February 2009 Equipping Archives

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February 2009 Archives

Mennonite Church USA

Intervention — Seven weeks ago today I experienced a medical intervention that saved my life. I am a grateful man—grateful to God and conscientious physicians whose investigative work showed I needed heart bypass surgery.
New health coverage information coming soon — Next month, you will receive more information about Mennonite Church USA’s new health plan for pastors and church workers, The Corinthian Plan.
Time to appoint delegates for Convention 2009 — Mennonite Church USA Convention 2009 is only months away, and it’s time for congregations to begin appointing delegates for the Delegate Assembly.
Resources for exploring Mennonite identity in the United States available — The Anabaptist tradition is one that for centuries has found Mennonites living and witnessing in ways that stand in contrast to the broader culture.
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq — The Christian Peace Witness for Iraq will be April 29 to 30 in Washington, D.C. This annual worship and witness event will feature Tony Campolo, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., Sr. Dianna Ortiz, Elizabeth McAlister and Daniel Berrigan.

Pastors and leaders

Nominations sought for 2009 George and Pearl Kauffman Urban Leader Award — We are currently accepting nominations for the 2009 award.
Missional Leaders meeting, May 2 to 4 — Come to the Missional Leaders meeting in Denver at the Ramada Inn Downtown Denver.
Urban Leaders Network dinner/gathering at Convention 2009 (open to all) — Enjoy the July 1 evening gathering/dinner with urban ministry practitioners in Columbus
Invite someone to the AMBS Open House — Seminary students report that a pastor or mentor is one of the most important reasons they decided to pursue seminary study and ministry.
Unmarried Couples Living Together is focus of continuing education event — The newest installment in the Extreme Situations in the Congregation pastoral care series at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary is June 4.
Summer at AMBS — Celebrating the Christian Year; Faith, Film and Fiction; and Pastoral Care of Youth and Young Adults are three of the offerings at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary this summer.

Christian education

Limited supplies: Order Lent-Easter bulletins now — Call 1-800-245-7894, ext. 220, right away to order Mennonite Worship Bulletins for the season of Lent-Easter.
New for VBS 2009: Catch the Spirit! Join God’s Work in the World — Stories from Acts will help children experience the power of the Holy Spirit as they learn how to get involved, speak up and join God’s work around the world.
Got worship art? — Proclamation by Design: The Visual Arts in Worship explains why and how visual art is an indispensable part of telling the Story of God.
Don’t miss the Bus! — The Gather ’Round Talkabout is a take-home item to help everyone connect with the Gather ’Round quarterly themes.
Inspirational resources for all
- Purpose: Stories of Faith and Promise
- Rejoice! Daily Devotional Readings
- God With Us Today: Devotions for Families
- Wrestling with God: Devotional Readings for Men
- Take our Moments and Our Days: An Anabaptist Prayer Book
- Connect, the quarterly Bible study guide for adults
Reach out with Close to Home pamphlets — Help Christian caregivers serve people in your congregation or community who may be dealing with difficult personal issues.
Help youth workers recharge — Beyond Me: Grounding Youth Ministry in God’s Story helps Christian youth workers look beneath programs...
Worship resources for marking faith milestones — Faith Markers: Marking Each Child’s Faith Journey is a churchwide ministry program to help your congregation celebrate significant faith events in the lives of children and youth.
Browse & Buy! — Mennonite Publishing Network offers congregations the opportunity to receive free displays of MPN publications.
New study books for adults and leaders:
- At-Tuwani Journal: Hope and Nonviolent Action in a Palestinian Village
- First Be Reconciled: Challenging Christians in Court
- Reasoning Together:A Conversation on Homosexuality

Mission, evangelism and peacemaking

And you welcomed me: a consultation of the people of God on immigration — Plan to attend this Sept. 18 to 20 event in the Dallas, Texas, area (Lakeview Camp and Conference Center, Waxahachie).
Free mission banks! — From Jan. 1 through March 31, Mennonite Mission Network is offering free mission banks to all children in grades K through 6 who attend a Mennonite Church USA congregation.
Circles of Relationships DVD available for online viewing — This short, eight-minute film tells the story of Mennonite Mission Network ministries across the United States and around the world by following connections and relationships that have formed between a variety of families, congregations and groups.
Missio Dei No. 18 now available: What is an Anabaptist Christian? — People in many parts of the world have become disillusioned with institutional, politically-compromised forms of Christianity

Worship

Prayers for peace — The Mennonite Church USA peace advocate has been collecting prayers for peace from across the church and distributing them weekly to people and congregations with a heart for peace.
Talk about issues that count with youth — The Mennonite Church USA Web site now has a new section dedicated to helping youth and their sponsors or pastors start conversations on things like the environment, immigration, poverty, racism, war and sexuality.
Personal finance of pastors — During these strained economic times, learn how a group of pastors said they handle their personal finances in Teleios, MMA’s publication for pastors.