Newsletter for January 11, 2015

The Bearing Fruit

January 11, 2015

Our Church

Happy Birthday to:  Trevor Leyden (1/13),

Keith Litwiller (1/16), Mike Bates (1/16)

Offering for 1/4/2015: $1,840 (regular), $7 (coins for camp)

Are you interested in learning to know your church family better by joining a small group?  The Nurture Ministry is offering this opportunity to all ages starting in February.  If you have questions or are interested, please talk to Mary Lou before Jan 20^th. 

“Thank you to everyone who attended our open house on Dec 27^th.  It was just wonderful to catch up with friends and family, and to introduce everyone to our new son Jacob.  It was a blessed day!  May God bless each of you in the upcoming year!             -- Janet and Jeffrey Belton

Looking for a home for the stable we have enjoyed during the advent season.  If you have a place suitable for storage, please see Megan Miller. 

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

Winterfest 2015 January 16-18:  If you have a registration that has not been sent yet we will be glad to receive them Monday.

Special Note:  The staff and Board are thankful for all of you who made offerings of prayer, volunteer work, money, and concern as we dealt with the recent vandalism.  Crooked Creek has become known as a place offering healing and wholeness.  In the recovery of this recent event we found ourselves needing these same gifts from God.  We pray healing and wholeness may come as well to those responsible for the damage and that our forgiveness may be received.  – CCCC Board of Directors

 

Central Plains Conference

The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for pastor Andrea Wall and the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson, Nebraska, as Andrea is ordained today.  Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance for Andrea and the congregation as they minister together in Henderson.

Mennonite Agencies

Challenge yourself and serve with Service Adventure!  Invest a year to learn about God, life, and yourself, while serving others.  Ages 17-20 can apply at MennoniteMission.net/Serve.  Service Adventure is also looking for unit leaders.  Live with young adults and mentor them while they are growing and serving in the local community.

MCC Announcement:  New Sunday School curriculum!  Check it out: http://mcc.org/stories/peace-churches-veterans-new-sunday-school-curriculum

MCC Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP) is pleased to announce Church Leadership Week on March 23-28, 2015.  This week has been set aside for pastors, youth leaders, ministers and others who will potentially be leading groups who have not previously been to SWAP.  Participants are invited to come to Appalachia to experience a typical SWAP week and learn more about the home repair program.  The fees to participate with SWAP have been waived for this event, so those attending would be responsible only for their own transportation to and from the SWAP site in Hindman, Ky.  If you’re interested or would like more information, please call our SWAP office at 606.633.5065. http://mcc.org/get-involved/serve/volunteer/swap

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: This month, Palmer Becker begins a short-term assignment in Latin America, jointly sponsored by MMN and MC Canada.  Pray for him as he helps Latin American Anabaptists understand their theological identity in order to minister more faithfully in their modern context.

MEA Prayers for Faith and Learning:  Pray for Goshen (Ind.) College students as they depart for Lima, Peru for the next three months as they participate in the Study-Service Term program.

Area Announcements

The Crowded Closet Thrift Shop, Iowa City, is seeking a full time Workroom Supervisor.  This position would involve orienting, scheduling, and the training of volunteers, and managing the flow of donations through the workroom.  Applicant must be able to work in a fast paced environment, be on your feet, work both independently and as part of a team.  Applicant would be required to work 1 or 2 Saturdays a month and occasional evenings.  Excellent public relation skills are required.  For more information or detailed job description contact Betsy Slabaugh at 319.337.5924 or email crowdedcloset.ic at gmail.com.  Applications will be accepted until January 12^th or until the position is filled.

JPOG (Just Peace Outreach Group) invites you to hear Vanessa Hershberger describe her recent term with MCC at the United Nations focusing on food and justice issues in Haiti as well as the African Great Lakes region.  Vanessa will soon leave for Congo as MCC's Eastern Congo Coordinator.  Join us on Sunday evening, January 11, 2015, at Wellman Mennonite Church, 1215 – 8th Ave, Wellman, IA at 6 pm for a finger foods potluck and conversation (please bring your own table service) or at 7 pm to hear Vanessa's presentation.  All are welcome to attend.  For more information please call Roger Farmer at 319.653.2547 or email Jane Yoder-Short at yodershort at netins.net.

“Looking Good for a Good Cause” Monday Jan 12^th and Wednesday Jan 14^th at 10:30am Crowded Closet will be giving a slide presentation to demonstrate effective ways to display items.  Any volunteers are welcome especially those who stock the floor.  See you there!

Are you an Adult SS Teacher who doesn’t feel confident of your teaching skills? Have you wanted to teach SS but aren’t sure how to prepare? The answers to your teaching questions can be learned at an Adult Sunday School Teacher Workshop to be held Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 at Wellman Mennonite Church. Discussion topics will be tailored to participant needs! Lunch will be provided at 12:15 with workshop at 1 p.m. Sign up by emailing Shana Boshart at shanaboshart at centralplainsmc.org by Jan. 13. If you have questions, contact Shana or ask Mary Lou.

Parkview Winter Fundraiser meal and auction will be at Sugar Creek on Saturday, Feb 28^th.  More details to follow.