| These bi-weekly UPDATES are shared so that leaders and congregations are aware of events and information taking place in LMC, agencies, fraternal organizations, congregations, and the broader church. These announcements are for your information and to share with others in your congregation through email, weekly bulletin, monthly newsletter, Sunday morning announcements, church website, or Facebook. Use your discretion and share what your congregation will find helpful. |
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Awareness & Training Making Church a Safe Place for All Lancaster Mennonite Conference has two programs in place to assist congregations in meeting the obligations of the Pennsylvania State Requirements for Child Protective Services. By December 31, 2015, all employees of organizations that have direct contact with children must comply with the legislature for the new Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law. If your congregation has not taken steps to bring your credentialed leaders into compliance, please contact the LMC Office as soon as possible for assistance in understanding what must be done. Volunteers in your congregations who have direct contact with children have until July 1, 2016 to be in compliance. What steps has your congregation taken to comply with the PA Child Protective Services Law? On World Fellowship Sunday, celebrate the global Church with an international hymn sing! Mennonite World Conference invites you to a hymn sing of international songs featuring local musicians from the MWC Assembly (PA 2015). This event will take place on January 24, 2016 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite Church (100 Quarry Rd., Leola, PA). All are invited, regardless of participation in PA 2015. Those who have Assembly song books are requested to bring them. Some song books will be provided. An offering to support the ongoing programs of Mennonite World Conference will be taken.
Pastors, Spouses, and Ministry Leaders Retreat February 28 - March 3 Evana Network is hosting a pastors retreat in Lake Placid, FL February 28-March 3. The retreat will be a time of rest, recreation, and encounters with God through worship gatherings, prayer ministry, and new friendships. Reggie McNeal and Wes Furlong will be keynote speakers, bringing energy, wisdom, and experience to our main sessions. We also have an exciting lineup of gifted leaders for our seminars. Please check out this link for more details: <evananetwork.org/retreatinfo>
Opportunities to Start New Churches or Missional Communities Hershey, PA. Lancaster Mennonite Conference envisions one or two new churches or missional communities in the Hershey, PA area. The region of interest encompasses a triangular area from Harrisburg, PA in the west to Lebanon, PA in the east to Elizabethtown, PA in the south. Individuals or couples interested in learning more about this opportunity should contact Clair Good at clair.good@gmail.com. Candidate(s) must be willing to move into the region and work and play in the area. Personnel for the project would need to be bi-vocational. Elizabethtown district leadership and Church on the Other Side would provide resourcing and oversight.
New Jersey. Lancaster Mennonite Conference envisions one or two new churches or missional communities in southern New Jersey. The region of interest encompasses a triangular area from Vineland, NJ in the south to Camden, NJ in the north to Commodore Barry Bridge in the west. Individuals or couples interested in learning more about this opportunity should contact Tim Darling at nmpastor@juno.com. Candidate(s) must be willing to move into the region and work and play in the area. Personnel for the project would need to be bi-vocational. Philadelphia district leadership and Church on the Other Side would provide resourcing and oversight.
Orientation for Newly (or Recently) Credentialed Leaders Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 7:00-9:30 p.m. Lancaster Conference Office |
LMC Agency Events & Information
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Eastern Mennonite Missions 
Will you join us in prayer? As people joining in God's mission, you understand that everything flows out of our relationship with Him. We pray with passion and persistence for His kingdom to come and His will to be done, and we move forward as He leads. One way to join EMM in prayer is by receiving Mission Intercessor, a monthly prayer guide focused on work that God is doing through EMM locally and globally. To learn more, visit emm.org/pray or contact Emily Gingrich at 717 898-2251, ext. 225. Le interesaría unirse a nosotros en oración? Como toda persona que se une en la misión de Dios, usted entiende que todo fluye de nuestra relación con Él. Oramos con pasión y persistencia para que Su reino venga y para que Su voluntad sea hecha, y después avanzamos de acuerdo a Su dirección. Una manera de unirse a EMM en la oración es recibiendo Mission Intercessor, una guía mensual de oración enfocada en el trabajo que Dios está haciendo a través de EMM, tanto local como globalmente. Para obtener más información, visite emm.org/pray o póngase en contacto con Emily Gingrich en el 717 898-2251, ext. 225.
