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A pastoral letter from Anabaptists in Ecuador
A state of “internal armed conflict” has been declared in Ecuador since January 2024. The government continues to struggle against violence from organized crime groups. The three Mennonite national churches in Ecuador – Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Ecuatoriana (IEME – MWC member church), Iglesia Cristiana Anabautista Menonita de Ecuador (ICAME), Iglesia Cristiana Menonita (ICME) – call…
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A pastoral letter regarding legal action for the protection of religious liberties
Beloved sisters and brothers We call you to prayer for our siblings in the USA who are taking legal action that seeks to restore the rights of people of faith to gather, worship and serve without government interference. Mennonite Church USA joins more than 20 Christian and Jewish communities in this action. The current presidential…
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Yesterday’s martyrs inspire those who suffer today
“Their commitment to passing down the message of peace and the gospel inspires me to live a sacrificial life for peace.” Stories of the early Anabaptist martyrs have shaped and inspired Mennonites around the world for 500 years. They continue to do so for suffering pastors in Myanmar, like the one quoted above. From 25-29…
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You’re Not Alone
Included here *Page with music notation are taken from the forthcoming Voices Together worship and song collection, published by MennoMedia. Used with permission. Permission granted to MWC member churches for congregational use for Peace Sunday and Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday. For permissions for ongoing use or in larger group gatherings, please contact info@smalltallministries.com. You’re Not…
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Peace Sunday 2024 – worship resource
Theme Kintsukuroi: The broken vessel is often more beautiful than the original Why this theme was chosen 2 Corinthians 4:7 describes the gospel as a “treasure” in “clay jars.” These humble vessels bring to mind the Japanese tradition of kintsukuroi that creates (or recreates) pottery from broken pieces. Damaged vessels are put back together, often…
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Peace Sunday 2021 – Teaching resource
Finding Healing and Hope in Crisis Jesus walks on water (Matthew 14:22-33) and Jesus calms the storm (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41). You can imagine Jesus walking on top of the turbulent water thrashing against the boat, or the storm-high waves covering the boat, and understand the fear the disciples must have felt – to the…
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Peace Sunday 2021 – Activities
Boat in the midst of the storm 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…