Prayers of gratitude and intercession

  • The power of resilience

    A Peace Sunday 2022 testimony

    “The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him” (Jeremiah 18:4).

    This theme has been discussed a lot recently, especially since the pandemic, while some of us may be struggling with health concerns, loss of hope, and so on. What exactly is resilience?

    During my training with Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute in 2018, I met a Palestinian Christian woman who shared about her life within a war zone. My biggest question is how can they have such a resilient, strong character, endurance, in the midst of their chaotic, and horrific place to live? How has she and her family managed to live her entire existence in the middle of persecution, hostility and even bomb explosions? She revealed that one of her closest friends was killed in a bombing. I’m not sure how she manages to survive in such a setting.

    Resilience is defined as the ability to bounce back from adversity, adapt, move on and, in certain cases, even flourish, writes Eilene Zimmerman. Genetics, personal history, environment and situational context all play a role in an individual’s resilience.1

    I believe that resilience may be built in individuals and societies via crisis, challenges, calamities, tragedies, hardships and sufferings where they can make peace with the situation and adjust to uncertainty. This is the strength of internal resilience.

    Viktor E. Frankl, in his legendary book about his time in a concentration camp, says, “one could make a victory of those experiences, turning life into an inner triumph, or one could ignore the challenge and simply vegetate, as did a majority of the prisoners.”2 This is a powerful thought borne out by real experience about the ability to achieve resilience amid adversity.

    During my Psychosocial and trauma healing class at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), I learned about the art of kintsugi. Kintsugi is a wonderful skill of restoring shattered objects by lacquering the cracks and meticulously dusting them with gold powder. The golden flaws, according to the Japanese tradition, make the pieces even more precious. It’s lovely to think of this technique as a metaphor for our life, to imagine our damaged, challenging, broken or painful aspects radiating light, gold and beauty.

    Kintsugi teaches us that broken parts of our bodies make us stronger and better than we were before. When we think we’re broken, we can pick up the pieces, put them back together, and learn to appreciate the cracks.3

    In the Old Testament, God the Jehovah – also known as the potter’s hand – makes Israel into a new vessel (Jeremiah 18:4). I like the word “reworked” here. I believe this is a process of becoming a new creation, a new person, that only God and us can make happen.

    It is a journey of our encounter with God and, at the same time, our practice of self-awareness, self-discovery, self-healing or self-transformation to be a new vessel in the hand of the Creator for God’s purpose and glory.

    This Peace Sunday, as we remember many hardships, wounds, traumas, challenges, suffering or pain in whatever season we are in, with God’s help and loving hands, we can be reworked as a new person and a new community of God.

    Are we willing to embrace our brokenness, vulnerability, and scars to be transformed into a more resilient community of God so that we might empower those around us?

    This is the power of resilience: working with God to co-create a newness in ourselves; to be more prolific, alive; to be a new human being; and to be a new people of God in this changing world. Let’s make peace with our broken pieces!

    —Andi O. Santoso is a member of the Mission Commission. He is an ordained minister in the GKMI Mennonite church in Indonesia, currently studying at AMBS.

    Peace Sunday 2022

    1. Eilene Zimmerman, “What Makes Some People More Resilient Than Others”, New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/health/resilience-relationships-trauma.html)
    2. Viktor Emil Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy (New York: Pocket Books, 1959, 1963), 115.
    3. Candice Kumai, “Honor your imperfections with the Japanese art of ‘Kintsugi’,” Shine (https://advice.theshineapp.com/articles/honor-your-imperfections-with-the-japanese-art-of-kintsugi/)

  • General Council meeting

    As the Muslim call to prayer wafted on the air through open doors, the General Council worshipped, prayed, and considered the global fellowship of churches in Mennonite World Conference.

    The in-person triennial meetings of leaders of MWC national member churches in Indonesia 1-4 July 2022 were cut short as COVID-19 positives put leaders into isolation.

