The Messenger October 17, 2001 by The Messenger

The J

•I* Missions and Anabaptism Dr. Daryl Climenhaga, a professor at Providence Theological Seminary, has often heard Mennonites talk as though Anabaptism and Missions are opposite ideas. Instead, he sees them as going well together, and he finds this confirmed in surprising places. 4 .! J'

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 39 NUMBER 18 OCTOBER 17, 2001

Messenger EDITOR Terry M. Smith

Not a time for silence!

OW WILL the Christian Church in Canada act during this “war on ter rorism”? Will we bless the state, hold it to account, be silent? This is a time for the EMC to be prayerful, reflective, and active— but not to be silent. True, Christians are not of one mind on how Canada should be involved in the current situ ation—not even in the EMC, where pacifism sometimes seems to be a closely-guarded secret. This alone should be cause for prayer, Bible study, open discussion, and for action. What do we see as the role of the Canadian government in the cunent situation? What is the role of the church? What is the relation ship between the two? We pray “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be

done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10); what does that motivate us to believe and to do? MCC and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada both have expressed concern to our federal government and called on Christians to pray. Recently, EMC Social Concerns Com mittee chair Doris Penner expressed concern after September 11 and issued a call to prayer to EMCers. To my knowledge, no other Con ference statement has been released to EMCers; nor has our Conference sent any official statement to the federal government. Whether silence has served our Conference well in the past is an open question; it does not, however, serve us well today. Terry M. Smith

The gains of the Reformation

N JANUARY 2, 1523, Huldreich Zwingli, the Swiss Reformer, chal lenged Roman Catholic leaders to a public debate; it lasted 19 days. The propo sitions that Zwingli and his companions de fended remain relevant. They included: The Christian Church has Christ as its head and does not listen to the voice of a stranger. Only church laws in agreement with the Word are binding on people's consciences. Christ alone is our righteousness and satis faction, not other merits. The Scripture does not say Christ’s body and blood are physically present in the Lord’s Sup per. The mass is contrary to Scripture and an affront to the sacrifice of Christ. We should not pray to dead mediators, only to Christ alone. Scripture does not support purgatory. It is improper to set up and to adore pic tures. Clergy are allowed to marry. Shameful living is more disgraceful among clergy than among laity (condensed from Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1963, vol. 23, p. 998). Church history bores many people, and for that reason some of us might take for granted the hard-won benefits of the Protestant Re formation. William Stevenson, a Church of Scotland pastor, reminds us, though, that “The Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth PAGE 2

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, instruct and inspire: inform concerning events and activities in the denomination; instruct in god liness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpub lished material is not returned except by request. The views and opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference. THE MESSENGER is pub lished twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the Board of Church Ministries of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba. Subscriptions: $12.00 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, total: $12.84). Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Members and adherents pay through their church. THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. Publications Mail Registration No. 09914 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Mailing information: All correspondence, including undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: The Messenger RO. Box 1268 Steinbach, Manitoba R0A2A0 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax:204-326-1613 Note new E-mail address: emcmessenger@mts.net www.emconf.ca __________

century is the most vital and far-reaching event in all Christian history since the Gos pel was first preached by Christ Himself and by His apostles” (The Story of the Reforma tion, Knox, 1959, p. 177). And while we need to seek to find com mon ground with Roman Catholics of the sixteenth-century and of today—and there is much—we cannot set aside the gains from a period, which, as Williamson reminds us, “...must have seemed alarmingly close to revolution” (p. 177). As EMCers, we are greatly indebted—in the first instance—to the wider Reformation and, more narrowly, to the Anabaptist movement within it. Some of Zwingli’s companions or followers in the 1523 disputation were soon to be leaders in the Swiss Anabaptist move ment. The movement and Zwingli parted company two years later over matters not directly mentioned in this summary of the debate of 1523—among them, the pace and authority behind the reforms and believer baptism. As Reformation Day approaches, EMCers remain immeasurably indebted to such Re formation leaders as Martin Luther, Huldreich Zwingli, John Calvin, Menno Simons, and John Knox—“servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord as- MESSENGER SCHEDULE: signed each his task” (1 Cor. 3:5). No. 20 - November 21 Terry M. Smith

(coPV due November 9) No. 21 - December 5 (copy due November 23)

THE MESSENGER

•I* Missions and Anabaptism Dr. Daryl Climenhaga

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Daryl Climenhaga is Associate Professor of Global Studies at Providence Theological Seminary in Otterburne, Manitoba. He grew up and served with the Brethren in Christ church in Zambia and Zimbabwe. He and his family live in Steinbach, Manitoba, and belong to the Steinbach Mennonite Church.

OCTOBER 17. 2001

AM A teacher in the field of missions. As 1 interact with the best planners and practitioners in my discipline, 1 have been intrigued to discover how Anabaptist many of them sound. This convergence interests me because 1 have often heard Mennonites talk as though Anabaptism and Missions are opposite ideas. Certainly, the history of our missionary work indicates that Mennonites drew more on the larger Protestant missionary emphasis of the 19*'’ century than they did on our Anabaptist roots, but in tmth Anabaptism and Missions are not two contradictory ideas. They went together closely in the birth of the Anabaptist movement, and they go well together today (See Wilbert Shenk, editor, Anabaptism and Mission, Herald Press, 1984). When 1 went to the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana in September 1978 as a young man from the Brethren in Christ Church, part of the larger Mennonite family, 1 was relatively unfamiliar with Anabaptism. There 1 learned from people like J.C. Wenger and C. J. Dyck, Millard Lind and Howard Charles, Gertrude Roten and Jake Enns. Although my teachers taught in different subject areas, they shared a common view on being the church, so that 1 learned to see the whole of the Christian life from an Anabaptist perspective.

Two emphases What is “an Anabaptist perspective” on theology and the church? 1 will state my own version briefly. In terms of theology, 1 am an evangelical with a strong emphasis on holiness, drawn from my Brethren in Christ interaction with the Wesleyan holiness movement. 1 also hold a strong emphasis on obedience, drawn from my Brethren roots in the Mennonite church. (In Carlton Wittlinger’s Quest for Piety and Obedience, Evangel Press, 1978, we see the way that these two streams come together in a larger evangelical identity for the Brethren in Christ.) This Anabaptist emphasis on obedience is most important for me. Although there is no thought that obedience can save us, we hold that obedience is essential to our faith (Romans 1:5). Mennonite distinctives such as nonresistance and refusal to swear an oath grow out of this emphasis on obedience. It is this radical commitment to follow Jesus as

faithful disciples that marks AnabaptistMennonite theology at its best. In terms of being the church, 1 am firmly Anabaptist. 1 share the first Anabaptists’ commitment to being a gathered body of the redeemed—separated from the larger world in which they live and, if necessary, even from churches that have accom modated to that larger world. 1 have no place in my understanding of the church for solitary Christianity, the idea that any person can be a Christian apart from the larger body of Christ. We are the church together; anyone who commits himself or herself to Jesus Christ makes an equal commitment to the body of Christ, which is the church. Strengthened in pastorate These two emphases—that we follow Jesus as faithful disciples, and that we commit ourselves to the community of faith within which we work out our discipleship— are the key aspects of an Anabaptist view of theology and church as 1 learned it at AMBS. 1 do not give these as definitive marks, but as the fmit of my own journey in the Anabaptist view of being Christian. Sources for my thinking include John Howard Yoder, The Politics of Jesus (Eerdmans 1962); Harold Bender, The Anabaptist Vision (Herald Press 1944); C. J. Dyck, Introduction to Mennonite History (Herald Press 1981); Ron Sider, Christ and Violence (Herald Press 1979). More important than the books were the teachers themselves, whose ideas informed every area of study. 1 went from seminary into the pastorate of a Brethren in Christ church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. There 1 applied what 1 had learned in seminary, interpreting the scriptures as carefully as 1 could in the context of daily life. 1 walked with people through marriage and birth, through loss and pain. These experiences strengthened my conviction that a truly biblical faith includes the two emphases 1 have described above, of faithful discipleship and of committed community. Five years later I found myself walking a new path—training at Asbury Seminary School for World Mission and Evangelism as my wife and 1 prepared to work with the Brethren in Christ in Zimbabwe. Here 1 entered the world of mission studies (missiology) and began to struggle with the PAGE 3

debates and experiences of the church around the world. I found the issues of seminary and church life continuing in world missions: debating the relationship of social action and evangelism; discussing the place of the church in the life of the believer.

