BCMC at Camp Mennoscah This Weekend – May 7 and 8
There will be no live stream or in person worship at the BCMC building this Sunday, May 8.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the BCMC Retreat at Camp Mennoscah May 7 and 8. Following is the schedule for the weekend:
Saturday – May 7:
1 – 5:30 PM: Arrive, settle in, optional camp activities
5:30 – 6:30 PM – Supper
6:50 – 8:15 PM – Hayrack Ride
8:30 PM – Popcorn under the Shelter
9:00 PM – Camp Songs under the Shelter
9:30 PM – Campfire @ Campfire Pit
After Campfire: Fellowship Continues!
Sunday – May 8:
8 – 9 AM: Breakfast
9:45 AM – Hymn Sing Prelude
10—11 AM: Worship (Dress for outdoor conditions)
12 PM: Lunch
This week at BCMC
Sunday, May 8, 2022 – BCMC Retreat at Camp Mennoscah
9:45 am Hymn Sing Prelude
10 am Worship
Monday, May 9, 2022
4 pm Faith Formation meeting
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
9-11 am Community Playschool
12 noon Mid-Kansas Investment Club meets in Fellowship Hall
Thursday, May 12, 2022
9-11 am Community Playschool
4 pm Staff Congregation Relations Committee meets in Room 14
7 pm Finance Committee meeting
Sunday, May 15, 2022
10 am Bethel College Baccalaureate at Memorial Hall–There will be no worship service at BCMC
The memorial service for Keith Sprunger will be Saturday, May 7, 10:30 am at BCMC. You can attend the service in person and it will also be live-streamed. Visitation will be 5 pm to 9 pm Friday, May 6, at Petersen Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Press on this link for the live stream: https://youtu.be/NejNXjNRXDw
Calling all Graduates!
Graduation season is upon us and we want to recognize all of you! If you are graduating from kindergarten, high school, college, graduate programs, doctorates, etc. please let us know. Email Renee at renee@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org with name, accomplishment, and school by May 18th.
Chancel Choir Director needed at BCMC
Bethel College Mennonite Church (North Newton, KS) is looking for a Chancel Choir Director. This is a part-time position, August 15-May 15. As part of the team of musicians on the church staff, the director is responsible for music selection, rehearsals, and performances of the Chancel Choir. The choir sings approximately 2 times per month during September-May and participates in a Christmas Eve program. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:30.
Inquiries should be addressed to Barbara Thiesen, Music Coordinator. Email: thiesenjba@gmail.com.
Application forms are available from Monica Lichti, Office/Facilities Manager. Phone: 316-283-3667; email: office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org
Barbara Thiesen
BCMC Music Coordinator
A Message from the Abuse Prevention and Response Committee
Are you “Unsatisfied”? Particularly with your knowledge of how you can impact change of our church culture? Join us during the Sunday School hour May 22 to read the article “Unsatisfied”. Lead by members of the APRC, we will read this short article, “Unsatisfied”, together and discuss how purity culture has impacted our current culture at BCMC . Articles will be made available that day. Jill Robb, APRC Chair
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School will happen at First Mennonite Church on May 31-June 3 from 5:30-7:30 pm, with a joint end of the week celebration and worship service at Athletic Park on Sunday, June 5. Our theme this year is Passport to Peace! Families with children ages preschool through 5th grade may register to attend. A light supper will be provided between 5:30-6:00. A huge Thank you to all who volunteered to help during this week! Families may register using the following link or by scanning the QR code: https://forms.gle/F4nMekBbbdAYDve86
Contact Mary Ellen Hodge for any assistance or questions!
Summer Camp Season is approaching!
Faith Formation Commission recognizes that attending summer camps is not cheap, but that it is an extremely valuable part of faith formation for our young people. We have some scholarship funding available to assist families with covering the cost of registering for the 2022 camping season. We also hope to have funds available after the camping season to provide some amount of reimbursement to all families with campers. Please contact Mary Ellen Hodge or Pastor Todd Schlosser if you’d like assistance with camp registration this summer. These funds are only available to campers who camp at Mennonite camps. We encourage you to get registered early for an awesome summer of camping experiences!
If anyone at BCMC would like to support our young people attending camp you can feel free to donate to our Mennonite Camping Scholarship Fund by writing a check made out to BCMC (with Mennointe Camp Scholarship in the memo line) and drop it off on Sunday morning or in the church office.
