PM 40063104 R09613

January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2

Eyewitness to tsunami page 4

Journey to peacemaking page 8 DeskTop

I had never interacted with soldiers before. It was quite Journeys to peacemaking unsettling. I felt like their presence was a terrible lie, an wo different experiences deeply shaped my understand- insult to God, given what they would return to in Germany. ing of what it means to be a Mennonite peacemaker. How could these people turn from the most inhuman T I spent my first year away from home doing volun- activity, the taking of another’s life, to one of the most tary service at a Christian retreat centre in Austria. That human, worshipping God together? November, I spent several days in Belgium and northern The group graciously invited anyone working in the France visiting World War I memorial sites. community to their worship services. Deeply distrustful yet This was the part of Europe where the heaviest trench fascinated, I went. Over fighting happened. Trench warfare is a massacre moving in the course of those Here was the enemy—and I slow motion. Just counting Canadians, more than 66,000 evenings, I was yet more died at Vimy Ridge in France. The land around Hill 145 at unsettled. The worship was cleaning their toilets, was heartfelt. The Vimy has been preserved as it was, utterly shredded from making their beds and shelling and mines. I remember a touch of fear as I read the preaching was of the large warning signs and saw the barriers that keep visitors word of God. Their emptying their garbage! from walking off the paths. Unexploded artillery remains desire for faithful living buried all around the site. Almost a century later, the was genuine. By the end ground is still poisoned by human action. of that week, I could not deny, as much as I wanted to, that Vimy is just the most famous of the 13 Canadian memori- God was present in their lives. Somehow, in a way I didn’t als in the area. In Belgium, I walked through the rows and understand, these were my Christian brothers and sisters. I rows of graves at Passchendaele and Hill 62. I read name had called on God to convict others of their many doctrinal after name of the young men, the same age I was at the time. errors. It was I who was changed. They captured a hill that has only a number as its name. This issue and the next, we share testimonies of peace- It was a deeply disturbing trip. I was shocked and sad- making. My firm belief was (and is) that all Christians are dened in a way I hadn’t been before that human beings called to peacemaking and to reject war. This is what the could do this to each other. I was in awe of how much Mennonite church teaches. At the same time, God meets suffering results from human violence. I believed in a way I each of us wherever we are, and speaks to each of us as we hadn’t before how far this was from the way of love and are able to hear at that time. Meanwhile, we in the peace nonviolence that Jesus lived and preached. church tradition are called to be servants to all, even while A few months later, I again came face-to-face with the we hold to that which we believe. Mennonite call to peace. To my horror, a group of U.S. Welcome to Phil Wagler, who starts a monthly column this soldiers based in Germany and their families came for a issue (see page 16). I also welcome our new Managing week’s stay at the retreat centre. Here was the enemy—and Editor, Ross W. Muir, who starts work next issue. His I was cleaning their toilets, making their beds and emptying greeting is on page 6. May God bless both of you richly as their garbage! you contribute to the work of the church!—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: Margaret Loewen Reimer, 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, 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 January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 ThisIssue

January 24, 2005 4UpClose Volume 9, Number 2 Tsunami report 4 Wiens celebrates ministry 7

8 Faith&Life Gospel call to peacemaking 8 Stories from peacemakers 10

14 Arts&Culture Poetry collections 14 Technology 15

16 InConversation Page 15 Outside the box 16 Letters 16 Page 11 - 12 18 WiderChurch Tsunami response 18 Update on Vietnam 23 Focus on education 25

29 LocalChurch Manitobans in Florida 30 City kids meet cows 31 Transitions 33 Page 31 Web site preview Get a preview of the next 34 TheChurches Canadian Mennonite before it comes in the mail. Selections are posted on our web site at 38 ToMorrow www.canadianmennonite.org on the Thursday before the issue date. So you can check out the February 7 issue by February 3.

Cover: A Thai couple looks at the devastation on the Phuket beach where they had a business. See page 4. Photo courtesy of MaryLou Driedger.

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 3 UpClose

What if…we had been on the beach on Phuket? MaryLou Driedger of Steinbach, Manitoba, currently teaching in Hong Kong, was vacationing with her family in Thailand when the tsunami struck on December 26. The following is from her report.

hat if? Those two words have gone through our minds Whundreds of times as we think about our experience on the Thai island of Phuket where our family spent our Christmas vacation. We were un- touched by the tsunami that devas- tated the coastline of the island. The Mangosteen resort where we stayed was high on a hill and a number of kilometres from the ocean. We were protected by three islands directly in front of our site which took the brunt of the waves. We were urged to remain in our hotel where staff continued to serve us politely and Driedger family members look at the wreckage on Phuket. The man in the calmly. We had all the amenities, striped shirt is Chris Duester who teaches at a Christian school in Korea. plenty of food, drinking water and perfect weather. It was a surreal experience to watch What if our children hadn’t slept in? Christmas Eve service in our church the BBC coverage and realize that all We talked of heading down to the beach in Hong Kong. Had we left earlier, we around us such horror and devastation at 10 a.m. the morning of the tsunami, would have been snorkeling the were occurring. As we read the news- but opted for the 11 o’clock shuttle to morning of the tsunami. There are paper stories, and as some of the the ocean when our kids slept in. The only two buildings left standing on Phi tsunami survivors began to trickle into tsunami hit Phuket at 10:30. Phi Island now and several boats our resort looking for places to stay, we We had visited the beach the day carrying swimmers and divers to the started to comprehend the scope of the before the tidal wave and were able to island have not been located. We could tragedy. It was then the “what ifs” see the devastation just before we left easily have been on one of those boats. began in our minds. on the 29th. A woman staying at our Our experience in Thailand has What if we had gone to the Sofitel hotel had been on that beach with her reminded us of how fragile our lives Hotel in Khao Lak? We almost did. A children when the tsunami hit. They really are. As we sat in the Phuket new travel agent suggested the resort survived the first wave by wrapping airport waiting to fly home, I looked at to us—it was right on the beach and their arms around trees, the second the masses of people around me. Some had lots of sports activities the kids because friendly Thai people whisked were crying, some were in wheelchairs, would enjoy. Dave planned to go book them away on their motorcycles, and countless numbers were bandaged or the resort at lunch one day, but some the third because intuition told the covered with bruises and cuts, others unexpected tasks at the school inter- woman to get off the motorcycles and had crutches and casts. Many were fered. Later that day, our regular push her children up a hill just before without luggage, passports or money. travel agent e-mailed details of a the final wave hit, washing the The man who operated our shuttle package at the Mangosteen Hotel. motorcycles out to sea. service from the airport in Hong Kong Although it was a little pricier and not What if we had gone to Thailand a greeted us warmly. He put his arm right on the ocean, Dave chose it out of day earlier? We had planned a around Dave and said, “I see God has allegiance to our old travel agent. snorkeling trip to Phi Phi Island our protected you.” The Sofitel Hotel was completely second full day in Phuket. We opted for I’ve thought about that statement so destroyed by the tsunami. More than a December 25 departure, instead of much. I know many of our family and 500 bodies have been found inside so December 24, because our pastor friends in Hong Kong and Manitoba far. What if we had gone there instead? asked if our family would sing at the were praying for our safety. Of course,

4 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 UpClose we are so very grateful and have renewed responsibility to thanked God countless times that we make our lives count for were safe. But what about all those something, to do important people who died on Phuket? things for God in this extra I have no doubt that many of them time we have on earth. also had friends and family praying I do not believe that the for them. I’m sure that many of them tsunami was an act of God. called to God in their time of peril I do think, however, that as pleading for rescue, but they perished. people care for those who I cannot believe that God had any- have been so hurt by this thing to do with such horror or that act of nature, acts of God God deliberately chose to protect our will be taking place. family rather than another. At Tao Fong Shan One of our grade seven students (Mountain of the Christ from our school in Hong Kong was Wind), our church here in holidaying in Phuket with her family Hong Kong, we always end and is still listed as missing. Yvette our fellowship meals after was staying at the Sofitel Hotel. Other the service by singing Ube students and a staff member Caritas: “Wherever com- vacationing on Phuket have been passion and love are found reported as safe. Why were some of us that is where God is.” Our saved and others not? I don’t think prayer is that the devas- there is an answer to that. tated countries of south- Our pastor and his wife here in Hong east Asia will feel God’s Kong called immediately upon our presence as they experi- return. They said that perhaps God had ence the love and compas- saved us because He had something sion of people from around important left for us to do in this world. the world who are reaching I’m not sure I can accept that either. out to help them. The Driedger family sings at the Christmas Eve Didn’t all those people who died, —MaryLou Driedger service in Hong Kong. From left: David Paul, especially the children, have countless The writer, her husband Dave and Dave, Joel, Karen Leis and MaryLou. gifts to contribute to the world? sons Joel (25) and David Paul (19), I do think, however, that having so are all members of Grace Mennonite Church in School in Hong Kong for two years. Their sons, narrowly escaped death we all feel a Steinbach, Manitoba. MaryLou and Dave have and Joel’s girlfriend, Karen Leis of Saskatoon, been teaching at the International Christian joined them for Christmas.

Call to Prayer Publishing notes God of Compassion: We cannot imagine the horror, the powerful destructive force, Tsunami curriculum the uprising of the sea and the shattering of the sands, Sally Ann Gibson, a teacher in Mani- the enormous and awful death that has engulfed our world. toba, has created “Wake of the Wave,” We have no adequate words; a teacher’s guide on the recent Asia We do not even know how to come to you in prayer; disaster, for grades 3 to 7. Gibson Our hearts are breaking. called Mennonite Central Committee But in our brokenness, in our poor lament, Canada to volunteer after the Asia we do come before you. earthquake. She was inspired to act after witnessing her own children’s For you alone, O God, can fully know reactions to the images on the news. and fully mourn each loss. MCC encouraged her to prepare a We can but join with you in sorrow. study unit. The unit is available Be present with all who suffer, without cost or restriction at and give us grace to enact your loving heart, www.tsunamicurriculum.org. It can in acts of concrete and sacrificial generosity. also be accessed at www.mcc.org. Gibson feels it is important to respond In the name of the one who wept over Jerusalem, to children’s fears in times of crisis, Amen. and to make them aware of global ~Mary H. Schertz issues.—From MCC Canada release

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 5 UpClose Greetings from the new Managing Editor Editor’s note: Margaret Loewen Reimer, Canadian Mennonite’s Managing Editor, is leaving her position at the end of January with our deep thanks for her 31 years of degree, I believe there are two main service. I am glad to introduce Ross W. Muir who will fill the position. He will be the chapters to our story. Like Abraham of only other full-time employee at the magazine (in addition to me) and will play a key old, we are blessed. But we are not role in bringing a high quality Canadian Mennonite to you that is both a blessing to blessed merely for our own sake alone. the church and that spurs each of us to greater endeavours (as he says below). I’ve asked him to introduce himself to the church. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. To put it in New Testament pon learning that the position of Manitoulin Island and its way of life terms, we are saved to serve. Managing Editor of Canadian in an engaging yet truthful fashion. One of my favourite quotes is by U Mennonite had been held by As with our move to Manitoulin David Stendl-Rast, who says, “All the one person—Margaret Loewen Island, I am now a newcomer to joy of heaven is yours for the taking— Reimer—for more than 30 years, I told Canadian Mennonite and the no, for the giving of yourself. That is Timothy Dyck in my application that I Mennonite church and culture. Born God’s kingdom and conversion. That is hoped I wasn’t being like the fool into a Fellowship Baptist family, I what Jesus preached.” rushing in where angels fear to tread. But after a lengthy period as a news- paper journalist and editor, which I left in 1999 to pursue a theological degree, I have been feeling the pull to put my experience and education to use for God and his kingdom in some form of journalistic enterprise. That tug of God has remained since my graduation in 2002, during which time I have worked for short stints again in the newspaper and trade publication industry, and as a communi- cations writer for World Vision Canada. My life in journalism really began in 1987, when my wife and I moved with our young son to Manitoulin Island in northern Ontario. My plan had been to work on some creative writing projects and live in relative isolation for a couple Ross Muir (wearing the hat) is surrounded by Grade 1 students at the Unyama of years, but God had other plans. I Internally Displaced Persons Camp in northern Uganda, where a civil war introduced myself to the local newspa- involving the abduction of children to act as soldiers and sex slaves has been per publisher shortly after arriving on going on for nearly two decades. Ross was part of an international World what the locals know simply as “the Vision advocacy team in the spring of 2004. The visit culminated in the publi- Island,” and found myself conscripted as cation of Pawns of Politics: Children, Conflict and Peace in Northern Uganda, a proofreader. While I had worked on a which included many of Ross’s photographs. couple of Christian newsletters while living in Toronto in the mid-1980s, this have worshiped and served in Conven- In practical terms, then, I see Cana- was my first foray into paid professional tion Baptist, Nazarene and independ- dian Mennonite continuing its tradition journalism. ent evangelical congregations since my of proclaiming that we are truly blessed I went on to be a freelance reporter coming to personal faith in Jesus as the people of God and spurring each and photographer, and after a year I Christ in 1972. other on to even greater endeavours by was hired by The Manitoulin Expositor I see my role as the denominational profiling those congregations and as its first full-time reporter. In 1995, publication’s new Managing Editor as individual Christians who are used by the editor left and I assumed the role being a facilitator of its current cadre God in the giving of themselves to bless for four years. of national and regional correspond- others—whether within the church or in As a newcomer to the Island (unless ents, and, in time, a writer of the the wider world. you were born there, you’re always a Mennonite story myself. I pray that, in my new role, I will newcomer to the locals), it became What is the story of the people of prove to be a blessing to Canadian clear very quickly that the chief aim of God? From my recent studies at Mennonite and its readers, as the paper and its writers was to tell Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, where I Margaret has been in the past.—Ross the Island’s “story:” to cover the issues, earned a Diploma in Christian Studies W. Muir the events and the people who defined and a Master of Theological Studies

6 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 UpClose

Chun Chon, South Korea Dream and shoulder tap led Wiens into ministry anuary 1, 2005 was a significant life’s calling.” end zone. Swarmed by his opponents, date for Erwin Wiens. It marked Today at 62, Wiens is nearing he kept pushing toward the goal, J 25 years since he began his career retirement age. This summer he and lunging forward as more and more in pastoral ministry. His calling began Marian will be coming to the end of players piled on top of him. Under a with a mentor and a dream about their Mennonite Church Canada heap of bodies, Wiens saw the referee football. In 1979, Ralph Lebold, a friend and mentor, asked Wiens, a teacher, to consider pastoral ministry. Although Wiens laughed at the time, six months later he found himself in front of a congregation. “I remember sitting in our bedroom, thinking and praying about Ralph’s challenge when I had this clear sense that God is doing God’s work in the world through the church, and I definitely wanted to be a part of this incredible adventure.” Today he is more convinced than ever that, in spite of the many shortcomings of the church, it is still God’s primary vehicle for bringing in God’s kingdom. Erv Wiens (third from left) and Marian Wiens (second from right) worship with Wiens reluctantly shares a dream the Jesus Village Church in Chun Chon, South Korea. that prepared him for his calling. In the dream he declined to play for a Witness assignment working with the signal, “Touchdown!” football team, even though it was Jesus Village Church and its school With a shortage of pastors fore- something he had always wanted to here in South Korea. casted in the next 5-10 years, Wiens is do. Because the field was wet and Together with their church, the a strong advocate for ministry as a slippery, he was afraid of being couple has spent time discerning the career choice. It is often difficult and injured. At the conclusion of the game next season of their lives. Their com- lonely, even though surrounded by the team came off the field, muddy munity in South Korea has encouraged people, but for him it is “the most and bloody, and beaten by a score of them to continue their work. rewarding work I can imagine.”—MC 49-0. In the dream he resolved never There was no doubt in anyone’s Canada release again to let his team down, no matter mind that I should continue my how dangerous it might be. pastoral work as long as health and He recalls the first day of his first energy allow,” said Wiens, adding that Prayer for Indonesia pastorate at Breslau Mennonite the same sentiment was expressed for Paulus Widjaja, Mennonite church Church in Ontario. Marian’s counselling work. “So here I leader in Indonesia, requests prayer “How well I remember sitting in am at the age of 62-plus waiting for for the church as it seeks to help that cold office, thinking, ‘Whoa, what the next assignment.” survivors of the tsunami disaster. did I get myself into? Where is the Wiens is grateful for his pastoral “Please pray that God will give us the schedule and who sets the agenda experience and the congregations who wisdom and power to help our here?’” He now understands that he have supported his ministry. He lists brothers and sisters in Aceh and North didn’t really get himself into anything, Sumatra, he wrote. Widjaja is secre- things he has learned: God loves to tary of Mennonite World Conference’s but that he was responding to a meet us in surprises; when God calls, Peace Council Indonesia, and a “higher calling.” God also gifts; claiming God’s gifts is member of the faculty of theology at “The only thing I did was say ‘yes’ to fulfilling. Having a supportive spouse Duta Wacana Christian University in that calling and today, 25 years later, I is one of the greatest gifts Wiens Yogyakarta. “Pray also that this still marvel at this journey,” he says. claims in ministry. Marian “never gets difficult situation will provide an But he did not expect to stay in anxious about my role and is always opening for a better relationships ministry for 25 years. Having previ- encouraging and affirming,” he said. between Christians and Muslims in ously completed three short-term Recently, a football dream again the future.” Aceh is the strongest assignments with Mennonite Central gave him pause. This time he eagerly Muslim area in Indonesia. In the past, Committee, Wiens says, “Never for a Christians could not freely do work in accepted the offer to play, taking the the area but now the door is opened. moment did I expect this to become a opening kick-off, and heading for the

