Ponder: The words of King

Posted on , Cyneatha Millsaps

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said that if we are to embody God’s love truly, then we have to decide not to be “compassionate by proxy.” I find this statement timelier than ever as many of us wonder if our world is spinning out of control. 

How can we calm our spinning minds and regain some sense of peace? I believe we need to reject compassion by proxy and embrace compassion in proximity and community.

The first step is simply getting to know our neighbor. It is a remedy to the rampant fear that has been building due to our disconnection from each other, creation, ourselves, and God. Disconnection has caused us to view the Other as a threat to our existence. We have become a people suffering from unhealthy isolation, confusion and—most gravely—fear. 

Only compassion in proximity and community will dismantle the fear that tells us the Other wants to diminish, rob, or kill us. Only this kind of compassion will break down the emotional walls between rural Kansas and Los Angeles, African America and white America, North America and south of the border. We must believe that all people are made for security and peace in nearness with one another. Trusting there can be enough for everyone, we’ll be able to loosen our grip on our “stuff” and relax about what we may lose. Then, perhaps, we can focus on how we can help others and join in creating peace. 

I recently visited a Yakama Reservation in Washington. Learning from a Native American perspective changed my understanding of Native American struggles and showed me similarities with the African American experience. When visiting Kansas, I spent time with a white young man from rural Nebraska. Talking with him about life gave me a different perspective on his needs and concerns. I believe if want to help poor Native American children or families in Appalachia; it would be an entirely different experience if you live among them. How could things change, I wonder, if more of us would offer our entire selves and resources to a particular community or culture? How much different could our world be?

Jesus moved toward people, into proximity and community with people whom others feared and shunned. He went into their spaces and met them at their points of need. Jesus saw their humanity, and—because he was in relationship with them—they also saw his. 

When was the last time you spent time with the Other—someone previously unknown and perhaps even feared? When was the last time you were able to consider or decide something about the Other in light of personal experience with them? When were you able to take into account more than what you heard or read from secondary sources like your pastor or even your parents? 

If we are to truly seek the Kingdom of God on earth, we must develop the kind of compassion that emerges from proximity and community—a compassion so much wiser than compassion by proxy.  

Affirm: Storming the Wall, by Cyneatha Millsaps

Posted on , Cyneatha Millsaps

Affirm: Storming the Wall

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Todd Miller, author of Storming the Wall: Climate Change, Migration, and Homeland Security (City Light Books, 2017), at a gathering in Tucson, Arizona. Todd explained behind-the-scenes realities of people in power and said that climate change is very much on their minds. In Storming the Wall, we learn how climate change, migration, and homeland security are related and serious concerns of those in power. Much of the general population is relatively unconcerned about these issues, and those in power seek to keep it that way until they have secured their future and wealth. Because this strategy is destroying the planet, growing populations are on the move while those that are not are obsessing about guns, guards, and gates. I encourage everyone to read this book and think seriously about what Todd is teaching. If we make real changes in our lives and those of our families and communities, we can save our planet and free ourselves from fear of the other.

I also encourage you to watch these documentaries related to themes in Todd’s book: An Inconvenient Truth and An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power.

New Sister Care teachers commissioned for North America

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Eight new Sister Care presenters are certified to teach North American seminars following an October 25-27 training in Bel Aire, Kansas led by Sister Care developers, Carolyn Heggen and Rhoda Keener.  Heggen says, “We are touched by the life experiences and passion for healing ministry of these new presenters.  Because of their varied circles of relationships and their many connections, we anticipate they will open new doors for the sharing of Sister Care.”

Since its beginning in 2008, the Sister Care seminar has been shared by MW USA with 4, 300 women in 16 countries; these women, in international settings, have taught thousands more. The manual, Sister Care: Equipping Women for Healing Ministry, written by Heggen with Keener, is available in 12 languages. The seminar provides women with tools for ongoing personal healing and for responding more effectively and confidently to the needs of others. 

Cyneatha Millsaps, MW USA executive director, and Berni Kaufman, executive assistant, will provide ongoing support for the new presenters who will work in pairs, and logistical guidelines for groups who host seminars.  Keener and Heggen andKeener will continue teaching international seminars.

