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MDS Canada closes response in Cape Breton
For Amanda McDougall-Merrill, mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, volunteers with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Canada did more than repair homes damaged by Hurricane Fiona in Cape Breton. “You brought hope and love to the community,” she told about 90 people gathered Aug. 24 at the Sydney River United Protestant Church in Sydney River,…
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Anabaptist Bible project gets feedback
Local contributors to an Anabaptist Bible that is set for publication in 2025 met with the Bible’s advisory group last month. The advisory group for the Anabaptist Community Bible met in Waterloo, Ontario, in early August to do its first round of editing. Managing editor Mollee Moua invited contributors to join the group for dessert…
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Angola settlement big step for colonies
Several families from a Mennonite colony in Campeche, Mexico, arrived in Angola earlier this year to begin a new settlement in the African nation. It is believed to be the first settlement developed by Low German-speaking Mennonites in Africa and could be the first such organized migration away from North and South America. Die…
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Musical sharing at Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
About 75 people gathered at Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, located an hour’s drive north of Saskatoon, on August 6 for the Singing in the Arbor event. The event, which included music, food and relationship-building, was sponsored by the Cree Nation and Mennonite Church Saskatchewan’s Walking the Path initiative. Muskeg Lake elder Harry Lafond has been…
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Grassroots reconciliation at Spruce River Folk Fest
Music is a universal language. In Saskatchewan, music is also the language of reconciliation. On August 15, the Spruce River Folk Fest was held to encourage friendship and understanding between Mennonites and Indigenous neighbours. Ray Funk, who hosts the event on his farmyard near Spruce River, Saskatchewan, expressed excitement and relief at re-launching the event,…
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The facility of faith
John Enns remembers a time when 200 children filled the Sunday school classrooms at Waterloo Kitchener United Mennonite Church (WKUM). Currently, the congregation has 225 registered members, but less than half attend. The majority are in their 70s. Enns, who chairs the vision team at the church, says most newly retired members prefer to spend…
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Jam
In 2004, at the age of 70, Hans Juergen Wiens sold his business, including several farms, a feed business, and his last pig, all in one year. He was unemployed and restless. But then, one night, he remembered his mother’s resourcefulness. After the Second World War, when there was a food shortage all over Europe,…
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Lymburner elected chair of Canadian Mennonite Publishing Service
On May 13, Canadian Mennonite Publishing Service (CMPS) held its 52nd AGM via video conference. CMPS is the non-profit body that publishes Canadian Mennonite magazine. Kathryn Lymburner of Stouffville, Ontario, was elected chairperson, replacing Henry Krause of Langley, B.C. Krause leaves the board after nine years, six as chairperson. In his final report, Krause said:…
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Adventure Club engages kids
Every Tuesday morning this summer, children from Emmanuel Mennonite Church have been searching for a sheep while finding fun through nature-themed stories, water games, art projects, and hands-on creation care activities. An alternative to the traditional Vacation Bible School, the Kids’ Summer Adventure Club gives children ages 5 to 10 something to look forward to…
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Art gallery nurtures connections with the past
An art gallery lines the hallway between the sanctuary and the auditorium of the Niagara United Mennonite Church near Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The art hanging there reminds viewers of God’s guidance through difficult times, including separation, loss and escape. When the Russlaender centenary train trip stopped in Ontario in early July, about half of the participants…
