The Messenger Vol. 44 No. 6 March 22, 2006

Messenger The

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 44 NUMBER 6 MARCH 22, 2006

Who is an

EVANGELICAL?

The

Messenger

editorials

It doesn’t take a pacifist It doesn’t take a pacifist to be concerned about Child soldiers

EDITOR Terry M. Smith ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Buhler THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.

It is available to the general public.

Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire: inform concerning events and activities in the denomination; instruct in godliness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith.

Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. The views and opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors.

THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the Board of Church Ministries of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba.

Subscriptions: $12 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, total: $12.84).

Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. In cooperation with the EMC Conference Council, members and adherents pay through their church.

THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press.

Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba.

PAP Registration #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.

The magazine and its publisher, the Board of Church Ministries, are obligated to work within the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Mailing information: All correspondence, including undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: The Messenger 440 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 08 – April 19 (copy due April 7)

Landmines

Nuclear weapons

Rocket-propelled grenades

Biological weapons

Chemical weapons Genocide

Conscription Recruiting ads

Dead and wounded (civilians)

War crimes Soldiers deserting

Expanding military budgets Civil religion

Refugees

Military spin doctors

Hope

Suicide bombers

Military-industrial complex

Jesus and Caesar Reconstruction

Faith

Dead and wounded (soldiers)

Rejection of objection

War taxes

Cluster bombs

Treaty withdrawal

Stock answers

Development

Reconciliation

Peace Future

No, it doesn’t take a pacifist to be concerned. But it does take more than silence. How T does your congregation talk about such matters? M Terry M. Smith

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Set apart Christ as Lord

he Apostle Peter said, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15–16).

In the past 60 years the EMC has grasped again some of the urgency of the gospel. We’ve begun dozens of churches, sent hundreds of missionaries, entered new fields, formed alliances with mission organizations, and recognized value in working with other denominations.

About 78 per cent of our conference budget goes toward missions in Canada and elsewhere; and even within the remaining 22 per cent churches are assisted in our evangelistic calling. Christians are applying for career missionary service.

Young people and seniors are going on

work teams and short-term service.

The Church has the formidable task.

We need to go where we haven’t gone before, to interpret the faith in a fresh way to disciples in a changing culture, to reach people who have overheard the gospel, and to connect with people turned off by the waywardness of some disciples.

How well are we giving a reason for our hope? How well do we speak with gentleness and respect? How are we at living in the midst of slander?

Peter was conscious of stresses facing an imperfect, scattered Church. That’s partly why he reminded believers of our calling.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord…For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:15, 18).

Christ “died once for all.” Together with the wider Christian Church, the EMC’s T task goes on of ensuring that all hear. M Terry M. Smith THE MESSENGER

Celebration 2006 shows MDS and MEDA help Gulf Coast businesses As Mennonite Disaster Service Howard Good, MEDA’s vice president Christianity in action Following last year’s success, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada will platform Celebration 2006, a unique event when churches across the country share their love for God by acts of kindness—all performed at the same time. From May 27 to June 11 participating churches will be using creative ways to get out into their community and make a difference.

Churches are encouraged to come up with their own projects but the Celebration 2006 website highlights suggestions that were successful last year.

Whether it’s cleaning up the garbage in the local park, removing graffiti, washing windows, painting houses, Christians will be doing it for God and for the love of their community.

The possibilities are endless and can be custom fit to the church and the neighbourhood. Participants last year are enthusiastic to repeat the event but the EFC is hoping that the numbers will grow. One pastor said his congregation went into a low-income housing project and cleaned up 58 homes during a four week period: “Our people enjoyed natural ways to demonstrate and share their faith. There was an opportunity for everyone!”

Bruce Clemenger, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada said, “Last year’s event provided many ways for Christians to demonstrate their love.

Jesus told his followers to ‘Let your light shine.’ Imagine what a positive impact we can have in our local communities if many new churches join in this year.

Imagine the impact on our nation by working together like this.”

David Macfarlane, director of this national initiative, said, “Every church can join this two-week adventure. It can be an outburst of love and good deeds into your community that will reinvigorate your faith and change the way your neighbours view you and your church.”

Macfarlane believes that Celebration 2006 is a chance to “put feet to the gospel message” and an opportunity to mobilize individual churches while uniting the church in each area and across Canada.

Celebration 2006 will culminate with a live broadcast on CTS television on Sunday, June 11. Following this video clips, photographs and reports from churches in communities all across the nation will be posted on www.celebration2006.ca.

Churches can discover creative suggests that they might use and register for free at www.celebration2006.ca.

EFC

March 22, 2006

began the work of cleaning up and restoring housing for those affected by the hurricanes of 2005, several things quickly became apparent. Not only was the amount of work for MDS nearly overwhelming, but there were parts of the disaster beyond the expertise of the organization. People had not only lost their homes, but their businesses and work equipment. The question was asked, “What good is it to help people rebuild their homes, if there are no jobs?”

Part of answering this question is a recently announced grant of $450,000 (US) to Mennonite Economic Development Associates. For more than 50 years, MEDA has been an association of Christians in business and the professions committed to addressing human needs around the world through business-oriented economic development programs, and to applying biblical teachings in the marketplace.

At the recent MDS Board meeting, the board gave unanimous consent for MDS to provide a three-year grant for the MEDA Back to Business program in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. The grant will be used to respond immediately by helping business owners struggling to restart their businesses.

Business assistance clinics offering help with needed permits, strategic planning and market testing will be some of the first steps.

In addition, MEDA will have staff in New Orleans given the task of helping individuals’ access resources both locally and nationally. When specific needs are identified, MEDA members with expertise in the needed area will be drawn upon to provide consultation.

Plans also include working with local lending institutions to ensure that businesses not meeting conventional lending requirements can access the funds they need to get restarted. All of this will be done in cooperation with local churches, agencies and organizations to help MEDA and MDS understand the local situation. Rachel Hess, MEDA’s director of community economic development, will provide supervision of the developing program.

“By working together with MEDA, and other organizations, we can maintain our focus—providing volunteer labor to repair and rebuild housing damaged by the storms,” said Kevin King, MDS executive director.

for North American operations, commented, “By offering seed money to this effort, MDS provides opportunity for this important work to begin quickly.

We see frequent communication and cooperation as MDS helps families return to safe homes and MEDA assists business people to rebuild and provide goods, services and jobs to their communities.”

MDS/MEDA

coming events April 1 Pathways to Wholeness MCC Mental Health Day for people living with a mental illness, their friends and family Speakers: Horst Peters, Del Epp, Nigel Bart St. Benedict’s Retreat Centre Winnipeg, Man. 204-261-6381 or 888-622-6337 April 1 MDS Banquet Richmond Park Church Brandon, Man. Guest Speaker: Kevin King Executive Coordinator 866-261-1274 April 23 CMU Convocation Portage Avenue MB Church Winnipeg, Man. Speaker: Tim Yoder Neufeld 204-487-3300 or 877-231-4570 April 30 SBC Graduation Steinbach EMC Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451 May 14–15 Dialogue with the Emerging Church Providence Seminary Christian Leaders Day Speaker: Dr. Daniel I. Block 800-668-7768 or 204-433-7488 www.prov.ca June 2–3 Wild at Heart: Live in Canada Centre Street Church Calgary, Alta. www.wildatheartcanada.com July 7–9 EMC Annual Convention Speaker: Ron Sider Winnipeg, Man. 204-326-6401

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Who is an

t was helpful to be recently reminded of What Does it Mean to be a Christian? and Who is a Mennonite? So now, Who is an Evangelical?

Just over a half-century ago when the Kleine Gemeinde became the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, leaders identified this fellowship as both Evangelical and Mennonite. On occasion since, some have lamented that these two notions are somehow in tension. Why? No doubt motivations vary.

Defining a broad identity When I google evangelical I get 14,200,000 hits. These include churches, conferences, missions, schools or other ministries who manifest a wide array of characteristics, not all of which would be appreciated by today’s EMC. Hence, criticisms can easily arise. So which uses of evangelical are more authentic?

Let’s begin with the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), launched in 1846.

