Nov. 11, 2009

Mennonite Women USA Board Approves New Mission and Vision Statements

By Patricia Burdette

NEWTON, KS—Mennonite Women USA board approved new mission and vision statements for the organization at meetings held Nov. 7. The new guiding documents state “Our mission at Mennonite Women USA is to empower women and women’s groups as we nurture our life in Christ, study the Bible, use our gifts, hear each other and engage in mission and service,” and “Mennonite Women USA invites women across generations, cultures and places to share and honor our stories, care for each other and express our prophetic voice boldly as we seek to follow Christ.”

The mission and vision statements will focus the work of staff for the next five or more years.

“The vision statement calls us to new growth. The 2003 vision drew us to connect with one another; in 2009 the vision statement calls us to deeper caring for our sisters in Christ as we also listen and speak our stories and convictions,” Rhoda Keener, executive director of Mennonite Women USA, says.

These statements are based on the work from the organization’s Strategic Planning Retreat in March, led by Rebecca Drumm, Bellefontaine, Ohio, of Advancement Associates. Included were Mennonite women, representing Asian, African American, American Indian, Hispanic and Caucasian women, ages 26 to the mid-60s, from across the United States.