President Peter Norton opened the meeting and introduced Fran Conner, who provided inspirational words, led the Pledge and Four-Way Test. Guests were introduced by Tom McArthur and included visiting Rotarians Terry Bush and Judy Jankowski from the South Bend Rotary Club. Guests of Rotarians included Rob LaRoy and Tanya Gabriellini. Welcome to all guests!
Important announcements from January 14:
- Julie Cotton awarded the winning team - Fran Conner's Team #1 - with their prize for logging the most volunteer hours of any team over the holidays, along with individual winners Monica Abair and Dean Bergeman for their efforts. As a club, we logged OVER 400 HOURS of community volunteerism in the month of December - Way to go, everyone!! Volunteerism is a way EVERYONE can get involved in making our community a better place and help promote Rotary involvement.
- Peter Norton invited those interested in Rotary Club Leadership to contact him regarding a February 16 training opportunity. Peter also reminded the club that the deadline for the Travel Abroad Program has been extended until January 19 - IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, please contact Doug Risser directly.
- Coming up: "Thirsty Thursday" - - This Thursday, January 17 at Artisan at 5 p.m. Come and socialize or network over a cold drink.
Today's speaker was Nelson Kraybill, President of Mennonite World Conference (MWC) who provided a great history of the Mennonite from their beginnings in the 16th Century to the current programs they facilitate around the world to serve their Vision and Mission:
Vision: Mennonite World Conference is called to be a communion (Koinonia) of Anabaptist-related churches linked to one another in a worldwide community of faith for fellowship, worship, service, and witness.
Mission: MWC exists to (1) be a global community of faith in the Anabaptist tradition, (2) facilitate relationships between Anabaptist-related churches worldwide, and (3) relate to other Christian world communions and organizations.
Nelson's presentation featured descriptions of historically-significant events in the history of the Mennonite religion, stories that represent its formation, and anecdotes including an image of Dirk Willem, whose story is particularly touching because he forfeited a real chance to escape imprisonment when he turned back to help one of his pursuers. Dirk was captured and imprisoned in his home town of Asperen in the Netherlands. Knowing that his fate would be death if he remained in prison, Dirk made a rope of strips of cloth and slid down it over the prison wall. A guard chased him. Frost had covered a nearby pond with a thin layer of ice. Dirk risked a dash across it. He made it to safety, but the ice broke under his pursuer who cried for help. Dirk believed the Scripture that a man should help his enemies. He immediately turned back and pulled the floundering man from the frigid water. Willem was condemned to death and burned at the stake on May 16, 1569. 
About Rotary:
- January 21: Paige Risser, Director of Communications, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
- January 28: Tom Gjelten, NPR National Correspondent, who covers issues of religion, faith, and belief for NPR News