FIRST MENNONITE CHURCH - OPEN HEARTS, OPEN MINDS, ROOTED IN CHRIST
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  • Home
  • Welcome
    • Location and Hours
    • Staff
    • Sunday Services
    • Christian Formation >
      • Kids and Youth
      • Adults
    • Small Groups
    • Library
    • Newcomers
    • Contact Us
  • Church Life
    • Order of Worship
    • Announcements
    • Listen to/View a Sermon
    • Church Calendar
    • Sunday Volunteer Calendar
    • Commission Minutes
    • Contact Info Update
    • Facebook Policy
    • Directory
    • Photo Gallery
  • Who We Are
    • Who Are the Mennonites?
    • Who is First Mennonite Church?
    • Statement of Environmental Stewardship
    • Missions >
      • Across the Street
      • Around the World
    • Safe Church Policy
  • Parking
    • Football Parking >
      • Make a Payment
    • Weekday Parking >
      • Make a Payment

Announcements

Sunday, February 28, 2021
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Thank you to those who’ve submitted “journey” photos. We’ll continue using them in online worship throughout Lent. Keep sending pictures/art to the church office email (firstmenno@msn.com) of ‘journeys’ that you have been on. This could include a picture that represents a trip to a significant place; a life stage journey; or a joyful or challenging time or experience in your life. While we won’t include names, feel free to include a caption to go with the picture.
 
Connect with FMC college students! The MYF is sending care packages to our college students and we'd love to include your contributions. There will be 15 total packages. Need ideas of what to give? … tea, cocoa, granola bars, fruit snacks, cookies, cards, stamps, gift cards, etc. You can drop off items at the church lower parking lot where we will receive them on these days/times or contact an MYFer or sponsor and we'll pick them up. You’re also welcome to drop things off on Friday mornings at the church office. Thank you!
  • Saturday, 3/6 10:00 AM-Noon
  • Monday, 3/8 5:30-7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, 3/10 7:00-8 PM
 
As a continuation of our Undoing Racism study, 2 groups are forming in March to read and discuss Caste by Isabel Wilkerson via Zoom.
  • March 7, 14, 21, 28 Sundays following the worship service: This will follow a short break after the service before starting the 1 hour discussion time.
  • March 8, 15, 22, 29 Mondays from 7:00 to 8:00 PM 
Please contact Ann Valenta to receive discussion and link details. (319-530-5549 and astevev@gmail.com)

​
While Karen and Terry are on sabbatical (Mar – May), Libby Conley and John Yoder-Schrock will provide pastoral leadership. They will each work half-time and their roles will be as follows:
Libby will:
- oversee worship planning in collaboration with Worship Commission, including finding speakers
- relate to Faith Formation Commission
- worship lead and preach monthly
- attend Elder meetings
Phone or text: 319-400-7348 and email: libbyconley@hotmail.com
John will:
- provide pastoral care and visitation 
- relate to Missions Commission
- worship lead and preach monthly
- attend Elder meetings 
Phone or text: 319-371-5560 and email: jmyoderschrock@gmail.com
Libby's and John’s day off will be Monday; the church office is also closed then.

Did you know that a number of people from FMC contributed to the making of the new songbook Voices Together (VT)? You can sign out a copy of VT from the church library to find out who those individuals are and to discover the many new songs and resources included, as well as some older songs that have returned. We encourage you to make arrangements to pick one up from one of our librarians- Ann Valenta or Jill Miller, or from Mary in the church office.
 
Library News:  See What’s New in the Library at this link.
  • Find out more about the ADULTS’ Shalom Readers Program at centralplainsmc.org/shalom-readers.
If you are interested in checking materials, contact Ann Valenta at 530-5549, astevev@gmail.com OR Jill Miller at 541-0102, djmiller1984@hotmail.com (Jill works at the Library Thursday 2-5 PM). You can also submit a Request Form here.

