Work has officially begun on the first ever Anabaptist Bible to be published by MennoMedia in time for the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism in 2025. A diverse group of 45 people from a spectrum of Anabaptist faith communities in the United States and Canada gathered at a retreat center in Des Plains, Illinois, on Aug. 26-28, to kick off the Anabaptism at 500 project. John Roth, project director, and Mollee Moua, managing editor of the project led the conference, titled “In the Beginning was the Word.”
Roth provided a brief overview of commemorative events in Anabaptist-Mennonite history and reviewed MennoMedia’s assumptions regarding “right remembering.” Pastor and author Meghan Good gave several presentations on what it means to read Scripture from a Christ-centered perspective. Participants also worked in table groups to review the plan for inviting 500 Bible study groups to participate in the project and to consider what other components might be included in the Bible.
“This project is an invitation for the Anabaptist churches to gather and listen to and through the Incarnate Word – Jesus,” said Sue Park-Hur, Mennonite Church USA’s director of racial/ethnic engagement, who participated in the conference. “I’m excited that the leaders of this project are committed to the challenging work of including diverse voices of Anabaptist groups.”
The project’s advisory group will be meeting by Zoom in the coming weeks and is planning another in-person meeting in early 2023.
MennoMedia is the publishing ministry of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. To learn how you and your congregation can be involved in Anabaptism at 500, visit https://www.mennomedia.org/anabaptism-at-500/.
By MC USA staff with input from John Roth. Photos by Jace Longenecker.