HOLY WEEK SERVICES: As we enter into Holy Week, we invite you to reflect on the meaning of this season by participating in a Maundy Thursday service (pre-recorded) and by coming to the church to pray on Good Friday afternoon (anytime between 1 – 5pm). More details, including a link to the Maundy Thursday, will be sent out next week
Prayers for Marilyn and Martha Graber
Both Marilyn and Martha Graber received care at NMC Health last week. Martha is continuing to do rehab at Presbyterian Manor. Pray that they both will heal and be able to regain strength.
Card Shower!
Esther Thieszen, will be 90 on April 1. Her family would like to have a card shower for her. The address for cards or notes is: 606 W Bluestem St., North Newton KS 67117
The BCMC Mission Quilters are back in the church building. A new quilt has been set up. Everyone is welcome to come quilt. Bring your mask.
For the next two months, the Library Committee is highlighting books that were written and/or illustrated by BCMC members, whether former or current. We have over 50 books displayed in the special section in back of the library desk or the shelving cart in front of the desk. Come and check them out! (If you see some that are missing, please be sure to contact one of us!) And, don’t forget that until the church is fully reopened a library committee member is on duty every Tuesday from 10:00-noon!
March 14, 2021 Offering at BCMC: General Fund $1,855; Sr Hi Youth $325; Living Stones $233.33
March 21, 2021 Offering at BCMC: General Fund $10,831; Sr Hi Youth $100; Living Stones $65; Transfer-Funeral $265
“Renewed Life” with Hesston College Bel Canto Singers – A community worship service with music of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter – Presented at the Mullet Drive parking lot at Hesston College – March 28, 3:00-4:00pm – For more information and access to digital resources for worship visit www.hesston.edu/easter
Supportive Communities Network (SCN)
Carol Wise, Director of the Supportive Communities Network, (SCN) gave a presentation to BCMC Sunday afternoon, March 14. You can get an overview of her presentation by reviewing the attached document. Click here for the document: Partial Transcript of Carol Wise Comments. Or you can view the presentation in its entirety by clicking on the following link: https://youtu.be/frP95wDaxkw
Congregational Survey
Regarding
BCMC Joining Supportive Communities Network
The Church Board has commissioned this survey to gauge where BCMC as a congregation stands on the issue of Bethel College Mennonite Church becoming part of the Supportive Communities Network (SCN). SCN is a program of the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests. It is a network of Mennonite and Church of the Brethren communities who are publicly affirming of gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual members. BCMC’s welcoming statement is printed below for your reference. The annual network membership fee is $200. More information can be found at: https://www.bmclgbt.org/scn
This survey is being sent to people who attend and participate in the life of BCMC. It is not restricted to voting BCMC church members. People who do not communicate electronically will have an opportunity to participate by mail. Survey returns are due and the survey will be closed on March 29, 2021. Following the survey the Church Board will review survey results. If the number of YES responses is 75% or more of the total response, the Board will take action to join the SCN.
If you have not done so already, please click here to submit your response: https://forms.gle/KcoKHTr7HjPb5hYt8
Sincerely from the survey task group members,
Karen Ediger
Megan Kohlman
John Kliewer
Nathan Koontz
Karen Penner
BCMC Welcoming Statement
Bethel College Mennonite Church welcomes into fellowship and membership all persons who confess faith in Jesus Christ, without regard to their race, ethnic background, gender, age, sexual orientation, education, ability, and other factors which give rise to discrimination and marginalization.
BCMC Camp Mennoscah Weekend Retreat
Dust off your tents, string your fishing poles, and prepare your hearts for worship at one of the best settings south-central Kansas has to offer! That’s right… its the BCMC Camp Mennoscah Weekend Retreat! This year’s event will be held May 15-16, and will only include BCMC – not Halstead First Mennonite as has been the case in the past (due to COVID). We plan on eating, fellowshipping, playing, worshiping, and seeing each other – safely, outdoors – as a way to be in community with each other. We’ll follow Camp’s safety protocol as we do this, of course, but would love to have as many folks out as can come – whether for Saturday evening, Sunday morning and lunch, or a whole weekend of fun! If you/your family is interested in attending, please fill out the link here: https://forms.gle/hr72BEDmvyXsayTKA And, if you have questions about the retreat, pricing, COVID-friendly protocol, etc. OR would like to help out in some way, please reach out to Adam Robb (adamandjillrobb@gmail.com) or Pastor Renee and they’ll do their best to be helpful! Looking forward to being together, in nature, to worship our God!
