Category Archives: Announcements

Worship service and announcements for July 28–August 4, 2028

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR
July 28, 2024

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.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 28, 2024

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—Ave Maria— (Saint-Saens, arr. Van Camp)—Doyle Preheim & Ron Garber; Verlene Garber, accompanist

Welcome and Prayer—Mary Ann Boschmann

*Hymn—I Sing the Mighty Power of God— VT 182

Children’s Conversation—Adam Robb

Worship Music—Agnus Dei—(Bizet, arr. DeCesare)—Doyle Preheim & Ron Garber

Scripture Reading selected verses from Exodus 20, Matthew 5, John 8 & 18, and Ephesians 4—Jill Robb & Adam Robb

Sermon—To Tell the Truth—Roger Neufeld Smith

*Hymn—You Are Salt for the Earth—VT 297

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—Heart With Loving Heart United— VT 813
People with July birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal

*Birthday Blessing and Benediction

Postlude—Postlude on Llanfair (Robert J. Powell)—Karen Schlabaugh

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ben Lichti

The Next Week at BCMC: July 28—August 4, 2024

Sunday, July 28, 2024
9:30 a.m.   Worship
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/R3I49ES4Fzw?feature=share

Tuesday, July 30, 2024
4 p.m.   Worship Commission meeting by Zoom
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
11 a.m. Staff meeting
Thursday, August 1, 2024
7 p.m.    Church Board meeting in Room 14
Sunday, August 4, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Trent Voth

Please remember Jon Gering, president of Bethel College and Gretchen Schrag, KIPCOR Office Assistant, and their family as they grieve the death of their mother, Diane L. (Stucky) Gering. Diane died unexpectedly July 22, at the family farm near Ritzville, WA. She was 79 years old. Diane grew up in the McPherson and Moundridge communities before relocating to Washington to raise her family. Funeral arrangements are pending.

A reminder that the next Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting will be Wednesday, August 21, at 9 a.m. in Room 14 for a planning meeting.

For those who subscribe to the devotional Rejoice through the BCMC group subscription, the last issue of Rejoice (Sept.-Oct.-Nov.) will be coming soon. Therefore, it is time to renew for the coming year. The bulk subscription price is $35.93. The devotional is mailed to BCMC and your copy will be either placed in your mailbox here at church, or mailed to you. If you wish to subscribe (even if you have not subscribed before) place your check in the offering plate or bring or mail to the office with “Rejoice subscription” in the memo line.

Roger Neufeld Smith will be driving back to Topeka Sunday (July 28) afternoon and will return to Newton Wed., July 31. He will then go to Beatrice, NE to attend the WDC Assembly Aug. 2-4. He will return to Newton, Tues., Aug. 6, remaining in Newton until Aug. 11. August 11 will be a special day as it is the Bethel College New Student Sunday, Roger’s last day at BCMC, and Pastor Joanna Harader’s first day at BCMC. And….there will be cake to say farewell to Pastor Roger and to welcome Pastor Joanna! Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

Pastor Nathan Koontz is on vacation July 8—August 10.
Pastor Elizabeth Schmidt will be on vacation August 5-11.

BCMC Offering for July 21, 2024 General Fund $5,742; Caring Fund $50; Library Reserve Fund $17; Kitchen Fund $9; Evelyn Lehman Mem. $100.

You are invited to an open house to celebrate Raymond Regier’s 100th birthday on Friday, August 2, from 3 – 4 p.m. The open house will be at Kidron Bethel Assisted Living, 3056 Ivy Court. Please stop by to wish him happy birthday and enjoy some refreshments. If you cannot come to the open house, you can also send him a card at this address: 3056 Ivy Court, Room 18, North Newton, KS 67117. — Ray’s Family

If you’ve been a nursery volunteer in the past or would like to become a new nursery volunteer, please notify Sara Dick, new nursery schedule coordinator, at saradick1@gmail.com. The schedule is posted in the nursery and will be updated as folks volunteer. Please notify Sara rather than sign yourself up for shifts directly on the schedule, so she knows where we need helpers and where we’re all set. Thank you for caring for our youngest attenders and their families!

It’s School Kit Challenge Time!
Lincoln and Lawrence Kohlman and Gabby and Jake Robb are participating in the MCC School Kit Challenge again this year. You can help with donations of money, school kit supplies, or school kit bags. Please give monetary donations to Lincoln, Lawrence, Gabby, or Jake by Wed., Aug. 7. School kit supplies and bags can be left on the tables on the Fellowship Hall stage. A list of school kit supplies and directions for sewing bags can be found on the MCC website. Last year we packed 311 school kits. Can you help us beat our record?! We will pack school kits on Sun., Aug. 11, after Fellowship Time. Please join us!

Comforter tying
We had 134 women work at Mennonite Central Committee last week for a mini-blitz. 94 comforters were tied during the two day event. BCMC women are invited to join Carol Peters and Janet Friesen tie more comforters at MCC on Monday morning July 29 from 9 a.m. until noon.

BCMC Library Announcements:
· Looking ahead to November, the Library theme for the next few months will be Religion and Politics. We’ve pulled some books that might help answer questions about our current political climate. A partial display is behind the library desk.
· BCMC children and youth summer book promotion: What’s new for children and youth in the BCMC library this summer? What’s new is old. Your library committee has sorted through the shelves and uncovered some classics. These books may look drab, but they have been loved by many, many children over many years. They are waiting for you on a special shelf in the children’s room. Come check them out. Read them with parents or grandparents who remember reading them. Create new memories. Inside each book you will find a certificate good for one book at “Book Reviews” (Newton’s Main Street used book store). Go to “Book Reviews”. Pick out a book that has been loved by another kid. Read it. Share it. Create more memories.

A new book, THE CHURCH BY THE PLAYGROUND: THE STORY OF THE SHARING COMMUNITY IN ROSEDALE, by Dorothy Nickel Friesen, has been published by Rainbow Mennonite Church. The book will be launched at Rainbow Aug. 10 and 11 and at Kidron Bethel/Kidron Hall on Thurs., Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. (Faith and Life Bookstore will sell books.) The public is invited to hear Dorothy share, sign books, and tell this unique urban ecumenical ministry history.

Western District Conference Annual Assembly: We hope you join us in-person or virtually. If you haven’t registered yet, our registration deadline has been extended to July 25. After this date, you may still register by contacting the WDC Office (316-283-6300), but you will need to provide your own meals as meal counts will already be turned in. Join us at the WDC Annual Assembly, August 2-4, 2024 at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, NE! Register HERE through July 25.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.

- FreedUp: Everence^® is offering a new stewardship training program. The FreedUp program is a way for everyone to get their finances in order – and gain a deeper faith perspective on your money. Everence facilitators will lead the group sessions, including the first get-acquainted session.
  
  There are two upcoming options for participants to choose from:
  - Tuesdays at 2 p.m. ET beginning Aug. 20; ending Oct. 1
  - Mondays at 8 p.m. ET beginning Oct. 7; ending Nov. 18

The Camp Mennoscah annual Camp Sing Event will be Sat., Aug. 3, 3 p.m. at Faith Mennonite Church, Newton. All are welcome to come for a gathering of the Camp Mennoscah community to sing camp songs led by the Summer Staff, enjoy a recap of the summer, and hear testimony to the great work camp is doing. There will also be a donation raffle for baked goods, camp merch, and more! Following the singing we will have popcorn and generic pop together! We would love to see you there.

The presentation “From Russia to Kansas: A Story of the 1874 Mennonite Immigration” Fri., Aug. 2, 7 p.m. at the Goessel High School Auditorium 100 E. Main, Goessel, will give some insight on what it was like to travel across a vast ocean to start all over on the Kansas prairie. A narrated pictorial presentation, with firsthand accounts, will describe the journey of the Alexanderwohl immigrants leaving South Russia. This is a benefit event for the Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum. Donations gratefully accepted.

What a wonderful array of speakers and topics will be waiting for you at the 150th Celebration of Mennonite ancestors coming to the US. in 1874, to be held at Eden Mennonite Church, 401 18th Ave., Moundridge, Kansas. The “Schweitzers and Friends” theme invites you and all to take advantage of a very full weekend of speakers, singing, learning, harvesting wheat, and visiting with friends. Activities for children. Attached is the list of Seminars. Be sure to register if you want to eat the cafeteria style Ethnic Meal $25/plate) at Eden, 5:00-6:30 catered by Bread Basket, Newton KS. – swissmennonite.org “Registration and Celebration Information.”
–Kathy Goering, Publicity for 150th Celebration

Bethel College Announcements:
· Sunday July 28, “A Day with the Birds: Community Science & the Audubon Christmas Bird Count” closes at Kauffman Museum; 1:30-4:30 p.m., come-and-go reception, with remarks by museum director Andi Schmidt Andres at 3 p.m.
· Sat., Aug. 3 – Kauffman Museum bird walk, 7 a.m. start time in the museum parking lot at the corner of Main and 27th streets (2801 N. Main St., North Newton). Experienced birders lead a walk of 1-1.5 hours in Chisholm Park and on Sand Creek Trail.
· The 2024 issue of Bethel College’s online journal Mennonite Life can now be viewed at ml.bethelks.edu The issue includes articles by Rod Ratzlaff, Mark Jantzen and Rachel Pannabecker related to the 150th anniversary of Mennonite immigration to North America from the Russian Empire, as well as the text from last spring’s Bible Lectures by César García and Sandra Báez, several other articles, and book reviews.

Western District Women in Mission invites women and girls to the annual retreat Sept. 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah. Theme: Peaceful Practices; Kristine Regehr keynote speaker. Girls’ Programming for 5th grade-high school with Janna Duerksen. Registration is due Aug. 30. Retreat brochure and registration form are available at: https://www.westerndistrictwomeninMission.org/register Come early at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning to tie Camp Mennoscah t-shirt comforters which will also be available to tie throughout retreat. We hope to get 6 comforters tied and give them to Camp to sell as fundraisers. At least 15 years of past camp T-shirts are in the comforters!

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· Colorado Peaches can be ordered July 1-31 by contacting the MCC Central States Office at patsydirksen@mcc.org or calling 316-283-2720. Two sizes are available:  9 lbs. for $30 and 18 lbs. for $41.  Payment for peaches in the form of cash or checks is due by Aug. 1 to MCC.
Checks should be made payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line.  Peaches will be available for pickup from the MCC Office, 121 East 30^th, North Newton, Mon., Aug. 19 (tentative date). This is a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale held in Castle Rock, Colorado, October 18-19.
· The MCC Sale Quilter’s Corner is looking for donations of quilts, quilt tops, fabric, books, magazines and vintage linens for our next sale. We hope to have an October sale if we receive enough donations. Donations can be dropped off at the MCC Center in North Newton labeled for Quilter’s Corner or at Stitches Quilt Shop in McPherson. If you have questions, please contact
   Ann Yoder Smith at 919-604-3282.
· Mennonite Central Committee Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be distributed until each item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies in the Material Resources Center are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by filling the following needs: new infant sleepers (6-12 month sizes); hand towels (dark colored); bar soap; bath towels (dark colored, light to medium weight); wide toothed combs (6-8 inches long); laundry soap (such as Fels Naptha or Zote brands); and shampoo (20 oz min). Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions: phone 316-836-5045 or email brociamueller@mcc.org A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.
· WANTED: Cars, Tractors, Pickups, Farm Machinery, Motorcycles, etc. We are collecting items for next year’s KS Mennonite Central Committee Sale. Your donations are tax deductible and help feed and clothe thousands of people in need around the world. Call Jerry Toews at 620-367-8257 for more info.
· MCC immigration-focused learning tour in South Texas, Aug. 18-23: MCC learning tours are an opportunity to engage directly with the work done by MCC and partner organizations. The tour gives participants the chance to meet with law enforcement officials from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), gain insights into the complexity of immigration enforcement, including deportation and apprehensions, and visiting migrant response shelters. It will shed light on the challenges faced by migrants on their journey and raise awareness about the asylum process, and conditions faced by displaced and uprooted individuals. Find out more and register for the trip by Aug. 9. Questions, contact Abraham Diaz Alonso, MCC Central States Immigration Program Coordinator at abrahamdiazalonso@mcc.org

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News from Around the World” press here
For Mennonite World Conference “Info” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
The management board of the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO) held its annual meeting both in person, in Goshen and Elkhart, Indiana, and by Zoom, on May 24, 2024. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/gameo

Menno Snapshots

Olivia Krall, archives coordinator for Mennonite Church USA, writes about the MC USA Archives’ MEDA collection and a new donation of archival materials from Dan Sauder, grandson of MEDA founder, Erie Sauder. Read her blog here: mennoniteusa.org/archives/meda

What is deep listening? Spiritual director Ruth Johnston discusses the benefits of having a spiritual director who really listens. Read her blog here: mennoniteusa.org/deep-listening-essential

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for the Mennonite Bible School in South Africa. Pray for the participants in five locations as they study the Bible together and engage in church leadership training. Pray also for wisdom and energy for director Dr. Reuben Mgodeli.

Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for the church planting initiative and emerging faith communities seeking God’s guidance and provision. -WDC Church Planting Commission

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.

Worship service and announcements for July 21–28, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR
July 21, 2024

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.

Announcement from Bethel College
Make sure you have Saturday, July 20 on your calendar! The second annual Bethel College Summer Concert will happen on the Green.
Starting at 5:30, food will be available for sale, including: BBQ by Big Joes Catering, burgers and dogs grilled by the advancement office, soft drinks by enrollment management, ice cream by Salted Creamery, watermelon and popcorn by BCWA, lemonade by Lemonade Parade, and baked goodies by BCAPA!
Then, at 6 p.m. enjoy music by The Flannelbacks, Sometimes on Sunday, and Pretend Friend!
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. In case of rain, we will be inside Memorial Hall.
Tell a friend and see you there!

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 21, 2024

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—In the Bulb there is a Flower (arr. Portman)—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome & Prayer—Tim Hodge

Hymn—Sing Praise to God Who Reign—VT 101

Children’s Conversation—Kathy Stucky

Special Music—Rondeau (Mouret)—Ben Lichti, trumpet; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

Scripture Readings—Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Mark 12:28-34 —Suzanne Burch, Lucy Burch, Faith Burch

Sermon—A Good Teacher—Sara Dick

Hymn—Renew Your Church—VT 717

Prayers of God’s People

Hymn—Holy Presence, Holy Teacher—VT 531

Benediction

Postlude—I Sing the Mighty Power of God –(Payne)—Will Wiebe-Friesen, organ

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together

Audio-visual—Ben Lichti, Francis Toews

The Next Week at BCMC: July 21—28, 2024

Sunday, July 21, 2024

9:30 a.m.   Worship
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/Gl0-oIWtNFw?feature=share

10:45 a.m. Book discussion on Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair led by the Abuse Prevention and Response Committee—in Fellowship Hall

Abuse Prevention and Response Committee (APRC) will be hosting an education time to discuss how we can continue the journey of being a survivor centered congregation. This education opportunity will be held during the Sunday School hour July 21 in Fellowship Hall. Chapter discussion of Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair will be led by members of the APRC committee. The video How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice can be found on YouTube. This is approximately a 40 minute video. Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair can be found at your favorite local bookstore or local library inter library loan. Please contact Bethany Schrag at bethanyjoyschrag@gmail.com if you have questions. We look forward to continuing learning more of how we can best support trauma survivors in our church with you! — APRC Committee

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
2 p.m.   Everence Stewardship Team—Room 14
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
10 a.m. Deacon Commission meets in Room 14 to assemble the mailing to non-residents of BCMC
1:30 p.m. Structure Group meets in Room 14
Thursday, July 25, 2024
3 p.m.    Peace Sunday Ad Hoc Committee meets in Room 14
Sunday, July 28, 2024
9:30 a.m.   Sermon by Pastor Roger Neufeld Smith; music by Ron Garber and Doyle Preheim; Birthday Blessing for July birthdays

Please hold Nathan Toews and Leidy Muñoz in prayer as they mourn the death of their newborn daughter, Antonia Sophia, in Mexico City on July 9. Nate and Leidy are at the end of their term in Bolivia and were in Mexico City to attend meetings of MCC leaders from Central and South America. They plan to relocate to Goshen, Indiana in August.

