 A Postcard and a Prayer |
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| Mennonite Women USA |
August 2008 |
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 "We are not God.
We are simply the image of God.
and our task is gradually
to discover that image
and set it free." - Michael Quoist
"Little things seem nothing, but they give peace, like those meadow flowers which individually seem odorless but all together perfume the air." - George Bernanos
- sent by Aldine Musser, Stephens City, Virginia |
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Stewardship of Health
Zenobia Sowell-Bianchi, Chicago, Ill., presented a workshop at the African American Mennonite Association Assembly held at Church Without Walls, August 8-10, 2008. Zenobia said: "God created us spirit, soul and body and when one is out of whack, all are affected. Healing was a concern of the early church.
"God wants us to be healthy. Bad eating and drinking habits are the most difficult things to change. Most people would rather change religion. You don't have to change your condition  before you change your direction. Because you change your direction, it will change your condition." She added, "In a matter of 90 days you can radically change your body."
Zenobia is pictured (right) with assembly attendee Patricia Whigham, Norristown, Pa
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| Coming in timbrel
The September/October issue of timbrel is coming soon. Click here to subscribe. Provide your name and address, and the number of years you wish to subscribe, and you will be billed by MW USA. You can do this individually, as a gift for someone else, or as a group (be sure to see our group rates).
The September/October issue focuses on the theme of transition. We experience transitions throughout our lives individually, as a church, and as a society, and this issue explores all of these areas of transitions.
 Dorothy Nickel-Friesen, (pictured left) with Nacy Kauffman, Conference Regional Minister for Indiana-Michigan, writes about the transitions in women's roles in the church, Rebekah Wingert expresses the transformational effect her MCC service assignment had on her thinking about women's roles, Andrea Ressler writes about the transition in images of women of color in our society, and Barbara Moses writes about the opportunities for transition that God presents to us.
Each article is unique in its approach to the theme of transitions, and together, the issue reveals the many ways women manage personal and social transitions in their lives.
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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Significant transitions
There have been many more responses to the Sept./Oct. Sister Question than I can print in the upcoming issue, so I have included two here that were particularly interesting. - Patty Burdette
Cathy Neuharth of Waseca, Minn. writes: "My times are in Your hand" (Psalm 31:15a); "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) are two verses I have claimed in the past two decades as our family has relocated to four different states, due to job consolidations, buy-outs, lay-offs, and health issues.
It is difficult to pinpoint which transition was most significant, but the LORD was gracious when we were able to relocate to our home state of South Dakota from 1999-2006 after my husband's bout with cancer. Our children were able to experience close-distance extended family, DVBS, Swan Lake Christian Camp, and Minnkota Relief Sales within the Mennonite USA sphere. My heart was comforted to know that aspects of my own upbringing were being passed on to my children. "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting." (Psalm 136:1). [All scripture quotations from the New American Standard Bible, Scoffield Study Bible, 1973 and 1995.]
Linda Tyson of Leola, Pa. writes: Becoming a grandparent in my 50's has been a significant life-changing transition for me. I was 54 when our son and his wife gave us a wrapped up picture frame with a poem inscribed on the matting, "My Grandpa, Grandma and Me". I will never forget that moment when my breath was taken away! Me, a grandma?? Yes, and I am loving it! Our house soon took on more furniture such as crib, small chairs, and shelves full of books from the MCC reuzit shop. Dolls, and toys saved from our own parenting days came back to dwell anew with wonderment by new little hands, eyes and feet. Now with 4 granddaughters and another grandchild on the way, I'm excited about another picture to place on the mantel. Will it be he or she?
Our son has recently announced he will soon marry, and his marriage will bring 4 step-grandchildren to our family, two boys and two girls. In these difficult days in which we find ourselves, I want to make a difference in these girls lives. I pray for them frequently. With one of them having parents who divorced, I became increasingly aware of how much they all need my prayers. With varying distances between us, I have a direct line to them through prayer. I became inspired by the book, "Grandma, I Need Your Prayers" by Quin Sherrer and Ruth Ann Garlach. The book gives many examples of praying scripture by inserting your grandchild's name. As I pray for Maura, Taylor, Kristin, Ashlyn, and a new baby I pray for protection, health, their parents, and the friends they make. I pray they will learn to love God, I pray for their salvation and making good choices. Two of them start kindergarten this fall and I will pray for them as they go to school.
