News
A Pastoral Reflection on the MC USA Special Delegate Session
In light of the recent votes at the Special Delegate Session of Mennonite Church USA, I’m writing with a pastoral word as I imagine the strong mix of emotions some of you may have on receiving news about the delegate assembly—the retiring of the membership guidelines, affirmation by a little over half of the delegates…
Conference Council Unanimously Approves Interim Conference Ministry Team
Virginia Mennonite Conference Council unanimously approved an interim conference ministry team at its monthly meeting on May 19—with enlarged roles for current staff members June Miller and Caleb Schrock-Hurst, along with four new team members at varying percentages of full-time equivalent (FTE). Conference Council’s approval entails appointment for two years, to be reviewed in one…
Delegates to Represent VMC at Mennonite Church USA Special Session
Six delegates will represent Virginia Mennonite Conference at the Special Delegate Session of Mennonite Church USA, May 27-30, 2022. Marian Buckwalter, former Pastor, Crossroads Mennonite Church, Timberville, VA Andrew Cheung, Pastor, Washington Community Fellowship, Washington, DC Andrew Fairfield, Pastor, Christiansburg Mennonite Church, Christiansburg, VA MaryBeth Heatwole Moore, Member, Faith & Life Commission and the Leadership…
Guiding the Vulnerable: The VMC Chaplain’s Cluster
“Call the Chaplain!” Those words may strike fear into the person who hears them said. “You mean it’s that bad? Does it mean I’m dying?” Chaplains have a distinct role to play in times of crisis and fear. The past two years have held much of both of these aspects and the Chaplains in the…
Mennonite Church USA Announces Worship Speakers at Special Delegate Assembly
Mennonite Church USA has announced the worship speakers, led by Dr. Samuel Sarpiya, for the Special Session of the Delegate Assembly, May 27-30, in Kansas City Missouri. The Special Session of the Delegate Assembly will kick off on Friday evening with a worship service featuring storytellers from across the denomination. The speakers will share stories…
Southern District Churches Resettle Refugees
Stock image: PxHere The Southern District of Virginia Mennonite Church consists of seven congregations scattered across Augusta and Nelson Counties. While divided by more than a few mountains and miles, we are finding that what holds us together is much stronger than the things that pull us apart. As I’ve heard said before, theology…
Group Sews “Peace By Piece” at Williamsburg Mennonite Church
The Williamsburg Mennonite Church (Williamsburg, Va.) “Peace By Piece” sewing group: Front row: Alta Blosser, Mary Jo Evans, Kay Smith and Lavonne Lehman. Back row: Millie Webb, Lorraine Mooney, Wilda Kruzinski, Kathleen Kennedy and Marion Delagrange. In the background are quilts that were auctioned at the relief sale. On the table and floor are school…
The Blessing of Hospitality
In August 2021, the United States armed forces pulled out of Afghanistan, prompting the evacuation of more than 123,000 civilians from that country. In the weeks that followed, over 15,000 Afghan refugees arrived at the Virginia military bases of Quantico, Fort Pickett, and Fort Lee. Their presence offered an opportunity to put into practice the…
Clyde Kratz Resigns as Executive Conference Minister
Clyde G. Kratz, Virginia Mennonite Conference Executive Conference Minister, submitted a letter of resignation on March 22, 2022, to Sara Wenger Shenk, VMC Moderator. Kratz’s resignation comes following the conclusion of an eight-month nonsexual ministerial misconduct process. Virginia Mennonite Conference’s Ministerial Misconduct Policy stipulates that when a complaint is against a conference minister, it must…
Dr. Nancy E. Bedford to Address “Why Theology Matters” at March 29-30 Augsburger Lecture Series, Harrisonburg, VA
Nancy Elizabeth Bedford, PHD Augsburger Lecture Series | March 29-30, 2022 Tuesday, March 29 11:00 am: “Why Does Theology Matter? Malleability” 4:00-6:00pm: Reflection and respite for pastors: COVID’s impact on leaders, congregations and their theology 6:00pm: Dinner provided ($10 per person) 7:00 pm: “What’s the Matter with Theology? Materiality” Wednesday, March 30 10:10 am: “How…
Registration Open for February 5 Winter Delegate Assembly (in person and online options)
Register for the hybrid event for an in-person gathering at Powhatan Mennonite Church, Powhatan, Va., or online via Zoom.
Watch the Moderator Transition & Commissioning Service of Sara Wenger Shenk
07:10 – Welcome – Clyde Kratz 07:54 – (sounds starts) 10:10 – Be Thou My Vision 13:20 – Overview Leadership Transfer – Clyde 15:19 – Tribute and Blessing for Richard – Jim Hershberger 23:20 – Overview Leadership Affirmation – Clyde 27:09 – Tribute for Sara – Aldine Musser 29:11 – Vision for our Time –…