    After an unscheduled day of rest 3 July, the members affirmed the new Commission chair appointments, new members on the Executive Committee (selected by regional caucus meetings) and the appointment of Lisa Carr-Pries as vice-president to finish the term of Rebecca Osiro who stepped down due to family commitments. The General Council authorized the Executive Committee to decide on the remaining proposals, with one member noting lack of support.

    Earlier, the General Council affirmed the reception of two new national member churches (Communauté Mennonite de Kinshasa, DR Congo and Mennonite Brethren Church in Malawi).

    This brings global membership from 107 (in 2018) to 109 national churches and one international association.

    “We cling to your prayer”

    Each evening, Sunoko Lin led “life in the global church” where leaders shared and the body prayed.

    “We feel that we are the forgotten people and the forgotten country,” said Myanmar church leader Amos Chin when it was his turn to share. “The most difficult time and turmoil in Myanmar is the great door that God has opened for evangelization. This is the most rewarding time of our mission field. We don’t request financial support, but we believe…prayer can make a difference. We cling to your prayer.”

    Former MWC general secretary Larry Miller offered a resourcing session on church unity based on Ephesians 1:9-10. “Nothing is outside the unity that will result from God’s grace – no person, thing, nothing,” he said. “May we in MWC be instruments contributing to rather than stumbling blocks impeding the unfolding and fulfillment of that divine plan.”

    A strong rope

    “Many small strings make a strong rope,” said Arli Klassen, regional representatives coordinator, in her report on Fair Share, MWC’s membership fees adjusted to national income levels and church size. Proposed changes to Fair Share include lowering the assessed amount for large national churches and no longer counting individual contributions toward Fair Share.

    “Negotiation is always possible,” said Arli Klassen, “but it helps the churches’ feeling about the amount when commitment is not too far away from assessment.”

    For example, she said: “Like other member churches, Vietnam always met the Fair Share amount that they negotiated and promised, which was not quite the assessed amount for this term.”

    MWC’s work is not primarily project-based, said Jeanette Bissoon, chief operations officer, in her report, therefore administrative costs tend to be high in comparison to other expenses. In this triennium, development staffing was increased with a new strategy to raise more funds.

    “Increasing the strength of MWC allows us to better support our churches to allow them to grow,” says Jeanette Bissoon. 

    Commissions proposals

    “[The Declaration on Conscientious Objection shaped by the Peace Commission] arose from petitions from churches regarding the struggles they face in their contexts,” said Andrew Suderman, Peace Commission secretary. “Conscientious objection is not foreign; we have a long history of Mennonites declaring themselves as conscientious objectors to war, to [military] service, to conscription.”

    “It shows a historic connection to another body,” says Glen Guyton, executive director of MC USA, who withdrew from the military after becoming a Mennonite. “If I had something like that at my disposal, I would have put it in my packet. It helps.”

    Faith and Life Commission commended the reception of the baptism report from the 2013-2017 trilateral dialogues with Lutherans and Catholics. “You have a job,” César García, MWC general secretary, said to the General Council delegates. “Study this document in your communities.”

    John D. Roth, Faith and Life Commission secretary, reviewed the name change proposal. “There was positive response from the churches that asked for name change when MWC explained this process,” he said. General Council delegates are instructed to take the suggested name: Anabaptist-Mennonite World Communion to their church leaders and direct feedback to the Executive Committee. The name will come before the General Council in 2025 for final discernment.  

  • An unforgettable gathering of the nations

    After two years of virtual meetings, ICOMB hosted a face-to-face summit in May 2022, inviting close to 100 global Mennonite Brethren delegates from more than 20 countries – leaders of both established conferences and representatives of emerging conferences – to participate, along with Multiply staff and global workers, in an unforgettable gathering of the nations.

    In addition to the ICOMB Assembly, where key delegates were involved with presenting their regional reports and leaning into challenging decisions facing their conferences and churches, presentations refreshed our understanding of the spiritual, theological and organizational foundations of our shared MB history, and strengthened our sense of kinship.

