Hello!
This week’s “Hello” video comes from Barbara Thiesen. Barbara has taken on more worship responsibility during Pastor Dawn Yoder Harms sabbatical and is filling the role of Worship Planning Coordinator. Hear more from her about her responsibilities in her 1 minute hello video!
Sympathy notices
Please hold Helen Nachtigal and family in your prayers as they mourn the sudden death of Frank Nachtigal on August 17. Funeral arrangements are pending.
We share with you the sad news that Nancy Jo Mueller died , August 20, after being put on hospice care on August 19 in Colorado Springs, CO. Please keep her parents, Jim and Melanie Mueller, and her sister Rebecca Mueller, in your prayers and care during this very difficult time. Arrangements are pending and will be shared when they become available. ~ Pastor Renee Reimer
Porch Portraits
We love seeing your pictures and want to keep seeing more! Please send your porch portraits to Renee at renee@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org so we can include your smiles to our collection. View photos by following this link: https://cruxphotos.smugmug.com/BCMC-Porch/ New photos have been added and will continue to be added in this ongoing project.
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: This is a month of change for Mennonite Mission Network’s Mennonite Voluntary Service participants. Pray for those who are transitioning from their completed assignments to study or work. Pray also for those who are beginning to learn and serve in Alamosa (Colorado), San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for the WDC Stewardship Commission as they meet this week, tending to the financial health of the conference, and promoting generosity and sharing of resources to further the mission of WDC.
Offering at BCMC for August 16-23, 2020: General Fund $8,955.33; Living Stones $15; Elevator Repair $600.
Bethel College Student Donations
The Bethel College Relations Team is seeking nonperishable items to give to Bethel College students during their first week of class. We are looking for items such as: ramen noodles, microwavable meals (like mac and cheese), popcorn, etc. We would also welcome masks and travel size hand sanitizer to hand out to students who may need some. Please bring your donations to church and leave them by the white table outside of the church office. Contact Pastor Renee if you have questions.
Other Announcements
The Bethel College Women’s Association (BCWA) is now online! See bcwamarketonline.com
The 2020 issue of Mennonite Life, Bethel College’s online journal, is live at ml.bethelks.edu, with articles and reviews by Alain Epp Weaver, Ben Nobbs-Thiessen, Ben Woodward-Breckbill, Cheryl Denise, Christopher Reed, Emma Beachy, Jason Schmidt, Joanne Lehman, Joyce Zuercher, Julia Kasdorf, Keith Sprunger, Lisa Schirch, Marc Gopin, Melanie Zuercher and Raylene Hinz-Penner.
Preschool Story Hour at the Conference Resource Library returns this fall with VIRTUAL LIVE story hours full of stories, rhymes, and craft ideas on Tuesdays at 10:00 am and Thursdays at 3:30 pm. Tuesday and Thursday sessions will be different, join us for one or both sessions each week. Story Hour will start Tuesday, September 8 and be geared toward ages 3-5. Story Hour will be led by Library Director Jennie Wintermote and will be shorter than our Summer Story Hour. Register at https://forms.gle/vpk7DXRwwHAbSo5A7 and contact Jennie with any questions at crlib@mennowdc.org.
Mennonite Central Committee announcements
· Mennonite Central Committee is accepting donations to support people in need of food and other assistance in Beirut, Lebanon. A massive explosion on Aug. 4 destroyed the country’s main port and silos filled with grain and worsened an existing economic crisis. You can donate online at mcc.org/beirut-response, by calling (888) 563-4676 or by sending a check earmarked for “Beirut response” to MCC, 21 S. 12th St., Akron PA 17501.
· MCC is in need of school kits to fulfill requests from our partners around the world! Complete kits and/or supplies (find a full list of items at mcc.org/kits) can be shipped to MCC Central States (121 E. 30th St. North Newton, KS 67117) or dropped off in the 24-hour donation room at MCC. If you would like help unloading, please contact Kate at (katemast@mcc.org, (316) 804-8432) to schedule a drop off time. Thank you for your continued support of MCC!
· Mennonite Central Committee is looking to fill several essential positions in the U.S. and around the world. We hope you’ll consider applying or give encouragement to someone else who might be interested in serving with MCC.
· Canner Operator: MCC is looking for new canner operators! This two year service term is unique and offers the opportunity to travel around the U.S. and Canada, working as a team while meeting new people! Check out https://mcc.org/get-involved/canning for details!
