printer-friendly

San Jose Convention

Mennonite Church USA Convention
June 3-7, 2007

In conjunction with this year’s convention theme, “Live the Call,” the Bethel College exhibit booth – complete with scaffolding, hard hats, paint spatters and ladders – put into practice an ethic of service.

For the first time in convention history, Bethel, along with help from Mennonite youth from across the country, donated its booth promotional budget to four Mennonite mission and service organizations. Mennonite youth attendees were given tear-off tickets in advance and were encouraged to visit the Bethel booth daily to drop off one of the four tickets into the collection bin. The more tickets collected, the more money (up to $1,000) was divided among the four service organizations. The youth also signed four giant canvases to be given to the following organizations at the time the checks are presented:

• Hopi Mission School, established in 1951 in Kykotsmovi, Ariz., serves children in kindergarten through sixth grade. It depends on volunteer teachers. (See photo of check delivery.)
• Mennonite Urban Corps in Los Angeles places new college graduates in the city to explore the impact of urban life on their career choices, lifestyles and faith. (See photo of check delivery.)
• Goldensun Peace Ministries of Glendale, Ariz., has a mission of intentional community-building between volunteers and adult residents with developmental and other disabilities. (See photo of check delivery.)
• Chosen from a random drawing from all tickets entered, the Harrisonburg (Va.) Mennonite Church youth group earned the right to name a service organization as one of the beneficiaries. The group chose Cornerstone Christian Academy, a K-8 school for families of southwest Philadelphia.

Based on the college’s ongoing mission as well as feedback from convention attendees (see below), organizers of the booth hope to continue the theme of service at future conventions.

Excerpts from the Bethel guestbook in San Jose

• “This is an amazing way to give to those in need.”
• “I think that the Bethel booth at San Jose has the best idea. It’s cool to get stuff, but it’s so awesome to do God’s work in this way. What a wonderful idea. May God bless you.”
• “The Bethel booth is where it’s at!”
• “Great idea! I much prefer this to getting a bunch of junk I’ll throw away when I get home.”
• “I enjoy the practical application of stewardship.”
• “Way to go! Your mission rocks.”
• “This idea is excellent and is a positive alternative to ‘freebies.’ “
• “It’s awesome. I so want to go to Bethel College in two years now!”
• “What a great idea! Thank you for a way to help us live what we say – even as we encourage each other to consider a ‘church school’ education.”
• “Thanks so much for a truly creative, innovative and inspiring booth! It makes me proud to be a Bethel alumnus to see us willing to try new concepts that hold close to what we really believe is important. Thank you for continuing to shine the light!”

Other convention happenings

In addition to Bethel staff and students hosting a booth in the exhibit hall, a number of students, staff and alumni represented the college in other ways at convention. The popular Bethel men's a capella ensemble Open Road performed several times. Dale Schrag, director of Church Relations, portrayed Menno Simons during a youth seminar. And President Barry C. Bartel participated in a panel seminar on higher education. Prior to the convention, Bartel and his wife, Brenda Bartel, traveled to Reedley, Calif., for the Voices from the Valley tour, to engage in conversation with migrant field workers.