Children and Youth Sunday School for January
Due to the rise of COVID cases in our area and the increased percent positivity rate (15.3% as of January 11th) children and youth Sunday School classes will be canceled for the rest of January. We recommend adult Sunday school classes evaluate the safety of meeting in small classrooms in the church building on their own. As a reminder, the church has 2 zoom accounts available for groups to use and groups can also reserve the fellowship hall or sanctuary with the church office. 

Pastor’s Schedules

Pastor Renee Reimer will be on vacation from January 14-29. 
Pastor Nathan Koontz will be at a “Roots of Justice” Training from Jan. 14-16, but he will be available in case of emergencies.

Pastor Nathan Koontz is increasing his hours up to 3/4 time for the month of January to help cover pastoral staffing until Interim Pastor Todd Schlosser begins on February 1, 2022.  Pastor Nathan will be working Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with flexible work days on Friday and Saturday as needed.

Remember to fill out the evaluations of Pastors Renee Reimer and Nathan Koontz by January 21, 2022.  (The email with these evaluations was sent Wednesday, January 12.  If you need to have the evaluations re-sent to you, please contact the office.

The Finance Committee thanks the congregation for their abundant giving for the 2021 Budget.  We were able to cover the 2021 expenses plus a little extra for the benevolences.  Thank You!  II Corinthians 9:7 – “God loves a cheerful giver”!
Committee Chair, Al Peters

BCMC Offering for January 9, 2022:  General Fund $12,941.30; Living Stones $740; Women’s Fellowship $100; Rosalind Andreas Memorial $100.

A Thank you to the Deacon Commission from Myron and Mildred Voran
Thank you for remembering us with cards and letters of thoughtful caring and encouragement.  

The next week at BCMC Sunday, January 16, 2022
9:30 am   Worship Service in the Sanctuary
10:30 am Faith Formation–Youth and Children’s Sunday schools cancelled for the rest of January
Monday, January 17, 2022—Martin Luther King Jr. Day—Office will be closed and church locked
Tuesday, January 18, 2022  
9—11 am  Community Playschool
7 pm          Worship Commission by Zoom
Wednesday, January 19, 2022—No Youth Group or Chancel Choir in January
7 pm          Menno Ringers in B7
7 pm          Dr. Jennifer Koontz COVID Zoom Call
Thursday, January 20, 2022 
9—11 am  Community Playschool
2 pm          Hospitality Commission meeting in Fellowship Hall
4 pm          Witness Commission meeting in Room 14
6:15 pm     Chancel Bells in Room B7
7 pm          Deacon Commission meeting by Zoom
7 pm          Bethel College Women’s Association meeting in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, January 23, 2022
9:30 am     Worship Service in the Sanctuary
10:30 am   Faith Formation 

Dr. Jennifer Koontz COVID Zoom Call, Jan. 19, 7pm

Dr. Jennifer Scott Koontz has been a leading expert on COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.  She received the 2021 Bethel College Outstanding Alumni Award for her consistent and clear communication of COVID-19 research and guidelines to the general public.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health along with an M.D. from the University of Kansas and has practiced medicine in Newton for 12 years.  She is also a member of BCMC.  Dr. Koontz will be hosting a Question and Answer Session via Zoom for anyone interested in learning about the current landscape of COVID-19.  Please come with your questions and plan to attend this Zoom meeting on Wednesday, January 19 at 7pm.  A Zoom link will be sent out as we approach the 19th.

The new Library Theme is focusing on the state of Kansas. Come check out the many books we have that celebrate Kansas. Also, a couple of 2000 piece puzzles in excellent condition have been donated to the library. We are using them as a fundraiser. We are asking for a minimum donation of $5 for one puzzle. Just place your donation in the basket or give it to the committee person on duty. We look forward to seeing you in the library and don’t forget to let us know of any addition you would like us to add to our collection. Library Committee

N95 Masks Available at BCMC
Thanks to a generous donation to BCMC, we have high quality N95 masks available for those who need them.  They will be available inside the south entrance of BCMC. These masks are particularly useful if you are at high risk of severe COVID 19 and you need or want to participate in a more high risk activity. While no mask creates absolute safety, wearing a well-fitted N95 mask can reduce your risk and make activities safer. This includes activities such as a trip to the grocery store, watching a basketball game, or going to the doctor’s office. Part of the rationale behind these masks offered at BCMC is to provide N95 masks for those who may not be able to navigate online purchasing options.  N95 masks are not readily available in our local stores.  If you know of someone who would benefit from an N95 mask, please pass this information on to them, or stop by the church and grab one for them. 

As COVID numbers continue to rise in our community we are keeping an eye on the safety of gathering together on Sunday mornings. Mass gatherings for extended periods of time continue to be a high risk activity. Statistics are coming out on the omicron variant that cloth masks do not work as effectively as they did with other variants. Remember to wear your mask over your nose and chin when inside of our church building. 
As a reminder, we offer live streaming options each Sunday. Thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers these past 2 years, that technology and experience has greatly improved. January might be a good time to enjoy your worship experience with a hot cup of coffee from the comfort of your own home. If you do decide to come to worship in person please be cautious. Wear your mask properly, social distance, use hand sanitizer upon arrival and leaving, and do not come if you feel sick in any way or if you have been exposed to COVID in the last 10 days. If you test positive with COVID within 2 days after attending an in person gathering at BCMC, please let the church office know as we may need to take other safety precautions. 
May we all pray for everyone in our community as we navigate safety precautions together and for those who are currently experiencing COVID in our homes. 

