by Michael Turman, who is just finishing his "Ministry Inquiry" at Community Mennonite Church, and will begin as Youth Pastor at First Mennonite Church in Kitchener in the New Year:
Can you feel it coming? The days are shorter, the nights colder, the house warmer and homier. The stores are decorated, the strings of lights are coming out, and that familiar music can be heard everywhere you go. Excitement and nostalgia are growing. Christmas will soon be here!
Strangely, such a special celebration brings so much anxiety and stress with it. We worry about the decorations, the dinner planning, the intense time management. After the presents are opened we sometimes get annoyed thinking about the things we asked for but did not receive. We worry a lot about which people we are supposed to get gifts for, and then wonder if the gifts we choose are nice or meaningful enough. Lost in these worldly concerns, many Christians develop another fear: Are we faithful enough to the spirit of Christmas? All of these anxieties reflect one thing: dissatisfaction.
Our dissatisfaction is not what Christmas should highlight. Christmas is a celebration of a miracle: the birth of a particular boy we believe brought us salvation. Is that gift alone not enough for us to celebrate? If the celebration of God's gift of Jesus is enough, then should we not be satisfied by the presences of whatever friends of family are with us? Satisfied by whatever may be the meal, satisfied by whatever we are able to give those we love, by whatever we receive from them, whether a hug, a kind word or an iPod? If we choose to be satisfied with what we have and who we are, then we can truly receive the gifts of the season with joy and give of what we have graciously, free from the fear of its inadequacy.
How can we practice this radical gratitude at Christmas? Tell people how much you appreciate their gifts and contributions—no matter how small. Teach your kids not to make a mile-long wish list, but make a thank-you list of simple things they are glad to have. Don’t believe the advertisers when they tell you that your loved ones will only be happy once they have the flashiest toys of the moment. If we are not happy now with all that God gives us every day, a few mass-produced gadgets will not change that. With hearts filled with gratitude, our holiday season can be a time of peace and joy. May God bless you with such gratitude!
- Michael Turman
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Lorne Grove up to his tricks again...
Here's an article in the recent Stouffville Sun-Tribune about one of Lorne Grove's latest artistic projects...
Thursday, December 11, 2008
give a day
A few weeks ago Jane Philpott shared her experiences and reflections with the rest of Community Mennonite Church, inviting and challenging us to understand ourselves as "part of the body," and also inviting us to "give a day for AIDS." That is, to give the equivalent of a day's pay for the battle against the AIDS epidemic.
Here's an article in the Toronto Star about this initiative that Jane has started.
Here's an article in the Toronto Star about this initiative that Jane has started.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Peace and Ahmadinejad
From Cameron Kaufman-Frey, our pastor:
Here is a link to a podcast that I found very interesting. In meeting with President Ahmadinejad, Robert "Jack" Suderman and other church leaders were criticized for in some way offering President Ahmadinejad legitimacy or acceptance. Jack talks about how he saw it as a way to witness to the way of peace. I encourage you to have a listen, as it will get you thinking about how we witness to world leaders and how we relate to religious leaders from other faiths.
Cam
Here is a link to a podcast that I found very interesting. In meeting with President Ahmadinejad, Robert "Jack" Suderman and other church leaders were criticized for in some way offering President Ahmadinejad legitimacy or acceptance. Jack talks about how he saw it as a way to witness to the way of peace. I encourage you to have a listen, as it will get you thinking about how we witness to world leaders and how we relate to religious leaders from other faiths.
Cam
Thursday, October 16, 2008
fear and hope
Mike Turman recently began a "ministry inquiry" program in our congregation, and wrote this article that was published recently in Canadian Mennonite:
Fear and hope drive all people. This is the most prominent lesson I learned on the MCEC Yella trip to Israel-Palestine this past May. During the three weeks we spent in the Holy Land, our group of 23 young adults was exposed to overwhelming layers of history, religion, culture, race and politics. The conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, the hope and fear to be witnessed on both sides stood out for me.
The security wall surrounding the West Bank is the most prominent symbol of this conflict and of the lesson I learned. We travelled to Bethlehem and stayed for three days in the West Bank town of Beit Sahour. For visitors, as for residents, it is hard to ignore the massive eight meter concrete structure that passes right around and through the city. It may be seen as a symbol of fear: the Israeli fear of Palestinian violence. Conversely, it represents the fear that the Israeli military is inflicting to the residents of the West Bank.
Throughout those three days our host families and others we met told us about the difficulties imposed on them. For instance, the night we arrived I was taken to the birthday celebration of my host family's grandfather. In spite of the cake and gathered relatives, the festivities were muted. That day was the 60th anniversary of the Naqba, “the Catastrophe”, when Israel was formed and many Palestinians were forced from their home towns. It's harder to celebrate when simply commuting to work could mean an hour or more of waiting at a checkpoint.
We walked along the wall ourselves. It runs right through the city of Bethlehem, dividing neighbourhoods arbitrarily. The West Bank side is covered with art and graffiti. Politically charged images of beasts, bombs and cultural clash seemingly respond to the wall's dehumanising effects—it not only cuts off all residents of the West Bank from the land (Jerusalem, Israel and other cities), it also keeps Israelis living nearby from seeing their Palestinian neighbours. 8-meter tall concrete slabs can do little but oppress the spirits of people on both sides.
