 A Postcard and a Prayer |
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| Mennonite Women USA |
July 2008 |
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"Doe the next thynge." As someone has said, "When overwhelmed with work, the cure for analysis paralysis is, 'Doe the next thynge!'"
- sent by Anne Siegrist, Jasper, New York, from an old English Christian poem
 "I don't have to become macho to make it into top management. I have to have confidence, an awareness of myself, a real tough skin and a sense of humor." - (author unknown) sent by Judy Waltner, co-owner of Zimmerman's Automotive Service, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. She says, "I adapted this quote for me in my work in the automotive industry.
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Housewarming Sister-Link welcomes new coordinator
 Over 92 wall hangings from Mennonite women have found there way into new homes built through Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) in the last four years. These gifts of love sent with a picture and note from the quiltmaker are part of MDS home dedications and are given through MW USA's Housewarming Sister-Link. Kevin King, MDS executive coordinator, says: "These tangible forms of love in action really make an impact on the new homeowners."
Beginning August 1, Eloise Yoder (pictured right) from Archbold, Ohio, will coordinate the Sister-Link, following Elaine W. Good. Eloise, an avid quilter, has contributed a number of wall hangings over the past few years. One of her wall hangings which went to a home in Julian, California is pictured here.
Read more about this Sister-Link. To receive a copy of the guidelines for making a wall hanging, contact Eloise.
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| In timbrel
As you read the July/August issue of timbrel, be certain to notice the resources found throughout the magazine. Page six has books and websites for those who wish to learn more about veganism, the article on pages 16-17 has some websites for those interested in learning more about biomimicry, and page 21 lists books of poetry and suggestions for field guides to enable you to appreciate God's creation more deeply. On page 22 Janeen Bertsche Johnson writes about her involvement with an interesting 4-H program as she responds to the May/June sister question, and the back cover lists several publications to help you find new ways to care for God's creation that fit with your own interests and priorities. Many of the resources listed for this issue were drawn together by the Meyer  family-three generations of women caring for God's creation.
The sister question for the Sept.-Oct. issue of timbrel is:
What is the most significant transition you have experienced in the last ten years? Tell us which decade of your life this was for you, and how you managed the transition.
Send your responses by July 30 to Patricia Burdette, Mennonite Women USA editor.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.
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How we care for creation
Because we had so many interesting responses to the May-June sister question we could not print them all in the July-August issue of timbrel, nor could we print all of them in the June issue of Postcard & Prayer. Here are the rest of the responses to the question What is a small practical action that you/ your family do to care for God's Creation.
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A few women responded that gardening and preserving food were ways they care for God's creation. Some women were just beginning to garden and were also trying to purchase locally grown food when possible. Others were taught by their mothers to garden and preserve food, and one woman is still doing so at age 81. -Linda Tyson, Brownsville, Pa., Erma Wenger, Lancaster, Pa., and Vera Kauffman, Harrisonburg, Pa.
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Several women agreed that buying locally grown food, both meat and produce, saves gasoline for both the producer and the consumer. In addition, several women mentioned that since they began gardening, they had also begun to compost kitchen and garden waste. Still others mentioned that planting a ground cover allows us to save time and gasoline by giving us less grass to mow. One woman suggested putting house plants such as spider plants and snake plants in the home to improve the air quality while another suggests using a recycled plastic jug to collect water at the sink while waiting for the hot water to get hot, and then using the jug of water to water house plants or wash fresh produce. - Ruthie Umble, Atglen, Pa., LindaTyson, Brownstown, and Pa., Erma Wenger, Lancaster, Pa.
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Many women mentioned that they had recently purchased reusable grocery bags for use when shopping for food. Others mentioned ways they save water by using a smaller amount to do dishes by hand or with some newer appliances that use less water to wash dishes or washers that use less water to wash clothes. One women pointed out that washing the car from water in a bucket uses much less water than washing it with water from the hose. Another suggests adding enough water to the liquid soap in its dispenser that it is unnecessary to turn on the water faucet until it is time to rinse the soap off.-Sarah Lashley, Chicago, Ill., Carla Stucky, Moundridge, Kan., Linda Tyson, Brownstown, Pa., Ann Siegrist, Erma Wenger, Lancaster, Pa, Marlene Suter, Tinley Park, Ill.
