Tabor Mennonite Church

The road west of the church from K-15 to the east corner of the church is currently in the process of being paved. You may drive this road to come to Tabor Church. Lanes and shoulders may be uneven and drop off, so please drive with caution.

THIS SUNDAY:

Karina’s Journey to Ecuador: Karina Brandt will be traveling to Ecuador to do missionary work with Mennonite Mission Network in 2017-2018. Plan to stay for the noon fundraiser meal on Sunday, August 20. Your generous donations to help with expenses for this mission experience will be greatly appreciated!

All Teacher In-Service: All Sunday morning and Wednesday evening teachers for adults and children will meet on Sunday, August 20, 3:30-5 p.m. Pastor Phil Schmidt will lead the input with others contributing. Faspa will be served.

Congregational Announcements

The Tabor Trading Post will be open August 27 immediately following faith formation. Anyone may make something to sell or may offer a service. Children have already made flower pots, jewelry, artwork and more. Proceeds from this event support our building fund. Adults who want table space at the Trading Post should contact Carol Duerksen.

Mennograss will take place on Sunday, August 27. Food will be served beginning at 5:30 pm and live music will begin around 6 pm. We invite everyone who comes to bring lawn chairs, table service and a side dish or dessert to share.

“Followers Retreat”: Join Tabor’s “followers (of Jesus) retreat” on Wednesday, August 30 from 6-9:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please eat supper before you come. Snacks will be provided. Our focus will be group discussion on the theme of “Commitment to the Body of Christ.” Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend!

Two deacon positions to fill: The deacons are asking you to submit names of persons whom we could invite into a discernment process to consider serving in the role of deacon for Tabor Church. Send your suggestions to deacon chair Ron Schroeder (nanron), 620-345-8703, or any of the deacons, by August 31.

Church Campout: Come to Camp Mennoscah on September 16-17 for our church retreat focusing on the theme: “Stories of Hope.” Please return registration forms (found in mailboxes or on the table in the foyer) to the box in the foyer.

We hope that everyone can join us, even if just for Sunday morning.

Thank you for your donations to the Tabor Food Pantry this summer. Every time our shelves seemed to empty, groceries were donated to replenish in time for the next client. The pantry has seen frequent use throughout the summer and needs of our clients and new clients continue. Most needed are: oatmeal, boxed meals (Hamburger Helper/Rice-a-Roni type meals), canned tuna and chicken, soups, mashed and boxed potatoes, rice, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, cake mix, canned fruits, apple sauce, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, mixed vegetables (we have plenty of green beans, corn and peas), dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo, and paper grocery bags. Our checking account to purchase gift cards to Keith’s Foods for perishable grocery items is also running low. Cash donations are appreciated as well. Thank you for your continued support of this community ministry. Those who use the Food Pantry are very appreciative.

Garden Produce: If you have extra garden produce that you would like to share, please leave it on the table in the foyer. Anyone may take some home. You may leave a donation for the food pantry ministry.

Conference Announcements

Prayer Requests:

« Western District Conference: Pray for the WDC Stewardship Commission and Ministerial Leadership Commission, each gathering this week for their first meeting in the new organizational year.

« Mennonite Mission Network: Dan and Kathryn Smith Derksen and their sons spent July in North America speaking on behalf of MMN. Pray for them as they return to South Africa, working with Southern African Development and Reconstruction Agency to achieve 2020 vision: 20 trained conflict mediators in 20 communities by 2020.

« Mennonite Church USA: We call all of Mennonite Church USA to pray for justice and mercy in our nation, that we may grant to all the dignity and respect which they deserve as people loved by God, and for whom Christ died. For full article go to: http://mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/call-prayer-action-response-violence-charlottesville/

Western District Conference

It’s not too late to register for the womens/girls retreat at Camp Mennoscah September 8-10! Find the schedule and registration forms on the bulletin board in the foyer or online at mennowdc.org/calendar/. Offering on Sunday morning will go to Mennonite Women USA. We’ll be celebrating 100 years of Mennonite Women Friday evening with a drama and hymn sing, lots of fun seminars and activities for girls age 3rd grade on up and women of all ages, swimming and water aerobics, campfire, giant coloring sheets, catered meals, spiritual directors available and Barb Krehbiel Gehring as our featured speaker on “Together: Rooted and Reaching.” Come join us!

Camp Mennoscah:

—The Mental Health Spiritual Retreat is September 3-4 and everyone is invited. The theme for the weekend is Branching Out and will include sessions, activities, a hayrack ride, swimming, and time to catch up with friends both old and new.

—Work & Play Camp for all ages at Camp Mennoscah! This service-oriented retreat will take place Sept. 29-Oct. 3 in the wild prairie on the Ninnescah River. We’ll be working on projects that have popped up and having coffee and conversation, too. It’s a great opportunity to be part of our camping ministry and to see Camp Mennoscah in the fall. We’ll have plenty of hot chocolate or iced tea–whatever the weather calls for–and lots of good fellowship. There is no cost for this retreat. Come for one day or for all days!

—Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats are just a couple of months away! All crafty, scrappy, and croppy people are invited to join us for a weekend of creativity, relaxation, conversations with friends, and maybe productivity. It’s whatever you want! Two weekends are offered this fall, Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 17-19.

