Canadian Mennonite

Ask Oma

Oma has ideas for what to do when you want peace but someone has crossed a line that matters to you.

Check the first comment below for a link to advice from Oma.

National Defence Without Weapons: Online Event

Replacing Militarism with Nonviolent Resistance.

Join us for Anabaptists for Nonviolent Defence national launch webinar: National Defence Without Weapons.

At this webinar participants will learn about the radical idea of abolishing war by transitioning from military to nonviolent defence systems. Together we’ll look at the history of nonviolent resistance movements and how we can build on their successes to foster a lasting peace.

When: Sunday, October 4th.

Time: 7-8:30pm Eastern | 6-7:30pm Central | 4-5:30pm Pacific.

Where: Online via Zoom.

Cost: Free

In the 20th century, numerous societies successfully toppled dictators and defended against invasions using nonviolent means. Together we will explore case studies of successful nonviolent movements and ask ourselves:

What nonviolent choices do we have if an invasion happens? Or if we face an authoritarian takeover?

Where have these nonviolent choices been used successfully before?

And what is our calling as Christians now to prepare for & use these strategies in the future?

Whether you’re joining us by yourself or as part of a church watch party, you’re welcome to join us.

Check the first comment below for a link to the registration.

MennoCreative: Rewired for Unity
The Cost of Crossing Over

The story of a multi-ethnic church is “often told as a beautiful arrival; the kingdom of God being built.” But though that is true, Kalkidan Ararso says, “Nobody tells you that choosing a wider community will feel like losing a smaller one.”

Check the first comment below for a link to the full story.

Christianity Needs a Living God

Author and theologian Meghan Larissa Good knows that “faith without works is dead,” but she questions what happens when the church tries to do “works without faith.”

Check the first comment below for a link to the full story.
(Photo Credit: Luca Romano/Unsplash)

"I’m keenly interested in the words that impact people. My reading lists come almost exclusively from personal recommendations. Someone gushes on social media about their latest read, and I’ll add it to my list. Partway through a deep conversation, a friend tells me the impact of a book, and I’ll write it down. At my writers’ group, we ask what everyone is reading, and suddenly I have a year’s worth of material..."

Check the first comment below for a link to this issue's book reviews.

We are deeply saddened by the death of Brenda Suderman on September 19.

Brenda served on the Canadian Mennonite Publishing Service board from 2023 to 2026, bringing her thoughtful perspective, writing gifts and deep care for the church to our work.

She was a gifted writer and an avid quilter, and she brought the same creativity, patience and attention to detail in her many contributions.

We are deeply grateful for Brenda’s years of service and for the wisdom and care she shared with CMPS. Her voice around the board table and her contributions to our work will be greatly missed.

We hold Brenda’s family and loved ones in our prayers and give thanks for the gift of her life and the many ways she shared it with others.

Editorial
The Truth about Lying

Mennonites have traditionally been reluctant to embrace the “lie of literature,” but Susan Fish (with the help of Rudy Wiebe and others!) makes a case that sometimes fiction can be the best way to get at “immense” topics.

Check the first comment below for a link to this story.
(Image Credit: Michaela St/Unsplash)

RIP Dolly Parton