Yet as we walked along that overbearing wall we saw signs of hope. There are hundreds of hopeful messages spray-painted on it. German slogans recall the Berlin wall and the belief of its builders that it would stand for hundreds of years. The Israeli side of the wall wears banners proclaiming peace in Hebrew, Arabic and English. A favourite mural of ours was a colourful collage of teddy bears and toys, with the words, “I want my ball back! Thanks” written above. The hunger for free and secure lives is palpable on both sides.
This discovery of the forces that drive people has changed me. Before, conflicts around the world seemed distant. The greatest hopes and fears I encountered during my life as a student were getting good grades, of having enough money for the term, or the insecurity of a bad breakup. Now, though, I've seen what happens when a whole group of people is violated in some way, as both the Jews and the Palestinians have been in the last century. They are all looking for the kind of security that we have in Canada. We must not take it for granted.
This trip and its lessons have given me purpose as well: to share the thin slice of perspective on humanity that I've gained. We are connected to people and events everywhere. The pain and joys visible in that part of the Middle East is analogous to the experiences of people in conflicts throughout the world, whether affected by residential schools in Canada, devastated by natural disasters in Indonesia, or hoping for change in Zimbabwe. In a sense, these are matters of life and death, yet life goes on nevertheless.
There is a challenge here for me and for each of us, as Christians. Though fear is a powerful force, I now know in my gut what I'm working for: hope.
- Mike Turman
Fear and hope drive all people. This is the most prominent lesson I learned on the MCEC Yella trip to Israel-Palestine this past May. During the three weeks we spent in the Holy Land, our group of 23 young adults was exposed to overwhelming layers of history, religion, culture, race and politics. The conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, the hope and fear to be witnessed on both sides stood out for me.
The security wall surrounding the West Bank is the most prominent symbol of this conflict and of the lesson I learned. We travelled to Bethlehem and stayed for three days in the West Bank town of Beit Sahour. For visitors, as for residents, it is hard to ignore the massive eight meter concrete structure that passes right around and through the city. It may be seen as a symbol of fear: the Israeli fear of Palestinian violence. Conversely, it represents the fear that the Israeli military is inflicting to the residents of the West Bank.
Throughout those three days our host families and others we met told us about the difficulties imposed on them. For instance, the night we arrived I was taken to the birthday celebration of my host family's grandfather. In spite of the cake and gathered relatives, the festivities were muted. That day was the 60th anniversary of the Naqba, “the Catastrophe”, when Israel was formed and many Palestinians were forced from their home towns. It's harder to celebrate when simply commuting to work could mean an hour or more of waiting at a checkpoint.
We walked along the wall ourselves. It runs right through the city of Bethlehem, dividing neighbourhoods arbitrarily. The West Bank side is covered with art and graffiti. Politically charged images of beasts, bombs and cultural clash seemingly respond to the wall's dehumanising effects—it not only cuts off all residents of the West Bank from the land (Jerusalem, Israel and other cities), it also keeps Israelis living nearby from seeing their Palestinian neighbours. 8-meter tall concrete slabs can do little but oppress the spirits of people on both sides.
Yet as we walked along that overbearing wall we saw signs of hope. There are hundreds of hopeful messages spray-painted on it. German slogans recall the Berlin wall and the belief of its builders that it would stand for hundreds of years. The Israeli side of the wall wears banners proclaiming peace in Hebrew, Arabic and English. A favourite mural of ours was a colourful collage of teddy bears and toys, with the words, “I want my ball back! Thanks” written above. The hunger for free and secure lives is palpable on both sides.
This discovery of the forces that drive people has changed me. Before, conflicts around the world seemed distant. The greatest hopes and fears I encountered during my life as a student were getting good grades, of having enough money for the term, or the insecurity of a bad breakup. Now, though, I've seen what happens when a whole group of people is violated in some way, as both the Jews and the Palestinians have been in the last century. They are all looking for the kind of security that we have in Canada. We must not take it for granted.
This trip and its lessons have given me purpose as well: to share the thin slice of perspective on humanity that I've gained. We are connected to people and events everywhere. The pain and joys visible in that part of the Middle East is analogous to the experiences of people in conflicts throughout the world, whether affected by residential schools in Canada, devastated by natural disasters in Indonesia, or hoping for change in Zimbabwe. In a sense, these are matters of life and death, yet life goes on nevertheless.
There is a challenge here for me and for each of us, as Christians. Though fear is a powerful force, I now know in my gut what I'm working for: hope.
- Mike Turman
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Fair Trade
Here's a recent article by Pastor Cam Kaufman-Frey that was published in the Stouffville Free Press:
Tainted milk in China has people talking. Usually the average person doesn't think much about international trade. But lately we've heard news, particularly from China, of tainted milk. This follows reports earlier this year unsafe toys. Suddenly we begin to wonder about products that come from overseas.
