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News

MEA Fund for Peoplehood Education welcomes proposals

August 19, 2009 by

by Rachel Nussbaum Eby

Mennonite Education Agency (MEA)
of Mennonite Church USA invites proposals for grants from its Fund for Peoplehood Education, a donor-restricted term endowment. The fund supports initiatives that promote the distinctive features of church-sponsored education and encourage strong ties between Mennonite Church USA and its schools.

    The fund achieves this purpose by supporting:

  • Interpretive projects that advocate church-sponsored schools;
  • Innovative ways of calling and orienting gifted members to the teaching ministry;
  • Orientation programs for teachers, administrators and trustees;
  • Action-oriented research that enhances church-school relationships.

Priority is given to projects which strengthen church-school ties and interpret the distinctive features of Mennonite-Anabaptist education and that cultivate educational leadership among younger members of Mennonite Church USA.

The deadline for submission of proposals is Sept. 30, 2009. For fund policies and an application form, e-mail MEA at info@MennoniteEducation.org, or call 866-866-2872.

For additional information or questions, contact Timothy Burkholder, associate director at Mennonite Education Agency, 574-642-3164, ext. 23, or timb@MennoniteEducation.org.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: National News

Rachel Swartzendruber Miller appointed to lead Convention Planning

August 19, 2009 by

by Laurie Oswald Robinson

Shortly after Rachel Swartzendruber Miller was appointed as director of Convention Planning for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership in mid-July, she took a week’s vacation to return to her Iowa farm and faith roots.

There, in the corn and cow smells of her family’s fifth-generation dairy farm near Kalona, Swartzendruber Miller, outgoing associate director for Convention Planning, reflected on how her past shaped her journey and brought her to this new juncture.

As she did farm chores, spent time with her family and rested from her labors at Convention 2009, the 29-year-old became more grateful than ever for how Mennonite community prepared her for this new responsibility. Swartzendruber Miller, of Phoenix, Ariz., where she lives with her husband, Tyson, was named to the post after Jorge Vallejos, director, announced his resignation. Swartzendruber Miller helped plan conventions in her associate role since 2006.

“I loved growing up on this farm and in Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church,” Swartzendruber Miller says. “My parents are heavily involved in their congregation. They taught me that you get out of something whatever you put into it.”

Also impacting Swartzendruber Miller were Mennonite educational experiences. She graduated from high school at Iowa Mennonite School in Kalona in 1998. She then graduated in communication from Hesston (Kan.) College in 2000 and Goshen (Ind.) College in 2002. After years of studying within the Anabaptist framework, she sensed a growing passion and call to work within the church.

“I hear comments that Mennonite schools keep kids in a Mennonite bubble,” she says. “But why not allow these communities to help our youth gain an Anabaptist foundation? It is what prepares us to go out into the world, do our life’s work, follow our passions and raise our families within a faith framework. I can’t separate who I am from being Mennonite, and I largely credit that to Mennonite education. I couldn’t compartmentalize my faith when my faith journey and school were one and the same.”

After graduating from Goshen, she was hired as an admissions counselor for Hesston College. She left that post in 2004 to earn a master’s degree in communication from Wichita (Kan.) State University, where she spent time studying Mennonite women’s writings in the church press. After graduating, she became the associate director of Convention Planning in August 2006 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership theory in the School of Education from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich.

This integration of faith and life and Christ-centered identity in young adults also appears in the way Swartzendruber Miller is now providing resources for Mennonite Church USA.

“I’m excited about Rachel in this new role,” says Marty Lehman, director of communication/development for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership. “She brings her passion for Mennonite Church USA, her gifts in working with youth and young adults, her communication skills, as well as a fresh perspective to her work and this assignment.”

Swartzendruber Miller has reflected on the responsibility of young people to grasp the torch of faith from those handing it on. She has a vision for the ministry of conventions, held every two years, in the life of Mennonite Church USA. The next convention is set for July 4 to 11, 2011, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“My long-term vision is that conventions will continue to do what they have always done so well — celebrating what unifies and energizes us as God’s Anabaptist people,” she says. “Because of conventions, I want Mennonite Church USA and its congregations and individuals to better know how God is calling us to serve his people.”

After having helped plan the last two conventions in such areas as youth worship, young adult activities, audio visuals, late night events and overall logistics, Swartzendruber Miller knows it is easy to do things the same each time. She wants to stay fresh.

