Winnipeg | Fall 2023 (October 3 – November 9, 2023)

Tuesdays: October 3 – November 7, 2023

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CT

Hope and Courage: Responding to the Climate Crisis as a People of Faith (Zoom Class)

The climate crisis has become a consistent leading news story...huge and completely overwhelming. We are people who confess that with God, there is always hope, but how does that jive with climate research that seems to spell doom? And how can we do what's best for the generations to come—our kids, grandkids and great-grandkids? 

This course will provide a place for the gathered group to take on these questions together with people from across our nationwide community, exploring ways that we can access the strength of our faith and community in order to meaningfully respond to the climate crisis with hope and courage.

Sandy Plett is the half time Climate Action Coordinator for Mennonite Church Canada. She works mostly from her home in Tinker Creek, Manitoba. She is a member of the Climate Action Working Group of Mennonite Church Manitoba. She has two teenaged kids that are watching her closely.

Pearls of Wisdom from Henri Nouwen (Zoom Class)

Henri J.M. Nouwen was one of the most prolific spiritual writers of our time. Born in the Netherlands in 1932, he was ordained a Catholic priest and subsequently studied psychology. After many years teaching at the University of Notre Dame, and in the Divinity Schools at Yale and Harvard, he left academia to become the pastor at L'Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill ON, a community for people with intellectual disabilities. The author of close to 40 books, Henri died unexpectedly in 1996 at the age of 64.

A master communicator, Nouwen wrote and spoke with great openness and vulnerability about faith, prayer, social justice, mental health, grief, death, and other themes related to the spiritual life. This course will explore elements of his life and writings, examining his insights around these themes. Henri's work related to caring well and dying well will be highlighted, considering the facilitator's experience in nursing and palliative care.

Michelle O'Rourke RN MA has a background in Emergency Nursing, Hospice Palliative Care, Lay Ministry, and Parish Nursing. While always maintaining a nursing position, she enjoyed many years as a Lay Pastoral Minister with the RC Diocese of London, ON, and helped to launch a national, ecumenical parish nursing education program. Her career included the design and development of the Chatham-Kent Hospice, serving as the Program Coordinator for both the Hospice and the Palliative Care and Oncology Departments at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance until her retirement.

Michelle is the author of three books, including Befriending Death: Henri Nouwen and a Spirituality of Dying (Orbis 2009). Michelle lives in Chatham ON, and currently serves as a Trustee with the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust. Her website is selahresources.ca.

Wednesdays: October 4 – November 8, 2023

10:00–11:00 AM CT

Reconsidering Anabaptist Identity after 500 Years (Hybrid Class) 

In the last several decades, scholars have radically challenged the standard narrative of Anabaptism that has so profoundly shaped Mennonite self-understanding over the centuries. With an eye to recent scholarship, this course will examine the Anabaptist story, focusing on origins and developments. The goal will be to provide a revised view of Anabaptist identity, which, in turn, may be a resource in thinking about what it means to be Anabaptist in the contemporary context.?

At CMU, Karl Koop teaches in the areas of the history of Christianity, Anabaptism, and contemporary theology. He received his PhD from the University of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto. Before coming to CMU, Karl taught at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminaries and through MCC assisted immigrants in Brandenburg and Berlin, German. He has been a pastor in Ontario and Germany, and more recently has published several books and articles in academic journals primarily in the field of Anabaptist studies.

Micah: Prophet of Justice, Judgement, and Hope (Hybrid Class)

The book of Micah is a microcosm of Old Testament prophecy because it touches on so many major prophetic themes. Exploring Micah will lead us into discussions of topics like faithfulness to one God, the shape of social justice, God's judgment, restoration after judgment, the projected fate of the nations, and the shape and function of biblical hope. The course will focus on resources that Micah provides for Christian faith, but it will also discuss strategies for dealing with problematic features of the book that Christians might want to resist.

Dan Epp-Tiessen CMU Associate Professor Emeritus of the Bible recently retired from teaching Bible and other topics at CMU for the last 25 years. Prior to that he has been a pastor, Mennonite Central Committee worker, and homemaker. Dan's commentary Joel, Obadiah, Micah was published in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series in 2022.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CT

Mennonite Literature and Theology in Conversation (Hybrid Class)

This Xplore course will read selected Mennonite literary sources in conversation with theological emphases. We will read a variety of genres such as poetry, short stories, memoir, and novel as a way of helping is to reflect on the kinds of things that literary voices in the Mennonite world bring to our lives.

Paul Doerksen, Associate Professor of Theology and Anabaptist Studies at CMU is married to Julie, a Pastor at River East Church where he is also a member.
 

Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian Nation (Hybrid Class)

With a focus on key historical examples of colonial institutional intervention in the lives of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous resistance movements, this course will examine the roots and development of the complicated relationship between the Canadian nation and Indigenous nations. Topics include: treaties, the Indian Act, residential schools, forced relocations, gender-based violence, and post-war activism and policy reforms.

Shelisa Klassen is a Mennonite settler and historian living and working in Treaty 1 territory. She was the 2022-2023 D. F. Plett Historical Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies, and a regular sessional instructor in Canadian and Indigenous history at CMU. Her work primarily focuses on immigration and settler colonialism in late nineteenth century Canada.

Thursdays: October 5 – November 9, 2023

9:30–10:30 AM CT

Disability, Theology, and the Church (Zoom Class)

This short course will focus on how churches approach disability, both theologically and practically. The themes that we will explore will include: inclusion, diversity, safety, healthy boundaries, interdependence versus independence, and the challenge of adult baptism in relation to individuals with cognitive impairments. I am the parent of a son with complex needs including autism and developmental delay and have spent a significant amount of time thinking about the theological implications of disability and how the church can become a more inclusive space for individuals with a variety of needs and challenges.

Christina Reimer has a diverse professional background as a university professor in the field of world religions in Ontario and Quebec and has worked for a number of years as a facilitator of conflict resolution, communication and leadership workshops. Christina is also the Chair of the board of Silver Lake Mennonite Camp in Ontario, and has a passion for making spaces like church and camp more welcoming for people with a range of abilities.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CT

Are You Living Your Dream? Or Longing for a New One? (Zoom Class)

In our rapidly changing world and with the challenge of changing personal circumstances, what life do we dream of and how can we live it wisely and well? In Scripture God promises to pour out the Spirit, and “your young will see visions, Your elders will dream dreams” (Acts 2:17, cf. Joel 2:28). What might this mean for our dreaming today?

This course will explore dreams and dreaming in Scripture, good dreams/bad dreams/broken dreams/God-given dreams, letting go of a dream, making room for a new one, learning to dream again, and living it out. Each session will include time for reflection, prayer, sharing, and discussion. May we all continue dreaming, and live into hope one day and one moment at a time.

April Yamasaki is a pastor and the author of Four Gifts, Sacred Pauses, and other books on Christian living. She currently serves as resident author with a liturgical worship community, edits a quarterly devotional magazine, continues to write online and in print, and is a frequent guest speaker. In these and other ways, she is living her childhood dream of being a writer. At the same time, with the sudden death of her husband last year and in other circumstances of life, she is well acquainted with delayed, disappointing, and broken dreams.

Winnipeg | Spring 2023 (February 21 – March 28, 2023)

Tuesdays, February 21 – March 28 (Classes on Zoom)

9:30–10:30 AM CST

What are Two Swords Good For? 

Mary Schertz is Professor Emerita of New Testament at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, happily living and worshipping in Elkhart, Indiana. Mary recently completed the Believers Church Bible Commentary on Luke which will be available soon from Herald Press at MennoMedia. 

The two swords passage in Luke 22:31–35 has been a burr in the saddle of pacifists, Mennonite and otherwise, for many years. It is a passage that is unique to Luke and some scholars have called it the most difficult text in the entire biblical witness. The traditional reading contends that Jesus is finally facing reality and realizing that non-violence will not work after he is gone from the scene. So, he is opening the way for his followers to adopt another tactic, usually some form of just war theory. Mennonites have proffered other readings, but most of these see this text as problematic.

In this short course, we will look closely at another possibility. Using ancient reading techniques and literary figures of the first century, we will use the guide Luke offers to propose that Luke is portraying Jesus as integrating the holy warrior motif with the suffering servant motif, both available in his sacred texts, texts that he has studied since at least the age of 12. Jesus’s synthesis, his movement toward the cross as a holy warrior who is not violent and a suffering servant who is not passive also offers us a way forward toward an approach to non-violence that doesn’t force us to choose between love of enemies and love of the defenseless. From the tragedy of the Holocaust to the genocides of indigenous peoples, to the war in Ukraine, we carry sorrow and hope into this study of what it was that Jesus was really about at the end of his journey to Jerusalem.  

