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This week at FMC

THIS WEEK @ FMC – June 1-7, 2022

Table of Contents

Years ago, a Bible School teacher put Romans 12:1-2 before me and it became one of my ‘top 10’ guiding scriptures.  This past weekend, gathered at the MC USA Special Delegate session, I was reminded of the significance of the entirety of this chapter.  I share it today for your reading, listening, and praying (from the Common English Bible):

ROMANS 12:  So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. 2 Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.

3 Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. 4 We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. 5 In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. 6 We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. 7 If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. 8 If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.

9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. 16 Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. 17 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.

18 If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. 19 Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. 20 Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. 21 Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.

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! 

FELLOWSHIP TIME is back with coffee/tea/juice between Worship and Sunday School!! 

A signup sheet is posted for you to sign up to host this social time.

SUNDAY, June 5:  Terms of Resurrection:  Pentecost

Acts 2:1-21; Philippians 4:4-7

  • Preacher: Tonya Ramer Wenger
  • Worship Leader: Carol Moore
  • Scripture Reader: Joleen Pauls          
  • Children’s Time: Bryan Kehr
  • Organist: Pauline Buller
  • Ushers: Don Wiens & Russell Goering
  • Nursery attendant: Jonathan Wenger
  • Sound Tech: Micah Wenger
  • Live Stream Tech: Jonathan Wenger

SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS

During each worship service, you are invited to text your prayer joys and concerns – usually to Pastor Tonya.  You are also welcome to send prayer joys & concerns during the week.  The recording of our worship service is public, so let us know if you’d prefer your request to only be shared via email during the week.

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

  • June 5 – Private family inurnment for Monte Wedel at FMC’s columbarium following worship service
  • June 5 – Mennonite Friendship Communities Community Worship Service – 6:30pm (outdoors)
  • June 16 – Congregational Ministry Team (CMT) – 3:00pm
  • June 19 – FMC worship @ Camp Mennoscah (no service at the church and no livestream)

PASTOR JIM UNRUH’S return from extended leave of absence

The Congregational Ministry Team is announcing that Pastor Jim is returning to his position as Minister of Community Outreach with FMC beginning June 1.  Jim is excited about the many opportunities to reach out to others in our community and we look forward to the vision and leadership he brings.  Initially, his focus will be on the Lighthouse and this ministry to young adults seeking to find stability and connections. Pastor Jim’s term of service is for one year. During the coming year FMC will participate in a congregation/pastor review, and the discernment of FMC’s vision and priorities will be a part of the continuing pastoral leadership.   

FMC CENTENNIAL . . . LightHouse Giving Opportunity 

The good news that we have to share with you is that we have reached our LightHouse fundraising goal of $22,000! To date, the total raised is $24,200. (As of 5/3/22 the total is $26,350). The Centennial Committee really believes that this speaks to the tremendous generosity of you all and we would like to thank you for your gifts. The $22,000 will be used for construction costs and furnishings for the apartments. But we are not finished! More dollars are needed for ongoing maintenance needs, so your donations are still very much appreciated from now until October and beyond.

Here is a brief construction update that we received from Interfaith Housing Services in mid-April. Exterior siding has been installed, a concrete parking lot has been poured and the ramp addition for the ADA apartment has been completed on the south side.  Currently, plumbers are installing pipes and fire blocking and floor underlayment are being installed. In the coming weeks, the sprinkler system, the electrical rough-in and the HVAC system will be installed. After that comes the drywall installation, along with taping, mudding and texturing. In the final stages, they will be looking for volunteers for painting, trim work, cabinet installation, floor work, etc. Hopefully we can help with some of that work at some point in the future. Interfaith’s goal is to have the building finished by sometime this fall or winter.

As for the furnishings, Interfaith is looking to secure special pricing to purchase new items so that the apartments can be more or less identical with each other. These furnishings will include beds, side tables, dressers, sofas, tables, chairs, microwaves, stoves and refrigerators. There will be two shared laundry rooms for the eight apartments. Welcome baskets for the residents will include a variety of kitchen utensils, towels, sheets, bathroom and laundry cleaning supplies.