It describes itself as a global ministry “working with local churches around the world to join in common concern to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus in their communities.

“WEA is a network of churches in 121 nations that have each formed an evangelical alliance and over 100 international organizations joining together to give a worldwide identity, voice and platform…Seeking holiness, justice and renewal at every level of society—individual, family, community and culture, God is glorified and the nations of the earth are forever transformed.”

What unites WEA? “It is a unity based on the historic Christian faith expressed in the evangelical tradition. And it looks to the future with vision to accomplish God’s purposes in discipling the nations for Jesus Christ.”

In a 1998 article, WEA statesman Leon Morris answers what is meant by evangelical: “Evangelical derives from evangel: gospel. By definition an evangelical is someone concerned for the gospel. This means more than that he preaches the gospel now and then. It means that for him the gospel of Christ is central. It is…more than a subject of preaching. The gospel is at the centre of his thinking and living.”

Philip Yancey has described evangelicals world-wide as “a quirky and vibrant mosaic who are admired, mocked, praised and scorned all for

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THE MESSENGER

Evangelical?

Dr. Al Hiebert

good reason.” He says, “Many Americans view evangelicals as a monolithic voting bloc obsessed with a few moral issues.”

But Yancey goes on to stress in a Christianity Today article (June 2005), “They miss the vibrancy and enthusiasm, the good-newsness that the word evangelical represents in much of the world. Evangelicals in Africa bring food to prisoners, care for aids orphans, and operate mission schools that train many of that continent’s leaders. There, and in Asia and Latin America, evangelicals also manage microenterprise loan programs that allow families to buy a sewing machine or a flock of chickens.

“About a third of the world’s two billion Christians fall into a category to which the word evangelical applies, a large majority of whom live outside North America and Europe.”

Evangelicals in Canada In 2003 the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, of which the EMC is a member,

March , 006

sponsored an Ipsos-Reid survey which found that 19 percent of Canadians (some six million) can be regarded as evangelical (12 percent of Canadians are evangelical Protestants and 7 percent of Canadians are evangelical Catholics) on the basis of respondents’ replies to six key criteria. These included agreement with the following: · I believe that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God provided the way for the forgiveness of my sins; · I believe the Bible to be the word of God and is reliable and trustworthy; and · I have committed my life to Christ and consider myself to be a converted Christian.

Next, respondents needed to disagree with these statements: · The concept of God is an old superstition that is no longer needed to explain things in these modern times; and · In my view, Jesus Christ was not the divine Son of God.

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The sixth criterion was respondents’ weekly church attendance.

The 2003 responses were compared with 1993 Canadian responses collected by Angus Reid in collaboration with George Rawlyk.

The 1993 data indicated that 16 percent of Canadians were regarded as evangelical on the same criteria (a 3 percent rise during the past decade of population growth).

Rawlyk says, “Obviously, any funeral planned for Canadian Christianity or for Canadian evangelicalism is premature” (Is Jesus Your Personal Saviour? In Search of Canadian Evangelicals in the 1990s, McGillQueens University Press, p. 116).

Philip Yancey has described evangelicals worldwide as “a quirky and vibrant mosaic who are admired, mocked, praised and scorned all for good reason.”

Though only 19 percent of the 2003 respondents scored as evangelical on all six criteria, the percentage of Canadians who agree with the “forgiveness through Christ” statement rose from 61 percent in 1993 to 66 percent in 2003.

In that ten-year period, the proportion of Canada’s growing population who agree with “committed life to Christ” rose from 29 to 44 percent. Still the percentages of those who agree that Jesus is the Son of God declined from 84 to 76 percent, and the percentages of those who agree that God is not an old superstition declined slightly from 78 to 76 percent.

Note how these continued major proportions do not reflect the “Canadian values” projected by our cultural elites. This underscores their lack of awareness of Canadian grassroots evangelical Christianity, including the EMC. In those ten years, the percentage

of those surveyed who attend church weekly declined from 23 to 19 percent. In terms of percentage out of national populations as a whole, Canada with Protestant evangelicals at 12 percent ranks third in the world after the United States (33 percent) and South Africa (28 percent).

David Bebbington identifies four “special marks” of Evangelical religion: “Conversionism, the belief that lives need to be changed; activism, the expression of the gospel in effort; biblicism, a particular regard for the Bible; and what may be called crucicentrism, a stress on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.”

The Evangelical Theological Society has an even simpler doctrinal basis: “The Bible alone, and the Bible in its entirety, is the Word of God written and is therefore inerrant in the autographs. God is a Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each an uncreated person, one in essence, equal in power and glory.”

No tension with Mennonite Clearly there are many Christians and many Mennonites in today’s world who would reject some aspects of such doctrinal bases. In my view, by their so-doing they locate themselves outside of a responsible understanding of who is an evangelical, regardless of what they might call their churches or organizations.

The EMC identifies itself as Evangelical. For me there is no tension here with also being Mennonite. As large and complex as the Mennonite and Evangelical movements are within Christianity, we can understand that tensions would arise between them on peripheral issues. Such tension need not detract from their essential unity at their cores as indicated in three brief magazine articles.

In a 1937 Mennonite Quarterly Review article during the incubation of his landmark The Anabaptist Vision, Goshen College dean Harold S. Bender described the theology and piety of the Mennonites in the late 1930s as follows: “All the American groups without exception stand upon a platform of conservative evangelicalism in theology, being thoroughly orthodox in the great fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith such as the unity of the Godhead, the true deity of Christ, the atonement by the shedding of blood, the plenary inspiration and divine authority of the Holy Scriptures as the word of God. “Neither the eighteenth-century rationalistic moralism of the Enlightenment, nor the modern religious liberalism of the nineteenth century, has had any significant effect upon their thinking, in spite of the fact that individuals here and there have adopted unorthodox views.”

Sadly some recent Anabaptist scholars have become too infected by the contemporary spirit of liberal and postmodern theologies. The EMC T needs to be vigilant of such. M Al Hiebert, Ph.D., is an ordained EMC minister. He taught 28 years at Providence College (about 12 of which he also taught at Providence Theological Seminary) at Otterburne, Man.; and nine years at Briercrest Seminary at Caronport, Sask.

THE MESSENGER

Pham Ngoc Thach released from prison Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach was released from prison in Vietnam early Friday morning, March 3. He was the last of the Mennonite Six to gain his freedom.

An incident on March 2, 2004, involving undercover security agents led to the arrest of the six at various times over the next several months. They were charged with “hindering officials from carrying out their duties.” All six were convicted by a Ho Chi Minh City court in November 2004 and sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few months to three years.

Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang was sentenced to three years but was granted

Pham Ngoc Thach being embraced by his father, Pham Van Khanh

amnesty and released in August 2005. The other four persons were released earlier.

All six persons consistently denied that they had violated Vietnamese laws.

Thach, 35, was an assistant to Pastor Quang and served as head of the church’s evangelism committee. More than a dozen persons from the Vietnam Mennonite Church led by Pastor Quang went to the Z30A Xuan Loc prison in Dong Nai province east of Ho Chi Minh City to welcome Thach. His father Pham Van Khanh and an aunt accompanied them.

Thach was overjoyed to meet his family and the church leaders.

Thach served out his full two-year sentence. He was mistreated during interrogations, and was often beaten by criminals in the prison. The other five who were imprisoned have experienced ongoing heath problems since their release.

The Vietnamese Mennonite Church believes that the concerns expressed by other governments and by international organizations played a role in the release of all the imprisoned church leaders.

The administrative committee of the church expresses thanks to all who prayed for and supported the persons imprisoned.

MWC

Educational Journal being developed Feel the need for a little more in-depth dialogue on educational theological concerns? Want to express your convictions in a format geared for the scholastic writer inside of you?

The EMC, through its Board of Church Ministries, is establishing a journal to provide a forum for educational theological essays, book reviews, and articles written by you, the EMC minister, leader, member or adherent.

Our goal is to publish this first journal in late fall of 2006. Neither the editor nor the contributors get any payment beyond the pleasure of seeing EMC discussion in print. Publication of individual material, sadly, cannot be guaranteed.

