MCC reports recent shipments to Haiti totaling: 6, 910 relief kits; 11,729 comforters; 2,635 sheets; 1, 898 tarps; and 153,000 pounds of canned meat. The Material Resource Center of Harleysville continues to be a collection point for relief efforts. The Harleysville Center thanks God for the new space which helps us to be much more productive and efficient. Thanks to all for your help and support. New volunteers and your kind donations are always welcome!
On Saturday, March 20, Red Hen, a quartet which blends old time, country and bluegrass with a little Celtic, and David G. Bailey will perform at the Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse in the Perkasie Mennonite Church hall. Doors open at 7 p.m. with performances at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are: Adults $9, Adults over 65 $7, Students 13 and up $4, 12 & under Free. Tasty refreshments will be sold. Check out www.perkmenno.org for directions and more information, or call 215-723-2010 or 215-257-3117. A portion of the proceeds will go to MCC for Haiti Earthquake Relief.
The Outreach Committee of Zion Mennonite Church is hosting a Haiti Fundraising Dinner on Saturday, March 20, at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Karen Thomas will be sharing her experiences working with Sam Rice in Dariol last summer through the ministry of Gospel Growers. Your generous donations will be used to build much-needed houses in Dariol at a cost of $3,000 each. Reservations are needed–call the church office at 215-723-3592. Reservation deadline: March 12.
Come and visit the meetinghouse where the oldest permanent Mennonite congregation in America met for 216 years! On Saturday, March 20, the historic Germantown Mennonite Meetinghouse will be open for tours and stories from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. For further information call 267-297-6124.
The Mennonite Heritage Center invites the public to an illustrated program on Fraktur presented by Lisa Minardi on Sunday, March 21 at 2 p.m. Ms. Minardi, assistant curator of furniture at Winterthur Museum, will trace the connection between European and American fraktur and also talk about her work with the fraktur collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Admission is by donation. For information call 215-256-3020 or visit www.mhep.org.
Why Knot! Week at West Swamp Mennonite Church, March 22 – 26. The church will be open each day, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. for marathon comforter knotting. Please join us for an hour, a day or everyday. Lunch, supper and snacks provided. Questions? Call the church office 215-536-7468.
All are invited to an EASTER EGG HUNT, Saturday, March 27, 11:00 a.m. at Methacton Mennonite Church. Egg Hunt - Pedal Trains Rides – Prizes! For ages preschool through grade 6. Rain Date, Saturday, April 3. Visit www.methactonmennonite.org for more information.
The Mennonite Heritage Center invites you to a Hymn Sing on Sunday, March 28, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Salford Mennonite Church. Hiram Hershey, John Ruth and others will lead the congregation in singing selections of favorite hymns. Come and join in good community singing. An offering will be taken to support the work of the Mennonite Heritage Center. For information call 215-256-3020 or visit www.mhep.org.
All parents and youth leaders are invited to “Healthy Balance – Hope, Dreams & Wings” on Wednesday, April 7, 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church. This free seminar will feature a keynote address by Marlene Frankenfield, Campus Pastor at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School & Conference Youth Minister, and Mary Benner, Pastor of Children & Youth at Souderton Mennonite Church. This will be followed by Breakout Seminars led by local youth pastors on current issues facing parents of and youth leaders working with jr/sr high students. For more information and details on the breakout seminars, contact Blooming Glen Mennonite Church at 215-257-3431 or visit www.bgmc.net. or www.franconiaconference.org. The conference is sponsored by Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Deep Run East Mennonite Church, Franconia Mennonite Church, Rockhill Mennonite Church, Salford Mennonite Church, Souderton Mennonite Church, Zion Mennonite Church & Franconia Mennonite Conference.
A Mom’s Market will be held on Saturday, April 10, 9 a.m. - noon at Franconia Mennonite Church. Admission is free to this indoor market with multiple sellers of infants and children’s clothes, toys, books, etc. Cost per table to participate is just $5.00 and will used towards advertising the market to the community. For more information contact the church office at 215-723-3220.
