The truth of Christmas - Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Transcription

THE
MESSENGER
volume 49, number 12
December 2011
www.emconference.ca/messenger
The truth of
Christmas
PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM
Impossible possibilities p. 6
Christmas story p. 8
The truth of Christmas amid
mourning and pain p. 10
Heaven’s Love p. 13
$2.00
a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
editorials
The Good News beyond its rivals
J
esus has been born—Christ, our
Saviour, true man and true God!
This is the meaning of Christmas.
Sadly, this celebration has
always faced its rivals.
The winter solstice was an early
rival. A Roman festival was held on
December 25 to celebrate the return
of longer days.
Early Christian leaders started to
rebrand the day. If people were going
to celebrate the coming of light, let
it be of the one who was the Light of
the World. If they celebrated the sun,
let it become a celebration of the
birth of the Son of God.
A modern rival is the jolly figure
of Santa Claus. Loosely based on a
generous Christian bishop Nicholas
of Myra in Turkey, Santa was later
commercialized.
Both the ancient and modern
versions distract many people.
There is always the temptation to
focus on nature or humanity only,
rather than on the Creator (Romans
1:20–23).
Both also distract from the
Neither nature alone nor commercial advertising invites
us to expect such great, gracious acts of the Creation as
incarnation and reconciliation.
To enter boldly with hesitation
D
uring Advent and Christmas,
some Canadians will boldly,
if hesitantly, enter Christian
churches.
Christmas is when more
Canadians say it is “okay” to speak
about Jesus. Churches are given, as
it were, society’s permission to do
so.
Some attendees know of Jesus
through Sunday School or church
camp years ago. They might want
the same for their children or
grandchildren.
Some Canadians of Christian
background become open to visiting other churches. Why? It’s partly
because at Christmas the Church
focuses on common, major truths.
2
THE MESSENGER | December 2011
Many Canadians, however,
have no church history, a painful history through residential
schools, or know of Jesus
through their own sacred texts.
Will we be inviting? If we think
we are, how actually will our invitation come across?
Do we use first names in our service, subtly reinforcing who knows
and who doesn’t? Do we explain our
order of service or assume people
will know what is happening?
What languages will we use?
What songs will we sing? Will
the music’s volume be painful to
visiting ears?
Do we speak unhelpfully of
“regulars” and “visitors”? If a
Word become flesh (John 1:14), the
Creator who became One of us
Crucified for our salvation. Jesus is
the Good News of Christmas!
Neither nature alone nor
commercial advertising invites
us to expect such great, gracious
acts of the Creator as incarnation
(enfleshment) and reconciliation
(atonement).
Such knowledge of how fully
God is with us (Matthew 1:23) comes
by God’s gracious revelation.
At Christmas let us celebrate
God as the giver of every good
thing—including of so much more
than human beings can expect.
Terry M. Smith
If a congregation is made up of those
who congregate (gather), then all
who gather are part of the congregation on any particular morning.
congregation is made up of those
who congregate (gather), then all
who gather are part of the congregation on any particular morning.
Will we focus on grand truths
in our preaching? Are we respectful
and engaging in our sermons as we
anticipate the presence of people
from various backgrounds?
Shall we help people to feel less
hesitate to return, challenged as
they are by Jesus?
Terry M. Smith
contents
Features
6
8
6
With Our Missionaries
15
Sudan/Canada: It’s a
family thing!
– Sue Sorensen
16
Philippines: Feeding faith
Christmas story
17
Mexico: An amazing affirmation
from the Lord
Impossible
possibilities
– Andrew Reimer
10 The truth of Christmas amid
mourning and pain
– Jeff Plett
13 Poem: Heaven’s Love
With Our Churches
18
19
– Eleanor Lee Gustaw
Columns
5
Archives Alcove
Rev. Dave K. Schellenberg, a
shaper of the EMC
– Terry M. Smith
14 Window on Missions
EMC enters partnership in Bolivia
– Ken Zacharias
29 Missional and Multiplying
re:CALL—National Church
Planting Congress 2011
– Ward Parkinson
30 Pictures of God
Occupy
– Joanna Enns
31 Stewardship Today
Retirement planning: ‘The Decision
Decade’
– Harold Penner
16
Pleasant Valley EMC: Celebrations
and sadness
Wymark EMC: Powerful missions
weekend held
20
La Crete Christian Fellowship: New
building, same church
21
Community Bible Fellowship:
Service at Bible camps is important!
22
Roseisle EMC: ‘Celebrating the past,
going forward in faith’
22
Departments
2
Editorials
3
Pontius’ Puddle
4
Letters
18 Births
27 Calendar
28 Shoulder Tapping
32 The Messenger index for 2011
News
23
Mennonite-Lutheran reconciliation
gets ‘planted’
24
Providence looks at God,
Government, and Gospel
25
CFGB signs new $125M agreement
with government
25
Christmas greetings from the EMC
office staff
26
Vouchers can be ‘Ticket to Survival’
27
SCHS goes global with MCC
27
Manitoba men’s mission to help in
Minot
36 Kids’ Corner
A time of waiting
– Loreena Thiessen
3
THE
MESSENGER
letters
Surprised by struggle
EDITOR
Terry M. Smith
tsmith@emconf.ca
ASSISTANT
EDITOR
Rebecca Roman
rroman@emconf.ca
Submissions to The Messenger should
be sent to messenger@emconf.ca
THE MESSENGER is the monthly
publication of the Evangelical Mennonite
Conference. It is available to the general
public. Its purpose is to inform concerning
events and activities in the denomination,
instruct in godliness and victorious living,
inspire to earnestly contend for the faith.
Letters, articles, photos and poems are
welcomed. Unpublished material is not
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Views and opinions of writers are their
own and do not necessarily represent the
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Advertising and inserts should not be
considered to carry editorial endorsement.
THE MESSENGER is published by the EMC
Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St,
Steinbach, Man.
Subscription rates:
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Subscriptions are voluntary and optional
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Conference for members and adherents.
I was saddened to see an
article in the Winnipeg
Free Press on Saturday,
November 12, about
the Mennonite Central
Committee and their
flash mob at the Forks on
Remembrance Day.
Their banner and
indeed their buttons
which stated “to remember is to work for peace”
are an affront to what
Remembrance Day is
about. Indeed, we should
all work towards peace,
however, this is something
we should do every day;
365 days a year.
Remembrance Day is a
day set aside to “remember” all those who paid
the ultimate price in defence of our country and
our freedom and peace.
To do anything else takes
THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press.
Second-class postage paid at Steinbach,
Manitoba.
ISSN #0701-3299
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Registration #09914
We gratefully acknowledge the financial
support of the Government of Canada
through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF)
for our publishing activities.
Undelivered copies, change of address and
new subscriptions should be addressed to:
440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5
Phone: 204-326-6401
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E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca
The Messenger Schedule:
No. 2 – February 2012 issue
(copy due January 20)
4
away from what these
brave men and women in
uniform did and the sacrifice they made.
Mennonites should
be doubly happy to support our armed forces.
Being a member of the
Prairie Rose EMC I know
that Mennonites have
always had the freedom to
practice our religion as we
see fit. We have also been
exempted from military
service.
This year again, I
had the honour to represent our Government
(I am the Deputy Chair
of the Standing Senate
Subcommittee on Veterans
Affairs) at a Remembrance
Day service as I have every
year for the past five years.
At the particular service I attended, one of our
EMC Archives Committee
members sought!
The EMC national Archives Committee welcomes new members to serve on it. The committee meets four to six times
(evenings) per year and is a working committee
entrusted to promote an understanding of EMC history and of preserving
historical documents. Meetings are
usually held at Steinbach, Man., but
new members could also assist by
phone or Skype. Terms can be one to
three years. Local committee travel
costs are covered. Contact
executive secretary Terry Smith
at tsmith@emconf.ca or 204326-6401.
EMC pastors was asked
to pray the closing prayer.
I was truly surprised to
hear him struggle with
words of appreciation for
our armed forces.
These men and women
gave their lives for our
freedom. They left mothers, fathers, spouses and/
or children behind.
Even if you do not
agree with the methods, we need to always
be thankful and on
November 11 of every year
we need to take the time
to reflect and remember.
“At the going down of
the sun and in the morning, we will remember
them.”
Lest we forget.
Senator Don Plett
Ottawa, Ont.
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archives alcove
by Terry Smith
Rev. Dave K. Schellenberg, a shaper of the EMC
Rev. Dave K.
Schellenberg poured
much of his life into
evangelism, publication, education, and
history within our
EM Conference.
English language youth section
of Christlicher Familienfreund
(The Christian Family Friend),
the German language paper once
produced by our Conference.
Yet he envisioned an English
language magazine, and for its first
25 years (1963–1987) he served as
editor of The Messenger.
When he retired in 1987, he
wrote that being the magazine’s
editor was a part-time job, for
he had served while also being a
pastor, a student, and as Executive
Secretary to the Board of Education
and Publication (now BCM). He
had served, he said, longer at this
ministry than he had imagined in
1963 or even later in life.
After retirement, Rev.
Schellenberg remained involved
within the national office and with
the magazine. He served at times
as Steinbach EMC’s reporter, wrote
two columns for this magazine,
served as Archivist Emeritus,
and served for many years on the
Archives Committee.
Martha Kroeker, his assistant
for 10 years, describes him as a
PHOTO: MESSENGER ARCHIVES
W
ould there be an Archives
Alcoves column without
the EMC Archives, and
would there be an EMC Archives
without the work of Rev. Dave K.
Schellenberg?
Rev. Dave K. Schellenberg
(1917–2008) poured much of his
life into evangelism, publication,
education, and history within our
EM Conference.
He was concerned for the wellbeing of the local church, the EM
Conference, the wider Anabaptist
church, and the still wider Christian
Church.
Rev. Schellenberg was concerned
about promoting Anabaptist theology, including objection to war.
He was a Conscientious Objector
during World War Two and 60 years
later he wrote that he would object
again.
He was passionate about the
preservation of EMC history. Partly
or perhaps largely because of him,
our EMC Archives has the space
challenge that it does.
He helped to secure or organize
likely thousands of documents.
Historians from outside of our
conference have indicated to me
how keenly he was interested in the
work of the Mennonite Historical
Society of Canada.
But even beyond preserving
EMC history, Rev. Schellenberg
helped to shape our conference.
Being an editor was important
to him.
Early in his ministry, he
served as assistant editor of the
“workman who doesn’t need to be
ashamed…He was very conscientious and sensitive about what he
wrote, making sure that he wouldn’t
hurt anyone and that what he wrote
was accurate.”
She says, “Mr. Schellenberg
loved his family and was proud of
them (in a humble way), which was
often obvious in his writing and on
The Messenger covers”—including
cover photos of his children and
grandchildren. She reminds us that
in 2001 Rev. Schellenberg had said,
“If I were still editor, I could start
over with my great-grandchildren!”
Sometimes Rev. Schellenberg
and I met at a local restaurant or
in his apartment. This kept him
somewhat in touch with the Board
of Church Ministries, and I benefited from his faith in Christ, his
knowledge of Conference history,
and his perspective on this magazine’s purpose.
Those who read The Messenger
have been influenced by Rev.
Dave K. Schellenberg. In 2012 the
magazine enters a half-century of
publication.
5
Isaiah 40:1–11
p
im
ossible
ossibilities
T
he paradox—a statement that should
be contradictory and yet is somehow
true—is possibly my favourite literary
device. It is a device ready-made to delight the
Christian.
It is the foundation of John Donne’s great
Holy Sonnet, “Death be not proud,” which
begins:
Death be not proud, though some have
called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so
God loves to
laugh, I think,
at what we
conceive of as
earthly impossibility: that a
child should be
born to a virgin.
And ends:
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou
shalt die.
One of my favourite hymns is one called
Christus Paradox by Sylvia Dunstan. It’s a
hymn full of impossibilities—impossibilities
that are true:
You, who walk each day beside us,
Sit in power at God’s side.
You, who preach a way that’s narrow,
Have a love that reaches wide.
God loves to laugh, I think, at what we
conceive of as earthly impossibility: that a
child should be born to a virgin, that our
Redeemer should be born in a barn, that everlasting and glorious life can only be gained by
the suffering of an ignoble death on a cross.
We are into Advent and then the
Christmas season. During this time we hear
6
by Sue Sorensen
the familiar story of the angel speaking
to Mary about a bizarre and shocking and
wonderful thing that was about to happen to
her.
The angel finished this announcement
with one of my favourite verses in the whole
Bible: “For nothing will be impossible with
God” (Luke 1:37 NIV).
What a beautiful idea! Hold on to it:
Nothing will be impossible with God.
The hymn Christus Paradox has a recurring line: “You, the everlasting instant.” It sits
perfectly with my notion of what time means
for God.
That is, everything we think time is, that’s
basically what time isn’t.
I love that the Christian faith insists on
paradox. I love that God turns everything
upside down and expects us to like it.
