North America Archives | Page 243 of 330

Kreider a uniter who made history

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — Robert S. Kreider, an educator and historian who championed causes of peace, service and cooperation through Anabaptist engagement with the world, died Dec. 27. He was 96. Driven by limitless curiosity and optimism, Kreider’s life spanned Civilian Public Service leadership as a conscientious objector during World War II, postwar relief leadership for Mennonite Central Committee in Europe, the presidency of Bluffton (Ohio) College and diverse historical interests that included a successful inter-Mennonite effort to acquire 300-year-old Martyrs Mirror printing plates.

Tim Huber | Mennonite World Review

December 29, 2015

It’s still Christmas

Now that Christmas Day is over, many of us feel let down because the day we have been anticipating for so long is over. The

Christine Sine

December 29, 2015

How to be a pastor in exile

Jessica Reesor Rempel and Chris Brnjas call themselves “Pastors in Exile.” They aren’t officially pastors, but then, their congregation isn’t officially a church. They are the part-time leaders of a ministry network — “a movement,” Reesor Rempel says — in the Waterloo-Kitchener area of Ontario.

Rachel Stella | Mennonite World Review

December 28, 2015

Sister Care addresses Cubans’ ‘scarcity of hope’

HAVANA, Cuba — Shortly before presenting the first of two Sister Care seminars, Carolyn Heggen, a psychotherapist specializing in trauma healing, and Rhoda Keener, Sister Care director for Mennonite Women USA, visited an art museum in Old Havana.

Mennonite Women USA

December 28, 2015

Frightening light

The “rising sun” came unexpectedly and unobtrusively upon those living in darkness. It was a very small light in a very ordinary place. A baby.

Ryan Dueck

December 24, 2015

Bethlehem: beauty and brutality

The Sunday before Advent, I was preaching in Bethlehem. While there, a Palestinian friend I’ve known for nearly 20 years and who shares my appreciation for

Brian Zahnd

December 23, 2015

These long Advent nights

And maybe this is what heroism looks like nowadays: occasionally high-profile heroism in public but mostly just painstaking mastery of arcane policy, stubborn perseverance year

Tommy Airey

December 22, 2015

New life from loss

Blackened trusses stand against the sky above the walls of an old church that burned. I often pass the corner where the church has sat

Celeste Kennel-Shank

December 21, 2015

We’re due for another Reformation

Every 500 years or so, the church has a giant garage sale, getting rid of the stuff it no longer needs. That’s what author Phyllis

John Longhurst

December 21, 2015

Old way still applies

Lancaster Mennonite Conference’s decision to withdraw from Mennonite Church USA by the end of 2017 is a major loss, and not just because Lancaster is

Paul Schrag

December 21, 2015