Children change everything
There is nothing like a new addition to the family to get parents and grandparents looking ahead to the future. Much of what lies ahead is unknown, but there are things like life insurance that can help secure your child’s financial future. In addition to having life insurance on each parent, in many cases insuring…
Financial ministry ‘a question of fair balance’
The mission of MAX (MutualAid eXchange)—creating and sustaining wholeness through preserving and restoring property, lives and communities—was very much in action during 2010, both in terms of MAX Canada’s Mutual Aid Ministry programs and its insurance operations. Supported by insurance operational tithes and charitable donations, Mutual Aid offers ministry programs in partnership with constituent congregations:…
An interview with Eleanor Kreider on praying with an Anabaptist voice
Herald Press: What is the purpose of this book? Kreider: The impulse behind these two volumes is to help people to pray through Scripture, and to deepen their walk of faith. Herald Press: Some people might say that prayer, to be truly authentic, should be spontaneous—not read from a book. How do you respond to…
Prayer books help people feel connected to God
For Carrie Martens, a student at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind., using a prayer book like Take Our Moments and Our Days helps her feel “connected to God, to Scripture and the greater Christian community. . . . It has helped me pray in ways that are meaningful and with words that express my…
An interview with Arthur Boers on daily prayer
Herald Press: What is daily prayer? Boers: Common daily prayer is the practice—or discipline—of praying every morning and evening, using a set of prayers being used by other Christians around the world. In the more liturgical traditions, this practice is variously called the “daily office,” “divine office,” “common prayer,” “liturgy of the hours,” “morning and…
Uncovering ancient rhythms of daily prayer
When he was a young adult, Arthur Boers’ 17 year-old sister died of leukemia. Torn by grief, and unable to understand how God could allow such a terrible thing, he found himself unable to pray. “At times I had nothing to say to God or did not know how to voice my prayers,” says Boers,…
Welcome on the other side of the fence
A deep love for aboriginal communities in Manitoba inspired Jake and Margaret Harms to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this past summer by honouring others. In lieu of gifts, they invited friends and family to contribute to Mennonite Church Canada Native Ministry. “Our first love has always been the North and our brothers and sisters…
Protesting death in Georgia
Fort Benning, Georgia—the home of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly the School of the Americas—is also the home of annual peace protests each November. Three Waterloo Region Mennonites—Nathan Gorvett, Josie Winterfeld and Richard Albrecht—took part in the 2010 protest, which stretched over a three-day weekend. A highlight for Albrecht was the “die-in.”…
Vietnamese Mennonites lose their church centre
Eleven days before Christmas, local authorities in District Two of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, seized and demolished the home of Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and his wife, leaders of the unregistered Vietnam Mennonite Church. Their home also served as a leadership training centre and headquarters for the group of Mennonite congregations that is distinct…
