Announcements for April 3-10, 2022


This week at BCMC
Sunday, April 3, 2022—5th Sunday of Lent
9:30 am    Worship Service (in person and live streamed)
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
Children and youth Sunday School classes! 10:30-11:30 am
Preschoolers – Room B4        Middlers (3rd-8th graders) – Room 26
High School – Room 24   Koinonia (college students welcome!) – The Agape House
The Agape Class will meet in Room B8
Adult Classes (If meeting):  Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5);
Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Book Study (Rm 20); Open Circle (Room 21); Seekers (Rm 28); Sojourners (Chapel)
Monday,  April 4, 2022
7 pm         Facilities Committee meeting in Fellowship Hall
Tuesday,  April 5, 2022
9-11 am     Community Playschool
4 pm          Lent Prayers by Zoom
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
6-8 pm      Youth Group in Fellowship Hall
7 pm          Wednesday Night Club for 3rd to 8th Graders
7:30 pm    Chancel Choir in the Sanctuary
Thursday, April 7, 2022
4 pm          Lent Prayers by Zoom
6:15 pm    Chancel Bells in Room B7
7 pm          Church Board Meeting
Friday and Saturday, April 8-9, 2022—Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale
Sunday, April 10—Palm Sunday
9:30 am  Worship Service (in person and live streamed)
10:30 am Faith Formation


The Memorial Service for Mary Ann Unruh Gertsen will be Saturday, April 2, 11 am, in the BCMC sanctuary.  Mary Ann died October 25, 2021.   The service will be live-streamed.


This Sunday, April 3- the Central Kansas Master Chorale, a newly formed, select community ensemble, will be performing a concert at Trinity Lutheran Church in McPherson. All area communities are invited to attend.  
Who: Central Kansas Master Chorale
What: Concert featuring Haydn’s Little Organ Mass
When: Sunday, April 3 @ 2:00pm
Where:  Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 North Elm St, McPherson KS
Admission is free.
Joel Garber, D.M.A.
Artistic Director
Central Kansas Master Chorale


Here is The Kaleidoscope – BCMC Newsletter for March-April 2022
Click here


BCMC Offering for March 27, 2022
General Fund $6,490; Adult Choir $50; Living Stones $55; Flower Fund $33


Thank you for being a part of the BCMC pictorial directory!  The Hospitality Commission would like to extend our thanks to everyone that participated in the photography sessions last week at the church.  Your promptness, patience, and perfect poses helped to make this endeavor successful. We are anticipating the final pictorial directory and your free 8 X 10 photo to be available by the end of June.
If you have any questions regarding your portrait orders or to order additional portraits, please contact Melinda, at Re:Member Church Directories customer service department at 336-724-5482 or rcdcustomerservice@gmail.com.
If you or a family member were not able to have your picture taken, you may still submit a digital photo for publication in the directory. Please send a digital head and shoulders photo to d.whillock@cox.net
Pictures should be oriented vertically, not horizontally. Photos cannot be from another professional photographer because of copyright issues. Please list names of all people in the photo from left to right. The final deadline for this is April 2. Act quickly, no late photos can be published!! We want all BCMC members and attendees to be included!
If you send in a digital photo and would like a copy of the pictorial directory, we are asking for a $10.00 donation to cover the cost of printing. You can send this to the church office and clearly designate it is for the pictorial directory.
Thank you again for being a part of this project.
the Hospitality Commission


Women’s Fellowship AnnouncementApril 19, 2022 @ 7:00 pm in the BCMC Fellowship Hall

Women of BCMC: It is time to gather! This is an invitation to ALL Women of BCMC. ALL who attend will receive a free birthday calendar. Contact a member of the Leadership Team (Lois Brubacher, Lois Preheim, Brenda Turner, Janet Voth) if you cannot attend, but would like a free birthday calendar.
Let’s Celebrate Life!


Lent Prayers 
Pastoral staff at BCMC will be facilitating prayers during lent on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 4 pm.  This is a time to take a break from the day and let evening come.  We will pray together via Zoom for about 15-20 minutes using the daily prayer book from the Corrymeela Community, northern Ireland’s longest running peace and reconciliation organization: Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community by Padraig O Tuama.The next prayer times will be March 22 and 24.
Below is the link for our lent prayers via zoom using Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community as our guide. 
 This same link should work for each prayer time.  
Bethel College Mennonite Church is inviting you to a lent prayer Zoom meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85751414152?pwd=MDN0a0x1Z2xSbUtyMU4xWHlQZFR1UT09
Meeting ID: 857 5141 4152
Passcode: 834612


Rainbow Signs at BCMC
Since the church has historically been a harmful place for LGBTQ+ people, we find it necessary to explicitly show welcome and affirmation for LGBTQ+ people who may enter our church doors. Therefore a small rainbow sign has been placed near each entryway at our church.  If you have questions or comments about how our church can become more welcoming, please contact any member of the Inclusion Task Group: Megan Kohlman, Karen Ediger, John Kliewer, Karen Penner, or Nathan Koontz.


