Announcements for October 24-31, 2021

This week at BCMC
Monday, October 25
8 to10 am Bethel College classes in the sanctuary
11 am  Inurnment Service for Douglas Schmidt with only family present
2 to 3 pm Bethel College class in the sanctuary
Tuesday, October 26
9 to11 am  Community Playschool in playschool rooms
Wednesday October 27
8 to 10 am Bethel College classes in the sanctuary
2 to 3 pm Bethel College class in the sanctuary
7 pm   Senior High Youth Group–Room 24
7 pm   Memorial service for Martha Graber in Sanctuary
Thursday, October 28
2 pm Hospitality Commission, Fellowship Hall
Friday, October 29
8  to 10 am Bethel College classes in the sanctuary
2  to 3 pm Bethel College class in the sanctuary
Sunday, October 31
9:30 am Worship service in the sanctuary
10:30 am Faith formation

Staff schedules: Custodian Mike Crawford will be on vacation Oct. 25-31

BCMC COMMUNITY NEWS

There will be a Memorial Service for Martha Graber Wednesday Oct 27, 7 pm, in the BCMC Sanctuary.

“Thinking of You”
The Deacons Commission is working on a “Thinking of You” campaign for people who are isolated due to COVID and other health concerns. For the next few Sundays, we will have a table at the back of the sanctuary with pages for your comments to members of our church whom we haven’t been able to see for a while. Please stop by and write a short greeting or sign your name to let them know we are thinking about them. For those of you who are unable to attend worship but can stop by the church during the week, these letters will be in the library during the week for anyone to write a note before we send them out. Thank you! -–Deacons Commission

Thank you to everyone who supported the sr high youth group in their October 10th, Jazz and Charcuterie fundraiser. Together we raised over $3,000 for their upcoming Outdoor Service Trip this summer. 

Chancel choir resumes on Wed, Nov 3, 7:30 pm (please note time due to Menno Ringers rehearsal time), with William Eash directing. Please contact Monica Lichti if you plan to participate.  Please note that all participants will be required to wear masks.

BCMC Budget update: The church’s budget thermometer is pointing to critical.  At the end of September, we had an expense over income deficit of $32,895.  That’s an increase of $4,395 from August.  We need your help now.  Remember, we are in the final quarter and time is short.  Also remember that if you have required minimum distribution (RMD), you can direct it to the church, which is a charitable organization for income tax purposes.

Please come check out the new books that have been added to our library!
We have a combination of nonfiction books, fiction, biography and one new Everybody Book. Something for everyone. Enjoy!          Tongue Tied by Sara Wenger Shenk
          What Do You Say to a Dragon? By Lexi Young Peck
          Taken at Birth by Jane Blasio
          Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron
          The Sowing Season by Katie Powner
          When Thought and Prayers Aren’t Enough by Taylor S. Schumann
          Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
           Transforming the Bible and Lives of Transgender Christians by Austin Harke
          Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum
          The World:  A Brief Introduction by Richard Haass

The Staff Congregation Relations Committee is pleased to report that the role of Music Coordinator at BCMC has been filled. Going forward, Barbara Thiesen and Verlene Garber will be sharing the role as Music Co-Coordinators at BCMC. We appreciate their willingness to share their gifts with BCMC in this way. 

BCMC 2021 Directory Correction
Please make the following correction in your 2021 BCMC Directory

The exhibit in the Gathering Place is a tribute to John Hiebert. John worked for 50 years as the artistic designer for publications, first for the General Conference and then Mennonite Church USA. He was involved in numerous design projects beyond the scope of church work. He also designed bulletin covers and booklets for BCMC. We want to recognize his work and pay tribute to his “magical” design skills.   — The Visual Arts Committee

LOCAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES and NEWS

Meat Canning Days Are Coming
Mennonite Central Committee works to meet hunger, sanitation and education needs around the world.  One of the ways local people can help is at our yearly meat canning event.  This year it will be November 16 and 17 for Newton area churches at the MCC mid states building in North Newton. Please use the attached link to sign up to help.  Financial donations are also needed.  If you have questions, talk to your church’s MCC contact person (Lowell Stucky) or call the MCC office ((316) 283-2720).   Thanks.
https://tinyurl.com/MeatCanning2021

BCMC and Faith Churches are committed to providing volunteers and meals for NEW HOPE SHELTER the week of November 3 to 9.  We are always in need of more volunteers.  Many who have served generously in the past are aging and we need replacements. Please consider offering your time and yourself to serve those among us who are in need of shelter until New Hope can help them move on to a more secure situation.  Contact Valetta Seymour if you have questions or feel ready to be a volunteer.  620-217-7536, seymour2314@gmail.com.

