The Messenger Vol. 45 No. 4 February 21, 2007

Messenger The

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 45 NUMBER 4 FEBRUARY 21, 2007

Giving Room for Sorrow’s

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editorials

The

Messenger

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EDITOR Terry M. Smith ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Buhler THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith.

Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request.

Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors.

THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba.

Subscriptions: $12 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, total: $12.84). Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents.

THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press.

Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba.

ISSN #0701-3299 PAP Registration #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.

Mailing information: Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: 440 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net or emcterry@mts.net On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 6 – March 21 (copy due March 9)

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Suicides, survivors, and stories any families have been touched by suicide.

Some families go public in response to a suicide, hoping to help general awareness. Other families are open and yet not so public. Others withdraw into silence.

There are many forms of loss and grief. People’s responses vary. Some losses are easier to talk about than others.

All families risk misunderstandings, quick judgments, and knee-jerk theologies. Suicide, says Rabbi Earl Grollman, carries an isolating social stigma that should not be.

Families have various ways of coping with severe loss and grief. In some families good stories are told along with the pain;

in other families happy stories seem to get shelved with the sad memories.

Family members dealing with loss and grief through suicide are to be commended as survivors. We do not have to follow the struggling example of a relative. There is help available. The Lord is on the side of life, not death.

Our Christian faith can help—one that allows tears, questions, and time, while focusing on grace. The Church can help.

There are many forms of loss and grief.

People’s responses vary. Some losses are easier to talk about than others.

Alicia Buhler’s lead article touches on grief. She doesn’t say everything, and doesn’t intend to. But her article openly speaks to our experiences of loss. It can remind us of “a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3), One T who is the Crucified God. M Terry M. Smith

John Wesley and doing good

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herefore, as we have opportunity, let us to do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, had this as his life’s rule: Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.

EMCers travel near and far on work teams with MDS, MCC, missions organizations, and more. Young people, those who are middle-aged, and seniors give of their time, money, and abilities to serve in many ways. Much that could be used selfishly is used for the good of others.

Much giving happens to the budgets of EMC (touching people in 25 countries), MCC, and more. When such organizations

have a good year financially, many other people will have a better year.

The Church errs when we withdraw into ourselves (neglecting all people) or when we neglect our own. Paul’s counsel to the

Paul’s counsel to the Galatians was to do good to all people, and especially to the household of faith. We are to do both.

Galatians was to do good to all people, and especially to the household of faith.

We are to do both.

To avoid offense in some Muslim circles, MCC sometimes delivers food aid without the printed slogan In the Name of Christ.

Tensions between faiths are not helped by focusing on the printing of a slogan.

The aid, however, does good and is, T nevertheless, given in Christ’s name. M Terry M. Smith THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

coming events March 9 Eden Foundation Coffeehouse Concert Morden Mennonite Church Morden, Man. 204-325-5355 March 11 Eden Foundation Coffeehouse Concert Douglas Mennonite Church Winnipeg, Man. 204-325-5355 March 16–17 Follow the Lamb: Revelation and Worship SBC Leadership Conference Speaker: J. Nelson Kraybill Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451, ext. 222 www.sbcollege.ca March 16–17 Integrating Faith and Business in a Fast-Paced Economy MEDA Mini-Conference Calgary, Alta.

800-665-7026 March 28–29 SBC Discovery Days Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451 or info@sbcollege.ca March 29–30 Breakaway Providence College Otterburne, Man. 800-668-7768 or www.prov.ca April 12 Prophets and Profits U. of M. professor Fred Starke MEDA, Winnipeg chapter Bergmann’s on Lombard at noon Winnipeg, Man. Cost: $20 (lunch included) 204-487-2328, ext. 228 April 14 Manitoba MDS Spring Banquet North Kildonan MB Church Winnipeg, Man. Tickets: $10 204-261-1274 April 20 SBC Spring Concert Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451 May 18–21 Abundant Springs 2007: The Anointed EMC Youth Conference Caronport, Sask.

204-326-6401 www.abundantsprings.ca

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

Lost citizenship concerns continue to surface Incidents of lost citizenship, surfacing as more Canadians apply for passports to fulfill a new U.S. law, are not new to some descendants of Canadian Mennonites who moved to Latin America in the 1920s and 40s. Thousands have returned during recent decades, often for reasons of poverty.

Canada’s 1977 citizenship law said that some second generation, born-abroad people must go through a retention process before turning 28 in order to retain Canadian citizenship, explains Bill Janzen, director of MCC’s Ottawa office. People have to send in a retention application and show that they have spent at least one year in Canada.

However, it’s been difficult for people to know whether they come under this provision because it does not apply to nearly all second generation born-abroad people and because their citizenship certificates are indistinguishable from those of other people.

This changed on January 1, 2007, following a federal government decision to place an expiry notice on new certificates issued to people who come under this provision—“a welcome change,” Janzen said, having lobbied for this for many years.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t help thousands who come under this provision and who already have certificates. The first of these turned 28 in 2005. Technically, these people ceased to be Canadian citizens if they did not go through the retention process, even if they have lived in Canada for most of their lives and carry certificates that appear to be valid. MCC encourages people to check their status carefully.

A second problem relates to old marriages in Mexico. People, who may have lived in Canada for decades, have received letters from the Canadian government telling them that their certificates of citizenship were “issued in error” and that they are not citizens. This flows from a requirement, under early citizenship legislation, that a child born outside of Canada, of Canadian parents, had to be “born-in-wedlock” to be eligible for Canadian citizenship.

Unfortunately, neither the Canadian government nor Mennonites in their early decades in Mexico paid much attention to what “born-in-wedlock” meant.

Mennonites had church marriages, as they had had in Canada, and when some applied for Canadian citizenship, government

officials assumed this satisfied the “bornin-wedlock” requirement.

Then, around 1960, the Canadian government noted that Mexican law recognized only civil marriages.

According to international law, the legality of a marriage is determined by the country in which it takes place. The Canadian government began asking for civil marriage registration certificates.

Mennonites did not object to having their marriages registered with the civil authorities. Indeed, many started doing so even though they had no intention of applying for Canadian citizenship.

When some did apply for Canadian citizenship and were required to show that their parent was “born-in-wedlock,” they went to a local Mexican registry office and registered the church marriage of their grandparents to obtain a civil marriage certificate for them.

Many years later the Canadian government began demanding stronger proof that a parent was “born-inwedlock.” Consequently, some applicants have received letters stating that they are not eligible for a certificate and that the certificate of their parents, or grandparents, was “issued in error.”

There have not been a large number of letters telling people that their certificates were “issued in error”—perhaps a dozen a year, says Janzen. But when one grandparent is found to have been bornout-of-wedlock, the claims of all their descendants are affected.

Until now, if the people lived in Canada at the time when they received such letters, the government has found ways of re-instating them into citizenship. But the process has been drawn out, costly and, in some cases, caused interruptions in health coverage, right to passports and even permission to work.

In late January the government announced that it is introducing an expedited process to deal with such cases, at least for people who are in Canada when the “error” in their background is discovered. This expedited process will also help people who have turned 28 but failed to go through the retention process and so ceased to be citizens. The government is also setting up a better system to enable people to inquire about their status.

Janzen says these steps don’t solve all the problems, but represent a significant improvement.