I love that in Isaiah 40 the Lord starts out
saying to the prophet: speak tenderly to my
people, offer them comfort. A few verses later,
a voice says: “Cry out!” (or, as I prefer it from
Eugene Peterson’s translation, “Shout!”)
Wait, watch, listen, prepare, comfort and
take comfort, but while you’re about it, shout!
It’s not just that turning the world upside
down is an effective way of God getting our
attention. It is, but it’s so much more.
It’s so awfully, horribly necessary. This
is a broken world. We have laid waste to
it, squandered its resources, exploited its
wonders almost beyond endurance.
And we have been cruel and careless with
one of the creations that God loves most—our
own selves.
“What a piece of work is a man,” says
Shakespeare in Hamlet, “how noble in reason,
how infinite in faculty, in form and moving
how express and admirable, in action
how like an angel, in apprehension how
like a god—the beauty of the world,
the paragon of animals!” (Hamlet 2.2,
287–298).
Shakespeare offered this famous
speech, in part, as a harsh and sarcastic criticism of humanity. Hamlet
has actually fallen completely out of
love with his fellow human beings,
who are so deeply flawed.
But I love this speech because,
although I agree with Shakespeare
that we have made a great mess
of things, I can’t help but also see
“how noble in reason, how infinite
in faculty” we do (potentially) seem.
And to make us see anew the
marvel that is the human creature,
God came in the flesh as one of us.
God surely hoped that this unbelievable
event—this act that tears the veil of possibility from top to bottom—would make
us hear with new ears, see with new eyes,
and stop our errant ways, stop causing Him
so much sorrow.
God’s impossible possibilities are a gift so
that we might hear, not just listen.
We use these words interchangeably, but
to listen is just to “pay attention.” It’s rather
passive. To hear is to really listen. Actively.
To hear is to “be aware.” More than that:
God wants us to be conscious with every fibre
of our beings.
Hear that Shout: the mountains are being
made low (Isaiah 40:4). God came to us
incarnate in an outlandish place. As a result,
“Death, thou shalt die.”
God’s impossible possibilities are a gift so
that we might hear, not just listen.
Sue Sorensen is an Assistant Professor of English at
Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Man. This
article is based on a chapel presentation she gave in
December 2005. She is married to Michael Kurtz, pastor
of First Lutheran Church in Winnipeg, Man.
7
Christmas
story
by Andrew Reimer
8
T
he boy and his family moved here
about a year ago. His family is like
so many young families around here;
there’s a lot of love, but not much money.
The only house they could afford is a run
down place in a bad area. The dad is a hard
worker, but with his lack of education and no
connections he can’t expect a job that will
pay him much.
Of course, he could make a lot more
money working for them…that is, if he doesn’t
mind being complicit in the very forces that
are destroying and enslaving his own people.
Many young men in his situation are
greedy or desperate enough to get their
money this way. But this boy’s dad has
resisted; he has always tried to do the honourable thing.
Somehow, the boy’s parents have
maintained a sense of dignity and cultural
identity, believing that they are who God
created them to be regardless of the way the
dominant society views them.
The strength and dignity of this boy’s
people is remarkable considering the ways
in which they have been dominated and
dehumanized by their colonizers so that even
now they live as marginalized people in their
own homeland.
The society this boy was born into is full
of inequality, poverty, violence and discrimination and, given his race, his family, and
his economic status the deck seems stacked
against him from the start.
Actually, life for this boy is relatively
stable these days compared to when he was
younger. When he was a baby his family
moved around a lot and they have been
homeless more than once.
His parents were possibly too young and
certainly not financially ready to care for him
when he was born. They couldn’t even afford
a decent place to stay when his mom was
ready to give birth to him.
And when he was still in diapers his family was homeless again, strangers in a strange
place, on the run wanted by the authorities.
Now they have moved here hoping for some
peace and safety.
This could easily be the story of a family
in our neighbourhood, but this true story
takes place, not in Winnipeg’s North End, but
in Nazareth two thousand years ago. This is
the story of Jesus, God’s Son “who became
flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John
1:14).
According to the New Testament, Jesus
was born into a colonized and oppressed
people group—the Jews—who lived under
the thumb of the Roman Empire. Jesus’
human parents were poor and were forced to
take shelter in an animal stable to give birth
to him.
To escape the violence of King Herod,
they became refugees in Egypt. After return-
The Christmas story reveals to us a God who became one of the
suffering, poor, overlooked and despised people of our world.
ing from Egypt they settled in Nazareth, a
marginal place with a bad reputation.
Growing up in this context Jesus and
his family would have faced many of the
same struggles, humiliations, pressures and
temptations faced by the inner city families
we know. This is how the Creator of the
universe chose to come to us, to be with us, to
be one of us.
The Christmas story reveals to us a God
who became one of the suffering, poor,
overlooked and despised people of our world.
And Christmas reminds us that Jesus identifies fully with the marginalized children and
families of our neighbourhood. Jesus put it
this way: “Whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Now, go back to the start and read the
story again with the knowledge that it is the
story of Jesus. How does it change the way
you think about Jesus?
How does it change the way you think
about the children and families in places like
the North End of Winnipeg and elsewhere?
Andrew Reimer (Steinbach
EMC) is a community
minister with Inner City
Youth Alive in Winnipeg,
Man.
9
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
The truth of Christmas
amid mourning and pain
by Jeff Plett
The biblical
truths, and
most certainly
also the
Christmas story,
come out of
the hard anvil of
life. They were
written in times
of adversity.
10
I
t’s easy to celebrate Christmas when
things are going well, but is Christmas still
Christmas when you experience heartache,
pain, and loneliness? Is the Christmas story
still true, still meaningful, when your world
gets turned upside down through illness and
death?
I think we find the Christmas story
becomes particularly meaningful during
times of pain. The “outer trappings” may
become less important. But the core truths
of the Christmas message become even more
precious.
The biblical truths, and most certainly
also the Christmas story, come out of the hard
anvil of life. They were written in times of
adversity.
Yet they give peace, comfort and joy to us
because God still speaks through His word.
He gives us many promises of hope and joy
that sustain us during hardship.
With that perspective of receiving new
hope and joy from God’s Word, let’s turn to
the prophecy God gave to the prophet Micah.
Where will the new ruler go to?
In 5:2, Micah prophesies where this new
ruler will go to, where He will be born: “But
you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to
be among the clans of Judah, from you shall
come forth for me one who is to be ruler
in Israel....”
Who could have dreamed the ruler
would come to such an unimportant
place as Bethlehem? What good can
come from Bethlehem?
Of all the clans of the tribe of Judah,
the Ephrathite clan around Bethlehem
couldn’t even come up with a respectable army unit. They were too small.
How strange that God decided His only
Son would come from so insignificant a
source!
But God has a special way with
people. Many years before, God chose
David, a young, homely shepherd boy,
who also came from Bethlehem, to be
king of the Israelite nation (1 Samuel 17:12).
Not even the prophet Samuel thought of
young David as being a likely candidate. But
God reminded Samuel, “God does not look
at the things man looks at. Man looks at the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks at
the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Bethlehem may be small and insignificant
in the world’s eyes, but great things would
come from this small place. No less than Jesus
Christ, God’s only begotten Son, the ruler of
the entire world, would be born in Bethlehem.
Where will the new ruler come from?
The new ruler was coming to Bethlehem.
But where would he come from?
What were His family roots? If you know
something about the family and the place
where someone’s relatives come from, then
you get a better idea of who the person is.
He “is from of old,” Micah says, “from
ancient days” (5:2). This king comes from
eternity; there never was a time when He did
not exist.
We’re not talking about a normal king
here, are we? We’re talking about Jesus Christ
who came from the presence of God. In fact,
this ruler was God and is God! He is part of
the triune Godhead.
Jesus is not a created being like we are. He
always was. He took human form and lived
among us. Jesus was fully human and fully
God.
As a man, He walked on this earth and
felt the same pain we feel. At the end of His
Micah 5:2–4
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small
among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for
me one who be ruler over Israel, whose origins are
from of old, from ancient times.
Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time
when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of
his brothers return to join the Israelites.
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength
of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord
his God. And they will live securely, for then his
greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
earthly ministry He took upon Himself the
sins of all humanity. He died upon a cruel
cross so we could be free from all sin.
After three days He rose from the dead,
and He ascended to God where He now sits
in glory at God’s right hand. One day soon
He will return and take us home to be forever
with Him.
Now, Micah probably didn’t see all of these
events clearly. He prophesied about 700 years
before the birth of Jesus and the Bible tells
us many things about Jesus he didn’t know
about.
But Micah did know the ruler would be
divine, that He would be like God because He
came from “ancient days.”
Micah pictures
a shepherd
feeding his flock.
Now that would
be different.
This ruler would
be like a lowly
shepherd?
What would the ruler’s work be?
What would the ruler’s work be? What
would He be known for, by the people? Micah
answers these questions in verse 4: “And he
shall stand and feed his flock in the strength
of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of
the LORD his God.”
Micah pictures a shepherd feeding his
flock. Now that would be different. This ruler
would be like a lowly shepherd?
Most kings and rulers were ruthless and
dishonest. Many would kill anyone who
opposed their views. They weren’t ruling
because they had a special love for the people.
They had their power and authority because
they were a descendant of the royal line. They
put heavy tax burdens on people and forced
(continued p. 10)
11
them to work for their selfish comforts and
desires.
But not so with this Jesus Christ; He
would be different. He would rule with the
love of a shepherd. He would care for His
sheep and protect them.
When enemies would come, He would get
in their way and drive them away. If any sheep
would wander away, He would search until He
found them.
Isn’t this a beautiful picture of our ruler,
Jesus? He is a caring Saviour, gently guiding
us in our lives.
He provides us with physical and spiritual
nourishment, so we grow in our faith. He
gently forgives us and brings us back to the
flock. When we sorrow, He gently comforts
us. He feels our pain too. What a precious
Saviour He is!
Furthermore, this new ruler would not
rule with merely human strength. He would
not be prone to sin and selfishness like many
heirs of King David. He would rule “in the
strength of the LORD, in the majesty of
the name of the LORD his God” (5:4). His
authority would come from God Himself and
He would have an intimate relationship with
His heavenly Father (John 14:17).
With this new ruler, Jesus, the people
would dwell secure for He would truly be
Jesus Christ,
the Ruler, came
to earth, and
He is just as
grand and
magnificent as
God’s prophet
predicted He
would be.
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great. His kingship would not only be over
Israel, but would reach to the ends of the
earth (verse 4). All peoples, tribes and nations would hear of Him, and would have the
opportunity to experience the salvation He
would bring. What a magnificent ruler He
would be!
No wonder Micah and all the people in
the captured city of Jerusalem longed to see
this magnificent ruler from Bethlehem. The
Christmas message is that the ruler Micah
prophesied about has come.
Jesus Christ, the Ruler, came to earth, and
He is just as grand and magnificent as God’s
prophet predicted He would be.
We as Christians give testimony to Jesus’
birth every Christmas. Does it make any
difference to us, does it affect our lives, this
old story we have heard so often? Oh, yes, it
makes all the difference in the world!
Let’s tell people around us that they too
can have a personal relationship with the
Shepherd-Ruler, Jesus Christ. And then,
together with them, we
will experience the true
meaning of Christmas.
Jeff Plett is the pastor of
Evangelical Fellowship
Church in Fort Frances,
Ont.
Note: For some thoughts, he gives credit to Leslie C.
Allen, The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah
(NICOT, 1976).
kirsten@holiday-travel.ca
with the Bicentennial Committee
of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
in th
ere
Wh
presents
Mennonite Heritage Tour with a focus on EMC history
e world...can you
to
hM
Ukraine and Crimea
Kiev, Mennonite Colonies, Yalta, Odessa
DS
?
Deadline registration/deposit: December 31, 2011
photo by Duane Steiner
from
May 21–June 7, 2012
Estimated cost: $5,200 including airfare
volu
nte
er
wi
t
For tour details contact tour host:
Len Loeppky
14 Springwood Bay, Steinbach, MB, R5G 2E8
aloeppky@mts.net or 204-326-2613
Informational meeting announcement to follow.
These Canadian volunteers
are helping their neighbours in Minot, ND.
The experience is out of this world.
Call or write 1-866-261-1274 mdscn@mds.mennonite.net to discover what is needed where and when.
12
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Little child born on the hay
You were born on Christmas Day.
The Saviour of the world to be.
Heaven’s Love Who came for me.
Star of Bethlehem shine bright
in my heart be Jesus’ light.
Like the shepherds, wise men three,
May my life be lived in Thee.
May mirrored Your reflection be,
that others see Your cross so free.
For that Child sweet upon the hay
came, His life to give, this Christmas Day.
That wondrous night so long ago,
Heaven bent to Earth below.
Songs re-echoed in the sky
as angels sang with joy on high.
