By Peg Burkey, Milford, Nebraska
Peg serves as congregational nurture
committee chairperson at Bellwood
Mennonite Church
in Central Plains Conference. Pictured below is Peg's newest grandchild, Josie Shalom.
Dear God,
Creator of all that is,
I am so grateful for the cycles of life.
You
created the seasons which fill our lives with variety and beauty:
Winter often seems cold, dead and endless,
but we have the hope of spring!
The hot, humid days of summer
are followed by the brilliant colors of a cool autumn!
You
created cycles in the universe in which we make our home:
The sun rises and sets each day,
often accompanied by flaming pink, purple and orange.
The moon changes from a tiny sliver
to a bright white globe, lighting the night sky.
During
this particular stage in my life,
I'm
experiencing the beginning and the end of the cycle of human life:
The approaching of the end of life by
aging parents brings sadness,
but the birth of a new grandchild (and
another on the way),
fills me with great joy!
Thank You
for Your faithfulness
in replenishing the earth with newness of life.
Thank You for the promises and new
adventures
that await us with each new day.
And thank You that You have a plan for
each new life You create!
A Postcard and a Prayer 
"When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony,
Be
sure to read the latest issue of timbrel:
women in conversation together with God which focuses on Sister-Care, a
program of Mennonite Women USA which helps women identify their gifts and help
other women while maintaining healthy boundaries. Participant Ivorie Lowe discusses how she was
impacted by a Sister-Care Seminar, and physician Sarah Kraybill writes about
why she thinks Sister-Care Seminars are so significant for the church. Lucille Gering, Brenda Lazarro Yoder, and
Maribel Hinojosa share their experiences of caring and being cared for by other
women.
This
is a great time of the year to give gift subscriptions to other women for
Christmas gifts. A subscription for one
year is only $15.00, and keeps giving all year. Who can you think of in your
family, church, neighborhood, or circle of friends who might benefit from
reading timbrel: women in conversation
together with God? Click here to order a gift subscription now.
Now available is a resource directory of Pennsylvania speakers provided by Mennonite women in Atlantic Coast and Lancaster conferences through the Women & Preschool leadership.The topics in the 2010-2013
A "sowing" circle of 178 women from 54 churches
gathered Oct. 2-3 for the Sister-Care seminar in Middletown,
Pa. Sponsored by Mennonite Women USA,
Sister-Care invited women from the Atlantic Coast and Lancaster conferences
to explore their gifts in ministering to women in the church while maintaining
healthy boundaries. See 
Esther Barnabas, a two-year recipient of a Mennonite
Women USA's International Women's Fund scholarship providing theological
training, testifies that her education has provided growth in ministry skills.
Esther was referred to MW USA's
program through the Tanzania
Mennonite Church
and Eastern Mennonite Missions.
