April07

April 2007 Mennonite Church USA What we are learning about relationships I was part of a 13-member delegation of Mennonite Church USA members— younger and older, men and women, local and national church leaders—who traveled together to Congo Feb. 2 to 16. To a Westerner, the Democratic Republic of Congo is an exotic place of new sights and smells, of people rich in culture and poor in this world’s goods.The Mennonites we met are faithful in their walk with Jesus through vibrant worship, fervent prayer, energetic evangelism and developing social services. Exploring church-to-church relationships is not new; but understanding just what we are trying to do, and its resulting consequences, may be a new and difficult journey for everyone. Mennonite missionaries planted seeds of the Gospel in Congo almost 100 years ago.The harvest of that planting has burgeoned in the last 35 years after the missionaries returned home. In our lifetimes we may see the number of Congo Mennonites rise to the top of the list of numbers of any national group. If the 20th century was the mission (agency)-to-church relationship, can we now form new, 21st-century church-to-church relationships? The question requires a new set of assumptions and intentions that probe deeper into our selfunderstanding and sense of call than can be revealed by mere observation of each other’s “surface” needs. The disparity of economic capacity is stark between our two churches.The disparity of spiritual vitality may be just as stark, but much harder to see, particularly when viewed through the lens of American culture and the assumptions we hold about ourselves. Among our four priorities for Mennonite Church USA is one of “expanding global relationships.”We would never have considered a relationship with Congo Mennonites without stating that priority first.We are grateful to Mennonite World Conference for its continued assistance in developing this relationship. The easiest thing, yes, the natural thing, for us to do with Congolese Mennonites is develop new dependency relationships based on gifts of money and material aid. Pastors, if the idea of a congregation-to-congregation relationship with Congo Mennonites excites you, pause a moment and tell yourself you will first be required to build friendships before other “gift exchanges” of any kind will be appropriate. There is much more to be said later about “what we are learning” in these new relationships. Instructions to church staff regarding delegate registration for San José 2007 Each congregation’s secretary or pastor is responsible to enter delegate names and addresses on the Mennonite Directory Congregational Update Web page.This is the same process used for updating congregational information for the Mennonite Church USA 2007 Directory. Go to www.mennodata.org/mennonitedirectory/login.asp. Click the “Edit Delegate List” box in item No. 20 on your congregational profile. Enter the name, e-mail and mailing address of your delegate(s). If you need assistance with your congregational number or password, contact your area conference office. Please enter this data as soon as you have your list of delegates. If you do not have Web access, simply send the information to your area conference and they will enter it into the database for you.We encourage you to include young adults in your delegate selection. continued back side Here’s some of what you’ll find inside this issue: • Online giving • San José seminars • Vacation Bible School 2007 Jim Schrag is Executive Director of Mennonite Church USA Contact Shelley Buller if you have questions regarding delegate registration. She is available via e-mail at ShelleyB@MennoniteUSA.org or by phone toll-free at 1-866-866-2872. Equipping moving online Many churchwide leaders have come to appreciate the value of receiving Equipping 10 times per year.After listening to pastor and leader feedback and more than a year of careful planning, Executive Leadership and other churchwide agencies have decided Equipping can best serve Mennonite Church USA as an online resource. By having an online version of Equipping, we believe this useful resource packet will become even more accessible and user-friendly in the coming months. It will provide additional opportunities for interactivity among leaders as well as be more cost efficient than printing and shipping packets 10 times per year. This transition will happen in conjunction with the launch of a redesigned www.MennoniteUSA.org. Executive Leadership plans to continue providing a regular print version of Equipping for three issues after its move online. Once those three issues have been distributed, mail packets including brochures, catalogs and other print items and samples will be distributed on a quarterly basis. Keep watching Equipping for information on when the transition will happen and how you can be sure to take advantage of it online. YODA returns to San José At Atlanta 2003, a new program was launched for young adults who were serving as representatives to the Delegate Assembly.The program became known as YODA for YOung adult Delegate to Assembly. YODA is designed to help young adult delegates become involved in the work of Mennonite Church USA. It has a three-fold vision for the young adult delegate’s experience at convention: • To develop relationships with people in the broader church; • To learn more about the workings of the church; • To inspire young adults to become more involved with the present and future of Mennonite Church USA. The YODA program at Atlanta 2003 received a lot of affirmation from both the young adults who participated in it and other convention goers who saw the value of involving young adults in the work of the church. Because of the program’s success in Atlanta, it was repeated at Charlotte 2005, and it will also be a part of the San José 2007 convention. Dave Maurer and Amy Nissley will again serve as the co-planners and facilitators of the YODA program at San José 2007 this summer. The program will include three seminars for young adult delegates to learn more about the ins and outs of Mennonite Church USA polity and talk about concerns and questions they may have