Information for all retreats at Camp Mennoscah or to register:

Online at www.campmennoscah.org Telephone: 620-297-3290.

Email: office.

Contact: olivia.bartel.

4th biennial Worship and the Arts Symposium: Registration is now open: Sat., Nov. 18, at Bethel College, North Newton, KS, “Seasons of the Soul: Enacting the Mystery of Faith,” with special guest presenter and resource person Ted Swartz. Symposium registration includes Swartz’s performance of “Slightly Left of Normal,” Fri., Nov. 17, in Krehbiel Auditorium (admission charge for non-symposium registrants). Registration discount for groups of 3 or more from a single congregation – for a complete schedule and online registration, see bethelks.edu/worshiparts

The annual MCC Flatlander Bike Ride will be held on Saturday, September 16, originating at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) offices, 121 East 30th, N. Newton. This year’s ride will raise funds for a MCC water development project in India. Rides of approximately 35, 45, and 65 miles, as well as a shorter family ride, are planned. Informational brochures are available through the church office. The brochure is also available on the MCC website: mcc.org/get-involved/events/mcc-flatlander-bicycle-ride. Or, you can register on-line at that website. Both bikers and contributors are needed! Contributions for this MCC project from non-bikers should be made payable to MCC; “Flatlander Bike Ride” written on the memo line; and sent to: MCC, PO Box 235, N. Newton, KS 67117. A brochure is posted on the bulletin board. Additional brochures available upon request from the church office.

Circle of Grace training at the Mennonite Central Committee Resource Center: August 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The training helps those working with children understand the Circle of Grace curriculum and how to implement this important resource for child protection. Cost: $20.00 per person. To register email: kathywiens59 or call 316-587-7244.

Earn an MDiv without relocating! Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary’s Master of Divinity (MDiv) Connect program offers you the chance to pursue a seminary degree right where you live. By taking 13–14 credit hours per year in online and hybrid formats, you can complete the 80-hour program in six years. Scholarships and financial aid are available. www.ambs.edu/mdivconnect

AMBS online short course: Exploring Anabaptist History and Theology: Sept. 13 – Oct. 24, 2017. This Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary online short course taught by Jamie Pitts, Ph.D., covers the birth and development of 16th-century Anabaptist movements and looks at various interpretations of the meaning of “Anabaptism” today. Cost: $200 before Aug. 23; $250 after. CEUs available. www.ambs.edu/lifelong-learning/anabaptist-short-courses

Bethel College:

—Sun., Aug. 27 – Ben Goossen will speak on “Are Mennonites German? Religion and Nationalism in the Global Diaspora,” and sign his book Chosen Nation: Mennonites and Germany in a Global Era (2017), 3 p.m., Kauffman Museum (books will be available for purchase in the museum store).

Change of Venue – Tues., Sept. 12, 7 p.m.: Leonard Pitts Jr., will speak in Bethel College’s Memorial Hall, a change from previous announcements and some printed material. Pitts will speak on “What Now? America in the Age of Trump,” and sign copies of his books.

Notes of Appreciation

The board and staff of the museum would like to thank everyone for your support and attendance this year at Country Threshing Days in Goessel. We had a great turnout for Greg Claassen’s Friday night ventriloquist performance, as well as for the Low German meal and Prep School lunch on Saturday, and the South Bloomfield School stage curtain unveiling and reunion on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to all those who volunteered at the Low German meal and at the Prep School, plus those who prepared the sausage, verenika, New Year’s Cookies, zwieback, and monster cookies! ~Steve Banman, Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum

Congregational Announcements

Two deacon positions to fill: The deacons are asking you to submit names of persons whom we could invite into a discernment process to consider serving in the role of deacon for Tabor Church. Send your suggestions to deacon chair Ron Schroeder (nanron), 620-345-8703, or any of the deacons, by August 31.

TMYF: For our final activity as a youth group this year, all youth who are available are invited to come to a Mystery Meal at Pastor Katherine’s at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 13. This will be a time of fellowship, as well as a time to wish our graduating seniors well as they embark on the next stages of their journey.

Tabor Mennonite Women are invited to Bethesda Home on Thursday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m. for a program and time to visit with residents. You may also bring some cookies or other snack food for our social time, if you wish.

All Teacher In-Service: All Sunday morning and Wednesday evening teachers for adults and children will meet on Sunday, August 20, 3:30-5 p.m. Pastor Phil Schmidt will lead the input with others contributing. Faspa will be served.

Karina’s Journey to Ecuador: Karina Brandt will be traveling to Ecuador to do missionary work with Mennonite Mission Network in 2017-2018. Plan to stay for the noon fundraiser meal on Sunday, August 20. Your generous donations to help with expenses for this mission experience will be greatly appreciated!

The Tabor Trading Post will be open August 27 immediately following faith formation. Anyone may make something to sell or may offer a service. Children have already made flower pots, jewelry, artwork and more Proceeds from this event support our building fund. Adults who want table space at the Trading Post should contact Carol Duerksen.

Mennograss: Save the date for Mennograss, which will take place on Sunday, August 27. Food will be served beginning at 5:30 pm and live music will begin around 6 pm. We invite everyone who comes to bring lawn chairs, table service and a side dish or dessert to share. Look for more information coming soon!

