Announcements
Donut Day fundraiser to benefit MCC
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is inviting everyone to celebrate National Donut Day on June 5 by joining MCC’s social media baking party. Due to COVID-19, many spring and summer MCC relief sales have been postponed or canceled. These events raised more than $2.2 million last year alone. Any funds raised on National Donut Day will go to MCC’s “Where needed…
MMN webinar to focus on spiritual practices
Mennonite Mission Network (MMN) is offering a free webinar, “Spiritual practices for peacemakers: finding your center when you feel pulled apart.” Karla Minter, church relations representative for MMN, will lead the webinar on June 4 at 7 p.m. She will invite participants to encounter or rediscover spiritual practices that create a daily rhythm to help turn despair and isolation into…
Black Swamp Benefit canceled, donations sought
The 2020 Black Swamp Benefit has been canceled, but all are encouraged to contribute online to this fundraiser, which benefits Sunshine Inc. and Mennonite Central Committee. To donate, log on to Facebook and search for @blackswampbenefit. You can contribute to this fundraiser by clicking on the post with the “donate” button. The goal for this online fundraiser is $10,000.
Webinar to focus on pastoral care, social distancing
MennoMedia is hosting a free webinar about pastoral care on June 11 at 2 p.m. Pastoring from a Distance: Offering Pastoral Care while Social Distancing will feature a panel discussion with Anabaptist pastors moderated by David Augsburger. The webinar will explore practical advice as well as theological considerations for providing pastoral care while practicing social distancing. To register for this…
Website offers faith-based resources for abuse response and prevention
Mennonite Central Committee, with support from CommonWord, has launched a resource website addressing issues of abuse for faith communities and their members. The website includes resources on intimate partner abuse, healthy relationships, sexual violence, clergy sexual abuse, and how to offer support to survivors of abuse and assist those perpetrating harm. To access these resources, go to abuseresponseandprevention.ca.
MDS launches new e-newsletter
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) has launched On the Level, a monthly online newsletter. The May issue includes the story of MDS volunteers helping a victim of multiple disasters return home even after closing down the project. Read On the Level online at https://bit.ly/OnTheLevelMay2020.
Michael Sherrill to be next executive director of MMN
The Mennonite Mission Network (MMN) board of directors has appointed Michael J. Sherrill, Ph. D., as the organization’s next executive director. Dr. Sherrill is an ordained educator, scholar, administrator, and leader with 25 years of global experience. Dr. Sherrill has been the director of Asia and Middle East for Mennonite Mission Network since 2017. See the MMN news release for…
MDS approves additional funds for COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund
Lititz, PA — Faced with a large number of requests for assistance from U.S. churches for the COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund, the Board of Directors of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) have approved an additional $250,000 to help meet the high demand. The COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund is a joint effort of MDS, Everence and Mennonite Central Committee U.S. With this…
Webinar’s focus to be ‘radical aloneness’
How can church leaders respond to the challenges of the current pandemic and the resultant “radical aloneness” that afflicts many of us? Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is planning a webinar exploring these questions, Social Distancing, Not Social Isolation, on Thursday, May 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Central Time. Participants will learn how church leaders can reach out to people…
2020 Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale to be an online auction only
Due to the uncertainty COVID-19 has brought to our lives, the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale Board has decided to hold an online auction only rather than a physical event and auction this year. Many auctions of all types have been cancelled or at least postponed. Plans are to still offer items from the quilt and wood auctions, as well as…
Seminary hosts online forum series on navigating ministry during COVID-19
Eastern Mennonite Seminary is hosting Navigating Ministry During COVID-19, a free online forum series for pastors. All forums will be live via Zoom on Wednesdays, from 3-4:30 p.m. EDT. Register here. The series is an outgrowth of an April 1 online gathering that drew 32 pastors, including 22 alumni, representing Mennonite Church USA, the Church of the Brethren, Presbyterian Church USA and United…
CommonWord and AMBS offer resources for dealing with COVID-19
CommonWord has compiled a curated list of worship, family, and other resources for use during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to downloadable documents, the list includes links to articles on topics such as “An Examen for Life During COVID-19” and “How to Livestream Your Church Service: A Practical Guide.” To view these resources, go to www.commonword.ca/go/2005. Another source for COVID-19-related…
MMN resource is designed for youth groups
Mennonite Mission Network has released a new resource for youth groups, “Making faith sense amidst the pandemic.” This resource is designed to guide conversation with youth as part of an online group meeting. You can learn more and download the resource at https://bit.ly/MMNYouthResources.
