breathing. The majority of patients at by MCC.
20 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 LocalChurch
Boissevain, Man. Camp Koinonia celebrates four decades of ministry hether you are three or 93, Next morning, Franz noticed that the wells to draw enough water for the Camp Koinonia can steal your birch tree that defined and gave the camp. Wheart. Nestled in the Turtle site its name was gone. Only a stump A counsellor remembered one camp- Mountains at the edge of placid Max remained. out under the stars when the campers Lake, this place welcomed in full Some stories were evidence of the were discussing serious faith ques- autumn splendour all who came to hard work and commitment that has tions. “One girl in particular expressed celebrate its 40th anniversary on Sept. helped to build this camp. George doubts and wished for a sign from 24, including Helena Dyck, just two Engbrecht remembered making the God when the sky burst into display months shy of her 93rd birthday. 24-kilometre trip to camp with his of Northern Lights. The girl qui- “This place is holy because God of posthole digger in January 1966. The etly whispered, ‘Okay, that was good heaven has met people here,” said biting cold as he drove his uncovered enough for me.’” Karen Schellenberg, pastor of Portage tractor and then digging the postholes Such were the memories evoked on Mennonite Church, as she led the wor- was still vivid in his memory. this celebrative day. Camp Koinonia ship service. Werner Neufeld recalled that where looks forward to continuing making Camp Koinonia was dedicated on nice gravel paths now meander, they memories. July 3, 1966. As part of the Boissevain had once tried digging three different —Evelyn Rempel Petkau B.C. beds delivered to Zambian hospital community at that time, Jake Harms recalled the early visioning and dreaming. “Today we marvel, rejoice and celebrate with thanksgiving the grace of God,” he said. “Much has been realized, not without hassles or obstacles, but we can affirm that God has been active here…. It’s not heaven here, but it assuredly has brought people closer to heaven.” Under a canopy of brilliantly co- loured trees, guests enjoyed hot chili served from huge cauldrons. Over lunch, Candace Stobbe, who had worked at Koinonia 37 years ago, met Linda Dyck, who had been a camper that same week. They re- called returning from evening worship at Koinonia Hill to the sight of the kitchen burning down “I remember we had turkey the next day,” said Stobbe. “I don’t remember if it was cooking while the kitchen burned.”
“I wasn’t really afraid,” remembered Coaldale Mennonite photo Dyck. “The adults were capably look- ing after things. My worst fear was The senior youth group from Coaldale (Alta.) Mennonite Church spent time in that they might close the camp.” Saskatoon this summer, serving at Chalo, a low-income housing complex whose Memory-sharing went late into the residents are primarily refugees. Youth group members put on a day camp for afternoon. Sometimes humorous, the three of the days that they were there and for the rest of the time had a great experience just putting smiles on children’s faces. They also picked up garbage Photo by Amanda Martin stories reflected a sense of community. around the buildings, weeded gardens and planted trees. Pictured from left to Ed Franz remembered the time right, back row: Cam Klassen, Steven Penner and Mark Dyck; second row: Mike he canoed out to Birch Point with a Marriot, Joel Dyck, Adam Janzen, Kelsey Janzen and Megan Dyck; third row: Jordan group of campers for an overnight Janzen, Avery Wall, Lynette Wall, Elyse Courterriele and Cindi Wilms; and front campout. The boys were instructed row: Bonnie Quinn and Jennifer Giesbrecht. to find firewood for the evening meal.
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 21 LocalChurch
Altona, Man. Foodgrains crops harvested to feed people in need anitoba farmers, supported by agri-businesses, community Mand church groups are nearing the completion of the harvest of crops they raised for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank this year, which uses Photo by Elmer Heinrichs the grain to meet the food needs of A combine augers canola into a truck to support the work of the Canadian people in many countries. Community Foodgrains Bank in Canada and around the world. growing projects are a unique way for people to contribute grain and other behalf of the foodgrains bank, with alfalfa. agricultural commodities to help farmers enjoying generally good “It’s quite a change from last year people who are hungry around the yields. About half the acres consisted in Manitoba, when many project acres world. of spring wheat, and the balance could not be seeded,” says foodgrains In Manitoba, more than 3,200 acres included winter wheat, canola, barley, bank resource coordinator Harold were seeded with various crops on soybeans, rye grass, oats, corn and Penner, noting that this year hard spring wheat has gone as high as 175 bushels per hectare. “It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm and smiling faces of farmers as the semi-trucks loaded with wheat or canola roll off the fields and head to the elevators.” The Manitoba community projects vary in size from 16 to 200 hectares. The largest is the Arnaud-based Helping Other People Eat (HOPE) project. Growing projects include opportunities for Canadians to learn about food security issues and to develop a connection with overseas partners. Last year, there were 133 grow- ing projects in Ontario, 26 in Saskatchewan, 17 in Manitoba, 30 in Alberta and B.C., and six in Quebec and the Maritimes. Their gifts of grain and cash donated to the foodgrains bank totalled $6.8 million, supporting projects in 24 countries and benefiting more than five million people. —Elmer Heinrichs Photo courtesy of Jake Buhler Electronic delivery The Gomez family—Roberto and Amalia and their children, Loren, seven, and Robert, three—from Colombia were welcomed by two dozen people at the Get your Canadian Mennonite Saskatoon Airport on Aug. 18. Osler Mennonite Church worked with Mennonite issues delivered by e-mail—fast, Central Committee and Immigration Canada in arranging the sponsorship. The free and convenient. Sign up now church is responsible for all the Gomez’s expenses for a year, during which time by going to canadianmennonite.org the refugee family must learn English and upgrade their skills. Roberto is a and clicking on “E-Mail Delivery.” welder-mechanic and Amalia has sewing skills. The Gomez family were members of the Colombian Mennonite Church. Internal political and military instability have caused the displacement of many Colombians.
