April 27, 2009 Volume 13 Number 9

Sandbagging (in Jesus’ name) pg. 21

inside Believe behave belong 4 Mennonites go liturgical 16 Focus on Books&Resources 29 2 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Editorial Why Earth Day? Dick Benner Editor/Publisher that solar energy is part of caring for the creation God has given humans to stew- n our language there are no words in God’s creation of all living things and ard. The Toronto Dominion Friends of for ‘environment,’ ” says Ruby in his asking us, as part of the blessing, to the Environment Foundation, the Elora “IDunstan, an Nlaka’pamux elder, be a part of that continuing creative act Centre for Environmental Excellence “because we have always been taught that by “filling the earth and subduing it.” We and the Kitchener-Waterloo Community this is part of our everyday living. Daily recite, with exuberant joy, the song of Foundation matched these funds. teachings from our parents, grandpar- David: “The earth is the Lord’s and every- We are struck with the innovation of ents and great-grandparents show thing in it, the world and all who the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home us how to look after the foods that live in it.” in Waterloo, Ont., which, according to a we depend on and that are part of Still, stories and theological story by Wally Kroeker in Marketplace the environment, and that’s also statements can be interesting parts magazine, has introduced innovative part of spirituality.” of our literature and form an im- “green” practices into its business, such Many of us are fresh from portant part of a developing ethos as using energy-efficient computers, consciousness-raising activities on in stewardship, peace and justice. drought-resistant plants and 100 percent Earth Day (April 22). Could it be that, on If they are only on paper, though, and not recycled paper products, and by reducing a warming planet plagued by diminishing integrated into our daily living, they can the use of traditional formaldehyde em- supplies of fossil fuels and the melting of remain wonderfully symbolic but not balming fluid. The funeral home, aware glaciers worldwide, it just might be the very dynamic. of the 65 percent still selecting coffins right time to get the arm’s length buzz We salute those among us who have over cremation, found a small family- word “environment” out of our vocabu- moved from the symbolic to the practical, owned company in Ontario that pro- lary and adopt the First Nations’ mantra by making it a part of their spirituality. duces chemical-free caskets using un- of making this a part of our spirituality? We commend, as brought to our treated local softwoods (poplar, pine and Yes, we are making a good start by attention by the Mennonite Creation ash) and non-toxic glue. forming the Mennonite Creation Care Care Network, Milverton Mennonite Many of us have joined the 100-Mile Network of persons making this a Fellowship, Ont., that already installed a Diet to change the way we eat. Locally lifestyle priority. This serious group is WaterFurnace® earth energy system for raised and produced food has been called sharing compelling stories of individuals its new building’s heating and cooling “the new organic”—better tasting, better and agencies doing creative acts of “car- needs in the summer of 1991. There are for the earth, better for local economies, ing” and calling congregations to account two large, underground, parallel, hori- and better for our health. From reviving with an energy audit. zontal loops in the back of the church to the family farm to reconnecting with And as good stewards of God’s earth, service the sanctuary and basement, and the seasons, this local food movement is we have made it an operational part of one loop in the front to service the offices. turning good eating into a revolution. our theology for 14 years now, by declar- We applaud Rolf Thiessen, the Are we ready to adopt our First ing in our 1995 Confession of Faith in a Rockway Mennonite Collegiate teacher Nations’ mantra in making this a part of Mennonite Perspective that, “as stewards in charge of a solar energy project that our spirituality? Can we do away with of God’s earth, we are called to care for motivated students to raise $15,000 over Earth Day and make every day a time the earth and to bring rest and renewal to three years to install six solar panels on of “creation caring”? It could be a way of the land and everything that lives on it.” the southern exposure of their Kitchener, banning the word “environment” from As people of the Book, we share delight Ont., school building. Thiessen says our vocabulary forever.

About the cover: Circulation: Please contact Lisa Jacky toll-free at Fifty Canadian Mennonite University volunteers, including students and 1-800-378-2524 ext. 221 or by e-mail at office@ faculty, spent two-and-a-half hours creating a sandbag dike around a home canadianmennonite.org for subscriptions and ad- just south of Winnipeg earlier this month as the Red River began to crest after dress changes. Subscriptions can also be ordered at record flooding south of the border. See story on page 21. our web site. We acknowledge the financial support of Photo: Cordella Friesen, Canadian Mennonite University the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program towards our mailing costs. ISSN 1480-042X PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40063104 REGISTRATION NO. 09613 Believe behave belong 4 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE ITEMS TO CANADIAN MENNONITE contentsFormer Canadian Mennonite Publishing Service board member Henry 490 DUTTON DRIVE, UNIT C5 Neufeld makes a case that the church has put the cart before the horse WATERLOO ON N2L 6H7 by insisting that people believe and behave like Christians before they are Phone: 519-884-3810 Toll-free: 1-800-378-2524 Fax: 519-884-3331 permitted to belong to the church. Web site: canadianmennonite.org Please send all material to be considered for publication to: And the two shall become one 15 General submission address: [email protected] Manitoba correspondent Evelyn Rempel Petkau reports on the mer- Readers Write: [email protected] ger of Niverville Mennonite Church and the Elim EMMC congregation, Milestones announcements: [email protected] in an effort to be a more fruitful community witness. Obituaries: Karen Suderman, [email protected] Calendar announcements: [email protected] Sandbagging (in Jesus’ name) 21 Material can also be sent “Attn: Submissions/Readers Write/Milestones/ Canadian Mennonite University students, faculty and staff help save Obituaries/Calendar” by postal mail or fax to our head office. one house from the rising Red River by creating a dike of 5,000 sandbags Reprint requests: [email protected] around it. Mission statement: Canadian Mennonite (CM) is a bi-weekly Anabaptist/ Serving the poor and lonely 23 Mennonite-oriented periodical which seeks to promote covenantal relation- Marlene Froese urges MEDA diners to live out their faith. ships within the church (Hebrews 10:23-25). It provides channels for sharing Since her own retirement she has supervised berry pickers, accurate and fair information, faith profiles, inspirational/educational materials, helped find housing for low-income families, and worked and news and analyses of issues facing the church. In fulfilling its mission, the as a chef for seniors. She is waiting to see where God leads primary constituency of CM is the people and churches of Mennonite Church next. Canada and its five related area churches. CM also welcomes readers from the broader inter-Mennonite and inter-church scene. Editorial freedom is expressed Mennonite ‘chic’ 25 through seeking and speaking the truth in love and by providing a balance of Alexa Dirks, a member of Jubilee Mennonite Church, perspectives in news and commentary. CM will be a vehicle through which Winnipeg, is now a Juno Award-winner. Chic Gamine, mutual accountability can be exercised within the community of believers; the the band she sings in, was honoured in the Roots and paper also encourages its readers to have open hearts and minds in the process Traditional Album of the Year category. of discerning God’s will. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has Focus on Books&Resources 29 promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and The seven-page 2009 spring special section features an interview good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging with prolific authorPaul Loewen, four book reviews and the one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:23-25, Books&Resources listing. NRSV). Board of Directors (by appointing body): Regular features: MC Canada: Ed Janzen, John Goossen; MC B.C.: Linda Matties; MC Alberta: For discussion 6 Readers write 7 Milestones 11 Doris Daley Haysom; MC Saskatchewan: Joe Neufeld; MC Manitoba: Al Pontius’ Puddle 11 Schools Directory 36 Yellow Pages 36 Friesen; MC Eastern Canada: Larry Cornies; Elected by CMPS: Margaret Ewen Calendar 38 Classifieds 38 Peters, Joanna Reesor-McDowell, Tobi Thiessen Board Chair: Larry Cornies, [email protected], 519-854-9204 Why Earth Day? 2 Head Office Staff: Dick Benner Dick Benner, Editor/Publisher, [email protected] On receiving graciously 8 Ross W. Muir, Managing Editor, [email protected] Mike Strathdee Barb Draper, Editorial Assistant, [email protected] Dan Johnson, Graphic Designer, [email protected] Dance Lesson No. 4: Healing touch 9 Lisa Jacky, Circulation/Finance, [email protected] Melissa Miller Advertising: Karen Suderman, [email protected], toll-free voice See you in Saskatoon 10 mail: 1-800-378-2524 ext. 224, home office: 519-745-4507 Dave Bergen Correspondents: Aaron Epp, National Correspondent, [email protected], 204-885-2565 New blog postings ext. 259; Amy Dueckman, B.C. Correspondent, [email protected], 604-854-3735; Donita Wiebe-Neufeld, Alberta Correspondent, ab@canadian- at canadianmennonite.org/blog/ mennonite.org, 780-436-3431; Karin Fehderau, Saskatchewan Correspondent, [email protected], 306-933-4209; Evelyn Rempel Petkau, Manitoba An Easter sermon: Cheryl Woelk Correspondent, [email protected], 204-745-2208; Dave Rogalsky, Pigeon-fancying and prayer: Hinke Loewen-Rudgers Eastern Canada Correspondent, [email protected], 519-579-7258 Believe behave belong (Or how the church has got the art of discipleship backwards for so long)

By Henry Neufeld

Adapted from a sermon he preached at Point Grey Inter-Mennonite Fellowship, Vancouver, B.C., in 2007, Henry Neufeld suggests a different order of making disciples than normally practised by most churches—but a way that he believes Jesus used in his ministry and that was employed by the early church.

t a dinner discussion, an Anglican priest described three components of the Christian life: believing, behaving and belonging. He said we usually arrange them in the wrong order: We want people Ato believe in Jesus, then to behave in a Christ-like way, then to join the church and belong. Believe, behave and For Judaism, the practical belong. But that is backwards, he said. A formula for consequences of belief selling heavenly insurance, he called it. “Do you agree with these Four Spiritual Laws?” Yes. in God are important, “Then you’re a Christian.” I am? Is it really that simple? not the belief itself. A rabbi touring British churches and synagogues as a judge for a “Preacher of the Year” competition noticed that most vicars in the Church of England emphasized faith and how important it was to believe in God. Rabbis, on the other hand, talked about practical matters—from business ethics to coping with cancer. The bishop of Oxford reviewed a book by a Jewish Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 5

writer and noted the same thing: 280 don’t believe in me.” what we’re about. Or we could take an- pages were devoted to what to do, 20 That’s a startling line: Even if you don’t other route and say, like Jesus did, look at pages to what to believe. He said that if believe in me, believe in my work. The my life, at the things I’ve done, and then it had been a Christian publication, it New English Bible translation says, “My decide about the Christian faith. I’m not would have been the other way round: deeds are my credentials.” Ignore his sure I want to do that, to have someone 280 pages on what to believe, 20 on what words, he tells them, but look at my be- look at my life and then decide about to do. haviour and see what I’ve done, evidence becoming a Christian. If my deeds are my For Judaism, the practical conse- that is right in front of their eyes. credentials, that gets quite personal. It’s quences of belief in God are important, The Jewish leaders had no problem downright scary. not the belief itself. This has led to an with his miracles; his claiming to be God The pattern Jesus sets is this: Join up emphasis on action, rather than faith. It is the problem. with me, behave like I do, and from that gives rise to a somewhat tongue-in-cheek Get your theology right and everything your faith will grow. Don’t worry about saying that contains a sizable grain of will be fine. your faith, just join the group, behave and truth: “To be a good Jew, you don’t have Well, the Jewish leaders knew their eventually you’ll believe. to believe in God, just do what he says.” theology and they knew the Scriptures. What about the verses where Jesus told Believe in the Mosaic law, and behave people to believe in him? A backwards formula according to it. Then you will belong. • Repent and believe the good news. In John 10, Jesus’ critics asked him, “How Believe, behave and belong. That’s the • To those who believed in his name he gave much longer are you going to keep us in formula. And it’s backwards. the right to become the children of God. suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us • Whoever believes in him shall not perish openly.” Jesus’ reply is quite simple, and it Simply follow Jesus but have everlasting life. refers to what he did, about his behav- It should be belong, behave and believe, • The work of God is this: to believe in the iour: “I told you before and you don’t because that’s Jesus example. When one he has sent. believe, you’ve seen what works I’ve done. Jesus called his disciples, he did not give The context of these statements is You don’t believe because you are no sheep them a test about their beliefs, about important. The difficulty for the Jews of mine.” their theology, about their faith. He of Jesus’ day was profound. They were Jesus concludes his comments with, “I didn’t ask them if they believed the Ten under Roman military occupation and and the Father are one.” This makes them mad and they gather stones to kill Jesus. When Jesus called his disciples, he did not To which he responds, “I have shown you many good works from my Father; for give them a test about their beliefs, about which of these are you stoning me?” In their theology, about their faith. effect, for which of my miracles do you want to kill me? Commandments and the Mosaic law. He hoping for a messiah to deliver them. His critics in turn reply, “We’re stoning simply said, “Follow me.” We would say, Jesus comes along and announces he is you not for doing good work, but for blas- “Hang out with me for a while. Join up the one. But he isn’t worried about the phemy, you claim to be God.” But Jesus with me. Watch what I do.” Romans. It’s no big deal if a soldier wants says, “If I’m not doing my Father’s work, I wonder what a church growth strat- you to carry his backpack for a mile—you there’s no need to believe me, but if I am egy would look like if we said to people, carry it for two. If your enemy is hungry, doing it, believe in my work, even if you come hang out with us for a while, see feed him. Repay evil with good. 6 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

This is not the kind of messiah they ex- help clarify the candidate’s actions. like Christ, not to believe in a prescribed Viewpoints pected . . . or wanted. They wanted a mil- At one point the disciples told Jesus creed or statements of faith. Love is more itary leader to drive the Roman occupiers they saw someone casting out demons important than doctrine. The purpose of out. For Jews of his day to believe in Jesus in his name, but he wasn’t part of Jesus’ Christianity is not to discuss the details as the Messiah required a radical shift group. “Because he’s not with us, we tried of theology, but to minister to human that was beyond their comprehension. It to stop him,” they reported. He doesn’t misery. required a total rethinking of everything they believed. That’s what Jesus called The purpose of Christianity is not to discuss the details for when he asked people to repent and of theology, but to minister to human misery. believe in him. Change your behaviour totally. Re-jig your thinking because you belong to our group, his theology is Yet if I insist on a “belong, behave, have it all wrong. different and probably wrong. But Jesus believe” order, I am simply replacing rebuked them: “Anyone who is not against one formula with another. Maybe the Starting over you is for you.” sequence of these three isn’t that import- That’s what conversion in Jesus’ day On another occasion, James and John ant. Maybe what is important is that all required. And Alan Kreider, in his 2000 wanted to call down fire from heaven on three happen—and continue to happen. book, The Change of Conversion and the the Samaritans and Jesus said no. Just A healthy interaction between believing, Origin of Christendom, notes that the because people believe differently than behaving and belonging is needed. If we church of the first few centuries made a you—that’s no reason to condemn them. want to assess our faith, a review of the huge issue of behaviour before getting to That’s not how to treat people with whom integration of our behaviour, belonging the belonging and believing parts. you disagree. and beliefs would be an effective tool. But conversion doesn’t require that Jesus said of the Pharisees: they have Hang out with us for while, see what from us today. We don’t ask people to the right doctrine and they believe all we’re about, get to know us, see what we reject their fundamental thinking and be- the right stuff, but where is it going to do. That was the way of him who said, haviour. Instead, we say, “Believe this and get them? The important thing is to live “My deeds are my credentials.” l you’re saved.” That’s the heavenly insur- ance formula. But Jesus didn’t give them a simple formula. He said if you want to ΛΛFor discussion follow me, start over. Our preoccupation with correct belief 1. If someone claims to be a Christian, what expectations do we have about that is excessive. Obsessed with correct theol- person’s behaviour? How much of our behaviour is determined by what the ogy and correct doctrine, we have creeds, people around us do, and how much is determined by our beliefs? What motiv- statements of faith and covenants, all ates traditional (conservative) Mennonite people to follow their church’s rules? designed to keep us on the straight and narrow. If we all just believe the same 2. According to Henry Neufeld, we don’t expect conversion to bring profound thing, the same words in this creed or change in behaviour; we just say, “Believe this and you’re saved.” Do you agree covenant, everything will be fine. with Neufeld that we have over-emphasized belief and under-emphasized be- When potential pastors are being haviour? What would be some positive and/or negative consequences of shifting interviewed, they are asked such ques- that emphasis? tions as: • Do you believe the Bible? 3. If love is more important than doctrine, and your deeds are your credentials, • Is it inerrant? does that mean that someone who ministers to humanity could get to heaven • Do you believe in the Trinity? without believing in Jesus? How do you interpret Jesus’ story of the sheep and • Do you believe in a literal hell or in a the goats in Matthew 25:31-46, or James 2:14-26, where James says faith without specific form of baptism? deeds is useless? Is this an invitation to “works” righteousness? • Do you believe women in ministry is biblical? 4. For hundreds of years some Christians have taught that you cannot earn But rather than focusing on the can- your way to heaven, pointing to Romans 3:22 and saying righteousness comes didate’s theology, the person’s behaviour by faith. What role has this played in a lack of emphasis on right behaviour? should come under scrutiny. Your deeds How do we discipline church members who misbehave? Has the church been are your credentials, so tell us what dispensing “cheap grace”? you’ve done. Candidates should be asked what they’ve done to alleviate suffering in 5. Do you think the Mennonite Church has been too permissive? Are we facing the world. Interviews with the applicant’s a time of change? spouse, children and neighbours would Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 7