Congregational Meeting will be January 30
The Jan. 30, 2022 congregational meeting will start at 1 p.m. and will be held by Zoom.  It will not be a hybrid meeting.  An agenda and Zoom link will be sent in a later email.

Safe Sanctuary Training
Save the date for the next Safe Sanctuary training on Sunday, February 6th from 10:30am-11:30am. This training will take place in the fellowship hall but will be available over zoom too. Please email Renee for a link if you’d like to join via zoom. Please plan to attend if you are a mentor, youth/child Sunday School teacher, sponsor, or Wednesday night club leader and did not attend a training this past fall. 

Bethel College Announcements
Life Enrichment at Bethel College has been canceled for spring 2022, due to ongoing health and safety concerns. Organizers hope to resume Life Enrichment in fall 2022.

Mon., Jan. 17 and Tues., Jan. 18 – Bethel College hosts two activities for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday that are free and open to the public, both in Memorial Hall: Jan. 17, 7 p.m., program with Restorative Justice practitioner and activist Jasmyn Elise Story as the featured speaker; Jan. 18, 2 p.m., screening of the Kellogg Foundation’s 2022 National Day of Racial Healing event. Sponsors are Bethel College Student Life, the Bethel College Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center and the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR). Current Bethel COVID protocols require masking indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Save the date: Sat., Jan. 29 – Kauffman Museum annual Kansas Day event, “Famous Kansans,” noon-4 p.m., museum parking lotand grounds. For more information, see the Kauffman Museum Facebook page or kauffmanmuseum.org

New Hope Shelter Announcement
There will be a Volunteer Training Day at New Hope Shelter on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. 
New Hope’s volunteer shift hours are 5 pm to 11 pm daily
If you or anyone you know is interested in signing up for volunteer training, please contact Valetta Seymour.  seymour2314@gmail.com, 620-217-7536 no later than Tuesday, January 25. 

New Hope Shelter is currently looking for a Part Time person who can work at least 2 weekends a month; that is 2 Saturdays and 2 Sundays per month from 8AM to 5 PM. If you know of anyone who would be interested, please have them contact New Hope Shelter
Shonda M Suddeth
Shelter/Volunteer Coordinator
(316) 283-7711
shonda@newhope-shelter.org

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!

Everyone is invited to the WDC Final Thursday Book Discussion on January 27, 2022 at 7:00pm via Zoom. We will discuss This is God’s Table: Finding Church Beyond the Walls by Anna Woofender and explore what it means to explore “raw, honest, gritty way[s] of doing church.” Contact the library at crlib@mennowdc.org to register or borrow a copy of the book.

The Kansas Mennonite Disaster Service Unit invites you to attend the annual meeting on Sunday, January 16, 2 p.m. at Tabor Mennonite church, rural Newton, KS. No need to register. We will be sharing and celebrating the work of MDS and voting on Unit Bylaw revisions. For a copy of the Bylaw revisions and zoom info contact Cleo Koop at cleohkoop@gmail.com . This will be a hybrid event, in person as well as virtual on Zoom.
Tabor Mennonite Church is located at 891 Chisholm Trail Rd, Newton, KS.

For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here

For Mennonite Church USA Special Session of the Delegate Assembly click here

The Rocky Mountain January newsletter is here!Have a look at the latest/greatest happenings here at RMMC at the beginning of another new year! For this and previous newsletters, please visit the camp website and click on the “News” tab under “About Us”.
 

Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale Announcement
WANTED for the Kansas MCC Sale General Auction:  Cars, Trucks, Tractors, Motorcycles, Campers, etc.   Call Jerry Toews, 620-367-8257, for details and pickup NOW so we have time to get them cleaned up and ready for the sale in April.  ALL proceeds go to MCC.  We usually get GOOD prices for your donations.  Help make a difference in the lives of those struggling around the world through MCC.  Thank you!

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  This weekend, as we remember Martin Luther King Jr., who followed Jesus’ way of nonviolent civil disobedience to bring hope to people who have been marginalized by society, pray for Mennonite Mission Network’s ministry of dismantling racism in the United States and around the world. 
Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Pray for WDC congregations joining God’s work of economic justice, racial equity and peace-building in our communities and world.

New Address for John and Elsie Sheriff–They have moved to the Kidron Bethel Village campus
27 Lakewood Circle, North Newton, KS  67117

We offer sympathy to Mildred and Myron Voran and their family on the death of Mildred’s sister, Elizabeth Helene (Claassen) Goering, December 23, 2021, Kidron Bethel Village.

BCMC Offerings
December 26, 2021:  General Fund $8,089.79; General Fund for 2022 $225; Caring Fund $750.
January 2, 2022:  General Fund $6,512; Living Stones $1,005; Women’s Fellowship $195. 

