Announcements

Sunday, November 22, 2020

OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Governor Reynolds is now asking Iowans for their opinion about mask wearing. To let your voice be heard, phone 515-281-5211 and pick #4 from the list of recorded options which asks if you support a mandatory mask order for everywhere.

Eating alone or having no guests this Thanksgiving? Karen and Terry will host a Thanksgiving gathering via Zoom on Thursday from 12 noon - 1:30 PM where you can eat your meal and visit with others. Details will come in the Wednesday email.

Use of the Church Library During COVID Shutdown:
   1. To Borrow Materials (via curbside pick-up): To assist in the selection, look at the What’s New in the Library and the Understanding Racism lists on the Library page of the church’s website. Another option is to specify a title or author of interest. The Central Plains listing of Shalom books can be consulted for suggested titles. Otherwise, specifying authors or topics would be helpful for us in selecting books.
   2. To Schedule a Time to Visit the Library and/or To Return Materials, submit a Request Form here or Contact Ann Valenta at 530-5549, astevev@gmail.com or Jill Miller at 541-0102, djmiller1984@hotmail.com (Jill works at the Library Thursday 2-5PM).Church building: Elders have made the difficult decision that the church building will be closed and we will continue to worship via Zoom for November, December, and January, knowing that COVID numbers could spike during the holiday season.

Reminder: The church building is locked and the staff are working from home.

To contact the church office, please email (firstmenno@msn.com) or leave a message on Mary’s home phone: 319-683-3505. Mary will be in the church office Thursday and Friday mornings.
Karen MZ: 319-512-8624, fmckarenmz@gmail.com
Terry Z: 319-512-8625, fmcterry@gmail.com

CONFERENCE & COMMUNITY NEWS
November 16-20 is National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week. Every day, Shelter House will share educational, service, fundraising, and advocacy information and activities for you to see how you can make a difference. Check out: http://bit.ly/2020NHHAW

From Central Plains Mennonite Conference (CPMC):

CPMC is offering a number of Zoom gatherings to help us connect and be encouraged through the winter months. Consider taking part in:
- Dec 3, 10, 17, 23, 7:00pm Building Anticipation: Praying the Anabaptist Prayerbook in Advent zoom
- December 21, 7:00pm, The Longest Night zoom
- January 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, Remembering Your Story: Creating your own spiritual autobiography zoom
- Third Thursday of January (21), February (18), March (18), Creating Together: imaginative art as spiritual practice zoom
- February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Lenten Spiritual Practices zoom
Calling singers and instrumentalists of CPMC! Join a virtual Christmas hymn-sing in Spanish and English with the Ecuador Partnership! If interested, email yoderholly@gmail.com for instructions.

From Crooked Creek Christian Camp:

The Crooked Creek Christian Camp online auction fundraiser will be going LIVE December 1-6. All auction items will be ready to view on November 23rd at https://mennoniteauctions.org/ We‘ve received over 200 items for our auction and cannot wait for you to see them! Registration is now open! Feel free to stop by and register for an account here. Bidding begins December 1 at 11 AM and closes December 6 at 6 PM. This is the perfect time to buy Christmas gifts for the whole family! Pick up will be at two different locations: the camp office from December 7-11 during our normal business hours 8 AM- 5 PM OR at First Mennonite Church in Iowa City on December 12 from 10 AM - NOON. Shipping is offered on all gift cards and certificates. Payment can be completed online through the auction site with credit card or at pickup with cash or check (credit card not accepted at pick up). To learn more information and read all the policies visit https://mennoniteauctions.org/auction-policies/ As always feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

From EVERENCE:

Pre-Retirement planning after 55 webinar: Six questions to ask now. Dec. 2, 6 PM. Join this free EVERENCE webinar especially for people 55-62 years old. Presented by Matt Novak, CFA, Everence Financial Planner. Register here.

From Hillcrest Academy:

Open Gym* | Open Gym dates of Nov. 22 and Dec. 6 have been cancelled. All students in grades 5-8 will have the opportunity to participate in Open Gym on Sunday, Dec. 20 from 3-4:30 PM. This event will include a variety of activities like basketball, volleyball, matball, and more. Face masks will be required. Please bring your own water bottle. Contact Rebecca Beachy Miller or Chris Nachtigall for more information. To register for one or more of the open gym dates, visit hillcrestravens.org/5-8events.
Fall Visit Days* | On Wed, Nov 25 (8 AM -1:55 PM) or Mon, Nov 30 (8 AM-3:15 PM) 8th graders and transfer students, come and shadow a Hillcrest student to see what we’re all about! You’ll get to sit in on a variety of classes, experience chapel, and eat lunch in our cafeteria. Parents, we’ll pay for your student’s lunch; and feel free to stop by to chat with our administrative team when you drop off your student in the morning. If neither of these dates work for you, contact Rebecca Beachy Miller to set up a visit that fits your schedule! To sign up go to hillcrestravens.org/5-8events. Face masks will be required.

