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General News News Releases

CMU Announces 2012 CSOP Courses

December 23, 2011 – Peacebuilding happens when individuals, communities and organizations work together to create a culture of peace. Each year Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CSOP), an institute of Canadian Mennonite University, invites the peacebuilders from around the world to gather in Winnipeg, Canada, for a selection of five-day courses in June.

CSOP features two sessions this summer; the first will run from June 18-22, featuring three separate courses titled “Great Leaders of Peace: Stories of Aboriginal, Canadian and International Leaders,” taught by instructor Ovide Mercredi, “Peace Skills Practice,” by Karen Ridd, and “Speaking Out And Being Heard – Citizen Advocacy,” by Stuart Clark and Sophia Murphy.

The second session runs from June 25-29, featuring “Participant Driven Processes: Cultivating Change, Respecting Difference,” by instructor Barry Stuart, “Faith, Music and Inter-Ethnic Reconciliation,” by Ivo Markovic, and “Women and Peacebuilding” by Ouyporn Khuankaew Anna Snyder.

These five-day courses can be taken for personal inspiration, for professional development, or for academic credit. CMU welcomes peacebuilders of all ages, professions, faiths, and backgrounds to participate in discussion and learning at its fourth annual Canadian School of Peacebuilding. The School encourages anyone who is interested in peace work to attend, including staff and interns of non-governmental organizations, peace educators and activists, teachers and professors, students, government officials, community leaders, and religious leaders.

The Canadian School of Peacebuilding aims to educate on peace and justice issues and encourage discussion in a collaborative environment. The goal is for participants to leave these sessions with a new understanding of emerging ideas in peace studies, encouraged to take these practices into their daily living.

Canadian Mennonite University, through Menno Simons College (CMU’s campus at The University of Winnipeg) and through its south Winnipeg Shaftesbury campus, offers one of the most comprehensive undergraduate program in peace and conflict studies in the world. Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury Campus in Southwest Winnipeg, at Menno Simons College in downtown Winnipeg, and enrolled through its Outtatown discipleship program. CMU is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

For information about CSOP courses, instructors, lodging, costs, and times:
Visit: http://csop.cmu.ca/| Email: csop@cmu.ca | Tel.: 204-487-3300

 

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General News News Releases

CMU Press Releases Two Books for Children

 
Permalink: http://www.cmu.ca/media_archive/index.php/2011/cmu-press-releases-two-children’s-books

December 15, 2011… CMU PRESS is pleased to announce the release of two children’s books: On the Zwieback Trail by Lisa Weaver, Julie Kauffman and Judith Rempel Smucker, and David’s Trip to Paraguay, by Miriam Rudolph.

On the Zwieback Trail is an alphabet book, with each letter devoted to a different aspect of Russian Mennonite history, including the origin of Mennonite Central Committee, the history of the Mennonite people in Russia and the role of non-violence in the Russian Mennonite tradition, in addition to a number of personal anecdotes, unique historical artefacts, songs and recipes compiled by the author and designers.

“We hope that this book will spark family conversations about faith and cultural heritage,” said author Lisa Weaver. “We made the information accessible to children, but inviting to adults as well.”

In addition to writing On the Zwieback Trail, Weaver has a previous book, Praying With Our Feet, published by Herald Press in 2005. Julie Kauffman is the designer behind Simply in Season and both the designer and co-author of Simply in Season Children’s Cookbook (published by Herald Press in 2005 and 2006, respectively); Rempel Smucker has done a variety of design work for Mennonite Central Committee, including Consider the Threshing Stone, published in 2008 by Pandora Press.

David’s Trip to Paraguay is written and illustrated by Miriam Rudolph, a professional artist and printmaker from Winnipeg, Manitoba currently residing in Minneapolis. The book follows the true story of Rudolph’s grandfather’s immigration from Altona, Manitoba to Loma Plata, Paraguay in the 1920s.

Rudolph’s illustrations are constructed from acrylic paint and handmade coloured papers that beautifully demonstrate the contrast between the white Manitoba winter and the lively, bright buildings, forests, and creatures in Paraguay, where Rudolph was born. “I put some of my own love for Paraguay in the book, although I must admit that I’m quite at home in Canada now,” said Rudolph. The illustrations display Rudolph’s unique visual style, a style influenced by maps, memories, and way-finding. “I had a lot of fun making all the illustration panels fit together so that the whole long journey became more apparent,” she said.

