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May 15
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Comedic exegesis coming to Assembly 2012
Ted Swartz studied to become a congregational pastor but discovered that his true calling placed him on stage rather than behind a pulpit, using “comedic exegesis” to encourage scriptural understanding.
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Dusty Bibles?
This year, Mennonite Church Canada’s Assembly takes place in Vancouver, BC, July 12-15 as a study conference themed Dusting off the Bible for the 21st Century.
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Beach party!
Beach parties are not one typically associated with Mennonite Church Canada assemblies, but this year in Vancouver, young adults will have the opportunity to connect with each other for a late night, West Coast Beach Party at Garry Point Park on Sat. July 14, 2012.
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Mennonite leaders support efforts to “keep” the water
On Friday, May 5, Mennonite Church Canada executive attended a locally organized, public action at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg in support of the Yinka-Dene Alliance’s resistance to the development of Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline.
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Soccer and compassion make a difference
The Compassion ministry of Living Water Church in Borabu, where Mennonite Church Canada worker Rad Houmphan ministers, hosted a sports tournament in February of this year. Six other churches also participated in the event, which drew more than 200 people together for a day of worship, play, laughter and fellowship.
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New Bible study urges participants to seek justice
A new Bible study guide sponsored jointly by Mennonite Women Canada and Mennonite Women USA highlights issues of justice around themes from the book of Amos.
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Honouring Conscientious Objectors
Although it’s common practice around the world to commemorate soldiers and pivotal wars, May 15 marks a quieter, more peaceful occasion: International Conscientious Objectors Day.
May 1
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A godchild’s gift
One of our greatest joys in China has been acquiring several “godchildren,” especially Kent. Kent, 24, in his sixth year of medical studies, was Julie’s oral English student at Chongqing Medical University in 2007.
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Students care for convalescing teacher
Last February, Mennonite Church Canada worker Julie Bender took a fall and sustained a hairline fracture to her right knee. The doctor ordered her to stay off her feet for six weeks.
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MennoMedia wins U.S. media awards
MennoMedia won two national media awards from a U.S. association during its annual convention in Philadelphia. The Religion Communicators Council recognized the Waging Peace documentary and the Shaping Families radio program.
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MennoMedia’s VBS a ‘top pick’ for 2012
MennoMedia’s Vacation Bible School curriculum for 2012 has been named one of four “top picks” by the Center for the Ministry of Teaching at Virginia Theological Seminary in Richmond. This is the sixth year in a row that the Mennonite VBS has won this distinction.
April 16
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Christ at the Checkpoint: hope in the midst of conflict
At a time when conflict and injustice continue to plague the Holy Land, over 600 people from around the world gathered to focus on hope and options in Bethlehem March 5-9 for the “Christ at the Checkpoint” conference.
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Hespeler documents reflect Manitoba Mennonite history
At first glance, the creased and yellowed pages simply appear old, but a closer inspection reveals something more. Some of the documents bear the personal signatures of 19th century rulers such as Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Prussia—and they have a Mennonite connection.
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Witness worker will miss daily scenes in China
One of the scenes Mennonite Church Canada worker Bob Dick will miss about his English teaching ministry at a university in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, is seeing the twice daily trek students make to this building to get hot water for drinking and washing.
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Does biblical book of Joshua justify war?
Over the years, Christians have often used the Old Testament book of Joshua to justify warfare, conquest, colonialism, and even ethnic cleansing. So what would a Bible commentary from a publisher in the pacifist tradition have to say about this book?
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Radio program features Amish naturalist
David Kline added an unusual but not unexpected twist when he agreed to be interviewed for the MennoMedia radio program Shaping Families.
April 3
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Video series to challenge Mennonite stereotypes
You don’t need to have a certain kind of ethnic surname or eat culturally specific foods to attend a Mennonite congregation. That’s the message a new video series from Mennonite Church Canada is promoting.
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Between culture and faith
The relationship between culture and faith is intimate and difficult to describe. But understanding that relationship is the first step toward building bridges between culture and faith traditions. At the annual Building Bridges event on Friday, March 16, 150 people gathered to hear Sr. Eva Solomon, Fr. Francois Paradis, and Brander "Standing Bear" McDonald reflect with word and song upon their experiences with that relationship.
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"Earth Sunday" gaining prominence in churches
Isaac Newton suggested things will not move or change without the action of an external force. Creation care advocates in Manitoba are exerting that force through their Christian faith in small but creative ways - from designing a shareable "Earth Sunday" poster to initiating a Facebook campaign for alternative worship approaches to our consumption-filled lives.
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Learn, serve and play
Energy and enthusiasm for the church-and for life-keep Gerd Bartel busy. On December 21, 2011, he retired from his position as Mennonite Church Canada's Western Director of Resource Development, a job he describes as primarily visiting and saying "thank you" to the generous donors who support national church ministries.
