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The executive board provides overall direction, governance, and fiduciary oversight to the Canadian MB Conference. We want to put “a face” to the current board by introducing its members. We began last month, and continue this month with another 5 of its 20 members.—Eds.
Ron Dyck was first elected to the executive board in 2004 as a member at large. In 2005, he became moderator of the Saskatchewan provincial conference and has served on the board in that capacity since then. He is employed by Saskatchewan Telecommunications Co. as a core network manager. He and Marilyn, who have 2 adult sons, live in Regina and serve their church, Parliament Community, on worship teams (Ron on guitar). One of the most rewarding aspects of being on both a provincial and national board, Ron says, is “to see the visions, goals, and initiatives of both conferences coming into alignment” and the growing “harmony” there.
Nancy Boese began her executive board work as a member at large and is now secretary. In her day job, she is a project manager with Bell Canada; she has been with the company 32 years. She and Tom live in St. Catharines, Ont., and have 2 adult children. She also serves as mission chair and worship leader at Fairview MB Church. “Board work is anything but boring,” Nancy says. She enjoys working with skilled and dedicated people, but her favourite aspect is the fellowship. “We laugh and share a lot with each other.” 
Ginette Rolland is vice-president of the Quebec provincial MB association and has served on the executive board 4 years. She is also on the leadership team of her home church, Église chrétienne de St-Jérôme. She is married to Guy and they have 4 adult children. Ginette teaches adult education. “There’s a wonderful team spirit that has developed on the board over time,” she says. “One of the exciting challenges I find is discerning and planning for the future all the while listening to God’s direction and having enough flexibility to let the Spirit guide and intervene in the process – a challenge we take on gladly and humbly.” 
Don Petker has served on the executive board since 2003, first as Manitoba moderator, then member at large, and now as assistant moderator. After 9 years as pastor at Selkirk (Man.) Community Church, Don and Lou moved to Abbotsford, where he is pastor of King Road MB Church. The couple has 3 adult children. “I love the church,” Don says, “not just the local congregation, but also the larger family of MB churches. Being on the board offers the opportunity to work together with leaders from across the country, helping to shape the ministry focus of the large MB community.” 
Former Canadian conference minister Ike Bergen serves the executive board as member at large, and is its representative to the board of MB Mission and Service International. He and Shirley have 2 adult sons, and live in Abbotsford, B.C. They are members at Yarrow MB Church, where Ike is on the pastoral staff part-time. In addition to the camaraderie others mention about the executive board, Ike appreciates “seeing younger leaders join the board and working together with them.”____________________________________________________________________
MCCs in Canada prepare for budget shortfall, cutbacks
WINNIPEG
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is behind budget for the first 9 months of the 2008–2009 fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2009.
“Two months ago there were hopeful signs that cash donations to MCC were increasing but our current financial reports indicate a budget shortfall that could be as high as $1.5 million,” said MCC Canada executive director Don Peters.
When MCC Canada and the 5 provincial offices planned their budgets in early 2008, staff optimistically predicted giving would continue to grow, and thus budgeted for an overall increase of 10 per cent.
Donations in the Prairie Provinces are steady and close to budget, but donations in the West Coast and Eastern Canada reflect the downturn in the Canadian economy and are well below budget.
Although overall cash donations have declined from last year, revenue from thrift shops, relief sales, and non-cash revenues from contributions to material aid resources (relief kits, blankets) has increased.
Working collectively, MCCs in Canada are addressing this budget shortfall through “sharing the pain” of reducing administrative and local programming costs by 5.5 percent for the remainder of the fiscal year, spending down reserve funds, and increasing efforts to raise funds, said Peters, making it possible to meet financial commitments for international programs.
Budgets for 2009–2010 have been finalized, with further reductions of 6.4 percent for administrative and local programming costs approved. There could also be reductions in the amount allocated for international programs in 2009–2010.
—Gladys Terichow, MCC
____________________________________________________________________World Mennonites come together
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay
Mennonites of all shades and stripes from around the world gathered in Paraguay for Mennonite World Conference, July 14–19.
The gathering had an international flavour with some distinctly Paraguayan moments. The opening worship service featured a 20-person ensemble of Paraguayan harps, pictured above. The diverse membership of Mennonite conferences in Paraguay – Russian-German heritage, Spanish, and indigenous – were well represented, and for the first time ever, the platform language was Spanish.
Registration figures from MWC July 17 listed 5,771 registrants: 3,056 from Paraguay, 578 from other Latin American countries, 180 from African countries, 95 from Asia and the Pacific, 366 from Europe, and 1,496 from Canada and the U.S.
The September issue of the MB Herald will contain full coverage of the event.—KB
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Ancient tradition brings hope and fulfillment
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Historical society recalls gospel songs
ABBOTSFORD, B.C.
The sound of gospel songs filled King Road MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., June 14, for an evening of singing and learning about the songs popular in our churches in the last century. The event was sponsored by the Mennonite Historical Society of B.C.
Gospel songs were once a staple in Mennonite church life; now they are rapidly fading into disuse. Musicologist Evan Kreider traced the development and popularity of these hymns. He noted that gospel songs grew out of the great revivals of the 1850s. By the late 1800s, some Mennonite churches began using gospel songs, first in evening services and for youth groups. They eventually became part of Sunday morning services.
“Successful revival movements bring an energy to church life,” said Kreider, citing the Brunk revival services of the 1950s as an example.
Gospel songs, with tunes often adapted from popular music of the day, focus on themes of assurance, personal salvation, and heightened individualism such as is evident in Fanny Crosby’s “Blessed Assurance.” Kreider observed that this hymn says, “Jesus is mine,” not Jesus is yours, or ours, but mine.
Kreider’s rich historical insights were interspersed with animated congregational singing of gospel songs, as well as performances by a male quartet and ladies sextet.
—Henry Neufeld
Coming Soon
2009
Sept. 1 — Classes begin, École de théologie évangelique de Montréal, Montreal.
Sept. 8 — Classes begin, Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask.
Sept. 8 — Classes begin, Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C.
Sept. 10 — Classes begin, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg.
Oct. 15–17 — BFL Study Conference, Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon.
Oct. 31 — The Great Emergence with Phyllis Tickle, Booth College, Winnipeg.
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Coming Soon
2009
Sept. 1 — Classes begin, École de théologie évangelique de Montréal, Montreal.
Sept. 8 — Classes begin, Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask.
Sept. 8 — Classes begin, Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C.
Sept. 10 — Classes begin, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg.
Oct. 15–17 — BFL Study Conference, Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon.
Oct. 31 — The Great Emergence with Phyllis Tickle, Booth College, Winnipeg.
