The Soil & Seed Project, Vol 2 Coming Soon!

Anabaptist artists offer free faith formation resource for Lent, Easter

Second volume of music and faith formation resources provided at no-cost to over 1,500 families

HARRISONBURG, Virginia: The Soil and the Seed Project today announced the upcoming release of The Soil and the Seed Project: Vol. 2 // Lent – Easter – Pentecost, a collection of music, artwork, and “Little Liturgies” that follows the liturgical calendar. Vol. 2 // Lent – Easter – Pentecost is a free faith-formation resource and offers new ways to establish daily and weekly rhythms of faith during the seasons of Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.

“We wanted to help. We kept hearing from friends, churches, and church leaders how tricky it has been because so much of their lives and faith practices were turned upside down. The last two years revealed a real need for theologically-rich resources, accessible to people wanting to establish new habits around faith throughout the week,” says Seth Crissman, project director at The Seed and the Soil Project. “People listen to the songs while they do the dishes or ride in the car on the way to the store. They read the ‘Little Liturgies’ after a meal around the table or
before bed. This project helps us turn towards Jesus and believe the Good News in little, ordinary moments.”

The Soil and The Seed Project: Vol. 2 // Lent – Easter – Pentecost includes:

• 12 mostly original songs, including songs featuring nearly a dozen verses of direct scripture quotations, centuries-old hymn texts, and brand new compositions;
• 10 different musicians, including artists like the Walking Roots Band and Eastern Mennonite University’s Chamber Choir;
• 14 “Little Liturgies,” featuring short prayers, litanies, questions to explore/practice listening and sharing, as well as spiritual practices that follow the liturgical calendar from a team of three writers and featuring the work of two visual artists
• Available in physical (CD and print), digital (mp3 and PDF files), and mobile-friendly formats
• All offered free (not sold) to individuals, families, churches, and communities of faith through partnership with VMMissions (vmmissions.org) and the generosity of many individuals and communities

Vol. 2 // Lent – Easter – Pentecost will be available starting February 25, and materials can be requested free of charge via email (thesoilandtheseedproject@gmail.com) or the project website. For more information on The Soil and the Seed Project: Vol. 2 // Lent – Easter – Pentecost, visit www.thesoilandtheseedproject.org.

The Soil and the Seed Project was established in 2021 to nurture faith through music, art, and Little Liturgies for daily and weekly use in the home, following the liturgical calendar. These resources help establish new rhythms of faith as together we turn towards Jesus, believing and celebrating the Good News of God’s Love for the whole world. The project is a gift to the church, given freely to any individual or community who wants it (not sold). Learn more at www.thesoilandtheseedproject.org.

Anabaptist Collaboration on Climate Change

Leadership from 18 Anabaptist organizations in the United States and Canada convened at the Anabaptist Collaboration on Climate Change (ACCC) on Jan. 26 and 27 to address what many consider a moral emergency. 

Those gathered drafted a statement that was later signed by the majority of the participating organizations: “As organizations founded on Christian faith in the Anabaptist tradition, we recognize the significant threat to global communities, economic justice, and the next generations from climate change. We are committed to explore our work and mission in support of sustainable and just climate solutions.”

Congregations, Equity, and Justice in Action 

The Center for Congregations is offering a virtual workshop that may be of interest to pastors and congregational leaders on either February 17 or February 24 from 12:30-2:00pm. This is the description from their website:

“From small towns that were once labeled “sundown” to urban areas where high poverty, gentrification, and limited workforce opportunities characterize the neighborhoods outside the doors of historic houses of faith, Indiana is increasingly becoming a state where diversity is growing and ministry needs are expanding. How can congregations leverage their spiritual gifts and available data to make impact, particularly as COVID-19 concerns persist? This interactive workshop will provide participants with tools to assess and begin to address their congregational capacity to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with GOD and their neighbors.”

Mennonite Men Offering Oregon Eco-Excursion

A week-long excursion to explore outdoor wild spaces, learn about forests in ecosystems of God’s creation, and help with newly planted trees along the Zena Forest.

In June, 2022, Mennonite Men will host an eight-day eco-excursion in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The June 11- 19 trip provides an opportunity for a different kind of vacation that will give participants an opportunity to explore outdoor wild spaces and learn about forests and ecosystems in God’s creation.

The excursion will include hiking in temperate rainforests, kayaking on the Salmon River Estuary, working on a Zena Forest tree-planting project, whale-watching along Oregon’s coast, and staying in an old-growth forest at Drift Creek Camp. This venture will be an experience for men to be in the wild together and work with a tree project supported by Mennonite Men to convert pasture to forestland.

Details & Registration

Pandemic Stress and the Power of Resilience

The current pandemic is undermining the mental and emotional wellbeing of many individuals, families, organizations, and churches. Combined with the rising tide of anger and division in society, debilitating levels of stress and anxiety are being reported. We need proven strategies and effective tools to successfully manage life and serve others. Join us as we bring the best of scientific research and biblical concepts together to develop a lifestyle of resilience and peace.

Mennonite Health Services (MHS) will host an online workshop Feb 8 from 2:00-3:00pm, Pandemic Stress and the Power of Resilience. If you cannot attend at that time, have no fear, if you register MHS will send you a link to watch at your convenience. I encourage you to also share this with your team mates as you see fit. MHS webinars are offered as a service to our broader community and there is no charge to attend.