Resounding hope, refrain to all.
PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM
Heaven’s Love born in that stall.
Triumphal Love now reigns on high,
The Christ of Christmas ever nigh!
13
window on missions
by Ken Zacharias
T
PHOTO: KEN ZACHARIAS
he EMC has had a long
history of ministering in
Mexico, Paraguay and Canada
among conservative, traditional
Low German-speaking people. The
Evangelical Mennonite Mission
Conference (EMMC) has a similar
history, including work in Mexico,
Belize, United States, Bolivia and
Canada.
In Mexico, the EMC and EMMC
merged their Low German ministries in 2006 with the formation of
Conferencia Misionera Evangélica
de México (CME, or Evangelical
Missionary Conference of Mexico).
In 2012 we will begin the fifth
year of a five-year agreement with
the CME. EMC missionaries John
and Lorna Wall minister in each of
the CME churches, providing leadership classes and biblical teaching
to church leadership. In addition,
the Walls also teach at Steinreich
Bible School, which is preparing
students to pastor CME churches in
the future.
Many people in the EMC
carry a special burden for people
14
formal partnership with the EMMC/
EBMC in Low German Bolivian
ministry, and it is our desire to
provide EMC missionaries to work
with their ministries and under
their administration.
We look forward for our partnership and for additional ministry
that will be able to take place as a
result. By working in partnership,
we can do so much more than working alone.
Missionaries and mission agencies who work
Many people in the
in Bolivia feel that now
is a crucial time to have
EMC carry a special
a united voice to reach
burden for people of
conservative, traditional
traditional, conservative
Mennonites who are lookLow German Mennonite ing for spiritual change.
There has been much
culture in Bolivia.
teaching done through
ministries directed by the
Trans World Radio station, Campus Crusade and others.
and values. Ultimately, given the
Long-term workers are now
long-standing fraternal and workneeded to follow up and work
ing relationship with the EMMC
with those who are seekers and to
in both Mexico and Canada, it was
disciple Christ followers. With this
decided that it only makes sense to
partnership agreement in place,
join them in a challenging field of
we are now asking who among our
ministry.
EMC body feels called and ready to
The EMMC already works in
work in Bolivia among traditional,
Bolivia in partnership with the
conservative Low German-speaking
Evangelical Bergthaler Mennonite
people.
Conference (EBMC), a Canadian
Who do you have in your church
Mennonite conference located in
that you would like to send?
northern Alberta. The EBMC is
And, as we look at future
unknown to the majority of our
partnerships, what if in Paraguay
EMC churches, but the EMC Board
or Guadalajara (Mexico) the EMMC
of Missions feels comfortable in
provided their people under EMC
working with them as well.
BOM administration?
The BOM has recently entered a
of traditional, conservative Low
German Mennonite culture in
Bolivia. In 2010, the EMC Board of
Missions made the decision to begin
ministering in Bolivia, recognizing
the valuable contribution that we
can give.
With that, we were committed
to investigate current ministries in
Bolivia in order to see what partnership best reflected our teachings
with our missionaries
SUDAN/CANADA
Ashlyn and Alyssa Skopnik, the
daughters of Gordon and Sharon
Skopnik, International Teams
Canada’s Program Leader for Impact
Southern Sudan, have mission in
their hearts—and in their genes.
After 15 years serving as missionaries in Germany and Austria,
the Skopnik family returned to
Canada, where Gord founded the
Welcome Home refugee ministry
in partnership with International
Teams.
Ashlyn says that the missionary
life has always seemed quite normal
to them. “Our childhood was spent
in one country and our teenage
years were spent in another, so we
didn’t move around a lot.
“Other than our dad leaving
for a few weeks a few times a year,
life goes on as usual. My parents
have always simply tried to get us
involved with whatever they were
doing, to show us the importance of
this kind of work.”
Once Gordon became involved
in ministry in Southern Sudan,
Ashlyn and Alyssa looked for
opportunities to experience it for
themselves. After a short-term
trip in 2009, Alyssa returned as an
intern earlier this year, with Ashlyn
joining her for the last month of her
internship.
Ashlyn says the trip was significant to both of them because
they were better able to understand
why Sudan is so important to their
father.
“Not only is it Dad’s work, but
it’s his passion, and it’s a big part
of who he is,” she said. “I wanted to
understand why it was important to
him.”
“I was so glad to go while Alyssa
was there too—it was nice to have
someone with me who knows me
very well and really understood
what it felt like for me to be there.”
Alyssa’s internship was made
even more special because she was
able to share part of it with her
fiancé Andrew. “I had talked about
my first trip a lot and showed him
pictures and shared stories. By coming with me, he got to meet people
who were important to me.
“He needs to have a heart for
mission because that’s where
Once Gordon Skopnik became
involved in ministry in Southern
Sudan, daughters Ashlyn and
Alyssa looked for opportunities to
experience it for themselves.
my heart is. It was challenging
at times—everything was a new
experience for him—but it was a
blessing to share that with him.”
Both Gordon and Sharon are
extremely proud of their daughters.
Gordon says they are honoured to
have children that not only love and
serve the Lord, but who share their
vision to help the poor.
“As a father I am honoured to
have my children follow me and my
wife in mission—they have helped
in the Welcome Home program and
now both of my girls have been to
Sudan. My heart really explodes
with joy to know God is leading our
family in mission.”
Written by Lauren Anderson,
International Teams member
Submitted by Gordon Skopnik
Gordon and Sharon Skopnik are part
of Wymark EMC.
PHOTOS COURTESY GORDON SKOPNIK
It’s a family
thing!
Alyssa Skopnik (left) and Ashlyn Skopnik (right) are following their parents in mission.
15
Feeding faith
Faith, like everything else, must be
fed in order to grow. But what feeds
faith? I pray we will continue to
grow in our understanding and find
new answers for as long as we live.
Here are answers we’ve seen and
experienced.
We came to the Philippines just
over six years ago having served as
missionaries for over ten years. We
were asking God to show us more
of Himself: we wanted to see where
faith would take us.
We were not up to the job and
we knew it. NTM’s aviation programs in the Philippines had closed
because of a lack of personnel and
other issues, and we came to see
God re-open them. We were asking
God to affect NTM Philippines
positively and to use us and those
we would train. Has God delivered?
Far beyond our wildest dreams!
Where are we now? Faith has
grown in our aviation team as we
together trusted God to provide
safe, efficient flight service to our
missionaries. We currently have
three flight programs operating in
the Philippines.
God has brought us six families
and five are functioning in a flight
program. These families are committed to Jesus and called to what
He is doing here. They reach out
to tribal missionaries. They work
with mutual respect and care. We,
as a team, continually trust God for
unity and healthy relationships, and
He is delivering.
Each challenge is an opportunity
to grow faith in God’s ability to
resolve issues His way or to choose
our own way. When we don’t see
16
our way out, we call on God in ways
Philippines that works and prays
we don’t when things are going well together, and God is changing and
and the way seems clear.
growing us. God means for us to
One team in northern Luzon
walk in faith, and at times we must
often reminds us of this—they were lean on the faith of those around us
in town for over a year
when we are weary.
We are blessed
while waiting for flight
As we ponder life in
service to resume. What
terms
of weeks, months,
to be part of
was the meaning of it?
or years, we see God
a community
We see part of the answer
providing and enabling,
in Canada
as one town church is
making us into the people
beginning to partner with for which we
He wants us to be. We
this team, reaching out
see Him changing people
are
a
small
to remote believers and
around us and changing
extension in the circumstances. We see
enabling our missionaries
in ways we foreigners find
Him growing His church,
Philippines.
hard to do.
and we are humbled to be
Faith is strengthened
a small part of it.
in community. We are blessed to
Thanks for allowing us the opporbe part of a community in Canada,
tunity to be here and see what God is
a Body, for which we are a small
doing on this side of the world!
extension in the Philippines. You
Cynthia Barkman
enable us to be here by doing the
part God has called you to do.
Cynthia and Garry Barkman
We are part of a local com(Blumenort) serve with NTM
munity of believers here in the
Aviation, Philippines.
PHOTO: CYNTHIA BARKMAN
PHILIPPINES
NTM’s aviation program in the Philippines provides safe, efficient flight service to missionaries.
PHOTOS COURTESY CONNIE REIMER
An amazing affirmation from
the Lord!
MEXICO
The day had finally arrived! It was
the first day of our Kids Games
ministry in the Metropolitan Park.
For almost a year we had been
praying and planning for this ministry. We were excited for our Pan
Am team that had joined us here in
Guadalajara.
We were excited to see what
God would accomplish during this
time. Yet, at the same time, there
was some apprehension as to how it
would all come together.
Day One started with us setting
up tents, table and chairs in the
park. We noticed that the park was
very empty. Where were all the
children? And where was this More
than Gold team from Brazil who
was going to help us with the kids’
games?
We waited and waited. This is
very hard for organized Canadians.
Karalee suggested that we do a
prayer walk. Off we went.
During the prayer time, I sensed
that we doubted whether our plans
were really the Lord’s
plans and whether we
should be doing something
different. There was such
heaviness and a feeling of
discouragement, mixed
with unbelief. There was
frustration as nothing
seemed to be happening.
Kids games were used
to teach the gospel.
The Pan Am team with the Guadalajara church planting team
As I began to pray, I sensed that
the enemy really didn’t want us to
succeed and wanted us to remain
discouraged. I prayed that God
would remove all obstacles that
would hinder His plans.
I prayed that the Lord would empower us to rise up above the spirit
of unbelief and discouragement. I
prayed that the Lord would place
within us boldness and confidence.
Had He not said that His plans for
us were plans to prosper us and not
We witnessed children and
adults accepting Jesus as
their personal Saviour.
to harm us—plans to give us hope
and a future?
Returning from our prayer
walk we noticed the Brazilian team
arriving and soon the children
began to appear out of nowhere.
We witnessed children and adults
accepting Jesus as their personal
Saviour.
I had the opportunity to visit
with one mother. What a wonderful time to meet and get to know
someone who was so appreciative of
what we were doing.
She was grateful that we were
not only teaching how to play the
games but also valuable life lessons.
What an amazing affirmation from
the Lord. He is constantly
revealing His love and
goodness to us in the
most wonderful ways.
Connie Reimer
Connie and John Reimer
(Community Bible
Fellowship) are leading a
church planting team in
Guadalajara, Mexico.
17
with our churches
Celebrations and sadness
PLEASANT VALLEY EMC,
Manitoba
W
hile our church has celebrated
weddings, baptisms, and
parent-child dedications, this
summer has also been one of loss in
our church.
On July 27, at only 52 years of
age, Chuck Friesen went to be with
Jesus after a lengthy battle with
cancer. He was outspoken in his
love for Jesus and a strong pillar
in our church, especially giving
leadership in theological direction,
preaching and in prayer ministry.
Although our whole church
misses him in many ways, nobody
feels it more keenly than his beloved wife Julia.
Before the summer was over, we
had two more funerals. Nick Eidse
passed away on August 21 at the age
of 90 years following a good long
life, including many years together
with his wife Mary as a deacon
couple in our church.
Liz Genest grew up in our
church and continued to keep in
contact with the church through
family members until her sudden
passing at the age of 66 years. Her
funeral was held in our church on
Sept 8.
Our church family was
privileged to celebrate weddings
together with four couples this
summer: Mike and Tiffany Toews
on May 27, Marshall and Alyssa
Reimer on July 10, Ken and Heather
Copeland on July 30, and Thomas
and Lori Rempel on Oct 21.
On Sept 18 we had a great
fall picnic day at Stephenfield
Park planned by our Fellowship
Committee. The sun chased the
clouds away early in the day and we
enjoyed an excellent day together.
We began with an outdoor
church service, followed by a
great disco lunch provided by Ed
and Margaret Loewen. Afternoon
activities included walking, playing
on the play structures and hiking
in the hills. This was followed by a
wiener roast supper.
On Oct. 16 Jesse and Erin Penner
and Kyle Parkinson shared their
testimonies and officially joined our
covenant community.
Pastor Darren Pletthas been
preaching by special request this
fall. He invited anyone to hand in a
passage of scripture for which they
had long been looking for some
clarification. In that process he has
preached on 1 Corinthians 11:3–16,
1 Corinthians 14:1–5, 1 Corinthians
6:9–20, Matthew 7:21–23, and
Matthew 22:23–33.
Marilyn Kornelsen
and Elly Rempel
births
FEHR – to Gary and Darlene Fehr of La
Crete, Alta., a son, Cohen James, on July
23, 2011.
SCHELLENBERG – to Mark and Kim
Schellenberg of La Crete, Alta., a son,
Crue Jennings James, on Aug. 26, 2011.
WIEBE – to Larry and Brenda Wiebe of
La Crete, Alta., a daughter, Madison Kate,
on Aug. 27, 2011.
