A tribute to Menno Wiebe (1932-2021)
Upon entering the home of Menno and Lydia Wiebe at 10 Concord Avenue in Winnipeg, where they lived for 48 years, one would likely be met not with conventional niceties but with a bright-eyed, depth-probing question, possibly relating to birds and theology, or gardens and ecclesiology, or something else that would never otherwise cross your…
There is no peace without Christ
What was so important that an Ethiopian Mennonite pastor would go back to Ethiopia with his family during COVID-19 and a war? After much preparation and prayer, Pastor Mezgebu A. Tucho of Bethel International Church-Edmonton Oromo Congregation, together with seven coordinators from across Ethiopia, decided to proceed with their plan to equip Ethiopian leaders, youth…
Woodworker, pastor dies at 101
Erwin Cornelsen Erwin Cornelsen, former pastor and one of the last Mennonite Aeltesters (elders) in Canada, died Dec. 26, 2020, at Menno Hospital in Abbotsford, B.C., at the age of 101. He was laid to rest on Jan. 5. Erwin was born on May 28, 1919, in Schweingrube, West Prussia, the first of nine children…
Preacher calls mission and service workers to Jesus-centred discipleship
Bruxy Cavey’s message to mission and service leaders in Anabaptist organizations was plain. “We have lost a younger generation of leaders because the church has been so divided,” he said. “To fight for unity will be one of the most powerful things this next generation of leaders, young and old, can do together.” Cavey was…
MCC celebrates 100 years of global ministry
One hundred years ago, calls for help came from Mennonites in southern Russia, where war, disease and famine had left them in desperate straits. “Brethren! Help us, we are perishing!” wrote one man to Mennonites in the United States. “The famine is raging more and more, and suffering is increasing daily, yes, hourly.” Mennonites and…
A life of grace and ‘holy impatience’
“We always knew Dad was a special man,” said Chuck Kruger, “but we have come, after his passing, [to learn] more about the influence he had in many ways.” William (Bill) Kruger had a profound influence on many lives. Three friends paid tribute to him at his funeral at Nutana Park Mennonite Church in Saskatoon…
Life on the geographic fringes of MC Canada
Mennonite Church Canada is characterized by various geographic concentrations of churches, some thicker than others. But a few congregations exist far from any other MC Canada sisters and brothers. What is church like in the farther flung reaches of our denomination? What do congregations do to stay connected? What are the advantages of remoteness? Andrew…
‘A fantastic model at Springridge’
A small rural church had a 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) pastor. Now its pastor has retired and it decides to hire a 0.3 FTE pastor. Is this realistic? How will the new pastor spend her time? In January 2019, Springridge Mennonite Church in Pincher Creek approached Tany Warkentin, a long-time member, and asked her if she…
For 22 years it was ‘all about the residents’
Growth, change and progress are three big words that come to mind when looking back over Linda Tiessen’s time as administrator of Leamington Mennonite Home. And after serving nearly 22 years at the home, she is ready to enjoy retirement. She was hired in 1998 at the encouragement of Menno Epp, then pastor of Leamington…
