Michigan State University Mennonite Fellowship (East Lansing, Michigan, USA)
Michigan State University Mennonite Fellowship (also known as MSU Mennonite Fellowship), East Lansing, Michigan, USA, began with Michigan State University students meeting informally for worship on Sundays in the early 1970s. The MSU Mennonite Fellowship formally organized in 1973. It initially met Sunday mornings on an upper floor of the University's Student Union. Later it met in the Alumni Memorial Chapel on the Michigan State campus, and still later in a Seventh Day Adventist church. David F. Bishop was an early leader of the group.
It joined the Indiana-Michigan Conference of the Mennonite Church (MC) in 1975 and the General Conference Mennonite Church in 1977.
It had a long history as a supportive inter-generational community where members could explore questions about God and faith. Over 200 people were part of the Fellowship during their studies at MSU and have dispersed all over the United States and the world. MSU Mennonite Fellowship had two pastors over the course of its history, but most of the time relied on its members to organize and plan activities and services.
It was self-described as a liberal Mennonite church on its website. It ceased Sunday worship services in December 2012. Its membership typically ranged from 20-40. By the 2020s it was no longer listed as a member congregation of either the Central District Conference or the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference, though its website remained active.
Bibliography
"Congregations apply for membership." The Mennonite 92, no. 22 (31 May 1977): 361.
"East Lansing, Michigan." Gospel Herald 68, no. 37 (23 September 1975): 675.
Miller, Jim and June Mears Driedger. "Michigan State University Mennonite Fellowship." Gospel Evangel 87, no. 5 (September 2006): 6.
"The MSU Mennonite Fellowship." Gospel Herald 66, no. 45 (13 November 1973): 876.
"Our history." MSU Mennonite Fellowship. 2013. Web. 5 June 2017. https://msumf.wordpress.com/about/.
Preheim, Rich. In Pursuit of Faithfulness: Conviction, Conflict, and Compromise in Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. Harrisonburg, Va.: Herald Press, 2016: 310.
Additional Information
Address: Lansing, Michigan
Phone:
Website https://msumf.wordpress.com/
Denominational Affiliations: Mennonite Church USA
Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference
Pastoral Leaders at MSU Mennonite Fellowship
| Name | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Lay leaders | 1973-2000 |
| June Mears Driedger | 2000-2006 |
| Lay leaders | 2006-2008 |
| Carole Ricketts Corey | 2008-2013? |
Membership at MSU Mennonite Fellowship
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1977 | 37 |
| 1980 | 35 |
| 1990 | 39 |
| 2000 | 26 |
| 2009 | 40 |
| Author(s) | Samuel J Steiner |
|---|---|
| Date Published | November 2022 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Steiner, Samuel J. "Michigan State University Mennonite Fellowship (East Lansing, Michigan, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. November 2022. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Michigan_State_University_Mennonite_Fellowship_(East_Lansing,_Michigan,_USA)&oldid=179243.
APA style
Steiner, Samuel J. (November 2022). Michigan State University Mennonite Fellowship (East Lansing, Michigan, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Michigan_State_University_Mennonite_Fellowship_(East_Lansing,_Michigan,_USA)&oldid=179243.
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