“Followers Retreat”: Mark your calendars for a church “followers (of Jesus) retreat” on Wednesday, August 30 from 6-9:30 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. Please eat supper before you come. Snacks will be provided. Our focus will be group discussion on the theme of “Commitment to the Body of Christ.”

Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend!

Church Campout: Plan to join us at Camp Mennoscah on September 16-17 for our church retreat focusing on the theme: “Stories of Hope.” Registration forms are in your church mailbox. Please return to the box in the foyer. We hope that everyone can join us, even if just for Sunday morning.

Garden Produce: If you have extra garden produce that you would like to share, please leave it on the table in the foyer. Anyone may take some home. You may leave a donation for the food pantry ministry.

Commodity distribution will be August 18 from 5-6 p.m. at the Goessel Mennonite Church. If you have any questions please contact Jenny Girard @ 620-747-0046. This is a community-wide service for those needing help.

Blood donations typically decrease in the summer and Red Cross is offering a $5 Target gift card for each appointment made during the month of August. All donors will also receive a Red Cross drawstring bag. The drive at Goessel Church is August 18 from 2-6 p.m. Please make your lifesaving appointment at 800-RED-CROSS or redcrossblood.org (use sponsor code: Goessel). Or you can volunteer for registration, escort, or canteen by signing up in the lobby. Thanks for helping!

Conference Announcements

Prayer Requests:

« Western District Conference: Pray for Lynn Schlosser as she is installed today as pastor at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, a WDC congregation near Inman, KS.

« Mennonite Mission Network: Alisha and Josh Garber are beginning an assignment in Spain with MMN. Pray for them as they adapt to a new language and culture and as they serve alongside the leaders of the Barcelona Mennonite Church, focusing on youth outreach and congregational mission.

« Mennonite Disaster Service: Please pray for the folks in New Orleans who experienced flooding late last week. We ask you continue praying that no major hurricanes hit this year. Various reports are suggesting that the next few months could be the busiest since 2010. Also continue praying that the ongoing wildfires in British Columbia and the United States will be contained. Pray that no lives will be lost from these devastating blazes.

Western District Conference

At WDC Delegate Assembly on August 5, the WDC Executive Board presented a statement opposing Texas Senate Bill 4. Set to take effect September 1, SB4 bans local law enforcement agencies from adopting “patterns or practices” that limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The WDC Executive Board statement lists specific reasons for opposing SB4, based on the belief that the Gospel calls for social justice. The statement concludes, “The Executive Board of the Western District Conference of the Mennonite Church USA laments the passage of this law characterized by rejection, discrimination, and racial profiling and urges that this law be rescinded. Furthermore, we urge the Western District Conference, the Mennonite Church USA, and all faith communities to stand in solidarity with our Hispanic-Latino/a brothers and sisters and with other people of color in the rejection of this law and the mindset which has created it.” The full statement is posted on the WDC website at http://mennowdc.org

Registration is now open for the Women/Girls Retreat (3rd grade and up) at Camp Mennoscah September 8-10. Our theme is “Together: Rooted and Reaching” with Barb Krehbiel Gehring as our featured speaker. Retreat schedules and registration forms are on the bulletin board in the foyer or available to print at: http://mennowdc.org/calendar/. We will celebrate 100 years of Mennonite Women organizations through stories and a hymn sing Friday evening. There will be no separate girls programming this year, so girls should register for Saturday morning and afternoon activities and seminars. Hope to see you all at Camp Mennoscah!

Camp Mennoscah:

—We hope you can come to the Annual Camp Sing on August 13 at 6:30pm! Everyone is invited to join us at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton for a rousing Camp Mennoscah celebration for another great summer of youth camps. We’ll sing camp songs and hymns, have popcorn and generic pop, and time to talk and chat and share stories about your summer. It’s going to be a blast! Donations will go towards upgrading the sound system at the dining hall. See you there!

—Most certainly! Join us for the Mental Health Spiritual Retreat at Camp Mennoscah, September 3-4. Friends, family, and anyone affected by mental illness are welcome. Our retreat is a time to support each other, have fun, and enjoy worship, fellowship, and music. A variety of activities will be offered. Transportation from Newton, KS, may be available.

Information for Camp Mennoscah or to register:

Online at www.campmennoscah.org

Telephone: 620-297-3290.

Email: office.

Contact: olivia.bartel.

Searching for an exciting way to serve? MCC is urgently searching for a Canner Operator, with CDL truck driving experience, to travel with the mobile cannery before the season begins in October. Canner Operators travel to 30 different locations in the United States and Canada, canning meat, which is then sent around the world to hungry people. Come serve in this exciting way! Meet new people, and take advantage of experiences you’ll never forget. For more information please contact John Hillegass at johnhillegass or (717) 859-1151.

Jordan Penner joins MCC Central States as the new Donor Relations Associate, working from Denver, Colorado! Prior to accepting this position, Jordan, along with his wife Jenny, served with MCC in Bolivia. We are excited to have Jordan join our staff and hope you get to meet him soon!

The Newton Et Cetera Shop is hiring a bilingual sorter/receiver for 20-30 hours/week. The sorter/clerk receives and sorts donations, focusing on clothing; assists Spanish-speaking customers and donors; and helps to translate written documents. The full job description and applications are available at the store (619 N. Main in Newton) or​ via​ e-mail​ at ​generalmanager​ Applications​​ are due Monday, August 14, 2017, and can be submitted in person to the general manager or ​by e-mail​.

