I read with interest “Menno House Extends Peace Through Hospitality” (Oct. 8). I moved into what is now Menno House in 1975 after completing graduate studies at New York University. I was one of only a few residents who lived there with the understanding that we would need to leave after Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions was able to sell the house, since they no longer needed it for Voluntary Service workers. While there, I helped to start gatherings for scattered Mennonite young adults like myself who lived in the city for study or work. I proposed to EMBM that the building be kept as a residence for students and young adults.

EMBM agreed not to sell the building and turned the ownership over to Mennonite Board of Missions. This happened during the development of Student and Young Adults Services by MBM, with regional and local directors in various U.S. cities. This effort was made in response to the migration to urban settings of Mennonite baby boomers involved in church planting.

I am gratified to know that Menno House is still serving the church and that the early effort to gather Mennonite students and young adults has grown into Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship.

Myrna Burkholder
Goshen, Ind.