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 7 Faith&Life Gospel call to the way of peace The call to be peacemakers is not only central to the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is anchored in the whole salvation story. The church has grappled with this peace teaching throughout its history.

eace is at the heart of the Christian gospel. The “if it is possible, live peaceably with Bible teaches it, the early church practised it, all;” “never avenge yourself;” “if your Anabaptists rediscovered it, and the present enemies are hungry, feed them;” world needs it. “overcome evil with good.” PPeace is often seen as an absence of war, but the Strong as these biblical peace Bible’s view is much broader. It sees peace as rooted in teachings are, they are strengthened salvation provided by Christ, and incarnated in the commu- by being anchored in the salvation nity of believers, the church. The invitation to believe in story. The Bible makes clear that God Christ is expressed as conversion, repentance, and being deals with human sin not by retalia- born anew within the fellowship of believers. tion, nor with “an eye for an eye,” but One of the Greek terms often used for repentance is with forgiveness. We are to forgive one another as God forgives us (The Lord’s Prayer). Blessed are the The cross becomes the symbol of God’s , nonviolent peacemakers response to for they will be called the children of God hatred and violence. As the body of Christ, metanoia, which means a radical turning around—changing Christians are to embody this way in one’s mind and life (e.g. Matthew 9:13, Romans 2:4, Acts their lives. 20:21). People are called to leave their sinful ways, including violence and war, to take up Jesus’ way. Opposing texts In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to peace as a Many Christians believe this way of life. “Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be message of peace. Some, however, try called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). In 5:38-42 he calls to negate it with other biblical texts, his followers to move from retaliation to reconciliation, from such as Romans 13:1-6, “Let every an eye for an eye to turning the other cheek. Then he person be subject to the governing challenges his followers to move from love of neighbour to authorities, for there is no authority include love of enemy. except from God.” Some interpret this In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus outlines how those who to mean that Christians should believe in Christ should deal with broken relationships practise peace unless a government among each other. The method is face-to-face dialogue, orders them to war. Then the govern- beginning with the parties involved, and including ever ment’s order “trumps” the Bible’s larger circles until reconciliation is accomplished. Only if teaching, and Christians should rather dialogue breaks down should one recognize that fellowship obey the government. has been broken, and acknowledge the separation which has Some have refined this view to say happened. However, the possibility for restoration remains. that Jesus’ teachings on peace apply to Paul uses similar images about the nature of peace in the personal areas of life, while Romans 12: “Bless those who persecute you;” “live in har- Romans 13 applies to the public areas. mony with one another;” “do not repay anyone evil for evil;” Romans 13 need not be read to

8 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 Faith&Life imply absolute obedience to the state. It can also be understood as consistent with the rest of the New Testament’s teaching on peace. From this perspec- tive it is a call for Christians to live as Tertullian, confessed that the church is a community that good citizens, to obey laws, to acknowl- serves Christ as Lord and therefore does not fight for any edge the good that governments do, earthly lord or emperor. To take human life, they said, is to and to recognize this good as coming contradict faith in God because God is love. from God. When Constantine converted to Christianity in 313 CE, It does not mean that obedience to this view of peace changed. As Christianity became the government should take precedence official state religion, the emperor needed Christians in his over the teachings of scripture. To do army. They accepted military service even while the church so would be to accept that Christians tried to maintain Jesus’ teachings about living in peace, should sometimes act contrary to the forgiving the enemy, and showing love. character to which they have been To address the church’s dilemma, Augustine developed a converted in Christ. “just war” theology. He said that Christian love was prima- Another way to negate biblical rily a matter of inner attitude, not actions. One could love teachings on peace is to point to the the enemy in one’s heart while physically killing him out of Peace is not in wars in the Old Testament, including duty to a government. He outlined criteria that a war would the Holy Wars. For some those wars need to meet in order to be justifiable for Christians, includ- conflict with legitimate involvement in war today. ing defence of the common good, proportionality, last resort, evangelism. A careful study shows that their declaration by a legitimate ruler, hope of success, no massa- significance is quite different. These cres, no attack on civilians, and keeping treaties. The two are passages emphasize the sovereignty of During the Middle Ages, the Waldensians, a small reform God, but do not glorify war. They are movement in southern France, rejected Augustine’s just war inextricably seen as part of the sinfulness of theology. In the sixteenth century Reformation, Anabaptists intertwined. human nature. Even success in battle followed this direction, arguing that a true church should be is viewed as due to God’s actions, not free from government control, and acknowledge Christ as lord Evangelism human ability. The direction of Old in all of life, the personal as well as the public. They saw just Testament thought on war is ex- war theology as an excuse to avoid the Bible’s peace teachings. without peace pressed well by writers like Isaiah, is a message who said: Anabaptist convictions He shall judge between the nations, Anabaptists believed that peace includes reconciliation without And shall arbitrate for many between God and humans (salvation), and between humans content. peoples; in their everyday relationships (discipleship, nonresistance, they shall beat their swords into forgiveness). They also said that peace is communal. The ploughshares, church as the body of Christ is a community of peace, and and their spears into pruning hooks; defines the character of all who join it. It is within the nation shall not lift up sword church that peace is lived and nurtured for future genera- against nation, tions. neither shall they learn war any The acceptance and forgiveness implicit in a theology of more (Isaiah 2:4). peace also extended to the enemy who they hoped could be The Old Testament wars need to be won to Christ. To kill the enemy was to cut short the mis- seen within the context of God’s sionary mandate. A peace theology, in which they were not continuing revelation to humanity. In tied to any state nor the enemy of any state, freed the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Anabaptists to become international missionaries. acknowledges that earlier biblical Anabaptists did not come to their view of peace easily. At teachings, such as an eye for an eye first some, like Hans Hut, eagerly waited for Christ’s return and a tooth for a tooth, were appropri- when they thought God would rally Christians to a great ate for their settings. But Jesus says battle against the ungodly. Those in the Peasants’ War and he is revealing a new way of dealing in the city of Muenster used violence to bring about reli- with evil and conflict. gious, social and economic reform. It took about a decade before Anabaptists in different regions clarified their views Through the ages about peace. The early church believed this Mennonites through the centuries have believed in peace. gospel, and was a community of peace. At times they acted as though peace only meant the rejec- It lived a life of reconciliation, did not tion of military service; in other instances they saw a resort to violence or revolution, and tension between peace and evangelism. Both of these views accepted suffering. Two important misunderstood a biblical view of peace. third-century churchmen, Origen and Continued on page 8

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 9 Faith&Life

Gospel From page 7 and to a sinful, broken, warring, and hurting world. Peace is active, calling people to be reconcilers and peace- Jesus’ message of peace applies to makers. Peace is not in conflict with evangelism. The two conflicts between Christians in the are inextricably intertwined. Evangelism without peace is a church as well as to the conflicts in message without content. Iraq. In both instances the Christian You might ask: “What if someone attacks you, your family, community is called to model and to or a stranger?” Is it not justifiable to use violence or resort proclaim the way of peace taught by to war? The foregoing discussion provides the approach to Christ.—John J. Friesen such questions. Though no one can with certainty predict The writer teaches peace studies and church what one will do, my intention as a person of peace is to act history at Canadian Mennonite University in within my character as one changed by Christ. Turning to Winnipeg. He is a member of Fort Garry violence is not consistent with being a Christian. Mennonite Fellowship. The above is adapted from A theology of peace begins with worship and is nurtured an article printed in The Messenger (Evangelical Mennonite Conference) in November. by it. In worship people come before God in prayer and confession, study the word of God, recommit themselves to each other, and share each other’s joys and sorrows. Worship lays the foundation for a theology of peace. It affirms the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ (rebirth, conversion), and proclaims Christ’s message to the church A series on peacemaking This issue and the next one are focusing on a biblically-based call to pacifism and peacemaking. The seed for the series was planted by a co-worker’s comment that it was time to highlight the stories of World War II conscientious objectors (COs) so that the present generation could learn from them. Soon after, a friend alerted me to the inter- connected stories of Siegfried Bartel and Dann Pantoja, which both demonstrate a dramatic conversion to Jesus’ way of peace. Having just celebrated the birth of the Prince of Peace, we face the ongoing challenges of creating peace on earth, especially as we respond to the war in Iraq and the tragedy in southeast Asia.—Leona Dueck Penner From army captain to peace promoter or Siegfried Wilhelm Bartel, a realized that my pacifism, which I But it was many years before this World War II German army cherish so much today, may have been tentative birthday of peace became a Fcaptain and born-again Christian born at that moment.” conviction. Bartel, twice-wounded, with deep roots in the Mennonite faced his “darkest hour” when he gave tradition, the first stirrings of a the order to execute a young informer, personal call to peacemaking came on not realizing that “the guilt and pain a Russian battlefield on Christmas of that action would go with me Eve, 1941. There he heard the “enemy” throughout the rest of my life!” singing the same Christmas carols his After the defeat of the German own family sang as they celebrated army, Bartel reviewed his life. (“In the birth of the Prince of Peace. defeat you review…the winner cel- Looking back on that experience ebrates and condemns the loser.”) during presentations last fall in “There were hours when I cried out British Columbia commemorating his to the Lord, ‘Why did you spare me? 90th birthday, Bartel remembered that Why did I survive?’ In searching for an hearing those songs through a listen- answer I came to Hebrews 12:14 and ing device while patrolling his troops John 13:15 and learned to interpret among the frozen trenches made him the ‘Jesus way’.” He added, “I knew wonder if the “enemy fighters were where to go with my guilt—to the also remembering warm family times cross of Calvary.” as they sang. Were they also wonder- Since then, he said, “I have found ing what ‘peace on earth’ meant peace dealing with my guilt positively; during times of war?” Siegfried and Erna Bartel are mem- the pain I have to live with.” “That experience kept coming back bers of Eden Mennonite Church in He recalled that his “forefathers had to me after the war,” he said, “and I Chilliwack, B.C. a clear understanding of Jesus’

10 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 Faith&Life Learning from a man of peace expressed his strong disagreement with ’ve been listening to Siegfried body who are called to resist war and to Bartel’s statement against the war in Bartel. live the peace of Christ in the world. I have Iraq. “What you said,” his finger pointed I It started during his talk at Peace made a decision to join the Mennonite at Bartel, “was wrong! You have Mennonite Church in Richmond. Bartel community because of my disrespected the men and was one of the German army officers sense of calling from God— women in uniform who are who gave orders to fire cannons aginst to be a peacemaker. sacrificing their lives to the Polish army during the first 3. Bartel was used by God fight for freedom. There is morning of the second world war. to affirm my calling to be a a spiritual warfare here Shaking hands with him was like peacemaker. I need this that you must under- touching World War II history. affirmation as I face stand.” His gestures and modulated voice concerns from my church- Bartel gently looked at were those of a military officer; his planting colleagues who feel him and answered: “I gentle speech was that of a peacemaker. I’m abandoning my gifts, respect those men and I saw in his eyes the peace of a broken- from fellow theology women. But the Iraq war forgiven-liberated man. He’s a peace- students who believe that is a sin.” prophet to me. war is a God-sanctioned act 5. Bartel showed me I spent the last four days reading his to defend humanity from that as a peace advocate, book, Living with Conviction. Here’s evil. I need this affirmation I must be gentle, like how he influenced me: as I face the powers of this Christ, as I express my Dann Pantoja is inspired 1. He kind of deconstructed, in a world-system that regard views against war. He by Siegfried Bartel’s positive way, my view of World War II war as necessary to bring made a very strong autobiography. history. He humanized the German “peace and order” in this statement in a peaceful soldiers…. I have demonized them, chaotic world. way: “The devil is perhaps because of my American 4. Bartel is a model of peaceful, non- rejoicing that the right-wing Christian colonial education and the countless judgmental declaration that war is sin. As churches are being used to hate others Hollywood movies that shaped my a follower of the Prince of Peace, I must be in this war [in iraq].” So gentle. So historical perspectives. In this sense, he bold with my conviction to resist war as a powerful. shared his liberation with me. so-called “legitimate means” to resolve —Dann Pantoja 2. He challenged me not to give up human differences. The writer is a member of Peace Mennonite the heritage of the segment of Christ’s Right after Bartel’s talk, a gentleman Church in Richmond, B.C.

teaching on peace, very different from readily accepting “Luther’s interpreta- out Jesus’ teachings on peace and love the one experienced in my generation. tion of the New Testament teachings for enemies. My great-grandfather was a member on obeying government (Romans 13). Now, as he ages, Bartel is “deeply of the Mennonite delegation that But Acts 5:29, Peter’s unambiguous concerned” that many churches “are approached the Prussian king in 1868 teaching on the rejection of violence getting weaker on the question of war.” in order to obtain permission to serve and love of enemies, were not to be He sees this as a “dark cloud” which in noncombatant units.” taken seriously….” could result in Mennonites serving But by the time Bartel was born in Many learned the hard way “that their country, instead of God, during 1915, Mennonites in Prussia had killing in war is sin,” and carried times of war. become very patriotic. He was named burdens of guilt and pain with them So, he came out of his retirement last after the German emperor (Kaiser the rest of their lives. fall to share his story again. He con- Wilhelm), and his mother noted in her In an effort to deal with that pain cluded his presentation emphatically: diary that she prayed that the em- positively, Bartel, who immigrated to “Jesus is our example—nobody else. We peror might win the war. Canada with his family in 1950 should be people of peace. I know that At a conference in April 1933, just (assisted by Mennonite Central my Jesus would not pull the trigger.”— 12 weeks after Hitler came to power, Committee), began sharing his story Compiled by Leona Dueck Penner Mennonites in Prussia dropped the with North American Mennonites. Siegfried Bartel gave presentations at Columbia nonresistance position officially, noting Encouraged by people like Larry Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C. in a Remem- that “the closeness with the German Kehler who “listened and didn’t brance Day chapel, and at Peace Mennonite fatherland and the National move- condemn,” Bartel first spoke at the Church, Richmond, B.C. For more details of his ment is giving no room to continue the MCC board level where he served for life, see Living with Conviction: German Army Captain Turns to Cultivating Peace” by Seigfried position of our fathers.” several decades. Later, with his wife, Bartel (CMBC Publications, 1994), and Alterna- As a result of this identification Erna, he spent a year travelling to tive Service for Peace in Canada during World with the state, it was no wonder that churches and schools, passionately War II, 1941-1946, ed. by A. J. Klassen (MCC B.C. “all Mennonite young men in Prussia, preaching peace and emphasizing that Seniors for Peace, 1998). without exception, served in the army,” Christian conversion requires living

