 A Postcard and a Prayer |
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| Mennonite Women USA | October 2011
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 October is a month of many changes in nature, perhaps more pronounced in the northern states. The leaves are brilliant. I always enjoy the end-of-the garden produce. This year I gather ground cherries almost daily, celebrating when I have enough for a pie. The squash have been very productive, including volunteer plants in the compost pile and in the flowerbeds. The dahlias my husband Ron planted this year have been prolific, thanks to the natural compost he added. My heart is full of gratitude for these results of God's incredible creation. Jean Janzen's poem (Hymnal Worship Book, #97) expresses well my thanks for God's bounty at this time of year:
"From the hands of your earth
and the lap of your sky,
your gifts are poured on us each day.
Your arms surround us with your care;
accept our love and thanks, we pray.
Amen, amen, amen."
- Ruth Lapp Guengerich
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Coming in timbrel
Don't miss the November/December issue of timbrel which will focus on Global Sisers.
Laurie Oswald Robinson (right) writes about Mennonite Women USA's International Women's Fund scholarship program and its impact on the world-wide Anabaptist church.
Jennifer Bartsch (left) writes about her experiences with global sisters who have immigrated to the US from Laos, Japan, and Mexico. 
Also in this issue is a poem by Barbara Bethea, (right) the Afrikana Madonna and Poetess, on the occasion of the ordination of Addie Banks.
In preparation for the November/December issue of timbrel, 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 October 18. Be sure to include your name and hometown.
Don't forget to add timbrel to your Christmas shopping list. It's a gift that gives all year long. 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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Indiana-Michigan Retreat at Amigo Centre
Sara Wenger Shenk spoke on the Tables of our Lives & Their Formative Power at the Indiana-Michigan Fall Women's Retreat. The gathering focused on the many different tables that have shaped our lives. During each session music and table decorations accompanied the topic presented.
The beautiful weather was ideal for Saturday afternoon activities, including pontoon rides around the lake. The weekend ended with a wonderful celebration of communion and with the song, "Halle, halle, hallelujah!"
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Upcoming Regional Retreats
Virginia - October 28-30. More Than Water, April Gunderson, speaker, at Best Western Plus, Waynesboro, Virginia
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Sister Care Seminar in Viborg, South Dakota
 "This is Sister Care!" women of Central Plains Conference exclaimed as they shared "Ah-ha" moments around the circle listening, encouraging, sharing, crying, laughing, and hugging. Held at Swan Lake Christian Camp in September, Rhoda Keener and Carolyn Heggen led the participants in exploring ways of caring for self and others.
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Susan Schrag as the woman at the well.
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Through the integration of scriptural drama, personal stories, and each woman's own story, participants learned skills for caring and listening and were empowered to become a healing presence and the hands and face of Jesus for others.
The intensity of the weekend was balanced with joyful singing, casual nature walks, creative crafts, and relaxing massages. Rhoda and Carolyn concluded the seminar with a blessing for all to be God's beloved daughters and a living blessing to others.
- submitted by Carol Janzen
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Sister Care Seminar in Minnesota
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Patti Nefziger as the woman at the well.
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A Sister Care Seminar was held for women of North Central Conference at the beautiful Smokey Hills Wilderness Retreat in Minnesota. It was a great experience of affirming our individual worth in our homes, congregations, and communities. We were challenged to become compassionate listeners. As a group of women scattered across three states, it was rewarding to have time to brainstorm ideas on how we will take Sister Care back to our congregations.
 Two women shared their life experiences, one through divorce and the other caring for a disabled child for 19 years and his recent death.
We so appreciated sharing around the campfire with singing and fellowship. Thanks to the wonderful leadership of Rhoda Keener and Carolyn Heggen.
- submitted by Carolyn Watkins
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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
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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Janie Blough ordained at Chatenay, France
 Janie Blough, long-term mission worker in France under Mennonite Mission Network, was ordained at the Chatenay Congregation on Sunday, October 2, 2011, along with three others. Ruth Lapp Guengerich had the privilege of participating in the ordination service with a prayer of blessing for Janie (right).
Janie reflected on the meaning of her ordination:
"When I think about my ordination, I think of it as a recognized gift by the community, put to work for the glory of God and the edification of the community. I would hope that our churches would be able to discern the gifts of all the members of the different church communities and use them for the advancement of God's Kingdom! Funny as it may seem, I was as excited about the ordination of the other two sisters and brother as I was for myself--perhaps even more so. To see them stepping into leadership positions powerfully reveals the generational, 'genderational', and multicultural diversity of the global church. Now how exciting is that!"
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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:
Benton Mennonite Church in memory of Arlene Hershberger.
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The Kitchen Table
by Lorraine Eby
Franklin Conference Sister Care Coordinator
Burning Bush, October 2011
In gatherings where prayer requests are given, I often come away with a deep concern for how hard it is to reach below the surface in what we bring as a request, myself included. In general the requests become somewhat predictable. They include health concerns, loss of jobs, and difficult relationships of our friends and families. They go something like this, "Please pray for my co-worker's mother's sister who just discovered she has cancer."
When we only hear these types of requests, does it convey the concept that God is a Santa Claus or we only go to God for crisis stuff? Don't take me wrong - there is a place for these needs. But prayers of this nature tend to keep us focused "out there" instead of paying attention to our soul needs. And then I wonder, is it possible our requests are more of a news release than a prayer request?
Read more...
Used by permission of the Burning Bush, Franklin Conference newsletter.
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Women empowering other women
by Anna Groff
The Mennonite - October 2011  A new volunteer taskforce comprised of women in Mennonite Church USA will work to empower other women leaders. Joanna Shenk (right), who coordinates the Women in Leadership Audit, will also oversee this project called the Women in Leadership Taskforce (WLT).
"As I have shared about the work of the Women in Leadership Audit in different settings across MC USA, many women have responded with enthusiasm," says Shenk. "The sense I have gotten is that although schedules are full, this is something women want to make time for and support. This tells me that that we're hitting a nerve--that the church needs to focus on empowering women in intentional ways."
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 Creation's changing scene Jane Myers Hooley (right), Findlay, Ohio, attends First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, and serves as First Vice-President of Central District Conference Mennonite Women. Formerly a mission worker with Eastern Mennonite Missions for 26 years, she presently works part-time as an administrative assistant at The University of Findlay.
While the leaves have brilliant colors,
the brown pin oak leaves dare to be different -
tenaciously hanging on until Spring.
Thank you, God, for creation's changing scene.
We confess we often clutter our minds
with far too many things on our "To Do" list.
Forgive us and prompt us to see each day as yours
and to enjoy creation's beauty anew.
You are preparing us to say "yes" to change,
and readily participate in honoring you.
Help us to hear you clearly, willingly obey you,
and act when the Holy Spirit nudges us.
Thank you, God, for the privilege to share who you are,
who Jesus is, and to feel the showers of your love.
As autumn showers come, we thank you, God,
for sending us showers of blessing.
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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 to Berni.
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