MWR : European MBs plan 150th anniversary celebrations

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May 17, 2010 issue

European MBs plan 150th anniversary celebrations

By Canadian Conference of MB Churches staff

LEMGO, Germany — The German and Austrian Mennonite Brethren conferences are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the MB church.

The celebration will take place May 20-22 at Brake Bible School in Lemgo. Prior to that, the International Community of Mennonite Brethren, or ICOMB, is hosting a symposium May 13-14 in Oerlinghausen.

The events will include the presentation of a book, The Mennonite Brethren Church Around the World: Celebrating 150 Years, edited by Abe Dueck, executive secretary of the Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission.

Doug Heidebrecht, director of the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Winnipeg, Man., will present “150 Years of MB Theology: Significance of Scripture and Hermeneutical Approaches.” Ray Harms Wiebe — global program director of MBMS International, the denominational mission agency — will present “The Future of the MB Mission Movement.”

Tours of Mennonite heritage sites in Germany, Switzerland and Ukraine are scheduled, with a chance to visit the place in Ukraine where 18 men signed the document of secession in 1860, birthing the first MB church.

Events will conclude with a Pentecost Missions Conference, followed by an International Missions Day on May 24 in Detmold. Randy Friesen, general director of MBMS International, will address delegates and guests from Asia, Africa, North America and South America.

MBMS International will present a recommendation to ICOMB to receive the MB church in Thailand as an ICOMB conference.

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