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With Pedal Power, cyclists of all ages gear up to support community development, missions
A year ago, Calvin and Eve Bixler were the youngest riders in the annual Bike Shenandoah. The siblings, six and two-years-old, respectively, completed the five-mile ride with their parents, Sarah and Ben, whose bikes were outfitted to bring the little ones along. “We really enjoy biking,” Sarah, who attends Eastside Church, said recently. “It’s good…
Read MoreJan Emswiler selected as EMS Science Alumni Honor Award recipient
Since the spring of 2006, the Eastern Mennonite High School Science Department has honored an alumnus each year who “exemplifies both a life of service to others consistent with God’s calling and a significant achievement in an area of science.” Past recipients have included doctors, educators, and even a robotics expert currently employed by Google,…
Read MorePatchwork Pantry celebrates 20 years of service
The Patchwork Food Pantry, which serves Harrisonburg and Rockingham County residents in need with a three-day supply of staple foods, opened May 27, 1992, out of the Community Mennonite Church building at 70 South High Street. Each Wednesday night from 7-8 p.m. 25 volunteers serve food to approximately 50 families. An additional three volunteers play…
Read MoreAfrican Pentecostalism, a recipe for global church growth
On Saturday, May 19, 28 followers of Jesus from both Calvary and Eastern District congregations gathered in Williamsburg Mennonite Church to discuss what is a disciple and how do we make them? Two persons from international cultures and communities—Phil Detweiler who served with Mennonite Missions Network for 21 years in Africa and Skip Tobin who…
Read MoreFormed by gratitude
I have great blood! My blood is type O Negative (universal donor), and CMV Negative (it does not contain cytomegalovirus.) The attendants at the blood donor room tell me my blood can be pulled off the shelf and used immediately for trauma patients, and it can be used in young children. I was quite pleased…
Read MoreDeep longings, deep hopes from younger adults
Where are all the young adults? Recent studies show that more than 50% of youth who were active in church during their high school years are not returning after graduation. Indeed, many VMC congregations are noticing this dramatic disappearance of younger participants and are wondering what is happening. Yet in the meta-crisis of a rapidly…
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