LocalChurch 7-11

Danforth Mennonite proceeds with MVS unit

Winnipeg, Man.

In an inspiring step of faith, Danforth Mennonite Church in Toronto is proceeding with its plans to open a Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) unit despite the elimination of the program by Mennonite Church Canada (see Canadian Mennonite, March 24, pages 12-15, 26; April 7, page 14)

The decision was made at a congregational meeting on April 30. The meeting was called for the express purpose of discerning the issue.

Dalton Jantzi, MVS committee chair said, “Our committee came to that meeting with our books open, with no foregone conclusions. There were no cheerleaders, no pushing of agendas.

“It was the kind of climate which set the tone for dialogue that was conducive to reaching a near consensus. My comment to Jim Wert, chair of our church council who walked us through this process was, ‘This has felt like decision-making at its best.’ It felt as though we were walking on sacred ground.”

The church treasurer presented the meeting with a budget picture of a unit with four occupant volunteers. The group also consulted with former members of the Hamilton MVS committee.

They carefully considered challenges of missing support services such as promotion, applicant screening, crises management, conflict resolution, ongoing administrative support, orientations, and retreats—all services formerly provided by MC Canada program staff. To overcome some of these obstacles, they will place a greater emphasis on regional collaboration with other congregations who also host units (Hamilton and Montreal), or international collaboration (perhaps a connection to MVS USA). They also noted that there would be financial challenges with fewer than four volunteers.

Finally, participants asked themselves if they have the energy to start and sustain an MVS unit. In the end they decided that “Good ideas often generate as much or more energy than it requires to get them working,” said Marilyn Zehr, Danforth MVS committee member. “It is our hope and prayer that this will be the case.”

They have committed to making the unit work for two years: much of the preparation was completed, applicants were interested in coming to Toronto, and work placements had already been arranged. A two year commitment would allow time to see what new structures or administrative arrangements might result.

More than one person noted “... a sense of the work of the Spirit in this meeting in a way that has not been experienced quite like this in some time,” said Zehr. “We could honestly say that it seemed good to the Spirit and to us to continue with setting up a unit with recognition that even after our careful consideration there remain concerns and questions, and so it is with a leap of faith that we continue.” One can’t plan for exactly how God will work through this situation, she dded.

One sign of hope appeared in the form of committee volunteers; a call for two more persons from the congregation resulted in four willing responses.

Many current members have experienced voluntary service through MVS and Mennonite Central Committee. Zehr said, “We see it as an important investment in the young adults of the Mennonite Church. In the past many MVSers have become our current church leaders. The congregation is hoping and praying that this commitment will bring about a new spirit of life and energy in their congregation.

“We do not know what the new structure or umbrella for MVS will look like but many of us are quite confident that something new will evolve and ultimately will be necessary.”

Danforth is striving to enhance connections with their local community through the work placements MVSers will do and through the household and the lifestyle commitments the members of the household will make.
—MC Canada release

Variety of hats remind women of diversity

Lethbridge, Alta.

About 70 women attended the Alberta Women in Mission annual conference held at Lethbridge Mennonite Church on May 2 and 3. Many women wore hats depicting their role as gardeners, quilters, musicians, writers, bank employees, cooks, to follow the theme, “The hats we wear: celebrating our diversity” based on II Corinthians 12.

During the evening the “Raging Grannies,” a group of singing grandmothers entertained the group. Their lively “protest” songs were quite hilarious. A skit by Kate Janzen poked fun at the way we change hats. As she told the story of a family, two volunteers were busy exchanging hats.

In her first presentation, Kathy Fast, the guest speaker from Mennonite Church Canada, wore an African dress and turban, a gift from the school where she taught. Fast, who spent several years in Africa, was challenged to accept a teaching position for which she had not felt qualified and the experience stretched her beyond her comfort zone. Instead of hiding our talents for safekeeping, they should be invested and allowed to grow.

In Fast’s second presentation she wore a leather hat made by a Kalahari Bushman. Just as the Bushmen go out in groups for protection, we need supporting persons around us—a network of person with other gifts and talents.

For her third presentation she wore a bicycle helmet, pointing out that a bicycle is made up of many parts and that each one is essential. In all of her examples, Fast interwove scripture and everyday living, giving new and refreshing insight into II Corinthians 12.

The business sessions brought reports on various projects. Among the projects continuing are support for missionaries Todd and Jeanette Hanson, Global Families, Tobia and George Veith in Macau, and tuition assistance for women attending post-secondary Mennonite institutions.

Executive positions were affirmed or re-elected: Beth Moyer, president; Rita Dahl, vice president; Carol Sawatzky, secretary/treasurer; and Bev Janzen, camp rep.

A silent auction of 52 items netted $650. One half of the proceeds and the offering will go to Mennonite Church Canada and half toward hymn books for Camp Valaqua.

In the memorial service, Tena Bloudoff of Taber read a brief profile of the women who have passed on to their reward. Susie Thiessen, the oldest one, died at age 103. A rose was presented to Elfrieda Wiens, 88, who was the oldest participant.

The theme song, “In our hands” was sung several times, a fitting reminder of the talents we have in our hands.
—Irene Klassen

Kitchener, Ont.

A stand-off between a Mennonite housing initiative and a neighbourhood group was averted when both parties compromised to reach an agreement.

MennoHomes, established several years ago by Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in Waterloo region, had originally planned a 24-unit affordable housing development on land to be purchased from a Lutheran church in Kitchener. Neighbours objected, however, by appealing the application for severance and title. (See December 2, 2002 issue, page 18.)

Taking the neighbours’ objections into account, MennoHomes initially scaled back the development to 20 units. However, the protests of neighbours continued. They said they would appeal the development to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) if further changes were not made.

MennoHomes, confident that it could win at an OMB hearing, got the backing of the city’s planning department, which sought the support of a city council committee.

However, when the committee’s meeting was postponed because of a snow storm, all parties agreed to use the extra time to try again to work out a deal. The neighbours agreed to withdraw their appeals if MennoHomes would scale the development down to 16 units. MennoHomes, in turn, was concerned that its cost per unit for land would remain the same if it built only 16 units.

At this point, the city stepped in and said that if MennoHomes and the neighbours could come to an agreement, it would sell some frontage to MennoHomes, buy back a portion of the land and convert it into parkland—possibly a community garden.

“The compensation from the city was the ‘deal-maker,’” said Martin Buhr, president of MennoHomes. On May 5 city council approved the deal.

The agreement is significant, said Buhr, because “a suburban in-fill site is being developed as affordable housing with the immediate neighbours on-side.... In focus groups, families had expressed the dream of decent and affordable housing in a safe and secure neighbourhood. That dream is close to being realized.”

Buhr also reported that one of the city councillors had commented that in all her years of municipal service, she had never seen a compromise of this magnitude where all parties made major concessions and still maintained they were pleased with the outcome.
—Ron Rempel