Category: News & Media
Feb. 16 announcements
Congregational Announcements
The Council+ meetings have been cancelled unless they are brought back due to popular demand. (Contact Pastor Phil or Deacons Emil or Carol with questions or comments.) Regular council meetings are on hold until further notice or a church chairperson has been found.
Support our Mission Partners Dan and Kathryn Smith Derksen. We have received $1,290 toward our $1,500 commitment. We will continue to receive special offerings throughout February. A donation box is in the foyer.
Opportunity to Help: Jerry and Leann Toews granddaughter, Emerson, who was born to Katrina and Aaron Aeschliman in September, has made amazing progress, but continues to receive medical care. While the family is working with their insurance company and the health providers to get as much financial assistance and relief as possible, bills to assist with her birth, care and follow-up treatment continue to mount and have totaled two million dollars. To view the GoFundMe campaign and contribute, please visit the website listed here. Thank you for your compassion and generosity. https://fundrazr.com/d1cMU9?ref=ab_2a6ZwAbAHGn2a6ZwAbAHGn
If persons would prefer to give money directly to Katrina and Aaron for Emerson instead of giving on line, that would be wonderful. Make the check out to Katrina Toews and put it in Jerry and Leann’s box. They will see that the family receives the gift. Thanks for all the support.
100 for 100: This year Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is celebrating 100 years of relief in the name of Christ. In celebration of those 100 years, the Goessel Community recently participated in the Great Winter Warm Up… a comforter blitz for MCC that spanned two continents and yielded 9,504 comforters. At the Goessel Community Blitz on January 18, we competed 33 comforters to help with that effort. Since then, another 3 comforters have been completed and we are continuing to work on more. Now we are wondering. Could the Goessel Community come together and grow that number of 33 comforters to 100? We believe we can! There will be special events planned, and there will be comforters in frames to work on at various times and in various places. Everyone can help — men, women, children. If you can tie a knot, you can tie a comforter. Watch for details and plan to be part of celebrating 100 for 100.
-The Goessel Area Comforter Blitz Team, Ruth Goertzen, Sharon Adrian, Kim Funk
Rejoice! daily devotional readings for Spring, is now available. Pick up your copy from the shelves below the mailboxes in the foyer.
The Youth Group will be preparing a fundraiser meal on February 23, for our summer service trip. All are welcome! Thank you for your support and prayers!
Camp Mennoscah: We’re up and running! Our 2020 catalog is out and our online registration is open. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing everyone this summer! The BEST discount is for the summer camp registrations received and paid in full by March 1. Go to www.campmennoscah.org and click on Register Online! at the top of the page. Camp scholarships of $50 are available from Tabor Church Christian Education Co. Please sign up on the bulletin board and your scholarship will be sent directly to Camp Mennoscah. Also applies to Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp.
The seniors at Alexanderwohl extend an invitation to all who would like to join us on Friday, February 21at 9am. Pauline Sharp, grand-daughter of Lucy Tayiah Eads, the first female elected chief of the Kanza people in 1922 will be sharing stories about her life. Please call the church office (620.367.8192) or email alexmenno to sign up.
Commodities will be distributed at the Goessel Mennonite Church on Feb. 21,5-6 pm.
The Bethel College Concert Choir and the Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will unite for a joint concert, “How Firm a Foundation,” on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 7 pm at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. The choirs will perform individual selections from their respective repertoires, and will join together for other pieces, as well as being joined by members of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Chancel Choir. Admission to the concert is free. An offering will be taken to benefit Mennonite Central Committee.
Camp Tawakoni Fundraiser! We will be serving a lasagna meal at the Goessel High School cafeteria on March 1 from 11:30 to 1. While only 7th and 8th graders will be helping with this event, all are invited to attend and help us raise funds to cover the cost of camp this year. More information will be emailed to 7th and 8th grade parents on what time to arrive and what to bring.
Camp Mennoscah’s Hymn Sing and Dessert Auction is March 1! Everyone is invited to join us for an afternoon of hymns, fellowship and desserts at Tabor Mennonite Church on March 1 from 4-6pm. Amazing desserts made by camp supporters will be auctioned off to raise funds to renovate our beloved amphitheater used for evening campfires. Bring your singing voices and open wallets!
Up to 72 lives may be saved from Monday’s generous blood donors! The next drive is April 13, the day after Easter. Most schools are still on vacation that day, so students can plan ahead to work at the drive, or donate blood if they are eligible.
Here’s an opportunity to support a Goessel community family in need–Braxton Church, preschool son of Kelcey and Amanda Church, is receiving on-going care for his medical conditions and the family will be traveling regularly to Boston Children’s Hospital for his medical treatment. Your prayers for Braxton and his family would be greatly appreciated! There are several ways that you can offer financial assistance to the family for their travel expenses—a fund for the Church Family has been set up at the Citizen’s State Bank in Goessel. Checks can be written out to the “Church Family Medical Travel Fund” and received at the bank. A paint party fundraiser is being planned on Sat. Feb. 29 at Asbury Park in Newton. See the “The Art of Giving: Paint Party Fundraiser” flier located on the church lobby bulletin board. For more information on Braxton and his medical conditions, check out the Braxton’s Warrior Club Facebook page at fb.me/BraxtonMChurch or contact Susan Nafziger at 620-367-4623.
