CONNECTIONS with the Manchester Church of the Brethren for the month of May
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:
· Joy at the birth of Sylas Beery Westendorf to Alyson Beery and Neil Westendorf on Easter morning, April 24. Everyone is doing well. Sylas’ family from our congregation includes: Grandparents Leland & Angilee Beery and great-grandmother, Louise Miller.
· Our deacons this week: Karl Merritt, Bev Petry, Sharon Pittman, Steve & Donna Priest and Celia Shankster.
· And we pray for those who are not able to join us for worship due to their current health limitations, including: Beth Stone, Erma Petry, Fred & Lois Roop and Raymon Eller.
· Ruth Tully recovering at Timbercrest following a recent hospitalization.
· Milan Mishler recovering at home following hip replacement surgery.
· Abby Fuller and her family at the death of her father, William Fuller, Tuesday, April 26.
Within the wider community:
· Our sister church in El Salvador, Emmanuel Baptist. We pray for all of the young women who are continuing their education or vocation through the scholarship program managed by Lidia Castro Mendez.
· The Heifer Ranch sustained significant damage in the strong storms that moved through Arkansas this past week. Although the Ranch employees, residents, volunteers and guest were unharmed, there has been severe damage to several buildings and the loss of many trees.
· We pray also for all people whose lives have been devastated by recent natural disasters.
· We pray for peace.
90th Birthday Celebration
Ruth Egolf will celebrate her 90th Birthday on Saturday, May 28, at Timbercrest Assembly Room. You are invited to join family and friends from 2 to 4 pm. No gifts, please!
Gratitude
It is in times of my deepest needs that I find my place in this church community to be such a blessing. Thank you for the cards, emails, phone calls, hugs and words of comfort and love following my Mother's passing. Many of you included Anne in those condolences, which was very thoughtful and appreciated. God bless you all. Steve Cripe
Weekly Calendar
The Family Life Center is open from 8 to 10 am for walking and exercise. PreSchool may use the FLC from 10 to 11.
Monday, May 2
12:00 pm Noon Women’s Bible Study
6:15 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
7:00 pm Circle of Trust
7:00 pm Property Commission
Tuesday, May 3
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool - FLC
10:30 am Staff Meeting
5:00 pm Weight Watchers – Room 220
6:00 pm Yoga - Narthex
6:30 pm Worship Center/Décor Committee
7:30 pm Volleyball
Wednesday, May 4
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool – FLC
7:00 pm Pastoral Ministry & Personnel Commission
Thursday, May 5
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool – FLC
6:00 pm Yoga - Narthex
7:30 pm Ecclesia Choir rehearsal
Friday, May 6 – Office Closed
Walkers may enter FLC door
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool – FLC
7:30 pm Indoor Soccer
Saturday, May 7
8:30 am Zumba
Sunday, May 8
9:30 am Worship. Youth Sunday
10:30 am Fellowship Time
10:45 am Christian Education
1:30 pm Circle of Trust
5:30 pm College Student Meal
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
May 1 – 7, Pastor Karen
May 8 – 14, Pastor Kurt
May 15 – Please call Pastor Karen with all pastoral care needs.
May Worship Themes
May 8 – Faith In Deed. Youth Sunday. Pastor Kurt. Text: James 2: 14-26
May 15 – They devoted themselves. Pastor Kurt. Text: Acts 2, 14a, 36-47. Ecclesia Choir. Taizé Choir. Bell Choir
May 22 – Which way to go? Pastor Karen. Text: John 14: 1-14 Ecclesia Choir
May 29 – Things Remembered. Walt Wiltscheck, Campus Minister at Manchester College. Text: Joshua 4: 1-24, Cor. 11:23-26. Ecclesia Choir. Melodia Choir
Ease into Spring
Yoga classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Narthex from 6pm to 7pm. 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)
Executive Board Meeting Report
At its meeting on April 27, 2011, the Executive Board:
• listened to devotions led by Barbara McFadden.
• continued our conversation with Jim about Executive Board goals and congregational assets.
• received the Treasurer’s report as of March 31. Budgeted expense exceeded income by $11,204 after 1st quarter outreach payments were made, other income exceeded expense by $12,456, resulting in net income of $1,252. Jan shared the good news that an estate gift was received in the amount of $75,743.
The Stewards Commission will develop a recommendation for the tithe and for the use of the balance of the gift.
• learned John Dome will monitor the water levels in the Damp Chasers for the pianos in the sanctuary and choir room.
