News & Information
Churches Supporting Churches (CSC) is working in partnership to restart, repair and rebuild churches to redevelop New Orleans. CSC is seeking congregations to join with other congregations as a cluster of support for a specific New Orleans congregation. For more information go to http://www.cscneworleans.org/intro.html
Mennonite Church USA Convention 2009, Columbus, Ohio, theme is "Breathe and Be Filled", John 20:21-22. AAMA will hold a gathering Wednesday evening during the convention (see the convention program book for location). For more information on the convention go to www.MennoniteUsa.org
Immediate Position Openings
Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference seeks applicants
and nominations for Lead Conference Minister (LCM).
Responsibilities and qualifications are described on the conference website: http://im.mennonite.net.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest and a completed
Ministerial Leadership Information form (available through the Mennonite Church
USA website: http://www.mennoniteusa.org/MLI/default.asp)
to Search Committee, c/o Don Garber, 65975 State Road 15, Goshen, IN
46526. The successful applicant will be ordained or able to be ordained and have
pastoral or other leadership experience. Remuneration will be commensurate for
the level of responsibility and experience. Candidates from underrepresented
racial/ethnic groups and women are encouraged to
apply. Send nominations to the above address or complete a nomination form
online: www.logiforms.com//formdata/user_forms/18609_3637576/61901/.
Applications will be reviewed beginning July 15. The position
will remain open until filled. Start date is negotiable, although the goal is
for this person to begin by January 1, 2009. Direct questions to Don Garber:
574-533-0121 or donwg@juno.com.
Ongoing Programs
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary offers a Pastoral Studies Distance Education Program for pastors, lay leaders, deacons and elders. The program is designed for pastors and leaders called to the ministry without college or seminary training. For more information visit the web site at www.ambs.edu/PSDE/ or Jewel G. Longenecker, Associate Dean for Leadership Education, at jglongenecker@ambs.edu or 574-296-6222, or contact Ruth Liechty, PSDE Registrar, at rliechty@ambs.edu or 574-296-6245.
Church Community Worker Program - Mennonite Central Committee U.S. partners with sponsoring churches or organizations to provide year round service/employment opportunities for constituent African American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American young adults in their home communities. The program is designed to promote and foster leadership development and support community efforts. Contact your MCC regional office for more information or visit www.mcc.org.
!Explore – A Program for High School Youth – Are you a youth looking for an exciting summer experience? Are you a pastor willing to share 20 hours per week for five weeks with youth who are ready to experience the call of ministry? Then !Explore has the right program for you! !Explore is for young people who have heard God’s voice as faint or bold in their lives to become leaders in the church. This program is meant to partner with pastoral adults who are willing to put time and energy into mentoring young leaders. Designed to reward and encourage young leaders, young people who complete the two month program will receive a $1000 stipend. Participants who complete the program and enroll in full-time studies at a Mennonite college or university in North America will receive a $2,000 scholarship. For more information and to apply visit www.ambs.edu/!explore or call the !Explore office at 800-964-2627 and request an application.
LEAP - High School Youth - Are you a high school youth looking for an exciting and intensive summer and other year round opportunities? Are you looking for an opportunity to listen for, recognize and respond to the divine calling of God? Are you willing to take a risk, a LEAP (Learning, Exploring and Participating) of faith? LEAP represents a commitment to train future church leaders in a new way. Eastern Mennonite Seminary, in partnership with Calvary Community Church, Eastern Mennonite Missions, Philadelphia Mennonite High School, and Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions has developed LEAP (Learning, Exploring, and Participating) to address the needs of young people. Our hope is that such an opportunity will stimulate young people to expand the reality of their relationship with Christ into a life-long career of ministry. For more information visit the LEAP website at www.leap.emu.edu.
The Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Racism Awareness Program has resources on internalized racist oppression, internalized racist superiority and white privilege. Contact the MCC U.S. office at 717-859-1151 or email at mailbox@mcc.org.
National Clergy Renewal Program - This program offered by Lilly Endowment Inc. is intended to strengthen Christian congregations by providing an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the demands of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. The Endowment provides grants directly to congregations for support of a renewal program for their pastor. For information visit www.clergyrenewal.org or contact Lilly Endowment Inc. at clergyrenewal@yahoo.com, 317-916-7302.
Summer Service Program - Mennonite Central Committee U.S. provides summer service/employment opportunities for constituent African American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American college students. The purpose of the program is to develop leadership skills in students while strengthening ties with their home communities. The deadline for applications is in April. Contact your MCC regional office for more information or visit www.mcc.org.
Sustaining Urban Pastoral Excellence - This exciting Boston University School of Theology project, funded with a grant from the Lilly Endowment, invites Christian pastors from across America to form partnerships of four pastors each within their particular urban contexts; to define together a question, problem, or issue related to urban pastoral ministry; and to participate together in a six-month program of study, reflection, and spiritual formation. Included within that six month period is a 4-8 week period of compensated leave from congregational duties funded by Boston University School of Theology at a rate of $1000 per week. For more information visit: www.bu.edu/ccrd or call 617-358-0909.
Youth Gun Violence Prevention Initiative Challenge Grants offered by the Alliance for Justice to youth groups affiliated with nonprofit organizations or government agencies. Projects must be high school level. The purpose is to support youth-designed and youth-led campaigns to end gun violence. Contact Kellye McIntosh at 202-822-6070 or Kellye@afj.org.
Youth Service Opportunities - Mennonite Mission Network offers short-term experiences for youth ages 14 to 20. Youth have the opportunity to make a difference in a community, make new friendships and grow in Christ as part of Youth Venture or Group Venture.
Young Adult Service Opportunities - Service Adventure provides service terms for young adults ages 17-20. Mennonite Voluntary Service provides service opportunities for all adults. For more information on these service experiences visit Mennonite Mission Network's web site at www.mennonitemission.net.