An emerging consensus As 1 participate in these and other debates, 1 have observed a consensus emerging that looks remarkably Anabaptist in its shape. This observation brings me back to the beginning of this paper and requires a brief description of what missiologists are saying. Again 1 will present my own brief summary, no fuller than the above reflection on the way that 1 have experienced Anabaptism. My summary is eclectic, a snapshot of the field, rather than a thorough overview of what all missiologists are saying. In the past 10 years several significant missiological books have been published. One of these is Charles Kraft,

(Paraguay, Lester Olfert)

Anthropology for Christian Witness (Orbis 1996). This book is different in focus than his previous Christianity in Culture (Orbis 1979), but contains many ideas found in the earlier work. One key idea deals with how we understand conversion. Kraft describes conversion less in theological terms than in terms of allegiance. Although conversion to faith in Jesus Christ requires assent to truth statements (as held by the larger evangelical world), the crucial element is in the arena of allegiance. Those who give their primary allegiance to God are saved; those who do not are not. Kraft deals with many other ideas connected to his primary concern to apply anthropological insights in ways that assist Christian mission. But this key point of conversion as allegiance is one that my students have identified as exceptionally helpful. It immediately cuts PAGE 4

across many other debates and But this key point of identifies the central question, conversion as much as Joshua did for Israel: allegiance is one that “Choose today whom you will my students have serve!” It also echoes the identified as Anabaptist call to obedient exceptionally helpful. living: “Jesus is Lord!” It immediately cuts Kraft also contributes to a across many other strong thread running through debates and identifies current missiological thinking, the central question, that is, the nature of the church much as Joshua did for as indigenous to its cultural Israel: "Choose today setting. Only a church that fully whom you will serve!" understands its culture can It also echoes the challenge people to work out Anabaptist call to their primary allegiance to God. obedient living: Making sure that the church is "Jesus is Lord!" thoroughly at home in Fiji or Finland, in Kazakhstan or Canada, makes it possible to penetrate the heart of the culture with the gospel. The debates about indigeneity (or contextualisation), then, become part of this emphasis on the Christian’s allegiance to God in every area of life. This missiological concern echoes the Anabaptist commitment to follow Jesus as his faithful disciples. Another key work in recent years is Andrew Walls, The Missionary Movement in Christian History (Orbis 1996). Among other themes, one basic idea is that the church has come to be at home in a wide variety of settings throughout Christian history. He notes the way that the Christian church combines the indigenous principle (as above in Kraft) with the pilgrim principle (also in Kraft’s emphasis on allegiance to God). The church holds these two in tension—Christians are at home everywhere (see Lamin Sanneh, Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture, Orbis 1989), yet Christians have no permanent home on earth. They are citizens of heaven, aliens in a strange land wherever they are. Again, these emphases echo the Anabaptist-Mennonite experience, so thoroughly at home in Holland, Prussia, Russia, Paraguay, Mexico, Canada and the United States— and truly at home in none of them. Our true home is in heaven because our basic allegiance is given to God, to follow his Son faithfully throughout our lives on this earth. Discipleship and community are the Anabaptist themes that express Walls’ missiological study of the pilgrim principle in tension with the indigenous principle. Perhaps the most important missiological work of the 1990s was David Bosch, Transforming Mission (Orbis 1991). Bosch writes from a Dutch Reformed background in South Africa, quite different from the Mennonite churches of North America. His Reformed perspectives are most clearly seen in the biblical and theological grounding he gives to his work. One notes also that his vision of the church is thoroughly consonant with Anabaptism. He sees the church as a sign of God’s reign, connected in its humanity to its own social context, but drawing its identity and its meaning from the reign of God begun in Jesus’ earthly life, death and resurrection, and completed in Christ’s return. In fact, Bosch has had significant interaction with Mennonites, having given the 1978 missionary lectures at THE MESSENGER

AMBS (A Spirituality of the Road, Herald Press, 1979). He connects with Anabaptist thinking not only in his vision of the church, but also in his commitment to faithful discipleship in a world that’s opposed to God’s purposes. As a South African grappling with apartheid, he searches out the implications of faith’s obedience leading to nonresistance in a situation of institutional and state violence. I could continue with other authors, but will allow the above to stand as illustrations of the way that I have found the best thinkers in my field to resonate with what I learned as a student in a Mennonite seminary. This resonance is, perhaps, not surprising. Several of those whom 1 have not cited are Mennonite: Paul Hiebert, Mennonite Brethren missionary, anthroplogist, and teacher at Trinity’s School of World Mission; Jacob Loewen, another Mennonite Brethren missionary and anthropologist; Wilbert Shenk, a mission leader within the Mennonite church who has also served as the president of the American Society of Missiology and now teaches at Fuller’s School of World Mission. Shenk’s book. Write the Vision (Trinity Press International 1995) illustrates the convergence 1 am describing most clearly.

To be and to do Anabaptist influence has been strong in the North

American and world missionary community, but that is not the sole reason for this resonance. Rather, I suggest the primary reason is the efforts of Anabaptists and of missiologists to discern what God calls his people to be and do. We have a common faith in Jesus Christ and a common scripture in the Bible, so we should not be surprised when we find similar answers to questions of faith. This resonance or convergence reminds me of my student experience at Asbury Seminary. One day in class the teacher was describing his own vision of the church in mission, echoing at many points the two themes I began with—faithful discipleship and committed community. One of the students asked, “Is there any church that is doing mission the way that you are telling us?” He paused a moment, then said, “The Mennonites come closer than anyone else.” We have much to learn in our own efforts to follow Christ faithfully as a committed community of believers. At the same time we can thank God for guiding us to this point. We can reaffirm our Anabaptist heritage as a fitting context within which to carry our part in the mission Christ has given his church, to participate in preaching the gospel of peace to the whole world until Jesus returns in power and great glory. ■

Ministerial presentation

Palliative Care and Deathbed Encounters Betty Barkman

Y FIRST real brush with palliative care came after my mother was diagnosed with cancer some 30 years ago and we as a family chose to take care of her at home. That .was considered a bit unusual at the time, and the church was conspicuously uninvolved, but I sure learned a lot through that difficult experience. Some of the questions my mother asked on her deathbed will go with me forever. During the 38 years Leonard and I have been in ministry, our opportunities to sit with the dying and cry with the grieving have been too numerous to count. If I were to begin to share even half of the stories we’d be here all day. So I’ll just highlight a few.

Humour, attitude, and hope But before 1 tell any stories, let me just pass along a few of the little gems I have picked up along the way. Our topic today is a very intense one. Death, dying, grieving, crying are always intense. So to save our sanity we must learn to find laugh spots—as Barb Johnson, a humorous author, would say. Perhaps our battle with gray hair and wrinkles could even have been postponed somewhat if we had thought of that earlier enough. And then there is attitude. I am always learning more about attitude adjustments. Wow! So much palliative care is somehow connected with aging, and that is not a laughing matter. Not to me! But then again, like someone has said, “Aging is only a matter of the mind. If you don’t mind it does not matter.” And hope, the heavenly kind, is another thing I am always learning about. It helps so much when my own heavenly hope is bright, clear and focused. Neighbours in need Some of our most surprising stories have sprung up among our neighbors in the Pansy area—the ones that never darkened our church door. There were Ukrainian people on one side, French on the other, and anything else in between. We were always making friends, but never quite knew how far we were on that until a crisis appeared, some tragedy happened, or someone was on a deathbed. Mrs. Wynechuk was handicapped, alone, separated from OCTOBER 17, 2001

1 4J Betty Barkman and her husband, Leonard, served for many years as senior pastoral couple at Pansy Chapel (EMC) in FSnsy, Manitoba. They then served as pastoral couple in a Mennonite church in Copeland. Kansas. A few months ago they moved to Aylmer, Ontario, area, where they now serve as senior pastoral couple of Mount Salem EMC. On July 6, 2001, Betty and Leonard were part of a panel discussion on grief and death. This article is adapted from her presentation.

