Bearing Fruit for January 15, 2012

WMC's New Church Newsletter for Community Announcements

Iowa Mennonite School

IMS will host the Hesston College Wind Ensemble on Sunday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m., in a joint concert with IMS' Symphonic Band.  Former IMS music instructor Bradley Kauffman conducts the ensemble.  All are invited to the concert, and also are invited to consider hosting a student or two that weekend.  Please contact the school (656-2073) for more information or to offer lodging.

IMS Enrollment Director Candi Schmieder is hosting an Enrollment Committee meeting on Monday, January 16, 6:30 PM in the Conference Room.  If you are interested in serving on this committee (particularly from the Iowa City and/or Wayland areas), please contact Candy at candi.schmieder at gmail.com or 319.656.2073.  The committee will discuss enrolment priorities & plan events.

Immigration Documentary: The IMS Spanish department and JPOG (Just Peace Outreach Group) invite you to view ”Abused:  the Postville Raid,” a documentary about the immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, on May 12, 2008.  It was the largest and most expensive immigration raid ever conducted, causing disastrous effects on hundreds of families and children.  Join us on Sunday evening, January 22, 2012, at Iowa Mennonite School, 1421 540th St. SW, Kalona, Iowa at 6:00 p.m. for a finger foods potluck and conversation (please bring your own table service) or at 7:00 to view the documentary and discussion.  For more information, please contact Maya Kehr at 574-238-3023 or Roger Farmer at 319-653-2547.

The IMS Chamber Singers are offering Singing Valentines on February 14 for your special person!  The Valentine package for an individual will consist of two songs, a flower and a photo for $35. The Chamber Singers will also sing songs for a group for $60.  The songs this year are You Are the New Day by King Singers, I Will Be There by Steven Curtis Chapman, In the Still of the Nite as recorded by Boys II Men. To reserve a singing valentine call the school office at 656.2073 or 683.2586.

The IMS Board invites you to join them in prayer for IMS every Wednesday morning at 7:30 AM.  Come to IMS or ask to have the prayer guide emailed to you.  Join us either way as we invite God’s guidance and blessing for IMS each week.

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

Jr. High WinterFest Coming Soon!  Time is running out, register now!!!  If you are in grades 6 – 8 and love camp, come join us at Crooked Creek Christian Camp on January 20-22, 2012 for a weekend of games, food, worship and great fellowship!  Packets with registration information have been sent to your Sunday school leaders.  Ask them about registration.  If you have questions, please call the camp at 319.653.3611.  Can’t wait to see all of you!

It’s time for Coins for Camp!  Crooked Creek Christian Camp invites you to collect those coins throughout the month of January.  Packets with calendars and instructions were mailed to each church and given to the camp reps.  Please help us collect coins so we can improve the climbing wall and make some improvements on the cabins.  Remember, the church that raises the most money per child in grades 1-8 wins a free pool party or 2 free hours at the activity center.  That’s a lot of potential for fun, so start saving those coins!!

"Crooked Creek Christian Camp invites you to join us for: Exploring Foods and Farming; The Myth of Sustainability on March 2-3, 2012. This conference is for anyone who eats food and anyone who produces food. Our keynote speaker will be Neal Eash, professor of Agronomy at the University of Tennessee, and Diane Zaerr Brenneman will help facilitate conversation.  This event will focus on bringing together producers and consumers, with a wide range of perspectives, to discuss and learn how we all can move towards more sustainable and restorative practices. Brochures with schedules and registration information will be in your church mailboxes soon."

Mennonite Agencies

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  As food and fuel prices continue to soar throughout Europe, Mary Raber of MMN requests prayer for her neighbors and students in Ukraine as they struggle to provide for their families.  Pray that churches would show Jesus’ love by caring for those in need.

The Sower Prayer Request:  Today Pastor Shane Van Meveren of Bethany Mennonite Church in Freeman, South Dakota, is being ordained.  Last Sunday, Pastor Nathan Ramer of Wellman (IA) Mennonite Church, was licensed towards ordination.  Pray that these pastors and their congregations will embody the love of Christ in their communities.

Ecuador Fellowship and Learning Tour:   A group of seven people from Central Plains Mennonite Conference will participate in a Fellowship and Learning Tour to Ecuador from January 26 to February 7. Participants will be Don and Shirley Kempf (Shickley, Nebraska), Joe Jr. and Lynn Walks Along (Lame Deer, Montana) , Roger Farmer and Ken Egli (Washington, Iowa) and Alyssa Rodriguez (Iowa City, Iowa). William and Luz Marina Valencia from Colombia will also join the group in Ecuador before beginning their time as pastors of the Mennonite congregation in Riobamba, 

Ecuador.   Activities will include participating in the peace workshops, visiting with Colombian refugees, visiting an indigenous congregation, and crossing the Equator. Highlights of the tour will be worship and fellowship with the Mennonite congregations in Quito and Riobamba.

The 2012 National MDS Meeting will be in Sarasota, Florida on February 10-11.  Early registration must be sent by January 10.  For a registration form and more information, go to mds.mennonite.net or call John Schrock at 646.2260.

Washington Area

Hesston College alumni and friends are invited to performances of the Concert Band and Bel Canto Singers in Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 15. The Concert Band will perform a program entitled “Collaborations” with the Iowa Mennonite School Symphonic Band at 2 p.m. in IMS’s Celebration Hall. The free concert marks a homecoming for fifth year faculty member Bradley Kauffman, who began his teaching career at IMS 15 years ago. 

The Walk Thru the Old Testament seminar is being held at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church on Saturday, January 28th  from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  This event is for ages 13 through 113!  Registration fee is $25 per person which includes lunch, snacks and materials.  You can register by phone, 656-2076 or by email, ldc at kctc.net by January 20th.   Check out the website www.walkthru.org to find out more about this adventure or call the church for more information.

Parkview has 1 and 2 bedroom apartments available for rent.  Please contact Parkview Administration Office if interested at 256-2775.