Mennonite Brethren Herald January 2015

CCMBC hires INTERIM CFO

TOP 5 STORIES

of 2014

GOD IS LOVE

Simple as it sounds?

J A N U A R Y 2 0 15 W W W. M B H E R A L D.CO M

WEEK OF

PRAYER GUIDE INCLUDED

who are

THE PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD? Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circ. Dept., MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6

Volume 54, No. 1 Publications mail registration number: 09648; Agreement number: 40009297

who is my

2

January 2015  www.mbherald.com

FEATURES 8 When our neighbours can’t remember Drawing out, not writing off, people with dementia –Angeline Schellenberg

10 Extending The Table Creating memories with neighbours –Kathleen Francis

15 Year in review In the MB Herald

DON’T FORGET THE ENCLOSED

WEEK of PRAYER GUIDE

COLUMNS 4 Editorial Who are the people in your neighbourhood?

–Laura Kalmar

6 Text message 1 JOHN 4:8–10 God is love: Unwrapping a not-so-simple statement –Greg Harris

7 Viewpoint Don’t read this book if...

–Paul Cumin

12 ICOMB Wiebe’s witness: Faithful together in civil conflict –David Wiebe

26 Intersection of faith and life Creatures of holy habit –Sandra Reimer

DEPARTMENTS 5 Letters 16 News 20 Transitions, births & weddings 23 Finish lines [Obituaries] 25 Crosscurrents

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE DIGITAL EDITION issuu.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/MBHerald TWITTER twitter.com/MB_Herald WEBSITE mbherald.com JOBS jobs.mbherald.com PDF SUBSCRIPTION Email karla.braun@mbchurches.ca to subscribe via email

COVER and page 2 photos taken at AWAKE Winnipeg, Oct. 17–19, 2014, by MB Mission Central Canada intern Ellaina Brown.

AWAKE is a weekend of mission and renewal in partnership with MB Mission, C2C Network, MB Church of Manitoba and the local church.

Through worship, prayer, workshops and ministry opportunities, more than a dozen congregations learned and served together on this weekend designed to awaken participants to God’s heart, and the needs of their community and the world.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

3

Editorial

Looking back over 2014

Who are the people in your neighbourhood?

T

L AUR A K ALMAR

I

s that song running through your head right now? It’s Bob and his Sesame Street friends cheerfully singing about the people in their neighbourhood – the grocers, garbage collectors and greenhouse owners – in a happy little ditty about community life.

But we know things aren’t always rosy with our neighbours. Sometimes there’s conflict.

Sometimes there’s pain. And there’s always need, whether we see it or not.

I remember my neighbour Mrs. Cowan.

She was a sort of celebrity in our community since the local recreation centre was named after her late husband, James Cowan, a long-time Burnaby resident.

I would fall asleep to Mrs. Cowan’s graceful notes on the piano as they drifted through my bedroom window. I truly loved her.

But I was young and unaware of the troubles of adulthood. I’m sure many of those piano-playing nights were bitterly lonely for the old widow.

As Christians, our mandate is to share the good news of Jesus – in word and deed – with our neighbours. But let’s face it. We won’t have much success sharing the gospel until we actually know our neighbours and recognize their needs.

So this year’s Week of Prayer (see insert) revolves around the parable of the Good Samaritan. Conference leaders are inviting Mennonite Brethren across Canada to spend seven days this January focusing on our neighbours, reflecting on their needs and praying for them.

Who are the people in my neighbourhood?

Are they bakers, barbers or baseball players? Seniors, students or single parents?

Do they speak Punjabi, Portuguese or Polish? Do they need healing, hamburger casserole or just a handshake? And – most importantly – have they heard the good news of Jesus?

4

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

he launch of a new year is time to look back over the past 12 months.

The following are a few bits of church news that caught my eye in 2014.

Jesus + feminism. In the larger culture, conversation about women heated up: sexual abuse allegations against celebrities Bill Cosby and Jian Ghomeshi encouraged women to talk about rape; the Nobel Peace Prize went to a courageous Afghan girl who stood up for her right to education; and Canadians began to wake up to the crisis of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

In the church, conversation continued about how to best equip and encourage women to use their God-given gifts in ministry leadership.

Jesus Feminist: An Invitation to Revisit the Bible’s View of Women, released in late 2013 by Canadian blogger Sarah Bessey, became an instant conversation starter in many Christian circles.

Moving beyond Beyoncé’s popular – yet highly questionable – use of the f-word (“feminism”), Christians are asking what it means to be an advocate for women and a follower of Jesus.

Our own C2C Network recognized the need to better serve and support women, appointing Karolyn Burch as director of ministry to church planter spouses last January.

Falling star. In October, we watched the spectacular – and heartbreaking – dissolution of North America’s most prominent megachurches, Mars Hill Church in Seattle, after allegations ranging from plagiarism to abuse of power were brought against lead pastor Mark Driscoll. The blogosphere went wild!

Christian media was flooded with “lessons” following Driscoll’s very public fall from grace, such as: “We don’t need Protestant pop stars”; “Every lead pastor needs both internal and external accountability”; and “Character matters as much as doctrine.” There were important conversations around church structures and about how leaders should manage power.

The event also sparked a resurgence of dialogue around sex, as Driscoll was known for his provocative – and

sometimes crass – way of discussing human sexuality.

Our own MB discussion around the topic carries on with next October’s Board of Faith and Life study conference, God, Sex and Church: A Theology of Healthy Sexuality. Mennonite Brethren will continue to wrestle with the practical and pastoral implications of our theology around sex.

Beyond apathy. In 2013, the

reported number of cases of Christians killed for their faith doubled from the previous year – and it’s likely 2014 statistics will be even higher. Open Doors, a ministry that serves persecuted Christians worldwide, says that each month, 322 Christians are killed for their faith, and 214 churches and Christian properties are destroyed.

Over the past year, we’ve watched the North American church galvanize in prayer for these brothers and sisters.

For example, some 13,000 people – including many Mennonite Brethren – participated in an August Facebook event to pray for the people of Iraq.

And, in November, on the annual Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, Christians came together in solidarity to lift up believers throughout the world, including war-torn Syria.

Jesus said that “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). It’s good to see the church move beyond apathy and fall on its knees in prayerful response.

Gospel message. In 2014, the good news of Jesus was proclaimed from diverse corners of the Christian world, with Christians of all denominations standing in solidarity around the gospel.

In June, for example, Pope Francis met with a delegation from the World Evangelical Alliance and boldly declared that the Holy Spirit “can inaugurate a new stage in the relations between Catholics and evangelicals – a stage that allows us to realize more fully the will of the Lord to bring the gospel even to the furthest ends of the earth.”

And then there was New Orleans football player Benjamin Watson who proclaimed the gospel with a celebrity megaphone. In response to November’s Ferguson, Mo., riots (which erupted after

Reader responses: Counting the cost of adoption

Re “It’s not about adoption; it’s about the gospel” (Features, November). Thanks for this honest portrayal of the joys and challenges that often accompany adoption.

We have fostered children who came to us from failed adoptions. We’ve seen the mistrust, confusion and rage that accompany broken promises.

Well-meaning but unprepared evangelical Christian couples who make commitments of providing a “forever home” to vulnerable children need to count the cost and examine deeply their own motivations. Eager adoption workers and admiring Christian friends can cloud the careful evaluation and soul searching that needs to take place. Far too many adoptions in Christian homes are breaking down.

In spite of these facts, I firmly believe more Christian families should adopt when they are called by God to do so and are well prepared.

a photo of the poppy? I wear mine with respect because of thankfulness and a hope for peace.

WAYNE HILDEBRAND ONLINE COMMENT

Don’t run from interfaith dialogue

Re “Christians and Muslims gather for fellowship and food” (News, November). The polarizing of the issues of interfaith dialogue is becoming problematic to the faithful witness of the Christian church. Greg Good, in the December Letters, calls the ecumenical and interfaith movements “dangerous,” but I wonder if the fear and mistrust he exhibits might be more dangerous to our witness.

First, he seems to assume that seeking common ground with Muslims is antagonistic to the gospel. I think Scripture points us in the opposite direction.

Second, Good’s comments reveal a lack of understanding of the early church out of which NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST the Catholic church grew, and from which all evangelical churches share a common origin.

What about the poppy?

I find it tiring to hear the sentiments asserted Re “Remembrance Day” (Homepage, November). I appreciate receiving the Herald each month, by too many evangelicals that Catholics are not Christian. Our people need to be taught better. but I do have one concern. It seems that any reference to Remembrance Day is avoided. You did This is not to say we ought to pretend there have a brief article about conscientious objectors are no differences, but the church must be bet– which is in order. But you say you want to hear ter equipped to engage in interfaith dialogue, the stories of the MB constituency, and there are a not run from it. To do this, we need to practise large number of peace officers and some military such engagement and open ourselves to learnpeople in our pews. The November issue would ing from others. have been a good place to start. At minimum, you ANDY J. FUNK ONLINE COMMENT should have paid respect. Where was there even

Don’t forget that you can comment online. Join the conversation at mbherald.com Letters to the editor Mennonite Brethren Herald welcomes your letters of 150–200 words on issues relevant to the Mennonite Brethren church, especially in response to material published in the Herald. Please include name, address and phone number, and keep your letters courteous and about one subject only. We will edit letters for length and clarity. We will not publish letters sent anonymously, although we may withhold names from publication at the request of the letter writer and at our discretion. Publication is subject to space limitations. Letters also appear online. Because the Letters column is a free forum for discussion, it should be understood that letters represent the position of the letter writer, not necessarily the position of the Herald or the Mennonite Brethren church. Send letters to: Letters, MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6, or by email to mbherald@mbchurches.ca.

a jury’s decision not to charge a white police officer over the killing of an unarmed black teenager), Watson wrote an evangelistic Facebook post that immediately went viral.

“Ultimately the problem is not a skin problem, it is a sin problem,” wrote Watson.

“Sin is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own…. But I’m encouraged because God has provided a solution for sin through his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that’s capable of looking past the outward and seeing what’s truly important in every human being.

“The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure.

It’s the gospel. So, finally, I’m encouraged because the gospel gives humanity hope.”

This freedom to share the hope of the gospel is a sign that God is at work – and will continue to be at work – in the hearts and minds of people around the world throughout the coming year.—LK

JANUARY 2015 Mennonite Brethren Herald is published monthly by the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, primarily for the use of its members, to build a Canadian MB community of faith. We seek to 1) share the life and story of the church by nurturing relationships among members and engaging in dialogue and reflection; 2) teach and equip for ministry by reflecting MB theology, values and heritage, and by sharing the good news; 3) enable communication by serving conference ministries and informing our members about the church and the world. However, the opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the church as a whole.

