Doug Luginbill reflects on a Mennonite Mission Network civil rights learning tour that he took with Central District Conference earlier this year. During this tour he learned the broader meaning of “potlikker,” a word he and his siblings used during their youth. This article was originally published in the Central District Conference July Connector, as “Doug’s Mug-Potlikker.” It is reposted here with permission. Doug Luginbill is the conference minister for Central District Conference. ______________________________________________ While growing up on a hog farm in rural Pandora, Ohio, I occas ..read more

The MC USA Women in Leadership steering committee gathered in Valley Village, California, on July 16-18, to plan the 2025 Women in Leadership Summit. Open to all women across MC USA, this one-day event will be on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Greensboro, North Carolina, immediately preceding the Follow Jesus ’25 convention. The theme for the summit is “Beholding it together.” More details to come! Last week’s gathering was the first time the current steering committee members met face-to-face as a group. They spent time getting to know each other, as they reflected on the history and mission of Wo ..read more

Lea la versión en inglés aquí. Ephesians 4:1-3 I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humanity and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Mennonite Church USA is saddened by the assassination attempt that took place this weekend. We denounce all forms of violence. Please pray for the two critically wounded men and former President Donald Trump, who was also injured, as well as the grieving family of the attendee who was ..read more

Ephesians 4:1-3 I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humanity and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Mennonite Church USA is saddened by the assassination attempt that took place this weekend. We denounce all forms of violence. Please pray for the two critically wounded men and former President Donald Trump, who was also injured, as well as the grieving family of the attendee who was killed. Let us also remember t ..read more

Spiritual director Jane Hoober Peifer laments the difficulties of staying present while at her listening post. In her retirement from pastoral ministry, Jane Hoober Peifer has transitioned into providing spiritual direction and leading retreats. She considers the privilege of listening to the souls of fellow pilgrims sacred work and she so often wished she would have had more time to do it when she was a pastor. Living in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with her husband, Daryl, Jane enjoys nurturing houseplants and outdoor plants, playing upright bass with a group of local “old time” musicians, and pa ..read more

Rachel Ringenberg Miller explains how pastors fill their work week with various activities that congregants may or may not be aware of,  answering the question, “What does my pastor do all day?” Rachel Ringenberg Miller serves as denominational minister for ministerial leadership for Mennonite Church USA. She focuses on engaging conferences and congregations, providing resources and services to meet the diverse demands facing congregations today. She graduated from Goshen (Indiana) College and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with an MDiv. She served as associate pas ..read more

In 2018, Ardean Friesen asked his church to begin the process of discerning whether the congregation would become open and affirming. The two-year inclusion process let him know that he has a seat at the table.   Ardean Friesen lives in Goshen, Indiana, with his dog, Millie. He is a graduate of Hesston College and Goshen College and has held an active nursing license for 41 years. He is a member of Silverwood Mennonite Church, where he serves on the church board and is chair of the worship commission. ___________________________________ In October 2018, I began my journey for inclusi ..read more

MC USA’s Camille Dager shares highlights from “My Life Story,” the autobiography of James Liu. The memoir is part of the MC USA Historical Archives’ Mennonite World Conference collection.  By Camille Dager One of the interesting treasures in the MC USA Historical Archives is the 60-page, typed memoir of Chinese Christian leader and educator James (Chung-Fu) Liu, June 19, 1904-Oct. 13,1991. The memoir, part of the Mennonite World Conference collection, details Liu’s experiences, including his childhood in China, his imprisonment during the Cultural Revolution and his time in North America ..read more

Olivia Krall writes about the MC USA Archives’ MEDA collection and a new donation of archival materials from Dan Sauder, grandson of MEDA founder, Erie Sauder.  Olivia Krall is the archives coordinator for MC USA. She strives to use the powerful history of the church to engage and inspire people. She graduated from Goshen College in 2023, with a Bachelor of Arts in history. Prior to joining MC USA Administration, Olivia worked at the Elkhart County (Indiana) Historical Museum. Olivia attends Southside Fellowship, a congregation within the Central District Conference. This article was fir ..read more

Rachel Ringenberg Miller uses her own experience to offer ideas to help congregations raise up the next generation of pastors from within. Rachel Ringenberg Miller serves as denominational minister for ministerial leadership for Mennonite Church USA. She focuses on engaging conferences and congregations, providing resources and services to meet the diverse demands facing congregations today. She graduated from Goshen (Indiana) College and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with an MDiv. She served as associate pastor for Portland (Oregon) Mennonite Church and as pastor of S ..read more