How a local professor spent 20 years exploring the meaning of 'Oh My God'
Does the phrase "Oh my God" offend you? Have you ever wondered how it became something that people blurt out multiple times a day?
David Balzer, an associate professor of communications and media at Canadian Mennonite University and a storyteller at heart, is preparing to release an audio documentary that will answer all of these questions and more.
"I was doing the radio show [God Talk] and I had some friends at the University of Manitoba. They wanted to do something creative on campus and I got this idea to do a live show out of the university centre," said Balzer. "And so we're trying to pick a theme and during that week I was going to campus that week and I'm like, what could we do that would kind of bridge between our interest about who God is and culture and this phrase, 'oh my God' came up in my thinking."
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#myCMUlife | Finding purpose through music
If you would have asked me back in 2020 where I saw myself in five years, your guess would've been as good as mine. I've always been indecisive, but with the world in disarray, nobody knew what the future had in store. However, I do know my response would have involved doing something I'm passionate about, helping others, and making a difference. Still, I wouldn't have believed it if you'd told me I would be back at school, studying music no less, and just ten minutes down the road from me. Yet here I am, a CMU student looking to become a music therapist.
I have always had a passion for music and art. My mom is an artist, so she raised us surrounded by all kinds of music and art. My favourite childhood show was The Wiggles—need I say more? One of the only after-school activities I was ever in was elementary school choir, and I sang in school talent shows even though my anxiety made it extremely scary. Looking back now, I realize I should have taken band in middle school. I was a bit scared of the commitment to something so foreign, since reading music wasn't something I felt confident doing. Plus it felt like I didn't have the time for the early mornings and late after-school practices. So, I just continued to sing literally everywhere I went, if I could, and I began collecting instruments in hopes of learning how to play on my own (unsuccessfully, I might add). Because when I sing or play, I feel something deep inside connecting me to the music.
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Sunday@CMU: February 2025
Suffering the Truth: Occasional Sermons and Reflections
This month on Sunday@CMU, we hear from Chris Huebner, Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy at CMU. As we prepare to observe Lent next month, Chris will get us thinking about this season in the church calendar with excerpts from his book, Suffering the Truth: Occasional Sermons and Reflections.
Listen Now2025 Friesen Lectures Series | Anabaptist Peace Witness - Historical Significance and Today's Mission (videos)
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CMU announces appointment of academic dean
Dr. Janet Brenneman, Professor of Music, has been appointed Academic Dean of Canadian Mennonite University (CMU).
Effective July 2025, Dr. Brenneman begins a five-year term as Academic Dean spending her time working to support CMU faculty processes as well as maintaining a small teaching load to conduct CMU Choirs.
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