The extravagance of God’s hospitality, locally and globally

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2 December 2021

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the beginning of this Advent season we anticipate the coming of the Christ. Jesus’ coming and earthly ministry constitutes a “visitation” in which the hospitality of God is demonstrated in Christ. It is a holy paradox that God has made us welcome, but still seeks a welcome from us.

What does it mean to welcome God into all that we are? As we move toward Christmas, it is our prayer that you will experience the extravagance of God’s hospitality, and, in turn, accept this invitation and extend that hospitality to others, both locally and globally.

Mennonite World Conference is looking forward to 2022 – a year when we will join with our global sisters and brothers in experiencing the hospitality of God, and sharing this good news of Jesus Christ with all creation.

Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday

Each year, Anabaptist-related churches around the world are encouraged to worship around a common theme on a Sunday close to 21 January, usually the fourth Sunday in January (or date that is most suitable for your congregation). On that date in 1525, the first Anabaptist baptism took place in Zurich, Switzerland. Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday provides an opportunity to celebrate our worldwide koinonia.

AWFS resource

This year our theme corresponds to our Global Assembly theme: Following Jesus Together. Review General Secretary César Garcia’s invitation, and use the resources that have been prepared by the 3 MWC member churches (synods) in Indonesia.

We invite you to take up a One Lunch Offering, asking every member to contribute the cost of at least one lunch in their own community to support the networks and resources of our global Anabaptist church family.

This year, could we also encourage you to contribute toward Assembly 2022 expenses? Would a target of $500, or even $5,000 be achievable for your congregation in addition to your normal annual contribution?

We are concerned that Assembly expenses will exceed our revenues this time, because there is low in-person international participation in the Assembly, we will have high expenses for the delegates and low review for participants.

One Lunch Offering

Assembly 2022, 5-10 July, Indonesia

MWC Assemblies are reunions of the Anabaptist-Mennonite family worldwide that takes place every six years. This Assembly was deferred by one year due to COVID-19, but we are pleased that the event will take place this summer as a hybrid event – offered both virtually and in-person.

Ambassador kit

Online registration for the virtual participation will begin in December 2021, and decisions about in-person participation will be made in February 2022.

We encourage you to use the Ambassador Kit that has been prepared to help you promote MWC Assembly in your church and community.

Global Youth Summit, 1-4 July, Indonesia

The Global Youth Summit is a special time when young Anabaptists from the entire world come together. These three days are a time where the Lord allows us to mutually bless each other, and to share news, experiences, and the struggles the we live in our different continents and countries, in order to enrich the faith of all.

GYS

MWC Speaker’s bureau

Have you considered hosting an MWC speaker in your church? You could host them in person or virtually. In the past year, many most churches have become familiar with hearing sermons virtually, from speakers that are close by, or continents away. Here is an opportunity for your church to connect with the global church through one our representatives.

Invite a speaker

May you experience God’s rich blessing as you lead your congregation into this Christmas season, and experience the hospitality of God in Jesus Christ by the Spirit. Amen.

Sincerely,