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CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: Find joy in the small things

Kyle Penner, Pastor, Grace Mennonite Church 3 minute read 11:47 AM CST

A few weeks ago, I was sitting with family and friends when someone asked, “What’s giving you life these days?”

The grandparents, predictably, said, “Grandkids.”

The grandkids said, “Setting up the Christmas tree.”

Someone told a story about their nieces and nephews.

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COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Give the gift of kindness

Ron Schuler, MLA for Springfield-Ritchot 3 minute read 8:58 AM CST

Snow now gently settles on windshields, icicles glisten along rooftops, and the soft glow of blue and yellow sand trucks lights up the early morning hours. While this December has brought warmer-than-usual temperatures, winter is well on its way and with it, one of the most cherished seasons of the year, Christmas.

With snow-covered landscapes, twinkling lights, and the return of cozy wool scarves, it’s hard not to look forward to the joy and meaning that this time of year brings. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, to gather with loved ones, and to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy as Manitobans. As the year winds down, I encourage all of us to pause and truly appreciate the privilege of community, warmth, and peace that surrounds us.

For me, some of the season’s simplest moments are the most meaningful, hanging stockings over the fireplace, hearing Christmas music gently playing in the background, or enjoying the crackle of a fire on a frosty evening. In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to overlook these small comforts. But this year, I invite you to slow down, take a deep breath, and rediscover the quiet beauty in the little things. You may find, as I have, that this is where the real peace of Christmas lies.

Kindness is a gift we can give this season, one that costs nothing, yet means everything. In true “Friendly Manitoba” spirit, let’s lead with compassion. Whether it’s reaching out to someone who’s lonely, helping a neighbour shovel snow, or supporting a family in need, even the smallest gesture can brighten someone’s holiday.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: Christmas shows God’s love for the world

Troy Dearborn, Pastor, St Pierre Fellowship Church 4 minute read Preview

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: Christmas shows God’s love for the world

Troy Dearborn, Pastor, St Pierre Fellowship Church 4 minute read Yesterday at 11:45 AM CST

There’s a lot of variety when it comes to decorating Christmas trees. Synthetic tree or natural? Spruce, fir, pine? Are the decorations perfectly matching and uniformly distributed, or is the tree covered in a mishmash of homemade ornaments and haphazardly placed lights? Perhaps most controversial, yes or no to tinsel?

It seems to me that despite the diversity of Christmas tree décor there is one universal factor everyone knows, the decoration at the top is the most important! Traditionally this top and final ornament is a star, or sometimes an angel. Either way, both the angel and the star of Bethlehem announce the arrival of God’s Savior into the darkness of our world. The star that sits atop the tree is a reminder that Christmas is about more than the presents sitting at the bottom of the tree. The star invites us to explore with curiosity, just as the wise men did, what the baby in a manger is all about.

Sociologist Rodney Stark points out in his book The Rise of Christianity that some of the most radical words written in all ancient literature are a single phrase from the New Testament, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16). This familiar verse to us today was originally an extraordinary claim. To a Greco-Roman audience it would have been a baffling new concept that the God of heaven actually loved people. The ancient gods did not love the world, nor the people in it, they loved themselves. The myths were full of legends about the gods’ selfish depravity. They were constantly playing tricks, jealously competing for personal gain and power, subduing or smiting whoever got in the way. To most people the gods were angry, selfish, and vindictive. They didn’t love you, and you certainly didn’t love them. Your worship was given only to pacify their outbursts, to avoid them causing your crops to fail or your ship to sink at sea. The gods of Mount Olympus were quick to anger and disapproval, far removed from the cares and concerns of humans “down below”.

And perhaps for some of us, that is still our view of God today. That he’s far removed and unapproachable, sitting up on the clouds with disapproval, annoyed by you, or perhaps even angry with you, just waiting for you to mess up and demanding that you climb a ladder of good deeds and holiness to prove you’re worthy. I would urge you today, to consider what the Christmas story in the Bible shows us about the character of God. Christmas shows us that God so loved the world, and the people in it, that he left his place in heaven to pursue them and rescue them when they could not save themselves. He is a God who comes close, right into the darkest and most broken places of our world. He is a God who is not removed from pain and grief, but who is well acquainted with it. He is the self-giving God who saves, who forgives, and who redeems us to a new path of life, promising to never leave us or forsake us.

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Yesterday at 11:45 AM CST

Pastor Troy Dearborn,
St Pierre Bible Fellowship Church

Pastor Troy Dearborn,
St Pierre Bible Fellowship Church

Hope for the Holidays benefits cancer support

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

Hope for the Holidays benefits cancer support

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Yesterday at 10:59 AM CST

A pair of initiatives will allow Southeast Cancer Support Services (SCSS) to boost their coffers this holiday season.

