Peace and popularity
I thank God for moments when people share their hearts. In the pages that follow, you may find such moments: committed volunteers in a basement archive, an inspired welder, a new twist on quilting, a gathering that puts the cross in cross-cultural, and insight from King Hezekiah on mid-grade worship services. In addition, Jonathan Neufeld…
Tuning out of Advent
Sometimes I wish the perennial efforts to wring some fresh meaning from amidst the hecticness of Advent would abate. It feels like open season for religious cliches and uninteresting comments about busyness, when all I want is silence. But I’m not here to complain. I have found a simple approach to make Advent a…
2,000 years later in Bethlehem . . .
Bethlehem Bible College sits within walking distance of the birthplace of Jesus and about 200 metres from the eight-metre-high concrete wall that hems in Palestinians such as those who lead and attend the college. Bethlehem is no less troubled today than it was for Mary and Joseph, who, despite the “Silent Night,” had to flee…
My prayer
Let me share some wishes for Canadian Mennonite, which are largely my prayer for the overall endeavour of faith. These are topics I’m drawn to and challenges I note. Tuesday afternoon. I’m drawn to church that happens when people are not sitting inside on Sunday morning. Sunday services can be a blessing but what happens…
3 lessons from a bumpy Sunday
The pastor of a big rural church asked me to preach about climate. He had read my article, “Grace, guilt and CO2.” But between the invocation and the worship leader’s call for me to step up to the stout wooden pulpit, I fully considered ditching my notes. It was my first time at that church…
Parting thoughts
My adventure with Canadian Mennonite began in October 2013, when I stepped into the newly created role of web editor. In March 2017, I became executive editor, teaming up with Tobi Thiessen, who began as publisher. Thinking back over the past nine years, I’m considering some lessons learned along the way. There were the basics:…
Three questions about content
Movies and TV shows about journalism always catch my attention. How do publishing enterprises work? How do reporters and editors gather information? How are decisions made about the content that the public will see? Here are questions that readers have about the content you read on the print and web pages of Canadian Mennonite. 1.…
Change ahead
I once knew a young child for whom change was extremely difficult. Whether the change came as a surprise or whether the child anticipated the happy results of an expected change, it was hard to move from “here” to “there.” Change can be difficult for people of all ages. As we assembled this issue of…
Senses open new doors
First, a disclaimer: I love books. With a father in the bookstore and publishing business, I grew up in a household that always had books available. I’ve volunteered and been employed in a library. I currently own cards to two local libraries. For me, books have been a source of learning, inspiration and connection to…
‘We Declare’ and beyond
In this issue you will find reports about Mennonite Church Canada’s Gathering 2022. Recently over 300 of us met in person and virtually to explore the theme, “We declare.” I was impressed by the turnout of delegates in Edmonton and by the engagement of younger folks in the business sessions, worship times, workshops and on…
