Mennonite Church USA is excited to introduce a new addition to the exhibit hall at the Follow Jesus ‘25 national convention, July 8-12, in Greensboro, North Carolina. The inaugural Menno Makers Market will showcase the talent and witness of Mennonite artisans and affiliated ministries who craft with care, tell powerful stories through their work and embody the values of sustainability, justice and peace. From hand-turned furniture to fair trade embroidery, this unique marketplace invites attendees to shop with meaning — and connect more deeply with the diverse expressions of faith-filled creativity in our Anabaptist community.
The inaugural Menno Makers Market will feature five exhibitors:
Fancy Twig Farm, Parnell, Iowa, will be offering hickory oil, an edible oil (similar to olive oil) made from wild harvested hickory nuts. Owner Levi Geyer’s work is driven by a commitment to sustainability and peace. According to his website, he hopes that his work will inspire and empower people to strengthen their relationship with their food and local ecosystems.
Jaffra Gallery will showcase unique creations, such as handcrafted wallets, that echo the stories of Palestinians, especially women, carrying messages of hope and perseverance. The wallets are assembled in Palestine, and the women’s wallets are painted by Palestinian women in Hebron/Al Khalil. The Jaffra project is run by Palestinian women in the West Bank, and sponsored in the United States by Amy Yoder McGloughlin, who also serves as conference minister of Allegheny Mennonite Conference.
RAWTools will display handmade items made from destroyed gun parts through blacksmithing, woodworking, and mixed media. Founder and executive director Mike Martin is licensed for specialized ministry for the work of RAWtools by Mountain States Mennonite Conference. Martin believes turning swords into plowshares requires a comprehensive approach to gun violence. In addition to making tools from guns, the organization teaches and advocates new ways to solve problems – through relationship, dialogue and alternative means of justice.
“RAWtools is excited for folks to have the opportunity to purchase our garden tools and jewelry in person instead of through an online shopping cart,” said Martin. “Each item has its own unique feel and look that you can’t quite capture through a screen. We’re excited to be among the other makers, too!”
Turned Tree, Harrisonburg, Virginia, will feature handmade Shaker-style furniture and wooden bowls.
Women in Hebron will showcase fair trade handcrafted embroidered handbags, shawls, pillow covers and jewelry made by women’s cooperatives in Hebron, West Bank Palestine. Women in Hebron helps women in the Hebron district provide for themselves and their families through the production and sales of Palestinian handicraft items. All proceeds will go directly to support the women and their families.
For exhibit hall hours and a list of other exhibitors, click here.
Mennonite Church USA is an Anabaptist Christian denomination, founded in 2002 by the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church. Members of this historic peace church seek to follow Jesus by rejecting violence and resisting injustice. MC USA’s Renewed Commitments state the following shared commitments among its diverse body of believers: to follow Jesus, witness to God’s peace and experience the transformation of the Holy Spirit. Mennoniteusa.org