It’s good to reflect. Below are my highlights from the past year of Canadian Mennonite.
Maoz Inon: In February, we held a pair of online events. Jewish Israeli social entrepreneur and peace advocate Maoz Inon shared his audacious and infectious vision for peace. Inon’s parents were killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The Wall Between: In the second event, Raja Khouri—a Palestinian-Canadian—and Jeffrey Wilkinson—an American Jew—expanded on the message of their book, The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know about Each Other.
Secret Treaty: In our February 23 issue, Ojibwe elder Dave Scott and Mennonite illustrator Jonathan Dyck teamed up to tell the story of a treaty between early Mennonite settlers and the Ojibwe in Manitoba.
The comic was then printed as a stand-alone book. Over 1,000 copies have been sold, many to schools. Five related public events were held.
MCC HR: Two in-depth, investigative articles—published in July and October—told the stories of former Mennonite Central Committee workers who allege serious mistreatment by the organization. From the July article:
“[The former workers] were left feeling confused and ultimately betrayed by an organization they believed in.” This coverage will continue.
Risk: As part of his columns on intercultural church (February 9), Joon Park asked: “Are we a church in which visionaries, risk-takers and innovators are welcomed?” I put that on a sticky note next to my desk.
Beyond Ethics: Mennos gravitate toward ethics. Our June issue called us to “Transcendence, Prayer and Spirit.” In an article that stands out in my mind, Allan Rudy-Froese moved beyond “what we should do.” Paraphrasing him, I wrote: “The story of the Good Samaritan can be read as a practical example to follow, or it can be read as a beautiful account of how the grace of God extends to all of us who, in various ways, lie wounded beside the road.”
Degrowth: Our August issue contained Zach Rempel’s feature piece titled, “A recipe to reverse the economy: Degrowth, Doris Janzen Longacre and the fading allure of net-zero.” From that article: “The current plan is for this economic growth to continue, without stopping, forever.”
Stuck in my heart: Three articles by young women had a lasting impact on me: “Actually, love our enemies,” by Alayna Smith; “Faith before flags,” by Rhianna McGregor Hajzer (both in the July issue); and “Bending with the youth,” by Danika Warkentin (October).
Peace Shall Destroy: In our March 29 issue, we published an excerpt of Rudy Wiebe’s 1962 novel Peace Shall Destroy Many, a book that remains a great gift to our people.
From the excerpt: “As the deep voices about him echoed ‘Amen,’ his mind could only dully comprehend that in all the talking that evening, no one had disposed of any of Joseph’s questions. They had not even been considered.”
I often think of this line, scene and sentiment when vague, pseudo-peaceful sentiments gloss over vital tensions.
Madalene Arias, who served as Eastern Canada correspondent and social media coordinator, is currently on maternity leave (congrats to her!). We welcome two new people to fill her roles.
Rae Reid, a recent graduate of McMaster University, will serve as Eastern Canada correspondent. Rae, who is from Hamilton, founded and now coordinates Mennonite Young Adults and is part of the organizing group for the U30 young adult gathering to be held alongside the Mennonite Church Canada national gathering in Kitchener, Ontario, in July.
David Oliva Wiebe of Toronto has stepped in as social media curator. David brings smarts, professional social media experience and a great heart.
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