February 10-16, 2021

Before I left home and went to college, I didn’t have much need for maps.  The roads in northeastern Ohio were familiar and my memory usually dependable when I did venture farther away from home.  But when I started driving myself to Kansas, I depended on the trusty atlas tucked beside the seat in my car.  Once I had to stop and pull it out in the middle of the night, waking my sleeping traveling companion, because instead of continuing west on 70 from Indianapolis, I was heading north on 65, well on my way to Chicago!  I kind of miss having an atlas in the car.  GPS is really convenient, but there was something nice about holding a physical map in your hand. 

Maps are one of the most powerful tools we humans have for explaining and navigating our way through the world.  Maps help us find our way in the mysterious and unknown.  Maps show the best routes to get where we want to go.  They show us where we can’t go, what the limits are, what is currently uncharted territory.  Often, old maps have to be set aside for new maps because of new discoveries and knowledge.  Back when atlases were a thing, it was wise to regularly purchase a new one because the maps did change!

As poet and artist Jan Richardson writes, map making once was considered an art.  She reminds us of these maps made “before all the corners of the earth had been charted, and adventurous souls approaching the boundaries of the known world were warned by the cartographer’s hand, ‘Beyond here be dragons.’” She goes on to say, “I like maps for their notion of order, for their presuppositions that the lines, directions, and paths they offer will show us the way if properly read. It’s a heartening thought that if we study a piece of paper long enough, it will show us the way to our destination.  Most of us these days live, I think, with a sense that we’ve wandered beyond the known world, that we’re making the path as we go, with the breath of dragons hot on our necks.” (A Woman’s Christmas 2021 pg 22)

She is right – since about the middle of March 2020, I DO often feel like we’ve wandered beyond the known world and are making the path as we go.  Right now the ‘Re-Opening Taskforce’ is in conversation about when we feel it’s wise to increase our in-person worship and Sunday School attendance and the CMT (Congregational Ministry Team) will be making some decisions at our Feb 18 meeting.  The reality is we will never go back to where we were at the beginning of March 2020.  We’ve had to let go of old maps and embrace both the uncertainty and the possibility of new maps, new paths, new ways forward as a congregation.  On my best days I’m intrigued and energized by the possibilities before us, even as I recognize how hard change is. 

Recently I’ve been planning an event with fellow WDC pastor and WDC Church Planting Commission Member Tim Amor delving into what it might look like to ‘re-plant’ a church – especially a legacy church like ours that has been around a long time and is facing declining numbers.  I’ll leave you with some of the questions we plan to ask at that event.  I wonder what your responses would be? 

• What are you willing to change so that you and your church can better embody and share the love of Jesus?
• What are you not willing to change?
• How can we better disciple and invite others to join with us in orienting all of life toward the radical love of Jesus?

— Pastor Tonya

SUNDAY MORNING Worship Live Stream @ 9:30am

The link for Sunday morning worship (as well as archives of past worship services) is found on our website:  www.hutchfmc.org!

CMT ANNOUNCEMENT LIMITING IN-PERSON GATHERINGS

The 2021 Congregational Ministry Team (Delon Martens-chair, Jennalee Boggs-chair-elect, Julie Esau, Kevin Martin Nisly, Carol Moore, and the pastors) has affirmed the decision made late last fall by the 2020 CMT (on the recommendation of the RE-Opening Task Force – Carol Moore, Dohn Fast, Joretta Martens, Todd Esau, Pastor Tonya) to limit in-person gatherings at the church to 10 for the time being.  This includes worship and Sunday School.  We encourage everyone who can to join in worship via the live stream and Sunday School by Zoom.  Masks, physical distancing, and handwashing are required of everyone in the building.  CMT and the Re-Opening Taskforce will continue to evaluate this policy, based on data from the Reno County Health Department.  Please watch this announcement for updates.

SUNDAY, February 14:  Jesus Way: Transformed & Free (Transfiguration) Luke 9:28-45

• Preacher:  Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger
• Worship Leader:  Delon Martens
• Children’s Time:  Jennalee Boggs
• Scripture Reader:  TBA
• Pianist:  Peggy Stucky
• Sound:  Allen Yoder
• Live Stream:  Jonathan Wenger

SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS

During each worship service, you are invited to text your prayer joys and concerns – usually to Pastor Tonya, but sometimes it will be someone else, and we’ll give you that info at the time!!  You are also welcome to send prayer joys & concerns during the week.

