S H A K E:
Rattled by the Radical

Attention grades 6-12
Join other youth from across Canada.

July 28-Aug1, 2019
Shekinah Summer Camp, SK


Shake: Rattled by the Radical, July 28- August 1, 2019 at Shekinah Summer Camp, SK – what you need to know! Cost: $375/person. Travel subsidies and sponsor discounts available before the early-bird registration deadline: April 26, 2019. Final registration deadline: May 31, 2019. Our days will include: Biblical reflection and storytelling, shared meals, activities and play, special guests, and more! Visit www.prairieyouth.ca for full details and registration.

Springridge Mennonite appoints part-time pastoral leader

With the recent retirement of our pastor, Harold Schilk, Springridge Mennonite Church embarked on a search for a new pastor to fill our part-time position. Months later, it became clear that we may not be successful in finding a pastor and we began to explore ways we could continue as a church community without an official pastor.

After much discussion, meetings, prayer and reflection, we became more and more enthused about an alternate plan. We would look inwardly for leadership. As a result, we have called on Tany Warkentin to fill the role as part-part-time Pastoral Leader. Tany has already demonstrated pastoral gifts over the past years and had already heard the call to this type of leadership from a variety of people. Tany, together with the Pastoral Committee who have been a part of our church for decades, will be responsible for the worship and pastoral duties.

We as a congregation have come to an tentative understanding that we would invite 2 guest speakers every month and for the remaining Sundays, have audio or video sermons, readings or any other creative forms of worship. We are most grateful for the huge resource that Common Word affords, shared sermons from other sister congregations and gifts within our own congregation.

Thank you. Submitted by Linden Willms

Edmonton vs. Calgary
a Camp Valaqua Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who came out to Trivia Night. Camp Valaqua raised $5000 toward their bathroom renovations. As of December 13, 2018, a balance of only $13,800 remained on the loan.

A Tour of Israel/Palestine: A Holy Land for Jews, Christians, and Muslims

A CMU Study Tour

April 26–May 13, 2019

Led by Gerald Gerbrandt, PhD, President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Bible

During this tour we will:

• Visit important archeological sites and ask how they help us understand the Biblical story.
• Visit traditional pilgrimage sites so as to stimulate reflection on our faith
• Learn about the three major religions in the land (as well as the Samaritans and Druze, two other smaller Abrahamic faiths) through presentations and conversation with representatives of these faiths.
• Learn about the contemporary conflict as we listen to people caught up in it.

For further information contact Gerald at ggerbrandt@cmu.ca, or by phone at 204.487.3300, ext. 667 or visit http://www.cmu.ca/met/

The DeJongs Ethiopian Adventure

After 4 months of sunshine, we stepped off the plane in Edmonton on January 10^th to a bitterly cold day that made us question why we returned from Ethiopia. Our 4-month mission assignment with Eastern Mennonite Missions AND Mennonite Church Canada AND Mennonite Central Committee-Ethiopia was an amazing time that included a warm welcome, warm weather, and warm hugs.

When we first arrived in Ethiopia, I (Joanne) struggled with all the changes. Comforts I took for granted in Canada were suddenly gone: warm water, reliable electricity and wifi, as well as basic understanding of how things operate culturally and practically. Eventually, I was okay, but it reminded me how easy it is to be addicted to comfort in the West and how it is good for our souls to be uncomfortable once in a while. On one trip home from a church visit, we were part of a group of 24 people crammed into a 15 passenger bus. If you opened the door, five people would immediately fall out. No one was complaining and everyone seemed happy even though I am sure we weren’t the only ones who were painfully twisted. The pastor asked me how I was feeling and I replied, “God is good”. When I said those words out loud I suddenly felt strengthened and happy that I did not complain. I instantly felt better. God IS good!

Half our time was spent at the Meserete Kristos College. The other half was split between visiting & preaching in churches and visiting homes of students, pastors and staff. Werner taught Anabaptist History and Thought as well as Spiritual Formation to over 90 eager students. I preached in the chapel, prison, and churches, tutored and guest lectured.  We were happy to see that this College was definitely a Mennonite School with Peace and Justice studies as well as a Community Development stream. One day Werner asked a student if he considered himself an Evangelical and the student replied, “No- I am Anabaptist”. This being said, the church is growing quickly and they are not able to keep up with discipleship training. There is a danger of losing the rich Anabaptist tradition planted by the many faithful Mennonite missionaries. The students, Werner, and I have a history of which we can be proud. It would be a shame to lose it.

A big high was visiting Sudanese Christians from the Mennonite Church in Gambella (pictured right). Rueben Tut, the South Sudanese Mennonite pastor in Edmonton, asked us to visit some of his people in the refugee camps in Ethiopia. Due to violence, they had to come out of the camps to see us. It was a great time of mutual blessing. Their leaders expressed a desperate need for discipleship and peace training. Pastor Mezgebu from the Bethel Ethiopian Church in Edmonton (pictured below) also had a chance to visit us while we were in Ethiopia. He has a heart to do something in Gambella as well. I find it curious that MCA has Ethiopian, South Sudanese, and churches in close relationship to these cultures. Could we, as MCA, be divinely prepared to do something very special in East Africa? I do wonder if God is up to something?

We have many stories but want to be sure to express our great thankfulness to all of you in MCA who have supported us in prayer and giving. Thank you and we love you!

Werner and Joanne DeJong

Common Ground Treaty Walk
How might we live into the spirit and intent of our Treaties?
How can we cultivate Indigenous-Settler relationships of mutual understanding and care?

Between May 31 and June 14, 30 Indigenous, unionist and Church walkers will journey 320 kilometres from Edmonton (Treaty 6) to Calgary (Treaty 7). Stopping at a dozen sites to host public "Treaty Talks" (see www.treatytalk.com), the walk seeks to honour the sacred covenants of these lands and the call of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for "sustained, public education and dialogue" on Treaties. Would you like to join? Mennonite Church Canada is helping Indigenous colleagues and the Health Sciences Association of Alberta organize the Common Ground Treaty Walk and we have space for four core Mennonite walkers!

2019 Trivia Night - February 9

Edmonton vs. Calgary
a Camp Valaqua Fundraiser

Join us in Edmonton @ First Mennonite or in Calgary @ Foothills Mennonite Church on Feb 9th @ 6:30 for Trivia Night, a Camp Valaqua fundraiser. Invite neighbours, friends, and relatives to join.  To submit a team of 6-8, or to join a team contact Kevin Stoesz (Calgary) or Kim Friesen Wiens (Edmonton), kbstoesz@gmail.com or friesenwiens@gmail.com, respectively. Admission will be $20 at the door and a donation will also be taken at the event.

NOTE Calgary area: Saturday's session at Trinity on Surviving and Thriving concludes at 4:30 pm.