Sun., Jan. 10, 3 p.m
Retired pastor Florence Schloneger, North Newton, and Pauline Sharp, Wichita, a Kaw tribal member and board member of the Kanza Heritage Society, will give a virtual presentation, sharing their family stories related to land ownership, economics, education and identity. This is in connection with the special exhibit at Bethel College’s Kauffman Museum, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” Schloneger’s ancestors immigrated to Kansas in the 1800s while Sharp’s relatives, members of the Kanza (Kaw) tribe, lived in central Kansas for centuries before the arrival of Europeans. Sign up for the Zoom link at https://kauffmanmuseum.org/event/sunday-afternoon-at-the-museum-with-florence-schloneger-and-pauline-sharp/ The event will also be on Facebook Live on the Kauffman Museum Facebook page.
A Message from the BCMC Visual Arts Committee
The Tempestry wall hanging, a project of BCMC’s Visual Arts Committee, was originally scheduled to be unveiled in April 2020 in the Gathering Place at BCMC. Due to the interruption of the pandemic, it will be hung at the Et Cetera Shop in Newton for several weeks beginning mid-January 2021, and then displayed at BCMC for a longer period when we gather again. The seven panels feature a row of knitted yarn representing the high temperature for each day in twenty year increments, from1897 (when BCMC began) through 2019. Thanks to skilled knitters Sara Dick, Esther Kreider Eash, Deane Frey, Mary Goering, Marilyn Harrold, Peggy Souder and Lenore Waltner who participated in creating this visual art piece.
Congregational Meeting will be January 31
Mark your calendars now for the upcoming Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at 1pm. The meeting will be held via Zoom and agenda includes approval of the proposed 2021 church budget. Agenda and other reports will be made available ahead of time (more details to follow).
Great news from the BCMC Finance Manager
Great news! 2020 is over, and the church ended the year with a surplus! We were even able to send additional monies to all the organizations supported by the Witness Commission! I have received some questions regarding the end of year contributions reports. If you have any questions or concerns about yours, please let me know by email (treasurer@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org) or telephone (316-283-2660). ~ Mike Claassen, Finance Manager
Everence to hold Medicare webinar: Tuesday, Jan. 19
Everence will host its popular workshop, Make Medicare an easy step, as a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about the various Medicare plans and what they cover; plans that supplement Medicare; and enrollment details and deadlines. This webinar is free. Please register by contacting our office at 877-467-7294, 316-283-3800 or central.kansas@everence.com. *Attendance is recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare.
Western District Conferece Annual Assembly Resolutions
The Assembly will be held July 30-Aug 1, in a hybrid model with the possibility of both virtual and in-person activities. WDC encourages the development of resolutions that facilitate discernment, educate, build unity, and provide an area conference understanding while acknowledging dissenting voices. Any proposed church statement should be discerned through congregations or WDC commissions and task forces and submitted for consideration to the WDC Resolutions Committee a minimum of 120 days prior to annual conference sessions (April 2, 2021).
Common Read
Join others across WDC to discuss I Am Not Your Enemy: Stories to Transform a Divided World by Michael T. McRay. This Common Read is a partnership between Herald Press, MC Canada, and MC USA. WDC-based Zoom discussions will take place on Jan. 11, 11:30am-12:30pm and Jan. 28, 7-8pm. Join for one or both discussions. To borrow a copy of the book (limited number) or to register for the discussion, email crlib@mennowdc.org.
Kauffman Museum at Bethel College is partnering with Humanities Kansas to host the Smithsonian traveling exhibit “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” through Jan. 17. Accompanying it is a local companion exhibit, “Of Land and People: Our Community at the Crossroads,” created from the museum’s permanent exhibit “Of Land and People.” The museum is open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tues.-Fri; 1:30-4:30 p.m., Sat.-Sunday; and closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission to the “Crossroads” exhibit is free on Saturdays
Mon., Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m.