Prayer requests–Mennonite World Conference
The Mennonite churches in Indonesia are looking forward to hosting Anabaptist brothers and sisters from around the world. Pray for the fundraising team to find solutions to close the budget gap in the fundraising efforts for Global Youth Summit (GYS) and Assembly 17.
Pray also for acceleration of the COVID-19 vaccination process to help the country be free of the virus before the end of 2021. Pray for the Indonesian government to make wise choices about prioritization and procurement.
Interested in serving as a delegate for the MC USA Assembly this summer? Due to COVID-19 realities, the biennial Delegate Assembly will be held virtually on July 10, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. EDT, so there will be no need to travel. Serving as a delegate provides opportunity not only to speak to the establishment of general policies and programs; it also is an opportunity to connect with and listen to the various members in our diverse denomination. BCMC may send 16 delegates. If you have interest, please contact Dawn Yoder Harms (dawn@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org).
New Hope Shelter
BCMC and Faith Mennonite Church provide volunteers to provide meals as well as evening and overnight volunteers. We answer the call every 9 weeks. New Hope is asking for a list of volunteers who might be willing to be on an on call list to serve during a week when BCMC is not responsible but when other churches are unable to find volunteers. Please let Valetta Seymour (620-217-7536 or seymour2314@gmail.com) know if you would be willing to be on call to serve as an evening volunteer (5-midnight), overnight volunteer (midnight to 8AM), or to provide a meal. If you wish to specify that you do not wish to do so now but would be willing to serve when the pandemic is behind us, please feel free to do so. BCMC also needs to replenish our pool of regular volunteers, so please consider this important mission and contact Valetta with any questions.
Kansas Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale Auction – April 10, 2021
A gentleman cleaned out storage containers and buildings. He donated items to Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS). An auction will be held on Saturday, April 10, 9 am, in Buhler (Buhler Auction Barn, 310 Industrial Park Rd., Buhler, KS) to sell these items. To see the sale bill, click on the following link:
Sale Bill
All women and girls are invited to the Western District Women in Mission 2021 Spring Soiree Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 pm. In lieu of attending our annual Spring Supper, gather with us for a virtual night of worship, music and a reflection on “Faith in Turbulent Times” offered by special guest speaker and freelance minister, Georgia Metz, M. Div. Special music will be provided by Erin Regier Graber and Addie Regier Kauffman. Email WDWM2021SpringSoiree@gmail.com to register by April 5. A zoom link will be sent to registered participants prior to the event. For the flier click here.
Camp Mennoscah announcements
1. Thank you, thank you to all the volunteers who helped with Youth Volunteer projects and with putting in the dam! We are grateful you are willing to share your time and energy doing projects that make Camp Mennoscah safe and fun!
2. Camp Mennoscah is seeking a full-time Director of Development, Marketing & Communications to lead our ongoing operational and advancement needs. This position reports directly to the Board of Directors while taking directive from the Executive Director when related to operational considerations. As a member of a small, very hands-on staff, the role is expected to be highly collaborative. This professional must embrace the mission of Camp Mennoscah, have an established background in coordinating nonprofit donation strategies, possess strong written, interpersonal, leadership and relationship building skills, and work as an independent contributor with good organization and follow-through. Most of the work will commence off campus, however some in-person time at camp is required.
This role involves organizing broad-based fundraising initiatives, advocating for Camp Mennoscah through speaking engagements, promotional materials, and social media, as well as recruiting volunteers, and building relationships with board members, donors and staff.
Our ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of five years of fund development experience, or equivalent experience in church relations, and a passion for Camp Mennoscah. They should also be familiar with office related applications, and other technology used for communication and social media. Experience with CampBrain and the associated donor database is a plus.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and early submission is encouraged. Please send application materials (resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements) to campmennojobs@att.net.
3. Men and Boys Retreat, April 16-18, at Camp Mennoscah! Come to Camp Mennoscah for this long-standing, guys-only retreat! Spend time fishing, canoeing, worshiping, sitting by the fire, or visiting with friends in fellowship. The official beginning to the weekend is Saturday morning, but many arrive on Friday. Meals can be purchased for Saturday night, Sunday morning and lunch. People are welcome Friday, but no meals or entertainment will be provided. Meals available for an additional cost. No pre-registration. Registration and payment will take place upon arrival. For more information contact Kevin Neufeld at 316-322-5515.
4. Looking for HUGE tents! Camp Mennoscah is looking for at least 2 more tents that hold approx. 8-10 bunk beds for summer youth camps (18′ X 36′). These would be (similar) to the ones used for Senior High Camp (military tents repurposed for peace). The cost to purchase one is approximately $2600. If you have one stored away and are willing to lend it to Camp Mennoscah for the summer, please contact us at 620-297-3290.
