| November 17, 2009
Number: 69
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Contents
¬ Inseparable beams of the cross by Susan Mark Landis
¬ Otterville by Merrill R. Miller
¬ A new Colombia policy - now is the time! by Theo Sitther
¬ Afghanistan needs sustainable peace, not more troops. by Susan Mark Landis
¬ Fifty ways to fade your footprint by Anton Flores
¬ Think about these things by Tom Beutel
¬ Prayer for a caring spirit
¬ Who we are
¬ Readers respond to past issues
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Road Construction
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Inseparable beams of the cross
by Susan Mark Landis
The parable of the Good Samaritan was in so many of my Sunday school quarterlies when I was a child that one would think I've scrutinized every possible lesson. I got the basic one--be nice to people you meet along the way. But the wisdom of these verses is so deep that insights keep coming, year after year.
<read more>
| Immigration conference call
November 30, 2009, 9:30–10:30 p.m. Eastern (6:30-7:30 p.m. Pacific)
Join to hear and converse with:
- Tammy Alexander, MCC Washington Office, on recent immigration legislation and advocacy
- Emira Palacios, Sunflower Community Action of Wichita, Kansas, on helping immigrants prepare for ICE raids, advocacy against immoral immigration laws and how congregations can help
- YOU: on the moral dilemmas you and your congregation are facing
You will be charged your long-distance toll charges for this call. You will be able to speak; please learn how to mute your phone or use *6 when not speaking.
Please phone 712-432-1000; access code 582205941#
Pass this information on to others who are interested, especially on a congregational level, with immigration issues.
To join the immigration email list or for clarification, contact SusanML@mennoniteUSA.org. |
Otterville
by Merrill R. Miller
"Otterville" is copyrighted and is not to be reproduced in any form without permission. Contact Merrill Miller at <merrill@mph.org>
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Capitol Reflection
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A new Colombia policy - now is the time!
by Theo Sitther
Colombia is home to one of the longest running internal armed conflicts. The war is fought between various armed actors and has displaced more than four million people, creating one of the worst humanitarian crises in the Western Hemisphere. Each year many Colombians are assassinated, kidnapped, threatened and displaced. A rural Colombian church member explains, "What you experience only in your nightmares is our daily reality."
<read more>
Afghanistan needs sustainable peace, not more troops.
by Susan Mark Landis
As Mennonite Christians who are called to go into the world to spread the good news of the gospel to all people, we proclaim that sending additional troops to Afghanistan is good news to no one. We believe that our personal security rests only in God and that our nation's security rests in democracy, diplomacy and development.
<read more>
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Shield of Faith
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Fifty ways to fade your footprint
by Anton Flores
Set to the tune of Paul Simon's "Fifty Ways to Leave your Lover," this is a collaborative songwriting project by Dorie Callies, Kathy Etchison and Anton Flores.
<read more>
Bethlehem: Then and Now 
These PowerPoints and coloring pages for children's times were created in 2006, but the story hasn't changed and the materials can be used for Advent this year. They'll help your congregation connect the Bethlehem Jesus knew with the reality of living there today. http://peace.mennolink.org/resources/advent06 |
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Balancing Acts
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Think about these things
by Tom Beutel
Despite his own personal hardships and problems in the church at Philippi, Paul wraps up his letter to the Philippians by exhorting them to focus on that which is true, honorable, just, pleasing, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. This is not the advice of one who is oblivious to trouble and injustice. In fact, Paul is writing to the Philippians from prison as he awaits trial by the Roman government. We, as Christians, as peacemakers, and as citizens would do well to follow Paul's advice and, at least at times, try to find and celebrate that which is good even in those persons and institutions which we often identify with injustice and violence.
<read more>
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Praying for Peace
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Prayer for a caring spirit
A prayer written by Mike Mast, retired pastor from Dalton, Ohio.
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Who we are
This prayer was written by by Malinda Berry, Instructor of Theological Studies & M.A. Program Director at Bethany Theological Seminary, Richmond, IN.
<read more>
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Reader Response
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Readers respond to past issues
Find out what readers had to say about our past issues.
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Are you aware of human trafficking/modern slaves in your area?
We're preparing a study guide to help congregations help stop modern slavery for sex or labor. We're looking for stories or real case studies (we will change names). Please send stories to SusanML@MennoniteUSA.org.
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