Mennonite Publishing Network and Third Way Media to integrate
By Mennonite Publishing Network and Mennonite Mission Network

Dynamic, innovative, fully-integrated and multi-media--that's the goal of a new organization to be formed out of an integration of Mennonite Publishing Network and Third Way Media. MPN is the publishing ministry of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. Third Way Media is a department of Mennonite Mission Network.
 
The integration of the two organizations was approved on Sept. 23 by the boards of MPN and Mission Network, meeting in Pittsburgh. The approval is subject to the affirmation of Mennonite Church Canada, part-owner of MPN, and the ratification of Mennonite Church USA Executive Board ...

Read more ...

Mennonite Publishing Network executive director to retire
By John Longhurst of Mennonite Publishing Network

In 2003, when Ron Rempel was named the new executive director of Mennonite Publishing Network, the organization faced a very uncertain future.
 
Today, as he prepares to leave MPN, it still faces challenges-but it also has many new and exciting opportunities and possibilities ...

Read more ...

Still speedy after all these years
By Jim Bishop of Eastern Mennonite University

At age 88, Margaret Martin Gehman of Harrisonburg, Va., has lost a little of her trademark drive, largely because she has parted company with a faithful friend.

Gehman and her trusty, albeit a bit rusty, mechanical steed, a blue 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, are almost synonymous to many observers. For years she motored the streets of the greater Harrisonburg area even though she preferred walking to as many destinations as possible. She has been a resident of Park Place at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community since 2005 ...

Read more...

Phil Helmuth, executive director of development at EMU, accepts the keys and title to Margaret Martin Gehman's 1967 Volkswagen Beetle. Photo by Jim Bishop.

College Corner: Pandora, Ohio, pastor takes closer look at Bluffton
From Bluffton University

A three-day visit to Bluffton (Ohio) University was a learning experience for the Rev. Lynn Thompson.
 
Thompson, co-pastor of St. John Mennonite Church in Pandora, Ohio, was on campus Sept. 14-16 as part of Bluffton's Minister in Residence program. The Pittsburg, Texas, native spoke to multiple classes during his three-day stay and urged his listeners in the weekly chapel service to "Watch the Source," a message based upon Proverbs 4:20-27.
 
Read more ...

Tim's blog: Oppression is bad, now what?
by Tim Nafziger and Mark Van Steenwyk

In July, Mennonite Church USA executive director Ervin Stutzman shared some reflections on his visit with Mennonites from various Native groups in Ashland, Montana. He clearly describes the way white settlers' sense of manifest destiny led to the clearing of the Cheyenne and other groups from their land. He acknowledges the deep trauma these communities have experience. He shares the effect this had on him personally. In other words, he knows that oppression is bad and that he as part of the dominant group, is complicit in it ...
 
Read more ...