Announcements for May 23-May 30, 2021

PHIL KOONTZ MEMORIAL LINK
Phil’s memorial service was Thursday, May 20, 1:30 pm at BCMC.  To view the service click here.
To see the memorial service bulletin click here.


BCMC Offering for May 16, 2021
General Fund $7,855; MCC Meat Canning $500; MCC Sale $200; Sr Hi Youth $600; Living Stones $2,063.33; Women’s Fellowship $200


Last Sunday (May 16) our congregation gathered at Camp Mennoscah for church retreat and the baptism of Caleb Koontz in the Ninnescah River. Pastor Renee would like to invite the congregation to share an important or meaningful Bible passage to them with Caleb as he enters this new adventure of his faith journey. You can send or drop off a card for Caleb at church by May 24th

BCMC/Caleb Koontz
PO Box 364
North Newton, KS  67117

Below is Caleb’s faith statement: 
Being at the beginning of my journey of faith, I look forward to continuing to grow in my relationship to God. I’ve been a part of BCMC since I was born, attending with my grandparents, Dick and Barb Koontz, and my parents. My parents tell me I was dedicated here as a baby and I received my first bible in third grade. I’m very excited to become a full member of this church. One of the most significant experiences I’ve had as a Christian would be our youth group’s visit to Rehoboth in New Mexico. There, I was able to learn how much we are able to help people and the kind of positive influence joy and faith can bring to all types of communities. To be a part of the Anabaptist tradition means that I have the choice to continue in my faith journey and put my full trust in God. Following Christ in life to me means that you have an unconditional sense of caring for people and you serve your entire community. The people that have had the greatest influence on me would be my family as well as my mentor Russ Graber. Russ has taught me a lot and helped me improve as a person. Something he does that I admire is he lights a candle when he knows someone is in need of prayer. He has taught me to be happy for others and I’m thankful for his friendship and that he’s my mentor. I would also like to thank Renee for her help in teaching me on my faith journey. As I grow older, I hope to serve this church and grow in faith with our community.

Bethel College Announcements
The Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR) at Bethel College is offering its core mediation training (Practical Skills for Managing Interpersonal Conflict) via Zoom June 14-18. There is a fee discount if you register before May 28. Go to kipcor.org for more information and online registration.

Sat., June 5 – The public is invited to Walk Sand Creek Trail Day, part of National Trails Day®. Water will be available for people and dogs at the trailhead at Memorial Grove on the Bethel College campus, dawn to dusk (6 a.m.-8 p.m.), courtesy of the Sand Creek Trail Committee.  


The Mennonite Palestine-Israel Network (MennoPIN) shares with us two resources to help keep us current with what is happening on the ground in Palestine now. You can access them here.In addition, continue to keep your voices heard in Congress, your feet on the streets, your prayers lifted up and any other way you can in support of the ongoing suffering in Palestine (including Gaza).


Mennonite Central Committee Announcements

Chose Thrift First – Join MCC and take the Chose Thrift First pledge! Learn how you can care for our planet by making secondhand your first shopping choice. Find your nearest MCC thrift shop to shop, donate and volunteer to support the work of MCC.  


MCC Webinars on Wednesday, May 26!
May 26, 12-1:30 p.m. CDT The Color of Compromise series: Raymond Chang
By examining historical and present day examples, Chang will speak about how racism impacts Asian Americans in the church.
May 26, 7 p.m. CDT The Right to Stay and the Right to Go: Migration for Human Dignity
Join Bonnie Klassen and Anna Vogt to learn how MCC understands the different faces and forms of migration in Latin America. Explore the role of advocacy and community organization for supporting human dignity and enabling people to stay rooted within their local communities.
Register for these webinars and find upcoming webinars on mcc.org.


MCC Central States COVID-19 update: We look forward to re-opening the MCC office in North Newton on July 6. Please keep us in your prayers as we consider our protocols, processes and capacity. Material resources donations continue to be accepted in the 24-hour donation room. Financial donations can be made at mcc.org, mailed to the office (MCC Central States PO BOX 235 North Newton, KS 67117) or dropped off by appointment. Please call the MCC office at 316-283-2720 with any questions. Thank you for continuing to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee. 


SWAP summer staff needed! MCC’s Sharing With Appalachia People (SWAP) program is in need of Job Site Coordinators and Meals Coordinators to support home repair projects in Kimball, West Virginia or Harlan, Kentucky. Applicants should be at least 19 years old, but these paid roles are not limited to young adults. For more information and to apply, visit mcc.org/swap-summer-staff or contact the MCC Appalachia SWAP office at (606) 634-4418 or AppalachiaAdmin@mcc.org


HR Generalist: MCC is looking for someone with excellent relational skills, intercultural competency and HR experience in recruitment/selection, benefits administration, onboarding or policy work to join our team as a full time HR Generalist. This position is open for someone to be based in the U.S. headquarters in Akron, PA or any regional office including North Newton, KS.  The deadline to express interest is May 31. For more information and to apply click here: HR Generalist application.