Conference Announcements
Prayer Requests:
« Western District Conference: Praise God for the many ways that WDC congregations are involved with Mennonite Central Committee, as MCC celebrates its centennial this year.
« Mennonite Mission Network: MMN requests prayer for Sophie Miller as she works with an indigenous organization in Guatemala that teaches sustainability from the worldview of the Tz’utujil, a Mayan people.
« Mennonite Education Agency: Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA). Pray for IBA Study Center at Encuenro de Renovacion Mennonite Church in Miami, Florida, and its tutors, Teresa Pérez-Soto and Andres Mendoza. Pray that their studies be a personal blessing and that God’s wisdom and patience be with the tutors as they teach this group of students. May this leadership training ministry in their church be a blessing for the congregation and community.
Western District Conference:
—WDC Gifts Discernment Committee seeks nominees: The Gifts Discernment Committee invites suggestions of names to consider as they select nominees for Moderator-Elect, and positions on WDC’s Executive Board and Commissions. For more information about the work and current members of these groups, see wdc or 316-283-6300 to offer your suggestions for future nominees. Thank you!
—Western District Women in Mission Spring Supper is on Thursday, March 12, 6 pm at Faith Mennonite Church, Newton. Our Special Guest Speaker will be Patty Shelly, Professor of Bible and Religion at Bethel College. Additional information coming soon!
Mennonite Central Committee:
—MCC Centennial Celebration, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m. You’re invited to join MCC for an evening of centennial celebration and giving, We’ve Come This Far by Faith at the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. Bid on silent auction items, grab a reproduction Mennonite Feeding Station sign from our limited supply and join us for a program celebrating MCC’s past 100 years, present and future! Find out more at mcc.org/events.
—Sign up for monthly highlights from MCC’s 100 stories for 100 years!
Explore images and stories from the breadth of MCC’s work – from a graphic story on the 1920 trip that began MCC’s ministry to accounts of women peacemakers now. Go to mcc.org/centennial/100-stories/email to sign up for monthly emails highlighting stories from the project. Can you think of others who would be interested? Please share this announcement and encourage them to sign up for monthly email highlights too!
—You invited to join the fun at the 13th annual MCC Comforter Blitz on March 2, 3 and 4 at Journey Mennonite Church at the Yoder Campus, one mile north of Yoder, Kansas. Blitz times are Monday and Tuesday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Wednesday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. This event is hosted by Kansas Friends of MCC, an organization that supports the work of MCC. For more information check out mcc.org/comforter-blitz.
Camp Mennoscah:
—Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats Feb. 28-March 1 and March 6-8 and join in the cropping and crafting!
— Youth Volunteer Weekend is March 13-14! Registration is through our summer youth camp registration which opened the beginning of February. This retreat is for grades 7-graduating seniors.
Contact and registration for Camp Mennoscah:
Online at www.campmennoscah.org Telephone: 620-297-3290
Email: office Contact: olivia.bartel.
Hesston College: Seeing Each Other’s Light, a program of story and song that provides understanding of diverse people, cultures and faith traditions of the Wichita community, will be held at Emanu-El Congregation Reform Synagogue, 7011 E. Central Ave., Wichita, 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 1. The event is part of Hesston College’s Peacing It Together Foundation and is also sponsored by Wichita’s Global Faith in Action. The program features Hesston College students and internationally-acclaimed baritone Tony Brown, as well as other members of the Wichita community, including the Emanu-El Klezmer band and congregation choir. The concert is free and open to the public. For the full news release, go to www.hesston.edu.
Dr. James Juhnke will be the speaker at the March 8 annual meeting of the Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association held at 2:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Bethel College Mennonite Church. “Mennonite Museum in Uzbekistan” will tell about the history of the Mennonite community that lived for fifty years near the city of Khiva, and how that community is now celebrated in a new museum in Khiva.The Handbell Choir of the Bethel College Mennonite Church will provide music. Election of SMCHA officers for 2020 will be held. Refreshments will be served. No reservations are needed.
Everence® Financial will host a workshop, Maximizing giving through donor advised funds, in N Newton on Thurs., Feb. 20, 10am and again at 6:30pm. Attendees will learn about how a donor advised fund works, ways to increase your impact on causes you care about, how to minimize taxes and more. Reserve your spot by contacting Darlene Buller at 877-467-7294 or Darlene.buller.
Everyone is invited to the annual verenike supper at First Mennonite Church, 427 W 4th in Halstead, on February 29, 4:30-7pm. Cost by donation, proceeds go to church service trips and service projects.
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale
April 17 & 18, 2020
—CHILDREN’S COIN OFFERING was $35.83. THANKS keep collecting coins during the week.
—PLEASE join us for the MCC Fellowship Meal THIS SUNDAY at noon in New Hospitality Hall — Home Made Lasagna with LOTS of cottage cheese & Hamburger Filling!! Even if you have not signed up come and join in a delicious meal and help raise $$ for MCC. Suggested donation is $20. We have made plenty of Lasagna. All you can eat.
