PM 40063104 R09613

March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5

The five amigos page 18

Same-sex marriage page 14 DeskTop

covenanting, for reaffirming our common centre in Christ, Being church together and our commitments to living faithfully together.” The hat does it mean to be church together? motion was approved. That was a question facing Mennonite Church Following the approval, the assembly joined together for a W Saskatchewan delegates the last weekend of service in which representatives from churches signed the February as they met for their annual delegate sessions. covenant on behalf of their congregations. The line of signers I have been continuing my listening tour over the past stretched from the stage to the months and was in Saskatchewan to meet with pastors and side of the gym and then a churches, and to attend the delegate sessions on February good portion of the way down 25 and 26. Thank you to the 19 people (primarily pastors) the wall. It was a powerful from Prince Albert to Hanley I met with, to the congregation and holy moment. of North Star Mennonite Church in Drake with whom I was It is a solemn thing to privileged to visit, and for the warm greetings and good agree to a re-covenanting conversations I had at Rosthern Junior College with del- together. Delegates and egates. I will be sharing Canadian Mennonite-specific church staff often used the feedback I received on this trip and on previous trips comparison to a marriage through parts of Manitoba and Ontario in a future issue. covenant. One delegate said Delegates at the Mennonite Church Saskatchewan Henry Block, pastor at that if he and his wife had assembly had much on their plate (our news reports on the Warman Mennonite Church waited until they had solved four area church delegate sessions in February will be in and moderator of Mennonite every issue they disagreed upcoming issues), but one moment in particular left a Church Saskatchewan, upon before agreeing to their powerful impression. checks out a recent issue of wedding covenant, they would Canadian Mennonite. For the last three years, MC Saskatchewan churches have never have been able to enjoy been discussing with one another a new covenant on how over 25 years of marriage. they are church together. The covenant reaffirms, as its Jesus uses the word “covenant” to describe what he does in starting commitment, that the Confession of Faith in a the Last Supper in Matthew 26, Mark 14 and Luke 22. Paul Mennonite Perspective is a description of their (and our) uses the same language in 1 Corinthians 11, the text that shared faith. It then commits Saskatchewan churches to many of our churches use during communion. Re-covenanting strengthen and support each other, and sets out guidelines is part of what it means to be the body of Christ together. on how to do this even when difficult conversations arise “We state our best intentions and then we rely on God’s (see www.mcsask.ca). I believe the work the churches in resources, forgiveness for our failures, and God’s strength for Saskatchewan have done together on this document over our new beginnings,” said Saskatchewan Conference Minister the past years is a model for the rest of the church. Ken Bechtel at the re-covenanting service. May all our The delegates were asked by the church executive to churches experience this in full measure. formally approve the covenant “as the basis for our re- —Timothy Dyck

Mission statement: Published by Canadian National correspondent: Leona Dueck Penner, Mennonite Publishing Service, Canadian Mennonite Winnipeg. Phone: (204) 888-6781, x178 serves primarily the people and churches of E-mail: [email protected] Mennonite Church Canada and its five area Regional correspondents: conferences. Canadian Mennonite is a bi-weekly Anabaptist/ Mennonite Eastern Canada: Maurice Martin, Phone: (519) 662-1031 periodical which seeks to promote covenantal relationships within the E-mail: [email protected] church (Hebrews 10:23-25). It provides channels for sharing accurate Manitoba: Evelyn Rempel Petkau, Phone/Fax: (204) 745-2208 and fair information, faith profiles, inspirational/educational materials, E-mail: [email protected] news and analysis of issues facing the church. Saskatchewan: Karin Fehderau, Phone: (306) 933-4209 E-mail: [email protected] Head office: 490 Dutton Drive, Unit C5, Waterloo, ON N2L 6H7 Alberta: Donita Wiebe-Neufeld, Phone: (780) 436-3431 800-378-2524 Phone: (519) 884-3810 Toll-free: Fax: (519) 884-3331 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] British Columbia: Angelika Dawson, Phone: (604) 870-0494 Editor/Publisher: Timothy Dyck E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Board of directors: British Columbia: Henry Neufeld, John W. Goossen Staff: Ross W. Muir, managing editor; Natasha Krahn, Alberta: Brenda Tiessen-Wiens, Jan Wilhelm. Saskatchewan: Bernie admin. assistant; Tammy Sawatzky, art director; Barb Draper, Thiessen. Manitoba: Aiden S. Enns, Bernie Wiebe (chair), Paul Krahn. editorial assistant. Ontario: Mary Lymburner, Brice Balmer, Ester Neufeldt, Larry Cornies. Advertising: Barbara Burkholder Phone : 800-316-4052 Fax: (519) 884-3331 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.canadianmennonite.org Postmaster: Send returns to head office. PAP Registration No. 09613. Agreement No. 40063104. We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward mailing costs. Contact head office for subscriptions and address changes. Order form on inside back cover. ISSN 1480-042X

2 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 ThisIssue

March 5, 2005 4UpClose Volume 9, Number 5 Test of faith 4 Life-changing experience 5

6 Faith&Life The waters of life 6 Giving up criticism for Lent 9

10 Arts&Culture The cinematic Christ 10 Tapestry interview 11

Page 34

Page 10 12 InConversation Letters 12 These I lay down 13

14 WiderChurch Same-sex marriage 14 The five amigos 18 Sharing gifts 20

28 LocalChurch Web site preview 28 Youths just ‘can’t keep quiet’ Page 11 Get a preview of the next Ecumenical prayer service 30 Canadian Mennonite before Transitions 32 it comes in the mail. Selections are posted on our web site at 34 TheChurches www.canadianmennonite.org Revolution=Transformation 32 on the Thursday before the issue date. So you can check out the March 21 issue by March 17. 38 ToMorrow

Cover: The five ‘amigos’—members of the newly named Global Community of Young Anabaptists—joined hands at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church during their first face-to- face meeting since Zimbabwe in 2003. Photo by Ross W. Muir. See stories, page 18.

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 3 UpClose

Abbotsford, B.C. Loss of voice a test of faith hat does it take for a person to re-examine God’s call on Wher life? For Helma Sawatzky of Wellspring Christian Fellowship, it was the loss of her singing voice just when her career as a musician seemed to be taking off. During the planning and recording of her latest album, Seasons of Grace, Sawatzky first noticed she was not hitting notes on pitch—something that hadn’t happened before. She overcom- pensated, straining her voice and making the situation worse. But what resulted was more than just voice strain. “I became increasingly anxious about performing with this instrument that became more and more unreliable and that had—in my experience—lost its sparkle and freedom,” she recalls.

“Recording the vocals for Seasons of Tomé Grace started to feel like my ‘swan song’ as I struggled my way through each song. During the preparations for the CD release concert I felt like a

Photo by Carmen lamb being led to the slaughter ... and Following the loss of her voice, singer-turned-artist Helma Sawatzky has been my voice felt so very, very tired. struggling to make the words of the popular hymn It is Well With my Soul her own. Singing no longer was an act of joyful worship and expression, but became her. What she realized was that her covered that God is sovereign as well enmeshed with anxiety, fear and lots voice had been her primary way of as personal, and His plans include me of muscle tension.” connecting to God and to people. but way surpass me.” Although doctors have examined “I felt closest to God when I was Sawatzky also discovered that she Sawatzky’s vocals chords, which singing to Him and I felt most able to had to let go—of seeking to understand appear to be healthy, she is still communicate with others through song the will of God and of all the “why” unable to sing. She describes it as if and music,” she explains. “I am a very questions she had. In letting go she her voice had a stroke. shy person by nature and music was came to understand that the will of “One day all the muscles knew what my way of connecting. Life made sense God is accomplished in spite of circum- to do and, due to coinciding circum- when I sang, and not singing meant a stances, no matter what they are. stances, my voice just forgot how to loss of connection and purpose.” When her singing was replaced with ‘dance’; in fact, became unable to ‘walk’ She entered a time of doubt, ques- silence, Sawatzky felt that her creativ- —to stay within that metaphor,” she tioning everything she had been taught ity had died with it. People would ask says. about God’s plans and guidance in life. if she was writing more music or if she And while the CD was completed and She had always understood her pur- had considered producing an instru- was being met with enthusiasm, pose in life to be embodied in music mental album. But she found that she Sawatzky’s voice loss was devastating ministry and found affirmation in that. was empty. She approached the to her emotionally, creatively and “Yet current events seemed to situation by trying to fix the problem, spiritually. She dealt with guilt, feeling communicate to me that there is no but when weeks turned into months that there was so much suffering in the cause-and-effect relationship between and then into years, with no improve- world that was worse than her own, what I might experience as ‘walking in ment, she decided to explore other while, at the same time, losing the obedience’ and subsequent blessings ways of expressing herself creatively. freedom to sing mattered so much to and opportunities,” she says. “I redis- She took some courses to develop

4 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 UpClose

Abbotsford, B.C. Experience in India life-changing for BC woman atie McBride comforts a young a matter of weeks, McBride signed on She enjoys the relaxed schedule, as girl who sits on her lap crying, and began the work she has been it allows her plenty of time for one-on- K smoothing the girl’s hair while doing for nearly half-a-year. one interaction with the children. Her gently rocking her gently back and She is proud of the progress her greatest joys and greatest difficulties forth. It’s no more than any daycare students have are often the same experiences—as worker might experience on a given made in the short with the young girl who was raped. day. What makes this snapshot unique time she’s been When McBride had the opportunity to is that McBride is a Canadian with them. “The ask about her experience, the young Mennonite woman from Abbotsford children had very girl referred to it as the “paining.” living in Chennai, India, and the little concept of “I held her and looked in her eyes, young girl she comforts has AIDS— English before I telling her she is a good girl and I love having contracted the virus when she came, but I am her, and she’s safe,” McBride recalls. was raped as a six-year-old. teaching only in “We just sat in the bedroom together McBride, 19, works at a home for English and from for an hour; her, whimpering in my children with AIDS that is run by McBride English books,” arms with her legs hanging off my lap, Youth With a Mission (YWAM). She she says. “It is amazing how quickly mosquitoes biting our feet and sweat works 10-hour days and is responsible they have picked up the language. The forming on our brows. I cannot imag- for the children’s schooling and four older children are between eight ine her trauma. It deeply saddens me emotional development. and ten years old, and in a matter of to know she is ‘paining.’ At the same “I am the teacher-older sister- months have gone from only counting time, though, I am so content in being babysitter-poop cleaner-upper,” she to ten to having conversations and able to hold this crying girl as she jokes, adding that all of those jobs are having basic reading skills.” continues to work through her past. I just as important as book learning. Classroom learning is only a part of feel so blessed that the Lord has felt McBride ended up working with her days with the children. They also that I am appropriate to be a part of YWAM when employment at a village spend time doing artistic activities like these kids’ lives.” school with a private ministry fell colouring or modelling with play- McBride will return to B.C.—and to through. While she was still in India, dough or playing outside. her home congregation at West her father put her in contact with the “At 5 p.m., the Mr. Bean cartoon is Abbotsford Mennonite Church—in staff at YWAM and she was immedi- on TV and is never missed on penalty May. She is not sure what the future ately drawn to the AIDS ministry they of having eight children angry at me,” holds for her, but she knows that it offered. There was a need for a teacher she laughs. “Then we all go for a walk will be a difficult transition after what and full-time childcare worker. Within before supper.” she has experienced in India. “I am planning on going back to skills that would enable her to free- “For now, I am very grateful and university, but I don’t know how I will lance as a graphic designer. This re- humbled that I was given the opportu- live my ordinary life after a lifetime of ignited a desire for painting, which nity to ‘birth’ three CDs and that God experience here,” she says. “I can see stirred within her a desire to try other continues to use these songs in the myself in classes, absorbed in wonder- means of creative expression. lives of many people. I do think that ing how ‘my’ kids are. I will just have “I went out, bought some canvasses the visual arts will become a bigger to wait on the Lord to see where He and acrylic paints, materials I had part of my future artistic endeavours.” leads me.” never worked with, and started The words of the familiar hymn It is —Angelika Dawson experimenting,” she recalls. “I also got Well With my Soul have become her into exploring with clay sculpture and “north star,” as she puts it: “When soon one thing led to another and I peace, like a river, attendeth my way, saw that I was finding another way of when sorrows like sea billows roll, expressing ideas, which felt like new whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me life to my soul.” to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.” Sawatzky has been working with a “Once every part of my being can vocal coach since December 2001 and wholeheartedly agree with these has made some progress. She dreams words I will have found a deeper, of the day when her voice will soar stronger, more enduring faith and again, but she has learned that she living hope on this journey,” she says. cannot count on that. Sawatzky’s CDs are available “If this whole journey has taught me through her website: anything, it is that nobody knows www.helmasawatzky.com. what will happen tomorrow,” she says. —Angelika Dawson

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 5 Faith&Life

The waters of life

n a lectionary reading for the third Sunday of Lent Bashir began to live at the deaf- (Exodus 17:1-7) we are told how the Israelites thirsted blind unit, a small house on the in the desert after their escape from Egypt. They institute’s campus. As they began to quarrelled with their leader, Moses, asking why he work with Bashir, the teachers needed brought them out of Egypt only to die of thirst in the love, skill and patience to overcome I the severe deprivation that character- desert. Moses prayed to God and was told to strike his staff against a rock. He did so, and water flowed from the rock to ized his early life. In the beginning, relieve the thirst of his people. These events took place 3,500 the staff began introducing Bashir to years ago in what some the world of human touch by stroking local traditions say is now his arms and legs and giving him lots the country of Jordan. of hugs. They also showed him the Today in Jordan, another worlds of shape and texture, introduc- water miracle is taking ing deaf-blind educational materials place in the life of a deaf- such as wooden shapes to be placed on blind boy named Bashir. pegs. When Bashir was born Efforts were made to care for his blind and deaf, his parents physical needs as well. Daily sessions did not know what to do on a trampoline helped to strengthen with him. They gave him to his long-neglected muscles. At first, an orphanage, where he Bashir resisted these efforts to reach was kept in a crib modified out to him. He turned away from to be a cage. Bashir suf- human touch and kept to his own fered in this mental and inner world. Gradually, his teachers emotional desert for nine have been able to penetrate Bashir’s years. Neglected in his internal defences, and today he greatly confinement, Bashir faced enjoys physical contact with other hunger, thirst, and extreme people. isolation. In order to As we enter Lent and contemplate survive, he became like a the suffering and resurrection of person on an island— Jesus, I am reminded of the suffering Bashir’s world consisted and resurrection of Bashir. After solely of himself. almost a decade of mental, emotional Three years ago, when and physical deprivation, Bashir has Bashir was nine, his world begun the process of resurrection, began to expand. The Holy awakening to the world of people after Land Institute for the Deaf, spending nine years in the tomb of the located in Salt, Jordan, orphanage. He is reclaiming the life k Penner opened a unit for deaf-blind God gave him when he was created in students with Mennonite God’s image in his mother’s womb. Central Committee (MCC) I am moved to learn from Bashir’s support. Bashir became the teachers that after three years of work first student and began to he has a new skill that makes him receive the one-on-one very proud. He can now make the sign attention that he had for a drink by extending his thumb

Desert photos by Leona Duec needed for so long. from his fist in front of his mouth.

