IHEARD THE STORY of a most miraculous birth at the Pacific District Conference convention last month. It didn't take place in a hospital but a church. It wasn't a child that was born but a woman And her father wasn't of this world but of heaven.
I and about 700 other people listened to Stephanie Pratt, a woman who grew up in a prominent Mormon family in Salt Lake City, talk about how God reached in and took her out of darkness and into light It was a mesmerizing story that left many of us praising and in awe of God's power, goodness and faithfulness.
Stephanie ' S story reminded me of another-the story of the birth of Jesus. In Luke, an angel comes to a group of shepherds in the fields the night ofJesus' birth. The angel says that "a Savior has been born." The skies fill with angels, praising God When the angels leave, the shepherds say to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened " (Luke 2:15)
This thing that has happened This incomprehensible act of God that brings us to our knees in awe and praise. The miracle ofJesus
The articles in this issue of the Leader approach that miracle from different perspectives, and we discover that Jesus' birth was miraculous in more ways than one. In our first article, Eddy Hall examines the historically inaccurate depiction of the traditional nativity scene and discovers its portrayal of an unlikely group of people brought together by Jesus' birth. The next article touches on an environment of terror-one which we can sympathize with all too well-that Joseph had to deal with as he took Mary to Bethlehem As a sidebar to that article, we included the reflections of a woman who remembers one Christmas long ago in the midst of the terrors of war, hardship and tragedy. And finally, we include a fictional piece-a Christmas story about a 12-year old girl who contemplates revenge for a year's worth of teasing by her younger brothers
May God bless you this Christmas, and may the miracle of Jesus be made real to you. BleSSings. -CA
COMING
-JANUARY 27, 2002-Mennonite World Conference Fellowship Sunday
_ FEBRUARY 17, 2002-Peace Sunday
-JULY 25-27, 2002-U.S. Conference and General Conference conventions in Abbotsford, British Columbia , Canada
A Christmas story about a 12-year-old girl planning revenge for a year's worth of practical jokes and teasing by her two younger brothers.
•
• Pressing on in ministry 22
• Radtke urges delegates to build up the
• Sharing God's faithfulness 25
• Tributes to a "hero" 26 • End of an era 27
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The Christian Leader (ISSN 0009-5149) is published monthly by the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Brethren members and churches of the events, activities, decisions and issues of their denomination, and to instruct, inspire and initiate dialogue so members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelical/Anabaptist theological tradition. However, the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Christian Leader, the Board of Communications or the Mennonite Brethren Church.
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Carmen Andres
Connie Faber
BOARD
Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, chair; Peggy Goertzen, Harold Loewen, Phil Neufeld, Dalton Reimer.
why do we lind an historically inaccurate scene so compelling?
IT REALLY DIDN'T HAPPEN THAT WAY, you know- the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the she ep and camels and donkeys, all posing around the manger with the star hanging above the stable.
To begin with, the Bible says that once the angels had delivered their message to the shepherds in the field, they returned to heaven. They didn't dart over to the stable.
And the wise men, despite the pictures on Christmas cards, never showed up at the stable at all By the time they got to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were living in a house (Matt. 2: 11), and it was over the house, not the stable, that the star came to rest (Matt. 2:9) .
So how did we end up with what we know as the traditional nativity scene? I've long assumed that it was just sloppiness. Caught up in the less than accurate traditions that surround Christmas, people just didn't care how the story really happened
But I've changed my mind. I now believe the manger scene has become the defining symbol of the Christmas story because it captures the essence of that story in a way that a more historically accurate depiction may not
Look again at who is gathered around the manger Mary, probably a teenage mom, chosen by God for her servant heart. Joseph , a skilled craftsman, solidly middle class by the day's standards, but hardly affluent . Shepherds, dirty and smelly, generally considered untrustworthy riffraff And magi from the East-educated, exotic, wealthywho came to pay homage to the new king.
Where else could you find such an unlikely assortment-poor, middle class, wealthy? And what brought them together? Why do we each Christmas set up our creches with Mary and Joseph and the shepherds and the wise men arrayed together?
BY EDDY HALL
Because of the focal point of that scene-the baby in the manger. People who ordinarily have little to do with one another are brought together not because of any mutual attraction but because they are each drawn to worship the Christ child.
In his birth, Jesus gave birth to a highly improbable community. And it was a pregnant sign of what was to come.
When Jesus began his public ministry, who followed him?
There were the devout ones, of course, who recognized in Jesus something special. Andrew, upon meetingJesus, announced to his brother, "We have found the Messiah!" Nathanael, when he met Jesus, said, "You are the Son of God-the King of Israel!" For such people to identify with Jesus comes as no surprise.
Bu t among Jesus' circle of friends we also find tax collectors, despised both for their collaboration with the hated Roman oppressors and also for their nasty habit of extortion. Zaccaheus was among these, as was Matthew.
Jesus attracted prostitutes, lepers, those afflicted with demons-people who had been rejected by mainstream society. Jesus earned-and wore with honor-the badge intended as an insult, "friend of tax collectors and sinners."
YetJesus ' traveling company also included women of sufficient wealth that they were able to financially support Jesus and the Twelve.
These Twelve, Jesus' closest circle of friends, included not only Matthew, a collaborator with the Romans, but also Simon the Zealot, pledged to the violent overthrow of the Roman occupiers.
Rich and poor, respected and despised, radical left and ultraright-all came together, not because of any attraction they had for each other, but because ofJesus.
The early church is made up of this same motley mix--devoutJews ecstatic that their long-awaited Messiah had come, along with former thieves, murderers, idolaters, adulterers; Roman soldiers and militant Jewish nationalists; Pharisees and Gentiles; slaves and slaveholders.
What could such a wide diversity of humanity possibly have in common that would forge them together into a community of shared life? Just one thing-they all followed the same Lord.
This unlikely community is not just a historical curiosity but also a living reality. Today-as at Jesus' birth, as during Jesus' earthly ministry, as in the early days of the church-the invitation to follow Jesus is not just an invitation to a relationship with one Person. It is an invitation to join a unique community
John the Evangelist, in witnessing to the life of Jesus, explains why when he writes, "It is this which
we have seen and heard that we declare to you also, in order that you may share with us in a common life, that life which we share with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3, REV).
The evangelistic invitation is not just an invitation to know Jesus, as we in our individualistic culture have often implied. It is an invitation to share a common life with Jesus, with the Father and with all the brothers and sisters that come with the family.
As much as we might sometimes wish otherwise, we cannot enter into community with Jesus without also entering into community with his other followers. We cannot join the family of God without acquiring a host of Siblings. These people, many of whom we have no earthly reason to befriend, become our sisters and brothers, because of Jesus
Dancing charismatics and liturgical Lutherans, conservatives and liberals, wealthy and poor, educated and uneducated, lovers of hymns, lovers of rock and roll and lovers of country music, people with brokenness of all kinds-sexual, physical, emotional, spiritual-we have all been invited to the party. We have all been adopted into the family.
As members of this family, we are called not only to worship the same Lord but to love one anotherto honor one another, to share with one another, to serve one another, to forgive one another, to carry each other's burdens.
The Christ who calls us into relationship with himself does not give us the option of loving him without also loving one another.
This, I suspect, even if we haven't thought about it, is why we find the historically inaccurate nativity scene so compelling. It not only draws together the various strands of the Christmas narrative. It draws together varied humanity.
Perhaps in looking on that manger scene, we can imagine ourselves kneeling at the manger, surrounded by such a diverse assortment of fellow worshipers that there would be no conceivable reason for our ever coming together except for the baby in the manger.
This Christmas, as we study the stable and its visitors, may it remind us to celebrate not only the baby in the manger, but also the gift of being embraced by-and the call to embrace-this most unlikely community. •
Eddy Hall is a church consultant who works with congregations to enhance ministry through training events and strategic planning of ministries, staffing and finances. He is a former co-editor of With, the Mennonite youth magazine. 1bis article first appeared in the Mennonite Weekly Review.
Dancing charistmatics and liturgical Lutherans, conservatives and liberals, wealthy and poor, educated and uneducated, lovers of hymns, lovers of rock and roll and lovers of country music, people with brokenness of all kindswe have all been invited to the party. We have all been adopted into the family.
Joseph risked his life and that of Mary and the child to be born to do what needed to be done, even if it took him a long way from home.
BY MAYNARD SHELLY
DO CHRISTIIIIAS CARDS TELL THE TRUTH? Look scenes on the greetings piling up on your coffee table. Note the serenity of the shepherds on the hills watching their flocks by night. See the peaceful (" assembly of animals and spectators gathered around the manger. The holy family seems unruffled even in the flight to Egypt.
But that's not right at all. Something is out of focus. The greeting cards gloss over the hard times that Joseph and Mary lived through.
Israel of 2,000 years ago must have been much like the Middle East of today. In Galilee, terrorists were hiding in the hills waiting to swoop down on a Roman patrol too far from its home garrison. In Judea, plots against the government were being hatched in every marketplace.
Matthew and Luke didn't go into these details. They may have assumed that everyone knew and understood the seething bitterness that was then abroad in the land. Like your colored greeting cards, they seem to have played down the rawboned struggle
But when you read the Bible with eyes open, you can get that chill in your blood that must have been in Joseph's. Think of the flight to Egypt. Mary and Joseph were running from a brutal king, so cruel he could kill all the children in a village. And Herod did just that.
And Herod wasn't the only one who could be violent. Out of Galilee rose the Zealots, a religiOUS and patriotic group that saw the Romans as enemies of the Jews and of their religion. They protested peacefully and nonviolently, every day and at every tum of the road . But some of the most hotheaded of the Zealots turned to violence, destroying property and waiting in ambush to kill.
Whenever the Roman soldiers could catch these
Zealot guerrillas, they made an example of them. Jesus heard reports of "Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices" (Luke 13:1). Some of the Zealot radicals fled to the wilderness to build up their strike force. In Acts 21:38, we hear the Romans talking about 4,000 terrorists, a band of outlaw Zealots whom they called assassins and murderers. Josephus, the Jewish historian contemporary to Paul, writes about Zealot guerrillas called Sicarii (dagger-men, after the Latin word for the short knife that an assassin carried under his robe).
Jesus himself was suspected of being a Zealot. At the trial before his crucifixion, he was accused of telling people not to pay taxes to Caesar, something the Zealots always did (Luke 23:2). Certainly, several of his disciples were former Zealots, including Simon who bore the name (Luke 6: 15) and Judas Iscariot (a name that suggests he might at one time have been one of the Sicarii).
Few conquered nations live at peace with their conquerors. The Jews in their opposition to the Roman army of occupation were in much the same situation as the Palestinian Arabs today in relation to the Israeli army on Jordan's West Bank. The conquered people taunted the soldiers and resisted every foreign law.
So, when "a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled" (Luke 2:1), patriotic Jews everywhere resented this law which called for a census to enroll all the people on the Roman tax lists. They planned to resist. And many did, some with violence.
Joseph, the carpenter in Nazareth of Galilee, had a hard decision to make. The Zealots couldn't confront the Romans directly in their opposition to the census. So, they tried to raise every obstacle possible, beginning with noncooperation. Judas of
Few conquered nations live at peace with their conquerors. The Jews in their opposition to the Roman army of occupation were in much the same situation as the Palestinian Arabs today in relation to the Israeli army on Jordon's West Bank.
Galilee, one of the founders of the Zealots, worked with the people at "the time of the census; he intro· duced some people to revolt under his leadership" (Acts 5:37, New English Bible).
The historian Josephus tells how the extremists made life hard for people. "For then it was that the Sicarii got together against those that were willing to submit themselves to the Romans," he says, "and treated them in all respects as if they had been their enemies, both by plundering them of what they had, by driving away their cattle and by setting fire to their houses."
the decree of the Roman emperor was the choice. He decided to defy the terrorists, though he stood to lose his home and his life. He was also risking the life of Mary and the unborn infant . Is that why he chose to go to Bethlehem rather than to Nazareth, so that the local guerrillas wouldn't see his name on the books in his hometown? But whether he regis· tered at home or away, he was taking a big risk.
Joseph had been warned. To obey or not obey For nothing that Joseph could do would long be hidden from those who felt that every Jew should resist the Romans. For, said Josephus, the terrorists protested "that such persons differed not at all from Gentiles, by betraying in so cowardly a manner the
I remember Christmas 1
9 18
BY SUSAN H. NEUFELD
I t had been a year of crisis-In the world, in church and at home. But when the baby came, the scars seemed to disappear as if couered by a blanket of winter snow.
1918. It was a year of many memories for me. A year when the blood of our American soldiers mingled with that of the French and the British at the Meuse-Argonne battlefront toward the close of World War I. Most clearly, though, I remember how the trauma of that war reverberated In our Oklahoma home of Fairview.
Since the U.S. was at war with Kaiser's Germany, our large settlement of Gennan-background Mennonites soon became the object of suspicion and often outright hatred We were labeled "Huns" and were often pelted with dirt clods on the way from school. I wanted to cry out against the Injustice, the Insults, but we were told not to retail· ate In word or deed; Instead we suffered with patience.
I remember clearly several men of our
local war board marching unceremoniously into our sanctuary In the midst of Elder Martin Just's sermon one Sunday m0rning. Abruptly halting the service, the men strode toward the podium, bid our beloved pastor to sit down and announced that from that day on, no Ger· man service would be permitted In this church, or else they would close It down.