Christmas Party* | All students in grades 5-8 are invited to participate in Christmas games and activities and eat delicious treats on Dec 13 from 4-6 PM. Sign up here. Please check out (the attached) flyer for more details. Don’t forget to invite friends! Face masks will be required.
*Due to the ongoing pandemic, we have been and will continue to follow any proclamations made by our governor and any guidelines set by the Johnson County Public Health Department. We will postpone or cancel events as needed, but will continue to hope for the best and plan future events. For the latest updates, please go to hillcrestravens.org/5-8events or contact Rebecca Beachy Miller.

From Mennonite Central Committee (MCC):

MCC asks for support for Central American hurricane recovery. Not one, but two hurricanes within two weeks have caused extensive flooding in Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Hurricanes Eta and Iota have destroyed crops and forced people from their homes. MCC is working with churches and community organization to provide emergency food, hygiene supplies and cleanup support. Join us as we help these communities recover. You can donate online mcc.org/eta-iota-relief, by phone (888) 563-4676 or by mail at MCC, 21 S. 12th St., PO Box 500, Akron PA 17501.
Join MCC for a series of MCC and me webinars to hear more about service opportunities. Are you ready to step out and into service? To gain new skills and experiences while working for relief, development and peace in the name of Christ? MCC is working to adapt our programming as the situation with COVID-19 develops. All sessions relate to anticipated service needs, though timing and some other details may be subject to change.

December 9 at 6 PM: Serving and Learning Together (SALT)
January 13 at 2 PM: Summer Service leadership program
February 25 at 10 AM: Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP) summer staff
February 25 at 7 PM: International service worker
March 6 at 11 AM: International service worker
March TBD: Mobile Meat Canner
For more information and to register: mcc.org/mcc-me-webinar-series-service-opportunities

From Mennonite Church USA (MC USA):

Sunday, November 29, is the beginning of Advent. "We Wait for Jesus," this year’s Advent At Home devotional from Mennonite Church USA for families and people of all ages, is available now at mennoniteusa.org/resource/advent-at-home.
MennoCon21: Organizers for MennoCon21 (Cincinnati, Ohio, July 6-10, 2021), the biennial gathering of Mennonite Church USA, are planning a hybrid event with in-person and online programming. Read the first convention newsletter: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OCT_2020_Newsletter-Revised.pdf Receive future issues by subscribing here: http://eepurl.com/gbyUCj
Menno Snapshots: Rodger Schmell, pastor of Deep Run Mennonite Church West, reflects on the role that camp played in his faith walk and call to ministry in his blog, “Reconnecting with God at camp.” https://www.mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/reconnecting-with-god-at-camp/
Menno Snapshots: Heidi Regier Kreider, Western District Conference minister, offers self-care tips for pastors in her blog, “An open letter to ministers on the impact of trauma and loss exposure.” Read more: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/ministers-trauma/

From Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS):

Read the latest projects and other information at On the Level, the MDS newsletter.
MDS is seeking a part time Administrative Assistant who will provide administrative support to the leadership of MDS Region 3 and its units (Central States – west of the Mississippi). The position is home-based within Region 3. Applicants must be active in an Anabaptist church and committed to the Anabaptist faith and peace position. See the full job description at mds.mennonite.net/about-us/employment. Resumes may be sent to jobs@mds.mennonite.net. Review of resumes begins immediately. Recruitment continues until the position is filled.

From MennoMedia:

Click HERE to find helpful information about the new VOICES TOGETHER songbook, this week’s video lesson for Salt & Light Adult lessons, and many more resources from MennoMedia.

From Mennonite Men (MM):

Mennonite Men (MM), the men’s organization for Mennonite Church USA, is engaged in good news that addresses climate change, buildings for new congregations, and addressing toxic masculinity. You can read all about it in Engage, their online newsletter HERE and register here to receive it periodically via email.

From Mennonite Mission Network (MMN):

Mennonite Voluntary Service is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 service term. Two units are still accepting applications for this year! Serve, learn, and grow in faith with a community of your peers! Visit MennoniteMission.net/MVS to learn more!

Birthdays ( Nov. 22-28)

Sunday Alisa Kandel, Wanda Miller
Monday Erin Krabill, Josie Lehman
Tuesday Susan Janzen
Wednesday Oliver Barahona,
Renee Eigsti
Thursday Michael Goldberry
Friday Elsa Rochford

Events for the coming week
(Nov. 22 - 29)
Sunday 9:30 AM Zoom Worship: Terry Zimmerly, proclaimer
Thursday Thanksgiving - church office closed
Sunday 9:30 AM Zoom Worship- 1st Sunday of Advent: Karen Martens Zimmerly, proclaimer

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