MCC Canada

Giving Room for Sorro

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My cherished child, am creating you through love’s womb. I knew you before you were conceived. You are my design. But, my child, though you are created with the capacity for intimacy, this gift I have given you will also be your source of grief. This is not as I had desired for you, but this is the state of humanity. Sleep now in peace, my child, for too soon your heart will break. –Your Father in Heaven 4

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ith each significant person, a piece of our heart is reserved for them. But beginning involves the pain of ending.

Death is inevitable. Grief is a reality.

The Five Cries of Grief (M. P. Strommen and A. I. Strommen, Harper, 1993) visualizes grief from beginning to end.

The cry of pain Immediately following the death of a loved one, shock takes residence over every nerve in our being. Moving out of shock, the first wave of grief washes over, as if the death had just happened, because in the heart it just did. Grief begins when bereavement is perceived to be real (W. Wangerin,

would the memories fade? Jesus answers: “I will take the hurt away, but the love will not be taken away” (Strommen, p. 52).

“Memory rescues experience from total disappearance. The kingdom of memory is full of the ruins of presence” (O’Donohue, p. 236). In remembering we are rooted and grounded again.

We’re enabled to find strength to continue. Pain will turn to gratitude. Mourning will give way to dancing—only with time.

The cry of loneliness There comes a realization you will no longer be accompanied by your loved one. There is a new beginning: Life without them. As one grieving father says,

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Alicia Buhler

Jr., Mourning into dancing, Zondervan, 1992). Even the simple routine of breathing seems laboured.

Rituals must be endured. “Each ritual is based on a traditional wisdom that death needs to be faced openly,” say Strommens. This routine is often carried out mechanically. Only after does one truly sense the first cry of pain.

All becomes silent—eerily black, motionless, expressionless.

As flowers fade and halls become quiet, absence begins to resonate where presence once was.

“Absence seems to hold the echo of some fractured intimacy…,” says J. O’Donohue.

“When that belonging is fractured or lost, something of our deepest self departs” (Eternal Echoes: Celtic reflections on our yearning to belong, Harper, 1999).

Losing a part of yourself includes losing the future with the other that will never be. When pain seems all that remains, one questions, What would happen if the pain went away…

“Your soul, my son, has left the cage of time and space in which I am held.

You entered into the realm of total Being where my soul also abides. It is this fatherhood, this sonship, this earthly relationship to which I must say goodbye. It is to our new communion I must say hello” (Adolfo Quezada, in Strommen, p. 84).

The loss is ours, not theirs. In our empty loneliness, one author reminds us that the one we love is not alone: “The couch of the dying, as we call it, is surrounded by the birth watchers of the other world, waiting like anxious servants to open the door to which this world is but a windblown porch” (Gordon MacDonald in Strommen, p. 84).

The cry for supportive love Many feel inadequate at the bedside of death.

Words do not express any degree or measure of understanding. We are left feeling utterly helpless in its presence.

Comforters, know the script, but read the griever. Grief follows no rules. There exist many tools for interpretation, but never lose sight of the vulnerable person near you. Purge yourself of motives and make peace with death. Your role is not to orchestrate an appropriate letting go and

Losing a part of yourself includes losing the future with the other that will never be. When pain seems all that remains, one questions, What would happen if the pain went away…would the memories fade? Jesus answers: “I will take the hurt away, but the love will not be taken away.”

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

moving on. These happen in their way and time; each individual follows their sequence. You are not a fixer, but a companion to the wounded. Tend to them (Wangerin).

Comforter, be familiar with the script of grief, but do not impose. Simply be present. Comfort those who mourn. No one should have to face loss alone.

Comforter, be familiar with the script of grief, but do not impose. Simply be present. “God is with you, and when the griever tests your durability she discovers eternity: you won’t leave. God, with you, is with her too. For her, you simply are. That is the first and most important principle of comforting,” Wangerin says. Comfort those who mourn. No one should have to face loss alone.

The cry for understanding Unbearable loss is one way to feel forsaken

by God. All Scripture, reassurance, condolence, and ritual do not create meaning from chaos. The grieving are hurled to where answers do not come easily. Some experience refreshing, while others wither with still no answers, no peace.

Literature on grief refers to experiences of anger and emphasizes “letting go” and a coming of peace. One must realize that the human’s deepest grievance is with God (Wangerin). Vengeance is fraught to make order from chaos and pointless suffering. Anger must be experienced. Present yourself naked to God: Express your anger.

Then, when you can name no other ending to hopelessness but death, realize that God can name another.

Once one has wrestled through the night, morning breaks; then a peace settles upon the land. Here God’s presence may be felt. Answers to questions are often not found, but “the hardest lesson of all is to accept what we cannot understand and still say, ‘God, thou art love. I build my faith on that’” (William Barclay, in Strommen).

The cry for significance The saying time heals all wounds is shallow.

“Time does not heal. Prayer heals. The Holy Spirit heals. You choose to heal. Time only covers the event. Time only puts distance between us and the event” (Bettye, in Strommen). Grace to live with the memories and imagination to continue the story are gifts from our Father to His children. Hopelessness is suffered to find new life.

Happiness and sadness are opposites, but not so with joy and sorrow. It is “through sorrow that we discover a calm, abiding, indestructible joy…joy is forged in sorrow,” says Wangerin.

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Wayne Oates says: In grief we shrink back to nostalgia. We try to make time stand still, to keep things as they were, to go back to a more secure and familiar place by a way we have always known…Faith provides another alternative…faith is the commitment to grow through events like bereavement…by reliance upon a living God who is always renewing life through faith’s response to the claims of growth (Strommen, p. 71).

As each change in life is marked by a beginning and an end, grief has an end, a beautiful goal: Within the pale earthly experience, always turn the bereaved back to life…They cannot in health continue to exist with the raw, unhealed wound of a vital separation. The goodness of their grieving is that it brings them by stages into the stream of the living again, however slowly, however painfully. It reveals bit by bit the fullness of this death—as each is able to receive it—and when reality is accepted and assimilated, when the wound heals, it urges them into relationships again, which is our earthly life…

And this too is the purpose of grieving: In the same manner…to turn all those bereaved of the primal, divine relationship back to God, to his love, and to that Life that cannot be taken away from them, forever T (Wangerin, p. 147). M Alicia Buhler (Hudson Bay) is a psychology graduate from Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg, Man.) and has studied at Providence Theological Seminary (Otterburne, Man.).

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

with our missionaries Paraguay

Building plans and prayer needs

Greetings from Paraguay!

We are having a lot of hot weather with occasional rains that break the heat for a while. Despite everything, the group that came from various EMC churches in Canada has done an excellent job of tearing down the roof and some walls at AMAR. They are now in East Paraguay, enjoying a break before continuing for another four days of work next week.

We thank the Lord for them and for the fellowship we have had with them.

We are asking you to join us in praying for the house where we hope to move into. We have been given access to the patio and a few rooms, so all the things

from the HIV/AIDS centre are scattered around. Meanwhile the owner is looking for a place to move to so we can move into the house. It is a very unsettling time for us and for all the AMAR volunteers.

Also we are getting messages that the neighbors are not happy with having an expansion to the AIDS centre in their community. So we pray that the Lord will give us favour in their eyes. May the Lord also give protection to the workers as the new building is already being worked on. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Dave and Judy Schmidt

Judy and Dave Schmidt (Rosenort) are involved in ministry with people who live with HIV/AIDS and their families.

Mexico

SBC’s Mission Xposure has an impact!

