Announcements

Sunday, September 13, 2020

OUR CHURCH FAMILY
There are 3 options for voting to approve the 2021 spending plan which is in the annual report and will be presented at the September 20 annual meeting.
1) individuals who receive bulletins via mail will receive paper ballots to return
2) vote by using this survey: https://forms.gle/9YsvHHnQ7puHwuLJ6
3) text or leave a voicemail at 319-541-0905, Galen Graber, church moderator
***Please make sure that your vote is in by September 20, 5 PM.***

Sunday school for children/youth/MYF will begin Sunday, September 20. A short, age appropriate class via Zoom will be offered once a month. Sunday school teachers will be in touch to provide more details about the class for your child/children/youth and to provide a Zoom link. The following class groupings will be offered:
* Early Childhood (age 3 & 4) with Pre-K * Grade 2 * MYF
* Kindergarten and Grade 1                           * Grades 3/4/5

Our annual fall church business meeting will be held following the zoom service on September 20. The Annual Report was attached to your Wednesday letter. Please read it prior to the meeting.

The Bible Memory program is beginning for ages 4 thru 8th grade. Contact Margalea Warner (margalea@msn.com) for more details.

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).

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
Free counseling and assistance are provided through the COVID Recovery Iowa program. Check out what they offer and please share this with others.

From Crooked Creek Christian Camp:

You're invited to: I Sing for Ice Cream (previously known as Sing and S'mores) TONIGHT at 4 PM. Bring your lawn chairs and singing voices. Face masks/coverings will be required. Instead of standing around a fire close together to make s'mores, we will be enjoying homemade ice cream sandwiches while keeping our distance. Questions? Contact the camp office.
During this time of uncertainty, we have had many cancellations of guest groups and this has resulted in a substantial income loss for the camp, over $104,000. To offset these losses, we received many donations and had a breakfast casserole bake sale. We have seen the generosity of many and we are grateful. Even after these fundraisers, the camp still feels the impact from the loss of funds. We are very excited to announce for the first time, the camp will be hosting an online auction. Do you have something you would be interested in donating? We’d be thrilled to receive it! The auction will go live in December in a virtual event. Send an email to Saralyn at saralyn@crookedcreekcamp.org or Heather at heather@crookedcreekcamp.org with questions or to let us know of items or services you would like to donate!

From Crowded Closet:

Crowded Closet Thrift Shop serves the community and supports Mennonite Central Committee. We need you! Join as a volunteer, shopper, or donor. Now scheduling small groups for safe service events together. Volunteer openings for Cashier, Retail Assistant, Fabric & Craft, Donation Receiving, and Adult Clothing teams. Come for a visit to experience how we are staying safe at the Closet. Contact Christine at crowdedcloset.volunteer@gmail.com to schedule your visit.

From Everence:

Giving through your will. Many of us are looking at life and death in a new way this year, and about what’s important to us. Want to learn more about giving to others through your will, Everence offers information and assistance at everence.com/wills-legacy-planning.
Everence scholarship. Faith-based Everence invests in the God-given talents of students through its annual scholarships. Learn more at everence.com/scholarships.
Make Medicare an easy step. Gain confidence and clarity about moving to Medicare with guidance from Everence, a faith-based organization that partners with our church. Attend educational webinars to learn your key steps to get Medicare, how to move from your current coverage, and enrollment details and deadlines. Make Medicare an easy step Medicare Sept. 16 at 1 PM and 7 PM. Join this webinar to learn how, when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare covers and does not cover, budgeting for healthcare costs in retirement, and much more. Register here.

From Hillcrest Academy:

Shuttle Drivers Needed | Even though classes have begun, Hillcrest Academy is still in need of shuttle drivers to drive our Iowa City route PM Mon-Fri. This shuttle is essential in providing transportation for students to and from school. Please prayerfully consider if you are able to help in this mission. Questions or interest? Contact Rebecca Beachy Miller rbeachymiller@hillcrestravens.org or (319) 656-2073 x20.
Homecoming Weekend & 75 Year Anniversary Celebration | Events associated with this year’s Homecoming Weekend and 75 Year Anniversary Celebration, originally scheduled for October 16-18, have been significantly cut back or cancelled due to ongoing risks and limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see hillcrestravens.org/homecoming2020 for all the details.

From Mennonite Central Committee (MCC):

Celebrate with us! Mennonite Central Committee invites you join Celebration 2020: MCC at 100, a livestreamed event commemorating a century of MCC’s ministry on Saturday, Oct. 17, starting at 5:50 PM. The event will feature photos, videos and storytelling that highlight MCC’s work over the years. Former MCC leader and pastor Leonard Dow of Philadelphia will inspire participants to walk boldly into the next century of MCC’s ministry while talented musicians will lead in prayer and thanksgiving. You can find more information about MCC’s centennial and log in for the livestreamed event at mcc.org/celebration-2020.
Register NOW for the MCC Flatlander Bicycle Ride! Due to COVID-19, the ride is a “virtual” event this year and open to EVERYONE. Riders may register any time until September 29. Register online at Bikereg.com. Join us in raising money for MCC to fund the construction of new wells and repair existing water and sanitary systems at schools in Nicaragua. In this global pandemic, access to clean water is more essential than ever. Donations from non-riders are welcome! Checks to MCC Flatlander Bike Ride may be sent to MCC Central States, PO Box 235, North Newton, KS 67117.