Western District Conference announcements

1.  The WDC Annual Assembly will be held July 30-August 1, focusing on the theme of “Woven Into God’s Story”, based on Colossians 2:2-7.  Some parts of it will be only virtual, and other parts will be only on-site at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton, KS.  Much of it will be hybrid with people on-site and virtual sharing together.  Information is posted as it becomes available, and online registration will be available at the beginning of June at:  https://mennowdc.org/2021-wdc-annual-assembly/

2.  Special Annual Assembly Storytelling Opportunity!  WDC’s Assembly theme July 30-August 1 is “Woven into God’s Story.”  When was the last time you really listened to the story of someone who doesn’t see the world as you do? The folks at StoryCorps have invited WDC to partner with their storytelling project, One Small Step, to share and record our own stories within WDC. One Small Step is an initiative to facilitate conversations across differences, between people who may disagree politically. It’s not a debate. It’s a chance to spend time virtually with someone different than you and discover the stories behind each other’s beliefs. To join another WDC member for an online conversation, sign up at https://onesmallstep.storycorps.org/wdc/. The registration deadline is June 25 and virtual recordings will be scheduled July 28-30 (space is limited). For more information about One Small Step see the attached flyer.

3.  The WDC Resource Library invites children ages 3-8 to join us for an outdoor Green Things Summer Story Hour.  On Thursdays starting June 3 at 10:00am, we will meet in front of the North Newton (KS) City Building at 2601 N. Main.  Register here or at mennowdc.org/library(Newton-area churches please run this announcement and post the flier attached to Sprouts)

4.  KLC Zoom Lunch:  “Uncertainty and Conflict” is our May 25, 12-1 pm topic and it’s appropriate as we say goodbye to Clayton Gladdish who’s been a faithful advocate for KLC through the years.  Join us whether you’ve been to a KLC training or are interested to learn more.  (Zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83458158470?pwd=TGpEdG8yWjg4MFpzcUJ0djVtK0QrQT09, Meeting ID: 834 5815 8470, Passcode: 760463)

5.  BIG NEWS from the Western District Women in Mission! The Women’s Retreat at Camp Mennoscah will happen in-person this September! Details are being discussed but please circle the dates of Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 and consider joining our fellowship and reconnecting. Of course, some things will look different including no programming for girls, only meeting on Saturday and Sunday, building use being limited, bodies being one year older, etc. We’ll send out more details and registration information later this summer; hope to see you there!


Camp Mennoscah announcements
1.  From not enough to overflowing!  Camp Mennoscah is grateful for all the nurses who have offered to be a camp nurse and for anyone who spoke with someone about being a camp nurse.  Over three days, the camps needing nurses had the positions filled–plus additional nurses willing to help!  What a blessing to have such support for Camp Mennoscah and the campers!

2. Still room at the inn!  Camp Mennoscah still has a few openings at most camps.  Register online at campmennoscah.org!

3.  Counselors, volunteers, and program staff!  Camp Mennoscah needs your information/application forms (parts 1 & 2) as soon as possible to prepare for a summer of grand fun and exceptional faith.  Difficulties?  Contact 620-297-3290!

4.  Kitchen staff needed!  Camp Mennoscah is still looking for kitchen staff for June 6-12 and July 18-24.  No professional cooking skills needed–just an ability to follow directions and some happiness to share!  Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290.

Mennonite church announcements

1.  Join author Sarah Augustine as she shares about her new book, “The Land is Not Empty, Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery,” in a webinar on June 3 a 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT/5 p.m. MDT/4 p.m. PDT. A question-and-answer time will follow. Spanish interpretation provided. This webinar is cosponsored by Mennonite Church USA and MennoMedia. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/land-not-empty

2.  In her blog, “The Sacred Work of Holy Agitation,” Bonita Croyle shares what she hopes to accomplish as a member of Mennonite Church USA’s Women in Leadership Steering Committee. Read about her passions here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/sacred-work-holy-agitation

3.  Hiro Katano writes about his experience as a peace educator with the Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute in his blog, “Peace as Cultural Transformation in Northeast Asia.” The blog is part of Mennonite Church USA’s Learn, Pray, Join: Cost of War initiative to raise awareness of the destructive powers of militarization. Read more: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/peace-cultural-transformation

4.  In “Conference Minister’s Response to the Tragic Shooting near Boulder Mennonite Church,” Rev. Amy S. Zimbelman reflects on the prayer vigil held in the aftermath of the shooting that took place in Boulder, Colorado, in March. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/uncategorized/boulder-shooting/


Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:   Mennonite Mission Network
requests prayer for the board members of the Paris, France Mennonite
Center as they meet on Friday, May 28. May they discern God’s leading as they evaluate priorities and explore new global relationships.
Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Give thanks for the WDC Resource Library, as congregations and individuals use its materials for spiritual growth, sermon preparation, leadership development, Bible study, children’s stories, and many other forms of learning and faith formation.