“We are to be in the world not of the world,” my father responded to a question I asked about war. As a youngster I didn’t quite understand what he meant, but his conviction was clear. The words took on more significance later when I discovered they were drawn from the prayer Jesus offered for his followers just before his crucifixion (John 17:15–16).
‘A little humility is in order’ Re: “Holy contradictions,” Sept. 16, page 4.
I was raised as a Catholic, but for years have accompanied my wife to her Mennonite church.
Quebec’s proposed Charter of Values has the potential for many reactions.
It’s Sunday morning and, instead of sitting comfortably in a sanctuary, I’m standing with my family in the pouring rain in downtown Vancouver. We’re soaked. The stroller is collecting water, we only have one umbrella and we’re running out of snacks. And, of course, we’ve forgotten the soother.
I was invited to a birthday party. A hunched-over seventy-something Scottish gentleman from my church family was turning 34. With that kind of math, who wouldn’t want to go? So I dragged my 13-year-old son along and we made our way to one of the shadiest parts of town for Derek’s “cake”: the celebration of his 34 years of sobriety.
Mennonite Church British Columbia exists to help our congregations be healthy, vibrant, missional and connected. I want to explore this value of being connected. At MC B.C. we like to say that we are “better together.”
Enough already about gender issues
In my opinion, the question of human gender comes up way too often among us and way beyond its importance to society as a whole.
Tom Ehrich is a writer, church consultant and Episcopal priest based in New York. He is the author of “Just Wondering, Jesus” and founder of the Church Wellness Project. His website is www.morningwalkmedia.com. Follow Tom on Twitter @tomehrich.
I got fitted for a custom-tailored suit this week.
Former Mennonite Norm Goertzen stands beside Donna Harris, president of the Humanists, Atheists and Agnostics of Manitoba, at the organization’s booth at the recent Morden Corn and Apple Festival.
Norm Goertzen recalls falling silent for 20 seconds, his coffee cooling. His atheist friend, whom he had been trying to convert for some time, waited. It would be a critical moment in an ongoing conversation between the two thoughtful 18-year-olds.
At the end of the pause, Goertzen said, “You know, you’re right. I think I was wrong.”
Mary Lou Klassen raises a good point when she asks about the practical value of human rights (see page left).
I have become increasingly disturbed by the system of impunity in which Nigerians live . . . daily. Those with means and connections navigate the system. Those without resources try to live below the radar. Blame for the system can be apportioned locally and globally, but very little changes.
Troy Watson
I was sitting in a room by myself when it occurred to me there were hundreds, probably thousands, of radio signals streaming all around me. In all likelihood, one of my favourite tunes, along with countless other songs, commercials and news updates were all playing right now, in the very room I was sitting in, but I just couldn’t hear them.
I’m not usually one to proclaim my loyalties through what I wear. I don’t own a sports jersey, and I don’t wear a cross, although I’m not judging those who do. So the ribbons currently on my wrist are unusual. They catch my eye at different times during the day, while spreading butter on my morning toast or while driving in the car.
“A dream without a plan is just a wish,” writes Katherine Paterson.
For many congregations, Sept. 8 launched the beginning of a new Sunday school season and marked Christian Formation Sunday with a focus on “remembering each other in our prayers.”
Widespread, ongoing abuses not best left alone
Primates and bishops from the Global South attending a gathering here said current proposals for a new Anglican Communion covenant don’t go far enough to heal the conflict in the communion over homosexuality.
When I see him smiling on TV or on the cover of a magazine in the checkout line at the grocery store, I get the warm fuzzies.
I follow him religiously on Twitter and have a Google news alert set up so I don’t miss a morsel of his latest awesomeness.
St. Augustine
Even as the world’s powers grasped for a last-minute resolution to the crisis in Syria, it remained an open question whether any amount of diplomacy could prevent the conflict from claiming at least one more victim: the classic Christian teaching known as the “just war” tradition.
Irma and Cornie Neufeld
The Wiens family includes, from left to right, back row: Linda and Ron and son David; and front row: daughters Danielle and Keira.
No matter what language you speak, romantic love is one of the greatest gifts to give or receive. When it’s new, it’s fireworks, warm fuzzies, pure electricity! As you mature, that love encompasses honour, respect, devotion, unity and even mutual caregiving.
I have what may appear to be an irrational aversion to cars. When you are desperate to find hope for the future, it’s easy to turn to something near at hand and obsess about it. I’m not saying I totally hate cars. I happen to co-own an old clunker camper van and find it terribly handy and, well, even fun.
The average Canadian child is among the most blessed, nurtured—and entitled—in the world. Imagine if such a child announced it has decided to leave the family because it just isn’t getting fed! Now, imagine the parental response. A child who would leave an otherwise nurturing family because it is “just not getting fed” would be scoffed at. It would be seen as immature and flighty.
With only 15 congregations, Mennonite Church Alberta is a small area church. What I find significant is that only 10 of our churches are of traditional European origin. We need to pay attention to this changing demographic.
Evil misdeeds, behaviour must be condemned for what they are
I had the good fortune of camping in Algonquin Park in northeastern Ontario a few weeks ago, a perfect place to observe the Perseid meteor shower that happens every August.