The subject of her book, the small, South American country of Paraguay, has played an important part in Mennonite history since the early 20th century. “Moving around seems to be a common Mennonite theme,” said Rudolph. “I hope that the book might put Paraguay on the map for some people, since it is rarely talked about. I often get asked, ‘So, where exactly is Paraguay and what is it like?’ Maybe the book will at least partially answer that question. It is such a beautiful, but also poor, forgotten little country. I wanted to somehow show it to people.”

CMU PRESS is an academic publisher of scholarly, reference, and general interest books at Canadian Mennonite University. Books from CMU PRESS address and inform interests and issues vital to the university, its constituency, and society. Areas of specialization include Mennonite studies, and works that are church-oriented or theologically engaged.

For CMU PRESS information, contact:
cmupress@cmu.ca
204.487.3300
500 Shaftesbury Blvd, Winnipeg MB Canada R3P 2N2

TO ORDER:

Contact CMU Bookstore: 204.487.3300 or cmubookstore@cmu.ca

On the Zwieback Trail  Lisa Weaver, Julie Kauffman, Judith Rempel Smucker
CMU Press 2011 – 72 pages, hardcover, $25.00
ISBN 978-0-920718-92-6

On the Zwieback Trailis a delightful and informative children’s alphabet book of Russian Mennonite history, lovingly assembled as attractive collages of artefacts, historical narratives, photographs, recipes, and personal anecdotes of the past. Every page has something new to offer—whether it’s the meaning of the word “Anabaptist”, the role tractors played in the story of Mennonite Central Committee, or a delicious recipe for fluffy zwieback, this alphabet book is sure to charm and educate children and adults alike.

David’s Trip to Paraguay /Davids Reise in das Land der vielen Farben  Miriam Rudolph
CMU Press 2011, 32 pages, hardcover
English and German, $22.00
ISBN 978-0-920718-91-9

This is a gorgeous book by an exciting young artist, inspired by the extraordinary journey made by her grandfather from Canada to Paraguay in the late 1920s. David, a farm boy from Southern Manitoba, is excited when his family, in search of a new home, decides to leave wintry and white Canada behind to start a long journey by train, ship, and oxcart to South America. Along the way he takes in colourful impressions of New York’s skyscrapers, the ocean, flying fish, crocodiles, foreign cities, and many more exciting things that let him know he is going the right way. This is an exceptional children’s book, but also a beautiful art work for all ages. In addition, the dual-language text (English and German) adds a valuable educational dimension.

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General News News Releases

Championship Repeat at Western Canadians

Winners of the 2010 Western Canadian College Volleyball Championships in Saskatoon, the CMU women’s volleyball team entered the 2011 championships as the team-to-beat November 25- 26  in Olds, Alberta and proved themselves to be as good as it gets in Western Canada.

The 2011 women’s field consisted of thirteen teams from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Along with the Blazers, Assiniboine Community College and the University of St-Boniface represented the Manitoba Colleges Athletics Conference in Olds.

The Blazers cruised through their pool matches, defeating Palliser College (SK), Ambrose University College (AB), St. Mary’s University College (AB), and Selkirk College (BC) all in straight sets to advance to the medal-round.

In Saturday’s playoffs, CMU made short-work of Brandon’s ACC and then defeated Prairie Bible Institute (AB) 2-0 (25:18, 25:21) to advance to the final against King’s University College of Edmonton.

With the gold-medal on the line CMU again showed their pedigree, giving a strong team effort and getting a 9 kill performance from defending MCAC MVP Evelyn Kampen and 6 kills from middle Breanne Giesbrecht in support, on way to a 2-0 (25:22, 25:18) championship victory.

Released December 2, 2011

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General News News Releases

CMU Welcomes Writer, Film-maker Larry Krotz

What are the ethical and social implications of our actions in the world? As Westerners, what help are we providing in third-world countries like Africa and what are the effects of our actions?

 On Monday, December 5, in the Conference Room on CMU’s south campus, guest Larry Krotz will speak on his research on AIDS in Kenya and about outsiders in Africa. Through his two books on these topics, titled Piecing the Puzzle and The Uncertain Business of Doing Good, Larry will read and discuss his perspective on the ethical and social implications of development projects in Africa.

“It’s exciting to have him coming because he’s an excellent communicator on social justice and development issues, in particular on AIDS and outsiders in Africa,” says Paul Dyck, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of English at CMU.

Larry Krotz is a writer and documentary film maker, whose primary focus in his works has been to reveal how our actions affect the world.  He is well-travelled, and is quite familiar with Africa – Kenya, Zimbabwe and Angola in particular – as well as the Canadian north, where he has explored and become accustomed to First Nations communities and traditions. As a young adult, he spent a year in Canada’s arctic working with Inuit students in Churchill, Manitoba.

