My report follows:
Place: TCU Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Dates: July 6-10, 2016
Attendance: 1. Delegates -
343
2.
Churches represented 126 out of 220 possible congregations
3.
Other attendees - 169
Highlights: 1. Good
amount of listening time to delegates on the issues, particularly
resolutions
three and
four below.
2.
Worship times, including communion altogether and with the community on
Sunday morning, attended by 950 people.
Messages by Sarah Wallace,
English Professor and Pastor's Wife from Osler Saskatchewan, Safwat Marzouk,
Old Testament and Hebrew professor from AMBS, and Executive Director Willard
Metzger. This also included good worship music with a team mainly from
Saskatoon's Wildwood Mennonite Church. All song selections were from our hymnal
or its accompanying auxiliaries, Sing the Story and Sing the Journey. It made
me realize what we are missing by not making more use of those two resources,
which our congregation does have copies of.
The scriptural basis for the
conference wonderfully emphasized the God-initiated covenant made with us and
how he continues to mercifully renew it in spite of our continually breaking
it. Indeed, as God promised almost from the beginning, we are now in a time
where, especially for us as Anabaptists, with Jesus as our focus and Gospels as
our authority under the Holy Spirit, we have the law written on our hearts.
This is hopeful for us as individuals and the church who do not always get
things right, even when we pray and hope we are following the guidance of the
Spirit.
Although in the pre-Christian
era, it had become weighted down with hundreds of legal expectations, Jesus
taught us that, other than the requirement of our faith in response to God's
merciful grace, we only have two laws to obey: love the Lord your God with all
your heart soul and mind, and your neighbor as yourself, which does mean you
have to know how to love yourself and what that means. It also means that these
are the things that should hold us together, not lesser issues such as, for
example, how we interpret the Bible and what it says on sexuality and gender.
As University of Saskatchewan English professor and Osler Mennonite Church
pastor partner said in the opening address, knowing, understanding and
acknowledging how we are the recipients of God's love makes it possible for us
to relate to others as we ought to under our covenant.
As Willard Metzger said in his
Sunday morning address, the law and the prophets come from these two commands
and are still the root and sustaining principle of our faith-life today. All of
this is sometimes especially difficult for us aa Anabaptists who put so much
emphasis on discipleship, which can really turn into excessive focus on works.
As he said though, "God doesn't want us to beat ourselves up… If we can't
celebrate grace, we can't fully celebrate God." He helpfully shared an
incident in his own life where he had felt quite inadequate and remorseful and
had been interrupted by God's voice clearly telling him "So tell me
something I don't know. Of course you are unworthy. If it were possible to be
perfect on your own, we wouldn't need to be having communion."
3.
Renewing connections with brothers and sisters from across the land. You
can't underestimate the power of this in reinforcing one's commitment to the
church. I am no extrovert but I myself spoke to some 75 old and new friends.
4.
Caring for God's Good Creation Workshop. There were some 40 people
present at the Want to Scale and Heritage Site north of Saskatoon new the banks
of the Saskatchewan River. A good deal of energy was put into how we as a
church need to be more pro-active in this area, particularly in the face of
increasing global warming and its effect on the poorest in our world, which
makes it a gospel and social justice issue. We also had good entertainment by
the “Riel Gentlemen" male a capella group from Winnipeg.
5.
Reports from both short and long-term Witness Workers. Fifteen or more
couples/ individuals engaged in Witness service, either short-or long-term,
including Jeanette and Todd Hanson, who were attenders of Peace Mennonite
Church for a while recently, as well as Palmer Becker, Peace Mennonite church's
former pastor, were all present to meet with and hear from.
6.
Active involvement of 40 or so articulate, intelligent and rationally vocal youth,
not counting the young adults, of which there were a very encouraging number
present. This was facilitated in part by a group that has sprung out of
Canadian Mennonite University, who really care for our church, called Emerging
Voices Initiative, which is not unrelated to the Young Voices that has been
part of the Canadian Mennonite in the recent past.
7.
Beautiful graphic backdrop for the stage by local artist Val Wiebe, as
well as an attractive assembly logo.
8.
The magnificent organization and execution of the whole experience by
the team from Winnipeg with the capable assistance of many volunteers (over 80)
from the area. As some of you know, this was a first for live-streaming
sessions over the Internet, which can still be viewed by those who are
interested at home.mennonitechurch.ca/Saskatoon2016/video
. Assigning all attendees a table number to join for the duration was a good
way of getting to know individuals of different ages from different parts of
the country as we worked through the issues at hand.
9. A good selection of tables in the foyer representing various
agencies related to our
church, e.g. Anabaptist Mennonite
Biblical Seminary, Canadian MennoniteUniversity,
Christian Peacemaker Teams, Columbia
Bible College, Mennonite Disaster Service, CommonWord Resources, Mennonite
Foundation and Mennonite Heritage Center. All of these organizations have their
own websites which you can look into further.
10.