“I want to always ask ‘How can we do this better?’” she says. “I always want to add a little something different. At Columbus for the first time we added a 5K race. And we added a step show for teenagers who had rhythmic dance teams, who performed at our last worship services. Adding variety helps people of all ages and interests feel welcomed.”

Swartzendruber Miller is not pie-in-the-sky about the challenges convention planners face. There are tough topics the denomination addressed during delegate sessions in Columbus, such as gay and lesbian involvement and human trafficking.

“We can’t ignore these topics, but the question is, ‘How can we have the conversation in a loving way and how can we be honest with one another without creating sides?’” she says. “Raising our voice to one another is not agreeing and disagreeing in love; pointing out each and every way someone has wronged you is not agreeing and disagreeing in love. We must all challenge ourselves to not only believe the way of Jesus, but also act that way. As humans we all fall short of the examples of Jesus, but that doesn’t mean we have the right to disrespect each other,” she says.

Trusting the process of spiritual discernment in our delegate body is key. “Sadly, we as humans are so quick to criticize process, yet make little effort to get involved. As my parents taught me, you get out what you put into something. This is what drew me to work for the church. If we want to see the Mennonite denomination doing God’s work in the world, we need to individually seek out ways to assist in doing that work. This includes volunteering at the congregational level and in our communities, supporting service workers and service organizations, encouraging our Mennonite schools and the mission they proclaim, spending time in God’s Word and helping neighbor, friend or coworker understand the joy of a ‘third way’ found in the Anabaptist tradition and the life of Christ.”

When she is planning worship or delegate sessions, Swartzendruber Miller’s farm upbringing has helped her know visions are realized by hard work. Conventions happen successfully only to the extent that convention planners, volunteers and church leaders roll up their sleeves and deal with the nitty-gritty details, as well as the lofty ideals.

“Today as I was hauling corn and felt in awe of how gorgeous this Iowa farmland is,” she says, “I was thinking about how great it would be to be a farmer, but I also remembered the tough stuff — how hard it is to go out on icy cold days and feed the cows.

“Convention planning is like that. There is a lot of hard work, and it can feel like I am farming during an Iowa winter. But during the week of convention, I forget all of that, as I see the beauty unfold, and suddenly, everything has been worth it.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: National News

MPN seeks submissions for new book “Simply Sustainable”

August 19, 2009 by

What are you doing to live more simply and sustainably?

Are you composting? Are you finding ways to harness the sun’s energy to heat your home? Have you found new ways to slow down and improve the quality of your life?

Whatever you are doing to make the world a better and more sustainable place to live, the authors of a new Mennonite Publishing Network (MPN) book, Simply Sustainable, want to know.

“This book will be more than learning how to lessen one’s ecological footprint,” says coauthor Mark Beach, “The book will encourage readers to make choices based on a value system firmly rooted in a spiritual commitment, connectedness to others and a sense that we all are part of something greater than ourselves.”

Beach and Mary Beth Lind coauthored Simply in Season Cookbook for Children (Herald Press, 2006) and are working together again.

For Lind, Simply Sustainable is a logical extension of that earlier book.

“Using local seasonal foods was just one step on a longer journey,” she says. “It continues with thinking about how we carry the principles of caring for creation and community into all of our lives — not just food. Simply Sustainable is that next step.”

Like previous MPN books, such as More With Less (1976) and Simply in Season (2005), Simply Sustainable will also draw on the wisdom of people around the globe. Categories people can write about include food, cleaning, energy conservation, fair trade, money and barter, recycling as well as physical, spiritual and mental health and other topics.

“The goal is to help people meet the challenges facing the earth and our communities by offering realistic alternatives to many of the consumer choices they make everyday,” says Lind.

Simply Sustainable is scheduled for release in the fall of 2010.

Mennonite Publishing Network is the publishing agency of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: National News

Liberty Ministries celebrates 29th anniversary

July 22, 2009 by

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Conference News

Franconia Conference fills administrative position

July 22, 2009 by

In early June, Carla Ferrier, of Doylestown Mennonite Church, joined the Franconia Conference staff as Administrative Services Assistant.

Melissa Landis, administrative services manager, has already noticed Ferrier’s gifts. “She has a conscientious and thorough approach to her work,” Landis said. “Her welcoming and gracious spirit is a real asset to the office setting.”

