Announcements for September 19-26, 2021

Jazz and Charcuterie on the Lawn

The Sr High Youth Group will be hosting an evening of Jazz and Charcuterie on the Lawn on October 10th to raise funds for their 2022 Summer Trip. We invite you to enjoy an hour of Jazz music by Icy Tea Jazz (a jazz trio) from 5:30-6:30pm (bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on) while enjoying desserts and flavored lemonade. Pre-ordered charcuterie boxes will also be served beginning at 5:00 pm. Charcuterie boxes can feed 2 people a lite meal or fill one hungry person! The event itself will be outside on the lawn of the Bethel College Goerz House (2512 College Ave). Feel free to invite friends, family, college host students, or others to this event!

Please fill out this form by September 30th to reserve your charcuterie box (or boxes) for this fun event! Each box costs $50 and will need to be paid for by September 30th by dropping a check off in the BCMC church office (write sr high youth group in the memo line) or by making an online donation on the Bethel College Mennonite Church website. You can make your online donation here and click on Sr High Youth Group. Unpaid boxes will not be ordered.

Sr high youth will be in the back of the sanctuary after worship on September 19th and September 26th if you would like to order your box in person. 

Can’t stay for the jazz music but still want a charcuterie box to-go?! Feel free to still order one that can be picked up on October 10th between 5-7pm.

Volunteers are needed to deliver “goodie” bags to BCMC Leadership Retreat participants on Friday, Sept 24. Is this one-time opportunity something you’d be willing to help with? If so, contact Dawn Yoder Harms at dawn@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. 

Link for the BCMC Congregational Meeting 
If you were unable to attend the congregational meeting on Sunday, September 12, below is the link to watch the meeting on YouTube.
Press here

The next week at BCMC
Monday, September 20
8 to 10 am  Bethel College Classes in the Sanctuary
2 to 3 pm    Bethel College Class in the Sanctuary
Tuesday, September 21
7 pm           Worship Commission Meeting
Wednesday, September 22
8 am to 10 am  Bethel College Classes in the Sanctuary
2 to 3 pm    Bethel College Class in the Sanctuary
7 pm   Wednesday Night Club
7 pm   Youth Group
Thursday, September 23
2 pm Hospitality Commission Meeting in Fellowship Hall
Friday, September 24
8 am to 10 am  Bethel College Classes in the Sanctuary
2 to 3 pm    Bethel College Class in the Sanctuary
Saturday, September 25
9:30 to 11:30 am  Leadership Retreat by Zoom
Sunday, September 26
9:30 am    Worship Service in the Sanctuary
10:30 am   Faith Formation
7 pm          Safe Sanctuary Training by Zoom

Budget update
As of the end of August 2021, expenses exceed contributions by $28,500.69.  Contributions received stand at 57% of the amount expected for the year, and expenses are at 63% of the budget.  Please keep this information in mind as we begin the final third of the year.

WANT TO EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF THE KANZA PEOPLE? 
VOICES OF THE WIND PEOPLE, an outdoor pageant, will be performed on Friday, September 17 and Saturday, September 18, at 8:00 p.m. at the Neosho River amphitheater in Council Grove. There will be pre-performance music and activities starting at 7. For more details see https://voicesofthewindpeople.com) The pageant is written by historian Ronald D. Parks and depicts the relocation of the Kanza people as encroaching white settlers arrive on the Santa Fe Trail.  

You can also spend the afternoon hiking at Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park southeast of Council Grove. It is located on part of the last Kaw Reservation and includes a dance arbor, stone ruins,  plus a few interpretive signs.  For more details press here.

– Florence Schloneger

Memorial Service for Lynn Loucks
A memorial service to remember Lynn will be Saturday, September 18 at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Columbus Avenue, at 1:30 PM.  Masks will be required.

BCMC Kaleidoscope
Click here for the 2020-2021 COVID-19 Edition of the BCMC Newsletter Kaleidoscope.
Because of the length of the newsletter, we will not be printing a copy for each mailbox here at the church.  If you wish to have a paper copy, call the office or email the church at office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org  Paper copies of the Kaleidoscope are available at the church in the racks in the foyer or by the mailboxes.

If you like to bake…..
Pastor Renee is looking for food goodies for college students this semester! There are two opportunities to give: The Red Tenants Bible study on Wednesday evenings or the Koininia Sunday School class on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in baking some goodies for either of these occasions, please reach out to Renee at Renee@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. 