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Pamphlet series on tough issues completed
Most Christians, including Mennonites, would probably rather not talk about issues like child abuse, alcoholism, or pornography—especially at church. Yet Close to Home pamphlets, published by MennoMedia, have brought these difficult topics and many more right into congregations' front entries, foyers, hallways and even the privacy of washroom stalls.
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MennoMedia sales reach nearly $2.5 million
Since MennoMedia merged Mennonite Publishing Network and Third Way Media in July 2011, sales have reached nearly $2.5 million. The top sellers have been Christian education materials and cookbooks. Other top sellers are hymn books, a cappella music CDs, periodicals like the Rejoice! devotional, and newer books like The Naked Anabaptist.
March 16, 2012
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Modest fundraising plan, fiscal year end date change approved: Mennonite Church Canada
After an unsettling year of cuts to ministry and staff, financial news from Mennonite Church Canada’s Spring Leadership Assembly is cautiously hopeful. “Individuals and corporate donors have increased their giving compared to last year."
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Spring Leadership Assembly revisits priorities, refocuses efforts
Taking a hard look at how to prioritize activities in the face of change proved central to Council discussions at Mennonite Church Canada’s Spring Leadership Assembly (SLA). The event took place at First Mennonite Church in Winnipeg Mar. 7-10.
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Mennonite Women Canada look to the future
When the leadership of Mennonite Women Canada get together, they do their best to enjoy every moment—even if it means posing for a photo. They were in Winnipeg, Man., March 7-10 at First Mennonite Church during Mennonite Church Canada's Spring Leadership Assembly to discuss their plans for the future.
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Youth help shape new devotional
High school youth had a direct hand in shaping the development of a devotional book for their age group. Their input came through a Sunday school class led by the author and at a national youth convention.
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Gather ‘Round cosponsors major conference
The Gather ’Round curriculum project is cosponsoring an innovative conference on “Children, Youth, and a New Kind of Christianity.” The event takes place May 7-10 in Washington, D.C. Mennonite Church Canada is subsidizing the cost for ten youth and children’s ministry leaders from across Canada to attend the event.
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Radio program offers Easter special
An Easter special plus an interview with Duane Sider about his father’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease highlight the Shaping Families radio program line-up for April. Two additional programs have been updated for re-release this year on “Facing Cancer” and “Eating Healthier.”
March 2, 2012
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Call to heal the memory of mission
According to Hippolyto Tshimanga, our memory of mission work needs healing. Tshimanga, Mennonite Church Canada’s Mission Partnership Facilitator for Africa, was one of more than 60 administrators and scholars who gathered in Chicago IL, Jan16-21, for the annual Council of International Anabaptist Ministries.
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Art featured at Assembly 2012
For the third year in a row, an art exhibit will be featured with Mennonite Church Canada’s Annual Assembly. In keeping with the 2012 Assembly theme, Dusting off the Bible for the 21st Century, artists are invited to submit scripture based artworks for possible inclusion in the exhibit.
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Department of Peace gathering packs room
Alex Atamanenko may not be a pacifist, but he still supports Bill C-373, which would create a federal Department of Peace within Canada’s federal government.
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Henna, Coffee for Peace, cookies engage students
Students at Canadian Mennonite University came out in strong numbers to sample Coffee for Peace, henna body art, and cookies on Feb. 7 – all supplied by Mennonite Church Canada.
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CTV News names Muslims and Christians local heroes
CTV News of Southwestern Ontario named Mennonites and Muslims “local heroes” on its Feb. 15 broadcast covering a recent tour of MennoMedia’s new documentary, Waging Peace: Muslim and Christian Alternatives. In addition to interviews with Muslim and Mennonite leaders, the news report showed Mennonites and Muslims kneeling to pray at the Islamic Centre of Cambridge.
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Four years of YouTube
Since its launch on December 12, 2007, videos on Mennonite Church Canada’s YouTube channel have been viewed more than 32,000 times. The site currently offers 55 uploaded videos covering topics that range from educational and worship themes to interviews with people and pastors, various ministry projects, and church gatherings.
February 23, 2012
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Formation Consultant "protected by God" in traffic accident
A traffic accident in Choma, Zambia on the morning February 10 left Elsie Rempel with a hairline fracture in her left ankle and a gash on her right ankle. She is recovering well and says that she is grateful for the good care she has received.
February 17, 2012
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Book explores new ways of understanding the Bible
Should Christians in North America and Europe understand the Bible in fresh ways in an era when Christianity no longer dominates Western civilization? Yes, says professor Lloyd Pietersen, who wrote a book on the subject, Reading the Bible After Christendom.
