Announcements

Sunday, July 5, 2020
 OUR CHURCH FAMILY
FMC is starting its second virtual choir project! Anyone and everyone is invited to join in singing a setting of "My life flows on." Adults and children of all ages are welcome to join. Participants can access project information and resources at following link: FMC My Life Flows On. The deadline for video submissions is Sunday July 12. Any questions can be directed to Nathan Swartzendruber at nathan.swartzendruber@gmail.com.
 
Elders have decided that we will continue to worship via Zoom during July. A committee will be formed to develop health and safety protocols that will be implemented when we begin to gather again on our church campus. The Elders have prepared a brief survey to receive your feedback on congregational life during these months of sheltering at home. Please take time and give us your response to the questions. Please respond by July 26.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QlcRF16VGMDzIbjWMsa2eBJWXD2ca2tgKVtykGuvxcY/
 
If you are longing to read a new book or the kids need a change in Shalom books, the FMC Library will begin curbside pick-up service on July 16 and 17. If you would like to participate in the Curbside Library:
  1. Select the items you would like to borrow.
  2. –To assist in the selection, look at the What’s New in the Library and the Understanding Racism lists which were attached to Friday’s email or go to the library page on the church’s website. Another option is to specify a title or author of interest.
  3. – The Central Plains listing of Shalom books can be consulted for suggested titles. (We have a good number of these titles.) Otherwise, specifying favorite authors or topics would be helpful for us in selecting books.
  4. Submit your request by: using the Google Form https://forms.gle/aaMEWvrsHnqeU3vJ8 OR - contact either Ann Valenta (319-530-5549; asvalenta@mediacombb.net) or Jill Miller (319-665-2580; djmiller1984@hotmail.com)
Besides your selections, we will need contact information and which day you will pick-up your book bags: either Thursday, July 16 (1-3 PM) or Friday, July 17 (10 AM - NOON).
  1. You will receive a confirmation e-mail specifying a phone number to call after you arrive at the upper church parking lot to pick up your book bag.
  2. A librarian will walk out the book bag to your car. You may also return previously borrowed items, placed in a bag, at this time.
 
All are invited to help us celebrate Mia Graber‘s high school graduation at an outdoor celebration at East Union Mennonite Church (5615 Gable Ave., Kalona),  Sunday July 19, 5-8 PM. We understand this is a tricky time so we respect any decision about attending and thank you for your support over the years!! – Ruth, Galen, Natalie, and Mia Graber
 
Karen and Terry will be on vacation through July 20. During that time if you have any concerns please speak to one of our Elders: Cheryl Martin Miller (chair), Mark Gingerich, Isaiah Goertz, Nancy Halder, Roger Schrock, Maya Kehr Yoder.
 
Reminder: The church building is locked and the staff are working from home.  
  1. To contact the church office, please email (firstmenno@msn.com) or leave a message on Mary’s home phone: 319-683-3505.
  2. Pastors are available by email, text, or phone: Karen: fmckarenmz@gmail.com; 319-512-8624; Terry: fmcterry@gmail.com; 319-512-8625

CONFERENCE & COMMUNITY NEWS  
Check out this week’s MennoMedia one-stop online gathering of resources for daily living: daily devotions from Rejoice, activities for children, excerpts from current MennoMedia book titles, encouragement from church leaders, the Adult Bible Study lessons and commentary, prayers, and other helpful resources. Find all of this and more here.
 
From Crooked Creek Christian Camp:
  • Last chance to order your Camp-in-a-Box! Inside you’ll find a special 2020 Camp T-shirt, Devotions, Craft, Fireside Snack, Recipe Card, Song Sheet and MORE bonus items! Just like summer camp, we want all children to enjoy camp-in-a-box without worrying about the costs involved. That is why we are offering our Camp-in-a-box free of charge. If you would like to make a free-will donation to help cover the cost of shipping and items inside, you may also do that at the link above. Thank You!
 
From Everence:
  • Everence is hiring! We are looking for an energetic, sales-oriented person to join the Kalona office as a Client Services Representative, as we seek to help people integrate their faith with their finances. This position provides administrative assistance and marketing support for Financial/Stewardship Consultants, giving excellent service to clients and staff. It includes a particular focus on education and support for senior adult and those approaching retirement. For more information or to apply, visit https://www.everence.com/about-everence/careers/current-positions or call 656-4242.
 
