December 2007

19 > Leadership Board heads north 20 > Canadians consider culture and church 21 > CanadianlU.S. boards hold joint meeting

> PDC convention affirms priorities

26 > Glanzer named Tabor College president 27 :> Siberian conference celebrates 100 years

28 > Mennonite delegation visits Vatican City COL U MNS 5 CONFERENCE CALL

Boschman Not the same, but just like before

for

PH ' LlP SIDE

Philip Wiebe Good people, take heart

10 WITH by Kevin Johnson

The little word "with" explains why the Most High became a baby He did it because he is passionately interested in having a relationship with us. Christmas is God's invitation to "with ness. "

12 FACE TO FAC E by Katie Funk Wiebe

Faces are so important to us. When we wait for someone, it is the face we long to see Simeon gazes on the face of the child in his arms and knows that he belongs to this face and this face belongs to him. Will the same thing happen to you?

15 SKIPPING CH RI STMAS by Ken Guenther

At Christmas we hear of children writing letters to Santa In this letter, a young boy writes not to Santa but to the apostle John wondering why he skipped Christmas when writing his Gospel. Does the boy's remedy make sense? Does the story of Santa trump the birth of a baby?

> FiRST WORDS

[from the ed i tor!

LAST DECEMBER, I ASKED READERS TO SEND US A description of what you do to keep Christ as the focus of your Christmas celebrations . Our goal was to use your ideas as the basis for an article this year. Unfortunately, we were underwhelmed by reader replies. But I don't think the lack of feedback means there is a lack of ideas. So I'm going to give it one more try. What are you doing this month to keep your Christmas celebrations focused on Christ? Please e-mail me at editor®usmb.org or send your contribution to Christian Leader, PO Box 220, Hillsboro, KS 67063 We are looking for suggestions from people in a variety of life stages and who celebrate in a variety of family settings.

'The replies we did receive to our 2006 request note the connection berween Christmas and sharing our faith. During the holiday season many of us look for opportunities to communicate with family and friendsespecially those who don't profess to know Christ as Lord and Savior-the true meaning of Christmas. Every time we proclaim the good news of salvation and God's grace we contribute to someone's faith journey. As Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 3, sometimes we plant a seed of faith, and sometimes our assignment is to water the seed someone else planted.

I thought about Paul's words after receiving an e-mail from one of our December feature writers, Ken Guenther. Ken is a member of a Chortitzer Mennonite Conference church in Saskatchewan, and one of his sermons was published in their denominational magazine. I asked Ken if we could reprint the article in the Leader and he agreed. The article, "Quenching our thirsty souls," was published in the October 2005 issue. This fall when Ken offered us a Christmas article, he mentioned in his email that the Mennonite Brethren church in Hepburn, Sask., was instrumental in his conversion. Ken didn't elaborate, but this remark reminds me that we as congregations and individuals impact people whether we do so on purpose or not. The question is whether our actions and words are a positive or negative witness for Christ. As I go about my activities this Christmas season, I pray that I will obey when God nudges me to say or do something. I may never know how the word or deed I shared nourished the faith of another.-CF

> QUOTABLE

"When you wrestle with Scripture, you walk away limping. Some people have no limp, because they haven't wrestled. But the ones limping have had an experience with the living God."-Rob Bell, pastor and author

> UP & COMING

• Jan. 6 - 148th anniversary of founding of Mennonite Brethren Church

• Jan. 27 - World Fellowship Sunday sponsored by Mennonite World Conference

• Feb. 1-3 - Latin America District Conference convention

• Feb. 15-17- u.s. Conference Leadership Board meeting, Denver, Colo

• July 23-25 - Pastors ' Conference, Wichita, Kan.

• July 25-27 - u S. Conference convention , Hillsboro, Kan

December 2007

Volume 10

Number 12

Connie Faber EDITOR

Myra Holmes ASSISTANT EDITOR

Elain e Ewert GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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CONNIE FABER

> CONFERENCE CALL

Not the same, but just like before

The power of God's saving grace guides our future

The song playing on the radio was an old song, but it was new. Ramped up in rhythm and tempo, backed by an extensive and energetic band, with edgy voices in close harmonies sounding absolutely convinced and persuading me again-"Power! Power! Wonder working power in the blood, of the Lamb .in the precious blood of the Lamb." I parked and cranked it up and listened hard. Ive already got tinnitus, so it doesn't matter.

Deciding what to say in my first Conference Call column as u.s.

Conference executive director hasn't been easy. Some of my inclinations seemed overly

The board members who partnered with Chuck and those who make up the Leadership Board today are showing hard evidence that they love the Lord and his U.S. Mennonite Brethren church, and that they are kingdom driven. Add to that the passion and energy of our current staff-Donna Sullivan, Connie Faber, Don Morris, Carol Hagen and Myra Holmes-and we pick up a good steady pulse. The collective U.S. Conference leadership team wants to make a kingdom difference. Power in the Blood shows up in strong pulse. For the record, that has my heart pounding.

The word "relevance" is used to measure importance or necessity. If an organization or a ministry team doesn't bring added value

Pm ..:u ill the Blood up in strong pube . For the record. thJt ha ':i my poundin g.

generic: What if we aimed to recapture our first love for Jesus and his church? What if we figured out a way we could be "all for one and one for all?"

Generic or not, these questions will no doubt drive future columns. But for this time the Power in the Blood reininder has become a baseline answer to some rather specific questions I've been thinking about. Questions like: What does our future look like? What is our pulse rate? Do we matter? Who knows?

The word "vision" is often used to describe the picture of a preferred future. Vision looks forward. Wouldn't it be great to have our U.S. Conference denominational family described as spiritually healthy and cooperatively effective in kingdom impact? Wouldn't it be soul-satisfying if future news about us told the story of passionate. effective outreach and evangelism that resulted in real kingdom growth? Because there is power in the blood, that can be our future. Jesus has committed to build his church, and he has invited us to partner with him. For the record, that's my vision.

The word "vitality" is often used to describe a certain state of health. Vitality speaks of the present. So when we take a reading on our U. S. Conference family pulse there are reasons for a sense of hope. Thanks to the visionary and effective leadership of Chuck Buller, who served faithfully as the executive director during a time of review and restructuring. we are blessed with a leaner and more efficient ministry delivery model. I'm deeply grateful to him.

through its presence or the products and services it provides, it's natural to wonder whether that entity really matters. Would it be added value if we provided leadership in forging a holy and collaborative vision to grow our denominational family in effective kingdom work-glorifying God through the "reaching out" and "building up" aspects of discipleship? Could we multiply our effectiveness if we all partnered together in that great cause?

In our relatively small family, we11 need to be strong allies to maximize our impact. That will mean that our districts and local churches will link with our educational institutions-Fresno Pacific University, Tabor College and MB Biblical Seminary-and our collaborative ministry teams- MBMS International, Kindred Productions and the International Community of Mennonite Brethren-to pull on the kingdom oars together. For the record, it's clear to me that we need each other. We can do some kingdom stuff together that we couldn't otherwise do. And if it really is kingdom driven, then it is all about Power in the Blood after all.

The word "connexity" is not in the dictionary. I came cross this word in Leonard Sweet's writings. Combining "community" and "connection," Sweet infers that we need to be strongly and caringly connected. What if we rolled out a plan to communicate so broadly and effectively that obscurity would be seriously challenged? And what if in the process we discovered we really do have a kingdom mission in common and that we can help each other strengthen our impact? For the record. it's obvious well need to ramp up our information flow without further delay. For what it's worth, I'm committed to getting out the news. And none is better than that there's Power in the Blood. Ministry may not be done in exactly the same way as it once was, but thank God it will be strong just like before

> READERS FOR U M

In thy dark streets shineth

Bethlehem Christians bring light to community

It gives me a wann feeling to hear some 50 people in biblical costume singing 0 Little Town of Bethlehem as they gather in the pews of our church sanctuary. This is the scene as Kingsburg MB prepares for our Christmas "Bethlehem Experience."

Every other December our congregation invites the community to experience the event of Christ's birth via a walking tour of Bethlehem's marketplace. A baker offers guests a fresh loaf from her oven. The clothiers remember the swaddling clothes they used to wrap their own newborn. The potter's clay-crusted hands point out his finest wares. The spice seller's mother carefully grinds cinnamon to a fine powder Shepherds wann them-

Dr. Raheb's family knows exactly what that means When the Israeli military entered Bethlehem in a confrontation at the Church of the Nativity, Christmas Lutheran Church and its parsonage were right in the path of the tanks and trucks. Dr. Raheb, his wife, Nahwa, and their two daughters were terrified as their church compound was damaged, neighbors were killed and injured and soldiers entered and threatened them. They were under curfew in their home for over five weeks watching on CNN as their part of town became a war zone.

Over strong, sweet Arab coffee we listened to another

()ur little Bethlehem has deepened mv <lppreciation for th e miracle of Go d's Gift. Seeing presence 3mon g the Pa1estinian livin g in Bethlehem gm·e new meanin g to that gift.

selves at the fire. Children chase around the courtyard.

This Bethlehem we create in our church courtyard come to make Christmas more real to me. Seeing Sunday school teachers, praise team musicians and church council members in costume reminds me that Bethlehem was a real place full of real people. It was also the place where God chose to enter human history.

Still today, Bethlehem is full of real people. I had a chance to meet some of them on a visit to Palestine and Israel last year. Our little Bethlehem at Kingsburg MB has deepened my appreciation for the miracle of God's Gift. Seeing God's presence among the Palestinian Christians living in Bethlehem gave new meaning to that gift.

We sat in a classroom at Bethlehem Bible College with the school's president, Alex Awad. In his tender but intense way he shared with us the challenges of living in a city with a growing wall around it. Just a few days before our visit, a neighbor of the college had come to him in tears. The Israeli wall had cut off the road that led to his small shop. He had no other source of income and pled with Dr. Awad to help. A small gift of money from the school's benevolence fund would help the neighbor get by for a few days, but there was nothing Dr Awad and his staff could do to get compensation for this family's lost income .

Mitri Raheb's Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church is just a few blocks from the Church of the Nativity where, according to tradition, Jesus was born to Mary. Dr. Raheb led the service as we worshipped on Sunday morning, and we had a chance to hear some of his own story in a meeting with him the next day. He said that for Palestinians in Bethlehem opportunities for education and employment are poor Property is at risk of being confiscated by the Israelis. Military incursions leave families fearful and insecure.

Christian brother, Zoughbi. Zoughbi tell about his mediation work among the Palestinians in Bethlehem. He sees first-

hand the toll that the violence takes on relationships in families and among neighbors. At every opportunity he and his staff at the Wi'am Center for Conflict Resolution help people work through their conflicts peacefully. During our visit they were bringing food and comfort to two families who had lost sons in a military incursion just that week.

All three of these men are Palestinians whose lives are made difficult by walls and checkpoints and military incursions into Bethlehem. All of them have strong connections with the outside world. Each one could easily find welcome in the u.S. or another western country.

But all three have chosen to remain in Bethlehem-to maintain a Christian presence in the place of Christ's birth. They are there as a human reminder that this is the physical place where God chose to come in human fonn . They are there to welcome their Christian sisters and brothers, inviting them to reflect on the call of this Prince of Peace.

