April

2012

Mennonite Women USA

A Postcard and a Prayer

New life, new birth, the resurrection are all ways to remember Easter. The resurrection was a surprise, even to those who had followed Jesus so closely. We too receive surprises in many forms.

I walked to a little vacant lot near my home to take a picture of some blue wildflowers (not the Texas bluebonnets that Gracie Tijerina mentions in her prayer at the end of this newsletter), and was pleased, yes, surprised, to see beautiful butterflies hovering over the flowers. Then a loud buzzing told me there was a bumble bee nearby also. Small but significant reminders of new life in the springtime that bring hope, just as the resurrected Jesus also gives us hope. May you find joy, surprises, and much hope in the signs of new life near you.

In This Issue

Women in Conversation Retreat met at Laurelville

Women in Conversation Retreat coming to Kansas

In timbrel

timbrel Sister Question

Subscribe to timbrel

Find us on Facebook

Upcoming Sister Care Seminars

Give to Mennonite Women USA.

Honoring and Remembering

Kitchen Table

From The Mennonite

A Prayer of Praise for Springtime

Women in Conversation Retreat - Laurelville Mennonite Church Center

Into the Wilderness:

The Journey of God's Beloved

Meghan Good, keynote speaker (right)

A highlight of the seventh biennial Laurelville Women in Conversation retreat was the new meaning brought to the story of Hosea and Gomer by Meghan Good in her four presentations, "Into the Wilderness, The Journey of God's Beloved."

Pam Risser, Greencastle, Pa. said, "I really enjoyed Meghan's story-telling, how she made the Bible story contemporary and relevant for my life. One of the highlights for me is that God names us and can take our negative self-perceptions and make them into something good with a new name. The overall word for the week-end for me is 'pursued,' that God is always pursuing us, no matter what our response is."

Women in Conversation Retreat

Into the Wilderness:

The Journey of God's Beloved

Meghan Good, keynote speaker

Crosswind Conference Center,

Hesston, KS April 27-29

Join the women in Kansas as we explore our identity as God's beloved. Register onlin e.

In timbrel

"My Grammy Fanny fired off Romans 12:1-2 whenever I visited her with too-short hemlines in the '60s and '70s. I thought I had gotten over the pain of those days, but I cried all over again when I read J. C. Wenger's "Christianity and Dress" while working on this article," writes Julie Musselman as she begins her story of entering the world of fashion and reconciling with her church. "I held up items for my teens to try on, and they abruptly wrinkled their noses. I had now entered the era of, 'You want me to wear that?! I am not trying that on! You've got to be kidding!'"

Ellen Kaufman writes about the joys and struggles of discerning what her two daughters could appropriately wear and still be fashionable teens. "My daughters had reached the point where they wanted to be a part of the fashion world and wear what other girls were wearing."

Be sure to read the May/June issue of timbrel to see their stories and those of other women.

timbrel Sister Question

In preparation for the May/June issue of timbrel, which will focus on Clothing and Faith, consider:

How do our clothing choices reflect our faith?

Send your responses to Patty by May 1. Be sure to include your name and hometown.

Subscribe to timbrel

If you have a special woman in your life, or if you want to honor your mother or a mother figure in your life, consider giving a gift subscription to timbrel for Mother's Day or graduation. 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 email or call 866.866.2872, ext. 34396. We'll start your subscription and send you a bill.

Find us on Facebook

Check out Mennonite Women USA on Facebook. Communicate with others about women's events in your community. Respond to timbrel articles and the Sister Question. See more pictures from Women in Conversation retreat at Laurelville.

Upcoming Sister Care Seminars

Sister Care: Equipping Women for Caring Ministry seminars validate women's gifts of caring and equip 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, Ph.D. and Rhoda Keener, M.S.

Central District and Indiana-Michigan May 4-5, 2012

College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana

to register, contact Gwen Hernley

Virginia Conference September 21-23, 2012

Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, Lynchburg, Virginia

All India Mennonite Women Conference

October 24-28, 2012 Orissa, India

Nepal early November 2012

Pacific Southwest Conference April 12-14, 2013

Oak Glen Christian Conference Center, Yucaipa, California

Central District and Ohio Conference April 26-27, 2013

First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, Ohio

Mountain States Conference September 6-7, 2013

Colorado

Allegheny Conference September 27-28, 2013

Kaufman Mennonite Church, Davidsville, Pennsylvania

Atlantic Coast and Lancaster Conference (New York City churches) October 4-6, 2013

Camp DeerPark, West Brookville, New York

For information on how to register, or to schedule a Sister Care seminar in your area, contact the Mennonite Women USA office.

Give to Mennonite Women USA

Thank you for the many contributions in response to our fall appeal. Mennonite Women USA's ministry is possible through your generous donations.

Contribute online. 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.

Honoring and Remembering

heart 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:

Joy Kauffman King in honor of Lois Zehr.

Kitchen Table

by Lorraine Eby

Franklin Conference

Burning Bush, April 2012

Getting a new pair of shoes for Easter was a really big deal when I was a child. Every spring, a new pair of shiny black slippers with strap and buckle fasteners were brought home from the store in their box and carefully placed on the top shelf of my closet. The shoes were fitted large enough that I could wear them for a year and worn only to church. I waited with eager anticipation to wear them the very first time on Easter morning.

One year I persuaded my mother to wear the new shoes before Easter to a Sunday evening service at an area church. Walking from the parking lot with my mother, I accidentally scraped the top of one shoe on the rough underside of the cement steps, peeling back the upper layer of shiny leather into a wedge-shaped tear. I remember the disappointment I felt when I looked down at my shoe. The consoling words of my mother did nothing to lessen my inward pain. The shiny new shoes were now marred with an ugly scar and all hope was gone that they could be restored like they were before. The hope and anticipated joy of having new shoes for Easter was suddenly tainted.

Color-coded Bible study

A different way to study the Bible

by Ruth O'Neil

Have you been looking for something different to do for your Bible study?

I was. Many of the devotions I was doing were shallow, and I didn't feel I was learning much or growing spiritually. Then a friend introduced me to a color-coded Bible study...