LogoA Postcard and a Prayer
Mennonite Women USA October 2009
In This Issue
Coming in timbrel
What readers are saying about timbrel
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Sister-Care article in TMail
Save the date
Local retreats bless women
Give to Mennonite Women USA
The Lord's Prayer paraphrased

"The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere they can be alone, alone with the sky, nature and God. For then and only then can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature's beauty and simplicity."

Fall tree-from Anne Frank's diary, in For the Beauty of the Earth: Women, Faith and Creation Care by Patty Friesen (Mennonite Women USA and Mennonite Women Canada 2009 Bible study, available through Faith & Life)

Photo taken in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Coming in timbrel  

PrayerSister-Care, a new program of Mennonite Women USA, helps women identify their gifts and set boundaries to better serve the church by caring for their sisters.  The PrayerNovember/December issue of timbrel focuses on Sister-Care as Ivorie Lowe (right) and Sarah Krabill, MD (left), share their experiences attending the Elkhart Sister-Care Seminar and other women share how they have cared for and been cared for by their sisters.  Be sure to read their stories and consider ways you too can care and be cared for by your sisters.

The sister question in preparation for the January/February issue focusing on the MW USA's new Sister-Care program, consider:
 
What needs do you think the church should be addressing today?

Send responses to Patty by November 1 .
 
If you know a woman who has "everything," consider giving her a subscription to timbrel for Christmas. Youthful or mature, all women appreciate the connection to other women that timbrel provides. To subscribe, order through the mail or 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 N Main St., 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.

What readers are saying about timbrel  timbrel09

What a great piece of work you are doing, Patty! I like, for example, your inclusion of Native Americans--Ruth Yellow Hawk, Erica Littlewolf Clifford.  And Rhoda, thank you for your "Modern-Day Slavery" in the Jan/Feb 09 issue.-Elaine Sommers Rich
 
I found myself really excited to read the articles in the coming timbrel. Thanks for your excellent work on the magazine.  Your inclusion of sisters' voices beyond the white, traditional Menno community gives timbrel diversity credibility and makes it so fun to read.  I know I've said this many times, but I suspect you don't tire of hearing it: keep up the great work! I appreciate the diverse contributors, the relevant and well-treated topics, and that it's by, about, and primarily for women. Kudos!  I'm a fan!-Jean Kilheffer Hess
 
timbrelThe last few issues have been terrific - thanks for your work!-Anne M. Yoder
 
I often find that timbrel has much to offer in inspiration and covers such a wide audience of ideas and callings.... [I am] grateful for timbrel that continues to touch lives and expands on each of our experiences.-Marge Weaver

The Mar/Apr 09 timbrel was a Powerful issue I must read it again to absorb all the good thoughts. This morning I readMA09the recent May/June issue of timbrel.  Again ........a great issue!!!!!!!! I'm sorting out some of my feelings as I read the articles.-Rebecca Sommers

Enclosed is a check for the renewal of timbrel. I appreciate all the hard work that you put into each issue. The last issue on forgiveness was super. I read it through several times because I needed the message. Thanks, Patty.-Mildred Stauffer
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Did you know that MC USA has a Resolution on Male Violence Against Women -from 1993?  

Excerpts: "...We believe that life is a gift from God and that women and men are created equally in God's image with inherent worth and dignity and entitled to the same respect. The fall into sin has shattered God's intended mutuality of women and men, distorting personal relationships and resulting in dominance and violence of men against women. We believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has saved and transformed us from these broken relationships and that Jesus calls us to live in love and harmony with all (Genesis 1:27; 2:20-24; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 5:21, 25-33).

"However, we live in a society whose structures imply men's power and superiority over women. Within that system too many Mennonite fathers, husbands, employers and even church leaders have used their power in oppressive and violent ways. They have excluded women from opportunities, silenced their ideas and protests, sexually harassed them and violently abused them.

"We confess that we, women and men, have by our silence consented to the system of male dominance and to individual acts of abuse. We also confess that while we have claimed to be a peace-loving people, we have not effectively translated our theology into peaceful interpersonal relations in our homes, churches and institutions..."  Read the entire resolution passed in 1993, and the eight resolves.

