KGB archives in Ukraine now open
Family members of the tens of thousands of Mennonites detained in Ukraine during the 1930s and ’40s can now request further information through a new program at the Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies. Many of the Mennonites arrested were sentenced to death or hard labour based on false charges under the Stalinist regime. Many were…
Senior inspires others with desire to give
The small group of cyclists cheered as Irvin Driedger set off on his walking bike, kicking off the 2019 Shekinah Bike-paddle-hike-a-thon. His participation was inspiring on many levels. Eight years ago, he suffered a massive stroke. He could only move his eyes and one foot. The doctor told Irvin’s wife Donna that he likely wouldn’t…
Dave Wall inducted into sports wall of fame
Dave Wall, who was an active member of Grace Mennonite Church in St. Catharines and an ardent supporter of Silver Lake Mennonite Camp fundraising dinners, was honoured by his local community for the many roles he played there and for his enduring legacy. On Aug. 23, Wall was inducted into the Sports Wall of Fame…
Lessons from Narnia
Menno Simons Christian School put on an amazing performance of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe earlier this year. It’s an adventurous story about four children who find themselves travelling through a frozen land to reach a great lion named Aslan while being hunted by an evil witch. I was lucky enough to be…
Embodying knowledge
Knowledge is truly amazing. When you really know something, it can light you up, it can discombobulate you, it can put you in touch with your body or it can make you feel connected to a much bigger body. In the 21st century, we invent new professions in the service of “knowledge translation” and “knowledge…
Seminary short course offers congregations tools for engaging conflict
Betty Pries, a conflict management specialist based in Waterloo, Ont., provides mediation, coaching and consulting services for businesses, nonprofit organizations, governments and congregations. For six weeks each year, she also leads an online short course of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) as a sessional faculty member. In Transforming Congregational Conflict and Communication, Pries and her…
Conversations about sex and spirituality impact Rockway students
Rebecca Hiller-Ranny, a Grade 12 student, affirmed the blunt tone taken to address sex, power and spirituality at her school. “It was so important,” she said. “It was so impactful.” And Micah Neufeld, in Grade 11, said he was glad for the open communication, noting how it sparked good conversations with his parents. “Let’s talk…
Canadian post-secondary schools announce enrolment figures
WINNIPEG—Preliminary fall enrolment numbers at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) indicate an overall 3 percent increase in students in the university’s undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This increase reflects both headcount and full-time equivalent (FTE) course registrations. Anticipated full-year registrations for 2019-20 total 955 FTEs for all CMU programs. This includes 670 FTEs through CMU’s main…
CMU recognizes distinguished alumni with 2019 awards
A former teacher dedicated to building relationships with Indigenous peoples, a former Mennonite Church Canada Witness worker invested in intercultural relationships, a long-time pursuer of justice with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), and a priest and canon theologian in the Anglican Church are the recipients of the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards. The Distinguished…
Grebelites strike for climate action
According to the United Nations, “Climate change is the defining issue of our time.” On Sept. 27, around 80 Grebel students, staff and faculty took part in the Global Climate Strike in Waterloo, at which more than 4,000 people gathered for three hours of singing, chanting and speeches. Mark Vuorinen, a Grebel music professor, led…