The group of men exited unceremonf.. ously and without apology, Just as they had come A hush prevailed oyer us, except for a few sobs, some sniffling and blowing of noses We were stunned. Then Elder Just announced In a choking voice that he would abide by the board's ruling. He would practice his sermons In English from behind the haystack And he added that the Lord could understand his broken English prayers as well as he could his German
Our tears flowed freely . Fearful days followed It was rumored that several brethren, Including Elder Just, were under suspicion and might be abducted or suffer bodily harm at the hands of those seeking to vent their hatred of our overseas enemy. Several times our brethren were secretly whisked away by fellow churchmen to keep them from being molested by unruly townspeople Not all were so lucky to escape, however One of our more out· spoken Individuals was to be tarred and feathered, and while I cannot recall if the marauders succeeded, I do know the man was confined to bed for some time.
FOR OUR FAMILY, 1915 held Its share of additional catastrophe and fear besides the side effects of war Once, while my father was helping my
hard won liberty of the Jews and admitting their preference of the Roman yoke."
Joseph risked his life and that of Mary and the child to be born to do what needed to be done, even if it took him a long way from home. His house might have been burnt and his cattle stolen. Yet he went. But even in going, he was in great danger.
The revolt led by Judas of Galilee against the census came to naught Judas was killed and his followers scattered, according to the report in Acts 5:37. But it must have been a bloody struggle.
If Christmas cards fail the test of reality, they do testify to the promise. Jesus coming to a world of
uncle cut his wheat, my youngest brother Leonard accidentally drank separator 011. Hours passed as my mother fretted over him, concerned for his life. As darkness settled, Mother remembered she
strife did bring peace.
In those days, peace was a rare commodity, as it has always been. Jesus came to a world of unrest and turbulence. Peacelessness is in the world and inside our souls. "On earth peace among men with whom he is pleased" (Luke 2:14). When the angels proclaimed the prophecy of peace, the shepherds rejoiced and so can we. We needed that! •
Maynard Shelly servedfrom 1961-1971 as editor of the Mennonite, then a publication of the General Conference Mennonites. This article first appeared December 1976 in the Christian Leader.
hurled the lantem out of the burning shed, both lives had been spared.
After the fire came influenza. Whole families were stricken, and many people succumbed. Soldiers in nearby training
was spared. Although the neighbors did our milking, none were allowed to enter the house. So Henry was left with most of the remaining work-separatlng milk, slopping hogs, cleaning milk utensils had failed to remind Albert to gather the eggs. Usually she never allowed the younger children to carry a lighted lantem or lamp, but It was dark and the eggs needed to be gathered. She gave him the lantern.
While Albert gathered the eggs, an angry brood hen raised a sudden ruckus In the manger and the flying hay caught fire. The bam and our almostnew Dodge touring car went up in smoke. My mother ran with wet blankets to try and douse the flames while I put out a "general call" over the telephone party line, bringIng my father, the cutting crew and our neighbors running to help.
I can stili see the bucket brigades that formed from our two wells as we slaved to save the other buildings. Despite the charred wreckage that remained, we stili had reason to be thankful: although Albert had struck our Sister, Edna, when he
camps were often sent home in coffins. Mother was the first in our home to be struck down by the dreaded Illness and the rest soon followed Only my 10-year-old brother Henry
and even dOing the cooking under Mother's direction. He labored with tenderness and without complaining until all of us were up and about again. Then he, too, took III. Yet God was gracious In bringing all of us through the ordeal without fatalities.
NOVEMBER:L1 dawned, bright and beautiful. It was my 13th birthday, but I was hardly aware of It. I was stili very III with the flu and wandered In and out of a seml-coma. About mid-momlng we heard the railroad roundhouse whistle blowing long, continuous blasts. We could hear church bells from town, two miles from our home. Passing cars honked their horns. Even the train, passing near our house, tooted Its steam whistle and rang its bell Incessantly.
It was an eerie feeling. What did all this mean? Was It an omen of further evil?
Suddenly the telephone clanged with a series of short rings. That meant another "general call" and 28 receivers went off the hook at once. "Hear all, " yelled the operator amid a background of whistles and bells. "The armistice has been signed. The war Is overl" That was good news! Longstanding hostilities could flnally ameliorate, and life could slowly return to nor· mal-except for the flu, which raged on and on.
NOVEMBER DRIFTED Into December and Christmas was almost upon us. A heavy snowstorm moved through Dec. 22 and Its howling wind plied huge drifts of snow on through the night and the next day. Trafflc was at a standstill as the feathery whiteness plied higher. By the time Dec. 24 dawned, the leaden sky had flnlshed dumping Its treasure Mother awakened us and told us to prepare for school As she moved about, I sensed a slowness and heavIness about her
Just then my father and brother came Into the house and Father lowered himself to the floor In sheer exhaustion. The two had been out since dawn, breaking open the road while my uncles and others had been attempting the same from the other end, all of them working with a driving urgency.
I knew what that meant In those days, parents did not disclose to their children the expected arrival of a new life. And although my mother had never mentioned It to me, there was a secret understanding between us-and this was the day
We children set out fOr school, walking about a mile along the railroad trHk until we came to the section , road. There M r ComeIson met us with t.am and wagon The Kahn chiIcame from the opposite direction and we al piled Into the wagon togeth-
er with our teacher, who had walked to the tracks from town. Once we arrived at school, we had our exchange of gifts and a program of sorts, then school was closed until further notice. Health offlclals had banned all public gatherings until the flu epidemic passed.
Despite the excitement of new snow and special activities, It was the longest day of school I experienced In my life. My mind was at home with my mother. Had the midwife gotten there In time? Was all well?
At 4:00 p.m., Mr. Cornelson took us back to the tracks, and while my brothers continued their usual lOitering, I ran almost the entire way home. When I entered the warm house, my Aunt Lizzie greeted me with a big smile and ushered me Into my mother's room. Mother lay there weak and wan, but beside her In a cradle lay a wee baby girl with a full head of dark hair. It was the sweetest baby I had ever seen. My secret wish for a baby sister had been realized.
Then Christmas Day dawned upon a white, clean earth and banks of snow glistened like diamonds We would spend this Christmas Day at home; there wouldn't even be the traditional church program and Father would not stand before his choir Oke he always had, leading them In singing beautiful Christmas carols.
Nevertheless, this was one of the most preciOUS Christmases of my memory. We had come through a time of severe trial and leaf. Natural and manmade evils had tugged at the strong bonds of our family They had tugged for naught. we ••,. had each other; the war and hatted had ceased; the flU had left no graves to mar our joy; my oldest brother was home after many months absence-how' had missed him . My mother had been alUng for months due to flu, but now had gIVen birth to a healthy child and was cheerfully look· Ing forward to good health again.
It was tradition In our house that
Father and Mother would awaken us on Christmas momlng with the singing of Nun 1st Sle erschlenen (The Sun Has Arisen In Heavenly Glory) That was followed by a mad scramble to the table, where each of us children had placed a plate the night before In anticipation of the gifts and surprises that awaited us.
As the oldest daughter, I found I had a new duty to fulfill. Mother had dressed a goose and had kept It cold on the porch. Aunt lizzie helped me get It Into the oven before Father took her on home to her own family. With Mother giving directions from her bed, I prepared the rest of the meal and our family's hearty appetite did Justice to all my hard work
In the aftemoon, Father gathered the family In the living room, Just next to Mother's bedroom, and read the Christmas story. That was followed by carols-slnglng was always a Joyful part of our family experiences. We sang for hours
I WILL NEVER FORGET the year 1918. It had been a year of crlsls-ln the world, In the church and In our home But It had ended beautifully. Christmas had brought a blanket of pure white snow that covered the earth's ugly scars .• and It had brought to our home the Joy of a new life, a new child .
What a flttlng way to depict that flrst Christmas when a different babe arrived In an ugly world. He, too, came to cover Its ugly scars with his blood and wash us as white as our snow outside.
As our family reviewed the Christ· mas story there in our living room, the meaning of Christmas became alive to me that day In 1918• •
Susan H Neufeld, who died in 1990, was a member of Shafter MB Church in Shafter, Calif This story originally appeared in the Christian Leader in 1979
CHRISTMAS
A CHRISTMAS STORY BY CORINA N,UFELD
THE T R 0 (J B L E between 12-year-old Cora and her younger brothers Anthony and Bruce began when they put worms in her tennis shoes the week after school got out She liked slimy things, but finding them in her shoes right before she went to her best friend's house wasn't her idea of a practical joke.
Later, when they were getting ready for a vacation, Anthony and Bruce hid all of her shirts and socks in the doghouse of the Kenzie family's chocolate lab and golden retriever, Oily and Tess The two dogs had drooled and shed all over her clothes.
When Cora had her friends over for her birthday, Anthony and Bruce poured water on the insides of their sleeping bags . All three girls climbed into soggy covers that night
Then, when school started, her brothers told all of their friends to call her "Corny" instead of Cora Cora ate very slowly at lunchtime because her new name had spread through the school. Only her closest friends called her Cora "Corny" had made it through two months, and it was too late to stop her nickname.
Now it was December. Christmas break started the next day. Christmas would soon arrive along with band and choir concerts and a church Christmas program Christmas also meant buying gifts for friends and family
Cora liked buying presents for most people, but this year she didn't look forward to buying anything for Anthony and Bruce. In fact, this year she was considering not buying them anything at all. If she got them anything, it wasn't going to be nice However, Christmas was less than two weeks away and Cora knew her mom would be mad if she didn't get her brothers anything.
So she had to buy them something-but what? She knew that Tony loved LEGO™ toys and Bruce loved Toy Story figures-so those were the last things she would get them. If she had to buy gifts for them, she wanted to get them something they would hate.
On the first Saturday of Christmas break, Cora went to the mall to window shop for gift ideas As she stood in front of the women's department of her favorite store, she suddenly grinned with a new idea. She was glad she had brought money along. She hurried down the aisles, picking up hair clips, cheap Barbie TN dolls, white neckties that she could color on, and tights that she could make holes inperfect gifts for her brothers.
As far as she could tell, this would be her best Christmas because she would get back at Tony and Bruce.
That night Cora wrapped all of the Christmas presents in bright wrapping paper and fancy ribbons. Her brothers were sure to be disappointed when they opened them. As she put them under the tree, she noticed that there weren't any presents for her exceptfot the ones that her parents were giving her. She smirked He r Christmas gifts would definitely get them back
CORA 'S CHURCH usually went caroling the week before Christmas , and this year was no different As they got ready to walk through the neighborhood, the boys were talking about the great snowball fight they would have Cora knew she would
probably be hit at least 10 times in the back. The first snowball hit her right between her shoulders. Cora braced for more, but after no more snowballs came, she looked over her shoulder for the boys. They stood outside a homeless shelter they had just come upon. Cora looked through the windows and watched a volunteer help an older man stand up after he finished his meal. He was thin and moved very slowly. At another table, a group of children played a beat-up game of Monopoly. One of the younger girls bent down to pick up a bright colored block that a baby had dropped from a highchair beside her. Cora was surprised to see so many children in the shelter.
The sad looks on the faces of her brothers made Cora realize that she felt the same way. They had never seen so many children with so little. As they stepped inside to sing their Christmas carols, Cora thought about how blessed her family was to have a house and money. She had not realized that children could be homeless just like adults She wanted to do something but didn't know what she could do to help.
The next Sunday, the pastor prayed for the homeless people. He told the congregation that if they wanted to help the people at the homeless shelter, they could donate money, clothes and toys to the Magi's Gifts program, which gave all donated items to homeless shelters around the city. He also told the congregation that they could volunteer to help in a shelter near their homes.
When the Kenzies got home, the boys immediately went to Tony's room Cora crept up to the door to spy on them, hoping to overhear whatever plans they concocted. But instead of talking about their next trick on her, Cora heard her brothers talking about what they were going to donate to the Magi's Gifts program.
Cora was shocked. It had never occurred to her
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that Anthony and Bruce would care about anyone Why would they do that for strangers, but not for her? Then she heard her name. Her brothers were talking about what they were buying her for Christmas. They were getting her exactly what she wanted-a diary with a lock and key
They were going to be nice after all. As Cora walked away quietly, she knew she couldn't give her brothers those awful presents if they were going to be so nice to her and to the homeless kids
She only had two days left until Christmas to buy new gifts and get rid of the ones she had already bought and wrapped She could donate the Barbie ™ dolls and hair clips to the Magi's Gifts program for the girls at the homeless shelter. Unfortunately she had already put holes into the tights or she could have given them to her mom for a gift. She would keep the ties and draw neat pictures on them instead of what she had originally intended.
But Cora still had to buy Christmas gifts for her brothers, and she didn't have any money left. This meant she would have to tell her mom and dad about what she had planned to do and hope they would forgive her and loan her some money.
She took a deep breath and went to the kitchen. Her parents listened patiently and understood her frustration with her brothers-after all, they knew what her brothers had done to her during the summer, and they had heard about the nickname the boys had started at school. Her parents reminded her that it was their responsibility to punish the boys, not hers. Moreover, the boys had already been punished for each incident-which, of course, Cora hadn't noticed because she was too busy planning her revenge Her parents agreed to loan her enough money to buy real presents for her brothers. The next day her mom took her to the mall, and Cora bought Anthony a Star Wars Lego ™ kit and Bruce the Toy Story 2 movie.
