Atlanta 2003 assembly

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	Cora Brown and June Alliman Yoder June Alliman Yoder, associate professor of communication and preaching at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, hosted the women's dinner, which took the form of a talk show on the theme, "Mennonite Women Stories." Four guests, including Cora Brown, talked about what being a Mennonite woman means to them. Cora is pastor of evangelism at Church Without Walls in Elkhart, Ind.
	Laughing until our sides ached Pictured at the dinner, from left, are Anna Roth, Karen Martin, Sharon Baer, and Sharon Kennel.
	Dinner musicians Singing was led by Karen Moshier-Shenk (left), Harrisonburg, Va., with musicians Gloria Shenk Good (right) and Carol Oberholtzer (not pictured), both of Lancaster, Pa.
	Amy Gingerich with June Alliman Yoder Another talk show guest was Amy Gingerich, a seminary student at Pacific School of Religion in Berkley, Calif. This summer Amy is studying "rituals of community" among Mennonite women.
	Bringing the pieces together Elaine W. Good assembles the biggest sewing project of her life: the Atlanta Quilt, which measured 8’ x 18’. Elaine, president of the MW USA board of directors, headed up the quilt production project.
	Atlanta Quilt on display Freda Maust looks over the full quilt, made of 33 unique wallhangings made by women across Mennonite Church USA. Each incorporated fabrics used in worship at the 2001 assembly in Nashville.
	Every scrap cherished Rosie Lambright, Middlebury, Ind., helps knot the comforter made with the last scraps of fabric left from the Atlanta Quilt. It was pieced by Elaine W. Good.
	And we have a winner! Ethel Pannell of New York City won the comforter in a drawing. Four free seminary courses were also given away.
	Naomi Lederach Talk show guest Naomi Lederach (right) of Goshen, Ind., greets Marian Frantz, executive director of the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund.
	A memory to take home Sisters Melissa Beidler, Kutztown, Pa., and Monica Spory, Winnipeg, Man., pose for a photo at the Mennonite Women USA booth (see how it turned out below). Melissa was one of the winners of free seminary classes offered in a MW USA drawing.
	A closer look Louise Wideman, Elkhart, Ind., takes a closer look at the "Sunbonnet Sue" section of the Atlanta Quilt made by Judy Kumpf of Hopedale, Ill.
	Quilt sections distributed During a closing assembly gathering the wallhangings were returned to the regional conferences, associate groups, and church agencies where they were originally used as a visual call to prayer for the new denomination.
	Time to chat From left, Kathy Wenger, Kim Martin, and Paula Brunk Kuhns.
	Just dropping by Blanca Vargas stops by the Atlanta Quilt.
	Just a few knots to go Grace Brenneman, Souderton, Pa., chats with MW USA executive director Rhoda Keener while working on the comforter. In the background left is MW USA administrative assistant Carol Kosanke Peterson.
	Leggo my Timbrel! The talk show was periodically interrupted with a few humorous commercials performed by members of the Mennonite Women USA board of directors. Here, Rickey Schrag (left) of Goshen, Ind., and Barb Voth, Newton, Kan., ignore the nice fresh toaster waffle and tussle over the latest issue of Timbrel magazine. Perhaps the solution, they conclude, is to just get their own subscriptions.
	Getting into the soul of the part Stretching her dramatic talents as she's never done before, MW USA vice president Paula Brunk Kuhns of Colorado Springs, Colo., portrayed the toaster.
	Photo shoot from start to finish: choosing the hat A number of colorful hats and scarves were available at the MW USA booth.
	Step two: dress up Sisters Carol Holsopple Froese, LaJunta, Colo., and Chris Kauffman of Goshen, Ind., get ready for the picture.
	Carol's turn: Say cheese! MW USA executive director Rhoda Keener takes aim.
	Now, Chris, this is supposed to be serious  Or maybe not.
	Not half bad! Carol gets a look at the digital photo. Pictures were printed and framed on the spot.  Two frame options pictured participants on the cover of Timbrel magazine, using art by Timbrel artist Ingrid Hess of Chicago.
	A few folks who stopped by: Rebecca Sommers The president of Southeast Conference Mennonite Women, Rebecca Sommers of Sarasota, Fla., created the new MW USA wallhanging pictured in the background. The following photos were also taken at the MW USA booth.
	Priscilla Garcia, Magda Escobar, Carla Baez
	Mary Litwiler and granddaughter Mary is vice chair of the Central Plains Mennonite Women.
	Melissa Beidler and Monica Spory
	Lisa Gautsche with her daughter, Regina
	Ruth Mercado
	Shirley Showalter Shirley is president of Goshen (Ind.) College.