» 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST

 

A Mediator Explores Conflict

Wayne Plenert is a retired BC and Yukon lawyer. While he had a varied practice, he was primarily a litigator and negotiator for those in conflict. He received training as a mediator in 1984 and since then he has participated in over 1,000 mediations in a variety of conflict areas (personal injury and civil litigation, family, child protection, elder, workplace, church). He has taught mediation, leadership, and conflict-related courses across BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and Yukon, and has developed and helped implement court related victim/offender and family mediation models. Plenert remains involved in much committee work and some BC government appointments.

The social science approach to conflict has changed from a focus on rules and controlling bad behaviour to studying conflict itself, that is, how people behave. Once conflict becomes personal, people want it to end. By exploring how conflict actually works and how people transform as it unfolds, individuals and organizations can find tools for working with conflict instead of trying to avoid it or end it. People and organizations (churches) can work towards affirmative transformation and restoration. This class will discuss themes like: Which is a better starting point: rules or behavior? What makes relationships toxic? How does conflict escalate? How does power work in conflict? What is the role of peacemaking and restoration? How might we use conflict better?

Wednesdays, February 22 – March 29 (Classes at CMU or on Zoom)

10:00–11:00 AM CST

Beings in Time: The Challenges of Living Our Best Life in Contemporary Society 

Paul Redekop is a CMU Associate Professor Emeritus and author of the book Inner Peace Through Conflict Transformation.

The course will examine the major challenges that make up significant chapters in the stories of each of our lives. These challenges include establishing our adult identity, achieving intimacy, realizing the joy in helping and guiding the next generation, and as we grow older, fully accepting the lives we’ve lived. The challenge of establishing our adult identity is shaped by contemporary issues such as gender identity, and the changing nature of work and family life. The challenge of achieving intimacy is linked with the changing nature of courtship and marriage. The joy of parenting and mentoring is seen through the lens of the nature of parenthood in contemporary society. Radical acceptance of our lives as we’ve lived them takes place in the context of how ageing is seen in our society and the effects of ageism. An underlying theme will be what it means to be a Christian and what it means to be ourselves as we address the basic challenges of adult life. 

 

Opera and Christianity

Tenor Nolan Kehler graduated from CMU in 2017 with a Bachelor in Music with a vocal performance concentration before earning a Master's in Music from the University of Victoria. He has since performed on stages throughout North America, including with Manitoba Opera, the Little Opera Company of Winnipeg, Manitoba UNDERGROUND Opera, and Flipside Opera and Art Song Collective. When he isn’t performing, Nolan can be heard on the airwaves as he presents classical music segments on the weekends across Canada on CBC Radio 1.

What do you get when you blend one of the world’s largest religions with one of the most passionate musical styles? Join tenor Nolan Kehler as he explores how Christianity has appeared over the course of four centuries of opera history, and how it has affected timeless stories by composers from Puccini to Verdi to Wagner. 

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CST

 

Walking Together

Neill and Edith von Gunten began their married life in a Mennonite Voluntary Service assignment in an inner-city neighbourhood of southside Chicago in 1965. Their involvement in Native Ministries began while students at Canadian Mennonite Bible College, now Canadian Mennonite University, spanned 38 years of living in Indigenous communities on both shores of Lake Winnipeg, and eventually served as Co-Directors of the Native Ministry program for Mennonite Church Canada. Their many relationships remain strong even though they are living in Winnipeg in retirement.

The seven Ojibwe “Way of Life” teachings will form the framework for our classes, as they did for our book Walking Together: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance (2022). The stories will help us look at the many issues raised in the book, such as care of the earth, intergenerational trauma, racism, a distorted Gospel, building relationships. We also plan to have one or two Indigenous guests help us learn more about the significance and meaning of the teachings. Having a copy of Walking Together: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance would be an asset. Copies can be purchased at the CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre or on its website, commonword.ca. 

  

Difficult Choices, New Perspectives: The Mennonite Experience of World War II 

Hans Werner is a Senior Scholar, Mennonite Studies, University of Winnipeg.

The recent invasion of Ukraine has again raised the spectre of war and the ethical challenges war presents. Along with the majority in Western societies most of us have empathy for the plight of Ukrainians and countries and individuals have risen to the challenge of helping in a variety of ways. Some assistance has been to alleviate suffering or to welcome victims, some to help defend using violent means by supplying weaponry, some to use economic and social pressure to try to end the war. This course will revisit the history of Mennonite responses to and experience of World War II with a particular focus on the challenge of not taking up arms in situations where there were no easy answers and many ethical challenges. We will begin by revisiting the 16th century context for the pacifist position and then engage themes of self-defence, suffering, compromise, alternative state service, and ethical choices as they were experienced by Mennonites in World War II. We will end with a look at how the war experience changed Mennonite thinking about political involvement, obligations to the state, and individual conscience. 

Thursdays, February 23 – March 30 (Classes on Zoom)

9:30–10:30 AM CST

What are human beings, that God is mindful of them? A Gospel Anthropology 

Marcus Peter Rempel is a pastor at Saint Julian’s Table, a therapist at Red River North Community Therapy Services, a founding member of Ploughshares Community Farm and author of Life at the End of Us vs. Them: Cross/Culture/Stories.   

This course unpacks the ground-breaking “mimetic theory” of Rene Girard for folks who want to live with more grace and less envy. Real-life self-examination required; academic credentials are optional. Topics include:

• Receiving our self through the eyes of others: How a human being is made
• The serpent said that it was good to eat: The Triangle of Human Desire
• Evil Twins: We don’t fight because we’re different, we fight because we’re the same
• The Outcast at our Centre: A Brief History of Scapegoating
• The Desire for Being: Befriended in our longing and our lack
• What does God desire? The contagion that can save us

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST

Grieving Well 

Since the abduction and murder of her daughter Candace in 1984, Wilma Derksen has been dealing with her own grief. She is an international speaker and consultant on victimization and criminal justice. She has presented to hundreds of audiences who describe her as inspiring, insightful, vulnerable, integral, comforting, warm, and as an insightful storyteller. She has a wonderful ability to put groups at ease, create a warm atmosphere, and move people emotionally. She has served as plenary speaker in conferences, led numerous trainings and workshops, and is an experienced group facilitator. 

Everyone experiences losses every day. These losses may be smaller ones such as losing an item of worth, receiving an unexpected car repair bill, spraining an ankle, or having someone break into your car. Or they may be larger such as a terminal health diagnosis, the death of a close friend or family member, significant financial losses when markets tank, or a serious injury. All losses impact our emotional lives or physical well-being and result in a time of grief. We may be able to get over a minor loss in a day or a week while others continue to affect us for months and years. This course will consider the types of losses we experience and ways that allow us to live with these losses and even overcome them.

Winnipeg | Fall 2022 (October 5 – November 15, 2022)

Tuesdays, October 11 – November 15, 2022 (Online Only)

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Paul: A Radical Jew as God’s Messenger to Non-Jews

With Tom Yoder Neufeld; Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Peace Studies, Conrad Grebel University College, and author of Recovering Jesus: the Witness of the New Testament

God’s baffling decision to choose a fiercely radical Jewish Pharisee to be a prophetic messenger to non-Jews, to Gentiles, has brought immeasurable benefits to millions—including ourselves—but also a great controversy and misunderstanding. Paul is seen as a visionary, a model missionary, but also as an ethical and theological bigot and bully. Many today have an intense suspicion, even dislike, of Paul.

In this course we will explore selected texts from Paul’s letters that will open his thinking to us. We might well discover that far from being a rule-bound autocrat, Paul was a breathtakingly flexible and adaptive missionary, driven by his divine calling and trust in the often-unruly Spirit. Were it not for this stubborn Pharisee with a bottomless passion to get word of Jesus out to the very edges of the known world, we might well not have come to know the Jesus we wish to follow.

Wednesdays, October 5 – November 9, 2022 (Hybrid)

10:00–11:00 AM

Connecting with Self and Others After Adversity
In-Person Location: C244; 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
 

With Carolyn Klassen, a Winnipeg therapist and speaker at Wired for Connection. Her many years of providing therapy provide her with a wealth of knowledge about people—including topics like grief, pain, anxiety, depression, joy, and grace that are not easily or often spoken about in polite company. She has a master’s degree in therapy, is a Certified Daring Way Facilitator, and is elder and teacher at The Meeting Place.

