A Postcard and a Prayer | |
| Mennonite Women USA |
October 2009 |
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"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." -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.
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| Coming in timbrel
Sister-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 November/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.
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What readers are saying about timbrel

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
The 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 read the 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
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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.
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Sister-Care article in TMail
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 Women 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.
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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:  Laurelville 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.
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Local retreats bless women
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
From 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

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."
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Give to Mennonite Women USA
Your
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.
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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.
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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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