Mennonite Heritage Sunday: New Resource Suggestions
by Anneli Loepp Thiessen and Katie Graber
Mennonite Heritage Sunday has been celebrated in some communities since the 1970s, when it was proposed as a way to recognize important moments in church history. Commemorated on the last Sunday of October, it coincides with Reformation Sunday. Beyond choosing music and words from historically white Mennonite communities in Europe and North America, Mennonite Heritage Sunday is an opportunity to consider the development of Mennonite heritage both historically and presently in communities around the world. Voices Together features many recently-written resources suitable for this service, including some new translations and musical settings of historic words. As you choose resources for October 30, consider selecting items that reflect Mennonite heritage in underrepresented communities, exemplify a range of musical expressions of Mennonite heritage, and elevate the voices of Mennonite women. A few examples are included here, or for more ideas check out the Anabaptist Contributors video series on MennoMedia’s YouTube channel.
“Creation Is A Song” (VT 181) - The lyrics for this piece are based on writings by Lawrence Hart, a Mennonite pastor and Peace Chief who has been influential for Mennonites as a peacekeeper and earthkeeper. The inspiration for “Creation Is a Song” is from his 2000 book Creation and the Environment, which was published by the Mennonite Environmental Task Force. Lenora Hart Holliman, Lawrence’s sister, translated the refrain to Cheyenne and advised songwriters Doug and Jude Krehbiel on pronunciation, as well as the musical setting.
“Be a Sower” (VT 789) - This is a piece that reflects the next generation of Mennonite theologians and songwriters, written by the staff at Camps With Meaning, Mennonite Church Manitoba’s camp ministry. The song was written in 2013, based around the camp theme for the summer. It reflects Anabaptist peace theology with the call to “join in God’s circle of peace.”
“God Dearly Loves Us” (VT 1056) - This worship resource is found in the sending section of the hymnal, and works well as a benediction. It is written by Maeyken Boosers, an Anabaptist woman who was burned at the stake in 1564.
“Peace Be With You! Jesus Told His Friends” (VT 165) - Suggested for inclusion in Voices Together by Mennonite congregation Chin Emmanuel Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, this song is thought to be one of the first Christian songs written in the Chin language. The tune shows influence from Western missionary gospel singing, and can be accompanied with guitar or other instruments. The text speaks of Jesus’ peace and God’s provision.
“Jesus Christ Is Love Divine” (VT 749) - This piece is a contemporary setting of words penned by Pilgrim Marpeck, an important Anabaptist leader who lived in the 16th century. Nathan Grieser, a Mennonite pastor and songwriter, set the words to music. The simple melody is easily led from guitar or piano.
“Kombo na Yesu (The Name of Jesus)” (VT 648) - Written by Congolese American Stockwell Massamba, member of Mennonite congregation Wholicare Community Missionary Church, this song celebrates the centrality of Jesus as “the name above all names.” Voices Together includes two harmonized sections of this songs, along with a keyboard accompaniment. See this video to hear Massamba introduce the song and hear the full song, which she wrote using Lingala and French languages.
“Shared Convictions of Mennonite World Conference” (VT 925) - This statement was shared by Mennonite World Conference in 2006, and features seven theological beliefs that are shared in common across Mennonites around the world. The Worship Leader Edition includes several ideas for how to use this resource in worship, including reading an excerpt as a congregation, alternating readers, singing a short song as response between sections, or adapting portions to use for different parts of the service (such as call to worship, sending, offering, etc.).