SCSS announced two ways the public can help support their mission earlier this month.

“Imagine living in a small rural community and fighting cancer while also worrying about how you’ll get to treatments, cover rising living costs, or manage time away from work,” an SCSS news release stated. “For many families in southeastern Manitoba, this is their reality.”

SCSS offers compassion, practical help and hope, reminding clients that they don’t have to face cancer alone.

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Yesterday at 10:59 AM CST

SUPPLIED
On Dec. 29, all donations made at Snow Place Like Home will go to Southeast Cancer Support Services.

SUPPLIED
On Dec. 29, all donations made at Snow Place Like Home will go to Southeast Cancer Support Services.

COLUMN: View from the Legislature – Shining light into darkness

Kelvin Goertzen, MLA for Steinbach 3 minute read Yesterday at 10:56 AM CST

On Sunday morning I had planned to send to a number of my friends in the Jewish community a text message wishing them a happy Hanukkah as it was the first day of the celebration. Before doing so, I scrolled the news on my phone and, like so many others who saw it, was shocked by the news from Australia. There, 15 people were killed by a terrorist who targeted people celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah. Many of the friends I had planned to text on Sunday had for months been telling me about the rise of antisemitism they have been experiencing here in Canada. And now they were dealing with a horrific attack against the Jewish people on the first day of the Festival of Lights.

It wasn’t long before I received a message from a Jewish leader in Winnipeg asking if I would attend one of the Hanukkah ceremonies planned at a Winnipeg synagogue to show solidarity with the Jewish people. While I had not originally planned to attend, I immediately said yes and was honoured to be there and, as a Christian, address those in attendance and express our solidarity with the Jewish people on that difficult day. My wife and I felt blessed to be able to attend and to show support to the community that was both grieving a tragedy while also preparing to celebrate Hanukkah.

As Christians, we too are preparing to observe an important date on our spiritual calendar. Around the world Christians will mark Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. In those observances we will celebrate how the coming of Jesus brought both hope to the world and shined a light into the darkness.

A significant part of the ministry of Jesus was about helping those who were hurting and those who were in need of help. He offered that help and that love and support without condemnation and judgement. For that reason a central theme in the Christian faith is Jesus as the light in the darkness.

COLUMN: Think Again – Good news of great joy

Michael Zwaagstra 4 minute read Yesterday at 10:51 AM CST

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people’” (Luke 2:10).

Most of us have heard these words countless times. It’s a key part of the Christmas story, where angels appeared to shepherds while they were watching their sheep at night.

The angels said that they brought good news to the shepherds. The Greek word translated as good news in this verse is euangelizomai, which is the verbal form of gospel. According to the angels, this gospel message would bring great joy to all the people.

Thousands of years earlier, God had a similar message for Eve. Immediately before expelling Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, God pronounced judgment on the serpent (Satan) and made an important promise.

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback December 3, 2001 – Students learning from infants in Roots of Empathy program

Wes Keating 3 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback December 3, 2001 – Students learning from infants in Roots of Empathy program

Wes Keating 3 minute read Yesterday at 10:44 AM CST

Seine River School Division has implemented a program to combat bullying and teach compassion at each of its schools. At a November press conference at Ile des Chenes School, the division was handed $25,000 for the Roots of Empathy program, which is a pilot project.

At the conference, division officials, politicians, teachers, students, mothers and babies, as well as a small crowd of reporters, were introduced to program founder Mary Gordon.

Gordon works for the Toronto District School Board. She participated in former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s Family Conference in June 1999 and presented the Roots of Empathy program to the World Health Organization last year.

“Our children are harbingers of goodwill, and in this program, we are seeing compassion flourish.”

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Yesterday at 10:44 AM CST

CARILLON ARCHIVES

Ile Des Chenes Grades 3 and 4 immersion students watch the subtle nuances of baby McKenzie Buis’s behaviour, while her mother Cathy Somerset-Buis and Roots of Empathy founder Mary Gordon participate in a workshop at the school, giving the media a first-hand look at the new pilot program in Seine River School Division.

CARILLON ARCHIVES

Ile Des Chenes Grades 3 and 4 immersion students watch the subtle nuances of baby McKenzie Buis’s behaviour, while her mother Cathy Somerset-Buis and Roots of Empathy founder Mary Gordon participate in a workshop at the school, giving the media a first-hand look at the new pilot program in Seine River School Division.

‘A huge honour’: Steinbach’s Kelvin Goertzen reflects on 22-year tenure

Matthew Frank 8 minute read Preview

‘A huge honour’: Steinbach’s Kelvin Goertzen reflects on 22-year tenure

Matthew Frank 8 minute read Yesterday at 10:32 AM CST

Nothing was normal for Kelvin Goertzen when he watched results roll in during the 2003 provinical election.

