Announcements for May 2-May 9, 2021

Spring Congregational Meeting – Sunday – May 2, 2021 – 2 pm 
The BCMC Congregational Meeting will be held on May 2, at 1 pm, via zoom.  Here is the  Zoom link for the May 2 meeting.  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85663468861?pwd=U0cxcEJ3YlB4eGR5eFRhd3dtZklSUT09

Meeting ID: 856 6346 8861
Passcode: 508271

Tempestry Project panels are now installed in the Gathering Place
The seven panels feature a row of knitted yarn representing the high temperature for each day in twenty year increments, from 1897, when  Bethel College Mennonite Church began, through 2019.  The project is designed to help us visually think about our warming climate.  Additional information can be seen by the Tempestry.
The project was coordinated by the  BCMC Visual Arts Committee and the participating knitters (Sara Dick, Esther Kreider Eash, Deane Frey, Mary Goering, Marilyn Harrold, Peggy Souder and Lenore Waltner) completed the project in April 2020. 

Miner Seymour is now living at Paramount Community Living and Rehab which until recently was part of Asbury Park.

BCMC Camp Mennoscah Weekend Retreat
Dust off your tents, string your fishing poles, and prepare your hearts for worship at one of the best settings south-central Kansas has to offer! That’s right… it’s the BCMC Camp Mennoscah Weekend Retreat! This year’s event will be held May 15-16, and will only include BCMC – not Halstead First Mennonite as has been the case in the past (due to COVID). We plan on eating, fellowshipping, playing, worshiping, and seeing each other – safely, outdoors – as a way to be in community with each other. We’ll follow Camp’s safety protocol as we do this, of course, but would love to have as many folks out as can come – whether for Saturday evening, Sunday morning and lunch, or a whole weekend of fun! If you/your family is interested in attending, please fill out the link here: https://forms.gle/hr72BEDmvyXsayTKA And, if you have questions about the retreat, pricing, COVID-friendly protocol, etc. OR would like to help out in some way, please reach out to Adam Robb (adamandjillrobb@gmail.com) or Pastor Renee and they’ll do their best to be helpful! Looking forward to being together, in nature, to worship our God!

April 25 Offering at BCMC:  General Fund $6,927; MCC Sale $650; Sr Hi Youth $650; Living Stones $155; Women’s Fellowship $500; Rosalind Andreas Memorial $105. 

Bethel College Announcements
TODAY (Sun., May 2), 4 p.m. – Spring choral concert, featuring the Bethel College Concert Choir, Woven, Open Road, soloists and small ensembles, on the steps of the Administration Building on campus. Bring your own chairs/blankets or use chairs set up on the Ad Building plaza. Face coverings must be worn and physical distancing practiced on the Bethel campus.
Tues., May 4, 7 p.m. – Bethel College Steel Drum Band concert on the plaza in front of Luyken Fine Arts Center (rain location: KREHBIEL AUDITORIUM). Bring your own chairs/blankets. The concert is free – there will be a freewill offering taken to help support steel drum performance at Bethel. Face coverings must be worn and physical distancing practiced on the Bethel campus.
Weds., May 5, 7 p.m. – Jazz on the Green, featuring Bethel College Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, a little south of the usual location, on the slab to the east of the art gallery (rain location: Krehbiel Auditorium). Bring your own chairs/blankets. Face coverings must be worn and physical distancing practiced on the Bethel campus 
Sat., May 8, 5 p.m. – Trae Gehring junior tuba recital, Administration Building chapel on the Bethel College campus. Free and open to the public with limited seating, physical distancing enforced for non-family groups, and face coverings required.
Sunday, May 9, 2 p.m. – Concert by Bethel College’s small a cappella ensembles Open Road (men) and Woven (women), on the steps of the Administration Building on campus. Bring your own chairs/blankets. The concert is free, but a freewill offering will be taken to support the Concert Choir’s 2022 Europe tour. Face coverings must be worn and physical distancing practiced on the Bethel campus. 
Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College: Senior Art Show, “Requiem aeternam,” paintings by Adam Kroeker, through May 14. Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Face coverings must be worn and physical distancing practiced on the Bethel campus.

Everence to hold several upcoming webinars
Everence will host the following free, online webinars during the month of May; all starting at 6:30 p.m.
Making your wishes known – Tuesday, May 11

Navigating education savings: 529 plans – Tuesday, May 18

Social Security and retirement income planning – Tuesday, May 25

To register, or learn more about each webinar event, please visit our webpage at everence.com/kansas.

Advisory services offered through Investment Advisors, a division of ProEquities Inc., Registered Investment Advisors. Securities offered through ProEquities Inc., a registered broker-dealer, member FINRA and SIPC. Investments and other products are not NCUA or otherwise federally insured, may involve loss of principal and have no credit union guarantee. 

Products and services offered through Everence Trust Company and other Everence entities are independent of and are not guaranteed or endorsed by ProEquities, Inc., or its affiliates.

Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale Announcements
California Roasted Almonds are to arrive in Buhler, May 3.  As soon as they are received, we will deliver to Etcetera stores in Hutchinson, Newton and Hillsboro and the MCC Center in North Newton.  Selling price will be $10/bag with donations welcomed.  The money will all go to MCC.  Richard Ediger will also have some available in Buhler.  Call 620-543-2787

Get your MCC Relief Sale gear online at https://wearatomic.com/product-category/mcc/
The proceeds from the sale of these products go to support MCC.  

Hesston College Announcements

Bel Canto Singers May Tour: Lift Every Voice

        Visit www.hesston.edu/everyvoice for more information and virtual or livestream play options.

  • Friday, April 30, 7 p.m. – Hesston College Mullet Drive, Hesston, Kan.
  • Monday, May 3, 7 p.m. – Dyck Arboretum of the Plains with Marie Engle, Hesston, Kan.
  • Tuesday, May 4, 7 p.m. – First Mennonite Church, Hutchinson, Kan.
  • Thursday, May 6, 7 p.m. – Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church, Harper, Kan.
  • Friday, May 7, 7 p.m. – Heartland Community High School, Henderson, Neb.
  • Sunday, May 9, 4 p.m. – Salem-Zion Mennonite Church, Freeman S.D.
  • Monday, May 10, 7 p.m. – Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minn.
  • Thursday, May 13, 7 p.m. – Banman Residence, 8538 Mette Street, Lenexa, Kan.
  • Friday, May 14, 7 p.m. – Tabor Mennonite Church, Goessel, Kan.

Commencement – May 1 – www.hesston.edu/commencement

Western District Conference announcement
Church Replanting: Discerning God’s Call to Change: Thank you to everyone who joined us for this discussion last week (April 21) on zoom! The WDC Church Planting Commission was greatly encouraged by your participation. For those who were unable to join us, here’s a video of what we discussed about discerning and considering changes as church communities: Video: Church Replanting: Discerning God’s Call to Change

Camp Mennoscah announcements
1.  There are openings for youth at Camp Mennoscah’s summer youth camps!  Several of the camp weeks still have space for more campers.  Register at www.campmennoscah.org and find further information in the camp blog!

2.  Help set up camp!  Volunteers are needed to help set up the HUGE tents used for this summer’s youth camps at Camp Mennoscah.  Setup will happen May 28 and 29.  Sign up by May 15 by contacting 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org. 

3.  Camp Mennoscah is seeking to fill a part-time custodian/housekeeper position.  Hours average 10 per week and are flexible, dependent upon the camp schedule.  For more information, contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org4.  Nurses needed for summer youth camps!  Camp Mennoscah needs nurses for June 17-19 (First Camp), June 20-26 (Junior I) and July 25-30 (Senior High).  Nurses receive a stipend or a discount up to full camp fees for their camper (camper does not have to attend the same camp week).  Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for more information. 

Mennonite church announcements

1.  For Corinthian Plan (TCP) CEP Health Coverage participants. TCP is providing specific COVID-19 health coverage for its participants. Many of these benefits are covered without further cost to the participant during the Public Health Emergency (PHE). For specific information regarding coverages below go to the TCP webpage regarding the following:

  • Vaccinations
  • Testing, Diagnosis and Inpatient hospitalization
  • Telemedicine
  • Temporary eligibility exceptions for furloughed staff or staff with reduced hours.

The Corinthian Plan also has grants available for congregations experiencing economic stress during the COVID-19 Outbreak. The COVID Premium Assistance fund has been made possible by the donations of TCP participating congregations. Click on Guidelines  or Application or go to the TCP webpage.
2.  Seeking a Chaplain:  Bethesda Home, in Goessel, KS, is looking for a part-time chaplain. Interested parties may apply on the Bethesda website: www.bethesdahome.org. Please contact Marci Heidebrecht in Human Resources for additional information at 620-367-2291 x 229 or mheidebrecht@bethesdahome.org.

The link to the May issue of Prayers for Mennonite Education is below.
This is a monthly prayer resource prepared by Mennonite Education Agency (MEA), the education agency of Mennonite Church USA. These prayer requests were gathered from across Mennonite education, from early childhood – grade 12, undergraduate schools, graduate schools and seminaries, and MEA’s Hispanic Ministries’ seminary and Bible institute. By partnering with these schools and helping them flourish, MEA works to strengthen the church through education. Thank you for supporting the Anabaptist-Mennonite schools through prayer.
Prayers for Mennonite Education – May 2021

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network’s Youth Venture program is offering three learning and service opportunities in the United States this summer. Pray for participants, ages 15-22, to be challenged by the Doctrine of Discovery tour, the civil rights tour, or the immersive peacebuilding experience, which will include cooperative interaction with Colombian Mennonite youth.

Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Pray for the WDC Gifts Discernment Committee as they seek the Spirit’s leading in selecting nominees for positions on the Executive Board and Commissions.