by Gretta Rempel,
First Mennonite Church, Iowa City, Iowa

Who is your hero? I thought about it as the sharing made its way around the circle of Mennonite youth. Maybe my great grandparents who made their way to the midwest and started a new life, or Marie Curie, because she is a pioneer in science. My peers answered with George Washington, Menno Simons, Sojourner Truth, teachers, coaches, parents, and grandparents. Society often glorifies veterans, but why didn't anyone name one as their hero? As the discussion grew, more questions followed. What does it mean to be a peacemaker or a peace church? What does scripture say about being a peacemaker? And finally, what is a conscientious objector?

Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler, Pastor of Christian Formation at First Mennonite Church (FMC), led our gathering with these questions. Our high school youth group in Iowa City, which included youth from FMC and Torre Fuerte Iglesia Menonita, joined the youth group from West Union Mennonite Church in Parnell, Iowa, to focus on our answers to these challenging questions in a three-part discussion. 

During our first session, Karla focused on living a peace-oriented life and the function of a peace church. We looked at familiar Bible passages that focused on peace and were encouraged to see them with new eyes by diving into the context more deeply. Next we discussed how those passages apply to our lives. Finally, we brainstormed ways that we can promote peace in the earth/world, in our community, church, school and family, and also inner peace. it was impressive to see the many ways that even our small group can and does promote peace. Imagine what a difference we can all make when we work together. Karla summed up the message of the evening with "Jesus is the center of our faith, community is the center of our lives, reconciliation is the center of our work."

This idea of peace threading through our whole life carried through into the second session, where we began talking more specifically about what it means to be a conscientious objector (CO). Both of our churches invited men to share their personal experiences of being a CO during World War 2 and the Vietnam War. Our guests were Wilbur Litwiller, Darvin Yoder, Galen Yoder, and Wilbur Yoder from West Union and Joe Krabill and Wilford Yoder from FMC. Several shared influential stories from their youth that sparked a peace mindset beyond what they learned while attending a Mennonite church or school, leading them to claiming CO status. As the sharing continued, another component that many panelists touched on was how they pursued service as a result of being a CO. Many of the men continued to serve after fulfilling their required alternative service term and still live a life of intentional peacebuilding and servanthood. 

Our final session focused on building our own CO file. How will we show that we are peacemakers if there would be a draft and we would be faced with the possibility of serving in the military? The Central Plains Mennonite Conference website includes resources for youth leaders that our sponsors consulted. Our sponsors encouraged us to think about papers we've written, bulletins from our peace churches, letters from mentors or teachers, even letters that we've written and sent to ourselves that would outline our character and views on peace. All of these are ways we can show that we are conscientious objectors because of our faith. 

Having this three-part MYF discussion about being a CO helped me understand what I believe. Hearing stories of those who experienced a draft themselves and explanations of why claiming the status of CO made a difference in their lives solidified in me my nonviolence and peace mindset. I am grateful to be part of a Peace Church and loving community that encourages me to have heroes like Marie Curie and my grandparents who spent most of their lives volunteering for MCC.

by Peg Burkey, Bellwood Mennonite Church

It was a cold, snowy weekend when the Nebraska Mennonite women met for their annual retreat at The Leadership Center in Aurora on March 1st and 2nd. Despite the cold, the fellowship was toasty warm, the laughter ran deep, and the inspiration was wise and strong. The retreat was planned and hosted this year by the women from Bellwood Mennonite Church in Milford. 

We were grateful for the insights and wisdom of Kate Friesen from Sioux Falls, our guest speaker for the retreat. Kate's theme for her four messages was "What God Wants Women to Know." A few of her sub-themes were: "You are Enough," "You are Valued," "You are More than a Label," "You are Loved," and "You are Needed." For Joy Steckly from Bellwood, a highlight was the message, "God doesn't need us to do stuff for Him, yet He has chosen to accomplish His work in us and through us. [God] will give us the tools we need, when we need them. True growth happens when we realize we can't do it on our own." Another high point was Kate's vivid monologues portraying different women in the Bible. Those characters really came alive for everyone in the group!