As he pried himself away from making last minute calls to voters so he could join supporters at his campaign headquarters, a rush of emotions filled the then 33-year-old when it was confirmed he would become Steinbach’s youngest MLA.

“It was kind of a relief, and it was kind of surreal because, not because we didn’t think we could win, or anything like that. It’s just that it was so different than the life we’d planned literally 45 days before,” Goertzen told The Carillon.

That moment marked the beginning of his 22-year career in provincial politics. Last week, the Progressive Conservative MLA announced he wouldn’t seek re-election, after serving as a former cabinet minister and briefly became Manitoba’s premier.

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Yesterday at 10:32 AM CST

MATTHEW FRANK THE CARILLON

Progressive Conservative MLA for Steinbach Kelvin Goertzen announced on Dec. 9 he won’t be seeking re-election.

MATTHEW FRANK THE CARILLON 

Progressive Conservative MLA for Steinbach Kelvin Goertzen announced on Dec. 9 he won’t be seeking re-election.

La Broquerie family thankful for Wishes of Hope

Greg Vandermeulen 4 minute read Preview

La Broquerie family thankful for Wishes of Hope

Greg Vandermeulen 4 minute read Yesterday at 10:25 AM CST

For Andreas and Nelli Wiebe, accepting the gift from Wishes of Hope proved to be a blessing after a time of turmoil.

Their daughter Hannah had completed more than a year in cancer treatment including extensive surgery at SickKids in Toronto.

That was when Southeast Cancer Support Services (SCSS) stepped up.

They had already been a resource for the family, but were happy to be able to grant the family a wish, for Hannah, the now two-year-old in recovery.

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Yesterday at 10:25 AM CST

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The family gets ready to check-in to their suite.

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The family gets ready to check-in to their suite.

New program offers Steinbach youth a chance to give back

Matthew Frank 4 minute read Preview

New program offers Steinbach youth a chance to give back

Matthew Frank 4 minute read Yesterday at 8:40 AM CST

For Steinbach youth Heather, volunteering by washing apples and bagging carrots for a soup kitchen is more than simple work. It’s her way of making a difference.

The 15-year-old was one of two teenagers selected for The Chrysalis Fund’s youth giving back program on Dec. 12. The new program connects applicants with a charity of their choosing to volunteer with and donate $500 to. In its first year, funding was split in half to include both youth in the program.

Heather opted give the $250 to Soup’s On, a Steinbach soup kitchen located in the basement of Grace Mennonite Church, because she already volunteered there for roughly a year-and-a-half.

“I go to church at Grace (Mennonite Church), and so that’s always been like a dream of mine to help out with people who don’t have as much as we have,” she said, noting volunteering has made her feel part of a family.

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Yesterday at 8:40 AM CST

MATTHEW FRANK THE CARILLON

Heather, 15, washes apples at Soup’s On on Dec. 12. She’s one of the first two youth chosen for The Chrysalis Fund’s youth giving back program.

MATTHEW FRANK THE CARILLON 

Heather, 15, washes apples at Soup’s On on Dec. 12. She’s one of the first two youth chosen for The Chrysalis Fund’s youth giving back program.

Criminal harassment leads to firearm charges

Greg Vandermeulen 1 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

A man accused of disconnecting the power to an RM of Springfield resident’s home on two separate occasions was arrested by RCMP and faces multiple charges.

Oakbank RCMP said in a Dec. 12 news release that they received a complaint of a power outage from a 53-year-old female on Oct. 8.

The victim told police this was the second time it had occurred, the first event happening on July 31.

The investigation led to a suspect, a 54-year-old male and a subsequent seizure of firearms, which were found improperly stored.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE – Look up and marvel at His love and mercy

Dylan Barkman, Pastor, Pansy Chapel 4 minute read Preview

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE – Look up and marvel at His love and mercy

Dylan Barkman, Pastor, Pansy Chapel 4 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

On one of the cold clear nights this winter, take the time to go outside and look up. Try to get away from all other sources of light and give your eyes time to adjust to the beauty of the stars. As you do, ponder over the fact that people have been studying the stars for many years. In fact that is how the Wise Men from East of Israel came to discover where Jesus had been born.

Our galaxy has many stars. Reportedly the naked human eye can see a few thousand of them, however with increasingly powerful telescopes, we know that there are literally billions of stars in our Milky Way galaxy. It’s difficult to think about how many stars that really is, as it means to multiply a million by a thousand. That’s a tremendous amount of size, mass and energy, but it’s only the beginning.

