Weekly Word October 31 – November 4
The SCMC Network Leadership Team will be holding Four Regional Discernment Meetings in late January 2023. You can read more about these here, in English and Spanish.
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You will find some special announcements from Mennonite Church USA here, including the Bring the Peace award recipients, denominational survey results, and the MennoCon23 Worship Planning Committee.
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The Kansas MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service) Unit is sponsoring a Learning and Service trip to Jennings, Louisiana, January 28-February 4, 2023. Participants will leave on Saturday traveling to New Orleans, staying overnight, learning about long term recovery from disasters and visiting Laura Plantation on Sunday. Your cost will be one night lodging, two tours we will take and meals on the days we travel. MDS is covering the transportation, meals and lodging while on the MDS project in Jennings. We will be rebuilding homes with MDS from Monday through Friday. To make your reservations or for more information contact Cleo Koop at cleohkoop@gmail.com or call 316-282-0797.
You will find a complete list of current volunteer opportunities with Mennonite Disaster Service here.
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MCC Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be shipped until every single item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by helping to fill the following needs: New infant onesies and sleepers (3-12 month sizes); shampoo (20 oz or more), thin sanitary pads (28 count minimum) and dark colored bath and hand towels. Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring item to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions are always welcome, please contact katemast@mcc.org or 316.283.2720. A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.
Free resource: Learning about generosity with MCC! Make talking about generosity with your children easy by using this free resource. The printable worksheets help kids explore the basics of generosity at an elementary school level. The resource contains downloadable worksheets, activity ideas, a story about how generosity makes a difference, make-your-own bookmark craft and alternative Christmas gift ideas. Click here to sign up: MCC generosity resource.
MCC is seeking a Constituency Engagement Manager: This new role is designed to help the MCC’s in the U.S. plan and implement a cohesive engagement strategy for specific priority audiences including alumni, churches, congregations of color, plain communities and young adults. With a focus on convening and strategizing, this person will be part of the Communications and Donor Relations network and will work in close collaboration with other departments and regional MCC’s. This full-time position will preferably be located in Akron, Pa., but location is flexible within any MCC office in the U.S. Apply online for this opening by November 18 at mcc.org/constituency-engagement-manager. For more information contact Amber Falcón at 574-534-4133 or AmberFalcon@mcc.org.
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Camps that run from Sunday to Saturday will now end on Friday. This is only a change for Junior and Junior High Camps. It will not affect First Camp, PreJunior, or Senior High Camps. Weekend groups will not be affected either.
For several weeks, the Programming Committee requested thoughts and comments on ending a full-week camp on Friday instead of Saturday. While responses were both for and against a switch to a Friday checkout, responses weighed more heavily to the positive. There are benefits to both campers and staff when staff is better rested. Groups and families will also have additional opportunities to spend time at camp with the change. The checkout time on the last day of Junior/Junior High camps will move to 10:30-11:30am (previously 9-10am) to allow for a more relaxed checkout.
Share your thoughts on this change here. We’d like to hear from you.
Other events and happenings:
Camp Mennoscah is recruiting for summer staff at Mennonite colleges in November! We’ll have a booth at Goshen on Nov. 4, and Hesston, Tabor, and Bethel on November 7, 8, and 9, respectively. Stop by in the morning and say howdy. Booths are located in the Connector (Goshen), the Larks Nest (Hesston) and by the cafeteria (Tabor and Bethel). Summer staff applications will be available when recruiting starts. Check out the attached poster. See you there!
On Saturday, November 12, we will be playing in the dirt at Camp Mennoscah! It’s the last step (we think) in finishing up the newly renovated amphitheater. Dirt needs to be moved by hand between the rows of limestone seating. We’ll start at 9am and work until the last tablespoon of dirt is in place. Stay for as long as you are able. Bring your water bottle, weather appropriate gear and we’ll provide lunch. (Call us at 620-297-3290 and let us know of any dietary considerations.)
What additional programming (events, camps, retreats, etc.) would you like to see at camp? We want to know what you’d like to find on Camp Mennoscah’s schedule. Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290 to let us know what variation of a camp, retreat or stunning event would be exciting to discover at camp.
There are a great many things for volunteers to do–come be one! Any of the following are great options for groups of one or more: cleaning after groups, cutting firewood, weekend hosting, being a committee member, mowing or other maintenance/grounds tasks, making a meal for a volunteer group, or recruiting people to volunteer at camp. These are just some of the possibilities! Call us at 620-297-3290 for more information.
Don’t miss out on festive celebrations at Camp Mennoscah! Holidays are “blacked out” two weeks before the holiday, if no one has made a reservation. Contact us to inquire about available holiday dates!
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Bethel College (KS) is hosting a Worship & the Arts Symposium on November 12.
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Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War, a traveling exhibit developed and toured by Kauffman Museum at Bethel College, is on display at the McPherson Museum and Arts Foundation, 1111 E. Kansas Avenue, McPherson, KS, through November 19. This exhibit lifts up the prophetic insights and the personal courage of peace protesters during World War I and suggests parallels to the culture of war and violence in our world today. Church groups, Sunday school classes, youth and their mentors are encouraged to visit the exhibit for conversation and learning together.
McPherson Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 1-5pm. Admission is free.
For more information visit VoicesOfConscienceExhibit.org
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The following is an announcement from one of our sister churches in Western District Conference.
We need your help! On Saturday, December 3, 2022 we need your help to package 50,000 meals. Our plan is to keep the meals local– providing food for our local neighbors. What a great way to give of your time during the Christmas season to help those who struggle to put food on the table. There is a job for all ages 7 to 146 years of age. You can work one shift or both shifts. Job orientation is provided and packaging lines will be set up to allow for social distancing.
WHEN: Saturday, December 2022, 2020.
1st Shift (Arrive 8:30 for the 9:00 – 11:00am shift).
2nd Shift (Arrive 10:30 for 11:00am-1:00pm shift). Or do both!
WHERE: Buhler Mennonite Church – 220 West Avenue B, Buhler KS
Please sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0545AEAD2EA1F58-50000
CONTACT US: Phone: 620.543.2733. Email: bmcpastor@gmail.com
WHO is OUTREACH?: https://outreachprogram.org/
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Don’t forget to send any announcements that you would like shared with your fellow SCMC churches to us at scc@sccmenno.org!
Posted on November 4, 2022 in Weekly Word