Millsaps said: “Mennonite Women is excited about certifying 8 new women for facilitating our Sister Care Seminar. We have reached thousands of women in the last 10 years; with the additional teachers at this very critical time in the history of our church and country, the need for SisterCare is more important than ever. We believe God is about to do something new with and through women.”

Meet the new North American Sister Care teachers:

Alicia Manning, Williamsburg, Virginia, of Calvary Community Church (C3 Hampton) is an educator, minister, therapeutic foster parent and caretaker. Through her work and life experiences, Alicia helps others unpack the pain of trauma and embrace a healing, restorative mindset rooted in a biblical understanding of who we are in Christ.

Grace Tijerina, Brownsville, Texas, serves as a pastor and church planter. Having faced difficult issues in her own life and found healing, it has become very important to Grace to walk with other women in their journeys of healing.“My heart just opens up when I see or hear about women going through difficult situations.”

Hildalejandra Pellecer, Grand Prairie, Texas, is a member of the executive board of Iglesia Menonita Hispana. “I see the need to have someone who can help understand some of the pain and sorrow that our sisters face in life and are often not able to express to others.” Hildalejandra feels called to help bring healing in women’s lives.

Hyacinth Stevens, West Haven, Connecticut, is the Pastor at King of Glory Tabernacle in the Bronx, NY and works as the Program Coordinator in New York for MCC East Coast. As part of her pastorate she begana mentoring program for young women and teenage girls in the community around the church.  Hyacinth brings a passion for transformative discipleship. 

Jill Swiers Baker, Albany, Oregon, fiercely believes in the power of positive friendship and deep laughter and the healing that those can bring.  In her job as a high school counselor she works hard to provide services and support practices that lead to better mental health for her students. She is a healer at her core and feels called to healing ministry.  

Marta Castillo, Norristown, Pennsylvania, is a pastor passionate about connecting people with a gracious God. She finds the Sister Care materials speak essential truth into women’s lives at any life stage. “Sister Care gives us the opportunity through Scripture and storytelling to learn about God’s love and healing power.” 

Sandy Drescher-Lehman, Green Lane, Pennsylvania, is a spiritual director and pastor at Methacton Mennonite Church who counts it a privilege to walk with people through the joys and difficulties of life. “My calling is to connect people to the unconditional and abiding love of God that I’ve experienced my whole life. My challenge is to live a balanced life of work and play, exercise and rest.”

Twila Lehman, Albany, Oregon, brings her love of teaching and people to SisterCare. In her work as a community college instructor, she had the opportunity to advise, teach, encourage and support her students. As a facilitator with SisterCare, Twila is excited to equip women with tools to care for and support each other through life’s journey.

Coffee and Conversation

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Two weeks ago, women from Emmaus Road and Fairhaven Mennonite Churches gathered on Saturday morning at the Berne Dinner in Berne, IN for fellowship and conversation. The thirteen women, with ages ranging from their 30 to 90-years-old, spent two hours discussing issues facing our children and the churches response. Cyneatha Millsaps, MW USA executive director, led the conversation with concerns of young white males and the messages they are receiving about themselves and how those messages could shape their futures. Cyneatha spoke as an African-American mother who has seen the results of young black males living into negative and disparaging words describing their character. Cyneatha has been warning the church and leaders who seek to bring about a just racial and equitable society to be mindful of how we invite our young people into the conversations. As the conversation deepened, women who work in the local schools shared their concerns for this issue as well. Educators spoke about the levels and numbers of young people dealing with depression, thoughts of suicide, domestic violence, etc. Issues like these and a growing poverty rates demand a response from the church. If you would like to host a coffee and conversation in your area with Cyneatha Millsaps or other leaders of Mennonite Women USA, please contact Cyneatha at 316-281-4395 or the MW offices at 316-281-4396.

International Women’s Fund: Eliver’s Story

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Eliver Omondi is an International Women’s Fund Scholarship recipient.

Glory be to the living God, my sisters in the diaspora. 