Since our worship link is now public, when you submit prayer requests be sure to let us know if you’d prefer it NOT be shared on Sunday morning.  We can keep requests more private by only sharing them in the weekly prayer email sent out on Tuesdays. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements are scrolled Sunday mornings before (beginning around 9:25) and after the worship service.  There will be no spoken announcements unless there are pressing announcements that did not make it into the PowerPoint.  Please send any announcements you’d like to have included by Thursday each week. 

CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD

• February 17 – Ash Wednesday Worship @ 6:30pm (Livestream)
• February 18 – Faithful Community Coordination Team @ 10:30am
• February 18 – Congregational Ministry Team @ 5:30pm
• February 24 – Faith Formation Coordination Team @ 4:00pm

DEEPENING in Christ…

PRAYER GROUP

This group meets Thursday mornings from 10-11am in the Prayer Room (with masks and distancing).  All are welcome. 

GOSPEL OF LUKE WORSHIP SERIES – THE JESUS WAY

This winter and spring we’ll be listening to and learning from the Gospel of Luke.  Guided by the Narrative Lectionary, we’ll follow Luke’s story of Jesus all the way through Lent and Easter.  After Jesus gave his sermon in Nazareth (in Luke 4:14-30) the crowd’s amazement turned to rage, and we’re told Jesus escaped their violent plans to throw him off a cliff and “went on his way.”  Each Sunday in this series we’ll explore different aspects of “The Jesus Way,” with the hope of growing in maturity as disciples still seeking Jesus’ Way today.

Here’s a look at upcoming themes before the beginning of Lent:

• February 14: The Jesus Way:  Transformation & Freedom (Transfiguration) Luke 9:28-45 Pastor Tonya preaching

TUESDAY EVENINGS: COMMUNITY & CONVERSATION ABOUT GOSPEL OF LUKE

 Gather on ZOOM Tuesday evenings @ 7pm with Pastor Jim Unruh to let the words and actions of Jesus in Luke speak to us beyond Sunday morning.  What’s the good news and how can we respond?  Thefocus each Tuesday evening will be on the Luke text from the previous Sunday. Contact Pastor Jim with questions. Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85896201594         Meeting ID: 858 9620 1594

LENT 2021: The Jesus Way Leads to the Cross

Our Lent worship will focus on the theme “The Jesus Way Leads to the Cross” as we continue our study of the Gospel of Luke.  Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 17, which will be a joint worship service with Community Church of the Brethren.  More details about this service will be coming soon.  If you’d be interested in helping shape our Lent worship services, please contact Pastor Tonya ASAP.  For now, we anticipate services to continue to be primarily live streamed with limited numbers in the sanctuary.

• Ash Wednesday (Feb 17) – Jesus Turns to Jerusalem –  6:30pm Worship on Livestream
• Lent 1 (Feb 21) – The Jesus Way Leads to the Cross: LOVE MOVING (Good Samaritan)
• Lent 2 (Feb 28) – The Jesus Way Leads to the Cross:  HEARTS TURNING (Lament over Jerusalem)
• Lent 3 (March 7) – The Jesus Way Leads to the Cross: COMMUNITY GATHERING (Lost Sheep, Coin, Son)
• Lent 4 (March 14) – The Jesus Way Leads to the Cross:  MERCY REACHING (Rich Man & Lazarus)
• Lent 5 (March 21) – The Jesus Way Leads to the Cross: LOST SAVING (Blind Man & Zacchaeus)

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines

New issues of both UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! are available above the mailboxes.  These magazines offer daily devotional readings beginning March 1.  Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

• Kindergarten – 6^th grade:  Sunday @ 4:00pm on ZOOM
• 7^th-8^th grades:  Sunday @ 11:30am on ZOOM
• High School youth:  Sunday @ 11:00am – currently meeting online

Adult Sunday School @ 11am on Sundays on ZOOM  (Meets the first three Sundays of the month)

Below is the schedule for this Adult Bible Study using the Salt and Light discussion guide written this quarter by Timothy J. Geddert, professor of New Testament at Fresno Pacific University (copies available at the church, or can be sent to you):

• FEB 14 – Calvin facilitating.  “Nourishing Holiness,” 1 Peter 2:1-10.
• FEB 21 – Jim facilitating.  “Physical Holiness,” 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.
• FEB 28 – NO adult study unless someone volunteers to facilitate discussion.  Call the office

Check your email for the ZOOM link or contact Pastor Tonya.  If you are unable to access ZOOM and want to participate, you may come in person. 

