Announcements for March 5-March 12, 2021

If you signed up for soup for Sunday, March 7, don’t forget to pick it up!

Modified In-person worship begins this Sunday, March 7.  This Sunday, Agape and Mosaic Sunday School classes and their family members are invited to attend. Please RSVP at the church office if you plan to be there!  office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.
For those Agape and Mosaic members (and their families) who are attending this Sunday, you can enter by the front doors (west) or the south automatic doors.  All other doors to the church will be locked.

Did you know?... Our new hymnal, Voices Together, has more than 1,000 pages containing 750 songs and 200-plus worship resources that seek to represent the theological breadth of the Mennonite church. It also includes 12 works of visual art by 12 Anabaptist artists!  If you’re interested in having a copy of your own, Voices Together can be purchased locally at Faith and Life Bookstore.

If you would like to bring an offering on the Sunday you attend in-person worship, there will be an offering plate on a table at the back of the sanctuary where you can place your offering as you enter or exit the sanctuary.  If writing a check, please indicate its intended destination in the memo line: for example, general fund, special fund (please name), or Sunday School.  
You can also support BCMC and its work beyond us by sending a check into the office, contributing electronically (https://bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org/–see red “Support BCMC” tab), or by working with Finance Manager Mike Claassen to set up an electronic deposit system.

SCN’s Carol Wise Zoom Call for BCMC, March 14 at 1:30–Details will follow with the Zoom Link
Supportive Communities Network (SCN) is a program of the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests (BMC). It is a network of Mennonite and Church of the Brethren communities who are publicly affirming of gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual members.  SCN’s goals are to offer support, resources and opportunities for dialogue among congregations which welcome gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual members; to encourage meaningful dialogue at the denominational level; to offer support and resources for individuals who are working toward welcome.  
The Inclusion Task Group of BCMC will be conducting a survey from March 15-29 to gage congregational interest in joining SCN.  The director of SCN and the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests, Carol Wise, will be joining anyone interested from the BCMC community to a Zoom presentation and discussion about SCN on March 14 at 1:30.  We hope you will be able to attend this live event virtually or watch the recording at a later time.  As we continue to learn more about SCN and BMC, we encourage you to look at their website, and to read past communications from our task group regarding SCN.  To read the past communications, click on this link:  BCMC Inclusion Task Group Communications  

BCMC Land Acknowledgement
As part of our church’s desire to follow the Spirit in doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, the Witness Commission recently affirmed the use of a land acknowledgement statement for BCMC to be read once a month during our worship service.  Many thanks go to Florence Schloneger for her work in research and writing the acknowledgement.  
As we do on the first Sunday of each month,
  we acknowledge that we worship 
  on the land of the Kanza, Osage, and Wichita.
We thank them for their care and respect for this land 
  and acknowledge the injustice of their forced removal.
We ask the Spirit to heal our histories 
  and find new paths of right relationships with them 
  and all of creation.  
If you are interested in digging deeper into the implications of this land acknowledgement for those who are here now and for those who are not, please contact Pastor Nathan Koontz or Elaine Shurr, chair of the Witness Commission. 

Bohne Berrogi Sales.  As with many things related to the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale, the usual order of business will not be possible due to Covid-19.  To make sure that people have the opportunity to purchase and take home some bohne berrogi, the Bohne Berrogi Committee will be making and selling this ethnic delight at Moundridge High School on April 3.  The Bohne Berrogi will be sold, by the dozen, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM . The cost will be $20.00 a dozen, NO sauce will be provided.  No advance orders will be taken. This will be the only opportunity to purchase Bohne Berrogi unless some are not sold.  Left overs will be froze and sold at a later date or at the Relief Sale in July.  Come to Moundridge High School between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM on April 3 and support the MCC Relief Sale with your purchase.

 information for In Person Worship for March 14
 Beginning March 7, BCMC will begin inviting small groups of people for in-person worship. Live streaming will continue to take place as usual.
Below is a schedule that includes an option to attend in-person worship during March or April, according to Sunday School class or age bracket. 
While the small group of gatherers for each Sunday is meant to keep numbers to a safe, socially-distanced capacity, we want to be able to monitor numbers initially and be able to contact trace if necessary. For those reasons, we ask that if your Sunday School group or age bracket is signed up for a specific date, that you also RSVP to the church office by noon on Friday. Email office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org or call 316-283-3667.  Entire households are invited to attend even if only one person fits into the listed small group. 

March 14: Bible Study and Seekers
March 21: Fellowship and Catacombs
March 28: Fine Arts and Sojourners
April 4: to be determined
April 11:     Issues in Christianity and Open Circle
April 18: 70 and younger not associated with a Sunday School Class
April 25: 71 + not associated with a Sunday School Class

Please RSVP by noon on Friday of the week you plan to attend. 