Starting with Indigenous Protocol led by Harry Lafond of the Saskatchewan
Office of the Treaty Commissioner making
reference to our being welcomed to Treaty Six Territory. His challenge to us:
"I trust you[r actions here] will reflect the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission [Challenges]." He reminded us that a treaty was a covenant.
11.
Acknowledgments/greetings from MC-USA Executive Director Ervin Stutzman,
Mennonite World Conference Arly
Peters and leaders from the church in Mexico and Paraguay. There were also
representatives from the Mennonite church of the South Sudan present.
12.
There was a prayer room made available.
13.
The Ray Dirks Along the Road to Freedom
exhibit from the Mennonite Heritage Center and Gallery in Winnipeg that
a number of people in BC might have seen at the BC Mennonite Heritage Center
earlier this year in conjunction with its grand opening was on display at the
Diefenbaker Canada Center at the University of Saskatchewan during the time of
the assembly.
14.
Over $5000 was raised at assembly for Witness (missions) which was Immediately
matched by a group of anonymous donors so that $10,100 was raised in
all.
Disappointment and concerns:
1. Distinct lack of representation from our diverse and intercultural
congregations. There was no one there from Peace Chinese Mennonite Church. As even stated at the
assembly, we need to
do more to include the voices
from these newer “immigrant churches.” We were all once immigrants.
2. Maintaining cohesion and our Anabaptist identity with
fragmentation.
3. How will our relationship including financial support to our
educational institutions, Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite churches in other countries and Mennonite World
Conference be handled.
4. How will our relationship including financial support to our Witness
workers, whether short-term or long-term be handled.
5. That our larger church not become more fragmented as a result
of any of the actions taken at this assembly.
6. How will we achieve accountability in terms of implementing
resolutions with less of a central unifying church?
7. What does it say about the interest in Mennonite Church
Canada, or is it about the subjects
discussed, that slightly less than one half of our congregations were
represented.
8. News had
surfaced prior to the assembly to the effect that the Anglican Church of Canada
wish to enter
into a five-year dialogue with our church with respect to exchanging knowledge
and resources on working on peace and justice issues as well
as theology and liturgy. However, to my knowledge, this never surfaced at the
assembly floor, so I am not sure what that means.
Nominations approved:
1.
Moderator – Calvin Quan, Toronto
2. Finance Officer/Treasurer – Allan Hiebert,
Calgary. John Goossen from First United Mennonite in Vancouver gave a good and
moving reports of what has been happening. He
talked of how the budget deficit
has gone from 84,000 2 years ago to 300,000 last year. He stated that this was
mainly because of the decrease in congregational giving. In his closing prayer
as he relinquished office, he prayed that we might keep Jesus as the center of
our faith, community as the center of our lives and reconciliation as the
center of our work.
3. Willard Metzger for another term as Executive
Director to better help oversee the transition of the implementation task force
for the Future Directions
4.
Secretary - Harold Peters Fransen
5.
Witness chair - Don Boschman
Resolutions approved:
1.
Budget for 2016-2017
2.
Auditors for 2016-2017
3.
Future Directions Task Force
Recommendations (Yes 318, No 21, Spoiled 4) - As you will recall, we sadly
really only had one session to discuss this led by Pastor Brittani Gifford this
winter with MC-BC Executive Minister
Garry Janzen as a guest. However, 12 of our members attending the MCBC 2016
Sessions had more time to consider the issues there. This process was begun
some three years ago.
In a nutshell, this was all about reducing what some saw as a certain
top-heaviness of Mennonite Church-Canada with its offices and staff mainly in
Winnipeg. It was hoped thereby to bring about some savings for our increasingly
cash-strapped church. It was also an effort to respond to criticism of what
some saw as far-off Mennonite Church-Canada leadership by downloading it to
Area Churches which are nearer by. These would then function as a network to
accomplish more or less the same ends as Mennonite Church-Canada. However,
since the personnel here would be closer to the congregations, the thinking is
that they would be better known and thus could be more easily held responsible
and accountable for what they say and do.
This task force is now disbanded.
However, it will be replaced by a new transitional/implementation task force
under a project manager. This team will oversee the details of how this move can
be realized. When they feel they have completed their work, a national meeting
will be convened to be informed, respond to what they have done and make further
decisions on making this change. The Interim
Council, which will consist of moderators from each area church and the
national church, must now determine who will be on the transition team, create
a job description to begin the search for a project manager who will guide the
process, determine budget requirements and create a timeline for transitioning.
4.
Being a Faithful Church Recommendations
(Yes 277, No 50, Abstain 23) - This process began some eight years ago.
However, the central issues were really first addressed, oddly enough in Saskatoon, in 1986. It is high
time then that we make some progress in this area. This resolution had to do
with our church's response to members of the LGBTQ community wanting to be
fully part of our membership and even be part of same-sex marriages.
Besides being given a couple of blocks of time on different
days which gave individuals more time to think and prepare contributions, Dan
Epp-Tiessen of CMU also gave two separate seminars on scriptural resources
related to this topic, which allowed more time for expression of views and
questions. As was discussed, God has made allowances for us in areas such as
divorce and even the church's continuing support of slavery for centuries, and
perhaps he is making allowances for us in this area of gender as well.