CHRISTMAS EVE at the Kenzie house was truly one of the best Cora could remember.
Her brothers loved the gifts she gave them-and laughed when she told them what she had gotten them originally. They thought she was pretty creative and agreed that it would have been a great revenge on them. Much to Cora's surprise, her brothers gave her a diary that had a voice-activated lock, not just a key.
After dinner, Cora and her brothers talked about ways in which they could be more sensitive to each other They also remembered the sadness of the people in the homeless shelter where they had caroled. Cora and the boys talked to their parents, and the family committed one weekend a month at the homeless shelter to help make meals.
That night, Sitting on her bed with her new diary, Cora wondered what she should write about first. She thought about the past year. The jokes her brothers had played on her during the summer would make great stories to tell her friends and maybe her own children someday.
As she opened her diary, Cora suddenly realized that Anthony and Bruce hadn't come into her room even once that night. They were being much more considerate of her. She smiled. She would begin her diary with the most important thing she had learned that past year. Even when it seems like it, Cora wrote, revenge isn't such a great idea and people change and deserve forgiveness-even brothers.•
Corlna Neufeld is a 13-year-old seventh graderfrom Denver, Colo. She attends Henry Middle School and is a member of Garden Park MB Church in Denver. Corina's story developed out ofa writing assignment from her mother as punishment for being mean to her brothers, Andy and Bryan. She was required to write a complimentary story about them for Christmas.
Yoga not for Christians
I have a comment about the editorial staff at the Christian Leader. My comments are about "Spiritual Pigeonholing" by Joseph G Allegretti (Sept. 2001).
My problem is with the list of spiritual practices in the article. Most of the practices of spirituality listed-meditate, keep a journal or say a prayer-are biblical ways to lean on our Lord. The spiritual practice that I disagree with is the practice of yoga. Either the editors agree that yoga is a justified practice of being spiritual or they disagree with the practice and forgot to put in a note to let the reader know that the Christian Leader does not promote the practice of yoga for Christians I realize this was an excerpt from a book. But those that are young in the faith may read this article and think that the Christian Leader doesn't have a problem with practicing yoga. And if you do not see a problem with it, then you need to go to a spiritual discernment class Maybe you should have some articles on New Age terms.
We need to be enlightened on how Satan tries to come really close to Christianity but falls short of truth. Please be a light and reveal what Satan is trying to hide in the darkness.
Cristy Waugh Olathe, Kan
Enemy at my door
Does Mark Rogers' letter to "What Reader's Say" in the October issue represent Mennonite peacemaking? He floats in and out of piety, but peace is not Rogers' concern. If someone comes to my door to kill my family, Rogers will decide if he is a pacifist after he has assessed on which side is the political operative who carries it out. If his political leanings are on the side of the attacker, Rogers will give him a human face , talk in warm fuzzy terms about "the mothers of the people who carried out the attack," and explain what my family did to provoke him. If Rogers hates him, he will strip away any semblance of his humanness, give him an inanimate face (an inanimate face has no mother and is easier to kill) and complete the inanimate profile by referring to him in terms like "high towers offinance," "towers of security," etc Rogers' letter utilizes propaganda craft-read Jacques Ellul's Propaganda-and Rogers' briefforay into Psalm 121 is merely to give "Christian" legitimacy to his political views. Rogers condemns retaliatory actions by America but never condemns the violent attacks on America He even suggests that they may have been justified based on America's handling of the "Palestinian question." To all warmongers, there is justified retaliatory violence and unjustified retaliatory violence. Rogers has become like the America he hates. Further, by lumping the "Palestinian question" with the attack on New York, Rogers has aligned the Taliban with Arafat, something even Arafat hasn't done .
Judging right and wrong
"What Reader's Say" in the October 2001 issue had many letters about the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. People and places around the world were shocked by what happeqed on Sept. 11. Now it's the anthrax scat',!'! affecting the media and the mail.
I wonder, where do we place God or as the terrorists go from one thing to another, keeping us frustrated and worried about what and where and how they will strike next?
People who do such evil and hide from view are not normal men and women-they are "chicken." Only a chicken would hide and not reveal himself or herself after destroying something. In Fresno, Calif., we just had a Billy Graham Crusade in October. I never realized how close people could grow through the happenings of a strong-minded "chicken," who is a hater to anyone or anything that has life. Destruction, terrorism and murder are like a way of life in people, and Christ in his life on earth never encouraged these sorts of things He was against them all.
Some people like to think money or power gives them all the right judgments to what someone else is like or should be called. But what happens to the church-to the U.S.-when something gets so out of hand, as what happened in New York, where the power of evil equals power and money? Where is God and his judgments and principles that lead our faith? Where is God in his guiding us as a nation?
The Christian Leader welcomes brief letters on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church. All letters must be signed and will be edited for clarity and length. Send letters to Christian Leader, 101 N. Capitol Parkway, Montgomery, Alabama 36107 (e-mail: chleader@jps.net).
In the present cycle of world violence Rogers has clearly chosen sides He is not for peace and his alignment with one violent side over the other forgoes any claim to a high authority for his views. Above all, my family is American and by choosing sides against them, Mark Rogers is declaring himself to be the enemy at my door.
John Kliewer
Derby, Kan.
We need God-not fear or power or money-to judge between what is right and wrong. The Bible teaches us to learn to distinguish right from wrong. I close with a question: Since Sept. 11, will America once more allow the prayers and Bible reading back in public places and in schools?
PatUnrub Reedley, Calif.
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BY PHILIP WIEBE
Prepared for the un-battle
ONCE I TOOK PART IN A MINISTRY event designed to provide goods and services to less fortunate members of our community. This was a successful endeavor that not only met needs but also drew many to the Lord. An unusual moment from that day recently came to mind, however. When we gathered to pray as the event began, someone inquired from the stage, ''What is it we're involved in today?" A few voices called out "service," some said "ministry," others mentioned "meeting needs" and "sharing the gospel." The inquirer replied, ''Yes. But more than that, it's a battle " That struck me as a strange thing to say.
Not that I didn't understand the person's point or get the biblical reference. When writing about putting on "the full armor of God," Paul said "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil" (Eph. 6: 12). That's what the prayer leader was referring to. He talked about helping people break those kinds of bonds to find hope and healing in Christ.
I could appreciate that. Still, the image of our ministry that day being a battle just seemed incongruous. If anything, I thought, we were taking a break from the battle. Laying down our weapons of status and class and busyness and unconcern for the weak and hurting, and helping and listening to those we might normally have rushed by or avoided.
What brings these thoughts to the surface is this thing we're calling the "new war." Since terrorists knocked over buildings and killed thousands,
lots of introspection has been going around. Does America have the stomach for this new kind of war? Have we gotten too soft? Are we ready to hunker down and tough it out over the next months and maybe years?
Some say the answers to those questions are no, yes, and no. I heard one interview in which someone suggested that this new war is more like a free-for-all than a traditional engagement between nations. As a result, this person said, every individual should get tough and be ready, metaphorically speaking, for a "knife-fight."
I find such an idea disturbing. Not necessarily because I'm soft (though undoubtedly I am). Rather, like the weird battle imagery used for that day of humble service, the notion of being "knife-fight ready" strikes me as completely at odds with my call to follow Jesus.
New Testament battle metaphors notwithstanding, I wonder if our call as Christians is really to wage an un-battle. That's what Paul was talking about anyway. It seems to me the emphasis in Ephesians 6, regarding putting on God's armor, is more about stopping the war than engaging in war. We fit ourselves to stand firm when evil is all around (v. 13); we prepare ourselves to "extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" aimed at ourselves and others (v 16) And our mission in all this is to spread the "gospel of peace" (v. 15). In another place Paul wrote, ''We do not wage war as the world does" (2 Cor 10:3). No, we carry out an antiwar, never getting tired of doing good, taking every opportunity to bless and encourage others (Gal 6:910)
The big question in society has been how to respond to the recent terrorist
attacks and possible new aggression. Our government's response has been to strike back - unfortunately at an elusive enemy with dubious results. In the church there are many opinions about the validity of this new war, but whatever our pOSition on that point, there are larger questions to ask. Amid the fears and insecurities of this new battle, will we stand firm in faith and our commitment to carry out the daily un-battle? Will the terror of our times sidetrack the church from its first mission, or will we look for new ways to tenaciously do good and spread peace and share the gospel of love and grace?
The Christmas season is a relevant time to think about such things. Into this embattled world came Immanuel, God himself, to proclaim peace on earth and goodwill to all. Jesus grew up to preach a gospel of love for God and others, of compassion and grace even toward enemies and persecutors. And when his own enemies brought him to trial on fulse charges, Jesus did nothing, even though he could have called "legions of angels" to his defense (Matt. 26:53) This was all for a higher purpose, of course - the purpose that is still ours, Christ's body, to spread good news of salvation and reconciliation.
As the new war grinds on, officials have been telling us to be vigilant but still live life as normal. For many that likely means shopping and decorating and celebrating Christmas as usual. For Christians I hope it means much more. Because for us it should be normal to do good and find joy and share love no matter how uncertain or scary the days may seem. Now more than ever is the time to keep proclaiming, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace." •
INQUlRING MINDS
BY MARVIN HEIN
Questions about faith and life
Tbe state offunerals today and Oprab "s
QYou once wrote a book on funerals_ What Is your evaluation of funerals as now practiced In Mennonite Brethren churches? (Cal".)
AThe truth is I didn't write a book on funerals, but rather a series of "essays" on death adapted from funeral sermons (Like a Shock of Wheat, Herald Press). Incidentally, two days ago I received a letter in which the writer, having been given a copy of this book by a funeral home director, said, ''You robbed me of about six hours of time, which can't be redeemed. " At first I thought he was insulting me, but I went on to read that he had been unable to stop reading once he began . I do have some serious impressions about funeral services However, since being on the West Coast for more than 20 years now, I can't reflect on such services over our larger constituency. I believe deeply that memorial services should be services of worship, with more attention on the Word than on the person. My impression is that all too often there is relatively little biblical exposition of passages that should comfort and challenge the living and more time given to eulogize the departed. Many times the scripture used is a mishmash of passages gathered from here and there, while I would prefer the expOSition of a text, with reference, of course, to what that text might say about the deceased But I want to hear more of what God says than what the person did, good as she or he may have been .
My wife, whose judgment I usually appreciate, maintains that there shall be no eulogies at her or my memorial services. Part of her rationale is that there
are always people in any audience who know that what is said is not necessarily true I was both amused and pleased with an article distributed a few months ago by the Religion News Services They reported that Irish Catholics in Rhode Island may love "Danny Boy" (I know of a funeral where that was sung), but they probably won't hear it anymore at funeral services. The Catholic diocese in Rhode Island was on a campaign to "educate" parishioners on funeral practices. Among other things, it was stated that in a neighboring diocese in Boston, the Cardinal had issued an order that eulogies be limited to one, and under five minutes . He issued the order with the comment that funerals "had gotten out of hand." I don't usually get my instructions from a Catholic Cardinal, but this time I concur.
One practice finding increasing favor in our churches I really do condone-a separate burial service prior to the memorial service. Viewing of the body (and the expensive casket) during a memorial service seems to me to be inconsistent with our theology. We go to great lengths to say that this mortal body decays and more importantly one day we shall be resurrected and have a new body. And so often we close the service by parading past that decaying body, when I think we should exit the service with the resurrection uppermost in our minds. It is not so much that one way or another is right or wrong, but that the emphasis be placed on the proper thing. I know the reasons sometimes given for the "parade" (the family wants to see who is present), but I opt for examining the guest list later and directing our attention to things eternal at the worship service
Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? E-mail Marvin at mheinl@fresno edu or send your question to "Inquiring Minds, "c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727
QWhat do you think about an Oprah-style religion? (A question raised during an airline flight)
AUSA Today reported on the desire of Oprah Winfrey "to infuse middle America's soul with a non-sectarian spirituality She urges her fans to meditate, focus on their dreams, write in journals and breathe deeply Most of all she wants us to listen to that inner voice that has since time began directed human beings away from life's distracting chatter and toward a sense of the divine, the good and the true ."
Doesn't that sound wonderful? Apparently many Americans think so. Tickets selling for $185 for a Baltimore appearance of Oprah sold out in 47 minutes. Her magazine 0 has a circulation of two and a half million The audience at the Baltimore meeting was described as composed of everyone from middle-aged Oprah groupies and snowy-haired grandmothers to dewy young babes in capri pants, a Michigan policewoman and mother/daughter units--in other words, all kind of people, mostly females.
Not being a viewer of Oprah's TV show, I can only react to what the reporter of the USA Today article wrote. It sounds a lot like so many other movements in our day-partly truth but mixed with New Age psychobabble. Her message strikes me as containing a lot of things Jesus might have said, but it's quite apparent she has little to say or do with Jesus. She does say "there is a direct link between you and the source that created you God can dream a bigger dream for you than you can."