Those who enjoy singing are invited to join as the Chancel Choir begins the year with the August 11 worship service. The anthem includes parts for choir, handbells, and congregation, and will be a meaningful way to both bid farewell to Roger Neufeld Smith and welcome to Joanna Harader. Rehearsal will take place on August 7 at 7:30 PM.

Comforter tying
We had 134 women work at MCC last week for a mini-blitz. 94 comforters were tied during the two day event.
BCMC women are invited to join Carol Peters and Janet Friesen tie more comforters at MCC on Monday morning July 22 and 29 from 9 a.m. until. noon.

Roger Neufeld Smith will be returning to Newton Wed., July 24 and will be in Newton through Sun. afternoon, July 28. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

Pastor Nathan Koontz is on vacation July 8—August 10.

BCMC Offering for July 14, 2024 General Fund $7,807; Kitchen Fund $15; Solar Fund $30; Evelyn Lehman Memorial-$220

If you’ve been a nursery volunteer in the past or would like to become a new nursery volunteer, please notify Sara Dick, new nursery schedule coordinator, at saradick1@gmail.com. The schedule is posted in the nursery and will be updated as folks volunteer. Please notify Sara rather than sign yourself up for shifts directly on the schedule, so she knows where we need helpers and where we’re all set. Thank you for caring for our youngest attenders and their families!

BCMC Library Announcements:
· Looking ahead to November, the Library theme for the next few months will be Religion and Politics. We have pulled a few that might help answer questions about our current political climate. A partial display is behind the library desk.
· BCMC children and youth summer book promotion: What’s new for children and youth in the BCMC library this summer? What’s new is old. Your library committee has sorted through the shelves and uncovered some classics.
These books may look drab, but they have been loved by many, many children over many years. They are waiting for you on a special shelf in the children’s room. Come check them out. Read them with parents or grandparents who remember reading them. Create new memories. Inside each book you will find a certificate good for one book at “Book Reviews” (Newton’s Main Street used book store). Go to “Book Reviews”. Pick out a book that has been loved by another kid. Read it. Share it. Create more memories.

Service of Remembrance at Kidron Bethel Village

There will be a service of remembrance on Sunday, July 21, at 3 p.m., in Kidron Hall to remember Kidron Bethel Village residents Don Mosiman, Lucy Pritchett, Elizabeth “Betty” Bowlin, Barbara (Jeanie) Jones, Norman Pankratz, Jennie Arellano, Charlotte Siemens, Evelyn Lehman, Shirley Abrahams and Elvera Voth.

For those who subscribe to the devotional Rejoice through the BCMC group subscription, the last issue of Rejoice (Sept.-Oct.-Nov.) will be coming soon. Therefore, it is time to renew for the coming year. The bulk subscription price is $35.93. The devotional is mailed to BCMC and your copy will be either placed in your mailbox here at church, or mailed to you. If you wish to subscribe (even if you have not subscribed before) place your check in the offering plate or bring or mail to the office with “Rejoice subscription” in the memo line.

Women & Girls! Western District Women in Mission invites you to our annual retreat September 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah! Bring a friend!
Theme: Peaceful Practices with Kristine Regehr as our keynote speaker
Girls’ Programming for 5th grade – high school with Janna Duerksen
Registration is due August 30. Retreat brochure and registration form are available at: https://www.westerndistrictwomeninmission.org/register

Come early at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning to tie Camp Mennoscah t-shirt comforters! They will also be available to tie throughout retreat. We hope to get 6 comforters tied and give them to Camp to sell as fundraisers. At least 15 years of past camp T-shirts are in the comforters!

Scam Awareness Webinar: Learn how to outsmart the scammers and protect your finances. In this webinar, you’ll discover how to recognize the most common forms of scams and fraud, how to reduce your risks and how to respond if fraud occurs. Tune in on July 25 at 2 p.m. ET, with Steve Bustos, Everence Stewardship Consultant, and Kim Miller, Partner Relationship Specialist for Financial Choice. Register at Scam-proof your finances link. (link to https://www.everence.com/everence-events/everence-stewardship-partners/scam-awareness-webinar)

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· Colorado Peaches are coming! Peaches can be ordered July 1-31 by contacting the MCC Central States Office at patsydirksen@mcc.org or calling 316-283-2720. Two sizes are available: 9 lbs. for $30 and 18 lbs. for $41. Payment for peaches in the form of cash or checks is due by Aug. 1 to Mennonite Central Committee. Checks should be made payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line. Peaches will be available for pickup from the MCC Office, 121 East 30^th, North Newton, Mon., Aug. 19 (tentative date). This is a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale held in Castle Rock, Colorado, October 18-19.
· The MCC Sale Quilter’s Corner is looking for donations of quilts, quilt tops, fabric, books, magazines and vintage linens for our next sale. We hope to have an October sale if we receive enough donations.
Donations can be dropped off at the MCC Center in North Newton
labeled for Quilter’s Corner or at Stitches Quilt Shop in McPherson. If you have questions, please contact Ann Yoder Smith at 919-604-3282.
· Mennonite Central Committee Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be distributed until each item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies in the Material Resources Center are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by filling the following needs: new infant sleepers (6-12 month sizes); hand towels (dark colored); bar soap; bath towels (dark colored, light to medium weight); wide toothed combs (6-8 inches long); laundry soap (such as Fels Naptha or Zote brands); and shampoo (20 oz min). Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions: phone 316-836-5045 or email brociamueller@mcc.org A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.
·Join the MCC School Kit Challenge and help pack 24,000 school kits for 24,000 kids this summer (plus, you could win a pizza party)! All school kits donated and completed in the month of August will help us meet this goal. Currently, in the Material Resources Center in North Newton we are very low on these specific school kit items: school kit bags (sewn), pens, erasers, and rulers. Please make your donations of individual kit items or full school kits by August 31. Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions are always welcome, please contact brociamueller@mcc.org or 316.836.5045. Join the MCC School Kit Challenge today!

Request from Faith Mennonite Church, Newton
I am hoping a little networking with other WDC congregations will yield us some help at Faith Mennonite in Newton. Our annual church retreat at Camp Mennoscah is August 10-11 and we are needing to find a certified lifeguard so that we can use the swimming pool. Our swim times are 3-4:30 pm on Sat, Aug 10 and 1-2:30pm on Sun, Aug 11. Lodging and meals are provided and we will pay an hourly rate to make it worth their while. We will also host a friend if they would like to bring someone with them. We must have at least one life guard, but two are recommended. Please pass this on to anyone you think might be able to help us find a lifeguard(s).
Thank you and best regards,-
Shari Scheffler
Congregational Support Facilitator
Faith Mennonite Church
sharis@faithmenno.org
cell: 316-253-4567

150th Celebration Announcements
· Sat. Aug. 24, 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge, part of the 150 Years Celebration of Mennonites Coming to U.S., is John McCabe-Juhnkes’ Readers Theater, “Schweitzers Talking.” A cross-generational dialogue based on (probably) true and (mostly) entertaining stories told by Schweitzers. Featuring the dramatic talents of Jerod Kaufman, Julianna Kaufman, John McCabe-Juhnke, Leann Toews, Aaron Tschetter, Karin Kaufman Wall. Be sure to make your reservations at swissmennonite.org.
· See the schedule posted on the bulletin board for what is planned August 23-25 at the 150th Celebration of Ancestors coming to U.S. to be held at Eden Mennonite Church, rural Moundridge, 401 18th Ave. Interested persons can register on www.swissmennonite.org website under “Reservations and Celebration Information” Step 1 and sign up for the ethnic meal on step 2 (pay credit card or pay at the door). If persons need help registering, they can call Kathy Goering 316-371-6189. Hopefield Church will be open for visitation 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, even serving coffee, lemonade, and cookies. The Moundridge Museum will be open for visitors 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

What was it like to travel from the home you knew across a vast ocean to start all over on a treeless prairie. The presentation on Fri., Aug. 2, 7 p.m. “From Russia to Kansas: A Story of the 1874 Mennonite Immigration” will help give some insight. A narrated pictorial presentation, with firsthand accounts, will describe the journey of the Alexanderwohl immigrants leaving South Russia and finding a new home in Kansas. The event will be at the Goessel High School Auditorium
100 E. Main, Goessel. This is a benefit event for the Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum. Donations gratefully accepted.

Mennonite Central Committee immigration-focused learning tour in South Texas, Aug. 18-23: MCC learning tours present a unique opportunity to engage directly with the work done by MCC and partner organizations. The tour will give participants the chance to meet with law enforcement officials from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), gain insights into the complexity of immigration enforcement, including deportation and apprehensions, and visiting migrant response shelters. The tour will shed light on the challenges faced by migrants on their journey and raise awareness about the asylum process, and conditions faced by displaced and uprooted individuals. Find out more and register for the trip by August 9. Questions, please contact Abraham Diaz Alonso, MCC Central States Immigration Program Coordinator at abrahamdiazalonso
@mcc.org.

For Mennonite Church USA “Equipping” Newsletter press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network “Opening Doors” Blog press here

Dear Bethel College Mennonite,Gun violence is a key driver of instability and displacement in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the first eight months of 2023, more than 2,400 people were killed by gang violence in Haiti. Many of the over 270,000 illegal firearms in Haiti originated in Florida due to its weaker weapons sales’ restrictions. As a multinational force arrives in Haiti to respond to gang activity, it is important that we address the root causes of violence and empower Haitian peacemakers. You are invited to attend an MCC-sponsored webinar about gun trafficking to Haiti to be held on July 30 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

United Nations Haiti expert Bill O’Neill, U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Sherfilus-McCormick, and Haitians affected by gun violence will share about this important issue and propose ways to reduce the trafficking of guns from the U.S. to Haiti. MCC partners in Haiti continue to work to care for people’s basic needs and inspire the next generation of peacebuilders. This webinar will give you the tools to support their work through advocacy to the U.S. government.
Register today!We look forward to seeing you on July 30.
Warm regards,Galen Fitzkee
Legislative Associate
MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries

To Western District Conference Congregations and Pastors,
My prayers are with you – and with the whole church and our nation – as we respond to the disturbing news and aftermath of the shootings at last Saturday’s campaign rally for former president Trump. I grieve this tragedy, and all the gun deaths, hate crimes and political violence that tear our nation and communities apart. In the face of polarized politics, reactive rhetoric, threats of violence and heightened anxiety, I pray that we may continue to claim our identity as followers of Jesus, bearing witness to God’s reign of shalom. As you seek faithful responses and initiatives in your congregation, I want to offer some resources that may be helpful:

MC USA resources: Learn, Pray, Join: End Gun Violence
Statement from MC USA: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/uncategorized/mc-usa-prayer-assassination-attempt/
Mennonite Central Committee resource – Fear Not: Creating a Plan to Respond to Active Violence: https://mcc.org/resources/fear-not-creating-plan-respond-active-violence
AMBS short course on Resisting Christian Nationalism: https://www.ambs.edu/resisting-christian-nationalism-with-the-gospel-of-peace/
Resources from Faith and Leadership (a learning resource for Christian leaders from Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School) – How Should Christian Leaders Respond to Gun Violence? – https://faithandleadership.com/how-should-christian-leaders-respond-gun-violence
Resource from Colossian Forum on a way to have faithful conversations on American politics, integrating Biblical interpretation and spiritual practices: https://colossianforum.myshopify.com/collections/sample-curricula/products/curriculum-sample-political-talk-free-download

Also, I encourage you to check out resources through the WDC Resource Library at https://mennowdc.org/library/. Consider these Book Bundles on topics related to peacemaking, gun violence and politics, with multiple copies available to check out for group study:

All our griefs to bear: Responding with resilience after collective trauma – by Jodi S. Sancken
Collateral damage: Changing the conversation about firearms and faith – by James E. Atwood
How to have an enemy: Righteous anger and the world of peace – by Melissa Florer-Bixler
I am not your enemy: Stories to transform a divided world – by Michael T. McCray
Jesus takes a side: Embracing the political demands of the gospel – by Jonny Rashid
Peaceful practices: A guide to healthy communication in conflict – by Jes Stoltzful Buller (MCC Publication)
Stuck together: The hope of Christian witness in a polarized world – by J. Nelson Kraybill
What is God’s kingdom and what does citizenship look like? – By Cesar Garcia

Thank you for your ministry and leadership in practices that shape the church as a community of healing and hope in a broken world. May the Holy Spirit grant us wisdom, hope and courage in these times.

Grace and peace,
Heidi Regier Kreider
Conference Minister

From Mennonite Church USA
The Mennonite Church USA Church Vitality office encourages college students and churches to participate in the Ministry Inquiry Program, which pairs students from Mennonite colleges with host congregations across the country for ministry internships. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/internships-young-adults

Holding it(,) Together is a podcast, produced by MC USA’s Women in Leadership, that delves into the lives and experiences of people across MC USA. Listen here: mennoniteusa.org/hit View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/hit-pdf View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/hit-slide

Menno Snapshots

Martin Gunawan shares about his cultural heritage through his childhood in Indonesia and adult life in the United States. Read his interview here: mennoniteusa.org/unity-in-diversity

Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for ministerial leadership for Mennonite Church USA, uses her own experience to offer ideas to help congregations raise up the next generation of pastors from within. Read her blog here: mennoniteusa.org/pastors-come-from

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Joseph and Rachel Givens, who are serving with Mennonite Mission Network, are on North American ministry. Pray for safety as they travel, as well as for a time of renewal and Spirit-inspired sharing in congregations. Pray for the ministry of Maria Skobtsova House in Calais, France, as it adapts to new anti-immigration laws.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for the WDC Resource Library, and pray for children and their families who join in fun and faith formation activities at the library’s Summer Story Day on July 27.