22 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 A special advertising section
explained that the church in Waldheim was Brother Wall credits the strong, faith- founded in 1911 when 13 families emi- ful church presence today because the grated from Ukraine. He is grateful for the people in the village continued to come strong, faithful preaching of the early lead- together to pray for their preachers and ers. The church never ceased to exist even for their leadership even during the time though he, along with many other preach- of their leaders’ imprisonment. ers, were arrested and put into prison. Due to the success of this initial trip, “If we had agreed to cease being the May 24 to June 7, 2008, has tentatively church, today there would only be two or been set for TourMagination’s next trip to three young people active in the church,” Moscow, Siberia and St. Petersburg. For he suggested. Tour members witnessed more information about this and other
Photo by Elmer Heinrichs the church, built in 1993, filled to capac- tours, call 1-800-565-0451 or e-mail of- Travel ity, with more than 300 in attendance, in- [email protected]. cluding many young people and children. —TourMagination release Siberian visit a first for Come with us on a TourMagination Volun-TourtoGuatemala TourMagination’s first tour to Siberia began A service holiday...A purpose-filled, beautiful with three days in Moscow, allowing for and life-giving way to see and serve the world. visiting the Kremlin and Red Square, and One week of volunteering and one week of touring. Come, really get to know and receiving an orientation of the rich Russian culture. Three days at the end of the tour love this country and its gracious people. in St. Petersburg allowed participants Nov. 19-Dec. 2nd Also dates in January & February time to reflect and evaluate their journey in • Comfortable lodging (sometimes very!) • Good food, laughter and spiritual refreshment • Hugely informative Siberia while absorbing the rich culture of with beautiful travel • For ages 30ish to 70ish • Safe and not far away • Great ights! • You can do it! the famous city. More info? Toll-free 1-866-914-3321. Better still, check out www.snowfishtours.com
The tour to Siberia was at the instigation of Ben and Erna Falk, who had served as Mennonite Central Committee workers TRAVEL WITH TOURMAGINATION in Siberia during the 1990s. Mennonites TO EXPLORE THE WORLD there often feel they are forgotten by the rest of the Mennonite family. The tour visited the villages of Neudachino, Wald- 2007 TOURS 2008 TOURS heim, Isil Kule, Sonsovka, Marijanouka SERVICE TOUR to JAMAICA (January 13-20) AN ANTARCTIC EXPERIENCE (January 5-17) and Marilubovka. CHURCHES and SAFARIS in KENYA and TANZANIA VIETNAM (January 18 - February 4) (February 11-22) AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND (February 1-21) Tour members felt a warm welcome as LEARNING ABOUT MENNONITES in PUERTO RICO and a SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE (Feb. 28 - Mar. 10) ENGLAND, SCOTLAND and WALES they were invited to share meals and (June 25 - July 7) overnight lodging in Siberian Mennonite MEXICO (March 2-11) homes. They visited a state farm, private PARAGUAY SERVICE TOUR (March 22 - April 5) flour mill, cheese factory and industries ISRAEL/PALESTINE with GLENN EDWARD WITMER related to the agricultural life of the Sibe- (April 9-22) rian people. RITTENHOUSE EUROPEAN TOUR (April 25 - May 9) KAUFFMAN FAMILY TOUR to EUROPE (May 25 - June 8) Time was spent sharing their life experi- EXPLORING the WORLD of PAUL - ences in North America with their broth- TURKEY and GREECE (May 25 - June 10) ALASKA CRUISE TOUR (June 11-23) “Building bridges among Mennonites and other Christians ers and sisters in Siberia. They listened around the world through custom-designed travel.” to stories about suffering, persecution SPECTACULAR SCANDINAVIA and its FJORDS (June 15-29) and now religious freedom. Brother Wall CALL 1-800-565-0451 shared with the group that the church EUROPEAN HERITAGE (July 10-25) FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR TOUR RUSSIA and UKRAINE (July 27 - August 10) never ceased to exist during its time of E-MAIL: [email protected] persecution under the communists. LANDS of the BIBLE (September 26 - October 8) WEB: www.tourmagination.com SCENIC RHINE RIVER CRUISE (Sept. 29 - October 7) 9 Willow Street 1011 Cathill Road Mennonites have celebrated 100 years of BEHIND THE VEIL - EXPERIENCING EGYPT Waterloo, ON N2J 1V6 Canada Sellersville, PA 18960-1315 existence in Siberia, where they are scat- (November 12-24 - with MEDA) Reg. #50014322 USA tered across 500 villages. Brother Wall
Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 23 LocalChurch
Schools directory School note
Record enrolment at CMU Winnipeg—Enrolment at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) reached a record level this year, with 1,862 students taking courses at either the Grant and Shaftesbury and University of Winnipeg campuses, or m
o as part of Outtatown, CMU’s school
. . . equipping students for life and forever c .
c of discipleship program. A total of
Preschool - Gr.12 Education o s that partners with the home and church i 464 students are enrolled at the to nurture the minds, bodies, and souls of e
m Grant and Shaftesbury campus, up
our students. .
Mennonite Educational Institute w 7 percent over last year; 1,300 are (Campuses in Abbotsford & Chilliwack BC) w taking one course or more at Menno (P) 604.859.3700 (F) 604.859.9206 w Simons College, CMU’s campus at the University of Winnipeg; and 97 are part of Outtatown, an eight-month adventure, travel and discipleship program that finds students living, studying and serving in Manitoba Menno Simons and B.C. this semester before go- Christian School ing to Guatemala or South Africa in Integrating sound academic learning with growth in January. “We are really pleased by the character, faith, and service enrolment figures,” says David Leis, to God. An Education for Life! vice-president for advancement. “It www.mennosimons.ab.ca Calgary, Alberta shows that more and more students from across Canada and other coun- Winnipeg Mennonite tries are seeing CMU as a great option for university education—particularly Elementary Schools those students interested in a variety www.wmes.ca of vocations, in graduate studies and Middle School at Bedson in various professions.” 