The Messenger Vol. 47 No. 19 November 4, 2009

THE

MESSENGER

a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference

volume 47, number 19 November 4, 2009

EMCers in UKRAINE pp. 4–8

Saturday Night Church profile pp. 16–18

www.emconf.ca/Messenger

editorials

Why Ukraine?

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kraine is highlighted here for many reasons.

The EMC started in 1812 in what is now Ukraine when it was dominated by Russia.

Many EMCers trace their Dutch/German/Russian family histories back to this period in Russia/Ukraine.

We have EMCers of full or partial Ukrainian descent.

Probably, EMCers of Ukrainian or Dutch/German/Russian descent both travel to Ukraine to connect with their histories, intertwined and distinct.

Ukraine’s history is complex, involving landowners and landless people of various cultures. Having existed before, during, and after the

Russian Revolution, Ukraine holds varied memories: happy, sad, violent, peaceful. (The Holocaust by Bullets, Father Patrick Desbois, 2008, reveals memories of horror.)

This focus reminds us that Ukraine still exists; it is not a memory. It sought and got independence from Russia, yet its citizens are divided on whether to identify with the West or with Russia.

Significantly, Ukraine is a place of current ministry by EMCers. This post-communist country has many needs.

The interweaving of past and present, history and current ministry is shown within four glimpses of

Having existed before, during, and after the Russian Revolution, Ukraine holds varied memories.

Ukraine by EMCers who have visited or served there.

There is an older, yet current expression of faith used in Ukrainian church circles: СЛАВА ІСУСУ ХРИСТУ! СЛАВА НА ВІКІ! Glory to Jesus Christ!

Glory forever!

As part of Christ’s Church, we dare not exist for ourselves. We are to assist more voices to praise God in Ukrainian (and in many other languages) both within and beyond our T EMC local churches. M Terry M. Smith

H1N1 and the superficial

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adly, media reports on church responses to H1N1 often seem superficial.

Reporters focus on whether to use holy water or if parishioners will shake hands. Individual reporters, it seems, reflect their weak understanding of the Church or go for the easy story.

The Church, at the same time, dare not miss an opportunity to respond to H1N1 and broader faith issues. Let us speak of the need to care for each other and invite Canadians to face their frailty with faith in the Lord.

Our personal health influences

EDITOR Terry M. Smith tsmith@emconf.ca

ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Roman

rroman@emconf.ca

Address changes and submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 21 – December 2 (copy due November 20)

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our perspective on H1N1 and our interpretation of Scripture on illness and health. Unfortunately, in our individualized society and church, we often stop there. H1N1 might not.

Whether H1N1 will hit to the extent predicted will be revealed over time; I am not a scientist or a medical doctor. But as a minister, I say one task is clear: the Christian Church is to seek to protect Canadians on many levels.

Times of widespread illness are

Our Canadian society is not so modern as to be unaffected by widespread serious illness.

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 St., Steinbach, Man. Subscriptions: Canadian subscriptions are $24 for one year, $44 for two years,

mentioned in Scripture. Europe dealt with the Black Death. Menno Simons wrote to Christians suffering from the plague in Amsterdam (1558). Ulrich Zwingli served a local church where he was forbidden to leave during a plague. The Spanish Flu of 1918 affected churches in Canada.

Our Canadian society is not so modern as to be unaffected by widespread serious illness with a higher than usual death rate, nor are Christians beyond this.

“Dear children, let us…love…with T actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). M Terry M. Smith

$65 for three years (Manitoba residents add 7% PST); U.S. subscriptions are $30 for one year, $55 for two years, $82 for three years; all other countries are $45 for one year, $85 for two years, $125 for three years . Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents.

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Mailing information: Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401, Fax: 204-326-1613, E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca.

MESSENGER

On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

writings shared Ward Parkinson

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Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals, Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw (Zondervan, 2008). 355 pp., $16.99, ISBN 978-0-310-27842-9. Reviewed by Ward Parkinson, EMC church planting coordinator, minister, and a person more tucked than untucked.

hink: Francis of Assisi meets Don Cherry. Think: Menno Simons meets Tony Campolo (on Red Bull).

Now you’re ready to jump into Jesus for President. Here Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw, representing a new generation of Christian prophets with monastic leanings, boldly challenge the American religious and political status quo.

But this is not “culture wars” fodder. Their appeal is to a radical Third Way, a following of Jesus that takes seriously his teachings about justice, about peace, and about kingdom living.

Both the title and the timing of this book are telling. Released in 2008, the book was obviously intended to be an ideological shopping cart thrust out onto the eight-lane superhighway that is the American presidential campaign.

Though their timing is calculated, their message is timeless and effective (even for non-Americans).

The shopping cart won’t stop all the traffic, but it will certainly get noticed, cause some damage (offense), and slow a lot of people down long enough to consider their ways.

The reader is invited to see, in the broad sweep of biblical narrative, how God has been calling out a people for himself, a peculiar people worshipping and serving a God who suffers no rivals.

Israel’s downfall, according to Claiborne and Haw, was her failure to remain distinctive. God’s response is to send Jesus to both announce and embody the arrival of the Kingdom of God.

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

This King is unlike any other king, and this kingdom will be unlike any other earthly kingdom.

With his Nazareth address as a “commencement speech” and the Sermon on the Mount as a “platform,” Jesus showed the way forward for the people of God, the church.

Has the church fulfilled its mandate to rightly represent her King in the world?

Those looking for soothing words of assurance and comfort about the state of the church today will not find them in Jesus for President.

Instead they will find a bold corrective recipe, written with a prophetic punch that debunks and deconstructs spurious notions of kingdom prevalent in the Western church.

I think EMC readers will applaud the emphases on the centrality of Jesus, on radical Christian living, and on loving enemies. I also think that Claiborne and Haw’s call to bold, public, countercultural kingdom action will feel like a kick in T the pants. M

Those looking for soothing words of assurance and comfort about the state of the church today will not find them in Jesus for President.

Instead they will find a bold corrective recipe that debunks and deconstructs spurious notions of kingdom prevalent in the Western church.

Biblical Discovery Tour March 25 to June 4, 2010 Ever wanted to see the land of the Bible up close? Hosted by Pastor Dale Dueck, Winkler EMMC, and covering 11 days, visit Old Jerusalem, The Garden of Gethsemane, the Garden Tomb, Nazareth, Capernaum, the Mount of Olives, Beth Shean, Sea of Galilee, Meggido, the plains of Armageddon, the Dead Sea, and Qumran.

The tour will begin at Neot Kedumim, which offers insight into the geography and vegetation important to many Bible stories.

This tour will stopover in Athens, Greece, at Mars Hill and the Acropolis

(where Paul preached in Acts 17). We will visit Corinth to get a perspective on Paul’s two letters there.

The base price is $3,379 Can., which includes return airfare to Toronto, transfers and assistance upon arrival, hotel accommodation, two meals daily, an air-conditioned tour bus, site admission. There are incidental costs (connecting airfare to Toronto, passport fees, driver, guide and hotel tip fees, etc.) for which you are responsible.

Call 204-325-7667 or email pastordale-wemmc@mts.net 3

A Heritage of Generations, Not Geography

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Don Thiessen

few years ago Minna and I went to Ukraine with a This visit confirmed that it is group of English teachers.

