What lingers in the air
At the end of May and into June, as news outlets reported on demonstrations in cities across North America, we witnessed something more powerful than tear gas hanging in the air. Demonstrators were angry at recent events in which individuals had experienced death at the hands of the police. But the size of the crowds…
A beautiful tapestry of yellow
I have a problem with dandelions. Late spring is high season for dandelions, when those bright-yellow blooms make their presence in yards and fields abundantly clear. Within a month or two, the flowers will be gone and the dandelion leaves will blend pretty well into the rest of the grass. Fresh from a good mowing, our…
Readers write: June 8, 2020 issue
‘Expect the unexpected’ When asked a few months ago what advice they would give about aging, a group of seniors responded, “Expect the unexpected.” That advice is relevant to all of us this spring! In later life it becomes increasingly difficult to predict what may be around the next bend. Life happens. And, as with…
Make room and time for the Holy Spirit
As we emerge from our cocoons of self-isolation, what revelations will inform us as we move through the stages of our collective pandemic response? This pandemic time has had far-reaching impacts. Employment issues, health issues and isolation issues have all been significant. For some, fortunately or unfortunately, there has been more available time to reflect…
George Brunk
In 2001, evangelist George Brunk II, left, reflected on his 65-year-long ministry. Brunk’s style of revival meetings disrupted Mennonite communities. In a public talk at Conrad Grebel College he recalled, “At a time when Mennonite preachers stood still behind the pulpit, I would wander across the stage, carrying the microphone . . . from one…
Memories of Pa
June is the month when we honour fathers. My pa was George, born in 1921, died in ’94. Pa loomed large. I spent childhood years believing that I was a disappointment to him. The areas of his life where he was gifted, strong and confident, seemed always to correlate with my weaknesses. I was certainly…
What kind of father?
Probably no father should risk writing a Father’s Day column. Obviously, one’s family is the first to say “Dad’s not perfect.” I hope I’ve been good enough. Parenting is a lesson in grace. That fathers receive relatively less attention than mothers in our society is one of my pet peeves. Look at the Sunday comics…
Making their world a more beautiful place
For many students at Rosthern Junior College (RJC High School), ALSO Week is one of the most memorable and meaningful experiences of their school year. ALSO stands for Alternative Learning and Service Opportunities. Each spring during ALSO Week, students leave campus for a variety of destinations to learn about and serve vulnerable people in those…
B.C. thrift shops open again for business
After more than two months of being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the 10 Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) British Columbia thrift shops were reopening with limited hours by the end of May. “As the province plans to ease restrictions gradually after the May long weekend, we at Centre Thrift are now taking…