PHOTO COURTESY DARREN PLETT
DYCK – to Cam and Pam Dyck of Miami,
Man., a daughter, Tessa Shae, on Sept.
7, 2011.
WIEBE – to Barney and Stephanie Wiebe
of La Crete, Alta., a daughter, Ranae
Emily, on Sept. 9, 2011.
ZACHARIAS – to John and Joyce
Zacharias of La Crete, Alta., a daughter,
Kate Allison, on Sept. 14, 2011.
MARTENS – to Jesse and Amanda
Martens of La Crete, Alta., a son, Ryder
Jeremiah Peter, on Sept. 28, 2011.
PETERS – to Rueben and Judy Peters of
La Crete, Alta., a son, Liam Paul, on Oct.
21, 2011.
A parent/child dedication was held on May 29: Pastor Darren and Pearl Plett, Dave and Cindy Friesen
with Gabriel David, Ron and Jamie Peters with Hayden Keith, Remi and Esther Courcelles with Zachary
Michel, Abe and Bonnie Klassen with Amaya Mikalah, Pete and Rhonda Friesen with Avery Jon, Brenden
and Teresa Johnson with Titan Sterling, and Mike and Alyssa Thiessen with Jadyn Eve.
18
BICKFORD – to Scott and April Bickford
of Stephenfield, Man., a son, Riley Jason,
on Oct. 24, 2011.
with our churches
Powerful missions
weekend held
A
fantastic weekend was had by
the church family and community of Wymark EM Church—one
that was to change and encourage
many who attended the Missions
Conference held October 21–23, 2011.
The Conference was kicked
off by a spectacular Thanksgiving
supper prepared by the church
ladies and open to all who wished to
attend.
Directly following the supper,
Pastor Paul Little welcomed everyone and committed the conference
to the glory of God. Pastor Little
and Peter Enns, chairman of the
Wymark missions committee,
chaired the sessions and introduced
the speakers.
Pastor Antonio Pitta and a
praise team from Iglesia Emmanuel
Cristiana (Emmanuel Christian
Church) in Calgary opened the conference. Pastor Pitta spoke about his
work in church planting in Alberta,
which specifically focuses on the
approximately 30,000 Hispanics
in Calgary from Central and South
America.
The keynote speaker for the
conference was Peter Baker, who,
together with his wife Kathy, represented New Tribes Mission. Peter
and Kathy had served for 22 years in
the Philippines, bringing the Word
of God to the Lbaloi tribal group in
their own language.
The scripture text Peter Baker
presented for his messages was
Philippians 1:1–11. The messages
focused on: What you and I think
about really
matters, What
you and I are
passionate about
really matters,
What you and I
are committed to
Nellie Dyck (centre) visits with a group of young ladies during the Conference.
really matters.
The stories
and Sharon Kirsch from CAM
and the principles of the Word
that Peter and Kathy Baker shared
International presented a mishelped to focus our minds on
sions report and spoke on mission
the importance of missions in a
opportunities. Larry Parschauer,
Christian’s life, whether in the
with Word of Life Ministries in
mission field of a foreign country
Saskatoon, spoke at the combined
or the mission field of our own
Sunday school service on Sunday
morning.
community.
On Sunday evening Nathan
There was music throughout
and Natasha Enns gave a missions
the weekend. The praise team of
Emmanuel Christian Church minis- report as they prepare to move to
tered on Friday evening and Archie
Indonesia with New Tribes Mission.
and Sylvia Neufeld and family from
They are departing Canada in the
Wymark EMC on Saturday evening. first week of November 2011 for
what could be a lifelong work to a
Exodus, a men’s quartet from
tribal community.
Swift Current, ministered to a
packed house on Sunday morning.
The weekend was full of God’s
Sunday evening’s worship was
powerful blessing and grace as He
led by a mixed praise team from
continues to affirm His calling to
Wymark EMC.
the Wymark EMC community.
On Saturday evening Dennis
Marvin Allen
PHOTOS COURTESY ULRIKE GRACE
WYMARK EMC, Chortitz,
Saskatchewan
Kathy and Peter Baker served for 22 years in the Philippines.
Larry Parschauer spoke on Sunday.
19
with our churches
New building, same church
A
fter a year and a half of preparation, decisions, and hard work,
La Crete Christian Fellowship
moved into our new building
and had our first service there on
August 14, 2011.
Many emotions have accompanied us on this journey. On August
7 the last service was conducted in
our home of 35 years. The sharing
was poignant as members shared
of receiving Christ, being baptized,
getting married, dedicating babies,
and growing as a church family.
On Monday, August 8, a week
of Panda Mania (Vacation Bible
School) started that involved 147
children from 76 different families
and 67 staff. What a fun, crazy and
loud week that was!
On August 14 there was palpable
excitement from children and adults
alike as we made our way into the
“The building may be
completed, but the task
is not yet done.”
– Pastor Peter Doerksen
new building. We are so thankful
for the building and for the opportunities to spread the Good News
that the building brings us.
October 15 and 16 was the
official church dedication weekend.
On Saturday we were blessed by
rousing, impossible-to-stay-seated
praise music led by many passionate
members of LCCF.
Sunday morning started with
breakfast in the multi-purpose
room, visiting with past and
present members of the church. In
the morning service Pastor Peter
Doerksen shared that, while we are
PHOTOS: TENA DOERKSEN
LA CRETE CHRISTIAN
FELLOWSHIP, Alberta
Pastor Peter Doerksen cuts the ribbon with George Fehr (project manager), Bill Driedger (on behalf of
the building committee), Henry Wieler (ministerial chair), and Johnny Schellenberg (a member of LCCF
since the church’s beginning).
Some of the children and crew members of Panda Mania singing the theme song on Sunday morning.
20
incredibly thankful for this building
and the opportunity it presents, it is
God’s building, not ours.
He then challenged us, saying, “The building may be completed, but the task is not yet done.”
Anyone attending was invited to
stay for lunch and a slideshow down
memory lane.
In the evening service, we were
warned to keep thinking small,
“think individual people” and to
keep looking for places to serve.
Above all, we are so thankful that
“thus far the Lord has helped us” (1
Samuel 7:12).
Tena Doerksen
Service at Bible camps
is important!
COMMUNITY BIBLE
FELLOWSHIP, Swan River,
Manitoba
Madge Lake Bible Camp
and Steeprock Bay Bible
Camp (SBBC) have come
to CBF to serve in the
ommunity Bible Fellowship
Sunday morning worship
(CBF) is a church who serves
service, sharing what the
at Bible camps. Whether it is for a
Lord has done at camp in
A weiner roast during church camp in September.
day in a camp kitchen, a week as
the past week. The Nemez
stir they cause in the sanctuary,
a speaker, maintenance person,
family, as well as the Penner family,
not because of cries and wails, but
camper, cook or counsellor, or a
usually have four or five members
because we all want to hold them
whole summer as counsellors or
of their six- and seven-member
after the service. May God grow and
leaders-in-training, there are many
families serving at SBBC during the
guide them to become strong men
empty pews during the summer.
summer.
of God like their namesakes.
As well, the camp staffs of
In the beginning of September
October 1 arrived warm and
it was our church family’s
sunny, and along with it arrived
turn to attend camp for a
weekend. The weather was our new pastor and his family: Ron
and Rita Thiessen along with their
great, the food was good,
the fireside fellowship was daughter Kendra and sons Myron
and Jayden. Their furniture and
phenomenal and we were
other belongings arrived somewhat
blessed. The only thing
later because of a breakdown of
missing were the people
the moving truck, which had to be
who couldn’t make it.
Fall is also a time when towed into town.
No problem. The men just
the young adults leave
returned to the house when the
home for further studies.
truck arrived and they had things
Kyle Nemez and Jeremy
unloaded in record time. Now the
Penner returned to SBC
Many hands made quick work of moving the new pastoral
family is settling in and we are
for another year and were
familly into their new home.
enjoying their gifts and talents
joined by Kyle’s sister,
as they serve in our church and
Ryan.
Dexter Bird and his friend Caleb community.
Betty Warkentin
flew back to Australia to begin an
intense medical program under
YWAM. Crystal Polachuck began
the year attending Living Word
Bible College here in Swan River.
All are welcome to celebrate the
Allison Peters, having spent
50th anniversary of
last year studying with YWAM in
Pleasant Valley EMC
Australia, began her first year at
January 1, 2012
CMU in Winnipeg.
Ken and Karla Reader and sons
Sunday morning service, lunch,
Jordan,Wyatt and Levi were blessed
and afternoon celebration.
with the arrival of twin boys Joshua
and Caleb this summer. What a
Rita and Ron Thiessen and family arrived on Oct. 1.
C
21
PHOTOS: BETTY WARKENTIN
with our churches
with our churches
ROSEISLE EMC, Manitoba
R
what great men of God you have had
to follow me in carrying on the work.”
Pastor Wilbert (and Hilda)
Friesen shared how they had returned from Nicaragua and agreed
to serve for a one-year term, which
turned into 10. They came with
uncertainty after trauma on the
mission field. When they heard aircraft overhead here in Canada, they
would run for cover.
Wilbert was grateful to work
among the church family—not just
as a pastor, but helping farmers and
driving a school bus. Laughter was
shared as he reminisced about learning to curl, Sunday afternoon baseball games, and many practical jokes.
He expressed gratitude for the
role past youth leaders played in
their sons’ lives. They felt they
couldn’t have raised their boys in a
better community.
oseisle EMC celebrated our 50th
anniversary on Oct. 23. “The Lord
has done this, and it is marvelous in
our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). This verse
I chose for our church’s 40th anniversary/building dedication service
picture presentation, and it still says
well how I feel about Roseisle EMC.
Our 50th was a wonderful day of
celebration, worship, memories, visiting, stories, pictures and food.
We were thrilled to have past
members and some former pastors join us. A phrase came to me:
Roseisle EMC was “the little church
that could”!
In the afternoon when our
first pastor Dave Harms (my Dad)
shared stories of our beginnings,
I smiled to hear the first “meeting
place” was a railroad caboose. He
recalled “being in that
caboose a number of years
before I ever dreamed I
would be pastor of that
congregation.”
In 1960, Dave was
elected to be a minister;
soon after he was asked
whether he and his wife
Katie would consider
Present pastor Kelly Lesser and first pastor Dave Harms prepare
helping with the church
to cut the anniversary cake.
plant in Roseisle for five
months. That turned into
17 years of ministry!
Dave shared, “When
our five-month term was
over, we knew we would
not leave. Today we celebrate 50 years of God’s
faithfulness, we have a
beautiful building, a wonFormer pastor Wilbert Friesen and wife Hilda enjoy conversation around the table at the celebration lunch.
derful congregation and
22
PHOTOS: ELEANOR FRIESEN
‘Celebrating the past, going
forward in faith’
Bulletin for the day, with pictures of the past and
present buildings.
Jerald Schmidt spoke on behalf
of former pastoral couple Dave and
Judy Schmidt (his parents), and
Cam Dyck read a letter from pastoral couple Randall and Faith Krahn.
Some of their thoughts: coming to
Roseisle had been a “God thing” and
the community had positively shaped
their lives. Some of the attitudes
central to Roseisle EMC were “we can
do it” and in sharing our lives we had
lived, laughed and cried together.
We “celebrated the past” and we
thank God for what has been done
and for those who listened to His call
to establish this church in Roseisle.
To our pastors and members both
past and present, we say, “Thanks.”
In his message, Pastor Kelly Lesser
referred to Isaiah 25:9, and reminded
us how the Bible shows us God’s
faithfulness to His children.
God’s faithfulness is evident
throughout Roseisle EMC’s history
and He remains faithful in what we
set out to do when we remain faithful to Him and His Word. As we “go
forward in faith,” our desire is for
God’s will and work to continue at
Roseisle EMC.
Eleanor Friesen
news
Mennonite-Lutheran reconciliation gets ‘planted’
Tree planting follows years of dialogue
and discrimination against Mennonites.
A second tree was planted in the Luthergarten by
Frieder Boller, president of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft
Mennonitischer Gemeinden (AMG) in Germany. The
AMG and the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in Germany have engaged in ecumenical
dialogue and joint communion for the past 15
years.
MWC
PHOTOS: FRIEDER BOLLER
WITTENBERG, Germany—Mennonites planted two
trees in the “Luthergarten” in Wittenberg, Germany,
in early October to mark the deepening of MennoniteLutheran relations.
The garden project, initiated
by the Lutheran World Federation
(LWF), is being developed in anticipation of the 2017 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of
his 95 theses on a church door in
Wittenberg. Churches from around
the world are being invited to spon- Plaque marking the
tree in the
sor a tree and also to plant a corre- Mennonite
“Luthergarten.”
sponding tree in a significant place
for their own church.
Larry Miller, general secretary of Mennonite World
Conference, planted a red maple next to a tree planted
nearly two years ago by the Lutheran World Federation,
when it invited a number of other global church communions (Anglican Communion, World Methodist Council,
World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Catholic
Church) to participate in the garden project.
