Congregational Announcements
We❤Grace Potluck! Plan to stay after church on Sunday, February 12 for a potluck celebrating Grace Regier’s many years of service as Tabor Church Custodian! Bring a potluck dish to share along with table service. You are also welcome to bring a card, note of appreciation, or personalized valentine for Grace. We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating together!
“Everything old is new again” seems a fitting phrase for the Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum as we begin a new year with new projects to accomplish and a new face as director. Come join us for a fundraiser meal served by museum board members in the fellowship hall from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 1st. You’ll enjoy good company, plus “newly made” Menno Bros. pizza, fresh tossed salad, and delicious cookies. All proceeds will benefit the museum. Your contribution will be gratefully accepted.
Faith Formation on February 5:
Next week, our Sunday morning worship service will focus on Sexual abuse and the scripture passage from 2 Samuel 13, the story of the rape of Tamar. Parents, you are invited to use your discretion on whether or not this would be appropriate for your children. There are alternate activities being planned by the Christian Education team following the children’s story in the fellowship hall.
This service will also include a time of anointing for healing and deliverance. Pastors Phil, Rosie and Katherine will be available following the service to anyone who would like to visit more personally, and are always available for counseling by appointment. May God grant comfort and healing to all who suffer.
Faith Formation: Classes for children will meet as usual.
All adults are invited and encouraged to meet in the sanctuary with Kathy Wiens. Her presentation is titled, “Wisdom of the Wounded.” Kathy is an author, speaker and survivor of childhood sexual abuse & neglect.
Commit a radical act of love this Valentine’s Day! Offender Victim Ministries (OVM)
is providing two opportunities to show kindness to inmates at Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) in the spirit of Valentine’s Day and Jesus’ way of compassion:
1) They will be hosting Valentine’s Day letter writing events to send encouragement to HCF Inmates on Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14.
2) OVM is inviting churches to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in reaching out to prisoners by collecting Men’s Prisoner Care Kits. We invite you to purchase the items for one or more kits and place them in the collection basket in the foyer by Sunday, February 12.
1 pair white underwear (briefs), 1 bottle lotion (max. 2 oz.), 1 bar soap (min. 4 oz.), 1 tube toothpaste (min. 6 oz.), 1 deodorant, alcohol free (min. 2.25 oz.), 1 pair white crew socks, 1 white crewneck undershirt. Please choose men’s L or XL and buy all clothing in chosen size, new items only.
Tabor Food Pantry: Supplies continue to run low and your donations of any non perishable items are welcome. Monetary donations are also appreciated. Thank you for your continued support of the food pantry.
You’re invited to a women’s bible study! Starting Thursday, February 2nd, Leslie Duerksen and Mandy Funk will be hosting an 11 week long study on the Fruits of the Spirit. It is a video series called Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore. Starting at 7:00 p.m., there will be an hour long video followed by discussion. This study will help you form a more intimate relationship with God by developing His fruits in your everyday life. It will be held at the Ratzlaff building in Goessel. This is a community bible study, so feel free to invite all of the women in your life! Contact Mandy if you have any questions.
Attention Young Adults! There will be an Area Wide PC-PF (Post College- Pre Family) Potluck and Game Night on Saturday, February 4 at 6:00 pm at Tabor Mennonite Church. This group is designed for young adults in similar life stages to socialize together. Please bring table service, a dish to share, and games to play. Drinks will be provided. If you have questions, please contact Kristin Unruh at kristin.unruh. We hope to see you there!
What’s Cookin’? will meet on February 9 at 6:30pm in the Tabor Mennonite Church kitchen. Come for cooking, tasting, fun, and fellowship. Sponsored by the Tabor Food Pantry, this event is open to anyone wanting to learn new cooking skills, seasoned cooks willing to share their knowledge, others who would like new recipe ideas and have a taste before preparing them for families! RSVP is helpful, but not required. kfunk or 367-2318
It’s time to put together College Student Care Packages! The youth group will be assembling the Care Packages on Wednesday, February 15. Goodies can be placed in the decorated box in the foyer anytime between now and February 15. Please bring home-baked goods to the church on Wednesday, February 15 and put on the back table in the Fellowship Hall by the kitchen. Our current college students are Reece Hiebert, Luke Unruh, Sarah Booth, Carson Voth and Mark Schmidt. Let’s show them our love!
