THE
MESSENGER
volume 48, number 7 June 2010
www.emconf.ca/Messenger
relating
Photo: designpics.com
cross-culturally to Afghans, p. 9
to the Moros, p. 12
a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
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editorials
MESSENGER
Starts hurt by lack of funds
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hould a pastoral couple volunteer to start another EMC church in Canada, our revised 2010 national budget contains fewer funds to assist them. This is curious, given that one of our self-identified strengths as a conference is a commitment to evangelism near and far. We say that one of our priorities is to establish more congregations in Canada. It is certainly true, as church planting coordinator Ward Parkinson would say, that we do not need more funds in our national budget to plant churches. Local churches can plant daughter churches; a region of churches can spearhead and fund church planting. Further, given the EMC’s history of electing multiple ministers from within the congregation, our leadership development is more congregationally focused and flexible than is a single emphasis on seminary-trained, full-time pastors.
Self-supporting or part-time ministers can start churches, especially in a team approach. Then, too, given that the Early Church did not have church buildings until the third century A.D., our goal to start congregations is not the same as ensuring that each has their own privately-owned meeting place. The church is people. Buildings crumble; God’s people are eternal. But what if we want to restart a church in Edmonton or Saskatoon? Which region will head that? What if we decide to start a church in Quebec, the Maritimes, in Newfoundland, or within the three Territories? There are occasions when involving national funds and leadership makes sense. Overall, we need more funds to serve needy people. Terry M. Smith
Planting more and wisely
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ood gardeners do not quit because an early frost hits. If necessary, they replant. Similarly, the EMC needs to plant more churches and replant if necessary. We humbly pride ourselves on growth, yet our EMC expansion remains modest for 136 years in Canada: we had four congregations in 1874, added one in 1919, and now have 61 churches. By comparison, the Canadian National Baptist Convention (with Southern Baptist roots), which entered Canada in 1953, now has more than 250 churches and had 40 churches starts in 2007 alone (25 still going). EMC church planting is stronger among people of DGR and Hispanic backgrounds. The former displays the historical cultural roots of the KG/EMC; the latter shows transposed skills gained in Paraguay, Mexico, and Nicaragua. 2
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Despite our long history in Canada, the EMC is weaker at planting churches in urban settings and among people with mainline church backgrounds. In such settings we need to rethink how we connect and educate about the riches of Christ. In relating to people of mainline church backgrounds, our conference could more creatively handle four matters: culture, liturgy, ordinances, and peacemaking. Making the rural to urban switch is partly a matter of mindset: early leaders of the Swiss Brethren were urban and educated. The EMC has expanded and for that we give thanks to Christ! Today some churches are innovative and our Canadian Church Planting Task Force works hard. Let us plant more and wisely. Terry M. Smith
EDITOR Terry M. Smith tsmith@emconf.ca
ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Roman rroman@emconf.ca
Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca THE MESSENGER is the monthly publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to 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. Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. THE MESSENGER is published by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man. Subscriptions: Canadian subscriptions are $24 for one year, $44 for two years, $65 for three years (Manitoba residents add 7% PST); U.S. subscriptions are $30 for one year, $55 for two years, $82 for three years; all other countries are $45 for one year, $85 for two years, $125 for three years . Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents. THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. ISSN #0701-3299 PAP Registration #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through its various programs, toward our production and mailing costs. Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to: 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca
MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 8 – July issue (copy due June 25) On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger
contents Features 9
Hockey Night in Afghanistan – Dr. Arley Loewen
12 Kornelius Isaak and the Moro spear
– Harry Loewen and others
18
Columns 4
6
With our missionaries
Writings shared
Reviews of Under Construction, Surprised by Hope, and Transforming Conflict and Anger into Peace and Nonviolence
Archives alcove
WGM: a powerful, imperfect movement – Terry Smith
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Focus on...
NIP: a layer of protection for EMC churches – Tim Dyck
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A reader’s viewpoint
The Temple: God’s presence on earth – Glen Koop
33 Missional and multiplying
Third places – Ward Parkinson
34 Pictures of God
Paving my own road to grace – Joanna Plett
14 Europe: History of translations in Romani 15 Papua New Guinea: A safe journey remembered 16 Burkina Faso: The power of words 17 South Africa: The everyday life of missionaries 18 China: Interest in Christ has grown
With our churches 20 Fort Garry EMC: Dedications occur, baptism happens 21 Northern Fellowship Chapel: Looking forward to new pastoral couple 21 Evangelical Fellowship Church (Steinbach): Teachers appreciated 22 Blumenort EMC: Surprise dinner guests and new members 23 Riverton Gospel Chapel: Japan is in Hillary’s heart!
35 Stewardship today
‘I choose,’ not “I can’t’ – Darren Pries-Klassen
36 Kids’ corner
28
What is sand? – Loreena Thiessen
Departments 2 Editorials 3 Pontius’ Puddle 5 Letters 18 Poetry 31 Calendar 32 Shoulder tapping News 23 Graduates from Canadian Mennonite University 23 EFC urges freedom for commissioners 24 Segue and Winkler Co-op celebrate partnership 24 MBs and GCs celebrate 150 years 25 Nasreen is grateful for MEDA 25 MCC thrift shop meeting focuses on teamwork 26 MCC Canada receives over $8M for Haiti 26 A World Glimpse: Uighurs 27 Lutherans to consider legacy with Anabaptists 28 Manitoba town welcomes refugees 28 Palestinian church leaders call for justice 29 MCC Canada launches mining justice campaign 30 MCC urges governments to end Gaza blockade 30 EFC equips youth to tackle euthanasia and assisted suicide 31 Conference explores the Mennonite story in Siberia
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writings shared
Under Construction: Reframing Men’s Spirituality, Gareth Brandt (Herald Press, 2009). 232 pp. $13.99 USD. ISBN 978-083619-502-7. Reviewed by Dan Friesen, “Good News Community Church delegate to Bronson Dairy,” a cousin to Gareth.
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en, does a construction zone scare you? Are you comfortable being creatively challenged? Brandt put together a practical, useful piece, while entertaining the theologically minded. The beginning is a bit tough, but the rest (chapters 4 and following) progresses nicely. The cover hollers, “Activity!” It is an appropriate symbol of the inclusive readership intended. My wife and I enjoyed Brandt’s community approach to life, weaving the story of Joseph the Dreamer with threads of poetry, daily living, and personal testimony. In the centre is the chapter most
men consider essential: Sexuality. Brandt challenges both single and married men toward fidelity. While Brandt considers Journey as the most accurate metaphor for a man’s life, he discusses nine others, including Wounded (healing and forgiveness after abuse) and Builder (worship through working). He encourages us in vocation: “Being a missionary at work is not so much about mentioning Jesus in conversation but about fulfilling the vocation or calling that God has given us” (141); he warns us against
Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, N. T. Wright (HarperOne, 2008), 332 pp. $26.95. ISBN 978-0-06155-182-6. Reviewed by Terry Smith.
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hen Christians reduce the gospel to Jesus’ dying for our sins so that we can go to heaven after we die, we narrow the hope to which we are called, says Wright, the Bishop of Durham (Anglican) and a world-renowned New Testament scholar. He is not denying what we hold dear, simply placing it into a richer context than some evangelicals teach. Wright is devoted to Jesus, committed to Scripture, and conversant with evangelical and mainline contexts. He is not Emergent, not a liberal, not a universalist. He defends Christ’s physical resurrection (58-74) and our “life after life after death” (148-163), 4
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emphasizing how both relate to “life before death”—the call of the church to live and speak the good news of “justice, beauty, and above all Jesus” (207-232) here and now. The Kingdom of God, he says, is God’s sovereign rule coming on earth as it is in heaven (19-20), the coming recreation of the cosmos (90-91). Salvation, he says, “is (1) about whole human beings, not merely souls; (2) about the present, not simply the future; and (3) about what God does through us, not merely what God does in and for us (his emphasis). If we can get this straight, we will
The cover hollers, “Activity!” It is an appropriate symbol of the inclusive readership intended.
overwork: “Men can slide into addiction and immorality when they don’t take time to rest, reflect, and achieve depth. Sabbath is that rest and reflection” (150). I found few surprises. However, one section to be re-read is that Christians over-emphasize Christ’s suffering, contributing to a myth of redemptive violence (182-184). This book could generate discussion, and questions are included.
Wright is devoted to Jesus, committed to Scripture, and conversant with evangelical and mainline contexts.
rediscover the historic basis for the full-orbed mission for the church” (200-201). While differing on some matters, I strongly agree with Wright’s view of the church’s mission. But please, N. T. Wright, condense it to a paperback of 100 pages for wider, cheaper distribution.
Transforming Conflict and Anger into Peace and Nonviolence: A Spiritual Direction, Janet Malone (Ottawa: Novalis, 2007), 232 pp. $24.95. ISBN 978-2-89507-692-6. Reviewed by David Kruse, pastor-elect, MacGregor EMC.
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his is a brief but useful comparison of conflict transformation models from which we can gain new attitudes and language for our own and others’ relationships. If we can see conflict as the normal thing it is, taboos in talking about it may be removed and peace can be increased. It is the sort of book that can be used in personal, pastoral, and congregational settings. Malone’s main point is that the various forms of violence associated with conflict can be let go of—the energies of anger can be transformed into personal growth. I was inspired by the inner
conversion stories of her four case studies (Dorothy Day, Mahatma Gandhi, Etty Hillesum and Leonard Desroches), and by another look at the teachings of Jesus. Her teaching challenged me about reconciling with people in my own life, what are some of the barriers, and what are the roots of anger. Though I was drawn to Malone’s picture of a universe-affirming life of inner peace, her interpretation of Jesus and the gospel left me uninspired. Jesus is presented primarily as a prophet and teacher—never as divine and authoritative.
Though I was drawn to Malone’s picture of a universe-affirming life of inner peace, her interpretation of Jesus and the gospel left me uninspired. In my interpretation of Malone’s view, Jesus is not the judge of the universe whose standards we must uphold, but only a moral example whose words have inspired people from various religions to consider love for enemy. The issue of sin, with the need for divine forgiveness, is not identified as a problem. This seems to be a serious omission in a Christian understanding of the roots of conflict and anger.
letters There was a great deal of engagement with scriptures Re: “Thoughts on the Nurturing Healthy Sexuality Conference” (May). We found the article to be instructive and helpful... but incomplete. The topic of “healthy sexuality” is so huge and multi-faceted that it is impossible to address in one sitting. What Conference organizers were hoping for was a broad overview of some of the issues—including faith issues and ethical considerations. But there are also personal stories to be told—stories which illustrate and teach about faith considerations. The Conference was planned so as to provide a solid scriptural foundation in the morning plenary sessions, led by Professor Gayle Gerber Koontz of AMBS. The afternoon workshops were intended to present the personal side, the stories of real life. Unfortunately, Professor Gerber Koontz was unable to arrive in Winnipeg until afternoon, so the workshops and the plenary sessions were switched
around—and the workshops were held in the morning. How unfortunate this was, is shown both by the criticism now levied toward the workshops and by the article’s complete lack of reference to the wonderful scriptural exploration of human sexuality that was presented in the plenary sessions. Given the Conference as a whole (upside down though it may have been) we respectfully suggest that there was a great deal of engagement with scriptures. Thank you to the EMC for taking the Conference seriously, and for following up. And thank you to The Messenger for bringing the lessons of the Conference to the attention of the wider church. May God continue to bless us all as we seek to understand and follow God’s will. Val and Erwin Warkentin (Workshop Facilitators) THE MESSENGER | June 2010
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archives alcove by Terry Smith
WGM: a powerful, imperfect movement
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PHOTO: EMC archives
ven if the Western Gospel Mission (WGM) is unfamiliar to us, we are indebted to it. From 1946 till 1961 the WGM operated in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, establishing churches and engaging in wider evangelistic ministries among Canadians of various cultural and church backgrounds. When the mission closed, the EMC gained six congregations: at Weekes, Danbury, Pelly, Canora, Kamsack (all Sask.), and Mafeking (Man). The EMMC gained four. The congregations added are important; equally significantly, their existence and absorption shows that the EMC was regaining an Anabaptist vision. When the WGM began it was “a kind of renegade body” separate
WGM field staff meeting in Kamsack, Sask., 1957. Front row: Dave and Helen Schellenberg, Nettie Penner, Sara Gerbrandt; second row: Ben and Margaret Reimer, Violet and Edwin Wright; third row: Ben and Luella Andres, John Reimer; back row: Ben Sawatsky, Dave Sawatzky, Harvey Kroeker, Ben Friesen.
