Short stuff

French Mennonite Brethren once more have a magazine of their own, with the re-launch of Le Lien (The Link), some two years after the resignation of previous editor Annie Brosseau. The paper is now 16 pages instead of 8, but will be published only 6 times a year, instead of 11 as earlier. The first issue includes an interview with Gérard Basque of the MB church at Saint-Laurent, an article by Eric Wingender about the Christian in the bioethics debate, an update by Patrice Nagant on church planting efforts through Rendez-vous Montreal, an article on the problem of the financial dependence of Mennonite churches in DR Congo by Erik Kumedisa, and others. The editor is Jean Biéri.

Thermostat is a new study resource for youth produced by Mennonite Central Committee. Seven units cover topics of peacemaking, imagination, allegiance, security, terrorism, camouflage and non-violence. There are Bible studies, role plays, video clips, background reading and other activities. To borrow the DVD and study guide, or purchase for $35.00, call MCC at 888-622-6337 or go to MCC Resource Catalog Online.

—MCC release

Starfield, the band that performed at NYC ’04, has signed a record contract with Sparrow Records.

—ChristianWeek

Choice Books, an inter-Anabaptist book ministry, sells nearly 13,000 books per day. Hoping to attract readers who would not normally enter a Christian bookstore, the books are marketed in grocery stores, pharmacies, and other public marketplaces.

—Brotherhood Beacon

Today’s New International Version of the entire Bible went onto the market in February. NIV is the most widely used contemporary Bible translation. The new version will feature more inclusive language, but is creating controversy because critics claim the language is not accurate to the original text.

—Evangelical Press News Service

The Jesus film celebrated its 25th anniversary in October. The film has been translated into 861 languages and it is estimated that 5.78 billion people have seen the film.

—update