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This week at FMC

May 19-25, 2021

Often when I arrive at the church and walk through the parking lot I remember with gratitude the beautiful Easter worship service many of us shared together at the beginning of April.  For some, it was your first time back to the physical church building.  It brought joy to my heart to see many of you again in person!  One moment of worship I will not forget from that morning is leaning my head back, feeling the sun on my face and the wind blowing, and listening to Maggie Pounds sing “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…”  I was moved in that moment by the challenge and hope for a world of shalom, fashioned by God through instruments like you and me.

Father Albert Haase, O.F.M. in the introduction to his book Soul Training with the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis relays this perspective on the prayer from a fellow brother of his, Brother Angelo, who holds a master’s degree in physics:

“This prayer challenges the spiritual laws of our nature.  Because of my sin, my natural inclination is to focus always on myself.  I tend to be self-absorbed and self-centered.  I fuss about me, my desires, my wants, and my demands. I can’t break free from the ego’s strong gravitational pull.  I liken it to what in physics is called the centripetal force. If you put a stone on a string and whirl it around your head, the string is constantly trying to pull the stone toward the center. I’m the center and life is all about me.   The second part of the Peace Prayer is a reminder that its not about me being the center, and not about being consoled, understood, or loved.  Its not about me receiving or being forgiven.  The prayer shapes the contours of the soul to forget the ego and be selfless – that’s how you cross the finish line into eternal life.  Physics also deals with the centrifugal force.  The stone on a string that you are whirling around your head is always trying to break free and move beyond the center.  Its as if it wants to break free from the gravitational pull of the self and move outward and beyond.  That’s really what the first part of the Peace Prayer is all about.  It trains the soul to look outward and beyond, to be sensitive in every situation, and to bring whatever is needed to those who are injured, doubtful, depressed, or struggling to find light and joy.   Service – the point of the first stanza of the prayer – leads to selflessness – the point of the second stanza of the prayer, and vice versa. That’s how the two parts of the Peace Prayer are related.  That’s why I’m a big fan of the peace prayer even if St. Francis didn’t compose it.  It not only gets me in spiritual shape by focusing my attention on others but keeps me in shape by challenging me to die to my natural inclinations.  Athletes talk about being in the zone; when I’m doing selfless acts of service and not thinking about myself, I’m in that sacred zone where God fashions his instruments.”

Our worship theme this summer, which I am calling Cultivating Life with God for the World, will begin May 30 and end August 1.  The series will be shaped by the different lines of the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis alongside Jesus’ Beatitudes from Matthew 5.  Both are powerful shapers of souls and lives as we seek to allow the Spirit to shape us into ‘instruments’ of God’s peace, love, pardon, faith, hope, light, and joy … for the world. 

I hope this worship series will bring you strength and encouragement in your spiritual journey these days in which we are surrounded by a strong pull toward the opposite of peace, love, pardon, faith, hope, light and joy.   The Peace Prayer of St Francis is not a prayer we should pray lightly, however, as it clearly asks much of us.  And at the same time, it promises a depth and joy of life only possible in humble submission to God as our sole source of life and the sole recipient of our allegiance and hope. 

-Pastor Tonya

SUNDAY MORNING Worship In Person & 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! Join at 9:25am to see the announcements! 

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) and the RE-Opening Task Force – Carol Moore, Dohn Fast, Joretta Martens, Todd Esau, Pastor Tonya) are considering this week the new recommendations from the CDC.  Watch for more details later the week and please feel invited to send your feedback to any of the folks listed above.

SUNDAY, May 23:  Pentecost: Fruits of the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; Galatians 4:1-7)

God pours the Spirit into our hearts so we can call on God as Father.

COMMUNION

  • Preacher:  Tonya Ramer Wenger
  • Worship Leader:  Stephanie Gehring
  • Children’s Time:  Lona Willems
  • Scripture Reader: TBD
  • Musicians:  Shelley Kauffman
  • Ushers:  Russ Wedel & Diane Ziemer
  • Sound:  Jasper Nisly
  • Live Stream:  Jonathan Wenger
  • Fundraiser Lunch  . . . contributions to cover costs for FMC’s weekend at Camp Mennoscah

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

  • May 19 – Faithful Community Coordination Team @ 9:30am
  • May 20 – Congregational Ministry Team @ 5:00pm
  • May 26 – Faith Formation Coordination Team @ 4:00pm
  • June 2 – Service & Outreach Coordination Team @ 7:00pm
  • June 2 – Mentors & Mentees meet 6:45pm at the church
  • June 6 & 13 – “Guess Who’s Coming to the Yard!” (registrations due May 23 – see details below)
  • June 20 – FMC Retreat at Camp Mennoscah (no services @ 52 Rambler Rd & no livestream)

REMINDER:  If you are last one out of the church building, be SURE the doors lock behind you when you leave.  Go out, watch the doors latch, give both door handles a tug, and make sure they are locked!  Thank you.