Meeting these three Christian brothers who live there was what made the visit to Bethlehem really worthwhile. Their commitment to the Prince of Peace deepened my faith and enriched my understanding of what it means to live out faith in a context of suffering and poverty.

May God bless them for continuing to fulfill the words of the song-"in dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."

Kathy Heinrichs WteSt is a member of Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church. She and her husband, Steve, have two adult daughters. Her work at West Coast Mennonite Central Committee connects her with a global family of believers where she finds great inspiration in the stories of how Christians live their faith in other political and cultural contexts.

School points to recovery in wake of tsunami

MCC works with community to design new school in Indonesia

People in the town of Lhoknga, Indonesia, recendy celebrated the opening of a junior high school that Mennonite Central Commitree helped rebuild after it was destroyed by the Indian Ocean tsunami. About 250 students attended an Oct. 25 dedication ceremony before attending classes in their own school for the first time since the tsunami struck the coast of Indonesia's Aceh province Dec 26, 2004.

Lhoknga suffered some of the tsunami's worst devastation. The wave killed several thousand residents and destroyed most of the town's buildings, says Jeff Yoder, MCC's tsunami response coordinator in Aceh. However, the junior high school is now the latest sign that Lhoknga is being rebuilt. Homes, schools and government buildings are springing up in the area cleared by the tsunami.

"Two years ago, you would have seen nothing between the streets and the ocean," Yoder says. ''Now, it's dotted with hundreds of houses."

After the tsunami, many families from Lhoknga lived in temporary shelters or with relatives. Children atrended school in tents or other towns. Some schools held separate morning and afternoon sessions to accommodate students from Lhoknga and other communities where schools were destroyed.

MCC provided about $1 million to construct and furnish the school in partnership with an Indonesian educational and development organization. The school includes

12 classrooms, basketball and volleyball courts, a computer lab, a science lab, an administration building and a library.

Yoder says that the school was planned in consultation with local residents, and it was designed to withstand earthquakes. In the event of another tsunami, which is unlikely, a new tsunami warning system is in place with sirens to tell residents of Lhoknga and other coastal communities to flee inland.

'The community is definitely bouncing back, and that's a real good thing to see," Yoder says. 'l\nd I believe that by constructing schools, it's only going to encourage the community to come back and to recover."

MCC is a peace, service and relief agency of North American Anabaptists.-MCC

MDS responding to California wildfires

Mennonite Disaster Service is organizing a local response to a series of wildfires that began burning in Southern California Oct. 20. Early numbers estimated that at least 1,500 homes were destroyed and over 270,000 acres of land were burned Over one million people were evacuated from their homes.

As of late October, MDS Region IV (which includes California) was in the initial stages of planning a disaster investigation with response to follow . A team of regional

MDS representatives toured affected areas in San Diego County to assess damage and determine response Further north, MDS volunteer Duane Steiner monitored fires in Green Valley near Lake Arrowhead.

MDS expects to send cleanup teams to affected areas as soon as the fires are completely contained and counties begin letring evacuees return to their hom es MDS Region IV representatives are in contact with local government officials to pursue ways that MDS can appropriately

respond to these fires to provide assistance to those affected

The nearest Anabaptist-related churches are First Church of the Brethren and San Diego Mennonite Church, both located in San Diego. MDS is not aware that the fires have affected anyone from these congregations . MDS is accepting tax-deductible donations for a response to the fires . To donate, call MDS at (717 ) 859-2210, or go to www mds mennonite net - MDS

Nikkel honored by MBBS

Larry Nikkel, president of Tabor College, was named the MB Biblical Seminary 2007 Mental Health and Integration Honoree at a ceremony Oct. 12 on the seminary's Fresno, Calif., campus. "I know of no person who better emulates with his life the joining of the spirit and the psyche," said former seminary president and longtime friend Larry Martens, who introduced Nikkel at the ceremony held during "The Psyche and the Spirit," a two-day seminar and celebration of the seminary's counseling programs.

After receiving his bachelor's in history and sociology from Tabor College in 1964, Nikkel spent three years as a secondary school teacher before working at Prairie View, a Mennonite-founded behavioral and mental health hospital in Newton Kan., to fulfill his obligation as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. Nikkel served in a variety of roles at Prairie View, starting out as an administrative assistant and finishing in

1993 as executive director of four centers . In 1974 he earned his masters in Health Administration from the University of North Carolina. From 1993 to 1998, Nikkel continued in the health field by taking positions as director of member services at Mennonite Health Services in Lancaster, Pa., and later as CEO of MHS in Goshen, Ind.

In addition to giving 30 years of leadership to mental health and health enterprises of the Mennonite church, he has served as president of Tabor College, the MB liberal arts college located in Hillsboro, Kan., since 1998. He will retire at the end of the year.

Martens says Nikkel is well-deserving of the honor: 'J\s I view his life now and look back to how God has used him in his kingdom, he has been a pastor and a shepherd, leading and tending agencies and organizations to more adequately reflect the Spirit of Christ in carrying out their mission."-MBBS

MBLF has first IRA investor

MB Loan Fund has their first investment in Individual Retirement Accounts, a new initiative introduced in spring 2007. Mark Krigbaum, a member of Fairview (Okla.) MB Church, invested because of MB Loan Fund's desire to help local churches further their ministry. "I want to be a good steward of the money God has given me," he says. "I want my money to be used to

promote Christian values, help society and return interest to secure the future of my family."

Jon Wiebe, president of MB Loan Fund, says, 'We appreciate all of our investors, but we are very encouraged by the excitement generated by our new IRA program. We are hopeful this will be a significant source of new capital for church lending." -MBF

GOERTZEN SERVES AS SEMINARY PASTOR

Gaylord Goertzen, lead pastor at Ebenfeld MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan., was the MB Biblical Seminary pastor in residence for the fall 2007 semester. Goertzen and his wife, Peggy, director of the Center for MB Studies at Tabor College, were both able to secure sabbaticals during the fall semester in order to serve in this role. "A pastor in residence models pastoral care and a learning attitude," says academic dean Lynn Jost. "They bring a presence to the classroom and campus that nudges us to think about our main purpose of training pastors and placing them in churches:' -M88S

GILBERT WRITES ON SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Pierre Gilbert, associate professor of Bible and theology at MB Biblical Seminary, addresses spiritual warfare from a worldview perspective and argues for a fresh look at the biblical text which shapes that worldview in his book, Demons, Lies and Shadows: A Plea for a Return to Text and Reason. The book is written to be accessible to the larger evangelical community and will be useful as a secondary resource for professors teaching in the area of spirituality. It will be released this month from Kindred Productions, www.kindredproductions.com or 800545-7322.-M88S

MBBS announces short-term courses

MB Biblical Seminary will begin announcing short-term course offerings at its campuses in Fresno, Calif.; Langley, BC; and Winnipeg, Man., on the "Resources" page of the seminary's Web site The information will also be highlighted in denominational periodicals, and an e-mail will be sent to all MB churches in North America when new course lists have been posted.

"The seminary desires to help and

encourage pastors and churches in any way that empowers and enhances their ministry," says Jim Holm, MBBS president. "Part of empowering the pastoral ministry is providing opportunities for pastors, their staff and the lay community in the church to keep growing, becoming lifelong learners. To do this we invite them to our campuses for short-term courses that give inspiration for serving and tools for leading."

Short-term courses typically cover

such topics as church health, counseling, evangelismlchurch planting, leadership, preaching and book or topical studies of the Bible. Each year new courses are added to meet specific needs in churches and the communities they serve Many courses on the Fresno campus are also offered at a continuing education rate for pastoral staff and licensed therapists and social workers For more information , visit www .mbseminary edu/resources. - MBBS

KEVIN JOHNSON

TIlE GOSPEL OF MATmEw TELLS US THAT THE Christmas cbild will be called Immanuel This is a Hebrew name that means -God with us.-The meaning is oomposedofdm:e smaB wonIsGod with us. The middle WOld is -with.- We hardly ooIice this smaB word. In fact. we seldom acknowledge its existence. W-i-t-h-just £our leners.

Remember your language arts classes? In English grammar the word -with- is a preposition. A preposition links nouns. pronouns or pIuases with others in a seou:nce. WIIh is a amnector WOld. It is a re1ational word. It connecIS two or more people or dUngs together in a reJationship. Here are two examples: Fred went to the store with Johnny. We wiD spend the holidays with our families. WIIh is a WOld that helps to clarify the relationship betwt:en people or dUngs. J(s a oonnector wont J:beysbaD call his name Immanuel-which means eGod1l1illa us.

During Christmas we are confronred with an inaedibIe reality: God wants to be in relationship with humanity. Chrisrmas is a re1ational event. It's about amnecting. This four-leuer WOld clarifies why the creator of the universe would spend nine months in Malis belly. He wants to be with us. God is passionately inreresu:d in relationship. He wants connection.

Historian Leonard Sweet has created his own word: ffJitImess. He :ugues that this is one of the a>re realities of the Christian faith. God hungers for mitImess. To follow Jesus is to be immetsed in mitImess. WJtIme.u is aft about pursuing relationship with God. WJtbness is about being pwsued by God for reIatiooship. It's a two-way sueet.

It is on this partiadar issue that we encounterooe of the tragedies of Western CIuisbanity. We use a lot of reIationaJ renninoIogy in Christian cirdes.. Yet prngmatieilly. when asked what a CIuist:ian is. we usuaRy respond that a CIuist:ian is someone who beJieves certain dUngs about Jesus and holds to panicu1ar creeds or doctrinal !>tltWJemS about God.

If the tnJtb were told. many Christians tend to define themselves more by what they believe or what they don't believe. Seldom do Christians define themselves by who they experience relationship with. As aresuJt. believing the rightdUngs about God can subtly become more important than experiencing withness with God. Knowing about God becomes a higher virtue than knowing God.

But Christmas c::om:c:ts our thiDkiDg.

Christmas is an mvitabon. It calls us to relational engagement with God. It is much safer to believe a particular list of theological points about God than it is to accept this invitation and dive into the nuances of relating to God.

When we look into the manger and see the infant Jesus. what we see is not a theological proposition to believe in. What we see in that manger is a God with whom we}me theopponunityto}me a relationship. Christmas confronts us with the reality that God made the fust move tow.ml us. He is offering witImess-the gift of relationship.

God took on a human body and entered intothetbick of the human experience because at his a>re God is reIationaIIy driven. He desires to be with us. People matter to him. He could have stood at a distance and stayed at arm's length. He entered our twf on our terms.

Cecil Rhodes was a British politician and financial wizani. Cecil was known for one thing above aft oahers-he was always impeccably dressed. Imagine British decorum mixed with a lot of money-expensive staR:hed shins, crisp folds and costly designer shoes. He was a walking fashion show. He was like an English version of Donald 1iump but with a much better haitstyle.

The stoty is told about a banquet that Cecil attended. Due to his tr.nreI schedule a young man invited to the banquet had to get right off the train and head directly to the banquet baR. This young man had no time to change out of his tr.m:l-slained. wrinkled suit. You can imagine how he felt when he anived and found aft the guests in full fonnal evening wear.

Cecil was about to join the banquet and wcloome the guests when he he:ud of this travelers situation. Cecil disappeared for a while. When he returned he was wearing an old. worn-out blue suit. Cecil was withness personified. He was more concerned about being in relationship than he was about impressing ocheIs.

