A great year for spiritual films
My four favourite films of 2011 all had Christian themes, something that has certainly never happened before. Two of them—Of Gods and Men and The Way—were reviewed in Canadian Mennonite last year. The other two, which are the subject of this review, will not appeal to audiences expecting a plot-driven narrative, action or even dialogue,…
Reading Mennonite novels as works of art
Although sailing troubled waters over the past 50 years, Mennonite novelists have taught Mennonite readers how to approach their texts with boldness and humility as “we learn more about ourselves through their works of art,” Paul Tiessen said last month in wrapping up a nine-week series of lectures by Mennonite writers at Conrad Grebel University…
African goat project demonstrates group power
A goat project among Kenya’s Maasai people is giving birth to more than baby goats. It is powering to life a cooperative group ethic that is helping 2,000 Maasai families cope with cultural change and ecological challenges. The traditionally pastoralist Maasai have struggled for years to redefine themselves in light of reduced grazing land, pressure…
What aid work looks like in Africa
The invitation arrived last September: “Would you like to accompany the Canadian Foodgrains Bank on a media study tour of Ethiopia?” It sounded like an eye-opening opportunity to see an organization follow through on its mandate to combat global hunger. Our trip was planned so that we would get a chance to see what aid…
Greening Africa
At a February ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Migibare Senay Children and Family Support Organization received a first place “green award” from President Girma Wolde-Giorgis. The organization’s work is “a model of sustainable land management,” according to a release put out by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), which has partnered with Migibare Senay over the…
The trouble with normal
“You can’t be serious. Pork! Pork is what you eat for breakfast, not fish, not lobster and definitely not sushi! What is this world coming to? Fish for breakfast? This is an outrage! Bacon, ham, sausage, eggs: these are proper breakfast foods. Everybody knows this!” My sister-in-law was neither intimidated nor dissuaded by my passionate…
Have a blessed, refreshed summer
We are nearing the end of another Canadian winter and looking forward to a change of seasons. Some of you may already be making plans for your summer vacation. Some may have plans for renovation projects, while others are planning time to relax by the lake or in the backyard. Maybe your plans include a…
Paying tribute
When my dad died, I worked with family members to prepare a eulogy. I gave the first draft to my husband, and asked for feedback. “It’s good,” he said slowly, and then gently added, “It’s a little too good.” (I knew immediately what he meant, but waited for his explanation.) “It’s important to speak of…
Dust off your Bibles!
Over the years, the Faith and Life Committee of Mennonite Church Canada has often heard questions about the place of Scripture in our lives: “Do our people read the Bible anymore anyway?” “Does how we think about an issue depend on how we read Scripture?” “Where do we place the Bible with respect to other…