Minna taught English to not because of geography, eager students convinced it was the route to success. Doctors, teachers, or in spite of it, that I have students, and others struggled with my spiritual heritage; it is our notoriously inconsistent but desirable language. because people before me, I taught l Peter in a church with a young translator whom I had to each generation, passed it on. trust because I knew no Russian or Ukrainian. The most memorable Minna and Don Thiessen moment was in the last class when a middle-aged man said he had learned to love his wife Kleefeld was a field of grass waving in the gentle more. breeze; Conteniusfeld has continued over hundreds of During three weeks of teaching we had great years and turned out to be the best-kept village we saw. freedom to share our Christian faith with believers To this Thiessen a well-kept yard is a gratifying sight. and unbelievers, whether teaching English in a state What did this mean to me? I could not connect easily university, teaching Bible in the Pentecostal church, or to my spiritual heritage even though we walked streets socializing with students outside of class. that our great-grandfathers walked. Somehow the time It was a tremendously enriching educational, gap was too great and the geography didn’t do it. Even cultural, and spiritual experience. We often wonder the genealogical connection was weak. whether we will go back for another stint of teaching.

We saw the Willems house, the railway station, the Since we were there, we needed to connect with girls’ school, the watch factory, and some Mennoniteour own families’ geographical roots. After teaching built homes, but this was of a later era and a different in Kharkov, we took the night train to Zaporozhe Mennonite group. What our ancestors had known was to connect with a guide to take us to Chortitz and gone.

Molotschna. The day and a half was too short.

What moved us was walking through a village with After Chortitz Island the first day, we headed the our friend Betty. “This is where my grandfather taught,” second day to what used to be Molotschna Colony. she said, referring to a building half-torn down. “I This is where our paternal families had lived, the need to walk this street to feel how my family felt.” We Pletts (Minna’s family) in Kleefeld and the Thiessens in gave her time alone. “My father got on the train at this Conteniusfeld. We didn’t check out maternal families station,” she said. “They sang ‘Gott mit euch bis wir uns (Toews and Harms). wider sehn’” (God be with you till we meet again).

We felt what was near to her—that which we did not feel about our own long ago family.

This visit confirmed that it is not because of geography, or in spite of it, that I have my spiritual heritage; it is because people before me, each generation, passed it on.

We in Canada will not be Christians because we live in wonderful Canada. We will be Christians because other believers have kept the faith and we have T followed. M Don Thiessen, Ph.D., is a minister at Ridgewood EMC, has taught at Providence College, and has served as interim president of Steinbach Bible College.

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THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

What Draws Me Back Isn’t the Past

Janine Parkinson

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he opportunity to visit one’s roots is an opportunity not to be missed. So when I heard about friends who were planning on doing some mission work in Ukraine, my interest was piqued not necessarily because of the ministry, but because I had heard stories of Ukraine.

Since I was a young girl I listened to my father Art Krahn tell stories of raising chickens for the Russian government in his living room, of watering horses at the nearby river, of German soldiers hiding out in his home during the war, and of fleeing his home in Ukraine in 1942 to come to Canada.

Last year I had the privilege of leading a team of 11 people to Krivoy Rog, a city of about 700,000 in central Ukraine, to help run an English camp with a youth drop-in called Shelter-Plus. Shelter-Plus is a ministry linked to the Family Life Network, a Mennonite Brethren ministry.

Over 100 kids came; close to 60 made decisions for the Lord. Last September 2008 several of them were baptized by the staff at Shelter-Plus. This year, when we returned, we saw many of them had grown and developed in their walk with Jesus and were now ministering alongside those that had ministered to them.

Last year our team decided to support a staff member of Shelter-Plus financially, enabling him to go to Kiev for seminary. He had prayed for this opportunity and applied without funding available, believing that God would provide—and God did. He has now had three intensive courses in Kiev and will begin his fourth this month. His passion for Christ is evident when he preaches.

Campers with camp theme poster

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

What draws me back are the people I have met and grown to love and admire.

Having had the opportunity to worship together with this group of people, it gives me a glimpse of heaven.

We worship in Janine (centre) with some friends from camp.

Russian and English, and, although we do not speak the same language, the power of God goes beyond language; and His presence is there and together we praise Him. An oasis in the dessert is a picture that comes to mind when I think of Shelter-Plus.

There is a high rate of alcohol consumption among men in Ukraine. Many fathers are either alcoholics, absent, or both; family breakups are prevalent.

The staff members at Shelter-Plus are sometimes the only role models these kids have. All the programs run through Shelter-Plus have one goal: to reach the youth of Krivoy Rog to give them hope in Jesus and to teach them to become young men and women of God. This past September 2009 my daughter Mandy and I had opportunity to return to Ukraine for a wedding.

It was during this visit that we were able to visit my father’s birthplace: the village of Kronstal.

This is what drew me to Ukraine initially. Not only did we find my father’s home, we were able to walk through it. Walking the streets that my father walked, where all the stories took place, was amazing.

However, the past is not what pulls me to return.

What draws me back are the people I have met and grown to love and admire—young men and women who have heard the call of God and obeyed, and who serve Him passionately.

I trust I will have opportunity to minister with them T again. It would be a privilege. M Janine Parkinson (Morris), Providence College, B.N., has twice traveled to Ukraine: July 2–23, 2008, and September 2–9, 2009.

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Memories from Ukraine

Ruth Penner

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everal years ago my husband Ron and I had the opportunity to spend time in Ukraine, the home of our cultural and spiritual ancestry.

We were led by capable and knowledgeable historian Delbert Plett and were shown places of interest and history as it related to our families.

We were impressed with the beauty of the countryside, the lovely Tour group at Eichenfeld village memorial scenery, and moderate climate.

There are, however, several moving had boarded the train as they left the vivid and sombre experiences relating There were many country of persecution and death. to Mennonites and their sojourn in that In Poland we gathered in a wheat land. occasions of emotion field at Tiegenhagen, which was During the time we were in Ukraine, and thanksgiving to God the location from which our Kleine the bicentennial of the Mennonite Gemeinde (small church) group left to settlement was remembered in specific for guiding our spiritual immigrate to Ukraine. There we raised celebrations. A large worship service our voices in the song our forebears was held in Halbstadt where dignitaries ancestors and bringing had sung many years before: So Nimm from Canada and Europe participated. us to a land of peace. den Meine Haende (Take Thou my Hand, A particularly moving experience O Father). was our service of worship at the Several other significant memories Eichenfeld village memorial, erected for were of stops in villages that historically were the birth this bicentennial. The village was completely destroyed places of many families in south-eastern Manitoba. by revolution and civil war. In October 1919, men, boys, Because of Delbert Plett’s depth of knowledge of and women were murdered in a single night.

Dutch-German Mennonite history we were shown many The memorial was shaped like a coffin and had the historic homes as well as factories of people from many names of those who died etched into it. One southern Manitoba. of our group had researched this event with a man The village of Petershagen was notable for those of whose family members were among the victims of this us in the EMC. Here the Kleine Gemeinde church, under massacre. We reflected on the event with sharing and the leadership of Klaas Reimer, was located. Since prayer. many in our tour group had EMC connections, we held Another memorable occasion was the gathering at a service of worship and thanksgiving and were given the station where many German Mennonite people a historical review of that particular era. Interestingly, the church is still in use as a Mennonite meeting place.

There were many occasions of emotion and thanksgiving to God for guiding our spiritual ancestors and bringing us to a land of peace where the values we and our forebears held dear can be practised.

It was an emotional trip as we reflected on the hardships that others have endured that we might have freedom and a better life. Our gratitude was first of all to God, who has led in our lives, in the lives of those who went before us, and who T continues to guide his people today. M

Petershagen church

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Ruth Penner, teacher’s college, BRS, MA, is a part of Braeside EMC. THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

Ministry in Ukraine Today

Stan Hamm

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n January 1991 the couple 2008) in the past five years to entered the FSU (former help train camp leaders.

