THIS WEEK @ FMC – June 21-27, 2023

Our summer worship series, “Seeking Peace Together” invites us to experience four layers of peace:  peace with God, peace within, peace with others, and peace with creation.  Even as we move from a focus on peace with God to peace within this coming Sunday, we continue to return to the Lord’s Prayer as foundational for our spiritual journey into the fullness and wholeness of God’s peace.

This week, we invite you to pray with Edward F. Gabriele’s paraphrase of the prayer Jesus taught:

Abba in heaven,

Your name is holy!

            Your justice come,

            Your will be done,

            On earth as in the heavens.

                        Fill us this day

                        With all that we need.

                        Teach us to heal

                        As you have healed us.

                                    Bring us not to the test

                                    But deliver us always

                                    From the power of evil.

You alone are God

And all belongs to you!

(Gabriele, Edward F. Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly: Prayers for Peace and Justice.  Saint Mary’s Press, 1995)

CONGREGATION CALLS PASTOR TONYA TO ANOTHER 5 YEARS OF MINISTRY

On June 4, the Congregational Ministry Team brought the recommendation to the membership at First Mennonite church to extend Pastor Tonya’s call to ministry for another 5 years. A vote was held during a congregational meeting directly following the morning worship service. The vote was unanimous in favor of extending Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger’s ministry another 5 years. Pastor Tonya accepted the call. The following blessing was offered on Tonya’s behalf:

BLESSING FOR PASTOR TONYA’S CONTINUED MINISTRY

We the faith family at First Mennonite Church welcome you with “Arms Wide Open” to another term of 5 years of ministry. We promise to support you, respect you as a leader in this community of faith, and support your leadership with prayer and bless you in gratitude and hope for the ministry we share.

Additional information shared at the congregational meeting included the following:

• Information on the possibility of installing solar panels on the church roof
• Kitchen updates with a new sink and countertops
• Budget update
• LightHouse update: new residents will be moving into the new apartments very soon. A pantry in the house basement will help residents with food until they get on their feet. Donations of shelf-stable food items may be placed in the basket in the foyer.
• Offender Victim Ministries is collaborating with MCC to prepare Prisoner Care Kits for men in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Donations may be placed in the basket in the foyer.
• The Hutchinson Refuge Project
• Invitation from Mennonite Friendship Communities to participate in a rotation with supporting churches to provide Sunday afternoon worship services. Also an update on the many events planned to celebrate mfc’s 50^th anniversary events.

SUNDAY MORNING Worship at 9:30am 

The link to join is on our website: www.hutchfmc.org  Join 5 minutes early for announcements.

COLD,  FLU and COVID-19 safety suggestions

Along with recommending that everyone traveling on planes, trains, buses, and other public transportation wear masks, the CDC also recommends that as COVID-19 numbers and other illness spike, wearing a mask indoors in public spaces is a good idea. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Stay home if you are not feeling well. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 25 – PEACE WITH GOD: Known and Loved

God’s Presence Brings Peace

Psalm 139:1-18

• Preacher: Tonya Ramer Wenger
• Worship Leader: Heidi Unruh
• Children’s Time: Bryan Kehr
• Scripture Reader: Calvin Nisly
• Organist: Pauline Buller
• Song Leader: TBD
• Ushers: Jay & Stephanie Gehring
• Nursery Attendant: Susan Combs
• Sound Tech: Murray Reimer
• Live Stream Tech: Sadie Nisly

SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS

During each worship service, you are invited to text your prayer joys and concerns – usually to Pastor Tonya.  You are also invited 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 and after worship.  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 to the church office by Thursday each week. 

OFFERINGS

We welcome, and are grateful for, your financial donations to our ministry here in Hutchinson.  Instead of collecting an offering during worship (except on special occasions), an offering box is placed at the back of the sanctuary for your Sunday morning donations.  You can also now make a donation directly from our website (www.hutchfmc.org) using a credit card or your banking account.  You are also welcome to send a check to 52 Rambler Rd Hutchinson KS 67502. 

CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD

• June 22 – Faith Formation Coordination Team @ 4:00pm
• June 27 – Faithful Community Coordination Team @ 1:00pm
• June 28 – Congregational Ministry Team @ 6:30pm
• July 3-8 – MC USA convention in Kansas City, with delegate sessions July 7-8
• July 8-10 – FMC hosts the Annual Meeting of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery
• July 15 – Lola Beth Ediger memorial service @ 2:00PM

REMINDER:  If you are last one out of the church building, be SURE the doors lock behind you.

DEEPENING in Christ…

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.     

