 A Postcard and a Prayer |
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| Mennonite Women USA |
March 2008 |
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The good old days?
Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or, do without. This became the childhood motto for Roma Garber Schmidt
(pictured below) who lived during "the dirty 30's."  Roma shared stories of "Days of the Dust Bowl" at the annual South Central and Western District Conferences Spring Sunset Supper. Hosted on March 13 by Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge, Kan., about 300 women enjoyed soup, homemade bread and a dessert buffet.
An underlying theme for the evening was that God is with us during the hardest of times. Joan Boyer, pastor at First Mennonite Church, Newton, Kan., shared devotions from the story of Lazarus.
Lyrics from the song by musical group Crossroads from Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, Kan., echoed the theme: "He delivered David from Goliath. He delivered Jesus from the tomb and He delivered me." The panel affirmed God's protection which delivered them from the dark clouds of the dust bowl days.
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Wallhangings needed
Mennonite Women USA's Housewarming Sister-Link provides wall hangings for Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS). Coordinator Elaine W. Good reports that new houses are being dedicated at a record pace and MDS sites are in need of more wall hangings.
If you or someone you know could donate a wall hanging, please e-mail Elaine for instructions.
Elaine Good is pictured with a wall hanging she made which was given to a family in Dulac, La.
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As you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, may you experience new birth in your relationships with family and friends, new energy in your spiritual life and new hope for a world of peace.
Happy Easter from the Mennonite Women USA staff |
The circles of women around us
weave invisible nets of love
that carry us when we're weak,
and sing with us when we are strong.
-from a handout on mentoring from speaker Cheryl Hollinger at Preparing, Resourcing, Encouraging, Praising conference MW leaders gathering
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Just a few weeks left to register  for Women in Conversation 2008!
There's still room for you to join women from 15 states for our biennial women's denominational retreats - at Laurelville Mennonite Retreat Center April 11-13 & at the Wichita Airport Hilton April 18-20.
Registration deadline is March 28. Call 800-839-1021; e-mail, or go to Laurelville.
Carolyn Holderread Heggen is keynote speaker at both retreats focusing on women and spirituality - "Daring to Let Our Spirits Soar." Retreats are co-sponsored by Mennonite Women USA and Laurelville.
The Laurelville and Wichita planning committees are busy planning the Saturday afternoon Menno Spa, a time for women to take a few hours just to be cared for.
April 11-13 is springtime in the mountains at Laurelville. This retreat center offers space inside and outside for conversations with God and one another.
An added feature at the Wichita Hilton, April 18-20, is an indoor swimming pool and hot tub. The tower room on the 5th floor will be set aside for quiet and prayer.
Wichita retreat planning committee: Trish Brenneman, Barb Voth, Jenny Schrag, Pat Miller, and Lee Schmucker.
Laurelville retreat planning committee: Marty Savanick, Donna Mast (Leola, Pa.), Alexis Sauder, Jean Kilheffer Hess, and Lee Schmucker.
Staff working with both committees: Laurelville program director Erin Clymer and MW USA executive director Rhoda Keener. |
Healthy sexuality discussed in timbrel
Ever since I became editor of timbrel, I've envisioned doing an issue focused on fostering healthy sexuality as Christian women. The March-April issue is the realization of the dream. It's packed full of personal stories, Bible study and godly wisdom focused on accepting our God-given gift of sexuality for women who are single, single again and married.
For those who are searching to become more whole in their sexuality and for those who welcome a Christian perspective on the topic, this issue is for you.
Sue Conrad, a pastor in Lancaster, Pa., cultivates relationships with a variety of people to celebrate who she is as a single woman -- including friends from college.
From left, Luana Rohrer Beck, Janelle Butterworth, Marlis Chupp, Conrad and Kathy Sauder enjoy a 15-year class reunion at Goshen (Ind.) College's alumni weekend in October 2007. Courtesy photo
In preparation for the next theme of "embracing the gift of parenting" in May-June, consider:
Who has helped you embrace the gift of parenting - whether you do it as a biological parent or grandparent, as a foster parent, or as a single relative, friend or church family connection?
How has your relationship to God helped you embrace this gift?
