What do we do when we carry too many things that weigh us down? Sometimes after preparing and packing for the journey, we have to stop and unpack everything. It’s an opportunity to go through each item and ask, “Is this essential?” The lighter load that results allows us to focus on what matters: the vision of the journey and the destination.

At Summer Delegate Assembly, we will unpack and repack our recent experiences. We will hear and share with brothers and sisters united by faith in Jesus Christ and the vision to be communities of healing and hope, sent to the world as a witness to God’s love for the world.

Summer Delegate Assembly will be at Zion Mennonite Church (Thursday evening worship; Friday and Saturday delegate sessions) and Trissels Mennonite Church (Friday evening worship marking their 200th anniversary, Mennonite Women’s prayer breakfast), both of Broadway, Va.

SCHEDULE

(REGISTER FOR ASSEMBLY)

Thursday July 14, 2022

2:00 – Tour of Archives at EMU (Public event, Sadie Hartzler Libarary)
4:00 – Race and History in Harrisonburg Historical walk (Public event, downtown Harrisonburg)
6:45 – VMMissions Celebration and Commissioning (Public event at Zion Mennonite Church): Celebrate the ministries and stories of transformation through the work of God through VMMissions.

Friday July 15, 2022

7:30 – Registration

Session 1 – (RE)ALITY CHECK
8:30 – Welcome
Music & Worship
Reflection and Scripture Stories
10:00 – Break
10:30 – Table Groups
11:30 – VMC Business:

• Approval of Minutes
• Moderator’s Report
• Finance Report
• Nominations
• Blessing Zion Hill Mennonite Church

12:00 – Lunch

Session 2: (RE)CLAIMING THE SHARED VISION
1:30 – Guest introduction
Music & Worship
Reflection and Scripture Stories
MC USA Report back Vision for Youth
Racial Justice Task Force
3:00 – Break
3:30 – Table Groups
4:15 – Closing Worship/Wrap Up Supper on your own
5:00 – Appreciation Dinner for Pastors and Credentialed Leaders

7:00 – Trissels Bicentennial (Public event at Trissels Mennonite Church): “The Holy Spirit Gives Gifts” by Elwood Yoder, based on Acts 2:1-4; 14-21.

Celebration of Trissels Mennonite Church at 200 years. All are invited to a service under the oaks, Friday July 15, 7 pm at Trissels (11246 Hisers Ln., Broadway). Bring a lawn chair. The service includes historic hymns led by members of the congregation, and “The Holy Spirit Gives Gifts” by Elwood Yoder telling stories of Trissels’ contributions to the Virginia Conference during two hundred years. In case of inclement weather, the service will be inside.

Saturday, July 16, 2022

6:45a – Mennonite Women Prayer Breakfast (at Trissels Mennonite Church, RSVP)

Session 3: (RE)NEWING RELATIONSHIP
8:30 – Music & Worship
8:45 – Reflection/Scripture
9:00 – Strategic Plan Action Steps
9:15 – Stories
10:00 – Break
10:30 – Table Groups
11:30 – Conference Leadership Team (CLT)
Commissioning
Music & Worship
12:00 – Closing

PUBLIC EVENTS

VMC Archives Tour
Free | Reservations ended | Thursday, July 14, 2 PM | EMU Sadie Hartzler Library (195 Park Rd., Harrisonburg, VA)

Visit the Virginia Mennonite Conference Archives on the first floor of the EMU Hartzler Library, Harrisonburg. This archival collection has materials from 95 congregations, many church-related institutions, and 69 individuals. Simone Horst, Conference Archivist, and Elwood Yoder will host the tour. Meet in the lobby of the EMU Library by the circulation desk at 2:00 p.m.
 
Race and History in Harrisonburg
Free | Reservations ended | Thursday, July 14, 4:00-5:30 PM | Kline’s parking lot (58 E Wolf St., Harrisonburg, VA)

The Racial Justice Task Force invites you to participate in a learning tour led by Matthew Bucher, pastor of Immanuel Mennonite Church, through Harrisonburg’s northeast neighborhood, the historic African-American part of the city. The tour will cover 150+ years of history, emphasizing social, religious, and economic realities by stopping at various locations to look, listen, and reflect together. We will begin at Kline’s and conclude at Immanuel Mennonite Church (400 Kelley Street). This journey will be around 90 minutes (4-5:30); participants can walk, bike, or use a car depending on their needs. Contact Matthew Bucher ([email protected]) with any questions.
 
VMMissions Service of Celebration
Free | Thursday, July 14, 6:45 PM | Zion Mennonite Church (3260 Zion Church Rd., Broadway, VA)

Join Virginia Mennonite Missions in a celebratory worship service on Thursday evening, with worship music by Seth Crissman and friends. Carlos Malvaez, Pastor of the Manantial de Vida congregation, will bring the message about a church of many cultures, from Micah 4:1-5. Current VMMissions workers and partners will share about their work, and new workers will be commissioned for service.
 
Mennonite Women of Virginia Breakfast
$10.00 | Reservations ended | Saturday, July 16, 6:45-8:15 AM | Trissels Mennonite Church (11246 Hisers Lane, Broadway, VA)

Mennonite Women of Virginia will be having a prayer breakfast at Trissels Mennonite Church’s fellowship hall. Come enjoy a delicious breakfast, hear updates about VMMissions worker Elena and Freddy de Satalaya’s ministry in Peru, and spend some time in prayer for them.