Save the Date – IBA Benefit Dinner: The annual Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA) benefit dinner will take place Friday, September 15 at 6:30 pm at First Mennonite Church in Newton. A smothered pork burrito dinner will be prepared and served by Chef Carlos Lujano. A short program will follow, featuring testimony from IBA students Vicky Velazquez and Jose Suastegui, a dance performance by the children of Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania and some words and greetings from our new director, Marco Güete. Dinner is by donation. This is a great opportunity for a Sunday School class, small group or individuals to come and hear how IBA is equipping Hispanic leaders in Mennonite Church USA for ministry. IBA is a program of Mennonite Education Agency’s Hispanic Ministries for Leadership Development and Pastoral Education. For any inquires contact Violeta Ajquejay at: VioletaA or call 316-281-4342.

The Bethel College Alumni Choir concert scheduled for this afternoon (Aug. 13) has been cancelled. Any former Bethel choir members are invited to sing with the group at Fall Festival (Sat., Oct. 14). For more information, contact Andrew Voth, votha, or check out the Bethel College Alumni Choir Facebook page.

Registration now open: Sat., Nov. 18, 4th biennial Worship and the Arts Symposium at Bethel College, “Seasons of the Soul: Enacting the Mystery of Faith,” with special guest presenter and resource person Ted Swartz. Symposium registration includes Swartz’s performance of “Slightly Left of Normal,” Fri., Nov. 17, in Krehbiel Auditorium (admission charge for non-symposium registrants). Registration discount for groups of 3 or more from a single congregation – for a complete schedule and online registration, see bethelks.edu/worshiparts

One-course options with AMBS: Try out a seminary course through Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary without being admitted to a degree or certificate program. You can take up to two courses, and your first class — campus, online or hybrid — is 50 percent off. Sign up now for a fall course!

www.ambs.edu/academics/one-course-options

Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary’s distance-friendly non-degree leadership development program focuses on spiritual disciplines, theological and biblical studies, character development, mentoring and gifts development to help participants deepen their faith and strengthen their leadership. The program requires one visit to the Elkhart, Indiana, area each year. Apply by Aug. 25 for the Fall 2017 term. www.ambs.edu/journey

Congregational Announcements

Two deacon positions to fill: The deacons are asking you to submit names of persons whom we could invite into a discernment process to consider serving in the role of deacon for Tabor Church. Send your suggestions to deacon chair Ron Schroeder (nanron), 620-345-8703, or any of the deacons, by August 31.

All Teacher In-Service: All teachers for adults and children on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening will meet on Sunday, August 20, 3:30-5 p.m. Pastor Phil Schmidt will lead the input with others contributing. Faspa will be served.

TMYF: For our final activities as a youth group this year, all youth who are available are invited to come to both a meal at Genova’s at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 9 AND a Mystery Meal at Pastor Katherine’s at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 13. These will be times of fellowship, as well as a time to wish our graduating seniors well as they embark on the next stages of their journey.

Tabor Mennonite Women are invited to Bethesda Home on Thursday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m. for a program and visiting with residents. You may also bring some cookies or other snack food for our social time, if you wish.

Karina’s Journey to Ecuador: Karina Brandt will be traveling to Ecuador to do missionary work with Mennonite Mission Network in 2017-2018. Plan to stay for the noon fundraiser meal on Sunday, August 20. Your generous donations to help with expenses for this trip will be greatly appreciated!

Mennograss: Save the date for Mennograss, which will take place on Sunday, August 27. Food will be served beginning at 5:30 pm and live music will begin around 6 pm. We invite everyone who comes to bring lawn chairs and a side dish or dessert to share. Look for more information coming soon!

“Followers Retreat”: Mark your calendars for a church “followers (of Jesus) retreat” on Wednesday, August 30 from 6-9:30 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. Please eat supper before you come. Snack will be provided. Our focus will be group discussion on the theme of “Commitment to the Body of Christ.” Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend!

Church Campout: Plan to join us at Camp Mennoscah on September 16-17 for our church retreat focusing on the theme: “Stories of Hope.” Registration forms are in your church mailbox. Please return to the box in the foyer. We hope that everyone can join us, even if just for Sunday morning.

The Tabor Trading Post will be open August 27 immediately following faith formation. The children are busy at work creating items to sell. Adults are welcome and encouraged to sell their items and services as well that day. There will be some great gift items and possibly some yummy ones! Remember, all proceeds from this event support our building fund. Adults who want table space at the Trading Post should contact Carol Duerksen.

Garden Produce: If you have extra garden produce that you would like to share, please leave it on the table in the foyer. Anyone may take some home. You may leave a donation for the food pantry ministry.

Commodity distribution will be August 18 from 5-6 p.m. at the Goessel Mennonite Church. If you have any questions please contact Jenny Girard @ 620-747-0046. This is a community wide service for those needing help.

Blood donations typically decrease in the summer and Red Cross is offering a $5 Target gift card for each appointment made during the month of August. All donors will also receive a Red Cross drawstring bag. The drive at Goessel Church is August 18 from 2-6 p.m. Please make your lifesaving appointment at 800-RED-CROSS or redcrossblood.org (use sponsor code: Goessel). Or you can volunteer for registration, escort, or canteen by signing up in the lobby. Thanks for helping!

