SHIRATI, Tanzania — For years, leaking pipes and an erratic power grid stood in the way of a steady water supply for Shirati Hospital. Located a little more than one mile from Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, the hospital often operated without running water for several weeks at a time.
Since Lancaster Mennonite Conference’s decision in November 2015 to withdraw from Mennonite Church USA by the end of 2017, it has received several congregations formerly with MC USA conferences. Moderator Keith Weaver said in a written statement that Lancaster has received 14 congregations, most of which were no longer affiliated with an area conference of MC USA. The conference is also in conversations with four additional congregations discerning where to affiliate.
NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — As funds and membership shrink, Mennonite Church USA seeks the wisdom of a crowd. Leaders are planning a “large-group process” for the biennial convention in Orlando, Fla., next July. They hope to give more people a voice in shaping the denomination’s future.
Assemblies of God churches in Bangladesh have a profound commitment to peacemaking. Five Bangladeshi church districts welcomed Eastern Mennonite Missions global consultant David W. Shenk recently to visit, teach and encourage their congregations to become even more deeply rooted in Jesus’ way of peace.
HESSTON, Kan. — At half past midnight on Aug. 18 at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, a welcoming group searched for a Congolese refugee family. As passengers spilled into the concourse, five greeters from Hesston Mennonite Church saw the family they had been praying for and waiting for — Mary Noella and Alex Salumu and their children, Shania, 6, and Daniel, 2. After a 32-hour flight and years of waiting in a Kenyan refugee camp, the family had finally reached safety.
The Iglesia Menonita Hispana (Hispanic Mennonite Church) board wants to restructure the organization to better support all Hispanic people throughout Mennonite Church USA. At a meeting planned for Nov. 17-19 in Dallas, Texas, IMH members will discuss their vision and strategy for the next five years.
DET UDOM, Thailand — A simple open-air pavilion at the Life Enrichment Church Center served as the location for the third Thai Anabaptist Gathering Sept. 27-Oct. 1.
HESSTON, Kan. — The Hesston College board of directors, following a unanimous vote at its October meeting, announced Joseph Manickam as its candidate of choice to become Hesston’s ninth president Oct. 28.
WICHITA, Kan. — Katie Funk Wiebe, 92, a Mennonite Brethren writer and educator who used the power of language to challenge the church institutions she loved, died Oct. 23 in Wichita.
The Mennonite Society of Musical Heritage is concerned recordings of choral music are being lost, so they’ve created a home for them.
HESSTON, Kan. — The licensing of an Ohio pastor who is gay has gone through Mennonite Church USA’s first “peer review.”
NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — Bethel College President Perry D. White announced plans on Oct. 18 to step down at the conclusion of the 2016-17 academic year, concluding seven years of service to the college.
