Thriving at Thrift on Mill
It may be a pandemic, but Thrift on Mill in Leamington, a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Thrift store, had its highest grossing month of all time in November 2021. General manager Cindy Epp says that, after the lockdowns of last winter lifted, there was an initial flood of donations. At first, staff expected that it…
Hands-on learning
Throughout COVID-19, schools and universities across the country have moved between learning in the classroom and online remotely. But what about education happening outside of traditional academic settings? Many people have taken the different rhythm of life the pandemic has created as an opportunity to start learning and teaching in new ways. When asked on…
Building connections in Japan
Finding ways to help Japanese and Canadian churches connect with each other is one goal of a pastoral couple serving in Japan after years of ministry in British Columbia. When Gerald Neufeld, pastor of Mennonite Japanese Christian Fellowship in Surrey, B.C., and his wife Rie felt a call to return to Japan, their family moved…
‘A tremendous honour’
“I’m very grateful for my time with Mennonite Church Saskatchewan,” says Ryan Siemens, current executive minister of Mennonite Church Saskatchewan. “It’s been wonderful getting to know the congregations, the pastors, the denominational leaders and just to connect with people who want to do the work of the church.” Siemens wraps up his time with MC…
Church planter-entrepreneur leaves rich legacy in France
Robert Witmer, who served in France from 1956 to 1984 with the Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM), helped to plant the Châtenay-Malabry church in Paris and was instrumental in opening doors for people with disabilities. He died on Dec. 2, 2021. Robert “Bob” Witmer helped bring life to the vision of the church as a…
Working in a life-giving job is the silver lining
There are not many people these days who can say they have been in a job they love for 25 years, but Jeff Nickel says exactly that. As he celebrates his silver anniversary working with the Communitas Supportive Care Society, he reflects on the many reasons he has stayed. When he began with the organization…
Physical appearances don’t reveal what’s inside
Matt Ferguson is smart, likes rocking out to music such as the Tragically Hip, is a big fan of the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and has cerebral palsy. He relies 100 percent on other people to attend to all his bodily needs, such as putting food and liquids in his mouth. When in…
MC Eastern Canada creates new eco-minister position
Wendy Janzen began her role as Mennonite Church Eastern Canada’s eco-minister, a new quarter-time position, on Jan. 1. She will work closely with both the leadership and the mission portfolios within the regional church. “As a church we are aware now more than ever of the necessity for a faith response to issues of climate…
‘That’s when MCI came to mind’
Being a graduate of Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) remains a precious part of my life’s memory bank. Moving into the dorm my Grade 11 year gave me a sense of independence and pride to be stepping into more freedom. At the time, I didn’t fully understand my parents’ thoughtful consideration in making this significant decision…
Building connection
Menno Simons Christian School was blessed to appoint George Graffunder as its vice-principal this school year. He completed his bachelor of physical education degree in 1987 and his bachelor of education degree in 1989, both from the University of Calgary. He completed his bachelor of religious education degree in 1990 at Alberta Bible College, and…
