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.
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.
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.
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/
Vincent Mennonite Church celebrates their 275th Anniversary. As part of the Anniversary Celebration and Homecoming you are invited to attend the 25th annual Arts & Crafts Day, Saturday, August 28, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. featuring chicken BBQ at 3:30 p.m. For BBQ tickets call the church office at 610-948-2129 or e mail vincentoffice@juno.com.
MAMA Project, Inc. Announces Inaugural Child Survival Golf Marathon Fundraiser. Olde Homestead Golf Club will be hosting the Inaugural Child Survival Golf Marathon in New Tripoli, PA on Monday, October 4. This unique golf fundraiser will be a 100-hole golf marathon for 36 players committed to making a real difference in child survival. The MAMA Project is looking for community leaders to be “Child Survival Champions” and bring people in their organizations to compete for this worthy cause and have a major impact in the lives of these children. Each player will have a fundraising goal of at least $2,000 per player and there will be 2 players per hole. A personalized fundraising web-page is provided for each player to raise funds. There is a 30-day fundraising period, beginning September 1, 2010, to procure pledges from sponsors. To register for the Golf Marathon, simply sign-up on the website at: www.oldehomesteadgolfclub.com/MAMAProject. For additional information, please contact Donna McKee at donna_mckee@verizon.net, or call 215-527-2011.
The July issue of Peace & Justice News from the Peace & Justice Committee of Eastern District and Franconia Conference is now posted on the web at: www.easterndistrict.org/pjnews/pjn1007.pdf. This issue features articles on immigrants in Pennsylvania.
Thank you for your prayer support of Mennonite education. The Mennonite Education Agency has posted now Prayers for Faith and Learning for the month of August at www.Mennonite Education.org/PRAYERS. A free subscription to Prayers for Faith and Learning and other MEA publications, may be found by visiting www.MennoniteEducation.org/Subscribe. Thank you for the many ways you support Mennonite education.
Volunteer & Job Opportunities
The Care & Share Thrift Shoppes in Souderton PA is opening a new shoppe and needs additional paid and volunteer staff! Find out more by visiting www.careandshareshoppes.org.
Peaceful Living is a non-profit organization looking for a full time bookkeeper with 4-5 years experience in general bookkeeping and accounting. Associates degree required, bachelors degree preferred. Applicant must be proficient in QuickBooks and Microsoft applications. Excellent oral and written communication skills are needed. Experience in fund accounting is a plus. Send cover letter and resume to Jan Landis at 2210 Shelly Road, Suite 2, Harleysville, PA 19438. Application and information is available on-line at www.peacefulliving.org.
***CORRECTION***Please note the following contact information correction:
Allentown Watershed is returning for the second weekend of training, August 6 - 7, at Christ Fellowship Church, 1213 West Chew Street. Sessions for the weekend are: Friday, August 6, 7 - 9 p.m., The Urban Challenge is Everywhere; Saturday, August 7, 9.00 - 11.30 a.m., Jesus is Our Peace; Saturday, August 7, 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Community Organizing and Church Planting. Join us for worship, fellowship, and training in organic church planting and missional renewal in an urban setting. There is no cost but registration is requested. To register or for more information contact Carolyn Albright at carolyna61@gmail.com, or 610-462-1493. Watershed is provided by Urban Expression North America and Jeff Wright, instructor, through an arrangement with the Eastern District Conference of Mennonite Church USA.
Allentown Watershed is returning for the second weekend of training, August 6 - 7, at Christ Fellowship Church, 1213 West Chew Street. Sessions for the weekend are: Friday, August 6, 7 – 9 p.m., The Urban Challenge is Everywhere; Saturday, August 7, 9.00 - 11.30 a.m., Jesus is Our Peace; Saturday, August 7, 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Community Organizing and Church Planting. Join us for worship, fellowship, and training in organic church planting and missional renewal. There is no registration cost, as Watershed is provided by Urban Expression North America, through an arrangement with the Eastern District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. For more information contact Jeff Wright at 888-777-4842 or urban.anabaptist@gmail.com.
Rockhill Mennonite Community invites you to join us as we celebrate 75 years of experiencing new horizons! On Sunday, August 8, 2:30 p.m. a Service of Celebration & Thanksgiving will be held. Featured will be speaker Rick Stiffney, President and CEO of Mennonite Health Services Alliance, with special music by Michael Bishop, Director of Music at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church. At 7:00 p.m. there will be an outdoor concert, by the Souderton High School Alumni Men’s Chorus with director, Jon Leight. For more information, please contact Cathy Kanas at 215-257-2751, ext 158.
***Correction*** Please note the following date correction:
Fulbright Fellows, attending orientation at the University of Pennsylvania, are looking forward to visiting in our homes and churches for a weekend home stay August 14 – 15. Host families will meet their guests at the Franconia Mennonite Conference sponsored Peach Picnic at the Souderton Borough Park on Saturday, August 14, 5:00 p.m. Students will stay with host families until Sunday afternoon, 3:00 p.m. Contact Betsy Moyer at 215-257-7419 or moyerpb@comcast.net with any questions or to volunteer to host students. Thank you for offering hospitality to these guests.
