Highlights for
July 5-6, 2003
Delegates to address Resolutions
on Immigration and Abortion
Immigration: In response to a call from Hispanic groups,
Susan Mark Landis, the Executive Board's peace advocate,
has been working with racial/ethnic groups, Mennonite
Central Committee, and others to draft a resolution
for commitment to working against poverty and fear
among immigrants. As a body of believers dedicated
to building relationships with brothers and sisters
of all nationalities and as citizens of a country
founded by immigrants, this resolution affirms congregational
and individual action toward accepting immigrants
into our communities and churches.
For complete copies of this churchwide statement,
view it online at http://www.mennoniteusa.org/NewItems/delegates/statement_immigration.pdf
Abortion: This resolution affirms
that human life is a gift from God at conception and
should not be used to interrupt unwanted pregnancy.
Congregations are called to create a compassionate
and healing place for those considering or suffering
from an abortion by being open to listening to those
who hold different beliefs. Abortion is a difficult
and sensitive issue and requires much more study and
discernment in order to discover God's will, and this
resolution invites congregations to commit to further
prayer and study.
For complete copies of this churchwide statement,
view it online at http://www.mennoniteusa.org/NewItems/delegates/statement_abortion.pdf
March for Reconciliation,
Centennial Park hymn sing July 6 to promote peace
Mennonites will promote peace and non-violence with
a march July 6, 5-7 p.m., through Atlanta, beginning
at the Georgia World Congress Center and concluding
at the Martin Luther King Center. Following the march,
at 7 p.m., thousands of convention-goers will join
in Centennial Olympic Park to sing hymns in 4-part
harmony, a signature element of Mennonite worship.
Blood Drive
Atlanta has a serious need for blood! Nation-wide
donations decline significantly during the summer
months while the need for blood increases due to travel-related
accidents. The Atlanta Red Cross has challenged attendees
at Atlanta 2003 to donate over 400 pints of blood
in three days. The Bloodmobile will be collecting
Mennonite blood from 1-6 p.m. Friday, Sunday and Monday
in the Exhibits Hall. Giving blood has been to the
communities in which they hold their conventions has
been a tradition for Mennonites, who want to give
something back to the city in which they host their
bi-annual gatherings.
Servant Projects Continue
Over 500 people participated in servant projects on
Thursday, July 3 and more will continue July 4, 5,
and 7. Service projects in the host community have
been a tradition at Mennonite assemblies. In Atlanta,
servant projects are scheduled for 41 project sites.
Approximately 4,000 youth and adults will participate
in various projects aimed at meeting short-term needs,
including assisting in outreach ministries and food
drives, doing carpentry, painting, neighborhood clean-up,
and yard work. Some youth will also participate in
an intergenerational history gathering project, in
which they will interview Atlanta citizens who lived
through the Civil Rights Movement.
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