Her advice is to "follow your passions don't be afraid to shine your light write out 25 negative and 25 positive beliefs about yourself, because we are what we believe." Sounds to me like not only a nonsectarian spirituality, but a non-Jesus spirituality •
ON THE JOUR1"J EY
BY ROSE BUSCHMAN
It all started with a plastic strawberry
What do you want- ..a ?r a ureal" Christma s?
OUR 18-MONTH-OLD GRANDdaughter, Katelyn, was visiting us for the Easter weekend. While playing around the house she found a plastic strawberry and tried to eat it. Her face reflected an unpleasant surprise Emily, her older sister, saw what was happening and explained to her that it was a "pretend" strawberry-not a real one. When I became aware ofthe drama unfolding in our front hall, I went to my refrigerator, got a "real" berry and gave it to Katelyn. Her smile, when she ate the ripe strawberry, let us know that she was much happier now.
However, that wasn't the end of the incident. Emily followed me back into the kitchen and picked up the story about "real" and "pretend." Soon I was listening intently. As a three-yearold, Emily participated in her church's AWANA program. The previous Wednesday she had experienced a demonstration by her teachers, Mr. Frank and Mrs. Connie, about the difference between real and pretend.
Emily told me how they talked about pretend Monopoly money and the real money Mrs. Connie had in her purse Then Mr Frank tried to eat a pretend apple and that just didn't work even though the apple looked real. However, when he bit into a real apple , it tasted so-o-o-o good.
Then Mr. Frank walked out of the room while Mrs. Connie talked about her real hair. A minute later, Mr. Frank walked back into the room and the children all laughed Mr. Frank has short, gray hair and a bushy gray beard, but now he had long blonde curls hanging all over his shoulders When the children finally settled down , Mr Frank and Mrs. Connie got serious and talked about the "pre-
tend" Easter story which is all about the Easter bunny and the "real" Easter story which is about Jesus.
Emily held up her hand and showed me three fingers. "The middle one is Jesus," she said, "and the other two are bad people. One of the bad people said he was sorry, so he got to be with Jesus in heaven, but the other one didn't 'cause he wasn't sorry. And then there was a big stone by the cave, but someone had moved it and Jesus wasn't there any more." I got a powerfullesson in pretend and real that day from my three-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter!
I must admit we did have a bit of a problem, though, on Easter Sunday morning. We were all having breakfast when a rabbit hopped across the lawn in front of our dining room windows and someone said, "There's the Easter bunny, Emily." She looked somewhat confused, but later when I asked her what the real story of Easter was she held up her three fingers!
I've thought a lot about this powerfullesson and soon my mind jumped from Easter to Christmas since the two events are intertwined I can't help but ask, now that Christmas is coming, "What is the difference between a 'pretend' and a 'real ' Christmas?"
Growing up I remember one of the big concerns among some of the women in my community was how many different kinds of cookies they would have to bake for Christmas. They bragged about baking 10 or even 12 different kinds (in addition to lots of other stuff) and often worked late into the night to accomplish this. While my mother did some special baking for Christmas, she was never into this "keeping up with the Friesens" baking frenzy I remember
thinking, "Cookies don't make Christmas"-although it appeared to me that in some families they did.
Last year our pastor suggested that we reach out to others, outside of our usual circle of family and friends, during the Christmas season. My husband and I did just that and found ourselves blessed with several Chinese and Pakistani foreign student families as our guests for Christmas. We gave them the complete "coming home for Christmas" experience as best we could Since we didn't have enough beds to go around some slept on air mattresses in the living room, the den and the study Everybody pitched in to set the table and prepare the traditional turkey dinner. The women were particularly interested in learning how to set the table correctly in the American way and asked about several recipes. We had some interesting experiences in getting our guests to "pass the food" around the table at mealtime since these customs are different in their countries . We visited, played games and watched Apollo 13 At their request we shared with them the Christian meaning of Christmas. For us, and hopefully for our guests as well, this was not a "pretend" experience This was a "real" Christmas.
It may not be cookies anymore, but I wonder what it is now that we must have or do in order for it to be Christmas for us. New and different decorations each year? Lots of presents? What about the shop-till-you-drop routine? And then paying for all these credit card purchases for the next six months.
This December, the challenge is here again . What is it going to be for us this year? A "pretend" Christmas or a "real" one? •
He keeps on serving God
Henry
Dick's 51 years of ministry-from
church planter to pastor of pastors
BY CONNIE FABER
Henry H. Dick of Reedley, Calif., knows first-hand how hard it is to ignore God's call to full-time ministry.
"When 1 was 18, a deacon put his hand on my shoulder, and he said, 'Henry you're not a Christian yet,' and that word 'yet' really got to me," says Dick, who had his sight set on a career
in business. "He said, 'When you become one, 1 believe God is calling you to be a minister.' So when 1 accepted Christ, that's all 1 could think about. 1 prayed and said, 'OK Lord, I'll commit myself.'"
And that's what Dick did for 5 1 years He served as a Mennonite Brethren church planter, college administrator, pastor, seminary president and district
minister and he gave his time and energy to serving a variety of agency boards.
Now that he's almost 80 years old, Dick also knows how hard it is to "retire" from a commitment to do the Lord's work for a lifetime.
"God used those [deacon's] words to get me into ministry," says Dick. "I told the Lord: 'For a lifetime I'll do it.' And that's why when 1 was 65 1 retired, because 1 figured that was the end of a working lifetime."
Dick's life of service began at the time of his conversion, the third month of his four-year stint with the Royal Canadian Airforce. "I proceeded to serve the Lord with uneducated enthusiasm," says Dick of his years in the air force. An Anglican chaplain encouraged him to memorize Scripture and held him accountable while a Baptist minister taught him to preach. Dick also began a radio broadcast in which servicemen shared their testimonies.
Once he had fulfilled his military obligatiOns, Dick embarked on a career in church work. Dick's ministry partner has been Erica, his wife of 55 years. "I have a wonderful wife," says Dick. "I tell pastors if you have a wife that doesn't always . agree with everything you say, you are a fortunate person. 1 affirm [Erica] for not always making a second to my motion. It has been a very good balance." The Dicks have three children, six grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Dick began his pastoral career as a pioneer church planter in Ontario, Canada, and followed that with a one-year turn as the Tabor College business manager. He went on to serve five years at Vinewood Community Church in Lodi, Calif., 12 years at Shafter (Calif.) MB Church and seven years in Fresno, Calif.
For three years beginning in 1969, Dick was the U.S. Conference executive secretary. He left that position to serve four years as MB Biblical Seminary president. Dick, who always considered himself a pastor first, spent the next 12 years as senior pastor at Reedley (Calif.) MB Church.
Dick retired from pastoral ministry in 1987, after serving as a pastor for 36 years. He describes how he talked with God about his retirement and his commitment to ministry. "Lord, I've committed myself to serve you for a lifetime. So now, here's that commitment," Dick says of his decision to retire in 1987. "I'm going to put a nice wrapping around it
and a ribbon on it and give it back to you I've fulfilled my coriunitment. If you have anything else for me to do, I'm still alive, and I'm still healthy, and I'm still committed to you ."
And that' s when Dick embarked on a 14-year stint in denominational administrative work. For 18 months, he worked for MB Biblical Seminary in constituent relations. Then he was contacted by the Pacific District Conference to serve as the district minister on a half-time basis This month he completes 12 and a half years of service to the PDC, a term of service he hadn't anticipated when he took the district ministry assignment.
"I hadn't really planned it that way, but every time [the district] got a new moderator, he would say, I'll do it if you stick with me," says Dick ''I'm not quitting because I'm not enjoying [my work] . I think that at 79 and a half its time to lay it down."
Delegates to the PDC convention Nov. 9-10, honored Dick and his wife for their work as district minister couple at a special celebration Friday evening Dick didn't see the evening as a program highlighting his ministry as much as an evening devoted to "celebrating God's faithfulness" to the POC.
Dick has seen the PDC grow considerably over the past 12 years, from 77 congregations and 7,377 members in 1989 to 101 churches and 16,326 members in 2001. Today the district worships in 11 different languages and its congregations have a variety of worship traditions "We are accepting this diversity," says Dick
During his years as the district minister, Dick has seen PDC congregations resolve key issues related to worship style and leadership style. "I don't worship the god of change, but I've encouraged people to recognize that we're living in a rapidly changing world," says Dick. 'We have to recognize the difference between preference and convictions."
Regarding worship styles, Dick says, "I try to encourage people to be open I tell people my age, 'You'll live longer if you have a celebrating attitude '"
In the future , Dick sees denominationalism, diversity and leadership transition to a younger generation as key issues for the PDe.
"Denominationalism as it has existed is changing and will significantly change in the future," says Dick. 'We, in the last 20 years, have been reaching out. The denomination is going to continue to
change and some of it will be painful for people, " he says
In spite of the growth, the staff that guides PDC ministries has remained much the same.
Currently the PDC employs Dick plus a full-time secretary, a half-time treasurer and a half-time associate district minister and is assisted by a volunteer home mission director "I'm supposed to be halftime, but that hasn't worked out. I've gone full-time ," says Dick.
Dick's lifelong devotion to ministry
"1 want to conclude my life, God giving me the grace, smiling. That doesn't mean everything is okay all the time. But I want the joy of the Lord as part of who I am."
-Henry Dick
has also included a commitment to serve Mennonite Brethren agencies and conferences. Congregations, working in consultation and cooperation with one another, can build schools , do mission work and plant churches, says Dick, and that' s why he gave much of his time to conference ministries He chaired the General Conference for two terms and was the binational conference secretary for two terms. He served MBMS International, the North American MB mission agency, for eight years as the board chair and has been on the board "on and off for 20 years." He chaired the u.s. Conference Board of Education which gave oversight to Tabor College, Fresno Pacific College and MB Biblical Seminary He has also served on a variety of Pacific District Conference boards.
Dick sees his work with conference boards as an extension of his pastoral ministry.
"I've always gravitated towards those positions It 's just been who I am and I enjoy it, " he says "I don't think I could have been satisfied just to be a pastor. I needed that environment I enjoyed being involved on the frontier of things " Dick also gave his energies to the
broader Mennonite and evangelical communities. For 10 years he was on the board of the National Association of Evangelicals He also spent 10 years on the Mennonite Central Committee Executive Board, which looks after the international programs of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ world relief and development organization. Dick says his opportunity to serve with MCC as a civilian chaplain for three weeks during the Vietnam War is one experience that brought him special joy.
His visit, says Dick, was conceived as a way to express love to military personnel serving in Vietnam from Mennonite congregations Armed forces radio announcements notified troops that Dick had come to visit with those from Mennonite churches Medic Ron Schultz of Hillsboro, Kan , was one young man who spent most of a day traveling to see Dick.
"Ron came with a wrinkled New Testament," remembers Dick Schultz told Dick that when he left home he was "out of fellowship" with his parents, his church and the Lord but now that all had changed He had recommitted himself to the Lord Dick agreed to take that message back to Hillsboro MB Church and Schultz's parents.
"Before I got back, Ron was shot out of a helicopter and he 's never been found . He's now presumed dead. I have his bracelet on my desk and everyday I look at it," says Dick "That was very, very meaningful to me."
Dick tried once before to retire from full-time ministry and he isn't discounting the possibility that God has another ministry opportunity for him In fact, he will be serving as interim district minister on a month-to-month basis for the Pacific District until a new district minister is found and installed.
"I'm going to be strongly committed to continuing to serve him," says Dick. "I'm not looking for a job, but 1 don't know what will happen."
Dick is also committed to living with the joy of the Lord.
"I don't want to become an old man that has all the answers 1 used to dislike that about older fellows," he admits
Citing his life's verse, John 10: 10, Dick says, "I want to conclude my life, God giving me the grace, smiling That doesn't mean everything is okay all the time But 1 want the joy of the Lord as part of who I am." •
Pressing on in ministry
Central
District celebrates their efforts to "advance
the Kingdom"
BY HERB SCHROEDER
Brisk winds and cool temperatures greeted delegates and guests as they gathered for the 92nd session of the Central District Conference. But delegates weren't as concerned with the advance of winter as they were with pressing forward in ministry The convention, hosted Oct. 26-28 by lincoln Hills Bible Church of Sioux Falls, S.D.,
centered on the theme "Building up to advance God's kingdom."
Kingdom advancement is evident in the CDC, especially in the past year: a new district minister has come on board, the Rolling Hills church's new facility has been built and is in use, and New life Fellowship has emerged as a church plant in northwest Omaha. The CDC includes 25 congregations in Illi-
nois, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
"It's a God thing"
The growing ministry of Rolling Hills Church in Papillion, Neb., continues to be the focal point of the district's church planting and outreach effort and time was given to reports and testimonies regarding this ministry.
Pastor Rod Anderson shared how God has worked in many miraculous ways at RHC. For example, the target date for the completion of the new building was July 1, but RHC's lease on their rented facility was through February 2002. Then someone came to RHC's landlord with an offer, which was accepted, to buy the property. The buyer wanted to take possession of the property by July 1, which released RHC from its rental obligation.
For that and other reasons, Anderson reported that RHC's budget needs were approximately $50,000 less than expected. More than once, Anderson shared a story of what God is doing at RHC and then would say, "It's a God thing."
The most important "God thing" happening at RHC is the spiritUal harvest Anderson shared several stories.