LPC: Listening-Prayer-Conversation Groups

The evening LPC group will meet:  Thursday June 29 @ 6:30pm and Wednesday August 9 @ 6:30pm

Dates are still being determined for the afternoon group – stay tuned here!!  

SUMMER WORSHIP – SEEKING PEACE TOGETHER

Our Summer worship series comes from MennoMedia (written by Joanna Harader) and will lead us on an exploration and application of Biblical themes of peace: Peace With God, Peace Within, Peace With Others, and Peace With Creation. 

• June 25 Peace Within: Known and Loved (Psalm 139:1-18) God’s presence brings peace
• July 2 Peace Within: Peace of Heart and Mind (Philippians 4:4-9) Praying brings peace

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL

Using a curriculum exploring The Lord’s Prayer, Sunday School will be offered for preschool-6^th grade two Sundays/month, as follows (pending securing Sunday School teachers – if you’d be willing to help teach OR provide snacks for the group, please contact Cheryl Warkentin):

• June 25
• July 16 and 23
• August 6 and 20

Fellowship Time following the worship service will continue every Sunday. Enjoy this time to offer greetings, share stories, and nurture the connections that bind us together in this congregation and in the family of God.

Senior Youth plans are pending (stay tuned!). The “Younger Adults” will meet on the Sundays when class is also offered for children. The Adult Bible Study and Discussion Class will take a break over the summer. 

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines

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

STRENGTHENING Community Connections…

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

• Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm  
• Wednesday – 10:00am – 1:00pm (NO Wednesday office hours on June 7 and 14)

PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS/SCHEDULE

Office hours:

• Monday: Day Off
• Tuesday-Friday: generally working 8:00am-5:30pm 
• “In 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)
• 4^th (or 5^th) Wednesdays** (8-5pm) set aside as “Day Apart with God” for silence, reading, prayer & journaling – will NOT be checking email or responding to texts/calls (except for emergencies)

Pastor Tonya’s Sabbatical dates (spread out between summer 2023-summer 2025)

Pastor Tonya has joined a study program called, “Transforming Community.” Retreats take place in Chicago. These are her scheduled retreats for the remainder of this year:

• September 10-13 (second Transforming Community retreat; back in office on Sept 14)
• December 10-13 (third Transforming Community retreat; back in office on December 14)

DELEGATES FOR MENNOCON23 AND WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY

We are still looking for delegates from our congregation to attend Western District Conference Assembly, which will be held at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton August 11-13. Contact Jennalee Boggs if you are interested.  FMC delegates to MC USA in July will be Delon Martens, Pastor Tonya, and Micah Wenger (youth delegate).

ARMS WIDE OPEN – FMC’s history book

The amazing story of First Mennonite Church’s 100 years is told in the history book prepared for our centennial celebration. Copies of the book are available for $25.00 (cash or check). You can also now purchase a book online at a price that includes the cost of shipping (click on the “DONATE” button on our website to find this option).   Check with the church office to pick up a book.

STAY STRONG, STAY HEALTHY

Health and fitness together help us maintain a better quality of life. A healthy body also enables us to carry on the church and community activities that are meaningful to us and provide service to others. Check out the new 8-week exercise program starting on August 1. The class meets twice a week at 10:00am. Details are posted on the bulletin board or call the church office for more information. This program is sponsored by the K-State Extension service.

STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…

SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK:  

June: 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, toothpaste and toothbrushes.  Travel size – new & unopened – are desirable.

COALITION to DISMANTLE THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY movie showing at FMC July 8         

The Custodians: A Story of Ancient Echoes is a film exploring the work of local landowners, volunteers and municipal government of Herschel, Saskatchewan, in protecting and conserving the many signs of historic Indigenous presence in the region. The film showing is scheduled for Saturday, July 8, at 6:30pm, at FMC and is part of FMC’s hosting of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery meetings. The evening will also include a conversation with panelists Mark Charles and Jonathan Neufeld, and a book signing with Mark Charles, author of Unsettling Truths.

Volunteers to provide hospitality at the church and transportation to and from the church and homestays during the Coalition’s Annual Meeting, to be held at FMC on July 8, 9, and 10, are still needed.  Check out the sign up sheet in the foyer (which will be posted this Sunday, June 25), or talk with Pastor Tonya.

SALTHAWK COMMUNITY SUPPORT announcements 

Donations of Chapstick and deodorant are always needed.  You can place these and other toiletries, along with any teenage appropriate clothing/shoes (a recent specific request was hoodies) in the basket at church or drop off directly at Trinity United Methodist Church.  Financial donations for ongoing program costs are also invited throughout the year. 

