Announcements

July 3 - 11, 2026

OUR CHURCH FAMILY
JULY Church Event:

July 9, 6 PM: Thursday, 6 PM – All Church Bike Ride. We’ll begin at River Front Crossings Park (by Big Grove) and ride the south loop which includes Sand Lake and the Kickers Park, returning to the Big Grove Brewery area. Join us!

July 24-25 Vacation Bible School at East Union from 9 AM - 3 PM! Lunch and snacks provided! Register children (age 4 - 6th grade) at tinyurl.com/EU-VBS-2026 or by using the QR code provided on the church bulletin boards. VOLUNTEERS are also needed to help in various ways. Sign up at this link: https://tinyurl.com/EUMC-VBS2026

COMMUNITY & CONFERENCE NEWS
Volunteer opportunity: DVIP/RVAP, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Crisis Services -- We have some one-time, two-hour volunteer shifts taking tickets at the Johnson County Fair on Sat 7/25 through Tues 7/28. Volunteers can sign up here (search for "JoCo Fair"). Thank you for considering serving in this way!

Women of all ages and backgrounds are invited to gather for a summer mini retreat on Saturday, July 11, from 9AM - NOON at Anna's Cutting Garden (1259 Rohret Rd. SW, Oxford). The event, coordinated by Iowa Matrix, a multidimensional 501(c)(3) organization focused on building resilience and supporting individuals and communities in their quest for whole person wellbeing, will create space to reset our minds and quiet our hearts through art, music, movement, prayer, and journaling so that the voice of Jesus can be heard speaking to our deepest needs. Registration link: tinyurl.com/atthefeetofJesus26. For more information contact us at [email protected] (Send with subject heading: Feet of Jesus).

Save the date! Sacred Encounters is a retreat for worship and music leaders (and worship planners), on Jan. 29-31, 2027 at Crooked Creek Camp. Janeen Bertsche Johnson, Campus Pastor at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, will lead worship and provide input on Encountering Each Other (Friday evening), Encountering God (Saturday), and Encountering the World (Sunday morning). Invite your congregation's worship and music leaders (and those who would like to learn how) to attend this retreat focused on rest, renewal, and resources.

From Crooked Creek Christian Camp:

Crooked Creek Christian Camp is looking for volunteer kitchen help for summer camp! Visit our website https://www.crookedcreekcamp.org/ to sign up for your preferred date and time. Thanks for your support in this way!

From Crowded Closet:

Join the fun of after-hours service at a Summer Work Night! Share love and compassion through purposeful service at Crowded Closet. Sign-ups are open for Summer Work Nights on Thursday, July 2 & July 16 from 5-7 PM. Individuals or groups (age 8 and up) are welcome to join. Sign up at tinyurl.com/cc-summerworknight to reserve your spot!

From Hillcrest Academy:

World Cup Watch Party - The entire community is invited to celebrate July 4th weekend soccer-style and join us for a watch party in Celebration Hall to cheer on the USMNT as they take on Belgium. The big screen, great energy, and good company await. Kickoff is at 7 PM on Mon, July 6.
Our Annual Golf Benefit - You're invited to the annual Hillcrest Academy Golf Benefit at Kalona Golf Course on Saturday, July 11. This isn't just a day of friendly competition, it's a great way to invest directly in the mission of Hillcrest Academy. Register your team today and be a part of something truly meaningful. We can't wait to see you there. For more details, to register, or to be a sponsor go to hillcrestravens.org/golfbenefit and contact Jeremy Ours at [email protected] with questions.

From Pleasantview:

At Pleasantview, we recognize that caregiving is both a meaningful gift and, at times, a challenging journey. We also know that caregivers often spend so much time caring for others that they forget to care for themselves. This summer, we are offering a Caregiver Support Group. The group will provide a welcoming space for caregivers to connect, share experiences, receive encouragement, and find support from others who understand the unique joys and challenges of caregiving. The group will meet in the West Lounge, 10–11 AM, July 16, & 20, August 13 & 27. Coffee & cookies provided. There is no cost to attend, and participants are welcome to join us for any or all the sessions.
SAVE THE DATE! October 30 and 31--Friday evening and Saturday morning--will be the annual Pleasantview Benefit Sale at Hillcrest Academy. NEEDED: Volunteers willing to serve 2 years on the supper and breakfast committees. Please contact Jessica at Pleasantview (656-2421) if interested. Also, consider what you might contribute to the auctions and bake sale! Monetary donations to cover meat processing and other expenses are always welcome! Don’t forget to make plans to attend in October!

From Mennonite Central Committee (MCC):

MCC Immigration Learning Tour, Nov. 1-6 – Sign up today for this immigration focused learning tour in South Texas and Mexico. This tour will focus on education related to a range of matters surrounding immigration, detention and death at the U.S./Mexico border by giving you the opportunity to engage directly with MCC partners who are leading immigration work in the region. Questions? Contact [email protected] and sign up online today at mcc.org/tx-immigration-learning-tour!

From Mennonite Church USA (MC USA):

“Our faith calls us to stand with those whose voices are systemically marginalized,” wrote Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, MC USA’s denominational minister of Peace and Justice, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act. Read her lament here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/lament-ruling-on-voting-rights/

From Mennonite Mission Network (MMN):

Mobilize for peace! Mennonite Mission Network equips volunteers, congregations and partners across the street and around the world in pursuit of sharing the peace of Christ with everyone. We need your help! Mobilize for peace by supporting the Mennonite Mission Network fund. Visit MennoniteMission.net/Mobilize to help us reach our fundraising goal of $350,000.

From other Mennonite organizations:

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 ENGAGE from Mennonite Men.
Read Info from Mennonite World Conference (MWC).

Birthdays
(July 3)
3 Friday   Zuly Palante
4 Saturday   Becky Rhodes
10 Friday Mariam Assani, Kathy Carlon
11 Saturday Laura Krouse, Patty Miller
12 Sunday Nuria Kehr Yoder

Upcoming Church Events
(July 3 - 12)
Sun, July 5: 9:30 AM Worship & Communion, Megan Wiebersch, proclaimer
Tue, July 7: 7 PM Mission Team meeting
Thu, July 9: 6 PM All Church Bike Ride, River Front Crossings Park, Iowa City
Sun, July 12: Worship: Marc Schlegel-Preheim, proclaimer

LIBRARY
See WHAT'S NEW in the LIBRARY for May 2026. (Click May 2026 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