Safe Sanctuary Training will be offered 1 more time for volunteers working with children and youth (Sunday school teachers, sponsors, club leaders, and mentors): Sunday, September 26th at 7pm on zoom (Please email Renee for a link). While this 1 hour training is required for all people working with children and youth each year, others from BCMC are invited to attend this training as well to learn more about abuse prevention and how to model good boundaries in our relationships with one another. 

Wichita Pride Parade
BCMC will be participating in the Wichita Pride Parade hosted by Wichita Pride on Sunday, September 26 at 1:00.  The Wichita Pride Parade follows an approximate one-mile route on Main Street from the Historic Sedgwick County Courthouse to Douglas Street, right on Douglas Street to Century II.  If you are interested in participating, meet at the BCMC east parking lot at 12:00 for carpooling options, or meet at the Historic Sedgwick County Courthouse in Wichita at 12:45. This parade is part of a wider weekend of events in Wichita celebrating LGBTQ+ communities.  If you would like more information about the entire schedule of events, go to wichitapride.org.  If you plan on participating in the parade, an email, text, or phone call to Nathan Koontz would be helpful but not necessary

Bethel College Announcements
Thursday, Sept. 30 – KIPCOR Peace Lecture with Mark McCormick, “Peace: It’s a Choice,” 7 p.m., in Memorial Hall. McCormick is a former columnist for the Wichita Eagle and former executive director of The Kansas African American Museum in Wichita, and is currently director of strategic communications for the ACLU of Kansas.

Bethel College’s Fall Festival is Sept. 30-Oct. 3, with most activities taking place Saturday, Oct. 2, on campus. Features include music, food, class reunions, football, exhibits in the Regier Art Gallery and Kauffman Museum, the comedy The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [revised], and the STEM Symposium honoring Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Richard Zerger. See https://www.bethelks.edu/alumni/events/fall-festival for the complete schedule and ways to buy tickets online.

 Hesston College Events
 Hesston College HomecomingWeekend – September 24-26 
         Featuring Art a la Carte – September 24, 8:30 p.m.
         Hesston College Campus, Keim Center Lawn
         Student performances featuring theatre, Global Voices, Bel Canto Singers and
         soloists.

         TheatreFest (for high school students) – September 29 
          Hesston College Campus
          High school students are invited to spend the morning in acting and tech-based
          workshops followed by a matinee of the murder mystery comedy, The Game’s Afoot

           Fall Play – The Game’s Afoot – September 30 to Oct. 3
           Hesston College Campus, Keim Center
           Plan to see The Game’s Afoot by Ken Ludwig.  Murder mystery comedy. Presented
           in the Black Box Theater.  Showtimes: Sept. 30, 7:00 pm; Oct. 1, 7:00 pm; Oct.
           2, 7:00 pm; and October 3, 2:00 pm.  Tickets are $10 per adults/seniors and $5 for
           students and can be purchased here.  Masks required for audience members.  

Camp Mennoscah Announcements

Camp Mennoscah’s Annual Meeting will be held September 26 at 3:30pm at Hope Mennonite Church (Wichita, KS)!

Due to the recently increased Covid-19 transmission, the Camp Mennoscah gathering scheduled for Sept. 26 has changed.  The dessert auction and hymn sing portions of the event will not take place as originally planned due to the increased concerns of safety regarding food and singing.  This event will be replaced with another opportunity in the future.  Updated details will be shared with you as soon as they’re available. 

We will still meet on September 26 at 3:30pm for the Camp Mennoscah Annual Meeting!  You are invited to join in person at Hope Mennonite Church (Wichita, KS) or on Zoom.  A link will be shared in upcoming weeks.  Please bring a mask, if attending in person.  We welcome you to join us to look back on our memorable past summer and look forward to where camp is going in the next year and beyond.  Our goal for the gathering was to raise money for new diving boards for the pool.  We invite you to support the many projects of Camp Mennoscah with your donation here!
Other events and happenings: 

  • Camp Mennoscah will be at Bethel College Fall Fest on October 2! Stop by the booth near the Schultz Student Center to say hi and howdy or to buy a sticker, tee shirt, or water bottle! Don’t miss out!
     
  • Fall Fun Volunteer Day!  Saturday, October 9, is a Work & Play Day for all ages. Come with your friends, your kids or grandkids and even your own work group! Let us know you’re coming so we have the best projects for your skills at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org. Please bring your water bottle and a sack lunch. Mask and distance at your own comfort level. Meet at the maintenance shed by the red apartment at 8:30am. Stick around afterwards for one last kayak or canoe ride or a hike around camp!
     
