Newsletter for February 24, 2013

Bearing Fruit

February 24, 2013

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Karen Seaton (2/26), John Ramsey (3/1)

Offering for 2/17/2013:  $3192 (regular);  $200 (HACAP)

Martha Hernandez will be ordained this afternoon during Centro Cristiano’s 2:30 church service.  There will be a meal following.  Chicken, beans, rice, and tortillas will be provided, and guests are asked to bring either a salad or a dessert to share.  All are invited, but please let Amanda know if you will be attending and staying for the meal.  Martha would like a count for the kitchen.

Dinner Theatre rehearsal will be at 6 pm tonight at Grant and Edie’s current residence, 2800 Coppock Rd (Roger and Joanne’s house).

On March 10th there will be a baby shower potluck for Angela, Jared, and baby Eliza.  To give towards the purchase of a high chair and diapers, either see Karen Seaton or put a designated check in the offering plate.

There will a potato bar fundraiser on March 17th for Tanner, Jacayla and the West Union MYF as they prepare to go to the Mennonite Youth Convention this summer in Phoenix.

Iowa Mennonite School

The IMS Alumni Association, along with the Washington Township Optomists, will host and serve the annual Turkey Steak Supper on Saturday, March 9th, from 4:30-7:00 pm.  Tickets for the meal are available from any IMS freshman, members of the two organizations, or by contacting the school.

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

Join us at CCCC for a Wellness Day Retreat on March 2nd  from 9am-3pm.  Learn all about body, food and health from a biblical perspective and also from a health perspective.  Dave Boshart and Dr. Chris Grier will dive into issues related to our culture and offer suggestions on ways you can improve your overall wellness.  Fees are $30/person.  Call today for details and to register at 319.653.3611.

Is it time for a tune-up in your marriage?  Join Tim and Carol Detweiler for a weekend of Marriage Enrichment at CCCC on March 8th-10th.  This weekend will offer you the chance to get away with your spouse, learn to communicate effectively and offer insight into ways you can improve your overall marriage.  Fees are $225/couple and include lodging, meals and retreat input.  Scholarships are available.  Call the camp for details and to register at 319.653.3611.

Mennonite Agencies

Needs increasing for Syrians:  Mennonite Central Committee welcomes donations to continue its humanitarian assistance and grassroots peacebuilding in Syria and nearby Jordan and Lebanon.  Please make your donation at donate.mcc.org or send it to MCC U.S., PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500, designating “Middle East Crisis.”  Your prayers and donations make a difference – thank you.

Planning your summer vacation?  Plan to attend Central Plains Mennonite Conference Annual Meeting in Ashland, Montana, June 20-23.  Find a map with the conference locations and links to regional tourist information at www.centralplainsmc.org/annual-meeting-2013.

Mennonite Disaster Service is having its Church Contact Person training session and annual meeting at Kalona Mennonite Church on Saturday and Sunday, Feb 23rd and 24th.  This is open to any interested person who would like to see how MDS works and how it reaches all over the country to provide assistance to those in need.  The sessions begin at 2:00pm on Saturday, and again at 2:00pm on Sunday.  Contact Myron Graber if you would like to attend.

The Sower Prayer Request:  Today Martha Hernandez will be ordained as pastor of Iglesia Centro Cristiano Menonita in Washington, Iowa.  Pray for her and the congregation on this special day.

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:   Don and Marie Gaeddert of MMN are building relationships with Chinese students and colleagues through teaching university-level English classes.  Pray for them as they continue to adapt to life in China and support believers through attending a local church.

Prayers for Faith and Learning:  Praise God for the successful educational programs of the Hispanic Pastoral and Leadership Education office of MEA – Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (Anabaptist Biblical Institute) and Seminario Bíblico Anabautista Hispano (Hispanic Anabaptist Biblical Seminary) – and for how they have impacted the church.

Washington Area

Wellman Mennonite invites you to the Annual Mush Fry on March 3rd.  This old fashioned meal of fried mush, tomato gravy, liverwurst, sausage, eggs and applesauce will be served from 11:30-1:00.  Proceeds will benefit the Wellman Mennonite MYF.

The Bluffton University Camerata Singers (Bluffton, OH) will perform in concert at First Mennonite Church in Iowa City on Tuesday, March 5th at 7 pm.  “Promises of God’s Reign” is the concert theme.  The music will explore four promises: peace, comfort, hope and deliverance.  Everyone is welcoming to attend this evening of worship.

The Washington Community Schools, with support from Bodywrx Fitness will be sponsoring an annual Run/Walk on Saturday, April 6th at 9 am at the High School.  The Run/Walk passes by each of the schools and the proceeds are used to purchase equipment for the schools’ physical education departments.  For information on how to contribute see the bulletin board by the mailboxes.

It’s Jukebox Saturday Night at the Royal Sock Hop.  St. James School’s fundraiser on Saturday, March 16th at the KC Hall will include fine dining, 50’s rock’n roll music, a silent and live auction and dancing.  Tickets are $60 each.  For dinner reservations, please contact Kathleen Brinning at 319-863-3806 or by email at skbrinning at Cloudburst9.net.