28 minute read
Window on missions
by Ken Zacharias, Foreign Secretary kzacharias@emconf.ca
Board of Missions considers Guadalajara and Bolivia
Those who are involved in business or farming understand well the careful deliberations in making the decision to expand your business or in purchasing more land and cattle. These decisions are not made lightly as they will affect long-term the life for your family.
Likewise, the EMC Board of Missions has been having discussions and careful deliberations in respect to expansion by considering new ministry opportunities: the city of Guadalajara (in Mexico) and in Bolivia (among Low German Mennonite people).
The Board of Missions received two recommendations at its April meeting: (1) to expand into Guadalajara and (2) to enter into formal discussions with our sister conferences in Canada who are currently serving in Bolivia.
Decisions on these two recommendations will be made on July 1, 2010. These decisions would then be presented to the conference council on July 3, 2010, in Leamington, Ont.
Representatives from the board have visited the two targeted locations and met with many individuals who are working within these
contexts. The board has deliberated over the pros and cautions of each i a s location and has ch ar discussed at length Z a how the pending Ken : decisions will affect the EMC family. HOTOS P
As our own family members are Bolivia: Ministry is much needed among Low German Mennonite people. different one from the other, so is our EMC family. The missionaries in a church planting two locations should not be looked at ministry. as two options, but rather as two new Bolivia is an opportunity where opportunities for our family to be ministry is much needed among Low involved in reaching out to others. German Mennonite people. Some of
Guadalajara is a large city of 6.5 you within our EMC family are fluent million people with an evangelical in speaking Low German and have population of two per cent or less. the cultural preparation needed to The need is great; and evangelical work in partnership with ministries churches and North American already in progress in Bolivia. We mission agencies ministering in do not want to miss this invitation Guadalajara express the need for which we feel the Lord may be giving more witnesses to join them in this us at this time. city. In preparation for making the
We, as an EMC family, have been decision on July 1, the Board of blessed with more than fifty years of Missions is asking for input and ministry among Spanish-speaking feedback. We welcome the quespeople in Latin America and more tions that you have regarding either recently in Canada. In Guadalajara, Guadalajara or Bolivia. Your questhe board’s desire would be to tions, for example, may be in respect place a team of to strategy, partnership, or finances. The two locations We invite you to please send your questions to info@emconf.ca or call should not be Ken Zacharias at 204-326-6401. looked at as Throughout this process of deliberation, the Board of Missions two options, but has not forgotten to pray for wisdom, rather as two direction, and peace in making the new opportunities decision to expand. Can we ask you to pray for the Board of Missions to reach out to during the month of June in preparaothers. tion for July 1?
A to Z 2009 of Pineridge Fellowship Chapel
PINERIDGE FELLOWSHIP CHAPEL, Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan
A – Annual meeting, Andrew Buhler student at SBC B – Baptism of Andrew Buhler, Bethlehem Marketplace C – Cooking at Churchill Place, Creation Ministries Intl. by Rod Walsh
ANOLA FELLOWSHIP CHAPEL, Manitoba
Fellowship Chapel got their heads together this winter and engineered our first ever Ice Fishing Derby. On a Saturday in early March (right before the ice started to thaw), 38 people of all ages took their fishing gear out on the ice at Balsam Bay on Lake Winnipeg.
Quilts made by the church ladies for Haiti.
D – DVD FireProof with popcorn and weekly follow-up study E – Executive Director with MCC Living Stones tour F – Five-Day Club, farewells, funeral for Anne Buhler G – Great times at summer camps and with music groups H – Health Care birthday parties and services I – Inspiring messages by Pastor Fred on Why Jesus Came J – Joy in serving behind the scenes K – Kids club Fiesta and Wind-up program for families, Ketchen Lake Camp promo L – Live from Bethlehem—Christmas
Anola goes fishing
Afew of the guys from Anola program
HOTO P
AFC fishers wait by the holes for “the big one.”
