Join Dr. Blaise Kutala and Dr. Delphin Kapasa in their review of causes, consequences, clinical aspects, and low-cost solutions to prevent child malnutrition. The approach consists of mobilizing all the forces of the community (e.g., doctors, municipalities, churches) to utilize therapeutic foods at a low-cost to effectively address malnutrition.
Presenters: Blaise Kutala, Delphin Kapasa, Jeremie Nteba, Rubin Mapinga, DRC
6 June 2021
John D. Roth
13 June 2021
Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld
Guide for study and reflection on Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church: The Report of the Trilateral Conversations between Lutherans, Mennonites and Catholics (2012-2017)
It was with the twin goals of increasing mutual understanding and helping one another grow in faithfulness to Jesus Christ that a trilateral dialogue took place between Lutherans, Mennonites and Roman Catholics, from 2012 to 2017.
The roots of Christian baptism draw deeply on the biblical images of water – an enduring symbol of cleansing, refreshment, and life itself. In the Old Testament, water is often associated with God’s healing presence – a spring in the desert; a life-giving well; or justice that flows “like a mighty river.”
History, theology and pastoral challenges
Learning from the Mennonite-Catholic-Lutheran Conversations on Baptism
Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church
Lutheran-Mennonite-Roman Catholic Trilateral Conversations 2012–2017
Report of the Lutheran-Mennonite-Roman Catholic Trilateral Dialogue Commission
The commission discussed and developed its final report, entitled “Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church,” drafted by professors Theo Dieter (Lutheran, France), William Henn (Catholic, US/Vatican) and John Rempel (Mennonite, Canada). The trilateral commission agreed on a further process to finalize the report, which summarizes the rich discussions that have taken place over the last five years on three fundamental themes.
The Commission developed the general topic of the dialogue “Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church” through papers on “Living out our Baptism,” the theme of the fourth meeting.
The Commission developed the general topic of the dialogue “Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church” through papers on “Baptism: Communicating Grace and Faith.” Professors John Rempel and Fernando Enns (Mennonite), Rev Prof. William Henn (Catholic), and Bishop Emeritus Dr Musawenkosi Biyela (Lutheran) made major presentations.
“I continue to be inspired by the mutuality of our work,” commented John Rempel of Toronto, Ontario, one of the Mennonite participants in the 26-31 January 2014 second meeting of the Trilateral (Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite) Dialogue Commission on Baptism.
An international trilateral dialogue between Mennonites, Catholics and Lutherans began in Rome, 9-13 December 2012.
Have a large backdrop painted blue (blue sea and sky).
Create a boat cut-out to place on the “sea” backdrop.
Provide blue paper “wave” cut-outs. (Ensure colour is not too dark to see the writing on it.)
Ask congregants to write on the “waves”: what issues or realities they are experiencing that might be causing crises? These could be personal, communal, societal, etc.
Encourage congregants to place these waves all around the boat.
Invite congregants to think about how God, through Jesus and the church community, offers assurance, help or support – a safe place in the boat – during these times.
Take the time to validate the things that have or can cause chaos.
Reflect on how to help one another in extending Jesus’s arms of comfort and assurance.
Who has demonstrated Jesus’ comfort and assurance to you? Draw or take a picture of them.
If they give you consent, share the photo publicly with a word of thanks.
With permission, send your story and photo to photo@mwc-cmm.org to share with the global Anabaptist family.
Based on Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
Parts: NARRATOR, JESUS, ALL (congregation as the disciples)
Feel free to adapt the script to Matthew or Luke’s version of the story. Also, feel free to add sound effects for the storm, either recorded or a portion of the congregation live.
NARRATOR
Jesus had been teaching and healing all day in Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee.
When evening came, Jesus said to his disciples,
JESUS
Let us go over to the other side
NARRATOR
Leaving the crowd behind, the disciples took Jesus along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him,
ALL
Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?
NARRATOR
Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves
JESUS
Quiet! Be still!
NARRATOR
Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
JESUS
Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?
NARRATOR
They were terrified and asked each other,
ALL
Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!
***************
Adapted from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Reader’s Theater: Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41) © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia. (Revlisad.com)
Strength is commanding the wind and sea to obey,
Strength is wielding a slingshot in the face of a raging giant.
