Category: News & Media

May 1 announcements

Posted on by tabormenno (S. Unruh) in Newsletters

VBS Staff Orientation: Vacation Bible School is just around the corner! Staff orientation will take place on May 11 at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall. There are still a few opportunities open to help with VBS. See Sarahanne Unruh or Eunice Nickel for more information or if you would like to be a prayer partner. Thanks to all who are helping this year!

Children’s Church Banks: Children who would like to turn in their church bank to the Financial Task Force are welcome to leave them with a member of the committee or in the Fellowship Hall next to the Lego church building where the children gather before Faith Formation.

Kansas MCC Annual Relief Sale Dinner:

Your Help is Welcome!! The Financial Task Force is hosting the MCC Relief Sale Dinner on May 19 here at Tabor as a fund raiser for the fellowship hall addition. Anyone who would like to help with this event is welcome to sign up on the bulletin board in the coming weeks. We will need servers, table decorators, dish washers, and general help all around. We are also seeking funds to help offset the food costs so that as much of the fund raiser as possible goes towards the project. If you are interested in helping with a monetary donation, please contact a member of the FTF committee.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 48th Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale a huge success! You are all invited to celebrate this success at the KMRS annual meeting. On behalf of MCC, Maynard Knepp will be presented with a check from the proceeds of the sale. Date: Thursday, May 19, 6:30 pm at Tabor Mennonite Church. The meal is $15 a plate payable at the door. Please RSVP to Kristin and Archie Schmidt or Leann and Jerry Toews by May 16 if you plan to attend.

The Tabor Food Pantry is running low on a number of items: cereal, oatmeal, mac ‘n cheese, Hamburger Helper / boxed meals, ramen noodles, canned meats, spaghetti sauce, pancake mix, cake mixes, peanut butter, jelly, ketchup, mustard, laundry soap, dish soap. Any non perishable food donations are welcome. Thank you for your continued support of the Food Pantry!

For information on Pastor Phil’s upcoming sabbatical please see Ron Schroeder’s article in the April newsletter.

Conference Announcements

Prayer Requests:

« Western District Conference: Today is Eastern Orthodox Easter! Pray for WDC congregations as they foster relationships of grace and peace with other communities of faith, in the spirit of the Risen Christ.

« Mennonite Mission Network: Praise God for the Sister Care ministry of Mennonite Women and its partnership with Mennonite Mission Network in offering hope around the world. Pray for Noëlie Bananzaro, Nancy Frey and Claire Traoré from Burkina Faso, as they share what they learned in Sister Care sessions last month in Kenya.

« Mennonite Education Agency: Pray for Hesston College students as they prepare for and take their final exams. Pray that God would give them peace of mind and the strength they need to finish the school year strong.

Mennonite Central Committee:

—SWAP needs summer staff! Summer will be here before we know it, and Mennonite Central Committee’s Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP) program is seeking summer staff for three month assignments in Kentucky and West Virginia. Job site coordinators utilize volunteer labor to accomplish quality home remodels/repairs, while meals coordinators plan balanced, nutritional meals for volunteers. 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 go to swap.mcc.org or call Angela at 606-633-5065.

—MCC Workroom Update! Thank you for your generous response to our recent request for kits supplies. We still have a number of school and infant kits to complete. We welcome your time to come and fellowship and assemble the kits along with donated items to complete them. As of now, we need gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material) size 3-9 months for the Infant Care Kits and colored pencils (pack of 12) for the School Kits. A friendly reminder we do not need toothpaste for any of the relief kits. Please come on your own or bring a group. You can let us know of your attendance by calling 316.283.2720. See you soon!

—Mennonite Voluntary Service is accepting applications for the 2016-2017 year! Opportunities to serve and live in community with others are still open in a variety of placements and locations, including teaching in Puerto Rico. Ages 20+ can apply at MennoniteMission.net/Serve, or contact

NeilR for inquiries.

Mennonite Central Committee and WillowSpring Downs are hosting two events the weekend of June 11-12.

-June 11, 1-5 p.m. Fun on the Farm: In the tradition of Day on the Farm, but different, Fun on the Farm features interaction with animals, relays, snacks, games, nature scavenger hunt, obstacle course, stick horse race, rides, and crafts for children of all ages. Come at 1:00 for all the fun, and you just might learn a little bit about MCC’s work around the world in the process! Admission is free. In case of rain, call 620-386-0709 or 620-367-8432 for updates.

-June 12, 5-8 p.m. Song on the Law: This year’s mini-music festival features the Book of JEBB, Cottonwood River Band, Newton Men’s Quarter, Senior Jammers, and Elaine Unruh/Emil Schmidt and Friends. Meal catered by Keith Banman. Bring your lawn chairs, table service, friends and family. Admission is free, donations accepted for MCC. In case of rain, event will be at Goessel Elementary School. Call 620-386-0709 or 620-367-8432 for updates.

