Installation Service
The Bally Mennonite Church community, friends and family will celebrate the installation of Klaudia Smucker as pastor of the congregation Sunday, September 12. Smucker began her service August 1. Worship begins at 9:30 a.m., with pre-service music by the congregation’s worship team starting at 9:15. A reception time then a carry-in meal will follow. Preaching will be Firman Gingerich, lead pastor of the Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, a former colleague of Smucker. Ministers Noah Kolb and Jenifer Erickson Morales, congregational support staff from the Franconia Mennonite Conference, will formally confer conference credentials. A native of Morgantown, PA, Smucker served until mid-summer this year on the pastoral team at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana, specializing in pastoral care. Klaudia and her husband Bob reside in rural Fleetwood and have two young-adult daughters.
You are invited to a Hymn Sing Sunday, September 12, 6:00 p.m. at the historic Schwenkfelder Meetinghouse. Sponsored by the Mennonite Heritage Center, the hymn sing will be led by John Ruth, Hiram Hershey and others. Life Song #2 Hymnals will be provided. For information, contact the Mennonite Heritage Center, 215-256-3020, www.mhep.org or info@mhep.org.
Karen’s Place the coffee shop ministry of Doylestown Mennonite Church will reopen on Saturday, September 18, featuring the blues-rock band Obadiah. Karen’s Place will continue to donate a percentage of the 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. Enjoy 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.
The Spiritual Life Committee of Dock Woods Community invites you to a Hymn Sing on Sunday, September 19, 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Featured will be special music by a mens’ quartet. Ivan Derstine will be the song leader. Entrance to the Chapel is located on Woods Drive.
Workshop on Singing in Community. Two sessions will be offered Sunday, September 19 and Sunday, September 26, 7:00 p.m., at the Mennonite Heritage Center. Well-known song leader and pastor Michael Bishop will lead singing and provide insight into the foundations of congregational / community song. There will be lots of singing in a room with great acoustics. Come and bring friends! Ability to read music not required. Admission by donation. Visit www.mhep.org or call 215-256-3020 for more information.
Germantown Mennonite Church, Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust, and Rittenhousetown invite you to a Historic Mennonite Tour and Hymn Sing, Sunday, October 3. The day’s schedule will feature a tour beginning at 2:30 p.m., Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust. (suggested cost per person, $5). 3:45 p.m. meet at Rittenhousetown (cost per person, $5). 5:00 p.m. enjoy a light meal of soup and bread at the new home of Germantown Mennonite Church. A Hymn Sing at led by musicians from Germantown Mennonite Church, Perkasie Mennonite Church, Plains Mennonite Church, and others will begin at 6:00 p.m. You are welcome to attend some or all of these events. Please register by calling the church office 215-843-5599 or by emailing office@germantownmennonite.org.
Volunteer Opportunity
Child Care Opportunity: Ripple congregation is in need of volunteers to provide child care (craft, songs, games, Bible story) during their gatherings every Sunday afternoon from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. There are about 5 children ages 2 – 7. Sign up for once a month or for an entire month. Ripple is an urban ministry in Allentown ministering to many single moms and homeless folks. This volunteer opportunity could be viewed as your call to serve! For more details, visit www.meetup.com/ripple. Please contact Carolyn or Tom Albright, 610-433-2014, carolyna61@gmail.com if you are willing to help.
Webinars bring workshop content to you Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary announces a new emphasis on using webinars to make workshop resources more accessible. These events, scheduled about once a month, require only a reliable high speed internet connection and a land-line telephone.
The first webinars of the school year are:
Five approaches to preaching a biblical story
Ryan Ahlgrim, pastor of First Mennonite Church, Indianapolis, Ind.
September 9, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Advent planning—An unexpected hour
Marlene Kropf, AMBS professor; Rosanna McFadden, free-lance artist and AMBS student
October 21, 7:30 – 8:45 p.m.