Worship service and announcements for July 14–21, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR

July 14, 2024

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.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 14, 2024
Reflections on the Past, Hopes for BCMC’s Future
with Western District Conference Listening Team

Christ Candle LIghting

Centering Music—Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (Portman)
Karen Unruh

Welcome and Prayer—Roger Neufeld Smith

*Hymn—Listen, God is Calling—VT 765

Children’s Conversation—Adam Robb

Kin_dom Report—WDC Listening Process—WDC Team member

Scripture Reading—I Thessalonians 1:1-3, 5:11-24—Coralee Shenk and Jeanette Stucky

Reflection on Scripture—Kathy Neufeld Dunn

*Hymn—Christ Be in Your Senses—VT 721

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—God of Grace and God of Glory—VT 716

Benediction

Postlude— Give To Our God Immortal Praise (Cherwien)
Karen Unruh

* You are invited to stand

VT–Voices Together

Audio visual—Ken Lamp

The Next Week at BCMC: July 14—21, 2024

Sunday, July 14, 2024—Western District Conference Listening Tour

9:30 a.m. Worship
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/zAHo9TlJbac?feature=share

10:45 a.m. WDC Listening Team leads table discussions in Fellowship Hall

Sunday, July 21, 2024
9:30 a.m. Sermon by Pastor Sara Dick; worship music by Ben Lichti
10:45 a.m. Book discussion on Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair led by the Abuse Prevention and Response Committee—in Fellowship Hall

Western District Conference Listening Tour: Sun., July 14, three representatives from Western District Conference – Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Dave Wiebe and Wendy Funk Schrag – are visiting our congregation as part of WDC’s conference-wide Listening Tour. The purpose of the Listening Tour is to empower the vitality of WDC congregations by hearing their stories, offering ongoing relationship, and supporting congregational witness and mission. For BCMC, this will also be an opportunity to share important stories and hopes for the future (in written form) with our soon-to-be pastor, Joanna Harader.
During BCMC worship July 14, a representative from the WDC Listening Team will share a brief meditation, then the team will introduce the process for learning about BCMC ministries and hopes for the future. All adults and youth will then be invited to Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School hour to share responses around tables to the following questions.

1. When have you felt most alive and vibrant as a congregation, or as a participant at BCMC?
2. What is foundational and reassuring about BCMC that has helped in difficult times (COVID, pastoral transition, etc.)?
3. What do you hope for the future for your church and what resources from WDC would be helpful for that?

Responses from the table discussions will be shared with all participants at the end of the SS hour. A summary of themes will be compiled by WDC to share with WDC constituency and used to guide ongoing resourcing for congregations in WDC. A summary will also be shared with Joanna Harader and other members of BCMC leadership. This listening process can be a very valuable resource, both for WDC and for our new BCMC pastors and leaders. Please plan to participate Sunday, July 14!

Roger will be in the BCMC office Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week (July 10, 11, 12). He will be driving back to Topeka Sunday afternoon (7/14). Roger will be back in Newton on Wednesday, July 24. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

Pastor Nathan Koontz is on vacation July 8—August 10.

BCMC Offering for July 7, 2024 General Fund $8,840; Library Reserve Fund $6; Kitchen Fund $18; Solar Fund $1,250.

BCMC Library Announcements:
· Looking ahead to November, the Library theme for the next few months will be Religion and Politics. We have pulled a few that might help answer questions about our current political climate. A partial display is behind the library desk.
· BOOK SALE June 30 to July 14: The Library Committee has culled books from our collection for several reasons: some to be replaced since they are no longer in good enough shape; some because they no longer fit the needs of our library and some because they were donated books that are already in our collection. Please stop by the table outside of the library and take as many as you are interested in. A donation basket will be available for any size donation that seems appropriate to you. Happy Summer Reading!!
· BCMC children and youth summer book promotion: What’s new for children and youth in the BCMC library this summer? What’s new is old. Your library committee has sorted through the shelves and uncovered some classics.
These books may look drab, but they have been loved by many, many children over many years. They are waiting for you on a special shelf in the children’s room. Come check them out. Read them with parents or grandparents who remember reading them. Create new memories. Inside each book you will find a certificate good for one book at “Book Reviews” (Newton’s Main Street used book store). Go to “Book Reviews”. Pick out a book that has been loved by another kid. Read it. Share it. Create more memories.

Western District Conference Annual Assembly: Delegates will process recommendations to receive three congregations into membership in WDC (Crystal Springs Mennonite Church, Harper, KS; New Life Christian Center, San Benito, TX; and Hesston Mennonite Church, Hesston, KS), and to release West Zion Mennonite Church from membership in WDC. Delegate agenda also includes approving a financial budget for WDC ministries in 2025, and affirming new leaders for elected positions. Join us at the WDC Annual Assembly, August 2-4, at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, NE. Register on the WDC website: https://mennowdc.org/ Registration deadline is July 21. If you are interested in being a delegate to the Assembly, contact Jeanette Stucky, Roger Neufeld-Smith or Monica Lichti in the BCMC office.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.

The nursery is staffed with approved volunteers again! If you’ve been a nursery volunteer in the past or would like to become a new nursery volunteer so you can sign up, please notify Sara Dick, new nursery schedule coordinator, at saradick1@gmail.com. The schedule is posted in the nursery and will be updated as folks volunteer. Please notify Sara rather than sign yourself up for shifts directly on the schedule, so she knows where we need helpers and where we’re all set. Thank you for caring for our youngest attenders and their families!

Bluestem Communities will host its annual Dementia Forum at 6:30 p.m., Wed., July 17, at Kidron Bethel Village’s Kidron Hall, 3001 Ivy Dr. This event, free and open to the public, features Amy Siple, APRN, presenting “Under- standing Dementia and Caring for Those Who Have It.” The forum is designed to be beneficial for anyone providing care for someone living with dementia, both professional caregivers and family or friends. One Continuing Education (CE) hour available for $15. Those wanting the CE must register for it prior to the forum at bluestemks.org/events.

See the schedule of what is coming up August 23-25 at the 150th Celebration of Ancestors coming to U.S. to be held at Eden Mennonite Church, rural Moundridge, 401 18th Ave.
Interested persons can register on www.swissmennonite.org website under “Reservations and Celebration Information” Step 1 and sign up for an ethnic meal on step 2 (pay credit card or pay at the door). If persons need help in registering, they can call Kathy Goering 316-371-6189.
And
Hopefield Church will be open for visitation 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, even serving coffee, lemonade, and cookies.
The Moundridge Museum will be open for visitors 1:30-4:30 Saturday afternoon.
–Kathy Goering

What was it like to travel from the home you knew across a vast ocean to start all over on a treeless prairie. The presentation on Fri., Aug. 2, 7 p.m. “From Russia to Kansas: A Story of the 1874 Mennonite Immigration” will help give some insight. A narrated pictorial presentation, with firsthand accounts, will describe the journey of the Alexanderwohl immigrants leaving South Russia and finding a new home in Kansas. The event will be at the Goessel High School Auditorium, 100 E. Main, Goessel. This is a benefit event for the Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum. Donations gratefully accepted.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· Colorado Peaches are coming! Peaches can be ordered July 1-31 by contacting the MCC Central States Office at patsydirksen@mcc.org or calling 316-283-2720. Two sizes are available: 9 lbs. for $30 and 18 lbs. for $41. Payment for peaches in the form of cash or checks is due by Aug. 1 to Mennonite Central Committee. Checks should be made payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line. Peaches will be available for pickup from the MCC Office, 121 East 30^th, North Newton, Mon., Aug. 19 (tentative date). This is a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale held in Castle Rock, Colorado, October 18-19.
· The MCC Sale Quilter’s Corner is looking for donations of quilts, quilt tops, fabric, books, magazines and vintage linens for our next sale. We hope to have an October sale if we receive enough donations. Donations can be dropped off at the MCC Center in North Newton labeled for Quilter’s Corner or at Stitches Quilt Shop in McPherson. If you have questions, please contact Ann Yoder Smith at 919-604-3282.
· Mennonite Central Committee Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be distributed until each item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies in the Material Resources Center are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by filling the following needs: new infant sleepers (6-12 month sizes); hand towels (dark colored); bar soap; bath towels (dark colored, light to medium weight); wide toothed combs (6-8 inches long); laundry soap (such as Fels Naptha or Zote brands); and shampoo (20 oz min). Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions: phone 316-836-5045 or email brociamueller@mcc.org A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.

Open to new participants. A confidential group of women meets to seek healing and hope as they support each other in the experience of betrayal trauma (a spouse or partner’s use of pornography, affair, or sexual addiction). Bimonthly meetings are held Wednesday evenings via Zoom. This group is sponsored by First Mennonite Church of Newton and facilitated by Audrey Ratzlaff, M.Div. Contact Audrey at aaratzlaff@yahoo.com or 316-619-4580 for more information.

To view the Prairie View Inc. Newsletter press here It is also posted on the BCMC bulletin board
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here
For Mennonite Central Committee “In Touch” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Mennonite Church USA’s Women in Leadership Steering Committee recently bid farewell to two of the founding members, Linda Gehman Peachey and Erica Littlewolf, after more than a decade of service. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/wil-founding

Equipping, Mennonite Church USA’s quarterly email newsletter for pastors and leaders, features resources submitted by MC USA conferences, congregations, agencies, ministry partners, constituency groups, and affiliated schools and colleges. View the most recent issue here: mennoniteusa.org/equipping-newsletter-april Subscribe to Equipping here: mennoniteusa.org/equipping-subscribe

Menno Snapshots

Camille Dager shares highlights from “My Life Story,” the autobiography of James Liu. The memoir is part of the MC USA Archives’ Mennonite World Conference collection. Read her blog here: mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/james-liu

Veronica Horst has spent the past six months traveling the country and living on communal farms. One thing that all the farms they have spent time on have in common is an abundance mentality and the desire to share the fruits of their labor. Read their blog here: mennoniteusa.org/symbiosis-communal-farming

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network’s workers in Asia and the Middle East recently completed a five-day retreat in Thailand. Pray that the refreshing times of worship, fellowship and encouragement will help them return to their ministries renewed.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for all who are preparing to lead and participate in WDC Annual Assembly on August 2-4, as we open ourselves to the transforming presence of Christ in this gathering of the church.

Worship service and announcements for July 7–14, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR

July 7, 2024

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.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 7, 2024
Youth Service & Learning

Maisie Brubacher, Lucy Burch, Adah Hodge, Emma Gering, Emerson Gering, Orlando Gonzalez, Adam Oswald, Abram Wall, Mabel Wall. Sponsors: Cliff Dick, Marlene Ewert, Megan Leary, George Leary.

Christ Candle Lighting

Land Acknowledgement

Centering Music—John Mark Koontz, bass; Josh Bergman, trumpet

Call to Worship
Leader: Come. You are welcome here, as everywhere, in the faithful presence of God. Sit. Listen. Breathe. This presence is a gift.
All: We breathe in the gift of God.
Leader: Bubbling, beautiful joy that bursts from our lips. Joy in this earth, for the blessed bustle of beings that make this their home.
All: We breathe the gift of hope.
Leader: Hope for the past, that we can hear true stories. Hope for today, that we can be people of God’s healing. Hope for the future, for the world anew where justice and peace shall kiss.
All: We breathe in the gift of love.
Leader: Love that fills and overflows. Love that will never turn away, even from our darkest places.
All: We breathe in the gift of life.
Leader: Come, into the gift of new life, in the name of the true and living Holy One, who made us for love, who saved us by love, and who loves us still.   Come in the fullness of life!

*Hymn—Creation is a Song—VT 181

Children’s Conversation

Worship Music—John Mark Koontz, bass; Josh Bergman, trumpet

Scripture Reading—Psalm 130

Readings & Reflections—Broken Covenants and Stolen Land
Confession & Lament (based on Psalm 130)
Leader: Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our voice! We are deep under the weight of sin that piles up generation upon generation. Pressed into the ground we wait for the Lord, our souls wait, and in God’s word we hope.
All: Our souls wait for the Lord, more than those who watch for morning.
*Hymn—Kyrie eleison—VT 147

Readings & Reflections—Cultural Assimilation and Intergenerational Trauma
Confession & Lament (based on Psalm 130)
Leader: Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our voice! We are deep under the weight of sin that piles up generation upon generation. Pressed into the ground we wait for the Lord, our souls wait, and in God’s word we hope.
All: Our souls wait for the Lord, more than those who watch for morning.
*Hymn—For the Healing of the Nations—VT 705

Readings & Reflections—Ecological Devastation and Neocolonialism
Confession & Lament (based on Psalm 130)
Leader: Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear our voice! We are deep under the weight of sin that piles up generation upon generation. Pressed into the ground we wait for the Lord, our souls wait, and in God’s word we hope.
All: Our souls wait for the Lord, more than those who watch for morning.
*Hymn—O Healing River—VT 706

Readings & Reflections—Resilience, Survival, and Hope
Leader: O my people, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with God is great power to redeem. It is God who will redeem us from all our iniquities, who will show us the way of justice and peace.
All: Our souls wait for the Lord, more than those who watch for morning.

Prayers of God’s People

*Sung Benediction—Go, My Friends, in Grace—VT 810

Postlude— John Mark Koontz, bass; Josh Bergman, trumpet

* You are invited to stand
VT–Voices Together
Keyboard- Meghann Rogers
Audio visual—Francis Toews

The Next Week at BCMC: July 7—14, 2024
Welcome visitors and friends! May you sense God’s presence at BCMC. The nursery at the back of the sanctuary is available during worship for families with infants and toddlers.

We light the Christ candle to welcome God’s presence among us. Sent out from worship, we carry the light of Christ with us into the world.
Sunday, July 7, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship Service—YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/x0rN1w7NSHk?feature=share

There is no Church Board meeting in July

Monica Lichti will be on vacation July 11 and 12.
Pastor Nathan Koontz will be on vacation July 8—August 10.
Roger Neufeld Smith will be back in the BCMC office Wed., July 10. He will return to Topeka Sun. afternoon, July 14. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)
BCMC Offering for June 30, 2024 General Fund $2,855; Plant Fund $50; Caring Fund $25; Library Reserve Fund $5.50; Kitchen Fund $10; Solar Fund $2,100.

Sunday, July 14, 2024—Western District Conference Listening Tour
9:30 a.m. Worship with meditation by Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Dave Wiebe and Wendy Funk Schrag
10:45 a.m. Listening Tour continues in Fellowship Hall

Land Acknowledgement words by Mark Charles and VT #878
As we do on the first Sunday of each month, we acknowledge that we worship
  on the land of the Kanza, Osage, and Wichita.
We thank them for their care and respect for this land and acknowledge the
injustice of their forced removal.
We ask the Spirit to heal our histories and find new paths of right relationships
with them and all of creation.

Going Beyond Land Acknowledgement at BCMC:
· On June 22 about 15 people from BCMC attended the rematriation ceremony for the return of the Sacred Red Rock, Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe to Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park near Council Grove, KS where the Kaw Nation are returning to former homelands. Some 300 people were present to support the Kaw Nation where they plan to build an educational center alongside the Sacred Red Rock.
· Read Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler, So We and Our Children May Live: Following Jesus in Confronting the Climate Crisis, in preparation for Sarah Augustine’s visit here in October.
· In the recent Annual Gathering of the Repair Coalition held in Minneapolis June 29 and 30, Repair Coalition churches were encouraged to build a statewide network to help with Repair Coalition campaigns like Oak Flat. Sarah Augustine said we have about 1,000 people involved in repair work across the country and need to move toward 10,000 people, especially targeting younger persons in their 20’s and 30’s who will carry this work into the next three decades. BCMC would like to include college aged adults in our Task Group and work. If you have a suggestion for someone we should ask to join us, please let Raylene Hinz-Penner know.