Advertising and inserts should not be considered to carry editorial endorsement.

Winner of Canadian Church Press and Evangelical Press Association awards for Writing, Design, and Illustration: 1996–2013.

Editorial office 1310 Taylor Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3Z6 Phone: 204-669-6575 Fax: 204-654-1865 Toll-free in Canada: 888-669-6575 Email: mbherald@mbchurches.ca http://www.mbherald.com PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER: 4000929 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: CIRCULATION DEPT., MB HERALD 1310 TAYLOR AVENUE CMCA WINNIPEG MB R3M 3Z6 AUDITED

ISSN: 0025-9349 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada ­ Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Copyright The articles printed in the Herald are owned by the Herald or by the author and may not be reprinted without permission. Unless noted, Scriptural quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Subscription rates 1 year $24 ($30 U.S. & foreign) 2 years $44 ($60 U.S. & foreign) 3 years $64 ($90 U.S. & foreign) Please add tax to domestic subscriptions. See www.mbherald.com or phone 204-654-5766 for rate.

Contact karla.braun@mbchurches.ca for electronic options.

Change of address + subscriptions Notice of change of address should be sent to circulation office, and should include both old and new addresses. Allow 4 weeks for changes to become effective.

Email circulation office at subscribe@mbchurches.ca or phone 204-654-5766.

Advertising Advertising inquiries should be sent to helga.kasdorf@mbchurches.ca. Display and classified advertisement copy must be received at least three weeks prior to publication.

Advertisements are priced at a rate for insertion in one issue or at a discounted rate for insertions in three or more issues (not necessarily consecutive). Classifieds are priced per line, with a minimum charge of six lines.

Staff Laura Kalmar editor Karla Braun associate editor CANADIAN CONFERAudrey Plew designer Helga Kasdorf circulation + advertising Angeline Schellenberg copy editor Barrie McMaster B.C. regional correspondent Volume 54, Number 1 • Copy run: 14,500 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD IS A PUBLICATION OF

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

5

TEXT MESSAGE God is love:

Unwrapping a not-so-simple statement / Greg Harris

1 JOHN 4:8–10

B

his Son to be the hilasmos for our sins” (vs. 9–10).

My memories are similar to those of other kids growing up in a good Christian home in the 90s. I remember flannel-graphed Sunday school classes, church picnics, Veggie Tales videos and recovering from Psalty the Singing Songbook nightmares.

English versions of the Bible differ regarding their translation of hilasmos.

The NIV and NRSV use atoning sacrifice, the NLT uses sacrifice, and the ESV, NASB and NKJV use the word propitiation. Regardless of its various English translations, we need to consider what John means when he uses the Greek word hilasmos.

eing a pastor’s kid can be a horrific ordeal, but my experience was pretty positive.

However, as a pastor’s kid, I knew I was growing up under the watchful eyes of … well, everyone. In addition to being known primarily as “Ray’s son,” I was involved in leadership at school and church throughout my teens. My faith was a public spectacle long before it was ever a private reality.

Wrestling with Scripture It wasn’t until my time at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C., as an unknown first-year commuter, that I seriously wrestled with what I believed.

This wrestling occurred through listening to lectures, reading, writing and engaging in theological conversations with students and professors alike.

During these conversations, it struck me that a certain phrase is often used as an ace-up-our-sleeve to prove a point. The phrase? God is love.

True love It makes sense why we use this phrase.

It’s in the Bible after all!

The phrase comes from 1 John 4:8: “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

John continues by saying: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent

1 JOHN 4:8–10 (ESV)

John evokes an image of a sacrifice that turns wrath into favour. God demonstrates that he is love by turning his just wrath toward us into his favour because of the self-sacrificial work of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was not unclear about his mission. His Jewish audience believed the Messiah’s mission would reach its climax when he delivered Israel from the oppression they faced because they were enslaved to their powerful masters – the Romans.

However, Jesus knew the cross was the crux of his life and ministry (Mark 8:31, 10:45) and that through it he would deliver his people from the wrath and condemnation they faced because they were enslaved to a more powerful master – sin (John 3:16–18; Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9).

Substitution Christianity stems from the cross. At the heart of our Christian faith lies the atoning work of Christ on the cross, and the core of our theological identity as evangelical Anabaptists is the scandalously substitutionary nature of the cross. Or, in the words of Mennonite Brethren leader and theologian Walter Unger, “Substitution is the nonnegotiable foundation of the atoning work of Christ.”

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

6

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

Upon reflection on the importance of this passage in my life, I’ve realized something.

As a pastor’s kid growing up, the congregation saw me in relation to my parents. I stood before the congregation with my identity based on my parent’s faithfulness. I didn’t know it at the time, but the experience of being a pastor’s kid provides a helpful, albeit imperfect, image of what it means to be a son or daughter of the King.

The Father sees us in relation to his Son. We stand before the throne of God with our identity based on Christ’s faithfulness. The perfect and eternal Jesus demonstrated God’s love by suffering as the hilasmos for our sins, so that through him, we could experience a perfect and eternal relationship with God. The phrase “God is love” is so much more than a trump card in our theological conversations or a bumper sticker on our minivans. It’s a phrase that shatters our idols and rids us of our self-righteousness.

We ought to be humbled and amazed at the radically selfless way God pursues and redeems us by being both just and also the one who justifies (Romans 3:26). The fact that “God is love” ought to stir up worship in our hearts. This worship should express itself through both our words about the wondrous cross, and also through a life of discipleship that necessarily includes reflecting the loving, others-focused, self-sacrificing and other-cheek-turning nature of the cross.

When we understand what it means that “God is love,” we realize it’s the best news anyone could ever hear.

It’s news that demands a response.

Regardless of whether you’re a pastor’s kid or not.

Greg Harris serves as a teaching associate pastor at Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, B.C.

Don’t read this book if...

/ Paul Cumin

A review of Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry: Conversations on Creation, Land Justice, and Life Together

P

eople have been coming to this continent in a more or less steady stream for the past few hundred years.

It was once fashionable to call the early waves of these newcomers “settlers,” with the implication that the land to which they had come was untamed and in need of civilized attention. It was also once acceptable to refer to the people already living on this wild and uncivilized land in those terms. This mindset facilitated the expansion of empires in a trend now usually called colonialism.

Most Canadians understand the time of settlers and colonies is past, yet many retain the settler-colonial mindset: our claim on this land is superior to any other because we represent progress.

Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry aims to dismantle this backward progress.

You should not read it if you value your comfort. Nor should you read it – and this is just another way of saying the same thing – if you prefer books with which you will unquestionably agree.

The book is heavy and critical, exactly what its subject requires, and so it also risks discouragement, even exasperation.

Yet its existence at all, with voices ranging from agnostic and animist to anarchist and Anabaptist, is itself a monumentally hopeful accomplishment. It contains some painfully liberating essays, many of which will be provoking conversation and action in this country long after more accessible books are forgotten.

A soured relationship When Europeans arrived on this continent, their initial contact with indigenous people was like that between a hungry refugee and a gracious host. The relationship soon changed, however, and Christianity has played a major role in its continuing decline.

or patriarch, for example) deserve their power because they are superior to those at the bottom, who have less.

propensity for conformity.

Second, Christianity has colluded in colonial injustice because of the way it is anthropocentric – putting humanity at the centre of creation, making everything else less important by degree of difference.

The presiding thesis of the present volume is clear, however: any such coming theology must not only address the increasingly vogue call for reconciliation with indigenous people but also lead to real restitution.

The charge: smothering The first charge is that any system where ultimate priority is located in a single source will produce a top-down smothering effect, a divine endorsement of assimilation, an ethos of violence.

Practically, this means if I arrive in a new place with the belief that I’ve been sent by God, it’s going to be hard to convince me I should be anywhere else. And if I’ve come with the related belief that God has designs for my new neighbours, designs to which I am privy and they are not, it will soon become difficult to treat those neighbours with the kind of respect I myself would like to be treated.

It’s this rub between the Great Commission from above and the Golden Rule down below – and the consistent choice for the former over the latter – that lends itself so smoothly to colonialist ideals. On these terms, my aim is not just to treat my neighbour as myself, but to transform him into myself.

The book’s contributors provide ample evidence for the way Christianity has indeed colluded in unjust and often violent pressures toward social uniformity. The possibility that this problem might have solutions from within Christian theology is, however, given only passing consideration.

Why? The dazzling diversity of contributors to Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry consistently offer two answers.

At some point, a second, more constructive volume will be in order. In it, we might read of the way recent Trinitarian theology recovers the possibility that God is not simply an impersonal power hovering over the world, but a Creator who has become a creature within a particular place and time.

First, Christianity has been a natural tool of imperial sprawl because it is hierarchical – a worldview where those at the top of the pyramid (God or king

That God has identified himself in and through cultural particularities, and not just over or around them, means Christian theology can do better than its typical

The charge: arrogance The second charge against settler Christendom is that by elevating humans above other creatures it has sponsored ecological harm and, consequently, indigenous disenfranchisement. Despite efforts by some of the book’s Christian contributors to offer a less individualistic approach in which humans ought to take care of creation, many of the strongervoiced indigenous contributors remain unconvinced.

At issue is the way Christians often treat the earth like a disposable loaner, something on which salvation is an exit strategy and our beliefs and about the End amount to a cosmic ctrl-alt-delete. Several authors make important connections between these deeply rooted Christian dualisms and not just our ecological crisis but also current trends in wealth disparity, gender inequality and the way modern capitalism seems to reduce rather than increase democratic freedoms.

In the end, readers will be left with some difficult facts. Colonial racism, settler hubris and Christian proselytization have a history of cooperation in this country because they share a similar posture: each views the indigenous-other as somehow inferior. Either racially or culturally or spiritually, the indigenous person needs the settler to rule or lead or guide. continued on page 21

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

7

When neighbours can’t ANGELINE SCHELLENBERG

I

s it possible for someone to enjoy meaningful life when they’re dependent? Can someone be the same person they used to be even when they can’t remember?

When his dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Winnipeg cartoonist Lorlie Barkman read Psalm 139:14: “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!” (NLT), and wondered: does that still apply to someone with memory loss?

“If you’re demented,” wrote British moral philosopher Baroness Mary Helen Warnock, “you’re wasting people’s lives – your family’s lives – and you’re wasting the resources of the National Health Service.”

