In the News

Three students have success at vocal competition

Three Hesston College voice students earned special recognition at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Vocal Competition at Fort Hays (Kan.) State University Nov. 3 to 5. Twelve students represented Hesston College during the weekend competition.

Freshman Emerencia Dudas of Toledo, Ohio earned second place in the Freshman-Sophomore Women’s Musical Theatre division, which was the highest finish for a Hesston College student since 2004. Sophomore Kaedi LeFevre of Hesston, Kan., advanced to the semifinal round in the Freshman-Sophomore Women’s Musical Theatre division and sophomore Robert Howell of Newton, Kan., was selected to sing at a musical theatre master class in front of other convention participants.

Dudas, Howell and LeFevre are voice students of Matthew Schloneger, Hesston College music faculty member, and are part of the college’s Bel Canto Singers, a 22-voice mixed chamber ensemble selected by competitive audition under the direction of Bradley Kauffman.

Other students competing for Hesston were freshmen Alex Bargerstock of Massillon, Ohio, Deni Brummer of Hutchinson, Kan., Broxton Busenitz of North Newton, Kan., Rachelle Hanna of Whitewater, Kan., Cameron Ponce of Elkhart, Ind., and sophomores Erin Banman of Lenexa, Kan., Michael Darby of Iowa City, Iowa, Melody Marshall of Grottoes, Va., and Katie Miller of Rio Rancho, N.M.

The NATS Vocal Competition pits students against one another based on their age level and gender. More than 300 students competed throughout the weekend, representing colleges and universities of all sizes from Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.

“We had a very talented group of students this year and I thought everyone represented Hesston College well,” said Schloneger. “I am proud of the performances by all of our students.”

Hesston College prepares for Thanksgiving weekend 2011

A 44-year tradition continues at Hesston College’s annual Thanksgiving Weekend: A Family Celebration Nov. 24 to 26.

The weekend lineup includes activities for all ages, including a traditional Thanksgiving meal, music concerts, a talent show, men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, a two-mile run/walk and a luminary walk at Dyck Arboretum.

“Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for family and friends and particularly the Hesston community to join together for celebration,” said special events director Dallas Stutzman.

Rachel Swartzendruber Miller, vice president of Admissions, said the focus of the weekend is to give families of current students the chance to experience the Hesston College community. Prospective students and their parents can explore what Hesston has to offer and meet faculty during a majors exhibition, and enjoy the fun of the campus community during activities like the annual talent show.

“The weekend is a snapshot of what Hesston College is like,” said Swartzendruber Miller.

Some Thanksgiving weekend traditions of special interest include the traditional Thanksgiving buffet prepared by Hesston College Food Service and hosted by faculty and staff members. The dinner will be served from 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 24 in Bontrager Student Center. Reservations are required.

The music department will perform several times throughout the weekend. A choral masterworks concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 24 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary will feature part one of Handel’s “Messiah” performed by an 80-voice choir of students and community members collaborating with an orchestra.

The Hesston College Chorale, Bel Canto Singers and Concert Band will perform works from their fall repertoire at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Hesston Mennonite Church santuary.

Voice and Acting students will perform a collection of musical theatre songs and scenes during a Cabaret Music Revue at 4 p.m. Nov. 26 in the Northlawn Studio Theatre. Admission is free but tickets are required as seating is limited. Call the Hesston College Bookstore at 620-327-8105 to reserve tickets.

Current students, faculty and staff will display their talents through song, skits and video at a 10 p.m. talent show Nov. 24 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams will host Brown Mackie College (Salina, Kan.), Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kan.) junior varsity, Northern Oklahoma College-Enid, Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.) junior varsity and Barton Community College (Great Bend, Kan.) for the American Family Insurance/Greg Raleigh Agency tournament Nov. 25 and 26.

The 20th Annual Thanksgiving Run – The Howard Hustle two-mile run/walk will be Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. An early entry fee of $15 is being offered to registrants until Nov. 16. The fee after Nov. 16 is $20. Entry fees cover t-shirts and a chip timer for each runner. Any remaining proceeds will be donated to The Hesston College Labyrinth Project. Individuals may donate a gift to the Labyrinth Project without participating in the run.