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Deathbed/Grief Care-giving (Palliative caring) • If John 7:37-38 is true, and Luke 7:11-17 still has meaning today, how do these truths apply to today’s topic? • “I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.” • Malcolm Muggeridge said the Bible is “the book that reads me.” In the same sense, do not the terminally ill, the grieving, the ones coming home with a tragic diagnosis, coming through the door with “their heart in their boots” (H. Manaigre) also read me? Does not eternity itself read me? • Why is it that dying Christians are often the happiest people on earth? In view of the above thoughts, Betty will share some examples of palliative care giving we have experienced. Who touched me? And what for? If God is really my Creator, my Life-giver, my Shepherd, my Lord, and His Holy Spirit is in me, did He not also put a “holy staff” into my hand, like He did to Moses? And what might that mean? Who or how am I touching the one who specially needs my touch? “There is a special and liberating experience as we touch the body, and the spirit, of the weak one, and that experience, I believe, is the presence of Christ. We dare not forget that Christ became flesh” (From Insight for Church Leaders in Canadian Society). To touch the dying and the grieving in a helpful positive way is a godly art—one that does not come naturally to most of us. It must be learned from Jesus Himself and developed in our own vale of tears. Am I allowing that hurting person to touch me? Jean Vanier, author of the best-selling book. Becoming Human, quotes a long time care-giver: “When I go to see someone who is dying I get boosted, changed, transformed. It is as if the one who is dying gives me a new burst of life.” How do we explain this? If the same heaven that created earth, time and people has touched my life, must I not in tender yet bold confidence touch the life of another? And allow his touch, faltering as it may be, to help set my heart on fire anew? It is far better to say nothing than to give pat answers or to quote glib cliches (like Romans 8:28). Rather, lean over and listen. Let them do the talking. Leonard and Betty Barkman

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her husband and now very ill. A son’s fiancee was concerned about her spiritual welfare and called us. We were able to minister to her, and she came to the point where she could express her genuine faith in Christ. When she kept getting worse, her family was gathered around her at the hospital in Steinbach. They called again. It was the middle of the night. Very softly Leonard quoted the 23’*' Psalm and other bits of scripture to her. She had been semi-comatose, gasping for air. Suddenly she appeared to want to respond, when her face lit up like a two hundred-watt bulb, and then she was gone. Death is never a time to judge. It is never a time to build walls. It is time only for bridges, always bridges of love. It is on a bridge of love that the two of us can meet and touch. 1 could tell you about our friend, Terry, who lost her husband and one leg, plus sustaining many other injuries, in an awful accident. She needed hours of visits and comfort during those first critical months. Or about Mary who slowly choked to death on her own blood in her battle with cancer. Or about Mrs. Patenaude, a devout French Catholic whose story is not that different from Mrs. Wynechuk’s. 1 could tell about Leonard’s surprise opportunities to witness at Catholic funerals to large crowds, after having given tender loving care at deathbeds and grief-torn homes. My own brother, Al Personally, my most poignant story is that of my own brother, Al. Two years ago when he was diagnosed with cancer he lived in Victoria, B.C. He had been away from the family and away from the Lord for years and years. He had no church, no Christian support group, nobody but his loving wife to care for him. Then we as siblings got involved, very involved, in helping. When all was said and done, some things were very special. Al was ready to connect with a church, but didn’t quite know how. When we started calling around to find him one, we started with Mennonite ones, of course, but without success. Finally we found a Baptist pastor who cared. Pastor Wilton set us an excellent example of deathbed ministry at its finest. He visited faithfully and helped Alvin sort out and re-establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He prayed with and for him often, and baptized him on his deathbed. Talking about Al reminds me of an aspect of deathbed ministry that we find hard to talk about. It’s that awful deterioration, the ghastly pallor, the shutdown of the system. It’s the smell of urine, vomit, and puss. Or worse,

it’s the utter helplessness of a man who was strong, healthy, independent until so recently. Suddenly everything is gone, and yet the real person is still there in that skeleton, and he needs my touch, my love, and my care. When 1 arrived at my brother’s place that last time, again flying in from Kansas, all these things slapped me in the face. But as a representative of Jesus, 1 cannot let the shock show on my face; 1 cannot back away in fear. 1 have to face it, deal with it, and move forward. 1 asked Al if 1 could cook something for him, anything he was hungry for. He said, yes, he wanted some schnetki (biscuits) like Mom used to make. 1 did my best. He ate three. He smiled in appreciation, and that was the last thing he ate. That night he still planned, communicated, prayed aloud with Leonard on the phone. Then, overnight he deteriorated very rapidly and during the morning he was gone! God is faithful Time will not allow me to tell you the story of the most horrific experience in death and grief counseling we have had so far. 1 just want to say this. To be forced to go and tell five beloved children that their parents have just been killed in a cruel car crash is not a fun job and 1 would not wish it on anyone. They were waiting at the window for Mom and Dad. Some were sleeping in the parents’ bed—just till they’d be home. And then so suddenly, this. But through it all, God is so faithful. And in spite of its pains 1 am pleased to be involved in the ministry, in whatever shape or form, that He has for us here on earth. Even now, the rewards are already out of this world. ■ THE MESSENGER

Mike Strathdee Stewardship Consultant

OFFERING ENVELOPES IT’S TIME to ask the church treasurer for offering envelopes. He has repeatedly of fered them over the years, even stuck them in our mailbox, but I’ve stubbornly resisted using them. Envelopes have always seemed to be a waste of time and money. 1 think that idea was my reaction to a scripture verse read on the bottom of an offering envelope many years ago. Perhaps it was a verse from Numbers 28, about bringing an offer ing to the Lord at the first of the month. If writing a cheque and putting it in the plate on the first Sunday of the month for that month’s tithe or offering is the thing to do, why the need for 52 envelopes every year? Why not just fold over the cheque and save the paper? As a colleague reminded me, some church treasurers would rather receive higher amounts once a month instead of weekly giving. But that’s not an option for everyone. When income is received varies depend ing on your employer or profession, par-

ticularly if you are self-employed. The impetus for my attitude adjustment is the small person next to me in the pew, a six-year-old daughter. Ella has realised for some time now that when the plate is passed, it’s time to give back to God. And since the plate goes by her every Sunday, shouldn’t she be putting something on it each week? That makes me wonder what message we’re sending to newcomers and others who don’t yet trust God enough to give back generously to the work of the church. When, four weeks out of five, they see offering plates passing by more people than the number who give an offering, do they think that the giving of tithes is a cen-

tral and visible part of worship? Or do they view the offering as something optional, peripheral to the church experience? Do we dedicate offerings to God in a spirit of thanksgiving? Do we receive offerings, instead of taking them, recognizing God’s ownership of all? Mark Vincent’s book A Christian View of Money, and related ma terials from the doing Project, provide some good resources for working at mak ing offerings a central part of our worship. MFC’s stewardship consultants are avail able to help congregations work at a more worshipful dedication of offerings. Con tact your nearest office for more informa tion.