This week at BCMCSunday, January 9, 2022
9:30 am   Worship Service in the Sanctuary
10:30 am Faith Formation 
4 pm         Service of Remembrance in the Sanctuary— In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2021, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a service of Remembrance on  January 9 at 4 pm.

Monday, January 10, 2022  
7 pm          Facilities Committee meeting in Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, January 11, 2022  
9—11 am  Community Playschool
12 noon     Mid Kansas Investment Club meets in Fellowship Hall
4 pm          Funeral Committees meeting in Fellowship Hall   

Wednesday, January 12, 2022—No Youth Group or Chancel Choir in January
6:45 pm     Menno Ringers in B7

Thursday, January 13, 2022 
9—11 am  Community Playschool
4 pm          Staff Congregation Relations Committee  meeting in Room 14
7 pm          Finance Committee meeting by Zoom
7 pm          Chancel Bells in Room B7

Sunday, January 16, 2022
9:30 am   Worship Service in the Sanctuary
10:30 am Faith Formation 

Monday, January 17, 2022—Martin Luther King Jr. Day—Office will be closed and church locked

Pastor Renee Reimer will be on vacation from January 14-29. 
Pastor Nathan Koontz will be at a “Roots of Justice” Training from Jan. 14-16.

Menno Ringers (bells for youth in grades 3rd-8th) will take place on Wednesdays from 7-7:45 pm beginning January 5th and going through February 23rd.

Service of Remembrance 
January 9, 2021 
Bethel College Mennonite Church 
4:00 pm 

In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2021, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a service of Remembrance on Sunday, January 9 at 4 pm.  There will be singing, praying, scripture reading,and a reading of each person who has passed, followed by the lighting of a candle in their memory. In addition to wearing a mask and social distancing, windows inside the sanctuary will be open. Please keep your coat and warm clothes with you as you find your place in the sanctuary. You will likely need them! 

If you have someone you would like to remember who is
not directly connected to Bethel College Mennonite Church, please contact Pastor Nathan Koontz before the service with their name and connection to you, or write their name and connection on a piece of paper and give it to Pastor Nathan before the service begins. Their names will be read once all the names in order of service have been read. You are also welcome to watch the service live streamed through our Bethel College Mennonite Church homepage (click the green LIVE STREAM button). If you have any questions about this service or COVID 19 precautions, please contact Pastor Nathan at nathan@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org

Below is a list of those connected with BCMC that have died during 2021.  If there are family andfriends that you know who are connected to those who have passed and may like to attend this service, please pass on the details of this service to them.  

Lorene Katherine Penner Goering, Helen Ruth Jantzen Unruh, Rosalind Haury Enns Andreas, Laura Ann (Miller) Schrag, Philip Koontz, Elsie Mae Wicke Flaming, Allen Gaeddert, Hartzel Wayne Schmidt, Miner Seymour, Clark Eugene Wiebe, Louise Irene Duerksen Koehn, Ethel Elizabeth Dick Kaufman, Martha Friesen Graber, Mary Ann Unruh Gertsen, Carol Kaufman, Kenneth Kaufman. 

Dr. Jennifer Koontz COVID Zoom Call, Jan. 19, 7pm

Dr. Jennifer Scott Koontz has been a leading expert on COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.  She received the 2021 Bethel College Outstanding Alumni Award for her consistent and clear communication of COVID-19 research and guidelines to the general public.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health along with an M.D. from the University of Kansas and has practiced medicine in Newton for 12 years.  She is also a member of BCMC.  Dr. Koontz will be hosting a Question and Answer Session via Zoom for anyone interested in learning about the current landscape of COVID-19.  Please come with your questions and plan to attend this Zoom meeting on Wednesday, January 19 at 7pm.  A Zoom link will be sent out as we approach the 19th.

Covid Creativity

This era of Covid impacted everyone in different ways. The negative effects are obvious. But for some, it sparked introspection and a new kind of creative energy.

The Visual Arts Committee would like to showcase examples of your creativity in The Gathering Place. A small exhibit with artwork or photos and brief text about your motivation for creating during this challenging time.

What might you share? Whatever you were inspired to create! Did you paint something? Build something? Sew something? Write something? Learn new recipes or revisit old ones?

Pastor Nathan will be the primary contact and would love to connect with you. If you’re willing to share a photo or two (or the artwork itself!) and a brief statement about what prompted this expression, please get in touch with him!

The Visual Arts Committee will begin working on this project shortly after the holidays so the sooner you can share your ideas with Nathan the better!

MLK Service Opportunities and Collecting Hygiene Kit SuppliesThe Newton Community for Racial Justice has put together a list of service opportunities for the Newton Community to take part in on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on January 17th. MLK Day is an opportunity for communities to participate in a “day on” together. This year’s activities include making Mennonite Central Committee hygiene kits, writing letters at Offenders Victims Ministry, building a blessing box, indoor painting, and housekeeping/maintenance at New Hope Shelter. BCMC is invited to participate in 2 different ways. One way is to bring in adult sized toothbrushes (in individual original packaging) and new wide-tooth combs (6-8 in) on January 9th for the MCC hygiene kits. Another way is to sign up to volunteer at one of the service opportunities on January 17th using this form. 

