Announcements

Feb. 13 - 22, 2026
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Sunday we welcome Maynard Knepp, the Director of Donor Relations for MCC working out of the central states office in North Newton, KS. He and his wife Carol live on a small farm in Hillsboro, KS and have hosted 27 international high school students in their home. They also provide many different events on their farm. Carol is the state coordinator for the exchange student program, so they have done a lot of international travel for both MCC and to visit former exchange students. During the Sunday School hour, Maynard Knepp will share in the Fellowship Hall about his MCC Learning Tour to Malawi & Zambia. Sip & Chat will be in the Fellowship Hall also.
 
Also SUNDAY:  Sunday School Hour Discussion Group:  Are you reading or have recently read a fabulous book that you’d like to tell others about? Come to the monthly Any Book Book Share meeting where each person is encouraged to share about a specific book they’ve read or are reading. We’ll meet in Room 214 on the 3rd Sunday of the month through May 17. Join the fun on any of those Sundays.
 
Check under your couch cushions and clean out your coin purses because February is Coins for Camp month! This year's projects are new picnic tables, sports equipment, and new ground cover at the playgrounds. Drop your coins (or bills!) into the designated can on the Sip & Chat coffee table. If we raise $500 or more, FMC will get a free 2-hour Pool Party or 2 free hours in the Activity Center. Coins for Camp is one of the ways we begin preparing for summer camp at Crooked Creek Christian Camp, so we appreciate your generosity.
 
February Church Events: 
  • Game Night: Fridays, 5:30-8 PM. Bring finger food & a game to share!
  • Community Coffee: Friday morning, February 20 – 9:00-10:30! Join the conversation and coffee/tea time in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Trivia & Pizza Night: Sunday, February 22 – Do you want to challenge your mind and maybe learn an interesting fact or two? Join us at the next FMC Trivia Night, February 22 at 4 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Pizza will be provided, bring finger foods to share. Please SIGN-UP in the Sip & Chat area so we know how much pizza to order!
  • Men’s Breakfast and Volunteer Day at Crowded Closet!  Saturday, February 28 – 8:15-9 AM pancake breakfast (all ages welcome), 9 AM for 2-3 hours is volunteer time (volunteers must be 8 years old or older), both at Crowded Closet. Please sign up in the Sip & Chat area.
 
The members of First Mennonite Church take seriously the education of our young people. Because of this, we offer a grant of $7000 per year ($3500 per semester) for up to 8 semesters at a college/university associated with Mennonite Church USA or Mennonite Church Canada. In addition, 100% of seminary tuition will be paid for those attending a Mennonite Seminary full or part time. For details regarding the student scholarship OR to request forms for the grant, please see Carol Miller, treasurer before March 1.
 
Fat Tuesday Pancake Party! 6 PM, February 17 – The eight Mennonite churches of Central Plains Conference’s SE Iowa cluster eagerly invite you to “Join us at the Table” from near and far: Come enjoy a joyful pancake and sausage supper together on the eve of the Lent season! Washington Mennonite will host the 6 PM evening at their church’s building, 815 E. Polk St, Washington IA. Celebrate Fat Tuesday (Fr. ‘Mardi Gras’) with some delightful sugar, salts, fats and the sweet fellowship of sisters and brothers from Washington MC, Wellman, Wayland, West Union, IC First Mennonite, Sugar Creek, Zion, and East Union. Bring your favorite pancake topping to share potluck style – fruits and berries, chocolate chips, whipped cream, granola, yogurt, etc., etc. A free-will offering will be received to share with a ministry of the group’s choosing, after covering meal costs.

​COMMUNITY & CONFERENCE NEWS
Saturday, February 21 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Iowa Mennonite Action will be welcoming Anton Flores-Maisonet to West Union Mennonite Church for a workshop titled Midwives of Justice: Birthing Hope When Empires Tremble. This workshop invites participants to explore Exodus 1-3 through the lens of vocation, courage and faithful resistance. Lunch will be served by West Union Missions & Service Commission. The workshop is open to everyone. The link for the workshop registration is: Midwives of Justice Registration  Please register by Friday, February 13, 2026. Anton will also be speaking during our worship service on Sunday, February 22nd with a message reflecting on grief, hope and courage.
 
Please join IC Catholic Worker for the following local ICE Out of Iowa event:
   Fri, Feb 27 – Know Your Rights Training for Nonprofits
      12-1:30 PM | Coralville Public Library. RSVP Here
A practical Know Your Rights and ICE Watch training tailored for faith communities, nonprofits, and businesses — learn how to support immigrant
workers and neighbors with rights knowledge, documentation skills, and community protection strategies.
 
