Fwd: February 2025 Partner Update

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From: CrossNet Ministries <meghan-elancocross.org@shared1.ccsend.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Subject: February 2025 Partner Update
To: <philandkelly@gmail.com>

Brightening Up Your Weekend!

JANUARY STATS AND STORIES Dear Supporters,   We truly appreciate your continued support of CrossNet Ministries! 2025 is off to a fantastic start and we are excited about how God is moving in the ELANCO community. Take a look at the stories and stats below to see what happened in January! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Thank you for partnering with us to offer help and hope!   Executive Director  Carl Edwards, Jr. January Stats & Current Needs JANUARY HAPPENINGS: IMPORTANT WAREHOUSE UPDATE In January, we shared an important update regarding the CrossNet Ministries' expansion and renovation project!  As many of you know, we released a summary and update of this project in September of 2024. Recently, there have been some developments regarding increased costs that we wanted to share with our community.  To read the full update, please click here.    If you have any questions, feel free to email carl@elancocross.org.   Thank you for your impact and partnership as we continue to offer help and hope in the name of Jesus! CROSSNET'S ANNUAL BANQUET We're excited to announce that our Annual Banquet is just around the corner, taking place on Tuesday, March 25th! Please join us for a very special evening of stories and CrossNet updates —including reflections from Meredith Dahl, along with exciting "vision and horizons" from Carl Edwards, Jr., the new CrossNet Ministries' Executive Director!  It will be a night of celebrating all that God has done and will continue to do in the ELANCO community! To purchase a sponsorship or livestream link, click here! Sponsorships are going fast!  YOUTH CENTER WINTER RETREAT CrossNet Ministries is thrilled to once again take high school students (grades 9-12) on our Annual Winter Retreat, happening this year on March 14-16, 2025! This incredible weekend can't take place without the support and generosity of our partners! If you are interested in learning more about this life changing weekend or how you can help a student attend, click on the button below! Read the full letter here! AN ENCOURAGING STORY "A recent Cross Jr. topic was "When things don't go my way". The goal of this lesson was for students to be able to learn coping skills for working through the challenges, frustrations, and disappointments that we can face every day. I found out halfway through the day that over half of the students at Cross Jr. were not going to be able to make it that afternoon. I almost decided to save the lesson for a different day when more students would be at Cross Jr. But as each student came in they each were carrying heavy burdens from the day: feeling behind in classes, getting bullied on the school bus, and a broken water bottle that they just paid for with their own money.   For our lesson time, we all sat down and talked about the hard things that happened that day. I explained how things didn't go my way – I wanted everyone to be at Cross Jr! The kids then joined in and shared their struggles as well. We talked about the emotions we felt, things we did in response that we regretted, and the things we handled well. We also talked about different tools we could use to not let our feelings control us. It turned out to be exactly the day we needed – even when things didn't go our way!  The next day, one of our Cross Jr. Mentors went out and purchased a new water bottle for the student who had broken theirs. We plan to give it to this student at the beginning of Cross Jr. next week. We hope that it is a reminder for her that even when things don't go our way, we can still be a bright light to others and spread kindness – and spreading kindness starts with us!" -Julia Bills, Mentoring and Education Manager MEET MARIA BUCK She served steadfastly on the CrossNet Ministries Board for 18 years! Maria has seen the faithfulness of God through the Ministry of CrossNet and is thankful for how CrossNet has carried out its mission of offering help and hope over the years.  And when asked how she feels about the future of CrossNet, Maria stated, "I am excited to see where God takes us, because we know that God is the God of the impossible!" We couldn't agree more! We are so grateful for her many years of service as a board member and her heart for seeing Christ displayed in this community. Thank you Maria! We are better together!  FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA View Web Version Here

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Fwd: Women's Sports Protected - But the Fight in PA Isn't Over

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From: PA Family <hello@cm01.charityengine.net>
Date: Fri, Feb 7, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Subject: Women's Sports Protected - But the Fight in PA Isn't Over
To: Gehman Mennonite Church <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