A new way to go: GO! summer GO! summer is an eight-week missions exposure program for adults (age 18 and older). Participate in a week of discipleship training in Lancaster, Pa., before heading to an outreach location for six weeks. Then finish with a week of re-entry training to process your experience and help you put down roots for a continued deeper life with Jesus. To learn more about the opportunities, visit emm.org/opps/gosummer or contact Sherrie Ober at 717 898-2251, ext. 269.
Una nueva manera de ir: GO! summer (GO! verano) GO! summer es un programa de exposición a las misiones de ocho semanas diseñado para adultos (18 años o más). Participe en una semana de entrenamiento de discipulado en Lancaster, Pensilvania, antes de dirigirse a un lugar de alcance por seis semanas. Después, finalice con una semana de re-entrada para procesar su experiencia y ayudarle a echar raíces para una vida continuada más profunda con Jesús. Para aprender más acerca de las oportunidades, visite emm.org/opps/gosummer o contacte a Sherrie Ober en el 717 898-2251, ext. 269
Church revitalization series offered You want your church to spill over with life and vitality. EMM does, too! Antonio Ulloa, church revitalization coach, offers six different series appropriate for Sunday morning services, small group gatherings, Sunday school classes, or renewal meetings. To learn more, contact Antonio Ulloa at 717 898-2251, ext. 242.
Se ofrecen series para la revitalización de su Iglesia Usted desea que su iglesia se desborde de vida y vitalidad. ¡Es lo mismo que desea EMM! Antonio Ulloa, entrenador de revitalización de iglesias, ofrece seis diferentes series apropiadas para servicios de domingo por la mañana, reuniones de grupos pequeños, clases de escuela dominical, o reuniones de avivamiento. Para obtener mayor información, póngase en contacto con Antonio Ulloa en el 717 898-2251, ext. 242. |
Pastor and Church Leader Appreciation at LMS Basket Ball Games in January January 15 and January 22 are Pastor and Church Leader Appreciation night at LMS Basket Ball games. Pastors and Church Leaders are free to these events. January 15 is a boys game with Elco and January 22 is a girls game with Columbia. Identify yourself at the door for free admission. Come and enjoy an evening out!
School-Wide Open House Lancaster Mennonite School will hold a school-wide open house Thursday, January 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at its five campuses: Hershey (K-12), Kraybill (PreK-8) in Mount Joy, Lancaster (grades 6-12), Locust Grove (PreK-8) in E. Lampeter Township, and New Danville (PreK-5). The open house will include guided tours and an opportunity to meet teachers and administrators. For more information, click here!
Pastors Breakfast Tuesday, February 9, 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. Rutt Building Community Room |
Grain Painting Class Learn how to false-grain a box during this folk art class on Saturday, January 30, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society-2215 Millstream Rd., Lancaster, Pa. The class is taught by local fancy painter Jim King. Cost is $50 for members/$60 for nonmembers; materials are included in the tuition. Register by January 23 at lmhs.org or by calling (717) 393-9745.
Clase para pintar fibras en madera Aprende como pintar fibras falsas sobre la superficie de una caja de madera en esta clase de arte folklórico el sábado 30 de enero de 2016, de 9 a.m. a 12:00 pm en la Sociedad Histórica Menonita de Láncaster-2215 Millstream Rd., Láncaster, Pa. Jim King, artista folklórico local, enseñará esta clase. El costo es $50 para miembros/60 para no-miembros. Los materiales están incluidos en la matrícula. Regístrate para el 23 de enero en lmhs.org o llamando al (717) 393-9745.
Multigenerational Anabaptist Businesses Hear from Dave Kauffman, president of Kauffman's fruit farm, and John Smucker, CEO of Bird-in-Hand Corporation, talk about sustaining their families businesses at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 1, at Stumptown Mennonite Church.
Comerciantes anabautistas multi-generacionales Escucha a Dave Kauffman, Presidente de Kauffman Fruit Farm and Market, y John Smucker, CEO de la Compañía de Bird-in-Hand, hablar sobre los logros y los desafíos en sostener sus negocios en familia a través de varias generaciones a las 7 p.m. el lunes 1ro de febrero en Stumptown Mennonite Church.