Pastor Reviews
Pastor Nathan Koontz and Pastor Renee Reimer are each in their second year of ministry with BCMC. It is BCMC’s practice to engage in a pastoral review of our pastors at this point in their ministry with us. The Staff Congregation Relations Committee, with guidance and assistance from Western District Conference consultant Keith Harder, is undertaking this process. Next week you will receive an email with two electronic evaluation tools. Please take a moment to complete both of the evaluations — there will be one for Pastor Nathan and one for Pastor Renee. If you do not receive email communications from the church, a copy of the evaluation tools will be mailed to you. We would appreciate receiving your responses no later than January 21, 2022. Following collection of the completed evaluations, Keith Harder will tabulate the raw data and prepare a report that will be shared with SCRC, the Church Board, Pastor Nathan and Pastor Renee. A report will also then be shared with the congregation. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to any member of SCRC (Jim Mininger, Dianne Epp, Vern Preheim and Heather Zerger).

New Hope Shelter Announcement
There will be a Volunteer Training Day at New Hope Shelter on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. 
New Hope’s volunteer shift hours are 5 pm to 11 pm daily
If you or anyone you know is interested in signing up for volunteer training, please contact Valetta Seymour.  seymour2314@gmail.com, 620-217-7536 no later than Tuesday, January 25. 

Bethel College Announcements
Life Enrichment at Bethel College has been canceled for spring 2022, due to ongoing health and safety concerns. Organizers hope to resume Life Enrichment in fall 2022.
 
Mon., Jan. 17 and Tues., Jan. 18 – Bethel College hosts two activities for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday that are free and open to the public, both in Memorial Hall: Jan. 17, 7 p.m., program with Jasmyn Elise Story as the featured speaker; Jan. 18, 2 p.m., screening of the Kellogg Foundation’s 2022 National Day of Racial Healing event. Sponsors are Bethel College Student Life, the Bethel College Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center and the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR). Current Bethel COVID protocols require masking indoors regardless of vaccination status.

Save the date: Sat., Jan. 29 – Kauffman Museum annual Kansas Day event, “Famous Kansans,” noon-4 p.m., museum and grounds. For more information, see the Kauffman Museum Facebook page or kauffmanmuseum.org
 

Everence^® to hold Medicare webinar in January
 
Everence will hold an informative Medicare webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 18, starting at 6:30 p.m. Topics will include, when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare does (and doesn’t) cover, Medicare Parts A, B, C and D in clear, understandable language plus budgeting for health care costs in retirement. There will also be time for your questions.
 
Information will be presented by staff from the Everence offices in Central Kansas.
To register contact Everence at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.
 
Attendance recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare.
 
Securities offered through Concourse Financial Group Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/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 Concourse Financial Group Securities, or its affiliates.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!

Everyone is invited to the WDC Final Thursday Book Discussion on January 27, 2022 at 7:00pm via Zoom. We will discuss This is God’s Table: Finding Church Beyond the Walls by Anna Woofender and explore what it means to explore “raw, honest, gritty way[s] of doing church.” Contact the library at crlib@mennowdc.org to register or borrow a copy of the book.

Healing & Hope: A confidential group of women supporting each other in seeking healing and hope after experiencing betrayal trauma (a spouse or partner’s use of pornography, affair, or sexual addiction). The group is faith-centered, hosted by First Mennonite Church of Newton for those in the Central Kansas area, and facilitated by Audrey Ratzlaff, M.Div, and Gail Unruh-Revel, LSCSW, CST, CSAT. Meetings are currently occurring via zoom. Please contact Audrey Ratzlaff at aaratzlaff@yahoo.com or Pastor Laura Goerzen laurag@firstmennonitenewton.org if you have questions or would like to participate.

For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond click here

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Kate Widmer, serving with Mennonite Mission Network, has extended her assignment with Eglise la Prairie Montbéliard (The Prairie Church in Montbéliard) in France. Pray for her as she is currently on North American assignment, sharing updates with supporting congregations, before returning to France for a second term to continue her ministries with children and other community outreach programs.
Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Give thanks for the generous financial contributions, prayers and volunteer service of all the congregations and individuals who support WDC ministries.

This week at BCMC
January 2, 2022 – Epiphany Sunday
There will be no children’s or youth Sunday school today.  The nursery is open but not staffed today.
3-5 p.m. — Farewell for Dawn Yoder Harms—A come and go farewell reception for Pastor Dawn Yoder Harms is today from 3-5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Masks will be required.

Monday, January 3, 2022 The church office and building will be closed to provide the holiday (since January 1, 2022 is a Saturday) for the church staff.

Wednesday, January 5, 2022
6:45 pm     Menno Singers—Fellowship Hall
7 pm           Youth Group
7:30 pm     Chancel Choir—Sanctuary

Thursday, January 6, 2022 
9 am—Community Playschool starts
7 pm—Church Board Meeting

Sunday, January 9, 2022
9:30 am   Worship Service in the Sanctuary
10:30 am Faith Formation 
4 pm         Service of Remembrance in the Sanctuary— In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2021, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a service of Remembrance on  January 9 at 4 pm.