The music for the weekend was led by a worship team from Bellwood, with special guest, Deb Brunkow, joining the team. The times of singing drew us into God's presence, and helped us focus our thoughts on the theme for each worship session. The last time of worship on Saturday closed with Communion and sharing testimonies. Char Roth from Bellwood said, "I was encouraged by our inspirational speaker and the music! It's always good to see and renew friendships with our sisters from the other Nebraska Mennonite Churches."

Fellowship and building relationships with women from other churches is a key value of the retreat. There were opportunities for this during our shared meal and snack times, free time on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, a water aerobics session in the pool and a workshop on "Feeding our Bodies to Serve the Lord."

As the women said their good-byes, they were already anticipating next year's retreat, to be hosted by East Fairview Mennonite Church.

by Gloria Graber, Salem-Zion Mennonite Church

In February, I attended a meeting like no other meeting I've ever experienced. It was four hours long and full of strangers and in a town where I'd never been. it took place in a bar and grill in a South Dakota town 90 miles from Freeman. 

The subject of this meeting is what brought me, my husband Gary, and another couple to this unlikely place. As the Freeman Network for Justice and Peace (FNJP) chair, I had been alerted to the dire needs that this community was beginning to experience. Fleeing the violence of gangs and threats of death in their own countries, and at the invitation of family members already living in South Dakota, immigrants have been making their way with only the clothes on their backs to this small rural community. 

The strangers we met in this meeting were a motley group. Retired South Dakota State University professors, nurses, a banker, Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic, Mennonite, and non-denominational. The owner of the bar where we met had relocated to this area 10 months earlier and everyday she sees people come in the door, hungry and looking for food. In her compassion, she tries to help them, giving them food and answering their questions. It's overwhelming work. 

That day we heard the stories of several immigrants who were struggling to make a place for themselves in the community and to provide for their families. In response, we, along with our new friends, took those requests home to our church communities and began collecting donations of food, money and household items. We've made several trips back and forth, ferrying donations and volunteers for various projects. We've formed relationships and expanded our understanding; we've learned a lot. 

At our meeting that day, we discovered an unexpected group of people committing to heeding the call found in Leviticus 19:33-34: "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself..."  We met as strangers, but left as friends...common, ordinary people trying to follow the example of Jesus. 

FNJP and several Freeman Mennonite Churches are participating in the work of the kingdom of God in South Dakota by heeding a call that looms large in our backyard; a call to form relationships and to care for these immigrants who were created and deeply loved by God.

by Martha Corpus Hernandez, pastor, Iglesia Menonita Centro Cristiano

On March 16, 2019 I met with the sisters of the Iglesia Menonita Torre Fuerte from Iowa City, Iowa. Around 13 women attended the Sister Care Seminar from 8 am to 5 pm. We were especially pleased to have Cyneatha Millsaps, Executive Director of Mennonite Women USA, with us. Her role for the day was to evaluate the seminar. 

Before leading this Sister Care Seminar, I attended two Sister Care training seminars held in Portland Mennonite Church in Portland, Oregon and Drift Creek Camp near Lincoln City, Oregon. Both were led by Rhoda Keener and Carolyn Heggen, Rhoda and Carolyn are the authors of the Sister Care materials. I am grateful for Pastor Gloria Villatoro and the Torre Fuerte congregation, and especially for the women who shared their stories. The sharing was impactful and had many of us in awe as we heard the stories of what had taken place in each others lives. Leaving the seminar, I reflected on how moving it had been for the women present that day. 

My hope is to bring Sister Care to the rest of our Central Plains Hispanic Mennonite congregations.

by Sara Blank, Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota

I have heard it said that "life is what happens when you are busy making other plans." So often I feel like I'm so busy making plans that I do miss out on the life that is happening right now. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Women's Retreat is a time and place to stop, slow down, and set aside the calendar and the schedule(s). 