Viewpoints good folks here what the reality is, not what she thinks it is. ΛΛReaders write Doug Amstutz, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia We welcome your comments and publish most letters sent Doug Amstutz is the Mennonite Central Committee by subscribers intended for publication. Respecting our co-country representative for Ethiopia. theology of the priesthood of all believers and of the im- portance of the faith community discernment process, this EE Claims regarding the church section is a largely open forum for the sharing of views. and Bible disputed Letters are the opinion of the writer only—publication does not mean endorsement by the magazine or the church. There were some rather interesting claims made Letters should be brief and address issues rather than in the March 2 article, “Ten Things to Remember,” individuals. page 4. Please send letters to be considered for publication to The Bible is the creation of the church? The com- [email protected] or by postal mail or fax, mon scriptures—which Christians paternalistically marked “Attn: Readers Write” (our address is on page 3). refer to as the Old Testament—emerged well before Letters should include the author’s contact information the church ever came on the scene, and I was under and mailing address. Letters are edited for length, style the impression that these Scriptures also are part of and adherence to editorial guidelines. the church’s Scriptures. And “the church decided that the 27 books we EE African aid worker provides another now have in the New Testament were the believers’ ‘contrary view’ to global consumption reliable guide for faith and life”? I looked over my listing of church councils, but could find no reference Re: Olivia Dyck’s “A contrary view to a contrary to a church decision about what should be invoked view” letter, March 2, page 7. as Scripture until the Council of Trent, but that’s 16 Dyck’s response to Al Doerksen’s opinion piece centuries down the road. (“A contrarian view of anti-consumption Christmas rhetoric,” Dec. 15, 2008, page 6) begs for a reply on so many different levels I hardly know where to begin. An invitation from To suggest that I might be greedy—or worse— to enjoy a banana, coffee or some other imported product, and that we should avoid all such products, is truly unenlightened. There is a difference between “free trade” and “fair trade.” Banana and coffee farmers Mennonites in Africa, for example, want to sell their produce to Mennonite in health care the world, but on a level playing field. They are not World concerned about North American consumption, but Conference Global meeting of Mennonite they are very much concerned about the agricultural healthcare professionals: subsidies North Americans and Europeans provide to How do we follow the way of their own farmers, which price African products out Jesus Christ in the health field? of the market. July 15 and 16, 2009 (1– 4:30 p.m.) Doerksen’s point, I believe, is that humans do have At the Hospital of Fundación “VISION” to consume . . . we all have to eat. So the question is, Fernando de la Mora, Paraguay (Transportation provided from Assembly how to do this in a way that benefits all parties? Mennonite Medical site for Assembly participants) Finally, Dyck’s point about cell phones is un- Registration and contacts – informed and just a tad patronizing. Here in Africa, Association Email: [email protected] Dr. Wilhelm Schröder + (595) 981 275382 a cell phone is truly a populist item. It is democratic Dr. Wesley Schmidt + (595) 971 227855 because it bypasses the inefficient and expensive land Dr. Carlos Wiens + (595) 991 761755 Register now! line phone systems, and is an income-generating Free for A15 MWC Assembly participants mwc-cmm.org but advance registration requested business for some because they can charge others for God is calling us to Paraguay... use of the phone and make a living. Cell phones put 14-19 July 2009 people in touch with friends and family, and, despite Asunción, ¡Vamos! what Dyck suggests, their use is relatively cheap in Paraguay “Come together in the way of Jesus Christ.” most countries around the world. —Philippians 2:1-11 I invite Dyck to come to Africa and learn from the 8 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Rather, the church recognized the Scriptures’ au- urged us with a breathtaking hermeneutical ecumen- thority. The church didn’t create them. As Athanasius, ism, “to grasp with all God’s people”—not just with the bishop of Alexandria in the fourth century, wrote, fellow Mennonites or Bereans—the sweep of scrip- “These are the sources of salvation,” listing those books tural intent. that the Alexandrian Christians recognized as authori- Vern Ratzlaff, Saskatoon, Sask. tative. But he didn’t create it. The Scriptures created the church, not the other way around. EE Bible reading series proves Finally, the author’s counsel to act as the Bereans did a blessing for reader in interpreting Scripture in community results in sec- tarianism. As long as Bereans consult only with other I was reading the March 2 edition of Canadian Bereans (and Mennonites with other Mennonites), Mennonite and was blessed by the “Reading the Bible we cut ourselves off from the communion of saints. for all it’s Worth” article by John H. Neufeld. Instead, the author of the Letter to the Ephesians Here is my answer to the “For discussion” question,

God, Money and Me productive adulthood or will be ever dependent on assistance from the state. Now we talk about how soon we will On receiving graciously need to begin tapping a home equity line, and for how many years. Still, when Mike Strathdee the first of several friends asked if there was a way they could assist financially, I esson four in Mennonite school. That, I’ve often dreamed, would replied, “Your prayers are what we need Foundation of Canada’s study se- allow us to merely substitute one set of and covet most.” Lries, “God, Money & Me,” is en- payments for another, and allow Ella to My wife’s parents most generously titled “We are all receivers.” The lesson benefit from Christian education without presented us with a series of cheques to asks provocative questions that challenge having to cut back on giving to causes we help defray part of the therapy costs. We conventional thinking, particularly our care about. are thankful for their selflessness, and are desire for independence and the need to After all, as Jesus is quoted as saying trying to work at being okay with the fact always be on the giving, rather than the in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give that we will neither be able to pay it back receiving, end. than to receive.” And God laughs at my nor “pay it forward,” for many years at There is no question that I owe an presumption and tendency to compre- least. incalculable debt to many people—my hend only part of the passage. The Bible Receiving graciously is a challenge. It’s wife Carolyn, my daughters, parents and doesn’t say that those who receive aren’t a challenge to acknowledge dependence in-laws, friends and relatives, neigh- blessed, so why am I uncomfortable be- and interdependence. But maybe I’ll bours, teachers, pastors, mentors—for the blessings Now we talk about how soon we will need to begin I have enjoyed in life. Yet I have remained stubbornly tapping a home equity line, and for how many years. suspicious of, and frequently resistant to, the idea of in- ing on the receiving end of things? be able to better live out the challenge curring debt, financial or otherwise. This Since our youngest daughter, Kate, of the song “Will You Let Me Be Your attitude may come from a subconscious was diagnosed with borderline aut- Servant” once I can fully accept the line awareness of being descended from gen- ism, our preoccupations, outlook and that says, “Pray that I may have the grace erations of tenant farmers, sheepherd- financial plans have shifted dramatic- to let you be my servant too.” ers who scratched out a bare existence ally. Conversations about when we can among the rocks of northern Scotland. afford to do which renovation and still Mike Strathdee is a stewardship Carolyn and I have tried to live with as stay on track to be debt-free have gone consultant at the Kitchener, Ont., office little debt as possible, allowing her to stay by the wayside, as we started expensive of the Mennonite Foundation of Canada. home with our girls and nurturing the and intensive private therapy that costs For stewardship education and estate middle class fantasy of being mortgage- tens of thousands of dollars a year. It and charitable gift planning, contact free by the time our oldest child is ready is therapy that could make the differ- your nearest foundation office or visit to attend our local Mennonite high ence in whether Kate is able to enjoy a Mennofoundation.ca. Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 9

“What is your favourite Scripture passage?” I have Christ will work by the Spirit. God’s power is bigger different scriptures for different times that I believe than Satan’s, and the Holy Spirit is leading us right are given from God my Father through the Holy Spirit. through the power of prayer. I believe my Father in For the last two years, John 17 has become big for me: heaven loves to answer prayer. Jesus has prayed for all the ones that will accept him as Marlene Hiebert, Blumenort, Man. Saviour, and for me too; it’s a wonderful assurance that I will make it in this world. God my Father—Jehovah E Jirah, our rock of ages—is able to keep my spirit, heart, E Help needed for summer mind, soul and body together, and to never lose hope youth assembly until he calls me home. And it’s the same for the church, the bride of Jesus. This summer at the Mennonite Church Canada The thing is to trust that all my brothers and sisters in youth assembly, plans are underway to assemble

Family Ties

to carry that old memory with such vigilance. I could be open to new learning Dance lesson No. 4: about touch that was safe, respectful and pleasurable. What a holy gift! Christianity is an em- Healing touch bodied religion. We proclaim that God took on bodily form and lived as a human Melissa Miller being in the person of Jesus. Many of Jesus’ miracles involved physical healing childhood memory captures partner—in that case, my dad—had con- of human bodies. Jesus’ touch was often it well. My father, a lively tease, trol, and that I was vulnerable. In short, a significant part of his interactions with Awould trap my little wrists it set me up to feel ambivalent about others. together in one of his large, strong hands. physical touch, especially that from men. Today, we often pray for God’s help Holding me captive, he would then use All this remained in the shadows of with the physical illnesses of ourselves or his free hand to tickle my ribs and tummy, awareness until my recent experiences our loved ones. Is it too much of a stretch making me squirm and wriggle. It was with dance lessons. Dance involves get- to imagine that God might use unortho- fun because Dad was paying attention to ting close, moving into that dangerous dox means to bring about healing, like me, and we laughed at the game, enjoy- physical zone of risk. Unknowingly, I ballroom dance lessons? ing the physical closeness. And it was not was wary, carrying with me the need to Writing now, I find myself humming fun because tickling can be uncomfort- be on guard, just in case the play sud- a song in the hymnal which includes able. I couldn’t escape and, since my own hands were trapped, I had little Is it too much of a stretch to imagine God might capacity to resist. Such experiences with physical use unorthodox means to bring about healing . . . ? touch lay down a track for a child’s self-identity, and for relationships with denly became painful. Dancing with my the words, “New man, woman new” others. Humans need touch, and they husband, I suddenly glimpsed the tension and “Spirit of life moving” (Hymnal: need to receive touch that is safe, con- I had long carried. Simultaneously, I real- A Worship Book, No. 299, “New Earth, sistent and nurturing. Tickling too often ized that dance lessons were melting that Heavens New”). In the season of Easter, sends the opposite kind of message—one tension. we are especially conscious of the new of aggression and dominance. The insight came with joy and promise, life that the Spirit of God brings to us, My experiences being tickled by my like that inspired by an unexpected sight- perhaps even in surprising and unexpect- father gave me a mixed perspective on ing of a sunrise glowing beautifully in an ed ways. touch. If I had to put into words the les- eastern window. In a flash, I realized as I son of that childhood game, I would say I was dancing that I had generalized from Melissa Miller ([email protected]) lives learned that physical closeness is risky: It the negative experiences of my childhood in Winnipeg, where she ponders family might be fun or it might be uncomfort- into other interactions involving physical relationships as a pastor, counsellor and able, even painful. I also learned that my touch. And I knew that I no longer had author. 10 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

10,000 school kits for Cuban students. This is quite an materials (thanks, but we have enough bags). If you ambitious project, something that can only happen if would like to donate supplies, send them with the we all work together. nearest youth group going to the assembly. We have approximately 5,000 school kits accounted If you would like to donate money and receive a for, but that leaves us with the need to find the supplies receipt, please send the money to Mennonite Church or money for 5,000 more. At $7 to $10 a kit, that’s over Canada and designate it as “Youth Assembly School $35,000! Kits.” We need your help in getting there. There are many Every pencil, notebook and donation will make a good reasons why you should consider helping us out. huge difference, both here in Canada and around the Here are two of them: world. 1. Investing in the youths of your church is one of the Kyle Penner, Winnipeg best investments you’ll ever make. 2. Investing in the education of students around the Kyle Penner attends Springfield Heights Mennonite world is one of the best investments you’ll ever make. Church, Winnipeg, and is a member of the Youth We’re asking for donations of money or school kit Assembly Planning Committee.

From our Leaders

the worldwide body of Christ, we discern See you in Saskatoon together the times in which we live, so that our response to injustice and oppres- Dave Bergen sion in the world will be illuminated by the light of the Christ who frees from op- pression and brings good news of peace n only a few short weeks, on June Jesus Christ” (MC Canada Statement of to all. 5-7 in Saskatoon, Sask., members of Identity and Purpose). We meet together as a Mennonite IMennonite Church Canada congre- With our differing gifts and functions Church body in Canada because we are gations will meet for our annual delegate in God’s reconciling work, we need to being formed daily into the likeness of assembly. Some may ask why in the come together because we complete one Christ, our head, who prayed that the world we summon folks from hither and another. We have many different vantage church would be one with the purposes yon, year after year, to meet together in points, located as we are in different of God, just as Jesus himself was. this way. True, we are required, legally, geographic, social and cultural settings Much more can be said. I would simply to meet certain minimum requirements across Canada. We meet together in or- invite you, a part of the beautiful, diverse, pertaining to the approval of budgets der to test what we think we are hearing complex and wonderful body of Christ, and the way we do business as a charitable organization. We meet together in order to test what we But this hardly scratches the surface. think we are hearing from the Spirit . . . . Quite simply, we meet because, in the words of Ralph Milton, from the Spirit, so that the voice of God to make your way to Saskatoon this June, “none of us is as smart as all of us” (God through the church will be able to sum- and there to cultivate again your deep, for Beginners, Northstone Publishing mon the best of what we are and what we vital connection to the other members of 1996). However, even a statement this can be, together, for the mission of God the body of Christ. Come to learn from simple needs some unpacking. in the world. Scripture and from each other. Come to We meet together because we believe From our various locations in life and worship and work and celebrate. Come that we are not sufficient unto ourselves faith, we bring our incomplete under- to be renewed and stretched in the faith either as Christians or as congregations. standing of faithful living, and search of this living body we share. See you in We need one another to be faithful to together for a word from God that is Saskatoon! our calling to “be” the church as en- stronger and clearer because we have visioned by God—one people, one body, sought direction by the Spirit, with one Dave Bergen is executive secretary of called, equipped and sent “to engage mind, in one community. As a visible, formation ministries for Mennonite the world with the reconciling gospel of Canadian, Mennonite representation of Church Canada. Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 11