    Rudi Plett (Paraguay; ICOMB Executive Director) gave an overview of the MB story and values, as well as clarifying the overall missional goals of ICOMB to facilitate relationships and ministries that enhance the witness and discipleship of its member national churches – connecting, strengthening and expanding.

    Plenary talks exposed us to Anabaptist and MB history and implications for the equipping of emerging church networks (Vic Wiens), the complexities and benefits of multi-ethnic churches and church conferences (Elton da Silva of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Don Morris of U.S. Mennonite Brethren Conference, and lead pastor Ray Harms Wiebe of Willingdon Church, B.C., Canada), theology and leadership development (Mark Wessner of MB Biblical Seminary, and Hartmut August, director of Faculdade Fidelis, an inter-Mennonite Christian college in Brazil), and multiple pragmatic workshops that addressed strategies for mission mobilization (Emerson Cardoso of Brazil, Safari Bahati Mutabesha of Malawi, Ravi Sankara Rao and G. Ross of India, José Prada of Colombia, Johann Matthies and Heinrich Rempel of Germany, and other Multiply representatives such as Doug Hiebert, Nasser al’Qahtani, and Bob Davis). All workshops were well attended and peppered with lively discussion in multiple languages.

    Of special mutual blessing was the presence of Multiply board chair Wendi Thiessen, four other board members, and new general director Bruce Enns. A better venue in which for them to experience the diversity and heart of MB global mission could not be imagined.

    The summit was followed by a conference called Despertar (Awakening) 22, aimed at awakening of our love for God, for his church and for the lost. ICOMB itself was conceived at a Despertar conference in this same location in 1988, where first was envisioned a body that would develop the global MB identity, connect national church leaders through an annual assembly of leaders and strengthen national churches by coaching leaders through challenges they face in their global context.

    Despertar 22 included a refreshing of this vision through worship, testimonies, plenary sessions and workshops. Each session brought fresh opportunities for small group prayer, discussion, convivial mealtimes, worship, celebration and corporate grieving over our missing delegates from Ukraine.

    At the end of this conference, despite many having succumbed to mild COVID-19 infections, spirits were high. Those who could then launched into preplanned excursions, some of which were primarily touristic and recreational and others, such as the trip to the Amazon, facilitating ongoing outreach among indigenous people groups in Brazil.

    —Nikki White, Multiply writer, Canada

    ICOMB
    The International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is made up of 22 national churches in 19 countries. ICOMB also has associate members in more than 20 countries, all at different points along the pathway to full membership. ICOMB exists to facilitate relationships and ministries to enhance the witness and discipleship of its member national churches – connecting, strengthening and expanding.

  • “I invite all people to think about the love that Jesus shared and how we can share that same love in our communities,” says pastor Yeanny Moestikasari Soeryo, director of Balai Karya Berkat, a rehabilitation center for people with special needs in Semarang, Indonesia. By reflecting on this question, the simple yet compelling shalom vision of Luke 7:22 has led Pastor Yeanny to a life of ministry, both in and out of the church.

    After nearly 30 years as a pastor, Pastor Yeanny, who entered ministry at 24, began to hear a call from Scripture. As she read about the banquet table in Luke 7:22 and the instructions to walk as Jesus walked in 1 John 2:6, she noticed people with special needs were underrepresented in her church.

    Around 2012, the dream to provide vocational training according to the specific needs of the participants was presented to Pastor Yeanny’s church. Members of GKMI Semarang church began to donate – not only money, but also land.

    In 2013, after working with community members, word of mouth began to spread, gathering a participant base. Pastor Yeanny created a permanent location for workshops for the members of Balai Karya Berkat to take courses in batik, sewing, massage, motorcycle repair, flower arrangement, hairdressing, make-up, woodworking and online business.

    Since its establishment, more than 100 people have been trained through Balai Karya Berkat. They gain professional skills that make an economically sustainable life possible.