from the delegate sessions. Additionally, experienced delegates will be available for YODA participants to meet with in a small group setting to answer questions and be a listening ear. Now is the time for churches and conferences to consider sending a young adult as a delegate to San José 2007. Please be sure that these young adult delegates are aware of the opportunity to participate in the YODA program. Participation is voluntary, but we recommend it especially for first time young adult (ages 18 to 30) delegates. Questions about the program may be directed to Dave Maurer at gmc.dave@bluffton.edu. YODA Seminar Descriptions for San José 2007 • YODA Orientation—1:30-2:30 p.m. Monday, July 2 You’ve been preparing for weeks and now it is almost time for the first delegate session. Before you officially begin your work as a delegate in the first business session, come to the YODA Orientation to meet the other young adult delegates, ask your questions and find out about the rest of the YODA sessions. This time of orientation will also provide space to get acquainted with your YODA small group and mentor for the week. • Say What’s On Your Mind—(time and day to be listed in program book) Young adult delegates are invited to come talk with members of the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board. Need further background on issues raised in delegate sessions? Want to know more about Mennonite Church USA vision or leadership? Come ask your questions and share your hopes and dreams for Mennonite Church USA. • Executive Board Reception for YODA Participants—(time and day to be listed in program book) Equipping is published by Mennonite Church USA Communications. Offices at 722 Main Street, P.O. Box 347, Newton, KS 67114-0347, toll-free 1-866-866-2872; 316-283-5100; fax 316-283-0454; and 1601 W. Beardsley, P.O. Box 1245, Elkhart, IN 46515-1245, 574-294-7523; fax 574-293-1872. Send e-mail to Equipping@MennoniteUSA.org. Postal permit held by Mennonite Church USA, P.O. Box 347, Newton, KS 67114-0347. Copies sent in bulk upon request. Editor—Nora Miller. Communications liaison—Marathana Prothro. Printed in U.S.A. April 2007 Worship, spirituality and stewardship Workshop in San José A Sing the Story workshop will be offered at San José 2007. It’s not too late to register for this July 1 pre-convention workshop that will introduce the new hymnal supplement, Sing the Story. Worship and music leaders, pastors and all who enjoy singing are welcome to participate. You can register online or by mail. For information, go to: www.sanjose2007.org/conventions/adults/registration/index. htm, click on “Registration booklet,” and scroll down to page 7. The workshop will conclude in time for participants to attend the opening delegate session. Online giving is here Have you taken time to check out the new Mennonite Church USA giving Web site? This new resource provided by Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership allows giving to one or multiple parts of Mennonite Church USA—including your congregation and area conference—through a single and secure credit/debit card transaction. More than $20,000 has been given to Mennonite Church USA-related organizations and congregations since the site’s debut in late December. Don’t let your congregation miss out on this useful and convenient way of giving. Simply log on to www.MennoniteUSA.org and click on “Give” to check out this valuable resource. For more information on how your congregation or area conference can take advantage of this giving tool, contact Marty Lehman, director of financial development for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership, via e-mail at MartyL@MennoniteUSA.org or call toll-free 1-866-866-2872 and ask to speak to her. April 2007 Pastors and leaders Pastor’s seminar and appreciation lunch at San José There will be a pastor’s seminar and appreciation lunch on Monday, July 2, at San José, preceding the first delegate session.The speaker for the seminar and luncheon is Juan Martinez, associate professor of Hispanic Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and chair of Shalom Ministries/Center for Anabaptist Leadership in Pasadena, Calif. In the morning, Martinez will lead a workshop in “Intercultural Life and Ministry” that will help participants understand the multicultural setting for pastoral ministry in North America and its implications for congregations and pastors. Martinez is an ordained pastor in the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, church planter and seminary professor with a special interest in how acculturation shapes and impacts understandings of church and pastoral ministry. Martinez will speak on what it means to be “Anabaptist and missional” at the appreciation lunch. Jim Schrag, Mennonite Church USA executive director, will also speak. The cost for the seminar and lunch is $10 per person to the first 200 congregational pastors, conference ministers and their spouses who register for this event. Registrations can be made when you register for the convention.The seminar and appreciation lunch are sponsored by Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership and generously underwritten by MMA. April 2007 Christian education, community and life together Ministers’ Book Club Don’t forget that the Ministers’ Book Club is now open to church librarians. If you are a member, please be sure to pass this information on to your church librarian, and thank you for supporting us. If you aren’t a member, now is the time to consider joining the Ministers’ Book Club along with your church librarian. For questions concerning the club or to join, call 1-800-245-7894, ext. 278. Where do Muslim and Christian beliefs take us? In Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church, David W. Shenk “sets out to define carefully and respectfully the core beliefs and teachings of Islam and Christianity and where and how they might converge or diverge. In easily accessible language he explores how differences in understandings of creation, origins of sin or evil, the Scriptures, revelation, power, one God and the Trinity, the prophets and the Messiah, prayer and