We invite prayers for Willis Harder and family on the death of his wife, Dorothy, November 4. A private memorial service and inurnment were held November 14, 2020.
We offer our sympathy to Mary Gaeddert and her family on the death of her husband, John Gaeddert. John died Thursday, Nov 12, at Kidron Bethel Village. Following is what the family of John writes: “John W. Gaeddert, age 96, passed away on November 12 with his family around him. The family deeply regrets that, due to the pandemic, they will not be able to celebrate John’s life with the people of the congregations he so loved. A private memorial and burial service is being planned.”
Thanks to those of you who have already submitted your bcmcXpress annual intent form! If you haven’t yet completed it, you can do so electronically by clicking this link https://flinthillsdesign.wufoo.com/forms/bcmcxpress-2021-intent-to-give/. If you prefer to fill out a paper copy, please call the church office, and we’ll make sure you get one. Please submit your intent form–electronic or paper–by Nov 22. — Finance Committee (Al Peters. Judy Friesen, Paul Harder, Gwen Neufeld, LaVern Stucky; Mike Claassen, Finance Manager).
To view Marvin Holck’s memorial service held November 6, at Dyck Arboretum, click on this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zPpjSI_wY1cew52P6cDiiY-EW9Sx6qv7/view?usp=sharing
BCMC’s week to provide volunteers and meals to New Hope shelter is coming up Nov. 18-24. We need some evening volunteers, overnight volunteers, and meals. New Hope takes every Covid precaution, but I understand that that does not give 100% assurance. If you have interest in helping, please contact Valetta Seymour at seymour2314@gmail.com or 620-217-7536.
According to the latest numbers, we still need $666.12 to cover the elevator repair. Based on the estimate from Regier Construction, we need $35,081.03 to cover the kitchen/fellowship hall renovation.
Contributions from January 1 through October 31 were $367,730 and expenses were $385,667, leaving a shortfall of $17,937. ~ Mike Claassen, BCMC Finance Manager
BCMC Offering for November 8-15: General Fund $10,615.33; MCC Meat Canning $125; Living Stones $505; Transfer-Sunday School $25; Elevator Repair $500.
The Hesston College Nursing program is partnering with Slate Creek Elementary, and looking for reusable mask donations from local businesses and organizations. There are 200 students total who need pediatric sized masks. The goal Hesston College Nursing has for the school is to promote mask hygiene, and the students will need another mask while they wait for theirs to dry after washing. We understand that 200 masks is quite the undertaking, so any number of masks that you would be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate some child-sized masks, you can bring them to the BCMC office and the office will see to it that these masks are delivered to the Hesston College Nursing Program. — Noah Miller, Hesston College Nursing Program
Everence to hold Medicare webinar: Nov. 16
Everence will host its popular workshop, Make Medicare an easy step, as a webinar on Monday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about the various Medicare plans and what they cover; plans that supplement Medicare; and enrollment details and deadlines. This webinar is free. Please register by contacting our office at 877-467-7294, 316-283-3800 or central.kansas@everence.com. *Attendance is recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare. Advisory services offered through Investment Advisors, a division of ProEquities Inc., Registered Investment Advisors. Securities offered through ProEquities Inc., a registered broker-dealer, member FINRA and SIPC. Investments and other products are not NCUA or otherwise federally insured, may involve loss of principal and have no credit union guarantee. Products and services offered through Everence Trust Company and other Everence entities are independent of and are not guaranteed or endorsed by ProEquities, Inc., or its affiliates.
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network’s Colorado Springs Service Adventure unit helps extend the ministry of Beth-El Mennonite Church through building relationships in the community. Pray for Elyse Burton as she helps families who are homeless and for Makenzie Shelman as she works with people with disabilities. Pray also for unit leader Cindy Headings.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC staff in their daily work of sustaining transformational leaders, resourcing missional congregations, and encouraging church planting partnerships in our conference.
Western District Conference Announcements:
· Associate Conference Minister transition: WDC announces that Sandra Montes Martinez has accepted a call to serve as WDC Associate Conference Minister based in Texas. She will begin in this role half-time on December 1, 2020 and move to full time on February 1, 2021. Sandra’s appointment follows consideration of multiple candidates by a Search Advisory Committee composed of representatives from the WDC Executive Board, Ministerial Leadership Commission, Church Planting Commission and Staff Relations Committee. Sandra brings a wide range of church and ministry-related experience, passion for missional church leadership in an Anabaptist/Mennonite context, bilingual and cross-cultural competency, pastoral and organizational skills, and strong relationships within Western District Conference and Mennonite Church USA. She has attended Seminario Anabautista Menonita in Caracas, Venezuela; Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, California; and Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA) and Seminario Bíblico Anabautista Hispano (SeBAH), programs of Mennonite Education Agency. Sandra has formerly been serving as a credentialed pastor at Iglesia Cristiana Menonita Monte Horeb in Dallas, TX; Administrative Assistant for WDC in Texas; and Executive Director for Iglesia Menonita Hispana (IMH), a constituency group of Mennonite Church USA. She plans to continue giving leadership to Academia Liderazgo Misional Anabautista (ALMA), a missional leadership initiative of IMH. WDC is excited to welcome Sandra to this new role of Associate Conference Minister in WDC! A formal installation for Sandra will be planned at a later date. Lee Lever will conclude his role as WDC’s Interim Conference Ministry Liaison for Texas on November 30, 2020.