BCMC Library Announcements:
· Looking ahead to November, the Library theme for the next few months will be Religion and Politics. We have pulled a few that might help answer questions about our current political climate. A partial display is behind the library desk.
· BOOK SALE July 7 & 14: The Library Committee has culled books from our collection for several reasons: some to be replaced since they are no longer in good enough shape; some because they no longer fit the needs of our library and some because they were donated books that are already in our collection. Please stop by the table outside of the library and take as many as you are interested in. A donation basket will be available for any size donation that seems appropriate to you. Happy Summer Reading!!
· BCMC children and youth summer book promotion: What’s new for children and youth in the BCMC library this summer? What’s new is old. Your library committee has sorted through the shelves and uncovered some classics. These books may look drab, but they have been loved by many, many children over many years. They are waiting for you on a special shelf in the children’s room. Come check them out. Read them with parents or grandparents who remember reading them. Create new memories. Inside each book you will find a certificate good for one book at “Book Reviews” (Newton’s Main Street used book store). Go to “Book Reviews”. Pick out a book that has been loved by another kid. Read it. Share it. Create more memories.

The nursery will be staffed with approved volunteers again starting in July! If you’ve been a nursery volunteer in the past or would like to become a new nursery volunteer so you can sign up, please notify Sara Dick, new nursery schedule coordinator, at saradick1@gmail.com. The schedule is posted in the nursery and will be updated as folks volunteer. Please notify Sara rather than sign yourself up for shifts directly on the schedule, so she knows where we need helpers and where we’re all set. Thank you for caring for our youngest attenders and their families!

Western District Conference Listening Tour: Sun., July 14, three representatives from Western District Conference – Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Dave Wiebe and Wendy Funk Schrag – will be visiting our congregation as part of WDC’s conference-wide Listening Tour. The purpose of the Listening Tour is to empower the vitality of WDC congregations by hearing their stories, offering ongoing relationship, and supporting congregational witness and mission. For BCMC, this will also be an opportunity to share important stories and hopes for the future (in written form) with our soon-to-be pastor, Joanna Harader.
During BCMC worship on July 14, a representative from the WDC Listening Team will share a brief meditation, then the team will introduce the process for learning about BCMC ministries and hopes for the future. All adults and youth will then be invited to Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School hour to share responses around tables to the following questions.

1. When have you felt most alive and vibrant as a congregation, or as a participant at BCMC?
2. What is foundational and reassuring about BCMC that has helped in difficult times (COVID, pastoral transition, etc.)?
3. What do you hope for the future for your church and what resources from WDC would be helpful for that?

Responses from the table discussions will be shared back with all participants at the end of the SS hour. A summary of themes will be compiled by WDC to share with WDC constituency and used to guide ongoing resourcing for congregations in WDC. A summary will also be shared with Joanna Harader and other members of BCMC leadership.
This listening process can be a very valuable resource, both for WDC and for our new BCMC pastors and leaders. Please plan to attend and participate on Sunday, July 14.

The Live Wire Stringband, a collection of players with decades performing for audiences throughout the Midwest, play old time fiddle tunes, gospel, & traditional songs on the fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass, sometimes harmonica. Come and enjoy lively tunes to make your feet want to move at Kidron Hall Fri., July 12 at 6:30 p.m. Members of the band: Jesse Graber, son of Charles & Diana Graber of Newton and husband of Ruth Harder, former pastor of BCMC and current pastor of Rainbow Mennonite Church. Steve and Gail Goeke live in rural Missouri, just northeast of KC and are current members of Rainbow Mennonite Church. Bob and Melissa Atchinson live in Manhattan, KS, and Melissa is the current pastor of Manhattan Mennonite Church.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· Colorado Peaches are coming! Peaches can be ordered July 1-31 by contacting the MCC Central States Office at patsydirksen@mcc.org or calling 316-283-2720. Two sizes are available: 9 lbs. for $30 and 18 lbs. for $41. Payment for peaches in the form of cash or checks is due by Aug. 1 to Mennonite Central Committee. Checks should be made payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line. Peaches will be available for pickup from the MCC Office, 121 East 30^th, North Newton, Mon., Aug. 19 (tentative date). This is a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale held in Castle Rock, Colorado, October 18-19.
· Mini Blitz at MCC! Come tie, trim, or bind comforters at the MCC Material Resource Center in North Newton Fri., July 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat., July 13 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring a snack to share and a sack lunch/supper. Drinks will be provided. Beginners are welcome!
· The MCC Sale Quilter’s Corner is looking for donations of quilts, quilt tops, fabric, books, magazines and vintage linens for our next sale. We hope to have an October sale if we receive enough donations. Donations can be dropped off at the MCC Center in North Newton labeled for Quilter’s Corner or at Stitches Quilt Shop in McPherson. If you have questions, please contact Ann Yoder Smith at 919-604-3282.
· Mennonite Central Committee Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be distributed until each item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies in the Material Resources Center are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by filling the following needs: new infant sleepers (6-12 month sizes); hand towels (dark colored); bar soap; bath towels (dark colored, light to medium weight); wide toothed combs (6-8 inches long); laundry soap (such as Fels Naptha or Zote brands); and shampoo (20 oz min). Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions: phone 316-836-5045 or email brociamueller@mcc.org A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.

Western District Conference Annual Assembly: Assembly registration is now open. Register on-line on the WDC webpage. Join us at the WDC Annual Assembly, August 2-4, 2024 at First Mennonite Church, rural Beatrice, NE. For more information about Assembly, visit the WDC Assembly webpage. Don’t want to drive to Beatrice? Vans will leave from North Newton on August 2 afternoon. When you register, please mark, “Reserve a seat in the van” for $30 a seat. If you are interested in being a delegate to the Assembly, contact Jeanette Stucky, Roger Neufeld-Smith or Monica Lichti in the BCMC office.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and to register for the Annual Assembly.

On Sunday, July 14, 2024 to continue the 150th celebrations there will be an opportunity to hear story telling from two women, Pauline Sharp, Kaw People and Annette Voth, Alexanderwohl People. Their stories told side by side present a unique perspective of the history of the Kaw and Alexanderwohl people. The event will be held at the Tabor Mennonite Church at 7:00 pm, 891 Chisholm Trail Rd, Newton, Ks.

The Warkentin House invites you to an event featuring music from the Flannel Backs on July 14 at 4 p.m. A free will offering will be taken to support the Warkentin House Museum. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music.

On Saturday, August 3rd, at 3:00 PM at Faith Mennonite Church (Newton, KS) we will be holding our annual Camp Sing event. All are welcome to join us for a gathering of the Camp Mennoscah community to sing camp songs led by the Summer Staff, enjoy a recap of the summer, and hear testimony to the great work camp is doing. Following the singing we will have popcorn and generic pop together! We would love to see you all there.

August 23-25 Celebration of our Ancestors coming to US

We are searching for families who would be interested in hosting a visiting family who will be coming from a distance. If willing to be a host family, please call, text or email E. Fred Goering of Moundridge, KS at 620-345-9890 or fredgoering65@gmail.com. The celebration is Friday, August 23 to Sunday, August 25. You would be hosting for one or two nights. The information that Fred needs are: your first & last name, physical address, cell phone number, email address, and the total number of kids and adults you could host. Thank you.

Plans are underway for Children’s Activities on Saturday, August 24, that will not only entertain but also educate youngsters about the lives their Great, Greats might have experienced. If you or someone you know would like to assist in this program, Danielle Goering would be delighted to hear from you at 602-448-7215. Stay tuned for information as things develop.

–Kathy Goering, Publicity for 150th

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
The Mennonite Church USA Executive Board and MC USA’s Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference filed an amicus brief on April 25, 2024, in support of Apache-Stronghold’s petition for a new full-court hearing on the potential destruction of Oak Flat, a sacred Indigenous site in Arizona. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/apache-stronghold

“Lead/Follow” is a video podcast for pastors and congregational leaders, hosted by MC USA’s executive director, Glen Guyton. Find season one here: mennoniteusa.org/leadfollow View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/leadfollow-pdf View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/leadfollow-slide

Menno Snapshots

Carol Penner describes the history of the Together in Worship team and their website, which offers free worship resources in one convenient location. Read her blog here: mennoniteusa.org/resourcing-church-community

Brenda L. Yoder, author of “Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life,” has found that the uncomplicated life of living in a rural Amish/Mennonite community has appeal for many people, due to the slower lifestyle and values that come with living this way. Read her blog here: mennoniteusa.org/uncomplicated

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Participants from Belmont Mennonite Church, in Elkhart, Indiana, have just returned from a week-long Mennonite Mission Network-sponsored Just Peace Pilgrimage (JPP). Pray for them as they discern what Jesus’ response is for their congregation, after witnessing the reality of life along the Mexico-United States border in southern Texas.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC congregations and members engaging in witness for peace and justice, seeking to follow the way of Jesus in the face of war and violence in the world.

Worship Service and Announcements for June 30-July 7, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR
June 30, 2024

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.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
June 30, 2024
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—Amazing Grace, (arr. by Courtney, Angelika Donaldson soprano; Verlene Garber, accompanist

Welcome & Prayer—Lois Preheim

*Hymn—Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing—VT 7

Children’s Conversation—Barb Koontz

Worship Music—Into the Night (by Edwards)– Angelika Donaldson, soprano; Verlene Garber, accompanist

*Hymn—Praise to the Lord, the Almighty—VT 88

Scripture Reading—Mark 5:21-43—William Eash

Sermon—Believing is Seeing—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn—Healer of Our Every Il— VT 644

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—Go Now in Peace, Worship Continues—VT 829
People with June birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal

*Birthday Blessing and Benediction

Postlude—How Firm a Foundation (arr. by Moyer), Verlene Garber, organ

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ben Lichti

Orientation for New Board, Commission, and Committee Members—June 30: If you are a new member of the Board or a commission or committee at BCMC, you are invited to an orientation to our work together on today, June 30, at 10:45 in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll talk together about new directions for our work following a brief introduction to the structure and function of committees and the Board. There will also be a chance to get acquainted with others; bring your coffee and come a few minutes early for refreshments.

The Next Week at BCMC: June 30—July 7, 2024
Sunday, June 30, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship Service—YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/rUpcB8Ucf9A?feature=share

Monday, July 1, 2024
Church office will be closed today
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
4 p.m. Staff Congregation Relations Committee meeting in Room 14
Thursday, July 4, 2024—Church building will be locked and office closed
Sunday, July 7, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship planned and led by the Senior High Youth Group

The Memorial service for Evelyn Lehman is today, Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow in the fellowship hall. The live-stream link for the service is: https://www.youtube.com/live/X-yJvwA80e0?si=_yaKcJkZNGssl6Hb

Kidron Bethel Village will host its annual Fireworks Extravaganza Thurs., July 4, at 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton. Arrival may begin at 7:30 p.m., and fireworks will begin at sundown. Admission is free. A fun family event featuring games, giveaways, and food for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Kidron Bethel Village Health Care Benevolent Fund.

Roger will be back in BCMC on Monday, July 1 (a little different pattern than usual), staying in Newton until late Wednesday night, July 3. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

Join the Youth in OKC at the First Americans Museum
This coming Friday, July 5, the congregation is encouraged to attend the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City with the BCMC youth. Please arrange carpooling and meet the youth at the museum for a tour from 1-4. Lawrence Hart’s son, Nathan, will be the tour guide. For more information, contact Pastor
Nathan.

BCMC Offering for June 23, 2024 General Fund $13,849.50; Library Reserve Fund $5; Kitchen Fund $19; Solar Fund $2,000; Don Kaufman Memorial $100.

Western District Conference Listening Tour:
On Sunday, July 14, three representatives from Western District Conference – Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Dave Wiebe and Wendy Funk Schrag – will be visiting our congregation as part of WDC’s conference-wide Listening Tour. The purpose of the Listening Tour is to empower the vitality of WDC congregations by hearing their stories, offering ongoing relationship, and supporting congregational witness and mission. For BCMC, this will also be an opportunity to share important stories and hopes for the future (in written form) with our soon-to-be pastor, Joanna Harader.

During BCMC worship on July 14, a representative from the WDC Listening Team will share a brief meditation, then the team will introduce the process for learning about BCMC ministries and hopes for the future. All adults and youth will then be invited to Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School hour to share responses around tables to the following questions.

            1. When have you felt most alive and vibrant as a congregation, or as a participant at BCMC?
            2. What is foundational and reassuring about BCMC that has helped in difficult times (COVID, pastoral transition, etc.)?
            3. What do you hope for the future for your church and what resources from WDC would be helpful for that?

Responses from the table discussions will be shared back with all participants at the end of the SS hour. A summary of themes will be compiled by WDC to share with WDC constituency and used to guide ongoing resourcing for congregations in WDC. A summary will also be shared with Joanna Harader and other members of BCMC leadership.

This listening process can be a very valuable resource, both for WDC and for our new BCMC pastors and leaders. Please plan to attend and participate on Sunday, July 14.

Abuse Prevention and Response Committee (APRC) will be hosting an education time to discuss how we can continue the journey of being a survivor centered congregation. This education opportunity will be held during the Sunday School hour July 21 in Fellowship Hall. Chapter discussion of Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair will be led by members of the APRC committee. The video How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice can be found on YouTube. This is approximately a 40 minute video. Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair can be found at your favorite local bookstore or local library inter library loan. Please contact Bethany Schrag at bethanyjoyschrag@gmail.com if you have questions. We look forward to continuing learning more of how we can best support trauma survivors in our church with you! — APRC Committee

The Memorial service for Marilyn Stucky is planned for Saturday, August 31 at 11 a.m.
If there are date or time changes for this memorial service, we will announce the changes in an email or a bulletin announcement.

Western District Conference Annual Assembly: Is your congregation talking about how to re-imagine faith formation? Send a non-delegate adult (and their child or grandchild) to Annual Assembly. The first 3 hours of the Intergenerational Faith Formation Track will be age-specific, with adults discussing faith formation ideas led by the experienced FMC Beatrice Pastor of Faith Formation, Sarah Neher. The hour after lunch will be intergenerational, putting into practice what we’ve learned. Join us for Annual Assembly, August 2-4, 2024, First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, NE. Register HERE –Registration deadline is July 21.

For more information about Assembly, visit the WDC Assembly webpage. Don’t want to drive to Beatrice? Vans will leave from North Newton on August 2 afternoon. When you register, please mark, “Reserve a seat in the van” for $30 a seat.

If you are interested in being a delegate to the Assembly, contact Jeanette Stucky, Roger Neufeld-Smith or Monica Lichti in the BCMC office.

WDC is looking for two volunteer van drivers to drive two 15 passenger vans with folks who are interested in a ride from North Newton (Bethel College Football Stadium Parking lot) to First Mennonite Church in rural Beatrice, NE for the 2024 Assembly Aug 2-4. The vans will be leaving at 1:30 p.m. Friday and returning after the morning worship service Sunday. The drivers will also need to take their passengers to the Assembly from the hotels and back to start and end the days and will be asked to shuttle over some folks participating in the Intergenerational Faith Formation Track on Saturday as needed at Summit Street Church, which is in town. If you or someone you know (and trust) from your church would be interested in driving one of these vans, please let WDC know, (316-283-6300). Assembly registration for these two individuals will be free.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.

Pastor Nathan’s Extended Summer Vacation
In the fall of 2023, Staff Congregation Relations Committee (SCRC) and Nathan began discussing Nathan’s sabbatical plans. Nathan was eligible for a sabbatical in the summer of 2024, but with uncertainty around the possibility of pastoral transition during the summer of 2024, Nathan offered to postpone his sabbatical until the summer of 2025, given that he could take a long vacation in the summer of 2024. This plan was approved by SCRC in November and the Church Board in December of 2023. So Nathan will be on vacation this summer from July 8-August 10. He will start back up again on the day that Joanna Harader begins her term. Joanna will begin on August 11 and preach on that Bethel College new student orientation Sunday.
A number of different preachers are scheduled while Nathan is gone. July 14 worship and Sunday school will be led by the Western District Listening Group. Sara Dick will preach on July 21. Roger Neufeld Smith will preach on July 28. August 4 will have guest preacher, Trent Voth, from Bethel College. Pastoral care will be provided under the leadership of Elizabeth Schmidt and Roger Neufeld Smith. If you have questions or concerns regarding Nathan’s extended vacation, please contact Nathan or SCRC.