On January 17, 2007, Steinbach Bible College’s 15-passenger van pulled into the SBC parking lot. Eleven third-year students, along with professor Ernie Koop and his wife Diane, were back from their three-week Mission Exposure.

Despite being tired from the long drive,

“I have never experienced the body of Christ as I did on this trip! I was shown what it truly means to be brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.” the team was in good spirits as they told stories of how they saw God working in Mexico.

The group spent New Year’s Eve in Juarez, Mexico, and had an amazing time connecting with the church. Other places they visited included Cuauhtemoc, Camp 67, and Steinreich, where they met Christians and saw God at work.

During the second week the team split into small groups and were billeted with missionaries and pastors in different communities. Each group experienced the love of God through the people they met. All were encouraged by the passion and openness of Spanish people.

“I have never experienced the body of Christ as I did on this trip! I was shown what it truly means to be brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, both from our group and the people we met in Mexico,” said Vince Kehler.

To give students an opportunity to share their stories with family and friends, Diane Koop organized the first annual MissionX 3 Report in the SBC gym. This fun evening consisted of

testimonies from the students, Mexican snacks, and pictures of the team at work in Mexico. The team presented the songs and mimes they had performed in churches and schools.

Mission Exposure continues to be a vital component of all the programs at SBC. Students’ eyes are opened and passion renewed as they go through this life-changing experience.

SBC

Recently SBC’s MissionX team joined the praise and worship group at a church in Juarez, Mexico.

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

with our churches

Miss’n’ the Wiebes

Tillsonburg, Ont.: In August 2006 we bade farewell to our pastor couple whom we had come to know and love.

Pastor Dave and Audrey had been with us since 2000 when the church first started. They helped us grow spiritually, and also helped us to discover who we are, how to create a committee and take leadership, as our small group formed into a church. Many a message Pastor Dave spoke and encouraged us to be become more like Christ. For all encouragements and hope, that you both have given to us, through so many ways, we are eternally grateful.

We have many fond memories of the Wiebe family, and wish them only the very best as they start the next chapter in life.

May God bless you richly!

We had a Region 9 farewell program, with food and fellowship following the service. Time was given to share of their time spent with the Wiebes. A slide show was shown to recapture our six years of many unique moments together.

Pastor Dave was asked to share his solo with us one more time: As the Storm Passes By. It is a song he and Audrey sing so well, with a beautiful encouragement in it. As you sang for us in our hearts we sang for you for we know that, where ever you go, you’ll continue to bless the ones around you. Your family has so blessed us!

As a part from the farewell, they were given a clock with our church name engraved on it.

Our first Sunday without them felt so

empty, like a part of us was missing, like a huge part. I’d check to see if Rose Reimer was in church, because she and Audrey are our only piano players. Audrey played so often (thank you!).

Pastor Dave did more than give us guidance in the walk with Christ. To name a few: He gave endless time and effort to the church building project, educated us through classes on different topics, With a get-together like this, we sure get hungry! and meaningfully, encouraged the young ones to help with and Mark gave them a grandchild. We the church services. are left with the imagination on how their Audrey was and is loved by all the faces look when they hold little Carson. young ones, as they knew that she always We have many fond memories of the had bandages in her purse. She served as Wiebe family, and wish them only the a nurse in the Tillsonburg hospital where very best as they start the next chapter she was truly admired by patients, but in life. May God bless you richly! so much more she nursed us moms in “Some people come into our lives the church with her wonderful, carefree and quickly go. Some people move spirit and the children through Sunday our souls to dance. They awaken us to school and Christmas programs. understanding with the passing whisper Their son Jordan was a true blessing of their wisdom. Some people make to the youth and we had the privilege the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. to have him bring a few messages in They stay in our lives for awhile, leave our church. Daughter Naomi was a true footprints on our hearts, and we are shining light with the youth girls, and never, ever the same” (Flavia Weedn). gave encouragements to the congregation “Rejoice in every good thing which as she shared her traveling experiences. the Lord thy God hath given unto thee” As her mom, she has an “uplifting (Deuteronomy 26:11). The Church of spirit.” The oldest daughter Jolene gave Living Water rejoices for the years that her parents “the glow look,” and you we were given with the Wiebe family. wonder what happened to them. Jolene Marge Sawatzky

During our morning service in July 2006 Pastor Dave Wiebe prayed for the young ones in the church. His wife Audrey Wiebe treated each one with a gift for a free Dairy Queen ice cream. The adults received a friendship pen.

How special! Thank you!

On the day before the Wiebes left, our church group had a special get-together with them at a private park with an historical church building.

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

Franklin Graham Festival a highlight Rosenort EMC (Man.): We must never as a church or Conference lose sight of our ultimate purpose: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

The spiritual highlight of the last year for the writer was involvement in the Franklin Graham Festival. Seventyfive individuals from our congregation attended the Christian Life and Witness Course throughout the five weeks it was held. Of those, 25 ended up signing up to be counsellors and one individual as a supervisor. Others served in promotion, as ushers, in the choir and at the sales tables.

All of us who were involved had amazing experiences. To our delight, over three-quarters of those who made commitments were first-time decisions and many of those had little or no previous church involvement. The counsellor training course has helped many of us find better ways to introduce our faith to people we work with or meet on a daily basis.

One of the more humorous experiences happened when one of our young men was so enthused at his first experience leading someone to the Lord that he searched for another. Upon locating a rather rough-looking fellow on the floor, he eagerly asked him if he too would like to follow Christ. The older man smiled and said, “Thanks, son. I’m actually a pastor!” May we all have this

kind of drive to share our love for Jesus.

Many of us had cross-cultural experiences and the Lord helped us communicate and counsel effectively despite a language barrier. One of the greatest joys was having a lady

We praise the Lord for changed lives and Christ’s redeeming power. in our church bring her unsaved and unchurched daughter-in-law to the Festival. She didn’t go forward when the altar call was extended, but to the amazement of the mother prayed aloud in her seat.

Since that night this young wife and mother connected with an evangelical Mennonite church and is being discipled in a Bible study group and also by her mother-in-law. We praise the Lord for changed lives and Christ’s redeeming power.

Several of us have been involved in follow-up through email or phone and that has been encouraging as well. It was exciting to serve as a counsellor and meet many Bible college friends and other EMCers who were doing the same.

Those who sang in the choir delightedly backed up some of the best Christian musicians in North America.

The unity and harmony in music was

Seven members received at Portage Evangelical Church Portage la Prairie, Man.:

only a taste of what awaits us in Heaven!

The resounding sounds of the mass choir singing O God Our Help In Ages Past accompanied by a brass band seemed to be the anthem for the weekend.

We heard moving testimonies of the Holy Spirit’s work changing sinners into saints. It was refreshing to hear God’s Word preached with hope and challenge. We sang, prayed, counselled, listened and worked with many different denominations with one purpose—to make clear the need for salvation and the hope found in Christ alone.

During the Festival we were pleased to hear country recording artist Paul Brandt sing and give his testimony.

He was in our community that week to meet many of our school students and to collect Operation Christmas Child boxes.

We had a tremendous choir cantata again during the Christmas season and a well done Sunday School program.

Lorilee Scharfenberg

Advance Prayer for Convention Date: July 3–5, 2007 (just ahead of convention, which is on July 6–8) Place: Portage Evangelical Church Portage La Prairie, Man. Plan: Spend time together seeking God for personal and corporate revival, for our churches, communities, conference, country.