The LightHouse tenant leases, the residents’ handbook and case management procedures are all in the process of being drafted.

LightHouse aims to provide young people with safe, stable, temporary housing, with supportive connections and with access to resources for long-term success. Thank you again for your support in empowering young people in our community!

MENNONITE CHURCH USA delegate action at the assembly May 27-30 in KC

More than 500 delegates (and guests) gathered for prayer, storytelling and singing at the Special Session of the Delegate Assembly held May 27-30 in Kansas City.  Four resolutions were considered during the business sessions:

  1. The action to retire the Membership Guidelines as the active polity in Mennonite Church USA passed by a clear majority.
  2. “A Resolution for Repentance and Transformation” was adopted as a church statement resolution with nearly 56% of votes being in favor.  Delegates participated in dialog and open mic time, sharing and listening with care and compassion, and reflecting on what resonated with them and what caused them some resistance.
  3. The MC USA Accessibility Resolution passed unanimously by a show of hands.
  4. The resolution “For Justice in the U.S. Criminal Legal System” was presented for study.  Through discussion, delegates identified many types of injustice and considered opportunities in local contexts where our witness could bring healing and hope.

More details about the discussion on each resolution and the impact of delegate action is posed here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/delegate22/

Delegates from FMC anticipate sharing more information at a gathering later this summer.  If you have questions or would like to talk about the resolutions, feel free to contact any one of FMC’s participants – Pastor Tonya, Pauline Buller, Micah Wenger, Magdalena Wenger or Delon Martens.

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…

JUNE 5 PENTECOST WORSHIP – INSIDE!!!

Join us for our Pentecost Worship on Sunday June 5.  While previous announcements indicated this service would be outside, please note the decision has been made to be inside instead. 

SUMMER 2022 WORSHIP – FACES OF OUR FAITH

Created by A Sanctified Art, our summer worship series will explore ordinary people of faith – those doing what they can with what they have to make a difference.  The worship series invited us into stories of those often overlooked in our Biblical narratives.  Using visual art and prompts for reflection (study journal pages are available for each character explored), we hope to dig deep into the worlds of these characters, entering their stories with curiosity and openness to what they might teach us.  As we journey with these characters, may they remind us that we all play a role in shaping God’s story of redemption and grace. May they awaken us to the faces of our faith in our world today. And may they encourage us to know that no action is ever too small to make a difference.

As part of the series, we will invite you to think about and name the faces of your own faith and how they have impacted you.  You might wish to name friends, family members, mentors, pastors, public figures, strangers, authors, musicians, or artists … anyone and everyone who has made a lasting impact on your faith.

JUNE WORSHIP SCHEDULE:

  • June 12 – The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) Pastor Tonya preaching
  • June 19 – Lydia (Acts 16:11-15, 40) @ Camp Mennoscah 10:00am
  • June 26  – Shiprah and Puah (Exodus 1:8-22) Anita Kehr preaching

PRAYER GROUPS

  • A Prayer group meets Thursday mornings from 10-11am in the Prayer Room.  All are welcome. 
  • A small ecumenical Centering Prayer group meets on Thursdays (in person @ FMC) from 12:30-1:30pm.  If you’d like to learn more, contact Pastor Tonya.     

SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 11:00am (TWO SUNDAYS A MONTH – SEE DATES BELOW)

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Sunday School will be offered for children (preschool-6th grade) on the SECOND and FOURTH Sundays during the summer from 11:00-Noon.  The Younger Adults Class will meet at the same time as the children.

  • June 12 and 26
  • July 10 and 24
  • August 14 and 28

The children’s group will gather in the fellowship hall from 11-Noon on the dates listed above.  Plans for Jr/Sr Youth are TBD – stay tuned!!

The two Adult Bible Study groups will take a break during the summer and begin again in the fall when weekly Sunday School for all ages will also resume.

