Volume 16, Number 21
Why and how we should evangelize
With the celebration of the missionary efforts that led to the creation of the Mennonite Community in Congo a century ago (Sept. 3, page 4), now is perhaps a good time to review Elmer John Thiessen’s latest book, The Ethics of Evangelism.
North American volume now available
The fifth and final volume in the Global Mennonite History Series, the history of North American Mennonites, was released in late September. Seeking Places of Peace by Royden Loewen and Steven M. Nolt, completes the Mennonite World Conference history series, which has been overseen by historians John A. Lapp and C. Arnold Snyder.
2012 Fall list of Books & Resources
Theology, spirituality
The Jesus Factor in Justice and Peacemaking. C. Norman Kraus. Cascadia Publishing House, 2011, 125 pages.
An effective evangelist
Katie Goetz
Katie Goetz, a church sister, asked if we could talk. Something was bothering her.
Bethany College takes classroom on the road
Students from Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask., learn about First Nations culture by helping to put up a tipi at the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation, Duck Lake, Sask.
Kaeli Fineday and Randy Klassen enjoy the camping experience.
Bethany College students had the privilege of participating in a First Nations Culture Camp in September.
Students from Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask., spent Sept. 19-27 learning outside the classroom. While first-year students learned about poverty and homelessness by working in food banks and shelters in various cities, second-year students visited three Cree communities in Saskatchewan.
Meet the church in South Africa
Andrew and Karen Suderman, Mennonite Church Canada workers in South Africa, are hosting a Learning Tour Feb. 6-19. They have been in Pietermaritzburg since 2009 and their daughter, Samantha, was born there.
Spectacular water falls. A sweeping, ruggedly beautiful coastline. Exotic wildlife, sophisticated cities and an endless variety of cultures. These are some of the treasures attracting visitors to South Africa. But these treasures coexist with the long and painful history of South Africa’s people.
Retreat planners learn to trust God
Ka Moua (left), Kia Xiong and Seng Yang wore traditional Hmong attire to dress up for the Saturday afternoon High Tea at the women’s retreat at Camp Squeah.
The planning committee for the Mennonite Church B.C. women’s retreat learned the hard way that God is in the details as they struggled to put together a weekend of renewal and refreshment for Oct. 12-14 at Camp Squeah.
The paths and ditches of Biblical interpretation
Path #3: Scripture already interprets scripture
By Robert J. Suderman
For the Being a Faithful Church Task Force
Training to live generously
This summer, as I watched the Olympics, I was amazed by the performances of the athletes. I was even more impressed by the stories of determination, dedication and discipline. Years before competing at this level these athletes are determined to be the best. They dedicate their lives, and in many cases, their own resources, to achieve their goal.
Anabaptist footprints, fingerprints
On a cold, windy afternoon, the first snow is falling outside my office window. For many, this is a depressing sight, especially so early in October, but for me it heralds the coming of winter and the joys of cross-country skiing, my favourite outdoor activity. Winter is also a time for sitting in front of a fire or under an afghan and reading a good book—my favourite indoor activity.
Readers write
Food shared with the hungry represents God’s table
For Discussion
1. Carol Penner says, “sinning against our neighbours once removed just doesn’t feel so bad.” Do you agree? Who might be a “neighbour once removed”? What might be some examples of sinning against such a neighbour? What is it about injuring someone close at hand that is abhorrent?
Injustice ‘once removed’
Just as Carol Penner, in our lead article calling us to account on Remembrance Day, persuasively makes the case that killing is killing even though it is “once removed,” so does much of our engagement as “Ceasar’s citizens” keep us distanced from the grim realities of injustice in our world.
Engaging with new media
Geoff Vanderkooy of PeaceWorks Technology Solutions, Waterloo, spoke to a group of mostly pastors and church administrators at a Mennonite Church Eastern Canada-sponsored seminar on social media last month at Conrad Grebel University College.
