MWR : Articles : Dec. 25, 2006

Articles : Dec. 25, 2006

Editorial

Quotes from 2006
- There are many people who are willing to die for war. There must be more who are willing to die for peace.
  — Tom Fox, Quaker murdered in Iraq while serving with Christian Peacemaker Teams

News

As Darfur war widens, southern Sudan heals

AKRON, Pa. — While a devastating armed conflict continues in western Sudan’s Darfur region, the people of southern Sudan are beginning to recover from a 21-year civil war, according to Rob Haarsager, a Mennonite Central Committee country representative.
Advocates connect people to resources in MC USA

NEWTON, Kan. — Just over a year ago, Faith & Life Resources, a division of Mennonite Publishing Network, was asked to work with Mennonite Church USA area conferences to designate a person from each conference to help increase the visibility of Mennonite resources.
Churches in Argentina generate mission energy

CHOELE CHOEL, Argentina — During the biennial mission festival of the Argentine Evangelical Mennonite Church, Juan Sieber challenged the 500 people in attendance to imagine what ministries God might carry out through them in the next 50 years.
Congolese churches are relieved at success of elections

KINSHASA, Congo — Mennonites are relieved that their country successfully held national elections this year after decades of corrupt dictatorship and two recent wars.
Group protests evangelist’s statements

WINNIPEG, Man. — About 100 Mennonites and other Christians, as well as members of other faith traditions, gathered Oct. 20 to protest remarks by evangelist Franklin Graham denigrating other faiths and advocating the use of extreme violence.
Air war reduces Afghan support

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — At a large gathering with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Dec. 12, Abdul Ghafar sat among hundreds in the audience, clutching a piece of paper. On it were the names of 20 members of his family killed two months ago in a NATO air strike.
Peace program to launch in Israel

ELKHART, Ind. — Three Mennonite college professors will assist a pioneering peace initiative in the Middle East early next year.

Perspective

No strangers in God’s household

We are the body of Christ. We no longer accept the divisions that at one time constrained us. As Paul wrote in Gal. 3:28: “There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

Sunday School by Halteman Finger

Jesus’ stark choices

Two weeks ago we observed that the Gospel of John uses dualistic language to present opposing spiritual realities. Last week an examination of Philippians 2 portrayed Jesus as the model for an alternative political vision for how the people of God should live in the world, by renouncing power and privilege. Our text today combines both of these ideas. The rest of our lessons in this quarter focus on Jesus drawing clear lines in the sand for himself and his followers, against those who remain in “the world.”

Year in Review

Forgiveness becomes powerful witness

The ultimate act of mercy — forgiveness for murder — put Anabaptist and peace-church ideals in the public eye this year.

Due Consideration

Dealing with disappointment

One of the great things about working with our Kansas Christmas tree business is dealing with happy people. With a few exceptions, most of the customers are joyful. We have a lot of families with children, and often extended families with several generations come out together to cut down a Christmas tree.

Washington Witness

Steps toward peace in Congo

For the first time in 40 years, the people of Congo practiced a right that has long been denied them. They voted and democratically elected a president, Joseph Kabila Kabange. He was sworn in Dec. 6.