Annual Music Night Listen to music from across the diversity of the Mennonite world during Annual Music Night, featuring the talented Kravets family from the Ukraine, an a capella mixed ensemble from the Mennonite Heritage Chorale, the young local Weybright duo, and more! The concert is at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, at Neffsville Mennonite Church. Tickets are $20 for individuals, $15 for students, $15 per person for families of three or more. Register at lmhs.org or by calling (717) 393-9745. Tickets available at door while they last.
Noche de Música Anual Disfruta de música a través de la diversidad cultural del mundo menonita con la familia Kravets de la Ucrania, un grupo mixto de canto a capella del Coro Herencia Menonita, un dúo de los hermanos jóvenes Weybright, y más. El concierto es a las 7 p.m. el sábado 6 de febrero de 2015, en Neffsville Mennonite Church. Los boletos son $20 por persona, $15 para estudiantes, y $15 por persona en familias de tres o más. Regístrate en lmhs.org, o llamando al (717) 393-9745. Los boletos estarán disponibles el día del evento mientras duren.
Winter Bookfest Find quality used books from the most popular categories of the annual Bookworm Frolic. This midwinter sale runs from 3 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 19, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 20.
Festival de Libros Ven y encuentra libros usadas de las categorías más populares del Festival de Libros (Bookworm Frolic). La venta será entre las 3 a 8pm el jueves 18 de febrero, las 9am a 8pm el viernes 19 de febrero y las 9am a 6pm el sábado 20 de febrero.
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Landis Communities
Art Reception Landis Homes is hosting an art reception February 4 featuring local artist Andy Smith, The exhibit will consist of a mix of original watercolor paintings and prints, with a variety of subjects from landscapes to still life. The opening reception, to which the public is welcome, will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. onThursday, February 4, in the Harvest View lobby and galleries at Landis Homes, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz. In case of inclement weather a snow date is set for February 11. Janet Eberly will provide live music. The exhibit will continue to be on display through April 2016. For more information, visit www.landishomes.org or call 717-381-3550.
Caregivers Meeting There will be a meeting for caregivers of persons with memory loss and other forms of dementia Tuesday, January 26 at Landis Homes. The group will view and then discuss the DVD "The Senior Gems: Your Guide to Supporting Family Members with Dementia," featuring Teepa Snow. Snow is nationally known as a dementia-care education specialist with a background in occupational therapy and over 30 years in clinical practice. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. in the Warwick Room of The Heritage, the special care center at Landis Homes at 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz. The group is operating in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association of the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. The public is invited. For more information call Landis Homes (717) 581-3939.
Pathways Institute The Kick Off for the Spring 2016 Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning is set for Monday, January 25th, with the program beginning at Landis Homes in the West Bethany Chapel at 1:00 pm. The mission of Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning is to foster with persons age 55+ a quest for lifelong learning that enriches the mind and spirit, to pursue wisdom, service and understanding. It is a partnership between Landis Homes and Messiah Lifeways. Check out this Web page for more information. http://www.thepathwaysinstitute.org/schedule_lancaster.html or by calling 717-381-3577. |
LMC Fraternal Ministries Events & Information
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Eighth Annual Bird House Auction February 1 - 29, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.,Village Square Park Handmade bird houses and other items are on display and up for bid. Proceeds benefit the Benevolent Fund. For information, call 717-355-6000.
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Camp Hebron Complimentary Pastor Retreats Ladies Scrapbooking Retreat Friday January 22 - Sunday January 24 Take time away from the craziness at home to get those scrapbooking projects calling your name while in the company of other great ladies. Come for the whole weekend, or for Saturday. Friday February 19 - Sunday February 21 Theme: Balance in the circus of life- thriving amid the tension. Seek spiritual refreshment this weekend with times of worship and bible messages while enjoying great conversation around delicious food. Bring yourself or your ladies group from church for a great weekend featuring speaker Carol Cool. Discover Nature: A Weekend Retreat for Families Friday April 29 - Sunday May 1 Take time away from our technology driven society and appreciate God's grandeur through activities like Guided Hikes, Nature Crafts, Bird Watching, and Educational Workshops about Wildlife and other topics. Many lodging options available. |
Centering Prayer Retreat Kairos School of Spiritual Formation will hold a Centering Prayer Retreat on Saturday, Feb 20th at Blossom Hill Mennonite Church, from 9:00 to 3:30 pm. Centering Prayer is a simple prayer form of silence, that makes space for the still small voice of God. For more information and to register visit the Kairos website www.kairosjourney.org
Sabbath Space For Clergy, Chaplains and Other Leaders KAIROS: School of Spiritual Formation is offering monthly weekday retreats in a contemplative context for pastors and ministry leaders to grow spiritually and to enhance their ministries in the practice of spiritual formation. Sabbath Space retreat days, offered September through May, provide rest and reflection away from the work of ministry, encourage personal spiritual growth, and increase awareness and understanding of the art and ministry of spiritual guidance in the church or ministry setting.