BCMC Library Announcements:· Looking ahead to November, the Library theme for the next few months will be Religion and Politics. We have pulled a few that might help answer questions about our current political climate. A partial display is behind the library desk.
· BOOK SALE June 30, July 7 & 14: The Library Committee has culled books from our collection for several reasons: some to be replaced since they are no longer in good enough shape; some because they no longer fit the needs of our library and some because they were donated books that are already in our collection. Please stop by the table outside of the library and take as many as you are interested in. A donation basket will be available for any size donation that seems appropriate to you.
Happy Summer Reading!!
· BCMC children and youth summer book promotion:
What’s new for children and youth in the BCMC library this summer?
What’s new is old. Your library committee has sorted through the shelves and uncovered some classics. These books may look drab, but they have been loved by many, many children over many years. They are waiting for you on a special shelf in the children’s room. Come check them out. Read them with parents or grandparents who remember reading them. Create new memories. Inside each book you will find a certificate good for one book at “Book Reviews” (Newton’s Main Street used book store). Go to “Book Reviews”. Pick out a book that has been loved by another kid. Read it. Share it. Create more memories.

Summer Story Days are BACK! Stop by the Western District Conference Resource library, 2517 N. Main in North Newton, KS on Saturday July 27 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for Read Alouds; self-guided, come-and-go activities; and opportunities to learn and grow together! Activities geared for ages 3-8 and their families, but open to all ages. Take advantage of these Saturday hours to tour the library and check out resources.

Camp Mennoscah urgently needs 2-3 more kitchen staff for the week of July 7-12 (Junior High II Camp with Derek Klingenberg). David Enns is the head cook. No special skills are needed, just the ability to follow directions and willing hands. Kitchen staff must be at least 18. If you are able to come for part of the week, you are welcome!

Contact Olivia at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org, call 620-297-3290 or text 316-293-7313. You are needed to make this week of camp a good experience for campers and staff alike.

Bluestem Communities will host its annual Dementia Forum at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, July 17, at Kidron Bethel Village’s Kidron Hall, 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton. The event is free and open to the public. Amy Siple, APRN, will present “Understanding Dementia and Caring for Those Who Have It.” The forum is designed to be beneficial for anyone providing care for someone living with dementia, both professional caregivers and family or friends. One Continuing Education (CE) hour available for $15. Those wanting the CE must register for it prior to the forum at bluestemks.org/events.

The Live Wire Stringband, a collection of players with decades performing for audiences throughout the Midwest, play old time fiddle tunes, gospel and traditional songs on the fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass, sometimes harmonica. Come and enjoy lively tunes to make your feet want to move at Kidron Hall Fri., July 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Members of the band: Jesse Graber, son of Charles & Diana Graber of Newton and husband of Ruth Harder, former pastor of BCMC and current pastor of Rainbow Mennonite Church. Steve and Gail Goeke live in rural Missouri, just northeast of KC and are current members of Rainbow Mennonite Church. Bob and Melissa Atchinson live in Manhattan, KS, and Melissa is the current pastor of Manhattan Mennonite Church.

Colorado Peaches are coming! The Palisade peaches on the Western Slope are looking to be a good crop once again. Peaches will be available to order from July 1-31. Orders can be made by contacting the MCC Central States Office at patsydirksen@mcc.org or calling 316-283-2720. Two sizes are available: 9 lbs. for $30 and 18 lbs. for $41. Payment for peaches in the form of cash or checks is due by August 1 to Mennonite Central Committee. Checks should be made payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line. Peaches will be available for pickup from the MCC Office, 121 East 30^th, North Newton, Mon., Aug. 19 (tentative date). This is a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale held in Castle Rock, Colorado, October 18-19.

Commemorating 500 Years of Anabaptism + Swiss Alps Tour. Sites: Lake Geneva, cliffside Murren, Mennonites near Bern, & 500 Year Celebration in Zurich. 9-day tour in late May 2025. Details and registration coming soon. Preview tour at www.tourwithweldon.com Interested? Contact Weldon Martens at weldon.martens@gmail.com / 402-202-9276. Persons registering interest will receive early notification when registration opens.

Bible classes offered on Hesston College’s campus
Lifelong learning is a goal of many individuals. Did you know Hesston encourages community members to enroll in Bible courses? We even have a discounted rate for senior citizen attenders. This coming fall semester we have opportunities to take two Bible classes on campus: Biblical Literature (at two different times) and Missional Leadership on Monday evenings. These classes will only be offered in person this semester. To learn more, visit hesston.edu/bible. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, contact Michele Hershberger at michele.hershberger@hesston.edu.

Registration is open on the swissmennonite.org website for the August 23-25, 2024 Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of our ancestors coming to US in 1874. On the site, click on Registration and Celebration Information and then on Step 1 to register and on “See available seminars” there to see that list. After indicating choice of seminars is an invitation to join the mass choir and a request to indicate which part you sing. On Step 2 you can reserve and/or purchase your ethnic meal on Saturday evening 5:00 provided by Bread Basket in Newton. You can pay here or reserve and pay at the door. If you have difficulty with reservations on the website, you may call Kathy Goering at 316-371-6189 for assistance.

Anyone who likes to sing is invited to join the Mass Choir that sings Sunday morning. Rehearsal is 3:00 on Saturday and Sunday morning 8:30 a.m. You can mark your intentions and your part on the website. Bonita Howard asks you to bring a 3-ring black binder to rehearsals.

For Mennonite Mission Network “News from Around the World” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite World Conference “Info” press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network “Connections” Newsletter press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Menno Snapshots

Having grown up in Texas, Hannah Koester, an attendee at Pasadena Mennonite Church, felt distant from China — her birth country — and her cultural heritage. Her Mennonite faith has helped her feel safe to explore what it means to be Chinese. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/finding-cultural-heritage

Jenna Liechty Martin, executive director at Camp Friedenswald in Cassopolis, Michigan identifies what makes camp such a special place for faith formation. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/camp-life-changing

For Everence Summer edition of “Toolkit” press here

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Kate Widmer, as she helps extend the community outreach ministries of La Prairie (The Prairie) Mennonite Church in France, through a café, a bookstore and building relationships in the Muslim neighborhood in which she lives. Pray for renewal of energy and spiritual insight, as she pours herself out in service.

Western District Conference Prayer Request: We are in the middle of the year 2024 and let’s pray that the rest of the year, His presence will shine upon us. Let’s pray that God will open doors for us and witness the moving of His holy Spirit, whispering to our inner being the desires of God, so that we may arise and move. “Revive your work in the midst of the ages” said Habakkuk. All this we ask as the WDC Church Planting Commission, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Worship Service and Announcements for June 23-30, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCHWORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR
JUNE 23. 2024

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.

To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m., go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click the green button labeled LIVE STREAM on the right side of the screen, which will take you to the worship service. If you get a message in the black box that the video is unavailable, click the gray box below that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”. Anytime after the service concludes, you can watch a recording of the service at your convenience by clicking the same green LIVE STREAM button. Again, you will probably have to go to the gray box that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”. That will transfer you to the BCMC YouTube Channel. You will have to click on the tab “Videos” to see all of the BCMC videos. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service.
OR – click on this link for this Sunday: https://youtube.com/live/R23rw9Ey4jE?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
June 23, 2024

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music–Adagio from Chorale No. 3 in A Minor (CésarFranck)–Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome & Prayer–Lauren Friesen

*Hymn–What is this Place–VT 22

Kin-dom Report–Brad Kohlman

Worship Music–Allegro Moderator (Luigi Boccherini)–Lucy Burch, flute; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

Children’s Conversation–Glen Ediger

Scripture Reading–John 24:36-49; VT 856 selections from 1 Corinthians 12–Judy Harder

*Hymn–There are Many Gifts–VT 374

Sermon–The Living, Broken, Beautiful Body of Christ–Elizabeth Schmidt

*Hymn of Response–Christ Has No Body Here but Ours–VT 568

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn–Christ Be in Your Senses–VT 721

*Benediction

Postlude–Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten (J.S. Bach)

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together    Audio visual—Ben Lichti

Saturday June 22: Memorial service for Charlotte Siemens, 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. Live-stream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/nrsIasteGP8?si=cLVEbHtEyaJ76RPa

The Next Week at BCMC: June 23-30, 2024
Sunday, June 23, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship Service—YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/R23rw9Ey4jE?feature=share

Monday, June 24, 2024
10 a.m. Library Committee meeting in Room 14
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
5:30 pm. Grief Group meeting in BCMC nursery
Thursday, June 27, 2024
6 p.m. Hospitality Commission meeting in Fellowship Hall
Saturday, June 29, 2024
11 a.m. Memorial service for Evelyn Lehman; lunch follows in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, June 30, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Angelika Donaldson

BCMC Offering for June 16, 2024 General Fund $3,032; Kitchen Fund $20; Library Reserve Fund $2; Solar Fund $7,732.54.

We offer sympathy to the family of Marilyn Stucky. Marilyn died June 20 in Newton. Please remember in your prayers her husband LaVern, and their daughters Janelle Unrau and Cindy Beth and their extended families. The memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Abuse Prevention and Response Committee (APRC) will be hosting an education time to discuss how we can continue the journey of being a survivor centered congregation. This education opportunity will be held during the Sunday School hour July 21 in Fellowship Hall. Chapter discussion of Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair will be led by members of the APRC committee. The video How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice can be found on YouTube. This is approximately a 40 minute video. Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair can be found at your favorite local bookstore or local library inter library loan. Please contact Bethany Schrag at bethanyjoyschrag@gmail.com if you have questions. We look forward to continuing learning more of how we can best support trauma survivors in our church with you! — APRC Committee

Future Events at BCMC:
June 29: Memorial service for Evelyn Lehman, 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. Live-stream link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/X-yJvwA80e0?si=_yaKcJkZNGssl6Hb
Evelyn died June 3. See Evelyn’s obituary.

Save the Date: Peace Witness Event, Sept. 15-16
The BCMC Witness Commission is very pleased to announce plans for a peace witness event around Peace Sunday on September 15-16. Our church along with the Bible and Religion Dept. Bethel College and in collaboration with area churches invites you engage with Christianity and Democracy led by well known author, academic, and presenter, David P. Gushee (https://davidpgushee.com).

Roger will be driving back to Topeka Sunday afternoon, June 23. He will be back in BCMC on Monday, July 1 (a little different pattern than usual), staying in Newton until late Wednesday night, July 3. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

Orientation for New Board, Commission, and Committee Members—June 30: If you are a new member of the Board or a commission or committee at BCMC, you are invited to an orientation to our work together on Sunday, June 30, at 10:45 in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll talk together about new directions for our work following a brief introduction to the structure and function of committees and the Board. There will also be a chance to get acquainted with others; bring your coffee and come a few minutes early for refreshments.

The BCMC Solar Energy sub-committee of the BCMC Creation Care Committee would like to update the congregation on the progress of the solar project. As many of you have noticed, most of the solar panels are now installed. Some of the last items, such as the squirrel guard, are being installed this week. Ongoing work with Evergy Electric is proceeding as the solar project enters the final phase of its work. We hope that the project will be finished by the middle of July. Our biggest thanks, as always, goes to the BCMC members who have so faithfully sent in their financial pledges to cover the cost of this “once-in-a-lifetime” BCMC Creation Care project. Hugo Boschmann, for the BCMC solar energy subcommittee.

Pastor Nathan’s Extended Summer Vacation
In the fall of 2023, Staff Congregation Relations Committee (SCRC) and Nathan began discussing Nathan’s sabbatical plans. Nathan was eligible for a sabbatical in the summer of 2024, but with uncertainty around the possibility of pastoral transition during the summer of 2024, Nathan offered to postpone his sabbatical until the summer of 2025, given that he could take a long vacation in the summer of 2024. This plan was approved by SCRC in November and the Church Board in December of 2023. So Nathan will be on vacation this summer from July 8-August 10. He will start back up again on the day that Joanna Harader begins her term.
A number of different preachers are scheduled while Nathan is gone. July 14 worship and Sunday school will be led by the Western District Listening Group. Sara Dick will preach on July 21. Roger Neufeld Smith will preach on July 28 and August 11. August 4 will have guest preacher, Trent Voth, from Bethel College. Pastoral care will be provided under the leadership of Elizabeth Schmidt and Roger Neufeld Smith. If you have questions or concerns regarding Nathan’s extended vacation, please contact Nathan or SCRC.

Western District Conference Annual Assembly: Assembly registration is now open. Register on-line on the WDC webpage. (See below.) Join us at the WDC Annual Assembly, August 2-4, 2024 at First Mennonite Church, rural Beatrice, NE. . Don’t want to drive to Beatrice? Vans will leave from North Newton on August 2 afternoon. When you register, please mark, “Reserve a seat in the van” for $30 a seat. Join us at the WDC Annual Assembly, August 2-4, 2024 at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, NE.
If you are interested in being a delegate to the Assembly, contact Jeanette Stucky, Roger Neufeld-Smith or Monica Lichti in the BCMC office.

Register HERE

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.

Save the Date! Western District Women in Mission’s annual Women’s & Girls’ Retreat will be Sat./Sun. Sept. 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah. The keynote speaker will be Kristine Regehr on the topic of Peaceful Practices. More information and registration info will follow in July. Activities will be available for girls age 5th grade – high school and women of all ages! Come for a time of relaxation, peace, and friendship! Email questions to: westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com.

Summer Story Days are BACK! Stop by the Western District Conference Resource library, 2517 N. Main in North Newton, KS on Saturdays June 29 and July 27 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for Read Alouds; self-guided, come-and-go activities; and opportunities to learn and grow together! Activities geared for ages 3-8 and their families, but open to all ages. Take advantage of these Saturday hours to tour the library and check out resources.

You’re invited! Support a new Mission Network family, Wed., June 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mennonite Mission Center office in downtown Newton, come hear about the work of a new Mennonite Mission Network family. Later this year, Laurel and Ben Woodward-Breckbill, from Newton, will move to Paris, France to be directors of the Paris Mennonite Center. Come hear about the work of the Center, enjoy snacks, and even offer your financial support. Make a giving pledge and you will be entered to win a pair of Kansas City Chiefs tickets! (Las Vegas at Kansas City, Nov. 29, 2024).

Bluestem Communities will host its annual Dementia Forum at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, July 17, at Kidron Bethel Village’s Kidron Hall, 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton, Kan. The event is free and open to the public. Amy Siple, APRN, will present “Understanding Dementia and Caring for Those Who Have It.” The forum is designed to be beneficial for anyone providing care for someone living with dementia, both professional caregivers and family or friends. One Continuing Education (CE) hour available for $15. Those wanting the CE must register for it prior to the forum at bluestemks.org/events.

Mini Blitz at Mennonite Central Committee! Come tie, trim, or bind comforters at the MCC Material Resource Center in North Newton Fri., July 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat., July 13 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring a snack to share and a sack lunch/supper. Drinks will be provided. Beginners are welcome!