6 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 Faith&Life Holy Week in Damascus: Under Christ we pass into the church he Christian year crests waiting until noon to break the fast; for others it means during Holy Week in Damas- waiting until sunset. When one does eat, the food does not cus. Unlike many churches in include any animal products—meat, eggs or dairy products. the West, where Christmas is This vegetarian (or better, vegan) diet is a communal act of T the highlight of the Christian self-denial in preparation for the feast of our Lord’s resur- calendar, Holy Week for Eastern rection from the dead. Christians in Damascus marks the Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday with the celebration of climax of the church year, and is Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. And like the crowds that After the last referred to in Arabic as the Week of welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem, Damascenes pour into the Sufferings. streets after Mass. Many hold or wear palm and olive drumbeats Holy Week is bookended by feasts of branches as they proceed through the streets and alleys of from the incredible joy—Palm Sunday at its the Old City, accompanying bands of youth from the beginning and Easter Sunday at the churches who play triumphal marching music. The police processions end of the week. Between these two block cars from entering the Old City of Damascus, and the swells of intensely joyful celebration celebration of Palm Sunday shakes the city. have died comes the emotional nadir of Good Maundy Thursday celebrations have a slightly more away, it is Friday, where Christ’s death and muted tone, but still carry an air of celebration and festival. burial are not only remembered, but Sacrament Thursday as it is called in Arabic, recalls the time to visit are actually enacted as churches move establishment of Holy Communion at the Last Supper. And through the stages of Christ’s crucifix- in many churches it also includes the washing of feet. In the neighbours, ion with a funeral Mass. Syrian Orthodox Church, the Patriarch wraps a towel friends and For many Christians in Damascus, around himself and washes feet, physically performing the preparation for Holy Week begins five very act of servitude that our Lord carried out. relatives, to weeks earlier at the start of Lent, with On Maundy Thursday people from all over the city of wish them its emphasis on prayer, meditation Damascus traditionally gather in the Old City, whether they and fasting. Unlike the Western typically worship there or not. Then Christians walk from Easter Lenten fast, in which individuals church to church, praying briefly in each and taking its themselves typically choose to give up blessing before walking on to the next. The youth from each greetings. eating or drinking something they church print up stickers for the occasion, with the church’s really enjoy, Eastern Churches have name and a symbol appropriate for the occasion. Then as set down what constitutes the fast. people walk into the church, they receive a sticker to wear One does not eat anything until later on their lapel. As Christians in the day. For some people this means move from church to church on Maundy Thursday, the collec- tion of stickers grows and After doing this he can make his own grows, until many people sport way to the kitchen in the deaf-blind seven or eight on their jacket. unit, find a cup, turn on the tap, and Palm Sunday and Maundy get himself a drink of water. Thursday have an air of Bashir is now more than a recipient festivity—they are occasions to of care; he has become an agent who walk about and celebrate with can make things happen in his own family and friends. life. This may appear to be a small Good—or Great—Friday, step, insignificant to those ignorant of however, has a completely Bashir’s history. But for those who different air. Women usually know the story of his life, water dress in black to attend the flowing from the tap in the deaf-blind Friday evening funeral Mass. unit is just as miraculous as water Depending on the particular flowing from the rock in the Jordanian church tradition, an icon or desert. statue of Christ is literally As we experience Lent this year, placed in a coffin. In some may we be reminded of the reality of churches, the coffin is carried suffering and resurrection, and of the by deacons around the church, waters of life that still flow in Jordan. and people throw or place —Sonia Weaver, MCC Palestine, Jordan and Iraq co-representative Continued on page 8

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 7 Faith&Life

Damascus From page 7 wish them Easter greetings. Muslim flowers on the coffin while funeral dirges are sung. The friends as well, phone or stop by to ceremony is extremely moving, and there is seldom a dry wish Christians well on the occasion of eye in the congregation as all surge to get closer to the bier Easter. Giving and receiving greetings of Jesus. Other churches take the coffin of Jesus outside the can run through Easter Monday. church before the funeral Mass and march in a funeral Holy Week is the culmination of the procession through the streets, which have again been Christian year in the Middle East. The blocked off by police. While the band plays doleful funeral Week of Sufferings in Damascus’ Old music, the coffin makes a slow trip through the City runs the gamut of emotions, from neighborhoods flanked by young people carrying flaming extreme joy at each end to the deep torches. Upon their return to the church, in traditions like sorrow of Good Friday’s funeral. Even the Armenian Catholic, the coffin is held by four pallbearers if one forgets for a moment that it is at the entrance of the church. All who enter the church Holy Week, the sorrowful notes of the stoop down and literally pass under the body of Christ. Good Friday CD of popular Lebanese The next day is known as Saturday of Light, and at night Christian singer Fairoz sounding out churches celebrate an Easter Mass which ends around from shops and homes in the Old City midnight. The sombre altar covers and banners from Good remind one that Christ’s suffering is Friday are exchanged for brightly coloured cloth. On Easter at hand—the sense of expectation is morning children come to church dressed in new clothes palpable. And as young and old go into and, again after the church services, the youth bands take to the church on Good Friday, they do so the streets to celebrate Christ’s triumph over death. Crowds with a most poignant reminder that of families dressed in their Easter best throng the streets, as under Christ we pass into the Church, cries of “Christ is risen!” “He is risen indeed!” are exchanged. and that the shouts of “Christ is risen” After the last drumbeats from the processions have died will soon follow. away, it is time to visit neighbours, friends and relatives, to —Eldon Wagler, MCC Syria co-representative Variations on a Lenten theme I II

As I sit in this quiet winter room A slim wooden crucifix hangs on the wall Etched onto a burnt-wood back- remembering that once for all above my writing table. A gift from a South ground, under a Latin inscription, hangs pain-filled journey to the cross, African friend, received during the height an elongated, almost stick-like figure of voices from the past begin to rise in me: of the anti-apartheid Jesus. There is a four-pronged crown on struggle when thou- his heart-shaped head and his eyes are First, that voice from heaven, sands of people lost their wide open. Clearly visible, are the nail- descending like a dove: lives because they, too, prints in his hands, the spike in his This is my beloved son had to drink of a cup feet, and the cut of the spear in his side. in whom I am well-pleased.… which would not pass For a moment, as I run my fingers from them. over the wood, I wonder about the Then the tempter in the desert, For a long time, person who carved this African version whispering in the ear: during and after the of the crucified Christ. As the details of of power & fame & fortune, years we lived in the carving suggest, this artist must in return for homage.… Durban, I could hardly have intimately known the suffering of bear to write about that those who picked up their cross and And later, the clamouring crowds, suffering, the worst of carried it, sometimes to their death.... (and even the disciples) which, quite often, preoccupied with: seemed to coincide with miracles of bread and healing, the Lenten and Easter III first-places at the table, season. a successful revolution.… But now, this spar- For a moment I remember someone like ingly-carved cross, that—Nomfazi Ethel Danisa (1969- Alone, at last, seems to invite me to 1994) was shot to death while praying within the quiet garden, uncover some of those for peace at the foot of a cross on Easter (the tired voices silent now) old wounds and enter Sunday morning in Bhambayi, South while sweat, like blood, into the kind of suffering Africa, just before apartheid ended. drips from the brow, which the artist sought May her prayers for peace continue to he speaks: to represent. So I lift bring forth fruit this Lenten and Easter Let this cup pass from me... the carving from the wall and hold it in my season. Yet, not my will but thine be done. hands as I examine it more carefully than Amen. I have ever done before. —Leona Dueck Penner

8 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 Faith&Life Why I gave up criticism for Lent he first year I decided to give up him, the evil person brings evil things Resurrection: Sudan criticism for Lent, George W. out of the evil stored up in him. But I —January 9, 2005 TBush invaded Iraq. Since I tell you that all will have to give an strongly opposed that war, I nearly bit account for every careless word they I sit my tongue off because of my Lenten have spoken” on the bleachers commitment. (Matthew 12:34b- of Nyayo Stadium But some of my friends were 36). Nairobi, Kenya shocked when I shared my struggle I cannot begin to Presidents and dignitaries with them. How I could be a Christian imagine the from across Africa and give up criticism when we are number of care- and around the world called to declare justice for the op- less words I have with thousands of Sudanese pressed in the world? spoken. My words congregate to witness the signing For years I have adopted the prac- can be poison and of the final comprehensive peace tice of giving something up for Lent. I shoot them like agreement Often it would be something I felt I Dawson arrows without between the Sudan People’s could do without, like coffee, for thinking. What is Liberation Movement example. But while giving up coffee the overflow of my heart? Where are and the Government of Sudan provided moments of suffering, as I the good things stored up in me? Here bringing an end to the world’s longest running civil endured the caffeine withdrawal was something of which I truly needed war headache, I can’t really say it had a to repent, but that was the easy part. profound effect on my spiritual life. Giving up criticism for Lent wasn’t enough. I also needed to do something posi- I gave up being critical of those who think tive. So I decided differently than I do; ceasing to use unkind that I would find a tangible way to The air is electric language to describe them, or resorting to encourage those of with excitement sarcastic humour to belittle them. While I am whom I was critical. “This day called to be critical of injustice, it is the way Most often I stands for would write a note the end of war in which I do it that makes the difference. of encouragement and and simply let the beginning of peace.” people know what “This day I did appreciate contributes to If Lent is a time of repentance, what about them, and that I was praying for the African Renaissance.” was I really repenting of when giving them. “I appreciate the way you give up coffee? And should not my act of leadership to this committee.” “Thanks “This day repentance include a positive action? I for leading singing on Sunday; your is a roadmap began to examine my own character choice of songs made me reflect.” to end the war and it led me to give up something When Lent is over, I won’t go back to in Darfur.” that would give me more of a heart- being critical like I went back to presidents intone ache than a headache: criticism. drinking coffee. The act of giving up I gave up being critical of those who criticism has profoundly changed the The crowds cheer think differently than I do; ceasing to way I see others and the way I see ululate use unkind language to describe them, myself. I have become acutely aware of drum or resorting to sarcastic humour to my own shortcomings and am grateful dance belittle them. While I am called to be for the grace that is extended to me by and wave flags critical of injustice, it is the way in family, friends, colleagues…God. of the which I do it that makes the differ- Giving up criticism for Lent has led to New Sudan ence. giving up criticism for good. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus talks And as for George W., “I commit —Annetta Miller, former MCC about the power of words. “For out of myself to praying for you as you lead Sudan co-representative the overflow of the heart the mouth your country.” speaks. The good person brings good —Angelika Dawson things out of the good stored up in

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 9 Arts&Culture

London, England Seeking the cinematic Christ: Group views movies through Anabaptist lens ith the Academy Awards still justice,” he says. “Most of the best film say to our culture, it is essential that it fresh in the minds of many nights happened because people were learn how to dialogue with film,” he Wpeople around the world, willing to be open and to share what- says. “While I would not recommend some religious groups are suggesting ever they were thinking, including [James] Bond films to any discerning that Hollywood has nothing to offer some very painful parts of their lives.” Anabaptist, my daughter and I have the faithful. But Vic Thiessen, execu- Karen Cornies, now working for had some amazing discussions after tive director of the London Mennonite Emmanuel Bible watching them. Centre, believes that the movie College in That’s the secret for medium’s tremendous power to Kitchener, Ontario, me: people love influence lives, thoughts and even spent time at watching films, and beliefs makes film-watching vital to movie nights with many love watch- understanding the modern world, even Thiessen in ing violent action if the messages do not always fit into Edmonton. films, so instead of

Christian theology. Cornies says the k just condemning Paraphrasing author Gareth Higgins, group gave her this, I make use of Thiessen says, “Films are the sermons of freedom to openly it to draw people our time. They speak to the existential process issues of into discussions condition of our time and the spiritual faith, peace and about violence, condition of our souls. They help us to justice as they about the portrayal think about God and talk about God. It’s related to the of women and sex, theology for the masses.” wider world—a etc.” For five years, Thiessen (Holyrood discussion she was But Thiessen says Mennonite Church, Alta.) followed his not experiencing the myth of

Photo by Mennonite Mission Networ movie viewing with conversation—a at her church and As executive director of the London redemptive tradition he started while living in one she believes is (England) Mennonite Centre, Vic violence over- Edmonton. He says nearly every important as Thiessen leads movie discussion whelms most of discussion turns theological, regard- Anabaptists nights. today’s cinema. less of the movie. examine their Even recent “Some of the people who have roles in society. Academy Award winners like Gladia- attended my movie nights have seen it “For our theology to be anywhere tor and Unforgiven, which try not to as the place where most of their near relevant we actually need to be glorify killing, end with a clearly theological inter- aware of the world redemptive use of violence. action and learn- in which we live,” “People seem to assume that vio- ing takes place— Cornies says. lence is the only way to save the town more than in Thiessen says films that “Even when we or the country. All they need is a hero watch movies that to come in with both guns blazing to church,” he says. deal honestly with violence “For others, it we don’t agree save the day,” Thiessen says. “I would restored their are scarce, mentioning The with…we can gain like to suggest that this is one of the belief in a commu- empathy for worst uses of the film medium—that, nity of faith and Mission, Romero, Gandhi people in those in fact, film bears a large responsibil- brought them back and In the Bedroom as situations.” ity for perpetuating this myth, making into the church.” Thiessen believes life that much harder for Anabaptists “Many of our examples. Christians must who believe that this myth is com- film nights have enter into a pletely counter to the gospel of Jesus. focused on dialogue with “Contrast…the saviour of all these Anabaptist films, using them hero films with Jesus, who was theological themes like community— to learn about the issues and values emptied, humbled, dishonoured, indeed, some of my film night groups dominant in society without necessar- mocked, dealt with unjustly by both have been a real community to those ily accepting them. the crowd and the system, but did not who attended—and like peace and “If the church is to have anything to respond with violence,” Thiessen asks

10 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 Art&Culture

Gabrielle Plenert, 10 questions to ask at your 17, gets help from Anabaptist movie night CBC radio techni- nterested in hosting your own film cian Ron Goede in night? Consider these questions, preparation for an I provided by Vic Thiessen, repre- interview for senting Mennonite Church Canada Tapestry, “a Witness and Mennonite Mission weekly explora- Network at the London Mennonite tion of spiritual- Centre, as ways to start a discussion. ity, religion and the search for 1. What is your first response to the film? What struck you, touched you, meaning.” The spoke to you? topic of the installment was 2. Which character was the most about faith important for you? Why? building in teens 3. What did you learn about yourself and how they in watching this film? make life choices 4. What did the film say about people, in preparation for about society, about the world? How adulthood. did this film help you to better Plenert talked understand the people around you? about her 5. What kind of symbols did you see in Quinzena, a Latin the film? American tradi- tion of hosting a 6. Do you think the film had a particu- coming of age lar message? If so, talk about it. party at age 15, 7. Were there any overtly religious and the role of themes in the film? If so, what did you her community— think about them? which included 8. How did the film affect your church, family, thinking about God or other theologi- and friends—in cal ideas? the event, and in Photo by Dan Dyck 9. What does your understanding of her life. A reading God and theology have to say to the from her personal vows, which she presented to the assembled guests at her characters and narrative of the film? Quinzena, served as a launching point for further discussion. The broadcast 10. How does your theology interact date of this installment is set for March 20. The program airs on Sunday with the responses of viewers to the afternoons on CBC Radio One (visit www.cbc.ca/tapestry/ for air times across film? the country). Plenert is a Grade 12 student at Westgate Mennonite Collegiate in Winnipeg, and is a member of Home Street Mennonite Church. of viewers of violent movies. “Instead, Some films, too, can correspond with which retold the story of King Arthur [Jesus] showed us a new way to Anabaptist ideals without being in animated form. He visited the land respond to the oppression of violence overtly religious, according to of legends first as a teenage through community and dialogue, Thiessen, citing Magnolia and Ameri- backpacker in 1975 and several times through loving our enemy, through can Beauty as examples that “reveal since. Eventually encouraged by a forgiveness, through nonviolently the loneliness and brokenness all daughter afflicted with her father’s challenging the oppressive powers around us and in us and show us the love of medieval myth, he applied for around him.” power of, and need for, community.” his current position at London Thiessen says films that deal Chocolat parallels the historical Mennonite Centre with Mennonite honestly with violence are scarce, Anabaptist theme of standing in the Church Canada Witness and mentioning The Mission, Romero, margins, encouraging the broader Mennonite Mission Network. Gandhi and In the Bedroom as church and society to transform itself, “So I am here today because of the examples. The latter, while containing he suggests. And many films, including first film I ever watched, back in what Thiessen calls the usual ele- Missing, The China Syndrome, Under 1963,” Thiessen admits. “Actually, I do ments of films where aggressive Fire and The Killing Fields, seek, as believe that ultimately it was God and revenge seems the only way out, Christ did, to expose abuses of power not The Sword in the Stone that led avoids portraying violent acts as in the world. me to the London Mennonite Centre, positive and the ending certainly is Thiessen was seven when he saw his but films played a huge role.” not redemptive. first film, The Sword in the Stone, —Ryan Miller