Fasting: Optional Who’s invited? Pastors, leaders, lay people, youth, anyone with a desire to experience God in a deeper way and for those with a burden for spiritual awakening.

Contact person: Glenn Loewen 204-857-4146; galoewen@mts.net

New member service on January 21, 2007: Pastor Glenn Loewen with new members Betty and Tim Neufeld, Colleen and Andrew Giesbrecht, Helen Ronald, and Shirley and Dwayne Hildebrandt.

Catherine Epp

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

Information: Each EMC church will receive a brochure about potential accommodations, what to bring, and more.

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Church camp, our walk-in clinic Tillsonburg, Ont.: The congregation had just said goodbye to a pastoral couple, and some encouragement came our way as we had our annual church camp August 11 to 13, 2006, at Triple C Campground in Simcoe, Ont. Triple C stands for Christ Centred Camp.

With a truly warm weekend and no rain, we were ready for some refreshment.

Children ran carefree through the tents

As the weekend came to an end, our hope, faith, and energy did not. Refocused, strengthened and encouraged we went home.

playing guitars.

Abe Neufeld, John Neufeld, and David Dyck shared God’s word with us. They reminded us of the power that Satan has and how we are his true target. When our hearts are heavy and heads are not held high in Christ, we can be deceived. Then the comforting words followed: “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from Him, He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be

Great food adds flavour to the camping experience. Here are George Reimer, Maria Neufeld, Jake Neufeld, and John Friesen.

Men salute Pastor Dave Wiebe: “Pastor Dave, be cool and just as we are.” He was missed at this event.

with an excited look on their face, as if wondering, “Why don’t we do this more often?”

As the tents were being set up, glass marbles were noticed among the grass.

During the Friday night program around the fire, children were informed that the marbles were part of a game and for them to collect. Children with adults searched with flashlights until late. During the day, when you saw adults walk slowly with heads down, they were doing their own private search. That was fun!

The ladies missed Audrey Wiebe, our former pastor’s wife, with the pool competition, but, hey, we tried our best!

After the children and adults had burned some energy, the quiet time at the fire was much accepted. Our hearts ached as we thought of our church and its need of a new pastoral couple, but being in the presence of each other under the open sky was just the right place.

Softly, the quietness of the night was broken by a lovely tune of George Reimer’s harmonica. After so many songs the fingers of Ron Reimer, Abe Neufeld, and Henry Suderman hurt from

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shaken” (Psalm 62:5–6). “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. I trust in thee” (Psalm 25:1–2).

As the weekend came to an end, our hope, faith, and energy did not.

Refocused, strengthened and encouraged we went home. We all knew that we needed to stand tall and put into practice what Pastor Dave Wiebe had taught us, as well as what Christ was trying to teach us through this. Our congregation would greatly appreciate your support through prayer, that we may do God’s work effectively.

Marge Sawatzky

Discovery Days, March 28–29, is intended for students in grade 11 and up to you see what life atyour SBC isexperience all about. Students will experience college Did enjoy at SBC?? life in dorm, in classes, and have the opportunity to meet some of the Encourage to dive in to thisin life-changing experience!! students theyothers could be studying with fall 2007!

Discovery Days, March is full-time intended at forSBC students in grade All students who apply 28-29, to study

by March 29 11 and up to see what life at SBC is all about.

Students will experience and attend Discovery Days will receive a $125 tuition discount. college life in dorm, in classes, and have the opportunity to meet some of the students they could be studying with in fall 2007!

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

“Discovery Days was an awesome time for me to get to know the school and some of the students. It really helped open my eyes to

Being a church of peace It was also special to witness the baptism of Ian Peters and to hear his faith story. There have been some detours in his walk of faith, but what a blessing to hear about his desire to love and follow the Lord.

In January we welcomed Irma This was the theme chorus for Janzen back after her six-month our January mission month. Our stint of teaching English in China. theme was The Church of Peace and She had a rich experience both in four different speakers challenged her teaching and in fellowshipping us to work at being a church of in a Chinese church. It was a real Senior Pastor Layton Friesen holds Thomas, newly dedicated son peace.

Our first speakers were workers of Steve and Carrie Kroeker. Associate Pastor David Kruse stands blessing to her to see the vibrant testimony the church has in with Arab World Ministries. They with them.

China. reported on their work with Muslims We had a fundraising luncheon in this country. They also encouraged us Canada, related about its work with to invite Arab students into our homes, to material aid in war-torn countries and prepared and served by the young form new friendships, and to share our how this work many times involves people on January 28. It was a lunch of farmer sausage, baked potato, and cole homes and lives with them. dialogue with the government.

On January 14 the topic was related We had a baby dedication on slaw. The youth are raising funds to go to local poor. Jen Neufeld reported on November 26. Steve and Carrie Kroeker to Abundant Springs Youth Retreat later Many Rooms Church Community here in dedicated their son Thomas to the Lord. this year. They showed the film The Winnipeg. She shared with us how they They expressed their desire to raise End of the Spear after the luncheon. We are making friends, many times over a their son to know and love the Lord. The certainly appreciate our youth and their cup of tea and sharing the peace found congregation promised to support them desire to love and follow the Lord.

Diana Reimer in Christ. in this.

On January 21 the topic was political conflict. Harry Huebner with Canadian Mennonite University and involved with Christian Peacemaker Teams addressed this. He related different challenges that they have had in seeking to bring about peace. But he also challenged us with Ephesians 2:14: Christ is our peace and we are to practice peace. He encouraged us to seek creative ways of breaking down the dividing wall of hostility between people.

On January 28 we ended with the church of peace relating to the Glenda Friesen directs children during the Christmas Sunday school program. government. Don Peters, with MCC Fort Garry (Winnipeg, Man.): He Has shown you, O people What is good, and what the Lord requires of you: But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.

births LOEWEN – to Dwight and Carol Loewen of Riverside, Man., a son, Carter Bryce, on March 19, 2006.

SIEMENS – to Scott and Brandi Siemens of Morris, Man., a daughter, Kalia Rose, on April 27, 2006.

LOEWEN – to Bryan and Patti Loewen of Riverside, Man., a daughter, Rachel Alyssa, on October 3, 2006.

WIEBE – to Peter and Eva Wiebe of Turin, Alta., a daughter, Melissa Abigail, on December 13, 2006.

Ian Peters kneels and a group of church people pray a blessing.

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

FRIESEN – to Blaine and Andrea Friesen of Riverside, Man., a daughter, Katelyn Michelle, on December 18, 2006.

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The not so silent Junior Sunday School Riverton, Man.: This past Christmas our Junior Sunday School presented us with a poignant Christmas pageant entitled The Not So Silent Night. A case is brought against the shepherds, through which the truth of Christmas becomes known.

This pageant closed a year of participation by the Sunday school within the congregation. Bible truths painstakingly taught by teachers gained expression.

Children are a desired gift from God. Thus it pleases us to see the obedience shown when parents commit to training their children in an atmosphere of care and concern, both spiritual and physical.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

In a child dedication service on November 26, 2006, Steve and Lori Weber committed to the spiritual training of their son Beau. We look forward to the day when we can welcome Beau to the world of the not so silent Junior Sunday School, allowing God to use him to further the kingdom of God. Carol Kornelsen Pastor Don Timmons, Beau Weber, and Lori and Steve Weber

My Redeemer Lives was an Easter celebration at Riverton.

An energetic summer picnic (including running relays) on the green lot adjacent to the church characterizes the children in our church.