The Hawks Nest at HMS-8 is currently looking for the following items in preparation for next year:

• Board games, art supplies, card games
• Moon chairs/bean bag chairs, Big Joe Chairs, floor chairs/giant pillows
• Xbox 360 games (age appropriate)
• Wii games (age appropriate)
• Ping Pong Accessories, as they have a ping pong/air hockey table

You can message Kylie Campbell on the Salthawk Community Support Facebook page if you need items picked up, or call her at (620) 474-5563.

HUTCHINSON REFUGEE PROJECT

This pilot program is dedicated to growing the workforce in Hutchinson while creating a caring, supportive community for refugees who are starting new lives in the United States.  A number of people from FMC have committed to be part of a support group of 6-10 people to walk with a refugee family.  Check out www.hutchinsonrefugeeproject.com.  If you are interested in getting involved talk to Joel Iwashige.  Training (5 hours) through International Rescue Foundation is now available virtually, and is required for all who are involved.

CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements

Registration for the Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats is open.  The retreats are scheduled for Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12.  All retreat activities will happen at the Main Camp facilities with cropping and crafts in the dining hall and lodging in the bunkhouses.  (The Retreat Center will be undergoing HVAC renovations.)  Single rooms are not available.  Contact us at 620-297-3290 with questions or issues.  We’ll see you in the fall!

PRISONER CARE KITS for men in HUTCHINSON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

MCC Central States is partnering with OVM to distribute prisoner care kits to indigent men at Hutchinson (KS) Correctional Facility. Donations of basic hygiene and clothing are welcome for these kits to help MCC share God’s love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by reminding people that their needs are not forgotten. A basket in the foyer is designated for your donations. See the list there.

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE announcements

MCC Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be distributed until each item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies in the Material Resources Center are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by filling the following needs: new infant onesies and sleepers (3-12 month sizes); notebooks (70 sheets) and black or blue ballpoint pens. Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30^th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions are always welcome, please contact brociamueller@mcc.org or 316.283.2720. A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.

WESTERN DISTRICT STAFF POSITIONS OPEN

Fund Development Coordinator: quarter-time beginning July 2023 to cultivate donor relationships and congregational giving, promote planned giving, and generate creative fundraising initiatives. Qualifications include communication, fund-raising and development skills. Info here: https://mennowdc.org/employment/. Please submit application and letter of interest to heidirk@mennowdc.org.

KAUFFMAN MUSEUM offers intergenerational camp, “Pottery Possibilities”

Kauffman Museum is offering an intergenerational Uncle Carl’s Camp called “Pottery Possibilities,” July 10-14 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on the Bethel campus. Campers will start with hand-building before throwing on potter’s wheels, and wrap up the week with glazing and an outdoor firing (weather permitting). No previous experience is required. To sign up or to explore other Uncle Carl’s Camp offerings, stop by Kauffman Museum (27th & North Main, North Newton) to pick up a brochure or visit https://kauffmanmuseum.org/uncle-carls-camp/

MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE opportunity

The Kansas MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service) Unit is sponsoring a Learning and Service trip to Red Lake MN. August 18-26, 2023. Participants will leave on Friday traveling to  Minneapolis MN., staying two nights, learning about Native American culture, eating at Owamni Native American restaurant and learning about long term recovery from disasters. Your cost will be three nights lodging and meals on the days we travel. MDS is covering the transportation, meals and lodging while on the MDS project in Red Lake MN. We will be replacing siding, windows and doors with MDS from Monday through Friday. To make your reservations or for more information contact Wayne Stucky at wstucky@cox.net 785-554-8756 or Cleo Koop at cleohkoop@gmail.com or call 316-282-0797.

SWISS MENNONITE CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – PLOWING BEE

150 Years since our ancestors came to the USA.  1874-2024.  Let’s celebrate all year.  Remembering the old days with agriculture – come see a Plowing with Horses event concluding with Vintage Tractor plowing demonstration July 15, 2023.  And then Planting Turkey Red Wheat in October.  And maybe several other events in 2023. Then more in 2024 ending with the main celebration on August 22-25, 2024 at Eden Mennonite Church in rural Moundridge Kansas.

Glen Goering and his Ag Committee have invited horse and plow owners to show us how plowing was done, on Saturday, July 15, at a 22-acre field west of the Moundridge Museum, 8:30-2:00.  Concessions will be available from Lone Tree Mennonite and a tent for shade. You might bring a lawn chair.  The Museum will also be open. Some of you will remember the annual Plowing Bee and the one at the 125^th celebration.  Some of you have never seen horses working the field.  Come out and see it on Saturday, July 15.