Soviet Union). The purpose My previous involvement in was to investigate the this work was in 1993 when I potential of organizing camps. was the camp speaker at Anapa, Dave and Elfrieda Loewen a Russian city on the Black Sea. of Winnipeg, Man., had been This model camp, operated by involved in camping ministry KVI, became the anchor point for approximately 25 years. With for quality camping in the FSU. encouragement and support My ministry in Ukraine has from organizations such as primarily been teaching, with a Students Logos Germany, CCI (Christian focus on teacher training. Camp Camping International) Canada, and CCI USA, they leaders who are also church leaders come for a week entered Russia. of intense training. Along with these sessions KVI has After spending three months they discovered that developed resources. In the next year, my plan is to the vast communistic Pioneer Camp organization complete a teacher training manual. consisting of 25,000 camps was about to collapse. To This movement has had a profound impact on hold summer camps was familiar to people and so the Ukraine and other FSU republics. Thousands of youth decision was made to establish Christian youth camps, have become followers of Jesus Christ through these a concept inconceivable to many who camps. Lives have been changed as remembered the Cold War. and workers experienced Lives have been changed campers That summer saw three camps God’s power and grace. established: in south Russia, in Christian families have been as campers and workers Kyrgyzstan, and in Kazakhstan. established as hundreds of marriages experienced God’s power had their beginnings at a Christian Over 1,200 teens attended with 350 conversions. The Christian camping camp. One camp logged 69 weddings in and grace. movement in the FSU had begun. ten years.

Kingdom Ventures Inc. (KVI), a Denominational barriers have also registered Canadian charitable organization, was broken down as training events are attended by leaders established. Today, this movement has spread to 13 of from dozens of denominations. The atmosphere of the 15 former republics. acceptance and fellowship has contributed to this.

In 1996, Ukraine became an official member of CCI, a Sunday Schools have been established. During the worldwide organization whose purpose is to train camp Soviet regime, children under 18 were prohibited from leaders. I have had the privilege of traveling to Ukraine church attendance. Churches had no Sunday Schools, four times (January 2005, May 2006, January and May but Christian youth camps changed that.

Camp counselors invited their campers to church and used the training and Bible lesson material received at camping seminars to organize S.S. and youth programs.

House Bible studies began, which eventually led to the establishment of churches. Today, there are approximately 6,000 evangelical churches in Ukraine, many of which grew out of the camping ministry.

This ministry in Ukraine and across the FSU was birthed through prayer and continues because God’s T people have faithfully prayed. May God be praised! M Stan Hamm, Ph.D., is a minister at Ridgewood EMC and a professor at Providence Theological Seminary.

Stan Hamm teaches camp leaders

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

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stewardship today Dori Zerbe Cornelsen

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Traveling lightly

uch of my energies this summer went toward moving from one house to another.

It’s something I’ve done a fair bit of in my life, having been a missionary/pastor kid.

Our challenge this time was moving into significantly smaller space than we’ve been used to while we undertake a building project. Suddenly our family of four has been very tangibly faced with having too much stuff.

I must admit that this came as a bit of a surprise to me. After all, we’ve tried to be careful with our purchasing habits. I wouldn’t be quite so smug as to suggest we live simply, but we do try to live mindfully in this consumer culture. Yet all of us in the household have managed to accumulate many things that we quite like and want to hold on to.

In an article called Traveling Light,, Pastor Sharron R. Lucas of the United Methodist Church reflects on Jesus’ instructions to his disciples in Mark 6 when he sends them out in pairs to travel with the good news from village to village.

Jesus’ packing list, as Lucas calls it, is not one that many of us would want to adhere to on a journey of undetermined time and length. Jesus “ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.”

“Take nothing” sounds outrageous. This instruction of Jesus, though, may have freed up the twelve to make their mission possible. Possessions can literally weigh us down.

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“Take nothing” sounds outrageous. This instruction of Jesus, though, may have freed up the twelve to make their mission possible. Possessions can literally weigh us down. Pondering this as I packed yet another box of books, I resolved to learn the discipline of lightening my bags.

First, in a culture that exerts powerful pressure to measure my worth by what I buy and own, I can separate my needs from my wants. My current favourite twist on an old saying is, “If the shoe fits, you don’t have to buy it.”

Second, rather than accumulating more, I can practice the discipline of letting go. If something new comes into the house as a purchase or gift, consideration should be given to replace something already in the household.

Third, I can practice gratitude as opposed to dissatisfaction. The old song may have had it right that we should “count your blessings, name them one by one,” in order to challenge the restlessness that comes from wanting more.

One of the tangible benefits created by these disciplines of traveling more lightly can include a capacity to become more generous with financial resources.

A shift of energy and focus away from accumulation for self to community empowerment and commitment can liberate us from some entanglements that can make the journey of good news more difficult.

This was perhaps the wisdom behind Jesus’ packing list for the twelve that I will continue to ponder as I eventually T unpack. M Dori Zerbe Cornelsen is a stewardship consultant at the Winnipeg, Man., office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada.

For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit mennofoundation.ca.

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

with our missionaries 50 years in Paraguay

Part 5 of 6

Alto Refugio: A place of safety amid crisis Here are some fundamental facts about Alto Refugio (High Refuge) Ministry, presently operating an AIDS drop-in centre located in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Alto Refugio grew out of an experience we had with Alicia, a very dear member of our church who was diagnosed with AIDS in May 1997. As we accompanied her through those difficult months until she died in September 1998, we learned much about the reality of HIV/AIDS in Paraguay.

Seeing the growing needs in this area led to the formation of a ministry: Alto Refugio.

We are a non-government organization that unites people dedicated to working on behalf of those affected by HIV/AIDS in Paraguay, teaching positive values that combat discrimination and promote sexual purity.

We want to see lives transformed by the love of God, as we accompany people

David and Judy Schmidt (Rosenort) direct Alto Refugio.

in Paraguay who are affected by HIV/ AIDS, and work toward a society that values a healthy lifestyle and respects the dignity of each person.

Taking a closer look, our statistics for July 2009 showed that 1,754 people came to AR, 15 new people with AIDS came, 80 people saw the dentist, 1,444 people had lunch, 625 received a food hamper, and two educational talks were given to a total of 315 people. In August 2009, 1,632 people came, seven new people with AIDS, 68 saw the dentist, 1,365 ate lunch, 591 got a food hamper, and two educational talks were given to a total of 320 people.

Dulce Refugio (Sweet Refuge) is a new ministry that is formed to assist children that are affected by HIV/AIDS. As of right now, we have more than 400 children registered, and we try to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in as many ways as possible.

It is our desire to provide a place of refuge where children can find hope and joy in spite of the challenges and fears they face daily with an often very insecure future staring them in the face.

This ministry is being directed by Wendy Schmidt with the help of several teachers, a psychologist, and other volunteers.

The children’s department, Dulce Refugio, has organized several special events to celebrate birthdays, and Children’s Day. Each time the place fills

Wendy Schmidt is director of Dulce Refugio, a ministry that assists children affected by HIV/AIDS.

up with children and their parents; it is a great opportunity to bless them and to give a moment of joy to people who may have forgotten what joy is. This is done with the help of clowns, puppets, and special presentations. And always we point to the Source of any lasting joy: Jesus Christ.

Projects that have been approved and are receiptable by Board of Missions are for purchases of medication (an ongoing project) and of computers.

David Schmidt

with our churches

Youth group reaches out, promotes cookbook Kola, Man.: We are doing well here in Kola. Members of our youth group are busy promoting cookbooks for our fundraiser to South America.

The title of the cookbook is: Kola Community Cook Book: celebrating 50 years 1959–2009. The book is filled with recipes from those living in the community now and those who have lived in the past and have either gone to be with the Lord or have moved on.

It is a great collection of recipes from all around the globe. There are many recipes from Paraguay, the U.S., Mexico, Belize, and England, along with many traditional German Mennonite recipes.