Women: Come to CELEBRATE to relax, refresh, rejoice and renew at a day planned just for you. “Celebrate, Women Joining Together” will be held at Franconia Mennonite Church, Saturday, April 17, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The day will include 2 sessions of worship through music, prayer and sharing from the Word by Bonnie Stevenson, missionary in Mexico City. There will be fellowship and optional pampering stations including hand, neck and shoulder massage and light stretching. The event is free and lunch will be provided. Please register by April 5 at www.franconiaconference.org or call 267-932-6050.
We regret that the MCC Meat Canner will not be operating in the Hatfield area during 2010 due to availability in scheduling. We thank everyone for their continued support of MCC and the meat canning project. Donated funds will be used for the 2011 meat canning project. Please plan on participating next year at the new Material Resource Center. Any questions may be directed to Abe Landes at 215-896-8184.
Job Opportunities
Ambler Mennonite Church seeks a creative and energetic person committed to Anabaptist values to work beside our pastor on a quarter-time basis, with an emphasis on community outreach and church growth. Ambler is a diverse congregation in an equally diverse Philadelphia suburb, looking to enlarge its membership and impact, both locally and beyond. Bachelor’s degree expected. Students and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. MLIs are welcome but not necessary. Send a letter of interest and a resume with three current references to amblermennonite@verizon.net or Outreach Enthusiast Search Committee, 90 E. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002. Applications will be accepted through March 15.
The Care & Share Thrift Shoppes in Souderton Pa. will be expanding in the near future! Check our website often for updated listings on paid positions! Volunteers are always welcomed! www.careandshareshoppes.org
Thinking about what’s ahead this fall? Are you a young adult interested in discovering more about God, yourself and others? Would you like to be part of a team that invests a year serving and learning together in a cross-cultural setting? Are you someone who enjoys a challenge and takes initiative to build relationships? Radical Journey may be just what you’re looking for! To learn more about Radical Journey, view location descriptions, or apply now for the 2010-2011 year, visit www.Service.MennoniteMission.net or e-mail KayS@MennoniteMission.net
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 March at www.MennoniteEducation.org/PRAYERS. Subscriptions are available online by visiting www.MennoniteEducation.org/Subscribe.
“Dock’s Got Talent” will raise money to help Nations Worship Center, a Franconia conference church, raise money for a new worship space. The talent show fundraiser will be held at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School tomorrow evening, Monday, March 8 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The entry “fee” for the talent show was either $100 or 100 lbs. of jasmine rice or Ramen noodles. The food will also be donated to NWC for a food distribution program it operates for families in its south Philadelphia neighborhood. Members of NWC will join for the evening, which will also feature a silent auction and food sales (rice and noodles, naturally). Come out and have some fun for a great cause!
Karen’s Place, the coffee shop ministry of Doylestown Mennonite Church, continues the 10th Annual Blues-Rock Madness Month on Saturday, March 13 with Raging Grace, a Connecticut based blues-rock band. Admission is free. Donations collected will go to Mennonite Disaster Service to benefit hurricane victims in the Gulf area. Join this great time of Christian fellowship and music in a laid-back coffee-shop setting. For more information, please call the church office at 215-345-6377 or visit www.karensplace.org.
You are invited to RIPPLE at The Caring Place, 931 Hamilton St., Allentown, PA, on Sunday, March 14 at 4 p.m. to share in a possibility that will provide hope to the community and to help realize a dream of helping others in need. We will be praying, worshiping and giving what we can to help build a professional kitchen in the Caring Place. Mrs. Mary Griffin, director of The Caring Place (where Ripple meets), has a vision of a space where people of the Lehigh Valley can find work in their own micro-business by using a restaurant-quality inspected kitchen to produce specialty food items to sell. The youth of The Caring Place can also learn vocational skills from professional chefs to help them reach their career goals. Come in casual dress, have a snack and a cup of coffee in the Caring Coffee Cafe, hear the Word of God as it is relevant and involved in our lives, listen to a dream, pray for God’s possibilities, offer what you can–your talent (we will be working together on 3/20/10), donations and prayers. Childcare is available. If you would like more information, contact Tom Albright at 610-462-1075.