We in Ontario has also seen that trade can mean a loss of jobs. Our manufacturers are struggling to compete with low wages overseas. Hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs have disappeared. And many of the factories that now make the goods we buy are paying wages that aren't enough for their workers to survive on.
It's unfortunate if we think of trade in such a negative light. Exporting and importing goods around the world could do a lot to improve the lives of everyone. With this in mind, people of good will are becoming aware of the practice of “Fair Trade.”
Fair Trade could be called “trade with a conscience.” Instead of looking only at profit, fair trade organisations seek to ensure that products are produced in safe, sustainable ways and that prices will provide a living wage for all those involved in producing consumer goods.
Our congregation has discussed Fair Trade. Some of us are concerned with its limitations but all of us are pleased with its effects on the lives of hard working people. While it can't solve all the inequities in the world, it does make a difference for thousands of people. On the first weekend in October at the Markham Fair, we will be joining other Mennonite churches in our area in selling Fair Trade goods from Ten Thousand Villages. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the oldest and best known fair trade organisations in North America. It sells crafts and food from around the world, winning awards for the positive role it has played in improving the lives of artisans in impoverished regions.
If you'd like to read more about Fair Trade or Ten Thousand Villages, check their web site.
- Cameron Kaufman-Frey
Tainted milk in China has people talking. Usually the average person doesn't think much about international trade. But lately we've heard news, particularly from China, of tainted milk. This follows reports earlier this year unsafe toys. Suddenly we begin to wonder about products that come from overseas.
We in Ontario has also seen that trade can mean a loss of jobs. Our manufacturers are struggling to compete with low wages overseas. Hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs have disappeared. And many of the factories that now make the goods we buy are paying wages that aren't enough for their workers to survive on.
It's unfortunate if we think of trade in such a negative light. Exporting and importing goods around the world could do a lot to improve the lives of everyone. With this in mind, people of good will are becoming aware of the practice of “Fair Trade.”
Fair Trade could be called “trade with a conscience.” Instead of looking only at profit, fair trade organisations seek to ensure that products are produced in safe, sustainable ways and that prices will provide a living wage for all those involved in producing consumer goods.
Our congregation has discussed Fair Trade. Some of us are concerned with its limitations but all of us are pleased with its effects on the lives of hard working people. While it can't solve all the inequities in the world, it does make a difference for thousands of people. On the first weekend in October at the Markham Fair, we will be joining other Mennonite churches in our area in selling Fair Trade goods from Ten Thousand Villages. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the oldest and best known fair trade organisations in North America. It sells crafts and food from around the world, winning awards for the positive role it has played in improving the lives of artisans in impoverished regions.
If you'd like to read more about Fair Trade or Ten Thousand Villages, check their web site.
- Cameron Kaufman-Frey
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Harvest Begins
Here is one of the two fields that our congregation is supporting and sending the proceeds of to Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Check out their website http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca/ for more information about their work both locally and internationally.
And don't forget! This week on Thursday, October 16, you can celebrate World Food Day! Follow the link for more details.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
bangladesh blog
Hi church family!
I've heard such positive feedback from the Yella blog that I thought Shikka should have one too. It is a good way to keep in contact with you while our group is on the other side of the world.
So, while we are in Bangladesh, we will post some entries whenever we have an internet connection. Check out Shikka's blog and read of the experiences of the whole group!
Thank you for all your support, both financially and through prayer. It is most meaningful.
Dhonnobad (Thank you)
Rebecca
I've heard such positive feedback from the Yella blog that I thought Shikka should have one too. It is a good way to keep in contact with you while our group is on the other side of the world.
So, while we are in Bangladesh, we will post some entries whenever we have an internet connection. Check out Shikka's blog and read of the experiences of the whole group!
Thank you for all your support, both financially and through prayer. It is most meaningful.
Dhonnobad (Thank you)
Rebecca
Thursday, May 22, 2008
environmental action
Here's an article by Geralde that will soon be appearing in the Stouffville Free Press:
GOD’S EARTH CAN STILL SUSTAIN US, BUT WE NEED TO ACT NOW
Global warming, contamination, air quality advisory… these are words of today. All is not well with God’s creation. Its current state warrants great concern. Depletion of the ozone layer, disappearing rain forests, melting polar ice caps, and –much closer to home– rapidly disappearing farm land. And these are but a few examples…
When asked how God is revealed to them, many Christians will mention “nature”. If God speaks to us through His creation, why do we not take better care of it? Is it not our Christian responsibility to be good stewards of our earth? No matter how you interpret the creation story, the environment started out in perfect balance. In Genesis we read: “God saw all that He had made and it was very good”. God then entrusted people to take care of the earth, but they soon started doing things their own way, often at the expense of God’s good work.
Today, we do not live in harmony with creation. In our disposable society, we build up landfill sites faster than they can break down, our need for bigger houses swallows up farm land. Convenience is our biggest enemy. We are sold on the idea that everything should be effortless, regardless of the -environmental or financial- cost. We have become so far removed from nature that we cannot see the impact of our actions. Our waste is picked up weekly or goes down a big pipe. Out of sight, out of mind… Would we make different lifestyle choices if we had to throw our waste in our backyard, between the water well and the children’s swing set?