    While visiting Indonesia in 2017, Liesa Unger, MWC chief international events officer, met Pastor Yeanny and the two began to develop a product Balai Karya Berkat could create for Assembly participants: handmade tote bags in a batik style.

    In 2019, Pastor Yeanny presented the first prototype. Assembly staff ordered 10 000 bags. Since then, the participants have been working diligently to finish one of the largest orders in their history, having already finished more than 7 000 bags and hoping to be able to finish the last part of the order by the time Assembly begins in July.

    “When Jesus came to the world he loved everyone. We are all created in one image, so we need to treat everyone as children of God,” says Pastor Yeanny. “When people take their MWC bags with them, they will be able to remember who the people were that made the bags, and that they are beloved by God.”

    Each on-site Assembly participant will receive a bag. Information is forthcoming on how to order a souvenir bag.

     

  • Assembly is a life changing experience. This event every six years was the “conference” in Mennonite World Conference for several decades. It remains a highlight for members around the world – both those who are working daily to foster connections within the AnabaptistMennonite family, and those who mainly attend the big events.

    It is a time when Anabaptist-Mennonites from around the world encounter each other in our differing worship styles – especially the more Pentecostal influenced styles that often characterize the Global South.

    “Once you’ve been to one, you can’t stop because a global fellowship like this is rare,” says Elina Ciptadi, who first went to Assembly in Zimbabwe in 2003.

    “My favorite memory is the exuberance and joy of making music together with songs from all around the world,” says Mark Wenger, a pastor from Pennsylvania who sang in the 2015 international choir.

    These memories drive excitement for the extra-long-awaited Assembly 17 in Indonesia. It was postponed one year due to the pandemic.

    The long tail of the pandemic touches Assembly as well; attendance is restricted to 700 participants – far below the expected thousands. But we hope to gather nevertheless, as we have learned these past two years, connecting as tiny faces on screens and tenuous internet links.

    “[Assembly is] where we find co-conspirators on the journey of building the kingdom of God. Here we meet other Jesus followers who are passionate about justice, peace and community. Other kindred spirits,” says Rianna Isaak-Krauß, who met her husband at the Pennsylvania Assembly in 2015. “That connection is really powerful.”

    The Holy Spirit is part of what makes that connection between diverse peoples happen and in such a powerful way in the body of Christ.

    The Holy Spirit has played a stronger role in moments of the Anabaptist movement and has been relegated to the background of our thinking and speaking as churches in others. In the last decades, Pentecostal movements have brought individual and corporate spirituality that emphasize openness to the Holy Spirit. These movements have both invigorated and threatened our churches.

    This issue looks at some of the challenges and opportunities Anabaptist-Mennonites encounter as we relate with Christians from Pentecostal movements and those within our own family who might be called “Mennoscostals.”

    We will have further opportunity to learn about being connected by the Holy Spirit (and the internet) in our diversity of worship style and theological leanings as we gather by the thousands for Assembly in July. May the Spirit reach through our screens and guide us on our journeys as co-conspirators, encouraging each other to seek peace and justice as we build the kingdom of God.

    —Karla Braun is editor of Courier and writer for Mennonite World Conference. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada.

    This article first appeared in Courier / Correo / Courrier, April 2022

  • “The persecution of Christians in India is intensifying as Hindu extremists aim to cleanse the country of their presence and influence,” reports Open Doors’ World Watch list which ranks India as 10 on the list of 50.

    Timo Doetsch, pastor of children and youth at Evangelisch-mennonitische Freikirche Dresden, Germany, interviewed Vikal Pravin Rao, executive secretary of the Mennonite Church in India, Dhamtari, and a member of the MWC Deacons Commission, and Sipra Biswas from Kolkata, general council member from Bharatiya Jukta Christa Prachar Mandali.

    Could you describe the situation?

    Sipra Biswas: We in Kolkata, do not have direct persecution at present,… but in the villages, in the rural area, persecution is there.

