First hymn in new Mennonite hymnal will again be by a Catholic

A recent article in the Mennonite World Review answers a few questions about Voices Together, the new hymnal that the Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada plan to release this fall. Chief among them: What will be hymn no. 1?

Bridgefolk participants have noted approvingly that the first words of hymn in the current Mennonite hymnal, released in 1992 — “What is this place?” — were penned by the then-Catholic-priest Huub Oosterhuis of the Netherlands.

The new hymnal will again open with a text written by a Catholic, Sister Delores Dufner OSB, a member of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Dufner has participated in Bridgefolk conferences and spoke on a panel concerning hospitality in 2006.

Duffner’s text, “Summoned by the God Who Made Us,” is being set to the tune “Nettleton” (best known as the tune to “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessingj”). The refrain:

Let us bring the gifts that differ
and, in splendid, varied ways,
sing a new church into being,
one in faith and love and praise.

Anointing Jesus’ Feet: Mary’s Example

By Elizabeth Soto Albrecht

The Gospel of John serves as a genesis. The writer makes a clear case that Jesus, the Word made flesh, was here from the beginning. The Logos, the Word, was here just as love is before service. The public ministry of Jesus, according to the Gospel of John, reaches its climax with the act of Lazarus’ resurrection. This event instigates the plot to kill Jesus and eliminate Lazarus as the living evidence of Jesus’ power over death. The Gospel of John places this miracle at the end of the first part of the narrative about Jesus’ life.

In John 12, Jesus and Lazarus are not taking the main roles, though. That role belongs to Mary; she has center stage. Her anointing of Jesus is an act, as some have stated, of “pure extravagance.” But for Judas it is “a waste, and could have been used for the poor.” In reality the writer wants the reader not to guess what is behind Judas’ comments. He wants the reader to see Judas’ hunger for money and his desire for attention.

But Judas forgets that it is a poor woman performing this prophetic act. She gives all she has as an act of gratitude. For Mary, it is an act of solidarity—“acompañamiento,” as Central Americans would say. The writer gives us the theological meaning of “anticipation of Jesus’ death.”

The full column, parts of which are adapted from Albrecht’s presentation at the 2014 Bridgefolk conference, can be read at Mennonite Church USA.

Letter to Pope Francis from Mennonite Church USA

March 21, 2013

His Holiness, Pope Francis I
The Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican City State
EUROPE

Your Holiness:

On behalf of Mennonite Church USA, we offer heartfelt blessings to you in the new ministry to which you have been called. We are grateful for your choice of a name that reminds us of Francis of Assisi, a follower of Jesus who loved peace, cared for the poor, and cherished creation. We are heartened by your choice to live humbly and simply and by your desire to reach across boundaries to people of faith in many traditions. Most of all, we appreciate your profound commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the years ahead we hope that relationships between Roman Catholics and Mennonites will continue to be strengthened. We commit ourselves to pray for you and for our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers.

May you be blessed with abundant wisdom to guide the church, with strength to persevere even in daunting and difficult times, and with a loving shepherd’s heart as you represent the church in the world. May God grant you a long and joyous ministry!

Yours in Christ,

Richard Thomas, moderator, Mennonite Church USA

Ervin Stutzman, executive director, Mennonite Church USA

cc:
Secretariat of State, the Vatican
Fr. John Crossin, OSFS, USCCB Secretariat of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs