Posts in category Uncategorized

An agricultural host for a global Ass...

Mennonite World Conference Assembly takes place at Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex By Devin Manzullo-Thomas Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Would the attendees of Pennsylvania 2015 accept “an occasional farm smell” in their meeting space? That’s just one of the many questions PA 2015 National Coordinator Howard Good of the USA asked as he and his team […]

Part of a bigger family

Youth program encourages trust-filled interactions By Laura Kraybill “But The Lord said to me, ‘Don’t say “I am too young,”’ proclaimed a chorus of young voices 24 July 2015 at the youth program for MWC’s PA 2015. Sprawled across the concrete floor of the youth hall, several hundred teenagers began their morning with this affirmation […]

At MWC assembly, MCC cans vegetables ...

International participants can beans in Pennsylvania heat By Tim Huber Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Mennonite Central Committee’s mobile meat canner went vegan for Mennonite World Conference PA 2015, switching for one week from pork, beef and turkey to green beans. Slipping out a back door into a parking lot, attendees donned hairnets, a few beard […]

Music brings unity at world conferenc...

International songs draw participants into worship despite unfamiliarity By Laura Kraybill Worship rises to the rafters as Mennonites and Brethren and Christ join their voices in music from around the world at PA 2015 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Differences exist in theology and culture, yet music is a unifier at world conference, even when it stretches […]

An interdependent and communal nature

North American women theologians hold inaugural meeting Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Taking the lead from their African and Latin American sisters who already have well-developed networks of women theologians, almost 50 North American women theologians met for the first time 22 July 2015 at the Farm Show complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The meeting was spearheaded by […]

“A holy moment”

Ordination blessing conferred at European women theologians meeting By Harriet Sider Bicksler What was intended as a forum for European women theologians to discuss how they can network with each other and others in the MWC family ended as a time of special blessing for one woman. The group was small. Only five women attended in […]

Creating a place to fellowship

Behind the scenes at the Global Church Village By Harriet Sider Bicksler A rooster on Skype. A grass hut and miles of Velcro. Baskets and the big five. How did all these seemingly unrelated things come together as part of the Global Church Village? First, the rooster. Vikal Rao from India has served as the […]

Stories of faithfulness for the 21st ...

Bearing Witness Stories Project carries on work of Martyr’s Mirror “Anabaptist witness in the face of suffering did not end in Europe in the 16th century,” explained John D. Roth, secretary of the Mennonite World Conference Faith and Life Commission and professor of history at Goshen College, during a workshop at PA 2015, the MWC […]

Confession and forgiveness are part o...

Speakers call church to a love that acts on behalf of others By Lil Goertzen Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA — “We are here today, celebrating our common Anabaptist faith and our position in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Deacons Commission representative Shantkumar S. Kunjam of India greeted the participants of PA 2015 in the morning plenary 24 […]

Mukawa calls for reconciliation with ...

Christ’s Lordship prevails over denied visas, ethnic conflict and interdenominational differences By Connie Faber Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – Nzuzi Mukawa, Mennonite Brethren pastor and educator from DR Congo, challenged his audience 23 July 2015 to leave Mennonite World Conference PA 2015 as men and women who are reconciled with God and with others. The conflict […]