Volume 20, Number 8
How strong is our DNA?
“Those of us who discovered Anabaptism experienced this encounter, as I did, as a homecoming,” wrote Stuart Murray in his now-famous book in our circles, The Naked Anabaptist (2010). “Here were other Christians who shared our convictions about discipleship, community, peace and mission.”
Marriage in embodied mystery
Marriage has always been, and continues to be, a perplexing reality for Christians. From the Apostle Paul’s confusing advice to the more recent agonizing over divorce, Christian marriage has been plagued by anxiety and confusion. The conflicts in the church today are only the most recent chapter in millennia of struggle.
Readers write: April 11, 2016 issue
Jesus ‘affirms’ male-female marital unions
Re: “What is ‘good’ and ‘acceptable’?” feature, Feb. 15, page 4.
Exciting times for our church
It is said that change is inevitable. As true as that might be, it doesn’t have to leave us powerless, for we always have a choice of how we decide to respond to it.
Optimism in an age of ‘isms’
In 2015, for the first time in nearly two centuries of publication, Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary chose a suffix as its word of the year. That word was “ism.”
Mennonite plays
Dianne Bailey, Mary Bechtel and Beth Good play Mennonite pioneer women in the 1970 production of Trail of the Conestoga. Several ambitious drama projects were undertaken by Ontario Mennonites during this time, spurred on in part by Canada’s centennial in 1967 and a new emphasis on multiculturalism. The New Commandment by Barbara Coffman was produced in 1967.
Remembering Jesus’ Good Friday journey
It’s a Holy Week tradition by now in Abbotsford. On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, a local bookstore/coffee shop is packed with an audience enthusiastic to hear blues music telling of Jesus’ journey to the cross. And it’s all for a good cause.
MC Alberta defers approval of Future Directions report
“Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.” Chuck Neufeld’s confident voice set the tone for the 2016 Mennonite Church Alberta delegate assembly as he sang the theme words from Mark 4:50.
When the church listens
A new half-hour documentary gives voice to lesbian/gay/ bisexual/transgender/queer (LGBTQ) people in Mennonite Church Canada congregations.
Dancing towards reconciliation
Jules Koostachin began her journey to dance in a jingle dress as an act of intergenerational healing, thinking that she would complete it in a year.
Unpacking seven myths about youth sports
We just dipped our toe into the world of youth sports by signing our seven-year-old son, Sam, up for a T-ball team. Last summer he discovered a love for baseball and loves playing in the backyard with his little sister and my husband. He even sleeps with his baseball glove, so joining a team seemed like the next logical step.
Spring 2016 List of Books & Resources
Theology, Spirituality
Deuteronomy: Believers Church Bible Commentary. Gerald E. Gerbrandt. Herald Press, 2015, 600 pages.
Take a look, it’s in a book...
When Katrina Sklepowich was assigned to write a weekly blog as part of her school work, focussing on literature was an obvious choice.
Flipping on the pastor switch
Ask Amanda Zehr what her favourite Bible story is, and she points to John 9, where Jesus heals a blind man.
