Newsletter for November 10, 2013

Bearing Fruit

November 10,2013

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Mary Martin (11/11), Josh Miranda (11/12), Megan Miller (11/13), Francis Litwiller (11/14), Roger Roth (11/14), Edie Nebel (11/16)

Happy Anniversary to:  Stan & Roberta Skinner (11/16)

Offering for 11/3/2013: $1,405.00 (regular)

Christmas Hymn Sing:  It’s nearly impossible to sing enough Christmas carols—but we’d like to try!  Washington Mennonite is inviting Kalona Mennonite to a Christmas hymn sing on Dec 1 at 6pm.  Please plan to come and bring finger-foods to share!  It’ll be great to usher in the Christmas spirit together!

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

On Nov 22-23, camp will be replacing the North side of the Pavilion roof.  4 volunteers needed Nov 22 to prepare the roof for steel sheets.  8 volunteers needed Nov 23 to nail down the steel sheeting.  To volunteer please contact Tim Friesen 319.653.3611.

CCCC Annual Meeting Tuesday, Nov 12, turkey tenderloin dinner served at 6:15pm followed by meting and report.  Contact Tim Friesen 319.653.3611, ccccdir at gmail.com with questions.

Iowa Mennonite School

IMS juniors and seniors – and their parents – are invited to an evening focusing on the college financial aid process.  Financial Aid Planning Night will take place at the school at 7pm on Monday, Nov 11, and will be presented by Hesston College personnel.  For more info, contact Dwight Gingerich at IMS.

The IMS Music Boosters are again organizing a Pizza Ranch Fundraiser, on Mon, Nov 18 at the Sycamore Mall location in Iowa City.  The event will be from 5-8pm; IMS music students will bus tables and assist throughout the evening, with 15% of the proceeds benefiting the booster club.  Gratuities will also be gratefully accepted!

Central Plains Conference

Parents and children, Advent Family Devotionals are ready for you!  Download them for free at www.centralplainsmc.org; click on “Here’s What’s New.”  Anticipate the birth of Jesus at home with these scriptures, prayers and activities.  For a few moments in a day, focus on what really matters during the Christmas season.

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for the Central Plains Mennonite Conference board and committees as they meet next weekend at Swan Lake Christian Camp in South Dakota.

Mennonite Agencies

Saturday, Nov 16 – Bethel College’s 2^nd Worship and the Arts Symposium  “Accompany Them with Singing,” will explore how cultural realities influence Christian practices of marking life transitions.  Plenary sessions with Thomas G Long of Candler School of Theology and John Ferguson of St Olaf College; workshops; hymnsing; artist presentation by Ann Resnick; 7:30pm worship service featuring the Bethel College Concert Choir and area singers.  Register online at www.bethelelks.edu/worshiparts or contact Mary Regier at 316.284.5250 weekdays during regular business hours.

Anyone interested in going on a Fellowship and Learning Tour to Ecuador from January 16-28, 2014, please contact Don Kempf at donaldkempf at windstream.net or 402. 759.1285.  This is an excellent opportunity to know our brothers and sisters in Ecuador intimately as you visit them in their homes and communities and you will be able to observe the amazing things that God is doing through the Ecuador Partnership.

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:   Alisha and Joshua Garber of MMN are serving as resident directors at LCC International University in Lithuania.  Pray for them as they model Christian discipleship and share their faith with students from Eastern European countries in this one-year assignment.

Prayers for faith and learning:  Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary welcomes visitors on Friday this week to an Open House for people interested in seminary study.  Ask God to give them clarity about next steps in preparing for ministry.

Area Events

JPOG (Just Peace Outreach Group) invites you to listen to Erica Littlewolf describe “An Indigenous Perspective on Social Justice.”  Erica directs the Indigenous Vision Center for MCC, raising awareness of social justice issues involving indigenous people throughout the Mennonite Church.  Join us on Sunday evening, Nov 10, at Iowa Mennonite School at 6pm for a finger foods potluck and conversation (please bring your own table service) or at 7pm to hear Erica’s presentation.  For more information please call Roger Farmer at 319.653.2547 or email Jane Yoder-Short at yodershort at netins.net.

Sugar Creek Mennonite Church’s MYF will host their annual Chili Supper from 5-7pm on Wed, Nov 13 at the church.  They will serve 4 kinds of chili, bread and apple butter, and pies and other desserts.  Free-will offering to fund the MYF trip to West Virginia next summer with Sharing With Appalachian People.  Carry outs available.

Farm succession planning seminar on Nov 14  The Parkview Community in Wayland will host “Farm succession: a family matter.”  The seminar will focus on succession planning for farm families.  Specific topics will include creating a successful plan, how to get started and an introduction to trusts, LLCs and corporations.  The seminar is scheduled for 6:30pm at Wayland City Hall, 218 W Main St.  Light snacks and refreshments will be served.  Jeff Swartzentruber, Vice President of Everence Trust Company, will present the information.  To reserve your spot, contact Tammy Sinn or Bill Grimm: 319.256.3525 or Parkview at farmtel.net; or Jeff Swartzentruber: 877.656.4242 or jeff.swartzentruber at everence.com.

Chamber Singers of Iowa City will be performing Sunday, Nov 17, at Opstad Auditorium in Iowa City High School (1900 Morningside Drive).  Tickets are $17 for adults, $14 for seniors, $5 for students and can be bought online at 222.iccchambersingers.org or at the door.  The Singers finished last season with a May performance of “Spring” and “Summer”, and now will finish Haydn’s immortal oratorio with “Fall” and “Winter.”

Business Leaders and Pastors: Partners in Leadership and Ministry  As followers of Christ, both business leaders and pastors want to work for God’s purposes in the world.  Yet despite this common desire, business leaders and pastors sometimes encounter barriers to pursuing a shared vision. Join other Christian business leaders and pastors for a conversation at the Parkside Activities Center in Wellman on Saturday, Nov 23, 8:30am-12:30pm, sponsored by the Center for Faith and Business, AMBS, MCUSA, and Mennonite Economic Development Associates.  Early registration deadline is Nov 11.  For more information go to www.centerfaithbusiness.org or contct Anna Geyer, David Boshart or Erin Ramer at info at centerfaithbusiness.org.

Kalona Mennonite Youth will be having a chicken & biscuits fundraiser meal on Sunday, Nov 24 at noon.  Please join us to enjoy a Fall Festival favorite complete with a fabulous salad and dessert bar.