ΛΛMilestones Births/Adoptions Deaths Bigham—Eli James (b. April 8, 2009), to Daniel and Bergey—Lorna Lucile (nee Shantz), 87 (b. May 29, 1921; d. Meredith Bigham, St. Jacobs Mennonite, Ont. March 22, 2009), First Mennonite, Kitchener, Ont. Chodos—Samuel Robert Krahn (b. March 30, 2009), Derksen—Abram, 80 (d. March 25, 2009), Winkler to Dave Chodos and Natasha Krahn, Waterloo North Bergthaler Mennonite, Man. Mennonite, Waterloo, Ont. Dettweiler—Howard, 79 (b. April 16, 1929; d. April 2, 2009), Cornies—Henry Wallace (b. April 5, 2009), to Ron and Breslau Mennonite, Ont. Karen Cornies, Waterloo North Mennonite, Waterloo, Ont. Driedger—Helen (nee Epp), 79 (d. March 26, 2009), Fieguth—Ian Neil (b. March 4, 2009), to Ferdinand and Leamington United Mennonite. Lynn McDonough Fieguth, Niagara United Mennonite, Fast—Mary Ethel (nee Thiessen), 93 (b. June 25, 1915; d. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. March 30, 2009), Nutana Park Mennonite, Saskatoon, Sask. Heinrichs—Isabelle Janessa Suzanne (b. Jan. 25, 2009), Goertz—Willy, 79 (b. May 31, 1929; d. March 27, 2009), adopted by Steve and Ann Heinrichs, Church of the Way, Niagara United Mennonite, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Granisle, B.C. Peters—Peter Heinrich, 65 (b. Dec. 7, 1943; d. April 5, 2009), Janzen—Asher Isaiah (b. Jan. 20, 2009), to Marla and Nathan First Mennonite, Winnipeg, in Qualicum Beach, B.C. Janzen, Zoar Mennonite, Langham, Sask., in Edmonton. Hubert—Leola Jean, 59 (b. July 5, 1949; d. March 4, 2009), Jonjegan Harder—Tobias Gavin (b. Feb. 13, 2009), Zoar Mennonite, Langham, Sask. to Charleen and Kendall Jongejan Harder, Valleyview Regier—Hans Joachim, 72 (b. July 15, 1936; d. March 23, Mennonite, London, Ont. 2009), Niagara United Mennonite, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Kroeker—Carson Anthony David (b. March 5, 2009), to Ont. Anthony (Tofield Mennonite,A lta.) and Andrea Kroeker, in Rempel—Abram, 77 (b. Oct. 3, 1931; d. March 21, 2009), Ft. MacMurray, Alta. Jubilee Mennonite, Wnnipeg. Renaud—Wynter Maggie Mae (b. Dec. 17, 2008), to Lou Rempel—John, 84 (d. March 10, 2009), Leamington United Renaud and Heather Perquin, Valleyview Mennonite, Mennonite, Ont. London, Ont. Siemens—Katharina (Tina) (nee Neufeld), 87 (b. April 24, 1921; d. April 3, 2009), Rosthern Mennonite, Sask. Marriages Canadian Mennonite welcomes Milestones Freeman/Wills—Kim Freeman (St. Jacobs Mennonite, announcements within four months of the event. Ont.) and John Wills, at Grey Silo Golf Course, Waterloo, Please send Milestones announcements by e-mail to Ont., March 14, 2009. [email protected], including the Goertzen/Janzen—Andrew Goertzen and Jill Janzen, at congregation name and location. When sending death Sherbrooke Mennonite, Vancouver, April 4, 2009. notices, please include birth date and last name at birth Kim/Woelk—Hong-Soek (Scott) Kim and Cheryl Woelk if available. (Zion Mennonite, Swift Current, Sask.), in Seoul, South Korea, March 28, 2009. 12 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Young Prophets farms now a battlefield, these families have pitched makeshift tents along the beach and are ready to escape by boat to A most beautiful way the nearby city of Iligan if they hear any gunshots. By Christina Bartel Barkman With fluttering hands and broken English, a mother who had just received urned out homes, evacuees tent- With the looming threat of further her food package expressed her fear that ing along the beach, helicopters civilian raids in Kauswagan, I assumed a rebels would attack again. As her hands Bflying low overhead and soldiers solemn and gloomy atmosphere would depicted an exploding bomb, I sensed her patrolling the streets—hard evidence of permeate the air, but, instead, I was wel- terror and quietly prayed that she and her a community devastated by war. These comed with smiles and playful laughter. community might someday experience scenes greeted me as we drove into the Soldiers carrying their rifles grinned and peace and no longer live in fear. municipality of Kauswagan in Mindanao, waved hello with surprising enthusiasm Despite their apprehension, the people Philippines, with Peacebuilders as we drove through checkpoints. Local of Kauswagan seemed remarkably joyful. Community Inc., a ministry supported volunteers welcomed us warmly, happily Women chatted happily with wide-eyed by Mennonite Church Canada Witness, preparing feasts and providing us with a smiles as they waited in line to receive to distribute relief to internally displaced place to stay. their food packages. Youths giggled as Filipino people. Amidst my disgust at the capacity they eagerly gathered around my “for- Kauswagan is one of the many com- humans have to bring devastation to one eigner” husband, Darnell, to have their munities affected by the recent escala- another, I glimpsed the beauty and won- picture taken. Even the face of an elderly tion of armed conflict in rural regions of der of the human spirit. What compelled woman, crippled by a recent stroke, central Mindanao, resulting in roughly an armed bandit to clean and bandage shone with delight when we greeted her. 400,000 displaced people throughout the the gunshot wound of a young man he My Lonely Planet guide to the area. War broke out in July 2008 after had just shot? And what made rebels Philippines says that, according to a 2005 the failed signing of a Memorandum of show mercy to a pleading family who of- global survey, “Filipinos came out as one Agreement on Ancestral Domain between fered them food if they would be spared? of the world’s happiest people.” With 70 the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and How was that same family able to invite different dialects, the article claims that the government of the Philippines, an the rebels into their home for karaoke? Filipinos don’t have words for depression, agreement that would have increased an This astounded me. How are rebels and anxiety, anguish or even boredom. How existing Muslim autonomous zone and victims able to join together in song? is this the case in a country stricken by enhanced peace talk efforts between the After witnessing the devastation war, poverty, colonialism and corrupt two groups. An attack by rebel forces on inflicted by the conflict, we met with leadership? My western worldview tries Aug. 18 in the municipality of Kauswagan our field workers to help distribute relief to tell me that material security brings killed 21 civilians and burned 20 homes. to 270 displaced families. With their happiness, but here in the Philippines I have been moved by the human ability to Photo by Mikki Bartel love, show mercy and experience joy in desolate situations. We can choose how we react to calamities and trials. As Austrian neur- ologist and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl writes, “Everything can be taken from a man, but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way.” The Filipinos have a wonderful capacity to choose a most beautiful way. l

Christina and Darnell Barkman of Peace Mennonite Church, Richmond B.C., are serving in Mindanao, Philippines, for 10 months on an internship assignment Darnell Barkman, in the green head-covering, is pictured with Kauswagan youths with Mennonite Church Canada Witness. at a relief distribution site. The makeshift tent in the right background now serves as Witness and Mennonite Central Committee a family’s home. both contributed funds for relief. Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 13

Viewpoint Whom can you made-up way of making yourself feel better,” Williams writes in Tokens of Trust. If we consider some of the better-known trust? biblical characters, doubt seems to be By Karl Koop a component of faith, rather than its negation. It is true that the existence of God t is sometimes said that we live in century forecasting the final disappear- or the resurrection of Christ cannot be an age of mistrust. We are sceptical ance of religion appear to have been proven scientifically or otherwise, and it Iof what politicians say, just as we’ve wrong. To be sure, Europe and North is unlikely that someone will come along learned that economic forecasters can be America have seen a decline in religious in the future with a novel argument that wrong. adherence, yet observers of religion have will establish once and for all that God In matters of faith, we may also have noted that religious revival and spiritual exists. Yet it is also the case that atheism our questions and doubts. Perhaps this energy has been surging, especially in is also impossible to prove. High-profile is especially the case during the Easter Africa, Asia and Latin America. atheists often fail to admit that their season, when we are invited to celebrate It is worth noting that the biblical disbelief in God is also a “leap of faith.” the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Can we writers did not concern themselves with The very intellectual scepticism that they trust this story even though it does not arguments for the existence of God. On see lacking in Christians is often absent seem to mesh well with what we know the other hand, they did address matters in their own thinking. Atheism, too, is a from experience? From what we know, of doubt. The doubting disciple, Thomas, kind of confession of faith. people do not simply rise from the dead in the Gospel of John comes to mind, as Arguments for or against the existence after lying in a tomb for two or three days. do the stories of Abraham in Genesis of God rarely convince, and usually do Belief in such matters seems far-fetched. and the story of Israel in Exodus, along not have the power to transform people’s Indeed, if we have been paying any atten- with the Psalms of David and the Book of imaginations and beliefs. But then God tion to the crusading atheists of our day, Job. Here, we encounter people of faith did not choose to reveal himself through perhaps we should consider abandoning who are angry with God, who doubt his argument; rather, he chose to make him- self known through love exhibited in the Yet the attempt on the part of political leaders to birth, death and resurrection of Christ. This love has now entered into people’s enforce atheism largely failed, and many of the lives as an ongoing witness of God’s pres- predictions of the last century forecasting the final ence and actions. This puts enormous responsibility on believers who inevitably disappearance of religion appear to have been wrong. make mistakes, like anyone else. But it can also be an affirmation of God’s pres- altogether what we have been told about purposes and actions, who feel that they ence at a time when people are asking, God’s existence! have no place to turn. The issue that the “Whom can you trust?” l While there were those in the an- biblical writers were addressing was not cient world who denied the existence whether God exists, but whether he is Karl Koop is the of God, atheism has largely been a still present and listening. director of graduate modern and western phenomenon In this respect, the Bible is not al- studies and associate that gained momentum following the ways full of comfort and assurances. As professor of history Age of Enlightenment and the French Anglican archbishop Rowan Williams and theology at Revolution. In the 19th and 20th centur- has observed, the Bible is often about the Canadian Mennonite ies, religious sceptics like Freud and Marx appalling cost of letting God come into University, Winnipeg. concluded that belief in God was a kind our lives and trusting him even when A longer version of wish fulfillment, or it functioned like the evidence is somewhat uncertain. of the article was opium that was intended to pacify the Nevertheless, one has to see that the originally published masses. angst and struggle that Abraham and in Community Well, the monthly Yet the attempt on the part of political Paul exhibit in their lives “is itself a kind newsletter of First Mennonite Church, leaders to enforce atheism largely failed, of argument for God: if they take God Winnipeg. and many of the predictions of the last that seriously, at least this isn’t some cosy 14 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Stories of Faith in Life God at work in the Church Breaking bread in a barn By Jack Dueck

he 1917 Communist building towards the barn, Revolution destroyed feeling in his bones that the Tthe well-being of the communist thugs or the Mennonites in southern Makhno bandits are lurking in Russia and sorely tested their wait of him. biblical faith. The ensuing civil Almost too weak to stand, war and its roiling anarchy— he wiggles his frame between the White army, the Red the two rail-hung barn doors. army and the Nestor Makhno In the dark interior, the dust Bandit Nestor Makhno bandits—swept over the mites dance in the sunlight Mennonite villages 27 times until their that shines through the holes left by livestock, property, families and hope the bandits’ bullets. The barn’s skeleton the elegant dining room attended to by all lay in ruins. Their fervent prayers creaks in the cooling late afternoon air. uniformed servants. Servants and even often seemed to be counterpointed by Wiens knows the enemy is poised to the Mennonite teacher, hired to teach boxcars creaking to the Siberian Gulag pounce. The hair on his neck bristles, the estate children, dined apart. It was Archipelago. his skin crawls, but still, as to a mag- an ordered world: God was in his heaven, Dietrich Wiens (a pseudonym) had net drawn, he bends staggering to the and all was right with the world. been a wealthy landowner with a large lumped straw in the gloomy corner. Wiens, deacon, elder, and graced with work force of servants and farm labour- The straw quivers and bursts into his wealth, knew how to order the world and ers, some from among the Russian face. A foe set on his demise? But no, this the church. Order and even peace had peasants. Now he finds himself hiding creature, cringing and cowering before to be firmly enforced. The proof of the in a riverside bush. His large estate lies him, is a former servant he had once pudding—so to speak—was in the eating. vacant, home only to the wind. His fields severely beaten. The servant is gnaw- And God did seem to help those who neglected, all livestock confiscated, his ing Wiens’s zwieback. Cowering before helped themselves. son banished to Siberia, his older daugh- Master Wiens, the emaciated peasant Now, Wiens’s world freezes in time: ters massacred by the Makhno, his wife knows he is about to receive a beating for Two emaciated humans, the cowering and younger children vanished. Grief devouring the rich man’s bread. (There peasant and the feared Mennonite. A and starvation consume him; prayers and were no labour laws in those days. Fathers trusted deacon in the church, Wiens had hope wither away. also beat their children. Did not the regularly served communion. In a flash, Obsessed by ravenous hunger, he Scriptures warn us not to spare the rod?) he now knew what communion meant. remembers that shortly before the last Wiens had been a large landowner Kneeling before the abject Russian peas- Makhno pillage he had buried salted pork with a complex and diverse agricul- ant, he took the bread, crying out, “No! and roasted zwieback (rolls) beneath tural system to maintain. He was also a No! We are no longer master and servant, a pile of straw in a corner of the barn. determined manager; that’s how he had Russian or Mennonite, but brothers Driven by a craving for food, he slinks become an estate owner. On his property under God’s creation.” Huddled in the out of the bush, and in a terrified stumble everyone—children and peasants—need- mouldy straw and cow dung, they broke lurches along the hedgerow to the estate. ed to know their roles, responsibilities the bread, sharing, as he later said, “com- Terrified, he edges from building to and expectations. The family dined in munion of our Lord and only master.” l

Cowering before Master Wiens, the emaciated The story was compiled from oral sources. E-mail Jack Dueck at eajdueck@gmail. peasant knows he is about to receive a beating com or visit him online at jackdueck.com. for devouring the rich man’s bread. Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 15

God at work in the Church some of its own issues. is welcomed with open arms in both con- “We decided to continue as two church- ferences,” said Warkentin. “Sometime in es but left the door open to them,” Klassen our second year, we will deal with the ques- explained. tion of conference membership.” And the Niverville Mennonite and Elim held At a special service on March 1, the new joint and separate prayer meetings as they congregation discerned its new name: continued the discernment process. Last Niverville Community Fellowship. l two shall summer, they held a healing service. “Forty-three years ago, the Niverville Photo by Anita Kehler Mennonite Church went through an un- become one comfortable and unpleasant split,” said Warkentin. Issues of language, style of MC Manitoba, Evangelical leadership, and culture resulted in the split. Mennonite Mission About 20 years ago, the splinter church, congregations merge, forming Elim, became an EMMC congregation. new community fellowship Part of the discerning involved a survey of the community. By Evelyn Rempel Petkau “We discovered lots of needs that we Manitoba Correspondent could meet and we learned that the per- Niverville, Man. ceptions of the churches were not all posi- tive,” said Warkentin. lthough the population of Niverville Late last fall, the two churches voted Ahas doubled in recent years, the separately about working together to churches haven’t grown, Ken Warkentin, form a new congregation. Each church pastor of Niverville Mennonite Church, gave strong endorsement to move in this With MC Manitoba conference pastor reported at the annual delegate ses- direction. On Jan. 1, they began to worship Henry Kliewer, standing fourth from left, sions of Mennonite Church Manitoba in together. leading the group of pastors in prayer, February. “We want to be more engaged in the Evangelical Mennonite Mission pastor Niverville, a community of between community,” said Klassen. “We want to Allen Kehler, kneeling, cast the lot at the 2,500 and 3,000 people, lays claim to the discern what this new church would look March 1 service to determine the name title of being the fastest-growing rural like when we see the wider community as of the new congregation: Niverville community in Manitoba, and has become our parish.” Community Fellowship. a bedroom community for Winnipeg. That Elim had a membership of approximate- growth, however, has not been reflected in ly 120. Niverville Mennonite’s member- the churches of Niverville. ship was somewhat higher. Currently, the “Officially, the initial idea of finding a new congregation is using the Niverville Λ Briefly noted way to work together as churches and pool Mennonite facility and the youths hold Λ resources came from Elim (an Evangelical their activities at the Elim facility. Sunday Former pastor to do Mennonite Mission Church congregation),” morning attendance is between 200 and development work said Warkentin. “Unofficially, neighbours 245 now. ABBOTSFORD, B.C.—The Evangelism have been talking over the fence for the “We were prepared to lose 10 percent, and Church Development Committee past five years about working together.” but that hasn’t happened,” said Klassen. of Mennonite Church British Columbia In September 2007, the leadership of Morning worship services are followed has hired Wally Nickel on a six-month Niverville Mennonite, Elim and 4th Ave. by “Explore and More,” a Sunday school contract to do research and develop- Mennonite Brethren Church began to hour. A “talk back” time also follows the ment work. His focus will include do- meet together. worship service. ing a demographic study in preparation “We realized we were not growing and “It’s been amazing, the tremendous unity, for a possible church plant, as well as that we have to be more effective in the such cohesion of purpose and vision,” said connecting with some of MC B.C.’s community. This is about reaching out,” Klassen. “Personally, I would have loved to other church plant projects. Nickel is a said John Klassen, pastor at Elim, adding, see 4th Ave. come on board. It would be an former associate pastor at Sherbrooke “We were clear from the outset in our part- even stronger witness to the community, Mennonite Church, Vancouver, and nering that we didn’t want to bring any un- but we parted on good terms.” has recently been occupied as a stay- resolved issues or baggage.” Warkentin and Klassen share pastoral at-home dad. In June 2008, the MB church decided to responsibilities. —MC B.C. Release withdraw from the discussions to work on “We are assuming our new congregation 16 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

