The Canadian Mennonite, a publication of Mennonite Church Canada, will hold a banquet in Steinbach next Saturday, April 6th. Publisher Tobi Thiessen says they move these banquets around the country each year and this is the 48th annual. She adds these banquets serve a couple of purposes.

"Our first purpose is to connect with people and really get to understand how we can serve them in their communities. And, we gratefully receive their support, whatever amount they are able to give. There's no ticket cost so you have to reserve a spot. It's free to attend and there are donation baskets on the tables and there will be an invitation to make donations."

Thiessen says the magazine has 10,000 print subscribers across Canada plus many people who access their website. She adds 3,000 of their subscribers come from Manitoba, including about 350 in Steinbach and area.

She notes their website has turned into a wonderful outreach tool for Mennonite Church Canada, drawing many readers from beyond the church. But Thiessen adds the technology is expensive.

"That is one of the reasons why we have to fundraise. It is difficult to keep up with the technology, especially at this time when we want to have a strong print magazine and have a relevant online presence. Our online experience is showing great interest from outside the Mennonite Church so we're constantly trying to put out good, balanced, carefully curated content that is relevant and interesting to outsiders but still speaks to our primary mandate of what's going on in the Mennonite churches in Canada."

The banquet will be held at Mennonite Heritage Village and tickets can be booked on their website. (email - office@canadianmennonite.org and put “CM April 6 dinner” in the subject line)