Newsletter for August 24, 2014

The Bearing Fruit

August 24, 2014

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Travis Leyden (8/26),

Karla Garrett (8/27)

Happy Anniversary to:  Mike & Karen Bates (8/25)

Offering for 8/17/2014:  $5,358 (regular)

***To meet our financial obligations for the church year we need approximately $16,000 during the month of August.  Keep this in mind as you prepare your offering.***

Bike to Church Sunday:  We will meet in Central Park at 8am on Sunday morning, Sept 14^th, and Bike to Church to benefit MCC.  This year, we really want to line up some sponsors for our ride and raise a good amount.  Get people to sponsor you at $1 per block, or $5 per block.  (We’re calling it 15 blocks to the church.)  We’ll have donuts and juice to fortify us for the ride.  It’s a great time.  Save the date!

Annual Reports need to be turned in to Andrea by August 31^st.  They can be emailed to wash.mennonite at juno.com or left on the Andrea’s desk.  Thanks!

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

September 21 at 5pm:  Sing & Smores at the new Sunset Shelter.  Canoeing and kayaking at the pond also available.

October 9, 9:00-2:30pm:  Senior Day at the Retreat Lodge; Presenting The Power of Story by story-teller David Worth of Lititz, Pennsylvania.  David has worked for MCC and Habitat for Humanity and traveled to more than 40 countries.  Music provided by local musicians of The Great Bluegrass Herons and the Banjoy Band.  Additional information is forthcoming in the summer newsletter.  $25 includes lunch and program.

October 10-11:  Come to the Table Craft Retreat is an overnight get-away for women to socialize and work on craft projects together.

 

November 18:  CCCC Annual Meeting.  All supporters and interested people of camp are invited to attend (membership not required to attend).  We will tell the story of Crooked Creek with pictures, dinner, and a program with a short business meeting.

Iowa Mennonite School

IMS’ Compassion Club is sponsoring a blood drive at the school (in the Celebration Hall lobby) on Thursday, Aug 28^th; donation time is from 6:30-10:30am.  Walk-ins will be accepted, and appointments are encouraged, by contacting Gloria Yoder: gyoder at iowamennonite.org or 656.2073.

Central Plains Conference

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for Central Plains newest member, Iglesia El Balsamo in Muscatine, Iowa, as Tim, Dave, and Shana join them in worship today to recognize their membership in Central Plains Mennonite Conference, Pastor Alejandro Huesca is licensed, and they celebrate their 7^th anniversary as a congregation.

Mennonite Agencies

MCC would like to invite you on a Learning Tour to Kenya.  On Feb 7-17, 2015, you will discover, first-hand, Sand Dams at work and see other MCC supported programs in the areas of health, education and peace.  The estimate cost for this learning tour is $1110 per person, which includes food, lodging, and in-country transportation.  Airfare needs to be purchased separately.  Space is very limited.  For more information contact Anna Yoder by Monday Sept 22, 2014 at annayoder at mcc.org. or 316.283.2720.

MC USA Announcement:  “Radical Hospitality: Responding to the issue of immigration” Bible study guide available.  What are the basic facts about US immigration?  Who is involved?  What does the Bible have to say to us as Christians about immigration?  What role might we fill as Anabaptists within this age-old challenge?  This free Bible study unpacks these questions and more and is ideal for adult Sunday School classes, small fellowship groups, weekend adult Bible Schools, and congregational in-services.  The core curriculum, which is based on 5 videos (each 15-20 min) and an accompanying Resource Guide, can be customized to meet your group’s needs.  Download materials for free: www.mennoniteusa.org/what-we-do/immigration/radical-hospitality-discussion-guide/  

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Today, MMN begins a two-week orientation in Los Angeles for two new Radical Journey teams.  Pray for openness to learn and for grace in this time of transition, as participants prepare to leave for their assignment locations in Indonesia and South Africa.

Prayers for faith and learning:  Pray for college and university students beginning classes in the next few weeks.  May the coming year provide many opportunities for academic growth and spiritual development.

Area Announcements

Crowded Closet is currently seeking a part time employee for a pre-sort position.  Person must be able to lift 30-50 pounds, work in fast paced environment, strong interpersonal skills with no serious allergies.  Person must be available 2 Saturdays a month and would be responsible for receiving and processing of donations.

13^th Annual Turning Hearts Celebration is on Sept 1^st at the Bontrager’s Farm: 1881 Johnson Washington Road, Kalona.  This event is free and open to the public and will feature the Curtis Bowers Family whose award winning documentary “AGENDA” won the Grand Prize at the 2010 San Antonio Christian Film Festival.  See the poster in the foyer for more information and a schedule of events.

You are cordially invited to a free community program Human Trafficking: Making A Difference on Tues, Sept 23^rd.  The doors open at 6pm and the program is from 6:30-7:30pm in the McAuley rooms in Mercy Medical Plaza, Lower Level, 540 E Jefferson St, Iowa City.  There is free parking in the Mercy Medical Plaza ramp.  The presenter, Sister Emily Devine, RSM, is co-chair of Sisters/Brothers Collaborating Against Trafficking in Cedar Rapids.  To register call Mercy on Call 319.358.2767 or visit www.mercyiowacity.org.