From Anabaptism to Traditionalism

The liturgical worship services include Liturgical alternative for regular communion. All those who are not baptized are invited to come for grapes and a blessing during this time. Mennonite worshippers “We are not trying to ignore our roots,” Nighswander explains. Embedded in Story and Photo by Evelyn Rempel Petkau Manitoba Correspondent the hour-long services are seven-minute WINNIPEG homilies, whose focus for the next sev- eral months will be the Sermon on the Mount because it has been so formative growing number of Mennonite young Nighswander. “There is a beauty in the sim- for Anabaptists. Apeople in Winnipeg find themselves plicity of it. The music supports the words, The group receives support from several in the pews of Anglican churches on but the words are always the key focus.” MC Manitoba pastors as it continues to Sunday mornings. Many of them strongly Silent spaces throughout the service work out the kinks. “We value the stabil- adhere to their Mennonite Anabaptist faith offer times of reflection after each Bible ity of the liturgy, but we also want to have and identity, but are thirsting for a different reading and at points during the reciting room for flexibility, adapting the service kind of worship experience than they find of the early church creeds. The atmosphere around special events such as baptism in most Mennonite churches. is contemplative, while the service involves and working more with the children,” says “Many of these young people have left physical participation through sitting, Nighswander. the Mennonite Church because the wor- standing and kneeling. For now, the group acknowledges meet- ship style is not meeting their needs,” says For Elsie Rempel, MC Canada’s director ing once a month is often enough. It plans Stephen Nighswander Rempel. of Christian education and nurture, the to continue monthly services until the end So Nighswander Rempel and his wife practice of communion has been particu- of June, when the group will break for the Heidi, along with Maggie Nighswander, larly important. “I work a lot with worship summer and evaluate its efforts to date. Elsie Rempel, and Hippo and Miriam resources and have done research on chil- The group’s next service is at Tshimanga, have been the “drivers” in dren and communion,” she says. “I long to Charleswood Mennonite Church on May shaping and providing a new Mennonite li- see communion restored to the heart of 24 at 7 p.m. turgical worship experience. They met last Mennonite worship, to see a combining of For more information, visit the Winnipeg fall with Norm Voth, Mennonite Church worship with the Word and worship at the Liturgical Mennonite Service website at Manitoba’s director of evangelism and serv- table. This group puts into practice what I wlms.weebly.com. l ice ministries, to discuss ways of meeting became convinced about.” this need. Since January, they have held monthly evening worship services at vari- ous Mennonite churches in and around Winnipeg, with 20 to 30 attending. For the Nighswander Rempels, the de- sire for a more liturgical form of worship grew out of their three-year experience in Australia. “We began attending the Anglican service because there were few Mennonites where we lived,” says Stephen. “We enjoyed the liturgical style. You knew what to expect. The service creates a sense of community when you know the same words and recite them together with people around the world.” “It also is a way that bridges history,” adds Heidi. “Singing the Psalms combines music and Scripture. It is meditative and it bridges time because that style of music comes out of an ancient setting.” “Music has always been important to me, but four-part harmony is not always Stephen Nighswander Rempel, holding his son Ben, left, Elsie Rempel, Maggie inclusive enough. Chanting is more unify- Nighswander and Heidi Nighswander Rempel meet together to plan monthly litur- ing because all can participate,” says Maggie gical worship services for Mennonites in the Winnipeg area. Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 17

From Traditionalism to Anabaptism Photo by Linda Shelly Anabaptism gives birth to new church in Cuba By Deborah Froese Mennonite Church Canada Release

he Mennonite Church in Cuba— TIglesia Menonita en Cuba—will soon be a year old. From a Mennonite Church Canada per- spective, it was an unexpected birth. When MC Canada first began walking with Cuban Christians some 20 years ago, there was no intention to create a new church, A strong desire for peace theology enhances the appeal of an Anabaptist vision for since the country already had numerous the new Iglesia Menonita en Cuba. denominations. “We knew there was a lot of interest in The wider church has had its share of and only registered churches are assigned Cuba for the Anabaptist vision and our struggles in Cuba. Before the revolution of property or given authorization to build, strategy was to nurture that interest,” says 1959, there were 54 registered denomina- these cell groups must worship in private MC Canada general secretary Robert J. tions. By 1967, an alignment with the then homes. Worshipping in private homes re- Suderman. “It was clear to us that we were Soviet Union affected church activities and quires permission from local authorities, not there to start another church.” atheism became the official state position. and whether or not permission is granted But a strong desire for peace theology en- A constitutional adjustment in 1992 loos- depends upon the relationships between hanced the appeal of an Anabaptist vision. ened the atheistic position and churches the cell groups and local authorities. With the conviction of pastor Alexander began to operate more openly. Pastoral and congregational training is Reyna, whom Suderman describes as “the The Anabaptist vision provides Cubans also complicated by Cuba’s legal system. motor behind the movement,” and the new with a theology that expresses the gospel Without official status, Iglesia Menonita en church’s treasurer, Iglesia Menonita en in a socially relevant way—a contrast to Cuba cannot arrange visas for people such Cuba has grown to include 10 cell groups the hierarchical structure of traditional as Suderman to teach. The new church with a total of about 120 people. churches. In many traditional churches, must rely on the support of proven, offi- In late November, a delegation consisting women are not permitted to hold leader- cially recognized organizations that will of Canadian and American Mennonite rep- ship roles in ministry and the churches request visas on their behalf. So far, the resentatives, met with Iglesia Menonita en generally consider themselves to be dis- Martin Luther King Memorial Center Cuba to determine how other Mennonite engaged from problems of society because and the Cuban Council of Churches have organizations can support it. The delega- the government has taken care of social been willing to assist the new church in tion also met with a number of potential matters for many decades. this way. partners in Cuba. Reyna pointed to the deliberate decision Plans for the near future include the pos- Through a translator, Reyna said, “Our to call the new church Iglesia Menonita sibility of sending two people from Iglesia vision has been to start groups with a en Cuba. “Usually it’s ‘de Cuba,’ ” he said, Menonita en Cuba to the Mennonite World Mennonite identity and this can have a “but we want to say ‘en Cuba’; ‘de’ indi- Conference in July and inviting at least bigger impact in society. . . . God doesn’t cates ownership. We want to show that one Cuban pastor to Canada for IMPaCT need reformers, but people who will prac- the church is incarnated in society.” (International Pastors Coming Together), tise a living faith that isn’t just theoretical. Currently, Iglesia Menonita en Cuba a program of MC Canada Witness, al- I think that the Mennonite Church, from is not officially recognized by the Cuban though the availability of Canadian visas what I have been able to see, is able to do government, thus limiting membership for IMPaCT visitors has been a problem this. I have had a new birth, a new baptism to cell groups of no more than 15 people. for some Latin American pastors in the in a sense.” Because Cubans cannot own real estate, past. l 18 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Photo by Dave Rogalsky Creating a culture of wellness Pastors and support committees look at self-care Melvin Rose trains Mennonite pastors in the use of the Wellness Wheel at the Healthy Pastors/Healthy Congregations event on March 28. By Dave Rogalsky Eastern Canada Correspondent Waterloo, Ont.

prayer room, yoga, healthy snacks dimension and form a plan to work on it. all members, especially in a congregation Aand the Wellness Wheel were all But Rose took the plan a step further, in which all members feel they are the pas- components of Mennonite Church noting that weight loss programs and tor’s employer—a situation that can place Eastern Canada’s Healthy Pastors/ counselling have high success rates “for unreasonable demands on pastors. In this Healthy Congregations training event last those who keep with the plan.” Key in keep- case, pastors often feel accountable to each month, led by Melvin Rose, an ordained ing with the plan is accountability. Central and every member, who all have differ- United Church minister, clinical manager in accountability is finding people to trust. ent ideas of how pastors should do their at Lutherwood Family Counselling in Knowing that the pastor’s support group is ministry. Waterloo, and a marathon runner. interested in not only the pastor’s health, Pastoral support groups need to com- Building on the MC Canada Pastoral but also their own and that of the congre- municate their priorities for the pastor to Trends Survey, which showed that pas- gation, makes it easier for pastors to be the congregation by addressing the benefits tors who care for themselves are more accountable to such a group. On the other of healthy, balanced pastors to them. They likely to last in ministry, pastor/congrega- hand, some pastors prefer external groups need to work with the pastor to create a tional relations committees, church coun- of peers to whom they are accountable. “culture of wellness in the congregation,” cil members and pastors were invited to Rose admits that this model will “pos- he said. l learn about wellness. Rose said that pas- sibly not be accepted or understood” by tors are healthier when congregations and the members themselves are working at health issues. Beginning with a focus on unhealthy church culture, including un- Briefly noted healthy congregational expectations of pas- ΛΛ tors, the day progressed from who needs to Church reaches out through coffee, discussion do self-care (everyone), to what needs to be ABBOTSFORD, B.C.—How should life be lived? In asking that question, Level done (a balance of many aspects), to how Ground Mennonite Church in Abbotsford is hoping to stimulate discussion through to do what needs to be done. a ministry called Re:Think Café. The group meets for coffee and conversation on Rose used the Wellness Wheel, a self- the first and third Thursdays of each month at the House of James, a local Christian evaluation tool that looks at 10 different bookstore and coffee shop. The evening usually starts with live music while people dimensions: spiritual, psychological, re- order their drinks and chat around tables. The topic of the evening is presented, fol- lational, physical, economic, vocational, lowed by handing out discussion questions for each group. After 15 to 20 minutes, sexual, intellectual, institutional/organ- the groups come together with closing thoughts and then people are free to mingle izational and environmental. The goal is and chat with each other or listen to more music. Conversation and relationship- to be healthy in as many dimensions as building are the main focuses of the night, which makes it a great place to bring a possible, he said. Although he has run the non-Christian neighbour, co-worker or friend, according to the organizers, whose Boston Marathon several times, Rose gave hope is that the evening will be part of helping people from all walks of life—believers himself a score of just three out of five on and non-believers—engage in meaningful discussion about life, truth and spiritual- his “physical” dimension, confessing to ity. Re:Think Café is open to anyone in the community. For more information, visit needing to improve his diet. All partici- rethinkcafe.com or contact [email protected]. pants were encouraged to find their rates —By Amy Dueckman of health and then choose one imbalanced Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 19

only gave their bodies rest and refresh- Chinese pastors meet for ment, but, more importantly, tended to their spirits,” he said. For only the cost of bus tickets, food encouragement, fellowship and lodging, these pastors received a gift By Jeanette Hanson that will encourage and refresh them for Mennonite Church Canada Release further work in their congregations. For those pastors without adequate resources, n China, large congregations with several church. He observed how the retreat dis- Mennonite Partners in China was able to Ithousand members are served by only cussions offered encouragement to pastors provide assistance with the support of one pastor, who receives little or no sup- who often rely on their own strength to Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite port from external sources. Graduates from carry out all necessary tasks within their Mission Network, Eastern Mennonite seminaries across the country accept this as congregations. Missions and Mennonite Central part of their job description and work alone One of the speakers, Pastor Sun, referred Committee. l for years, without the opportunity to meet, to Jesus’ teaching about salt and light, say- learn from or share with others. ing, “Care for the poor is at the very heart But late last year, church leaders pro- of the message of Jesus Christ.” Sun said ΛΛBriefly noted vided the opportunity for pastors to come that in today’s Chinese churches there is CMU launches new away and rest, just as Jesus invited his dis- a large disparity between urban and rural ciples to do in Mark 6:31. Ninety-six grass- congregations in every aspect, from ma- graduate ministry program roots pastors and church leaders gathered terial conditions to mission and Bible WINNIPEG—A new graduate-level in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, to worship, training. “Our church is one body in the program that will enable people to ex- pray and share their experiences with each Lord. We must aid and assist each other,” plore or strengthen their capacity for other. he said. various types of church-related min- Guest speakers addressed issues of Both speakers drew from their experi- istry will begin at Canadian Mennonite church administration, strengthening ences in church leadership, offering en- University (CMU) this fall. Called the the connections between rural and urban couragement to participants, most of master of arts in Christian ministry, the churches, and the development of church- whom had never had the opportunity to program is designed to “give students run social service projects. engage in practical ministry training and both the intellectual and theological Retreat organizer Peter Yuan wrote that theological teaching. Yuan said that most framework and the practical compe- the presentation on church administration participants urged leaders to hold a similar tencies they need to become involved shared a great deal of how-to information event at least every two years. “Everyone in the ministry of the gospel,” says Karl for engaging believers in activities of the also expressed that this type of retreat not Koop, who directs the biblical and theological studies graduate program Photo by Todd Hanson at CMU. “The goal of the program is to offer training for people already in- volved in ministry, as well as for those who want to test their call to ministry,” he adds, noting that “it will give them a profoundly biblical and theological literacy, so they can draw wisely on Scripture and on Christian tradition as the basis for Christian life, thought and ministry.” The new degree will be offered in cooperation with Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Calif.; Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind., and Steinbach Bible College, Man. This is the second graduate-level program offered by CMU; the first, the master of arts in theological studies, began a year ago. —CMU Release

Chinese pastors often work in isolation with few resources for many years. 20 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

God at work in the World ΛΛBriefly noted Amidst the Brice Balmer appointed to Waterloo Lutheran Seminary faculty powers WATERLOO, ONT.—Waterloo Lutheran Seminary announces the addition of Brice Balmer to the seminary faculty. Balmer, an ordained Mennonite minister, will Conference explores new act as assistant professor of functional theology. With the help of a grant for the and evolving forms of Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) project for 2007-10 from the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, Balmer will dedicate most of his time to working church in Canada on ISARC multi-faith and anti-poverty efforts. “Brice is a natural organizer,” notes David Pfrimmer, the seminary’s dean. “He excels at bringing people together in the By Steve Drudge Special to Canadian Mennonite best of the social gospel tradition.” Balmer has had a long history of teaching and Oakville, Ont. working with seminary interns at the seminary over many years. He will continue to teach in the area of counselling, addictions, spirituality and multi-faith relations. oth critique of culture and hope for it As well, he will continue to help organize the Abrahamic Faiths Forum that meets Bcharacterized the “Evolving Church twice a year at the seminary. Balmer was chaplaincy director for 23 years with the Amidst the Powers” conference organized House of Friendship, a multi-service agency working with socially and economically by four graduates of Tyndale University marginalized people in the Waterloo Region of southwestern Ontario. He earned his College and Seminary last month. Held at doctor of ministry degree at the Toronto School of Theology in 1996. The Meeting Place (a Brethren in Christ —Waterloo Lutheran Seminary Release congregation) in Oakville, participants were invited to “figure out what the church wise and kindly 57-year-old Free Methodist With that spirit, many left feeling that there looks like and who she is called to be, here, bishop said of a 34-year-old church leader, is much hope for the evolving church today. l today, in 2009.” “He understands, appreciates and critiques Relief, development and service agencies, both the modern and postmodern world Steve Drudge is a member of the pastoral including Mennonite Central Committee, and church. It’s not about one or the other, team at Steinmann Mennonite Church, were featured among the lobby displays and but what God is up to.” Baden, Ont. the program booklet suggested that care for the poor is part of the church’s call. The “powers” referred to in the confer- ence’s title are necessary systems that run things, and which “do good and evil,” par- 15%* ticipants were told. Young adults, well repre- 5 year term sented in the mixed-age crowd, nodded in affirmation as professor Walter Wink, one *Rate subject to change of the keynote speakers, read carefully and After relationship pricing passionately from a manuscript building on the affirmation that “powers were created, sweet are fallen and shall be redeemed.” The “an- gel” or spirit of a system can become patho- logical and needs to be called back to its sole Come home to an MSCU mortgage Available now until June 30th divine purpose—serving human need—he said. Stanley Hauerwas, named “America’s best theologian” by Time magazine in 2001, began his densely packed presenta- tion by stating that “war is a moral prac- tice. . . . If Christians are serious, we are the alternative to war.” Noting that war and Christ both require sacrifice, Hauerwas concluded that the sacrifice of war is not a Christian’s story. “In the cross of Christ, 1.888.672.6728 · www.mscu.com war was abolished,” he said. Serving members of Mennonite, Amish and In “Sharing Power Between Generations,” Brethren in Christ churches across Ontario. one of 16 workshops at the day-long event, a Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 21