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from the KG (later EMC); two churches withheld their approval (Doreen Peters, One Who Dared, 2005). The WGM started despite resistance. Why such reluctance? The KG was a child of Protestant Reformation era persecution. It also had been relatively isolated in Russia (now Ukraine) and then suffered a
Yet less than a year after the war, 30 ministers and other leaders from four KG churches met at Kleefeld in June 1946; the vast majority decided to form both a mission to reach out to western Canadians and a committee to oversee it. Rev. Ben D. Reimer from Prairie Rose EMC was WGM’s only president; Rev. Dave Schellenberg, part
The WGM opened the door both to non-DGR people becoming EMCers and to a separation of the Anabaptist faith from DGR culture. painful split in Canada. As a result, the KG focused on faithfully transmitting its fusion of faith and culture within its own community. Henry Klassen, later EMC General Secretary, recalls hearing a KG minister say that the Great Commission was fulfilled by the apostles. In 1937 a meeting of ministers said, rather weakly, “we cannot absolve ourselves from Jesus’ command to go and preach the gospel to all creatures” (Harvey Plett, Seeking to be Faithful, 1996). Beyond its reluctance, however, the KG was heir to the 16th century Radical Reformation’s history where missioners sought at great risk to share the good news near and far. Unlike other Protestant Reformers, early Anabaptists held the Great Commission was not completed by the apostles or church-state union. The timing of WGM’s forming shows the Holy Spirit’s power. The Second World War was a challenging period for Canadians, not least for those of Germanic descent with pacifist convictions.
of Steinbach EMC, served as its field man. Many of our church workers served under the mission. The WGM era was imperfect. The pattern of identifying congregations by buildings (Fellowship Chapels) distorted the Anabaptist emphasis on the church as people. WGM also focused on, at times, a seemingly narrow view of evangelism that did not always transmit the richness of the Church’s mission. The WGM, however, opened the door both to non-DGR people becoming EMCers and to a separation of the Anabaptist faith from DGR culture. Both of these changes, in my view, would have pleased Menno Simons. Why can this be said? Menno wrote in 1539, “My writing and preaching is nothing else than Jesus Christ. I seek and desire nothing else…but that the most glorious name, the divine will, and the glory of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ may be acknowledged among the world” (Complete Writings, 311).
focus on... by Tim Dyck, General Secretary tdyck@emconf.ca
NIP: a layer of protection for EMC churches
Scene Two: A couple is serving at a church-operated Bible camp when an allegation of abuse is made against them. Later, the church is named in a lawsuit and its assets, not only those of the couple, are at risk.
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EMC churches did not have adequate liability insurance. Even if churches had General Liability Insurance, some did not have adequate Directors and Officers Insurance, and many did not have any form of Abuse Coverage. In response to this need, the Conference found an insurance program that would be available to all EMC churches as a group plan: Church Protection Plus (RobertsonHall Insurance). Why have insurance? There is the benefit of knowing that your church
erving the Lord is complicated. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves� (Matthew 10:16). Nearly one year ago the Conference Council voted to implement the National Insurance Program for all EMC churches. Yet, strangely, only about one-third of churches have enrolled in the program so far (while others have only expressed interest). To protect the reputation of Christ and your ministries, I encourage every church to join the National Insurance Program as soon as possible. The need for a National Insurance Program was highlighted when a survey demonstrated that many
The need for a National Insurance Program was highlighted when a survey demonstrated that many EMC churches did not have adequate liability insurance.
PHOTO: designpics.com
Scene One: A disgruntled former pastor sues a church for wrongful dismissal. To its surprise, members of the local church board are named in the suit and they discover that their personal assets are at risk, as well as those of the congregation.
has adequate insurance coverage for various situations. The Church Protection Plus program has been designed specifically for churches, so it covers the variety of situations that are unique to churches. There are also extensions for special situations such as camps, schools, and other para-church structures. Another benefit is the lower cost that can be achieved when operating as a group. The Church Protection Plus program is competitively priced, while still maintaining a high standard of protection. Some churches have already experienced significant savings by moving to the national program. Still another benefit: when three-quarters of our congregations participate in the National Insurance Program, the Conference (though not uninsured congregations) will automatically be provided a higher level of coverage. There are no special requirements for your church to be eligible to participate in this program. Every church is eligible today, even if you do not have an Abuse Protection Policy in place. A church will not be eligible for the Abuse Coverage until an adequate policy is implemented, but all the other elements of insurance are in full force. With the growing rate of threats, accusations and litigation against churches today, it seems prudent to take all necessary steps to protect against risks. The National Insurance Program is one layer of protection that your church can implement now.
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a reader’s viewpoint
by Glen Koop
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od instructed Moses in constructing the tabernacle. It was to be a movable tent, going with the people. It represented the presence of God with and in Israel. Then David, with his elaborate palaces, thought it was time for God to have a permanent dwelling within the capital city of Jerusalem. But all God allowed him to do in the temple’s construction was to collect materials for it. His son Solomon built that magnificent temple. It was a beautiful building! It now became the symbol of God’s presence in Israel. Jesus was God’s Ezekiel, the prophet of God, came presence with along following the destruction of Israel by the Assyrians. He, in detail, humankind. describes the new temple. Dare I Few saw it. Few say that it was more than Solomon’s temple? After a detailed, measured comprehended it! look at this structure, he tells us that the waters of life flow out of it. This temple is God’s presence, and it gives life. Wherever the water flows, it brings life. The water of the Dead Sea becomes fresh. There is The children of God are God’s temple, God’s preslife along the shores of the river, so the fruit trees bear ence on earth! fruit every month of the year. Aliens in the land are to The writer of Revelation informs us there is no receive an inheritance like the Israelites (Ezekiel 47:1ff). need for a temple in the new heaven, new earth or Jesus comes along. He tries to tell the Jewish leaders new Jerusalem. John does not see a temple “because that he is the temple: “Destroy this temple, and I will the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” raise it again in three days. The Jews replied, “It has (Revelation 21:1-2, 22). taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are The temple is fully here in our midst, but has going to raise it in three days? But the temple he had imperfections. The perfect temple is yet to come, and spoken of was his body” (John 2:19-20, emphasis added). that is the Triune God. Ironically, even his enemies verified Jesus’ state ment: “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple Glen Koop (EFC Steinbach) has served the EMC for many of God and rebuild it in three days’” (Matthew 26:61). years: as a pastor, as the Old Testament professor at “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made SBC, and now as chair of the board of elders in his home temple and in three days will build another, not made congregation. by man’” (Mark 14:58). The disciples didn’t get it either.
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PHOTO: designpics.com
The Temple: God’s presence on earth
“After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:23). Jesus was God’s presence with humankind. Few saw it. Few comprehended it! Then Paul says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If any one destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1Corinthians 6:19-20).
Hockey Night in
Afghanistan
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
by Dr. Arley Loewen
When we envision the different cultures of the Muslim world, many of us, unfortunately, think first of violence and radicalism.
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n Saturday nights we love to watch Hockey Night in Canada,” a Canadian farmer said. “That’s our pastime, our leisure. What do Afghans do for their leisure?” I appreciated his question. He realized Afghans do not simply think of violence. In Afghanistan, it is Afghan Star, broadcast on Tolo TV every Thursday night. Modeled after American Idol, in this national music talent show Afghans young and old vie for a chance to gain stardom. I remember how one Thursday in Kabul traffic came to stand still because Afghan Star was on. Tolo TV, the largest television company in Afghanistan, boasts that as many as 11 million Afghans watched the finals in 2007.
When we envision the different cultures of the Muslim world, many of us, unfortunately, think first of violence and radicalism. For some, fear grips them because of the apparent threat that Muslims want to take over the world. I keep hearing this question, “Should we be afraid?” While not denying the real and powerful influence that Islamic radicalism—a minority view among Muslims—has in the world, as Christians we are also interested in the religious beliefs and practices of Muslims. Leaving aside politics and militarism as well as beliefs and doctrines, I recall our neighbours in Pakistan about a decade ago. I picture their three girls, much the same age as our two daughters, (continued p. 10) THE MESSENGER | June 2010
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Focus on the Family Sorry, but James Dobson did not invent this. Muslims have focused on their families for centuries and they continue to this day (and so have Jews and Christians before them). It is true that the tragedy of early child marriage still occurs in some rural areas of the Middle East, and the injustices of female oppression characterizes parts of the Muslim landscape to this day. One author who studied the emotions and psychology of Pashtun women cites their well-known cliché, “Oh the many misfortunes that have befallen me.” She concludes that for many Pashtun woman, sadness is their display of honour. It is as if the sadder they
While we struggle to bring our western cultures back to the family circle, Afghan families are doing this naturally. become and the more grief and misfortunes they experience, the more honour they gain. But it is also true that the greater part of the Muslim world knows next to nothing of single parent families, high divorce rates (unless they come to the West), teen-age sex as well as casual or recreational sex, and whatever else we find in our own sensual, gluttonous culture. In the Muslim world almost everyone gets married. Families are sacred and large. It is not uncommon for an Afghan taxi-driver to tell me that 10
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PHOTO: dreamstime.com
jumping over the wall between our two balconies and playing “house and dress-up” with Rachel and Rebecca. And then their Grandpa calls and off they run to the market, following him as chicks after a mother hen. No fears, but sheer delight as he buys a small ice cream treat for each of his grandchildren and, on occasion, for our daughters as well. At the risk of generalizing the multi-faceted cultures and experiences within the Muslim world, I want to highlight a few social virtues of Muslim cultures which resonate deeply with our own Christian values. It is in this arena of social values and virtues that we as Christians can and should try to connect with Muslims.
he has nine children around his table, and he will add, “May God protect them.” While we struggle to bring our western cultures back to the family circle, Afghan families are doing this naturally. I believe Afghans reflect what is common throughout the Muslim world. No one needs a pension plan because the parents know they are secure. Their children will take care of them. Security is rooted in one’s children. Mothers are highly esteemed, indeed, almost worshipped. But, I must add that all is not well or beautiful within the Afghan family, which is likely true elsewhere. Wife-beating, father-son rivalry, dictatorial and belligerent fathers, and nagging mothers are features of many families. But, somehow, the Middle Eastern family survives all of this. What is worse: a broken family or what I’ve described about the Middle Eastern family? Is it possible that we can take the best of both worlds? Honour your father and mother In theological terms, the greatest sin in Islam is shirk, that is, to associate a human to be partner with God. But in sociological terms the greatest sin is to cause fitna (chaos and disorder) into society. When children do not obey their parents or respect their elders, Muslims feel that the building blocks of society become undone. This fitna results in social earthquakes. And we all know the damage of earthquakes. While much of traditional Muslim culture ignores the aspirations of children (though some of this is changing rapidly today), the West has become extremely child-centred.
