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MWC urges solidarity with calls for peaceful solution in Ukraine
Bogotá, Colombia – “We want to partner with our brothers and sisters in the West and in Ukraine to call for a negotiated diplomatic settlement to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. “This conflict cannot be solved with violence. Both NATO and Russia are too strong to be defeated by military means…. The costs of a…
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In Memoriam: Joram Mbeba (1930-2014)
Musoma, Tanzania – Joram Mbeba, a bishop in Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania (Tanzania Mennonite Church), died on November 22, 2014 at the age of 84. He completed undergraduate and graduate studies in the United States and then returned to Tanzania for a career in teaching and education administration until his retirement in 1985. From 1985…
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Japanese Mennonites protest government’s pro-war proposal
Hokkaido, Japan/Elkhart, Indiana, USA – Reacting to a proposed change in Japan’s ban against making war outside of its borders, Japanese Mennonites issued a statement reaffirming its anti-war stance. The protest issued in September 2014 was in response to the Japan Cabinet’s decision in July to reinterpret the country’s pacifist postwar 1947 constitution that limits the use of…
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Webinar about PA 2015 to feature César García and Nelson Kraybill
Bogotá, Colombia/Elkhart, Indiana, USA – Are you thinking about attending Assembly Gathered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania July 21-26, 2015? To get a taste of this once-in-six-years global gathering of Anabaptists, you can participate in a 30-minute webinar (online presentation) on Wednesday, February 25th at 4 pm EST. During the presentation, Mennonite World Conference President Elect J. Nelson…
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Creating connections between American veterans and peace churches
Akron, Pennsylvania, USA – Several North American agencies have collaborated to produce a new Sunday school curriculum focused on building bridges between peace churches and military veterans. “Returning Veterans, Returning Hope: Seeking Peace Together” was created by Mennonite Central Committee, the Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA (MCUSA) and Mennonite Mission Network…
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On the way to PA 2015: Neckties foster global connections
Akron, Pennsylvania, USA – When thousands of Anabaptists from around the world arrive in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania next July, they will each receive a hand-sewn bag, created from recycled materials by the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Material Resources Center (MRC). As excitement over these bags has grown, materials have come from surprising places. After attending Paraguay’s…
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Seminary class during PA 2015 an opportunity to encounter Anabaptism in the Global South
Registrants for PA 2015, the Mennonite World Conference Assembly coming in July to Harrisburg, PA, can have a front row seat observing the Global Anabaptist Profile (GAP) study. But it will require some hard work and dedication. “Encountering Anabaptism in the Global South” is a graduate level course sponsored by Eastern Mennonite Seminary through its…
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After 25 years, tide begins to turn for conscientious objectors in Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia – “Pray, pray fervently that God will bring his favour, and that my case will become a door that many young people can walk through as well,” Colombian Reinaldo Aguirre pleaded to the church throughout his three years of administrative limbo. A conscientious objector to Colombia’s obligatory military service, the young man from…
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Believers baptism churches meet to share changing understandings
Kingston, Jamaica – A consultation held here 08-10 January involved representatives from six different believers baptism church traditions. They shared their understandings and practices of baptism and explored how their thinking has changed in light of the emerging theological convergence on baptism and growing ecumenical encounter over the past 30 years. This was the first…
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Dutch Mennonites celebrate 25th anniversary of a home mission project
Almere, Netherlands – Some 30 years ago the Dutch Mennonite Mission Board (DZR), which had been exclusively oriented toward foreign lands, began a missionary project on its own soil. This decision was motivated by an awareness of the increasing secularization of Dutch society. This led to the start of a project in a new town…
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MWC Puts Creative Tensions at Centre of Its PA 2015 Program
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – “We’re coming together at PA 2015 to talk with each other about our faith-life with open hearts and open minds,” says Liesa Unger, International Coordinator of this summer’s Mennonite World Conference Assembly. “We’ve invited our speakers to address the creative tensions found in several important topics that we all face daily,”…
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Resources about PA 2015 available on MWC website
Bogotá, Colombia – As excitement continues to grow for the global Assembly, Mennonite World Conference has created a variety of free resources for congregations and communities to use as they talk about and promote Pennsylvania 2015, all available on the MWC website. Church leaders can find a downloadable word doc with ready-made announcements to use…