In his remarks, Miller recalled that when the
Lutheran planners for this earlier event asked whether
Mennonites should be invited, they said “No, not yet.”
He added: “The ‘fullness of time’ in LutheranMennonite reconciliation was drawing near but had not
yet come in power, as it did in Stuttgart less than one
year later” in July 2010 when Lutherans issued an official
apology for the historical persecution of Anabaptists
Mennonite tree planting in the Luthergarten: Pastor Hans Wilhelm Kasch,
director of the Luther Center in Wittenberg; Dorothea Friedrich; Bishop
Johannes Friedrich, then leading bishop of the United Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Germany; Oliver Schuegraf, secretary for ecumenical affairs for
the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany; Larry Miller; Michael
Martin, leader in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria; Bettina Martin.
Members sought for BCM
The EMC General Board, and the Nominating Committee,
invites submissions of names of people to serve on the EMC
Board of Church Ministries. The board is currently two
members short on its seven-member board.
The BCM has a wide mandate in the areas of education,
publication, youth, and archives. It oversees The Messenger
and the National Youth Committee. NYC is responsible for
Abundant Springs and TRU.
The BCM meets for an evening every other month.
Members are also to take on a committee role: National
Youth Committee, Archives Committee, Education
Committee, Inter-Mennonite Chaplaincy Association, or
Worship/Music (currently part of the Education Committee).
Terms are one to three years. The names of educators,
historians, worship leaders, and youth workers (and others
interested in these areas) can be submitted to Tim Dyck, EMC
General Secretary. Between council meetings, the General
Board makes appointments.
Youth, education, publication, and history—these all help
to shape our Conference.
Board of Church Ministries
23
news
Providence looks at God, Government, and Gospel
Blaikie addresses audience more like a prophet than a politician
an equitable social wage. But to accomplish this, leaders
need nothing short of a spiritual vision that can comprehend both God’s generous love for the whole world and
the need to discern the principalities and powers that
are working against that generosity.
Throughout his lectures, Blaikie referred to his new
book, The Blaikie Report: An Insider’s look at Faith and
Politics.
Regarding the church, Blaikie lamented the reality
that, instead of holding governments accountable for the
frequently undemocratic and inequitable actions of the
marketplace, many Christians are too busy singing the
praises of the market.
Citing the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan,
Blaikie pondered why so many in the church walk on the
other side of the road politically when it comes to being
neighbourly. And when the church is critical, it fails to
see how it is often complicit in the very terms it judges.
At the same time governments need to create nonpartisan opportunities for public discourse outside the
realm of politics.
The day ended with a panel of
Blaikie lamented the reality that,
Providence faculty and student respondents and a healthy question
instead of holding governments
and answer period. Blaikie gave a
accountable for the frequently
final reminder that, in the matter of
undemocratic and inequitable
public policy, we all struggle to see
through a glass darkly. In humility,
actions of the marketplace, many
we should not pretend we have the
Christians are too busy singing
definitive flashlight.
the praises of the market.
PUC
PHOTO: PROVIDENCE
OTTERBURNE, Man.—On October 25, 2011, Providence
University College hosted its annual public lecture
series, this year on the theme God, Government, and
Gospel: Christians and Politics. The guest lecturer for the
occasion was the Hon. Bill Blaikie, an ordained minister
and a retired MP and MLA.
For 32 years in elected office, Blaikie distinguished
himself as a rare Canadian politician with an ability to
weave together almost seamlessly his faith and his political affections.
Blaikie gave three addresses: The Naked Public Square
vs. The Naked Marketplace, Market Fundamentalism:
Idolatry and Inequality, and Top Ten Scriptures for Faith
and Public Life.
He addressed the audience more like a prophet than
a politician. To those in public office, he warned, “When
we treat the market as something other than a human
creation we have created an idol.”
Summarily, he called on the public to resist the
wages of greed and rediscover a moral centre based on
Care about biblical teaching in our Conference?
EMC Education Committee members are sought!
The Hon. Bill Blaikie addressed attendees at Providence University College’s annual public lecture
series on Oct. 25, 2011.
24
The EMC national Education Committee welcomes new members
to serve on it. The committee meets about six times per year
(early evening) and is a working committee designed to promote
Evangelical Anabaptist education within our conference. Meetings
are usually held at Steinbach, Man., but new members could assist
by phone or Skype. Terms can be one to three years. Local committee travel costs are covered. Contact executive secretary Terry
Smith at tsmith@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401.
news
CFGB signs new $125M agreement with government
Funds from CIDA will be used to assist people in developing world
WINNIPEG, Man.—More assistance for more people
in the developing world—that’s what a new five-year
funding agreement for $125 million from the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) means for
Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
“We are very grateful to the Government of Canada
for once again providing us with funding to help people
who don’t have enough to eat,” says CFGB executive director Jim Cornelius.
“Our member agencies, global partners, and supporters across the country are deeply appreciative of this
continued support.”
The new agreement, which was announced in
October in Ottawa by the Honorable Beverley J. Oda,
Minister of International Cooperation, will provide the
Foodgrains Bank—a partnership of 15 churches and
church agencies working together to end global hunger—with $25 million a year in matching funds for food
assistance work in the developing world.
“We are proud to recognize the Canadian Foodgrains
Bank as Canada’s biggest contributor to ending global
hunger” said Minister Oda. “It reflects the values of hard
work and compassion shared by all Canadians.
“Thanks to the churches, community organizations,
businesses and individuals who have made a commitment to CFGB. You are making a difference for millions
of people suffering in emergency and chronic hunger
situations worldwide.”
Funding provided by the new agreement will enable
the CFGB to help people like Jam Joseph, whose farm in
rural Pakistan was destroyed by recent severe flooding.
Together with support from the CIDA, the CFGB
is providing wheat flour, pulses, oil and salt for Jam,
his family and 16,000 other flood-affected people in
Pakistan.
“Our response in Pakistan is a great example of
how the Foodgrains Bank and the Canadian government, through CIDA, are working together to help poor
and vulnerable people in the developing world,” says
Cornelius.
This year the CFGB has committed 64 projects in 26
countries worth $21 million, including $8.8 million for
people suffering from drought in East Africa.
Last year CFGB provided $38 million of assistance for
2.3 million people in 35 countries. Since its founding in
1983, the Foodgrains Bank has provided over $500 million of assistance for people in 80 countries, including 1.1
million tonnes of food assistance.
CFGB
PHOTO: MO FRIESEN
Front row:
Rebecca Roman,
Ken Zacharias,
middle row:
Wannetta Fast,
Erica Fehr, Diana Peters, back
row: Gerald
Reimer, Ward
Parkinson, Tim
Dyck, inset left:
Terry Smith
Christmas Greetings
from the EMC office staff
25
news
WINNIPEG, Man.—When people are hungry, the answer
is to give them food, right?
Not always, argues Tina Rosenberg in an opinion piece
for The New York Times called “In Famine, Vouchers Can
be Tickets to Survival.”
The article referenced a Foodgrains Bank-supported
project in Dhobley, Somalia, where people in need of food
are receiving vouchers rather than sacks of food.
The project, implemented by Christian Reformed
World Relief Committee’s partner World Concern, provides
rice, beans, cooking oil, salt, and sugar to people in need.
But rather than supplying the physical food, recipients get
vouchers they redeem for food items in local markets.
It seems to be working. In Dhobley, near the Kenyan
border, thousands of people fleeing starvation in Somalia
arrive each week in search of relief from hunger and insecurity. Every two weeks, food vouchers are distributed to
the newcomers, as well as the most vulnerable people from
the community.
Vouchers are part of widening the traditional understanding of food aid, says Stuart Clark, Senior Policy
Advisor at Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
“‘Food Assistance’ is the new term being used as an
umbrella for direct transfers of food, vouchers, or even
cash to hungry households,” he says.
26
For Clark, the move to vouchers is “a very good change
since it widens the ways in which people who are hungry
can access food,” he says.
“It allows us to use the most effective way to meet immediate food needs, and to strengthen the future possibilities of the recipients by improving local markets.”
Understanding the local context is key, he says. “To
use cash or vouchers, food has to be available on the local
market.”
That’s the case in Dhobley, where local merchants have
been able to stock their shops with supplies with a few days
notice.
Mechanisms, such as
hiring secret shoppers, are
in place to prevent fraud.
This type of local
purchase is in contrast to
policies in the U.S. which
dictate that food aid originating from the U.S. must
be American produced,
something that Rosenberg
says is “deeply flawed” since A family holds out a food voucher.
it is slow and expensive.
“Once an emergency is recognized, the government
must solicit bids, gather the food and put it on a ship. It
can take from 4 to 6 months to get food into the mouths of
people who need it,” she says.
Many of Rosenberg’s criticisms of how the U.S. does
food aid are non-issues for Canadian organizations. In
2008, food aid was completely untied in Canada. This move
frees organizations like the Foodgrains Bank to purchase
food wherever it makes the most sense rather than having
to ship domestic food overseas.
The Foodgrains Bank purchases food close to those
who need it, saving money on transportation and providing more culturally appropriate food. Most importantly,
the change is good for local farmers and markets.
A new international treaty on food assistance, which
is likely to include the use of vouchers, is expected to be
finalized by the end of the year, says Clark.
Additional funds for the project in Dhobley were made
available by Mennonite Central Committee Canada and
Presbyterian World Service & Development.
CFGB
PHOTO: CFGB
Foodgrains Bank-supported project mentioned in New York Times article
news
calendar
British Columbia
STEINBACH, Man.—Student Council
members at Steinbach Christian High
School staged a 24-hour lock-in to
raise money for MCC.
As donations poured in, creature
comforts were removed. After a
rough night of sleeping on the hard
floor members were tired but undaunted in their purpose.
Because SCHS students, staff and
parents donated more than $2,400
in a 24-hour period, approximately
275 MCC school kits will be heading
to Somalia to help refugees in East
Africa—making it possible for young
children to attend school.
MCC distributes school kits on
an annual basis in countries such as
Alberta
no events currently
no events currently
Saskatchewan
no events currently
Manitoba
Jan. 8, 2012: EMC Day of Prayer, EMC
churches in Canada, 204-326-6401 or
dpeters@emconf.ca
PHOTO: SCHS
Nicaragua, North Korea, Kenya, and
Ukraine. Each school kit includes
four spiral note books, an eraser,
four pencils, a bendable ruler, and
eight pencil crayons, all enclosed in
a homemade draw-string cloth bag.
SCHS
July 6–8: EMC Bicentennial Convention,
Providence University College, Otterburne,
204-326-6401, www.emconference.ca
Ontario
no events currently
SCHS students hold school kit items.
Manitoba men’s mission to help in Minot
Manitoban ‘apostles’ send relief help to Minot’s flood-weary souls
They hop in a van Friday evening, drive to Minot,
camp out in sleeping bags on the floor of Congregational
United Church of Christ, which has opened its facilities
to MDS, wolf a hearty breakfast, pack a sack lunch and
head out for a full day’s labor. After dinner, they start the
three-hour drive home to Brandon.
MDS
PHOTO: MDS
MINOT, N.D.—Two Canadian men, initially without
knowledge of one another, have become ardent apostles
to their southern Manitoba acquaintances, particularly
those with workday obligations. Their message: Many
Minot residents are in extreme duress. Flooding of the
Souris River has devastated their lives and homes. Let’s
go help them on our day off—on Saturdays.
The two men— Duane Steiner of Brandon and John
Elias of Morden—have thus introduced a new model for
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) service; the agency is
geared to work groups who stay at a site for 7 to 14 days,
not 24 hours. For MDS unit directors, it means having to
organize tasks and tools for large numbers of volunteers
eager to hit the field at once.
Paul Unruh, who served as Minot project director
through mid-October, had work gloves washed and
lined up, with face masks, ready to be grabbed, along the
wall where the Canadians ate breakfast.
“These one-day volunteers come full of energy and
enthusiasm matched by a desire to be relevant to those
who have experienced disaster. They want to make a difference and they do,” said Unruh, of Hesston, Kan.
Minot volunteers Duane Steiner and John Elias work together to carry debris
from a house they are mucking out.
27
shoulder tapping
Pastoral positions
Rosenort EMC seeks a full-time senior pastor
to begin immediately. Rosenort EMC is a rural
church with regular church attendance of approximately 250 people. Rosenort is situated in southern
Manitoba with agribusiness as the main industry.
Our church is a multi-generational church with
strong family ties.
To submit a letter of application or request
information, contact Arlin Scharfenberg, ascharfenberg@xplornet.ca; 204-746-6154; Box 106, RR 1,
Morris, MB R0G 1K0.
Youth work
Mennville EMC and Riverton Gospel Chapel (EMC),
in Manitoba’s Interlake region, seek a full-time
youth pastor for a joint youth group. Candidate
should have strengths in relationship building and
have an ability to plan a comprehensive youth
program. Contact Paul Peters at 204-378-2740 or
paulhecla@yahoo.com.
