Volume 26, Number 21
Three questions about content
(Photo by Climate Reality Project/Unsplash)
Movies and TV shows about journalism always catch my attention. How do publishing enterprises work? How do reporters and editors gather information? How are decisions made about the content that the public will see?
Here are questions that readers have about the content you read on the print and web pages of Canadian Mennonite.
Planning a people’s Bible
In the chapel at Casa Iskali retreat centre in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, Ill., 45 people gathered from Aug. 26 to 28 for a working conference to launch the Anabaptist Bible project. (Jace Longenecker photo for MennoMedia)
John D. Roth, project director of Anabaptism at 500, receives input on the Anabaptist Bible project from participants at a conference held from Aug. 26 to 28 in Des Plaines, Ill. (Jace Longenecker photo for MennoMedia)
Anabaptism began in 1525 in Switzerland, when bold young Christians challenged authorities with the radical idea that Scripture spoke clearly to ordinary people who studied the Bible together.
Nearly five centuries later, plans are taking shape for a special Bible to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism and breathe new life into grassroots Bible study.
Readers write: October 17, 2022 issue
(Graphic by Betty Avery)
Preaching in a ‘maze of postmodern reality’
Say a prayer for pastors, teachers in seminaries and Mennonite schools, bishops and executive ministers, and any others who are tasked with leading the rest of us Anabaptist Christians through the maze of postmodern reality.
Only together can we heal
(Photo by Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash)
A former Maoist rebel, a Muslim corporate lawyer, a conservative Baptist pastor and an Indigenous coffee farmer walk into a coffee shop . . . and sit down for a board meeting for PeaceBuilders Community, Inc.
Queen in Manitoba
(Photo: Gerald Loewen)
In 1970, the province of Manitoba celebrated its 100th birthday, and celebrations included a visit by the queen and her family. Among the many stops and events in July was a visit to the town of Steinbach, and the Milltown Hutterite Colony, near Elie.
Modelling another way to healing
(Photo by Alexander Grey/Unsplash)
The past month has been indescribably hard for many here in Saskatchewan. I refer, of course, to the savage happenings on James Smith Cree Nation, and also touching nearby Weldon, which involved the violent deaths of 12 people and injury to another 18.
In this very sad story, a lesson has been about the vibrancy of the spirit of First Nations people.
What is your theory of social change?
(Photo by Ross Findon/Unsplash)
Some years after making a faith commitment, I was drawn by Anabaptism. It seemed to be a movement of the spirit, deeply aligned with the way of Jesus, which had attracted me to the Christian faith. The historic peace churches have had impacts on Christianity in general and the world that far outweigh their limited numbers.
Abandoning the Lord
(Photo by Tarik Haiga/Unsplash)
As I read the annals of the kings of Israel in Chronicles, the length of the timeline gets lost on me. Only a few pages before I was reading the account of David, followed by a few pages for Solomon. Then Scripture starts flying through subsequent kings whose reigns are often summed up in a chapter or two.
‘We’re still just trying to catch up’
A small group of participants race through a course of off-road bicycling, canoeing and kayaking around Camp Assiniboia’s new lake and running through the forest. (Photos by Darryl Neustaedter Barg)
The CwM fundraising day ended with a performance played on a burning piano.
The first adventure race fundraiser for Camps with Meaning (CwM) brought more than a hundred people to Camp Assiniboia on Sept. 18 to celebrate another summer of camp and to support its future.
The Pedal, Dash, Paddle fundraiser raised $5,100 for the camp’s Covid Recovery Campaign, which will put the money towards camp operations.
History, hymns showcased at golden anniversary
An ensemble of singers, accompanied by Julia Toews on violin, performs traditional Mennonite hymns at the Mennonite Historical Society of B.C. fundraiser on Oct. 2. The theme for the afternoon was ‘Music that shaped our Mennonite souls.’ (Photo by Jennifer Martens)
“What we have heard and known we will tell the next generation,” says the watchword of the Mennonite Historical Society of B.C., and on Oct. 2 at South Abbotsford MB Church, the society marked its 50th anniversary with a celebratory afternoon of music in the Mennonite tradition.
