News
Hope in a time of change
Virginia Mennonite Conference is a network of congregations and organizations seeking to live out God’s mission in the world. Our congregations are located in rural and urban settings. Our membership holds diverse views on a range of theological issues and concerns about society. While we are historically a peace church, we have not always known…
Walking with USA Ministries: How to recover from an aversion to evangelism
“My name is Skip. I am here because I want to recover from an aversion to evangelism.” This wasn’t just a catchy line to begin a workshop entitled “Evangelism Aversion Recovery.” It was an admission that during this last season of life as VMMissions staff persons, both of us have had to work hard at…
Journey Forward and MC USA Sexual Abuse Panel results reported to Constituency Leadership Council
The Constituency Leadership Council, together with Executive Board of MC USA, met at Dock Mennonite Academy in Lansdale, Pa., April 12-14. A highlight for me was worship time each morning, and in particular, worship with Dock Mennonite Academy students during their chapel service. These students, leaders of the future for many denominations, shared ways God…
Kratz updates Conference Council on MC USA issues and conversations
Executive Conference Minister Clyde G. Kratz updated Conference Council members on his recent activities at their May 26 meeting. He attended a meeting with other Conference Ministers from across Mennonite Church USA to talk about “how we are going to function in the future and what are some of our basic assumptions.” “In this context,…
Renewing our commitment to follow Jesus
The work of Virginia Mennonite Conference’s Restructuring For Mission (RFM) committee is underway. The goal is to enhance VMC’s capacity to equip leaders in our Conference and churches “for worship and service and to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our neighbors” (VMC’s mission statement). The Restructuring For Mission committee met six times…
Journey Forward brings new beginnings
Virginia Mennonite Conference is where it all began for me in 1993. At least it is where my journey began in the Mennonite church. I am appreciative to the men and women of this great conference who welcomed me and introduced me to the Anabaptist faith. Now it is my turn to give back to…
Delegates weigh in on proposed structural changes and release two congregations
Congregational delegates of Virginia Mennonite Conference gathered for Winter Delegate Session at Waynesboro Mennonite Church, where they heard from the chair of the Polity Task Force, provided feedback in table groups and open microphone, and were introduced to the Restructure for Mission Committee, the group that is working on implementing the Polity Task Force’s recommendations….
New VMC mission statement affirmed
During the Winter Delegate Session in February 2018, delegates affirmed VMC’s new mission statement: “Virginia Mennonite Conference equips pastors, lay leaders, and congregants for worship and service, and to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to neighbors near and far.” The vision statement is the same as Mennonite Church USA’s, and was affirmed at…
VMC welcomes new bookkeeper
Virginia Mennonite Conference is delighted to welcome Pramila Robinson as its quarter-time bookkeeper. She begins April 5, 2018.
Editorial: Connecting the dots
In the Fall 2017 issue of Pathways, Executive Conference Minister Clyde G. Kratz made the case for sabbaticals for pastors, including his particular three-month sabbatical at the end of the year. During these months, I have accepted the assignment to fill in for him on a part-time basis, to connect some of the dots which…
Walking with USA Ministries: Letting ourselves be built, by being instead of doing
If we can become something by doing something, can we become more by doing more? When I first returned to Harrisonburg after years of missionary service in Southeast Asia, I experienced a time of disorientation, like many people returning from a longer time of service. Faults in my foundation became exposed when I left my…