Mennonite schools network around
More than 160 K–12 teachers and administrators affiliated with the Canadian Association of Mennonite Schools (CAMS) gathered in Brandon, Man., Feb. 18–20, to explore “The Power of Story: Living the Biblical Narrative.” Educators came from across Canada, from Kitchener, Ont., to Abbotsford, B.C., to Rosthern, Sask.
The fundamental purpose of the conference, which meets every three years, was to renew familiarity with our story as a Mennonite people, our stories as unique schools, and our personal faith journey stories. The goal was to inspire educators to pay closer attention to the stories all around us. We need to know our craft and our students, but if we shy away from knowing ourselves and sharing our story, we shortchange our students, colleagues, and ourselves.
Keynote speaker Royden Loewen, chair of Mennonite studies at the University of Winnipeg, provided a fascinating and detailed overview of three specific windows into history: Menno Simons, the Latin American Mennonite experience, and the current tension between Mennonite culture and faith. The keynote sessions were introduced with a time of worship and prayer, directed by different schools, providing a taste of the variety found on Mennonite campuses.
Workshop sessions included “Best Practices,” in which representatives from each school shared some of their school’s success stories. This created dialogue between schools about various programs and a time of consultation which built helpful connections between CAMS colleagues.
Afternoon breakout sessions considered diverse themes, such as “Why Teach World Religions?” “Singing our Story,” “Prayerful Labyrinth Contemplation,” and “Integrating Faith and Teaching.”
Thursday’s variety evening followed the theme of Story, with assorted presentations from a short movie featuring kindergarteners, to a live performance of rap music.
The fundamental purpose of the conference, which meets every three years, was to renew familiarity with our story as a Mennonite people, our stories as unique schools, and our personal faith journey stories. The goal was to inspire educators to pay closer attention to the stories all around us. We need to know our craft and our students, but if we shy away from knowing ourselves and sharing our story, we shortchange our students, colleagues, and ourselves.
Keynote speaker Royden Loewen, chair of Mennonite studies at the University of Winnipeg, provided a fascinating and detailed overview of three specific windows into history: Menno Simons, the Latin American Mennonite experience, and the current tension between Mennonite culture and faith. The keynote sessions were introduced with a time of worship and prayer, directed by different schools, providing a taste of the variety found on Mennonite campuses.
Workshop sessions included “Best Practices,” in which representatives from each school shared some of their school’s success stories. This created dialogue between schools about various programs and a time of consultation which built helpful connections between CAMS colleagues.
Afternoon breakout sessions considered diverse themes, such as “Why Teach World Religions?” “Singing our Story,” “Prayerful Labyrinth Contemplation,” and “Integrating Faith and Teaching.”
Thursday’s variety evening followed the theme of Story, with assorted presentations from a short movie featuring kindergarteners, to a live performance of rap music.
—John Sawatzky