The derby was four hours long, in which participants set up fishing rods next to holes in the ice in hopes of catching a fish. And some were successful! The largest fish caught was a 52 cm Northern Pike, caught by Benjamin Wiebe. Second place was a 48 cm Northern Pike caught by Derek Wichers. Jessica Wichers
New Year’s Eve games night
M - Men’s breakfasts with testimonies and devotionals N – New Year’s Eve family games night, NBC Doors-A Parable play O – Opportunities to care and share P – Prayer Pals, potlucks Q – Quilting for MCC, and fire quilts R – Region 3 Family Conference, Rio Grande Institute, S - Stoney Lake camp promo, S.S. picnic, school kits, Samaritan’s Purse shoe boxes T – Times of prayer, Thanksgiving supper U – Understanding and applying truths from God’s Word V – Visitation outreach, various ladies ministries W – S.S. and Worship services X – ’Xpecting great things in 2010 Y – Yes, 2009 is gone, 2010 is here, may we all be Z – Zealous for the One who gave his life on our behalf, and may others come to know Him as Saviour and Friend.
Andrew Buhler shared about his mission trip. We have had more farewells from our congregation, but we are hearing that they are a blessing to other congregations and communities.
The Truth Project is underway. Do you really believe that what you believe is really real? Yvonne Young
PEC youth travel to Joe’s Place
PORTAGE EVANGELICAL CHURCH, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
On Friday, March 19, about 35 of us from Portage Evangelical Church packed up our bags for the six hour drive to Moose Jaw, Sask. We spent the weekend at a youth drop-in centre called Joe’s Place, hanging out with the youth, helping out, and learning about how the whole ministry started.
As a youth group we experienced the theatrical tour of the underground tunnels in Moose Jaw. This really opened our eyes to the history and brokenness the city was built on as they smuggled booze through the tunnels to make their living. e church.
This helped us understand the circumstances that Moose Jaw is under today, as generational sin has been carried on throughout the years. This is seen through the serious addictions and struggles youth are currently facing.
Joe’s Place is open throughout the week and provides a great place for youth to hang out with their friends in a safe environment, have a listening ear, receive hope and encouragement, and explore their personal talents. There are many activities provided to the youth at Joe’s Place: concerts, Bible studies, art nights, motorcycle fix nights, and the dance team.
Our group had a great time experiencing the life of ministry at Joe’s Place, touring Moose Jaw, and getting to know God and each other better. During the many hours of driving we spent our time on the bus singing, playing games, sleeping, doing group devotions, and just hanging out. Jessica Kroeker
Winter 2010 Portage youth retreat
Members received, testimony and a devotional was also given. eyes opened We see many skills and gifts progressing as they grow to be adults STRAFFORDVILLE EMC, Ontario The youth did the worship service leaders in the church. on February 7. They led congregaThe service was followed by a
Amembership reception was held tional singing, shared a poem, and soup and pie lunch; it was a fundfor Henry and Helen Thiessen sang songs; one youth shared her raiser for the youth mission trip to on August 31. They Toronto. They went for have served and have a weekend in March, been a part of the where they served the church for a while. In homeless. They also did front of the church, a prayer walk in the city. Henry and Helen The youth shared shared their story of about the trip on the what Jesus has done s following Sunday. Eyes in their lives. Pastor m en were opened, and they Richard Klassen did S i were encouraged and the service and the : ti na motivated to further ministerial welcomed serve the Lord. them as a part of the P HOTO Tina Siemens and, hopefully, one day become
Pastoral couple Richard and Kathy Klassen, new members Helen and Henry Thiessen
East meets West at Wymark
WYMARK EMC, Saskatchewan
In January 2010 Pastor Paul Little and his wife Amy and family flew to Saskatchewan for a two-week candidating experience at Wymark EMC.
While they were here, a prairie blizzard blew in with a foot of snow and blocked roads. The Littles made an excellent impression on the congregation, and our prairie weather did not frighten them away.
At the annual congregational meeting in February it was voted to request Paul Little to become our full-time pastor. After seeking God’s leading, his reply was affirmative.