From Crooked Creek Christian Camp:
 
From Crowded Closet:
  • As we closed 2025 at Crowded Closet, the numbers tell a compelling story! With $2.49 million in sales, nearly one million items sold, and over 154,000 customer transactions, your choice to donate, shop, and volunteer continues to turn everyday generosity into meaningful support for Mennonite Central Committee around the world. The 37,270 donations we received this year represent faithful households and congregations giving what they have so it can bless others. Because of the strength of the shop, we are able to increase our monetary support to MCC in the year ahead! We are deeply grateful for the ways YOU make this ministry possible through your time, your gifts, and your commitment. Thank you!
 
From EVERENCE:
  • As an Everence member, a college scholarship for you or your children is one of the potential benefits of doing business with us. For the 2026-2027 academic year, eligible students can be chosen to receive a $1,000 scholarship from their local Everence office. The top three recipients throughout the U.S. will receive scholarships totaling $3,000 or $2,000. Applications must be emailed/postmarked by Feb. 28. Find more information at this link.
 
From Hillcrest Academy:
  • Head of School – The board-appointed Search Committee has collected applications for the Hillcrest Academy Head of School position and is beginning to interview qualified candidates. Please keep the committee and all applicants in your prayers, asking for God’s wisdom and guidance in this process and the final decision.
  • Skating Party - All 4th-8th graders are invited to a Skating Party at the Wellman Skating Rink hosted by the Hillcrest Academy student body government on Thursday, February 26, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. For more details and to sign up, check out hillcrestravens.org/4-8events.
  • Spring Drama Production - Join us March 6-7 in Celebration Hall for a heartwarming production of Pollyanna, the classic tale of the world’s greatest optimist. Mark your calendars! Full details on showtimes and how to purchase your tickets are coming soon to hillcrestravens.org/drama.
 
From Mennonite Central Committee (MCC):
  • MCC Central States annual meeting – You are invited to the MCC Central States annual meeting on Saturday, March 7 at 11 AM at MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117.

From Mennonite Church USA:
  • MC USA’s 2026 Lent at Home Worship Guide invites households to journey through Lent with simple rituals, Scripture from John’s Gospel and opportunities for reflection. This guide, titled “Dwelling in Dissonance,” helps all ages hold grief and hope together, as we walk with Jesus toward resurrection. Available in English and Spanish. Download it here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/lent-at-home-2026
  • Menno Snapshots:  In her Menno Snapshots blog, Shé Langley, MC USA’s director of event planning and digital marketing, shares five practical AI and automation tools churches can use to reduce burnout, improve communication and support ministry, while grounding technology use in ethical, pastoral and climate justice values. Read it here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ai-for-churches/
 
From Mennonite Mission Network (MMN):
  • Thank you for supporting MMN with your generous gift of $28,469.50. Your generosity has enabled us to partner with 116 organizations and churches worldwide and have 74 workers and service program participants serving in 45 countries. We are thankful for your unwavering dedication to this shared mission of sharing God’s love across the street and around the world. May God’s light continue to shine through your church as a witness in your community and beyond.
 
From other Mennonite organizations:
  • Read News from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS).
  • Read the In Touch newsletter from Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).
  • Read Network News & Beyond from Mennonite Mission Network (MMN).
  • Read the weekly PeaceMail from Mennonite Church USA (MCUSA).
  • Read Info from Mennonite World Conference (MWC).
Birthdays
 (Feb. 14 - 21)    
Saturday, 14      Gayle Preheim, Sarah Showalter, Wilford Yoder
Monday, 16  Margaret Yoder
Wednesday, 18  Mia Graber, Ann Valenta
Upcoming Church Events 
​( Feb. 13 - 22)      
Fri, Feb. 13:  5:30 – 8: 30 PM Game Night, Fellowship Hall
Sun, Feb. 15:  9:30 AM Worship, Maynard Knepp, MCC, proclaimer
 10:30 AM MYF Make/Serve Lunch at Catholic Worker House
10:45 AM Christian Formation hour: adults in Fellowship Hall with
Maynard Knepp; Book Share class in Rm. 214
NOON Worship Planning Team meeting
Tue, Feb. 17:  6 PM Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper, Washington Mennonite Church,
Fri, Feb. 20:  9 – 10:30 AM Community Coffee, Fellowship Hall
 5:30 – 8 PM Game Night, Fellowship Hall
Sun, Feb. 22:        9:30 AM Worship, Nathan Lutjens, proclaimer
10:45 AM Christian Formation hour
4 PM Trivia & Pizza Night, Fellowship Hall
LIBRARY
See WHAT'S NEW in the LIBRARY for November 2025. (Click November above) or LIBRARY under the WELCOME tab.
Search the FMC library catalog HERE. (No password required)
2025 Children's Christmas Program, Dec. 14
PRIDE parade & Festival 2024
All Church Putt Putt Golf Outing, September 2023
First Mennonite Church of Iowa City
405 Myrtle Ave  Iowa City, Iowa  52246
319-338-0302  [email protected]