Gulf States Conference decides not to withdraw

A proposal for Gulf States Mennonite Conference to withdraw from Mennonite Church USA failed to pass at the Nov. 1 annual assembly at Des Allemands (La.) Mennonite Church. However, that doesn’t mean a majority of Gulf States congregations will remain with the denomination.

Leaving MC USA would require changing Gulf States’ constitution, and the 60 percent vote fell short of the required two-thirds. Conference moderator Mark Roth said 55 delegates attended the assembly.

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November 3, 2014

Voice of grace

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Three is a magic number, says veteran actor and playwright Ted Swartz.

“That’s true in baseball, theater and comedy,” he said. “I generally listen when things come in threes.”

The adage has served him well for more than 20 years, as the Eastern Mennonite University alumnus has engaged . . .

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November 3, 2014

Issues make polity book a must-read

Mennonite Church USA’s new ministerial polity handbook has drawn more attention than such a document usually would, due to its potential impact on issues of sexuality and credentialing authority.

Since the book was finished this spring, leaders have been considering whether to ask the delegate assembly to approve it next summer in Kansas City.

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November 3, 2014