Come to the Quiet . . . at the next monthly Evening Song and Prayer service at Perkasie Mennonite Church on Sunday, March 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. Using music from the Taizé community in France, as well as hymns of the church, we gather in a candle-lit atmosphere for scripture, song, silence, and prayers for our world, communities and loved ones. For directions check the church website at www.perkmenno.org or call 215-257-3117.
PA Relief Sale! Join the festivities on April 2 and 3 at the Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. Come for the food, bid on items at the Quilt Auction and Country Auction, and shop at the flower booth and other artisan displays. Children will enjoy activities in the Children’s area including an auction just for them! All sale day proceeds benefit the worldwide relief efforts of Mennonite Central Committee.
The Mennonite Central Committee Material Resource Project for April is Sewing Kits. When Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) began 90 years ago, the first supplies were sent to Mennonites living in Ukraine who were suffering from lack of food. MCC continues helping in that part of the world by sending more than 500 to Ukraine in the past year. The kits provide basic tools to make and mend clothing. People with little access to these simple but important items will use them well. Sewing 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 will be placed in a bag by MCC staff. Kits may be dropped off at the MCC Material Resource Center of Harleysville at 737 Hagey Center Drive, Suite C, Souderton. Contents (NEW items only)
1 metric tape measure
2 spools dual use white thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273m / 300 yards each)
2 spools dual use black thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273m / 300 yards each)
1 thimble (medium size)
1 dressmaker’s scissors (good quality)
1 pkg. needles (approx. 25)
1 pkg. straight pins (approx. 100)
1 pkg. hooks and eyes (approx. 12)
1 pkg. sew on snaps (approx. 20-25)
10 assorted safety pins
Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation welcomes all interested in the following April 2010 retreats at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, PA. Register by March 25. Later registrations accepted on a space-available basis. For more information on the retreats or to register visit www.on-the-journey.org or contact Kairos at 717-669-2957:
* Silent Retreat: Wednesday evening April 7 to Friday, April 9 at noon
* Love as a Central Theme to the Journey: Friday evening, April 9 to Sunday, April 11 noon or Sat (only option)
* Silent Retreat: Friday evening, April 9 to Sunday, April 11 at noon or Sat (only option)
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.
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.
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.
Donate for Donuts - Enjoy your faschnachts and help Haiti! Order your faschnacts through Souderton Mennonite Church (SMC) and proceeds will help restock medical supplies, rebuild devastated villages, and help families in need in Haiti through SMC’s Haiti Relief Fund. An order form is available at www.soudertonmennonite.org and orders can be emailed to janeen898@verizon.net or called into the church office at 215-723-3088 by Wednesday, February 10.
All are welcome to attend a special FREE concert, featuring Depth of Mercy at Spring Mount Mennonite Church on Saturday, February 13 at 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Stacey Hallahan at 610-287-2506.
Love for Haiti Service — All are invited on Sunday, February 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Souderton Mennonite Church, to hear stories and see pictures from their congregation’s Haiti Service Team’s January mission trip. An offering will be received for SMC’s Haiti Relief Fund to help restock medical supplies, rebuild devastated villages, and help families in need. You are invited to bring Relief Kits, comforters, and sheets to the service for Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) ongoing earthquake relief/recovery efforts. Details on these three offerings are at www.mcc.org/kits. For more information, call 215-723-3088 or email churchoffice@soudertonmennonite.org.
Come to the Quiet . . . at the next monthly Evening Song and Prayer service at Perkasie Mennonite Church on Sunday, February 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. Using music from the Taizé community in France, as well as hymns of the church, come to gather in a candle-lit atmosphere for scripture, song, silence, and prayers for our world, communities and loved ones. For directions check the church website at www.perkmenno.org or call 215-257-3117.
