Writer reflects on 50 years of ministry in Latin America
Helen Dueck occupied herself during COVID lockdowns by writing. The result is a book that tells the story of her life in ministry. Published at the end of 2023, Going Out and Coming In recounts the nearly 50 years Dueck and her late husband, Henry, spent living and working in Latin America. From Brazil to Bolivia, Uruguay to Colombia and Mexico, the couple were invited to teach, first with immigrant churches and institutions before working with national churches in leadership preparation. “Because we had worked in quite a few places, I was often asked if I would write about our experiences,” Dueck says, sitting in the living room of her Winnipeg apartment. “Then it was…
Raising the steaks
Jason and Sandy Yuen grew up in traditional Chinese-Canadian homes where meals included meat, but today the Toronto couple and their three children follow a vegan diet. “This is one way that our family can sort of live out in some small way what we think God’s will for us is,” Jason said The Yuens shared their story during an online discussion hosted by Canadian Mennonite on March 20. Moderated by editor Will Braun, the discussion paired the Yuens with Clare Martens, who raises beef cattle in Manitoba. The presenters explored the decisions behind their diets and how faith factors in. Sandy started experimenting with a plant-based diet as an environmental studies student at the University of Waterloo. After…
Cedar Valley a faith-based community centre
Cedar Valley Church in Mission, B.C., often has a full parking lot, and not just on Sunday mornings. Each week, 500 to 1,000 people enter the doors of the church building to meet with various groups using space there. “We’ve opened our campus up as an ‘affordable, flexible, faith-based community centre’ to be a blessing…
Notable actions and Manitoba AGM
Delegates welcomed a new congregation into Mennonite Church Manitoba and passed a resolution to endorse a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty at the regional church’s annual gathering on March 1-2. More than 160 people, including 104 delegates from 31 of the 39 MC Manitoba churches, gathered at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler. Fanosie Legesse, who serves…
Klassen urges outreach at Saskatchewan AGM
“The gospel begins with ‘hello.’” This was the challenge Doug Klassen, executive minister for Mennonite Church Canada, gave to those gathered for the Mennonite Church Saskatchewan Annual Delegate Sessions on March 8-9 at North Star Mennonite Church in Drake, Saskatchewan. Over 80 people attended, including 49 delegates from 21 of 22 MC Saskatchewan congregations. The…
Alberta AGM marked by hope and diversity
Participants celebrated the diversity of the family of God, strategized ways to improve inclusivity and marked leadership transitions at Mennonite Church Alberta’s 2024 delegate sessions. Mennonites from across the province gathered March 15-16 at Holyrood Mennonite Church in Edmonton. On the first evening, an enthusiastic, intergenerational, intercultural music group led delegates and visitors in a…
Eastern Canada churches discuss youth engagement
On Thursday, March 21, Mennonite Church Eastern Canada hosted an online forum to discuss youth engagement in church. Leading up to the forum, two MC Eastern Canada pastors shared about youth work. Ruth Boehm is pastor at Faith Mennonite Church, the smallest among three Mennonite congregations in Leamington, Ontario. Sometimes, she says, it feels like…
Church communities find solace amid tragic deaths
After our January 28 Sunday morning worship service at Aberdeen Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, our congregation, together with St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Indigenous Church, from whom we rent worship space, held a joint vigil for two young men who died tragic deaths in the area. On December 30, 2023, the body of Brooklyn Elijah Hiebert…
Camps with Meaning aims to raise $8.6 million
Things are heating up as Mennonite Church Manitoba’s camping ministry gets set to launch its “Light the Fire” capital campaign. Camps with Meaning aims to raise $8.6 million for projects at its two camps: Camp Assiniboia, located 40 km outside of Winnipeg, and Camp Koinonia, located 285 km southwest of the city. The projects include…
Doing church conflict well: Q&A with Janet Schmidt
Janet Schmidt has worked in mediation, facilitation, coaching and training for 35-plus years. She also taught related university courses from 1994 to 2009. Schmidt attends River East Church in Winnipeg. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q. What unique dynamics come into play when conflict occurs in the church context? A. Two…
