Fwd: LMC Updates: Remembering the Life of Deke Rider

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From: LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches <information@lmcchurches.org>
Date: Wed, Jul 22, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Subject: LMC Updates: Remembering the Life of Deke Rider
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

And other news and events from LMC and our resource partners.

View this email in your browser. LMC Updates Remembering Deke Rider, Director of Camp Hebron The LMC Executive Bishop Team and Staff express their deep condolences on the unexpected passing of Deke Rider, Director of Camp Hebron. Our thoughts and prayers extend to Deke's wife and children. May the Good Shepherd comfort, encourage, and strengthen all those associated with the Camp in this season of loss. Deke was a man of deep faith who loved the Lord and served his people. He had a heart for the disadvantaged and those on the margins. Deke served in his role with integrity, compassion, and enthusiasm. LMC is grateful for the many ways that Deke's influence impacted hundreds of lives. His legacy will continue to live on through the lives that he touched. We will continue to be praying for Deke's family, the Board, and Staff as they discern next steps. ~ LMC Executive Bishop Team and Staff Other LMC News Youth Rally at Alive Church Ephrata Alive Church Ephrata (510 Stevens Rd., Ephrata PA 17522) is hosting a youth rally on August 30th! The theme for the day is "Build Your Kingdom Here." Youth can expect tournaments and games, interactive breakouts, tasty food, worship, and a message from guest speaker Josh Lapp. For more information, check out the attached event flyer. This event is open to any and all youth! The Global Leadership Summit "For years, the Weaverland leadership team has attended GLS. What started as a one-off event quickly became a priority in our annual calendar. We set aside two days to grow and invest in our personal and spiritual leadership together as a team. I assure you, GLS brings top-shelf resourcing and will grow and challenge any current or aspiring LMC leader who desires to grow their spiritual leadership.  Weaverland is thrilled to again host GLS on August 6-7. We would be honored to have you join us at this premier leadership equipping event." Learn more online at Weaverland's website. ~ Brian Martin, Weaverland Lead Pastor & LMC Bishop Community Hymn Sing The Pennsylvania Relief Sale is hosting a Community Hymn Sing on August 23 at Intercourse Community Park! Arrive at 5:15 p.m. for fellowship; singing will start at 6 p.m. If you have a copy of Voices Together, Heartland Hymns, or a Din Lieder songbooks, please bring it along; extra books will be available if needed. Also, bring along a lawn chair. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). For more info, call 717-208-4152, ext. 819. Join the Mission of LMC LMC is a Spirit-led movement to: • Make disciples of Jesus • Mobilize every member as a missionary • Multiply faith communities locally and beyond Donate Share Your Story Everyone has a story. We'd love to hear how the Lord is speaking to you, how the Spirit is at work in your congregation, or how you're experiencing life transformation. Share your story online at our website.   Share Your Story From Our Resource Partners Come and See: West Africa | Eastern Mennonite Missions Join EMM this January 6–18, 2027, as we visit the growing Christian communities of Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau. Participants will learn about the growth of the Anabaptist church, experience the mission context of the region, and witness how the gospel has taken root among previously unreached peoples. As this is a spiritual journey through a developing part of the world, participants should be prepared to experience conditions that are less comfortable than those to which they may be accustomed when traveling in the developed world. Trip cost, including airfare from/to Dulles, local transportation, and lodging, but excluding vaccinations, medicine, and souvenirs, is $2,500 per person. Learn more and apply to join this trip at EMM.ORG/TRIPS. Made Clear Webinar Series Everence seeks to explain financial topics in clear, easy-to-understand ways to help people gain financial confidence. Their Made Clear Webinar series is designed to help with that, covering everything from investing basics to retirement planning to teaching your kids about money. Join their free, live webinars, or watch later on your own time. Visit their website for more info. Night at the Ballpark Join Friendship Community on Thursday, August 6 at 6:45 p.m. for their Night at the Ballpark! Held at Penn Medicine Park (650 North Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603). Tickets are FREE, but with limited availability; RSVP your tickets by going to Friendship's website. Find more info at friendshipcommunity.net/night-at-the-ballpark/. Pathways Institute Kickoff Plan now to attend the Pathways Institute Kickoff on Tuesday, August 4 in High Foundation Auditorium, Crossing Building, at Landis Homes, from 1:30-3:00 p.m.! This festive, drop-in event is a chance to chat with instructors to see what lifelong learning classes you might like to attend this fall. Open to anyone aged 55+ in Lancaster County. Registration opens Wednesday, Aug. 5. For more info, or to register, contact us at (717) 381.3577 or www.thepathwaysinstitute.org/lancaster-county/. No Longer Alone Family Support Group The No Longer Alone Family Support Group, supported by Landis Communities, will meet the fourth Sunday of the month. The guest speakers for August will be Ken and Linda Kauffman, members of NLA FSG. Their presentation “Sharing their Journey with Mental Illness and the Mutual Benefits of NLA FSG” will be followed by a time of sharing. The public meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Crossings Meeting Room of the Calvin G. and Janet C. High Learning and Wellness Center at Landis Communities, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA. The monthly meetings provide a place for those who have a loved one living with mental illness to learn and share their experiences. For information or to receive a monthly meeting reminder, call 717-381-3599 or email JAlbright@landis.org. Annual Storytelling Night In a celebration of stories that transcend boundaries, Mennonite Life hosts its Annual Storytelling Night on Monday, August 3 at 7 p.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite Church (100 Quarry Road, Leola, PA 17540). Throughout the evening, storytellers Felixa V. de Kunkle and Conrad Kanagy will relate a series of alternating short-form anecdotes from their lives. Event is free; donations welcome. More at mennonitelife.org/events. ¿Quieres recibir las Noticias de LMC en Español? ¿Quieres recibir Noticias de LMC en español? ¡Haga clic aquí para registrarse! Suscribirse Copyright © 2026 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.