Valentine’s Day cookies were baked and shared with churchgoers.

Creighton celebrates Christmas Chapel on January 12. Many Creighton, Sask.: Our annual of Dorothy’s children and Christmas program was held grandchildren paid tribute to in December with our theme her memory. Heaven Young Fruits of the Spirits as they could sang On Eagles Wings. be found in the Christmas We started a Kids’ Club with story. The children and adults eight sessions in fall and eight in attendance decorated their more in the spring. We have it foam trees with “fruit” as the after school on Wednesdays story progressed. with an hour and a half time On January 7 we were slot filled with food, songs, saddened by the death of stories, and crafts or activities.

Dorothy Hillier. Dorothy was We have had many helpers: 95 and had been a vital part Pastor Scott Koop, pastoral of our congregation for many couple Lorne and Margaret years. She and her husband Moorhead, Mike and Deanna Jack (who passed away three During the Christmas program children stood by the sheep and sang by the Anderson, and Janice Imrie. years ago) were long-time manger.

Pastor Lorne has a weekly members of the community Bible study on Wednesday, currently and raised a large, fine family. The studying the book of Peter. funeral was held at Northern Fellowship Janice Imrie

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THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

writings shared

Living with a Killer, Erna Dueck, self published, 2006, 157 pages, $22.95.

Reviewed by Betty Koop, who has served in ministry in the U.S. (Virginia), Canada (Manitoba and Alberta), and Lesotho.

T

he sub-title, Survivor of three primary cancers tells her story says it all! This is a fascinating account of Erna Dueck’s journey through cancer after cancer. I had a hard time putting the book down until it was completed.

Erna is open and honest as she takes us with her through the grinding round of uncomfortable diagnostic tests, unwelcome diagnoses, painful surgery, waiting for the oncologist’s assessments and prescriptions, debilitating chemotherapy and radiation.

And all these events are interspersed with waiting and more waiting. The Canadian health care system is great, but also over-busy and over-worked, and Erna had to learn to navigate her way through these roadblocks. As she lived through three different cancers

Abundant Springs 2007

May 18–21 Caronport, Saskatchewan Abundant Springs Speaker The National Youth Committee is pleased to introduce Dale Friesen as our speaker for Abundant Springs 2007. Having been a youth pastor in a Canadian setting for the past 15 years, hear what Dale has to say: I am seriously stoked about hanging out with Dale Friesen everyone at Abundant Springs. I’m learning lots of cool things about Jesus and I still have a long ways to go till I figure everything out. I am excited about starting a conversation with you about Jesus—all his radical ideas, his dangerous lifestyle, and his unbelievable way of messing with your life whenever you meet him.

Oh yeah and by the way my default position in any kind of hockey is…goalie.

Please pray for Dale as he prepares his talks for six sessions!

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

Betty Koop

Erna is open and honest as she takes us with her through the grinding round of uncomfortable diagnostic tests, unwelcome diagnoses, painful surgery, waiting for the oncologist’s assessments and prescriptions, debilitating chemotherapy and radiation. and their treatments, she learned to become proactive to see that things moved forward.

Her strong spirit comes through when she writes of special celebrations after five years of cancer-free living after two bouts of cancer. Then six months later she is diagnosed with her third cancer. She writes: “The lesson I learned is celebrate life continuously. It doesn’t take a special reason anymore for me to celebrate. Life itself is a good enough reason for celebration.”

The chapter An Alternative begins with a quote from Mark Twain: “Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.” I found her approach to alternative medicine interesting and well thought-through.

Erna’s take on miracles, her tributes to various people who supported her at the right times throughout this difficult journey, and her abiding faith in spite of huge obstacles, are thought-provoking and inspiring to read.

To have rebuilt a relatively normal life after these ordeals is in itself a testimony to her faith: In God, in herself and in her future.

This book is most readable and interesting. A valuable “side effect” should be that it would give the reader insight and some understanding of what people experience in their battle with cancer. We cannot endure their pain for them, but we can seek to walk T alongside in their fearful and lonely journey. M This title by Erna Dueck (Fort Garry) is available at the EMC national office in Steinbach, and McNally Robinson in Winnipeg (both in Manitoba). E-mail contact: livingwithakiller@yahoo. ca. Photo credits: (cover) Marilyn Latta, (author) Frank Young Photography.

Erna Dueck

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Journey of Loss, Discovery of Hope DVD and grief support training guide available To provide a better understanding of grief as a normal and healthy response to a loss, Journeys Project Films, has published a training guide to accompany its DVD Journey of Loss, Discovery of Hope. The new Training, Counselors and Leaders Guide that accompanies the grief-support DVD was written by a leading authority on hospice nursing practices to enhance the healthcare community’s understanding of bereavement issues.

The 29-page book by Dr. Sarah A. Wilson, director of the Marquette University College of Nursing Institute for End of Life Care Education, combines psychological theories about grief with practical information to help those dealing with the bereaved or patients coping with terminal illnesses.

It outlines various grief processes, describes common physical and emotional signs of grief, and includes suggestions for healing activities along with selected poems.

A supplement to the Journey of Loss, Discovery of Hope DVD, the guide includes reference notes to

specific segments in the production that illustrate related grief issues. The international Gold Telly-winning DVD features survivors describing how they dealt with the death of a spouse, a child, a parent, a sibling or a close friend.

It also has commentary from bereavement therapists, and prominent Catholic, Jewish and Protestant clergy sharing their perspectives on related

spiritual issues, such as the belief in an afterlife and the survivors’ relationship to God. Wilson developed the guide in a “train the trainer” format to help the healthcare community provide more meaningful support for bereaved families and to integrate the Journey of Loss, Discovery of Hope DVD into that training. Written for social workers, bereavement group coordinators, hospice care professionals and others in the healthcare community, the guide also will be helpful to anyone who supports someone in grief.

The training guide is shipped at no cost with orders of at least three DVDs, and is available separately for about $11.50 Canadian. Both the Journey of Loss, Discovery of Hope DVD (65 minutes, about $41.35 Canadian) and the training guide can be purchased online at www.JourneysProject.com and are sold through specialty retail outlets.

Astra Communications This DVD and training guide will be later reviewed in The Messenger.

DE BRIGJ 105.9 FM meets Low German need

Hein Rempel, manager of Canada’s first and only Low German language radio station.

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Canada’s first and only Low German language radio station reduces the sense of isolation for some newcomers in southwestern Ontario.

DE BRIGJ (The Bridge) 105.9 FM, in Aylmer, Ont., is the primary source of news, weather reports, public service announcements, religious broadcasts and entertainment for many Low German-speaking people in the Aylmer region who lack English language skills.

The station, owned and operated by the Aylmer and Area Inter-Mennonite Community Council, provides four hours of programming a day from Monday to Friday and three hours on Saturday. It was started in partnership with MCC Ontario.

The station plays musical recordings in German, Low German, English and Spanish; and broadcasts news, announcements, and wider programming.

MCCO

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

MDS couple motivated by love Rosenort farming couple Kerry and Joanne Eidse, both 50, have been doing Mennonite Disaster Service winter assignments since 2001.

“Financially it’s not a gain for us. And it’s not a holiday. But it is rewarding,” says Joanne.

“People are the main reason [we do MDS work]” says Joanne. “We consented to come for two months [this year] because we know the need here. We also left part of our hearts here from last year.”