December 25 we celebrate the ultimate experience of dressing down. God takes off the divine tuxedo and exchanges it for human clothes. He is more concerned about offering relationship, even if this move is a great risk to his image and reputation. Relationship takes priority over image. God puts on an old blue suit. He meets us where we are.

This is the stunning beauty of the nativity scene. Jesus. who was once clothed in cosmic splendor and glory, comes and dresses down so that reJationship can flourish with his beJcNed humans. In God's economy reJationship always trumps image.

Jesus came as a little baby in Bethlehem. He grew bones and muscles. He became the living. breathing invitation to friendship with God. This is an invitation that he extends to everyone and anyone who will take him up on the offer.

Christmas reminds us that God is interested in so much more than people merely believing aft the right stuff. Christmas envisions us with the reality that God is primarily inreresu:d in relationship. Mary is pregnant with humanitfs greatest dream-the dream to know God and to be known by God. This is the great joy of withness.

Isaiah the prophet saw this coming. He declared that "the viJgin will be with child and will give birth to a son. and theysbaD caD him Immanuel-which means eGod with us WIIh. A smaR but vel)' important WOld.

Ker1in Johnson is the director of .rpirituol formation and annpus pastoral Tabor College in Hillsboro. Kon. He and hisfamily attend Ebenfold MB Chun:h of rural Hi1lsboro.

Face to face

A HELICOPTER IS FLYING SLOWLY, NOT very high above the ground. Hanging down from it is a kind of halter with a life-size statue of a man dressed in robes. His anns are outstretched so that he looks as if he is flying by himself. The helicopter flies over a field in which men are working on tractors. They wave their hats and yell. Then one of the men recognizes the statue and hollers, "Jesus, Jesus." The other men jump off their tractors to run after the helicopter. But it continues flying.

In Rome , the pilots spot a group of girls in bikinis sunning themselves on a roof, and they hover, trying to

Recognizing the Christ

get their phone numbers. In The Hungering Dark Frederick Buechner writes that an audience viewing this Italian film, La Dolce Vita, laughed and cheered at the incongruity of wann, flesh and blood girls bursting out of bikinis and the cold, stone statue of Jesus dangling above them on the end of a rope.

And then, Buechner writes, the camera zeroes in on the statue itself with its anns outstretched and finally to the face until the screen is filled with just the bearded face of Christ. The audience became quiet. No laughing No snickering No cheering There was something about that face , on the screen for just a few seconds, that made them silent.

B Y

Buechner writes, "For a moment, not very long to be sure, there was no sound, as if the face were their face somehow, their secret face that they had never seen before but that they knew belonged to them, or the face that they had never seen before but that they knew, if only for a moment, they belonged to "

Simeon's song

Another sighting of Jesus-this one about 2,000 years ago Instead of an open field, it takes place in the temple courtyard in Jerusalem. Simeon, a right-living and devout old man, led by the Spirit, is waiting in the temple for the Messiah . This time, not a helicopter but a man and a woman carrying an infant in her arms enter

KAT I E FUN K WIEBE

the courtyard to do what the law of Moses says should be done for a new baby.

At first Simeon probably sees only ordinary parents with an infant walking toward him. But when he looks into the face of the child he recognizes the Christ, the Savior of the world. He has never seen this face before but he knows at once, like the men in the fields of Italy, that he belongs to this face and that this face belongs to him.

He takes the baby Jesus into his arms and praises God: "Lord, I am your servant (or I belong to you), and now I can die in peace because you have kept your promise to me. With my own eyes I have seen what you have done to save your people, and foreign nations will also see this. Your mighty power is a light for all nations, and it will bring honor to your people Israel" (Luke 2:29-31 Contemporary English Version).

Simeon has w.Uted a long time to see the face of Christ. We ohm wait for someone. And it is the person's face we are looking for. not the person's hair, arms or feet. The face tells us who the person is. Helen Keller. that amazing blind. deaf and mute woman. was particu1arly interested in knowing what her mends' faces were like. so she moved her hands gently over them.

Same face?

A young kindergartner waits for her mother's face to appear in the doorway at the end of the long school day. As Mom enters, the child's face lights up. She belongs to that face and that face belongs to her. But what confusion would happen if her mother wore a different face every day.

The darkness was overcome by the light. and I could see. Simeon shuts out the distractions of the darlmess of his times by focusing on the light of God's promise to him. As he waits. he silences his doubts as to whether the Christ will come in his lifetime. In the darkness he has God's promise. Our darlmess may be &ned with the slight shadows of doubts but also with the stronger light-hiding blackness of anger. frustrations, £ears and loneliness that are aD part of the human condition. It is foolish to deny their existence but wise to push them aside like scum on the water as we look for Christ's face in the darkness.

In the Italian movie. the men watching the helicopter suddenly grasp that they are in the presence of the Holy One.

It is a strange th i ng. but once we s ee th e Christ w e can no long er deny God. To do so means we mu st also deny having seen th e Christ.

I have been sotting photographs. so I look at faces. Did I reaDy look like that at one time? Is that my face? Who is the person behind that face? Is this face that I now have my true face? It has changed over the years. but is it still my face?

People recognize me by my face. It is popular today to have facelifts and Botox injections so that our faces won't reaDy be our own faces. If everyone looks like a 40-year-old, I wonder how children will recognize the face of wisdom in the aged like an old Simeon or prophetess Anna.

Year after year. Simeon waits before GOO to reveal to him the face of the Messiah who will save the people of Isr.rel and the Gentiles. What does he expect to see? Abravewamor'sface? A confident leader's face? A proud king's face? Probably not an innocent infant's face.

Seeing in the dark

Simeon comes to the temple ohen. He has the asswance he will not die until he has seen Christ the Lord. He focuses his spirit on this goal. If he had lived today I think he would have shut out the meaningful and meaningless trivia that rushes at us-at least six to 10 daily TV or radio weather and newscasts. newspapers. ads. text messages. cell phone caDs, billboards and the constant background of Musak. Add to this at Christmas even more Musak. a plethora of lights. glitter and increased merchandise. Can the Spirit break through such a barrier of stimulation?

H ow did this old man. posstbly with weakening eyesight, recognize the baby Jesus as the Christ in the spiritual darkness of his time? One moming the power in my apartment building was off. I strained to see what I was reading. Then suddenly the light came on.

the Life..giving One. In Till Have Faces. C.S. Lewis retells a Greek myth. Queen Orualleams it is impossible for her to see the faces of the gods until she comes before them with an unveiled face. She says to her mentor: i saw well why the gods do not speak to us openly.... How can they meet us face to face till we have faces." Without an open. seeking spirit like Simeon's we will not see the face of Christ.

Once you have seen the face of Christ, the Son of God. you can't that face. Life may continue in its same routine-same job. same neighbors. same meals to make. same laundIy to do. same bills to pay and same car to keep in shape. But suddenly life takes on new meaning.

Like Simeon, the person who sees the face of Christ experiences a breakthrough of the Spirit. It is a strange thing. but once we see the Christ we can no longer deny GOO. To do so means we must also deny having seen the Christ. 1iy as you like to be satisfied with looking on the faces of today's false idols. vacuous celebrities and voiceless leaders. you will never be satisfied.

Buechner writes that the men which the helicopter fties over stumble along. waving and shouting their acknow1edgmentof Jesus. And so we too stumble along. waving as best we can. But Christmas comes to us in the face of the infant lying in Mary's anns. Like the disciples on the way to Emmaus we say. 'We have seen the Christ. Didn't our hearts bum within US!

Katie Funk Wiebe, professor emeritus of Tabor College, lives in Wrchita, &n. She has written numerous articles cmd books and was a columnist for the Christian Leader for 30 years.

I know adults in church say that Jesus is better than Santa Claus, but I am not convinced. Santa Claus is a big part of Christmas here, and it seems a shame that the Bible doesn't talk about him. Santa goes everywhere in one night and doesn't just stay in a little quiet town waiting for people from the east to come and visit him. Santa zooms around the world in a super-fast sled, and his reindeer move a lot faster than the donkey that carries Jesus' mother to Bethlehem. Santa is very rich and generous. He gives lots of presents to children everywhere and even to a lot of adults. I know Jesus gives us salvation and our food, but he is pretty poor as a baby. His parents can't even afford a motel. And Santa is really smart. He knows whether we have been naughty or nice. Santa knows what we want for Christmas and even though he doesn't always get it all right, he generally gives us toys we like and videos we haven't seen yet. Although he is an old man, Santa understands the latest technology and computer games and things like that. Meanwhile, the baby Jesus is just a baby, and a baby doesn't know anything. It just sleeps and cries.

I hope you are not upset by my suggestion to put Santa Claus in the Bible. I just think that your great book would be even greater if it said something about Christmas

Sincerely, Jason

sth grader at Community Bible Church

While the U.S. Postal Service handles letters to Santa Claus on a regional basis, in Canada Santa is the only individual with his own postal code-HoH oHo. Over I1,OOO

Canada Post employees volunteer their time every Christmas season to answer the more than a million letters that pour into the postal system addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole, HoH oHo, Canada

Although my own children were never convinced of the reality of Santa Claus, they had close friends in elementary school that firmly believed in his existence. Parents of these friends even warned us that our children were not to poke any pins of scepticism into their children's perceptions of reality.

As Jason's letter illustrates, Santa Claus is a person of colossal significance, particularly in the minds of children.

In contrast, John 1:14 says the Word became flesh. Which parents would ever describe their child's birth by saying our baby "became flesh?" But this is very appropriate language when we are talking about God coming to earth. God the Son existed before he came to earth. He did not become a person at birth or even at conception. He simply became flesh.

Scripture also does not say God just put on flesh like we put on clothing. He actually "became flesh." From now on and for the rest of eternity, God walks around in a body God became like his creation. He had dirty diapers, a runny nose, grimy hands, stinky feet, sweaty armpits and pimples. He became dependent on those he had created.

What an amazing miracle! Whatever

No thoughtful Chri stian family in the West can ignore the question of whether Santa Claus and his gifts have not so upstaged Christ as to make Christmas primarily a celebration of the fleeting visit of a jolly old man from the North Pole rather than the incarnation of the Son of God.

No thoughtful Christian family in the West can ignore the question of whether Santa Claus and his gifts have not so upstaged Christ as to make Christmas primarily a celebration of the fleeting visit of a jolly old man from the North Pole rather than the incarnation of the Son of God.

How would the apostle John answer Jason's letter? John would likely be very dismayed to hear that the mythical stories of Santa Claus have surpassed the significance of the incarnation of the Son of God, even for children from homes that celebrate the birth of Christ I think he would also strongly resist the suggestion that he had forgotten about the event of Christmas in his Gospel.

John's goal is not to give a historical record of everything that happens in Christ's life or the events surrounding his birth. Rather, he seeks to clearly explain the significance and the meaning of what happens. So while the other Gospels hint at the idea that Jesus really was God, John boldly says so right from the very first verse. The helpless little baby is really God, the creator of everything on earth and heaven.

Obviously John does not directly address the question of the superiority of Jesus to the legend of Santa Claus. But a close look at John 1:14 reveals some significant contrasts between the Incarnation and the mythical advent of Santa Claus.