A complete weekend schedule and registration information can be found on the Hesston College website at www.hesston.edu or by calling the Special Events Office at 866-437-7866 or 620-327-8109.

Hesston College art gallery features Tabor College faculty

Michael Phillips, art faculty member at Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kan.) is the latest local artist to have his works displayed in the Hesston College Friesen Center gallery. Phillips’ life-like drawings, paintings, clay work and wood sculptures will be displayed through Dec. 15.

A reception and chance for the public to meet the artist will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 17 in the gallery.

Phillips received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and sculpture from the University of Kansas (Lawrence). He worked as an artist in Seattle for several years before attending Bible college and setting his art aside to work in ministry in Thailand for 20 years.

Phillips’ pieces reflect images of his life – landscapes, animals and people – in Kansas and Thailand.

In his artist’s statement, Phillips said the desire to create is something that has been a part of him since he was a young boy.

“At this time, I feel a need to spend more time working in the arts; it is certainly one of my greatest loves and gifts,” said Phillips. “As a couple, my wife and I plan on returning to Thailand to continue assisting in the works we have already birthed. We will also proactively work to build relationships with Asian artists and continue to show my art internationally.”

The gallery is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Thanksgiving tradition celebrates 20 years

Like most holiday celebrations, Thanksgiving Weekend at Hesston College is full of tradition. Each year, participants look forward to the talent show, music department performances and men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, not to mention the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

One Hesston College Thanksgiving tradition that has grown in popularity among students, faculty, staff, community members, and out-of-town guests over the years is the annual run/walk, known for the past six years as the Howard Hustle. The 2011 celebration will mark its 20th year as part of the weekend lineup.

The run/walk was dreamt into existence by Jen LeFevre, who has served in multiple roles, including coach, physical education instructor and activities director, for 22 years. During her first Thanksgiving Weekend as a Hesston College employee, LeFevre realized the weekend provided ample time for guests to sit and little time for physical activity.

“I noticed how incredibly dormant people were during Thanksgiving,” said LeFevre. “We needed something active for people to combat all the sitting.”

So for her second Thanksgiving Weekend, LeFevre introduced a one-mile fun run on the day after Thanksgiving called the Mininger Mile, named for then interim president, Jim Mininger.

“You can find fun runs all over now, but people weren’t doing them back then,” said LeFevre. “It was a novelty to people, but I thought I could talk anyone into running one mile.”

And she did talk people into running one mile – she talked 29 of them into it.

Even with a meager turnout during the first year, the fun run became a staple Thanksgiving tradition on the Hesston campus.

Over the last 19 years, the event has grown, evolved, changed distances as it moved from one mile to a 5K before settling on the compromise of the current two miles, and even changed names as presidents come and go. For 10 years the run was called the Swartzendruber Sprint for Loren Swartzendruber, then spent two years as the Wiebe Wobblin’ and Gobblin’ for interim President Peter Weibe, and has been the Howard Hustle for Howard Keim since 2005.

In 2003 the existence of the run was threatened by budget cuts. Campus activities sponsored and organized the run, but as LeFevre said, it had become a “money pit,” and just didn’t seem like a feasible option. Yet the Admissions Department insisted the run was necessary as visiting prospective students, parents and families enjoyed the event.

All that was needed was someone to organize it. LeFevre’s Recreational Leadership class seemed like the logical choice as it allowed students practical, hands-on experience and the opportunity to complete an entire cycle of program development.

The class brainstormed ways to increase participation, including mod contests for students with the top finishing men’s and women’s mod winning free t-shirts for the entire mod and offering extra credit points to students in Fitness Concepts and Nutrition classes.

Their efforts paid off – literally.

“I went to the students and said, ‘We have a problem – the event is making money for the first time ever,’” said LeFevre. “We had to find something to do with it.”

The run has made money and been sustainable each year since with proceeds being donated to various causes. Gifts have been given to the Student Emergency Fund, to the Dyck Arboretum to assist in vandalism cleanup and purchased supplies and equipment for the new Friesen Center for the Visual Arts building.

This year, the money will go toward the construction of a labyrinth on campus.

“The labyrinth will work at improving mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellness,” said LeFevre. “When you work your way through a labyrinth, you are encouraged to pray, meditate, brainstorm, or create – all things that positively impact many aspects of wellness.”

