This Week at BCMC: July 17—24, 2022
Sunday, July 17—Live stream (YouTube) link for this Sunday is:
https://youtu.be/Glblg_XNIm8
10:15 am Fellowship Time with coffee and water served in the
Gathering Place
10:30 am Faith Formation—Visitors welcome!
Adult Classes (If meeting): Agape Class (Rm B8) Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5); Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Mosaic (Rm 20); Open Circle (Room 21); Seekers (Rm 28);
Sojourners (Chapel)
Monday, July 18—Pastor Nathan Koontz will be on vacation through
July 24
Saturday, July 23
3 pm Memorial Service for Jim Gaeddert —you are invited to attend in person or by live-stream
Sunday, July 24
9:30 am Worship with sermon by Todd Schlosser
10:15 am Fellowship Time with coffee and water served in the
Gathering Place
10:30 am Faith Formation—Visitors welcome!
BCMC July 10 Offering: General Fund $5,262.94; Library Reserve Fund $20; Living Stones $655; Kitchen Fund $13; Women’s Fellowship $50; Screen Project $50; Orletta Wiebe Memorial $405.
The letter from the BCMC Church Board expressing affirmation and encouragement to denominational leadership at Mennonite Church USA regarding the recent approval of the Resolution for Repentance and Transformation at the Special Delegate Assembly at the end of May will be underneath the balcony at the back of the church on Sunday, July 17. Denomination leadership is hearing from various perspectives in the wake of this resolution. We want them to know that we are filled with hope and gratitude for our denomination moving forward toward healing and repair, and toward equity and justice, despite the hard work ahead.
If you are interested in signing this letter come to the back of the sanctuary on Sunday. Thanks from the Inclusion Task Group,
Megan Kohlman, Karen Ediger, Karen Penner, John Kliewer, & Nathan Koontz
Faith Formation Staff Positions
Two quarter time staff positions are open to help ease the load of Faith Formation in the wake of Pastor Renee’s departure. The Youth Coordinator is primarily responsible for the high school youth group. The Faith Formation Coordinator is responsible for coordinating children and youth Sunday School and Wednesday evening programming for children up to high school age. These positions will go through the end of the school year. These positions could be combined into one half time position for the right candidate. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact Kathy Stucky at kathystucky57@yahoo.com. The full job descriptions are attached at the bottom of this email.
For Faith Formation Coordinator Description click here
For Youth Coordinator Description click here
A GET-TOGETHER FOR JULY 24
Adam, Jill, Al, Nadine, Jake, and Gabby would like to invite the BCMC congregation to the Robb house (193 20th Ave., Moundridge – two miles west of the blinking light, then turn south) on Sunday, July 24 at 6 PM for a wiener roast and social time! We’ll provide the hotdogs and fixins, along with chips and beverages, and hope that you can join us in fellowship. If you come, and would like to bring a side or dessert, please feel free to – but nothing is required! We will also have a few chairs, but would ask that if you have your own, that you bring those. And, if you’ll be able to join us, please let us know (email Adam and Jill at adamandjillrobb@gmail.com or catch us in church) by Thursday, July 21 so that we can plan accordingly to make sure there are enough supplies! We look forward to hopefully seeing you for some fellowship in the Moundridge countryside!
FOR THE MAY-JUNE ISSUE OF THE “KALEIDOSCOPE” PRESS HERE
There are printed copies of the newsletter in the Gathering Place.
If there is an article you would like to suggest (or write) for the BCMC “Kaleidoscope” please contact the BCMC office.
Faith Formation would like for everyone to fill out a short survey regarding interest in attending an intergenerational Sunday School class this coming school year with our children and youth. We are looking for adults who are interested in joining the class for one month out of the year. Please take a look at the survey and see if any of the areas of opportunity to help will interest you.
https://forms.gle/v5q4uWeY4XE8w6vX7
Below is a letter that the BCMC Church Board has signed expressing affirmation and encouragement to denominational leadership at Mennonite Church USA regarding the recent approval of the Resolution for Repentance and Transformation at the Special Delegate Assembly at the end of May. Denomination leadership is hearing from various perspectives in the wake of this resolution. We want them to know that we are filled with hope and gratitude for our denomination moving forward toward healing and repair, and toward equity and justice, despite the hard work ahead.
If you are interested in signing this letter, a hard copy will be available to sign on Sunday morning, July 17 in the back of the sanctuary. If you are unable to attend and sign in-person on July 17, reply to this email expressing your interest to sign and we will include your name on the letter.
Thanks from the Inclusion Task Group,
Megan Kohlman, Karen Ediger, Karen Penner, John Kliewer, & Nathan Koontz
Greetings from Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, KS.
As a congregation, we would like to express our support for you, the leadership of Mennonite Church USA. As leaders in the denomination, you are the first to hear people’s frustration, anger, and sorrow. As human beings, we are typically quick to share our disappointment but slow to share our support.
BCMC would like to share with you our joy. We celebrate the passage of the Resolution for Repentance and Transformation and the work that will be done by MCUSA moving forward. As a congregation, we are actively seeking ways to be more inclusive, welcoming, and active in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. We are excited to join in that work with the greater Mennonite church.
We acknowledge that there is challenging work to be done, particularly in the call of the Resolution for Repentance and Transformation. We will pray for you and walk with you as you discern and take the next steps in that work. Our hope is that as we move into our future as a denomination, we seek to truly follow Jesus in extending love and welcome without boundaries.