You are encouraged to contact the journal editor, Rev. Darryl Klassen, about publication requirements and are welcome to submit your work to him at Box 344, Kleefeld, MB R0A 0V0 or kemc@mts.net.

Advocacy could help Zimbabwe, says church leader Danisa Ndlovu passed through New York City in November 2005 and described the gravity of the current situation in Zimbabwe. Ndlovu, Mennonite World Conference vice-president and Brethren in Christ bishop from Bulawayo, came at the invitation of the International Crisis Group (ICG) to meet with colleagues from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Ndlovu named corruption, the lack of the rule of law, the government’s seizure of land (mainly from white farmers) and its chaotic redistribution, laws passed to silence government critics and the need for constitutional reform as some of the governance crises in his country.

“The current regime is using what one may call ‘political muscle by the ruling class’ which seeks to protect their political interests,” he said.

The country’s economy is crumbling, according to Ndlovu. There is insufficient production of goods for local consumption let alone for export to bring in foreign currency. Basic commodities, including food, are in short supply and priced out of the reach of ordinary folk and the

March 22, 2006

government has been reluctant to allow non-government organizations (NGOs) to distribute food aid.

The industrial collapse has resulted in an unemployment rate of around 85 percent. Inflation hit 411 percent in October and the Central Bank devalued the Zimbabwe dollar to 60,000 to one U.S. dollar. The parallel market rate was 100,000 to one.

The two major political parties, the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), long in serious conflict with each other, are now also facing internal conflicts and disagreements.

Municipal governments have little or no power to deal with numerous social crises, explained Ndlovu. The Murambatsvina (Operation Drive Out Trash) of a few months ago affected at least 700,000 people, leaving most of them without shelter or livelihood or both. At least 2,000 people die each month of HIV/ AIDS-related illnesses, leaving thousands of orphans.

While Ndlovu expressed appreciation

for international funds that have poured into his country, he added, “These efforts have not significantly changed the situation for the ordinary person.”

Ndlovu suggested several “advocacy actions” to the ICG that could bring change: Involve civic groups, professionals, churches and individuals in a collective, united approach; build capacity in organizations dealing with political and socio-economic issues; have peers review United Nations, African Union and Southern Africa Development Community treaties that the government of Zimbabwe has signed; pray for Zimbabwe; and use the report of the UN’s special envoy to Zimbabwe as an entry point for advocacy and lobbying.

ICG is an independent, non-profit organization that works with governments and those who influence them, including the media. ICG works through fieldbased analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve conflict and to bring recommendations to policy-makers around the world.

MWC

PaciďŹ sm: The road less traveled

Abe Warkentin

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken

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THE MESSENGER

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have never had any difficulty I have more books in my personal library on subjects with the Evangelical or even the concerning non-resistance and pacifism than any other subject.

Conference part of our conference Some are heavy reading. The biggest book—the Martyr’s Mirror— name, but I have struggled a is also heavy lifting (about six pounds) and it contains individual lot over the Mennonite and I have accounts of our forefathers who often went to their deaths sometimes challenged some of our singing hymns. There are hundreds of individual accounts— conference leaders on this. gripping, faith-building stories that will move the hardest heart.

I would say: “We should drop the That is, if they are read.

Mennonite in our acronym because we It is those stories and others—even more personal—that have are not really a Mennonite conference kept my interest and concern in this subject alive. at all; it is only a name we have carried Mennonite leader Menno Simons stated that a faithful church with us from another time.” should expect persecution. That may sound foreign to us today, And they would argue with me that but it didn’t to our fathers and grandfathers. we were really a Mennonite conference John Wesley Edwards, a Member of Parliament for Frontenac and I would say said the following in the House of Commons provocative things in 1919: “If there are in the United States or A lot of EMCers do not feel the like: “In reality we’re Europe people of any class, whether they be no different from Mennonite name is important. called Mennonites, Hutterites, or any other other evangelical kind of ‘ites’, we do not want them to come to Some even feel it should be churches and when Canada…if they are willing to allow others to dropped. That disappoints me it comes right down do their fighting for them…We certainly do not to it, many of our greatly. It would be a little like want that kind of cattle in this country.” members do not This statement reflected the mood of the pretending the Reformation know Anabaptist country following World War One. Mennonites from Baptist. They were not welcome here and for a while they, never happened. see Mennonite as a Hutterites and Doukhobors were prohibited cultural or ethnic thing and have no from entering Canada. They were the least desirable citizens. For grasp of non-resistance and pacifism. If awhile even German papers, including the Steinbach Post, were we don’t teach it, we can’t claim it.” forced to cease publication.

I enjoyed those discussions but, Wilmer Penner, in his play The Lions of Steinbach presented quite aside from the good natured to packed southern Manitoba audiences last year, gave great banter, I was quite serious and in my attention to the struggles of Steinbach founding families’ dilemma opinion I had very good reason to regarding military service. be. I taught Sunday school for quite a Those families, whose young sons had to give an accounting while and the material I was given was of their faith in front of a tough judge before being granted definitely not Mennonite. Quite to the conscientious objector status. What a far cry from today when contrary. And that has not changed. the military is attracting young men raised in our churches.

A lot of EMCers do not feel the “Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the Mennonite name is important. Some sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably even feel it should be dropped. That with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of disappoints me greatly. I would have no God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ problem with switching the Mennonite No, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; to Anabaptist, but to throw out the for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be teaching which the name implies? That overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17–21). would be a little like pretending the We are called to be peacemakers. That is our mission. To deny Reformation never happened. that is to take the scissors to the Gospels.

The truth of the matter is, generally We stand at a crossroads today. The EMC has traditionally speaking, we do not know our own looked elsewhere than its own roots for renewal or history and that is a great travesty. direction, beginning with John Holdeman and then American Around 4,000 of our forebears were fundamentalist evangelists. drowned, burned at the stake or killed If that trend continues and we buy into the American megain other ways in the sixteenth and church model with even more charismatic worship styles and seventeenth centuries. They sought acceptance of the merger of church and state, we will proceed to complete the Reformation begun on a downward slope, far away from our roots. Our name will not T

by Martin Luther in the ethic of love stand. We will not have taken the road less traveled. M and non-resistance which excluded all warfare, strife, violence and the taking Abe Warkentin has served as editor of The Carillon and Die of human life.

Mennonitische Post, both newspapers produced in Steinbach, Man. March , 006

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with our missionaries Burkina Faso

A day decades in coming!

The melodic sounds of two balafons, with accompanying drumming, spread through the village of Tin. Music could be heard throughout the surrounding countryside, informing the population of an exciting event about to take place.

Men and women, children and young people, streamed toward the school grounds of the village of Tin, many of them wearing matching blue patterned outfits. One bus, a few cars, some motorcycles, and many bicycles brought guests from each of the seven Siamou villages.

The date was Sunday, January 29, 2006, and finally the Siamou Literacy Celebration was becoming a reality.

When all the dignitaries were seated in the shade of the canvas-roofed structure, the speeches began. The mayor of Orodara city, a government literacy program representative, an old Siamou chief, village of Tin representatives, and Lillian Haas (a translation and literacy co-worker) all spoke to express their joy and thankfulness that the Siamou language had finally become written.

This was followed by the presentation of Literacy Proficiency Certificates to 15 people who had learned to read and write Siamou. Ten elders from Tin watched and listened with pride and admiration as their sons and grandsons received their certificates. Old men danced and old women sang, celebrating the joy of beginning Siamou literacy.

After the ceremony, people flock to Lillian’s table where she was selling Siamou books. For the first time in history, Siamou books were available. On the table there were also booklets of the

Lillian Haas stands with the proud recipients of the Literacy Proficiency Certificates.

stories of Adam and Eve and of Genesis one to five. For the first time, some chapters of God’s Word were translated into their mother tongue and available to be purchased and read.

This was a day that Siamou had anticipated for decades, and one that Paul and Lois Thiessen had dreamed of for 20 years. It was the culmination of six years of hard work by Lillian Haas.

Traore Souleymane, the Siamou Bible translator, had worked diligently to make this celebration a success.

It was almost entirely financed by Siamou. They had collected money in each of the villages to cover the cost of renting chairs, transportation to Tin, making banners to welcome the quests, renting the loudspeaker system, and serving food to all who had come.