In addition: those attending in-person worship are expected to observe the Participant Commitments below:  

PARTICIPANT COMMITMENTS: 

  • Stay home if you are unwell and/or when in doubt.
  • Prioritize south entrance for those with accessibility/proximity needs. 
  • Prioritize front (west) entrance for those able to walk farther. 
  • Please do not arrive earlier than 9:20 am.
  • Wear masks on church grounds.
  • Keep 6 feet of space between households – indoors and out.
  • Sit in the main sanctuary. There will be no balcony seating.
  • Sit where there are blue pieces of tape on the pews, in order to maintain 6 feet of distance from other worship participants.  Family groupings: please sit together in the same pew.
  • Keep coats/hats/gloves/scarves together with you, and dress warmly, as sanctuary windows will be partially open for ventilation.
  • Refrain from congregational singing.
  • Refrain from gathering in Gathering Place and around mailboxes. (coffee will not be served).
  • Plan to use restrooms at home to minimize coming together with others in enclosed spaces. (Restrooms will be open for urgent need).
  • Exit the building promptly after the service ends, using the same door you entered. 
  • Visit with others outside, wearing masks, 6 feet apart. 
  • The nursery will be closed. Children may stay with family during worship service (including Children’s Conversation) and may exit to Gathering Place during service if needed.
  • Please stay clear of church office, balcony, basement.
  • Notify church office if you test positive for COVID 19 within 48 hours of attending worship.

We look forward to being together again for worship, even in this modified way!
WDC announcements
1.  SAVE THE DATE:Thursday, March 25, 7 pm ZOOM networking meeting hosted by WDC Immigration Task Force.  Reconnect with other churches to hear about their advocacy on behalf of immigrants.  Hear from MCC’s National Advocacy Director Tammy Alexander.  How should our work go forward?  What is your church doing or what do they hope to do?  Ask a representative from your church to contact wdc@mennowdc.org for the ZOOM invitation.
2.  All women and girls are invited to the Western District Women in Mission 2021 Spring Soiree Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 pm.  In lieu of attending our annual Spring Supper, gather with us for a virtual night of worship, music and a reflection on “Faith in Turbulent Times” offered by special guest speaker and freelance minister, Georgia Metz, M. Div. Special music will be provided by Erin Regier Graber and Addie Regier Kauffman. Email WDWM2021SpringSoiree@gmail.com to register by April 5. A zoom link will be sent to registered participants prior to the event.  Spring Soiree poster
3.  Wait! Where’s my latest issue of WDC Garden?   In 2021, Western District Conference plans to refresh its website and make it THE PLACE to go to for all WDC news, articles and information.  Content typically found in WDC Garden will now be exclusively available on the website.  As we transition to a more web-based approach for disseminating information and a refreshed website, you can already find the latest content at: www.mennowdc.org – check it out!
4.  Raising Disciples with Natalie Frisk –  With the Western District Conference, First Mennonite Church (Beatrice, NE) and Beatrice Mennonite Church will be hosting a virtual event with featured speaker Pastor Natalie Frisk. The series will include:

  • Sunday morning, March 14, 9:30 a.m. – “Kids in the Kingdom” – a pre-recorded message by Pastor Natalie Frisk that can be viewed as part of a regular Sunday worship service, or at any time.
     
  • Sunday evening, March 21, 7:00 p.m. – “Jesus Centered Parenting: Q & A” – a live/interactive zoom gathering with Natalie to conclude our event.
     
  • Two additional sessions and an interview will be pre-recorded and available for viewing starting March 14:
    • Session 1 – Anchors and Waves: Living the Life as a Disciple While Discipling Your Kid
    • Session 2 – Journeying on Sacred Pathways: How is Your Kid Wired?
    • Fun interview to get to know Natalie
       
  • Facebook event info: Raising Disciples – Natalie Frisk

Natalie Frisk is the curriculum pastor at The Meeting House Church in Toronto, Canada, where she and an education team create kids’ and youth curricula for ages 0–18 used by churches worldwide. Frisk is a sought-after speaker on topics of youth and children’s ministry, spiritual formation, and discipleship, and is the author of the book Raising Disciples: How to Make Faith Matter for Our Kids, published by Herald Press.   Videos will be available via a YouTube link, though we can make the sessions downloadable too if that’s helpful. For additional information, please email pastor@summitstreetchurch.com.