Rejoice Devotional Subscriptions
For those of you who are currently subscribed to the Rejoice Devotional Magazine, the last issue for this year (June-July-August) is in your mailboxes here at church.
To renew for the coming year (or if you wish to join as a new subscriber) please drop a check in the offering plate for $33.11 (in the memo line put “Rejoice” subscription), or mail your check to the church at PO Box 364, North Newton, KS, 67117, or bring to the church office by May 31.
New Hope Shelter Appeal
Once again, I send out an appeal to anyone who would be willing to help in some way at New Hope Shelter. We are running on a skeleton crew of volunteers, and help in the way of new recruits is needed. The following are needed:
1. Volunteers to spend time with residents at New Hope from 5 to 11 PM. BCMC is responsible for having volunteers for a week every 9 weeks. An orientation is given for new volunteers.
2. Evening Coordinators from 5 to 8 PM on Saturday and Sunday evenings every 9 weeks. An orientation is given for this.
3. Meals each evening for a week every 9 weeks.
Please understand that we ask for help only every 9 weeks, and being on the volunteer list doesn’t commit you to each of those weeks. I believe that BCMC is committed to helping with the work of New Hope, but we need volunteers to do so. If you are able to help, or if you have questions, please contact Valetta Seymour: seymour2314@gmail.com, 620-217-7536.
BETHEL COLLEGE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sun., May 8 – Woven and Open Road joint Mother’s Day concert, 7 p.m., Memorial Hall at Bethel College
Sat., May 14 – Spring choral concert, including Europe tour program by the Bethel College Concert Choir, 4 p.m., Memorial Hall. Please note that this is a change in date and time from some previously printed sources.
WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!
WDC Annual Assembly Workshops – You are invited to send a suggested topic and brief description of a potential WDC Annual Assembly workshop to Todd Schlosser at todd@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. The 2022 WDC Annual Assembly is scheduled to be held July 29-31, 2022 at Camp Copass, Denton, TX. Our theme for the weekend is “United in Purpose, Together in Love” with the guiding scripture being Hebrews 10:19-25. Please note, we have limited locations for workshops at Camp Copass so we may not be able to accommodate all requests. Thank you for your understanding and interest in resourcing WDC delegates and friends.
Join the WDC Church Planting Commission at 11am on May 11th for a zoom conversation that considers how we can share our faith stories with our neighbors.
1) How can we begin to have meaningful conversations with our neighbors?
2) How do we talk about our experiences with Jesus?
3) What unique perspectives might our faith community have to share?
4) After sharing the story, how can we invite others into the story?
Join the conversation with the following Zoom link on May 11th: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84792614360?pwd=V050eTluY2dzcFpmbUQyRjhEWHN4QT09
WDC Minister, Brad Roth of West Zion Mennonite Church, Moundridge, KS, will be holding a book signing event at Faith & Life Bookstore on Thursday, May 12 from 6-7pm for his new book, The Hunger Inside: How the meal Jesus gave transforms lives. Come visit with the author, hear excerpts from the book and his inspiration for writing it, plus pick up a signed copy for you and a friend!
In The Hunger Inside, Brad Roth explores the myriad ways the Lord’s Supper transforms lives. As on that ancient gospel hill where more than 5,000 hungry people were fed, the abundance of Jesus’ table touches uncountable human stories. Drawing generously on eclectic theological traditions, Roth takes a narrative-driven approach to plumb the rich depths of symbolism, power, and presence communicated in the communion meal.
This book is a call for all followers of Jesus to encounter again the One who meets our deepest hungers at his table.
Re: Mennonite Disaster Service Andover Tornado response
From: Cleo Koop Kansas MDS Unit chair
Date: May 3, 2022
Andover Tornado Response
The Kansas Mennonite Disaster Service Unit is responding to the recent Andover tornado. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Cleo Koop, Kansas Unit Chair at cleohkoop@gmail.com or 316-282-0797.
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS
For Mennonite Central Committee In Touch press here
Welcoming newcomers and addressing the trauma of migration Stressors and trauma-producing events abound in the migration experience. Join Saulo Padilla, MCC U.S. Immigration Education Coordinator and Elaine Zook Barge, a trauma and resilience educator and consultant, on Tuesday May 10 at 1 PM CDT, for this migration and trauma webinar. Come and learn how trauma and resilience-informed individuals, churches and communities can be better equipped to ensure the overall wellbeing of newcomers and their receiving community. Register here.
