News
Online Pastors and Leaders Event at AMBS Explores How to Thrive in the Pandemic
(Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary) — A year after the COVID-19 virus reached the shores of North America, leaders of churches and church institutions continue to imagine new ways of ministering amidst the difficulties and demands of living through a pandemic. Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana, sought to give these leaders an…
Ted Talks: Cultivating Creativity Amid the Coronavirus
No one likes to be upstaged, no matter how well-meaning and worthwhile the activity that is being outdone. This feeling especially rings true for veteran actor and playwright Ted K. Swartz of Harrisonburg, who has dealt with frequent unexpected script changes in his 34-year career. In 1987, Ted, then a student at Eastern Mennonite University,…
Learn More About the VMC Racial Justice Task Force
Learn about members of the Racial Justice Task Force and see stories and other content shared about the Racial Justice Initiative at Winter Delegate Session, February 6, 2021.
Volunteerism Fuels Patchwork Pantry Food Ministry
Every Wednesday morning, you’ll likely find Sam Moore at the same location doing a bevy of tasks – all out of love of service to others. On this particular day (Feb. 24), Sam, along with Len Carroll and Daryl Peifer, were unloading and checking some 6,000 pounds of food from Blue Ridge Area Food Bank…
Amazed at God’s Provision and Blessing
Here at Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center, we have been continually amazed at the ways the Lord has continued to bless our organization throughout this unique year. We had a very successful summer camp season and have experienced a high level of donor support. In each department, our staff have learned how to adapt and…
The Importance of Relationships and Community at Pleasant View, Inc.
During a pandemic, how do you safely celebrate fifty years of growing supports for individuals with disabilities from a six-person group home to the multifaceted supports we provide to over 160 individuals throughout Harrisonburg and Rockingham County? How do you come together as a community and foster the important relationships that helped Pleasant View become…
VMRC: Expanding Connections Amid a Pandemic
Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, we at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC) are more accustomed to mask-wearing, temperature screenings and physical distancing than we were in the spring. The processes put in place to keep residents and staff healthy such as meal delivery and wellness center visits by appointment feel smooth and streamlined. Around…
Responding to Our National Trauma
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…
Pressing On In Faith
Since the beginning of Family Life Resource Center (FLRC) over three decades ago, we have experienced many changes and hardships, but nothing quite compares to our experiences with COVID-19. This has been uncharted territory for the agency and clients alike. Although we weren’t sure how to navigate through it, one thing was for certain: we…
Facing Into Uncertainty, Seeing God at Work: Mennonite Disaster Service Responds Even As Project Look Different
When your organization is best known for doing things like bringing volunteers together from all over North America to build and repair houses for survivors of disasters, what do you do when you can’t do that? That was the situation Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) found itself in last March when the pandemic struck. In mid-March,…
Missing Our Connections: Encouraging Mennonite Women to Live in Hope
Dear Mennonite Women: I wonder how you are doing. At this time of year, I am usually anticipating our annual retreat, a time to get away from all that is part of my usual routine, and to connect with all of you. I would look forward to the challenges and encouragement from the speaker. I…
Empowering the Essential: RWCCC Adapts to a New Educational Experience
During COVID-19, the mission of The Roberta Webb Child Care Center has evolved and expanded tremendously. We are not just “serving ethnically diverse families by providing affordable and quality childcare,” we are empowering our “essential workers” and empowering our children to adapt to a new educational experience. The majority of our families have been deemed…