Fwd: What Happens After Someone Finds Hope?

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From: REAL Life Community Services <rod@reallcs.org>
Date: Wed, Jul 1, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Subject: What Happens After Someone Finds Hope?
To: <philandkelly@gmail.com>

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This month, there is so much to celebrate-  and we give God all the glory

A New Chapter Begins: Celebrating Glory House Success! We are overjoyed to celebrate Ellen* and her daughter, Cassy*, as they graduate from our Glory House Transitional Home Program! Ellen first connected with us through our Parents as Teachers program, where our Early Learning Mentor recognized her desire to become more self-sufficient. When an opening became available at the Glory House, it was clear she was ready to take that next step. Since entering the program in August 2025, Ellen has worked diligently to build a stronger future for herself and Cassy. With help from our staff, she increased her income, improved her credit, reached her savings goal, and consistently met program expectations by paying rent on time and regularly meeting with her financial counselor and mentor. Along the way, Ellen and Cassy embraced opportunities through REAL Life’s many programs and connected with community resources, including Anchored Ministries. These relationships and supports played an important role in their journey. Today, we celebrate an exciting milestone: Ellen has secured a rental home where she and Cassy will begin their next chapter. Her achievement reflects the hard work, perseverance, and growth that make the Glory House Transitional Home Program so impactful. Congratulations, Ellen and Cassy! We are honored to have been part of your journey and look forward to all that the future holds. **To safeguard the family's privacy, identifying details, including names, have been changed. The accompanying image is a stock photo and does not depict the mother and daughter featured in this story.

Rain Couldn't Stop Us!

Despite the rainy forecast, our incredible golfers, sponsors, and volunteers showed up with hearts full of purpose. Thanks to your unwavering support, this year's REAL Life Golf Tournament raised $17,863, allowing us to continue our mission of serving individuals and families in the Cocalico region. A heartfelt congratulations to Stoltzfus Advisory's team for their well-deserved first-place win, and a warm thank you to everyone who participated, sponsored, and supported this event. Though the weather was unpredictable, the generosity of our community shone brightly, leaving a lasting impact. We already excited to see what happens at next years Tournament! And we couldn’t have done it without our event sponsor, Bank of Bird-in-Hand, a bank with our same heart and dedication to serving their community.

