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Tabea Block passed away shortly after surgeons separated her from conjoined twin sister Lea on Sept. 16. Assuming no further complications, lead surgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson expects Lea to “lead a normal, independent life.” Mennonite parents Peter and Nelly Block of Lemgo, Germany refused to have an abortion on learning during pregnancy that the twins shared major blood vessels at the tops of their heads.
—Mennonite Weekly Review
Youth in Abbotsford public schools are forming on-campus prayer groups and organizing rallies encouraging students to ask for God’s help when hurting. Local principals encourage the teen initiatives; Youth For Christ, Canada Fire, and Quest videos provide resources. The youth are also responding to social needs. In today’s youth culture, YFC director Andy Harrington says, “it’s doing” that’s important.
—Faith Today
Hispanic and Haitian Mennonite and Brethren in Christ congregations are distributing meat provided by Mennonite Central Committee to needy families in South Florida and Alabama. Farm labourers, including many immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean, cannot find work due to hurricane-damaged crops. A total of 25,000 cans of meat is going to the region.
—MCC News
An oak tree planted from an acorn that fell from the “hundred-year-old oak” tree in Khortitsa, Russia is the focal point of a Russian Mennonite Memorial Garden at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ont., dedicated Oct. 17. The garden honours the experience of Mennonites who suffered and died under Stalin in the Soviet Union and is a place for “contemplative reflection.”
—Conrad Grebel release
SOOP (Service Opportunities for Older People) is a Mennonite Central Committee program that provides adults with an opportunity to vacation and serve. There are more than 50 locations in North America where adults can use their talents and wisdom to make a difference. Call Carolyn Nance at MCC Canada, 1-888-622-6337, for more information.
—MCC Canada
The Beslan hostage tragedy involved many Christian and pastor’s families, according to reports received by Logos Canada, which works in the Soviet Union. Some of the victims had attended Christian camps in the region and accepted Christ into their hearts. Reports describe inspiring faith. The mother of a boy who was killed said, “I am not nursing hatred, because I know that hatred begets hatred.”
—Logos Canada Newsletter
Seven representatives of major Christian churches met with Immigration Minister Judy Sgro Sept. 29 to discuss urgent issues of justice for refugees. MCC representative William Janzen spoke of the need to shorten the time, now averaging 2 years, needed to approve private refugee sponsorships. Minister Sgro and the church leaders agreed to meet again.
—Kairos
Hilda Whealy, the first Canadian woman to join Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT), died at 95 Sept. 17 in Weston, Ont. She and her husband Herbert joined Wycliffe to translate in Mexico, the 99th and 100th workers in the organization. WBT has grown to nearly 5,300 people working in 70 countries.
—WBT release
The big 4-0: The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, formed by a group of pastors in 1964 to promote cooperation and be a united voice to media and government is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The organization expanded rapidly under its first executive director, Brian Stiller, 1983 to 1997. Currently it has 40 affiliated denominations; Mennonite Brethren joined in 1973.
—Faith Today
700 biblically orthodox Anglicans met Aug. 30–Sept. 1 in Ottawa to create two new organizations to provide pastoral care and leadership for orthodox congregations located in a liberal diocese. The Anglican Federation will enable an orthodox bishop to provide oversight if granted permission by the diocesan bishop, and the Anglican Network will provide support and leadership if permission is not granted.
—ChristianWeek
November marks International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Carl Moeller of Open Doors USA says persecution is increasing with the “destabilization” of the Islamic world and “radicalization” in Gaza and Lebanon. Those persecuted say, “Don’t pray to relieve persecution; pray that we will be strong.”
—Christianity Today
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