African Bible School Principals Meet in Addis Ababa
by Doris Dube, MWC Editor for Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—Under the umbrella of the Africa Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Fellowship (AMBCF) the principals of the Bible schools in Africa met in Addis Ababa June 9-11. Representatives came from Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. Congo sent its regrets. This meeting came about as a result of the principals’ desire to develop closer working relationships with each other as an African body. It was also an occasion at which they could discuss issues, encourage each other and plan for the future.
     The principals shared news of progress in their institutes. They talked about their curriculums and about the possibility of adding training programs in practical skills training in those schools where these have not yet been introduced. This is intended to help give the trained people practical skills through which they can supplement their incomes and thus not be a burden to the congregations they will be leading upon the completion of their training. Such practical skills include carpentry, mechanics, welding, home economics, typing and others.
     The principals also talked extensively about the possibility of starting exchange programs for lecturers and students. They felt that such contacts would help them to relate more closely to each other, thus developing a greater appreciation for each other’s programs. Each representative body will think of ways of planning for and working to make such an exchange possible. This will be a South/South exchange.
     Another aspect of projecting into the future was a plan to document and circulate topics of concern to the current church. There are issues which need to be researched and written about in order to enrich the whole church body. One would ask what our stand as Christians is concerning peace and reconciliation, divorce, remarriage, polygamy, homosexuality, abortion, war and many other issues. It was felt that if writers at Bible colleges could address such topics and debate them from a theological point of view, then in addition to circulating them at the local level they could be sent to other colleges and institutes in Africa.
     There was also talk of publishing some papers. This will depend on the availability of funds. Bruce Khumalo of Zimbabwe was authorized to write to the heads of the African Mennonite and Brethren in Christ conferences to share this vision, but it was agreed that the principals of the schools would promote this idea as well as give it direction. They would also be responsible for getting funds to print these documents. The Africans from the soil of Africa would write for each other. Each would write in the context of his/her local church. This discussion on theological research and publication was appreciated by all present.

Richmond, Virginia, USA—On the afternoon of July 4, 1999, 75-80 Mennonites stood facing the White House in Washington, D.C., and sang hymns of peace. Braving the holiday crowds and the hottest day yet this year, they came from Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia. They included pastors and members of numerous congregations, Eastern Mennonite University students, Mennonite Voluntary Service workers, MCC volunteers, vacationers from Kansas, and members of the Sojourners Community. Persons from other faith backgrounds also came to join in a harmonious witness for peace.
     The spirit of this event, organized by members of First Mennonite Church of Richmond, Virginia, was one of “suggest” as opposed to protest, as these Mennonites did what they do best, singing in harmony with one another. The message was that this was how this group of people find unity and peace, through putting their voices together to praise their God.
     Additionally, leaflets were provided to curious pedestrians explaining why this Hymn Sing was taking place, to suggest that “there are many creative ways available to resolve conflict in our world rather than through violence.” Two lists of suggestions were included in these handouts, one entitled “What can one person do for peace?” followed by “What Can Nations Do To Promote Peace and Non-Violence?” Some hand clapping, verbal expressions of appreciation, and questions were received from people walking by. Several people stopped to sing along for at least a few songs, while one bicycler stopped and sang along for the whole hour.
     As a consequence of the Hymn Sing For Peace, over the Christmas season, the voices of Mennonites were heard singing in the halls of world power. On December 7, White House staffers with their families and friends were entertained by the Eastern Mennonite University Chamber Singers. One group of songs from Cuba was included in their repertoire, after which their leader Ken Nafziger presented a letter and word of greeting from the Martin Luther King Center in Havana.
     On Sunday, December 11, visitors touring the White House listened to a choir from Eastern Mennonite High School, led by Jay Hartzler. The singing included two 45 minute segments, first in the East Room and then in an entry hall.
     On this coming April, the Hymn Sing For Peace 2000 will be held again in Washington, D.C., across from the White House. The Mennonite Churches of Hong Kong wish to hold a similar event on the same day. Some Canadian Mennonites have also expressed interest in singing in Ottawa.
     David Powell, organizer of the Hymn Sing for Peace 2000, is inviting others around the world to consider promoting this idea. He looks forward to responses and is open to questions and suggestions. E-mail address: David L. Powell ecopow@erols.com

Palermo, Sicily, Italy (VMBM)—It all started after World War II, when Russell Maniaci, an Italian immigrant and member of Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Ind. USA, began sending care packages to needy relatives in Sicily. In a package to an aged aunt, Maniaci included a New Testament. Franca Ceraulo, who helped the woman with her correspondence, read it and became the first Mennonite in Italy.
     Fifty years after that seed was planted, an October 30-November 1 celebration in Palermo commemorated the growth of the Italian Mennonite Church into seven congregations with 250 members and a Sunday worship attendance of more than 425.
     The Italian Mennonite Church invited all former workers sent by the Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions (VMBM) to attend, and paid a third of their airfare.
     The people of God, Israel, are one,” Italian Mennonite Church president Francesco Picone said in his welcoming remarks. “But they are divided into 12 tribes. The Christian church is one, too. But it is also divided into tribes. We belong to the Mennonite tribe.”
(From The Mennonite, Nov. 23, 1999)

