Announcements
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February 3 - 11, 2023
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
MYF-- Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 6:30-8:30 PM for supper and bowling at SpareMe Bowl and Arcade (404 East College Street, IC). Please complete the Communication Assessment Survey emailed to you by February 10. Thank you. February is Black History Month and the Beloved Community Initiative has developed an interactive map that is growing in telling a more truthful account of Iowa's history with race. Take some time this month to expand your historical knowledge of our state. (This website also has many other resources, including telling/recording a congregation’s history with a lens on how the church engaged or didn’t engage the racial issues of its history). As Maya Kehr Yoder has informed us, she will be ending her work with the Leadership Council in March. Galen Graber has agreed to step into this position which will continue through August 31, 2025. Galen's appointment to Leadership Council requires approval from the congregation. A brief congregational meeting will be held immediately following the worship service on February 12 for this purpose. --Leadership Council We are excited to host the Goshen College Chamber Choir on Tuesday evening, February 28. We need hosts for 21 females and 17 males, plus the 5 adults (and a baby!) who will be accompanying them. If you can provide lodging on Tuesday evening, February 28 after their concert, there is a sign-up sheet near the stairs in the Sip & Chat area. More specific information will follow. If you have questions, please contact Donna Darby, 319-430-6171 or ddarby1290@aol.com Show Your Heart -- Our Mission Team invites your food contributions to a Valentine Day (Month!) project/drive supporting Table to Table. Two large bins are in the Sip & Chat area near the education wing door to receive your donations of any non-perishable items. Examples recipients find most useful are canned beef stew, tuna or chicken, peanut butter, dry beans or rice, diapers sizes 3,4 or 5. Let’s see how many bins our church family can fill! Questions may be directed to Vicki Green or Arden Miller. February is Black History Month and the Beloved Community Initiative has developed an interactive map that is growing in telling a more truthful account of Iowa's history with race. Take some time this month to expand your historical knowledge of our state. (This website also has many other resources, including telling/recording a congregation’s history with a lens on how the church engaged or didn’t engage the racial issues of its history). It’s Coins for Camp fundraiser time! The money raised from this fundraiser will be used to purchase new climbing wall equipment and swimming pool supplies; both are favorite activities of our summer campers and guest groups as well. As an added incentive to collect coins, Crooked Creek Christian Camp is offering a free 2-hour pool party OR 2 free hours in the Activity Center to your church if you can raise $450 or more! We have until March 11 to collect coins. You'll find the collection cans on the Sip & Chat Coffee table throughout the month. Please add your coins (or bills!) to support this event. An invitation to book reading and conversation on prayer. You are welcome to join in this informal gathering as the Lenten season begins, hosted by Shuji Moriichi, at his house, on February 25 (Sat.), 9-10:30 AM. The main book is With Open Hands (forward by Sue Monk Kidd), by Henri J.M. Nouwen. (Please purchase and read the book before the gathering.) If you have questions or are interested but have difficulty in obtaining a copy of the book and/or joining the gathering, please contact Shuji (and he will reach out to you.) smoriichi43@gmail.com or 612-462-1726. Spring Cleaning! In the next few months we’ll be removing all items from a few rooms and closets, wiping everything down, and then putting back just the items that qualify to stay. The first project is a turnout of the nursery behind the sanctuary on February 18 at 10 AM. If you’d like to donate an hour of your time to this project, sign up on the Church Life bulletin board in the Sip & Chat area or contact Margaret Yoder at fmcmargaret@gmail.com. Thank you: Dear First Mennonite Church, we are truly blown away by your generosity! Thank you for your financial contribution as well as your donation of fully stocked backpacks! These back packs are a much-needed item for those returning from incarceration. This past year we doubled the amount we gave to returning citizens, so these backpacks are arriving at the perfect time to reach those in need! Thank you for supporting Inside Out Reentry Community and the members we serve. This means so much! – Michelle Heinz, Executive Director CONFERENCE AND COMMUNITY NEWS Everyone is invited to a Book Reading by Kalona native, Evie Yoder Miller, on February 13 at 7 PM. at the Kalona Public Library. Evie's most recent books are the Scrupples on the Line trilogy consisting of Shadows, Loyalties, and Passages. These are historical fiction books taking place from 1864-1865 during the Civil War. There are five different perspectives, from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to Chicago and Iowa, telling the experiences of Amish, Mennonite, and German Baptist communities of conscience during the war. The event is hosted by the Kalona Library and the Mennonite Historical Society of Iowa. Ways to support Inside Out ReEntry:
The Anabaptism at 500 project invites photographers of all levels to submit inspiring photos and stories capturing Anabaptist Christians living out their faith. Selected photos and stories will be featured in a stunning full-color photo book. Contributors will receive a complimentary copy. This book will showcase creative expressions of contemporary Anabaptist witness in the world. Your photos and stories will help us celebrate our shared faith providing a glimpse of God at work among us. Submit your photos and stories or those from your faith community at www.AnabaptismAt500.com. More details are available on the Following Jesus narthex bulletin board. From Central Plains Mennonite Conference:
From Crooked Creek Christian Camp (CCCC):
From Crowded Closet:
From Hillcrest Academy:
From the Iowa Mennonite Relief Sale Committee:
From Mennonite Church USA (MCUSA):
From other Mennonite Organizations:
From Pleasantview:
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Birthdays (Feb. 4 - 11)
Saturday Alexandra Carlon Sunday Ruth Peterson Monday Eli Gingerich John Yoder-Schrock Saturday Gene Nissley Events for the coming week
( Feb. 5 - 12) Wednesday: 6:30 PM MYF 7 PM Missions Team meeting Sunday: 9:30 AM Worship, Karen Martens Zimmerly, proclaimer 10:30 AM Congregational Meeting 10:45 AM Christian Education Christmas Eve Service 2022
FMC LIBRARY
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