Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in the U.S. invites its supporters and the public to join a livestreamed celebration of its 100 years of ministry on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 6:50 p.m. Celebration 2020: MCC at 100 will include videos, storytelling, music, and a message from longtime MCC leader and pastor Leonard Dow of Philadelphia.
The celebration also will include stories of MCC's history told by storyteller Ken Sensenig, who is assistant director of MCC East Coast. Marcella Hostetler of Lancaster, who taught music in schools and directed music in churches for 30 years, is coordinating musical performances for the event in cooperation with a variety of musicians.
This event replaces an in-person, multi-day celebration that was originally scheduled for June in Lancaster County. That event was postponed due to the pandemic and is now a livestreamed service only. Participants can join the celebration at http://www.mcc.org/celebration-2020. Video recordings of the event, subtitled in English and Spanish, will be posted at the same link a few days after the event.
As the keynote speaker, Dow will reflect on the challenges MCC has experienced over the past 100 years and the strengths God developed in the organization as a result. With inspiration from Scripture, he will encourage MCC to use its best self to step boldly into the next century of ministry. Dow is a former MCC staff member and board leader.
MCC began in 1920 when groups of Mennonites and Mennonite Brethren formed a committee to provide food and other assistance to people affected by war and famine in southern Russia which is present-day Ukraine. Today, MCC provides humanitarian relief, encourages sustainable development, and strengthens peacebuilding initiatives in more than 50 countries.
To coincide with the celebration, MCC is inviting congregations to receive a special offering to support MCC's ministry. Congregations are welcome to plan offerings at their convenience. More details are available at http://www.mcc.org/centennial/offering.
To learn more and sign up for a calendar reminder, readers may visit mcc.org/celebration-2020.
Leave a Review