“Such ways of thinking make perfect sense if you think your identity is something you construct and can sustain by yourself,” said University of Aberdeen professor John Swinton at Canadian Mennonite University’s 2014 JJ Thiessen lectures. “They hold less strength if you believe you reside within a story that’s not your own, and that your identity is something that is given, held and sustained by something outside yourself” – the mind of God and the community he created.

Moments the curtain pulls back One day, Lorlie’s dad took the photo of his late wife off the wall in his room, and when the evening sun shone in the window, the family discovered a smudge from his lips on the glass. It was a demonstration to Lorlie that his dad was still “wonderfully complex.” From that point on, says Lorlie, “I made it a point to watch for those moments and make a big deal of them.”

That attentiveness paid off. As Lorlie was cutting his dad’s hair, between mumbles, his dad said, “One of these days, it will be the last haircut you give me; then mom won’t be in 8

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

heaven alone.” That was the last haircut before his dad died in 1994.

As dementia progressed, phone calls and letters didn’t make sense to his dad, so Lorlie (who began drawing cartoons for the Swift Current Sun at 19) sent monthly drawings of dad’s life. “Dad went up to the care home’s front desk, held the card up,

and said, ‘This is me!’” His dad died after the third card, but the drawings grew into a book called Remember, Dad?

Drawing out memories As pastor couple at Westwood Community (MB) Church (1990–98), Lorlie and Deanna often led worship in nursing homes. Lorlie would speak or show the Third Story

remember [Drawing out, not writing off, people with dementia] videos he made when he worked for Family Life Network (1975–89). Residents would fall asleep. One visit, he decided to try cartooning.

He drew his father’s childhood memory of his own mother carrying a lamp into his bedroom when he was ill. “I couldn’t tell if the man across the room was watching or half asleep,” says Lorlie, “but, all of a sudden, he threw up his hands and yelled, ‘A coal oil lamp!’ That’s when the light bulb went on for me: I would draw out people’s memories.”

On subsequent care home visits, Lorlie began asking residents specific questions: What games did you play at school? Did you have a pet?

One lady said she’d had a beaver trained to live in the house. Lorlie drew her baking a pie with the beaver watching. Lorlie recalls, “She was crying, ‘My beaver! It feels like home.’”

cemeteries. The young man went from gruff to caring.

“Do you realize what you’re doing?” the nurses asked Lorlie. “You’ve got 25 people sitting in a semicircle in a dementia ward, laughing with you, talking with you, for a whole hour. When we feed them, they won’t sit long enough to eat a bowl of soup.”

The slowness of dementia moves caregivers closer to the pace of God, “for whom the transformation of creation is a long and time-full process,” says Swinton. “If we are open to the possibility of being a guest in the life of a person with no words, everything changes. In a world where some want to kill people with disabilities, in the church, each one is a guest, and Jesus waits for us.”

What caring gives the caregiver

Wonderfully complex

“Caring for someone you love changes you,” says Deanna. “We don’t know how to parent until we have a child,” but God gives grace for sleepless nights with a crying infant or a dependent friend or parent. “There’s just as much value in that senior as that infant.”

During one of Lorlie’s visits to his dad’s home in Saskatchewan, Lorlie’s dad was baking a pie, but couldn’t find the oven light switch. So the elderly farmer improvised, holding a trouble light up to the oven.

Deanna recalls the husband of a church attender whose father experienced memory loss. He began taking his father to his old homes, familiar

“It scared me a bit. At first glance, you could wonder if meaningful life might be over, but then: poof! He showed me a pie, perfectly done” in his own creative way.

“If a person is wonderfully complex,” says Lorlie, “you can’t write them off.”

Starting a conversation with someone with dementia Lorlie’s challenge to churches visiting people who are elderly or

have dementia is “Don’t sing and leave. Take that opportunity to connect.”

While someone with dementia may not remember what they did that morning, the present is something you are experiencing together. Ask about the objects they see around them: an item of clothing, a picture on the wall.

Then move your questions from the present to the distant past; for example, “I like your sweater. Did you ever do any knitting?” or “Did you like our singing? Were you ever in a choir as a child?” The farther you can get in the past, the better chance you have of getting a good conversation.

Resist the temptation to speak for them. Slow down and allow for silence as they collect their thoughts.

ILLUSTRATION: LORLIE BARKMAN

Deanna says the four things every patient she ever cared for needed were eye contact, focused attention, unconditional acceptance and physical touch. “Pat their arm and say good morning. Anybody can do that. Even if all they do is smile, you’ve accomplished something.”

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

9

I

was introduced to The Table in May of 1991. Our family had just moved to Nova Scotia, and at the end of a “welcome-to-town” shower, a young man approached us, wondering whether we’d like to take care of his large antique table. His family was moving across the country and couldn’t take it with them.

We readily agreed. My husband had earlier joked that he’d always wanted “one of those big, countrystyle dining room tables you can fit a gazillion people around.” Little did we know how this stately piece of furniture would influence our home.

The Table was a beautiful mahogany, eight feet long and four feet wide, sitting on two majestic pedestals. It fit the dining room of our cozy side-by-side like it had been custom made.

The first thing we did was cover The Table. We didn’t want to risk damaging it in any way. I bought a plastic tablecloth, and then another, hoping two layers would be enough protection. This table was going to be used.

Growing a ministry We didn’t know anyone in Nova Scotia, but it wasn’t long before The Table became a gathering place.

We had two young children, ages two and four. It seemed almost everyone else on our little stretch of road did as well. Every evening, parents would gather on the street and converse while our children played together under our watchful eyes.

That first summer, I held a week-long kids club in our backyard with games, songs, snacks and stories. It was a hit.

Thinking about how this could be carried on, I

10

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

creating memories went inside to survey our space. Could 20 children fit in our small living room? My eyes wandered over to The Table in the adjoining dining room.

I envisioned dozens of eager little hands cutting, pasting and drawing. Perfect! The resulting clubhouse was filled every Thursday after school.

This was just the beginning of “The Table Ministry.” We were always on the lookout for folks we could invite to join us around The Table.

Room for another I come from a large family, so special occasions like birthdays, Christmas and Thanksgiving just don’t feel like a celebration unless many are gathered. The Table always reminded us there was room for another. It didn’t seem to be content until every chair was filled.

We never had a separate children’s table. To have people of every age gathered around one table made us feel like one big family.

When our daughter started school, we invited her teacher to join us for lunch. Her teacher was thrilled with the invitation – no student had ever invited her before. That delightful lunch was the first of many with the teachers at Millwood Elementary. The tradition carried on for as long as our children attended that school.

About two years into our connection with The Table, we received a letter from The Table’s previous family. They were not coming back: The Table was ours to keep. There was no expectation of payment. Our desire was to extend the generosity we had received. We danced around The Table with delight and gratitude.

K AT H L E E N F R A N C I S

with neighbours Uncovered Now, it was ours and could be fully enjoyed. Our daughter’s teacher had peeked under the tablecloth and admired the beautiful wood, exclaiming, “It’s a shame to keep it covered.” We were taking great care to return this gift in the same condition we received it, I explained at the time. No longer having to worry about ruining someone else’s property, we uncovered it.

It was like the unveiling of a bride on her wedding day. For my birthday, my husband had a custom glass top made for The Table. There was no more need for tablecloths.

Soon after, we moved into a larger house. The main house-hunting criterion was an open-concept dining area where The Table would fit. Again, The Table became the heart of our home. It was the gathering place for afterschool chats, homework, gingerbread decorating and sushi-making parties. Colleagues became friends as they gathered around The Table monthly for lunch. Sunday dinner collected young adults until no elbow room remained, after which The Table hosted a rousing game.

I thought our relationship with The Table would never end. I envisioned children and spouses and grandchildren all gathered around it.

Freely give But life took an unexpected turn. I found myself needing to sell our house and belongings with no permanent home on the horizon. The question that came from almost everyone who had spent time in our home was “What are you going to do with The

Table?” Each had fond memories of times around The Table. I hadn’t realized how far-reaching its impact had been.

Reluctantly, I put The Table up for sale.

It was hard to put a price on it. I felt uneasy; the ministry of The Table was meant to continue, if not in our home, then in someone else’s. Its new owner must hear The Table’s gentle voice urging, “There’s still room for more.”

After three weeks of running the ad with not one reply, I breathed a sigh of relief and took it down.

That afternoon, I ran into a friend and shared my dilemma concerning The Table. She knew first-hand the way it drew people together. “I had just voiced my desire for a table that could seat our whole family and the many guests we often feed,” she exclaimed.

“I would love to care for your table until such time that one of your children should ask for it.”

This was the perfect answer to my prayer.

I had expected to feel sadness when I said goodbye to The Table, but as my friend spoke of her plans for an upcoming gathering, it felt so right. Freely I had received, freely I would give. This is how it was meant to be – another home, another family, another chapter in extending The Table.

Kathleen Francis is author of a series, Conversations with Monuments, available through Kindred Productions and www.conversationswithmonuments.com. The welcoming group in this story was Cornerstone MB Church, Dartmouth, N.S., as the Gateway church plant in Lower Sackville, N.S., began.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

11

ICOMB: International Community of W i eb e ’s Witn es s

Drawing from his travels to visit MB churches around the world, ICOMB executive director David Wiebe offers insights on faith.

Faithful together in civil conflict David Wiebe There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Roman Rakhuba recounted the latest events in his home country of Ukraine to the gathering of Mennonite leaders of Europe in Lisbon, Portugal. Roman leads the Ukraine Mennonite conference, a group of 8 young churches – now, technically 6 Ukrainian and 2 Russian, since Crimea seceded to Russia.

The Ukraine churches are in the western half, near the city of Zaporizhia.

Roman and other volunteers bring aid to people living only 200 km away near Donetsk and other communities in eastern Ukraine.

It’s dangerous. One day, they saw some spent ammunition on the side of the road, and stopped. They thought they might grab some “souvenirs.” It turns out they stopped 6 inches from a shell that had buried itself into the roadway.

They would have driven over it. No one knows if it would have gone off, but it was a reminder that where ordnance is around, you could be blown up in a moment.

Heart-rending It’s heart-rending. They bring supplies to people whose homes have been hit by shells. Roman met a boy of 11 or 12 who had gone to a neighbour’s home to play.

While he was gone, a shell hit his house, completely destroying his bedroom.

Another boy showed Roman his hands.

