MWR : Articles : Europe

Last updated April 19.

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Articles : Europe

Photo by Markus Rediger/MWC

European leaders seek peace renewal, central office

ELSPEET, The Netherlands — European Mennonite conference leaders reaffirmed their interest in creating a coordination center and gave attention to renewing the peace witness at their annual meeting in November.

Meeting chair Otto Bleker emphasized European Mennonites’ calling to be peace churches. He urged Mennonite churches to be radical, nonviolent communities.
Multimedia project to focus on European identity

AMSTERDAM — A new multimedia project called euMENnet aims to share the story of five centuries of Mennonite migration and sharpen Mennonite identity in Europe.

An American officer, Nazis and Menno Simons

“If you can get out of the Soviet Union, find Christian Landes in Lautenbach, Germany,” Martha Rempel’s father, Jacob, advised his family when World War II broke out.

British ministry moves, grows

After 58 years in the capital of the United Kingdom, the London Mennonite Centre is becoming more nimble, changing both its name and location.

Swiss churches host continental conference

SUMISWALD, Switzerland — European Mennonites were encouraged to reach across borders at their continental conference May 17-20.

A big tent needs stakes

At an event honoring Mennonite World Conference general secretary emeritus Larry Miller on May 23 in Switzerland, attendees presented gifts both musical and material, from colorful African clothing to Latin American flags and scarves.
Resettlers in Germany mix tradition and change

NIEDERNBERG, Germany — Jenny Spenst is fascinated by her parents’ stories of life in the Soviet Union. “It’s worlds away from what I experience today,” said Spenst, a 24-year-old member of Christuskirche Niedernberg (Niedernberg Christ Church). “They speak more of nature and childhood, like what you sometimes find in books. But they also tell of poverty and vulnerability.”

Faith descendants trace footsteps of first Anabaptists

ZURICH, Switzerland — Walking along the bank of the Limmat River, Thioro Bananzoro pondered the challenges Anabaptists have turned into opportunities over the last five centuries.
MWC elects U.S. pastor as next president

BASEL, Switzerland — It took three impromptu songs to count the ballots and confirm the results, but Anabaptist leaders from around the world elected J. Nelson Kraybill president-elect of Mennonite World Conference at MWC General Council meetings May 20-27.
MWC presenters revisit the vision, add clarity to Anabaptist identity

BASEL, Switzerland — In three presentations at the Mennonite World Conference General Council meetings, theologians and historians revisited the Anabaptist vision in a global context and sought input from meeting participants.