Announcements
Search begins for new MEA executive director
The search has begun for the next executive director of Mennonite Education Agency (MEA). A profile of the agency and a job description are available on the MEA website: http://bit.ly/News-MEA.
Regional meetings set for February
Ohio Conference will hold online winter meetings for delegates to Annual Conference Assembly. Four regional meetings are planned: Feb. 2 — Wayne County/Holmes County Feb. 4 — West Central/Southwest Ohio Feb. 9 — Northeast Ohio Feb. 11 — Northwest Ohio All meetings will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For login information, please contact Judy King at ohmc@zoominternet.net.
AMBS to offer two new scholarships
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana, is offering two new scholarships. The Multicultural Church Scholarship is for students who are currently serving in or preparing for ministry assignments in a multicultural context and/or who belong to historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups within the Mennonite Church. Each year, this award will provide a limited number of 100-percent tuition grants to…
MWC year-in-review video looks at how churches responded to pandemic
How did the pandemic affect Mennonite World Conference (MWC) during 2020, and what lessons were learned? MWC’s annual year-in-review video explores how member congregations and the organization as a whole adjusted to new realities and found new ways of following Jesus. You are invited to download this short video from the MWC website and show it to your congregation: http://bit.ly/2020MWCYearReview.
Conflict transformation is workshop topic
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) is offering an online workshop, “Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches,” on Feb. 13 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. Although a normal part of life, conflict is usually seen as something negative. Participants in this workshop will acquire the knowledge and skills to transform conflict into a force for positive change and spiritual growth.…
Conversations to focus on immigration
Evangelical Immigration Table is launching a series of virtual conversations about immigration which are being held each Thursday in January. The first conversation, held on Jan. 7, focused on the topic “Discipleship in Politically Polarized Times.” To learn more about this series or to register, go to https://evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/2021convening.
Weekend College to focus on pastoring through COVID
The Center for Anabaptist Leadership and Learning at Hesston College will host a special online Weekend College event for pastors, congregational leaders and conference leaders on Feb. 20. The event is titled “What If They Don’t Come Back? Pastoring through COVID.” Event attendance is open to all. Those interested in attending can register online at www.hesston.edu/weekendcollege.
‘Thriving Together’ is conference theme
ELKHART, Indiana — Offering church leaders space to “be” while learning how to thrive as leaders and congregations in the midst of the unprecedented disruption of COVID-19 will be the focus of Pastors and Leaders 2021, an annual conference of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana. The event, which will be held online for the first time, will…
AMBS offers worship materials to congregations
Recognizing the toll that COVID-19 has had on pastors and worship planners over the last eight months, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary is offering several elements of a worship service for congregational use. Included are a call to worship and a prayer, as well as videos containing a scripture presentation, songs and a sermon featuring the story of Jesus in the…
Worldwide prayer gatherings planned
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) is hosting two online prayer hour gatherings on Jan. 15 and 16 for Mennonite church members from around the world to pray together. Both gatherings will include a chance for participants to separate into smaller language-based rooms to pray together. To learn more, see https://bit.ly/2021MWCPrayer.
Explore Anabaptist approaches to scripture
Online through AMBS: Understanding Anabaptist Approaches to Scripture (Feb. 10 – March 23). Join Loren Johns, Ph.D., to study ways in which 16th-century Anabaptists approached Scripture both similarly to and differently from Catholics and other Protestants. This six-week online short course from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary now includes weekly video conversations with Loren. Sign up by Jan. 13 and save…
MCC podcast tells stories of migration
Check out the new “On the Move — En Movimiento” podcast from Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) that uses storytelling to challenge current narratives of migration. In the first episode, Ron Byler, recently retired executive director for MCC U.S., reflects on his January 2020 pilgrimage along the southern U.S. border. Ron drove and walked along the border wall and visited with…
Peace Center plans online workshops
Update: Please note that the date for Healthy Congregations has been changed to Jan. 30. Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) is offering two of its workshops, Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches and Healthy Congregations, online during January. Both workshops will take place on Zoom. Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches will take place Jan. 16 from 8 a.m. ET to 3:30 p.m.…
Voices Together dedication is Dec. 13
A reminder for music lovers: MennoMedia is holding an online dedication launch event for the new Voices Together hymnal on Dec. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. ET. The event will include both a time of worship and an overview of the creation process for the hymnal. Although the event is free, registration is required to receive the Zoom link.…
Goshen College offers online Advent devotions
As the Advent season begins, Goshen College is offering online devotions once again. Beginning Nov. 23 and culminating on Christmas Day, Goshen College students, faculty and staff will provide reflections three days each week based on the upcoming Sunday’s lectionary Scripture passages, available online at www.goshen.edu/devotions. To receive these devotions by email, go to www.goshen.edu/devotions/subscribe. Writers will reflect on the…
Journey program at AMBS offers theological training
When God calls someone to ministry, a journey begins. Perhaps you are on that journey. Perhaps you are looking for mentors and companions along the way. Ohio Conference invites you to join Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. This program from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary is for pastors and other congregational leaders who are called without specific training for ministry…
Board to discuss 2020 relief sale results
The Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale Board will discuss results from the 2020 sale during a Zoom meeting Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. If you would like to join this meeting and hear about the results, see https://bit.ly/ReliefSaleWrap-Up.
