MWR : Articles : Oct. 10, 2011

Last updated October 04.

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Articles : Oct. 10, 2011

Palestine thinks outside its box

When President Obama addressed the United Nations Sept. 21, his comments about Palestine’s push for U.N. membership showed that in diplomacy, what is not said matters as much as what is.

Refugees in Lebanon rediscover composting benefits

SOUTH LEBANON — Faced with the rising cost of buying fresh fruit and vegetables in local markets, many Palestinian refugee families in south Lebanon are rediscovering the benefits of using compost to enrich their gardens.

Anti-racism goals

I want to highlight four details in “Drop ‘Satellite’ Site Plan, Board Suggests” (Sept. 26).
Military conformity

Thanks to Fred Suter for a challenging and prophetic article (“Brainwashed by the Military?”, Oct. 3). He raises our consciousness regarding apathy — or worse, conformity — on military service. This isn’t a new issue for Mennonites or Anabaptists. From the earliest days, there have been those who have conformed to this world’s “myth of redemptive violence” (Hubmaier, Münster and on and on). World War I caught many North American Mennonites unprepared, just as many are today.

Dutch celebrate church history

Dutch Mennonites have found ample reason to celebrate their history this year.
After Soviet Union’s demise, a Christian witness

KLAIPEDA, Lithuania — As the Soviet Union crumbled in 1991, the newly independent Lithuanian government invited Christians to start a liberal arts college.
Young adults go where God leads

ELKHART, Ind. — Nearly 160 young adults are participating in a year or two of service through Mennonite Mission Network’s service programs — DOOR Dwell, Mennonite Voluntary Service, Radical Journey and Service Adventure.
MB Confession of Faith gets Spanish study guide

FRESNO, Calif. — José Elizondo, assistant conference minister for the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, is smiling. A shipment of about 90 copies of the study guide Convociendo & Viviendo Tu Fe (Knowing and Living Your Faith) arrived in Fresno from Paraguay this summer.
AMBS creates first fully endowed faculty position

ELKHART, Ind. — The first fully endowed faculty position at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, a chair in missional leadership development, reflects the vision and commitment of the donors, Mary Esther and Walter Schmid.
Wall commemorates COs in Manitoba

WINKLER, Man. — About 250 people commemorated conscientious objectors to war with a “wall of remembrance” monument dedication Sept. 11.