Delaware Valley MEDA is proud to announce the launch of its “Third Thursday Breakfast Program” on Thursday, February 18. This will be a time of fellowship and networking for business and professionals looking to explore the intersections of their faith and their business. The breakfast will be held at Franconia Café at 6:30 a.m., with the program completed by 7:30 a.m. There is no need to RSVP and individuals will be responsible for the cost of their meal.
On Saturday, February 20, Carolyn Hannan & John Lionarons, two seasoned musicians, combine their talents of voice, guitar and hammered dulcimer for the first time for an exciting evening of Irish song and tunes at the Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse at Perkasie Mennonite Church. Unsafe At Any Speed will open the evening. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with performances at 7:30. Adults $9, Adults over 65 $7, Students 13 and up $4, 12 & under free. Tasty refreshments will be available for sale. A portion of the proceeds will go to Child, Home & Community. Visit www.perkmenno.org or call 215-257-3117 for more information.
Brrr! It’s cold outside! Rockhill Mennonite Community’s “famous” homemade vegetable soup will help keep you warm when the wind is howling outside. Pints are available for $3.50 or quarts for $5.50. Ordering is easy! Call Renee Patterson at 215-257-2751, ext 211, or email her at rpatterson@rockhillmennonite.org. Soup is available by order only. Please order by Wednesday, February 24. Pick up in the Main Lobby by the Gift Shop on Saturday, February 27 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Penn View Christian School will present Doc, Doc, GOOSE! on Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27. This fast-paced show is filled with slapstick humor, silly situations, and modern twists on old-fashioned nursery rhymes. To reserve tickets, call 215-723-1196. Tickets will also be available at the door. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children and senior citizens. Children 5 and under are free.
The Franconia-Lancaster Choral Singers will present A Hymn Sing under the direction of conductor Ralph Alderfer. The concert will be held on Saturday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Zion Mennonite Church, Souderton, and on Sunday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m. at Neffsville Mennonite Church in Lancaster.
Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation is offering the following retreats the weekend of March 5 - 7 at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, PA.: Saturday only: Guided Silent Retreat; Friday –Sunday: Guided Silent Retreat; Friday – Sunday: Visualizing Your Spiritual Journey. Registrations are due February 18 and accepted after that date on a space-available basis. Also available on Saturday, February 20 is the workshop Understanding the Enneagram at James St. Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA on a space-available basis. All are welcome to attend! For more information or to register contact us at 717-669-2957 or online at www.on-the-journey.org.
Job/Service Opportunities
Ambler Mennonite Church seeks a creative and energetic person committed to Anabaptist values to work beside the pastor on a quarter-time basis, with an emphasis on community outreach and church growth. Ambler is a diverse congregation in an equally diverse Philadelphia suburb, looking to enlarge its membership and impact, both locally and beyond. Bachelor’s degree expected. Students and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. MLIs are welcome but not necessary. Send a letter of interest and a resume with three current references to amblermennonite@verizon.net or Outreach Enthusiast Search Committee, 90 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave, Ambler, PA 19002. Applications will be accepted through March 15.
The Care and Share Thrift Shoppes have an opening for someone with experience and enthusiasm to assist in managing the daily operations in the Variety Shoppe. This 32-hour per week position requires a high energy, customer service focused, and organized individual. The ability to motivate volunteers and staff and to lead by example are key qualifications. Must be physically able to move up to 25 lbs, and remain standing for long periods of time. Applications accepted until February 19. For more information or to download a job application, visit www.careandshareshoppes.org or email sbergin@careandshareshoppes.org.
Try on service this summer with Youth Venture! Get ready for a new adventure and be a part of what God is doing around the world. If you are between the ages of 14 and 22, and are interested in spending some time serving and learning alongside other young adults, Youth Venture may be for you. Youth Venture gives you a chance to try new things, meet new people, and learn about a new culture through the eyes of a local church or host community. During summer 2010, you can travel with teams and a leader to locations like Bolivia, Botswana, France, southern California and Montreal, among others. For more information about Youth Venture, visit Service.MennoniteMission.net or email ArloaB@MennoniteMission.net.