Budget Update Evangelical Mennonite Conference It is wonderful to see God at work in many parts of Canada and of the world through EMC personnel and programs. God has entrusted us with a tremendously far-reaching program in missions, and with the support and nurture of churches in our Conference. As a Conference, we have committed ourselves to a budget to finance these projects. Our overall expenditures are well within our budget to date; however, we are concerned to note that as of August 31, our receipts were $300,000 short of our budget and $210,000 short of disbursements. As you plan your giving to the Lord’s work, please consider the needs of our Confer ence. In His Service, Board of Trustees, Evangelical Mennonite Conference

EMC and Current Tinies EMC Ministerial Friday, November 30

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Prairie Grove Fellowship Chapel Lorette, Man. Dr. Sus Konkel,

r i

President, Providence Theological Seminary

Preaching in the Post-Modern Era

Ministerial Sexual Misconduct policy review Pastoral Evaluation policy Review Round-Table Discussions

EMC Conference Council

Remember Me Beaten, cold, and chained Remember me Hungry, alone, and drained Remember me Tired, troubled, and sleepless Remember me Tortured, burned, and killed Remember me My shoes will soon be filled Remember them (Heb. 13:3) Brigitte Toews, Landmark, Manitoba

Saturday, December 1

Anola Fellowship Chapel

Anola, Man.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mr. Archie Penner Applying Anabaptist Theology

in the Present World Situation 2002 Budget Reports from: boards, regions, affiliate organizations

For information, contact your pastor, EMC representatives, or the national office at 204-326-6401. OCTOBER 17, 2001

The International Day ofPrayerfor the Persecuted Church is on November 4. Brigitte Toews, a member of Prairie Rose EMC, wrote this poem and others as she meditated on the suffering of the persecuted church. “It is my hope that these poems will encourage Messenger readers to take on the burden of our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ,” she writes. PAGE 7

Church finance seminar Of use to church treasurers, church board/council mem bers, and pastors.

Topics: designated giving and receipting, payroll is sues, legal basis for operating charities in Canada, accounting and financial controls. Presenters: Henry Friesen, C.A.; Reinnie Brandt, C.A.; Henry Thiessen, EMMC head office. Time: 9:30-4:30 Cost $15 (includes lunch and cof fee breaks)

Places: October 27 Braeside EMC, Winnipeg, Man. November 3 Westmount Evangelical Church Saskatoon, Sask. November 17 Aylmer EMMC, Aylmer, Ont. Register by phone (204-326-6401), fax (204-326-1613), or e-mail henryk2@mts.net or mail: EMC, Box 1268, Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0. Please include name, church, and choice of location. For information, call Henry Klassen at 204-326-6068.

Welcome When someone says, "Thank you!" what do you say? You're welcome! When friends come to your house from far, far away? They're welcome. The mat on the floor by your house door says. Welcome! The sign as you enter our centre says. Welcome! The signs and the mats and the hugs and the pats say. Welcome!

The smiles that you see on our faces mean Welcome/ You have all come here from different places, You're welcome. You'll find when we're meeting, our greeting means Welcome! Sometimes at our outings we're shouting, Hey! Welcome! At times there's a clatter, no matter, You're welcome. Whatever the case is we love oil your faces, we'll fill all the spaces with kids from all places. You're welcome! There's One here to whom we extend a warm greeting. Welcome! The Spirit of God has come to our meeting. He's welcome. He's polite so He'll come, and not go away from where He's welcome. He gently knocks at our hearts and life starts if He's welcome. Now when you do hear Him knock, then open the lock. He'll come in and talk. Man, your life's gonna rock! Make Him welcome. Les Martens Les Martens is pastor of Kola EMC. Kola, Manitoba

Mexico

‘But I need the whole Bible! Every once in a while a translator hears something that makes their day! That hap pened to me last week talking to Alma, a young Aloapam Zapotec woman, here in Oaxaca City. I’m still smiling! Many Yareni- and Aloapam Zapotecspeaking people are not interested in the translation work that is being done in their language. Some don’t know about it; oth ers don’t care. Even some of the believers are uncon vinced that a translation is needed. They are content with having the Scriptures in Spanish, a language which many do not understand very well. So, when a Zapotec says, “But 1 need the whole Bible in my language,” a translator sits up and takes notice. On a recent Sunday, Marilyn and 1 went to visit Alma where she lives on the other side of the city with her mom and broth ers, her grandparents, an aunt and a vari ety of other relatives. It’s like a mini Zapotec village. One never knows whom PAGE 8

1 prayed that he would, since 1 one will meet there. didn’t think our meeting him This time Alma’s uncle was an accident. Tomas was visiting from On Wednesday when Alma Mexico City. As usually hap came to work with Marilyn she pens when a Zapotec meets -•^'4 told us that her uncle had us for the very first time, stayed up all night reading the Tomas was amazed that we ■'v r gospel of John. “He said he could speak his language. He wanted the whole Bible in his had never heard an outsider language, not just one part of speak Zapotec before. it,” reported Alma. He wanted to know why we Now what’s truly interesting had come to Mexico, why we had left the advantages of Grace Thiessen (Stein about all this is that Tomas is home to live here and learn bach) works in Bible not a believer and, according his language. I showed him a translation with Wycliffe to Alma, has lived a rather ungodly life. He may have copy of the recently published in Oaxaca, Mexico. read the gospel of John be gospel of John in Aloapam Zapotec and asked Alma to read a pas cause he was intrigued by the fact that his sage from it. He was surprised that his lan language could be written, but I’m praying guage could be written and willingly re that its message will penetrate his heart. ceived a copy of the book and an accom In the meantime, there are more books of Scripture to prepare in Zapotec. panying cassette. Grace Thiessen When we left I wondered if Tomas would listen to the cassette and try to read along. THE MESSENGER

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Braeside in the community Winnipeg, Man. (Braeside): VBS was a highlight at Braeside this summer. In July, a daily average of 55 kids plugged in to the theme that Jesus’ love is powerful, refresh ing, life-giving and for everyone. An inter active approach allowed children to enjoy crafts, stories, games, songs, videos and snacks. Thirty-five volunteers, from teens to grandparents, worked as group leaders, storytellers, program directors, sports spe cialists and snack servers. A large number of the kids who attended were from the neighbourhood. Through out the week the children supplied money and materials for Samaritan’s Purse, an or ganization that works with underprivileged people in many countries. The week’s activities were capped by a spirited program on Friday evening, at tended by parents, grandparents and friends. Many stayed for refreshments and visiting. Based on the enthusiasm of the kids (and workers), the week was a suc cess. We pray that the seeds planted will bear fmit. In late August, the Missions Committee sponsored our annual community barbe cue. The weather was the lazy, warm and sunny kinds that Manitobans so often en joy in late summer; only the mosquitoes were missing to make it typical! Seventy of the 150 participants were from the com munity. People visited, watched the smaller kids jump on the trampoline, and enjoyed music by a church worship team. A spe cial guest was an illusionist who kept us spellbound and shaking our heads in dis belief. How did he tie three ropes to make one rope—and with no knots?! The bar becue, the salads and the dessert were a hit: many people lined up for refills. Our prayer is that the community at large will see that Braeside, a community of believ ers, offers a Plan that no one should refuse. Every Thursday, a group of neighbour hood young moms and their babies meet at Braeside. They are enrolled in a govern ment-sponsored healthy baby program that teaches, among other things, nutri tion and general childcare. Although our church has no direct input into the pro gram, being a host is a good way to get community people to see that our build ing is not only a place of Sunday worship and church-related midweek activities, but also a place that is open to groups pro viding community services. On September 9, Braeside bid farewell to Chris, Carolynn and Ashley Puhach. They have taken on responsibility for the prayer and outreach program at Southland OCTOBER 17, 2001

Community Church in Steinbach, Man. Both Chris and Carolynn spoke of the “good years” at Braeside; later Chris preached. After the service there was fur ther opportunity to say “Goodbye” at a potluck luncheon. We will miss the Puhach’s enthusiasm and commitment to service, but we wish them well as they accept a new challenge in enlarging God’s Kingdom.