Through the study of literature, the experience of group spiritual direction, theological reflection, and presentation of case studies out of the settings in which they provide leadership, participants will enhance their own spiritual journey, as well as more effectively care for the soul of their congregation or ministry community.
Continuing Education Units available for this retreat. |
Congregational Events & Information
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East Petersburg Mennonite Church Worship with Kevin Bruchert A special evening of Worship with Kevin Bruchert at East Petersburg Mennonite Church. Night will also include the Ordination of Associate Pastor Jeff McLain.
You are invited to East Petersburg Mennonite Church for an evening of worship with musician Kevin Bruchert on Sunday, January 31st, 2016 at 4:00pm.
Kevin Bruchert has become known for previously running a record company and been a touring musician in bands like Mending Point. More recently, he also has been known as a producer and co-songwriter for award-winning and critically acclaimed artists as Jessa Anderson, The Ember Days, Royal Tailor, Abandon and many more. Two of those projects that he's collaborated on have actually been nominated for a Grammy Award and a Dove Award.
Personally, Kevin Bruchert has released several unique worship projects. Three of those most renown projects include Your Reckless Love (2013), The Anchor Fellowship Live (2012) and The Seraphim Project's Seasions EP (2012).
Kevin Bruchert is an intimate worship leader, who has a unique and powerful way of leading us into God's presence through song and response. As a father of three and husband, Kevin loves his family more than life. Currently, he is the worship pastor at Live Oak Christian Church in Bluffton, SC. He is affiliated with and ordained for ministry by Anchor Mission USA.
We invite you to worship together with us in these songs of declaration, hope and wonder in the midst of our increasingly uncertain world. This evening will be an evening of heartfelt and passionate praise and worship in which we expect the presence of God to be present with us and to move among us.
This is an all ages event. Some childcare is provided. Following the worship gathering will be a time of refreshments. During this special evening worship gathering, Associate Pastor Jeff McLain will also be Ordained for ministry at East Petersburg Mennonite Church. |
Churchwide and Other Events & Information
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| Church World Service Lancaster Are you a pastor, small group leader, or devoted congregant who likes to stay up-to-date on local refugee needs? Please join our new Church Newsletter where Christine Baer, Congregational Resource Developer, will keep you informed of local stories, highlights, and volunteer/donation needs. Click this link to subscribe to the CWS Lancaster newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/j/513D5A180330BF33or e- mail Christine at cbaer@cwsglobal.org to subscribe. |
The Reasons To Believe chapter of Lancaster, PA invites everyone to join them at Stumptown Mennonite Church the third Thursday of every month for documentary films, lectures, and lively discussions about how the latest scientific discoveries are intersecting with Biblical truths. This month (Nov. 19th) features the RTB film, Evolution Under The Microscope. Meetings run 7-9 PM. For more information, call Will Charles: 717-330-0901. |
Mount Clare Christian School Winter/Spring Give-A-Thon for Mt. Clare Christian School Did you know that there is an evangelistic Christian School in the Anabaptist tradition in inner-city Baltimore? Mt. Clare Christian School (MCCS) is a ministry of Wilkens Avenue Mennonite Church, located in an under-resourced urban community of Southwest Baltimore City. Our school is funded largely by donations from churches and individuals. The portion of tuition that school families pay is $25 per month per child, allowing us to reach the children in our target community. Our mission is to provide a quality, Christian education for children in the Mt. Clare Community. Over 70% of our students are from Non-Christian backgrounds. Would you join us in helping with our Mount Clare Christian School Winter/Spring Give-A-Thon? We are currently seeking 50 new monthly partners in the amounts of $50, $75, and $100 per month to help us strengthen our funding base and allow us to impact more students in this community. To sign up as a monthly partner in our Winter/Spring Give-A-Thon or for more information visit mountclarechristian.org/donate |
Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 a.m. (date changed, previously Jan. 20) Harvest Bible Chapel Lancaster 609 Prospect Street Lancaster, Pa 17603 We will talk about about finding service opportunities and working together. Also, Putting action to this mornings breakfast conversation, we are looking forward to presenting a Go Beyond statement of gospel faith. This will serve to unite and protect our movement even further as we do good works to glorify Christ. Go Beyond 2016 will be May 15-22. For more info and to register for the breakfast Click Here! |
Mennonite & Brethren Marriage Encounter Restore, Rekindle, and Renew Take a break from daily distractions and take time to focus on your spouse and your marriage. Restore, Rekindle, Renew - Marriage Enrichment helps you do just that. Meeting each Monday evening from February 8 - March 21, this series will help you to restore communication, rekindle the romance, and renew commitment. For more information or to apply visit marriageencounter.org or call 717-569-5676.
Engaged Encounter Take a break from wedding planning and spend a weekend away with your fiancé(e)at the February 19-21 Engaged Encounter focusing on your upcoming marriage! Visit our website (www.marriageencounter.org), send us an email (love@marriageencounter.org), or give us a call at 717-569-5676 for more information or to apply.
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Flourish Save the Date! "Taster" Event Thursday, February 25, 2016 (full day w/Q&A after dinner) Mount Joy Mennonite Church, 320 Musser Rd, Mount Joy PA 17552
A one-day look at church life with mission and discipleship as the central focus. Church leadership teams & lay persons are welcome to attend.
Jason and Suzi Lantz are passionate about helping leaders launch new initiatives that make disciples of Jesus. They have used discipleship systems within a large church and through planting LoveCanton using missional communities. They love living in Stark County Ohio, where Jesus is clearly up to something bigger than themselves. |
Beyond Ourselves Benefit Concert Lancaster's Beyond Ourselves chamber ensemble is teaming up with Lancaster Mennonite School's Campus Chorale and Sopa Sol to present their ninth benefit concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 28, at James Street Mennonite Church. The entire freewill offering will go toward an education program in Nepal, which is part of Mennonite Central Committee's Global Family program. It will benefit a trade school that helps students develop useful job skills so they can remain in their communities and provide for their families. Link for the project
The Beyond Ourselves musicians are saxophonist Ryan Kauffman, violist Christy Kauffman, pianist Rosemary Blessing, and clarinetist Doris Hall-Gulati. The LMS Campus Chorale, the high school's select choir, is directed by Marcella Hostetler. Sopa Sol's musicians include Daryl Snider, voice and guitar, and Frances Crowhill Miller, voice, violin and hang (a new instrument that originated in Switzerland).
The three music groups will perform separately and then combine for a piece arranged by composer Neal Harnly, a Juilliard trained pianist who is a physician at Norlanco Family Medicine in Elizabethtown. In addition, the four Beyond Ourselves musicians and Sopa Sol will perform a piece arranged by Jonathan Ragonese, composer, arranger and saxophonist, who lives in New York City. Ragonese attended the Manhattan School of Music and developed an early childhood music program at Explore + Discover Learning Center in Manhattan.
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Everence Stew U 2016 Save the date! Saturday, March 12, Registration 8 a.m. Lancaster Mennonite School
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Museum of the Bible Lancaster Event Sunday evening, May 15 There will be an evening public event here in Lancaster introducing the new Museum of the Bible located in Washington, DC. There is no charge for the evening but tickets are required. The purpose of the new museum that will open in 2017 is to invite all people to engage with the Bible through four pillars: research, travel exhibits, education, and a museum currently under construction in Washington, DC. In April free tickets for the event will be available. Here is the MOTB web site: www.museumofthebible.org |
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Lancaster Conference
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| Lancaster Mennonite Conference
2160 Lincoln Highway East
Lancaster, PA 17602
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