Transitions and Appreciations

Just like a congregation is not a building but the gathered body within, Virginia Mennonite Conference is a network of people who serve faithfully in so many ways. It is a living organism that changes over time, even as we remain rooted in God’s steadfast love and a common vision for mission. Change can be…

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The Holy Spirit Gives Gifts: Trissels Mennonite Church at 200

An address given to Virginia Mennonite Conference, July 15, 2022, under the oaks at Trissels Mennonite Church, using Acts 2:1-4; 14-21; Video of the address. The Holy Spirit empowers congregations for ministry, service, and witness. When the believers at Pentecost received the Spirit, they moved out from their Jerusalem home base. Spirit-empowered mission is my…

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Delegates Focus on (RE)PACKING at Summer Delegate Assembly

  The past several years have been challenging for Virginia Mennonite Conference. Most obvious have been the extended difficulties of navigating COVID-19, but in the past year, VMC also had a crisis of leadership resulting in investigation and resignation of the Executive Conference Minister. Some congregations have left the Conference. The recent resolutions passed at…

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A Pastoral Reflection on the MC USA Special Delegate Session

Sara Wenger Shenk

In light of the recent votes at the Special Delegate Session of Mennonite Church USA, I’m writing with a pastoral word as I imagine the strong mix of emotions some of you may have on receiving news about the delegate assembly—the retiring of the membership guidelines, affirmation by a little over half of the delegates…

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Conference Council Unanimously Approves Interim Conference Ministry Team

Interim Leadership Team

Virginia Mennonite Conference Council unanimously approved an interim conference ministry team at its monthly meeting on May 19—with enlarged roles for current staff members June Miller and Caleb Schrock-Hurst, along with four new team members at varying percentages of full-time equivalent (FTE). Conference Council’s approval entails appointment for two years, to be reviewed in one…

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Delegates to Represent VMC at Mennonite Church USA Special Session

Six delegates will represent Virginia Mennonite Conference at the Special Delegate Session of Mennonite Church USA, May 27-30, 2022. Marian Buckwalter, former Pastor, Crossroads Mennonite Church, Timberville, VA Andrew Cheung, Pastor, Washington Community Fellowship, Washington, DC Andrew Fairfield, Pastor, Christiansburg Mennonite Church, Christiansburg, VA MaryBeth Heatwole Moore, Member, Faith & Life Commission and the Leadership…

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