[amc] Fwd: Offering Gifts for Christ's Peace

From: "Ray Gingerich" <rjgingerich@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Milwaukee Mennonite Church" <milwaukee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "Austin Mennonite Church" <amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "Todd Lehman" <zionpastor@xxxxxxxxx>, "Gloria Gingerich" <zionmc@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 17:23:35 -0800
Friends,

I thought you might be interested in Leo's letter and "peace-gift' ideas.

Ray

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Leo Hartshorn, Lancaster, PA <Leo.Hartshorn.guest.540717@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
Date: Tue, Dec 2, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Subject: Offering Gifts for Christ's Peace
To: menno.org.peace.d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


O Little Town of  Bethlehem
Lighting candles at the  birthplace of Jesus Christ was one of many
privileges that my term with MCC in  Bethlehem, Palestine afforded to me.
Among the many points of reflection  during those moments, was the question
"How will we be able to carry out efforts  in peace and justice when we're
back home?"  Not having grown-up in the Mennonite  world, my husband and I
had one of our first experiences with Mennonites during  our time with MCC
and the commitment to peace and justice was both inspiring and  encouraging
to us. Tim, one-year-old Kai and I  returned to the States in June 2007,
after wrapping up our three-year-term.  Since then we have relocated to
Lancaster, PA, where Tim works for MCC U.S. Peace and  Justice Ministries
and I have more recently acquired a position as the part-time
administrative assistant for PJSN.

With some personal reconciling to  do with church in general, it was amazing
and encouraging to find a supportive  Mennonite congregation to attend right
in the city where we were living --  Community Mennonite Church of
Lancaster. Beyond that, the opportunity to be a part of peace and justice
work in  the church was more than I had imagined upon returning.  I am
inspired by PJSN's work to  challenge MCUSA congregations to embrace their
history and to not be passive  observers as more history is being carried
out everyday.  I am also inspired to find that in so  many ways, Anabaptism
is relevant and prophetic for our day, as it focuses on  the peace and
justice that is central to the life of Jesus Christ. Not a day goes by that
I don't  remember Bethlehem, her people and their suffering.  I am convinced
that the nations of this  world need to take responsibility for this holy
and walled-off city that has  become a ghetto, but what was once the
birthplace of the Prince of Peace. We as Christians in the  U.S. have a
responsibility to do more  than sing about the "Little Town" once a year,
but to care about what is  happening to it.
 Likewise, we have  a responsibility to not just call ourselves Mennonites,
but to embrace our  Anabaptist heritage and actively engage in the peace and
justice mission of the  church, as was exemplified for us in the life of
Jesus Christ, not just abroad,  but here at our doorsteps as well. What
gifts are you bringing to  the Prince of Peace this Christmas? By sharing
your gifts with PJSN you support  the work of Christ' living witness for
peace today. Some may bring gold ($100  gift), frankincense ($50 gift), and
myrrh
($25 gift) as gifts to the Prince of  Peace through the Peace and Justice
Support Network. Gifts to PJSN may be made  at:
_http://peace.mennolink.org/donations.html_
(http://peace.mennolink.org/donations.html) .  Or you may write a check to
"Peace and Justice Contributions" and send to: Peace and Justice Support
Network Financial Services Mennonite Mission  Network Box 370 Elkhart, IN,
46515-0370

Thank you for your generous  support!


Christi  Hoover Seidel
PJSN Administrative  Assistant
Lancaster, PA
**************Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the NEW
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-- 
Center for Strength-based Strategies
Ray Gingerich, Associate
5631 Bentwood Lane
Greendale (Milwaukee), WI  53129
phone (414) 331-5957
email rjgingerich@xxxxxxxxx
fax (815) 371-2292
website: www.buildmotivation.com

"Change is possible when I stop trying to become that which I am not and
become that which I am." Frederick Perls
[amc] Fwd: Offering Gifts for Christ's Peace

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