We all have our familiar rituals in our everyday lives. These predictable patterns give us a sense of security. But sometimes, these patterns are broken, and that sense of security is shattered by the unexpected.

With its national motto of “unity in diversity,” Indonesia proved a fitting host for the 17th assembly of Mennonite World Conference—downsized by COVID-19 restrictions but full of joy, beauty and fellowship.

Delegates gathered on June 11, 2022, both in the Steinbach Bible College chapel and online, in EMC’s first hybrid Conference Council meeting.

It was with curiosity and perhaps some hesitation that we gathered for the EMC Festival Not-So-Late Show on June 10, 2022. What would acknowledging the past and looking to the future in a “classic late show format” be like?

How do you do effective congregational planning? Darrell Kehler of SCOPE Leadership Development was asked to answer this question at the June 10, 2022, Ministerial meeting.

The EMC has been led for two centuries by a host of godly, humble pastors whose service was and continues to be above reproach. But we have also had pastors who were not trustworthy and who took advantage of people under their care.

Sadness is a universal emotional experience, yet our current culture tells us sadness is something to avoid. We perceive it as the opposite of happiness, fearing that feeling sad puts us at risk of a mood disorder.

On May 21, 2022, 13 youth and three leaders from Straffordville EMC and New Life Christian Fellowship joined hosts Travis and Macey Plett and Sarah Barkman at Crieff Hills Retreat Centre for the first-ever Abundant Springs Ontario event.

At a subconscious level, I have a fear of being shown up as deficient, of not being enough. Each of us struggles at some level with the feeling that we come up short, that we’re not good enough in our own eyes or the eyes of someone else.

Bzzz. Bzzz. The dog barked her warning that someone was at the door. It was just about 10 at night—acceptable here in our host country where many are eating dinner at this hour. Because I was already getting ready to end the day, my husband ran down the stairs to answer.

Shame is one of the most universal human experiences. Whether we are young or old, students or teachers, leaders or followers, all of us can identify with the sting of failure. For many pastors and ministry leaders this season of division and loss has brought with it deep feelings of inadequacy and exhaustion. How do we combat the feeling in our souls that we aren’t enough, or that we don’t measure up?

If you are looking for a piece of advice this Easter season, I can provide one from the outset: Never move a piano. At the very least, never try to move one on your own.