Our youth group is selling the

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

cookbooks as a fundraiser for our outreach. We are planning to go to Brazil and Paraguay in early spring of 2010 for about two weeks.

A group of grade 11 and 12 students along with chaperones will serve in Brazil with Child Evangelism Fellowship for about four days. We are planning to be a part of a disadvantaged children’s camp in one of the slums of Sao Paulo.

After our four days in Brazil, we will meet some people from our church who will join us. We will then serve in Paraguay for nine to 10 days. We are planning on serving with Joanne Martens and other EMC missionaries in Paraguay, blessing them in various ways and helping out in

any ways that we are able to.

We are hoping and praying to have some time serving in Alto Refugio, the HIV-AIDS ministry in Asuncion, for a day or so, as well as the radio ministry in Tres Palmas. It will be a great experience to serve the Lord and be an encouragement to those who serve Him in Paraguay.

The cookbooks are $15 each (plus shipping) and all of the proceeds of the cookbook go to the outreach. Interested people can contact Kola EMC (204-5562635).

May the Lord continue to strengthen you as you serve Him and seek Christ’s best in your life!

Pastor Will Rose

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with our churches

Restructuring and renewal number of our regular programs. Our Mount Salem, Ont.: For the past youth leaders are busy with about 60 several years our church has been youth coming out for our junior and in the process of re-evaluating and senior youth programs, now held on restructuring. This process has often two separate nights of the week. They been slow, frustrating, and painful. are also planning a monthly missions Fortunately struggles also provide work day to allow the youth to put opportunities; opportunities to grow, their faith into action. to define and defend what we truly Our Ladies Fellowship group believe, and rejoice in each victory. invests their time by making beautiful While the process is ever ongoing, blankets to donate to MCC, while our we want to focus on some of our MOPS (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers) victories.

Steering Team is busy preparing for On August 23 we rejoiced at the their first meeting in mid-October. baptism of seven young people in our There is also much excitement church. During the morning service Baptismal service participants (back) Paul Dyck, Jim Froese they vulnerably shared their faith (minister), Albert Loewen (associate pastor), (middle) Susie among the leadership for a new stories with us, allowing us a little Peters, Dwayne Froese, Mike Wall, Josh Wiebe, (front) Amanda project that our Missions Team is Loewen, Connie Froese. working on. Details on that project glimpse of the journey they are on.

Umbrellas came out, but some of will be released at a future date, but we After the service we enjoyed a potluck lunch together, before driving out to Lake those attending got almost as wet as the are so excited that we are throwing a Whitaker for the baptism. The beach was baptism candidates, especially when the Thanksgiving/launch party on November crowded as family and friends came to baptism candidates offered hugs to those 1 to celebrate.

When we focus on what God is doing, share in the event. Ironically, as soon as around them!

With the arrival of fall and the new we have much to celebrate everyday. the baptism began, so did the rain that school year, we are also returning to a May we do so to the glory of God! had been threatening all day.

Netti Wall

Steinbach: Missions around the corner!

Braeside/Steinbach EFC (Man.): Some years ago, believers from Steinbach started to visit Braeside’s Spanish service. This is where I met David and Lupe Peters, of the EFC in Steinbach, to whom I offered to go to Steinbach and preach in Spanish.

At the same time, at EFC there had been a desire to have a Spanish service, and the first Spanish service was held at the end of 2007. Since then, services were held sporadically and now once a month, starting in March 2009.

Currently, Spanish services in Steinbach are held on the second Saturday of the month. There are other people involved in putting the services together. Different people or groups have served, leading the worship singing, and speakers bring the message for the Hispanic community.

The attendance at the services range from 20 to 70 people. The majority come because it is a program in Spanish and they worship God. This is a potential mission field for the church in Steinbach.

Now people from other countries have come to live in this community, and without leaving the community we can do mission work.

This year 2009, for the second

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consecutive year, the EFC Spanish ministry organized the Hispanic Festival, an event that attracts the Hispanic community from Steinbach and surrounding area. This outdoor service took place at the A.D. Penner Park.

We had games for kids, sports for adults, barbecue, and handed out New Testaments to the attendees. This event was held with the support of Braeside Evangelical Mennonite Church and Iglesia Jehova Shama of Winnipeg, and was sponsored by EFC and Braeside.

At this event, just like the monthly services, I see people attending regularly.

Some have made the decision to follow Christ, others are excited to join the services.

What is the next step? I know God has the answer. Join us in prayer and if you have a desire to do mission work, now you know, here you have an opportunity. You don’t need to have a current passport.

Pastor Angel Infantes Translated by David Peters

The Hispanic community gathered for an outdoor service at A.D. Penner Park./La comunidad hispana se juntĂł por un servicio al aire libre en el A.D. Penner Park.

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

with our churches

¡Steinbach misiones a la vuelta de la esquina!

Años atrás creyentes deSteinbach empezaron a visitar el servicio Hispano de Braeside. Ahí conocí a David y Lupe Peters de EFC en Steinbach, a quienes les propuse ir a Steinbach a predicar en Español. Al mismo tiempo, en EFC ya había el deseo de tener un servicio en Español, y el primer servicio Hispano se realizó a finales del 2007. Desde esa fecha se tenían los servicios esporádicamente hasta ahora una vez al mes comenzando en Marzo del 2009.

Ahora, cada segundo sábado del mes se realizan los servicios hispanos en Steinbach. También son más las personas involucradas en la realización del servicio, diferentes personas o grupos que traen la alabanza así como predicadores que traen el mensaje para la comunidad hispana.

La asistencia a los servicios oscila entre 20 a 70 personas. La mayoría llega porque es un programa en español y se encuentran con Dios. Este es un potencial campo misionero para la iglesia en Steinbach. Ahora personas de otros países han llegado a vivir a esta comunidad, y sin salir de la comunidad podemos hacer misiones.

Este 2009 por segundo año consecutivo el ministerio hispano de la EFC realizó el Festival Hispano, un evento que atrae a la comunidad hispana de Steinbach y alrededores. El servicio al aire libre fue

Activities for adults and children were held./Habián actividades para adultoes y niños.

en el A.D. Penner Park, hubo juegos para niños, deportes para adultos, BBQ, y se repartieron Nuevos Testamentos a los asistentes. Este evento fue apoyado por Braeside Evangelical Mennonite Church y la Iglesia Jehova Shama de Winnipeg y fué patrocinado por EFC y la EMC. En este evento como en los servicios mensuales veo a personas asistiendo

regularmente. Algunos han tomado su decisión de seguir a Cristo, otros están muy animados apoyando los servicios. ¿Cuál será el siguiente paso que dar?

Sé que Dios tiene la respuesta. Únase en oración y si desea hacer misiones ya sabe que aquí tiene una oportunidad. No necesita tener su pasaporte al día.

Pastor Angel Infantes

Serving here and there Morweena, Man.: The phrase “serving here and there” suggests haphazard, impulsive service. But “here” and “there” are also places, and whether we are here (at home), or there (outside of community), we have gifts to use in God’s service.

Our baptismal candidates this year have a variety of gifts, such as music, encouragement, culinary skills, working with children, life-guarding and leadership. Many of them have used their gifts here in our church and school, as well as there at summer camps.

Over the years, we have had many people go out from here to there for terms of service. We’ve also had many faithful people stay and serve the local body. I asked five people to write about their recent service for this article.

This summer Brittany Abrahamson went there (the Democratic Republic of Congo) to serve with Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International on a six-member Action team for four weeks.

She writes: “We focused on encourag-

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

ing the Congolese Christians and serving through work projects. Our host pastor’s faith in God challenged me; he had little materially, but was filled with joy and faith in God. The house he was renting had been sold and he had only days to find a new one. He trusted God, and the day before he needed to move out he found a house.”

Brittany Abrahamson served in the Democratic Republic of Congo for four weeks with MBMSI.

Janessa Plett served with REACH Missions (out of Rosedale, Ohio) there in Thailand over the past year. After a three-month training period in the U.S., she spent nine months overseas with a six-member team.

She writes: “My purpose in going was to teach English and spread God’s love through relationships with Thais. There is a lot of spiritual darkness in Thailand, but God is working and showing Himself there. This became evident after hearing stories from Thai believers and how they met God. God is so big and it’s obvious He’s so in love with us!”

Closer to home, Scott Reimer spent the summer serving at Inner City Youth Alive.

He writes: “I led backcountry adventure trips, taking youth from Winnipeg’s North End out of their difficult lives and into creation, to experience God as some of them had never done before.

“ICYA has offered me a full-time position as Out-trip Leader during the

(continued on p. 12)

11

with our churches (continued from p. 11) summers and Leadership Development Coordinator throughout the regular school year. I am currently raising support for this position and would really appreciate your prayers.”

Donovan and Cathy Dueck serve here as our faithful youth leaders, taking charge of events for both junior and senior youth.

They write: “We feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity to be a part of the Morweena youth as they grow and are challenged in their walks with God. “Though our role is not without its challenges, we are learning, along with our youth, to never give up and to focus on pursuing God through all life’s circumstances. Thank you to the Morweena Church for your continuous support!”

May we all be encouraged to serve God wherever we are!

Janet Hamm

An evening service was held January 18, 2009, to hear testimonies and receive these young people into membership: (back) Keith Kornelsen (transfer), Jake Unger (transfer), Brett Barkman (baptism); (front, all by baptism): Christine Sutyla (now Kornelsen), Becki Petkau, Jessica Plett, Andrea Reimer, Lisa Reimer.

Busy at MacGregor MacGregor, Man.: Summer came and went, or did it? We continue on in our various ministries. We chose to have our Sunday Picnic early this year, which turned out to be a wise choice weatherwise. We had a beautiful day filled with lots of activities: kite flying, wagon rides, races and more.

The Boys Brigade guys had their (now annual) overnight campout. And by all reports it was a success.

The seniors seem to be having a grand time as well with potlucks, bowling trips, choir, and other activities too exciting to mention.

The Family Celebration Day was a day to give thanks to God. Two young couples dedicated their children to the Lord: Kevin and Erin Lowe (son Logan) and Scott and Larissa Stuart (son Dominic). Three people transferred their membership: Helen Klassen and Gord and Jenn Giesbrecht. Four young people made the choice of baptism: Henry

Rempel, Michelle Rempel, Russell Unrau, and Ryan Wiebe.

The Ladies group had a pajama party and watched a comedic movie for their end of the year celebration as well as a game of charades.

The summer series of messages was entitled Sweet Words with the theme verse of Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” We were given an opportunity to submit our favourite scripture and what it meant to us.

Other events of special note included two evenings of “Munchies with the McCaskell’s,” visiting at the home of our pastoral couple Bill and Bev McCaskell.

A joint service was held with Bagot Community Chapel. DVBS was held in our church together with Westend Community Church.

A special report was given from Menno and Elvina Hamm who traveled to the Dominican Republic to visit with

Parent-child dedication: Scott and Larissa Stuart with son Dominic, Logan with parents Erin and Kevin Lowe.

12

their Compassion children. The first was a young man who had finished the program and had saved every letter that the Hamms had sent him. He was extremely grateful for all that they had done to help him succeed. The second was a young boy whom they recently began supporting.

A golf tournament was held. Everyone had a great time. People cooked and served at Valley View Bible Camp. A board and ministerial barbeque was held. Other events items: a concert, new babies, weddings, banquets, involvement with MCC, and a new junior youth program.

Pray that through all our busyness that we will remember to keep God’s Word in our hearts so that we can share it and his love to those around us.

Elizabeth Sawatzky (with our churches continued on p. 14)

Baptized were Henry Rempel, Michelle Rempel, Ryan Wiebe, and Russell Unrau.

Members by transfer: Gord and Jenn Giesbrecht, Helen Klassen.

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

EMC and

Statement of Faith Church Practices A 25-part series

Peter Janzen

The Board of Leadership and Outreach has invited EMC pastors and other leaders to reflect on the meaning of our Statement of Faith and Church Practices. These writings are intended to inform and to invite conversation.

In the end, this 25-part series might be published as a booklet. Have you heard a sermon on these articles? Encourage the preacher to forward the material to The Messenger.

10. LAWSUITS We believe Christians should take seriously what the Scriptures teach about lawsuits and strive to deal redemptively with victims and offenders, working for restitution and reconciliation. We believe Christians are not to initiate any lawsuits which would violate the principle of love (Matthew 5:38–48; Romans 12:17–21; 1 Corinthians 6:1–11; 1 Peter 2:19–21).

Church Practices Article 10: Lawsuits

B

ased on the scriptures in this statement the understanding of the Mennonite community, by and large, has been that disputes need to be settled within the context of the church in a spirit of Christian love. This links the discussion to our doctrine of non-resistance and our belief in the separation of church and state.

The important questions that surface are: what does the New Testament mean when it says, “If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.” “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” “If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints?” “It is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.” How are we to actually practice these principles in the complexities of being Christian Canadian citizens?

There was a time when we lived in primarily insulated agricultural communities and it was possible to avoid contact with the law. Mennonite groups have sought promises from the government to protect them from lawsuits because going into court and defending themselves would violate their religious teachings.

We need to accept the fact that our legal system is not very good at making things right between parties; it most often creates winners and losers.

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

There was a time when a Mennonite lawyer would have been an oxymoron.

Those times have changed. As we have moved into businesses and professions and urban settings, we are no longer able to deal primarily with each other. We rely on the system to help settle estates, transfer and give title to property, provide safety, security and personal freedom. Even our own charitable and mutual aid organizations require the engagements of law firms.

We have generally accepted that church and state are not always easily separable. We have also accepted that the legal system has a positive role in society. This shift has made us less uncomfortable with having courts settle our disputes.

We need to accept the fact that our legal system is not very good at making things right between parties; it most often creates winners and losers. Litigation implies an adversarial approach to solving disputes. The New Testament approach is to seek reconciliation rather than winning a case.

The apostle Paul would say that “a legal victory might in fact be a spiritual defeat.” Paul’s big concern is the reputation of the church. David Ewert agrees that “in our day where everyone insists on rights, Christians need to relearn what it means to suffer wrongs.”

These teachings stand in stark contrast to our society’s hurry to seek personal rights and protection. If we think “rights” then we are at odds with the New Testament and our Church T Practices. M Peter Janzen has previously served as pastor of Hillside Christian Fellowship.

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with our churches

KEMC celebrates 135 years of ministry Kleefeld, Man.: “It’s good to be home,” began Jon Bonk, guest speaker at the 135 anniversary celebration of the Kleefeld Evangelical Mennonite Church, October 13, 2009.

People are defined by their shared memory, said Jon Bonk. Memory is essential to a healthy identity, and there is no meaningful identity apart from memory. When a loved one loses their memory, we suddenly become aware of how precious memory is.

As Christians we need to remember where we came from, the struggles our forebears had, and the lessons to

Malachi Kamstra prepares to eat his meal at the 135th anniversary celebration Thanksgiving Sunday, October 11.

be drawn from their story. We need to remember who we are as participants in a moral universe. We need to remember that we are not here to stay, and to remember where we are going.

