News
Uncovering history
When you start digging, you never know what you might uncover. To volunteers restoring the Breneman-Turner Mill, that is an understatement! The historic grist mill, an off-site property of the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center, is located two miles north of Harrisonburg, off Route 42. In 2009, a portion of the old Brenneman Church gravel road…
Recognizing God in the big and the small
This month, I begin Master of Divinity studies at Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS). My husband, Ben, and our three children have moved to New Jersey to embark on a new adventure in following God’s call. Prayer has given us the courage to take this leap of faith, with God’s reassurance of being in both the…
“It didn’t feel like a gathering of older people…”
Reflections on Conference Assembly, July 25-27, 2013 at Eastern Mennonite School, Harrisonburg, Va. That second-hand quote from a younger adult who attended VMC Assembly as a first-time delegate indicates that indeed, participation in God’s kingdom is timeless. The speakers, workshop leaders, and testifiers engaged us with the wonder that God has been, is, and will…
VMC introduces Clyde G. Kratz as Executive Conference Minister
On June 26, VMC’s Conference Council announced its selection of Clyde G. Kratz as the new Executive Conference Minister. On September 1, Clyde will succeed Owen Burkholder, who has nurtured the conference faithfully for 18 years. This new role incorporates executive responsibilities that were previously part of the Conference Coordinator position, which Sarah Bixler vacates…
VMC Assembly to explore Holistic Christian Witness
What is God doing within each of us, among our churches and around the world? This summer’s Conference Assembly will engage the third priority of Mennonite Church USA’s Purposeful Plan, “Holistic Christian Witness.” Together we will explore Look What God is Doing! Signs of Christ’s Kingdom Among Us. Has your congregation created its Assembly poster…
Learning to listen to the quiet and unexpected voices
Although I have sensed a call to ministry since a young age, I have never felt qualified. I saw myself as too quiet, too slow to respond to crisis, too unsure of myself, and not authoritative enough in decision-making. How could God possibly use someone like me? Last summer, I had the privilege of interning…
Young adults say:
Why VMC young adults love the church Caring and supportive community Diverse relationships of friendship and unity A place of belonging A place to fit in (even if I’m broken or different) I’m genuinely wanted as a family member I find Jesus at work, changing the world through the Spirit and through loving people I…
MHI launches second church plant
On Nov. 17, 2012, Mennonite Hispanic Initative successfully launched a second Iglesia Discipular Anabaptista (IDA) church-plant. The new IDA is hosted by Community Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Va. Community joins two other Mennonite Latino churches: Iglesia Discipular Anabaptista, at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, led by Pastor Byron Pellecer, and Iglesia Enciende Una Luz in Northern District…
Reflections from 5+ years at Virginia Mennonite Conference
Reflecting on my work at Virginia Mennonite Conference over the past five years, I remember the annual retreats-how much joy middle school students experience in a game like Capture the Flag, and the significant impact that quality speakers and worship leaders have in the lives of youth. I’m gratified that VMC has offered the Senior…
Christian Conquest Ministries founder dies
Paul L. Gaskins, 71, died on January 3, 2013. Bishop Paul was founding pastor of Christian Conquest Ministries in Washington, DC (Potomac District) with his wife Belinda. Paul nurtured relationships with other ministries from Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Michigan, Virginia and India, forming the Leadership Fellowship conference. Many from these groups gathered to say…
Conference facing significant staff changes
Significant changes in leadership for Virginia Mennonite Conference will happen in 2013. Three administrators will terminate their positions: Jason Gerlach as Conference Youth Minister, Owen Burkholder as Conference Minister, and Sarah Bixler as Conference Coordinator. Conference Council has appointed a “Task Force for a Financially Sustainable VMC” which will bring recommendations to Conference Council in…
Parenting Project engages Waynesboro Mennonite Church
Waynesboro Mennonite Church recently engaged in a presence ministry activity, blessing us as much as the people with whom we were serving. As part of the Parenting Project, several families who had poor relationships with their teen-aged children had been ordered to take a 10-week course, one night a week, both parents and teens, with…