Covid Creativity

This era of Covid impacted everyone in different ways. The negative effects are obvious. But for some, it sparked introspection and a new kind of creative energy.

The Visual Arts Committee would like to showcase examples of your creativity in The Gathering Place. A small exhibit with artwork or photos and brief text about your motivation for creating during this challenging time.

What might you share? Whatever you were inspired to create! Did you paint something? Build something? Sew something? Write something? Learn new recipes or revisit old ones?

Pastor Nathan will be the primary contact and would love to connect with you. If you’re willing to share a photo or two (or the artwork itself!) and a brief statement about what prompted this expression, please get in touch with him!

The Visual Arts Committee will begin working on this project shortly after the holidays so the sooner you can share your ideas with Nathan the better!

Menno Ringers (bells for youth in grades 3rd-8th) will take place on Wednesdays from 7-7:45 pm beginning January 5th and going through February 23rd. Interested youth can join in on their first rehearsal in room B7 on January 5th! 

Service of Remembrance 
January 9, 2021 
Bethel College Mennonite Church 
4:00 pm 

As we are in the holiday season that brings joy with the promise of new life and love birthed into our world, there is also grief as we miss those who have passed from this world in 2021.  In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2021, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a service of Remembrance on January 9 at 4 pm.  There will be singing, praying, scripture reading,and a reading of each person who has passed, followed by the lighting of a candle in their memory. In addition to wearing a mask and social distancing, windows inside the sanctuary will be open. Please keep your coat and warm clothes with you as you find your place in the sanctuary. You will likely need them! 

If you have someone you would like to remember who is
not directly connected to Bethel College Mennonite Church, please contact Pastor Nathan Koontz before the service with their name and connection to you, or write their name and connection on a piece of paper and give it to Pastor Nathan before the service begins. Their names will be read once all the names in order of service have been read. You are also welcome to watch the service live streamed through our Bethel College Mennonite Church homepage (click the green LIVE STREAM button). If you have any questions about this service or COVID 19 precautions, please contact Pastor Nathan at nathan@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org

Below is a list of those connected with BCMC that have died during 2021.  If there is someone else that you think should be added to this list, please contact Pastor Nathan or Monica in the church office.  If there are family andfriends that you know who are connected to those who have passed and may like to attend this service, please pass on the details of this service to them.  

Lorene Katherine Penner Goering, Helen Ruth Jantzen Unruh, Rosalind Haury Enns Andreas, Laura Ann (Miller) Schrag, Phil Koontz, Elsie Mae Wicke Flaming, Allen Gaeddert, Hartzel Wayne Schmidt, Miner Seymour, Clark Eugene Wiebe, Louise Irene Duerksen Koehn, Ethel Elizabeth Dick Kaufman, Martha Friesen Graber, Mary Ann Unruh Gertsen, Carol Kaufman, Kenneth Kaufman. 

Pastor Reviews
Pastor Nathan Koontz and Pastor Renee Reimer are each in their second year of ministry with BCMC. It is BCMC’s practice to engage in a pastoral review of our pastors at this point in their ministry with us. The Staff Congregation Relations Committee, with guidance and assistance from Western District Conference consultant Keith Harder, is undertaking this process. In a week and a half, you will receive an email with two electronic evaluation tools. Please take a moment to complete both of the evaluations — there will be one for Pastor Nathan and one for Pastor Renee. If you do not receive email communications from the church, a copy of the evaluation tools will be mailed to you. We would appreciate receiving your responses no later than January 21, 2022. Following collection of the completed evaluations, Keith Harder will tabulate the raw data and prepare a report that will be shared with SCRC, the Church Board, Pastor Nathan and Pastor Renee. A report will also then be shared with the congregation. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to any member of SCRC (Jim Mininger, Dianne Epp, Vern Preheim and Heather Zerger).

Book Discussion Opportunity
“Finish Strong, Putting Your Priorities First at Life’s End” by Barbara Lee Combs is a book Valetta Seymour and Myrna Krehbiel are looking forward to exploring together with others.  This twelve chapter book is a useful guide to help us consider our end of life choices and to make them known to our families and medical providers.  We plan to discuss two chapters per session.  In addition to the six discussion sessions, there will be an introductory session to get acquainted and confirm meeting times.  We will meet in the Youth classroom on 2nd floor.
The group size is limited. The introductory session will be Wednesday, January 12 at 3:00 at BCMC. To ask questions or reserve a place contact:  Valetta at seymour2314@gmail.com, 620-217-7536 or Myrna at mrkreh@cox.net, 316-283-9216.

For a message from Mennonite Church USA press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
For a message from Mennonite Mission Network press here
For an Appeal Letter for Safe Hope press here
For a message from Mennonite World Conference press here
For Mennonite Men press here

Greetings from Camp Mennoscah!

