Short stuff

Der Bote, one of 3 remaining German-language Mennonite periodicals in Canada and a resource ministry of Mennonite Church Canada, will celebrate 84 years of existence and wind down its ministry in June 2008. The number of subscribers has been decreasing steadily and is currently at 2,350. [One of the other periodicals, the Mennonitische Rundschau, will cease publication after the January 2007 issue; see News.]

—Mennonite Church release

Support and concern: The Franklin Graham Festival slated for Winnipeg, Oct. 20–22, has aroused controversy for some Mennonite churches because of Graham’s comments about the use of violent force and about Muslims. Barry Dyck, moderator of the Manitoba MB Conference, reported that the conference executive supports the festival and is encouraging churches “to participate with joy, energy and enthusiasm.” But the executive also told the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of its concern about the comments, and shared the Mennonite peace position.

—Conference bulletin

War on bottled water: The United Church of Canada has passed a motion urging its 1 million adherents to boycott bottled water, unless alternative sources of safe water are not available. Bottled water, a “global social phenomenon,” can be more expensive than gasoline, undermines confidence in public water systems, doesn’t contain tooth-protecting fluoride, and proliferates as litter. Frequently it is merely slightly altered municipal water. Religious objections also include water’s importance in rituals like baptism and as a “sacred gift” from God that shouldn’t be debased by turning it into a commodity.

—Globe and Mail

More than 1,900 Eritreans are imprisoned and subjected to torture and forced labour because of their religious beliefs, according to newly compiled statistics smuggled out of the country. Ninety-five percent of these known religious prisoners of conscience are Christians. None have been charged or tried in court. The government crackdown, in which all independent religious groups not under the umbrella of the Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, or Muslim confessions are banned, began more than 4 years ago.

—Compass Direct

Do Canada’s promises of military exemption still hold? Bill Janzen, director of Mennonite Central Committee’s Ottawa office, says he is confident that if Canada adopted a conscription law – which he sees as unlikely – the law would provide for conscientious objection. However, in the two world wars of the past century Canadian leaders had a strong commitment to Mennonites and conscientious objectors, but legal developments did not reflect the early promises in an exact way. “The reality was quite messy,” he says.

—MCC

Urbana, the huge mission conference organized by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for students, which happens every three years, has outgrown its venue at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, and is moving to St. Louis, Missouri. The theme of this year’s Urbana, Dec. 27–31, is “You have a Calling,” and Bible studies will focus on Ephesians. Some 25,000 people are expected.

—ChristianWeek

West Portal Church, Saskatoon, celebrated milestone years of ministry for three of their staff Sept. 17. All three have set a record in their respective jobs, compared to other Mennonite Brethren churches in Saskatchewan. Sandy Derksen has worked as office manager for 15 years, and youth pastor Terry Friesen and associate pastor Kelly Wiebe have both been in their positions 10 years. Church moderator Jake Froese gave a brief family and work history of each, and Saskatchewan conference minister Ralph Gliege brought greetings. Pictured (l–r) Leo and Sandy Derksen, Terry and Holly Friesen, Sandie and Kelly Wiebe, Ralph Gliege.