250 Bedson St., Winnipeg, MB, R3K 1R7 Ph:885-1032 —CMU release by John Longhurst 26 Agassiz Dr., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2K7 Ph:261-9637 Rc`m`rdgg “Providing quality Christ-centred education…” tjpmejpmi`t o\f`tjp: Advertising Dates Issue Copy Due Ãkm\^od^`tjpmNk\idncdiK`m Nov. 13 Oct. 31 Ãh\i\b`E\q\Epi^odji'oc` nop_`io(mpi^\hkpn^j``]\m (Focus on Music) Ãkm\^od^` Conrad Grebel University College Contact: www.goshen.edu Karen Suderman, Canadian students can receive a currency discount Advertising Representative 1-800 316-4052 x224 ...a well-rounded education which will [email protected] inspire and empower students to EXPLORE LEARN GROW LEAD LAUGH SING EAT live as people of God. 86WestGate,Winnipeg,MB R3C2E1 Conrad Grebel University College | University of Waterloo Ontario Canada | www.grebel.uwaterloo.ca T:(204)775-7111 www.westgate.mb.ca 24 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 LocalChurch Calgary volunteered for almost 15 months as site supervisor. Kurt Janz, a local builder and Trinity Mennonite member of Calgary First Mennonite Church, volunteered as project man- dedicates new ager, while Trinity members and tradespeople from other churches church ‘home’ and the surrounding neighbourhood t was a 23-year journey marked by contributed time, goods and services. twists, turns, false starts, zoning “One of the miracles is that we came Ichallenges, laughter, tears and in on budget,” despite the housing miracles, but Trinity Mennonite boom in Calgary, announced church Church is finally home. chair Rob Doerksen. “God made a More than 300 adherents, friends, miracle happen here with our budget,” neighbours, visitors and special guests he said. packed the new facility to celebrate Formal greetings were brought the official dedication of this long- by Foothills reeve Ron McLean, awaited church home located in the Marguerite Jack on behalf of Photo by Dave Rogalsky rolling foothills just south of Calgary. Mennonite Church Alberta, and Jason White, director of this year’s From B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba the Mennonite Foundation’s Gary Ontario Mennonite Music Camp held and Alberta came charter members, Sawatzky. “You are part of us and we at Conrad Grebel University College, former congregants and pastors, are part of you,” said both Jack and performed the part of Simeon (dressed as a Parisian street musi- family members and Mennonites Sawatzky. Conference minister Jim from sister congregations. The official cian) in the camp’s final performance Shantz gave the prayer of dedication. of the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, theme of the day was “On him alone After two decades of meeting in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor we build,” but in the hearts of many school gyms, foyers, rented space and Dreamcoat. Singing “Those Canaan Trinity members on Sept. 17 were the shared space, what does it mean to Days,” he epitomized the camp’s foci jubilant words, “At last! At last!” TMC to finally have its own building? of fun, music and relationships with Music filled the sanctuary and Said seven-year-old Aaron Thiessen, 09_06_Leadership-AdsGod and each other. 9/27/06 10:09 AM Page 1 spilled through the windows into the “What I really appreciate about our surrounding countryside as the joyful building is my new Sunday school MCC LEADERSHIP POSITIONS church service unfolded. Three jaunty, room.” action-packed selections from the “No more packing up our material children’s choir set the tone, followed every week,” added Rose Krahn. Director, Human by the senior choir’s presentation of —Doris Daley Resources “Standing on Holy Ground,” composed and written by Trinity members School note Director, Resource Shannon Fehr and Doris Haysom. Generation Network Pianist Rita Janzen commented, AMBS appoints Canadian rep “If the rafters hadn’t been so securely Join Mennonite Central Committee, the attached, I’m sure the singing would Winnipeg—Jonathan Neufeld of relief, development, peace and service have raised the roof. There was such Winnipeg has been appointed ad- an air of praise and thankfulness evi- missions counsellor in Canada agency of Mennonite and Brethren in dent in every heart overflowing with for Associated Mennonite Biblical Christ churches in Canada and the gratitude to God.” Seminary (AMBS). In this quar- United States. In his sermon, pastor Erv Wiens ter-time position, Neufeld will help specifically addressed Trinity mem- prospective students assess the fit be- For a job description go to the urgent bers when he said, “I bless you and tween AMBS’s mission and programs openings sidebar at mcc.org/serve. For a commend you for what God has done and their own personal and vocational printed job description or application, through you. You have been liv- goals and faith commitments, and contact Lowell Detweiler, MCC Human ing stones to each other and to the establish and maintain contacts with Resources, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA community.” pastors and church leaders across 17501, and phone: (717) 859-1151, In describing the new build- Mennonite Church Canada. Neufeld ing to the crowd in general, Wiens earned a master of divinity degree, [email protected]. joked, “What you see here today is a with a focus on pastoral ministry, Mennonite country church—function- Mennonite from AMBS in 2005. In the past year Central al, simple, attractive enough—with a he has served as interim constituency Committe good kitchen!” relations coordinator for Canadian “Many, many miracles took place Mennonite University. here,” said Susanne Baergen, who —AMBS release by Mary E. Klassen mcc.org/serve Canadian Mennonite OctoberCanadian 16, 2006 VolumeMennonite 10, Number 20 25 LocalChurch intense, balancing questions of daughter, Jobina, May 29. Deaths People&Events economics, flexibility, location, Neufeld—to Jolene and constituent perceptions and Brendan, Grace Mennonite, Bechtel—Esther, 58 (b. Jan. Elkhart, Ind.—The Mennonite the future in general. At the Winkler, Man., a daughter, 12, 1948), Preston Mennonite, Church USA executive board completion of the campaign Payton Sara, May 9. Cambridge, Ont., Sept. 12. has decided to move forward and building project, MC USA —to Dori and Lamont, Enns—Frank, 87, Grace with a capital campaign to Reddig will own churchwide offices in Fort Garry Mennonite, Mennonite, Winkler, Man., raise funds for a new build- Newton, Kan.; Harrisonburg, Winnipeg, a daughter, May 13. ing adjacent to the campus of Va.; Goshen, Ind.; Scottdale, Karolina Jackson, Sept. 17. Enns—Josie, 84, Grace Associated Mennonite Biblical Pa.; and Elkhart. —to Christy and Mennonite, Winkler, Man., Seminary. The building will Sawatzky —MC USA release Albert, Emmanuel Mennonite, May 17. house MC USA executive lead- Abbotsford, B.C., a son, Maddox Heinrichs—Henry, 81, ership and Mennonite Mission Macha, Zambia—A century Aidan, in Egypt, Sept. 28. Rosenfeld Bergthaler Network offices, along with ago, two courageous Brethren —to Anna Mennonite, Man., Sept. 4. other MC USA organizations Scheifele-Cipriani in Christ missionaries, H. Marie and Andrew, Erb St. Heinrichs—Mary (nee that choose to locate there. The Frances Davidson and Adda Mennonite, Waterloo, Ont., a Wiebe), 77, Rosenfeld executive board authorized