MWR : Articles : Feb. 9, 2009

Last updated November 24.

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Articles : Feb. 9, 2009

Stained glass, alternative giving

Bonnie Stutzman’s lovely stained glass altarpiece was the visual focus from the beginning of Advent to Epiphany as the congregation sought to see the many faces of God in our lives today. Her work of art is titled “Finger Print on Glass” and represents the finger of God on the window of a church.
Magnificat and mission

“Let Your Face Shine” was the theme of our Advent services. We were encouraged to memorize “The Magnificat” from Luke 1 and recited it together each week.

Abortion and openness

The combination of a Democratic Congress and a pro-choice Obama administration is raising concern that abortion will become more normalized and that some existing restrictions will be lifted. For peace-church members, this time of change is an opportunity to recommit to efforts to reduce abortion.

Mediation is a calling on large, small scales

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Without conflict, there is no progress, Siaka Traoré told a group of West African church leaders and expatriate missionaries attending the Institut Missiologique du Sahel, an interdenominational mission training school.
Colombians grow food, not coca, with help from MCC

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Mennonite Brethren churches in the Choco region support more than 100 families through alternative agricultural projects in a “Food Not Coca” program funded by Mennonite Central Committee.
Money formula: Live gratefully, spend less, buy justly, give more

BOSTON — In turbulent economic times, the watchwords are usually: Cut back. Live frugally. Hunker down and put money in safe places.
Economic exploitation fuels Congo conflict

At the heart of Congo’s conflict are the natural resources needed to make cell phones, computers and MP3 players, a Christian Peacemaker Teams group in the eastern Congo province of North Kivu learned.

MCC in Gaza

We write to ask your support of Mennonite Central Committee in its relief efforts in Gaza and to speak out publicly for the plight of the Palestinian people, who have lost more than 1,300 lives, more than 20,000 homes damaged or destroyed, basic infrastructure of roads, water, etc. destroyed, and more than 100,000 individuals left homeless due to the recent onslaught by Israeli forces.

Pastor: think outside the building

BLUFFTON, Ohio — Cyneatha Millsaps, pastor of Community Mennonite Church in Markham, Ill., believes the church today has become too focused on the proceedings within the building and is neglecting to reach out to the community surrounding it.
Special-interest groups make MWC Paraguay their meeting place

Strasbourg, France — Numerous special-interest groups see the Mennonite World Conference assembly in Paraguay in July as an opportunity to confer with colleagues from around the world.