In 1920, the Russian Mennonites’ world was in upheaval. Civil war had been raging for three years, creating political and social chaos and leaving the country’s Mennonites impoverished, hungry and fearing for their future. Their brethren in North America responded by founding Mennonite Central Committee, putting aside their sectarianism to come together to feed the hungry and clothe the naked.
Closing churches when the pandemic hit was easy — nobody had a choice in the matter. What’s harder is reopening. That’s one of the things leaders of Canada’s four largest Mennonite conferences are finding as the country begins to emerge from lockdowns due to COVID-19.
Hurricane Hanna brought added misery to a community devastated by COVID-19 on July 25 when it hit South Texas and Mexico. For New Life Christian Center in San Benito, Texas, the damage served as inspiration to keep praying and assisting neighbors.
Positive COVID-19 cases of Eastern Mennonite University student leaders and potential exposure of student and resident life staff have delayed residential move-in plans.