BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
MAY 12, 2024
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.
There will be no worship service in the Bethel College Mennonite Church building this Sunday, May 12. You are invited to attend the Bethel College Baccalaureate at Bethel College’s Memorial Hall, Sunday, May 12,10 a.m.
The Baccalaureate service will be live-streamed. The live-stream link is: https://www.youtube.com/live/h9UpL8i9lDQ?si=jW0TDVCWiT8Mg2H7
THE NEXT WEEK AT BCMC
Sunday, May 12, 2024—Bethel College Baccalaureate
There will be no worship service in the BCMC Building—Bethel College
Baccalaureate begins at 10 a.m. in Memorial Hall—All are invited
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
9 a.m. Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting in Room 14
Thursday, May 16, 2024
11 a.m. Staff meeting
4 p.m. Witness Commission meeting in Room 14
Sunday, May 19, 2024—Pentecost Sunday
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; communion will be served
10:45 a.m. Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary
11:45 a.m. Fundraiser Lunch served by the Senior High Youth Group
Congregational Meeting and New Co-Pastor Vote:
The next congregational meeting will take place Sun., May 19, 10:45 a.m. during the Sunday School hour. The meeting will be held in the sanctuary and made available live on YouTube only while the meeting is in progress; it will not be recorded. Remote viewers can text their votes to a number available in the May 19 bulletin and announced at the beginning of the meeting. Agenda items will include a vote for acceptance of the Search Committee’s and Board’s recommendation to approve Joanna Harader as our new full-time co-pastor; approval of new board members and officers; and reports from several committees and commissions. The youth will host a fundraising luncheon following the meeting.
FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT BOOKLET FOR JUNE 1, 2023–MAY 31, 2024 PRESS HERE
There will be copies of the Annual Report Booklet available in the Gathering Place next week.
The Pastoral Search Committee would like to thank all the people who helped make Joanna Harader’s candidating weekend happen. So many of you contributed in so many ways, from hosting and organizing events at church and in your homes, facilitating and participating in discussion times, making coffee and providing snacks, making meals, asking thoughtful questions, setting up and cleaning up, and generally making Joanna and Ryan feel welcome. Thank you! You are what maked BCMC such a wonderful community.
VBS is coming up! Newton Mennonite Vacation Bible School will meet at Shalom Mennonite Church, 5:30-7:30pm, May 28-31. On Sunday Morning, June 2, all our congregations will worship together on the Bethel College Green. VBS is open to all students from age 4 to grade 4, and we also need adult, high school, and junior high volunteers! To register students, visit https://bit.ly/newtonvbskids and to register as a volunteer, please visit https://bit.ly/newtonvbsvols . Our congregation’s contact people for VBS are Jill Robb and Mary Ellen Hodge.
Graduates?
If you or someone in your immediate family is graduating from 8th grade, high school, college, or graduate school, please let Monica in the office know so that we can include them in our bulletin for May 19 when we recognize all of our graduates. Email Monica at office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.
Roger Neufeld Smith will be driving back to Newton Wednesday, May 22. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)
Wow! That’s the way we like it! We had a $10,000 surplus of income over expenses in April. Congratulations and thanks for the effort. The bad news is that we still have a $25,000 deficit for the year. So it’s a ‘pat’ on the back a shoulder to the challenge; meanwhile, keep up the good work! The Finance Committee
To read the BCMC “Kaleidoscope” Newsletter – 2023 A Year In Review press here
There will be copies available in the Gathering Place next week
Join Everence Tuesday, May 28, for this helpful webinar
Make Medicare an easy stepEverence® can give you a handTuesday, May 28, 6:30 p.m. Everence Financial3179 N Main St Ste 1BNorth NewtonAttend our workshop and gain confidence about moving to Medicare with guidance from Everence. Attendance is recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare. We’ll discuss:Signing up for Medicare: how, when and where.What Medicare covers (and does not cover).Medicare Parts A, B, C and D in clear, understandable language.Budgeting for health care costs in retirement.We’ll also have plenty of time for your questions. Register nowYou can also register by calling 316-283-3800 or 877-467-7294.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Nurses and kitchen helpers are needed for Summer Youth Camps! If you are an RN and can fill part or all of the July 7-12 or July 14-19, please email olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or text 316-293-7313. Kitchen helpers are especially needed for July 7-12. No great skill needed, just a happy heart and the ability to follow directions. Up to a full camper discount can be received by kitchen staff or nurses. Nurses can choose to receive a stipend instead. Reply now to stop Olivia from sending this plea again!
Other events and happenings:
- Random items needed for summer youth camps! By random, we mean toilet paper, white paper towels, volleyballs, soccer balls, frisbees (for Ultimate), a smallish fish seine, fish hooks, inner tubes for floating (Intex River Run is what we have), manual can openers, prayers for safety and wisdom, and Sharpies of all colors plus black for the kitchen. Send directly to Camp Mennoscah or contact office@campmennoscah.org.
