Weekly Word December 5-9
Reminder: SCMC will be holding Regional Discernment Meetings in January. Read more here in English or Spanish.
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You Are A Leader! You might not think of yourself as a Leader, but you really are. All of us are influencing those around us. The question is, “Are you a Good Leader?”
South Central Mennonite Conference has an opportunity for you to improve your Leadership Skills through a partnership with the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC). Learn more about KLC at https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/
From KLC’s Website: “Leadership is a skill that can be developed through learning and practice. The principles and competencies covered at KLC can help anyone hone the skills needed to successfully confront problems that exist in organizations and communities. KLC is different in that it focuses on helping people from all positions, backgrounds and sectors learn the same four competencies of leadership.”
Grants for classes at KLC are available through SCMC. Contact the Conference for more information or to apply for a grant. (please note, these grants are only available to Kansas residents)
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SCMC is looking for a new representative to serve on the board of Camp Mennoscah. If you are aware of families or individuals in your church who have appreciated the services of the camp, please encourage them to volunteer.
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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 Christmas Giving! Give gifts of comfort and joy and help meet the basic needs of our global neighbors this Christmas. Choose from unique gifts such as goats, bees, backpacks and more. Give at mcc.org/delight, call 888.563.4676 or visit the MCC Central States office in North Newton, KS at 121 E. 30th Street. With each gift you can get a card and insert explaining the project. These gifts (from $10-$4,000) make wonderful hostess/teacher gifts, stocking stuffers and are ideal for those on your Christmas list that are hard to shop for!
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.
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December Bulletin Announcements from Hesston College are available here.
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Help us Plan for the Future! A seven-question survey will help us know how camp is used and what you would like to see in the future. Click here to tell us what you think!
Other events and happenings:
- Application and further details for summer staffers here! We are seeking stunning summer staff to fill the following leadership positions for the 2023 summer: crafts, lifeguard, music, nature, office, and grounds. These positions are typically filled by college-age students, are summer-long and receive a stipend. A summer of fun, service and faith formation!
- 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. 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.
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BRASS CHRISTMAS CONCERT THIS WEEKEND — Everyone is invited to enjoy the McPherson Brass at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church (1304 K-15 Hwy, Goessel) on Sunday, December 11 at 7pm. A free will offering will support local ministries. See poster here.
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Ted&Co to Perform “Just Give ’em The News” in Hesston THIS WEEKEND
In this original, delightfully askew, musical look at the first Christmas, Jeff Raught and Ted Swartz weave original songs, inspired piano playing and comedic theater around a new look at familiar Christmas stories. Finding the humor and humanity in biblical stories has long been a hallmark of Ted & Company. So what did Zechariah sound like before his temper rendered him mute? Did Gabriel ever tire of needing to tell people to “Fear not”? Did Mary ever…… Come and find out.
December 11, 2022. 7:00pm
Whitestone Mennonite Church.
Free will offering directed to Mennonite Central Committee in support of relief efforts in Ukraine.
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Discover Your Anabaptist Filter
Registration is now open for KNOW JESUS, an overnight retreat for 6th – 8th graders on February 4 – 5 at Hesston College! At Know Jesus, students can learn more about their Anabaptist roots through worship, service, and interactive activities. As a way to put our faith into action we will be raising funds for Numana prior to Know Jesus and then packaging meals during the retreat. To register, click here. More registration information is available here and you will find bulletin inserts, flyers and graphics about Numana here. Contact Melissa Landis at 215-896-4808 or email melissahlandis@gmail.com for more information or with any questions.
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Don’t forget to send us any announcements that you would like shared with your fellow SCMC churches!