 A Postcard and a Prayer |
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| Mennonite Women USA | July 2011
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Caring Bridges to the Cross
Mennonite Church USA Pittsburgh 2011 Convention is now history. Pictured below is the MW USA booth featuring a banner made of fabric from Congo Cloth Connection .
Women and men who visited the Mennonite Women USA booth were invited to write down names of persons who have been "Caring Bridges to the Cross" for them.
 
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MW USA Executive Director honored for 10 years of service
 Mennonite Women USA recognized Rhoda Keener at the Pittsburgh Convention during the MW USA dinner on July 5, 2011. Keener was honored for her ten years of service as executive director of MW USA.
"I feel deeply honored and deeply humbled" Rhoda Keener said in response to receiving a check to MW USA for $12,097.20 given in her honor for the endowment fund. (Pictured above.) "It's a great encouragement" to have this incentive as we establish an endowment fund for MW USA to carry us into the future.
The many women present at the dinner enjoyed not only this celebration 
for Rhoda Keener, but also soul-filled music led by Karen Moshier-Shenk, (pictured front right) an inspiring message from Meghan Good, pastor from Albany, Oregon, and encouraging words from Elizabeth Soto Albrecht, moderator-elect of Mennonite Church USA.
To see a video of the recognition given Rhoda Keener, check out our Facebook page, click here, or read the mPress article , page 3, which appeared on July 6 at convention.
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In timbrel 
The July/August issue, Healing Stories: Bridges to the Cross, centers around voices of both brokenness and hope. Marcella Hershberger writes about the grace in second-chances, describing her return trip to Guatemala after harboring a painful experience for almost thirty years.
 Also featured in this issue, Terri J. Plank Brenneman shares an excerpt from her Bible study guide, Wonderfully Made: Women, Faith, and Self-Care. She describes the inner healing process that begins when we fully open ourselves to God and others, even in our brokenness. "In the generous outpouring of our gifts," she writes, "the world is healed and so are we."
The sister question for the September/October issue of timbrel on young women and the church is
How has your faith been transferred from one generation to the next?
Send your responses to Patty by July 21. Be sure to include your name and hometown.
Consider giving a subscription to a special woman in your life as a gift. 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.
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Lydia Tea at Pittsburgh
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Elizabeth and Janelle Buschur (Toledo, OH) have an animated conversation during the Lydia Tea.
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Elizabeth Soto Albrecht shared her journey to leadership reflecting on Lydia in the Bible at a special tea to thank Mennonite Women USA's Lydia Circle donors. The Lydia Circle, begun in 2003, is comprised of persons who support MW USA's ministry with gifts of $500 or more per year. Since 2003, 122 persons have given at this level with 72 in 2011. Many of the thirty women who attended the tea wore purple as suggested by Elizabeth Soto Albrecht.
Rhoda Keener, co-executive director, noted that because of strong financial support, MW USA has "by faith" increased the International Women's Fund scholarships this year, developed the Sister Care seminar program, and continues to be a prophetic voice on issues close to women's hearts. In the past year the Lydia Circle donors contributed 33% of MW USA's total income. Mennonite Women USA is solely supported by gifts from individuals and groups.
Several women shared why they are part of the Lydia Circle. One said: "Because it's good!" Another remembered significant moments at the spring 2009 Sister Care seminar at Rocky Mountain Camp.
Sharon Waltner, past moderator of MC USA from Parker, South Dakota, could not attend, but sent this message: "God has given us power.  Women have power. When we don't use our power we abuse it. The Lydia Circle is a way to use our power to reach out."
After Elizabeth's presentation women gathered to pray a blessing for her in her new role as moderator-elect of MC USA.
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 Upcoming Sister Care Seminars
Sister Care: Equipping Women for Caring Ministry seminars validate women's gifts of caring and equips them to respond more effectively and confidently to the needs of others in their lives and in the congregation. Included in the seminar is a 64 page manual integrating biblical truths with life experience and skills for caring and listening. Presenters: Carolyn Heggen and Rhoda Keener
Illinois and Central District August 26-27, 2011
- Mennonite Church of Normal, Normal, Illinois
Central Plains in South Dakota September 17-18, 2011
- Swan Lake Camp, Viborg, South Dakota
North Central in Minnesota September 23-25, 2011
- Strawberry Lake Camp, Ogema, Minnesota
Southeast October 21-22, 2011
- Ashton Community Fellowship, Sarasota, Florida
South Central and Western District November 11-12, 2011
- Hesston Mennonite Church, Hesston, Kansas
Pacific Southwest January 13-14, 2012
- Los Angeles, California
Gulf States February 17-18, 2012
- Pine Lake Camp, Meridian, Mississippi
New York March 16-17, 2012
-Rochester Mennonite Church,Rochester, NY
Eastern District and Franconia March 23-24, 2012
- eastern Pennsylvania
Central District and Indiana-Michigan May 4-5, 2012
- northern Indiana
For information on how to register, or to schedule a Sister Care seminar in your area, contact the Mennonite Women USA office.