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 most Thursday and Friday mornings.
  • Libby Conley: Phone or text: 319-400-7348 and email: libbyconley@hotmail.com
  • John Yoder-Schrock: Phone or text: 319-371-5560 and email: jmyoderschrock@gmail.com

CONFERENCE & COMMUNITY NEWS  
Do you have a heart for mentoring students and strong organizational skills? Freeman Academy is looking for a Resident Director to supervise and encourage 12 boarding students in on-campus housing. Salary plus benefits including health insurance, retirement, room and board.  Main responsibilities are building relationships with students and overseeing daily life at the dorm including cooking the evening meal, coordinating student activities, and communicating with parents. Retirees and experienced parents are urged to apply. For more information visit FreemanAcademy.org/employment/ or contact Nathan Epp, Head of School, nepp@freemanacademy.org or 605-925-4237.
 
From Central Plains Conference (CPMC):
  • Download the Mennonite Church USA Lent at Home devotional here.
  • It’s not too late to add a spiritual practice or two for Lent! Join Stan Harder as he teaches and gives opportunities to try a new spiritual practice each week during Lent. Each Tuesday throughout Lent. Join when you can. For more information about the upcoming Lenten Spiritual Practices webinars, visit our website, centralplainsmc.org.
  • Know someone who has exemplified Christ’s way of peacemaking? Nominate them for the annual Peace Mug Award at Central Plains Mennonite Conference’s Annual Meeting! Each year someone receives this award. Send your nomination to the Peace & Justice Task Group via wilmajane17@gmail.com by Friday, March 5. Please include their name, contact information, and a simple description why you’re nominating them.
  • In conversation with the Board and Staff, Central Plains Mennonite Conference Annual Meeting Task Group has decided that this year’s CPMC Annual Meeting will take place in a virtual format on June 18 & 19, culminating in a conference-wide worship service on June 20. More information can be found on our website as it becomes available (centralplainsmc.org/annual-meeting-2021)
 
From Crooked Creek Christian Camp:
  • Read the latest news and events at our website.
  • Craft Retreat: There is still time to sign up for our craft retreat coming March 19-21. Click here for more information and to register!
  • Young Adult Retreat: A brand new program especially for those college aged and beyond! Take a break from your responsibilities and come hang out at camp for the weekend. More information and registration here!
  • Crooked Creek Wild: Save the date! Coming May 1! We’re excited to use the natural landscape of camp and host our 4th annual challenge-course run! Participants will experience the “wilds” of Crooked Creek as they climb through mud, cross the creek, and encounter several obstacles--some handmade, some natural, and all a blast! To encourage families to join the fun, a junior course will be available! A free-will donation lunch will follow the event. The purpose of Crooked Creek Wild is to raise money for the Summer Camp Fund which will provide funds for:
       1. Families who may not otherwise be able to afford the cost of camp.
       2. Summer staff stipends
       3. Special summer camp activities.
  • Summer Camp 2021: It's happening! We are accepting applications for those interested in working the summer with us as counselors, housekeepers, kitchen staff, and lifeguards. For more information and to apply click here! Contact Heather at heather@crookedcreekcamp.org with any questions.
 
From Crowded Closet:
  • We’re hiring! Join a team motivated to share love and compassion through service. Part-time Donation Receiving Assistants are needed to greet donors, assist with unloading donations, and sort incoming donations. Contact crowdedcloset.volunteer@gmail.com to learn more!
 
From EVERENCE:
  • Beginning Wednesday, Mar. 3 at 1 PM, Everence will host a free, four-part webinar series, Balancing financial decisions and kids, which is for parents who are interested in learning about preparing for retirement with kids at the heart of decisions. Throughout this series, attendees will learn about various topics ranging from life insurance to education savings. To view the webinar details or to register, please visit www.everence.com/national#webinars-and-events. 
 
From Hillcrest Academy:
  • Open Gym* | Sunday, Feb. 28 at Hillcrest Academy, 5th-8th graders can plan on participating in a variety of activities including basketball, volleyball, matball and more. Run with cross-country coach Marty Gingerich from 3:00-3:30 PM. Must sign up to run (no drop-ins). The indoor activities will be from 3:00-4:30 PM. Face masks are required. Please BYO water bottle.
  • Skating Party* ǀ The Compassion Club will be hosting a skating party for all 5th-8th graders on Thursday, March 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Snacks, drinks and skates will be provided for your child. Masks required.
*To register for this admissions event or to find the latest updates, please go to hillcrestravens.org/5-8events or contact Rebecca Beachy Miller (rbeachymiller@hillcrestravens.org). 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.
 
From Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS):
  • The February edition of On the Level, now available from MDS, highlights: welcoming a new regional leader; the Spirit of MDS Fund offers another round of funding for congregations; plus we're now offering Behind the Hammer, our quarterly publication showcasing our volunteers and their inspiring stories, in a digital version giving you access via your phone, tablet or desktop. Click on this link to read more:  https://conta.cc/3bckDni
 
From Iowa Mennonite Historical Society:
  • The Mennonite and Kalona Historical Societies will host a Drive-Thru/Pick-Up Soup Supper March 19, 5-7:30 PM at the Historical Village. You'll have your choice of 3 soups plus crackers, roll, and dessert for a free-will donation. This is a fundraising meal to help strengthen ways both groups offer services to our community. Details for meal pick-up and more information are on the attached poster.
  • Iowa Mennonite Historical Society invites you to explore the story of the Vander Werf family’s immigration from the Netherlands to North America following devastation and occupation after World War II. Nyle Kauffman interviews Jan Vander Werf and his sister Isy Miller in a 3-part interview   
      Click on the following links to hear this family story: 
  • Part 1:  https://youtu.be/-WvxpQ1cN2E  
  • Part 2:  https://youtu.be/a36zHt0pTWs
  • Part 3:  https://youtu.be/_UVczuR9vqI
Hear how Manson Mennonite Church played a key role in offering support to this family so that they could get permission to leave Holland and immigrate to the US. You can also find these links to access these interviews on the Iowa Mennonite Museum and Archives Facebook page.
 
From Mennonite Church USA (MC USA): 
  • Menno Snapshots:  Jane Hoober Peifer writes about the beauty that is found in darkness and in waiting in her blog and poem, “When there are no blinds.” Read it here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/no-blinds
  • Menno Snapshots:  Learn more about Together in Worship, an exciting collaborative resource for worship planners and leaders who want to add new sounds, images and ideas to their worship. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/together-in-worship
  • Want to stay in the know about what’s happening across our denomination?
  • Subscribe to PeaceMail, the only source for all the news and blogs from Mennonite Church USA and its agencies in one easy-to-read, weekly email. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/publications/
 
From Mennonite Central Committee (MCC):
  • MCC Alumni Gathering, July 9-11 at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp! All MCC alumni are invited to Colorado to relax in the cool mountain air this summer. We realize there is still uncertainty about summer activities due to COVID-19. At this point, we’re planning to have this gathering; all registrations will be refunded if the event gets cancelled. We ask that you still go ahead and register if you plan to attend. Find all the details, including COVID-19 protocols that the camp is following, and REGISTER at mcc.org/alumni-gathering.
 
From MennoMedia:
  • Read about and participate in the newest 6-session video series, Lamenting Racism; join the Common Read webinar; find this week’s Salt & Light Bible Study video; and more here.    
 
From Mennonite Mission Network (MMN):
  • Read the latest issue of BEYOND: Faith in Action here. In this issue you’ll find an inspiring story, opportunities for service, and a printable scripture graphic. We continue to pray for you and for God’s mission around the world.

Birthdays (Feb. 28 - Mar. 6)

Tuesday  Jeremy Flaming, Pat Nissley
Thursday     Gail Heusinkveld, Isaac Schrock, Larry Swartzendruber 
Saturday     Reg Yoder

Events for the coming week
(Feb. 28 - Mar. 7) 

Sunday 9:30 AM Zoom Worship, Karen Martens  Zimmerly, proclaimer
Tuesday  6:30 PM Mission Commission
Wednesday 7 PM MYF

7 PM Worship Commission
Sunday 9:30 AM Zoom Worship -- John Yoder-Schrock, proclaimer

Archived Bulletin Announcements
2-21-2021.pdf
File Size: 240 kb
File Type: pdf
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2-14-2021.pdf
File Size: 229 kb
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2-7-2021.pdf
File Size: 266 kb
File Type: pdf
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1-31-2021.pdf
File Size: 258 kb
File Type: pdf
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Special Announcements
New WINTER Acquisitions in the LIBRARY (Click LIBRARY under the WELCOME tab above!)


Images from Virtual Services 2020 - 2021

The 2020 Annual Children's Christmas Program, Dec. 13

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, 2019.

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First Mennonite Church of Iowa City
405 Myrtle Ave  Iowa City, Iowa  52246
319-338-0302  firstmenno@msn.com