Mennonites can dance
At the age of 17, dancer Peter Quanz of Wilmot Mennonite Church was already living in Winnipeg on his own. Before heading to Winnipeg, he commuted to an arts high school in nearby Kitchener, instead of attending his local high school. His parents had always supported his interest in dance, although they all kept it…
Nazareth service experience awesome!
Kayla Thiessen bubbles with enthusiasm when she talks about her short-term service experience through Mennonite Church Canada in Nazareth. The University of Manitoba graphic design student, who attends Steinbach (Man.) Mennonite Church, experienced life far away from her Prairie home, learning about life in biblical times and sharing her faith with children and youths in…
Hard truth about hunger:
In a January report, two major humanitarian agencies confessed that they, along with the rest of the world, responded too slowly to the food crisis in East Africa last year, and that thousands of people died unnecessarily. “How come, more than a generation after man walked on the moon, we would let fellow human beings…
CMU names new president from within
When Cheryl Pauls takes over the reins from Gerald Gerbrandt, Nov. 1, as president of Canadian Mennonite University, she will guide the institution from a different academic discipline and from a different historical narrative. Pauls, a CMU professor of piano and music theory, was named by the board of governors early this month after more…
By what authority?
This past year I prepared for ordination with Mennonite Church Canada. Part of the process of ordination is to read and comment on aspects of our Confession of Faith in Mennonite Perspective. While I was generally familiar with the Confession, a new question formed in my mind as I read over it again. How does…
Four Points of Eerie Silence
I am beginning to wonder why there is an increasingly eerie silence on four points: First, violence against the unborn. Persevering to end violence in all forms is a work of the Kingdom. Yet, though many protest paying taxes or donning Jets jerseys because of militarism, I have yet to see any as passionately decrying…
Are we asking the right questions?
Last fall, the leadership in Mennonite Church Saskatchewan organized regional consultations with congregational leaders. We were very pleased at the thoughtful participation from almost all the churches. We heard that the membership in many congregations is getting older. Some congregations are getting smaller. Commitment to church is changing as other things compete for time and…
Readers write
Climate change is happening Climate change is one of the most serious problems to face humanity right now, a long slow process that will hit the most vulnerable human populations more than those that contributed to the problem. Where once only God Almighty could create and destroy on a global scale, humanity has made itself…
For discussion
1. What are the demographics of your congregation? What percentage is over 65? How many of those are frail elderly? What programs or ministries are designed specifically for seniors? Do the older members of your congregation feel involved and engaged? 2. What are the benefits of hiring a congregational parish nurse? Is this something your…
Letter to my children and grandchildren
To my family, Since our Saskatchewan correspondent wanted to write about caring for seniors in the church (p. 4), I wanted to share some personal thoughts triggered by her investigation. I hope you don’t mind my getting a little more “philosophical” than usual. I must confess to becoming a little weary of society nearly always…
