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Arli Klassen, Executive Director - Daring to hope
 
Daring to hope!  That is where I'm at.  I've worried about 2 things since the beginning of this process:  Can all those who need to make these decisions actually agree on any substantive change?  And, will the changes affirm MCC's Christian/Anabaptist convictions, and move MCC into a post-colonial era?  I am afraid about being stymied by process.  And, I have been afraid that I will not be able to get excited about the direction of change.  Well, I am daring to hope, on both counts, after the June Summit!  The Summit brought together representatives from all 12 boards and a number of denominational leaders, and they came to remarkable agreement during the Summit.  And, I am excited by the directions the changes would take MCC - clear affirmation for MCC's calling, and a clear desire for moving towards structures that share ownership with the global Anabaptist family.  I am daring to hope that all together, as the Body of Christ gathered to discern the church's call to MCC, that we can and will do this.  Praise be to God!
 
Don Peters, Executive Director - A new 'wineskin' for new 'wine'
 
It's really quite remarkable.  We came from different places and agreed on the foundational statements that will anchor the work of MCC over the next decades, statements we are calling the 'wine.'  Then, with good debate, we agreed on four principles that will determine how MCC is structured in order to move towards its vision.  These principles will give the 'wineskin' its texture:

We are committed to respectful relationship and potential partnership within the global Anabaptist community.   We are committed to a centre that will serve as the centripetal force of MCC, guarding its identity, purpose and vision wherever MCC work occurs.  We are committed to the principle that MCC in Canada and MCC in the United States will take their places at the table, not as one, dominant, Binational body, but as two inter-dependent entities, engaged in respectful partnership and invitational to others. 

This is a new 'wineskin' for new 'wine!'  I believe it has strong potential to engage MCC's constituency in new and exciting ways and do more good for more people.  With Arli, I am daring to hope! 
 
 
Rolando Santiago, Executive Director - Jubilation springs forth from tension
 

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.  Luke 2:33.

Simeon, an elderly righteous and devout man, had just praised God for the privilege of seeing baby Jesus whom Simeon saw as ... your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples. Luke 2:30-31.  Mary and Joseph were amazed.

I stand amazed at the results of the New Wine, New Wineskins Summit in Hillsboro, Kansas, and the promise for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to grow in its witness to Jesus, who represents God’s incarnation of salvation for all people.  This is a salvation that brings hope, justice and peace for humankind and creation.  It is a salvation that compels us to serve as agents of change in fulfillment of God’s plan for jubilee – right relationships in the world.

Once ratified through agreement among ourselves and the church, we will soon be guided by statements of identity, purpose, vision, priorities, approaches, values, and convictions – the “new wine.”  We will be structured through principles that will make the whole of MCC more faithful and effective than it has been – the “new wineskins.”   

We have been encouraged to “sing” the song of the “new wine” and the “new wineskins.”

My song is one of jubilation.  It is real and heartfelt because it springs forth from the tensions between brokenness and forgiveness, pain and joy, death and resurrection.  I experience these tensions within my heart and across relationships in our MCC, Anabaptist and partner communities.  

The most poignant tensions seem to include:

   1. How to embrace our identity as followers of Christ, and celebrate the church as the vehicle through which Christ brings salvation to the world – through hope, justice and peace?
   2. How to fulfill a vision of bringing about right relationship with God, one another and creation among world communities without being distracted by our human tendency to create destructive differences through power, money, nation, race and gender?

Our song of jubilation is strong, beautiful and inspiring when we work hard to resolve our tensions.  May we all allow God’s Spirit to guide us, move us and heal us!  May our discernment, prayer and worship of God in community lead to the courage to reconcile, and then join in the song of jubilation!