KLEEFELD EMC, Manitoba
Pastor Little graduated from New Brunswick Bible Institute in 2000; the school was established by teachers from Millar College of the Bible in Pambrun, Sask. In 2006 Paul completed his BA degree from the Atlantic Baptist University.
Paul had been preaching at Jacksontown Baptist Church, in New Brunswick, for the past three and a half years. Paul is the son of a Baptist preacher in New Brunswick. Amy’s father, Dwight Munn, is currently pastor of Mission Heights Community Church (EMC) in Grande Prairie, Alta.
On March 4, Paul and his sons
A light supper was served after the installation service.
New members at KEMC
arrived in Saskatchewan driving a
Ray and Dawn Oude Vashaar were baptized on April 18, 2010, at Kleefeld EMC.
Traci Naylor (shown here with her husband Will) transferred her membership to Kleefeld EMC on April 18, 2010.
Louella Friesen
The Little family: Keagon, Amy with Amareis, Paul, and Jaedon.
U-Haul truck and towing the family car. He picked up Amy and their daughter at the Regina airport. They arrived in Chortitz that afternoon and were met by a work crew who quickly unloaded the U-Haul. The manse had been cleaned and painted, and Amy has quickly made it look like home.
On Sunday evening, March 28, 2010, an installation service was held. Conference pastor David Thiessen spoke and gave Paul and Amy some excellent advice based on his many years as a pastor. A large crowd was present for this installation service and faspa (a light supper) was served afterward.
A tribute was made and thank you was given to Archie and Sylvia Neufeld, who have been interim pastors at Wymark for the past two years.
Paul and Amy Little have three children: Jaedon (8), Keagon (6), and Amareis (4). This young, energetic family is settling in well into the Wymark community.
Amy comments on the huge prairie sky and the fact that it is seldom cloudy and grey. She says that in New Brunswick a sunny day is often followed by two or three days of rain and clouds. Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, And the skies are not cloudy all day. Marvin Allan
Mission experience well. Travis Patenaude is spending a
VANDERHOOF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, British Columbia
Haiti. Eva Miller donated blanket tops she had made. The batting and backing was donated by some businesses in Vanderhoof. Many volunteers, from our number of months there to help out highlight of the year at the mission in whatever ways he can. PANSY CHAPEL, Manitoba and he simply couldn’t get the AN needs off his heart without
Adefinite highlight of KM doing something about it. We the year is our mission adventure in the Ensenada TT Y BAR are so proud of you, Trav! We have also been area of Mexico. In February Y BE praying for Harry and Levina a group of us, 22 people in T E S Friesen as they laboured total, went there to build UR in love among Paraguayan and give homes to two very CO Mennonites for a couple of needy families in the area. P HOTO months.
A lot of energy gets At home, Easter celebrapoured into a project like tions are always special. this, but Dennis Friesen does A team of 22 people went to Ensenada, Mexico, to build homes for Good Friday with its depth an excellent job of leading us needy people. of worship, reflective spirit, and YUGO ministries seems to be a On March 21 we packed out the and open communion is a more good fit for our congregation at this church for a sharing of these memoor less somber occasion. But then point. ries, pictures, PowerPoint and more, comes Sunday. Sunday School classes
To all those who went, the experias well as munching on goodies bring a special presentation, centred ence and the bonding that goes with together in the end. It was a lovely around the cross, and the specially it, among ourselves, toward our evening. done choirs sing out songs of vicrecipients and even with the staff, One of us, by pre-arranged tory. Christ is risen! Yes, He is risen becomes a permanent and treasured planning, stayed behind, so part of indeed! memory. our hearts remained with him as Betty Barkman
Blankets sent to Haiti
In February, we had the opportunity to make blankets to send to
He was part of last year’s team congregation and some from the Gospel Chapel, made 45 blankets. A total of 56 blankets were sent with love and prayers for those who survived the tragic earthquake in Haiti. Stephanie Braun
Building the church
HEARTLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH, Landmark, Manitoba
On February 28, 2010, Kim Stoesz, pastor for Braeside EMC, spoke at our church on the importance of building a church. The focal point of her sermon was not on the physical features of a building per se, but rather, on building each
Carleen Plett served for three weeks in Guyana.
other up inside these walls in order to be a positive influence outside the church structure.