The MCC Sale Quilter’s Corner is looking for donations of quilts, quilt tops, fabric, books, magazines and vintage linens for our next sale. We hope to have an October sale if we receive enough donations. Donations can be dropped off at the MCC Center in North Newton labeled for Quilter’s Corner or at Stitches Quilt Shop in McPherson. If you have questions, please contact Ann Yoder Smith at 919-604-3282.

Mennonite Central Committee Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be distributed until each item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies in the Material Resources Center are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by filling the following needs: new infant sleepers (6-12 month sizes); hand towels (dark colored); bar soap; bath towels (dark colored, light to medium weight); wide toothed combs (6-8 inches long); laundry soap (such as Fels Naptha or Zote brands); and shampoo (20 oz min). Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions are always welcome: phone 316-836-5045 or email brociamueller@mcc.org A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.

Commemorating 500 Years of Anabaptism + Swiss Alps Tour. Sites: Lake Geneva, cliffside Murren, Mennonites near Bern, & 500 Year Celebration in Zurich. 9-day tour in late May 2025. Details and registration coming soon. Preview tour at www.tourwithweldon.com Interested? Contact Weldon Martens at weldon.martens@gmail.com / 402-202-9276. Persons registering interest will receive early notification when registration opens.

Stories for 150th Swiss Volhynian Mennonite Celebration August 23-25, at Eden Mennonite Church. There is still time to send a story of your grandfolks to Brian Adams (smolts123@yahoo.com) or his daughter Casey (cpadams992@gmail.com) for their collection to be available at celebration.
Don Kaufman and Larry Stucky are collecting old photos to display at the 150th. Please send copies or scans to donbon@mtelco.net or cstucky@mtelco.net with identification.

For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” click here
For KIPCOR Newsletter press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Representatives of Native Mennonite Ministries, a Mennonite Church USA Indigenous assembly composed of three congregations in Montana and Oklahoma, recently gathered for their biannual business meeting in Billings, Montana. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/native-menno-ministries

Menno Snapshots

Chris Meyer, stewardship investing advocacy and research manager at Everence, reflects on his passion for creation care, on behalf of Everence and his own family, reminding us how much we all have invested in caring for creation — and how rarely we stop to bask in its glory. Read his reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/guided-by-wonder

After years of avoiding pastoral ministry, Jen Shenk, campus pastor at Goshen College, felt a calling that she needed to say “yes” to. Her position as campus pastor officially began on Aug. 1, 2023, after she served as interim pastor in April and May 2023. Read about her calling here: mennoniteusa.org/vocation-spiritual-lens

Despite feeling some discomfort with the Letter to the Hebrews and the idea of writing a commentary, Debra Bucher just released her Believers Church Bible Commentary on Hebrews. She shares her principles and how she worked through the discomfort here: mennoniteusa.org/discomfort-way-forward

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Martine Audéoud works in administrative and teaching roles for several international theology and global leadership formation doctoral programs. Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for her and her family as they move from France to Côte d’Ivoire, where the family previously lived and where her son, 16-year-old, Samuel, feels at home. Samuel experienced bullying in his school in France.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for the WDC Gifts Discernment Committee, as they discern nominees for new leadership positions to be elected at WDC annual assembly.

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR JUNE 16-23, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR
JUNE 16, 2024–HAPPY FATHER’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.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
June 16, 2024
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—For the Beauty of the Earth (arr. Rice)– Meghann Rogers

Welcome & Prayer—Jim Robb

*Hymn—Summoned By the God Who Made Us—VT 1

Children’s Conversation—Jill Robb, Emma Gering

Kin-dom Report—Jill Robb

Worship Music—Shooting Stars (Naoko Ikeda)–Abby Koontz, piano

*Hymn–Could It Be That God Is Singing–VT 42

Scripture Reading—Genesis 1:26-28, 31a; Luke 4:16-21—Jeanette & George Leary

Sermon—Given Color, Given Balance—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn–We Are One in the Spirit–VT 387

Welcome of New Members—VT 961 Hennie & Mark Janzen, Pauletta and Stan Brodhagen

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn–Sing a New World Into Being—VT 809

*Benediction
Postlude—Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum (Debussy)– Meghann Rogers

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—John Thiesen

BCMC Welcomes new members this Sunday, June 16! For the Faith Statements of these new members, press here .

The Next Week at BCMC: June 16-23, 2024
Sunday, June 16, 2024—Happy Father’s Day!
9:30 a.m. Worship Service—YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/xd7zlx2WRzM?feature=share

Tuesday, June 18, 2024
4:30 p.m. Faith Formation Commission meeting by Zoom
Wednesday, June 19, 2024—Juneteenth
Church office will be closed; church building will be locked in honor of the federal holiday Juneteenth
Thursday, June 20, 2024
7 p.m. Deacon Commission meeting in Room 14
Saturday, June 22, 2024
11 a.m. Memorial service for Charlotte Siemens; lunch follows in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, June 23, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Elizabeth Schmidt; music by Lucy Burch

All are welcome to a free concert at Friends University – Alumni Auditorium on Saturday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. TREASURES OF DARKNESS: a choir concert to benefit Ukrainian refugees and the oppressed poor in Hungary. The Church of the Savior Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. William Eash, will feature two world premiers: “I Will Go Before You” by Hungarian composer David Magda, and “Treasures of Darkness” by Wichita composer Miriam Overholt. A freewill offering will benefit Ukrainian refugees and Hungarian poor.

BCMC Offering for June 9, 2024 General Fund $15,956; Columbarium Fund $2,000; Library Reserve Fund $16; Kitchen Fund $13; Women’s Fellowship $50; Mission Quilters $200; Solar Fund $1,080.

Roger Neufeld Smith will be back in Newton on June 19. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

John Waltner’s mobile “Pride” has been installed in the south entrance.
Inspiration for this metal sculpture comes from a phrase in the hymn, We Are One in the Spirit, “…and we’ll guard each one’s dignity, and save each one’s pride” — BCMC Visual Arts Committee

Future Events at BCMC:
· June 22: Memorial service for Charlotte Siemens, 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. Live-stream link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/nrsIasteGP8?si=cLVEbHtEyaJ76RPa
· June 29: Memorial service for Evelyn Lehman, 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow.
   Live-stream link:
   https://www.youtube.com/live/X-yJvwA80e0?si=_yaKcJkZNGssl6Hb

We offer sympathy to the family of Elvera Katharine Voth. Elvera died June 9 at Kidron Bethel Village. She was 100 years old. She was the aunt of Margaret Hiebert. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Orientation for New Board, Commission, and Committee Members—June 30: If you are a new member of the Board or a commission or committee at BCMC, you are invited to an orientation to our work together on Sunday, June 30, at 10:45 in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll talk together about new directions for our work following a brief introduction to the structure and function of committees and the Board. There will also be a chance to get acquainted with others; bring your coffee and come a few minutes early for refreshments.

CARE CONNECTIONS, sponsored by Deacon Commission, offers a variety of opportunities for extending care.  Do you enjoy conversation? In-person visiting? Visiting by phone? Writing caring messages in cards, email or text? Preparing food or care packages? Delivering food or care packages? Individualized creative care possibilities? To learn more, express interest, or share ideas, please contact Elizabeth Schmidt, Pastor for Congregational Care.

From the Abuse Prevention and Response CommitteeAPRC will be hosting an education time to discuss how we can continue the journey of being a survivor centered congregation. This education opportunity will be held during the Sunday School hour June 16 and July 21 in Fellowship Hall. In preparation for the June 16th discussion please watch the following short video from the 2023 “Here and Now” interview with Judith Herman.

June 16- Overview of the YouTube video How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice with Judith Herman
July 21- Chapter discussion of Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair

Discussion will be led by members of the APRC committee.
The YouTube Video How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice can be found on YouTube here. This is approximately a 40 minute video. Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair can be found at your favorite local bookstore or local library inter library loan.
Any questions? Please contact Bethany Schrag at bethanyjoyschrag@gmail.com.
We look forward to continuing learning more of how we can best support trauma survivors in our church with you!
APRC Committee

Link to the short video from “Here and Now”
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/05/16/judith-herman-abuse-survivors

An announcement from the Indigenous Task Force

GOING BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Having read Unsettling Truths, you are invited to participate in a Zoom meeting with the author, Mark Charles, on June 13, 2024, at Kidron Bethel Village, Classroom A, 3001 Ivy Drive, North Newton, KS, at 7 pm. A BIG question for Mark to answer -“How do we use and become the four elements – earth, fire, water, and air – to facilitate change?” Since Mark ran for President in 2020, we hope he will focus his suggestions for change in the political system.

Kaw Nation Intertribal Powwow at Allegawaho Park and Performance Pavilion, Council Grove, Kansas on June 21 and 22, 7:30 p.m.

June 22 REMATRIATION CELEBRATION AT COUNCIL GROVE: Kaw Nation would like to invite you to join the Rematriation Celebration commemorating the return of Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe to the people of the Kaw Nation. The event will take place on Saturday, June 22 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park just outside of Council Grove, Kansas. If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please complete this: Volunteer Interest Survey. Please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested. If you have questions concerning the project, or return of Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe to Kaw Nation, please refer to the project’s website, http://www.sacredredrock.com Respectfully, The Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe Leadership Team
— Raylene Hinz-Penner, Indigenous Task Force

Pastor Nathan’s Extended Summer Vacation

In the fall of 2023, SCRC and Nathan began discussing Nathan’s sabbatical plans. Nathan was eligible for a sabbatical in the summer of 2024, but with uncertainty around the possibility of pastoral transition during the summer of 2024, Nathan offered to postpone his sabbatical until the summer of 2025, given that he could take a long vacation in the summer of 2024. This plan was approved by SCRC in November and the Church Board in December of 2023. So Nathan will be on vacation this summer from July 8-August 10. He will start back up again on the day that Joanna Harader begins her term.

A number of different preachers are scheduled while Nathan is gone. July 14 worship and Sunday school will be led by the Western District Listening Group. Sara Dick will preach on July 21. Roger Neufeld Smith will preach on July 28 and August 11. August 4 will have guest preacher, Trent Voth, from Bethel College. Pastoral care will be provided under the leadership of Elizabeth Schmidt and Roger Neufeld Smith. If you have questions or concerns regarding Nathan’s extended vacation, please contact Nathan or SCRC.

Western District Conference Annual Assembly: Here are a few of the workshops (in-person, virtual and hybrid) waiting for you at Annual Assembly, many of which reflect on authentic community – MennoMedia Highlights, “Mind the Gap: Adaptive Change in Your Congregation,” “Congregational Glimpses into Racial Justice,” “WDC Listening Process: What We’re Hearing,” “Internal to External Communication,” a tour of Homestead National Historical Park, and more. Join us at the WDC Annual Assembly, August 2-4, 2024 at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, NE. Register HERE

If you are interested in being a delegate to the Assembly, contact Jeanette Stucky, Roger Neufeld-Smith or Monica Lichti in the BCMC office.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements .

Save the Date! Western District Women in Mission’s annual Women’s & Girls’ Retreat will be Sat./Sun. Sept. 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah. The keynote speaker will be Kristine Regehr on the topic of Peaceful Practices. More information and registration info will follow in July. Activities will be available for girls age 5th grade – high school and women of all ages! Come for a time of relaxation, peace, and friendship! Email questions to: westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com.

Summer Story Days are BACK! Stop by the Western District Conference Resource library, 2517 N. Main in North Newton, KS on Saturdays June 29 and July 27 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for Read Alouds; self-guided, come-and-go activities; and opportunities to learn and grow together! Activities geared for ages 3-8 and their families, but open to all ages. Take advantage of these Saturday hours to tour the library and check out resources.

You’re invited! Support a new Mission Network family. On Wednesday, June 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Mennonite Mission Center office in downtown Newton, come hear about the work of a new Mennonite Mission Network family. Later this year, Laurel and Ben Woodward-Breckbill, from Newton, will move to Paris, France to be directors of the Paris Mennonite Center. On the 26th you can hear about the work of the Center, enjoy snacks, and even offer your financial support. Make a giving pledge and you will be entered to win a pair of Kansas City Chiefs tickets! (Las Vegas at Kansas City, November 29, 2024). Can’t make it in person? Make a pledge here. See you there!

Dear Intersections readers:

Greetings! I am happy to announce the publication online of the summer 2024 issue of Intersections on the topic of humanitarian standards. The issue can be found here. Compiled by Annie Loewen and Warren Climenhaga, this issue examines the importance of humanitarian standards to which Mennonite Central Committee and peer organizations seek to be accountable. Authors examine how these humanitarian standards shape MCC work in contexts such as Cuba, Ukraine, multiple contexts in the Middle East, and southern Africa. As always, your thoughts and questions about Intersections are always welcome!

Alain Epp Weaver

Mennonite Central Committee Peace and Justice Journal

After more than 70 years of separation, reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula might seem impossible, particularly as U.S. foreign policy continues to prioritize military solutions to conflict around the world. But hope persists as seeds of peace are stubbornly planted and nurtured.The Spring/Summer 2024 Peace & Justice Journal explores opportunities for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, and contains worship resources and actions you can take.

150th Swiss Volhynian Celebration August 23-25, 2024
People are starting to ask what is happening at the August event. Information is on the swissmennonite.org website. People can register now already and sign up for the ethnic meal and indicate their choices for the nine seminars.

For the webinar “From Genesis to Publication: An Anabaptist Community Bible Webinar”, June 20, 3 p.m. press here

Understanding Dementia and Caring for those who have it
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Kidron Hall at Kidron Bethel Village | 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton, Kansas
Doors open at 6 p.m. | Program – 6:30 p.m.Information booths open 6 to 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 8 p.m.

Understanding dementia is key to being able to care for those who have it. The 2024 Bluestem Communities Dementia Forum will:Review the most common types of dementia.Help participants understand why challenging neuropsychiatric symptoms (behaviors) occur.Explore strategies for the best way to interact with someone with dementia.Receive tips for de-escalating someone with agitation. The presentation is free to attend and will be beneficial to anyone who cares for people living with dementia, including everyone from in-home family caregivers to professionals. Continuing Education units (CE’s) are available for those who desire them. Register for CE’s here. Learn more here. Call 316-836-4866 with questions.

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements

Mennonite Church USA’s Church Vitality office and Everence have completed their annual update of the Pastor Salary Guidelines for 2024-2025. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/salary-guidelines

Menno Snapshots

Janet Szabo, a member of Mountain View Mennonite Church, shares how after a period of declining attendance, Mountain View Mennonite Church is experiencing a spring new life, through active church participation from adults and children alike. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/spring-garden-creation

Amid the climate crisis, Douglas Day Kaufman, executive director of Anabaptist Climate Collaborative, finds wild, grounded hope in the gospel of all creatures — in the tiny Caddisfly larva and in the body of Christ. Read his reflection here: mennoniteusa.org/gospel-all-creatures

Sara Gurulé, constituent engagement representative for Mennonite Mission Network, MC USA’s mission agency, shares her grief about climate change and how the systems of greed and power have affected the places she calls home. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/complex-grief-climateMennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: On this Father’s Day, join Mennonite Mission Network personnel in praying for fathers around the world, especially those who lack the support needed 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 WDC congregations recovering from damage from storms, that they would experience God’s presence and strength and also be a witness of caring and compassion in their community.