Please know that there are many individuals and congregations in the Mennonite Church that are celebrating every step we take toward inclusion. We are thankful for your willingness to facilitate difficult conversations and to allow delegates to take difficult votes.
Thank you for saying yes to the call of serving MCUSA and for choosing to love this church, even in the hard times.
In Christ,
Church Board of Bethel College Mennonite Church
The Abuse Prevention and Response Committee will take the months of July and part of August to read the book, #Church Too. On Sunday August 21 will be spent sharing reactions to the book, and on August 28 guiding questions will be used to help us discuss how we as a congregation can use the information from the book to help us create a healthy culture around sexuality at BCMC that supports survivors, our children/youth and ourselves. The book can be purchased through Amazon, requested through Faith and Life bookstore, or your favorite local independent bookstore of your choice. If demand is high we will pivot and figure out a way to have copies available in the church office for purchase. – Jill Robb, APRC chair
Kidron Bethel Village is looking for a volunteer to go on walks with a Kidron Bethel Village resident (wheelchair) during the late afternoon or evenings once or twice a week. If you are able to help, contact Shelley Lujano at 316-836-4821 or shelleyl@bluestemks.org.
New Hope Shelter be hosting a Volunteer Training Session on Thursday, July 21 at 7 pm. New Hope’s volunteer shift hours are 5 pm to 11 pm daily. Anyone who signs up to be a volunteer must be trained by a staff member beforehand. Even if you have volunteered before COVID, you may want to come back in for a refresher course.
If anyone who is interested in signing up for volunteer training, please contact Valetta Seymour no later than Tuesday, July 19. seymour2314@gmail.com, 620-217-7536.
Western District Conference Assembly, July 29-31
Looking for a dream vacation this summer while serving the church? Camp Copass near Denton, Texas, might be just the ticket for you. It’s the site for the annual WDC Assembly. You’ll find registration information at https://mennowdc.org/2022-wdc-annual-assembly/. If attending the assembly in person, the cost for housing and meals is $168 (there is no registration fee). Transportation is available via vans from North Newton for $25 per person. There is also a virtual option for attending the assembly, although that does involve a $50 registration fee. The Gifts Discernment Committee will provide at least $150 for any delegates attending in person; $50 dollars for those participating virtually. BCMC qualifies for 16 delegates. Registration deadline is July 15. Contact the church office or a member of the Gifts Discernment Committee if you plan to attend.
GDC members: Dale Schrag, Jerry Buller, Elaine Prouty, Jeanette Stucky
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!
WDC Final Thursday Book Discussion July 28: When a near-fatal illness led his doctors to prescribe narcotics, Timothy McMahan King ended up as millions of others have: addicted. Join us in reading and discussing King’s book Addiction Nation which “nudges us toward healing from the ravages of addiction and draws us toward a spirituality studied enough to sate our deepest longings.” Discussion: July 28, @ 7:00pm via Zoom. Register: email the library at crlib@mennowdc.org
Colorado peaches are back! Place your order for fresh Colorado peaches, just $27 for 10 lb. box and $38 for 18 lb. box by calling Mennonite Central Committee at 316-283-2720 or emailing patsydirksen@mcc.org. Peaches must be ordered and paid for by July 25. The peaches are offered as a fundraiser for the Colorado MCC Relief Sale, please make payment by check to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line. Generous volunteers Jerry and Leann Toews will bring the peaches from Colorado to MCC in North Newton for you to pick-up around August 22.
For Mennonite World Conference press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
Mennonite Central Committee Announcement
July 26 MCC webinar: Creative housing solutions for refugees and asylum seekers – When refugees and asylum seekers arrive in the United States, the first thing they need is a safe place to call home. Unfortunately, the ongoing affordable housing crisis has greatly impacted families’ ability to lay down roots. Join MCC on Tuesday, July 26 at 1:00 p.m. CDT/12:00 p.m. MDT to learn about different ways the faith community has partnered with refugees, asylum seekers and organizations that serve them to offer creative housing solutions. Learn more and register at https://mcc.org/webinar-housing-solutions.
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) is seeking applicants for its Justice Fund grants. The Justice Fund supports MC USA congregations that are working to combat poverty, dismantle racism, address immigration reform or reimagine policing. For more information: mennoniteusa.org/seek-applicants-justice-fund
#BeTransformed
Gun violence continues to plague our country. Read how Mike Martin has taken steps to combat gun violence through RAWtools, Inc., a ministry partner of Mennonite Church USA, in his blog, “Guns to garden tools.” mennoniteusa.org/guns-to-garden-tools
Menno Snapshots
Steve Chun reflects on how Kkaenip, or perilla, a plant used in traditional Korean cuisine, helps him and other Korean Americans maintain a sense of identity, despite living away from their ancestral land. Read his Menno Snapshots blog, “Flavors of resilience,” here: mennoniteusa.org/flavors-of-resilience
Menno Snapshots
Lynda Hollinger-Janzen of Mennonite Mission Network rides her bicycle to work every day. It provides her with an opportunity for exercise, allows her to reduce her impact on the environment and it creates space for her to spend time with God. Read more about the benefits of biking in her Menno Snapshots blog, “I bike for world peace, personal shalom — and because I love biking.” mennoniteusa.org/i-bike-for
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network’s Youth Venture program is leading a nine-day immigration and borderlands learning tour in Tucson, Arizona. Pray for the 15 participants as they come face-to-face with injustice and racism in many forms.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for the gifts shared by elected leaders in WDC as they conclude another year of service on the WDC Executive Board, Commissions and Gifts Discernment Committee at the end of July.