We are created in God’s image for relationships—deep, meaningful and enriching relationships. Yet loneliness and divisiveness feel more pervasive now than ever. Why are relationships both so vital and so challenging? Using work developed out of the research of Dr. Brené Brown, this class will look at themes of vulnerability and shame as a means to discover ways of developing more meaningful relationships. Developing authentic relationships is both terrifying and enriching—it is an act of discipleship as we seek to grow more and more into the likeness of Christ.

From Creation to Renewed Creation: Biblical Visions of God’s Good Future

In-Person Location: C344; 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.

With Dan Epp-Tiessen, CMU Associate Professor Emeritus of Bible

This course will explore biblical visions of God’s good future as portrayed in the Old Testament prophets, the book of Daniel, the Gospels, the letters of Paul, and the challenging book of Revelation. The course will claim that the New Testament asserts that the God who lovingly created the world and always remains sovereign over it, will ultimately heal this groaning creation, and resurrect human bodies to enjoy fulness of life in a renewed creation. This vision stands in contrast to a popular end-times script according to which Christians will be raptured out of this world and then the planet will be trashed by a series of disasters. The course will also explore how our vision of God’s good future shapes Christian life in the present.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Pacifism with the War in Ukraine in Mind and Heart

In-Person Location: C244; 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.

With Harry Huebner, CMU Professor Emeritus of Theology and Philosophy

There are those who say that nothing has challenged their pacifist convictions more than the war in Ukraine. This course will create a forum for expressing thoughts and feelings about the horrors of war and will consider again what Christian pacifism is about.

Mennonites in Canada—from 1970 to the Present

In-Person Location: C344; 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.

With Brian Froese, CMU Professor of History

This course will explore what life was like in 1970 to the present and how Mennonites faced changes with respect to topics such as women in leadership, worship, music, education, missions, Indigenous relations, and politics in the context of larger social pressures.

Thursdays, October 6 – November 10, 2022 (Online Only)

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Dementia and Spirituality: Loss, Love, and Navigating Change Together

With Jane Kuepfer, RP, PhD, MDiv, Schlegel Specialist in Spirituality and Aging with the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging and Conrad Grebel University College.

Kuepferis a spiritual director, an ordained minister, a registered psychotherapist, and serves as a spiritual care provider in a retirement home, alongside her teaching and research roles. 

Within 10 years it is expected that more than a million Canadians will be living with dementia. The reality and prospect of cognitive change affects our family members, friends, neighbours, and potentially ourselves, as we look toward the years ahead. How does dementia intersect with spirituality, with faith? In this course we will explore dementia as both a theological and spiritual challenge and opportunity, touching on topics such as fear/stigma, the meaning of personhood, the role of spiritual practice, friendship, belonging, and faith communities as well as spiritual preparation for cognitive change.

Winnipeg | Spring 2022 (March 1 – April 7, 2022)

All classes held online via Zoom

Tuesdays; March 1 – April 5, 2022

» 9:30–10:30 AM (central time)

Reading the Bible as if our lives depended on it!

with Mary Schertz; Professor Emerita of New Testament at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, happily living and worshipping in Elkhart, Indiana.

In so many ways, western culture, with its consumptive habits and elevation of self-reliance as a virtue, is what has separated us from reading biblical texts as if our lives depended on it. This course asks the question of how we might practice habits of reading the Bible that help us find anew real nurture and challenge within these ancient, sacred texts. We will explore confessional Bible reading, reading as if our lives depended on it, understanding God’s love for us as it we read, growing with the companionship of the people, ideas, emotions, and words embedded in the biblical texts, and other ways of reading the text as well as letting the text “read” us.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (central time) *NEW DATE: March 8 - April 12*

Sabbath:  “A Life-long, Life-Giving Rhythm”

with April Yamasaki; Resident Author, Valley CrossWay Church, and Author of Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal

“Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy,” says Exodus 20:8 as part of the 10 Commandments. Yet in Mark 2:27 Jesus says, “The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath.” Over six sessions, this course will explore the breadth of biblical teaching on Sabbath as a life-long, life-giving rhythm, as retreat and rest, an act of resistance and practical refreshment that expresses reverence for God. 

Wednesdays: March 2 – April 6, 2022

9:30–10:30 AM (central time)

The Legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

with Piet Meiring; Emeritus Professor University of Pretoria, South Africa; friend of Archbishop Tutu for almost half a century, working with him in the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, representing Desmond Tutu at the launch of the Canadian TRC in Winnipeg, teaching a CMU course.

This course will provide a brief overview of the life of Desmond Tutu—the son of a domestic servant who became a Nobel Prize winner, prophet and reconciler. We will discuss Desmond Tutu’s struggle against injustice and his work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, tell stories about "the Arch", his friendship with President Mandela, his personal faith, his love for people, his humour, his retirement, and his legacy.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (central time)

"Palestine-Israel: Is this Settler Colonialism?"

with Esther Epp-Tiessen, Joanna Hiebert Bergen, Byron Rempel-Burkholder, and Kathy Bergen

In recent years, many people have begun to describe the reality of Palestine-Israel as "settler colonialism"—a form of colonialism in which the settler colonists "come to stay" and to assert their sovereignty over Indigenous land and people. (Canada is also a settler colonial state). This course will explore the analysis of settler colonialism and how it manifests itself in the current lived reality of Palestinians and Israeli Jews. It will draw on a variety of guest speakers, both live and pre-recorded, who are experts on the situation in Palestine-Israel today and who bring political, biblical and theological perspectives to the issues. This course is hosted by the Mennonite Church Canada Palestine-Israel Network.”

1 Corinthians: Community and Conflict

with Dan Nighswander; Author, Believers Church Bible Commentary on 1 Corinthians

The New Testament letters from Paul to the churches in Corinth disclose a community tested by conflicts. Though almost two millennia old, their issues are still current in (some) churches today—power, status, money, sex, worship, and spirituality. We will explore excerpts from 1 Corinthians as a window into that community and a mirror of our own.

Thursdays, March 3 – April 7, 2022
 

9:30–10:30 AM (central time)

Why Mennonite World Conference

with Arli Klassen; Mennonite World Conference, Mennonite Central Committee, MSW, U of T

Mennonite World Conference (MWC) began in 1925, surviving world wars, growing into a global communion with majority membership from the Global South. This course will look at the evolution of MWC from a conference to a communion, and the current issues facing MWC. We will look at past assemblies, as well as this next one in July 2022, which will be online and in Indonesia. Guest speakers will include César García and John D. Roth. We will look at why MWC matters, and why you will want to participate in this upcoming assembly.

Learning About Biblical Women Through Art

with MaryLou Driedger; newspaper columnist, author, teacher, and Winnipeg Art Gallery guide.

Over the centuries artists have portrayed Biblical women in surprising, beautiful, and interesting ways. In each session of this course, we will use a variety of approaches to look at artwork from the 1300s to the present that can give us new insight into the lives and stories of both more well-known and less familiar women we find in scripture texts.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (central time)

The Low German Mennonite Diaspora: A History of Separation, Adaptation, and Resistance

with Hans Werner; Senior Scholar, Mennonite Studies, University of Winnipeg

Low German Mennonites have often been the subjects of curiosity. Depending on who is looking, and on which group the gaze falls, Low German Mennonites are backward, an embarrassment, quaint, hard workers, enterprising farmers, a problem, or a blissful escape from the tensions of modern life. This course will examine the historical origins, culture and faith practices of the Low German Mennonites of the Americas. It will raise old questions. What does it mean to live separately from ‘the World’ and have other Mennonites cast their lot with the world? How are faith and culture intertwined? What does their story teach us about an ethnic, or alternatively, a multiethnic church?

Winnipeg | Fall 2021 (October 5 – November 9, 2021)

All classes held online

Tuesdays; October 5 – November 9, 2021

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (central time)

Peace Stories that Inspire Us

with Harry Huebner, Professor Emeritus of Theology and Philosophy

A year ago, I wrote a book of stories called Grandpa's Peace Stories: The Power of Maybe. These were written at the nudging of my grandchildren. I found it fascinating that they wanted these stories not only told but also written. Why? They said the stories inspired them and may inspire others. Indeed, what is a peace story? And how does it inspire peacemaking? Our sessions will explore these and other questions, tell peace stories—mine and others—in the hope that it may urge participants to value their own peace stories.

Creation, Ecology, and the Bible

with Dan Epp-Tiessen; Associate Professor Emeritus of Bible

This course will explore how the Bible talks about creation, and the implications for how humans are called to live in it. In addition to highlighting individual passages that value creation, the course will argue that the arc of the biblical story moves from God’s creation of the world at the beginning to God’s renewal (not destruction) of creation at the end. The course will also examine biblical texts that devalue creation and ask how we might interpret them in ways that do not encourage harm to creation.