We make much of Jesus’ words, “Let the children come to me!” And, indeed, I appreciate these gracious words in light of how children are mistreated and silenced in many Muslim families. However, not only in Middle Eastern societies, but throughout the Asian subcontinent, African and Orient cultures, families continue to esteem their elders. And they look at us and shake their heads. How can we honour our fathers and mothers if we house them in “senior residences” so we, as adult children, can pursue our professional demands or pleasures? Much of the non-western world cannot compute this, nor would the biblical world have countenanced it. I wonder sometimes if our respect for our elders, or lack thereof, is portrayed in the way we submit to the ultimate authority, Almighty God?
To this day, people in the Middle Eastern world consider it an honour and sheer delight to be able to share meal with others. As I recall our nine years in Toronto in the 1990s, one of our greatest joys was the constant flow of guests with Iranians, picnicking and eating kebabs in the lush green Toronto parks. If we want to connect with Muslims, we need to open the doors and dining rooms of our homes. We only hurt ourselves and soil our Christian witness when we close ourselves to the outside world and fear them. We say that God welcomed us to His heavenly banquet while we were strangers out on the highways and byways of life. Now we enjoy and relish His grace. And we won’t welcome others around the tables? Yes, there is much to learn from our Muslim neighbours. We might even discover more about our own Christian faith.
Practice hospitality one to another Muslims, by and large, belong to what is described as “warm cultures” where relationships are more important than production and company Arley Loewen, with a Ph.D. in Persian studies, is a outputs. Whatever else you do, you need to “hang cultural consultant. out” with people. Interestingly, we see this becoming more prevalent in our western cultures. Legends say that when a meal was prepared in a traditional Arab village, an Arab man would Will you be there for go up to a hilltop and welcome others to join them. Men of the th desert did not eat meals alone. Both for Jew and Muslim, Abraham became the patron saint of hospitality. One Islamic tradiPlan to attend EMC Convention tion says that Abraham swore July 2-4, 2010, in Leamington, he would never eat alone. Just read Genesis 18 and observe how Ontario Abraham entertained the three the strangers. In the New Testament, Inspirational sessions, of the Abraham symbolizes the divine children’s programming, hospitality as “many will eat with Christ, His Church in Missions youth event, and more Abraham” (Matthew 8:11).
60 Convention
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IUMPH
LAMB 60th Annual EMC Convention July 2, 3, 4 2010 Leamington, Ontario United Mennonite Educational Institute
Muslims, by and large, belong to what is described as “warm cultures” where relationships are more important than production and company outputs.
The Triumph of the Lamb?
Keynote Speaker: David W. Shenk
No registration required to attend inspirational sessions
Ph.D
emc
Speaker: David W. Shenk, Ph.D.
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PHOTO: Ray dirks
Kornelius Isaak and the Moro spear by Harry Loewen and others
Jonoine, who killed Kornelius Isaak, receives a statement of forgiveness from Helmut Isaak, brother of Kornelius, at the MWC assembly in 2009.
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rom the time German Mennonites first settled into the Paraguayan Chaco in 1928, the Lengua warned them against possible attacks from the Moros (Ayorea), a warlike tribe living farther north. In 1935 Mennonites established a mission to Indians of the Chaco, including the Moros. Contact Years went by without significant Missionary David Hein (back) with Moro natives. Jonoine is in the centre. contact with the Moros. In 1958 the committee decided that time for more than passing contact had come. Two experienced and a bag. The meanings of the exchanges were missionaries, David Hein and Kornelius Isaak (both unclear. The Lengua felt uneasy. married and with children), spoke Spanish (but not the Moro language) and were eager. A Lengua Martyrdom accompanied them on the 225-kilometer journey The missionaries returned home to report; the into Moro heartland. committee counseled caution and was unprepared At last they came to a shallow body of water in to resend the missionaries. Their families were fearwhich fish were found. The Lengua said, “There’s ful. But the two men, while concerned about their fire nearby.” They discovered footprints and a few safety, were eager to continue. fires. They stuck sticks into the ground, attached On September 10, 1958, together with another shirts, and then left. For the next two days they Lengua companion, they had driven only a few returned to leave more shirts. kilometers into Moro territory when the guide said, The Moro, in turn, left feathers, an empty bowl, “There they are.” 12
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PHOTO: CMBS
Ahead was a group of about 50 men, scantily They chartered a small plane to find their old clad and apparently without weapons. The misenemies. After locating them from the air, they sionaries stopped the jeep, got off, and waved. The decided to pay them a visit on the ground, even Moros seemed friendly, came closer, and accepted though it required a long walk through the brush. “Let us not use any arms,” said the leaders. “We gifts. A tall man approached Kornelius. Looking past have killed so many of them, and it might be that him, Kornelius noticed those standing farther away some of us will have to give up our lives so they were carrying weapons. It did not bode well. might understand that we come in peace and that Suddenly the men shouted at the missionaries Jesus has given us love for our enemies.” The first minutes of the and demanded more gifts. One tried to wrestle the guide to the encounter were violent. The A tall man approached ground. The guide sought to Totobie-Gosode killed five of the grab the hunting rifle in the jeep. Kornelius. Looking past him, visitors and badly injured four David Hein grabbed the rifle and others from the Guidai-Gosode Kornelius noticed those peace delegation. But when waved it high in the air. they noticed that their visitors The Moros retreated. One standing farther away were man aimed an arrow at David, behaved in a completely noncarrying weapons. It did not but did not release the bow. violent way, the killing stopped, bode well. Kornelius Isaak felt an they made peace, and together intense pain and pulled a thin they returned to the village of the Guidai-Gosode to live and spear from his side. No one had seen how it happened. The wound did not appear to learn with their former enemies. be that serious, but Kornelius urged that they leave In 1988, thirty years after the tragic death of as quickly as possible. After driving only a short Kornelius Isaak, a group of Moros also came to the distance, Kornelius became weak and David had to Fernheim Mennonite Colony for a visit. Among the group were members of the warrior band that had continue driving. From an oil company camp Kornelius was flown attacked the missionaries. Now, however, they came to a hospital, where doctors discovered his spleen as friends and not enemies. and kidneys were badly damaged. The next day, with his wife Marg, his parents, and many friends Reconciliation This reconciliation was symbolized again at the by his side, Kornelius died. His last words were a prayer for the Moros whom he had tried to reach. Mennonite World Conference Assembly 15, which took place in Paraguay in July 2009. Jonoine, who Change had killed Isaak, is now chief of the Ayoreo. He was New Tribes Mission and Catholic missionaries invited to the closing worship service where Isaak’s brother Helmut read a statement of forgiveness: continued to work among the Moros. The tribe became more open and eventually individuals “More than 50 years ago, your clan and tribe were accepted the Christian gospel. In 1961 Mennonites resisting us, but now we aren’t enemies anymore, learned that the Moros had attacked the missionarbut brothers in Christ.” ies as revenge for an epidemic that had broken out Helmut Isaak also said to the assembly, “In the name of Kornelius Isaak and Jonoine, I challenge among them after the oil company camp had been established. you to establish centres all over the world, of study During the 1980s some of the Moros encounand research of Anabaptist and peace theology tered the teachings of Jesus on the Sermon on the and training, in ways to find peaceful solutions to confrontations.” Mount. After learning to read, and having received a New Testament, a man from the Guidai-Gosode, Edited and reprinted with permission, adapted from a territorial group of the Ayoreo nation, visited his Doug Heidebrecht, Mennonite Historian (September relatives and shared his discovery. 2009) with input from Dick Benner and Helmut He said, “If Jesus calls us to love our enemies, Isaak, Canadian Mennonite (Aug. 17, 2009; Sept. 21, then we have to go and find our old adversaries, 2009); Alfred Neufeld, What We Believe Together the Totobie-Gosode [another territorial group of (Good Books, 2007); “Profiles of Mennonite Faith: the same Ayoreo nation], who are hostile to any Kornelius Isaak and the Moro Spear,” (No. 19, 2002), contacts from outside their group and of whom we Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission; and Harry have killed so many.” Loewen, No Permanent City: Stories from Mennonite History and Life (Herald Press, 1993).
THE MESSENGER | June 2010
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with our missionaries
europe Bible translation into Romani worldwide has a considerable history; translations of the whole Bible or portions have been made in various dialects. However, these translations are not widely used. There are several possible reasons for this: the translated material is not easily available; many Roma are not able to read; there are major differences among Romani dialects; some Romani favour using the majoritylanguage for Bible reading. Since 2002, a team of Wycliffe members, invited by the national Bible society, has been working in Romania. One goal is to find answers to questions: are there Roma for whom a Romani translation would speak more directly than the translation they use? For which groups is a supplementary translation necessary? In what form should these translations be published? A team surveyed about 150 Roma communities during the past two years—in many cases communities of believers from Pentecostal or Baptist congregations. The team assessed the dialect used, how actively Romani was used in church and at home, and if people had ever heard of Romani scripture material. They determined that scriptures in both audio and written form are needed to let the Bible truly speak to people. Among groups where Romani is used most actively, an assessment will be made as to what scripture
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material it would be good to translate. Surveyors received different answers to the idea of translating scripture into Romani. One person said, “A Bible in your own language has more authority.” A Roma pastor, who has translated two Gospels, PHOTO: dreamstime.com
History of translations in Romani
Are there Roma for whom a Romani translation would speak more directly than the translation they use? considers a Romani translation worthwhile primarily for its emotional value. Another person said he saw no good reason for scripture material in Romani: “A film like that about Jesus in Romani is okay, people will listen to it; but in Romanian it just sounds better.” As of January 2010, Lesley and Marianne’s roles have changed somewhat. Marianne, though still connected informally with the Romani team, is now working with Wycliffe Netherlands in personnel
and publicity. Lesley continues with the Romani team as translation advisor and also teaches translation at SIL’s European Training Programme UK Campus. Lesley Fast Lesley and Marianne Fast (Blumenort) have been involved in Bible translation and literacy since 1986.
Has your church used Follow Me?