Krotz graduated with a BA in political science from York University’s Glendon College, in 1972. He moved to Winnipeg shortly after and became a writer, publishing his first book about Manitoba prisons called Waiting for the Ice Cream Man in 1976, collaborating with photographer John Paskievich.

He has written many articles and features since then; his journalism has made appearances in The Globe & Mail, Weekend magazine, Western Living, Quest, the United Church Observer, Canadian Geographic, Saturday Night, Equinox, and Border Crossings. His documentary videos have featured stories about community histories of Manitoba’s north, civil war in Angola, and a 1998 film titled Searching for Hawa’s Secret for the National Film Board of Canada which included footage from his trips to Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Krotz has also written non-fiction books about First Nations communities, a self-help guide for middle aged men, a novel titled Shutter Speed, and other works.

His new book, Piecing the Puzzle, will be highlighted during his discussion at CMU. Piecing the Puzzle is the story about the origin of AIDS and the thirty years following its discovery. His book highlights the struggle and battle against the AIDS epidemic, and how it has defined the last decades in both Africa and the world. 

The Uncertain Business of Doing Good, also featured in his presentation, examines NGO, scientist and peacekeeper projects that are done with the intention of helping Africa. He examines thought provoking questions about the nature of these actions and what drives our motivation as western outsiders. Krotz offers views on how we have come to see Africa and whether our help has been offered the right way.

In discussing our actions and their implications on the world around us, Larry Krotz will encourage his audience to reflect on the way we think about Africa and challenge  us to change our thinking around international development projects. 

Released Dec. 2, 2011

 

Categories
General News News Releases

CMU Students Celebrate Tuition Freedom Day

In a room packed with faculty, staff, guests, and students, Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) students on November 25 paid thanks to those who each year help to make higher education possible.

In opening the University’s annual Tuition Freedom Day celebrations, CMU Student Council (CMUSC) President Ben Borne noted: “This is a day where the students and all of CMU recognize the generous hearts of our donors, and say ‘thank you.’”

“Today marks the day when we celebrate the fact that donors have provided a great contribution in order for us to continue our studies here at CMU, since our tuition fees do not cover the full costs of our education,” said CMUSC Vice President, Activities, Belinda Morales, who chaired the event organizing committee.

CMU President Gerald Gerbrandt noted that just over $13-million is spent annually under CMU’s operating budget, of which about $10.3 million is related to academic costs. Of this total, he said, students themselves contribute roughly $4.6 million or 45% of costs. “The next largest portion of about $3.6 M, or 36%, comes from the Manitoba Government. More than $2.1-million is donation money, roughly $400,000 from conferences and congregations, and $1.7 from individuals who believe in CMU and contribute their money accordingly.

Manitoba’s Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy, the Honourable Erin Selby, brought greetings from the provincial government. Administrators, students, donors, and government – all contribute to sharing the costs of education, Selby noted. “We each do our part to sustain higher education, but today is the day that we recognize that, from this day forward, the operating costs come from other sources (than tuition).” She congratulated CMU for preparing students to lead rich, full lives. “We know they will contribute to our society,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of supporting churches, Elton da Silva, executive director of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba, spoke to students about the church’s reasons for investing in higher education at CMU. “There are great results that come out of having you being part of CMU, learning here, being equipped here. We will have better churches in the future because you have spent your time here.”

President Gerbrandt welcomed Katherine Wiens to speak on behalf of more than 1,800 individual donors who contribute to CMU each year.

In his introduction, Gerbrandt commented on Katherine Wiens’ long-standing connection to CMU, noting as well that her father was J.J. Thiessen, one of the people responsible for establishing one of CMU’s founding colleges, Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC), in 1947.

“My father J.J. Thiessen was very involved in the college, giving counsel, time, and prayer support,” she said, describing a time when “he went to a friendly manager of the bank and asked for a loan which he promptly gave to CMBC. He repaid that in monthly instalments,” she recalled.

Many members of their extended family benefited from the higher education they received at CMU and earlier founding institutions, said Wiens. The latest family member associated with CMU spent a year with the University’s Outtatown discipleship school.

“One does not support (an institution) only for what one’s children will get, but also for those in the next generations as well. I see CMU as God’s plan for our churches at this time.”

Stephanie Heide expressed appreciation from the student body to CMU’s donor groups. “Without the support of donors, the tuition we pay would be over double what it currently is. For a lot of us, that would mean not being able to continue our education. The support of donors makes a difference – a life-changing difference – by making quality education at an accredited Christian University possible.”