The terrible events of September 11 are etched in our minds; we wonder about the future. In a sermon titled. Lessons from New York, Ron Penner reminded us of the brevity and uncertainties of life and the need for us to be prepared to meet God, to have our life priorities in the right order, to nurture loving relationships with those near and dear to us, and to work for peace in the world. These are lessons that Chris tians should learn and also teach to those with whom they come in contact. Al Dueck

Crestview bids a fond farewell Winnipeg, Man. (Crestview): August 26 came and went with some mixed emo tions at Crestview Fellowship as it proved to be the last day that Darryl Klassen would serve as senior pastor for this congrega tion. We rejoice with Darryl as he follows his calling to Kleefeld as senior pastor there. The morning service included commun ion, the Last Supper for the congregation led by Darryl. “It will never be the same as today,” he preached. “Even if 1 were to come back and serve in ten years, you probably wouldn’t all be here.” The intent wasn’t to bring any atten tion to his depar ture, but rather to focus on the im portance of com munion and what it should mean to believers taking

Once we were all thoroughly stuffed, Alex Wiebe opened the program with some fond memories that he had of Darryl and their friendship over the years. The mike was then open for anyone to share. Both old and young had good things to say about Pastor Darryl as they all wished him God’s richest blessings—together with his wife Sharon, daughter Katy and son Ethan. To conclude the formal part of the pro gram, a presentation, on behalf of the con gregation, was made to the Klassen fam ily. Darryl ha^arted a collection of Redlin prints, and so it was "" only fitting that we add to it. He was overjoyed at the gift.

part that morn ing.

In his mes sage Darryl ex pressed thank fulness for the trust the congrega tion (then led t ft Ralph Unger) had placed in him when On August 26, the Crestview congregation said farewell to hiring him on as associ Sharon and Darryl Klassen, Katy and Ethan. ate pastor twelve years ago. “It took guts,” he said, “to hire a single Well, Darryl, Sharon and family, we will guy still living at home.” It proved to be a miss you at Crestview. We have enjoyed valuable investment on our part and we’re your friendship, your leadership, your hon the richer for it. Darryl relived some of his esty and integrity, and we wish you well as memories from over the years and did well you follow God’s calling. May Kleefeld by to keep his emotions from getting the bet as richly blessed as we have been. “The ter of him. (Not an easy task, he later ex Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord pressed.) make his face shine upon you and be gra The morning service was followed by a cious to you; the Lord turn his face toward barbecue lunch held in the church base you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24ment. (There wasn’t enough sitting room 26). outside, as the mosquitoes had first dibs!) Dave Strempler PAGE 9

Lome and Margaret Moorhead were received into membership on June 17, welcomed by pastor Dale Warkentin and Deb Odegaard.

The VBS closing program was held August 17.

Summer support, fall flooding Creighton, Sask.: At the end of April, we bid farewell to Peter Dueck, our win ter youth intern. We appreciate the work he did with the youth of our churches. He also served as chaplain for the Flin Flon Bombers hockey team. Peter graduated from Bethany Bible College this spring. From May to August, we had Phil Wiebe as our summer intern. He is also from Bethany and worked well among the youth and at filling the pulpit when Dale and Lome were away. He has now re turned to Bethany for his second year. Kristen Imrie, home from university for the summer, helped with music at both churches. On June 17, Lome and Margaret Moorhead were received into member ship, transferring from the Endeavour Fel lowship Chapel (EMC). VBS was held August 13-17. We had a total enrolment of 54 children and an av erage attendance of 35 to 40. This week was a cooperative effort of many people. Under the direction of Janice Imrie over 20 people volunteered to make the week an enjoyable time for children. The theme was Sonward Ho and each day opened with a time of singing led by Deb Odegaard. This was followed with a skit with Kristen Imrie as Butch Casserole, Kevin Imrie as Doc, and Kathryn Imrie as The Sunflower Kid. The skit was each session’s highlight for children and adults both. Dale Warkentin then presented a Bible story related to the skit’s theme. A snack time, games, and class activities for the four age groups came after. For the most part, the two leaders for each group were young people who attend the MB/EMC youth group. We appreciate their willingness to serve in this way. Diane Hillier provided crafts for each day—everything from cactus plant pokes to beaded key chains, and much more. Other adults helped out behind the scenes PAGE 10

providing daily snacks, doing preliminary work on some of the crafts, and so on! Thank you to all who helped in any way. Friday at noon parents were invited for a short closing program and lunch. Now we are into the fall. On September 2, due to heavy rainfall, our church and several houses in Creighton experienced

flooded basements. As a result, we are temporarily meeting in the Creighton sen iors centre while our building is being re stored. Insurance should cover most of the costs that will be incurred. Our Sunday school is on hold until our basement is usable again. Margaret Moorhead

Demonstrating true religion Rosenort, Man. (Pleasant Valley): May 27 was a special day for our church when Tracy Siemens, daughter of Randy and Mary Anne; Samantha Sylvester, foster daughter of Ernie and Mary Ann Loewen; and Stacy Rance, daughter of Keith and Lynn, were baptised by Pastor Darren. In June, Jeff Anderson, director of Ac tion International Ministries in the Philip pines, was our guest speaker at a missions faspa. He challenged us to a pure and fault less religion as described in James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after or phans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” He shared about their mission work with street children, a ministry in which Carl and Lisa Loewen are also in volved. A large group of men from our church went to Gem Lake for a weekend of work and fellowship in God’s beautiful creation. Inner City Youth Alive has summer campouts there for Winnipeg youth. The Pleasant Valley, Rosenort Fellowship and Rosenort EM churches had a joint morning worship service at the Rosenort arena on Father’s Day. The theme was One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts (Psalm: 145:4). Menno Kroeker, Harry

Brandt and Marilyn Loewen spoke about how faith stories were passed down from grandparents and parents and how this affects their faith today. The singing led by the praise and worship team was amaz ing. In July, we held our Vacation Bible School in Sanford. Sixty-one kids attended and 22 volunteers and teachers did a great job teaching about Courageous kids stepping out for Jesus. Grace Loewen coordinated this program. The Living Fountain Bible Camp was held at Beaver Creek in August. Over 90 camp ers and staff attended both weeks. Curtis

Samantha Sylvester, Tracy Siemens, and Stacey Rance demonstrated their commitment to Christ in the decision to be baptised. This was a special event for the church, represented by pastor Darren Plett. THE MESSENGER

Comelson was camp speaker for the first week; Gerald Reimer, Conference Youth Minister, spoke the second week. Bible camps are a great time for kids to experi ence structured Bible studies, sports, and a fun time away from home. Florence Loewen

Jerry and Renee Walder with Raena, and Kent and Deanna Kroeker with Keira, participated in a child dedication held September 23. Pastor couple Darren and Pearl Plett stands with them.

Pleasant Valley held VBS in Sanford. This year, 61 kids attended to learn about Stepping out for Jesus.

Bueckerts leave void Grande Prairie, Alta.: Abe and Anna Bueckert, together with three of their children (Alvin, Carlene and Kara), fol lowed God’s leading to Taber, Alberta, this fall. They worshipped at MHCC since moving to Grande Prairie three years ago. Prior to that, they were involved in the Bergthaler Mennonite Church in High Level for more than 20 years. They are well suited for work among Low German speaking people, but they leave a void in the church in Grande Prairie, as well as in family they left behind. Bear Lake Bible Camp celebrated its 65"' anniversary this year, and Mission Heights Community Church was very involved in the July 1 celebration weekend. It was the weekend that people from church usually set aside for family camp, and this year was no exception. The workgroups, where people sign up for cooking, clean ing and playground supervision, were well organized. In all, the campout went very smoothly. MHCC children’s camp went from Au gust 12-18, and saw 88 children, ages nine to eleven, attend. The theme was Search and rescue. Bill Neudorf

Peter and Martha Doerksen, senior pastoral couple, are always active in ministry. Peter oversaw service of the Lord’s Supper, and he and Martha welcomed Helen Teichroeb (middle) into the church.

At camp, skits and sideshows by all ages were the order of the day. Is that Kathy Plett and Martha Doerksen? Oh well, ministry works in mysterious ways! Kathy is married to Bernie, our new youth pastor; Martha is married to Peter, the senior pastor.

