Short stuff

MCC is again asking for school kits for children in countries like Bosnia, Haiti, North Korea and Sudan. Sudan alone needs over 13,000 kits. The list of contents for each kit is available at MCC Kits and Material Resources.

—MCC release

The Peace Sunday Packet from MCC is an annual resource for Canadian congregations, created for Peace Sunday celebrations traditionally held the Sunday on or immediately before November 11. The theme this year is water, faith and justice. The packet is available from provincial MCC offices.

—MCC release

The Low German radio station De Brigj (The Bridge) has been granted permission to increase its power from 50 watts to 250. The station serves the Aylmer, Ont. area.

—MCC release

Mennonite churches in the Leamington, Ont. area which serve the Low German community are applying for a low power FM radio license to broadcast in the Low German language.

—MCC release

Canadian Foodgrains Bank has released a booklet, together with a CD, to help churches understand hunger and what can be done about it. Call 800-665-0377.

—Canadian Foodgrains Bank release

Evangelical Fellowship of Canada will champion another Celebration event next year, similar to the event held this year, due to the positive response from churches. David Macfarlane, director of national initiatives for the EFC, states, “Celebration 2006 is open to all churches that have a desire to see God glorified in Canada by putting their faith into action in their community.”

—EFC release

Christian magazines such as Charisma are now being marketed in secular venues like Wal-Mart and Barnes & Noble, following the trend set by Christian music and books.

—Biblical Recorder

The discovery of a fragmentary “Dead Sea Scroll” containing portions of the book of Leviticus was announced in July. This is the first discovery of a biblical scroll since the 1960s.

—ChristianWeek

A Newsweek/Beliefnet Poll recently found that 79% of Americans believe that a “good person who isn’t of your religious faith” can attain salvation. Fifty-seven percent said spirituality is “very important” in their lives. One-quarter of Americans have veered from their childhood faith: 68% said it was the same or mostly the same, while 24% said they’d changed faiths or became an atheist or agnostic. Gaining fans were evangelical Christianity and atheism, while Catholicism and non-evangelical Protestants lost ground.

—Beliefnet

Mennonite Your Way is looking for new hosts. The popular MYW directory lists more than 1600 homes in over 40 countries open to guests on a donation basis. To register, visit their site or contact MYW by e-mail.

—Mennonite Your Way release