Jon Bonk went on to remind us that it is important to remember proportionality. It is possible to go off the rails. Prosperity is not just for ourselves; it is our obligation to share.

The message ended with the reminder that the person in front of us determines our agenda. As followers of Jesus, we need to act as he did and allow ourselves to be interrupted. Remember that the servant is not greater than his Lord.

Jon and Jean Bonk moved to Kleefeld in the early 80s, choosing a lot on Rosewood Drive and moving in an older house from St. Jean Baptiste, Man. There they grew a garden, raised their two children, and practised their gift of hospitality by regularly inviting the neighbours for soup-and-bread lunches.

Jon joked that when they joined the KEMC, they had “climbed into the sheepfold some other way” because they didn’t have a good German Mennonite name. But it wasn’t long before the congregation unanimously voted Jon in as a lay minister.

In 1994, Jon and Jean moved to Winnipeg and attended St. Vital EMC. They were there only four years before Jon was called to become the director of the Overseas Ministry Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut. Jon and Jean found this was a good fit for their

Bruce Peters looks at the message board with personal notes posted by thankful church members.

14

gifts and skills, particularly the gift of hospitality which they had honed in Kleefeld and elsewhere.

At the Overseas Ministry Study Center, missionaries from about 20 different countries have an opportunity to focus on resting, studying, and publishing their stories. In particular, Jon has an interest in recording for posterity the stories of the African Church.

Perhaps Jon’s interest in Africa stems from his early experiences in Ethiopia as the son of missionary parents. Or it could even stem from Jon and Jean’s experiences as a young married couple going back to Ethiopia. It was there that they adopted their daughter Susie.

The Sunday School hour featured a review of KEMC history via power point presentation, which Louella Friesen and Irene Ascough put together using pictures brought by church members.

Henry Fast, historian, reminded the church of their journey through the years, of their struggles and joys. In the late 1890s, there was a plan to build three church buildings, one in Steinbach, one in Blumenort, and one in Kleefeld.

The first two were built, but the Kleefeld church continued to meet in homes until the 1930s. The Pioneers Dueck had a significant influence in the Kleine Gemeinde, as three of them became ministers. More information about Kleefeld can be found in Henry Fast’s book, Gruenfeld: First Mennonite Village (continued on p. 15)

Many people who have past links to Kleefeld visited on Thanksgiving Sunday to help celebrate the 135th anniversary of the Kleefeld EMC.

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

with our churches (continued from p. 14) in Western Canada (2006), available in libraries and from Schellenberg’s Hardware.

Kleefeld EMCers were invited to write messages and post them on the bulletin board decorated for that purpose. Many wrote about how the KEMC had been a positive influence in their lives, and how thankful they were for the Sunday School teachers they had had.

The feast for the ears was topped off by a feast for the palate. A meal of ham and potatoes, corn and coleslaw, peppered with friendly greetings and conversation, topped off the day.

Elaine Peters

coming events November 14 Meetiing MCC 2009 Eden High School St. Catherines, Ont. mcc.org/ontario 905-646-3161 519-745-8458

November 20–22

Jean and Jon Bonk, now living in New Haven, Connecticut, were invited as special guests for the celebration. Jon was a lay minister in the Kleefeld EMC from the mid-80s until 1994.

November 27–28

in memory

BOBBI RENEE (nee NEUDORF) SCHLARBAUM 1984–2009 Bobbi was born on July 21, 1984, in High Level, Alta., to Sara and Bill Neudorf. She had a happy childhood in Lethbridge for four years and later in La Crete. She got her Kindergarten to grade 8 education in La Crete, and then grades 9 to 11 at the Grande Prairie Christian School.

The first semester of grade 12 was spent at St. Joseph Catholic High School in Grande Prairie, and then she finished high school in La Crete, graduating from La Crete Public School in 2002. She attended Grande Prairie Regional College for two years and then transferred to the University of Alberta, finished her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy degree in 2006.

Bobbi married Justin David Schlarbaum in 2005 in Grande Prairie, and they lived in Edmonton until 2006 to finish university, after which they settled down in Sexsmith.

She worked at the Queen Elizabeth

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

IMPACT: Youth discipleship weekend Finding Your Identity Speaker: Kent Martens Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 800-230-8478 www.sbcollege.ca

II hospital in the Occupational Therapy Department for three years. Bobbi was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in her second year of college. She succumbed to complications from treatments received for the disease at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2009, at the ICU in the hospital where she worked.

Bobbi took special joy in her nieces and nephews, friends, family, scrapbooking, and vacationing with Justin and their best friends in Mexico.

Bobbi leaves to mourn her passing her husband Justin, her parents Sara and Bill Neudorf, her in-laws Helen and David Schlarbaum; her sister Bev and Norman Loewen and their children Jordan, Derek, Brittney and Brady; her brother Lynden Neudorf; her sister Melanie and Jake Friesen and their children Kobi and Ellie; sister-in-law Jennifer Schlarbaum and Brad Morgan; Grandma Bueckert; Grandparents Schlarbaum and Christiansen, and aunts and uncles, cousins and numerous friends.

Bobbi Renee was part of the La Crete Christian Fellowship for a large part of her growing up years. Bobbi was baptised upon confession of her faith in Christ as her personal saviour in March of 2006 at McKernnan Baptist Church in Edmonton. Her perspective of 1 John 2:12-17 was found on her computer after her passing: I am FORGIVEN I am a CHILD OF GOD I am an OVERCOMER I am STRONG I am KNOWN by God And LOVED by God

Doc’s Holiday SBC Major Drama Production Steinbach Bible College Chapel Steinbach, Man. No cost, rush seating 204-326-6451 or www.sbcollege.ca to reserve tickets

November 27 EMC Ministerial Meeting Pleasant Valley EMC near Rosenort, Man. 204-326-6401 info@emconf.ca

November 28 EMC Conference Council Meeting Kleefeld EMC Kleefeld, Man. 204-326-6401 info@emconf.ca

December 1 Being Evangelical in a Complex World: Stats, Facts, and Trends Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection Redeemer University College Ancaster, Ont. 866-302-3362 ext. 236 www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/clc

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada.

Thank you to Dr. Bertozzi and the ICU staff at the QEII Hospital, and a special thank you to Lindsey, who was with Bobbi during the onset of her final struggle.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 26, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Grace Bible Fellowship in Sexsmith, Alta.

Her Family

15

Saturday Night Church

The priority? People,

without apologizing for truth C

musical team leads in current and older arrying a guitar, Randy Dyck songs. arrives early for practice before SNCers stand or sit to sing; some also the service starts at Saturday clap. Randy Dyck introduces the “ninth Night Church. version” of Amazing Grace (a “blues” It is shortly after 6 p.m. on September styling).

27, 2009, when I enter the gymnasium of The sanctuary has become fuller Landmark Elementary School, located with a mixture of ages. Cyndy Warkentin in the town of Landmark in southern goes forward, joking that people have to Manitoba. behave because I am here. She says one There is a compromise in renting: fellow had talked of taking off his shirt.

SNC’s not having a mortgage is offset “It’s a drummer thing!” she explains, by the tasks of setting up chairs, sound saying she had counseled him against it. system, and PowerPoint. People chatter She mentions upcoming events: a and laugh, though, as they visit and work Cyndy Warkentin service with Teen Challenge and the start together, checking cords and making of Alpha Youth. chords.

Warkentin then reads two portions of Scripture, When he finds I’m not speaking, a sound person introducing part of Isaiah 42 as a prophecy of the approaches Cyndy Warkentin, SNC’s gregarious church Messiah, speaking of his concern for the nations, and coordinator, about who is. Bill Rambo, an SNC elder, part of Matthew 12 as the fulfillment shown in Jesus, hands me a question sheet for later. who gently loves those on the margins of society.

