This Week at BCMC: August 7—14, 2022
Sunday, August 7—Live stream (YouTube) link for this Sunday is:
https://youtu.be/t7Qei007Jcc
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)
Tuesday, August 9
12 pm Mid-Kansas Investment Club meeting in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, August 14—New students at Bethel College will join BCMC worship today—afterwards you are invited to join the students on the BCMC lawn for refreshments
9:30 am Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz
10:30 am Faith Formation—Visitors welcome!
4 pm Mentor-Mentee Event in Fellowship Hall
Bethel College students are returning. Some have returned on Friday (August 5) and the rest are returning by the 15th. Please welcome students if you see them on campus or at the church.
Bethel College Relations Team
BCMC Welcome for New Bethel College Students
On Sunday August 14th BCMC will welcome the new students at Bethel College to our church. It is a large incoming class, numbering over 150 students from many different places. The gathering will start with our normal worship service to be followed by some refreshments (outdoors as able). While this is a wonderful opportunity for us to show hospitality, we are also aware of the possible COVID implications. While everyone will be required to wear masks, please be aware of the opportunity to view the service on line if you so choose. We also invite all who feel comfortable to join the students for refreshments following the service (whether you view on line or in person) to meet and greet and to offer a warm welcome to Bethel and BCMC
Mentor-Mentee Event for your calendar: Event will be Sun., Aug. 14, 4 to 6 pm in the BCMC Fellowship Hall.
BCMC July 31 Offering: General Fund $5,575; Living Stones $155.
We offer sympathy to the family of Marty Warkentine. Marty died July 28. Memorial services will be announced later by the family.
We offer sympathy to Joe and Lil Peters on the death of Joe’s father, Carl Peters, at the age of 97. Carl died Monday, August 1, in Henderson, NE. The memorial service will be August 13, 10:30 am at Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson.
Change of address for your BCMC directories:
Leland and Dilores Rempel Suderman, 3056 Ivy Court, #20, North Newton, KS 67117.
Lee’s email: leesuderman@cox.net
Di’s email: ldsuderman@cox.net
Lee’s cell phone: 316-680-9031
Di’s cell phone: 316-680-9030
The Abuse Prevention and Response Committee will continue in the month of August to read the book, #Church Too. Sunday August 21 will be spent sharing reactions to the book. 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 a local independent bookstore. If demand is high we will figure out a way to have copies available in the church office for purchase. – Jill Robb, APRC chair
The current BCMC Library theme is “Committee Book Recommendations”. Our current members, picked a few of our favorites from our wonderful collection and they are now shelved in back of the library desk. Come in, check one (or two or three) out and see if you agree with us. Carol Flickinger, Rose Haury, Barb Koontz, Sondra Koontz, Kathryn Simmons, Margaret Goering.
The Library Committee has processed almost 20 new books, 10 of them purchased and donated by The Abuse Prevention and Response Committee. The APRC books can be found on the Pastor’s Corner shelf which is now located on the west wall with the other recent purchases. Another new purchase is “The Land Is Not Empty” by Sarah Augustine which was recommended by the Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery group. Please stop by and see what we have to offer and continue to browse and donate from our puzzle collection.—The Library Committee
Update from the Church Board:
BCMC is in a time of transition, an “in-between” time of waiting and working in the boundary between what was and what will be. These times are rich with possibility for new understanding of our past and current status and for re-envisioning and planning our future. The following are updates on Church Board work during these transitional times:
Credence and Company Consultants:
BCMC has contracted with Credence to help us assess congregational strengths and challenges and review our current leadership structures as we consider the future with new pastors. A congregational survey has been completed. The consultants are currently in the process of interviewing 35 individual members of the congregation, gathering additional information from outside sources, and analyzing survey results. A preliminary report for congregational feedback will be shared with the congregation on a Sunday morning sometime in September or October. The final report will be completed before Advent. The reference group of David Linscheid, Lois Preheim, Megan Kohlman, Ada Schmidt-Tieszen, and Todd Schlosser has been offering feedback to the consultants. Thank you for taking on this important work!