The 2010 Howard Hustle saw 425 participants cross the finish line – the most ever. LeFevre hopes that the 2011 run will have even more.

“This event is a way to get active, it gives students real life experience in event planning, and it is a good social event for families,” said LeFevre. “It’s fun to see the interaction that happens at the middle and back of the pack. College students who could easily run the race walk with their parents instead and spend those 30 minutes in dialogue. Board members, alumni and community members connect with current and prospective students and faculty and staff get to know students’ families.”

Jacob Landis, a Hesston College freshman from Sterling, Illinois will run the Howard Hustle for the third time this year. Landis placed second overall the last two years as a prospective student, finishing behind semi-professional triathlete Kevin Nickel from Newton, Kan. As the top runner on the men’s cross country team, Landis enjoys the good-natured competition with other returning runners and trying to improve from one year to the next.

“As a runner, I run races mostly just to race, but I have a great respect for all participants regardless of their ability or dedication to the sport,” said Landis. “The Howard Hustle is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the community of Hesston with friends and family.”

The run will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25. An early entry fee of $15 is being offered to registrants until Nov. 16. The fee after Nov. 16 is $20. Entry fees cover t-shirts and a chip timer for each runner, which are new for 2011 and will allow organizers to keep more accurate records. Any remaining proceeds will be donated to The Hesston College Labyrinth Project. Individuals may donate a gift to the Labyrinth Project without participating in the run.

Medals and a ceramic tile made by art faculty Hanna Eastin will be given to overall and age group winners, and all participants will have the chance to win door prizes.

For more information, to register for the run or to make a donation to the labyrinth project go to the Thanksgiving Weekend schedule on the Hesston College webpage at www.hesston.edu or call Jen LeFevre at 620-327-8277.

Former child soldier to share story with Hesston College community

Anywar Ricky Richard, a former child soldier from Uganda will share his story during Hesston College chapel at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. Chapel service is free and open to the public.

Richard is a human rights and peace-building activist and educator who will speak about his experiences as a child soldier abducted into the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda at the age of 14, his escape, rehabilitation and reintegration to society.

After escaping the LRA, Richard received a degree in development studies from Kyambogo University (Kampala, Uganda) and a diploma in business administration from Uganda College of Commerce – Kabale. He worked with the Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda at its headquarters in Kampala. He also serves as project advisor to community-based human rights organizations, working in the areas of peace building, income generation, health, education, arts and culture and economic development.

Richard founded Friends of Orphans in 1999, a social service organization based in Uganda that aids former child soldiers and sex slaves, abductees, orphans, child mothers and vulnerable women heading families. Richard has experience working with disadvantaged communities, war and HIV/AIDS affected communities and internally displaced persons.

In 2006, Richard founded the Anthony Brown Comprehensive School in Pader, Uganda, which educates former child soldiers and is named in honor of Hesston College faculty member and artist-in-residence and internationally acclaimed baritone Anthony Brown.

In 2009, Richard was honored by Free the Slaves, an internationally recognized anti-slavery organization, and awarded the Freedom Award: Harriet Tubman Reintegration Award for his work with social reintegration of survivors of slavery. Also in 2009, he received the Humanitarian Award from World of Children, an internationally recognized child advocacy group.

Richard serves as an Honorary Board Member of Peacing it Together Foundation, an organization that promotes peace and social justice through music and stories founded by Brown. Richard also serves as a member of the Board of Advisors of End Slavery Now, a U.S.-based organization that works with former slaves.

Richard will share his experiences Sunday, Nov. 6 with the Hesston Mennonite Church Sunday School classes at 9 a.m. and will speak briefly during the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

Renowned Russian quartet to bring classical sounds to HBPA concert

The second Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts event of the 2011-12 season will feature the “blissful” sounds of the St. Petersburg Quartet on Bethel College’s Memorial Hall stage.

The string quartet, which is currently in residence at Wichita State University, will perform Sunday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m.

Quartet members are Alla Aranovskaya, 1st violin, Evgeny Zvonnikov, 2nd violin, Boris Vayner, viola, and Leonid Shukayev, cello. Aranovskaya and Shukayev are founding members of the SPSQ. Vayner joined in 2005 and Zvonnikov in 2010.

