 A Postcard and a Prayer | |
| Mennonite Women USA |
January 2010
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Think spring  "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? Join other women to explore the spiritual discipline of grateful living."
- from Women in Conversation:
Living a Life of Gratitude retreat brochure; photos by Norah Wolthuis
Register now for Women in Conversation April retreats!
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Women in Conversation retreats coming!
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center April 9-11, 2010 and
Crosswind
Retreat Center in Hesston, Kansas April 30-May
2, 2010
Each retreat features
keynote speaker Megan Ramer of Chicago IL.
Laurelville worship leaders are Jen Helmuth Shenk and Kristin Graber
Kauffman of Elkhart IN, Crosswind worship leader is Treva Greaser of  Wichita,
Kansas. Wonderful "Menno Spa's" are being planned as well as a theme "Gratitude Dinner." These women's retreats are an opportunity to focus on your
spiritual journey - body,
mind, soul and spirit. Women of all ages and walks of life are invited for a time of
conversation, worship, laughter, prayer and renewal.
 Register by
March 1 to receive early discount; visit Laurelville or call 800.839.1021
(A limited
number of scholarships are available; requests will be processed after March 1,
with priority given to young women and women of color.)
Women
in Conversation retreats are co-sponsored by Mennonite Women USA and
Laurelville. Questions? Call or e-mail Berni at 316-281-4396.
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Women in Conversation Retreat workshops
 Grateful for our Sexuality? By Brenda Martin Hurst (pictured left) (Laurelville)
Grateful Rhythms: From Menarche to Menopause by Rachel Eash-Scott MD (Laurelville)
Walking in the Sunshine when Facing Breast Cancer by Sondra Leatherman (Crosswind) Writing's Gift:The Attitude of Gratitude by Raylene Hinz-Penner (pictured right) (Crosswind)
Humor as a Spiritual Discipline (and that's no
joke!) by Sue Conrad (Laurelville)
 Letting Ourselves BE Found by Karen Andres (Crosswind)
Living More with Less-My Story by Elaine W. Good (Laurelville)
Gratitude Expressed in Contentment by Sandra Montes-Martinez, to be held in Spanish
(Crosswind)
Beginner's Guide to Country Line Dancing by Jean Kilheffer Hess and Donna Mast (pictured left) (Laurelville)
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Women's Prophetic Voice
 Be sure
to read the January/February issue of timbrel
which focuses on Women's Prophetic Voice.
Sarah Thompson shares her experiences with prophetic women's voices in Ghana, while
Joanna Shenk shares information about the Mennonite Church USA Women in
Leadership Audit she is conducting and which developed as an outgrowth of the
vision-setting retreat of Mennonite Women USA in the Spring of 2009. Rebekah
Wingert, Danetta Fisher, and Margaret Sawatsky share their perspectives in
"Three Windows Three Women," while MW USA board member, Gail Shetler
shares her view on the importance of Women's Prophetic Voice in
"Grapevine." New columnist, Heidi
Martin, introduces herself and reviews Monk Kidd's book, Firstlight, in her column, "Stirrings."
If you are wondering what to give as a gift to a
woman who seems to have everything she needs, consider giving a subscription to
timbrel! The ability of MW USA to continue
to publish timbrel depends on
subscribers. Thank you for purchasing subscriptions and sharing the magazine
with those who know little about Mennonite women. To subscribe or renew your
subscription or purchase a gift subscription, go to our website.
In preparation
for the March/April issue of timbrel, which will focus on Loneliness in
Community, consider:
When have you
felt lonely in your community and what has helped to change that situation?
Send responses to Patty by February 1.
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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Honoring and Remembering
Mennonite Women USA invites persons to share financially to support this
ministry. Individuals are invited to give in honor of, or in remembrance of, a
significant woman in their lives. We
recognize that each gift honors or remembers a relationship.
Gifts
given by:
Ann Hershberger in
memory of Karen Graber.
Jan Landes in memory
of Emma Alderfer Landis.
Dorothy Yoder Nyce
in memory of Bessie King Yoder.
Betsy Headrick
McCrae in memory of Clara Esch Headrick.
Barbara Kaufman in
memory of Gertie Claassen.
Kathleen Rhodes in
memory of Martha Widrick Zehr.
Gifts
given by:
Catherine Kurtz in
honor of Emma Diane Daniels.
Jen Carter in honor
of Kathy Shelly.
Sonya Stauffer Kurtz
in honor of Kathy Shelly.
Barbel Goertz in
honor of Hazel Baer-Metzler.
Tina Block Ediger in
honor of J. Martha Epp.
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Give to Mennonite Women USA
 Your
gifts make 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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Resource from MCC Women's Advocacy
Created
Equal: Women and Men in the Image of God - This 36 page booklet provides a biblical
understanding of equality between women and men. It responds to
frequently asked questions such as how to understand creation, the fall and
some of Paul's writings. It also includes questions for further reflection and
discussion, and a list of additional resources.
For more information contact Linda Gehman Peachey,
Women's Advocacy Program, MCC U.S. Peace and Justice Ministries, Box 500, 21 S.
12th St. Akron, PA 17501-0500; 717-859-1151 or 888-563-4676 x 370; http://abuse.mcc.org; http://us.mcc.org/programs/women
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The Kitchen Table
January 2010
by Lorraine Eby, Franklin Conference Sister-Care Coordinator
"I was about
age five, attending a special weekend meeting with my parents and the
church was packed with extra chairs in the aisles. When the children were
called to the front for story time, the only seating space was on the steps of
the platform.
"The lesson
for the children's time was obedience. The guest preacher quoted the
first part of Ephesians 6:1, "Children obey your parents..." and asked if anyone
could finish the verse. I boldly raised my hand, confident I knew the
correct answer, and belted out, "for this is right and good in the sight of the
Lord." There was complete silence for a moment and then the audience
broke into laughter at the little girl who misquoted the scripture. I was
mortified..."
Read
the entire article. "The Kitchen Table" is published in The Burning Bush, Franklin Conference Newsletter.
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United Nations Millennium Goals (many are focused on women's needs)
Eradicate
extreme poverty and hunger Ensure that
all boys and girls complete primary school Promote gender
equality and empower women Reduce by two
thirds the mortality rate among children under five Reduce by
three quarters the ratio of women dying in childbirth Halt and begin
to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and incidence of malaria and other major
diseases Ensure
environmental sustainability Develop a
global partnership for development
Millennium Campaign
Remember January 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
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A Blessing for the New Year
By Pastor Maria
Crockett/ House of Power Mennonite Church,
Elkhart, Indiana
Father, as we prepare our
hearts and minds,
may you help us lay aside any pain and struggles life has brought us,
and open our hearts to your love.
As we focus on the new year,
we thank you for the life you have given us.
We thank you for the
Blessing of Hope-
for Promise that allows us to live in expectation of eternal life.
We thank you for the Blessing of Purpose-
that allows us to remain focused toward eternal life.
We thank you for the blessing of Perseverance-
that allows us to remain faithful so that we can experience eternal life.
We thank you for the blessing of Prosperity-
that allows us to reap the harvest of the abundant life through Jesus Christ.
We thank you, In the
name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 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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