Light in a Darkened World As followers of Christ, we have been given both the light to navigate a darkened world and the commandment to shine. Each day, the news is filled with stories of housing shortages, rising affordability challenges, and food insecurity. With so many needs pressing in, it can be hard to imagine the sun breaking through the clouds. Yet, assuredly, REAL Life has witnessed glory. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: … to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them.” - Isaiah 58:6–7 Responding to the Need for Shelter Over the past few months, housing challenges have become the greatest need among the families contacting us. Some reach out because they know we provide affordable housing. Others are referred by trusted partners. Some are dropped off by police and others simply walk through our doors, searching for help, hope, and a safe place to begin again. While it can feel inconceivable that families in our community are still struggling to secure shelter, we have also seen the power of hope at work. Since January, REAL Life has been able to: Prevent two evictions Assist eleven families with short-term housing Support seven permanent housing placements Counsel two families as they prepare to become first-time homeowners In the face of deep need, we have seen light break through. We have seen doors open, burdens lifted, and families take meaningful steps toward stability. This is the glory we are grateful to witness. Community Garden Season is Underway The Community Garden is officially up and running for the season, and we are excited to see the impact already taking shape. In partnership with First Fruits Farm & Orchard, volunteers have been hard at work planting bell peppers, tomatoes, squash, and hundreds—if not thousands—of onions across growing sites in Ephrata and Stevens. With expanded growing space this year, we are grateful for the opportunity to increase the amount of fresh, healthy produce available to local families in need and to further support our community partners. This year, however, we have noticed a decrease in volunteer participation compared to past seasons, making each helping hand even more valuable. The garden continues to be a place for connection and hands-on service, where volunteers prepare soil, plant, weed, and harvest while building relationships and learning new skills. All produce grown is shared with local nonprofits, churches, and organizations that serve individuals and families facing food insecurity. Whether you can join once or throughout the season, there is a place for you in the garden—email Beny@reallcs.org to get involved in an upcoming Community Garden day. Click Here to Sign-Up! God's Perfect Timing What makes the Cocalico Food Pantry more than just a place where people come to meet their food needs? It’s the volunteers! They generously give their time and energy to serve others in our community, and their impact goes far beyond providing food. When our friends experiencing food insecurity visit the pantry, they receive not only the groceries they need, but also a warm welcome and genuine connection. Our volunteers engage with each person, caring for their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Often, deeper needs arise—moments when someone needs prayer, encouragement, or simply a listening ear. In those times, God faithfully makes space for those conversations to happen. We are blessed with dedicated prayer warriors among our volunteers who are attentive to these needs and willing to step in without hesitation. Recently, this was especially evident as several individuals came into the pantry carrying heavy burdens. In those moments, our volunteers were able to surround them with care and cover them in prayer, offering comfort and hope when it was needed most. Whether through prayer, kind words, or compassionate presence, they meet people right where they are. It is truly amazing to witness the transformation that takes place and the meaningful relationships that grow through these interactions!

