Congregation and community mourn a hockey hero

This photo of Dan Snyder was included with the bulletin at his funeral service.

Elmira, Ont.


On October 10, Elmira Mennonite Church hosted the largest funeral in its history—that of 25-year-old National Hockey League player Dan Snyder, a native son whose death sent shock waves through the hockey world.

Snyder, a centre for the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, died of head injuries sustained in a car crash in Atlanta on September 29. He was a passenger in a vehicle driven by teammate Dany Heatley. The entire Thrashers team, including Heatley (on crutches), attended the funeral.

Snyder, son of Graham and LuAnn, grew up at Elmira Mennonite. His grandfather, Joe Snyder, was a former moderator of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec, now part of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada.

The media across North America noted how the family embraced Heatley after the tragedy. Although Heatley has been charged with vehicular homicide—for which he could face prison—the Snyders want him to get on with his life. As Graham Snyder told journalists: We are all humans; we all make mistakes.

“God made us eternal, not invincible,” said Dale Bauman, former Elmira pastor, at the funeral. We must consider the perspective of eternity—the other side, he said. Speaking to whatever blame people may be tempted to assign to the driver of the vehicle that crashed at high speed, he said: “Pointing a finger never brings healing.”

We can’t comprehend why tragic things happen—that knowledge is reserved for God alone, said Don Liesemer, president of Hockey Ministries International. Atlanta Thrashers coach Bob Hartley also spoke movingly of the team’s loss.

The crowd was estimated at 1,300. Scores of people lined up for hours before the service began. A sea of young hockey players who had been inspired by Snyder tapped their hockey sticks as the family walked by on their way to church.

The church held 650 people, including people in the basement auditorium. Others watched on closed- circuit television at a nearby nursing home. Hundreds more mourners listened outside in the warm autumn sun.

By all accounts, Elmira, a town of 7,000, was a first-class host, despite unrelenting media attention for days after the accident. Yet the day of the funeral was not the media circus that many dreaded.

Ruth Anne Laverty, co-pastor of the church, said that she and church staff fielded questions from the media prior to the funeral. The media, in turn, respected the family’s desire for privacy.

Television, newspaper and radio journalists remained behind a police barricade in exchange for a guarantee of interviews later with family members. The day was an extraordinary showcase of a community working together.

The church hosted the funeral, with local businesses and their suppliers donating food. The fire department handled parking. A nearby church loaned chairs and mugs.

Snyder, survived by his parents, brother Jeremy (Jake) and sister Erika, joins an unusually high number of young people in the Elmira area who have died in accidents in recent years. The media commented on the embracing nature of the town in the face of yet more tragedy.

It became a story about forgiveness and generosity, about extending an olive branch. As Laverty put it, “This is becoming a story about God’s grace, God’s love.”—Betti Erb

B.C. meetings voice frustration with MC Canada

Abbotsford, B.C.


Mennonite Church British Columbia held four listening meetings in October to give congregations an opportunity to express their views on church relations in B.C. and with Mennonite Church Canada. Many participants expressed discontent over MC Canada’s perceived lack of leadership in a number of areas.

Much of the discussion revolved around homosexuality, and whether MC Canada is committed to the Mennonite Confession of Faith and its own statements on homosexuality. MC Canada’s recent financial troubles were hardly mentioned.

The meetings were all well attended, with nearly every church represented. Personnel from MC Canada were present at each meeting. Henry Krause, moderator of MC Canada, and Dan Nighswander, executive secretary, spoke about the things that Canadian churches do together—missions, education, publication—and noted that staff are committed to working with conferences and churches in mutual discernment. They answered many questions.

“This is not a discussion, not a debate,” said Doug Epp, moderator of MC British Columbia, at the Vancouver meeting. The intention, he said, is for voices to be heard.

At the meeting in Greendale, Krause reasserted MC Canada’s commitment to the Confession of Faith and conference statements.

“We have statements that guide us, and our statement on sexuality clearly states that anything outside a monogamous heterosexual relationship is outside of the will of God,” he said.

Several churches, nonetheless, have taken action. Kelowna Gospel Fellowship has withdrawn from MC British Columbia since that is the only way it can fully distance itself from MC Canada. Vernon Mennonite Church has also indicated an intent to withdraw by spring. According to Epp, several other churches are contemplating similar action.

At the meeting in Vancouver, Lorin Bergen, pastor of Living Hope Church in Surrey, said, “I’m closer than I’ve ever been to giving up on our national conference. I’m an affirmed Anabaptist. I see the national conference slowly but surely moving away from scriptural truth. We need to take a stand and say, ‘This is what the Bible says.’”

Judy McCullough, representing United Mennonite Church in Black Creek, voiced similar concerns. “We stand on the word of God. Sin is sin and we want to align ourselves with organizations that believe as we do,” she said.