In this report, I want to focus on the youth of Heartland Community Church.
Carleen Plett, our SBC 2010 graduate, has been pulled, stretched, and somewhat dislocated for three weeks in January of this year, as she served on a short-term missions exposure, in Guyana, South America. Her team ministered at a local church and helped with kids club then they donned life jackets and courage for a seven-hour boat ride upriver to reach an Amerindian village.
Being exposed to a different culture definitely had its challenges, she shared, but after only three weeks part of her heart stayed behind. Carleen has also served here in Landmark when she volunteers her valuable time to build up the youth of this community (YFC: Landmark).
Tiffany Froese, our local torch bearer, ran off with the Olympic flame down a long cold Manitoba highway in Sanford, Man., on January 7, 2010. Tiffany has also been involved enthusiastically in the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program, which helps support local kids who would like to participate in sports, but cannot afford the fees. Tiffany has proven that Canada’s heart still beats proudly with goodwill. She raised $7,480 for this cause, and was the top fundraiser in Canada overall, which has also earned her a trip for two to participate in an international soccer camp in South Africa. She will be our proud fan in the stands of a FIFA World cup soccer match.
Tiffany’s passion for playing sports and her desire to serve those in her own community has also led her to be involved right here in Landmark where she will be a referee this summer in Landmark’s in-house kid’s soccer program. Way to go, Tiff!
Jeremy Dueck. Has anyone seen Jeremy Dueck lately? Oh, there he is. We didn’t recognize you sitting in church without your thick mullet! Jeremy, who recently clogged the drain of our baptismal tank last fall, was dared, by some of his friends, to shave off his hair for Haiti earthquake relief. Jeremy’s parents gladly matched the donations.
The rest of our talented teens have been quite active in our community. If they’re not busy playing in the church’s youth band, or gathering for 7 a.m. prayer meetings, then they’re involved with making a joyful noise, either in the school choir or musical drama programs which are both are under the direction of a very dedicated and gifted teacher, Merrilee Plett.
Some of our youth are also taking Rachel’s challenge: a program which encourages youth to promote goodwill among their peers. It was inspired by the life of Rachel Scott who was the first person killed at Columbine high school on April 20, 1999.
Whatever their talents, our youth and their youth leaders have the desire to make a difference both at home and abroad. Brigitte Toews
Tiffany Froese carried the Olympic flame in Sanford, Man., on January 7.
Low German cookbook affirms women
How God leads is sometimes puzzling
In 2004 Radio Trans Mundial management in Bolivia asked When women asked for recipes on paper, I decided to me to host the Low German women’s and children’s promake a Low German recipe book. Not only are there recigrams. I spoke the language and had grown up in a colony in pes, there are prayers and encouragements for the everyday the Paraguayan Chaco. housewife, proverbs, and stuff to laugh about.
Workers in Bolivia suggested giving women a simple It is a family-oriented book where mothers and daughrecipe and a word of encouragement. We ters, children and grandchildren can called the women’s program Met Helen en get involved together. I encourage de Kjäakj (With Helen in the Kitchen) and their creativity and tell them they all the children’s program Komm Kjikje (Come have gifts. and See). enner I receive many calls and letters
When my husband and I went to Bolivia ck P from people who use the books for in 2007, women were overwhelmed to see their daily devotions. due my face and children eagerly met me. na By now, over 2,000 books have
We had a two-week Bible school. I had : L e o been sent to Bolivia, Paraguay, one hour per evening with women. I did Mexico, and Belize, thanks to a live Low German Martha Stewart-Style P HOTO sponsorship of many church ladies Cooking Show! I showed simple, delicious groups. recipes and told stories in the children’s Helen Funk, Radio Trans Mundial class. Helen Funk with a tray of cookies and a copy of her Low German recipe book.
