MWR : Articles : Oct. 15, 2012

Last updated October 15.

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Articles : Oct. 15, 2012

Geography, greed and gender

Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7 challenged the concept of God residing in one holy place. From now on, instead of the Spirit drawing people toward Jerusalem and Temple, it takes them on a journey away, to Samaria and the “ends of the earth” in Africa.

Purity or pragmatism?

In 1552 Menno Simons wrote “A Pathetic Supplication to All Magistrates.” Addressing the “noble sirs,” he requested they treat Anabaptists kindly and show mercy to widows, orphans and strangers. He called his request pathetic because he was appealing to the lords’ pity or sympathy.
Bedrock or aspiration?

Mennonite Brethren from across the U.S. are preparing to look at aspects of their Confession of Faith on which there is disunity, with implications both philosophical and practical.

Humility, holiness shape Holdeman identity

MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. — Women in black scarves on one side, men with closely trimmed beards on the other, worshipers at Gospel Mennonite Church model uniformity and reverence.

Reasons to vote

We welcome the initiative for “election communion,” which honors the supremacy of our commitment to Jesus (“Loyalty to Jesus in Election Season,” Sept. 17). That commitment is also to discern together how to live faithfully, even though, like Jesus, we may not change the footprint of a world empire. Two concerns are compelling.
Voting a responsibility

I was saddened by “Website Offers Pledge for Non-Voters” (Sept. 3). Someone deciding not to vote based on a sense of personal conscience is one thing, but asking people of faith to pledge not to vote in the presidential election seems unthinkable. Voting rights have not always been an option for many of my neighbors. I live in an interracial community where violence, despair and marginalization are all too common. We have come together about the violence and other conditions impacting our neighborhood and our world. We share the same street that needs repair, walk past the same abandoned houses, drink the same public water and realize policies made at the local, state and federal level impact all.

After fatal windstorm, Bible camp keeps the faith

GRAND FORKS, B.C. — A Mennonite Brethren summer camp is using tragedy to deepen faith.
3 churches leave Western, Central districts

Three congregations have withdrawn from two Mennonite Church USA area conferences due to differences over issues of sexuality.
Bluffton looks at why church matters

BLUFFTON, Ohio — A 2010 poll of “millennials” ages 18-29 found that their generation is leaving the church.
Tabor football game canceled after death

Tabor and McPherson colleges in Kansas have canceled their Oct. 20 football game to honor the memory of a Tabor student who was fatally beaten last month in McPherson.