Easter Lillies
You are invited to share an Easter lily for the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, Apr. 17. The Worship Decoration Committee will purchase lilies.  To contribute, email your information to the church office about the donor of the lily and who is to be either honored or remembered. Place payment of $11.00 per lily in the offering plate or bring to the church office by Apr.3.  Make checks payble to BCMC designated “Flower Fund.”   There will be a table at the back of the sanctuary this Sunday to sign up for a lily.  Contributors may pick up lilies to take home after the Easter worship service. 



The annual meeting of the Corporation of the Community Playschool, Inc. will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2022, Fellowship Hall, Bethel College Mennonite Church. This meeting will be open to members of the corporation which includes members of sponsoring churches. All are welcome! 


There will be a Mentor and Mentee event on Sunday, April 24th from 4-6pm at the North Newton pickleball court. Faith Formation will lead some Bible minute to win it games, there will be yard games and snacks available, and hopefully some fun pickleball games for all to enjoy. Reach out to your mentor or mentee and come and spend some quality time together! 


The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale Needs You!
CALLING ALL BAKERS:  There will be  sign-up sheets at the back of the sanctuary each Sunday through April 3 for persons willing to take the time and energy to help alleviate physical suffering around the world by baking pies, Zwieback, etc., for the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale.  Don’t pass up this chance to exercise your culinary skills in the service of Christ and his kin-dom.

Help is needed in many different ways for the Sale weekend.  Below is a list of the different booths that have their​sign-up sheets on the website.  I have listed volunteers needed as of Thursday evening at the different locations.  

www.kansas.mccsale.org  select volunteer tab to sign up.  Thanks!

Plants & Things:
Friday 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – 2 cashiers
Saturday 8:00am to 10:00am – 1 cashier

Make New Year Cookies:
Friday:
2:00 – 4:00 – 13 of 30 slots filled
4:00 – 6:00 – 6 of 30 slots filled
Saturday:
7:00am – 9:00am – 12 of 30 slots filled
1:00pm – 3:00pm – 4 of 10 slots filled (clean up) 
Packaging and Selling New Year Cookies – Domestic Arts
Friday:
4:30 – 6:00 – need 2 volunteers
6:00 – 8:00 – need 1 volunteer
Saturday:
7:30am – 9:30am – need 5 volunteers (no one signed up)
9:30 – 11:30 – need 3 volunteers
11:30 – 1:30 – need 3 volunteers 
Verenike Frying / Serving in Domestic Arts – check time slots and positions available online
Friday shifts – 4 out of 36 filled
Saturday shifts – 5 out of 50 positions filled 
T-Shirt Booth
Friday 6:00 – 8:00 need 1 volunteer
Saturday
7:45am – 10:00am – need 4 volunteers (no one is signed up)
10:00 – 12:00 – need 2 volunteers
12:00 – 2:00 – need 4 volunteers (no one is signed up)

Verenike Frying Friday Night (FTM)
Friday:
2:00 – 4:00 – 3 of 10 slots filled
4:00 – 6:00 – 9 of 10 slots filled
6:00 – 8:00 – 7 of 10 slots filled

Kansas Crafts
Thursday – 1 of 8 slots filled – help with unloading and set up
Friday:
8:00 – 4:00 – come when you can, for as long as you can – 4 of 15 slots filled
3:30 – 6:30 – 1 of 8 slots filled
Saturday:
8:00 – 10:30 – 2 of 5 slots filled
10:00 – 12:30 – 5 of 7 slots filled
12:30 – 2:00 – 1 of 10 slots filled 
Breakfast Helpers
Saturday 7:00 – 10:00 – clean/wipe tables – no one signed up 
Feeding the Multitude – select the position you want online
Friday:
4:00 – 6:00 – still need 26 workers
6:00 – 8:00 – still need 14 workers
Saturday:
10:30 – 1:00 – still need 36 workers 


Save the date for the BCMC all church retreat May 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah! Everyone is invited to spend the night, join for the day activities, or come up for Sunday morning. More information will be coming!