DEEPENING in Christ…

PRAYER GROUP

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

A small ecumenical Centering Prayer group meets on ZOOM Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm.  If you’d like to learn more and receive the link to participate, contact Pastor Tonya. 

PENTECOST WORSHIP ON MAY 23 – OUTSIDE WITH COMMUNION

Plan to gather for another outdoor (and livestreamed) worship service (weather permitting!) in our parking lot.  Like we did on Easter, bring lawn chairs if you can and we’ll also have some folding chairs available.  We will celebrate communion together.  We tentatively plan to set up our worship area this time on the NORTH side of the church and ask you to park on the east side.

CAMP MENNOSCAH FUND RAISER (May 23) FOR FMC ( JUNE 19-20) RETREAT WEEKEND

After a year’s absence due to Covid, we will once again gather at Camp Mennoscah on June 19 & 20 for a weekend of visiting, game playing, worship, canoeing, swimming, and eating.  Everyone is invited to come out either on Saturday for the night or on Sunday morning for our worship service.  The Sunday schedule has worship at 10:00; swimming at 11:00 and lunch at 12:15. 

In order to help pay for our use of the camp and all the activities we will enjoy while there, a fundraiser meal (pasta) will be held this Sunday, May 23, following our worship service.  The meal will be available as a carry-out or dine in with the option of eating either in the fellowship hall or outside weather permitting.  Please designate your contributions for FMC Camp Mennoscah Retreat.

Expenses for the use of Main Camp include a day rate of $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children and a rate of $17.50/night for adults in a cabin and $8.75/night for children in a cabin.   Additional fees that we have paid to camp include use of the swimming pool–$50.00 for the first hour and $30.00 for each additional hour and popcorn–$25.00/kettle.  

Signup for the June 20 Sunday lunch at Camp Mennoscah is requested on the sheet in the foyer or call the church office.)  If you would be interested in coming out to camp Saturday evening and staying overnight in cabins (or you could bring a tent), please let the church office know, and then we’ll plan accordingly depending on how many are interested.

SUMMER WORSHIP SERIES – CULTIVATING LIFE WITH GOD FOR THE WORLD (MAY 30-AUG 1)

Guided by the Peace Prayer of St. Francis and Jesus’ Beatitudes we’ll dig deeper in our life with God, discovering how such a life is not just for us, but for the sake of this world God loves.  We’ll explore what it might look like to allow God to make us into ‘instruments’ of God’s peace, love, pardon, faith, hope, light, and joy. 

  • May 30:  Cultivating Life with God for the World:  “O, Divine Master” & “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”
  • June 6:  Cultivating Life with God for the World: Instruments of Peace & “Blessed are the peacemakers…”
  • June 13:  Cultivating Life with God for the World: Instruments of Love (instead of Hatred) & “Blessed are the persecuted…”
  • June 20:  10:00am Worship @ Camp Mennoscah (no worship at 52 Rambler Rd and no livestream)
  • June 27: Cultivating Life with God for the World: Instruments of Pardon (instead of Injury) & “Blessed are the merciful…”

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! are available above the mailboxes.  New issues of both are now available beginning with May devotionals. Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you. 

SPRING SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

  • Preschool: 10:45-11:30am
  • Kindergarten – 6th grade: 10:45-11:30am
  • 7th-8th grade: 10:45-11:30AM
  • High School youth:  11:45AM (in person at the church)

Adult Sunday School Bible Study @ 10:45AM (See summer schedule below)

NOTE THE NEW TIME: 10:45-11:30AM!!!!!   You are invited to join this class on ZOOM or in person in the fellowship hall.  Below is the schedule for this Adult Bible Study using the Salt and Light discussion guide.  Copies of the summer study guide are available on the table in the foyer.  Please call the office if you would like a copy sent to you.  The summer theme is, Facing Life’s Challenges, written by Wilma Ann Bailey. 

