MWC Info August 2020 | | MWC shifts Assembly to 2022Mennonite World Conference (MWC) decided to postpone the global Assembly until 2022: 5–10 July. In close consultation with the National Advisory Committee in host country Indonesia, the Executive Committee of MWC has decided not to hold the international gathering in 2021 as originally announced.
| | Trilateral dialogue report presents gifts and challenges The final report on the Lutheran-Mennonite-Roman Catholic Trilateral Conversation has been published. The report summarizes five years of theological consultations between the three communions on the understanding and practice of baptism...
| | COVID-19 funds reach remote Indonesian islandFor people in Sumba Island, the COVID-19 pandemic may not be their top worry. Thanks to their remote location, less than two dozen infections have been confirmed on the island as of 4 August 2020. However, the community is devastated by the economic blow of the coronavirus lockdowns.
| | MWC signs statement against nuclear weaponsMennonite World Conference (MWC) has joined a wide coalition of faith-based communities from around the world that issued a call to governments to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons...
| | "Renewal will come by daring"There was no "Anabaptist theology" in the 16th century – there were many Anabaptist theologies, says Astrid von Schlachta. The Mennonite historian is leading the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism in 2025. "Daring" is the name of this joint project of Mennonites and Baptists that considers what an Anabaptist movement means for the church today in light of its history.
| | Responses to climate change are growing in many MWC member congregations. Here are a few examples. In Ethiopia, congregations of Meserete Kristos Church (MKC) are taking part in the national government's Green Legacy Challenge to plant 5 billion trees during 2020's rainy season.
| | The ecumenical imperative comes from Jesus' prayer during the passion vigil in Gethsemane. There, by way of his prayer to God, he declared his irrevocable commitment and will that Christians love one another. Jesus pleaded that his disciples "may all be one so that the world may believe" (John 17:21).
| | Mitsuru Ishido wrote this song to encourage Nasu Keiko, a fellow Mennonite church member who was sewing masks to donate to refugees, foreign students and a church member with lung problems...
| | COVID-19 global response fund
"The church's response is unique in that we provide accompaniment rather than just distribute rations. This means walking together to feed not only the body but also the soul in these desperate times in which many have lost sight of the meaning of life," says Yanett Palacios...
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| | Prayers of gratitude and intercession Zimbabwe is facing the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis along with the rest of the world, but compounded with an unstable political situation, 90% unemployment, an underfunded health system, hyperinflation and food security crisis. Pray for Catholic leaders who have made a statement to the government to uphold the gospel tenets of human dignity and the common good. Pray that the people of Zimbabwe would treat each other with respect across political divisions as they advocate for justice for all. Praise God for the Christian brothers and sisters – including the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe – who are speaking with one voice during a critical time.
Praise God for the celebration of baptism as a practice of discipleship in Mennonite, Lutheran and Catholic churches. The final report on the Lutheran-Mennonite-Roman Catholic Trilateral Conversation (on baptism) has been published. Praise God for the trust, patience and receptivity of the leaders who participated in this dialogue between world communions. Pray that studying the report may promote better mutual understanding between communions and lead to greater faithfulness to Jesus Christ. May MWC churches be attentive to the "gifts received" and "challenges accepted."
Pray for more open doors to preach the gospel, especially in regions where it is not well known. Pray for labourers to partake in the kingdom work. Intercede for all our ministers in their preaching and teaching responsibilities. Some of our youths completed high school but they can't enter university due to the cost of tuition fees; please pray for God's provision. —Adriano Mbackeh, member of Mennonite Church West Africa, Ghana
We pray that God will protect our lives and give wisdom to the authorities. May they respond appropriately and show mercy toward people so that the possible consequences of the virus can be prevented and mitigated. Some days we feel so impotent, frustrated and afraid. We pray that God will help us manage our emotions in a healthy way and also that we may find joy in the midst of the uncertainty. We pray that God will help us to continue building deep relationships in spite of social distancing. We pray that you may sense the constant love of the Lord in all aspects of your lives. — Diana Cruz and Felipe Preciado, La Casa Grande FIFATA, Benin ( Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Colombia [IMCOL])
"Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." (Psalm 57:1) Seventeen people are confirmed dead with more than 75 feared trapped as rows of houses sank into the ground as a result of heavy rains on the Pettimudi tea estate in Munnar, Kerala, India. Gilgal Mission Trust, a Mennonite World Conference member church, has a small congregation in this village. News reports indicate that a church is buried under the mud. Ten church members are among the missing. MWC calls for the global community of believers to stand in solidarity by praying for missing people to be rescued and for rains to stop so further damage can be avoided.
"All my bones shall say, 'O Lord, who is like you? You deliver the weak from those too strong for them, the weak and needy from those who despoil them.'" (Psalm 35:10) Lord, we take hope in your strength and salvation.
These Peace Sunday worship resources are provided by the Peace Commission of Mennonite World Conference. We encourage their use by all MWC-related congregations on the designated Peace Sunday (20 September 2020), or another Sunday that fits the schedule of the congregation. We trust that we can all be nurtured by the faithfulness of these brothers and sisters. |
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