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Former Virginia Conference coordinator joins MennoMedia
Steve Carpenter, former coordinator of Virginia Mennonite Conference, will join MennoMedia on March 19 as the first full-time development director.
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Radio program features Mennonite guests
For the month of March, the Shaping Families radio program will focus on working parents, volunteering, critical illness, grief, and overseas adoption. All but one of the programs features interviews with Mennonites.
February 3, 2012
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Assembly registration begins!
Registration for Mennonite Church Canada Assembly 2012 has begun. All those who plan to attend are encouraged to register by May 15 to save a late registration fee, streamline their arrival, and receive confirmation and other helpful information prior to the Assembly. Registration closes on June 15th.
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Introducing Chris and Selah
For the past year, Chris and Selah have been taking young children on a journey discovering the deeper faith meaning of Lent and Advent. Now, parents of those children are invited to enter a draw for Chris and Selah action figures.
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Church Matters celebrates 5 years
Does the church matter in today’s world? Five years ago, Mennonite Church Canada launched the radio podcast, Church Matters, in response to that very question.
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Praying together for more than 10 years
For over 10 years, PrayerNet subscribers have been sharing in a ministry of prayer for Mennonite Church Canada. In 2001, Steve Plenert, who then served as Constituency Connections Coordinator, was inspired to start PrayerNet by his previous experience as a mission worker.
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Peace work paperwork
Filing, processing paperwork and managing correspondence may not seem exciting to some, but for Mennonite Church Canada Peace Education Volunteer Sarah Blackwell, these tasks provide a way to serve and to nurture peace building relationships.
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Waging Peace will screen in Ontario
MennoMedia’s new documentary, Waging Peace: Muslim and Christian Alternatives, will be screened in nine locations in Ontario in February.
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How do churches disciple members?
Mennonite congregations are being invited to respond to a survey arriving in mailboxes soon. The broad curriculum survey is being conducted by the Protestant Church-owned Publishers Association.
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MennoMedia releases first catalogue
The first catalogue representing the newly branded MennoMedia arrived in homes and churches in January. Copies will also appear in upcoming mailings to church educators and pastors.
January 24
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Sustainable urban agriculture flourishing in Cuba
Krystofer Penner’s studies in international development piqued his interest in food supply issues and drew his attention to Cuba and its established system of sustainable urban agriculture. That sparked a conversation with Mennonite Church Canada to explore internship possibilities with some of its church partners in Cuba.
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Optimism after Korea Anabaptist Center divides
Separation does not always mean subtraction. In fact, for Mennonite Church Canada’s partner in South Korea, the Korea Anabaptist Center, separating from Connexus, the English-language institute that it created in 2004, is becoming a multiplication factor for both.
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“Naked Anabaptist” author on tour
Stuart Murray, British author of the popular book The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith, will speak in Canada and the U.S. this spring.
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Vocational choices rooted in church community
For years, Gerald Mast, a professor at Bluffton University, has been teaching that a Christian’s life decisions should be made in consultation with other members in the church.
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Radio program tackles teen drinking and drugs
Shaping Families, the 15-minute weekly radio program of MennoMedia, will tackle the effects of alcohol and drugs on the adolescent brain in February.
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Formation Consultant on service leave in Zambia
In early January, Mennonite Church Canada Formation Consultant Elsie Rempel took up temporary residence in the guest house of the Brethren in Christ (BIC) regional offices in Choma, Zambia. Rempel is in Zambia’s Southern Province for a three month service leave to mentor schoolteachers in the region’s BIC Schools through a program supervised by Mennonite Central Committee Zambia directors, Eric and Kathy Fast.
January 9
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Nazareth service experience awesome!
Kayla Thiessen bubbles with enthusiasm when she talks about her short term service experience via Mennonite Church Canada in Nazareth. The University of Manitoba graphic design student experienced life far away from her prairie home, learning about life in biblical times and sharing her faith with children and youth in the area.
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Bring me a fiancé
As we said farewell to Korea Anabaptist Center (KAC) staff before leaving for brief vacation in Canada last June, I asked Hee Joung what we could bring her from Canada when we returned in August. “Bring me a fiancé,” she responded. “He doesn’t have to be rich or handsome as long as he is a Christian and is kind and generous!”
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Nearly 100 churches report on their singing
Nearly 100 congregations in Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA are reporting on the songs they sing. They are helping to determine what the next collection of music for the church will look like. But the planners of the next hymnal or song collection are looking for more churches to participate in the current song survey.
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MennoMedia’s radio program starts third year
Shaping Families, the 15-minute weekly radio program of MennoMedia, begins its third year of broadcasting in January with 4 programs.
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