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A Vision for Reconciliation
How did you become interested in the life of the church? Kraybill: Growing up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, my family was deeply involved in the mission of the church at the local level. Both of my parents gave tirelessly to the congregation, serving in many roles, from Sunday school teachers to janitors. My uncle Nevin…
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A deeper shade of green: Waste reduction measures at PA 2015
Winnipeg, Canada – Mass events can leave behind a mountain amount of trash. But at Mennonite World Conference’s 16th Assembly in Harrisburg, 21–26 July 2015, the management of garbage was an expression of worship to God the creator. Assembly organizers “decided early on that we would attempt to make the conference environmentally friendly to the degree that…
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Celebrating Peace Sunday: A call for people who sow peace in peace
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – September 21 marked the International Day of Peace – an event observed around the world with the hope that global citizens may renew their desire to work for peace. Mennonite World Conference and its member churches participated in this global day of commitment to peace by celebrating Peace Sunday on September…
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Churches in Latin America call for prophetic peace witness
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – As Mennonite World Conference (MWC) member churches celebrated Peace Sunday on 20 September 2015, they also recognized the ways in which peace continues to be wanting in their communities. In Colombia, Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren churches, and Global Anabaptist Service Network agencies Justapaz and Mencoldes considered the meaning of peace as…
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Sharing our gift of prayers for Ukraine
GYS hears the challenges of the Mennonite church in Ukraine More than a year ago, Crimea – a Russian-speaking province on the south of Ukraine – was taken over by Russia through some military actions and a referendum. The conflict has since expanded to parts of eastern Ukraine, where more than 6,000 people have been…
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Is Christian faithfulness possible without unity?
By all accounts, the 16th Mennonite World Conference Assembly 21–26 July 2015 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, was a resounding success. Memories of worshiping with more than 8,000 people from 65 countries; unexpected encounters with old and new friends; the beautiful profusion of sights and sounds of a truly global church; workshops on challenging topics and…
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Walking in Autonomy and Community
How to be independent together In the beginning, man was alone. Even though God created all animals and brought them to man to be named, man was alone. And it didn’t suit him at all. God could see that, and so he whispered a deep, deep sleep unto man and while he slept, God took…
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World Fellowship Sunday materials available
Bogotá, Colombia – “Walking with God finds its total meaning in fellowship – in the breaking of bread, serving, and meeting the needs of others,” says César García, general secretary of Mennonite World Conference. “It does not mean the absence of challenges, but recognizing we are assured of victory with and through God.” World Fellowship…
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Mennonite Brethren leaders meet following MWC Assembly
Delegates reappoint Wiebe, discuss “global elders” Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA — Representatives from 21 national Mennonite Brethren conferences from around the globe met for the International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) annual summit 26–29 July 2015 at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The 2015 summit highlighted ways in which the 25-year-old organization has grown and is…
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A space to meet and exchange
Global Anabaptist Health Network envisioned by summit participants Harrisburg Pennsylvania, USA – More than 90 health care leaders from 18 countries met 19–20 July 2015, preceding PA 2015. They gathered to worship, learn from each other and think creatively about how Anabaptist-related health care organizations and those working in this field might cooperate more fully…
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Numbers convey unity despite diversity
Global Anabaptist Profile surveys and maps Mennonite World Conference GOSHEN, Indiana, USA — Sociological surveys may be uncommon evangelistic tools, but at a consultation celebrating the conclusion of the Global Anabaptist Project (GAP), Damien Pelende testified that the survey had drawn new people into his church. The GAP, a joint initiative of the Institute for…
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Like a tree planted
Anabaptist Educators from around the world gather for the Global Education Conference Lansdale, Pennsylvania, USA — Like a Tree Planted: Anabaptist Spirituality in Education, the Global Education Conference of Mennonite World Conference attracted more than 100 Anabaptist educators and leaders from 13 countries around the world. Anabaptist spirituality is “a pedagogy of transformation,” said John…