God at work in the World biology at CMU, ignored his pile of es- says waiting to be marked, and joined the Cover Story students on the sandbag line. “I’ve never sandbagged before. Partly it was to live the Winnipeg experience,” he said with a laugh. Sandbagging (in Jesus’ name) “But, really, I like the community aspect of everyone pitching in.” CMU volunteers sling 5,000 sandbags to protect home He said the camaraderie of the students kept the serious work light-hearted. “There By Carol A. Thiessen was singing. There was a lot of laughter. Canadian Mennonite University Release There was a lot of really good energy there,” WINNIPEG Brubacher enthused. By the end of two-and-a-half hours of anadian Mennonite University (CMU) Recovery course, taught by Lois Nickel, work, the CMU volunteers had completed Cstudents, staff and faculty traded their director of programs and region relations an entire dike around the home on Christie books for brawn one day early last month as for Mennonite Disaster Service, who Road. they slung sandbags as part of Winnipeg’s helped coordinate the flood mitigation ef- “Going home tired at the end of the day flood protection efforts. Approximately 50 forts with the City of Winnipeg. and realizing we’d doing something useful volunteers from CMU heaved 5,000 sand- John Brubacher, assistant professor of was great,” said Peters. l bags to build a half-metre-high ring dike around a home just south of Winnipeg. “It was a great opportunity to take some Students put their faith in action time off from studying to do some active service,” said student council president Service week helps homeowners on the U.S. Gulf Coast Zach Peters, who helped organize the vol- unteer event. “We thought it was some- Rosthern Junior College Release thing CMU, being a liberal arts university learning about our place in the world, wenty-six Rosthern Junior College city following the devastation of Hurricane should be involved in.” T(RJC) students and six chaperones Katrina in 2005. The group was engaged At the time, southern Manitoba was spent a week in Pass Christian, Miss., in all aspects of new home construction bracing for the Red River to crest after wit- this spring as part of the school’s an- for homeowners unable to rebuild their nessing record flood levels in places like nual Alternative Learning and Service homes on their own due to age, disability Fargo, N.D. The province was on high alert Opportunities (ALSO) Week. or poverty. After a quick orientation, the for days anticipating greater than usual While there, the group partnered with students worked alongside adults as they spring flooding as the river moved north, Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) in its painted, hung drywall, mudded and taped, exacerbated by ice jams that clog the river. ongoing efforts to rebuild this small coastal insulated, constructed stairs and railing, Volunteers included five students from CMU’s new Disaster, Vulnerability and Mennonite Disaster Service photo

Mennonite Disaster Service photo

Canadian Mennonite University volun- teers who helped create a half-metre- high sandbag dike around a Winnipeg area residence took a break to enjoy Students from Rosthern Junior College, Sask., gather for a photo with long-term muffins made by one of the university’s Mennonite Disaster Service staff in Pass Christian, Miss., during their service week residences. this spring. 22 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

MEDA photo and installed siding on four houses in vari- God at work in Us ous stages of construction. MEDA casts The students were able to spend time with the homeowners of the houses they wider net to were working on. They heard the stories of devastating loss and despair, as well as the gratitude and hope that accompanied save more the promise of a new house built by MDS volunteers. young lives Billy Morgan, a man whose house RJC By Linda Whitmore students helped build last year, impressed MEDA Release the students with his faith in God and his optimistic outlook on life. He thanked them EDA (Mennonite Economic for coming, calling MDS and the response MDevelopment Associates) is on the by Mennonites as a “miracle” and an “answer front lines of a new $21 million project in to prayer for him and his community.” Tanzania to get young children sleeping RJC invests a significant amount of time under life-protecting malaria nets. Two young Tanzanian boys are thank- and effort in providing all of its students Working with the country’s Ministry of ful for their insecticide-treated nets that with a service experience during ALSO Health and Social Welfare and the Global will help protect them from malaria. Week, believing that experiences like this Fund for Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, change outlooks and lives. By provid- MEDA will be coordinating the distribution a country that sees 18 million cases of mal- ing opportunities for students to see the of 7.2 million long-lasting insecticidal nets aria—and 80,000 deaths resulting from it— importance of putting faith into action at no cost to children under five years of age annually. Eighty percent of the victims are through service, the college hopes to cul- at village events over the next year through children under five or pregnant women. tivate a spirit of service to others that will a massive nationwide catch-up campaign. Since 2004, MEDA has distributed more last a lifetime. l The aim of the project is to cover 80 per- than 4.6 million insecticide-treated nets cent of all children under five with a net in to pregnant women and infants through Hati Punguzo, a program of Tanzania’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Λ Briefly noted National Malaria Control Program that is Λ funded by the Global Fund and USAID’s Afghanistan faces food shortages, church agencies warn President’s Malaria Initiative. The most severe drought in a decade is fuelling a food crisis in Afghanistan that now This year, in addition to the mass net dis- threatens millions of people with possible starvation, church-linked humanitarian tribution, MEDA will also be upgrading the agencies have warned. “Unless the international community responds to the issue Hati Punguzo voucher program targeted of hunger in Afghanistan, we will not be able to fulfill any other promises we are at pregnant women and infants. The new making to the Afghan people,” says Marvin Parvez on behalf of Action by Churches fixed “top-up” voucher means customers Together (ACT) International, a global humanitarian alliance of churches and other will pay about 30 cents, regardless of the agencies. The alliance warned that a $1.26 million US ACT appeal for the Afghani retail price of the net or where they live in drought was severely under-funded, and had received less than 3 percent of the re- the country. This is in contrast to the previ- quested amount. “Funding for this emergency remains a significant challenge,” says ous fixed-value voucher, which covered up ACT director John Nduna. “What are we saying when only high profile emergencies to 70 percent of the cost of the net, where receive our support?” the top-up amount can change relative to —Ecumenical News International Release the retail cost of the net. To accomplish this across all 21 regions Iraqi Christians want role in restoring country and many remote areas, MEDA has de- veloped a distribution network of almost A group of Christians meeting in Lebanon have declared that people of their faith 7,000 retailers, 260 wholesalers and four have belonged to Iraq since the nation’s birth and that they are an essential part of Iraqi manufacturers. Women receive a voucher society deeply rooted in its history and civilization. “As authentic children of this land, during prenatal visits at one of 4,300 clinics they have the right to live freely in it and enjoy equal rights and responsibilities along across the country. with all other citizens,” the 12 Iraqi church leaders said after their meeting earlier this With an estimated six lives spared for year in Dar Sayedat Al Jabal, Fatka, Lebanon. every 1,000 nets sold, Hati Punguzo and —Ecumenical News International Release MEDA have already saved more than 27,000 young lives. l Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 23

God at work in Us prepare weekly lunches for MCC staff and surrounding Saskatoon businesses grew out of that, a commitment that ends in June. With a smile, Froese admitted she Serving the poor and lonely doesn’t know what her future looks like. MEDA diners encouraged to live out their faith “I’m open,” she said simply. l

By Karin Fehderau Saskatchewan Correspondent ΛΛObituary Saskatoon, Sask. Pioneer of Mennonite arlene Froese knows a little how on each dwelling. integration dies Mthe other half lives. But the retired The need to find cheap homes forced ELKHART, IND.— teacher had to wait until her career with her to see with new eyes the living condi- Erland Waltner, the school board was finished before walk- tions low-income families face. “They’re not president emeri- ing with the poor and defenceless. fit for a dog,” she stated bluntly, wonder- tus of Mennonite Froese was the guest speaker recently at a ing aloud how society could treat people Biblical Seminary, gathering of Mennonite business people in who were already so beaten down this way. died late Easter Saskatoon. The local Mennonite Economic Taken aback with the harsh realities she saw, Sunday, April 12, Development Associates (MEDA) chapter Froese noticed people without abilities or in Goshen, Ind. He meets once a month for breakfast to encour- hope. She realized these people needed was 94 years old. age members to live out their faith in the faith to believe that change was possible. Waltner served the seminary and the working world. Froese spoke on business One family in particular was trans- church in many roles over a long lifetime and service, using many personal stories. formed by the experience in the housing of ministry, not only with Associated After retiring from teaching, the moth- co-op, as they were shown how to plan Mennonite Biblical Seminary, but also er of two and a member of Nutana Park an addition to the home they had bought. with Mennonite World Conference Mennonite Church, Saskatoon, began After the renovations were finished, she (MWC), the General Conference looking for opportunities where she could noticed family members walked with new Mennonite Church, Mennonite Health serve God in a different way. pride in themselves, and the father even Association (MHA) and Mennonite Her first role came as supervisor of mi- went back to school to train. Medical Association. Waltner’s most grant berry pickers at a berry farm just out- Working as a personal chef was the next significant contribution was his leader- side the city. “We had the United Nations step on the road and Froese proved to be ship in bringing together Mennonite in small form,” she said. More than half a listening ear to the many sad and lonely Biblical Seminary (MBS), the General did not speak English, so she was forced to seniors she cooked for. An invitation to Conference seminary in Chicago, and communicate more with body Photo by Joanie Enns Goshen Biblical Seminary, a seminary language than with words. of the former Mennonite Church (MC) Realizing their vulnerabil- in Goshen, Ind. As president of MBS ity, she tried hard to show the beginning in 1958, when it relocated to workers she was willing to Elkhart, he helped guide the coopera- build a relationship of trust, tive program to maturity. He retired not deceit, with them. They, in as president in 1978, but continued to turn, warmed to her. teach at Associated Mennonite Biblical Froese had doubts about Seminary, as it came to be known, until the next job God sent her way. the 1990s and to provide spiritual dir- Still, she took on the role of ection until shortly before his death. In helping 10 low-income fam- 2002, AMBS honoured Waltner for his ilies find homes through a pro- lifetime of service with a festschrift, The ject involving several agencies Work is Thine, O Christ. Waltner was working together. Mennonite president of the General Conference Central Committee (MCC) Mennonite Church from 1956-62, and the government were two in addition to serving on the General entities that provided funds Marlene Froese, who owned a personal chef busi- Conference Board of Education and and staff to help coordinate ness, prepares a weekly lunch in the Mennonite Board of Missions. the effort, which permitted no Central Committee Saskatchewan kitchen in —AMBS Release more than $56,000 to be spent Saskatoon. 24 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Photo by John Longhurst CMU student completes Artbeat practicum at Winnipeg city hall Internship leads to summer job for Cordella Friesen

By John Longhurst Canadian Mennonite University Release WINNIPEG

t’s not easy to see or talk to the mayor of Friesen says she would like to “be in- IWinnipeg; he’s a very busy man. But that volved in politics or government at some wasn’t a problem for Canadian Mennonite level after university,” adding that it could University (CMU) student Cordella be as a civil servant or being involved with Friesen. She was able to see Mayor Sam non-profit groups that lobby governments Katz every week. in efforts to promote change. Friesen, who is graduating this month It might also involve running for office. with a degree in political studies, didn’t “A councillor told me that I’d make a great need to pull any special strings to get ac- politician,” she says, recalling a recent con- cess to the mayor. All she needed to do versation. “ ‘Does that mean you’d vote for A practicum experience in the office was show up for work as an intern in his me?’ I asked him. ‘See, you’re already doing of Winnipeg mayor Sam Katz has led office. it!’ ” he replied. to a summer position at city hall for “It was an amazing experience,” says In 2008, 126 CMU students did practi- Canadian Mennonite University stu- Friesen of her internship, which she needed cums in Canada or around the world. l dent Cordella Friesen. to do to fulfill the practicum requirement for graduates from CMU. “It was great to get an inside look at how city government works.” As an intern, Friesen spent one day a week at city hall during the school year doing a variety of administrative duties, including research, responding to requests from residents, assisting with the mayor’s communications and other tasks. She also sat in on meetings of city council and the April 30 Calgary Grace Presbyterian Church Executive Policy Committee, which for- mulates recommendations for council May 1 Edmonton First Presbyterian Church regarding policies, plans, budgets, bylaws May 2 Saskatoon Knox United Church and other matters. May 3 Regina Knox Metropolitan United Church Of her time in the mayor’s office, Friesen May 4 Winnipeg Westminster United Church says she came away with the deep convic- tion that “people who work there really May 5 Kitchener First United Church - Waterloo have the best interests of the residents of Winnipeg at heart.” She was disappointed, however, to discover how little interest people show for the affairs of city govern- ment. “This is the level of government that is closest to people, but very few seem to have any interest in how it works, or in the www.ticketweb.ca decisions that affect their lives,” she says. www.tic ketweb.ca In addition to the experience she gained, group & local ticket information: call PCI, toll-free, at 1.877.266.2557 the internship provided Friesen with an- www.platinumconcerts.com other benefit: she’s been offered a job in the mayor’s office for the summer. Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 25

Photo by Ray Dirks Artbeat Mennonite ‘chic’ Chic Gamine band wins Juno Award for first CD

By Aaron Epp National Correspondent WINNIPEG

inger Alexa Dirks never dreamed she and world music to audiences all Swould win a Juno Award when she across North America, includ- joined four other musicians in June 2007 to ing opening slots for Motown form the band Chic Gamine. But this past legend Smokey Robinson and March, that is exactly what happened. The gospel great Mavis Staples, both quintet won the 2009 Juno Award in the of whom are members of the group category for Roots and Traditional Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Album of the Year. Dirks got her start in singing “It’s a really cool award and accomplish- years before she joined Chic ment,” says Dirks, who attends Jubilee Gamine, though. While at- Mennonite Church, Winnipeg. “To get tending Mennonite Brethren Alexa Dirks, one of four singers in the Juno that recognition after just a year-and-a- Collegiate Institute, a teacher Award-winning music group Chic Gamine, per- half is a little unbelievable. It affirmed that recommended Dirks to worship forms at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in July 2008. we’re doing the right thing.” leader Jon Buller for his “Hear The Junos are awarded every year by the the Music” ministry. It wasn’t long before of the best friends that I have,” she says. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and she was spending Saturday nights singing “I also learned a lot about what it means Sciences to celebrate the best in Canadian back-up at Buller’s worship concerts. to be Mennonite—the practical stuff, like music. Chic Gamine’s award was one of When Buller left Winnipeg, his Hear service, pacifism, being globally aware and 32 handed out at a non-televised gala in the Music band reformed as the R&B/funk how that applies to everyday life.” Vancouver, B.C., on March 29, the night combo Little Boy Boom. The other mem- The faith of her parents—Katie, a bank before the televised ceremony. bers of the yet-unformed Chic Gamine teller, and Ray, who is curator of the Because of prior touring commitments, heard Dirks sing with the band and asked Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery—also the group was not in attendance at the gala. her to join their new project. inspires her. “They are so supportive of Instead, they were performing in Hamilton, While writing the three songs she con- everything I’ve done,” she says. “The love Mont., and heard about the win during tributed to the group’s CD, Dirks drew that they show me is pretty incredible.” their concert’s intermission. Surprised and from her everyday life and her faith. “Shake Ray and Katie are, understandably, proud thrilled, the group composed an “accept- Off Your Worries,” in particular, was influ- of their daughter. “She’s very committed to ance ditty” and posted a quickly shot video enced heavily by her love of gospel music. her faith, but she’s not someone who’s go- on their website after the performance. In fact, it could very well be the first gospel ing to be out there and every song she sings Dirks, 21, is quick to point out the group song about a Mennonite grandmother. is going to be overtly Christian,” her father never expected to win, as it was up against “Gospel music doesn’t usually talk about says. “She’s living in a secular world where more established acts like Elliot Brood and perogies and moving to Paraguay on a boat, she believes her integrity and the example The Duhks. “I don’t think we were on any- but that song is based on my grandma,” of how she lives are really important.” one’s radar in a big way, which is fine—I Dirks says with a laugh. “I’m not sure she’d While it can be difficult being away from didn’t mind,” she says. pick up on it if she heard it, but the song is her family, friends and church when she is In the less than two years the group has about how, even though she experienced on tour, Dirks is confident in her decision been together, Chic Gamine (a French term a life of struggle, she always told us not to to be a part of Chic Gamine. “I’m on a good that, roughly translated, means “stylish worry.” track. I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to woman”) has sold several thousand copies The five summers Dirks spent working be,” she says. “I’ve lucked out with being in of its independently released, self-titled at Mennonite Church Manitoba’s Camps this group.” l debut CD. The band has also brought its with Meaning have also been hugely unique mix of gospel, soul, R&B, doo-wop formative. “Camp is where I made some 26 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