Hesston College’s 2017 Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series, “When the Unthinkable Happens”, is Feb. 17 to 19. If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the bulletin board by February 8 and submit a $25 check payable to Tabor Mennonite Church with AVDS in the memo. Tabor will pay the remaining $50 of the registration fee. We hope you can join in this important conference! (If you are interested in attending the bonus STAR-Lite Training on February 20, we encourage you to register for this on your own at hesston.edu/avds.)
Tabor Mennonite Youth Fellowship is going to Orlando to attend the Mennonite Church USA Convention this summer! Beside the Youth Room is a wall full of envelopes, each with a monetary value given to it from $1 to $100. If you would like to help us in our fundraising efforts, you are welcome to take any envelope and put in a donation for the amount printed on the envelope. Then please put the envelope in Pastor Katherine’s mailbox or Phil and Sarahanne Unruh’s mailbox. And all donations that exceed the cost of Convention will go towards the Tabor Building Fund. Thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your support!
Mennonite Church USA Convention in Orlando: Are you interested in attending the Orlando convention (July 4-8) as a Tabor delegate? If yes, please talk to one of the pastors soon.
Kansas Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Sale ~ April 7 & 8
– A box of antique wrenches has been donated to the MCC Sale. If you would be willing to mount them to a piece of plywood with wire, see Jerry Toews.
– If you would be willing to help detail out some vehicles that have been donated to this years sale, please see Jerry.
– Tabor folks usually give $3000-3500 to pre-sale expenses. Many of you giving a little makes it happen. Please help by doing your part.
-Your donations to the MCC Sale helps people start businesses such as raising goats, bees, chickens, rabbits, cattle, etc. More income leads to better opportunities for nutrition, health, and education. The KS MCC Sale gives that chance to families around the world. There are as many opportunities for you to help with this years sale as your mind can think of. Last year Tabor was a part of raising over $565,000. It is FUN to be a part of something like that.
Community Announcements
Women’s Retreat in Goessel: Women of all ages are welcome to the 3rd Annual Women’s Retreat in Goessel, February 25 at Bethesda Home & Lincoln Perk. Registration of $35 will open February 1. Scholarships and free child care will be available on request. If you have questions talk to Rachel Boden, Susan Nafziger, Lynette Duerksen, Michelle Unruh and Anna Beth Birky.
Conference Announcements
Prayer Requests:
« Western District Conference: Pray for God’s joy and wisdom to be with Caleb Yoder as he is installed today as pastor at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church.
« Mennonite Mission Network: Mary Raber of MMN requests prayer for pastors who spend time in the militarized zones of eastern Ukraine and for the thousands of displaced people they serve. May God provide for the physical and spiritual resources for those who have suffered so much.
« Mennonite Education Agency: Students who weren’t on campus for Bethel College’s January interterm or who are new for spring 2017 move into residence halls today – pray for a good start and a successful semester for these and all Bethel students.
MCC’s Sharing With Appalachia People (SWAP) program is seeking volunteer groups and summer staff. Summer will be here before we know it, so make your summer plans now to join SWAP in Kentucky. Don’t miss out on your chance to serve with this home repair ministry while learning about life in Appalachia. Groups or individuals can volunteer to serve as week-long volunteers. SWAP is also looking for summer staff to serve as job site coordinators and meals coordinators/cooks for three month assignments. Summer staff are a critical component of SWAP’s successful ministry, as they help facilitate the weekly SWAP service groups working on housing repair for low-income persons. Summer staff vary in age from 19 to 70+, and they receive meals, lodging and a weekly stipend for their service. For more information about bringing a group to SWAP or serving as summer staff, visit AppalachiaAdmin or 606-633-5065.
Come to the MCC Make It Day! Come and learn how to sew an infant gown for the infant care kits at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). These simple, sweet gowns provide warmth and comfort to infants around the world, and we would love to find more people to sew them! Join in the fun at the MCC Material Resource Center in N Newton (121 E. 30th) on Friday, Feb. 10 from 9am – noon, to learn more and to make a gown or two yourself. Materials and instructions will be provided. MCC has a few sewing machines, but you are encouraged to bring your own if possible. Please contact Kate Mast if you are planning to attend or have any questions:
katemast, 316.283.2720.
