Service in a box (request a kit)
NEWS RELEASE
NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — Revamping Servant Projects into "Service in a Box" for Mennonite Church USA’s first hybrid Convention (virtual and onsite) means that MennoCon21 participants won’t need to attend the in-person events in Cincinnati, Ohio, to engage in a service opportunity — often a Convention highlight.
Instead, Mennonite Mission Network is providing all youth groups and adult/household registrants with a "box" — a mailing envelope full of resources to help Convention participants engage in service in their local communities.
"With the Mennonite Church USA Convention [Planning Committee] deciding not to include Servant Projects in the Convention this year, we had the opportunity to think of new ways of inspiring acts of service, which led to Service in a Box," said Arloa Bontrager, Servant Project director, as well as director of Mission Network’s SOOP and Youth Venture programs.
A little friendly competition will enhance the experience with prizes, including a youth group pizza party.
"I love the fact that we are providing creative and fun ideas to inspire Mennonites to connect with their own communities while, at the same time, honoring necessary pandemic precautions," said Susan Nisly, coordinator for Mission Network’s role in MennoCon21 and the agency’s Service Adventure director. "We hope participants will share this idea with those who aren’t going to convention, so as to inspire them to connect with their local communities, as well."
The mailing envelope will include instructions, a Bible study, a community learning sheet and items to help get participants started.
For more information, contact Bontrager at arloab@mennonites.org; or 1-866-866-2872 (toll free), 574-523-3058 (direct line).