ΛΛBriefly noted What’s the buzz? Tell me Mennonite composer what’s a-happenin’! nominated for Juno Award Although his “Notes Towards A Poem Winnipeg musicians band together to perform songs That Can Never Be Written” didn’t from Jesus Christ Superstar, just in time for Easter win him a Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year, composer By Aaron Epp Timothy Corlis says the nomination National Correspondent “affirmed my own desire to be honest WINNIPEG when I write music. I don’t feel nearly as shy about expressing my faith in my usicians from two acclaimed Fox singer/guitarist Jesse Krause (as Jesus), music, regardless of the context. . . . I’m MWinnipeg bands, both with Chic Gamine vocalist Alexa Dirks (as Mary trying to give voice to the marginalized, Mennonite roots, presented an alternative to Magdalene) and From the Moon frontman to the Holy Spirit, the divine empow- Maundy Thursday church services this past Lyndon Froese (as King Herod). ered voices that give life.” The nomina- Easter by performing an hour of songs from “It really immersed me into the Easter tion read in part, “The music of Timothy the 1970s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. story more than anything else this year,” says Corlis emerges from a choral tradition A sold-out crowd of more than 225 Flying Fox trombone player Paul Schmidt, where composition is all about singing packed into the Park Theatre, a popular live who made a Jesus Christ Superstar mix CD in the community.” Corlis began his ca- music venue in Winnipeg’s south Osborne to listen to while driving from Carman, reer as music director at Stirling Avenue area, on April 9 to watch The Liptonians Man., where he is the youth pastor at Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ont., and Flying Fox & the Hunter/Gatherers Carman Mennonite Church, to rehears- where he enjoyed writing for church perform 15 songs from the musical, which als in Winnipeg. “I like the story because and community choirs in the Waterloo tells the story of Jesus and his disciples in it brings out the politics and emotions and Region. His music has since received the days leading up to his crucifixion. passions that we don’t always talk about in performances and broadcasts across “I think we were almost surprised that the Easter story. It explores the characters, North America. Corlis’s music has been it all came together, and that it all came and what they might have thought about described as “atmospherically striking,” together so well,” says Liptonians’ singer/ Jesus’ life and death. We don’t usually talk “bursting with vigour and truth,” and guitarist Bucky Driedger, who sang the about Herod or Pilate’s involvement in has received a five-star review from part of Judas. “I don’t think we could have Jesus’ death, or why Judas felt he needed the CBC’s Rick Phillips. His passion for expected it to go better than it did.” to betray Jesus—things like that.” peace theology has led him to found the The idea for the performance had its gen- And the music rocks, too. Vancouver Peace Choir while doing his esis two or three years ago when Driedger “It appeals to a really wide audience—a Ph.D. in composition at the University and his bandmates began throwing Easter lot of age groups get the music,” Driedger of British Columbia. parties at the house they share. Eventually, says. “The story is religious, but I think it’s —By Dave Rogalsky at some point in the evening, they would told in such a new way that it appeals to perform a few songs from the musical. both religious and non-religious people. Doing it on a much grander scale this Many non-religious people count Jesus year meant “marathon” rehearsal sessions Christ Superstar as their favourite musical, with no less than 17 musicians, which in- and I think it’s special in that way.” l cluded a horn section, six-voice choir, Fly Photo by Timothy Joel Dyck

Winnipeg musicians pose for a photo that was used to promote a concert that featured 15 songs from the 1970s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 27

Film Review Violence in the cause of noble ends Watchmen. Directed by Zack Snyder. Based on the Hugo Award-winning graphic novel series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. A Warner Bros. film.R ated: 18A. Reviewed by Tom Price

ontemporary political issues burst self-retirement by a 1977 Congressional Cfrom comic book pages as characters act outlawing costumed vigilantism. wrestle with the fine line between being Rorschach is the exception. “God doesn’t heroes and vigilantes. That theme, execut- make the world this way. We do,” he says, ed so well in The Dark Knight, the critically before taking horrific vengeance after a acclaimed Batman film of 2008, resurfaces criminal’s sickeningly gruesome act. in Watchmen, which, like its predecessor, The film, also showing in IMAX 3-D, rocketed to the top of the box office in its comes across as if the graphic novel lit- debut week in early March. erally served as the storyboard for repli- Yet, unlike Bruce Wayne, most of the cation on film. The script does stand on characters in this 2009 adaptation of an ac- its own for viewers who have not read the claimed graphic novel stray from the path circa 1986-87 series—but only if they are of self-sacrifice. When difficult choices Watchmen conjures up a gritty, darker really committed to seeing it through. At confront the Watchmen, a coalition of cos- reality than perhaps the bleakest days of two hours and 43 minutes, Watchmen feels tumed defenders, the characters’ responses the Cold War. The Soviet Union threatens ponderously overlong in the way the best raise questions about the very nature of nuclear war, the “Doomsday Clock” is set adventures do not. those who would put themselves forward to five minutes to midnight. The climax may inspire moral debate in such a manner. Can one justify the pre- The cataclysm is staved off for the about the different approaches of the pri- emptive use of violence by the speculation moment by Dr. Manhattan (actor Billy mary characters, with a final conflict in- that it will prevent quantifiably greater Crudup), a blank-eyed, blue, bald and spired by the reported remarks of a U.S. violence? And, in perpetrating violence often mostly naked hero. He alone of the army officer in Vietnam: “We had to de- for noble ends, is a “hero” debased in the Watchmen group possesses supernatural stroy the village in order to save it.” process? powers, resulting from a nuclear physics It is also foreshadowed by an earlier These questions are raised, but not an- experiment gone awry. Yet Dr. Manhattan interchange between the Comedian and swered satisfactorily, in Watchmen. Set has been playing god for so long that the another member of the Watchmen: in an alternative 1985, in which America line between humanity and divinity has “We’re society’s only protection,” says won the Vietnam War and Richard Nixon blurred for him. the Comedian. is serving his fifth term as U.S. president, The film begins with the murder of “From what?” the other responds. the Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). “You kidding me? From themselves,” Meeting Needs Together Revealed in numerous flashbacks as a reac- the Comedian asserts, exerting random Mennonite Mutual tionary, cigar-chomping soldier of fortune, vengeance and delivering perhaps his only Insurance Co. the Comedian helped win the Vietnam punch line. (Alberta) Ltd. War without regard to things like the con- With heroes like these, society would Head Office: Branch Office: # 300, 2946 - 32 Street NE Box 2260 ventions of warfare regarding the treat- probably rather take its chances on its Calgary, Alberta T1Y 6J7 La Crete, Alberta T0H 2H0 Tel: (403) 275-6996 Tel: (780) 928-3711 ment of civilian non-combatants. own. l Fax: (403) 291-6733 Fax: (780) 928-3712 Enter Rorschach (an inspired perform- Email: [email protected] ance by Jackie Earle Haley), a sociopathic Tom Price lives in South Bend, Ind. Toll-free Tel: 1-866-222-6996 Toll-free Fax: 1-866-671-6733 Offering Property, Casualty, and Liability insurance to individuals, hero hidden beneath a grey ski mask of He formerly directed marketing and churches, and businesses in Alberta shifting inkblots. “An attack on one is an communications for Mennonite Mission Building … strong communities, strong churches and impacting our world. Our customers are part of the Mennonite Church and other attack on all of us,” he says, seeking to un- Network. Originally published on the churches of like faith in the province of Alberta. cover a plot to kill all superheroes. thirdway.com website. Reprinted by Insurance Compassion Relief Most of the Watchmen were forced into permission. 28 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

religion or culture. He found his audience a grant by the Winnipeg Foundation, a Focus on Books&Resources Art works receptive to this idea, saying, “On the level community philanthropy organization, to of individuals, there is a yearning for non- set up three exhibits, present school work- violent solutions. Many Hindus believe shops and offer churches cross-cultural, link Ghandi, that this is at the core of who they are and multi-faith presentations in Winnipeg. l who they want to be.” Dirks noticed that as people toured his Photo by Alexa Dirks Mennonites exhibit, they were at first pleasantly sur- By Deborah Froese prised by his portraits of Gandhi and then Mennonite Church Canada Release intrigued by the other paintings. They asked questions about how the images hen Ray Dirks was invited to ex- were connected, which, in turn, raised Whibit his work at the Jawahar Kala questions about being Mennonite. Kendra Art Centre in Jaipur, India, earlier Dirks set off to India with his daugh- this year, he was told, “Don’t be religious ter Alexa, a singer, and his friend and in your art.” fellow-artist, Manju Lodha. Now living But the Mennonite Heritage Centre in Winnipeg, Lodha is originally from the Gallery curator was not deterred by the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was through polite but firm request. The exhibit Dirks her connection with the art centre’s cur- brought to India consisted of nine portraits ator that the invitation arose. of Gandhi, several paintings of outcasts Lodha and Dirks had exhibits set up on from different countries, and manipulated opposite sides of the centre’s courtyard, photos from his own heritage. but under the same name, “In the Spirit of Artists Ray Dirks and Manju Lodha Dirks shared with his hosts some of Humanity.” pose in front of one of Dirks’s paintings of the ways Mennonite organizations work A broader project under the same name Gandhi that were exhibited in India in for peace among all people regardless of as the exhibition in India has been awarded January.

40 years of discovery 15th Mennonite through travel Heritage Cruise 2009 tours 2010 tours Ukraine: Sep 29 - Oct 15, 2009 ExplorE the World of paul ausTralia and NEW zEalaNd (February 5-25) with Tom YodEr NEufEld (April 29-May 15) WiTh obErammErGau passioN plaY: The cruise will assist and israEl and palEsTiNE (May 24-June 3) spriNGTimE in feature a special GrEaT TrEK Tour 2009 (May 24-June 4) hollaNd, bElGium & GErmaNY (May 6-17) Memorial Weekend EuropEaN hEriTaGE Tour (June 4-17) luThEraN holY laNd Tour (May 8-19) in historic Khortitsa russia and uKraiNE (June 5-18) EuropEaN hEriTaGE with johN ruTh (June 1-14) alasKa cruisE Tour (June 8-20) spEcTacular scaNdiNavia & iTs fjords (June 13-28) Odessa to Kyiv via Crimea mENNoNiTE World coNfErENcE Tours pENNsYlvaNia to EuropE (June 19-July 2) with (July) - A Few Seats Available israEl/palEsTiNE (June 24-July 5) EuropEaN hEriTaGE EuropEaN hEriTaGE with johN sharp (June 29-July 12) Senior Historian Paul Toews with johN sharp (July 31-August 13) iTalY, ausTria & GErmaNY (July 7-17) Architectural Historian Rudy Friesen mEda iN uKraiNE (September 3-13) ENGlaNd and scoTlaNd (July 23-August 4) Genealogist Alan Peters ENchaNTiNG daNubE rivEr cruisE sWiss GlaciEr ExprEss (July 29-August 11) Agronomist John Martens (October 24-November 1) Guides include Olga Shmakina jamaica hiGhliGhTs Tour EuropEaN hEriTaGE with paul zEhr (September 5-18) (November 13-22) ThE road to jErusalEm (September 11-22) and Lyudmilla Karyaka bEhiNd the vEil - ExpEriENciNG EGYpT EuropEaN hEriTaGE for (November 16-28) GErmaN-spEaKiNG pErsoNs (September 16-29) contact: Tm mYsTErY Tour (October 15-23) Marina Unger or Jane Clemens Vision 2000 Travel, Toronto “Building bridges among Mennonites and other Christians and faiths 1-800-387-1488 ext. 2827,2243 around the world through custom-designed travel.” [email protected] http://home.ica.net/~walterunger/ call 1-800-565-0451 for morE iNformaTioN aNd To booK Your Tour or e-mail: [email protected] web: www.tourmagination.com Google Mennonite Heritage Cruise 9 Willow Street, Waterloo, ON N2J 1V6 Canada Reg. #50014322 2308 Wood Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 USA Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 29

Focus on Books&Resources The write stuff Young author hopes to spread a positive message with self-published book

Story and Photo by Aaron Epp National Correspondent WINNIPEG

t has been said that everyone has a book “She doesn’t blame God— Iin them. Paul Loewen has more than she just wants a reaction,” 20. Loewen says, adding that al- Over the past eight years, Loewen has though the story is tough to written 500,000 words of fiction—four read at times, ultimately it’s complete novels, two incomplete ones and about God’s hope in the midst numerous short stories. He is currently of it all. seeking publication for his third novel, Perhaps more intriguing Buzz, and says he has 20 more novel-length than the plotline is what stories swimming in his head waiting to be Loewen hopes to accomplish written. with the book. The decision to “There’s no lack of ideas,” the 22-year-old publish the book himself was says over drinks at a coffee shop near the deliberate and, instead of sell- apartment he shares with his wife Jeanette. ing it, he is giving it away for “There’s a lack of time, if anything.” free. Right now, Loewen is most excited about “I want [the book] to spread his latest project, Make Jesus Lie. It’s a because people like the mes- self-published book he wrote in what he sage and the story, not because calls “an inspired flurry” last September it’s marketed well or because it and October, and which he released in was placed prominently in a February. bookstore.” Winnipeg writer Paul Loewen is giving his latest The story addresses the problem of pain The novel is published in novel, Make Jesus Lie, away for free. through the eyes of Almana, a 17-year- a blue report folder, making old girl living in an inner-city neighbour- it easy for people to make photocopies. phone interview. “He’s a writer who tackles hood. After running away from home, Loewen also has a website, MakeJesusLie. contemporary issues with zest and creativ- Almana finds shelter in an abandoned com, where people can download a pdf file ity, in an attempt to help the reader face up church, where she decides to put God on of the entire story. to issues that he sees in society.” trial for all the pain and suffering she has He acknowledges this is not the most Loewen is currently working on the se- quel to Buzz and finishing up a bachelor of Right now, Loewen is most excited about theology degree at Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg. He and his wife also his latest project, Make Jesus Lie. work part-time at Douglas Mennonite Church as junior youth pastors. experienced. conventional way to release a book. “I While they have a desire to continue in From 8 a.m. until noon each day, she realize that I’m taking a step of faith and it that line of work, Loewen says that, ultim- reads aloud evidence of the things that could fall flat on its face, but I’m okay with ately, he would love to write full-time. “I have gone wrong in her life. In the after- t h a t .” want to write fiction—that’s my passion,” noon, she waits for God to respond. As the Les Stobbe, Loewen’s literary agent, is he says. “Stories stick in people’s minds, story progresses, Almana befriends others confident that his work will find an audi- and I like writing fiction because you can in the neighbourhood, and their stories be- ence. “Paul is a quiet, creative young man really grab people’s emotions.” l come part of the mounting evidence. who writes well,” Stobbe says during a 30 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Book Reviews story. There are some violent scenes in the book and, although not portrayed in a positive light, they may not be appropri- ate for young readers. The book has an Not a Mennonite appendix of questions that could be food for thought, particularly for someone not from a Mennonite background. The ques- children’s story tions could be used to lead a study group of teens or adults, but for someone with Pax Avalon: ConflictRevolution. a familiarity with both graphic novels By Steven ‘Reece’ Friesen. Herald Press, 2008, 120 pages. and pacifism, the questions might seem Reviewed by Don Douglas simple. Herald Press deserves applause for pub- very so often someone at- or simple beauty. The dialogue is lishing this much-needed contribution Etempts to redeem the medium intelligent and the plot moves at a to popular culture. I hope it receives the of graphic novels (comic books) by steady, yet unhurried pace. attention and readership it deserves. l making a “Christian” one. Usually, It is possible that some readers these attempts have consisted will still think of the graphic novel Don Douglas is a teacher and former of efforts to convert people to as a children’s medium. It needs to youth pastor living in Edmonton. Christianity or to introduce chil- be clear that this is not a children’s dren to stories from the Bible or biblical teaching. Rare has been the attempt to use this medium to challenge adults to look at real issues from a Christian—perhaps even Mennonite—position. Pax Avalon: Community dynamics ConflictRevolution by Steven “Reece” The Emerald Angel. Friesen, is just such an attempt. Wilma L. Derksen. Herald Press, 2008, 198 pages. Friesen knows how to tell a complex, thought-provoking story. He succeeds in Reviewed by Betty L. Dyck creating characters and situations that chal- lenge the norms of traditional super hero irst-time novelist Wilma answer” to lift the spirits. comic books. Perhaps more interesting, FL. Derksen has delivered a Ava begins to visit Friesen is also willing to let his characters heart-warming story about a Grandmother when she is and plot challenge his own view that vio- precious relationship between about four years old and finds a lence is never the best solution. Although Ava, a young granddaughter, place where she is loved. In her the peace position is the one the reader is and her Oma (Grandmother). own family, Ava feels neglected, meant to sympathize with, the argument Expertly woven throughout the invisible and unable to under- for the use of violence in some situations is story are “Mennonite” homilies stand her mother’s rejection. given time to try and make its case. This is and bits of history and tradition, Scenes show some of the work a very mature way of presenting this issue appealing to both young and ethic of the valley people, in- in a narrative form. older readers. cluding the onerous procedure The author/illustrator gives us a main Told in Ava’s voice, the story will stretch of drying the fruit from Grandfather’s or- character who has a healing gift. Pax of- the mind and imagination of a pre-teen chard. Derksen deftly moves into the mak- fers this power freely, actually refusing to as Ava sits in on conversations between ing and serving of plumemooss (fruit soup). accept payment or bargain for its use. She Grandmother and people who walk the In one of the many homilies, Grandmother strives to find equality between rich and path through the orchard to her “open” explains how the fruits together nourish poor, she prays for guidance in the midst door. Grandmother has been given a spe- people, but there is a time for each fruit of crises, and she refuses to use violence or cial gift following the visit of an angel, to be independent and yet a time to put support others in the use of violence, even which enables her to help people, mostly them together “to make something that when it would appear to be the most ef- by listening, and subtly pointing them in rises above whatever they can do alone.” ficient way to deal with her terrorist foes. the direction that will solve their prob- Tensions in the story centre around Artistically, Friesen shows promise. lems. Usually during the afternoon visits issues like the feuding between two Although the art is uneven and incon- Grandmother serves tea and homemade churches, where “one sprinkles and the sistent, there are certain panels that are cookies, having learned in Russia that “a other immerses” during baptism. Another brilliant in terms of composition, detail cup of tea with something sweet is the is the depression of Ava’s mother and her Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 31