Women … connect with other women and receive God’s power for your life at Spruce Lake’s Women’s Retreat, September 17-19. Speaker Sylane Mack and worship artist Cheri Keaggy will refresh and energize your spirit. Come yourself, with a few friends or bring a group from church! Call 800-822-7505 or visit www.sprucelake.org for details and reservations. There’s still time to receive the early registration discount if reservations are made by August 1.
Spruce Lake invites the public to the following upcoming concerts and events. (These are already part of the package for those attending the entire retreat of which this event is part.) All concerts are held in Spruce Lake’s Lakeview Program Center at 7 p.m. People may come early and enjoy some recreation or sign up for dinner before the event. Call Spruce Lake at 800-822-7505 or visit www.sprucelake.org for information.
Dennis Swanberg (“The Swan”) Performance, Saturday, July 24. With down-home charm and radiant generosity, this pastor-turned-comedian tickles the funny bones of thousands of people every year blending wholesome entertainment with spiritual insight and encouragement. Tickets are $5 in advance or at the door. Randy Stonehill Concert, Saturday, August 7. A 30-year musical career, this Christian folk-rock artist got his start alongside friend and fellow “Jesus rocker” Larry Norman in the 1970s. Since then, with a long string of acclaimed and successful albums, Stonehill has established himself as a “statesman of contemporary Christian music.” Tickets are $15 in advance of $20 at the door. Inner Mission Concert, Saturday, August 14. This contemporary Christian band offers original music and fresh, vibrant lyrics that express new perspectives on God’s unconditional love for us. Tickets are $5 in advance or at the door. True Heart Quartet Concert, Thursday, August 19. This ensemble started out as a trio in 1993. Since then, the quartet has achieved several gospel music talent awards, but they prefer to seen simply as a group of men who want to serve Jesus through their musical talents. Tickets are $5 in advance or at the door.
A special concert will be held at Plains Mennonite Church on Monday, August 16, 7 p.m. The Wuppertaler Kurrende: Boys choir from Germany will be performing. This 60-member renowned choir from German has toured in the United States three times (1974, 1978, and 1996). Boys from the age of 6 receive basic music and voice-training and join the choir at the age of 10. The repertoire mainly consists of a-cappella music of the 16th to 20th centuries. A concert of the Wuppertaler Kurrende boys choir is a music-cultural highlight you won’t want to miss. Additional information can be found by visiting www.PlainsMennoniteChurch.org.
The August Mennonite Central Committee Material Resource Project is School Kits. August brings the time for shopping for school supplies. This month, Mennonite Central Committee is asking if you will consider purchasing supplies for MCC School Kits. MCC sends school kits to places including Iraq, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, and to poorly funded schools in Canada and the United States. While large majorities of the School Kits are delivered to international settings, MCC East Coast also makes them available for domestic distribution. One place that is using them is the Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association in Northeast Philadelphia. Kits were given out at their Community Festival to children who may not otherwise have the materials they need to be successful in school. Efforts like this would not be possible without assistance from you and others. MCC East Coast is blessed to have such dedicated supporters and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May you find blessing as you gather these materials.
Contents
• 4 spiral or perforated notebooks (about 8.5in x 10.5in and 70 sheets)
• 4 unsharpened pencils
• 1 ruler (flat, flexible plastic; indicating both 30cm and 12in)
• 12 colored pencils (in packaging)
• 1 large pencil eraser
School kits are distributed in a useful double drawstring cloth bag (11in x 16in). You may sew the bag yourself, request bags from an MCC collection center or donate contents that we will place in a bag. 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/school.
The Summer Vegetable Basket Program begins on Monday, July 12. Do you have a home garden? Do you ever have extra produce? Here is your chance to share extra produce and help those in need! Bring vegetables to one of the following drop-off locations by 9:00 a.m. on Monday mornings: Deep Run East Mennonite Church, Blooming Glen Creamery Apartments, Care & Share Thrift Shoppe, Indian Valley Mennonite Church, Plains Mennonite Church, Mennonite Conference Center, Lamb Foundation. Donated produce is distributed to local food pantries. Visit www.nutritioncoalition.org for more information.
MCC offers new summer resource for children. Hola. Bonjou. Marhaba. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) invites children to say Hello to the world this summer. The Hello Summer Fun Pack, hello.mcc.org/summerfun.html, offers downloadable stories and challenges on the topics of water, food and peace. The activities are geared to children, ages 8 to 12, and designed to be used at home, Sunday school or club settings. Children who finish five activities for each theme will receive a completion certificate and are eligible to win summer fun prizes. For more information, e-mail hello@mcc.org.
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