VMC ordains 26, launches training institute
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam —On March 20, thirty students graduated from a pastoral training class and 26 Mennonite pastors were ordained from all over Vietnam.
The 30 graduates had met one week per quarter for four years.
Pastor Nguyen Quang Trung, Vietnam Mennonite Church (VMC) chairman, officiated at the joyful ceremony.
For 30 years Trung led a group of Mennonites when the church was not recognized by the government; now, government officials sent congratulations to the newlycredentialed leaders. A week later came the official opening of the Keener Vietnam Mennonite Institute in Theology and Renewal. It offers a bachelor’s degree program in theology, has 14 students, and had finished its first week of classes.
The VMC has 90 churches, about 8,500 members, 140 pastors and evangelists.
MCC entered Vietnam in 1954, EMM workers in 1957. A local church grew to around 150 baptized members before being closed in 1978. EMM workers left in 1975.
For 15 years without contact with North America, Nguyen Quang Trung worked to register the church.
In 1997 EMM workers re-entered the country. In 2007 the government recognized the VMC, which allowed it to legally organize its own leadership training schools. MWC, EMM
EMM worker Gerry Keener, Canadian theologian Palmer Becker, Pastor Trung, Pastor Lee, and Pastor Jun Sae Lim pray for Pastor Nguyen Minh Sang, VMC general secretary, who was credentialed.
MDS celebrates 60 years of service
Jesus ‘defined by generosity’
SASKATOON, Sask.—If Mennonite Disaster Service vol1950, people gathered at Whitestone Mennonite Church in unteers took away one central theme from the annual MDS Hesston, Kansas, to express their common desire to “seek All-Unit Meeting it was this: Jesus is fundamentally defined opportunities to be engaged in peaceful, helpful activity— by generosity and His followers should be also. just where we find ourselves.” These meetings resulted in
Over 150 people attended the annual MDS All-Unit Mennonite Service Organization, which later became MDS. Meeting, held February 12-13, 2010, at Warman (Sask.) Past executive coordinators Lowell Detweiler (1986-1997) Bergthaler Mennonite Church. Groups from different exhorted listeners to remember why MDS exists. “It’s not for Anabaptist backgrounds gathered from many parts of MDS, it’s for other people.” Canada and the U.S. for worship, storytelling, and celebraBrian Pipkin, MDS tion, commemorating 60 years of MDS service.
Last year alone, MDS served a total of 245 homeowners and sent 3,856 volunteers serving people from American S D Samoa to long-term recovery efforts Y M along the Gulf Coast. A total of 28,536 T E S days of service were given by MDS volUR unteers in 2009 and more than 500,000 CO since 1950. HOTOS
For 60 years, MDS has been comP mitted to a theology of service. In MDS volunteers clean debris after 1955 Kansas tornado. Past MDS Executive Coordinators, Lowell
Detweiler and Tom Smucker, share their stories during a panel interview. MDS fixes forgotten houses
Mennonite Disaster Service continues to work in areas that seem forgotten
FRANKLIN, La.—In four years many areas of the US Gulf Of one homeowner, Rita Simoneaux (Miss Rita), MDS Coast were hit by four hurricanes: Katrina, Rita, Gustav and volunteer Carolyn Ringenberg said, “She didn’t fit anywhere Ike. But most people seem to only remember Katrina and to get help. She was one of those many people who applied Rita. for every kind of help, but got nothing. We need to look for
Hurricane Ike was the third largest hurricane to hit the those most in need.” U.S., with damage estimated at $24 billion. Before MDS fixed her house, Miss Rita did dishes in her
Over 5,000 volunteers worked on 1,021 projects, with over bathtub, he said. Now she has a new sink and a house that half of the jobs and volunteers through MDS. she said makes her feel like Cinderella. “Everybody said this house couldn’t be fixed,” said Miss Rita. “Now it’s gorgeous.” Dick Neudorf, from Winnipeg, Man., declared, “I wish we could have started on this house ten years earlier!” MDS
Sundberg S cott Hurricane Ike was the third largest : HOTOS hurricane to hit the U.S., with P damage estimated at $24 billion.
