Canadian Mennonite
Volume 12, No. 9
April 28, 2008


Viewpoints

Readers Write

We welcome your comments and publish most letters sent by subscribers intended for publication. Respecting our theology of the priesthood of all believers and of the importance of the faith community discernment process, this section is a largely open forum for the sharing of views. Letters are the opinion of the writer only—publication does not mean endorsement by the magazine or the church. Letters should be brief and address issues rather than individuals.

Please send letters to be considered for publication to letters@canadianmennonite.org or by postal mail or fax, marked “Attn: Readers Write” (our address is on page 3). Letters should include the author’s contact information and mailing address. Letters are edited for length, style and adherence to editorial guidelines.

Canada’s war in Afghanistan sadly mirrors U.S. war in Vietnam

We lived in Elkhart, Ind., in 1968-69 when the U.S. was involved in Vietnam. At that time an article appeared in the Elkhart Truth about a letter written by Air Force Major Victor Colasuonno to a Grade 4 class in Wichita, Kan., where his son was a student. The letter, which was read to the entire school after the major was killed in action in 1969, included the words, “War is all the horrible things a human being can do to another human being because he has not learned to love,” and that if people learn to love, “there would be no wars, for man does not hurt what he loves.”

The last statement by the major, “Perhaps your generation can accomplish this—it seems that mine has failed,” came to my mind during these years of war in Afghanistan. I see little patriotism or any other legitimate motive for the present war. We are being duped by the manufacturers of armaments who find war a very lucrative business.

My way of seeing the whole matter is that war is being glamorized and we are worshipping the twin gods of Mars and Mammon.

Peter Unger, Abbotsford, B.C.

Too much farm money heads to the city and never returns

In the ongoing discussion about farming and the problems associated with agriculture (“The state of Mennonite farming today,” Nov. 12, 2007, page 4), the area of wealth and how it is retained—or not—in the region from which it is generated is given little attention.

Farmers generate a lot of money in gross dollars on their farms. However, the majority of the money that farmers create is spent on fixed and variable input costs—items such as machinery, fertilizer, fuel, crop protection, interest and insurance—items that often come from far away.

Most of that money goes to, and is then re-used, in cities, never to be circulated in the rural farm communities where it was generated. Because a city’s economy is more diverse than a rural economy, the interest and insurance income that the banks earn is turned over several times within any given city. In a sense, this is free money for cities, or at least a transfer of wealth.

My intent is not to blame farmers or cities for the situation that agriculture is in. But in my mind, the transfer of wealth away from rural areas is a major contributor. Retaining more of those “gross dollars” down on the farm would, if nothing else, create some jobs in the rural area, so that if the farmer’s son or daughter chooses not to farm there would be another opportunity for them.

Bob Siemens, Rosetown, Sask.

Alternatives to not paying a Canadian ‘war tax’ suggested

It is commendable for Benno Barg to be concerned about military activities being carried out on our behalf by our government (“Mennonites must quit paying for Canada to go to war,” March 17, page 9).

To obtain effective political action on this issue, though, we need to draw in enough Canadian voters that our politicians begin to take note. Withholding 8 percent of our taxes will not achieve such a political end. It will be dismissed by other Canadians as a few pacifist wimps seeking a tax dodge.

To be credible, political action needs to demonstrate that advocates for a cause are prepared to pay a price for their convictions. Going to court, paying a fine or being sentenced to jail for withholding war taxes is paying a price, but I am not convinced it would draw much public sympathy.

One alternative pursued by some is to reduce their taxable income to the point that no taxes are paid. This is commendable, but is not a viable option for most people with jobs and for people with defined pension benefits.

Another possible option is to inform the government and the public that we express our opposition to current war efforts by donating an additional amount to a cause engaged in peacekeeping. If such a cause can issue charitable donation tax receipts, each person can work out the additional donation required to reduce taxes paid by 8 percent.

This form of sacrifice actively works for peace and has, I believe, a better chance of drawing in other Canadians to a worthy cause.

Henry Rempel, Winnipeg

Only reduction in demand will stop Alberta oil sands development

Re: Lorne Buhr’s Feb. 18 letter to the editor, “Is Alberta oil resource development a golden calf?” (page 10), written in response to the Jan. 7 feature article, “The root of much good? A tale of Mennonite money” (page 4).