Other opportunities
Inner City Youth Alive is hiring a full-time work
skills coordinator. This individual will possess skills
in the trades such as renovation, carpentry and
flooring in order to provide hands-on job training
for young adults in the North End, and will desire to
mentor them in their daily life. If this is you, please
contact James at 204-528-8779 ext.205 or james@
icya.ca, or visit www.icya.ca for more information
on the position.
Eden Foundation invites applications for the position of director of development.
Eden Foundation based in Winkler, Man.,
The EMC Church Planting Task Force with the
Board of Leadership and Outreach is beginning
the process of calling a Canadian Church
Planting Coordinator.
The Church Planting Coordinator encourages church planting initiatives, provides
support and guidance to new churches and
church planters, and encourages links between
them and the conference family.
Qualifications of the Church Planting
Coordinator are:
• passionate and committed Jesus
follower
• administrative/pastoralexperience
28
supports the programs of Eden Health Care Services,
which is owned primarily by the Mennonite Churches
of Manitoba. Eden provides acute and community
mental health recovery services in collaboration with
our faith constituencies, local communities and the
Regional and Manitoba Health Authorities.
The Director of Development works collaboratively with the CEO and staff and is responsible
to the Foundation Board. Duties include church and
constituency reporting, public relations and marketing, fundraising and all aspects of fund development.
Qualifications: A University degree or equivalent training or experience, strong and creative
communications skills, demonstrated project or
event management experience and familiarity with
the Manitoba faith constituency. The Board is
seeking an individual who exhibits a strong understanding and affirmation of the intersection of faith
values and mental health recovery.
Submit resumes to Director of Development
Search, Eden Foundation, Box 129, Winkler, MB
R6W 4A4. Fax 204-325-8742; james@edenhealthcare.ca. Applications will be received until the position is filled.
Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary Canada
(MBBS Canada) and Canadian Mennonite University
(CMU) invite applications for a full-time faculty
position in Ministry Studies at the CMU campus in
Winnipeg, Manitoba. The position involves teaching
Christian ministry preparation courses that are part
of the CMU graduate programs.
The successful candidate will have experience in pastoral ministry, a doctoral degree (or a
degree in process) in the specified teaching area, be
committed to evangelical-Anabaptist theology as
expressed in the Mennonite Brethren Confession
of Faith, be a member of (or willing to become a
member of) a Mennonite Brethren church, and be
able to work collegially within an inter-Mennonite
• understanding of and appreciation
for Anabaptism
• interestinCanadianculture
• demonstratedentrepreneurialskills
• willingandabletotravel
• abletoempower
• stronglisteningskills
• well-developedpeopleskills
For a full job description call the EM
Conference office at 204-326-6401 or email
efehr@emconf.ca.
To speak to someone about this role, contact
the search committee: Peter Dueck (204-3642442 or peter.dueck@vidir.com), Stephanie Unger
(204-779-2888 or sunger@shaw.ca), or Randy Fehr
(519-773-9021 or tpmconglomorate@gmail.com).
Resumes can be submitted to CPC Search
Committee, 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G
1Z5 or to any search committee member.
context. Areas of teaching expertise could include
leadership development, pastoral care and counselling, spiritual formation, and ministry supervision.
Nominations or inquiries may be directed to
Dr. Pierre Gilbert at pgilbert@cmu.ca or Dr. Karl
Koop at kkoop@cmu.ca. Information about CMU
and its graduate programs can be found at www.
cmu.ca; information about MBBS Canada can be
found at www.mbseminary.ca.
Review of applications will begin December 15,
2011, and will continue until the position is filled.
The appointment could begin as early as July 1, 2012.
Interested candidates should submit a letter of
application, a curriculum vitae, evidence of teaching
effectiveness, and contact information for three references. Applications can be submitted electronically to hrdirector@cmu.ca or by mail to Director of
Human Resources, Canadian Mennonite University,
500 Shaftesbury Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2.
MDS seeks a full-time Region V manager immediately. The manager works out of the MDS Canadian
office in Winnipeg, Man., supervising two staff
persons, managing the office, overseeing Region V
disaster response in Canada and USA (through binational office), and coordinating promotion of MDS
in Canada. The Region V Manager works closely
with the Region V board executive and carries out
their work plan.
The right person will have knowledge of the
Anabaptist constituency, strong communication
skills, proven leadership experience, and a vision
for growing this ministry. The applicant will fully
embrace the Anabaptist faith and peace position.
Experience with a non-profit or volunteer
agency is an asset. Post-secondary education is required. MDS Region V employs only Canadian citizens and those non-Canadian citizens authorized to
work in Canada.
Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer
network of Anabaptist churches that responds
in Christian love to those affected by disasters in
Canada and the U.S. While the main focus is on clean
up, repair and rebuilding homes, this service touches
lives and nurtures hope, faith and wholeness.
Email resume with a cover letter to jobs@mds.
mennonite.net. To view the full job description,
go to mds.mennonite.net/about-us/employment.
Applications will be considered until the position
is filled.
The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our
Conference, its churches, boards and
ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies
and educational institutions; and
the wider church. Ads are not to be
for monetary benefit. To place an ad,
e-mail messenger@emconf.ca or call
204-326-6401 and ask for Rebecca
Roman.
missional and multiplying
by Ward Parkinson
re:CALL—National Church Planting Congress 2011
T
he chilly breeze swirled
through the downtown
streets of Winnipeg, Man.,
as church planters, pastors and lay
leaders made their way to Calvary
Temple for the biennial Church
Planting Congress. The chill was
soon vanquished upon arrival by
the warm welcome extended by
Congress planners and volunteers.
There is a unique dynamic
that happens when Christians of
various denominations and stripes
get together and rediscover their
oneness in Jesus. Distinctions and
differences melt away amidst good
fellowship and networking.
The EMC was well represented
at this congress, with at least 55
registrants. I dare say we were the
largest group registration in the
whole event.
Just before the first plenary
session EMCers were hosted by the
good people of Many Rooms Church
Community, a network of three
(soon to be four) house churches
close to Winnipeg’s downtown core.
This was a good chance to catch up
with old acquaintances and meet
new people.
The event’s theme was re:CALL:
Living Mission in a Consumer’s
World. For me, one highlight of this
Congress was plenary speaker Skye
Jethani, Senior Editor of Leadership
Journal, a publication of Christianity
Today International.
Jethani encouraged us to be
people who see the world differently than most. Jesus taught many
things that appear to be counterintuitive because he saw the world
through the eyes of heaven.
For example, a widow’s mite
is worth more than the large gift
out of the wealthy man’s surplus,
offering the other cheek is a more
effective response than retaliation
toward the one who violates you,
and humility will get you further
than self-promotion.
A new vision for church planting and transformation, contends
offering expertise on everything
Jethani, will happen if we see
from Neighbourhood Transformation
people and the world as Jesus does,
to Immigrant Church Planting to
allowing the kingdom values to
reaching youth in a consumer age.
fire our imaginations. I found that
The good news for you: anyone can
many of the themes referred to by
go to the Forge Canada website
Jethani resonated strongly with
(www.forgecanada.ca) and downour Anabaptist perspective of the
load the audio for any workshop free
kingdom.
of charge!
Folks, don’t view our EMC
I offer sincere thanks to you, our
theological tradition as something
fellow EMC members, who help to
to downplay. I happen to think that
make the Congress more financially
it’s something others are discoveraccessible for our church planters.
ing anew.
May the benefits of events like this
Christine Pohl, another plenary
be multiplied in our churches over
speaker, taught about the lost value
the years!
of hospitality. This practice was
at the core of
New Testament
church life and,
Pohl suggests,
was integral to
Christian body
life. We neglect
hospitality only
at the expense of
vital fellowship.
There were
also two dozen
2011-2012 Tuition: ◆ MA Theological Studies
◆ MA Christian Ministry
$615 (per 3 credit hours)
workshops
◆ Certificate in Christian Studies
offered during
500 Shaftesbury Blvd. Wpg, MB | 1.877.231.4570 | www.cmu.ca
the two days of
the Congress,
re CALL
CONGRESS2011
graduate
programs
29
pictures of god
by Joanna Enns
T
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
Occupy
The Church still has the
he Occupy Wall
mandate to “occupy” the
Street moveworld, to bring freedom
ment started on
September 17, 2011, in New
to the oppressed.
York City and has since
spread around the world,
teachings challenged the
including major cities in
status quo and attracted
Canada.
derision from the powerThe movement chalful and popularity from
lenges the status quo of
Signs put up in St. James Park in downtown Toronto, where several protesters set up camp on October 15, 2011.
the masses.
the capitalist world, takIn the end, he was
ing a stand against social
evicted by the powerful, but sparked
and economic inequality. It emerged group of inebriated and unkempt
a movement that caught fire across
with general popularity, fanfare
young adults who were shouting
the world.
and media attention as protestors
unintelligible messages to innocent
The Church still has the
camped out in parks and public
passers-by.
mandate to “occupy” the world, to
A dedicated protestor would
spaces, developing a community of
challenge the status quo, to bring
likely have dissociated these
activists.
freedom to the socially and ecoindividuals as fringe members of
Although I had followed the
the movement and urged me to visit nomically and spiritually oppressed.
early media coverage, I had practiBy trading our tents for churches
the site to hear what the protestors
cally forgotten about the protests
and settling into the space we
really stand for. But sometimes
and moved on with my life until a
impressions are everything.
occupy, have we accepted the status
few days ago when I happened to
Although I didn’t visit the
quo?
pass the Occupy Toronto site at St.
Occupiers, the sight challenged me
Walking by the Occupy site, I
James Park.1
I noticed two things as passed
to think about what it really means
wondered if outsiders to the Jesus
the park. First, the tents, signs, and
to “occupy.” What does it mean to
movement feel as uncomfortable
general camaraderie gave the aptake a radical stand against the
entering our communities as I did
pearance of a very tight community. status quo?
entering St. James Park. Have we
Although I probably would have
What does it mean to move
become so cozy in our communities
been welcomed, as an outsider
out of your house and into a tent
that outsiders and newcomers feel
to the movement and somewhat
to make a statement to the world?
uneasy entering our events, espesceptical, I was hesitant to cross
What if your statement isn’t heard?
cially with their scepticism?
through the park or listen to the
What if it is misconstrued?
Or has our message become
impassioned speeches being held.
stagnant or irrelevant? Despite our
What if you are arrested for it?
The Occupy protestors I encoundissociation with radicals, is that
When Jesus left his home to
tered outside the park only added
the only sound bite most people get
“occupy” earth, he came for many
to my scepticism. On a nearby
of the same reasons protestors are
of our message?
street, I avoided eye contact with a
camping out around the world—to
This Christmas season, our
resist social inequalities, to declare
challenge is to occupy our worlds,
1 In early November, many of the Occupy
freedom to the oppressed and
to defend social justice, to welcome
groups were evicted and forcibly removed
to turn the power system upside
outsiders, and to remember the
from their sites; Occupy Toronto was ordered
down. His unorthodox practises and ultimate message: Peace on earth!
out of St. James Park on November 21, 2011.
30
stewardship today
by Harold Penner
Retirement planning: ‘The Decision Decade’
A
s we move closer to the
magic age of 65 years that
our society has deemed the
age of retirement, we find ourselves
wondering if we are ready for the
transition.
We question whether we have
set aside enough money for retirement and what our expenses may be
as we transition into the retirement
mode. We listen to and read reports
about the financial requirements of
retirement, listen to stories of those
who retired ahead of us, and worry
about what our days may be like or
how our retirement will compare to
the commercials portraying leisure
retirement living on a southern
beach or golf course.
Some refer to the five years prior
to and the five years immediately
following retirement as the Decision
Decade. They suggest we focus
beyond savings rates and investment returns to another factor
which may have a greater impact
on our ability to enjoy a positive
retirement.
That factor is the lifestyle
adjustments we may make leading
up to the golden handshake.
For most Canadians the five
years from age 60 to 65 are typically
the years of greatest disposable
income. These are the years of highest income combined with paid off
mortgages and our children having
moved out of our homes allowing us
a greater sense of freedom—financial and social.
We will have the time and
money to get out with friends, to
travel or explore other interests
we would not have participated
in earlier. This can be a helpful
opportunity to test different options
PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM
If we are not careful, we may find
that we have escalated our lifestyle
expenses and reduced the available
savings for funding that lifestyle.
to determine what we would like
to do with our coming retirement
freedom.
However, it is helpful to heed
a caution as well. The money we
spend in the five years preceding
and immediately following our
retirement is not going toward our
retirement savings, which means we
will not have it available to produce
earnings on which to live.
If we are not careful, we may
find we have escalated our lifestyle
expenses and reduced the available
savings for funding that lifestyle.
The result may be a sudden drop
in lifestyle shortly after retirement because we have depleted
our resources too quickly and the
lifestyle we planned to enjoy is no
longer available to us.