  • NO Adult class on May 23 or 30.
  • June 6 – “A Family’s Sibling Rivalry”
  • June 27 – “Forgiveness Has Depths”

Check your email for the ZOOM link or contact Pastor Tonya. 

YOUNG(ER) ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS @ 10:45am

Gather with other young(er) adults in this newly formed class at FMC!  The group will be discerning and deciding together the focus and content of their time together. 

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON MAY 30!!!

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Over the summer, we’re planning to have Sunday School the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, with the exception of June which will be the 1st and 4th Sundays.  Watch here for more details!

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

STRENGTHENING Community Connections…

GUESS WHO’S COMING TO THE YARD 2.0!

Sign up by May 23 to participate in our second “Guess Who’s Coming to the Yard!” event.  This is a pandemic friendly version of “Guess Who’s Coming to Lunch!” that was well received last fall.  Sign up to be a host (of 6-8 people) or a guest.  Choose between Sundays June 6 and June 13 at 6:30pm.  Right now we could use more guests on June 6, so please consider signing up!!  Sign up by MAY 23 on the sheet on the table in the foyer or call/email the church office.

CELEBRATING WITH OUR GRADUATES – MAY 23 BLESSING

We celebrate with the following graduates and their families, and will officially recognize and bless them

on May 23.  As is our tradition, we’ll be gifting our high school graduates with mugs and their Christmas ornament. 

  • Hutchinson High School:  Jacob Unruh, Jay Sylvester
  • New addition –  Allen High School (in Allen, TX on May 21): Tiana Wimberly
  • William Jewell College:  Michaela Esau
  • Hesston College:  Alex Miller
  • Bethel College:  Jeff Kauffman
  • Goshen College:  Laura Miller

We also recognize our 8th grade graduates: Ryker Wiens, Reuben Wenger, Hannah Nisly

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-5:30pm(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!

DELEGATES FOR MENNOCON21 – MC USA CONVENTION – (HYBRID) JULY 6-10, 2021

If you would you be interested in serving as a delegate for the MC USA Convention in Cincinnati OH this summer, please talk with Delon Martens (CMT Chair) or Pastor Tonya for more details.  We are encouraging participating virtually for the event this year.   See the MC USA Convention announcement in the “STRETCHING” section below for a few more details and a link to learn more.

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.

FMC SERVES AT SOUP KITCHEN – May 22

The Soup Kitchen is now serving on site and delivery.  Here are volunteer positions needed for May 22.

  • Food preparation             2:00-3:30pm
  • Delivery route                   4:00-5:30pm
  • Serve & clean up              4:45-6:00

Call Jane or Eldon Wagler, or Juliet Nisly or Kevin Martin Nisly directly to volunteer.

KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE (KMRS)

Almonds have arrived and are for sale in the Etcetera stores in Hutchinson, Newton and Hillsboro and the MCC Center in North Newton.  Selling price is $10/bag with donations welcomed.  The money will all go to MCC. 

KS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE GEAR is here!  Get your gear online at https://wearatomic.com/product-category/mcc/    The proceeds from the sale of these products go to support MCC.  

QUILTER’S CORNER –  July 2-3, 2021. Quilter’s Corner welcomes your donated QUILT-RELATED ITEMS throughout the year. These used/unused/unfinished items no longer needed in your quilt/sewing/linen closets will be sold to generate funds for MCC relief work around the world. The Fall 2020 Quilter’s Corner brought in over $23,000 for MCC. SUGGESTED ITEMS: • finished/unfinished quilt tops • finished/unfinished quilt blocks • old and damaged quilts • quilt supplies and tools • linens • cloth sacks • quilt books • quilt magazines (2011 – current) • quilt patterns • notions • fabric – cotton.  Items may be dropped off at the MCC Center in North Newton throughout the year. Boxes and bags should be labeled Quilter’s Corner. One of the baskets in the church foyer is designated for Quilter’s Corner donations.  Questions??  Rose Wiebe Haury 316-288-0079,  haury@juno.com

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

CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements

Summer Youth Camp registration is open!   Register online here!  There are still openings!!!

FMC offers a camp scholarship to each child/youth associated with FMC.  The scholarship covers part of the registration fee.  Please email the church office to let us know when your child has registered to attend.

