Bethel College Mennonite Church Retreat at Camp Mennoscah April 26 and 27, 2025
There will be no church worship service at the BCMC building this Sunday, April 27. BCMC will be worshipping at Camp Mennoscah. There will be three baptisms at the Camp Mennoscah worship service– Maisie Brubacher, Emma Gering, and Abram Wall. If you still wish to come to the retreat and have not registered, please email Adam Robb at adamandjillrobb@gmail.com
Youth Group Fundraiser–BCMC Plant Sale
There are tomato plants and other plants in the BCMC south entry, today through Monday, April 25-28! There will be an honor system to pay for plants. The plants are looking really good!
There is a suggested donation of $3 per plant – but you can give more to send the Senior High Youth Group to MennoCon!
To read a list of the plants offered see below or press here
Bethel College Mennonite Church
Youth Plant Sale 2025
Kansas Dep’t of Agriculture Plant Dealer’s License: 19166-13702
Click on each plant variety name to pull up the seed company description.
Varieties have been chosen because of proven performance in Kansas’ hot, humid summers.
Slicing/Beefsteak Tomatoes
Red Snapper – Hybrid tomato; produces heavy yields of large tomatoes; excellent flavor; high disease resistance; determinate.
Bella Rosa – Hybrid tomato with heirloom flavor; performs very well in heat and humidity; heavy yields of medium sized tomatoes; excellent disease resistance; determinate.
Cherokee Purple – Heirloom tomato with dark coloration and excellent flavor; variety originated with the Cherokee People of Tennessee; handles heat and humidity better than most heirloom varieties; indeterminate.
Black Angel – Hybrid “heirloom type” tomato with dark coloration and excellent flavor; high yields; high disease resistance; determinate.
Paste/Roma Tomatoes
Tachi – Hybrid paste tomato; heavy yields that come on at once; great for canning and sauce; high disease resistance; determinate.
Shelby – Hybrid paste tomato; heavy yields that come on at once; great for canning and sauce; high disease resistance; thrives in heat; determinate.
Cherry Tomatoes
Sun Gold – Hybrid cherry tomato that produces loads of yellow-orange tomatoes that taste like sweet drops of sunshine! Indeterminate. One plant is probably enough! Our dog likes to steal these from the vine.
Sweetie – Heirloom cherry tomato that produces small clusters of red tomatoes on tall plants; indeterminate.
Patio Tomatoes
Containers Choice – Hybrid slicing tomato; dwarf size makes it suited to growing in pots, raised beds, or other tight spaces; determinate.
Also selling: Geraniums, Basil (Italian, Thai, Lemon, Cinnamon), and Summer Savory (Paepakruut)
Contact Will Wiebe-Friesen for more details – all plants were raised in Krehbiel Science Center at Bethel College.
Upcoming Events at BCMC· The memorial service for Merrill Raber will be May 3, 11 a.m. at BCMC.
· There will be a Congregational Meetingfollowing church on May 4. More details and agenda will come early next week. Committee and Commission chairs: If you have not turned in an annual report, please do so as soon as possible!
· May 11, 2025 Worship Service will include Senior Recognition of BCMC’s High School Graduates; a film of the baptisms at Camp Mennoscah; a welcome to new members; and a Sabbatical blessing for Pastor Nathan Koontz.
What hymn holds a special place in your heart? The worship commission wants to sing the hymns you love during our summer worship services. We will collect hymn requests through the month of April and then sing as many of your requests as we can over the summer months. We will also include notes in the bulletin about who chose which hymns and why. You may submit requests by filling out a “Summer Hymn Request” paper and placing it in the designated box or by emailing Pastor Joanna. Be sure to include a 1-3 sentence statement with your request letting us know why that hymn is special to you. What a gift it is to sing together! Hymn requests should be in by Wednesday, April 30.
BCMC Offering for Apr. 20: Gen. Fund $8,846; MCC Sale $25; Youth Group $2,172; Caring Fund $1,336; Library Reserve Fund $5; Women’s Fellowship $509; Merrill Raber Mem. $150.
