Westview is an inclusive learning community with an Anabaptist heritage where participation comes before perfection. Together we aim to develop a sensitivity to the call of love, peace, justice, reconciliation, hope, beauty, and in these, God. Assisted by dialogue and learning, we hope to orientate our lives to the “Good News” found in Christ’s life and teachings. During the week Westview is a community hub for women in the Queenston Neighbourhood. At Westview Centre4Women you’ll find the same guiding principles in practice as women from all walks of life are offered a safe place that encourages respect and dignity for self and others.
Recorded at Westview on Feb. 14, 2021: Mystic hope is difficult to grasp, but it’s more than simply a desire for good outcomes, it’s a way of being in the here and now that holds on to life, however fragile and vulnerable it might be. The woman who anoints Jesus for burial finds a way to hold on to life even when she knows it’s about to be snuffed out.
Recorded at Westview on Feb. 14, 2021 this episode featured Carol Penner. Carol Penner teaches and writes in the area of practical theology and after many years as a pastor in various Mennonite congregations, she joined the faculty at Grebel. Her research interests include feminist theology and Mennonite peace theology, and abuse issues. She has a popular blog of her worship resources at www.leadinginworship.com.
In this discussion, Carol asks “Why are Anabaptists so conservative when it comes to women?” In response, Carol outlines three aspects of Anabaptist theology that keep women in a subordinate role: suffering, obedience, and forgiveness.
“We need a peace theology that really does bring peace to people, not just peace to the people in charge or on top, but peace to the people who suffer the most.”
During the Winter of 2021, we're taking some time to reconnect and reevaluate our Anabaptist heritage. Caleb continues the series by talking about a central doctrine of the Anabaptist movement called "The Priesthood of all Believers." Caleb reflects on how this doctrine has the power to level hierarchical systems of power. And how in John chapter 21, we see the potential for this doctrine to reach beyond itself, moving from a Priesthood for all believers to a Presithood of call creation. All of creation is called to be Christ.
During the Winter of 2021, we're taking some time to reconnect and reevaluate our Anabaptist heritage. We want to honour this heritage by mining it for its moments of light and uncovering the times it has fallen short. In this way, we can dig deep into the fertile soil of our past while learning from mistakes. By exploring Anabaptism, we hope to better appreciate the diversity of the congregation at Westview.
John and then Ruth kick this series off with a historical overview.
During the Winter of 2021, we're taking some time to reconnect and reevaluate our Anabaptist heritage. We want to honour this heritage by mining it for its moments of light and uncovering the times it has fallen short. In this way, we can dig deep into the fertile soil of our past while learning from mistakes. By exploring Anabaptism, we hope to better appreciate the diversity of the congregation at Westview.
John and then Ruth kick this series off with a historical overview.
Recorded on Jan. 3, 2021, Caleb speaks on Luke 2:22-40, the story of Simeon and Anna. In this story, we find clues that Jesus will lead Isreal into a new way of being in the world but will diverge from the pattern set by David and Joshua. Jesus will listen to his parents and grow in wisdom and favour. We learn how Jesus’ life and mission are grounded on Mary’s sacrificial love. His life, like ours, rests on a mother’s sacrifice.
Recorded on Dec. 20, 2020, Victor speaks on Matthew 2:13-23 sharing about Joseph and his own relationship with tradition in the Mennonite church.
Recorded at Westview on Nov. 29, 2020. In this episode, Caleb Ratzlaff discusses Luke 1:38-56.
In this passage, Mary consents to partner with God in a very specific way, she says yes to being Jesus’ mother. Caleb discusses the implications of the vulnerability inherent in the incarnation. Mary could have said "no."
Mary says yes to God and for her, this means committing to raising a son who is willing to give his life in an effort to transform society into the type of world described in Mary's Magnificat. It is the possibility of this world, a possibility growing in Mary and Elizabeth's wombs, that fills them both with joy.
This episode's feature picture is by Ben Wildflower
Recorded at Westview on Nov. 22, 2020. Victor Ratzlaff reads Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the Sheep and the Goats. This is Victor's first episode and our 20th!
Like all parables, the parable of the sheep and the goats aims to shake us from our complacency and get us to think about what it means to embody Christ's teachings. In our context, as we move into Advent, this parable talks in concrete terms about how the incarnation, how Christ, is found in food, water, clothing, strangers, sickness, and prisons.
Recorded at Westview on Nov. 15, 2020. Caleb gives rereads the parable of the Talents, arguing that we've read it wrong, very wrong.
At the end of the podcast today, Rosilee Sherwood shares a beautiful reflection on peace that was composed by her 7-year-old students. If you only have 3 minutes, skip to minute 17.