The first Sunday RHC entered its new facility-July I-a man from San Antonio, Texas, visited the church and heard the Gospel. Later that week he accepted Christ as his Savior.
Three weeks later, July 22, a man who had been attending RHC for three years placed his faith in Christ. He is now in a Bible study and growing in his faith.
Aug. 19 a woman visited RHC's ministry on the Internet, gave her life to Christ and has been attending RHC since.
Another RHC vision for advancing God's kingdom took a step closer to realization with the recognition of New Life Fellowship as an emerging church plant. Paul Rowenhurst and his wife have been commissioned by RHC as a church planting couple. Leonard Reimer, former pastor of Millard Bible Church in Omaha, is working with the Rowenhursts. Reimer says that the target area in northwest Omaha is the "fastest growing area in Nebraska."
Members of RHC joined Anderson for the Friday evening church planting banquet and program . The group led in worship and shared in song and testimony about their experience at RHC. Anderson thanked the CDC for its ongoing sup-
port, prayers and financial gifts that enable the work at RHC to go forward.
A step of faith
At last year's convention, the CDC adopted a 19 percent budget increase in order to finance the RHC facility. Gavin Banik, trustee chair, reminded delegates that the CDC's responsibility to RHC would be significant for the next two years. In fact, the proposed 2002 budget of $230,000 is $20,000 larger than the 2001 budget. "It's the biggest budget we have ever had," said Banik.
In a related report, conference treasurer Rick Walter said that church giving was almost 25 percent short of the budget for 2001. The only reasons the CDC ended the year in the black were because a $45,000 loan subsidy to RHC was not used and because there was no district minister for part of the year. Yet the proposed 2002 budget calls for an additional $17,000 in church giving.
Banik was forthright about the situation facing the CDC. He said that $190,000 of the $230,000 budget is "hard money" and will be spent Church giving to CDC norms has been fiat at around $125,000 for the past 20 years. If they remain at this level, delegates learned that required spending will nearly deplete the district's cash balance.
When the time came for a vote on the budget, CDC chair Ron Seibel reminded the delegates that adopting this budget is "a step of faith." He said that if one can see how something will be accomplished, it isn't faith. The motion to accept the proposed budget was passed.
New district minister
Installing a new Central District minister was a convention highlight Roger Engbrecht, who began serving as the Central District minister in March, said in his first convention report that his greatest joy has been meeting with the people and pastors of most churches in the district. He said he is impressed with the spiritual vitality of the congregations and the high quality of pastors. He acknowledged that many CDC congregations have limited growth potential because of declining demographics, but these churches continue to provide a strong base of support for district outreach and church planting efforts. He encouraged churches to support, pray for and encourage their pastors, and to be faithful and cheerful in giving
to the conference.
Engbrecht and his wife Lucille were installed in a ceremony guided by Chairman Seibel and other members of the CDC executive committee. Seibel spoke words of encouragement and challenge, and the congregation read a litany of support and affirmation . Executive Committee members laid hands on the couple and each member prayed for God's bleSSing, guidance and protection upon the Engbrechts.
Future conventions
The agenda item that generated the most delegate discussion came in response to a request from the Executive Committee for feedback regarding the time, location, content and cost of future conventions. A synopsis of the comments indicates that delegates favored a change of format and timing to create a convention that would be attractive to younger people and families. Delegates spoke in favor of flexibility and including other activities and attractions in the convention weekend to encourage people to include the
convention in their family vacations It was suggested that if people had the desire to come to the convention, the cost would not be an issue.
The Southern District Conference pattern of alternating biennial districtwide conventions with regional meetings was discussed. It was reported that the recent SDC convention held in Branson, Mo., received high marks from those attending.
The conflict between convention activities and the demands of the farming profession among the many rural CDC people was addressed One delegate wanted to know what time of the year would be "less bad" for the farmers to come to a convention. Myron Vetter, vice chair, replied that while the variety of farming done throughout the CDC makes any time inconvenient for some, perhaps the last half of June would be that time.
No decision was made, but Chairman Seibel indicated the Executive Committee would pay careful attention to the discussion in future convention planning.
Special convention events
The convention also included a variety of special events and activities throughout the weekend.
The worship team from the host Lincoln Hills Bible Church led the delegation in uplifting times of worship through music, Scripture and prayer. Challenging biblical sermons by guest speaker Robert Radtke followed.
Reports were given by denominational agencies including Kindred Productions, MB Biblical Seminary, Tabor College, MBMS International and MB Foundation. Mennonite Central Committee also reported .
lona Radtke spoke to the women who attended the Saturday Women's Missionary Society luncheon. Her message, "Feast of Grace," focused on the dangers that come from our own righteousness by keeping the law.
Bob Entzel of Lincoln Hills Bible Church, spoke to the men Saturday noon dressed as the Apostle Paul. He recited Romans 1-8 from memory and in dramatic fashion.
Brief reports were given by Herb Schroeder regarding a new biblical discipling and counseling ministry called UPLIFT which he has initiated at Lincoln Hills, by Steve Stout concerning Good Neighbor Ministries of Faith Bible Church in Omaha, and by Walter Preza about the ongoing ministry of Omaha's Iglesia Agua Viva in their new church facility.
Delegates attended one of three workshops Saturday afternoon. Darren Rempel, associate pastor at Bethesda MB Church in Huron, S.D., presented a workshop that addressed the conflict over music styles and discussed what is at the heart of worship. Jim Weems, pastor of Grace Bible Fellowship in Gettysburg, S.D., shared the challenges of ministry in a small, rural community and the strategies that have been used successfully at Grace. Tabor College President Larry Nikkel and other TC staff provided an opportunity for delegates to dialogue with them about the college.
Saturday evening the Tabor College drama team "Uncommon Acts" presented
a series of sketches about Christian life. Outgoing district chair Ron Seibel received a plaque and district minister Roger Engbrecht expressed appreciation for Seibel's many years of service as a CDC pastor and conference leader. The delegation responded with a standing ovation. Seibel and his wife Kathy recently relocated to Wichita, Kan.
Vision for ministry
What it will take to fulfill the CDC's aggressive outreach and church planting strategy through the ministry of its Omaha congregations dominated the convention proceedings. Tom Cartney, pastor of Bethel MB Church of Salem, S.D., spoke from the floor about the importance of emphasizing vision People, said Cartney, especially younger individuals, will not give to conference norms, but they will support and give to vision. As delegates and CDC leaders left the 2001 convention, many felt anew the responsibility of sharing with their home congregations a compelling vision for district ministry. •
Radtke urges delegates to build up the church
ROBERT RADTKE, a priests, bringing the klng-
Radtke. The Apostle Paul of darkness. The church is former Mennonite Brethren dorn of God Into the world. says that things will wors- engaged In spiritual warpastor who now works with Its members have the keys I en In the last days. Morals fare, and there will be the Haggai Institute, pre- of the klng- will break casualties, said Radtke. sented four messages at dom with the down with dis- Satan is a powerful enemy the Central District Confer- power to bind astrous conS8- whose goal Is to steal, kill ence convention around and loose quences. The and destroy He has a the theme of building up things In church has to strong ally Inside each the church. WIth his dra- heaven and maintain the believer: the flesh, which matic preaching style, on earth The moral high always responds to his humorous anecdotes and church Is the ground In soc 1- temptatiOns. It Is essential solid Bible teaching, means ety with that believers leam how to Radtke Inspired and cha!- through which m strong moral wage spiritual warfare lenged his listeners with a God's man!- ! convictions against the enemy by portrait of the glory of the fold wisdom and high stan- standing In the strength of church and Its Impact on Is revealed to dards in the the Lord, wearing the full the world. angelic and home and in armor of God, learning how
Three themes about the demonic forces. "We must the work place. Christians to walk after the Spirit and nature of the church doml- regain our vision of the must guard their hearts being alert In prayer. nated Radtke's messages. glory of God," Radtke said. against sin and tempta- Radtke said that things • The church Is gtori- "this Is our power and our tlon, said Radtke, and constantly bombard and ous. Built on the solid rock motivation maintain a strong example dim the vision of what Is of the deity of Christ, the • The church impacts before the world. the church. "Unless our church Is the unique society. The church exists • The church engages thinking Is right about the expression of God's wls- In a secular society, one In spiritual warfare. The nature of the church, we dom in the world. Its rnem- that Is drawing Increaslng- church is the kingdom of will be Ineffective," he bers are a kingdom of Iy away from God, said light Invading the kingdom said. - Herb Schroeder
Sharing God's faithfulness
Celebration and family atmosphere permeates convention agenda-and
. ,vo,.te .
BY CARMEN ANDRES
"Te greatest stories are stories
of changed lives ," said David Thiessen, chair of the Pacific District Conference Home Missions Board.
Thiessen was talking in particular about the evangelism stories coming out of South Mountain Community Church-a church plant in the Salt Lake City area accepted into district membership. But his statement aptly describes
the weekend for over 200 delegates-and 500 guests Friday evening-from Washington, Oregon, California, Utah and Arizona attending the PDC convention Nov. 9-10 at Reedley (Calif ) MB Church. The two-day event was filled with testimonies of changed lives--from a woman who found Jesus just six months ago to church planters, pastors and a district minister who is retiring after 51 years of doing God's work.
Telling the stories
The convention's theme-celebratiog God's faithfulness--permeated the stories told by speakers, most of whom shared personal experiences with candor.
In the convention's opening Friday afternoon keynote address, Gary Wall, PDC chair, told delegates about a recent skiing injury that unexpectedly left him near death after a drug reaction in intensive care. It put things in perspective, Wall says.
"God is faithful to the core," he told delegates of both his personal life and the life of the district. ReBecting on 1 Thes. 5:24, Wall pointed out God is faithful to "keep us blameless and sanctify us--make us pure and holy
"What does this have to do with the PDC?" he asked. "It goes to our mission to bring good news to people at death's door That is what we are all about."
Friday evening, Draper, Utah, church planters Paul and Jini Robie also spoke of God's faithfulness to those people who don't know him, sharing the challenges and victories of planting South Mountain Community Church in a city dominated by Mormonism.
"Tonight . I wanted to brag on God," Paul Robie said, citing God as the reason for the three and a half year old church plant's growth to an average 385 attendance and the stories of changed lives within that congregation
It hasn't been easy, the Robies related.
"I've experienced peace like a river," said Jini, pointing out that a river tumbles over rocks and cascades down falls While the last three and half years were hard, Jini said they also were filled with incredible joy.
One reason for that joy was the convention's most poignant speaker, Stephanie Pratt, who recently became a Christian at SMCC.
A former Mormon, Pratt related in a moving testimony her life of growing up in a prominent Mormon family, living through a failed marriage and the decision to isolate herself from people around her . Through a series of events, she found herself at SMCC and a year later at a Good Friday service. As she
sang the words of a song, she felt something happen in her heart, Pran said. People she had watched with skepticism she suddenly looked at with love .
She accepted Christ that night and said her life has never been the same.
"What seems normal and traditional to you is the most radical thing in the world 1 live in," Pran said.
"God is faithful in his most faithful way," said Robie after Pran's testimony, "bringing people from darkness to light " Saturday morning, Horacio Aleman, Jr., pastor of the Spanish and English speaking EI Faro Community Church in Reedley, told delegates he is "a living testimony that God is faithful."
Aleman started as a volunteer youth leader at El Faro and then found himself filling in as an interim pastor at age 27.
"I was not what you are looking for in a pastor," said Aleman, who has had no professional training. He related his struggle to nurture his marriage, raise his children, work full-time jobs and pastor the bilingual and multi-cultural congregation in a section of Reedley dominated by poverty. Ultimately, he
said, he came to realize that he had to let God take control.
"God is more faithful when 1 give up more of myself to him," said Aleman.
"When we want to see God's faithfulness in our lives, we need to give up more of our life God waits for us to be obedient to him, and he will do the rest "
During a report shortly afterwards, district minister Henry Dick said, "I have been filled by the Spirit and blessed this weekend by hearing stories and seeing the faithfulness of God."
Celebrating God's faithfulness
Dick's comments were particularly striking as this convention was the last he will anend as district minister. Dick is retiring at the end of December after 12 and a half years as PDC's district minister-and 51 years in ministry (see stories on pages 20 and 26).
Dick reflected on his involvement in the PDC throughout the convention,
Tributes to a "hero" I
WHEN PACIRC DISTRICT
tlon, leaders made com- I, Conference chair Gary Wall , ments about Dick's Influand other district leaders ence or service asked Henry Dick how he "To many of us, you are i wanted his retirement from our heroes," said Wall at 12 and a half years as the close of Friday POC's district minister rec- evening's service, when ognlzed at the convention, leaders officially recognized Dick took a couple of days the service of Henry and to think about It The Idea his wife Erica with a he came up with wasn't a Thomas Kincaid painting surprise to his peers. Wall lauded Dick's 51 "I told them I didn't • years as a pastor and diswant a retirement party," trlct minister as a role said Dick "I wanted to ce l- model for young leaders ebrate God's faithfulness " During a question and And so they dld-cele- answer session with Dick,
bratlng God's faithfulness then MIssion USA executIve in changed lives and min- director Ed Boschman joked Istry during the PDC con- with Dick, " I hope I'm like ventlon Nov 9-10 (see i you In 50 years," but added story page 25). more seriously that Dick's
But delegates and lead- warmth, open heart and ers also celebrated Dick's open mind were Inspirations
faithfulness and God's work to him and others through him "I appreciate that you Throughout the conven- didn't laugh us out of your
claiming a "ring-side seat to all God's doing"-a phrase convention goers are used to hearing from Dick.