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 11 Faith&Life From Maoist revolutionary to advocate for peace n the Philippines, Decade ‘70 refers context may include armed struggle. I overcome an unjust, violent regime. to the violent years when political rejoined student activists in advancing A few weeks later, we moved to Iactivists and justice advocates a Filipino revolution. Winnipeg to lead a church planting disappeared under the U.S.-backed After graduation, Joji and I worked team with the Baptist General Confer- martial rule of Ferdinand E. Marcos. in community development. We ence of Canada. Through friends I was In my desperate search for an alterna- advocated for justice among the poor exposed to Mennonites in Steinbach, tive to the injustices and violence of in the slums of Manila where our and their peace theology made an crony capitalism, I embraced the home was razed by fire along with impact on my life and ministry. I ideology of Mao Zedong as the way to hundreds of impoverished homes. We began to question seriously my free Asian peasants from oppression. led a team working among prostitutes theology of armed struggle. I was convinced that only through near the biggest U.S. military base in For 17 years, we have focused our the barrel of the gun could the chain of the Pacific. energies in oppression As communities developed, they raising our three be broken. I grew into basic biblical communities— children, plant- joined the sharing life together, confronting ing churches, and revolution- unjust power structures, developing overseeing global ary Patriotic economic cooperatives, worshipping ministries. We Youth and together. We became aware that we have the opportu- soon became were, in fact, planting churches. nity to share a leader In 1986, we participated in a peaceful blessings most among People’s Power Revolution that brought Canadians take Filipino down the Marcos regime. God was for granted— student showing me that nonviolence can living in a activists. Then Mao died. His successor Pantoja Why I refuse to register embraced was born and bred a Mennonite in the chance of a draft. state capitalism in China and stopped Harrisonburg, Virginia, where I I have chosen to break the law and supporting nationalist revolutions in I attended Community Mennonite not register with the SSS at all. There Asia. My dream to advance the Church. After high school, I worked at is an array of reasons why I’ve chosen peasant revolution in the Philippines the Center on Conscience & War in to oppose the SSS. For one, it was re- died with Mao. Washington, D.C. for a year with established by Carter in order to scare Disillusioned, I approached my Brethren Volunteer Service. the Russians as Now I’m in my first year at Goshen we struggled for father who was dying in a hospital and College and working hard to under- power in the cried. My father, a Baptist pastor, stand and apply what it means to live Middle East in encouraged me to look for a biblical as a Christian in today’s world. I’m the late 70s and basis for social change and God began involved in Pax Club, Eco Pax, and a early 80s. I’m to open my eyes. I reaffirmed my love group delving into the possibilities of sure the SSS list for God—a decision I had made when I Christian communal living. I’m is used as a was nine years old. studying Bible, Religion and Philosophy weapon in itself, God brought a beautiful woman into to give me guidance and challenges at representing over this point in my life. 13 million young my life, Joji Bautista, who loved God Showalter and was passionate to serve among When U.S. males turn 18, we are men who are required by law to register with the “ready and the poor. Joji’s life exemplified the Selective Service System (SSS). It was willing” to fight for their nation. I will peace of God and she challenged me to established to run the draft during the not be a part of that weapon. look for nonviolent means to deal with Vietnam War and re-established by The SSS is representative of a injustice and poverty. Jimmy Carter. At this point, the SSS is system that demands that young men I began to read the works of Chris- simply compiling names in case of a struggle to justify why they will not tian thinkers such as Jose Miguez draft. There is no way to be classified as fight. I would rather support a system Bonino, Kosuke Koyama, Leonardo a CO. in which young people have to justify Mercado, and Gustavo Gutierrez to If a draft were instated, there would fighting. And I feel that cooperation learn about God’s desire for justice likely be an option to prove CO status. with the SSS and, by extension, the and liberation. While doing graduate We encourage young men to write “CO” draft, gives validity to the military all over their cards when they send complex that I vehemently oppose. studies at the University of the them in, and keep photocopies and These stances stem from my reli- Philippines, I still insisted that other documents to prove their case in gious beliefs; more specifically, a following Jesus in a revolutionary

12 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 Faith&Life relatively peaceful and orderly society. calling us to be peace workers here in Richmond, B.C. last September. We On September 11, 2001, I renounced Mindanao, Philippines.” shared our vision, and the people violence as a means to achieve justice. Her response: “I’ve been reflecting there embraced us, and encouraged us. While the majority of my friends and about the next segment of our adven- On December 19, the congregation fellow Christian workers adopted the ture of service.” Our house church accepted us as members and commis- popular theology of war, I began to open blessed us, released us from our sioned us as an extension of their my heart to God to be a voice and an current responsibilities and made a ministry of peacemaking in the agent of peace. commitment to support us. Philippines. This community has Project Ploughshares lists the Joji and I felt we needed to be embraced us with their love and Philippines as one of the most violent mentored by a community involved in wisdom as we plunge into this new places in the world, along with Iraq peace-making, so we started going to adventure in advancing the kingdom and Sudan. Last spring, Joji encour- the Peace Mennonite Church in of God.—Dann Pantoja aged me to visit the southwestern region of the Philippines where Muslims and Christians have been in armed conflict for many Blessed are the decades. While living among displaced Muslim families peacemakers, I e-mailed Joji: “I sense that God is for they will be called the children of God

biblically derived pacifism. I’ve chosen this active resistance as a form of protest and for the sake of my conscience. The penalties have potential to be Come to AMBS this summer to study ... sharp. Refusal to register is punish- able by five years in prison or a worship $250,000 fine. The SSS is reluctant to Celebrating the Christian Year process any non-registrants because with June Alliman Yoder and Marlene Kropf convicted men in the early 1980s ethics talked on TV and radio and nurtured Personal Ethics the protest movement, but there are with Joe Kotva other penalties as well. mission Non-registrants cannot recieve Leadership Sea Changes in the Emerging federal aid for schooling or job training Church with Art McPhee and may not hold federal jobs. Bible Registration is a requirement for U.S. Torah and Ethics citizenship. Many states have also pastoral care with Perry Yoder instituted laws. In Virginia, I cannot Marriage, Family and Pastoral Care receive state aid for schooling or job training, and now cannot obtain a youth ministry with Daniel Schipani driver’s licence or any form of identifi- Doing Theology with Youth cation. (This recent punch in the gut with Bob Yoder has been instituted in over half of the and more states.) See details of 13 offerings at Personally, the aid for schooling is a www.ambs.ca. Associated huge deal, and my driver’s licence Or contact [email protected], Mennonite recently expired. I can no longer drive Biblical legally, and there’s always the 1 + 800 964-2627 impending threat (that keeps my mom Seminary Also see listings for Winnipeg on her toes) that I might be fined big www.ambs.ca/EASP Elkhart, Indiana or thrown into jail.—Tim Showalter at .

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 13 Arts&Culture

Poetry collections draw on family stories Jean Janzen, Piano in the Vineyard. reaches everywhere, / as though light eventually Canadian prairies and Good Books, 2004, 74 pages, $9.95. can be caught. / Slow sun drains Niagara fruitland…” but shows an Lorraine Janzen, Learning to see in the through, stirs / a wing. Then one admirable awareness for all that have dark. Wolsak and Wynn, 2003, 79 pages. morning / I see them, green tips of figs come before, those “forgotten figures / / hard as emeralds escaping / from in the sand” which include the First n editor of mine once called the every knuckled grasp.” Particularly Nations children who would have practice of writing poetry “an strong is Janzen’s careful attention to played where the child speaker walks A act of preservation.” This may line breaks; by placing “caught” before to school. “I sit and dream / of other well describe the poetic impulse of a period at the end of the line, light is times in this place/before concrete and both Jean Janzen and Lorraine mimetically caught. And “stirs” at the print,” says the child speaker, and, Janzen, whose recent collections end of the line without punctuation later on, the adult speaker continues feature many family stories—a carries the momentum of the verb over the search: “Digging the cold wet earth grandfather leans over a violin in to the next line. / pressing in bulbs, my fingers / find Ukraine; ancestors endure torture in These short lyrics, Siberia; in a single stanza, the poet little songs, wonderfully tracks the migration of her “folk” from evoke a garden’s life Silence—what is not said in many of the 1492 Holland to present-day Niagara. cycle. Yet the imagery of poems—causes the reader to make leaps in It’s as if a poem’s rendering of a this book can become father’s last days can in some way almost too lovely, the faith, to connect image to idea, enabling keep him alive. No wonder, then, that lucid rhythm and ca- both collections use images of the dence of the free verse the poems to sing with power. garden, the vineyard, the seasonal almost too comfortable cycling of death into life. and predictable. Janzen at her best is traces of other travellers…worms Of the two, Jean Janzen is more found in the haunting disquiet of tunnelling, turning over the layers.” familiar to the Mennonite audience. edgier poems like “Squirrel Hanging,” This wide-seeing perspective is Her experience and talent in writing where the slow decay of a squirrel present throughout the book, in hymn texts is evident in the lean, killed by electric wire is traced to an memories of mother, grandfather, elegant power of lines that at times eerie skeleton, which reminds the great-grandfathers, and even a cross- sing themselves off the page. In this, speaker of “the martyr cages / of dressing cousin. I love the sense of her sixth collection, such lines abound, Münster still hanging / on the church perspective given in one of the “Pie as in these from “February,” part of a tower, where birds / once exposed the poems,” where the speaker looks at her cycle of garden poems: “This tree delicate metatarsals / of feet wildly mother and the kitchen down the dancing for New Jerusalem.” tunnel of a rolling pin like a telescope. Silence—what is not said in many of Yet I found the book ultimately A Franciscan blessing the poems—causes the reader to make lacking a depth—those layers prom- May God bless you with discomfort at leaps in faith, to connect image to idea, ised in the opening sequence—perhaps easy answers, half truths, and superfi- enabling the poems to sing with power. because too much is stated too often, cial relationships, so that you may live This is less successful in some of the especially in endings where the poet deep within your heart. longer narrative poems, where I was wants to soar on abstractions like joy May God bless you with anger at frustrated by too many gaps in a (“Wise woman’s garden,” “Spring injustice, oppression, and exploitation narrative that was simply too large in Beauty,” “Lady of Lakes”), and love of people, so that you may work for scope for the poem’s container. But and dreams (“Naming poem for a justice, freedom, and peace. mastery of the unsaid is prominent in naming day”). I look forward to future May God bless you with tears to shed this collection, marking Janzen as a collections when Lorraine Janzen for those who suffer from pain, rejec- mature poet who has learned the might learn from Jean Janzen the art tion, starvation and war, so that you difficult balancing act of “less is more.” of the unsaid, trusting the reader to may reach out your hand to comfort Lorraine Janzen’s debut collection make the leap and see in the dark. them, and to turn their pain into joy. brings together memory, story, specu- —Barbara Nickel And may God bless you with enough lation, observation, even dreaming. In The reviewer, who lives in British Columbia, won foolishness to believe that you can the opening sequence, “Discovery the Pat Lowther Memorial Award for her poetry make a difference in this world, so that poems,” the poet not only traces family collection, The Gladys Elegies. Her new novel, you can do what others claim cannot be from “Dutch domesticity” in 1492 to Hannah’s Violin, will be published by Penguin done. (Author unknown) “Prussian valleys, Ukrainian steppes,/ Books this fall.

14 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 Arts&Culture Book highlights dangers of technology Eric Brende, Better Off: Flipping the a prayerful meeting— reject—or be choosy Switch on Technology. HarperCollins, rationally evaluating the about—technology. I 2004, $38.95. implications of a technol- hope not. ogy that the rest of us Brende and his wife often hear derisive jokes about the accept on faith.” do not remain with the legalism and hypocrisy of Old Happily surprising is community. As practis- IOrder Anabaptist rules governing that a volume from a ing Catholics, their faith technology. More’s the pity. I long for major publisher spends seems deepened by their careful and prayerful church discern- so much time on stay. They now mini- ment on such matters. Anabaptism. It’s not mize technological Television and automobiles, for every day you read about reliance in an urban example, deeply altered family and Menno and the Martyrs setting. church life. The proliferation of Mirror in a mainstream Now that someone has “labour-saving” devices increases book, or an argument written about demands and expectations. People are that technology under- Anabaptists and overwhelmed, busy, and frazzled. Is mines gelassenheit! technology, I hope more uncritical acceptance the only alterna- The group discusses at Anabaptists get vigor- tive to Old Order caution about length whether one may ously engaged in this technology? trim one’s beard, con- important subject. Eric Brende in this cleverly-titled demns joking and believes that its two —From review by Arthur Paul Boers book describes how as a student at congregations are the only true The reviewer teaches pastoral theology and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of church. This makes one wonder coordinates spiritual formation at Associated Technology), he and his new bride whether one has to be kooky to Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana. move to a pseudo-Amish community for an experimental year of living and farming without powered machinery. Arts notes Powered machines deprive users “of skills and physical exercise,” create “new and artificial demands,” and Art raises funds for Indonesia displace other important human Selling Indonesian art at the pursuits, like involvement in family Mennonite Heritage Centre Art and community, “or even the process of Gallery in Winnipeg has already thinking itself.” raised $7,755 for tsunami relief in This last criticism may be the most Indonesia, reported Alf Redekop, important. We casually name advan- director of the Heritage Centre, on tages of each new technology, but January 11. Nine works have been rarely consider what it replaces. sold so far. The idea for selling the Television, for example, supplants works from the 60-piece collection porch-sitting, visiting neighbours, instead of shipping them back to family conversation and exercise. Indonesia was the idea of Ray Dirks, Brende argues for careful selection curator at the gallery (see Jan. 10, and resisting a “bias in favor of page 38). “Prospective buyers started machines over the interest of human showing up even before we had a beings.” chance to unpack the crates,” said He notes how simpler machinery is Redekopp. The artists will give half of better for the soil. Reliance on expen- their proceeds to relief, and the rest to sive apparatus often leaves farmers family and friends in Indonesia. The with crushing debts. Depending less

commission received by the gallery MC Canada photo on tools, one’s skills expand. Common will all go to aid tsunami survivors. Alf Redekopp (left) and Nyoman work builds relationships. One’s sense Artwork that remains for sale can be Klassen, a native of Indonesia who of time expands, and one is more viewed at www.mennonitechurch.ca/ works in Mennonite Church Canada’s observant of nature and weather. programs/gallery/. For more informa- finance department, view the Indone- Brende simply calls the Amish tion, call 1-866-888-6785 (toll free) and sian art for sale at the gallery. group “Minimites” (his effort to ask for the gallery, or e-mail: Klassen found her cousin’s name disguise the group are annoying). At a [email protected]/. among the artists. Her family lives in church meeting on acceptable phone —From MC Canada release Bali, a region unaffected by the use he marvels at this “obscure sect in earthquake.