“She brings gifts that will enhance and expand in complimentary ways the gifts of others on staff, board and committees,” Noel Santiago, executive minister for the conference. “She also has a deep conviction and belief that prayer is central to helping bring the unfolding reign of God into a greater measure of manifestation.”

Ferrier is excited to share the reign of God with others. “The Lord brought me here,” Ferrier said. “God has a plan. His ways are not ours.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Conference News

July Pastors' and Leaders' Breakfast

July 10, 2009 by

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Conference News, School of Leadership Formation

New vision invites generosity and frugality: Franconia Conference revenue rises in the midst of economic downturn

July 8, 2009 by

Sheldon C. Good
sgood@mosaicmennonites.org

In December 2008 the National Bureau of Economic Research made it official: the United States entered a recession a year earlier, December 2007.

For the past year, individuals and corporations have felt the effects of the recession. But what about church-related organizations like Franconia Mennonite Conference?

Data from a 1968 to 2005 survey by Empty Tomb, a Christian service and research organization, indicated “that church member giving does not necessarily decline in a recession.”

“That may be because the church community is often regarded as the layer next to the family in terms of relationships, accountability and clearly urgent needs,” said Sylvia Ronsvalle, executive vice president of Empty Tomb, in a recent article for the Christian Century.

According to a more recent survey, The Barna Group said that as of November 2008 – before the recession was identified by government officials – one in five adults said they had decreased their giving to churches or other religious organizations. Perhaps the current recession has invited a new milieu.

In fiscal year ending January 31, 2009, Franconia Conference revenue, gains and support totaled $1,319,032, an increase over 2008. “Franconia Conference staff have been aware that funds are tight and have been good stewards of the conference’s resources,” said Conrad Martin, director of finance.

Franconia Conference completed a three-year transition that ended in 2008, which enabled labor costs to be reduced significantly in 2009. Karen Moyer, Franconia Conference board member and chair of the vision and financial plan team, said this allowed the conference to refrain from reductions in current staff hours or salaries.

“Along with the restructuring of executive positions and the recommendations of the vision and financial plan team, the newly-formed, three-tiered budget responds to the call for stronger financial accountability,” Moyer said.

“Appropriating funds this way depends heavily on individuals and congregations to support specific missional initiatives.”
Franconia Conference’s Vision and Financial Plan was affirmed by delegates at the annual assembly in 2007 and continues in implementation toward review in 2012.

Franconia Conference generated significant additional revenue in fiscal year 2008 from FMC Properties, an organization which includes a number of the conference’s property investments. FMC Properties provided the conference with $714,844 in rental and maintenance income, an increase of 10 percent from fiscal year 2007.

“One of the key God-given resources we have are the properties of Franconia Conference,” said Noel Santiago, conference executive minister. “Our vision and financial plan calls for us to maximize these properties in such a way that helps free up a greater percentage of contributed dollars towards our various ministries.”

Congregational contributions to the conference from fiscal year 2008 to 2009 decreased $1,206, a reduction of less than one percent. Other contributions increased $143,959 (61 percent), mostly a result of increases in estate gifts and Worm Project contributions. These contributions are separate from the general operating budget.

“Generous contributions from congregations, individuals and conference related ministries are helping us weather this time of significant financial downturn,” Santiago said. “Additionally, the focus of our Vision and Financial Plan team has helped us discern the activities, tasks and responsibilities that are to be undertaken, and as a result, costs have been kept down.”

Largely a result of the recession, total investments by the conference lost $260,918 in value, a decrease of 30 percent. This includes investment market losses of $117,043. Remaining decreases came from grant disbursements for local and global mission, conference support and capital expenditures.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Conference News

Kairos offers course in Souderton area

July 8, 2009 by

Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation is offering a nine month spiritual guidance training course for pastors and congregational leaders beginning Wednesday, September 9. For the first time this course will be offered in the Souderton (Pa.) area as well as the Jesuit Spiritual Center, Wernersville, PA.

The monthly seminars will provide a contemplative context for pastors and church leaders to grow spiritually and to enhance their ministry in the practice of spiritual formation. This course encourages personal, spiritual growth, introduces spiritual guidance as a ministry of the congregation, and prepares the leaders to promote a ministry of spiritual formation and spiritual guidance in their congregation. Classes will be held once a month for 9 months at the Jesuit Spiritual Center, Wernersville, PA.

Click here for a brochure. For more information call 717-669-2957.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Conference News, School of Leadership Formation

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