 A Postcard and a Prayer |
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| Mennonite Women USA |
May 2009 |
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 In the current issue of timbrel on Seasons of Marriage, Vickie Shureld asks,
"Is it possible to understand the mystery of love simply by being aware of the stages through which a marriage moves?
Can a relationship grow without moving past the Spring season?"
-Bible study, Ecclesiastes 3:1 and
I Corinthians 13:4-8a | |
| Seasons of Marriage
 The current May-June issue of timbrel magazine explores Seasons of Marriage. Editor Patty Burdette says, "I often think how useful it would have been if an older, wiser woman had shared with me the various seasons a marriage can experience...It is my hope that this issue of timbrel will facilitate bringing some of that wisdom to some younger women. Donna Brunk Suter shares a bit about forgiveness following a spouse's infidelity. Barbara Reed shares a new season of marriage she is beginning with her spouse who has Alzheimer's disease." Barbara and Harold are pictured here in a recent photo on the cover of timbrel. In preparation for the next issue on "Kitchen Table Theology," consider:
As women visit and share our stories informally with one another, we often share our faith journeys; this is kitchen table theology. How have you participated in such informal exchanges that have had a positive impact?
Send response to Patty by May 30.
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.
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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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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Calling for Women's Prophetic Voice
STURGIS, Mich. - As the 30 participants of the Mennonite Women USA (MW USA) Strategic Planning Retreat at Amigo Centre March 27 to 28 listened to a "State of MW USA" presentation, including the history of the organization, and reviewed the current mission and vision statements, they endeavored to envision needs of women - both within and outside of the church - that are best met by other women. As they worked at what a new vision statement for the coming three  to five years might include, words such as "advocating for women in the church," "taking risks," "empowering women," "working from the margins to the margins," "valuing our diversity" and "using the prophetic voice of women" emerged as themes. Pictured (above) are Susan Mark Landis with Jean Kilheffer Hess and (left) Maria deLeon with Hatoko Inoue.
To read the enitre April 23 press release by Patricia Burdette, go to our website. |
2009 Women's Bible study guide
 Now available: For the Beauty of the Earth: Women, Faith, and Creation Care, by Patty Friesen, Saskatchewan. Patty writes: "A healthy planet is essential for human health, physical and spiritual. Spiritually, the earth is one of the most tangible ways that God communicates love and creativity to us. Lifestyle changes and commitments in the realm of creation care walk hand-in-hand with the lifestyle changes and commitments in our Christian walk. It is an ongoing process of discovery and joy."
This guide with 12 lessons and a closing worship service is ideal for use by women's groups or for a Sunday school quarter. Thoughtful questions also make this guide helpful for individual devotions and journaling. Developed by Mennonite Women USA and Canadian Women in Mission, the guide is published by Faith & Life Press. Copies can be purchased for $8.29 plus $2 postage by calling Mennonite Publishing Network at 800-245-7894 or go to MPN.
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Give to Mennonite Women USA
 Your gifts 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. |
 Save the date for Women in Conversation 2010 with keynote speaker Megan Ramer focusing on Living a Life of Gratitude - April 9-11, 2010 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mount Pleasant, Pa. and April 30-May 2, 2010, at Cross Wind Retreat Center, Hesston, Kan. Retreats are co-sponsored by Laurelville and Mennonite Women USA. For more information about Women in Conversation go to our website.
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A Prayer for the Journey 
-by Maria Elena Arango, Colombia, International Women's Fund 2009 scholarship recipient
Dear Lord,
This world is so crammed with people, but filled with loneliness...
or so many people who are living with bad company.
We ask you to help us overcome individualism, arrogance, pride, and independence, and allow us to become friends, a gift from God for others.
You call us friends. Be our mold, model, and example.
May we, as a community, constantly live in harmony which is delicious and good.
May we put aside our different opinions and continue,
according to our purpose in life, working together for your glory. 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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