People & events

The Centre for MB Studies has revamped its website. Besides its finding aids to a vast collection of personal and MB Conference materials, the site will feature a photo and article, changed monthly. The photos are chosen from a stock of over 17,000 and the articles will be a variety of inspirational and news reports.

—Centre for MB Studies release

Japan holds the lead among industrialized nations in its dwindling fertility rates and aging population. Its work force peaked in 1998 and the decline is expected to accelerate. By mid-century, demographers say, Japan will have 30 percent fewer people. Notions of ethnic purity and hostility toward long-term immigrants make change through immigration unlikely.

—World Pulse

The Mennonite Mission Health Association (MMHA) approved projects totalling $195,000 (US), for assistance to the MB Medical Centre in Jadcherla, India, as well as a health clinic and other projects in Kinshasa, Congo, at board meetings in Denver Oct. 24–25. The MMHA is an associate of Mennonite professionals interested in helping former Mennonite health care institutions in the developing world with resources and short-term medical assistance. Anyone interested in being involved should call Dr. Peter J. Block at 306-343-0035.

—MBMSI release

Hopes that China’s new government led by President Hu Jintao would lessen repression of religious believers appear to be premature. Unregistered house churches are harassed, their members fined, and leaders sent without trial to “re-education through labour.” The new communist party is pursuing economic reform, but remains opposed to freedom of speech and religious freedom.

—Compass News

Confidential counselling for pastors and spouses is now available by telephone. Director of Clergy Care at Focus on the Family (Canada), Geof Cornelsen, says a newly-launched 1-888-5-CLERGY service provides a first step for leaders suffering from stress and other pressures. It’s a “refuge” of experience and resources “for everyone impacted by the unique responsibility of being in a ministry family.”

—Focus on the Family release

Programs in peacemaking are underway in several countries through the efforts of the Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies at Fresno (Cal.) Pacific University. FPU graduate Pascal Kulungu, active in peacemaking work in Congo, and other Congolese Mennonite Brethren have a vision for a peace centre for French-speaking Africa in Kinshasa. Peacemaking programs or centres are also in the works for the Mennonite Brethren Centenary Bible College in Shamshabad, India and at Lithuania Christian College in Lithuania.

—Global Bridge Newsletter

Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM) is re-shaping itself as three of its six partners (including MB Mission and Service International) are withdrawing. Founded in 1912 as Congo Inland Mission, AIMM will change from a North American mission agency to a partnership between Mennonite churches of Africa and North America. Decisions will be made in Africa. Remaining as partners are Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Church Canada, and the Evangelical Mennonite Conference (of Canada).

—Mennonite Weekly Review

Correction: The above item was based on a news article in Mennonite Weekly Review that AIMM’s David Dyck says contained “substantive changes” from the article he had submitted. Although three of six partners, including MBMSI, have withdrawn, Dyck emphasizes that this withdrawal is from the “old” AIMM, and that one or more of them may partner with the “new” AIMM again in the future. The “real news,” he says, is not the three groups’ withdrawal, but the unique way in which the mission agency is re-creating itself.

The Russian Orthodox Church announced Nov. 17 it is suspending ties with the U.S. Episcopal Church over its consecration of an openly gay bishop. The two church groups created a Joint Coordinating Committee in the 1990s, but that work has been halted. The Anglican Church of Uganda, the second largest Anglican community in Africa, representing at least 8 million of the country’s 24 million people, has also severed all ties with the U.S. Episcopal church.

—Evangelical Press News

Christians in Southern Africa held a “National Day of Prayer” for peace and stability in Zimbabwe on Nov. 16. A group of church leaders from the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (including the Brethren in Christ Church) and Anglican and Catholic churches has formed the Solidarity Peace Trust, which is committed to pursue justice, peace, social equality, and to assist victims of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.

—Mennonite World Conference release

The 18th Mennonite Youth Conference held at Groningen, the Netherlands, Oct. 23–26, considered the theme of going against the stream. “Counter current is possibly the shortest summary of what biblical faith is all about,” said Hank Leegte in his opening. Some 95 youth and youth leaders from Germany, Switzerland, USA, Canada, and the Netherlands participated, as well as 30 in the preparation team from the Netherlands.

—Mennonite World Conference release

The Global Mission Fellowship of Anabaptist-Related Churches Planning Committee, charged with implementing the actions of the fellowship inaugurated at the Mennonite World Conference this summer, met for the first time Dec. 10–14 in Strasbourg, France. It ratified the appointment of Peter Rempel, Winnipeg, who works part-time for Mennonite Church Canada, as part-time GMF staff person. The committee chair is Javier Soler, representing Latin America; vice-chair is Johannes Reimer, representing Europe.

—Mennonite World Conference release

Fair funding for parents who send their children to private religious schools is the focus of recent briefs by Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) to the Ontario government, which proposes to end the Equity in Education Tax Credit established by the Harris government. Janet Epp Buckingham, Director, Law and Public Policy of the EFC, urges that the government “not sacrifice the human rights of a minority group in seeking to balance the budget.”

—EFC release

Emergency aid from Mennonite Central Committee is going to Uganda as conflict there escalates. More than a million people are internally displaced. Money will be provided through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to purchase food locally for up to 90,000 people in camps in two areas. Seeds and tools may be provided later. MCC is also providing $66,000 Cdn. for Ugandan religious leaders to work with rebels who wish to leave the fighting.

—MCC News