• In Jesus, God becomes one of us. Santa doesn't. Santa Claus is not really like us. He is part of a magical world that operates by different rules than our world Santa can't afford to become like us. He has no time to Pecome our friend or talk to us

would motivate a Creator to become like part of his creation? Obviously his great love for us is part of the answer. But God also wanted to fully identify with us. From now on, no one can say that God does not understand what it means to be in pain, to be tempted, to be hungry or thirsty, to be sick or to experience death. Furthermore, he wanted to save us. He was willing to become one of us so that he could bear the punishment of sin that man rightfully deserved. He took our place and God's wrath fell on him, rather than on us.

• In Jesus, God lives among us. Santa doesn't.

Santa Claus does not live among us. He lives at the North Pole and only comes for a very brief time once a year. Someone has calculated that Santa has I/IOooth of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house.

In contrast, John 1:14 says that the Word made his dwelling among us The Greek word means to pitch one's tent or tabernacle and take up residence. To pitch your tent among a people meant that you came to live with them. The tabernacle was the dwelling place of God, the place where God's glory was located in the middle of the Israelite camp, where God's throne was located on earth.

Jesus' body was also the dwelling place of God on earth. Jesus didn't live in a palace or on top of a mountain or at the North Pole. He chose to live among the common people - among the carpenters, fishermen and farmers of Galilee. And in that way, Jesus was far more accessible than the Israelite tabernacle Only the high priest could enter the throne room of God once a year But Jesus could be touched

eweI}"day bycommon people-sinners and taxcollectms. boys and girls-by evetyODe who saw him.

By living among real people. Jesus experienced real life-like respecting parents, dealing with younger siblings, going to schooJ, making friends and having enemies, working for a living and paying taxes. He lived among us-not sheltered from all the inconveniences, frustrations and troubles, but experiencing them with us.

The glory that John saw is unique, far beyond the gIol)' of a king or a prince. This is the very gIol)' of God. Jesus has no equal He is the only Son of God. We are children of God. but not THE Son of God. He is the only one who fully shows us what God is like Gohn 1:18).

Jesus is better than Santa Claus and not just because the binb of Jesus is historical fact and the stmy of Santa Claus is basically myth and legend. What happened thatfust Christmas when the Son

So while the other Gospels hint at the idea that Jesus really was God, John boldly says so right from the very first verse. The helpless little baby is really God, the creator of everything on earth and heaven.

How amazing! What would motivate God to choose to live among common people? He could have died for us even if he had never lived among us. But be wanted to show us how to live life the way it was designed to be lived. He wanu:d to teach his disciples by example. He loved us so much that he did not want to remain aloof from what ordinary people experience in everyday life

• Jesus is one of a kind. San1a isn't.

Children see pictures of Santa and movies about him. They see people dressed up like him in the malls, but they don't see the real Santa Claus. Santa Claus is relatively easy to duplicate. You can dress up like him. You can do his wode. at least in your own family. We have a lot of fake Santas running around.

In contrast, John says we have seen God's glory, glOI)' of the One and Only. John insists that in the human Jesus, he beheld the vel)' glory of God. By saying that he saw the glory of God. John says he and his friends realized that when they were looking at Jesus and what he did. they were seeing more than just a man. This is God incarnate.

Not only is Jesus not a fake, he is unique Very few of the gifts we receive are really unique. If they are bought in a store, then probably thousands of other people receive the exact same gift we do. But Jesus is truly unique. The Greek word monogenes, translated in the KJV as "the only begotten" and in the NIV as "the One and Only," communicates the idea of uniqueness. being one of a kind.

of God was born into a human family is so amazing that even if the stmy of Santa Claus was true, it would still pale in comparison with the true message of Christmas.

H Santa Claus is real, we are admittedly dealing with something vel)' extmordinaty-the stol)' of flying reindeer, a fat man who comes down chimneys even if the home has a high efficiency furnace, a single person visiting millions of homes in a single night. But the story of the Creator of the universe becoming a man and living on earth to show us what God is like and to die for our sins-well, frankly that is a much greater miracle. Maybe people promote and propagate the stol)' of Santa Claus because they find the original stol)' of Christmas just too hard to believe. Somehow flying reindeer are easier to accept than the truth that God had become flesh.

Ken Guenther is a missionary with SEND International in FaT East Russia. This article is adaptedfrom a semwn he preoa,ed in his home chutdz. Osler Mission Chapel in Saskatchewan. which is affiliated with the Chortitzer Mennonite Conference·

Your M ennonite Brethren

Leadership Board heads north Board welcomes Boschman, meets Canadian counterparts

The u.s. Conference Leadership Board meeting Oct 12-13 was a memorable gathering for several reasons. It marked the Leadership Board's first meeting with Ed Boschman. who began setving Oct. 1 as the USC executive director. Boschman most recently was on the pastoral staff of Laure1glen Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif.• and prior to that was the first executive director of Mission USA. the U.S. Mennonite Brethren church planting and renewal ministry. He is the second individual to serve full-time as the USC executive director. succeeding Chuck Buller. who resigned a year ago.

The board met outside the U.S.-in Abbotsford. BC. The nine members of the Leadership Board and

staff members traveled to Canada for the pwpose of meeting with the Canadian Conference Executive Board and representatives of three ministries owned joindy by the two national conferences. The two national conference moderators. Jascha Boge of Canada and Joe Johns of the U.S.• otganized what participants called the CanlAm board meeting. (Read about the CanlAm meeting on page 21.)

Since dissolving the General Conference in 2000 the moderator and lead staff member of the U.S. and Canadian MB Conferences have met regularly with the lead staff member and board chair of the Historical Commission. MB Biblical Seminary and MBMS International. Boge and Johns agreed in 2006 that it

Members of the U.s. Conference Leadership Board and staff surround newtyappointed executive director Ed Boschman during a time of prayer

would be good for all national conference board members to hear the reports, dialogue with the ministry leaders and meet their respective board counterparts.

The Canadian MB Conference hosted the Can/Am gathering at Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford. The Canadian MB Conference rolled several events into the weekend. A central component of the weekend was the biennial Canadian Conference Board of Faith and Life study conference. While U.S. Mennonite Brethren were invited to artend the "Culture, Gospel and Church" study conference, u.S participation consisted of several MB Biblical Seminary faculty members from the Fresno, Calif., campus . The study conference participants served as delegates to the annual General Meeting Canadian Conference, a one-hour business session

Saturday morning. The Canadian Conference Executive Board also met Oct. 14 at the British Columbia Ministry Center in Abbotsford.

Although the USC Leadership Board spent Friday and Saturday morning in board meetings, the group took their breaks and meals with study conference participants, attended a study conference workshop session led by USC Leadership Board member Valerie Rempel and adjourned Friday evening so that members could attend the session featuring speaker George Hunsberger, coordinator of the Gospel and our Culture Network in Notth America and professor of congregational ministry at Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Mich.

Before meeting with their Canadian counterparts Saturday afternoon, the USC Leadership Board worked its way through a

dozen agenda items. A highlight of the Leadership Board meeting was a prayer of dedication for Boschman. Terry Hunt, of Lenoir, NC,led the prayer time as part ofthe Saturday morning devotional he provided. The board members and staff gathered around Boschman, laying their hands on him while Hunt offered a prayer of blessing and dedication.

In his report to the board, Boschman outlined the events and meetings he will be attending on behalf of the USC, including an October meeting with the president of Iran as reported in the November issue of the Leader. Since beginning his new assignment, Boschman reported that he spent two days meeting with district ministers from the Pacific, Southern, Central and North Carolina District Conferences, met with USC staff members, attended the North

Canadians consider culture and church

Conference focu ses on gospel, c hurch in contemporary settings

Don't go to church, be the church' " '1\11 theology comes from one question : What is the gospel?" These statements and others provided the foundation for the C an adian MB Conference Board of Faith and Life 's "Culture, Gospel and Church" study conference, Oct 11- 13 at Bakerview MB C hurch, Abbotsford, BC

Many of the 20<} attendees, including a sizable contingent of Bible college students, said they would go home and continue the dialogue begun during the study conference. Some delegates felt many questions were left unasked and that the questions that were raised focused primarily on the gospel and church in contemporary settings

Plenary session speakers were theologian George Hunsberger of Western Theological Seminary in Michigan and Mennonite Brethren scholar and histori an Bruce Guenther of ACTS seminary in Langley, Be. A variety of workshop ses-

sions covered topics such as C hurch and State, Being Good Neighbors, Teaching Cultural Responsibility, Media and Gospel and Intentionally Cultural Churches .

Guenther included a look back at when Mennonite Brethren attempted to demonstrate being "set aside" from secular life by discouraging laughter and dancing, and spuming many other cultural practices, while defining ourselves by the language and practice of a German/Russian/Dutch (GRO) heritage

Today, the way we define ourselves and relate to culture is changing, said Guenther. Guenther argued, to the "am ens" of many, that regardless of our origins, "we 're all ethnic Mennonites " He expressed concern that Canadian Mennonite Brethren often make newcomers or visitors feel li ke outsiders when they don 't have GRD ethnicity Guenther said MBs mu st seize the opportunity to explore denominational multiculturalism H e reminded attendees th at the ir pri-

mary concern must be to give expression to the gospel from within Canadian culture.

Hunsberger agreed "Culture is not something outside of us We've been called to receive - to enter into and to tell aboutthe reign of God." We do that by how we live, by what people see in us, he said

As part of the final large group session, delegates were asked what they had hoped to discuss during the event Answers included the pace of modem life, coming to grips with materialism, conflict, burnout and a need for practical measures to integrate new believers, bridge differences and apply Scripture to contemporary cultural realities

Canadian conference executive director David Wiebe closed the event by saying we need to be like the descendanrs of Issachar- people who "knew their times and what to do ." - Barrie McMaster of the MBHerald

Carolina District Conference and met with Dan Southerland. the speaker for the 2008 USC Pastors' Conference and convention to be held July 23-26 in Wichita and Hillsboro. Kan .• respectively.

With regard to the 2008 convention. Boschman reported that Southerland is willing to do on-site consulting with a limited number of local church leadership teams. Boschman and the board brainstormed ways to creatively promote the event to pastors. church leaders and what one board member called the "emerging generation of Mennonite Brethren." The group discussed incorporating the convention theme of transitioning into the move from Wichita for the Pastors' Conference to Hillsboro for the USC convention.

The board received a financial update from administrative secretary Donna Sullivan and reviewed the progress made in resolving how to handle U.S. donations to Canadian ministries. such as church plants and Family Life Network. Attorneys in the U.S. and Canada are working on behalf of both conferences to determine the best way to legally process and receipt the gifts. reported board chair Joe Johns. It was determined that the USC will refrain from receipting and forwarding gifts until this is resolved.

In other business. the Leadership Board heard a report from Mission USA director Don Morris. from Christian Leader editor Connie Faber and from Sullivan regarding administrative matters and they processed matters related to staff insurance. computers and office space. The board approved changes to the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the U.S. and Canadian boards of faith and life as recommended by the Canadian MB Conference and evaluated progress made on establishing a national Board of Faith and Life .

