Author Archives: Ruth Harder

Inspired by the Olympics, last Sunday the postlude at Rainbow Mennonite consisted of Karen Goering Hostetler playing several measures from a number of national anthems: Australia, Canada, China, Columbia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico, Japan, Vietnam, and representing USA, she played … Continue reading →

During the first week of August, we at Rainbow have the great honor of hosting Executive Director of Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), Rev. Kristin Stoneking. Her schedule is as follows on Wednesday, August 3: 5-6:30 pm: Young Adult potluck with … Continue reading →

Sometimes I find myself in the middle of a white lie, uttering diplomatic words out of politeness, speaking well-intentioned untruths. I know I’m not alone. And much to my own regret and dismay I, a cisgender white woman, sometimes find … Continue reading →

On Tuesday, May 3 soon after his 94th birthday, John Bush joined about 180 WWII veterans and their guardians on a one-day trip to Washington, DC, to visit several war memorials and monuments sponsored by the Heartland Honor Flight Organization. … Continue reading →

It was late Saturday night, or Pentecost-Eve (May 14) as I like to call it. All week I had been on the lookout for a modern-day Pentecost story—evidence that, as Molly T. Marshall writes, the Spirit of God is at work … Continue reading →

“Let all creation praise,” a phrase inspired by Psalm 147, will be repeated often at Rainbow. That’s because one of our current worship projects is experimenting with how to impart more meaning to outdoor spaces. A guiding question will be: How might we … Continue reading →

This Sunday, June 12, Hyattsville Mennonite Church is holding a Celebration of Welcome, focused on celebrating 30 years of being a welcoming congregation to LGBTQIA people. As stated in their June 5  bulletin, they “envision this as a time to … Continue reading →

“How tall is your friend, Isaac Villegas?” asked one of our Rainbow Mennonite quilters. She wanted to know his measurements for the Rainbow stole she was making him. The response in my head went something like: No matter Isaac’s measurements, … Continue reading →

The Ministry Inquiry Program (MIP) of Mennonite Church USA is a summer service-learning experience designed for college-age young adults to explore pastoral ministry and test their own gifts and sense of call. For 11 weeks, participants work under the supervision … Continue reading →

On May 14, Je T’aime Taylor demonstrated great courage when she invited friends and family to join her in an act of communal remembering, grieving, and honoring of her stillborn son Adisa Baraka Osayande-Taylor.  As one of her friends put … Continue reading →