Prayers of gratitude and intercession

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – “A contribution to the public debate” – that’s what Fernando Enns, professor of Mennonite Peace Theology and Ethics calls euMENNet. This multimedia project aims to reveal the influence of five centuries of Mennonite migration, and to sharpen the Mennonite identity in Europe for the future.

For centuries the Anabaptists moved away, lingered, and moved on. The Anabaptist diaspora led the Mennonites throughout Europe, to countries like Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and others. Time and again there were reasons to stay and reasons to move on: oppression, economic malaise, economic prosperity, freedom of religion. To get to know our religious fellows, spread out all over Europe, the international multimedia project euMENNet has been conceived. This should be ready for use in the summer of 2014.

What connects this group of European Mennonites? And how much do they differ from one another? What is their story? What has been their influence on European history and societies? What can we learn from their stories? These questions will be answered by Mennonites throughout Europe, by videos, texts and data.

Fernando Enns, professor of Mennonite Peace Theology and Ethics at the Mennonite Seminary, is – together with others – in charge of the content element of the project. I met him at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, at the Faculty of Theology. All offices and workspaces have big glass walls, which gives this department a feeling of transparency. “Nobody here has a fixed workstation; they’re all flexwork stations,” Enns says. “That’s why it’s been built so transparent. Only we Mennonites have been given our own room, which is actually quite nice.”

This is in remarkable contrast with the story behind euMENNet: the Mennonites, who in Europe and worldwide always had to search for new places. At the VU the opposite has happened. Here they are the only ones to have a fixed place.

Identity

“EuMENNet will help us, European Mennonites, to get to know each other. Every six years we get together at the MERK (European Mennonite Conference). We worship together, have a good time together, and at the end we say goodbye and that’s it. Especially after the last MERK, I had the feeling that we will have to put more thought into creating a Mennonite identity in Europe, and I wasn’t the only one.” Enns thinks of euMENNet as one tool to do this. “It’s necessary to establish something which will shape the Mennonite identity in Europe.”

The project tries to develop this identity through the stories of the Mennonites themselves. “It’s not like scholars and church boards develop an identity and then tell the congregation what it is. We want to tell the stories from a bottom up approach with different facets from different regions. We’re not only looking for the history of Mennonites from various areas in Europe, but also for the goals they have and the challenges they are facing right now.”

Europe

This multimedia project is about Mennonites, by Mennonites, and is very interesting and valuable for Mennonites, but, according to Enns, is also of importance to other Europeans. “The story of the Mennonites has a lot to do with the story of Europe. In the areas where they were allowed to settle the Mennonites have always contributed to language development, economy, culture, politics and theology. They also contributed to technological progress, for instance in the field of agriculture.”

As an example of the latter, Enns mentions Ukraine and the Netherlands. “In the Ukraine the Mennonites, as ‘foreigners’ set up farming-equipment factories, and in the Netherlands it was the Mennonite Cornelis Lely who conceived of and designed the Afsluitdijk (the enclosing dyck).”

Mennonites also had their role in the political history of Europe. “In the times of the Reformation Anabaptists/Mennonites asked for the freedom to choose for (adult) baptism. They asked for freedom of speech. They asked for freedom from conscription. All these freedoms which the often oppressed Mennonites fought for as a minority back then, are now seen as universal human rights. Mennonites of course weren’t the only minority to ask for those freedoms.”

Enns feels that we can learn from all these contributions to history. “The citizens of Europe are incredibly varied. Nowadays everybody talks about the importance of religious freedom and tolerance. But in the meantime it is getting more and more difficult to actually deal with these concepts; we are facing the limits of freedom as well. How can we preserve diversity, without losing unity? As a minority which carries a lot of diversity within itself, yet always strives to preserve its unity, Mennonites can contribute to this debate.”

Public Debate

Enns does realise that the contribution to the public debate is only one thing. “Of course other religions and minorities have their stories, and they too can significantly contribute to this debate. But it is important that a Mennonite voice is heard, since many people don’t know the Mennonites. If we don’t tell our story, it might be lost.”

“Most churches have offices in Brussels and have regular contact with European politicians, but Mennonites don’t.” Enns feels that, compared to other churches, the Mennonites don’t let themselves be heard enough in the European public debate. “We must organize ourselves in a European context, and let our voice be heard. Mennonites hesitate to do this, but we do live in a democracy, and we do have the duty to join in shaping the future of our European societies.”