The board discussed the USC Web site and asked the staff to bring a recommendation for improving the site to the February board meeting The board reviewed its strategic planning process to date and decided to meet in February with consultant Rick Stiffney to continue longrange planning.-By

Connie Faber

Canadian/U.S. boards hold joint meeting

Boards discuss anniversary celebration

The Canadian Conference Executive Board and U.S . Conference Leadership Board met together Oct. 13 in Abbotsford. BC. for the first time since the 2000 divestiture of the binational General Conference. The two national conference moderators, Jascha Boge of Canada and Joe Johns of the U.S .• organized and moderated the CanlAm meeting. which involved nearly three dozen individuals .

The CanlAm agenda had three parts: agency reports. reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding drawn up for each of five ministries that had been under the auspices of the binational General Conference and a conversation with Victor

Wall, executive secretary of the International Community of Mennonite Brethren. The joint board meeting also gave participants the opportunity to become acquainted with one another.

The majority of time was spent hearing reports from MBMS International, MB Biblical Seminary and the Historical Commission. Following the divestiture of the General Conference. these three agencies are jointly owned by both national conferences.

The MBMSI report emphasized the services the agency has identified as its ministry priorities: mobilizing individuals and congregations for long-term holistic church planting. training and caring for missionar-

ies, staH and others involved in the ministry and global church planting. MBMSI board chair Ike Bergen reported that the board recendy approved a fourth service and that is to work with ICOMB partner conferences to assist them in ch urch planting.

Bergen introduced the PowerPoint presentation by MBMSI staff members Carlin Weinhauer. who highlighted programs in the Ukraine. Mongolia and China; JP Hayashida, who reviewed recent surveys designed to determine how well the global mission agency is meeting its service goals; and Selwyn Uittenbosch. who presented the agency's financial statement Bergen reported that MBMSI experienced a "strong year financially. ending with a modest surplus.»

In their report, MBBS president Jim Holm and board chair JackFalk spoke of the strategic issues the Canadian and u.S. conferences need to address as owners of the seminary. These issues include calling qualified leaders. training leaders in the evangelicaVAnabaptist tradition and offering appropriate financial support to students. Holm said he is committed to nurturing an interdependent relationship between the national conferences and MBBS "My vision is that MBBS will touch every Mennonite Brethren church in some way," he said Holm repotted a cunent drop in enrollment and listed ways the seminary is hoping to increase enrollment-the Ministry Quest program that targets high school students, a new recruitment and marketing strategy that employs four advancement staff members and new Degree at a Distance programs

offered from the Fresno and British Columbia campuses. He also reported that the seminary finished the most recent 6scal year with a surplus thanks to increased giving from churches and individuals and corporations. "Four advancement people have made a big difference," said Holm.

Historical Commission board chair Peter Klassen and executive secretary Ken Reddig highlighted four projects: the "Profiles of Mennonite Faith" series, the online resource provided by an interMennonite effort called GAMEO, two manuscripts cunendy under consideration for publication and the upcoming ISoth anniversary of the Mennonite Brethren Church.

The commission is working with ICOMB to publish a global history of the Mennonite Brethren and a description of the project was distributed to Can/Aro boatd members. The Historical Commission is interested in pursuing other anniversary projects and Reddig requested guidance on what those should be. 'We don"twant to run without you and without all the national conferences," Reddig told the group. 'We want matching orders."

The Can/Am participants had a lively discussion about how the denomination can celebrate in 2010 the founding of the Mennonite Brethren Church. In his report, Wall of ICOMB reported that the German MB conferences plan to hold a celebration on Pentecost weekend, May 28-30. 2010, with the hope that other national conferences will do something similar during the year.

U.S. and Canadian MBs have agreed to

continue meeting together occasionally, said Canadian Conference moderator Boge. Would the summer of 2010 be a good time to do this? Would the North Americans wantto host an international celebration. asked Boge. Advantages and disadvantages to holding one gathering versus multiple events were given and the group suggested a variety of activities that could be included in the anniversary celebr.ttion. No conclusions were reached, other than suggesting to WaD that he explore with the other 16 national conferences what options are most appealing.

In other ICOMB related matters, Wall reported that Dalton Reimer of Fresno, Calif.• has agreed to coordinate global MB educational projects and that a commentary for the international Confession of Faith has been finished and is currendy being translated into all ICOMB languages with 2008 as a target completion date.

Because the U.S. Conference Leadership Board has not completed its review of the Memorandums of Understanding for all five of the fonner Gener.d Conference ministries, discussion on the MOUs was tabled until this month. Since disbanding the General Conference, the moderator and lead staff member of the u.s. and Canadian MB Conferences have met regularly with representatives of the binational ministries The group is meeting this month and in addition to reviewing the MOUs for MBBS, MBMSI and the Historical Commission they will also discuss MOUs for Kindred Productions and the Board of Faith and Life.-By Connie Faber

The Can/Am boa rd meeting in November gave denominational leaders from the U.s. and Canada the opportunity to interact. Joe Johns, David Wiebe and Vidor Wan (left to right), representing the U.s., Canada and ICOMB, were among the participants.

poe convention affirms priorities Martens

to serve as church health consultant

Theworld needs ahealthy

Mennonite Brethren family," Pacific District Conference minister Gary wan told delegates to the PDC convention last month. And when PDC leaders gathered for a retreat in August, said Wall, that conviction prompted them to affirm three priorities-church planting, leadeIShip devel0pment and church health-and to focus on "Cultivating healthy churches'" as the theme of the 2OC1J convention held Nov. 2-3 at the Shafter (Calif.) MB Church.

"Church health represents one-third of our vision," wan said Friday morning, "but it has not received a lot of attention." WaJrs report that specific plans were in place to assist existing churches was confumed that afternoon when Roger Poppen, chair of the PDC Board of Faith and Life, announced that Lany Martens of Fresno, Calif., was affirmed just that morning by the PDC Executive Boanl as a volunteer staff person in the area of church health. Martens has served as a pastor and was a faculty member and president of MB Biblical Seminary.

Martens, who with Poppen, wan, Jim Westgate, retired MB Biblical Seminary facuJty member, and Ray O'Neil of Reedley (Calif.) MB Church, formed the Church Health Task Force. reported on the groups work. He refeued delegates to a brochure in their packets that outlined five areas in which the PDC is offering to assist local congregations.

Various individuals with the appropri-

ate expertise will provide seminaIS, workshops and guidance to local churches in leadeIShip training. the strategic decision making process, times of pastoral transitions and times of conflict, said Martens. Both Poppen and Martens encotmged congregations to send representatives to MB Biblical Seminary's church health conference Jan. 78 featuring speaker Stephen Macchia.

Following Marten's report, delegates were invited to attend one offour workshops related to church health: building healthy leadership reams led by Ed Boschman, executive director of the u.S. Conference; church planting led by Don Morris, Mission USA director; strategic planning led by Martens; and becoming an "equipping'" church Jed by Westgate.

While church health was the focus of the convention, for many delegates a highlight of the biennial PDC convention was the testimonies shared during the home missions banquet and by representatives of the congregations accepted into the district. These two events highlighted the district's church planting priority.

Delegates heard from three of the four congregations accepted as PDC member congregations: Shadow Mountain Church, West Jordan, Utah, Iglesia Le Gran Comision, Hanford, Calif., Iglesia Cristiana Vida Nueva, Bakersfield, Calif., and Torre Fuene. Modesto, Calif. The stories about ministry among the Monnon community told by Cory Anderson of Shadow

and the chun:h.

Mountain and the video story of a man from the Hanford congregation who successfu1Jy located his parents in Mexia> 30 yeaIS after he left home were especially meaningful

The Friday evening banquet featured 14 speakers representing 10 church plants. Because several of the church plants are Spanish-speaking congregations and another ministeIS to the deaf community, the presentations were translated into American Sign Language and Spanish. After representatives from each church plant spoke, a member of the Boanl of Home Missions gave a prayer ofblessing.

The Board of Home Missions, in their printed report, list nine emerging churches that are no longer receiving financial assistance from the PDC and seven emetging churches that are receiving a subsidy from the district, including new projects in Portland, Ore., and Clovis, Calif. The hoard also provides funds administered by associate district minister Jose Elizondo to provide timely assistance to emetging Hispanic con-

ABOVE: David Froese, (right) pastor of Heritage Bible Churdl of Bakersfield, CaUf., Jose EUzondo, POC associate district minister and Pastor Jaime Caro (left) together with members of Iglesia Cristiana Vida Nueva. Bakersfield, gather as Froese offers a prayer qf blessing for this new POe member congregation. RIGHT: John Neufeld, pastor of WiWngdon MB Church in Burnaby, BC, spoke about the crass

gregations and gives a monthly subsidy to Ethiopian Christian Fellowship, Sacramento, Calif., for their community youth ministry,

The PDC focus on discipleship was highlighted in two reports. Delegates heard from a student and his mentor about the Board of Leadership Development's summer internship program targeting college students and from Elizabeth Tieszen about the Hispanic Leadership Development Program.

In other reports, associate district minister Jose Elizondo reported that he has a "ringside seat to what the Lord is doing" among the PDC Hispanic congregations, and Hispanic Council chair Juan Wall said the Council is emphasizing prayer, outreach and discipleship among the Hispanic churches, which comprise 28 percent of the PDC church membership.

Board of Youth Ministries chair Jason Hofer said how good it was to host the National MB Youth Convention in the Pacific District in 2007 and reported on the recent weekend retreat for youth leaders Delegates elected new PDC board members and approved a 2007-08 fiscal year budget of $526,900, a budget similar to the 2006-07 fiscal year total of $527,500. Trustee Board chair Ken Neufeld reported that district leaders are addressing the property reversion clause policy that dates back almost 50 years. The delegates also convened as the govern-

ing body of Fresno Pacific University. A significant portion of FPU's time was given to the university's Crosswind ensemble, who received a standing ovation.

A worship team from Shafrer MB Church led times of worship prior to the two sermons from guest speaker John Neufeld, pastor of Willingdon MB Church in Burnaby, Be. Basing his sermons on two passages from I Corinthians, Neufeld spoke of the centrality of Christ's death on the cross and the church. His expertise in preaching through the text and his passion for the topics were evident. 'J\t the end of the day," said Neufeld, concluding his Saturday sermon, '1et us love the cross and the church of God," -by Connie Faber

TOP: Xavier Pina, bivocational pastor of Iglesia Le Gran Comision, Hanford, Calif., shares his congregation's history with the PDC delegates. The Hanford church was one of four churches to join the PDC BELOW: A prayer of blessing is offered by Steve Reimer, far left, on behalf of Shadow Mountain Church, West Jordan, Utah. Shadow Mountain was welcomed as a new church in the PDC and was represented by pastoral couple, Cory and Trina Anderson (center, right) and Andy and Michelle Pierce, (center, left.)

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Glanzer named next Tabor College president

"Gifted alumnus" to lead college

Jules Glanzer, dean of George Fox Evangelical SeminaIy. Ponland. Ore. has been named the next president of Tabor College. the Mennonite Brethren liber.d arts college headquartered in Hillsboro. Kan. He wiD begin his assignment in spring. replacing Larry Nikkel. who retires at the end of the year.

Glanzer. ss. caDs the invitation from Tabors Board of Directors a -God-manged opponunity." Speaking for himself and his wife. Peggy. he says. 1De opportunity to serve the Tabor community and the chun:b in this new way is one that excites us and cbaIlenges us to give it our all."