—PLEASE help with pre-sale expenses. It doesn’t have to be a big amount, just put what you can in our boxes. We need lots of involvement to pay for all expenses before the sale.
—Quilt deadline is: March 16
—Join the enthusiasm and help tie comforters ANYTIME.
—Website is started: Check it out at www.kansas.mccsale.org
—Verenike Making Day is Tuesday, April 14 at Parkview MB Church, Hillsboro.
—THANK YOU for those of you who brought cookies for the KS MCC Sale Meeting in our Hospitality Hall this past Thursday.
For more information on all of the above, please see our sale contact persons: Jerry and Leann Toews, Archie and Kristin Schmidt and Eric
Feb. 9 announcements
Congregational Announcements
Mission Partner Sunday: Dan and Kathryn Smith Derksen will be at Tabor Church on February 9 to share during the worship service. We will receive special offerings throughout February to meet our $1,500 commitment. A donation box is in the foyer.
Valentine’s Day cards for Inmates in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility: There will be an opportunity to write Valentine’s cards for inmates in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility. On Sunday, Feb. 9, there will be cards (and suggestions for what to write) made available in the Hospitality Hall during the Faith Formation hour. Anyone is welcome to come and write a note of encouragement for these men. Thanks!
Decorate and eat cookies! Join us for this fellowship event on Sunday, February 9 at 3:00 pm in the Hospitality Hall. Everyone is welcome! Children need to have an adult with them.
Opportunity to Help: Jerry and Leann Toews granddaughter, Emerson, who was born to Katrina and Aaron Aeschliman in September, has made amazing progress, but continues to receive medical care. While the family is working with their insurance company and the health providers to get as much financial assistance and relief as possible, bills to assist with her birth, care and follow-up treatment continue to mount and have totaled two million dollars. To view the GoFundMe campaign and contribute, please visit the website listed here. Thank you for your compassion and generosity. https://fundrazr.com/d1cMU9?ref=ab_2a6ZwAbAHGn2a6ZwAbAHGn
Everyone is welcome to help tie comforters: Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) distributed more than 53,000 comforters worldwide last year. Every comforter tied goes to someone in need of warmth and love. There will be a comforter set up in the Hospitality Hall as long as there are those who would like to tie. People of all ages – men, women, children – are welcome to tie at anytime. If you want to come during the week and work at this, you are welcome… better yet bring a friend or two along. Every comforter we donate will mean one more person will receive the gift of love and warmth in the name of Christ!
Time to show off Tabor’s amazing baking skills! Camp Mennoscah Hymn Sing and Dessert Auction will be March 1, 4pm-6pm in our brand new Hospitality Hall. Since Tabor gets the opportunity to host the annual fundraiser, we would like to showcase our sweet creations. If you would like to donate a cake, pie or dessert, please contact Jill Litwiller before February 9. Mark your calendars to attend the event, sing a few hymns (including a bluegrass set), and get a great treat for your family and friends.
The Youth Group will be preparing a fundraiser meal on February 23, for our summer service trip. All are welcome! Thank you for your support and prayers!
Camp Mennoscah: We’re up and running! Our 2020 catalog is out and our online registration is open. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing everyone this summer! The BEST discount is for the summer camp registrations received and paid in full by March 1. Go to www.campmennoscah.org and click on Register Online! at the top of the page. Camp scholarships of $50 are available from Tabor Church Christian Education Co. Please sign up on the bulletin board and your scholarship will be sent directly to Camp Mennoscah.
Use your heart to share love and life on Feb. 10 by coming to Goessel Church between 1:00-6:00 to donate blood or volunteer at reception, escort, or canteen. Sign up in the lobby or talk to Rosi (367-2418) A BIG THANKS to the Goessel Goal Getters 4-H club for making cookies for this drive! Make appointments at 800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
Commodities will be distributed at the Goessel Mennonite Church on Feb. 21 from 5-6 pm.
The seniors at Alexanderwohl get together monthly for coffee, conversation and a presentation. The January meeting with Pauline Sharp has been rescheduled for Friday, February 21at 9am. We would like to extend an invitation to all who would like to join us! Pauline is the grand-daughter of Lucy Tayiah Eads, the first female elected chief of the Kanza people in 1922 and will be sharing stories about her life. Please call the church office (620.367.8192) or email alexmenno to sign up.
The Bethel College Concert Choir and the Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will unite for a joint concert, “How Firm a Foundation,” on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 7 pm at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. The choirs will perform individual selections from their respective repertoires, and will join together for other pieces, as well as being joined by members of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Chancel Choir. Admission to the concert is free. An offering will be taken to benefit Mennonite Central Committee.
Camp Tawakoni Fundraiser! We will be serving a lasagna meal at the Goessel High School cafeteria on March 1 from 11:30 to 1. While only 7th and 8th graders will be helping with this event, all are invited to attend and help us raise funds to cover the cost of camp this year. More information will be emailed to 7th and 8th grade parents on what time to arrive and what to bring.
Directory Updates for the 2020 Tabor Church Directory are due now. Please email the church office at kfunk with changes.
Conference Announcements
Prayer Requests:
« Western District Conference: Pray for WDC congregations struggling with conflict or painful situations, that God’s Spirit of wisdom, healing and hope would guide and sustain them.