COPERNICUS & GALILEO: BRIDGING SCIENCE AND FAITHBrent Hampton, family member of Zona and Omer Galle, invites everyone to a three part presentation via Zoom Webinar, on Oct 27, Nov 3, and Nov 10 at 6:00 PM CST sponsored by Brenham Presbyterian Church, with generous funding from the Eli Lilly Foundation. This presentation is free for all. Click here for more information and a zoom link for this webinar.  

Newton Et Cetera Shop is getting ready for the holidays! Our Christmas Shop will open on Wednesday, November 3, and we’ll continue putting out new holiday items throughout the remainder of the season. Please consider decorating your home or workplace with secondhand decor! We also have many gift items for sale during the holidays, including some extra special items such a diamond ring, local railroad memorabilia, and vintage German, Italian and American Christmas decor.  If the holidays have you in a sharing mood, you might consider purchasing $10 Newton Et Cetera Shop gift cards for one of our many community partners! We regularly donate $10 gift cards to Safehope, Newton USD 373, New Hope Shelter, Salvation Army, Peace Connections, EmberHope, Mirror, and New Jerusalem Missions. If you’d like to give our gift cards to any of those organizations, you can deliver them yourself or leave them with us to deliver. These gift cards support community members in urgent need AND support the mission and vision of the Newton Et Cetera Shop!
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer at the Shop, we’re holding a new volunteer orientations on Thurs. 11/11/21 6-7 PM. Join us to learn more about volunteering at our shop!  

Local author Brian D. Stucky has compiled a book of birth names recorded in the church records of Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, titled “Alexanderwohl Names 1622-2020.” Find an info sheet near the church mailboxes. 

BETHEL COLLEGE NEWS

Thurs., Oct. 28 – Bethel College Chamber Orchestra Halloween concert, 7:30 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Bethel’s current COVID-19 protocols require physical distancing and mask-wearing indoors for groups of 10 or more.

Fri., Oct. 29 – The “Voices Together” art exhibit, a display of the original artwork featured in the new Voices Together hymnal, opens in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. on Sunday. IN ADDITION, Rachel Epp Buller, professor of visual arts and design at Bethel and gallery and exhibit coordinator, is available to church groups who would like to visit the exhibit on an evening or weekend outside regular hours. Contact her at rebuller@bethelks.edu to set up a time between Oct. 29-Nov. 19.

Sun., Oct. 31 – Bethel College fall choral showcase, “Bethel Sings,” featuring the Concert Choir, Women’s Ensemble, Woven and Open Road, 4 p.m.NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION to the Administration Building steps (Memorial Hall in case of bad weather; Bethel’s current COVID-19 protocols require physical distancing and mask-wearing indoors for groups of 10 or more).

Fri., Nov. 5 – The Menno Simons Lecture Endowment, with the support of the Reimer-Boese Worship and the Arts Endowment, will bring Jan Kraybill, Kansas City, to the Bethel College campus for two lectures on the theme “This is Our Story, This is our Song: The Power of Music in Community.” “The Sound of Science” is at 11 a.m. in Memorial Hall as part of Bethel’s student convocation series. “Music and Memory, Meaning and Mission” is at 7 p.m. in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Livestream options will be available. Bethel’s current COVID-19 protocols require physical distancing and mask-wearing indoors for groups of 10 or more.

Fri., Nov. 5 – Reception for Menno Simons lecturer Jan Kraybill and the “Voices Together” exhibit (in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College), following Kraybill’s lecture that begins at 7 p.m. in Krehbiel Auditorium, in the Fine Arts Center lobby. Bethel’s current COVID-19 protocols require physical distancing and mask-wearing indoors for groups of 10 or more.

Tues., Nov. 9 – Bethel College’s Organ Recital Series returns in-person with Shirley Sprunger King, D.M.A., 7 p.m., in the Ad Building chapel. Chapel seating will be limited, and there will be a livestream option in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Bethel’s current COVID-19 protocols require physical distancing and mask-wearing indoors for groups of 10 or more.

KIPCOR Film Series 2021-2022: Sunday, November 14, at 2:00 PM
“A Home Called Nebraska”
Film will be live and in-person in Krehbiel Auditorium in the Luyken Fine Arts Center on the campus of Bethel College.  Be sure to stay after the film for another audience discussion led by a topic expert.  As always, our films are free and open to the public.
“A Home Called Nebraska” tells the story of our midwestern neighbors to the north and the welcome, acceptance and friendship they extended to refugees in 2020 – all during a time of national anxiety and open bigotry.  Thanks to many Nebraskans’ generosity, these refugees who escaped war, torture and persecution continue to thrive and succeed today.
PLEASE NOTE that we will continue to follow Bethel College’s COVID-19 guidelines, which currently require everyone to wear masks indoors for groups of 10 or more, regardless of vaccination status.  You can find additional information HERE.  