Although the oil sands are certainly leaving their mark on our environment, these companies are only responding to an insatiable need of North American people for oil. It is also the people who then complain louder with every extra penny we must pay at the pump. Only when we say we will pay the price for cleaner energy—or reduce our demand—will the market respond.

I believe that the contribution of Mennonite and other Christian employees of these companies have a much louder voice than those who simply walk away. This is the most effective method, in my opinion, to be a good steward.

Matthew Blatz, Edmonton

Celebration of a drug-free Easter banquet rates a ‘hallelujah’

I would like to share my experience at an Easter banquet I attended this year:

Most of the guests are recovering from drug addiction. They have collectively brought their nine small children along to help celebrate not only the risen Christ who redeemed but also freed them from their slavery to drugs.

No alcohol or foul language was needed for this party to be a success. It seemed like a church banquet.

The people gathered from many parts of the world—from China, Japan, the Philippines, Fiji, Trinidad, from Canada’s First Nations, and one who was smuggled out of the former Soviet Union many years ago.

The cook, a former restaurant chef, made a most delectable meal. After coming clean of drugs, he became a builder.

The hostess was a nurse. Since leaving drugs, she has worked at the famous Vancouver east side Insite centre, where drug users have access to clean facilities and clean needles.

Fortunately, none of these people have been in jail. Then the story could have been quite different; they could have become hardened criminals because prisons are filled with drugs. They might not have made new friends and thus would have missed the party.

As we got ready to eat and give thanks, all was quiet in solemn reverence. When I said “Amen,” 10 powerful voices responded with a resounding ‘’Amen!” For the meal, and to be rid of the drugs. Hallelujah!

Leonard W. Friesen, Surrey, B.C.

From Our Leaders

Come one, come all

Pam Peters-Pries

“At the crossroads: Promise and peril” is the theme—based on Deuteronomy 4:1-9—for a special event that will take place in Winnipeg this July. Following the annual Mennonite Church Canada delegate assembly, folks from across MC Canada and MC USA are invited to gather together for a “People’s Summit for Faithful Living” (July 8-10).

The two-and-a-half days of the People’s Summit are focused on worship, fellowship and learning. There are no reports, budgets, elections or resolutions. (That all happens at the MC Canada delegate assembly that takes place immediately before the People’s Summit.) While it would be stretching it to call the schedule “leisurely,” there are generous meal and coffee breaks to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Late night activities and an afternoon festival and barbecue will also increase the fun and fellowship factor.

Anyone who is interested may register to attend. You do not need to be invited or appointed by your congregation or area church. There are no “delegates” at the People’s Summit. We hope that youths, young adults and older adults from all across Canada and the U.S. will come together at this important event. There is a Kids Assembly for children from nursery to junior high (completing Grade 8 this year). And while anyone can come, everyone must register in advance!

The worship speakers are Tom and Christine Sine of Seattle, Wash., (see “Christian ‘futurists’ to speak at People’s Summit,” on page 36); April Yamasaki of Abbotsford, B.C.; and Conrad Grebel University College professor Tom Yoder Neufeld from Waterloo, Ont.

The seminars at the People’s Summit are organized into four learning tracks:

Participants may stay in one learning track for the entire People’s Summit or choose seminars from a variety of tracks. Seminar speakers include Elsie Rempel, Derek Suderman, Nelson Kraybill, Lee Schmucker, Harry Huebner, David Neufeld, Muriel Bechtel and Norman Meade.

The “Developing leaders for the church in today’s world” learning track takes the place of the annual MC Canada ministers conference, which normally precedes the annual delegate assembly. While this track has been planned with pastors and other leaders in mind, pastors attending the People’s Summit may choose semi-nars from any of the four learning tracks.

Late night activities and an afternoon festival and barbecue will increase the fun and fellowship factor.

The MC Canada delegate assembly runs from July 7-8. The People’s Summit opens after supper on July 8 and concludes with worship on the evening of July 10. All events take place at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg.

Information and registration forms for both the MC Canada delegate assembly and the People’s Summit are available at mennonitechurch.ca (follow the link on the right side of the home page) or by calling toll-free 1-866-888-6785. The early bird registration deadline is May 15. Advance registration is required for all participants at both events.

Pam Peters-Pries is the executive secretary of support services at Mennonite Church Canada.

