After a split 169 years ago, two conferences are talking about the possibility of a merger. During their joint annual assembly Nov. 4-5 at Dock Mennonite Academy in Souderton, Pa., more than 240 delegates from Eastern District Conference and Franconia Mennonite Conference, in separate business meetings, approved a proposal to explore reconciliation.
NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — As the forklift raised another pallet of canned meat to the ceiling on Nov. 3, volunteers in the Mennonite Central Committee Central States warehouse were already working on the next set of cans and boxes.
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.