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 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, any Leave marriage legalities of the five area churches or Mennonite Church Canada. Letters should address to the state issues rather than criticizing individuals and include the writer’s contact informa- tion. We will send copies of letters discussing other parties to the named indi- It seems to me that marriage has been viduals or organizations to provide the opportunity for a response. Letters can be deeply important and sacred to almost sent to [email protected] or to “Letter to the Editor,” Canadian every religious community since Mennonite, 490 Dutton Drive, Unit C5, Waterloo, ON N2L 6H7. religion began. This leads me to wonder why marriage is in the legal wonderful Christian fellowship with realm at all. I’m no historian, but it MCC responds to believers from various church back- seems like this might find its roots in relief kit complaint grounds? I do. a time when the church and the state Is not the gospel the very centre- Re: “Tsunami relief supplies should be were one and the same institution. piece of the body of Christ that we all bought locally,” letter from Jacob Dyck, Perhaps the legalization of marriage hold dear? February 21, 2005. has hurt its sanctity more than we What then of all our differences? Jacob Dyck expresses a valid realize. Could it be that the good Lord allowed critique of MCC’s decision to send Baptism is also deeply important in the church to be broken for specific relief kits to Indonesia. His letter many religious communities, but to my reasons? could have been written by many knowledge there is no such thing as Maybe we need all of our various other supporters of MCC. legal baptism. A given baptism is perspectives and faith disciplines to Mr. Dyck’s question is one that we recognized as legitimate in some make up the church. Perhaps the body debated vigorously within MCC: Why religious communities, while not of Christ could be likened to a patch- send relief kits halfway around the legitimate in others. work quilt or a collage of photos. All world when much of the content of the Why not remove the word “mar- individuals, congregations, denomina- kit is, in fact, produced there? While riage” from the legal realm altogether? tions present make up the whole. we had serious questions internally, Let the state recognize what legal I’m concerned that many of our we made a decision to send relief kits unions it chooses, and let faith commu- contemporary prayers for unity are for two reasons. nities recognize what marriages they vain attempts at uniformity, which First, we recognize that a decision choose, insofar as those marriages do will never happen until Jesus returns. like this is, in part, about us. Many not violate civil law. This is a mighty host of believers past, people in North America are looking Some faith communities may present and future that, I believe, will for a chance to do hands-on work. We recognize same-sex marriages, others form that perfectly united church that are engaged in the process of respond- may not. So be it. My suggestion is to will reign with Christ forever. Jesus ing to human need. Our material aid leave the legality of relational unions also said that not all those who profess warehouses across the country speak to the state. Christianity will be part of that to the fact that we want to connect —Darren Kehler, Winkler, Man. number. Praise God it’s not too late to and to feel connected. In addition to join that throng. supplying useful materials, sending a —Glenn Leis, Wellesley, Ont. relief kit from North America is also about establishing a tangible solidar- ity link with people who are suffering. No church unity Second, MCC sent an assessment this side of heaven team to Indonesia in mid-January and it was the assessment team, in consul- Our dear Lord in John 17 passionately tation with local partners, that made prayed for the unity of all believers past and present. He also said that the very gates of hell would never be able to destroy his bride—the church. I would contend that the spiritual unity of the body of Christ has never been threatened. There is, you see, the church that Jesus is building and there is the church that man may build or be building. Don’t you find

12 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 InConversation the request for the relief kits. In this case, the Indonesian Mennonite churches, which are assembling 2,000 PROVIDING TOURS FOR 35 YEARS relief kits and distributing 1,500 of them in mid-March, specifically asked for MCC’s assistance in providing an 2005 TOURS 2006 TOURS additional 20,000 relief kits. This, then, was also an opportunity to PARAGUAY SERVICE TOUR JAMAICA SERVICE TOUR (January 20-29) express solidarity with another part of (March 31 - April 14) AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND (February 3-23) the Mennonite community. TULIP TIME in HOLLAND (April 25 - May 4) VIETNAM (February 8-25) • MEXICO (March 10-18) In the past, we’ve had serious In the FOOTSTEPS of the APOSTLE PAUL PARAGUAY, BOLIVIA and PERU (March 21 - April 6) discussions on material aid. We can (May 27 - June 12) ENGLAND and SCOTLAND (June 28 - July 10) attest to the fact that those discus- ALASKA CRUISE TOUR (June 8-20) sions continue within MCC. We are SWITZERLAND, FRANCE and GERMANY for glad Mr. Dyck has raised this issue. It GRANDPARENTS/GRANDCHILDREN/FAMILIES is completely appropriate and the (June 14-21) discussion is very important to the SPECTACULAR SCANDINAVIA work of MCC, and also to many other and its FJORDS (June 17 - July 1) relief, development and mission EUROPEAN HERITAGE (July 7-22) organizations. Discussions like this SMALL TOWN THEATRES and “Building bridges among Mennonites and other Christians around the world through custom-designed travel.” help us shape the decisions that need COUNTRY GARDENS (July 26 - August 1) to be made. CALL 1-800-565-0451 —Donald Peters, MCC Canada RUSSIA and UKRAINE (July 29 - August 12) FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR TOUR executive director, Winnipeg, Man. EUROPEAN FALL HARVEST (September 22 - October 6) E-MAIL: [email protected] EGYPT with MEDA (October 9-21) WEB: www.tourmagination.com 9 Willow Street 1011 Cathill Road FOLLOWING JESUS in ISRAEL (October 19-31) Waterloo, ON N2J 1V6 Canada Sellersville, PA 18960-1315 INDONESIA (November 10-27) Reg. #1567624 USA

These I lay down will not be reading the newspaper or carried needlessly. he confession that many watching the evening report; he wants to This year, it’s bitterness. There is a Mennonites offer before communion free up that time to be with God in other hard, stubborn place within me. It Tincludes a prayer “that every ways. Some people add an activity during relates to the past and places and contradiction to Christ’s peace might be Lent—writing a daily note of encourage- people, and it gets in the way of the laid down” (Minister’s Manual). Specifics ment or increasing prayer. kind of person Jesus invites me to be. I are named, such as unspoken words of Sometimes my Lenten discipline resolved during this season to confess hope and unvoiced prayers of kindness, involves relationships. Once I was strug- the bitterness to God regularly with as well as narrowness of vision and journalling, prayer and even beauti- hurtful words and silence. A refrain of fully sung tunes. In the early weeks, I “these I lay down” is sounded repeatedly. am conscious of how I chose the What a powerful way to acknowledge our Family bitterness, and could choose to let it go. shortcomings. Ties I’m also creating a worship centre by I inherited a reticence to name my placing fitting nature items collected sins. Perhaps you did as well. Melissa on walks—dry leaves, broken twigs, hard stones. This week I added a soft Mennonites can be cursed with a Miller tyranny of perfection, which makes it sweep of pine green. Perhaps God’s difficult to face vulnerabilities and grace is loosening my grip. transgressions. Confession in a And you, gentle reader? Might there Mennonite worship service may be non- be things in your life that would be best existent or glossed over with a beauti- gling with a colleague at work. Day after to lay down? Are there emotions or fully sung tune. Many of our sisters and day I laboured under tension, confusion memories that are getting in between brothers in other denominations, though, and anger. That year I resolved to confess you and God, or you and others? These get a chance to confess (and hear words my bad attitude to God regularly during are the weeks when we yearn with of assurance) every Sunday. Lent. By Easter, things were different! Or creation for the sun to warm and green Lent offers us a full 40 days to more specifically, I was different. Spiritual growth to sprout. The promise of Easter contemplate that which estranges us disciplines help us bring our painful, bears fruit as the old seed dies. broken parts into God’s gracious and from God. Some people practice a Melissa Miller is a counsellor and author from discipline during this time, such as transforming light. In my case, attention to Winnipeg. She is currently an MDiv. student at fasting from certain foods, or not eating my shadows during the gray days of Lent AMBS, and interim associate pastor at for a period of time. One pastor I know helped me release negative emotions I Belmont Mennonite Church in Indiana.

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 13 WiderChurch

MC Canada leaders respond to same-sex marriage debate In early February, just prior to the beginning of the parliamentary debate on same- bodies, since they are conducting sex marriage, Mennonite Church Canada sent out two letters related to this issue— marriages not on their own, but on the one to pastors and church leaders, signed by Sven Eriksson, Denominational basis of ministerial credentialing Minster, and the other, to Prime Minister Paul Martin, signed by Dan received from them. So there is Nighswander, General Secretary (see pages 15, 16). In a recent interview with accountability. We don’t just make Canadian Mennonite, Eriksson and Nighswander reflected on these actions. They such significant decisions on our own. emphasized the importance of offering immediate guidance to pastors and congre- gations based on the convictions that have been previously articulated, and, at the What if the pastor insisted? same time, making the churches’ concerns known to government and wider society. Nighswander: In that case, it would be up to the ministerial oversight body Why did you decide to send these Confession of Faith. in the area conference to determine if letters now? Nighswander: What we’ve addressed that was sufficient to revoke the Eriksson: Folks called and asked, ‘Are up to now is ourselves as a church, to ministerial credentials. In such a case, you going to say something about encourage one another in the convic- the area conference involved would be this?’ So we tions we’ve expressed previously. We held accountable by other area confer- responded to a felt have addressed the governmental/ ences through Mennonite Church need. societal issues, but less strongly than Canada. Nighswander: we have addressed the church because Eriksson: In other words, breaking They were asking of our understanding of the differing from traditional patterns is always two kinds of responsibilities of church and state in done in the context of our community questions: What addressing moral issues. and being responsive to that long are you saying to pattern of how Mennonites do church government? And What steps would you advise area together. what are you churches and church members to take Nighswander: The reality is that the saying to pastors? Nighswander in response to this issue? whole body of the church holds people Eriksson: In this Eriksson: We have strongly encour- accountable. This is a specific case, but process of discern- aged pastors and churches to pray for not unique. We do have other experi- ing, our response officials and for the whole process. ences of dealing with pastoral issues was a follow-up Nighswander: Our letter to pastors is and our experience is that we struggle action on earlier written out of our responsibility as together, not alone. letters sent in national church leaders to help Eriksson: That’s a really important 2003. pastors to be faithful to their calling, point. Many voices, from opposite Nighswander: though we recognize that area confer- sides, are coming at us to demand that The situation has ences hold ministerial credentials and their agenda be honoured in the evolved since 2003. Eriksson carry the primary responsibility for communal process. At that time, the walking with pastors in their ministry. Supreme Court hadn’t considered the Eriksson: We’re trying to provide Now a couple of questions regarding case and other provinces hadn’t made clarity/guidance for the pastors. This is the content of the letters. Both letters their subsequent decisions, prompted very important so that if they’re note that the Confession of Faith states by the Ontario court decision. Now the approached to perform same-sex that marriage means one man, one Supreme Court has ruled on the issue marriage, they have given it fore- woman, for life. But we make allow- and parliament is beginning the thought and have a basis for their ances for divorce and remarriage. Why debate. So the external situation has response. stop there? changed. Also, the group receiving the Nighswander: It’s instructive for us letter is new—we have a new Prime If a pastor is asked to perform same- now in that the church has struggled Minister and many new MPs. sex marriage, what do you advise? intensely with pastoral dimensions of Nighswander: They should not make marital breakdown. The present What do you hope to accomplish with this decision on their own, but should Confession of Faith, 1995, was clearly the letters? go to two circles of counsel: their written after the church found ways to Eriksson: We’re not trying to address congregation and their area confer- address the pastoral dimensions all the complexities of the issue. We’re ence. My feeling is that pastors should related to this, yet it still affirms the simply trying to make clear where MC always be in conversation with these commitment to life-long marriage. Canada stands on the basis of our Continued on page 16

14 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 WiderChurch MC Canada pastoral letter

600 Shaftesbury Blvd Winnipeg MB R3P 0M4 Toll Free 1-866-888-6785 T: 204-888-6781 F: 204-831-5675 E: [email protected] W: www.mennonitechurch.ca

February 2005, Equipping

Same sex marriage

On December 9 the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Parliament must decide on the new definition of marriage as a union between two persons, replacing the traditional definition as the union between a man and a woman. Meanwhile, all the provincial Courts have ruled in favour of the new definition, except Alberta, New Brunswick and PEI.

As public debate over this formative issue rages in anticipation of the up- coming Parliamentary debate, how should we as pastors and leaders respond?

First and foremost, our call is to extend the love of Christ to all people including gay and lesbian brothers and sisters who come to us seeking ministry and guidance.

Further, we need to respond and minister out of the common frame of reference that we hold which is based on the authority of Scripture and is expressed in our Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, Article 19.This common frame of reference was articulated in the pastoral letter of June 2003.

“We believe that God intends marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman for life. Christian marriage is a mutual relationship in Christ, a covenant made in the context of the church. According to Scripture, right sexual union takes place only within the marriage relationship.”

“This position affirms the teaching of Scripture and up-holds the traditional understanding of marriage. Therefore, it is clear that the conducting or blessing of same-sex marriages is outside of our understanding and practice as taught in Scripture, and held in our Confession.”

The authority for credentialing pastors is lodged in our area conferences and overseen by our Conference Ministers. Guided by the same confession, they will offer support and guidance to pastors and churches as they face questions in the days to come.

I encourage you as pastors to lead your congregation in prayer for our Minister of Justice and Members of Parliament as our understanding of the nature of marriage is laid before them.

Thus far, the Church has been assured by government that church ministers will not be legally required to perform same sex unions. We are also free to express and affirm our convictions to our MPs by letter, email or telephone.

But most importantly, let us not allow the controversy around this divisive issue to detract us from offering sensitive caring ministry to all who struggle with gender and sexual issues in their lives, the lives of their family members, and those who minister to them.