He and his schoolmates fled with their teacher from their school that was being 12

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

shelled. A blast went off, killing their teacher. The boy fell, covering his head with his hands. A piece of shrapnel went through one hand and into the other, but didn’t get through to his head.

People run to their basements when shells fly. Some are so traumatized, they don’t want to come out. And so Roman and his team go down to coax them out into the sunshine, and to receive the gifts they have brought – food, medicine, water, clothing.

Roman’s stories redefine normal. A pastor housed around a dozen people in his basement during extended shelling.

They stayed at his home for days on end – pastoral care of unusual practicality.

Challenging His stories are challenging.

The churches held a conference in the beginning of October. Speakers like MB Mission’s European mission development director Johann Matthies inspired and encouraged.

Peacemaking Despite a strong pacifist conviction, the churches released these young men into service in the spirit of Matthew 18: “whatever you loose on earth has been loosed in heaven.” The community hermeneutic of Christians working through a practical issue could be an example for our entire global family.

The wife of one of these soldiers informed the delegation her husband did not have a helmet, flak jacket or winter coat. The army did not provide them. So the assembly raised funds for these tools, reasoning it was not for guns or other offensive weapons.

And Roman’s stories are frustrating.

He showed me a YouTube clip of two tanks in the backyard of a Pentecostal church firing every minute or so at an unseen target. The camera then moves around to show two Orthodox priests (Moscow Patriarchate) with incense, blessing and praying for this activity.

Then they had a business meeting. The agenda: evacuation plans. Where would people go if their community was invaded and they had to flee? The churches stood with and for each other in a time of need.

Whether one is pro-Russia or proUkraine in this conflict, Christians would expect their church – in any denomination – to stand aside from such blatant partisanship.

His stories raise eyebrows!

Christians in the free church tradition have convictions about the separation of church and state. Arguably this conviction is nowhere more needed than during a time of controversial state action such as this.

Three young men from the churches were drafted into the army. They had only two choices: join or spend five years in prison. Alternative service was not an option.

Prayer

Mennonite Brethren

Pastor Grigoriy (third from left) distributes relief supplies to Ukrainians he coaxed out of hiding after their village was shelled.

did you kno w?

PHOTO: COURTESY ROMAN RAKHUBA

When Roman finished his report, Rainer Burkhardt, pastor and representative of one of the German Mennonite conferences, initiated and led us in a prayer for the churches in the Ukraine. We stood around Roman and laid hands on him, and with tears, we sought the Lord for peace, and for faithful witness by the church in the region.

David Wiebe has been a member of a Christian rock band a pastor, and an MB conference executive. Since 2011, he has served the International Community of Mennonite Brethren as executive director.

The Mennonite churches of Ukraine were planted within the last 20 years. Main languages are Ukrainian and Russian.

Mission workers sponsored by Mennonite Church Canada and MB Mission planted these Mennonite churches. They work together seamlessly, turning back the rift that resulted from the MB secession in 1860.

The Lithuanian Free Christian Church (new members of ICOMB with 7 churches, 200 members) raised funds to assist the Ukrainian Mennonites in their aid efforts.

Armed Russians recently broke into a church building in Donetsk, took the keys and drove out all who were inside.

They threatened to shoot the believers on the spot if they gather again. Elsewhere, some ministers have been kidnapped and their whereabouts remain unknown.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD  January 2015

13

GOD, SEX & CHURCH A THEOLOGY OF HEALTHY SEXUALITY

October 21-23, 2015 Westwood Community Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba Join us in Winnipeg where we’ll gather as Canadian Mennonite Brethren to gain a clearer vision of God’s design for human sexuality and of the church’s role in bearing witness to that vision.

STUDYCONFERENCE.MENNONITEBRETHREN.CA

14

Study & Annual January 2015 Conference www.mbherald.com

1.888.669.6575

General Meeting of the Canadian Conference of MB Churches

4 1 0 2 YEAR in

REVIEW

f news that f RESONATED f f f

Pastors and MB Mission workers John Wiens and Carlin Weinhauer die after brief battles with cancer.

Direction Journal publishes an issue featuring articles on New Calvinism and Mennonite Brethren.

Gathering 2014 meets in Westside Church Vancouver’s new building in the downtown core.

CCMBC’s finance department sees changes and announces the creation of Legacy Investments Inc.

C2C Network completes national leadership team with new hires, including an Atlantic Canada regional director.

family announcements In the pages of the Herald, we announced

top WEB HITS Your favourite online stories (as of Dec. 1) 1. Willingdon pastor resigns 8,946 John Neufeld leaves megachurch

2. Kyiv Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

1,384

Ukrainian musicians tour Canada

3. Mennonite t-shirts

1,216

4. Bethany College at a crossroads

1,135

Youth pastor fundraises for MCC Bible institute faces financial crisis

5. Church and school lean in 866

132 births, 52 weddings, 7 wedding anniversaries of 50 or 60 years, 2 church launches, 7 church anniversaries of 20, 50 or 75 years, and 145 obituaries.

The oldest person was Jacob Isaac Bergen who lived from Apr. 13, 1911–Aug. 20, 2013.

Bethany College and partners discern future

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

15 15

NE WS Homeless in Abbotsford Homelessness, like most difficult issues, doesn’t go away, although numbers rise and fall. A count of homeless people recently completed by MCC, Salvation Army and other agencies in Abbotsford, B.C., shows a 29 percent increase from the last enumeration in 2011. Churches, individual volunteers and social agencies are all involved in ministry to homeless people, but the recipients of that help assert that it’s not enough.

The issue is as complex as the many different realities of the people caught up in it.

Homelessness was and is a political issue: • It was hotly debated in recent local elections in Abbotsford, B.C., the city now famous for spreading chicken manure in a homeless camp. Most homeless people were isolated from the campaign rhetoric, although some fought by building an “in your face” tent city right across the street from Mennonite Central Committee B.C.’s new building.

Homelessness is economic: • Some find rental costs simply unaffordable at their income levels. Others have no income due to loss of work, loss of a social safety net or because they have “slipped between the cracks” of health and welfare systems.

Homelessness is part of personal crisis: • Some homelessness is secretive and hidden. Some people take to the woods. Others couchsurf by staying with one set of friends after another, and some – especially women with children at risk – simply do what it takes to stay out of sight.

• Each experience of homelessness is a hard result of a difficult life, especially for those with mental illness (22 percent in the 2014 survey), substance abuse issues (41 percent), or being cut off welfare services (28 percent).

Marriage breakup is another contributor.

The encouraging news is that many churches, more individual Christians, and Christian and secular agencies and community groups are showing increasing commitment to help homeless people and the system that produces them. B.C.’s MCC estimates that 85–90 percent of individual volunteers in ministries to the homeless in Abbotsford are practising Christians.

The discouraging news is that “nothing is simple,” as the report of the survey group makes clear. Researchers list the needed resources, including psychological and psychiatric help, food, health care and mentoring, to add to the well-meaning, desire in the community to just provide more beds.

“Beds aren’t the issue; support and services are,” says one worker. Meanwhile, agencies make repeated calls on governments at all levels to provide more financial resources.—BMc

M

ike has had a place to live, but now he needs another one. And he needs a friend. “I did serious time in prison, but I have left crime behind me,” he says. He turns 60 in a few months.

Mike has lived for many months in a trailer in the corner of a farm, but the owner now wants to sell and Mike must move out.

He cannot find a new place. “Even though I have been clean for a dozen years, I can’t rent an apartment,” he says. He feels like giving up.

On release from prison, he first lived in a tent in the bush, where 16

scrounging food and living his life were hard. Then one day when he returned to his site in the rain, he found his tarp trashed. “I thought, ‘I can’t take it. I’m done.’” He was on the way to end his life when he ran into a pastor from South Abbotsford (MB) Church. They talked – many times. Mike ultimately asked Christ into his life.

“Then, things started looking up,” says Mike. He found a place to live and went to a local auction for furniture. That led to a furniture ministry, locating and delivering furniture to people in need, often

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

spending his own welfare funds. housing to low-income earners.”

He also found donors of dated milk Experts at the time warned that and bread that he could distribute. cancellation of the policy would create a serious problem of Hope lost However, that chapter seemed homelessness – and experience to end a few weeks ago. He now has proven that to be true.

To complicate the B.C. situafinds himself with no money, livtion, the province’s drug epidemic ing under a deadline in a trailer occurred about the same time, and to be sold. He is left with his dog so did a provincial government and his old truck – and no hope. decision to release many mental He has the welfare housing allowpatients from centralized treatance, but the amount gives him ment to community care.

B.C. few options. housing prices started to soar Because he was in prison, he is repeatedly turned away by at the same time, compounding the issues. landlords.

While governments came He struggles with medical under increasing criticism from problems. He does not speak of political opponents, many churches friends or a buddy.

– and individual church members Mike’s plight is quite typical of – stepped into the breach. the kinds of issues that make up homelessness, according to Ron van Wyk, homelessness specialist for Mennonite Central Committee B.C. He says about 60 percent of those known to be homeless are men. About a quarter of the homeless are older than 50. Few have only one problem condition.

Perfect storm Van Wyk says most caseworkers and researchers recall relatively little homelessness in Canada before the mid-1990s. Until then, Canada had a national policy for social housing that was “quite effective in providing affordable

Church response In Abbotsford, Northview Community Church made a significant capital contribution to open Cyrus Centre, a downtown facility with staff to provide transitional housing, psychosocial support and food to homeless people under 19.

More than a dozen other c hu rc he s prov ide ongoi ng support.

The Abbotsford Salvation Army provides food for the homeless. It also built emergency and independent living facilities

at their Centre of Hope (near the new MCC Centre). The Army added a staff psychologist and a social worker to ensure there is ongoing care.

The names of many facilities tell of their roots in Christian

“Not housing only” MCC in Abbotsford prints a regular inventory of social housing. Jim Burkinshaw, of MCC, formerly with the trail-blazing Abbotsford Christian Leaders’ Network, says it’s only a list designed to help; MCC’s guiding principle remains “housing first, but not housing only.”

Underlining the need for broadened care, the 2014 survey shows only a quarter of Abbotsford ’s homeless population utilizes shelters. The other three quarters do not, citing dislike of atmosphere, rules or other elements of the shelter experience.

A relatively new approach from the agency and volunteer sector involves renting a home and operating it like a boarding house,

WINNIPEG

CMU celebrates grand opening of new library

S

p e e che s , s ongs , pr ayer, conversation, laughter and excitement marked the opening of Marpeck Commons, Canadian Mennonite University’s new library, learning commons and pedestrian bridge.