The Naked Anabaptist
Stuart Murray, chair of the United Kingdom Anabaptist Network and author of The Naked Anabaptist
October 27, 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
No more church as usual! No! More church as usual: Young adults and the church.
Presenter: Sara Wenger Shenk
November 18, 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Apocalypse and Allegiance
Presenter: J. Nelson Kraybill
December 2, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Connecting to a webinar requires at minimum a computer with reliable, high-speed internet access, and computer speakers or a telephone. A computer microphone (or headset) and/or a telephone with speakerphone capabilities can also be helpful in ensuring your participation runs smoothly. After registering online, participants receive an email prior to the start of the webinar with a web link and password to access the webinar.
Questions may be directed to the Church Leadership Center, 574-296-6269 or ChurchLeadership@ambs.edu. The full list of webinars includes many that will be of interest to a wide variety of people: www.ambs.edu/webinars.
The Refuge is a coffee house at Rocky Ridge Mennonite Church. It is a monthly coffee house on the last Saturday of each month. Saturday, August 28 will feature Heaven Bound, Saturday, September 25 will feature James Harvey and Saturday, October 30 will be a Chosen 300 fundraiser. Starting time is 7:00 p.m., $3.00 - $5.00 donation at the door. Coffee, food and drinks are also available by donation. For more information call 267-377-5649 or visit www.rockyridgechurch.org.
Finland Mennonite Church invites you to Fall Frenzy 4 on 4 Grass Volleyball Tournament. Gather a team and come out to enjoy some fall volleyball at Finland Mennonite Church Fields, Saturday, September 18. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and play at 9:00 a.m. Cost per team is $40. Register by September 12 and each team member receives a FREE drawstring sports pack! Prizes for champion teams in each bracket; beginner, intermediate, and advanced! Visit www.finlandmennonitechurch.org. or call 215-679-8980 for registration and more information! Concessions will be available all day. Proceeds benefit Finland Young Adults Missions Trip.
Everyone is invited to a Pancake & Sausage Breakfast at Providence Mennonite Church, September 25, 7:30 – 11:00 a.m. Proceeds from this breakfast will be for revitalizing hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Menno-Sante is a major Mennonite Central Committee effort to support hospital staff members in the Congo who are courageously caring for patients despite ageing facilities and few resources. Come and enjoy your breakfast with Providence!
Thank you for your prayer support of Mennonite education. The Mennonite Education Agency has posted new Prayers for Faith and Learning for the month of September at www.MennoniteEducation.org/PRAYERS. Thank you for the many ways you support Mennonite education.
You can help improve living conditions for church families in Zimbabwe, Africa, through a project headed by Gwab Mpofu a native of Zimbabwe and a member at Perkiomenville Mennonite Church. He is collecting clothing, household items and money for a shipment this fall. A container of similar relief items shipped two years ago provided great assistance. Visit the church web page at www.perkmc.com or contact Gwab at gwampofu@yahoo.com to help with this needy project.
Christopher Dock Mennonite High School is pleased to welcome a 9th grade student from Nations Worship Center, the Philadelphia Mennonite Indonesian church pastored by Beny Krisbianto, for the 2010-11 school year. This male student would like to stay in a local host home from Monday after school through Friday morning each week. No weekends of hosting are required. The host family would provide breakfasts and dinners, and would be compensated a monthly stipend. Please consider this opportunity of outreach if you might enjoy the hosting experience but would not wish to commit to a full-time obligation. Contact Lois Boaman, Dock’s Admissions Director, at 215-362-2675, ext. 106, with your interest or questions.
Souderton Mennonite Homes 15th Annual Golf Classic will be held on Monday, September 20 at the Indian Valley Country Club. Golfer fee is $150 per golfer and includes lunch and evening banquet. Registration begins at 9:15 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch and putting contest. Shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Benefits the Souderton Mennonite Homes Agape Fund, the resident benevolent care fund. Call Betty Kulp, 215-723-2182, ext. 223 for reservations.
