April 22nd

'Four Strong Winds' and a Joint Council Preview

I am not much for Karaoke. But there are times when you don’t have a choice. Last month the Mennonite World Conference Executive Committee and some staff met in Lumban, Philippines for our annual meetings. The meeting days are long – 8:30am – 6:00pm. We need to have some fun in the evening.

One evening, the hosts brought in a karaoke machine. “Oh no”, I thought. Well, everyone takes a turn. Since some people experience me as outgoing, the microphone was given to me for the second song. I looked for a song that is dear to my heart, “Four Strong Winds” by Ian Tyson. I sang it, a few others joined in, and at the end of it, some from places around the world said to me, “What is this Alberta place?” Why is this a heart song for people”? “It is hard to say”, I told them.

It is springtime in Alberta and Mennonite Church Canada’s Joint Council is making their way to Calgary on May 1-3 for our spring meeting. True to the feel of Alberta, this meeting is moving us into some wide-open space for the nationwide church – space that will be exciting and invigorating for the Regional Churches.

We covet your prayers. We are living in a time when the world feels like it is losing its moorings. While we take that seriously, we also know that God’s future is for peace and flourishing for all as this is the way of Jesus in the gospels.

Your own Bruce Baergen (assistant moderator) of First Mennonite, Edmonton, will be leading our meetings. Foothills Mennonite is hosting us. As the Joint Council, we are entering spaces of open possibilities and entrusting that God will lead and guide us.

If you are at Foothills on Sunday morning, come and say hello! God bless each and every one of you in MCA as you seek to follow where the Spirit is leading you in this time.