—Sven Eriksson, Denominational Minister

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 15 WiderChurch

Same-sex marriage From page 14 Eriksson: This brings us back to an Letter to Prime Minister of Canada earlier question—the process of Re: Same Sex Marriage discernment. We’re presently near the February 10, 2005 beginning of the public discussion on the same-sex marriage issue. All the The Right Honourable Paul Martin answers are not in. We’ve had very Prime Minister of Canada little time for processing this issue yet. House of Commons Because of that, it’s all the more Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 important to work together, rather than individually. Dear Mr. Prime Minister: Nighswander: It’s also instructive that divorce was handled differently Together with other religious groups in Canada, Mennonite Church Canada has followed with interest the public debates, the various court actions, and now the across the country…. That experience parliamentary debate regarding the changing legal definition of marriage. illustrates how hard we need to Our understanding of God’s intention for marriage is defined in our denominational struggle if every part of the church Confession of Faith: “We believe that God intends marriage to be a covenant between engages in the discussion, while one man and one woman for life. Christian marriage is a mutual relationship in recognizing both pastoral and theo- Christ, a covenant made in the context of the church.” We understand that the societal logical dimensions. It’s not necessarily and legal definition is changing, and that there may come to be distinctions between the conclusion of the divorce debates our religiously-based definition and the civil definition of this institution. It is our that we should learn from, but the intention to retain the practice of blessing and sanctifying marriages according to our process of struggling with the issue. convictions. We are encouraged by the intention of your government to protect religious leaders who refuse to sanctify same-sex marriages, understanding the jurisdictional questions that have been raised. We believe this is a significant issue where religious liberty appears to clash with civil liberty (which we also value), and it will undoubtedly be Our letter to pastors is tested in the courts. Mennonites, like many other people of faith, have a long and often painful history of written out of our responsi- following our conscience even when it conflicts with socially-approved and legally- sanctioned expectations. bility as national church We pray that God will grant wisdom and courage to you and other legislators who leaders to help pastors to carry the burden of leadership on this and many other weighty matters. be faithful to their calling.... Sincerely, Dan Nighswander General Secretary Mennonite Church Canada In paragraph 9 of the pastoral letter, the phrase, “thus far” suggests that government assurances about not being required to perform same-sex marriage, and given our history of the attention of other churches, such marriages, are suspect. Do you have experience with governments with- as religious freedom in Vietnam, reason to think they will change their drawing protections for the church, we issues and treatment related to first minds about this later? are naturally sceptical about relying nations people, military intervention Nighswander: I’d like to comment on on such assurances. We recognize that in Iraq, etc. a couple of things. First, the debate the situation can change. I want to say clearly that strong includes questions about who has Eriksson (smiling): Trusting govern- marriages and healthy families are jurisdiction to rule on this—the ment has never been a huge response important for individuals, the church federal or provincial government. among Mennonites! and society. Our understanding of Second, the very way this issue has marriage, our values and practices on come forward, how the courts rule in Any other comments? matters of sexual ethics, are very relation to what the legislature says, Nighswander: I’d also like to say that important, but they are not the only demonstrates that the legislation itself there are many important ethical, thing that the church needs to address. may not provide adequate assurance. theological, practical issues that the I hope that our grappling with the Third, as expectations in the civil church needs to be putting energy into issue of same-sex marriage and the realm change, Christians, being part of and we’ve been trying to be good other issues related to homosexuality that, also change their expectations. stewards of our energy, knowing that does not weaken the church’s resolve Fourth, given the speed at which the other Christians are engaging this and ability to respond to other issues government has been willing to issue. We felt it important to concen- with equal intensity and conviction. consider changing the definition of trate on issues that haven’t captured —Interview by Leona Dueck Penner

16 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 WiderChurch

Winnipeg, Man. MC Canada responds to CBC questions about same-sex legislation n February 17, Dan come to faith and to matu- Nighswander, general secretary rity in faith.” O of Mennonite Church Canada, “Mennonites have a long appeared briefly on The National in history of being in the world, response to CBC television’s request but not a part of it,” for reaction to the proposed same-sex Nighswander said, adding, marriage legislation. “While this issue is impor- The story focused on the Hutterite tant, I pray that the media reaction to the legislation. “They attention and the churches’ rarely get involved in politics, but attention to this issue will Canada’s Hutterite communities have not distract Christians from made an exception, jumping into the the other important work same-sex marriage debate, sending a that God calls the church to letter right to the top,” said news do in the world.” anchor Peter Mansbridge in an —From MC Canada release opening to the story. by Dan Dyck When the CBC invited Nighswander Dan Nighswander, general to comment on the legislation, he secretary of MC Canada, regarded it as an opportunity to spoke to CBC reporter witness to the broader Canadian Allison Brachman recently society about the church’s convictions, about the church’s stand on photo Dan Dyck and to do so with grace. “We have a same-sex marriages. history of standing by our convictions no matter what the government or other people have set as their values and practices,” said Nighswander in Pastors, churches offer views the news report. on same-sex marriage The report went on to quote excerpts from a letter sent by Nighswander to What is your response to the same-sex marriage issue? the Prime Minister and other govern- “I see it as largely a civil matter. It doesn’t change who I am as a pastor.” Ed Olfert, ment leaders, which states, “We pastor of Grace Mennonite Church, Prince Albert, Sask. believe that God intends marriage to be a covenant between one man and “I can’t say I’ve completely come to terms with where I stand…. I have compassion one woman for life,” and, “It is our for those on the edge.” Karen Martens Zimmerly, co-pastor of Grace Mennonite Church in Regina, Sask. intention to retain the practice of blessing and sanctifying marriages First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ont.—just completed a series of sermons on according to our convictions.” human sexuality. One of the sermons was a “sermonic conversation” between two of Many people still regard Canada as their pastors on homosexuality—describing various perspectives on the matter, and a “Christian nation.” But that view is the history of the discussions within the Mennonite Church. The goal of the sermon series was to create an atmosphere of church being a “safe place” to talk, even when increasingly challenged both within people may disagree. The pastoral staff are still in conversation about how to and outside the church, said respond to the circulating pastoral letter on the subject of the same-sex legislation Nighswander. “A key conviction of before the House of Commons. Anabaptist understanding is that the church cannot assume that govern- Q: How do you think the letter will be received? ment or society is aligned with Chris- “We appreciate the re-affirmation concerning the authority of scripture and the tian beliefs.” timely reminder to continue the sensitive caring ministry.” Statement by First “As Christians, our starting point is Mennonite Church, Saskatoon, Sask. to understand the mission of God and the church in the world. Especially Steinmann Mennonite Church, Baden, Ont.—posted the letter from Sven Eriksson on its church bulletin board, and via the church bulletin invited people to pray for both because we live in a democracy, we the government and their local MP during this time of debate and decision-making. testify to the legislators and the They also encouraged people to be in conversation with the local MP. population about our values and beliefs, but we do not expect non- “It is not a hot issue in the sense of being talked about a lot. It has been fairly quiet Christians to share those until they in the church.” Peter Penner, pastor, Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church, Man.

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 17 WiderChurch

St. Jacobs, Ont. Youth want a say in church’s future: ‘Five amigos’ f the global Anabaptist church is to “Since I was little, I was into music There are benefits for the church survive and thrive in the 21st and creative ministry,” Ciptadi said at from increased youth involvement, I century, its youth and young adults the close of their four-day session. “But according to Ciptadi. “If young people believe they need to be more in- as you grow older, you realize there is are involved, it prevents the church volved—especially in areas that more to youth than music. We can from being too doctrinal or theologi- concern them directly. make an impact in other areas.” cal,” she suggested. “We like to see real This is one of the messages that Young Anabaptists want to “have a things happen,” she said, adding that Amigos—A global community of young voice in decision-making, especially youths and young adults (from 15 to Anabaptists—will be including in their concerning youth issues,” stated 30) bring the gifts of enthusiasm, action plan to the next Mennonite Khohlwani Moyo of Zimbabwe, repre- energy, creativity, a willingness to take risks, and an eagerness to learn. It is not the youth committee’s goal to merely shunt the older generation aside, however. “The two generations were created by God with different gifts,” Ciptadi acknowledged. As a committee, “we want to be ambassa- dors of inter-generational dialogue,” she said. The committee members were encouraged by their elders at youth summit, and Ciptadi hopes that encouragement will continue into the

‘Amigos’ identify diverse, conflicting continental issues esides the global issues they came together to address at St. B Jacobs Mennonite Church in January, the former Youth Continua- Photo by Ross Muir tion Committee (now known collec- tively as Amigos—A global commu- Members of the Youth Continuation Committee (YCC) met at St. Jacobs nity of young Anabaptists) also spoke Mennonite Church last month to prepare an action plan for the Mennonite of issues that face their own conti- nent’s youth specifically. World Conference executive committee. Pictured from left to right: Sarah Khohlwani Moyo of Zimbabwe said Thompson (North America), Amandus Reimer (South America), Elina Ciptadi that in Africa “social issues can follow (Asia), Khohlwani Moyo (Africa), and Barbara Kärcher (Europe). you to church.” One such issue is that of family violence World Conference (MWC) executive senting Africa. “They don’t want resulting from a committee meeting. programs dictated to them. We want lack of employment Amigos (Spanish for “friends”) is the relevant programs. Speaking with one opportunities for new name the five-member Youth voice, this group can provide solutions many people. Continuation Committee (YCC), to these problems,” he said. “People just try to created as a direct result of the 2003 However, there is a need to revital- make a living, but ize Anabaptist church services to keep can’t get work right Global Youth Summit (GYS) in away, so there is a Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, has given itself. the youth interested and involved, high rate of crime,” Moyo After 18 months of e-mail contact, the Amigos believes. “Most church services he said, suggesting five young adults held their first face- are not for youth,” charged Barbara that the church needs to speak to the to-face meeting in January at St. Kärcher of Karlsruhe, Germany, government “about policies that Jacobs Mennonite Church, with Asian Amigos’ European representative. affect us” while setting up local representative Elina Ciptadi, a public “They sing old songs that we can’t income-generating projects. relations consultant from Jakarta, identify with. We would like to sing In Europe, the problem isn’t a lack Indonesia, as chair. new songs.” of wealth or opportunity—it’s the

18 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 WiderChurch future, noting that “young people lack by our parents.” sonal relationship with God.” She said a lot of experience, have no long-term Besides a greater involvement in the committee is seeking to discover orientation, and adults have more church leadership—that they hope “how to bring a personal intimacy funding.” will result in more youth-oriented [with God] back to our families and “We’re not trying to tear up the sermons and Sunday school lessons, the church.” these young And besides receiving mentoring adults from Asia, from older church members, young Africa, Europe, adult Anabaptists (18 to 30) need to ‘Since I was little, I was into music and and South and begin mentoring the church’s teenag- creative ministry. But as you grow older, you North America ers, so the dialogue becomes self- identified other perpetuating. realize there is more to youth than music.’ global goals that —Ross W. Muir the action plan will address. “There are spiritual and church,” North American representa- faith issues—like how young people tive Sarah Thompson of northern can connect better with their non- Indiana commented. “We’re working Christian community and how to live towards shalom…across historic as Christians in a pluralistic society,” barriers of generation and culture. Ciptadi said. Our aim is to create a network of Another spiritual issue for youth who can together discern Anabaptist youths deals with the historic Anabaptist faith and reinvent personalizing of their faith. “Many it with the next generation.” According [Anabaptist] young people see them- to Thompson, “the church is in good selves as ‘born Christians,’” she said. hands” because “we were well taught “They don’t feel the need for a per-

opposite, according to Barbara of their lack of knowledge about Germany. “Youths here have so much Mennonite World Conference (MWC). things they can’t “Latin America still decide their priorities has not merged in life,” she said. “They themselves into the worry they’re missing leadership structure of something else.” the World Conference,” School is also a big he said, suggesting it issue for European may be because MWC Mennonite youths. events are in English “Our big challenge is a Kärcher while “our main good education is language is Spanish.” Reimer essential, so some miss church to study.” North American The tsunami in Asia on December 26 Mennonite youth need to be reminded may have given “we’re part of the global church,” Sarah Mennonites and other Thompson of the United States said. Christians there a “Everyone has wealth,” whether it’s unique opportunity, material or otherwise, Elina Ciptadi of she said, “so because Indonesia noted, we’re part of the global speaking of an e-mail church, we’re called to she had received from share and enjoy what a Muslim woman others have to share.” expressing surprise at Ciptadi Ciptadi said this is the Christian response to the devasta- important for tion. It was not fellow Muslims from Anabaptist young other countries who arrived first, but people everywhere to Thompson Christians. “We really hope there will understand. “Until recently, we saw be reconciliation because of all this,” ourselves as a local church,” she said. Ciptadi said. “We are now realizing that we are part For Amandus Reimer of Paraguay, of a global church.” the biggest continental issue facing —Ross W. Muir South American Mennonite youth is

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 19 WiderChurch

Breslau, Ont. Sharing gifts in the global faith family akisa Tshimika and Tim Lind, family” members are Mennonite World Conference tied together by the P Gift Sharing Project staff, Spirit. shared their work with Mennonite • There is account- Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) ability. What each pastors at the annual School for possesses belongs to Ministers on February 15-17. the family. Members “We have learned much,” Lind said need to give account of their project travels. “It has been for their actions, and like being invited into homes of family use of their gifts, to members for meals, and the ‘menu’ has the whole family, in to do with gifts and gift sharing. We the global Anabaptist have seen a large variety of gifts. This family. ‘gift sharing feast’ is food to us.” • There is responsibil- The family theme is important in ity in the family. defining the global Anabaptist iden- When something tity, accord- happens to a family ing to Lind, member, it happens to who re- all. “Where is your minded the brother?” is a question pastors that all Anabaptists face. God chose to work through Church body the family of language Photo by Maurice Martin Tim Lind of Mennonite World Conference’s Gift Abraham and The Bible also uses Sharing Project speaks with Marilyn Rudy Froese, Sarah. Citing body language to Pastoral Leadership Training Commission chair. passages in speak of the Church, Genesis, he the pastors were told. Scripture makes possess it is to destroy the relationship.” Tshimika said they it clear that as soon as more than one Lind described how the church needs were chosen congregation exists, they are connected. for a task “so that in you all the The problem is that congregations can families of the earth shall be blessed” be globally linked (the lure of Internet) (Genesis 12:3). without really be connected in any Five characteristics It is God’s invitation to take one’s sense of being committed to each other. of a gift gifts to build relationships in the This is not a model for the church, 1. It is given. world and to experience abundance to Tshimika said, quoting Paul’s admoni- tion to be careful not to say as one part 2. It is voluntary. all, Lind said, noting that this is not 3. It is not part of a deal. an invading, colonial or empirical of the body, “I have no need of you.” 4. It has benevolent intent. expansion, but a going forth that gives “We are fearful of using the meta- 5. It has movement—and the of self and shares with others, “so that phor ‘family’ to describe the worldwide movement is away from oneself to we might have life and have it abun- church, when we see so many dysfunc- the other. dantly” (John 10:10). tional families,” Tshimika said. “Be careful of how we use the term Lind then spoke of how to under- Biblical gift principles stand sharing gifts in this global ‘Mennonite world family,’” Lind • All gifts come from God. warned, suggesting that the concept of Anabaptist family. The approach of the • God intends gifts to be shared. “family” is changing. In many places, church in the North has been to ask • All people are equitably gifted by “family” includes one parent, or all over the world, “What do you need” God. extended family, or couples without that we can give? The problem is that • The purposes of gift sharing are children. The AIDS epidemic in Africa this initiative assumes that the gifts the redemption of creation and the has certainly shifted our understand- or resources are all here, not there. “abundant life” which Jesus offers. ing of family, with many orphans being He invited the group to reflect on the • The sharing of gifts creates care for by other families. characteristics of gifts. “A true gift oneness of the church. “There is a variety of gifts, but one Spirit.” And There are three common features of happens when something has changed between us,” he said. “A gift cannot be gifts are given “for the common family, according to Lind: good” (I Corinthians 12). • There is relatedness – something possessed, because the relationship to that binds us together. As a “church the giver is always contained in it. To

