CONNECTIONS with the Manchester Church of the Brethren for APRIL 2011
Joys and Concerns
There are many ways in which our lives intersect with one another. Please keep these concerns in your minds and hearts in the coming days.
Within our church family:
· We celebrate with Heather Schilling. Heather has completed her PhD.
· Our deacons this week: Amy Shively, Elizabeth Waas Smith, Jeannie Trachsel, Dorothy Weldy, and April White.
· And we pray for those who are not able to join us for worship due to their current health limitations, including: Jane Cassell, Barbara Smith, Eunice Brightbill, and Marg Dilling.
· Raymon Eller who will be turning 101 this coming Thursday, March 31.
· Kieron Clark, Tom Naragon, Michael Seitz, and Jim Chinworth who are participating in Christian Citizenship Seminar in New York and Washington D.C. this week. The topic of the seminar is based on Matthew 6: 11, “Give us thoday our daily bread” questions related to food and faith.
· For those youth and adults from our congregation involved in the High School musical, “Music Man”.
Within the wider community:
· Our sister church in El Salvador, Emmanuel Baptist. We pray for BVS minister Sarah Hall as she serves in school peace education and at the Emanuel Youth House.
· We pray for peace.
Weekly Calendar
The Family Life Center is open from 8 to 10 am for walking and exercise. Nursery School may use the FLC from 10 to 11.
Monday, March 28
12:00 pm Noon Women’s Bible Study
6:00 pm Yoga
6:15 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
7:00 pm Deacon Meeting
Tuesday, March 29
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool - FLC
10:30 am Staff Meeting
4:30 pm High School Soccer -- FLC
5:00 pm Weight Watchers – Room 220
7:00 pm Messenger Bible Study at Timbercrest
7:30 pm Volleyball
Wednesday, March 30
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool – FLC
6:00 pm Yoga
7:00 pm Stephen Ministry
Thursday, March 31
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool – FLC
4:30 pm High School Soccer in FLC
7:30 pm Ecclesia Choir rehearsal
Friday, April 1 – Office Closed Walkers may enter FLC door
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool – FLC
7:30 pm Indoor Soccer
Saturday, April 2
8:30 am Zumba
9:00 am Work Day – Grounds-keeping tasks
5:00 pm Coffeehouse: F.O.R. Fundraiser
Sunday, April 3
9:30 am Worship. Come Morning. Pastor Kurt. Text: Psalm 23. Ecclesia Choir
10:30 am Fellowship Time. Blood Pressure Check.
Sub Sale. Pantry Sunday.
Renew Your Messenger!
10:45 am Christian Education. Peace Patch
5:30 pm College Student Meal
6:30 pm Open Basketball
7:30 pm Room 213 in use
Pastor On-Call Schedule
Kurt Borgmann, 982-4233, cell 1-260-450-0759
Karen Eberly, 982-8420, 578-1247
March 27 – April 2, Kurt
April 3- 9, Karen May 1- 7, Karen
April 10-16, Kurt May 8-14, Kurt
April 17-23, Karen May 15…, Karen
April 24-30, Kurt
April Worship Themes
April 3 Restoration. Psalm 23. Ecclesia Choir
April 10 Redemption. Psalm 130. Taizé Choir
April 17 Palm Sunday. Procession. Psalm 118. Ecclesia Choir, Melodia Choir.
April 24 Easter Rejoicing. Psalm 118:14-24
Adult Christian Education
Questers meet in the Chapel. Bob Bowman will present two sessions on “Predicting the End Times.” David Rogers will present a session April 17 on Bishop Romero. Class will not meet on Easter Sunday.
Koinonia meet in the Conference Room
Don Willoughby will lead discussion this quarter focusing on the book of Acts.
Friends Class meet in Room 211
All Things Considered Class meet in Room 220
Jubilee Class meet in Room 301. Christ and the Chocolaterie: A Lent Course.
Mulch and Rake
Spring has arrived! Join us Saturday, April 2, for spreading mulch and uncovering the perennials. Come at 9 am or anytime during the day to pitch in with whatever task is on hand. Thanks! Dave Good
CBWF Relief sewing, April 14 and May 12 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Join us for lunch and sewing baby comforters. Questions? Call Esther Rupel (982-1410).
Gift to Church Library
Bill Eberly delivered a gift from Jan Hurst, “McPherson Church of the Brethren 1885-2010” to our church. The Historical Committee will add it to their collection.
Renew Your Messenger!
April 3 & 10 you will find helpful people at a table in the Narthex willing to sign you up for another year ($14.50) or two ($27) on our church club so your issues of Messenger are uninterrupted. Individual rates are $17.50 ($32 for two years) so be sure to take advantage of our church club group rate! Messenger renewals need to be kept separate from your regular contributions, since the renewals are not tax deductible.
College Student Suppers resume again Sunday, April 3. Call Loyce (982-4233) if you can pitch-in on Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm. Your support is appreciated!
Senior High Youth
Keep up with your JCSS music and rehearsal schedule. Remember, you can contact Debbie, Jenny or Anne to set up time to meet during spring break to work on specific songs.