Other churches voiced strong support for both provincial and national bodies. First Mennonite in Kelowna presented a statement encouraging churches not to make “harmful” decisions that would lead to separation: “We commit to praying for each other and working together toward Christian unity in the mind and spirit of Christ.”

David McAlary of Peace Mennonite Church in Richmond also voiced strong affirmation. “Some of our churches want a more hierarchical leadership which has not been our style,” he said, noting that MC Canada is being used as a scapegoat.

Representatives from the Spanish and Chinese communities also voiced their commitment to both levels of conference. Jorge Hoajaca, pastor at First United Spanish Mennonite in Vancouver, said, “It’s clear to me where MC Canada stands. We don’t want to detract from the main task of the church.”

Comments from another speaker from First United Spanish Mennonite were translated into English: “In the Mennonite church there exist different cultures and different positions on homosexuality. We understand what the word of God teaches and what the Confession of Faith teaches. Let’s…look back on the history of the Mennonite church; let’s try to live the life of the martyrs of our faith. We need to pray and let the Spirit of God direct the churches.”

Billy Chieu from Vancouver Chinese Mennonite church said: “The majority of our deacons want to be part of MC British Columbia and MC Canada.”

MC British Columbia executive will process the information from the listening meetings and prepare for an extraordinary meeting of delegates on November 29. On that date a budget will be passed.

“I’ve been encouraged by the seriousness with which churches have addressed this,” said Epp. “I’ve been encouraged by the turnout and the diverse perspectives shared.”— Angelika Dawson

Delegates tackle program changes in Manitoba

Photo: Henry Wieler, John Hildebrand, and Sig Falk from Crystal City Mennonite Church discuss program changes.

Plum Coulee, Man.


Delegates of Mennonite Church Manitoba came to a special session here on October 18 anxious to debate proposed program changes and the process of decision-making within the conference.

Among the pressing issues was the MC Manitoba Board’s decision to cut back funding for Canadian Mennonite subscriptions.

Although 38 of the 48 congregations were represented, the number of delegates was not sufficient to make legally binding decisions. So the Board took the opportunity to listen to delegates’ frustrations and fears about the direction of the conference. Many congregations had studied the issues, and several came with resolutions.

On July 1, the Board had increased the director of Evangelism and Service position from half to full time. That required funding cuts elsewhere, especially since donations were well behind budget. Funding to the Canadian Mennonite subscription plan was reduced by 50 percent, effective July 1, and the Resource Development position was terminated on July 31.

Proposed actions included ending the Abundant Life radio program and recording engineer’s position (part of the Faith and Life program), and continuing the reduction in funding for Canadian Mennonite. The proposal also included additional resources for a Church Community Building Ministry that would consolidate communications and promotion.

Some of these actions struck close to the hearts of delegates, especially changes to Faith and Life programs and to Canadian Mennonite.

“It’s hard to believe we make decisions to go ahead with evangelism at the same time cutting two programs doing evangelism—Faith and Life and hospital chaplaincy,” said Len Wiebe of Charleswood Mennonite, referring to the earlier termination of the hospital chaplain coordinator position.

Board member Hugo Peters explained, “The chaplaincy program is going forward” on a volunteer basis.

“I am annoyed and sad,” said Franz Wiebe of First Mennonite, especially because “the decisions of the conference seem to hinge on finances only.”

David Schroeder, Charleswood Mennonite, said a structure which enables the board to make decisions without church input is problematic.

“We’ll be crucifying some of our best leaders repeatedly under the present structure,” he said. “We have to move things back to the delegate body taking responsibility.”

Others felt the new structure needs more time.

“The problem is we haven’t given it a chance,” said Bernie Wiebe, former moderator. “I would like to see us rethink this second set of cuts.”

The Board’s resolution to adopt its redefinition of MC Manitoba’s ministries was not voted on. Two budget proposals could also not be voted on. Delegates commended the Board for the three-year budget planning but voiced concern over ratifying budget when program details are still unclear.

The Canadian Mennonite prompted some of the most heated discussion. Paul Krahn of Altona Mennonite Church suggested that evangelism should come from the churches, but that communication needs to come from the top. Therefore he encouraged full funding to continue.

Mike Wolfe from Rosenfeld said the magazine is causing serious problems in his church.

“We need a publication but someone needs to get hold of the editorial content,” he said.
A resolution to reinstate full funding to the Canadian Mennonite for 2003 was passed. A resolution asking for interim funding for Abundant Life while an option could be prepared was defeated, as was a resolution to review the new MC Manitoba structure.

The Board will decide on how to proceed. Delegates reminded the Board of the Anabaptist notion of church in making decisions.

“The delegate body needs to vote on and take responsibility for policy, structure, budget and program initiatives,” said Helmut Harder.—Evelyn Rempel Petkau