posted 8 Aug 2018, 19:33 by Mennonite Church Alberta
A Prayer for the Danforth
(by Tim Reimer, Pastor, Danforth Mennonite Church in response to the shootings on Sunday, July 22, 2018)
Oh God of Love,
Maker of human neighbours and neighbourhoods,
Hear our prayer
from the Danforth, for the Danforth.
Hear our cry of anguish and disorientation;
Our sidewalk cafes are shattered and scattered;
we are suddenly lost in our own home town.
Calm us!
Hear our cry of fear,
we run, we hide, from guns
Protect us!
sometimes – we confess--
we call for even bigger triggers.
Forgive us!
Hear our cry of grief,
We want to walk with the bereaved,
even just one lonely neighbourly step.
Comfort them! and us.
Hear our cry of confusion,
Why does one man’s loss of head and heart,
spray deathly lead through house and home?
Heal him!
Answer us!
Call us!
Call us to courage, to imagine peace.
We hear your impossible call to respond in love,
We hear it within ourselves,
We hear it beyond the darkness, blood, and rage.
Rebuild! Be remade!
Oh God of Love,
Remake us on the Danforth
into a new neighbourhood of Peace. Amen.
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posted 8 Aug 2018, 13:43 by Mennonite Church Alberta
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updated 8 Aug 2018, 19:37
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Steve Heinrichs appears before the Supreme Court of British ColumbiaOn August 7, director of Indigenous-Settler Relations for Mennonite Church Canada, Steve Heinrichs, appeared before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and plead not guilty to the charge of criminal and civil contempt of court, a charge that he received as a result of his solidarity action with the Tsleil-Waututh land defenders who are resisting the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. Steve read a statement in court, explaining his motivations for his action, and how such was not in contempt of court or “the rule of law” but in defense of fundamental indigenous human rights. On August 8, after hearing the evidence presented by the crown and the statements presented by Steve, the judge concluded that to break the law is not a privilege afforded to those who appeal to a higher call in protesting matters of social injustice. There are many other legal options available to those wishing to express their disagreement.
Steve was found guilty and sentenced to seven days in provincial jail. The full statement is available at commonword.ca/go/1578. |
posted 23 Jul 2018, 14:55 by Mennonite Church Alberta
Three from MCA to speak at Interfaith Conference
 On July 31 - Aug 3, Edmonton will host the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) Conference. MCA's Donna Entz (left), Suzanne Gross (center), and Randy Haluza-Delay (right), all from Edmonton, will lead or co-lead workshops on Aug 1 & 2.
Held at MacEwan University, opening day will include a blanket exercise, keynotes by Marie Wilson (TRC Commissioner) and her husband Stephen Kakfwi (former Premier of NWT) and will conclude with a mini round dance. Several workshop slots as well as two tours will focus on Indigenous stories and experiences.
Wednesday's keynote is a young female Muslim scholar will engage us on issues of dialogue and pilgrimage. General Romeo Dallaire will share about his journey with PTSD on Thursday.
On August 1, MCA's Donna Entz of Holyrood will co-lead a workshop with Shiraz Kanjion titled A Journey towards understanding the “Other”: the Christian-Muslim dialogue experience in Edmonton. Suzanne Gross from First Edmonton will lead Interfaith collaboration for resettlement of Syrian Refugees. Randy Haluza-Delay also from First Mennonite Edmonton will co-lead a workshop with Bodhi Sakyadhita called Climate Justice as an Interfaith Connection Point. Suzanne and Randy's workshops are on August 2.
The event webpage is at: https://nain2018edmonton.ca/ |
posted 11 Jul 2018, 16:48 by Mennonite Church Alberta
Springridge Celebrates 90th Anniversary photos by Donita Wiebe-Neufeld
Around 150 people showed up to celebrate Springridge's 90th Anniversary on Saturday June 30 and Sunday July 1. The congregation, birthed on July 20, 1928 as Blumenthaler Mennonite Church, consisted of Russian immigrants from both Mennonite-Brethren and General Conference (GC) Mennonite families. The fifty-six member church met in homes until a meeting house was completed on July 20, 1935. To procure supplies, a dilapidated hotel in Ft. Macleod was purchased for $300. Lumber was salvaged to erect the original structure.Above picture is the reenactment.
Pictured above is Ella Frose. She has been part of Springridge Mennonite for 70 of the 90 years.
Since 1969 the church has been know as Springridge Mennonite Church. The congregation transitioned from German to English in the 1950s.
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posted 11 Jul 2018, 16:32 by Mennonite Church Alberta
Edmonton's Liberian Community Extends Forgiveness
In September of 2017, four women from the Edmonton Liberian community were headed to Minnesota to visit friends and family when they were struck head-on by a stolen truck driving the wrong way down the highway.
