One Milk Crate of Debris at a Time
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September 2, 2013 Volume 17 Number 17 One milk crate of debris at a timepg. 20 inside Hindsight foresight insight 4 Healing the Mennonite class divide 14 PM40063104 R09613 What is the ‘settler problem’? 23 2 Canadian Mennonite September 2, 2013 Editorial champions “justice” as one of its core beliefs. Can we, with God’s help, bring some kind of redemption to this shadowy Healing sexual abuse narrative? In both cases, we in the larger com- Dick Benner munity can feel rather helpless. In the Editor/Publisher Yoder case, it is a distant event, happen- ing in an era when, in a more patriarchal wo stories on sexual abuse have the experience, what could go better in religious system, men took liberties that re-emerged recently on the restoration of victims and perpetrators today are not tolerated. In the Bolivia TMennonite scene that call for so- in cases of sexual harassment and abuse? Old Colony story, these are far-distant ber reflection and some self-examination, Where can growth continue?” she asks. cousins, both in faith and practice, and but not self-obsession. They should be The safety of women in another in geography. We are shamed and sad- seen, in the present, as “teachable mo- setting—the Manitoba Old Colony of dened, but barely capable of reaching into ments” and occasions for healing, Bolivia—has also hit the inter- such an insular communal group that rather than harsh judgments on national media in a recent first and foremost resents and resists any the sins of our fathers. in-depth story by Time reporter outside counsel or help. We refer to the re-surfacing, Jean Friedman-Rudovsky as a Let me suggest two possible responses, after some 20 years, of the sexual follow-up to the horrendous one of which is already well underway: abuse of women by one of our event in August 2011, when eight leading theologians, the late John Manitoba men, aged 19 to 43, • Acknowledge the far-reaching Howard Yoder. Although he creatively were convicted of raping women and damage of Yoder’s behaviour while still schooled those of my generation in a peace children, using an anesthetic spray on maintaining respect for, and receiving theology from our Anabaptist roots, that their victims while they slept, and were theological instruction from, his creative “provided a crucial witness to the secular sentenced to 25 years in prison. Officially thinking and influence well beyond our world and combat[ted] a host of injustices,” there were 130 victims—at least one per- denominational borders. as his obituary in the New York Times noted son from more than half of all Manitoba Sara Wenger Shenk, president of on Jan. 7, 1998, he also sexually violated Colony households. Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, some 80 women, at last count. Two years later, Friedman-Rudovsky Elkhart, Ind., where Yoder’s influence was These victims, now feeling free to tell visited the colony, spending a week talk- most felt, has called for a public “revisit” their stories in a more enlightened time, ing to the victims and to the leaders in of his legacy—“getting the facts straight are asking for an official acknowledge- an attempt to assess the culture that may and shouldering the urgent healing work ment from church leaders, and a more have fostered this reprehensible behav- that must still be done.” open and honest discussion of sexism iour. To her dismay and surprise, and Mennonite Church U.S.A., through a broadly in the Mennonite church. to ours looking on, she found that rape joint effort with Shenk, has convened a “My generation is still impacted by is still occurring, with the colony lead- six-member discernment group to “guide residual practices of church decision- ers taking a rather casual, if not cavalier, a process that hopes to contribute to the makers,” wrote Charletta Erb, a marriage attitude towards the crimes. “If a perpe- healing of victims of Yoder’s abuse as and family therapist intern, in a blog trator is not ready to admit his sins, the well as others deeply hurt by his harmful entry published online by The Mennonite. question is whether the victim or the behaviour.” “I am wary of our conflict avoidance, accuser will be believed . and women in cautious for safety in the church, cau- Manitoba already know where that goes,” • Look to persons like Eve and Helmut tious of why women are not more at the she writes. Isaak, already working with the Old forefront of church life, publishing our Both of these stories are hard to read, Colony leaders to address the problems ideas in equal frequency to men. I have to and even harder to reconcile, as mem- from the inside, “creating spaces for more ask what