Pastors Nathan, Renee, and Dawn invite you to join them in reflecting on scripture texts that will center our worship throughout the month of June. The texts focus on themes of lament, tenacity, and seeking good in the places we find ourselves. Gatherings will be in-person on Mondays, at 11am, under the large tree on BCMC’s front lawn (with 6’ between us). Bring your Bible, lawn chair and a mask!
Thank you to John Waltner, who completed his time as Congregational Moderator/Church Board chair at the end of May. Welcome, Patty Shelly, who serves as the new Congregational Moderator/Church Board chair and Elizabeth Schmidt, who serves as the incoming Moderator/chair. Thank you for your willingness to share you gifts with us in this way!
Your prayers are welcomed:· for the family of Esther Rinner, who died on Saturday, May 30, especially for her daughters, Jeanette and Amy. A service is being planned for a later date.
· for Lynn Loucks, who was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer and is recovering from surgery and awaiting cancer treatment.
· for Jon Voth, who in preparation for a surgical biopsy of a lymph gland on June 10 will have a COVID test on June 4 and then be in isolation at home until the biopsy. He would welcome support from our congregation. His cell phone number is 316-284-1072 and his email is jon.voth@hesston.edu
In the face of racial injustice that has fueled protests this past week, Executive Director of MCUSA, Glen Guyton, calls on our historic peace church to speak out on the injustice happening in our country. As we have watched this week, the country is burning, and along with our thoughts and prayers on this situation we are called to take action. Read his poignant open letter here.
In addition, we encourage you to pick up a copy of Robin Diangelo’s book, White Fragility: why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism and read it. Interested in discussing it with others? Please be in touch with Dawn Yoder Harms, and we’ll arrange a discussion group.
Sharing with our local and global community:
On May 28, the Deacon Commission, in collaboration with the Witness Commission, approved the sharing of these gifts from the Caring Fund related to Covid 19 needs:
· $1000 to the Hand to Hand project through the Middle Eastern Children’s Alliance (MECA) to help alleviate hunger exacerbated by Covid 19. Before Covid 19, 68% of Gaza’s population was “food insecure” and the unemployment rate was 52% (and this situation has only worsened with the spread of the virus). This project is supported by the Mennonite Palestine Israel Network and WDC Israel-Palestine Task Force. $75 provides food for a family for 2 weeks.
· $1000 to Working Men of Christ, an organization that works with men and women” who have served time in prison, supporting them in group homes, helping them find jobs, and providing guidance and direction. There are 8 group homes across Kansas, including 2 in Wichita. Many of program participants land in service-related jobs and have been laid off during this time of Covid 19, bringing significant challenges to them and group home directors. The Caring Fund gift from BCMC will be used to help ensure continuity and support for home directors during this time of added challenge.
Celebrating together: Follow this link to share in the Retirement and Farewell service for Renee Sauder with the Stirling Ave. Mennonite Church in Kitchener, Ontario, which took place on Sunday, May 31: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/yjT1pf2Vtkm8wWw4EWtGny? Renee began her ministry 37 years ago here at BCMC during Rev. John Esau’s tenure, serving at BCMC from 1983-1990. You can read John Esau’s reflections on their ministry together in Renee’s memory book, accessed at www.stirlingmennonite.ca/memories, password: 57stirling.
This past Sunday, Andrew Toews from Rainbow Mennonite Church (parents Margaret and Francis from our congregation) did a reflection and shared a unique musical rendition of HWB 169/563–a version of Psalm 121. He has kindly agreed to share it with us. Enjoy his musical offering at https://youtu.be/jt8KS3zZ6PQ . Thank you, Andy!
The June/July/August issue of WDC Garden (WDC’s quarterly newsletter) is now available! However, since many WDC churches are not meeting in person during this time of pandemic, it will not be sent in bulk to churches for distribution. It is available online at: https://mennowdc.org/wdc-garden-june-july-august-2020/.
Virtual Summer Story Hour: Children ages 3-8, come take a dip in the ocean through Summer Story Hour! Virtually join Library Director Jennie Wintermote and volunteer Marjie Warkentine for “Oceans of Fun” with 8 weekly sessions June 15-August 3. Sign up today at: https://forms.gle/61539e9zGnE7u98y5 The first 15 children who sign up will receive a list of supplies they will need for each project. Join us for “oceans” of stories and fun!
