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The Blessing of Hospitality
In August 2021, the United States armed forces pulled out of Afghanistan, prompting the evacuation of more than 123,000 civilians from that country. In the weeks that followed, over 15,000 Afghan refugees arrived at the Virginia military bases of Quantico, Fort Pickett, and Fort Lee. Their presence offered an opportunity to put into practice the…
Read MoreClyde Kratz Resigns as Executive Conference Minister
Clyde G. Kratz, Virginia Mennonite Conference Executive Conference Minister, submitted a letter of resignation on March 22, 2022, to Sara Wenger Shenk, VMC Moderator. Kratz’s resignation comes following the conclusion of an eight-month nonsexual ministerial misconduct process. Virginia Mennonite Conference’s Ministerial Misconduct Policy stipulates that when a complaint is against a conference minister, it must…
Read MoreDr. Nancy E. Bedford to Address “Why Theology Matters” at March 29-30 Augsburger Lecture Series, Harrisonburg, VA
Nancy Elizabeth Bedford, PHD Augsburger Lecture Series | March 29-30, 2022 Tuesday, March 29 11:00 am: “Why Does Theology Matter? Malleability” 4:00-6:00pm: Reflection and respite for pastors: COVID’s impact on leaders, congregations and their theology 6:00pm: Dinner provided ($10 per person) 7:00 pm: “What’s the Matter with Theology? Materiality” Wednesday, March 30 10:10 am: “How…
Read MoreRegistration Open for February 5 Winter Delegate Assembly (in person and online options)
Register for the hybrid event for an in-person gathering at Powhatan Mennonite Church, Powhatan, Va., or online via Zoom.
Read MoreWatch the Moderator Transition & Commissioning Service of Sara Wenger Shenk
07:10 – Welcome – Clyde Kratz 07:54 – (sounds starts) 10:10 – Be Thou My Vision 13:20 – Overview Leadership Transfer – Clyde 15:19 – Tribute and Blessing for Richard – Jim Hershberger 23:20 – Overview Leadership Affirmation – Clyde 27:09 – Tribute for Sara – Aldine Musser 29:11 – Vision for our Time –…
Read MoreJoin a Webinar with Michael Danner on the MC USA Special Delegate Session
Conversation on May 2022 Special Delegate Session with Michael Danner December 6, 2021 | 7:00 pm | Zoom At their most recent meeting on November 18, the Virginia Mennonite Conference Council strongly encouraged Virginia Mennonite Conference leaders who will be delegates to the 2022 Special Delegate Assembly of Mennonite Church USA to prepare for that…
Read MoreYou are Invited to the Commissioning Service of Moderator Sara Wenger Shenk and to Commemorate the Service of Richard Early
A worship service is planned to commission Sara Wenger Shenk as Virginia Mennonite Conference Moderator and commemorate Richard Early’s tenure as VMC Moderator on Sunday, November 21, at 2:00 pm at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church (in person and via livestream).
Read MorePrayer Request for Glen Guyton, Executive Director of Mennonite Church USA, and His Family
Please join Mennonite Church USA and Virginia Mennonite Conference in prayer for Glen Guyton, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, and his family. It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Glen’s mother, Manetta Guyton, 93, of Kosciusko, Missouri, died on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Manetta was a long-time Sunday school teacher…
Read MoreEastside Church Awarded JoinHands Building Grant
Eastside Church, a Virginia Mennonite Conference congregation in Harrisonburg, Va., embarked on a building purchase and complete renovation at a bad time. As building materials skyrocketed in the pandemic, the project suddenly cost much more than budgeted and raised. “It is likely no surprise that a building project during the pandemic, with greatly increased material…
Read MoreRegister for the VMC Leadership Enrichment event “From Scarcity to Abundance”
A narrative of scarcity pervades our lives. There is a growing disparity between rich and poor, and we are surrounded by messages of “not enough.” Throughout this day, we will examine both our personal and congregational stories of scarcity and abundance and imagine how we might (more fully) live into a narrative of abundance. Together,…
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