News Archives | Page 214 of 270

Three questions for MC Canada

Delegates at the Mennonite Church Canada assembly July 3-6 in Winnipeg, Man., approved a set of questions for denomination-wide discussion over the next two years.

The questions are part of the Being a Faithful Church process. The project — to help congregations discern God’s will through scriptural interpretation — has been going on since 2009.

Human sexuality, particularly same-sex relationships, is the topic currently being addressed. The following questions, which could be rephrased over the coming months, were approved for congregational discussion:

Mennonite World Review staff

August 4, 2014

MCC canned meat eases hardship in Burundi

Faida Alex’s family’s roots are in Burundi, but until late 2012 the 22-year-old had never lived there. In 1972, long before he was born, his

Ed Nyce | Mennonite Central Committee

August 4, 2014

EMM Global Fair serves up a feast of cultures

SALUNGA, Pa. — Nestled among the buildings of the oldest homestead in Lancaster County on July 12 were international flags, girls trying on chadars and the aroma of osh cooking over an open fire.

The occasion was Eastern Mennonite Missions’ annual Global Fair, held at the Hans Herr House and Museum in Willow Street.

Almost 2,000 visitors explored cultures from Germany, Chile and Cambodia, as well as those of local immigrants.

Linda Moffett | Eastern Mennonite Missions

August 4, 2014

MCC responds to immigrant crisis

With an unprecedented number of Central American families fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries and arriving at the U.S. border, Mennonite Central Committee has committed $30,000 to an initial response and is assessing other potential assistance.

Marla Pierson Lester | Mennonite Central Committee

August 1, 2014

God is like a bluebird

As the willow oak and yellow pine trees in my neighborhood begin to bud, as branches and stems turn from brown to green, the Eastern bluebirds arrive …

The Mennonite | Isaac S. Villegas

August 1, 2014

Upland Peace Church grafts cultures together

UPLAND, Calif. — Grafting is the process of joining new branches to old rootstock in the hopes of making a strong and unified hybrid. It’s work, but the abundant fruit that can result from a successful graft makes the effort worthwhile.

Grafting an immigrant congregation onto a deeply rooted Mennonite community in Upland is even harder work.

Doreen Martens | Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference

July 28, 2014

Countdown to reunion

The worldwide Anabaptist family reunion will come to the eastern U.S. next summer for the first time in Mennonite World Conference’s 90-year history.

U.S. Mennonites and Brethren in Christ are inviting sisters and brothers from around the world to Harrisburg, Pa., July 21-26, 2015, for MWC’s every-six-year assembly.

The event was last held in the U.S. in 1978 in Wichita, Kan.

Phyllis Pellman Good | Mennonite World Conference

July 28, 2014

MDS inspires gift of old farm

PHILADELPHIA — When Kevin King answered the phone in Mennonite Central Committee’s constituency ministries department one day in the early 1990s, he heard a surprising pronouncement.

“ ‘We’re the Thomas brothers, and we want to give our farm to the Mennonites,’ ” King recalled hearing. “I just about fell off my chair.”

Rachel Sommer | Mennonite Central Committee

July 28, 2014

Canadian MBs hope to multiply

The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches focused on multiplying congregations across Canada during its biennial conference June 11-14 in Vancouver, B.C. Meeting under the

Mennonite World Review staff

July 21, 2014

Ohio resolution proposes sanctioning Mountain States

Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA is urging its member congregations to study the topic of sexuality in preparation for a special delegate session Aug.

Kelli Yoder | Mennonite World Review

July 21, 2014

Author, editor, pastor dies at 85

John M. Drescher, a prolific author and well-known speaker, teacher, pastor and editor of Gospel Herald, died July 10 in Quakertown, Pa. He was 85.

Drescher authored 37 books, including Why I Am a Conscientious Objector, Seven Things Children Need and Spirit Fruit. He edited Gospel Herald, the Mennonite Church magazine, from 1962 to 1973.

He served as MC moderator from 1969 to 1971 and was a member of the denomination’s General Board.

Kelli Yoder | Mennonite World Review

July 18, 2014

After ban lifted, same-sex couples wed at Germantown

After a federal judge ruled Pennsylvania’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional May 20, Germantown Mennonite Church in Philadelphia hosted two marriage ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples.

Pastor Amy Yoder McGloughlin said she performed a June 24 wedding for a couple . . .

Tim Huber | Mennonite World Review

July 14, 2014