Come to Columbus

Convention 2009 happens June 30-July 5 in Columbus, Ohio. It is our fourth convention as Mennonite Church USA.
The convention theme is “Breathe and Be Filled,” a theme meant to remind us that before we can recognize where God is at work in the world and join that work, we must first breathe in and be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, writes Marathana Prothro, identity director, Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership. In John 20:21-22, Jesus breathes on the disciples and invites them to receive God’s Spirit so they can be prepared for the work that lies ahead. Just as Jesus’ disciples were encouraged to take in God’s Spirit so they could do God’s work in the world, so will everyone who comes to Convention 2009 be invited to take a moment to stop and breathe in God’s Spirit. It’s not about breathing to be content. It’s about breathing so that Mennonite Church USA can grow as a community of grace, joy and peace so that God’s healing and hope flow through us to the world.

As with past conventions, this one will include times for worship, Bible study and seminars, plus servant projects, a choir, a bloodmobile, a hymn sing, a 5K fun run/walk and prayer rooms.

Worship leaders for the adult sessions are Joel Miller, pastor at Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship, and Regina Shands Stoltzfus of Elkhart, Ind., who teaches Bible, religion, philosophy, and peace and conflict studies at Goshen (Ind.) College. Tim Shue of Kidron, Ohio, will direct the adult worship music.

Worship leaders for the youth sessions are Peter Eberly, youth pastor at Harrisonburg (Va.) Mennonite Church, and Anna D. Hinojosa Gomez of Los Fresnos, Texas, who works as a psychotherapist with children, adolescents and women. Jeremy Kempf, Goshen, Ind., a recruitment coordinator at Mennonite Mission Network, will direct the youth worship music.

There are also programs for young adults, junior youth and children.

Updates on Twitter will be posted throughout each day of the convention and daily on Facebook. Go to www.MennoniteUSA.org. Also, follow “themennonite” Twitter updates from Columbus.