« Mennonite Mission Network: Praise God for Annelise Goldschmidt’s three decades of service with MMN, most recently as a logistics coordinator with Mission Inter Senegal for 15 years. Pray for her as she discerns what God is calling her to when she returns home to France.
« Mennonite Education Agency: This week, Bluffton University will host Cyneatha Milsaps, executive director of Mennonite Women USA, as she leads a campus discussion on gun violence and its effects on family and community. Please pray for everyone impacted by gun violence.
Western District Conference:
-Heidi Regier Kreider has been reappointed to a second term as WDC Minister: During the fall of 2019 the WDC Executive Board conducted a term review of Heidi’s service over the past four and a half years. The feedback gathered from many segments of the Conference and partner institutions was broadly affirmative of Heidi’s leadership – Ray Reimer, Moderator, for the WDC Executive Board
-Mark your calendars for the Western District Women in Mission Spring Supper on Thursday, March 12, 6 pm at Faith Mennonite Church, Newton. Special Guest Speaker will be Patty Shelly, Professor of Bible and Religion at Bethel College. Additional information coming soon!
-Leadership Launch: Celebrating and Looking Ahead! A free dessert reception recognizing 5 years of joint partnership of Western District Conference and South Central Conference with Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) Monday, March 30, 6:30-8:00 pm at KLC, 325 E Douglas Avenue, Wichita. Refreshments and drinks, then a brief program at 7 pm featuring greetings and stories from KLC, WDC and SCC about how adaptive leadership strengthens the church and its ministry. For more information, see: http://mennowdc.org/grants/. Members of the Core Team for implementing WDC/SCC’s grant are Heidi Regier Kreider, Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Phil Schmidt, Howard Keim and Isaac Landis.
-WDC Resolutions Policy: Resolutions must be submitted a minimum of 120 days prior to Annual Assembly (in 2020, that date is April 3). Send to: WDC Executive Board, PO Box 306, North Newton KS 67117
Mennonite Central Committee Central States board of directors will meet on February 28 and 29 at MCC in North Newton. A brief annual meeting will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 29, you are welcome to attend.
MCC Centennial Celebration, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m. You’re invited to join MCC for an evening of centennial celebration and giving, We’ve Come This Far by Faith at the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. Bid on silent auction items, grab a reproduction Mennonite Feeding Station sign from our limited supply and join us for a program celebrating MCC’s past 100 years, present and future! Find out more at mcc.org/events.
Camp Mennoscah:
—Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats on Feb. 28-March 1 and March 6-8! These retreats fill up fast–don’t miss out on your chance to spend a weekend relaxing through cropping and crafting.
— Youth Volunteer Weekend is March 13-14! Registration is through our summer youth camp registration which opens at the beginning of February. This retreat is for grades 7-graduating seniors.
Contact and registration for Camp Mennoscah:
Online at www.campmennoscah.org Telephone: 620-297-3290
Email: office Contact: olivia.bartel.
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp:
—Men’s Retreat: March 6-8: Celebrating God’s Love, Grace and Compassion in Our Everyday World.”
—Women’s Retreat: March 13-15: Living what is: holding the present moment.
Register online: www.rmmc.org
Mennonite Church USA:
—You are invited to join MC USA staff for “Coffee and Conversation” with returning Mennonite Mission Network (MMN) International Service Workers; Dan & Kathryn Smith Derksen. They are returning from serving in South Africa for the last 4 years with MMN’s partner agency, Southern African Development and Reconstruction Agency (SADRA). Come to the MC USA offices, located at 718 N Main Street in Newton on Monday, February 10 at 10:00 AM for this time to welcome back and hear from Dan and Kathryn about their time of service.
—The Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA recently met to discuss revisions to the church’s resolution policy, the Membership Guidelines Advisory Group’s report and more. Read about it at mennoniteusa.org/news/boardmeets
Hesston College: Better understand your financial resources and philanthropy in terms of your goals and your faith for both you and your church at the 2020 Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series (AVDS) conference, February 21 to 23 at Hesston College. In partnership with Everence Financial, weekend presentations will focus on understanding your personal history with money and resources, careers, hospitality, finances, generosity, trauma and economic injustice, health and wellness and more. Multiple registrants from the same congregation receive a registration discount, and clergy can attend at no cost. Register by February 10 at hesston.edu/avds.
Bethel College: Sun., Feb. 9 – KIPCOR Film Series: The Great White Hoax, 3 p.m.; talkback follows with Mark McCormick – Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center.
Everence will host a Social Security and retirement income planning workshop, in N Newton on Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about Social Security strategies, risks that can impact retirement savings and strategies to help income last throughout retirement. The workshop is free, but space is limited! Reserve your spot by contacting Michelle Ramer at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or michelle.ramer.
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale
April 17 & 18, 2020
—CHILDREN’S COIN OFFERING was $39.57. Thanks and keep those coins and paper coming.
—Tabor is hosting the KS MCC Sale meeting in our Hospitality Hall this Thurs., Feb.13. We need 20 dozen cookies. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. THANKS for your help. PLEASE put your cookies in the kitchen or freezer and label them KS MCC Sale meeting.