Deep Run Mennonite Church East is hosting a Men’s Banquet, Tuesday, February 9, 6:15 p.m. Intentional Influences — the importance of good adult role models for our youth — is the focus of this year’s program with guest speaker, Tom Nuneviller. Tom is a 1987 graduate of Pennridge High School and was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round of the June 1990 draft. He remained with the Phillies farm system for 7 years, making it to Triple A ball and played with the Scranton Red Barons. Tom is currently a Pennridge High School Health & Physical Education teacher and the Varsity Boys Baseball coach. Enjoy an all you can eat buffet. Adults - $15, Children 4 – 10 - $7.50, 3 & under – Free. Register by February 1. Registration forms and more information available by visiting www.deepruneast.org.
You are invited to a reunion of the original Philadelphia sanctuary congregations and leaders of the 1980s, Thursday, February 11, 7 – 9 p.m. at Tabernacle United Church. Tabernacle United Church was the first Philadelphia congregation to declare sanctuary status in the 1980s and is located at Chestnut and 37th Street. Come and hear stories about experiences of solidarity and accompaniment, as well as, stories about what’s going on with the NEW sanctuary movement and immigration issues in Philadelphia today. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome. For more information contact New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, Peter Pedemonti and Jen Rock 646-226-0848 or 267-275-7810, email nsmphiladelphia@gmail.com or visit www.nsmphilly.blogspot.com.
All are invited to the Lenten House of Prayer at Souderton Mennonite Church. The House of Prayer will be open from Friday, February 12 through Monday, February 22, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Come use the many prayer stations for both familiar and new ways to encounter God. To schedule a time for a group to come, please contact Sandy Drescher-Lehman at 215-723-3088 x17 or sdlehman@soudertonmennonite.org.
All are invited to Bally Mennonite Church, Saturday, February 13 for a Pancake Breakfast. Breakfast will be served 7 – 11 a.m., and will include pancakes, French toast, sausage, scrapple, O.J., tea and coffee. The cost is a donation. Proceeds will provide funds for the Bally Community Center.
A Photo Club is being held at Wellspring Church of Skippack. The club will meet in the Fellowship Hall, Thursday, February 18, 6:30 p.m. Come for mutual support, do monthly photography projects and receive constructive critique of each other’s work. There will even be an occasional field trip.
All are welcome.
All are warmly invited to a worship service in song with the Goshen College Men’s Chorus on Monday, February 22, 7 p.m. at Salford Mennonite Church. 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.” Please visit www.salfordmc.org or contact the church office at 215-256-0778 for more information.
Celebrate! Women, come for a time of relaxation, refreshment and rejoicing. On Saturday, April 17, women from throughout our region will join together to celebrate life, community and the love of Jesus. SAVE THE DATE!
A new ministry of Franconia Mennonite Conference, Living Hope Farm begins its relational farming this year through Community Supported Agriculture. Members receive a weekly basket of what is ready to harvest from May to October. A full share costs $725; partial shares cost $365. Contact farmer Jill Landes at 267-625-4525 or info@livinghopefarm.org to purchase a share or make a donation to help jump-start this first phase of the farm ministry.
Speaker and pantomime artist Cary Trivanovich teams up with worship leader Monte Leister for a lively Spring Family Weekend at Spruce Lake Retreat, April 30 – May 2. Come with your trout license for fishing in the annual Trout Fishing Derby! Package, $369 for family of four (adjustable for family size). Call for reservations at 800-822-7505 or visit www.sprucelake.org.
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 February at go to www.MennoniteEducation.org/PRAYERS. Subscriptions are available online by visiting www.MennoniteEducation.org/Subscribe.
MMA’s offices have moved to a new location in Souderton. This is part of a planned expansion of MMA services that will include the addition of credit union services through Mennonite Financial Federal Credit Union later in 2010. Our new offices are located at 121 N. Main St., Souderton, in the Village Centre Office Suites building. You may reach any of the MMA team (Trish Sneddon, Randy Delp, Jeff Godshall, Randy Nyce, Arlin Lapp, Bill Hartman, Patti Freed and Ruth Ann Kulp) at 215-703-0111 or toll free at 877-420-9789. Come see us in our new location!