20 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 WiderChurch

Winnipeg, Man. MC Canada ends 04/05 fiscal year ‘in the black’ espite a donation shortfall of that international exchange rates— Europe, Canada and Africa. While he nearly $120,000, Mennonite especially in relation to the U.S. is concerned about the need to con- DChurch Canada “will have a dollar—“improved in our favour.” As tinue developing support for the core small positive balance for the fiscal well, some ministry activities planned programs that make ongoing minis- year just ended,” reports Dan for the 2004/05 fiscal year that ended tries possible, Rempel says, “I cel- Nighswander, MC Canada general on January 31 were deferred and some ebrate the generous hearts for re- secretary. staff vacancies sponding to God’s prompting in their This positive financial news for the were not filled lives.” new fiscal year—which is tied directly immediately. So does Nighswander. After much soul to figures from the previous year— The shortfall searching among the board and staff came about as the result of a number will impact some who have worked on the new budget for of factors. of MC Canada’s a number of months, including intense “Every department came in under core programs in times of prayer “for those impacted by budget,” Nighswander says, adding the 2005/06 fiscal our ministry and that we could be year, Nighswander faithful to our commitments and their acknowledges. “It needs,” he now says, “we praise God for Rempel to move from “gift giving” to “gift will constrain their generosity.” sharing.” Gifts move freely between some programs Rempel’s report cites examples of people, and relationships are linked to beyond what the need is,” he says. “A how this generosity has impacted gifts, he said. The problem is that many number of international missions have churches and ministries around the people tend to make gifts into com- far greater needs, and people willing world. Last fall, an appeal on behalf of modities when they wonder if they can to serve and respond to calls, but we persecuted Mennonites in Vietnam afford to accept the gift or feel pressure have no money to send them.” “generated a strong response,” accord- to give a gift back some time. Staffing is being slightly reduced, ing to Rempel. And a $1,000 donation Lind also sees gifts related to needs Nighswander says, but there are no in the summer allowed 60 pastors to as being problematic. What happens to plans to roll back staff salaries. “In take part in a retreat that prepared the relational aspect when, in the 2003, we held back on global Anabaptist family of faith, there salaries and that contin- is such a large economic disparity? he ues to impact our staff Every department came in under budget. wondered, suggesting the church has now,” he notes. divided the family into those with gifts Despite the donation and those who have needs—those who shortfall for core pro- are “resource rich” and those who have grams, Al Rempel, MC Canada’s them for the persecution to come. deficiencies. director of resource development, “The Vietnam story is just one slice But God’s intention from creation is maintains that members are not of the healing and hope pie the church that we are all created as gifted becoming less generous. In fact, his can offer,” Rempel says. “There are beings, he maintained. “See, I have Generosity Report indicates that additional stories of healing and hope given you every plant, seed,…” again individual and corporate donations in our own native communities, in the quoting from Genesis 1 and 2. Life were up slightly from the previous midst of the AIDS crisis in Africa, and itself is a gift from God, to be multi- year, to $832,000. Congregations in Latin America where poverty and plied and shared with each other in contributed just under $3 million. violence constantly push people to the this global church family. Gifts matter, Rempel lauds this level of giving, edge of society.” he said, because it is where all of life especially in light of the impact of mad During the course of the 2005/06 comes from. cow disease and drought in farming fiscal year, MC Canada staff and board Besides the creation account, Lind areas across the country, and the fact members will converse with area said there is another core biblical that some business owners experi- churches and congregations across the account that informs us of how to enced a downturn in their firms’ country—using the Where the Money share gifts in the global family of faith. revenue. Goes document as the basis for The Jesus story is a story of God’s gift What MC Canada donors are discussions—to determine future of life in Christ, in whom we are “a becoming, according to Rempel, is donation patterns. “If they say they’re new creation” (2 Corinthians 4:16ff). more “particular” about where they giving less to core funding versus God wants to relate to creation, so in direct their dollars. Nearly $370,000 specific programs, we’ll have to make Christ “the Word became flesh and was designated for ministries beyond adjustments in the way we fund our dwelt among us” (John 1). MC Canada’s core programs, with programs,” Nighswander says. See also TheChurches, MCEC. p. 34. $152,000 of that figure going to 20 —Ross W. Muir —Maurice Martin new initiatives in Latin America, Asia,

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 21 WiderChurch

Akron, Pa. Canadians prepare for MCC service ennonite Central Committee staff held orientation for 34 workers—17 of them MCanadian—who are preparing to serve overseas and in North America for up to three years. Canadians beginning three years of overseas service: • Dennis Henderson and Rachel Thiessen, Kitchener, Ont. Henderson will work as a support technician and Thiessen will work as an English teacher in Laos. • Rosemary Monreau, Vancouver, B.C., will work in Egypt as the director of an adult educa- tion program. Beginning one year of overseas service: • Wes Penner, formerly of Winnipeg, Man., will work as a computer analyst in India. Canadians beginning two years of North American service: • Barbara Brown, Edmonton, Alta., will work in Edmonton as a thrift shop manager. • Lisa Clark, Vancouver, B.C., will work in Vancouver as Praxis Project coordinator. Seventeen Canadians participated in orientation sessions at • Elna Coetsee, Stouffville, Ont., will work in Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) offices in Akron, Pa., recently, in Stouffville as Care and Share general manager. preparation for overseas and North American assignments. Pictured • Erin Constable, Moncton, N.B. will work as from left to right, front row: Erin Constable, Leon Janzen, Martha Ras, New Hope project coordinator in Moncton. Tara Tharayil; middle row: Kaye Migchelsen, Rachel Thiessen, Dorene • Brad Friesen, Leamington, Ont., will work as Rudy-Snyder, Rosemary Monreau; back row: Elna Coetsee, Jennifer Mennonite Immigrants’ regional director in White, Eva Unrau, Barbara Brown, Dennis Henderson, Brad Friesen, Ontario. Wes Penner. Missing: Lisa Clark, Jenny Kimba. • Leon Janzen, Winnipeg, Man., will work as MCC web editor in Manitoba. • Jenny Kimba, Winnipeg, Man., will work as a regional Former missionary nurse to India dies victim companion in Manitoba. orothy Giesbrecht (Andres), 79, died on Feb. • Kaye Migchelsen, Lower Sackville, N.S., will work as 4 in Abbotsford, B.C. She spent 26 years as a food bank coordinator in Lower Sackville. Dmission worker in India with the Commission on • Martha Ras, Calgary, Alta., is renewing an assignment as Overseas Mission (COM). She went to India with COM thrift shop manager in Calgary. as a nurse in 1951; a year later she married Jacob • Dorene Rudy-Snyder, Waterloo, Ont., will work as a Giesbrecht. Together they served community development worker in Ontario. in India for 25 years. They left • Tara Tharayil, Winnipeg, Man., will work as an MCC India in 1977. About 18 years ago, staff writer in Manitoba. Giesbrecht was diagnosed with • Eva Unrau, Morpeth, Ont., will work as a receptionist in Parkinson’s disease. She was born Ontario. in Swift Current, Sask. on Dec. 28, • Jennifer White, Mount Forest, Ont., will work as Circle 1925, to Hilda and Henry Andres. of Friends coordinator in Kitchener, Ont. She became a registered nurse at Each year, around 250 people begin MCC assignments in St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, more than 50 countries in North and Central America, Asia, Sask., and attended Grace Bible Europe and the Middle East. Currently, 764 board-ap- Institute (now Grace University) Giesbrecht pointed MCC workers serve in assignments that range from in Omaha, Nebraska, for two years. She is survived by community development, education and health, to food her husband, two sons—Gary of Edmonton, Alta., and production, emergency response and administration. Many Larry of Chilliwack, B.C., two daughters—Hazel of workers are placed in assignments working directly with Abbotsford and Hilda Reed of Caronport, Sask., and 11 local churches or community groups. grandchildren. A memorial service was held at West —From MCC release Abbotsford Mennonite Church on February 11. —MC Canada release

22 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 WiderChurch ‘Beating pens into ploughshares’

bout 75 people attended the board and the CMPS annual general nity to play chamber music in small Canadian Mennonite Publishing meeting. ensembles. Their purpose is to “nur- A Service (CMPS) banquet held in The Quiring Chamber Trio delighted ture and inspire through music,” she Vancouver on February 5 at First the guests with hymns and chamber said, and the music presented at the United Mennonite Church. music by Bach. Angela Quiring said banquet did exactly that, drawing Tim Dyck, editor of Canadian that she and her brother Reg, who appreciative applause from those Mennonite, spoke on the topic of both play professionally, have begun a assembled. “Beating pens into ploughshares.” school that gives children an opportu- —Angelika Dawson As he compared secular journalism with that of the church, he noted that the world of journalism is more about doing than thinking. “It’s deadline driven,” he said. “It’s more about filling spaces than about what is good for the community.” But the church is about commu- nity—as Jesus reminded his audiences over and over again—and it is the nurturing of community that Chris- tian journalism is called to do. “Journalism is about human stories, it’s about the things we value, what shapes us,” he said. He quoted Malcolm Muggeridge, who said that when people stop believing in God they do worse than believe nothing— Board members Mary Lymburner and Henry Neufeld listen as Henry Krause, they believe anything. right, addresses the Canadian Mennonite Publishing Service Board at meet- “The Christian response to this is ings in the days preceding the banquet. that truth matters because it’s part of God’s character; it’s part of good journalism,” Dyck said, adding that it is when we let stories about God’s people move us that we can bring Arts notes change into the world. The challenge he has set for himself as editor of Canadian Mennonite is to never New MCC quilt exhibit let values be replaced by deadlines. “Journalists who strive for humility, new travelling quilt exhibit who are meek, who hunger and thirst from Mennonite Central A Committee—featuring quilts after righteousness, who bring peace— made by Mennonites in Please join us for MSCU’s these are journalists who honour God Canada and the United States that were 41st Annual in their work,” he said. distributed in the Netherlands after World Henry Krause, moderator of War II—will begin a three-year tour on General Meeting Mennonite Church Canada, thanked April 1 at the Pennsylvania Relief Sale. With Guest Speaker Dyck not only for his address that The exhibit accompanies a new book from Dr. Ronald J.R. Mathies evening but also for the way in which Good Books—Passing on the Comfort: The Executive Director Canadian Mennonite respects its War, the Quilts, and the Women Who Made Mennonite Central Committee a Difference, which captures the story of audience. Referring to news articles he Tuesday, March 29, 2005 had recently heard, which he felt two women who were brought together by a set of well-worn MCC quilts. The exhibit St. Jacobs Mennonite Church violated him as a recipient, he features 18 of these quilts, provided by Registration: 7:00 pm thanked the magazine for not violat- MCC to those fleeing the ravages of war. Meeting: 7:30 pm ing its readers and not insulting their The exhibit will travel to relief sales, quilt Refreshments to follow intelligence. shows and other sites. The full-colour book “Thank you for setting the bar high by An Keuning-Tichelaar and Lynn Please plan to attend! for yourself and for the church,” he Kaplanian-Buller will be available said. beginning on April 4 in bookstores The banquet ended three days of throughout Canada and the U.S., as well meetings by the CMPS executive and as directly from the publisher at www.goodbks.com or 800-762-7171. www.mscu.com

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 23 A special advertising feature

camp coffee house provide other organizing and planning opportunities, with lots of creativity and laughter—not to mention the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ songs they’re still singing eight months later!

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24 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 A special advertising feature

Join the travelling DVBS Manitoba’s troupe this summer Passion Play Mennonite Church Alberta youth who want by the actual DVBS program, which will be to serve the church and earn some money offered in one church in each of the prepares for this summer, listen up. remaining three weeks (from Monday to Friday with a closing program on Sunday). 2005 season During the month of July, MC Alberta is La Riviere, Man.—Excited about the planning to institute a daily vacation Bible General troupe duties include: leading upcoming summer? Organizers of Manito- school (DVBS) program across the province, music during the week; helping direct ba’s Passion Play certainly are, as they providing youth with the opportunity to live closing program; teaching the DVBS theme anticipate another successful production at their faith in a practical way, sharing the and story to the children; planning and their beautiful outdoor theatre site. gospel and developing leadership skills. directing skit practices; participating in Participants will also help the conference to memory verse activities; and decorating The Passion Play will run in the evening from design a DVBS program uniquely suited to each church; among other responsibilities. July 8-10 and July 15-17. In its sixth season, MC Alberta churches. the Passion Play has seen over 20,000 The troupe leaders duties include: liaising people in attendance over the past five Troupe members will be paid an honorarium with the host church leaders; arranging years. of $750 to $1,100 (depending on experi- transportation for the troupe; preparing the ence) for four weeks of service. One troupe curriculum; and financial record keeping; As it is becoming a regular tradition for the leader will be paid $1,100 and will have among other duties. local area, Manitoba’s Passion Play involves additional responsibilities. All meals and hundreds of volunteers from both the local lodging will be provided by the host Interested applicants can fill out an online area and across the province. The live churches. application form at drama and music includes many talented www.mennonitechurch.ab.ca/joinform.htm volunteers, and the front of house reception The troupe will consist of four individuals, by March 31. For more information, contact and services also provides a taste of including the troupe leader. Over the course Kelvin Rempel at 403-282-7418 or by e-mail southern Manitoba hospitality. The event of the summer, the troupe will participate in at [email protected]. won the Manitoba Innovative Tourism Award one week of orientation/preparation followed From MC Alberta website for its premiere year (2000) and continues to grow to become a favorite of many.

Nestled in Oak Valley, just off Highway 3 near the hamlet of La Riviere, Manitoba, the outdoor theatre venue presents the perfect setting for an outdoor presentation such as the Passion Play, creating as it does a quiet and secluded atmosphere where the audience can enjoy the natural beauty of the valley.

One of the new attractions at the site that people seem to appreciate is the “Way of the Cross” meditation trail. Created in 2003, the trail provides hikers an opportunity to relive Christ’s Passion as they take a hike that leads them through 15 different stations. Each station represents a different part of Christ’s journey to the cross, the tomb, and, finally, his resurrection. Though a wonderful addition to the Passion Play, the trail is open throughout the summer, allowing hikers to enjoy it at their leisure. Providing a vigorous walk at times, the meditation trial also includes some spectacular views of nature and the valley.

Those interested in attending the Passion Play this summer or using the Oak Valley site for other events, check out the website at www.passionplay.ca or call 204-242-3160.