the church has learned through bers of a faith community that ironically wholesome living.” About the cover: Circulation: Please contact Lisa Jacky toll-free at ‘We’ve never dealt with anything like this in Canada before,’ says Janet 1-800-378-2524 ext. 221 or by e-mail at office@ Plenert, MDS director for Canadian operations, of this summer’s flooding canadianmennonite.org for subscriptions and ad- in southern Alberta. See story on page 20. dress changes. Subscriptions can also be ordered at our web site. We acknowledge the financial support PHOTO: JANET PLENERT, MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund for our publishing activities. ISSN 1480-042X PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40063104 REGISTRATION NO. 09613 Hindsight foresight insight 4 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE ITEMS TO CANADIAN MENNONITE contentsIn our Christian Formation Sunday feature, Susan Schultz Huxman, 490 DUTTON DRIVE, UNIT C5 WATERLOO ON N2L 6H7 president of Conrad Grebel University College, writes of the impor- Phone: 519-884-3810 Toll-free: 1-800-378-2524 Fax: 519-884-3331 tance of the ability to see clearly as Christians and as Mennonites. Web site: canadianmennonite.org Plus, Virginia A. Hostetler profiles three women presidents of Mennonite institutions of higher learning. Please send all material to be considered for publication to: General submission address: [email protected] Congolese youth strengthen Mennonite ties 17 Readers Write: [email protected] In a world where differences and distance often divide people of faith, Milestones announcements: [email protected] Obituaries: Michael Hostetler, [email protected] Mennonite youth in the Democratic Republic of Congo are participat- Calendar announcements: [email protected] ing in an exchange program to strengthen ties among the country’s Material can also be sent “Attn: Submissions/Readers Write/Milestones/Obituaries/Calendar” three Mennonite conferences.. by postal mail or fax to our head office. Reprint requests: [email protected] One milk crate of debris at a time 20 ‘All we could do was take one milk crate of debris up Mission statement: To educate, inspire, inform, and foster dialogue on issues facing Mennonites the stairs at a time,’ recalls MDS volunteer in Canada as it shares the good news of Jesus Christ from an Anabaptist perspective. We do this Nancy through an independent publication and other media, working with our church partners. Thiessen of her experience in one flood-stricken home in High River, Alta., this summer. ‘I could not Guiding values: imagine the stress of facing that alone.’ Hebrews 10:23-25 • Accuracy, fairness, balance • Editorial freedom • Seeking and speaking the truth in love • Open hearts and minds in discerning God’s will • A friend remembers 28 Covenantal relationships and mutual accountability Wilfrid Laurier University music professor David Falk is recalled by Area churches and MC Canada financially support 38 percent of Canadian Mennonite’s long-time friend Jack Dueck. annual budget. ‘Dig in’ to Scripture 32 Board of Directors (by appointing body): MennoMedia collaborates with partner denominations in a going-back- MC Canada: Les Klassen Hamm, Doreen Martens; to-the-Bible series. MC B.C.: Linda Matties; MC Alberta: James Moyer; MC Saskatchewan: Marianne Harder; MC Manitoba: Al Friesen; Young Voices 34-37 MC Eastern Canada: Tim Reimer; Poet and CMU professor Sally Ito shares about creativity, writing and CMPS: Carl DeGurse, Roger Epp, Tobi Thiessen inspiration in an interview with Nick Schuurman. Plus, in Voice of the Board Chair: Tobi Thiessen, [email protected], 416-622-7850 Voiceless, Paulin Bossou, an African student at CMU, sees beyond Head Office Staff: this country’s affluence and materialism to its busyness and shallow Dick Benner, Editor/Publisher, [email protected] faith, and Kristina Toews of Abbotsford, B.C., reports on her work in Ross W. Muir, Managing Editor, [email protected] Colombia. Barb Draper, Editorial Assistant, [email protected] Dan Johnson, Graphic Designer, [email protected] Lisa Jacky, Circulation/Finance, [email protected] Regular features: Aaron Epp, Young Voices Co-editor, [email protected] Pontius’ Puddle 5 For discussion 9 Readers write 10 Rachel Bergen, Young Voices Co-editor, [email protected] Milestones 16 Yellow Page 31 Calendar 38 Classifieds 39 Advertising Manager: Michael Hostetler, [email protected], Healing sexual abuse 2 toll-free voice mail: 1-800-378-2524 ext. 224 Dick Benner Correspondents: Lost and found 10 Will Braun, Senior Writer, [email protected]; Amy Dueckman, B.C. Correspondent, [email protected], 604-854-3735; Steve Heinrichs Donita Wiebe-Neufeld, Alberta Correspondent, [email protected],