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An estimated 1,000 blankets were spread across the Supreme Court of Canada’s lawn in Ottawa on June 21 to mark National Aboriginal Day and the symbolic return of land to North American First Nations people. The blankets were collected from church, Aboriginal and community groups across Canada and sent by train to the nation’s capital. Representatives of Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Church Canada were among those in attendance. The event was part of a national jubilee petition campaign calling on the federal government to establish an independent commission to implement Aboriginal land rights. Dave Dyck, executive director of MCC Canada, joined other church and community leaders in signing the petition during the ceremony. Former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Ovide Mercredi spoke to the crowd of over 170 about the significance of the Supreme Court in the recognition of Aboriginal rights. – Mennonite Central Committee Canada
A prayer retreat led by Arthur Boers, will be held at Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre, Lindell Beach, B.C., Oct. 26–28. Cost is $150, and registration is limited to 40 persons. Boers is a Mennonite pastor from Ontario and a Benedictine oblate. The retreat, “Burning Bushes: God’s Call and the Life of Prayer”, will be “shaped by ancient rhythms of Christian prayer and worship.” Worship will be led by Andrew Dyck, associate pastor at King Road MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. More information is available from George H. Epp, 50250 Prairie Central Road, Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 6H4, phone 604-794-7213.
Mennonite Health Services and MCC Canada Mental Health and Disabilities Program invite graduate students pursuing careers in the mental health fields in both Canada and the US to apply for scholarships. The $1000–$1200 US scholarships, to be awarded in spring for the 2002–03 academic year, are available from the Elmer Ediger Memorial Scholarship Fund. For applications, write to Wendy Rohn, Mennonite Health Services, 234 South Main St., Suite A, Goshen, IN 46526, phone 219-534-9689 or visit MHS’s Web site. – Mennonite Health Services
Murrayville Community Church in Langley, B.C. is moving its worship services to H.D. Stafford School, 20441 Grade Cres., Langley. The move became necessary because the congregation has grown 20% in the past year and outgrown its previous meeting place. The congregation will hold its first meeting in the new location on Sept. 16. – Murrayville Community Church
This year’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is Sunday, Nov. 4. The World Evangelical Fellowship estimates that 200 million Christians in more than 60 countries face potential arrest, torture and even death because of their faith in Christ. IDOP Canada produces resources for churches to mark this day. IDOP’s new Web site offers information on religious persecution around the world, access to resources and prayer alerts. Formed in 1997, IDOP Canada is a partnership of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Religious Liberty Commission, Open Doors with Brother Andrew (Canada), Voice of the Martyrs (Canada), The Bible League and Partners International, Canada. – Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
“Business as a Calling” is the theme of this year’s Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) annual convention to be held Nov. 1–4 in Chicago. Keynote speakers include Richard C. Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary, speaking on “Called to Serve God: How Christian businesspeople can be ministers in the marketplace”; Don Eberly, deputy assistant to US President George W. Bush and deputy director of the White House Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, speaking on “Called to Serve Together: How faith-based groups and governments can work together to build a better world”; Amy Domini, president of Domini Social Equity Funds, speaking on “Called to be Responsible Investors: How Christian businesspeople can make a difference with their money”; Roberta Hestenes, minister at large for World Vision International and World Vision USA., speaking on “Called to Serve the World: How Christian businesspeople can help the poor”; and comedians Ted & Lee. Seminars offered at the convention include “Business and Mission”, “How to Turn around a Distressed Business”, “Socially Responsible Investing”, “Juggling Family and Work”, “A Spouse’s View of Business and Marriage”, “Christians Examine the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and “A Christ-Centred Business – an Oxymoron?” MEDA will also host a separate seminar “Poor Farmers and Globilization: How Can the Poor Benefit From International Agribusiness?” on Oct. 31 just before the MEDA convention. Senior representatives from Latin American governments, multinational agro-marketing companies and international development organizations will address this theme, with staff from MEDA and other development agencies in various countries responding from the perspective of the overseas farmers with whom they work. – Mennonite Economic Development Associates
