 A Postcard and a Prayer |
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| Mennonite Women USA | September 2011
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Mennonite Church USA, Newton offices, held an Open House, September 15. About 150 people toured the new space and enjoyed fellowship as they savored cookies and tea. "It was fun to see former employees marvel at the transformation. I was so honored to share the Mennonite Women space and ministry with people who came through," said Berni Kaufman, Executive Assistant.
The flowers (pictured above) were given by the board and staff with the following greeting, "Blessings on the work of Mennonite Women. May this space be a blessing to all who enter."
Next time you're in Newton, come by and visit us at 718 N. Main Street! Our phone numbers are 316.281.4396 or 866.866.2872.
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In timbrel 
"One important issue close to my heart is that I believe the Mennonite church should mentor and call more young women into leadership positions.
Through Mennonite Central Committee's SALT (Serving and Learning Together) program. I've spent the past 11 months in Indonesia....Living in Indonesia, a largely patriarchal and predominantly Muslim society, and overall more "conservative" than the United States, I've found myself in a church that embraces and encourages women's leadership. Although I am frustrated with the way women are treated in the larger society, I find myself rejoicing at the strength of women within my church community." Rachel Harder, recent Goshen College graduate and recent SALT service worke,r speaks candidly about her own story and her vision for the Mennonite church.
In addition to Rachel's article concerning young women and the church in the September/October issue of timbrel magazine, read another perspective, from young mother and former youth pastor, Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg (left).
Read also an interview written by Mary C. Roth, Goshen College student and timbrel's first-ever summer intern. Mary interviews Maria Tijerina, Mennonite Women USA board member, about the summer gathering of Mennonite Hispanic women.
In preparation for the next issue of timbrel, which will focus on Global Sisters, consider:
How do our global sisters enrich our own lives as well as enrich the life of the church?
Send your responses to Patty by September 28. Be sure to include your name and hometown.
If you know a young woman going to college, consider giving her a gift subscription to timbrel to help her connect with women in the Mennonite church as she begins her journey into the wider world. 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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Central District Conference Women's Retreat
 | Beth Boehr and Jan Wiebe study a weaving made of fabric scraps participants
brought to the retreat. |
"Mending the Fabric of our Communities" was the theme of Central District Conference Women's Retreat, held at Camp Friedenswald, Cassopolis, MI, September 16-18. Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, co-director of MCC's Office on Justice and Peacebuilding used Micah 6:8 as the foundation for her messages, challenging participants to "make something meaningful out of something that is broken." At the end of the first session the women were invited to think of something in their lives that needs mending, to write that word on a strip of fabric, and to weave that fabric into a loom provided by Beth Boehr.
 During the second session Lorraine challenged the women to understand what it means to live in community, even with people whom you want least to live with, clothing oneself with love and compassion (Colossians 3).
Sunday morning, CDC conference minister, Lois Johns Kauffman (left) preached on "Blessed, Broken, and Shared," and led the group in communion.
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Southeast Conference (SEC) Women's Fall Inspiration Day
 The South District women (of SEC), a cooperative event between the women of Haitian, Hispanic, Garifuna, and Caucasian churches, planned a delightful interactive, inspirational day.
The integrated groups wove their input and discussions around the theme of "Holy Hands" which we offer to God in worship and service. A variety of dynamic workshops on the theme were also offered (pictured above).
A continental breakfast and lunch were served under a tent and trees in the parking lot where women grouped themselves in conversation as they enjoyed their food. The girls of the Prince of Peace youth group filled the interim moments with spontaneous song. What a wonderful day together!
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Upcoming Regional Retreats
Virginia - October 28-30. More Than Water, April Gunderson, speaker, at Best Western Plus, Waynesboro, Virginia
Indiana-Michigan - October 7-9. The Tables of Our Lives & Their Formative Tables, Sara Wenger Shenk, speaker, at Amigo Centre, Sturgis, Michigan
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90 attend Sister Care Seminar in Illinois 
Ivorie Lowe, Markham, Illinois (right) speaks as the woman at the well at the Sister Care seminar held at Mennonite Church of Normal August 26-27. Excerpts from "The Beloved Woman Behind the Mask" written by Meghan Good:
"There is strength in my wounds.
There is beauty in my scars.
There is purpose in the pieces of my broken life.
I am loved as I am
in this moment right here..."
 Participant Jeri Lake (left) sent this note following the seminar: "As a nurse-midwife I have spent my life advocating for women and supporting women in times of great joy and great difficulty. It was often challenging to find resources for women who were facing loss, depression, abuse/violence, and many other overwhelming circumstances. The work you are doing is so important to help meet a need that our society isn't willing to prioritize."
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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
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:
Carol Locy in memory of June Shoemaker.
Jocele Meyer in memory of Beulah Kauffman.
LouAnn Rupp in memory of Dorothy Nafziger.
Dorcas M Good in memory of Fanny Marten.
Gifts given by:
Marie Snavely in honor of Jane Hoober Peifer.
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The Kitchen Table
by Lorraine Eby
Franklin Conference Sister Care Coordinator
Burning Bush, September 2011
While watching a re-run of The Waltons TV series, I was reminded how similar my early life was in relation to the time and place these episodes are based. It was a safe place for the most part, when most family systems were stable, where most everyone in the community attended one church or another, and in the little town of Marion everyone knew everyone because they had lived there most of their lives.
In her book, A Mennonite Woman, Exploring Spiritual Life and Identity, author Dawn Ruth Nelson, a Mennonite pastor and spiritual director from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, writes about the differences in those times, the world of her grandmother, as opposed to her own life today. Read more...
Used by permission of the Burning Bush, Franklin Conference newsletter.
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Children and prayer:  Ways to help us see ourselves and our children as whole beings who pray with our bodies
by Carrie Martens
The Mennonite - September 2011 The moment is holy. Bodies are filled with energy and purposeful movement as we speak the words Jesus taught us and move in ways that demonstrate those words. Moments earlier my Sunday school class of 7- and 8-year-olds was scattered about the room in pairs trying to come up with movements or postures to interpret the segment of the Lord's Prayer written on the slip of paper in front of them. Some giggle and roll their eyes while others furrow their brows in determination ... Read more.
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Weaving Our Brokenness into Community
Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz (right), co-director of MCC's Office on Justice and Peacebuilding. Lorraine, the speaker at Central District Conference Women's Retreat at Camp Friedenswald, September 16-18, prayed this prayer. The quote by Anita Lehman was woven into the tapestry the participants created.
We weave the stories of our lives together -
under and over --
the strands holding the tapestry
in time and place.
Anita Lehman
Thank you God for bringing us together as women,
working to weave together the brokenness in our lives
to form a new way of living in community.
Be with us as we work together
to mend the fabric of our lives into something whole
as we seek to be faithful...
as we seek to do justice,
love kindness
and walk humbly with our God. 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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