Mennos demonstrate at Magellan Aerospace On December 12, 50 people gathered outside Magellan Aerospace in Winnipeg to protest its manufacturing of parts for fighter jets used by the Israeli military. The Mennonite Church Manitoba Palestine-Israel Network organized the event. Ernie Wiens, from La Salle, Manitoba, delivered a letter to the security guard, citing the group’s concerns.
“We challenge Magellan to utilize the creativity, skill and expertise of its engineers and workers for employment that is not destructive but life-giving instead,” Wiens said in his remarks at the event.
Longhurst appointed to Order of Canada Winnipeg journalist John Longhurst was appointed to the Order of Canada in December. Over more than three decades, Longhurst, who identifies as “part of the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition,” has worked as associate editor of the MB Herald and in communications for Mennonite Central Committee Canada, MEDA, Mennonite Publishing Network, Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Mennonite Disaster Service.
Longhurst also serves as columnist and freelance religion reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press, starting as columnist in 2003. In this role he has developed rapport with a broad range of religious leaders, something Free Press editor Paul Samyn says has increased the paper’s ability to report on interreligious issues such as local angles on the Gaza war.
In announcing the appointment, the Governor General’s office said Longhurst has “made it his goal to promote positive interdenominational relations, to reduce hate and to help readers see the humanity in every person.”
CRA revokes status of charities led by former MCBC pastor Two charities linked to a former Mennonite Church B.C. pastor have had their charitable status revoked by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). According to the Vancouver Sun, Stephen Lee, who pastored Vancouver Chinese Mennonite Church from its founding in 1977 until 2001, leads Grace Christian Chapel and Faith & Action Mission Society, the two charities found in non-compliance by CRA.
In the case of Grace Christian Chapel, the CRA website says the charity failed to take corrective measures that arose from an earlier audit, and that it allocated “over $3 million to non-charitable activities.” among other issues.
In the case of Faith & Action Mission Society, CRA found that “the Organization and its directors used the charity as a vehicle for their own private benefit and to offset expenses related to their for-profit companies.”
The Sun reported that the charities are appealing the CRA decisions.
Staff changes
Chaplain transition at Grebel Carol Penner will begin a three-year term as chaplain at Conrad Grebel University College, starting May 2. She will continue to also serve as assistant professor and director of the Theological Studies program. Since November 2023, Chip Bender has served as Grebel’s temporary visiting chaplain.
Josh Wallace resigns After five years with Mennonite Church Saskatchewan, Josh Wallace resigned as church engagement minister, effective December 31. He plans to focus on the house church he co-leads and teaching at St. Thomas More College. MC Sask is not currently planning to fill Wallace’s position. The regional church staff now includes Len Rempel (who took over as full-time executive minister last June, following Gary Peters’s half-time, interim stint in the role), as well as Marianne Siemens (full-time office and financial administrator) and Evan Bueckert (quarter-time, interim youth minister until summer). “I’m thankful for Len Rempel’s sensitive and Spirit-directed care for MC Sask’s congregations,” said Wallace. “His work frees me up to recommit to local ministry—and makes more time for chasing my kids.”
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