Health care professionals, educators and other social service providers gathered in Morris this week to learn how to better connect with Mennonite migrants living in southern Manitoba.

The networking conference featured guest speaker Dr. Luann Good Gingrich, a professor at York University and the author of the book, Out of Place: Social Exclusion and Mennonite Migrants in Canada.

Dr. Gingrich says many Mennonite migrant families from Central and South America come to Canada seeking employment due to economic hardships in their country and in their colony. She says most hope to return to their home colony when they have earned enough money, but in an effort to maintain their culture and religion while in Canada, most families try to remain separate from mainstream society, based on their understanding of Jesus words when he said of his disciples, "..they are no part of this world." She says that position often creates conflict.

Dr. Good-Gingrich admits the position of remaining seperate from mainstream society often creates challenges for local health providers, educators and other professionals who are trying to do their jobs and connect with these families. She explains how communities can best understand and respond to Mennonite migrants.

Dr. Good Gingrich points out that many Mennonite migrants have chosen to stay in Canada and have been able to hold onto their values, beliefs, principles and practices that are important to them by making adaptations.

"I see that happening a lot," said Good Gingrich. "For example, increasingly in southern Ontario there are Old Colony churches or congregations that are being established and it's my understanding that they look quite different than the Old Colony churches in the colony in Mexico and Bolivia. They are kind of remaking themselves and inviting newcomers to engage with this Old Colony church that has established itself in this very different social, religious and economic environment."