Worship Arts Training at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, September 24 - 26. Explore various elements of worship and learn how to tie all of them together, so that worship reflects both God’s oneness and diversity more faithfully. Groups of 4 or more save $35 per person. Visit www.laurelville.org/worship_arts_training.html or call 800-839-1021 to sign up today.
A Community Yard Sale with lots of independent sellers will be held on Saturday, September 25, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Plains Mennonite Church. Reserve a space for $10 to sell your own items. To reserve a space call 215-362-7640 or visit www.PlainsMennoniteChurch.org for more information.
Christopher Dock Mennonite High School will hold several Open Houses and Visitation Days this fall. These events offer students and families an opportunity to visit Dock’s campus, meet faculty and staff, and learn about all that Dock has to offer. Fall Open House dates are Thursday, September 30, from 3-5 p.m., and Sunday, October 17, from 1-3 p.m. Visitation Days are October 11, November 19, and December 13. Call the Admissions Office at 215-362-2675 or e-mail lboaman@dockhs.org for more information.
Save the date! Bring the whole family (and invite your friends and neighbors!) to participate in Deep Run Mennonite Church East’s 4th Annual Strides for Mission 5k Race on Saturday, October 2 at Deep Run Mennonite Church East. The event will begin with registration from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., and the race will begin at 9:30 a.m. – rain or shine! Awards and refreshments will follow. All proceeds from the 5k Race will be donated to support mission work in Haiti through Tree of Life International, a local organization working to develop resources for education and economic development, to bring communities in Haiti greater self-sufficiency. For more information or to register for the 5k Race, visit www.deepruneast.org/5k or email stridesformission@deepruneast.org.
Job Opportunity
PT foodservice position
Christopher Dock Mennonite High School has a part-time foodservice assistant position available. Contact Jeff Ambrose at 215-362-2675, ext. 113 for more information.
Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfast Thursday, August 19, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center, Jim Ostlund (Blooming Glen Mennonite Church) and Steve Kriss (Philadelphia Praise Center and Franconia Conference Staff) will lead in a presentation and conversation titled, “An Anabaptist/Mennonite Future in Turbulent Times.” Paradigms, perspectives and populations are changing both within and around the Mennonite community. Both Jim and Steve are Generation X leaders borrowing Mennonite roots to find a way of following Jesus that extends peace, grace and hope. They invite you to hear a bit from their experience, both formally and informally, in navigating toward a hopeful future in disorienting times. This work is rooted in listening and leading alongside young adults as well as emerging Anabaptist voices both inside and outside of the Mennonite Church.
Please RSVP your attendance by Monday, August 16, to office@franconiaconference.org or by calling 267-932-6050, Ext. 110.
Preview of Upcoming Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfasts: A variety of interesting topics are being planned for the fall. Be sure to mark the following dates on your calendar so you can be part of these conversations!
Wednesday, September 29 – Conversation about immigration issues and legislation and how they impact our Franconia Conference congregations and ministries.
Thursday, October 21 – Celebrating Shared Leadership Across Gender Lines: How do men and women work together effectively in ways that utilize our God-given gifts to the fullest?
Thursday, November 4 – The Naked Anabaptist: conversation with Stuart Murray Williams, leader of the Anabaptist Network U.K., regarding his recent book by this title.
Too far to drive? Franconia Mennonite Conference leaders would also like to make these conversations available to leaders who do not live within an easy driving distance. We are currently considering the best and most cost effective ways to accomplish this. If you would be interested in participating via computer hookup or viewing a recording of these events, please contact Gay Brunt Miller (gbmiller@franconiaconference.org) to help discern the best way to meet your needs.
Director of Pastoral Care Services Needed Living Branches, a small system of Mennonite-sponsored retirement living communities in southeastern Pennsylvania, seeks a compassionate Anabaptist leader with an ecumenical approach to ministry to serve as Director of Pastoral Care Services. The Director will lead a team of chaplains/pastors to meet the spiritual needs of residents of Dock Meadows, Souderton Mennonite Homes and Dock Woods. Five years of pastoral and/or chaplain ministry required, and masters-level training and CPE preferred. To learn more, visit www.livingbranches.org or call Russell Mast at 215-368-4438.
