Mennonite Church Eastern Canada
Mennonite Church
British Columbia
A gentle 'rant'
It's been quite some time since I'd heard such talk, so it caught me by surprise. "Mennonites shouldn't be proselytizing. It imposes our beliefs on others and is triumphalist theology."
The words were spoken with intent to be "pluralistic" and "open minded," but I found them rather "exclusive" and "narrow." With such words, all those not "born Mennonite" (whatever that means) are required to make their own way in seeking healing and hope. In the interest of not imposing, others are prevented from knowing the very thing we've embraced. And we lose the opportunity to present a seamless understanding of peace, service and evangelism-in Christ.
Could we imagine the 16th century Anneken Van Den Hove refusing to speak of her hope in Christ? Or "strong George" Blaurock not sharing his faith, for fear of offending someone? Or Dirk Willems not going back across the ice to care for another human being?
In more recent history, could the church in Ethiopia have remained silent about her faith, or stopped helping others in their need? Such thoughts are absurdities. We can't, with integrity, enshrine Anabaptist movements and then discount their intent-to live out in all ways, the good news of Jesus Christ.
When someone has so completely altered both our "present" and "future"-how can we not share someone who is changing us? Unless, of course, we're not really being changed at all. In which case, we've nothing more, and probably less, to offer than a secular agency. Quite rightly then, the most honest thing we could do is apologize for our presumption, pack up our bags and leave quietly.
But if Christ has become our peace, if the Spirit is conforming us, if God is remaking us-then we have grounds to bring others a message of hope! Not as a marketing ploy to fill our churches, not for personal egos or success. but simply for the sake of others. A weaving of witness, service, peace, and justice-and all soaked deeply in a dye of humility and grace. One of the greatest falsehoods we can embrace is to believe this faith we profess is ours to "have," when it's only ours to give away.
Chris Arney, director of
evangelism and church development, Mennonite Church British Columbia
Participate in Saskatoon assembly from home!
For the first time ever, congregational members from across the country will be able to participate in the Mennonite Church Canada assembly by going on line at home.
MC Canada webmaster Daniel
Rempel will set up a Saskatoon 2002 Talk-about (an electronic
bulletin board) at www.mennonitechurch.ca.
An on-site, public access computer will be available for assembly
participants to post messages to the Talk-about as a way of reporting
and reflecting on what they are seeing and hearing at the assembly,
and invite responses from their congregations. Participants will
also be able to send and receive e-mail.
"It's a first for us," said Dan Dyck, MC Canada communications
director, crediting the volunteer efforts of on-site technical
volunteer Les Klassen Hamm.
-MC Canada release
Partners sponsor Saskatoon 2002
Saskatoon 2002 will offer opportunities for children, youth, and adults to take home a piece of the assembly theme, "Tending God's field, Forming God's people."
Children registered for the children's convention will receive the book, Let's Make a Garden by Tamara Awad Lobe, as a memento of their experience. The book celebrates the diversity of humanity through the metaphor of gardening and growing. Purchase of the book is sponsored by Mennonite Educational Institute (Abbotsford), Menno Simons Christian School (Calgary), and Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary Schools (Winnipeg).
Thanks to Rosthern Junior College, the young and young-at-heart will be able to sport one of two tattoos-the Rosthern Junior College logo or the hands logo of the Saskatoon assembly (see back cover).
Re-usable and useful for many purposes are the ever popular convention tote bags. Every registrant will receive a fabric bag courtesy of Mennonite Foundation and Meritas. These bags have 101 post-event uses-from toting groceries to serving as winter shoe bags. And maybe you'll even be reminded to call Mennonite Foundation for help in estate planning, or Meritas to investigate ethical investment funds.
Not sponsored by anyone, but available for sale will be assembly T-shirts featuring the "hands" logo of the assembly. Olive green in colour with a gold coloured logo, these T-shirts will be available on a first come first served basis. Delegates will want to wear one when they report back to their congregations.
-MC Canada release by Dan Dyck
Awards granted from two funds
The Financial Aid Committee of MCEC has awarded grants from the Seminary Student Aid Fund for this fall to the following: Matthew Bailey-Dick and Paula J. Snyder, who plan to study at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and Jean Lehn Epp, who is beginning studies at Conrad Grebel University College.
The June Schwartzentruber Fund is being awarded to three people this year: Jean Lehn Epp, from Mississauga; Karmen Krahn Fehr, of Swift Current Saskatchewan, currently in Elkhart Indiana; Lois Unrau from Steinbach Manitoba, currently in Cairo, Egypt. This is the final dispersal of funds from this grant, according to a 1999 decision to spend all money within the fund within five years.
Annual fund raisers for Camps with Meaning
The annual Camp Moose Lake Workathon held May 17-19 raised over $24,000 this year. The weekend included work and a time of fellowship and worship. The funds will be used for completing the new cabin, replacing sailboards and general improvements to the camp. The workathon saw volunteers installing cedar siding on the new cabin and new windows in the lodge.
Camp Assiniboia held its annual baseball tournament on June 14-16 to raise money for projects and improvements at the camp. The weekend included slow pitch baseball, activities for children and a worship service. Saturday also featured music groups performing as part of MennoFolk.
On June 22, Camp Koinonia will have its third annual golf tournament at the Winkler Golf Course to raise money for upgrading the main lodge. The event includes a meal at Morden Bergthaler Mennonite Church.
Youth convention to have a different flavour
The "youth convention" at this year's Mennonite Church Canada assembly in Saskatoon July 3-7 will have a different flavour from Abbotsford 2001.
"There will not be a parallel youth convention," noted Anna Rehan, MC Saskatchewan youth minister. Instead, the teens will join the adults for three of the four evening sessions and part of the Friday morning session.
In between, they will be involved in everything from concerts and late night bowling to helping with child-care and swimming at Pike Lake Provincial Park. A num-ber of service projects have also been planned. Although the teens who meet will not have their own theme, Rehan believes the focus can be on "what God has to offer us."
Rehan pointed out that in the future, the youth will have their own convention only every other year. In 2005, the youth convention will be held jointly with Mennonite Church USA.
Alberta churches wind down for summer
It's quiet on the Mennonite Church Alberta scene leading into summer. Other than the bike-tuning, stitching, crafting and organizing for the July 5-6 Mennonite Central Committee sale in Sherwood Park, there's not much on the go. The other major event is the excitement for summer camp.
Things are falling into place for another great summer at Camp Valaqua. The counselling staff is in place, a full slate of weekly chaplains is scheduled, and registrations are filling the camp mail box.
The only piece missing is in the kitchen. Camp Valaqua is still in need of a head cook and an assistant cook. Both positions are full time and paid for a 10-week period. If a head cook cannot be found, several cooks may be scheduled on a weekly basis to fill the need and the stomachs! Direct inquiries and suggestions to the camp at (403) 637-2510.
Volleyball tournament a success
The B.C. Mennonite Youth Organization held a volleyball tournament in April and organizers were pleased with its success. Eleven teams participated, playing at the Mennonite Educational Institute Elementary School gym.
Vancouver Mennonite Brethren Church won first place in the adult division beating Eben Ezer Mennonite (Abbotsford), but the youth team from Eben Ezer captured first place over Langley Mennonite Fellowship. Another tournament is being planned for next spring.
Unless otherwise credited, the articles in TheConferences pages were written by: Daniel Rempel (Mennonite Church Canada), Maurice Martin(Eastern Canada), Evelyn Rempel Petkau (Manitoba), Karin Fehderau (Saskatchewan), Donita Wiebe-Neufeld (Alberta), Angelika Dawson (B.C.). Go here for a list of contact information.
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