- Now is a great time to register for Summer Youth Camps! Scroll through this information for summer youth camp information and scriptures. Send a child, grandchild or invite a friend to come to a week of fun-filled faith in the midst of creation. The theme for the summer is Linked By Love and looks at how God’s love teaches us about faith and commitment. Register online!
- The Retreat Center HVAC project will not be finished by the start of the summer. There have been unexpected discoveries that have extended the time line for completion. The Facilities Committee and Camp Mennoscah board are reviewing the next steps. Camp Mennoscah staff will be in communication with groups with Retreat Center reservations. Work will continue on the project with a brief hiatus to get campgrounds and the pool ready for Summer Youth Camps. Please keep the board, camp staff and the project in your prayers. Questions can be directed to olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290. This does not prevent summer youth camps from taking place.
- Tasty Treat Makers Needed! Parents can receive a discount up to full camp fees as kitchen staff for a week of summer youth camp. Willing hands and hearts are all that is needed. The head cook will direct you in what needs to be done to make yummy meals for campers and staff. Kitchen staff are needed for June 9-14, June 23-28, July 7-12, July 14-19, and July 21-26! Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290. Free camp tee shirt and tasty meals provided, as well as the hearty thank yous of well-fed campers.
- Bandaid Appliers needed for the weeks of Junior High 2 (July 7-12) and Junior 2 (July 14-19). Nurses must be an RN and can receive a stipend or a full parent discount. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org if you are interested. The care you share gives campers a fun and safe camp week!
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For the Mennonite Central Committee School Kit Challenge press here
You are invited to attend the Mennonite Central Committee Sale Annual Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 6:00, at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church. The cost for the meal is $20/person and you will pay at the door. Please RSVP to Barb BJ Reeves by May 19. 620-543-6863 or bj.reeves@live.com The meeting to review the Sale and present MCC with a check will be held after dinner at approximately 7:00 pm.
Hesston College Announcements
May 11 – Commencement Ceremony
Hesston College’s 114th annual commencement ceremony is Saturday, May 11, at 4 p.m. The college will grant approximately 44 bachelor’s degrees and 60 associate degrees to the graduating class of 2024. This year’s commencement speaker, Dr. Rebecca Hernandez, will inspire our graduates to consider how acts of service can frame their lives.
May 23 – Dyck Arboretum of the Plains Summer Music Nights: Kilometer 81
You are invited to bring your friends and family, lawn chairs or picnic blankets and join us for Summer Music Nights at Dyck Arboretum! This event is free to the public – donations are welcome. Water and lemonade will be provided. Bring your own picnic, if you like. Everyone is welcome to walk the arboretum grounds and enjoy the summer evening. Music will begin at 7 p.m. Performers will be located on the covered patio on the west side of the Prairie Pavilion and the public is invited to gather on the lawn areas nearby. Kilometer 81 is a local bluegrass band composed of three siblings, Eli (mandolin), Addie (guitar), and Austin (banjo), and their parents, Ken (bass) and Amy (vocals). They build elements of jazz, folk and barbershop music onto a traditional bluegrass foundation.
June 16 to 22 – Summer Theatre Camp
Student actors ages 11 to 18 are invited to stage a live theatre performance at Hesston College’s annual summer theatre camp June 16 to 22. The weeklong theatre immersion will culminate in a public performance of the musical “Mean Girls” at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 22, in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary on the Hesston College campus. Theatre camp registration is $335 per person and includes lodging and meals for seven days and six nights, or $285 for day camp only. A discount is available for families registering more than one student. Participants can visit hesston.edu/theatrecamp to register online. Registration is due June 10.
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Mennonite Church USA, along with more than 140 Christian leaders, signed a letter calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a halt in arms sales to Israel. Read the letter here: mennoniteusa.org/news/call-for-ceasefire
On Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, MC USA’s Climate Justice Ministry will host a webinar titled, “Energy Efficiency and Faithful Action.” Join three panelists, Amy Huser, Eric Sauder and Nelson Kilmer, who have led their congregations and communities on a journey toward energy efficiency, with a goal of “Net Zero” energy. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/webinar/registration-climate-may30 View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/slide/lpj-climate4 View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/pdf/lpj-climate4
Menno Snapshots
Janet Elaine Guthrie, spiritual director and member of First Mennonite Church of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, shares about the influences that led her to engage in the reparative action of donating her portion of the family farm, with the intent toward education and supporting Indigenous peoples. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/fruits-of-repair
Read and subscribe to Equipping, Mennonite Church USA’s quarterly resource newsletter for pastors and ministry leaders. View the most recent issue here: mennoniteusa.org/equipping-april-2024 Subscribe to Equipping here: mennoniteusa.org/equipping-subscribe
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer RequestOn this Mother’s Day, join Mennonite Mission Network in praying for mothers around the world, especially those who struggle to provide life’s necessities for their children. May we share what God has given us, acknowledging that we are all part of God’s one family.
Western District Conference Prayer Request
Pray for chaplains in WDC, as they offer pastoral care in hospitals, hospice, health care communities, academic institutions, and other settings.
Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.