A significant part of Mennonite faith is to help the needy. Most Mennonite denominations support relief efforts through an “alphabet soup” of non-profit relief organizations.
Mennonite Relief Organizations
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) crosses Mennonite denominational boundaries to provide “disaster relief, relief, sustainable community development and justice and peace-building” internationally. MCC’s first task was to assist the Russian Mennonite immigrants to North America in the 1920s. It continues to provide relief efforts around the world, especially by partnering with local organizations.
MCC provides assistance in a many projects around the world. In November 2010 their web site listed projects in 17 African, 12 Asian, 8 European, 10 Latin American and Caribbean, and 7 Middle-East countries, as well as the United States and Canada.
In mid-November of 2010, for example, MCC issued a news release describing their efforts for emergency relief in Indonesia. Partnering with the local Mennonite Diakonial Service, two disasters needed assistance. The volcanic eruption of Mount Merapi affected some 380,000 people in Java. On Papua, the village of Rado lost over 70 people to a flash flood.
National and regional divisions of MCC ensure grassroots support from local Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches. This support includes the efforts of volunteers to organize and hold fund-raising efforts including annual "relief sales" and profits from "thrift stores".
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is “a volunteer network through which various constituencies of the Anabaptist church can respond to those affected by disasters in Canada and the United States”. MDS participated in cleanup efforts after Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes and tornados.
Their Nov. 19, 2010 report for New Orleans noted that one American was added to an “totally Canadian group” of volunteers working to repair or rebuild homes. In addition to emergency relief work, MDS partners with Canadian Mennonite University and Hesston College in Kansas to provide academic programs concerning disaster recovery and disaster management.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) helps people move from poverty to self-sustaining small business ownership. They partner with development agencies such as CIDA, USAID, World Vision and many others.
One current MEDA project assists Afghan women with micro-loans. One project’s goal is to enhance rice production, handling and marketing. Another deals with textiles: to align existing skills with greater awareness of market requirements, storage and handling techniques, and improving business management.
Mennonite Service Agencies
The Canadian Mennonite Voluntary Service Adventure (MVSA) “encourages people from a variety of backgrounds to join together in Christian service”. Generally the volunteers are young adults; for some this is an alternative to military service. The volunteers live together; typical assignments last approximate one year, and are coordinated by a local congregation.
The Toronto unit, for example, had typically supplied one or more volunteers for the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. Whether assisting with carpentry or supervising the many local volunteers, these MVSA volunteers helped people who otherwise would not be able to afford their own homes. Although the Toronto unit closed in 2011, the programme still operates in a few other Canadian cities.
In the United States, Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) has a program structure somewhat like MVSA. One unit, for example, lives and works in the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. Their volunteers at the Mission School help with educating children up to grade 6. This particular partnership has continued for over five decades.
Mennonite Service is Rooted with Menno Simons
Menno Simons, the Anabaptist leader for whom the Mennonite denomination is named, wrote that "true evangelical faith...cannot lie dormant, but manifests itself in all righteousness and works of love...it clothes the naked; it feeds the hungry; it comforts the sorrowful; it shelters the destitute..." [1].
While much of his above statement also dealt with personal righteousness, his vision for serving the needy became a rallying call for many Mennonites over the centuries.
Reference:
[1] The Complete Writings of Menno Simons, excerpted from Gerald J. Mast's "True Evangelical Faith and the Gospel of Peace" speech in March 2011, referenced Jan. 20, 2012.
Mike DeHaan - Copyright (c) Mike DeHaan, B. Math., of DeHaan Services. Well written and well researched freelance articles; ghost writing for clients.
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