Personalia

Bill and Carol Lehman, senior pastor couple in Port Rowan (Ont.) MB Church, are retiring from pastoral ministry, effective the end of August, 1998. They have served in Port Rowan for five years, and previous to that served in Kitchener (Ont.) MB Church and Steinbach (Man.) MB Church. Bill also pastored a couple of churches in The Missionary Church of Eastern Canada, as well as pursued a career in municipal planning and administration. Final decisions are not yet made about where the Lehmans will live after leaving Port Rowan.

Wes Toman has began work as a part-time youth worker at National Capital Community Church in Ottawa. Wes has completed a program in youth work and outdoor recreation at Eastern Mennonite Bible College in Harrisonburg, Va., and served as the head counsellor at Camp Crossroads during the past summer.

Albert Friesen began ministry as the chaplain of Tabor Manor in St. Catharines, Ont. at the beginning of August, 1997. Previously he pastored St. Ann's (Ont.) Community Church, for five-and-a-half years, was associate pastor at Bridgeway Community Church in Swift Current, Sask. for two-and-a-half years and was a church planter in Winnipeg for one-and-a-half years. He and his wife Dianne were MBM/S missionaries in Austria for six-and-a-half years. He also taught at Eden Christian College for two years, and was music director at Winkler Bible Institute for three years. Albert has an M.A. in World Mission from MB Biblical Seminary and has done graduate work in ethnomusicology at the University of Michigan.

On Dec. 7, Panorama Community Church in Surrey, B.C. received 9 new members: Cameron and Geraldine Ree, Larry and Laurie Ykema, Michael Blouin, Brent and Lydia Phillips and Lane and Deborah Wilson.

The following were baptized at The Meeting Place in Winnipeg on Dec. 3: Leigh Balser, Don Binda, Allison Brown, Dianna Brust, Tammy Froese, Mike Greenhaigh, Pat Greenhaigh, Gwen Reimer, Randy Rioux, Theresa Rioux and Heather Wiebe. The following became members of The Meeting Place on Dec. 3: Earl Bargen, Jay Biber, David and Wendy Church, Brian and Cindy deBruin, Doug Dietterie, Erwin and Heather Dirks, Gilbert and Angela Drolet, David Epp, Mark and Heidy Friesen, Tammy Froese, Johanna Janzen-Tacchl, Philip and Judy Klassen, Steven and Valerie Klassen, Mark and Sherri Koop, Doug and Marilyn Porisky, Arlene Prasek, Henry and Paddy Quiring, Irene Rahn, Ken and Eleanor Thomas, Bob and Jeannie Toogood, Sara Willms, Paulette Wilson and Sherilyn Wood.

Five people were baptized and joined Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. Nov. 30: Cary Funk, Jenilee Doerksen, Adam Nickel, Leona Thurley and Becky Carlsa.

William Baerg, music professor for 33 years, and George Shillington, biblical studies, have been promoted to full professor at Concord College.

Twenty-eight workers participated in orientation at Mennonite Central

Committee headquarters in Akron, Pa. Nov. 4-14. Seven are beginning overseas assignments, 16 assignments in North America and 5 service internship assignments. Ingrid Koehn of Bielefeld, Germany is beginning a two-year assignment as a child care worker in Winnipeg. She is a member of a Mennonite Brethren Church in Bielefeld. Geoff Dueck Thiessen of Winnipeg is beginning a two-year assignment as a volunteer coordinator in Winnipeg. He has a B.R.S. from the University of Winnipeg and was last employed as a retail sales clerk for Purolator Courier in Winnipeg. He is a member of River East MB Church in Winnipeg. His wife is Karla Dueck Thiessen.

Tom Smucker will become executive coordinator of Mennonite Disaster Service, replacing Lowell Detweiler when he retires in April, 1998. Smucker has been working part-time as MDS assistant field program coordinator. He is a member of Oak Grove Mennonite Church in Smithville, Pa. Carla Hunt, currently serving as MDS personnel and resource coordinator, was promoted to assistant coordinator in November. She is a member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Reinholds, Pa. MDS headquarters staff also includes one administrative assistant, a position currently filled by Marilyn Godshalk of Akron, Pa., who will conclude her time with MDS in May, 1998 when her family moves to Illinois.