South Central Mennonite Conference is beginning a year of discernment about whether to remain affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. The yearlong “Discovery Process” began after the conference’s July 25-26 online annual assembly and is the third step in a three-year process of discernment and discovery.
With a new Mennonite hymnal about to roll off the press, people have questions about numbers. What’s No. 1? What will “606” be now? Planners have some answers as Voices Together, the hymnal for Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada, nears publication.
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.
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.
As congregations navigate the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on worship, responses can vary greatly, even in the same town.
In the switch to online worship during the coronavirus pandemic, congregations are trimming services down to as little as 30 to 40 minutes, with recorded videos, streamlined videoconference gatherings or in-person services abridged to mitigate virus spread. Sermons have been one place to condense in the name of efficiency.
