The Bearing Fruit
September 13, 2020
Upcoming Events:
Sept 16 – Fall Business Meeting, 7pm
Washington Mennonite
▪ Join us for worship on Zoom at 10 a.m. (you will receive an invitation to the meeting by email, just click and join.) Any questions? Email the church or contact Roger Farmer.
▪ Offering for 9/6/2020: Regular Offering: $525.00
▪ Even though we are unable to meet as a congregation right now, expenses of the church continue. Please send your donations directly to Mary Lou Farmer, 1208 N 7th Ave, Washington, IA 52353. Thanks for your support.
▪ Every fall, Washington Mennonite reserves a weekend at Crooked Creek Christian Camp. This fall our weekend is Sept. 26-27 and things will be a bit different. We will plan to meet at the camp on Sunday morning, Sept. 27 for an outdoor worship service at 10 a.m. followed by a catered pizza lunch. Please bring your lawn chairs for physically-distant seating, your own beverage and table service for the meal. We will be taking three offerings that Sunday: our regular church offering, an offering for the use of camp and an offering for the meal. There will be separate baskets for each or you may write one check with designations noted. We are looking forward to meeting in person!! (Pray for nice weather.) If you have questions, please contact one of the elders.
▪ WMC's Fall Business Meeting 7pm Wednesday, September 16: We plan to hold our annual fall meeting with two attendance options. You can choose from either: 1) in-person at the church building or 2) Zoom access from home using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84340345605 . The live in-person meeting will take place with appropriately distanced seating marked out around the sanctuary. All attending are asked to wear masks. If you prefer to attned virtually from home, use the Zoom link above. This link will be sent out again next week closer to the date. Meeting materials will also be provided electronically.
Crooked Creek Christian Camp
▪ You're invited to: "I Sing for Ice Cream" (previously known as "Sing and S'mores") September 13 at 4pm. Bring your lawn chairs and singing voices. Face masks/coverings will be required. Instead of standing around a fire close together to make s'mores, we will be enjoying homemade ice cream sandwiches while keeping our distance. We really look forward to connecting with you all in this way! Contact the camp office with any questions!
▪ During this time of uncertainty, we have had many cancellations of guest groups and this has resulted in a substantial income loss for the camp, over $104,000. To offset these losses we received many donations and had a breakfast casserole bake sale. We have seen the generosity of many and we are grateful. Even after these fundraisers, the camp still feels the impact from the loss of funds. We are very excited to announce for the first time, the camp will be hosting an online auction. Do you have something you would be interested in donating? We would be thrilled to receive it! The auction will go live in December in a virtual event. Send an email to Saralyn at saralyn@crookedcreekcamp.org or Heather at heather@crookedcreekcamp.org with any questions or to let us know of items or services you would like to donate! We look forward to you joining us for this exciting new event.
Hillcrest Academy
▪ Shuttle Drivers Needed | Even though classes have begun, Hillcrest Academy is still in need of shuttle drivers. We are still looking for someone to drive our Iowa City route PM Mon-Fri. This shuttle is essential in providing transportation for students to and from school. Please prayerfully consider if you are able to help in this mission. Contact Rebecca Beachy Miller at rbeachymiller@hillcrestravens.org or (319) 656-2073 x20 with questions or if interested.
▪ Homecoming Weekend & 75 Year Anniversary Celebration | Events associated with this year’s Homecoming Weekend and 75 Year Anniversary Celebration, originally scheduled for October 16-18, have been significantly cut back or cancelled due to ongoing risks and limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see hillcrestravens.org/homecoming2020 for all the details.
Central Plains Conference
▪ Central Plains Prayer Request: Pray for Central Plains congregations that are in the midst of pastoral searches. Pray for search committees and for candidates looking for churches, that God may guide the search process according to God's will.
Mennonite Agencies
▪ Celebrate with us! Mennonite Central Committee invites you join Celebration 2020: MCC at 100, a livestreamed event commemorating a century of MCC’s ministry on Saturday, Oct. 17, starting at 6:50 p.m. (EDT). The event will feature photos, videos and storytelling that highlight MCC’s work over the years. Former MCC leader and pastor Leonard Dow of Philadelphia will inspire participants to walk boldly into the next century of MCC’s ministry while talented musicians will lead in prayer and thanksgiving. You can find more information about MCC’s centennial and log in for the livestreamed event at mcc.org/celebration-2020.
▪ Register NOW for the MCC Flatlander Bicycle Ride! Due to COVID-19, the ride is a “virtual” event this year and open to EVERYONE. Riders may register any time until September 29. Register online at Bikereg.com. Join us in raising money for MCC to fund the construction of new wells and repair existing water and sanitary systems at schools in Nicaragua. With these improvements, students will have safe water to drink and wash their hands. In this global pandemic, access to clean water is more essential than ever. Donations from non-riders are welcome! Checks to MCC Flatlander Bike Ride may be sent to MCC Central States, PO Box 235, North Newton, KS 67117.
▪ Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Join Mennonite Mission Network in praising God that no students, staff, or faculty of the Near East School of Theology were injured when last month’s explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon. Pray for wisdom for George Sabra, the school’s president, and for the necessary resources to repair the extensive damage done to the eight-floor building. Pray also for all who have lost loved ones and homes.
▪ MC USA Announcement: #BringThePeace Anti-racism training for congregations is more affordable, thanks to a new partnership between Mennonite Church USA and Widerstand Consulting. For more information on this research-based, field-tested online training, visit https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/anti-racism-training-accessible/
Area Announcements
▪ Executive Director job opportunity – Ten Thousand Villages Iowa City is seeking an Executive Director. This person will be in charge of the retail store on the downtown Ped Mall. Responsibilities include staffing, purchasing inventory, and management duties. The desire is for applicants to be strong supporters of fair trade and the Village's mission. Submit resumes to Wendell Miller at wendellm1951@gmail.com.
▪ Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, it seems irresponsible and inappropriate to plan a traditional Pleasantview Benefit sale this year. However, the financial needs continue at Pleasantview! Several months ago, a project for this year’s Benefit was selected—funding a coach/bus that will replace the old, nearly non-functional bus. We have found an available used 20-passenger model with 5 wheelchair positions for about $65,000. We realize that many businesses and individuals have suffered financial difficulties the past few months, but it is our hope that community support for the Benefit, which has been exceptional in years past, will continue this year. Please join our “Bucks for a Bus” campaign with one of these options:
1. Checks may be written to Pleasantview Benefit Sale and sent to
Larry Swartzendruber
Pleasantview
811 Third St
Kalona, IA 52247
2. On November 6 and 7 (original Benefit Sale dates), there will be a two-day fundraising blitz online via our website (more info later)
3. Call or text Larry Swartzendruber at 319-936-7563
a. Specify amount of your commitment and leave your name and phone number
Any excess funds raised will be placed in the Pleasantview building fund.
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