Table of Contents
This past Sunday we began our summer worship series called, “Seeking Peace Together.” Through the series we will move through 4 layers of Seeking Peace Together, peace with God, peace within, peace with others, and peace with creation. As we discovered on Sunday, prayer is a foundational aspect of our connection and relationship with God. Pastor Tonya invited us to center our meditations this summer around The Lord’s Prayer. Consider the nuances of this paraphrase as you open yourself to receiving, in order to embrace and live out the life of peace that we so desperately yearn for.
A paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and for ever. Amen.
–from the NZ Anglican Prayer Book
NOTE: Our next THIS WEEK will post on June 20.
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.
May God, who calls you to this ministry, grant you grace, joy, and endurance.
May Christ guide and empower you for service and leadership.
May the Holy Spirit fill you with the gifts you need.
May the One whose love unites us as the body of Christ strengthen us to live and proclaim the gospel together.
Amen.
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 50th anniversary events.
*If you are interested in learning more about solar energy, you might be interested in attending a Solar Energy Forum, which will be held on June 15, at 6:30pm at the Stringer Fine Arts Center. The seminar is free, but registration is requested. This link provides more details and registration information: https://climateandenergy.org/reno-county-solar-energy-forum/
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 11 – PEACE WITH GOD: Born of the Spirit
Believing in God brings peace
John 3:1-21
- Preacher: Maggie Pounds
- Worship Leader: Delon Martens
- Children’s Time: Jean Gaeddert
- Scripture Reader: Marlene Thode
- Pianist: Shelley Kauffman
- Song Leader: Maggie Pounds
- Ushers: Dennis & Jennalee Boggs
- Nursery Attendant: Magdalena Wenger
- Sound Tech: Earl Ediger
- Live Stream Tech: Jonathan Wenger
SUNDAY, JUNE 18 – PEACE WITH GOD: Vine and Branches
Abiding in Jesus brings peace
John 15:1-17
FMC @ Camp Mennoscah
- Worship Leader & Preacher: Maggie Pounds
- Children’s Time: Bryan Kehr
- Pianist: Peggy Stucky
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 18 – Worship @ 10:00am at Camp Mennoscah (see announcement below in STRENGTHENING)
- June 22 – Faith Formation Coordination Team @ 4:00pm
- June 27 – Faithful Community Coordination Team @ 1:00pm
- June 28 – Congregational Ministry Team @ 6:30pm
- 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 11 Peace With God: Born of the Spirit (John 3:1-21) Believing in God brings peace
- June 18 (10:00am at Camp Mennoscah!) Peace With God: Vine and Branches (John 15:1-17) Abiding in Jesus brings peace
- June 25 Peace Within: Known and Loved (Psalm 139:1-18) God’s presence brings peace
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL
Using a curriculum exploring The Lord’s Prayer, Sunday School will be offered for preschool-6th 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 11 and 25
- July 9 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
Pastor Tonya is on sabbatical June 5-16. She will not be in the office and is not available by phone/text/email. For pastoral care needs, please contact Pastor Jim.
Usual 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)
- 4th (or 5th) 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)
- June 5-16 – Sabbatical Time Away, including first Transforming Community Retreat in Chicago June 11-13
- 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)
FMC’S CAMP MENNOSCAH WEEKEND – JUNE 17 & 18 (WORSHIP @ CAMP ON JUNE 18!)
Please sign up if you plan to attend!! Call the church office or sign up on the sheet in the foyer.
Worship on Sunday June 18 will NOT be at 52 Rambler Road, but will instead be at 10:00am at Camp Mennoscah, near Murdock KS (9458 SE 40 St, Murdock, KS 67111). If you are uneasy about driving that far please let Delon Martens know and we will do our best to help facilitate a ride for you. And if you are nervous about walking on uneven ground, know that you can be dropped off at the dining hall and can walk through the dining hall out to the pavilion for worship. Please also note the request, if you are staying for lunch on Sunday, to bring a salad or dessert to contribute to our lunch together.
SATURDAY
Arrive after 4:00pm
- 5:30pm Potluck Dinner – bring food to share!
- 6:30-7:30pm Pool open
–Also bring games to play, ultimate frisbee, walking the trails, playing in the river (make sure to bring dedicated river clothes/shoes), etc.
–Stay in cabins overnight (choose any cabin when you arrive) – bring bedding, toiletries, flashlight, etc.
SUNDAY
(Those staying overnight – bring your own breakfast, or coordinate with the others staying overnight)
- 10:00am Worship
- 11:15-12:15pm Pool Open
- 12:30pm Lunch (bring a salad or dessert to share; main dish provided)
- 1:30pm Clean up
- 2:00pm departure
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.
MENNONITE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITIES . . . FOOD TRUCK EVENT on June 8, 4-8pm
It’s time for the Food Truck Event at MFC! Thursday, June 8 from 4-8 pm, we will have a couple of food trucks on the Mennonite Friendship Communities campus. We will have Southern Comfort BBQ and Lost in the Sauce Mexican food waiting for you to enjoy! Bring your families and come support small businesses. MFC – celebrating 50 years of building friendships!
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 are exploring our involvement in creating 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.
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
Summer Youth Camp Registration is now open! We welcome you to register here for the upcoming summer season! Detailed information about our Summer Youth Camps and our Program Directors can be found here, on the Camp Mennoscah website.
PRISONER CARE KITS for men in HUTCHINSON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
The United States is home to about 4% of the world’s population[1] and almost 16% of its prisoners[2]. People of color in the U.S. are incarcerated at disproportionate rates.[3]
MCC Central States is working toward rectifying these imbalances and meeting the basic human needs of prisoners by offering a prisoner care kit. 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.
MCC is partnering with OVM to distribute prisoner care kits to indigent men at Hutchinson (KS) Correctional Facility. These are the items needed for kits. The greatest needs are deodorant, lotion, and toothpaste. Please limit your generosity to the items listed.
Prisoner care kit contents (new items only):
- 1 deodorant (minimum 2.25 oz.)
- 1 bottle of lotion (maximum 2 oz.)
- 1 tube of toothpaste (minimum 6 oz.)
- 1 bar of soap (minimum 4 oz.)
- 1 pair of white underwear (briefs)*
- 1 pair of white crew socks*
- 1 white crewneck undershirt*
*Clothing items are accepted in two sizes: men’s L and men’s XL. Please choose one of these sizes and purchase underwear, socks, and undershirt in the same size.
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. 30th 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.
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). Completed artwork may be picked up at a later date. 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.