EuMENNet is not enough to shape this contribution to the European democracy, of course. But according to Enns it is a part of what needs to be done to come forward as Mennonites on this continent. “It is a way to determine our identity and show it to others. Other ways to do this would be appointing a European Mennonite Coordinator, or organising European meetings between Mennonites. Diversity within the European Mennonites will continue to exist. But we can try to answer the following questions: What is it that makes us call ourselves Mennonites? And how will we profile ourselves to the world around us?”

EuMENNet

As an initiative of Kees Knijnenberg (International Menno Simons Center) and Antoinette Hazevoet, five centuries of Mennonite Europe are being assembled with the help of euMENNet. Through a website which will be ready for use in 2014, a migration tour and other activities, stories of Mennonites throughout Europe will be told. EuMENNet is an international project to which various Mennonites in Europe are contributing.

Fernando Enns

Fernando Enns (48) is professor of Mennonite Peace Theology and Ethics at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. He started the ecumenical programme Decade to Overcome Violence of the World Council of Churches (2001-2010). He was born in Brazil, studied in Germany and the US and is currently teaching in Hamburg (Institute for Peace Church Theology) and Amsterdam.

Article by Jan Willem Stenvers, one of the editors of Doopsgezind NL, a publication of the Algemene Doopsgezinde Sociëteit (ADS; General Mennonite Association) in the Netherlands.

Elspeet, The Netherlands – At the annual meeting of the leaders of European Mennonite conferences, interest in creating a centre of coordination was reaffirmed. The conference leaders also gave attention to the renewal of the peace witness and to the varied perspectives of the churches in Europe.

At the outset of the gathering, held 23-25 November at the end of the 2012 church year, Otto Bleker, the chair of the meeting, emphasized the calling of Mennonite churches in Europe to be peace churches. On the basis of Micah 4:3, he sketched out God’s intention for a lasting peace. In Bleker’s view, Mennonite churches are urged to be radical, non-violent communities.

Digging deeper into the theme of peace in his presentation, Fernando Enns of Hamburg explored the social challenge facing the churches of Europe and the importance of a lived peace witness. Membership in the churches of Europe is shrinking, and the voice of the church is growing ever more faint. Despite this, longing for peace remains undiminished. But today religion is no longer central to the identity of Europeans as was the case in the 16^th century, when the Anabaptist movement emerged.

To be a movement of opposition, as then, is no longer sufficient since many of the core concerns of the Anabaptists are accepted today. Enns views European Mennonites as facing the challenge of defining Mennonite identity anew. What is the calling of Mennonites in Europe today? Who is working on this, and what is the platform with which to realize such a calling? These questions pertain not only to peace, but to the role of the church today. For Mennonites, God’s comprehensive shalom for both church and world is central to its mission. Peace is thus not an option but lies at the heart of the gospel.

The conversation following the presentations made it clear that there are many opportunities for congregations and conferences for the work of peace in society, and thus to make visible and experiential our calling toward society. The tenor of the discussion indicated agreement that be it in friendship circles, home, or congregation, peacemaking is our opportunity and calling. Despite such clarity of insight, for now the attempt to define concrete steps was not undertaken. For that, the coordination centre for Mennonite conferences in Europe could be of assistance.

Part time position for 69,000 Mennonites

Following the consensus at its last meeting in 2011 to establish a part time position of coordinator for the 69,000 Mennonites in Europe, no further steps could be taken. Interest in such a position was confirmed, including by the Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee Europe. Now, however, the reworked profile and the financing of the 20% position is to be discussed by the conferences.

César Garcia, the general secretary of MWC brought greetings and motivating examples from the global Mennonite community, emphasizing the importance of the European sisters and brothers for the rest of the world community. The essential importance of a global community is experienced especially in times of distress and persecution, when we need God and each other most especially, and when we say to each other “You are not alone” – as sisters and brothers in Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Panama, or the Philippines experience today. He invited the Europeans to participate in great numbers in the next global assembly in July 2015 in Pennsylvania, USA. Garcia reminded the leaders of the conferences, “The importance and dimension of global community is understood best by experiencing it.”