Bethesda Volunteer Opportunity: A volunteer is needed to count the money from the pop machine. This is a weekly duty for approximately ½ hr. Bethesda has been blessed to have a long time, faithful volunteer for this task, but is unable to continue those duties. Please contact Gayle Voth if interested – 620-367-2291 or galev.

Conference Announcements

Prayer Requests:

« Western District Conference: Pray that the worship, fellowship and discernment that took place at the WDC Annual Assembly this weekend in Arlington, TX, will continue to bear fruit in this 125th anniversary year, as we are rooted and built up in Christ.

« Mennonite Mission Network: MMN requests prayer for the 30 Mennonite Voluntary Service participants who are beginning assignments in nine locations – Alamosa, Colorado; Chicago; Elkhart, Indiana; Manhattan, New York; San Antonio; San Francisco; Seattle; Tucson, Arizona; and Washington, D.C.

Western District Conference

Offerings received at the 2017 Western District Annual Assembly this weekend will support the work of church planting in our conference through the Church Planting Commission. The Commission is dependent on contributions from individuals and congregations to make possible the planting of new churches in our conference. We are in constant contact with possible new church plants across our conference. We are currently exploring new church plants in Liberal, Kansas and Houston, Texas. We anticipate several other possibilities within the next year as we continue to be alert to God’s activity through WDC. We anticipate subsidies for each new church plant to be approximately $30,000 over a three-year period. Thus, we need contributions from individuals and partner congregations to make this ministry of church planting possible. We invite your generous contributions and encouragement of your congregation to become a partner church in Church Planting.

Registration is now open for the Womens/Girls Retreat (3rd grade and up) at Camp Mennoscah September 8-10. Our theme is “Together: Rooted and Reaching” with Barb Krehbiel Gehring as our featured speaker. Retreat schedules and registration forms are on the bulletin board in the foyer or available to print at: http://mennowdc.org/calendar/. We will celebrate 100 years of Mennonite Women organizations through stories and a hymn sing Friday evening. There will be no separate girls programming this year, so girls should register for Saturday morning and afternoon activities and seminars. Hope to see you all at Camp Mennoscah!

Camp Mennoscah:

—We hope you can come to the Annual Camp Sing on August 13 at 6:30pm! Everyone is invited to join us at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton for a rousing Camp Mennoscah celebration for another great summer of youth camps. We’ll sing camp songs and hymns, have popcorn and generic pop, and time to talk and chat and share stories about your summer. It’s going to be a blast! Donations will go towards upgrading the sound system at the dining hall. See you there!

—Most certainly! Join us for the Mental Health Spiritual Retreat at Camp Mennoscah, September 3-4. Friends, family, and anyone affected by mental illness are welcome. Our retreat is a time to support each other, have fun, and enjoy worship, fellowship, and music. A variety of activities will be offered. Transportation from Newton, KS, may be available.

—THANK YOU!!! Camp Mennoscah sends a huge thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, repaired something, prayed, and washed laundry for someone who went to camp. You are an important part of our ministry. We can’t wait to have all of you at camp for a retreat, family gathering, or other fun activity.

Information for Camp Mennoscah or to register:

Online at www.campmennoscah.org

Telephone: 620-297-3290.

Email: office.

Contact: olivia.bartel.

Searching for an exciting way to serve? MCC is urgently searching for a Canner Operator, with CDL truck driving experience, to travel with the mobile cannery before the season begins in October. Canner Operators travel to 30 different locations in the United States and Canada, canning meat, which is then sent around the world to hungry people. Come serve in this exciting way! Meet new people, and take advantage of experiences you’ll never forget. For more information please contact John Hillegass at johnhillegass or (717) 859-1151.

The annual MCC Flatlander Bike Ride will be held on Saturday, September 16, originating at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) offices, 121 East 30th, N. Newton. This year’s ride will raise funds for a MCC water development project in India. Rides of approximately 35, 45, and 65 miles, as well as a shorter family ride, are planned. Informational brochures are available through the church office. The brochure is also available on the MCC website: mcc.org/get-involved/events/mcc-flatlander-bicycle-ride. Or, you can register on-line at that website. Both bikers and contributors are needed! Contributions for this MCC project from non-bikers should be made payable to MCC; “Flatlander Bike Ride” written on the memo line; and sent to: MCC, PO Box 235, N. Newton, KS 67117. A brochure is posted on the bulletin board. Additional brochures available upon request from the church office.

The Newton Et Cetera Shop is hiring a bilingual sorter/receiver for 20-30 hours/week. The sorter/clerk receives and sorts donations, focusing on clothing; assists Spanish-speaking customers and donors; and helps to translate written documents. The full job description and applications are available at the store (619 N. Main in Newton) or​ via​ e-mail​ at ​generalmanager​. Applications​​ are due Monday, August 14, 2017, and can be submitted in person to the general manager or ​by e-mail​.

