Ukraine oak ‘grandchild’ planted at M.E.I.
The Chortitza oak, a large tree that has stood in Ukraine for over 700 years, continues living on in a new generation on the campus of Mennonite Educational Institute (M.E.I.) in Abbotsford, thanks to a gift from Art and Marlyce Friesen. In a ceremony on Nov. 6, a sapling grown from the famous oak was…
Mothers and daughters learn about HIV in Tanzania
Tears flow freely at Binti Mama (daughter/mother) gatherings as mothers and their teenage daughters talk openly about issues such as HIV and AIDS. Led by an intergenerational team of students, teachers and women, the gatherings provide a safe setting for listening and learning across generations. “They dance, sing, eat and share stories of what happened…
Snow, warning letter and study enthusiasm
A blast of winter welcomed Mennonite Church Canada leaders to Edmonton’s First Mennonite Church for the annual fall leadership assembly Nov. 7-10. Most travellers managed to be on time, and laughter about inadequate footwear, lack of coats, and snow-covered signs was common fodder at coffee break. Fall leadership assembly brings together MC Canada staff and…
Jubilee is the standard for both business and pastors
Proclaiming Jubilee is the mission and vision of both the congregation and Mennonite-owned business, David Miller told a workshop of business leaders and pastors when Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) met here for their annual meeting focused on “Business as a Calling.” While both parties can ascribe to the vision outlined for the children of…
The paths and ditches of Biblical interpretation
Path # 7 Holy Spirit and interpretive community By Robert J. Suderman, Being a Faithful Church Task Force member “It is the Holy Spirit who guides the interpretive community in faithfulness, and in faithfully understanding Scripture for our lives. This means that we must continually open our hearts and minds to the work of the…
Beyond politics
I’m a sucker for politics. I read the papers, stay up late on election nights and get far too emotionally involved. But at the same time, I maintain a fundamental suspicion of partisan politics. While I know and respect people in the political sphere, I will never buy a party membership, go door-to-door with pamphlets,…
More room for awe and wonder
“Are you excited about the new IKEA store?” asked the woman I was visiting. Sheepishly I confessed that I was and then added, “Even though there is nothing I need in my house from that store.” Her husband offered that he was looking forward to enjoying some meatballs, and we discussed the food possibilities in…
Who’s talking to your kids?
We are bombarded with thousands of advertising messages every day. As we approach the holidays it seems everywhere we turn we’re being targeted. Radio, TV, billboards, newspapers, magazines, pop-up ads all deliver a relentless plea to spend more and more on what are often frivolous items marketed as necessities. As adults, we hope we have…
‘Sir, we would like to see Jesus’
The above request came to Philip from “Greeks” who had come to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Whether the question came out of their curiosity about the triumphal entry or the resurrection of Lazarus (John 12:17) is unsure, but this was their request. In many ways, this request is still with us today, whether in…
Readers write
New Mennonite building can provide synergy Re: MCC’s big building rationale not compelling.