Camp Mennoscah counselors, volunteers, and program staff . . . please submit your information/application forms (parts 1 & 2) as soon as possible to prepare for a summer of grand fun and exceptional faith.  Difficulties?  Contact 620-297-3290!

Camp Mennoscah is looking for additional staff to help with extra tasks necessary this summer.  The person should be at least 18 years old and will be paid the summer staff stipend.  A multiple-week/full summer commitment is preferred, but those with partial summer availability are invited to apply.  Complete the Summer Staff application at www.campmennoscah.org

Camp Mennoscah is seeking to fill a part-time custodian/housekeeper position.  Hours average 10 per week and are flexible, dependent upon the camp schedule.  For more information, contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org

Camp Nurses . . . Celebrate!  We have enough nurses!

Congratulations, Deborah!  Camp Mennoscah’s dedicated and generous office assistant of over 7 years, is retiring!  She has reduced her hours and has graciously agreed to stay on for a time while the next assistant is found.  Camp Mennoscah is seeking someone to share in office/support operations and guest services in a position with potential growth.  Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for information.

Volunteer opportunities at Camp

  • Work Day – May 22
  • Tent assembly – May 28-29
  • Trail bridge (concrete work)
  • Mowing (weekly)
  • Cleaning/custodial (weekly)

WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE announcements

The WDC Resource Library is now open to the public – Library capacity will be limited to one household in the library at a time.  The self-checkout station & library catalog computer will remain off during this phase of reopening.  Please see library staff or WDC staff for assistance in looking up items (or browse the catalog on your smartphone).  Please plan to make your visit to the library quick and not linger (couches/chairs will be turned around for the time being).  Please stop at the WDC front lobby to check whether there is anyone in the library.  Questions? Contact the library at crlib@mennowdc.org    As in the rest of the WDC offices, masks are required while you are in the library.  The library continues to offer service to any individual or congregation in WDC via the United States Postal Service–check out the online catalog here.

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE announcements

MCC Central States COVID-19 update: We look forward to re-opening the MCC office in North Newton on July 6. Please keep us in your prayers as we consider our protocols, processes and capacity. Material resources donations continue to be accepted in the 24-hour donation room. Financial donations can be made at mcc.org, mailed to the office (MCC Central States PO BOX 235 North Newton, KS 67117) or dropped off by appointment. Please call the MCC office at 316-283-2720 with any questions. Thank you for continuing to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee.

SWAP summer staff needed! MCC’s Sharing With Appalachia People (SWAP) program is in need of Job Site Coordinators and Meals Coordinators to support home repair projects in Kimball, West Virginia or Harlan, Kentucky. Applicants should be at least 19 years old, but these paid 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) 634-4418 or AppalachiaAdmin@mcc.org.

HR Generalist: MCC is looking for someone with excellent relational skills, intercultural competency and HR experience in recruitment/selection, benefits administration, onboarding or policy work to join our team as a full time HR Generalist. This position is open for someone to be based in the U.S. headquarters in Akron, PA or any regional office including North Newton, KS.  The deadline to express interest is May 31. For more information and to apply click here: HR Generalist application.

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

MennoCon21

Mennonite Church USA has announced the registration rates for MennoCon21, its first hybrid convention, to be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, and online on July 6-10. 2021. In-person attendance is $325 per person for the five-day event and online attendance is $99. For more details, visit mennoniteusa.org/news/registration-rates-mennocon21/

Glen Guyton has been reappointed for a second three-year term as executive director of Mennonite Church USA. Read about his goals and accomplishments here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/glen-second-term

Amy Yoder McGloughlin – mom, pastor and peacemaker with Christian Peacemaking Teams – as part of its Learn, Pray, Join: Cost of War initiative. Read about Yoder McGloughlin’s journey in “From Palestine to Pennsylvania, peacemaking is not passive.” https://www.mennoniteusa.org/palestine-to-pa

Carlos Romero – first Latino executive director of Mennonite Education Agency shares about his anti-racism work in the education system in a recent interview. Read more. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/table-menno-education En español: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/por-ampliar-la-mesa

EVERENCE announces webinars

Everence will host the following free, online webinars during the month of May; all starting at 6:30 p.m.

  • Navigating education savings: 529 plans –Tuesday, May 18
  • Social Security and retirement income planning –Tuesday, May 25

To register, or learn more about each webinar event, please visit our webpage at https://www.everence.com/locations-and-atms/kansas