Camp Mennoscah:
-Recruiting Summer Staff: February 6, 7, and 8, morning to mid-afternoon, at Hesston, Tabor, and Bethel Colleges respectively.
-Hymn Sing & Dessert Auction: February 26 at Eden Mennonite Church, 4-6pm.
Funds raised will go towards the new playground structure.
-Youth Volunteer Weekend: Youth grades 7-12 are invited to join us on March 10-11 for a time of worship, service, fun! We’ll begin with worship and singing on Friday evening and end with the same on Saturday evening. If youth sponsors are interested in attending, please contact us.
-Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats: March 3-5 and March 17-19.
Information for all of the above or to register:
Online at www.campmennoscah.org Telephone: 620-297-3290.
Email: office.
Contact: olivia.bartel.
You are invited to a forum on “Native American Justice” on Saturday morning, February 11, 9am – noon at Mennonite Church of the Servant, 2401 N. Woodland in Wichita. The focus will be on the North American history of colonization and land loss, the Kanza story, and practical steps toward justice. Suggested donation $5.
Call for singers – Sunday, May 7, at Bethel College, the Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra will perform Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis, also known as the Lord Nelson Mass. If interested in joining the choir, contact Dr. William Eash, weash or 316-284-5316, for rehearsal and performance information.
Mennonite Mission Network is seeking a fulltime Mennonite Voluntary Service Program Director. Read the full position description at StaffRecruitment.
New Hope Shelter: Now hiring! Part-time weekend staff member. 8am-5pm every other weekend and some holidays. $7.25/hr.
Email resumes to james.
Applications available at 900 W. Broadway, Bldg. 7, Newton.
Goshen College seeks candidates for President. Nominations and/or letters of application may be submitted to Goshen College Presidential Search Committee. More information at: https://www.goshen.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2016/10/presidential_search_online.pdf
Category: News & Media
Jan 22 announcements
Congregational Announcements
Adult Bible Study: Join us on Wednesday evenings beginning on January 25 to study the Minor Prophets together! Come for the fellowship meal at 5:45 pm or just come to Bible study beginning at 6:45 pm. I hope to see you there and I look forward to how God will inspire us and challenge us through this study! ~Pastor Phil
Last Call for Directory Updates: Please submit updated contact information and any other updates and changes for the Tabor Church Directory this week. Email: kfunk, call 367-2318 or leave a note in the secretary mailbox.
Tabor Wellness: Thank you to all those who participated in the 2016 wellness challenges! We had 40 people who participated in at least one challenge and 10 who participated in 3 or more. In the “Tabor Goes Mobile” year long challenge our participants logged over 11,000 miles with Kristin Schmidt, Carol Duerksen, and Katy Schmidt earning the most miles. We look forward to another fun year in 2017 and hope you’ll join us!
Thank you for your generous donations to the Tabor Food Pantry this past year. The food pantry continues to be a source of hope for families who may be struggling financially. The Tabor Food Pantry has seen an increase in use recently. Supplies are running low and your donations of any non perishable items would be welcome. Especially needed: Cereal, peanut butter, applesauce and canned fruit, spaghetti and pasta, spaghetti sauce, boxed meals (like Hamburger Helper), pancake mix, canned tomatoes, laundry soap and paper bags. Monetary donations are also appreciated. Thank you for your continued support of the food pantry.
Commit a radical act of love this Valentine’s Day! Offender Victim Ministries (OVM)
is providing two opportunities to show kindness to inmates at Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) in the spirit of Valentine’s Day and Jesus’ way of compassion:
1) They will be hosting Valentine’s Day letter writing events to send encouragement to HCF Inmates on Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14.
2) In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, OVM is inviting churches to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in reaching out to prisoners by collecting Men’s Prisoner Care Kits. A shopping list for these kits is listed below. We invite you to purchase the items for one or more kits and place them in the collection basket in the foyer between Sunday, January 22 and Sunday, February 12.
