Gathering shorts

Overheard

A staff member related that on her plane trip to the convention she was seated next to a young man who was watching a mature-rated, sexually explicit movie on his laptop computer. At the convention she saw the contrast – young men who were pastors and associate pastors, excited about the discussions and decision-making opportunities within the context of God’s Kingdom.

Meeting old friends

Jack To (Mountainview Grace Church, Calgary) and Valerie Yiu (Pacific Grace MB Church, Vancouver) know each other from school days. They enjoy conventions for the chance to connect with old friends. Valerie said she benefited from the leadership seminar at recharge. Important to Jack is the healthy church emphasis of the Conference.

Encouragement

Gwendolyn Schellenberg (Hepburn MB Church, Hepburn, Sask.) has been to a few conventions and what she particularly likes about them is visiting with people – being able to encourage them and be encouraged by them.

Getting new people in

Vineland (Ont.) MB Church invited members who were new to their congregation or the denomination to be delegates to Gathering 2004. Although church musician and pastor’s wife Annie Schulz has often attended conventions, she said it was exciting to “learn through the new ears and new eyes” of these first-time delegates.

MB Biblical Seminary

Cal Bergen, chair of MBBS board, hosted a reception following the Thursday evening service to celebrate the beginning of the 50th year of ministry at the Seminary. The convention also formally approved the appointment of Jim Holm as Seminary president.

Prayer chapel

More than 50 people used the prayer chapel of Gathering 2004, said organizer Sherryl Koop. The chapel had five “stations” including guides to: praying for others; praying about life’s storms and finding rest in Christ; confession; gratitude; being a light, and the names of God.

Three’s company

Pictured, left to right: Ernest Dyck (Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg) really enjoyed speaker Reggie McNeal. Jean-Raymond Théorêt (Église Chrétienne Évangelique de Ste-Rose, Laval, Que.), who figures he frequently gets cornered for a quote for the Herald, said he enjoyed the “entertaining and informative” DM and BFL presentations. Mark Johnson (Glencairn MB Church, Kitchener, Ont.) appreciated the wonderful opportunities to connect with people offered by the new convention venue. The breakout discussions, he found, spilled easily into the hallways afterwards.

Not veggies

Andrew Dyck (King Road MB Church, Abbotsford) said he came to Gathering 2004 looking for “meaty theological discussion.” It’s important to define Mennonite Brethren theology in Canada, he said, especially since the dissolution of the General Conference.

Her last convention

Margaret Wiens (Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford) is 86 and says this is her last convention. She has been to many over the years and is very interested in what’s going on in the Conference, but she’s had both hips replaced and finds it increasingly difficult to get around.

Events planner Bruce Elwood of Kelowna, B.C. got up at five in the morning the day of his flight to Toronto to harvest and package bulrushes to take along for the stage set. Imagine his surprise when he looked out of his window at the Gathering 2004 hotel and saw a very long ditch – full of bulrushes! He consoled himself for his trouble by noting that the B.C. bulrushes were larger than the local ones.

Q: What do Laura Kalmar, chair of the ex-Board of Discipleship Ministries, and Walter Unger, chair of the Board of Faith and Life, have in common (besides their interesting dialogue at Gathering 2004 to present their respective ministries)?

A. When they get the MB Herald, they read Letters first.

“Gathering 2004 was a great demonstration of respectful, civilized processing of varying and sometimes conflicting points of view.”

—Menno Martens, Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, Sask.

“My experience was a mix – excellent but also strong reservations.”

—Ed Boldt, Kitchener (Ont.) MB Church

“I like the direction and emphasis of the Canadian MB Conference.”

—Wink Farrand, The Dwelling Place, Kitchener, Ont.

“Gathering 2004 was a rich entrance into the landscape of our Mennonite Brethren people!”

—Connie Epp, River East MB Church, Winnipeg