Shortened meetings study unity, affirm new members
As the Muslim call to prayer wafted on the air through open doors, the General Council worshipped, prayed and considered the global fellowship of churches in Mennonite World Conference (MWC). The in-person triennial meetings of leaders of MWC national member churches in Indonesia in early July were cut short as COVID-19 positives put leaders into…
Indonesia 2022 roundup
Mennonite World Conference held its 17th global assembly on July 5 to 10, in various locations in Indonesia. Before this conference, Mennonite-Anabaptist youth and young adults gathered for Global Youth Assembly. Following are reports and reflections about these two events. World assembly small but full of joy MWC assembly crosses barriers to gather in Indonesia Ukraine…
A new shepherd for MWC
The presidency of Mennonite World Conference (MWC) transferred from J. Nelson Kraybill (2015 to 2022) to president-elect Henk Stenvers (2022 to 2028) at GITJ Margokerto, Indonesia, as part of Assembly 17. Margokerto was one of the first colonies founded by Mennonite missionary P.A. Jansz for the evangelization of the region. The church hosted a dozen…
Assembly 17 faces barriers
Barriers of internet access and recording quality, of jetlag and illness, of language and culture stand in the way of Mennonite World Conference (MWC) assemblies, but in Indonesia on July 5, they did not prevent God’s people from worshipping together. “This marks a new way of doing assembly, where we can learn and fellowship in…
Notes from afar
In early July, I was in Indonesia—virtually. Like approximately 800 other Anabaptists around the world, I registered as an online participant of Indonesia 2022, the 17th assembly of Mennonite World Conference (MWC). You’ll find coverage of that significant event on pages 4 to 7 and 13 to 23 of this issue, including reporting on the…
Ukraine war shakes peace convictions, MWC assembly told
Saying the war in Ukraine has shaken western European Mennonites’ commitment to nonviolence, a French pastor urged Mennonites from around the world to get off the sidelines and work for peace. Hundreds of worshippers heard her message on July 6, the second day of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) assembly in Salatiga, Indonesia. “We affirmed…
MWC assembly crosses barriers to gather in Indonesia
A colourful display of Javanese music, dance and shadow puppetry kicked off the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) assembly in Salatiga, Indonesia, on July 5. Singing, prayer, a sermon about the mystery of the Incarnation and welcoming remarks from local Anabaptist church leaders were included in the opening ceremony and worship service, held at…
Crossing barriers to reach out to the other
César García With the 17th Mennonite World Conference (MWC) assembly set for Indonesia this July, Canadian Mennonite magazine’s senior writer, Will Braun, talked to César García, the Colombian who serves as MWC’s general secretary. They talked about Assembly 17, challenges facing Anabaptists globally and the unique Mennonite churches of Indonesia. The interview has been edited…
Reimagining Assembly 17
Following the decision to offer the 2022 Mennonite World Conference (MWC) assembly in Indonesia as a hybrid event, the Program Committee members and assembly staff are now re-imagining the event and its additional online opportunities. “The goal remains the same: to give every generation of church members an opportunity to worship, learn, fellowship and share…
MWC shifts Assembly 17 to 2022
In close consultation with the national advisory committee in Indonesia, the host country, the executive committee of Mennonite World Conference (MWC) has decided not to hold Assembly 17 in 2021, as originally announced. Instead, MWC has decided to postpone its next global assembly until July 5-10, 2022. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to infect hundreds of…
