Readers write: November 5, 2018 issue
Story on Manitoba prison ministry lauded Re: “Paying attention to the invisible,” Sept. 10, page 17. Many thanks for the fine article about our prison ministry program. On Oct. 3, Dorianna Toews, a new member of our team and a member of River East Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, and I led two groups of…
Readers write: October 22, 2018 issue
Differing responses to Steve Heinrichs’s ‘green gospel’ column Re: “Peter’s Letter to Canadian Christians,” Sept. 24, page 7. I don’t object to anyone taking a passionate stance regarding environmental issues, but please don’t misapply Scripture to support those views. Let’s look at the questions columnist Steve Heinrichs poses: “Is there hope? Can God move us…
Readers write: October 8, 2018 issue
A call for more conscientious coverage of abuse disclosures Re: “Decades-old sexual abuse comes to light,” Sept. 10, page 13. It is with concern and disappointment that we write regarding Ruth-Ann Klassen Shantz’s disclosure of abuse perpetrated by Lawrence Pentelow, a man in power at a Mennonite institution. The way we talk about sexualized abuse…
Readers write: September 24, 2018 issue
Supporters of Ruth-Ann Klassen Shantz speak out on her behalf Re: “Decades-old sexual abuse comes to light,” Sept. 10, page 13. We have known Ruth-Ann Klassen Shantz for 20 years as a strong, confident woman, not knowing that underneath she was trapped in the living hell of a traumatized teen. We have supported Ruth-Ann as…
Readers write: September 10, 2018 issue
Carbon tax more effective than pipeline protest in curtailing oil use I have to admit that my initial reaction to the news of the arrest of Steve Heinrichs was negative (“Mennonite arrested at Kinder Morgan pipeline protest,” May 7, pages 18-19). But after reading his “Burnaby Mountain Prayer Witness: Background & FAQ” document (bit.ly/2AYHTGn),…
George Neufeld’s letters
George Neufeld worked in England, France and Germany after the Second World War, from 1946 to 1948. He wrote in his diary on Monday, Jan 7, 1946: “Received letter from Helene dated Dec. 6. I wonder what all has happened since then.” Sunday, Jan; 13: “Wrote a 20-page letter to Helene. Am lonesome for her.”…
Readers write: August 27, 2018 issue
It’s important for a pastor to be married, not just living with a partner Re: “Introducing Dave Rogalsky, Eastern Canada correspondent,” June 18, page 2. Are we so proper now that we cannot say whether people are married or not? When I was much younger, people “were living in sin” if living with a partner…
Readers write: July 23, 2018 issue
Calling suicide selfish is uncharitable Re: “Suicide may not be painless, but it is selfish,” July 2, 2018, page 7. Victor Huebert writes that suicide “is a very selfish act and inconsiderate of family.” Really? Is it also selfish and inconsiderate to die of pancreatic cancer, a brain tumor, heart disease, or leukemia? Mental illness…
Readers write: July 2, 2018 issue
Suicide may not be painless, but it is selfish Re: “Suicide isn’t painless,” May 21, page 16. I sympathize deeply with the Brandt/Penner family. My cousin used a gun to end his life; a very deep depression must have affected them both. It’s difficult to say, but it seems to me that suicide is…
Readers write: June 18, 2018 issue
Unity starts with the fruit of the Spirit Re: “Ethics not the basis for Christian unity” letter, April 23, page 10. Walter Klassen states in his letter, “No matter how uncompromisingly we disagree on ethical issues, could we, as Christian believers, use that creedal confession [‘I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of…
