Haitian Medical Evacuees Update
Thank you to those who responded with interest and open hearts to assist Haitian medical evacuees and their escorts. At this point Pennsylvania is no longer on call to receive medical evacuees. The majority of medically needy persons were evacuated to Florida. There are still persons affected by the earthquake who are arriving in our community. You are encouraged to keep your ears open to the local Haitian community who may still be impacted with persons leaving Haiti. Thank you for you willingness to share Christ’s love in this way.
A Photo Club is being held at Wellspring Church of Skippack. The club will meet in the Fellowship Hall. The next meeting is Thursday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. Come for mutual support, do monthly photography projects, and receive constructive critique of each other’s work. There will be an occasional field trip. All are welcome!
Women are invited to a Christ centered Women’s Conference hosted by Perkiomenville Mennonite Church, Saturday, March 13, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The purpose of the conference is to equip wives to live out their unique calling as the Revealer of the Enemy, in protecting their husband from attacks. Register by March 8, www.TheMMConnection.com or contact the church at perkmc@verizon.net or 215-234-4011.
A Benefit Concert for MCC’s Haiti Earthquake Appeal will be held at Souderton Mennonite Church, Saturday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. Featured will be Southern Gospel Music with the Harmenaires Quartet, Celtic and American Folk Music with DayBreak and a Bluegrass Band. A love offering will be received for MCC.
The Mennonite Heritage Center announces a Scrapple and Sausage Making Workshop, Saturday, March 20, 1 - 4 p.m. This workshop is an opportunity to learn what really goes into scrapple! Participants will learn how to make the scrapple and sausage that were traditionally made and consumed in large quantities during winter butchering time. Pre-registration is required as the workshop is limited to twelve participants. The workshop fee is $40 ($35 members) plus a materials fee of $10. To register, contact the Mennonite Heritage Center, info@mhep.org, 215-256-3020 or check the visit www.mhep.org.
Job Opportunities
Souderton Mennonite Church seeks a part-time Director of Music and Worship to plan and lead worship for both traditional and contemporary worship settings. The candidate should be a gifted worship leader and musician who will be able to lead, train and equip other persons and teams to lead worship as well. This person should be a gifted musician, eager to lead persons into the presence of God in worship with a faith rooted in the Anabaptist understanding of knowing and following Jesus. Interested applicants should forward questions and resumes to: Gerry Clemmer, Senior Pastor, c/o Souderton Mennonite Church 105 W. Chestnut St., Souderton, PA 18964; 215-723-3088 ext. 18; gclemmer@soudertonmennonite.org.
Prayerfully consider a teaching position opened at Hilltop Nursery School located at Line Lexington Mennonite Church. For more information call 215-822-0565.
Mennonite Central Committee continues to ship relief supplies to Haiti despite obstacles that slow delivery.
The Port-au-Prince port is still only operating at about 10 percent of the capacity it had before the earthquake, said Darrin Yoder, Material Resources manager. Alternate ports are available, but delivery is hindered because of distance or because the ports are not equipped with cranes to facilitate easy unloading.
Airlifts are prohibitively expensive, said Daryl Yoder-Bontrager, area director for Latin America and the Caribbean, so they are used sparingly. When MCC did use an airlift to bring 70,000 pounds (31,751 kilos) of canned meat into Port-au-Prince on Jan. 24, the shipment had to be rerouted to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, reportedly because of airport traffic.
The meat, which is canned by MCC volunteers, was transferred to trucks that were escorted to Haiti by United Nations (U.N.) personnel. Once the trucks reached the U.N. World Food Program warehouse in Port-au-Prince on Friday, Jan. 29, more delays were encountered as trucks from many organizations waited, sometimes for days, to unload supplies.
The MCC Haiti staff was able to start collecting the meat on Wednesday, Feb. 3. From the shipment, Assemblée de la Grace, a Mennonite church on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, distributed more than 1,000 cans of meat to church and community members, many of whose houses were destroyed in the earthquake.