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Fall 2008 regional women's events
Atlantic Coast (Oct. 24) at Conestoga Mennonite Church in Morgantown, Pa., a women's dinner with speaker Cheryl Hollinger on "Covering our Sisters with Care."
Central District (Sept. 12-14) a week-end retreat at Camp Friedenswald, Cassopolis, Mich., with speaker Cyneatha Millsaps on "The Seasons of Life."
Central Plains (Sept. 20-21) at Swan Lake Christian Camp, Viborg, S. D., a week-end retreat with Laura Graber Nickel on Stories of the Ukrainian Women.
Franconia (Sept. 12-14) at Spruce Lake Retreat Center, Canadensis, Pa., a week-end retreat with speaker Cynthia Cavanaugh.
Franklin (Sept.20) at Marion Mennonite Church, Chambersburg, Pa., fall inspiration day with speaker Barb Borntrager on "Surviving Storms: Are you a Victim or Victor?"
Indiana-Michigan (Oct. 10-12) at Camp Amigo, Sturgis, Mich., a week-end retreat with speaker Lynette Gingerich on "Vine Ripened Women: How Fruity Are You?" with music and worship led by Mary Oyer and Gwen Gustafson-Zook.
"It's Time to Come Back to Life" (Oct. 22-25), women's annual conference at Church Without Walls, Elkhart, Ind.
Lancaster (Nov. 8) at Ephrata Mennonite Church, Pa., with speaker Elaine Maust on "Living a Life of Invitation"
New York (Sept. 20) at Seneca Falls, a one-day retreat based on the book "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that sets them free"
Ohio (Sept. 19-21) at Camp Luz, Orrville, Ohio, a weekend retreat for women with speaker Ruth Lapp Guengerich on "Visions, Voices and Wisdom: Women respond to God's call."
South Central & Western District (Sept. 5-7) at Camp Mennoscah, Murdock, Kan., a week-end retreat for women and girls with speakers Debbie Schmidt and Raylene Hinz-Penner on "The Woven Threads of Sisterhood."
Southeast (Oct. 25) at College Hill Mennonite Church, Fall Inspiration Day.
Virginia (Sept. 26-28) at Holiday Inn, Richmond, a week-end retreat with speaker Martha Karam, on "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus".
For more information on any of these events, e-mail the Mennonite Women office and we'll connect you with local retreat planners.
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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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MW USA Board of Directors opening
Mennonite Women USA will have a board opening beginning in August 2009 for the position of treasurer. Please send names of potential candidates (or nominate yourself) by October 1 to MW USA vice-president, Gail Harder, 1300 Eymann Ave., Reedley, Calif., e-mail. Include contact information, qualifications, and a brief introduction to the person.
Beginning in August 2008, Ruth Lapp Guengerich, Goshen, Ind., is president-elect becoming president the following year. Also joining the board are Twila King Yoder, Harrisonburg, Vir., as East Coast representative and Mary Clemens Meyer, Fresno, Ohio, as Editorial Advisory Council representative.
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Peace to all who enter here 
- A prayer for the journey
By Esther Kniss, Sarasota, Florida
remembering her experience during Hurricane Charley
God, the creator of Heaven and earth, we thank you that you are in control and you look down in love upon your creation. With the recent graphic media coverage of earthquakes, tornadoes, fires and floods, sometimes it seems like everything is out of control on this earth but we are reminded in Philippians 4:6 and 7 - to fix our eyes on you, our constant source of peace.
A vivid reminder for me is August of 2004 when Hurricane Charley roared through Arcadia, Florida with its 145 mph winds, with accompanying tornadoes. It left behind many crumbled homes and buildings, torn and twisted trees, many uprooted, and we faced the devastation with the question, "Where does one begin to bring order out of chaos?"
Your caring love came through with the immediate help of many volunteers to help with clean up and it was comforting to each day find something to be thankful for. One day during clean up we discovered a little glass motto still hanging by our front door, although twisted on its metal chain. Even as the vicious winds had ripped away our screened in porch, you spared the little motto.
In turning it around, its message, "Peace to all who enter here", hit me with fresh force. God, you had been there through the storm, sparing the main part of our home, and we thanked you.
Yes, storms of all kinds enter our lives, but you will never leave us...your presence is still there! We are again in the hurricane season in Florida and the news media keeps reminding us of it but in a recent morning devotional, you again reminded me in Psalm 139:5 where it says, "You are around me on every side; you protect me with your power." Even if devastation comes again, you will be present in the storm! Yes, we rest in You!
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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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