Masks and physical distancing practices will continue for all in-person gatherings at the church.

STRENGTHENING Community Connections…

FMC DIRECTORY updates  —  YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE!!

Please check contact information for yourself and your family members in the current directory and send changes to the church office as soon as possible.  Your response by February 15 is appreciated!

CHARITABLE GIVING RECEIPTS

2020 giving receipts for those who made contributions during the past year are in the church mailboxes.  If you would like yours mailed to your home address, please call the church office.

BEAUTIFUL SALT CITY PODCAST                                    

A future story tells us what we want (vision), why we want it (values), and how we will create it (resources). Our own Pastor Jim Unruh talks with people in our community to learn their life stories and to dream together for a future story for our beautiful salt city.  Find it here: https://hutchfmc.org/beautiful-salt-city-podcast/ and check back each Saturday/Sunday to listen to a new conversation!

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS    

• Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00
• Wednesday 10am-1pm 

PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS

• Monday – Sabbath Day
• Tuesday-Friday: generally working 9am-5pm(ish)
• Available evenings and weekends (cell phone is most reliable)

SUNDAY MORNING SCRIPTURE READERS NEEDED

Let the church office or Pastor Tonya know if you are willing.  We’d especially like to have more male voices!

STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…

OUR SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR FIRST CALL FOR HELP

Personal care/hygiene items such as these are appreciated: toilet paper, laundry detergent, bath soap, Kleenex, deodorant, disposable razors, paper towels, shampoo, dish soap, hand/body lotion.  Travel size – new & unopened – are desirable.

Food bank donations may be brought to the Salvation Army.  At this time the Food Bank is particularly in need of the following:  tomato soup, cream of mushroom soup and green beans.

VERENIKE SUPPER – FIRST MENNONITE HALSTEAD

Saturday, February 20, 2021, 4:00-7:00 pm.  Verenike, ham gravy, sausage served drive-thru at  427 W 4^th in Halstead.  Cost by donation with proceeds going to help local COVID-19 relief.

MENNONITE CHURCH USA . . . WORSHIP, STUDY, PRAYER RESOURCES

Learn, Pray, Join

What is militarism? How does it affect us? And what can we do about it? Join Mennonite Church USA on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT/ 5:30 p.m. MT/4:30 p.m. PT for “Cost of War,” a panel discussion, featuring Anabaptists who have resisted war both in our neighborhoods and overseas and will address these questions and more. The webinar is part MC USA’s Learn, Pray, Join: Cost of War initiative. Register: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/cost-of-war 

MennoCon21
Mennonite Church USA is planning its first hybrid convention to be held July 6-10, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and online. Read more:  mennoniteusa.org/news/mennocon21-update/
 
Mennonite Church USA is equipping congregational faith formation leaders in exciting, new ways. Read more in the article, “Coaching cohorts: Building community among faith formation leaders during a pandemic.”  mennoniteusa.org/news/cohorts/

MENNONITE MISSION NETWORK announcements

In honor of Black History Month and in response to the Mennonite Church USA denominational mandate to support, build and cultivate peace across our denomination, Mennonite Mission Network is excited to host the Speak the truth in love webinar on February 18, with hosts Ann Jacobs of Mission Network, with Pastors Kevin Himes and Vikki Pruitte-Sorrells. We desire to speak the truth in love, while celebrating relationships, to mend divides that caused primarily by fear and racial stereotyping. The leaders of this webinar claim this desire because of their commitment to the Gospel of peace.

YOUTH VENTURE is accepting applications for summer 2021! Discover and experience the work that God is doing in the world with a team of other young people, as you serve, learn, worship, and build relationships. Visit MennoniteMission.net/YouthVenture to learn more!

Looking for a non-traditional pastoral role? Become a unit leader for SERVICE ADVENTURE, a gap-year program for ages 17-20 from Mennonite Mission Network. Unit leaders, who are at least 24 years of age, serve as mentors to the young adults in the Service Adventure household. Leaders are needed in Johnstown, PA and Colorado Springs, CO. Learn more by contacting SusanN@MennoniteMission.net.