1 pair white underwear (briefs), 1 bottle lotion (max. 2 oz.), 1 bar soap (min. 4 oz.), 1 tube toothpaste (min. 6 oz.), 1 deodorant, alcohol free (min. 2.25 oz.), 1 pair white crew socks, 1 white crewneck undershirt
Please choose men’s L or XL and buy all clothing in chosen size, new items only.
Attention Young Adults! There will be an Area Wide PC-PF (Post College- Pre Family) Potluck and Game Night on Saturday, February 4 at 6:00 pm at Tabor Mennonite Church. This group is designed for young adults in similar life stages to socialize together. Please bring table service, a dish to share, and games to play. Drinks will be provided. If you have questions, please contact Kristin Unruh at kristin.unruh. We hope to see you there!
Faith Formation on February 5:
In two weeks, our Sunday morning worship service will focus on Sexual abuse and the scripture passage from 2 Samuel 13, the story of the rape of Tamar. Parents, you are invited to use your discretion on whether or not this would be appropriate for your children. There are alternate activities being planned by the Christian Education team. Children may go to the fellowship hall following the children’s story for these activities.
This service will also include a time of anointing for healing and deliverance. Pastors Phil, Rosie and Katherine will be available following the service to anyone who would like to visit more personally, and are always available for counseling by appointment. May God grant comfort and healing to all who suffer.
Faith Formation: Classes for children will meet as usual.
All adults are invited and encouraged to meet in the sanctuary with Kathy Wiens. Her presentation is titled, “Wisdom of the Wounded.” Kathy is an author, speaker and survivor of childhood sexual abuse & neglect. She has her degree in clinical counseling and lives in Newton.
Hesston College’s 2017 Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series, Feb. 17 to 19. The theme, When the Unthinkable Happens, will address a congregational and community response of dealing with trauma in its many forms. Visit hesston.edu/avds to see a full weekend schedule. If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the bulletin board by February 8 and submit a $25 check payable to Tabor Mennonite Church with AVDS in the memo. Tabor will pay the remaining $50 of the registration fee. We hope you can join in this important conference! (If you are interested in attending the bonus STAR-Lite Training on February 20, we encourage you to register for this on your own at hesston.edu/avds.)
Save the Date! We are excited to announce that Bryan Moyer Suderman (http://www.smalltallministries.com/) will be with us April 21-23 to lead community Bible Study sessions on Friday/Saturday, to provide a community concert for all ages, and to lead worship at Tabor on Sunday morning! If you haven’t heard Bryan’s music, be sure to check it out. This event will be hosted at Tabor and is sponsored by the Goessel Ministerial Alliance. Save the dates and plan to join us for this fun and enriching opportunity to study scripture, worship, and fellowship together! More information to come.
Tabor Mennonite Youth Fellowship is going to Orlando to attend the Mennonite Church USA Convention this summer! We have appreciated the support of this congregation and for the many ways that you support and encourage our youth group! Because of the costs of traveling to Orlando, we are trying a new fundraising idea this year (in addition to Night in the Barn and serving a congregational meal). Beside the Youth Room is a wall full of envelopes, each with a monetary value given to it from $1 to $100. If you would like to help us in our fundraising efforts, you are welcome to take any envelope and put in a donation for the amount printed on the envelope (For example, if you take 42, you would put $42 in the envelope). Then please put the envelope in Pastor Katherine’s mailbox or Phil and Sarahanne Unruh’s mailbox.
If you are able to give a little bit, wonderful! Every bit helps! If you are able to give a larger amount, wonderful! Every amount is appreciated! And all donations that exceed the cost of Convention will go towards the Tabor Building Fund. Thank you again for your generosity, your prayers, and your support!
Mennonite Church USA Convention in Orlando: Are you interested in attending the Orlando convention (July 4-8) as a Tabor delegate? If yes, please talk to one of the pastors soon.
The Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum Annual Meeting is this Sunday afternoon, January 22, at 2:30 p.m. in the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. Following a short business meeting, Rod Ratzlaff, Alexanderwohl native, will be speaking on “Children of Przechowka: The Low German Mennonites of 19th Century Volhynia.” Rod has been researching this topic for nearly 20 years to find his family roots All are invited to attend the program and the traditional faspa which will follow.