—PLEASE sign up for the MCC Fellowship Lasagna Meal served NEXT Sun., Feb. 16 in our Hospitality Hall. Sign-up deadline is Thurs., morning, Feb. 13. We will eat at 12 noon to accommodate guests from area churches. Donation recommended is $20 to MCC. We would love to feed you.
—The budget for the 2020 Sale is $81,000. This covers ALL food products, rental of fairgrounds, etc. Do your part to help ensure we cover expenses before sale date. PLEASE put your donations for pre-sale expenses in our boxes. MANY folks each doing a little always gets us there.
—We are looking for good QUALITY items. We can sell ANYTHING at the MCC Sale from cookbooks, material scraps, mowers, campers, cars, tools, garden plants, quilts, woodworking projects, etc. What do you have laying around you no longer use? We will pick it up and get it to the sale. What a great way to downsize and clean up and help others.
For more information on all of the above, please see our sale contact persons: Jerry and Leann Toews, Archie and Kristin Schmidt and Eric Litwiller.
Feb. 9 bulletin
February 2020 Newsletter
In this issue:
-Snow Camp Reflections
-Spring Wed. Evening Adult Bible Study
-BIFL by Katherine
-WOW
-Calendar
–and more…..
Feb. 2 bulletin
Feb. 2 announcements
Congregational Announcements
Council+ Meeting: Everyone is welcome to join us in the Hospitality Hall on Tuesday, February 4 from 6:45-8:45pm for our second Council+ meeting of 2020. Council+ means everyone on Council, everyone on a church Commission, and anyone else who is interested. Our focus for this February meeting will be a "Hero’s Journey." Come to find out more!
Mission Partner Sunday: Dan and Kathryn Smith Derksen will be at Tabor Church on February 9 to share during the worship service. We will receive special offerings throughout February to meet our $1,500 commitment. A donation box is in the foyer.
Valentine’s Day cards for Inmates in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility: There will be an opportunity to write Valentine’s cards for inmates in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility. On Sunday, Feb. 2 and Sunday, Feb. 9, there will be cards (and suggestions for what to write) made available in the Hospitality Hall during the Faith Formation hour. Anyone is welcome to come and write a note of encouragement for these men. Thanks!
Everyone is welcome to help tie comforters: Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) distributed more than 53,000 comforters worldwide last year. Every comforter tied goes to someone in need of warmth and love. There will be a comforter set up in the Hospitality Hall as long as there are those who would like to tie. Anyone (men included!) is welcome to tie at anytime. If you want to come during the week and work at this, you are welcome… better yet bring a friend or two along. Every comforter we donate will mean one more person will receive the gift of love and warmth in the name of Christ!
Decorate and eat cookies! Join us for this fellowship event on Sunday, February 9 at 3:00 pm in the Hospitality Hall. Everyone is welcome! Children need to have an adult with them.
Time to show off Tabor’s amazing baking skills! Camp Mennoscah Hymn Sing and Dessert Auction will be March 1, 4pm-6pm in our brand new Hospitality Hall. Since Tabor gets the opportunity to host the annual fundraiser, we would like to showcase our sweet creations. If you would like to donate a cake, pie or dessert, please contact Jill Litwiller before February 9. Mark your calendars to attend the event, sing a few hymns (including a bluegrass set), and get a great treat for your family and friends.
Here’s an opportunity to support a Goessel community family in need–Braxton Church, preschool son of Kelcey and Amanda Church, is receiving on-going care for his medical conditions and the family will be traveling regularly to Boston Children’s Hospital for his medical treatment. Your prayers for Braxton and his family would be greatly appreciated! There are several ways that you can offer financial assistance to the family for their travel expenses—a fund for the Church Family has been set up at the Citizen’s State Bank in Goessel. Checks can be written out to the “Church Family Medical Travel Fund” and received at the bank. A paint party fundraiser is being planned on Sat. Feb. 29 at Asbury Park in Newton. See the “The Art of Giving: Paint Party Fundraiser” flier located on the church lobby bulletin board. For more information on Braxton and his medical conditions, check out the Braxton’s Warrior Club Facebook page at fb.me/BraxtonMChurch or contact Susan Nafziger at 620-367-4623.
A Giving Opportunity: Bethesda Home has had a contract for our emergency call system (nurse call system and duplex pendant call system) for nearly 20 years. We were recently notified that after January 1 the system will no longer be serviced if a problem arises. To replace the system will cost approximately $80,000 – an unexpected and unbudgeted expense. We invite individuals and/or Sunday School Classes, mission societies, etc. to adopt this as a special project to fund. Make your contribution to Bethesda Home with a note in the memo “call system”. Contact Sara Hiebert or Pete Flaming for more information.