How will literacy in their language benefit the Siamou? It will help preserve

Siamou women sing at the Siamous Literacy Celebration.

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a language that is dying and to preserve historical stories and traditional fables in Siamou. Adults who have never had a chance to attend school will learn to read and write in Siamou. People who had to go to a public secretary to get their letters written for them in another language will now be able to write letters themselves. Most importantly, this will make it possible for them to read God’s Word in their mother tongue.

Translation of God’s Word into Siamou continues. The stories of Noah and Joseph were the first of the Genesis stories to be translated. With the creation account completed, work is now progressing on the Abraham chapters. When the stories of Isaac and Jacob are done, all of the selected passages of Genesis will be finished. This is the beginning of giving Siamou a foundation for understanding who God is.

Our plans are to continue translating selected passages from the Old Testament, followed by stories around the teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There have been many obstacles and countless setbacks in this work. But God is faithful and he is preparing the way for building His Kingdom among the Siamou.

Paul Thiessen Paul and Lois Thiessen (Blumenort) arrived in Burkina Faso in 1984. Since then they have been involved in literacy and Bible translation ministries, serving with Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission.

THE MESSENGER

Grand Rapids, Man.

Opportunities to teach

Recently my friend Roland lost his Dad. Bill was over 79 years old when he died. We had the wake in his house— the way it used to be. It gave me the opportunity to be there for my friend’s family and to also preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

Wakes are an important way to share the love of God with people in Grand Rapids. It is often through wakes that people hear the message of salvation.

Another part of our ministry here in Grand Rapids—besides preaching and visiting—is Vacation Bible School. Each year groups from southern Manitoba and the United States come to volunteer their time to tell the kids of Grand Rapids about Jesus. Our prayers for enough volunteers were answered. This year we

will have gym nights for older kids in the evening.

Please pray for this important ministry.

The enemy tried to cause trouble among one of the volunteer organizations that always sends workers for VBS. We will need Sunday school teachers to teach children about Jesus all yearround. Thank God for VBS and Bible camps.

Our Bible studies came to a halt during the summer months because of poor attendance. I am looking forward to starting them up again.

In all the challenges we face, we are confident that God is able and faithful in providing for us spiritually and financially because He promised.

Fred and Stella Neff

Fred and Stella Neff are a pastoral couple in Grand Rapids, Man., serving under Continental Mission. Grand Rapids is Stella’s home community.

with our churches

An evening in Paris

Steinbach, Man.: The evening of February 13 was one of beauty for couples of Steinbach EMC. It was an evening in which we chose to celebrate marriage. Our fellowship hall was turned into a cozy bistro under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. With the twinkling lights in the trees, the candlelit tables and the romantic French music, you would have thought that we were in Paris, the city of love.

Our resident French chef Gil Drolet delighted us with his tasty cuisine. To signify the servant roles we each play in a marriage, the husbands brought their wives dinner, while later on the evening the wives returned to their tables with delectable desserts for their husbands and themselves.

The night air was filled with laughter and encouraging words for us all.

Marriage Moments were woven through the evening as four couples told us what keeps their marriage fresh and in good working order. We laughed along with couples as they played the Not So NewlyWed Game—communication is what it’s all about.

And then the music. Ah, the music!

Our new music minister Kyle Friesen serenaded us with a beautiful French song; his mustache preferred the ground at his feet to his upper lip.

March 22, 2006

Dale and Shannon Sawatzky sang of the little realities of marriage, such as dirty laundry. Very entertaining!

Our evening was completed with a blessing of our church families’ marriages by Pastor Tom Warner. Then each husband presented his wife with a single rose.

This beautiful evening serves to remind us that marriage is important to God, to us, and to our children. It is something that needs to be nurtured.

A strong marriage is a beautiful legacy we can leave our children. Dating after marriage is an important part of life. Isn’t it time you spent some time together for yourselves and your children?

Valrae Epp Women’s Ministries

An evening in Paris held at Steinbach EMC included delectable desserts (above) and the Not So Newly-Wed Game (right).

11

Christmas in a dairy barn?

Good News (Steinbach, Man.): The attendees of Good News Community Church drive out to a Landmark area dairy farm. It is 8:15 p.m. on December 25.

There’s a star-studded black sky. From out of five vehicles come Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men, and angels.

Mary and Joseph knock on the front door, and there is no room for this unmarried expecting couple. I’m not going to damage my business by having my prosperous clients see me take this kind into my inn, thinks the innkeeper.

However, he does have a heart and leads them, braving icy winds, around back to the barn. Mary and Joseph are glad to be out of the cold and to have a place to rest. One of the Wise Men comments on the smell.

With the noise of about forty calves in the background, Luke 2 comes to life.

Singing. Scripture. Thoughts of Mary actually giving birth in a place like this.

No doctor, no nurse, no drugs. Boy, aren’t we glad Jesus wasn’t a breach birth or that Mary didn’t need a C-section!

Why is it that most of us are either snuggled in our warm beds or sitting in our nice pews on Christmas morning and S T E I N B A C H

B I B L E

C O L L E G E

right here right now

Come to Discovery Days March 29-30 call Michelle for details 1.800.230.8478 www.sbcollege.ca

1

SBC Alumni Good News Community Church celebrated Christmas in a dairy barn in the Landmark area.

then we wonder why we’re not feeling connected with Mary and Joseph’s plight? I mean, seriously, riding a donkey while nine months pregnant and a long journey to Bethlehem. When is the last time any of us walked more than two blocks in town?

Okay, so Jesus was born in a barn surrounded by animals. It all worked out in the end. So what difference does it make? Who is this Jesus? Jesus is the Creator of the universe, yet came to earth as a helpless baby. Jesus, presumed son of a carpenter, came into his own as the living Christ. Jesus beaten and crucified.

Jesus risen and living!

The difference: Who did you share your Christmas with this year? How did your relationship with Jesus influence how you gave presents? Did you make school kits, shoeboxes, or buy an animal for a family in a Third World country?

Did you purposely talk to someone you hadn’t met before? Instead of griping about someone’s not quite right outfit, were you glad that they came to church to praise God with others?

Can we remember to behave like the Christians we should be instead of like the innkeepers in Bethlehem? Can we be or do what someone else needs this year? Can we get over our selfishness, our pride, and all of the other baggage in our lives in order to truly be the light in our world that Jesus wants us to be?

Let’s get out of our box! And, yes, that box is our churches and our homes. Let’s have a friendship with someone who doesn’t go to church or doesn’t even believe in God at all. Let’s live a life that shouts: Hope.

And let it begin with me.

Julie Friesen

Connect with college friends by attending these events!

SBCFamily Alumni Swim at the

March 11

Steinbach Aquatic

Centrecollege from 6–9 pm.

Connect with friends Donations for a special by attending these events! project gratefully accepted.

Family at Brunch the AnnualSwim Alumni Steinbach

SBC DiningAquatic Room at

Centream. from 6–9 pm.

10:30 Donations for a special Call 204-326-6451 to

project gratefully accepted. reserve. Tickets $10 April 29 Annual Alumni Brunch Alumni Reunions BeingRoom Planned SBC Dining at

10:30 am.

Class of ‘56 Call 204-326-6451 to

Contact Mrs. Bernie Plett, 5 Robin Place, reserve. $10 Steinbach, MB R5G 2C8Tickets • 204-346-9789 Class of ‘71 Alumni Planned Contact Bill &Reunions Florence Being Thiessen 204-377-4464 or billthie@hsd.ca Class of ‘56 March 11 April 29

Contact Mrs. Bernie Plett, 5 Robin Place, PTH R5G 12 N •2C8 Steinbach, MB • R5G 1T4 Steinbach,50MB • 204-346-9789 info@sbcollege.ca • www.sbcollege.ca Class of ‘71 Contact Bill & Florence Thiessen 204-377-4464 or billthie@hsd.ca

Attention children’s ministry 50 PTH 12 N • Steinbach, MB • R5G 1T4 coordinators! info@sbcollege.ca • www.sbcollege.ca

Steinbach EMC has several VBS kits available: Sonlight Island Treasures of the Nile Jesus to the Rescue Faith Mountain Lava, Lava Island Road Rally

SBC Alum

Connect with college by att SBCfriends Alum

March 11 Family Swim at the April 29 Each kit contains leader’s manuals, Steinbach Aquatic

student worksheets, craft samples, from 6–9 and pm. recruitment andCentre training videos, more.Donations for a special project accepted.

