Partnership circles hold promise for Native ministry

Winnipeg, Man.

The emergence of "partnership circles" at a Native Ministry consultation here on March 12-13, signalled a shift for Mennonite Church Canada Witness involvement in native communities in northern Manitoba.

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The "partnership circles" (one for congregations and communities to work together, the other for native communities only) evoked lively discussion as representatives from nine congregations/communities met with MC Canada and Manitoba staff to talk about relationships in the light of last year's budget cuts and a shared history of more than half a century.

In that context, the idea of partnership circles is "very significant," noted Jack Suderman, Witness executive secretary. "They point a way forward which is viable and sustainable."

The meetings were also an opportunity to speak frankly about how MC Canada budget decisions affected each group's ministry. Some said that this process couldn't have happened earlier because the pain was too deep.

"These conversations open the door for future ways of getting congregations involved with each other," concluded Suderman. "It was good to hear the passion...to hear each group identify needs and priorities," such as leadership, youth work, fundraising and building programs. The group also explored together how to address them.

For example, Norman Meade, of Manigotagan Community Chapel, noted that their partnership approach will be to come asking (not begging), and giving in return. They'll bring back to others what they received over the years, including love and wisdom, as well as their pain.

Norm Voth, MC Manitoba staff, was encouraged to hear people from native communities articulate their dreams as well as their frustrations. "There was a clear sense of them saying, 'Here's what we'd like to do, this is what we need, this is what we bring.'" He is excited about the potential of the partnership circles.

Manitoba congregations are willing to work with native communities in leadership training, providing resources and community building. He sensed that some "southern" congregations seem to be ready to connect more directly as a result of this meeting.

The consultation included a paper on the history, challenges and future role of Native Ministry, given by Walter Franz (see related story).

Donovan Jacobs, Native Ministry staff, agreed that partnership circles (which have been under discussion for about a year) created "a lot of energy." The Riverton Fellowship immediately offered to host the first native partnership circle meeting within the next few months.

"As churches come of age, they need a forum in which they can come together," he observed. "The model in how we related to native communities has had a dramatic shift...and to enter a new relationship we need to acknowledge each others' gifts and needs."

Jacobs felt that another goal of the consultation--to set direction for Native Ministry and clarify its role--requires further attention.

Participants in the consultation included native groups from Manigotagan, Pauingassi, Riverton. Churches represented were Bethel (Winnipeg), Morden Bergthaler, Sargent, Springstein, Steinbach Mennonite and Winkler Bergthaler.

The upcoming North American Native Assembly, to be held in Riverton July 26-29, will be an opportunity to strengthen relationships among native groups.