Winnipeg, Canada (MWC)—“Through Cuban Eyes,” a collection of paintings probing the culture and faith of the people in Cuba, was on display at the Mennonite Heritage Center (MHC) Gallery in Winnipeg for ten weeks this summer. The exhibit, which included the works of 17 artists from Cuba, attracted much attention and was described by Ray Dirks, the curator of the gallery, as “a tremendous critical and public success.”      As a result of the exhibit, two prominent people in the arts in Cuba visited Winnipeg for most of July. They were painter Ezequiel Sanchez and promoter Roberto Quijano. The paintings were also on As a result of the exhibit two prominent people in the arts in Cuba display on October 18 during a concert in Winnipeg by the world-renowned Cuban chamber choir Exaudi.      “There is a great deal of sympathy towards and interest in Cuba in Canada,” observed Dirks, “and that was very evident in the reaction of the audience in Winnipeg.”      The exhibition is scheduled to be shown in New York City, starting in late January 2000, at the Puffin Room Gallery in Soho. The Triangle Gallery in Calgary, Canada, has also indicated interest in showing the paintings.

Untitled from the Series La Ultima Cena by Karol Pérez, mixed on canvas. (Christ has been crucified. Odd looking men representing the disciples sit dejected around the table.)

     Ray Dirks visited Cuba shortly before the exhibition opened in Winnipeg. Upon his return to Canada he reported that “the arts are alive and thriving in a dynamic, sometimes strained, sometimes free, always stimulating environment in Cuba.” He spent some time with the artists whose paintings would be coming to Canada. He also visited churches in Cuba and spent two weeks at the Martin Luther King Memorial Center, an ecumenical Protestant institution in Havana.
     “The church is also alive and growing in Cuba,” observed Dirks. “Cuban church goers attend freely and worship without interruption,” he said “This is not to say Cuba is an entirely free and open society. Criticism of the government, for example, is not permitted in the church but there has been a gradual opening up towards Christianity in recent years. This emerging faith is often reflected in contemporary Cuban art,” Dirks noted.
     “Through Cuban Eyes” attempts to reflect the current trends in Cuban art. “As you marvel at the incredible art in this exhibition,” says Dirks, “we hope the viewer will learn something about ordinary Cuban people and understand a little better their hopes and joys.”
     As a result of the exhibit and the exchange that has happened Dirks has been invited to have an exhibit of his own work at the University of Havana in March 2000.
     Among the sponsors of the Cuban art exhibition in Winnipeg were Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba and Pastors for Peace, an US-based organization.
— Larry Kehler, MWC News Editor

The Indonesian Mennonites have been facing difficult times. This led to a recent decision by church leaders to translate Mirror of the Martyrs into the Indonesian language. “We hope this book helps to prepare Mennonite congregations who are facing difficult economic and political conditions, including the destroying and burning of church buildings,” explained Paul Gunawan, a leader among the Indonesian Mennonite Churches (GKMI).
     Gunawan is shown (right), presenting a copy of Cermin Para Martir (the Indonesian translation) to publisher Merle Good (on a recent visit to Indonesia).
     Mirror of the Martyrs, by John S. Oyer and Robert S. Kreider is a new English translation of favorite stories from The Martyrs Mirror (first published in 1660) also appeared as Historias de Inspiración y Coraje: Espejo de los Mártires, in a Spanish translation and publication coordinated by Latin American Mennonites. The books include numerous Jan Luyken etchings from the plates which were thought to be forever lost. Translations into additional languages, including French, Japanese, and German, are being planned. For more information write to Good Books, PO Box 419, Intercourse, PA 17534, USA.
— Larry Kehler, MWC News Editor

Viñales, Pinar del Río, Cuba (MCC)—Representatives from Central America, and North and South America countries gathered here August 1 to 8 to declare a personal, community and international commitment to the biblical concept of Jubilee.
     Fifty-eight, between the ages of 16 and 35, traveled from Canada, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and the United States to participate in the camp, organized by the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Cuba. “Our reflections are based on the theological imperative of Jubilee to address the socio-political, economic and humanitarian needs,” said a meeting statement.
     Willroy Grant, a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) volunteer in Cuba, attended the camp. “We developed a better understanding of how this Biblical tradition of Jubilee is brought to our time, especially in light of the Jubilee 2000 movement, a campaign to deal with the overwhelming debt of poorer nations. The goal here is not just for the debt to be forgiven, but to get to the root of this debt.”

     The statement declares a commitment to espousing the biblical concept of Jubilee on a personal, family, community and national and international level. “We commit to forgive our economic, moral, emotional, ethical, ecological and all other types of debt that prevent us from living in right relationships with one another,” said the statement. Living the Jubilee as a lifestyle, added Grant, is not merely a trend, but a commitment to God.
     Managing family conflict, choosing dialogue over anger and violence, and fortifying relationships, said Grant, recognizes the image of God and maintains harmonious living within families. “Jubilee is a way of life that requires us to act not only with mercy toward each other but with justice. We must struggle to incorporate Jubilee in all levels of our relationships, starting with our relationship with God, our families, churches, society and the world,” said Grant.

     The camp statement espoused nonviolence as a means to “build solidarity among all people against the cruelty of suffering in the world, protesting against all that is death, advocating for all that is life, in order to change the broken reality of our unjust world.”

     Participating churches included the Mennonite Church and Brethren in Christ of Meso-America, the United Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Baptist Alliance of the United States, the Fraternity of the Baptist Churches in Cuba and the Catholic Church of Canada. Grant is on a two year MCC assignment in Havana, Cuba, where he works with the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. He is also a student at Eastern Mennonite University’s Conflict Transformation Program.