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines

REJOICE! and UPPER ROOM . . . new issues are available above the mailboxes.  Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you. 

STRENGTHENING Community Connections…

FMC WEEKEND @ CAMP MENNOSCAH (June 19)

Thanks for your donations to help pay for our church’s weekend at camp the third weekend in June!

The SIGN UP SHEET to attend our weekend at camp is now available on the table in the foyer.  Those interested in staying overnight on Saturday June 18 in cabins are welcome to do so (will need to plan/provide your own food for Saturday evening and breakfast Sunday morning – there is a kitchen available). 

Sunday morning will include worship and lunch at Camp Mennoscah (there is NO worship in the church building in Hutchinson and there will be NO livestream):

  • 10:00am WORSHIP
  • 11:00-Noon SWIMMING
  • 12:15 LUNCH – bring a side dish or dessert to share (main dish provided)

The cost for this event is not covered by our general budget, but is instead funded by donations from the congregation each year.  Additional contributions are appreciated – checks in the offering designated for FMC Sunday at Camp. We appreciate your generosity in supporting Camp Mennoscah through our ongoing rental commitment, and in supporting the opportunity for those who wish to spend time together at Camp that weekend!

FMC DELEGATES NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE IN WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY ON JULY 29-31, 2022

Details about the upcoming WDC assembly in Denton TX are below in the STRETCHING section.  If you are interested in serving as a delegate for First Mennonite at the assembly, please talk with Pastor Tonya or Delon Martens. 

FMC YOUNG ADULTS PARTICIPATING IN MISSION NETWORK SERVICE PROGRAMS (FALL 2022)

This fall both Michaela Esau and Micah Wenger are participating in Mennonite Mission Network voluntary service programs.  Michaela will be with Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) in Tucson AZ.  Micah will be with Service Adventure in Colorado Springs, CO.   We are asked as a congregation to provide various kinds of support for Michaela and Micah, including prayer and financial support.  Each are asked to raise $4000 to help cover the costs of participation.  If you would like to donate to either Michaela or Micah (or both!), you can:

  • send a check to the church (note in the memo line who the donation is for),
  • send a check to Mennonite Mission Network (718 N Main Street, Newton, KS 67114 … for Michaela put MVS and her name in the memo line; for Micah put SA and his name)
  • or donate on their personal fundraising pages: 

                Micah https://igfn.us/vf/SAColorado/MicahWenger 

                Michaela   https://igfn.us/vf/MVSTucson/MichaelaEsau

NEW!!!   2022 FMC DIRECTORIES . . . pick up your copy in the foyer.

If you would like an electronic version, please let the church office know.

NEW VIDEO BLOG (VLOG) FROM PASTOR JIM

Check out Pastor Jim’s new Video Blog (also known as a Vlog) on our church website: https://hutchfmc.org/ (scroll all the way down to the bottom of the home page!). 

You’ll also find past episodes of “Beautiful Salt City Podcast” in which Pastor Jim talks with people in our community to learn their life stories and to dream together for a future story for our beautiful salt city.  

 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

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

PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS/SCHEDULE

  • Monday: Sabbath Day
  • Tuesday-Friday: generally working 9:00am-5:30pm  
  • Office Hours:  9-2 Tuesday and Thursday; 10-1 on Wednesday
  • Available other times by appointment.
  • Available evenings and weekends (cell phone is most reliable)

Pastor Tonya’s upcoming travel schedule:

June 15-29 visiting Kallyne (Kelly) Silva in Brazil (our former MCC IVEP’er)

June 30-July 11 in Indonesia at Mennonite World Conference

STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…

MENNONITE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITIES . . . annual Community Worship Service June 5

Mennonite Friendship Communities welcomes you to our annual Community Worship Service. Gary Miller will be our speaker, and the Keim Sisters will provide special music.  Join us Sunday evening, June 5 at 6:30 pm for a worship service followed by an ice cream social.  We will gather in the parking lot between health care and independent living on the East side of the buildings.  Bring your lawn chair and the whole family and come enjoy the evening with us.  MFC is located at 600 West Blanchard in South Hutchinson.

SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK – ITEM OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE

DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE we invite your donations of CRACKERS!

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

ANABAPTIST DISABILITIES NETWORK offers webinar

“Dementia and Congregational Care” – Thursday, June 16, 1 pm ET, noon CT, 10 am PT 

Dementia affects individuals, their family members and the congregation. Many times, we want to offer support but we do not know where to start. We often back off because we don’t want to do the wrong thing. This webinar will help you understand basics of dementia and learn how to reach out. We will offer communication tips and practical ways to stay connected. 

This webinar will be led by Heddie Sumner, RN, BSN, and co-hosted by Church of the Brethren Discipleship Ministries and Anabaptist Disabilities Network.  Visit our website to register and learn more at this link:
https://www.anabaptistdisabilitiesnetwork.org/Resources/Webinars/Pages/Dementia-and-Congregational-Care.aspx

WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE announcements

WDC annual assembly will be July 29-31!  We invite WDC delegates, friends, and their families to gather with us at Camp Copass, Denton, TX. There will be lots of time for recreation for all ages, as well as sharing around tables about faith issues in our conference, congregations, and in our lives. Join us! More details coming soon.

Building a Lasting Connection Relationship Retreat – Communication is key for a healthy and long-lasting relationship. During this 2-day retreat, couples will learn and practice skills together that promote healthy communication with one another in order to promote ways of effectively expressing hope, validating feelings, and navigating concerns together. While these skills are helpful for all people, this retreat will be geared toward couples who have been together for 10 years or under (married, engaged, or dating are all welcome). This retreat will be held at Camp Mennoscah and led by Katie Dyck (LCMFT) and Renee Reimer (WDC ordained pastor). For more info click here: https://mennowdc.org/building-a-lasting-connection-relationship-retreat/  A flier with more information is available on the table in the foyer.

CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements

Camp is looking for people willing to provide a “main course” for meals during the week of staff orientation, June 5-11.  Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for details.

‘Tis the Season for Mowers and String Trimmers!  Camp Mennoscah is looking for people to help us keep the campgrounds trimmed and looking neat.  Let us know when you would be able to mow or string trim!  Call 620-297-3290 or email office@campmennoscah.org –we’ll get you scheduled!

MENNONITE CHURCH USA announcements

In times that “try our souls,” it is easy to be tempted into the narrative that there is a good and a bad side. In her Menno Snapshots blog, Carolyn E. Yoder wrestles with what it means to be an Anabaptist in times like these. “These are the times that try our nonresistant/nonviolent souls. May they also be the times that accelerate the rising consciousness of another way to meet evil in the world.” Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/times-that-try-our-souls

Mennonites Against Militarism – a collaboration of Mennonite Church USA  and Mennonite Central Committee, U.S. – is seeking to launch an initiative to counter military recruitment of U.S. youth, called Alternatives to Military Enlistment Network (AMEN). AMEN invites interested volunteers to complete a brief survey that identifies areas in which they may engage with AMEN, including administration, web and graphic design, publicity, budgeting, fundraising and guidance/career counseling. Learn more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/mennonites-against-militarism-seeks-volunteers/ 

Take the survey here: https://rb.gy/gbehlm

EVERENCE retirement income workshop

The retirement income workshop (Tuesday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m.) will cover, Social Security strategies including when to begin taking benefits, strategies to help your income last throughout retirement, and risks that can impact your retirement savings.  The in-person workshop will be held at the Everence office: 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton. Those interested in attending should contact the Everence office at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.