View a sample chapter at www.emconf.ca/publications.htm To order copies ($2.50 each, plus shipping) contact Rebecca Roman, 204-326-6401 or rroman@emconf.ca.
with our missionaries
A safe journey remembered papua New guinea
point from home and family; the journey’s end was within reach. My co-worker Frank and I left had Sinow with representatives from two assemblies of believers. Traveling with five Siawi men and four Sinow men, we marveled as traditional enemies lived as Christian brothers. Drenched by driving rain, lost and ill at ease at night, we commit-
PHOTO courtesy tim schroder
Thank you for your prayers. God is good and at work here in PNG and in the Sepik region. I had requested prayer for Pukapuki men going to Wewak for a curriculum development course. Four or five men went. We are not currently in Pukapuki, but rejoice with these missionaries as they press on in their tribal locations. Here is a shortened bit from a letter of Kelly Luyendyk, a missionary that works in the Sepik and went to these meetings: “I glanced at my mud encrusted watch and checked the hour as the prow of our Kelly and Sien Luyendyk are Schroders’ co-workers from Cremona, Alta., who have served with NTM for 13 years. dugout canoe swept in a shaky arc. Four o’clock, Tuesday afternoon. Ten of us had been This time of teaching and fellowship traveling since Sunday afterwas more than a workshop for church noon, homeward bound after leaders. It was a time of challenge and a week-long church workshop held at the coastal town of encouragement for young believers, Wewak. uncertain shepherds. This time of teaching and fellowship was more than a workshop for church leaders. It was ted ourselves to making it to Sinow a time of challenge and encouragebefore Tuesday night. Frustrated ment for young believers, uncertain with our perpetually sinking canoe, shepherds. Testimonies and discusfrightened by giant whirlpools and sion confirmed that God’s Holy Spirit oncoming floating debris, we pressed was molding their thinking in line on. with His Word. Now we were almost I navigated into the blackness, home. totally helpless and completely relyMartin’s steady hand on the tiller ing on Funwk and Nomo, on the bow of the 40hp outboard guided our care- with their roving flashlights. They ful circle on the Sepik River, everyone guided us past hidden oxbows and eager to check the huge crocodile islands on that serpentine river. sunning itself on a tree snag. Everyone huddled under plastic, We were only one more river water streaming from Maikel’s beard
as he kept me company. But we were heading home, and we sensed God in the canoe with us. The crocodile gracefully slid into the water. Everyone cheered, secretly wishing for the means to bring the meat home. Martin maneuvered the canoe upstream. I motioned him to idle to a stop. Funwk latched onto some reeds to keep us from drifting. Then Siawi’s Malikai grinned at Sinow’s Maikel, stood up, and led us in thanks for our Heavenly Father’s protection and provision. We had passed a Sinow man and his family in their bush camp who said Maikel’s wife had almost drowned the previous day in the flooding river. Frank, who had returned early, had swum to save her. Martin praised God that we could come home without grief waiting. Look away from your feeble strength and hang on the victory through Jesus Christ, our Lord! Right now you feel dirty and tired in your journey home, but look up ahead. The last bend is approaching. Hang on. Home is near.” Tim Schroder Tim and Laurel Schroder (Pelly) serve with New Tribes Mission.
Portage EMCers, Where Are You? Portage EMC 50th anniversary and building dedication August 28 and 29, 2010 Registration: August 28, 1-3 p.m. More information to follow on our church website. Please respond by July 31: 204-857-4146, www.portagepec.ca, or www.facebook.com (search PEC 50th anniversary)
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The power of words In the village of Tin we made a habit of going to Father Drissa, the elder of our courtyard, to inform him when we were leaving the village for an overnight trip. He then gave us blessings: “May God bring you back safely” and “May God give you peace.” One day we left to go to the city of Bobo-Dioulasso without informing him of our departure. A few days later when we came back home, I went to greet him. He said, “Where did you go? Why didn’t you tell me? That was a dangerous thing to do.” “If you had told me that you were leaving, I would have sent you on your way with my blessings,” he explained. “Without such blessings you could have had an accident or other misfortune. The next time you go on a trip, be sure to let me know.” On another occasion a friend of mine noticed some jugs of water in the back of my Peugot 404 pick-up truck. He asked me why I kept them there. I told him that this was drinking water—just a safety precaution in case our truck would break down in the middle of nowhere. He was shocked and told me I should never talk like that. The words I had spoken—“in case our truck would break down”—were
Words do indeed have power when they are inspired by the Holy Spirit and empowered by Jesus Christ who indwells us.
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PHOTO COURTESY paul thiessen
burkina faso
Our Peugot 404 pick-up truck, stopping at a fast food restaurant along the road in Orodara.
dangerous words. Just saying them could cause our truck to break down. He told me that to answer such a question I should instead say, “We might decide to make an unplanned visit along the way that would prolong our trip, in which case we would need some extra drinking water.” That would be a safer answer. People in Burkina Faso believe that words have power. The Bible also teaches us that words have power. God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. Jesus said to a deaf man, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened”) and the man’s ears were opened (Mark 7:34). I have learned from my Muslim friends in Tin that giving blessings to people is important and necessary and valuable. Words do indeed have power when they are inspired by the Holy Spirit and empowered by Jesus Christ who indwells us. We as God’s people should be more ready to say to those we meet, “May God bless you.” We should say to people who are sick, “May God
make you well.” We should send people off on a journey by saying, “May God give you a safe trip.” Blessings are prayers that are spoken to a person, accompanied by faith that our sovereign God is in control and that he wants to help us in all circumstances. Words of blessing result in God’s power being released to accomplish His will, just as our prayers are effective in changing situations for the good. Paul Thiessen
Paul Thiessen (Blumenort) is a linguist and Bible translator who, though on North American assignment, has returned briefly to Burkina Faso.
with our missionaries
south africa Kathy and I, on behalf of Blumenort EMC, recently had the opportunity to visit Joe and Olga Reimer in South Africa where they have served for over 30 years. The Blumenort church’s intent for our visit was to encourage the Reimers in their ministry, while learning how the home church might better support career missionaries.
TEAM’s objectives working with African, Coloured, Indian, and Muslim groups within South Africa include: training and evangelism among churches, ministry among HIV/AIDS groups, helping and encouraging the church to reach out to neighbouring countries, and preparing leaders of tomorrow. The challenge for missions like TEAM is that frequently churches or church constituencies prefer to work more independently. Foreign missionaries, each with their own passions and faith tradition, also become part of this mosaic. Providing leadership to this situation are missionaries like Reimers.
Beyond spiritual realities, life in a mission field like South Africa requires an incredible amount of wisdom, upfront leg work and ongoing vigilance, frequent and ongoing communication with a variety of persons, and the ability to live with much uncertainty and disappointment.
The longing of the heart for each missionary is to live out what they went out to do in the first place.
it to be relevant. Ongoing prayer support groups for each career missionary along with mission(ary) advocates within the home church are essential. The reality of any missionary is that the day-to-day is not unlike our own. Christian lives involve personal dedication to God through prayer, meditation on God’s Word, and service. Missionaries seek to live this act of obedience. However, day-to-day tasks of just normal living require time. Missionaries, in fact, likely need to dedicate more time to such because there may be fewer conveniences available and financial resources may be limited. Joe and Olga continue to demonstrate the value of career missions in their relationship with the people of South Africa and beyond, their connection with numerous missions and missionaries, and their rapport with the home church. Their ongoing obedience to God in everyday life underpins these efforts. David Driedger
The longing of the heart for each missionary is to live out what they went out to do in the first place. Just like us, they set personal goals. For some of us much gets done; others less so. So how is success measured on the mission field? Perhaps we need to look at how things have progressed. Has our love for God grown over time; and, then, how has this been lived out in reality? Joe and Olga live out this love for God through their prayers, their testimony about God’s faithfulness to other, teaching leadership principles David Driedger (Blumenort) is the to pastors, supporting tent ministry, CEO at Rest Haven Nursing Home in providing resource material to Steinbach, Man. pastors, and such practical things as putting a roof on a church building. Missionaries also treasure a connected home church. But what does the relationship between the home church and the missionary look like after 30-plus years? This varies, of course, but the missionary relationship with the home church must be intentionally nurtured by both for David and Kathy Driedger, Joe and Olga Reimer THE MESSENGER | June 2010
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PHOTOS COURTESY david driedger
The everyday life of missionaries
with our missionaries
china Growing urban ministries are creating new opportunities to share Christ in China. For the past 30 years, outreach in rural China has flourished. Tom Henry with WorldServe Ministries says the opposite was true in urban areas: “The door was sorta closed in the city: people are materialist; they’re not interested in spiritual things.” But in the last couple of years, interest in Christ has grown. Henry believes this is because “as more and more people migrate to the cities, more Christians migrate to
the cities, and they’ve been spreading the Gospel. I think also a new openness has developed among folks in all strata in the urban area. Intellectuals, business professions, and students are among these individuals” (Mission Network News, May 20, 2010). Recently we watched an interview of urban pastors from China. They were pleading for English teachers to come and work on university campuses. Many graduating students
stay to work in the city. God loves the city and is doing a new thing in Chinese cities! Please continue to pray for a team leader and 95 others who are preparing to go to teach Chinese teachers June 29 to August 7. Asia Worker
Urban pastors from China plead for English teachers to come and work on university campuses.
PHOTO: dreamstime.com
Interest in Christ has grown
poetry Cross Loss A thought for you to ponder, when you next sit on the pew Does the church in which you visit have a cross within your view? For it seems to have gone missing, to where I cannot say Perhaps in modern churches, the cross is now passé. No, wait, the cross is still current—for I see it’s now in use As fancy decoration on t-shirts and tattoos. And I wonder as I see it, on necklaces and rings, Perhaps the cross has now become just a fashion thing.
PHOTO: designpics.com
For up in front, for all to see, is where the cross had been, But it’s been discarded, or covered up by the PowerPoint big screen. And no longer a place of honour, do we the cross appoint Perhaps it’s lost its power or no longer has a point. And now I fear there’ll come a day, whether in boasting or despair, The lost throughout the world will say, “Perhaps the cross was never there.” Allan G. Lie 18
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poetry
The Lamp of God One little ember glowing in the dark Two little embers ignites a tiny spark Three little embers trying to sustain Four little embers building up a flame Five little embers keeping up the fight Six little embers flickering in the night Seven little embers burning brighter still— Like a beacon in the darkness— Like a city on a hill
Lord, let your oil of joy anoint us, And let your Spirit fan the flames Make us a Holy Lantern Ever blazing, never ashamed Shine your light into the darkness For all the world to see That the Lamp of God has come To your community!
Brigitte Toews
PHOTO: dreamstime.com
Among the seven embers Walks a brilliant shining light His eyes like blazing torches His robe the purest white With feet like burnished bronze And a sash of gold around His waist He comes to stoke the fire And replenish it in haste
Revelation 1:9-20, Revelation 2, Psalm 45:7, Matthew 5:14-16, Psalm 18:28, Ephesians 5:8-14, Revelation 21:23
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Dedications occur, baptism happens
O
ur congregation celebrated new life several weeks ahead of Easter, during the baby dedication ceremony on February 7. There were six young families who formally introduced their new arrivals to the congregation. While the parents pledged to raise their children to the best of their abilities, the church community pledged its support. The pastoral blessing, a potential minefield of awkward crying or even a memorable vomiting, proceeded without incident. Each blessing was unique in its substance but all were of roughly equal eloquence. Several weeks later, on March 14, the church witnessed the baptism of Cheri Reimer. She is a youth at Fort
Garry, the second of five daughters, and started attending the church several years ago when her family moved from Paraguay. She shared her faith story with everyone present and made a public commitment to follow Christ. The baby dedications and Cheri’s baptism show how our individual members and families continue to grow and develop; the same is true of our entire congregation. One exciting development at Fort Garry is our plan to greatly expand ministry to students and young adults by hiring an associate pastor
PHOTOS: paul klassen
FORT GARRY EMC, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Bowler came as a guest speaker to share his insight from his position on campus. Tragically, his inspiring and insightful message was overshadowed by one of the most emphatically delivered Freudian slips ever heard from an EMC pulpit. The precise transcript is not suitable for publication in The Messenger, but, at any rate, the wisdom about how to reach the university crowd was of more lasting value. Students are often looking for a place to belong or make friends. Although hostility towards religion is present in academia, there are many people who are open to spiritual conversation, not to mention many Christian students in need of solid support. Furthermore, students at the
Parental pledging/baby dedication on February 7, 2010: Nathan and Cora Hoeppner with Luke, David and Sheila Kroeker with Kiahna, Ron and Arlana Vadnais with Carys, Jeremy and Erin Plett with Corrie, Waren and Susanne du Plooy with Johnannes, and Greg and Dana Wiebe with Hugo.