Miss Rita in her Cinderella house rebuilt Dick Neudorf helped make Miss Rita’s windows workby MDS. able and safe.
MCC seeks dialogue with Timber Bay families Commitment to just and healthy relationships extends to former residents of home
SASKATOON, Sask.—In a recent letter, MCC expressed its desire to reach out and establish healthy relationships with former residents of the Timber Bay Children’s Home and the communities of Lac La Ronge, Timber Bay, and Montreal Lake.
“As we reflect on the story of Timber Bay Children’s Home we have become aware of pain that some former residents have felt and, because of our association with the home, we would welcome the opportunity for dialogue,” reads the letter, signed by MCC Canada and MCC Saskatchewan.
MCC initiated the invitation at this particular time because it desires healing and reconciliation.
The Timber Bay Children’s Home was not a residential school. Also known as the Montreal Lake Children’s Home, it supported families from remote communities in northern Saskatchewan who wished to send their children to Timber Bay School operated by the Province of Saskatchewan.
The home operated under various owners and administrations from the early 1950s until 1993. MCC Canada and MCC Saskatchewan supported the home by providing service workers from 1974-1989 when TBCH was owned and administered by the BIC Church.
Clarie Ewert Fisher, MCC Saskatchewan’s executive director, said she wants former residents and their families to know that over the years MCC has been working at repairing relationships between the broader Canadian society and First Nations and Métis Peoples, and that this commitment to just and healthy relationships extends to former residents of the home. MCC Canada
Part of Timber Bay Children’s Home, mid-1990s.
Growth at Eden requires more space Addictions counseling and employment program meet urgent needs
WINKLER, Man.—Two new programs of Eden Health Care load grew, another minister, Stan Krahn, was also hired. Services have grown so rapidly in Eden’s Segue employment prothe past three years that additional gram is also rapidly growing. It space is needed. provides assessments and evaluates
Eden’s newest program is employment skills and interests and Mennonite Addictions Services, then assists participants to actively a partnership between four conconduct a job search. gregations and Eden Health Care Participants are supported Services. This program provides biblically-based, cultural and language S Y EDEN through job coaching, assistance in adapting, and between employerspecific counseling and support for individuals, couples, and families CO UR T E participant contact. Follow-up ser vices are provided. experiencing challenges because of The expansion will use availaddictions. P HOTO able space near the Segue and Eden
Initially, Bishop David Wiebe of Health Care Services offices in downthe Sommerfeld Church received town Winkler. the training to provide counseling Keith Doerksen, David Wiebe and James Friesen stand Eden and support. When the counseling in front of what will be a new street level access to expanded Eden services.
Colombian displacement continues
A call for prayer and action for five million displaced persons
BOGOTÁ, Colombia—On April 11, the Momento por la Paz On banners with human figures drawn on them, (Moment for Peace) met at noon at Teusaquillo Mennonite Teusaquillo church people expressed greetings and gratiChurch (TMC) here as people have for 10 years. They spent tude to their brothers and sisters in Canada and the US time in Bible reading and prayer and then discussed inforfor solidarity during days of prayer and action for peace in mation and action concerning peace in their country where Colombia. war has uprooted and killed people for 60 years. In 2009, approximately 25,000 people commemorated
Most who attended were internally displaced persons the Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia. In the US, people who fled to Bogotá, a city of about seven milsent 21,000 postcards to President Obama lion, to find some safety. They are frightened people who continue to be persecuted and In 2009, approximately calling for change in U.S.-Colombia relations. hunted, fearing assassination. 25,000 people Colombia is now home to close to five They come to TMC, near downtown Bogotá because they have been told they commemorated the million internally displaced persons, the largest registered number in any country, might find a haven or help, says Peter Days of Prayer and according to sources. Stucky, a pastor and MWC general council member. “So they come looking for support Action for Colombia. A potential trade deal between Canada and Colombia may exacerbate violence and peace.” around land rights and add to the already massive displacement of Colombians. MWC
MCC partners in Congo injured in attack
Vehicle ambushed on return from visit
AKRON, Pa.—Staff members of a MCC Minerals mined there have low prices, the partner organization in the eastern part of Millions of civilians result of illegal and abusive practices. the Democratic Republic of the Congo were injured when their vehicle was ambushed by are caught between Millions of civilians are caught between armed groups battling for control. Congo armed men March 20. armed groups has one of the largest Mennonite populaFour men and two women were returning to the city of Bukavu in South Kivu province battling for control. tions in the world, with about 230,000 members in three denominations. after visiting a site designated for a humaniDismas Kyanza and Suzanne Lind, MCC tarian aid project in cooperation with MCC. They work with the Ministry for Refugees and Emergencies (MERU), Dismas Kyanza directs MERU in South Kivu province; Suzanne a department of the Church of Christ in Congo (in French Lind is MCC co-representative, with Tim Lind, for the DRC. acronym, ECC). ECC is a national council of churches that includes Congolese Mennonites.
