ELKHART, Indiana (Mennonite Church USA) — MennoCon23, Mennonite Church USA’s (MC USA) leading faith formation event, in Kansas City (Missouri) Convention Center, July 3-6, 2023, will host a variety of engaging exhibitors throughout the week. The 26 exhibitors will include Anabaptist organizations, colleges and missions.
Lisa Lehman, project manager for MennoCon23, said, “Everyone should plan to visit the exhibits of Mennonite Church USA agencies, schools and other Mennonite-related organizations throughout the week. Not only will you learn something new, but you also will not want to miss the swag, food and other interactive components planned throughout the week.”
MC USA’s exhibit will feature a photo booth spot, where attendees can take selfies, interact with staff members and learn more about the work of the denomination.
MennoCon23 attendees are sure to find plenty of interaction and connection with other Anabaptist organizations. Youth are encouraged to network with Anabaptist colleges and organizations, while adults can find new ways of serving and engaging with their Anabaptist community.
Michael Danner, executive director of Mennonite Education Association (MEA), said, “MennoCon23 is an excellent opportunity for youth to see first-hand what MC USA is all about! I am particularly excited about the presence of Mennonite Higher Education Association schools – like AMBS, Bethel, Bluffton, EMU/EMS, Hesston and Goshen! Representatives from each school will be present and can answer all your questions about getting a quality Anabaptist education.” Danner also serves as associate executive director of MC USA.
Jennifer Schrock, director of Mennonite Creation Care Network (MCCN), said, “I am excited to be there because our booth will have tie-ins to the Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit. It will be a way that adults of all ages can feel connected to what the youth are doing.”
MCCN is inviting attendees of any age to bring a stone from their watersheds or from a place that is special to them. These will be used during the worship services at the Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit. Attendees can write the name of their watershed on their stone or a word of hope. The stones can be pebble to fist sized.
“Eastern Mennonite University representatives are gearing up to be a resource for past, present and future Royals at MennoCon23! We look forward to creating a welcoming space for all to explore EMU’s programs and opportunities,” said Jacob Horsley, Eastern Mennonite University undergraduate admissions counselor.
Micah Brickner, communications director of Eastern Mennonite Missions, said, “We are eager to interact with MennoCon attendees that support mission workers and/or want to explore experiences in cross-cultural service.” There will also be some exhibitors with exciting overflow activities in a separate area of the convention center. Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) will display The Storm Encounter, a mobile theatre providing a multi-sensory disaster experience. The animated video shows a tornado barreling across the prairie. Viewers will see and hear the thunder and lightning, feel the rush of the wind, mist from the rain, and the seats will tremble and shake as the animated tornado approaches and destroys a house. As the video continues, viewers see examples of the work of Mennonite Disaster Service following recent storms.
The list of exhibitors will be available digitally on the MennoCon23 mobile app and in the program booklet at MennoCon23.
Exhibitors will be set up in the exhibit area of the convention center and the area will be open to visitors during the following times:
- Monday, July 3 from 8:30 to 10:30 pm
- Tuesday, July 4 from 12:15 to 2:15 pm and 8:30 to 10:30 pm
- Wednesday, July 5 from 12:15 to 2:15 pm
- Thursday, July 6 from 12:15 to 2:15 pm and 8:30 to 10:30 pm
The full MennoCon23 schedule can be found here.
Mennonite Church USA is the largest Mennonite denomination in the United States with 16 conferences, approximately 540 congregations and 56,000 members. An Anabaptist Christian denomination, MC USA is part of Mennonite World Conference, a global faith family that includes churches in 59 countries. It has offices in Elkhart, Indiana and Newton, Kansas. mennoniteUSA.org
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By MC USA staff