Wednesdays; October 6 – November 10, 2021

9:30–10:30 AM (central time)

“Who do they say I am? Who do you say I am?” Exploring the Jesus of the New Testament

with Tom Yoder Neufeld; Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Peace Studies, Conrad Grebel University College, and author of Recovering Jesus: the Witness of the New Testament

Jesus often seems in danger of disappearing into the crowd of Jesuses serving an array of agendas, spiritual and political. Attempts at getting at the “real Jesus” often come up with a Jesus in tension with the only real source we have for Jesus, the New Testament. Anabaptists are not exempt from that tendency. Jesus didn’t ask: “Who do you want me to be?” Might a fresh exploration of the New Testament help us to test our own versions of Jesus? And might it help open us up to what others see in him? In short, how do we pass Jesus’ exam questions? In this brief set of presentations and conversations we will explore such central themes as Jesus as prophet, sage, and practitioner of the kingdom of God; the meaning of his death and resurrection; and the language in which New Testament writers expressed who they discovered Jesus to be.

Living Together with our Differences

with Betty Pries; CEO and Senior Consultant, Credence & Co. and Paul Okoye; Senior Consultant, Credence & Co.

Engaging differences and transforming polarized conversations is challenging—especially when we miss the wisdom diverse perspectives are longing to reveal. This has become even more challenging in relationships impacted by the recent pandemic. This course will consider the dynamics of engaging differences, while proposing strategies (and spiritual perspectives) for transforming entrenched differences and embracing the power and possibility of effective and meaningful conversation

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (central time)

Philippians: Renewing Our Joy in Christ

with Michael Pahl; Executive Minister of Mennonite Church Manitoba

In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he points them toward the path of joy in Christ even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, a joy lived out together in a common life crafted around Jesus’ way of co-suffering love. What can we learn today from this call to “rejoice in the Lord” even in times of suffering and uncertainty?

Violence Within Scripture: Struggling with a Troubling Legacy

with Gerald Gerbrandt, President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Bible

The early Christian Church already struggled with Biblical passages, perhaps especially in the Old Testament, which depict God as violent, or as commanding violence. Recent attacks of religion precipitated by 9/11 suggest that religion contributes to violence rather than reduces it, giving this question renewed significance in our time. In this course we will deal with questions like: Should the church excise these passages from Scripture? Is there a tension between the God of the New Testament and the God of the Old Testament? Is there a way of dealing with these passages that allows the God of Scripture to be a God of Peace and Love?

Thursdays, October 7 – November 11, 2021

9:30–10:30 AM (central time)

Creeds and Confessions: What are they Really, and How Important are they?

with Karl Koop; Professor of History and Theology

Creeds and confessions have been a part of Christianity since New Testament times. Confessional statements continue to play a role in the life of Christians and in the life of the church. What do these creeds and confessions actually say? What role do they play in the church? How important are these statements in relation to the Bible or contemporary experience? What do we do when we cannot agree on what we should believe? These and other questions will be explored in six sessions that give attention to what it means to think theologically about our faith convictions.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (central time)

Reading in a Good Way: Biblical Explorations for the Reconciliation Journey

with with Randy Klassen; Indigenous Neighbours Coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan, and former Professor at Bethany College

The call to Indigenous/Settler reconciliation is among the most urgent tasks for both our nation and the Christian church. The Church’s deadly complicity is a fact of history. The challenge of thorough repentance and building new and respectful relationships is a hope for the future, and the Bible is a key resource to provoke such transformation. This course will explore the Scriptures for stories, prayers, and teachings that challenge Settler colonial ways and encourage Settlers to see their relationships with Indigenous peoples in new and healing ways.

Prayer During Challenging Times

with April Yamasaki; Resident Author, Valley CrossWay Church, and Author of Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal

In times of challenge, prayer can be a significant source of support and comfort—yet sometimes prayer itself can be a challenge. How can we pray through challenging times when we feel overwhelmed? And how can we pray about the challenging times we face? This course will discuss different ways of praying during challenging times including personal and corporate prayer, spontaneous and set prayers, silence, lament, praying Scripture, and other prayer practices, with time in each session for a short prayer exercise.

Winnipeg | Spring 2021 (March 3 – April 8, 2021)

Wednesdays, March 3 – April 7, 2021

First period (10:00–11:00 AM Central Time)

Worship as the People's Work

with Irma Fast Dueck; Associate Professor of Practical Theology

The word “liturgy” comes from the ancient Greek word “leitourgia” which means “the people’s work.” At its simplest, worship is something we do (versus something we go to or something that is done to us). How do we grow in our practice of worship? What does worship reveal to us about what it means to be the church? to live as disciples? to engage in mission? Together, we will explore these questions and more.

“Surely the LORD is in this place—and I did not know it” (Gen 28:16): Explorations in Biblical Spirituality

with Gordon Matties, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament

"Spirituality," it can be said, is life at the interface of the divine and the human. The story of Jacob offers one among many paradigms of such a life. He encounters God in the unknown, in the terror of the night, and in the face his brother. This course explores his story in the context of the book of Genesis, along with a variety of other models of spirituality in the book of Exodus, the Psalms, Wisdom literature, the Prophets, and the book of Daniel.

Second Period (11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Central Time)

Indigenous Spiritualities & Christianities

with Adrian Jacobs; Keeper of the Circle, Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre, Sessional Instructor at Atlantic School of Theology

We will explore and experience the encounter of Indigenous and Settler worlds in light of the Christian faith encounter with very differing Indigenous embodied spiritual worlds. Stories and cultural experiences will form a platform for discussion fostering peace-building. Exploring how an integral Christian faith can co-exist with an authentic Indigenous spiritual and cultural identity will be the substance of this course.

The Book of Revelation: Hope in a Time Turmoil

with J. Nelson Kraybill, President of Mennonite World Conference, author of Apocalypse and Allegiance: Worship, Politics, and Devotion in the book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is a visually rich study of how Jews and Christians experienced the Roman empire in the first century. The warfare, pandemic, climate change, and persecution depicted by John the Seer's vision seem hauntingly relevant for our time. How might this apocalyptic book offer guidance and hope for the church today?

Thursdays, March 4 – April 8, 2021

First period (10:00–11:00 AM Central Time)

Hearing the Old Testament Prophets Today

with Dan Epp-Tiessen; Associate Professor Emeritus of Bible

Prophets are so central to the Bible that both Moses and Jesus are called prophets. So how did ancient Israel’s prophets function and what did they proclaim; how did they interpret their times; how and why did prophetic books come into being? In addition to questions like these, the course will also explore the ongoing relevance to Christian faith of key prophetic themes like loyalty to only one God, social justice, God’s sovereignty and judgment, and hope in God’s good future even when disaster looms.

The Power of Music: From Bach to the Beatles

with Dietrich Bartel; Emeritus Professor of Music

Over 2,000 years ago, Plato warned about music’s power, “because more than anything else rhythm and harmony find their way into the inmost soul and take strongest hold upon it”. Music can make us laugh or cry, feel nostalgic or content. Bach used this power to preach the Gospel; the Beatles used it to get to the top of the charts. And while composers have been manipulating their listeners’ emotions successfully over generations, music’s therapeutic power has been a healing salve even before David played for King Saul. In this course, we will explore some examples and examine some of the theories of the power of music over the centuries.

Second Period (11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Central Time)

Abrahamic Faiths in Dialogue

with Harry Huebner, Emeritus Professor of Theology and Philosophy

This course will begin by exploring why and how Christians might be in dialogue with people of other faiths. It will then invite representatives from both the Jewish faith and the Muslim faith to speak to the group on the same question from their perspectives. Participants will be invited to engage the presenters in theological dialogue. In the process it is hoped that the group will gain an appreciation for dialogue as a form of peacebuilding.

Theological Resistance in Troubled Times: The Compelling Witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

with Robert Dean; Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, Providence University College

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's compelling Christian witness in the face of the atrocities of the Nazi regime is a source of inspiration for many. People of all convictions, who can agree on little else, often agree that the name Bonhoeffer is worth claiming for one's cause. The result is that Bonhoeffer's legacy has often been hijacked for a variety of divergent causes with little regard for what he actually said and did. This course will delve into the intersection of Bonhoeffer's biography and writings in order to bring to the surface his profound vision for what it means to follow Christ in confusing times.

