The weekend's activities started off with a peace and justice hymn sing with well-known Mennonite song-leader and musician, Mary Oyer.

Several musicians contributed to the peace and justice hymn sing, including four participants in MCC's IVEP (International Volunteer Exchange Program) from the Great Lakes Region!

Left to right, front row - Karine Wedel from Brazil, Gissell Gaitan Bravo from Nicaragua

Left to right, back row - Tiya Sumihe from Indonesia, Mary Oyer, Amrit Rajbanshi from Nepal

Les Gustafson-Zook, MCC Great Lakes regional associate, shares information with congregational representatives who attended a special breakfast on Saturday morning.

During the business session on Saturday morning, Great Lakes staff presented their program plans for the upcoming year with the delegates. SWAP (Sharing with Appalachian People) staffers shared highlights from the past year, as well as plans for the future.

James Helmuth (from Bethany Christian High School in Goshen, Indiana) was recognized as the Great Lakes regional winner for the Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office annual essay contest. His essay, which focused on U.S. military spending and its effects internationally and domestically, won honorable mention in the national contest. He was presented with an award by Jorge Vielman, MCC Great Lakes regional associate. 

Children at the annual gathering had the opportunity to pack MCC school kits.

Meal times gave attendees the chance to fellowship and talk together informally.

Two workshop sessions were offered on Saturday, giving participants the chance to talk more about specific topics and programs. Terri Geiser, former MCC worker in El Salvador and Colombia, led a workshop about her experiences creating quilts with women's groups and the direct correlation with trauma healing.

Other workshops focused on immigration response/reform, sand dams and savings groups in Mozambique, SALT and IVEP programs, Foods Resource Bank, war tax resistance, Penny Power and MCC's educational resources.

Zenebe Abebe was presented as MCC Great Lakes executive director, after the board approved his appointment on Friday. A prayer of blessing was offered for him as he begins his new position at the beginning of April.

Blankets and comforters were brought as an offering during the worship service on Saturday afternoon. A prayer of blessing was given for them to bring warmth and comfort to the people who will receive them.

Arli Klassen, executive director of MCC, shared a moving sermon on "A table of sharing". She challenged us to think about how we can share freely and invite everyone to the table. 

The worship service closed with the opportunity for everyone to share together in communion.

The weekend's events gave time to connect with friends - both old and new.

Nadine Zook Miller (left), MCC Great Lakes material resources coordinator, and Vilma Padilla, MCC Great Lakes Board member, share a laugh together.

We are extremely grateful to Kern Road Mennonite Church for their hospitality in hosting this event. We were blessed by your servant hearts.

We look forward to another great gathering next year!