Joanne and Kerry Eidse, farmers from Rosenort, Manitoba, make a great team directing and managing the MDS project in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

MYRNA FRIESEN

In loving memory of Myrna Friesen who went to be with the Lord, February 21, 1997.

In a quiet graveyard Not so far away, Where the gentle breezes blow Lies the daughter, sister, aunt, We loved and lost 10 years ago.

Though her resting place we visit And the memories we share; We are thankful for the assurance That we’ll meet her over there.

Lovingly remembered and missed by her mother Gertie Friesen, her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews.

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

Last year Kerry and Joanne (Rosenort EMC) accepted their first assignment as project directors, in one of the most devastated areas of rural Louisiana— Plaquemines Parish. Katrina first struck land here and virtually every building in the area was severely damaged or destroyed.

“In disaster [situations] people are open to reassessing life. Last year was an emotional time,” said Kerry.

“Rick and Donna Billings, the Tisers and the Renos became people we loved,” continues Kerry. “They leaned on us very heavily. They expressed that they needed help. That gave way to a connection of love and caring—the kind of bond that you feel for family or closest friends.”

This year Kerry and Joanne are helping with the recovery process. “Last year we were here for the funeral,” says Kerry. “Nothing was in their control anymore. It is easier this year because I can see the recovery process going on in them—there’s more praise, more smiles.

They’ve turned a corner and are looking ahead.”

As project directors the Eidse couple is in charge of all MDS activity in the area. It means scheduling volunteer groups, making arrangements for their safety, transportation, meals and accommodations, negotiating with homeowners for work orders,

coordinating with local authorities regarding building codes and permits, ensuring that all work sites have adequate tools and materials, and keeping up reporting and communications with MDS head office.

In Plaquemines Parish this is done from the site of St. Jude Mission, a Catholic church structure which was severely damaged by wind and flooding.

MDS has cleaned it up and adapted it for temporary use.

“It’s a way to serve without being an official missionary. Before we came, we knew we could make a difference,” says Kerry. “At times you’re at a place where heaven and earth are very close together.

That was here!” he adds.

Bruce Hildebrand/MDS

Kerry Eidse consults with homeowner Mary Tiser about next steps on finishing restoration work on her home. The home was flooded by hurricane Katrina, with three feet of water on the main level, despite being elevated 10 feet off the ground.

The following people from your conference are serving with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) this winter.

will both be long-term volunteers. Their term of service is from January 4 to February 3. They attend Abbeydale Christian Fellowship.

Kerry and Jo Eidse from Rosenort, Man., are going to Diamond, La. They will be project directors. Their term of service is from January 3 to March 3. They attend Rosenort EM Church.

Neil and Anita Friesen from Wawanesa Man., are going to New Orleans, La. They will be head cooks and crew leaders. Their term of service is from January 4 to February 16. They attend Treesbank Community Church.

Harold and Saundra Friesen from Calgary, Alta., are going to Pass Christian, Miss. They will be project directors. Their term of service is from January 3 to March 3. They attend Abbeydale Christian Fellowship.

Wayne Peters from La Crete, Alta., is going to Pass Christian, Miss. He will be a crew member.

His term of service is from January 4 to March 3. He attends La Crete Christian Fellowship.

Christine Janzen from Winnipeg, Man., is going to Mobile, Ala. She will be a crew member. Her term of service is from March 3 to March 31. She attends Crestview Fellowship.

Ron and Elaine Enns from Winnipeg, Man., are going to New Orleans, La. They will be project directors. Their term of service is from January 3 to March 9. They attend Fort Garry EM Church.

Bruce and Elma Dyck from Chestermere, Alta., are going to Pass Christian, Miss. They

Kevin Petkau from Arborg, Man., is going to Pass Christian, Miss. He will be a crew member. His term of service is from March 3 to April 14. He attends Morweena EM Church.

Philip Plett from Arborg, Man., is going to Pass Christian, Miss. He will be a crew member. His term of service is from March 3 to April 14. He attends Morweena EM Church.

Thanks for keeping these folks in your prayers as they assist the survivors from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

MDS

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pictures of God

Joanna Plett

An early flight to heaven?

I

t was a perfect fall day. I was finally away from the stress To look only at the joys that are immediately before of life, and God was very near. At the moment, an early us is to miss an incredible opportunity to see God more flight to heaven sounded great. But as I thought about clearly. going to heaven, I realized that certain things were “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we holding me back—things I wanted to do and experience shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know before I die—and I wondered why they stopped me. fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Were the experiences of this world so mesmerizing Over the next few months, I will capture some of these that I would be eternally lacking without them? Was my reflections—these pictures—of God. Many are from my picture of heaven so shabby that I thought its majesty experience; some are from others’ lives. These reflections and immensity could not replace are incomplete and imperfect, but as the monuments on earth? Was God we share our glimpses of God, I hope As I struggled to put my values himself unable to fulfill my deepest that we will come to know him more, emotional needs? love him more, and discover in him into perspective, God showed T I seemed to be missing an essential our eternal joy. M me that his revelation is bigger piece of the puzzle. I knew God should be my greatest desire and my highest than I ever imagined: That he joy, but, in my heart, I knew that is not outside of the things I knowledge hadn’t transferred to my desires. enjoy and desire, but that he is The simplest remedy, I thought, beyond them. was to squelch my desires—to subordinate those things I loved by finding their blemishes; to stifle my longings, proportioning them to my longings for God. But this, too, did not fit the God who came “that we might have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10) or the Jesus’ prayer for our joy in John 17:13.

This joy, I knew, was not meant to be an abstract and forced ideal, but a genuine internal joy.

The answer to my dichotomy was not, however, that my immediate desires were too great, but that my desire for God was too small. I valued what I saw most clearly, and God was indistinct. Because I couldn’t see him clearly, I neither valued him for what he’s worth nor pursued him for who he is.

Welcome, Joanna!

Joanna Plett is our new columnist for The Messenger.

Perhaps this explains God’s passion for revealing Joanna, 22, has been involved in several periods of shorthimself to us. From Creation onwards, God is constantly term international work: She studied language and culture for a “God with us.” He unveils himself through Creation, nine months in Turkey, and was involved in aid and program through the Prophets, through biblical revelation, and work for four months in Kenya and for two months in Uganda. most clearly through Jesus.

From January to May 2006 Joanna studied at Rosedale Bible But what I see with my eyes still overshadows what I College, an evangelical Anabaptist college in central Ohio. She’s see with my heart. As I struggled to put my values into currently a history major at York University in Toronto, Ont. This, perspective, God showed me that his revelation is bigger she says, will probably be switched to an International History than I ever imagined: That he is not outside of the things I major within a few months. She is also currently a part-time enjoy and desire, but that he is beyond them.

Graphics Designer at Pro-Fab Industries Inc., Arborg, Manitoba.

What I enjoy on earth is not an end in itself, but an Joanna’s membership is in Morweena EMC. In 2003 she incomplete fulfillment—a picture of what is to come. If I graduated from Morweena Christian School, its private school. am amazed by a glorious sunset, imagine how beautiful Her parents are Delmer and Janice Plett of Morweena EMC. heaven will be. If I find security in the care of a friend, how Welcome, Joanna! much more secure is my relationship with Christ?

Editors

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THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

stewardship today Edwin Friesen

How many balls are enough?