Five other MCC partner organizations distributed portions of the shipment. TIMKATEC, Timoun Kap Teke Chans, one of MCC’s partners, is conducting a feeding program for 500 children, some of whom were homeless prior to the earthquake and others who are newly homeless.
Meanwhile, two more shipments of meat, each about 35,000 pounds (15,875 kilos) are scheduled to arrive at the port of St. Marc, Haiti, on Feb. 18 or 19. Trucks will transport the shipments three hours south to Port-au-Prince.
Relief kits, heavy comforters and other supplies also are on the way and will continue, according to Yoder. Already sent are two shipments that contain 2,688 relief kits, 4,591 comforters, various medical supplies, 250 tarps and 192 boxes of water bottles, flashlights and deodorant. Their estimated arrival dates are Feb. 20 and Feb. 28.
MCC also expects to supply about 9,000 tarps before the rainy season begins in April.
Previously, MCC sent 1,000 water filters and about $53,000 in cash to MCC Haiti and its partners to be used in the first days of relief efforts. The Mennonite churches in the Dominican Republic also donated and delivered food and supplies.
Twenty medical boxes, designed to supply 800 adults and children for two to three months, currently are being distributed in Haiti. Yoder said the Haiti Response Coalition, a new MCC partner in Port-au-Prince, was grateful for the supplies that “were exactly what was needed for the mobile clinics currently serving several camps of internally displaced people.” In addition, at least 5,000 first aid kits, purchased by MCC, will be distributed to families.
As of Feb. 12, 2010, contributors have given an estimated $8.3 million, the majority of which will be used for rebuilding once the initial crisis has passed. An MCC assessment team is scheduled to convene in Haiti on Feb. 22 to evaluate the situation and make recommendations for ongoing work.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Haiti alumna Dr. Susanne Bradley Brown – a pediatrician and healthcare legislation analyst from Albuquerque, N.M. – will lead MCC’s long-term disaster response to the Haiti earthquake.
As MCC’s new Haiti disaster coordinator, Brown will be responsible for strategic planning and implementation of MCC Haiti’s disaster response plan. During her three-year term, she and MCC partners, workers, local staff, churches and others will work with Haitians who are rebuilding their lives.
“There are lots of opinions to be heard, inside and outside of Haiti, as we work at the wisest and best response to the earthquake,” said Daryl Yoder-Bontrager, area director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Sue will be able to help pull those opinions together and lead the MCC Haiti team as it continues to formulate and carry out a strong MCC recovery program.”
As a doctor, Brown has worked in Haiti with MCC, starting in 1974-1978 as director of Hospital Grand Riviere du Nord. In 1986-1988 she was a physician at Hospital Mombin Crochu. The experience has given her “a familiarity with the rhythm of the culture,” she said.
Throughout her career as a physician and university professor, Brown has worked with health care organizations that represent people who are homeless, Native American women, children of incarcerated parents and people with mental illness.
Brown, who is a member of Albuquerque Mennonite Church, is currently employed as a healthcare and social services policy analyst for the New Mexico Senate. In this position, she also is working to protect the needs of people whose voices are not always heard.
Brown was interested in leading MCC’s disaster response in Haiti because she wanted to be part of a team that could develop a creative response to the crisis, as well as the ongoing chronic problems Haiti faces. Although healthcare, nutrition and potable water are issues, she’s keenly aware that the disaster response also could include small business development, healing of emotional trauma, construction projects or a range of other ideas.
“I look forward to figuring out how MCC’s partners, the Haitian government and nongovernmental organizations can work together,” Brown said.
Brown will join MCC’s assessment team in Haiti, beginning Feb. 22, as the team assesses the situation and makes recommendations about MCC’s mid-term and long-term disaster response plan. Her assignment will begin in early April.
All are invited to a worship service in song with the Goshen College Men’s Chorus on Tuesday, February 23, 7 p.m., at West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship. The 45-student ensemble, directed by Dr. Scott Hochstetler, will present a sacred music journey through time and culture with the theme of “Healing the World Song by Song.” For more information call 215-729-2050.
