Newsletter for December 20, 2015

The Bearing Fruit

December 20, 2015

Upcoming Events:

Dec 24  –                 Caroling (meet @ church), 4:30pm

Dec 24  –                 Christmas Eve Service, 6pm

Jan 10   –                 Noon Potluck and WMC Memories

Jan 30   – Saturday Kitchen (Presbyterian Church)

Our Church

▪ Offering for 12/13/15:  $4,045 (regular); $250 (HACAP)

▪ “I want to thank you all for your prayers and expressions of support and care with my surgery on December 8^th.  I am grateful that surgery went well and that recovery is also coming along as good as can be expected.  I am grateful for the hospital visits, the beautiful poinsettia, the candy fountain, the meals, cards, phone and email encouragements and visits from members of Washington Mennonite.  I am truly blessed to have such a caring and supportive church family.  Thank you and blessings to all of you as well.”  - Tim Detweiler

▪ Noon Potluck, Program Following – January 10:  Join us for a potluck and stay to share memories of Washington Mennonite throughout the years!  Whether this has been your church for many years or just a few, the history of this church is our shared history when we worship and work together.  Come prepared to tell tales and to hear the stories of Washington Mennonite.

▪ Thank you to everyone who helped with the Saturday Kitchen on Dec 5^th.  The Christmas handmade favors by Marlene Leichty and the piano dinner music provided by the

two students of Susan See were great additions to the noon meal served by Washington Mennonite.  Our next time to do Saturday Kitchen will be January 30, 2016.  That meal will come just two weeks before Valentine’s Day so that will be a fun meal to help with also.  Mark the next Saturday Kitchen date January 30^th on your calendar.

▪ The Friesen family would like to invite everyone from Washington Mennonite Church (and you can bring a friend too!) to sign up for an afternoon or evening of dessert and hot drinks at our house.

Dates:

January 3,  4-6pm

February 1, 6:30-8:30pm

February 29, 6:30-8:30pm

March 10, 6:30-8:30

E-mail or call us with the date:

Timkarlafriesen at gmail.com, or 402.957.4030

Crooked Creek Christian Camp

▪ Winterfest, January 15-17, is for junior high students.  Information packets are available from your church office or youth sponsor.

▪ Sunday afternoon open gym at the CCCC Activity Center.  Open gym will be the third Sundays 3-5pm.  Dates are: January 17, February 21, March 20, April 17.  Climbing wall available February 21.

▪ Monday morning open gym at the CCCC Activity Center for parents and young children (pre-K and younger) from 10am-Noon.  Dates are January 18, February 22, March 21, April 18.

▪ Consider giving to camp’s Fall Fundraiser for our facility improvements in your end of year giving.  Currently we are 39% of our goal of $32,805.

Central Plains Conference

▪ The Sower Prayer Request:  Pray for Max Villatoro as well as for Gloria and the children as they spend their first Christmas separated from each other.  Pray that God will make a way for Max to return to his family soon.

Mennonite Agencies

▪ Graduate Students in Healthcare Professions:  Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) offers scholarship funding for Anabaptist students to learn and serve in cross-cultural mission/service settings in developing countries.  Deadline for 2016-17 academic year is May 15, 2016.  For details and application form, see http://mennohealth.org/SET, email info at mennohealth.org, or call 1.888.406.3643. 

▪ Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Pray for safe travels for MMN’s Christian Service participants going home for Christmas.  Remember in a special way those who are not able to travel home and who will celebrate far from their families.  May they experience the love and support of the communities they serve.

Area Announcements

▪ Ten Thousand Villages, Iowa City has two holiday pop-up stores through December to help artisans in developing countries earn a fair wage, be treated with dignity and respect, and be able to live a life of quality.  You’re invited to join in this vision.

    * 112 E Washington St, Iowa City Mon-Fri 11-6, Sat 10-6,

        Sun 12-4

    * 720 14^th St, Kalona (Schlabaugh & Sons Woodworking)

        Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-3

For more information or to volunteer in the pop-up store, contact (and follow) at:  iowacity at tenthousand villages.com; www.tenthousandvillages.com/iowacity; face book.com/tenthousandvillagesiowacity 

▪ The Crowded Closet Thrift Shop, Iowa City, is seeking a part time Furniture Assistant.  This position would involve organizing and assisting with deliveries and pickups, transporting inventory and other items to and from the storage building, managing recycling, among other duties.  Applicant must be able to work in a fast paced environment, be on your feet, be able to lift 30-50 lbs., work both independently and as part of a team.  Looking for 3 8 hour days, ideal candidate would work two Saturdays a month.  Excellent public relation skills are required.  For more information or detailed job description contact the Crowded Closet at 319.337.5924 or email crowdedcloset.gm at gmail.com.  Applications will be accepted until Jan 15 or until the position is filled.