Not Your Ordinary Stewardship Seminar

Keynote speaker Sam Funkhouser notes: "We live like royalty, enjoy
a level of prosperity that is unjust and unsustainable, and that is
 predicated on the poverty of others...  Nothing could be more clear in
the teachings of Jesus and the prophets than a condemnation of this
kind of wealth."

The Virginia Mennonite Conference is offering a ground-breaking workshop at the Harrisonburg Mennonite Church Saturday, November 15, on "A Rebirth of Anabaptism: Living Justly, Joyfully and Sustainably." The event is open to anyone interested, with a registration fee of only $15.

Here are some of the special features of this 9 am-2 pm event:

• The keynote speaker is a Princeton Seminary graduate, a farmer, and a member of the Old German Baptist Brethren, New Conference.

• The noon meal will be a stone soup vegetable stew with ingredients brought by participants, served with an assortment of home baked breads provided by the planning committee.

• Washington-based attorney J. Daryl Byler, with panelists Pat Hostetter Martin, Carmen Schrock-Hurst and Steven Pardini will offer practical ways to live more justly, joyfully and sustainably.

• An original theme song has been created for the event by local songwriter Seth Chrissman, and music will be led by George Makinto, an award winning international musician and  performer.

• Generous donations will be received from those attending in support of Mennonite Central Committee in support of its worldwide relief and development work.

• There will be table groups for Bible studies on the topic and for discussion of what it means to live justly in today's deeply troubled world. 

You can also register at Virginia Mennonite Conference, 601 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802

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Honor the Lord in the works of your hands, and let the light of the Gospel shine through you. Love your neighbor. Deal with an open, warm heart your bread to the hungry, clothe the naked, and do not tolerate having two of anything, because there are always those who are in need. 

- Anna Jansz, 16th century Anabaptist martyr 

The whole scriptures speak of mercifulness and love, and it is the only sign whereby a true Christian may be known… All those who are born of God, who are gifted with the Spirit of the Lord, take to heart the needs of the saints. They entertain those in distress. They take the stranger into their houses. They comfort the afflicted; assist the needy; clothe the naked; feed the hungry; do not turn their face from the poor, and do not despise their own flesh…” 

- Anabaptist reformer Menno Simons, Complete Works p. 558