• approved by consensus the use of the annual quarterly special offerings. Two offerings for General Board emphases will continue as in the past. The
emphasis of the third special offering will be a local ministry. The fourth will be a national/global ministry. The recipients of these two offerings will be chosen at
the beginning of the calendar year by the Executive Board based upon recommendations of the Stewardship and Witness Commissions. These offerings, along with the Perfume Fund, will be the special giving program for our congregation.
• approved four requests for membership. These persons will be received by the congregation during an upcoming worship service.
Anne Myers, Executive Board Chair
Adult Christian Education
Questers meet in the Chapel.
May 8 & 15 – discussion on Excavating Jesus led by Joan Schall
May 22 & 29 – discussion on Formative Religious Moments led by Joan Deeter
Koinonia meet in the Conference Room. Don Willoughby will finish out the quarter with Acts of the Apostles
May 1 – Witness in Corinth
May 8 – Journey to Jerusalem
May 15 – Witness in Caesarea
May 22 – Witness on to Rome
May 29 – to be decided!
Friends Class meet in Room 211
All Things Considered Class meet in Room 220
Jubilee Class meet in Room 301.
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CBWF Relief Sewing |
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May 12 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Join us for lunch and sewing baby comforters. Questions? Call Esther Rupel (982-1410).
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Kitchen Space
Please pick up the dishes you have left in the kitchen. Please return any items you have borrowed from the kitchen (specifically, the insulated stainless steel serving bowls).
Summer Garden Space
This summer garden space will be available to church family members on the west side of the church property. For more details, contact either Joel Eichenauer (982-1509) or Dave Kreps (982-8251).
Market Place 29 A.D. June 19-22 (5:15 to 7:45 pm)
Hope you’ve checked your summer calendar and have marked off these days for our special Vacation Bible School! How ‘bout inviting your friends and neighbors to join us as well? Children will be receiving registration forms in their Sunday School classes beginning May 1. Please turn in completed forms to the church office. Our registration deadline is Thursday, May 26. Extra forms (to share with friends and neighbors) will be available in the Peace Patch and the church office. Feel free to contact any of the VBS directors: Laura Gable (578-0378), Jennifer Reichenbach or Kim Reinoehl.
Senior High Youth
· May 8 - Youth Sunday. Be at the church by 8:45am
· 5:30-7pm – Senior-Send off in the courtyard. All youth - bring a dish to share.
· May 15 - Pantry Sunday
Middle School Youth
· May 29 - Bike Hike
· June 12-20 - Heritage Tour and National Junior High Conference.
CONNECTIONS with our Community:
Fellowship of Churches
Dear Friends,
I’ve often heard the phrase “every little bit helps” but, to be honest, I don’t know that I’ve ever witnessed or understood its true meaning. However, in completing the Fellowship of Churches 2010 Year End Report, I felt the full force of what it means for everyone to chip in. I was amazed that our community donated over $90,000 TO OUR VARIOUS PROGRAMS IN 2010. Even more amazing, only a portion of this money (about 15%) comes from grants and large gifts. The majority of the donations comes from individuals, offering plates, and the area churches.
We are truly grateful to the community for its generosity and trust.
Teri Workman, Board President
REACH assisted 21 clients last month (10 of those with electricity since the Energy Assistance Program ended in March).
The Thrift Shop is in need of children’s clothing (especially boys) in sizes 4–5–6. Especially blue jeans or pants with reinforced knees!
The Food Pantry received a matching grant from the Community Foundation for a walk-in freezer and a $2,500 grant from America’s Farmers Grow Communities sponsored by Monsanto and applied for by Lynn Blocher.
Thursday’s Child served 33 infants and toddlers last month and has changed their seasonal clothing inventory to summer.
School Kits for Church Women United
“Living our friendship, passing on the key” is the theme for May Friendship Day. Registration begins at 9:30 in Peabody Chapel on Friday, May 6.
Church Women United continues 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 1/2” ruled paper. Let us help make a world of difference in the lives of refugees, dislocated people and victims of natural disasters.
Dorothy Weldy, Church Women United
Court Appointed Special Advocates
On Friday, May 6, CASA will be having a “Nelson’s Bar-B-Que Chicken” fundraiser at the Wabash True-Value parking lot from 3 to 7 pm. The proceeds will be used in recruiting new volunteers. At the present time, Wabash County has 40 children waiting for a CASA volunteer.
Graduation Ceremonies at Manchester College
Alumna Janis Johnston of the Chicago area, a family psychologist and philanthropist, will receive an honorary degree and deliver the commencement address for Manchester College on Sunday, May 22.