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Several women also mentioned ways they care for God's creation that involve children. One woman uses the free address labels that she receives in the mail to make stickers for her grandchildren by cutting off the little pictures at one end of the labels. Another woman loves to fish with her husband and four sons, so when they find balls of fishing line, empty bait containers, or other refuse left by other fishermen, they pick up the trash and take it with them when they leave. Another woman saves the hot water left in the kettle after her morning tea, puts it in a thermos, and uses it later in the day when changing diapers or wiping her son up after meals. -Jana Oesch, Caldwell, Id., Erma Wenger, Lancaster, Pa., Tanya Kurtz, Middlebury, Vt. |
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Honoring and Remembering
Each fall and spring Mennonite Women USA invites persons to share financially to support this ministry. Individuals are invited to give in honor of, or in remembrance of, a significant woman in their lives - to be shared in our Postcard & Prayer. We recognize that each gift honors or remembers a relationship. Thank you for sharing these with our Postcard & Prayer readers.
Gifts given by:
Nancy Roynon in memory of Luella Rupp.
Justina Neufeld in memory of Anna Neufeld.
Gloria Rissler in memory of Marian Rutt Weaver.
Dorcas Good in memory of Miriam Martin.
Emma Richards in memory of Zona Horner Bontrager.
Elaine Sommers Rich in memory of Zona Horner Bontrager.
Don Hertzler in memory of Evie Hertzler.
Rebecca Sommers in memory of Evie Hertzler.
Donna Lehman in memory of Evie Hertzler.
Mary Newcomer in memory of Evie Hertzler.
Dorothy Kingsley in memory of Mary Ann Erb.
Bethel (Rittman, OH) WMSC in memory of Alma Newcomer.
Barbara Dagen in memory of Mable S Neff.
Gifts given by:
Alice Hartman Jantzen in honor of Ingrid Schultz.
Mary Ann Shisler in honor of Brenda Hartman-Souder.
Michelle Armster in honor of Kendra Tefera.
Joy Kauffman King in honor of Rachel Hartzler.
Carolyn Locy in honor of Arlene Schaefer.
Thank you sharing these important persons with all of us.
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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. |
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Resource for churches to protect children from abuse
Mennonite Weekly Review, June 23, 2008 - Through a grant received from Franconia Mennonite Conference to attend Princeton Seminary, Julie Prey-Harbaugh studied "how the church can address issues of sexual abuse. She cites a grim statistic: one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused by their 18th birthday in the United States.' Since June 2006, Prey-Harbaugh has worked with churches using training materials from the national sexual abuse prevention organization Darkness to Light. Using their curriculum 'Stewards of Children,' she provides congregations with resources for putting in place a safety plan.
"Prey-Harbaugh has expanded her work into a consulting business. She is available to review congregational plans, provide training, preach sermons, support survivors and be an empathic listener for those addressing these issues."
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Women's Bible study guide now available
Your Treasure, Your Heart: Women and the Stewardship of Money by Patricia Burdette is now available through Faith & Life. Complimentary copies have been mailed from Mennonite Women USA to supporting groups and churches. If you have not received yours, please contact our office. The Bible study with 12 lessons and a closing worship was commissioned by Mennonite Women USA and Canadian Women in Mission. Copies can be ordered from Faith & Life publishing at 800-245-7894 or email. |
| Prayer for the Journey
A prayer by Karen Yoder, Macon, Mississippi
I want to praise you, Lord, for your awesome creation
that you made for us to enjoy - the hills, and valleys.
All are the works of your hands;
all are there for us to explore.
Just as in our lives, we have hills and valleys - not all are pleasant.
Some are very hard to explore, hard to climb, hard to descend.
Thank you, Father, that you have promised to be there for us;
that you will never leave us nor forsake us.
Thank you for the strength you give us to climb those hills
and descend those cliffs that get in our way.
Teach us to lean on you ALL the time,
not just when we are desperate.
I ask your blessing on those who read this,
that they will be filled with your peace that passes all understanding.
Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen
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A Postcard & a Prayer is compiled by Mennonite Women USA staff Rhoda Keener, Patricia Burdette, 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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