“We, the students of CMU, express our deep-felt thanks to those who have contributed to our education by helping to make it affordable. It is a huge gift to us,” said Heide. “Thank you, donors.”

Released Dec. 2, 2011

Categories
General News News Releases

Winter Courses Appeal to Part-time Students

For part-time students, mature students working towards a degree, and for members of the community who want to study a course of personal or professional interest to them, evening courses offer opportunities to build on personal learning and professional career goals.

“Many students appreciate the option of studying in the evening, and for part-time students in particular, flexibility in scheduling courses is a necessity, due to employment hours, child-care arrangements, or other commitments,” says CMU Registrar Wesley Toews.  “We are pleased to offer a great selection of courses this next term, and it is always gratifying to see members of the community coming out to study subjects in which they have developed a keen interest, or courses they feel would prepare them more adequately for the work they do.” 

Evening course offerings, available for credit or audit, include:  five courses exploring the Bible and theology, including Issues in Youth Ministry trends;  business courses for those working towards a BBA degree or business major or for personal and professional development; two courses in CMU’s Communications and Media stream; a course for those interested in gaining expertise in Disaster Recovery Studies; an English course relating to South African literature on Apartheid and Reconciliation; a music course on conducting, and another on the psychology of music for those interested in music therapy, and two psychology classes, one of which is also a business program credit.

CMU Evening Courses – January-April 2012
BTS-2310 Issues in Youth Ministry (John Berard)
BTS-3520 Sixteenth-Century Reformations (Paul Doerksen)
BTS-4495 Practice and Theology of Mission (Titus Guenther)
BTS-5080 Theology of Isaiah (Pierre Gilbert)�
BTS-5700 The Church in Ecumenical Perspective (Karl Koop)
BUSI-2050 Fundamentals of Marketing (Andrea Martens)
BUSI-2030 Management and Organizational Theory (Ingrid Peters-Fransen)
COMM-3030 Public Relations (Paula Havixbeck)
COMM-2000 New Media (David Balzer)
DRS/IDS-2171 Crisis, Humanitarian Aid, and Disaster Recovery (Bruce Guenther)
ENGL-3950 South African Literature: From Apartheid to Reconciliation (Franklin Hyde)
MUSC-4170 Band and Orchestral Techniques (Virginia Helmar)
MUSC-3830 Psychology of Music (Jennifer Lin)
PSYC-2410 Counselling Techniques (Lynda Loewen)
PSYC/BUSI-3000 Organizational Leadership (Vonda Plett)

CMU Evening Courses – January-April 2012
6:00pm – 8:45pm

Monday

BTS-5080 Theology of Isaiah (Pierre Gilbert) 
The book of Isaiah provides an awesome picture of the person of God and, some say, the clearest and most incisive statement of monotheism in the Old Testament. But, as lofty a picture of God as it may provide, the book presents an equally dismal portrait of Israel and by extension of human nature. The book of Isaiah is not, however, a simple exercise in hopelessness. It is first and foremost a book of hope. Isaianic hope is rooted in two ideas: 1) the loving, perseverant and compassionate nature of a God who has a project for Israel and all of humanity; 2) the provision of a means of redemption that ultimately derives from God’s initiative and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation of Christ and the full revelation of the Kingdom of God. In this course, we will examine the book of Isaiah in terms of 1) the overall theme in a canonical perspective; 2) the relevant historical context(s); 3) its contribution to biblical theology and its relevance for the Church today.  Prerequisite:  This is a course for graduate students.  Persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree are welcome to apply for admission to this course as Continuing Education students.

BUSI-2050 Fundamentals of Marketing (Andrea Martens)
Analysis of marketing problems, emphasizing various alternatives available for achieving economic efficiency in the distribution process; public policy with respect to marketing.

BUSI/ECON-3500 International Business and Economics (Craig Martin)
This course examines economic theory and its application to business in an international context. The course will address social, environmental, ethical and economic issues associated with international business, including the interaction between government and business.  Prerequisites: Two of ECON-1000/3, ECON-1010/3, or BUSI-1000/3.

ENGL-3950 South African Literature: From Apartheid to Reconciliation (Franklin Hyde)
The aim of this course is to impart a broad outline of South African literature since 1945 in its political, cultural, and economic contexts. The course will focus primarily on novels and film adaptations, with some diversion into the genres of reportage and documentary film. Texts are drawn from all the major population groups of South Africa, from both the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.   Reading this literature as the product of a specific historical and cultural location will introduce students to some of the major ideas of postcolonial and trauma theory.  Prerequisites: ENGL-1010/3 and1020/3 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC-2410 Counselling Techniques (Lynda Loewen)
Explores the formation of helping relationships, using the Human Relations Model of Helping, with a focus on self-understanding as a basis for effective communication and understanding of human interactions. Topics will also include helping skills, helper characteristics, communication skills, barriers to communication, relationship establishment, ethics and values clarification.  Prerequisite: PSYC-2400.