the Engle, set off to plant a church daughter, Kelena, Sept. 22. Bergthaler Mennonite, Man., Mission Network to lead the in Zambia. Today, what —to Shadell Sept. 11. $9.8 million (all figures in US Warkentin began as a mission in the Permanand and Marshall, Kehler—Ken, 43 (b. June funds) capital campaign for bush of south-central Africa, Toronto United Mennonite, 27, 1963), Hope Mennonite, the new facility. Of that $9.8 has grown into a mature and Ont., a daughter, Chelsea Winnipeg, Sept. 20. million, $6 million will be for significant part of the body Jayne, July 17. Koethler—Jake, 95, Zion capital costs, including land, of Christ. In August, the —to Liane and Trevor, Mennonite, Swift Current, construction and furnishings; Wiebe Zambia BIC Church, along Grace Mennonite, Winkler, Sask., July 14. $2.8 million will create an with Brethren in Christ World Man., a son, Keaton Mark, Koop—Henry, 87, Bethany endowment to pay for building Missions (BICWM), held a Aug. 15. Mennonite, Virgil, Ont., Sept. 26. operation and maintenance; centennial celebration at —to Terri and Peters—William (Bill), 89, and $500,000 will cover Zacharias Macha Mission. More than Steve, Grace Mennonite, Rosthern Mennonite, Man., fundraising costs. The Mission 2,000 people from 150 congre- Winkler, Man., a son, Jace Sept. 15. Network will hold the title for gations across Zambia, along William, May 4. Rempel—Ed, 69 (b. May 9, the building on behalf of all with guests from Malawi, 1937), Steinbach Mennonite, partners. Donors will be asked Zimbabwe, the Netherlands Marriages Man., Sept. 19. to pledge ongoing annual sup- and North America, including Stumm—Eric, 62, First port for the Mission Network church leaders and former mis- Ische-Brubacher—Ryan Mennonite, Calgary, Sept. 18. and executive leadership to sionaries, travelled to Macha and April, Poole Mennonite, Wiens—Leila Fern, 79 (b. July assure the campaign does not for the celebration. An address Milverton, Ont., Sept. 16. 2, 1927), Herschel Ebenfeld divert money from current by Lupando Mwape, Zambia’s Martens-Elias—Jon and Mennonite, Sask., Aug. 16. ministries. The executive vice-president, challenged the Roxanne, Grace Mennonite, Willms—Jacob, 97 (b. Oct. board agreed from the begin- church to use its gifts and, Winkler, Man., Aug. 31. 12, 1908), First Mennonite, ning that the current Elkhart above all, to show love. Moore-Musselman— Kelowna, B.C., Aug. 22. facilities were inadequate —MWC release, from a report Johnathan and Stephanie, and a change was needed. in the Fall 2006 issue of seek Steinmann Mennonite, Baden, Baptisms Associate executive director for Ont., Sept. 16. Grace Mennonite, Winkler, MC USA Ron Byler described Transitions Parent-Klassen—Daemon the deteriorating situation, and Vanessa, Grace Man.—Kevin Hildebrand, including persistent water Matt Neufeld, May 28. Births/Adoptions Mennonite, Winkler, Man., damage, that may make it dif- Sept. 2. Lowe Farm Bergthaler ficult to remain in the current Cheny—to Alayne and Rempel-Ruby—Kendell and Mennonite, Man.—Ed location until the new building John, Emmanuel Mennonite, Jill, East Zorra Mennonite, Heinrichs, Tina Heinrichs, is scheduled to be completed. Abbotsford, B.C., a son, Matias Tavistock, Ont., Sept. 16. July 30. Deliberations on whether Muramba Charo, July 13. Siemens-Doerksen—Walter Wellesley Mennonite, the proposed building proj- Hall—to Tina and Ryan, and Lynda, Grace Mennonite, Ont.—Richard Erb, Ashley ect was the best direction to Grace Lao Mennonite, Winkler, Man., May, 26. Gerber, Justin Martin, Meggy move were wide-ranging and Kitchener, Ont., a daughter, Streicher-Wagler—Dwayne McTavish, Holly Steinman, Mya, Aug. 8. and Tonia, Steinmann Menno- Joshua Weinstein, Sept. 10. Johnson—to Michelle and nite, Baden, Ont., Sept. 16. Zion Mennonite, Swift Advertising Justin, Emmanuel Mennonite, Teichroeb-Rempel—Tony Current, Sask.—Doreen information Abbotsford, B.C., a son, Colby and Jenessa, Grace Mennonite, Beisel, Sept. 10. Bryan, Aug. 26. Winkler, Man., April 28. Canadian Mennonite welcomes Contact: Lemieux—to Leanne and Witzel-Correia—Chris (East Transitions announcements Karen Suderman Eric, Bethany Mennonite, Zorra Mennonite, Tavistock, within four months of the event. Advertising representative Virgil, Ont., a son, Phillip Ont.) and Pauline, in Please send Transitions announce- advert@ David, Sept. 23. Kitchener, Sept. 2. ments by e-mail to transitions@ —to Matha canadianmennonite.org, includ- canadianmennonite.org Masyawong and Trakoon, Grace Lao ing the congregation name and 1-800-378-2524 Mennonite, Kitchener, Ont., a location. 26 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 TheChurches members to the work of the Assiniboia—will offer experi- The two groups decided to Mennonite Church conference. ences in outdoor living skills, collaborate and fit both events Canada Participants were apprised curriculum-related topics on the same day. So, instead of of the MC Eastern Canada and Mennonite values. These having brunch at the church, it Prayer requests vision and mission; introduced activities will replace the was held at the rink. The rest Please pray for: to staff; given a governance “horse program” during the of the day then flowed into the • Janet Plenert and Jack overview; reviewed council pri- fall, winter and spring. Camp other community plans. Suderman of Mennonite orities and annual work plans; Assiniboia’s horses have been A VBS wind-up with the Church Canada, who repre- did communications training boarded out and will return in community was also hosted by sented North America and and reviewed a communica- time for the summer program. the church this past summer. MC Canada, respectively, at tions proposal; reviewed the Personnel changes at “It has created a sense that the Global Mission Fellowship sending plan; were introduced Camp Assiniboia accompany the congregation is part of that took place in September. to “Partners in Ministry”; and the program changes. Tanya the community,” explained Nearly 200 missionaries, heard a Listening Tour report. Suderman will lead the guest Friesen. including 100 Mennonites Lisa Williams, director group programs, starting in He added that the next step from 36 countries, and 200 of communications, writes, January. Elisa Barkman will is to take an unobtrusive sur- Central Asian pastors from the “This sounds dry, but it re- lead the guest group programs vey of people in the town to get region, attended this event. ally wasn’t. Time was spent through December. Sheila an idea of what the community Plenert says, “It gives me discussing the MC Eastern Giesbrecht will write cur- expects from a Christian group hope that God’s people from Canada communications plan riculum for the new program. in their midst. around the world can indeed and excitement was generated Paul Barkman will serve as Wymark is located 26 kilo- come together in one body. It that such a plan is coming into maintenance assistant for the metres south of Swift Current. gives me hope that language, place; it will be a great asset fall months. race and economic situation as we share the stories of who Staff leaving Camp we are and what we are about Assiniboia include former MennoniteMennonite Church Church will not always define and Alberta separate people.” Pray for the as we work together to ‘extend horsemanship coordinator Alberta young church in Central Asia, the peace of Jesus Christ.’ Shannon Dodd and assistant particularly for those areas We spoke of the exciting Chrissy Friesen. Food service New director likes experiencing persecution. philosophical shift in the new assistant Max Sawazki has what he saw • Witness associate Bonnie structure as we move to [as- returned to Germany and will Friesen, who works with sist] congregations for ministry be replaced by Dolores Friesen. It’s a good sign when a director Greater European Mission at at a local level and empower Elisa Barkman, interim direc- is enthused about programs Zaporozhye Bible College and congregations for ministry as tor of summer camp and youth and people once the staff is Seminary in Ukraine. This gifts are released among us.” ministries, completed her term gone and summer statistics year, there was a particularly One of the most inspiring at the end of August. start rolling in. high turn-out of students tak- portions of the day was when After his first summer at ing the English placement test. moderator Leroy Shantz MennoniteMennonite Church Church Camp Valaqua, Jon Olfert This means that there will shared on the theme of gover- SaskatchewanSaskatchewan sounds energetic and ready to have to be four classes instead nance and how governance can plan for next season. In con- of the expected three. Friesen be empowering to people. Working together sidering this summer’s staff, asks for prayer that the right Ester Neufeldt highlighted in harmony Olfert enthuses, “They were person will be found for this the spending plan and clearly fabulous, all of them! I was teaching position. She also showed how the conference The congregation of Emmaus really impressed with their asks for prayer for Nastia, a is working at the new vision Mennonite Church, located commitment and dedication.” student studying English who through the undergirding of a close to Wymark, recently held More than 450 campers has begun to read an English strong financial framework. an event in conjunction with went through Valaqua’s sum- Bible through her translation the community. mer camping program in 2006. work with Friesen’s Bible “We wanted to start our Olfert notes that the number is MennoniteMennonite Church Church year by inviting people to a “slightly down, but still within study class. Manitoba —Hinke Loewen-Rudgers Manitoba service and a brunch,” said the sphere of normal.” More Ray Friesen, pastor of the 50- than 50 percent of the camp- member church. ers were from non-Mennonite MennoniteMennonite Church Church Many changes at Eastern Canada Camp Assiniboia But when the church’s plans backgrounds. Eastern Canada to host the community on Sept. There were no major The year-round camp ministry 10 collided with the neigh- changes to the 2006 program, Dry agenda experienced several changes bourhood’s hopes of a hayride as Olfert thought it important stirs excitement in personnel and program this and barbeque on the same to get to know how things have Mennonite Church Eastern fall. day, the community board, been done in the past before Canada held an orientation The new “Nurture Next to which included some members implementing new ideas. New workshop for its new coun- Nature” program for guest of Emmaus, wanted to check Continued on page 28 cils on Sept. 23, welcoming groups—primarily at Camp signals. Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 27 TheChurches TheChurches From page 27 church fellowship to its family. Wellspring congregation is ex- Wellspring is currently Dan Loewen was installed cited about the possibilities of investigating the venue of a as Wellspring’s new associ- expanding its ministry to more coffee house with organized activity ideas are on Olfert’s ate pastor of worship and effectively reach Abbotsford discussion evenings to engage mind for 2007, however. “I am multiplication on Sept. 16. for Christ. It is hoped that in those who are searching planning to spend a fair bit of Loewen, who recently returned his role of pastor of multiplica- for spiritual answers. Once time and energy on activity from two-and-a-half years tion, Loewen will carry out the relationships are developed development this year, includ- of ministry in Montreal, will vision of the existing con- through these conversations, ing the development of a ‘high be the prime leader for the gregation, serving alongside new people will be invited into perceived risk or high thrill planned new congregation, as members who have a vision the cells of the new congrega- activity.’” yet unnamed. and passion for church growth. tion and eventually into the Jeff Wall will continue “This [new congregation] worship services as their rela- MennoniteMennonite Church Church as the prime leader of the won’t look like a typical tionship with Christ grows. BritishBritish Columbia Columbia existing congregation. Loewen church, meeting on Sunday Unless otherwise credited, the and Wall will make up part morning somewhere,” says articles in TheChurches pages Cell church of the pastoral team over Wall. “It will be for the disen- were written by: Leona Dueck set to expand both Wellspring and the new franchised, those interested in Penner (MC Canada), Dave Ro- congregation. spirituality, but not comfort- galsky (Eastern Canada), Evelyn Wellspring Christian Fellow- Although the new group is able in the regular type of Rempel Petkau (Manitoba), Karin ship, a Mennonite congrega- very much in the beginning church…. We know who we Fehderau (Saskatchewan), Donita tion built on the cell church stages at this point, and will want to reach. It is just finding Wiebe-Neufeld (Alberta), and Amy model in Abbotsford, is taking likely not be officially launched the right setting for that to Dueckman (British Columbia). See the first steps to add another for a couple of years, the happen in.” page 2 for contact information. Garry Janzen From our leaders believe that Mennonite Church British cerned from the congregations, was presented Columbia has a bright and hopeful future. by the Steering Committee. Much discussion I An MC B.C. Steering Committee first met took place at the tables, and the delegates gave in January 2005. We have spent almost two a new package of their missional priorities to the years searching for the dreams, visions and Steering Committee for further work. hopes of the people in our congregations