Mennonite Central Committee grieves the loss of service worker Glen D. Lapp of Lancaster, Pa., following an attack on his medical team in northeastern Afghanistan. Glen was a member of Community Mennonite Church in Lancaster. The church is called to pray for Glen’s loved ones, family and friends of the others who perished, staff of our partner organization in Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan, and the people who carried out this tragic act. Glen truly showed Christ’s love and compassion and the biblical call to peacemaking in serving with the Afghan people. He will be remembered.
Spruce Lake is hosting Fall Seniors Retreat September 13 -15, featuring spiritual nourishment, hearty fellowship and recreation. Retreat leaders are speaker Mark Swartley, Executive Director of Spruce Lake Retreat, and song leader Jackie Swartley. For reservations, call Spruce Lake at 800-822-7505. or visit www.sprucelake.org.
Bally Mennonite Church will be serving a Pancake breakfast, including pancakes, French toast, sausage, scrapple, OJ, tea and coffee in the Church Fellowship hall on Saturday, September 25, 7:00 - 11:00 a.m. The cost is a donation. Proceeds from this pancake breakfast will provide funds for the Sahara Children’s home in Nepal.
Spruce Lake invites the public to the following concerts remaining in their summer concert series. All concerts are held in Lakeview Program Center, and tickets may be bought at the door or in advance by calling 800-822-7505. (These events are included in the package for guests attending the retreat during which they take place.)
The Nottingham Four, performing on Saturday, August 28, at 7:00 p.m. A purposeful, lively gospel music ensemble singing four-part harmonies accompanied by piano, bass and rhythm guitars. Tickets are $5 in advance or at the door.
True Heart Quartet, in concert on Friday, September 3, at 7:30 p.m. This is an inspiring gospel ensemble leading audiences in worship. Tickets are $5 in advance or at the door.
Jim Cole, Saturday, September 4, at 7:30 p.m. – classic finger-style guitarist and Christian songwriter, whose playing style and honest, wisdom-filled lyrics touch hearts in unexpected ways. Tickets are $8 in advance, $12 at the door.
Vocal Union will be performing on Sunday, September 5, at 7:30 p.m. This is an all-vocal, award-winning gospel band, offering meticulous, tight-harmonized vocals accompanied by vocal bass guitar and vocal percussion. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Volunteer and Job Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities at Souderton Mennonite Homes: The Fellowship at Souderton Mennonite Homes has volunteer opportunities for song leaders and piano players. Sunday services are held at 9:45 a.m. in the Summit View Auditorium. For more information on these opportunities contact Lynne Allebach at 215-723-2182 ext. 289
Living Branches, a small system of Mennonite-sponsored retirement living communities in southeastern Pennsylvania, seeks a compassionate Anabaptist leader with an ecumenical approach to ministry to serve as Director of Pastoral Care Services. The Director will lead a team of chaplains/pastors to meet the spiritual needs of residents of Dock Meadows, Souderton Mennonite Homes and Dock Woods. Five years of pastoral and/or chaplain ministry required, and masters-level training and CPE preferred. To learn more, visit www.livingbranches.org or call Russell Mast at 215-368-4438.
Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast
Save the date for the next Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast – Thursday, August 19, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center. Jim Ostlund (Blooming Glen) and Steve Kriss (Philadelphia Praise Center and Franconia Conference Staff) will lead in a presentation and conversation titled, “An Anabaptist/Mennonite Future in Turbulent Times.” Paradigms, perspectives and populations are changing both within and around the Mennonite community. Both Jim and Steve are Generation X leaders borrowing Mennonite roots to find a way of following Jesus that extends peace, grace and hope. They invite you to hear a bit from their experience, both formally and informally, in navigating toward a hopeful future in disorienting times. This work is rooted in listening and leading alongside young adults as well as emerging Anabaptist voices both inside and outside of the Mennonite Church. Please RSVP your attendance by Monday, August 16, to office@franconiaconference.org or by calling 267-932-6050, Ext. 110.