Regional/country reports: Congregations are being challenged everywhere

All participants greatly valued the MERK (European Mennonite Regional Conference) conference in Sumiswald, Switzerland in May 2012 as well the enrichment sisters and brothers from around the world brought to the event. Henk Stenvers, secretary, stated in the report of the conference of leaders that, “If we only look at what we do not have, then we will not organize large gatherings such as the MERK. But if we become aware of what we have, and reach out in faith to what we need, then we will receive it, including an event such as a MERK.”

After numerous jubilee celebrations in 2012, the congregations of Holland invested in communication by launching a new periodical and e-newsletter, and refreshing the church’s presence on the internet. In addition, the decision was taken that congregations would devote the next 5 to 7 years to the themes of peace, justice, and identity.

Since the 1980’s there is no longer a conference in Belgium, only one congregation. For a long time the Mennonite Centre in Brussels played a significant role in raising awareness on matters of peace and mediation. When support from North America ended, the centre near the European Union institutions was closed. There are plans to plant a congregation in the area of Brussels. Regret was also expressed at the closing of the Mennonite Centre in London, for many a home and place of inspiration in past years.

In France the youth are experiencing a spirit of awakening. Youth pastors are being hired and new congregations planted. Congregations are also getting involved in interreligious dialogue and in conversation with Muslims.

In Switzerland 2012 was marked by large international meetings, the MERK in the Emmental and the Mennonite World Conference General Council meeting in Basel. Congregational life was enriched by the many visitors and exchanges. The conference has engaged in a renewal process, new leadership is being sought, and structures reworked.

The conferences in Germany are working at various tasks. As in other countries there is a shortage of personnel and financial resources. Whereas for some the theme of identity is central, for others it is dialogue with Muslims and foreigners. The growing presence of the German military in the schools is also a concern. Congregations are concerned to address the youth. Moreover, the AMG (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mennonitischer Gemeinden) conference has decided to move to a consensus method of decision making.

The meeting concluded with the conference leaders meeting for worship in the Singelkerk in Amsterdam, one of the oldest Mennonite congregations in the world. Mennonites met for worship in the Dutch metropolis already in 1530. Psalm 146 became a focus of worship. The text “God is help and hope of his people” served both to sum up the meeting and to anticipate the future. The visitors each received the congregational brochure, which concludes with the question: “Would you like to have contact with a Mennonite congregation?” Good question.

Markus Rediger, Bern, Switzerland, member of the MWC Executive Committee

(For additional photos, click here)

La Angostura, Chile – The fifth gathering of Latin American Mennonite Women Theologians took place within the framework of the 15^th Southern Cone Anabaptist Mennonite Congress held here January 23-27, 2013, attended by sisters and brothers from the six countries of the region (plus some visitors from Canada, the United States, Zimbabwe, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico).

Some 45 women theologians from different countries participated in the gathering. After introductions, Monica Parada, of the Anabaptist Mennonite Church ‘Puerta del Rebaño’ (Concepcion, Chile) led the first of three workshops recounting “Realidades de las mujeres desde el caminar de Jesús” (or Realities women face – realities that Jesus challenged). The dynamic that followed included symbols such as earth, seeds, a pigeon, candle and water. Each woman was invited to plant the seeds of dreams she wanted to see come true.

In small groups the great scourges confronted today by women were examined: ethnic, civilian, domestic and genre violence – physical and symbolic. The latter occurs when it becomes natural, sustained and almost invisible. It seeks subjugation and is present in all relationships. Symbolic violence is coercive, intimidating, imposing the will of one over the other although seeming to be well intentioned. It is the expansive use of physical space, money control, lack of appreciation, disavowal maneuvers, terrorism and paternalism, etc.

The celebration of our first 10 years of existence as a Movement of Latin American Women Theologians (MTAL) came on the next day with the second workshop and participation of the entire assembly. Led by Gladys Siemens we evoked the origins of our movement. Goals and description of activities were shared, such as the World Day of Prayer for women in Latin America, the publication of a book about the liberating message of Jesus to women today, the blog http://teologasanabautistas.blogspot.com and recently our Facebook page.

The support, encouragement and advice offered by Sandra Campos (Costa Rica) and by Linda Shelly (USA) during the past 10 years were recognized.

Two women whose work in their communities is very uplifting and encourages us to keep going shared their experiences. Valeria Alvarenga Taumaturgo (Brazil) pastor of a Mennonite Church in Recife, carries out a strong ministry among women in a favela (a poor area) whose husbands are serving sentences in prison. Aurora Rinaldi, of the Mennonite Church in Trenque Lauquen (Argentina) was appointed one year ago by her community to be their pastor, after being active in the edification of a community of equals.