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 15 InConversation

Letters January 2 in the Mennonite Brethren mously (a “free ride” so-to-speak) over Church we attend, the Asia tsunami the years from the positive global disaster was identified with the help image of MCC. MCC and churches need of a map and some facts. I was pleased Nevertheless, one troubling reality to nurture partnership that there was a time of guided prayer is the tendency to separate such acts and that those attending were invited of Christian compassion from what is George Epp’s letter (Dec. 20, page 11) to respond monetarily, specifically deemed to be the essence of Christian commented that “too many in our through MCC. Upon returning home I witness, as part of the mission of the midst have been getting a free ride on read George Epp’s letter. church, or the failure to integrate the MCC’s positive reputation,” and he There is no doubt that the monetary two. Epp regarded the MCC B.C. wonders “about the health of MCC response to MCC for this disaster will annual meeting as a “truly a great within the psyche of the B.C. be generous, as responses have been in missionary conference.” If his sugges- Mennonites.” the past. It is also true that Mennonite tion that the churches tend not to During the worship service on churches have been benefiting enor- embrace MCC has validity (and it

A stranger shattered my proper world which I affirm never to use) that I saw him sitting with my resident bully. I The Holy Spirit is continually moving milking their cows). There were also the believe that was the day I realized the the church, and the Christ-followers who rich people. One backed through his garage bully was bullied too. are her members, toward Jesus. This door one Sunday morning, apparently on Not long thereafter, my Sabbath- often requires that we move outside the the way to church. I’m not so sure he desecrating neighbour received a comfortable boxes we use to neatly wasn’t trying to put his camel through the compliment from the stranger on his package our theology. My prayer in eye of a needle. fine emerald turf. When my wealthy writing this column is that by confront- Life was good. I was sheltered from a neighbour’s son, under the advice of the ing our “boxes” we might be moved to a world that would lead me astray and stranger, went off to seminary I thought renewed, Christ-centred, missional convinced of the rightness of my patch of the world had gone mad. But, the final impact in our communities. real estate. And then, to my great surprise, straw came when my Catholic friend In my beginning, God placed me in a claimed this stranger had been at his very prim and proper Christian home. church too—and even in his home! And behold, it was very good. I was shocked. This person whom I As far as I knew, many people loved Outside had perceived to have it all together had God, though none quite as accurately as the box managed to shatter my prim and proper we did. I knew some Lutherans, world. What made this guy strange to Catholics, Pentecostals, a handful of Phil me was that he was different. He was Anglicans, and the odd Presbyterian. Wagler different than the heathen I knew had it Though never explicitly stated, it was all wrong. But, he was equally different obvious to me that unless you were a from me, who assumed to have it all Mennonite (and a particular brand of right. He was truly a stranger, and I Mennonite) you really were playing a continue to love him for it. little too close to the burner. a stranger knocked down the walls of my Isn’t it true that what makes Jesus so Then there were the heathen of my prim and proper existence. And behold, it appealing is that he is different? He is hometown. I remember when the was very good. not like the indifferent, rebellious parents of a classmate divorced after This stranger was a regular at our heathen, but neither is he like the self- his mom ran off with another man. house, and even showed up at church from righteous, religious hypocrite. He is non- Another school friend used language time to time. He awed me with his wit and conforming, hard to label, set apart. He like I had never heard before. I must wisdom, and though he wasn’t Mennonite, is neither prim nor improper. He is God have assumed it was speaking in I got the impression that most people in and Man. And to many of us he is, or has tongues, but when I tried out this my fellowship thought he was okay. In my been, a stranger. unheavenly language at home my teen years I gathered the courage to really He still knocks at our neighbourhoods Fanny Crosby sang a dirge. get to know him and discovered that he and our churches. And behold, he is very Another schoolmate had a drunk for was a complete stranger to me. good.—Phil Wagler For, though he came to church, I a father. I never liked the boy much The writer, after having his dream of a because he always tried to beat me up. uncovered him one day speaking with my professional hockey career ended by reality, We had a neighbour who mowed his friend’s adulterous mother. He even carried has gone outside his box to serve Christ in lawn on Sunday and there was no doubt on conversations with that foul-mouthed student development, conference leadership in my mind that God would punish him school chum—though I don’t think they and pastoral ministry. He is currently leading for it (it never occurred to me that my spoke in tongues. One day I could have servant (pastor) of Zurich Mennonite Church godly relatives broke Sabbath law by sworn (in the judicial sense of the word in Ontario. This is the first column in a series.

16 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 InConversation

giving back to the community in other This section is a forum for discussion and discernment. Letters express the ways. opinion of the writer only, not necessarily the position of Canadian Mennonite, any We then went through the names of the five area churches or Mennonite Church Canada. Letters should address and, with one exception, all the boys issues rather than criticizing individuals and include the writer’s contact informa- had turned their lives around and tion. We will send copies of letters discussing other parties to the named indi- viduals or organizations to provide the opportunity for a response. Letters can be were upstanding, contributing mem- sent to [email protected] or to “Letter to the Editor,” Canadian bers of society. Many are regular Mennonite, 490 Dutton Drive, Unit C5, Waterloo, ON N2L 6H7. church-goers. “I’ve got to be blunt with you,” I said. “I thought by now, most of you would be permanently in jail, or dead.” likely does), the responsibility rests perspective of an 85-year-old retired He responded, “If it hadn’t been for with both MCC and its constituent pastor. During my life I have attended the way you guys kicked our butts churches. some 10 Mennonite congregations. I every chance you had, most of us Given the absence of pastors at the was a pastor in Ontario from 1945-66, would be. But I give you and [he meeting, there is a serious need for and in New York State from 1966-77 named two additional constables] full MCC to do more intentional nurturing and 1980-87. credit for where we all are today. You of the churches to foster understand- I wish God’s blessing upon the staff charged us with a lot of stuff and gave ing and cooperation, particularly with of the Canadian Mennonite as they us the occasional break, but you were church leadership. This can build a seek to inform and inspire us through always fair.” stronger partnership of mutual this publication.—Howard S. Bauman, I left that chance meeting floating benefit—for the cause of the Kingdom Cambridge, Ont. three feet above the ground, and of God. thinking, “Wow, we actually made a MCC is first and foremost a sound difference!” By the way, the other two Christian, church-based organiza- Caring police officers constables he mentioned were also tion.—Bill Thiessen, Abbotsford, B.C. make a difference Christians.—Jack Falk, Calgary, Alta. As a retired police officer (1970-1996), Amused and perplexed I felt an immediate kinship to Steve by article on leadership Brnjas, and agree with everything he has to say (Dec. 20, page 14). I would I am writing concerning the article on like to add a comment about “tough Reminder to Mennonite leadership (Dec. 20, page love.” 18). Its warning against extremism In the mid-70s, I was assigned to an Congregations was appreciated. I was, however, area of the city which was not exactly When new people begin amused and perplexed by the concern an “upscale” neighbourhood. We had a about Mennonite leadership today. group of about 12 boys, aged 15 to 18, attending your church, Some are moving away from their that were constantly in trouble. We remember to sign them up for historic faith heritage, “lured away by were in their faces daily, making Canadian Mennonite. the ‘siren songs’ of other evangelical arrests for car theft, housebreaking, traditions.” outstanding warrants, etc. Contact Canadian Mennonite at My amusement was due to the Approximately one-and-a-half years 1-800-378-2524, ext. 221 or connection between “siren” and “song.” ago, while in a store, a voice behind me [email protected] Siren would indicate warning but said, “J.J., how are you doing?” It was songs could be positive or negative, one of the “bad boys.” He told me he depending on the lyrics. was doing well, had his own business, My perplexity came from what was doing free work for seniors and appeared to be criticism of Mennonite leaders today. In our present dialogue with Christendom, I feel the Mennonite church will make a valu- able contribution. However, I would hope for two-way dialogue by which we can learn from one another. The guiding principle should be “prove all things, hold fast to that which is good.” (The leaders’ column by Betty Loewen on page 34 addresses the issues very well.) My comments come from the

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 17 WiderChurch

Fallujah, Iraq Winnipeg, Man. Aid to Fallujah Tsunami triggers response in China ennonite Central Committee (MCC) is providing $25,000 in he tsunami disaster opened up an Buhler said that the International M aid to Iraqis who fled Fallujah opportunity for Tim and Cindy Christian School of Hong Kong, where as U.S. forces battled insurgents there TBuhler, Mennonite Church their daughter Kristyn (12) attended in November. The battle drove nearly Witness workers in Macau, to model last year, had lost one student. “Yvette 250,000 people from their homes. discipleship. Their fledging congrega- was a friend of Kristyn’s. They were MCC funds provided relief supplies tion prayed for the victims and then together at a sleepover last year. I saw and food for 400 families in Liwaa 26, collected an offering for relief—their Kristyn making sure she had her a camp to which families fled. An MCC largest offering ever. offering go to the Tsunami victims as partner organization that wishes not Buhlers, from Abbotsford, B.C., well,” said Buhler about the Macau to be identified distributed the aid. It moved from Hong Kong to Macau in church offering. found that residents of the camp, an abandoned Iraqi military post, suf- fered from inadequate food, water, heat and sanitation. MCC’s aid included plastic sheeting, blankets, stoves, lamps, clothes, hygiene kits, tomato paste, cooking oil, kidney beans and lentils. A 48-year-old schoolteacher in Liwaa 26 described his family’s situation to an aid worker: “I have three sons and a daughter…. When we escaped the armed conflicts in Fallujah, we didn’t have the time to bring anything with us, and we haven’t received any governmental food rations in the last three months.” He added, “You are the first people to bring any food and other supplies to this abandoned camp.”—MCC release Cindy and Tim Buhler (centre) are engaged in planting a relevant congregation in Macau. Crystal Lee, left, works with them. At right is Samson Lo, MC Canada director of multicultural ministry who was organizing a project to translate the Mennonite Confession of Faith into Chinese.

2004. Macau is an island under Kathi Suderman, a Witness worker Chinese administration. in Beijing, reports that the tsunami “Over in Hong Kong we hear of has generated the largest ever foreign donations adding up into the millions of disaster relief response from the Hong Kong dollars as Hong Kong has Chinese government (reported to be confirmed 13 deaths and still has 62 over $60 million US). persons missing…One woman in Hong A Chinese friend and relatively new Kong paid $250 CDN for a few vegeta- Christian told Suderman that the bles as the entire sales amount was to disaster is prompting philosophical go to help the victims,” said Tim Buhler. discussion about why this disaster Meanwhile, schools in Hong Kong occurred. “Some were of the opinion were being asked to watch for children that it had occurred because of [hu- Photo provided by MCC Iraq manity’s] misuse of the ocean, taking Mustafa Aaied, 9, with his brother Omar, who did not return to classes. Thailand receive relief in a camp for people is a nearby vacation destination for too many fish from the ocean, a kind of displaced by fighting in Fallujah, Iraq. many. retribution from the heavens or god.”

18 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 WiderChurch

Akron, Pa. MCC response to Asian disaster ennonite Central Committee my feet buried in the rubble. The reported throughout Asian coastlines. (MCC) is launching a $4.2 smell is horrible.” Updates are available at Mmillion response to the In southern India, MCC has www.mcc.org/asiaearthquake. Dona- earthquake-triggered tsunamis that contributed $26,200 for rice, blankets, tions can be made to the Asia Earth- have claimed nearly 150,000 lives. clothing and other items for 1,400 quake Fund by calling 1-888-563-4676 MCC assessment teams are working families in five villages along the or visiting the web site.—From MCC in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India and coast of the state of Tamil Nadu. release will help shape MCC’s long-term Another $30,000 will to emergency responses to the disaster. food needs. MCC has already responded with An MCC assessment team has MCC food aid totalled supplies and food to several countries, begun work in Sri Lanka. MCC $9.1 million working with partner organizations worker Mark Oxley accompanied a there (see Jan. 10, page 14). medical team to Sri Lanka’s east Mennonite Central Committee In Indonesia, MCC will also help coast, where he walked through provided a total of $9.1 million in food transport student volunteers to assist devastated coastal areas, the stench of aid to 28 countries in 2004. Sudan in cleanup. Over 200 students from decay affirming what residents told received the most aid of any country, $2 million, followed by Ethiopia and Aceh, who live in Jogjakarta, have him—that all victims had not yet India. MCC shipped a total of 6,939 signed up as volunteer labourers. The been located. He saw 1,500 to 2,000 metric tons of grains, beans, peas and Mennonite Synods of Indonesia are people staying in a camp, afraid to lentils, and 280 metric tons of canned also preparing volunteers. return home. meat. MCC spent $2.1 million to Abang Rahino, MCC Indonesia staff The camp has no sanitation facili- purchase local foods for relief and person who was part of the MCC ties, and many fear outbreaks of $700,000 on sustainable food produc- assessment team there, reported on disease. Already, sicknesses are being tion projects.—MCC release January 4: “There are dead bodies everywhere—on the streets, on trees, in broken buildings, in the water…sticking out of the rubble.” Local people were at “the end of their strength after nine days of sorrow and the hard work of gathering their remaining family members and burying the dead.” Military personnel were also reaching their limits, he said. He reported that he was walking on about two metres of rubble. “I am sure there are thousands of bodies under

Gordon Janzen oversees the pro- gram in Asia for MC Canada Witness. “These kinds of philosophical questions are windows of opportunity for workers to interact with local people over God questions,” he says.

“My prayer is that many more people Robinson Photo by John will seek out answers to their spiritual Asunta Maker, 17 months old, sits on her mother’s lap at a clinic in Gebelaulia camp in questions and that through the northern Sudan, where children are benefitting from an emergency nutrition program. support of our workers, we can to- Mennonite Central Committee supports eight clinics in northern Sudan, where an gether model the gospel and disciple- estimated 1.8 million people have been forced to relocate because of Sudan’s ship to whole new groups of people…it decades-old civil war. In Gebelaulia, a camp of 83,000, many of the children have the is an especially critical time for us to gold-tinged hair that signals malnourishment. Asunta’s mother, Abiol Agoth, said her show others how the local church is husband is too sick to work and she must tend her three children. Sometimes both parents go days without food. Agoth fled her village six years ago due to the civil war. relevant in Asia.”—MC Canada —From MCC release

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 19 WiderChurch

St. John’s, Newfoundland MCC turns 50 in Canada’s Far East Mennonite Central Committee Canada there are many more languages to generation. The cod, once so plentiful marked 50 years of service in New- learn in Labrador. they slowed ships, are now being foundland and Labrador in 2004. When MCC got its start here in considered for the endangered species During that time, 417 workers have 1954, Newfoundland was a new list. Now many in this province pin their been placed in 79 communities, noted member of Confederation (this prov- hopes on the off-shore oil reserves. Tom and Judith Snowdon at the MCC ince joined in 1949). The first MCCer Labrador has seen its share of Canada annual meeting in November. here was Mary (Nafziger) Hildebrand, change as well. The aboriginal people They are co-directors of MCC Eastern who served as a nurse in Baie Verte. have experienced a dizzying transition Canada. Below are comments by a From teachers and medical workers, from a life of nomadic hunting to the current MCCer from Waterloo, Ontario. MCC’s work expanded to lay ministry, Internet Age. The consequent prob- working with survivors of sexual lems of substance abuse, unemploy- ho would have thought that abuse, advocacy you could serve with MCC, for people with Whave an intense cross- disabilities, cultural experience, meet friendly prison ministry people, learn a new language and see and restorative some stunningly beautiful parts of the justice pro- world—all without taking your grams. passport. MCC’s work Serving with MCC in Newfoundland in Labrador has and Labrador is the way to do it! My involved even wife Melody and I began our term of more diverse service here in 2002. Our family loves activities, it here so much that we have renewed mainly with our commitment for another two aboriginal years. Our work is with Community people. Commu- Mediation Services, promoting conflict nity develop- resolution skills and restorative ment in the justice. In addition to this rewarding areas of recrea- work, we have enjoyed the rugged tion, child care beauty of the land. A few minutes’ and substance MCC Canada photo walk from our home you can see the abuse rehabili- Preparing to cut the cake celebrating 50 years of MCC work icy waves of the North Atlantic tation has been in Newfoundland and Labrador are, from left: Claude crashing against the cliffs. In the one focus— Queval, Melody Morton Ninomiya, Irene Ascough, Peter summer, icebergs and whales come so especially with Ascough and Muriel Queval. close to the shore you could almost youth. Economic touch them. development has been encouraged ment and migration of young people The people who live here are through small business and crafts. have been great challenges. descended from English and Irish MCC health care workers have There are currently six MCCers in settlers who pride themselves on their promoted preventative practices and this province. In Labrador, Peter and hospitality. The accents and expres- learned about traditional aboriginal Irene Ascough manage the Labrador sions are quite a thing to get used to. ways. Christian Youth Camp, the only one of How would you respond if someone Aboriginal rights has been another its kind in Labrador. This camp brings saw you and called out, “Whadaya at focus for MCC in Labrador. The Innu together diverse youth from across the my son?” You would simply say you have struggled against the Big Land for outdoor activities and were “Da best kind, b’y” (I’m fine, militarization of their land for many nurture in the faith. thanks). years, protesting the low-level flight Claude and Muriel Queval are While Newfoundland is affection- training by NATO warplanes (which working in Happy Valley Goose Bay in ately known as “The Rock,” Labrador continues to this day). Aboriginal land Labrador as regional representatives is known as “The Big Land.” Labrador claims has been another area in which for MCC. In addition they provide is a massive expanse of land, which MCC has tried to be a supportive material aid, and moral and spiritual ranges from dense boreal forest in the presence. support in their community. They are south to tundra in the north. The Of course, the times have changed involved in community-led initiatives population is a mix of aboriginal drastically over 50 years. Newfound- such as support for families dealing people (Innu, Inuit and Metis) and land has seen the fishing way of life with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and “settlers” of European descent, so erode before their eyes in less than a restorative justice initiatives.