Even today, the earth is able to sustain all people in the world, but not necessarily our lifestyle. Or, in Ghandi’s words: “there are sufficient resources on earth to satisfy everyone’s need, but not everyone’s greed”. Greed can be material, but also immaterial, such as time and effort (convenience). We need to determine where, in our life, need stops and greed begins.
Fortunately, there is a positive side to this story. Carbon neutrality, renewable energy and sustainability are also words of today. We need to focus on these positives, and realize that Mother Earth can heal herself, but not without our help.
This year, several members of Community Mennonite Church formed an Environmental Action Committee, in a desire to take some concrete steps to address climate change. The first focus has been to explore the viability of solar energy. As a pilot project, one family will have solar panels installed on its home and sell the energy back to the grid. A second initiative, on using geothermal energy, is in the information gathering stage. In the future, we hope to promote alternative energy sources in the Stouffville area, to help families reduce the size of their ecological footprint and perhaps save money in the process.
Since not everyone can install solar panels tomorrow, we must remember we can start small and still make a difference. Whether it is rechargeable batteries or natural cleaning products, a small vegetable garden or postponing that errand until you have to drive into town anyway… Every little effort has an accumulative effect once it becomes a habit.
If you would like to join our Environmental Action Committee, please contact us and we will welcome you into our discussions.
Let’s accept the invitation to be caretakers of this beautiful earth.
- Geralde Reesor-Grooters
GOD’S EARTH CAN STILL SUSTAIN US, BUT WE NEED TO ACT NOW
Global warming, contamination, air quality advisory… these are words of today. All is not well with God’s creation. Its current state warrants great concern. Depletion of the ozone layer, disappearing rain forests, melting polar ice caps, and –much closer to home– rapidly disappearing farm land. And these are but a few examples…
When asked how God is revealed to them, many Christians will mention “nature”. If God speaks to us through His creation, why do we not take better care of it? Is it not our Christian responsibility to be good stewards of our earth? No matter how you interpret the creation story, the environment started out in perfect balance. In Genesis we read: “God saw all that He had made and it was very good”. God then entrusted people to take care of the earth, but they soon started doing things their own way, often at the expense of God’s good work.
Today, we do not live in harmony with creation. In our disposable society, we build up landfill sites faster than they can break down, our need for bigger houses swallows up farm land. Convenience is our biggest enemy. We are sold on the idea that everything should be effortless, regardless of the -environmental or financial- cost. We have become so far removed from nature that we cannot see the impact of our actions. Our waste is picked up weekly or goes down a big pipe. Out of sight, out of mind… Would we make different lifestyle choices if we had to throw our waste in our backyard, between the water well and the children’s swing set?
Even today, the earth is able to sustain all people in the world, but not necessarily our lifestyle. Or, in Ghandi’s words: “there are sufficient resources on earth to satisfy everyone’s need, but not everyone’s greed”. Greed can be material, but also immaterial, such as time and effort (convenience). We need to determine where, in our life, need stops and greed begins.
Fortunately, there is a positive side to this story. Carbon neutrality, renewable energy and sustainability are also words of today. We need to focus on these positives, and realize that Mother Earth can heal herself, but not without our help.
This year, several members of Community Mennonite Church formed an Environmental Action Committee, in a desire to take some concrete steps to address climate change. The first focus has been to explore the viability of solar energy. As a pilot project, one family will have solar panels installed on its home and sell the energy back to the grid. A second initiative, on using geothermal energy, is in the information gathering stage. In the future, we hope to promote alternative energy sources in the Stouffville area, to help families reduce the size of their ecological footprint and perhaps save money in the process.
Since not everyone can install solar panels tomorrow, we must remember we can start small and still make a difference. Whether it is rechargeable batteries or natural cleaning products, a small vegetable garden or postponing that errand until you have to drive into town anyway… Every little effort has an accumulative effect once it becomes a habit.
If you would like to join our Environmental Action Committee, please contact us and we will welcome you into our discussions.
Let’s accept the invitation to be caretakers of this beautiful earth.
- Geralde Reesor-Grooters
Saturday, May 10, 2008
so that's where they are
You can follow the adventures and reflections of our young adults in the Middle East right here. They're blogging every day, so you might want to adjust your "online time budget" accordingly...
Friday, May 9, 2008
Celebrating With Jim Veltman
Eugene writes:
Last weekend we cheered, we cried, we celebrated with a friend who has been a model of sportsmanship at the highest level of professional competition. The Toronto Rock lacrosse game on April 27 celebrated the retirement of Community participant Jim Veltman. The tributes were moving, the game was exciting and our church celebrated in a new way!
And ... of note ... our church attendance that morning (when we adjusted the worship time a little bit to enable more people to attend the game and support Jim) was amongst our largest ever. Hmm ... maybe we are on to something...
Here's an article from the local paper, and a YouTube clip of the tribute at the ACC...