On September 15-16, I was challenged to "enjoy the process." Sometimes the process is where we find joy and meaning and the product or the end result is of little value or significance. Our guest speaker, Heather Goertzen, spoke candidly with us about the historical and cultural facts surrounding the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She asked us obvious questions that we often miss and challenged us to look at this familiar story with fresh eyes and hear it with new ears. 

Women's Retreat is many things to many women; rest, relaxation, learning, studying, socializing, eating, singing, sleeping, exploring. These are the things we look forward to that nourish our souls and replenish our spirits. I relish the chance to retreat for an entire weekend. 

Swan Lake Christian Camp hosts the annual Women's Retreat in their newly completed Retreat Center. We leave the cabins for kids and enjoy the comfortable rooms with unique and charming decorations. The camp staff takes care of our daily needs. Meals and snacks are provided; Mary uses tired and true camp recipes that are proven crowd pleasers and leave us  more than satisfied.

In addition to good food, relaxation and worship, on Saturday afternoon we were offered many process-driven activities to choose from. Guided sessions included an Anabaptist Prayer Service, marbling, and making puff pastry. Other activities and options are also always available; trails for hiking, benches for sitting, kayaks and canoes for floating, beds for napping, and puzzles, games, tabes and chairs for visiting. At women's retreat, there is something for every personality--those who are adventurous (or not) and those who are extroverts (or not)!

Mark your calendars now. Next fall's Women's Retreat will be held September 21 & 22, 2019 at Swan Lake Christian Camp.

As Mennonites, we like to tell stories of peace. We point to the etching of Dirk Willems who helped rescue his pursuer from thin ice. It's important to pass on our stories. Through stories, we nurture each other. Stories inspire the next generation. 

Where are the stories among us? Where are the Dirk Willems doing crazy acts of love? Do you know someone who has a a story to tell? 

Is there a time in your life when you faced conflict and found the Spirit opening a door to respond in a love-filled way? Have you witnessed your church stepping out in your community with words of hope and peace?

Central Plains Peace and Justice Task Group wants to collect stories of peacemakers throughout Central Plains. We're looking for a wide variety of stories. Peacemaking stories can include interactions across cultural barriers. We want stories about responding to immigration, stories of undoing racism and sexism. Do you know someone or a church community who has responded in healthy ways to abuse? Someone who has stood up for justice in the face of military violence? Is there someone who taught you about the Doctrine of Discovery? Or inspired you to do creation care?

We are looking for a variety of peace stories! Share yours with The Peace and Justice Task Group via Jane Yoder-Short at wilmajane17 (at) gmail.com. 

-Peace and Justice Task Group

Cultivating a Habit of Joy is the theme of this year's Annual Leaders Retreat (ALR) planned for March 24-26, 2019 at the Saint Benedict Retreat Center in Schuyler, Nebraska. David Boshart, our Executive Conference Minister will be leading our three retreat sessions. David writes, "The hope of Jesus is that his joy would be in us and that our joy would be made complete. In the face of overwhelming upheaval and division in our social, political and ecclesial environments, our sense of joy and hope can be diminished and we are drawn to cynicism in the face of the world's problems. As people of the resurrection our call is to joy and hope. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. It is a habit to be cultivated."

In our retreat sessions, David will help us reflect on Joyful Imagination: Living in Hope for Complete Joy; Tending our Joy: Living Joyfully in any Circumstance; and Joyful Witness: Exuding Joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Plan now to attend Annual Leaders Retreat March 24-26 as we explore this theme of JOY through Bible study, interactive engagement with the biblical texts, worship, and conversation. 

Annual Leaders Retreat is a place for pastors, chaplains and spouses to come together for renewal, resourcing, conversation, building relationships with peers and for finding space to relax and retreat. Annual Leaders Retreat information and for finding space to relax and retreat. Annual Leaders Retreat information and registration materials are posted on our Central Plains Conference website at http://www.centralplainsmc.org/annual-leaders-retreat.html. I hope to see you in Schuyler!

-Tim Detweiler, Conference Minister for Ministerial Leadership