Glanzer graduated from Tabor in 1974 with a degree in business admini.stmtion He received his Master of Divinity degree from MB Biblical SeminaIy in 1978. and his Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Church Management from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2000.

After serving as a pastor in the

Mennonite Brethren and Evangelical Covenant denominations for nearly 25 years. Glanzer became dean of George Fox Evangelical SeminaIy in 2001.

In an announcement Oct. 22 to Tabor students. faculty and staff. Tabor Board chairman Lyndon Vix thanked the search committee members for their work. calling the seven-month presidential search "the most significant decision that the Board of Directors faced as we approach our centennial." Search comInittee members included: Ted Faszer. David Wiebe. Diana Raugust. Rusty Allen Judy Harder and Steve Schroeder.

Glanzer and his wife visited Tabor Sept. 20-22. 'The campus community was invited to hear him speak in a chapel service Sept. 21. and faculty and staff met with him for informal questions and answers. Throughout the process. the search committee solicited questions and comments from the broader Tabor constituency.

Outgoing president Nikkel leaves "big shoes to fill." Vix says. "Larry Nikkers tenure at Tabor will be remembered as a tremendously positive time for the college. Larry built community on campus. significantly expanded our constituency and represented the college with class and dignity. He also completed a major capital campaign and secured the two largest gifts in Tabors history.-

VIX expresses confidence that Glanzer is the right person to build on the foundation laid by Nikkel 1ules.1ike Larry before him. isa Tabor person." VIX says. passion not only for Christian higbereducation. but for Christian higher education at Tabor. We are blessed to have a gifted alumnus like Jules wiDing to come back and lead our institution into its second 100 years."

The leader of the search coIlllDinee. Ted Faszer. agrees. saying. -Our committee is excited about Dr. Glanzer's leadership gifts and his record of service in Christian higher education."

Glanzer grew up on a Mennonite farm near Mitchell. SO. He and his wife" Peggy. have three children. all graduates of Tabor.

In addition to his current role at Geotge Fox Evangelical Seminary. Glanzer was pastor of the Ulysses (Kan.) MB CbUlCh from 1978 to 1982. and was founding pastor of Faith Community (Evangelical Covenant) Chun:b in Houston. Texas. &om 1987 to 2001. He also taught religion courses as an associate professor at Geotge Fox Evangelical Seminary. was adjunct professor at Houston Graduate School of 'Theology and presented seminars and lectures in the U.S. and around the world. including St. James Bible College in Magadan. Russia.

Glanzer joins a distinguished list of presidents for the 99-year-old college: Henry W. Lohrenz (1908-31); Peter C. Hiebert (1932-34); Abraham E. Janzen (1935-42); Peter E. Schellenberg (1942-51); John C. Hiebert (1951-53); Leonard J. Fr.urz (1953-54. 1956-62); Frank C. Peters (195456); Roy Just (1963-80); Vernon Janzen (1g80-87); Vernon Wiebe (interim 198788); A. LeVon Balzer (1988-94); Clarence Hiebert (interim 1994-95); David Br.mdt (1995-98); and Larry Nikkel (1(}98-2007). - Tabor CoUege

Jutes Glanzer, who was recently named president of Tabor College, spoke at a SepL 21 chapel service fur students, faculty and staff at the college.

.Siberian conference celebrates

AbirCh forest was an appropriate setting to mark the 100-year anniversary of a Siberian church with strong Mennonite Brethren roots. The secluded clearing was a vivid reminder of past persecution, when large gatherings had to be held out of sight of police.

The anniversary marked the establishment of what is now called the Omsk Brotherhood, an independent conference formed from a fusion of Evangelical Chtistians, Baptists and Mennonites, especially Mennonite Brethren. Participants remembered the brutal oppression of the Communist regime and honored God's faithfulness over 100 years.

A banner proclaiming, "100 years under the shelter of the Most High," provided the theme for the July 29-30 celebration, held under a large tent near the western Siberian village of Miroljubowka (or Alexanderkrone). The program included preaching, choral music and ensembles, testimonies, historical lectures and poetry, an important literary genre for the Russian churches.

Today, the Omsk Brotherhood is an independent conference with 1,350 members in more than 32 local churches. Its vitality

belies its history of bloody persecution, kidnappings and shootings in the 1930S. According to Paul Toews of the Center of MB Studies, Fresno, Calif., the Brotherhood traces its roots to the 1907 establishment of the Tchunayevka Mennonite Brethren church, an affiliate of the Molochna congregation, the mother church of the Brethren movement. German Baptists, Russian Baptists and Russian evangelical Christians also moved into the region during the same time period, and the churches formed joint

The Siberian church gathered under a large tent this summer to celebrate 100 years of God's protection. The wooded location of their service was appropriate given the group's history of seeking safety outdoors for their worship services during times of persecution.

"The seminary has given words to what we've always felt, and it's gotten us excited about church again . We don't do jobs, we do life ; and studying at the seminary has given us hope to live our life, not just get a job. "

- Danny Gray is pursuing a Mosler of Arts in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, and his wife Beth is working towards her Master of Arts in Theology.

Danny and Beth Gray with children Elijah (4) and Sara (2)

Bible studies and cooperated in various ways.

Religious restrictions began in the late 192OS, followed by civilian forced labor during WW II. Brutal persecution continued under Stalin, with many leading preachers condemned to z5 years in prison. When Stalin died, most believing prisoners were set free.

Spiritual life and faith has been shaped by spiritual awakenings in the 1950S that followed years of prayer, especially by older mothers and grandmothers. Many conversions occurred throughout the villages where there had been churches before Stalin shut them down. Eased restrictions made a more formal association possible, and in 1957 German Baptists and Mennonites renewed the relationship established in 1907.

Still, persecution and imprisonments continued during Soviet rule between 1955 and 1984 Mikhail Gorbachov's perestroika made possible a large emigration to Germany, which began in 1988. Some 3,000 members emigrated over time. By zoo6 the conference had 1,350 members. New missionary efforts brought changes, most notably the transition from German to the Russian language services.

In the last zo years, according to Toews, the brotherhood has constructed 15 new meetinghouses and rebuilt 36. Christian literature is provided by 23 mobile libraries and 150,000 New Testaments have been distributed in homes in the Omsk region. Summer camps for children are organized annually Thirty-one families have relocated to begin new tions in the region

'The prayer spirit of these sisters and brothers is quite astonishing," says Victor Wall, executive secretary for International Community of Mennonite Brethren who attended the event. striking is the importance of music and singing, influenced strongly by Russian styles.

'They are reluctant to get too excited about religious freedom, since there lingers the fear that things might again change for the worse. In their view, the possibility of renewed persecution cannot be excluded," Wall says.

During the week following the anniversary, Wall preached and reported on ICOMB in various churches Wall, who makes his home in Paraguay, says, "Coming from Paraguay to Siberia and being so well accepted was a real thrill. Sharing with sisters and brothers who have just recently come out of the 'great tribulation' was a moving and transforming experience " - ICOMB, with additional information from a report by Paul Toews.

Mennonite delegation vis

MBs worldwide "cautiously supportive" of ongoing d

When Mennonites from 10 countries spent five days with Catholic Church leaders in Vatican City, each group was interested in learning to know the other betrer. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity invited and hosted the Mennonite World Conference delegation Oct. 18-z3. The visit was a follow-up to a five-year dialogue between Meimonites and Catholics.

Victor Wall, who represented Mennonite Brethren and Latin America, expresses cautious affirmation of this "church-to-church visit" in the context of global relationships between Mennonite Brethren and Catholics. Wall resides in Paraguay and is executive secretary for the International Community of Mennonite Brethren .

I have been critical toward this dialogue, I consider the process to be helpful and meaningful," Wall says in an e-mail interview after the Vatican visit. "I find myself to be cautious, but affirmatively supportive."

Among the positives of the dialogue and the visit, Wall lists "a betrer mutual understanding and respect between the two churches" and a move away from considering the Mennonite Church a sect. ''This is very important in strong Catholic settings like Latin America or Southern Europe. "

The invitation for the visit grew out of years of dialogue between MWC, a global fellowship of Anabaptist -related churches, and the Pontifical Council.

Meetings took place from 1998-zoo3 and resulted in a 48-page report, "Called Together to be Peacemakers." This recent visit provided opportunity for MWC to take responses to the report as well as concerns about the Catholic Church from MWC member churches around the world to the Pontifical Council. The delegation also held conversations with six different governing bodies of the Vatican's church structure, called Congregations or Councils.

Although Wall warns against oversimplification, he says there were areas of general agreement-such as peace concernsand disagreement-such as on several theological points .

MWC general secretary Larry Miller notes a common interest in peacemaking: ''When Catholic Church leaders think of Mennonites, they see us as leading Christian bearers of the message of peacemaking and nonviolence, which is at the heart of the gospel," he says.

Baptism was among topics of theological discussion. Catholics in the 16th century considered the Anabaptist practice of baptizing believers already baptized as infants heretical, and it provoked persecution. Now adult baptism among Catholics is seen as "normative," according to Rev. Augustine DiNoia, undersecretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and is increasing in frequency, particularly in the global North. Both Mennonites and Catholics agreed that questions of baptism require more discussion

A disappoinnnent for delegation member Paulus Widjaja of Indonesi a was hear-

• Vatican City

lue with Catholic Church

ing that the Catholic Church calls most other Christian churches outside the Catholic Church "ecclesial communities," but not "churches."

The MWC delegation formed a statement outlining Mennonite belief about the church; Catholic leaders stated their openness to studying it. The statement, which Wall says, "is to be considered of much importance," will be posted on the MWC Web site, www.mwc-cmm.org.

The visit included an audience Oct 19 with Pope Benedict XVI, who told the delegation, "Since it is Christ himself who calls us to seek Christian unity, it is entirely right and fitting that Mennonites and Catholics have entered into dialogue in order to understand the reasons for the conflict that arose between us in the 16th century. To understand is to take the first step towards healing."

Wall says that ICOMB and many Mennonite Brethren globally have affirmed the dialogues and this recent visit but have also expressed concern and a need for caution. "I think in such endeavors we are all very aware of our dependency on the Holy Spirit and the discernment of our churches," he says. ' That means we are not always comfortable, and we are sttuggling over some of the questions."

He notes that relationships between Mennonite Brethren and Catholics vary by region and can color how such dialogue is viewed. For example, the relationship is

The MWC delegation stand with leaders of the Focolari in Rome Victor Wall of ICOMB is in the center.

very different in Latin America, where the Catholic Church makes up the majority of society, compared to Notth America, where state and church are clearly separated. And both differ from regions like Indonesia, where Catholics and Mennonites together are part of a small Christian minority.

In Latin America, the region Wall represented, the relationship between Catholics and Mennonites is marked by a "totally Catholic context," in which Mennonites are often viewed as a sect and "popular religiosity" creates a gap between official Catholic doctrine and personal faith, says Wall.

At the same time, Wall says that even before this dialogue, local interaction between the two churches in some global regions holds potential for "interesting possibilities of joining forces in order to influence society."

At the end of the visit, the participants discussed both the visit and the question of future contact. MWC leaders plan to report to and get direction from the MWC General Council, which meets next in 2009.