Unfortunately, our congregation only discussed the very beginnings of this
issue in terms of how we can approach the Scripture about it, but never
advanced to actually discussing the topic.
This task force is now disbanded. However, congregations
are asked to listen to and communicate with one another as to how things work
out in those congregations who wish to proceed further in creating more open
and safe, even brave, spaces for welcoming these individuals. This motion does
not at this time directly affirm alternative lifestyles, let alone same-sex
marriage. Nor does it thus go against what our current Confession of Faith from
a Mennonite Perspective still says about marriage. Of course, depending on what
happens within our congregations over time, if we move towards full acceptance
of these lifestyles and same-sex marriage, we would have to revise our
Confession of Faith. We also need to think about whether we need to repent and
ask forgiveness of those we have hurt in this area because of our behavior.
5.
Palestine-Israel Resolution - On one
hand, this resolution, which we really did not discuss at any length in our
congregation, encouraged us as individuals and congregations to become more informed as well as consider
speaking to our political representatives about the issues with Israel and
Palestine, especially as it affects our Christian brothers and sisters in
oppressed circumstances there under the occupying Israeli government.
The second thrust of the
resolution was to ask us to think about not investing or doing business with
firms that Israel engages, particularly if they might contribute to military efforts,
as well as consider the possibility of sanctions against Israel in the future.
This is because Israel continues to refuse to follow the UN and international
law in its occupation of Palestinian territory and in its oppressive treatment
of the citizens there.
This resolution was accepted by
the Resolutions Committee as prepared by Byron Rempel-Burkholder, whom some of
you may remember as the former editor of our denominational rejoice devotional,
and who was moved to take this action after having returned from short-term
service in Bethlehem earlier this year. It was seconded by your former pastor,
Palmer Becker, who has made numerous trips for short-term involvement in this
part of the world.
6.
Repudiation of The Doctrine of Discovery
Resolution - We had two opportunities to discuss this as a congregation. This
was essentially to renounce the thinking of the church of the 15th century which was adopted by all
so-called Christian nations of Europe at the time, and is still used against
all the peoples that inhabited the lands they had begun exploring and
exploiting then and continue to do so to this day. This motion was brought
forth as a result of a plea to the churches to follow through with this as part
of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
The second part of the resolution
was also to encourage our congregations to become more informed about these
issues and continue to work at reconciliation with our indigenous neighbors and
fellow-Canadians. This last could also include more advocacy with our political
leaders and such bodies and agencies that have influence on the lives of our
indigenous neighbors.
Reports: 1. Canadian
Mennonite
2.
Canadian Mennonite University
3.
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
4.
Mennonite Heritage Center/Archives - a phenomenal resource with greatly
enhanced search capacities including advanced levels, Anabaptist references and
scripture references. One can also search using Google Translate. One can also
familiarize oneself with the Mennonite Archival Image Database to which text,
art, music and video can be donated. This is linked with seven Canadian
partners across the country as well as with Fresno MB archives in California,
with Paraguay to join next. You can also purchase and borrow many books,
including archival materials and books donated to the MCC thrift shops. There
is also an extensive Alternative Service/Conscientious Objector website linked
to this. This resource is good for education and information for future generations.
Churches were reminded to send in
copies of all their bulletins, annual reports etc. These help flesh out the
history of our congregations and church.
5.
Common Word Resource Center
6.
Youth Assembly/Covenant Crew 2.0 - video montage of their experience of travel
on the Churchill River, community, worship, sharing and service shown in the
Sunday morning worship
7.
Don Peters, MCC Canada, announced that we have to date raised $35 million for
Syrian refugee work.
Next meeting: TBA: depending on when the Future Directions
Implementation Task Force completes its work and needs to come back to the
membership for consideration, but no later than the summer of 2018
Action called for: 1.
Offering for a new Mennonite hymnal was collected.
2.
Offering to support the work of Jennifer Otto and Gregory Rabus with
Ludwigshafen Mennonite Church Friedenshaus in Germany was collected.
3. Further education and action,
including communication with the larger churches, with respect to passing the
resolution repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery.
4. Further education and action,
including communication with the larger churches, with respect to passing the
resolution regarding our actions towards Palestine-Israel.
5. Keeping aware of developments
with respect to the next stage of work regarding Future Directions so that we
are prepared to address pending recommendations when they come down.
6. Continued support both by
communication/prayer and financially for witness workers and all arms of the
church.
7. Further education and action
with respect to creation care, particularly in light of climate change/global
warming and its effect on "the least of these" in particular.
Further Information:
3. You
might also be interested in reviewing the action on Twitter that went on with
respect to the assembly: #menno2016, @mennochurch
5. the
background material to be gone over in preparation for the reports and
discussions, the resolutions at the assembly, the Discernment Guide is
available at commonword.ca/go/654
Live-streaming
sessions for the Internet can still be viewed by those who are interested at home.mennonitechurch.ca/Saskatoon2016/video
.