From Mennonite Church USA (MC USA):

#BringThePeace: Anti-racism training for congregations is more affordable, thanks to a new partnership between Mennonite Church USA and Widerstand Consulting. For more information on this research-based, field-tested online training, visit https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/anti-racism-training-accessible/
Iglesia Menonita Hispana, a racial/ethnic group of Mennonite Church USA, has launched the Grace Fund. This mutual aid fund will support the denomination’s Hispanic congregations and ministries directly impacted by COVID-19 and natural disasters, such as Hurricane Hanna. To learn more, https://www.mennoniteusa.org/imh-gracefund
What makes our Mennonite educational institutions unique? Read about how our Anabaptist schools and colleges found hope during the first few months of the pandemic. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/mennonite-education-pandemic/
#MennoCon21: Have you attended a MennoCon Equipping Seminar that made an impact on your faith journey? Do you have an Equipping Seminar to offer at MennoCon21 (Cincinnati, Ohio, July 6-10, 2021)? Mennonite Church USA convention planners invite you to submit a proposal by October 10, 2020. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/equipping-seminars

From Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA):

We want to see you at MEDA Convention 2020! It’s the same great convention you know and love in a two-day virtual setting, jam-packed with speakers, plenary sessions, fun events, and plenty of networking opportunities! You’ll leave challenged, informed, and inspired. Plus, with four streams of programming, there’s a place for everyone at MEDA Convention 2020. You won’t want to miss this virtual event! Register today. Register before October 1 to receive a FREE Convention Toolkit!

From Mennonite Education Association (MEA):

Due to COVID-19, the in-person collaborative travel schedule is not possible this fall for the Mennonite College & University reps. However, they will “visit” each chapel service virtually, with a pre-recorded video, and host Instagram raffles and virtual visits to their respective campuses. There will be a Family Night information session, over Zoom video conferencing, coordinating with the chapel “visit” that day. However, all prospective high school students, their families and youth groups are invited to attend, including those who do not attend a Mennonite high school. Students are welcome to register for whichever session suits their schedule; the content will be identical for each 45-minute session. Topics covered include: What to do as a sophomore, junior, and senior in high school to be a strong applicant; financial aid; the value of Mennonite higher education; how to prepare for your college visits; and an open time for Q&A. Representatives of all five institutions will be on hand to speak privately with families afterwards or to schedule a more in-depth visit.
The Mennonite Colleges & Universities Family Night session in our area: Monday, September 21 (8:30 p.m. EST) Hillcrest Academy (all are welcome). To register for the session, click on the Hillcrest session at the bottom of this page: https://www.mennoniteeducation.org/mcd.

From Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS):

MDS is accepting financial donations for Hurricane Laura recovery efforts. You can give online or by check and made payable to: Mennonite Disaster Service, 583 Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543. Designate "Hurricane Laura" on the memo line.If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out the online volunteer registration form.

From MennoMedia:

Check out this week’s MennoMedia one-stop online gathering of resources for daily living: join the Common Read (In the book Signs of Life: Resurrecting Hope out of Ordinary Losses (Herald Press, 2019) author Stephanie Lobdell unpacks how the God of the resurrection speaks right to our hurts. Together Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Church Canada, and MennoMedia are partnering to engage together in reading Signs of Life as a Common Read—a shared reading experience where we are all reading the same book at the same time as a way to nurture our Christian faith in this cultural moment. Kick-off is on Thursday, September 10, at 11 AM in a conversation with Stephanie Lobdell.); also find 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 this and more here.

From Pleasantview Home:

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, it seems irresponsible and inappropriate to plan a traditional Pleasantview Benefit sale this year. However, the financial needs continue at Pleasantview! Several months ago, a project for this year’s Benefit was selected—funding a coach/bus that will replace the old, nearly non-functional bus. We have found an available used 20-passenger model with 5 wheelchair positions for about $65,000. We realize that many businesses and individuals have suffered financial difficulties the past few months, but it is our hope that community support for the Benefit, which has been exceptional in years past, will continue this year. Please join our “Bucks for a Bus” campaign with one of these options:
Checks may be written to Pleasantview Benefit Sale and sent to Larry Swartzendruber, Pleasantview, 811 Third St, Kalona, IA 52247
On November 6 and 7 (original Benefit Sale dates), there will be a two-day fundraising blitz online via our website (more info later)
Call or text Larry Swartzendruber at 319-936-7563. Specify amount of your commitment and leave your name and phone number
Any excess funds raised will be placed in the Pleasantview building fund.

From Ten Thousand Villages, Iowa City:

Executive Director job opportunity: Ten Thousand Villages Iowa City is seeking an Executive Director. This person will be in charge of the retail store on the downtown Ped Mall. Responsibilities include staffing, purchasing inventory, and management duties. The desire is for applicants to be strong supporters of fair trade and the Village's mission. Submit resumes to Wendell Miller at wendellm1951@gmail.com.

Birthdays (Sept. 12 - 19)

Saturday Mike Brenneman
Monday Matthew Healy, Haley Miller, Pat Miller
Wednesday Del Miller, John Snyder
Thursday Kareem Lehman, Shirley Yoder Bell
Saturday Nate Elliott, Ezra Swartzendruber

Events for the coming week
(Sept. 13-20)
Sunday 9:30 AM Zoom Worship: Karen Martens Zimmerly, proclaimer
Sunday 9:30 AM Zoom Worship: Terry Zimmerly, proclaimer

Archived Bulletin Announcements