20 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 WiderChurch On the front lines fovea-slums of Brazil; the quiet Brian Stewart, a senior correspondent famines, crises, and the vast human comforting of runaways and addicts in with CBC television news, addressed predicament, than organized Christi- a thousand asphalt city jungles; small the 160th convocation of Knox College, anity in action. And there is no groups of Christians visiting the lonely a Presbyterian college at the Toronto alliance more determined and dogged and mentally fragile in low-income School of Theology, last May. His in action than church workers when boarding house flats; the Out of the speech, entitled “On the front lines,” mobilized for a common good. It is Cold Program right here in Toronto…. drew on his experiences as a foreign these Christians who are right “on the “Even here,” churches seemed to say, correspondent. The following is from front lines” of committed humanity “however remote or wretched or his address. today. dangerous...we will be by your side.” It is a vast front stretching from the In 1984, I along with my friend or many years I’ve been struck by most impoverished the rather blithe notion, spread reaches of the Fin many circles including the developing world to [T]here is no alliance more determined and media, and taken up by a large section the hectic struggle of our younger population, that to preserve caring dogged in action than church workers when organized, mainstream Christianity values in our own has been reduced to a musty, dimly lit towns and cities. I mobilized for a common good. It is these backwater of contemporary life, a have never been Christians who are right ‘on the front lines’ fading force. able to reach these Well, I’m here to tell you from what front lines without of committed humanity today. I’ve seen from my “ring-side seat” at finding Christian events over decades that there is volunteers already nothing further from the truth. in the thick of it, mobilizing congrega- Michael Buerk of BBC fame first I’ve found there is no movement, or tions that care, and being a faithful carried the story of the Great Ethio- force, closer to the raw truth of war, witness to truth, the primary light in pian Famine on television. The world the darkness. reacted as we all know, and TV was Now this is something the media given much of the credit for saving and government officials rarely millions. But we were not the first. We Sitting at my laptop and drinking acknowledge, for religion confuses went because for months church and hot chocolate seems a far cry from the many, and we all like to blow our own aid groups had been beseeching the life of the first MCCers who survived horns. So front line efforts of Christi- world to take notice. with no indoor plumbing and precious anity do not usually produce head- When we finally managed to get in, little contact with the outside world. lines, and unfortunately this feeds the against Ethiopian government resist- The land still has an eternal quality. I myth that the church just follows ance, it was these groups that showed go down near the ocean whenever I get along to do its modest bit. us where to go, gave us rides on their the chance. I don’t slight any of the hard work relief flights, and mapped out where Praying on the windswept shore is a done by other religions or those and how the world had to react. wonderful way to experience the wonderful NGOs [non-governmental Once, flying to a disaster story, our presence of the Creator. There is a organizations] I’ve dealt with so much twin-engine plane had to make an song that captures the way that people over the years. But so often in desper- emergency refueling stop at a landing feel about this place, written by a band ate areas it is Christian groups there strip in the dense jungle in central called “Buddy Wasisname and the first that labour heroically during the Africa. We stepped out into nowhere it Other Fellas.” They are considered crisis and continue on long after all seemed, only to be greeted by a cheerful heroes here, and most anybody could the media and the visiting celebrities Dutch Reform minister offering tea. likely sing the song for you: have left. My veteran cameraman Mike This island that we cling to, has I came to this admiring view Sweeny later sighed, “Do you think been handed down with pride, reluctantly. At the start of my career you could ever get us to a story, by folks who fought to live here, I’d largely abandoned religion for I too anywhere, where those Christians taking hardships all in stride, regarded the church as a rather aren’t there first!” I was never able to. so I’ll compliment her beauty, hold tiresome irrelevance. What ultimately C.S. Lewis wrote of Christianity on to my goodbyes persuaded me otherwise was the producing “a good infection.” Christian and I’ll stay, and take my chances reality of Christianity’s mission, work on the front lines infects those with those Saltwater Joys…. physically and in spirit, before my around them, even those who are not If you would like to come and see very eyes…. Christian, with a sense of Christ’s this amazing part of the world, Saving children in Mozambique deep mystery and power. I’ve felt it. It consider our home to be yours.—Scott from life on garbage dumps; schools changes the world. Still. Morton Ninomiya for illiterate ex-field hands in the

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 21 WiderChurch

Winnipeg, Man. Letter from Colombia Janet Plenert, director of International assembly come back to my mind— saying “no violence” and “peace,” Ministries for Mennonite Church images of generosity, miracles of following the coffin, hundreds quietly Canada Witness, lived in Colombia feeding the 7000, of hope and worship marching, a silent protest being loudly with her family for several months last in many tongues. North Americans proclaimed. We need each other. We fall. This is from her final report. were told that we hold 88 percent of must learn from each other. the wealth of the MWC family. Ouch! The Colombian Mennonite Church uring our final week in Colom- What is our role in the world? What is sends thanks and greetings to us, bia, Christians around the our role in walking with the Colom- Mennonite Church Canada. Thanks Dworld welcomed the season of bian church and bringing about more were sent publicly at the funeral. Advent. That same week a Colombian justice in the world? Thanks were sent at the seminary Mennonite pastor died when a bomb The more I ponder, the less comfort- graduation and the La Mesa gradua- exploded at the bus stop (see Dec. 20, able I am. The more I experience and tion. Thanks were sent via the church page 26). Our Advent included the learn, the fewer answers I have. Yet president. I pass all these greetings on funeral and a peace march. walking with churches in other to you. That week we also celebrated the countries kindles within me a passion, We are part of one body. Each has its graduation of 5 students from the a love and a conviction that we need specific calling, but we share one Mennonite seminary in Bogotá, and 29 each other in order to be a faithful purpose: to glorify Jesus Christ and high school students from the people of God. We are not complete prepare the way for the kingdom. May Mennonite school in La Mesa. The without the challenge and witness of God grant us the humility to be 30th La Mesa student who had been the Colombian church. learners, the grace to listen and the scheduled to graduate died a few I have in my mind the striking courage to act for peace.—Janet months ago of a sudden illness. It was image of the funeral peace march: a Plenert a powerful and emotional final week. busy street, the way quietly being Previous Letters from Colombia appeared in the I found myself pondering these opened, cars waiting, white balloons November 1 and November 29 issues. experiences, as a mother and as a church leader. How do I teach my children to pray for their enemies, when they don’t really think they have any in Canada? What would my congregation here do if bandits or PROVIDING TOURS FOR 35 YEARS kidnappers broke into a worship service when we still struggle with our response to homeless people who want 2005 TOURS 2006 TOURS nothing more than warm socks and PARAGUAY SERVICE TOUR JAMAICA SERVICE TOUR (January 20-29) some change? (March 31 - April 14) AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND (February 3-23) What would be our response if one TULIP TIME in HOLLAND (April 25 - May 4) VIETNAM (February 8-25) • MEXICO (March 10-18) of our pastors died by an act of deliber- In the FOOTSTEPS of the APOSTLE PAUL PARAGUAY, BOLIVIA and PERU (March 21 - April 6) ate evil? Would we publicly condemn (May 27 - June 12) the act? Would we march down the ENGLAND and SCOTLAND (June 28 - July 10) main street calling for an end to ALASKA CRUISE TOUR (June 8-20) violence? (Returning to Winnipeg, I SWITZERLAND, FRANCE and GERMANY for learned that this year my city is the GRANDPARENTS/GRANDCHILDREN/FAMILIES (June 14-21) murder capital of Canada.) We sit comfortably in the knowledge SPECTACULAR SCANDINAVIA that Canada is not at war and that we and its FJORDS (June 17 - July 1) experience relatively “tolerable” levels EUROPEAN HERITAGE (July 7-22) of violence. Returning from Colombia, SMALL TOWN THEATRES and “Building bridges among Mennonites and other Christians around the world through custom-designed travel.” I am tempted to rest easy and be glad COUNTRY GARDENS (July 26 - August 1) I live in such a wonderful country. But RUSSIA and UKRAINE (July 29 - August 12) CALL 1-800-565-0451 then a voice reminds me, “You are not EUROPEAN FALL HARVEST FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR TOUR a citizen of this kingdom, but of a (September 22 - October 6) E-MAIL: [email protected] different kind of kingdom.” EGYPT with MEDA (October 9-21) WEB: www.tourmagination.com We are called, as Christian global 9 Willow Street 1011 Cathill Road FOLLOWING JESUS in ISRAEL (October 19-31) citizens, to prepare the way for the one Waterloo, ON N2J 1V6 Canada Sellersville, PA 18960-1315 who has come and is coming. Images INDONESIA (November 10-27) Reg. #1567624 USA of Mennonite World Conference

22 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 WiderChurch

Arts notes Changes at Gallery 7 The Gallery 7 theatre, housed at Eben Ezer Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, Musical fundraiser B.C., is undergoing changes. It is now Howard Dyck, well-known CBC Radio presentation at the beginning of the a non-profit group known as Gallery 7 host and choral conductor, had diffi- concert on the work of MCC in the Theatre and Performing Arts Society. culty sleeping after seeing the horren- disaster areas.—Margaret Loewen Ken Hildebrandt, who founded Gallery dous images of the tsunami devasta- Reimer 7 in 1991, is becoming full-time tion in Asia in late December. So he artistic director (he had been juggling directing with youth ministry at Eben decided to rally the musical commu- Movie shot at CMU nity in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, to Ezer). “I will miss [young people’s] help out. Dyck had no difficulty The campus of Canadian Mennonite energy and enthusiasm, and I will persuading the Kitchener-Waterloo University in Winnipeg appeared in a miss fellowshipping with our confer- Philharmonic Choir, which he con- made-for-TV movie that aired on ABC ence youth pastors,” he said. He feels ducts, to mount a benefit concert. television on December 11. CMU was that God has given him a passion for Members of the K-W Symphony used as the location for the Christmas drama, “and to build a community Orchestra were eager to donate their movie Naughty or Nice, which starred theatre company founded on Christian talents, and the Centre in the Square comedian George Lopez and Lisa principles that would produce a donated the concert hall and staff for Vidal. Film crews were on the campus regular season of plays that not just the event. Local media carried notices last June and used a number of rooms entertained, but had some valuable of the benefit concert free of charge in the 1922 neo-Gothic administration food for thought regarding social, and the hall was soon “sold out.” On building for scenes involving a college relational and spiritual issues.” The January 16, the choir and orchestra professor. The story featured Lopez as theatre will continue to operate out of offered a moving performance of a shock-jock sports announcer who Eben Ezer but is looking for a perma- Mozart’s Requiem. The soloists, who pretends to be nice for a young listener nent home. It will continue with also donated their time, were Laura with a life-threatening illness. He’s summer drama programs for children, Whelan (soprano), Susan Platts surprised to see the impact his posi- drama resources, and educational (mezzo-soprano), Benjamin Butterfield tive attitude has on the listener, the support for churches. “I don’t think (tenor) and Sean Watson (bass). The sports team he covers, and his family. that moving out of a Mennonite concert raised close to $150,000, CMU’s campus has appeared in other church will change the nature of what including matching federal grants, for TV shows and films, including More Gallery 7 does,” said Hildebrandt. “All tsunami relief. All the funds went to Than Meets the Eye: The Joan Brock prayers and offers of support would be the work of Mennonite Central Story, which appeared in 2003 on the greatly appreciated as we continue to Committee, which was on hand to Lifetime Network, and The Adventures seek God’s leading….” For information collect donations. Arli Klassen, direc- of Shirley Holmes on YTV.—From about Gallery 7, visit tor of MCC Ontario, made a brief CMU release www.gallery7theatre.com.—Angelika Dawson

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Prisoner of conscience in Vietnam Prime Minister, Hoang Hoa Tham, Ha Noi, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. A young Mennonite teacher who was beaten in prison. Faxes can be sent to: + 844 823 4137/ imprisoned here last June is report- Lien had participated in demonstra- 199 2682 (c/o Ministry of Foreign edly suffering from severe mental tions against the government’s reli- Affairs, to the attention of the prime illness in prison. She has been desig- gious policies, minister).—From Amnesty release nated a “prisoner of conscience” by along with other Amnesty International. Mennonite Court will hear appeals Le Thi Hong Lien, 21, was sentenced leaders. She has to 12 months in prison for “resisting a been arrested Vietnamese Ministries reports that person performing official duty.” In before and was the Supreme Court in Ho Chi Minh recent months, her health has deterio- hospitalized in City will hear the appeals of two rated and she is apparently receiving 2002 after being Mennonite church leaders on February no treatment. badly beaten by 2. Nguyen Hong Quang and Pham Prison officials have reportedly Lien police. Ngoc Thach, sentenced last November, resorted to tying her hands and feet to Amnesty is have been serving prison terms of the bed, saying that they do not have urging action on her behalf. Support- three years and two years, respec- the means to care for inmates with ers can send appeals to: His Excel- tively. Two Mennonite leaders have such severe illness. She has also been lency Phan Van Khai, Office of the been released.

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 23 WiderChurch

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Church celebrates Christmas in Vietnam espite the beleaguered state of The church in Ben the Mennonite church here, Cat was established in Dworshippers gathered in homes August from a cell and public halls during the Christmas group of 10 persons. season. The house church led by Now about 30 meet Nguyen Hong Quang met to pray for regularly. The evening him and the other three leaders still began with cultural being held in prison. They also prayed entertainment, and for government authorities. concluded with preach- This group concluded with a Christ- ing on the theme of mas reception and gave gifts to the God’s love from John children. 3:16. When the pastor On Christmas Day, 70 persons invited people to accept gathered in a rented facility. The the Lord, the whole theme was “Christmas revival.” They group stood up to- were able to worship and pray without gether. The church is having the security police break up now developing a their meeting. program for nurturing Due to the difficulties in District 2 of these new believers. Pastor Nguyen Minh Sang (left) gives gifts in one of this city, some Mennonite leaders are In another area the house church gatherings in Vietnam during the assisting in preaching in the indus- north-east of Ho Chi Christmas season. trial area of Ben Cat, 60 kilometres to Minh City, around 100 the north. On December 26, the church believers gathered Christmas Day in went on with the service, which organized a public gathering that the home of pastor Doan Van Dien. included a reception and giving gifts to brought together more than 350 Even though eight plain-clothed the children. people, only one-third believers. security police stood watch, the church Most of the people in this area are poor farmers. The church has four places of meeting. There is a strong Ministry Opportunity youth group of some 30 teenagers. Mennonite The leader of the central Vietnam Church district of the Mennonite Church, Canada Mennonite Church Canada Witness invites applications for: Nguyen Minh Sang, reported that Witness Native Ministry Director and Partnership Facilitator Christians celebrated Christmas at all Full-time position the churches in Quang Nam and Starting date: August/September/05 Quang Ngai provinces. The church Please submit a letter of intent, resume, and references followed the standard practice of Application deadline: March 10, 2005 reporting to authorities that they were planning to meet, and they had no The Native Ministry Director The job profile implements the difficulty. and Partnership Facilitator is priorities of Witness’ ministry, responsible to direct such as native leadership Christmas is widely celebrated in Mennonite Church Canada’s training and resourcing Vietnam, even by non-Christians. ongoing relationship with the congregational life; facilitating Evangelical churches find this a great First Nations people across ministry partnerships; bridge occasion to evangelize, and Christmas Canada and to facilitate building among Native and services are occasions for special ministry partnerships and non-Native constituencies; and musical performances. learning between Native networking with other communities and non-Native organizations. Many shops in Ho Chi Minh City constituencies. were offering customers free delivery of goods by Santa Claus during the To submit applications or for additional detail in understanding Christmas week. More than 1,000 Santa the profile, qualifications, and salary of this position please see Clauses were hired to make these our website: www.mennonitechurch.ca or contact Executive deliveries—mostly by the motor bike. Secretary, Mennonite Church Canada Witness An American Mennonite teaching www.mennonitechurch.ca English here noted that she did see a “contextualized Santa”—in an oxcart Toll free: 1-866-888-6785 Phone: 204-888-6781 filled with gifts and pulled by a water Fax: 204-831-5675 [email protected] buffalo!—From Vietnamese Ministries