unexplained rejection until it is resolved. religious and healing experiences into the She does this by interweaving the story of Derksen uses fresh similes such as: tapestry of the story. her relationship with her mother; her time “snowflakes as round and as big as tea A little editing would have caught oc- as a resident assistant in “Maplewood,” the plates,” and “trees, houses, clotheslines . . . casions when Derksen’s Ava steps out of fictitious name of a facility focused on care were strung with beads of rain that dripped the first-person point of view, and in other of people with dementia; and her inter- constantly like monotonous torture.” She instances contradicts a previous observa- views and reading on the latest thinking by also creatively blends many of her own tion. Still, it is a very good first novel. l specialists on both dementia and the care of those with the condition. One of those specialists she interviews actually thinks about dementia as a kind The Zen of dementia of Zen way of being—focused entirely in Dancing With Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer’s. the present as the past is slowly eroded by By Lauren Kessler. Viking, 2007. the disease that tangles the ganglia (nerve cells outside of the brain) and fills the brain Reviewed by Dave Rogalsky with impermeable plaque. Kessler finds that the essence of the pa- auren Kessler succeeds in do- • By working in a facility focused tients for whom she is responsible remains, Ling three things with her in- on care of later-stage dementia pa- and that she can care for them as she learns vestigative journalistic foray into tients, she uncovers the injustice of to know who they are. The engineer who dementia care: expecting our most fragile elder- broke everything in life down into minute • She manages to do penance for ly to be cared for by untrained, steps needs to have everything explained her dysfunctional relationship non-unionized, minimum-wage to him in the same way: pick up your fork, with her mother, a relationship workers. poke the meat, put the meat in your mouth, which was already bad before she took over • And, finally, she manages to find peace chew, swallow. As Kessler does this, she caring for her mother in the later stages of and joy in the midst of physical and emo- discovers herself working for people with Alzheimer’s. tional incontinence. Alzheimer’s, rather than functioning as a drudge for “dementias.” CMU The information on validation therapy, Arriving this spring at Press as opposed to reality therapy, is worth the price of the book. Validation therapy works with the dementia sufferers where and when they are, rather than trying to A Generation force them into “normal” time and place, which is known as reality therapy. of Vigilance The stories of the women with whom she The Lives & Work of Johannes and Tina Harder works catch our hearts, too, as they rotate t.d. regehr through low-paying, entry-level jobs while trying to juggle child care, improve their education and deal with the expectations Some have suggested that both the of their employer and the families who are strengths and weaknesses of the paying the bills. Harders were rooted in their efforts Kessler finds catharsis as she cares for a to recreate in British Columbia a series of women, including the Rose of the church and community modelled title. Rose wanders, makes messes all over A Generation the home, and in her essence loves music. of Vigilance on the Russian Mennonite Brethren The lives & work of Johannes and Tina Harder Rose, who cannot dress herself, can dance, t.d. regehr experience. if Kessler will let her lead: an iconic sym- bol of caring for those who live only in the present but carry with them the whole of $29.50 their lives and being. l To order, contact CMU Bookstore at: toll free 877.231.4570 | email [email protected] Dave Rogalsky is Canadian Mennonite Visit CMU Press at: www.cmu.ca/publications magazine’s Eastern Canada correspondent. 32 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Spring 2009 List of Books&Resources

Theology, Spirituality

The Dark Night: A Gift of God. Daniel P. Keeping in Step with the God stories and personal anecdotes to encour- Schrock. Herald Press, of Peace: The Biblical Theology of Pacifism. age readers to live a life of forgiveness and love 2008, 217 pages. Arden Thiessen. Steinbach Bible College, 2008, of others. Schrock, a 208 pages. Mennonite pastor Thiessen, a retired teacher and pastor, Peace to War: Shifting Allegiances in the and spiritual director, explains the Bible’s message of peace in a very Assemblies of God. Paul Alexander. Cascadia says many Christians direct and uncomplicated way. Each of the 12 Publishing and Herald Press, 2009, 429 pages. experience a “dark chapters concludes with questions for study in researching his own Pentecostal trad- night” of testing and and discussion. ition, Alexander discovered that before World spiritual dryness, War II the Assemblies of God had been op- which actually strengthens faith in the end. Like Those Who posed to war. He traces how this denomina- This phenomenon is common, it is part of Dream: Sermons for tion became pro-military and how his study discipleship and should not be confused with Salford Mennonite led him to embrace the peace position. depression, he says. Church and Beyond. James C. Longacre. Reasoning Together: The Jewish-Christian Cascadia Publishing and A Conversation on Schism Revisited. John Herald Press, 2009, 197 Homosexuality. Ted Grimsrud Howard Yoder, Michael pages. and Mark Thiessen Nation. G. Cartwright and Peter longacre has chosen Herald Press, 2008, 318 pages. Ochs, eds., Herald Press, some of his story- Two professors of theol- 2009, 295 pages. filled sermons for this collection. They were ogy, Grimsrud from Eastern This collection of preached at Salford Mennonite in southeast- Mennonite University and ThiessenN ation essays by John Howard ern Pennsylvania between 1992 and 2006. from Eastern Mennonite Seminary, respect- Yoder, written between fully present arguments on opposite sides of 1971 and 1996, argues Loving Enemies: A the homosexuality debate. that Jesus did not reject Judaism and that the Manual for Ordinary division between Christianity and Judaism People. Randy and The Roots of Concern: Writings on was not inevitable. Joyce Klassen. Cascadia Anabaptist Renewal 1952-1957. Virgil Vogt, Publishing House and ed. Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2009, 197 pages. Herald Press, 2008, 147 in the 1950s, a group of Mennonite gradu- pages. ate students met in Amsterdam, where they after reviewing the discussed the church and the Anabaptist prevalence of violence and warfare in the view of discipleship. This is a reprint of the first world, the Klassens use biblical references, four volumes of their writings.

We attempt to stock all books written by Mennonites as well as books by Mennonite publishers: Pandora Press, Cascadia Publishing House, Good Books, Herald Press, and Faith & Life. Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 33

Springs of Living Water: Women in A Prairie Pilgrim: Wilhelm H. Falk. Mary Christ-Centered Church Early Austrian Neufeld. Winnipeg: M. Neufeld, 2008, 461 pages. Renewal. David S. Young. Anabaptism: Their This self-published biography of William Herald Press, 2008, 390 Days, Their Stories. Falk, the bishop of the Rudnerweider/ pages. Linda A. Huebert Hecht. Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference in This manual for con- Pandora Press, 2009, 290 southern Manitoba, is written by his daugh- gregational renewal has pages. ter. Falk, like other conservative Mennonite 16 chapters, each with Hecht has gathered leaders, found the years after World War II questions for reflection previously untold particularly difficult. and discussion. It also stories of Anabaptist has a variety of resources to help the renewal women in Austria in the 1500s through court Other Books process. Young is from the Church of the records. These are inspiring stories of commit- Brethren. ted women who shared their faith and defied At-Tuwani Journal: the law by being baptized. Hope and Nonviolent Through a Lens Darkly: How the News Action in a Media Perceive and Portray Evangelicals. Marpeck: A Life of Dissent Palestinian Village. David M. Haskell. Toronto: Clements Academic, and Conformity. Walter Arthur G. Gish. Herald 2009, 289 pages. Klaassen and William Klassen. Press, 2008, 366 pages. haskell, an associate professor of journalism Herald Press, 2008, 423 pages. Gish, a member of at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ont., This biography of Pilgram Christian Peacemaker reports on his study of the Canadian news Marpeck, a leader in the Teams, writes about his media, showing that journalists tend to be Anabaptist movement of the experiences in promot- biased against Evangelical Christians. 16th century, shows that he was more influ- ing peace between Palestinians and Israelis. He ential in Austria and Switzerland than previ- served in a Palestinian village for four winters History ous scholars assumed. Available in hardcover, between 2004 and 2008. This is a sequel to his this is Vol. 44 of the Studies in Anabaptist and Hebron Journal published in 2001. From the Tyrol to Mennonite History Series. North America: The Hutterite Story Through the Centuries. Astrid von Schlachta, translated by Werner and Karin ΛΛBriefly noted Packull. Pandora Press, Pastor to publish book on how church 2009, 266 pages. This book, which survived Hurricane Katrina covers 500 years of GULFPORT, MISS.—Nelson Roth, pastor of Gulfhaven Mennonite Church, has Hutterite history, was published in Innsbruck, signed a contract with Tate Publishing & Enterprises to publish his book Nehemiah Austria, in the German language in 2006. Response in 2009. Gulfport was one of the communities hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and this book is the story of how the pastor and congregation responded to this natural disaster. Roth says, “Principles we learned from Nehemiah in the Bible helped us through our crisis. In the storyline of the book, we discuss these principles that are transferable to other types of crises, like marriage, finances, etc.” One of Roth’s responses was to found Relevant Ministry, which places interns from colleges, universities, seminaries and churches in the community of Gulfport to meet spiritual needs there. —Relevant Ministry Release

We’re located across the street Browse and order online at your full-service Mennonite bookshop from the MCC at: 33 Kent Ave. Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 3C1 www.pandorapress.com Phone: 1-866-696-1678 or 519-745-1560 Fax: 1-519-578-1826 e-mail: [email protected] 34 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

The Coat is Thin. Leonard Neufeldt. Resources Tsunami’s Wake: Healing from Trauma. DreamSeeker Books, Cascadia Publishing, 2008, MCC, 2007, 54 minutes. 99 pages. Abuse Response and Prevention. MCC, 2008, These stories of healing after the trauma This small book is a collection of poems. 32 pages. of a major tsunami come from India and Although Neufeldt lives in Washington State, This booklet, designed for church leaders, Indonesia. his poems have references to locations in provides guidelines for response and sugges- British Columbia. tions for preventing abuse. Unexpected Peace. MCC, 2008, 10 minutes. a young woman whose father’s was mur- Hope Indeed! Remarkable Stories of The Acceptable dered suffers years of anger and bitterness until Peacemakers. N. Gerald Shenk. Good Books, Year of the Lord: she participates in victim-offender mediation. 2008, 106 pages. Preaching the Old shenk has put together this collection Testament with Faith, —Compiled by Barb Draper, of peacemaking stories from today’s world Finesse and Fervour. Books&Resources Editor because he believes such stories can foster Karen Hamilton. peace. The 15 chapters also have discussion Novalis, 2008. questions. hamilton, the general secretary to Long After I’m Gone: A Father-Daughter the Canadian Council Memoir. Deborah Good with Nelson Good. of Churches, provides insights into Old Cascadia Publishing, 2009, 208 pages. Testament texts. It is designed for preachers deborah Good gathered stories from her who use the Common Lectionary. Mennonite Publishers father after he was diagnosed with cancer. ΛΛ The stories mix together the daughter’s grief DVDs Cascadia Publishing House and loss with her father’s memories and Telford, Pa. 215-723-9125 wisdom. . MCC, Colombian Churches Call for Peace contact@ 2007, 11 minutes. cascadiapublishinghouse.com The Mill Grinds Fine. Helen Wade Alderfer. Churches in Colombia are praying and DreamSeeker Books, Cascadia Publishing and working for peace by responding to the CMU Press Herald Press, 2009, 135 pages. humanitarian crisis resulting from armed Winnipeg This collection of poems explores the conflict. Grade 9 to adult. author’s childhood as well as ordinary events 204-487-3300 [email protected] and situations throughout her long life. Ours to Share. Mennonite World Conference, Alderfer edited Christian Living magazine for 2009, five minutes. Good Books 25 years. This overview of how the people of Intercourse, Pa. Mennonite World Conference share with each 1-800-762-7171 Pax Avalon: other is available in English, French, Spanish or [email protected] ConflictResolution. Steven German at [email protected]. “Reece” Friesen. Herald Press, 2008, 120 pages. Mennonite Media Remembering Russia 1928-1938: Harrisonburg, Va. This graphic novel (comic . Otto Collectivization and Mass Arrest 1-800-999-3534 book format) explores issues Klassen Production, 2007, 52 minutes. [email protected] of peace and conflict in the Klassen documents the suffering of fictitious Avalon City. Mennonites in the Soviet Union during this Mennonite Publishing Network difficult decade.I t is available from MCC 1-800-245-7894 (for all orders) Somewhere Else. Jan Guenther Braun. offices. Arbeiter Ring Publishing, 2008, 232 pages. • Herald Press (book division) [email protected] Jan Braun’s first novel tells the story of a . MCC, 2007, 15 minutes. Taming Hunger • Faith and Life Resources young woman, daughter of the president of as well as stories from MCC’s mobile meat [email protected] a Mennonite college, who struggles with her canner, this DVD tells stories from Burundi, homosexuality. Braun grew up in Osler, Sask. where the meat plays a role in agricultural Pandora Press development and community building. Kitchener, Ont. 519-745-1560 1-866-696-1678 [email protected] Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 35

Book Review CPT hostage story

not an easy read tends to overshadow the story of the kidnapping. 118 Days: Christian Peacemaker Teams Held Hostage in Iraq. The deliberate—and judged neces- Tricia Gates Brown, ed. Christian Peacemaker Teams, Toronto, 2008, 227 pages. sary—exclusion of Jim Loney’s partner Reviewed by Eckhard Goerz from the negotiations and media cover- age until after his release is one example eacemaking is at the heart is self-published and suffers of this, illustrating the disconnect faith Pof our Mennonite identity. accordingly, in that it reflects communities continue to encounter on Consequently, this narrative solely an introspective view, re- this issue locally and across world and of the Christian Peacemakers sulting in a slightly amateurish religious communities. It colours how Teams (CPT) kidnapping and quality. the whole story is read and potentially subsequent murder of one and Church publishers report- influences the perception of the overall rescue of the other three in edly declined to publish the work of CPT. 2005-06 should prove vital and book, primarily due to CPT’s The strongest contributions appear interesting reading. But while insistence that the homosexual at the end. One focuses on Tom Fox, a there are fascinating and illuminating relationship of Canadian James Loney be Quaker, who was inexplicably murdered elements in the book, it is also a frustrat- included as an essential element of the by his captors just prior to the rescue of ing, unfocused and uneven read. story, in part as an example of present the others, while the concluding article, At its core it is a collage of 23 articles day “violence” within western society written by Loney, a member of Catholic lightly edited by a member of CPT. It against some of its citizens. This theme Worker House, is a deeply personal trib- ute to his fellow captive, Fox. These re- Herald Press: New Books for Spring flections provide valuable insight into the character and faith dynamics of both Timna individuals. Intentional Christian peacemaking as Timna is the wife of Shem, one of Noah’s sons. As an alternative to military solutions to the this story by Lucille Travis for 9-to-14-year-olds evils in the world continues to present open, the family has loaded the ark with animals moral and faith challenges. This tragic and supplies as God has ordered, and they are ready event illustrates some of the complex- to shut the doors. Soon the Flood will begin. Along ities and potential associated costs. As with two enchanting and mischievous dogs named an avenue of service, CPT is not for the Thief and Mangy, Timna seals herself into the ark. faint-hearted. Clearly, the good work of She doesn’t know what to expect, only that she is CPT was reflected by the more than 100 obeying—and trusting—God. organizations that formally expressed Paper, 168 pages, $11.49 support for the four hostages during their violent confinement. 118 Days presents an honest, multi- The Dark Night: A Gift of God faceted account from many individuals “Daniel P. Schrock offers us a rare gift. He shepherds us into this dark impacted both directly and more per- terrain and brings light and understanding to this puzzling and oft- ipherally by the event. It shows how faith times misunderstood experience.”—Wendy Miller, Eastern Mennonite can transform intellectual assent into a Seminary lifetime—and life-costing—commitment Paper, 218 pages, $19.54 to real tangible action, a journey all of us need to spend more time on. But it is not an easy read. l 1 800 631-6535 • www.heraldpress.com Eckhard Goerz is a former CEO of Eden Health Care Services, Winkler, Man. 36 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Schools directory