After a delay caused by a hum within the sound system, Cyndy Warkentin welcomes SNCers. Sharon She calls children and leaders forward for prayer before they attend children’s church elsewhere in the Hildebrand introduces the opening song and the building.

Then Bill Rambo and Rev. Milton Fast, the teaching/ speaking coordinator, come up front during the sermon time to answer questions e-mailed by SNCers in spring.

They tackle: • “Why is it Paul who made the rules for the church and not Jesus?”

• “With over 700 rules in the Bible and an estimated 3000 English versions of the Bible, how do we know if we got it right?”

• “Why do good people suffer?”

• “What does it mean when the Bible speaks about visiting the sins of the fathers on many generations of children?”

• “Where you think heaven will be…here on earth, up beyond the clouds, somewhere else?”

Bill speaks both from prepared notes and spontaneously; Rev. Fast offers his thoughts. They The musical team leads the congregation in current and older songs. pause for SNCers to comment or to raise questions.

16

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

SNC’s first service was held in October, a potluck Discussion continues until Cyndy suggests it is time planning party, Cyndy says. to move on. Rev. Fast protests gently that the best Why start SNC? There was concern about people questions are yet to come. “falling through the cracks” who were uncomfortable Bill leads in closing prayer. He explains that there with a large church structure, Cyndy said. are no goodies or coffee. He wants everyone to know— They met first in the west wing of Prairie Rose’s especially “those taking notes”—that this is unusual. building, then in the library of Landmark Elementary “Go in peace,” he says. It is shortly before eight School, and (as SNC quickly grew) moved o’clock. to the gym. SNC joined the EMC in 2007. Its Almost immediately people begin SNC’s role is to service attendance fluctuates during the talking and visiting. Al Thiessen comes by, stacking chairs. The gym becomes meet people where year, but it averages 75 to 80 people. progressively emptier. they are. It’s to put Structure Cyndy Warkentin, elder chair Mark SNC is led largely by consensus within Hildebrand and his wife Tish, and elder a “neighbourly” the church community; the elders seek James Smith stay for an interview, face to church. to give direction to ensure SNC is led by supporting each other as questions are vision and values, Mark says. answered.

SNC’s role is to meet people where they are, Mark says. It’s to put a “neighbourly” face to church, Tish History adds. SNC seeks to reach “unchurched and dechurched” On September 13, 2005, a meeting was held with people and anyone seeking a church home, says Cyndy.

Prairie Rose EMC leaders about starting another group.

They highlight that many youth come to SNC, some without their parents, and line the back wall during

Bill Rambo and Milton Fast answer questions from SNCers.

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

Cyndy Warkentin, elder chair Mark Hildebrand and his wife Tish, and elder James Smith stayed for an interview after the service. (photos by editor)

17

services. Youth are involved on committees. SNC seeks to get people involved on a rotating basis on committees to avoid staleness, Mark says, and through their involvement, youth develop in their church participation.

SNC does not have Sunday School. It provides children’s ministry during the teaching time of the service service, youth gathers for functions and for Bible study during the school year, and there are small groups.

Mark says SNC isn’t big enough or “sophisticated enough” for lots of programs. Nor is that SNC’s mandate, Cyndy adds—it is relationships. SNC desires to be a “real part” of the community in Landmark and Winnipeg, Mark says.

SNCers assist within the House of Hesed (for people with HIV/AIDS), youths have handed out sandwiches and visited with people outside Siloam Mission, and others volunteer locally.

Strengths What are SNC’s strengths? We have fun, Tish says.

“And…we love each other,” adds Cyndy. Though it sounds “glib,” it is real, Mark responds. People are attracted because SNC is a “non-judgmental” community. People can belong before they believe, though the level of responsibility depends on a discerning committee.

A yearly covenanting service is held in January; there is no formal membership. Baptism occurs after discernment, with a mentor arrangement following (a process is developing). Those baptised have input on who baptizes and who mentors.

An SNC strength is its willingness to move into the community to help, says Cyndy. Young people feel connected to adults, Mark says.

Challenges SNC has challenges. It needs a new meeting location; its current arrangement ends in June. A second is, while being inclusive, to present “the truth of the gospel of Jesus without any compromise or apology,” says Cyndy.

Another is to not worry about numerical growth, James Smith says. A “huge” challenge is to nurture youth, especially when they move to university, Cyndy adds.

Wider EMC What do they want the wider EMC to know about SNC? “Well, we love God and we want to draw people to Jesus,” Cyndy says.

SNC has challenges. It needs a new meeting location. A second is, while being inclusive, to present “the truth of the gospel of Jesus without any compromise or apology.”

18

When people come and say the congregation is friendly but not “churchy” enough, SNC wishes them God’s blessings and knows they have options in town, Cyndy says.

Mark mentions his attending a church planting congress in Ottawa, Ont. With declining church attendance in North America, there is a need to relate to people who don’t want a traditional setting, he says.

There is a need to go where people are, they say.

That’s what SNC does, Mark says, though there are many “right answers.” This means, as he explains in a later phone interview, there is one message, but many ways to reach various groups of people.

By now the rest of the congregation has left the school and the elders are leaving. Cyndy speaks briefly to the school’s custodian.

The gym is where the congregation meets for now on Saturday night, but for SNC much of the action is T elsewhere. M Terry M. Smith People visit and mingle after the service.

MCC Manitoba events Pastors’ and Ministers’ Gathering

El’dad Ranch Dessert fundraiser

November 13, 2009, 1:30 p.m.

Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Man.

November 20, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

Mennonite Heritage Village Museum Steinbach, Man.

Theme: Caring for our service and mission workers

Guest speaker: Wilma Derksen Entertainment: Rock Ridge Pickers

For inquiries contact MCC Manitoba (204-261-6381 or manitoba@mennonitecc.ca)

For tickets call Rosemarie at 204-326-1050 ext. 3

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

shoulder tapping WYMARK EMC, a country church located 20 miles southeast of Swift Current, Sask., is accepting applications for lead pastor. We aim to be a friendly, family-welcoming church body of 70 to 90 people, and seek a pastor who can encourage us by word and example to grow to maturity in Christ. Enquiries can be directed to the Pastoral Search Committee at 306-773-9089 (leave a message) or funkfarm@gmail.com (Paul Funk).

LA CRETE Christian Fellowship, in the northwest corner of Alberta, is looking for a full-time youth pastor to be a part of our pastoral team.

LCCF’s service to God is based on core values: a commitment to worship, discipleship, teaching of God’s Word, and reaching our community and world with the gospel. We are a vibrant church of about 350 regular attendees who desire to spread the Word through a variety of ministries.

The youth pastor will direct the youth leadership team in implementing our vision of helping our youth establish and strengthen their personal connection to Jesus Christ. Applicants are to be a disciple of Jesus Christ who is a willing and teachable leader; a person whose love for the Lord is reflected in their ability to work well with others.

Contact us for details. Call Mike Schellenberg at 780-841-9376 or e-mail lccfc@telus.net.

PELLY FELLOWSHIP Chapel (EMC) seeks a youth worker or couple to develop a program for youth and junior youth. PFC is a small church in the village of Pelly, located in central Sask., close to the Manitoba border. Submit resume to Pastor John Froese, Box 70, Pelly, SK S0A 2Z0. Phone 306595-2074. E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com.

MORRIS FELLOWSHIP Chapel (EMC), located in Morris, Man., is looking for a full-time pastor for a congregation of about 120. Previous pastoral experience and leadership abilities are assets. For job description and information, please call Brian Klassen at 204-746-8102.