We hope your Christmas was merry and we wish you the best for the New Year! May your celebrations be full of joy and love! Thank you for caring for the earth’s resources and Camp Mennoscah’s financial resources by choosing to receive the quarterly newsletter via email.

Attached is the Winter issue. You may also access the newsletter at 2021 Winter Newsletter. 
 

In this season of generosity, thank you for your overflowing support!  Your gifts allow Camp Mennoscah to invite campers from over 10 states to spend a week at camp learning about Christ and faithfully growing into the people of God.  There are so many exciting stories yet to be told at camp.  You can be part of these stories and support Camp Mennoscah’s camping ministry through a year-end gift.  Give now online or send a check to PO Box 65, Murdock, KS 67111.  May God’s Spirit enwrap you and fill you with joy and peace in the new year!

Other events and happenings: 
 

• Camp Mennoscah wants to respect your wishes regarding emails.  To unsubscribe from these announcements, reply “unsubscribe” to this email.  Camp Mennoscah sends announcements, newsletters, and the annual catalog by email.  To unsubscribe from all, reply “unsubscribe all.”
   
• Camp Mennoscah Merch! From CamelBaks to tee shirts and stickers, you can find your Camp Mennoscah merchandise at https://camp-mennoscah-store.square.site/s/shop Share a bit of summer with friends and family this Christmas!
   
• Keep those 2022 Summer staff applications coming!  Applicants should be 18 years old or older and in agreement with the Camp Mennoscah mission statement.  See website for details.  Information and the online application can be found here!  Call or email with questions!  Interviews are being scheduled.
   
• Volunteering opportunities continue through the winter months!  The wish list is full of both items and volunteer projects for every group size, skill set and length of project.  These items and projects help with the faith formation that happens at Camp Mennoscah.  The list has more wishes and there are more projects to do.  Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer.  See the Wish List for other ways to support Camp Mennoscah!
   
• Camp Mennoscah has openings for a part-time custodial/housekeeping position (10 hours) and a part-time office/administrative position (30 hours with benefits).  Some of the office/administrative tasks can be done from home.  Contact Olivia at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for more information.
   
• Camp Mennoscah is seeking a full-time Director of Development, Marketing & Communications to lead our ongoing operational and advancement needs. This position reports directly to the Board of Directors while taking directive from the Executive Director when related to operational considerations. As a member of a small, very hands-on staff, the role is expected to be highly collaborative. This professional must embrace the mission of Camp Mennoscah, have an established background in coordinating nonprofit donation strategies, possess strong written, interpersonal, leadership and relationship building skills, and work as an independent contributor with good organization and follow-through. Most of the work will commence off campus, however some in-person time at camp is required.
  
  This role involves organizing broad-based fundraising initiatives, advocating for Camp Mennoscah through speaking engagements, promotional materials, and social media, as well as recruiting volunteers, and building relationships with board members, donors and staff.
  
  Our ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of five years of fund development experience, or equivalent experience in church relations, and a passion for Camp Mennoscah. They should also be familiar with office related applications, and other technology used for communication and social media. Experience with CampBrain and the associated donor database is a plus.
  
  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and early submission is encouraged. Please send application materials (resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements) to campmennojobs@att.net

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Linda Beachy, who is in the middle of her year-long SOOP assignment at the Navajo Brethren in Christ Mission in Bloomfield, New Mexico.  
Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Pray for WDC staff in the coming year, as they work to support ministers and church leaders, equip congregations with resources, and encourage church planting initiatives and partnerships. 

This week at BCMC
Monday, December 27—Office will be closed; church locked
Tuesday, December 28—Friday, December 31—Office will be closed
January 2, 2022 – Epiphany Sunday
9:30 a.m.               Worship with sermon by Dawn Yoder Harms
3-5 p.m.                 Farewell for Dawn Yoder Harms
A come and go farewell reception for Pastor Dawn Yoder Harms will be held Sunday, January 2, from 3-5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Masks will be required. Cards may be placed in the box provided near the mailboxes, brought to the reception, or mailed to the church.

January 3, 2022   The church office and building will be closed to provide the holiday (since January 1, 2022 is a Saturday) for the church staff.

BCMC Offering for December 19, 2021  General Fund $13,971; General Fund for 2022 $1,000; Caring Fund $1000; Living Stones $93.33; Flower Fund $30; Bethel College Scholarship Fund $500; Women’s Fellowship $80

Covid Creativity

This era of Covid impacted everyone in different ways. The negative effects are obvious. But for some, it sparked introspection and a new kind of creative energy.

The Visual Arts Committee would like to showcase examples of your creativity in The Gathering Place. A small exhibit with artwork or photos and brief text about your motivation for creating during this challenging time.

What might you share? Whatever you were inspired to create! Did you paint something? Build something? Sew something? Write something? Learn new recipes or revisit old ones?

Pastor Nathan will be the primary contact and would love to connect with you. If you’re willing to share a photo or two (or the artwork itself!) and a brief statement about what prompted this expression, please get in touch with him!

The Visual Arts Committee will begin working on this project shortly after the holidays so the sooner you can share your ideas with Nathan the better!

