Grow in Faith
Spiritual Formation
Tucson MVS participants’ faith can be nurtured in many ways while serving; whether that be in interactions with housemates while living in community, or participating in a local congregation. Mennonite Mission Network offers one-on-one spiritual direction and even seminary classes for interested individuals. In addition, two Friday afternoons each month are reserved for programming which might include studying a book, vocational discernment sessions, or exploring issues of faith.
Local Faith Community
Shalom Mennonite Fellowship is the supporting congregation for the Tucson MVS unit. Shalom, an intercultural faith community, welcomes unit members’ participation in their immigration justice work, their commitment to antiracism and creation care, and worship and community life. Church members are supportive and involved with a variety of local nonprofits, including a community garden, centers for health care, homelessness, food justice, migrant care, creation care, and issues affecting our indigenous siblings. Shalom invites unit members to join them in their informal and casual worship as participants and as beloved members of the community.
Social Justice Work
Tucson’s location by the border makes it a hub for immigration work. You will have the opportunity to tap into a wide network of people and organizations (in which Shalom passionately participates) working toward justice and safety for migrants, as well as touring and experiencing first-hand the work on the border. Tucson also neighbors the Tohono O’odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe, making issues effecting indigenous populations very central to justice work in Tucson. Our location in the Sonoran Desert makes creation care a very tangible concern, and our diverse population makes antiracism work vitally important. Tucson MVS is committed to learning and working toward justice for all.
Photo: Saulo Padilla, Migrant Trail Walk 2017