Last weekend we cheered, we cried, we celebrated with a friend who has been a model of sportsmanship at the highest level of professional competition. The Toronto Rock lacrosse game on April 27 celebrated the retirement of Community participant Jim Veltman. The tributes were moving, the game was exciting and our church celebrated in a new way!
And ... of note ... our church attendance that morning (when we adjusted the worship time a little bit to enable more people to attend the game and support Jim) was amongst our largest ever. Hmm ... maybe we are on to something...
Here's an article from the local paper, and a YouTube clip of the tribute at the ACC...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
look out, world!
The young people from Community Mennonite Church are going places... literally.
You can read here about Rebecca's upcoming trip to Bangladesh in June (she has been helping to organize a service-and-learning experience called Shikka, which is a Bengla word meaning "to learn").
Sarah and Christine will be going to Guatemala later in this summer with ENLACE, another serving-and-learning program run by MCC Ontario (and one of the leaders will be Denise - also of our congregation).
And then there's ANOTHER overseas learning experience - this one called YELLA (I know... MCC's department of "program-name-thinker-uppers" has been working overtime), involving Justin, Ben, Kayla, David, Mike, Derek, and Kevin, with Allan as one of the leaders as well.
Here's what Justin had to say about the trip in a recent message to the congregation:
"This May I will be participating in a young adult learning trip to Israel/Palestine with a group of 20 plus people. This 3 week trip, jointly sponsored by Mennonite Church Eastern Canada and Mennonite Central Committee Ontario, is designed to provide young adults, like myself, with faith-shaping and faith-stretching experiences that will help us develop as Christian disciples and leaders. I feel like being in the “holy land” will go a long way in solidifying my own faith by experiencing contexts of the bible and the Christian faith visually and first hand.
The tour is named Yella, which means “Let’s go!” in both Arabic and Hebrew. This Middle East experience will provide us with the opportunity to wrestle with multi-faith realities, delve into issues that divide people, explore biblical stories within their context, and encounter a Jesus we have not met . . . yet! Linford Stutzman, professor of culture and mission at Eastern Mennonite University will be leading the tour. He has led several groups of EMU students on semesters in the Middle East. There is also a service component where we will work at Nazareth Village, a Mennonite mission organization that helps hundreds of tourists each month understand the teachings of Jesus within 1st century Palestine."
... and here are some words from Mike - an invitation to a special event TOMORROW evening (Friday, April 25):
"This Friday at Rouge Valley Mennonite Church we are hosting a
Coffeehouse Fundraiser to help us be able to afford this trip. The
show, which features acoustic sets by local musical talents, will
begin at 7:30. The bill includes the Markham MYF Praise Band, Marcus Adrian & Co., Allan Reesor-McDowell, Mike Turman, and Antigonie.
Desserts and refreshments will be provided as well. Please come
prepared to support our trip to the holy land."
You can read here about Rebecca's upcoming trip to Bangladesh in June (she has been helping to organize a service-and-learning experience called Shikka, which is a Bengla word meaning "to learn").
Sarah and Christine will be going to Guatemala later in this summer with ENLACE, another serving-and-learning program run by MCC Ontario (and one of the leaders will be Denise - also of our congregation).
And then there's ANOTHER overseas learning experience - this one called YELLA (I know... MCC's department of "program-name-thinker-uppers" has been working overtime), involving Justin, Ben, Kayla, David, Mike, Derek, and Kevin, with Allan as one of the leaders as well.
Here's what Justin had to say about the trip in a recent message to the congregation:
"This May I will be participating in a young adult learning trip to Israel/Palestine with a group of 20 plus people. This 3 week trip, jointly sponsored by Mennonite Church Eastern Canada and Mennonite Central Committee Ontario, is designed to provide young adults, like myself, with faith-shaping and faith-stretching experiences that will help us develop as Christian disciples and leaders. I feel like being in the “holy land” will go a long way in solidifying my own faith by experiencing contexts of the bible and the Christian faith visually and first hand.
The tour is named Yella, which means “Let’s go!” in both Arabic and Hebrew. This Middle East experience will provide us with the opportunity to wrestle with multi-faith realities, delve into issues that divide people, explore biblical stories within their context, and encounter a Jesus we have not met . . . yet! Linford Stutzman, professor of culture and mission at Eastern Mennonite University will be leading the tour. He has led several groups of EMU students on semesters in the Middle East. There is also a service component where we will work at Nazareth Village, a Mennonite mission organization that helps hundreds of tourists each month understand the teachings of Jesus within 1st century Palestine."
... and here are some words from Mike - an invitation to a special event TOMORROW evening (Friday, April 25):
"This Friday at Rouge Valley Mennonite Church we are hosting a
Coffeehouse Fundraiser to help us be able to afford this trip. The
show, which features acoustic sets by local musical talents, will
begin at 7:30. The bill includes the Markham MYF Praise Band, Marcus Adrian & Co., Allan Reesor-McDowell, Mike Turman, and Antigonie.
Desserts and refreshments will be provided as well. Please come
prepared to support our trip to the holy land."
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
What If?
