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Are Mennonites allergic to evangelism?
Tshimanga calls for action in mission and evangelism By Virginia A. Hostetler Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Energy was still high in the penultimate plenary session of PA 2015, featuring the work of the MWC Mission Commission. Speakers issued sharp challenges to Anabaptists, calling for a more active and evangelistic discipleship. There is an uneasiness regarding
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Our religion is relationship worked out in love
PA 2015 Saturday night worship service By Doreen Martens Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Love for neighbour is absolutely central to the gospel, speaker Bruxy Cavey said in the final plenary service of PA 2015. This evening saw the passing of leadership from Mennonite World Conference president Danisa Ndlovu to incoming president Nelson Kraybill. In a
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Half-day tours extend the Assembly experience
Bus trips take guests to points of interest throughout central PennsylvaniaBy Matthew Hahn Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – All week, 33 different half-day tours have extended the PA 2015 experience beyond the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg to numerous sites of interest and significance throughout central Pennsylvania. On the busiest days, more than 20 coach buses
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Doing something about faith
MDS house build at Mennonite World Conference Assembly erects homes in 5 days Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Pounding nails may be the last activity one might expect at an international church convention, but for many at the Mennonite World Conference’s PA 2015, it was a perfect fit. Every afternoon, just outside the air-conditioned halls of
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Children’s program inspires faith, delight
Adults and children walk with God in doubt and conviction at PA 2015 By Laura Kraybill “Okay, Penguins, it’s time to go shear sheep.” This might cause confusion if you were not at the children’s program of MWC. For the 281 children attending PA 2015 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, it caused excitement. Participants hastily finished snacks
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Part of a bigger family
Youth program encourages trust-filled interactionsBy Laura Kraybill “But The Lord said to me, ‘Don’t say “I am too young,”’ proclaimed a chorus of young voices 24 July 2015 at the youth program for MWC’s PA 2015. Sprawled across the concrete floor of the youth hall, several hundred teenagers began their morning with this affirmation from
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At MWC assembly, MCC cans vegetables for first time
International participants can beans in Pennsylvania heat By Tim Huber Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Mennonite Central Committee’s mobile meat canner went vegan for Mennonite World Conference PA 2015, switching for one week from pork, beef and turkey to green beans. Slipping out a back door into a parking lot, attendees donned hairnets, a few beard
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Stitched together
Applique brings chance meeting of friends of friends from Uruguay, Paraguay, and Pennsylvania By Jewel Showalter Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. – Helena Dueck from Akron, Pennsylvania, was quietly stitching delicate applique in the quilting hall when a young woman asked excitedly, “Are you Helena Dueck?” “Yes, I am,” said Dueck, looking up from her quilt. “How
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Stitched together
Assembly 16: PA2015 Applique brings chance meeting of friends of friends from Uruguay, Paraguay, and Pennsylvania Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. – Helena Dueck from Akron, Pennsylvania, was quietly stitching delicate applique in the quilting hall when a young woman asked excitedly, “Are you Helena Dueck?” “Yes, I am,” said Dueck, looking up from her quilt. “How
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Music brings unity at world conference
International songs draw participants into worship despite unfamiliarity By Laura Kraybill Worship rises to the rafters as Mennonites and Brethren and Christ join their voices in music from around the world at PA 2015 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Differences exist in theology and culture, yet music is a unifier at world conference, even when it stretches
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An interdependent and communal nature
North American women theologians hold inaugural meeting Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Taking the lead from their African and Latin American sisters who already have well-developed networks of women theologians, almost 50 North American women theologians met for the first time 22 July 2015 at the Farm Show complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The meeting was spearheaded by
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Autonomy and awakening
Assembly called to wrestle with independence and community By Tim Huber HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, USA – Each person is never alone. They must live in community. Yet each also craves independence and autonomy. Dutch Mennonite pastor and retreat centre host Wieteke van der Molen told Mennonite World Conference assembly attendees 24 July 2015 that since the
