MWR : Articles : Dec. 8, 2008

Articles : Dec. 8, 2008

Song Fest features three languages

Seven ladies attended the Ladies Fall Inspiration Day held this year at College Hill Mennonite Church in Tampa. Ladies came from about a dozen churches, some of them non-Mennonite. Mrs. Roy Williams, the pastor’s wife, was the main speaker. Our hostesses graciously waited on us during the meal.
Closed church gets new life

YODER, Kan. — Beams from headlights lit the dark night as a string of vehicles entered the parking lot of the former Yoder Mennonite Church.

Drawn closer to Congo’s need

War in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters over the past 12 years. Now, as the country’s situation deteriorates again, Congolese and North American Mennonites are building paths of peace and cooperation.

Ten Thousand Villages festival sales go beyond stores

WHEATON, Ill. — Norman Ewert and Sharon Coolidge Ewert have hundreds of house guests each November, and it’s not because of Thanksgiving.

Hallmark holidays?

’Tis the time of year when many of us compare the reality of our lives to the ideal of a Hallmark commercial. There is nothing wrong with Hallmark commercials, but I find that when I compare my life to them I end up feeling like I do not measure up.

Author tells of midwives’ vital role

WATERLOO, Ont. — Midwives in Mennonite communities played a critical role in maintaining traditions and practices, and were not the untrained women in conflict with doctors that stereotypes make them out to be, according to Marlene Epp.
CPT begins project in war-torn eastern Congo

CHICAGO — Christian Peacemaker Teams is beginning a three-month project based in Goma, Congo. A team of four CPTers was due to arrive in early December.
MC USA leaders strengthen ties to Congo churches

KINSHASA, Congo — Mennonite Church USA leaders returned to Congo Nov. 11-24 to follow up on a delegation visit 21 months ago and made progress in relationship-building that exceeded their expectations.
MCC ready to live with leaner times

AKRON, Pa. — Mennonite Central Committee is preparing for leaner times but remains optimistic that a faithful constituency and diverse sources of income will lessen the impact of the economic downturn and unpredictable exchange rates.

Faith of shepherds

When the angel of the Lord first appeared to the shepherds in the field, their first response was one of pure terror. One moment the night seemed like any other — the animals had settled down, the shepherds were tired after a long day — but then suddenly there was a bright light as the glory of the Lord shone around them and as God interrupted their quiet night by sending an angel. It was like a burst of fire all around them, and the shepherds were terrified.

Entering a new political era

I’ve been hesitant to admit it publicly, but I was one of the millions of U.S. Christians who voted for Barack Obama.

Lessons from the Depression

Don Burkhart, 77, a child of the 1930s and a member of my congregation, remembers eating “pap soup” — a combination of flour, butter and milk topped with brown sugar — during his growing up years in Lancaster County, Pa.

Father Rafael, security risk

When Father Rafael Gallego asked the Colombian army not to camp next to the church and high school in Tiquisio — because it put students, church members and other neighbors at risk of guerrilla attack — the army refused.