24 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 A special advertising feature

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Education Patmos was founded by Alexander Popov, a violinist who played with orchestras in Moldova and Moscow during the Soviet era. Music from With the collapse of the USSR came great Moldova at CBC change, including change to Popov’s life. He became a Christian and soon thereafter Patmos, a Christian instrumental group from dedicated his talents to the Lord by forming Moldova, will play at an alumni dessert Patmos. Patmos has travelled with the Billy evening at Columbia Bible College (CBC) in Graham Crusade and with evangelists Abbotsford, B.C., on February 4. The throughout the former Soviet Union. evening is a joint event with Fresno Pacific University, California. This concert is part of a North American tour. Patmos is: Ilya Dobrov “We’re holding this event to celebrate a (keyboard), Sergei Truch (clarinet), Semion renewed partnership with Fresno Pacific Brananovski (Moldovan pan flute) BoxBox 160160 Hepburn,Hepburn, SKSK S0KS0K 1Z01Z0 1-866-772-21751-866-772-2175 info@info@ bethany.sk.cabethany.sk.ca •• www.bethany.sk.cawww.bethany.sk.ca University,” said Paul Wartman, president of and Popov (violin). CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY An innovative Christian university

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Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 25 A special advertising feature Grebelites share internship experiences Students can do internships abroad through transformative relation- the Peace and Conflict Studies program at ships. It was through Conrad Grebel University College, University these relationships that of Waterloo. Following are some reports. I began to learn, grow and truly serve. My internship in Timmins, Ontario, with —Amanda Poste Mennonite Central Committee and Mushkegowuk Council showed me how little My internship in I know about life in northern Ontario, Uganda was a life- especially life in the First Nation communi- altering experience that ties. My education in environmental studies has awakened me to and peace and conflict studies found a my responsibility as a welcome home as I worked on issues global citizen. I now surrounding natural resource development see that even in and conflict, environmental clean-up, and Canada I can be part economic justice. I left my internship with an of AIDS prevention and eagerness to learn more about northern care, if I only look for Ontario. This semester I’m enrolled in a Jon Schmidt participates in a tea-boiling competition at the opportunities. While Canadian Studies course entitled “Current Mattagami First Nation in northern Ontario. in Africa, I saw people issues in native communities in Canada.” I’m live through hardship that I could never looking forward to continuing my learning helping people, and I am more focused in imagine; through war, violence, discrimina- these issues.—Jonathan Schmidt my studies. I am grateful for the chance I tion and disease. The deepest lesson that had to learn from these women what the true has been imparted on me is that there is meaning of strength is, and to see how hope. The women that I worked with lived beautiful the human spirit is in the midst of every day for hope of a change for their difficulty. I will never be the same person, children. I realized also that my education is and Africa will always be in my heart.— a tool that I can use to prepare myself for Maeghan Ray

1.800.283.0881

Columbia is an accredited Christian college in beautiful Abbotsford, BC. Columbia is supported by the Mennonite Brethren and Mennonite Church Conferences. Our goal is to provide students with an excellent academic edu- cation while teaching them to live well in all areas of Maeghan Ray visited in many women’s life. To learn more about Columbia, contact us at homes in Uganda, collecting personal [email protected] or 1-800-283-0881. stories. You can also visit our website at: www.columbiabc.edu My experiences as the Praxis Project Intern in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver 2-4 Year Diploma and Degree Programs: Biblical Studies Caregiving and Counselling were quite stretching. It was wonderful to Church Ministries Early Childhood Education have the opportunity to serve and live in Mission Outdoor Leadership solidarity with the poor in a North American Worship Arts Youth Work context. Most of all, my summer was a 1 Year Certificates: lesson for me in faith—faith that there is iCert (Christian Studies) hope, even in the midst of despair, broken- Quest (Adventure Discipleship) ness and pain. I also realized that presence is possibly the most important gift that I could give. Simply listening and learning from those who call it home. I was not needed there, but my presence needed to learning to live well! be deliberately positive, open and humble if I wanted to build meaningful and

26 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 A special advertising feature

Student brings rich experiences to theology studies

Stefan Cherry, a Master of Theological When asked about his home, Stefan calls During his MCC term, Stefan served as a Studies (MTS) student at Conrad Grebel himself “a global citizen or a citizen of God’s sustainable agriculture consultant. He also University College, experienced a lot of kingdom rather than any nation.” Raised became involved in the theological educa- things before he arrived in Waterloo, Catholic, Stefan experienced a “powerful tion of local leaders from the Mennonite Ontario, last fall. He worked for four years in conversion experience” and was re- church and some 14 other denominations. Mozambique, did a master’s degree in baptized (a true Anabaptist) into the Baptist “Because of 30 years of war (ending in agriculture and rural development at Cornell church by a Cameroonian pastor. While 1992) and 500 years of brutal Portuguese University, spent five years in Cameroon working on his master’s degree, he became colonialism, the level of human capital in working in agriculture and natural resource active in a Mennonite fellowship, which Mozambique is in need of much assist- management, and completed a bachelor’s connected him with Mennonite Central ance,” says Stefan. degree in environmental science. Committee (MCC). It was his work with theological education that led Stefan to Grebel for the MTS program. He is in the Ministry stream, and is excited about his courses. He is particularly enjoying learning about the Psalms and the “interesting and compelling life” of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

He is leaving the future in God’s hands. “I want to be used by God in whatever way he sees best. Whether that is here in Canada or back in Africa, I can’t say at this point.”

He just got back on his ice skates for the first time in four years, and enjoys biking to and from campus each day. He also admits to occasional Latin dancing.

When asked if there was anything he’d like to tell his classmates, Stefan says, “Although all this studying/reading/learning is great and important, let us not lose focus on the importance of building up relationships with one another. Don’t let the profs hear that I said this, but we’ll probably only remember @sk`md`i^`oc`ejt about 20 percent of what we learn in class, but the relationships we build over the next jaoc`ejpmi`t) couple of years will last a lifetime….”—From Grebel release \i\_d\i_jgg\mom`\o`_jik\mrdocP)N)_jgg\majm^jgg`b`^jnon) rrr)bjnc`i)`_p www.mscu.com | 1 888 672-6728

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 27 Introducing Retirement Living Condo-style Townhouse Bungalows at Parkwood

Now you can make the move from empty nest to adult community living and protect your nest egg at the same time.

If you are 60 years of age or older and are ready to move out of the family home, you owe it to yourself to check out the condo-style townhouse bungalows at Parkwood in Northfield Dr. E. Waterloo. A limited number of units are still available and prices start at just $165,000*. Options include dens, basements and garages. For your added peace of mind, Parkwood’s unique “right-to-occupy”† arrange- ment means that you retain the equity in your home – unlike some other housing options where your investment dwindles over time. Parkwood is a community designed especially for seniors who want to be with people who share their faith and values. As well, they want to experience the Parkwood Mennonite peace of mind that living close to family and friends provides – and still be just min- Home is located at 726 New Hampshire Street (cor- utes away from shopping, recreation and church. ner of University Avenue) in For more information or to discuss your next move with no obligation, please Waterloo, Ontario contact Edmund Pries, Broker, by phone at 519-578-0003 or email: [email protected]

*Important Note: Prices are guaranteed only until February 1, 2005. Due to rising building and carrying costs, prices will increase †Ask for more details about Parkwood’s “right-to-occupy“ arrangement.

28 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 LocalChurch

Chongquing, China Christmas Eve in Chongquing A class of Chinese medical professionals who are learning English have many questions about Christianity, says their teacher, Philip Bender. At Christmastime, he read them the story of Christ’s birth—none had ever heard it before. his past Christmas Eve, Jean and Mennonites her nine-year-old daughter fit in? Are a T decided to do something different. priest and a Jean is a cardiologist in a major pastor the hospital in Chongqing, a booming same thing?” commercial centre in west-central They also China. She is also a member of the wondered Chinese communist party, though she about the seldom talks about it. And she is a Bible, student in the Advanced English Jewish- Program at the Chongqing University Christian of Medical Sciences, where I teach relations, and Phil Bender (right), MC Canada Witness worker from Hamilton, with Mennonite Church Canada Mennonite Ontario, shares a laugh with some of his students in China. Witness and its partner, China Educa- child dedica- Jean is at left. tional Exchange. tion rituals. I One of my courses is “Background to decided to We read the Christmas story from America.” In December I included a offer an extra voluntary class to Matthew and Luke—none had heard it unit on “Christmas in Canada and the address these questions. Nearly all the before. Though there were bemused USA.” I talked about both the secular students came. looks and suppressed snickers from and religious aspects of Christmas. The China Educational Exchange these scientifically-minded doctors Religion is a puzzle to Jean and her (CEE) program is one of “presence.” In when we read about pregnant Mary 14 classmates, most of whom are this ministry, seeds of faith often sprout being a virgin, they listened attentively. health care professionals. Their only unseen and the leaven of the Spirit Christmas here has many North exposure to religious practice has been works silently. Since Chinese law forbids American trappings. Coloured lights the Buddhist rituals some of their foreigners from proselytizing, we festoon restaurants, Christmas trees parents or grandparents observed. teachers must share our faith tactfully rise in front of department stores, and Jean and her friends tell me that and sensitively, as opportunities arise. cardboard Santas wink at passers-by. they were taught that there is no God, The English students know that my But December 25 for most people is an and that humans are in control of the American colleague and I are Christian. ordinary work day. world. When religion was mentioned “Though we are not religious, we Christmas Eve, though, is a time for in school at all, it usually was derided respect CEE teachers for their faith,” revelry. While Chongqing churches as superstition or a pursuit unworthy they told me. “We appreciate that you hold worship services, most people of educated people. have come to China. We are impressed party in restaurants or throng to the Little wonder, then, that neither that you are willing to work for such city’s central square to enjoy the Jean nor her classmates have ever low salaries.” carnival atmosphere. been inside a church. Their impression “We respect your moral standards,” In a class on December 24, I asked of Christianity has come mainly from they said, adding, “Today China faces the students to talk about what they the European cathedrals and western moral decay. Too many people are would do that evening. Most told about weddings they have seen in films. One chasing money.” their plans to have a good time. student remembers a neighbour who During the week before Christmas, as “This year I’m going to stay home had a Bible. part of our study of American “culture,” with my daughter,” said Jean. “We’ll Little contact with religion has not we learned some Christmas songs. My listen to Christmas music, and maybe stifled their curiosity about the students enjoyed singing and clapping I’ll give her a gift.” With a touch of Christian faith. They would ask me, to “Jingle bells.” They also appreciated reflection in her voice, she added, “What is the difference between “Silent night,” and were especially “Then we’ll read the Christmas Catholics and Christians? Where do moved by “What child is this?” story.”—Philip Bender

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 29 LocalChurch

Winkler, Man. Manitobans help out in Florida ot all Manitoba snowbirds seek the winter warmth of the south for relaxation and recreation. It was hardly N relaxing for Abe Ens and eight other Manitobans when they flew to Florida in the beginning of November. The group spent a week in an area that was ravaged by three hurricanes this past year. Wauchula, in Hardee County, is an economically depressed community that was among the hardest hit centres. Of the 7,500 homes in the county, 5,500 were either damaged or destroyed. Jerry and Doreen Klassen from Kelowna, B.C., are project managers. “I was at a town hall meeting a couple of weeks ago,” said Jerry. “A poll was taken: 55 percent of the folks in attendance had suffered major damage to their home and half of the 55 percent were still living in their home in its damaged state.” Dave Hoeppner and son Michael Hoeppner, Bill Rempel, Bill Friesen, Albert and Erna Heide, Irene Fehr and Otto Loeppky went with Ens to prepare a base site for Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) workers. The team worked on two trailers at the site, erecting walls, painting, sheeting, wiring. In one trailer they built an office, finished two bedrooms, a laundry room, and a shower. Completing these jobs in less than a week, they moved into the community and repaired two roofs. The morning before they left, they relocated a trailer home, added a porch and re-plumbed this home of an elderly and disabled couple. Sawatzky Photos by Mark “People in the community couldn’t believe someone would Mariska VanDersteen from the Niverville Mennonite come from Canada to work in the heat for nothing,” said Church helps with tree removal in Century, Florida. Nine Ens. “They hardly knew how to thank you, they were so people from Niverville Mennonite spent a week in Novem- overwhelmed.” ber working with MDS in hurricane cleanup. They were Rempel and Friesen stayed an additional week. While stationed in Atmore, Alabama, but also worked in Cen- Rempel continued working at the site, Friesen led a crew of tury. They helped to remove many pecan trees that had nine Amish and Old Order Mennonites who completed one fallen and damaged property. roof per day in the week that followed. Northside Baptist Church in Wauchula offered its property to MDS for the base site. “They are giving full use of their kitchen and dining facilities,” said Ens. MDS anticipates being at this site for more than a year. The Wauchula site is one of three binational MDS projects in Florida. A group from Niverville Mennonite Church in Manitoba worked in Century, Florida, for MDS for a week last fall (see photo). Other parts of Florida damaged by the hurricanes are being responded to by the regional MDS. All the Florida MDS sites have a full slate of volunteers until the end of April. However, there is still a critical need for volunteers for next summer. —Evelyn Rempel Petkau The Niverville MDS crew figures out how to remove this huge pecan tree without damaging more of the barn on which it fell.

30 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 LocalChurch

Milverton, Ont. Inner-city children meet their first cows rbanites among the Amish— well, almost. Milverton U Mennonite Church hosted 40 junior high students and leaders from downtown Toronto on October 21. The day was planned with Urban Promise, an inner-city ministry. Many of the children had never experienced a farm before. Visitors were treated to a hearty meal of sausage and scalloped pota- toes when they arrived. This was unfamiliar food to many—the rolls and corn seemed to be most popular. Everyone loved the pie. After a romp on the huge lawn at the church, everyone headed to Dave and Delphine Carter’s for a wagon ride to the farm of Ervin and Cindy Streicher (members of Riverdale Mennonite Church). The hosts had fun watching the kids Tim Snyder (centre, with hat) enjoys the reactions of inner-city kids as they react to their first close-up of a cow. At get close to their first cow! first everyone hung back, but later the more adventuresome tried a hand at milking. The barn was filled with shrieks at the sight of a cow doing its normal duty in the barn. The young people also enjoyed the llamas, donkeys and calves. The rest of the day was filled with more wagon rides, time in the woods, and an evening wiener roast. Then it was back to the city with hopes of returning next year. “An experience that will never be forgotten,” commented one of the leaders. Piping hot pages and lots more… Tim Snyder from Milverton Mennonite has been working with Media Matters: Weekly critique of movies, TV, music, advertising. Urban Promise for two years. He has Wider View: Weekly essays on national and international issues from recently accepted a leadership position an Anabaptist perspective. in the organization. He has a real heart for the youth and enjoys his Sip of Scripture: Short daily scripture highlighting Mennonite distinctives. ministry. FREE e-mails bring Third Way Café content to you! Urban Promise is a para-church Subscribe at www.thirdway.com/subscriptions ministry founded by Tony Compolo. Its mandate is to “create holy places “Beautifully designed with where children, youth and their lots of good content.” –Timothy mothers experience the love of God.” It targets inner-city children and teens “Extremely informative. in Toronto through after school I’m sure I’ll be back.” –Kevin programs, summer camps, a street leader program, youth ministry, and mothers’ programs.—Dianne www.thirdway.com Brubacher Produced by Mennonite Media, a department of Mennonite Mission Network.