Menno Simons Christian School Integrating sound academic learning with growth in character, faith, and service to God. www.mennosimons.ab.ca An EducA tion for LifE ! Calgary, Alberta

ROCKWAY MENNONITE Forming Faith... COLLEGIATE Building Character For Grades 6 to 12 www.rockway.ca m

o Yellow Page Business Directory . . . equipping students for life and forever c . c

Preschool - Gr.12 Education o Education Resources Sound Advice, Excellent Products, Peace of Mind s that partners with the home and church i e Mennonite & BIC Resource Centre to nurture the minds, bodies, and souls of BA, BTh, CFP

m John Thiessen,

our students. . 519-745-8458 x225 www.mbicresources.org

Mennonite Educational Institute w Tel: 1.866.324.9574 (Campuses in Abbotsford & Chilliwack BC) w [email protected] w

(P) 604.859.3700 (F) 604.859.9206 Financial Services Investment Gerber Financial Services, Waterloo, ON Planning Counsel TM (519) 746-1900; IPC INVESTMENT CORPORATION ... a well-rounded education which will [email protected] Insurance Provided by IPC Estate Services Inc. inspire and empower students to live as people of God. 86 West Gate, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2E1 Health Training (204) 775-7111 Dorothy Bowman, R.R.Pr. Certified Reflexologist & Teacher

REFLEXOLOGY Listen. Understand. Plan. Treatments www.westgatemennonite.ca Duane Eby, MBA, CFP, CLU Financial Advisor Professional Practitioner Training 410 Conestogo Road, Unit 208, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 4E2 & Certification tel 519.725.2006 fax 519.725.2003 email [email protected] Reflexology Training 519-634-8779 Ontario www.reflexologyontario.ca

Insurance

ACCOUNTS • LOANS • MORTGAGES ONLINE SERVICES • FINANCIAL PLANNING

Aylmer 519.773.9559 1.877.773.6728 Elmira 519.669.1529 1.800.265.1994 Kitchener 519.576.7220 1.800.565.6801 Leamington 519.326.8601 1.888.285.5501 Creating and Sustaining Milverton 519.595.8796 1.800.952.2217 Mount Forest 519.509.6728 1.888.509.6728 W H O L E N E S S New Hamburg 519.662.3550 1.800.567.4047 Winnipeg Mennonite St.Catharines 905.646.9223 1.866.405.8590 MAX Canada Insurance Company is Elementary Schools Waterloo 519.746.1770 1.800.265.4513 committed to serving the Anabaptist www.wmes.ca Serving members of Mennonite, Amish and Brethren community with insurance protection in Christ churches across Ontario. www.mscu.com Middle School at Bedson and mutual aid care. Your Values Your Credit Union HOME • FARM • CHURCH • BUSINESS 250 Bedson St., Winnipeg, MB, R3K 1R7 Ph:885-1032 MUTUAL AID MINISTRIES 26 Agassiz Dr., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2K7 Ph:261-9637 877-770-7729 • www.maxcanada.org Products available in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario & Saskatchewan “Providing quality Christ-centred education…” Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 37

Proud to Represent Legal Services More than 20 companies, including: Russel Snyder-Penner B.A., LL.B., M.A. Trademark Agent

Corporate/Commercial Law GeriSALES REPRESENTATIVE Penner Don Wagler Charities/Non-profits Wills/Trusts, Real Estate

Robert A. Sutherland, B.A., LL.B. SUTHERLAND 255Ron Kingald E. Mark, B.ASt.., LL.B. N. Suite 300 Paul B. Flemming, B.Admin., LL.B., M.B.A. Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage MARK Waterloo,Rob Sutherland, B.B.A., LL.B.ON N2J 4V2 Independently Owned and Operated Russel Snyder-Penner, B.A., LL.B., M.A.* LEMMING Glenda D. McLeod, B.A., LL.B. Rose Wagler F 519-725-2500 766 Hespeler Rd., Cambridge, ON N3H 5L8 SNYDER-PENNER LITIGATION COUNSEL:(f) 519-725-2525 Direct: 519-497-1569 Hilde M. English, B.A., LL.B. PROFESS I ONAL CORPORATION Bus: 519-623-6200 Fax: 519-623-3541 BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS [email protected] [email protected] www.remaxcentre.ca *TRA DE-M ARK AGENT

Scott Wagler Real Estate Retreat/Accommodations

Maison de l'amitié Steve Wagler Maison de l'amitié House Of Friendship Student Residence and Summer Guestrooms

Don Leis 120“The Rue Duluth, referral Est of your (514) friends 843-4356 Montreal,and QC family [email protected] is the greatest Experience hospitality in the heart of Montreal's Plateau! complimentwww.residencema.ca you can give me. Derrick MacDonald Thank you for your trust.” 255 KING STREET NORTH SUITE 300 WATERLOO ONTARIO CANADA N2J 4V2 TEL: (519) 725-2500 • FAX: (519) 725-2525 www.solicitors.com Tax/BookkeepingGeri Services Penner %$-5.$02)%30H$ 0RESIDENT"ROKEROF2ECORD Phil Gleeson 1•888•JOSSLIN CK Tax & Bookkeeping Service (1•888•567•7546) Tax Professional www.josslin.com 145 Grand Ave. E Chatham, Ont. Colin Brubacher N7L 1W3 Offering specialized products for: 519-351-3906 Church • Farm [email protected] Car • Home • Business Serving Southwestern Ontario. Erwin Tiessen 306-262-3833 #5 - 3012 Louise Street Travel Saskatoon SK S7J 3L8 Roth Nowak Phone (306) 477-0111 INSURANCE BROKERS Fax (306) 477-2228 Buying? Selling? I’ll help put the pieces together! Bonaventure Travel Lila Hollman 119 University Avenue East All artwork layouts, photos and proofs are Sherryl Koop under copyright protection and any use Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2W1 other than by Specialties Plus Promotions will be deemed as an infringement of Lori Neufeld copyright. Any violations without the express Telephone: (800) 576-7166 written permission will be prosecuted to the Rose Szczepanik fullest extent of the law. E-mail: [email protected] Ruth Wiebe www.rothnowak.com Liz Krohn Auto, Home & Business Fiona Stafford Insurance Julie Alexiuk 428 Academy Road, Winnipeg, MB Dennis Roth • Ed Nowak Phone: 1-888-550-8998 Serving the Mennonite Community (204) 488-6653 throughout Ontario [email protected] Representing Fax: (204) 488-6694

Margaret Shantz Mennonite Your Way Tours 1-800-296-1991; www.mywtours.com 519-747-0231 Travel with a purpose! [email protected] Sales Representative 38 Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009

Calendar 6885. Classifieds ΛΛ May 9: DaCapo Chamber Choir ΛΛ Advertising British Columbia presents “Fire and Air: Kindling sun, For Rent moon stars and spirit,” St. John the Information May 24: “Reach Up In Out,” an MC For Rent: Sleepy Hollow Cot- Evangelist Church, Kitchener, 8 p.m. tage. All-season, 3-bedroom Contact Canadian B.C. joint service featuring worship, Advance tickets available online at home in a peaceful wooded val- fellowship and food; Chandos Pattison dacapochamberchoir.ca (follow the ley in the heart of the Niagara Mennonite Auditorium, Surrey, 4 p.m. Meal ticket “ticket info” link) or by phone at 519- region. Small retreat centre or Ad Representative deadline: April 30; tickets available from family accommodations. Bruce 725-7549. Trail. Shaw Festival, Wine tours. Karen Suderman local congregations or the MC B.C. May 11: Spring seniors retreat at Phone: 416-534-6047 or e-mail: office. Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp. [email protected] 1-800-378-2524 x.224 Speaker: Rick Cober Bauman, executive for complete brochure. 519-745-4507 Alberta director of Mennonite Central advert@ June 6: Camp Valaqua hike-a-thon For Committee Ontario. Topic: “But we like canadianmennonite.org more information, call 403-637-2510 or the old wine: Shaping MCC for the 21st e-mail [email protected]. century.” For more information, call June 10: Alberta heritage retreat at 519-625-8602. Employment Opportunities Camp Valaqua. For more information, May 16: MC Eastern Canada presents call Kurt Janz at 403-271-7477. “Ministering to the chronically mentally Zoar Mennonite Church at Waldheim, Sask., a congregation of ill and their families” event; Erb Street about 80 regular attendants, is currently seeking a pastor. June 12-13: MCC Relief Sale, Didsbury. We are a small rural community 60 km north of Saskatoon. Cur- Events include a Friday barbecue, sale Mennonite Church Waterloo; 8:45 a.m. rently, we are involved in supporting immigrant families from and bike-a-thon. For more information, to 3 p.m. Colombia moving to our community. : Fundraising yard and bake call Adam Beriault at 403-275-6935. May 22 We are looking for a person who: sale at the Wanner Mennonite Church - has a strong personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Saskatchewan picnic shelter, Cambridge; 5 to 9 p.m. - endorses commitment and respect to Anabaptist faith. - has gifts of leadership in evangelism and visitation. Rain date: May 23. May 27: MEDAffinity breakfast, at the May 26-29: “Quilts for the World” at Please submit inquiries, resumes and references to: Saskatoon Club, 7 a.m. Speaker: Ken St. Jacobs Mennonite Church; 10 a.m. Jerry Buhler, Conference Pastor Sawatzky. Topic: “Keeping the faith.” to 8 p.m. (26-28), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (29). 301 10A Pakwa Place Guest artist: Judy Gascho-Jutzi. Gift Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A3 Manitoba Phone: 306-249-4844 shop, appraisals, quilting bee. E-mail: [email protected] May 13: Westgate Mennonite May 27: Solar energy information Fax: 306-349-4441 Collegiate work day. night, Erb Street Mennonite Church, May 15: “Going Barefoot II,” a Waterloo, 7 p.m. Learn about solar First Mennonite Church of Winnipeg, Man., is inviting appli- conference for church communicators, energy options for your church, home or workplace. Join MCC Ontario cants for the positions of Leading Minister and Youth with keynote speaker Mike Tennant Minister. We are a large and diverse community of believ- of TheA ge of Persuasion. For more constituents in purchasing solar energy ers belonging to MC Canada and served by a five-member information or to register, visit cmu.ca. together in an effort to care for God’s pastoral team that is committed to the MC Canada Confession May 22-24: Birding retreat at Camp creation. of Faith. Our congregation has Russian/German roots, a strong musical tradition, and three distinct Sunday services. Koinonia. May 29-30: New Hamburg May 27: Westgate Mennonite Mennonite Relief Sale, New Hamburg We seek a Leading Minister who is: • a spiritual leader with pastoral experience and an M.Div. or Collegiate Grades 7-9 spring concert, at fairgrounds and arena. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. (29) and 7 a.m. (30). For more equivalent training; Bethel Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, • gifted in preaching, interpersonal relations and administration; at 7 p.m. information, visit nhmrs.com. • energetic and positive; and May 28: Westgate Grades 10-12 spring May 30: Willowgrove annual • can inspire and embrace the many gifts of our congregation. concert, at Bethel Mennonite Church, fundraising golf tournament at Angus Position begins in Spring, 2010. Winnipeg, at 7 p.m. Glen Golf Club, Markham; 1:30 p.m. We seek a Youth Minister who: shotgun start. Silent and live auctions • is an enthusiastic and motivated self-starter holding an under-graduate degree with significant biblical/theological Ontario and dinner included. Download registration forms at willowgrove.ca. content; May 5: Church leadership seminar: • has some experience working with young people; For more information, call Ron de Roo • relates well to young people and their parents; and “Transforming the culture of the at 905-640-2127. • desires to inspire youths to Christian discipleship. congregation,” in Waterloo. Position begins in Fall, 2009, for a one-year term. May 5-6: Church leadership seminar: To ensure timely publication of upcoming events, please send To apply in confidence or for more information, contact: “Leading the church through times of Richard Klassen, Chair Ministerial Search Committee conflict and change,” in Waterloo. Calendar announcements eight First Mennonite Church May 9: Grand Philharmonic Choir weeks in advance of the event 320 Kingsway Avenue presents Franz Lehar’s The Merry date by e-mail to calendar@ Winnipeg, MB R3M 0H4 canadianmennonite.org. Phone: 204-474-1368 Widow. Centre in the Square, Kitchener, Email: [email protected] 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at 519-578- Canadian Mennonite April 27, 2009 39

COME JOIN OUR Full-time Associate Pastor: Youth and Youngadult PARKWOOD COMMUNITY! Parkwood Seniors’ Community is currently Bethel Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, Man., invites applicants seeking the following full-time position: to apply for the position of AssociAte PAstor for youth Director of resiDent care And young Adult ministry. BMC is an inter-generational congregation of 450 active members and 80 children/youths. In this position, you will provide leadership to staff of Parkwood Mennonite Home in all aspects of nursing The successful applicant will work in the context of a pastor- and personal care services to ensure an outstanding level of al team to ensure the continued development of a dynamic resident care is maintained and enhanced on a continuous youth and young adult ministry. He/she should have a B.Th. basis. Assistance with administrative duties is also a key ele- or equivalent, possess strong leadership skills and experience/ ment of this position. training in youth work; seminary training an asset. The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately; With current certification with the College of Nurses of Ontario, starting date negotiable (fall of 2009 preferable). Please con- a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) degree, and in-depth know- tact Flori Ens, chair of pastoral search, at [email protected]. ledge of geriatric nursing and MOHLTC Standards, you will have five years experience in nursing management in a long-term care setting. Parkwood, a non-profit corporation supported by 27 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches, has provided compassionate care to seniors in the northern part of Waterloo for over 45 years. If you feel that you are our ideal candidate, please apply in writing by May 15, 2009, to: Deborah Dueck, Administrator Advertising representAtive 726 New Hampshire Street Waterloo, ON N2K 4M1 Canadian Mennonite is seeking an approximately 40% time Fax: (519) 885-6720 Advertising Representative for the biweekly magazine. Pay is E-mail: [email protected] a negotiable combination of commission and salary, plus ex- penses and benefits. The majority of work can be done from home if desired. Resumes will be considered starting April 1 with the position starting June 1. This person is responsible for managing, caring for and grow- ing Canadian Mennonite’s advertising base. Specific tasks in- clude providing excellent service to advertisers; developing and carrying out ad marketing campaigns; responding to ad inquiries; organising the production of ads from development through to print and/or online publication; growing our ad- vertising base; and working with the publisher to develop our overall advertising business plan. Director of care Applicants should be self-motivated idea people with strong sales and communication skills; the ability to understand cus- Donwood Manor Personal Care Home Inc. has a rewarding tomer needs and match our offerings to these; support Can- and challenging full-time position for a Director of Care (One adian Mennonite’s ministry and mission; and be able to work year term, August 4, 2009 – September 21, 2010). independently. Come and serve the wider church in this excit- ing way! Donwood Manor is a 121-bed, faith-based, fully accredited long-term care facility located in Winnipeg, Man. The Director Direct inquiries and applications to: of Care provides leadership in nursing, therapeutic recreation, Dick Benner, Editor and Publisher, Canadian Mennonite volunteer services, staff development, continuous quality 490 Dutton Dr., Unit C5, Waterloo, ON N2L 6H7 improvement and spiritual care, which strive for quality resi- Phone: 1-800-378-2524, x225 dent care consistent with the mission and vision of Donwood E-mail: [email protected] Manor. Qualifications: • Bachelor Degree in Nursing is preferred or equivalent education. • Must be eligible for registration with CRNM. Upcoming Advertising Dates • Minimum three years experience in long-term care. • Minimum three years experience in a Senior Management Issue Date Ads Due position. • Must demonstrate strong leadership, written and verbal May 25 May 12 communication skills. • Must have a strong commitment to the ideals expressed in Focus on Seniors the mission statement. June 8 May 26 Applications are to be received no later than May 22, 2009, to: June 22 June 9 James Heinrichs, Executive Director Donwood Manor Personal Care Home Focus on Children’s Books & Resources 171 Donwood Drive July 6 June 23 Winnipeg, MB R2G 0V9 Phone: (204) 668-4410 July 27 July 14 Fax: (204) 663-5429 E-mail: [email protected] Aug. 17 aug. 5 www.donwoodmanor.org. Sept. 7 aug. 25 is for those who have lost imagination their Violence

Photos by Richard Albrecht Banners and puppetistas (puppeteers who use their creations in public demonstrations and street theatre) contribute to the annual Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church Palm Sunday Peace Walk through downtown Kitchener, Ont. (photo above). Jim Hett offers a prayer for people to “imagine peace” (photo left), while Noah Albrecht gets in on the action (photo below).