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All kinds of gifts to share
“Beautiful friendships! and a better understanding of Anabaptism.” Lois Friesen from Towanda, Kansas, USA, has no doubt about what she receives through connection with the global family. “As Anabaptists we believe in community. You need people to cheer you on,” she says. “If you’re not supported, community falls apart. We need to gather around as…
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A reconciling response to war in the Middle East
October 2023 At a time of increasing bloodshed between Israelis and Palestinians, with mounting tension between nations of the Middle East and beyond, leaders of Mennonite World Conference make three urgent appeals: That member churches of Mennonite World Conference pray and act for an end to the spiral of violence and injustice1 in the Middle…
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“We start with what we have”
“The way to address inequality is treating people differently – not the same,” says Arli Klassen, MWC regional representatives coordinator. Mennonite World Conference is an organization made of members. However, financial resources vary widely within its global membership. Fair Share is MWC’s way to for all national member churches to contribute based on their ability…
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Interconnected family celebrates peace
Peace (English) – Paix (French) – Amani (Swahili) – Mirembe (Luganda): children at a Uganda Mennonite church wrote “Peace” in multiple languages. (See photo below.) Each year, the Peace Commission prepares a worship resource for Peace Sunday. Organized around a new theme each year, the package includes a Scripture focus, prayers, an activity and a…
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AWFS 2024 Children’s story and activity
Mosaics are beautiful pictures made from colorful tiles of different shapes and sizes. Help children make an inspiring piece of art that they can share with family and friends with this mosaic activity. Explain the meaning of this mosaic to the children at the start of the activity, and again at the end of the…
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AWFS 2024 Tithes and offering ideas
MWC invites a special offering to be taken for the global Anabaptist church community on Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday. One way to think about this offering is to invite every member to contribute the value of one lunch in their own community to support the networks and resources of our global Anabaptist church family. Sacrificing…
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AWFS 2024 Cultural suggestions from Latin America
Latin American Anabaptist churches worship in multiple languages: Spanish, German, Portuguese and several Indigenous languages. Each language group has their own worship style. Many Latin American congregations have an informal and flexible worship style, with lots of singing, time for testimonies and prayers, and time to chat after worship. Spanish-speaking churches often sing with…
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A Christian nation?
The search for political power and privileges is increasing among evangelicals in Latin America. The close connection between some pastors and partisan politics concerns some of us as Mennonites, especially when religious Christian leaders try to impose their values on others. How the Mennonite tradition emerged may help us understand our concerns.
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A pastoral letter for peace in the Holy Land
Beloved sisters and brothers: Over the weekend the world was shaken by Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israeli lives. This crisis quickly escalated with air raids, land battles, random killings, kidnappings and war propaganda. No one is more disadvantaged by this escalating situation than the civilians who just wish to live a normal life without fearing…
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The big picture of God at work in the world
The Bible includes lots of books that were written before, during and after the coming of Jesus, but his story does not end there; God is still working and continues to impact people’s lives.
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One of the tiny squares
Creation is immense, an extremely large painting. A quick glance from a distance shows us a single painting; however, when one approaches and observes very closely, we discover that this apparently single painting is made up of millions of tiny squares, and I am one of those tiny squares.
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Growing in faith and discipleship in joyful communion
The possibility of mutual exchange and opportunities to share with the mosaic of brothers and sisters from the big picture of various Anabaptist churches contributes to affirming and cementing my faith, spirituality and personal identity as an Anabaptist Christian. Through these interactions, I have the opportunity to enrich my understanding of faith and to experience…