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 25 A special advertising feature

AMBS offers Celtic spirituality tour

Join other pilgrims on a journey to ancient, medieval and modern Leaders of the pilgrimage will be Marlene Kropf, associate professor centres of Celtic spirituality in Scotland, Ireland and England with in spiritual formation and worship at AMBS, and Stanley Kropf. Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary this spring. The pilgrimage fee is $4,795 US. Three hours of graduate academic From June 9-27, the pilgrimage will visit ancient roots of Celtic credit are available for an additional fee $990 US. spirituality on the island of Iona; sites connected with St. Patrick in County Down, Northern Ireland, and with St. Brigid in Kildare; the site Anyone interested in joining the pilgrimage should contact Bev of an ancient monastic community in the Wicklow Mountains; Trinity Sawatzky at 574-296-6207 or by e-mail at [email protected], to College Library, Christ Church and St. Patrick’s Church in Dublin; and request more information and an application form. the cathedral city of Durham and Holy Island (Lindisfarne). —From AMBS website

Fleish Piroshki (meat buns) (approx. 6 dozen) Pupusas

The following Latin American recipe comes The following recipe comes from the Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church’s volun- from Ana Grimaldi and her crew at First teers who have mastered their craft courtesy of the supervision of their Tantes and Omas. Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ont., who make them for the MCC Relief Sale each Part I. Dough year. 4 cups milk 2 tsp. salt 1 cup warm water 2 eggs Filling 2 tsp. sugar 2 T yeast 1. Cook 1/2 lb. ground pork with a little salt 2 cups fat (2/3 cup each of 12 cups flour until it gets brown, then let it cool down. butter/shortening/margarine) 2. Blend 1 small onion, 2 tomatoes and 1/2 green pepper in a blender. 1. Heat milk for 6 minutes in microwave. 3. Mix all the ingredients, including the 2. Dissolve sugar in warm water, add yeast and set aside to rise. meat. 3. Pour heated milk into large mixing bowl; add salt. Cut fat into 1” cubes and add. 4. If you wish to add cheese, blend it or 4. Add 9 cups flour to the liquid; then add the yeast and 2 eggs. shred it and mix with other ingredients. 5. Mix until blended. Add 2 cups flour and mix again until blended. 6. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead, using the remaining 1 cup of flour. Dough (Use more flour if necessary). 1. Mix 2 lbs. of corn flour with water until it 7. Place dough in lightly greased bowl and cover with wax paper and tea towel. is smooth. 8. Set bowl in a warm place to rise to double in size (60 to 75 minutes) 2. Grab some dough and make a ball with it until round. Part II. Meat 3. Make a hole in the middle until the walls 4-1⁄2 lbs. lean hamburger 1 T salt are about 1/2 inch thick. 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 3 cups mashed potatoes 4. Stuff the hole with the filling, then close 4 medium finely chopped 1-1⁄2 tsp. pepper the hole and round it up again. onions (1-1⁄2 cups) 1 cup beef broth (1 pkg. Bovril or Oxo + 1 5. Put pupuas on a flat surface with a 2 T prepared mustard cup of water) plastic on it and flatten it with a plate or other flat item. The pupusa has to be about 1. Brown hamburger with onions, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and mustard, mixing 1 inch thick. well. Drain fat. 2. Add mashed potatoes and beef broth. If mixture is too dry, add more broth. Cooking 3. Spread meat mixture evenly on 1 or 2 cookie sheets. Cut into 75 equal pieces. Place in 1. Cook the pupusas on a pancake grill for fridge until firm. 1 or 2 minutes on each side. 4. Remove meat mixture from fridge then shape into sausages. 2. Then flip it again and let it cook for 3 more minutes on each side. III. Assembling the Piroshki 1. After the dough has risen, take approximately 1⁄4 cup dough, flatten with fingertips to Optional Cabbage Salad make a 3"x4" rectangle. Place the meat “sausage” on it. Fold up ends like gift wrap and 1. Chop cabbage. wrap the dough around the meat. Pinch ends and seams together firmly. 2. Run hot water on it. 2. Place on cookie sheet, seam side down, about 1 to 1-1⁄2 “ apart. Cover with waxed 3. Add salt vinegar, oregano and carrots— paper and tea towel, and let rise approximately 1⁄2 hour. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. to suit your taste. —From the Ontario Mennonite Relief Sale and Auction website

26 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 A special advertising feature

200th anniversary of K-W settlement planned

Early Mennonite pioneers in the Kitchener- Waterloo area came from Pennsylvania two centuries ago. This summer, the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario plans to celebrate this migration at its annual meeting in June.

In order to settle an issue about legal title to their farms, the early Mennonite settlers in the Waterloo area received help from friends in Pennsylvania, who organized the purchase of 60,000 acres in 1805.

The Brubacher House, a museum sponsored by the historical society, will be having a special celebration on July 1. The Brubacher family is typical of these Mennonite pioneers and can trace its roots back to Switzerland. Members of the family moved from Switzer- land to Germany in the 1600s, to Pennsylva- nia in the early 1700s, and to the Waterloo area in the early 1800s. They cleared the trees for prosperous farms and helped develop a strong Mennonite community. —Barb Draper

Looking for a great summer The following two courses are available for professional learning opportunity? development, university credit, or seminary credit: Consider MAY 2428 | Advanced Youth Ministry “Human Sexuality and the Christian Faith: A Focus on Youth and Young Adults” Summer Instructor: Dr. Roland Martinson JUNE 610 | Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies “Congregational Peacebuilding” at Instructors: Nan Cressman and Dr. Dean E. Peachey The following three courses are available at CMU through Evangelical Anabaptist Seminary Program

APRIL 2529 | Wisdom Literature Instructor: Dr. Pierre Gilbert

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Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 27 LocalChurch

Winkler, Man. the different sessions.” “And different speakers,” adds Youths just ‘can’t keep quiet’ Friesen. They all look forward to the long bus t Emmanuel Mennonite Church the youths, but for some it will also ride and the opportunity to build excitement is building. For impact their opportunities for lasting friendships. “The excitement A more than a year now, the youth summer employment. However, the is carrying over to the adults in church group has been preparing for the potential loss of summer employ- as well,” says Kropf. “They are excited youth convention taking place in ment pales next to their excite- and supportive.” Charlotte, North Carolina, this ment. Kropf is grateful for the opportunity summer. The youth event is being held “I am looking forward to having her youth will have to be part of a rich in conjunction with the binational a great time,” says Justin Bergen, cross-section of those who make up the Mennonite Church Canada (MC who attended the youth convention larger Mennonite family, which they Canada) and Mennonite Church USA two years ago in St. Catharines. “I don’t see growing up in Winkler. “I am (MC USA) assembly. The convention’s look forward to the praise and looking forward to having the defini- theme—Can’t Keep Quiet—has aptly worship times and getting to know tion of what is Mennonite broadened reflected the enthusiasm of this group God better.” for them.” to date. Koop is excited about “getting to —Evelyn Rempel Petkau Larissa Kropf, youth pastor, got the know new people and attending green light to go from church council last February. Ever since then, the 15 Didsbury, Alta. youths have been working to reach its goal of raising $10,600, enough money Bergthal ordains were once hidden. to pay for the bus trip, registration Responses and congratulatory new pastor greetings were shared. and accommodation. Five adults will Garland came to Bergthal two years accompany this group, the largest he call to ministry of Elwin ago from Brussels Mennonite Fellow- youth group coming from Manitoba. Garland by Bergthal Mennonite ship, Ontario, where he and his wife “We are getting pretty close; only T Church as its pastor was recog- were instrumental in establishing the $2,200 left to go,” reports Kropf. nized and reaffirmed through ordination congregation. Before responding to his Fundraising efforts have included on September 26 2004. call to pastoral service by attending serving at a Mennonite Disaster The significance of ordination was Service banquet, working as parking explored by all generations, attendants at the local Harvest beginning with a puppet show Festival, weeding strawberry patches, written and performed by Joanne cleaning bank offices, holding a garage and Gary Peters; they explained the basics of ordination through a child’s sale, selling gift certificates, and eyes. Eric Froese then elaborated, serving a hot meal at church. In reminding the congregation of its addition to the group fundraisers, the role in respecting that which God youths are each expected to pay $200 has set apart. Through ordination out of their own pockets. people recognize and honour Karen Koop plans to use her earn- Garland’s pastoral gifts and his ings from work at Camps with Mean- commitment to service by bestowing ing last summer. Janelle Friesen is the mantle of “reverend” upon him. Photo by Diane Jonson Jim Shantz, conference pastor Jim Shantz, conference pastor for Mennonite setting aside money from her part-time Church Alberta, prays over the kneeling Elwin job as a gymnastics coach. Alex Peters for Mennonite Church Alberta, officiated at Garland’s ordination, Garland at his ordination service. spent last summer mowing lawns. which included prayers and “The youth have put a lot of time commitments by Garland, his wife seminary, Garland was a high school and energy into getting ready,” Kropf Linda, and the people of Bergthal. teacher. His wife and their children, says. Part of that preparation also As stones were used in biblical times Nathan, Andrew, Rachel and Sarah, includes Bible study. “The conference as a witnesses to a promise (Joshua 24: have encouraged and supported him will be sending out material that we 26-27), a commemorative rock was through his journey to ordination. plan to use for Bible study, to help us presented to Garland in honour of his In bringing Garland forward for prepare mentally and spiritually as ordination. Through God’s hands, ordination, the Bergthal family of well.” Garland has become like a split stone— believers has been blessed and hon- oured as well. Not only has the past year required the truth that lies within him, and the revelation of his gifts and calling that —Diane Jonson time and financial commitment from

28 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 LocalChurch

Lethbridge, Alta. Voluntary Service to begin in Lethbridge change of missional focus from tion about MVS in Lethbridge, or in in Canada; three of the five are Service Adventure to a other Canadian locations, can be found currently staffed with volunteers. A Mennonite Voluntary Service on the Mennonite Church Canada web Engbrecht hopes the new MVS (MVS) unit was approved at the page at www.mennonitechurch.ca/ model “will be as contagious in the annual congregational meeting of mvs-sa. The new MVS unit in rest of Canada” as it is in Lethbridge. Lethbridge Mennonite Church. Lethbridge is one of five such locations —Fred Unruh “We are delighted in the fact that VS [Voluntary Service] was so strongly endorsed,” said Ernie Engbrecht, chair of the MVS support group in Lethbridge, following the annual meeting. The organization is “elated with the good news,” and is ready to “proceed full steam ahead,” he said, noting that “our unit is in a strong position with a small surplus in the bank and full church support.” Following the models for MVS units serving in other parts of Canada, the Lethbridge congregation is inviting young adults 18 and older to apply for one- and two-year assignments here. Assignments will match the appli- cants’ interests with needs in local agencies. Agencies like Streets Alive, that serves the homeless and disen- franchised, and the Chinook L’Arche Society, that cares for developmentally handicapped persons, have expressed interest in MVS workers. Lethbridge Mennonite also ap- proved inviting one volunteer as a half-time youth worker and research- ing other new possibilities for Volun- tary Service in Lethbridge. As the sponsoring congregation, Lethbridge Mennonite Church owns a residence well suited for an MVS service house. The service house has also provided affordable housing for university and college students, which remains an option for the future. Launching the MVS unit in Septem- ber of 2005 calls for finalizing place- Stoltzfus photo Jenna ments for volunteers and vigorous Liz Hunsberger packs a shipment of buckets containing Mennonite Central recruiting in the next six months. At Committee (MCC) relief kits for Indonesian tsunami survivors. More than least one volunteer from Germany and 10,000 relief kits have been collected from Canada and the United States so several from Canada are eagerly far, but MCC is still hoping to reach its goal of 20,000 kits. Another 2,000 kits anticipated. are being collected in Indonesia. The kits contain hygiene items, including Delegates at the Mennonite Church soap, towels, shampoo and toothbrushes. Four shipments have been sent Canada assembly last July endorsed already: an initial 1,512 relief kits through a Church World Service airlift, the vision for Mennonite Voluntary 2,111 from Manitoba, and more than 4,000 from Pennsylvania in two recent Service. It is hoped that pastors and shipments. But MCC material resources manager Paul Pereverzoff stresses youth leaders will now encourage that thousands more kits are needed to reach the total number that MCC’s young adults and youth to consider partners in Indonesia are requesting. “We’re hoping for a lot more than this,” MVS in their plans. Further informa- he says.

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 29 LocalChurch

Winnipeg, Man. Ecumenical prayer service promotes Christian unity harleswood Mennonite Church Christian unity in this troubled world. was the site of one of the eight Irma Harder led the singing, while C Prayer for Christian Unity Elsie Rempel led the corporate prayer services held in various churches in time at the end of the service. Rempel Winnipeg in late January. The service and Sheila Klassen-Wiebe did a at Charleswood was based on the dramatic reading from Matthew 20. theme “Meeting for Prayer in the An octet sang True Evangelical Faith, Mennonite Way.” More than 100 people which uses the words of Menno from a variety of denominations Simons. attended. After the service, refreshments Helmut Harder led the service and prepared by members of the congrega- gave a meditation called “Build on the tion were served, and there was a good foundation.” His reflection was based time of informal fellowship. on 1 Corinthians 3:12-13, which begins Other services during the eight-day to answer the question of how Chris- Festival of Prayer were held in Angli- tians should build on the true founda- can, Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite tion, Jesus Christ, in the preceding Brethren, Presbyterian and Ukrainian verse. The text, he pointed out, names Orthodox churches in various parts of six building materials—gold, silver, the city. precious stone, wood, hay, and straw. —Larry Kehler These represent equally useful materials for construction. Regardless of which materials are used, builders of churches must be sure to build on the one and only foundation, Jesus Praying in the Christ. The mention of Christ tells us Mennonite Way, that the focus of the text is not really with your master plans. on raw building materials, but on Jan 26, 2005 We pray for our community spiritual things—faith, good works, and for the people where we live. people and spiritual gifts. Jesus said, “Ask and it shall be given May we recognize your presence and you; activity The Christian churches, said search and you will find; in those around us, Harder, represent a great variety of knock and the door will be opened for and may your Spirit be evident in us. gifts throughout the world. Where is you.” God of all true growth, the unity in the midst of this variety? The heavenly Father will give the Holy we are your field and your building, he asked, suggesting that Christians Spirit and so we pray for your church in all to those who ask him. are united only when they build on the places. one foundation—Jesus Christ. And so we pray: May it be built on the foundation of But churches aren’t always united Uniting, reconciling, merciful God, Jesus, the Christ, in Christ. A time of testing is bound to we have gathered from around our city and withstand the testing of our come, Harder said, which will reveal to give you thanks days. and bring our prayers to you, their faithfulness and unfaithfulness. God of reconciliation and unity, with confidence in the name of our Lord Genuine faith and good works will may we grow toward unity that Jesus. endure, he said, but anything contrary increasingly resembles God of compassion and reconciliation, to Christ will not. the unity you have with Jesus, your son. hear our prayers. Christians have had their times of Help us join hands and break down the testing in the past, Harder said, noting Gracious God, we hunger for your barriers that Mennonites remember 2,000 righteousness. between those who follow your varied martyrs from the 16th century. Today We thirst for your justice. servants. it is important that the Christian We pray for ourselves. May our passion for Jesus cause unity churches stand the test of their faith Feed our hearts, too, with your righteous to grow. love. God of strength and compassion, together, he said, maintaining that Give growth to the seeds of your justice we pray for people around the world, they must not be schismatic, and must in our lives. certainly not persecute one another, as especially for the poor. in the past. For the sake of the genu- Jesus, you who are our true foundation, May we share your compassion for the ine Christian witness, Harder con- and on whom true community is built, poor and help us to build in agreement see your image within them. cluded that churches must promote

30 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 LocalChurch

Saskatoon, Sask. degree. By this time, his wife also accepted the peace-making stance. At the end of his training, Farsaci found First Mennonite installs new pastor no Mennonite church ready to call him. He hen he was young, Steven Farsaci At his installation, Farsaci suggested who had always planned well ahead, now had his whole life planned. He that if you don’t want Jesus to intrude on had to wait on the Lord. The Farsacis Wknew where he was going and your plans, don’t do that. returned to Maine, where he led a Quaker how he would get there—until he started But when it came to sign a navy oath group for a while, then three small Baptist reading his Bible and praying; then Jesus that he would launch a nuclear warhead if congregations. Finally, he got his first intruded. At that time, he could not foresee ordered, he couldn’t Mennonite church to pastor—in Americus, his installation as a Mennonite pastor. But do it. “Jesus had said, Ga., a 2,400-kilometre commute. on Sunday, February 20, Mennonite ‘Love your enemy’, Then the call came from First Church Saskatchewan Conference Pastor not nuke them,” Mennonite in Saskatoon. He is looking Ken Bechtel installed Farsaci as a new Farsaci said. forward to his wife Vicki and their pastor at First Mennonite, Saskatoon. His fellow officers youngest daughter Kate, in Grade 8, Farsaci had planned on being a politi- (Christians) thought joining him in Saskatoon after school is cian. After high school he became a he needed psychiatric out, and living under the same roof again. political science major at university. help. As his personal Their oldest two daughters are in their Because a good armed forces record would theology continued to mid-20s and are living on their own. help boost his ambition, he enlisted in the develop, Farsaci What brought him to Saskatoon and American navy and finished his degree Farsaci sought and received First Mennonite? under its auspices. conscientious objector With a quick smile he answered, “A call.” He worked hard and rose through the status and left the navy in 1982. He found Actually, he said that Jesus is alive and ranks to be a Lieutenant, JG (junior out later that his new theology—peace- well, he talks to us, and he wants us to grade), becoming a nuclear submarine making, non-conformist simpler life style— make a small effort to being what he is. weapons officer. At the same time, he was was consistent with that of the Mennonite Jesus, he suggested, will identify needs in also reading the Bible and praying. church, which he didn’t even know existed the community that we need to meet. at the time. As out-reach minister, he sees his task Raised a Roman Catholic, Farsaci’s as starting small fires, by making the theological training began at a Congrega- gospel relevant in the community. For tional seminary in Maine. He transferred Farsaci, it takes mutual aid in a commu- to Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 1991, nity to effect a faith and lifestyle change. where he gained his Master of Divinity —Jake Nickel Strengthen those who care for the troubled, the sick and the needy.

