Trauma-Informed Care-Giving

On September 22, Virginia Mennonite Conferenced hosted a Leadership Enrichment workshop with Dr. Leah Thomas on the topic of Trauma-Informed Caregiving. Dr. Thomas, is the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care and Contextual Education at AMBS. Ridgeway Mennonite Church welcomed 30 participants who were eager to learn more about how to care for those in our…

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What’s under the surface in your neighborhood?

Gay Street Mission. Photo from VMC Archives.

What’s under the surface in your neighborhood? In Harrisonburg, Virginia, part of the answer would be shale and limestone underneath the rich topsoil. But, examining the stories under the surface of Harrisonburg brings forth glimpses of urban renewal, communal and individual resilience in the face of segregation and structural racism, and ongoing efforts at truth-telling…

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Repacking and racial justice

Caleb-Schrock-Hurst

In February, it will have been two years since the creation of the VMC Racial Justice Task Force (RJTF). Two years, in the stream of Christian history, or world history, or even compared to the course of a lifetime, is not a particularly long time – and this is something we need to remember even as…

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Changing Seasons

The cooling temperatures and golden, red leaves herald that change is in the air. As much as we might want to hold onto summer—or any season for that matter— we must let go of long, warm, greenly glorious days to stay in sync with what God has in store for us. Thankfully, we can carry…

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Guiding the Vulnerable: The VMC Chaplain’s Cluster

“Call the Chaplain!” Those words may strike fear into the person who hears them said. “You mean it’s that bad? Does it mean I’m dying?” Chaplains have a distinct role to play in times of crisis and fear. The past two years have held much of both of these aspects and the Chaplains in the…

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Southern District Churches Resettle Refugees

Stock image: PxHere   The Southern District of Virginia Mennonite Church consists of seven congregations scattered across Augusta and Nelson Counties. While divided by more than a few mountains and miles, we are finding that what holds us together is much stronger than the things that pull us apart. As I’ve heard said before, theology…

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Group Sews “Peace By Piece” at Williamsburg Mennonite Church

The Williamsburg Mennonite Church (Williamsburg, Va.) “Peace By Piece” sewing group: Front row: Alta Blosser, Mary Jo Evans, Kay Smith and Lavonne Lehman. Back row: Millie Webb, Lorraine Mooney, Wilda Kruzinski, Kathleen Kennedy and Marion Delagrange. In the background are quilts that were auctioned at the relief sale. On the table and floor are school…

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