  • The dam at Camp Mennoscah will be removed on October 17! The fun will begin at approximately 2pm. All are welcome to help with removing and cleaning the boards or simply to watch. The dam will be removed whatever the weather, unless deemed dangerous. Contact Camp Mennoscah if you have questions.
     
  • Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat, November 5-7, at Camp Mennoscah! Register at www.campmennoscah.org! There is only one Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat. Lodging will be in the Retreat Center and cropping/crafting will be in the Main Camp dining hall. Space heaters will be available for both areas since the repairs for the furnaces will not be complete by the beginning of November. Fees for the Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat have increased to $150 to meet higher costs and the use of multiple facilities. There is an option to receive up to $25 in scholarship funds per person as part of the registration process.
     
  • There are volunteer opportunities for you (and a Wish List)! Camp Mennoscah has year-round work to support the maintenance and upkeep of the campus and facilities. We can accommodate every group size, skill set and length of project you would like to tackle. Check out these ways to Get Involved!  Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer. See the Wish List for other ways to support Camp Mennoscah!
     
  • We need help mowing and burning brush piles!  The grass that is usually cut short is doing its best to compete with the tallgrass prairie in height.  Volunteer to mow (with a riding lawn mower) for whatever length of time you can offer or grab a string trimmer to chase back those wily weeds.  Or get a group together and schedule a day to burn (wind speed permitting) –we’ll keep trying until a day works!  Contact Camp Mennoscah at office@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290.
     
  • Camp Mennoscah has openings for a part-time custodial/housekeeping position (10 hours) and a part-time office/administrative position (30 hours).  Some of the office/administrative tasks can be done from home.  Contact Olivia at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for more information.
     
  • 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. 

Western District Conference Announcements
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website at https://mennowdc.org/ to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation! See especially:  

Announcements:
-WDC Hope Fund- https://mennowdc.org/wdc-hope-fund/

-Resources for how to be church together during a (continuing) pandemic- https://mennowdc.org/resources-for-churches-during-a-continuing-pandemic/

– Annual IBA Benefit Burrito Sale (Order to-Go) Details-https://mennowdc.org/annual-iba-benefit-burrito-sale-order-to-go-details/

-Camp Mennoscah Announcements- https://mennowdc.org/camp-mennoscah-announcements-2/

– WDC September Prayer Requests- https://mennowdc.org/wdc-prayer-requests-for-september-2021/

Stories:
–Weaving Rich Images of God into Our Lives by Kathy Neufeld Dunn- https://mennowdc.org/weaving-rich-images-of-god-into-our-lives/

–WDC Hope Fund Update: The Hope Fund Task Force –https://mennowdc.org/wdc-hope-fund-update/

Prairie View Inpatient Clothing and Book Drive
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 NIV
The harsh reality is, when some patients come to Prairie View’s inpatient psychiatric unit for treatment, they arrive only with the clothes on their back. We keep extra clothing items on hand, but our supply is quickly diminishing. Through your gift of clothing, you’ll provide our patients with a sense of dignity in addition to warmth and comfort.
Will you give gently used clothing items or shoes?
All sizes are welcome. We cannot accept items with strings, belts, cords or similar features unless they can be removed. Donations are accepted on an on-going basis.
We’re also collecting books! The books we receive will be used to enhance our patient library. We are looking specifically for materials related to mental health diagnoses, self-help, and general health and wellness. Many of our patients enjoy reading during their stay with us and have found these materials helpful to them on their healing journey. Books (and magazines) will be accepted through the end of this year.
For more information about our clothing and book drive, or to schedule a drop-off of donations, please contact Diane Peltier, vice president of advancement, at peltierdm@pvi.org or 316-284-6365.

Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond click here

Mennonite Disaster Service On the Level click here

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Christy Harrison and Peter Sensenig, and their three children, are in language study in Paris, preparing for a ministry building Muslim-Christian relationships in West Africa. Pray for their children in French public schools and for Christy and Peter in language school. They are jointly serving with Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Mission Network.
Western District Conference Prayer Request:   Pray for WDC elected leaders and staff, as they meet via zoom next Saturday for Reference Council with a focus on one of WDC’s mission priorities, “Connect to God’s Mission in the World.”