Lighthouse Ministries plans A Day of Giving
An invitation from Darin Nissley, executive director of Lighthouse Ministries in Canton: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lighthouse’s Annual fundraising banquet has been moved to an online event on Saturday, April 25. We’d love it if you joined us on Facebook or Instagram for the party! We will go live every half-hour, starting at 10 a.m., with all sorts of…
Engaging Mission 2020 has been canceled
Please note: Because there is uncertainty about when restrictions will be lifted for public gatherings, the Ohio Conference Leadership Team has decided to cancel Engaging Mission 2020. This intergenerational missional festival was scheduled to take place June 24-26 at Bluffton University. Plans are already underway for a missional conference next March. The 2021 missional conference is scheduled for March 4-5 at…
Everence offers support during COVID-19 outbreak
Everence has expanded its services to members during the outbreak of COVID-19. Some of these expanded services include waiving ATM fees, allowing borrowers to skip a pay on certain loans, and a sharing fund increase for churches with an advocate. For more details, see the Everence website: https://www.everence.com/resources/supporting-you-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.
Explore resources for moving faith formation online
Many churches have cancelled gathered faith formation programs (and even Sunday worship) to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus in their communities. But that doesn’t mean faith formation needs to stop. One way we can respond is to move faith formation online and into people’s homes and personal lives. John Roberto has compiled a list of resources for congregations seeking…
Service Adventure seeks unit leader
Looking for a non-traditional pastoral role? Become a unit leader in Service Adventure, a gap-year program for ages 17-20 from Mennonite Mission Network. Unit leaders, at least 24 years of age, serve as mentors to the young adults in the household. An opening is available at the Service Adventure unit in Jackson, Mississippi. This is a two-year term beginning in…
Central District compiles COVID-19-related resources
Central District Conference has compiled a list of resources related to COVID-19. Some highlights include the following: A link to a 50-page guide with information about how congregations can use streaming platforms for church services Financial resources to help churches apply for a small business loan through the recently passed CARES Act Everence’s resources for supporting congregational members with needs…
The Mennonite seeks submissions for June
The Mennonite Inc. invites your original submissions for the June 2020 issue focusing on the theme “community in the face of COVID-19.” Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than May 1. For more information about this theme, see http://bit.ly/TheMennoniteJune2020.
MennoHealth Cast podcast focuses on coronavirus
The most recent episode of the MennoHealth Cast podcast features a conversation between host Joann Hunsberger and Dr. Dan Nafziger of Goshen, Indiana, the chief medical officer at Goshen Health. They discuss the new coronavirus, some common terminology used to discuss the pandemic and how it might affect church community culture. You can listen at http://bit.ly/MennoHealthPodcast.
Coronavirus causes cancellations
With the COVID-19 outbreak disrupting day-to-day life for millions across the United States, The Mennonite has compiled a list of Mennonite organizations, schools and gatherings that have been affected: http://bit.ly/CoronavirusCancellations.
MCC postpones centennial picnic
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is carefully monitoring the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and adjusting plans to help mitigate its impact and keep people safe. Therefore, we have made the decision to postpone the MCC Great Lakes Centennial Celebration Picnic in Kidron originally scheduled for Saturday, May 2. We will keep you updated on plans to reschedule as those develop. In the…
Open Arms cancels March 19 banquet
Open Arms Hispanic Ministry has had to cancel its fundraising banquet scheduled for March 19 due to the COVID-19 virus and concern for the safety of many at-risk elderly who attend this event. Open Arms Executive Director Haroldo Nunes said, “We are hoping to have an event in the summer to reconnect and have fellowship with our support community!”
Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship seeks executive director
Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) is seeking a half-time executive director to start between May and September 2020 who is committed to Anabaptist values and the mission of MHF, has proven skills in administration, communication, and networking, and has an intergenerationally compelling vision for MHF. Interested persons are invited to send a resume and statement of intent, including the broad strokes…
May issue of The Mennonite to focus on beauty
The Mennonite Inc. invites your original submissions for the May 2020 issue focusing on the theme “the presence of beauty.” Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than April 3. For more information about this theme, see http://bit.ly/TheMennoniteMay2020.
Work for restorative justice with MVS
Interested in partnering with others who care about restorative justice? Join an MVS unit in places like Chicago; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco; and Alamosa. Age: 20+; term: 1-2 years. Learn more at www.MennoniteMission.net/Serve.
Open Arms to host ‘Gracias Banquet’
Open Arms Hispanic Ministry is hosting its annual fundraising dinner, a “Gracias Banquet” on Thursday, March 19, at the Kidron Park Community Center. The meal will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature an enchilada dinner followed by a program of Open Arms ministry highlights. A freewill offering to benefit Open Arms will be taken. RSVP by March 16 to…
Time remains to apply for Everence college scholarships
There is still time to apply for an Everence college scholarship. Regional recipients receive $1,000 while national recipients can get up to $3,000. Applications must be received by March 10, 2020. See eligibility requirements here: https://www.everence.com/living-the-values/grants-and-scholarships-and-awards.
AMBS president’s inauguration set for April 19
The AMBS Board of Directors is pleased to announce the inauguration of David Boshart, Ph.D., as the fourth President since Goshen Biblical Seminary and Mennonite Biblical Seminary incorporated as Associated (now Anabaptist) Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 1994. All are invited to take part in the celebration, which will be Sunday, April 19, from 2:30 to 4 pm. at Prairie Street…