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Creating a place to fellowship
Behind the scenes at the Global Church Village By Harriet Sider Bicksler A rooster on Skype. A grass hut and miles of Velcro. Baskets and the big five. How did all these seemingly unrelated things come together as part of the Global Church Village? First, the rooster. Vikal Rao from India has served as the
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Calling the church to repentance and renewal
Anabaptist Renewal Circles holds annual meeting By Jewel Showalter Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – More than 100 Anabaptist leaders from around the world gathered at Slate Hill Mennonite Church, Camp Hill, Pa., for the second annual meeting of the Anabaptist Renewal Circles (ARC) 21 July 2015, the day before the evening kick-off of Assembly 16. The
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Stories of faithfulness for the 21st century
Bearing Witness Stories Project carries on work of Martyr’s Mirror “Anabaptist witness in the face of suffering did not end in Europe in the 16th century,” explained John D. Roth, secretary of the Mennonite World Conference Faith and Life Commission and professor of history at Goshen College, during a workshop at PA 2015, the MWC
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Stitching for global connections
Quilting and comforter activities link participants to MCC’s work By Byron Rempel-Burkholder Sushant Nand looks up from one of the Bernini sewing machines at the section of the hall devoted to quilt and comforter-making. A passerby is asking him if he is a tailor by trade. He smiles. “No, I just wanted to learn about
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Confession and forgiveness are part of loving your neighbour
Speakers call church to a love that acts on behalf of others By Lil Goertzen Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA — “We are here today, celebrating our common Anabaptist faith and our position in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Deacons Commission representative Shantkumar S. Kunjam of India greeted the participants of PA 2015 in the morning plenary 24
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Mukawa calls for reconciliation with God, others
Christ’s Lordship prevails over denied visas, ethnic conflict and interdenominational differences By Connie Faber Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Nzuzi Mukawa, Mennonite Brethren pastor and educator from DR Congo, challenged his audience 23 July 2015 to leave Mennonite World Conference PA 2015 as men and women who are reconciled with God and with others. The conflict
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Shuttles bring people together
Transportation network makes friends from strangers By Karla Braun Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – “All I see is smiles,” says Brenda Burkholder, volunteer at the homestay shuttle information table. Many of the more than 7,200 guests from 56 countries registered for Pennsylvania 2015 travel between their overnight lodging and the Farm Show Complex each day via
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Build each other up on the foundation of Christ
Speakers on walking in conflict and reconciliation focus on our hope in Jesus Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – “We are thankful that indeed God walks with us as we experience both conflict and reconciliation,” said Patricia Shelly, moderator of Mennonite Church USA, introducing the theme of the 23 July 2015 morning plenary of PA 2015. Elizabeth
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“The Holy Spirit is wooing the whole church to witness and service…”
Mission Commission coordinates joint meeting for Global Mission Fellowship and Global Anabaptist Service Network By Jewel Showalter Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – “The Holy Spirit is wooing the whole church to witness and service,” said Richard Showalter, chair of the MWC Mission Commission (MC). He welcomed delegates and observers to the joint assembly of the Global
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Praising in painful times
With mercy, the Holy Spirit irons our hearts, says Japanese pastor By Anna Groff Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Yukari Kaga, a pastor from Japan, admitted Peter’s praise in his letter to the early church seems “a little strange to me.” “How can we praise the Lord in such a painful situation? (1 Peter 3–9),” she
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Speakers share doubts from their settings, journeys
Walking in doubt and conviction in second Assembly plenary Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Three speakers, one each from Kenya, Canada and Ethiopia, shared stories of doubt in their local contexts at Assembly 16’s morning worship 22 July 2015. “We are learning, in this wonderful global family, that this is the best way to deepen our
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MWC PA 2015 opens with celebration, call for unity
International attendees urged to find unity in diversity while “walking with God” César García of Colombia, MWC general secretary, preached the opening sermon on the Assembly theme, “Walking with God.” MWC Vice President Janet Plenert translated. Photo by Jonathan Charles Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A – The 16th Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Assembly opened July 21, 2015
