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A detectable level of tension accompanied Mennonite Church USA delegates into their meeting on Saturday afternoon as they gathered for a final session to discuss a proposed statement about the church’s perspectives on human sexuality.
The resolutions committee drafted the document, titled “A resolution on ... [Read More]
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Church delegates on Saturday spoke out against “the evil of human trafficking” and urged Congress to support bipartisan legislation that would provide basic and affordable health care for all Americans.
By a majority vote, delegates approved resolutions on human trafficking and health care. The statements ... [Read More]
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While Mennonites were among the first of Christian denominations to ordain women into the ministry, if in very rare instances, women have not experienced equal access to roles of leadership in the church until recent decades. Today, the Mennonite Church supports the ideal outlined in the “Confession of Faith in ... [Read More]
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Keith Harder, the director of health care access for pastors as part of the Corinthian Plan, fielded questions on Friday from concerned delegates in the morning session.
The Corinthian Plan is a proposed group insurance plan that would provide health care for all pastors of Mennonite congregations, and also for employees working 30 hours per week or more at a Mennonite congregation.
The project is...
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The resolutions committee of Mennonite Church USA on Friday released proposed statements on national health care, human trafficking and homosexuality.
The three resolutions will be considered by the delegates in the Saturday morning session. The delegates may vote to adopt some or all of the resolutions.
The human sexuality resolution, officially called “A resolution on following Christ and gr...
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The Pink Menno campaign encouraged conventiongoers to wear pink this week in support of gay and lesbian church members. But it was a press conference held on Thursday that may be most effective in publicizing the group’s agenda.
Reporters from The Associated Press, Fox News and The Columbus Dispatch were all pre... [Read More]
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Not just anyone could easily step into the role of a professional “pray-er” for more than 7,000 people, but Les Horning and Donna Mast, the Prayer Team leaders for Columbus 2009, have taken on the task.
“We are coming with an agenda to listen and to be a presence, to create safe places for people to talk... [Read More]
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Jim Schrag arrived at the adult worship service with the future of the Mennonite Church, the rising median age of Mennonites and the importance of a positive vision all on his mind.
Schrag, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, began his speech with the story of Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China. At one point... [Read More]
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The exhibit hall is a central feature of every Mennonite convention. Mennonite schools, missions and companies set up their booths to attract students, customers and interested parties, and free stuff flows like water. Magnetic clips, letter openers, pens, T-Shirts and a mountain of candy are given away by hopeful... [Read More]
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Service projects are a staple of the Mennonite tradition, and for youth groups attending Columbus 2009, there are ample options to serve.
Sixty-one agencies will be accepting volunteers throughout the week, many of which will take a new group each day. Servant project groups will leave around 12:30 each day, after a brief orientation session in the Convention Center.
Many youth groups consider ser...
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