Fwd: November Church Announcements from MCC

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Laura Pauls-Thomas, MCC East Coast <EastCoast@mcc.org>
Date: Mon, Nov 19, 2018 at 2:04 PM
Subject: November Church Announcements from MCC
To: info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

November 2018 Church Announcements

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New Bulletin Announcements

Give the gift of a sewing kit for Christmas

Not sure what to give to your artsy, creative loved ones for Christmas this year? Give a sewing kit (or multiple kits) to MCC in their honor! You can empower other creative people who have been displaced from their homes through the gift of a sewing kit which MCC sends to countries that include Iraq, Jordan, Ukraine and Haiti. Sewing skills open doors to additional income that can help a family make ends meet. These kits are often given through MCC-supported programs that teach sewing or tailoring and provide the tools to make and mend clothing or to begin a business.

For instructions, shipping information and drop-off locations, visit mcc.org/kits. For more information, contact the MCC East Coast Material Resources Center at EastCoastMRC@mcc.org or call (717) 733-2847.

Download the sewing kit flyer.

Between hope and fear: Photos from the U.S.-Mexico borderlands

From November 16 through the end of 2018, visit The Common Wheel in Lancaster, Pa. to learn and understand some of the many facets of human migration via photographs from Laura Pauls-Thomas's trip to the U.S.-Mexico border on a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) sponsored Borderlands Learning Tour in October 2018. This photography exhibit seeks to share the stories of migrants, migrant advocates and organizations who are both directly assisting uprooted people on the U.S-Mexico border and creating options for vulnerable families in Mexico and Central America so they don't have to make the difficult choice to leave home. It asks the viewer to challenge their preconceptions about the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.

The Common Wheel (324 N. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602) is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On the first and third Fridays of each month, they are open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For more information, visit mcc.org/borderlands-photos or call MCC East Coast at 717-738-0885.

Ongoing Bulletin Announcements

Anabaptist high school students can win $750!

Do you have a passion for writing about the causes you care about? The MCC Washington Office is now accepting submissions for its annual high school essay contest! This year's topics include gun violence, immigration and North Korea.

Anabaptist youth who are of high school age within the U.S. and Puerto Rico are eligible to enter and win up to $750! The deadline for submitting essays is January 25, 2019. To learn more, visit mcc.org/essay-contest.

Donate comforters and blankets to MCC

Cooler weather is here, and we're all thankful for the comfort of our cozy homes and warm blankets. But for many families who have been forced from their homes due to natural disaster or violence, a colorful handmade comforter or blanket from MCC can bring hope and comfort in the midst of challenging circumstances.

MCC is in urgent need of comforters so that we may respond to the needs of displaced people around the world. Please consider making comforters or purchasing blankets (twin or full size) to donate to MCC. For instructions, shipping information and drop-off locations, visit mcc.org/kits. For more information, contact the MCC East Coast Material Resources Center at EastCoastMRC@mcc.org or call (717) 733-2847.

Open positions

Website Developer (Salaried): This position is an integral part of the MCC Digital Communications Team focused on our external audience and responsible for maintaining and enhancing MCC's digital communications infrastructure including websites, social media and email newsletters for MCC in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. This includes maintenance and creation of new projects.

Administrative Assistant for MCC U.S. National Program (Salaried): The Administrative Assistant for U.S. National Program provides administrative and program support to the Associate Program Director as well as the National Staff in MCC U.S. Program department, including the Ethnicity and Gender Equity Specialist, Immigration Education Coordinator, Peace Education Coordinator, and other coordinators as needed. This includes coordinating logistics and publicity for various training events, conferences, and meetings; assisting in the production of resources and newsletters; and and some secretarial duties as assigned by National Program staff. It also includes providing web liaison related to program websites for National program based in the U.S.

To learn more and to view more open positions, visit mcc.org/careers.

Resources for Church Leaders

Practical steps to address gun violence

MCC offers these resources to you and your congregation to help you address the issue of violence related to guns:

Let's talk about it. "A loaded conversation" is a new conversation guide that will help people talk together and listen to each other as they discuss different perspectives of violence related to guns. This resource also provides some helpful content for pastors of all theological backgrounds who choose to preach about the issue of gun violence. D ownload "A loaded conversation" here.
Organize a peace walk. You can organize a pilgrim walk in your city to celebrate life, pray and draw attention to places where gun violence has affected your community. Read about a peace walk here. For tips on organizing a walk, email KristaDutt@mcc.org or CurtisBook@mcc.org.
Guns to garden tools. MCC is partnering with RAWtools to offer peacemaker events – worship services that include song, story, scripture and art, addressing the ways violence related to guns has affected your local community. A gun is forged into a garden tool on site at each event. For more information and a schedule of events, visit RAWtools.org.
Address policy. If you are looking for action steps and information around changing policy, check out this guide to preventing violence involving guns.
No guns at church? MCC has declared its properties to be gun-free zones. Consider doing the same and posting signs around your church property.
What else? We strongly encourage you to find and support local initiatives that work against gun violence. For ideas, contact Curtis Book, MCC East Coast peace and justice coordinator at CurtisBook@mcc.org or call MCC East Coast at (717) 738-0885.

"Kits are for Caring" Curriculum

MCC has a new curriculum for churches to get children (and people of all ages) excited about collecting relief kits! This curriculum is designed to be ready to use, with everything you need to guide a group of children toward a celebration of sharing God's gifts by collecting material resources for those in need around the world.

Download the curriculum!

Contact MCC East Coast at (717) 738-0885 if you need help downloading the PDF files or for more information.