Karen’s Place the coffee shop ministry of Doylestown Mennonite Church kicks off the 10th Annual Blues - Rock Madness Month on Saturday, March 6 featuring the blues-rock band Obadiah. Donations continue to be collected for hurricane victims of Gulf Area. Monies will be forwarded to Mennonite Disaster Service. Karen’s Place donates a percentage of their proceeds to the New Britain Baptist Food Larder. Bring a canned fruit, vegetable, or soup {no baked beans or tomato soup please} for the Food Larder and you’ll get a free coffee or hot tea. A great time of Christian fellowship, music, coffee, cappuccino, cold drinks and snacks, all in a laid-back coffee shop setting. For information please call the church office at 215-345-6377 or visit www.karensplace.org.
Salford Mennonite Child Care Centers is sponsoring a “Mommy and Me Sale” to take place in the church fellowship hall on Friday, March 12, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. This is a multi-participant sale of infant / children’s items (clothing, toys, equipment, etc.), as well as maternity clothing, open to the public. Those that would like to consign items are invited to call Traci Brunstetter at 215-256-6421 ext. 115 or email brunstettert@salfordmc.org for details. Cost per family is only $5.00 and pays for advertising the Consignment Sale to the general community.
Ministry Leaders, mark your calendar for Thursday, March 18. Marlene Derstine, ministry team leader at Franconia Mennonite Church for Prayer and Women’s Ministries, will lead a workshop, “The Role Of Ministry Teams”, at Souderton Mennonite Church, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. This is a great training opportunity for you and your teammates. To reserve a Subway box lunch at a cost of $5.00 for this event, please contact Jim Laverty at jlaverty@soudertonmennonite.org or 215-723-3088 ext. 16 by Tuesday, March 16.
ASSETS Montco, Norristown, will offer the Business Design and Management Course for aspiring and current small business owners, Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 25 – June 17, 7 – 9 p.m. Topics include vision & mission, sales, promotion and marketing, cash flow, financial record keeping, taxes, legal issues, insurance, technology, and more. Research and write your business plan! For information and registration call 610-275-3520 or visit www.assetsmontco.org.
Eastern Mennonite Seminary at Lancaster (PA) is offering its first ever cross-cultural experience to the United Kingdom.
“Struggle and Hope in Post-Christendom,” led by Stephen Kriss and Stuart Murray Williams, will explore Christian presence and witness in Bristol and London, England.
Kriss is director of communication and leadership cultivation with Franconia Mennonite Conference in eastern Pennsylvania and an adjunct instructor for EMS Lancaster, and Williams is a trainer and consultant with the Anabaptist Network in the United Kingdom.
“Post-Christendom is a new understanding of the place of the church and Christian life in a world of multiple faiths, multiple perspectives and spirituality that is not tied to a particular religion,” said Kriss.
“We want to give people a glimpse into both the possibilities and awkwardness that exist in post-Christendom context,” he continued. “What I have learned from my connections in the United Kingdom is that there is the real possibility for Anabaptism to thrive as church is decentralized.
“I hope that by listening to the stories of leaders in the United Kingdom the class would gain a sense of the possibilities in our present and future.”
Orientation for the course will begin May 1 at EMU Lancaster. The group will travel in the United Kingdom May 16-24. The group will reassemble June 25-26 to reflect on their experience and to discuss how to apply what they’ve learned to congregations in the United States.
Students may earn three hours of graduate credit. Travel, lodging and fees cost $2,750; credit tuition is $1,100 and non-credit tuition is $495. Priority will be given to students taking the course for credit. The deadline for registration is Mar. 15, 2010.
Planners for the Mennonite Church USA Convention 2011 focused on their mission and setting during the convention planning committee meetings as they met for the first time Jan. 14 to 16 in downtown Pittsburgh, Pa., site of the next national gathering. Youth and adult planning committees joined together to discern the theme and initiate other convention plans.
After two-and-a-half days of prayer, reading Scripture and small group brainstorming, “Bridges to (the) Cross,” and 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 surfaced as the theme and Scripture text for the next convention. Convention dates are July 4 to 9, 2011.
