CommonWord

09/02/2026

08/28/2026

Turn old CMUtextbooks into cash while helping the next generation of students.

If you are a parent clearing out your student’s old bedroom or an alum with shelves to empty, our consignment program is an easy way to de-clutter and help incoming students save on required reading.

Before bringing them in, please check your titles against our active Fall 2026 Textbook List at commonword.ca/go/selltextbooklist to make sure they are currently in use.

Once you verify your books, you can bring them to CommonWord. We will set up your contract, handle the retail side, and mail you a cheque roughly one month into the semester after your books sell.

You retain full ownership of your books the entire time they are on our shelves, meaning you can retrieve them at any point with no penalty.

If you have any questions about active listings or drop-off procedures, please feel free to stop by the store or reach out to us at [email protected].

08/18/2026

Following up on last week's theme, we have another wonderful selection of handmade goods to highlight from a local maker, Jenn Wiens.
If you liked the practical AirPods pouches and bowl cozies we featured recently, you will love checking out these other staples on our shelves.
These heat bags (various sizes for adults and children) are a favourite, designed to provide soothing warmth. Swipe to see a few of the beautiful fabric patterns we have in stock. Other items include well-loved handmade aprons, popcorn bags, and bowl cozies for your warm meals.
Come and shop these and more here at CommonWord.

08/13/2026

We’ve had these beautiful, handcrafted pieces from on display for a little while now, and they have been quite popular.
Protect your AirPods with these practical, everyday pouches. They are thoughtfully designed with an easy slot for on the go charging so you never have to take them out.
While you're browsing, you can also check out their cozy, handmade bowl cozies, perfect for comforting soup nights!

Find them all waiting for you here at CommonWord.

08/06/2026

No such thing as judging a book by its cover around here... but if we did, this one wins today.

Christ in the Abyss just landed on our new arrivals shelf. Its cover art subtly captures the title, fading into deep darkness like the ocean floor.

Beyond the meaningful design, this book offers a rare kind of honest, hopeful spiritual companionship for anyone navigating the stormy waters of depression, despair, or mental illness.

In its pages, author Jean L. Neely, PhD, shares her decades-long journey with mental health challenges and faith, reminding us that God's presence isn’t reserved only for the healed, but is found right in the very heart of our pain.

Stop by CommonWord this week to check it out in person! Available to buy or borrow - https://www.commonword.ca/go/4457.

07/29/2026

We’ve had this insightful architectural history book for about a month now, and wanted to give it a proper shout-out!

While it takes a little detour from our usual topics, we love celebrating the history of the places where community, faith, and daily life unfold. Anyone who loves local heritage or has ties to Canadian Mennonite University will appreciate this deep dive into architect John Danley Atchison.

John D. Atchison Architect: His Works & Times by Gail Perry (published by ) traces his comprehensive three-part career story. Atchison originally trained and built a name in Chicago. When he moved up north, he infused a distinct "Chicago style" into Winnipeg's skyline while it was a booming turn-of-the-century city, before later shifting his design direction to California.

It serves as a reminder of how intentional design can create places of beauty, utility, and welcome, with many of those spaces still actively used today. The book features hundreds of images of his elegant structures, including a look at his design of the historic Manitoba School for the Deaf building, which serves as CMU's north campus today.

Available now in-store and online at CommonWord. Visit commonword.ca for more on this and other resources.

07/23/2026

Our volunteer spotlight series concludes today with Donelda!

If you've visited CommonWord on a Tuesday, you've likely met her! One of our dedicated volunteers, she enjoys helping customers while keeping an eye on all the latest arrivals.

When she has a quiet moment, you'll often find Donelda browsing the cookbook section, looking for inspiration for her next meal. She also enjoys exploring the Christian Living and MennoMedia sections, and loves the excitement of pricing books as they first come into the store.

A trip to CommonWord isn't complete without one of her favourite treats, a small package of Ritz crackers. She also loves sharing unique food gifts like Rede-Made noodles, Tomahawk Chips, and Peace by Chocolate bars with family and friends. Other shop favourites include Indigenous artisan products like napkins, mini rubber scrapers, and greeting cards.

When asked about the best part of volunteering, Donelda shared that it's a real privilege to meet and serve CMU students, staff, and members of the wider community.

While Donelda wraps up our regular weekly features, we are so grateful to our entire volunteer team who keep the store running smoothly. Stay tuned, as we may share a few more friendly faces from both sides of the counter from time to time.

07/16/2026

Meet Adelia, one of our wonderful volunteers! If you've stopped by CommonWord on a Wednesday afternoon, you've likely seen her welcoming customers and sharing her love of books.

Adelia's favourite place to browse is the new arrivals section, where she's always excited to discover titles she's never seen before. She also loves combing through the literature shelves to see what fresh treasures have landed.

Her top recommendation is Children Like Us by Steinbach author Brittany Penner. Adelia describes this moving memoir by a Métis woman adopted into a Mennonite family as a tender, honest story of identity and belonging that is an absolute must-read.

When it comes to treats, choosing just one isn't easy! From Peace by Chocolate to fair trade tea and coffee, local jams, and sauces, there are plenty of favourites. But for a comforting meal at home, she says the cottage cheese perogies can't be beat.

If you're looking for a special gift for a little one, Adelia highly recommends our locally handcrafted children's aprons or the Indigenous-designed baby booties.

For Adelia, the best part of volunteering is the people. She loves chatting with students, meeting new faces, and making everyone feel truly welcome at CommonWord.

07/14/2026

What are you reading?

We add, on average, about 3 new resources to our library every single day, and our best recommendations come from you!
Whether it is an inspiring study, a timely podcast, or a riveting video, we are always looking for materials that:

Reflect our Anabaptist theology and church practice,
Speak provocatively and inspirationally to current contexts and questions,
Complement materials we already have or fill a significant gap.

How to share your favourites:
Email us your top recommendations at [email protected].
And, do you have an original resource to share? Find out how to submit an item at commonword.ca/go/1666.

07/10/2026

Our volunteer spotlight series continues with Jade!

If you've visited CommonWord on a Thursday, you've likely met her! Whether she's helping customers or exploring the shelves herself, she's always excited to discover something new.

One of her favourite places to browse is CommonWord's library section, which she describes as an amazing resource serving people across Canada and beyond.

Jade's top book recommendations are two memoirs: Work in Progress by James Martin, SJ, and Awake by Jen Hatmaker.

Looking for a snack? She says Dot's Honey Mustard Pretzels are "to die for!" And if you're searching for a special gift, she recommends the Coast Salish Kwakiutl First Nations porcelain serving bowls.

When asked about the best part of volunteering at CommonWord, her answer was simple: meeting people and seeing all the wonderful new books that arrive in the store.