Wall points out that continued dialogue and its application on local or regional levels "is a question which will need much discernment and wisdom on the part of the local church bodies involved." He says his prayer is for a stronger appreciation among the worldwide Mennonite community for the Anabaptist legacy; for "wisdom, courage, a spirit of humility and faithfulness" as Mennonites share their faith with others, including the Catholic church; and for growth as Mennonites focus on "being missional churches relevant to the society we find ourselves in "

In addition to Wall, delegation members included Nancy Heisey of North America, Mulugeta Zewdie of Africa, Thijn Thijink of Europe, Paulus Widjaja of Asia, Lene-Marie Funck-Spath of Germany, Ron Penner and Helmut Harder of Canada, Iris de LeonHartshorn of the U S. and Larry Miller of France.-from reports by MWC and Victor Wall

Ready for Christmas

Preparing for the holidays is more than shopping and baking

Are you ready for Christmas? The closer gift wrapping and more. I was tired and couldn't muster the energy to do it gets to December 25 the more fre- any of it. So, instead, I made myself a cup of hot tea, lit the fireplace, put quently this question gets asked. What on a CD of Handel's Messiah and sat before the fire for an hour listening it really means is: «Have you done all your gift to the music while watching the flames. I don't remember much else shopping yet?" Or, «Is your Christmas cookie about that Chrisnnas and I'm sure the work got done, eventually. baking and candy making finished?" Quite However, the memory of that special hour will be with me forever. frankly, sometimes I wonder if we haven't lost Dargan calls this quiet time «your own Silent Night." I plan to do it our focus of what Christmas is really all about again this year, and not just once. and how it should be celebrated if our shop- In a related theme Dargan suggests that we learn to enjoy the small ping sprees determine our readiness for that moments of the season. Instead of rushing past the window display in a special day. deparnnent store, stop for a minute and just enjoy the beauty of it-the 1 ' . > l >. ,1, > • b ). C · ' ) " " d design, color and texture. Go for a ' ; ' ( on t rc mem )el mu c 1 e s e .. out t lat lrtstmas an winter walk in the park or woods l111 s ure the \vork got don e , eventually . However , the and take in the sights of the season. memory of hour \viJI be with me for ev er. Take time to smell Christmas by - sticking some cloves into oranges

In her book. 52 Simple Ways to Make and scatter them around the house or simmer some holiday spices in Christmas Special. Jan Dargan suggests that boiling water on the kitchen stove. I like to decorate with fresh-cut Christmas is not just a single day but actually branches of evergreen. a season with three parts: Advent, a season for Planning ahead is a great way to reduce stress. I have found that an reflection. Christmas. a season for celebra- hour spent writing down what ,needs to be done and creating a schedtion. and Epiphany. a season for giving. She ule of when it needs to be done is time well spent. Making a detailed that we have combined the last two shopping list for needed gifts and/or groceries will ease the burden of into one big muddled event on December 25. last minute worries. If you are having house guests or a party. work Children are more excited about Santa ahead as much as possible and use your freezer to its utmost advantage. Claus than the birth of the Christ '7'1"

Pare down your plans if you realize that you have child. The result is that «we delight in ' planned for too much. Avoid the tension of unrealistic the bustle and parties before agendas. Instead. factor some quiet. special family times Christmas Day and then wonder why into your plans. we feel a little depressed and lonely in

One of Dargatis suggestions that I believe is necesthe days that follow it." writes Dargan. sary in today's consumer culture is limiting our wish lists. «By New Year's Day. the party seems This includes helping children rethink their expectato be over. We begin the new year in debt, tions-limiting their wishes to one or maybe two toys and an item of dread taking down the lights on the house clothing. Children can also be encouraged to ask for something that can and bushes outside, resolve to embark on be shared with a needy child through the local Salvation Army or other major life changes and often harbor a linger- church or community Chrisnnas cheer programs. Instead of spending so ing feeling of unfulfillment." much money on «us" why not shop together as a family in one of the

This year I want my preparation for charity catalogs for a Christmas gift for «them." I have two such catalogs Christmas to focus more on the Advent sea- that I plan to give to our children and grandchildren. Instead son. Instead of just being reminded of it when of giving us gifts this year we want them to buy something the candles are lit in church during the from those catalogs. Not only will this make us happy. it will Sunday morning services throughout also be a valuable teaching tool. especially for the grandchilDecember, I want to make it a daily time of dren. I want them to experience what Jesus taught that «it is personal reflection. of rededication and more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35 KJV) rejoicing - and less stress.

Making Christmas really special is not a matter of

Several years ago I faced a December spending more money. Rather it involves redefining our evening at home. alone. A mountain of work wants and needs and focusing on what is most importantneeded to be done: dishes. cleaning. baking. God's gift of his Son.

BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP

Bakersfield, calif.lThe Bridgel-Mike Miller. Cooper Miller. Lynsey Fringer, Emily Yraceburu, Derek Newton, David Newton, Taylor Hahn, Emily Davis, Jacob McNabb, Dylan McNabb, Madeline Karnes and Kevin and Diane McNece were baptized Oct. 21

Hillsboro, Kan. (Parkviewl-John and Amy Bartel, Megan Barkman, Tenata McGinley, Estaline Quiring, Jesse and Andrea Schumacher and Charissa Slayden were recently received as members

CELEBRATIONS

Bakersfield, Calif. (The Bridgel- The church marked the one-year anniversary of their capital campaign with a special service and pancake breakfast Oct. 21 The church broke ground Aug 18 for phase one of their campus-a worship facility and children's building

Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglenl- The church celebrated their 30th anniversary Nov 4. Their campus master plan and goals for 2010 were also unveiled during a single weekend service, held at a local convention center and followed by a catered meal.

FELLOWSHIP

Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl-A women's holiday "Dessert and Boutique" was planned for Nov. 29, with guest speaker Janice Stain, a songwriter and medical professional.

Eugene, Ore. (North Parkl-Members shared a "south of the border" Thanksgiving meal Nov. 18.

Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglenl-Men held a flag football tournament Nov 17.

Marshall, Ark. (Martin BOld-In recognition of pastor appreciation month, the church held a soup and chili supper for pastoral staff and families Oct. 28.

Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acresl-Men held a tailgate party Oct. 27.

Rapid City, SD (Bible Fellowshipl-Women heard from speaker Lornell Haggerty on the topic "Walking Forward in Grace" at a fall breakfast Oct. 20.

Shafter, CaUf.-Women kicked off a new year of women's ministry with a "Girlfriends' Night Ouf party Oct. 25. The event included a cooking demonstration, comedy video, prizes, chocolate and more The evening also launched a new "Tea for Three" program, in which women are placed in groups of three for three months, and encouraged to meet together monthly for tea, coffee, shopping, etc.

Olathe, Kan. (Community Biblel-A play group for mothers and young children met at a park Oct. 15 for a leaf hunt, then used their finds for a crait project.

Minot, ND-A church game night Oct. 7 included a pastor appreciation event and evening meal.

MINISTRY

Capitola, Calif. (Shorelifel-Members met for a soup lunch Nov 18, after which they prepared Thanksgiving meals to be donated to needy families.

Shafter, Calif.-Women held a grocery shower in November for students at MB Biblical Seminary.

Bakersfield, Calif. (The Bridgel-One of the small groups organized bell ringers to raise funds for the Salvation Army, a ministry to the poor, during Saturdays in December.

Huron, SD (Bethesdal-A team planned to travel to Child Evangelism Fellowship headquarters in Warrenton, Mo ., Nov 10-16 to serve in various ways. Centennial, Colo (Trailheadl-Members served Art for the Nations, a nonprofit group that uses art to communicate across language barriers, in lieu of worship Nov. 11. They helped ready the organization's storefront by painting, assembling shelves, etc

Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglenl-Teams pre-built a house in the church parking lot Nov 3, then constructed it in Mexico for a family Nov. 9-11.

Wichita, Kan. (Firstl-Volunteers worked with Mennonite Central Committee's meat canning team when it was in the area Oct. 25-27 Meat from the canner will help feed needy people across the globe.

Fresno, Calif. (The Grovel-The church held a pancake breakfast Oct. 20 to raise money for jackets for needy children at a local elementary school.

Fresno, caUf. (Butler Ave.l-The congregation provided meals for 11 Hmong families displaced by an apartment fire the week of Oct. 7.

Minot, ND-Youth raked leaves for donations as a fall fundraiser.

TEACHING/NURTURE

Fresno, Calif. (The Grovel-A fall sermon series, called :'Restore My Ride," focused on how God

Churches celebrate fall events

It's an annual question among Christians : What to do with Halloween? The question is compounded when the pagan holiday falls on Wednesday, an evening reserved for mid -week church activities in many congregations, as it did in 2007 Many Mennonite Brethren congregations turned a questionable holiday at an inconvenient time into an opportunity to get creative or to reach out to their communities.

Churches that invited the community to family -oriented celebrations in cluede Bethany MB, Fresno, Calif.; Pine Acres, Weatherford, Okla.; North Fresno, Fresno, Calif.; Bible Fellowship, Rapid City, SD; Mountain View Community, Fresno, Calif.; Christ Community, Sioux Falls, SD; and Dinuba (Calif 1MB. Many had a carnival theme , with carnival games, bounce houses, face painting and prizes Food ranged from a German sausage dinner to concessions such as cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones Other features included hay rides, a "car smash, " live music, photo booth , dunk tank and an indoor maze

Shadow Lake Church, Papillion, Neb., hosted a costume party and mystery maze for children At Cornerstone Community Church, Topeka, Kan., children from the church and community were invited to a Trunk or Treat event. Members brought their cars to the church parking lot, decorated the trunks and brought candy to distribute Heritage Bible Church, Bakersfield, Calif., Shorelife Community Church, Capitola, calif., and North Oak Community Church, Hays, Kan., also hosted Trunk or Treat events

Churches in Reedley, Calif , including Reedley MB, joined to sponsor a Fall Family Fun Nite for the community, held on the Reedley MB campus Leaders from the Shafter (Calif) MB Chun:h midweek AWANA program operated several booths at a community-wide parade and carnival. including one that offered prizes for memorized scripture Volunteers from Kingsburg (Calif 1 MB Church ran game booths at a community-wide harvest party

Two small groups at College Community Chun:h, CLovis. calif" hosted a costume parade Oct. 21 Families visited homes of participating members to model costumes and ask for treats, followed by a potluck.

Volunteers at Butler Ave. Church, Fresno, Calif. , offe red candy, hot chocolate, popcorn, face painting and an encouraging word to neighbors who passed by Area children in Gettysburg, SO , were encouraged to stop by Grace Bible Church during their trick - or-treating for candy and tracts

The Eugene, Ore ., community was invited to two days of activities Oct. 27 -28 at North Park Chun:h, called "Country Church : that included a chili cook -off and two concerts

Youth at Laurelglen Bible Church, Bakersfield, calif., held a costume party and played dodge ball Costumes were to be of anything beginning with a "B " Youth from Hillsboro, Kan , MB churches , Hillsboro MB, Parkview and Ebenfeld, went door-to -door to collect canned goods for a local ministry The drive was called "Trick or treat so others can eat:'

Pontius' Puddle

restores lives and followed the restoration of a 1963 Buick Skylark. Various local automotive retai lers donated their work on the restoration

Hays, Kan (North Oakl- To encourage consistent time in the Bible, members are encouraged to read and talk about spec ific passages of Scripture each week

Bakersfield, Calif. (Heritagel-A group meets weekly to pray specifically for students and families at the church and Heritage Christian Schoo l s, the church 's elementary and junior high school.