Tuesday

BTS-2310 Issues in Youth Ministry (John Berard)
The post-modern world creates challenges and opportunities for the church’s ministry to youth. Pressures and crises that put youth at risk will be identified and the issues with which many struggle will be explored with a goal of finding ministry responses that can lead to healthy growth and development. 

BTS-4495 Practice and Theology of Mission (Titus Guenther)
This course examines the historical and theological roots, as well as the biblical understanding and practice of mission and evangelism.  It explores the challenges of communicating the Good News of the Christian faith in contemporary society. It reflects on the nature of the church and its calling to be a witnessing and reconciling community.  The course will include several videos on mission/evangelism, and group visits to some local service and evangelism projects. Prerequisite: 60 credit hours of university-level studies, including 9 credit hours of Biblical and Theological Studies.

COMM-3030 Public Relations (Paula Havixbeck)
This course examines the principles and practices of communication between corporate, public, and not-for-profit organizations and their various constituencies. It includes the study of public opinion research, communication campaigns, media relations, consumer identity, and representational ethics. Students learn basic skills including: assessing needs; designing, planning and evaluating communication strategies; writing news releases and planning news conferences. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, or permission of the instructor.

DRS/IDS-2171 Crisis, Humanitarian Aid, and Disaster Recovery (Bruce Guenther)
Today crises threaten global human security as never before. These crises are caused by a complex mix of natural hazards (such as floods, earthquakes, or droughts) and human action or inaction. This course will explore how humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery efforts can best promote resilience by reducing vulnerability and disaster risk. Community and organizational responses to humanitarian crises will be examined, emphasizing efforts to improve aid quality and accountability. Prerequisite or corequisite: 6 credit hours of introductory social Science; IDS-1020 is recommended.

MUSC-4170 Band and Orchestral Techniques (Virginia Helmar)
A practical study in rehearsing and conducting large and small instrumental ensembles. Students will examine performance and instructional materials, appropriate for school, church and community settings. Prerequisite: MUSC-3150/3

Wednesday

BTS-5700 The Church in Ecumenical Perspective (Karl Koop)
This course is concerned with the unity of the church and how that unity is expressed through diversity of expressions in Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Anabaptist traditions and perspectives. In exploring such unity amidst diversity, topics such as the following are considered: the nature of the church, the way of salvation, the reading of scripture, ministry and sacraments, ecumenical relations, the church’s relationship to other religions, and the church’s involvement in the secular realm.  Prerequisite:  This is a course for graduate students.  Persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree are welcome to apply for admission to this course as Continuing Education students.

COMM-2000 New Media (David Balzer)
This course investigates the user-experience, theory, and current trends in the field of New Media. The course’s core interests are in identifying and understanding the principles of New Media design and experience, and in applying these principles to the analysis of New Media artefacts and environments. The course will enhance the capacity of students to understand, design, and assess current and future developments in emergent digital media.  A technology fee will be assessed for this course. 

PSYC/BUSI-3000 Organizational Leadership (Vonda Plett)
Examination of the theory and practice of leadership and decision-making in organizations. Topics include trait, behavioural and situational models of organizational leadership, leadership as power and influence, and processes involved in the decision making of individuals and groups, large and small, formal and informal. Attention will also be given to development of skills in leadership. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours of university-level courses.

Thursday

BTS-3520 Sixteenth-Century Reformations (Paul Doerksen)
A study of the Reformations of the sixteenth century, including the Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist, and Roman Catholic reforms within their social and political contexts. Special attention will be given to the key texts of the various movements. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, including 6 credit hours in Biblical and Theological Studies.

BUSI-2030 Management and Organizational Theory (Ingrid Peters-Fransen)
Examination of the underlying principles concerning the formation of organizations and their internal management. Emphasis will be on the study and analysis of various theoretical approaches to organizational theory and management.

MUSC-3830 Psychology of Music (Jennifer Lin)
An in-depth study of the psychological and physiological aspects of musical behaviour and experience including basic knowledge of music and affect, the influence of music on behaviour, and perception and cognition of music, as well as a study of current research in the field. Prerequisite MUSC-1030/3 and 30 credit hours of university-level study.

