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Pope's visit to address skepticism

Pope Benedict XVI is likely to focus on religious freedom during the first official State visit by a pontiff to Britain, where secularism is growing and Christianity declining.

Lao Canadian Evangelical Mennonite to dedicate new facility

Chinda Kommala, pastor of the Lao Canadian Evangelical Mennonite, shows members of the Mennonite Men (now Joint Hands) the new worship centre in Toronto toward which the MM donated $40,000. The presentation was made at a “Join Hands” luncheon meeting held at Assembly this summer in Calgary.

When Chinda Kommala opens the doors next Sunday, Sept. 26, to a newly-renovated 2,000-square foot worship centre, known as Unit 23 in the 70-unit commercial/professional mall on the corner of Westin and Finch, it will be a celebration of mammoth proportions, but not without struggle.

Heaven trumps hell in Canadian poll

-"Hell is a half-filled auditorium," wrote the U.S. poet Robert Frost.

In Canada, it's slightly less full.

According to new poll, a bit more than half of Canadians believe in heaven, but less than a third believe in hell, Religion News Service reports.

MCC sending $700,000 to Pakistan

A father and his ill son consult with a Church World Service (CWS) health team worker in Pakistan. Donations to MCC will help support CWS’ Pakistan flood response. (Photo courtesy Chris Herlinger/CWS)

Following weeks of disruptions, loss and trauma, people in flood-stricken areas of Pakistan are facing enormous challenges as they struggle to rebuild their lives.

“How does a family regain its footing after it loses everything?” asked Donna Fernades and Chris Herlinger, writers for Church World Service (CWS) in a recent report.

India asking for Christian support after riot

Churches in India are asking for support after Christian institutions became the target of violent protests linked to the reported desecration of a copy of the Quran in the United States.

At least 16 people were killed and more than 60 injured in clashes on September 13 with security personnel in India-ruled Kashmir.

Bolivian Mennonites launch addiction/abuse centre

Klaus Rempel represents a seven-member planning committee to develop a 20-bed rehabilitation centre.

As the criminal investigation continues into allegations of gang rape in some Mennonite colonies in Bolivia, many local congregations see a need to reach out to people dealing with addictions, sexual abuse and violence against women.

Pan flutes from Palestine blow peace tunes

A Hiroshima-based group is holding peace concerts featuring music with pan flutes made from Palestinian olive trees cut down by Israel to build a separation wall that juts into Palestinian territories.

U.S. churches asked to reach out to Muslims

In response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, many members of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ congregations reached out to Muslims in their communities to support and encourage them. In the face of ever-increasing anti-Islam sentiment, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) U.S. urges congregations to redouble those efforts.

Goshen Bible prof Shenk dead at 91

Stanley C. Shenk

Goshen College Professor Emeritus of Bible Stanley C. Shenk passed away on Thursday, Sept. 2 at the Greencroft Healthcare Center in Goshen. Shenk, 91, taught Bible at the college from 1965 to 1985.