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Read about the 2011 Mennonite Women Reports:
Annual Report
the March 2011 Nebraska Women's Retreat at Aurora, Nebraska
the September 2010 Women's Retreat at Swan Lake Christian Camp, Viborg, South Dakota.
the November 2010
Central Plains Mennonite Conference
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Sister Care Seminar in South Dakota
“This is Sister Care!” we exclaimed as we shared an “ah-ha” moment around the circle listening, encouraging, sharing, crying, laughing, hugging. We were at a Sister Care Seminar September 17-18 at Swan Lake Christian Camp, Viborg, South Dakota.
Presenters Rhoda Keener, co-executive director of MWUSA, and Carolyn Heggen, a psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery, led the weekend as we together explored ways of caring for ourselves and for each other. Through integrating scriptural drama, personal stories told from the heart, and facing our own life story, we were gifted and empowered with skills for caring and listening to become a healing presence and the hands and face of Jesus for others. We journeyed through the Sister Care manual together, challenged by the exercises and equipped with resources. On the lighter side of the weekend were joyful singing, casual nature walks, creative crafts, and relaxing massages. We departed with this closing blessing – “Go now with the assurance that you are God’s beloved daughter and called to be a living blessing to others. Amen”
Financial news
At the MCUSA Biennial Convention in Pittsburgh, Mennonite Women USA supporters honored Rhoda Keener, co-executive director, with a $12,097 check designated for an Endowment Fund. The funds were contributed in honor of Rhoda's 10 years of service to MWUSA and for her 60th Birthday. The donations were given as seed money for the MWUSA Endowment Fund created by Keener as part of her financial development work. The Central Plains Mennonite Women Executive Committee contributed to this Fund.
2011-2012 MWUSA Offering Projects for your women's group
Whether you meet together to “SEW” comforters, quilts, school kits or…you meet together to “SOW” friendship, compassion, fellowship…here are some Offering Project Ideas for you to consider:
"Providing a resource to equip lay women has been a central goal for Mennonite Women USA." Rhoda Keener, co-facilitator of Sister-Care Sister-Care Seminars began five-years ago with this goal and have been held throughout the MCUSA, hosted by area Mennonite Women groups. Leadership throughout the development and testing stage of Sister-Care, has been provided by Rhoda Keener, Ruth Lapp Guengrich, and Carolyn Holderread Heggen. “As sisters in Christ, we need to be able to share our difficult times and allow others to share our burdens as well as the joys in our lives. Sister-Care emphasizes the ways we see sisters caring for one another in scripture and how we, today, as sisters in the church, can learn the tools we need to care for others without being judgmental or losing the ability to care for our own needs at the same time. Sister Care brings together the best of our theology and psychological understandings in practical ways that are accessible for lay women. It provides training women can use for their own healing and as they reach out to help others” – Carolyn Holderread Heggen
"One of the things I find very satisfying is that I continue to be able to mentor and support women around the world," Heggen says. "These relationships are already bringing requests to share Sister Care resources and training internationally."
Visit the Mennonite Women USA website for more detailed information: Please note: Mennonite Women USA receives no funding from the larger church. All of the funding for the above comes from group and individual contributions.
We’d like to hear what the women’s group in your congregation is doing throughout the year? All of us would like some new ideas to bring renewed energy to our work. We would like this website to be a place to share ideas and activities that have worked in your group.
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