Pastor Layton Friesen baptizes Cheri Reimer after she shared her faith story with the congregation and was welcomed by the Fort Garry congregation.
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dedicated to this demographic. Fort Garry EMC is located just a block from the University of Manitoba campus and has always had a vision to expand its witness in that community. Young adults and international students already make up a large segment of our congregation, and over a hundred EMC members are students at the U. of M., so this is a natural area of growth. During our January Missions Month we focused on this initiative. One Sunday, U. of M. professor Gerry
university are not a monolithic group, and undergraduates, international students, graduate students, and students’ families could all be potential focus groups for the new ministry. Without doubt, there would be a place for seven new associate pastors, though our plan is to begin with one. A search committee is actively engaged in defining the role of the new associate pastor and finding a candidate for the position. Paul Klassen
with our churches
Looking forward to new pastoral couple
O
ur church has been without a pastor since July 2009, but we are now looking forward to welcoming Randall and Faith Krahn and daughter Rebecca to our midst by July 1. They will move here from Swift Current. Our former pastoral couple Scott and Natalie Koop (Spencer and Marissa) moved to Selkirk, Man., last summer. We have had interim speakers since then: Joe Buie, Deb Odgaard, Sandra Schroeder, and Lorne Moorhead. These four individuals have been generous with their
time, dedication and love to both Cornerstone Church (MB) in Flin Flon, Man., and Northern Fellowship Chapel (EMC) in Creighton. We have had other guest speakers, but these
PHOTO: janice imrie
NORTHERN FELLOWSHIP CHAPEL, Creighton, Saskatchewan
four have been our “pillars” for this past year. Our church held Vacation Bible School last summer, and we resumed Kids’ Club for the winter. Lorne told the stories based on God’s love for children. We also had a great Ten Thousand Villages sale in November and our sales totaled more than $3,000. The sale is handled by Northern Fellowship Chapel, but we rely heavily on support from Cornerstone Church and it has been a team effort. Our Christmas program theme was The Lord is my Shepherd. Our local fishermen are now waiting patiently (?) for the ice to drift away and for the fishing season to open once again. There’s nothing like fresh fried fish! Janice Imrie
NFC is involved in ministry to children through VBS and Kids’ Club.
Teachers appreciated at EFC EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP CHURCH, Steinbach, Manitoba
A
s the congregation moved into its summer worship service schedule on June 6, 2010, co-superintendent Kevin Davis thanked the many people involved in its Sunday School teaching ministry. Here, slightly edited, is what he said. “When I think back over the last year, I am thankful for many things.
Kevin Davis: “Without you [teachers] we would not be able to run this great program. Thank you for a job well done.”
I am thankful for parents, who bring their kids to S.S. and entrust us with teaching them the truths from God’s Word. I am thankful for the Christian Ed Committee—Jenn Penner, Gerald Reimer, and Dalen Kroeker—that help out in any way they can, from brain storming for offering project ideas to helping with all the kids during teacher training times. I am also thankful to cosuperintendent Brenda Reimer for helping with the leadership in the S.S. department. Thanks for all your hard work. I am thankful for the kids and their enthusiasm. We enjoyed making the care packs for the missionary
families in our church and supporting the orphanage in Nicaragua, CINAG. Our last offering project went towards relief kits for Haiti. It was exciting to see the kids bringing in their own money and bringing some of the supplies. Thanks to the grade 5 class for helping put the kits together last week. I am thankful that we had enough teachers come forward to run the S.S. program again, even though there were a number of vacancies in the beginning. Without you we would not be able to run this great program. Thank you for a job well done.” As a thank you each teacher, sub, helper, and singing leader received a floral gift. Kevin Davis
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Surprise dinner guests and new members
W
ho’s coming for dinner? On March 28 we were expecting a family of six for supper. We did not know who they were until their van pulled up in our driveway. This event was initiated by the Caring Team. People in the church could sign up to host or to visit someone else. We opted to host. When our guests arrived we were pleasantly surprised. It was a family that we don’t normally get together with. We enjoyed a great time of fellowship, and, although there was a big difference in age between our children and theirs, they all managed to enjoy themselves. I would strongly encourage the Caring Team to do this again. This would also be good if we took the initiative to do this on our own. On the dark gloomy, rainy morning of Good Friday, we did something different. The congregation was sent to various locations throughout the church to witness re-enactments of various scenes from the crucifixion story (Stations of the Cross). What stood out in particular was the narrow hallway we were crammed into while a man with a big wooden cross was forced by Roman guards to pass by, followed by the sound of weeping women. In another hallway we were surrounding what looked like a hole in a rock wall. There were a lot of people standing around crying. As we were standing there, we were brushed aside by two men carrying a body wrapped in a dirty white sheet. They carried the body into the hole in the rock. After this we were ushered back into the sanctuary. 22
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Thankfully, Sunday was a whole lot more cheerful. On May 1, about a dozen men, ranging in age from young boys to those almost retired, showed up at the home of Ken and Katie Plett to reshingle their roof and to do other odd jobs. Pastor Barry Plett is hoping that we would be able to this men’s work day on a monthly basis as a way of having informal fellowship among
On Good Friday, the congregation was sent to various locations throughout the church to witness reenactments of various scenes from the crucifixion story.
PHOTO: Martin penner
BLUMENORT EMC, Manitoba
the men of our church and to be a blessing to those who would benefit from it. He said that the ladies have their Beth Moore Bible studies and their Ladies Teas, but there wasn’t much in the way of men’s fellowship. On April 18, four people transferred their memberships to Blumenort EMC from Niverville churches. They are Sam Murray, Theodor and Jolene Friesen, and Colleen Hiebert. On May 2, Oscar Reimer, and Rey and Heather Kroeker were received as members of Blumenort EMC On May 16, we welcomed six new members through baptism. They are Shaelyn Wiebe, Ebony Kampen, Alicia Martens, Luke Reimer, Cole Reimer, and Jackson Loewen We also welcomed Dale Martens (husband of Alicia Martens) who transferred his membership to Blumenort EMC. I wish you all a good summer. May God make you a blessing wherever you go and in whatever you do! Martin Penner
Administrative Pastor Anthony Reimer (back left) stands with new members by baptism or transfer: Luke Reimer, Cole Reimer, Jackson Loewen; (front) Dale Martens (transfer), Alicia Martens, Ebony Kampen, and Shaelyn Wiebe.
with our churches
Japan is in Hillary’s heart! RIVERTON GOSPEL CHAPEL, Manitoba
J
PHOTO COURTESY hillary timmons
anuary 30 marked an exciting day for Hillary Timmons as she was warmly welcomed back to Winnipeg by her parents in spite of the -30 C temperature. As part of her cross-training
Hillary Timmons
internship course Hillary spent almost a year in Hirao, Japan, with a team of church planters under Christar. Her time there was marked by completing an ethnography assignment, teaching English class, Bible classes, developing curriculum for Friendship English camp, Friday night ministries, and building relationships. As a supporting church we were glad to welcome her back and were interested to learn of her experiences. In her final spring update from home she writes, “It’s very humbling that God has used me to help bring the light of His Son to Japan and allowed me to be a part of the work He is doing in the
hearts of His people in Japan. “The Lord certainly blessed me with plenty of amazing experiences, close relationships, and special members in Japan, and 2009 will always be a year that I will look back on with a lot of joy in my heart. I know that God is calling me back to Japan.” Hillary will not be making the journey back to Japan by herself. Hillary and Bob Baden are planning a small wedding for July 10 of this year. After a year of Bible training and taking care of some immigration details, they are hoping to return to Japan together next summer or early fall. Hillary asks that we continue to pray for her teammates continuing the work in Japan, and that the many lost souls there would turn to their Creator for salvation. Carol Kornelsen
news
PHOTOs COURTESY CMU
EMC graduates from Canadian Mennonite University
Tony Friesen (Treesbank), B.A. in Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies
EFC urges freedom for commissioners Faye Sonier, legal counsel for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, attended the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal May 13-14 with litigator Scott Kennedy to present arguments in favour of religious rights for marriage commissioners. In July, the Justice Minister of Saskatchewan asked the Court of Appeal for an opinion on potential legislation permitting marriage commissioners to decline performing same-sex marriages if contrary to their religious beliefs. The decision in this case has the potential to affect all public service employees in Canada.
EFC
Pamela Amber Dueck (Morweena), BA in history
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news
Segue and Winkler Co-op celebrate partnership Working together to break down employment barriers
PHOTO COURTESY eden
WINKLER, Man.—Three years of cooperation with the mental illness—the stress from a job can be overwhelming. Winkler Co-op has resulted in 22 people having on-the-job One of Segue’s employment trainers is assigned to work training through the Segue Career Options program. closely with the individual and provides training, coaching, Individuals who enter this unique program in Winkler, and support—both at work and often after work—to address are unemployed or under-employed due to employment barlife skills needs. As the person progresses, eventually they riers that can include a mental health diagnosis, a physical can work on their own, obtain a job within the co-operating disability, or learning challenges. Segue Career Options is business or in another business. The goal of Segue is to dea program of Eden Health Care velop job skills so that individuals can find Services that works at breaking meaningful employment. down such employment barriThe Winkler Co-op has worked cooperaers. To do this best, it is vital to tively with Segue over the past three years have an employer who is willto develop such a program in the Co-op ing to provide individuals with grocery store, café, and gas bar. the opportunity for on-the-job James Friesen, Eden’s CEO, notes, “A training. large part of who we are is wrapped up in Segue found such a partner our job title. A job, and the security and with the Winkler Co-op. Upon sense of fulfillment a job provides, is a key entering the program an asbuilding block for all people. It allows us to sessment is made and a job is contribute to the communities we are part assigned that best matches the of.” Segue Career Options and its coopskills and capacity of each indi- Segue and Winkler Co-op celebrated their unique erative program with the Winkler Co-op is vidual. Often for someone recov- partnership with free pie and coffee on September doing just that. It is developing good citiering from an illness—such as a 9, 2009. zens for the community. Eden
MBs and GCs celebrate 150 years Two conferences ponder past, futures
WINNIPEG, Man.—This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of two major Anabaptist bodies, the Mennonite Brethren Church in Ukraine, and the General Conference Mennonite Church in the USA. To help celebrate this important landmark, Canadian Mennonite University hosted an all day story-telling session on MennoniteJune 5, 2010, on campus, followed an evening worship service, Anabaptist churches by open to all, at Winnipeg’s Portage worldwide have Avenue Church. The stories of these two approximately 1.5 churches began in 1860, when two million baptized renewal movements, separated by the Atlantic Ocean, led to the formembers in 51 mation of two different Mennonite countries on six denominations. In that year, one group seeking emphasis on discontinents. cipline, prayer, and Bible study 24
THE MESSENGER | June 2010
left the larger Mennonite church in Ukraine to form the Mennonite Brethren Church. Simultaneously in North America, congregations in Iowa invited other Mennonites to join together to pursue common goals in mission work, service, and higher education, thereby forming the General Conference Mennonite Church, which later merged with the Mennonite Church to form Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA. Known as peace churches for their commitment to nonviolence, Mennonite-Anabaptist churches worldwide have approximately 1.5 million baptized members in 51 countries on six continents. Both the Mennonite Brethren and Mennonite Church Canada, along with Mennonite Church USA, are member churches of a broader Mennonite World Conference. The EMC began in 1812 in Ukraine (then Russia) and moved to Canada and the U.S. in 1874. It will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2012. It, too, is a member of MWC. CMU and EMC
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Nasreen is grateful for MEDA A story from Afghanistan
PHOTO courtesy meda
When Nasreen talks, she looks very confident and you do not realize the hardships and difficulties she has previously experienced. Before the war, she says she and her family had a good life. “When war came, our life became terrible and my children grew up knowing only war, bombs, rockets, smoke and fires.”