Directions to WillowSpring Downs for both events: From Goessel: 3 miles north on Hwy K-15, 4 miles east on 150th, ¾ north on Falcon.

Camp Mennoscah Retreats and Opportunities:

—Thank you to all who attended the Kitchen/Dining Hall Renovation Fundraiser at Camp Mennoscah! Book of JEBB graced us with wonderful music and their own camp memories, and the meal was superb! Your generous gifts bring us $9331 closer to reaching the estimated $200,000 needed. A painting of the camp drive by Virgil Penner is up for grabs, too. Be the first to donate $25,000 or more, and it’s yours!

—Camp Mennoscah has all sorts of space for you to Bring a Friend! Both you as a returning camper and your first-time friend attending the same camp get a free camp tee shirt. It’s a great way to share Camp Mennoscah with your friends–a bit of the river, a bit of singing, a few friendship bracelets, and a whole lot of faith and fun! Our summer theme is Fearless Faith: Courage in Community. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or register online. Scholarships still available!

For all of the above: Online at www.campmennoscah.org

Telephone: office.

For more information contact olivia.bartel.

Bethel College:

—Sun., May 1 – KIPCOR Film Series wraps up with The Waiting Room, 3 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Talk-back session with Dr. Ted Cook, medical director of the emergency department at Newton Medical Center.

—Sun., May 8 – Masterworks Concert, 3 p.m., featuring Te Deum by Bruckner and Choral Fantasy by Beethoven, along with presentation of the second Goering Music Award, Memorial Hall at Bethel College; tickets at Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center, or at the door

—Sat. May 14 – Woven concert, 7 p.m., Memorial Hall at Bethel College

The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, Hesston, will host a “pop-up concert” featuring “chamber-grass” sister band, SHEL. on Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. The concert will take place in the Prairie Pavilion at the Arboretum overlooking the lake. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Join us for an evening of great music in a prairie garden setting. Tickets: $20 adults/$10 kids, may be purchased at the door. Call 620-327-8127 to reserve your seats.

The Harvey County Homeless Shelter is taking applications for the position of volunteer coordinator/bookkeeper. This is a full-time position. For more information or to submit resumes, email: james. Applications can be picked up at the shelter.

May 1 annc.pdf

April 24 announcements

Posted on by tabormenno (S. Unruh) in Bulletins

Children’s Church Banks: Children who would like to turn in their church bank to the Financial Task Force are welcome to leave them with a member of the committee or in the Fellowship Hall next to the Lego church building where the children gather before Faith Formation.

What do Five Mennonites and a Greek have in common? Come to the salad supper on April 25th at 6 p.m. and listen to stories from a group of women who have been strung together on a string, supporting each other and laughing together, while learning how to draw faith from God and move forward. Please bring a salad to share. Sign up is posted on the bulletin board .

Tabor Spring Work Day: 8:00 Saturday morning, April 30. We will be painting, spreading mulch around the playground equipment, tree trimming and more. Volunteers to bring snacks for mid morning break and fellowship will be appreciated.

Kansas MCC Annual Relief Sale Dinner:

Your Help is Welcome!! The Financial Task Force is hosting the MCC Relief Sale Dinner on May 19 here at Tabor as a fund raiser for the fellowship hall addition. Anyone who would like to help with this event is welcome to sign up on the bulletin board in the coming weeks. We will need servers, table decorators, dish washers, and general help all around. We are also seeking funds to help offset the food costs so that as much of the fund raiser as possible goes towards the project. If you are interested in helping with a monetary donation, please contact a member of the FTF committee.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 48th Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale a huge success! You are all invited to celebrate this success at the KMRS annual meeting. On behalf of MCC, Maynard Knepp will be presented with a check from the proceeds of the sale. Date: Thursday, May 19, 6:30 pm at Tabor Mennonite Church. The meal is $15 a plate payable at the door. Please RSVP to Kristin and Archie Schmidt or Leann and Jerry Toews by May 16 if you plan to attend.

Camp Mennoscah wants as many kids and youth as possible to have a summer youth camp experience. It’s a great way to help faith grow and to find God in creation and in friends. The summer youth camp theme is Fearless Faith: Courage in Community. Scholarships from Camp Mennoscah are available. Register before May 1 to receive a $10 discount.

Tabor’s Christian Ed team offers a $50 scholarship to Tabor campers. Please sign up on the bulletin board if you are attending camp. The $50 will be sent directly to Camp Mennoscah for each child attending camp.

For information on Pastor Phil’s upcoming sabbatical please see Ron Schroeder’s article in the April newsletter.

Community Announcements

Bloodmobile: Finding time to give blood or work at the blood drive isn’t always easy, but it is a way to change a life and give someone a chance to share more laughter, joy, and time with family and friends. The next bloodmobile at Goessel Church is Tuesday, April 26 from 2:00-6:00. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) to schedule your appointment. Or watch for the volunteer sign-up sheet to work for an hour as receptionist, donor escort, or in the canteen. YOU CAN CHANGE A LIFE!

