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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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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Takeaways from My Sabbatical

Clyde G. Kratz

In the final week of a three-month sabbatical, I was surprised how excited I was to return to the work of Virginia Mennonite Conference. Looking back to the beginning of the sabbatical, I realized the extent of my exhaustion and fatigue, and my somewhat fragile emotional state. The timing was perfect to undertake my sabbatical…

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Called to Serve

Without congregations, Virginia Mennonite Conference cannot exist. Our bottom line is serving the church. In a strategic planning meeting last fall, I was working with Clyde and Jon to understand who and what we are. One of the duties of Conference Council (by-law Article IV, 3.3) is to project vision, define direction, and promote unity.…

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Responding to Our National Trauma

Clyde G. Kratz

Dear Credentialed Leaders of Virginia Mennonite Conference, I confess that I am dismayed by the events in Washington, DC reported by national and international news agencies. This is a disturbing and sad time in the midst of what has historically been a peaceful leadership transition of our government, and it may be easy to place…

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Christmas Greetings from the Executive Conference Minister

Clyde G. Kratz

Members and friends of Virginia Mennonite Conference, As we close out this calendar year, a year that was like no other in my lifetime, I am continually reminded “God is Love.” All of our pastors, congregational leaders, leaders of conference ministries, and leaders of conference endorsed ministries have demonstrated a high level of resilience during…

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Caring Leaders

Clyde G. Kratz

I have a collection of coffee mugs. I have one from Michelin Tire, from the time when I changed truck tires for Moyer Packing Company, the largest beef packer on the East Coast. I have a series of coffee mugs of major league baseball teams that I purchased at games. I have Eastern Mennonite College…

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Virginia Conference Welcomes June Miller

Virginia Mennonite Conference is delighted to announce our new Office Manager and Marketing staff person, June Miller. While June’s academic portfolio demonstrates a penchant for an acting career in a theatre, she has utilized her gifts and skills in various roles in a congregation, mission agency, and a conference. June worked for Mennonite Church Canada…

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Racial justice and equality

Clyde G. Kratz

The Conference Council of Virginia Mennonite Conference is forging ahead with a leadership initiative on racial justice and equality. This leadership initiative emerged following the death of George Floyd and the subsequent and ongoing cultural awakening to the realities of systemic racism in American society and the church. Alicia Manning, a member of C3 (formerly…

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