Nasreen and family
Nasreen and her family had been displaced, but then decided to “go back to our home and start from nothing.” They tried very hard to rebuild everything, but it was extremely difficult. They could harvest only enough to have something to eat and survive. “We could not buy medicine, meat, fruits, or buy any new dresses,” she said. “I felt so helpless and I just cried.” But one day MEDA staff came to her village and invited people to join the agriculture program. “When I heard the benefits, I didn’t sleep the whole night as I was just thinking about our future.” Now, Nasreen says she has achieved “my dreams.” She and her husband, with their six children, work on the land using techniques learned from MEDA. “I have learned how to prepare our land, how to water our plants, how to cultivate and control the weeds, and how to harvest and store our produce. “I can make jam, pickles, and dried vegetables. By selling my excess produce, I am able to buy the things that I need.” When she sees her children go to school, Nasreen feels good because she has fulfilled her obligations to give them an education. She is thankful to MEDA. Adapted from MEDA publications
MCC thrift shop meeting focuses on teamwork 55 thrift shops, more than 5,000 volunteers ABBOTSFORD, B.C.—Participants at the recent national MCC thrift shop conference were reminded that teamwork makes the impossible possible. MCC has 55 thrift shops in Canada, with more than 5,000 volunteers. The shops are on target to contribute $6 million to MCC this year.
“We have dedicated volunteers right now but what do we have to do to recruit new volunteers?” wondered Patty Ollies, MCC thrift shop coordinator for Ontario. More than 150 people gathered at Columbia Bible College on May 12-15. Keynote speakers, workshops, activities and tours focused on how a team makes a thrift shop thrive. Patty Ollies, coordinator for Ontario, said that the most
important message she heard is that people need to be willing to change and adapt. “We have dedicated volunteers right now but what do we have to do to recruit new volunteers?” she wondered. “In Ontario, we’ve considered things like doing pricing and sorting in the evening to make it possible for people who work or go to school during the day to still volunteer,” she said. “It means we need to be willing to adapt.” Workshops gave participants opportunities to explore topics on workplace safety, boards and managers, policy writing, and finding and keeping employees. The event included a trade show with items from thrift shops across the country, and tours to local thrift shops and attractions. Thrift Shops support MCC’s worldwide ministry, responding to basic human need and working for peace and justice for all. Angelika Dawson, MCC BC THE MESSENGER | June 2010
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MCC Canada receives over $8M for Haiti Nearly half of relief donations from new donors
MCC’s multi-year response will include economic development, food programs, housing projects, education and health services, and trauma healing, said Willie Reimer, director of MCC’s food, disaster, and material resources. MCC Canada collaborates with Canadian Churches in Action, a coalition of nine church-based development and relief agencies in Canada to access government matching funds for Haiti. Gladys Terichow, CCMBC, MCC Canada
“It is difficult to adequately express our gratitude,” said Don Peters, executive director.
PHOTO: ben depp, MCC
WINNIPEG, Man.—MCC Canada has received more than $8.4 million in financial contributions in support of MCC’s response to the Haiti earthquake. By the end of April, MCC had received nearly 27,000 gifts, nearly half from new donors. Donations were highest in Manitoba, followed by Ontario. Gifts came from individuals, organizations, congregations, schools, thrift shops, foundations, estates, and others. “It is difficult to adequately express our gratitude,” said Don Peters, executive director. “Thanks to all who responded so compassionately.” Donations will be pooled with MCC contributions in the U.S. and potential contributions from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. In addition to financial gifts, supporters in Canada and the U.S. made it possible for MCC to send thousands of blankets, cans of meat, tarps, first aid kits, sheets, and relief kits (plastic pails filled with towels, soap, shampoo, and other hygienic supplies).
Rosette Aime, in her temporary shelter in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, holds up a comforter she received from MCC.
Uighurs are a Turkic-speaking Muslim people who live primarily in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China. Described by some as Muslim Mongolians who look like Italian peasants, they are generally larger and darker and have more Mediterranean features than Han Chinese. Blue eyes and light skin are not uncommon among them. They are also known as the Aksulik, Kashgarlik, Uyghur, Uigur and Turfanlik. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in China
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and the largest ethnic group in Xinjiang. They have traditionally occupied oasis cities in western China that were once major caravansaries on the Silk Road trade route. In those days it was said that Uighur merchants could count in 50 languages. Uighurs are descenUighur craftsmen sharpening knives. dants of wolves according to the Uighur creation myth. Chinese are century. For five centuries before descendants of dragons according to that the name “Uyghurs” was used their creation myth. to describe Buddhist and Nestorian For the most part Uighurs didn’t Christian oasis dwellers in Xinjiang. convert to Islam until the 15th ACS
PHOTO: dreamstime.com
A World Glimpse: Uighurs
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Lutherans to consider legacy with Anabaptists Statement expressing “deep regret and sorrow” for persecution may be adopted
hope in such a way that the assembly stood to its feet and some people wept. In Germany itself, Lutheran and Mennonite churches were in conversation from 1989 to 1993, resulting in a declaration of mutual Eucharistic fellowship. Other dialogues have occurred in France and the U.S. “In the spirit of biblical forgiveness, it is important that we offer forgiveness when asked,” said Ernst Bergen, MWC treasurer. General secretary Larry Miller added, “We need to address our stereotypical treatment of Lutherans and our continuing sense of victimization.” MWC
PHOTO: LWF/H. Putsman Penet
Anabaptists will be affected by what happens in July 2010 at the Lutheran World Federation’s Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany. The assembly will be asked to adopt the statement Action on the Legacy of Lutheran Persecution of “Anabaptists,” as recommended by its council in October 2009. The statement expresses “deep regret and sorrow” for the 16th-century violent persecution of Anabaptists by Lutherans. It asks for forgiveness for past wrongs, for forgetting or ignoring the persecution, and for continuing to describe Anabaptists in damaging ways. The statement also speaks to how Lutherans will remember this persecution and how the Lutheran confessional legacy will be interpreted in the future. A Lutheran-Mennonite International Study Commission was established in 2002 and worked from 2005 to 2009; its report went to LWF churches in 2010. At the 15th MWC assembly in Paraguay, Ishmael Noko, LWF general secretary, expressed regret, reconciliation, and
The statement speaks to how Lutherans will remember this persecution and how the Lutheran confessional legacy will be interpreted in the future. Larry Miller, MWC general secretary (right), listens as Mark S. Hanson, president, reads a statement from the Lutheran World Federation on the 16th century persecution of the Anabaptists.
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Manitoba town welcomes refugees Palestinian family finds a new home in Altona WINNIPEG, Man.—Safe resettlement could not come quickly enough for a Palestinian family that fled violence in Baghdad, Iraq, about four years ago and is now living in rural Manitoba. “My dream is for a good future for my children,” said Amal Abueraiban when she and her husband, Ziad Abukhousa and their seven children, ages two to 16 arrived at the airport in
Winnipeg on February 24. They had been living in the Al Hol refugee camp in the Hasaka desert region of Syria near the Iraq border. Their new home is in Altona, a community of just under 4,000 people, 115 kilometres south of Winnipeg. The Abukhousa family is among 50 residents from the Al Hol camp to find safe resettlement in Canada through MCC Canada’s refugee assistance program—a program that matches refugees eligible for resettlement in Canada with sponsors.
PHOTO: joanie peters, mcc
“My dream is for a good future for my children,” said Amal Abueraiban.
Ebatsam Elsheikh and her daughter Zeze El Galad of Altona welcome six-year old Wafaa Abukhousa to Canada. Also in the photo are (left) Wafaa’s mother Amal Abueraiban and two-year-old Abdulaziz, Assil Al Hassani (a friend now living in Winnipeg) and Doaa Abukhousa.
The sponsoring group is Build A Village, a community group in Altona formed in 2001 to assist MCC with replacing homes destroyed by the earthquakes in El Salvador. The organization expanded its work in 2005 to provide settlement support for newcomers to Canada. It has supported 15 families, six through MCC, said Ray Loewen, committee chair. Eight families have moved to larger cities, but seven refugee families currently live in Altona. MCC
Palestinian church leaders call for justice How in God’s land can two peoples live together? AKRON, Pa.—In December 2009, Palestinian Christian theologians and church leaders issued a passionate plea for an end to Israeli military occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip). In Kairos Palestine, 2009, A moment of truth: A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering, church leaders state the military occupation must end to establish peace and reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis built on justice and equality. The document was co-authored by more than a dozen Christian leaders. Although MCC was not directly involved in creating it, its contents reflect what it has heard from regional partners.
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Daryl Byler, an MCC representative for Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Palestine, said the document expresses a deep desire for peace, justice and reconciliation. “It is God’s land and therefore it must be a land of reconciliation, peace and love—this is indeed possible,” states the document. “God has put us here as two peoples, and God gives us the capacity, if we have the will, to live together and establish in it justice and peace, making it in reality God’s land.” The Kairos Palestine document (http://www.kairospalestine.ps.) refers to boycotts and divestments; no MCC board in Canada or the United States has called for these. MCC struggles with how to respond in ways that best serve the cause of justice and peace for Palestinians and Israelis. MCC
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MCC Canada launches mining justice campaign
Seeks to educate Canadians about costs when mining activity is inadequately regulated
Planning for
cost to people, communities, and the earth, where mining activity is inadequately regulated (http://ottawa.mcc.org/ miningjustice). One delegate noticed that Machado, though married, wore no ring. Machado responded, “Why do we need gold rings when they cause so much suffering?” Later that evening the offering plate contained cash, cheques, and two gold rings. MCC
PHOTO: alison ralph. mcc
A Mennonite pastor in Honduras, working to change mining laws there, fled to the U.S. when his name appeared on a list of people that powerful voices want to silence. “My heart is well, even though darts are thrown at me,” said Francisco Machado, a guest speaker at several MCC annual meetings in Canada in November 2009. Since 2000 Machado has led efforts in Honduras to bring about greater accountability for foreign-owned mining companies. He said that in 1998 a mining law, later deemed unconstitutional, allowed foreign companies to mine nearly anywhere, including sensitive sites, without significant consultation with communities. According to people living there, mining operations have displaced people, contaminated rivers, and contributed to health problems. Promised jobs have not materialized. Despite the court ruling, nothing has changed, Machado said. MCC Canada, and two provincial counterparts, brought Machado to help launch a Mining Justice Campaign, a response to the growing cry of MCC partners around the world. “Canada is a world leader in mining,” says Stefan Cherry, MCC Canada policy analyst. “Unfortunately, Canadian companies don’t always behave appropriately.” MCC’s campaign seeks to educate Canadians about the
Francisco Machado, a Mennonite pastor from Honduras, advocates for mining reform in his country.
