As a Christian community, called to peacemaking and reconciliation, we affirm that people of any race, ethnic identity, gender, who are gay or straight, of any ability, age, or economic status, are welcome to full participation in our congregation.
As part of our summer of creation, we’re encouraging everyone at Raleigh Mennonite to pick up one (or more!) new practice(s) to try for the summer. You might want to try one practice for a few weeks to try it out. Or you might try one practice for a month at a time. Whatever you […]
Jane Sprague (nee Sara Jane Smith) died peacefully on July 3, 2023 at the home of her daughter Janet in Raleigh, NC. She was born in New Kensington, PA on October 25, 1926 to Lillian McDonough Smith and Robert Wylie Smith. She is survived by her six children Joseph Sprague (Gretchen) Denver, CO, Janet Fields […]
Raleigh Mennonite continues to grow in its understanding of the bountiful love that God has for all of creation, in all of its diversity, as embodied in the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. During the 2022-23 year we have endeavored to deepen our understanding of our role as a mostly white congregation, with the […]
As part of our year-long grant to study anti-racist worship practices, RMC hosted a panel on the intersections and fractures in Mennonite Church USA. We had more than 160 folks join us on Wednesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. for an online discussion of the ways race and sexuality are utilized for division and the […]
On June 16-17, leaders and volunteers connected with Southeast Raleigh Table, Raleigh Mennonite, and St. Ambrose Episcopal are teaming up to offer a Friday evening/Saturday “Peace Camp” focused on anti-racism for elementary-aged children. Modeled after we-are’s proven curriculum for their summertime camps, Peace Camp’s vision is “to build a healthier and more racially just tomorrow, […]
RMCers from the anti-racism team went to Washington DC to continue to learn from churches about how they are integrating anti-racist practices into worship as part of our year-long Vital Worship grant. Many thanks to new friends at Washington Community Fellowship, The Table, Community House Church, and Christ City Church for sharing with us!
A peak into a special part of the service for the youngest members of our community when Melissa shares with them how much God loves them. Take a listen!
Just as the COVID-19 delta variant is picking up steam, we met in person for the first time at our new location, Shepherd’s Hall at Church of the Good Shepherd on August 8. We started sharing space with them this summer and Melissa has an office in their office suite. It was great to worship […]
You don’t go down into the waters of Jordan without stirring up a great deal of mud… if being baptized is being led to where Jesus is, then being baptized is being led towards the chaos and the neediness of a humanity that has forgotten its own destiny” – Rowan Williams
During the summer of 2021 we will continue the tradition of Brunch and Hymns at Pullen Park. Given the pandemic, however, this year will be a bit different, with less emphasis on the brunch part… On the first Sundays in May, June and July we’ll meet at Pullen Park’s shelter #3. On the first Sunday […]
This Advent we are delighted to host Carole Baker’s art installation, Mary: The Paper Doll Project. Baker created four life-size Marys representing four Marian visitations from around the world. This exhibit is interactive as the outer garments are interchangeable. You’ll be able to change them, just like a giant paper doll. Baker created the exhibit to explore the universality and particularity of […]
On Nov 22, from 2-5 we’ll have an Advent wreath making workshop. We’ll use those wreaths as part of Zoom worship throughout Advent. We’ll be outdoors, in the circle drive in front of Church of the Good Shepherd. We’ll have six tables each session. Each table can hold one group of 3+, or two smaller groups (couples or singles). Our […]
Raleigh Mennonite folks enjoy singing, though that’s hard to do during the pandemic while we meet on Sundays via Zoom. That hasn’t kept a few in the RMC Vocal Ensemble from making music. Thanks to the talents of David and Rosene, the ensemble has created videos of a number of songs, with each person recording […]
by Jackie ParkerA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series. One Sunday, during the sharing portion of our worship, I revealed I was having a hard time—that the pandemic, fear for people’s health, and physical distancing were taking a toll—and with no end in sight, I was starting to feel […]
By David and Rosene Rohrer, with photo by Karin Shank Having learned from each other about the variety of ways communion is celebrated around the world, we easily adjusted to observing this important practice from our homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020. One Sunday for our virtual service (via Zoom) we each chose […]
This Sunday was unique for RMC, just as it was for many others throughout the world during the pandemic we’re living through. But our worship service brought us together in ways we could not have otherwise been together. Each Sunday since holding our services via Zoom we’ve had the opportunity to be joined together with […]
Sojourners recently published an article, “Fasting from Food Waste in a Season of Hoarding,” that features a core group from Raleigh Mennonite Church who have made a commitment this Lenten season to reduce food waste as a spiritual practice. Little did the group know when Lent started that this season would land us in the […]
Melissa Florer-BixlerSermon from March 29, 2020 worship service, held via ZoomJohn 11The spoken version of the message, without notes, is also available on the podcast. One of the parts of our faith that is most important to me is the affirmation that God has something to do with the world. And if God has something […]
As another aspect of RMC’s A Year at the Table, we had the pleasure of having Dr. Malinda Berry join us on February 15 and 16, providing input on our Mennonite theology of Communion, asking new questions for Communion practice, and helping create a robust and living theology of table as a local community. She […]
During renovations to the building at 1116 N. Blount St., we are meeting for Sunday School and Worship at Fletcher Academy’s campus at 400 Cedarview Ct., north of Millbrook between Six Forks and Falls of the Neuse. Here are a few images from our first Sunday there, Feb. 2, 2020.
Sunday, January 26, marked our last day worshiping at 1116 N. Blount St. for at least six months. Here are a few photos from the last service and the move out process that took place afterward. We will be meeting for worship at Fletcher Academy at 300 Cedarview Ct. while the building is being renovated. […]
by David Rohrer Throughout history communion has been wrought with conflict. Heated debate focused on: Who can participate? Who can officiate? What’s required to prepare for communion? What elements are used? What process occurs in those who partake? Is Christ in the host (bread) or only there with his “real presence?” Is communion necessary for […]
by David Rohrer Below are highlights from my reading of Laurel Marshall’s masters thesis regarding the practice of communion and baptism in Christian base communities in El Salvador: The role of liberation theology in informing communion and baptism. The emphasis on sharing and inclusiveness in practicing the communion. Caring for one another as being a way […]
by Shannon Hess Our short time in El Salvador left me with a lot to process and a lot to reflect on, much of which I haven’t even tried to begin to put into words. I can’t honestly say that I really put much thought into Communion before our congregation started asking questions and making […]