The Friday evening slot, usually designated for a home missions board fund raiser, was a church planting celebration hosted by Dick. Over 700 delegates and guests anended. It included the Reedley MB Church choir and the Fresno Slavic Church orchestra. Dick also held a question and answer session with Jose Elizondo (associate district minister), Loyal Funk (director of Integrated Ministries, a U.S. Conference ministry to immigrant people groups and churches) and Ed Boschman (then executive director of Mission USA, the church planting and renewal ministry of the U.S. Conference). As they talked about their respective ministries, Elizondo, Funk and Boschman interacted easily with Dick, each having spent many years working with him.
Throughout the evening, Dick was visibly moved and reiterated the convention's theme on God's faithfulness-something he feels in his own life. "He's never failed me," Dick said resolutely.
As Dick offered Saturday afternoon's
office," said pastor Paul Roble of Dick's edness in considering a church plant In Salt Lake City, a city dominated by Mormonism. "That was a wonderful non-event for us."
"You can't say no to Henry," said Horaclo Alei man, Jr., of Dick's encour-
agement style and refusal to take no as an answer "He Just says 'Ok, thank you!'" How does Dick feel about his 51 years of minIstry?
"If we were 20," Dick said of he and his wife, "we'd do It allover again."
-Carmen Andres
benediction closing the convention, he thanked God for the stories of his faithfulness and the presence felt by many during the two-day convention. But even as he was officially ending his role as district minister, Dick closed with a forward looking prayer, ''We need your help to glorify your name and share the gospel."
Down to business
In between the celebrations and testimonies, delegates got down to the business side of running district ministries.
In addition to hearing from national and inter-Mennonite ministries and approving reports from various district ministries and boards, delegates accepted nine churches into membership--seven of which are either Slavic, Korean or Ethiopian
Given the opportunity to address the delegates, many of the pastors brought greetings from their congregations and expressed gratitude at joining the PDC. Vasily Tishchenko of the Love of God International Ministries, a Slavic church in Vancouver, Wash., said, "I am not used to so many churches together as a family "
That sense of family paid off when delegates and ministry representatives debated from the floor a recommendation forwarded by the trustees, resulting in an historic vote for the PDe.
The trustees proposed establishing an endowment with current church planting and church liquidation funds to provide loans to emerging churches for down payment for property acquisition. The planting fund and the liquidation fund- composed of assets from church closures-are currently used to provide grants for the same purpose. While the funds are used mostly as grants for new churches for down payments on buildings, they are not associated with the Home Missions Board and are freestanding line items.
The trustees voiced concern that the funds will not replenish themselves. In recent budget years, both interest and principle had been taken from these funds to cover district budget shortfulls in income. Trustees proposed combining the funds in an endowment, from which loans (instead of grants) would be provided, thus replenishing the fund The loans would be offered interest free for five years and repayment would begin in five years over a 15 year period at five percent interest. Trustees also proposed that appropriations for budget shortfulls would be limited to net earnings of the endowment in any fiscal year after "retention of the current CPI factor or three percent, whichever is greater."
Delegates and Home Mission Board members stepped up to the microphone
End of an era-and a mi nist ry
"A LOT HAS changed," Eleanor Boese, president of the Pacific District's Women's Missionary Service, told delegates of the Pacific District Conference convention Nov. 9-10.
Indeed It has. Boese went on to announce that WMS was rec0mmending to disband the organization, citing many reasons including disbanding of local WMS groups and declining membership. WMS held Its final meeting Saturday morning, Nov. 10.
While WMS mem-
bers knew the day was coming, the announcement that the women's organization was dl. banding surprised some delegates and guests
Delegates also leamed that, since Its Inception In 1947, WMS has raised over $2 million for MB ministries
The organization was fonned to give women a chance to use their talents, time and money In support of foreign and home missions and Institutions like Fresno Paclf. Ic University and MB Biblical Seminary.
"We understand and
to express several concerns about the recommendation, including questioning whether it was a fundamental change in the purpose of the funds and the effect of the change from grants to loans on emerging churches.
Other delegates and members of the trustee board voiced support for the recommendation, expressing concerns about where funds for down payments would be found if the fund was depleted and the need to keep funds available for building projects of new churches.
When all hands were counted, the vote fell 44 in favor of the recommendation and 39 opposed. The five vote difference was an historic vote, said wail
The narrow margin of agreement brought a new concern from the floor.
''We are ruled by brotherhood," said Larry Martens, pastor of North Fresno (Calif ) MB Church, urging continuing dialogue to resolve the difference.
Martens' concern was echoed by other delegates, some suggesting the vote be rescinded and others calling for continuing dialogue with the vote upheld. Eventually, a move was made to rescind the vote and direct the trustees and home missions boards bring a new motion next year The motion passed by a vote of 83 to 22.
Wall encouraged delegates to see the debate in a positive light. "It's what families do," he said. "We disagreed We did it well. We did it kindly, and we spoke to the issue Way to go!"
Other business and highlights of the convention included :
appreciate that seasons change," PDC chair
Gary Wall told Boese "We want to thank you and the others who have given so much "
Delegates made their appreciation offtclal. At the closing of the CORventlon, Amoid PrIeb of Bethany MB Church In Fresno, Calif., and a Home Missions Board member, said the dl&trIct needed to go on record to say thank you to the organization
"We sure do," said Wall to a round of enthusiastic applause. -C armen Andres
• Delegates passed a 2001-2002 budget of $397,000. The budget was approved with one descenting vote.
• Women's Missionary Service announced it was disbanding after the convention (see story at left).
• Hispanic Assembly and Council announced its first anniversary of Camp Ebenezer and invited district churches to rent its facilities.
• The Board of Christian Education announced a new web site for churches: www.pdclink.org
• Board of Faith and Life is dealing with the issue of how churches and the district can partner more fully with the 11 different cultural and language groups that make up the district
• Nominees were elected to ministries of the POC.
• The Home Missions Board offering Friday night brought in $23,000. •
New staff join MWC
a., Tshimika joins global inter-Mennonite organiza,., tion's staff, will focus on projects and networks
Pakisa Tshimika, MBMSI International program director for Africa and director for social has accepted new assignment as an associate executive secretary with Mennonite
tary for networks and projects and Brubacher, formerly MWC director of special projects, is now associate executive secretary for events and administration. Brubacher's primary task for the next two years will be planning the Africa 2003 assembly. The Assembly Gathered, to be held August 11-17, 2003 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, "has the potential of being one of the most exCiting world conferences ever," says Brubacher. World Conference. MWC is a global fellowship of Anabaptist churches.
Tshimika, who lives in Fresno, Calif., began his new work Sept. 1, as did another new MWC associate executive secretary, Ray Brubacher of Waterloo, Ont. The addition of Tshimika and Brubacher will allow Executive Secretary Larry Miller to focus more on vision and oversight of MWC, relationships with churches around the world, communications and financial development.
Tshimika is associate executive secre-
Tshimika's work will focus on a wide range of projects. "I do whatever Ray doesn't do. I'm the director ofleftover jobs," quips Tshimika. In a more serious vein he says, "There are lots of ideas floating around that might work with a new twist. I want to start with results and figure out how to build to get there."
Arthur G. Gish records a moving story of the turmoil and suffering of the Palestinian people, the agony experienced by Israelis, and a vision of hope and new possibilities of reconciliation between Jews, Muslims, and Christians. From 1995 to 2001, Gish experiences living with Muslim families, engaging in nonviolent actions with Israelis and Palestinians, and struggling to find creative responses to situations of injustice. Selected excerpts from his journal tell of the Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) work and give a vision of how small peacemaking groups can make a difference in violent conflicts.
He's had experience with "a new twist." A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tshimika came to the U.S. to study to be a surgeon. When a horrific car accident thwarted that plan, he turned to other health fields, earning Masters and Ph.D. degrees in California. He then worked in the DRC with MBMS International and as national director of health and development. One of his specialties is HN/AIDS.
With conflict raging in the DRC, he returned to California in August, 1999. Travel in Africa for his job was easier from a U.S. base, he says. He continued working halftime for MBMSI, but ready for a change, he began working for MWC as director of the Global Gifts Sharing Project and as an advisor on other projects.
Most recently, Tshimika has traveled all over Africa with MWC Global Gifts Sharing Project co-worker Tim Lind, creating an inventory of "gifts" African Mennonites and Brethren in Christ have to offer. The two also fielding requests to speed up the gifts inventory in Latin America, in Asia and in North America.
At the August MWC executive committee meeting, Tshimika and Lind reported that with the completion of the gifts inventory in Africa new projects have emerged since many of the gifts identified cannot be shared without some further subsidy For example, a group of women in Ghana have a food preparation technology to offer to the women of Burkina Faso. Unless they can visit each other, the efficiencies cannot be passed along.
Tshimika's new full-time position also expands his responsibility to create and oversee a range of projects and staff, including the new YAMEN! (Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network!) program.
"I like to network with people who have challenging ideas. I want to make them happen," says Tshimika.
In other news from Mennonite World Conference, planning for Africa 2003, the upcoming international celebration to be held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is kicking in at full throttle The MWC executive committee acknowledge the political, economic and medical uncertainties facing the host country, and, consequently, the event itself. At their August meeting, MWC leaders decided to prayerfully move forward with their plans. -from MWC news reports
FOUR ALUMNI RECEIVE AWARD BEGUN IN 1969
Te alumni recognized for service, accomplishments
Four Tabor College graduates were honored by the college as 2001 alumni award recipients. The Alumni Award program, begun in 1969, honors alumni for their exceptional accomplishments and service The Medallion Award honors a graduate from the previous 15 years while the Merit Award honors graduates from more than 15 years
Jon Wiebe of Hillsboro, Kan., accepted the Medallion Award. Wiebe currently serves as president/CEO of MB Foundation, Hillsboro, Kan. Wilmer A. H3.rms of North Newton, Kan., received a Merit Award. For 36 years, Harms has served in the field of medicine, including 20 years practicing ophthalmology. He was a charter member of the Center for MB Studies, has served on the board of various MB denominational agencies and has authored several books.
Bruce and Jeannette Flaming, of Dallas Ore., accepted a Merit Award together For 30 years, Bruce practiced family medicine/anesthesiology in Dallas He has worked with reconstructive surgery for Romanian orphans, and was co-founder of an agency which operates homes for the developmentally disabled in Oregon. He has also served on MB denominational boards for educational institutions. Jeannette began a Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, has served as a board member of Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, Calif., and has traveled worldwide as a member of the Mennonite Central Committee Executive Board
Tabor College is a four-year, Christian liberal arts institution, founded in 1908, and located in Hillsboro, Kan It is owned and operated by the Mennonite Brethren - TC
QUILT RAISES MONEY AND SPIRIT IN WAKE OF SEPT. 11: Weeks before the tragedy of Sept. 11, a Goshen, Ind., woman pieced a wall hanging she named "New York City at Night." Auctioned at the Sept. 22 Mlchlana Mennonite Relief Sale, the quilt united the crowd In reaching out to a hurting world. Bidders on the quilt raised $12,000 for Mennonite Central Committee and decided to send the quilt to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. "People at the sale were definitely thinking about the tragedy," says Nancy Troyer, chair of the sale's quilt committee. The quilt' s effects on the auction crowd were "a Splrltmoving thing," Troyer says. -MCC F ACILITIES FEATURED ON HOMECOMING WEEKEND
FPU celebrates new facilities
Fresno Pacific University's homecoming weekend Oct. 26-28 featured celebrations of two new facilities . FPU is a Mennonite Brethren university located in Fresno, Calif.
Ground was broken Friday afternoon for Steinert Campus Center, named in honor oflong-time FPU supporters Marvin and Nadene Steinert of Bakersfield The center will contain general dining for students, faculty
and staff as well as separate space for special events A student development leadership center and offices for the student life division are also part of the $3.5 million project. All building funds have been raised, and construction is set to begin in the spring of 2002. Occupancy is planned for one year later.
