MMA, a national faith-based financial services organization, recently awarded Arlin D. Lapp its President’s Award at its national conference in South Bend, Ind. Lapp earned MMA’s highest honor in his role as Mennonite Foundation Eastern Regional Representative.

Based in Telford, Pa., Lapp has served MMA for 20 years, the majority of it with Mennonite Foundation.

The President’s Award was given by MMA President Larry Miller to recognize an individual who provides excellent and responsive service and gives members a unique and valuable experience with MMA. The award honors someone who represents “the face” of MMA and advances the vision of helping people integrate their finances with their faith.

“This was not something I was expecting and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this way,” Lapp said.

“Arlin has shown an outstanding ability to be the face of MMA,” Miller said. “His professional work and his everyday practice of using his talents to serve others is an inspiration to his colleagues, his community, and MMA as a whole.”

Along with his service to MMA, Lapp has helped raise millions of dollars for several local organizations, as well as a project at Line Lexington Mennonite Church; has volunteered his time to give financial counseling to couples about to get married; and has served as song leader and Sunday school teacher for his church congregation. Lapp has been active in the Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Mennonite Church Historical Committee as well as Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania. He has also served on the boards of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and Penn View Christian School.

A graduate of Ursinus College, Lapp is married to Janet, a retired middle school guidance counselor. The couple has 4 children and 9 grandchildren.

MMA helps people integrate faith and finances through its expertise in insurance and financial services. Rooted in the Anabaptist faith tradition, MMA offers practical stewardship education and tools to individuals, congregations, and organizations. To learn more, visit www.MMA-online.org or call (800) 348-7468.

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Nueva Vida Norristown New Life Mennonite Church is answering God’s call by “Enlarging Our Place in God’s World.”

The multicultural and bilingual congregation is beginning a number of new ministries and outreach initiatives in the community and beyond. Under its “Acts 2 Ministry,” the congregation is developing a discipleship and housing ministry for single women; is a site for the Benefit Bank; serves as a host of ASSETS Montco, a small business training program; is strengthening its global mission connections; and developing “Kingdom entrepreneurship” to support future ministries. Plans for “Enlarging Our Place in God’s World” also include renovations of five properties owned by the congregation. The three-year capital campaign is earmarked for $670,000, with a long-term goal of $2 million.

Services will be held Sunday, May 18 at 10:45 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the Acts 2 Ministry and the recently acquired New Life Plaza will be dedicated during the second service. Both services will be held outdoors, at 25 East Marshall Street in Norristown.

The church, which will celebrate its 18th anniversary in July, began when three Norristown congregations, First Mennonite, Bethel Mennonite and Fuente de Salvación, decided to merge. It is pastored by Marta Castillo, Angel Tamayo and Ertell Whigham, Jr.

All are invited to worship; for more information call 610-279-5433

visit their website at www.norristownnewlife.com

para español clique aquí

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Nueva Vida Norristown New Life Iglesia Mennonita esta contestando un llamado de Dios “Agrandando Nuestro Lugar en el Mundo de Dios.”

Esta congregación intercultural y bilingüe esta entrando en una nueva temporada de ministerio y evangelización en la comunidad de Norristown y mas allá. Bajo su Ministerio de Hechos 2, la congregación esta desarrollando discipulado/ministerio de vivienda para mujeres solteras, convirtiéndose en un sitio para el Banco de Beneficios, siendo anfitriones de ASSETS Montco (un programa de entrenamiento para pequeños empresarios) fortaleciendo su misión global de conexiones y desarrollando “Empresas de Reino” para apoyar ministerios futuros. Planes para “Agrandando Nuestro Lugar en el Mundo de Dios” también incluyen renovaciones para 5 propiedades de la congregación. La campaña de recaudación inicial de tres años esta destinada para alcanzar $670,000 con una capitalización eventual de $2 millones.

Servicio de Dedicación se efectuara el domingo, 18 de mayo, 10:45 a.m. y 2 p.m. Ambos servicios serán efectuados al aire libre en el 25 East Marshall Street. El segundo servicio incluye la dedicación del Ministerio de HECHOS 2 y la mas reciente adquisición de New Life Plaza Nueva Vida at 25 East Marshall Street.

Nueva Vida Norristown New Life también estará celebrando su 18vo aniversario en julio. La congregación empezó una unificación intencional de 3 congregaciones anteriormente de Norristown —First Mennonite, Bethel Mennonite y Fuente de Salvación. Es miembro de la Conferencia Menonita de Franconia e Iglesia Menonita USA. El equipo Pastoral esta formado por Marta Castillo, Angel Tamayo y Ertell Whigham, Jr.

¡Todos están bienvenidos a alabar el Señor con nosotros! Para información llame al 610-279-5433 ; www.norristownnewlife.com

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Managing Holy Restlessness: Releasing young adults toward their dreams
How do we, as pastors, understand the younger generations in our congregations? How do we help them discern what to do with their lives? Come join a conversation led by Walter Sawatzky and Jessica Walter on Thursday, May 22 from 8 – 10 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center to explore how pastors can support young adults struggling to manage their holy restlessness. Please register for this Pastor’s Breakfast by May 18, by contacting Jessica Walter at jwalter@franconiaconference.org.

