News
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…
Cultivating healthy sexuality in our conference
It was months in the planning. Representatives from the Congregational Life Commission and the Faith & Life Commission pondered how to model a way of talking about healthy sexuality in the congregational setting. One hundred people from 24 congregations gathered at Waynesboro Mennonite Church on Saturday, November 3, to worship, listen, share around tables, and…
Ministry Inquiry participant at IDA mentored by El Pastor
I have stopped counting the number of young followers of Jesus in the Latino church who yearn for mentors. The largeness of the number is excessive to continuously bear. Yet, hope today continues to shed light on a corner of the faith I personally attempt to bodily, intellectually, and vocally profess. Hope today is alive…
Sam and Sarah Weaver chosen for Lifetime Service Award
During Homecoming 2012, the Alumni Board of Eastern Mennonite School proudly honored Sam and the late Sarah Alderfer Weaver (‘52) as this year’s Lifetime Service Award winners. Sam’s visionary spirit, keen business acumen and engaging leadership in his position as principal of EMHS and throughout his career, was richly augmented by Sarah’s grace and intuitive…
Middle School Retreat about finding God—even in the dining hall
Would you believe that on the weekend of September 22-23 a group of nearly 100 middle school students sat in complete silence for a whole minute? Or that a roomful of sixth-eighth graders would be able to use playdough, crayons, and photos to connect with God? Worship happened in all kinds of new and unexpected…
Bike Shenandoah sees a 55% increase in riders
One hundred and seven riders, a 55% increase from last year, enjoyed a trek through the Shenandoah Valley on a beautiful fall day as they “cycled for service” in Bike Shenandoah, now in its 15th year. Bikers choose between a challenging 100-mile journey and an easy five mile jaunt, or something in between, as they…
VMC meets expenses, thanks to congregations
For the first time in six years, VMC reports a year-end surplus instead of a deficit. We are overjoyed and grateful for God’s goodness and your generosity! This exciting news is largely due to an increase in giving from congregations. From September 1, 2011, through August 31, 2012, congregational giving accounted for over half of…