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Landscapes of war, a people of peace

Jonathan Seiling, right, consults with Carol Penner, pastor of The First Mennonite Church, Vineland, Ont. on a recent historic tour. (Photo by Melissa Seiling)

The War of 1812 is important to commemorate for many reasons. As the only defensive war fought on Canadian soil in the last two centuries, it was also the first testing of the historic peace churches' position of conscientious objection in Canadian history.

Suspicious hospitality: Feds reduce health coverage for refugees

Some 150 people gathered in front of city hall, Kitchener, Ontario, Monday evening, June 18, to protest and sign petitions against reduced health care for refugees. (Photo by Dick Benner)

According to the UN, there are now 10.5 million refugees who have been forced to flee their countries due to conflict, natural disaster or persecution. About 25,000 of these people are allowed to settle in Canada each year, but Mennonite refugee advocates say Canada's posture toward these people is changing.

Stouffville counters with peace at 1812 parade

Peace church members gather at the settlement site on Main Street, where an historical marker notes that Abraham and Elizabeth Reesor-Stouffer settled the town. MCC's Care and Share Thrift shop is in the background. --Photo by Peter Kear

Some 60 Mennonites, Quakers and Brethren in Christ members, including seniors and children, gathered for a peace church testimony Saturday, June 16, during Stouffville’s commemoration of the War of 1812, complete with a parade of Governor General’s Horse Guard, reports Arnold Neufelt-

Kraybill president-elect of MWC

Church leaders pray for J. Nelson Kraybill, new president-elect of Mennonite World Conference. From left are Danisa Ndlovu of Zimbabwe, MWC president; Kraybill; Ervin Stutzman, Mennonite Church USA executive director; and Janet Plenert of Canada, MWC vice president. — photo by Merle Good/MWC

It took three impromptu songs to count the ballots and confirm the results, but Anabaptist leaders from around the world elected J. Nelson Kraybill president-elect of Mennonite World Conference at MWC General Council meetings May 20-27.

Amnesty International flags persecution of religious minorities

Jacinto Perez, a community leader in Nebaj, Guatemala, resisting the hydroelectric dams on their ancestral territories. See upcoming story in Canadian Mennonite's June 11 edition, titled "This Land is Us." --Photo by Tobias Roberts, MCC

Editor's Note:  See the major feature "This Land is Us" in the  June 11 edition of Canadian Mennonite.

Mormonism fast-growing faith in US

Even though their Mecca is the Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, one non-Mormon observer says they are growing fast because "the way they organize themselves makes for more congregations."

Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney may or may not become the first Mormon to move into the White House next year, but a new study shows that Mormonism is moving into more parts of the country than any other religious group, making it the fastest-growing faith in more than half of U.S. states.



92 grads of Outtatown

92 graduates comprise the largest class ever.

Family and friends of 92 graduates from the 2011-2012 Outtatown program gathered April 14-15 on the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) campus to celebrate their experiences in Africa and South America.  They shared their experiences through stories and music during their two-day event.

Confessing our fossil fuel sins

Earth Day Tent Revival at Memorial Park, in front of the Legislative Building in Winnipeg, Sunday, April 22 350 people of all ages attended. 200 participated in a walk to the event. Brother Aiden John (aka Aiden Enns), in the hat, delivered the sermon and altar call. Charleswood Mennonite Church and Hope Mennonite Church were among the sponsors.

Christians are taught that taking a Sabbath from work is an important spiritual discipline, but some Mennonites in Winnipeg organized a Sabbath from consumption.

Voluntary Service: still thriving in northern Alberta as a ‘presence’

David Kubovsky is talking about Fair Trade products from Kenya to a student group.

During World War II, the Historic Peace Churches in the U.S. negotiated “Alternate Service” options for Conscientious Objectors (“COs”).  As followers of Jesus, they saw military service as disregarding his example of nonviolence, and his clear admonition to “love your enemies.”

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