Guest speaker delivers message of hope at Sedalia

By Joan Janzen

Sedalia, a hamlet in southern Alberta, was a hub of activity on the last day of January when about forty people from surrounding communities gathered at the Sedalia Hall to attend a meeting. People from Consort, Oyen, Sedalia, Castor, Coronation, Hanna and Craigmyle came to the evening hosted by the group called Community Strategies for a Changing World.

Tanner Hnidey from Lloydminster, AB was the guest speaker at Sedalia Hall on January 31st. He was invited by the community group, Community Strategies for a Changing World to deliver a message of hope. FACEBOOK

The organizing committee, consisting of ten individuals, invited guest speaker Tanner Hnidey to address the audience. Tanner hails from Lloydminster, Alberta, and is an economist, freelance speaker, social critic and lay theologian. He is the editor of TannerHnidey.com where he regularly comments on political, ethical, religious and economic issues. Some of the people who attended had listened to his podcast and were somewhat familiar with the guest speaker.

Allan Chiliak, a member of the group’s organizing committee, said Tanner used biblical references to explain and compare political and ideological issues of today. “He spoke at length about how liberal policies are going to cause much more harm than good,” he noted.

As an example, Tanner referred to the implementation of the phrase “diversity is our strength”, which is used by all parties, and all levels of government.

Tanner acknowledged that, on the surface the phrase appears to be positive. However, from a historical perspective, one needs to ask, “What goals of any particular group of people have been achieved through diversity”? Instead, he surmised that diversity will only cause strife among the people it is supposed to serve.

On the other hand, he noted that historically various groups of people achieved their goals when they were united and in agreement. Throughout history, unity of both direction and goals achieved the appointed end. He expressed the need for the same unity to be evident today.

Grassroots groups are forming across the country. These groups realize they have the same goal: to unite Canada. Allan noted the encouraging word delivered to the audience was, “Great things can and will only be accomplished by people or groups that have a united foundation or cause.”

Tanner suggested that something as simple and basic as following the Ten Commandments offers a solid foundation and guidelines for the success of our nation.

“It was a very strong message of hope, and he assured us it is not too late,” Connie Ness, a member of the Sedalia group, explained. Small groups like the one in Sedalia can make a big impact when each person becomes inspired and engages in conversation with the people they know.

After a lengthy question and answer session, people gathered into small groups, continuing the discussion. “No one wanted to leave,” Connie observed, and they didn’t start putting away chairs until 10:30, four hours after the meeting had begun.

Tanner’s second book was available for anyone interested. There were also samples of emergency backpacks, which Allan and Ramona Chiliak had brought. The backpacks can be used for emergencies on the road, and gave people an idea of what is needed to have on hand in such situations. This is especially helpful in rural areas.

Community Strategies for a Changing World is a local group of volunteers from the immediate area and is completely funded by donations.