across From this, the committee has developed a pro- this province. We have presented posed organizational chart as to what our findings to delegate gatherings, the missional structure and leadership bounced our interpretations of what Working towards might look like for the future. This will the people have said back to them, and be presented at a delegate session on continued to discern what God is say- church covenant Nov. 4 for discernment leading to a ing to us and to what he is calling us decision. as an area conference of Mennonite congregations in B.C. There is one more exciting thing that has been per- In June, we felt we had enough of an understanding to colating up through this past year. In order for any of present statements of our identity and purpose, beliefs this to be meaningful, we need to covenant together as and commitments, and vision. With a little tweaking, congregations of MC B.C. this whole package was approved by an overwhelming The Steering Committee and the MC B.C. Executive majority of 96 percent! Committee have been working closely Our identity is that “Mennonite together each step of the way, and, Church British Columbia is a faith I believe that Mennonite along with the new organizational community of Christian churches Church British Columbia has structure, we are presenting a draft with a passionate allegiance to Jesus of a covenant agreement. This will be Christ, our Saviour and Lord.” a bright and hopeful future. presented for discussion on Nov. 4, Our purpose is “to enable congre- and then at our next annual delegate gations to individually and collec- sessions in February we expect to tively engage most fully in the mission of Christ.” have a second draft ready for tweaking and a decision. For our vision we affirmed the Mennonite Church From February until May our congregations will be statement of “Vision: Healing and Hope,” and for our called to discern whether they are prepared to covenant statement of beliefs we affirmed theConfession of Faith together, and on May 27 we will gather from across the in a Mennonite Perspective. province for worship and the signing of our covenant. In Then, based on the above, we made five statements of the end, we believe it is the covenant that will hold us commitment. together in unity and the hope for our future. Please pray At this same meeting, based on the commitments just with us on this journey. made, a step was taken towards implementing these Garry Janzen is pastor at Sherbrooke Mennonite Church, statements into a plan for our mission. A draft of our Vancouver, and chair of the MC B.C. Steering Committee. missional priorities, based on responses already dis- 28 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 ToMorrow ToMorrow Gallery 7 season Calendar March 24,25: Lenten ves- set to open pers with Abendmusik Choir, British Columbia 8 p.m. Emmanuel Free Abbotsford, B.C.—Gallery Reformed Church, Abbotsford 7 Theatre and Performing Oct. 27,28,29: M2/W2 (24); Knox United Church, Arts Society is gearing up Association 40th anniver- Vancouver (25). Donations to for another season of drama sary celebrations—Southwest Menno Simons Centre. with a Christian perspective. Community Church, Kamloops May 6: B.C. Women in The 2006-07 season for the with the Gospel Troubadours Mission inspirational day Abbotsford troupe, is entitled (27); Sevenoaks Alliance Church, at Eden Mennonite Church, “What Matters Most.” The first Abbotsford, with the Abbotsford Chilliwack. play will be The Hobbit, J.R.R. Men’s Chorus (28); and Peace Tolkien’s beloved story adapt- Mennonite Church, Richmond, Alberta ed for the stage by Kim Selody. with Calvin Dyck (29). Performances will be Nov. 3 Nov. 4: MC B.C. special Oct. 26: MCC Alberta hosts and 4, 9 to 11 and 16 to 18. delegates sessions, West Tony Campolo at Dalhousie Subsequent productions will Abbotsford Mennonite Church, Community Church, Calgary. be Lost in Yonkers, a comedy 8:30 a.m. Pension plan holders For tickets, call 403-275-6935. by Neil Simon, on Jan. 19 and meeting follows. Oct. 27-28: MCC Alberta 20, 25 to 27 and Feb. 1 to 3; Nov. 4-12: MCC Arts and annual meeting at Rosemary Steel Magnolias, a heartwarm- Peace Festival at CBC. Mennonite Church. ing tale of friendship by Robert Nov. 6-7: Peace Week activi- Nov. 4: MC Alberta “all com- Harling, scheduled for March 9 ties at CBC. mittees” meeting, at Trinity and 10, 15 to 17 and 22 to 24; Nov. 16-18: MC Canada Mennonite Church, Calgary. and Village of Idiots, a quirky general board meets at Eben- Nov. 26: Installation ser- Canadian look at community Ezer Mennonite Church, vice for pastor Terry Lesser by John Lazarus, on June 1 Abbotsford. at Springridge Mennonite and 2, 7 to 9 and 14 to 16. All Nov. 17: Mennonite Heritage Church, Pincher Creek. performances will be in a new Society of B.C. presents lecture venue, at the MEI Secondary “Controversy, change and con- Saskatchewan auditorium in Abbotsford. sensus” dealing with theologi- Rockway photo Oct. 27-29: Quilting and —Amy Dueckman cal issues of the last century by scrapbooking retreat at Rockway Mennonite David Ewert and John Neufeld Shekinah Retreat Centre. Collegiate students Church musicians (of Winnipeg) at Bakerview Oct. 28: MC Saskatchewan Jesse Finn and Jackie to be honoured M.B. Church, 7 p.m. Equipping conference at Read rehearse a scene Nov. 17-19: Senior youth Mount Royal Mennonite from And Then They Came Saskatoon—The Mennonite Impact retreat at Camp Church. Theme: “Connecting For Me, Remembering the Historical Society of Squeah. diversity.” World of Anne Frank by Saskatchewan (MHSS) will Nov. 18: MCC B.C. annual Nov. 2-25: Ten Thousand James Stills. The Grade be honouring three significant general meeting. Willingdon Villages festival sales—New 11 and 12 students will contributors to church music MB Church, Burnaby. Horizons Centre, Biggar (2); perform this drama Nov. in Saskatchewan at a heri- Dec. 1: World AIDS Day ben- Hope Mennonite Church, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. at tage evening. The event takes efit concert with the Vancouver North Battleford (2-4); United Rockway. This poignant place on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., at Welshmen’s Choir at Abbey Church, LaRonge (7-8); multi-media drama com- Bethany Manor Fellowship Arts Centre, Abbotsford. Catholic Parish Centre, Fort bines video interviews Centre. Alf Dahl is coming Dec. 2,3: Advent vespers with Qu’appelle (15); Bethany with actual Holocaust from Winnipeg to lead a choir Abendmusik Choir, 8 p.m. Mennonite Church, Lost River survivors together with in songs that will remind those Emmanuel Free Reformed (18); Luseland (18); Rosthern student actors on stage. who gather of music once Church, Abbotsford (2); Knox Mennonite Church (25); Grace The drama provides a led by David Paetkau, Jake United Church, Vancouver (3). United