Pittsburgh, known as the City of Three Rivers, is connected by many bridges. Planners agreed on the importance of being missional within one’s context and surroundings and used the bridges and rivers idea to connect with their theme.
“The committee recognized that the theme is twofold. First, as instruments of Christ’s reconciliation, we too have many bridges to cross. Second, God calls us to shape our culture as ambassadors for Christ, instead of continuing to have our culture shape us. We are called to serve as bridges to Christ,” Rachel Swartzendruber Miller, director of Convention Planning for Executive Leadership, said.
A high point of the weekend included discussion of a proposal from the Intercultural Relations Reference Committee that suggested convention include a day of showcasing and celebrating the gifts and talents of racial/ethnic members and congregations. Planners welcomed this proposal with excitement and affirmation.
Another high point came after learning that the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, where the Mennonites will gather, is one of the largest green buildings in the United States. It is certified with a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Building Rating System rating by the U.S. Green Building Council.
“We want to challenge our attendees to partner in our attempts to be the greenest convention this center has ever seen,” said Stephen Kriss, Philadelphia, Pa., adult committee member and Franconia Mennonite Conference staff.
Planners hope the churches within a few hours of western Pennsylvania will be willing to sponsor those at a distance. “The majority of our constituents live fewer than four hours from Pittsburgh,” noted Marty Lehman, director of administration and advancement for Mennonite Church USA. “This majority will have decreases in travel costs to convention. It is our hope they will consider giving 10 percent of their fund-raising dollars to other groups hesitant to attend convention due to cost and distance.”
Committee members encouraged staff to tell the stories of youth and adults who have been sponsored at past conventions.
“I was able to attend San Jose, and I promised to never miss another convention,” Olufemi Fatunmbi, Los Angeles, Calif., adult committee member and a pastor in Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference, said. “However, I am from a small congregation and need financial help in order to bring more participants from my church.”
Committee members ended the weekend with prayers of thanks and praise for the Lord’s leading and for the opportunity to be involved in this work for the broader denomination.
Each committee includes 12 volunteers from across the denomination, including several from Pennsylvania, the hosting state. Rachel Swartzendruber Miller chairs both committees.
Members of the committee planning adult sessions and activities are Darrell Baer, Chambersburg, Pa., Marilyn Handrich Bender, Pittsburgh, Pa., Erin Clymer, Pittsburgh, Pa., Sue Conrad, Lancaster, Pa., Tory Doerksen, Denver, Colo., Olufemi Fatunmbi, Los Angeles, Calif., Makmur Halim, Highland, Calif., Karen Howard, Pittsburgh, Pa., Paula Killough, Elkhart, Ind., Stephen Kriss, Philadelphia, Pa., Donna J. Mast, Leola, Pa., and Donna L. Mast, Scottdale, Pa. Executive Leadership staff on the adult committee include Marty Lehman, Carol Epp, Ken Gingerich and Nancy Kauffmann.
Members of the committee planning youth sessions and activities are Marisa Aleman-Cantu, Rock Island, Ill., Alyssa Cable, Johnstown, Pa., Joy Cotchen, Johnstown, Pa., Thomas Dunn, Kidron, Ohio, Andrew Gordon, Lansdale, Pa., She’ Tenique Hall, Hampton, Va., Jon Heinly, Lancaster, Pa., Shelly Miller, Walnut Creek, Ohio, Clark Oswald, Newton, Kan., Grace Pam, Corona, Calif., Jason Widmer, Wellman, Iowa, Derek Yoder, Cassopolis, Mich. Jeremy Ours of Kalona, Iowa will serve as worship logistics coordinator and Tonya Keim Bartel of Hesston, Kan., as seminar coordinator. Executive Leadership staff members Glen Guyton and Scott Hartman are part of the youth committee.
After a sweeping yearlong study, Mennonite Church USA leadership has received a consultant’s report on how the denomination operates and with suggestions to improve its witness. Consultant LaVern Yutzy’s 22-page “Report on Alignment Opportunities for Mennonite Church USA” puts forth recommendations for 15 different areas of church organization, addressing issues such as the role of area conferences, Executive Board composition and the four church-wide program agencies functions and structures.
