The 100 percent clean comedian
Matt Falk recalls one of his worst gigs from the beginning of his career as a comedian. He was hired to perform at a corporate event, and during his 30-minute set the audience barely chuckled. The people in the club mostly just stared at Falk and talked among themselves. At the end, he wished the…
Laughter is sacred space
Laughter has always been a huge part of my working career, working as a writer and actor in comedic theater. Most etymologists, those who study where words come from, believe that the word “humour” is derived from the same root as the words “human,” “humility” and—my favourite—“humus,” meaning “of the earth, connected to the dirt,…
Readers write: March 17, 2014 Issue
MCC should consider new partner in Gaza Re: “Flooding worsens Gazans’ plight,” Jan. 20, page 19. I am pleased to hear that Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is actively involved in relieving the Gazan people from the devastation caused by flooding in December. This action is an answer to the call of God to help those…
Encouraging parents
I’ve been a youth pastor for more than two decades and if I have any regret, besides the amount of pizza I’ve consumed, it is that I did not pay more attention to the parents/caregivers of the youth in my groups. Research, particularly the recent Canadian report, “Hemorrhaging faith: Why and when Canadian young adults…
Give a crown today
The Olympic Games came and went, and Canada won hockey gold again. I intended to get up early to watch the men’s final game. On the Pacific coast that meant 4 a.m., and thanks to our new baby girl, who cried me awake, I was up. I sat in my comfy chair and promptly fell…
An ear tuned to lament
I’ve never been to a Mennonite church conference before. I’m a little late. I find my name tag on the table, hook it onto the lanyard provided. I’m welcomed by Janette, the administrator I talked to about childcare before registering. She tells me to sit anywhere. I choose a table near the back. I’ve come…
Cleaning house and Lenten resolutions
I’ve always liked the saying, “My house may not be clean, but my kids are happy.” I took that to heart when my kids were young and I spent a lot of time with them. I’m not sure what my excuse is now. “My house may not be clean, but I’ve read a lot of…
Let your hopes run wild!
Leaders and planners want participants to bring their wildest hopes and dreams for the future of the church to Mennonite Church Canada’s Assembly 2014, from July 3 to 6 in Winnipeg. The theme, “Wild hope: Faith for an unknown season,” will explore how Mennonites can live out their Christian faith in a world in which…
Becoming missional communities in B.C.
Excitement and challenges in Mennonite Church British Columbia were a recurring theme when delegates met for their annual general meeting at Eden Mennonite Church in Chilliwack on Feb. 22, 2014. Throughout the morning, Garry Janzen, MC B.C.’s executive minister, interviewed several people in leadership positions of area church leadership, asking them, “What excites you?” and,…
Telling God’s story
“Please do not take photographs.” With these words, Jake Buhler, chair of the Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan, introduced the evening’s guests, an a cappella choir from the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, sometimes known as the Holdeman Mennonite Church. The gathering was the sixth in the “Getting to know our families” series sponsored…