The full news release is on our website at:
http://www.manchester.edu/OCA/PR/Files/News/Grad2011Advance.htm
Manchester College: One of our Fulbright Scholars this year – Katy McFadden of Goshen – has a long family history with the Church of the Brethren. She is a member of Creekside Church of the Brethren in Elkhart. Katy is the grand-daughter of Wilbur & Joyce McFadden.. In addition, of Manchester College’s 28 Fulbright recipients through the years, 13 of them (46 percent) are members of the Church of the Brethren.
Two May graduates of Manchester College will spend a year abroad teaching English in South Korea and Indonesia as the College’s latest recipients of the U.S. government’s prestigious Fulbright grants: Katy McFadden of Goshen and Kate Brelje of Fort Wayne.
In addition, the news release, with links to Manchester College’s incredible history of Fulbright leadership in Indiana is on our web site at:
Manchester College seminar helps fundraisers
challenge the gender status quo
More than 71 percent of moms of children under 18 are in the workforce. More than 60 percent of college degrees awarded in the United States go to women. There’s more: U.S. women business owners are more likely than male entrepreneurs to volunteer and urge their employees to volunteer.
Non-profit fundraisers and their board members will get tips on how to help women realize their philanthropic power at “Challenging the Status Quo,” a morning program Tuesday, May 24, at Manchester College. The morning event begins at 10 a.m. in the College Union. Registration is required, online at www.manchester.edu/oca/jysfund or call 260-982-5218.
Commodity Food Distribution for Wabash County Older Adults
Find out if you qualify. Ongoing applications are being taken at Winchester Senior Center, Wabash (260-563-4475) and Garber-Simmons Senior Center, North Manchester (982-0535).
Remember Mother’s Day
Global Women’s Project announces the annual Mother’s Day Gratitude Project! Rather than buying more material gifts for your loved one, express your gratitude with a gift that helps other women around the world! Your donation allows us to fund projects focused on women’s health, education, and employment. In return, your chosen recipient will receive a lovely, hand-written card indicating that a gift has been made in her honor.
To participate, send a donation to: Global Women’s Project, c/o Nan Erbaugh, 47 S. Main Street, West Alexandria, OH 45381-1243.
Remember to include your name(s) and the recipient’s name and address. You may also make memorial donations, which will be honored on our website.
Gratitude cards will be mailed in time for Mother’s Day if you send your request to Nan by May 1. After the 1st, we will mail them as soon as we receive your request. This Mother’s Day share a gift in honor of a woman you know and it will also honor women in India, Palestine, Rwanda, Uganda, Southern Sudan and Nepal who are working to improve the lives of women in their communities.
Gratitude cards will be mailed in time for Mother’s Day if you send your request to Nan by May 1. After the 1st, we will mail them as soon as we receive your request. This Mother’s Day share a gift in honor of a woman you know and it will also honor women in India, Palestine, Rwanda, Uganda, Southern Sudan and Nepal who are working to improve the lives of women in their communities.
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/
Annual Conference
You may wish to attend this year since the Grand Rapids location is near enough to be do-able. It helps to be pre-registered. 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
NOAC will be September 5 – 9 at Lake Junaluska, NC again this year. Forms are in the Church Office.
Prayer Calendar
Week of May 1 - National Youth Sunday: Congregations will worship through the inspired leadership of their young people. How might you make space for these youth to take part in the life of the congregation beyond this Sunday? What are your prayers for their life and faith? How might you take part in their lives, given your prayers?
Week of May 8 - Mother's Day: A mother is a special grace from God, from the ways she gives life to her guiding presence throughout our lives. Yet, a mother need not be biological. In our congregations the care, guidance and prayers of many women give life to the community in countless ways. What names do you lift in thanks to God, those of both biological and spiritual mothers?
Week of May 15: This week members of the Church of the Brethren Spiritual Directors Network will gather for their annual retreat. Pray for their ministries and the persons who receive the gift of spiritual direction from them. As you pray, consider those who have been formative companions on your own journey of faith. Give thanks for the gift of their questions and prayers.
Week of May 22: As young adults from across the denomination gather at Inspiration Hills in Northern Ohio, pray for their travels and their time together. Ask that their conversations about Re-thinking Church may revive and encourage our congregations.
Week of May 29: This week on our journey through the life of Jesus in the days after Easter we recall Christ's ascension. What does it look like to return to the world after a mountain top time of worship? What around your congregation do you fear? Pray that Christ might send you out, empowered by worship and filled with joy.
