People & events

NHL Hall of Famer Roger Neilson, 69, died of cancer June 21. Head coach of 10 National Hockey League clubs over his career, Neilson was known for “quirky strategies” against opponents, pioneering use of videos in game preparation, colourful ties, and his unapologetic and winsome Christian faith.

—Canoe, Globe & Mail

Bill C-250, a controversial bill before the Canadian parliament regarding hate speech and homosexuality, has been delayed until September. Introduced in May, the bill would amend Canada’s criminal code to add sexual orientation to groups protected from “hate speech”. Critics fear that if the law passes, expressions of disapproval of homosexual practice or citing the Bible against it could be defined as promoting hatred.

—Evangelical Press News

Canadians strongly believe media can contribute to religious tolerance, but two-thirds (63%) of those who regularly attend religious services feel media do a poor job covering faith and religion, according to a new Ipsos–Reid poll conducted for the Calgary-based Centre for Faith and Media. These perceptions remain unchanged from a similar survey in 1998. The poll can be viewed at the Ipsos-Reid website.

—Centre for Faith and the Media

Four American Mennonite colleges had their largest graduating classes ever this year: Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. (140); Bluffton (Ohio) College (268); Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va. (400); Fresno (Calif.) Pacific University (506). Mennonites run 7 colleges and 3 seminaries in the United States; over 1870 students graduated this spring.

—Mennonite Weekly Review

Alliance for Life Ontario is raising money for a massive 13-week television ad campaign against abortion January to March 2004. Abortion rates have dropped significantly in areas where the ads, produced by the US-based Vitae Caring Foundation, have been used. They target women aged 18–34 with “right brain” or feeling-based messages.

—Western Catholic Reporter

A first attempt to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in 1973 was quickly dismissed by Judge David Godbey in Dallas, Texas June 19. Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” of the case, who changed her mind about abortion and is seeking a reversal of the decades-old decision, says she and her lawyer will appeal Godbey’s ruling.

—Evangelical Press News

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which claims to be fighting to establish a Christian theocracy in Uganda, is anything but Christian, according to Elizabeth Kendal of the World Evangelical Alliance. Although media often refer to the LRA as a “fundamentalist Christian group”, its trademarks are torture, kidnapping of children, and concerted attacks on Catholics in the country.

—Evangelical Press News

European Mennonites in seven countries collected nearly 7,000 relief kits to assist families in Iraq. The “Aussiedler” community of Bielefeld, Germany, for example, filled nearly 2,000 of the Mennonite Central Committee kits (consisting of items like toothbrushes and paste, towels, soap and bandages) and gathered for a dedication ceremony before the container was shipped.

—MCC News

A record number of applicants to Providence College in Otterburne, Man. this fall is behind the construction of a new four-plex dormitory for 30 students. The increase in enrollment is attributed to Ontario’s “double cohort” of high school grads this year and strategic efforts in recruitment, marketing and student services.

—Providence College Release

The Vietnamese government claims a policy of religious freedom, but Christians experience harassment and persecution. The Mennonite church of Vietnam, established in the 1960s, had its properties confiscated and were not permitted to meet. It has maintained its identify and grown. Independently, a Mennonite house fellowship movement began several years ago. This group is also experiencing resistance.

—Mennonite World Conference News

174 people participated in 21 Christian Peacemaker Teams delegations in 2002. Seven delegations went to Palestine/Israel, four to Colombia, three to Iraq, two each to Puerto Rico and Ontario, and one each to South Dakota, B.C., and New York.

—CPT annual report

Swiss Reformed leaders washed the feet of a delegation of Amish and Mennonites, and apologized for persecuting Anabaptists during the Reformation era. The “emotional display of contrition” occurred in a “Heal Our Land” conference in Wintherthur, Swit., May 1–4. “This was not a political event but a spiritual intercession,” said U.S. participant Janet Richards. “We held to the cross the division and the rejection . . . in the spiritual realm.”

—Mennonite Weekly Review

Workers in prison ministries in Alberta and Uganda met during a Mennonite Central Committee “learning tour” to Africa this spring. Ex-prisoner Norm Bourget, who runs support groups for prisoners through MCC Alberta’s Community Justice Ministries, and six colleagues, learned first-hand the struggles Ugandans face, especially HIV/AIDS and an ongoing civil war. They were impressed with the energy in churches and other organizations in spite of severe problems. Two Ugandan workers will visit Alberta in October.

—MCC News

Mennonite World Conference registration is up despite the political unrest. One month before the 14th Assembly Gathered in Bulawayo meets, more than 6500 Mennonites and Brethren in Christ from around the world had registered. Canada has 247 registrants and the US has 706.

—MWC news release

Mennonite World Conference will have a choice of events planned specifically for women. There will be a meeting for women theologians, as well as workshops each afternoon on topics of particular interest to women. Some of the topics to be covered are “The Apostle Paul’s women co-workers”; “Domestic violence” and a workshop on producing Bible study booklets on women’s and family issues.

—MWC news release