“We celebrate conscientious objection to war, but what about conscientious objection to family violence?” Donna Schulz reports on how safe-church policies and awkward conversations can change the way we respond to abuse.

The Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, Man. is an open-air museum that makes a turn-of-the-last-century Russian Mennonite street village come to life. Although the village may look like it’s frozen in time, Nicolien Klassen-Wiebe reports, it has adapted to the challenges of the 2020s.

“I wanted to gather a community of all ages who wanted an opportunity to worship outside.” A Saskatchewan pastor is inviting others to join him as he connects with God outdoors.

“I believe it is our time for lament and repentance for the harms done by the church,” Arli Klassen writes in her latest column. “We have much work to do, hopeful work.”

We give thanks that the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale in Ontario was able to raise more than $120,000 at the end of May. Because of pandemic restrictions, it was a virtual event for the second year in a row. We give thanks for the hundreds of online bidders at two separate auctions. A handmade quilt by Helmuth Renske depicting common wildflowers and called “Springtime in Ontario” sold for $8,300. The top selling non-quilt item was a restored antique Allis-Chalmers D14 tractor. We give thanks for the many donations and creative projects that raised money for Mennonite Central Committee. 

We pray for our pastors who are struggling to keep their churches functioning during this long pandemic. Pastoral leadership is difficult at any time but COVID-19 makes everything more challenging. Even simple conversations such as how and when to re-open church buildings can be extremely contentious. We pray for all pastors who are finding themselves exhausted, frustrated, uncertain and stretched thin. We pray that they can extend grace to themselves and that their congregations can be gracious and supportive. May God give courage and hope to our pastors as they face the future.