Worship service and announcements for June 9-16 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR
JUNE 9, 2024

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.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
June 9, 2024

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music–When Morning Guilds the Skies (arr. Raymond Haan)–Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome—Brad Kohlman

Land Acknowledgement

Prayer

Hymn—Let Us Build a House—VT 36

Children’s Conversation—Adam Robb

Kin_dom Report—Mennonite Mission Network—Don Kempf and George Thompson

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 32:1-5, 8-9—Brad Kohlman

Special Music—Rebecca Schloneger

Gospel Readings—Matthew 18:15-20 and John 20:19-23

Sermon—Cheap Forgiveness— Roger Neufeld Smith

Hymn—Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands—VT 485

Prayers of God’s People

Hymn—Sing a New World into Being—VT 809

Benediction

Postlude–Prelude in G Major, BWV 550a (J.S. Bach)

——————————————————————————————————————————
Audio-visual – Francis Toews and Ben Lichti

GOING BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
–Having read Unsettling Truths, you are invited to participate in a Zoom meeting with the author, Mark Charles, on June 13, 2024, at Kidron Bethel Village, Classroom A, 3001 Ivy Drive, North Newton, KS, at 7 pm. A BIG question for Mark to answer -“How do we use and become the four elements – earth, fire, water, and air – to facilitate change?” Since Mark ran for President in 2020, we hope he will focus his suggestions for change in the political system.
–Kaw Nation Intertribal Powwow at Allegawaho Park and Performance Pavilion, Council Grove, Kansas on June 21 and 22, 7:30 p.m.
–BCMC has joined in supporting Oak Flat’s attempt to save Apache Stronghold by signing onto an amicus brief in support of religious freedom..
–BCMC youth plan a visit to the First Americans Museum in OKC in July
–Mennonite Action event May 24: Land, Palestine, and Indigenous Solidarity. Sarah Augustine, co-founder and Executive Director of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, Samiha Hureini, co-founder of the Youth of Sumud movement, and activist Ali Awad explored how land and body are deeply entwined—and how one can not simply “leave” for another home. You may watch the recording here.

Land Acknowledgement from words by Mark Charles and VT #878
As we do on the first Sunday of each month,
  we acknowledge that we worship
  on the land of the Kanza, Osage, and Wichita.
We thank them for their care and respect for this land
  and acknowledge the injustice of their forced removal.
We ask the Spirit to heal our histories
  and find new paths of right relationships with them
  and all of creation.

The Next Week at BCMC: June 9-16, 2024
Sunday, June 9, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship Service—YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/kjDjhoL8Cx0?feature=share
Monday, June 10, 2024
10 a.m.          Library Committee meeting in Room 14
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
11 a.m           Staff meeting
Sunday, June 16, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Abby Koontz

Future Events at BCMC:
· June 22: Memorial service for Charlotte Siemens, 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. The service will be live-streamed.
· June 29: Memorial service for Evelyn Lehman, 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow.
   The service will be live-streamed.

BCMC Offering for May 26, 2024 General Fund $5,607; Plant Fund $50; Sr Hi Youth $1679; Caring Fund $50; Library Reserve Fund $60; Kitchen Fund $8; Women’s Fellowship $275; Solar Fund $14,000.
BCMC Offering for June 2, 2024  General Fund $480; Solar Fund $1,000.

Roger Neufeld Smith will be driving back to Topeka on Sunday, June 9. He will be back in Newton on June 19. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

Congratulations to Mark Kreider!  Mark graduated last month from the University of Montana with a PhD in Forest and Conservation Science. He is still in Missoula, MT and just recently began a job with the Nature Conservancy studying mature and old growth forests.

APRC will be hosting an education time to discuss how we can continue the journey of being a survivor centered congregation. This education opportunity will be held during the Sunday School hour June 16 and July 21 in Fellowship Hall.

June 16– Overview of the YouTube video How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice with Judith Herman
July 21– Chapter discussion of Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair

Discussion will be led by members of the APRC committee.

The YouTube Video How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice can be found on YouTube here. This is approximately a 40 minute video. Judith Herman’s book Truth and Repair can be found at your favorite local bookstore or local library inter library loan.

Any questions? Please contact Bethany Schrag at bethanyjoyschrag@gmail.com.

We look forward to continuing learning more of how we can best support trauma survivors in our church with you!
— APRC Committee

Save the Date: Peace Witness Event, Sept. 15-16

The BCMC Witness Commission is very pleased to announce plans for a peace witness event around Peace Sunday on September 15-16. Our church along with the Bible and Religion Dept. Bethel College and in collaboration with area churches invites you engage with Christianity and Democracy let by well known author, academic, and presenter, David P. Gushee (https://davidpgushee.com).

Gushee will be providing the sermon and Sunday school discussion at BCMC on Sunday morning, September 15. The afternoon events at Memorial Hall include a keynote address, question and dialogue panel response, table discussion groups, and a closing keynote address. On Sept.16, Gushee will present at Convocation at BC followed by a lunch with area pastors and time with BC in the classroom in the afternoon. Funding for this event is provided by excess benevolences from the 2023 BCMC budget.

Please reserve this date on your calendar and spread the word! You are also encouraged to obtain Gushee’s most recent book, Defending Democracy from its Christian Enemies. Read it, study it in Sunday School, discuss it with friends and neighbors. Let’s help to bring important aspects of democracy in focus as we near the presidential election and proceed with faithfulness. As Gushee writes,“The Baptists [Anabaptists] insisted that the way Jesus made disciples was by teaching and persuasion, not by coercion. They held that government has no competence in religion, and when it seeks to enforce faith it creates wars of religion and hypocrites who claim a faith they do not actually hold.” We hope that we can be a witness to peace in these times where it seems like the confluence of religion and government are leading to death and destruction.

Greeters urgently needed: An easy way to help people feel welcome at BCMC is to be a greeter. Greeters provide a cheery “good morning” at one of the church doors as people enter for Sunday morning worship, directing them to the sanctuary and helping visitors with other simple questions they might have. You don’t have to know everyone by name – just be ready to share a smile and be helpful. If you would be willing to serve (even once every couple of months) please call (316-283-3342), email (marlene.violet@gmail.com) or talk to Marlene Faul, chair of the Hospitality Commission.

If you like coffee on Sunday mornings (and who doesn’t), help ensure that the coffee keeps perking through the summer months. Sign up on the clipboard on the coffee table to make or serve coffee once or twice this summer, or call (316-283-3342), email (marlene.violet@gmail.com) or talk to Marlene Faul, chair of the Hospitality Commission. Instructions on how to use the coffee makers, etc., will be provided.

Western District Conference Annual Assembly: Assembly registration is now open. Register on-line on the WDC webpage. Join us at the WDC Annual Assembly, August 2-4, 2024 at First Mennonite Church, rural Beatrice, NE. For more information about Assembly, visit the WDC Assembly webpage. Click on the WDC link below for the website and registration information. If you are interested in being a delegate to the Assembly, contact Jeanette Stucky, Roger Neufeld-Smith or Monica Lichti in the BCMC office.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.

Save the Date! Western District Women in Mission’s annual Women’s & Girls’ Retreat will be Saturday/Sunday September 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah. The keynote speaker will be Kristine Regehr on the topic of Peaceful Practices. More information and registration info will follow in July. Activities will be available for girls age 5th grade – high school and women of all ages! Come for a time of relaxation, peace, and friendship! Questions? Email westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com.

Summer Story Days are BACK! Stop by the Western District Conference Resource library, 2517 N. Main in North Newton, KS on Saturdays June 29 and July 27 from 10 a.m.-7p.m. for Read Alouds; self-guided, come-and-go activities; and opportunities to learn and grow together! Activities geared for ages 3-8 and their families, but open to all ages. Take advantage of these Saturday hours to tour the library and check out resources.

Enrollment is open for Uncle Carl’s Camp at Kauffman Museum at Bethel College. Half-day camps are offered in art, history and nature for kids ages 4-18. Go to www.kauffmanmuseum.org/uncle-carls-camp/ for more information about camps with space still available, and to register online.

Everence® will hold an informative Social Security and retirement income workshop Tues., June 18, 6:30 p.m. at the Everence office: 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton. Topics will include, Social Security strategies, including when to begin taking benefits, risks that can impact your retirement savings plus strategies to help your income last throughout retirement. There will also be plenty of time for questions. The in-person workshop will be Information 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.

CARE CONNECTIONS, sponsored by Deacon Commission, offers a variety of opportunities for extending care. Do you enjoy conversation? In-person visiting? Visiting by phone? Writing caring messages in cards, email or text? Preparing food or care packages? Delivering food or care packages? Individualized creative care possibilities? To learn more, express interest, or share ideas, please contact Elizabeth Schmidt, Pastor for Congregational Care.

BCMC Prayer Network: The Prayer Network is an email-based prayer network comprised of Deacon Commission members and BCMC congregants. Participants make a one-year commitment to this prayer ministry which is coordinated by Pastors and the Office and Facilities Manager. Pastors respond to prayer requests and determine when and how these requests are distributed. Specific prayer requests are shared only with the permission of the person(s) involved. If you would like to join the BCMC prayer network, please email your interest to office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. Thanks to all who serve BCMC in the Prayer Network.

You are invited to attend the dedication and celebration of the new Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Cabinet Shop and Warehouse, Sun., June 9 at 604 E. Main St., Goessel, KS from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.  During the celebration, we will offer tours of the cabinet shop and warehouse, and an opportunity to learn more about this innovative MDS initiative to draft and distribute kitchen cabinets to be installed in MDS volunteer-built homes across the U.S. We have already distributed cabinets to more than 75 homes. Also featured will be a fundraising concert at 5:30 p.m. by September River, a family band featuring Jude and Doug Krehbiel and daughter Stefanie (Krehbiel) Giffin. The band incorporates elements of bluegrass, gospel, blues, acoustic rock, Irish, and folk music. The MDS Storm Encounter will also be on hand for those who want to experience a simulated tornado—then see how MDS volunteers respond to bring hope to communities impacted by disaster. 

June 9, at 7:00 pm at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, Ks, Arlin Buller will present “Roots & Fruits: A Timeline of History.”

Buller will place the story of the Przechowko Mennnonites, later the Alexanderwohl, Hoffnungsau and Lone Tree congregations, in historical context through the use of a timeline he created.
All are welcome!
A 150th Celebration Event
Free Event.

Hesston College Announcement
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.

You’re invited to Concert on the Concrete, June 9, 5 p.m. Featuring Newton Senior Center’s Golden Notes Choir, along with a sing along, in the parking lot across from the Senior Center, 122 E. 6th, Newton. If rain, the concert will move inside. Free will offering to be used for building renovations.

Mennonite Mission Network “Tell us what inspires you” survey press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

For Mennonite Central Committee “In Touch” press here
For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here

For Mennonite Church USA webinar “Navigating your protection policy during crisis” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements

Mennonite Church USA is launching two new podcasts, aimed at encouraging and equipping today’s pastors and congregational leaders. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/podcasts

Mennonite Church USA’s Climate Justice Ministry is receiving applications for the Pam De Young Net Zero Energy Fund grant, from now through June 15, 2024. The Pam De Young Net Zero Energy Fund provides funds to MC USA congregations seeking to install solar panels, car charging stations or other forms of renewable energy. The term, “net zero energy,” describes buildings or communities that generate enough energy to meet their own needs. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/green-energy-grants View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/slide/deyoung View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/pdf/deyoung

Menno Snapshots

Pasadena Mennonite Church helped foster Celeste Sharp’s passion for the environment. This interest has led Celeste to pursue an education in agroecology, with hopes of providing people with more sustainable food systems and practices. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/agroecology-food

Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive MC USA’s blogs, news and resources in one weekly email. Subscribe to PeaceMail here: mennoniteusa.org/peacemail

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Today, Mennonite Mission Network’s board members are worshiping in congregations in the Newton, Kansas, area, after a weekend of meetings. Pray for the board members, as they work to implement what they have discerned as the future directions for the agency.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom for WDC pastors and congregations who are concluding ministry relationships or beginning a new season of ministry together.

Worship service and announcements for June 2-9, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
June 2, 2024

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.

VBS Worship on the green, June 2: On Sunday Morning, June 2, all participating VBS congregations are invited to a joint worship service on the Bethel College green. Come worship with the VBS participants and celebrate everything we learned together! Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and a dish or two to share for the potluck to follow. Worship will begin at 10:30 am. In case of rain, we will gather in Memorial Hall. See you at worship!
There will be no worship service at the Bethel College Mennonite Church building this Sunday June 2.

You are invited to a congregational potluck picnic on Monday, June 3, 5:30 p.m. hosted by Hugo and Mary Ann Boschmann and Ron and Carol Peters, in the Boschmann backyard at 304 Witmarsum West, North Newton. The main entree (with a gluten free option) and beverage will be provided as well as tableware Bring your lawn chair or blanket and a “dish to share”.

This week at Bethel College Mennonite Church
Sunday, June 2, 2024
10:30 a.m. Vacation Bible School Worship on the Bethel College Green–No worship service in the BCMC building
Monday, June 3, 2024
5:30 p.m. Potluck Picnic at Hugo and Mary Ann Boschmann’s home, 304 Witmarsum West, North Newton.
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
11 a.m. Staff Meeting
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
5:30 p.m. Grief Group in the BCMC Nursery
Thursday, June 6, 2024
7 p.m. Church Board meeting in Room 14
Sunday, June 9, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Roger Neufeld Smith; music by Rebecca Schloneger; Kin-dom report by Mennonite Mission Network

Roger Neufeld Smith will be back in Newton on June 5. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

In regards to a recent announcement in the Western District Conference News & Updates email , the WDC Israel Palestine Task Force wants to pass along the following:

Tareq Abuhalima was recently awarded a volunteer internship with Churches for Middle East Peace in Washington, DC. A week after he accepted this internship, Tareq was offered another paid internship with an auto-parts manufacturing company called SumiRiko, in Bluffton, Ohio. The internship with SumiRiko, will sponsor his H1b visa application when his current visa expires in 2025. For this reason, Tareq will not be working for Churches for Middle East Peace in DC this summer.

We apologize for the confusion this creates regarding contributions made to Tareq’s initial internship in DC. Those who have already contributed to the Churches for Middle East Peace internship will be contacted by Tareq. You will have the option of a refund or to donate the funding to his family in Gaza who are currently living in tents on one of the beaches.

Thank you for your on-going support for Tareq and his family.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.

Greeters urgently needed: An easy way to help people feel welcome at BCMC is to be a greeter. Greeters provide a cheery “good morning” at one of the church doors as people enter for Sunday morning worship, directing them to the sanctuary and helping visitors with other simple questions they might have. You don’t have to know everyone by name – just be ready to share a smile and be helpful. If you would be willing to serve (even once every couple of months) please call (316-283-3342), email (marlene.violet@gmail.com) or talk to Marlene Faul, chair of the Hospitality Commission.

If you like coffee on Sunday mornings (and who doesn’t), help ensure that the coffee keeps perking through the summer months. Sign up on the clipboard on the coffee table to make or serve coffee once or twice this summer, or call (316-283-3342), email (marlene.violet@gmail.com) or talk to Marlene Faul, chair of the Hospitality Commission. Instructions on how to use the coffee makers, etc., will be provided.