Winnipeg | Fall 2020 (Wednesdays, September 30 – November 4, 2020)

» First period (10:00–11:00 AM Central Time)

Reading the Bible with Jesus

with Michael Pahl; Lead Pastor, Morden Mennonite Church, Morden, MB

Jesus, of course, didn't have a "Bible" as we do: a bound collection of writings called the "Old" and "New Testaments." Yet Jesus memorized whole sections of his sacred scriptures from an early age and heard them read regularly in the synagogue. How did he read his "Bible," essentially our "Old Testament"? How might Jesus' way of reading the Jewish Scriptures, as we find in the Gospels, help us to read our Bibles better?

Journaling through Grief

with Wilma Derksen; Author, Public Speaker, Honorary Director of Candace House and Pastor of Maplecrest Church, Winnipeg, MB

Grief is one of the most powerful emotions we experience as humans, and it can be very difficult to discuss a loss with others. According to grief experts, the task of reconstructing your personal self-narrative is critical in the healing process. This course in journaling through grief will provide you with a venue for expression as you journey through your valley of sadness. Grief journaling will also be able to help you record and process your experience of grief and in the end, provide you with a very personal keepsake.

» Second Period (11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Central Time)

Beyond the Numbers: Pandemic Reordering the World we Knew

with Janet Plenert; Church Leader; Former Director of Mennonite Disaster Service (Canadian Operations), former Vice President of Mennonite World Conference

While we are bombarded with COVID-19 news, many stories go untold. In this class we will dive into some specific global issues and stories to get past the media angle and into some deep issues. We will hear firsthand voices from the global church as well to see how COVID-19 has reordered lives and impacted faith communities.

Denominations: What are They, and What are They Good for? Or Not?

with Gerald Gerbrandt; Emeritus President and Emeritus Professor of Bible, Canadian Mennonite University

Denominations are a standard part of North American church life, a major factor in how most of us experience church. Yet neither confessions of faith nor systematic theologies speak much about them. How do denominations fit in with the Biblical emphasis on the unity of the Body of Christ? Are they in tension with it, or might they be a way of experiencing and enhancing that unity? This course will consider questions like these to better understand what denominations are, how they tend to function, and how they might serve the larger mission of the Church Christ started.

Winnipeg | Fall 2020 (Thursdays, Ocotber 1– November 5, 2020)

» First period (10:00–11:00 AM Central Time)

Race and Racism

with Jobb Arnold; Associate Professor, Menno Simons College

In this course we will explore some of the modern ideas and political practices that have contributed to contemporary approaches to understanding the cultural dynamics of race and racism. Over six classes we will cover a range of interdisciplinary topics which will be contextualized using examples from historical and contemporary case studies. Weekly topics will range from modern theories of race, its politicization in conflict, structural racism, and contemporary examples of anti-racist struggles. This course invites small group discussion concerning the contemporary role that race and racism plays in our own church and community spaces. Break out groups will also challenge participants to envision meaningful ways that we, as people of faith, can build purposeful solidarity with marginalized and persecuted communities in ways that strive to embody the spirit and teachings of Christ Jesus. 

“so that through the church…”  Vision and Challenge from the Letter of Ephesians

with Robert J. Suderman; Church Leader and Teacher, Former General Secretary of Mennonite Church Canada

The vision of “church” sketched in Ephesians is not for the faint-hearted. It leaves no stone unturned. Its agenda awes us. Its audacity inspires us. Its relevance challenges us. Its message is as penetrating today as it was in the 1st century. Take the risk. Join the conversation.

» Second Period (11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Central Time)

Exploring Mennonite Schisms: Theology, Personality or Church Practices?

with Hans Werner; Senior Scholar, University of Winnipeg

In the 16th century Anabaptism emerged from a great schism in the Christian church and there have been many schisms in Anabaptist-Mennonite churches thereafter. It is safe to say that the many branches of Anabaptist-Mennonite faith traditions are all products of schisms. This course will examine a number of schisms, from the sword controversy that gave rise to Hutterites in the 16th century, to the singing controversy that was responsible in part for the creation of the Old Colony Mennonites in the 1880s in Manitoba. To what extent were schisms driven by personalities, or disagreements about church practices? How important was theology or scriptural interpretation in shaping the faith communities that emerged from these schisms?

Life Sentences: Writing for Yourself and Others

with Larry Danielson, Writer, Editor and Former E.L.A. team leader at Garden Valley Collegiate, Winkler, MB

You don’t have to be rich, famous, or extraordinary to write about your life. You just need to be willing. This course approaches life-writing from three directions: writing for discovery, writing for wholeness, writing for legacy. You will explore what it means to be you, at this age and stage of life. “Life Sentences” also will include guidelines for a variety of life-writing possibilities, such as life reviews, tributes, ethical wills, travel narratives, faith-journey accounts, memoirs, and more. You are welcome to participate, whether you are a beginning writer or one more confident and practiced.

Winnipeg | Spring 2020 (Wednesdays, March 4 – April 8, 2020)

All classes at Canadian Mennonite University, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg

» First period (9:30–10:30 AM)

Theological Resistance in Troubled Times: The Compelling Witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

with Robert Dean; Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, Providence University College

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's compelling Christian witness in the face of the atrocities of the Nazi regime is a source of inspiration for many. People of all convictions, who can agree on little else, often agree that the name Bonhoeffer is worth claiming for one's cause. The result is that Bonhoeffer's legacy has often been hijacked for a variety of divergent causes with little regard for what he actually said and did. This course will delve into the intersection of Bonhoeffer's biography and writings in order to bring to the surface his profound vision for what it means to follow Christ in confusing times.

Peace, Progress, and Place: Exploring Sacred Connections to Land

with Jeff Friesen; Associate Pastor, Charleswood Mennonite Church and guests

This course will explore the theological possibilities arising from the land. We will look at how our sacred connections to the places and spaces of our lives shape our understanding of such things as private property, urban and rural life, and peace. By sharing stories of our relationship with place in class and by hearing from guest speakers from different locations, this course will consider how the land on which we stand influences the ways we are living into our calling to be followers of Christ.

» Second Period (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

1 Corinthians: Community and Conflict

with Dan Nighswander; Author, Believers Church Bible Commentary on 1 Corinthians

The New Testament letters from Paul to the churches in Corinth disclose a community tested by conflicts. Though almost two millennia old, their issues are still current in (some) churches today—power, status, money, sex, worship, and spirituality. We will explore excerpts from 1 Corinthians as a window into that community and a mirror of our own.

Refugees Today and the Earlier Southeast Asian Refugee Movement

with Stephanie Stobbe; Associate Professor, Conflict Resolution Studies

The number of forcibly displaced people in the world is at an unprecedented 68.5 million (UNHCR, 2018). Thousands of migrants from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa are stuck in various detention centers and refugee camps in Greece, Italy, and Spain due to EU-Turkey refugee agreement and other state policies. Between 1979 and 1980, Canada took in over 60,000 Southeast Asian (Indochinese) refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, making it the most successful resettlement movement in Canadian history. Mennonite Central Committee signed the first umbrella agreement in 1979 with the Government of Canada to oversee the private sponsorship of refugees. The strong Mennonite response is in part due to their own history of persecution and resettlement. This course allows participants to share their own stories, examines lessons learned from the Southeast Asian refugee movement, and explores how Canada can better assist refugees today.

Winnipeg | Fall 2019 (Wednesdays, October 2 – November 6, 2019)

All classes at Canadian Mennonite University, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg

» First period (9:30–10:30 AM)

Parables of Jesus as Provocative Speech

with George Shillington (Emeritus Professor of New Testament)

Jesus used parable-story to alert his audience to an alternate way life and thought. Far from being allegory, the parable form grew out of real-life situations in ancient Palestine that people had learned to take for granted. The kingdom of God that Jesus enacted opened up an alternate vision of reality from that of Caesar in Rome, or that of the High Priest of Jerusalem. Our goal will be to translate the terms of selected parables out of their original situations in life to those of our time and place.

Jewish-Mennonite Interaction, in the Ukraine and in Manitoba

with Hans Werner (Senior Scholar, University of Winnipeg)

Mennonites have lived alongside and yet separate from Jews for hundreds of years. In many ways Dutch-North German Mennonites and Eastern European Jews have shared similar characteristics. Both had a unique language, Yiddish and Low German, both developed an ethnic as well as religious identity, both were 'outsiders' in their host societies. From a Mennonite point of view, Jews were strangers, partners, and intermediaries. In World War II one group faced annihilation while the other was placed in the category of being part of the 'master race.' This course will examine the complex and shifting relationship between Jews and Mennonites in Ukraine and in Canada.