Please check your church mailbox for a flyer with ways to support the Museum this year.
Kansas Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) ~ Sale April 7 & 8
—Please put your pre-sale expense checks in Jerry and Leann Toews, Archie and Kris Schmidt or Eric Litwiller’s mailbox. Thanks for your help.
—Tabor Children will start the Coin Offering next Sunday. Please come prepared to help along.
—Here are a few ways your MCC dollars help hungry families: $45 buys one goat; $10 buys a rabbit or chicken; $150 buys a beehive full of bees; $15 provides garden training. These are ways that MCC teaches folks to sustain themselves.
—Wanted: Cars, trucks, tractors, farm equipment (old & new) and large items of value for the KS MCC Sale. These are tax deductible that can benefit you as well as MCC. Please consider donating these items to the sale. We take your donations seriously and will make every effort to help them bring a good price. Call Jerry Toews 620-367-8257 for more information.
Conference Announcements
Prayer Requests:
« Western District Conference: Pray for junior high youth gathering next weekend for Know Jesus, a retreat sponsored by the joint WDC and South Central Conference Youth Ministry Committee, hosted at Hesston College.
« Mennonite Mission Network: JCS International, the consortium of mission agencies through which Mennonite Mission Network serves in Mongolia, requests prayer for “the many families in our fellowships and communities who are struggling to keep their homes warm in the cold weather this winter.”
« Mennonite Education Agency: Mennonite Early Childhood Network World Fellowship Day falls on the Sunday nearest January 21. On that date in 1525, the first Anabaptist baptisms took place in Zurich, Switzerland. Pray as adults remember their worldwide koinonia, that they give thanks for God’s all-inclusive family. Pray for grace to accept and respect unconditionally each child as one of God’s own. In doing so, pray that as adults guide children to befriend those who look and dress differently, those who speak and act differently, those who irritate and mistreat others, that they learn to live as the family of God.
Western District Announcements:
—What’s So Funny About Money? Sunday, February 19, 7 pm at the McPherson (KS) Opera House – Why is it hard to talk about finances? How do our finances mesh with our faith? Is the banjo really necessary for the show? The public is invited to this Ted and Company show. Cost? By donation to benefit the WDC Matching Fund, assisting pastors with financial challenges. Sponsored by Everence. Invite your friends!
—Camp Mennoscah is a great place to spend your summer! And you, trusty college-age folks, are exactly who we are looking for. We need lifeguards, office assistants, music leaders, crafts leaders, naturalists, and grounds/maintenance folks for our summer staff. More information at campmennoscah.org/application
—Camp Mennoscah is having a Hymn Sing & Dessert Auction as a fundraiser for the new playground structure on Feb. 26 at 4pm at Eden Mennonite Church. A variety of desserts will be open for bidding as a silent auction. Don’t miss out on this chance for some sweet singing!
—Youth Volunteer Weekend! Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to head out to Camp Mennoscah on March 10-11, for a weekend of service, worship, and fun. We have counselors to help with activities. Online registration and more information at campmennoscah.org or contact us at 620-297-3290. Scholarships available.
— Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats March 3-5 and March 17-19. Register online at campmennoscah.org–we can’t wait to see you!
Coming this summer: MennoTalks! A new feature for the Mennonite Church USA Convention 2017, the talks will feature 20 slides for 20 seconds each in a fast-paced presentation on topics such as “Celebrating Women,” “Race, Religion and Justice” and “Global and Local Peacemaking”. Come to Orlando July 4-7 to experience this and much more. For additional information visit: http://convention.mennoniteusa.org/mennotalks/.
Webinar to address financial needs of women: Everence Financial will present an informational webinar on the topic of Women and Money Thursday, Feb. 2, from noon to 12:30 p.m. Designed to address the distinctive financial needs of women, the presentation will include information on saving and investing for the future (including retirement) and getting started on a sound financial plan. The information will be presented by Andrea Bontrager Unzicker, Managing Director for Everence Financial Advisors in Central Kansas. To register, go to
everence.com/kansas or contact Darlene Buller at
darlene.buller.