NORTH KILDONAN Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg, Man., is looking for a children’s ministry director. The children’s director, who will focus on visioning and implementing a Christcentred children’s program, will be an integral part of the pastoral leadership team. The children’s director is a half-time position. For an applicant who also has a vision for small groups ministry, consideration will be given for a full-time position including both ministry responsibilities. NKMB is a multi-generational congregation of nearly 600 members with many young families. Inquiries and resumes may be sent to: Search Committee, NKMB, 1315 Gateway Rd., Winnipeg MB R2G 1P2 or email: brigittep@nkmb.org.

CONTINENTAL MISSION in Thompson, Man., needs a general director. Th is is an executive position. Qualifications for this position includes ministry experience, and an ability to lead and challenge missionaries in various ministries. A knowledge of the Word and a walk with the Lord are essential.

An evangelical ministry, Continental Mission (started in the 1940s) is involved in evangelism, church planting, camping, and drop-in ministries among First Nations people, mostly in northern Manitoba. The director will need to live in

THE MESSENGER November 4, 2009

Full text of ads available at www.emconf.ca/service.htm Thompson. Experience in working with Aboriginal people is an asset.

Send your resume to the chairman of the board: Ruben Goertzen, Box 57, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0, e-mail rgoertz@mts.net, phone 204-768-2455. Or call the interim director, Bill Penner, at 204-7788771 for information.

MENNONITE FOUNDATION, a donor-advised charitable foundation (est. 1973) with 17 employees and an operating budget of $1.9 million, seeks an executive director. The director is responsible to the board and will provide strategic leadership, directing and managing the overall operation.

The candidate must be a church member in one of MFC’s six supporting conferences.

MFC promotes financial stewardship from a Christian perspective, creates opportunities for people to be generous with their financial resources, provides stewardship education for churches and members, is committed to socially responsible investing, and provides loans to constituent churches and related charities.

We are a growing and dynamic organization with over $100 million under management. The head office is in Winnipeg, Man., with four other offices across Canada.

MFC offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Resumes should be submitted to Personnel Committee, MFC, 12-1325 Markham Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6; edsearch@ mennofoundation.ca.

RAINBOW CHRISTIAN School, in Vanderhoof, BC, seeks a principal.

RCS is a growing K–8 Christian professional learning community and has been in operation for 20 years. It is a classified Group 1 Independent School and currently has a staff of six and an enrollment of about 80 students.

Applications must include: resume, three references (including a pastor’s), transcripts, BCCT certificate, statement of faith, philosophy of Christian education.

The principal is a full-time position (.6 admin. and .4 teaching).

Send a cover letter, resume, philosophy of Christian education with statement of faith.

Rainbow Christian School Search Committee, Box 710, 2994 Burrard Ave., Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0; ph: 250-567-3127; fax: 250-567-3167; e-mail: rcschool@telus.net.

GRUTHAL BERGTHALER Mennonite Church is prayerfully seeking a senior pastor who has a heart for people and is community outreach minded.

We are an evangelical church located in

Grunthal, Man., 45 minutes southeast of Winnipeg, and 20 minutes southwest of Steinbach. The town consists of about 1,000 people and is supported by a strong farming community. The church is multigenerational, with a core of middle-aged families, a strong youth program run by a full-time youth pastor, and a strong Sunday School program.

We seek a pastor who has the heart of a shepherd and a desire to see our church grow through reaching the lost and investing in the church’s people. He should have strong preaching and teaching skills. The candidate must have a Bible college degree. Some pastoral experience is preferred. He must be in agreement with our constitution and statement of faith.

Anyone who possesses these qualifications and is interested in this position can forward their resume, along with references, to the following address: Grunthal Bergthaler Church, Box 70, Grunthal, MB R0A 0R0, Attn: Elder Board; or e-mail gbmcleadelder@mts.net.

MACGREGOR YOUTH for Christ seeks a satellite director. Job description involves giving overall leadership to YFC ministries in Macgregor and Gladstone, Man., its staff and its ministry; vision craft ing, ministry development, staff/volunteer care and development, community/church relations, fundraising, evaluation. Please contact yfcmacgregor@mts.net.

MACGREGOR YOUTH for Christ seeks a campus life youth worker. Job description involves spending time in the local High School offering student support to the local youth, as well as connecting with the local youth through the Drop-in Centre and various programs. Please contact yfcmacgregor@mts.net.

ARBORG YOUTH for Christ seeks an executive director to help launch and run a youth centre in Arborg, Man. Th is exciting opportunity is revving up and will soon be ready to go with a committed team there to support and back you up.

Reporting to and supported by a committed steering committee, this person will promote the ministry throughout the community, develop the drop-in program, and supervise team members.

Applicants must be able to embrace and sign the YFC Statement of Faith and Conduct. The ability to handle administrative and fi nancial duties will be required. Qualifications include a love for youth, drive and determination, creativity and an ability to work independently.

E-mail resume to Keith Tarry at keith@ yfcwinnipeg.ca or 325 Talbot Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2L 0P9 or 204-669 4205 ext 224.

25th Annual EM Cup Hockey Tournament November 13–15, 2009 T. G. Smith Centre, Steinbach, Man. Fans welcome!

See the game schedule at www.emconf.ca under Coming Events 19

MWC a powerful witness to

W

unity

e are people of God’s peace as a new creation…love unites and strengthens us at this celebration are the words to one of the songs in the international songbook used at Mennonite World Conference in July.

Worship in music was one of the highlights at the assembly held in Asuncion, Paraguay, attended by almost 6,000 Christians from around the world.

Many of the songs sung during the opening of each session focused on the strength there is in the fellowship of believers. “We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load,” say the beautiful lyrics of The Servant Song, while in the well-known piece We Are One in the Spirit the songwriter finds solace and courage in the concept of “walking hand in hand” and “working side by side” with others who are intent on following God’s way.

MWC general secretary Larry Miller introduces Lutheran World Federation general secretary Ishmael Noko.

Indeed, the theme of the conference was on (photos: Lowell Brown/Meetinghouse) service and unity as outlined in Philippians 2:1– 11, which, when practiced as Jesus exemplified, serve as of God’s family who represent various nationalities, language groups, and classes. a powerful witness and magnet to the world.

Participants in the conference came from hundreds The possibility that MWC might not be convening of churches with many different styles of worship, as often in a massive assembly, as it has 15 times on and yet here we were singing, praying, and taking various continents since 1925, led me to assess what communion together. And why not? value “assembly gathered” has for the global Mennonite We all accept the Bible as the authority for faith and body. life, believe in Jesus Christ as our Saviour and trust God Although there are huge costs and an enormous amount of planning and organizing by the host churches for power to renounce violence, love our enemies and seek justice, and yet far too often trivialities keep us apart. involved, there are significant reasons why the global I believe the conference was a powerful witness to assembly should not be discontinued. And one of the non-believers. In addition, it re-emphasized Mennonites main ones is the importance of unity in the church. are not people from any specific cultural “We will never be credible as group, but those who are of one faith. peacemakers in the world if we are Another reason that could be crippled with conflict within the cited why global assembles should church,” said one of the speakers at the continue are it gives the host country Paraguay conference in a morning Bible an opportunity to showcase its culture study. including food, art, music, and worship There is no greater tool in building style, and visitors to learn about unity than worshipping with members Christians in another country.

The “assembly scattered” encourages conference participants to visit There is no greater tool in building churches and Mennonite-run schools, unity than worshipping with colleges, hospitals, daycare centres, and the like. This gives tremendous insight members of God’s family who T and again, helps to strengthen bonds. M

represent various nationalities, language groups, and classes.

PAGE 20

Doris Penner

The sound of Paraguayan harps graced the worship services.

Doris Penner (Prairie Rose) serves on the Board of Church Ministries.

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 PAP Registration #9914