Online dedication planned for Voices Together
MennoMedia is holding an online dedication launch event for the new Voices Together hymnal on Dec. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. ET. This event will include a time to worship with new songs and resources, hear stories, and offer blessings for Voices Together and all who receive it. After this time of worship, there will be an overview of the process…
Anabaptist World seeks submissions for Dec. 25 issue
Where and how do you find joy these days? Anabaptist World invites your original submissions for the Dec. 25 issue focusing on the theme “Joy to the World.” For more information about this theme, see https://bit.ly/AnabaptistWorld25Dec2020.
2020 Advent at Home theme is “We Wait for Jesus”
In a time when many people are spending more time at home due to COVID-19, Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) is again offering an Advent at Home devotional guide. MC USA’s 2020 Advent at Home devotional, “We Wait for Jesus,” is now available for free download. The annual guide for home-based worship provides daily and weekly scripture readings, prayers and activities…
Journey helps individuals explore ministry
Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. Now is the time to nudge someone to grow into a new ministry. This program from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary supports learners as they explore spiritual leadership in their local churches and communities and deepen their understanding of Anabaptist theology and ministry through online study and meetings with a dedicated mentor. Apply for Winter…
MMN webinar to share vision for the future
Mennonite Mission Network (MMN) is hosting a webinar with MMN Executive Director Mike Sherrill on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. The webinar will focus on the theme “Adapting to the pandemic and innovating for the future.” Participants will hear how MMN is swiftly adapting to current circumstances, and they will get updates on MMN’s current work and learn about…
Video training available for abuse prevention
The Dove’s Nest, an organization committed to empowering faith communities to keep children and youth safe from abuse in their churches, homes and communities, has a new video resource available. This new safety and abuse prevention training video for adult volunteers is now available to churches for a one-time fee of $75. In 38 minutes, the video covers these topics:…
Learn more about MennoCon21
MennoCon21, the Mennonite Church USA Convention, is scheduled to take place July 6-10, 2021, in Cincinnati. Planners intend for this convention to be a hybrid event, meaning that there will be both in-person and virtual programming. Learn more in the first MennoCon21 newsletter: OCT_2020_MennoCon21 Newsletter-Revised.
AMBS offers online leadership development program
Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. Encourage someone you know who has gifts for ministry to check out this 2-1/2-year distance-friendly non-degree program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Participants explore spiritual leadership in their local churches and communities and deepen their understanding of Anabaptist theology and ministry through online study and meetings with a dedicated mentor. Apply for Winter 2021…
MennoMedia has new podcast
Podcast fans: MennoMedia and Leader magazine have begun a new podcast series, the -ing Podcast. This podcast, hosted by Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards and Allison Maus, explores questions such as: How are people of faith bringing their best selves to the world each day? How are we living, growing, and being as people of God? To listen, go to http://bit.ly/-ingPodcast.
Nov. 7 is next Healthy Boundaries training
A reminder for pastors and other credentialed leaders: Ohio Conference will hold a second online Healthy Boundaries 201 training session on Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (The first training was held Oct. 10.) All credentialed leaders are required to receive Healthy Boundaries training every three years to remain credentialed. If you are planning on signing up for…
MennoMedia campaign encourages appreciation for pastors
Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month? During October MennoMedia will be celebrating pastors whose congregants have made a donation in their honor. Want to let your pastor know how much you appreciate them? A donation to MennoMedia in any amount enters your pastor into a drawing for a $100 Herald Press gift certificate. A donation of $25…
New partnership to offer global access to theological education
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), Elkhart, Indiana, have forged a new agreement to provide Anabaptist-based theological and church leadership education to Anabaptists around the globe in both for-credit and noncredit formats. Pastors and church leaders will be able to take courses in biblical and theological studies, church history and ministry in their home countries. For more information about…
Peace center offers mediation skills training
The last session of Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders for this year will be Nov. 16-20, 2020. This five-day training offered by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center helps participants deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. It will be held online via Zoom. For more information, contact the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center at Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org or…