Bethel College’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration will feature spoken word artist M’Vyonne Payne and former pro athlete and motivational speaker Chris Singleton. The event will be held in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center, with COVID protocols in place, and will also be live-streamed via YouTube at bit.ly/bethelks-mlk2021 Sponsors are the Bethel College Diversity Council, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Student Life Office, with support from the Bethel College Women’s Association.
Letter from Jim Robb, Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale Chair
Please put July 2 and 3, 2021 on your church calendar for this year’s MCC Sale. We are hoping and praying that COVID-19 will be under control by July so we can hold the MCC Sale this year. Click on this link to read the letter. https://mcusercontent.com/6c82c57d5882e890a1945358a/files/14e4425a-12b1-40e1-8e27-62a136da1a0a/MCC_Sale_Date_Change.pdf
Camp Mennoscah announcements
1. Applications for Camp Mennoscah Summer Staff positions are now being accepted! Although there is a chance positions will change to meet the needs of pandemic-impacted summer youth camps, the current summer staff leadership positions are naturalist, crafts leader, lifeguard, grounds/maintenance, music leader, office, and all-round/media. For those 21 years old or older, there is also a Director of Support opening. Find the application and information online at www.campmennoscah.org under Summer Youth Camps!
2. Celebrate the new year by coming to Camp Mennoscah! Camp Mennoscah is a wonderful space for families and groups needing space to spread out! Facilities for differently sized groups are available with a variety of gathering areas. Trails and fields are waiting to be hiked and used for fun activities, too! Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or office@campmennoscah.org to reserve. You are invited to enjoy this sacred space!
3. A few extra Camp Mennoscah hoodies are available! (Adult sizes only.) Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org Grab yours before they’re gone!
4. Thank you, Allen and Janet! After 40 years of dedicated service as program directors at Camp Mennoscah, Allen Jantz and Janet McGillivary are retiring. We know them in part for their wonderfully caring and carefully planned camp week and for Allen’s lunchtime skits and Janet’s lanyard-making. We celebrate these years shared with Camp Mennoscah and wish them the best in new adventures! See you at Camp Mennoscah again soon, Allen and Janet!
5. The Camp Mennoscah Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Olivia Bartel has accepted the position of Executive Director. Olivia has an undergraduate degree from Bethel College and a Master of Arts from AMBS with a focus in Theological Studies. She has been with Camp Mennoscah since 2008 and is a familiar face on campgrounds and at camp sponsored events. Olivia has a tremendous passion for Camp Mennoscah’s mission and building relationships. She has been instrumental in developing new programming such as the Scrapbooking and Crafts Retreats. She has also updated and strengthened the staff training program to promote safe boundaries. Most of what Olivia does, however, has been behind the scenes to ensure everyone feels welcomed and has a good experience. Olivia will continue to be responsible for camp programming while taking on additional supervisory and executive responsibilities. Please join us in congratulating Olivia on her promotion and welcoming her to the role of Executive Director.
Mennonite Central Committee Webinars on Service Opportunities
Are you ready to step out and into service? To spend a year serving abroad or the summer serving your church or a local community organization? Check out the webinars happening this winter that will introduce these MCC service opportunities to you! Learn more at mcc.org/mcc-me-webinar-series-service-opportunities.
Everence announcements
1. Apply now for a 2021-22 scholarship. Our church’s faith-based partner, Everence, wants to help people nurture their talents. If you or your parents are or become Everence members and you will be enrolled in a college or trade school next fall, apply for an Everence College Scholarship of up to $3,000 before March 10. Visit everence.com/scholarships. for guidelines and an application.
2. Buying or refinancing a home? Buying is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. Figuring out the financial side of purchasing or refinancing can be hard. Answer the key financial purchase questions from our faith-based partner, Go to the Everence website.
3. Read Toolkit to care for your God-given gifts. Learn tips and ideas about how to care for whatever we receive from God. Look at the current issue of Toolkit (in your mailboxes at the church) from our faith-based partner, Everence.
The Rocky Mountain January newsletter is here! Have a look at the latest/greatest related to camp programs, volunteer and donor news/needs and other happenings at RMMC. All newsletters are posted in the “News” tab under “About Us” on the camp website. Corbin Graber on behalf of the camp board and staff members