 A Postcard and a Prayer |
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| Mennonite Women USA |
March 2009 |
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 For the Lord will...make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving, and the voice of song." Isaiah 50:3
MW USA conference leaders met in Phoenix Feb. 27-28. (See photo right and May/June timbrel.) Women visited the Desert Botanical Garden with a Chihuly glass display among the cacti. Photo by Rebecca Wenger
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In timbrel 
Don't miss the current Mar./Apr.issue of timbrel, which focuses on betrayal and forgiveness. In addition to the excellent articles by Naomi Lederach, Shirley Hershey Showalter, Dr. Chris McCarthy, and Rachelle Lyndaker Shlabacher on the topic, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries student, Hatoko Inoue, shares a personal story of betrayal and forgiveness involving a friend. Diane Ivy tells the story of the difficult move toward forgiveness after her daughter's murder. Rhoda Keener explains that MW USA is scheduling a strategic planning retreat with the MW USA board and 20 other women representing diverse ethnicities, geographic areas, and ages.
Debbie Millette from Halifax, Pa. responded to the Mar./Apr. sister question: In our human experience, most of us have experienced some form of betrayal, whether from friend, family, or social injustice. What scripture, book, or other resource has helped you move toward forgiveness? Debbie says, "I recently did a Bible study called, 'Breaking Free' by Beth Moore. While the study isn't about forgiveness per say, it spends time working through the need to forgive, no matter how painful, in order to get rid of strongholds that keep us from glorifying God and experiencing satisfaction in our lives. True freedom comes through forgiveness-God's and ours.
The May/June issue of timbrel focuses on the topic of the seasons of marriage. The sister question for this topic is:
In our marriages or in those we have observed, which season of marriage seems most difficult?
What scripture, book, or other resource has helped you or someone your know manage a difficult season of marriage?
Send your response to Patty by April 10.
Please share timbrel outside your church family as a witness and outreach to those who know little about Mennonites or Christianity. Your subscriptions make the timbrel ministry possible.
You might want to consider giving a subscription of timbrel to the adult women in your biological family or your church family-or both. To order individual subscriptions or gift subscriptions click here. To get the group rate discount for 10 or more subscriptions, click here.
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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Honors and Memories
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 and Prayer. We recognize that each gift honors or remembers a relationship.
Gifts given by:
Marian Sauder Egli in memory of Karen Sauder
Mary Swartley in memory of Priscilla Delp
Tamara Gill in memory of Joan Lehman
Betty Good in memory of Alta Hochstetler
Helen Lapp in memory of Alice Good Longenecker
Anonymous donor in memory of Elsie Mast
Noreen Gingerich in memory of Sieglinda Preheim
Louise Gingerich in memory of Laura Burkholder
Louise Gingerich in memory of Dorothy Gingerich
Carolyn Locy in memory of Mildred Grabill
Connie Stauffer in memory of Evie Hertzler
Erma C Horning in memory of Stella Harnish Clymer
Julia Gerber in memory of Mayme Boyts Yoder
Gifts given by:
Mary Lou King in honor of Rebecca Sommers
Kathryn Aschliman in honor of Lenora Sempira
Joanne Speigle in honor of Grace Brenneman
Cathy Cavness in honor of June Cleaveland
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Give to Mennonite Women USA
Your gifts are needed and make Mennonite Women USA's ministry possible. Contribute on-line. You can also make a pledge on our website. 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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Register now for Columbus women's dinner
"Breathe and Be Filled: Kitchen Table Theology." All women are invited into our Mennonite women kitchen. Pull up a chair, have dinner, and join a conversation with Elizabeth  Soto Albrecht (left, photo by Anna Groff), Megan Ramer (lower right), and Regina Shands Stoltzfus (upper right) about experiencing God's spirit in everyday life.  Music by the Anointed Voices of Joy, women's accapella choir, Lee Heights Community Church, Cleveland. Door prizes and updates on Mennonite Women USA's ministry and global connections. You must pre-register to attend.
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Women in Conversation 2010
Save the date for Women in Conversation retreats in 2010 with keynote speaker Megan Ramer, pastor at Chicago Community Mennonite Church, on "Living a Life of Gratitude."
- April 9-11, 2010 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mt. Pleasant, Pa.
- April 30-May 2, 2010 at Cross Wind Conference Center, Hesston, Kan.
All women are invited for these biennial retreats designed especially for women and include workshops, worship, pampering and fellowship! Leading worship at Laurelville is Jen Shenk and at Cross Wind, Treva Greaser. Women in Conversation retreats are co-sponsored by Mennonite Women USA and Laurelville.
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PREP brings women together
Mennonite Women conference leaders met in Phoenix February 27-28 for Preparing, Resourcing, Encouraging, Praising, a week-end of networking and resource gathering. The annual event was hosted by MW USA staff, Rhoda Keener and Berni Kaufman, with board member, Carolyn Holderread Heggen. Neta Kimel from Trinity Mennonite Church, coordinated local hosting.
Conferences present included: Pacific Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Mountain States, Central Plains, North Central, South Central, Western District, Gulf States, Central District, Ohio, Franklin, Atlantic Coast, Lancaster, and Virginia. |
Strength for the Journey
By Vickie Shurelds, Lima, Ohio (from timbrel magazine Bible study, "Could we start again, please? Betrayal and forgiveness in the 21st centruy" March/April 2009)
Lord,
Give me the strength to endure
the imperfections of the human condition.
Create within me a reservoir of forgiveness.
Guide me past the bitter pain of betrayal
toward the peace that I may find only 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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