Readers write: July 28, 2014 issue
Church should fund prison visitation
Viewpoints
Engaging the challenge
This winter on an evening journey to the airport, I encountered a substantial snow storm. Strong winds drove heavy snow across the roads. Even with my eyes wide open I was blinded, unable to see the front of my car. I inched forward without any idea where the road was. I didn’t know if I was wandering into the oncoming lane or edging towards the ditch—an extremely unnerving experience.
An intentional generosity plan
When our boys were younger, I wanted them to see how much we were giving to our church. I wanted to model cheerful generosity, and to demonstrate that this was normal and very intentional. If the truth be told, I was secretly hoping that our generosity would be contagious, as well.
A milestone birthday
“I’m turning 60 and I need help,” I wrote in the invitation to my recent party. I was disquieted by the approach of this milestone birthday, beset with, and surprised by, regrets, laments and some form of existential anxiety. Still, the passage of time continues whatever our reluctance towards what it brings.
Fad or future?
“Look outside,” Dan blurted through the phone before my mother could even say hello.
A letter of unsupport for Canada
Shortly after my birth I was registered as a Canadian citizen. Birth cast me into a life that was not of my choosing or making.
The power of change in the local circle
The auditorium tingled as the keynote speaker took the stage. A tall black guy—a CNN personality, New York Times best-selling author, and former White House staffer who advised President Obama on green economics—he had a coast-to-coast smile and wit surpassed only by his charm.
Let’s celebrate!
Gertrude Nickel (nee Janzen) admires her beautiful birthday cake on May 31, 2014.
There were 144 women who joined in the festivities celebrating the 75th anniversary of Mennonite Church B.C. Women’s Ministry Inspirational Day on May 3 at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matt. 19:19 NIV)
Readers write: July 7, 2014 issue
Keep national, area churches out of LGBTQ decisions
Trouble with summer reading
I write this from what must be one of the most beautiful places on earth. We’re on a family holiday on one of the small Gulf Islands in British Columbia’s Strait of Georgia. I know; you’re already feeling sorry for me. I’m enjoying rest, playing with my kids, conversation with my wife and, sandwiched in small bites on this full table of grace, a good book.
Diversity 101
This past spring, from March to May, I attended a series of classes at Spirit of Life Lutheran Church in Vancouver. The classes or “gatherings,” as they were called, were part of a program titled Caring for All Creation: Land, Water, and Our Communities. My partner Glenn was attending for class credit and since it was free for the public, I thought I’d go, too.
Authority and influence
Cultural norms and values from one generation to the next are a moving target. While this isn’t a new concept, there are many challenges associated with the increased rate of change. Perceptions of authority and the shifting realities of influence are important as we consider the present and future church.
Readers write: June 23, 2014 issue
Informed scientists agree global warming is man-made
Gathering under the Assembly tent
From July 3-6, our extended family of faith gathers underneath the Assembly “tent.” We welcome newcomers and greet old friends, drawing closer together through praise, worship, prayer, thought-provoking speakers and group discernment on matters of faith and life. Our time together culminates by sharing communion under one roof.
The deadly sin of envy
The green-eyed monster twined through my family tree in an almost funny way. It began with my 88-year-old grandmother. She was irritated because her older sister had just planted a garden. My grandmother was too unsteady on her feet that spring to do the same, and she fussed, “Why does she get a garden and I don’t?” Shades of jealousy.
How to plan your digital estate
The most surprising “friend” request I ever received on Facebook came from someone I knew only slightly.
That may not seem unusual, except the person was dead. When I clicked the Facebook page, which has since been taken down, I found an unusual memorial. It spoke of being glad to be free of pain and cancer, missing family and so on.
Prayer is a way of being
As we seek to better understand how we attune ourselves to Divine Spirit, it’s helpful to look at how Jesus’ original disciples attuned themselves to the Holy Spirit. Acts 1 tells us how they prepared for Pentecost and reveals what they were doing that resulted in their Spirit baptism. “These [disciples] all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer.” (Acts 1:14 NASB)
Readers write: June 9, 2014
Nurturing the wildness
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed . . . it is the smallest of all the seeds, but grows into the greatest of shrubs” (Matthew 13:31-32).
Be hospitable by faith, not by sight
Jesus told his disciples to make disciples. He was very clear. He promised his Spirit would enable us and would do the work of convicting and opening hearts and minds. Our part is quite simple.
How well do you know your neighbours?
Do you know the names of their kids or grandkids? What about their pets? Do you know what their favourite team is?
Equal opportunity
“Hey, Chink! Go back to China!” Derogatory as it was, this was the racial slur directed at one of my Vietnamese college parishioners in a gym recently. Racist remarks of this nature haven’t changed from the time when I was going to school.
Chastised by the chief
Over the past 20 years I have dedicated much effort to advancing the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the rest of us. I have lived in, worked with and written about various aboriginal communities. Currently, I work part-time for the Interchurch Council on Hydropower, which advocates for fair treatment of indigenous people affected by dams in Manitoba.
Readers write: May 26, 2014 issue
Reader responds to March 31 issue
Thank you for Dick Benner’s insightful editorial, “Who are the millennials?” on page 2. It seems I am in the silent generation category, which suggests this letter shouldn’t be coming from me.
Remembering Caleb
I recently began another journey through the Scriptures, which offered a fresh look at the story of Caleb. As a young man, he was one of the 12 Israelites sent to spy out Canaan prior to the Israelites’ attack. He was one of two who returned with a positive report and faith that God would lead them. The other 10 spies swayed the crowd with fear-filled tales.
The deadly sin of lust
A fragment of a remark from long ago comes back. The context was a Sunday school class. I was young, just 18, a summer visitor in that church. The others were well into middle-age. The content was Matthew 5:27-30, where Jesus reframes the prohibition against adultery, declaring, “Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
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