More than 300 faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends filled the building for a grand opening and dedication ceremony, Nov. 29. “ T he g reater t he stores of knowledge available at the push of a thumb, the greater the yearning for experientially based connections among people enabling sound research, shared understanding, deep friendship and trustworthy community,” said president Cheryl Pauls to the

giving individuals their own room and some social setting.

One such house, “Tony’s Place” started as an experiment.

No church could subsidize the cost, so a group of church members dug into their own pockets and kept the venture afloat for more than two years. Founder Tony and the supporters moved on, but the idea remains; now there are many such homes, and some landlords seek out agencies to provide tenants.

MCC is a recent sponsor of such housing – the eleventh unit to be acquired and operated by Raven’s Moon, a project started by two women who decided it was time to “do something.” Each sponsor underwrites the cost differences between welfare housing allowances and actual costs of operation.

MCC and Salvation Army also operate rental subsidy programs in Abbotsford, and MCC is adding to its casework staff.

and 2 Ministries serves dinner on Wednesday evenings. MCC is planning to pick up the evening meal on other nights.

Meanwhile, van Wyk says it’s important to understand that those who are homeless must live with a variety of serious troubles, including profound poverty, substance abuse, hopelessness or mental illness. He says many of those troubles result from deep psychological scars arising from horrific abuse as children or even as adults, the kind of scars that people want to numb down.

The church is there. Individual Christians are there. So are many agencies and community workers. And some homeless people like Mike develop helping ministries of their own.

Despite the diversity of lives and problems, helpers and programs, there is one common comment surrounding the homeless issue: “It’s not enough. More help Food options The Salvation Army provides is needed.”—Barrie McMaster, breakfast and lunch, and The 5 B.C. correspondent fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $13 million toward its $14.4 million goal.

The building is named after Pilgram Marpeck, a civil magistrate from the early 1500s whose Anabaptist convictions guided his life and work.

Marpeck Commons also houses CommonWord, a book and resource centre created in partnership with Mennonite Church Canada that will allow students and the public to buy,

borrow and download a wide range of resources, and a coffee and snack bar called Folio Café.

“What takes classroom learning to a whole new level is the conversations that I have with my peers, staff, and faculty over a cup of coffee, and the sharing of personal experiences,” said student council president Josh Hollins, adding that Marpeck Commons creates potential for more of such interactions.—CMU release

question whether universities still need libraries in a digital age.

The bridge, said president emeritus Gerald Gerbrandt, “represents a la rger v ision, symbolizing CMU’s commitment to building bridges t hat overcome all kinds of divisions – not only between the two founding denominations (Mennonite Brethren and Mennonite Church), but among us, as well as between us and others.”

More than 700 (l-r) MBCM executive director Elton DaSilva, CMU board chair Marlene Janzen, architect donors contributed Jerold Peters, Josh Hollins, campaign chair Elmer Hildebrand, Cheryl Pauls, project CEO to the CONNECT Ted Paetkau, MC Canada executive director Willard Metzger MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

17

PHOTO: CMU

The “tent city” homeless encampment across the street from MCC’s new Abbotsford Centre.

PHOTO: BARRIE MCMASTER

faith – Samaritan Inn, Psalm 23 Transition Society, Joshua House, programs in Menno Home, Tabor Home, and Seven Oaks Alliance Manor. Many other facilities reflect a community non-profit agency base.

NE WS WINNIPEG

Atlantic Canada director appointed n partnership with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, the C2C Network appointed Chad MacDonald regional director for Atlantic Canada. The former pastor of ministry development from Vancouver’s Westside Church begins Jan. 2, 2015 – in answer to many prayers.

“God has sort of primed the pump,” says MacDonald.

About two years ago, MacDonald and his wife Lynda began to sense “promptings, or an urge, to consider ‘what would it look like to go back to Nova Scotia?’” says the Atlantic native. But with Westside’s purchase of The Centre in 2013, MacDonald’s energies were taken up and the subject of returning east was shelved.

MacDonald “wasn’t disgruntled” when left his Nova Scotia home at 18, but he didn’t expect to return. He studied at Toronto’s Tyndale University and met Lynda through a young people’s group at The Meeting House, Oakville, Ont. They worked as site leaders for Canadian Mennonite University’s Outtatown program.

Continuing west, he studied to be a paramedic and began pastoring at Westside Church where both he and Lynda served part-time in myriad capacities for the young church plant.

By the end of his eighth year, MacDonald’s work comprised staff administration, volunteer ministry teams coordination, arts group rentals in the former Vancouver Centre for the Performing Arts, and serving on the elder board.

“It’s evident God has been building my resume,” he says.

C&MA director of new ventures David Enns.

Some seven years ago, the denomination began a church planting initiative called “Sea to Sea” with the tagline: “Christ Centred, Spirit Empowered, Mission Focused.”

“Ma ny movement s a nd denominations come to similar influences at similar time periods,” he observes of the uncanny similarity to the Mennonite Brethren’s C2C Network.

Over the years, Alliance leadership connected with C2C over assessment centres and training activities, watched how C2C played out in the regions and began building friendships “which led to greater trust,” says Enns.

“We’d been praying for leaders and collaborative DNA…to see new churches across Atlantic Canada,” says Enns. “Our dream would be to be present in Atlantic Canada. We do not have the resources to do that alone.”

Neither does the C2C Network, which received approval last year to hire a part-time director.

Through conversations that started with church planting leadership and ended with the denomination’s directors, the two organizations with small budgets but big dreams for Atlantic Canada decided to pool their resources to build churches for one kingdom.

“It seemed right and appropriate,” says Enns. “This partnership has come out of relationship not just out of convenience.”

“We felt that the Holy Spirit had put the thoughts in our hearts,” says C2C Network director Gord Fleming. “The level of A call to the Atlantic field trust and desire to collaborate was As Mennonite Brethren were so significant that we knew that hearing a call to focus on church this was the Lord at work.” planting in Canada, the Christian and Missionary Alliance A divine conductor The threads began to con(C&MA) were also recognizing they needed “to face Canada as a verge in June 2014 when Westside mission field from sea to sea,” says hosted the biennial MB Canadian 18

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

PHOTO: COURTESY CHAD MACDONALD

I

Chad & Lynda MacDonald with Kiehl, Emma, Jude.

conference Gathering. In a chance lobby conversation, Fleming told MacDonald about the developments for the Atlantic Canada position, and MacDonald shared his stirrings to return.

“We were in tears together, praying, ‘Lord, if this is something from you, let’s see what you’re up to here,’” says MacDonald.

Things moved quickly as Westside blessed MacDonald to go through the interview process.

“It’s been nothing but affirmation [from Westside]; green light after green light,” says MacDonald.

“The most surprising thing about this has been the support and encouragement from Westside in this transition and helping me in the discernment process.”

“It’s a bittersweet thing” to say goodbye to a beloved colleague, says Westside lead pastor Norm Funk, “but this is God-led.”

The church has pledged financial support to C2C for the Atlantic Canada portfolio. “As much as we can help the church planting movement in Canada, that’s great,” says Funk. “We’re for planting.”

On the ground As Atlantic Canada regional director, MacDonald will support the existing MB (3) and C&MA (5) churches; support, coach and assist the new plants (2); and interview and assess potential planters. He will work on prayer

ministry and training opportunities, and form relationships with existing churches “to develop a multiplication culture,” says Fleming.

MacDonald will be a C2C Network employee but will also wear a C&MA hat, catalyzing those churches and relating to the Sea to Sea team as well.

Enns notes that the C&MA presence in Atlantic Canada is mostly minority-ethnicity based, and their style of church development in the region has been more grassroots. C2C comes with refined structures and processes at the outset. “Our denominations could be a great complement to each other as we leverage each other’s strengths and learn from each other,” he says.

“There’s a strong conviction that God has led us here at this time,” says Enns. “It’s a response to a lot of prayers that have been made.”

“I know there were people praying for years that my journey would lead me back [to the Maritimes],” says MacDonald.

“God had a plan for me to get equipped and be trained and eventually make my way back there for the kingdom.”

The story “isn’t about the MacDonalds but about what God is doing across the country,” says MacDonald.—Karla Braun

A TRUSTED FRIEND... ...is coming home with a new look! ®

Since 1956, Our Daily Bread has been bringing readers closer to the Lord with a daily devotional that speaks to the heart.

Now, with a fresh new design, Our Daily Bread still brings a new thought each day in an easier to read format.

If you don’t receive Our Daily Bread at home, please visit www.odb.ca/subscribe to get a copy sent directly to you without cost or obligation.

PO Box 1622 Windsor ON N9A 6Z7 (519) 956-2400 email: canada@odb.ca

ourdailybread.ca Also available as an app.

Aussi disponible en français. Pour rester informé des dernières nouvelles des Ministères Notre Pain Quotidien, rendez-vous sur notre site Internet ministeresnpq.org.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015 19 Our Daily Bread is a registered trademark of Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and used under license by Our Daily Bread Ministries Canada

FAMILY news

TR ANSITIONS Interim CFO appointed S A S K AT O O N Canadian conference executive director Willy Reimer is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Davidson as CCMBC’s interim Chief Financial Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Davidson will work 0.8 FTE and continue to live in Saskatoon, travelling to Winnipeg as necessary. Davidson will oversee both the financial operations of CCMBC and Legacy Investments Inc., CCMBC’s new legal entity that manages all investment monies, including deposit funds and mortgages.

“After a long search, we’re thrilled that God has led us to Jim,” says Reimer. “His heart for the church and his accounting wisdom will be great assets to the team. We invite Mennonite Brethren across the country to pray for Jim and his family as he begins this new role.”

Davidson is a chartered accountant and comes to the Canadian conference with many years of experience, most recently as director and CFO of Falco Resources Ltd. He formerly served as VP Finance and CFO of Great Western Minerals Group, and CFO of Athabasca Potash Inc. Davidson is also passionate about his community and serves on the board of The Bridge on 20th, a not-for-profit centre in Saskatoon’s inner city.

Davidson and his wife Colleen are members of Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, where Jim serves as a council member. The couple has 2 grown sons and 1 grandson.—CCMBC news release

As part of a new partnership to develop missional strategies to further holistic church planning among the least reached, Willingdon Church and MB Mission have appointed MB Mission B.C. regional mobilizer John Best as missions pastor at Willingdon Church, Burnaby, B.C., effective Dec. 1, 2014. “Together, we seek to discover new ways of working collaboratively in local and global mission,” says Larry Neufeld, lead team – mobilization & media, MB Mission. John has a BA from Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C., and an MDiv from MBBS-ACTS, Langley, B.C. John and Christy have 3 children.

