Reading has been my favorite pasttime forever. In that sense this Coronavirus Pandemic is only more of the same - except that I have a little more time to do it. More time to do it might suggest I have read many books. Not so! In fact only two books in this last month! My daughters would not be impressed; they of the book-a-day variety. Mix in a little house renovation and walking, yes walking walking along with my wife and the whole neighborhood! I read not for speed, but for some grist for my mill - that brain up there which still thinks many thoughts. In addition to the print variety of course there are endless links and references brought my way via committee emails, Zoom and WhatsApp meetings, etc.etc. I read enough to cause eyestrain, those blood shod eyeballs probably because most of the reading is on screen.
The reason for this post, however, is those two books. I'm inclined to write a bit about them because, firstly they provided a break from the digital - sufficiently edited and published and safely printed on paper so that my read can happen complete with pen in hand affording opportunity to underline a few things and scrawl the occasional comment. Secondly, the topic. I like books that get me thinking. These two did! Here we go.
Advocating for Peace: Stories from the Ottawa Office of Mennonite Central Committee, 1975 - 2008, by William Janzen (Kitchener, Pandora Press, 2019). 169 pages.
Those Who Know: Profiles of Alberta's Native Elders, by Dianne Meili (Edmonton, NeWest Publishers, 1992). 256 pages.
The topic slightly beyond words. Two different books, one about 25 years old and the other just off the press; there is a similarity of topic. William Janzen, sometimes referred to as Mr. Ottawa, is an expert in words. He writes these stories, autobiographical but scripted in the style of an author more used to preparing briefs and official letters than books. There is nothing sensational about book cover or chapter headings or paragraph after paragraph of prose. His pedigree is enviable both in academic, government or church circles - two MA's one in International Affairs and another in Religious Studies, and a PhD in Political Science from Carleton! As Marlene Epp-Tiessen, writing in the Forward about Janzen's 33 years in the Ottawa office, says, "They reveal the unique advocacy style which Janzen ... came to embody: a posture of patience and humility; a practice of detailed research, consultation and analysis; and a principled commitment to non-partisanship." (p.10). So, reading his stories and the issues he was asked to address I was impressed and also eventually became a little flushed - with embarrassment! Especially so when he writes respectfully about the Old Colony, the most conservative legalistic of the Russian Mennonites. He seeks to be helpful to those in their wanderlust, their disregard for legal details, and a theology that almost ridicules the lawmakers of any country to the extent that it wants to become the stuff of movies, embarrassing movies at that (eg. Pure, CBC, 2017). This is the office they approach for assistance in family moves, interpretation of marriage documents, and implications for immigrating and emigrating. Many of them probably knew naught of the classy advocate they had; one who knew the ropes, indeed the one with patience and humility gently seeking to give the best interpretation and presentation to appropriate government departments, civil servants some of whom he knew personally. Did they also know that he dealt with many many other issues? Okay, I just ranted a bit! Mostly these feelings came up after reading one specific chapter; but it is a biggee! The other 17 chapters, many of them devoted to theological faith issues involving not only Mennonites, but Christians of other denominations and even other faith traditions in relation to our government. Fascinating to see how this man, working for and among his people, spent so much time outside the box.
Enter Dianne Meili. Her book is not presented as a story book, but that's exactly what it is, all 31 chapters. Each chapter features one elder. Meili, a metis journalist from Edmonton, also one-time editor of Windspeaker, Alberta's bi-weekly Indigenous newspaper, became fascinated by these seniors of influence because of her professional work and also her own spiritual search that led her to a discovery of her own indigenous heritage. The individual profiles are fascinating, heartbreaking, inspirational, sometimes hilarious; some hardly with story line, and all spiced with personality. She presents them as 'those who know'. These are the ones who have 'been there done that', lived every kind of life - on the trapline, in the army, in a camp on the move, in jail, in residential schools, on the reserve. They are the ones who have counseled, prayed, fasted, healed, and helped birth.
Touching, moving books, both of these. My retirement interest in theology beyond the church (see my profile) and also my lifelong belief in profound inspiration from among 'the least of these' (read some of my blogs from my trucker years) kept me fascinated page after page. So it is that sometimes a coincidental season or sequence of reading can bring on an "aha". I read for that - and as I sometimes say to my daughters, "Why read a book two or three times. There's always another book to read." I once had a college teacher, Dr. David Schroeder, who encouraged us to read for that aha moment, and then begin our essays - not before! At the moment I am recipient of an aha.
It is from among the ponderous reflections of down-to-earth uneducated (some educated) indigenous elders that I discovered a great appreciation of a humble knowledgeable servant like Bill Janzen advocating for justice in and among the least and the elite. Eventually the possession of knowledge, detail and procedure and relationships becomes a spiritual gift. Eventually it serves especially within the power structure (or lack thereof) within the Mennonite churches; it incarnates the peace message of the people he represents in his dealings both within and beyond. It struck me that in a similar manner, many of the indigenous elders are an invaluable presence even as they lament the individualism of this younger generation and of course alcohol and drugs messing with their communities. Their presence in that culture provides essential service for indigenous self understanding and of course communication with Settler society around them. I recognize considerable similarity to Mennonites, they sounding exactly like 'the old ones' I sometimes heard in my rural Saskatchewan farm family and neighborhood. Not only that, I am fascinated to hear testimony of the influx of Christianity right in alongside indigenous ceremonies - similar values advocating for sweat lodges or church - depending on which elder is talking. Of note also, a number of these subject elders are devoted Christians - Anglican, Catholic, Pentecostal or non-denominational evangelical!
Now to really add punch to this developing theme, allow me to add a third book; arrived in my mailbox after I had begun this post. It is a booklet actually, one in a series, Mission Insight #19, Toba Spirituality: The Remarkable Faith Journey of an Indigenous People in the Argentine Chaco (Willis G. Horst, Elkhart, MBM, 2001). Fascinating; I must learn more. It is an intriguing sample of an embodiment of Christian faith within a group of indigenous tribes in the Chaco, Northern Argentina. The essence of Christianity, complete with new birth in Jesus Christ (John 3:3), very celebrative worship, and this comfortably alongside indigenous cultural practice, all the while resisting affiliation with historical denominational church groupings! "Aha", say I once more, another support for this tome. Tome? probably not. A tome is a heavyweight document. We're not quite there just yet with these couple of "aha" thoughts.😉 Furthermore I believe the most profound inspiration cannot be contained in words anyway (read my blog Pentecost Still, June 2).
"Times, They are a changing", so crooned Bob Dylan to me and my cool university friends in the 1970's. I remember thinking the church was so outdated and must face the fact that we really knew our stuff - us and the anti-Vietnam War draft dodgers! At this point, in midst of a world-altering Covid-19 pandemic and crisis racist social upheaval in the U.S, Dylan's songs ring true as ever. Today's times-a-changing, not only among christian or indigenous communities, but all religions, all society. It was my good fortune (providence?) that I happened upon a couple books that give excellent hope for the ongoing perspective and even relationship with Creator God especially for days such as these.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[a] knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33).
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