Save the Date – IBA Benefit Dinner: The annual Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA) benefit dinner will take place Friday, September 15 at 6:30 pm at First Mennonite Church in Newton. A smothered pork burrito dinner will be prepared and served by Chef Carlos Lujano. A short program will follow, featuring testimony from IBA students Vicky Velazquez and Jose Suastegui, a dance performance by the children of Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania and some words and greetings from our new director, Marco Güete. Dinner is by donation. This is a great opportunity for a Sunday School class, small group or individuals to come and hear how IBA is equipping Hispanic leaders in Mennonite Church USA for ministry. IBA is a program of Mennonite Education Agency’s Hispanic Ministries for Leadership Development and Pastoral Education. For any inquires contact Violeta Ajquejay at: VioletaA or call 316-281-4342.

Opera and Orneriness, a Music and Storytelling program featuring Marie Engle, Mezzo Soprano, and Stanley Epp, storyteller, will be held at First Mennonite Church in Newton on Sunday, August 6th at 7pm. Marie recently began her Opera career in Vienna, Austria with the Arnold Schonberg Choir and has sung at several international venues. Stanley writes and tells stories about the unusual events of his Low German Mennonite upbringing in South Dakota. A freewill offering will be taken.

What do adults need to know about the show “Thirteen Reasons Why”? Youth pastors, parents and educators are encouraged to attend a program sponsored by Prairie View Mental Health Center on August 7, 6:30-7:30 pm, at Shalom Mennonite Church, 800 E. First Street, Newton. Three therapists from Prairie View will share information about the controversial Netflix show “Thirteen Reasons Why,” and talk about bullying and teen suicide.

The Bethel College Alumni Choir is looking for more singers interested in getting together for music, fun and fellowship. The next concert will be Sunday, Aug. 13, 3 p.m., at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton, with one rehearsal, Sat., Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. If you are a Bethel choir alumnus who wants to be involved, contact Andrew Voth, votha, or check out the Bethel College Alumni Choir Facebook page for more information.

Congregational Announcements

Mennograss: Save the date for Mennograss, which will take place on Sunday, August 27. Food will be served beginning at 5:30 pm and live music will begin around 6 pm. We invite everyone who comes to bring lawn chairs and a side dish or dessert to share. Look for more information coming soon!

Church Campout: Plan to join us at Camp Mennoscah on September 16-17 for our church retreat focusing on the theme: “Stories of Hope.” Registration forms will be available next week! We hope that everyone can join us, even if just for Sunday morning.

Garden Produce: If you have extra garden produce that you would like to share, please leave it on the table in the foyer. Anyone may take some home. You may leave a donation for the food pantry ministry.

The Tabor Trading Post will be open August 27 immediately following faith formation. The children are busy at work creating items to sell. Adults are welcome and encouraged to sell their items and services as well that day. There will be some great gift items and possibly some yummy ones! Remember, all proceeds from this event support our building fund. Adults who want table space at the Trading Post should contact Carol Duerksen.

Goessel Threshing Days: August 5-6 on the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum grounds.

—Ventriloquist Greg Claassen, Friday August 4, 7:30 pm in the High School Auditorium. Donations Welcomed (no admission fee). Benefit performance for the Museum.

—The Museum will be hosting a South Bloomfield School Reunion and “homecoming” of the school’s stage curtain on Sunday, August 6 at 2:00 p.m., as part of Country Threshing Days.

Bethesda Volunteer Opportunity: A volunteer is needed to count the money from the pop machine. This is a weekly duty for approximately ½ hr. Bethesda has been blessed to have a long time, faithful volunteer for this task, but is unable to continue those duties. Please contact Gayle Voth if interested – 620-367-2291 or galev.

Conference Announcements

Prayer Requests:

« Western District Conference: Pray for all who will travel to WDC Annual Assembly in Arlington, TX, next weekend, and for all who are planning and leading assembly activities.

« Mennonite Mission Network: MMN’s Missional Discipleship Initiative uses small groups to encourage spiritual growth in congregations. Because of its relational nature, transformation spreads to the entire church. Pray for Marvin Lorenzana, the coordinator, and all who open themselves to the Holy Spirit’s work through this ministry.

« Mennonite Education Agency: In the last academic year, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary faculty and students and the Institute of Mennonite Studies (AMBS’s research agency) produced and/or presented five books, four journals, 13 articles and essays, for lectureships and one dissertation. Give thanks for God’s work through this scholarship!

« Mennonite Church USA: Pray for next month’s Mennonite Health Services board meetings as that agency prepares for leadership transition and works toward its goals for the health ministries of the church. CEO/President Rick Stiffney has announced his retirement effective in spring 2018.

« Mennonite Disaster Service: We ask you continue praying for safety as wildfires remain a big problem in Canada and the United States. In total, there have been more than 36,000 large fires this year, which have burned more than 5 million acres. Pray that all these will be contained and that no lives will be lost. Also pray for those in the Kansas City metro area who experienced torrential rains that caused major flash flooding in the early hours of Thursday morning. A number of water rescues were made but no deaths were reported.

Western District Conference

WDC Annual Assembly: is coming up soon on August 4-6 in Arlington, TX. Nearly 140 persons have registered to attend. Remember, anyone may attend the worship services (Friday evening and Sunday morning), as well as the Mini-Festival on Saturday evening at Luz del Evangelio (Dallas), without registration or payment.

The WDC Office and the Conference Resource Library will be closed on Friday through Monday, August 4-7, for Annual Assembly weekend in Arlington, TX.