Strength is accepting vulnerability from inside the boat,
Strength is standing in solidarity with the powerless.
Strength is turning a cheek,
Strength is loving an enemy.
We come to worship
a God who redefines our vision of strength.
—Katherine HawkerSelf, 1997, “Liturgy Outside: reflections to foster faithful resistance” (liturgyoutside.net)
Send us into the world’s turbulence as instruments of Your peace,
and send us as agents of Your justice,
that all might know the truth of Your ways.
Send us as artists
who bear the joyful burden of Your creativity,
that we might bring light into the darkness,
and hope among the despairing.
And grant us the joy of fellowship,
with Your Spirit and with one another,
this day and forever. Amen!
—Rev. Mark S. Burrows. Included in the Spring, 1998 issue of Connections magazine.
Dear God,
In these times of searching for peace and resolution to conflicts
Establish your peace, O Lord!
In the midst of corruption, impunity and violence,
Establish your peace, O Lord!
In the midst of the journey of your Colombia people,
Establish your peace, O Lord!
In this searching for justice and peace for Colombia,
Establish your peace, O Lord!
In the midst of the pain of children, women and men,
Establish your peace, O Lord!
Establish your peace, O Lord, according to your will.
Amen.
—Adaía Bernal, director of Justapaz, an initiative of the Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Colombia. Published in MCC Washington’s Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia (DOPA) resource in 2013.
The worst storms, Jesus, are the ones caused by our fear,
when we grow afraid of losing our power,
or we grow suspicious of the power of others,
when we refuse to acknowledge your mysterious authority;
Yet, it’s in the storm that we find our capacity to love.
In releasing our weak claim to power
and opening to your reign,
we discover a new way of seeing ourselves –
as called and useful and beloved –
and the other, whoever they may be –
as dignified and precious and beloved.
Here in the storm, Jesus, we need you, and we need each other,
and the love you give us to share,
leads us through sacrifice and self-giving
to peace and calm,
if only we will loose our hold on fear.
Amen.
—John van de Laar, “Sacredise: Liturgical Resources for Progressive Communities” (Sacredise.com)
(inspired by 1 Samuel 17:32-49, Mark 4:35-41)
God of love and power, we listen to the stories of miracles and doubt that these things can happen today.
We look at the waves of misfortune, distress, misery, distrust, and anger and wonder how we can still those waves.
We feel the pressures of power and fear flooding into our lives, threatening to drown us and wonder where you are.
Forgive us for the littleness of our faith.
Forgive us for our doubts.
Help us to place out trust in you, Lord Jesus. Help us to fix our eyes on you and on the ministries to which you have called us.
For we ask these things in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Fear not!
God is with us, stilling the storms and raging fears in our lives.
Place your trust in God always.
Amen.
—Nancy C. Townley, “Worship Connection” on “Ministry Matters” (www.ministrymatters.com/)
When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me (stand by me); (2x)
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship upon the sea,
Thou who rulest wind and water,
Stand by me (stand by me).
–Charles Albert Tindley (1851–1933) was a self-taught songwriter and Methodist Episcopal minister. Hymnary.org says: “Tindley was known for being a captivating preacher, and for also taking an active role in the betterment of the people in his community. Tindley was able to draw people of multiple races to his church ministry; likewise, his songs have been adopted and proliferated by
white and black churches alike.“
Listen here: http://www.hymnary.org/text/when_the_storms_of_life_are_raging_stand
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
–St. Francis of Assisi
Refrain:
The winds and the waves shall obey thy will.
“Peace, be still!”
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea,
Or struggles or evil, whatever it be,
No water can swallow the ship where lies
the Master of ocean and earth and skies:
They all shall sweetly obey thy will.
“Peace, be still! Peace, be still!”
They all shall sweetly obey thy will.
“Peace, peace, be still!”
–Mary Ann Baker
Listen here: https://hymnary.org/text/master_the_tempest_is_raging
Listen here: https://youtu.be/s8yRVQMoLSc
English translation: https://thiscrazycall.weebly.com/blog/songs-of-advent-hope