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE announcements

You are invited to join the virtual MCC Central States annual meeting on Saturday, February 27 at 9 a.m. CST The meeting will include a reflection on MCC in pandemic times, details about what COVID-19 has meant for MCC thrift shops and a look at our financial statements. To join the meeting please email  centralstates@mcc.org and then Zoom meeting information will be sent directly to you.

Use your skills or try something new! Join the summer staff of MCC’s Sharing With Appalachia People (SWAP) program to support home repair projects in Kimball, West Virginia or Harlan, Kentucky. Positions for Job Site Coordinators and Meals Coordinators are now open. Applicants should be at least 19 years old, but the roles are not limited to young adults. For more information and to apply, visit mcc.org/swap-summer-staff or contact the MCC Appalachia SWAP office at (606) 633-4008 or AppalachiaAdmin@mcc.org.

MCC Comforter Blitz: At Home.   The annual MCC Comforter Blitz is happening virtually this year from now through March! The Kansas Friends of MCC committee is challenging congregations and individuals to complete 300 comforters for MCC by the end of March! Read all the details and information on getting comforter making supplies from MCC at mcc.org/blitz-at-home. Share pictures of your work on the MCC Comforter Blitz Facebook page. Contact katemast@mcc.org or 316.804.8432 with questions.

Join MCC for a series of “MCC and me” webinars to hear more about service opportunities. Are you ready to step out and into service? To gain new skills and experiences while working for relief, development and peace in the name of Christ?

MCC is working to adapt our programming as the situation with COVID-19 develops. All sessions relate to anticipated service needs, though timing and some other details may be subject to change.

• February 25 at 10 a.m. EST: Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP) summer staff
• February 25 at 8 p.m. EST: International service worker
• March 6 at 12 p.m. EST: International service worker
• March TBD: Mobile Meat Canner

For more information and to register: mcc.org/mcc-me-webinar-series-service-opportunities

EVERENCE SOCIAL SECURITY and RETIREMENT INCOME PLANNING webinar

Everence will host a Social Security and retirement income planning webinar, on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about Social Security strategies, risks that can impact retirement savings and strategies to help income last throughout retirement. This online workshop is free. Register soon by contacting our office at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.  

CAMP MENNOSCAH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Registration is open for the Spring Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats at Camp Mennoscah on March 5-7 and March 19-21!  Once the retreats are full, sign up on the waitlist.  Register at www.campmennoscah.org!

Nothing’s better than a summer at camp!  Watch this video created by Mennonite Camping Association about why you should work at camp.  Applications for Camp Mennoscah Summer Staff positions are now being accepted!   

Volunteer opportunities at Camp Mennoscah!  We continually have year-round work to support the maintenance and upkeep of the campus and facilities. We can accommodate every group size, skill set and length of project you would like to tackle. Check out these ways to Get Involved! 

Email office@campmennoscah.org  or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer. 

Camp Mennoscah – year ‘round opportunities!  Camp Mennoscah is a wonderful space for families and groups needing space to spread out!  Facilities for differently sized groups are available with a variety of gathering areas.  Trails and fields are waiting to be hiked and used for fun activities, too!  Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or office@campmennoscah.org to reserve.  You are invited to enjoy this sacred space!

ANABAPTIST MENNONITE BIBLICAL SEMINARY scholarships

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary is offering two new scholarships:

• The Multicultural Church Scholarship is for students who are currently serving in or preparing for ministry assignments in a multicultural context and/or who belong to historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups within the Mennonite Church. Each year, this award will provide a limited number of 100-percent tuition grants to full-time students beginning a master’s program, or a limited number of 75-percent tuition grants to part-time students beginning a master’s program.
• The MDiv Connect Student Scholarship provides a limited number of 75-percent tuition grants to students beginning the Master of Divinity (MDiv) Connect program.

For more information:  ambs.edu/grow 

KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE announcements

Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale to be held July 2 and 3, 2021, at the Kansas State Fair grounds. 

FOR SALE:  The Kansas MCC Sale has 2 Steel Shipping Containers for sale.  These make excellent storage Buildings that can be moved to your farm or property.  They are rodent and moisture proof.   They are ALL steel construction with a heavy oak floor capable of handling a fork lift.  Size is: 40 feet long by 8 ft wide by 8 1/2 ft tall.   Donation of $2,500 requested which is below current value.  They come with heavy timbers to set on.  FREE Delivery close to Inman; additional mileage charged outside Inman area.  ONLY 2 AVAILABLE.  Call Jerry Toews at 620-367-8257