The men and women were beaten, slashed with knives, Subscribe to The Messenger on-line and robbed before being released. The women were hospitalized with knife cuts and serious bruises. Issues of The Messenger are posted on-line in pdf format
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Dutch Mennonites voice views on war and peace
Views against war expressed in various ways
STRASBOURG, France—“The board of ADS (Algemene Doopsgezinde Sociëteit) is convinced that it is the task of the church to witness about the peace of Christ and not to give the government arguments to prolong involvement in any war,” said Henk Stenvers, MWC General Council delegate from The Netherlands.
Stenvers was part of a delegation of the Dutch Council of Churches that spoke with government representatives in 2007 when the government contemplated prolonging the Dutch presence in Afghanistan. The government decided to prolong its mission, but only until 2010.
The ADS board also suspended its membership in IKV Pax Christi, (Church Peace Council) after its director supported prolonging Dutch involvement in the war in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. The board felt the IKV’s stance implies agreement with the concept of “just war.”
“We Mennonites are convinced that war never brings peace,” said Stenvers.
Leaders of the Dutch Mennonite Church wrote to Lifelong servant dies at age 95 AKRON, Pa.—Peter J. Dyck—storyteller, Mennonite pastor, author, and lifelong servant to needy people worldwide— died of cancer on Jan. 4 at 95.
Dyck, who lived in Scottdale, Pa., was well known in Anabaptist and wider circles for working with Russian Mennonite refugees and MCC.
Born in Russia, Dyck was a child when the revolution occurred, and he almost died in the famine of 1921.
Dyck and his family were rescued by food shipments sent from Mennonites in North America. His family fled Russia and ck
During World War Two he served cc with MCC in England. In 1944 he rebe T serving there with MCC. UR
Once the war ended, the Dycks CO moved to The Netherlands to direct HOTO a relief effort. In 1946, Dycks led P Mennonite Church USA in December 2009, expressing concern about President Barack Obama’s call for the U.S. troop escalation in Afghanistan.
Ed Diller, MC USA moderator, responded by letter, saying, “Along with you, Mennonite Church USA is deeply concerned about military build-up in Afghanistan.”
Dutch Mennonites have launched a Dutch branch of Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Could there be more cooperation on speaking to governments on peace issues at a global level? Stenvers wonders, suggesting it be a task for the MWC General Council Peace Commission.
Peter J. Dyck leaves legacy of service
settled in Saskatchewan. a dy
married Elfrieda Klassen, a nurse E S Y
MWC
Peter J. Dyck
5,500 Mennonites by boat to South America.
Dyck later served as a pastor, co-directed MCC’s programs in Germany and North Africa, and then was an administrator focused on East-West relations during the Cold War.
For two decades after his “retirement” from MCC in 1981, Dyck traveled to speak at churches, schools, and retreats. He donated his body to a university’s medical faculty.
A memorial service was held at Akron Mennonite Church on Jan. 9.