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 31 LocalChurch

Winnipeg, Man. Refugees thank sponsors for life in Canada o celebrate 25 years since their always grateful arrival in Canada from that God has T Vietnam,Tan My and Oanh placed us in the Nguyen invited members of the care of Bethel Refugee Committee of Bethel Mennonite Mennnonite Church to a dinner at the Church. With the Kum Koon Garden Restaurant in good care and Winnipeg. generosity of the Tan My remarked that on October church, we have 30, 1979, the original committee of grown pacefully Margaret Hildebrand, Orly Friesen and well. We hope and Jim Penner met him and his wife, that someday we Oanh, at the airport. Their reminis- can work for the cences were filled with emotion and Mennonite thankfulness. Central Commit- Since then, they have both acquired tee to assist people degrees in social work at the in need in the poor Univeristy of Manitoba. Their oldest Photo by Jim Penner countries in The Nguyen family celebrates 25 years in Canada with daughter, Hanie, born in Vietnam, was Jim Asia.”— sponsors. Front row, from left: David Nguyen, Tan My married last year. She lives in Califor- Penner Nguyen, Oanh Nguyen, Trina Nguyen. Back row: Jane Friesen, nia and works for the government of Orange County. Daughter Trina is in Margaret Hildebrand, Orly Friesen, Joanne Kohut, Larry her third year in Pharmacy. David, Kohut, Jim Penner, Margo Penner, Anne Braun, Ernie Braun. their youngest, is in grade nine. My and Oanh commented, “We are Publishing notes

Earth Trek: Celebrating and Sustain- ing God’s Creation, the third book in RRSPConsider Your Options Mennonite Central Committee’s Trek series, has just been released by Herald Press. Author Joanne Moyer MSCU has a wide range of RRSP uses the seven days of creation as a investment options, and qualified basis for exploring how our world is threatened, what is being done to investment staff who can help you! protect it, and how individuals, households and congregations can ASK ABOUT OUR... take steps to live more sustainably. The book can be ordered by calling 1- CAPITAL BUILDER RRSP 866-696-1678. Available for a limited time Index 2004 with a rate as high as % The Canadian Mennonite 4.75 Index for 2004 is now available on our web site at Serving members of Mennonite, Amish & www.canadianmennonite.org. Brethren in Christ churches across Ontario. Click on 2004 Index on the www.mscu.com home page. You are welcome to download it for Elmira Leamington New Hamburg (519) 669-1529 (519) 326-8601 (519) 662-3550 your use. If you would like a paper copy, call the Canadian Mennonite Kitchener Milverton Waterloo (519) 576-7220 (519) 595-8796 (519) 746-1770 office toll-free at 800-378-2524.

32 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 LocalChurch

sion in the church about Deaths People & Events racism. On March 11-13, Transitions Damascus Road will celebrate Cameron—Anna, 85, Stirling 10 years with a conference, Avenue Mennonite, Kitchener, Akron, Pa.—Ten years ago this Births/Adoptions Ont., Nov. 29. March, a group of Anabaptists “Damascus and Beyond: Derksen—to Cindy and Ryan, Dalke—Jordan, 17, Morden working against racism put Seeking clearer sight, bolder North Leamington Mennonite, Mennonite, Man., Nov. 27. out a call for others to join spirit.” More information can Ont., a daughter, Meagan Driedger—Lena, 94, Elim them for a weekend of discus- be found at www.mcc.org/ Marie, Dec. 29. Mennonite, Grunthal, Man., sion. The Damascus Road Anti- damascusandbeyond, or by Dyck—to Bonnie and Mark, Sept. 22. Racism Process was born out calling (717) 859-1151, ext. Coaldale Mennonite, Alta., a Dyck—Katherine, 91, Nutana of that weekend. More than 370.—From MCC U.S. release son, Benjamin Mark, Dec. 31. Park Mennonite, Saskatoon, 1,400 people have participated Fretz Corlis—to Sara Fretz Sask., Jan. 2. in anti-racism training Akron, Pa.—A shipment of and Tim Corlis, Stirling Enns—Edgar J., 67, Altona through Damascus Road. Some 21,269 blankets bound for the Avenue Mennonite, Kitchener, Bergthaler Mennonite, Man., 50 anti-racism teams have troubled Darfur region of Ont., a daughter, Clara Sofia, Dec. 28. been formed. But to Regina Sudan left the Mennonite Nov. 15. Friesen—Eleanor, 63, Elim Shands Stoltzfus, a trainer for Central Committee Material Froese—to Gisela and Peter, Mennonite, Grunthal, Man., Damascus Road, more Resources Center in Ephrata, Winkler Bergthaler Dec. 6. important than numbers is an Pennsylvania, on December 30. Mennonite, Man., a son, Heinrichs—Susan, 85, Altona acknowledgement that The shipment brings the total Nathaniel Estevan, Dec. 25. Bergthaler Mennonite, Man., working against racism is the number of blankets shipped to Friesen—to Candice and Dec. 20. work of the church. Anti- Sudan since October to 55,013. Ryan, Elim Mennonite, Kampen—Jacob, 90, Coaldale racism, she said, “has become a MCC is collecting blankets, Grunthal, Man., a daughter, Mennonite, Alta., Dec. 19. part of the language of the and money to buy them, with a Raquel Madeline, Nov. 7. Klassen—Walter, 72, Stirling wider Anabaptist churches,” goal of sending 100,000 to Friesen—to Lorraine and Avenue Mennonite, Kitchener, especially in the United States. displaced people in the Darfur Edward, Elim Mennonite, Ont., Oct. 30. Organizers acknowledge region, where fighting has left Grunthal, Man., a daughter, Kuepfer—Dan, 89, Riverdale Damascus Road has not been about 2 million people home- Allison Elizabeth, Oct. 15. Mennonite, Millbank, Ont., without controversy but hope less in the last two years. Klassen—to Shannon and Jan. 9. that it sparks healthy discus- —MCC release Derek, Emmanuel Mennonite, Loeppky—Anna, 75, Winkler, Man., a son, Noah Steinbach Mennonite, Man., Dane, Feb. 21, 2004. Dec. 19. First AIDS kits to Chad Martin—to Penny and Arlin, Rogalsky—James, 53, Glenlea Listowel Mennonite, Ont., a Mennonite, Man., Dec. 9. N’Djamena, Chad—Mennonite Central Committee sent its daughter, Jessica Rose, Ruby—Manuel, 97, Stirling first shipment of AIDS care kits to Chad in early January. Dec. 22. Avenue Mennonite, Kitchener, They are being used by a partner organization here, the Peters Unrau—to Kara and Ont., Oct. 22. Center for Family Life Education. In the photo, Andre Kevin, Stirling Avenue Suderman—Aaron, 90, Dingamyo, an AIDS caregiver with the centre, visits Georgine Mennonite, Kitchener, Ont., a Steinbach Mennonite, Man., Nepidimbaye, a son, Lucas Jem, Nov. 4. Dec. 22. widowed mother Regehr—to Rachel and Thiessen—John Bernard whose health has Jonathon, Glenlea Mennonite, (Johnie), 62, Tofield been declining Man., a son, Ayub David, Mennonite, Alta., Dec. 19. for five months Dec. 2. Voth—Margaretha, 91, due to AIDS. Rempel—to Marla and Mike, Schoenfelder Mennonite, St. Dingamyo helps Plum Coulee Bergthaler Francis Xavier, Man., Dec. 19. Nepidimbaye’s Mennonite, Man., a daughter, family care for Alicia Denae, Dec. 2. Baptisms her and uses Emmanuel Mennonite, supplies from the Marriages Winkler, Man.—Justin new MCC AIDS Bergen, Mary Fehr, Brad care kit. MCC Klassen-Peters—Sheldon Goertzen, Jillian Reimer, shipped 825 (Neuanlange Grace Mennonite, Nov. 21. AIDS care kits Hague, Sask.) and Jennifer Springstein Mennonite, around the world (Wildwood Mennonite, Man.—Anna Reimer and in 2004. To learn Saskatoon) at Wildwood Nathaniel Froese, Nov. 28. about how to Mennonite, Dec. 29. Waterloo North Mennonite, assemble and Schell-Sider—Clifford Ont.—Daniel Kramer, Ross donate AIDS (Peterborough, Ont.) and Edith Willard, Jan. 9. care kits to MCC, (Listowel Mennonite, Ont.) at visit Listowel Mennonite, Oct. 2. Canadian Mennonite welcomes www.mcc.org/ transitions announcements within aids/kits.—From four months of the event. When MCC release sending by e-mail, please identify

Photo by Mark Beach Photo by Mark congregation (name and location).

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 33 TheChurches

Mennonite Church presence in our own North American assign- MennoniteMennonite Church Church Canada contexts. ment, preparing for itinera- EasternEastern Canada Canada • New believers in Christ who tion. desire to participate in the • The cultural exchanges and Prayer requests building of God’s kingdom. learning tours in Cuba, Young adults to visit for 2005 • The Native Ministry Colombia, Israel, Asia, Welcome Inn Partnership Circles, where Africa, as well as in native “When we reflect on activities churches and native communities. “At the foot of the mountain” is of this past year we can get fellowships work together in • Anne Garber Kompaore, who the title of a weekend for caught up on all the disheart- furthering God’s kingdom. is beginning a new position MCEC young adults at the ening things that are happen- • The leadership training that as translation consultant Welcome Inn Community ing in the world,” says the is taking place in Cuba, (training and supervising) Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, January issue of Mennonite Botswana, South Africa, for the Bible Society in on February 25-27. The young Church Canada Witness Benin, Mongolia, Colombia, Burkina Faso. people will learn about life in PrayerNet. “Yet there is much India, and other countries. • Todd Hanson, as he com- this low-income neighbour- to be thankful for.” • The witness of Glenn Witmer pletes his thesis on forgive- hood, hear stories from the The following are prayer in building bridges among ness in the Chinese culture. community, and worship with suggestions for the coming people in Israel/Palestine. • Staff and students of the Welcome Inn church. year. • The young people and Connexus, the English “At the foot of the mountain” mission interns who have a language training centre of is where the ideals of faith Praise God for: keen interest in the mission the Korea Anabaptist meet the realities of urban life. • The solidarity churches in of the church. Center, where MC Canada To register, contact Mark Canada have shown for the Witness Interns are Diller Harder at (519) 650- churches in Colombia and in In the year ahead, pray for: teaching. 3806, e-mail: Vietnam. • The publication of the • The church in Mongolia and [email protected]. • The new Anabaptist congre- Confession of Faith from a Mongolian staff who are gation in Chile, under the Mennonite Perspective in developing Sunday School MennoniteMennonite Church Church leadership of Omar and Chinese, facilitated by material. ManitobaManitoba Ester Cortes-Gaibur. Samson Lo, director of • The church in the Ukraine, • The expanding church in Multi-Cultural Ministry. which is ministering within Manitoba delegates Thailand. • Leadership training in Cuba a changing government. • The growing partnerships (a week-long seminar was —From MC Canada Witness to meet in February between churches here and held in January led by Jack PrayerNet Jim Loepp Thiessen, pastor churches around the world, Suderman, and another will and church planter in Ontario, where we learn from each happen in fall). will be the guest speaker at other how to be God’s • The mission workers on the Mennonite Church From our Leaders for our day leaders ship that listens and helps to I travelled with the annual Northern church to achieve its mission. It is build consensus. Until we Exposure adventure of Mennonite my sense that the mission of the church as recognize this subtle shift that is taking Church Eastern Canada young adults articulated by these young adults antici- place in our expectations of leadership, in Spring 2003 for the opportunity of pates a shift in leadership styles. we will send mixed signals to the hanging out with a group of young In recent decades, organizations within leaders we appoint. people for a whole week. We considered our society, including the church, have I hear young adults looking for a environmental and land issues while looked to a CEO model of leadership. What style of leadership that listens to God’s relating to First Nations communities has attracted us to this model is a leader- spirit in speaking to the issues of the near Timmins, Ontario. ship role for charismatic personalities who day. Brian McLaren defines a leader as Along the way I listened for the exude an image of strength and offer one “who hears music I don’t hear and things young adults look for in the answers to the issues of the day. Many knows how to move with its rhythm, church. Two comments remain fresh in would say that this is what they look for in gently helping me to hear the music, my memory: “We want a church that is a leader. feel its rhythm and open to the leading of God’s spirit. We Strong executive-level leadership is learn to move to it want a church that speaks to the issues essential for an organization’s success. with grace and joy.” of the day.” How that leadership is exercised is where I David Brubacher, With comments such as these comes anticipate a shift. Most people no longer Minister to Conference, a particular understanding of the want leaders to set direction on their own. Mennonite Church church and its mission. In any time, We want the opportunity to challenge and Eastern Canada leadership is key in enabling the question. What we really want is leader-

34 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 LocalChurch

Manitoba annual delegate Manitoba. school was erected, the original youth pastors and sponsors in sessions February 18 and 19 at The agenda includes three building was considered for Calgary on March 17 (location Sargent Avenue Mennonite constitutional revisions demolition. Two local people, to be announced). The first Church in Winnipeg. He will concerning affiliate member- Bill Kruger and Ed Roth, such meeting, held in Red Deer give three presentations on the ship, establishing quorum and stepped in to save the building last October, provided a useful theme “Rooted in the centre— the withdrawal and revocation and keep it for a heritage site. forum to share ideas, support, Living on the edge,” based on of membership. “A lot of us went to that and resources with each other. Isaiah 49:6: “I will give you as school,” said Regier, “It means For more information on a light to the nations, that my MennoniteMennonite Church Church something to us.” these retreats, or other Alberta salvation may reach to the end SaskatchewanSaskatchewan youth events, contact of the earth.” MennoniteMennonite Church Church MaryAnn at (403) 335-8264. Norm Voth, director of Musical raises funds AlbertaAlberta Service and Evangelism, has MennoniteMennonite Church Church completed study material for museum BritishBritish Columbia Columbia based on the same theme for Snow camps generate This past fall, the Mennonite excitement for youth use in congregations. Voth has Heritage Museum in Rosthern developed the material as a Seminar on put on a fundraiser featuring Alberta youth groups have a accountability tool for exploring how we the popular musical, “Pull of chance to get together with understand the biblical call to the land.” The musical, youth from other Mennonite “Walking together, Following evangelize. presented at Rosthern Junior churches at the annual snow the vision, Nurturing the body” The material invites College (RJC), was written by camps. is the title for the Mennonite congregations to reflect on the two Saskatchewan women. It The Junior High Snowcamp Church B.C. seminar on core values of the gospel and tells the story of a farming was to be held January 21-23, February 25-26 at Peace then look for places where God couple facing retirement and featuring Jerry Buhler, Mennonite Church in Rich- is working. It encourages giving up the farm when their Pincher Creek pastor. Buhler, a mond. “How do we work congregations to reflect on son decides to leave his city job talented communicator, was to together to be discerning and what it means for them to be and return to the land. focus on the personal relation- accountable in various areas of faithful in their local context. “We had grandpas fighting ship between God and people. belief and practice?” is the It looks at both congregational back tears,” said volunteer MaryAnn Van Oeveren, question that will be explored. culture and the wider Cana- Sylvia Regier, noting that the Youth Ministry co-ordinator, The seminar begins at 7:00 dian culture. theme of the play spoke deeply writes, “Sometimes I hear p.m. on Friday evening and “Evangelism and missional to many individuals with youth sigh that it is difficult to continues from 9:00 a.m. to formation are two sides of the farming backgrounds. explain to others why they are noon on Saturday. After a same coin,” said Voth. The Over 900 tickets were sold a Christian, especially to multi-ethnic lunch, the annual proclamation of the gospel and the volunteer organization fellow students who are not delegate sessions of MCBC will creates and shapes the church. that runs the museum saw a involved in church. They feel begin. You can register The church, in turn, discerns profit of $6,200 from the two that they have to defend their through your church office and shapes how the proclama- nights. The funds raised will beliefs, but they can only do so until February 15. There is no tion can be communicated be used to do maintenance on when they feel comfortable cost. most effectively. the museum and to set up a within their own faith.” The Nominations Commit- This study material will be computer system to catalogue The weekend was aimed at tee is still seeking volunteers released to congregations at museum contents. giving youth encouragement to serve on the following the delegate sessions. The museum is housed in and confidence in their faith. committees: Church Minis- “We are looking forward to a the former German-English Worship singing was to be led tries, Evangelism and Church time of dialogue on issues that Academy on the RJC campus. by WHOLE WHEAT, a band Development, Nominations, grow out of the theme. We plan A forerunner to the present from Pincher Creek. Camp Squeah, Program, and to use the round table format day Rosthern Junior College, The speaker at the Senior Finance. As well, one person is for processing most of the the academy was built in 1910. High Snowcamp, February 25- needed to represent MCBC on agenda,” said Edgar Rempel, During the 1960s, after a 27, will be Mike Perschon. The the board of Columbia Bible executive director for MC new associate pastor at Holyrood College. If you are interested, Mennonite Church in Edmon- contact Mary Woelk at (604) ton, Perschon has a passion for 853 2170 or e-mail: Charlotte 2005 contemporary culture and [email protected]. ministry with young people. He will be speaking on the Unless otherwise credited, the It’s time to register for articles in TheChurches pages were Charlotte 2005, the joint theme: “Faith 101,” and using written by: Leona Dueck Penner Mennonite Church Canada/ clips from the Star Wars (Mennonite Church Canada), Mennonite Church USA movies to start discussions Maurice Martin (Eastern Canada), convention in North Carolina. about spirituality and faith. Evelyn Rempel Petkau (Manitoba), The weekend will also Karin Fehderau (Saskatchewan), You can now register online at feature a Western theme and Donita Wiebe-Neufeld (Alberta), www.charlotte2005.org/ an opportunity to learn some Angelika Dawson (B.C.). See page 2 for contact information. Paper registration forms will be arriving at your square dancing. church shortly. Van Oevern is planning a second lunch meeting for

