August 2008

Twenty-five years and many pounds ago, I was on a competitive synchronized swimming team. As a teen, every aspect of “synchro” appealed to me: the music, the sequins, the camaraderie, and the thrill of competition. I even enjoyed holding my breath until I was dizzy.

In early May, Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont., sent a short-term mission team to Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda. The eight participants returned transformed, carrying with them many lessons out of Africa.

As one of the prophets of postmodernism, Yeats wasn’t writing about the state of the MB conference in Canada in 2008, but his commentary should resonate with us. We along with other Western evangelicals are deeply mired in a crisis of lost centres.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.—Proverbs 17:22

A new approach to creation care is being explored in Peru’s mangrove forest by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).

Image: A Journal of the Arts and Religion
Editor: Gregory Wolfe
I felt embarrassed about the barebones sanctuary as I attended a service in a Mennonite church far from my home. Meeting that day was an ecumenical group of editors from across Canada: Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, and all shades of Mennonite. Surely some would miss their stained glass windows, paintings, and beautifully constructed buildings.

I was in my fifties when I realized – or learned from observing others of my generation – that the best way to visually trick away the sometimes depressing appearance…

That there is “a fair bit of dissatisfaction” among its members and supporters over the “unwieldiness” of an organization that takes a minimum of six months to approve decisions – assuming all 12 boards are in agreement from the beginning – was acknowledged by Arli Klassen at the annual Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) binational board meeting in Waterloo, Ont., June 11–12.

Farewell to Abe Klassen, Graeme Isbister, David Eagle

Introducing Doug Dirks

I can’t mow my lawn right now. Not because I’m physically unable to do so and not because I don’t need to. I can’t mow my lawn right now because I don’t own a lawnmower. There’s one close by, but I can’t get to it right now because it’s in my neighbour’s garage.

It was Thanksgiving Day 2007. Our extended family had planned a dinner for 6 pm.
The weather was bright, and the sun was warm and forgiving. My wife and I had gone for an early afternoon coffee and muffin and were returning home when we received a cell phone call that our son was in Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C., and we needed to get there quickly.

A team of 5 from Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church travelled to Mazatlan, Mexico in Feb. to build a house for a couple whose previous home was literally falling over on top of them.

Knowing and Living Your Faith, a commentary and study guide on the International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) Confession of Faith released in June, is a 130-page booklet prepared by 16 international leaders. All global MB churches are encouraged to use the resource for Bible-intensive study between Sept. 2008–Dec. 2009.