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iCLT News – Psalms 20
Psalms 20 It was a busy month for me, and I was particularly blessed to celebrate my marriage with friends from far and near! Less important, but still significant, was a celebration of my graduation from seminary (I finished my coursework in the fall but was glad to participate in some celebrations with my class…
Read MoreiCLT 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…
Read MoreiCLT News: I Am Right, You Are Wrong Or Am I Wrong And You Are Right?
I Am Right, You Are Wrong Or Am I Wrong And You Are Right? This question plagues not only the church, but the world and society as a whole. Perspectives and opinions are so varied it’s a wonder we can have community at any level. My mother once shared a thought with me that caused…
Read MoreiCLT 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…
Read MoreTransitions 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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreDelegates 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…
Read MoreWatch: Members of the Interim Leadership Team Share Their Vision
The four ministerial and two staff members of the Virginia Mennonite Conference interim leadership team shared their vision for the team and VMC during Conference Delegate Assembly, July 16, 2022, at Zion Mennonite Church, Broadway, Va.
Read MoreBasil Marin, Pastor of New Song Anabaptist Fellowship, Dies at 62
Pastor Anastacio Basil Marin, 62, of Harrisonburg, passed away Sunday, June 26, 2022, at Sentara RMH Medical Center. He was born April 15, 1960, in Dangriga, Belize and was a son of Andrew Marin and Doris Ovado. Basil received his B.A. at Goshen College and his Masters of Divinity at EMU. He was the lead…
Read MorePastoral Sabbatical Brings Out Lynside Congregation’s Ministry Gifts
Back in 1954, a Mennonite church was founded in Lyndhurst, Virginia. Lynside Mennonite Church has grown, struggled, and remained faithful to God ever since its beginning. They have dealt with similar issues as other churches. Some they overcame, some they struggled with, but none of them were enough to close the church. One issue they…
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