New Youth Breeze Newsletter Format
Watch for a new Youth Breeze Newsletter format. Youth Ministry resources and upcoming events will be included in Notes to Pastors and will also be sent by email to all youth pastors, sponsors, mentors, and Sunday school teachers that are in the Franconia Mennonite Conference and Eastern District Conference youth ministry database.
Spritual Life Emphasis Week Pastor’s Day at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School will be on Wednesday, September 15. The day begins with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. followed by joining your students in class. Glen Guyton, associate Executive Director for Constituent Resources for Mennonite Church USA along with Rachel Swartzentruber Miller, director of Convention Planning for Mennonite Church, will be the speakers for the week. After chapel there will be a time to meet with Dock administrators for discussion and enjoy lunch with students.
Watch for more details coming for a parent, youth leader and pastor resource event, November 2, 7:00 p.m. to be held at Salford Mennonite Church. This event is sponsored by youth pastors and Mennonite Schools, GPS 2012, Connections Goal team. Nate Stucky, PhD student at Princeton Seminary, will be the keynote speaker on the theme, Children and Youth Faith Formation. His keynote will be taken from the book “Almost Christian” by Kenda Creasy Dean, Prof at Princeton Seminary.
There is an exciting one day youth leadership event being planned. This event will replace the past Franconia Mennonite Conference and Eastern District Conference youth leadership retreat that was held at Spruce Lake. We are now planning something new that will be held on Saturday, November 20. This event will be geared to high school youth that have leadership gifts and abilities. We are hoping to secure a location shortly. Look for more details to follow.
Mennonite Church USA Call to prayer for August 12–13 delegation to Phoenix, Ariz. Deuteronomy 24:17-18 (NIV) 17Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. 18Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. Purpose of trip
In response to concerns raised by Iglesia Menonita Hispana, Mennonite Church USA’s Executive Board is sending a delegation to Phoenix, Ariz., to witness “on the ground” the effects of Arizona’s new immigration law, the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act. Phoenix currently is the location for the denomination’s 2013 convention.
Phoenix city government leaders, who have expressed their disappointment with the new legislation, extended the invitation to the delegation to come; the Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau will cover expenses for the trip.
The group will meet with city officials, convention planners, local Hispanic and Mennonite Church USA congregations, and human rights workers who specialize in immigration. Delegation members will gather information about the potential multi-faceted impacts of holding the denomination’s 2013 convention in Phoenix, and will discern options for staying in Phoenix, finding a different location, or canceling the 2013 gathering.
On Friday evening, Mennonite Church USA Phoenix-area churches will join delegation members for a forum on immigration to discuss the issues and guiding principles surrounding the Phoenix 2013 decision.
Delegation members
Iglesia Menonita Hispana representatives
Nicolas Angustia, Yvonne Diaz, Madeline Maldonado, Juan Montes, Jesús Muñoz Intercultural Relations Reference Committee members
Leslie Francisco III, Kuaying Teng Executive Board members
Ed Diller, Dick Thomas, Elizabeth Soto Albrecht, Tina Begay, Charlotte Hardt, Juanita Nuñez Mennonite Church USA staff
Ervin Stutzman, Glen Guyton, Marty Lehman, Susan Mark Landis, Rachel Swartzendruber Miller Racial Healing Task Group representative
Lloyd Miller Other representatives
Marc Hershberger (pastor), Saulo Padilla (director, Immigration Education Office, Mennonite Central Committee U.S.)
