BCMC Sunday Worship will be the Western District Conference Annual Assembly Worship This Sunday (August 2) we invite all in the Bethel College Mennonite Church to join in worship with sister churches of the Western District Conference as we virtually gather for our annual assembly. BCMC will not be conducting its own service this Sunday. You can participate in the WDC Annual Assembly by going to the “Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)” facebook page. See the below announcement from WDC for more details regarding the worship service and other ways that you can participate in the virtual assembly.
The WDC Assembly will take place virtually this weekend, here are the instructions you will need to join: You must have the free Zoom application (https://zoom.us/support/download) loaded onto your device (smartphone or tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone). If your computer does not have a built-in microphone and camera, external webcams can be purchased. Make sure to have this Zoom application downloaded before August 1.
DELEGATE SESSION – August 1, 9:00 am Registered Delegates: Click on this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81045306800?pwd=WmU1WUhWN0g4TXM1Sk5rREtFdi9jUT09, Passcode: 258901
All Others: On Facebook, go to the “Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)” page, (click here for the page) click on Events, and click on the Annual Assembly Delegate Session. A comment monitor will be available to share important comments with the WDC Moderator.
WEBINARS AND CONVERSATION WITH DANNY CARROLL – August 1, 1:00 pm, 2:15 pm, 3:30 pm See the Western District Conference website (https://mennowdc.org/2020-wdc-annual-assembly-webinars/) for webinar options and Zoom links. At the start time of the webinar option or conversation you want to join, click on the red Zoom link under the description to automatically connect to that webinar.
Alternative Method: At the start time of the webinar/conversation you want to join, on Facebook, go to the “Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)” page, click on Events, and click on the selected webinar/conversation Zoom link.
WORSHIP – August 2, 10:00 am Facebook Live: Go to the “Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA)” Facebook page, click to join the event “WDC Annual Assembly Worship in English” OR “WDC Annual Assembly Worship in Spanish.” Your chosen worship video will begin automatically at 10 am. Once the video begins, you are invited to share your first name and congregation in the Comments section to let others know who is present. You are also welcome to share in the joy by “liking” the event or by offering brief comments along the way.
STILL HAVE TECHICAL QUESTIONS? Contact our Assembly tech specialist, Ryan, at ryan.goertzen@gmail.com
For complete information about WDC Assembly, see: https://mennowdc.org/2020-wdc-annual-assembly/
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Michael J. Sherrill begins his ministry as Mennonite Mission Network’s executive director this month. Pray for him as he relates to partners and workers, conferences, and congregations “to equip and empower the church to engage their culture and world with the whole gospel.”
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for a spirit of sharing and fellowship in WDC, as congregations and members join together today in online worship as part of 2020 Annual Assembly.
Offering at BCMC for July 19-26, 2020: General Fund $2,562; Living Stones $60; Peace Garden $2,000; Women’s Fellowship $100.
Below is a forwarded message from Brad Kohlman, vice president for institutional advancement at Bethel College. In an effort to provide the safest possible campus we can for our students when they return this fall, we are asking for donations of masks so we are able to provide each student with multiple masks. We are looking forward to seeing students back on campus-some will start arriving in less than a week!-as the social aspect of college is of utmost importance to their education and faith formation. ~ From Ben Lichti, Bethel College Coordinator for Alumni and Church Relations
Do you have skills with a sewing machine? If so, you can help provide a safer campus for our students, faculty, and staff by making masks. I learned to sew earlier this month with the goal of making as many masks as I could with leftover fabric from my wife’s and my mother-in law’s stash. It quickly became a fun family project with many helping hands for a worthwhile cause. Use any simple mask pattern you already have. You can drop masks off at Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center, or send them to:
Masks for Threshers
Bethel College Advancement Office
300 E. 27th St.
North Newton, KS 67117
If sewing isn’t your thing, you can donate to the Masks for Threshers fund.
Porch Project
Thanks to those of you who have participated in the Porch Project. Keep your photos coming! You can send them to Pastor Renee at renee@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. Follow this link to see the faces of 60+ BCMCers: https://cruxphotos.smugmug.com/BCMC-Porch/ PLEASE NOTE: these photos are meant to be enjoyed by our church community. Please do not share them (via social media, etc) unless you have received permission of the people in the photo.
Bethel College Student Donations
The Bethel College Relations Team is seeking nonperishable items to give to Bethel College students during their first week of class. We are looking for items such as: ramen noodles, microwavable meals (like mac and cheese), popcorn, etc. We would also welcome masks and travel size hand sanitizer to hand out to students who may need some. Please bring your donations to church and leave them by the white table outside of the church office. Contact Pastor Renee if you have questions.
KONE has completed its work to repair the elevator, for which we are grateful! Unanticipated additional expenses increased the overall cost by $12,806. The plant fund, bequest monies, and designated donations have covered nearly 88% of the cost, but we still need to fundraise nearly $8,000. You can give to the cause by sending a check to the church office or giving electronically (on website: SUPPORT BCMC) and designating your contribution to the elevator fund. If you mail your check, please make it out to BCMC with “Elevator” in the memo line. Address it to: Bethel College Mennonite Church, PO Box 364, North Newton, KS, 67117. (Monica collects the mail every day and distributes it.) Thanks in advance for your support!
Other Announcements
Everence will host a Social Security and retirement income planning webinar, on Tuesday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about Social Security strategies, risks that can impact retirement savings and strategies to help income last throughout retirement. The workshop is free. Register soon by contacting our office at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.
The Harvey County Food and Farm Council just published a “Local Food Guide for Harvey County and Beyond“. It lists local farmers who are willing to sell directly to consumers. The guide can be viewed on the web at https://www.harveycounty.com/foodandfarm/resources.html There are also copies in the church office.
Support MCC and celebrate MCC’s centennial with a new shirt, hoodie, tea towel, bag or hat! Check out this online store set up by the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale to place your order today (pssst, it’s never too early to start Christmas shopping!). Visit wearatomic.com/product-category/mcc/ and start shopping to support MCC!