The St. Petersburg Quartet is one of the world’s most esteemed chamber ensembles. Some of its distinctions: a Grammy nomination; “Best Record” honors in both Stereo Review and Gramophone; an opening night performance at Mostly Mozart at Lincoln Center; a five-year residency at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music; and hundreds of concerts on and in many of North America, Europe and Asia’s most prestigious stages, series and festivals.

Highlights of recent seasons in North America include playing the opening concert of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center quartet series (the New York Times praised the SPSQ’s “sumptuous account of Tchaikovsky’s Quartet No.1”); a collaboration with Van Cliburn gold medalist Olga Kern; a tour with violist Michael Tree of the Guarneri Quartet at the Library of Congress; three concerts at New York’s Metropolitan Museum with the late Ruth Laredo; and a 17-concert tour of Canada, during which a Toronto Globe and Mail reviewer wrote, “Bliss, for this listener, doesn’t get much more unequivocal than the St. Petersburg Quartet’s performance.”

The SPSQ has, in recent years, toured the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Israel and the United Kingdom, where Tchaikovsky Piano Competition winner Peter Donahoe called their collaboration “some of the most sublime moments of chamber music-making I have ever experienced.”

Founded in 1985 as the Leningrad String Quartet, the SPSQ blazed a trail through chamber music circles, winning a number of prestigious international competitions including first prize at the All-Soviet Union String Quartet Competition; a silver medal and a Special Prize at the Tokyo International Chamber Music Competition; first prize and both Special Prizes at the Vittorio Gui International Competition for Chamber Ensembles in Florence; and first prize and the Grand Prix Musica Viva at the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. When the city of Leningrad resumed its historic name, the quartet changed its name to the St. Petersburg String Quartet.

In 2009, the SPSQ launched the St. Petersburg International Music Academy, an intensive summer program for students, which they bring to various campuses and festivals in the United States and Mexico. In 2010, the SPSQ was appointed the inaugural Quartet in Residence at WSU.

HBPA director Matthew Schloneger noted that while the SPSQ is performing regularly in Wichita this year, their Bethel program “will feature entirely different repertoire that Wichita audiences may not have heard.”

On the Nov. 13 program is Five Miniatures on Jewish Folk Themes by Sulkhan Tsintsadze (1925-91); the “Chaconne” from Partita No. 2 in D minor for solo violin by J.S. Bach (arr. Vayner); Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Opus 95, “Serioso”; and Tchaikovsky’s Quartet No. 2 in F major, Opus 22.

The latest releases in the SPSQ’s extensive discography include recordings of Ravel and Debussy quartets as well as Tchaikovsky’s complete chamber music repertoire.

For more about the musicians, a complete discography and other information, see the quartet’s website, www.stpetersburgquartet.com.

Single ticket prices for the St. Petersburg Quartet range from $15 to $18, depending on seating section, with discounts available to students and senior citizens.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 316-284-5205 (Bethel College) or 620-327-8158 (Hesston College), e-mail hbpa@hesston.edu or visit the HBPA website at www.hesston.edu/hbpa.

Other concerts in the series include YouTube musical sensation Igudesman and Joo, traditional Irish music and dance rhythms with the highly acclaimed Celtic Crossroads and ancient choral music by the Rose Ensemble. Visit www.hesston.edu/hbpa for dates and times.

This program is presented in part by the cities of Hesston and North Newton, with generous underwriting by area patrons.

The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts Series, now in its 30th year, started in 1982 as the Hesston Performing Arts Series (HPA) with funding and planning provided by Hesston College and the Hesston community. In 1998, HPA planners launched a partnership with Bethel College (North Newton) and the name changed to Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts. Hesston College and Bethel College host five performances by world-renowned or regionally acclaimed artists each year.

Theatre Department to present “The Boys Next Door”

The Hesston College Theatre Department will present its first production of the academic year, “The Boys Next Door,” at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19 and at 3 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Northlawn Studio Theatre on the Hesston College campus.

“The Boys Next Door,” by Tom Griffin, tells the story of four developmentally disabled men who live together in a group home in a New England city and their “burned out” social worker, Jack.

