Retired Swarthmore College Archivist Anne Yoder and the Mennonite Heritage Center’s Educational Curator Regina Wenger invite the community for a time of sharing, service, storytelling, and fellowship on Mar. 23, 2024, from 1-4 PM.

The “Women in Service” event at the Mennonite Heritage Center (565 Yoder Rd., Harleysville) will feature women who left their home communities to serve as nurses or missionaries, circa 1870s-1930s. Their papers are found in the Mennonite Heritage Center or other archives. Former Nurse and Current Art Therapist Carol Martin Johnson from West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship will also attend to share her insight.

The afternoon will include a snack time (snack provided) and an opportunity to do a service project assembling infant care kits for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). MCC globally distributes infant care kits to hospitals, clinics, and refugee camps.

The event is free, but due to limited space, pre-registration is required.

Participants are strongly encouraged to donate several items for MCC infant care kits as part of their registration. Infant care kits include new items only, size 3-12 months.

The care kits include the following:

• Three gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)

• Three undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)

• One lightweight fleece or flannel receiving blanket, minimum 30 inches by 30 inches (larger sizes preferred)

• Four large, heavy-duty safety pins

• One large bar of mild soap (leave in wrapper)

• One pair of socks

• One cap

Programming at the Mennonite Heritage Center shares Anabaptist-Mennonite stories in order to educate, inspire, and witness to the church and community.

Learn more about the Mennonite Heritage Center‘s work in the community and other ways to get involved in Montgomery County and surrounding areas via Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board.