iCLT News Jesus, be the center

Jesus, be the center. Recently I was creating treasure maps with the youth. If Jesus is the treasure, or center, what has helped you find the treasure? What people or places, scriptures or songs have led you toward Jesus? What paths have you taken? What deserts and bogs have you encountered? Who has journeyed with…

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Confused Old Farmer in Confusing Times

Confused Old Farmer in Confusing Times I have often pondered this mysterious thing my 94-year-old father-in-law did three months before he died.  In the last few years of his life, little made sense: Alzheimer’s.  Conversation with him was nigh unto impossible. He never even mentioned his beloved horses—stories that he had repeated often over the…

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iCLT News – Jesus at the Center

On February 24, iCLT met for a whole day to debrief after Winter Delegate Assembly, and to take the next step in defining our role and mission as iCLT. We felt to led to embrace iCLT’s mission as calling us to put Jesus at the center. That immediately put the song, Jesus, Be the Centre…

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Report/el informe: Gilliam & Associates for VMC

In August 2022, Virginia Mennonite Conference sought consultation with Gilliam & Associates in regards to our leadership crisis, widespread mistrust, and pain within our family.  From December 2-10, Craig Gilliam and Betty Johnson traveled to all 8 districts hosting listening circles. This report is the compilation of their findings. En agosto de 2022, la Conferencia…

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iCLT News

Duane Beck

The Cow Knew the Path A visitor to worship asked my friend, “Tell me, what are Mennonite Churches like.” “Well,” he responded, “If you’ve been to one Mennonite Church, you’ve been to one Mennonite Church.” After the laughter, my friend did describe the life and mission that we walked.  I think my friend could have…

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iCLT News

Craig Maven

This past May I had the privilege of spending time in Israel/Palestine. Two sites we visited were the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherds’ Field in Bethlehem. Different images now come to mind when I read the Nativity narratives in Matthew and Luke.  However, the message remains the same. God has come to us!…

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iCLT News

Caleb-Schrock-Hurst

Greetings brothers and sisters, My name is Caleb Schrock-Hurst and I work for VMC as the Church Relations and Racial Justice Leader – a title I find a little bit clunky. ‘Leader’ is an alternative to ‘minister’ since I have yet to finish seminary; however, assuming I don’t fail my Greek exam, I will finish…

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iCLT News by Maren Tyedmers Hange

My title is Minister of Formation and Soul Care. This is a new role, and a portion of my initial work is discovering what that might look like for the conference. In the midst of the chaos of our days, I think of the prayer Paul prays in Ephesians…”to strengthen you with power through his…

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iCLT News – Bishop Leslie Francisco, III – What If?

Bishop Leslie W. Francisco

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to see the world through the eyes of a melanated person? What if you woke up tomorrow as a person of color. Would you choose light brown, medium brown, or black skin? If you had no choice in your skin pigmentation, how would your life change? Systemic racism is an undercurrent that is easily dismissed…

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