Chronicling transformation: writings from MennoCon21
Throughout the 2021 MC USA convention, a feeling of transformation was palpable. It buzzed and hummed in the air of the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. It reverberated through seminars and delegate sessions being held in a virtual space for the first time. It manifested itself in youth groups across the country through […]
Witnessing transformation: photos from MennoCon21
From July 6-10, hundreds of people joined together in Cincinnati, Ohio, and, for the first time, online, to worship, learn and fellowship at MennoCon21, the biennial convention of Mennonite Church USA. The photos below are a glimpse into the Mennonite Mission Network-connected activities throughout the week. For more photos from MennoCon21, click here. Susan Nisly […]
Roosting, or flying free?
When our foster daughter, Symphony, was in our care for two and a half years, I often said this to her during the tumultuous twos: "Symphony, we pick and choose how we are going to do handle things." To my shock, one day as I was melting down from a bad hair moment, she said, "Mommy, you […]
Befriending those babies
After listening to Safwat Marzouk unpack the Exodus 1-2 story about how Pharoah’s daughter rescued Baby Moses from the Nile, I am rethinking the phrase, "random acts of kindness." Safwat’s perspective on her rescue of Moses was that it was anything but randomly and mundanely hidden, albeit compassionate. Her choice was subversively radical and a snub to the most […]
Building peace in Africa by bridging relationships
CINCINNATI, Ohio (Mennonite Mission Network) – Peace between Muslims and Christians is about relationship. Instead of framing the seminar "Peacemaking in Africa with Muslims and Christians" as about an issue and conflict with a quick fix, the discussion focused on the slow work of building interpersonal connection. Sharon Norton, Mennonite Mission Network co-director for Africa […]
Embracing mission, evading conquest
CINCINATTI, Ohio (Mennonite Mission Network) – One of the first pieces of knowledge that Jane and Jerrell Ross Richer presented in their seminar, ‘Two-Way Mission’ came courtesy of the World Bank. While indigenous people occupy roughly a quarter of the land on earth, they protect 80% of the planet’s biodiversity. The Cofán people, an indigenous […]
Pandemic challenges foster agency growth
CINCINATTI, Ohio (Mennonite Mission Network) – Mike Sherrill has had a wild year. He stepped into the role of Executive Director at Mennonite Mission Network in August, 2020, and after nearly a year in the position, came to his seminar, ‘Future Driven Partnership: Pursuing God’s Call at Mennonite Mission Network’ with good news. The challenges […]
A Jesus-approved guide to confronting injustice
CINCINATTI, Ohio (Mennonite Mission Network) – After a brief opening mixer (and John Mellencamp acknowledgement), Eric Frey Martin started his Thursday morning seminar, ‘I Fight Authority, Authority Always Wins,’ with a question. When was a time that an authority figure failed you? The answers from attendees spanned from law enforcement to baseball coaches and parental […]
Transforming voicelessness into sharing voices together
Safwat Marzouk’s morning Bible study July 8 on the story of Joseph and his brothers makes me think of Voices Together. For years, planners and creators of the new Mennonite hymnal and worship resource listened to the stories, songs, and hearts of a diversity of people. This helped them to create a tapestry of narratives in […]
Entering the eye of the storm by touching the hem of his garment
Ana Hinojosa, speaker for evening worship July 8, shared how the storms of COVID-19 raged throughout her family, as her father almost died from virus complications. And yet, in a woman-touching-the-hem of Jesus experience (Mark 5), after seven days in the hospital with all his vital organs failing, he left the hospital and is alive […]
Pueblo MVS forges lifetime bonds
NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — In the late 1960s, when Dick Lengacher served in Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) as a conscientious objector in Pueblo, Colorado, he discovered pacifism was not always popular beyond his Mennonite circle. For example, while serving on the geriatric floor of Parkview Hospital as his alternative to serving in Vietnam, […]
Seminar attendees encouraged to seek shalom, service
CINCINATTI, Ohio (Mennonite Mission Network) – Even though it was in the first time slot on Wednesday morning, Eric Frey Martin had a quiz ready for youth attending the seminar, ‘What You Do Next Matters.’ Frey Martin, recruiter and church relations representative for Mennonite Mission Network, listed off a number of "notable" people who had […]