To bring closure to this fruitful celebration, a ball of yarn was passed along with a blessing to the next woman, thus forming a wide network. We want to grow and continue to build this network of women of peace created by MTAL, and for that purpose the support of each and everyone is needed in unity in Christ to paraphrase our motto, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal.3:28).”

The celebration was closed singing We are one in the Lord, and inviting participants to sign and write good wishes on a large poster that will travel to different meetings to be held in Guatemala, Mexico and Colombia.

On Saturday, the third and final women’s meeting was started with very significant songs, and Noemí Dulci of the Mennonite Church in Salto (Argentina) offered a special reflection.

Monica Parada guided us through a succession of lines of thought in the course of history regarding women, which reveal through culture, politics, family life, religion, etc., impositions about which we have not been critical, and behaviors that became natural for us. On a blanket she placed several objects: three candles symbolizing Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the picture of a family, a root as a symbol of culture, the Bible as religious teachings, and a dish with pebbles). Each woman was invited to place some stones on the symbol that most affected her full potential as an independent woman, thus stripping off impositions and bonds that keep her and us from freely walking with Jesus.

Summing up, this was what we experienced and learned in our meetings, which for many of us may have been revealing, to others liberating, and perhaps for some even surprising or scaring. We trust that the seed was sown. May the Holy Spirit help it to germinate.

Finally we prayed for our Chilean sisters who so lovingly greeted and tended to our needs, and we thanked them with little tokens of appreciation.

Article by Ester Bornes of Argentina, coordinator of the blog and of MTAL Cono Sur (http://teologasanabautistas.blogspot.com). Translated into English by Milka Rindzinski

This directory, compiled by Mennonite World Conference, includes churches that are rooted in the 16th century Radical Reformation in Europe, particularly in the Anabaptist movement. This faith family includes more than 1.7 million baptized believers in 243 national conferences of churches in 83 countries.

The totals by continental region are: Africa 38.3%, Asia and Pacific 17.8%, Europe 3.6%, Latin America and the Caribbean 10.5%, North America 29.8%. About two-thirds of the baptized believers are African, Asian or Latin American.

 

Angostura de Paine, Chile – After a two-year delay caused by the massive earthquake of 2010, the traditional biannual gathering of the Mennonites of the Southern Cone took place in Chile for the first time, where about twenty congregations state their support to Anabaptism. The gathering was celebrated 23-27 January in the Salvation Army Campground, located in Angostura de Paine, 55 kilometres south of Santiago de Chile.

A hundred Anabaptists from Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil arrived there, plus dozens of members of other churches from several regions of Chile. They were joined by visitors from Central and North America and by the Officers of Mennonite World Conference (MWC).

The Iglesia Evangélica Menonita de Chile (IEMCH), which became the 100^th MWC member church in 2011, organized the event. With a dozen congregations throughout the country, the IEMCH reflects the missionary vocation of the Latin American Anabaptist churches. In a presentation during the gathering, Titus Guenther, Canadian professor of Paraguayan origin, drew attention to this missionary vocation that has allowed Latin American Anabaptist churches to quadruplicate their membership in the last 30 years. The Chilean Jorge Vallejos, a prolific church planter who lives in Canada and who in the 1980s initiated the connection between Canadian and Chilean churches that led to the establishment of the IEMCH, also attended this gathering.

Robert J. Suderman was invited for the main presentations dedicated to the topic “Encarnando ahora vistazos del futuro: Fundamentos bíblicos del Shalom” (Incarnating now glimpses of the future: Biblical foundations of Shalom). Former General Secretary of Mennonite Church Canada, Suderman worked with Mennonite churches in Latin America for a decade. Citing Ephesians 6:12, he noted that a Shalom church must understand the nature of the evil it faces: it is not a struggle against “flesh and blood”, but against “principalities and powers,” understanding the latter ones as oppressive ideologies that perpetuate injustice in our world. In this scenario, noted Suderman, “the fundamental vocation of a Shalom community is pedagogical.” This vocation becomes real through the practice of loving the enemies, which transforms each congregation in “the demonstrative argument of the Shalom Kingdom.”