Bethel College: Sat., Jan. 28 – Kauffman Museum marks the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail with its Kansas Day celebration: 11 a.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center; 1-4 p.m., special activities in and around the museum.
Hesston College is hosting a new fine arts series – the Andover Organ Series – which will bring four talented organists to south central Kansas in three concerts to perform on Hesston Mennonite Church’s Andover pipe organ during the spring 2017 semester. The first concert is at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31, and will feature Emmanuel Arakélian of Paris, France. The concert is free and open to the public, and a reception will follow.
Jan 22 bulletin
Jan. 15 bulletin and announcements
Jan 8 web bulletin
Jan 1 bulletin
Jan newsletter
Dec. 25 bulletin
Dec. 18 bulletin and announcements
Note of Thanks
The Community Christmas Celebration with the McPherson Community Brass Choir and the Elbiata Singers from Goessel High School was enjoyed by approximately 365 people from our churches, the community, and the surrounding area on Sunday evening, December 11. The music was wonderful, joyful and inspiring. An offering of $1,500.20 was received. We are so grateful for this gift of support for the ministries of GMA in our community. Thank you for sharing with others in the spirit of Christmas! – Goessel Ministerial Alliance
Congregational Announcements
The Tabor Mennonite Youth Fellowship will share their annual living nativity, Night in the Barn, on December 17 and 18 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The friendly goat, the large cow with her little calf, the peaceful sheep, and the baby and big donkeys that share their love of people – these are a few of the critters who will assemble in the barn of Maynard Knepp and Carol Duerksen between Goessel and Hillsboro. The story this year will be from the perspective of a sheep that witnessed the first Christmas, and is from a new book by Kim Funk called “Christmas at the Stable.” The come-and-go event includes Christmas carols around a bonfire, hot drinks and snacks. Admission is free and donations to the youth group will be accepted.
Wednesday Evening Ministries:
Children will practice for the Christmas Eve service from 6:30-7:30pm.
No supper served this week.
Education Committee will meet to assemble Christmas sacks. Parents are invited to help fill sacks while their children are in rehearsal.
Youth will meet at 6pm at Karina, Benny, and Emily’s house for a Christmas party. Please bring a white elephant Christmas gift ($5 or less) and Christmas goodies to share.
Christmas Eve Celebration Service: December 24, 7pm
Celebrate the coming of our new King! Come early to hear the piano and organ prelude by many different children. Children meet in the fellowship hall at 6:30pm.
Christmas Day Worship: December 25, 10 am
Come celebrate the birth of our King through scripture and song.
Prayer and Visioning Retreat: Come join us at church from 8-11:30am on Saturday, January 14 for a prayer and visioning retreat. Rolls and fruit will be served at 8am and then we will spend the rest of the morning praying and reflecting on how God has been at work in this past year and how we hope to join God at work in 2017. We strongly encourage all who are part of the Deacon, Trustee, Worship/Fellowship, Education, Outreach, and Finance teams to come participate in this retreat and we invite all members and attenders of the congregation to come as well. Let us embrace this opportunity to pray and discern together as a community! ~Peace, Pastor Phil
Save the Date for KNOW JESUS – January 28-29, 2017 – an overnight event for Junior High youth groups and youth (6-8th grades).
Location: Hesston College campus. Being planned by Western District Conference and South Central Conference Youth Ministry Committee.
Annual Report: Fiscal year end reports are due in the church office by the end of December. Please submit reports to the church office, email preferred: kfunk. Directory Updates and changes to the church directory are also requested at this time.
Healthy Sexuality: Beginning in January, we will be engaging in a worship series focusing on healthy sexuality. This series will not speak to same-sex covenanted relationships, as has been the practice of the church when speaking of sexuality in the past few decades. As people who know the Creator who created our bodies very good, it is important to speak to healthy sexuality within the church, to provide a witness that is different from that which we hear in the culture around us. More information on this series is in in the December Newsletter.