Released Dec. 2, 2011
 

Categories
General News News Releases

Festschrift Honours Harry Huebner

When Professor Emeritus Harry Huebner retired from his full-time role as Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) in 2008, there were hints that a special Festschrift was underway to further celebrate his career.

As the German word implies, a Festschrift is a writing that is meant to celebrate.  Co-editors Karl Koop and Paul Doerksen were delighted to play a key role in producing such a book as a means to pay tribute to a beloved member of the academic community and church.

“We are excited to announce the publication of a collection of essays entitled The Church Made Strange for the Nations: Essays in Ecclesiology and Political Theology,” says Koop, CMU professor of History and Theology and Director of Graduate Studies.

“The book, published by Pickwick Publications, part of Wipf and Stock Publishers, in their Princeton Theological Monograph Series, celebrates the contributions made by our colleague Professor Harry Huebner during his long and distinguished career,” says Doerksen, CMU Assistant Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies. The title The Church Made Strange for the Nations is taken from an essay Huebner wrote in 1997.

The celebratory book launch and reception took place November 25, 2011 at CMU.  CMU Vice-President Academic Earl Davey opened the program, with remarks then shared by Koop, Doerksen, and Huebner.

“Harry has been an inspiring professor and mentor, an influential scholar, a competent administrator, a valued colleague, and a theological leader of the church. Today, handing over this book to Harry is another small way toward recognizing his contributions. It is also a way of giving thanks to God for his goodness to us,” says Koop.

Doerksen noted how Huebner exerted a strong influence over his faith formation and approach to teaching long before he met Huebner in person. He recalled reading a chapter by Huebner called “How Can Ethics Be Christian?” Says Doerksen:  “I was sent down a road of inquiry that continues to this day – and so, over the years since, I’ve marched hundreds of students through that essay.”

In accepting the honour paid to him, Huebner acknowledged the time and effort that goes in to producing such a book.  “Thank you for this rare and special gift,” he said. “I am especially appreciative of the diverse group of colleagues and perspectives represented in this book – seven colleagues are from this beloved institution and eight from elsewhere.”

 Huebner, who graduated from the University of Manitoba with a BA in Philosophy/Psychology and an MA in Philosophy, earned his PhD in Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College. He came to one of CMU’s founding college Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC) in 1971, and remained at CMU throughout his career, taking time to do PhD work in Toronto from 1974-’75 and serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Jerusalem from 1981-’83.

In his spare time, Huebner enjoys travelling, especially to the Middle East. He and his wife Agnes attend Charleswood Mennonite Church in Winnipeg and have three grown children, Christopher, Rochelle, and Carolyn, and seven grandchildren.

TO ORDER:  Book orders and individual purchases can be made through the CMU Bookstore at 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg MB.

Released November 30, 2011.

Categories
Lectures News Releases

Fall Lectures Feature Peter Widdicombe

October 18, 2011: How can Christians understand and use words of a text, a thing of space and time, to reveal the eternal and transcendent Word of God? How can a doctrine be formed on the basis of the Bible, and how can it be represented visually? These questions are explored in a series of lectures hosted at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU).

CMU welcomes Dr. Peter Widdicombe, Associate Professor at McMaster University in the Department of Religious Studies, as the keynote speaker for the 2011 J.J. Thiessen Lecture series. The theme of his lectures is “Scripture and the Christian Imagination: Text, Doctrine, and Artistic Representation in the Early Church and Beyond.” Widdicombe presents two lectures on October 18 and one on October 19.

Widdicombe’s first lecture earlier today looked at the development of Patristic hermeneutics, focusing more specifically on the thought of Augustine. His second and third lectures explore two examples of how this approach played out in both text and art from the Patristic Period through the Reformation: the account of the Drunkenness of Noah in Genesis 9:20-27, and the reference to foxes and vines in Song of Songs 2:15.

“My research leaves me constantly amazed at the creativity of the Christian writers of the Patristic and Medieval periods,” says Widdicombe. “Theirs was an imagination put to the service of thinking about the world through the eyes of the biblical text in conformity with what that text told them about God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Their sensitivity to the words of the text, the inventive intricacy of their readings and application, and their unstinting dedication to the task of interpretation were extraordinary.”

Widdicombe’s research interests lie in Patristics, the history of doctrine, systematic theology, and artistic representation. His published works focus on Trinitarian and Christological thought and scriptural interpretation in the early church; and on the history of the reception of biblical texts and their artistic representation from the Patristic period through the Reformation.

