North America Archives | Page 292 of 320

108-year-old Burrton, Kan., congregation to close

BURRTON, Kan. — When Aoife Rose Compton was born Nov. 18 to Rachelle and Martin Compton, she was the last child to become part of

Laurie Oswald Robinson | For Western District Conference

December 22, 2014

Unexpected call led to lifelong pastoral ministry

BURRTON, Kan. — In 1962, when Jim Dunn was a senior at Bethel College in North Newton, the local African Methodist Episcopal church invited him

Laurie Oswald Robinson | For Western District Conference

December 22, 2014

Your scapegoat “pacifism”

Dec. 12, a deputy editor of First Things, Matthew Schmitz, posted a rather unusual piece: "Our Partial Pacifism." It starts out with the bold statement, "I

Brian R. Gumm

December 19, 2014

Time for a divorce ceremony?

I’ve been to a lot of weddings in my life. But I’ve only been to one divorce ceremony. It happened a few years ago. I

John Longhurst

December 18, 2014

Jesus was tortured to end all torture

I grieve over torture. I grieve not only for those subjected to abuse no human being should be forced to endure. I grieve not primarily

Craig M. Watts

December 16, 2014

Ten ways Christmas is still relevant

Angels, flying reindeer, and virgins giving birth — oh my! You might be forgiven if you didn’t think Christmas was still relevant. But before you discard

Marty Troyer

December 12, 2014

Maintaining peace, withdrawing from MC USA

A paradoxical way to unite a deeply divided Mennonite Church USA popped into my mind. It happened one morning as I was memorizing and praying

Duane Beck

December 11, 2014

God’s work means changing the way things are

During a retreat several weeks ago, we were invited to sit with Jane Hirshfield’s poem, “Three Times My Life Has Opened,” to reflect and journal about

Brian Miller

December 10, 2014

The world doesn’t need the early church

If only we could return to the early church, then we’d have it made. This statement, in one form or another, is one that I

Justin Hiebert

December 8, 2014

MVS to close almost half its units

Due to a declining number of participants, Mennonite Voluntary Service is closing about half of its units.

Starting in August, MVS will offer 11 community service options. To provide more meaningful service experiences in larger households, 10 units will close.

Kelsey Hochstetler

December 8, 2014