Menno Ringers (bells for youth in grades 3rd-8th) will take place on Wednesdays from 7-7:45 pm beginning January 5th and going through February 23rd. Interested youth can join in on their first rehearsal in room B7 on January 5th! 

Service of Remembrance 
January 9, 2021 
Bethel College Mennonite Church 
4:00 pm 

As we are in the holiday season that brings joy with the promise of new life and love birthed into our world, there is also grief as we miss those who have passed from this world in 2021.  In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2021, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a service of Remembrance on January 9 at 4 pm.  There will be singing, praying, scripture reading,and a reading of each person who has passed, followed by the lighting of a candle in their memory. In addition to wearing a mask and social distancing, windows inside the sanctuary will be open. Please keep your coat and warm clothes with you as you find your place in the sanctuary. You will likely need them! 

If you have someone you would like to remember who is
not directly connected to Bethel College Mennonite Church, please contact Pastor Nathan Koontz before the service with their name and connection to you, or write their name and connection on a piece of paper and give it to Pastor Nathan before the service begins. Their names will be read once all the names in order of service have been read. You are also welcome to watch the service live streamed through our Bethel College Mennonite Church homepage (click the green LIVE STREAM button). If you have any questions about this service or COVID 19 precautions, please contact Pastor Nathan at nathan@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org

Below is a list of those connected with BCMC that have died during 2021.  If there is someone else that you think should be added to this list, please contact Pastor Nathan or Monica in the church office.  If there are family andfriends that you know who are connected to those who have passed and may like to attend this service, please pass on the details of this service to them.  

Lorene Katherine Penner Goering, Helen Ruth Jantzen Unruh, Rosalind Haury Enns Andreas, Laura Ann (Miller) Schrag, Phil Koontz, Elsie Mae Wicke Flaming, Allen Gaeddert, Hartzel Wayne Schmidt, Miner Seymour, Clark Eugene Wiebe, Louise Irene Duerksen Koehn, Ethel Elizabeth Dick Kaufman, Martha Friesen Graber, Mary Ann Unruh Gertsen, Carol Kaufman, Kenneth Kaufman.
  Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Linda Beachy, who is in the middle of her year-long SOOP assignment at the Navajo Brethren in Christ Mission in Bloomfield, New Mexico.  
Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Pray for pastors, chaplains and other ministers in WDC, that they would experience God’s renewed strength and hope for ministry in the New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Advent Banners and Decorations—We wish to express a deep thanks to all who have helped with advent visuals this year!  The Worship Decorations Committee has wonderfully transformed our sanctuary as we prepare for Jesus’ birth. We wish to express a specific thanks to Josh Brubacher and Matt Koontz for hanging new banners each week during the advent season.  As we progress toward the birth of Jesus on Christmas, the light grows stronger and stronger.  The progression of the advent banners, our candle lighting, and other visual elements all mark our movement towards the Light.

This year two in-person Christmas Eve services (Friday, Dec 24) are being planned:

• 5 pm:  Christmas Enactment Service in BCMC sanctuary and livestreamed. Costumes encouraged & provided for all attenders
• 9 pm: Service of Lessons and Carols, in the BCMC sanctuary and livestreamed.  Please note change in time. 

A come and go farewell reception for Pastor Dawn Yoder Harms will be held Sunday, January 2, from 3-5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Masks will be required. Cards may be placed in the box provided near the mailboxes, brought to the reception, or mailed to the church.  

This Week at BCMC

Tuesday, December 21
7 pm           Worship Commission meeting by Zoom
Wednesday, December 22
7:30 pm      Chancel Choir rehearsal in Sanctuary
Friday, December 24—Christmas Eve
5 pm            Christmas Enactment Service in BCMC sanctuary.  Costumes 
                    encouraged & provided for all attenders.
9 pm            Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary
Saturday, December 25—Merry Christmas!—Church building will be locked
Sunday, December 26—Christmas 1
9:30 am      Worship Service in the Sanctuary    
There will be no children and youth Sunday school today
Monday, December 27—Office will be closed; church locked
Tuesday, December 28—Friday, December 31—Office will be closed

The nursery will be open but NOT staffed on December 26th and January 2nd. 

There will be no children and youth Sunday School on December 26th and January 2nd. 

Offerings at BCMC
November 28, 2021:  General Fund $14,554.70; Living Stones $305; Flower Fund $80
December 5, 2021:  General Fund $8,527.00; General Fund for 2022 $225; Columbarium Fund $1,500; Organ Fund $200; Living Stones $940; Flower Fund $90
December 12, 2021:  General Fund $29,932.97; Bethel College $200; Caring Fund $200; Adult Choir $345; Living Stones $105; Louise Koehn Memorial $35.

Covid Creativity

This era of Covid impacted everyone in different ways. The negative effects are obvious. But for some, it sparked introspection and a new kind of creative energy.

The Visual Arts Committee would like to showcase examples of your creativity in The Gathering Place. A small exhibit with artwork or photos and brief text about your motivation for creating during this challenging time.

What might you share? Whatever you were inspired to create! Did you paint something? Build something? Sew something? Write something? Learn new recipes or revisit old ones?