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 35 Advertising

Employment opportunities

ART DIRECTOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Canadian Mennonite is seeking a part-time Art Director/Graphic Designer for the biweekly Mennonite periodical. A resume, design samples and rates should be submitted by Feb. 4, 2005. The position begins Feb. 24, 2005. Duties include: issue design and layout; helping solicit and select artwork; creating and placing ads; troubleshooting ad and print problems; posting issue contents online on our web site

Applicants should have experience in print publishing; strong print and web design skills; technical knowledge of electronic page design, image editing and web technologies; and be adept at using leading desktop and web design tools. We are open to flexible working arrangements in terms of location (preferably at our office in Waterloo, Ontario, but we will also consider remote arrangements) and method of payment (salary or a per-issue payment). However, the designer needs to be reachable during production periods to work with staff on the layout. Applications should have a passion for the church and for Canadian Mennonite’s ministry and mission. Come to serve and build up the church in this exciting way! Direct inquiries and applications to: Timothy Dyck, Editor and Publisher, Canadian Mennonite 490 Dutton Dr., Unit C5, Waterloo, ON N2L 6H7 Phone: 1-800-378-2524, x225 E-mail: [email protected]

36 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 Advertising

Employment opportunities

Grebel photo About 80 grade 11 students from Rockway Mennonite Collegiate and United Mennonite Educational Institute (UMEI) attended a peacebuilding event at Conrad Grebel University College on December 7. Rockway is in Kitchener and UMEI in Leamington, Ontario. The event was entitled, “Peacebuilding: Involved the world but not overwhelmed by the world.” Students examined peace and looked at the theory of peacebuilding, led by Peace and Conflict Studies professors Lowell Ewert and Nathan Funk. Practical examples of how to “prevent, resolve and contain” were presented by Joel Klassen of Christian Peacemaker Teams and students from Engineers Without Borders.—From Grebel release

For sale Wanted

Coming up...

MCC Photo by Matthew Lester February 7 These children in Recife, Brazil, enjoy an after-school program Housing Journey to supported by Mennonite Central Committee’s Global Family peacemaking part 2 program. The children participate in play, supplemental educa- tion and nutritious snacks at Janga Evangelical Mennonite Focus on Camp & Summer Church. This project helps students in a lower-income neighbour- Christian Education hood and works in cooperation with a local school.—MCC release

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 37 ToMorrow

Next world assembly Calendar February 26: Mennonite Mountain College, Calgary. planned for Paraguay Church B.C. annual delegate March 17: Discussion on sessions at Peace Mennonite youth ministry for youth Paraguay—The next assembly Church, Richmond. pastors and sponsors, in of Mennonite World Confer- British Columbia March 5: Mennonite Histori- Calgary. Contact Mary Ann ence, in 2009, will be held in February 4, 5, 18, 19: MCC cal Society of B.C. lecture by Van Oevern, phone (403) 335- Paraguay, South America. B.C. fundraising banquets, at Bruce Guenther, “Wrenching 8264, e-mail: Mennonite churches here have Greendale Mennonite Breth- our youth from frivolous pur- [email protected]. about 28,000 members. ren Church (4); South Langley suits,” at Emmanuel Menno- April 28, 29, 30: Musical at German-speaking Menno- MB (5); Bakerview MB, nite, Abbotsford, 7:00 p.m. Menno Simons Christian nites, who moved here from Abbotsford (18); Peace March 11, 12: Columbia Bible School, Calgary. Manitoba beginning in 1927, Mennonite, Richmond (19), College Kingdom Players May 30-June 2: Theological live in 18 colonies and number 6:30 p.m. Call (604) 850-6636 presents “The Importance of Studies Week at Camp nearly 29,000 people. Baptized or 888-622-6337. Being Earnest.” Call (604) 853- Valaqua, with John Neufeld on membership is about 13,000. February 4: Prospective 3358 for tickets. marriage and family. In addition there are Indian Student Day at Columbia March 18-19: Youth workers June 5: Benefit evening with and Latino Mennonites. Bible College, Abbotsford. Call conference at Columbia Bible Stephen Lewis for MCC’s The president of Paraguay, 800-283-0881 or e-mail: College with Tony Campolo on: Generations at Risk program. Nicanor Duarte Frutos, [email protected]. “Youth ministry as sanctuary Details pending. attends a Mennonite Brethren February 5: Annual meeting in a world of violence.” For June 10: Grade 9 graduation church where his wife, Maria and banquet of Canadian details, call Gareth Brandt at at Menno Simons Christian Gloria Penayo de Frutos, and Mennonite at First United (604) 853-3567, ext. 323. School, Calgary. son are members. Mennonite Church, Vancouver. March 18: Prospective July 15-16: MCC Alberta Since he was elected in May Meeting at 4:00 p.m., banquet Student Day at Columbia Relief Sale in Sherwood Park, 2003, he has appointed four 6:00 p.m. For tickets phone Bible College, Abbotsford. Edmonton. Mennonites to senior govern- Angelika Dawson at (604) 870- March 19, 20: Abendmusik ment posts in industry, 0494 or John Goossen at (604) Lenten Vespers at Emmanuel Saskatchewan economic affairs, health and 940-8208. Free Reformed Church, taxation.—From Mennonite February 4-5: Mennonite February 5: Columbia Bible Abbotsford (19), and Knox Weekly Review report by Historical Society of Saskatch- College Alumni Dessert United Church, Vancouver Harold Jantz (20), 8:00 p.m. ewan annual meeting at Evening featuring Bethany Manor, Saskatoon. PATMOS, a music ensemble April 15-16: Columbia Bible College graduation weekend. February 11: MCC Saskatch- Vespers at CMU from Moldova, 7:00 p.m. For ewan Urban Plunge (for grade details contact Walter Spring concert at Central Heights Mennonite Brethren 11 students) at Valley Chris- Winnipeg, Man.—The alumni Bergen at (604) 853-3358. tian Academy, Osler. of Canadian Mennonite February 12-20: MCC Arts Church, Abbotsford (15). Grad ceremony (16). February 11-12: MC Sas- University invite the public to and Peace Festival. Call (604) katchewan Songfest at First Vespers in the auditorium at 850-6639. May 3: Columbia Open 2005 at Chilliwack Golf & Country Mennonite, Saskatoon. 500 Shaftesbury. The services February 18-20: Retreat on February 25-26: MC Sas- include choral music, prayers “Spirituality of the Middle Club. Banquet and auction at Columbia Bible College. katchewan annual delegate and readings. Earth” at Hidden Firs, sessions at Rosthern Junior On February 20, John Abbotsford, hosted by Camp May 15: “Mennonite Piano Concerto” performed by College. Poettcker will conduct the Squeah. Visit March 4-6: Poet/hymn writer service. On March 20, Rudy www.squeah.com. Irmgard Baerg, at Central Heights MB Church, 3:00 p.m. Jean Janzen at Nutana Park Schellenberg will conduct. The February 25-26: MC British Mennonite Church, Saskatoon. services begin at 7:30 p.m. For Columbia Church Polity Sponsored by Mennonite Historical Society of B.C. March 18-20: Portable CMU more information, contact Seminar at Peace Mennonite with Dan Epp-Tiessen at First CMU at (519) 487-3300. Church, Richmond. Alberta Mennonite Church, Saskatoon. —From CMU release March 20-21: Portable CMU February 18-20: Senior high with Gordon Zerbe at Rosthern Snow Camp at Camp Valaqua. Mennonite Church. Index 2004 February 25-26: Mennonite April 2: Women in Mission Church Alberta annual Enrichment Day. The Canadian Mennonite Index for delegate sessions at First April 8: Evening of Quartets 2004 is now available on our web Mennonite Church, Edmonton. at Cornerstone Church site at www.canadianmennonite.org February 25-27: Senior high Mennonite, 7:30 p.m. MCC Snow Camp at Camp Valaqua. fundraiser. You are welcome to download it for your use. March 4: Peace Fine Arts April 16: “Touring Mission If you would like a paper copy, call Festival for youth, sponsored Fest” by MC Saskatchewan Canadian Mennonite toll-free at 800-378-2524. by MCC Alberta, at Rocky Ministries Commission.

38 Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 ToMorrow

May 1: CAMS concert of April 23-24: Graduation Workshop at Milverton College. Mennonite school choirs at weekend at Canadian Mennonite Fellowship. Call April 23: MEDA banquet at Bethany College, Hepburn. Mennonite University: Spring (519) 656-2256. Conrad Grebel University May 14-15: 40th anniversary concert (23), convocation (24). March 24: MEDA Breakfast College, Waterloo, with celebration at Nutana Park May 24-28: Youth ministry Meeting, Stone Crock, St. speakers Robert and Lisa Mennonite Church, Saskatoon. course on sexuality with Jacobs, with speaker Jim Erb, Shuh. May 15: Spring concert at Roland Martinson at Canadian 7:30 a.m. April 29-30: Engaged Work- Rosthern Junior College. Mennonite University. Visit March 29: Mennonite Savings shop at Living Water Fellow- June 10-11: MCC relief sale in www.cmu.ca for details. and Credit Union annual ship, New Hamburg. Call Saskatoon. May 26: Westgate Mennonite meeting, St. Jacobs Mennonite Delmar and Mary Bender at June 17-19: Youth Farm Bible Collegiate senior concert. Church, 7:30 p.m. (519) 656-2256. Camp 40th anniversary May 27-29: Birding Retreat at April 1, 2: Menno Singers and June 10-12: Homecoming at celebrations. Camp Moose Lake. Guelph Chamber Choir at Breslau Mennonite Church. June 25-26: Camp Elim 60th May 30- June 1: Plus 55 Benton St. Baptist Church, Call (519) 569-8637 or visit anniversary celebrations. Retreat at Camp Moose Lake Kitchener (1) and River Run www.breslau.org/homecoming. June 26: Graduation at with speaker Jim Brown. Centre, Guelph (2), 8:00 p.m. Rosthern Junior College. June 6-8: Plus 55 Retreat at April 1-3: Marriage Encounter United States July 23-24: 50th anniversary Camp Koinonia with speaker weekend at Festival Inn, celebratons at Grace Jake Neufeld. Stratford. For details call July 4-9: Charlotte 2005, Mennonite Church, Regina. June 6-10: Congregational Marjorie Roth at (519) 669- Mennonite Church Canada July 29-31: Centennial Peacebuilding training with 8667. and MC USA assembly in celebrations at Rosthern Nan Cressman and Dean April 17: Convocation at Charlotte, N.C. Junior College. Peachey at Canadian Menno- Conrad Grebel University nite University. Contact Shirley Manitoba Plett at (204) 487-3300. February 4-6: Senior Youth Ontario Retreat at Camp Koinonia. February 8: Open House at February 9: Prospective Westgate Mennonite Colle- Student Evening (grades 6-12) giate, Winnipeg, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Rockway Mennonite February 11-13: Junior Youth Collegiate, Kitchener, 7:00 p.m. Retreat at Camp Moose Lake. February 9, March 9: New February 12: Retreat on music at Conrad Grebel “Sacred search: Encountering Chapel, Waterloo, by Len Enns God during Lent,” at Camp (Feb. 9); Carol Ann Weaver Assiniboia. Resource person: (March 9), 12:30 p.m. Angela Reed. February 15-17: School for February 18-19: Mennonite Ministers and Chaplains at Church Manitoba delegate Breslau Mennonite Church. sessions at Sargent Ave. February 25-27: MCEC Mennonite Church, Winnipeg. Young Adult retreat, “At the February 20, March 20: foot of the mountain,” at Vespers at Canadian Welcome Inn, Hamilton. Mennonite University, led by Contact Mark Diller Harder, John Poettcker (Feb.) and phone (519) 650-3806, e-mail: Rudy Schellenberg (March), [email protected]. 7:30 p.m February 26: Annual Dinner March 4-6: Retreat for and Auction Extravaganza at families with mentally Rockway Mennonite Colle- handicapped persons, at Camp giate, Kitchener. Assiniboia. February 27: Menno Singers March 6: Choral Connections HymnSing fundraiser, Water- concert at CMU, 7:30 p.m. loo-Kitchener Mennonite March 11-13: Peace-It-Together Church, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. youth conference at Canadian March 12: Fundraiser Mennonite University. breakfast for MCC meat March 11-13: Junior Youth canning at Calvary United Retreat at Camp Moose Lake. Church, St. Jacobs, 8:00 a.m. April 14, 15, 16: Westgate Speaker Dave Worth. Call Senior High musical, “Oliver,” (519) 745-8458. at Tech Voc Collegiate, March 16, 17: Bechtel Lecture Winnipeg. with Fernando Enns of April 16: Graduation for Germany at Conrad Grebel CMU’s Outtatown programs. University College, 7:30 p.m. March 18-19: Engaged

Canadian Mennonite January 24, 2005 Volume 9, Number 2 39 Conrad Grebel University College ...where tradition and innovation meet Undergraduate

Darren 2nd Year Arts - Religious Studies When Darren Kropf was accepted to the University of Waterloo, he chose Conrad Grebel as his residence because it offered more than a place to live. As a religious studies major, Darren is learning the many different aspects of religion and faith that aren’t always visible in society. “Grebel’s RS courses challenge me to analyze my faith and the way it impacts the choices I make. Grebel’s community offers a safe place to broaden my beliefs and grow with friends that offer similar and contrasting faith values.” Favourite Grebel Activities: hanging out, spontaneous evening activities, conversation Favourite Grebel food: ice cream cookie crumb cake Extra-curricular activities: former Frosh Rep and current Student Council President, Campus Rec. teams - basketball and soccer The best thing about Grebel is: the people! diversity of experiences and personalities, friendship, personal growth, laughs and good times Graduate

Conrad Grebel’s Master of Theological Studies (MTS) is a two-year interdisciplinary degree program designed for students preparing for further graduate work, pastoral ministry, or for personal enrichment. To foster and sustain the academic study of the beliefs and practices of Christianity, particularly the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition, Grebel’s MTS program draws on the College’s larger academic strengths, including the teaching and research areas of Theology, Biblical studies, Mennonite studies, Music, Peace studies, and the liberal arts. In the Ministry Option, the MTS program also draws on the wealth of experience and training of persons primarily engaged in ministry within the church.

Conrad Grebel University College 140 Westmount Rd. N Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6 519-885-0220 grebel.uwaterloo.ca