A 2-bedroom apartment on the campus of the Historic Mennonite Meetinghouse in the Germantown section of Philadelphia is available for rental in February. The landlord is the Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust, a small nonprofit. We seek community-minded tenants. As a Mennonite organization, we understand that the peaceful presence of our residential community is a witness in our neighborhood. Rent is $800/month. Tenant pays utilities. If interested, please contact Liz Einsig Wise, Executive Director, at (267) 240-7966 or gmht@meetinghouse.info.
Please note:During the week of February 1, Bulletin Announcements will be sent on Wednesday, February 3 instead of Tuesday, February 2. Thank you for your understanding.
Upper Milford Mennonite Church will hold a Taize prayer service on Sunday, January 31, at 7 p.m. All are welcome to share in this special time of meditative prayer and song.
You are invited to the Holy Land Tour October 2010 Informational Meeting with Glenn Witmer, director of MennoJerusalem Bible Land Tours, Monday, February 1, 7 p.m. at Deep Run East Mennonite Church. This meeting is for those who have indicated interest in this tour and for anyone who may have an interest in a trip to the Holy Lands at some time in their life. The tentative tour dates are October 17 – 31. For more information, contact Bob Moyer at bobpax70@verizon.net or 215-766-0827; Sue Hackman at hackmantravel@verizon.net or 610-584-1747. For tour descriptions and itinerary, visit www.mennojerusalem.org.
All are invited to participate in Transformation 2010, an experience of prayer, fasting, meditation and worship during the upcoming Lenten season, February 17 - April 3, to unite the church in the region. We will seek God for transformation in our homes, churches, communities, nation and world. Joining together with believers from many denominations, you are invited to participate in several ways:
- Reading and meditating on scriptures and daily email devotionals written by pastors and prayer leaders from churches in the region
- Choosing a way to fast during this time in order to foster a growing intimacy with God
- Setting aside time to pray for transformation
- Attending regional prayer and worship events
If you are interested in participating by receiving the daily emails and other information about regional events, please contact Sandy Landes, Prayer Ministry Coordinator, slandes@franconiaconference.org, by Wednesday, February 3. Celebrate Lent in a new way this year by anticipating how God will bring forth transformation in our homes, churches, communities, nation and world.
Job Opportunities
Salford Mennonite Child Care Centers is looking for part time and full time teachers, beginning immediately at both campuses. Thank you for passing the word along to help us look for qualified teachers for the children we serve. Contact Christina Lynch at 215-565-2402 or lynchc@salfordmc.org.
The January 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/pjn1001.pdf. This issue includes information about “Bridge of Hope” for homeless families, and features the Salford Mennonite Justice and Peace Team.
The Christopher Dock Mennonite High School Guidance Office invites parents to Financial Aid Night, Thursday, January 21, 6:30 p.m. in Rosenberger Academic Center Room 103. Michelle Hensley, director of financial aid at Eastern Mennonite University, will provide information on student loans, financial aid, grants and scholarships. This FREE workshop could save you thousands of dollars, and the information is applicable no matter where your student goes to college. RSVP to the Guidance Office at 215-362-2675, ext. 601, or khalteman@dockhs.org.
You are invited to an Open House at the Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA, Sunday, January 24, 2 – 5 p.m. for the exhibits Comforts of Home: Early Twentieth Century Farmhouse Furnishings and The Photography of Anna Guntz. For information visit www.mhep.org, email info@mhep.org or call 215-256-3020.
All are invited to Christopher Dock Mennonite High School’s upcoming Student Visitation Days on Friday, January 29 and Monday, February 8. On visitation days, prospective students will be hosted by a Christopher Dock student and will accompany them through a typical day, including classes, a morning chapel service and lunch (which is free). Please call Lois Boaman in the Admissions Office at 215-362-2675, ext. 106, to make an appointment.