Widdicombe has his D.Phil. in Patristic Theology, which he received from St. Catherine’s & St. Cross Colleges, at the University of Oxford in 1990. He received his M. Div., Theology from Wycliffe College in Toronto, 1981, his M. Phil., Early Modern History, from St. Catherine’s College in 1977, and his B.A. Hons., in History, from the University of Manitoba in 1974. He has had involvement with organizations like the Canadian Society of Patristic Studies and the North American Society of Patristic Studies. At the Canadian Society of Patristic Studies, he was President from 2000-2002. He has received honours in his membership at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, 2004-2005, and at the British School of Rome in spring 2010.

Some of Dr. Peter Widdicombe’s recent works include: “Origen,” Blackwell’s Companion to Paul, ed. Stephen Westerholm;“The Gospels of Mark and Matthew in Patristic Interpretation,” Mark and Matthew. Texts and Contexts, ed. Eve-Marie Becker and Anders Runesson. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck; “The Fatherhood of God in the Writings of Ireneaus,” Irenaeus of Lyons and his Traditions, ed., Paul Foster and Sara Parvis. Minneapolis: Fortress Press ; and Drunkenness, Nakedness, and the Redemption and Fall of an Image: Noah and Christ. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company.

The last of these publications, Drunkenness, Nakedness, and the Redemption and Fall of an Image: Noah and Christ, is the title of the second lecture featured in his three-lecture series.

Widdicombe is presently writing a book on the interpretation of the Drunkenness of Noah in text and art from the early Church through the Reformation. He examines the development of the allegorical approach to the interpretation of Scripture in the Patristic period, the application of that approach in the Middle Ages, and its abandonment at the Reformation. He also observes how changes in the reading of the Drunkenness affect the way in which the incident was portrayed in visually in paintings, sculpture, and manuscript illustrations.

Using visual aids, Widdicombe demonstrates how paintings, sculpture, and manuscript illustrations have been influenced by biblical text and understanding.

Widdicombe fosters discussions and reflection on the Christian faith and its intellectual and cultural expression. He hopes that guests at his lectures take away a greater appreciation for a rich and complex history of biblical interpretation and gain appreciation for how the theological imaginations of earlier periods of the Christian faith can enhance our own.

LECTURE SERIES (CMU Chapel, South Campus, 600 Shaftesbury Blvd. Free Admission)
Oct 18 – 11:00am Words and the Word: Augustine and the Patristic Interpretation of Scripture
Oct 18 – 7:30pm Drunkenness, Nakedness, and the Redemption and Fall of an Image: Noah and Christ
Oct 19 – 11:00am When is a Fox not a Fox? Song of Songs 2:15 and the Need for Vigilance

Text:  Evelyn Kampen, CMU Communications & Media Student

 

Categories
General News News Releases

CMU Welcomes Pastor-in-Residence Ken Peters

Pastor-in-Residence Program, introduced n the 2010-2011 academic year, continues this year, welcoming Ken Peters as the third Pastor in Residence…

October 31, 2011…Ken Peters, pastor at Saanich Community Church in Victoria since 2010, has arrived on campus as CMU’s campus Pastor-in-Residence, October 31 to November 4.   

Canadian Mennonite University’s Pastor-in-Residence program is designed to encourage out-of-province pastors to come live in residence, participate in the life of the CMU community and share their faith experiences through CMU chapel sessions. 

“In two chapels, I will chronicle my own spiritual pilgrimage in a talk entitled From Love to Love, and speak into our intercultural missional context, Redefining out Neighbour,” says Peters. “In the forum, I’ll be addressing Unspoken Conversations Surrounding the Atonement.  Some students may also have opportunity to hear me speak on An Anabaptist Sensitivity to the Use of Power in Preaching.” 

Peters will share stories on spirituality with students, staff and faculty. Marilyn Peters Kliewer, CMU Dean of Student Life, notes that the aim of the Pastor-in-Residence program is to encourage spiritual growth in members of the CMU community, while also helping to build and maintain stronger relationships with our churches.

Peters, serving in his 25th year of pastoral ministry, has had experience working in churches with a variety of denominations. Previous pastoral ministry include his roles as lead pastor at Killarney Park MB in Vancouver (1995-2010), associate pastor at Memorial United Methodist Church in Clovis, CA (1993-1995), and associate pastor at Coaldale MB in Coaldale, AB (1985-1992) where he was ordained in 1990.

Peters earned his Diploma in Agricultural Management from BCIT (’79), a BRS in Theology from MBBC and a BA in Religious Studies from U of W (’85), an M. Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from MBBC (’95) and wrote his thesis entitled Interculturalism: A Preferred Praxis for Ministry in Multicultural Contexts to graduate with his Doctor of Ministry from Carey Theological College in 2009. 