In this week's Family Update, we discuss President Trump's Executive Order protecting women's sports, and how the fight continues in PA. We also cover Governor Shapiro's push for marijuana legalization and provide updates on key legal battles, including a religious liberty case in Washington and a lawsuit that could force Pennsylvania taxpayers to fund elective abortions. Finally, we announce our 2025 internship program, offering college students hands-on experience in pro-family policy and advocacy. President Trump's Executive Order is a Victory for Women's Sports—But the Fight is Far From Over Yesterday, President Donald Trump took decisive action to protect women's sports by signing an executive order ensuring that only biological females compete in female athletic competitions. This marks a significant victory for fairness, safety, and the integrity of girls' sports in Pennsylvania and across the nation. However, while this executive order is a critical step forward, it is not the final battle.  Lasting legislative solutions and school board-level policies are needed to ensure these protections are permanently enshrined in law. Read About What We're Doing in PA Gov. Shapiro's marijuana push puts profits over public health and safety Tuesday's budget remarks by Governor Josh Shapiro failed to address the significant costs that would befall Pennsylvanians with highly addictive marijuana being marketed and sold for retail recreational use — costs like a rise in mental health problems, more health and safety risks on our roads and in the workplace, and increased youth use. PA Family Institute's Chief Strategy Officer Dan Bartkowiak called it irresponsible of Gov. Shapiro to put claims of profits over the health and safety of Pennsylvania citizens by calling for high potency THC to be commercialized in every community across the Commonwealth: "This type of irresponsible marijuana legalization would put more people at risk on Pennsylvania roadways and workplaces and jeopardize the health and safety of our children. There's nothing recreational about more people harmed by addictive substances, which is what we're seeing in states experimenting with unleashing the marijuana industry through a retail recreational use market." Read the Whole Story Here Amicus Brief Filed: Union Gospel Mission of Yakima Washington v. Ferguson The Independence Law Center filed an amicus brief in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit supporting Union Gospel Mission of Yakima, Washington as the State of Washington is appealing the district court ruling after the initial win by the ministry. Our brief, written on behalf of another religious rescue mission ministry, stresses the importance of the coreligionist doctrine in preserving a religious organization's ability to hire employees who share the ministry's beliefs and who seek to live consistently with those values. We had previously filed a similar brief in 2023 when the case was previously before the Ninth Circuit. Learn More Here Commonwealth Court Hears Oral Arguments in Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. PA Dept of Human Services The Commonwealth Court convened on Wednesday to hear oral arguments in the case of Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, a pivotal lawsuit that could force Pennsylvania taxpayers to fund elective abortions. This case represents yet another attempt by the abortion industry to dismantle long-standing pro-life protections and impose an extreme pro-abortion agenda through judicial activism rather than the democratic process.  Read More Here College Students: Build Your Future in Pro-Family Policy – Apply for Our 2025 Internships! The Pennsylvania Family Institute is now accepting applications for our paid 2025 college internship program in downtown Harrisburg, just blocks from the State Capitol! This hands-on opportunity allows students to work alongside our communications, policy and legal teams, gaining experience in advocacy communications and marketing, government relations, legislative advocacy, legal research, and grassroots mobilization. Plus, interns play a key role in organizing our City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference (July 20-26, 2025).  Don't miss this chance to develop your skills and make an impact! Learn More and Apply Today Follow Us: Did you know you can follow us on the X social platform to keep up with the latest news and content from PA Family. →  https://x.com/PFIpolicy. For all other social platforms see below. Upcoming Events March 22: Advocates For Life Program. Learn more HERE. March 29: Grandparenting with Grace Seminar. More details coming soon. April 3-5: PA Leadership Conference. (More details on a PA Family workshop and panel coming soon). More info HERE. April 5: Biblical Worldview Conference 2025 – Reclaiming Truth in a Culture of Confusion with Dr. Carl Trueman. More info HERE. May 7: National Day of Prayer. May 30: Pittsburgh Friends of the Family Banquet. More details coming soon. July 20-26: 25th annual City on the Hill Youth Leadership and Worldview Conference. Register at pafamily.org/coth. September 22: Pennsylvania March for Life. For more information, visit: marchforlife.org/pennsylvania/. October 11: Hershey Friends of the Family Banquet. More details coming soon.  Prayer Requests Pray for Legislators and Senators taking a stand for what is right and pushing back against bad legislation. Pray for the leadership and staff of Pennsylvania Family Institute, the Independence Law Center, and the Church Ambassador Network. Donate to PA Family Institute Pennsylvania Family Institute Protect Life. Promote Family. Preserve Freedom 23 N Front St  | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101 (717) 545-0600 | mail@pafamily.org

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Fwd: News from LMC – January 30, 2025

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From: LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches <information@lmcchurches.org>
Date: Fri, Feb 7, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Subject: News from LMC – January 30, 2025
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

Check out the latest from LMC...

