Our Mid-Winder Study Conference this year will be on Positive Psychology. Often the study and practice of psychology focuses on problems or abnormalities. In contrast, Positive Psychology focuses on exploring what makes people feel good, happy, and gives them sense of well-being. In preparation for the Study Conference next week, Professor Delmar Epp has shared some positive psychology exercises and a strengths survey. Take time this week to try them out, and see how they work for you.

Volunteer Opportunity. The church office is looking for 2-3 volunteers who can be called to maintain office hours when staff are on vacation or sick. The responsibilities are negotiable, but would include opening the building and answering phones. If you’d like to join us as a back-up, please contact the church office or one of the pastors so we can talk about training and availability.

It seems as though we are constantly inundated with negative news stories regarding health issues, economic issues, philosophical differences as well as political aggression. But we have also experienced many positive events this past year that have brought us joy and encouragement. Please consider sharing your good news stories in the next edition of Grace Notes. Send them to thelma.voegtlin@gmail.com. Thank you.

For our next virtual event in the “Russlaender 100” centenary lecture series, literary scholar Robert Zacharias will explore the Russlaender migration from the Soviet Union by considering its representation in Mennonite Canadian literature. From Sandra Birdsell to John Weier to Rudy Wiebe, a host of Mennonite authors have returned to rewrite this dramatic history in fictional form. Why have so many authors returned to retell this story? How does literature help us remember the past? Is it truly possible to visit the places to which we are first introduced by fiction? Join us, Feb. 8, 6:30 pm CST.

Visit our website to register for this webinar

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

• Tuesday, February 1 – Arnie (AKA Dr. Voth) will be speaking with us again about the current state of COVID-19. Please send me your questions so that I can forward them to him in advance…or send Arnie your questions directly.
• Tuesday, February 8 – further reflection on the Mid-Winter Study Conference theme, “The Good Life – Positive psychology and Christian Faith” (further information below)

If you would like to receive a weekly reminder of the topic in Coffee and Conversation, some advanced notice of upcoming topics, and some supplemental materials, please e-mail Anke and ask to be added to her mailing list.