Saturday evening found musicians of all types participating in chorus singing. Voices, accompanied by guitars, were raised in praise and worship to God. OCTOBER 17, 2001

PAGE 11

„.e P-* Dave Schellenberg Steinbach, MB

Gerhard E. Kornelsen, a pioneer teacher SHORTLY after the Mennonite immigra tion from Russia to Canada in 1874, the name of Kornelsen began its long-time association with the school system in Steinbach, Manitoba. The forerunner was Gerhard E. Kornelsen. He began teaching in 1876 in the age of 19, making this year the 125'*’ anniversary of the start of his teaching career. Gerhard had just turned 18 in May 1875 when he came to Canada with his parents. Since Canada granted homesteads to men 18 and older, he qualified, and the 160 acres he chose bordered today’s Bushfarm Road and No. 52 high way west, just outside of present day Steinbach. Gerhard’s father, G. S. Kornelsen, had been a schoolteacher in the Molotschna Colony in Russia where his family had lived. Be sides likely studying under his fa ther, Gerhard had also attended the village school in Lichtenau, South Russia. For his first winter and summer in Canada, Gerhard stayed with his parents; in pioneer style, their house was erected primitively from raw timbers, having a straw roof and an earthen floor shared by man and beast. As soon as Mennonites came to Canada, primary education was very important to the Kleine Gemeinde (early EMC), though higher education was frowned on. Two pioneers taught school in their home in 1874. In 1875 a teacher was hired, with the reason for lasting only a year being un clear. In the fall of 1876, nineteen-year-old Gerhard was hired as teacher for the pio neer Steinbach school. His education in Russia was seen to qualify him as teacher. School was to begin on November 2. His teaching career spanned a total of 33 Public Schools Manitoba.

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years, though not in one stretch; he was also a farmer and, for a time, returned to farming only. Kornelsen could not see that three sons and one granddaughter would follow him in his career, all within Steinbach. To later recognise this family, a school in Steinbach was named Kornelsen School. When Mr. Kornelsen began teaching, the school had an enrolment of 14 students. ----------- The school building, a log house with a thatched roof, was con structed the previous year. Just over half of the 14-by-20 foot structure was used by the school; the rest was the teacher’s living quarters. His salary was seven dollars cash per month plus meals at the parents’ homes, varying accord ing to the number of their chil dren attending. In addition, the parents would break plow five acres of prairie sod on his farm. The school’s timetable was based on how Kornelsen had been taught: three hours of Bible story, ten hours of reading, five hours of neat writing, eight hours of math, two hours of language study, and an hour of geography each week. Other subjects would also be practiced. In January 1878 Gerhard married Eliza beth Giesbrecht, and they had 12 children. Their second child was Aganetha, my mother. In 1876 Gerhard could never have imag ined that his school enrolment of 14 stu dents would grow to 2,299 pupils in 2001, or foresee that his small school would multiply to five schools—three elemen tary, one junior high and one senior high. The 1985 book Schools—Our Heritage, by John K. Schellenberg, my brother, gives the following tribute to Mr. Kornelsen, written by a grandson: My grandfather, Mr. Gerhard E. Kornelsen, was a tall man with broad shoulders and his entire build was in proportion. He had a well-kept although bushy beard turning grey by the time / came on the scene. He was friendly but not in an overbearing manner, always dressed very ordinarily. This may have been of necessity; 1) be cause he also had to farm to make ends meet, and 2) there was not always money to purchase clothes to suit the occasion and 3) he would have been the last man to put on a show of being dressy. Although

he was friendly and smiled often, I don’t recall that he eaer told jokes or laughed aloud. The 1939 copy of the Steinbach Colle giate Institute yearbook gave the follow ing tribute to Kornelsen: The residents of the community will long remember him as a kind friend, a gifted teacher, and a loyal member of the church. Attesting to his popularity, in 1910 a cel ebration was observed in his honour by families and students. The following cita tion was signed by students, parents, and friends: Dear, honoured teacher. A greeting of love and respect. We as your students bring you out of love and respect and in remem brance of your 25 years of teaching a jubi lee gift a chair. This is however little and perishable but we hope that you will re ceive it as a sign of our sincere love. It is also our wish that the Lord, after his will, will long keep you in health and in life in whatever is his will... We as a small part of your great student body sign this. Mr. Kornelsen closed his teaching career in 1918. In 1925 he retired from his farm and moved into Steinbach. He died on February 2, 1933. He was 75.

THE MESSENGER

ABRAM JACOB REIMER BARKMAN 1909-2001 The eternal God is your refuge, and un derneath are the everlasting arms (Deu teronomy 33:27a). Father was born on August 21,1909, in Blumenort, Manitoba, where he also at tended school. It was right here in this com munity where he not only grew up, but also committed his life to the Lord. He was baptised here, and has been a faithful member of this church ever since. Mother and Father were married on June 10, 1934, a marriage that lasted 67 years. Father always talked very fondly of his courtship experiences. Those trips from Blumenort to Landmark presented a bit of a challenge, though. Remember that he did not have a car. So his options were cycling, hitching a ride on someone’s horse and buggy, or walking. But he con sidered every bit of the effort well worth it. (Could that be why walking never lost its appeal for him even into his old age?) The first years of their married life were spent in Landmark, near Mother’s home place. Later, they moved to Blumenort and spent the rest of their working years on their family farm. Mom and Dad were blessed with six children who provided them with a variety of both joys and sor rows. Our parents’ life was not easy. For the greater part. Mother was not well, and keeping six children healthy and happy was an awesome task in itself. Establish ing a farm and making it profitable seemed almost impossible at times due to various obstacles. It seemed, though, that the very chai-

lenges that could have led to despair, in stead inspired a response in Father that we have all learned to admire. He became innovative in overcoming difficulties. In stead of being down about difficulties, his imagination was stretched. As a result, dozens of labour-saving meth ods and household repair skills became a treasured part of family survival and, yes, even provided some fun. He built what may well have been Blumenort’s one and only merry-go-round, and he built it only for us. Eventually, he had a string of com pleted projects to his name, such as a tree house, a homemade trampoline frame, toys for the grandchildren, and numerous pieces of furniture, to name a few. Father taught us all to both love a day of hard work, and to enjoy free time at play. Among our precious memories of Father are Sunday afternoon ball games, singsong vigils during thunderstorms, haircutting sessions at home, gardening and canning, and other things we did together. Some of us will never forget Father’s unique square cookies, and all of us will remember the trips to town that ended with an ice-cream cone. Father’s uncomplaining spirit continued into his old age while he faithfully took care of Mother, and very much thrived on visits from the children and grandchildren. During his retirement years, activities like woodworking and jigsaw puzzles were among the things that occupied his time. A particular strength that we admired in our father, and that stayed with him till the end, was the quality of his spiritual life. He had a very sensitive spirit, was forgiving and accepting of others, and had a strong desire to count for God. This evidenced itself in the way he supported missions, and in his involvement in helping others. A prayer of Father’s that never changed throughout the years, was that his children, his 21 grandchildren and his now 24 great grandchildren would all get to know the Lord and live for Him. Although we sorrow to some extent, this is overshadowed by joy because we know that a great guy has gone on to his great reward. To that extent, this is a time of celebration and rejoicing. We are grateful for the legacy Father left us, one that will live in our hearts forever. Thank you! His Family

Friesen responds to challenge In spring Lowell Friesen had an experience that world-class conductors stand in line for: he conducted a choir in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, Italy. Lowell, a member of the University of Manitoba Singers, was called upon suddenly to lead the choir after conductor Henry Engbrecht was hospitalized in Canada shortly before the group was the depart for two and a half weeks of performing through Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. Friesen, who holds a B.F.A. degree in Music from Providence College, is in the vocal performance program at the U. of M. He is a son of Dennis and Agatha Friesen, assistant Lowell Friesen pastoral couple at Pansy Chapel (EMC). PC