LMC Updates Why We Gather The 2024 Fall Leadership Assembly was the first event with LMC I attended. I had been part of an LMC congregation for a few months and my pastor and I attended the Leadership Assembly together. It wasn't until then that I truly understood who LMC is. LMC is each one of us. Whether you're a bishop, pastor, credentialed leader, or congregant member; whether you're located in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia, Kansas, California, Hawaii, or somewhere else—YOU are LMC. Because LMC is a fellowship of Anabaptists joined together over a shared mission of being a Spirit-led movement to make disciples of Jesus, mobilize every member as a missionary, and multiply faith communities. This became clear to me at Fall Leadership Assembly. There, I met other leaders from our global community deeply committed to listening to and following the Holy Spirit's prompting. I talked with other lay persons about the importance of reflecting Jesus in our own contexts. And I networked with other disciples, sharing ideas and advice for how to minister to new generations and people groups. Through that gathering, I gained a better understanding of LMC's identity, I became more confident in my own calling, and I made new friendships with others committed to Jesus. Now I am eagerly anticipating this special, upcoming Fall Leadership Assembly from September 24–27 as we celebrate 500 years of Anabaptism together. I hope you will join me! ~Mercedes Thomas, LMC Communications Director Other LMC News Anabaptist Classics Reading Group A guided tour of twenty Swiss Anabaptist writings. Classes will meet via Zoom every other week for five sessions. There will be two sessions: Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. ET, starting March 25; and Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. ET starting March 27. Contact William Higgins to register and to receive the list of readings. Register by March 18.  ¿Quieres recibir las Noticias de LMC en Español? ¿Quieres recibir Noticias de LMC en español? ¡Haga clic aquí para registrarse! Suscribirse From Our Resource Partners Kairos Course by EMM March 22–April 5 at Parkview Mennonite Church (57 E. Church St., Reamstown, PA). An opportunity for all God's people to be transformed and aligned with God's heart for the nations. Register here by March 21. "A Wonderful Life" Join Friendship Community on March 27 at 5 p.m. to celebrate creativity, inclusion, and endless possibilities. Formal attire encouraged; reserve tickets by March 3. Art Show Showcasing the Work of Gladys Zeiset The show will debut on February 6 from 4–6 p.m. at Landis Homes. Zeiset is a local artist whose pieces reflect her passion for capturing the beauty of the world around us. Refreshments provided. The exhibit will remain on display through April. Pathways Institute Spring 2025 Kickoff Join Pathways Institute on February 11 from 1:30–3 p.m. at Landis Homes. This is a come-and-go expo, no RSVP needed, with music and refreshments. Pick up a course catalog! Contact pathways@landis.org with any questions. Winter Workshop: Intro to German Script Learn the basics of reading and interpreting German Script on February 7 from 10–11:30 a.m. Attendees will learn the German script alphabet, as well as abbreviations and variations in writing and spelling. Knowledge of German is not required. Register at mennonitelife.org/events. Author Talk: Radicals & Reformers with Troy Osborne Join Mennonite Life for a webinar with Troy Osborne, author of Radicals & Reformers: A Survey of Global Anabaptist History, on February 20 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Register at mennonitelife.org/events. Join the Mission of LMC The LMC community is in a season of growth! Since 2018, we have welcomed 133 new congregations into our conference. Despite this, donations over the years have remained about the same and are now beginning to decrease. Would you prayerfully consider joining us in being a Spirit-led movement and donating to LMC? We are grateful for the opportunity to minister alongside you. Donate Copyright © 2025 LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches Our mailing address is: LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches 450 N Prince Street (Office) PO Box 1635 (Mail) Lancaster, PA 17608 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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