Here's an article by Paul that appeared in last week's Stouffville Free Press:
As a member of Community Mennonite Church of Stouffville, a peace church that promotes non-violent, constructive and transforming approaches to conflict, I became quite concerned after hearing that the Canadian military is recruiting in high schools across Canada (including Stouffville). The military is presented as a career option and targets teenagers through offering to pay for higher education if they enlist and recruiters present a career in the military as one of promoting peace-keeping throughout the world. My concern was heightened in hearing that the goal for recruitment is the “Number of recruiters being increased from 300 currently to 30,000 in the short-term to 80,000 in the long term.” (General Rick Hillier, February, 2006). "We are the Canadian Forces, and our job is to be able to kill people" -- General Rick Hillier, July 13, 2005. Is learning to kill people being presented as just another exciting career option?
In high school in the late 60's in Markham, I was taught that Canada was an international leader in finding peaceful means to resolve conflicts and was a leader in contributing to a world UN police force. In this new century, Canada has been steadily giving up its special leadership in international peace-keeping. Instead, the militarization (violence) of Canada’s response to international relations has increased and we have become a lower-grade partner with other countries in using military force to try to establish peace (Afganistan). This approach is internationally recognized as ineffective, and in fact increases the cycle of violence.
This change has made me quite sad at what has been lost to my children and to our country. What if Canada was truly in the business of saving lives and reducing conflict rather than having the job of being “able to kill people?” What if, instead of a doubling of the Canadian military budget over the past 10 years to 17 billion dollars, half of that had gone to using peaceful means that actually work in reducing and transforming international conflict? What if only the 2007 military overspending of one billion dollars was put into courses in high school and colleges that teach conflict resolution and transformation and how lives can be saved? What if our teenagers were offered free university education to become international peacekeepers? I expect that many young persons would jump at the chance and take great pride in being international peacekeepers. We all know that we define ourselves as a country by the resources we put into education. Are we putting our resources into teaching war? Or can we put our resources into teaching peace and once again become world leaders in transforming conflicted societies?
- Paul McDowell
As a member of Community Mennonite Church of Stouffville, a peace church that promotes non-violent, constructive and transforming approaches to conflict, I became quite concerned after hearing that the Canadian military is recruiting in high schools across Canada (including Stouffville). The military is presented as a career option and targets teenagers through offering to pay for higher education if they enlist and recruiters present a career in the military as one of promoting peace-keeping throughout the world. My concern was heightened in hearing that the goal for recruitment is the “Number of recruiters being increased from 300 currently to 30,000 in the short-term to 80,000 in the long term.” (General Rick Hillier, February, 2006). "We are the Canadian Forces, and our job is to be able to kill people" -- General Rick Hillier, July 13, 2005. Is learning to kill people being presented as just another exciting career option?
In high school in the late 60's in Markham, I was taught that Canada was an international leader in finding peaceful means to resolve conflicts and was a leader in contributing to a world UN police force. In this new century, Canada has been steadily giving up its special leadership in international peace-keeping. Instead, the militarization (violence) of Canada’s response to international relations has increased and we have become a lower-grade partner with other countries in using military force to try to establish peace (Afganistan). This approach is internationally recognized as ineffective, and in fact increases the cycle of violence.
This change has made me quite sad at what has been lost to my children and to our country. What if Canada was truly in the business of saving lives and reducing conflict rather than having the job of being “able to kill people?” What if, instead of a doubling of the Canadian military budget over the past 10 years to 17 billion dollars, half of that had gone to using peaceful means that actually work in reducing and transforming international conflict? What if only the 2007 military overspending of one billion dollars was put into courses in high school and colleges that teach conflict resolution and transformation and how lives can be saved? What if our teenagers were offered free university education to become international peacekeepers? I expect that many young persons would jump at the chance and take great pride in being international peacekeepers. We all know that we define ourselves as a country by the resources we put into education. Are we putting our resources into teaching war? Or can we put our resources into teaching peace and once again become world leaders in transforming conflicted societies?
- Paul McDowell
Friday, March 28, 2008
new life
What a delight, on Easter Sunday, to celebrate Christine's baptism and Nick and Christine's public confession of faith and decision to formally "cast their lot" with us as members of this joyfully ragged band of disciples seeking to follow Jesus wherever he may lead us.
May we all walk in "newness of life" in this Easter season!
May we all walk in "newness of life" in this Easter season!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Lorne Grove's art
If you've visited For The Love of Jo Coffee House on Main St. in the past few days you may or may not have noticed that you are sitting - and sipping - in the presence of over 40 years of artwork by Lorne Grove, a member of our church. If you haven't had a chance yet, do stop by and have a look. Here's a small sampling, and some words from Lorne about his art.
"From the priceless treasure of a childhood on a frugal Mennonite farm near Dickson Hill; a journey on a freight ship from New York to Bombay for three years in India with Mennonite Central Committee; to senior years with our children and grandchildren, I consider every additional day as totally bonus."
- Lorne Grove
CHILDHOOD HOME
"From the priceless treasure of a childhood on a frugal Mennonite farm near Dickson Hill; a journey on a freight ship from New York to Bombay for three years in India with Mennonite Central Committee; to senior years with our children and grandchildren, I consider every additional day as totally bonus."
