Focus Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6
*Our annual church retreat is this weekend! Everyone is welcome, and we’ll let you in even if you haven’t registered. The retreat schedule and directions to the site are at the end of the E-News.
*Last Sunday was our quarterly congregational meeting. The minutes will be available later. Here are the highlights:
- The following statement was approved with full consensus. Joanna will take this statement with her when she meets with the Leadership Commission of
Western District Conference in December. “We support Joanna in her decision to officiate at the wedding of a same sex couple. Although there is diversity of opinion within the congregation about some questions and issues surrounding this decision, we support Joanna’s exercise of her conscience. We believe her action to be in line with a sincere, informed understanding of Christ’s call to love our neighbors and work together toward greater justice in the world. We also recognize that people of good will can and will differ on many matters; as we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we value the relationships that we have with the Western District Conference and Mennonite Church USA and we seek to maintain them in loving fellowship with our sisters and brothers in Christ.” - We approved a constitutional amendment to add the position of “Assistant Treasurer” to the constitution. This person will assist the treasurer as needed and take care of financial matters for the church when the treasurer is unable to do so.
- We affirmed Stan Moyer as our new assistant treasurer and Marta Schwartz as our new Mennonite Mutual Aid/Everence representative.
- We affirmed Rebecca Barrett-Fox, Jeff Weber, Carol Grieb, and Carol Moyer to serve as this year’s nominating committee. Joanna will also work with this group.
- We approved the process agreement for addressing our church space needs. (This document is posted on the church blog, “building” page.)
*Christopher Tuu needs some financial assistance to purchase a machine that he needs for reading his textbooks. The new machine will cost him about $1,500–which he does not have. We would like to collect at least some of this money from people in the church and apply for a matching grant from Mennonite Mutual Aid. If you want to contribute, please let Joanna know. (Checks can be made out to the church with “Christopher” in the memo line.)
The “Conversations Around the Table” small group discussing current issues will meet on Thursday, Oct. 28th, at the home of Stan and Carol Moyer in Tonganoxie. Carol Grieb will lead the discussion on “Health Insurance Reform.” The session will begin at 7:00 pm and will conclude at 8:30. If you would like to join this group, please contact Ken Lohrentz.
We are looking for some new people to join the building group. This is a working group that is leading the congregation through our discernment process about space issues. Contact Joanna if you are interested in serving.
The Membership Exploration classes will be held at 7 p.m. on the following dates: October 26, November 9 and 16.
Our church calendar will now be maintained by Sonja Kaufman. (Thanks, Sonja!) She will gather information from the e-news and bulletin. If there are other events or meetings you would like put on the calendar, please e-mail the information to Sonja (gojhawks at sunflower dot com)
*New on the church blog: (www.peacepreacher.wordpress.com)
- A beautiful new header from Doug Koch (Thanks!)
- Joanna’s sermon on Micah 7
- Joanna’s Faith Forum article on “Religion Isn’t” is posted on her personal blog: http://www.spaciousfaith.wordpress.com
Peace Mennonite Calendar:
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October 22-23: PMC Annual Retreat; Chihowa Retreat Center, Perry, Ks
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October 26: Membership Exploration Class; 7 p.m., church building
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October 27: Ballard Center food distribution; 9-12, Fairgrounds
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October 28: “Conversations” small group; 7-8:30, Moyers’ house
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October 30: Bible Study; 8 a.m.; Heilke house
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November 6: Bible Study; 8 a.m.; Heilke house
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November 9: Membership Exploration Class; 7 p.m., church building
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November 13: Bible Study; 8 a.m.; Heilke house
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November 16: Membership Exploration Class; 7 p.m., church building
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November 19-20: PMC to host Becoming an Inclusive Church workshop
Help Wanted!
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LINK casseroles and servers for the first Sunday of each month—contact Gwen
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Jr. Youth (4th-8th grade) Sponsors
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Help with Ballard Center food distribution on Oct. 27
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New members for the building group
Serving in Worship this Week :
*Coordinator: Andrea Zuercher; Worship Leader: Barbara Yoder; Song Leader: Anne Bailey; Accompanist: Whitney Baker; Scripture Reader: Stan Moyer; Table: Carol Moyer; Speakers: Sue Young and Gwen Wiens; Snacks: Rebecca Barrett-Fox
Beyond the Local Church:
*The Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty will be holding its annual meeting on Saturday, November 6. The program this year is called, “It DOES happen here: Innocent and Convicted.” Special guests will be Eddie Lowery and Darryl Burton, both of whom served significant time in prison for serious crimes that they did not commit.
