MWR : Articles : March 28, 2011

Last updated March 22.

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Articles : March 28, 2011

Five churches raise money for MDS

The worship service Jan. 9 provided an opportunity to remember church and family members who had died in the past year and to celebrate significant spiritual steps by lighting one of the candles on the front table.
Super Bowl offering

Moderator of Central Plains Mennonite Conference, Diane Zaerr Brenneman of Wellman, was guest speaker for worship on Jan. 2.
Pinewood Boxcar Derby competition

Pastor Duey Matthews challenged us with a message on “Becoming a Word Addict,” emphasizing “The Word is an absolute necessity for spiritual growth.” He encouraging us to maintain a daily Bible reading and study time.

Turning to God in times of trouble

How we respond to tragedies reveals much about who we are and what we value and believe. After a devastating earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese people are responding with remarkable perseverance and optimism, according to many accounts.

Hunger on the rise as food prices increase

WINNIPEG, Man. — Hunger in the developing world is surging as food prices climb, according to a spokesperson for Mennonite Central Committee.
Visitors to Ghana find vibrant spirit in a broken building

PIMPIMSU, Ghana — Feeling alone and abandoned, the churches of Accra, Ghana, asked Mennonite World Conference to send a delegation to hear their concerns.

Spirit of conquest

I was disappointed to read about efforts to evangelize Mormons in Utah (“MBs Plant Churches in Mormon Country,” Feb. 28). The article and the Utah Mennonite Brethren churches it features stand in stark contrast with the article in the same issue about Christians and Muslims seeking to work for peace together through dialogue and increased understanding (“Muslims, Christians Want Better Relations”). The Utah churches seem more focused on creating an us-versus-them scenario measured by numbers. This evokes a spirit of conquest rather than of love and service.
Free concerts?

Harold A. Penner
Akron, Pa.
Unclear numbers

Regarding “Students Bring Solar Power to Grebel” (Feb. 28): It is good to see student enthusiasm about installing passive solar panels on Grebel Hall. But we should have the numbers right. Three panels creating 7.82 megawatt-hours of energy sounds great but is not possible. Likewise, the reference to a 4,367-pound reduction in carbon dioxide emissions must be linked to a period of time to make the number meaningful.

Worldwide prayer and long-term response needed for Japan

Mennonite World Conference is making plans to collaborate with Japanese Anabaptists, and Mennonite Central Committee is accepting donations to aid victims after an earthquake and tsunami devasted northeastern Japan on March 11.