Midweek blog: Talking about numbers, people
Back in November, after briefly discussing the issue of growth at our fall congregational meeting, we decided to do a little research. We compiled data covering 25 years, recording annual averages of children, members, Sunday attendance, and regular attenders. Some of the findings of note: The church has had over…
100 years
One hundred years ago Mennonites were starving in Russia. When Anabaptist groups in the US and Canada learned about their plight they came together to form a Central Committee dedicated to bringing material relief to these sisters and brothers. From those beginnings, the Mennonite Central Committee expanded into the international…
2019 in review
Before we get too far into 2020, here’s a look back at 2019 , highlighting something of CMC life from each month. January | Winter Seminar included two different sessions with Ryan Schellenberg speaking about Paul, Prison, and the Justice of God. Over MLK day Austin McCabe Juhnke and I…
Grateful for Donita
Last week I learned that my spiritual director, Donita Harris, died from cancer. About two and a half years ago I decided I would try spiritual direction again after a long hiatus. Donita was recommended to me, and after our first conversation it was clear she was someone from whom…
New nativities
‘Tis the season for creative adaptations of the familiar nativity scene and Christmas story. Not long after Eve and Lily were born I first saw this one: After spending two weeks of November 2015 in Palestine and Israel, this one took on new meaning: Funny. And also a reminder that…