Church, Weyburn (25). thought-provoking look Schroeder and Albert Wiens. Donations to Menno Simons Nov. 3: RJC annual apprecia- at a chapter in history On Nov. 11, the society Centre. tion and fundraising banquet. that reveals the roots will gather again at Bethany Dec. 30-Jan. 1: Young adult Guest speaker: CPTer James of horrors the world still Manor for the annual geneal- winter retreat at Camp Loney. faces today. The Nov. 11 ogy day. Alf Redekopp, director Squeah. Nov. 3: MCC Saskatchewan performance will also from the Mennonite Heritage Feb. 10: B.C. Women in pastors and church lead- include a post-drama dis- Centre in Winnipeg, will be a Mission special business ers conference at Forest cussion for youth groups key contributor at both morn- session at Bethel Mennonite Grove Community Church, interested in discussing ing and afternoon sessions. Church, Aldergrove, 2 p.m. Saskatoon. the topic further. —MHSS release March 16-17: Youth workers by Ed Schmidt conference at CBC. Continued on page 30 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 29 ToMorrow ToMorrow From page 29 Mennonite Church, 6 p.m. (4); notist Jerry Enns and the Avenue Mennonite Church, Douglas Mennonite Church, Mike Erb Band; 7:30 p.m. at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3-4: MCC Saskatchewan Winnipeg, 5 p.m. (5). the University of Waterloo Nov. 6,8: MSCU regional annual general meeting at Nov. 10-12: Camp Koinonia Humanities Theatre. For tick- meetings, 7:45 p.m.; Elmira Forest Grove Community quilting retreat with Jill ets, call 519-888-4908. branch at Floradale Mennonite Church, Saskatoon. Hildebrand and Heather Nov. 1-4: Annual Ten Church (6); Leamington Nov. 10: Mennonite Historical Heide. Thousand Villages festival sale branch at Leamington Society of Saskatchewan heri- Nov. 10-12: Camp Moose Lake at Vineland United Mennonite Mennonite Home (8). tage evening honouring David quilting retreat with Rose Church; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 7: Foundation for Paetkau, Jake Schroeder and Campbell and Lois Friesen (1,2,3) and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. International Development Albert Wiens; 7:30 p.m. at Wiebe. (4). Tea room open each day. and Assistance concert, auc- Bethany Manor, Saskatoon. Nov. 15-16: John and Nov. 3-5: Mennonite and tion and dinner for Haiti at Nov. 11: Mennonite Historical Margaret Friesen Lectures at Brethren Marriage Encounter the Lions Hall, Elmira. Special Society of Saskatchewan annual CMU. Topic: “Mennonites and weekend at Stratford’s music by the Watchmen genealogy day with Alf Redekop, architecture.” Speakers: Rudy Festival Inn; from 7:30 p.m., Quartet; silent auction begins at Bethany Manor, Saskatoon, Friesen, Harold Funk and Friday, to 4 p.m., Sunday. To at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. beginning at 8:30 a.m. Roland Sawatzky. register call Marjorie Roth at RSVP to 519-886-9520. Dec. 4,8: Ten Thousand Nov. 17-18: MCC Manitoba 519-669-8667. Nov. 10-11: MCC Ontario an- Villages festival sales— annual general meeting, Nov. 4: Tony Brown concert in nual meeting and celebration, Bethany College, Hepburn (4); Winnipeg. support of the Anthony Brown at Meadow Brook Fellowship, Rosthern Junior College (8). Nov. 17-18: Fall Partnership Comprehensive School in Leamington; 7:30 p.m. (10), 9 Dec. 8-10: RJC dinner theatre. Circle meetings at Riverton Northern Uganda, at Stirling a.m. to 4 p.m. (11). Jan. 26-28: Senior high Fellowship Circle. retreat at Shekinah Retreat Nov. 22: Westgate Mennonite Centre. Collegiate evening with the arts, at 7:30 p.m. Subscriber services Manitoba Dec. 2: North Kildonan Mennonite Church Quartet’s How to subscribe: 1. Individuals who attend churches that are part of Men- Oct. 26: MC Manitoba an- Advent concert, 7 p.m., at the nonite Church Canada or one of its five area churches nual fall delegate sessions at church. can subscribe through our Every Home Plan (paid for by Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Jan. 18-20: CMU Refreshing your church giving and CM’s own fundraising). Please Winkler, 7 to 9 p.m. Winds conference on wor- contact your church office to be added to the list. Oct. 27-29: Scrapbooking ship and music. Keynote 2. Personal subscriptions are also available to anyone. A retreat at Camp Moose Lake. speaker: Marva Dawn, author one-year subscription (24 issues) is $36.00 plus $2.52 Oct. 28: CMU fundraising and of Reaching Out Without GST in Canada, $53.50 (Can.) to the USA, and $73.00 dessert evening. Dumbing Down: A Theology of (Can.) for elsewhere. Two-year and group subscriptions Oct. 28: 25th annual MMYO Worship For This Urgent Time. are also available. volleyball tournament at Jan. 5-7: MMYO young adult Bethel Mennonite Church, retreat at Camp Koinonia. Name______Winnipeg, 8:45 a.m. Jan. 19-21: MMYO junior Address______Oct. 28: Camps with high youth retreat at Camp Meaning celebration banquet ______Postal Code______Koinonia. o at Whitewater Mennonite Payment enclosed o o o Church, Boissevain, 6 p.m. Charge my VISA Mastercard Ontario ______Oct. 30: MCI soup and pie card number expiry date fundraiser in Gretna, 5 p.m., fol- Oct. 22: Pax Christi Chamber lowed by the fall concert, 7 p.m. Choir debut concert at Grace Subscription changes: Oct. 30: Westgate Mennonite Church-on-the-Hill, Toronto, 3 1. When submitting a change of address or cancellation, Collegiate annual general p.m. To order tickets, visit please include your subscription number: meeting, at 7:30 p.m. paxchristichorale.org. Subscription number Expiry date Nov. 3-4: CMU youth ministry Oct. 25,30: MSCU regional conference. Theme: “Kingdom- meetings, 7:45 p.m.; Milverton driven ministry. Speaker: and New Hamburg branches Wendell Loewen of Tabor at Crosshill Mennonite Church College. (25); Kitchener and Waterloo Nov. 3-5: Camp Moose Lake branches at West Heights BIC Sample quilting retreat with Val Church (30). 