Jul 21, 2014

Wild Hope by Lora Braun, July 2014

Wild Hope
by Lora Braun
July 2014


There’s a wild hope on the wind
Her whisper is heard on the breeze
The gale is her shout, calling us out
There’s a wild hope on the wind

O God in the wind
Come, gather us in
Be our courage and promise
The future is dim, but we want to live into
A wild, wild hope

There’s a wild hope in the trees
Her skin is as rough as the bark
As smooth as a leaf, we can feel her belief
There’s a wild hope in the trees

O God in the trees
Come, heal our dis-ease
Be our courage and promise
The future is dim, but we want to live into
A wild, wild hope

There’s a wild hope in the skies
Her gown is the blue of forever
The purple of night is her heart’s pure delight
There’s a wild hope in the skies

O God in the skies
Come, open our eyes
Be our courage and promise
The future is dim, but we want to live into
A wild, wild hope

There’s a wild hope in the earth
The fields are her breasts giving nurture
The dark underground is where life can abound
There’s a wild hope in the earth

O God in the earth
Come, aid our re-birth
Be our courage and promise
The future is dim, but we want to live into

A wild, wild hope

Jul 19, 2014

MW Canada Annual Meeting (part 4)

Here is the last instalment of our Annual Meeting!

After our business session ended, we opened the doors and Elsie Wiebe, our MB rep invited all who were waiting in the halls to join us for the rest of the evening.  The Faith and Life Women's Chorus under the direction of Millie Hildebrand and accompanied by Loren Hiebert on the piano, blessed us with their repertoire of 9 songs.  Some of these were familiar ones such as O Lord of Hosts by Gabriel Faure, His Eye is on the Sparrow, arr. Larry Nickel and How Deep the Father's Love for Us, arr. Mark Bryner.  

The Faith and Life Women's Chorus
In keeping with the Assembly theme, Elsie had invited 3 young women from area churches to share with us their 'wild hope'.  Their sharing was interspersed with the musical selections.

Sandy Hung
Sandy Hung shared about the hope she has as she begins her ministry in the Winnipeg Chinese Mennonite Church working with youth.  

Lora Braun
Lora Braun from Morden Mennonite Church had written an inspiring song, which expressed her 'wild hope'.  She is a music therapist and her performance was amazing.  Everyone could feel the hope she was expressing and we felt as if we were given a gift.  She has graciously agreed to share the words of the song with us and is working on getting the music published.  I will share the words in an upcoming post.  

Anne Heinrichs
The third speaker was Anne Heinrichs, of Hope Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, who shared about her and her husband Steve’s journey of walking alongside Aboriginal Canadians in their struggle for identity, acceptance and justice.

The closing piece by the choir was How Great the Father’s Love for Us.  Thanks to Waltrude for posting the recording on You Tube and putting it on Facebook.  Click here to hear it.  

After an ovation of appreciation for the choir and the speakers, one could hear many positive comments as women (and men) exited the chapel.  It had been a wonderful evening of worship, inspiration and 'wild hope'.

Thanks to all who had a part in organizing this event, especially Elsie Wiebe, who was our local co-ordinator.



Jul 16, 2014

MW Canada Annual Meeting (part 3)

The business session was led by Lois Mierau, our Secretary-Treasurer.  This included acceptance of the July 14, 2012 Minutes, the 2012-2013 and Reports (as found in the Annual Report Book) as well as the 2012-2013 Financial Report.  Lois also presented the proposed Opportunities for Giving 2015-2016 and it was accepted. Proposed changes to the constitution reflect the fact that MC Canada Assembly is being held biennially instead of annually.  Also, two references to a ballot vote were removed.  The adoption of the constitutional changes was accepted. 



Offering envelopes were on the tables and Lois explained that the offering would be divided between a project chosen by the hosting province (Manitoba) and one chosen by the Mennonite Women Canada executive.  The Manitoba project is going toward the publishing of the new Sunday school curriculum Shine: Living in God’s Light.  The executive has chosen to contribute toward paying for the travel costs of women from the Global South to attend Mennonite World Conference 2015 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.


Myrna Sawatzky presented the slate of nominees.  Liz Koop has let her name stand for a second term as President (2-year term to coincide with the next Assembly in 2016) and Lois Mierau has let her name stand for a second term (2 years) as Secretary/Treasurer.  It was moved, seconded and carried that Liz Koop be re-elected as President for a 2-year term ending in 2016 and that Lois Mierau be re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer for a 2-year term ending in 2016. A president-elect is needed beginning July 2015. Myrna also mentioned the need for leadership positions to be filled in the provinces/regions.   



Liz Koop then introduced the 2014 Bible Study Guide, Practicing Presence by Terri Plank Brenneman, a joint venture by MennoMedia, Mennonite Women Canada and Mennonite Women USA.  She encouraged women to pick up a copy at the MennoMedia display table in the dining tent.






Who would win???
The finale of the business meeting was the presentation of our 5 door prizes.  The executive members from the 5 provinces had each prepared a gift reflective of their part of the country.  It was fun to see who the winners were.  (See photos below)

Adele Wedler from Edmonton, AB wins the SK door prize

Margaret Ewert from Drake, SK wins the AB door prize

Vicki Dick from Waterloo, ON wins the ON door prize.

Elsie Wiebe (MB rep) presents Annemarie Rogalsky
 with the MB door prize

Gladys Block from Winnipeg, MB wins the BC door prize

The next blog post will feature the Faith and Life Women's Chorus and three speakers so please stay tuned!




Jul 14, 2014

MW Canada Annual Meeting (part 2)

Here are some photos from our dessert and coffee event!


Yummy desserts!
Thanks to the local team for decorating!



Fellowship around the tables

Liz Koop, President, welcomed the over 80 women and recognized MC Canada staff who were present.  She also introduced several special guests.  Rhoda Keener, Co-director of Mennonite Women USA brought greetings and shared about their Sister Care program.  Christina Barkman, MC Canada Witness worker, shared about the ministry she and her husband, Darnell, are involved in in Manila, Philippines.  Margaret Ewert, from Drake, SK, presented us with a lacquered tray she had received from women in Taiwan while she was President of Canadian Women in Mission during the 70's.

Rhoda Keener, Co-director of MW USA bought greetings
Christina Barkman shared about her work in the Philippines


Margaret Ewert making a presentation

The next post will be about the business session.

Jul 12, 2014

MW Canada Annual Meeting

One week ago on Friday, July 4, our executive hosted our annual meeting which took place in the South Chapel at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg.  80 women gathered over a cup of coffee and some tasty desserts for the business session which started at 6:30 pm.

The room was decorated in green and yellow with wild flowers in vases.  This fit in very nicely with the theme of the Assembly which was "Wild Hope - faith for an unknown season".

Elsie Wiebe and her committee from the local area welcomed guests at the door and it didn't take long for the room to be filled with the buzz of conversation.




Liz Koop, President, welcomed everyone to the meeting and we were able to complete all of the business items in time for the program presented by the Faith and Life Women's Chorus at 7:30 pm.

Over the next few weeks I am planning to post more details and photos so please check back.  Or you may want to become a follower of this blog which means you will be notified by email every time a new post is published.

See the side bar near the bottom!