Here are our staff’s picks for the most important stories from 2016. Note that the “stories” are sometimes compilations of several articles on the same topic. 

Shifting conference relationships

In 2016, a group of 19 Lancaster Mennonite Conference congregations entered into discernment

processes about whether to affiliate with MC USA or LMC. Some congregations are still in discernment, some have voted to stay with LMC and four congregations chose to join Atlantic Coast Conference in October. In April, Franklin Mennonite Conference voted to leave MC USA with 77 percent approval. Ohio Conference delegates voted to stay with MC USA, but the conference implemented a two-tiered membership structure that allowed congregations to stay members of the conference while withdrawing from MC USA. And in November, moderators of Eastern District and Franconia conferences announced they were entering into exploratory conversations about whether to reconcile and form one new conference after 169 years apart.

Responding to sexual abuse

In January, in response to the Churchwide Statement on Sexual Abuse passed by delegates at Kansas City, Mennonite Church USA’s Executive Board and Mennonite Education Agency appointed a Panel on Sexual Abuse Prevention. In March, Lauren Shifflett and Lindale Mennonite Church published accounts of an abusive relationship with Luke Hartman, a vice president at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and questions about how churches, schools and conferences handled the allegations led the panel to call for an investigation. Later they would witdraw, citing concerns about the lack of inclusion of survivors in the process. In October, three survivors of sexual abuse in Mennonite contexts went on the record with The Mennonite, telling their stories of inadequate responses from church leaders when their abuse came to light. Groups committed to amplifying the voices of survivors, like the Anabaptist chapter of SNAP and Our Stories Untold led calls for denomination-wide reform and commitment to eradicating sexual abuse in our midst. Hesston (Kansas) College announced the formation of a task force to address sexual misconduct policies, and college students at both EMU and Goshen (Ind.) College pushed their schools to implement better policies to prevent and respond to abuse on campus.

Transitions in college presidents

Two colleges named new incoming presidents this year: Susan Schultz Huxman will begin at EMU in January, and Joseph Manickam will start at Hesston College in July. Manickam will be the first person of color to serve as a Mennonite college president. Two other colleges announced presidential transitions: James Brenneman will step down from his role at Goshen in June, while Perry White will end his presidential tenure at Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas, at the end of this academic year.

Isaac Villegas’ credentials revoked

On May 21, Isaac Villegas, pastor of Chapel Hill (N.C.) Mennonite Fellowship and a member of the Executive Board, performed a same sex wedding ceremony and resigned from his EB role. On May 25, Virginia Mennonite Conference suspended his ministerial credentials, citing an April 2016 policy on pastoral misconduct. Villegas’ letter to delegates has been read over 13,000 times. 

Mennonite Church Canada Assembly

In July, 94 percent of delegates from MC Canada affirmed the recommendations of the Future Directions Task Force, which called for a pared-down structure and puts area churches at the forefront of national decision-making. Eighty-five percent of delegates also voted in favor of the Becoming a Faithful Church recommendation, which affirmed the church’s stated positions on same-sex marriage while making space for conferences and congregations that disagree.

Shooting in Hesston, Kansas

On Feb. 25, a shooter entered the Mennonite-owned Excel Industries, killing three people and wounding 14. Hesston College was also on lockdown during the shooting. Hesston professor Michele Hershberger’s written response on “Shalom Justice” has been read 5,600 times.

Welcome Your Neighbor sign spreads

“No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor.” These words, written in English, Spanish and Arabic, were posted on a sign created by Immanuel Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, Va., and have now spread across the country, even receiving coverage from National Public Radio.

Mennonites and Black Lives Matter

Mennonites across the country engaged with this movement for racial justice. In August, Mennonite Mission Network announced a partnership with The Voices Project, led by Rev. LeRoy Barber, to help offer nonviolent direct action training. Mennonites across Chicago joined citywide protests, and students of color led a movement for racial justice on the Bethel College campus. Regina Shands Stoltzfus’ written response to police killings of black men is the most read blog at The Mennonite.org this year, with over 14,000 reads.

Sister Care ministers in Cuba, South America and Africa

Mennonite Women USA’s program to help women care for each other has now reached every continent. This year, Sister Care leaders Carolyn Holderread Heggen and Rhoda Keener took the workshop to Bolivia, Cuba, Kenya, Uganda and many U.S. locations. The program now also offers a version for college-age women. Mennonite Women USA will celebrate its centennial year in 2017.

Iglesia Menonita Hispana reorganizes

In November, Iglesia Menonita Hispana met for the second time following the loss of many members and leaders. The group agreed to explore a new network-focused model, meant to include Hispanic people who don’t currently attend an IMH congregation.

Theda Good ordained

In December, Pastor Theda Good was ordained at First Mennonite Church of Denver, making her the first openly LGBTQ person to ordained in Mennonite Church USA. MC USA Executive Director Ervin Stutzman cited the Forbearance Resolution, passed by delegates in 2015, as the board’s rationale for letting area conferences address questions of credentialing.

Mennonites engage elections

In the October issue of The Mennonite, people from across Mennonite Church USA reflecting on the ways they choose to participate, or not, in politics. On Election Day, we shared reflections from people across MC USA about how their faith influenced their understanding of politics. Following Nov. 8, many church leaders and pastors have reflected on the implications of this election for Christians and Mennonites.