Use your heart to share love and life on Feb. 10 by coming to Goessel Church between 1:00-6:00 to donate blood or volunteer at reception, escort, or canteen. Sign up in the lobby or talk to Rosi (367-2418) A BIG THANKS to the Goessel Goal Getters 4-H club for making cookies for this drive! Make appointments at 800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
The seniors at Alexanderwohl get together monthly for coffee, conversation and a presentation. In January, we were going to host Pauline Sharp at the Sr. Coffee, but it was postponed due to inclement weather. It’s been rescheduled for Friday, February 21 – and we would like to extend an invitation (again) to all who would like to join us! Pauline is the grand-daughter of Lucy Tayiah Eads, the first female elected chief of the Kanza people in 1922. Pauline presents a monologue speaking as her grandmother, “Chief Lucy of the Kaw Indians”, sharing stories about her life. Please call the church office (620.367.8192) or email alexmenno to sign up. Coffee and refreshments served at 9:00 a.m. and Chief Lucy will appear when folks have settled into their seats (around 9:30).
The Bethel College Concert Choir and the Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will unite for a joint concert, "How Firm a Foundation," on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church near Goessel. The choirs will perform individual selections from their respective repertoires, and will join together for other pieces, as well as being joined by members of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Chancel Choir. Admission to the concert is free. An offering will be taken to benefit Mennonite Central Committee.
Camp Tawakoni Fundraiser! We will be serving a lasagna meal at the Goessel High School cafeteria on March 1 from 11:30 to 1. While only 7th and 8th graders will be helping with this event, all are invited to attend and help us raise funds to cover the cost of camp this year. More information will be emailed to 7th and 8th grade parents on what time to arrive and what to bring.
Directory Updates for the 2020 Tabor Church Directory are due now. Please email the church office at kfunk with changes.
Conference Announcements
Prayer Requests:
« Western District Conference: Give thanks for the WDC Resource Library, and pray for God to nurture growth in faith and discipleship for all who use library resources.
« Mennonite Mission Network: MMN requests prayer for the Anabaptist youth in Burgos, Spain, as they prepare for their annual Origen conference. Over the years, many lives have been transformed through the Origen experience. Pray that God would use this year’s event to touch lives needing healing and hope.
« Mennonite Education Agency: Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA. Pray for student leaders as they plan events in celebration of Black History Month at EMU. May they be inspired and inspire us to work for a more just world. Also, pray that students visiting EMU during Honors and Scholarship weekend can discern whether this is the right place for them to study and grow.
Western District Conference:
—Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania, Newton, is having a fundraiser “Burrito Dinner” on January 29 from 5:30-6:30 pm (by donation) at the First Mennonite Church, Newton, basement fellowship hall. All are welcome!
—WDC congregation featured in article: San Antonio Mennonite Church was featured recently in an article in Faith and Leadership, a learning resource for Christian leaders and institutions from Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School. To read the article about SAMC’s caring for immigrants and response to trauma,, see shorturl.at/bhtuH.
Camp Mennoscah:
—Summer staff needed! Camp Mennoscah is looking for college-aged people to fill summer staff positions and someone 21 or older to fill the new position of director of support, a summer-long position to assist the camp director, summer staff, program and support staff through management, coordination, and communication. Complete your application for any of these positions at campmennoscahstaff.campbrainstaff.com!
—Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats on Feb. 28-March 1 and March 6-8! These retreats fill up fast–don’t miss out on your chance to spend a weekend relaxing through cropping and crafting.
— Youth Volunteer Weekend is March 13-14! Registration is through our summer youth camp registration which opens at the beginning of February. This retreat is for grades 7-graduating seniors.
Contact and registration for Camp Mennoscah:
Online at www.campmennoscah.org Telephone: 620-297-3290
Email: office Contact: olivia.bartel.
Mennonite Church USA:
—Service Adventure is looking for a leader for the Jackson, Mississippi unit. Unit leaders are 24 years old or older, and live in community with 3-5 young adults, serving as mentors. For more information contact LaurenEH@MennoniteMission.net.
—Calling all retirees, families, and adults 25+! Looking for a flexible service term that allows you to join the work of missional faith communities across North America? Learn more about SOOP at www.MennoniteMission.net/serve.
—Shine Curriculum: Want to know why and how MennoMedia’s Shine curriculum can be a valuable part of your children’s faith formation? Watch these videos: http://www.centralplainsmc.org/shine.html of webinars originally hosted by Joyce Peachey Lind, Content Editor for Shine. Shine combines age-appropriate music, worship, bible stories, spiritual practices, compassionate peacemaking and service in the faith community.
Mennonite Central Committee: Join us for We’ve Come This Far by Faith, an MCC Centennial Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the past 100 years and at the same time help us look forward to the next 100 years of serving in the name of Christ around the world. More information can be found at mcc.org/weve-come-far-faith and to learn more about MCC’s centennial, please visit mcc.org/centennial.
Aren’t we often looking for that perfect gift for our loved one on Valentine’s Day? This year, let New Hope provide you the perfect gift in a romantic venue with the gentle sounds of a string quartet floating through the air. There will be scrumptious Italian cuisine provided by KP Cuisine, Italian sodas and fine coffees, and even chocolate to make the evening even sweeter. This will be the one event of 2020 that you will not want to miss! Celebration of Love: Valentine’s Gala, Friday, February 14, 7pm at The Barn and Grace Hill, 678 S. Grace Hill Rd, Newton, KS. Tickets $60 per person. Details are posted on the bulletin board in the foyer.
Hesston College: Better understand your financial resources and philanthropy in terms of your goals and your faith for both you and your church at the 2020 Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series (AVDS) conference, February 21 to 23 at Hesston College.
