Mennonite Weekly Review

PITTSBURGH — In a city of three rivers and numerous bridges, planners for Mennonite Church USA’s 2011 convention have chosen the theme “Bridges to (the) Cross.”

Members of the Mennonite Church USA Youth Convention planning committee met in Pittsburgh. — Photo provided by MC USA

The gathering, July 4-9, 2011, will focus on 2 Cor. 5:16-20.

The youth and adult planning committees met for the first time Jan. 14-16 at the convention site.

“The theme is twofold,” said Rachel Swartzendruber Miller, director of convention planning. “First, as instruments of Christ’s reconciliation, we too have many bridges to cross. Second, God calls us to shape our culture as ambassadors for Christ, instead of continuing to have our culture shape us. We are called to serve as bridges to Christ.”

Planners heard and welcomed a proposal from the Intercultural Relations Reference Committee that the convention include a day showcasing and celebrating the gifts and talents of racial/ethnic members and congregations.

The committee was also excited to learn that the convention site, the David Lawrence Convention Center, is one of the largest green buildings in the United States. It is certified with a gold rating through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Building Rating System by the U.S. Green Building Council.

“We want to challenge our attendees to partner in our attempts to be the greenest convention this center has ever seen,” said Stephen Kriss of Philadelphia, adult committee member and Franconia Mennonite Conference staff.

More than half of MC USA’s constituents live within a five-hour drive of Pittsburgh. Marty Lehman, director of administration and advancement for Mennonite Church USA, noted travel costs would be lower for those churches.

“It is our hope they will consider giving 10 percent of their fund-raising dollars to other groups hesitant to attend convention due to cost and distance,” she said.

Committee members encouraged staff to tell the stories of youth and adults who have been sponsored at past conventions.