· Director of MCC U.S. National Advocacy and Program: Are you a team leader ready to provide vision, develop strong relationships with diverse groups and engage in policy advocacy? MCC is currently looking for the Director of MCC U.S. National Advocacy and Program. The director is a senior management position in MCC U.S., responsible for the overall leadership and coordination of advocacy and national program. Find out more and apply at mcc.org/get-involved/serve/openings/director-mcc-us-national-advocacy-program
· UN Office Program and Communications Coordinator: Are you, or someone you know, passionate about advocacy and raising the voice of the grassroots on a global level? MCC is currently searching for the UN Office Program and Communications Coordinator. The position carries significant advocacy, research, analysis, writing, speaking, networking, and event planning responsibilities, as well as office administration. Application deadline is Sept 7, 2020. For more information or to apply please visit mcc.org/get-involved/serve/openings/mcc-un-office-program-communications-coordinator
· Seed Program: Hola! Estas interesado(a) en aprender o practicar tu español? MCC is looking for young adults for its Seed programs in Colombia and Guatemala/El Salvador which offer experiential learning and formation focused on Reflection, Service and Peacebuilding. Application deadline is October 19, 2020. For more information or to apply, please visit https://mcc.org/get-involved/serve/openings
Camp Mennoscah announcements
· Mental Health Spiritual Retreat at Camp Mennoscah will be a one-day event on Monday, September 7. This retreat is for those affected by mental illness, including friends and family. Activities will be outside. We will follow social distancing and mask guidelines. Please bring a mask with you. Those interested in attending the retreat should contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290.
· Limited number of openings! Camp Mennoscah’s Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats will take place on Oct. 30-Nov. 1 and Nov. 6-8. Masks and physical distancing guidelines will be followed and the facility used has been changed. More spaces will be opened as determined safe and feasible, so put your name on the waitlist! Register online at campmennoscah.org! Call 620-297-3290 for further information.
· Camp Mennoscah welcomes guests! Camping areas and cabins are open to guests/groups for overnight stays and day visits. Spend time in the river, have a campfire cookout, and enjoy the open spaces of the tallgrass prairie and the Ninnescah River! Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 to make a reservation and to inquire about use of additional facilities. We can’t wait to see you!
· Camp Mennoscah’s main phone number (620-297-3290) will be answered between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays. Emails will also be answered within the same basic time frame, depending on staff work hours. Outside of these hours, you may be able to reach camp staff, but there are no guarantees. Please leave a message or send an email and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.
Western District Conference announcements:
· Report from a Review of Western District Conference Culture and Responsibilities – In September 2018 the WDC Executive Board directed WDC leadership to conduct an internal review of WDC Culture and Responsibilities — to learn from the experience of processing ministerial misconduct and sexual abuse responses and to understand and strengthen WDC’s accountability and ministry practices. This review focused on how WDC engages with credentialed ministers as well as congregations and their leaders when responding to complex challenges and crises and how this is shaped by WDC practices, polity and programs and by expectations, support and accountability for WDC conference ministry staff. These areas of concern were identified for the review: 1) Relationship between WDC and its congregations; 2) Leadership relationships within WDC; 3) Resourcing, support and accountability for credentialed ministers, congregations and congregational leaders for prevention of and response to sexual abuse; 4) Support, accountability and resources for WDC Conference Minister and Associate Conference Ministers; 5) Specific issues regarding MC USA’s Ministerial Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedure and implications for future implementation of the policy and procedure in WDC. The Executive Board has now concluded the review process, which will provide ongoing guidance and priorities for WDC’s work in the future. A summary report from the review is posted on the WDC website at https://mennowdc.org/identity/. Questions or comments may be directed to Heidi Regier Kreider, Conference Minister.
· Racial Justice from the US to Palestine: The WDC Israel-Palestine Task Force invites you to celebrate the International Day of Peace with a virtual conversation on racial justice. Palestinians Alex Awad and Jonathan Kuttab join US citizen Sarah Nahar. They’ll share their own experiences of injustice and hope and discuss the similarities in both contexts. Join us for this free live event sponsored by WDC Resource Commission on WDC’s Facebook page on September 21, 7 pm Central Time. You’re welcome to donate to WDC at: mennowdc.org.
· Western District Women’s Retreat 2020: And now for something completely different! After much discussion and prayer, the Western District Women in Mission Retreat Committee has decided not to meet in person at Camp Mennoscah this year. We will miss all of you and the energy and joy you bring to camp. However, we WILL gather virtually on Saturday night, September 12 from 7:00-8:30 PM via Zoom for a worship service. Our goal is to connect to and encourage each other through Christ and His love for us. Susan Jantzen (interim pastor of Worship/Visitation at First Mennonite in Newton) will lead us on “Reflections on God as Keeper.” Bethany Martin from Faith and Life Bookstore will review a few books. Annelle Claassen (Retreat Committee Chair) will lead singing, and Karen Mascho (Pastor and Retreat Committee) will lead communion together. No masks required! For free registration or questions, send your email to Tammy Duvanel Unruh at 2020womensretreat.rsvp@gmail.com Save the date and we look forward to seeing your whole face!
· What seeds are growing in WDC? Each issue of the WDC Garden (quarterly newsletter) in 2020 will feature some “seeds” – brief highlights from congregations about new initiatives, creative ideas, missional practices and connections within WDC. If you have some “seeds” to suggest for consideration in the Garden, please send a note to WDC at wdc@mennowdc.org!
Mennonite church announcement
Join the growing culture of discipleship in the church! Save your spot in the next Missional Discipleship Initiative cohort. Visit MennoniteMission.net/MDI and sign up for the next MDI cycle, starting Sept. 1.