Peters has involved himself in denominational work throughout his pastoral ministry, serving on the Alberta boards of Education and Church Extension, the Canadian Board of Evangelism, the Planning Teams for Banff  ’86 and ’89, the BC Board of Pastoral Ministries and most recently eight years on the Canadian Board of Faith and Life from 2002-2010.

His work history extends beyond pastoral ministry, having worked for the Bank of British Columbia and for construction and agricultural firms in the Langley, BC area.

Ken and his wife Yvonne moved to Brentwood Bay in May of this year. With three adult children out of the home, Ken and Yvonne take time to enjoy cultural celebrations, travelling, and quiet walks.

Peters shares many common interests with those in the CMU community and will fit right in during his time spent here in residence.  He is an avid gardener and enjoys cycling. With the presence of the CMU Farm and the bike co-op on North campus, he should feel right at home. 

“As a MBBC/MBBS grad, I was never schooled on the current campus but look forward to sensing how the historical DNA lingers on in and through conversations in the classroom, hallways, and campus culture,” says Peters, who received his BRS in Theology and his M. Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from MBBC (now CMU) in the ‘90s.

“I hope to bring encouragement to students that God is present in and through all experiences and uncertainties.”  Peters also looks forward to observing and listening to how CMU students integrate shared convictions of Christian faith and the natural provocations associated with exploration of ideas.  

PASTOR-IN-RESIDENCE COMMUNITY GATHERINGS

October 31 – November 4

Monday Forum @ 11:30 A.M. (Chapel)
Unspoken Conversations Surrounding the Atonement
With Ken Peters, Pastor In Residence

Tuesday Chapel @ 11:30 A.M.
From Love to Love:  A Faith Story
With Ken Peters, Pastor In Residence
Music by Rudy Schellenberg

Wednesday Night Worship @ 9:30 P.M. (Conference Room, South Campus)
Led by the Faith in Life Committee

Friday Chapel @11:30 A.M.
Who really is my neighbour?
With Ken Peters, Pastor In Residence
Music by the Chamber Choir

Issued October 31, 2011 

Categories
General News News Releases

CMU Launches Redekop School of Business

On October 19, 2011, CMU launched its new Redekop School of Business, made possible through the generosity of the Redekop family of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia.

“We are deeply gratified to announce a significant gift from the Redekop Family that enables CMU to establish its new School of Business,” says Canadian Mennonite University President Gerald Gerbrandt. “Redekop School of Business has been established as an expression of thanksgiving for God’s providential care for the family of Jacob and Maria Redekop, and their children Mary, Jacob, John, and Peter.”

The two brothers, John and Peter, their nephew James, and the extended family, have together pledged a minimum of $6.5-million and potentially up to $7.5-million to found the School. Twenty-four members of the family travelled to Winnipeg from Alberta and British Columbia for the announcement.

Jakob and Maria Redekop, together with their four children, fled to Canada from the Soviet Union following World War II. They spent four months in Manitoba, where they were welcomed by family and church, before settling in British Columbia.

“Our family has been inspired to establish a school of business at CMU,” says Peter Redekop on behalf of the Redekop family. “We see the need to educate the next generation in commerce, marketing, and finance, and to do this in a university that inspires and prepares future leaders with skills complimented by Christian ethics, integrity, and service.”

“The School will greatly enhance the university’s ability to prepare and educate a significant number of Christian business leaders who will provide a positive influence on society and the life of the church, and who will have the resources to fund the church’s institutions,” says Redekop.

CMU’s business programming will use an inter-disciplinary approach in preparation for a global business environment. The goal is to prepare students to become engaged in business and not-for-profit organizations, with a worldview and character shaped within a Christian university community.

Redekop School of Business will offer rewarding career opportunities for students through the following programs:

  • a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (4-year, with a 5-year Co-op option) with Majors in Business Management, Not-for-Profit Management, Accounting, and Human Resources Management, and
  • a Bachelor of Arts degree (3- and 4-year), Major in Business and Organizational Administration

Students will benefit from a generous awards program, excellent professors, a supportive student-to-faculty ratio, opportunities for a term of study in an international setting, and interaction with business and not-for-profit leaders. CMU also provides the option of extending learning through a business co-op experience.

“We are convinced that the Redekop School of Business will have a positive impact on our church, our community, and all those who will be served by our business graduates,” says Gerbrandt.

Released October 19, 2011

For AUDIO interview with Dr. Gerbrandt about this significant gift, click here