Fwd: MWC Info: Only God could turn disaster into ministry

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Kristina Toews – Mennonite World Conference <info@mwc-cmm.org>
Date: Thu, Sep 23, 2021 at 5:41 AM
Subject: MWC Info: Only God could turn disaster into ministry
To: Phil & Kelly Horning <philandkelly@gmail.com>

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Only God could turn disaster into ministry

"We as a church can show that we can do something in the midst of a difficult situation like this," says Timotius Tanutama.

In coordination with the local government, police and military forces, the 2022 MWC Assembly host venue JKI Injil Kerajaan (Holy Stadium) is holding a vaccine clinic, dosing up to 8 000 people per day in a country struggling to vaccinate citizens amid a severe infection wave.

Safe space in light of COVID-19

How do we create safe and healthy spaces together? Many churches think about safety in relation to sexual abuse, and have worked on safe space policies in that context. What does safe space mean in the light of COVID-19?

In Memoriam: Ambrocio Ladiana Porcincula (1939-2021)

Ambrocio Porcincula, general council delegate to Mennonite World Conference, died 8 August 2021 at 82 after suffering a stroke. He served MWC as a representative of Asia on the Executive Committee in the late 1990s and represented Integrated Mennonite Churches, Inc., in the Philippines on the General Council for several terms.

How environmental crises impact church communities

As we enter the Season of Creation, experiences of frustration and fear remind us of the many crises in our world that call us to heal our relationship with creation.

We identify three main lessons from the responses to the global Mennonite survey on creation care when asked 1) What impacts of environmental degradation and/or climate change are being experienced, and 2) How they impact their personal or congregational lives.

Peace Sunday: Drawing comfort

Who has demonstrated Jesus' comfort and assurance to you? Draw or take a picture of them.

If they give you consent, share the photo publicly with a word of thanks.

With permission, send your story and photo to photo@mwc-cmm.org to share with the global Anabaptist family.

ambassador kit Assembly promotion materials

MWC launches "Ambassador Kit" for churches to promote Indonesia 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we travel, Mennonite World Conference representatives and Assembly team seek new ways to bring awareness and excitement for Indonesia 2022, which will be MWC's first hybrid global assembly. With Assembly 17 less than 12 months away, MWC launches an "Ambassador Kit" for churches to use in promoting Indonesia 2022 to their members.

"Finding hope and healing in crisis"

2021 material on the theme "Finding hope and healing in crisis" includes reflections on the story of Jesus calming the storm (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41), liturgies and benedictions, reader's theatre and activities like "boat in the midst of a storm."

You can use MWC's Peace Sunday resources any time of the year!

Tell us about your celebration: photos@mwc-cmm.org

Prayers of gratitude and intercession

"In this area of the world, churches now have permission to open their doors for meetings. At the moment, COVID-19 cases are lower and the vaccination is going well, although many people are opposed to the vaccine. Uruguay, Chile, Argentina are opening their borders. We say thanks to our God."

—submitted by Freddy Barrón, regional representative, Latin America – Southern Cone

"In the months of June and July 2021, we lost more than 10 church leaders (pastors and deacons) due to COVID-19 complications. Please pray for the families of the deceased and the congregations left without pastors. May they receive the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

"Pray for an amicable solution between the government and the church about the conditions of reopening for worship services. Pray for the General Conference Board as they plan for the gathering under very difficult economic conditions and COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

"The continued lockdown period has not favoured students; many have lagged behind in their studies. Pray for wisdom on those who are in authority in the education ministry to make sound decisions as they prepare for the opening of schools.

"Our church hospitals have need for adequate PPE and medication as they cater for COVID-19 patients. Pray for provisions.

"Pray for spiritual revival of church members even during this lockdown period."

—submitted by Reverend Sindah Ngulube, Brethren in Christ Church, Zimbabwe

Despite a heavy COVID-19 wave resulting in the deaths of pastors and members, the three Mennonite synods in Indonesia remain steadfast in their desire to host the worldwide Anabaptist family for Assembly 17. Pray that the situation will improve and that it will be possible for international guests to come to Indonesia in 2022 to witness the resilience, creativity and faithfulness of the Indonesian Mennonite church as they live out the gospel of peace in a multireligious context despite the suffering from COVID-19.

North American churches solicit your prayers on behalf of our congregations as they respond to the challenges posed by the virus with Christ-like actions.

Pray for wisdom and grace for congregational and denominational leaders in the United States and Canada as they call members to follow Jesus together across barriers. Pray for those who become ill with the virus. Pray for the weary workers who minister to all those who are sick.

Pray that our Mennonite family members may be open-handed and open-hearted in our interaction with everyone we meet, especially as Canadians navigate a federal election in the midst of the pandemic.

—submitted by Bill Braun and Lisa Carr-Pries, executive committee members

Online prayer hour

A pastoral letter to Anabaptist-Mennonites in India

Dear Anabaptist sisters and brothers:

This letter is a call for the church around the world to join in prayer for Christians and other minority groups who are harassed and threatened in India, especially in rural areas. With tacit support from government officials, anti-Christian and anti-Muslim groups seek to close churches and mosques.

Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday

Each year, we encourage Anabaptist-related churches across the globe to use a common theme in a worship service to connect with our global Anabaptist family.

Download here

Paseduluran: live out the gospel of peace

The presence of the Indonesian Anabaptist-Mennonites is very significant in the history worldwide, for it brings a new light not only on "Who are the Anabaptists?" but also "Who are the Anabaptists' neighbours?"

ICOMB

The Bund evangelischer Freikirchen (Taufgesinnte Gemeinden), is a growing working group of independent churches established in 1989, and today it unites 50 churches and runs a Bible Seminar and four mission agencies.

"¡Ubíquese! (Place yourself)" webinar

You are invited to a peace webinar!

Please join the Global Anabaptist Peace Network at a one-hour webinar called "¡Ubíquese! (Place yourself)" on 12 October 2021 at 14:00 UTC. Peace activists and peace workers from Colombia and Canada will dialogue on what it means to "walk in solidarity" in their contexts in light of today´s challenges.

In this webinar, people active in peace witness in Canada and Colombia reflect with us in what to means to be in solidarity with vulnerable people and communities in these two contexts.

We hope this input (including the challenges, dilemmas, examples of peace witness and signs of hope) will invite each participant to reflect on and engage in the conversation from their own realities.

The aim of the Global Anabaptist Peace Network (GAPN) is to connect and support organizations and agencies that have emerged from and serve our global Anabaptist/Mennonite church communion. GAPN was officially launched in Elspeet, Netherlands, in June 2019, within the framework of the second Global Mennonite Peacebuilding Conference and Festival (2nd GMP).

Click here to learn more