2. Subscription changes are not considered Transitions Pankratz and Lois Friesen Oct. 28: Institute for Worship notices (these go to [email protected]). Wiebe. and the Arts’ Planning and 3. Changes will be made immediately but may take four to Nov. 3-5: Camp Koinonia Leading Worship workshop six weeks to take effect because of printing schedules. at Conrad Grebel, 9 a.m. To quilting retreat with Nancy Contact information: Ross, Hedy Albrecht and Edith register, call 519-885-0220. Canadian Mennonite, 490 Dutton Dr., Unit C5, Hammond. Oct. 28: Silver Lake Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 6H7 Nov. 4,5: Camps with Mennonite camp fall fund- Phone: 519-884-3810 Toll-free: 1-800-378-2524 ext. 221 Meaning celebration ban- raiser, “From wave tops to Fax: 519-884-3331 E-mail: [email protected] quets—Winkler Bergthaler tree tops,” featuring hyp- 30 Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 Advertising Nov. 10-11: Rockway senior Feb. 9-10: MDS all unit meet- drama, And Then They Came ing at South Ridge Community COALDALE MENNONITE CHURCH For Me, Remembering the Church, St. Catharines. For is seeking to hire a World of Anne Frank; 8 p.m. more information, call Rudy Tickets at the door. Thiessen at 905-562-4324. SENIOR PASTOR Nov. 11: Spirituality and to provide full time leadership to a pastoral team and a multi- Aging seminar at Conrad U.S.A. generational membership of 300. The successful candidate will Grebel, 9 a.m. To register, call be committed to Anabaptist/Mennonite theology, will be gifted 519-885-0220. Nov. 2-5: MEDA convention— in preaching, teaching and visitation. Preferred starting date Nov. 23: Benjamin Eby “Business as a calling: Set the March 1, 2007 Please respond by Nov. 17,2006 to Search Committee phone 403-345-6728 or fax 403-345-6758. Lecture at Conrad Grebel. pace.” Tampa, Fla. For more Theme: “Law as a sword, law information, visit businessasa- as a shield.” Speaker: Lowell calling.org. Ewert. For more information, call 519-885-0220. Nov. 23: MEDA breakfast at EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY the Stone Crock, St. Jacobs, To ensure timely A C C O U N T A N T / B U S I N E S S 7:30 a.m. Speaker: Murray publication of ADMINISTRATOR EVANGELICAL MENNONITE MISSION Bast. upcoming events, CONFERENCE Dec. 14: Rockway Christmas please send Calendar The EMM Conference has an opening for a permanent part- concert; 7:30 p.m. announcements Dec. 16, 17: Pax Christi time Accountant/Business Administrator in its Winnipeg office. Chorale’s Christmas concert EIGHT WEEKS in It is estimated that the position will be in the range of 50% to advance of the event 60% of full-time, with flexible work arrangements to be mutually featuring Vaughan Williams’ agreed upon. Hodie, 7:30 p.m. (16), 3 p.m. date by e-mail to: (17), at Grace Church-on-the- Duties and Responsibilities: calendar@ • Prepare accounting records including general ledger, dona- Hill, Toronto. To order tickets, canadianmennonite.org visit paxchristichorale.org. tion receipting, cash receipts, accounts payable, cash disburse- ments and payroll utilizing computerized accounting software. • Financial reporting for interim periods and annual financial Employment opportunities statements for audit. • Budget preparation and various income tax reporting for charitable organization. • Banking and cash transfers in an International setting. St. Catharines United Mennonite Church invites applications • Administration and coordination of various employee benefit for an plans. Associate Pastor (Full- Time Position) • Various administrative and office support activities. Qualifications and Attributes: St. Catharines United Mennonite Church is a committed, multi- · Experienced accountant working with computerized account- generational church that desires to be energetic, passionate ing records. and enthusiastic for Christ. We are moving toward a more con- · Inter personal skills to work in small office team setting. temporary style of worship resulting in a blended service. · A broad knowledge of not-for-profit income tax matters would be an asset, but not a requirement. Our Purpose: We aim to reach youths and young families with the Good News of Jesus. We are looking for someone who can The EMMC is a conference of churches holding to the Ana- join our pastoral team in providing leadership as we grow with baptist-peace position with member churches in Canada, USA, a clear vision for the future of sharing our love for Christ. Mexico and Belize. For further information about EMMC, go to www.emmc.ca. The successful applicant will oversee and help to develop min- istries for all age groups from childhood to college and careers, Please submit your confidential application/resume stating with a special emphasis in the beginning on youths. qualifications, experience and statement of faith no later than Oct. 31, 2006, to The Moderator, EMMC, Box 52059, Niakwa Successful applicant should possess: PO, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2M 5P9 · The ability to relate to children and young adults · Evidence of Christian maturity · Energy and enthusiasm · Leadership and organizational skills for ministry work · Anabaptist convictions Mississauga Mennonite Fellowship is looking for a half-time Please forward resumes to: pastor who enjoys preaching. To the extent that aptitude and St. Catharines United Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 20299, St. time commitments allow, we welcome particular attention to Catharines, Ontario L2M 7W7, Attention: Peter VandenBerg. pastoring our youths and young adults, keeping our fellowship Email: [email protected] connected to the conferences, and making us aware of peace and social concerns within our immediate and wider commun- ities. Salary and benefits will reflect MCEC guidelines. Con- Large one-bdrm apartment tact: Anna Wiens at [email protected] or by phone at For rent available. Part of farmhouse 416- 252-2824. 10 min. west of Kitchener. Large one-bdrm apartment Nonsmokers only. Available available. Part of farmhouse Nov. 1. Call Rod or Doris at 10 min. west of Kitchener. 519-634-5921. Nonsmokers only. Available Nov. 1. Call Rod or Doris at Canadian Mennonite October 16, 2006 Volume 10, Number 20 31 519-634-5921. BackPage programs to help people recover. year after a major earthquake MCC is also working to assist fami- rocked the mountains and lies in Jared, a village in a Pakistan- Avalleys of northern Pakistan, controlled area of Kashmir that was killing more than 73,000 people, devastated by the earthquake. Mennonite Central Committee is still Through JAKCISS Oriental Rugs, committed to helping the people of the an artisan group of Ten Thousand region. Villages, MCC will support 12 of the In the aftermath of the earthquake, village’s poorest families—more than MCC committed a total of $1.3 million 100 people—for the next year. to relief efforts, channelling most of MCC will provide aid for food and its resources through Church World basic necessities for these families and Service, an agency with a long-stand- help identify job opportunities in areas ing program in Pakistan. MCC funds such as woodworking. MCC is also went for immediate emergency as- providing assistance in building sistance—tents, blankets, food and temporary stone homes, con- medical care. structing earthquake-resistant Now survivors are being helped to houses, evaluating farming return home. Among other involve- possibilities and developing ments, MCC is supporting trauma plans for education. —MCC release recovering a livelihood In the village of Kotli Siddique, a Pakistani woman named Lafiza sifts wheat. Rug mak- ing—with the assis- tance of MCC and Ten Thousand Villages— is the major source of income for people in the village who are recovering from a 2005 earthquake. MCC photo