MWR : Articles : Letters

Articles : Letters

Compassion needed

I was impressed with the compassionate response of Stahl Mennonite Church in Johnstown, Pa., toward their former pastor, who confessed to misappropriating funds (“Church Forgives Pastor for Theft,” June 7). It was a striking contrast to the attitude of some church-related organizations toward their employees.
Help in college

It was encouraging to read “EMU Program Addresses Depression-Related Issues” (Aug. 2) . This cutting-edge program, CoachLink, is being offered for the first time this fall for students who face challenges of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention deficit and other similar disorders. Indeed, these young people should feel they can be successful at college just as their peers do and prepare for meaningful and productive futures.
Phoenix boycott?

If Mennonite Church USA boycotts the state of Arizona, does consistency demand it boycott all U.S. states? Numerous features of the Arizona law are already federal law. If the law is offensive at the state level, is it not at the federal level also?

Muslim hospitality

“Opposition to Mosques Grows” (from Christian Science Monitor News Service) dramatically describes a tremendous problem and opportunity. If we are serious about practicing what the Bible teaches, we will welcome the strangers rather than alienating them in the name of maintaining some imagined standard of purity or safety.
Adding to injustice

I can empathize with calls for a boycott of Arizona due to the recent immigration law. Indeed, my own response was practically retributive: If Arizona devalues the rights of immigrants, then let us collectively devalue its economy. I have friends, neighbors and clients who have already been directly affected by the law, so I, too, joined those proposing a boycott of the state.
Contrasting stories

I commend the Bethel College board of directors for looking beyond the Mennonite community to find a leader.

Communal society

I read with great interest “Tea Party’s ‘Uneasy Marriage’ ” (from Religion News Service) about how Tea Party supporters believe in small government and little, if any, government intervention in the economic realm. Their beliefs generally are for individuals to reach out to those in poverty and in need of food, clothing and shelter.
Subtle injustice

Thank you for the fine article, “Peace Art Seeks New Home in Capital”. The way Esther Augsburger’s sculpture was removed and is now lying on its side is very sad. It is another subtle injustice in our society today. Augsburger and I are part of the Shalom Sunday School Class at Park View Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg. We met with excitement on a Sunday afternoon in 1997 to view the intricate piece before it left Harrisonburg and offer a blessing for its witness to all who viewed it.

Unresolved issues

The Lutheran World Federation’s adoption of the statement “On the Legacy of Lutheran Persecution of ‘Anabaptists’ ” is the ritual culmination of an ecumenical dialogue that has been going on for more than a decade.