- Lorne Grove
CHILDHOOD HOME
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
learning from La Casa Grande - helping La Casa Grande
Here is Denise's promised follow-up from her message to us on Sunday:
At our church retreat last weekend I presented about my time spent working at an orphanage, La Casa Grande, in Benin.
I reflected on how we can learn from the Beninese and their remarkable way of placing God at the centre of every part of their lives. I suggested that their few material possessions allow them to focus on spirituality more fully than us as wealthy North Americans.
To follow up on this message I encourage Community members to find something material in their lives that has become an unnecessary habit. I then challenge you to give this particular thing up for one month. Hopefully this act will allow for time to re-evaluate what we really value. Potentially it could also engage others in conversation.
(eg: "Fred, did you see the hockey game last night? No, Stanley, I've decided to cut the cable this month and was unable to watch the game," "Really Fred, please tell me why you would ever do something like that...")
Doing this will also free up some cash that could then be sent to La Casa Grande. Currently the orphanage is expanding in order to accommodate more children. Our spare dollars would go far in aiding fundraising and demonstrating our shared interest in caring for the forgotten children of Benin.
Let's plan on starting next Monday the 9th. Take this week to discuss with your family and decide what would be appropriate for you.
Let's share with one another our ideas! It would be motivating and encouraging. I'll let you know what our family has decided upon in the next few days.
Thanks for your interest and openess. I was truly blown over on Sunday by the support I felt from this congregation!
- Denise
At our church retreat last weekend I presented about my time spent working at an orphanage, La Casa Grande, in Benin.
I reflected on how we can learn from the Beninese and their remarkable way of placing God at the centre of every part of their lives. I suggested that their few material possessions allow them to focus on spirituality more fully than us as wealthy North Americans.
To follow up on this message I encourage Community members to find something material in their lives that has become an unnecessary habit. I then challenge you to give this particular thing up for one month. Hopefully this act will allow for time to re-evaluate what we really value. Potentially it could also engage others in conversation.
(eg: "Fred, did you see the hockey game last night? No, Stanley, I've decided to cut the cable this month and was unable to watch the game," "Really Fred, please tell me why you would ever do something like that...")
Doing this will also free up some cash that could then be sent to La Casa Grande. Currently the orphanage is expanding in order to accommodate more children. Our spare dollars would go far in aiding fundraising and demonstrating our shared interest in caring for the forgotten children of Benin.
Let's plan on starting next Monday the 9th. Take this week to discuss with your family and decide what would be appropriate for you.
Let's share with one another our ideas! It would be motivating and encouraging. I'll let you know what our family has decided upon in the next few days.
Thanks for your interest and openess. I was truly blown over on Sunday by the support I felt from this congregation!
- Denise
Thursday, February 21, 2008
shikka
Hello church!
This past fall, I have been working with Mennonite Central Committee Ontario in helping to organize a service and learning trip for young adults to Bangladesh in June. The trip is for people over age 18 who want to learn more about the work of MCC and have an international learning experience. The program is called Shikka, which is the Bengla word for 'to learn.'
We will be staying with the Sisters at Global Family Catholic Mission and will be teaching children English, and playing with them through songs and games. This will be an opportunity to learn about another culture, religion and language and see where the money from MCC's Global Family Program is going.
I have learned a lot about organizing and planning this year through Shikka. It is a learning experience in itself to take on a role such as this one and receive applications, plan meetings and work on fund raising.
I have wanted to share about this in church for the past few Sundays but I always think about it after the service. So, here is the update! Stay tuned for fun fund raisers coming up and more news about this exciting experience!
Peace,
Rebecca
Friday, February 15, 2008
new initiatives
As we move into this season of Lent it is worth noting some new initiatives taking shape among us at Community Mennonite Church - initiatives that in different ways reflect the Lenten pursuits of soul-searching, taking stock, and repentance.
1) a group has met a few times to discuss our environmental concerns and desire to work toward specific and concrete changes. One family has begun the process of conducting an "energy audit" of their house, with a view toward becoming outfitted for solar power generation. The hope is that we as a community can support this process, learn from it, and help to facilitate more households "going solar." From such humble origins the 'Stouffville Initiative for Solar Energy" is beginning to take shape... drawing some inspiration from similar initiatives that are emerging in different parts of Toronto.
2) our congregational Care Groups have begun to meet for a simple meal of soup and bread, a brief time of sharing, and prayer. These groups meet on the second Sunday of every month and are open to all ages.
3) on Wednesday evenings during Lent (8:00-9:00) Joyce is leading a group in exploring different forms of prayer.
If you would like to participate in any of these groups, please don't hesitate to be in touch. It's good to walk together on this journey of learning to love God and God's creation, our neighbours, and ourselves.
1) a group has met a few times to discuss our environmental concerns and desire to work toward specific and concrete changes. One family has begun the process of conducting an "energy audit" of their house, with a view toward becoming outfitted for solar power generation. The hope is that we as a community can support this process, learn from it, and help to facilitate more households "going solar." From such humble origins the 'Stouffville Initiative for Solar Energy" is beginning to take shape... drawing some inspiration from similar initiatives that are emerging in different parts of Toronto.