    Vikal Rao: I belong to Chhattisgarh, one of the central states of India. In recent times, churches have faced persecution from the Hindu extremists. But persecution is not only in the form of physical harassment or damage to the property. Christians as a minority are mentally persecuted: our voices are not heard…. Even though we have the legal documents for our properties and for our churches, we always are a target.

    Sipra Biswas: But mostly, all the states have more or less cases of persecution.

    Vikal Rao: We cannot get open meetings like the majorities, we have to get permission. That is also a part of persecution.

    two women in saris
    Sipra Biswas and Cynthia Peacock

    Another thing is: It is mandatory in India to register any organization under FCRA (Foreign Currency Regulatory Act)…if you want to receive foreign aid or help. In the recent year (2021), the government of India cancelled the FCRA registration for many Christian and Muslim organizations, for example, MCSFI (Mennonite Christian Service Fellowship of India). Many of our churches are waiting for their FCRA renewal.

    This is resulting that churches are not able to do the social work. Through the foreign help we were actually able to serve the community.

    Sipra Biswas: Anti-conversion laws is another thing. Dalits were neglected people of the societies, but Christianity helped them to feel like human beings, to feel their importance. Now, in many places, they are forced to join Hinduism.

    The first [threat] is money or “If you do this, you have to suffer the consequence.” So, this is a fear people have.

    To take baptism there will be legal procedures. You have to go to the court and tell nobody has forced me or given money.

    Christians don’t force, [yet] we were accused to tempt people to be Christians.

    Officially, India is a secular country with religious freedom. How then can it be, that there are anti-conversion laws?

    Vikal Rao: The legislative assembly has the power to amend some of the constitution. But now, they say: You cannot convert. Earlier days, we were able to preach openly the good news of the gospel on the markets. Now if we were doing it, we would be beaten or put into jail.

    How do the minorities in India react?

    Vikal Rao: Muslims sometimes with violence. Christians most of the time [are] silent. Sikh, Jainists and Buddhists have no problem.

    What do you think are practical and spiritual ways for Indian Christians to deal with the situation?

    Vikal Rao: Prayer is the thing we believe helps. We pray for those who persecute us. And we would like to share Christ’s love through our living and action…. We are not protesting. We are not getting violent. We are for peace.

    What is your prayer request for the global MWC family?

    Vikal Rao: That the churches can become the agents of peace and love of Christ. That they can follow the way Jesus teaches us.

  • Al seguir a Jesús, el cruzar barreras es inevitable. Todos preferimos la seguridad del espacio en el que normalmente vivimos. La vida cotidiana tiene hábitos que reproducimos sin, necesariamente, examinar sus implicacias y  sus significados; de manera que lo que hacemos, y cómo lo hacemos, es para nosotros lo normal y consideramos extrañas otras formas de hacerlos.

    En la 17ª Asamblea del Congreso Mundial Menonita, cuyo lema es “Seguir a Jesús juntos, superando las barreras”, quienes participan de esta Asamblea son desafiados a internalizar valores del Reino de Dios, los cuales requieren un espíritu dispuesto al aprendizaje. Las personas quienes participan de las plenarias, de los grupos pequeños, de los talleres y de las conversaciones, escuchan hablar en distintos idiomas, hay cantos en distintos ritmos y sensibilidades, hombres y mujeres llevan vestimentas que muestran la diversidad de países de donde provienen, los intercambios afectivos tienen distintas intensidades, de acuerdo a las pautas culturales prevalecientes en cada región: por ejemplo, los asistentes que provienen de América Latina, muestran su calidez cuando comparten abrazos y sonrisas.