Tuesday, April 5 - Window Painting at the Firehouse, 2-5pm and Food Pantry Easter Basket compilation.
Looking ahead:
April 22-23 - Jesus Christ Superstar
May 8 - Youth Sunday and graduate recognition
Middle School Youth
Reminder: NJHC final registration is due the end of the month. Get your $100 check, made out to Man-chester C/B, to Jim Chinworth asap.
Watch you email for the next installment of making Easter Egg Candy. Orders are pouring in for all 7 kinds!
Food Resource Bank Update
The group is still looking for land to rent to start a growing project. There will be a presence at the Farmer's Market this summer raising awareness and seed money. Those attending CCS in New York and DC will share the FRB video (produced by David Sollenberger) with congressional representatives. This is a cooperative exploration with persons from our congregation and Eel River CoB. Foods Re-source Bank (FRB) seeks to connect agriculture in North America with sustainable agriculture in areas of hunger and poverty around the world. FRB partners with Global Food Crisis in the Church of the Brethren to bring sustainable practices to rural farmers in places like Central America and Africa. There are currently over 2 dozen growing projects in the Church of the Brethren providing over $250,000 annually which goes directly toward reducing hunger and poverty.
Coffeehouse set for April 10
On Sunday, April 10, at 6:30pm we'll hear from the youth who will have attended CCS (Christian Citizenship Seminar). This year's theme is "Food" with an emphasis on global hunger and poverty. This year 3 youth are attending, and another from Hunt-ington C/B will be traveling with our group
New Member Potluck
We have new members to honor with a New Member Potluck April 17. Put the date on your calendar and plan to attend. Plan to bring extra food for our new members. This is always an enjoyable time in the
life of the church.
Benefit Coffeehouse for Iraqi Students,
April 2, 7:00-9:00 pm
The FOR and the Scout Fuller Fund will host a benefit coffeehouse on Saturday, April 2, in our Narthex to support two Iraqi students studying at Manchester College. Go to www.nmfor.org to see a list of auction items, or contact Julie Garber (982-2083) if you have quality auction items or services to contribute. Suggested contributions for the evening range from $5-$25 at the door, purchase of an auction item, or a single contribution to the FOR/Iraqi Student Project fund. Join us for an evening of music, food, and fellowship, and participate in a small way in rebuilding Iraq.
Ease into Spring
Yoga classes will be held on Monday in the Narthex from 6pm to 7pm and also on Wednesday in Room 220 from 6pm to 7pm. Monday’s class is the Gentle Yoga Class and Wednesday’s class is the Active Yoga Class that combines cardio fitness with the benefits of Yoga. For more information please contact Adria at (260) 774-9336.
Zumba classes will be held on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. in our Family Life Center. Jada Nichols will be your host (jadanichols@hotmail.com) and suggests you wear supportive shoes with comfortable clothing that lets you move and dance!
Jesus Christ Superstar to be performed
On April 22 (Good Friday)at 7pm and Saturday, April 23, at 2pm youth and adults will perform a modified version of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. This musical, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is loosely based on the gospel accounts of Jesus’s last week in Jerusalem. It's primary focus is political and interpersonal struggles between Judas and Jesus. Donations will be collected at the door to cover expenses and to assist the youth in their denominational activities, including Christian Citizenship Seminar, workcamps and National Youth Conference.
Fellowship Meal Menu
Members of the “All Things Considered” Class will demonstrate their culinary talent by sponsoring the last Fellowship Meal of the season. It will be on Wed-nesday, April 27, at 6 pm. Proceeds from a free-will offering go towards the Matching Scholarship Fund.
Study tour of El Salvador this summer
New Community Project offers a study tour to El Salvador July 12-21. Costs for the trip are $675 plus airfare. The Parish to Parish Committee can provide partial assistance based on need. Priority will be given to people who will visit El Salvador for the first time. Please let Joel Eikenberry, Brad Yoder, David Rogers or Julie Garber know of your interest in participating. Youth and adults are welcome.
Market Place 29 A.D.
June 19-22
5:15 to 7:45 pm
Vacation Bible School plans are in the beginning stages. Here’s what we’d like you to know right now: In fact, we are able to offer “MARKETPLACE 29 A.D.” after all this summer. Due to the school calendar, MarketPlace will be Sunday, June 19 through Wednesday, June 22. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information.
CONNECTIONS with our Community:
Fellowship of Churches
In general, the North Manchester Fellowship of Churches has had a quiet quarter.
The Thrift Shop has invested in new lighting, which greatly improves the safety of the facility, as well as the ambience.
REACH served six clients and expects more since the state assistance program stops at the end of March. Eloise Eberly will step down from REACH and Becky Timoteo will take over those duties. Eloise has given many years of dedicated service to the REACH office, doing everything from interviewing clients to balancing the checkbook.
The Food Pantry has applied for a matching grant in order to finance the walk-in freezer-cooler for the expanded facility. These units should be more energy efficient.
Teri Workman presented a rough draft of a financial report she plans to publish annually for the com-munity. Hopefully it will encourage more participation by area churches.
Susan Brumley will replace Celia Shankster as secretary. Teri expressed appreciation to Celia for her many years of dedicated service.