Growing hope, one acre at a time
Blaine Gatez is pictured with his team at the Grow Hope harvest. (Selfie by Blaine Gatez)
“We all believe that in our core values it’s important that if there is something that you can do, you do it,” says Emily Lappage of Gatez Farms. She is the eldest daughter of Blaine and Laura Gatez, and has grown up surrounded by farm life and family values.
MC Eastern Canada executive minister resigns
Leah Reesor-Keller resigns as MC Canada Executive Minister. (Photo courtesy of Leah Reesor-Kellor)
Mennonite Church Eastern Canada’s Executive Council regretfully announced the resignation of Leah Reesor-Keller, executive minister on Sept. 28.
The sweet solace of polarization, Part 2
Trucks at the Manitoba legislative building. (Photo by Rick Wall)
Caleb Brown was a lead organizer of the Freedom Convoy protest outside the Manitoba legislative building last winter. I asked how he responds to people who dismiss all protesters as white nationalists. I asked how he felt about people who drove by and gave him the finger, as one of my friends did.
Sparking community life again at Nutana Park
Children make their own pizzas, one of many activities offered in Nutana Park Mennonite Church’s Adventure Club. (Photo courtesy of Marie Guenther)
Kids Club and Choir promo posters
“How can we bring people back to church?”
It’s a familiar question for churches across the country and across the denominational spectrum. The arrival of COVID-19 in March 2020, and the ensuing public health restrictions kept many people home on Sunday mornings for months.
Rockway—strong as ever
Rockway’s administrative team, pictured from left to right, front row: Stacey VanderMeer, director of admissions; and Elaine Ranney, principal; and back row: Josh Hill, vice-principal; Chris Ainsworth, director of advancement; and Steven Reesor Rempel, director of finance and human resources. (Photo by Michlynn Schweitzer)
Joyful!
Mission field: MSCS
Marvin Grasmeyer, the director of athletics at Mennonite Simons Christian School, challenges students to be ‘peacemakers’ even in sports. (Photo by Ann Pam)
Marvin Grasmeyer has a passion for the students, which is evident in everything that he does at Menno.
As director of the athletic program, he has ensured that Menno keeps an all-inclusive approach because he sees the value in every student having the opportunity to be a part of a team.
Stepping stones toward independence
Keeley and Natalya relax outdoors during MCI’s get acquainted social. (Photo by Kayla Giesbrecht)
We want our children to be set up for success. As we look at life after high school, one way we see success is being able to live independently. As I step into my ninth year of working with dormitory programs, I believe that a good dormitory program can provide this opportunity to live independently.
Grebel’s community gathers for the new term
Grebel’s yearly faculty/staff/student volleyball game resulted in a triumphant win by the students. Orientation Week activities at Grebel are designed to build community and inspire interaction between students, faculty, and staff. (Photo by Margaret Gissing)
The air was buzzing at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo on Sept. 3, as new students moved into the residence, accompanied by their parents and welcomed by enthusiastic upper-year students.
Graduate certificates offer flexible learning at a distance
Adela Friesen Wedler
Adela Friesen Wedler of Edmonton had recently retired from teaching when an ad in the church news caught her eye.
“The ad said that students could take two courses at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) before applying for admission to a program,” she said. “Having recently retired, this intrigued me.”
Westgate Mennonite Collegiate forms BIPOC Alliance
Aliya Penner, left, and Lia Campbell-Enns co-founded Westgate’s BIPOC Alliance group as Grade 12 students last year. (Photo by Olivia Lu)
Westgate Mennonite Collegiate students can now participate in a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) Alliance, thanks to Lia Campbell-Enns and Aliya Penner.
They founded the group as seniors last year to address the racism they were encountering at school as Chinese students. They figured their peers and teachers did not understand their comments were racist.
God moving in the intersection
Delaney Dault, Meghan Recker, Vivienne Fittler, Emma Brown and Elyse Couto are pictured at UMEI’s all-school retreat. (UMEI photo)
UMEI seeks to educate the whole person in order to make young people “doers of the Word.” We believe deeply in our mission and see the wonderful things that our graduates are doing around the world as servant leaders. So, in periods of low enrolment, we ask ourselves, “Why is this happening?”