BIRTHS BENNETT – to Ronnie & Andrea of Winnipeg, a son, Wade Graeme, Oct. 25, 2014.

BRYANT – to Dave & Anna Mae (Wiebe) of Morden, Man., a son, Canyon Reid James, Feb. 25, 2014.

DERKSEN – to Stacey of Morden, Man., a son, Finnagin Carson Hooper, Sept. 24, 2014.

EPP – to Brian & Thu (Nguyen) of Saskatoon, a daughter, Mina Katie, Sept. 5, 2014.

20

HANEMAAYER – to Antoni & Hannah of Vineland, Ont., a daughter, Hadassah Grace, Oct. 27, 2014.

MARTIN – to Greg & Clarissa of Carievale, Sask., a daughter, Adelyn Renee, Aug. 11, 2014.

Andrew Eby started as lead pastor at North Peace MB Church, Fort St. John, B.C., Sept. 15, 2014. He holds a master of arts in Christian Studies from ACTS Seminary and has previously served at Maple Ridge (B.C.) Baptist Church for 7 years in a variety of roles.

Andrew and Molly have 1 daughter: Lucy.

Matt Shantz began as lead pastor at Central Community Church, Chilliwack, B.C., Dec. 1, 2014. The Columbia Bible College graduate previously served the church as pastor of young adults and worship (2010–2013) and as interim teaching pastor (2014). He also served as director of young adults at Northview Community Church (2004–2009), Abbotsford, B.C., and as a church planting apprentice with the C2C Network. Matt and Emily have 2 sons.

Jim Nightingale started at Nechako Community Church, Vanderhoof, B.C., as associate pastor in August 2014. He holds a BRE. Most recently, he and his wife Marilou were the pastoral couple at Foothills Community Church, Pincher Creek, Alta. Prior to that, they were missionaries with MB Mission in Brazil and Portugal.

Jim previously pastored in Eugene, Ore., and Yarrow, B.C. Jim and Marilou have 3 adult children and their youngest son Zechariah lives with them in Vanderhoof.

Anne Andres accepted the role of director of library at Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C., in fall 2014. Anne holds a master of library and information studies from University of British Columbia and has been associate librarian at Columbia since 1998. She has served as a librarian at British Columbia Institute of Technology, University of the Fraser Valley and in academic libraries in the United Arab Emirates and Fiji.

NELSON – to Kristine of Morden, Man., a daughter, Amiya Trixie Jean, Mar. 18, 2014.

VOSBURGH – to Chris & Jenn of Wellandport, Ont., a son, James Carter, Sept. 11, 2014.

THIESSEN – to Matt & Lynda (Wall) of Winkler, Man., a son, Jordan Blake, Nov. 10, 2014.

WEDDINGS

MOLNAR – to Darren & Heather (Barr) of Saskatoon, a son, Jacob Kevin, Nov. 6, 2014.

THIESSEN – to Raymond & Lisa (Worthington) of Saskatoon, a chosen son, Kyle David Boaz, born Dec. 30, 2010, received Sept. 26, 2014.

MORGAN – to Brad & Christine of Vineland, Ont., a son, Jackson Kenneth, June 24, 2014.

TOEWS – to Darcy & Sarah (Fung) of Morden, Man., a daughter, Phoebe Nga You, Sept. 4, 2014.

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

L evi DE JONG of Abbotsford, B.C., & Kelsey FEHR of Sherwood Park, Alta., Oct. 13, 2014.

S hawn Dyck of Saskatoon & Katelyn BERGEN of Hague, Sask., Mar. 1, 2014.

S pencer EPP of Saskatoon & Michelle DYCK of Calgary, Aug. 23, 2014.

T yler KOCH & Vanessa PENNER, both of Saskatoon, Aug. 23, 2014.

L ee REDPATH of Pilot Mound, Man., & Charlene HILDEBRAND of Morden, Man., June 28, 2014. ryce REIMER & Donna B GIESBRECHT, both of Saskatoon, Oct. 11, 2014.

S hawn TURNER & Joni PETLIKAU, both of Saskatoon, June 29, 2014. ichael VELLACOTT M & Christina LOEWEN, both of Saskatoon, May 10, 2014.

Continued from page 7 The Christian way has been conceived as a set of propositions requiring consent or a religious program to be followed, and as a result it has displaced the fact that our way is, after all, a person. What would crosscultural dialogue look like if the church took seriously its claim that all things hold together in the first-century Palestinian rebel who confronted and was killed by the empire of his day?

My hunch is that it would look a lot like this book.

Great classics available again!

New covers aNd size—same beloved devotioNs

Herald Press is happy to announce the return of the popular Meditation series. These make great gifts that will strengthen and inspire parents with a month of daily devotions.

Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry is a collection of poetry, prayer, prose of several genres and 18 essays from some of today’s clearest spokespeople in the indigenous-settler theological conversation. It is a wild and dangerous book, excruciating like prophetic fire.

It is, in the most hopeful sense of the word, unsettling.

Paul Cumin is the author of Christ at the Crux: The Mediation of God and Creation in Christological Perspective and pastor at Pemberton Community Church (formerly Pemberton Christian Fellowship) in Stl’atl’imx Territory, B.C.

Watch for three more, coming August 2015.

5x8. PB. $7.99 each.

1-800-245-7894 • www.MennoMedia.org

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

21

MennoJerusalem Tours ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY

cmu.ca

ISRAEL & PALESTINE The Land, the People & the Book May 2-16, 2015

A TASTE of TUSCANY [Italy] May 18-30, 2015 Arts • Science • Business • Music

The JOURNEYS of PAUL in Turkey, Greece & Italy September 12-28, 2015 & October 03-19, 2015 __________________________________________________________

Jan. 2016 Philippines/Bali/Singapore Exemplary Academics Faith-filled Community

Discover the Alternative

office@mennojerusalem.org Tel: (647) 340 -6287

www.mennojerusalem.org

CHURCH STA FF Pastor of Youth Ministries

Port Rowan MB Church is prayerfully looking for a full-time pastor of youth ministries. The applicant must be passionate about discipling youth and seeing them mature in Christ. Primary responsibilities: provide direction and leadership to the junior and senior youth ministries; effectively communicate God’s Word; nurture and develop smooth transitions through our youth ministries. Please check out our website for more information: www.portrowanmbchurch. com. Interested candidates need to send their resumes attention Jeff Reimer, Port Rowan MB Church, 465 – 1st Concession Rd., Port Rowan, ON, Canada, N0E 1M0, or email reimerj@kwic.com.

WON’T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE TREES?!

Did you know you can interact with the MB Herald electronically?

[Subscribe via email to read a digital copy on

ISSUU.com or to download a PDF to your device.

[Enter your email address to receive each story posted on mbherald.com.

[Follow on Twitter or Facebook.

Sara Willms Sara Willms Sara Willms Sara Willms Sara Willms Sara Willms Sara Willms Realtor Realtor Realtor Realtor Realtor Realtor

Realtor RE/MAX executives realty RE/MAX executives realty RE/MAX executives realty RE/MAX executives realty RE/MAX executives realty #3-1919 Henderson Hwy. RE/MAX executives realty RE/MAX executives realty #3-1919 Henderson Hwy. #3-1919 Henderson Hwy. #3-1919 Henderson Hwy. Winnipeg Mb. R2G #3-1919 Hwy. Winnipeg Mb. Henderson R2G 1P41P4 #3-1919 Henderson Hwy. Winnipeg Mb. R2G 1P4 #3-1919 Henderson Hwy. WinnipegWinnipeg Mb. R2G Mb. 1P4 R2G 1P4 Winnipeg 1P4 WinnipegMb. Mb.R2G R2G 1P4

(204)-987-9800 (204)-987-9800 (204)-987-9800 (204)-987-9800 (204)-987-9800 E-mail: sarawillms@shaw.ca (204)-987-9800 (204)-987-9800 E-mail: sarawillms@shaw.ca

ATTENDING MWC’S PENNSYLVANIA 2015 IN JULY?

Add a Mennonite Heritage Tour

Choose from 4 Heritage/Sightseeing tours with Anabaptist storytellers:

E-mail: sarawillms@shaw.ca E-mail: E-mail: sarawillms@shaw.ca TO sarawillms@shaw.ca BUY OR SELL- CALL SARA NOW

TO BUY OR SELLSARA NOW E-mail: sarawillms@shaw.ca OR SELLCALLCALL SARA NOW E-mail:TO BUY sarawillms@shaw.ca

TO TO BUY OR OR SELLCALL SARA NOW BUY SELLCALL SARA NOW

TO TOBUY BUYOR ORSELLSELL-CALL CALLSARA SARANOW NOW

1. & 4. Mennonites in America (New York, Pennsylvania) 2. American & Mennonite Culture & History (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania) 3. Following the Conestoga Trail (Ontario, Canada to Pennsylvania)

FOR YOUR NEXT MOVE Re/Max

Saskatoon

Tedd Epp

www.teddepp.com 306 221 1614 Helping you find your way home... in Winnipeg

MWC Assemblies are reunions of the global Anabaptist-Mennonite family that happen every 6 years. www.mwc-cmm.org

DAVID UNRUH 204-453-7653

Cruises, Educational, Eco-Adventure, Holy Land, Fellowship, & Custom tours also available.

(800) 565-0451 | office@tourmagination.com

www.tourmagination.com

david@unruhrealestate.ca www.unruhrealestate.ca

22

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

TICO#50014322

TMDec14Ad_MBH.indd 1

14-11-27 11:04 AM

Finish lines

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.—2 Timothy 4:7

Tina (Kay) Balzer

Mary Friesen

Feb. 10, 1923–June 18, 2014

July 25, 1918–Oct. 16, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Nordheim, Ukraine PARENTS: David & Anna Balzer BAPTISM: Bird’s Hill, Man., 1946 CHURCH: North Kildonan MB, Winnipeg FAMILY: sister Helena, 5 siblings [d.]

Tina’s family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling in Gnadental, Man. Her father’s death created hardship and the older siblings went to work. Tina worked in the Valley Room (restaurant) at Eaton’s, Winnipeg, for 23 years until her retirement. She loved Christmas Eve when family gathered and she joyously served them. At North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg, Tina sang in the choir and mailed bulletins to members at Bible school or on mission. She enjoyed visiting her nephew in Pasadena, Cal., and her niece in Kelowna, B.C., and trips with her sisters to Palm Springs, Cal. Tina spent the last 2 years in Bethania Personal Care Home, Winnipeg, where she looked forward to her sister Helena’s faithful visits. Tina will be remembered for her bright spirit.

