Archives’ Alcove

by John Longhurst

John Longhurst is a Winnipeg journalist of long standing. He is a graduate of MBBC and the U. of W. This article first appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press and is used with permission.

Dr. Glen Klassen, the retired microbiologist and professor interviewed here, is a founding member of Fort Garry EMC and has a long history with the EMC. This article is published with the approval of the Archives Committee.

Across Manitoba, faith groups are getting serious [March 27] about the need to temporarily shutter religious services to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Instead of gathering in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, gurdwaras and other places of worship, people are gathering online.

This will go a long way towards flattening the COVID-19 case number curve—and also help prevent what happened to Mennonites in southern Manitoba during the 1918-19 Spanish flu pandemic.

During that terrible time, when as many as 50 million people died worldwide and 55,000 in Canada, members of Mennonite churches in that part of the province died at double the rate of the rest of the population, retired Steinbach microbiologist Glen Klassen found in his 2008 research on the disease’s impact. Klassen’s interest in the topic was sparked by his involvement in the 2007 Faith Community Pandemic Summit at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, which he helped organize.

The summit—which was sponsored by the International Centre for Infectious Diseases, Mennonite Disaster Service, Salvation Army, Christian Reformed Church and various other groups—was to help faith groups prepare for the next such global health emergency.

According to Klassen, who taught microbiology at the University of Manitoba, it is thought around 60 per cent of Mennonites in the Hanover area (which includes Steinbach) got sick in 1918-19. There were roughly 60 flurelated deaths in the rural municipality—a higher rate than in other nearby municipalities with smaller non-Mennonite populations.

A similar high death rate was found in other RMs with high numbers of Mennonites, such as Stanley (Winkler), Rhineland (Altona) and Morris, Klassen said. "They died at twice the rate of non-Mennonites within the same municipality and between municipalities," he said this week, noting the finding was confirmed by later research by Vanessa Quiring of the University of Winnipeg.

Century-old Lessons Echo for Retired Scientist

While there is no definite reason for the higher Mennonite numbers, one theory is based on how they maintained regular church-going habits. “There was very little social distancing until it was too late," Klassen said.

Compounding the problem, he noted, was some Mennonite church services moved around from village to village, meaning people went to church in different places and with different groups each time. "They met a different combination of people at each event," said Klassen.

Added to this was the "constant visiting between relatives from many locales," such as Sunday faspa, a late afternoon lunch and visit held after church in various homes. They were "promiscuous in their socializing," Klassen said of how the desire to maintain community contributed to the spread of the flu virus.

Other contributing factors included strained relations between Mennonites and the Manitoba government over registration for military service during the First World War, and over control of schooling—factors that may have made them more suspicious of government warnings about the pandemic.

There was also a tendency among the community to see the sickness as an act of God that couldn’t be avoided, or as a sign of God’s displeasure and judgment. "Some said, ‘The Lord is speaking to us harshly,’" Klassen said.

For Klassen, who attends Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach, the experience of Mennonites a century ago confirms the importance of social distancing and the need to close religious services during the time of COVID-19. "Until we get a vaccine, we will have to do everything we can to prevent deaths," he said. ISTOCK

With any applications for EMC church pastoral positions, candidates are expected to also register a Ministry Information Profile with the EMC Board of Leadership and Outreach, which can be obtained through Erica Fehr, BLO Administrative Assistant, at efehr@emconference.ca or 204-326-6401.

Additional EMC Openings Often there are more churches looking for senior, associate, youth, and interim pastors than are identified on this page. For information on additional openings, contact Conference Pastor Layton Friesen (lfriesen@emconference.ca) and Director of Youth and Discipleship Gerald D. Reimer (greimer@emconference.ca). The national office phone number is 204-326-6401. Talk with Erica Fehr, Church leadership assistant to the BLO, to request a cell number for a particular person. EMC Positions* Oak Bluff Bible Church is seeking a full-time pastor. We are a welcoming, family-friendly church that averages 50 people on Sunday morning. We enjoy contemporary and traditional worship music. We understand the importance and value of ministering together to be a light in reaching our growing community and surrounding area of Oak Bluff, Man. (located at McGillvray and the Perimeter Highway of Winnipeg). Applicants must be in acceptance of the OBBC (EMC) Statement of Faith and aligning with the theology, values, and church culture of OBBC. A valid criminal records check and child abuse check are required for this position. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Preference will be given to those who are willing to relocate to Oak Bluff or the surrounding community. To apply or for future inquiries, please e-mail pastoralsearch@oakbluffbiblechurch.com. Picture Butte Mennonite Church, a Low Germanand English-speaking church with 200-plus people attending dual Sunday morning services, is seeking an associate pastor. The ideal candidate should be characterized by an attitude of servant leadership and personal integrity in a close walk with Jesus. The candidate needs to have an openness and sensitivity to the diverse cultural differences within our Mennonite church. This position would primarily focus on the English ministry. This candidate needs to be a team player as he will be working alongside the existing leadership team as well as the senior pastor. For information, contact Isaac Thiessen, 403-308-5093 or isaact@genicadev.com Other Positions At Inner City Youth Alive (ICYA) our mission is to bring hope through Christ, and we’re seeking to fill ministry positions serving kids, youth and families in Winnipeg’s inner city neighbourhood. Available positions include ministry and administrative roles. Our diverse team members are both local leaders and from outside our neighbourhood. As a faith-based ministry we hold all staff to our lifestyle and morality commitments, and core values. ICYA and our staff are supported by generous individuals and churches from across Canada. To view full job descriptions, visit: www.icya.ca/careers or message Karen Jolly, director of programs, at karen@icya.ca. Lindale Mennonite Church, Linville, Virginia, is seeking a full-time lead pastor to serve an active, multigenerational congregation of 300 attendants. Applicants should demonstrate gifts in preaching, teaching, leadership and teamwork. Seminary degree preferred. Must agree with the Mennonite Confession of Faith (http://mennoniteusa.org/ confession-of-faith/ Competitive salary and benefits package. View church website at www.lindale.org. Interested persons may send resume and cover letter to Dana Sommers (dana.sommers@comcast.net). Where are position ads to be sent?

Please send all position ads, including pastoral search ads, to messenger@emconference.ca. All ads are to be 150 words or less. All ads can be edited. Please advise us when it is no longer needed.

Evangelical Mennonite Conference Year to Date Financial Report January – April 2020

General Fund 2019

General Fund 2020

Income* 439,465 439,011 Expenses 541,038 615,941 Excess/Shortfall -101,573 -176,930 We give thanks to God for the continued strong support of EMC ministries, and we acknowledge the contributions of EMC churches and individuals who give so generously. - The Board of Trustees *Income includes donations and transfers from other funds (e.g., estate funds).

EMC PROJECT BUILDERS June 18, 2020

Golf Classic

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Diamond Sponsors 2019 – $5,000+ The 26th Annual

For more information go to www.emconference. ca/golf-tournament