Bethel College Announcements
Mon., April 28 – The annual Senior Art Exhibit, featuring the work of Bethel College students Gracie Higgins, April Powls and Lizzie Schmucker, opens in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center through May 18 (reception May 16). Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
Weds., April 30 – Bethel College Orchestra, directed by Kris Hilding, 7 p.m., featuring works by Juventino Rojas, Florence Price and Gustav Holst, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Thurs., May 1 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble, directed by Chris Miertschin, 7 p.m., featuring works by Elgar, Stamp, Bilik and more; Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Sat., May 3 – Kauffman Museum bird walk, 7 a.m. start time in the museum parking lot at the corner of Main and 27th streets (2801 N. Main St., North Newton 67117). Experienced birders lead a walk of 1-1.5 hours in Chisholm Park and on Sand Creek Trail (terrain is mostly wood-chip path and sometimes uneven/sloping).
Sun., May 4 – Bethel College Masterworks Concert, 4 p.m.: Three Nocturnes by Dan Forrest; Exsultate, Jubilate by Mozart; Considering Matthew Shepard: A Choral Suite by Craig Hella Johnson – with mass choir, orchestra and soloists; Memorial Hall
Weds., May 7 – Jazz on the Green at Bethel College, 7 p.m. (rain venue: Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center)
Thurs., May 8 – Bethel College Voice Studio recital, Dr. Holly Swartzendruber, instructor, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
Sun., May 11 – Dr. Valerie Mendoza, Washburn University, “Stories of Mexican Migration to Kansas,” 3 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium
Sun., May 11 – Woven and Open Road joint concert, 4 p.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church
Mon., May 12 – Dr. Henry Waters’ Hymnology class invites the public to a Hymn Festival, 7 p.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church. Sing and learn more about a selection of hymns from Voices Together.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Dear WDC followers of Jesus:
Jesus made space for little ones in his ministry. We can, too! Even if your congregation has few regularly-attending children, don’t you want to make space for them when they do attend? This is a great opportunity to learn more about what’s coming and what’s available through the Lilly Endowment grant we recently received.The grant invites us to “elevate the communal worship experience for all, while focusing on children.”
Please register soon for the FREE May 3, 11am-3 pm Kids Meet Christ Launch event at First Mennonite Church, Newton, KS or online (hybrid). Lunch is included for the in-person launch.
Register here by clicking the green “Register Here” button.
https://mennowdc.org/kids-meet-christ-kmc/
We’ve been working hard to prepare for the Launch. We hope to see you on May 3!
In peace,
Kathy Neufeld Dunn
Conversation on Immigration Concerns: Is your congregation seeking to learn more about current immigration issues, discern forms of action and advocacy, or offer solidarity and support for members of the immigrant community? WDC will host a zoom gathering for pastors and interested church members on Tuesday, April 29, at 6:30-8:30 pm to provide updates, information and resources, and an opportunity to connect with each other around these shared concerns. Guest presenter Esmeralda Tovar-Mora, Executive Director of Hutch in Harmony and founding member of the Kansas Immigration Coalition, will join us to focus particularly on resources in the Kansas region. The session will be in English, with Spanish interpretation provided. To receive the zoom link, please contact WDC at wdc@mennowdc.org or 316-283-6300 by noon on April 28.