· Giving Tuesday is December 1 – Western District Conference invites you to join this global giving initiative! Share a gift with WDC during this season, to help our congregations Witness & invite others to faith in Jesus Christ, Dwell in just & loving relationships, and Connect to God’s mission in the world. You may make an online contribution HERE or send a check to Western District Conference, PO Box 306, North Newton KS 67117. Thank you for your generosity!
· On November 22 at 4 pm, Rainbow Mennonite Church of Kansas City, KS, will host an ordination service in honor of Roseann Penner Kaufman, Minister of Music and Worship.
· Due to Covid-19 concerns, the WDC office and Resource Library are closed until further notice. All staff members are working from their homes. The best way to contact a staff member is by email, or messages can be left at 316-283-6300. Phone messages will be checked as possible.
· Staff email addresses:
· Heidi Regier Kreider, Conference Minister, heidirk@mennowdc.org
· Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Associate Conference Minister Kansas-Based, kathynd@mennowdc.org
· Lee Lever, Interim Conference Ministry Liaison for Texas (through Nov 30), leelever@mennowdc.org
· Sandra Montes-Martinez, Administrative Assistant (Texas) (through Nov 30, transitioning to Associate Conference Minister Texas-Based beginning Dec 1), sandram@mennowdc.org
· Beth Yoder, Business Manager, busmgr@mennowdc.org
· Jennie Wintermote, Library Director, crlib@mennowdc.org
· Nancy Funk, Administrative Assistant, wdc@mennowdc.org
Camp Mennoscah announcements
· Camp Mennoscah is a year-round campground! Ask about winterized facilities or conquer the prairie wilds in a tent. It’s a whole new world in the winter–and available for you! Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 to make a reservation.
Bethel College Announcements:
· Bethel College Women’s Association has worked to raise money for Bethel for many years. This August we are opening our first online store, www.bcwamarketonline.com. We invite you to help us support Bethel by checking this online market for crafts, jewelry, Bethel-themed items and much more. Our inventory will change over time so please check in to find that special gift or item for your home.
· Baked goods sign up: A call-out for local bakers to support Bethel College. For years Bethel College Women’s Association (BCWA) has been a location for 5 Places of Christmas selling crafts and baked goods. BCWA is asking for support in making baked items for the event which is December 5. Please follow the link below for sign-up options. Thanks for your continued support of Bethel College! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BABAF2EA4FDCF8-baked
· Now on display in the Regier Art Gallery, Luyken Fine Arts Center, at Bethel College: “Noir + More,” recent work by Denise Brueggeman. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Please note that face coverings must be worn and physical distancing observed on the Bethel campus.
KIPCOR’s ONLINE 2020-2021 Film Series
The November film is Cooked: Survival by Zip Code, a multiple-award winning documentary that focuses on the deadly 1995 Chicago heat wave to illustrate how minorities and low-income citizens suffer the most negative impact from natural disasters. The film is an indictment of our nation’s disaster preparedness, and forges a link between extreme weather, extreme disparity, and extreme racism.
Note that watching the film and participating in the Talk-back are two distinct, separate events.
YOU MUST VIEW THIS FILM BETWEEN NOV. 8 AND NOV. 14 using this link and password:
Click here to view film: https://vimeopro.com/bullfrogfilms/kipcor-cooked
Password: KC30p0
Then on Sunday, November 15 at 2 pm, KIPCOR will host a virtual discussion of the film on Zoom with Christy Miller Hesed, a Hesston resident and Postdoctoral Associate in Environmental Anthropology at the University of Maryland. Go to KIPCOR’s website at http://kipcor.org to register for the November 15 Talk-back discussion, and
we will send you the Zoom link on November 13. Advance registration is required.
Mennonite Church USA Announcements:
· Mennonite Church USA offers these resources for election time: A statement on what it means to be a peacemaker at such a time: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/bold-peacemaking/. And the latest article on how different congregations across the country are preparing for potential violence in their cities: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/congregations-prepare-for-bold-peacemaking/
· Giving Tuesday is coming up on December 1. Your contribution to Mission Network will help us Be the Gospel through our valued partnerships, ministries, and resources. Visit MennoniteMission.net/Donate to give on or before December 1.
· Looking for a non-traditional pastoral role? Become a unit leader in Service Adventure, a gap-year program for ages 17–20 from Mennonite Mission Network. Unit leaders, at least 24 years of age, serve as mentors to the young adults in the household. Learn more by contacting SusanN@MennoniteMission.net.
A memorable, meaningful and unique MCC gift to give this Christmas! Grab a piece of MCC history to use in a modern day Mennonite feeding station – your home! Get one for yourself and order more for family and friends. Hang it on the wall in your kitchen or dining room, display it on a shelf or use it as a serving tray! Remember the kitchen at your church, too. Each tray was uniquely handcrafted by an artisan in Siberia using Siberian hardwood. The tray is 16” in diameter and 2” deep. Suggested donation per tray is $150. Full details and pictures are available at https://mcc.org/feeding-station-tray.