News
Leaders needed!
As part of the Listen and Learn Initiative, whereby I sought to visit with each lead pastor in Virginia Mennonite Conference, I had a startling discovery: two-thirds of the 60 lead pastors whose birth date is on record in my office will turn 70 in the next 15 years. Broken down in five year increments,…
Eastern Carolina congregations collect ‘alternative taxes’ for CPT peace work
District congregations do not always agree with one another. Along with discussing how we may be at variance with one another, the district council for Eastern Carolina District decided to focus on one way our congregations are united: we are called to live Christ’s peace, and we are frustrated by our complicity in the United…
Youth workers to explore “The Changing Face of Youth Ministry” with Rachel S. Gerber
In the movie, The Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel the elf queen says a classic line about the changes happening in Middle Earth. She says to Frodo, “The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.” In a similar way this is…
Spirit instinct!
And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God….
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…
Four presentations in Harrisonburg by Cherith Nordling in September
Cherith Fee Nordling will give four presentations in Harrisonburg, September 15-17, on “Being Human, Becoming Christian: an embodied reconciliation of heaven and earth.” She asks, “Is our embodied humanity a temporary curse or permanent, glorious reality?” “Does salvation seem to imply getting out of our bodies, or is it about finally being at home in…
Anabaptist Renewal Circles hosts national gathering in Pennsylvania
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…
Mennonite Hispanic Initiative: developing leaders with IBA
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if immigrant church leaders had a place to gather and grow together in understanding how to live into the good news in their new Virginia contexts? This is what actually happens through Mennonite Hispanic Initiative’s Instituto Biblico Anabautista (IBA) study center. IBA’s purpose is to promote theological-biblical training of Spanish-speaking leaders…
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…
Conference Endorsed Ministries: MDS and CrossRoads Heritage Center
MDS continues rebuilding homes and lives after Sandy On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey. The effects of this superstorm are still being felt by many persons along the East Coast and in the Appalachian mountains. Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) of Virginia has been extensively involved with rebuilding homes and the…
Leaders explore theme of baptism and memberships at second Pastoral Leaders Consultation event in Powhatan
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…