March 11 gratefully Family Swim at the April 29 For information call Anna Plett Steinbach Aquatic

at 204-326-6572.

Being P Centre Alumni from 6–9Reunions pm.

Connect with college friends by att

Class Donations of ‘56 for a special project accepted.

Contact Mrs.gratefully Bernie Plett, 5 Robin Place, Steinbach, M THE MESSENGER Class of ‘71

Alumni Reunions Being P

Anola Fellowship Chapel has a new pastor Anola, Man.: We recently welcomed Pastor Wally Frank, his wife Edie, and their two children, Nadene and Glendon.

They have moved to Anola all the way from Estevan, Sask., to pastor our church.

The installation service for Wally and Edie, Nadene and Glendon was held on January 15, 2006.

Not long after, Pastor Wally made a guest appearance in the senior high Sunday school class. They quizzed him on everything they could think of, both trivial and serious. The group found out that: • Pastor Wally collects books on theology (surprise, surprise!).

• He gave his first sermon at age 17.

• He used to deliver pizza.

• He used to teach canoeing.

• He played timpani in high school.

• He drives very fast and would rather pass a vehicle than follow it.

• He coaches basketball at the Anola school.

We are very thankful that God has sent the Frank family to Anola Fellowship Chapel. We look forward to the work that the Holy Spirit will do in our church

through the change that comes with having a new pastor.

Jessica Wichers

Anola’s new pastoral family: Edie , Nadene, Pastor Wally, and Glendon Frank.

Church secretary, transfers, and baptism Braeside (Winnipeg, Man.): Church secretaries work largely behind the scenes, but they provide the first line of greeting at the church during the week.

Frieda Friesen, our dependable, efficient and friendly secretary, has worked at Braeside for “many years.”

She is somewhat secretive about the exact number, but it spans the terms of at least four of Braeside’s pastors.

Her job includes, among many other responsibilities, answering the phone, making coffee, and preparing the Sunday bulletin. Frieda is married to Gerald.

Their daughter Annabelle recently served as a missionary in Paraguay.

Al Dueck

During a Sunday morning service in December 2005 at Braeside, seven people were received as members through transfer: Shana Kroeker, Wendell Heppner, Vilma Aldana, Arnie Pries, Wilma Pries, and Aldo Rodriguez (missing is Aldo’s wife Miriam who also joined by transfer). Nikki Irvine (right) was received by baptism.

Burton and Elma Johnston (left) also transferred their membership to Braeside in December. Although Elma joined the other participants during the membership service on Sunday, she was also very much a part of Burton’s transfer later in the week. Burton, who uses a wheelchair, is “confined” physically only. His commitment to Jesus gives him freedom to express his faith verbally, with a smile and a sense of humour.

March , 006

Frieda Friesen

1

Roseisle brings in new year Roseisle, Man.: Our Region 6 Missions Conference was held on November 4–6, 2005. Our regular Sunday morning service was cancelled and everyone was encouraged to attend the service in Morris.

We were excited to once again participate in Operation Christmas Child.

On November 19 the Ladies Fellowship planned an adult/college and career bowling night for our annual Christmas party. We enjoyed a couple games, including one of bingo bowling. Food was plentiful.

We had a communion and foot washing service on Sunday morning, November 20. A potluck lunch followed.

The Ladies Fellowship had our gift exchange and drew new names for 2006 on December 5. A few games were planned as well as a short devotional.

Our taste buds were delighted with six kinds of cheesecake.

Our annual Advent Festival was held on December 11. Pizza was on the supper agenda. As well, each table entertained us with less traditional Christmas songs and actions. Most of the participants took part in caroling around the hamlet of Roseisle. Later that night everyone

gathered around to share Christmas memories and to light their family candle.

Our Christmas program was held on December 23. Each class presented an individual item, from skits to special music with actions. For the first time in many years we had a choir for youth and older conducted by Karen Lesser; we prepared and presented three numbers.

On News Year’s Eve everyone was invited to the church for group games followed by a short program with voluntary items. Table games and food was arranged for the rest of the night. Right before midnight Pastor Kelly Lesser gathered everyone and prayed for God’s continued blessing in the New Year.

Lyndsey Bourgeois

Roseisle’s Christmas program was held December 23. Each class presented a different item.

Birch River people are a hardy bunch!

Birch River, Man.: Last June, on a cold, windy, damp day at Steeprock Lake, our church met for our annual lakeside service even though the weather virtually screamed at us to stay indoors.

We huddled in our lawn chairs covered with sleeping bags and picnic blankets while Pastor Ferlin Abrahamson gave a short devotional.

We then headed down to the lake for Michael Plett’s baptism. In a wonderfully unique and touching ceremony officiated

by Pastor Ferlin, Michael was baptized by his father Melvin Plett. Michael was then received into membership.

After everyone involved had changed into warm, dry clothes, we packed up and headed to a more sheltered area of the campground for a delicious potluck picnic lunch. We even managed to have a good afternoon of fellowship and games despite the weather. We’re a hardy bunch.

This year is relatively new, but one

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item of interest was another annual event, the church’s curling day on February 19.

Each year the church rents the rink one Sunday afternoon in the nearby town of Bowsman and we invite all our friends, family, and neighbours to join us for the afternoon and evening.

The tradition has been that the youth group served supper as a fundraiser and this year many of the same youth were involved, but it was the youth Sunday school class raising money for a short missions trip to Winnipeg.

They plan to spend a few days lending

The youth class prepares supper at the curling rink on February 19.

THE MESSENGER

their assistance to Lazarus House. The day went well, the meal was delicious, and there was good, friendly competition all afternoon and evening. And for those of us who don’t curl, it was still a wonderful opportunity to meet and spend time with people from the community that we don’t necessarily see regularly.

Another highlight, though not something most of us could actively participate in, was the departure of Chuck and Laura Thiessen on March 12. After many long months of trying to patiently wait for their invitation to go to a Central Asian country with a nongovernmental agency, it finally came and within days their plans were finalized.

We, as a church, have watched Chuck grow up and now, more recently, have watched his and his wife’s passion for helping the people grow. We rejoice with them that their finances are in order, their visas have been issued, and they’re now on their way. We wish them all the best and our prayers are with them and the rest of their family as they adjust to this new separation.

Tammi Thiessen

On January 22, a parent-child dedication service was held for Greg, Tammi and Abigail Thiessen. Also pictured are grandparents Henry and Martha Thiessen, big sister Hannah, grandparents Martha and Ron Friesen, and Pastor Ferlin Abrahamson.

A baptism took place in June 2005: Michael Plett is flanked by his father Mel and Pastor Ferlin Abrahamson.

MWC leaders mourn CPTer’s death A gathering of the worldwide Anabaptist group that helped give birth to Christian Peacemaker Teams mourned the death of CPT worker Tom Fox on March 11.

The Mennonite World Conference General Council, composed of about 100 Anabaptist leaders from around the world, expressed “deep grief” at Fox’s death in a letter to CPT. Word was received during the council’s triennial meeting March 9 that Fox, 54, a Quaker from Clear Brook, Virginia, had been found dead in Iraq after being held hostage since November.

“We mourn with you the loss of this courageous man, whose life and words testified to the power of the nonviolent love of God in Jesus Christ,” stated the letter to CPT. It was signed by MWC officials Nancy R. Heisey of the United States, president; Danisa Ndlovu of Zimbabwe, vice president; and Larry Miller of France, executive secretary.

MWC General Council delegates represent 95 member churches in 51 countries.

March 22, 2006

The letter noted MWC’s connection to CPT’s beginning. “We recall that the challenge to begin the work of Christian Peacemaker Teams was given at the Mennonite World Conference assembly in Strasbourg, France, in 1984,” the MWC officials wrote.

