Author Archives: Ruth Harder

Hanna Hochstetler has written an open letter to the Rainbow congregation. In this letter she reflects on her sermon from October 21, whereby she addressed the difficult realities of sexual violence. Her sharing triggered an unexpected response from someone listening … Continue reading →

On November 4 (All Saints’ Sunday),  we will gather in the Rainbow Remembrance Garden around 11:45 am in order to place an engraved brick in honor of Frank Ward, long-time Rainbow pastor.  It’s a beautiful time to be in the … Continue reading →

In preparation for Frank Ward’s funeral service this coming Saturday, I’ve been looking through church archives. (Frank was Rainbow’s pastor  1975-1998.) I was pleased to find two statements shared at two different times of pastoral transition at Rainbow. Neither of … Continue reading →

Imagine volunteering at a second-hand store, sorting through donation bins. One day you find a marionette of a Mexican man in a sombrero or a board game called “Challenge the Chief,” with Indian caricatures on the box. What do you … Continue reading →

I interrupt this regularly scheduled program for this important story about watermelons. “I feel like the Queen of the Winter Prom,” wrote my mother-in-law Diana, “or the drum majorette, or at least Vanna White. If nothing good ever happens to … Continue reading →

Recently I attended a preaching workshop led by Carolyn Helsel called “Anxious to Preach about Racism: Guidance for White Pastors.” Among her many helpful comments, she said that her goal as a white preacher was to increase her racial response … Continue reading →

I decided to do some field research this week. Literally. I did sermon and Bible research (Ephesians 4:1-16) while sitting in a Flint Hills field. In the process, I reflected on this prairie piece written by my dad, Keith Harder. … Continue reading →

Thank you, Rosi Penner Kaufman, for this reflection as we approach World Refugee Day, June 20, 2018.  This past Sunday during our time of praying together we sang these words from a hymn by John Bell and Graham Maule: If … Continue reading →

“..Let us run with perseverance the race set before us…” –From Hebrews 12:1 Rainbow Mennonite Church congregant Aaron Barnhart has what you might call “running fever.” He lives to run. Or is it that running is helping him to live? … Continue reading →