There is an annual meeting at 3 p.m. for KCADP members. The general program begins at 3:30 p.m. The location is Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, KS, 13890 W. 127th St. in Olathe. This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact: KCADP at 785-235-2237 or kcadp@att.net
The Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR) at Bethel College will show The Fight in the Fields¸ an award-winning documentary about César Chávez and the United Farm Workers Union, on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in Krehbiel Auditorium on the Bethel College campus, North Newton. This film is excellent preparation for the 11:00 convocation October 25 at Bethel College by Miriam Pawel, author of The Union of Their Dreams: Power, Hope and Struggle in César Chávez’s Farm Worker Movement. The film is free and open to the public; learn more about it at http://www.pbs.org/itvs/fightfields/film.html . For more information, contact KIPCOR at 316-284-5217 or email kipcor@bethelks.edu.
Congo gathering: Persons interested in learning and sharing insights about cultivating the relationship between Mennonite Church USA and the Mennonite church community in Congo are invited to a potluck supper Tuesday, November 2, 5:30 p.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church, 2600 College Avenue, North Newton, Kan. Ervin Stutzman, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, will be present to hear from those who have served as mission or service workers in Congo or have other connections there, and to share in dialogue together. Please bring your own table service, and food to share. Drinks will be provided. RSVP (requested, but not required) to Bethel College Mennonite Church at office.bcmc@sbcglobal.net or 316-283-3667. For more information contact Shelley Buller at Mennonite Church USA at 316-281-4257. The supper will conclude prior to that evening’s Menno Simons Lecture at Bethel College, with John D. Roth speaking at 7:30 p.m. in Krehbiel Auditorium on The Coming Shape of Anabaptism: Envisioning the Global Mennonite Church of the Future.
You are invited to an evening featuring MEDA-Paraguay sponsored by MEDA Kansas (Mennonite Economic Development Associates.) The event will start with dinner at the Waters Edge Restaurant, Hesston at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, November 9. Arnold Epp, Executive Director for 8 years of MEDA-Paraguay, will share very interesting stories about the life changing projects MEDA has been involved with in Paraguay. Arnold grew up in the Chaco of Paraguay and has worked in church and development activities in Paraguay for the past 20 years. Make reservations by Nov. 3 –call 620-896-7381 or email carlawedman@harperindustries.com $25/per person or $5 for full time students.
Shingling? Sure thing. We’re going to be shingling again at Camp Mennoscah on October 29-30. Camp will provide lodging and meals for volunteers. Don’t miss out on your chance to add your signature (in shingles) to a cabin. Email at campmno@mennowdc.org or call 620-297-3290 to let us know you’re joining in the fun. Alternate dates may be available.
Ideas? We need ‘em! If you have session ideas for our Sustainable Living Retreat or know of a presenter who would be great to hear from, let us know. We’re also looking for committee members for an intergenerational camp—sort of a combination of Family Camp and Grandparents/Grandkids Camp. Email us at campmno@mennowdc.org or call Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290. Next year is going to be a hoot!
Hire-A-Habitat is Back! Want a student volunteer to rake your leaves, garden, move furniture, touch up point, or do yard work? Students from the University of Kansas Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter are again volunteering in exchange for your support! We have two dates for Hire-A-Habitat during the fall semester: Saturday, October 9th from 10am-2pm, and Saturday, November 13th from 10am-2pm. Your support makes a big difference! Your kind tax-deductible donation will help us support Habitat’s Mission to support decent, affordable housing for those in need through events, builds, student-led Habitat trips, and contributions towards Lawrence Habitat Homes. The suggested donation is $25 per hour, per person. To request a volunteer for your job, call Keaton Andra at (913)205-2933 or email us at kuhabitat@gmail.com. Just let us know how many volunteers you’d like, which date would work best, and any ways we can best assist you. Thanks so much for your support!
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Retreat Information:
Directions to the Retreat:
The Chihowa Retreat Center is at 3553 Osage Road. Take US 24 North, then turn right on US 59. Drive three miles on 59 and then turn left on 35th street. There will be a sign for the retreat center at the turn. Then turn right on Osage and you are there! (Note: The registration form and Mapquest/GPS will tell you to turn left. Don’t do it. Turn right!) Mark, the caretaker, can be reached at 785-760-6271 if you get lost. If you would like a map, you can find one here: http://www.chihowa.org/Forms/General%20Information.pdf
Retreat Schedule:
Friday, October 22
5:00—Registration, Settling In, Preparing for Supper
6:00—Supper (Welcome and Announcements)
7:00—Opening Worship
7:30–Session 1: Come Away and Rest
–Kids Session 1
8:30–Campfire
9:30—Board games, stories . . . bed?
Saturday
*Books will be available for morning devotions
8:00—Nature Walk (optional)
8:30—Breakfast
9:30—Session #2–Sabbath
–Kid’s Session 2
10:30–Free Time with optional activities
*Fishing and paddle boats available; art supplies available
10:45–Nutrition workshop (with Patrice)
10:45–Kids and youth making cookies (with Rebecca–adults can come too)
11:45–Yoga (with Carol Grieb)
12:15–Lunch
1:00–Free Time
*Fishing and paddle boats available; art supplies available
2:00–Closing Worship
2:30–Clean Up and go Home
(Items with an * are new this week.)
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