Back to School Backpacks: We Need Your Help! While summer is well on it's way, preparations for the upcoming school year have already started. For many families, back-to-school season brings excitement, but it also brings financial stress. This year, families are expected to spend an average of $628 per child on school supplies, clothing, and other essentials, making it difficult for many parents to keep up with rising costs. For the past several years, REAL Life Community Services has helped ease that burden through our Back to School Backpack Program. In partnership with the Cocalico School District, we provide local students with backpacks filled with the supplies they need for a successful school year. By working directly with teachers and school staff, we ensure each backpack contains the items students will actually use in their classrooms. A backpack is more than just pencils, notebooks, and folders. It represents one less financial burden for a family, one less worry for a parent, and one more child walking into the classroom feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn. As we prepare for another school year, we invite our community to be part of making a difference. Donations of school supplies or financial gifts help ensure every student has the tools they need to begin the year with confidence. Together, we can help connect students to success and families to hope. Click Here to visit our Walmart Registry or if you have favorite store to get school supplies, take a glance at what we need this year! Another Opportunity to Serve Do you have a flexible daytime schedule and a heart to serve? We’re looking for volunteers who can help provide occasional rides for individuals and families we support—whether it’s to our monthly shopping program, a doctor’s appointment, or a meeting with a social worker. Many of these needs come up on short notice, so flexibility is key. Your willingness to step in can make a meaningful difference in someone’s ability to access essential care and support. If you’re able to lend a hand (and a ride), we’d love to connect with you! If you have volunteered with us in the past, please click here to email and notify our staff of your interest in helping in this way. If you have never volunteered with us before, please click the button that says 'Volunteer Sign-Up' so that we can add you to our list of transportation volunteers as well as any other volunteering opportunities you might find yourself interested in! Volunteer Sign-Up

Join us in Prayer & Praises We know there are many meaningful ways to partner with us, and one of the most impactful is through prayer. That’s why we’re beginning a new initiative—inviting those who visit our office or warehouse to share their prayer requests with us. If you’d like to come alongside us in lifting up these needs, we’d love to have you join our prayer email list. Simply click the button below to sign up and receive updates so you can pray with us regularly. Join our Prayer Team! This Month’s Prayers & Praises  Praises Growing families: Three families in our housing program have grown in both family size and financial stability and are now ready to move into larger homes. We celebrate this exciting milestone! One family has found a living situation and moved out this week to their new home! Community Garden: Our garden is flourishing, with four acres of corn and plenty of fresh produce growing to help feed local families. A growing REAL Life family: Our Director of Development, Robyn Iordanescu, is expecting her first child! Baby Iordanescu is due around Thanksgiving. Prayer Requests Pray that God provides the right housing opportunities for the two other families seeking larger homes. Pray for the Acts of Love Summer Lunch Program, continuing through the summer, and for the churches preparing meals as well as the families who will receive them. Pray for favorable weather, a plentiful harvest, and enough volunteers to care for our Community Garden throughout the season. Pray for God's continued provision as REAL Life enters its slowest season for financial giving. Pray for Robyn & Beny and their growing family, asking for a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery, and peace as they prepare to welcome their little one. Thank you for partnering with us in prayer — it truly makes a difference. Help us keep these programs and more going! Consider a generous gift today to Connect the Community to Hope! Give Now

First Friday Food Drive July 3rd  Every first Friday of the month, we host a food drive in the back parking lot of the Declaration House. It’s a way the community can give back and help donate items that we need.  You can drop off food at any time from 3-5 pm on that Friday.

Alcoholics Anonymous Mondays, 8-9PM & Ladies AA Thursdays, 6:30-7:30PM Meeting at the Lighthouse Community Center.

Momentum Summer Break- Be back Oct. 6th  Momentum guarantees a young person that there is someone who cares about them. A child needs to know that they are not alone in dealing with the day-to-day challenges of life. Momentum meets at the Lighthouse Community Center throughout the school year following the Cocalico School District calendar.

Young at Heart Wednesdays, 9-11AM All events are free and are for individuals that are 60 years and older. Coffee, chatting, games, speakers, and MORE! Come out and get to know others in your community!  1st & 3rd Wednesdays we meet at Adamstown Area Library! 2nd & 4th Wednesdays we meet at Faith Evangelical United Lutheran Church in Denver!

Aglow International Bible Study 3rd Saturdays, 10-12am Meeting at the Lighthouse Community Center. Click Here to Learn More

© REAL Life Community Services 2026. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 240 MAIN ST STE B DENVER, PA 17517-1623

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