T

child’s version, followed by he leaves were changing colours and fall the adult version. was in the air. Lil and I were playing with our “You will never have grandsons Jameson and Caleb on our spacious back yard, engaging them in a variety of games. enough balls to make you fully happy. If all you think An assortment of balls lay scattered across the about is how to get more lawn, testimony to the short play attention spans of the balls, you will never be youngsters. The collection included a football, soccer content with the number balls, lawn croquet, bocce, baseballs, and a couple of of balls you already track balls.

Caleb, surveying the scattered balls, decided to claim have.”

“Whoever loves all of them as his own. To secure his claim, he grouped money never has them in a pile, tried to lie down on top of them, arms money enough; and legs outstretched to cover as many as possible.

Inevitably one or the other ball popped out, leaving him whoever loves wealth is never most frustrated at not being able to control them all. satisfied with Curious about how far Caleb would take this, we his income…” decided to add to his frustration by gathering more (Ecclesiastes 5:10). balls from our toy collection in the basement. Yes, he Remember, if you wanted each of them as well and tried valiantly to add want to feel poor, them to his cache, struggling to keep all of them under hoard; if you want to his grasp.

T But by now there were simply too many balls and too feel rich, share. M few arms and legs. As one or the other ball slipped from his grasp, his older brother Jameson laughed, picked up For stewardship education and services, the ball, and ran off to play. What a dilemma! contact your nearest Caleb loves to run after balls but, now, getting up Mennonite Foundation and joining Jameson in play would mean losing control of Canada office. of “his” stash. Right now his focus was hoarding, not Abbotsford – Dave sharing. Ironically, unless he was willing to relinquish Kroeker, 1-888-212-8608; his grip, Caleb couldn’t even enjoy the balls himself. In Calgary – Gary Sawatzky, fact, he was in bondage to the balls.

1-877-717-0708; Niagara Paradoxically, those balls actually belonged to us – Darren Pries-Klassen, 1and when the boys got picked up a little later, the balls 888-212-8731; Kitchener stayed at grandma and grandpa’s house ready to be enjoyed the next time. The whole episode was amusing, – Mike Strathdee, Sheri Grosz, 1-888-212-7759; but in a sad kind of way.

Winnipeg – Edwin Friesen, Though he didn’t know it, Caleb was doing an 1-800-772-3257. excellent job of mimicking adult behaviour, sometimes mine, sometimes yours. Like Caleb, we often feel we don’t have enough.

Like Caleb, we often feel we don’t have Oh, we are more sophisticated in our enough. Oh we are more sophisticated in hoarding, but all too often we try to grasp things we don’t really need and our hoarding, but all too often we try to try to put our ownership stamp on grasp things we don’t really need and try to things God has temporarily given to us to manage and enjoy. put our ownership stamp on things God has And that reminds me of the temporarily given to us to manage and enjoy. wisdom of Solomon. Here is the THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

Photo: Dreamstime.com

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SHERRY DIANE PLETT (nee EPP) 1959–2007

Sherry Plett died very suddenly on January 26, 2007. She was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan to Jack and Laura Epp on September 18, 1959. Sherry was raised on a farm just east of Swift Current and developed a love for music, becoming active in church music at the Bridgeway Community Church in Swift Current.

Church music was always a big part of

HENRY (HEINZ) K. DUECK 1924–2007

Henry K. Dueck passed away peacefully at the Morris General Hospital to meet his Saviour at the age of 82 years and 11 months on Sunday, January 21, 2007.

Deeply mourning Henry’s passing are his wife of 59 years, Marion; and two sons, Greg (Lori) and Randy (Carol). He was the ever proud and doting Grandpa to Angela, Gregory, Jane and Virginia.

He was predeceased by two daughters, Gloria and Valerie; and four siblings, Elma Friesen, Lenore Lang, Mary Pearson, and Werner Kornelson. He is also survived by two brothers, Glen Friesen of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, and Gene Kornelsen of Palm Bay, Florida.

He died of congestive heart failure,

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Sherry’s life and she loved accompanying soloists, choirs, the congregation, and her dad and brothers when they played trumpets. She was baptized on October 7, 1973.

After finishing high school, Sherry left for Winnipeg where she completed her BA in Music in 1980. That same year she married Brian Plett and they made Winnipeg their home. Sherry spent seven years as a secretary at the Mennonite Brethren Bible College. While Sherry was active in church music as an organist and accompanist, Brian was involved in Christian education.

In 1987, Sherry and Brian started their family and Shanti Michelle, a wonderful bundle of joy, was added. In 1992, a spunky Devyn Michael came along and the family was complete. Sherry is remembered as a mom who would do absolutely anything for her children.

Once Shanti and Devyn were a bit older, Sherry developed more interests outside the home and enjoyed working at Sobey’s.

Three years ago Sherry was thrilled to join the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute staff full-time as an

assistant to the Business Manager. She took great pride in her work and loved it immensely. Sherry never complained about the workload and prided herself in responding to the challenges of deadlines, accuracy, and month-end balancing.

Sherry is mourned by her husband Brian, their daughter Shanti and their son Devyn; her brother Kevin and his wife Brenda, and their two sons Michael and Matthew; her brother Darwin and his wife Angela, and their two sons Aidan and Addison; her brother Dean and his fiancé Kristin Ziegler; her mom and dad, Laura and Jack Epp; and her grandmother Mary Epp; her mother- and father-in-law Gladwin and Jean Plett; her sister-in-law Bev Budiwski and her two daughters Carmen and Angela; her sister and brother-in-law Barb and Conrad Hild and their children Amy, Melanie, Daniel, and Nathan.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully received to establish an academic scholarship at MBCI in Sherry Plett’s memory.

Her Family

which had developed over the past few years, resulting in two heart attacks this past spring and a number of hospital confinements after that. The family is grateful that our Home Healthcare Service and their wonderful nurses allowed Henry to spend much of the last six months at home under Mom’s loving and patient care.

Henry was born to David J. Dueck and his wife Elizabeth (Kornelsen) on January 28, 1924. David died when Dad was five years old, leaving his mother to take care of him and the rest of the family during the early years of the Great Depression. Henry spent his younger years in McTavish, Rosenhoff, and Winnipeg, and lived most of his adult life in the Rosenhoff-Rosenort area.

He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour in his early teens and formally rededicated his life as a Christian around the age of twenty. He and Marion were married on August 3, 1947. They enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Palm Springs, Belize, to both the east and west coasts of Canada, and various parts of the United States.

They moved into the Rosenort Heritage Centre complex in 2000 and cherished their wonderful neighbours and the staff working there.

His work included a mail route, clerking at the Riverside Co-op, winters in the pulp industry in Ontario, and partnering in a plumbing and heating business and a feed mill. For almost two decades starting in 1960, he operated a mixed farm. He served as the administrator of the Rosenort Eventide Home from 1978 until his retirement in 1991.

Henry demonstrated his devotion to his Lord Jesus Christ by a deep commitment to his Church and community, serving on various church, credit union and school boards and committees over the years.

He also practiced his faith by pursuing a lifelong passion for nature and wildlife, and lovingly producing hundreds of wild bird and small animal carvings in his woodworking shop on the family farmstead in Riverside.

The family would like to thank all of those who provided care and support over the past few years, including their wonderful neighbours, other family members, hospital staff and the home healthcare workers who visited him daily.

The funeral service was held on Thursday, January 25, 2007, at the Rosenort EM Church with interment at the church cemetery.