Those who speak about the
decision decade suggest the
more prudent option is to take a
pre-emptive look at our available
finances with a view to maintaining
the lifestyle we had throughout our
lives and budgeting our retirement
spending to match our expected
lifestyle.
If our reserves are not very high
we may choose to move to a new
work arrangement that allows us
to retain a smaller income stream
while still providing some time for
flexible lifestyle choices.
With a little planning we can
experience faithful joyful living
throughout our lives.
Harold Penner is a stewardship
consultant at the Winnipeg, Man.,
office of Mennonite Foundation
of Canada. MFC, a non-profit
organization, provides stewardship
education and estate and charitable
gift planning for no cost. Contact
your nearest MFC office or visit
Mennofoundation.ca.
31
THE
MESSENGER index for 2011
THE
MESSENGER
volume 49, number 1
January 2011
ARCHIVES ALCOVE
Issues of concern in 1980 and today
Menno Simons’ experience of grace
Dr. Archie Penner and pacifism
An over-stuffed suitcase!
What did Menno Simons say about assurance?
The Archives and the communion of saints
Ministerial minutes and change
Las Vegas in EMC circles: Self-published books
Simplex and the Priest
The EMC story reflects God’s manifold grace
The ‘hidden curriculum’ of Christian Education
Rev. Dave K. Schellenberg, a shaper of the EMC
Behold!
The Nations Are Entering
the City of God
p. 8
Also inside:
bus? p. 5
Will you catch a ride on the moderator’s
n p. 11
When Christians spread misinformatio
Project p. 15
Council delegates discuss The Harmony
Ministers rest at retreat p. 16
New leaders learn about the EMC p. 17
a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite
$2.00
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11-01-11 9:31 AM
THE
MESSENGER
Messenger 49 01.indd 1
A READER’S VIEWPOINT
volume 49, numbe
r2
February 2011
www.emconference.c
a/messenger
Not everyone is a rocker yet! Abe Warkentin
Who cares? Murray Barkman
Is wealth a sin? Debbie Funk
Proverbs from the construction site,
Bernard Wiebe
How would you answer? Don Hutchinson
The Foundation Upon Which Our Faith Rests,
Glenn Loewen
A resolution that gives reason for concern,
Don Hutchinson
Are we ‘sacrificing’ the blood of Jesus? Will Rose
Affirming Weekday
Ministers
PHOTO: dreamsTime.
cOm
p. 13
THE
MESSENGER
volume 49, number 3
March 2011
Word,
Living W
L
why are You so
hard to hear?
designPics.cOm
PHOTO: design
p. 9
THE
MESSENGER
volume 49, number 4
April 2011
PHOTO: dreamsTime.cOm
Inside:
Jesus, Easter, and Karl Barth p. 8
The Greatest Event Ever! p. 10
Love’s Transformation p. 12
32
Jan.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Nov.
ARTICLES
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Behold! The Nations are Entering the City
of God, Dr. David W. Shenk
Chicken Little Comes to Church, Dale Dueck
The Trouble with the Bible, Dr. Ed Neufeld
Pastors and Compassion Fatigue: the painful
cost of caring, Dr. Chris Marchand
10 Ways to Affirm Weekday Ministers,
Wally Kroeker
Living Word, why are You so hard to hear?
David Funk
To get the ‘buzz going’ where the kingdom
is resisted, Layton Friesen
Changing our minds: A first step toward
healing in our relationships with
Aboriginals, Andrew Reimer
Bullying in the Church? Dwight Munn
Jesus, Easter, and Karl Barth, Michael Welton
The Greatest Event Ever! Dr. Pierre Gilbert
Love’s Transformation, Cameron S. McKenzie
When Jesus lost it! Darren Plett
A God of Wrath or a God of Grace?
Dr. Pierre Gilbert
Early Anabaptists: a journey to unexpected
places, Terry M. Smith
Moving toward our preferred future,
Trudy Dueck
What does it mean to be a Mennonite?
Dwight Munn
Jan.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Mar.
Rights in a world of wrongs, Dr. August Konkel
Not2us… Less of us and more of God
(with sidebars), Hannah Wiebe
Not2Us… Thoughts from the Conference
Youth Minister, Gerald Reimer
This is why we are part of a Christian
community! Cheryl Braun
Worship songs are conversation—choose the
words carefully! Dr. Christine Longhurst
Incarnational ministry in the larger Canadian
context, David Funk
The Jesus Way: Foundations, Scott Koop
Convention 2011 in photos, Rebecca Roman
If God is our Father…, David Funk
A Defence of Poor Preaching, Layton Friesen
El Camino de Jesús entre Gente Hispana,
Antonio Pitta
The Jesus Way among the Hispanic People,
Antonio Pitta
Secretario Generalo electo, César García
reflexiona sobre su viaje y su vision,
Kathy Heinrichs Wiest
MWC General Secretary-elect César García reflects
on journey and vision, Kathy Heinrichs Wiest
Joe and Olga Reimer: grateful to ‘the Spirit’
who led them in ministry, Terry M. Smith
The Jesus Way: Respecting Traditional,
Conservative Mennonites, Abe Bueckert
A Church That Speaks Only One Language,
Angel Infantes
Una Iglesia Que Habla Un Solo Idioma,
Angel Infantes
Living in the fast lane while easing on the pedal,
William Kehler
Impossible possibilities, Sue Sorensen
Christmas story, Andrew Reimer
The truth of Christmas amid mourning
and pain, Jeff Plett
Mar.
BIRTHS
Mar.
Mar.
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CHURCH NEWS
May
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June
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Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
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Crestview
EFC Steinbach
EFC Fort Frances
Fort Garry
Good News
Heartland
Hillside
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Apr.
Feb., May (2)
Apr., Nov.
Feb., Sept.
Feb., June, Aug., Oct.
Sept., Dec.
Apr.
Jan., July, Oct.
Jan.
Feb., Aug.
Sept., Nov.
Jan., Apr., Sept.
Feb.
Apr., Sept., Nov.
THE
MESSENGER
volume 49, number 5
May 2011
CONVENTION
Behold! The Nations are Entering the City
of God, Dr. David W. Shenk
Incarnational ministry in the larger Canadian
context, David Funk
The Jesus Way: Foundations, Scott Koop
Convention 2011 in photos, Rebecca Roman
Ministerial meets ‘without the screaming’
Delegates unprepared to vote on Unity
in Diversity document
Summary of Harmony Project lunch discussion
Convention makes history with use of
three languages
Conference board election results
Jan.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
EDITORIALS
How will we share the Good News in 2011?
Four impressions
Ministry routes and an asterisk
The Naked Lutheran
Bhatti, a Christian martyr
As events unfold
Of first importance
CMU, PTS, and EMC
External and internal discussions
Learning from the Early Church
Displaced by disaster
Decisions, delegates needed
A treat and a challenge
Truth in life
It would have been nice!
Famine and bailout
Treated as if Christ himself
Jan.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Mar.
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
June
June
July
July
Aug.
Aug.
Sept.
PHOTO: designPics.cOm
Feb.
Mar.
May
p. 8
Also inside:
A God of wrath or a God of grace? p. 11
Early Anabaptists: a journey to
unexpected places p. 14
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FOCUS ON
volume 49, number 6
June 2011
How much autonomy?
Mar.
What is the strongest influence?
Apr.
‘New Wine’ at MCC—what does it mean for EMC? Oct.
Moving
towar ds
o u r p r e fe r r e d
future
Something new!
How many ways can you say, ‘Thank you’?
The Monkey Bread Tree
Who is God?
The beasts and the birds
A Spring riddle
How is your memory?
An ant lesson
How cool are you?
How to be thankful
My favourite thing
A time of waiting
LETTERS
Let’s be constructive! Wes Dick
Joyful noise! Tim Field
A breath of fresh air, Randy Hiebert
Education needed, Brenda Funk
Worship leaders, it is a reminder, Mo Friesen
We need to pray and share, David and Elaine Fehr
March issue especially appreciated, Ron Penner
Christian companies, help employees
with health issues, Chuck Friesen
A Christ-uplifting experience! Earl Unger
Portrayal of Jesus inaccurate, Rosalind Petzold
To an outsider it looked as if Jesus ‘lost it!’
Darren Plett
Connections with EMC are valued,
Gordon Johnson
A balance of conference leadership needed,
Darryl Klassen
Concerned about disregarding constitution
with tacit approval, Don Thiessen
One image no test of orthodoxy, Glen Klassen
Surprised by struggle, Senator Don Plett
Jan.
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p. 8
PHOTO: designPics.cOm
KIDS’ CORNER
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THE
a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
MESSENGER
www.emconference.ca/me
ssenger
volume 49, number
7
July 2011
2
NOT
us...
p. 8
$2.00
a publication of the
June
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te Conference
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Co
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EMC FAQ
Resources are available!
More than money
What is a ‘faq’?
lost
When Jesus
it!
wiebe
Aberdeen
Sept.
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PHOTOs: HannaH
CHURCH PROFILE
Weakness and God’s power
Does Luther’s hammer still ring?
Congregational creativity and commitment
When soldiers want to flee
An Advent question
The Good News beyond its rivals
To enter boldly with hesitation
volume 49, number 8
August 2011
Aug.
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RomAn
June, Nov.
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Inside:
Incarnational ministry in the
larger Canadian context p. 8
The Jesus Way: Foundations p. 10
Convention makes history with
use of three languages p. 21
And much more!
MISSIONAL AND MULTIPLYING
Times they are a-changing
Feb.
The Holy Spirit still speaks Low German!
April
Treating the Church’s osteoporosis
June
Re:Call—National Church Planting Congress 2011 Dec.
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33
MISSIONS
THE
MESSENGER
volume 49, number 9
September 2011
r Father…
If God is ou
photo: designpics.com
p. 8
Also inside:
Poem: Her Clouds p. 7
A defence of poor preaching p. 12
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October 2011
El Camino
Jesús
s
Jesu
y
de
entre Gente Hispana
p. 8
The
Wa
among the
Hispanic people
p. 10
Also inside:
photos: designpics.com
Secretario General electo, César García
12
reflexiona sobre su viaje y su visión p.
MWC General Secretary-elect César García
reflects on journey and vision p. 14
Joe and Olga Reimer: grateful to ‘the
who led them in ministry p. 16
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gjuhë që tejkalon barrierat • un llenguatge
que transcendeix les barreres • sprog, som
overskrider barrierer • kieli, joka ylittää
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est
langage qui transcende les barrières • valodā,
kas pārvar las barjeres • wika na transcends
Sprache, die Grenzen überschreitet • taal
wat struikelblok
struikelblokke te bowe gaan • linguagem
que transcende barreiras • lugha ambayo
bayo ipitayo vikwazohadlang •
kieli, joka ylittää esteet • gjuhë që tejkalon
barrierat • un llenguatge
tge que transcendeix les barreres
volume• 49,
sprog,
number
som11
overskrider barrierer •
wika na transcends hadlang • idioma que
trasciende las barreras • un langage qui
November 2011
www.emconfere
transcende
nce.ca/messenger
les barrières • valodā, kas pārvar las barj
lugha ambayo ipitayo vikwazohadlang
• Sprache, die Grenzen überschreitet •
taal wat struikelblokke te bowe gaan •
linguagem
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sprog, som overskrider barrierer • kieli,
joka ylittää esteet • gjuhë që tejkalon barrierat
• un llenguatge que transcendeix les barreres
valodā, kas pārvar las barjeres • wika na
•
transcends hadlang • idioma que trasciende
las barreras • un langage qui transcende
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les barrières •
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die Grenzen überschreitet • taal wat struikelblokke
un llenguatge que transcendeix les barreres
blokke te bowe gaan •
• sprog, som overskrider barrierer • kieli,
un langage qui transcende les barrières
rierat •
• valodā, kas pārvar las barjeres • wika na
aal wat struikelblokke te bowe gaan • linguagem
las barreras •
ipitayo vikwazohadlang • Sprache, die Grenze
est
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lugha ambayo ipitayo vikwazohadlang
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sprog, som overskrider barrierer •
un llenguatge que transcendeix les bar
valodā, kas pārvar las barjeres •
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•
The Jesus Way: Respecting traditional,
conservative Mennonites p.taal
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•
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Church
that
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p. 14
die Grenzen überschreitet •
esteet •
ache, die Grenzen überschreitet • taal wat
hadlan
ipitayo vikwazohadlang •
barrierat • un llenguatge que transcendeix
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ha ambayo ipitayo vikwazohadlang • Sprache,
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barreiras •
• un llenguatge que transcendeix les barrere
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a publication
• of the Evangelical Mennonite
Mennoni Conference
che, die Grenzen überschreitet • taal wat
s hadlang •
que transcende barreiras •
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THE
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Language that
tra nscends barriers
THE
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December 2011
The truth of
Christmas
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a publication of the Evangelical
34
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MODERATOR’S MUSINGS
How well do we know each other?