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Registration has begun for
Women in Conversation retreats
Meghan Good, lead pastor of Albany Mennonite Church in Albany, Oregon, is the keynote speaker. The theme for the weekend is "Into the Wilderness: the Journey of God's Beloved." Join us as we embrace our identity as God's beloved. You may register online .
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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 your contribution to the office at
Mennonite Women USA, 718 N. Main St.,
Newton, KS 67114-1819.
Please consider this ministry in your giving.
Gifts are tax deductible.
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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, significant people in their lives. We recognize that each gift honors or remembers a relationship.
Gifts given by:
Margaret Sutter in memory of Ann Naylor.
Marcy Thiesen in memory of Vera Thiesen.
Isabel Mullett in memory of Donna Fuson.
Miriam Nofsinger in memory of Evelyn Fretz.
Gloria Kniss in memory of Evelyn Landis Shenk.
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The Kitchen Table
by Lorraine Eby
Franklin Conference Sister Care Coordinator
Burning Bush, July 2011
Reflecting on the lives of persons who have influenced us in positive ways is a healthy exercise. This reflection usually occurs when we learn of their death and we stop the regular routine long enough to allow the memories to surface.
Recently I took time for reflection when I learned of the death of my Aunt Kathryn. I probably spent more time in her home playing with my cousins than other relatives. They lived just several blocks from my Grandmother, where I spent the summers I was 10 and 11, providing companionship after Grandfather died. Afternoons were sometimes spent playing with my cousins.
The obituary credits Aunt Kathryn as being a homemaker her whole life and taking her vocation seriously. "Her patience with children was unmatched...She was an avid reader..." There were other attributes listed but these were the characteristics that sparked my memories of her influence on my life.
Read more...
Used by permission of the Burning Bush, Franklin Conference newsletter.
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Rhoda Charles, board president, reflects on the Hispanic  Women's Conference
"I was privileged to receive an invitation to attend the 'Conferencia Femenil Hispana Menonita' which was held on June 23-26 at the Regency House Hotel just outside of New York City. I received a warm 'Welcome Sister' greeting and was blessed to attend a few hours of this retreat of Bible teaching, prayer, business, and fellowship. (Rhoda is pictured on the left with Maria Tijerina, board representative from Ohio.)
 "It was clear to see that these biennial conferences are important events of caring for the spiritual life and friendships of these sisters. The Saturday night banquet was eagerly anticipated as an opportunity to dress up in fuchsia, silver, and black as you will note in this picture!"
The 2013 conference will be held in Florida.
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Banks first Mennonite woman ordained in NYC in 100 years
by Kenneth L. Thompson
The Mennonite, July 2011
Addie Banks, a pastor at King of Glory Tabernacle in the Bronx, was ordained for ministry on June 18 at Riverside Church, New York City.
Banks is the first woman to be formally ordained for ministry in a Mennonite Church USA congregation in New York City since 1911 ... Read more.
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 Praise for God's faithfulness Prayer offered at the Pittsburgh MW USA Dinner
by Ruth Lapp Guengerich, Goshen, Indiana
Co-Executive Director, Mennonite Women USA
God of the universe, who has given us birth
and mothered us through many difficulties,
we humbly accept the gift of life and abundance.
We are women on a journey, grateful that you accompany us wherever we go.
We are women who hunger for food to eat, and hunger for spiritual food to strengthen our souls.
We are women who thrive on sisterhood. Thank you God for the gift of women, gathered from across the country, eager to celebrate the joy with which you have blessed us. As we sing, praise, pray, and hear stories of your goodness, may all our words, all our actions bring praise, honor, and glory to you.
Our bodies have been fed well with food, and for that we give you thanks. We pray for each person who had some part in preparing our food. May all those workers somehow know that their work is a blessed service to others. May they too be well-fed, physically and spiritually.
God our creator, this organization, Mennonite Women USA, is a blessing to many. Each woman here has in some way been blessed by the organization, and the organization is blessed by each person present. We have many sisters across the church who were not able to attend this dinner, and we pray that they too will know the joy of sisterhood in their communities, congregations, and work settings.
We are especially grateful for the work of our dear friend and sister, Rhoda Keener. Thank you for her 10 plus years of service to MW USA. You have gifted her with vision, commitment, and a servant's heart. We are incredibly grateful for your call to her to serve, and for her gracious, warm response to that call. As she continues her work for MW USA, fulfilling her vision to create a foundation for MW USA so that we can continue to exist for our daughters, granddaughters and great granddaughters, may she have strength for the journey, inner peace and confidence of your presence with her.
May each of us continue to listen to your voice guiding us; to seek to follow your will; and to respond with the same kind of generosity and love that Rhoda has exhibited.
Loving God, we bring all these petitions and praise to you, knowing that you receive them joyfully. Amen |
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A Postcard & a Prayer is compiled by Mennonite Women USA staff Ruth Lapp Guengerich, 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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