By looking outside of our galaxy, scientists have discovered that there are many more galaxies. In fact there are trillions of other galaxies! In other words there are a thousand times more galaxies than there are stars in our galaxy! If each of those galaxies has on average the same number of stars that our galaxy does, according to NASA there could be a Septillion stars in the universe. You have to multiply a thousand by a thousand, 7 times in a row to get to that number. That’s a lot of mass, energy, or you might say; glory.

This of course is only the beginning of the amount of mass floating in space as each of those stars likely has at least one planet orbiting around it, as ours has 8 or more. The sheer magnitude of all that is not only beautiful and intimidatingly powerful, but admittedly, unfathomable. 3,000 years ago Solomon only knew a fraction of what we know about stars today, and yet it already led him to admit that God “has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecc. 3:11). King David declared something similar, that “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1).

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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Pastor Dylan Barkman,
Pansy Chapel.

Pastor Dylan Barkman,
Pansy Chapel.

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Will greed cost Canada another gold medal at the World Juniors?

James Loewen 4 minute read Preview

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Will greed cost Canada another gold medal at the World Juniors?

James Loewen 4 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

One of the great Christmas traditions in Canadian sport is the World Junior Hockey championships that kick off on every year on Boxing Day.

Unfortunately, the last couple of tournaments have not gone well for Team Canada and their fans from coast to coast to coast. Twice in a row, Team Canada lost in the quarter-finals and finished out of the medals.

It’s super frustrating because if greedy NHL teams weren’t so selfish, Canada would be able to ice juggernaut teams.

In this year’s version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas the title role will once again be played by all the NHL teams that will not release their junior-aged players to play in the World Junior Hockey Championships.

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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

SUPPLIED

Winnipeg Jets - Josh Morrissey

Calgary Herald front page - Josh Morrissey after he won gold medal with Team Canada at world juniors in 2015.

- for Mike McIntyre feature / Winnipeg Free Press

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Winnipeg Jets - Josh Morrissey

Calgary Herald front page - Josh Morrissey after he won gold medal with Team Canada at world juniors in 2015. 

- for Mike McIntyre feature / Winnipeg Free Press

COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Little accomplished for Manitoba

Konrad Narth, MLA for La Verendrye 4 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

The fall session of the Manitoba Legislature came to a close this past week.

The failures of the NDP Government were on full display this fall, as little was accomplished for Manitobans.

Rather than take concrete action on such pressing matters as affordability, crime, healthcare, and Manitoba’s weakening economy, this failed government chose instead to focus on symbolic gestures and bullying rhetoric as they sought to mislead Manitobans.

Manitobans are struggling to afford the basic essentials of life. Violent crime continues to surge in our province. ER wait times can exceed 20 hours to see a doctor, and long time NDP supporters the Manitoba Nurses Union give this government a D minus on their performance as hospitals are grey listed and patients die in ER waiting rooms. After a mere two years of NDP rule, Manitoba has the weakest economy in Canada and we are hemorrhaging jobs and investment as businesses pack up and leave town. All as the out-of-touch NDP smile and pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

Steinbach Community Outreach picked by SCU members for grant

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

Steinbach Community Outreach picked by SCU members for grant

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Steinbach Credit Union (SCU) members have spoken, and the credit union has listened through what has become an annual tradition of gift giving.

Launched eight years ago, the Share the Light campaign awards a pair of charities with $3,500 each.

The only catch is that they have to be selected by members.

This year SCU once again asked their members where help is needed most, having them nominate charities to receive financial support.

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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

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From left, SCU marketing specialist Larissa Harder, Steinbach Community Outreach manager Charlene Kroeker and SCU CEO Curtis Wennberg. Steinbach Credit Union presented a cheque for $3,500 to the Steinbach charity.

SUPPLIED 

From left, SCU marketing specialist Larissa Harder, Steinbach Community Outreach manager Charlene Kroeker and SCU CEO Curtis Wennberg. Steinbach Credit Union presented a cheque for $3,500 to the Steinbach charity.

New goalie helps Pistons to perfect week in MJHL

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

New goalie helps Pistons to perfect week in MJHL

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

It was a magical Steinbach Pistons debut for Hunter Bauer.

The 2006-born goaltender from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, posted a shutout in his first Manitoba Junior Hockey League start, stopping all 25 shots he faced as the Pistons blew out the Winnipeg Monarchs 7-0.

“It was a lot of calm and rebound control,” Bauer said on his game.

“When I get tested, (I try to) get out and challenge the shooter knowing my D is pressuring behind them so they don’t have much options.”

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Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

Hunter Bauer put together a spectacular week for Steinbach, only allowing a single goal in three games as Steinbach went 3-0. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Hunter Bauer put together a spectacular week for Steinbach, only allowing a single goal in three games as Steinbach went 3-0. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

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