Prayers for the August 12–13 delegation
Our delegation invites you to join us in prayer before, during and after our time in Phoenix. Now is the time for all members of Mennonite Church USA to dwell together in unity and in prayer to begin the journey toward sharing a holistic witness to the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thursday, Aug. 5
“Pray for the ability to listen deeply and compassionately to all involved and for willingness to openly lay all cards on the table as we discern this significant decision.”—Lloyd Miller Friday, Aug. 6
“Ask God to help us to acknowledge that we are part of his creation and that every action we are taking is like a seed planted in the ground waiting to grow. My hope is to see the issues turn to blessings.”—Kuaying Teng Saturday, Aug. 7
“Lord, this is a struggle for me and a struggle for all of your church. Help us to see, hear and observe how you are working in Phoenix, and to discern your will. Be with us and all of our brothers and sisters.”—Charlotte Hardt Sunday, Aug. 8
“Pray that Jesus would show us—as people of God—opportunities to be witnesses against injustice and to bring healing and hope to those cloaked in despair. Pray that this process would bring about transformation in Mennonite Church USA.”—Glen Guyton Monday, Aug. 9
“Pray that we would discern—not with the spirit of the world, but with the Spirit of God; and that we would seek wisdom—not of natural man, but from the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:12-16).”—Marc Hershberger Tuesday, Aug. 10
“Pray that God would enlighten us and grant us grace during our time in Arizona and that we would be receptive to what God would guide us to do.”—Nicolas Angustia Wednesday, Aug. 11
“Pray that God would give us a generous spirit and the ability to listen patiently to both the city officials and the needs of our Hispanic brothers and sisters as together we discern God’s leading in this important decision.”—Marty Lehman Thursday, Aug. 12 (First day of delegation)
“Pray that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened to discern the hope of the oppressed people of God.”—Jesús Muñoz Friday, Aug. 13 (Second day of delegation)
“Pray that the Eternal Creator and lord of all the fullness of earth would:
- Bring emotional and spiritual healing to all the children of Abraham who flee poverty and persecution; and who in obedience to Jesus have left their family, country and culture to pursue a golden dream in the land of justice, hope and opportunity.
- That the divine Jesus would set free those without a voice and rights to defend them-selves, from the evil spirits of fear and anger.
- That the great I Am would make us more human and more sensitive to the needs and fears of the poor and undocumented in the U.S.
- That the church would model the example of the Father and the Son; when Jesus came as an immigrant from heaven, he was persecuted, mistreated and even killed, but the Father was with him at all times. The church should be with the undocumented, no matter what the system or SB 1070 says.
- Finally, the church must look to the example of Jesus’ family, who left Bethlehem for security reasons and emigrated to Egypt. I pray that the church would support those who have come to this country to protect their families.”—Juan Montes Saturday, Aug. 14
“Pray that our church would use this critical moment to think collectively about how best to engage questions of politics, culture and faith in new and innovative ways.”—Felipe Hinojosa (invited delegation member unable to participate) Sunday, Aug. 15
“Pray that the church would not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds—so that we would be able to test and approve what God’s will is—God’s good, pleasing and perfect will.”—Saulo Padilla Let us know your prayers, and that you are praying for us! Send your thoughts and prayers to SusanML@MennoniteUSA.org by Aug. 10, and she will give them to the delegation.
Mennonite Church USA is a member denomination of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center. The theme for the 2010 Leadership Seminar is “Preaching and Teaching Christian Stewardship”. This event is designed for steward leaders involved in teaching others how to present stewardship concepts and ideas. The plenary speakers are teachers and will give valuable insight for presenting stewardship in your ministry setting.
Ecumenical Stewardship Center invites you to visit www.escleadershipseminar.com for more information about the event. Be sure to block November 29 - December 2 on your calendars now.
The Mennonite Heritage Center invites you to special events on August 28 and 29. On Saturday, August 28, join a local heritage bus trip from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., a Pennsylvania Dutch dinner at 6:00 p.m. at Salford Mennonite Church followed by a program with keynote message by Dr. James Juhnke. On Sunday, August 29, you are invited to an Open House and library/fraktur gallery dedication from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Mennonite Heritage Center. Reservations required for the bus tour and dinner. For information, visit www.mhep.org or call 215-256-3020.
