Mennonites respond to Ecuador earthquake Bogotá, Colombia – Members of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) body are responding to the April earthquakes in Ecuador. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific coast of northern Ecuador 16 April 2016, followed by a second earthquake 20 April, and continued strong aftershocks for several days. At least 570 people have been killed and more than 7,000 injured. Read more | | New MWC leaders foster relationships Regional representatives and treasurer introduced at Indonesia meetings. Bogotá, Colombia – When the church is suffering in a remote or politically sensitive part of the world, it is the regional representatives who convey the news to the global Anabaptist family. These servants share joys and sorrows, and connect their region with the resources of Mennonite World Conference. Read more | | Renewal decade commemorates 500th anniversary Bogotá, Colombia – On 12–19 February 2017, Anabaptist-Mennonites from around the world will gather in Augsburg, Germany, to celebrate the opening event of Renewal 2027 in conjunction with meetings of the Mennonite World Conference Executive Committee. Read more | | Incorporation into the body of Christ Fourth meeting of the Catholic, Lutheran and Mennonite Trilateral Dialogue Commission on baptism. Bogotá, Colombia – Representatives of the Catholic Church (Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity), The Lutheran World Federation, and Mennonite World Conference met in Bogotá, Colombia, 29 February–4 March 2016, for the fourth meeting of the International Trilateral Dial Read more | | Recognizing our interconnectedness There is a South African term that has been instrumental in its people's difficult journey in search of reconciliation – ubuntu. Western languages have no equivalent for ubuntu, a word that expresses the essence of humanity and its interconnectedness. Read more | | Inspiration and reflection: Hospitality I learned hospitality from my parents. I grew up in a big family with nine children in a small home with only three small bedrooms. We were not rich, but our family helped our cousins and our friends who needed housing and food. They often stayed with us so they could continue their studies. Our small home was like an oasis for everyone who needed love and care. My father and mother became parents to them all. Read more | Prayers of gratitude and intercession April 2016: Pray for the people of Japan affected by earthquakes 14 and 16 April 2016, in Kumamoto, Kyushu. Several dozen people were killed and tens of thousands are displaced from their homes. Read more... April 2016: Pray for the people of Ecuador who experienced an earthquake of 7.8 on the Richter scale followed by another earthquake and several days of aftershocks. Pray for MWC member church Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Ecuatoriana (IEME) with congregations in Manta and Portoviejo, two cities devastated by the earthquakes. Pray for David Shenk, Mennonite Central Committee disaster response coordinator from the United States, who is planning interventions. Read more... April 2016: Angola is experiencing a yellow fever outbreak of epidemic proportions. Pray that government officials would make wise decisions regarding use of vaccines to control the spread of the mosquito-borne virus in affected regions and to prevent transmission to neighbouring areas like DR Congo. Pray for hospital workers who are stretched to capacity. Pray that the church may be present among the suffering, helping to promote sanitation and accompanying those who grieve lost loved ones. MWC member congregations have also been affected, suffering illness and death. Read more... | To unsubscribe from this mailing list, click here. Congreso Mundial Menonita Calle 28A No. 16-41 Piso 2 Bogotá, Colombia | Like MWC on Facebook! Ways to Give Join the MWC Email List Publication sign up MWC updates on Twitter @mwcmm Follow MWC on Instagram @mwcmm |