Stories

The gift of conversations at Assembly PA 2015

Friendship Groups and Activities There were so many great things about the Mennonite World Conference [Assembly, PA 2015]. This was my first time going, and I really appreciated the worship sessions, especially the diversity. (I had no idea what... more/más/suite

God will show you the way

Meal ministry at Dutch Mennonite church welcomes addicts and homeless Life did not go as planned for Max Tauran. A patron of Doperse Dis (a three-year-old meal ministry in a northern Dutch city), he told the audience at a fundraising dinner that “[... more/más/suite

Churches of all stripes call for freedom of religion

Winnipeg, Canada - Representatives of every stream of global Christianity met in Tirana, Albania, 1–5 November, 2015 for a consultation on Discrimination, Persecution, Martyrdom: Following Christ Together, convened by the Global Christian Forum... more/más/suite

Powerful pen

A retired school teacher and prison inmates are unlikely pen pals who have exchanged thousands of letters in Curitiba over the past decade. It began when a man in prison responded to a short piece 76-year-old Dona Maria Martins published in a... more/más/suite

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,... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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... more/más/suite

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/más/suite

We Cry (A prayer of lament)

We cry with those whose lands are ravaged from war. We cry with those who, because of war and violence, have already lost their home. We cry with those who leave behind what they know in search of a better life for their children and families. We... more/más/suite

First ever Anabaptist World Cup set for PA 2015

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – The first ever Anabaptist World Cup will be played on the afternoons of July 22, 23, 24, and 25, as an optional recreational event during PA 2015, the Mennonite World Conference Assembly. The matches will take place at... more/más/suite

Dutch group awards MWC Deacons Commission chair

Anne Zernike was the first Mennonite woman ordained in the Netherlands, possibly in Europe and “even maybe in the world,” said Christien Duhoux-Rueb. She and Coot Winkler Prins, pastors from the Netherlands, highlighted Zernike at a workshop and... more/más/suite

Registration to stay open until Assembly; several options change after July 1

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Organizers for the 21-26 July Mennonite World Conference Assembly announced recently that registration will remain open until Assembly, but only the following options are available online beyond 1 July: full time/... more/más/suite