The Jaime Ramirez Soccer Field, located inside the Bill Cockerham Track at the east end of the campus, was chris-
tened Saturday afternoon
Since Ramirez became head coach in 1991, the men's team has achieved a 118-6014 record and a winning percentage of 652 coming into the 2001 season. The Sunbirds also earned four Golden State Athletic Conference championships. The 1999 squad won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Region II trophy and participated in the national championships. Ramirez was also instrumental in establishing the women 's soccer squad, now in its first year of conference play after several years as a club sport
A 1981 graduate, as a player Ramirez scored 54 goals,
27 assists and 134 points, a record that stood until 1999 He appeared three times on the NAIA All-American list and was on the team that brought home the university's first NAIA District 3 championship in any sport
Max and Charlotte Steinert made the major gift for the field and requested it be named for Ramirez Max and Charlotte and his parents, Marvin and Nadene, have been involved with Steinert Field, the present soccer facility, Steinert Campus Center and other projects. Max is assistant treasurer of the board of trustees and Marvin is a member emeritus. -FPU news release
NEWS FROM THE MENNONITE BRETHREN WORLD
MORE NEWS
In remembrance
-John Klassen, who served. with MBMS International In Brazil from 1959 to 1996, died May 2, 2001. He and his wife Pat were living In Abbotsford, B.C. During his 37 years with MBMSI, Klassen taught at a Curltlba Bible school and orphanage, wrote a theological training by extension book and was a church planter and pastor. After retirIng In 1996, Klassen made short-term ministry visits to Mozambique and the Ukraine and worked with Chinese congregations In Canada. The Klassens are the parents of four children. -MBMSI
-North America will be the focus of Mennonite World Conference ' s World Fellowship Sunday Jan. 27, 2002. The focus of World Fellowship Sunday, a special day of prayer and worship among the global family of Anabaptist churches, rotates from continent to continent each year. Packets of worship resources are available. Justina Heese, who represents Mennonite Church Canada on the MWC General Council and who serves on the MWC Executive Committee, has coordinated the preparation of the material for 2002. The theme will be, "WalkIng In unity In the light of God." The resource packet Includes scriptural texts, songs, stories, a call to worship, prayers of Intercession, litanies, sermon Ideas and a benediction. -MWC
New fiction series
- WIth the release of When Ughtnlng Strikes by Hugh Alan Smith, Herald Press Is beginning a new series of historIcal fiction titles with romantic themes. The publisher plans to release at least two titles a year of the "Crossings of Promise" historical romance stories coming out of many settings. These Include the Protestant Reformation and Anabaptlsm, and the Mennonites who fled the Ukraine before and after the Bolshevik Revolution. -HP
CONGO WORKERS AIM AT E NDING AFRICA'S "WORLD WAR"
MCC workers join peace talks
Unnoticed by most North Americans,a new round of peace talks aimed at ending what has been called "Africa's World War" began Oct. 15 only to end a few days later. Several Mennonite Central Committee-supported grassroots peace workers from Congo, the scene of the conflict, traveled to the talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They planned to lobby for reconciliation and to channel accurate information back home . The failure of the underfunded peace talks to continue highlights the need for greater outside understanding of the three-year war and the vast humanitarian crisis it has triggered, say Congolese peace work-
ers and MCC staff.
Home to more Mennonites than any other country except the United States, the Democratic Republic of Congo has struggled since the days of brutal Belgian colonial exploitation. The current war-fueled by complex alliances as well as a struggle for Congo's diamonds, oil and other resources-pits Joseph Kabila's government against rebels who control the eastern half of the country Six other African countries as well as various foreign rebel militias are also involved . Recent statistics reveal that since August 1998, some 2.5 million people have died in eastern Congo as a result of the war This figure is greater than the total number of people who
have died in all other conflicts around the world during this same time.
Much MCC work has focused on providing forums and training for Mennonite and other Protestant churches around the country who want to foster peace and address poverty. MCC is also organizing distribution of $200,000 worth of seeds and tools through local agencies in the hardest-hit areas of the country, and exploring more possibilities for aid.
Official peace talks may resume in the near future, With South Africa offering to host them and MGC plans to facilitate a trip to South Africa for the peace workers who would have gone to Ethiopia. -MCC
MCC INCREASING FOOD AND RELIEF CONTRIBUTIONS
More aid to Afghanistan
MENNONITE IIshed In 1993. Pakistan. and 5,000 metric Central Commit- From the east, From the tonsofCFGB tee Is organizing Pakistan, a ship. west, Iran, MCC lentils, chicka three-pronged ment of 190 met- workers are mon- peas and beans response to the ric tons of wheat Itorlng the MCC Is currently crisis In and 10 metric butIon of MCC assembling Afghanistan. tons of beans supplies. another ship.
From the was shipped Into Through the I ment of 20,000 north, Tajikistan, Afghanistan via nlan Red Cres- blankets. Three MCChascon- MOO's partner, cent Society, MOO workers are trlbuted $16000 MEDAIR this Is MCChas visiting Afghan toward a 250-ton partofa 616 responded with refugee camps shipment of metric ton ship. $200,000 for Moolsa wheat and blan- ment coordinated purchase of local Mennonite and kets organized by Canadian food and other Brethren In by Help the Foodgralns Bank, supplies, 20,000 Christ world Afghan Children, previously comforters relief and cleve&a U.5.-based ed In a ware- scheduled to opment agency nonproflt organl- house In have arrived In - fromMCC zatlon estab- Peshawar, late November news releases
CHURCH NEWS
CHURCH
Baptism/membership
Draper. Utah (South
Tim McClure Kim McClure, Allison Willis. Matt Bardin, Tenesha Lewis, Vicki McDaniel, Nikki Detry, Andy Baker, Heather Glenn, Tom Smith, Crystal Soderberg and Alexa Soderberg were baptized during baptism services held Sept 30 and Oct 14
Cordell. Okla.
Creed, Joyce Creed, Camryn Creed, Caleb Creed, Norman Bennet and Regina Bennet were welcomed as new members Sept 9
Celebrations
Fresno. Calif. The congregation held ground breaking services for their new sanctuary Oct 21 during the morning worship service. Children, youth and adults were invited to bring a shovel and participate in the groundbreaking.
Wichita, !Can M inistries organized "Happening of a Holiday" Nov 15 at which various experts demonstrated how to make holiday ornaments and gift-giving ideas Holiday displays included thematic Christmas trees, home decor, nativity sets and holiday quilts Holiday cookies and candies were served and the recipes were distributed Women were encouraged to invite their fri ends, neighbors and relatives to the sessions
Ministry
Draper. Utah (South
The congregation held its third annual vision dessert this fall at which 180 adults came to celebrate the things God has done and to look forward to what he might do in the next year. The group set the goal of having 750 in regular attendance and committed to planning and preparing for that number, which will include starting a third service.
Bethany, Olda (Western
The congregation enjoyed a fellowship meal Nov. 18 to celebrate their 40 years of ministry and congregationallife. The group plans to discontinue regular Sunday services for the immediate future in view of the
lack of a viable congregation and a pastor. The group wants to become involved with a larger core group in a proposed Southern District church plant in the Oklahoma City area
Cordell. Olda. church
facility is being used as a commun ications base by Mennonite Disaster Service in its relief work following a tornado that hit the city in October. The church has housed the fourth through sixth grade students from the local elementary school that was damaged in the storm More than 430 homes were damaged and in need of repa ir, with 150 homes considered totally destroyed
Olathe. Kan. (Community
The congregation has begun an Hispanic AWANA program on Thursday nights directed by Humberto, Dora and Norby Forero. The congregation is collecting winter clothing to share with the Hispanic community.
Reedley. Calif.-The congregation, together w ith First Baptist Church, hosted a fall family fun night Oct. 31 at the MB church. The event included food booths, free games, a kid's slide, boxing ring, bungee run, bounce house, train rides, face painting, woodshop booth and praise bands.
YISaIia. Calif
The congregation was invited to host outreach events in their yards on Halloween, Oct. 31. Households were encouraged to host simple carnival games w ith prizes and to hand out a written reminder of God's love along with an invitation to visit the church
Bakersfiel d, calif
Men ' s Ministry Team has offered to do home and yard chores including repairs, maintenance work, painting, etc , for individuals in the church family
Worshi p
Oovis. Calif (College Communi-
The congregation observed All Saints Day Nov 4 Participants shared with the congregation about those individuals who had influenced and encouraged them in their faith and some brought an object related to the individual to display.
NEWS FROM OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
Ulysses. Kan.-The congregation held a mission emphasis weekend Oct. 20-21 Featured speakers were John and Viorica Oros who were members of the evangelical underground church of Roman ia, Mark and Nancy Rogers, missionaries with SIM to West Africa, and the youth group of Garden Valley MB Church of Garden City, Kan., who shared about their summer missions trip to Juarez, Mexico
Rapid City. S D. (Bible FellowThe congregation held a mission conference Oct 12-14. Mike and Tina Yutzy, MBMS International staff members, Arlyn and Marcy Nies, area AWANA directors, and Child Evangelism worker June Janzen participated in the weekend events that included a Friday youth night. men's breakfast. women's coffee, youth hike, guest Sunday school teachers and Sunday morning worship.
Hillsboro, Kan.-A Jubilee service, an all-church family event during which younger and older celebrate together, was held Oct. 21. The activities, games and sharing focused on God as our tower of strength and security.
Mountain Lake, Minn.-The Mt. Lake MB Church and the Carson MB Church of Delft held a joint missions festival Oct. 19-21. The weekend included a Friday evening leadership training seminar hosted by Carson with missionary Vic Wiens who also spoke Sunday morning and afternoon at services hosted by Mt Lake.
Youth
Hillsboro. Ka_The three Hillsboro congregations, Hillsboro MB, Parkview and Ebenfeld, hosted the Southern District Youth Convention Nov. 16-18. Guest speaker was Clyde Nichols, an urban pastor from Denver.
Com, Okla.-Professional football player Todd Franz spoke to the youth group Oct 24 about the importance of a trusting and growing relationship with God He shared how his own spiritual life has deepened thanks to the accountability he has with h is wife and
Christian teammates
Deaths
DICK. KATHERYN MARTENS. Mountain Lake, Minn , and a member of Mountain Lake MB Church, was born May 4, 1907, to Wilhelm W and Katheryn Toews Martens at Carpenter, S D., and died Sept. 22, 2001, at the age of 94 On Oct 7, 1928, she was married to Abram N Dick, who predeceased her in 1993. She is survived by two daughters, Marion and husband Donald Graumann of Hillsboro, Kan , and Shirley and husband Dale Jost of Topeka, Kan.; one son, Robert and wife Verla of Topeka, Kan ; six sisters, Anna Sutter of Bozeman, Mont , Mary Armstrong of Astoria, Ore., Frieda Martens of Clearbrook B.C., Bertha Gamble, of Port Angeles, Wash., Helen Wall of Abbotsford, B C. and Eleanor George of Chilliwack, B C.; one brother, Dave Martens of Sardis, B C., six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
RAMING. MYRnE KRAUSE, Dallas, Ore., of Dallas MB Church, was born Jan 23, 1909, to John and Alma Krause at Jansen, Neb., and died Aug 5, 2001 , at the age of 92 On June 26, 1927, she was married to Jack Flaming, who predeceased her in 1987 She is survived by two sons, Wayne and Bruce; three daughters, Lois, Beverly and Shirley, 15 grandchildren and her great grandchildren
HIEBERT. HELEN ENsz, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Parkview MB Church of Hillsboro, was born Aug 4, 1909, near Inman, Kan , to Abraham G and Margaretha Klassen Ensz and died Oct. 13, 2001, at the age of 92 On Nov 13, 1932, she was married to Albert Hiebert. who predeceased her in 1984. She is survived by two daughters, Aldene and husband Marvin Schneider of Walnut Hill, Fla , and Joyce and husband Virgil Funk of Topeka, Kan.; two sons, Allen and wife Lois and Ron and wife Marilyn, all of Hillsboro, seven grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
HOFER. NAOMI, Reedley, Calif , of Dinuba (Calif.) MB Church, was born May 5,1915, near Huron, S.D , and
died Sept. 20, 2001, at the age of 86. She was married to Egon Hofer, who survives. She is also survived by three sons, Richard of Dinuba, Calif , Philip of La Verne, Calif., and Steve of Kingsburg, calif., and eight grandchildren
JUHNKE, MARGUERITE WALL. Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Oct 17, 1917, to Ben F and Bena Schroeder Wall at Hillsboro, Kan , and died Oct. 1, 2001, at the age of 83. On May 26, 1942, she was married to Roland Juhnke, who survives. She is also survived by two sons, Ralph of Frederick, Md., and Ron and wife Margaret of Kansas City, Mo ; one sister, Aldene Richert of Hutchinson, and
two grandchildren.
MENDEL. JOHN, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, was born Dec 25, 1927, to John S and Susie l. Hofer Mendel at Freeman, S.D., and died at t he age of 73 On Sept. 21,1949, he was married to Florene Kleinsasser, who survives. He is also survived by one son, Jay and wife Emajane; one daughter, Rene and husband Mike Lebsock and five grandchildren.
NEUFELD, ERMA LOUISE DUERKSEN, Salem, Ore., a member of Dallas MB Church, was born Feb. 5, 1917, to Peter Toews and Katharina Neufeld Duerksen at Fairmead, Calif., and died July 28,2001, at the age of 84. On Nov. 17, 1935, she was
married to Ervin Neufeld She is survived by three daughters, Louise, Shirley and Marilyn; one son, Lonnie; one brother, Edward Duerksen, of Eureka, Calif and one sister, Ruth Goertz Willems of Salem.
NICHOLS, RUTH PEN NICK. Enid, Okla , a member of Enid MB Church, was born Jan 20, 1927, to W.1. and Mary Kenyon Pennick at Marshall, Okla., and died July 17, 2001 On Jan. 27,1945, she married Orvall. Nichols, who survives. She is also survived by her five children, Sheryl Perry of Ponca City, Okla., Barbara and husband Dave Post of Shelby Township, Mich , Tim and wife Pam of Tulsa, Okla., Tom and wife Lori and Amy and husband
FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES PAY TRIBUTE TO SILAS BARTSCH
FPU professor lived as innovator
FROM TESTING PROTOTYPE tractors as a teenager In his native Minnesota to developing Innovative education programs, Fresno Pacific University faculty member Silas Bartsch lived as an Innovator
His life was honored Oct. 22 as about 150 friends, colleagues and former students gathered In Ashley Auditorium at Fresno Pacific UniversIty to pay tribute to Bartsch, who died Oct. 18.