MCC U.S. NATIONAL PEACE & JUSTICE MINISTRIES is hiring

NPJM is hiring a legislative associate.  This full-time position will lead MCC’s advocacy efforts on U.S. policy with regard to the Middle East and immigration, including policies relating to uprootedness, militarization, criminalization, racism, antisemitism and the unethical detention of adults and children.  The position is based out of our Washington, D.C., office.  More information Legislative Associate | Mennonite Central Committee U.S. (mcc.org)

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE (MCC) announcements

MCC in need of material resources – MCC is resuming shipments of material resources to Ukraine. Five containers of emergency supplies are being shipped to Ukraine in the next few months with more planned for later in the year. With this increase in demand for supplies for Ukraine and other countries around the world, MCC’s inventory of material resources is getting low. We need comforters, soap and towels as well as dignity, hygiene, infant care, relief, school and sewing kits. Your donations will provide relief and a tangible sign of hope to people in Ukraine and other difficult situations around the world. Go to mcc.org/kits for information on needed supplies and drop-off locations. 

MCC ACTION ALERT!   Since March 2020, using a Centers for Disease Control Title 42 order, the U.S. government has blocked and expelled people seeking protection at the southern border without allowing them to apply for asylum, as U.S. and international law requires. The Biden administration recently announced the termination of the Title 42 border closure order, effective May 23.  However, a federal judge in Louisiana has blocked the Biden administration from lifting that public health order, and the matter is being contested in the courts.  Stay in touch with MCC advocacy information at this link:   https://mcc.org/safe-refuge

Take action today! Around the world, MCC partners are experiencing the negative impacts of climate change, including natural disasters and unpredictable seasonal rainfall which contribute to food insecurity, increased migration and conflict. Countries that have historically contributed the least to climate change often suffer its worst impacts. Ask Congress to invest in global resilience to climate change.

MCC Central States Offices in North Newton is hiring an Human Resources Coordinator, a Young Adult Program Coordinator and a Material Resources Center Volunteer Coordinator. Find out more about each position and apply today at mcc.org/serve/openings.

MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries – peace camps for young adults

Just Camp…for Justice at Camp Friedenswald, Michigan, July 25-29
This experience will combine the fun and community-building aspects of a week at camp with meaningful service and learning, focused on themes of immigration, transformative justice and healthy dialogue. Come experience the joys of living in a community of radical peacemakers. This camp experience offers the possibility of paying on a sliding scale, as you are able. Register here.

Peace for the weary at Camp Deerpark, New York, January 2-7, 2023
With rising violence in the U.S. and its pervasive systemic nature, our young adults are grappling with deep pain and trauma as they are simultaneously called to forge a different course ahead. This weeklong peace camp will offer spaces and strategies for personal healing, repairing harm, participating in nonviolent intervention, and finding hope when we feel surrounded by violence and destruction. Travel expenses will be covered and registration will cost $200. Watch the MCC U.S. Peace Camps website for more information.

MENNONITE WORLD CONFERENCE (MWC) ASSEMBLY – JULY 5-10, 2022

Pastor Tonya and her family will be attending MWC in Indonesia in person.  But did you know that an online program is also available?  Check this link to register and connect from home:  https://mwc-cmm.org/stories/join-mwc-assembly-together-online

Whether or not you register for the Assembly, consider making a financial gift to help underwrite this global gathering of Anabaptists.  To donate, go to go to https://mwc-cmm.org/donate-now  or send a check to Mennonite World Conference, PO Box 5364, Lancaster, PA 17606-5364, and designate “Global Assembly: Indonesia 2022.”  MWC represents the majority of the global family of Christian churches rooted in the 16th century Radical Reformation in Europe.  MWC includes 109 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ national churches from 58 countries, with around 1.47 million baptized believers in close to 10,000 congregations.  More than 80% of baptized believers in MWC member churches are African, Asian or Latin American.  MWC is a place for mutual sharing and learning among member churches and their members, and a way to strengthen our witness as a faith community in the world.  The MWC Assembly is a reunion of the world-wide Anabaptist-Mennonite family that normally takes place every six years.  After a pandemic delay, MWC members from around the world look forward to this gathering!