From Hillcrest Academy:
  • THANK YOU | Our fiscal year has ended and Hillcrest Academy would like to thank all of our supporting churches, those who support our school through their congregations, and especially those who have chosen to go beyond this commitment and give directly to Hillcrest Academy. You have shown that you are truly behind us and we are so grateful! With your collective dedication to our mission, we will move Hillcrest Academy forward even stronger! We truly appreciate the significant level of support we receive year after year from our generous community. You continue to show us that your heart for Hillcrest Academy remains full.
  • Hillcrest Academy Golf Benefit | This year's benefit on Saturday, July 18 at the Kalona Golf Club will obviously be a bit different, but we feel like we can put on an enjoyable and safe event. To register to play or to be a sponsor check out hillcrestravens.org/alumni/hillcrest-golf-benefit. 
  • Return-to-Learn | As we discuss ways to engage our students and nurture our community in safe and meaningful ways, we ask for prayers of guidance as we work together to develop plans for returning to school this fall.
 
From Iowa Mennonite Relief Sale:
  • All are invited to attend the Iowa Mennonite Relief Sale Annual Meeting on
    Tuesday, July 14 at 7 PM at Kalona Mennonite Church. The executive board will be sharing financial reports and an overview of this year's events.
 
From Mennonite Church USA (MC USA):
  • #BringThePeace:  Amid widespread civil unrest, Mennonite Church USA has issued a statement on racial injustice. Read it here: http://mennoniteusa.org/news/mc_usa-statement-on-racial-injustice/
  • #BringThePeace:  Mennonite Church USA has launched a Justice Fund to provide a way for individuals and congregations to support fellow congregations that are actively involved in dismantling racism, addressing police brutality, reimagining policing in our society or combating poverty. To learn more: http://mennoniteusa.org/news/mennonite-church-usa-launches-new-justice-fund/
  • #BringThePeace:  The leadership team of Mennonite Church USA recently led an interactive, online panel discussion, entitled Race, Church and Change, about the impact of racism on the church and meaningful approaches for dismantling it. View it here: http://mennoniteusa.org/leadership-development/webinars/
  • MennoCon21:  Considering raising funds to attend MennoCon21? Mennonite Church USA convention planning staff is offering an opportunity to raise funds by selling Menno’s Best coffee. A portion of the proceeds from every bag of coffee goes to youth groups and the peace and justice work of our denomination.

From Mennonite Mission Network (MMN):
  • Service Adventure only has five spots remaining for the 2020-2021 term beginning this fall. If you are interested in taking a gap year to serve, live in community, and grow spiritually, contact SusanN@MennoniteMission.net or apply online at MennoniteMission.net/ServiceAdventure.

From Pleasantview Home:
  • The incidence of new Covid19 cases in both Washington and Johnson counties has been noteworthy this past week with Johnson County going up by 30 percent. We have had another staff member test positive and have notified our Medical Director, IDPH, and are providing additional monitoring to our resident population. Our Infection Control procedures were strictly followed, and in fact with regard to our surveillance process, exceeded the recommendations by IDPH and CMS. At this point we will remain in Phase I until there is some indication of a reduction in cases within our geographical area. --Jeffrey K. Schmidt, MS, ACHCA, Executive Director 

Birthdays (July 5 - 11)

Sunday    Elaine Yoder (Frytown)
Monday         Lyndon Scott
Wednesday   Marcus Upton
Friday            Kathy Carlon
                       Terry Zimmerly
Saturday        Laura Krouse
                        Patty Miller
                        John Spitzer
Events for the coming week
(July 5 - 12) 
Sunday 9:30 AM Zoom Worship: Karen Martens Zimmerly, proclaimer
Sunday 9:30 AM Zoom Worship, Maya Kehr Yoder, proclaimer
Archived Bulletin Announcements
7-5-2020.pdf
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6-28-2020.pdf
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6-21-2020.pdf
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Special Announcements
New SUMMER 2020  Acquisitions in the LIBRARY (Click LIBRARY under the WELCOME tab above!)

Picture
Virtual Quilt presented to Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler during her farewell service, April 26, 2020.
The 2019 Annual Children's Christmas Program, Dec. 15
Photos from the 3rd Annual Comforter Blitz, Nov.9, 2019.
Photos from our annual All Church Retreat at Crooked Creek Christian Camp,
​Oct. 11-12.
First Mennonite Church of Iowa City
405 Myrtle Ave  Iowa City, Iowa  52246
319-338-0302  firstmenno@msn.com