To subscribe to timbrel, send $14 for one year or $12 per person for a group of 10 or more to Mennonite Women USA, P.O. Box 347, Newton, KS 67114. You can also e-mail or call 800-794-5101, ext. 227. We'll start your subscription and send you a bill. | |
One day Saturday Sabbath retreat
A women's GatheringVoices retreat will be offered April 19th at the Forest Hills Mennonite Church, Leola, Pennsylvania, from 10-4. Through foods, clothing, music, and artifacts, speaker Margaret Whigham will describe her African-American childhood, her first introduction to Christianity, and now her experience in an Anabaptist community of faith.
For more information contact Sharon Kraybill or Mary Lou Weaver Houser. |
Giving to Mennonite Women USA
Your gifts make Mennonite Women USA's ministry possible. Contribute on-line. Please consider this ministry in your giving. Gifts are tax deductible.
Or send by regular mail to: Mennonite Women USA, 722 Main St., P.O. Box 347, Newton, KS 67114. |
Leaders focus on intergenerational relationships
Forty Mennonite Women leaders from 14 area conferences gathered on an icy winter week-end in Akron, Pennsylvania for the annual leaders' resource meeting hosted by MW USA -Preparing, Resourcing, Encouraging, Praising. The theme "A Caring Presence" focused on ways women can help to foster intergenerational supportive relationships in the church.
Pictured left to right are Donna Mast, Leola, Pa., Atlantic Coast Conference and Rhonda Swiers, Ogema, Minnesota, North Central Conference.
Worship leader, Donna Mast, shared responses to questions she sent to five women in their 20's asking how they connect with Mennonite Women in their churches. Here's a sampling:
What needs or interests do you currently have that you would like to
see Mennonite Women address?
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I would love to see a global network of Mennonite women, learning from each other and advocating for each other.
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I would love for there to be a better network of women supporting women as we use our gifts in the church. We should be calling out the gifts in each other and supporting each other as we use those gifts, even if it means rock-climbing as opposed to quilting.
What type of opportunities or activities would encourage you to participate in Mennonite Women?
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We want physical activity, but we also want to do good. I would LOVE to see organized walks or runs to raise money for breast cancer or Darfur or whatever.
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Possibly a mentorship of sorts. I think it's unfortunate that only the teenagers in our church have official mentorship programs -- I think all people should be involved in a mentor/mentee relationship!
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Oración por una amiga
By Violeta Ajquejay, Newton, Kansas
(MW USA invited Violeta to send this prayer in Spanish. "Oración por una amiga" is translated "A prayer for a friend.")
Señor, gracias te doy por los amigos y amigas que has
puesto en nuestros caminos
Gracias por ese hermoso regalo de la amistad
Por amigas con quien uno puede contar cuando está
uno un poco desanimado
Por esas amigas que están dispuestas ha escuchar
Por esas amigas que están con uno en los tiempos buenos y malos
Por esas amigas que están con uno en los tiempos alegres y tristes
Por esos amigos y amigas que son como familia para uno cuando uno
se encuentra en tierras extrañas, lejos de su propia familia
Señor te doy gracias en especial por mi amiga Elizabeth
habíamos perdido contacto y en este pequeño mundo nos
permitiste encontrarnos nuevamente y renovar nuestra amistad
Gracias te doy porque Tú has estado con ella en los tiempos más
difíciles de su vida
Porque la has ayudado a mantenerse firme en Tus caminos
Por la confianza y fe que has sembrado en ella
Gracias te doy porque le has permitido nuevamente tener el cariño
de sus dos hijos que perdiera cuando eran pequeños
Señor, continúa bendiciéndola
Que ella siga siendo un ejemplo para nosotras que cuando en los
tiempos difíciles nuestra fe en Ti nos quiera fallar
Gracias Señor te doy por la bendición que nos das con el regalo de la amistad
Bendice a cada uno y una de mis amigos y amigas
Llena sus corazones de paz, gozo y alegría
Llena sus vidas de salud y bienestar
Que Tú siempre seas el centro de sus vidas. Amén
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A Postcard & a Prayer is compiled by Mennonite Women USA staff Rhoda Keener, Laurie Oswald Robinson, Berni Kaufman, and Lois Loflin. |
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Know of others who would like to receive "A Postcard & a Prayer" e-mails from Mennonite Women USA? Have them send name, address, and e-mail Berni. | |
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