Summer Reading Programs–Running June 1-August 15: Adults–This year you’re invited to read any title in our collection and submit a brief review. Each review will be a ticket into our prize drawings for books, giftcards, and more. Reviews may be submitted at https://forms.gle/r4kpXQBQqZPuGjiw8, posted on the WDC Resource Library FaceBook page, or given to Library Director, Jennie Wintermote.
Children–Download a reading log here and mark off a box for each book you read (picture books) or every 15 pages (for chapter books) or contact the library for a copy. Turn in your reading log after August 15 for fun prizes. (Turn in by mailing, dropping off, or sending a picture of your log to crlib@mennowdc.org). We would appreciate it if you register your child(ren) at https://forms.gle/mgPPft74HBDs9ZMu6 so we can have enough prizes ready!
Library Reopening–Curbside Pickup Starting Soon (When Harvey County, Kansas enters Phase 3) You can start reserving items at any time through our online catalog at https://mennowdc.booksys.net/opac/crl/ Once the library is open for curbside checkout, these items will be pulled and available during pickup hours (or mailed to you). In order to reserve items, you will need to log on with your library barcode number (please email the library if you need your library card number). You are also welcome to email Library Director, Jennie, at crlib@mennowdc.org in order to reserve items. Jennie is also happy to offer suggestions for individual study, children’s story, group discussion and other resourcing needs.
The Mennonite, Inc., invites your original submissions for our August 2020 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on Why I am an Anabaptist. More information: https://themennonite.org/august-2020-call-submissions-anabaptist/
Consider being an Mennonite Voluntary Service participant for the 2020-2021 MVS year! The application deadline has been extended until the end of July. Visit MennoniteMission.net/MVS to learn more and apply!
Everence will host a Social Security and retirement income planning webinar, Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 pm. Attendees will learn about Social Security strategies, risks that can impact retirement savings and strategies to help income last throughout retirement. The workshop is free. Register soon by contacting Darlene Buller at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or darlene.buller@everence.com.
Please join Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) on June 16 at 1 pm CST/ 12 pm, MDT, for a webinar: MCC’s migration work in Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala/El Salvador to discuss questions such as: How are MCC workers and partners in Latin America being affected by COVID-19? How are U.S. policies and protocols affecting the spread of the virus among the vulnerable population? How are organizations and faith communities responding? And how can each of us get involved and support their work during this time? Learn how to join this conversation at mcc.org/immigration-webinar-series.
You’re invited to join MCC on June 17th at 6 pm CST/ 5 pm MDT for a webinar featuring Paul Shetler Fast, MCC’s global health coordinator. Learn how COVID-19 is threatening the developing world and how MCC is responding. MCC’s monthly webinar series, featuring a wide variety of stories from MCC projects from around the world, explores how MCC is responding to COVID-19. Experts in the field will give us a behind-the-scenes experience, sharing their own stories. Come with your questions! Register for upcoming webinars and browse through past recordings at mcccanada.ca/mcc-webinar-series.
As our communities begin reopening, Everence is expanding their availability with limited in-person services at office locations in North Newton and Hutchinson. In-person meetings with financial representatives are available by appointment. You may also meet with them by email, phone or videoconference.
Additional details regarding the Everence office reopening are available on their website: everence.com/kansas
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for the WDC Executive Board as it meets this week to offer vision and leadership to the conference in the midst of challenging times.
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Juliet Kilpin and Peaceful Borders, an Anabaptist organization in the United Kingdom that advocates for refugees. Pray for resources for refugee-led support groups (Hopetowns) that bear witness to suffering and injustice and provide the basics: food, water, shelter, and a cellphone charger.
From Mennonite Church USA: Learn more about the humanitarian work being done in North Korea during a free webinar on June 12 at 5:30 pm, EDT. Mennonite Church USA is co-sponsoring this webinar, led by author Joy Yoon. Register by June 10 at https://bit.ly/NKoreaWebinar.
Pray for our conferences that are meeting online for their annual gatherings this month: Central District Conference, Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference, Central Plains Mennonite Conference and Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference.
Menno Snapshots
Pastor Melissa Florer-Bixler shares what it means to honor all members of the body of Christ in the church’s responses to the pandemic and reopening in her blog, “The most precious of all.” Read more at http://mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/most-precious/