We don’t talk about mental health much in the church. When we do, we tend to see it as deviation from a presumably healthy “normal.” This is deficit thinking. Maybe our standards... Read More
Opinion
In late August, my wife and I became first-time homeowners. There had been many times we wondered if we would ever be able to afford a house, ever save up enough for a down... Read More
November 4, 2020 | Opinion | Joshua Penfold
The Oct. 24 Mennonite Church Canada study conference asked the question: “Does the church have legs?” The consensus of conference presenters, based on mini-interviews posted prior... Read More
November 4, 2020 | Opinion | Will Braun
“What is truth?” Pontius Pilate asked Jesus two thousand years ago. Today, as we read the newspaper, watch YouTube and TV news, listen to the radio, and scroll through social... Read More
October 21, 2020 | Editorial | Virginia A. Hostetler
Voluntary service important in cross-border interaction Re: “ Cross-border interaction in decline since integration ” letter, Sept. 14, page 9. I appreciated Fred Martin’s letter... Read More
October 21, 2020 | Opinion | Various Contributors
As I finish off another growing season on the farm, I reflect on how things grew, what went well, and what to tweak for next year. Aside from our various pastured livestock, I... Read More
October 21, 2020 | Opinion | Lisa Martens Bartel
Within this Mennonite hearth, we can read an environmental history. By 1850, when John E. and Magdalena Brubacher built this house, the forest stands of southwestern Ontario were... Read More
October 21, 2020 | Opinion | Laureen Harder-Gissing
Since living in a pandemic that has suddenly limited indoor socializing, I have been particularly thankful for the neighbourhood friendships we’ve created. In March and April,... Read More
October 21, 2020 | Opinion | Christina Bartel Barkman
As a young adult I entered a Mennonite college knowing little about Mennonites. I grew up (mostly) Baptist. I was astonished to hear people say over and over again, “You must be a... Read More
October 21, 2020 | Opinion | Arli Klassen
My focus on growth may seem strange during this difficult season we’re in, but I believe that the best way to get through this pandemic is by growing. My understanding of growth... Read More
October 21, 2020 | Opinion | Troy Watson
Recently the worldwide number of souls lost to the COVID-19 virus surpassed 1 million. Visualizing that large number of lives cut short touches one’s own soul. We, the living,... Read More
October 7, 2020 | Editorial | Virginia A. Hostetler
Reactions to recent ‘A moment from yesterday’ photographs Re: A photograph of a volleyball game beside a row of tall poplar trees with a lake in the background , Aug. 17, page. 4... Read More
October 7, 2020 | Opinion | Various Contributors
The youth of the Mennonite church are often on my mind, and over the years, they have secured a place in my heart. It has been total joy and privilege to share time and space with... Read More
October 7, 2020 | Opinion | Kathy Giesbrecht
LaVerna Klippenstein (1934-2014) fulfilled many roles, including mother, wife, teacher and author. After her marriage to Lawrence Klippenstein in 1956, the pair began working in... Read More
October 7, 2020 | Opinion | Conrad Stoesz
The first story is as recent as a week ago last Sunday. As I stood to sing a somewhat familiar hymn in the morning worship service, the words came off the page to grasp my... Read More
October 7, 2020 | Opinion | Ed Olfert
Whether you know the word or not, shalom is central to the way most Mennonites think of what it means to be disciples faithful to Jesus. “Peace” is how the Hebrew word shalom is... Read More
October 7, 2020 | Opinion | Randolph Haluza-DeLay
I was sitting at the kitchen table, trying to read amidst my children having breakfast and building with Lego, and I read this verse: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on... Read More
October 7, 2020 | Opinion | Joshua Penfold
Halloween is a few weeks away, and I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to watch some horror movies to get into the spirit. I just stopped and re-read that first sentence and... Read More
September 23, 2020 | Editorial | Aaron Epp
Pandemic provides ‘extra bonuses’ for elderly congregant Re: “ In a time of uncertainty: COVID-19 prompts churches to rethink gatherings ,” March 30, page 15. The Japanese... Read More
September 23, 2020 | Opinion | Various Contributors
In my work with high-risk single mothers, I’ve been meeting one-on-one this summer with women, as our weekly group program was put on hold due to the pandemic. Over and over, I’ve... Read More
September 23, 2020 | Opinion | Christina Bartel Barkman
In early August, I heard about the devastating impact of floods and a landside on a Mennonite congregation in Kerala in southern India, with mud covering the building and many... Read More
September 23, 2020 | Opinion | Arli Klassen
This summer, our neighbours had a total of four trees taken down that bordered either side of our property. I really miss those big, beautiful trees. One tree was at least 50... Read More
September 23, 2020 | Opinion | Troy Watson
I sit in my backyard watching my dog as he rolls in the grass, pressing his back as deeply into the ground as he can. He moves freely, alternating his rolling with digging into... Read More
September 22, 2020 | Web First - Opinion | Heather Block
While public conversation swirled in July over the details of WE Charity’s speaker fees and all-expenses-paid trips for donors, my church was having a sermon series on Mennonite... Read More
September 9, 2020 | Editorial | Tobi Thiessen