In partnership with Everence Financial, weekend presentations will focus on understanding your personal history with money and resources, careers, hospitality, finances, generosity, trauma and economic injustice, health and wellness and more. Multiple registrants from the same congregation receive a registration discount, and clergy can attend at no cost. Register by February 10 at hesston.edu/avds.
Bethel College: Sun., Feb. 9 – KIPCOR Film Series: The Great White Hoax, 3 p.m.; talkback follows with Mark McCormick – Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center.
Kidron Bethel Parkinson’s Support Group will meet Tuesday, February 4, at 2:00 p.m. in Menno Hall. The group will share their experiences with Parkinson’s and how they manage the symptoms All are invited.
Everence will host a Social Security and retirement income planning workshop, in N Newton on Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about Social Security strategies, risks that can impact retirement savings and strategies to help income last throughout retirement. The workshop is free, but space is limited! Reserve your spot by contacting Michelle Ramer at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or michelle.ramer.
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale
April 17 & 18, 2020
—Children’s MCC Coin Offering was $28.34. THANKS and keep up the good work.
—FELLOWSHIP MEAL at Tabor will be Sun., Feb. 16. We will do our Traditional Lasagna Meal. By donation only. We would love to feed you. Sign up sheet is on the Bulletin Board.
—We encourage you to make and build special projects this year for the Centennial. Good Quality items ALWAYS sell well.
—Think of ways you can be involved this year. THANKS TABOR!!
For more information on all of the above, please see our sale contact persons: Jerry and Leann Toews, Archie and Kristin Schmidt and Eric Litwiller.
Jan 26 announcements
Congregational Announcements
Camp Tawakoni (formerly Camp Washunga) will be here before we know it! Brochures have been mailed to all parents of 7th and 8th grade parents with information. Registration is due to the school office or one of the churches by February 1. Please encourage all you know to attend! Scholarships are available. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Unrau (lauraelaine25), Michelle Unruh (michellerunruh) or any of the area churches.
Mission Partner Sunday: Dan and Kathryn Smith Derksen will be at Tabor Church on February 9 to share during the worship service. We will receive special offerings throughout February to meet our $1,500 commitment. A donation box will be in the foyer.
Decorate and eat cookies! Join us for this fellowship event on Sunday, February 9 at 3:00 pm in the Hospitality Hall. Everyone is welcome! Children need to have an adult with them.
Time to show off Tabor’s amazing baking skills! Camp Mennoscah Hymn Sing and Dessert Auction will be March 1, 4pm-6pm in our brand new Hospitality Hall. Since Tabor gets the opportunity to host the annual fundraiser, we would like to showcase our sweet creations. If you would like to donate a cake, pie or dessert, please contact Jill Litwiller before February 9. Mark your calendars to attend the event, sing a few hymns (including a bluegrass set), and get a great treat for your family and friends.
A Giving Opportunity: Bethesda Home has had a contract for our emergency call system (nurse call system and duplex pendant call system) for nearly 20 years. We were recently notified that after January 1 the system will no longer be serviced if a problem arises. To replace the system will cost approximately $80,000 – an unexpected and unbudgeted expense. We invite individuals and/or Sunday School Classes, mission societies, etc. to adopt this as a special project to fund. Make your contribution to Bethesda Home with a note in the memo “call system”. Contact Sara Hiebert or Pete Flaming for more information.
Use your heart to share love and life on Feb. 10 by coming to Goessel Church between 1:00-6:00 to donate blood or volunteer at reception, escort, or canteen. Sign up in the lobby or talk to Rosi (367-2418) A BIG THANKS to the Goessel Goal Getters 4-H club for making cookies for this drive! Make appointments at 800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
Directory Updates for the 2020 Tabor Church Directory are due now. Please email the church office at kfunk with changes.
Conference Announcements
Prayer Requests:
« Western District Conference: Pray for WDC congregations in pastoral transition, as they seek God’s guidance for future direction and leadership.
« Mennonite Mission Network: MMN requests prayer for Joanne Brandt as she teaches at Union Biblical Seminary in India this trimester. Pray for wisdom and grace as she adapts her teaching to a new context and as she builds relationships with faculty, staff and students.
« Mennonite Education Agency: Pray for the Hesston College community as they live, learn and work together in harmony, bridging differences that may otherwise divide.
Western District Conference:
Leadership Lunch: All are welcome to come for lunch and conversation on Thursday, January 30 from 12-1:30pm at the WDC offices. This will be our first Leadership Lunch of 2020 and it will be an opportunity for us to brainstorm what we would like Leadership Lunches to look like for this year. Bring your own lunch and bring ideas of how this monthly gathering can help inspire us to make progress on the adaptive challenges we face. Any questions, please contact Phil Schmidt (pschmidt) or Kathy Neufeld Dunn (kathynd).
Camp Mennoscah:
–Summer staff needed! Camp Mennoscah is looking for college-aged people to fill summer staff positions (lifeguard, nature, music, crafts, office) and someone 21 or older to fill the new position of "director of support." The director of support is a summer-long position to assist the camp director, summer staff, program and support staff through management, coordination, and communication. Complete your application for any of these positions at olivia.bartel or 620-297-3290.
