Giving opportunity

Equipping and nurturing the leaders of congregations is at the heart of Virginia Mennonite Conference’s work. We seek to grow towards the way of Christ not only in our personal life, but in our community connections that seek to represent significant impulses to be the body of Christ at work in the world. A charitable…

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Middle School Retreat: Timeless stories of God’s transforming power and grace

Brad Kolb

[dropcap]The[/dropcap] weather was nearly perfect when middle school students, youth workers, and youth pastors from Virginia Mennonite Conference gathered at the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Retreat Center in Wirtz, Va., on September 20 and 21 for the conference’s annual Middle School Retreat. With full sunshine and temperatures in the upper 50s, both the youth and…

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Making disciples as we go!

Hundreds gathered for worship, delegate sessions and workshops to engage a fundamental call of Jesus: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. This theme also guided each Bible study, testimony, worship message and delegate table conversation over the two-day Assembly, July 24-26, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Va. Clyde G. Kratz, Executive Conference…

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Anabaptist Renewal Circles hosts national gathering in Pennsylvania

Beryl Jantzi

A national gathering of MC USA pastors, agency representatives and interested church members took place at the Weaverland Mennonite Church in Lancaster County, Pa. July 10-12. About 160 registered for the event with 15 in attendance from Virginia Mennonite Conference. Participants came from many states and other parts of the church. “For me, in a…

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Mennonite Women of Virginia to host annual Fall Retreat

Everyone is invited to Mennonite Women of Virginia annual Fall Retreat. The Retreat will be held at the Richmond Marriott West (Hotel) in Glen Allen, Virginia (Richmond) on November 7-9, 2014. Registration starts at 4:00 pm. Our speakers will be Brenda Walton, Machelle Bender, Sharon Miller, Marian Buckwalter. Our theme for this Year’s Retreat is…

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Leaders explore theme of baptism and memberships at second Pastoral Leaders Consultation event in Powhatan

Clyde G. Kratz

Powhatan Mennonite Church was the location of the second Pastoral Leaders Consultation held on Friday, May 2. Tim Kennel, pastor of the congregation, hosted the event along with the assistance of the hospitality committee that provided refreshments, abundance of food for the noon meal, and generous friendships. A worship team from the congregation provided a…

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Assembly will explore Making Disciples As We Go!

Shirley Yoder Brubaker

What will you enjoy most when attending VMC’s annual Assembly this July in Charlottesville? The robust singing in the evening worship service? Animated discussions around your delegate table? A new idea for your congregation garnered from a workshop? Sitting around the supper table with friends you rarely get to see? Or, perhaps, just basking in…

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Pastoral leaders invited to second Consultation event

Pastoral Consultation

The second in a series of Pastoral Leadership Consultations is being planned by the Leadership Enrichment Committee of VMC’s Faith and Life Commission. The topic of discussion at this consultation will be on the meaning of baptism and membership in the church. Lead pastors, overseers, and credentialed leaders who are currently serving in pastoral roles…

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Winter Delegate Session: listening, reflecting, praying

On a warm, sunny February day, 150 persons gathered at Lindale Mennonite Church for what was billed as the Virginia Mennonite Conference Winter Delegate Session but emerged as worshipful work. The strong turn-out (134 delegates, 17 non-delegates) on a beautiful Saturday was indicative of interest in the agenda topics as well as hearing from Ervin…

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VMC Women’s Retreat focuses on ‘Familiar Blessings, Blowing Spirit’

Some 85 sisters considered the spirituality of our parents and grandparents and how we focus on Jesus today during the annual Virginia Mennonite Conference Women’s Retreat, Sept. 27-29 in Lynchburg, Va. Attendees came from some 20 VMC congregations. The retreat was held at the beautiful wooded Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center. Dawn Ruth Nelson, Mennonite…

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