CAMP MENNOSCAH NEWS

Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat is scheduled for 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.  Masks encouraged when inside.

  • Camp Mennoscah will be recruiting for 2022 summer staff on Nov. 8 at Hesston, Nov. 9 at Tabor, and November 10 at Bethel College with other Mennonite Camping Association camps. Tables are usually near the cafeteria doors. We’ll be there from mid-morning through lunch.
     
  • The brush piles from the tree trimming extravaganza this past spring are ready to burn!  Get a group together and schedule a day to burn (wind speed permitting).  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 with benefits).  Some of the office/administrative tasks can be done from home.  Contact Olivia at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for more information.
     
  • Thank you for granting wishes!  We are grateful for the recent donations of items off the Wish List.  The list has more wishes and there are more projects to do.  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!

Mennonite Disaster Service Region 3 Annual Meeting information click here

The Rocky Mountain October newsletter is here!  Have a look at the latest/greatest happenings here at RMMC. For this and previous newsletters, please visit the camp website and click on the “News” tab under “About Us”.

Mennonite Men announcements click here

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: 

Stories:

Mennonite Central Committee has a variety of positions open for those called to be the hands and feet of God in a global context. We hope you will prayerfully consider the following service opportunities.

Seek Discipleship Program – Jordan, Palestine and Israel – Seek is a new six-month intentional discipleship program from MCC which encourages young adults (18-20 years of age) to deeply learn what it means to be an Anabaptist follower of Jesus. The program will include multiple discipleship and service opportunities with MCC partners. To learn more and apply for the Seek program, visit mcc.org/seek.

International Program Safety and Security HR Specialist – MCC seeks an International Program Safety and Security HR Specialist with experience in safety and security management, and at least 1 year experience in insecure environments. Should be committed to the Biblical call to be a peacemaker by seeking and promoting nonviolent solutions to conflict and oppression.

External Grants Coordinator – Lebanon, Syria & Iraq – MCC seeks an External Grants Coordinator who will provide support for humanitarian assistance and other externally funded projects in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq that MCC is undertaking as a result of the ongoing needs in the region.

Program Coordinator – Lebanon, Syria & Iraq – MCC seeks a Program Coordinator. This role, based in Beirut, is tasked with managing the program’s Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) for projects in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.

For more information about our current openings, including those listed here, please visit mcc.org/serve.
 

HESSTON COLLEGE NEWS

Bel Canto Singers Fall Concert: Deep Peace – Oct. 24, 2 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church.  The program is inspired by this year’s theme verse at Hesston College, Ephesians 4:2-3, in which Paul calls Christians to lift each other up in community. www.hesston.edu/livestream

Sunflower Performing Arts: Sunflower Soirée – Oct. 31, 3 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church.  Formerly known as Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts, Sunflower Performing Arts series will open with the first-ever Sunflower Soirée, a concert of local and regional artists that also promotes the season ahead and kicks off the organization’s annual patron drive. Free of charge, this event will feature the following artists: pianist Karen Schlabaugh; The Sunflower Trio; flautists Kristin Shaffer and Kenna Graber; guitarists Howard Glanton and Excier Rodriguez; soprano Holly Swartzendruber and pianist Karen Unruh; and musicians Ken Rodgers and Russell Adrian. Sunflower Performing Arts season tickets can be purchased or picked up at the concert. Tax-deductible donations can also be made to Sunflower Performing Arts during this time. Light refreshments will be served. Audience members are required to wear masks while inside the church, and the artists will wear masks when not performing. www.hesston.edu/livestream

Mennonite Disaster Service On the Level Announcement click here
Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond click here
Mennonite Mission Network Mustard Seeds click here

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Anna Alderfer, Bowen Dick-Burkey, Dawson Duerksen, Brooke Nafziger, and Service Adventure unit leaders, Barry and Erika Kreider, who are settling into community living and extending the ministries of host congregation, Albuquerque (New Mexico) Mennonite Church. Pray for them as they work with children and youth, people without homes, Habitat for Humanity, a community art center, and an urban farm.

Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Pray for the WDC Executive Board as they meet this week, to further WDC’s mission of empowering congregations to Witness and invite others to faith in Christ, Dwell in just and loving relationships, and Connect to God’s mission