Gathering 2012

Since my early teen years, I’ve harboured a more than mild interest in our feathered friends. My Grade 9 teacher had a remarkable love of the outdoors, and birds in particular. He helped us observe the markings of birds, pushing us to be attentive to a bird’s location by listening for the chirps, whistles, and screeches unique to each species.

At its Jan. 27–28 meeting in Abbotsford, B.C., the executive board of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (CCMBC) unanimously approved, in principle, the findings and recommendations of the National Ministry Effectiveness Project. The project – a review of all conference ministries – was commissioned by the board in conjunction with its hiring of executive director Willy Reimer in early 2011.