Ladies, Save the Date! Mayleen Vinson, award winning quilter, will present a Quilt Trunk Show at the Goessel Mennonite Church on Saturday afternoon, May 21. This will be a fundraiser for the Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum. More information will follow soon.

Conference Announcements

Prayer Requests:

« Western District Conference: Pray for Byron Pellecer, as he concludes ministry at Aposento Alto church plant in Wichita, KS, this month, and prepares to move to Texas to begin work May 15 as WDC Associate Conference Minister (TX-based).

« Mennonite Mission Network: From next Thursday through Sunday, DOOR Hollywood’s Dwell participants will be on their spring retreat. Pray for these young adults as they spend time reflecting on their year-long assignment and vocational discernment.

« Mennonite Education Agency: All Mennonite graduates. Pray for the Mennonite students who graduate this year, that God would give them wisdom in discerning what they will do next.

Mennonite Central Committee:

—SWAP needs summer staff! Summer will be here before we know it, and Mennonite Central Committee’s Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP) program is seeking summer staff for three month assignments in Kentucky and West Virginia. Job site coordinators utilize volunteer labor to accomplish quality home remodels/repairs, while meals coordinators plan balanced, nutritional meals for volunteers. 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 go to swap.mcc.org or call Angela at 606-633-5065.

—MCC needs your help! Each day this week there will be LOTS to do in the MCC Workroom in North Newton – blankets and comforters to fold and bale, kits to assemble and prepare for shipment and more! Call to schedule a time with Irma or just come in and share your time and talents with MCC. The workroom is open Monday-Friday 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm, gather your friends and family to join you or come alone, stay for an hour or two or more. Come check out how the workroom is changing!

—Specific urgent needs at MCC: Not only do we need your help inside the MCC workroom, we also need the following items so we can pack and ship complete MCC kits:

– Adult-size toothbrushes (either individual or in 4-packs)

– 12 colored pencils (in packaging)

– Shampoo (13-24 oz. size bottles)

– Wide-tooth combs (6-8 inches)

– Fingernail clippers

Bring items to the MCC Center at 121 E. 30th in North Newton, KS 67117. Questions? Call 316-283-2720 or email irmagonzalez.

Camp Mennoscah Retreats and Opportunities:

—Waiting for you! Camp Mennoscah has available weekends and weekdays for you to visit. Enjoy being with friends, play disc golf, wade in the river, go fishing, pull out those Rook or Dutch Blitz cards, and spend some time relaxing and having fun. (We think having fun and being with others are some great ways to connect with God.) Contact Camp Mennoscah at to check dates and for further information.

—Camp Mennoscah has just a few more openings for kitchen helpers for our summer youth camps. We’d love to have a couple more helpers for July 17-23 and July 24-29. No great skill needed, just the ability to follow directions and a love for camp. Parents receive a camper discount.

—Retirees of all ages! Retirees Relaxation Retreat at Camp Mennoscah is April 25-27 and is on the theme of Mennonites in Early Kansas. There will be times for Bible Study, music, presentations, and most definitely coffee breaks throughout the day. Invite a friend to share in the fun!

For all of the above: Online at www.campmennoscah.org

Telephone: office.

For more information contact olivia.bartel.

Bethel College:

Fri., April 29 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble spring concert, with guest Don Kehrberg, 7 p.m., Memorial Hall. An open reception for Kehrberg will follow the concert.

Sun., May 1 – KIPCOR Film Series wraps up with The Waiting Room, 3 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Talk-back session with Dr. Ted Cook, medical director of the emergency department at Newton Medical Center.

Healthcare professionals, students, retirees! Registration deadline extended to April 30 for the Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) 2016 Annual Gathering, June 17-19 at the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO. Theme: “Wholeness and Holiness: Views from the Mountaintop.” Topics include the spirituality of illness, international healthcare, end of life ethics, public health, trauma, and gun violence. Vibrant worship, stimulating speakers, and a variety of workshops. Open to anyone interested, especially persons from medical, mental health, therapy, and chaplaincy professions, including students and retirees. Children and Youth Program provided. Register at info, or call 1-888-406-3643.

Job Opportunities:

Graphic/multimedia designer. Mennonite Church USA’s Executive Board staff is seeking a 0.75 to 1.0 FTE Graphic/multimedia designer. Location: Elkhart, Indiana; Newton, KS; or dispersed. The person in this role will serve as the primary graphic designer and videographer on the majority of MC USA communication projects and initiatives; ensure the consistent use of the denomination’s visual identity guidelines; and work on various convention-related design projects. As an integral part of the Communications Team, the person in this role will work with the team on long-term vision, messaging and communications strategy. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in communication, graphic design or art, and be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite. At least five years of experience as a graphic or multimedia designer would be a plus. For a complete job description, see janiebk

April 24 annc.pdf