Pastor Nathan will be the primary contact and would love to connect with you. If you’re willing to share a photo or two (or the artwork itself!) and a brief statement about what prompted this expression, please get in touch with him!

The Visual Arts Committee will begin working on this project shortly after the holidays so the sooner you can share your ideas with Nathan the better!

New Hope Shelter Announcement
There will be a Volunteer Training at New Hope Shelter on Thursday, January 6th, 2022 from 7pm to 8:30pm. 
Their volunteer shift hours are as follows:
5pm to 11pm daily
11pm to 8am on Friday and Saturday. 
Please consider being a volunteer at the Shelter.  If you are interested, please contact Valetta Seymour at seymour2314@gmail.com, or 620-217-7536 before January 3.  

The Kansas Mennonite Disaster Service Unit invites you to attend the annual meeting on Sunday, January 16, 2:00 PM at Tabor Mennonite Church. No need to register.  Tabor Mennonite Church, 891 Chisholm Trail, Newton.This will be a hybrid event, in person as well as virtual on zoom. Click HERE to join the hybrid meeting remotely.
Agenda:
We will be sharing and celebrating about the work of MDS.
We will be voting on some Unit Bylaw revisions 
For a copy of the Bylaw revisions contact Cleo Koop at email cleohkoop@gmail.com.
This remote link to join the zoom meeting on January 16 will come active 30 minutes before the meeting is started: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83355094919?pwd=anNDNWlBRkJrWmVNOFRKbHUwOU9tQT09Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is monitoring the damage from the string of deadly tornadoes which moved through areas of the Midwest and parts of the South last weekend. We extend our condolences to those who have lost loved ones and we offer prayers of support for the survivors.
We have several MDS Early Response Teams investigating several of the tornado sites to help determine how and where MDS will respond. Many of our partners via the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) which specialize in search and rescue, damage assessment and cleanup are already responding. Together with our NVOAD partners and local officials we will determine when and where volunteers will be needed most. If you are interested in being added to a volunteer waitlist, please include your name, address and email address and send to: volunteer@mds.org.
If you wish to donate to the MDS response, you may do so on our website. Please click here.
As new information becomes available we will continue to update information at www.mds.org

Merry Christmas from Mennonite Mission Network click here
Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond click here
Mennonite Mission Network Christian Service and Global Citizenship click here

Camp Mennoscah Announcements

• What greater gift than to share in the joy of Christ with others!  You can be part of Camp Mennoscah’s ministry of Christian fun through prayer, donations, and volunteering.  Encourage everyone to follow Jesus Christ through faith formation at Camp Mennoscah.  Checks can be sent to Camp Mennoscah, PO Box 65, Murdock, KS 67111.  To volunteer, call 620-297-3290.
• Camp Mennoscah Merch! From CamelBaks to tee shirts and stickers, you can find your Camp Mennoscah merchandise at https://camp-mennoscah-store.square.site/s/shop Share a bit of summer with friends and family this Christmas!
• Keep those 2022 Summer staff applications coming!  Applicants should be 18 years old or older and in agreement with the Camp Mennoscah mission statement.  See website for details.  Information and the online application can be found here!  Call or email with questions!  Interviews are being scheduled.
• Volunteering opportunities continue through the winter months!  The wish list is full of both items and volunteer projects for every group size, skill set and length of project.  These items and projects help with the faith formation that happens at Camp Mennoscah.  The list has more wishes and there are more projects to do.  Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer.  See the Wish List for other ways to support Camp Mennoscah!
• Camp Mennoscah has openings for a part-time custodial/housekeeping position (10 hours) and a part-time office/administrative position (30 hours with benefits).  Some of the office/administrative tasks can be done from home.  Contact Olivia at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for more information.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!

From the Mennonite Church USA:  “The angel said to them, ‘You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good news to you – news of a great joy to be shared by the whole people.” (Luke 2:10) Mennonite Church USA Executive Board and staff hope that you and yours are blessed by the good news and transforming power of Christ this Christmas.

KIPCOR’s Fall 2021 Newsletter is here!!
Read about our recent Peace Lecture featuring Mark McCormick, our ongoing training of professionals in the field, our training in schools across the state, our  staff, and MORE!!
You can read the newsletter online with pages that flip here: 
https://www.flipsnack.com/kipcor/kipcor-s-fall-21-newsletter.html
(just click on the “+” sign at the bottom of the screen to expand the newsletter, and then ‘grab and drag’ the open page to se the article you’re interested in.)
or on KIPCOR’s website as a PDF here:
https://kipcor.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Fall-21-Newsletter-Single-page.pdf

or you can pick up a physical copy at KIPCOR.  
Thank you so much for your interest in, and support of, KIPCOR.  We couldn’t do our work without you!!

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Matthew and Toni Krabill, of Mennonite Mission Network, are serving as co-directors for the Paris Mennonite Center in France. Pray for their health, creativity and joy, as they welcome researchers, share Anabaptist resources and develop online classes for French-speaking theology students throughout the world.
Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Give thanks for WDC congregations as a visible expression of God’s presence in local communities, now in this Christmas season and throughout the year.