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2004-04-20 issue:

‘Can’t Keep Quiet’ Charlotte 2005 theme

Joint Executive Committee uncertain how to plan for joint delegate sessions

by Everett J. Thomas

Print Article

Although logistics for the Charlotte 2005 convention are falling into place, the Joint Executive Committee (JEC) is unsure what to do with three hours of time reserved for Canadian and U.S. delegates to meet jointly. This uncertainty follows an about-face on whether to even have a joint U.S.-Canada assembly in 2005.

In March 2003 the JEC decided to “discontinue our planning for a binational convention in 2005.” But Mennonite Church Canada General Board rejected the JEC’s decision and indicated they wanted to hold their 2005 gathering in Charlotte, N.C., with Mennonite Church USA.

The JEC debate on March 26-27 about what to do during three hours of joint delegate sessions at Charlotte 2005 quickly turned to the future of the relationship between Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA.

“If we want to have a serious relationship north and south,” said Mennonite Church USA moderator-elect Roy Williams, “then we need to do more than get together and sing ‘Kum Ba Yah.’ ”

Williams noted that racial-ethnic groups in Mennonite Church USA question why the U.S. church should have an ongoing and special relationship with Mennonite Church Canada.
“The European cultures [in the two denominations] feel it is very important … to get together,” Williams said, “but within Mennonite Church USA, the white folks want to maximize relationships with the North, and Hispanics want to maximize relationships with the South.”

Dan Nighswander, general secretary for Mennonite Church Canada, says Asian groups are the growth edge for his denomination; that means Canadian Mennonite relationships in the future will increasingly extend west.

“Our churches are moving in different directions,” Nighswander says.

JEC directed the moderators and staff to bring a proposal for delegate sessions to their fall meeting.

Theme: Other parts of the 2005 convention are decided, however. Convention planner Jorge Vallejos announced that the theme for the convention will be “Can’t Keep Quiet.” The theme was chosen by the convention planning committee as an expression of Acts 4:20. All worship sessions will be joint as well as workshops and tours.

Participants from the United States will pay a registration fee of $165 U.S., which is the same amount charged for the Atlanta 2003 and Nashville 2001 conventions. Canadian delegates will pay $75 Canadian, while Canadian youth convention participants will be able to pay their $165 registration fee in Canadian dollars. However, all participants will pay room and board in U.S. dollars. The 13-meal plan will be $167, and the average hotel room price will be $75 per night. Vallejos said that the average hotel room rate in Charlotte will be lower than the average hotel room rates were at the 2003 Canadian and U.S. conventions.

Charlotte 2005 will begin Monday, July 4, and conclude on Saturday, July 9. Vallejos said this schedule will be less problematic than former schedules for those who take off work to attend.

The JEC also heard a financial report from Mennonite Publishing Network leaders and ratified the MPN board’s action to develop a plan to vacate their facility in Scottdale, Pa., within five years (see here).—Everett J. Thomas

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