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Rememberingconscientiousobjectors ofthe pastThe National Department ofDefence has not kept arecord of conscientiousobjectors from World WarII. Therefore the MennoniteHeritage Centre is trying todocument all the names ofthose who served. TheCentre is also hoping tocreate a memorial stone recognizingthe values and thework of the Canadian COs.The COs will not be aroundmuch longer. When they arenot here to tell their storyhow will we remember andlearn from their example?A monument is somethingthat will last and act as apermanent reminder. Manyof the COs feel their contributionhas not beenrecognized adequately by thechurch. They were underpaidfor their work and to thisday get no pension, disabilitymoney or other benefits. Amonument to help us rememberis important, especiallywhen the values they upheldare so counter-cultural.—Conrad Stoesz, MennoniteHeritage Centre, WinnipegPeace at work: the story of Barry BishopIn 1994 Barry Bishop thought he had his dream job working with the multinationalcomputer company, Hewlett-Packard (HP) in Waterloo, Ontario. Heenjoyed the responsibility, the problem-solving, the opportunity to travel widely,and the salary.One day he found out that HP had landed a major contract with a firm thatbuilt nuclear weapons for the U.S. military. As a Christian who had committedhimself to Jesus’ way of peace, Barry was thrown into turmoil. Seeking God’sguidance on what to do, he began a period of Bible study, prayer and discussionwith his small group at church. Increasingly, he felt that God was calling him touse his talents for peace, and that supporting sales to a weapons manufacturerwas inconsistent with that call. He knew he needed to leave HP.A few months later Barry was hired as business manager at RockwayMennonite Collegiate in Kitchener, Ontario. It was an answer to prayer.Though the lower pay meant a change in family lifestyle, the new job enabledhim to do what he loved—supervise people, work with computers, and evendrive school bus! Barry says that for him the decision to leave HP was the rightone. He acknowledges and accepts that not everyone will make the decisionthat he did. What is important for him is that his career connects with his senseof God’s call. —adapted from the Canadian supplement to Thermostat: HowCan We Turn Toward Peace in a Time of Fear? (See Resource Section.)Investing mindfullyYou shall not kill. Ex 20:13I work and pray for peace; I advocate and speak out against aggressive militaryaction; I attempt to live non-violently. Yet, I may be securing my retirementcomfort with earnings from war and child labour. I am talking about mymodest RRSP investments, and the companies held by those mutual funds.Some of the companies make profits by supplying military equipment, weapons,and technology. Worse yet, I have known this for many years and am still procrastinatingabout it.When profit is the only bottom line, investment dollars go anywhere money canbe made, including war-making. In writing this, I am committing to considerethical investing more seriously. Ethical funds invest based on ethical, moral,social and environmental concerns. This can involve avoiding companies thatmake money from the production of alcohol, tobacco or military weapons,along with attention to the environment and protection of basic human rights.Do you know where your money is invested? Will you join me in making a conscientiousdecision not to own any investments in military or weapons-relatedcontracting? —Tim Schmucker, MCC OntarioTo explore further, see Meritas, a family of ethical mutual funds founded byMennonite Savings and Credit Union (Ontario), Mennonite FoundationCanada, and Mennonite Mutual Aid. www.meritas.ca/.15 Stories and reflections