Canadian religion by the numbers
Every 10 years Stats Canada collects religious data. Recently, World Vision and WayBase—another Christian organization—partnered to distill the numbers related to changes in religion from 2011 to 2021. Here is a distillation of their distillation. 53 — Percentage of Canadians who identify as Christian (down 14% from 2011) 37 — Percentage of Canadians aged 25 to…
Why does the Incarnation matter?
In the Christian tradition, the story of Christmas is grounded in the truth that God took on human form and came to live among us. Isaiah 7:14 says: “Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him…
A cry of alarm and call for prayer
“We raise a cry of alarm to the different faithful members of the Mennonite church around the world,” writes Reverend Alphonse Kisubi Kassa, a leader of Communauté des Églises des Frères Mennonites au Congo (CEFMC). A delegation from CEFMC Goma—the Mennonite Brethren church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—visited the church in Munigi in…
Call-in style discussion series spotlights nonviolence in a time of war
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Karen Ridd was struck by how many people around her immediately called for military troops to be sent. “In those moments it becomes really hard as a pacifist to find ways to speak into that conversation, when we know there are atrocities happening,” says the Menno Simons College instructor…
AMBS launches doctor of ministry program
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) is now accepting applications for a new doctor of ministry degree—the first of its kind. Not only is the seminary’s doctor of ministry in leadership (DMin) the only DMin in the United States to be deliberately developed with an Anabaptist framework, it also is the first DMin in the U.S.…
Four pieces of art by Ray Dirks
The Mennonite Heritage Centre (MHC) Gallery is featuring Ray Dirks’ exhibit, Thankful: moments, memories, and some art, in which the gallery founder and retired curator reflects on his lifetime of work. The exhibit runs until Jan. 14 at the gallery on the grounds of Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. Dirks’ art weaves together vibrant colours…
Meet MC Canada’s new climate coordinator
Sandy Plett of Morden, Man., is the new climate action coordinator for Mennonite Church Canada. Having started the half-time role on Nov. 28, Plett shared some thoughts with Canadian Mennonite correspondent Amy Rinner Waddell. This interview has been edited for length. Amy Rinner Waddell: How did you get into climate work? Sandy Plett: I grew…
Leaving a legacy of good works
In his 15 years as executive minister of Mennonite Church B.C., Garry Janzen ordained, preached, led, coordinated and worked to inspire the pastors and congregations of the regional church. Now, as he looks to retirement, he reflects gratefully on his years in the position. Although the title is executive minister, Janzen says, “I’m one who’s…
