Dorothy Nickel Friesen and Richard Friesen share the news that Dorothy’s mother, Edna (Schroeder) Nickel, died May 14 at the Good Samaritan Village in Mt. Lake, MN. Dorothy writes: “She was 95 and would have entered Hospice care next week due to her dementia and heart conditions. While this is sad for us, my mother lived a long and fruitful life and we release her with gratitude. Richard and I will travel to Mt. Lake for a graveside burial service [which is scheduled for May 20]. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown at the nursing home, we were unable to visit her. Thank you for your support and prayers.”
The elevator is currently under construction. Crew will return on Monday. Doors to the church might be open to allow the crew to come and go but please do not enter the church during construction. They have the elevator area barricaded and there is scaffolding and other tools in the area.
Construction (and a bit of destruction) will start on Monday with the crew from Regier Construction working on the kitchen and fellowship hall. Again, doors of the church might be open to allow the crews to come and go to their trucks, etc., but please do not enter the church. Construction zones are hard hat zones. There will be lots of tools, barricades, people coming and going with construction debris, and probably lots of dust.
The Bethel College Class of 2020 will celebrate the 127th commencement, virtually, today (Sunday, May 17) at 4 p.m. Join them at bethelks.edu/grad
Newton Et Cetera Shop is beginning to reopen . . . and expand! We are preparing to receive your donated items and to welcome customers back in the shop again after our temporary COVID-19 closure. Thanks for your patience! We’re also preparing to expand our place in the community by purchasing the building next door! For updates on all fronts, including our delayed Local Giving Grant application process, check out www.newtonetceterashop.com or our facebook feed, or give us a call at 316-283-9461. To donate toward our building purchase, please mail us a check or give online at https://tinyurl.com/u3pgy9a. Thank you for helping us share God’s love with all creation
Tuesday, May 19 at 2 p.m. EST: “Asylum” free immigration webinar. In the continuing six-part webinar series on immigration and border realities, Mennonite Central Committee staff and partners from around the country will provide current information and educational tools to understand asylum. In recent years thousands of people have fled persecution and arrived to the U.S. to apply for asylum. Asylum seekers must navigate a difficult and complex process that can involve multiple government agencies. More information and registration, along with recordings of past webinars, at mcc.org/immigration-webinar-series
Wednesday, May 20 at noon EST: “From hearts to hands: Material Resources” free Facebook live webinar. Featuring stories from MCC staff around the world about how resources like comforters, kits and canned meat make a difference. Join us on MCC’s Facebook page (facebook.com/MCCpeace) for a livestream where we’ll hear directly from MCC workers in Ukraine, Jordan and Canada. !
· Camp Mennoscah will open for a limited number of individuals and groups beginning May 18. Reservations must be made in advance at 620-297-3290. We continue to work at making it possible for you to visit Camp Mennoscah!
· Camp in a Box! Camp Mennoscah is creating a box of activities, crafts, devotionals, nature fun and other things. These boxes will soon be available for purchase. Summer staff and program staff will also create multitudes of camp videos to share with everyone.
· The Work & Play Day at Camp Mennoscah on May 23 has been canceled.
· MennoDash (a Camp Mennoscah-themed fun run) has been postponed to a date yet to be determined. The world premier of this event was to be held on May 30. Keep your eyes peeled for news!
Prayer request from Western District Conference: Pray for WDC pastors as they lead and care for congregations in the midst of uncertain and stressful times.
And from Mennonite Mission Network: Join Mennonite Mission Network in praising God for Noelia Fox’s recovery from COVID-19 and protection for Brian and their three daughters in Spain. Pray that God will provide as the family reconfigures their English-language school due to closure during the pandemic.