5. It’s time to finish the Campfire Amphitheater at Camp Mennoscah! We’d like to have this ready for the summer youth camps. Work days are scheduled for the following days: April 2 to 3, April 9 to 10, May 14-15. Come out for one or both days and part or all-day. Ask about lodging if you would like to stay overnight. A team of five volunteers will work from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day installing the new stone benches. There will be stone to cut, move, clean and set along with a whole lot of mortar to mix up. Bring a lunch and water bottle with you when you come, and plan to arrive at the North cabin area to check in around 9:00 am. Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer for this project. Let us know by the Tuesday before!6. Looking for kitchen staff and nurses! Camp Mennoscah is filling volunteer and stipend positions for kitchen staff and nurses for the upcoming 2021 summer. Contact Camp Mennoscah at office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 for available weeks and details. Kitchen staff can receive a scholarship up to full camp fees for their camper.
Mennonite church announcements
1. Wilma Ann Bailey, Ph.D., gave this spring’s Staley Lecture at Bethel College. “Reading Biblical Laments in the Age of COVID” can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHVBcr4_djA Dr. Bailey is Minnie Vautrin Professor Emerita of Christian Witness, and professor emerita of Hebrew Bible and Aramaic Scripture, at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, where she attends Shalom Mennonite Church. Dr. Bailey’s lecture on Lamentations (for which she wrote the commentary in the Believer’s Church Bible Commentary series) supports one of this year’s common texts for Bethel’s senior capstone course Basic Issues of Faith and Life (BIFL). The Q&A with students and faculty is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6AcnIQu1bM Bethel’s spring convocations are posted at https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/convocation-lectures/convocation as they become available.
2. The award winning traveling exhibit Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War has returned to the Western District Conference region. It is currently on display at Stauth Memorial Museum in Montezuma, Kansas through Saturday May 1. The exhibit lifts up the prophetic insights and the personal courage of World War I peace protesters, and suggests parallels to the culture of war and violence in our world today. Developed and traveled by Kauffman Museum at Bethel College. To learn more visit VoicesOfConscienceExhibit.org
Everence to hold several upcoming webinars
Everence will host the following online webinars during the month of April; all starting at 6:30 p.m.
- Gifts that give later – Tuesday, April 6
You can practice generosity in many ways, but sometimes it can be challenging to find the method that best fits both your faith and financial goals. Join this webinar to learn about a few options to consider, including bequests and end-of-life giving, as you explore ways to make your finances work for you while giving back. - Financial planning: Your dreams, your goals – Tuesday, April 13
Planning is the process of considering ways to reach a desired destination or goal. Join this webinar where we will visit seven areas that make up a comprehensive financial plan. You’ll learn foundational concepts, hear about helpful tools and get actionable ideas to help you on your financial journey. - Make Medicare an easy step – Tuesday, April 20
Join us for this informative and interactive Medicare webinar. Topics will include:
Signing up for Medicare: how, when and where.
What Medicare covers (and does not cover).
Prescription drug coverage.
Plans that supplement Medicare.
*Attendance is recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare.
Register soon for these free, online events by contacting our office at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com. Click here for the flier.
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.
Thespring 2021 issue of Intersections: MCC Theory and Practice Quarterly is available now on-line. Compiled by MCC health coordinator Paul Shetler Fast, this issue examines “community approaches to trauma,” exploring the different ways that MCC and its partners in Nepal, Colombia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Haiti, and DR Congo accompany individuals and communities that have undergone traumatic events. The downloadable pdf of this issue can be found here. As always, we welcome any feedback you have about this or other issues of Intersections!
| The second MennoCon21 newsletter is out now! |
Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution Open position at Kipcor:
Director of Education and TrainingDirector of Education and Training
Because we believe the best way to reach the widest pool of applicants is to ask our friends if they are interested, or if they know of a potential candidate who would be an excellent fit for our team, we’re asking your help to make our opening known far and wide. A VERY short version of the position description is:
“This position is focused on the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of all education and training courses, workshops, and educational programs offered by KIPCOR. It also includes some widely varied tasks that will incorporate third-party intervention work in interpersonal conflict, group/organizational conflict, and public policy consensus building.”
The ideal candidate should be a restorative justice practitioner and have a good understanding of restorative justice in all of its applications.
The full position description and associated context is available HERE.
The April 2021 Mennonite Mission Network PRAYER VINE is now available for download. The PDF is posted in theprayer resources section of our website and can also be downloaded directly by clicking the link below: Download this month’s Prayer Vine (PDF)