Community Announcements
Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum: Ben Schmidt, curator and archivist for the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum, will be leaving our community and museum. He will be pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with an emphasis on Church History from Westminster Theological Seminary outside of Philadelphia, PA. Ben’s wife, Courtney, will be working as a financial aid assistant at the seminary. His last day with the museum is this next Thursday, the 22nd of December. The Board of Directors, while sad that he is leaving, is excited for him and his future plans. He did a very good job running the museum this year with a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and ideas. Keep Ben and Courtney in your prayers as they make this transition. Stop by the museum by Thursday to wish him well.
Red Cross Blood Drive: In this season of giving remember to sign up to donate blood by calling 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visiting redcrossblodd.org. Another way to give is to sign up to help at the drive between 12:00-4:00 at Goessel Church on Wed. Dec. 28. All donors will receive a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt.
Support Bethesda Home: Just a bit of news to make your holiday even brighter!! Information received after newsletter was printed. There is no need to re-enroll in the Dillons Community Rewards program … it’s automatic! No additional action needed. Take this opportunity to encourage others to enroll and see how easy it is to sign up! The Bethesda account number is 10035. The more participants, the more Kroger donates to Bethesda. Contact either Terri Walker or Pete Flaming for assist with enrollment 620-367-2291. Just visit www.dillons.com/communityrewards for details. Joining Community Rewards does not affect fuel points or coupon discounts!
Conference Announcements
Prayer Requests:
« Western District Conference: Pray for WDC pastors and chaplains as they lead worship and offer pastoral care during the holiday season.
« Mennonite Mission Network: Tom and Disa Rutschman, serving with MMN, have shared Jesus as the Light of the World through many long winters on the Arctic Circle in Sweden. Pray that this year they may again create sparks of life through teaching in schools and the leadership they provide at Jokkmokk Free Church.
« Mennonite Education Agency: Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA) Pray for the tutors and students of the 38 Anabaptist Biblical Institute-IBA study centers who meet weekly for their study sessions. May God grant the tutors wisdom, patience and lots of energy in their ministry of teaching. And pray that the students become essential instruments in the Hispanic churches as we build the Kingdom of God.
Western District Announcements:
—Know someone who’s hard to shop for? Celebrate Christmas by donating a book in their honor to the Resource Library. A registry list of Resource Library wishes can be found on Amazon at http://a.co/jasaOal (or call the library). Order straight from Amazon and have it shipped to the library, or buy local and mark the book on the Amazon site as “buying this gift elsewhere.” Also welcome are any Spanish language or bi-lingual resources. We would love new, or like new/excellent condition books. All Christmas gifts will be acknowledged with a special bookplate inside the book, just let us know who to honor.
—The Conference Resource Library is open Monday through Friday, 8am – 5 pm. As of January 4, Resource Librarian Jennie Wintermote will be in the library Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00-Noon. (Other WDC Staff can assist you when Jennie is not here.)
—Western District Conference is on Facebook. LIKE us!
Camp Mennoscah: Camp Mennoscah will be taking down the old boys bath house and the whale on Dec. 20th. Never fear, friends! The bath house has already been replaced and plans are in the works for a new play structure. Contact us at office or 620-297-3290 to help.
Mennonite Church Announcements:
—The Mennonite magazine welcomes your original submissions of feature articles, poems, original artwork and photos for our February 2017 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on the Mennonites, race, identity and faith. You can read the full details online at Editor by January 5.
—Do you have your summer vacation plans set yet? Why not spend it in Orlando, Florida? You can attend the Mennonite Church USA convention as well as visit your favorite theme park. The convention takes place July 4-8 with the theme “Love is a Verb.” Learn more at: http://convention.mennoniteusa.org/registration/ or find the convention on Facebook or Twitter.
—Registration for “Beyond Buried Treasure: Turning Hidden Resources into Assets” is now open. This second joint MHS Mennonite Health Assembly and Mennonite Education Agency Education Leaders Gathering takes place March 9-12 in Jacksonville, FL. For more information or to register, visit mhaelgconference.wordpress.com.
Bethel College is offering many of its classes for community audit. You pay $50 per credit hour (compared to the normal audit rate of $85 per hour) OR, if you’re age 62 and older, a flat rate of $30. For more information, go to www.bethelks.edu/audit, where there are links for interterm 2017 course schedule (enrollment deadline Jan. 4) and spring 2017 course schedule (enrollment deadline Feb 13).