Mennonite Weekly Review

Arienne Johnson and Andrea Kraybill, Goshen College students, preached on Oct. 4.

They spoke of competing loyalties of the nation-state and the kingdom of heaven. They invited us to consider a Christian pledge of allegiance written by Nelson Kraybill and June Alliman Yoder.

Early fall brought a new group of volunteers to Jubilee House and Wolf House. There are 10 young people serving with Mennonite Voluntary Service living in these two houses. Fellowship of Hope Mennonite Church is part of the effort to have a voluntary service program on the south side of Elkhart. Jubilee House is next door to PSMC and the Wolf House is close to Fellowship of Hope Mennonite Church.

The volunteers include Michael Wiebe-Johnson, who has begun Peddle Power Pride, a bicycle shop where local people can obtain a good used bike by volunteering their time at the bike shop. Nicole Bauman works with the Elkhart Local Food Alliance and developing a local community garden. Catrina Schrock works with Church Community Services with the Soup of Success Program. Joanna Shenk works at Mennonite Church USA as the associate for interchurch relations and communications in executive leadership. Andy Findley works at Oaklawn and also for Individuals and Families in Transition in their program for at-risk youth. Sam Jerome works with Habitat for Humanity. Rebekah Shenk works at the Elkhart County YMCA. Maisha Seebeck works with the Elkhart County Homeless Shelter for Women and Children. Madeline Williams works with LaCasa/Roosevelt Center as a community organizer. Julia Gingrich works at Church Community Services and the Center for Community Justice.

This fall we have enjoyed faith stories during our Christian education hour. All classes, including the youth, have met together to listen to people tell of their faith journey. We have heard stories from young adults to octogenarians, both men and women.