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Annual Sessions 2009 | Clinton Frame Mennonite
Highlights from Thursday, June 18
 
Terry Diener (in left photo above), lead pastor of Clinton Frame Mennonite, Goshen, Ind., shares a story of being sustained by the prayers of his congregation during his recent illness, represented by the prayer shawl he’s holding.
Clinton Frame worship team members (in right photo above) lead conference members during the opening worship session.
Frances Ringenberg (pictured above) of the Missional Leadership Team invites delegates to a time of sharing together. Dan Miller, lead conference minister, and Brent Eash, moderator, listen.
 
 
Pictured above: table group discussions and singing during Worshipful Work sessions.
After the Pastor Appreciation meal, Church Life Commission members Janice Yordy Sutter and Ruben Chupp anoint with the oil of gladness Jason and Andrea Ramer of Yellow Creek Mennonite, Goshen, Ind., and Rene Hostetter of First Mennonite of Indianapolis.
Dan Miller, lead conference minister, gives the message during Thursday evening worship on missional experiments and the Luke 10 passage about Mary and Martha. “We have an opportunity to learn to ride the missional bike,” he said. “Failure is not the end of the story.”
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Highlights from Friday, June 19
Pastors beginning new assignments in the last fiscal year were recognized and blessed during a worshipful work session this afternoon. Shown (above) receiving prayer is Bill Beck, the new pastor of Locust Grove Mennonite, Burr Oak, Mich.
 
Dave Sutter of Kern Road Mennonite, South Bend, Ind., (in center of left photo above) shares during a Faith and Finance breakfast sponsored by Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA) and IN-MI Conference. Those present discussed questions such as, “How do you communicate with congregations on financial issues when income is down?” and shared stories of some creative approaches in these challenging economic times.
Annual Sessions participants share a time of morning prayer (in right photo above).
Bill Miller of Locust Grove Mennonite, Sturgis, Mich., signs the thank‐you card for Blooming Glen
Mennonite while Tim Miller of Rexton (Mich.) Mennonite and Naubinway (Mich.) Christian
Fellowship prepares to load cases of canned meat to take back to the Upper Peninsula. Read more.
 
The ding of a bicycle bell routinely reminded participants to gather for worship and worshipful work sessions. Here, Tammy, (pictured above left) a resident of Mennonite Disabilities Committee, rings the bell and rides a three-wheel cycle with the help of David Heusinkveld, MDC Goldenrod’s director.
Hannah Livengood (in above photo at right) was part of a panel of congregants from Walnut Hill Mennonite, Goshen, Ind., who led a seminar on “Doing church outside the box” about how they’ve worked to create safe spaces in their community for conversations about faith with people who are not part of a congregation.
 
Rafael Barahona of the Church Leadership Center of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary awards Kent Towler of Burr Oak Mennonite, Rensselaer, Ind., with a certificate marking Kent’s completion of the three-year Journey program. Philip Leichty (in left photo above on right) has served as Kent’s mentor.
Nancy Rodriguez-Lora (in above photo at right) of True Vine Tabernacle, Elkhart, Ind., was one of four people who shared stories during the evening worship of how God is present in their life or in the life of their congregation.
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Highlights from Saturday, June 20
Sending. Participants were sent forth with an anointing of gladness and strength as they returned to their communities. Here, Deron Brill Bergstresser (a member of the planning committee and co-pastor of Faith Mennonite, Goshen, Ind.) and Brenda Meyer (co-pastor of Benton Mennonite, Goshen) anoint Russell Jensen and Steve Thomas.
 John Troyer, a member of the Missional Leadership Team and youth pastor at Clinton Frame Mennonite, speaks during the Saturday morning worship session. “God’s love is amazing, so much bigger than the solutions we bring, than the identities and tribes that we form,” he said. “It is a force that breaks through the dividing walls of hostility and brings a community together of life, vitality and love.”
See you next year!
(location and date of Annual Sessions 2010 to be determined)
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