OCTOBER 17, 2001

ELIZABETH UNGER 1913-2001 Elizabeth Toews Unger, 88, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 1,2001 at the Rest Haven Nursing Home in Steinbach, Man. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Rosemarie (Stan) Penner of Land mark; Wilma Unger of Landmark; Lillian (Edwin) Plett of Taber, Alta.; Agnes (Bill) Unger Stassen of St. Stephen, N.B.; Julia (Ray) Plett of Landmark; Grace (Ken) Reimer of Steinbach; Gerald (Phyllis) Unger of Landmark; 26 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three sisters, Margaret Toews, Katherine Giesbrecht, and Wilma (Peter) Doerksen, all of Winnipeg, and three sisters-in-law, Grace Unger of White Rock, B.C., Margaret Friesen and Nettie Unger of Steinbach. She was predeceased by her husband. Rev. Abe R Unger; two sons, John and Pe ter; one granddaughter, Jacqueline Unger; as well as her parents, four brothers and five sisters. Mom was bom May 13, 1913 to John R. and Anna Toews, the first daughter in a fam ily of 13 children. She keenly felt her re sponsibility to help in the care of her sib lings. She married our father, Abe R Unger, on May 15, 1932, at the age of 19. Together they had eight children. She filled her days being a loving wife and mother and, later, a doting grandmother. She served faithfully in the ministry to gether with our father for many years and provided wonderful hospitality on numer ous occasions. She was a good Christicin example to her children and often spoke of her faith to each of us. She loved her flower and vegetable gardens and canned wonderful preserves, which she shared with all of us. The funeral service was held at the Prairie Rose EMC in Landmark, Man., Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Michael Plett and Rev. Edwin Plett officiating. Inter ment was held in the church cemetery. The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff at Rest Haven Nursing Home for their loving and patient care of our mother during the last eight years of her life. Her Family

PAGE 13

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WE ACCEPT

GIESBRECHT-UNRAU - to Henry Giesbrecht and Mary Unrau of Kleefeld, Man., a daughter, Salena Marie, on March 27, 2001. THIESSEN - to Joe and Corinne Thiessen of Steinbach, Man., a daughter, Mersadie Jade, on March 29, 2001. PENNER - to Rick and Doreen Penner of Steinbach, Man., a daughter, Kiersten Breanne, on May 14, 2001.

ALL DENOMINATIONS.

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ENNS - to Eric and Carol Enns of Steinbach, Man., a daughter, Coralee Jene, on May 24, 2001.

Total enclosed

BERGEN - to Marvin and Jocelyn Bergen of Steinbach, Man., a daughter, Taylor Faith, on June 12, 2001. SEAFOOT - to Derek and Dawn Seafoot of Hudson Bay, Sask., a son, Tanner Storm, on June 12. 2001. MANN - to Danny and Marilyn Mann of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Dawson James, on June 25. 2001. UNGER - to Travis and Stephanie Unger of Winnipeg. Man., a son. Shadrach Joel, on July 8. 2001. DYCK - to Cory and Joanne Dyck of Steinbach. Man., a daughter. Bronwyn Jory. on July 20. 2001. BERGEN - to Wes and Lisa Bergen of Kleefeld. Man., a son. Lucas Joshua Seth, on August 6. 2001. WIEBE - to Roy and Jessica Wiebe of La Crete. Alta., a daughter. Isabelle Marilyn, on August 6. 2001. HILDEBRAND - to Patrick and Chantell Hildebrand of Steinbach. Man., a daughter. Isabella Jean, on August 12. 2001. FRIESEN - to Elroy and Heidi Friesen of Winnipeg. Man., a daughter. Isabel Laura Marie, on August 14. 2001. FROESE - to Abe and Nettie Froese of Aylmer. Ont., a daughter. Kayla Nicole, on August 15. 2001. LEYS - to Scot and Sheila Leys of High Level. Alta., a daughter. Kara Mackenzie, on August 15. 2001. DYCK - to Arnie and Lisa Dyck of High Level. Alta., a son. Dustin Jacob, on August 16. 2001. WADE - to Nick and Marianne Wade of High Level. Alta., a daughter. Alexandra Lauren, on August 16. 2001. WIEBE - to Phil and Tina Wiebe of Aylmer. Ont., a daughter. Kassie Brenda Lee. on August 28. 2001. WIEBE - to Willy and Esther Wiebe of La Crete. Alta., a daughter. Rachel Deanne. on September 12. 2001. PETERS - to Darrell and Cheryl Peters of Steinbach. Man., a son. Tomas Jordan, on September 17. 2001.

Return to: Melanie Frayle, PO. Box 8, Grp. 18, R.R.1, Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0 (cheques payable to Melanie Frayle) Phone: 204-355-4060

FEHR - to George and Karen Fehr of High Level. Alta., a daughter. Morgan Samantha, on September 18. 2001. THIESSEN - to Mike and Melissa Thiessen of Steinbach. Man., a daughter Gabriela Marie, on September 21. 2001.

Creative donated by AdFarm/Creative Cote 0901 255 0626

Morweena Apartments Open House Morweena EMC invites everyone to tour their 55+ apartment complex in Morweena on Saturday, November 10, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Members of the apartment committee will be on hand. The life-lease complex is located next to Morweena church. Refreshments will be served. For information, contact committee member Ed Reimer at 204-372-6923.

Food for Fun and Fellowship is back! Did you think they were gone for good? Your last chance had disappeared? You were sadly missing out?

Well, think again! Featuring around 600 recipes from the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Food for Fun and Fellowship, first printed in 1998, is back. You can once again get your copies at the Conference office in Steinbach, Hull’s Family Bookstore in Steinbach and in Winnipeg (as of Nov. 1), or use this form to order your copies by mail. (Cookbook orders received before Dec. 7 will be shipped by the IO”, allowing two weeks to get to you for Christmas giving.)

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Phone: Church:

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books at $14.00 each

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PAGE 14

Shipping and Handling: To Manitoba or Saskatchewan: 1-3 books $4.50, 4 or more books $5.80 To Alberta or Ontario: 1-3 books $6.00, 4 or more books $7.00 To B.C. or Quebec: 1-3 books $6.80, 4 or more books $8.20

THE MESSENGER

Wynyard Gospel Church (EMMC), located in southern Saskatchewan, seeks a full-time pas tor with an appreciation for small-town, rural life. The congregation averages 40 to 50 on Sunday morning, and comes from various church and cultural backgrounds. A pastor who could do well would be strong at visiting and relating to people, be able in preaching and teaching, and have at least limited administra tive ability. The pastorate is currently available, with a flexible starting time. Contact Dennis Dell, congregational chairperson, by phone 306-554-3117, fax 306-554-3118, or Box 371, Wynyard, SK SOA 4T0. Taber EMC seeks a youth pastor who under stands Low German but will minister mostly in English. This is a tent-making position with some remuneration. Contact Pastor Edwin Pleft at 403-223-1418 (office) or 403-223-1726 at Taber, Alberta.

Rosenort Fellowship Chapel (EMC) in Rosenort, MB, invites applications for a full-time senior pastor. Send resumes to Kel Zacharias, Box 203, Rosenort, MB ROG IWO, phone 204-7462866 (home) or 895-1412 (work), or e-mail: zachs@mb.sympatico.ca. Mennville EMC is searching for a pastor. Mennville is located approximately 10 miles north of Riverton, MB, with a regular Sunday morning attendance of 125-150 people. This position is open on either a half- or full-time support basis, beginning July 2001. Housing is available, with a K-10 school within walk ing distance. Forward applications or information re quests to: Terry Dueck, Box 433, Riverton, MB ROC 2R0, phone 204-378-2257 or Roland Friesen, Box 826, Arborg, MB ROC OAO, 204378-2907 (evening) or e-mail rfrlesen@riv.mb.ca

Crestview Fellowship (EMC) in Winnipeg, MB invites applications for a full-time pastor. Send resumeto Alex Wiebe Board Chairman, c/o Crestview Fellowship Church, 271 Hamilton Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2Y OHS, phone 204-3532780 (home) or 204-982-0322 (work), or e-mail alwiebe@escape.ca Kleeteld EMC, in Kleeteld, Man., is looking tor an associate pastor to primarily work with the youth program in a support and relational capacity. Other duties include Christian education and music ministry, with minimal administrative duties. Please direct applications and inquiries to Dean Kamstra, Box 21, Kleeteld, MB ROA OVO or dkamstra@ellteswine.com

Red Rock Bible Camp, in southeastern Mani toba, seeks a year-round maintenance direc tor. Experience and training in maintenance and construction industry is preferred. Agree ment with the camp’s mission and statement of faith is necessary. Must be service oriented, work well with people, and be a team player. Housing, partial board, salary, medical and dental benefits provided. Send resume to RRBC, Box 790, Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0. Phone: 204OCTOBER 17. 2001