    Jesús es el modelo de hacer misión y una característica central de su misión es la encarnación. En sí misma, la encarnación de Jesús el Cristo, es el locus theologicus desde el cual debemos desprender cuáles son las tareas que nos ha encomendado el Señor. La encarnación, está bien marcada en Filipense 2:5-7, significó el dejar una condición para asumir las condiciones de los otros, es decir, entrar conscientemente en otro espacio, trascendiendo barreras. Por lo tanto, es consustancial a la hora de seguir a Jesús, caminar con Él por todas “las ciudades y aldeas” (Mateo 9:35) para de esta manera, acercarnos a distintos tipos de situaciones y personas. Jesús superó infinidad de barreras, nosotros estamos llamados a hacer lo mismo.

    La Asamblea del CMM en Indonesia es rica en aprendizajes. Tiene una cara que muestra la diversidad de nuestra familia global, y otra que nos ofrece la oportunidad de mirar y experimentar la vida de las congregaciones locales. En los servicios de las mañanas y las noches uno puede estar rodeado por hermanos y hermanas de todos los continentes, y esto nos hace sentir la realidad de ser una comunidad global. En las visitas a congregaciones locales se puede palpar la vida de hermanos y hermana en la fe que generosamente comparten experiencias de vida, testimonios y los alimentos, que prepararon para recibir a quienes llegaron de distintos países. Ha sido muy aleccionadora la experiencia de ver el panorama global de la familia anabautista mundial y vivir de cerca los latidos del corazón de las congregaciones locales.

    Nuestro llamado es seguir las pisadas de Jesús, y como sus discípulos y discípulas tenemos que aprender constantemente a superar barreras que deforman el propósito de Dios que es crear una nueva humanidad. La Asamblea en Indonesia, ha sido una bella oportunidad para alentarnos a continuar caminando juntos, porque la misión cristiana se hace en la compañía de las otras personas. El Espíritu Santo, que es el espíritu de Jesús, y este nos alienta a trascender las barreras y da sensibilidad para aprender y poner en práctica el mensaje que denuncia la opresión de los muros tanto simbólicos como los físicos.

    —Carlos Martínez-García

  • Children’s program

    As a church, it’s important to take in mind that a sense of belonging should be there for everyone regardless of the differences, especially in age.

    Mennonite World Conference is well-aware of this matter, hence Assembly 17 in Indonesia has a children’s program. This is provided for children to be able to experience, connect and learn together with those of the same age from around the world in the global church.

    Held at Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Sangkakala Salatiga (STT Sangkakala), children’s theme emphasizes learning. Jennifer McWilliams, the acting Children’s Program Coordinator explained that

    “The big idea was Jesus invited others to learn from him to be disciples,” says Jennifer McWilliams, acting children’s program coordinator. Through this, the children learn to understanding that the church is bigger than they think.

    Despite personal challenges and language barriers, the first session of the program went well on the first day. The people participating as volunteers have been very helpful during the conduct.

    All in all, the Assembly is not only a place that caters to adult participants’ spiritual needs, but also the children’s. Through creative approaches, the program is a perfect place for the children to learn about each other and Jesus in a fun way.

    —Windhi Arsari is a teacher. She is a member of GITJ Kelet, Indonesia.

    *Today, there are three Anabaptist-Mennonite groups in Indonesia:
    • Gereja Injili di Tanah Jawa (GITJ –Evangelical Church in the Land of Java)
    • Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI –Muria Christian Church of Indonesia)
    • Jemaat Kristen Indonesia (JKI –Indonesian Christian Congregation)

  • Scan QR or click here to join the Assembly Hub to watch the videos.

    Enter the name and email address you used to register for the virtual Assembly.

    You will be sent a one-time passcode to complete your login. This will be sent to the email and phone number with which you registered.

    This will happen every time you register.

    Click here to view the listing of workshops.

  • Barriers of internet access and recording quality, of jetlag and illness, of language and culture stand in the way of MWC Assemblies but in Indonesia 5 July 2022, they did not prevent God’s people from worshipping together.

    “This marks a new way of doing assembly where we can learn and fellowship in satellite locations and gather online in groups and families around the world,” says National Advisory Council member Paulus Widjaja. He cautioned against fear, “a great enemy” that causes us to exclude others.