Eva Tumbay (right), 37, Jeannette Wright (left), 53, and Glorious David (center), 35, died in the crash. A fourth woman, Janet Wright Gaye (not pictured), 32, was seriously injured. Three women were members of The Solid Rock International Ministries in Edmonton. Eva Tumbay, who leaves behind a husband and four small children, was a member of Holyrood Mennonite Church. Thomas Bumbeh, a member of Holyrood and president of the Liberian community in Edmonton, gave leadership during these difficult months.On Friday, July 6, the driver of the stolen vehicle was sentenced. In the midst of their grief and pain, many expressed forgiveness to the driver through their victim impact statements. They also conveyed their hope that he can forgive himself. Tim Wiebe-Neufeld, Executive Minister of Mennonite Church Alberta responds. "This accident was a tragic event for the Edmonton Liberian community. We grieve for the husband and four young children of Eva Tumbay of Holyrood Mennonite Church, who lost her life in the accident. It has been a long road for all those who experienced the loss of loved ones, or were injured in the accident. . . . Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to all of them. The fact that many were able to express forgiveness for the driver in their victim impact statements is an incredible testimony."
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posted 11 Jul 2018, 16:29 by Mennonite Church Alberta
Dann Pantoja’s reflects of a conversation with a young peace builder who has been struggling with remaining faithful to non-violent peacebuilding practices, providing an excellent window into the ongoing peacebuilding work that he and his wife, Joji, have been invested in since 2006. "Field Notes and Reflections on the Meaning of 'Violent Extremism'" by Lakan Sumulong (Dann Pantoja's Tagalog indigenous name) Keep up with Dann and Joji at https://waves.ca |
posted 11 Jul 2018, 16:25 by Mennonite Church Alberta
Bock Ki Kim’s presents the prayer shawl with members of Jesus Heart Church in Chuncheon. When Bock Ki was speaking with Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church in May the congregation gifted him with two prayer shawls. Bock Ki presented the shawl to the core members of the prayer group in the church. Jesus Heart Church is one of the 4 congregations that make up Mennonite Church South Korea.
We give thanks for these wonderful connections and relationship building initiatives that are happening between MC Canada congregations and our international sister Mennonite communities. |
posted 26 Jun 2018, 15:17 by Mennonite Church Alberta
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updated 26 Jun 2018, 15:47
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Celebrating the Nicolsons On July 22, a celebration of the Nicolsons’ service with MC Canada Witness in Burkina Faso will take place during the Sunday morning worship at Holyrood Mennonite Church in Edmonton.Service begins at 10:30. Potluck lunch to follow. All are welcome! Twenty years ago, Lillian (Haas) Nicolson (Bluesky Mennonite Church) was invited to Burkina Faso to minister in the work of literacy which then grew into Bible translation. Alongside literacy and Bible translation, she has also been involved in church planting within the community. Norm (North Peace Mennonite Brethren) has ministered in Burkina Faso since 2007. He taught and assisted people to develop trade skills that enabled them to better meet the needs of their families, congregations and communities. He also audio-recorded biblical and other teaching materials to share the gospel with those who have limited literacy abilities. Norm, Lillian and their children, Kenneth and Nadine, returned to Canada at the end of May. |
posted 26 Jun 2018, 14:31 by Mennonite Church Alberta
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updated 26 Jun 2018, 14:34
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Springridge to Celebrate 90th Anniversary Saturday June 30
3:00 pm Visiting &Games
5:30 pm Supper
7:00 pm Program
Sunday July 1
10:05 PowerPoint
10:30 am Worship with Jerry Buhler
Lunch to follow
Bring lawn chairs & weather appropriate attireRSVP: delwillms@gmail.com 403-627-2741
Contact Linda for RV parking: windhaven5410@gmail.com 403-627-2272Join Springridge's 90th anniversary celebrations, beginning at 3 pm on Saturday June 30 or on Sunday at 10 am. RSVP to delwillms@gmail.com. More information available at www.mennonitechurch.ab.ca.
At our Annual Delegate Sessions this spring, Asher Warkentin shared about his church. Read the full article here from MCA's website. |
posted 26 Jun 2018, 13:44 by Mennonite Church Alberta
 Gather a team for this one-day fundraiser. Mennonite Church Canada
congregations are invited to participate in this fun, ride/walk fundraising event in support of our international Witness ministry. Ride for Refuge is a nationwide fundraising event held each year, supporting multiple charities. Mennonite Church Canada is just one of the charities registered. MCA is looking for persons to lead a team in the various location across Alberta.
Congregations already in partnership with a Witness worker couple/family are encouraged to participate in raising funds for that ministry. If your church does not already relate directly to a Witness worker, please choose from the list on the following link: https://donate.mennonitechurch.ca/projects/by_worker If you would like to participate in the Ride on Saturday, September 29th please register at: https://rideforrefuge.org/home and follow these steps: 1. Click on “register to fundraise” 2. Click on “first timer” or “old pro!” 3. Click on either “sign in” (if you already have an account) or “create new account” 4. Follow each of the 6 steps to register - Location
- Waiver
- Your team
- Contact
- Details
- Register
Contact Jason Martin if you have any questions, either by email jmartin@mennonitechurch.ca or call (226) 747 - 1833
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