2) our congregational Care Groups have begun to meet for a simple meal of soup and bread, a brief time of sharing, and prayer. These groups meet on the second Sunday of every month and are open to all ages.
3) on Wednesday evenings during Lent (8:00-9:00) Joyce is leading a group in exploring different forms of prayer.
If you would like to participate in any of these groups, please don't hesitate to be in touch. It's good to walk together on this journey of learning to love God and God's creation, our neighbours, and ourselves.
Friday, February 8, 2008
don't bring your horse to church
Here is an article by Pastor Cameron - soon to be published in the Stouffville Free Press:
Perhaps you have heard that Stouffville was named after a Mennonite family that settled here in , but you've wondered, “What happened to the Mennonites?” They may not be as easy to spot as you think.
I can still remember my sister telling the story of when the people she worked with discovered that she was a Mennonite. While she was a university student, she worked summers in Waterloo. People who had not grown up in the area were talking about wanting to see some Mennonites. “I'm a Mennonite,” my sister announced. With utter astonishment on her face, her co-worker asked, “Well, where do you keep your horse when you're at work?”
It's easy to understand why the image of the horse and buggy comes to mind when we talk about being Mennonite. Since some Mennonites have rejected some technological advances, they are very conspicuous. Most Mennonites cannot be identified by what they drive or what they wear. We are a diverse Christian denomination, with churches in downtown Toronto as well as in rural Ontario. We have churches in every continent on the globe. In fact, in 2003 there were as many Mennonites in India as in Canada and for years Africa has been the continent with the most Mennonites. So you may not realise who are the Mennonites around you.
What Mennonites do share are beliefs that can be traced to the beginning of our church. Our church grew out of the Anabaptist movement that began during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The Anabaptists took a radical stand in saying that the church should be separate from the State. This doesn't sound radical today but in Europe at that time, kings, princes and political leaders would decide the church to which their people would belong. So a baby became a Christian and a citizen of the State through infant baptism. The Anabaptists challenged this practice by refusing to baptize infants. Instead, they baptized only those who were old enough to choose to join a church.
Mennonites also share the heritage of being an “Historic Peace Church.” In the midst of the religious wars of the sixteenth century, Mennonites learned that violence does not make the world a better place. They came to believe that when Jesus said, “Love your enemies”, he meant that we cannot use violence against anyone, even those we detest. Peacemaking has come to mean many things to us, including nonviolent conflict resolution, economic justice and caring for the earth.
Community Mennonite Church of Stouffville would be happy if you would join us in striving to follow Jesus Christ. We meet at the Parkview Village auditorium on Sunday. Our Sunday School for all ages meets at 10:00 a.m. and our worship service begins at 11:00 a.m. Come as you are – with whatever mode of transportation you like!
Perhaps you have heard that Stouffville was named after a Mennonite family that settled here in , but you've wondered, “What happened to the Mennonites?” They may not be as easy to spot as you think.
I can still remember my sister telling the story of when the people she worked with discovered that she was a Mennonite. While she was a university student, she worked summers in Waterloo. People who had not grown up in the area were talking about wanting to see some Mennonites. “I'm a Mennonite,” my sister announced. With utter astonishment on her face, her co-worker asked, “Well, where do you keep your horse when you're at work?”
It's easy to understand why the image of the horse and buggy comes to mind when we talk about being Mennonite. Since some Mennonites have rejected some technological advances, they are very conspicuous. Most Mennonites cannot be identified by what they drive or what they wear. We are a diverse Christian denomination, with churches in downtown Toronto as well as in rural Ontario. We have churches in every continent on the globe. In fact, in 2003 there were as many Mennonites in India as in Canada and for years Africa has been the continent with the most Mennonites. So you may not realise who are the Mennonites around you.
What Mennonites do share are beliefs that can be traced to the beginning of our church. Our church grew out of the Anabaptist movement that began during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The Anabaptists took a radical stand in saying that the church should be separate from the State. This doesn't sound radical today but in Europe at that time, kings, princes and political leaders would decide the church to which their people would belong. So a baby became a Christian and a citizen of the State through infant baptism. The Anabaptists challenged this practice by refusing to baptize infants. Instead, they baptized only those who were old enough to choose to join a church.
Mennonites also share the heritage of being an “Historic Peace Church.” In the midst of the religious wars of the sixteenth century, Mennonites learned that violence does not make the world a better place. They came to believe that when Jesus said, “Love your enemies”, he meant that we cannot use violence against anyone, even those we detest. Peacemaking has come to mean many things to us, including nonviolent conflict resolution, economic justice and caring for the earth.
Community Mennonite Church of Stouffville would be happy if you would join us in striving to follow Jesus Christ. We meet at the Parkview Village auditorium on Sunday. Our Sunday School for all ages meets at 10:00 a.m. and our worship service begins at 11:00 a.m. Come as you are – with whatever mode of transportation you like!
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