That challenge was made in an address by Ron Sider, now president of Evangelicals for Social Action. He challenged Christian peacemakers to be willing to take the same risks for peace that soldiers take in war.

CPT was founded two years later, in 1986, with the support of Mennonites and other peace churches.

The MWC letter to CPT was accompanied by handwritten notes of sympathy and support from General Council members.

The letter noted that Anabaptists around the world can identify with those who suffer and die for their faith.

“During our gathering, we have heard other stories of sisters and brothers in other places who suffer as they share the good news of God’s love

and as they work for justice and peace in communities wracked by many forms of violence,” the letter stated.

“Thus, many of us have in a deep, personal way experienced the mourning you now experience and share in your ongoing, profound commitment to God’s way.”

Two North American Mennonite leaders—Jack Suderman, general secretary of Mennonite Church Canada; and Jim Schrag, executive director of Mennonite Church USA—prayed during the council’s time of remembering Fox. “We mourn the death of Tom Fox, your servant,” Suderman prayed. “We pray for the peace and justice he died for.”

Schrag prayed for all in Iraq who suffer due to “the terrorism of the war itself.”

He prayed for Christians who face persecution in many countries, noting that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

Mennonite Weekly Review

15

Church called to economic sharing “Anything less than dramatic, sweeping economic sharing in the worldwide body of Christ today is flatly unbiblical, scandalously disobedient and heretical.”

This provocative statement by Ron Sider, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was one of many that captured the attention of some 250 delegates and guests at a Service Consultation held at William Carey International University (Pasadena, California) March 7-8. The consultation, sponsored by Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee, preceded the meeting of the MWC General Council, whose members come from 51 countries around the world.

The consultation explored biblical foundations of diakonia, shared case studies, gathered diakonal principles and models for testing within MWC member churches, and identified some “next steps.”

Planners focused on diakonal ministry or the role of “global deacons” primarily within MWC member churches but also paid attention to service beyond those limits.

Sider, author and professor at Eastern Baptist Seminary in Pennsylvania, was the consultation’s keynote speaker.

He laid out six biblical and theological foundations for service: God’s love for us prompts us to love others, serving them by doing what is

in their best interests; every person is created in God’s image and is precious; persons are body and soul, therefore service must respond to both material and spiritual need; Jesus’ gospel is the good news of the kingdom in which all things, including social relationships, are being restored to what the Creator intended; the cross is the foundation of service since Jesus’ death was for the sins of everyone; and we serve each other because we are the one body of Christ.

Sider cited examples of economic sharing from the Old and New Testaments. What would similar kinds of sharing mean currently? he asked. He noted statistics from MWC sources that indicate that 25 percent of the world’s Anabaptist Christians today own 88 percent of all Anabaptist wealth. What if those wealthy folks gave 20 percent of their income to the church and one fourth of that 20 percent to Mennonite World Conference? Sider mused.

“That will never happen unless there is massive revival,” he lamented.

In more than a dozen small groups, participants shared examples of service from post-tsunami encounters between Muslims and a Christian doctor in Asia to development of a business cooperative among indigenous people and German Mennonites in Paraguay to churches in Zimbabwe who “adopt” orphan children and pay their school fees.

The groups called for a holistic approach to diakonia; for better information sharing; for developing human resources and providing training along with material aid; speaking out against abuse, racism and the abuse of power; greater advocacy from North American and European Anabaptists on behalf of churches in Africa, Asia and Latin America who struggle with unfair trade, armed conflicts, drug and immigration issues; and for the church to lament historic divisions created among Anabaptists of different traditions.

Some “next steps” suggested by a listening group included delegates sharing what they heard at the consultation with their congregations; developing a study guide on the biblical foundation of service from an Anabaptist perspective along with an analysis of contemporary socio-economic structures; and holding regional service consultations.

The listening group called on MWC and MCC to create a forum to implement dialogue and prayer on issues of diakonia among churches in the three years before the next MWC assembly in 2009.

Larry Miller, MWC general secretary, and Robb Davis, MCC executive director, exchanged their shoes, symbolizing their commitment to work together in leading responses to the challenges raised in the service consultation.

MWC

The Mennonite World Conference General Council met at William Carey International University in Pasadena, Cal., March 7–16. The council brought together 100 members from 43 of the 51 countries in five continental regions where MWC member churches are located. Fifteen members were unable to attend because the US government denied their visa applications.

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THE MESSENGER

writings shared Michael Zwaagstra Mennonites, Politics, and Peoplehood: EuropeRussia-Canada 1525 to 1980, James Urry, University of Manitoba Press, 2005, 492 pp., $24.95.

Reviewed by Michael Zwaagstra, B.Ed., P.B.C.E., M.Ed., a public school teacher and a member of Steinbach EFC.

U

ntil recently Mennonites had little involvement in political affairs.

Starting with their Anabaptist forebears (also known as radical reformers), Mennonites have always sought to remain separate from worldly matters such as politics whether they were in Europe, Russia, or Canada.

This remained the case until the second half of the twentieth century when a new generation of Mennonites gradually began to exercise their right to vote, seek office, and lobby governments for political changes. So goes the traditional tale of Mennonite separation from politics.

In his recent book, Mennonites, Politics, and Peoplehood, Dr. James Urry shatters this conventional understanding by providing numerous examples of Mennonite involvement in political affairs dating all the way back to the time of the Reformation.

While it is true that early Anabaptists sought to separate themselves from worldly affairs, Urry points out that they frequently lobbied governments and made tactical political alliances with sympathetic magistrates.

In exchange for privilegia (privileges) granting them exemptions from military service, Mennonite leaders often wrote letters professing loyalty and enclosed

James Urry hands over a signed copy of his book to Robert Goertzen, member of the EMC Archives Committee.

March 22, 2006

significant monetary “gifts” to monarchs—who then used that money to fund their military expeditions.

Urry is at his best when describing examples of Mennonite political involvement in Manitoba in the first half of the twentieth century. Rather than ignoring Mennonites as politically inconsequential, both the Liberal and Conservative parties actively courted the Mennonite vote—particularly on the West Reserve.

In the 1932 provincial election, Dr. Cornelius Wiebe, a member of the Bergthaler church in Winkler, ran as a Liberal-Progressive candidate. Not only was his candidacy not opposed by his church, he even received unanimous support from the Bergthaler ministerial.

Voter turnout was heavy and Wiebe was able to narrowly unseat the Conservative incumbent and become the first Mennonite elected to the Manitoba legislature. Interestingly, Wiebe’s candidacy revealed significant political divisions among Mennonites as a significant number supported his non-Mennonite Conservative opponent, Hugh McGavin.

The situation was somewhat different on the East Reserve as the provincial riding of Carillon (encompassing most of the East Reserve) did not have a Mennonite representative until former Steinbach mayor Leonard Barkman won the seat as a Liberal in 1962. However, Urry points out that as early as the 1930s the Steinbach-based newspaper, Die Post, effectively endorsed a political party by choosing to run only Liberal campaign advertisements in federal election campaigns.

In addition, East Reserve Mennonites were quite involved in local municipal affairs and this involvement gradually led to greater participation at provincial and federal levels. Far from being an historical aberration, the election of Jake Epp, a practising Mennonite, as Member of Parliament for Provencher in 1972, was merely a continuation of the long history of Mennonite political involvement.

The main contribution of Urry’s book is to illustrate how the story of Mennonite involvement in politics is a complex one. Urry clearly shows that, even in their attempts to remain separate from the world, Mennonites have largely been unable to avoid becoming entangled in political affairs.

Mennonites, Politics, and Peoplehood is an important book that sheds light on aspects of Mennonite history that, until recently, have not received the attention they T deserve. M 17

and grandchildren over the years.

As Dad’s strength waned his prayer life seemed to grow. Most wakeful hours were spent in prayer for his family and his church. Mom was his most true and precious love to the end and he so appreciated her constant loving care and concern for him.

Special thanks to Larry Hirst and staff at Bethesda Hospital for their excellent care and compassion.

