Tag: Letters

Fascism by any other name Re: “Committed to seeking a deeper understanding,” Feb. 1, page. 13 It is a good idea that Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)  is willing to re-examine the role Mennonites played in National Socialist Germany. One would hope that their findings include a thorough explanation of the reasons why Mennonites found themselves…

History and generosity ‘should count for something’ Re: “MCC centralizing relief warehouse in New Hamburg,” Feb. 1, page 14. It was reported—as a “no-big-deal” item—that the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) warehouse in Plum Coulee, Man., will move to New Hamburg, Ont. I live in Plum Coulee, a town of about 1,000 people, and it is…

A sombre revelation for a former neighbour Re: “ ‘What will happen to us now?’ A son recalls his mother’s experience of the 1918 pandemic,’ ” Jan. 18, 2021, page 24.  Living at the parsonage in Osler, Sask., from age 6 to 12, with my own grandparents back in Manitoba, Maria Buhler was our neighbour and she…

Readers weigh in on MCC’s research on National Socialism Re: “Committed to seeking a deeper understanding: MCC begins research into historical connections to National Socialism,” Feb. 1, page 13. Kudos, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), for beginning to face part of our history that may be quite shameful. —Craig Anderson (online comment) Thanks, MCC leadership, for…

Might Jesus have really said ‘Our Mother’? Re: “Gendered images of God,” Nov. 23, 2020, page 23. The committee that worked on the new hymnal, Voices Together, says that “the decisions made about the language used for God may be unsettling for some.” I am one of those. I’m sure we all believe that Jesus…

Seeking a call to discernment Re: “Credentials terminated for theologian-academic-pastor,” Nov. 9, 2020, page 18. Last October, John D. Rempel joined John Howard Yoder, Karl Barth and numerous other theologians in the company of men whose personal wretchedness stained brilliant intellectual legacies. Out of respect for victims, their families and friends, it is understandable that…

Relationships, not rituals, are what’s important Mennonite Church Canada’s online study conference, “Table talk: Does the church still have legs,” had thought-provoking talks. In Sara Wenger Shenk’s talk, she asked, “Why do instructions about how we do communion become more important than its meaning?” Theologians N.T. Wright and Bruxy Cavey remind me that one of…

Liberals let off easy in Tommy Prince feature Re: “Expanding the reconciliation tent,” Oct. 12, page 4. This unnecessarily politicized article comes across as a subtle demonization of Conservatives. To illustrate, I point out the highlighted quotation on page 5: “The Conservatives acknowledge the racism Prince faced upon his return from war, when he and…

Responses to termination of John D. Rempel’s ministerial credential Re: “Credentials terminated for theologian-academic-pastor,” Nov. 9, page 18. I am disappointed that this Canadian Mennonite report includes an extensive quote from John D. Rempel, in which he emphasizes his own need for restorative justice rather than the harm he has caused. It is disheartening to…

Columnist has ‘a gift’ Re: “Two stories clamour to be shared” column by Ed Olfert, Oct. 12, page 10. Ed is the current pastor of Grace Mennonite Church in Prince Albert, Sask. During the strict coronavirus lockdown here in Nashville Tenn., during March to July, I would spend Sunday mornings viewing online services from my…