Delaware Valley MEDA will be hosting a dinner program Tuesday, February 2, featuring Greg Lacher, retired president of Lacher and Associates. The dinner will be held in the Fisher Auditorium at Dock Woods Community. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. with dinner following at 6:30 p.m. The cost for the meal is $18 and is payable at the event. Please RSVP your attendance by Thursday, January 28 by email at delvalmeda@yahoo.com or by calling 215-721-3030 or 267-932-6050.
Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation welcomes all interested in the following February retreats at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, PA (unless noted otherwise).
* February 5 – 7: Discernment: How Do I Know It’s You, God?
* February 5 – 7: Silent Retreat (options spiritual director available upon request)
* February 20: Understanding the Enneagram workshop, held at James St. Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA
* February 8: Being Contemplative in a High Performance World, for people in business and church work
Register for classes by January 21. Later registrations accepted on a space-available basis. For more information or to register visit www.on-the-journey.org or contact Kairos at 717-669-2957.
Karen’s Place, the coffee shop ministry of Doylestown Mennonite Church, will be open on Saturday February 6 featuring singer songwriter Wendy Schettig. Donations continue to be collected for hurricane victims of the Gulf Area. Monies will be forwarded to Mennonite Disaster Service. Karen’s Place donates a percentage of its proceeds to the New Britain Baptist Food Larder. If you bring canned fruit, vegetable, or soup {no baked beans or tomato soup please} Karen’s Place will deliver the items to 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.
The Philadelphia area Damascus Road Antiracism Analysis Training will be held February 26 - 28, in Norristown, PA. Study a biblical basis and an analytic framework for dismantling systemic racism in the church and church related organizations and ministries. Online registration, English and Spanish brochures are available by visiting www.slf.franconiaconference.org. For information contact Sharon Williams, 610-277-1729 or sharonw@cavtel.net.
Interested persons are invited to attend the Spring 2010 Gateway Course, “Ananbaptist Leadership, Polity & Effectiveness” offered by Eastern Mennonite University in collaboration with Mennonite Conferences in southeastern Pennsylvania. Stephen Kriss, director of communication and leadership cultivation for Franconia Mennonite Conference and Donella Clemens, a regional and national Mennonite church leader, will lead the course. The course goals are to provide a foundation for self-care of congregational leaders, develop an understanding of possibilities for Anabaptist leadership within the Northeast Corridor, and cultivating a general familiarity with denominational polity. Dates for the course are February 5 - 6 at the Discipleship Training Center, Norristown, PA and March 5 – 6 at Sunnyside Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA. For more information and registration, visit www.emu.edu/lancaster/seminary/gateway.
Women in Conversation: Living a Life of Gratitude is coming to Laurelville Mennonite Church Center April 9 -11. Featuring keynote speaker Megan Ramer of Chicago IL, and worship leaders Jen Helmuth Shenk and Kristin Graber Kauffman of Elkhart IN, this women’s retreat is an opportunity to focus on your spiritual journey - body, mind, soul and spirit. Women of all ages and walks of life are invited for a time of conversation, worship, laughter, prayer and renewal. Register by March 1 to receive a discount by visiting www.laurelville.org or calling 800-839-1021. Women in Conversation retreats are co-sponsored by Mennonite Women USA and Laurelville.
Job Opportunities
Care & Share Thrift Shoppes in Souderton PA is searching for a full time Volunteer Manager with high energy, good computer skills, a team player and is organized! This person is the key connection to recruiting volunteers and finding the perfect fit for them at our multiple thrift shoppes. Apply by February 5. Experience with volunteers given preference. More information can be found by visiting www.careandshareshoppes.org.
All are welcome to Evening Song and Prayer in the Taizé tradition at Perkasie Mennonite Church, Sunday,January 10, 7 - 8 p.m. Using music from the Taizé community in France, as well as hymns of the church, we gather in a candlelit atmosphere for scripture, song, silence, and prayers for our world, communities and loved ones.