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Woods Tea Company is a frequent performer on PBS and performs fiery Celtic tunes, bluegrass, sea shanties and folk songs with equal skill. The Vermont-based group tours the country offering a mixture of lively and dry New England humor. The band consists of Howard Wooden, Mike Lussen, and Tom MacKenzie, who play instruments ranging from banjos, bouzoukis and bodhrans to guitars, ukuleles and the hammer dulcimer. They’ve been labeled as “America’s hardest working folk group” by National Public Radio. Click here for a sample of their music.

Ivan Stiles performs a unique blend of traditional and contemporary folk music, including intricate fiddle tunes, old-time favorites, jigs and reels of the British Isles, traditional ballads and original songs on the autoharp, mountain dulcimer, bowed psaltery and musical saw. He is also an instructor, author and the co-founder of Autoharp Quarterly magazine. He has taken first place at the International Autoharp Championship, the World Autoharp Championship and the Great Lakes Championship. In 2000, he was inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame. Ivan has a great sense of humor; watch him perform “Cwazy”click here

The Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse is located in the Perkasie Mennonite Church hall at 4th and Chestnut Street in Perkasie, Pa. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the performance will begin at 7:30. Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for ages 65 and older, $4 for students ages 13 and older, and children under 12 will be admitted for free. Refreshments will be sold. For directions or more information, go to www.perkmenno.org or call 215-723-2010.

photo taken from Tea Room Company Official Site

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Only a few more days until Penn View Christian School’s 47th Annual Country Fair and Auction with Chicken Barbecue! The event will be held on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. Please plan on attending and enjoying all the good food, family fun, and community fellowship. Delicious chicken barbecue and strawberry pies will be served both days. The All-You-Can-Eat Country Breakfast is served from 7 -11 a.m. on Saturday morning and features an appearance by “Screwball”, the Reading Phillies mascot. There is free shuttle bus parking from Franconia Mennonite Church. Visit www.pennview.org for more details and to preview all the beautiful quilts!

All are invited to the Mennonite College Fair at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School on Monday, May 12. At 7 p.m. Dr. James Brenneman, President of Goshen College, will speak on the topic of “Quality with Soul: On Choosing a Mennonite College or University.” At 8 p.m. Michele Hensley, Director of Financial Assistance at Eastern Mennonite University, will lead a seminar on college financial aid. Admissions counselors and professors from Bethel College, Bluffton University, Eastern Mennonite University, and Goshen College will be available to address questions related to the admissions process. Kim Dryer, representing Mennonite Central Committee, will also be on hand to answer questions about mission opportunities with MCC. Visit www.dockhs.org for more information or call 215-362-2675.

Looking for an inexpensive, fun activity for the family? Methacton Mennonite Church is hosting a FREE movie night on Friday, May 16. They will be showing “The Adventures of Milo and Otis.” The show begins at 6:30 p.m. with free popcorn and beverages. For more information, visit www.methactonmennonite.org.

Nueva Vida Norristown New Life is “Enlarging Our Place in God’s World!” All are invited to Dedication Sunday, May 18, 10:45 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to celebrate what God is doing for, with, and through us. Both services will be held outdoors on East Marshall Street with a fellowship meal, children’s activities, and vision tours between the services. The second service includes the dedication of the ACTS 2 Ministry and New Life Plaza Nueva Vida. For more information, call 610-279-5433.

Zion Mennonite Church will be hosting the annual Couch Derby on Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. This is a fun-filled event where students decorate and modify couches and race them against other youth groups. This year’s contestants will include youth from 12 different congregations. All are welcome to come and cheer on the youth!

Vincent Mennonite Church in Spring City will be hosting a “Young Adult Conglomerate” Softball/Homerun Derby to be held in the church pavilion on Saturday, May 24 at 5 p.m. The Derby will begin at 5 p.m. followed by hotdogs and burgers at 6 p.m. There will be a worship service with music and a message at 7 p.m. The purpose of this event is to create a space where young people in our area can worship the Lord and fellowship as one. Bring your gloves and invite your friends. If you plan to attend, please bring a snack to share. Come for some of the time, or all the time! All are welcome! Call Rich Lindberg at 484-941-4923 for directions or for more information.

The Joyful Hearts chorus from Myerstown, PA will present a program at Providence Mennonite Church on Sunday, May 25 at 7 p.m. For more information or directions, call the church office at 610-489-8179. Everyone is welcome.

Volunteer and Job Opportunities

Mennonite Disaster Service has several urgent volunteer needs for the summer. A project director is needed for a youth project in July. The summer youth projects (June 8 – August 16) also urgently needs construction managers, cooks, office managers, and experienced crew leaders. Use your leadership and construction skills to encourage our youth to serve others. For more information, call 800-241-8111 or visit www.mds.mennonite.net.

Grace Mennonite Church in Lansdale, PA is looking to fill two paid staff positions. The first is a part-time maintenance position with hours Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The second position is Coordinator of Congregational Services. This is a part-time position (approximately 20 hours/week). If you are interested in learning more about either of these positions, contact Al Richter at 215-723-3900, ext. 108 or call the church office at 215-855-7718.

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