God our Lord, whose sovereign power and unending mercy are perfect in almighty love, we pray for those in power and authority. May we and they join you in loosing the bonds of injustice, in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and helping the oppressed go free. Reconciling God, may our faith, our prayers and our acts of service be pleasing to you. We offer them to you with hearts that long for the unity of your coming Kingdom. As disciples of your son, we join together in praying the prayer Jesus taught us:

Our Father….

—Prayer led by Elsie Rempel

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 31 LocalChurch

Stang was a member of the Marriages Ropp—Alfred W., 83, East People & Events Congregation of the Sisters of Zorra Mennonite, Tavistock, Notre Dame de Namur, an Wiens-Janzen—Toby and Ont., Feb. 22. Catholic missionary international Catholic Candice, Schoenfelder Sawadsky—Anna, 102, murdered in Brazil religious order, and had lived Mennonite, St. Francois Vineland United Mennonite, in Brazil for more than 30 Xavier, Man., Feb. 12. Ont., Feb. 16. A US Catholic missionary who years. She recently won an Stern—Susan, 85, Innisfail, had been honoured for human award from the Brazilian Deaths Alta., Zion Mennonite, Swift rights work has been shot dead lawyers’ association (OAB) for Friesen—Justina, 77, Current, Sask., Feb. 8. in the Brazilian Amazon. her work in the Amazon Wiens—Olga, 96, Sargent Dorothy Stang, a nun in her Warman Mennonite, Sask., region, while the state of Para Feb. 12. Avenue Mennonite, Winnipeg, 70s, had repeatedly reported named her woman of the year. Man., Feb. 5. receiving death threats Hildebrand—Jacob H., 91, because of her work in Crystal City Mennonite, Man., Jan. 26. Baptisms Lepp—Eric, 80, Grace Sherbrooke Mennonite, Transitions Mennonite, Regina, Sask., Feb. Vancouver, B.C. —Rudolf and 12. Lydia Sperling, Mohammed S., Births/Adoptions Neufeld—George, North Feb. 13. Leamington United Vineland United Enns—to Natalie and Phil, Mennonite, Ont., Feb. 13. Mennonite, Ont.—Rhonda North Leamington United Peters—Henry, 86, Zion Penner, Nov. 21. Mennonite, Ont., a son, Hunter Mennonite, Swift Current, Stang Philip, Feb. 14. Sask., Feb. 14. Canadian Mennonite welcomes Enns—to Shelley and Steve, Riediger—George, 79, Transitions announcements within protecting the people of the North Leamington United Vineland United Mennonite four months of the event. Please e- Amazon. Police said two Mennonite, Ont., a daughter, Church, Ont., Feb. 9. mail Transitions announcements gunmen shot her in the face Madelynn Elizabeth, Feb. 7. Riediger—Helena, 89, First (identifying congregation name Friesen—to Tanya and Dan, Mennonite, Winnipeg, Man., and location) to: transitions@ three times at an isolated canadianmennonite.org. jungle settlement in the state Vineland United Mennonite, Feb. 5. of Para. Luiz Inacio Lula da Ont., a son, Samuel David Silva, Brazil’s president, has Edwin, Sept. 1. sent ministers and police Gilks—to Annette and Chris, Employment opportunity teams to the area to bring her St. Catharines United killers to justice. Nilmario Mennonite, Ont., a son, Justin Miranda, human rights Thomas, Feb. 4. minister, said two suspects in Huebert—to Colleen and the case had already been Peter, St. Catharines United identified. He said putting Mennonite, Ont., a daughter, those responsible behind bars Grace Anne, Jan. 11. was “a matter of honour” for McMahon—to Karen and the Brazilian government. Tom, Vineland United Marina Silva, Brazil’s environ- Mennonite, Ont., a daughter, ment minister, compared Jessica Lynn, Feb. 14. Stang’s murder to the killing of Pena—to Martha and Oscar of trade union leader Chico Indian Shores Beach, Fla., Mendes, a campaigner for the North Leamington United rainforest whose death in 1988 Mennonite, Ont., a son, sparked worldwide outrage. Alejandro (Alex) Oscar, Feb. 17.

Advertising Copy due dates...... for Issue Tuesday Mar. 8 Mar. 21 Tuesday Mar. 22 April 4 Tuesday April 5 April 18

To place an advertisement, contact Barbara Burkholder 1-800-316-4052 Fax: 1-519-884-3331 [email protected]

32 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 Canadian Mennonite Yellow Page LocalChurch

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Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 33 TheChurches

MennoniteMennonite Church Church Canada Prayer Canada requests • The family of Han March Equipping Vandenberg, Taiwan alumnus, highlights summer who passed away February 21. activities, resources Han and Martha served with the Commission on Overseas The March edition of Equip- Mission (COM) in Taiwan from ping Canada highlights 1957-93 and retired to Alberta. summer resources and His funeral was held on activities such as the new February 24 in Didsbury, Vacation Bible School Alberta. Please keep Martha curriculum, “Celebrate the and her children, Tobia and Psalms: Our God is awesome!” George Veith and Susan and Also included are the Faith & Rod Reynar in your prayers as Photo by Maurice Martin Life Summer 2005 catalogue they begin to live without their Marilyn Rudy Froese, chairperson of the Pastoral Leadership and registration information husband, father and grandfa- Training Commission, left, thanked Laurence Martin for 10 years for Charlotte 2005. ther. of work as director of various PLTC programs, including the “Registrations are coming • Grace Schwartzentruber, School for Ministers. in thick and fast”, writes Pam Brazil alumnus, who is the story of Elijah’s encounter itself is not a gift. Something Peters Pries, Mennonite suffering from incurable with the widow of Zarephath, a else is being talked about. It Church Canada staff. “Some cancer. She is at home and dramatic encounter in two has to do with relationship. “A hotels are already sold out,” asks that we pray for “strength parts, in which they shared life- true gift happens when she says, so register now— and not much pain.” Grace and sustaining gifts and the gifts of something has changed either by mail (registration her husband Ken served with healing and restoration. between us.” forms were sent to churches in Mennonite Board of Missions Daniel Genest, pastor at Another complication is the early January), or online at (MBM) in Brazil from 1961-94. Rawdon and Joliette congrega- relationship of gifts to needs, www.mennonitechurch.ca/ They now live in New Ham- tions in Quebec, reflected on Lind explained. Typically, events/charlotte. burg, Ontario. the first part of the text, in people see gifts as the answer The packet also includes which the last bit of oil and to a need—a way to balance a thought-provoking letters MennoniteMennonite Church Church Eastern flour is multiplied in a time of scale. In the global Anabaptist from church leaders Dan CanadaEastern Canada famine. The widow represents church, some people’s basic Nighswander, Dave Bergen humanity, weakness and needs are comfortably met, and Sven Eriksson, who Martin honoured at physical poverty, he said. whereas in many other places, respectively address themes School for Ministers Elijah, who complains earlier people struggle daily to meet such as “Becoming a produc- that he alone is faithful in all of these needs, he noted. tive ministry”, “Lent: Is a time The annual School for Minis- Israel, represents the spiritual “The problem with this,” said of opportunity,” and “Reflec- ters was held this year at poverty of his people, he added. Lind, “is that it leads to a false tions on leadership”. Breslau Mennonite Church Genest asked participants, view between people who have In addition, there are from Feb. 15-17. The guest “What does spiritual poverty gifts and those who have needs. prayer requests, notes for speakers were Pakisa K. mean in our Canadian and It creates dichotomies of bulletins and bulletin boards; Tshimika and Timothy Lind, Anabaptist context?” resources and deficiencies, of a New Resources list from the who have travelled extensively Betty Puricelli, pastor at rich and poor, of gifts and Resource Centre, which on behalf of Mennonite World New Life Centre, Toronto, needs.” includes titles such as A Conference to do research for Ontario, reflected on the second But this is not theologically Sensual Faith: Experiencing the Gift Sharing Project. part of the story, in which true, he said, since God has God Through Our Senses by Tshimika and Lind began Elijah raises the widow’s son to created us all as gifted beings. Ian Price, and a DVD on The the Gift Sharing Project by life. She asked, “What would it So let’s not understand needs Last Supper, filmed and meeting with the churches in take for our congregations to as lacks, an emptiness to be dramatized in the Middle Africa, doing Bible studies on know that we serve a living filled, but rather let us see the East. Also, there is a “Moment gift sharing, and doing an God? What, like the widow’s need as a gift that is impeded of Celebration” from Native “inventory” of gifts in the son, is dead that needs to come or imprisoned. Ministry by Walter Franz, church. While they could not to life? Our children and youth David Brubacher, Minister highlighting partnership avoid discussion of financial are dying spiritually. They to Conference, liked what he circles. sharing, their focus was on serve false gods. They are often heard about gift sharing in the Equipping is available at sharing gifts locally and ‘dead’ to the church.” global church. “The shift— church offices and globally in the Anabaptist In the Wednesday morning perhaps a new way of think- www.mennonitechurch.ca/ “family” of churches. session Lind defined the ing—is to enable congregations resources/equipping/current/. The theme was wrapped in meaning of “gift sharing.” He to do an inventory of their worship based on 1 Kings 17, reminded pastors that a gift in assets and release their gifts of

34 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 TheChurches ministry to be a blessing to Voth thanked those who Mennonite Church Pete Peters, board chair. each other and to their were helpful to him in the MennoniteSaskatchewan Church Saskatch- Now, with the predicted community,” he said. process of writing the material: ewan closure of the Herbert-Morris Bryan Moyer Suderman Kelvin Dyck, Larissa Kropf hospital, the health authority brought the gift of music from and Jeff Thiessen. Nursing home board is asking for more say over varied cultures during the Dyck, pastor of Covenant faces loss of control how that money is adminis- morning worship, in the Mennonite Church in Winkler, tered within the nursing home. several languages used by said, “Twenty-five years ago a For several years, the Herbert It wants to take over the congregations in MCEC each number of young professionals Nursing Home in Herbert has operations of the home while Sunday. One pastor admitted a got together and decided they struggled to balance its budget paying for six acute care beds growing ability to “use my wanted to develop an alterna- with the funding that the to be added to the facility. body” during worship. tive approach to worship. They provincial government was Both groups are set to gain did this with the blessing of providing. Numerous letters from the arrangement; Herbert MennoniteMennonite Church Church Manitoba the mother church and thus were sent by the home’s Nursing Home gets the much- Manitoba Covenant was born.” administrator to request more needed funding and the health Since that beginning, funding and the situation was authority is still able to fulfill Rooted in the Centre— Covenant’s membership has getting desperate. its mandate of providing changed. Winkler has changed Within the last year, the healthcare to the community. Living on the Edge and grown. New churches have nursing home board has been One of the concerns the This is the name of a new been built. “Where is our meeting with the Cyprus board has is how much control curriculum hot off the press and church in all this? We need to Regional Health Authority and the region will exert over the introduced at the recent annual think again who we are and representatives of MC spiritual content of the delegate sessions in February. what God is calling us to do,” Saskatchewan in an effort to program. “If the region Norm Voth, director of Dyck said. solve what appears to be an controls the operation, it Evangelism and Service Covenant Mennonite plans escalating problem. During a means the conference and the Ministries, said the six units in to use the study guide in adult recent meeting with the board will become peripheral,” the study series are a tool to Sunday school classes to guide regional health authority on said Peters. help the church find its way in them in a visioning process. January 20, the Herbert The issue is further clouded the larger cultural context. All MC Manitoba churches Nursing Home board came by the reality that the region The units are titled: Who are will be sent a complimentary face-to-face with the issue of will only provide 60 percent of we?, How did we get here?, The copy of the study resource. who will manage the facility. the funding for the home. That heart of God, God’s strategy, More copies can be ordered “Up until now, the region means the community of Recovering vocation, and from MC Manitoba for $5 each was content to give us the Herbert will need to raise the Creating the future. by calling 204-896-1616. money and let us run it,” said Continued on page 36 From our Revolution = Transformation leaders ecently a church member practical living out of my Christian lives, and we wonder if it is lamented how difficult it still is to life. Anabaptist thinking has worth the effort to get on board with the Runderstand all the changes that revolutionized our way of thinking.” new things. Should we keep supporting have happened in the church structures Alexander is but one example of a our denomination when we aren’t as in recent years. Some still struggle to person profoundly touched by the ministry familiar with the new names and faces? associate “Witness” with the interna- of MC Canada Witness. The very message Alexander would say an enthusiastic tional ministry of Mennonite Church of Jesus Christ lived out through “Yes!” In fact, his message to us was to Canada. Anabaptist convictions and practice is ask if we would expand our ministry in Drastic change is difficult and levies a radical, revolutionary and inspirational. Cuba so that more Cuban church cost. But the business of church is about Church structures may have undergone a leaders could be trained, and therefore transformation, and transformation is a kind of revolution. But the work to which expand the church in his country. My kind of revolution. For Cubans, the word God is calling us has not. Together as response is clear: How can we not? The “revolution” carries a lot of weight; none Mennonites united through MC Canada, business of the church is transforma- ever forget the Cuban Revolution that we are going where God leads us, to tion—or revolution. We must work began January 1, 1959. But for Chris- transform lives around the world. together, supporting Witness through tians in Cuba, new connotations have A mother of an MC Canada intern wrote prayer, people and finances, so that lives been added to the word. a note of thanks, saying that her experi- are shaped, transformed and revolution- Pastor Alexander is a young seminary ence “has confirmed once again how much ized. graduate. In January he sent a the work of our Mennonite missions people (Read about Pastor Alexander videotaped message to MC Canada is valued and appreciated and done with and other Cubans in saying, “My Christian life has changed integrity. They are frugal and I believe our the next issue. Ed.) greatly and has been more humble, more missions dollars are used with care.” Janet Plenert, acting focused and much deeper since Septem- I wish you could all sit at my desk and executive secretary of ber [when I took the course offered by read the reports that come in from every Mennonite Church MC Canada Witness]. This has been continent, telling transformational stories Canada Witness, and because of the Mennonite thinking of how ministry efforts through MC executive director of which has led me to the roots of the New Canada Witness have changed their lives. International Minis- Testament and which has impacted the Maybe we get tired of revolution in our tries