Bartsch spent 31 years at the university, teaching sociology and education, helping expand both the teacher education program and the graduate school and serving as Interim pres!dent.
Bartsch, who joined the "faculty in 1970, worked tirelessly until shortly before his death. In his remarks at Bartsch's memorial service, former FPU president Arthur Wiebe said Bartsch earned the record for the number of retir. ment parties given anyone person "51 would celebrate his retirement on Friday and on Monday would show up, ready to be involved in some new way," said Wiebe . " A few days ago God gave 51 a retirement- we'll see If it holds "
As the first dean of the FPU School of Professional Studies, Bartsch was always building programs to better the work of teachers and the lives of students. "If you scratch the surface of any major educa-
tional development in this valley, especially those with a strong Christian Influence, you will find 51 Bartsch" said Wiebe.
Wiebe remembered the telephone call where Bartsch offered, not just to serve on a board or advisory committee as , Wiebe had thought, but to leave his post as superintendent of Kings .. Canyon Unified School District to teach at FPU. "He said, 'During the past few years I have been Increasingly convicted that the greatest need In education Is for an Infusion of Christian teachers, '" Wiebe said.
Bartsch put his passion into practice by working with the schools he strove to improve. While others promoted preconstructed programs to districts, , Bartsch asked educators what they needed, said Edmund Janzen, faculty and former president.
In improving education, Bartsch brought honor to the university Janzen recalled giving talks to community groups about FPU and finding Bartsch's reputation preceded him "People said, 'You represent the school where Silas Bartsch Is,''' Janzen said.
Bartsch was bom May 13, 1926 He Is survived by his wife, Nadine; one son, Doug; one daughter, Kris; one daughter-inlaw, Susie; one son-in-iaw, Tim; two brothers, five sisters and four grandchildren. -FPU
Archie Siebert, all of Enid; four siblings, Lois Ridenour, Walter I. Pennick, James A. Pennick and Mary Lou Fougnies, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
PAULS. LEOLA RUTH. Dallas, Ore., a member of Dallas MB Church, was born May 25, 1931, to Jacob and Elizabeth Wall at Dallas and d ied Sept. 24, 2001, at the age of 70. On Jan 19, 1951, she was married to Art Pauls, who survives. She is also survived by one son, Ron and w ife Debbie of Dallas; one daughter, LaVonne and husband Randy Vogt of Clovis, Calif ; one brother, Les and wife Dorothy Wall of Independence, Ore., and four grandchildren.
REIM ER. MARY. Cordell, Okla., a member of the Bible MB Church of Cordell, was born Sept. 28, 1905, to Gustav and Agnes Bartel Javorsky at Bessie, Okla , and died August 1, 2001, at the age of 95. On May 29, 1932, she was married to John A. Reimer who predeceased her in 1976. She is survived by two daughters, Laura Vogt of Weatherford, Okla , and Carol and husband Marvin Sperle of Cordell, Okla.; one son, Carl and wife Sharon of Hobart, Okla.; eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, five step grandchildren and 13 step great grandchildren
REM PEL. ROLAND ROBERT Reedley, Calif , was born July 7, 1913, to Bern and Katherine Ratzlaff Rempel at Steinbach, Man., and died Oct 4, 2001, at the age of 88 On Aug. 15, 1934, he was married to Mary Ann Flaming who survives He is also survived by one son, Roland Jr., and wife June of Sunnyvale, Calif.; three daughters, Sandra and husband Malcom Narlian of Sanger, Calif., Nancy and husband Roger Kusch of Reedley and Barbara and husband Doug Hampson of Fresno, Calif.; one brother, Henry and wife Estelle Rempel of Sacramento, Calif.; two sisters, Esther and husband Morris Jones and Sally and husband Milton Janzen, all of Reedley; two sistersin-law, June Rempel of Enid, Okla., and Anne Rempel of Reedley, Calif., 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren
YOGT, ALBERT F•• Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Parkview MB Church of Hillsboro, was born Aug. 12, 1908, near Moundridge, Kan., to Gerhard and Maria Friesen Vogt and died Oct 8, 2001, at the age of 93 On Sept 6, 1931 , he was married to Bertha Ann Schafer, who survives He is also survived by one daughter, Edith and husband Arnold Regier, three grandchildren and six great grandchildren •
2001 INDEX
BODYUFE
A room with a worldview, 64:1 :28 Anabaptists grow worldwide, 64: 1:29 Are we changing how we do God's business? 64:11 :24
Beyond the budget. 64:8:25
Boschman resigns from MUSA. 64:11 :27 catholic dialogue continues, 64:2:30 Colleges fight hunger, poverty, 64:4:29 Congo MBs hit hard by flood, 64:7:28
Ebenfeld: Alive and growing after 125 years, 64:7:26
Educators lecture overseas, 64:4:27 End of an era, 64:12:27
Hurricane-devastated community thrives in new location, 64:2:31
Inter-Mennonite consultation held in Congo, 64:10:31
Leaders wanted, 64:8:31
Lending a helping hand, 64:1:32
Life stories published, 64:3:31
Magazine gives Tabor regional rank, 64: 11 :32
MBF relocates PDC office, 64:7:31
MBMSI German language newsletter available, 64:7:31
MCC aids African flood victims, 64:6:31
MCC project progressing, 64:7:32
MCC responds to Afghan crisis, 64:11:31
MCC to aid drought victims, 64:8:32
MCC workers join peace talks, 64:12:30
MEDA: call to business, 64:10:32
More aid to Afghanistan, 64:12:30
MUSA hires fund-raisers, 64:4:31
MWC: Looking to 2003, 64:9:32
Networking Francophones, 64:7:32
New books on the shelf, 64:6:32
New gate swings at camp, 64:6:32
New Tabor College board members named, 64:3:31
Nikkel to be recognized with health care award, 64:2:31
Orientation involves service, 64:10:32
Pax reunion celebrates peace, 64:11:31
Prayer with President Bush, 64:3:32
Program director appointed for youth mission agency, 64:4:31
Quilt raises money and spirit in wake of Sept. 11,64:12:29
Rural Uganda joins cyber highway, 64:9:32
Seminary hires development staff, 64:8:31
Shift announced in North carolina church plant, 64:7:31
Slavic district approved, 64:5:31
Sorenson joins MBF staff, 64:2:32
Spiritual warfare study conference announced, 64:5:31
Stepping up, 64:4:31
Tabor endows first faculty chair, 64:1:32
TC alumni recognized for service, accomplishments, 64:12:29
U.S. Conference may face financial shortfall, 64:6:31
USERV team in Bellingham, 64:9:31
USERV works at Shafter church, 64:8:31
Volunteers serve home communities, 64:8:31
Volunteers sought by USERV, 64:2:32
West Coast women gather, 64:11:32
What I can do in response to Sept 11,64:11:31
Work on ministries continues, 64:3:32
INQUIRING MINDS by Marvin Hein
Biblical fasting, 64:10:17
capital punishment, 64:9:17
Church positions, 64:5:21
Contemporary and traditional worship, 64:3:19
Gambling, 64:6:19
Leaving a church, 64:7:19
Now boarding for worship, 64:1:19
Old Testament killing, 64:7:19
Praying like Jabez, 64:9:17
Recreational giving, 64:6:19
Sept 11: What should our response be? 64: 11 :19
Spiritual blackmail on Internet, 64:10:17
The state of funerals today and Oprah's spirituality, 64:12:17
Weigh Down, 64:5:21
Whence comes worship styles and which is biblical? 64:2:17
Why should we oppose the death penalty? 64:8:21
Worship teams and worship styles, 64:4:17
ON THE JOURNEY by Rose Buschman
Affecting public policy, 64:4:18
Answering the call, 64:5:22
Doing "donkey work," 64:9:18
Good gifts are given anytime, 64:2:18
It all started with a plastic strawberry, 64: 12: 18
Legacy of faith, 64:8:22
Reach out and touch someone, 64:10:18
Stories from the South Pacific, 64:6:20
Suffering for faith, 64:7:20
Watching far from home, 64:11:20
Where does violence start? 64:1 :20
Working with Wycliffe, 64:3:20
PEOPLE PROFILES
A call to speak for all women, by Sara Cook, 64:9:20
Diverse leaders for a diverse mission, by Darren Duerksen, 64:5:24
Family is more than parenting, by Mike Furches, 64:7:22
He keeps on serving God, by Connie Faber, 64:12:20
Investing "God's money," by Chris Fuller, 64:11 :22
Making the pitch for God, by Sara Cook, 64:4:20
Search for a nameless god ends in Christ, by Ellynne Wiebe 64:10:22
Walking onto a field of dreams, by Sara Cook, 64:1:22
Witnessing a faith too simple to be true, by Sheree Gerig, 64:3:22
PH'UP SIDE by Philip Wiebe
Adrift on the Censor Ship, 64:4:16
An almost-environmentalist, 64:5:20
Being number two, 64:10:16
Commercial ventures, 64:2:16
Election reflections, 64:1:18
Golf tops the news, 64:7:18 PC or not PC? 64:9:16
Prepared for the un-battle, 64:12:16
Smart versus smart, 64:8:20
Spears, strikes and silly stuff, 64:3:18
The sporting goods, 64:6:18
Thoughts in the aftermath, 64:11:18
SPEOAL FEATURE
MBs respond to attacks, 64:10:19
Texas church welcomes change (La Grulla), 64:2:20
U.S., canadian leaders issue statements, 64:10:19.
MMA counselors understand the role your faith plays in your financial decisions - because they've made a similar commitment to let their faith lead them. MMA counselors are people of faith and financial experts. They can help you assess your needs, provide solutions to meet your goals, protect your family, and practice charitable giving. In Nebraska and South Dakota, the following MMA counselors will walk with you on your stewardship journey:
Clearinghouse
Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Reach U.S. Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad. The charge is 53 cents per word. with a $15 minimum. Withhold payment until an invoice is received. MB institutions advertising vacancies or position announcements may be eligible for a no-cost ad. Contact the editor for more information.
EMPLOYMENT
MCC Country Representatives
Mennonite Central Committee urgently needs country representatives for the Philippines. Former Soviet Union.
is accepting applications for STEWARDSHIP/
PLANNED GIVING ADVISOR
This full-time position is responsible for activity in the midwest and would be in Hillsboro, Kansas.
DUTIES:
To encourage and assist Christians throughout the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in faithful stewardship. Specific responsibilities include planned giving, charitable estate planning, individual counseling, stewardship education and other Foundation-related activity.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate
• Aptitude for detail work
• Willingness to learn
• Christian commitment and desire to promote the work of the Mennonite Brethren
DIRECT
INQUIRIES
TO :
Attn: Jon Wiebe, President Mennonite Brethren Foundation PO Box 220
Hillsboro, KS 67063
Phone: 620-947-3151
Fax: 620-947-3266
E-mail: mbfound@southwind.net
Guatemala and D.R. of Congo. These fourto five-year volunteer assignments require applicants with college degrees. overseas experience. language skills. communication. organizational and administration skills, strong Christian faith and a respect for a wide variety of persons. Contact Charmayne Denlinger Brubaker, Human Resources at (717) 859-1151 or cdb@mcc.org for a job description and more information .•
CHURCH PARTNERSHIP EVANGELISM (CPE)
Itinerary and Invitation
CPE , under the sponsorship of MBMS International, invites born-again Christians to serve as volunteers for its evangelism outreach to:
NOTE: Dates may be subject to some changes, pending further confirmation of some campaigns.
• Team up with national Christians and witness for Christ door-to-door.
• Some knowledge of the language of the country is helpful.
• Between 800 and 2800 persons have prayed to accept Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord during a two-week CPE campaign. Come and be part of an enriching spiritual experience-discover what God can do through you.
For further information, contact:
Church Partnership Evangelism office: telephone/fax: 604-864-3941
Peter Loewen (residence) fax: 604-853-6482
Church Partnership Evangelism is a "church-to-church" effort that involves all bornagain Christians in personal evangelism worldwide. Your application to participate will be forwarded to the CPE Executive Committee for processing.
PETER LOEWEN
CPE Executive Director
HAROLD ENS
MBMS International General Director
Clearly,
No self-respecting shepherd
Irresponsibly leaves sheep
On a lonely hillside
Traipsing off
To the nearest town
To see
The latest wonder
Unless perhaps He hears,
Clearly,
The voices
Of God Almighty's Messengers
Even then perhaps
The haste is,
Thinking clearly,
To hire
A surrogate sheep sitter
And a messenger
To tell his wife
Not to worry
But, clearly,
No time to send out
For his drycleaned coat
Or to the florist
For a bouquet
And a proper
Birth congratulatory card
Making haste
Over rough terrain
At night
In the antiCipation
Of latent dreams
Become, clearly,
Reality
So I hasten
In the advent
Of retrospection
To Bethlehem
To see More clearly
The writer lives in Abbotsford, S.c. This poem first appeared in the Canadian Mennonite in December 1998.
