MWR : Articles : Mutual aid

Last updated November 24.

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Articles : Mutual aid

Mutual aid is alive and well

Mutual aid has been an important part of our Anabaptist history. It is grounded in a sense of community and obedience to the biblical injunction to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

Accounting for hidden sins

There was a farmer, let’s call him Mr. B, who found a way to save money. Calculating the charge for disposing old batteries, Mr. B paid a bill he owed a mechanic by taking batteries. It was a “good” deal for the mechanic and for Mr. B. He dumped the batteries in his lagoon, which became poisoned. When Mr. B died, the farm’s new owner had to clean up the mess. (Some details of this story have been changed to protect identities.)

Uninsured take care of their own

America’s 46 million uninsured include the Amish and plain-sect Mennonites, but they’re hardly typical.

Corinthian Plan gets a boost before enrollment deadline

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A health insurance plan for all pastors in Mennonite Church USA is moving toward a goal of enrolling 80 percent of congregations by Oct. 1, the plan’s director said July 3.

Health plan makes mutual aid stronger

Mennonites find many ways to practice mutual aid. Some congregations have sharing funds to support members in financial difficulty. Organizations such as Mennonite Mutual Aid and MutualAid eXchange provide health insurance, church grants and other services.

Health crisis connects congregation to mutual aid, broader church

ELKHART, Ind. — The health crisis of a church member and the idea of mutual aid brought Angela Nze more fully into relationship with Mennonites.

Colorado sale raises $131,000

ROCKY FORD, Colo. — A total of $131,000 was raised during the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale Oct. 19-20.

Mutual aid alter call

More than 46 million Americans lack health insurance. This is “immoral and intolerable,” says a Mennonite Church USA document. But it is beyond the church’s power to solve. On a much smaller scale, however, the denomination is trying to fix its own version of the problem: the fact that 70 to 100 MC USA pastors are uninsured.

New thinking urged on pastors’ health insurance

SYRACUSE, Ind. — Providing adequate health insurance for pastors in Mennonite Church USA will require a basic shift in congregational thinking, according to a group working on the issue.

Two mission agencies reaffirm their partnership

ELKHART, Ind. — Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Mission Network have formalized an agreement that will help them continue to collaborate while retaining their individuality.