June 2012 – Page 2 – CMU Media Archive

June 14, 2012 – On June 7, 66 students graduated having completed one of the two programs offered by CMU’s Menno Simons College (MSC) in International Development Studies (IDS) or Conflict Resolution Studies (CRS). At a special MSC celebratory event, Dr. Julie Pelletier, Chair of Indigenous Studies at The University of Winnipeg, delivered the keynote address in Convocation Hall following graduation ceremonies.

“This year, 28 new, returning, and international students received awards – among the highest number of awards given in the history of MSC – including bursaries and scholarships,” notes MSC Dean Dr. Richard McCutcheon. “Additionally, nine students received medals for achievement in a particular major or degree program.”

In addition to an inspiring address by Pelletier, the MSC Graduation Celebration included greetings by Canadian Mennonite University President Dr. Gerald Gerbrandt and by Dr. Fiona Green, UWinnipeg’s Acting Associate Dean of Arts. Invocation was given by MSC Associate Professor Dr. Ruth Rempel.

Also participating in the program were graduating students Andrea Blanchard, IDS graduate, and Joel Gonske, CRS graduate, who shared reflections on what their time at MSC has meant to them.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of a unique institution that exemplifies the principles it teaches by being caring, community-focussed, people-oriented, and respectful towards everyone,” says Blanchard, who will begin work in September 2012 on her Master of Science degree at the University of Manitoba. “Since living in India and then taking IDS, I realized I was interested in improving health worldwide by studying the intersection of social sciences and health issues that make certain groups more vulnerable to poor health. Being in the IDS program gave me some unique opportunities related to my future goals.”

After her third year of studies, Blanchard completed her MSC practicum at Mount Carmel Clinic. She then returned to India for her Honours Thesis on the benefits of empowerment of women in sex work for reducing their HIV vulnerability. “I’m really excited that I will be able to directly build on my IDS experience and my Honours Thesis research this fall.”

Says Gonske: “Graduation is a milestone, but it is also a beginning of learning to work and live to the fullest, with responsibility and commitment to impacting the world for good.”

“For me personally, Menno Simons College has been an integral part of my ongoing transition to life in Canada from life in Pakistan,” says Gonske. “With its concern for international issues, its openness to diverse worldviews, and its various counter-cultural perspectives, I found it to be welcoming of my international background and interests… The community-based approach to education is one of the fantastic and unique aspects of Menno Simons College, one which we students have experienced
both in classes and through various practicum and research opportunities.”

For McCutcheon, who is retiring from his role as Dean of Menno Simons, the graduation celebration for MSC students was particularly meaningful. “We are very excited about this year’s graduating class,” he says. “Our students are already engaging in the next step. They are aware of world issues and events, and they want to do something to make a difference.”

CMU’s Menno Simons College is one of the world’s largest centres for peace and justice studies. The College provides education flowing from Anabaptist Mennonite understandings of faith, peace, and justice while engaging other religious traditions and intellectual perspectives. MSC fosters a learning community that prepares students from diverse backgrounds for participation and leadership in local and global communities. Considered a pioneer in International Development Studies and Conflict Resolution Studies, MSC offers a wide range of courses and experienced faculty in these areas, along with practicum opportunities and supporting scholarships.

Canadian Mennonite University offers undergraduate degree programs and two graduate degree programs. CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury campus, downtown MSC campus, and in its Outtatown international program. A member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), CMU operates a number of schools and institutes, including the Canadian School of Peacebuilding.

For MSC information, contact:
Ruth Taronno: r.taronno@uwinnipeg.ca; tel. 204.953.3846
www.cmu.cahttp://mscollege.ca

PHOTO, l to r:
Fiona Green, Richard McCutcheon, Andrea Blanchard, Joel Gonske, Julie Pelletier, Gerald Gerbrandt

June 13, 2012 – The Board of Directors of Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary Canada, together with the Board of Governors of Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) have appointed Andrew Dyck, Ph.D (cand.) as assistant professor of ministry studies at Canadian Mennonite University. This new position is jointly funded by MBBS Canada and the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba. Dyck will teach or give leadership in the area of spiritual formation, worship, preaching, ministry supervision, evangelism, leadership development, and pastoral care and counselling. In addition, he will serve as a resource person for the Manitoba Mennonite Brethren Conference.

