Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network through which various constituencies of the Anabaptist church can respond to those affected by disasters in Canada and the United States.
While our main focus is on clean up, repair and rebuilding homes, this activity becomes a means of touching lives and helping people regain faith and wholeness.
Click to view all the MDS videos.
The Region Reports presented at the All-Unit Meeting in Saskatoon are available to read. To download the reports, click here: All Region Report 2009
Click below for all news articles
Quilted Wall Hangings
Since November 2004, MDS house dedications include the gift of a quilted wall hanging to the new homeowners. The wall hangings are made and donated through the Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Women's group. If you are a quilter and would like more information on this program, e-mail MDS at communications(at)mds.mennonite.net.
Jake and Keith chip out layers of old flooring at the restoration project in New Iberia, La.
Working on the house in Cameron sponsored by Ephrata Mennonite, Indiantown Mennonite and Blainsport Mennonite.
Pumping the piers full of concrete at the project in Cameron, LA. These piers keep the house above flood stage and are hurricane reinforced.
If Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) volunteers took away one central theme from the annual MDS All-Unit Meeting it was this—Jesus is fundamentally defined by generosity, and His followers should be also.
Over 150 people attended the annual MDS All-Unit Meeting, held February 12-13, 2010 at Warman Bergthaler Mennonite Church. Groups from different Anabaptist backgrounds gathered from many parts of Canada and the U.S. for a time of worship, storytelling, and celebration, commemorating 60 years of MDS service.
“MDS’ anniversary represents 60 years of people sharing their gifts for the glory of God,” said Cathy Kearsley, Director of Human Resources, as she reflected on the meeting. “For the past 60 years, volunteers and communities have pulled together resources to impact, change, and develop deep personal lifelong relationships that would otherwise seem improbable or impossible.”
Looking back at 60 years of service, Kevin King, MDS Executive Director, quoted Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “Life’s most urgent and persistent question is: What are you doing for others?” Kevin added, “I believe MDS is one way to answer that question.”
Those present also had the special opportunity to be part of a panel discussion featuring two past MDS Executive Coordinators, Lowell Detweiler (1986-1997) and Tom Smucker (1997-2004). When asked about the difficulties and challenges they had during their tenure with MDS, Smucker said for him it was “being in [disaster] situations where you don’t know what to expect.” Detweiler exhorted his listeners to always remember why MDS exists. “It’s not for MDS, it’s for other people.” He continued, “In small ways or large ways, MDS is about helping people out.”
Volunteers and staff look forward to another 60 years of displaying to the world the beauty of a life that lives generously in service to others.
For entire article, look under Latest News at left.
Mennonite Disaster Service and Mennonite Central Committee work together closely in determining who is the lead agency in response to disasters. In accordance with our agreement, MDS is responsible for organizing disaster response in Canada, the United States and their territories. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is responsible for organizing disaster response efforts in international settings. In this case with Haiti, MCC is the lead disaster agency.
Click on this link to see the MCC website: www.mcc.org and to learn more of their response.
MDS volunteers are known for repairing and rebuilding homes damaged by disasters. But it takes more than construction skills to serve with MDS. During the time that you serve as a volunteer, you will learn that MDS also restores lives.
Your contribution will help to connect volunteers with disaster survivors who need assistance on their path to recovery. MDS depends on the support of people who believe that disaster response is an important part of helping those who are in need.
Sign up for free biweekly project updates and other MDS news.
Mennonite Disaster Service project locations are the physical response centers established by MDS in a disaster-affected community. In addition to housing the local MDS office, the projects function as base camps for MDS volunteers who need a place to eat and sleep while they serve. This section of the MDS website contains updated information about current MDS projects.
Project maps best viewed with Microsoft Explorer.