His Family

GEORGE K. SCHELLENBERG 1912–2005

Peacefully, on December 18, 2005, George K. Schellenberg, age 93, passed away at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, Man. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 53 years, Martha, his sons Ron (Terri) and Brad (Ramona) and daughter Judi (Al) Peterson. He will always have a special place in the hearts of his grandchildren Kimberly, Jordan, Joshua, Ana and Charissa. He is survived by two brothers, Dave and Bill (Helen); sistersin-law Mary and Lil. He was predeceased by his brothers Henry and John.

Dad was born in Steinbach, Man., on September 7, 1012. He began his farming career with his brother John in 1936 on the present site of Mennonite Heritage Village Museum. In the summer of 1938, Dad was baptized on confession of faith and joined the Steinbach EM Church. To quote from his memoirs, he says, “From then on, life held a different meaning for me and I was at peace.” He continued farming in Tourond and, later, in the Oak Lake area until his retirement in 1985.

During their time in Oak Lake, Dad was actively involved in the Oak Lake Mennonite Church where he served as adult Sunday school teacher for 20 years, along with other ministries. He was also a Gideon member for many years. Dad and Mom made many special, life-long friends in the 21 years in Oak Lake.

In 1985, Mom and Dad moved to Kleefeld, Man., where Dad recalls “I don’t think I was ever bored since we retired.”

He was a tour guide for Mennonite Heritage Village and later worked with the upright steam engine and shingle mill.

He cut his own firewood until just a few years ago, cross-country skied until he was 90 and was able to mow his own lawn until he was 92. Dad lovingly cared for the Kleefeld EMC cemetery for many years and began restoration of the Rosenfeld cemetery in 1988. Mom and Dad enjoyed many bus tours and trips to visit children

18

MARY PENNER 1905–2006

In November, we helped Mom celebrate 100 years of life. In the last few years of her life Mom was frail and confined to a wheelchair. She no longer spoke verbally and hardly opened her eyes. Yet, even as she was, she taught us much—reminding us of putting life into the perspective of eternity.

She was born on November 9, 1905, in Blumenort, Man., to Jacob and Margaretha Barkman, the first of twelve children. It is here she learned to love and follow her Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. Mom was baptized on August 2, 1926, and became a member of the Kleinegemeinde Church.

Mom and Dad both grew up in the village of Blumenort and, as the story goes, got to know each other better while picking berries. They were married on November 24, 1928, and enjoyed almost 56 years of married life, which ended abruptly with Dad’s death on November 13, 1984. During this time they raised eight children for the Lord. After four years of marriage, Dad and Mom moved from a parental farm in Blumenort to their own farm in Greenland. Together with Abram Penners, they began the challenge of establishing their own farms.

Over the years Mom has spent many an hour planting, harvesting, canning, cooking and sewing. Just keeping her family well fed and clothed took up much of her time and energy in those early years.

Through all this, Mom’s love of God, her faith and devotion were worked out.

She worked alongside her children and led them by example, leaving them with a sense of God’s presence, His peace and love. She knew how to make chores fun, by making a game out of them. There was time to learn a song, read or tell a Bible story even if it was done in conjunction with the washing-up routine!

She was also a support to Dad as he worked on various committees. She was very involved in outfitting the new church and worked together with others in buying fabric, making curtains, purchasing equipment for the kitchen, and painting.

The welcome mat was always out, be it for neighbours, relatives, friends or strangers.

Mom’s quiet and peaceful spirit stayed with her, even through the difficult years of illness, restlessness and pain. Visiting in her room at Rest Haven Nursing Home, where she had been a resident for the last three years, always seemed to quiet one’s spirit. On Friday, February 10, 2006, Mary Penner (nee Barkman) passed away peacefully into the presence of the Lord, after a brief battle with pneumonia.

Mom is survived and lovingly remembered by her children and grandchildren: Rose (Nick) Plett of Fisher Branch, Jeff (Cindy) Plett, Fenella (Stephen) Plett Henry, Adele (Chris) Bartel, Cyndy (Ross) Penner; Margaret Penner of Blumenort; Cornie (Evelyn) Penner of Blumenort, Russell, Collin (Rachel) Penner, Pam (Cam) Plett; Harry (Tina) Penner of Greenland, Larry Reimer (son-in-law), Jerry, Lynet, Ladine, Bonnie; Jim (Linda) Penner of Greenland, Mary Beth, Helen, David, Paul; Norma (Peter) Thiessen of Blumenort, Joel, Anna Marie, Nancy Jane; son-in-law Ben (Carolyn) Wiebe of Anola, Conrad (Lavina) Wiebe, Joanell (Rob) Wichers, David (Denise) Wiebe, Kathleen (Tony) Grift; 30 greatgrandchildren; one brother, Henry (Mary) Barkman of Steinbach; two sisters, Katherine Dueck of Blumenort and Lena Barkman of Steinbach; a sisterin-law, Winnie Barkman of Steinbach; and a brother-in-law, Frank Plett of Steinbach.

She was predeceased by her husband Peter C. L. Penner in 1984; two daughters, Edna Wiebe (in 2002) and Linda Penner (in 2003); a granddaughter, Jean Ann Reimer (in 2005); four brothers; and four sisters.

We extend heartfelt thanks to the Rest Haven Nursing Home staff and to Dr. Krahn for the care given in the last three years, and to the home care staff and to Dr. Kaetler for care in previous years. We also thank all in the church and community for your prayers and for your love and friendship to our Mother.

Her Family

THE MESSENGER

shoulder tapping Endeavour Fellowship Chapel in east-central Saskatchewan, with a congregation of about 50, is currently looking for a pastor. Contact Tom Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306-547-3383 or tdpromise@sasktel.net.

Fish Creek Christian Fellowship (EMC) seeks a full-time pastor, with position open May 2006.

Experience and education expected are flexible. The church, started in south Calgary in 1998, is currently meeting in a rural setting outside of Calgary; it hopes to return to Calgary shortly. Fish Creek has about 50 people attending. Contact Garry Kornelsen, board chair, at 403-281-3747; or 55 Woodford Cres., SW, Calgary AB T2W 4C6; e-mail: gskornelsen@shaw.ca.

Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship (EMC) in northcentral British Columbia seeks a half-time associate pastor of youth with a love for God and heart for youth. The leader will give mature leadership, work with church in moulding youth, guide them into becoming faithful followers of Jesus Christ, and work within the EMC statement of faith. Our Sunday morning attendance is 100.

Our youth group (without a youth pastor for some time) is rebuilding, currently 12 to 20 people, with an average age of 14. There is potential for growth.

Contact VCF, Box 377, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0; phone 250-567-9198; fax 250-567-2064; vcfemc@ telus.net.

An elementary and high school, Bingham Academy, serves 220 students from over 20 countries, more than half from diplomatic or business families living in Ethiopia. For school year (Sept 2006 to June 2007) and years beyond that, it needs a director, secondary and elementary principals, recruitment officer, athletics director, home school coordinator, special needs teacher and teachers for all grades in phys. ed., art, music and computers. High school teachers are needed for business, English, French, Bible, math, economics, psychology, science (chemistry, physics) and social studies. Contact Bingham Academy at principal@binghamacademy.net.

Steinbach Bible College seeks a president. SBC is an Evangelical Anabaptist college drawing students from Canada, USA, Mexico, Belize and overseas.

The college is operated by a board of directors called from the constituencies of the EMC, EMMC, and CMC. We seek a candidate who has a passion for equipping leaders for ministry and can help our institution move to the next level of excellence in post-secondary Christian education.

The president is responsible to the board of directors for implementation of institutional objectives through executive direction and leadership. Key areas of responsibility include: Oversight of the ministry, communication with constituency, long-term strategic planning, budget preparation, coordination of donor development. A suitable candidate will also have opportunities for classroom instruction.

Qualities: Demonstrated excellence in educational or ministry leadership; graduate degree in a relevant ministry, theological, or educational field; strong commitment to an Evangelical Anabaptist understanding; mature faith and excellent spiritual character; exceptional communication and organizational skills; proven ability in effective teamwork.

Position to begin prior to 2006–2007 school year. Forward applications to Presidential Search

March 22, 2006

Committee, Steinbach Bible College, 50 PTH 12 N, Steinbach, MB R5G 1T4.

