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Panamian artist and theologian wins scholarship
Panamanian MB leader Alina Itucama practices the ancient Wounaan craft of weaving rainforest baskets from threads of the black palm tree native to Panama’s richly biodiverse Darién forest. Starting as a knot at the base, the pattern is woven upside down. The basket pictured took three years to complete and has a US$15,000 price tag.
Itucama creates beauty not only with her hands, but also her mind. She is director of a Bible institute in Panama, a leader in the national MB conference, elected to the board of CAMCA (Consulta Anabautista Menonita de Centro América) after July’s Mennonite World Conference, and participant in the Latin American Women Theologians group. In November, she received a scholarship from Mennonite Women USA to further her studies. The teaching certification she will receive, in addition to her experience running a small indigenous art company, and her knowledge of Wounaan language and culture, will equip Itucama to be a valuable resource to her people.
“These scholarships provide spiritual dividends well beyond the size of the gift,” says Rhoda Keener, Mennonite Women USA executive director.
The first contact between Mennonite Brethren missionaries and Itucama’s people, known as Choco Indians, was in the late 1940s. An indigenous church sprang up among the Emberá and Wounaan language groups, officially organized into Iglesia Evangélica Unida Hermanos Menonitas de Panamá (United Evangelical Church: MB) in 1971. Today there are 13 congregations with some 600 members, mostly in the politically volatile border region, where disputed indigenous collective land ownership and loss of vocation and biodiversity through deforestation are pressing issues for Choco Indians.
For more stories on how God is using MBs in Canada to build his kingdom, visit the Canadian conference website, www.mbconf.ca, where new stories appear on the homepage throughout the month.
Recent postings:
Also, visit the Regenerate 21-01 blog (www.regenerate2101.ca) to interact with bloggers Ewald Unruh, Dave Harder, Sarah Whyte, N.B. Paul, Phillip Vallelly, and Rachel Twigg Boyce.
Name: Lorraine Dick
Position: Member-at-large, chair
On the board since: 2006
“Day job”: pastor (currently unemployed)
Church: South Langley MB Church, Langley, B.C.
Family: single; 6 nieces and nephews
Why theology is important: Theology is our grounding – and while the word “theology” may not be so popular, it is still the work that we have to do as we follow Jesus.
Name: Keith Poysti
Position: Manitoba conference minister
On the board since: 2005
“Day job”: Manitoba conference minister
Church: Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg
Family: married to Heidi; 3 children; 2 grandchildren
Most important theological issue facing MBs today: How do our roots in the Anabaptist radical reformation and our MB church renewal beginnings inform and fuel change within the MB church today?
Favourite theologian: Currently, N.T. Wright
Name: Paul Doerksen
Position: Manitoba representative
On the board since: 2006
“Day job”: biblical studies teacher at MBCI, Winnipeg; sessional lecturer
Family: married to Julie; 3 daughters
Why theology is important: At bottom, theology is important because God is important.
Favourite theologian: Karl Barth
Name: Doug Berg
Position: MBBS representative
On the board since: 2008
“Day job”: associate professor of leadership studies and associate dean of administration at MBBS-ACTS, Langley, B.C.
Church: Northview Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Family: married to Lil; 3 married sons; 7 grandchildren
Most important theological issue facing MBs today: Identifying the theological glue that holds MBs together.
Favourite theologian: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Correction: We blundered on reporting Ken Peters’ words in last month’s profile. Under “favourite theologian,” it should have read: “to call him my favourite theologian might be stretching it, but I enjoy Miroslav Volf.”
Panamanian MB leader Alina Itucama practices the ancient Wounaan craft of weaving rainforest baskets from threads of the black palm tree native to Panama’s richly biodiverse Darién forest. Starting as a knot at the base, the pattern is woven upside down. The basket pictured took three years to complete and has a US$15,000 price tag.Itucama creates beauty not only with her hands, but also her mind. She is director of a Bible institute in Panama, a leader in the national MB conference, elected to the board of CAMCA (Consulta Anabautista Menonita de Centro América) after July’s Mennonite World Conference, and participant in the Latin American Women Theologians group. In November, she received a scholarship from Mennonite Women USA to further her studies. The teaching certification she will receive, in addition to her experience running a small indigenous art company, and her knowledge of Wounaan language and culture, will equip Itucama to be a valuable resource to her people.
“These scholarships provide spiritual dividends well beyond the size of the gift,” says Rhoda Keener, Mennonite Women USA executive director.
The first contact between Mennonite Brethren missionaries and Itucama’s people, known as Choco Indians, was in the late 1940s. An indigenous church sprang up among the Emberá and Wounaan language groups, officially organized into Iglesia Evangélica Unida Hermanos Menonitas de Panamá (United Evangelical Church: MB) in 1971. Today there are 13 congregations with some 600 members, mostly in the politically volatile border region, where disputed indigenous collective land ownership and loss of vocation and biodiversity through deforestation are pressing issues for Choco Indians.
—from reports
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For more stories on how God is using MBs in Canada to build his kingdom, visit the Canadian conference website, www.mbconf.ca, where new stories appear on the homepage throughout the month.
Recent postings:
- Dreams launched at Discovery C.C.: church gets theatrical
- Church planting: BIG, risky business: steps for progress
- Equipping a House for All Nations: ReFocusing and Eagle’s Flight
Also, visit the Regenerate 21-01 blog (www.regenerate2101.ca) to interact with bloggers Ewald Unruh, Dave Harder, Sarah Whyte, N.B. Paul, Phillip Vallelly, and Rachel Twigg Boyce.
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The board of faith and life (BFL) provides spiritual guidance and direction in matters of faith, theology, ethics, and Christian living, and upholds biblical and ethical integrity through the MB Confession of Faith. The BFL also provides resources (e.g. pamphlet series) and events (e.g. study conferences and pastors credentialing orientation).—Eds
Name: Lorraine DickPosition: Member-at-large, chair
On the board since: 2006
“Day job”: pastor (currently unemployed)
Church: South Langley MB Church, Langley, B.C.
Family: single; 6 nieces and nephews
Why theology is important: Theology is our grounding – and while the word “theology” may not be so popular, it is still the work that we have to do as we follow Jesus.
Name: Keith PoystiPosition: Manitoba conference minister
On the board since: 2005
“Day job”: Manitoba conference minister
Church: Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg
Family: married to Heidi; 3 children; 2 grandchildren
Most important theological issue facing MBs today: How do our roots in the Anabaptist radical reformation and our MB church renewal beginnings inform and fuel change within the MB church today?
Favourite theologian: Currently, N.T. Wright
Name: Paul DoerksenPosition: Manitoba representative
On the board since: 2006
“Day job”: biblical studies teacher at MBCI, Winnipeg; sessional lecturer
Family: married to Julie; 3 daughters
Why theology is important: At bottom, theology is important because God is important.
Favourite theologian: Karl Barth
Name: Doug BergPosition: MBBS representative
On the board since: 2008
“Day job”: associate professor of leadership studies and associate dean of administration at MBBS-ACTS, Langley, B.C.
Church: Northview Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Family: married to Lil; 3 married sons; 7 grandchildren
Most important theological issue facing MBs today: Identifying the theological glue that holds MBs together.
Favourite theologian: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Correction: We blundered on reporting Ken Peters’ words in last month’s profile. Under “favourite theologian,” it should have read: “to call him my favourite theologian might be stretching it, but I enjoy Miroslav Volf.”
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