To introduce his work, Yutzy states, “I consider it a very rare privilege to have had the opportunity to talk with 142 persons… Meeting these persons and participating in a variety of conference and denominational level meetings have underscored the high levels of commitment and competence that are present. There is clear evidence of a strong passion for the church and an appreciation for worship and prayer as an integral part of following Jesus.”
Yutzy observed Mennonite Church USA as a denomination in change and affirmed our ability to live into the future. The alignment effort, he said, must be seen within the vision and commitment of Mennonite Church USA to embody and extend healing and hope. “Alignment efforts are not an end in themselves…if it has any value, this report will support our efforts to faithfully follow Jesus.”
Noting area conferences’ “significant frustration” at feeling marginalized, Yutzy calls for giving them greater prominence in the church. The role of denominational-level activity, he said, should be supporting the 21 Mennonite Church USA area conferences rather than congregations. Serving congregations should then be the conferences’ responsibility.
“In order to identify resources that will facilitate the work of conferences, conferences themselves must be integrally involved in this ongoing conversation,” Yutzy said.
One way to do that, he proposes, is reconfiguring the Executive Board to include five representatives from area conferences as well as one representative from each recognized racial/ethnic group in Mennonite Church USA.
Other recommendations include:
Executive Leadership and the four churchwide program agencies sharing support services as much as possible.
Adding MHS Alliance as a fifth agency.
Implementing a process to identify strategies to address each of the four churchwide priorities.
The Executive Board, which had hired Yutzy a year ago, received his report last month and has since distributed it to other denominational leaders and staff for their consideration. The report and responses will be a major agenda item at the Executive Board’s Feb. 18-20 meeting in Hampton, VA. At that time the board will develop a plan to receive feedback over the next number of months from those potentially most affected by the recommendations.
Executive Director of Mennonite Church USA, Ervin Stutzman, noted that no decisions have been made about any of the recommendations in the report at this time. Each recommendation will be considered on its own merit over the next months in an appropriate forum for discussion and decision-making. Within this process there will be wide opportunity for participation by people who have a stake in the outcome. Stutzman is calling the church to prayer as we move into this period of discernment. The full text of Yutzy’s report and recommendations can be found by clicking here.
MCC Material Resource Center of Harleysville has moved! They are now at their new facility at 737 Hagey Center Drive, Suite C, Souderton, PA, 18964 (next to Hagey’s Bus Service off of Schoolhouse Road). The new phone number is 267-203-8074 and the new e-mail address is mrc@mcc-harleysville.org. This new space will accommodate many more volunteers to process additional quilts, comforters, kits, and some new endeavors to help those less fortunate around the world. Visitors are welcome! Center hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Mennonite Central Committee Material Resource Project for March is flat sheets. MCC’s initial response to the earthquake in Haiti consisted of food and medical supplies, tarps and other urgent supplies coming across from the Dominican Republic, water filtration equipment, as well as several key personnel going to do an initial assessment of the situation. Flat sheets are one item still in very short supply and they are critically needed. MCC is seeking 10,000 NEW flat sheets. For this effort, please use double, queen or king-size sheets in light colors. Sheets will also be used as mosquito netting and light colors are less attractive to mosquitoes. All Cotton fabric and 300 count threads are preferred if possible as they work the best for mosquito netting purposes. Sheets and relief kits can be dropped off at the MCC Material Resource Center’s new location at 737 Hagey Center Drive, Suite C, Souderton (next to Hagey’s Bus Service on Schoolhouse Road).
Do you like to sew or quilt? Penn View Christian School is looking for churches with sewing circles that would be willing to quilt some “quilt tops” for our 49th annual Country Fair and Auction this year. If interested, contact Kelly Yetter, kyetter@pennview.org or 215-723-1196 x1280.
An Ash Wednesday and Bread Service will be held February 17 at 7 p.m. at Whitehall Mennonite Church, 4138 Wilson St., Egypt/Whitehall, PA. All are invited to come for scripture, music, the presentation of the breads and spirit-directed self-reflection. For directions, go to www.wmcfun.org.