All are invited to the Vincent Mennonite Church 275th Anniversary Weekend and Homecoming, September 11 & 12. A song service with Wilmer Kolb and featuring the Amos Bechtel singing group and Men’s Quartet will be held on Saturday, September 11, 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, September 12 a catered Fellowship Meal will be held at 12:00 p.m. Please R.S.V.P. to the church office, 610-948-2129 or vincentoffice@juno.com. At 7:00 p.m. on the same day enjoy a premier of the church history DVD produced by Jay Ruth of Branch Valley Productions. In addition, on Saturday, October 16, 7:00 p.m., David Meece will be live in concert at Vincent Mennonite Church.
Foundations of Christian Belief and Behavior – 1. What is your worldview? This series is designed for Christian laypersons, covering some of the most vital areas of Christian belief and behavior. No Christian should ever be turned off by the study of biblical truth. Sadly, this can occur when too much focus is placed on minute details and little focus paid to practical applications. Each evening will be fast paced with lively discussion led by a fascinating variety of teachers. Some of the topics covered will include: The Bible and Culture, Christ and the Gospel, Christian Leadership, The Church, among others. The course is 13 weeks, held on Wednesday evenings at Line Lexington Mennonite Church, and runs from September 15 to December 15. For more information visit Line Lexington Mennonite Church’s website at: www.LLMC.org.
September Mennonite Central Committee Material Resource Project
Newborn Kits. MCC distributes newborn kits to hospitals, clinics and refugee camps. Newborn kits are sent to assist mothers in giving their children a good start in Bosnia, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, North Korea, Serbia, Russia and Ukraine. Last year, nearly 6,000 of these kits were distributed.
Contents (NEW items only, size 3-9 months)
* 2 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
* 2 undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)
* 4 cloth diapers (flat-fold preferred)
* 1 receiving blanket (light weight fleece or flannel; minimum 36 in)
* 4 safety pins (2in)
* 1 large bar Dove brand (or similar) mild soap (leave in wrapper)
* 1 pair of socks
* 1 cap
* Remove packaging material (except soap) and fold into the receiving blanket. Fasten together with the safety pins.
Drop off completed kits at any MCC location. For more information, please call 267-203-8074, 717-733-2847 or visit www.mcc.org./kits/newborn. As you prepare to create these items, please note the following:
* Contact your local MCC warehouse/activity center for the current pattern for hand-sewn gowns. * Note: Items can either be purchased or hand sewn. Packages of precut materials are available from some MCC material resource and collection centers.
MCC is grateful for your participation in this effort. Without people committed to sharing out of what they have, MCC could not provide, “New Hope in the Name of Christ.”
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is offering a 10-day Palestine-Israel Learning Tour, November 5 -15. Participants will learn more about the situation in Palestine-Israel, MCC’s work there, and the work of the Palestinians and Israelis with whom MCC has partnered. The tour will: explore ancient historical sites and walk in the footsteps of Jesus; gain a better understanding of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and current realities “on the ground”; meet with Palestinian and Israeli organizations working for peace and justice; consider the role of the Church today; and return to the United States with a commitment to engage in education and advocacy regarding Israeli-Palestinian issues. For more information on how you can take advantage of this opportunity, please contact Curtis Book at cbook@mcc.org or at (215) 535 3624 or visit http://eastcoast.mcc.org/
Foundations of Christian Belief and Behavior - 1 What is your worldview? This series is designed for Christian laypersons, covering some of the most vital areas of Christian belief and behavior. No Christian should ever be turned off by the study of biblical truth. Sadly, this can occur when too much focus is placed on minute details and little focus paid to practical applications. Each evening will be fast paced with lively discussion led by a fascinating variety of teachers. Some of the topics covered will include: The Bible and Culture, Christ and the Gospel, Christian Leadership, The Church, among others. The course is 13 weeks, held on Wednesday evenings at Line Lexington Mennonite Church, and runs from September 15 to December 15. For more information visit Line Lexington Mennonite Church’s website at www.LLMC.org.
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