Newsletter for February 23, 2014

Bearing Fruit

February 23, 2014

Our Church

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

Offering for 2/16/2014: $2,301.01 (regular); $200 (gift from Sounds of Washington)

Don’t miss tonight’s Progressive Supper!  We’ll start with appetizers at M&M Graber’s (107 Alegre Lane) at 5:00, then on to Roger and Mary Lou Farmer’s (1208 N 7^th Ave) for the main course at 5:45, and finally to Karen Seaton’s (102 E 13^th) for cookies at about 7:00.

IMS’ Turkey Steak Supper will take place on March 15, served by the Alumni Association and Washington Township Optimists.  There are no advance tickets available, and the meal will be served on a donation basis; it will be held in the IMS cafeteria, located below the gym.  From the Washington Mennonite congregation, we are requesting 5 pies and 4 workers (the 4:15-6:15 pm shift).  Workers and pies should be indicated on the signup sheet posted, or please contact Keith Hostetler: email, appraisals at netins.net or call, 319.430.0132.

Iowa Mennonite School

IMS invites interested 8^th-graders to visit campus – attend classes and chapel, have lunch, meet other students – on February 28 and/or March 24.  Parents are also invited to spend the first portion of the day with IMS administrative members and have a chance to ask questions and take a tour.  Please contact Candi Schmieder with questions: cschmieder at iowamennonite.org, 319.683.2586 or 319.656.2073.

Central Plains Conference

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for the conference board meeting in the Twin Cities on Saturday.  The agenda includes planning for Annual Meeting and forming the spending blueprint for next year.

Mennonite Agencies

Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship Meeting:  All Mennonite health care workers; doctors, nurses, dentists, therapists, and dietitians and spouses are invited to a meal and fellowship on March 5^th at First Mennonite Church at 6:30 pm.  Come and learn about MHF and meet your colleagues and fellowship together.  Paul Leichty executive director will be present.  Your don’t need to be a member to come.  RSVP to Nyle or Lauralee Kauffman at 319.354.3304 or email nkauff224 at yahoo.com

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Pray for Caleb Yoder of MMN who works with leadership development in Ecuador.  Pray for wisdom, compassion and spiritual strength as he accompanies a young congregation in Calderón where most of the members are Colombian refugees.

Prayers for faith and learning:  Pray for continued wisdom and direction as decisions are made using the recent Feasibility Study at Quakertown Christian School.

Areas Events

MOPS Annual Turkey and all the Fixings Lunch:  Please join the Kalona MOPS group at our annual fundraiser lunch on March 2^nd from 11:30 to 1:30 at Kalona Mennonite Church.  Menu includes turkey, potatoes, green beans, lettuce salad, fluff, roll and dessert.  Free will donations accepted.  MOPS cookbooks will be available for purchase.

Everyone is invited to the World Day of Prayer service on March 7 at the First Baptist Church at 1:30pm.  World Day of Prayer is a Christian, global, ecumenical movement in which participants gather together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday of March.  This year’s focus country is Egypt.

All area church members who work with children and youth are invited to a Protecting Our Children workshop with Jeanette Harder and Jon Stanton from Dove’s Nest.  The Dove’s Nest’s mission is to empower and equip faith communities to keep children and youth safe in their homes, churches, and communities.  The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 22 from 8:30-11:30am at the West Union Mennonite Church, 3253 305^th St, Parnell, IA.  Please, RSVP by March 15^th by email to dyty at sharontc.net or call Theresa Yoder at 319.683.2363.