Everything is under the authority of Christ
Gunungan is a figure from traditional Indonesian theatre that represents the world. The leaf-shaped art is used frequently around the country, including at the Mennonite church in seaside Jepara. “This wood carving expresses the mission and vision of the church,” says artist Harjo Suyitno through the interpretation of Danang Kristiawan, his pastor. With the cross…
Life in a remote B.C. congregation
Gerry Binnema was invited to share news about United Mennonite Church, the congregation he pastors in Black Creek, B.C. Here is his creative and tongue-in-cheek response. Greetings from this far-flung western outpost of Mennonite-ness here on the edge of the untamed northern Vancouver Island. I have been posted to this remote location now for six…
‘Re-learning to swim in baptismal waters’
We are witnessing the first time in history when many young people in Mennonite Church Canada congregations are actively participating in the church but are choosing not to be baptized. Why is that? Irma Fast Dueck, associate professor of practical theology at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU), is researching exactly that question. Fast Dueck, who attends…
‘A mile in my moccasins’
Madelaine Kioke was born in the woods near Attawapiskat, in the James Bay region of northern Ontario, where her parents hunted and trapped. She lived out on the land until she was nine years old, learning to hunt and fish, and set traps and snares with her father. At age six, when her mother first…
Helping others, one stitch at a time
Eric Berg, a member of the St. Catharines (Ont.) United Mennonite Church, has been making blankets and donating them to MCC for a number of years. It all started years ago when he was helping his wife Marlies, an avid sewer and quilter, cut out squares. When he was cutting faster than she could sew…
Glimpsing the face of God
Why are we doing international ministry? As I engage with people in many regional churches I often get this question. It is my favourite question. Don’t ask unless you are prepared for my long answer, but I can also point you to the answers of others for a shorter version. The Ministry Initiative Development Guide…