WORKERS

Capitola, Calif. (Shorelifel-Nat Clubb is the new interim worship pastor.

Bakersfield, Calif. (Heritagel-Mark Zeek has resigned as pastor to ch il dren and families WORSHIP

Fresno, Calif. (Butlerl- The Lao/Khmu congregation hosted a mission-themed wo rship service Nov. 4.

Garden City, Kan. (Garden Valleyl- The entire service was adapted for children Nov. 4, including a children 's sermon by interim pastor Marion Heisey.

Denver, Colo. (Garden Parkl-Oct. 28 was dubbed " Southern Fr ied Sunday, " with southern-themed music and a "down-home cookin'" meal and fundraiser for youth

DEATHS

ACKER, HEIDI, Littleton, Colo ., of Belleview Community Church, Littleton, was born Oct. 8, 1957, in Spessart - Ettlingen, Germany, and died Oct. 20, 2007, at the age of 50. She married Scott Acker and later divorced. She is survived by her parents, Rudolph and Theresia Knorr, of Germany; two sons David and Christopher, of Littleton; two daughters, Sonja and Andrea, of Littleton ; one sister and one brother, both of Germany.

FRIESEN, MARY LOU, Visalia, Ca lif., a member of Neighborhood MB Church, Visalia, was born July 12, 1937, to Florin and Clara Landseadel in Dinuba, Calif and died Aug 17, 2007, at the age of 70. On June 17, 1955, she married Leroy Friesen, who survives. She is a!so survived by one son, Greg and wife Sue of Sacramento Calif ; one daughter, Lori and husband Mike Quinn of Lemoore, Calif.; one brother, Florin and wife Janice of Fresno, Calif.; two sisters, Betty and husband Richard Wiebe, and Linda and husband Ron Decker, both of Fresno, 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren

HEINRICHS, PAUL, Corn, Okla. , a member of Corn MB Church, was born May 25, 1920, to J.B. and Mary Suderman Heinrichs near Colony, Okla , and died Oct. 18,2007, at the age of 87. In January 1941, he married Viola Grace Flaming, who survives He is also survived by a son, Jay and wife Martha of Sand

Springs, Okla ; one daughter, Betty and husband Gary Lyle of Weatherford, Okla ; two sisters -i n-law, Kathryn Heinrichs of Hillsboro, Kan., and Lillian Heinrichs of Corn, five grandch ildre n and four great-grandchildren

KLAASSEN, PERRY ARVIN, Edmond, Okla , of Memorial Road MB Church, Edmond, was born Aug 13, 1939, to Rudolph and Edna Bushman Klaassen near Weatherford, Okla., and died Oct. IS, 2007, at the age of 68. He was married to Jeanie Vogt, who survives . He is also survived by two sons, Paul and wife Lisa of Arkansas City, Kan. , and Matt and wife Jenelle of Mt. Albert, Ont.; two brothers, Dwight and wife Sharon, and Ro lyn and wife Joyce; one sister-inlaw, Joyce Hofer, and three grandchildren.

REISWIG, LORETTA, Hillsboro, Kan , a member of Ebenfeld MB Church, Hillsboro, was born Feb. 9, 1918, to Charlie F. and Caroline Seibel Faul in Harvey, NO, and died Oct. 23,2007, at the age of 89 On Aug. 20, 1954, she married Bart Reiswig, who predeceased her She is survived by two sons, Rodney Faul and wife Helen of Shelby Township, Mich , and Gordon Reiswig and wife Jeanie of Hillsboro; one daughter, Marcia Williams of Hillsboro; brothers and sisters, Linda Liebelt, Helen Fadenrecht, Alyce Loewen, Carolyn Klein, John Faul, Bennie Faul, LeRoy Faul and JoAnn Isaak, seven grandchildren and six great -grandchildren

SMART, PAULINE AGNES, Fairview, Okla., a member of Fairview MB Church , was born Nov. 14, 1919, to Peter and Katherine Funk Epp near Fairview and died Nov 4, 2007, at the age of 87. On June 17, 1947, she married Roscoe Smart, who predeceased her. She is survived by two sons, William of Enid, Okla., and Mark and wife Cassandra of Fairview; two daughters, Sherryl and husband Daniel Plank of Enid, and Diana Zoth of Dallas, Texas, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren

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Good people, take heart

Is being a good person boring?

There is an incident I remember from my young adulthood when someone asked my mother if I'd been a mischievous type of youth. "Oh no, " Mom replied "He never gave us any trouble at all." My initial reaction was to think, ''That's pretty lame." You mean my mom couldn't think of one time I acted rebellious or reckless? I guess it made sense, since I could hardly think of any times like that either.

There was an occasion when I was a kid when Mom told me not to get dirty because we were going somewhere in an hour. So I promptly went over and slid down the dirt pile in my friend's backyard the whole time. Seeing how unhappy that made my mother put a damper on any budding rebel spirit, however. After that I think I stayed clean until I left for college.

Then there was the incident in high school when I got home at 2:30 a.m. and found Mom waiting up for me. "You've never come home this late," she said. "Where have you been?"

'Well," I replied sheepishly, "the revival went long." My mother merely said, "Oh, all right," and went to bed.

That gives you a snapshot of my troublemaking history, or lack thereof Not only did I truthfully miss curfew because of a church event, my mother never doubted my story for a second.

So yes, I was a good boy. And though that sounds like an insult these days, I'm not as depressed about it as I sound. I really did feel lame when my mother couldn't think of any bad stuff I might have done. But I can live with it more easily than if I'd caused my parents a lot of grief.

Though my relatively mild temperament has thankfully kept me out of trouble, there are times it has seemed kind of boring. As a teen many of my youth group mates were surfers and dopers and party girls who had recently given their lives to Jesus. They told thrilling stories about their changed lives and newfound purpose. My story was that I'd gone to church forever but hadn't really thought about why, then I thought about why and decided to keep going to church. Hearing that, 111 bet you can hardly contain your excitement.

These days the weirdness of my quiet upbringing seems more extreme than ever. It's common now for people to talk about all the pain, dysfunction and chaos they endured. Sometimes I've been asked to share my own experiences with such things. 'Well," I reply, "everything was actually fairly calm." When I say this I wonder if anyone thinks I'm putting them on

If they do I can understand why Something we Christians have often been accused of is putting up a ftont and acting like

everything is OK even when it's not. It's a valid criticism. I think churches have realized this and are trying to encourage more openness and honesty about our faults, doubts and struggles. That's a good thing. I've heard some amaz- • ing stories from believers who have been through terrible suffering and loss, yet still have stuck with the faith and continue to believe in God's goodness. Which is a great wimess to hurting souls all around who are searching for hope and healing.

But some of us haven't gotten squeezed through the wringer or plucked from the pit of destruction. So when asked to share our survival stories, we are apt to mumble something about things being uneventful for the most part. Sometimes I wish I had more dramatic tales to tell, but I guess it's all right that I don't. We good people are God's people too. We may not get as much press as the rebels turned righteous, but we won't make a fuss -about it.

There are a couple of characters I like in Luke's Christmas story that never seem to show up in the holiday pageants where the teenage virgin, dazzling angels, gnarly shepherds, and hip Eastern astrologers rule. The neglected folks I'm talking about are Simeon C:;;;;"_ ""IU' and Anna, who appeared at the temple when Mary and Joseph went to dedicate the newborn Jesus. Simeon was a faithful person who had long been looking for the coming Christ. Anna was a prophetess who constantly worshiped and prayed These were two of the good people. They may not be as celebrated as other colorful Christmas characters, yet both spoke powerful words about the coming Jesus revolution. We nice guys and gals may sometimes feel outdated in this age of pierced and tattooed antiheroes with intriguing dangerous streaks. But take heart, good people. God wants to speak through us as much as anybody, just like he did through good and faithful Anna and Simeon during that first Christmas season.

Always winter

«For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3: 16 KJV).

The other family watched the recent movie version of The LIOn, the W,tch and the Wardrobe. The classic story by C.S. Lewis tells how four children find the world of Narnia and

end of the school day for a parade. Often parents brought snacks for the kids so the afternoon had a festive feeling Because she and her husband opposed Halloween, one mom said her husband planned to take a half-day off from work Oct. 31, and they would take their childrCn out of school for the afternoon. She repeatedly said her family did not celebrate Halloween, but it seems to me that this family observed the holiday along with everyone else.

": During De(cmhcr we \\Jllt to highli ght the birth oj Chri st and downplay the other The [" that th e "other stuff ' ori g inat es from our intentioll to keep Christ in Chri stmJ"i.

They were doing some-

thing special on October 31- spending a weekday afternoon in a movie theater rather than at work or school and enjoying dinner in a restaurant- just not things meet AsIan, the noble lion who frees Narnia from the spell of the White Witch .

While visiting Namia for the first time, Lucy is befriended by Mr. Tumnus, a faun who intends to kidnap Lucy and bring her to the White Witch. But Tumnus just can't do this terrible thing and confesses his plan to Lucy

' The White Witch? Who is she?" Lucy asks.

"Why, it is she that has got all Namia under her thumb. It's she that makes it always winter Always winter and never Christmas; think of that!" answers Mr. Tumnus .

"How awful," says Lucy.

Do we observe the Christmas season in such a way that, to borrow Lewis' phrase, it is "always winter and never Christmas"? Do we observe Christmas but never celebrate the gift of the incarnation?

You can observe a holiday without celebrating its true meaning . That's what many Christians do at Halloween. Some of us say we don't celebrate Halloween but in fact we do observe the holiday.

Several years ago I wa s talking with other moms with children in grade school and since it was October the subject of H alloween came up At the time, the elementary school kids dressed in costumes at the

connected to the original intention of the holiday That's what many Christians do on Halloween. We celebrate the holiday in ways that ignore Halloween's pagan origins.

Do we do the same thing at Christmas? During December we want to highlight the birth of Christ and downplay the other stuff. The problem is that the "other stuff" originates from our intention to keep Christ in Christmas

If your December calendar looks like mine, nights are filled with Christmas concerts and parties. Two days are set aside for shopping and rehearsals for the church Christmas program and family gatherings are clearly noted. The "to do" list for evenings and weekends includes wrapping gihs, baking the traditional family goodies, decorating the house inside and out, and writing the annual Christmas letter, signing cards and addressing envelopes.

Countless articles and books have been written encouraging us to do these things simply and in moderation. I strive to simplify but it's hard not to do these things Each activity on my Christmas "to do" list is a good thing and I want to enjoy doing them all without apology.

I know it's possible to celebrate Christmas without celebrating Christ and Christmas without Christ is what I want to avoid. So my quest this year is to incorporate into the shopping, decorating, baking, programs and partiesall the things that make December so busy-the anticipation and wonder of knowing that God sent his only Son into the world as a baby to be our Savior.

Being busy isn't bad when I connect the things I do to the heart of Christmas. When I infuse my celebration with the truth of John 3:16, I will find the wannth of Christmas and leave the cold of always winter behind.-Connie Faber

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