TRU 2010?
EMC Youth Leaders’ Retreat October 15-17, 2010 Wilderness Edge, Pinawa, Man. Registration deadline: Sept. 24, 2010 Our 61 churches have about 250 to 300 adults in youth ministry, and only 20 per cent receive a salary We hope every church will plan to send its junior and senior youth leaders for: Training related to youth ministry, Refreshment for body, mind and soul, Unity as a team and with other church leaders. Contact Gerald Reimer at 204-326-6401 or greimer@emconf.ca.
Subscribe to The Messenger on-line Issues of The Messenger are posted on-line in pdf format at www.emconf.ca/Messenger. All you need to view the issue is Adobe Acrobat Reader (software free to download at adobe.com). To receive an e-mail notification when the issue is posted on-line, send an e-mail to messenger@emconf.ca. Provide your name, mailing address, and e-mail address, and indicate whether you wish to continue receiving the print version.
THE MESSENGER | June 2010
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MCC urges governments to end Gaza blockade Blockade has devastating effect on Palestinians
Before Hamas came to power about 850 truckloads of essential supplies were transported daily into Gaza. That number has now been reduced to 128 loads.
Gaza’s agriculture and fishing industries have been decimated by restrictions on imports of livestock, seeds and seedlings, plastic piping, iron bars for animal shelters, water pumps, filters and irrigation pipes, fishing nets, engine spare parts, veterinary drugs, and cement. “Palestinian aid agencies are not calling for revenge,” said Byler. “They want a good life for Israelis but they also want a good life for the people of Gaza.” Gladys Terichow, MCC
PHOTO: doug hostetter, mcc
WINNIPEG, Man.—MCC is urging the governments of the U.S. and Canada to work constructively within the international community to restore the normal flow of goods and people through Gaza-Israel border crossings. In letters to the U.S. president and Canada’s foreign affairs minister, MCC urges them to support an impartial and independent investigation into Israel’s deadly response to the Free Gaza flotilla on May 31. Daryl Byler, MCC’s regional representative, said hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza live in dire conditions without employment and basic supplies because of the Israeli blockade. Before Hamas came to power in June 2007 about 850 truckloads of food, fuel, and other essential supplies were transported daily into Gaza. That number has now been reduced to 128 loads.
Restrictions on building materials entering the Gaza Strip make it impossible to reconstruct buildings and infrastructure damaged by war.
EFC equips youth to tackle euthanasia and assisted suicide OTTAWA, Ont.—The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has launched a new booklet to equip Canada’s youth and young adults. How Merciful: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, the second booklet in its ACTIVATE series, examines the title issues, while providing statistics and an analysis of existing laws and policies. Several testimonies and expert opinion have been included along with practical suggestions for how readers can take action. These EFC resources are intended to help youth and young adults to understand and address today’s public policy issues that have both a now and future impact. Created in collaboration between staff from the EFC’s Centre for Faith and Public Life and a student from an EFC affiliate college, the booklet is in full-colour, glossy format with high-quality images and pictures. Although it is designed to assist youth and young adults in their understanding of the realities of euthanasia and assisted 30
THE MESSENGER | June 2010
suicide, the content will be of value to all generations. “Canadian Christian youth are our best hope for the protection of Canada’s most vulnerable, be they the elderly, the desperate or the ill,” says Faye Sonier, the EFC’s legal counsel. “We have seen time and again that when we give youth the chance to be equipped and empowered, they seize the opportunity and make their own voices heard.” The ACTIVATE series is a resource for youth and young adults seeking to live out their faith in a challenging and impacting way. The booklets will include current statistical and factual information, case studies, testimonies, scriptural foundation for the principles discussed as well as action items that can be undertaken by young people alone or in conjunction with their churches, families and youth groups. Visit www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/activate for more information. EFC
news
Conference explores the Mennonite story in Siberia
PHOTOS: aileen friesen
A conference focused on the Mennonite Gorbatov spoke about how experience in Siberia took place in Mennonites took on leadership roles in Omsk, Russia, from June 2-4. interconfessional organizations, which In the past several years, there brought them to the attention of Soviet has been a renewed interest in the authorities and repression followed. Mennonite Siberian story, a neglected Scholars from former Soviet territohistory of those who settled the vast ries have advanced our knowledge of arregion both voluntarily and chival sources, in some cases involuntarily. the only remaining record of Participants from Russia, events and people targeted Canada, the United States, by the Soviet regime. Germany, and Kazakhstan Unfortunately, because presented papers which ilof changes in the political lustrated various aspects of climate in Russia, some arMennonite religious, familial, chival files previously availsocial, and political experiable are now no longer accesences in Imperial Russia, the sible to scholars. Publication Soviet Union, and current-day in recent years ensures that Russia. The conference was cosome documents are part of sponsored by universities in the public record. Rev H. M. Dikman Russia, Canada, and the U.S. The atmosphere of preached and Walter Presentations on Men- Sawatsky (formerly repression and uncertainty nonite settlement in Siberia of Prairie Rose EMC) influenced the relationduring the late 19th and early translated in the village ship between Mennonites, of Miroliubovka, Omsk. 20th centuries challenged Baptists, and Evangelicals in the dominant image of Siberia as a place Siberia. of exile and suffering. These papers Rev. N. M Dikman gave an emodemonstrated that the first Mennonite tional account of the persecution he settlers, such as Peter J. Wiens, arrived experienced. Leaders such as Dikman there with great hopes for themselves, confirmed that the persecution of their families and their communities. religious communities continued into Most conference presentations ad- 1980, with many leaders being arrested dressed the experiences of Mennonites numerous times. during the Soviet period. The conference confirmed the hisA number of Russian scholars, such torical significance of this story to a as Andrei Savin and Alexei Gorbatov, wider audience and the need to build utilized archival sources from the bridges between scholars from differSoviet secret police, the NKVD, to un- ent countries and to the communities cover the treatment and the responses these scholars try to understand and of Mennonites to the state’s repressive describe. policies. Aileen Friesen
calendar British Columbia no events currently
Alberta no events currently
Saskatchewan no events currently
Manitoba June 24: Eden Foundation IronMan Golf Tournament at Winkler Centennial Golf Course, Winkler June 28–July 2: Thriving in a Firestorm: Congregational Peacebuilding at Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg; instructor: Dr. Lois Edmund www.cmu.ca/csop July 15: MCC Manitoba golf tournament to support literacy and education in Afghanistan, Quarry Oaks Golf Course manitoba.mcc.org/golf Sept. 16–18: 20th Annual Winnipeg Prophecy Conference, Portage Avenue Church, Winnipeg, 204-888-7270 or www.wpgpc.org
Ontario July 2: EMC Ministerial Meeting, Leamington EMC, Leamington; 204-326-6401 or www.emconf.ca July 2–4: The Triumph of the Lamb, EMC Annual Convention at United Mennonite Educational Institute, Leamington; 204-3266401 or www.emconf.ca July 3: EMC Conference Council Meeting, Leamington EMC, Leamington; 204-326-6401 or www.emconf.ca Aug. 3–6: MCC Ontario, From Shore to Shore: Connecting Community, Mattagami First Nation; 705-264-2494 or lyndsaymk@mennonitecc.ca
The conference’s opening plenary session with D. Frik, T. B. Smirnova, A German, Royden Loewen, Paul Toews
THE MESSENGER | June 2010
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shoulder tapping Pastoral positions Fort Garry Evangelical Mennonite Church (fortgarryemc.ca) is searching for a university/ young adult pastor whom God has chosen to help us reach University of Manitoba students and young adults with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are a congregation of 250 located a block from the U. of M. Fort Garry campus. Supported by a committed discernment group, this person will get to know the Fort Garry campus and establish relationships with present campus ministries. By creating relationships with individuals, the pastor will support the development of their faith by connecting them to people at FGEMC. A second phase may include program development. Applicants must be able to embrace and sign the FGEMC Statement of Faith. Qualifications include a love for people, enthusiasm and determination, creativity and an ability to work independently. A graduate degree and ministry experience on campus are assets. Anticipated start date is August 1, 2010. Inquiries and resumes may be sent to Mark Plett, Search Committee chair, Fort Garry EMC, 602 Pasadena Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2S9 or e-mailed msplett5@shaw.ca. Braeside Evangelical Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, Man., is looking for an associate pastor. Responsibilities will include youth ministry as well as worship ministry (including worship technology). Ideally this position would be filled by one person, but we are open to other arrangements. Please send resumes to: braeside@ braesidechurch.ca, Attention: Search Committee, www.braesidechurch.ca. Have you seen our lead pastor? He’s too busy to read this ad, so we need your help in locating him. He may be wearing jeans and a casual shirt, loves Jesus and all people. He relates well to young and old, traditional and contemporary, educated and not so much. He recognizes the shifts in society and adjusts his approach to demonstrate Jesus’ relevance. He loves our diverse church of 500+ regular attendees (half aren’t even age 30 yet) and his team of four full-time staff. He gets excited at the prospect of planting creative new congregations to reach the needs in our community. He is an Anabaptist at heart, and we love him. If you’ve seen him, connect him with us, Aylmer EMMC, in southern Ontario through serve@aemmc.ca. Morrow Gospel Church in Winnipeg, Man., seeks a full-time associate pastor to work with the senior pastor as a pastoral team. MGC is a multigenerational EMMC congregation with an average Sunday morning attendance of about 150. We seek a self-motivated pastor gifted with good communication and motivational skills, a passion for outreach and evangelism, for building practical and meaningful relationships, and for investing time and energy training and mentoring young people and young families to grow
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in their faith and spiritual lives. The pastor should have preaching and teaching skills and be willing to work as a member of a team and with a board of elders. The pastor must be a born-again Christian and agree with the MGC statement of faith. Experience working in outreach/evangelism and experience as a pastor to young people and young families is desired. Relevant post-secondary education is required (a Bible college degree is preferred). For information or to submit a resume and cover letter, please contact Morrow Gospel Church, Pastoral Search Committee, 755 St. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2N 4G6; e-mail: mgcemm@mts.net with subject: pastoral search committee. Graysville Mennonite Church, “a community striving to learn and live the teachings of Jesus Christ,” is a country church located 10 miles west of Carman, Man. We seek a lead pastor. Time commitment is negotiable between .5 and .75 FTE. We seek a pastor committed to the Christian faith as exemplified in Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. We are a mature church of nearly 50 members emerging into a congregation of all ages. We seek a pastor able to serve all ages, willing to tackle the challenges of a truly rural church and recognition of the value of cooperation with other Christian churches of all faiths. Inquiries and resumes may be sent to: Cam Stockford, council chair, Graysville Mennonite Church, Box 31, Graysville, MB R0G 0T0. E-mail stockfor@cici.mb.ca or visit our website at www.graysvillemc.org.
Youth work Pelly Fellowship Chapel (EMC) seeks a youth worker or couple to develop a program for youth and junior youth. PFC is a small church in the village of Pelly, located in central Sask., close to the Manitoba border. Submit resume to Pastor John Froese, Box 70, Pelly, SK S0A 2Z0. Phone 306-595-2074. E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com.