BCMC Prayer Network: The Prayer Network is an email-based prayer network comprised of Deacon Commission members and BCMC congregants. Participants make a one-year commitment to this prayer ministry which is coordinated by Pastors and the Office and Facilities Manager. Pastors respond to prayer requests and determine when and how these requests are distributed. Specific prayer requests are shared only with the permission of the person(s) involved. If you would like to join the BCMC prayer network, please email your interest to office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. Thanks to all who serve BCMC in the Prayer Network.

CARE CONNECTIONS, sponsored by Deacon Commission, offers a variety of opportunities for extending care. Do you enjoy conversation? In-person visiting? Visiting by phone? Writing caring messages in cards, email or text? Preparing food or care packages? Delivering food or care packages? Individualized creative care possibilities? To learn more, express interest, or share ideas, please contact Elizabeth Schmidt, Pastor for Congregational Care.

If you have read Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing of The Doctrine Of Discovery by Mark Charles, you are invited to participate in a Zoom meeting with the author, Mark Charles, June 13, at Kidron Bethel Village, Classroom A, at 7 p.m. A small group of readers have developed a BIG question for Mark to answer — “How do we use and become the four elements—earth, fire, water, and air—to facilitate change?” Since Mark Charles ran for president in 2020, we hope he will focus his suggestions for change in the political system. If you have questions contact Naomi Krause at naomikrause@gmail.com

Bluestem Communities will host a Vintage and Antique Car Show at Kidron Bethel Village (3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Friday June 7, and at Schowalter Villa’s Mullet Place parking lot )445 S. Main St., Hesston) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 15. Admission is free. Come enjoy memories and reminiscing with friends and family. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Bethel College Announcements
· Sat., June 1 – An outdoor trifecta! 6 a.m.-8 p.m., the public is invited to Walk Sand Creek Trail Day, part of National Trails Day®. Water will be available for people and leashed dogs at the trailhead at Memorial Grove on the Bethel College campus, courtesy of the Sand Creek Trail Committee, with members there to answer any questions about the trail. At 7 a.m. the Kauffman Museum monthly bird walk, led by experienced local birders; At 9 a.m. the Kauffman Museum-sponsored wildflower walk with Brad Guhr of Dyck Arboretum in Hesston. The bird walk begins at the kiosk in the museum parking lot at the corner of North Main and 27th streets in North Newton, the wildflower walk begins at the museum, and both walks will follow part of Sand Creek Trail.
· Enrollment is open for Uncle Carl’s Camp at Kauffman Museum at Bethel College. Half-day camps are offered in art, history and nature for kids ages 4-18. New this year is Creative Writing Camp for students finishing grades 7-12, with instructor Lydia Chappell Deckert. The writing camp starts June 3, so sign up soon! Go to www.kauffmanmuseum.org/uncle-carls-camp/ for more information about this and other camps with space still available, and to register online.

Hesston College Announcements

June 6 and 20 – Dyck Arboretum of the Plains Summer Music Nights
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.June 6: Hearts 4 Him is a dynamic Gospel ensemble based in central Kansas. The nine-member group was formed in 2001 and has performed on stages large and small in the central states area.June 20: The Sassanachs are a high energy band with a heavy Irish influence. When you come to a show, you will be taken on a journey around the world with polka, country, mariachi and Ukrainian tunes mixed in.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.

For Mennonite Mission Network “News from around the world” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “Seeds of Peace” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “We are better together” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite World Conference “Info” press here

Prairie View’s FIRST EVER Day of Giving!

On June 6, 2024, Prairie View is having its first Day of Giving! A 24-hour online giving day to raise funds for current projects. Every action, no matter how small, can make a HUGE impact on the lives of those we serve. Support our current projects:1. Sanctuary on the Prairie: A new crisis stabilization community at the Newton Campus.2. The Behavioral Urgent Care Hospital to aid in crisis stabilization and early intervention.3. Infrastructure maintenance to ensure the safety, comfort and effectiveness of care for patients. Make a gift today and become a Mental Health Champion at Prairie View!

Give now!

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: In California, where Mennonite Mission Network’s San Francisco MVS unit is located, many people who have full-time jobs are not able to pay rent on a one-bedroom apartment. Most of the MVS participants are working with agencies that provide low-income housing. They ask that we pray and work to transform the unjust systems that cause homelessness.

Western District Conference Prayer Request; Pray for the WDC Annual Assembly planning team, as they prepare for our annual conference gathering August 2-4 at First Mennonite Church in Beatrice, NE on the theme Nos Transformamos en Comunidad / In Community We Transform.

Mennonite Church USA Announcements

Peaceful Options for Training and Careers (POTC) has launched a website where young adults across the U.S. can find information about non-military careers, service and training opportunities. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/potc-website/

On June 18 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, join Nancy Kauffmann, Mennonite Church USA interim denominational minister of Church Safety, Michael Danner, MC USA associate executive director for Church Vitality and Ben Woodward-Breckbill, associate pastor at Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton, Kansas, as they address topics related to Safe Church protection policies and navigating through a crisis. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/webinar/registration-safe-jun18 View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/slide/safe-webinar-june View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/pdf/safe-webinar-june

Worship service and announcements for May 26-June 2, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOR MAY 26, 2024

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.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
May 26, 2024

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music— ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (arr. Harold DeCou)—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome—Elizabeth Schmidt

*Hymn—The Love of Go—VT 162

Children’s Conversation—Carol Flickinger

Old Testament Reading–Isaiah 6:1-8—Megan Leary & Ron Flickinger

Special Music—Largo from Xerxes (Handel, arr. Mittel)—Joan Griffing, violin, Will Wiebe-Friesen, organ

Gospel Reading, part 1—John 3:1-9

*Hymn—As the Wind Song through the Trees—VT 373

Gospel Reading, part 2—John 3:9-17

Sermon—A Faith Worth Dying For—Roger Neufeld Smith

*Hymn of Response—God of Grace and God of Glory—VT 716

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—When We Walk with the Lord—VT 570
People with April and May birthdays come forward for a blessing,
please bring a hymnal

Birthday Blessing & Benediction

Postlude –Christ ist erstanden (JS Bach)—Will Wiebe-Friesen

*You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual— John Thiesen

The Next Week at BCMC: May 26-June 2, 2024
Sunday, May 26, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship Service—YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/A-9vgBiF2r0?feature=share

Monday, May 27, 2024—Memorial Day
Church building will be locked; church office closed
Tuesday, May 28, 2024—Vacation Bible School
3:45 p.m. Worship Commission meeting by Zoom
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
5:30—6:30 p.m. Grief Group meets in the BCMC Nursery
Saturday, June 1, 2024
11 a.m. Memorial service for Howard Schmidt in the Sanctuary
Sunday, June 2, 2024—VBS Sunday—VBS Church Communities Join worship on the Bethel College Green—There will be no worship service in the BCMC building

The next Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting will be Wednesday, August 21, at 9 a.m. in Room 14 for a planning meeting. There will be no meetings this summer.

BCMC Offering for May 19, 2024 General Fund $8,151.50; Sr Hi Youth $50; Kitchen Fund $16; Solar Fund $4,525.

Roger Neufeld Smith will be driving back to Topeka on Sunday, May 26. He will be back in Newton on June 5. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

Vacation Bible School

VBS is almost here! 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.

VBS Worship on the green, June 2: On Sunday Morning, June 2, all participating VBS congregations are invited to a joint worship service on the Bethel College green. Come worship with the VBS participants and celebrate everything we learned together! Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and a dish or two to share for the potluck to follow. Worship will begin at 10:30 am. In case of rain, we will gather in Memorial Hall. See you at worship!

You are invited to a congregational potluck picnic on Monday, June 3, 5:30 p.m. hosted by Hugo and Mary Ann Boschmann and Ron and Carol Peters, in the Boschmann backyard at 304 Witwarmsum West, North Newton. The main entree (with a gluten free option) and beverage will be provided as well as tableware . Bring your lawn chair or blanket and a “dish to share”.

The Education and Service Scholarship Committee report given at the May 19 congregational meeting contained an error. The report stated that the BCMC Mission and Service Endowment Fund was accepting donations to help fund the above-budget annual amount for college scholarships. In fact, the annual amount needed to fund college scholarships IS in the budget. Please direct any gifts to the Bethel College Scholarship Fund. Apologies for the confusion.
—Margaret Toews, ESSC

Community Playschool, Inc. has recently completed our 58th school year! Eighteen children of the Newton community participated in the program this year at a minimal cost to their families, thanks to five area sponsoring churches. We again want to thank BCMC for being one of those supporting churches through monetary donations, the use of the facilities, secretarial and custodial services and a welcoming attitude toward our program. It is nice to have a home here! We also are grateful for the matching grant that we received from this church through the Everence Sharing Fund. I want to acknowledge the service of Cliff Dick as BCMC’s representative on our board, also serving as treasurer. Barb Voran, Stahli Claassen, Carolyn Penner and Cynthia Linscheid, served respectively as teacher, helpers, and substitute this year. These volunteers help make it possible for us to continue to provide an affordable preschool experience to families who need it most. A big thanks to Monica Lichti for her extra duties related to our being housed here at BCMC!
An organization such as ours relies heavily on volunteer workers to keep our costs to a minimum. As many of our volunteers have retired from our program and as we look ahead to the next school year, we know that we need more volunteer helpers to be able to provide the attentive relationships and safe environment that we have always sought to maintain for our children and families. As members of a sponsoring church, we hope that you might consider whether you could help us out and become a one or two day a week helper for the coming school year. These volunteer positions have not only helped the children we serve but have also proved to be a rewarding experience for many of our adult helpers. Please give your church representative or us a call if you would like to have more information about our program and the opportunities that we have for you! We solicit your prayers and continued support for the future of our organization. With gratitude,
Co- Directors, Kasey Newell (316 772-3350) and Jeanette Leary (316 217-2548)

From the Board:

After the final votes, including a few late emails and texts, the congregation voted to approve the board’s recommendation to extend an invitation to Joanna Harader to become our full-time Co-Pastor with 169 “yes” votes and two “no” votes. The invitation was extended to Joanna. She accepted within a few hours, saying she has “felt God’s leading throughout my discernment process, and the overwhelming affirmation of the congregational vote is a welcome confirmation of this call I have been sensing.” She is looking forward to joining us all in the ministries of BCMC on August 11 when a new phase of transition will begin for our church. Thanks again to the Search Committee and to all in the congregation who participated in her candidating weekend and in voting—joy is in order!

New Staff

Worship Commission announces the filling of two music vacancies:

Will Wiebe-Friesen, Music Co-Coordinator, beginning June 1.
Joel Garber, Chancel Choir Director, beginning in August.

Thank you, Barbara Thiesen!

A huge THANK YOU to Barbara Thiesen for her eight years as BCMC Music Coordinator (the last two as co-coordinator with Verlene Garber). We have appreciated your attention to detail as you gave leadership and scheduling oversight to special music, organists, ensembles, maintenance of instruments, and so much more. Barbara leaves the position at the end of this month.

The memorial service for Howard Schmidt will be Saturday, June 1, 2024, 11 a.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church. It will be live-streamed. On June 1 you can click here for the live-stream link: https://youtube.com/live/eq_jpQvKo5Y?feature=share

BCMC Prayer Network: The Prayer Network is an email-based prayer network comprised of Deacon Commission members and BCMC congregants. Participants make a one-year commitment to this prayer ministry which is coordinated by Pastors and the Office and Facilities Manager. Pastors respond to prayer requests and determine when and how these requests are distributed. Specific prayer requests are shared only with the permission of the person(s) involved. If you would like to join the BCMC prayer network, please email your interest to office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. Thanks to all who serve BCMC in the Prayer Network.

CARE CONNECTIONS, sponsored by Deacon Commission, offers a variety of opportunities for extending care. Do you enjoy conversation? In-person visiting? Visiting by phone? Writing caring messages in cards, email or text? Preparing food or care packages? Delivering food or care packages? Individualized creative care possibilities? To learn more, express interest, or share ideas, please contact Elizabeth Schmidt, Pastor for Congregational Care.

Congratulations once again to BCMC graduates this year!
From High School: Abby Koontz (daughter of Matt and Jennifer Koontz) and
Justin Zerger (son of Heather and Jonathan Zerger)

From 8th Grade: Collin Gaeddert (son of Joel and Crystal Gaeddert, Addie Zerger (daughter of Heather and Jonathan Zerger) and Alli and Madey Zerger (daughters of Brian and Kristin Zerger)

From the Bethel College Mennonite Church Witness Commission
The Western District Conference Israel-Palestine Task Force encourages you to support the volunteer work of Gaza Palestinian worker, Tareq Abuhalima. Tareq came and spoke at BCMC last August. Tareq will be a volunteer intern this summer with the nonprofit, Churches for Middle East Peace. His work with the Lion and the Lamb Peace Center, Bluffton University, is a nine month contract. To learn more about how to support Tareq see attached flyer which details how to contribute by check or PayPal.
For the flyer press here

Everence® May workshop: Make Medicare an Easy Step Everence will hold its Medicare workshop at its office at 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton, Tues., May 28 ,6:30 p.m. Topics include when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare covers, plus an explanation of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D. Attendance is recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare. If interested in attending, contact the Everence office at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.

Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS – Here comes the summer! Camp offers a slice of summer where campers experience the outdoors in a fun and safe community. Campers experience a new adventure while growing in their faith and exploring the Rocky Mountains. Rocky Mountain is blessed to have scholarships funded by donors who want to ensure money is not a barrier for a youth to enjoy a summer camp experience. Please contact Corbin Graber (Executive Dir. – 719-687-9506 – corbin@rmmc.org) about what would be helpful.

Colorado Roots Music Camp II at RMMC August 11-17: Break out of your routine and be inspired by a variety of styles, first-rate musicians, and the incredible experience of being immersed in acoustic music. Our instructors are some of the top players in the nation, but they were chosen because they’re known by peers and students as great instructors for all levels. As always at Roots, it’s great music with a side of biscuits and gravy! Visit rmmc.org for more information and registration.

You’re invited to Concert on the Concrete, June 9, 5 p.m. Featuring Newton
Senior Center’s Golden Notes Choir, along with a sing along, in the parking lot across from the Senior Center, 122 E. 6th, Newton . If rain, the concert will move inside. Free will offering to be used for building renovations.

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

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
For Mennonite Church USA Climate Justice Ministry Webinar on June 30 “Energy Efficiency and Faithful Action press here

The MC USA Constituency Leaders Council reflected on the question, “What does it mean to do church together?” at its biannual meeting at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana, on March 21-23, 2024. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/clc-stories

Menno Snapshots

Ingrid Friesen Moser, wellness coordinator for MC USA’s The Corinthian Plan, uses controlled breath to help her worship when she is troubled by anxious thoughts. Read her Menno Snapshots reflection here: mennoniteusa.org/breath

In February, Chialis Thuan Santoso attended MC USA’s Hope for the Future 2024 conference. In her Menno Snapshots blog, she reflects on what she learned and how it applies to her life as a sojourner in Christ. Read her reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/sojourner-in-christ

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Christy Harrison and Peter Sensenig are serving in Chad, with their three children, through Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Mission Network. Pray for Christy as she works as a nurse-midwife and for Peter as he teaches at Shalom: Evangelical Theological Seminary. Pray also for the children as they build relationships with their neighbors.

Western District Conference Prayer Request: The Western District Conference Church Planting Commission (CPC) invites your prayers for WDC congregations to be alert to opportunities to share God’s love in their community, and for the CPC to support your calling.