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 35 Advertising

TheChurches cont. Mennonite Church Employment opportunities remaining amount. Peters British Columbia wonders how people will feel raising public money for a Cedar Valley part of private institution. Heritage Week The situation has the possibility of becoming a Cedar Valley Mennonite landmark case, as the outcome Church had an open house could affect approximately 60 during the City of Mission’s faith-based nursing and care Heritage Week. The focus of homes in Saskatchewan. Mission’s celebrations was faith, so the church invited the MennoniteMennonite Church Church Alberta community in to see the Alberta facilities and learn about what the congregation has to offer. New pastors As visitors toured the church, they saw the ladies ordained, installed group making blankets and On February 6, the Bergthal the children’s centre, among Mennonite Church celebrated other features, and saw that the ordination of Don Stoesz. the congregation also provides Stoesz is a chaplain at the a home to other community Bowden Institution located organizations, including North of Olds. While funds for Kumon Math and Reading and Stoesz’s salary come from ESL for adults. In addition, Corrections Canada, his Canadian Blood Services cheques are handled through (CBS) sets up its clinic in the Mennonite Church Alberta and lower auditorium, and some he is accountable to it. Stoesz members of the congregation regularly participates in the serve as CBS volunteers. MC Alberta’s pastors council Pastor Dan Rempel com- and is a member of the mented that it was important Bergthal congregation. for Cedar Valley Mennonite to In November 2004, the be involved in Mission’s Calgary Chinese Mennonite Heritage Week because Church installed Michael Kong members of the congregation— as its full-time lead pastor. including Abe Rempel, Mission’s mayor—are very involved in the community.

e thank you, gracious God, for the children in our lives, for the joy and the hope they embody W for the wonder with which they live each day. Grant us your mercy, O God, as we nurture them, Give us patience for their never-ending needs, And wisdom for their everlasting questions. Grant us, too, forgiveness for our sins against our children, The sins of an over-zealous care—sentimentalizing them, Over-protecting them, Making them our whole world, And laying on them our own unfinished dreams. The sins of an under-zealous care—the neglect, Abuse, exploitation, That will be too many children’s reality this day. Help us, O Lord, Whether we have children in our home or not, To join as one in the hard and holy work of blessing the children. Amen.

—Mary H. Schertz

36 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 Advertising

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ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Warden Woods Community Centre (WWCC) seeks an experienced and motivated individual to lead the agency during a two-year leave period. With roots in the Mennonite faith community, WWCC has grown into a well-established community organization providing a wide range of services to meet social, educational, cultural, physical and spiritual needs within the multicultural, multi-faith context of Scarborough. For more information on WWCC and this exciting opportunity, please go to www.wardenwoods.com. Application deadline is March 19, 2005

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. ~Maya Angelou

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Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 37 ToLocalMorrowChurch

Faith and Life choirs Siemens, Hiebert at Central Heights MB Mennonite Church, Saskatoon. sing for museum reunite Church, 3 p.m. Sponsored by March 20-21: Portable CMU Mennonite Historical Society with Gordon Zerbe at Rosthern Steinbach, Man.—MC Manito- Gretna, Man.––Rosemary of B.C. Mennonite Church. ba’s Faith and Life Male Choir Siemens of Plum Coulee, Man., April 2: Women in Mission and Women’s Chorus are is reuniting with Loren Alberta Enrichment Day. performing two benefit concerts Hiebert for two concerts with April 8: Evening of Quartets for the Mennonite Heritage the Southern Manitoba Choral March 17: Discussion on at Cornerstone Church Village Museum in Steinbach Society later this month; the youth ministry for youth Mennonite, 7:30 p.m. MCC in late May. two released a CD of gospel pastors and sponsors, in fundraiser. Joined by soprano Henriette improvisations a number of Calgary. Contact Mary Ann April 8-9: Deeper Life Schellenberg and baritone years ago. The choral society is Van Oevern, phone 403-335- meetings with Nelson Kraybill Victor Engbrecht, the choirs— performing Schubert’s 8264, e-mail: at Mount Royal Mennonite composed of talented amateur Deutsche Messe with Hiebert [email protected]. Church. and on piano, and Vivaldi’s Gloria April 1-3: Men’s retreat, April 9-10: Deeper Life profes- with orchestra. Soloists include “Closer than a brother,” at meetings with Nelson Kraybill sional Siemens and Leona Hildebrand Camp Valaqua. Speaker: Sven at North Star Mennonite, singers (sopranos), and alto Marilyn Eriksson. Contact Marvin Drake. from Houser-Hamm. Henry R. Peters Bergen at 403-256-2894. April 15: Open house at across the is conducting. The concerts take April 16: Bethany College Rosthern Junior College. province— place at Buhler Hall, Gretna, concert of praise, on campus. April 16: “Touring Mission will perform a on March 19, and at Winkler April 17: Bethany College Fest” by MC Saskatchewan variety of music, including Bergthaler Mennonite Church commencement, on campus. Ministries Commission. hymns, classics and some well- on March 20. April 23: Alberta Rosthern April 16: MCC fundraiser loved spirituals. Junior College fundraiser, coffee house at Wildwood On May 28, the choirs first Bearspaw Community Centre, Mennonite Church with perform at the Buhler Per- Calendar 7 p.m. Silent and live auctions, cowboy poet Doris Daley, 7:30 forming Arts Centre at entertainment, refreshments. p.m. Mennonite Collegiate Insti- British Columbia Call Howard Enns at 403-547- April 22: MC Saskatchewan tute, Gretna, and the next 3130 for tickets or to donate youth Hungerfest. March 18: Prospective items. night at Bethel Mennonite Student Day at Columbia May 1: CAMS concert of Church, Winnipeg. Both April 28, 29, 30: Musical at Mennonite school choirs at Bible College, Abbotsford. Menno Simons Christian concerts begin March 18-19: Youth workers Bethany College, Hepburn. at 7:30 p.m. School, Calgary. May 2-6: AMBS seminary conference at Columbia Bible April 29-30: Alberta Women in Donations College with Tony Campolo on: course in Saskatoon with Karl in lieu of Mission Enrichment Days at Koop. “Youth ministry as sanctuary First Mennonite Church, admission are in a world of violence.” For May 14-15: 40th anniversary gratefully Edmonton. Speakers: Tobia celebration at Nutana Park details, call Gareth Brandt at Veith, Susan Reynar. Topic: accepted. 604-853-3567 ext. 323. Mennonite Church, Saskatoon. Proceeds from Living to make a difference. RSVP by April 15 to 306-374- March 19, 20: Abendmusik Call Evelyn Buhr at 780-439- both concerts Lenten Vespers at Emmanuel 1364, e-mail: will go to 3594. [email protected]. Free Reformed Church, May 7: Camp Valaqua work support the Abbotsford (19), and Knox May 15: Spring concert at educational day. Contact Jeff Schellenberg Rosthern Junior College. United Church, Vancouver at 403-637-2510. and pioneer interpretive (20), 8 p.m. May 25: Work day at Rosthern programs at Mennonite May 28, 29: Songfest in Junior College. April 1: Columbia Bible Rosemary. Theme: “Can’t keep Heritage Village, as well as the College athletic awards June 10-11: MCC relief sale in Faith and Life music program. quiet.” Saskatoon. evening. May 30-June 2: Theological The Mennonite Heritage April 15: Columbia Bible June 17-19: Youth Farm Bible Village Museum tells the story Studies Week at Camp Camp 40th anniversary College spring concert at Valaqua. Lecturer John of the Mennonite faith and Central Heights Mennonite celebrations. pioneer experience in Manitoba Neufeld on marriage and June 23-25: Spring musical at Brethren Church, Abbotsford. family. to 70,000 visitors annually. April 16: Columbia Bible Rosthern Junior College. —Faith and Life Choirs press June 25-26: Camp Elim 60th College graduation and Saskatchewan release banquet. anniversary celebrations. May 3: Columbia Open 2005 March 18-20: Portable CMU June 26: Graduation at at Chilliwack Golf & Country with Dan Epp-Tiessen at First Rosthern Junior College. Club. Banquet and auction at Mennonite Church, Saskatoon. Columbia Bible College. March 19: Shekinah Manitoba May 15: Mennonite Concerto fundraising banquet and silent March 19, 20: Southern performed by Irmgard Baerg, auction at Mount Royal Manitoba Choral Society

38 Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 ToMorrow concerts. Buhler Hall, Gretna March 14,15: Grandparent Conference at Rockway relief sale, New Hamburg. (19); Bergthaler Mennonite and grandchild retreat at Mennonite Collegiate, May 28-June 2: Father Elias Church, Winkler (20); both Hidden Acres Camp and Kitchener. Chacour, Palestinian peace- concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Retreat Centre (choose one day April 23: MEDA banquet at maker, priest and educator, is March 20: Vespers at Cana- or the other). For more Conrad Grebel University speaking in Kitchener- dian Mennonite University, led information, call 519-625-8602 College, Waterloo, with Waterloo, the GTA and St. by Rudy Schellenberg,7:30 or e-mail: [email protected]. speakers Robert and Lisa Catharines areas. More details p.m. March 16, 17: Bechtel Lecture Shuh. to follow. March 25: First Mennonite with Fernando Enns of April 25-29: MCC meat Church of Winnipeg choir Germany at Conrad Grebel canning in Guelph. To volun- United States presentation of Haydn’s University College, 7:30 p.m. teer call Earl J. Martin 519- oratorio—The Seven Last March 18-19: Engaged 664-2528. July 4-9: Charlotte 2005, MC Words of Christ—with Workshop at Milverton April 29-30: Engaged Work- Canada and MC USA assem- orchestral accompaniment, 7 Mennonite Fellowship. Call shop at Living Water Fellow- bly and youth convention in p.m. Delmar and Mary Bender at ship, New Hamburg. Call Charlotte, N.C. April 14, 15, 16: Westgate 519-656-2256. Delmar and Mary Bender at Senior High musical—Oliver— March 19: Mennonite Aid 519-656-2256. NEW! at Tech Voc Collegiate, Union annual meeting, St. May 15: Menno Singers Winnipeg. Jacobs Country Inn, 9 a.m. to 4 perform Bach’s Mass in B Please send Calendar April 16: Graduation for p.m. To register, call 519-634- Minor at St. Mary’s Catholic events by e-mail to: CMU’s Outtatown programs. 5267 ext. 210. Church, Kitchener, 3 p.m. calendar@ April 23: Benefit concert for March 24: MEDA Breakfast May 28: Ontario Mennonite canadianmennonite.org. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Meeting, Stone Crock, St. Disorder branch of MCC Jacobs, with speaker Jim Erb, Manitoba at Charleswood 7:30 a.m. Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, March 29: Mennonite Savings 7:30 p.m. Featured artists: and Credit Union annual House of Doc. meeting, St. Jacobs Mennonite April 23-24: Graduation Church, 7:30 p.m. Guest weekend at Canadian speaker—Dr. Ronald J.R. Mennonite University: spring Mathies, MCC executive concert (23), convocation (24). director. May 20-22: Camp Moose Lake April 1, 2: Menno Singers and workathon. Guelph Chamber Choir May 24-28: Youth ministry perform at Benton St. Baptist course on sexuality with Church, Kitchener (1) and Roland Martinson at Canadian River Run Centre, Guelph (2), Mennonite University. Visit 8 p.m. www.cmu.ca for details. April 1-3: Marriage Encounter May 26: Westgate Mennonite weekend at Festival Inn, Collegiate Senior 2-4 spring Stratford. For details, call concert, 7:30 p.m. at Bethel Marjorie Roth at 519-669- Mennonite Church, Winnipeg. 8667. May 27-29: Birding Retreat at April 10: MCC meat canning Camp Moose Lake, with Adolf fundraising concert, Commu- Ens. nity Mennonite, Drayton. May 28, 29: Benefit concert for Featuring Men of Note choir. Mennonite Heritage Village Freewill offering. 7:30 p.m. Museum by Manitoba’s Faith April 15: MCC meat canner and Life Male Choir and fundraising dinner, Hamilton Women’s Chorus, 7:30 p.m. Mennonite Church, 5-7 p.m. MCI, Gretna (28), Bethel Music by Hope Rising. Call Mennonite Church, Winnipeg Edgar Rogalski at 905-387- (29). 3952 or the church office at May 30- June 1: Plus 55 905-528-3607. Retreat at Camp Moose Lake April 16: Women of MCEC with speaker Jim Brown. Enrichment Day at East Zorra Mennonite Church, Tavistock. Ontario Theme: God’s calling. Speaker: Nancy Mathies. Call 519-356- March 12: Fundraiser 2387 for more information. breakfast for MCC meat April 17: Convocation at canning (Guelph) at Calvary Conrad Grebel University United Church, St. Jacobs, 8 College. a.m. Speaker Dave Worth. Call April 22-23: MCEC Spring 519-745-8458.

Canadian Mennonite March 7, 2005 Volume 9, Number 5 39 Steinbach, Man. Squeals of joy: Students donate pigs for peace very winter, students at project that provides pigs, agricultural students, with the guidance of their Southwood Elementary School training and literacy education to teacher Shirley Reimer, kept a run- Ein Steinbach, Man., collect cans women who farm in Jos, Nigeria. ning tally of their progress and for a food drive in their community. “This project provided the students announced a fact about Nigeria each But this year, they not only brought with a great chance to make a global day over the public address system. in food for hungry people in Manitoba, connection,” says Martha Hiebert, a The principal put a picture of a pink they also collected change to help feed Grade 3 teacher. “[It] has taught them pig on the hallway bulletin board each people halfway around the globe. Led what they can do to be good global time the students raised enough to by two Southwood Elementary teach- citizens.” buy another one. ers, students raised almost $8,000 for During the drive to collect money for Local hog farms and other busi- Pigs for Peace and Prosperity, a the project—usually spare change the nesses matched some of the children’s Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) students brought to school—Grade 6 contributions, and the total was enough to help dozens of women raise pigs and start other small businesses. In Nigeria, MCC country representa- tive Joanna Bergen wrote to Southwood Elementary to thank the students and report on how generosity multiplies, as pigs do. She told them about a recent conversation she had with Ladi Sani, a widow with six children, who was a beneficiary of the Pigs for Peace and Prosperity project. Sadi gave a pair of piglets to three of her friends and brought together a larger group of women in her community for a two-day workshop on raising pigs. The added income women can earn by raising pigs often has many ben- efits, Bergen noted. “When all of you contributed to this pig project, you helped 17 women to eat good food and feed their families. You helped them buy school clothes and books, and pay school fees for their children,… build a warm shelter and buy medicines when they were sick,” she wrote. “And the wonderful thing is that even though you are living in Steinbach, Manitoba, you have participated in God’s community by supporting someone in faraway Nigeria, West Africa, which really makes our world so much smaller and so much more a part of God’s kingdom or neighborhood!” —MCC release by Tim Shenk and Tara Tharayil

Thanks to students at Southwood Elementary School in Steinbach, Man., Ladi Sani is raising pigs as part of an MCC-supported project that helps Nigerian women earn a greater

MCC photo by Matthew Lester income.