MWR : Articles : March 29, 2010

Last updated November 24.

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Articles : March 29, 2010

Growth, loss

Our worship services at the beginning of the year included many special occasions. Caitlin Clark was baptized Jan. 10, on Baptism of our Lord Sunday. We also welcomed new members upon profession of faith, Naomi Pridjian and Judy Studenski, and through membership transfer, David Harms and Bob Buzzard, during two moving worship services. We celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a lively joint service with members from First Church of the Brethren and Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Esperanza, the congregations with whom we share a church building.
Haiti giving

On Jan. 3, the congregation commissioned Lauren Triola for her discipleship training with YWAM in Kona, Hawaii.
Changes around us

Clocks on the altar table Jan. 10 reminded us of changes around us. We see changes in our lives, our conference and the way we will work at the mission of our church.

Gift and wonder of Easter

The earliest manuscripts of the Book of Mark end at 16:8 — “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

Mission campaign gifts shared further

ELKHART, Ind. — For three years, contributions have been coming in to support Mennonite Church USA’s “Joining Together, Investing in Hope” campaign.
Baseball gear a hit with church in Cuba

WINNIPEG, Man. — Ramon Castillo prayed for a baseball ministry for his small Brethren in Christ church in rural Cuba for 15 years, but he never thought the day would come.

Invite others

Hugo Saucedo’s excellent article asks, “Why don’t we invite others?” The most segregated hour of the week is Sunday morning. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” John describes worship in heaven as a multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language (Rev. 7:9-10).
Report from within

I appreciate the review of consultant LaVern Yutzy’s report on Mennonite Church USA’s structure. I wonder if the report would have been different if a consultant from outside the structure had been employed.
National anthem

Responses to the national anthem at Goshen College show many Mennonites have not yet bowed the knee to Baal on militarism, but I suggest a larger context.

With prayer, MCC aid shipped to Haiti

PLUM COULEE, Man. — A shipping container of relief kits, comforters and other supplies to assist people in Haiti left Mennonite Central Committee Canada’s warehouse in this small town in early March.