MENNONITE MISSION NETWORK – Chloe Weaver, a 20-year-old Mennonite Voluntary Service participant, was killed Oct. 24 in Alamosa, Colo., when an automobile struck her while she was riding her bicycle.
Weaver had been serving with the La Jara unit of Mennonite Voluntary Service, a Mennonite Mission Network short-term service program, since August.
Weaver, from Nederland, Colo., is the daughter of Cindy and Herm Weaver, conference minister for the Mountain States Mennonite Conference.
Chloe Weaver worked with children and in a community gardening project at La Puente, an organization that provides emergency shelter, food assistance, transitional housing, self-sufficiency services, homeless prevention, community outreach services, and job training for the homeless and other community members in crisis. Weaver also previously worked in Denver in the summer of 2009 with the DOOR program, a joint short-term service program of Mennonite Mission Network and Presbyterian Church USA.
"There are few good words for this experience,” Herm Weaver said. “The unspeakable loss is truly unspeakable, but it is well matched by the truly unspeakable gift that Chloe has been for these past 20 years. We are grateful!"
Immanuel Sila, MVS unit administrator, first met Chloe when she served with DOOR. He describes her as “willing to be challenged, energetic, a hard worker, kind and compassionate.”
“She became one of my favorite people during that summer,” he said.
Prior to beginning her MVS term, Weaver attended Hesston College for three semesters.
The Alamosa community, with a population of about 15,000 people, is tight-knit and in shock, but they are also providing support for one another, said Del Hershberger, director of MMN’s Christian Service programs. “The other workers at La Puente and in the community are feeling intense pain,” he said, “but they’re also banding together in this difficult time.”
Sila added that the Anabaptist Fellowship of Alamosa is providing pastoral care and support for the MVS unit members.
MVS staff members are traveling to La Jara and Boulder, Colo., to provide support for the members of the unit and the Weaver family.
An informal gathering for friends and family will take place Thursday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Boulder (Colo.) Mennonite Church, 3910 Table Mesa Drive. A memorial service will be held Friday morning, 10:30 a.m., at the same church, with lunch to follow.
A memorial service will also be held at a later date in the community where Weaver was serving. Gordon Miller, an ordained pastor who is also a member of the MVS unit, will officiate, assisted by other members of the unit and the local fellowship.
Weaver is survived by her parents; a sister, Hope; and a brother, Dillon.
Media inquiries should be directed to Andrew Clouse, editorial director, at 574.523.3024 or andrewc@MMNWorld.net.