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Press Release by Harold Press

New history of Mennonites and Amish in Ontario published
Author/archivist Samuel J. Steiner produces vast volume

MENNOMEDIA, KITCHENER, Ontario, and HARRISONBURG, Va.—Conestoga wagons carried Ontario Mennonite settlers to the tangled forests of the Niagara Peninsula in the late 1700s. Since then, their descendants and more recent arrivals to the hamlets and cities of Ontario have sought promised lands of faithful living, peaceful communities, and religious freedom.

After months of consultation, the Board of Governors at Conrad Grebel University College approved a strategic plan to take the College to the year 2020.  Board Chair, Fred Redekop of Floradale, ON, noted that “the previous plan which focused on academic facility enhancements, academic growth and faculty renewal was completed this year and our board needed to look ahead.”

More than eight months after the successful conference/festival Sound in the Land 2014 explored music and the environment while discovering new Mennonite perspectives, the event continues to interest people. Most recently, Sound in the Land was featured in the Canadian Music Centre's .

“Advancing peace requires many hands. It requires shoulders to lean on, and to stand on. It is sustained by the mundane tasks that make daily life possible,” explained Paul Heidebrecht, director of Conrad Grebel University College’s MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement. “Peace becomes possible when we experience genuine community.”

Glimpses of peaceful community experiences are evident in many of David L. Hunsberger’s iconic photos. Focused on Ontario Mennonites in the 1950s and 1960s, his photos speak to more than Mennonites.

In December of 2013, South Sudan fell into debilitating internal violence. This also affected the South Sudanese community in Kitchener-��ݮ��Ƶ. Leaders in the community identified the need for local conflict mediation training.

This fall, the newly created MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College responded to this call from the KW South Sudanese Community and its Peacebuilding Taskforce by coordinating a six-week conflict management course.  

By Alexandra Bly,
Master of Peace and Conflict Studies Candidate at Conrad Grebel University College

On September 21st, Conrad Grebel University College celebrated the International Day of Peace with the official opening of the Mennonite Savings and Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA).

A large framed picture of Malala has long been displayed in the Peace and Conflict Studies Department office at Conrad Grebel University College. If people didn’t notice it before, they certainly are noticing it today.

The fall season always brings energy and vigour to the Conrad Grebel University College community, welcoming new and returning students to the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ campus. Students and parents were greeted on Move-In Day this year at Grebel’s new and welcoming front entrance! This 2014-15 cohort is the first group of students to enjoy the College’s new facilities.