BETHEL COLLEGE BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sun., April 3 – Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum program, John M. Janzen, “Drums or Organ: Contesting Musical Styles in African Christianity,” 3 p.m.
Kauffman Museum auditorium. This program is associated with the current special exhibit marking 125 years of Kauffman Museum, and Janzen will be talking about items included in the exhibit. Due to the impracticality of social distancing, face coverings will be required indoors regardless of vaccination status.

TODAY (Sun., April 3) – Senior recital by Bethel College student Emma Beachy, piano, 4 p.m.Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center

Tues., April 5 – Bethel College Jazz Combo and Jazz Ensemble, featuring guest artist Aaron Linscheid, trumpet, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center.

Thurs., April 7 – Closing reception for Susan and David Harmon and “Painterly Aesthetics: An Expressive Duet,” 6-8 p.m., Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College.

Sun., April 10 – Bethel College Women’s Chorus concert, 4 p.m., Administration Building chapel (may be different from some previously printed calendars)

Mon., April 11 – Bethel College presents Suffering Church, an original play by Karen Robu, D.Min., director of theater at Bethel and associate minister at Plymouth Congregational Church, Wichita, 7 p.m.Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. The play contains mature subject matter and is not intended for young audiences. This performance is supported by the Greer Endowment at Bethel College.

Weds., April 13 – Bethel College faculty jazz recital: Joel Boettger, saxophone, 7 p.m., with William Flynn, guitar, Steve Hatfield, drums, and Chris Shaw, upright bass; Administration Building chapel


Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!


Mennonite Disaster Service Announcement

Re: Cottonwood Complex fire in Reno County Kansas

Cottonwood Complex Fire

The Kansas Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) has been responding to the Cottonwood Complex Fire in Reno County Kansas. We have completed 17 jobs of clearing debris from homes that were a total loss in the fire and have 5 more sites we are working on. We will be concluding the clean up phase of the disaster response soon. Thanks to all of the volunteers who responded with equipment and labor in this project, Cleo Koop Kansas MDS Chair person. 


Everence® April webinar: Social Security and retirement income
Everence® will hold an informative Social Security and retirement income webinar on Tuesday, April 12, starting at 6:30 p.m. Specifics will include, Social Security strategies, including when to begin taking benefits, risks that can impact your retirement savings plus strategies to help your income last throughout retirement. There will also be plenty of time for questions. 
Information will be presented by staff from the Everence offices in Central Kansas.  To register contact Everence at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com
Securities offered through Concourse Financial Group Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/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 Concourse Financial Group Securities, or its affiliates. 
Darlene Buller
Office Manager
Everence Financial 
3179 N Main St Ste 1B
North Newton, KS 67117-9005
877-467-7294, ext. 4752
316-283-3800, ext. 4752
Fax: 316-333-1808
everence.com
everence.com/kansas


CAMP MENNOSCAH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Men and Boys Retreat is this weekend, April 1-3!No pre-registration needed. Bring a father, son, brother, mentor, or friend to Camp Mennoscah for this long-standing, guys-only retreat! Claim a place to sleep in the cabins, bunkhouses or sleep in your own tent under the stars. Meals can be purchased for Saturday night, Sunday morning and lunch. Registration and payment will take place upon arrival. For more information, contact Kevin Neufeld at 316-322-5515.

Other events and happenings: 

  • Youth Volunteer Weekend is April 9-10!  This weekend of service and worship for grades 6-12 returns with vigor.  Start your weekend of fun on Saturday at the MCC Sale in Hutchinson (on your own or with your youth group) and then bring the fun with you to Camp Mennoscah in the afternoon.Register at www.campmennoscah.org!  (Registration is under Summer Camps.)  
     
  • April 23 is a Work and Play Day at Camp Mennoscah!  Details are forthcoming for projects.  We’d like to complete the amphitheater project–a crew with trucks and dirt haulers/diggers is needed!  Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 to register or for more information.
     
  • Kitchen helpersneeded for Summer Youth Camps!  Your time and skill give campers a week of growing in Christian fellowship and experiencing God’s great creation.  Cooks need only willing hands and the ability to follow directions.  Kitchen staff is needed for July 3-9 and July 17-23.  Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org
     
  • “Better” camp discount ends April 1!  Summer Youth Camp registration is open.  The theme of “What’s in a Name?” focuses on how God knows us beyond any name we may be called.  After April 1, you’ll still get a good rate for an amazing week of camp.  Register at www.campmennoscah.org!
     
  • Getting ready for outside fun!  Camp Mennoscah needs to replace some outdoor sports equipment, including 4-square/Gaga balls, frisbees for ultimate, inner tubes and air pump.  Check out the Camp Mennoscah Wish List on amazon.com or the Wish List.  Challenge your Sunday School class or youth group to help meet camp needs!  We’ve got many more ideas. Contact us by replying to this email.
     
