Oct. 19, CMU launched its Redekop School of Business, made possible by the generosity of the Redekop family of Fraser Valley, B.C., as “an expression of thanksgiving for God’s care for the family of Jacob and Maria Redekop.” John and Peter Redekop and nephew James pledged a minimum of $6.5 million to found the school with the goal of “[educating] the next generation in commerce, marketing, and finance…in a university that inspired and prepares future leaders with skills complemented by Christian ethics, integrity, and service” explained Peter. The program will offer 3- and 4-year BAs and 4- and 5-year BBAs.—CMU release
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) appointed Ron Rempel as news editor Nov. 1. Rempel has more than 30 years of experience in Mennonite church journalism: 8 as executive director of Mennonite Publishing Network and 24 as editor and publisher of Canadian Mennonite. Rempel is eager to uncover and foster indigenous communication systems that connect the confessional family of MWC, 75 percent of which is in the Global South. Former MWC editor Byron Rempel-Burkholder will continue to edit MWC’s quarterly magazine Courier-Correo-Courrier.—MWC release
Canadian Foodgrains Bank signed a new 5-year, $125 million funding agreement with Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). “We are proud to recognize the Canadian Foodgrains Bank as Canada’s biggest contributor to ending global hunger,” said minister of international cooperation Beverley J. Oda. A portion of the funds will provide wheat flour, pulses, oil, and salt to 16,000 flood-affected people in Pakistan, as well as continuing response in East Africa, where the organization’s long-standing partnership with CIDA allowed them to assist long before it was in the news.—CFGB release
Communitas Supportive Care Society, an agency affiliated with MCC BC offering care to persons with disabilities, welcomed Tom Balke as stewardship director in October. Tom is a member of Cedar Park MB Church, Delta, B.C.—Communitas release
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Located in a historic girls’ schoolhouse, the Mennonite Centre celebrated 10 years of providing food, medical aid, and social assistance in Molochansk, Ukraine. At the anniversary celebration, historian Viktor Penner said, “More than giving material aid, the Mennonite Centre has helped people to change on the inside. With their own example, Mennonites have shown what practical Christianity means.”—youtube.com/userMennoniteCentre
Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., celebrated its 75th anniversary under the theme “remember, rejoice, renew, revitalize” with a banquet, prayer breakfast, and worship services. The Oct. 7–9 event included greetings from mayor George Peary, MLA John van Dongen, Columbia Bible College president Ron Penner, Tabor Home chaplain Roland Balzer, and daughter churches Bakerview, Ross Road, and North Fraser Community.—Katie Schmidt
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) celebrated 25 years of nonviolent peacemaking Oct. 13–16 in Evanston, Ill. Plenary speaker Elce Redmond credited his CPT experience of protecting children in Palestine with preparing him to create the Austin Peaceforce, a program training youth and adults to de-escalate and prevent violence among their peers in a troubled Chicago neighbourhood. Angelica Castellanos shared that in her native Colombia, if it were not for the protection of CPT, social organizers could not safely help peasants remain on their land.—mennoweekly.org
“We are re-visioning our current head office to create a much more active and welcoming centre where people touch, taste, and participate in MCC’s practical response to the needs of the world,” says Rick Cober Bauman, executive director of MCC Ontario. MCCO will build an entirely new, two-storey building totalling 51,000 square feet, better suited to today’s accessibility standards and MCCO’s programming, on its current Kitchener location. The $12-million project is expected to be completed in October 2013, with demolition and ground-breaking beginning in mid-2012.
—MCCO release