Family Ties

A three-strike day

Melissa Miller

It’s good that the rules of baseball aren’t applied to my marriage. Especially the one that goes “Three strikes and you’re out!” Recently I had just such a three-strike day.

Strike one occurred when I kindly but firmly informed my husband that I was unwilling to accommodate his preferred activity for an upcoming weekend afternoon. I felt his unhappiness, but let it slide past me, convinced I had other obligations I needed to fulfill.

Later that day, he told me he was hungry and wondered how late the nearby grocery store was open. Confidently, I assured him it was open till 10. Sometime later he trudged back into the house, treat in hand, gloomily informing me the grocery store had closed at 9:30, and he’d had to visit two other places to satisfy his craving. Strike two.

The final strike involved an awkward conversation about the whereabouts of his hiking boots, which went something like this:

Husband: Honey, have you seen my hiking boots?

Me (wincing as a glimpse flickers through my brain, a glimpse of the contents of the last box I took to the thrift store): Uh . . . there were some boots like that in the basement, but I thought they were too small to be yours. I’ll go check to see if I can find them.”

After my basement search came up empty-handed, I reported back to him, “I may have taken something like that to the thrift store.”

For better or worse, it was late evening by then. I was glad the day was coming to an end. I mean, what happens if you have four strikes?

I was glad the day was coming to an end. I mean, what happens if you have four strikes?

The experience left me wondering about what rules do get applied to close family relationships. What guides our behaviour when there are disagreements, disappointments or conflicts?

Apparently humour, adaptability and the ability to control emotions are effective “rules” to put into place, according to marital researcher John Gottman and others.

First of all, a wife approaches her husband with humour and “low intensity,” meaning she speaks of the matter lightly, with a calm tone of voice. For his part, the successful conflict-management husband allows himself to be influenced by his wife; he takes into consideration what his wife is saying and adjusts his behaviour accordingly. Furthermore, he contains his own emotions in the face of his wife’s displeasure. He is able to stay cool with his own anger or defensiveness when his wife is upset.

From a Christian perspective, forbearance comes to mind as related to the above characteristics. According to Webster, to forbear means “to hold oneself back from, especially with an effort of self-restraint.” In older versions of the Bible, we find the word “forbearance” used in Ephesians 4:2 as a means to cultivate unity. Forbearing (in love) is right in there with humility, gentleness and patience as qualities that demonstrate Christians “lead[ing] a life worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called.”

Holding oneself back and practising self-restraint are good rules to put in place in the games families play. Better than three strikes and you’re out, that’s for sure!

Melissa Miller (familyties@mts.net) lives in Winnipeg, where she ponders family relationships as a pastor at Springstein Mennonite Church, a counsellor and an author.

God, Money and Me

Life insurance . . . yes or no?

A number of years ago, evangelist Billy Graham was asked whether he believed in purchasing life insurance. His response was quick and sure, “I most certainly do,” and he proceeded to quote I Timothy 5:8: “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

It has been said that there are only two certainties in life—death and taxes. If the time of death comes before old age, we will probably leave behind family members who need to be taken care of. Death does not relieve us of that responsibility.

Life insurance may be purchased for many reasons, including covering a debt like a car loan or mortgage. Most importantly, life insurance replaces a loss of income when a financial provider dies. Life insurance pays a tax-free benefit to the beneficiary that can be used to pay off debts or invested to provide income.

If the time of death comes before old age, we will probably leave behind family members who need to be taken care of.

There are really only two types of life insurance: permanent and temporary. Permanent insurance comes in two types:

Probably the simplest insurance to understand is temporary insurance, called term insurance:

One concept that is taught in many financial planning books is to buy term insurance in order to keep your costs down, and invest the difference you would have paid to purchase a higher-cost permanent policy. This way, when you don’t have a lot of savings, you “rent” money from the insurance company until you have had a chance to build up a nest egg over time.

Of course, there are many reasons to buy life insurance that I have not touched on here, including estate planning or charitable gift options, to name just two. I recommend that you explore life insurance for yourself and your family; speak with an insurance broker who has the ability to shop the insurance market and provide the best individualized solution for you.

Ed Wedel is a stewardship consultant at the Abbotsford, B.C., office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC). For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit mennofoundation.ca.


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