We offer sympathy to Wes and Ada Schmidt-Tieszen, their daughters, Tina Graber (husband Daniel, children Adaline and Levi) and Alison Schmidt-Tieszen, and their extended family, on the death of Wes’ father, Vern Tieszen who died May 6 in Caldwell, Idaho at the age of 95. Nephews of Vern are Duane Friesen and Larry Friesen.
The offering at BCMC last week (April 27 through May 4, 2020): General Fund $7,784. Caring fund $25; Living Stones $755; Elevator Repair $100.
Repair work on the BCMC elevator will begin Monday, May 11. Doors will be open to allow entrance for the crew working on the elevator. For your safety, we ask you to refrain from entering the building.
Mennonite Central Committee, even amidst this global pandemic, continues to work as safely and fully as possible in over 50 countries around the world. COVID-19 continues to spread and the challenges facing our neighbors next door and around the world keep growing. MCC Central States in North Newton continues to be closed to the public through the month of May, however, material resource donations can be left in the 24-hour donation drop-off room at any time. If you would like fabric to sew into comforters, contact katemast@mcc.org. Kate can deliver the fabric or set it out in the donation room for you. They have LOTS of pre-cut squares available. Monetary donations are being accepted at donate.mcc.org to support water, food, hygiene and health programs around the world.
MCC shares this prayer adapted from the Book of Common Prayer by the MCC U.S. Washington Office:
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night.
Tend the sick, Lord Christ, in particular those suffering from COVID-19, those in under-resourced hospitals and those with no access to hospitals at all.
Give rest to the weary – including doctors, medical staff, parents, pastors and leaders making difficult decisions.
Bless the dying, soothe the suffering, and comfort their families and communities.
Pity the afflicted, especially those living in contexts of poverty, violence and limited public services for whom the call to stay at home is the call to face economic loss, hunger or physical danger.
Shield the joyous without letting this joy cloud compassion.
Call each of us to patience, to generosity and selflessness, to kindness, goodness, and peace, and all for your love’s sake.
Kauffman Museum might be closed to the public, but there are still two exhibits visitors can view. One is “Meta: An Exhibition about Exhibitions,” a senior project by Bethel College students Elizabeth Friesen Birky and Emma Girton. Take a virtual tour of this exhibit at https://tinyurl.com/metavirtualexhibit
The other is “Science Behind the News: Viruses,” a pop-up exhibit mounted on the outside of the museum at the corner of Main and 27th Streets in North Newton, by the front door. Text is in both English and Spanish. You can also see the “Viruses” exhibit along the walking path at Newton Medical Center, and at Health Ministries Clinic soon.
The Bethel College Class of 2020 will celebrate the 127th commencement, virtually, Sunday, May 17, at 4 p.m. Join them at bethelks.edu/graduation
Western District Conference Annual Assembly 2020 update: Join us for the socially distanced Western District Conference Annual Assembly online on August 1. (Note: This will replace previous plans for an in-person gathering). Webinars, worship, Danny Carroll, our keynote speaker, and some time to talk together will all be part of this grand experiment. What can the times we’re living in help us to discover about mission? About God’s love for the exile? We hope it will be possible for small groups to host Assembly watch parties together. If not, we’ll be together in Spirit and over digital media.
The Western District Conference/South Central Conference Women’s and Girl’s Retreat is scheduled forFriday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13 at Camp Mennoscah. The Retreat Committee is working to make this a special time of reflection, fellowship and fun. Please keep this in prayer as we hope to be able to gather and worship together in the usual way but will reevaluate as needed when the time gets closer.
Camp Mennoscah is working on guidelines for being open to small groups and families within state and local recommendations. Watch the campmennoscah.org website and the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page for updates. If you already have a group reservation at Camp Mennoscah, we will contact you if changes are needed. At this time, the Family Weekend in July has not been canceled. Contact camp at 620-297-3290 with questions.