Mennonite hunters and others are invited to a meeting to learn “Why Hunters Should Support Gun Violence Prevention.” The meeting will be held at Towamencin Mennonite Church on Thursday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m. Bryan Miller and Drick Boyd, founding members of Heeding God’s Call, will be the speakers, followed by open discussion. Heeding God’s Call is a multi-faith organization committed to curbing the process of “straw purchasing” by calling on gun shops to monitor who they sell guns to more closely. Bryan Miller is Executive Director of Ceasefire NJ and Drick Boyd is Professor of Urban and Interdisciplinary Studies at Eastern University. The meeting is sponsored by the Peace and Justice Committee Eastern District Conference/Franconia Mennonite Conference. For further information contact James C. Longacre at 610-845-7686.
Tents for Haiti - As part of the relief/recovery efforts for people in Haiti, Souderton Mennonite Church is collecting 4-person or larger tents (new or in good shape with all parts) and 8′ x 10′ or larger tarps that will be distributed to residents of Cotes de Fer and others in need. (The team from Souderton that was serving in Haiti when the earthquake struck offered assistance to the residents of Cotes de Fer when they had to leave their town and move up the mountain for safety.) The tents and tarps may be dropped off at Souderton Mennonite Church’s West Street Community Center (entrance is in the lower parking lot beyond the main door) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
Job/Volunteer Opportunities
The Toddler and Pre K Program at Precious Life Learning Center in Norristown, Pa has openings for two head teaching positions. Qualifications are the following: must be a Christian with Anabaptist beliefs, possess a 2-year or 4-year degree in Education or Human Service, with 2 years teaching experience and multi-cultural ministry experience. Precious Life Learning Center is an inclusive ministry dedicated to the education and care of all children. Available shifts are 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, please contact KC Whigham at 610-279-9280 or whigwamm@aol.com.
Do you work well with people and have some leadership ability? Are you looking for an employment situation with ministry opportunities? If you answered yes or know someone who would, we encourage you to apply for the job of assistant manager at Crossroad Gift & Thrift, which is part of the non-profit Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Store Network. Crossroad Gift & Thrift is located in Norristown, two blocks from the Regional Rail and the high speed trolley. Please call or email Crossroadthrift@gmail.com with questions. This is a great opportunity.
SPECIAL NOTICE: Due to inclement weather, Building Ministry Alliances That Benefit Each Other, scheduled for February 11 at Frederick Mennonite Community, will be re-scheduled. Thank you for your interest in this resource. We will be in touch with the new date and time.
The registration deadline for the Conrad Kanagy luncheon at Biblical Seminary in Hatfield has been extended to Thursday, February 11. To attend the Wednesday, February 17 lunch and conversation with Dr. Kanagy, contact Jessica Walter at jwalter@franconiaconference.org or 267-932-6050 x 114.
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Mennonite Central Committee continues to ship relief supplies to Haiti despite obstacles that slow delivery.
Eastern Mennonite Seminary at Lancaster (PA) is offering its first ever cross-cultural experience to the United Kingdom.
Planners for the Mennonite Church USA Convention 2011 focused on their mission and setting during the convention planning committee meetings as they met for the first time Jan. 14 to 16 in downtown Pittsburgh, Pa., site of the next national gathering. Youth and adult planning committees joined together to discern the theme and initiate other convention plans.
A high point of the weekend included discussion of a proposal from the Intercultural Relations Reference Committee that suggested convention include a day of showcasing and celebrating the gifts and talents of racial/ethnic members and congregations. Planners welcomed this proposal with excitement and affirmation.
After a sweeping yearlong study, Mennonite Church USA leadership has received a consultant’s report on how the denomination operates and with suggestions to improve its witness. Consultant LaVern Yutzy’s 22-page “Report on Alignment Opportunities for Mennonite Church USA” puts forth recommendations for 15 different areas of church organization, addressing issues such as the role of area conferences, Executive Board composition and the four church-wide program agencies functions and structures.