Elvera Wiebe Dec. 24, 1934–Oct. 15, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Mullingar, Sask.

PARENTS: John & Helen (Sawatzky) Block MARRIAGE: Peter Wiebe, 1953 BAPTISM: South Vancouver CHURCH: Bakerview, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Peter; sons Rick, Dennis; daughter-in-law Gabrielle; 2 grandchildren

Elvera grew up in an energetic, loving family.

In 1949, the family moved to South Vancouver, where she made a commitment to Jesus and was baptized. Elvera, Peter and their sons moved to North Vancouver, where she spent 20 enjoyable years working as a medical office assistant to Dr. Maritz. Upon retiring, they moved to Richmond, followed by White Rock, and finally, Abbotsford, B.C. Relationships were important.

She enjoyed many happy moments with family and friends: playing cards, travelling and going out for lunch or coffee. She loved time with her children and grandchildren. Two years ago, Elvera began experiencing pancreatic problems. She died following a difficult journey through cancer.

BIRTHPLACE: Walujka, Russia PARENTS: Peter & Anna Friesen MARRIAGE: John V. Friesen, Aug. 10, 1940 [d. May 23, 2000] BAPTISM: Yarrow (B.C.) MB FAMILY: children John (Stephanie), Bill (Nancy), Daniel, Eleanor (Gary) Zweigle, Dorothy (Mark) Ghaly, Elizabeth (Brian) Flynn, Judy (Randy) Peck; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren

On her parents’ 2,000-mile boxcar journey from Omsk, Siberia, to Memrik, Ukraine, through war and bandit territory, Mary was born and her brother was buried. Mary enjoyed a time of peace at her grandmother’s farm in Ebental, Ukraine, before further unrest led her family to Moscow in 1929, seeking passage to Canada.

They joined their sponsors in Alberta for 2 years before settling in Yarrow, B.C. Mary did domestic work in Vancouver to help pay the travel debt. As a teen, she made a commitment to follow Jesus and was baptized. From 1944–59, Mary and John farmed in Ladner, B.C. They moved to Abbotsford, B.C., in 1959, to Ladner in 1964, and to Tsawwassen in 1972, where Mary resided until her death. Mary’s gardens were filled with flowers and vegetables, and her home was always open to family, church and community gatherings. She gave people the benefit of the doubt and treated everyone with respect and care. Mary showed interested in and prayed daily for each of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and siblings. Her last request was for her pastor grandson Grant to preach about Jesus at her funeral.

Herman Flaming June 11, 1923–Oct. 16, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Alexanderkrone, Ukraine PARENTS: Abram & Katerina Flaming MARRIAGE: Maria Zacharias, Jan. 25, 1948 [d. September 2013] BAPTISM: Gronau, Germany, May 13, 1947 CHURCH: Vancouver MB; Culloden MB, Vancouver; King Road MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: children Ernie [d.], Herman Jr., John, Neta Gilbert, Annie Teichrieb, Marianne Penner; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings

Herman (born Abram) overcame malaria at age 9 through his mother’s resourcefulness

and prayer. In 1938, the Soviet secret police removed Herman’s father for 2 years. When Herman was a young man, troops took him to work a farm. Later, he was placed in the German Polizei as translator. Because he didn’t feel safe returning home after WWII, Herman never saw his parents again. Herman and Maria met and married in Germany. They boarded the Heinzelman to Argentina, then a cattle barge to Paraguay. After homesteading in Neuland, the family ran a dairy farm in Curitiba, Brazil.

In 1958, they joined Maria’s family in Canada.

Herman worked at Sauder Doors, Vancouver, until his retirement in 1988. From 1977–2010, Herman and Maria farmed in Mount Lehman, B.C. He served Culloden MB Church, Vancouver, on the facilities maintenance committee and in the kitchen. Herman enjoyed his work plastering Willingdon MB Church, Burnaby, B.C. In 1994, on a trip to Germany, he met his siblings again after 40 years. After Maria’s death, Herman struggled with the isolation of severe hearing loss, but determined to keep living in his home and faithfully attending King Road MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C. He was diagnosed with cancer in August and died of a heart attack the day before his scheduled surgery.

Helen Irene (Klassen Unruh) Penner Oct. 19, 1922–Oct. 20, 2014 BIRTHPLACE: Lugowsk, Russia PARENTS: Heinrich & Helena (Janzen) Toews MARRIAGE: Jake Klassen, Sept. 13, 1941 [d. Oct. 31, 1979]; Ben Unruh, Aug. 31, 1984 [d. July 1992]; Peter Penner, Nov. 25, 1995 [d. July 31, 2009] BAPTISM: Watrous (Sask.) MB (now Philadelphia), age 17 CHURCH: East Chilliwack (B.C.) MB (now Central); Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: daughters Dora, Kathryn [d.], Lillian, Linda; 9 step-children; 27 grandchildren; 36 greatgrandchildren

Helen’s family immigrated to Canada in 1924, arriving in Quebec and boarding a train to Rosthern, Sask. The next year, they bought land in Colonsay, Sask., with 12 other families and lived communally for 5 years. At age 9, Helen prayed the sinner’s prayer with her father.

2 Timothy 1:7 meant a lot to her. Helen attended school in Colonsay, Viscount, Guernsey and Borden, Sask., and graduated high school in Gretna, Man. She enjoyed youth group, where she met her first husband Jake, her Sunday school teacher at the time. In 1945, Helen and Jake moved to a farm in Chilliwack, B.C. In 1958, the family moved to Abbotsford, B.C.,

"

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

23

where Helen sewed bridal dresses. After partial retirement in 1967, Helen and Jake travelled to Europe, Israel, Asia and Hawaii. Following Jake’s death to cancer, Helen picked a verse each day; she never felt completely alone. Over the next 5 years, she took typing and bookkeeping classes and began bowling. In 1984, she fell in love with Ben. They embraced each other’s families, and Helen learned to fish. After Ben’s death, she and daughter Linda, also a widow, comforted each other with Romans 8:28. She sang with Bakerview’s seniors’ choir and volunteered at the MCC thrift shop. In 1995, Peter invited Helen for coffee and proposed marriage after a few visits. Their families too embraced one another.

Peter died of lymphoma. Helen amazed the Klassen, Unruh and Penner families by remembering everyone’s names and birthdays.

moving to Saskatoon in 1996. Hedy adjusted to city life easily. She enjoyed sharing baking with family, friends and neighbours. Hedy loved being with people and saw the best in everyone.

Hedy played piano for congregational singing, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and led the children’s Christmas program. At West Portal Church, Hedy and John enjoyed attending and planning the seniors’ Bible study. They bowled with the seniors, and Hedy joined the ladies’ singing group. Hedy prayed regularly for every extended family member by name. She cared for John until he entered long-term care, where she visited him daily. A year after his death, she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

James (Jim) Heinrichs Feb. 14, 1945–Oct. 25, 2014

Mary Regehr May 11, 1925–Oct. 23, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Russia PARENTS: Jacob & Maria Unger MARRIAGE: John Regehr, 1949 BAPTISM: Leamington (Ont.) MB CHURCH: McIvor Avenue MB, Winnipeg FAMILY: John; children Rennie (Jenny), Lorie (Murray) Bolton, Mark, Jenny (Marty) Cartman; 9 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren

Mary moved to Winnipeg to study at MB Bible College and stayed to marry and raise 4 children.

She trained as a counsellor at the Interfaith Pastoral Institute and Health Sciences Centre and earned a masters in education at University of Manitoba in her 50s. She became a trusted therapist, working out of her home and Recovery of Hope, Winnipeg, without losing sight of her first role as mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother.

BIRTHPLACE: Chortitz, Sask.

PARENTS: Isaac & Sara Heinrichs MARRIAGE: Marie Wall, July 26, 1968 CHURCH: Bridgeway, Swift Current, Sask.

FAMILY: daughters Jackie (Kent) Wall, Cindy, Bonnie (Michael) Munro; 4 grandchildren; 7 siblings

Jim attended school in Versailles and Wymark, Sask., where he enjoyed hockey, softball and football. From childhood, he loved caring for livestock. Jim earned an interprovincial auto body certificate in Moose Jaw, Sask., and owned a body shop in Herbert, Sask., 1969–71. After settling in Neville, Sask, in 1976, he farmed and built a successful auto body business, known for attention to detail and personal service. Jim enjoyed fishing with his brother Ed. He pursued his passion, farming, until his hospitalization in March 2014. Jim’s most precious treasure was his daughters and grandchildren. He made memories with them playing cards, baseball and dolls together. He ended every visit, call or note with “I love you.” A man of strong faith, in his last days, Jim was comforted by prayer.

Hedwig (Hedy) Wall May 20, 1928–Oct. 24, 2014

Vernon Jantzen Apr. 3, 1919–Oct. 27, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Watrous, Sask.

PARENTS: Jacob & Justine Toews MARRIAGE: John Wall, May 30, 1948 [d. Mar. 18, 2012] BAPTISM: Manitou Lake, Sask., August 1942 CHURCH: Philadelphia MB, Watrous; West Portal, Saskatoon FAMILY: children Eleanor (Art) Doerksen, Vic (Deb), Sheryl (Bob) Toovey, Gerald (Muriel); 9 grandchildren & their 6 spouses; 13 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings

Hedy accepted Christ as Saviour in 1942. Hedy and John farmed near Watrous, Sask., 47 years,

24

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

BIRTHPLACE: Waldheim, Sask.

PARENTS: Peter H. & Mary (Harms) Jantzen MARRIAGE: Dorothy Jean Fehr, July 12, 1953 CHURCH: West Portal, Saskatoon FAMILY: Dorothy Jean; children Evangeline, Joyce, Daniel and their families; 1 sister

Vernon farmed 30 years and Dorothy Jean taught school. In retirement, they did ministry in Germany and Haiti and travelled around the world. They settled in Saskatoon, where Vernon found fulfillment in service in West

Portal Church and the food bank. Vernon will be remembered for his gentle nature, good humour and staunch faith.

