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A path back to faith in polarized times
As we progress toward a drastically different political climate than the one I’ve always known, I have found myself increasingly disconnected from the elected officials chosen to represent us. The virtues instilled in me through my upbringing in the Mennonite faith—helping the poor, caring for the sick, and loving my neighbour—seem to have been completely…
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God is love
Armin and Edith Krahn, both 82, have attended Nutana Park Mennonite Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, since moving from their farm near Herschel. They met at RJC High School and were married in 1964. They have three children. Armin is the former moderator of Mennonite Church Saskatchewan. What are your earliest memories of church? Edith: We…
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Let your words be few
For a person who barely talks, Sidney Martin speaks volumes with his presence. As the Bible says, “Do not be rash with your mouth … let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Sidney’s ability to communicate with others comes across clearly, whether it is with a high five while sitting at coffee time after the…
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Identity face-off
It’s all I could think about in the days leading up to that Thursday in February. That week, in my commutes, in my classes and in my daily tasks, my mind drifted to it. When I turned on the news or visited coffee shops, I heard debates about it. Walking down the street, I noted…
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A tender heart toward sinners
I grew up in a fundamentalist church that championed the phrase, “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” Although it’s arguably biblically based, there are potential problems with this platitude. First, our sense of sin tends to be distorted by our biases. The church I grew up in viewed sin through the lens of personal purity…
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Disability is not always what it seems
No one said life would be easy. And it certainly has not been for Wanda Litwiller of London, Ontario, although she makes her life of 63 years look easier than it is. But as the details of her life are laid bare, one can appreciate the grace and ability Wanda has shown in dealing with…
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Lifted by laughter
“Dad, would you rather give up coffee or potatoes for the rest of your life?” This is a game my 16-year-old son likes to play with me. Pitting things I like against one another, to see which one I’ll choose. Coffee has been the champ for a while now. “Potatoes.” He continued. “Okay, coffee or…
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A second helping of grace
I recently visited a church on communion Sunday and watched with delight as a child approached the table not once but twice. He was hungry, it seemed, and the table was open for folks to help themselves. Grinning, he returned to his pew with a second helping of grace. The scene brought me back seven…
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Never Alone
As a child, I had a deep sense of faith and a strong connection to God. I benefitted from being the fourth generation of my mom’s family to participate in Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church. But as I grew older, I began to struggle with organized religion and the hate that came from many involved in…
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Gifts for the church
Gloria* communicated with loud and disruptive noises. Her face was disfigured. Everything about my mother’s cousin revealed her disability—and yet one gesture reflected her ability to love. Gloria was born at a time when people with developmental disabilities were ostracized from society. I rarely saw her, even though her father went to the same church…