» Second Period (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Christian Faith and Polarized Politics: The Practice of Disciplined Speech

with Paul Doerksen (Associate Professor of Theology and Anabaptist Studies) and guests

Current public discourse is too often marked by polarization, a dynamic that seems to exert a powerful effect on many of us of whatever theological or political stripe. This Xplore course will investigate what it might mean to bear Christian witness without conceding to the prevalent pattern of religious, cultural, and political polarization.

Handel's Messiah: Preaching or Entertainment

with Dietrich Bartel (Professor Emeritus of Music)

For over 250 years, audiences around the world have been flocking to churches and concert halls to listen to Handel's oratorio Messiah. What makes this work so compelling, enduring and popular for such a wide range of a listening audience, whether they are "churched" or not? We will explore Handel's world and the beginnings of this piece, its rise to the most popular and widely listened to oratorio ever written, and look at how Handel delivers the message of the chosen Biblical texts.

Introduction to Life Writing: Recording Our Stories

with Mary Ann Loewen (Sessional Instructor)

This course will include a brief overview of basic writing skills, and then take a specific look at life writing, discussing questions such as the following: What are the ethics involved? How do you decide what to include and what to leave out, and why? What role does memory play? Who is your audience? While there are no official written assignments for this course, there will be opportunity given to write during class time, after which feedback from both the instructor and fellow classmates may prove helpful.

Winkler | Fall 2019 (Thursdays, October 3 – November 7, 2019)

All classes at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, 750 15th St., Winkler

» First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

Exploring the Book of Acts

with Michael Pahl; Lead Pastor, Morden Mennonite Church

The Acts of the Apostles is the sequel to Luke's Gospel. It tells part of the story of the early church, how some of the first followers of Jesus sought to live out the way of Jesus together in the midst of diversity, in the face of opposition, and under the shadow of empire. What can we learn from their witness?

Mental Health and Wellness Through the Journey of Aging

with Ken Kroeker; Former Regional Director of Mental Health
and James Friesen; Former Chief Executive Officer, Eden Health Care Services, with guests

This class will explore various issues and perspectives that impact, both positively and negatively, our ability to live mentally healthy lives through our senior years. Topics will include clinical seniors mental health, self care, personal reflections on living the journey, community care, and others yet to be determined. These topics will be addressed by speakers from various backgrounds drawing from their professional and personal experiences. Opportunity for participant engagement is anticipated.

» Second Period (10:30– 11:30 AM)

What the Church Believes: Five Theological Themes

with Harry Huebner, Professor Emeritus of Theology

The church is a community of faith and as such its identity is shaped by the convictions it holds. This class will explore five theological affirmations common to the Christian church. The themes chosen for this round are: God/incarnation, creation/fall/redemption, sin/salvation, revelation/biblical authority, and being human/living the mystery.

Canaan-Israel-Palestine: Land of Occupation and Conflict

with Gerald Gerbrandt, President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Bible

Occupation, conflict and controversy have characterized this region of the globe for millennia. Strategic geopolitical forces and theological claims have intersected to frustrate the conflict. This course will review the history of the region as well as consider how Christians might understand Scripture in relationship to it. The course will consider how representatives from within the conflict might imagine a peaceful future.

Winnipeg | Spring 2019 (March 6 – April 10, 2019)

» First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

Praying the Scriptures Through all of Life

with Andrew Dyck (Assistant Professor of Christian Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry)

Those of us who have been Christians for many years sometimes encounter unexpected hurdles to trusting God and living by faith. God's people in the Old and New Testaments were familiar with such hurdles. This course will explore how praying the Psalms and the Lord's Prayer sustains God's people through a wide range of faith experiences. Participants will be offered opportunities and resources for praying the Scriptures.

Science and Faith: Strange Bedfellows or Necessary Companions?

with Rachel Krause (Assistant Professor of Biology)

This course will explore some of the intersection points of science and faith, historically and today. Using examples from the biological and environmental sciences, we will explore how scientists practice science, and what the scientific method can (and cannot) reveal. Finally, we will discuss how people of faith have responded to new scientific understandings in these areas, and how we as faithful Christians ought to live in this age of scientific and technological advancement.

» Second Period (10:30–11:30 AM)

What the Church Believes: Five Theological Themes

with Harry Huebner (Professor Emeritus of Theology)

The church is a community of faith and as such its identity is shaped by the convictions it holds. This class will explore five theological affirmations common to the Christian church. The themes chosen for this round are: God/incarnation, creation/fall/redemption, sin/salvation, revelation/biblical authority, and being human/living the mystery.

Making Peace with the Land: Christians and Our Environment

with Kenton Lobe (Instructor of International Development and Environmental Studies and Anika Reynar (Admissions Counsellor)

In a time of climate change, declining biological diversity, and other human related impacts on ecosystems, what might it mean for Christians to live well with the land? This course will explore biblical narratives that help Christians understand the character of creation and the place of humans as a part of God's good work. It will examine historical human relationships with the natural world and ask what it might mean to extend the gospel of peace to all of our creaturely neighbours.

Winnipeg | Fall 2018 (October 3 – November 7, 2018)

» First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

Aging and Resilience: Re-Imagining the Role of the Church

with Heather Campbell-Enns (Assistant Professor of Psychology)

We will explore the concept of psychological resilience in an aging population. To do so, we will discuss adversities that come with older age and the many pathways to resilience. The role of the church will be examined, making time to re-imagine how the church can support aging adults within the church and beyond.

Genesis: God Creates a World and a People

with Dan Epp-Tiessen (Associate Professor of Bible)

Because Genesis depicts the creation of the world and the creation of God's people, it is foundational for the entire biblical story and for Christian faith. This course will explore how descriptions of God's creation have implications for faithful living, how the Fall is a good news/bad news story, how the formation of a faithful people is God's response to the spiraling problem of human sin, how God manages to work through dysfunctional families, and how the remarkable stories of ancient patriarchs and matriarchs can inform and challenge our faith today.

» Second Period (10:30–11:30 AM)

"Here I stand": Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation

with Hans Werner (Senior Scholar, Mennonite Studies, University of Winnipeg)

Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg 500 years ago, touching off a sea change in the church. Who was Martin Luther? Can we really blame the Reformation on him? What did he think about Anabaptists, Jews, rulers, scripture, communion? In this course we will explore Luther as a person, his role in the Reformation, and his lingering influence on the Christian church today. 

Canaan-Israel-Palestine: Land of Occupation and Conflict

with Gerald Gerbrandt (President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Bible)

Occupation, conflict and controversy have characterized this region of the globe for millennia. Strategic geo-political forces and theological claims have intersected to frustrate the conflict. This course will review the history of the region as well as consider how Christians might understand Scripture in relationship to it. The course will also hear from representatives of the conflict on how they might imagine a peaceful future.

Winkler | Fall 2018 (October 4 – November 8, 2018)

>>  First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

Peacebuilding in Theological Perspective: Christians in Conversation

with Harry Huebner (Professor Emeritus of Theology)

Mennonites have a long history of thinking about and acting on their commitment to the biblical teaching on peace. Where are they at today? What do non-Mennonite thinkers and traditions bring to this discussion? Martin Luther King? Dietrich Bonhoeffer? William Cavanaugh? Stanley Hauerwas? Others?

The Power of Song: How Worship Music Shapes Faith

with Christine Longhurst (Assistant Professor of Music and Worship)

Christians have long recognized the power of music to shape what we believe about God and the life of faith. New Testament scholar Gordon Fee once said, "Show me a church's songs, and I'll show you their theology." This course will examine the relationship between worship music and faith throughout the history of Christian worship, paying special attention to the music of the early church, the 16th century Protestant Reformation, the rise of evangelicalism, 19th century revivalism, and the contemporary worship movement. How does our worship music reflect and shape what we believe?

>> Second Period (10:30–11:30 AM)

The Conflict Over "Holy Smoke": Contextualizing the Gospel for Indigenous Peoples

with Wendy Peterson (Instructor, North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies)

When European missionaries joined adventurers, fur traders, and other colonizing forces, their goal was to civilize and Christianize the heathens of this world. They assumed all things they did as Europeans (their style of worship, how they dressed, their work ethic, etc.) should be the Christian norm for their converts. This course will examine the results of this approach and ask if there is a better way to do missions. 
 

Philippians: Explorations in the Meaning of Citizenship

with Gordon Zerbe (Professor of New Testament)

One of the central themes of Paul's letter to Philippi is that of citizenship: its character, privileges, and responsibilities. By entering into the political, social, and religious world of Paul and the congregation in Philippi, we will seek insight into how Paul consoled and challenged that congregation, and what relevance that message has for Jesus-loyalists today. (Zerbe is the author of the recently released commentary on Philippians in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series sponsored by Mennonite churches.)

