Canadian Mennonite: A lighthouse
In reflecting on Assembly 2016 in Saskatoon, one thing is certain: We are entering a period of uncertainty in the life of Mennonite Church Canada and its area churches. The most hopeful sign in this state of affairs is that the delegates had enough faith in our leaders to begin a new process with few…
We can always afford to be generous
Peach Blossom Church almost always meets its budget, although some years involve more drama than others. It still engages a full-time pastor, fixes the roof and supports mission workers. In 15 minutes, it can raise $5,000 to send the youth group on a mission trip. But lately it hasn’t been giving as much money to…
Readers write: August 15, 2016 issue
What about the pastors who are forced to refrain from moonlighting? Re: “Meet the pastors who moonlight,” June 20, page 4. The flip side of the scenarios presented in this feature is that of full-time pastors who attempt to moonlight in their off hours, but find that their congregations do not agree that they have…
Creating space
After nine years of working together on the Being a Faithful Church (BFC) process, by an 85 percent majority, delegates at Assenbly 2016 in Saskatoon approved the BFC7 recommendation. (See “Delegates vote to allow space for differences.”) In essence, the recommendation had four parts: to continue to hold the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite…
Battleground
We have abandoned the battleground. In a hope-desiring but hope-diminishing article, columnist Robyn Urbeck asks: “How do we know when to stop praying for Orlando and Texas, and start praying for Nice?” This is a penetrating question, as wave after wave of terror and sorrow lap upon the beaches of our age. It’s one thing…
India crate
Helen Warkentin was a long-term missionary to India from 1920 to 1957, and took many orphans ‘under her wing.’ She received support from family and friends back in Winkler, Man. Pictured, Manitobans proudly gather around a large crate of goods they are sending to Warkentin, to be used for the care of the poor in…
‘What begins in God goes back to God’
It had probably been a while since Horse Lake Mennonite Church welcomed so many worshippers. Filling every pew, they gathered to celebrate the life of this small country church and to grieve its closing. During the decommissioning service, held June 26, Pastor Walter Jantzen shared the church’s history. In 1926, four Mennonite families arrived in…
Wideman Mennonite celebrates 200th anniversary
Hundreds of friends from near and far attended Wideman Mennonite Church‘s 200th-anniversary celebrations over the July 23-24, 2018, weekend. It was a culmination of special activities over the past few months that helped members mark this significant milestone. Beginning in January, a few minutes during each weekly worship service were devoted to sharing stories from…
MFC hopes to expand ministry with name change
Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC) will change its name to Abundance Canada in October. The decision to rebrand follows 18 months of market analysis, survey research, competitive analysis, and formal and informal discussions with stakeholders and the general public. The new name is an open invitation for generous Christians across Canada to use the services…