Camp Mennoscah announcements
1.  Verenike Casserole Fundraiser for Camp Mennoscah on March 13!Click here to reserve your meal of verenike casserole, seasoned green beans, zweiback, and peach crisp online before March 7.  You can also call 620-297-3290.  This fundraiser supports the vital faith formation for youth and young adults that happens at camps and retreats.  Pick up meals at Moundridge High School on March 13.  Join in the fun to help make this return to summer youth camps as smooth and amazing as possible!
2.  One Day Event for Grades 7-12!  Camp Mennoscah’s Youth Volunteer Weekend is one full day of service projects, worship, lunch & socially distanced fellowship.  Register online, email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290.  Masks are required.
3.  We are ready to rock! Preparation for the Amphitheater Improvement project was completed in the Summer of 2020 and we are ready to finish this project up.  Work days are scheduled for the following days: March 12 to 13, March 26 to 27, April 2 to 3, April 9 to 10, May 14-15.  These opportunities to get involved are on Fridays and Saturday, come on out for one or both days, and part or all day. Ask about lodging if you would like to stay overnight.  A team of five volunteers will work from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day installing the new stone benches. There will be stone to cut, move, clean and set along with a whole lot mortar to mix up.  Bring a lunch and water bottle with you when you come, and plan to arrive at the North cabin area to check in around 9:00 am. Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer for this project. 
4.  Looking for kitchen staff and nurses!  Camp Mennoscah is filling volunteer and stipend positions for kitchen staff and nurses for the upcoming 2021 summer.  Contact Camp Mennoscah at office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 for available weeks and details.  Kitchen staff can receive a scholarship up to full camp fees for their camper.
5.  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.

Mennonite church announcements
1.  The Lenten season is upon us! Find Mennonite Church USA’s Lent at Home 2021 resource for home-based guided daily and weekly worship — for all ages — here: mennoniteusa.org/lentathome
2.  This month, Mennonite Church USA invites you to engage with the “Learn, Pray, Join: Cost of War” initiative to promote peacemaking and anti-militarism. Learn more: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/cost-of-war
3.  Mennonite Church USA Executive Board met in late January and discussed a resolution to retire the denomination’s Membership Guidelines. The resolution was forwarded to the Constituency Leaders Council for feedback. Read more about the meeting here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/retire-mg. En español: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/quitar-los-lineamientos
4.  Please pray for the Constituency Leaders Council of Mennonite Church USA (MC USA), which is meeting virtually on March 12 and 13. The Constituency Leaders Council is an MC USA advisory group comprised of leaders from the area conferences, agencies and constituency groups that meets one or two times per year to counsel and advise the Executive Board, functioning as denominational elders. 
5.  Cyneatha Millsaps, co-pastor of Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Indiana and executive director of Mennonite Women USA, explains that, for some, including her niece, the military offers peace in ways that civilian life does not. How then, should the church respond? Read “When military creates peace” for Millsaps’ thoughts on the matter. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/military-peace
6.  The Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions is hiring a director of advancement (full time position).  For more information see https://sustainable climate solutions.org/2021/02/04/job-posting-cscs-advancement-officer/ . The Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions (CSCS) is a collaborative initiative of Eastern Mennonite University, Goshen College and Mennonite Central Committee to lead Anabaptist efforts to respond to the challenges of climate change.
7.  Do you have a heart for mentoring students and strong organizational skills? Freeman Academy in Freeman, South Dakota, is looking for a Resident Director to supervise and encourage 12 boarding students in on-campus housing. Salary plus benefits including health insurance, retirement, room and board.  Main responsibilities are building relationships with students and overseeing daily life at the dorm including cooking the evening meal, coordinating student activities, and communicating with parents.  Retirees and experienced parents are urged to apply. For more information visit FreemanAcademy.org/employment/ or contact Nathan Epp, Head of School, nepp@freemanacademy.org or 605-925-4237.
8.  The Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions will offer a new series of interactive webinars entitled “For the Beauty of the Earth:  A Series on Climate and Racial Justice”.  The interconnectedness of climate and racial justice will be explored, grounded in Anabaptist values and theology.  Sessions will feature speakers, Q&A, and discussion. Visit the facebook page for more details and registration information!  Contact Nicole Litwiller at nicole.litwiller@emu.edu with any questions!

The Rocky Mountain March newsletter is here!
Have a look at the latest/greatest happenings here at RMMC. For this and previous newsletters, please visit the camp website and click on the “News” tab under “About Us”. THANKS!
If you would like to be removed from our e-newsletter list, simply reply to this message.
Corbin Graber on behalf of the camp board and staff members

Announcement from Hesston College
Renewed Life with Bel Canto Singers will be presented at the Mullet Drive Parking Lot, Hesston College, Sunday, March 28, at 3 p.m. This is a community worship service with music of Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Join us in person or on the  Fine Arts Livestream