Winnipeg | Fall 2017 (October 4 – November 8, 2017)

>> First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

The Church in the Global South: What Can It Teach Us?

with Titus Guenther (Associate Professor Emeritus of Theology & Mission)

While the church in the Global North is struggling to stay alive, in the Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America) it is thriving, currently making up about 70% of world Christianity. How can we understand the dynamic, joyous presence and growth of these churches amidst wide-spread poverty and conflict? What can we learn from their experience? Can the churches in the two worlds (North and South) help each other be more faithful? Because of the instructor's background in South America, the presentations will give a heavier emphasis on this continent than on Africa and Asia.

Young Adults Today: How They Think and Why

with Adelia Neufeld Wiens (Student Advisor), Peter Epp (Church Engagement Coordinator), and Guests

This class will explore four dynamics that appear to be significant in the lives of North American young adults today, namely emerging adulthood, a sense of precariousness, mental health, and social media. It will conclude with two classes that consider young adult responses to the church, including a look at young adults who are passionate about the church, young adults who seem to be "on the edges" of the church, and young adults who seem to have fully disengaged from church

>> Second Period (10:30–11:30 AM)

Re-Reading the Fourth Gospel: Jesus, Messiah for the World

with George Shillington (Professor Emeritus of New Testament)

The Gospel of John is rich in symbolism and metaphor, which draws the reader back again and again into its literary and theological tapestry. Fresh discoveries come to light with every new encounter. At the heart of this simple yet profound masterpiece stands the figure of Jesus, Messiah for the world with all its cultural diversity in the third millennium after the incarnation of the Word (logos).


 

Pope Francis: A Jesuit View of the World

with Michael Caligiuri (Research Fellow, St. Paul's College)

This course will study Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome and current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, with an emphasis on how his current mission, style and personality have been influenced by his longstanding membership in the Society of Jesus—the Jesuits. At the frontiers and heart of the Catholic Church, members of the Jesuit order are, in the words of their founder St. Ignatius of Loyola, "contemplatives in action." In addition to focusing on the life of Pope Francis it will consider the role of the Jesuits within Christianity, and the tenants which influence the Pope's ideas on a variety of issues such as ecumenism, Church teachings, and international relations.

Winkler | Fall 2017 (October 5 – November 9, 2017)

>> First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

Ephesians: Power for Peace

with Michael Pahl (Lead Pastor, Morden Mennonite Church)

Ephesians is often seen as a summary of the Apostle Paul's teaching. It might be surprising to some, then, to learn how much the letter focuses on "peace." In fact, that's the whole thrust of the book: God's power, which far exceeds any powers of this age, is displayed in the crucified and resurrected Christ and given to the Church, the body of Christ in the world, in order to bring peace throughout the cosmos and among humanity. Join us as we explore these themes in Ephesians together."
 

Reflecting on the Church in Southern Manitoba

with John Klassen (Senior Pastor, Emmanuel Mennonite Church) and area pastors as guest presenters

>> Second Period (10:30–11:30 AM)

Clothing the Naked Anabaptist

with John J. Friesen (Professor Emeritus of History & Theology)

In this course, participants will probe the relationship between ideas (beliefs) and context both for the origin of the Anabaptist movement in the 16th-century, and for the significance of (naked) Anabaptist beliefs today. Murray's The Naked Anabaptist will be used as a reference for class discussions.

Deuteronomy as Vision for the Church Today

with Gerald Gerbrandt (President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Bible)

Deuteronomy may have the reputation of being ancient, out-of-date law, or even boring, yet it paints an amazing vision for Israel, one which remains relevant and quite applicable for the church today. This course will consider the nature of Deuteronomy's teaching for Israel, and how it can be God's word for the church in the contemporary world.

Winnipeg | Spring 2017 (October 5 – November 9, 2017)

>> First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

Global Issues in Development

with Willie Reimer (former Program Director of Mennonite Central Committee)

This course will focus on development challenges, key issues and opportunities encountered in six different regions of the world including Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. How are international agencies such as MCC engaging the church and local partners in addressing the challenges and issues that people face in their settings. We will examine how religious, cultural, political/ governance and peace, conflict, and migration factors affect the lives of people in these regions. Staff of MCC Canada will join a number of sessions to share recent first-hand experiences, challenges and issues.

>Authority: Canon, Creed, Church, or Me?

with Gerald Gerbrandt (President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Bible)

Most denominations have some kind of statement on the authority of the Bible. But how does this work practically? In this course we will review how the Bible came to be, and then ask what this might teach us about the authority of the Bible. In this process we will also consider how this authority interacts with, or relates to the authority of the creeds or confessions, the church, or other contemporary authorities.

>> Second Period (10:30–11:30 AM)

Disorientation and Delight: Biblical Wisdom and the Presence of God

with Gordon Matties (Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies & Theology)

How does the wisdom literature of the Bible—Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes—imagine the presence of God? If the editor of the book of Ecclesiastes is correct in suggesting that "the sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed" (Eccl 12:11), perhaps these books also present the character of God as "like goads, and like nails." This short course will explore how it might be possible to affirm that God is present in what is trusted and secure (nails), just as God can be experienced as hidden, elusive, and even absent (goads).

Introducing Hutterites Today

with Kenny Wollmann (Hutterite graduate student at CMU)

Hutterites, part of the Radical Reformation along with the Amish and Mennonites, are among the world's longest-running communal society. This course will attempt to give students an experiential glimpse into today's Hutterite communities. The leader will give a brief history and theological account of what it means to be a Hutterite. Modern issues that Hutterites struggle with will be identified and discussed. The course will also include accounts from members of the community, men and women, representing different roles and expertise that make the community function.

Winnipeg | Fall 2016 (October 5 – November 9, 2016)

>> First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

Church Practices and Christian Imagination

with Irma Fast Dueck (Associate Professor of Practical Theology)

The most vital and subtle lessons of the Christian faith and life are conveyed in the practices, rituals, and gestures that the church engages in. What makes them powerful is that they are embodied theology that refuses to separate the mind, heart and body. The practices of the church function as a prism, enabling Christians to view the world with a particular imaginative lens—at their best, with the imagination of Christ. This course will examine particular practices of the church and see what they reveal about what it means to be Christian and part of the Body of Christ. Special attention will be given to baptism, communion weddings, and funerals.
 

Decolonizing Our Hearts: Pathways and Theologies for Truth and Reconciliation

with Deanna Zantingh (Keeper of the Learning Circle for the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre) and guests

Our shared colonial history in Canada has affected diverse groups of people quite differently. How do we understand ourselves, our communities, and the Christian story amidst the complexity of the harms inflicted on Indigenous communities? In what ways do we need to re-examine Christian doctrines, and in what ways are our theologies resources for reconciliation? This course will be an opportunity to examine the on-going processes for truth and reconciliation between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, as we enter together with a willingness to both speak from one's heart and listen with one's heart to the variety of teachers who enter to share their journeys and wisdom about pathways for right relationship.

>> Second Period (10:30–11:30 AM)

Jesus, James, and Paul: Cherished Identity under Pressure

with George Shillington (Professor Emeritus of New Testament)

Jesus engaged in a restoration movement within the traditional land and people of Israel (Matthew 10:6; 15:24). His brother, James, carried forward the vision of Jesus centred in Jerusalem and Temple. Traditional Jewish identity was then tested profoundly when Paul extended the vision to include non-Israelites from the world in the community of Jesus Messiah without requiring the marks of identity that Jesus, James, and Judaism took for granted.
 

Clothing the Naked Anabaptist

with John J. Friesen (Professor Emeritus of History & Theology)

In this course, participants will probe the relationship between ideas (beliefs) and context both for the origin of the Anabaptist movement in the 16th-century, and for the significance of (naked) Anabaptist beliefs today. Stuart Murray's The Naked Anabaptist ;will be used as a reference for class discussions.

Winkler | Fall 2016 (October 6 – November 10, 2016)

>> First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

1 Corinthians

with Michael Pahl (Lead Pastor, Morden Mennonite Church)

A church divided over sexuality and marriage, spirituality, and worship and mission. Factions within the church, each with its favourite theology, its own preferred leaders. Underneath it all, questions over how to faithfully follow Jesus within a diverse and changing culture. This was the church in Corinth in the middle of the first century C.E., yet it could be any Mennonite church in Canada today. In this course we will explore Paul's charge to a fractured and flawed church to unite around the crucified and risen Jesus—a powerful word for the church today.

