Newsletter for June 16, 2013

 Bearing Fruit

June 16, 2013

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Addison Miller (6/17),

        Becky Litwiller (6/20)

Happy Anniversary to:  Braedan & Miriam Garrett (6/19),

        Myron & Martha Graber (6/22)

Offering for 6/9/2013: $1790 (regular), $200 (HACAP),

        $200 (rent), $250 (cabin fund)

There will be no monthly sewing meeting in June.

Elder selection will begin soon.  On June 23^rd we’ll collect nominees during worship, so be praying and thoughtfully considering who might be a good elder here at Washington Mennonite.  Francis Litwiller is finishing up his 2^nd term, so he is inelligible.  Myron Graber and Barb Ramsey are the other current elders.

Summer Small Group Study Option:  Washington Mennonite is renting from "Faith Baptist" a new small group study from "City on a Hill Productions" , by Kyle Idleman (Teaching Minister, Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky), entitled, "Not a Fan".  Twenty times in the New Testament, Jesus issued a compelling and challenging invitation to Follow Him.  He's not interested in mere fans.  This small group experience is a cinematic journey through a series of six min-movies (no homework) providing a unique perspective to help shape today's believer into a first century Christ-follower, and is for both men and women.  Please find more information, a schedule (various times) and a registration form in your mail box.

Iowa Mennonite School

The Hymn Sing Hustle will take place at IMS on Saturday, June 22.  There will be 5K ($25) and a 1-mile fun run/walk ($15).  To register, please contact an IMS music student or visit tinyurl.com/hymnsinghustle.  

The Iowa Mennonite School Operating Board is pleased to announce that Norm Yoder of Henderson, Neb. will serve as Interim Principal for the 2013-14 school year.  Norm, a 1965 IMS graduate, taught and coached at IMS in the mid-1970s, and served as principal of IMS from 1977-85; he has been Superintendent of the Henderson Community School District since that time, retiring in 2012.  He will begin serving July 1.  A Search Committee for a permanent administrator has been formed, with the goal of naming Tony Miller’s successor to begin in the summer of 2014.  The committee is chaired by Paula Buckwalter, and also includes Corey Miller, Donald K. Miller, Sheila (Bender) Ours, Pam Gerig Unruh and Greg Yoder.  Paula can be reached at 319-646-2456 or tpbuck at netins.net.  IMS continues to covet your prayers during this time of transition.

IMS is holding a week-long theatre camp this summer, from July 8-12.  Come and join the cast ofCalamity Jane & the Showdown at Dry Gulch!  The camp is for anyone who has completed grades 1-12, and will take place in Celebration Hall on the IMS campus.  Camp times are 8:30 am-12:30 pm daily, with a mid-morning snack provided each day.  A performance will be given at 7:00 pm on Friday, July 12, also in Celebration Hall.  There is a cost to attend the camp; for more information please call Candi Schmieder at 319-656-2073, and check our website at www.iowamennonite.org.

Central Plains Conference

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for Alyssa Rodriguez as she moves to an apartment in Jardines del Inca, the indigenous neighborhood in Quito where the teenage pregnancy prevention program is being established.

Mennonite Agencies

“Thank you to the many churches and individuals who worked to make the 34th Iowa Mennonite MCC Relief Sale a success!  As of June 13th gross sales were $165,996.59, an increase of $4,523.95 over last year.  Final figures will be made available by July 15 at the annual meeting.  We thank God for each of you and for your commitment to aid persons in distress throughout our world.”   - Members of the Relief Sale Executive Board                - Wilbur Yoder, Chair

Are you interested in attending the July 1-6 Mennonite Church USA Convention in Phoenix, but can’t stay all week? We have daily registration options. Online registration is now closed, but you can register in person in Phoenix. The daily rate is only $60 per day. Please join us! http://convention.mennoniteusa.org/  

The Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Fear Not campaign is initiating a poster contest to help congregations 
reflect on the different faces of militarism and biblical call to peacemaking. Cash prize for the winner! June 30, 2013 deadline.  For details see: http://bit.ly/fearnotposter

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:   Edward Dartey, a MMN prayer partner in Ghana, praises God for peaceful national elections.  He requests prayer for the populations who are without services as many civil servants are striking to protest inadequate salaries, and for farmers who are being driven off their land by expatriate mining interests.

Prayers Prayers for Faith and Learning:  Pray for the nine Bethel College students awarded 2013 Summer Research Grants as they explore topics in biology, literary studies, math and computer science, natural sciences, art history, and communication.