Sympathy Notices
We offer sympathy to Ada and Wes Schmidt-Tieszen on the death of Ada’s brother, Archie Schmidt, Sunday, January 17, at Newton Medical Center.  You may send sympathy cards to Ada at 209 SE 2nd St., Newton, KS, 67114.  

We offer sympathy to the family of Lorene K. Goering.  Lorene, 90, died January 13, 2021 in Newton, KS.  Lorene married Bob Goering at BCMC on July 31, 1949.  She joined BCMC in October of 1949.  She was a Sunday School Superintendent at BCMC for many years and was involved with the Community Playschool.  Lorene was the aunt of Rachel (and John) Pannabecker.  You can read her obituary here:  https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thekansan/obituary.aspx?n=lorene-k-goering&pid=197512351&fhid=2435

Congregational Meeting – January 31, 2021
The Congregational Meeting on Jan 31 will be held via Zoom (and will not be livestreamed). A link for the meeting, along with the agenda and reports, will be sent out this week via email (and via post for those not receiving email). We encourage as many of you to participate as is possible, since this congregational meeting involves approving the 2021 BCMC budget, which requires a quorum. In preparation for this meeting, please make sure you have Zoom downloaded on your computer or tablet. Questions or need help? Please call the church office.

This week’s offering at BCMC: General Fund $8,464; Jr Hi Fund $100; Living Stones $193.33.

Junior High Club and Super Bowl Snack Fundraiser
This is the time of year when Jr. High Club sponsors and members start planning for the much-anticipated Super Bowl Snack fundraiser, which is held on Super Bowl Sunday. Given the current circumstances with COVID-19, we believe it is safest to cancel the annual fundraiser this year rather than try to proceed, even in a modified format. However, if you would still like to support the Jr. High Club with a financial gift, you are welcome to do so. We thank you for your continued support and will plan to be back for Super Bowl LVI in 2022!

New Hope Shelter
BCMC and Faith Mennonite churches are responsible for supplying meals and some volunteers for New Hope Shelter from Wednesday January 27 to Tuesday Feb 2. Please pray for these generous volunteers giving of themselves during this difficult time.

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.

Kansas Day at Kauffman Museum
Sat., Jan. 30 – Kauffman Museum annual Kansas Day event, “Our Stories, Our Foods.” Starting at 11 a.m. – food trucks, local producer booths and take-it-home crafts, museum parking lot and grounds; 11 a.m. via Zoom: Glen Ediger, North Newton: “Mennonite – Ethnic – Food”; 2 p.m. via Zoom: Jenny Masias, Newton: “The Immigrants Who Built Newton: One Spike at a Time”; self-guided walking or biking tour to the eight “Stories Along the Trail” sites in North Newton. Please note that face coverings must be worn and distancing guidelines followed on Kauffman Museum and all Bethel College property. To get Zoom links, go to the Kauffman Museum Facebook page or kauffmanmuseum.org

Camp Mennoscah announcements

1. There are volunteer opportunities for you! Camp Mennoscah continually has year-round work to support the maintenance and upkeep of the campus and facilities. We can accommodate every group size, skill set and length of project you would like to tackle. Check out these ways to Get Involved! Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer.
2. 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 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!
3. 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!

Mennonite church announcements
Mennonite Education Agency has initiated a search for an executive director. To learn more and for a complete agency profile and position description, see: https://www.mennoniteeducation.org/Resources/News/Pages/default.aspx.

MC USA’s annual Lent at Home guide is now available for download at: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/resource-portal/resource/lent-at-home/.

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. 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.

The KIPCOR Film Series at Bethel College is serving up a second helping of Cooked: Survival by Zip Code, which focuses on the deadly 1995 Chicago heat wave to illustrate how Black, Indigenous and People of Color and low-income citizens suffer the most negative impact from natural disasters. The film is an indictment of U.S. disaster preparedness, and connects extreme weather, extreme disparity (income and other) and extreme racism. Go to kipcor.org, “Film Series,” for a link to watch Cooked for free and a link to register for the Feb. 7 virtual discussion; advance registration is required to participate in the discussion, which will be held in break-out rooms, with leaders who include Chicagoans who experienced the 1995 heat disaster.

Opportunities for Volunteers at Camp Mennoscah
Camp Mennoscah continually has year-round work to support the maintenance and upkeep of the campus and facilities. We can accommodate every group size, skill set and length of project you would like to tackle. Check out these ways to Get Involved! Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer.

Prayer Request from Mennonite Mission Network
Upon completing her first year of service in eastern France with Mennonite Mission Network, Kate Widmer felt God’s call to extend for a second year. Pray for her as she continues to work with immigrant families as part of the outreach of La Prairie Mennonite Church.

Prayer Request from Western District Conference
Pray for the WDC Gifts Discernment Committee, as they listen for the Spirit’s leading in nominating persons to serve on the WDC Executive Board and Commissions.