September 2, 2012 Newsletter

Bearing Fruit

September 2, 2012

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Nathan Miller (9/3), Lori Asbury (9/4), Janet Payne (9/8), Courtney Bates (9/8)

Offering for 8/26/12: $2891.49 (regular), $700 (van fund)

Saturday September 15^th 2012 volunteers from area Mennonite Churches will begin at 7:00AM replacing the roof for one of the Iglesia Centro Cristiano members.  The roofing project is located at 501 South Ave. D here in Washington. We are hoping to do the entire roof that day so we are starting early and asking for a lot of volunteers.  If you are not able to come at 7:00AM please come when you can.  The ladies from the Hispanic church will be providing the dinner.  Donations for the roofing project are still welcome.  Make checks payable to Washington Mennonite Church and designate for roofing project.  Washington Mennonite is encouraged to have several volunteers help with the roofing on Saturday the 15^th.  If you have questions please contact Phyllis Litwiller.

Church Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept 5^th at 7pm

Fall business meeting is set for Wednesday, Sept 19^th.  Please have annual reports to Andrea Nussbaum by Sept 2^nd.

Please consider signing a petition in support of Max Villatoro, pastor of the Torre Fuerte Mennonite Church in Iowa City.  Although Max has lived most of his life in the USA, his legal status is still in question.  Jerry Partridge and other legal advisors say that statements of community support will be helpful to Max, and that is the purpose of the petition.  Additional information is available in a cover letter about the situation from Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler.  Both the  petition and the cover letter are available on a table by the bulletin board.   - Roger Farmer

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

Are you trying to get your health back on track? Are you interested in learning more about healthy living? If so, you don't want to miss the Body, Food & Health Day Retreat at

camp on Saturday, September 8. Dave Boshart and Chris Grier have a day packed full of good information, discussion and reflection to help you improve your health at whatever stage you find yourself. Also, Jane Davis, owner of Curves in Kalona, will be leading a session on exercise and give ideas on how to get moving. We also have a special menu planned that will teach you about ways you can incorporate healthy food into your daily lifestyle that is not only good for you but tastes delicious. The event will be at the Lodge and is from 8:30a.m.-3:30p.m. Registration Cost is $30 and you can call Crooked Creek Christian Camp to register today! 319.653.3611.

Sing 'n' S'mores is just around the corner! Join us on Sunday, September 9 at 5:30p.m. at the Pavilion for a time of fellowship through singing in the beautiful outdoors! Carolyn Yoder will be leading us in song and following the singing will be a delightful arrangement of S'mores fixings. Bring your lawn chair, Blue Hymnal Worship Book, Singing Voice, Appetite and friends! 

Mennonite Agencies

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Lane Stopher with MMN is organizing a video-making competition at the War Trauma Center in Serbia.  Pray for healing for youth who are making videos that raise awareness of the psychological consequences of war.

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for Shana Peachey Boshart, conference minister for Christian formation, as she begins a 3-month sabbatical.

Mennonite Education Agency Prayer Request:  Pray for the annual Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA) Student Retreat, August 31-September 3, in Talladega, AL.  Pray for the speaker, Byron Pellecer; for safe travel of the students, tutors and staff; and that this event will be a source of new energy, spiritual growth and new friendships.

Washington Area

Crowded Closet is having an up-cycling contest.  Buy an item from Crowded Closet, take a before picture, refurbish it, take an after picture.  Turn your pictures into Crowded Closet before October 1st and have a chance at winning a $75 gift certificate, and second place wins a $25 gift certificate.

Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course will be offered at East Union Mennonite Church starting this fall. The class will begin on Sunday, September 9th and meet for a total of nine Sundays, ending November 4th. The classes will be held each Sunday from 4-6 pm. The cost is $80 per family unit for the 9 week course kits. If you are interested in attending, please email Andy Swartzentruber at ajswartz001 at yahoo.com for registration forms and/or if you have any questions. 

Quad County Pork Fest  Sit back in your lawn chair and enjoy the gospel music sounds of Living Water, Reconcile, and Ambassadors of Grace from 3-7pm at North Park Bandshell in Wellman during the Quad County Pork Fest on September 15^th!  

The 9th Annual Art & Flower festival to benefit Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity will be held on September 15 from 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. at Anna's Cutting Garden at 1259 Rohret Rd SW, Oxford, Iowa.  Guests may pick fresh flowers, purchase local artwork, participate in children's activities and enjoy homemade ice cream and pizza from the wood-fired oven.  Freewill donations taken for food, activities and flowers will benefit Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Come rain or shine and bring a friend!

P.C. Alexander (Alex), the director of PTL-India, will be speaking at Kalona Mennonite Church on Sunday, September 16 from 4:00 to 5:00 with free Indian refreshments following.  Alex started out as a bold Indian evangelist, willing to share the gospel in spite of the constant threat of persecution.  He later started PTL-India, which is committed to training and sending out Indian evangelists and church planters to share the gospel and make disciples among the unreached people groups in India.  By God’s grace, they have started more than 100 churches with a total of about 20,000 baptized believers.  Jeff Miller and Erica Hostetler from Kalona Mennonite were both closely connected with Alex and PTL-India throughout their time in India.

Congo Centennial Celebration in Mountain Lake: Starting at 4:30 at Community Bible Church the evening will include an opportunity to hear African speakers, share a potluck meal, and watch video and powerpoint of 100 years of Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM) ministry and witness.  For more information call 507.427.2237 no later than September 16^th, or check the bulletin board in the foyer.

Jan Gleysteen, noted Mennonite historian and lecturer will be the featured speaker at the fall meeting of the Mennonite Historical Society.  Jan will be speaking on the Hutterites in the morning and in the afternoon will tell his life story which includes living through the German Nazi occupation of Holland during World War II.  The meeting will take place at 10:00 on Saturday, October 6 at Kalona Mennonite Church. All are invited to attend.  Please bring a dish to share for the potluck lunch.  A freewill offering will be taken.