Newsletter for January 20, 2019

The Bearing Fruit

January 20, 2019

Upcoming Events:

Feb 4   – Meals on Wheels starts

Washington Mennonite

▪ Offering for 1/13/19 - Regular offering: $973;  Honduran Project: $355;  Coins For Camp: $20

▪ For the next few weeks while we will not have a pastor at Washington Mennonite please contact an elder if you have a pastoral need. Elders are: Jon Widmer, Gay Widmer and Mary Lou Farmer. Thank you.

SundaySucCrooked Creek Christian Camp

▪ The Crooked Creek Christian Camp Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Heather Bender of Iowa City will be the new Executive Director effective February 4, 2019. Heather has a committed love for the ministry of Crooked Creek. She has many fond memories of growing up as a camper at Crooked Creek and has volunteered and assisted with a number of programs in the past several years since moving back to Iowa. Heather served with Mennonite Mission Network in St. Louis and lived in San Antonio for six years after graduating from Hesston College in 2004 and Eastern Mennonite University in 2006. She most recently has been employed by New Pioneer Food Co-op in Human Resources.  She attends and is actively involved at Washington Mennonite Church. Welcome, Heather! The board would like to express their gratitude to Pam Gerig Unruh who served as interim director during this transition time. Pam's deep passion and love for Crooked Creek Christian Camp was evident during her 8 months of service as interim director. Pam also helped realize and finish a series of solar panels that will power the back half of the camp property. A simple "thank you" will never be enough for the work you did during your time, Pam. Finally, the board would also like to express their thanks to the search committee: Joel Beachy, Heidi Gingerich, Steve Ropp, Michael Swartzendruber, and Gay Widmer. Thank you for your time, discernment and thoughtful work in this process.

SundaySucIowa Mennonite School

▪ Visit Days | January 21 and February 18 are the upcoming Visit Days for 8th graders and transfer students. Join a host student in classes, chapel, and lunch. Parents can come at the beginning of the day to meet with the Administrative Team to get information and answers to any questions they may have. Register at www.iowamennonite.org/visit

▪ The Chili Supper | The annual Chili Supper is hosted by the senior class and has been an IMS tradition since 1960. The senior class is currently selling tickets, but tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets are $10 Adults, $9 Seniors 65+, $5 Kids 4-12, and Free Kids 0-3. Plan to join us on Saturday, February 9 in Hillcrest Union serving from 4:30-7:00PM. And in addition to the traditional chili, we will again be serving the Mexican soup, Pozole [po'sole] with all the fixings. Also like last year, in Celebration Hall we will be doing our modern spin on the Audubon Society films you may remember from years ago.

▪ Singing Valentines | The IMS Acapella groups will be delivering Singing Valentines on February 14. For $35 you recieve 2 songs & small box of Kalona Chocolates and for $60 you receive 4 songs and 2 boxes of chocolates. Call the school office 319-656-2073 to schedule and purchase a Singing Valentine.

Central Plains Conference

▪ Central Plains Mennonite Conference Prayer Request:   Today is World Fellowship Sunday. Each year, Mennonite World Conference encourages related churches around the world to worship around a common theme on a Sunday close to January 21. On that date in 1525, the first Anabaptist baptism took place in Zurich, Switzerland. World Fellowship Sunday provides an opportunity to remember our common roots and celebrate our worldwide fellowship. 

Mennonite Agencies

▪ Calling everyone ages 15-22: Are you looking for a fun and meaningful way to serve this summer? There are spots left to join a 2019  Youth Venture team! See and join in the work God is doing in Indonesia, Peru, Japan, or Benin. Visit www.MennoniteMission.net/SERVE to learn more, or contact Lauren Eash Hershberger at LaurenEH@Mennonite Mission.net.

▪ Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  SOOP participants who like to work with fabric are needed to serve in Reedley, California, at the Nearly New Thrift Store and Mennonite Quilt Center. Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for volunteers willing to help at Fresno’s MCC relief sale held the first weekend in April.

▪ MC USA Prayer Request:  Read reflections from Katie Graber and Adam Tice, committee members of the Voices Together new hymnal project on the Menno Snapshots blog: mennoniteusa.org/tag/voices-together

Area Announcements

▪ Visit Crowded Closet Thrift Shop's new Pepperwood home this week to view construction progress! Volunteers and friends are invited Wednesday, January 23 at 3:30 to 851 Hwy 6. Volunteers are needed for short-term, move projects. Email crowdedcloset.volunteer@gmail.com for more information!

▪ Women's Worship/Guest Speaker: at Upper Deer Creek Church  Tonight, January 20 at 6:00 pm. Erin Youngblood from Minneapolis will be sharing her story and the transforming work of God in her life. We will also enjoy a time of worship, coffee and treats. All ladies welcome!

▪ IMS Potato Bar Fundraiser: at Upper Deer Creek Church on February 3rd - (Super Bowl Sunday) - Serving from 11:30am-1:00pm. On the menu - Baked Potatoes - with your choice of toppings, a Tossed Salad, and a variety of Dessert options. Bring your family and enjoy!

▪ Kalona MOPS will be holding their annual Lunch Fundraiser on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at the Kalona Mennonite Church from 11:30am to 1pm. We will be serving smoked pork loin, party potatoes, strawberry lettuce salad, green beans, fluff, and better than anything cake. The cost is a free will offering and all proceeds go to benefit the Kalona MOPS organization. Carry out is available.