“The play is not a narrative story, but a montage of scenes from the men’s lives,” said second year director Laura Kraybill. “It gives the audience a glimpse into a culture that many people are not familiar with and shows how family and society can have a profound impact on people.”

Kraybill notes that the cast of students does an excellent job portraying each character’s personality. Lead actors include freshmen Cameron Ponce (Elkhart, Ind.), David Rudy (Manheim, Pa.), Simeon Taylor (Girard, Kan.), Nathan Bray (Galva, Kan.), and sophomore Robert Howell (Newton, Kan.).

“I like to do plays that get people thinking and encourage them to be more emotionally generous,” said Kraybill. ‘“The Boys Next Door’ does that through its humor and vulnerability. I hope it helps people rethink the way in which they judge others and what is ‘normal.’”

Running time is about two hours including intermission. Parental guidance is suggested due to language and some difficult content.

Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens (65+). Tickets can be purchased through the Hesston College Bookstore in person, by phone at 620-327-8105 or online at books.hesston.edu. Tickets will also be available at the door 30 minutes before each show and are subject to availability.

When the teacher becomes the student

Hesston College exists as a place of learning for students – academically, spiritually and socially. It’s why the college’s founders dreamt it into existence 102 years ago.

At Hesston, professors sometimes double as ones who not only teach, but also learn from students.

Business instructor, David LeVan, now in his third year at Hesston, fully embraces the idea of assessments – such as student, faculty and alumni evaluation surveys – as learning tools for improving his classes and discovering ways a new generation of students learns best.

“I am a firm believer in assessment because it is a way to visually see where improvement is needed,” said LeVan. “All criticism contains a kernel of truth, and while it’s not always fun to hear it can be a clear indicator of where change is needed.”

After his first year of teaching, students in LeVan’s Business Communication and Exploring Business classes evaluated the courses using the Individualized Developmental Education Assessment (IDEA) survey. To LeVan’s dismay, both courses scored below the Hesston College average.

LeVan wanted to ensure his students were getting the most from his courses, so he studied the survey results and addressed the areas students indicated having the most trouble or lack of comprehension. One year later, the scores from the student survey came back showing vast improvements in all areas.

“I like teaching because it allows me to continuously improve as an instructor and strengthen the content of my courses,” said LeVan. “Assessment vehicles like the IDEA survey force me to confront weaknesses and offer me the opportunity to improve and grow.”

Surveys and other self-assessment tools have been used at Hesston for many years, but were primarily locally generated until the fall of 2006 when the college made the switch to using nationally recognized and normed assessment methods like the IDEA survey.

IDEA provides institutional information, results for individual courses and measures the students’ perception of the quality of the course and instruction. Since the college’s first run with IDEA in 2006, summary results show the percent of Hesston College courses ranking above average among the other 380 two-year and four-year institutions that use the survey increased from 51 percent to 76 percent during the spring 2011 semester. IDEA states that “when this percentage exceeds 60 percent, the inference is that the college’s overall instructional effectiveness was unusually high.”

Translation: overall, Hesston College has unusually effective instructors.

“Assessment allows the faculty as a whole to identify areas we don’t meet the benchmarks we set for ourselves and find ways to improve,” said Dr. Sandra Zerger, vice president of Academics at Hesston. “Improvements do not happen automatically. It’s a process of evaluation and receiving the information and support to make changes. I think, as a whole, faculty recognize the value in assessment because they see the progress that has been made.”

“I appreciate that Hesston College encourages us to ask, ‘How can we do better?’ and then actually works toward doing better,” said LeVan.

Hesston instructors are required to use the IDEA survey in at least one course every semester. LeVan uses it in every class every semester.

“I want to track the progress of my classes,” said LeVan. “I want to find the gaps throughout the course and improve those areas from one year to the next. After my first year, I realized that my students were unclear about what I was doing in class. I redesigned my curriculum to be very outcome driven. I want my students to understand what I expect. I hope they feel empowered by that.”

The results from year one to year two indicate that the changes LeVan implemented made a difference to his students as each measured benchmark area significantly improved.

“David’s classes are never about memorization, but about understanding concepts and applying them to real life settings” said sophomore Joel Murray of Hesston, Kan. “I feel prepared in his classes because he makes sure we have a good grasp of the course content.”