A shocking example of this transforming practice was the one shared by pastor Alfred Klassen (Paraguay), who was assaulted and stabbed in his home in 2009. When one of his assailants turned himself in to justice, Klassen forgave him and was with him throughout the whole judicial process, which turned into a bond of friendship and trust between them.

MWC Officers Danisa Ndlovu (Zimbabwe) and Janet Plenert (Canada) shared experiences from a service of repentance and forgiveness that took place in Stuttgart, Germany in 2010 which marked the reconciliation of Lutherans and Mennonites. Another reconciliation story was shared by Titus Guenther: the story of Christ of the Andes, a statue made of bronze cannons cast and placed on top of the Andes in 1904 to commemorate a peaceful solution to a border dispute between Chile and Argentina.

Other theological reflections were provided by pastors Mónica Parada and Carlos Gallardo, from Iglesia Anabautista-Menonita “Puerta del Rebaño” from the city of Concepción (Chile). Both called attention to making the commitment to a Mennonite peace start inside their own faith communities and their families. According to Gallardo, “the true following of Christ is found on equity, in building up a community in which we can look at each other face to face as equals”.

Especially invited by the network of Teólogas Anabautistas de Latinoamérica (Anabaptist Women Theologians of Latin America), was Mónica Parada who provided keys to unmask the symbolic violence that is exercised in the most subtle and everyday life, especially against women. She also traced an historical account through different views about women: although Jesus’ practice revealed in the Gospels makes clear the intrinsic dignity of women, many male theologians – from patristic to modern days – strove to keep women in a lower status. They constructed an image of a woman as an incomplete and defective being, a “social and religious construct” that the church must begin to overcome for both men and women to achieve full life in God. “We should remove the stones from the rivers of living waters”, noted the pastor.

During the five days of this gathering, several moving testimonies were shared. In a session led by the Anabaptist Women Theologians of Latin America, Aurora Rinaldi (Argentina) and Valeria Alvarenga (Brazil) talked about the long road that led to the pastorate. Meanwhile, Freddy Barrón (Bolivia) narrated the ups and down he faced as a pastor’s child, as a way of calling attention to the risks and deprivations the pastoral family can go through if it does not receive proper care.

César García, General Secretary of MWC, and Rodrigo Pedroza, representative of the Young Anabaptists (YABs) network, presented the work of their organizations to strengthen the ties of the global Anabaptist family of faith.

The Southern Cone gathering was also an opportunity to share through praise and art. With typical costumes and instruments of the farmers of Central Chile, the group “Los del Huerto” sang and danced lively traditional music such as cuecas and guarachas. Also, the IEMCH youth presented a tour through images and typical dances of the different regions of continental Chile and Easter Island, and representatives from Argentina offered an evening of praise songs with Latin American rhythms and lyrics that exalted the commitment to peace and justice, and young Salomao Taumaturgo did the same with Brazilian music.

On the last day, filled with emotions, the attendees thanked the hospitality of IEMCH. “They took care of every single detail to make us feel well”, said Rubén Darino (Argentina). After sharing the Lord’s Supper and officially ending the gathering, IEMCH went to a swimming pool nearby to baptize three of its members, accompanied by Anabaptists of ten different countries: a visible demonstration of what was said by host pastor, Daniel Delgado: “Now we know that we are not alone, that we are part of an universal family”.

-Felipe Elgueta, with collaboration of Violeta Fonceca

Additional photo: Signing a banner of the Latin American Women Theologians Network. The banner will be taken to women’s meetings in other countries this year. Photo by Janet Plenert.

In early April 2012, members of Iglesia Evangélica Unida Hermanos Menonitas de Panamá (United Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church of Panama), requested prayer for the peaceful settlement of land claims, following a confrontation between members of the Wounaan community and loggers. The recent incident involved members of the Wounaan community from Platanares confronting persons who were cutting down valuable and endangered hardwood cocobolo trees even though such logging had been officially suspended by the national environmental authority. The clash resulted in the death of Aquilo Opúa, from the Wounaan community, and Ezequiel Batista, a tractor operator with the loggers.

The following email, sent to Mennonite World Conference on June 5, 2012, provides an update, with a note of celebration and thanks. “Today is an historical day in Panama. For the first time, the Wounaan received an official certificate for their collective lands in two territories (Puerto Lara and Caña Blanca). All this is the result of years of hard work, sacrifice, patience, frustration and even death…. Thanks to God, the right they were claiming for years is a reality today. The government, represented by its local minister, directors and authorities, witnessed this celebration of legitimately granting land to the Wounaan.”