  • New Volunteer Projects every month!  This month we’ve added cleaning gutters, lubricating locks, and deep-cleaning the oven and hood–plus more!There are volunteer projects for every group size, skill set and length of project.  Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer.  See the Wish List for other ways to support Camp Mennoscah!

Mennonite World Conference Assembly news press here
Mennonite Creation Care Network Newsletter press here

Mennonite Mission Network press here
Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here


WEBINAR FROM MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Over the past month, we have borne witness to a heartbreaking refugee crisis in Ukraine. We’ve seen families forced to make life or death decisions in a matter of hours. We’ve watched as mothers and grandparents crowd into trains, cars and buses to cross borders with their children, unsure of where they will go next or when they will be able to return.  

Sadly, this refugee journey is not unique to Ukrainians. According to the United Nations, there are over 26 million refugees throughout the world who have been forced to flee their communities. Less than 1% will find safety in the U.S., but for the families accepted into the U.S. resettlement program, the journey does not end when they arrive in their new communities. 

You are invited to join MCC and Church World Service on Tuesday, April 12, at 2 PM EDT for a webinar to learn more about how to welcome refugees in your community. During this time, we’ll address questions such as: 

  • Who are refugees? 
  • How do refugees come to the U.S.? 
  • What does the refugee resettlement process look like? 
  • What are some challenges and opportunities refugees encounter when they settle into their new community? 
  • What are some ways each of us can get involved and support refugees in the U.S.?

To register, click here. We’d love to have you join us. Please share this event with friends and family so you can learn and welcome as a community. If you have questions, please contact me — MCC’s Newcomer Connections Coordinator — at welcome@mcc.org

Peace,
Charity Stowell 
Newcomer Connections Coordinator
MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries
 


MENNONITE CHURCH USA ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mennonite Education Agency of Mennonite Church USA has released its free Lent at Home 2022 worship guide and calendar for download. The annual guide provides options for individuals and households to follow daily or weekly rituals, which include guided Scripture readings, prayers and special activities for the Lenten season. Download it here: mennoniteusa.org/lentathome

Are you attending the Special Session of the Delegate Assembly on May 27-30 in Kansas City? Then, you won’t want to miss the “Expectations of the Special Session of the Delegate Assembly” webinar! Executive board and staff members will review the agenda and the voting process, provide tips for engagement, offer suggestions on what to bring, and highlight opportunities for worship and fellowship. Se ofrecerá servicio de intérprete al español. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/register-expectations

Mennonite Men, a constituency group of Mennonite Church USA, invites all men to join them for a week-long Oregon Eco-excursion on June 11-19. Explore wild spaces, learn about God’s creation and help with newly planted trees along the Zena Forest. For more information and to register (by April 11), visit: mennoniteusa.org/men-eco-excursion

Menno Snapshots
“Whaat? It’s still Lent?” Read about author Talashia Keim Yoder’s at-home Lenten experience and her family’s joys and sorrows along the way. “Our family loved the Advent ritual of candle lighting,” wrote the author of this year’s Lent at Home guide, “and we naively assumed Lent would be just as beloved. Wrong. It felt like a long, long slog.” Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/seeking-jesus-lent

Menno Snapshots
Mary Lou Weaver Houser, artist and spiritual director, claims gardening as a metaphor for how she intends to nurture community on many levels, whether with personal/family relationships, neighborhood diversity/spirit, creative community at church, or biodiversity in our natural world. Read more about her “elemental love nature’s beauty” in her blog, “Ferocious Love.” mennoniteusa.org/ferocious-love

Menno Snapshots
“I often tell people that my two primary identities are being Black and being Mennonite. Both identities have formed me into the person that I am today, and, although it may not be obvious to many, the two intersect in so many ways,” writes Daniel Grimes in his blog, “Black history and the connection to Anabaptist faith values.” Continue his story here: mennoniteusa.org/black-history-connection-anabaptist


Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Tomorrow, Eastern Mennonite High School students will conclude their week-long Mennonite Mission Network civil rights tour in the southern United States through the Youth Venture program. Pray for participants as they apply their new perspectives to the injustice in their home communities and congregations. Pray also for participants in Youth Venture’s two July civil rights tours and an immigration/borderlands tour. Application deadline is May 1.

Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Pray for WDC’s Israel-Palestine Relations Task Force, as they host a zoom conversation this week with Jonathan Kuttab, and seek to raise awareness and deepen understanding of pathways toward justice and peace.