Annie Kroeker Feb. 24, 1919–Oct. 27, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Zion School District, Man. PARENTS: Aron P. & Lena (Wiebe) Dyck MARRIAGE: Jacob S. Kroeker, Apr. 7, 1944 [d. 1993] BAPTISM: Winkler (Man.) MB, age 17 FAMILY: children Harvey (Ann), Florence, Lois (Volker) Johnas, Elsie, Irvin (Wendy), Joyce; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings

Annie grew up doing chores on the farm. At 12, she accepted Jesus as Saviour at missionary Frank Wiens’ evangelistic meetings in Winkler (Man.) MB Church. In her teens, Annie memorized 500 Bible verses to go to Gimli (Man.) Bible Camp. She spent 2 years at Winkler Bible Institute, where she met Jacob. Annie enjoyed singing in choirs.

Walter Thiessen Jan. 5, 1918–Nov. 4, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Kleefeld, Ukraine PARENTS: Jakob & Sara Thiessen MARRIAGE: Betty Wiens, Sept. 2, 1944 [d. Jan. 28, 2014] CHURCH: Vancouver MB; Willingdon, Burnaby, B.C.; Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: children Phil (Jan), Pat (Ted Klassen), Rob (Diane), Marilyn (Dave Lick); 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 1 sister

When he was 5, Walter’s family immigrated to Canada on the Bruton, settling on a farm in Dalmeny, Sask. He attended Bible school in Dalmeny. After Walter spent a short time in Ontario, he moved with his family to Vancouver in 1938. Walter worked in CO camps in Banff and Jasper, doing forestry work. He regretted not entering the medical corp. After the war, he worked at Empress Jam, Vancouver. At Vancouver MB, Walter taught a class of teenaged boys no one else could manage. He noticed Betty in the church choir. Walter farmed in Matsqui, B.C., worked in a saw mill, and did real estate with Block Brothers, before becoming an agent with London Life Insurance Company. Walter and Betty raised their family in Burnaby, B.C. At Willingdon, beginning in 1961, he taught Sunday school and Bible studies. He gardened in Oliver, B.C., before moving to Abbotsford, B.C., to be near family. A reserved man, Walter found sales challenging, but his work ethic and genuine care were evident.

Walter and Betty prayed for each family member.

His Bible was filled with handwritten notes.

CURRENT books Peace Catalysts: Resolving Conflict in Our Families, Organizations and Communities RICK LOVE InterVarsity Press n recent years, attention to peacemaking has been reinvigorated among North American Mennonite Brethren.

Rick Love’s Peace Catalysts is a timely resource with a holistic approach that is rooted in Scripture and practical application. With its various case studies, user-friendly appendices and thought-provoking personal stories, teachers and Sunday school facilitators will find this book to be an excellent discussion starter. Church leaders and business people will want to have it on their shelves.

Love combines Mennonite and Reformed resources to present long-standing Anabaptist convictions in a language that many Mennonite Brethren will appreciate.— J Janzen, Highland, Abbotsford, B.C.

I

Powerful & Free: Confronting the Glass Ceiling for Women in the Church

DANNY SILK Red Arrow Media hat comes to mind when you hear the phrase “women in ministry”?

In July 2006, CCMBC adopted a BFL resolution recommending “that the Conference bless each member church in its own discernment of Scripture, conviction and practice to call and affirm gifted men and women to serve in ministry and pastoral leadership.” In his brief but pithy book, Danny Silk raises the question from a different angle: “If we preach and teach equality for men and women…why don’t we see this widely demonstrated by making room for qualified women to lead at every level?”—Brad Sumner, Jericho Ridge, Langley, B.C.

W

I Beg to Differ: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Truth and Love

TIM MUEHLHOFF InterVarsity Press ow do you handle difficult conversations? Do you run toward them or flee in the opposite direction? In I Beg to Differ, communications professor Tim Muehlhoff gives solid insight and practical tools for navigating those tricky yet necessary talks. The next time you need to have a heart-to-heart with a family member or have a disagreement with a colleague at work, here are tools to approach those tough conversations with a bit more confidence to “speak the truth in love.” Saturated with both scriptural support and real-life examples, I Beg to Differ is a useful and encouraging book you won’t regret taking the time to read.— Kevin Carrigan, Culloden Church, Vancouver

H

Visions and Appearances of Jesus

PHILLIP WIEBE Leafwood Publishers hilosophy professor Phillip H. Wiebe compiles reports of visions of Jesus from the New Testament, the Apocrypha, the medieval church tradition and 30 present-day testimonials in this book. His research stands in protest against a culture that has largely labelled religious experience as archaic or irrelevantly subjective. Further, he manages to talk about Jesus in a way that meets the skeptic on a kind of middle ground, addressing potential doubts or arguments along the way in contemporary and straightforward language.

Unfortunately, the work is somewhat scattered and highlights the details of encounter rather than the transformation that results.—David Thiessen, MB Mission

P

Read these full-length reviews online under Arts & Culture at www.mbherald.com

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2015

25

Intersection

of faith & life

Creatures of holy habit SANDRA REIMER

“D

on’t try to be like Jesus; train to be like Jesus,” pastor Richard Martens told the congregation at Glencairn MB Church one Sunday. His words resonated with me as an athlete and coach.

You can have natural talent in a sport, but if you don’t hardwire the right automatic body movements through practice, your success will be variable. Can we also leverage the way God made our brains to become more consistently like Jesus?

A spiritual exchange takes place when we accept Christ’s payment for our specific sins and our sinful patterns. In our inner being, we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Sometimes, the Holy Spirit instantly delivers us from persistent sin. At other times, God works with us choice by choice to overcome tendencies that don’t please him.

That’s where training for righteousness comes in.

In the Bible, the apostle Paul instructs his young protege Timothy, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7–8).

Richard’s sermon made me consider what it means to teach myself to be godly. I believe this training includes intentionally forming holy habits and planning ahead to avoid sin.

Put habits to work I recently listened to two books that opened my eyes to how much habits govern our lives: The Now Habit by Neil Fiore and The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.

To form a habit, Duhigg writes, we need a cue, a routine and a reward. For example, if you regularly brush your teeth before bed, the cue might be getting your pyjamas on and going to the bathroom.

These actions trigger the tooth brushing routine of unscrewing the toothpaste cap, rinsing your brush under the tap, applying toothpaste, then grabbing a book 26

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

so you can read a few pages while you brush. (That’s my routine.) The immediate reward is that refreshing clean feeling you get after brushing.

“A habit is a choice that we deliberately make at some point, and then stop thinking about, but continue doing, often every day,” says Duhigg.

You could employ this knowledge to form patterns for right living. For example, you could read Scripture more regularly by linking your reading to a practice that is already ingrained in your life.

When my father-in-law wakes up, he brews a cup of coffee. Then he sits down with his tablet and reads the Bible while he drinks. Making coffee has become his

stay on track while I stroll briskly around the block or cycle for a few kilometres.

I take comfort in 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.

And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Did you get that? God will provide an escape. We can teach ourselves to see the way out in the moment. As well, God can reveal to us ahead of time how to bypass sin.

Recently, I have been working with a spiritual director to draw closer to God.

Training includes intentionally forming holy habits and planning ahead to avoid sin. cue to read the Bible. He doesn’t have to think about it anymore: his routine is to fill his mind with God’s Word first thing in the morning.

Plan for righteousness Understanding how God designed our brains could also help us break sinful patterns. Many of us repeat painful, destructive interactions with the people closest to us. We feel guilty, but powerless to respond differently.

It is possible to plan for righteousness. If you are like me, you have a predictable set of sin scenarios, situations that provoke unChristlike behaviour.

I often play the lead role in an unholy drama when my teen children take a long time to do their chores or get ready for school. Annoyed, I tend to get in their faces. This produces a negative reaction (and might also explain the sign on my daughter’s door that says, “DON’T COME IN. THIS MEANS YOU MOM”).

In the heat of my annoyance, I need to walk away. I often ask my calmer, more patient husband to help the kids

She recommended an ancient Christian practice of reviewing the day in God’s presence (the daily examen).

I ask myself the question, “Where did I see Jesus?” and let God bring to mind glimpses of his presence throughout my day. I also ask, “Where did I miss Jesus?”

Through this inquiry, God shows me the times when I chose not to obey.

A practice like this sensitizes me to my common sin scenarios and helps me to see paths around unrighteousness.

On its own, reshaping habits and learning to discern escape routes will not bring freedom. The gospel reminds us that we need God’s help to change.

There is no substitute for confessing our sin and receiving Christ’s forgiveness.

But practices can help us flee from evil and run a better race for our heavenly head coach.

Sandra Reimer trains to be like Jesus at Glencairn MB Church, Kitchener, Ont.

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

COMING EVENTS

BCMB P&S Retreat

BCMB

Convention

Study Conference

ABMB

Convention

SKMB

Convention

PCO

National Conference Events > Pastors Credentialing Orientation June 9–11, 2015 The Upper Room, Winnipeg, Man.

> Study Conference October 21–23, 2015 Winnipeg, Man. > Multiply 2015 May 12–13, 2015 The Peoples Church, Toronto, Ont.

MBCM

P&S Retreat

MBCM

Assembly

Multiply 2015

AEFMQ

Convention

ONMB

Convention

Provincial Events > ONMB Convention - February 20–21, 2015 Waterloo MB Church, Kitchener, Ont. > MBCM Assembly - March 6–7, 2015 Winkler MB Church, Winkler, Man. > SKMB Convention - March 13–14, 2015 Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask. > ABMB Convention - March 20–21, 2015 Calgary, Alta. > AEFMQ Convention - April 17–18, 2015 L’Intersection, Terrebonne, Que. > BCMB Convention - May 1–2, 2015 South Langley MB Church, Langley, B.C. > BCMB P&S Retreat - May 3–5, 2015 The Westin Resort, Whistler, B.C. > MBCM P&S Retreat - May 24–26, 2015 Lakeview Hecla Resort, Hecla Island, Man. > AEFMQ RallyBRETHREN - June HERALD 7, 2015 MENNONITE January 2015

27

multiply

Church Multiplication Conference

May 12 & 13, 2015 | Toronto Ontario

Thinking About...

Starting another service? / Daughtering a new church?

Satellite Ministry? / Planting a church? / Multi-site options?

Then “Multiply” is for you. Come be inspired by Canadian pastors/leaders who have navigated their churches through the challenges of multiplication.

Registration $99/person EARLY BIRD (until March 1) | $159/person (after March 1) Register here: www.c2cnetwork.ca/multiply

Contact Phone: 604-746-2238 Email: info@c2cnetwork.ca Web: www.c2cnetwork.ca/multiply 28

January 2015 www.mbherald.com

Location People’s Church 374 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto, ON

Accommodation See list of recommended hotels on the event website!