I am indeed overwhelmed by God’s grace that has allowed me to be a part of your scholarship program. It has been well with me in my studies. My course title, Higher Diploma in Psychological Counselling, at Kenya Institute of Professional counselling, Kisumu Campus, has impacted me mightily. 

During the week, I work as a teacher. On Saturdays, I go to college and then come back to prepare for church on Sundays. I am 51-years-old and the mother of five young-adult children (two sons and three daughters).  I am sometimes overwhelmed by my family responsibilities. Nevertheless, in Africa we believe that women are strong multi-taskers.

Eliver Omondi (left) presents during a Sister Care seminar in Musoma, Kenya.

I was ordained as a pastor in July 2018; I am the National Women’s Secretary General. Women’s ministry is my passion; my team and I have integrated Sister Care into our agenda. 

My husband, who is also a pastor, supports my ministry. Despite many challenges, we love the Lord and profess God as our saviour. May I thank International Women’s Fund [Mennonite Women USA] for what God has put into your hearts. We appreciate the work.

Thank you,
Eliver Omondi

This letter has been edited for clarity

Healthy Boundaries conference in Colombia

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Read Mennonite Mission Network’s article on this event by Danielle Klotz.

Blessing each other: Ester Bornes and Alix Lozano forefront

The Movement of Anabaptist Women Doing Theology from Latin America (MTAL) hosted a conference on Healthy Boundaries November 6-9 attended by 33 women from the Andean region of South America.  The workshop was led by Alix Lozano and Ely Soto who adapted materials from Faith Trust Institute.  The workshop included developing an understanding of the importance of healthy boundaries in ministry, especially in preventing sexual harassment and abuse. As a group of women leaders, the participants thought both about the limits that they need to draw and keep in their own leadership roles, and also how they work with their churches in processes of establishing practices that help keep everyone safe and are understood by both leaders and the congregations.

33 women attended the conference.

Linda Shelly, MMN Latin American Director, said, “Having worked with Sister Care and hearing many women’s stories of harassment and abuse makes this Healthy Boundaries work with MTAL a natural step in many contexts. I anticipate that the work the MTAL women have done in experiencing and sharing Sister Care will help them to multiply this in many different ways.”

  • Alix Lozano teaching
  • Group photo

Mennonite Women USA and Dove’s Nest partnered to provide a conference on Healthy Boundaries held in Nebraska in July 2018. 


Celebrate by Cyneatha Millsaps

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Christmas is the season when we celebrate the birth of a king. The Christ child entered this world to save everyone and every living thing. I often think of what it meant for Mary to know that she was responsible for this important little life. She was given the assignment for all generations. I am sure Mary worked extremely hard to raise a compassionate, intelligent and loving young man. Our family has welcomed another little one into our clan; Ava was born September 10. I think of her mother (and father) and wonder if they truly grasp the responsibility that has been given to them. Every child born should be considered, the child that will save a nation. The child that will free a people. How much different would our world be, if everyone saw every child as the Christ child? I encourage all of us to begin to see our children as not simply gift for us, but shepherds for the world. How would you prepare them for the important task ahead?

 

Women Doing Theology by Cyneatha Millsaps

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Earlier this month, I attended my first Women Doing Theology (WDT) conference, “Talkin’ bout a Revolution”. I found this Women in Leadership event to be informative and refreshing. It was great to see young women in leadership gathering together. Having a conference designed for women makes it easier for us to see and hear ourselves. The conference also shows the new leaders of the church and it is hopeful. I felt like my prayers for the last ten years were being answered.

It is always great to gather with friends. Women have such busy schedules that we don’t often find time for ourselves. WDT gives women a platform to step away from family, community and work to simply take in the gospel. I like to compare WDT to the women’s retreats that were created years ago. Several years ago, I organized a “Black Mennonite Women Rock” retreat in Michigan. The idea was to get the younger generation to the camp sites. But I knew in order to get them, they would need substance, not just relaxing. So we created a combination of retreat space and educational space. WDT has capitalized on this kind of gathering, where women gather for a purpose.

I look forward to the next WDT conference and encourage other women to attend.