His Family

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

shoulder tapping HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN Fellowship (EMC) is looking for a part-time youth worker to work at developing a youth program. HCF is a small, rural church south of La Crete in northern Alberta. Applicant needs to be in agreement with Anabaptist/Mennonite theology.

He will need to be highly flexible, self-motivated, and able to relate warmly to youth and junior youth.

Music skills would be a defi nite asset.

It will be a six-month position starting on May 1, 2007, with the possibility of becoming longer term. For information contact Russell Friesen 780841-1747 or hcfc@telus.net.

BRIGHTWOOD RANCH Camp is connected with Hope Mission (Edmonton, Alta.) and provides a summer camp experience for underprivileged children from Edmonton.

It requires paid summer camp staff (counselors, program directors, teepee village program director, training team leaders, head wrangler, maintenance assistant, assistant cook, assistant wranglers, nurse, and out-trip coordinator). Also needed are volunteers: junior counselors, kitchen staff, maintenance person and camp grandparents for a week or more.

Email: brightwood@hopemission.com or call 1-780-727-3840.

ENDEAVOUR FELLOWSHIP Chapel in eastcentral Saskatchewan, with a congregation of about 50, is currently looking for a pastor. Contact Tom Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306-547-3383 or tdpromise@sasktel.net.

Education and experience are flexible. For details and discussion please contact Garry Kornelsen.

Phone 403-281-3747 or e-mail at gskornelsen@ shaw.ca.

KENOSEE LAKE Bible Camp, a CSSM camp located in beautiful Moose Mountain Provincial Park in southeast Saskatchewan, is seeking a camp manager (CSSM missionary) as soon as possible and two permanent seasonal (May to early September) positions (program director and camp secretary) beginning in the 2007 camping season.

Accommodation is available at the camp during the camping season. If you are enthusiastic about serving in a Christian camp setting, please forward your resume or inquiries to Marlon Klassen, 214 Doiron Road N., Regina, SK S4Y 1G4; kenoseerocks@sasktel.net; marlon.klassen@ sasktel.net; phone 306-924-0129 or 306-8480393.

CANADIAN MENNONITE University is accepting applications for a position in our maintenance department. A keen aptitude and experience in the area of general building repair and maintenance is required. Processing of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is fi lled.

Please reply via mail to Susan Warkentin, Director of Human Resources, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2, or e-mail swarkentin@ cmu.ca For details, visit www.cmu.ca.

MORRIS FELLOWSHIP Chapel, a church of 100 members located in the town of Morris, Man., is looking for a senior pastor. Contact Ernie Siemens at 204-746-8342 or e-mail siemensj@mts.net.

GOSPEL FELLOWSHIP Church (EMMC), a congregation of about 120 in Steinbach, Man., seeks a full-time lead pastor confident in preaching, pastoral care, and visioning. Contact Bill Thiessen at 204-377-4464 or billnflo@mts.net for information.

FISH CREEK Christian Fellowship (EMC) is looking for a full-time pastor to begin this summer.

We are a 10-year-old congregation that currently meets at a university in south Calgary and have about 40 people attending with great potential for growth. Our focus is on reaching south Calgary.

MCC CANADA is looking to fi ll the following volunteer leadership positions in Happy Valley/ Goose Bay, Labrador: Regional representatives, Newfoundland and Labrador Region. Position to begin July 1, 2007. The person or couple will be responsible for overseeing the MCC program in

THE MESSENGER February 21, 2007

THE EMC invites applications for the senior administrative position of General Secretary.

Responsibilities: Serve as Executive Secretary for the Board of Missions, General Board, and Board of Trustees; provide management of conference finances; coordinate conference events; provide management role of national office.

Applicants should have experience and training in areas of financial management and missions administration with strong communication skills.

A job description is available upon request. Duties to commence September 1, 2007. Please request an application form from the office at 204-326-6401, fax 204-3261613, emconf@mts.net. The application and resume can be addressed to EMC Moderator Ron Penner and forwarded to the same addresses or to 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5.

Newfoundland and Labrador. For the complete assignment description please see www.mcc.org.

For information contact Marsha Jones at 204-2616381 or email mgj@mennonitecc.ca.

RESERVE FELLOWSHIP Chapel (EMC), located in Sioux Valley (west-central Man.), seeks a fulltime pastoral couple to serve the church and to develop long-term relationships with people of the community.

The smaller 50-year-old congregation is part of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, a community that has a Christian history going back to 1879. The congregation is located about 45 minutes from Virden and Brandon.

A strong sense of God’s call and a love for people are required. Direct inquiries to David Pashe, 204730-0409, e-mail: pashed@westman.wave.ca; or to Len Barkman, 204-326-6401, e-mail: emclen@mts.net.

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KIDS’

corner Loreena Thiessen

Talking Turkey

L

ong ago wild turkeys lived in abundance in the forest. John often went to look for them. He found them pecking the ground for seeds in a mini clearing deep in the woods.

One day John brought his own seeds. He stood near the trees and quietly offered the seeds in his outstretched hand. At first the turkeys ignored him, but after several days one of them moved cautiously toward him. He pecked at John’s hand until the seeds were gone.

Each time John brought seeds the same turkey ate out of John’s hand. John called him Tom. John had a plan. The next day as Tom came to get the seeds John backed up. Tom followed. John backed all the way out of the woods. As they walked John sprinkled seeds along the path and Tom ate them, following John all the way home.

Animals cannot talk, but one animal did. Do you know which animal talked? It was Balaam’s donkey. God gave the donkey words to stop Balaam from disobeying Him. You can read this story in Numbers 22:28–30.

John had Tom follow him into a wire cage. John went out and locked the gate. Tom continued to eat the seeds John had sprinkled on the cage floor. There was a large tub of cold water for Tom to drink.

“Good,” thought John. “Tom will be my pet. I’ll check on him in the morning.” Then John went to bed.

In the middle of the night, a sudden racket of rattling and gobbling woke John. John grabbed a flashlight and ran outside. He shone the light on the cage. A dozen wild turkeys’ beaks were biting at the cage wire. Tom was gobbling loudly. Then all the turkeys gobbled at once.

“It’s like a prison break!” cried John. “Tom’s friends are trying to get him out!”

“Is that what you want?” He said to Tom. Tom kept on gobbling.

“Okay,” said John. “You’re free to go!”

John opened the gate and Tom walked out. Together the turkeys walked back to the forest. Tom disappeared after them.

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How did John know Tom wanted to get out? The turkeys’ actions made him think they weren’t happy with Tom locked up. John understood their meaning.

People talk in many ways too. We use movements, faces, and sounds in addition to words. We say “Shh!” to mean “be quiet!” We reach out our arms to greet friends and family when they’ve been away.

Animals, on the other hand, have only movements and sounds. When your cat butts his head against your leg, you know he wants food or water. When he meows loudly he may want a door opened to go out or come in.

A dog wags his tail, pants and hops back and forth on his feet when he wants to play with you. He barks a greeting or a warning.

Honey bees dance in a certain formation to inform the hive where good nectar can be found.

People’s words are sounds too. Letters and words make specific sounds. The difference in people’s language is that we can combine, or put together, letters, or sounds, in many different ways to create different words. And we combine words in different ways to create different meanings.

Animals cannot talk, but one animal did. Do you know which animal talked? It was Balaam’s donkey. God gave the donkey words to stop Balaam from disobeying T Him. You can read this story in Numbers 22:28–30. M THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017 62 PAP Registration #9914