–Retreat registration is open! Registration for all 2020 Camp Mennoscah retreats is now available at www.campmennoscah.org. Look for the Register Online link at the top of the page. Summer youth camp registration will open at the beginning of February. The fun has begun!
Mennonite Church USA:
There’s still time to sign up to join the Mennonite Mission Network Alumni & Friends Service-Learning Tour. From March 7-14, we will serve alongside our Service Adventure partners in Jackson, and our SOOP partners in Meridian and Mashulaville, MS. We will also be taking in Civil Rights experiences by hearing from an activist and going to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, as well as other sites. Email AlumniTrip@MennoniteMission.net for more information.
Mennonite Central Committee: Join us for We’ve Come This Far by Faith, an MCC Centennial Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the past 100 years and at the same time help us look forward to the next 100 years of serving in the name of Christ around the world. More information can be found at mcc.org/weve-come-far-faith and to learn more about MCC’s centennial, please visit mcc.org/centennial.
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS): Boots, Buckets and Barrows. Ted & Co. TheaterWorks, MDS, and Hesston College are partnering for a unique fundraising opportunity on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. The event will be at 7 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 31 at Hesston Mennonite Church (309 S. Main St, Hesston). Proceeds from this event will benefit both MDS and scholarships for Hesston College students in the Disaster Management Program. A second south central Kansas show will be at 7 p.m., Sat., Feb. 1 at Journey Mennonite Church (808 S. Poplar St., South Hutchinson).
Aren’t we often looking for that perfect gift for our loved one on Valentine’s Day? This year, let New Hope provide you the perfect gift in a romantic venue with the gentle sounds of a string quartet floating through the air. There will be scrumptious Italian cuisine provided by KP Cuisine, Italian sodas and fine coffees, and even chocolate to make the evening even sweeter. This will be the one event of 2020 that you will not want to miss! Celebration of Love: Valentine’s Gala, Friday, February 14, 7pm at The Barn and Grace Hill, 678 S. Grace Hill Rd, Newton, KS. Tickets $60 per person. Details are posted on the bulletin board in the foyer.
Hesston College:
—Better understand your financial resources and philanthropy in terms of your goals and your faith for both you and your church at the 2020 Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series (AVDS) conference, February 21 to 23 at Hesston College. In partnership with Everence Financial, weekend presentations will focus on understanding your personal history with money and resources, careers, hospitality, finances, generosity, trauma and economic injustice, health and wellness and more. Multiple registrants from the same congregation receive a registration discount, and clergy can attend at no cost. Register by February 10 at hesston.edu/avds.
The Life Enrichment program at Bethel College for the Spring semester 2020 begins on February 5 and ends on April 29. This program is designed especially for persons 60 and above. A brochure with information is posted on the community bulletin board in the foyer next to the elevator.
Anabaptist Witness 6.2, “Mission and Migration,” can be read online for free. In this issue, authors explore ways in which migration has shaped identity as well as how identity has shaped migration and ways of being and belief, both in the past and the present. anabaptistwitness.org
The first excerpt from Mennonite Church USA Archives’ oral history project, which features interviews of young people between the ages of 24-40 within MC USA, is now available. In this excerpt, Dona Park asks, "How do we bring people who are on the outside inside?" and challenges leaders to intentionally encourage students from marginalized communities. Visit: http://mennoniteusa.org/tag/oral-history-project/
Mennonite Mission Network is seeking a full-time assistant for Program Human Resources. Responsibilities include supporting the work of the Care Coordinator and Personnel Counselors, along with managing details for worker orientation and seminars. Strong attention to details, ability to manage and track people and processes. Some travel required. See the position description at www.MennoniteMission.net. Send
resumé to StaffRecruitment@MennoniteMission.net for consideration.
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale
April 17 & 18, 2020
—Help our Children out by bringing your coins and paper for the Children’s Coin Offering Sunday. Our Children will start passing the cans THIS Sunday morning. We will continue each Sunday until the sale. If you make a habit of collecting your coins during the week and putting them in a cup and then bring them to Church on Sunday it really adds up to a significant amount of money for MCC. In past years we have been bringing in around $25,000. THIS IS WHAT MCC IS WELL KNOWN FOR–MANY PEOPLE DOING SMALL THINGS ADDS UP TO MIRACLES.
—KS MCC Sale is April 17 and 18. PLEASE mark your calendars.
—2020 is the Centennial Year for MCC. MCC is 100 years old. MCC started as a one time deal to feed the thousands starving in Russia. Instead of a one time help, MCC has continued to help people in desperate need throughout the world thru the past 100 years. Pause a moment and think of the thousands and thousands MCC has helped in the Name of Christ. There are MANY special activities that MCC is planning THIS year throughout the USA and Canada. Follow along in the Mennonite World Review and local church bulletins for many special events. This will be a very special year of celebration and opportunity for giving.
—Think of ways you can plug in this year with special projects and fund raising ideas to commemorate 100 years.
For more information on all of the above, please see our sale contact persons: Jerry and Leann Toews, Archie and Kristin Schmidt and Eric Litwiller.