Listening and learning

Clyde G. Kratz

When Jesus was beginning his ministry, John was watching him with two disciples. After John said “Look, here is the Lamb of God,” the two disciples followed Jesus. When Jesus noticed them, he asked, “What are you looking for?” After a brief exchange of cordialities, Jesus says to them, “Come and see.” (John 1:35-39) As…

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Aaron Kauffman selected as VMM president

Aaron M. Kauffman

Virginia Mennonite Conference congratulates Aaron M. Kauffman, of Harrisonburg, Va., on his selection as the next president of Virginia Mennonite Missions. He was chosen by Virginia Mennonite Missions’ (VMM) 15-member Board of Directors as their next president at the October 18-19 meeting. Kauffman has extensive local and international mission experience serving most recently as VMM…

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Park View’s blitz packs more than 1,500 kits

Peyton Erb (left) works in the assembly line putting MCC school kits together. A lot of congregations put school kits together for distribution by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). But how many produce more than 1,500? That was a recent experience on Sunday, August 18, when nearly a hundred assembly-line volunteers packed a total of 1,562…

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‘Answered prayers’ for Hickory Hmong Mennonites

Jonah and Memee Yang (pictured at right) moved to North Carolina in August to lead Hickory Hmong Mennonite Church, founded in 2004 by Chiaya Hadtasunsern. The Yangs left social work jobs in California with no promise of employment in Hickory. Jonah is the President of Hmong Mennonite Church Missions in the US and Memee is…

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Woodland Park homes dedicated

The three homes collectively known as Woodland Park on the campus of VMRC were dedicated and named in May. VMRC opened Woodland Park in January to offer complete living care in a home environment. Showalter House is named in honor of the HDH and MC Showalter families. “These two families have contributed innumerable hours of…

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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…

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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…

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“It didn’t feel like a gathering of older people…”

Owen Burkholder

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…

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VMC introduces Clyde G. Kratz as Executive Conference Minister

Clyde and Eunice Kratz

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…

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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…

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