Karen’s Place, the coffee shop ministry of Doylestown Mennonite Church, will be open on SaturdayJanuary 16, 7:00 – 10:30 p.m., featuring the acoustic rock singer-songwriter Flint Zeigler. Donations are being collected for the hurricane victims of Gulf Area. Monies will be forwarded to Mennonite Disaster Service which helps people to rebuild their homes. 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} to be delivered to 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 call the church office at 215-345-6377 or visit www.karensplace.org.
A Photo Club is being held at Wellspring Church of Skippack. The club will meet in the Fellowship Hall. The next meeting is Thursday,January 21 at 6:30 p.m. Come for mutual support, do monthly photography projects, and receive constructive critique of each other’s work. There will even be an occasional field trip. All are welcome!
Prospective Student Open Houses for Penn View Christian School, Tuesday, January 26, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. - “Souper” Supper and Express Tours. Forget Dinner — It’s on us! Grab some soup and salad and ‘warm up’ to all that Penn View has to offer. Snow date, January 28. Wednesday, February 3, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast and Express Tours. Skip breakfast at home and stop by Penn View for a quick bite and explore just what you’ve been looking for in a school! Snow date, February 10. RSVP to Sandra Harrell, Director of Admissions at sharrell@pennview.org. For more information visit www.pennview.org.
The 2010 Winter Peace Retreat at Spruce Lake, sponsored by Eastern District and Franconia Conferences, will be held February 12-14. The adult program, on “Compassionate Peacemaking; Extending Hope and Healing to Those with Soul Wounds” will be led by Carolyn Heggen, a psycho-therapist specializing in trauma recovery. She is director of the Healing the Wounds of War project at EMU, and author of the book “Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches”. Learn how to be agents of compassion, hope and healing for those suffering from the trauma of nature-caused or human-inflicted violence or the trauma of participation in war. There will be a dynamic program for children ages 6 - 12 with a woodworking project, puppet shows and more. For further information contact Becky Felton, 215-536-7935, bbfelton@verizon.net, or see the complete announcement at efpjc.ppjr.org/efp102.htm Registration deadline is January 22.
FOCUS ON MARRIAGE SIMULCAST at Franconia Mennonite Church Saturday, February 27, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For all marriages ranging from engaged to married over 50 years, join us for “Celebrating God’s Design for Commitment!” Live via satellite, presented by Focus on the Family. Speakers include: Gary Thomas - Sacred Marriage, Gary Chapman - The Five Love Languages, Stephen Kendrick - Love Dare, Kirk & Chelsea Cameron - Fire Proof, Francis Chan - Crazy Love, and Les and Leslie Parrott. Tickets can be purchased at www.franconiamennonite.org, Franconia Cafe, Berean Bookstore, or the church office. Cost is $20 per person, lunch is included. A great marriage event!
The Mennonite Central Committee Material Resource Project for February is Sewing Kits. For many, the struggle to survive from day to day has been complicated by poverty, war, or disease. Perhaps they have skills to offer but lack the funds to buy the simple tools needed to make use of those skills. Providing a sewing kit is one way to give those with tailoring or sewing skills a chance to use their skills to better their situation. People living in countries, such as Ukraine, Bosnia, Haiti, Liberia, Nicaragua, Russia, and Serbia, have received sewing kits from MCC. Sewing kits provide tools that will be used often and therefore must be of good quality. Contents (NEW items only)
1 metric tape measure
2 spools dual use white thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273m / 300 yards each)
2 spools dual use black thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273m / 300 yards each)
1 thimble (medium size)
1 dressmaker’s scissors (good quality)
1 pkg. needles (approx. 25)
1 pkg. straight pins (approx. 100)
1 pkg. hooks and eyes (approx. 12)
1 pkg. sew on snaps (approx. 20-25)
10 assorted safety pins
Sewing kits are distributed in a useful double drawstring cloth bag (28cm x 40.6cm / 11in x 16in). You may sew the bag yourself, request bags from a MCC collection center, or donate contents that we will place in a bag. Completed sewing kits may be taken to a MCC Material Resource Center. Thank you for your giving in the name of Christ!
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