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Good Friday Services will be at noon in the sanctuary at Zion Lutheran Church. Methodist Pastor Kevin Dekoninck will be the speaker. |
Peace Week at Manchester College
Mennonite comedy group Ted & Co. will present "I'd Like to Buy an Enemy" on Thursday, April 7, at 7 p.m. in Manchester College's Cordier Auditorium. The public is welcome, and there is no admission charge. The event will kick off the campus' Peace Week, which will also feature the Concert on the Mall on April 9, from 12-5 p.m.
2011 Relay for Life!
Manchester College will sponsor the Relay for Life Event at their Track and Field on Friday and Saturday, April 29 & 30. For more information, call 1-800-227-2345, visit RelayForLife.org, or e-mail Lisa Ulrey lkulrey@hotmail.com.
School Kits for Church Women United
Church Women United continue to be part of Church World Service Indiana Kentucky Kit Project. Our North Manchester goal this year is 200 blunt scissors and 200 of the 70-count spiral (or tape) bound pad or 8” x 10 !/2” ruled paper. These items may be brought to the church May Friendship Day, May 6, (place to be announced). Let us help make a world of differ-ence in the lives of refugees, dislocated people and victims of natural disasters.
Dorothy Weldy, Church Women United
CONNECTIONS with our District …… and our Denomination:
South/Central Indiana District
Phone: 260-982-8805; Fax: 260-982-7181
Toll Free: 877-730-9315
District Minister: bsollenberger@brethren.org
Office Email: scicob@kcaccess.com
District Website: www.cob-net.org/church/isc/
Temporary Housing Needed
If you have an RV, mobile home, or park model that sleeps 2 or more persons, and would be willing to loan it to Camp Mack to be used for staff housing from about May 15 to the end of August, please contact the Camp as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support. Phyllis@campmack.org or call Phyllis at 574-658-4831
Soul Preparation — A Journey to Conference
by Robert E. Alley, Moderator
(The entire guide is posted on the church web-site under the Come and Worship Tab. You will find it when you click on “Up-Coming Services.”)
Study: Engage in studies using the following:
- Bible Passages of the Conference Theme: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-14 plus Mark 8:1-10 and Matthew 15:32-39
- Bible Passages for the Worship Services: John 2:1-12; Luke 7:36-8:3; Luke 14:12-14; John 21:9-14
- Bible Passages for the daily Bible Study sessions: Jeremiah 30-33, especially 31:31-34; Hebrews 6, 11, and 9:15; Acts 2:33 & 39
- Business Items, including the studies provided in the Special Response Process
- Acts 15 – the chapter often read for the beginning of Annual Conference
Annual Conference
While our delegates are pre-registered, you may wish to attend this year since the Grand Rapids location is near enough to be do-able. The 70-page information packet is available in the church office or on-line at www.brethren.org/ac and click the Conference Info-mation link.
Song & Story Fest
June 26 – July 2
Camp Brethren Heights, Rodney, Michigan
A registration form for you to copy is available in the church office. Or you may go on-line through www.onearthpeace.org/programs Questions? Call Ken Kline Smeltzer 1-814-571-0496 or 1-814-466-6491 or bksmetlz.Comcast.net
NOAC Theme: Passion, Purpose, Change
The brochure for the National Older Adult Conference has arrived in the church office. Feel free to copy what you need. Early registration is $30 cheaper. NOAC will be September 5 – 9 at Lake Junaluska, NC again this year.
Summer Workcamps
The Church of the Brethren Youth and Young Adult Ministry office informs us that there are still spots available in a number of our denominational workcamps this summer. Download and print the flier highlighting the openings they have. Register for the open camps online at www.brethren.org/workcamps
Clara Nelson, Assistant Workcamp Coordinator
1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120
1-800-323-8039, ext.281
Prayer Calendar
Week of April 3: In the Gospel of John Jesus heals a blind man by spreading mud on his eyes (John 9) and uses the event to reveal that he is "the light of the world." The image of light revealing everything should hit home to us all as we turn on a light switch in our homes. Try to walk through a room without turning on the lights. What does this tell you about looking to Jesus as the Light of the World? How might you pray for new light in your faith, new understanding of Christ's death and resurrection?
Week of April 10: As we journey through Lent and move closer to Easter, the events in scripture get worse before they get better. The psalmist in Psalm 130 reveals this in the lectionary reading for this week: "Out of the depths have I called out to you, O Lord." What are the depths around you? What does it mean to you that Christ comes to the depths with you? How do you pray in the depths before the Resurrection?
Week of April 17 - Palm Sunday: The crowd we see welcoming Jesus as he enters Jerusalem is the same crowd which asks for his crucifixion. The statement of the gospel writers is striking - those who praise Jesus just as easily turn on the Christ. How do you or your congregation turn on Jesus? Pray both for forgive-ness and the strength to follow Christ through death into Resurrection.
Week of April 24 - Easter: Christ is Risen, Christ is Risen indeed! The great mystery of Easter is that Christ rose in the body, offering us that same gift as the first fruits of the dead. How might you live the resurrection of the body around you today? Pray that
opportunities may come which will make space for you reveal Easter to those around you.
