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Contact: Laurie L. Oswald (316) 283-5100, E-mail: LaurieO@MennoniteUSA.org

Eleanor Snyder appointed as director of Faith & Life Resources by Laurie L. Oswald

A joint release by Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA. For more information contact Ben Sprunger, Mennonite Publishing Network interim executive director (bens@mph.org, 724-887-8500, ext. 212) or Ron Rempel, executive director as of August 1, 2003 (rrempel@mph.org, 519-884-3810, ext. 225).

Scottdale, Pa. and Waterloo, Ont. (MPN) -- Eleanor Snyder, of Kitchener, Ont., has been appointed as director of Faith & Life Resources, a division of Mennonite Publishing Network.

She will work from an office in Waterloo, Ont., beginning May 15.

According to Ron Rempel, recently selected as executive director beginning August 1, Snyder's appointment fills a position crucial to the vision guiding the transformed publishing ministry -- "to provide materials that equip the church to experience and share the gospel from an Anabaptist perspective." Faith & Life Resources gives leadership in developing curriculum and other resources for the church's life and mission.

A key part of the new vision is a plan to hold regular churchwide consultations. The first such consultation, slated for September 19-21 in Pittsburgh, will focus on the whole area of congregational resources.

Rempel noted that Snyder brings the experience and training needed for the position. He also noted her broad understanding of Christian formation, and her conviction about the need for a close working relationship between education and publishing. In her role she will supervise a dispersed team including editors and a marketing person and will take the lead in developing affordable new resources called for by the church.

Snyder served for eight years, from 1994-2002 as director of Children's Education for the former General Conference Mennonite Church. Prior to that she served for six years as minister of Christian Education for Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. In these positions she was a resource to Christian educators of children and adults. She has also done extensive curriculum writing over the past decade.

Snyder completed a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Education from Toronto School of Theology and a Master of Theological Studies degree from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. She attends Erb Street Mennonite Church in Waterloo, Ont.

"Providing quality curricular resources for a relatively small denomination where 'one size does not fit all' requires creativity and collaboration," said Snyder. "I look forward to forming strong relationships with agencies and church leaders in congregations and area conferences to identify priorities for curriculum that will undergird faith formation.

"My vision for the church includes developing an integrated, holistic approach to the educational tasks of the congregation," she added. "This means creating and promoting resources that can nurture faith in all ages and through all stages of life. This means developing curriculum that helps children, youth, young adults and adults to grow as Christians through worship, community life, formal education and serving God in mission."

Snyder will take over from Levi Miller, who has directed Faith & Life Resources since last June alongside his work as director of Herald Press. Rose Stutzman directed Faith & Life Resources from 2000 to 2002.

Mennonite Publishing Network is a ministry of both Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada, with offices in Scottdale, Pa., Newton, Kan., Waterloo, Ont., and Winnipeg, Man.