In an effort to be a better resource to his advisees, LeVan also performed a transferability audit on the college’s business courses and those of schools where many Hesston students transfer. His findings gave him a clearer picture of how to guide students through their first two years of a business program and how to make the transfer process work.

“It is critical that we know what our students need to transfer and the courses they have to take in order to be successful,” LeVan said. “We have an obligation to ensure Hesston College students are well prepared to move on after two years.”

Conference explores ways to be inclusive

Pastors, students, church leaders and members and other interested people gathered for the 12th annual Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series (AVDS) at Hesston College October 28 to 30. The theme for 2011 was “Getting Beyond Them and Us – to We.”

Speaker presentations and breakout sessions with topics chosen by participants were used to discuss the tension of the church’s call to be both distinctive and open to those who are unfamiliar with Anabaptist or Mennonite theology.

Hal Shrader, pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church (Phoenix, Ariz.), pointed to Acts 15 to remind participants that cultural differences are a historical part of the church, but that those differences should not hinder the church to reach out to new people.

“We need to make space for people without burdening them or unsettling their minds,” said Shrader.

Speaking as one who was attracted to the Mennonite church because of the theology and the way he saw theology being lived out, Shrader stressed to participants that it is important for church members to remember that new people are not attracted to the Mennonite church because of the rich heritage and traditions.

“People are seeking an alternative to the mainstream culture,” said Shrader. “They come because they are attracted to what Mennonites believe and the ways those beliefs get lived out.”

Shrader, along with Joanna Shenk, associate for Interchurch Relations and Communication with Mennonite Church USA in Elkhart, Ind., and Anton Flores-Maisonet, co-founder of Alterna, a missional community of U.S. citizens and Latin American immigrants in LaGrange, Ga., were the featured speakers for the weekend.

None of the three grew up in the Mennonite tradition, but chose Anabaptist faith and theology in their adult lives. Throughout the weekend, they shared their personal stories of discovering and approaching Anabaptism and Mennonites.

Like Shrader, Flores-Maisonet was not attracted to the cultural practices that are often defined and highlighted within Mennonite communities.

“The best way to introduce new people to the church is to fully incarnate the values you claim,” said Flores-Maisonet. “I was attracted to peace and justice and diversity in the Anabaptist tradition.”

Flores-Maisonet, who grew up in the Catholic church, left his tenure-track social work faculty position at a United Methodist college to live in solidarity with unwelcomed Latin American immigrants through Alterna.

“God wove seemingly unconnected threads into my life that led me to Anabaptism,” said Flores-Maisonet. “Now I am sharing my life in a very intentional way.”

For Shenk, Mennonite worship seemed to lack the vitality she was familiar with in her evangelical upbringing.

“During my first encounters with Mennonites, I felt the theology lacked a vibrant spirituality,” said Shenk. “I wasn’t thinking about the importance of community and loving one’s neighbor and the other things that Mennonites understand and do so well. I found people in the church who would wrestle through my questions with me and I came to view a vibrant faith differently.”

Even as the speakers encouraged participants to remember the history of the Mennonite church and theology, they discussed practical ways to be inviting for those unfamiliar with it.

“Christ is the center of the Christian tradition,” said Flores-Mainsoet. “We only need to see the disagreements in the church as insignificant and keep our eyes on the prize. We have a wonderful opportunity as one stream of living water that understands that only through self-giving love can we ever understand what true reconciliation looks like.”

Participants broke into groups for several sessions to discuss topics of their choosing and that offered opportunities to share and learn from one another’s experiences in their own churches. Some topics included “Deciding what it means to be a Mennonite,” “The centrality of Jesus in a world of religious pluralism,” “How to make baptism about true conversion” and “Being a peace community in a world of violence and injustice.”

“This weekend I gained a new perspective on what it means to be Mennonite and how I probably come off to those who aren’t familiar with the church,” said Aimee Kauffman who attends Journey at Yoder (Kan.), a satellite congregation of South Hutchinson (Kan.) Mennonite Church. “It’s good to be made aware of when we might come across as exclusive and to think about effective ways to communicate our beliefs with others.”