For additional resources, also see the WDC website: https://mennowdc.org/immigration-justice-resources/; resources from Mennonite Church USA: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/resource-portal/resource/immigration-resources-advocacy/; and resources from Mennonite Central Committee: https://mcc.org/what-we-do/initiatives/disaster-response/support-immigrant-neighbors
Western District Women in Mission potluck salad meal shared with women and girls of the surrounding area followed by meditation on God’s creation through a floral design workshop by Rebecca Schrag on Mon., Apr. 28, 6 p.m., at Tabor Mennonite Church. Bring a salad to share, table service provided, and a small vessel (shallow bowl, tea cup size). Also bring garden or kitchen shears if you have one. RSVP: westerndistrictwomeninmission.org. For transportation: call Marlene V. Faul 316-288-9650 or email at marlene.violet@gmail.com
Public Witness: Sat., Apr. 26, 11:30 a.m. the Western District Conference Israel-Palestine Task Force with Mennonite Action are hosting a “God’s Love Knows No Borders” gathering at the Harvey County Courthouse, 800 N Main St, Newton. Please join us at 10:30 a.m. at Military Park, 200 E Broadway, if at all possible, to prepare for the event. For more information, email: robertleeatchison@gmail.com
Support Camp Mennoscah on May 2 with purchases at The Hub. 10% of all sales on May 2 will be donated to Camp Mennoscah. Musical groups will play from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and include K81, Queen Jack Jericho, Brett and Caleb Klingenberg, and The Schrag Siblings. A Camp Mennoscah tee shirt quilt will be sold through a silent auction. A picture of the quilt can be seen at www.campmennoscah.org . Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for a bidding from a distance option. (The Hub, 100 S. Christian, Moundridge, https://www.thehubbrickoven.com)
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements
Memorial Day Work and Play May 23-26, 2025: Spend your holiday weekend at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp for the annual Work and Play Retreat! The weekend focuses on getting ready for the coming summer camp season by helping with foodservice, cleaning and fixing things, while also offering a free day on Sunday to enjoy the holiday weekend. A couple of exciting projects will include moving new furniture to Rocky Ridge and Emmental and assembling bunk beds for Park Ridge. The retreat will begin at 7:00pm on Friday and conclude after breakfast on Monday. Visit rmmc.org to learn more and to register!
Summer Resident Camps @RMMC: Resident Camps offer a slice of summer where campers experience the outdoors in a fun and safe community. Campers experience a new adventure while growing in their faith and exploring the Rocky Mountains. Our theme for Summer 2025 is Rocky Road. We don’t always know which road to take and it can often be a rocky one. Join in as we explore what the Bible tells us about these rocky roads – rocks that bring life and refuge (Ex. 17:6, Mat. 16:18), rocks that cry out (Luke 19:40), even rocks we think are too great to move (Mark 16:3-4). Register by May 31 to take advantage of the better rate!
For Mennonite World Conference Info press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Women USA “Women’s Voices” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network bulletin announcements press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News from around the world” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
The refrain, “We have been here before,” echoed throughout the Hope for the Future Conference at Goshen College, held Feb. 28–Mar. 2, 2025. This annual gathering for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) leaders within MC USA celebrated resilience, honored the past and envisioned a future grounded in justice and hope. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/hftf25-30-years-anti-racism
MC USA honored seven community elders during a gala at its 12th Hope for the Future Conference, Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2025, in Goshen, Indiana. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/elders-honored/
Watch the webinar recording about how to best equip your MC USA youth for the Follow Jesus ’25 convention in Greensboro, North Carolina, July 8-12, 2025! View it here: mennoniteusa.org/webinar/fj25-guiding-youth
View the full playlist of MC USA Safe Church ministry’s abuse prevention webinars on MC USA’s YouTube channel here: mennoniteusa.org/webinars-safechurch
Menno Snapshots
Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality in MC USA, discusses the theological rationale for why Mennonite Church USA joined the “sensitive locations” lawsuit as part of a broad faith coalition. Read his reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/free-exercise-of-faith
Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler, an ordained minister and former pastor in Central Plains Mennonite Conference, kicks off the “Learn, Pray, Join: Undoing Patriarchy” series by sharing a prayer for women. Read the prayer here: mennoniteusa.org/prayer-for-women
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request April 27
Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for the Kikubya Mennonite Church in Uganda, whose building was severely damaged by floods, and for the 15 families who lost their homes and/or crops. Bishop Simon Okoth asks for prayer and resources, as the church tries to carry on its ministries to its members, many of whom fled from violence in Rwanda generations ago. Despite their limited resources, Mennonites are also hosting people fleeing from violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Western District Conference Prayer Request April 27
Pray that WDC congregations may be renewed by the power of Jesus’s resurrection, boldly proclaiming the Good News and embodying Christ’s love, reconciliation, and justice mission in their communities and beyond -WDC Church Planting Commission
Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each
person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.