Assistant Treasurer Transitions:
Over the last months there have been several transitions in the volunteer role of assistant treasurer, an important position appointed by the Board. It is with deep gratitude that we recognize and thank Nancy Hilty and Lois Goertzen for their competence, dedication, and long service in this role. The Church Board was pleased to approve Mary Ann Boschman and Bonnie Epp as our new assistant treasurers and recognize and thank Richard Friesen for his ongoing work as a volunteer assistant treasurer who manages software that tracks congregational giving, produces quarterly contribution reports, helps analyze giving patterns, and trains new assistant treasurers. Thanks to all these invaluable volunteers!
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
New Task Group:
The Church Board has approved the formation of a task group to lead the church in finding ways for our congregation to move beyond land acknowledgement to tangible actions seeking justice for the harms which Indigenous peoples have suffered and continue to suffer today. We will discuss joining the Repair Network of Mennonite congregations for education, solidarity and reparative action alongside Indigenous peoples. The first action of the BCMC task group will be to help support MCC’s “Loss of Turtle Island” experience for members of our congregation. If you would like to join the task group, contact Nathan Koontz or Ada Schmidt-Tieszen. Raylene Hinz-Penner will convene the task group.
NEW HOPE SHELTER ANNOUNCEMENT
BCMC will be providing volunteers and meals at New Hope Shelter from Aug. 10 to 16. Please remember these faithful volunteers in your prayers. We still need more people willing to serve as evening volunteers at New Hope. We do not have enough volunteers to fill all of our commitments there next week. Please consider helping with this important ministry. If you have questions, contact Valetta Seymour at seymour2314@gmail.com, 620-217-7536.
There will be a New Hope volunteer training on Aug. 25 at 7 pm at New Hope. Please let Valetta know if you would like to take the training.
Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM), a partner of Mennonite Mission Network, will host a gathering to share ministry updates on Sunday, August 21, at 6:30 p.m. at First Mennonite Church, 429 E. 1st Street, Newton, KS. Co-executive Coordinator John Fumana and his wife Lucie from Democratic Republic of Congo are planning to be present. For more information contact
aimm@aimmint.org or 574-535-0077.
Life Enrichment returns to Bethel College with the start of the fall 2022 semester – but It will be on a different day. Life Enrichment resumes Thursday, Aug. 25, and will be on Thursdays thereafter. Place and time remain the same: Krehbiel Auditorium, 9:30 am. See https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/convocation-lectures/life-enrichment for more information.
Bluestem U, a lifelong learning program for individuals age 55 and better, is enrolling now for its first semester that will begin in September. The fall 2022 semester will feature three courses hosted by Hesston College and Schowalter Villa – “Prairie Landscaping 101” taught by Brad Guhr, “Happy Habits from Positive Psychology” taught by Kevin Wilder, and “Buggies, Bonnets and Boundaries: A Study of Amish Faith, Life and Culture” taught by John Sharp. Each course is $50. For more information and registration, go to bluestemu.org or call 316-836-4846. Bluestem U is a partnership between Bluestem Communities, Bethel College and Hesston College.
Fall Book Study on Healing Haunted Histories – Sept. 8-Dec. 1, 2022 – Elaine Enns, co-author of Healing Haunted Histories: A Settler Discipleship of Decolonization, will be leading an online, intensive book study this fall for the Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Coalition. Two-hour sessions will be every other Thursday, 6-8 pm Central Time, on Sept 8 and 22, Oct 6 and 20, Nov 3 and 17, and Dec 1. This book encourages personal and collective work toward decolonization. It asks those of us who are settlers, immigrants and displaced peoples to do our own pre-work of integrating our ancestral stories, so we can see more clearly and show up in solidarity with Indigenous peoples. See the Western District Conference website for more information.
Everence will hold its Medicare workshop at its office in North Newton Tues., Aug 9 at 6:30 pm. Topics include, when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare covers, plus an explanation of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D.
