Peace and reconciliation in war-torn Ivory CoastA seminar project sponsored in part by Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Churches in France is teaching church leaders how to counsel wounded Ivorians to forgive their fellow countrymen in the wake of civil war. MVS and Selective Service sign agreementOn April 20, Mennonite Voluntary Service and the Selective Service entered into an agreement making MVS the first faith-based organization to become an officially recognized employer for conscientious objectors, should the draft ever be reinstated. | MVS to sign agreement with Selective ServiceIn two weeks’ time, Mennonite Voluntary Service will become the first faith-based service organization recognized by the United States Selective Service System as a member of the Alternative Service Employer Network (ASEN) for conscientious objectors. Mission without conquest/Misión sin conquista"Mission without conquest", a new book by three former long-term members of the Mennonite team in the Argentine Chaco/Mision sin conquista. Acompamiento de comunidades indgenas autotonas como practica misionera alternativa. From OK to the U.K.After 30 years of dreaming about it, Barbara and Darrell Jantz are the newest host couple at London Mennonite Centre. Peace pours out, rings out, in three livesLinda Gehman Peachey and Titus Peachey have spent their lifetimes working for peace and justice across the world. Laura Bowman's passion has stayed closer to her western Ohio home and for a much shorter time. Of course, Bowman is still in high school ‘Pray for France that there will be peace'As the rioting that began Oct. 27 continues to erupt throughout France’s capital city, Mennonite Mission Network personnel living there say the immigrant churches located within the troubled neighborhoods may represent “an important witness” for peace. Healing manuals spark hope, joy in LiberiaHank and Marilyn Rossiter of Mennonite Mission Network open channels of communication between their two church communities. Through cooperation between these two communities, rural Liberians are able to learn peacebuilding skills in their own language. Chicago pastor honored for urban commitmentFor decades of dedication to urban ministry and peace education in Chicago, B. Elaine Bryant received the 2005 George and Pearl Kauffman Urban Leader Award during the annual Urban Leaders Network meeting in Indianapolis Nov. 15. Pax Service: An Alternative to WarOn November 23, Hallmark Channel will tell peace stories. The hour-long Mennonite Media documentary "Pax Service: An Alternative to War" tells stories from the 1,200 young volunteers who worked in 40 countries from 1951-1975 through the Pax program. Mongolian churches replace hunger with hopeJoint Christian Services, a consortium of mission agencies in Mongolia, helped organize a work-for-food project in the Bayankhongor region that enabled nearly 800 families to survive the severe winter months. Chicago Dwell unit focuses on advocacy and policyVolunteers serving with the DOOR (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection) Dwell program in Chicago during fall 2009 will bring a new focus on business and advocacy for faith-based justice. Mennonite peacemakers to gather at D.C. witnessOrganizers of the 2009 Christian Peace Witness for Iraq hope thousands will offer nonviolent protest against the continuing war in Iraq. The Peace and Justice Support Network of MCUSA is planning an April 29-30 gathering for those joining the protest. Coming to peace through warThe U.S. military calls it crystallization. Its the moment in a soldier’s life when he realizes that he can no longer serve in the military and remain true to his faith. Military Counseling Network in Germany lives in the aftermath of that moment. Third Way Media reaps quartet of awardsThird Way Media picked up four media production awards recently from the American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT); the WorldFest Houston Film Festival, and Videographer Awards. |