Afghanistan’s Islamic Taliban regime threatened Sept. 5 to execute eight foreign Christian relief workers who are being held for allegedly spreading Christianity in that country. Eight staff members of Shelter Now International (SNI) – two Americans, four Germans and two Australians – were arrested Aug. 5. Sixteen nationals were also arrested. Western diplomats and the parents of the two Americans were allowed to visit with the imprisoned aid workers Aug. 27. They were reported to be in good condition. Earlier Taliban officials had suggested that the eight workers could be expelled after serving an unspecified jail term. Diplomats from Australia, Germany and the US said they would continue to negotiate with the Taliban for the release of the workers. On Aug. 31, the Taliban expelled two other Christian relief organizations from the country – International Assistance Mission (IAM) and Serving Emergency Relief and Vocational Enterprises (SERVE), accusing them of “links of cooperation” with SNI. Another agency, Partners in Aviation and Communications Technology, chose to remove its staff from the country in order to ensure their safety. – Assist News Service, Evangelical Press News Service, Compass Direct
“At Such A Time As This: Anabaptists in Colombia and Canada Respond to God’s Call for Peace in Colombia” is a “Peace Sunday” packet that focuses on the peace witness of the Anabaptist–Mennonite churches in Colombia. The peace packet, prepared annually by Mennonite Central Committee Canada, is designed to be used by congregations on or around Nov. 11. The packet includes worship materials (prayers, litanies, sermon notes and an order of service), stories and information about Colombia and its people, suggestions for further study and action, a one-week devotional guide, and a bulletin cover. The peace packet is available from the provincial MCC offices. – MCC Canada
The Hispanic congregations of the Pacific District MB Conference meet together twice annually. The first assembly this year, May 25–26 in southern California, attracted 350 people, mostly from the 13 churches in that area, and focused on spiritual renewal. Fermin and Fermin Garcia of Tijuana, Baja California, a father and son team who pastor a large church of about 5,000, addressed the theme, “The harvest is ready to reap”. Business (including the election of representatives to Pacific District Conference boards) was conducted at the Hispanic Council Assembly, July 21 in Shafter, Calif. Of the 101 churches that make up the Pacific District Conference, 32 are Hispanic; they are spread across three states, California, Oregon and Washington. – The Christian Leader
2.5 million Canadians had trouble putting food on the table at least once in 1998–99, according to Statistics Canada. Another half-million people worried that they would not have enough to eat due to a lack of money. These findings are based on a survey of nearly 50,000 people, which found that people in food-insecure households were more likely to report poor health, distress, depression and obesity. The steady 20-year rise in food bank use reached an all-time high in March 2000 with 726,902 Canadians receiving emergency groceries. – The Ottawa Citizen, EFC
The Indian government is considering reinstating a controversial law that would require Indians hosting foreigners to check in regularly with police. Critics say the 1971 law could greatly limit the work of Christian missionaries in India. If the law is reinstated, the visas of all foreign missionaries would likely be reviewed by India’s intelligence agencies. Hindu extremists within the Indian government have recently lobbied the government to force all Christian churches in India into a centralized state church and to expel all foreign missionaries from India. – Evangelical Press News Service
Booksellers in Turkmenistan have been ordered by a government agency to stop stocking copies of the Bible. It has not known which agency ordered the ban. There also have been reports that the religious texts of the Ba’hai faith and Hare Krishnas have been removed from bookshelves. Even the Russian Orthodox Church, which is allowed to operate within the country, has been affected by the recent ban. However, no restrictions have been placed on the Koran, the holy book of Islam. Turkmenistan’s population is over 75% Muslim. – EPNS
Zondervan Publishing has announced it is making Philip Yancey’s Where is God When it Hurts available at a reduced price ($6.99US) to help those grieving over recent tragedies. All author royalties and company profits will go to the American Red Cross. Zondervan will cover the entire cost for consumers who want the book but can’t afford it. A special print run of 700,000 books has been ordered and will be available at major booksellers and Wal-Mart.
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Last modified October 6, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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