Other opportunities Interested in serving long-term among the unreached? Join the new EMC team on the silk road! The team is led by an experienced EMC couple. We desire to bring God’s peace to a people group that has no thriving church and little hope for the future. Contact Tim Dyck at 204-326-6401 or tdyck@emconf.ca. MFC seeks a full-time consultant to work in its St. Catharines, Ont., office. The successful candidate will be responsible to promote biblical stewardship of financial resources and to provide charitable gift and estate planning services. The successful candidate will support and incorporate MFC’s core values of stewardship
in personal life; communicate effectively with individuals and in public presentations; have knowledge of, or ability to learn, charitable gift and estate planning; be creative, organized, and self-motivated in balancing multiple projects; be willing and able to contribute as part of an interdependent staff team. A start date for the position is negotiable. Processing of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Submit resumes to: Darren Pries-Klassen, executive director, 22-595 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2M 4Y2; fax: 204-488-1986; dpklassen@mennofoundation. ca; Mennofoundation.ca. Vision Valley School in Antananarivo, Madagascar, needs qualified Christian teachers for 2010/2011 academic year. It especially seeks for native English speakers for primary grades 3, 4, 5, 6; within grades 7-12, teachers are needed in art, music, and two in English (with native speakers a high priority). See blog: xanga.com/jocsh; 21 February. Faith Christian School, grades K-12, in beautiful northeast Texas is seeking teachers dedicated to Christian education in a German Mennonite setting. For more info contact: Neal Thiessen (w) 903-783-9814, (h) 903-737-9663, (cell) 432-5284361, pastormec@sbcglobal.net; or Ted Friesen 903-739-8607, tfriesen@wb4me.com. Experience life on The Great Silk Road with EMC families. The EMC team there needs a short-term teacher or educational assistant for their nine children. Starting January 2011 or September 2011. Interested person does not need a formal degree, but must be able to connect well with children. Some support would need to be raised. If interested contact Tim Dyck at 204-3266401 or tdyck@emconf.ca. Eden Mental Health Centre in Winkler, Man., seeks an administrator and program director. Eden provides acute in-patient psychiatric treatment, out-patient psychiatry services, as well as community mental health services to the RHA-Central Manitoba in conjunction with other Eden Health Care Services programs. For a full description of qualifications, duties, and contact information, go to www.edenhealth.mb.ca. Closing date: June 30, 2010, or until position filled.
The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads are not to be for monetary benefit. To place an ad, e-mail messenger@emconf.ca or call 204-326-6401 and ask for Rebecca Roman.
missional and multiplying by Ward Parkinson, Canadian Church Planting Coordinator wparkinson@emconf.ca
Third places The common denominator: the place exists for the mission of the Good News. It is a place where people can connect with God through connecting with his people (God’s temple). Many will ask, “Why not just build a church building? Doesn’t that amount to the same thing?” Well, yes and no. It is true that more of our church buildings are designed with many uses in mind. It is also true that many churches use their facilities in creative ways to connect with people in the wider community. We ought to encourage this more. But it is also true that a good portion of our Canadian population is not interested in coming to a church building. The name out front presents a barrier, no matter how wonderful the people and programs are inside. Thus, the idea of third places. Stuart Murray, Anabaptist writer and U.K. church planter, uses the term shared social space. He comments, “Churches using social
A good portion of our Canadian population is not interested in coming to a church building. The name out front presents a barrier. Thus, the idea of third places.
spaces of this kind have much lower barriers between themselves and other members of the community and many opportunities to develop friendships and cooperate in ventures that enhance the well-being of the community” (Planting Churches in the 21st Century, 2010). Every new opportunity will come with both green and amber lights. The green light with third places is that believers are connecting with others in a sustained, relational manner. Whether it is a drop-in volunteer shooting pool with a teen, or a book shop clerk sharing written insights, or a friendly visit over Pepsi at a new café, Christians can cultivate relationships that build the kingdom, and third places can play a role. The amber light comes on when barriers between believers and unbelievers become so low as to be non-existent. At some point, we must always be calling people to belief. The missional purpose of third places must always form their core identity.
PHOTO: designpics.com
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hat constitutes sacred ground? Where does Christian ministry take place? There is lively conversation in church planting circles these days about buildings. Construction of a church building was once considered a logical stage of church planting. Indeed, this is often still seen as the benchmark of a congregation’s “arrival.” But the blueprints are changing. Questions are shifting from When do we build our own building? to Should we build our own building? Is it better to own a building or to rent? Is it better to meet in homes? Should we have a traditional church building design or a more neutral, multi-use facility? These questions have led to the consideration of third places. At a societal level, if first place is the home and second place is the workplace, third places are locales where life happens, where people gather for community. In church planting it refers to locations that are neither homes nor church buildings, yet are dedicated to ministry and outreach purposes. It could be a book shop, a café, a drop-in centre, a gym, or a music studio. It could be place to gather for free or for a for-profit business.
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pictures of God by Joanna Plett
Paving my own road to grace
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THE MESSENGER | June 2010
world stretches before me with great opportunity and much uncertainty. As I try to make decisions about the future, I have been asking God to show me his will, but for some reason, he has been strangely silent.
As much as I know intellectually that my salvation is based on grace, I still desperately want the list— the syllabus—of faith. Frustrated and disappointed at his lack of response, I asked him why he wouldn’t tell me his will when I was so willing to do it. He showed me that my request was not so much a desire to be part of his work, but a shortcut to his favour. I didn’t request direction because
I trusted his purposes, but because I was insecure in his love. If only he would give me the syllabus, I would do it all as well as I could. Then he couldn’t reject me or condemn me if things went wrong. What he showed me, though, is that his will, his plans, and his righteousness are not the prerequisites to relationship. They are rather born out of relationship. When I asked him if there was a place for me in his world, he turned the question around and asked me, “Is there a place for me in your world?” Is there? That is a harder question. Am I willing to abandon the syllabus, the list, the security of exams to take and retake, pass and fail? Do I trust God’s love, grace and wisdom enough to wrap my security in relationship, in a relationship that changes my heart and passions before it changes my direction?
PHOTO: istockphoto.com
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am a perfectionist. On the upside of this, I tend to do good and thorough work. On the downside, the levels of stress I put myself under can make life miserable for me and the people around me when I’m in the middle of a major assignment or project. In my spiritual life, this perfectionism comes out through legalism. I thrive in academic and work environments where I have a clearly defined goal or assignment, because I know that usually just by covering the basics I can guarantee a passing grade. Then I can put the rest of my effort into achieving excellence. Spiritual life, then, can be frustrating. As much as I know intellectually that my salvation is based on grace, I still desperately want the list—the syllabus—of faith. A few years ago, this legalism played out in religious perfectionism and unrealistic standards for myself. Although my “passing grade” was guaranteed by Jesus’ sacrifice, I preferred to secure it by keeping a certain standard of behaviour that I could control. I went to as many church-related events as possible, took spiritual disciplines like steroids, and generally tried to leave as little as possible of my salvation to grace. Over the years, God has gently drawn me out of this obsession into his father arms. More recently, though, he has been showing me another back door I have been using on my search for the syllabus of salvation. Emerging finally with my bachelor’s degree a few weeks ago, the
stewardship today by Darren Pries-Klassen
‘I choose,’ not ‘I can’t’
a case of “we choose to spend money differently.” When we say things like, “I choose to spend money this or that way” and “buying that product would violate my values,” it empowers us. It affirms the choice we have in how we spend or whether to spend. It also recognizes the potential that money has for either the betterment or destruction of our world and the life in it. Talking about what we can and cannot afford often makes a bigger statement about our values than the size of our wallets. Saying “I can’t afford” is good if it keeps you from foolish spending; but when the same language is used to keep us from being generous and investing in the lives of others and the work of God’s Kingdom, it is problematic. Most of us have far more financial choice than we are willing to recognize. We may not always like the choices we have or they may feel
minimal, but having financial choice is a lot more than many people have. If the way we use money reflects our values and choices, what are we saying each time we spend or choose not to spend money? Darren Pries-Klassen is the new director of Mennonite Foundation of Canada. For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca.
When we say things like, “I choose to spend money this or that way” and “buying that product would violate my values,” it empowers us.
PHOTO: designpics.com
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y friends were nearing completion of a small renovation project in the entryway of their home and wanted to replace the old light fixture. After a few fruitless trips to various lighting stores they found one they felt was perfect. The problem was the $1,500 price tag. “We can’t afford that,” they said to the salesman. “Yes, you can,” was his response. Surprised at hearing this they restated that although the fixture was beautiful it was well beyond their price range. The salesman paused briefly, smiled, and said, “If it is a priority, you will find a way to afford it.” Regardless of income all of us have limits when it comes to money. For some, those limitations are such that they are denied even the basic needs of human existence. For others–and probably the vast majority of us reading this–that financial limitation may feel constrictive. But upon closer look we realize we have more choice than we care to admit. The issue is not price tags as much as priorities. Later, my friends concluded that the salesman was right. They did have the cash to purchase the $1,500 light fixture, but it would have meant scaling back other parts of the renovation in order to stay within budget—something they were not prepared to do. Furthermore, my friends were not comfortable with owning a $1,500 light fixture regardless of their renovation budget and income level. What at first appeared to be a case of “we can’t afford this” was actually
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kids’ corner
Activity: Sand paper art
by Loreena Thiessen
Need: • a piece of course sandpaper, 15 cm by 25 cm • ordinary crayons
What is sand?
Sand is blown around and washed away. It crumbles easily. Shapes made on the beach change and flatten. Soon they are just sand again.
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into streams and rivers and the water carries them to the sea. The tiniest bits travel the farthest. Some grains of sand are bits of sea shells and the skeleton shells of plankton, the food of whales. A strong wind blows the tiny particles of sand around. This is how sand dunes are formed. The wind pushes the sand against a rock or a bush or a post and the grains pile up against it forming a sand hill or sand dune. You make a beautiful sand castle at the beach. What happens when a wave rolls in and washes over it? Parts break off and wash away. More waves come. The castle changes shape. Soon it doesn’t look like a sand castle at all. It has
PHOTO: designpics.com
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hat is sand? You know the answer. Sand is the soft grainy beach at the lake. It’s in my sandbox where I scoop it and pour it, drive my toys over it and through the tunnels I dig. Sand is warm in the summer sun and soft so my toes can wiggle into it. At the beach I make sandcastles with it. But what is it really? Sand is a kind of soil or dirt. Each grain is a tiny single crystal of a mineral. In among the sand crystals are bits of dust and other materials that hold nutrients, or food, to help any plant to grow in it. The grains of sand hold moisture from rain that falls helping the plants grow. This is why you see plants or flowers growing up through sand. Sand grains are bits of rock. Wind and rain beat down on rocks. Bits of rock are broken off and fall
Do: • Draw shapes of animals such as an elephant, a giraffe, a camel, a monkey, on the sandpaper. • Draw the shape of a pyramid beside the animals. • Colour in the shapes. • Press down hard on the crayons. • Your painting will look like ancient cave paintings.
flattened. Another wave comes and washes some of the sand back into the sea. You dig your toes into the sand. The sand feels warm on top but underneath it’s cool. Only a little sunlight warms it. When the sun goes down the top layer cools quickly too. Sand is blown around and washed away. It crumbles easily. Shapes made on the beach change and flatten. Soon they are just sand again. In Matthew 7:24 Jesus says the people who hear and do what he says are like a house built on a rock. But, if you hear but do not follow what he says, this is like a house built on sand. And sand shifts and crumbles and looses its shape. A house built on sand is not safe. It will fall down. Read Matthew 7: 24, 25, 26, 27.
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