"In some ways, body dissatisfaction is a rejection of God's gift of incarnation, of body and spirit united to serve God's will," writes Beth Martin Birkey in the May/June issue of timbrel which focuses on Loving Our Bodies, Loving Ourselves. Beth brings interesting insights about women, self-image, and serving God.  

Also in this issue, Kirsten Klassen writes about the oneness of body with who we are.  

Don't miss these thought-provoking articles coming out in early May.

The sister question for the July/August issue of timbrel on Healing is  

What (or who) has helped me in my healing journey?

Send your responses to Patty by May 15. Be sure to include your name and hometown.

Mother's Day is coming! Consider getting a subscription to a special woman in your life as a gift on Mother's Day. To subscribe to timbrel, send $15 for one year or $13 per person for a group of 10 or more to Mennonite Women USA, 718 N Main St., Newton, KS 67114. You can also e-mail or call 866.866.2872, ext. 34396. We'll start your subscription and send you a bill. 

(Front l-r) Rhoda Charles, Ruth Lapp Guengerich, Karen Lehman, Carolyn Holderread Heggen, Regina Shands Stoltzfus, Twila King Yoder; (Middle l-r) Gail Shetler, Cora L. Brown, Denise Nickel, (Back l-r) Mary Clemens Meyer, Rhoda Keener, Peggy Martin, Carol Roth, Maria Tijerina, Patricia Burdette (Not pictured: Berni Kaufman, Lois Loflin) Photo by Jonathon Charles at spring board meeting, April 1-2 in Goshen, Indiana. 

There is so much to learn from other women.  This winter several of my "sisters" introduced our women's group to "Winter Sowing", the planting of seeds in a recycled container which acts as a miniature greenhouse.  The containers (plastic milk jugs, two liters soda bottles or clear plastic containers) are then placed outdoors where the seeds get the same weather and temperatures as nature provides but in a protected environment. When seeds are planted directly into the ground they are at risk for being washed out in downpours, eaten by birds, squirrels, or other animals.  They can dry out in the wind or rot in the soil.

Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) invited  Rebecca Sommers (second from right), MDS board member and Ruth Lapp Guengerich, MW USA (far left), to participate in the presentation of a wall hanging made by Rebecca Sommers on March 24, 2011. Over 150 wall hangings have been given by Mennonite women through Mennonite Disaster Service in the past 6 years. They are presented to new homeowners along with the book, "Hammer Rings Hope" at the home dedication. Recipients Treva (second from the left) and Jimmie (far right)  are from Cameron, Louisiana.  For more photos go to the MDS web site.   

Eloise Yoder, Archbold, Ohio, coordinates this Sister-Link, and will complete her three year service this summer. Rebecca Sommers will coordinate in 2011-2014.  Wall hangings are needed. Please contact Eloise Yoder for more information.

Each year a different country prepares the liturgy. The liturgy for 2011 was developed by sisters of the Mennonite churches in Guatemala. The focus for this year will be on Guatemala, Argentina, Cuba and Haiti. The liturgy is available in English and Spanish on the blog.

Pr. Rebeca González of Mexico explained: "We have action plans that we hope will allow us to get to the horizon we envision:  That we may see relationships between men and women of the world transformed into equity and justice to build the Kingdom of God".

MTA invites groups around the world who celebrate the day of prayer to send testimonials to: Rebeca Gonzalez and Ester Bornes.  

Jeremiah 29: 12-13. "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Mennonite World Conference (MWC) is a global community of Christian churches rooted in the 16th-century Radical Reformation in Europe, particularly in the Anabaptist movement. Today, more than 1,600,000 believers belong to this faith family; more than 60 percent are African, Asian, or Latin American. MWC represents 99 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ national churches from 56 countries on six continents

Wonderfully Made

Women, Faith and Self-Care

Terri J. Plank Brenneman

"To offer good and healthy care to others, we need to nurture and replenish ourselves, our primary resource," writes Terri J. Plank Brenneman in her preface to this Bible study.

Wonderfully Made provides careful study that validates the importance of personal wholeness. As the author shares wisdom learned from her journey with infertility, readers will connect their own life experiences with sound scriptural and psychological principles helpful in self-care.

Read more about the author and Bible study content.

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:

Rebecca Sommers in memory of Leta Snyder.

Rebecca Sommers in memory of Nancy Adams.

Nancy C Miller in menory of Leta Snyder.

Arlene L Sutter in memory of Elsie Martin. 

Arlene L Sutter in memory of Helen Zook.

Nancy Roynon in memory of Lucille Gerig. 

Give to Mennonite Women USA 

Mennonite Women USA's ministry is possible through your generous donations. Contribute on-line.
Make a pledge on our website. 

Or mail it to the office at
Mennonite Women USA, 718 N. Main St.,
Newton, KS 67114-1819.    

Based on Psalm 139

O Lord,    

You have searched me and know me.

I am grateful that you are with me through all things.

You understand the longings of my heart, even when words escape me.

Your reassuring presence is always with me.

May I remember this that in all circumstances.

The darkness is not dark to you.

Even when I do not know what lies ahead, which step to take--

You are with me; I am never out of your sight.

Your everlasting arms are always near.

May I have courage to step out in faith.

You are the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.

It is through you that I have life.

You sculpted me from nothing into something.

Continue to form me into the person you have dreamed me to be.

May I honor all life as you do.

Continue to search my heart, O Lord.

May I be drawn nearer to you,

Protected from evil,

And led in the way everlasting.

Amen.