fellowship, and global mission might take Christians and Muslims into similar or vastly different directions. “After reading Shenk, one can hope readers will have gained a deepened respect for Islam and felt an even deeper gratitude for the gospel. Shenk has done us a great service. Read his book.” —ChristianWeek Paper, 284 pages, $14.99 Additional resource Meeting Our Multifaith Neighbors by Brice H. Balmer “Immigrants from around the world are changing the religious and cultural landscape of North America. Brice Balmer’s book is a wise, practical and caring guide for those seeking to relate to their new neighbors. Drawing upon his own experience and the Christian virtues of hospitality and welcoming strangers, Balmer’s book helps navigate this new reality.” —M. Darrol Bryant, author of Religion in a New Key Paper, 196 pages, $14.99 To order the following, call 1-800-245-7894 Plan ahead for summer During the summer quarter, Gather ’Round Sunday school curriculum offers materials for Preschool, Multiage and Parent/Caregiver. Junior youth teachers and students use Multiage materials.This summer’s theme is “The Parables of Jesus.” Encourage your education team to consider fresh ways of involving children, parents and families in teaching and learning this summer. Look for specific tips and more information in the summer issue of Roundabout, included in this packet. Play with the Parables! The Talkabout is the Gather ’Round take-home resource for every family, and the design is unique each quarter. The Summer 2007 Talkabout is a deck of “Parable Cards.” Each card includes Scripture, prayers, or discussion and activity ideas connected to the weekly sessions on the theme “The Parables of Jesus.” Families may use the cards to learn about the Parables, talk about faith issues and have fun together—at home or away. Order Talkabouts for each famcontinued back side ily in your congregation, and purchase extras to welcome visitors, new members or friends. other performed music in worship. They can also be adapted for use as accompaniment with vocal or other instrumental renditions of the hymns. •Close to Home: a pamphlet series addressing difficult issues from an Anabaptist perspective •Wrestling with God: Devotional Readings for Men Promote Bible reading for all ages Four new Bible reading record brochures offer children, youth and adults tips and tools to read their Bibles. Purchase one per person in your congregation and make extras available to teachers and visitors. •My Bible Reading Chart, for early readers, includes 100 favorite verses selected for young children and fun tips to get them started reading the Bible. •Dig into the Bible, geared for ages 9 to 12, challenges older children to read and learn even more about the Bible. •Read the Book, for teens, draws youth into the variety and depth of Bible literature, offering a plan for reading through the whole Bible. •Encounter the Word, for adults, offers a plan for reading the whole Bible. Ideas and helps are provided for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for those who are more experienced in Bible reading. Coming in Summer 2007: • Sing the Story: Hymnal A Worship Book Supplement II. Sing the Story uses the seasons of the church year from Advent to Pentecost to tell the story of the life, ministry, death, resurrection and reign of Jesus Christ through song and word. Find more information at www.mph.org. Also coming soon: Sing the Story Accompaniment Resource and Sing the Story CD. • With Heart & Hands is a collection of 18 arrangements of hymns from Sing the Journey and Sing the Story, the two supplemental volumes to Hymnal: A Worship Book.The scores are designed for piano offertories, preludes and Order VBS 2007 now! Encourage your Vacation Bible School team to use materials from Mennonite Publishing Network this summer. Be Bold! God is With You teaches children to put their trust in the steadfast God whose message is always the same:“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” Each day’s worship time introduces a new Bible story through lively drama and singing.Ten interactive “Courage Connection” stations provide handson learning and fun to reinforce the theme. Find Bible texts and more at www.mph.org/vbs. For families God With Us Today: Devotions for Families offers families 100 fresh devotions. Each includes a brief meditation on a Scripture passage, a prayer and questions that explore how God is reaching out to each of us today. Order copies to present families joining your church or as a gift at child dedication or other family milestones. New Mennonite Church USA directory available Order copies of Mennonite Church USA Directory 2007 for your office, library and staff members. Call 1800-245-7894 or order online at www.mph.org. April 2007 Mission, evangelism and peacemaking Reports from the border In this issue you’ll find reports from the Peace and Justice Support Network leadership team’s learning tour to the border between Arizona and Mexico.The tour, led by Jodi Read of Mennonite Central Committee, helped the group gain a better understanding of immigration issues, one of PJSN’s primary goals for 2006 thru 2009.The reports are available in English and Spanish. Urban Leaders Network Meeting San José, Calif., July 1 to 2 “Live the Call: Conversations about new models for church” All urban constituents and others with a heart for the city are invited to gather to worship, meet one another and discuss emerging models of being the church in the 21st century.Young adults are especially welcome. Participants will share stories that highlight both successes and challenges of new church models.The highlight of the evening will be the announcement of the recipient of the 2007 George and Pearl Kauffman Urban Leader Award. The program includes a panel of young adults responding to the following questions: If you were in charge, what would the church look like? Knowing God can do anything, what are three desires you have for the church? Register on the San José 2007 registration form either on hard copy or online at www.SanJose2007.org. Or register by phone: Leah Stuckey at 1-866-866-2872 (toll-free) or 574523-3054 (direct).