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Since the MB Herald exists online, and since it is possible to search for and find its details electronically, do we still need an annual index?
This was a question Herald staff discussed with archivists at the Centre for MB Studies. Together we concluded that an index (even as basic as what the Herald provides annually) should be continued, at least until we have a better sense of how computer-based storage and retrieval technologies will look in the future.
We also concluded, however, that we do not need to devote five pages of the year’s last issue to print it. Rather, the index will be available – by the end of January – on the Canadian Conference website as a downloadable file. (Those without access to the website may request a copy from our offices.)
In the meanwhile . . .
In the meanwhile, for those who enjoy scanning the index for a sense of “the year that was,” here is an overview and some highlights:
- Themes: The Herald is published 17 times a year. This year, events within the Mennonite Brethren community – the National Youth Convention, the 50th anniversary of MB Biblical Seminary and the 55+ retreat – set the thematic stage for three issues. Four issues (numbers 6–9) followed themes suggested by a four-part MB “history tour” by Bruce Guenther, beginning with our Anabaptist roots and ending with the global church. In addition to seasonal themes (Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving), the Herald explored intercultural churches, money management, camping ministry, hospitality, hope, biblical literacy and peacemaking.
- Covers: The trade-off for yielding most back pages to advertising this year was the welcome opportunity to add colour to the covers. Seven covers featured art or photography by artists connected to our faith community. And, for the first time, the Herald featured a graphic story – “The Screw Clamp” by Richard Rempel. It began on the cover and continued two pages inside.
- Authors: In keeping with the Herald’s mission to “build a Canadian MB community of faith,” the vast majority of authors this year have been Mennonite Brethren or Mennonite, and most were Canadian.
- News: Major news pieces this year included the implementation of the Conference restructuring accepted at Gathering 2004, a conference survey, and a Board of Faith and Life resolution on women in ministry leadership. As is custom, the annual provincial conventions each got fairly lengthy reports. Canadian and global events that touched Herald pages include the debate over same-sex marriage, the Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and crisis situations in the churches of DR Congo, Zimbabwe and Vietnam.
- Letters: The Herald continues to enjoy good interaction with readers via letters. This year, no single topic provoked the volume of mail that followed the previous year’s review of The Passion of the Christ. Of 98 letters published, 16 concerned women in leadership ministry; the rest commented on a variety of subjects.
—Editors
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