Mennonites gather for exploration of “Move in faith: dancing in the stream”

Under the theme “Move in faith: dancing in the stream,” they also discovered the history of the Netherlands. 

The gathering, called CMERK! combined two abbreviations: a German abbreviation, MERK, standing for “Mennonitische Europäische Regional Konferenz,” and a French abbreviation, CME, for “Conférence Mennonite Européenne.” The word CMERK combines both abbreviations in order to honor both languages.

Speakers from Ukraine, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland offered sermons in morning services, with message of not only going with the flow but also to move against the tide. In the evening, “glimpses of God” were shared—glimpses of wondering, touching moments, that were experienced during CMERK. In the closing prayer bread and wine were shared as well as blessings for each other.

During their time together, participants filled 1,500 relief boxes for people in Ukraine. The boxes included hygiene products as well as handmade quilts crafted by Mennonite communities in the Netherlands.

Miekje Spoelder, chairperson of the Mennonite Conference in the Netherlands, said: “There was a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere. Among the participants, ages two to 92, the presence of God was felt in the reunions but also while filling a container with relief goods for Ukraine.”