“Andrew is ideally suited for this position,” says MBBS Canada President Dr. Bruce Guenther. “He brings a deep understanding of Mennonite Brethren evangelical-Anabaptist identity, a proven track record of effective servant leadership, and a passionate commitment to helping leaders become caring and faithful witnesses and disciples of Jesus Christ. I am confident that his appointment will expand the capacity of MBBS Canada to train men and women for the mission of reaching Canada with the good news of Jesus Christ.”

“I am thrilled at the appointment of Andrew Dyck into this ministry position,” says CMU President Dr. Gerald Gerbrandt, “both because of what it represents in cooperation between MBBS Canada and CMU, as well as because of the contribution Andrew will make to our community. His years of experience in pastoral ministry, combined with his studies in Christian spirituality, will very much benefit our students, and through them, the larger church.”

Dyck brings a wide breadth of church leadership experience that has most recently included a senior co-pastoral position at Highland Community Church in Abbotsford, BC and a senior pastoral position at King Road Mennonite Brethren Church also located in Abbotsford. Dyck has held a variety of denominational leadership positions, most recently as a member of the Pastoral Ministries Committee of the BC Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, and as executive secretary of the MB Historical Commission.

His extensive ministry exposure provides him with a deep well of experience to relate to and guide the ministry students that attend CMU’s Graduate School of Theology and Ministry.

Dyck’s educational background includes training as a physiotherapist (University of Manitoba), three years of study at Mennonite Brethren Bible College (Winnipeg), as well as a Master of Arts in Church Leadership from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He is currently completing a Ph.D at International Baptist Theological Seminary, Prague (University of Wales) on the spirituality of Mennonite Brethren in Canada. Publications and public presentations, both scholarly and popular, underscore Dyck’s academic skills and the valuable contribution he will make to CMU, MBBS Canada, and the training of leaders for the Mennonite Brethren constituency and beyond.

Dyck is described by former colleagues, leaders, and friends as a man of integrity and impeccable Christian character, and someone who is deeply committed to the Church. His life demonstrates a deep love for God and an uncompromising commitment to the Lordship of Christ in his life. He is married to Martha (who now teaches Kindergarten-Grade 1); they have three adult children.

“I thank God for this opportunity to serve alongside others in training pastors and leaders for the Mennonite Brethren and other denominations. As seminary graduates follow Jesus Christ, it is my desire that they be known as people of depth: people who love deeply and demonstrate godly character, who lead wisely and live winsomely, who know God’s Word thoroughly, and who draw from the reservoir of the Spirit’s living water.”

“The joint MBBS & Manitoba Conference of MB Churches appointment of Andrew Dyck in practical theology is a significant step in building a stronger pastoral training center on the CMU campus in Winnipeg,” says Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Executive Director Willy Reimer. “Andrew’s appointment will provide greater support for the development of pastoral leaders as well as resourcing Manitoba pastors and churches for the mission of reaching Canadians with the good news of Jesus Christ.”

MBBS Canada is the seminary of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. It is a member of the Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS) at Trinity Western University (Langley, BC), which offers eight degree programs accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. The seminary is involved in two graduate degree programs at Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg, MB) through an affiliation agreement.

A Christian university in the Anabaptist tradition, CMU offers undergraduate degrees in arts and sciences, business, humanities, music, and social sciences, as well as two graduate degree programs. CMU has over 1,700 students, including Menno Simons College and Outtatown students, and is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).

MBBS contact:
Dr. Bruce Guenther, President, MB Biblical Seminary Canada
bruce.guenther@twu.ca

CMU contact:
Nadine Kampen, CMU Communications & Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca; 204.487.3300 Ext. 621
Canadian Mennonite University, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2