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INSIDE Raspberry Capital Beckons Gathering 2019 4 Lessons from Haiti 13 March 18, 2019 Volume 23 Number 6 On the road with Jesus Focus on Travel, pgs. 30-35 INSIDE Raspberry capital beckons Gathering 2019 4 Lessons from Haiti 13 PM40063104 R09613 Manitoba, B.C. AGM reports 16,17 2 Canadian Mennonite March 18, 2019 editorial Are we there yet? Virginia A. Hostetler Executive Editor o you remember An emphasis early on was the affirma- survey our senior writer conducted. those family car tion, “The congregation is the foundational We’re not there yet, on this trip toward Dtrips? In the front unit and expression of God’s work in the the future. Still ahead: the church has seat, Mom and Dad are navi- world.” Out of that grew the conclusion: serious work to do in addressing racism in gating, driving and planning “The key to remaining faithful and effective our midst (see the story on page 15). Given for the next pit stop. In the back seats, kids as a larger body in our changing world is differences in theological perspectives, we are staking out their individual spaces, trying revitalizing the life of [the church’s] foun- need to keep fine-tuning ways of having to stave off boredom and bickering. Everyone dational unit, the congregation” (Future meaningful conversation that propels us is looking forward to the adventure ahead. Directions Task Force Supplement to Final forward. When our churches deal with Someone calls out the question, “Are we Report, Oct. 23, 2015). diminishing numbers, it’s not clear that we there yet?” This trip has included significant bumps will be able to meet the financial needs our In March 2013, Canadian Mennonite ran in the road. Staff members serving at the dreams call for. the first article introducing a new nation- nationwide level lost their jobs as programs I’m encouraged by small signs: congre- wide process called Future Directions. It were cut. Workers in the International gations and regional staff are praying for was the beginning of an adventure towards Witness program faced a new funding each other and learning to work together, life in a changing reality. model, one that relies more on donors and regional efforts are inspiring members Dealing with decreasing church mem- “out there,” as opposed to guaranteed to consider their calling as a revitalized bership and reduced donations, the struc- support from a central office. Staff and church. An upcoming consultation will tures of Mennonite Church Canada faced volunteers of regional churches are being foster conversation about the purpose of serious challenges. Two questions were asked to do more facilitating and imple- the church in today’s society. central: “What is God’s Spirit calling us to menting of efforts for their respective areas. As individuals and as larger church body, in the 21st century? What are the best ways Responsibility for cultivating donors has we’re on a journey, learning how to be (programs, structures, strategies) for the increased at the regional level. We’re all faithful disciples in the 21st century. The church to thrive and grow?” learning about new ways of communicating adventure continues. The Future Directions process engaged across geography. people across MC Canada in conversations Sometimes the vision for the trip hasn’t You’re invited about where our church body was heading. been very clear. Who’s driving this car and Each year the Canadian Mennonite fund- Consultations happened, reports were where are we going? Grieving, fear, confu- raising dinner helps us to connect with written and many people offered opinions. sion and indifference have all been part of readers and supporters in one area of the Like any other voyage, this trip toward the mix, along with reminders that God is country. This year we invite you to our 48th the future has included planning and still Lord of the church. dinner, on April 6, 6:30 p.m., at Mennonite navigating, both enthusiasm and lack of It has now been 17 months since the Heritage Village in Steinbach, Man. There interest, and, yes, some bickering. Small decision to re-structure. Regional churches will be delicious food, entertainment by gatherings happened across the country, have experienced a complete fiscal year the Accent Women’s Ensemble, and the and the larger delegate body discussed pro- in this new reality and are finding ways to opportunity to talk to CM staff and board posals at the 2014 and 2016 assemblies. A foster reflection around the vision moving members. Tickets are free, but reservations final vote happened at the Special Assembly forward. In this issue, you will find reports are required. Donation baskets will be avail- in October 2017. That resulted in a new on the annual delegate gatherings of able. To reserve your seat, email office@ structure that moved many responsibilities Mennonite Church Manitoba (pages 16-17) canadianmennonite.org with “CM April 6 from the head office in Winnipeg to the and MC B.C. (pages 17-18). Also, on pages dinner” in the subject line, or call 1-800- former area churches, now named regional 20 and 21, you’ll find a report on the 51 378-2524, extension 221. We hope to see churches. responses to an informal Future Directions you there! l Printed in Canada Award-winning member of the Canadian Church Press ISSN 1480-042X contents March 18, 2019 / Vol. 23, No.6 ABOUT THE COVER: Many organizations and institutions—including Mennonite Central Raspberry capital Committee, Mennonite Disaster Service, Anabaptist Mennonite beckons Gathering Biblical Seminary, TourMagination, Columbia Bible College, and 2019 ​ 4 Dashir Lodge and Safaris—spend time working and learning ‘on the Mennonite Church British road with Jesus.’ Columbia and the city of PHOTO: EMILY LOEWEN, MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE Abbotford play host for the first get-together of the Get ready to be shaken 14 restructured nationwide Themes announced for ‘Rattled by the Radical’ youth event this sum- church over the Canada mer: ‘Climate change and creation care,’ ‘Our relationship with our Day long weekend. Indigenous neighbours,’ and ‘Holistic health.’ The future is now 20 Senior writer Will Braun takes stock of the restructured nationwide church six years into Future Directions after conducting a cross-coun- Regular features: try poll. For discussion 7 Readers write 8 Milestones 8 A moment from yesterday 9 Searching for a ‘generous space’ 26 Schools Directory 34 Online NOW! 35 Contributing editor Rachel Bergen reports on LGBTQ+ Mennonites Calendar 38 Classifieds 39 who have found community in queer Christian groups. Welcome to Gathering 2019 9 A disciple who met Jesus in the wounded 29 Garry Janzen Madalene Arias recalls the life and ministry of Adolfo Puricelli, whose vision led to the foundation of the Mennonite New Life Centre A friend tells a story 10 and the Toronto Mennonite New Life Church. Ed Olfert Canadian Mennonite Staff: Publisher, Tobi Thiessen, [email protected] Executive Editor, Virginia A. Hostetler, [email protected] Phone: 519-884-3810 Toll-free: 1-800-378-2524 Fax: 519-884-3331 Managing Editor, Ross W. Muir, [email protected] Website: canadianmennonite.org Online Media Manager, Aaron Epp, [email protected] Facebook.com/Canadian.Mennonite @CanMenno Contributing Editor, Rachel Bergen, [email protected] Please send all material to be considered for publication to: Editorial Assistant, Barb Draper, [email protected] General submission address: [email protected] Graphic Designer, Betty Avery, [email protected] Readers Write: [email protected] Circulation/Finance, Lisa Jacky, [email protected] Milestones announcements: [email protected] Advertising Manager, D. Michael Hostetler, [email protected], Calendar announcements: [email protected] toll-free voice mail: 1-800-378-2524 ext. 224 Senior Writer, Will Braun, [email protected] publications mail agreement no. 40063104 registration no. 09613 B.C. Correspondent, Amy Dueckman, [email protected] return undeliverable items to: Canadian Mennonite, Alberta Correspondent, Donita Wiebe-Neufeld, [email protected] 490 Dutton Drive, Unit C5, Waterloo, ON, N2L 6H7 Saskatchewan Correspondent, Donna Schulz, [email protected] Manitoba Correspondent, Nicolien Klassen-Wiebe, [email protected] Mission statement: To educate, inspire, inform, and foster dialogue on Eastern Canada Correspondent, Janet Bauman, [email protected] issues facing Mennonites in Canada as it shares the good news of Jesus Christ from an Anabaptist perspective. We do this through an independent One-Year Subscription Rates publication and other media, working with our church partners. Canada: $46 + tax (depends on province where subscriber lives) U.S.: $68 International (outside U.S.): $91.10 Published by Canadian Mennonite Publishing Service. Regional churches and MC Canada appoint directors to the board and support 38 percent of Subscriptions/address changes: Canadian Mennonite’s budget. (e-mail) [email protected] Board Chair, Henry Krause, [email protected], 604-888-3192 (phone) 1-800-378-2524 ext. 221 4 Canadian Mennonite March 18, 2019 feature Raspberry capital beckons Gathering 2019 Rest of Canada invited to the mountains and valleys where lakes were drained and land reclaimed Story and Photos by Amy Dueckman B.C. Correspondent ABBOTSFORD, B.C. The roundabout on South Clearbrook Road in Abbotsford, B.C., features a giant raspberry sculpture, symbolic of the agricultural heritage of the area. In the background is the Mennonite Heritage Museum. he raspberry capital of Canada, the Nestled in the scenic Fraser Valley just over the border most charitable city in Canada, the from Washington state, Abbotsford is a growing com- Bible Belt of Canada. These terms have munity known as the “city in the country.” all been used to describe Abbotsford, It is also diverse. After Toronto and Vancouver’s the site of Mennonite Church Canada’s metropolitan areas, Abbotsford, with an estimated TGathering 2019, to be held from June 28 to July 1. population of 147,000, has the highest number of Canadian Mennonite Vol.
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