 A Postcard and a Prayer |
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| Mennonite Women USA |
August 2009 |
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"There
is wisdom and friendship in a circle of women," writes
Rebecca Sommers, Goshen, Ind., describing the quilt she created and donated for a silent auction at the Columbus
Assembly, in support of MW USA's
ministry. New quilt owner pictured here is Mary Esther Schmid, Orrville, Ohio.
Photo by Susan Mark Landis
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| Coming in timbrel
Have you
ever wondered why two-thirds of the world's poor are women? As you read the
upcoming September/October issue of timbrel,
which focuses on Women and Poverty, you may learn some of the underlying
reasons, or you may begin to understand how poverty among women is related to
criminal behaviors such as human trafficking, pornography, prostitution, etc.
You will definitely read a variety of perspectives on  women and poverty. Gwen
Peachy writes about "the system" and poverty among women; Gabriella Ochoa
Brenneman (pictured) writes about experiencing poverty among indigenous women in Guatemala.
Vickie Shurelds writes about the working poor in the U.S.,
while Christiana Duhoux-Reub writes about poverty in Europe.
Be sure to see Sun Ju Moon's article on the blessing she received from living
in poverty in Korea.
The next issue of timbrel will focus on the MW USA program Sister Care. In
preparation for this issue, consider:
What have you most needed
in your connection with other women in the church?
How have you meaningfully connected with women
in the church?
Send responses to Patty by September 1 . Do
you know a young woman who is going to be going to college this fall? Consider
giving her a gift subscription to timbrel
to help her stay connected to women in the church. Her name can be added to your bulk
subscription list and sent directly to her at her college or home address. Subscriptions may be purchased online.
To subscribe to timbrel, send $15 for one year or $13 per person for a group of 10 or more to Mennonite Women USA, 722 Main St., 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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Thank you from women theologians
 On Saturday, July 18, at Mennonite World Conference
in Paraguay,
the Latin American women theologians hosted a special tea for the African women
theologians and women from around the world who have provided support for
travel and/or scholarships. Around 80 women and a few men participated. Sandra
Campos from Costa Rica
created special hand-made cards to share their thanks with contributing women's
groups. We have a photograph and a translation of the text to share with
everyone.
 Note to
contributing women's groups:
"We want to
express our gratitude; first, for the support that you have given us by
believing in this project of reflection; secondly, for the efforts you have
made to increase our funds with your financial gifts; and thirdly, for your
prayers. We hope to see you represented and enjoy with us the miracle the Lord
is allowing us to realize. May the prayer that you weave, be like nets that
extend to reach many other women."
-Translated
text written by Sandra Campos, Costa Rica (pictured above, lower left)
Mennonite Women USA editor, Patty Burdette, also
attended the tea; more about this event coming this fall. |
New on the Mennonite Women USA website
Human Trafficking bibliography. Thanks to Suzanne Stauffer, Sugar Creek, Ohio
for compiling this list.
Jimmy Carter's statement, Losing My Religion for Equality,
about why he is severing his relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention
after six decades because of his belief in gender equality in the church, is
posted on our website with permission granted by Leroy Troyer, Goshen, Ind.
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Fall 2009 regional women's events
Atlantic
Coast, Lancaster, and Eastern District (October 2-3):
Mennonite Women USA Sister-Care seminar on effective lay caring at Best
Western, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania., with speaker Rhoda Keener
Central District (Sept. 18-20) at Camp Friedenswald,
Cassopolis, Michigan, a weekend retreat with a series of
dramas on "Women of God: Act!"
Central Plains (Sept. 19-20) at Swan
Lake Christian Camp, Viborg, South Dakota, a weekend retreat with Andrea Wall on "Our
Too Busy Lives-Slowing Down to Catch Up with Life"
Franconia (Sept. 18-20) at
Spruce Lake Retreat, Canadensis, Pennsylvania, a weekend retreat with speaker and
recording artist, Bonnie Keen and worship leader, Jackie Swartley
Franklin (Oct. 3, 8:30-1:30)
at Pleasant View
Mennonite Church,
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, a fall inspiration day with Ginny
Trotter on "Threads of Healing"
Illinois being planned
Indiana-Michigan (Oct. 9-11) at Camp Amigo, Sturgis, Michigan, a weekend
retreat with Evie Shellenberger on "Singing God's Song in Iran"
North Central (Sept. 25-27) at
Cooperstown Bible Camp, Cooperstown, North Dakota, a weekend retreat with
Virelle Kidder on "Developing Relationships Between Campers and Christ"
Ohio (Sept. 18-20) at Camp Luz,
Orville, Ohio, a weekend retreat with Marilyn Rossiter on "Lord, Make Me an
Instrument of Your Peace"
South Central and
Western District (Sept. 11-13) at Camp Mennoscah, Murdock, Kansas, a weekend retreat
with Marcene Entz and Karen Andres on "Our Kaleidoscope of Life"
Southeast (Sept. 12) at Bahia
Vista Mennonite
Church, Sarasota,
Florida, a day of inspiration with Rebecca Sommers
on "A Day in Paradise"
Virginia (Nov. 13-15) at Holiday Inn Select, Richmond,
Virginia, a weekend retreat with speaker Mary Thiessen Nation on "Hope Anchored but
Unseen" Eastern Pennsylvania: 2009-2010 Women's Sabbath Retreats - Voice
Lessons: Mother-Daughter Challenges is the theme for the three-retreat series
which meets Saturdays 10-4 at the Forest Hills
Mennonite Church,
Leola, Pennsylvania - November 7-Miriam Blank with mother Mary Lou and sister
Beverly on losing eyesight
- January 30-Marilou Adams with mother Laura Shaida on
living inter-generationally
- March 13-Christina Cruz with mother Miriam Cruz on
integrating multi-cultural family
For
more information on any of these events, e-mail the office and we'll connect you with local retreat planners.
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Give to Mennonite Women USA
 You can contribute to Mennonite Women USA's ministry through online giving.
You can also make a pledge on our website. Or send a gift by regular mail to: Mennonite
Women USA, 722 N Main St.,
Newton, KS 67114.
MW USA is solely supported by gifts from individuals and groups.
Please consider this
ministry in your giving. Gifts are tax deductible.
Every gift make a difference. Thank you for your support.
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A Prayer to our Gardener God
By Lois Johns Kaufmann, Central Di strict Conference
Minister, Goshen, Ind.
Lois writes, "In
addition to my conference minister
role, I love the overgrown, and sometimes weedy, terraced
flower beds outside my dining room window. It is a rare morning when I do
not look out with delight at the panorama of color before I sit down to my bowl
of oatmeal."
Gardener God,
Lover of bold color and
delicate petal,
Turner of clumping soil
and Puller of weeds,
my
heart swells with gratitude
that
you have planted me among these my sisters
in
the garden of your church,
each
blossom uniquely beautiful,
bearing
with grace their own conditions of soil, rain and sunshine.
Gardener God,
nurture
the soil of friendship,
send
the rains of laughter and tears,
turn
our faces to the loving sunshine of your presence
that
we may each know our place
in
the flowerbed of your people
eager
to be the flower we are,
the
color, fragrance, height you delight in.
 Gardener God,
as
you gaze with delight upon us
and
as your creative mind begins plotting new possibilities,
and
new growth calls for new space,
prune
us, transplant us, water us,
that we may flourish and be a glorious
reflection of you. 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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