What is your response in 2009 to this resolution on male violence against women?  Send your comments to Mennonite Women USA. 

Sister-Care article in TMailLancaster
 
Sister-care event offers 'sowing' circle,
by Heidi Martin

A "sowing" circle of 178 women from 54 churches gathered for the Sister-Care Seminar in Middletown,
Pa., October 2-3, 2009.   Sponsored by Mennonite PrayerWomen USA, Sister-Care invited women from the Atlantic Coast and Lancaster (Pa.) Mennonite Conferences to explore their gifts in ministering to women in the church while maintaining healthy boundaries at the same time... Read more.

Living a Life of Gratitude

Save the Date! for a 2010 Women in Conversation: Living a Life of Gratitude retreat. The praises and petitions of our lives rise and fall with the tides of "good" news and "bad" news.

How do we anchor the highs and purge the lows in order to find a steadiness of gratitude in our lives with God, neighbor and self? How dare we even try in the midst of a decidedly unsteady, broken and aching world? Keynote speaker, Megan Ramer, pastor from Chicago IL, will explore with us the satisfying spiritual discipline of grateful living.

This retreat is held in two locations:

PrayerPrayerLaurelville Retreat Center, Mt. Pleasant PA, April 9-11, 2010

Crosswind Retreat Center, Hesston KS, April 30-May 2, 2010

Visit Laurelville or Mennonite Women USA for information on workshops, music leaders and more! To request a brochure or to register, contact: Angela Deitzel or call 800.839.1021

Women in Conversation is co-sponsored by Mennonite Women USA and Laurelville.
 
Local retreats bless womenRebecca

From Florida:  "About 190 women participated in A Day of Paradise, with Rebecca Sommers as speaker. Women attended from each of our five ethnic groups. Each woman received a lei when she entered through the arch that led into the sanctuary. The day began with a Tropical Island continental breakfast..." -Doris Diener, Southeast Conference MW president

PrayerFrom Ohio:  Speaker Marilyn Rossiter gave words to remember: "Faith is the quilting on the bones of our belief... You are too blessed to be stressed; you are too anointed to be disappointed... Stop making 'to do' lists and start sitting and listening to God." -Jean Emery, Ohio MW president

WDC

From Kansas:  Women from South Central and Western District conferences gathered at Camp Menoscah around the theme "Our Kaleidoscope of Life."  Speakers, Karen Andres and Marcene Entz, friends for almost 20 years, shared how the patterns of their friendship developed through life experiences including God's call to ministry, and a journey with depression.

They said: "Like Mary and Martha, what makes our relationship colorful is recognizing the unique gift we are to one another as sisters in Christ." -Linda Goering, Western District MW president

Illinois (coming October 24): a women's brunch at Mennonite Heritage Center (between Metamora and Germantown Hills) featuring the work of Carolyn Nafziger and Jane Bell: "Vintage Quilters and their Pieces of Love."

Give to Mennonite Women USA

HyacinthsYour gifts Mennonite Women USA's ministry possible. You can contribute to Mennonite Women through online giving. Or send a gift by regular mail to:  Mennonite Women USA,  722 N Main St., Newton, KS 67114. Gifts are tax deductible. You can also make a pledge on our website.

Every gift make a difference. Thank you for your support.

The Lord's Prayer paraphrased   

by Patricia Burdette, MW USA editor, Elkhart, Ind.

God of the universe,
holy is your name.

May your way be accepted,
and may your will be carried out on earth
as it is throughout the universe.

Just for today,
give us the food we need
and forgive us our mistakes
in the same way we forgive
the mistakes others make.

Keep us away from those things
that tempt us to do harm
and protect us from all that may harm us.

For by your power,
you are able to do this today and forever. Amen.

A Postcard & a Prayer is compiled by Mennonite Women USA staff Rhoda Keener, Patricia Burdette, Berni Kaufman, and Lois Loflin.

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.