MWC release

Photo:

From left: Tiliano Tovar, a leader of the community in Puerto Lara; Elibardo Membache, leader of the Collective Land in Embera; Cardenio Membora, Cacique del Pueblo, leader of the Wounaan people; Aladino Bipuru, a leader of the community in Puerto Lara.

Bogota, Colombia – Kristina Toews of Abbotsford, B.C. has been appointed to serve as Web Communications Worker with Mennonite World Conference. The MWC position will be the main part of her three-year assignment as a Mennonite Central Committee volunteer in Bogota, Colombia, where both MWC and MCC have offices in the same building.

As Web Communications Worker, Toews will be part of the MWC communication team headed by Ron Rempel of Waterloo, Ontario. She will manage web content, write and repurpose content for the web, serve as editor of a monthly e-alert, and provide leadership for social media initiatives. She will also be involved in writing and overall communication planning.

“I’m delighted to have Kristina join the MWC communication team,” commented Rempel. “Her keen interest in nurturing global connections and her experience with MWC will serve her well as she moves into this assignment.”

Since 2009, Toews has been the North American representative on the MWC Young Anabaptists (YABs) Committee and also chairs the committee. Made up of representatives from five continents, the YABs Committee is responsible for planning a Global Youth Summit in 2015. In the coming months, MWC will work toward a good transition to a new North American representative and chair for the YABs Committee.

Toews has served as a youth worker on the pastoral staff of Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church in Abbotsford since 2007. Part of her responsibilities include updating the congregational website and also connecting with youth via Facebook. Earlier she served for a year in the MCC SALT program in Bolivia where she assisted in the production of a monthly newsletter. While in Bolivia she also learned Spanish.

As an MCC worker in Colombia, Toews will be involved about one day per week in communication-related responsibilities with MCC Colombia and in accompanying several learning tour groups each year. She will also participate in retreats and activities with other MCC volunteers in the country.

“I’m very excited to serve with MWC and MCC in this position,” commented Toews who will begin her assignment in early February 2013. “I have been blessed and learned so much from the global Anabaptist family and I’m eager to develop more relationships in the global church. I’m also looking forward to improving my Spanish and being a part of the local church in Bogota.”

According to Terrence Jantzi and Elizabeth Phelps, MCC Colombia representatives, “We are looking forward to welcoming Kristina to the MCC Colombia team in partnership with MWC, strengthening the relationship and collaboration between MWC and MCC Colombia as she responds to this calling to service.”

MWC release

Waterloo, Ontario – Devin Manzullo-Thomas of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has been appointed as Editor and Writer for Mennonite World Conference beginning January 2013.

In this half-time position, he will serve as part of the MWC communication team, helping to generate stories of churches and people from the global faith family. He will also serve as editor of MWC publications.

“In a world increasingly plagued by intolerance, intransigence, and lack of understanding, MWC plays a crucial role in nurturing international Anabaptist solidarity,” says Manzullo-Thomas. “I am honoured to join in this important work as MWC Editor and Writer, and I look forward to sharing stories of God’s work in and through the church.”

Manzullo-Thomas has an undergraduate degree in English from Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania and graduated recently with an MA in History from Temple University.

During both his undergraduate and graduate studies, he gained experience in writing, editing, planning and production in various communication roles. Since 2009, he has served the Brethren in Christ Church U.S. as an Associate for Communication and Congregational Relations. Prior to that he served the denomination as a communications intern, and also worked at Messiah College as a student writer. He has also been involved with both the Brethren in Christ and Lancaster Mennonite Historical Societies.

According to Ron Rempel, Chief Communications Officer, Manzullo-Thomas is well suited for his work with MWC. He has experience in cross-cultural communication and also in going after compelling people and church stories, in addition to reporting on organizational actions and decisions.

In his role as Editor, Manzullo-Thomas will succeed Byron Rempel-Burkholder, who served part-time as Editor of Courier/Correo/Courrier for its 2011 and 2012 issues. Rempel-Burkholder, an editor with MennoMedia, also served for a year as MWC news editor after joining the MWC staff in June 2010. He completed his service with MWC at the end of 2012.

MWC release