    Amid songs and dances representing Javanese culture, he presented MWC (outgoing) president J. Nelson Kraybill with a gunungan, a fan that represents the world, from Javanese theatre.

    “You come to us walking on the water through the storm,” prayed J. Nelson Kraybill, acknowledging the fears facing Assembly participants.

    Jesus was the greatest barrier crosser, said evening speaker Tim Geddert, on the theme of following Jesus across barriers. Jesus’ interaction with the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7 shows both Jesus’ divinity and humanity, he says. In every Gospel passage, we should ask how we can learn from both, Tim Geddert says.

    “May we throw open the doors of our lives to the disruptive Holy Spirit,” prayed Lisa Carr Pries, MWC vice president (2022-2025), in closing.

  • Assembly in Indonesia 2022 is about to begin on 5 July 2022 with strict health protocols in place, as mandated by the local health authority.

    “As per government protocols, we mandate mask-wearing in all indoor spaces and crowded outdoor spaces. Seats are arranged for social distancing, and compliance to mask-wearing is checked at entrances and throughout the event,” says Agus Setianto, Assembly national co-coordinator.

    “With testing no longer required for most air travel, we have implemented our own screening regiment to do everything within our capacity to make Assembly as safe as possible for all,” he says.

    Starting 30 June 2022, all delegates/participants arriving from Semarang are tested prior to boarding the bus to Salatiga. Once in Salatiga, testing is available for anyone. If positive cases are found, they are isolated.

    “Between 30 June and 4 July 2022, we have administered more than 1 000 tests,” says Sarah Yetty, Assembly national co-coordinator.

    “In this unprecedented time, it is inevitable that we will find a few cases. We have a protocol in place for containment and will require two days of negative antigen tests before a person can be released from isolation,” says Liesa Unger, MWC chief international events officer.

    “The tests are slightly uncomfortable, and quarantine even more so. But everyone is cooperating, strengthening each other through prayers and calls, delivering food and medicine. At this Assembly, we have many barriers to cross: we are experiencing communion in different ways. We are thankful for the resilience of our community, Indonesian hosts and international participants,” says J. Nelson Kraybill, MWC president (2015-2022).

    “I believe what we are doing in Assembly is a great example of loving our neighbours, as laid out in Philippians 2:3-4,” he says.

  • 11 tips for using the Assembly Hub

    You can meet brothers and sisters within the wide diversity of the Mennonite World Conference family in the Assembly Hub.

    1. Log on to the Assembly Hub (Cvent app) before the event to set up your profile. Add a photo, your title and affiliations, and a quote that says something about you.
    2. Earn points in the game challenges by participating in Assembly online.
    3. Visit the exhibits. Learn about the networks and agencies within the Mennonite World Conference family.
    4. Make a plan to meet people across barriers. Use the messaging and instant networking features to talk to others.
    5. Maximize social media: use the event hashtag (#mwcmm) when you post pictures and thoughts on the plenaries, workshops and Global Church Village stage. Publicize your attendance at the event on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, personal website/blog. Join the Facebook group.
    6. If you’re on-site participant, share your experience in photos and vlogs. If you’re an online participant, show us your set up: From where are you participating? Who is with you there? Send photos to photos@mwc-cmm.org.
    7. Use translation software to meet someone who doesn’t speak your language. Websites like Google Translate and DeepL.com can aide you in exchanging messages with someone you wouldn’t otherwise understand.
    8. Engage with the sessions by asking questions on the Assembly Hub. Private message with new contacts as you hear subjects you’d like to learn more about from their perspective.
    9. Share information with others. Post related articles on virtual bulletin boards.
    10. Join a seven-person discussion group to hear different perspectives on a topic.
    11. Don’t stop when the Sunday service ends. You can watch videos on the Assembly Hub until 30 September 2022.

    You may see more languages than you are accustomed to in the Assembly Hub. To ensure everyone can participate in the same conversation, some content will appear in all four languages (English, Spanish, French, Indonesian).

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