326-9784. Fax: 204-326-1387. rrbc@redrockbiblecamp.com

E-mail:

Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support re quires a community development worker to work with volunteers to design and co ordinate community support programs for refugee claimants in Kitchener-Waterloo, On tario. MCRS has supported refugee claim ants in Kitchener-Waterloo for over 15 years. Main duties will be recruiting and training volunteers: working with refugee claimants, community and government agencies; ad vocacy; and public education. Desired quali fications include volunteer co-ordination ex perience, ability to work on many projects simultaneously, cultural sensitivity, strong in terpersonal skills and strong personal support network, basic computer skills, and fluency In English (other languages an asset). This fulltime (part-time possible) position is to start December 1. For more information contact Cathy Woolner at MCC Ontario, 519-745-8485, or MCRS 01519-571-1912

Camp Ames is looking to hire a full-time cook for its year-round ministry. If interested please call 204-338-4647. Mennonite Economic Development Associ ates (MEDA) invites applications for a presi dent. MEDA is an association of Christians, in business and professions that share their faith, abilities, and resources to address human needs through economic development. MEDA brings hope, opportunity and eco nomic well being to low-income people around the world, through a business-oriented approach to development. The President serves as the CEO and is re sponsible for carrying forward the policies and directions of the MEDA Board of Direc tors. The President gives overall direction by serving as the primary liaison between the board and staff; coordinates vision; articu lates goals; enables and encourages staff; monitors progress; sets the tone for the work ing environment and safeguards assets. The position will Involve frequent travel and will be based In one of MEDA’s North American offices (Waterloo, Ont.; Winnipeg, Man.; or Lancaster, PA). The start date is flexible, ide ally to begin in mid-2002. Qualifications: senior management expe rience; an understanding of MEDA’s organi zational culture, goals and objectives (includ ing a strong Anabaptist faith commitment, ideally within a Mennonite community), and ability to integrate faith into business and de velopment; economic development expe rience, particularly in an international con text; strong business experience; an under standing of marketing/fundraising, ideally with experience directing these types of activi ties; experience working with a membership association is an asset. Please send your resume to: Presidential Search Committee c/o Kim Pityn fax: (519) 725-9083; e-mail: kpityn@meda.org

Fish Creek Christian Fellowship building fund established A building fund has been established by the Fish Creek Christian Fellowship (EMC) in Calgary, Alberta. The congregation in southeast Calgary is ex cited about how God is using them as part of His great plan to enlarge his Kingdom. The congregation is three years old. It has grown to sixty people or more on a particular Sunday, while currently meeting in a strip mall. Fish Creek is confident that the Lord will con tinue to bring to them spiritually needy people. Therefore, they seek a larger meeting place. Their fund-raising goal is $100,000. This build ing fund is an important step before proceed ing with purchase of a property. Would you seek God’s will in sharing your finances with the Fish Creek congregation as they seek to develop their building fund? We ask only for your gifts as the Holy Spirit leads you. Thank you for your kind consideration. Contact Garry Kornelsen, building commit tee chair, at 403-281-3747 or 403-569-8282. Contributions may be forwarded to the Confer ence office, designated to the Fish Creek Build ing Fund. EMC Board of Trustees

Coming Events November 4 International Day of Prayer for the Persecute Church Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Your church Phone:613-233-9868 Nov. 5 to March 25 Adult Co-ed Indoor Soccer Steinbach Bible College, Monday evenings Phone:204-326-6451 (Corrie Thiessen)

November 9-11 17* annual EMCup Hockey Tournament Steinbach/Mitchell, Man. Phone: 204-326-6503 November 15-17 Second National Congress Church Planting Canada Igniting our passion for the lost Montreal. Que. www.outreach.ca/cpc

November 30 EMC Ministerial Preaching in the Post-Modem Era Prairie Grove Fellowship Chapel Lorette, Man. Phone: 204-326-6401

December 1 EMC Conference Council Applying Anabaptist theology to the present world situation Anola Fellowship Chapel Anola, Man. Phone: 204-326-6401

PAGE 15

Kenya

The mysterious immigration official THE COACH to Kenya pulled up in front of a Tanzanian hotel where two Congo lese men and their families waited to board. “Hey, what are you doing here?” shouted the shocked driver. The two men, Abati and Danga, stepped back in aston ishment. “We have return tickets to Kenya,” they explained. “Surely you re member us from last week.” “1 remember you just fine, but I heard that you were thrown into prison a few days ago.” The men blanched at the enormity of what the driver was saying. The situation was even worse than they had thought. Would their God look after them? Would He bring them safely back to Nairobi de spite all indications that the border was closed to them? For the past year the two men had been studying English in Kenya as part of their Bible translation training. The visa compli cations had been unending, culminating in this emergency trip to a neighbouring country. When they and their families boarded the bus in Nairobi a week ago they had expected some difficulties, but nothing compared to this. The border official’s threats when they left Kenya last week, were still ringing in their ears. “Why are you in Kenya?” he had raged. “Go home to Congo where you belong! I never want to see you again.” Had he intended to report them to the authorities and have them imprisoned? Last night Abati and Danga had met in their hotel room to discuss what they should do. They had agreed that, as Christians, they would not pay a bribe to re-enter Kenya, even if it meant spending the night on the hard ground. Abati’s fear was palpable as he boarded the bus. Would the same official be wait ing for them at the border crossing? Would he ask for exorbitant bribes, deny entrance to Kenya or imprison them? Questions raced through his mind and he prayed to God for strength, hoping against hope that there would be a differ ent official at the border. God had brought him and Danga through so many difficul ties in order to study English in Nairobia to improve their translation skills. Surely His power was enough to see them through this as well. Unknown to him, at that very

moment his SIL colleagues in Nairobi were praying that God would miraculously open the border to the families in a manner honouring to His name, specifically with out bribes. The bus barreled steadily down the road, every hour bringing them closer to the dreaded border crossing. All too soon they arrived and the passengers straggled into a line at the immigration window. Abati and Danga nervously clutched their pa pers. Horror and dismay curled in their stomachs when they saw the border offi cial serving the passengers. It was the same official who had threatened them a week ago. All seemed lost. Then, out of the back room appeared a senior looking official, wearing an air of unquestionable authority. He looked down the line and beckoned Abati and Danga to the front. Frantic thoughts tum bled in their heads as they tried to formu late a coherent request for a visa. Without waiting to hear what the men wanted, the senior official turned to the scowling subordinate at his side. “Give these men tourist visas immediately,” he commanded. Abati and Danga shoved their papers through the window with trembling hands. “Quickly! Do it faster,” the official reproved his underling. “Give it to them now.” The subordinate was vis ibly angry but scrambled to do his boss’s bidding. Hardly believing what was hap pening, Abati and Danga paid the required visa costs and slowly walked over to the bus and their waiting families. Behind them, the angel disappeared into the back room of the tiny immigration office. Beth Koehler

Beth and Loren Koehler (Steinbach) are involved in Bible translation. Because of political unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they currently live In Kenya, East Africa.

SBC’s Module Three starts Nov. 5 Steinbach Bible College’s module three runs from November 5 to De cember 14. Courses offered include Interpreting the Bible, Introduction to Counselling, Church Planting, In troduction to Philosophy, Communi cations, Homiletics, Hebrews, and Theology 1. For information call 204326-6451 or 800-230-8478 or www.sbcollege.mb.ca SBC

I?*" annual EMCup Hockey Tournament November 9-11, 2001 We have 20 teams this year! Gaines in Sleinhaeh, Mitehell and La Bro(|uerie. Man. Toollies for Nienragua Phone 204-326-6503 or e-mail rdyekl2(g hoine.eoin

Do you have a story for The Personal Touch? It must be a true account (although names may be changed, if necessary) illustrating the Christian life or character. Send your 700-word story and a photograph of yourself or suggestion for a story to the address below. PAGE 16 RE .T MERi

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305 MB

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THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference Box 1268, 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0