The in-person workshop will be held at the Everence office: 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton. Those interested in attending should contact the Everence office at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com
Western District Conference Announcements
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Thank You!! – A BIG thank you to all who attended (in-person or virtually), supported and contributed to our 2022 WDC Annual Assembly this past weekend at Camp Copass in Denton, TX. It could not have happened without all those who volunteered their time and shared their experiences with us throughout the weekend. We hope everyone enjoyed the weekend and had safe travels home. If you are still interested in donating to help cover assembly costs, you can do so here.
Be sure to check out the highlights of last month’s Mennonite World Conference 2022 Assembly in Indonesia on this highlight video: https://mwc-cmm.org/resources/mwc-indonesia-2022-highlight-video Other recap videos are also available at this link.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
- Work & Play Day on August 20! Camp Mennoscah has projects to complete and plenty to do after a busy, fun summer. You are invited to be part of this camping ministry through fellowship and service! Projects for all ages and weather are available. Let us know you’re coming so we can be prepared for you! Bring your lunch and a water bottle. The day will start at 8:30 at the maintenance shed. End your day with a leisurely kayak ride or stroll to the sandbar. Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org to sign up. Want to volunteer either before or after August 20? Call us!
- Eke out those last bits of summer! Come visit Camp Mennoscah while the days are long and when the evenings are cool. Kayaks and canoes are available until the beginning of October. Trails and other fun activities are available year-round. Contact us at 620-297-3290 to reserve a time to be at camp in the midst of God’s creation!
- Many thanks to the many volunteers of the 2022 summer–nurses, program directors, input leaders, counselors, kitchen staff, maintenance volunteers, and all the other delightful people who spent time at Camp Mennoscah! It has been a brilliant time with approx. 370 campers immersed in worship, friends, and caring relationships over 8 amazing camp weeks. Thank you for being part of these great experiences!
- Pardon the Mess! Camp Mennoscah is cleaning out and organizing maintenance sheds and other buildings. Items in the front “yard” will slowly find new homes. Thank you for your understanding!
- Groups are invited to set their own precautions based on the comfort level of their group. Please note the RV electrical hookups are not available due to safety concerns.
- Camp staff work hours vary depending on scheduled events for the week. The office assistant also works part-time from home. (Whenever a group is at camp, a staff person will be on duty.) Thank you for understanding! We will be in touch as soon as possible.
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Is your church engaged in work that combats poverty, dismantles racism, addresses immigration reform or reimagines policing? If so, Mennonite Church USA would like to invite you to apply for a Justice Fund grant to support this work! Read more about who qualifies and how to apply here: mennoniteusa.org/news/jf-applicants
Delegate Assembly
The Delegate Assembly is over, and decisions have been made. What has changed? What does it mean for my conference, my congregation and me? Mennonite Church USA Executive Board and staff members answer these questions and more in the “Special Session of the Delegate Assembly: What Now?” webinar. Watch the recording here: mennoniteusa.org/webinar-whatnow
Menno Snapshots
Clayton Gladish, pastor of Silverwood Mennonite Church, writes about how the passage of “A Resolution for Repentance and Transformation” can be an opportunity for us to widen the circle. Read his blog here: mennoniteusa.org/widening-circle
Menno Snapshots
Nature has a way of refreshing the soul, and Cheryl Mast has noticed this firsthand with students who have participated in the outdoor education program at Amigo Centre, a Mennonite Camp in Michigan. Read her blog, “The power of nature,” to learn more about how Mast has experienced students coming out of their shells while unplugging at camp. mennoniteusa.org/power-nature
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Deb Byler, serving with Mennonite Mission Network, was invited to Guatemala five years ago to train women for leadership positions in the Kekchi Mennonite Church. Praise God for the women who are currently providing leadership. Pray for them, and pray that God will give Deb the wisdom and energy to do what is essential before concluding her assignment next month.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for Camp Mennoscah as it concludes summer youth camps, and give thanks for WDC campers, leaders, volunteers and supporters who have participated in camp this summer.