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Congregational Announcements
Night in the Barn: Everyone is invited to come to Night in the Barn at Papa’s Pumpkin Patch (372 70th, Newton) on December 21 and/or 22 from 5 until 7pm (come and go). Come interact with the characters, sounds, lights, and animals of this timeless tale and enjoy this walking tour with family and friends. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person, which includes a hot drink and a snack. This is presented by Tabor Mennonite Church Youth, with part of the proceeds going to the Tabor Mennonite Youth Fellowship. Call 620-367-2721 with questions.
You are invited! Tabor Wellness will be hosting a Christmas light walk Monday, December 30th beginning at the King Park shelter house in Hesston at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be provided following the walk and 2019 Wellness awards announced. Feel free to bring a friend, hope to see you there!
Mennonite Disaster Service: Opportunity to help! April 5-11, 2020 is an option for Tabor to participate in a service trip. If you are interested in going please contact Dale Alderfer soon.
The Great Winter Warm-UP is a month away! Mennonite Central Committee is celebrating its 100th anniversary by attempting to collect 6500 comforters to break the record for most blankets donated to a charity in 24 hours. Alexanderwohl and Tabor Mennonite Churches will host an MCC Comforter Blitz for everyone in the Goessel Community, at the Tabor Mennonite Church Hospitality Hall on Saturday, January 18, 2020, 9am – 4pm. Something for everyone—pin, tie, trim, sew, or help in the kitchen with snacks and the noon meal. If you have a top to donate, please turn those in by January 1. A donation box can be found in the foyer if you would like to help purchase batting and supplies for the comforters. Contact Ruth Goertzen (alexmenno; 620-747-0074), Sharon Adrian (sladrian49; 620-877-7239), or Kim Funk (kfunk; 620-747-0408) with questions. We look forward to seeing many of you at this Goessel Community Winter Warm-up!
Directory Updates for the 2020 Tabor Church Directory are due now. Please email the church office at kfunk with changes.
KMMC 2020 We sing that others may live: Please consider joining Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus (KMMC) for their upcoming season. This is your opportunity to make a joyful noise while praising God and a way to make a difference in the world through Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) as all of the concert proceeds go to MCC. We have been singing in the states and across Europe for more than fifty years. We have raised over $700,000 for MCC that has helped many people around the world. Contact Donavon Schmidt to join if you have questions.
Conference Announcements
Prayer Requests:
« Western District Conference: As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, give thanks for the many ways WDC congregations embody the presence of Christ through ministries of hospitality, worship, compassion and justice.
« Mennonite Mission Network: MMN requests prayer for peace in Burkina Faso. When armed protest groups ambush symbols of Western opulence and colonialism, like hotels and gold mines, civilians get caught in the crossfire. May the Mennonite Church in Burkina Faso live the way of the Prince of Peace through word and deed.
« Mennonite Education Agency: Let us join Hesston College in giving thanks for host families who welcome international students into their homes for Christmas break.
« Mennonite Church USA: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10. The Mennonite Church USA staff wishes you joy this Christmas, as we work together to continue sharing the good news of Jesus every day.
Western District Conference:
—Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Western District Conference! The WDC office and the Resource Library will be closed December 23 through January 1.
—The Youth Ministry Committee of Western District and South Central conferences presents… Youth Lead Now, a one-day workshop designed for high school youth to enrich their leadership skills and deepen faith. Using the adaptive leadership framework from the Kansas Leadership Center and well known spiritual practices, we will equip youth with skills to be leaders among their peers, in their churches, and in their communities. Our hope is that congregations would partner with us by sending youth who have been affirmed for their leadership gifts or potential. Date: January 11, 2020. Time: 9am to 4pm. Location: Faith Mennonite Church, Newton. Registration Fee: $50 (scholarships available upon request). High School Youth can register through the link: https://forms.gle/fWQ2BVjybMVtzKsC8
—Western District Women in Mission in cooperation with Everence Financial will host a two-day conference “Let’s Talk…Women, Money & Faith” on January 24 and 25 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton. Featured speakers, Teresa Boshart Yoder and Rhoda Blough, from Everence Financial will address money and faith topics for women of all ages and stages of life. More information and registration coming soon.
The family band Five Times Harder will present a Christmas concert at 4 p.m. on December 22 at First Mennonite Church, Hillsboro (102 S. Ash). Their concerts feature an entertaining blend of voices and instruments, in bluegrass, folk, jazz, and classical styles. There is no admission fee; a free will offering will be collected to benefit the ongoing work of MCC.
Camp Mennoscah:
—Summer is only 6 months away! Camp Mennoscah is looking for amazing people to be our summer staff for 2020. We need lifeguards, office assistants, music and crafts leaders, a naturalist and grounds/maintenance. Further information is available online or contact us at olivia.bartel or 620-297-3290. Apply for a position online at campmennoscah.org under Summer Youth Camps!
—New Windows! Camp Mennoscah’s dining hall has new windows thanks to the generous work of volunteers. The windows have already proven to make a big difference in heating the dining hall. Our Volunteer Christmas was warm and cozy –the only thing “missing” was the cold drafts of air! Thank you to everyone who has volunteered, given gifts, and supported the continuing improvements to the kitchen and dining hall!
Boots, Buckets and Barrows: In partnership with Mennonite Disaster Service, Ted & Co. presents the original play “The Jesus Stories: Faith, Forks & Fettuccine”, in conjunction with a unique auction of buckets filled with baked goods and home items, along with ‘flash auctions’ to fund the tools and volunteers MDS needs to help restore communities and rebuild homes ravaged by natural disaster. All proceeds benefit the continued work of MDS. Admission is free! Please come prepared to bid! Friday, January 31, 7 pm at Hesston Mennonite Church and Saturday, February 1, 7 pm at Journey Mennonite Church, South Hutchinson. Sponsored by Kansas MDS Unit, Hesston College Disaster Management Program, and Journey Mennonite S. Hutchinson.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC):
Thank you for your generous giving to MCC in 2019. Your gifts help MCC continue work in 53 countries working on 648 projects and impacting countless people. If you’re looking for a last minute Christmas gift keep MCC Christmas giving projects in mind or collect school kit supplies with your family (mcc.org/kits)! Check out mcc.org/christmas for online giving options. Contact our office in North Newton, KS for giving in-person, 316.283.2720.
2020 is your year to go on an MCC Learning Tour! Travel to Haiti March 21-28 to learn about root causes of Haiti’s reality and see MCC projects in person. Join MCC Bolivia in celebrating 60 years with two learning tours, May 2-9 will focus on Eastern Bolivia and Oct. 10-17 will focus on Western Bolivia. Finally, you’re welcome to travel to Nicaragua, July 20-30, to celebrate the centennial of MCC, focusing on past and present MCC work in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Contact jordanpenner and check mcc.org/events for more details.
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary: Do you know youth with gifts for leadership and ministry? Through AMBS’s !Explore program, students in grades 10–12 can explore ministry and theology, grow in spiritual practices and listen for God’s call through a summer congregational internship and a Group Experience (June 30 – July 16, 2020). Scholarships are available. Tap a shoulder! ambs.edu/explore