Registration is now open for the Womens/Girls Retreat (3rd grade and up) at Camp Mennoscah September 8-10. Our theme is “Together: Rooted and Reaching” with Barb Krehbiel Gehring as our featured speaker. Retreat schedules and registration forms are on the bulletin board in the foyer or available to print at: http://mennowdc.org/calendar/. We will celebrate 100 years of Mennonite Women organizations through stories and a hymn sing Friday evening. There will be no separate girls programming this year, so girls should register for Saturday morning and afternoon activities and seminars. Hope to see you all at Camp Mennoscah!

Camp Mennoscah:

—Young Adult Friends and Folks! We say you should come to the Young Adult Weekend at Camp Mennoscah on August 4-6. It’s a blast. It’s a hoot. It’s a great time to be in God’s creation and bum around with your fellow folks. This weekend is for you to do (almost) anything you please. Register online at campmennoscah.org! Scholarships are available as part of the online registration process.

—Detour to Camp Mennoscah–We know this sounds like a great summer theme, but it’s sadly the truth. Smoots Creek Bridge, located directly south of US-54, is being replaced. Alternate routes take you east or west of NE 100 Ave. The bridge will be closed until June 2018.

—Mental Health Spiritual Retreat at Camp Mennoscah on Sept. 3-4–Join us, all people affected by mental issues, including friends and families! We will have sessions on the theme of Branching Out. Also part of our time together are crafts, a hayrack ride, worship, swimming, and time to visit with old and new friends! Scholarships are available. Contact us with questions.

Information for Camp Mennoscah or to register:

Online at www.campmennoscah.org

Telephone: 620-297-3290.

Email: office.

Contact: olivia.bartel.

Mennonite church announcements

The Mennonite, Inc. welcomes your original submissions and contributions for our October 2017 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on Scripture: Texts that move and shape you. Submissions are due no later than August 1, 2017. We welcome written reflections—personal stories, biblical or theological reflections, poetry and more (800-1200 words), as well as original photography, multimedia products (including, but not limited to, original song or music recordings, music playlists, videos and vlogs) and artwork on the theme. For more info: https://themennonite.org/october-call-submissions-scripture/

Mennonite Central Committee Relief Kits Needed: Excited to buy MCC school kit supplies when all the back-to-school supplies show up in stores? Consider helping refugee families in Jordan and Ukraine meet their basic hygiene needs with an MCC relief kit instead! Our partners in the Middle East and Ukraine are asking for more relief kits than MCC has on-hand so we need your help! Our goal is to ship 83,000 relief kits by March 2018. Visit katemast, 316-283-2720 with questions or to schedule a kit packing event at your church!

The Parkinson’s Support Group at Kidron Bethel will meet in Menno Hall August 1 at 2:00 p.m. for small group sharing. All are welcome.

Have you heard? Everence is moving to new offices in North Newton!

Finishing touches are now being made and we’ll be in our new building starting Aug. 21, 2017. Everence will now be located at 3179 N. Main St., North Newton – just north of the Mennonite Central Committee offices. Feel free to stop by anytime! Our phone numbers are the same: (316) 283-3800; (877) 467-7294. And for your convenience, we’re maintaining a satellite office at Schowalter Villa, 200 W. Cedar, Hesston – in addition to our Hutchinson office.

Circle of Hope Annual Picnic, scheduled for next Tuesday, August 1st at King Park in Hesston, KS. We plan to enjoy a potluck meal together and inform community members about the Circle of Hope program and our new Getting Ahead class starting this Fall in Hesston.

Congregational Announcements

Mennonite Church USA Reporting: All Tabor people who attended convention will write reflections to be included in the August newsletter. Please see the following link for an article about the delegate response to the Future Church Summit, which includes a link to the Future Church Summit Outcomes Report: http://mennoniteusa.org/convention-news/delegates-accept-future-church-summit-results-guide-discernment/

Garden Produce: If you have extra garden produce that you would like to share, please leave it on the table in the foyer. Anyone may take some home. You may leave a donation for the food pantry ministry.

The Tabor Trading Post will be open August 27 immediately following faith formation. The children are busy at work creating items to sell. Adults are welcome and encouraged to sell their items and services as well that day. There will be some great gift items and possibly some yummy ones! Remember, all proceeds from this event support our building fund. Adults who want table space at the Trading Post should contact Carol Duerksen.

Friends, family, and guests will be coming to Goessel for Threshing Days! Would you help us (The Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum) feed them on Saturday, August 5? Bakers, servers, and cashiers are needed. Please see the volunteer sheet in your mailbox and respond by July 23. For further questions, contact Aileen Esau (367-2358 or daesau). Thank you!

The Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum will be hosting a South Bloomfield School Reunion and “homecoming” of the school’s stage curtain on Sunday, August 6 at 2:00 p.m., as part of Country Threshing Days.

The museum would like to record stories from students that attended the South Bloomfield One-Room School. Consider interviewing a grandparent and submit their memories. Please send memories to The Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum, P.O. Box 231, Goessel, KS 67053, or email the museum at mhmuseum .

Help raise money for New Hope Shelter on Wednesday, July 26 from 5-8 pm by eating at Newton Wendy’s. 20% of all sales during these three hours will be donated to the shelter.

Conference Announcements

Prayer Requests:

« Western District Conference: Pray for the WDC Church Planting Commission as they support church planters, emerging congregations and sister-church relationships within WDC.