Mennonite Disaster Service is expanding its binational staff because of increased need following the Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005. All positions are located in Akron, Pennsylvania. These staff report directly to the executive director: • Communications • Field operations • Finance and accounting • Human resources Inquire to MDS Human Resources, Attention: Arleta Martin, 1018 Main Street, Akron, PA 17501; e-mail: jobs@mds.mennonite.net; phone: 717-8592210, Fax: 717-859-4910; www.mds.mennonite.net.

Mennville Church (EMC) seeks a part- or full-time pastor. Experience and education expectations are flexible. Mennville Church is a congregation of about 100, located in the Interlake area of Manitoba and close to Hecla Island, in a predominantly agricultural area. Contact Wes Barkman at 204378-2778 (wbbarkmn@mts.net) or Roland Friesen at 204-378-2907 (rfriesen@riv.mb.ca). Conference pastor David Thiessen can also be contacted at the EMC national office (204-326-6401).

La Crete Christian Fellowship in La Crete, Alberta, seeks a youth pastor for a new position as part of our pastoral team. LCCF is a forward-looking church of about 400 regular attendees. The youth pastor will have a primary role in developing programs and working closely with youth and youth leaders.

LCCF’s service to God is based on the core values of a commitment to teaching God’s Word and outreach to the community.

Send a resume with references to lccfc@telus.net or LCCFC, Box 385, La Crete, AB T0H 2H0 Attention: Pastor Frank Winsor.

Are you looking for a Christian service opportunity in North America? Would you like to hone your skills or learn some new ones? Mennonite Central Committee is looking for people to work at its main office in Akron, Pennsylvania. We have immediate needs for a receptionist, a maintenance worker and administrative assistants, and upcoming needs for truck drivers, canners and computer programmers.

Most positions are for two years, but some are available for one year. Contact your local MCC office at 888-6226337 for information on these and other opportunities, or visit MCC’s Web site at www.mcc.org.

Inner City Youth Alive, a Christian ministry in the North End of Winnipeg, Man., seeks a workshop program director (full-time, permanent with support raising required). Fax resume to 204-5824729; mail to ICYA, 418 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2W 1V7; or e-mail icya@mts.net. Pastoral reference required.

The congregation of the Evangelical Mennonite Church at 422 Main St., Steinbach, Man., seeks a lead pastor. This opportunity includes ministering alongside a passionate youth pastor and a creative minister of music and worship in a “team caring” environment and is available immediately. Our church offers active programming for all ages and supports a blended style of worship service.

If you have a passion for God and His people, are self-motivated with administrative skills, are gifted in preaching and teaching, desire to lead a strong ministry team, and are willing to embrace our church

vision and direction, then we invite you to consider this opportunity.

For a detailed job description or to forward your resume, contact Henry Klassen, 63 Donald Ave., Steinbach, MB R5G 2B5. Phone 204-326-6068; henryk2@mts.net.

Red Rock Bible Camp seeks an assistant cook.

Year-round ministry opportunity. Willing to train. Responsible to the food services director.

Agreement with the camp’s mission and statement of faith is necessary. Must be service oriented, work well with people and be a team player.

Housing, partial board, salary, medical and dental benefits provided. Send resume to Red Rock Bible Camp, 204-320 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z1; E-mail: kim@redrockbiblecamp.com.

Because of the pending retirement of Dave Kroeker, Mennonite Foundation of Canada seeks a fulltime stewardship consultant to work out of its Abbotsford, B.C. office. This person will provide charitable gift and estate planning services and promote biblical stewardship of financial resources in British Columbia.

The consultant will communicate effectively with individuals and have an aptitude for presenting in a variety of group settings; have a good understanding of charitable gift and estate planning; be creative, organized, and self-motivated; support and incorporate MFC’s stewardship mission in personal life; be willing and able to contribute as part of an interdependent staff team. The successful candidate must be a member of one of MFC’s seven participating conferences.

Submit applications by April 18, 2006, to Erwin Warkentin, General Manager, 12-1325 Markham Rd., Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6; 800-772-3257; fax: 204-4881986; e-mail: ewarkentin@mennofoundation.ca; www.mennofoundation.ca.

Reserve Fellowship Chapel (EMC), located in Sioux Valley (west-central Man.), seeks a fulltime pastoral couple to serve the church and to develop long-term relationships with people of the community.

The smaller 50-year-old congregation is part of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, a community that has a Christian history going back to 1879. The congregation is located about 45 minutes from Virden and Brandon.

A strong sense of God’s call and a love for people are required. Direct inquiries to David Pashe, 204-730-0409, e-mail: pashed@westman. wave.ca; or to Len Barkman, 204-326-6401, email: emclen@mts.net.

Taber EMC in southern Alberta seeks a senior pastoral couple to start September 2006, due to a retirement. The church is bilingual in Low German and English, and has an average attendance of 125 people. Applicants should contact Nick Enns, 403223-3386 (cell 634-0020); or Peter Wall, 403-382-9184 (cell 382-9184).

Blumenort EMC, in Blumenort, Man., is actively looking for a youth pastor. We are open to receiving resumes from anyone with a love and passion for youth ministry. Former experience is not required, but simply a deep reliance on what God can do through a yielded servant, willing to lead youth in a deep prayer-centred walk with Him. For information, contact Dale Loewen at 204-3265119 or email at dalecori@mts.net.

19

kids’ corner Loreena Thiessen

Is a

T

difficult thing ever a good thing?

here’s an old saying that says, “Adversity is a good teacher.” Adversity is something that causes us difficulty or hardship.

A difficulty can be small. Let’s say you and your friend decide to go for a bike ride. Then you notice your tire is flat. You can’t ride. You are delayed, but the problem can be fixed. Maybe the tire only needs air.

That’s easy. You pump in some air. Or it may need a new tube. Then you must wait to ride until you’ve bought one.

A more serious difficulty would be if you broke your leg.

This would cause you pain. You couldn’t walk and you would have to make many trips to the cast clinic to check whether the break was healing okay. You wouldn’t be able to skate, swim, play hockey or run.

You might even miss some classes!

Is difficulty ever a good thing?

Consider Canada’s Olympic star, Cindy Klassen, the fastest skater in the world today. y. lt cu fi if To be a winner Cindy trains d is a serious A broken leg hard. If you’re not training, Cindy says, someone else is and then when you race they beat you.

To skate well the ice must be hard and very slippery. It must be smooth as glass and not chip easily. What makes ice hard and smooth as glass? The answer is constant extreme cold—brittle, dry cold, Winnipeg cold.

Skating on hard smooth ice is faster, but training is more difficult. Because the ice is harder and more slippery it takes extra skill and strength to stay on

PAGE 20

course, not to slip sideways and fall. Hard smooth-asglass ice is a Canadian specialty.

To overcome the hardship of skating on hard ice Canadian skaters must develop the extra skill and strength needed to control the skates on the ice and skate well. The skaters work hard to get these skills, but then they skate faster and better and win gold. The hardship helps to make them winners.

There are many characters in the Bible who faced great difficulties. One is Naaman. Naaman was the captain of a great army but he had leprosy. More than anything he wanted to be well; he wanted the leprosy gone. But he had a problem: He did not want to wash in the dirty water of the Jordan River even though this is what Elisha said he must do. Read 2 Kings 5:1, 11, 12.

Another person who faced great difficulty was Esther.

Esther knew that Haman had a plot to kill all the Jews.

To try and save them Esther had to meet the King and ask him to save them. But this put her at risk of her own death. Read Esther 3:13 and 4:11.

Joseph had the problem of being his father’s favourite son. In addition Joseph had dreams of greatness; he dreamed all his brothers bowed down to him. His brothers began to hate him. They threw him in a pit and sold him to foreign merchants. In Egypt Joseph’s problems grew worse. He was accused of attacking the Pharaoh’s wife and thrown into prison where he was T forgotten for two years. M

Activity: Facing difficulty Read 2 Kings 5:14–15 to find what Naaman did and what was the result. You should find two outcomes.

1.

2.

Read Esther 5:2 and 8:16–17 to see what happened to Esther and her people.

1.

2.

Read Genesis 45:9–11 to see what Joseph did after all his hardships.

1.

2.

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 PAP Registration #9914