Comments for Franconia Conference

Comment on Women join together to ‘Come and be Filled’ by robert stevenson

robert stevenson — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:20:18 +0000

What wonderful reporting and I agree the special speaker is a great blessing has been to me for 22 years.

Comment on Conference Board communication to constituency by Richard L. Lindberg

Richard L. Lindberg — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:37:20 +0000

As a former pastor in the Conference, I have to wonder about these changes. In some ways, they seem to me to be a total repudiation of the previous long history of the Conference. Jim Longacre told me once when I was in the process leading to my license, the Conference is not a Baptist association. This seems to be the direction these changes are leading. Dismissing staff seems contrary to the vision of equipping leaders. When I was a pastor at Vincent, we depended on Conference staff to supply resources and guidance in various matters. So, I wonder why the changes need to be made.

The announcement from the Conference board acknowledges that staff were not included in the discussions and planning. This is a grave oversight which Conference leaders need to confess and seek forgiveness. This kind of decision was not made in the best understandings of leadership in the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition and is not consistent with the meaning of Conference as that has been understood. My Mennonite contacts seem to think that the whole truth is not being told in this matter. The actions of the board would seem to support this suspicion. If so, that also runs contrary to good church leadership.

Comment on Conference gathers for holy extravaganza by Dennis Edwards

Dennis Edwards — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:18:13 +0000

Wow! Thanks for sharing this. It is a great slideshow.

Comment on Reflections from Paraguay: Discovering the purpose of a useless vase by Renee

Renee — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:25:39 +0000

Peter! My mom forwarded this article to me because she remembered us talking about the “useless vase”. This was a great article that truly articulated the cultural and language differences that we experienced in South America. Thank you so much for sharing and I’m glad I still have some ties to Franconia Conference so I was able to see this article.

Renee (and Jason)

Comment on Franconia Conference leaders meet with initiators of Open Letter by Forrest Moyer

Forrest Moyer — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:59:08 +0000

Thanks to conference leaders for this transparent account of your meeting with the open letter writers. It is impressive that Franconia Conference is dealing upfront with the resolution passed at Columbus, rather than trying to forget it. Thank you!

Also, thanks, Dave, for your comments here. You were my pastor from birth, my friend through many growing years, and now a graceful brother as we face a difference of understanding. I really appreciate you!

Comment on Franconia Conference leaders meet with initiators of Open Letter by David Benner

David Benner — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:09:31 +0000

Thanks to the Conference leaders for promptly responding. Thanks to the youth who are willing to “discuss” their concerns.
I support the decision to stand behind the Mennonite Conference Assembly’s statement.
These are difficult issues, and I certainly do not have all the answers, but find myself on the more traditional end of the spectrum. However, I want to show love and respect to persons who differ with me.
May the grace of God be experienced by us all.

Comment on Conference plans office relocation to further focus on mission and ministry by Sarah Bergin

Sarah Bergin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:55:13 +0000

Please note our correct website: http://www.careandshareshoppes.org, and check it often to see just how we will be growing in the near future!

Comment on Protecting our future: Taking action against gun violence by Lana Zamora

Lana Zamora — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:11:12 +0000

I am Beau’s mom. I do not believe in gun control. Gun control does nothing to take guns out of the hands of criminals – criminals don’t care about obeying gun laws. Gun control, however, does prevent law-abiding people from protecting themselves.

The gunman at Virginia Tech counted on that campus being a gun-free zone so that he could perpetrate his violence without fear that someone would shoot him. Just think how different that day could have turned out if even one student or administrator had a gun to protect themselves. That’s what happened in the west when a gunman entered that church and the guard there had a gun. I could go on and on.

Gun laws only protect criminals who don’t obey the law anyway.

Comment on To whom much is given: Cultivating peace in unexpected places by Sandy Landes

Sandy Landes — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:07:01 +0000

Dennis, I appreciate your being faithful to God’s call to minister in the urban setting. May you and Susan be strengthened in your inner beings!

Comment on A reflection from the border: Of communion, giants and yeast by Phil

Phil — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:41:55 +0000

Thanks for these reflections. I’d love to see more Mennonites understand the inherently political implications of our worship.

One point of historical correction (since I arrived here searching for info on Mennonites and the Underground Railroad): Mennonites as a group were neither particularly vocal against slavery “when they arrived”, or especially involved in the UGRR. The 1688 Germantown statement against slavery that many Mennonites claim was actually signed by 4 Quakers (some of whom had previous Mennonite connections, but were not themselves Mennonite at the time) and it was written to a Quaker body. And, while a number of Mennonites made risky choices supporting the UGRR (to the extent of heavy fines and imprisonment), it is more accurate to describe them as “a few” than “many.”