Are we missional?
Convention-al thoughts
Jan.
June
Aug.
NATIONAL
Impossible possibilities p. 6
Christmas story p. 8
The truth of Christmas amid
mourning and pain p. 10
Heaven’s Love p. 13
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Africa: Terry Smith
Fort Chipewyan, Alta.: Arlyn van Enns
Winnipeg: Laurie Kozak
Papua New Guinea: Lorie Schierer
Paraguay: Landis Benítez
Ethiopia: Rolf Kruse
Nicaragua special projects
Mexico: John Reimer
Burkina Faso: Paul Thiessen
South Africa: Joe and Olga Reimer
Madagascar: Jocelyn R. Plett
Mexico: Rosanne Buhler
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Paraguay: Anne Braun
Thailand: Ed and Ruth Anne Peters
Sudan/Canada: Lauren Anderson
Philippines: Cynthia Barkman
Mexico: Connie Reimer
Mennonite Conference
EMC delegates talk openly, harmoniously
‘Driven’ ministers need rest
NLO looks to the EMC
EMCers at CMU discuss academic freedom
‘What are the values of the EMC?’
EMCers graduate
Conference board nominations
Correction to EMCers graduate
EMCers graduate
New EMC conference pastor hired
EMC Archives Committee members sought!
Jan.
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Jan.
May
May
May
June
June
July
Oct.
Oct.
Region 7 leaders retreat for prayer
Christmas greetings from the EMC office staff
Nov.
Dec.
NEWS ITEMS
EMCers add their voices!
Rest Haven evening remembers courageous
Christians
Westpointe wins first EM Cup!
Creating a culture for recovery
A ‘hinge moment’ in Canadian history
Former MCC director, J. M. Klassen, dies at 81
Higher food prices good for poor farmers
CFGB-related project bringing hope in Haiti
Zentner serves in Northern Saskatchewan!
Food crisis a threat to global stability
Urgent call to prayer for Egypt
District Two Mennonites lose their church centre
Decision released on freedom of commissioners
in Sask.
Former panhandler wows MEDA audience
Board member fills new MEDA position
Water cisterns improve life in Bolivia
MDS cuts budget to reflect new realities,
original vision
MCC international workers in Egypt relocated,
now returning
New MEDA project to boost rice and textiles
in Ethiopia
MCC thrift shop sales continue to boom
EFC calls for defense of religious minority rights
SBC offers Administrative Assistant Day
MCC welcomes donations for Japan
MHSC launches MCC Canada history
and database
The world has moved on, but Pakistan is needy
‘What does it mean to be Anabaptist?’
The EFC intercedes for Christian on death row
Debit cards spell relief for Pakistan flood victims
More hunger as food prices climb
Richard Thiessen managing editor of GAMEO
Bernardine Plett thanked for her efforts
Steve Dueck interviewed about POI
Providence is becoming greener
West Africans strengthen ties with MWC
Donate MPI rebate and help those with less: MCC
MDS works in flood-damaged B.C. village
Tour to Ukraine, poignant way to recall
EMC history
César García to become MWC General Secretary
MCC promotes ‘farming God’s way’
Over two million people benefit from
CFGB in 2010
DPRK visitors to Canada build connections
with MCC
Dueck brothers share Briercrest award
MCC helping ‘the poorest of the poor’ in Pakistan
Dueck honoured at Providence and Briercrest
Eden holds grand opening
MDS ready to respond to Manitoba
flood recovery
MCC program reaches out to moms
Stiller named as WEA global ambassador
Stitching healthier communities in Cambodia
Jan.
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MDS takes cost-cutting measures
July
MWC delegation visits Japan
July
MCC requests funds for E. Africa drought
responseAug.
Tractor Trek attracts youth
Aug.
Apple Project benefits hungry people,
congregationAug.
Foodgrains Bank responds to East Africa
droughtAug.
MSC celebrates 66 CRS and IDS graduates Aug.
Wall of Remembrance to be dedicated
on Sept. 11
Aug.
Canadian Christians invited to Fast for
ChangeSept.
CFGB commits $8.5M to East Africa
drought response
Sept.
MCC expands response for East Africa
droughtSept.
Institution gets new name: Providence
University College
Sept.
Larry Miller named GCF secretary
Sept.
MEDA pilot project protects children
at work
Sept.
Peace Sunday packet 2011 available
Sept.
150 golfers attend Project Builders
tournamentOct.
Stolen aid not whole story of disaster
responseOct.
Thanks expressed for East Africa donations Oct.
Child-centred preschool boosts Batwa
educationOct.
An MDS update
Oct.
Foodgrains Bank commits additional
$300,000 to East Africa
Oct.
IDOP is Sunday, November 13, 2011
Oct.
MWC begins talk with SDA
Oct.
Poor rains expected to delay drought
recoveryNov.
Mennonite-Lutheran reconciliation
gets ‘planted’
Dec.
Providence looks at God, Government,
and GospelDec.
CFGB signs new $125M agreement with
governmentDec.
Dec.
Dec.
Manitoba men’s mission to help in Minot Dec.
OBITUARIES
Jacob Plett Siemens, 1921–2010
Jan.
Menno L. Reimer, 1928–2010
Jan.
Harry R. Friesen, 1941–2010
Jan.
Elizabeth Kroeker, 1918–2011
Mar.
Louise Olson (nee Reimer), 1928–2011
Apr.
Harvey Roland Kroeker, 1928–2010
Apr.
Francis Thiessen, 1930–2010
May
Elizabeth (Liz) Friesen, 1930–2011
May
Gladwin Plett, 1929–2011
June
Ben P. Penner, 1923–2010
June
Abraham Neudorf, 1930–2011
June
Jacob (Jac) P. Friesen, 1928–2010
July
Orlanda Anna Rempel (nee Hamm),
1921–2010July
John Toews, 1928–2010
July
Minola Kroeker, 1937–2011
Michael (Mike) Martiniuk, 1930–2011
Peter G. Schlamp, 1919–2011
Raymond James Friesen, 1936–2011
Oct.
Oct.
Nov.
Nov.
PEOPLE MOVEMENT
Lynden Neudorf, MCC
Dallas and Tara Wiebe, BOM
Diana Peters, BLO and GB
New EMC conference pastor hired
LeRoy and Faith Siemens, BOM
Apr.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Oct.
Praying for Power
Jan.
Living on the outside
Feb.
Living alone in the land
Mar.
Relationships and wedding plans
Apr.
Time to escape fear
May
Waiting for the rain
Sept.
Temporary residents
Oct.
The legal[istic] art of loving your neighbour Nov.
OccupyDec.
POEMS
SHOULDER TAPPING
Feb.
June
July
Sept.
Dec.
All issues
SOCIAL CONCERNS
To get the ‘buzz going’ where the kingdom
is resisted, Layton Friesen
Mar.
Changing our minds: A first step toward
healing in our relationships with
Aboriginals, Andrew Reimer
Mar.
STEINBACH BIBLE COLLEGE
Four students injured, but God’s faithfulness revealed
Jan.
SBC’s Leadership Conference is coming
online!Feb.
SBC connects with conferences
Mar.
Update on SBC’s ‘Blue Man’ contest
Mar.
SBC offers Administrative Assistant Day
Apr.
SBC EMC graduates 2011
May
Class of 2011 chooses ‘the road less traveled’June
Statement of Reconciliation
July
SBC begins year-long 75th anniversary
celebrationSept.
Newest SBC course is a hit!
Nov.
STEWARDSHIP TODAY
Usufruct—use of fruit
Things I know
Will we see the signs?
Are you ready?
Missing the Mark
Christians, don’t get swindled!
Joyful Generosity
WEDDINGS
Jan., Feb., May, June, July, Sept., Oct., Nov.
WINDOW ON MISSIONS
PICTURES OF GOD
The Trash Heap, Sigi Hiebert
I never imagined, Lynette Esau
I AM’s Child, Anicka Loewen
Her Clouds, Anicka Loewen
Heaven’s Love, Eleanor Lee Gustaw
Why give?
Aug.
The spin-off effects of the giving cycle
Sept.
Marriage and money
Oct.
Will Big Bird save philanthropy?
Maybe not.
Nov.
Retirement planning: ‘The Decision
Decade’Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Part one: a new generation reaches out
in creative ways
Part two: closing the generation gap by
partnership in missions
Sale of El Paso guesthouse the end
of an era
Aug.
Sept.
Nov.
Dec.
WRITINGS SHARED
Exploring the Word, Dr. Jerry Hildebrand
Jan.
All Right Now: Finding Consensus on Ethics,
Timothy J. Geddert
Jan.
Christians and War: A Brief History of
the Church’s Teachings and Practices,
A. James Reimer
Jan.
Sexuality: God’s Gift, Ann Krabill
HershbergerFeb.
Tongue Screws and Testimonies: Poems,
Stories and Essays Inspired by the
Feb.
Martyrs Mirror, ed. Kirsten Beachey
Ecclesiastes, Douglas B. Miller
Feb.
A look at Sunday School materials,
Ray Hill
Mar.
Families on the move: Growing up overseas
Apr.
and loving it! Marion Knell
Beliefs: Mennonite Faith and Practice,
John D. Roth
Apr.
Prophetic Peacemaking: Selected
Writings of J. R. Burkholder,
ed. Keith Graber Miller
May
Double Take: new meanings from old
May
stories, Timothy G. Geddert
Planting Churches in the 21st Century:
A guide for those who want fresh
perspectives and new ideas for
creating congregations, Stuart Murray June
Worship & Mission After Christendom,
Alan Kreider and Eleanor Kreider July
Living Today with an Eye for Eternity:
Studies in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus,
Raymond O. Bystrom
Aug.
1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Paul M. Zehr
Aug.
Finishing Well to the Glory of God:
Strategies from a Christian Physician,
John Dunlop
Oct.
Mennonite Girls can Cook, Lovella
Schellenberg et al.
Nov.
Whatever happened to dinner? Recipes
and Reflections for Family Mealtimes,
Melodie M. Davis
Nov.
35
kids’ corner
36
Rhyming:
The first person says a word, any
word. Others who are playing with
you name as many words that
rhyme until there are no more
words to rhyme with it. The last
person to name a rhyming word
wins. Then he starts off with a new
word to rhyme with.
M
Have fun while you are waiting.
S .CO
As they traveled through the
desert to the land God had promised, he gave them many laws: what
to eat, how to obey and worship
him, the Ten Commandments.
He promised them a Saviour.
This is what they needed, someone
who would save them from their
enemies, and also from themselves.
The waiting began. When would
he come? No one knew.
God chose Mary who loved him
and listened to him. He told her the
great news.
An angel spoke to her. “The
Lord is with you,” he said. “You are
blessed. You will have a son and his
name will be Jesus.”
Then he told Joseph, “Don’t be
afraid. He is my son.”
But first they had to travel to
Bethlehem. The time had come.
Out in the darkness on
the hills behind
Bethlehem
there were
shepherds
watching their
sheep. Suddenly the
angel broke through the
night sky.
The shepherds were
surprised. Then they heard the
news, “A Saviour is born. He will
save the people from their sins. Go
and find him.” And they did.
That was the first Christmas.
The waiting was over.
Read the story in Luke 2:1–16.
N PI C
F
rom the very beginning when
Adam and Eve lived in the Garden
of Eden they knew who God was.
Like a friend God would come to their
home and visit with them.
He told them what to do; he told
them what was right and what was
wrong.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed
God they had to leave their garden
home, but God did not leave them.
He continued to watch over them
and instruct them. God had a plan.
God wanted his people to obey
him and he wanted to guide them.
He punished them when they
disobeyed.
Cain had to leave his home
and live in hardship for killing his
brother Abel. God created the flood
because the people around Noah
did not obey him.
God also made promises. He
placed a rainbow in the sky as a
promise not to flood the earth again.
He promised Abraham a son and
a whole nation of people as his descendants. God expected Abraham
to trust him. Abraham heard God
and he obeyed him. God’s promises
were real.
A son, Isaac, was born to
Abraham—and many more descendants like Joseph and Moses. Joseph
brought them to Egypt because of a
famine and Moses got them out.
Each step of the way God guided
them. He gave Moses a helper and
did miracles to persuade Pharaoh to
let them leave.
Categories:
While waiting for someone or while
driving in the car, choose a letter,
like T, and name as many foods
as you can that begin with that
letter, like tomato, tacos, etc. The
last person to name a food with
that letter wins. Then he chooses a
letter and begin all over again. For
a change, name a letter and list as
many cars or countries as you can.
E SI G
A time of waiting
Activity: Play a waiting game.
PH O
TO :
D
by Loreena Thiessen
THE MESSENGER
Evangelical Mennonite Conference
440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5
Publications Mail Agreement #40017362
Registration #09914

The truth of Christmas - Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Transcription

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