Homepage
MB Herald receives nine publication awardsThe Mennonite Brethren Herald received a total of nine awards from the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) and the Canadian Church Press (CCP) for articles and graphics published in 2009.
At the EPA annual convention May 5–7 in Dallas, Tex., five MB Herald pieces were recognized with EPA Higher Goals Awards, which highlight the year’s best work by EPA publications.
Brad Huebert’s “Santa’s First Christmas” received first place in the cartoon category while Russ Toews’ account of dealing with his son’s suicide, “Are You Sure God is Good?” from the June 2009 issue received fourth place for first-person article.
Three took fifth place: June’s “Thinking About the Atonement” by Timothy Geddert (biblical exposition); July’s “In the Garden” by Sarah Klassen (poetry) and the “Food and Fellowship” cover by Audrey Plew, MB Herald graphic designer (single photo, controlled setting).
At the 2010 CCP annual convention (Ont.), the aforementioned “In the Garden” received first place for poetry, and Russ Toews’ “Are You Sure God is Good?” was awarded third place for narrative.
MB Herald assistant editor Karla Braun took third place in the “in-depth treatment of a news event” category for “The Word Became Flesh…and Moved Into the Patch” in December’s issue.
Ken Priebe’s article “The Breath of Life” from August received an honourable mention in features.
The EPA and CCP awards panels of judges were comprised of a diverse pool of professors, authors, journalists, editors, artists, and business professionals.
“We’re honoured to receive recognition from our colleagues in Christian publishing, and to be part of these associations,” says MB Herald editor, Laura Kalmar. “This year’s award-winning pieces represent the depth and breadth of Mennonite Brethren writing and creativity, and we’re pleased to feature this same calibre of work in every issue we publish. Congratulations to all our writers and photographers!”
The EPA is a professional association providing training, recognition, networking, and other services to more than 300 religious periodicals within the Christian publishing industry. CCP facilitates community and professional support among editors and publishers of its member publications, encouraging higher standards of religious journalism and a more positive and constructive Christian influence on contemporary civilization.
—a Canadian Conference of MB Churches news release
____________________________________________________________________
International day of remembering in cradle of MB faith
Ukraine The Kutuzovka Church is a small fellowship made up mostly of Ukrainians from Molochansk and Tokmak; friendly people who are accustomed to the visits of nostalgic Canadian Mennonites who talk about a relative who lived here, owned a mill there, who spoke German and planted trees. Imagine their surprise at seeing Moriki Hatakenaka, a Japanese man, stand in front of the church saying he was Mennonite.
On May 16, a small international celebration in Molochansk and Rueckenau, Ukraine, commemorated the birth of the MB church 150 years before. Local believers were joined by delegates from Japan, Germany, Brazil, and Canada, who prayed in their own languages and brought greetings. Representatives from the Zaporozhye oblast and Tokmak region also gave greetings and spoke to the historical Mennonite contribution to the area.
In addition to Hatakenaka’s address, Canadian conference executive director David Wiebe and MB Mission and Service International representative Ike Bergen spoke on growing, and knowing your purpose. Marina Romanovna, a local school principal and Mennonite promoter and historian, sang in German and Russian, and three local women in national costume sang two songs, accompanied by accordion.
At a sunflower oil factory, formerly the first MB church building, in Rueckenau, Heinrich Vogt, a Mennonite from Brazil whose parents were born in Ukraine, unveiled a plaque in Ukrainian, German, and English, reading: Mennonite Brethren Church 1860–2010, Celebrating 150 years of God’s Faithfulness, Rueckenau Church, Dedicated 1863.
—with files from Ben Stobbe and Rudy and Hildegarde Baerg of the
Mennonite Centre in Molochansk (formerly Halbstadt), Ukraine
Mennonite Centre in Molochansk (formerly Halbstadt), Ukraine
____________________________________________________________________
Menno mirth
Q: What is the smallest book in a Mennonite college library?
A: A book on war heroes.
From the Mennonite Lexicon:
Mennostery: a school for sons and daughters of Mennonites under vows to find a mate, a service, or a vocation while studying there.
Mennologue: a conversation between two persons, each armed with an error-proof genealogy, who discover they have an ancestor in common.
Murray Phillips, a former instructor at Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C., mentioned in the 1980s that he was the guest speaker at another MB church. He was introduced as “the brother-in-law of so-and-so who teaches at the university and is a member of the Killarney Park Church.” His own name and identity were never mentioned.—MB General Conference Convention
Collected by Katie Funk Wiebe in “Reclassified” in Festival Quarterly
____________________________________________________________________
Binational seminary graduates
54th and final class
Twenty students comprised the last graduating class of MB Biblical Seminary as a binational institution May 16, 2010 at Fresno (Cal.) First Baptist Church.
“God’s greatest gifts to the church are not academic degrees,” said Larry Martens, commencement speaker in Fresno. “His greatest gifts are always ordinary people who are endowed with the Holy Spirit, who are captivated by a kingdom vision, and who are set apart for a kingdom task.” Graduate Vanna In responded on behalf of the graduating class, declaring his belief in God’s ability to transform a human life through the love of God’s son, Jesus Christ. In, a former refugee and gang member, found God while incarcerated in the county jail.
Ken Radant, ACTS principal, was commencement speaker for the MBBS-ACTS graduation ceremonies at the Langley campus held Sunday, April 25. Eight graduates received masters degrees and two received a diploma of Christian studies at MB Biblical Seminary-ACTS in Langley, B.C.
—MBBS
____________________________________________________________________