Take action today! Around the world, MCC partners are experiencing the negative impacts of climate change, including natural disasters and unpredictable seasonal rainfall which contribute to food insecurity, increased migration and conflict. Countries that have historically contributed the least to climate change often suffer its worst impacts. Ask Congress to invest in global resilience to climate change.
CAMP MENNOSCAH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Summer Staff Orientation Week is coming soon! During this week, summer staff do training for Youth Development, the Staff Handbook, Reducing the Risk of Abuse, and more. This week prepares the staff to create great camp experiences for a summer of campers. Camp Mennoscah is looking for people willing to provide a “main course” for meals during the week. Camp will provide the extras for the meal and staff do the meal prep as a team building exercise. Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for details.
Other events and happenings:
- Thank you to everyone who participated in the Verenike Casserole Fundraiser! We send an especially big thank you to Leslie Schrag, who led the tasty event once again this year. Over $6000 was raised for summer youth camps and retreats. We are grateful for your help sharing in Christian fellowship and Building on the Rock at Camp Mennoscah!
- ‘Tis the Season for Mowers and String Trimmers! Camp Mennoscah is looking for people to help us keep the campgrounds trimmed and looking neat. Let us know when you would be able to mow or string trim! Call 620-297-3290 or email office@campmennoscah.org –we’ll get you scheduled!
- Summer Youth Camp scholarships are available. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or fill out the request form. Camp is for everyone!
- Nurse needed for the July 3-9 camp! Your time and skill give campers a week of growing in Christian fellowship and experiencing God’s great creation. Nurses need to be a licensed RN. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org
- Pardon the Mess! Camp Mennoscah is cleaning out and organizing maintenance sheds and other buildings. Items in the front “yard” will slowly find new homes. Thank you for your understanding!
- Groups are invited to set their own precautions based on the comfort level of their group. Please note the RV electrical hookups are not available due to safety concerns.
- Camp staff work hours vary depending on scheduled events for the week. The office assistant also works part-time from home. (Whenever a group is at camp, a staff person will be on duty.) Thank you for understanding! We will be in touch as soon as possible.
For Mennonite World Conference Info press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
For Mennonite Mission Network Special MissionWary Live podcast press here
The Rocky Mountain May newsletter is here!
MENNONITE CHURCH USA ANNOUNCEMENTS
This month, Mennonite Church USA invites you to engage in its Learn, Pray, Join initiative “Welcoming EveryBODY,” which focuses on how the church can be more welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/welcoming-everybody View and download the PowerPoint slide here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/May-LPJ.pptx
MC USA has launched a new curriculum entitled, Diversity: God’s Design. This multi-media study calls young adults to celebrate their unique gifts and the intentional diversity of God’s creation. The four-week curriculum uses biblical reflections to introduce the importance of intercultural competency as part of Christian growth and formation. Find it here: mennoniteusa.org/diversity-gods-design/ View and download the PowerPoint slide here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/May-Diversity-Gods-Design.pptx
Join Andrew Hudson, an Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary student, for a webinar on “How Congregations Steward Their Land” on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Hudson will share reflections on his work with Mennonite Creation Care Network and Mennonite Men’s Join Trees. Here is the Zoom link: mennoniteusa.org/zoom-steward-their-land . Sign up here to receive a reminder email: mennoniteusa.org/creation-care-leaders
Benton Mennonite Church invites you to a Voices Together Worship Leaders Zoom Workshop on May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon ET. The workshop will be led by Anneli Loepp Thiessen and Katie Graber. Learn more here: bentonchurch.org/voices-together-worship-workshop
Help equip pastors and church leaders across Mennonite Church USA by giving to “Inspiring Transformative Leadership,” a denominational fundraiser aimed at providing resources and services for those leading our churches. All donations from now until May 25 will be split evenly between Mennonite Church USA Executive Board, MennoMedia and Mennonite Education Agency. mennoniteusa.org/give/ View and download the PowerPoint slide here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/May-Inspiring-Transformative-Leadership.pptx
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request
Laura Schlabach, who has served with Mennonite Mission Network in Mongolia for three decades, requests prayer for JCS International’s general assembly and board meetings this month. Pray for wisdom and unity of purpose for the members of this consortium of international Christian organizations, as they make decisions and fellowship together.
Western District Conference Prayer Request
Pray for participants in the WDC Church Planting Commission zoom forum this Wednesday, on the topic of sharing faith stories with neighbors in our communities.