« Mennonite Mission Network: Tomorrow, MMN’s Youth Venture participants from Northern Ireland will arrive in Detroit to work with host congregation, Community Christian Fellowship. Pray for them as they do house repairs, prepare meals in a soup kitchen, work at a homeless shelter, and interact with neighborhood children.

« Mennonite Education Agency: Remember the Hesston College staff who work through the summer to get ready for another academic year. Pray that they would find opportunities for renewal. Pray for new students who will be coming to Bethel College from far away, and for Bethel’s Host Family Program, that there will be “matches” made to benefit all.

« Mennonite Church USA: Pray for Anabaptists and other Christian communities around the world as they face a variety of challenges and seek to share the light of Christ with the needs of their local contexts.

Western District Conference

WDC Annual Assembly: All are welcome to attend the two worship services at the WDC Annual Assembly without preregistering or payment. These will be held on Friday, August 4 at 7 pm and on Sunday, August 6 at 9:30 am at the Doubletree Hotel Arlington DFW South, in Arlington, TX.

Registration is now open for the Womens/Girls Retreat (3rd grade and up) at Camp Mennoscah September 8-10. Our theme is “Together: Rooted and Reaching” with Barb Krehbiel Gehring as our featured speaker. Retreat schedules and registration forms are on the bulletin board in the foyer or available to print at: http://mennowdc.org/calendar/. We will celebrate 100 years of Mennonite Women organizations through stories and a hymn sing Friday evening. There will be no separate girls programming this year, so girls should register for Saturday morning and afternoon activities and seminars. Hope to see you all at Camp Mennoscah!

Scholarships for WDC Women studying theology! Western District Women in Mission is offering scholarships for the Fall 2017 semester for those enrolled at AMBS, EMS, IBA, SeBAH, etc. These scholarships are being made available through Memorial funds, please apply at westerndistrictwomen. Deadline August 15. Scholarship amounts depend on number of applicants.

Camp Mennoscah:

—Family Camp at Camp Mennoscah! We’re gathering for a weekend of relaxing and fun on July 29-30. Maybe you thought it was too late, but we’ll accept registrations until we’re full. Call your family and friends, grab your sleeping bag, and spend a weekend with us!

—Calling all youthful adults! The Young Adult Weekend at Camp Mennoscah is August 4-6 and will be a hootin’ good time. Like definitely more fun than whatever else you might be doing. We’ll be expecting you and all your chums to join us. But maybe–just maybe–register online so we know how to plan for food. Scholarships available as part of the registration process. We’ll see you there!

—Camp Mennoscah Bridge Out — The Smoots Creek bridge to the south of Hwy 54 will be closed beginning July 17 for replacement. Alternate routes to Camp Mennoscah will be posted on the website and Facebook. The closure is expected to last until June 2018.

Information for Camp Mennoscah or to register:

Online at www.campmennoscah.org

Telephone: 620-297-3290.

Email: office.

Contact: olivia.bartel.

In 2016, the Mennonite Worship and Song Committee began developing a new collection designed to succeed Hymnal: A Worship Book (1992), and supplements Sing the Journey (2005), and Sing the Story (2007). The Committee calls on authors (of worship resources and hymn texts), songwriters (who compose words and music as a unit), and composers (of hymn tunes) to submit original work intended to enhance congregational worship in Anabaptist-Mennonite faith communities. We welcome submissions for consideration in this new collection. We expect the submissions portal at www.MennoniteWorshipAndSongCollection.org to be active throughout 2017. More information at: http://mennoniteworshipandsongcollection.org/.

Contact Resonate with questions.

Mennonite Central Committee Relief Kits Needed: Excited to buy MCC school kit supplies when all the back-to-school supplies show up in stores? Consider helping refugee families in Jordan and Ukraine meet their basic hygiene needs with an MCC relief kit instead! Our partners in the Middle East and Ukraine are asking for more relief kits than MCC has on-hand so we need your help! Our goal is to ship 83,000 relief kits by March 2018. Visit katemast, 316-283-2720 with questions or to schedule a kit packing event at your church!

Bethel College:

—The 2017 issue of Mennonite Life, Bethel College’s annual online journal, is now live at ml.bethelks.edu. This special issue is almost completely devoted to a consideration of “500 years of Anabaptism,” with an essay by Ben Goossen, “Why 500 Years?: A Critique of Anabaptism’s Upcoming Anniversary Celebration,” and 13 responses from Anabaptists in the United States and Canada, as well as Colombia and South Korea.

—Save the date: Sat., Nov. 18, 4th biennial Worship and the Arts Symposium at Bethel College; “Seasons of the Soul: Enacting the Mystery of Faith,” with special guest presenter and resource person Ted Swartz. Symposium registration includes Swartz’s performance of “Slightly Left of Normal,” Fri., Nov. 17, in Krehbiel Auditorium (admission charge for non-symposium registrants). For a complete schedule and online registration, see bethelks.edu/worshiparts

Achieving your dreams and goals: Everence® will present an informational seminar, Your dreams, your goals: How a financial plan can help you achieve them, at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 24. Representatives from Everence will speak about aligning your finances with your life mission, ways to increase generosity, and avoiding costly financial mistakes. The seminar will take place at Everence Financial Advisors, 371 North Old Highway 81, Hesston. To reserve your spot, contact Darlene Buller at darlene.buller.