Immigrants and Refugees, Then & Now: A Common Story?

with Kevin Drudge (former Pastor, Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler) and guests

Mennonites arrived in southern Manitoba as immigrants and refugees, in the 1870s, 1920s, 1940s, and later. Their arrival affected local, especially indigenous, communities. In the past 25 years many German and Russian immigrants have moved into the same area. Now southern Manitoba is welcoming new immigrants and refugees from the Middle East (especially Syria), Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. Each arrival brings further changes to local regions. What common threads weave our stories together, helping us build communities of hospitality and friendship? How does biblical faith inform our response to the experience of being, or welcoming, the stranger? Representatives from different immigrant/refugee groups, past and present, will share stories as we together reflect on what we might learn from each other.

>> Second Period (10:30–11:30 AM)

The Church in the Global South

with Titus Guenther (Associate Professor Emeritus of Theology & Missions)

While the church in the Global North is struggling to stay alive, in the Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America) it is thriving, currently making up about 70% of world Christianity. How can we understand the dynamic, joyous presence and growth of these churches amidst wide-spread poverty and conflict? What can we learn from their experience? Can the churches in the two worlds (North and South) help each other be more faithful? Because of my background in South America, the presentations will give a heavier emphasis on this continent than on Africa and Asia.
 

Suffering Loss and Death

with Harry Huebner (Professor Emeritus of Theology)

We all experience suffering and loss and we all face death. As we age we lose much: our jobs, the place that has given us power and meaning, our treasured physical, mental, and spiritual capacities, our place in the family order, to name only a few. Also, we observe these changes in our friends. How do we understand these notions in an age when medicine promises to relieve us from suffering, and death is viewed more and more as liberation? Moreover, not all suffering is due to illness or personal loss; war, poverty, and racism are perhaps more stark today than ever. And Jesus suffered and died through which we believe we find our salvation. How might Christians think about this set of issues and how does it help us today to face suffering, loss, and death?

Winnipeg | Spring 2016 (March 9 – April 13, 2016)

>> First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

The Gospel of Luke

with Sheila Klassen-Wiebe (Associate Professor of New Testament)

All four Gospels tell the story of Jesus. This course will look at Luke's distinctive version of that story, with attention to several of the Gospel's characteristic themes and unique texts. We will explore Luke's version of Jesus' birth story, Jesus' mission of salvation, his practice of table fellowship, his teachings on discipleship and wealth, and his death and resurrection. Our study will lead us to a renewed appreciation for Luke's literary artistry and the significance of his portrait of Jesus for the church today.

The Jewish People: Their Story, Faith, and Practices

with Harry Huebner (Professor Emeritus of Theology) Gerald Gerbrandt (President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Bible), and guests

Mennonite and Jewish peoples have interacted with each other in southern Manitoba, and previously in the Ukraine. We have related socially, commercially, and in many other ways. We are alike in that we both have strong ethnic and religious identities, we are scattered throughout the world, and so on. We are also quite different. And in most cases we do not know each other very well. This is an opportunity to hear several Jewish leaders on how their stories, practices and observances shape their self-understanding as Jews, how scripture functions for them as a worshipping people, how the state of Israel has been helpful and problematic in defining them, and what it is that they would like to say to the Mennonite people. The focus here is on how we might gain a richer understanding and appreciation of each other.

>> Second Period (10:30–11:30 AM)

Whose Religion is Christianity? The Gospel Beyond the West

with Jonathan Bonk (Research Professor in Mission, Boston University and Director of the Dictionary of African Christian Biography project)

This course will survey emerging forms and demographics of Christianity around the world. Readings, reports, stories, and documentary videos will be used to create a collage of the new faces of Christianity. Implications for traditional Christian beliefs and practices will be explored.
 

The Life, Work, and Thought of Martin Luther King

with Brian Froese (Assistant Professor of History)

In addition to surveying the life and work of Martin Luther King (e.g., bus boycott, Promised Land speech), this course will explore the theological and historical context within which he worked. Emphasis will be placed on the intersection of his theological thought concerning the church and society and the social-historical setting of America in the 1950s and 1960s.

Winnipeg | Fall 2015 (September 30 – November 4, 2015)

>> First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

"I will not let you go unless you bless me": Explorations in Biblical Spirituality

with Gordon Matties (Professor of Biblical Studies & Theology)

"Spirituality," it can be said, is life at the interface of the divine and the human. Jacob, who wrestles with the divine stranger (Genesis 32), embodies his new name, "Israel." His experience becomes a pattern for ancient Israel's ongoing encounter with God. This course offers participants an opportunity to explore that text, along with a variety of other models of spirituality in the Bible as those are reflected in the diversity of narrative and poetry, exemplified in characterization and plot, and shaped through tradition and imagination. Sessions will include reflection on Old Testament and New Testament texts, themes, and practices.

Poverty and Homeless in Winnipeg: Its Roots and Realities 

with Andy Wood (Pastor Winnipeg Centre Vineyard and Founder of Vineyard School of Justice)

Participants in this course will explore the roots of poverty and homelessness in Winnipeg and beyond. We will peel back the data to look at the complex web of contributing factors people living in poverty face. This course will explore Biblical and meaningful responses to injustice, set in a rich tapestry of stories and real-life examples.

>> Second Period (10:30-11:30 AM)

The Church in Turmoil

with Rachel Twigg Boyce (Founding Pastor, House Blend Ministries)

"For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?" Isaiah 43:19

When you consider the many changes that are happening in the local church do you fear we are heading for disaster? Are you having a hard time see the new thing God is doing? Come explore these changes in a way that will inspire you to view the future of the church with both confidence and hope.
 

Suffering, Loss, and Death

with Harry Huebner (Professor Emeritus of Theology)

We all experience suffering and loss and we all face death. As we age we lose much: our jobs, the place that has given us power and meaning, our treasured physical, mental, and spiritual capacities, our place in the family order, to name only a few. Also, we observe these changes in our friends. How do we understand these notions in an age when medicine promises to relieve us from suffering, and death is viewed more and more as liberation? Moreover, not all suffering is due to illness or personal loss; war, poverty, and racism are perhaps more stark today than ever. And Jesus suffered and died through which we believe we find our salvation. How might Christians think about this set of issues and how does it help us today to face suffering, loss, and death?

Winkler | Fall 2015 (October 1 – November 5, 2015)

>> First period (9:00–10:00 AM)

The Gospel of Mark

with Michael Pahl (Pastor, Morden Mennonite Church)

The Gospel of Mark has often been ignored by Christians—it is, after all, the shortest of the Gospels, and most of its contents are duplicated in Matthew or Luke. However, it is almost certainly the earliest of the Gospels, possibly the first story of Jesus ever written. In this course we will explore this important Gospel: why it was written, what it tells us about Jesus and God's kingdom, and how it can shape the way we think about following Jesus in the 21st century.
 

Ukraine: Its Challenges, and Current Mennonite Initiatives

with Dave and Hildie Regehr (Canadian Directors for the Mennonite Centre in Molochansk, Ukraine) and guests

The history of Ukraine is a fascinating story of "tug-of-war" between western and Russian influences, politically, culturally and spiritually. The Mennonites entered that story in the late 1700's but were mostly removed from it again a century and a half later. Since its declaration of independence in 1991, several Mennonite initiatives are once again active in southern Ukraine midst the growing unrest in Crimea and the Donbas. Along with representatives from some current initiatives we will explore this story and Mennonite responses.

>> Second Period (10:30-11:30 AM)

Forgiveness (Person-to-Person) and Forbearance

with John H. Neufeld (President Emeritus)

Forgiveness is considered to be one of the twelve practices of the Christian faith, yet it seems to get relatively little attention as a dimension of Christian discipleship. How important is forgiveness, particularly person-to-person forgiveness? How is forbearance different than forgiveness? What experiences call for forbearance rather than forgiveness? This course will consider the role of forgiveness in our never-ending conversations with ourselves, about our relationships and our understanding of the Bible and the Christian life. We will focus on person-to-person forgiveness and distinguish between forbearance and forgiveness. Personal experiences, memories, biblical and other narratives, as well as insights from research will be used to explore the challenge and complexity of being forgiving and forbearing.

Seeing Scripture with New Eyes

with Gerald Gerbrandt (President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Bible)

For Christians Scripture is the primary resource and authority for how to understand our world, and how to live in it. But does this require that it be treated as a book of history and a book of laws, the primary categories we have tended to use when approaching Scripture? This course will explore an alternative approach which allows Scripture to be life-giving in the 21st century.