| December 16, 2019 Dear Phil & Kelly, The last Sunday in Advent is often focused on the theme of love. God's love for the world. Our love for each other. Paul says in I Corinthians 13 that love is the greatest gift of all, more than faith and hope. Jesus says that our love for each other will show to the world that we are disciples of Jesus (John 13:35). Sometimes it feels like the church's witness to the world is wrong. We are torn by divisions and conflicts. We are complicit in many kinds of wrongdoing, ranging from economic injustice to sexual misconduct. We too often remain segregated in our congregations. These are true, but not the whole story.
Mennonite World Conference is one place where we joyously proclaim that the Spirit overcomes the divisions that too often keep us apart. MWC helps each one of us to feel connected to our sisters and brothers beyond our own local congregation and national church.
We hear stories of inspiration in the midst of suffering and joy. We pray for each other. We belong together. | Mennonite Brethren Church members in Peru wave their greetings to you. Photo: Henk Stenvers | | 
Mennonite Church members in Canada wave their greetings to you. Photo: Felipe Gonzalia
| The church is the sign of the Kingdom of God, the instrument that God uses for reconciliation in the world and your foretaste of heaven. It is through our global communion that we witness to the world that we are disciples of Jesus because of our love for each other. | We ask you to give a donation to MWC this year. You have been inspired by the love in our global communion during this past year. Your donation means you will continue to receive stories of inspiration along with prayer requests from sisters and brothers all over the world. Your donation means MWC will continue to walk alongside brothers and sisters in times of challenge and in times of joy. Please include your global Anabaptist community in your donations this year. May you experience and share the love of God in this Advent season  | In the love of Christ, 
César García, MWC general secretary | P.S. Your contribution helps witness to the world that we love each other. | 
