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. | | LMC Office Events & Information
| 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?
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>
Celebration of Church Life "We See New Life" Friday, March 18, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Lancaster Mennonite School, 2176 Lincoln Hwy E., Lancaster 17602 All are welcome to attend! Click here for more information
Celebración de la Vida de la Iglesia "Vemos Nueva Vida"
viernes, 18 de marzo, 7 p.m. sábado, 19 de marzo, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Lancaster Mennonite School, 2176 Lincoln Hwy E., Lancaster 17602 ¡Todos son bienvenidos a asistir! Para mas información, haz clic aquÃ
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
| Eastern Mennonite Missions Summer service opportunities: Kingdom teams Join a U.S. congregation for one week this summer in reaching out to and serving its unique community. Kingdom teams are usually five days in length and include both discipleship training and ministry activities. Stay tuned for specific summer 2016 opportunities! For more information visit emm.org/kteams or contact Angie Breneman at 717 898-2251 ext. 266. Oportunidades para servir durante el verano: equipos del Reino (Kingdom teams) Únase a una congregación de los Estados Unidos por una semana este verano alcanzando y sirviendo a su comunidad única. Los equipos del Reino (Kingdom teams) duran normalmente cinco dÃas e incluyen entrenamiento de discipulado y actividades de ministración. ¡Manténgase sintonizado para oportunidades especÃficas en el verano de 2016! Para obtener más información, visite emm.org/kteams o póngase en contacto con Angie Breneman en el 717 898-2251, ext. 266. Join EMM's core prayer team We at EMM believe that God is calling us to "ridiculous" amounts of prayer. We're looking for intercessors willing to commit to one hour of EMM-related prayer each week. These intercessors will receive a bi-weekly email with one or two priority prayer requests to help guide their prayers. No meetings are required. For more information, visit emm.org/pray or contact Troy Landis at 717 898-2251 ext. 245. Únase al equipo central de oración de EMM Nosotros en EMM creemos que Dios nos está llamando a "ridÃculas" cantidades de oración. Estamos buscando intercesores dispuestos a comprometerse a una hora de oración por asuntos de EMM cada semana. Estos intercesores recibirán un correo electrónico quincenal con una o dos prioritarias peticiones de oración para ayudarles a guiar sus oraciones. No se requiere asistencia a reuniones. Para obtener mayor información, visite emm.org/pray o póngase en contacto con Troy Landis en el 717 898-2251, ext. 245. |
Mennonite Children's Choir of Lancaster Spring 2016 Concert Series
Sunday, April 3, 4 p.m. Lititz Moravian Congregation, Lititz
Saturday, April 9, 7 p.m. Strasburg Mennonite Church, Strasburg
Sunday, April 17, 6:30 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster
Sunday, April 24, 4 p.m. Akron Mennonite Church, Akron Prelude Music will participate.
Sunday, June 12, 7 p.m. Mt. Gretna Tabernacle, Mt. Gretna
For additional information, contact |
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. It will be held in the multipurpose room of Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. No registration required. Open to the public.
Festival de Libros Ven y encuentra libros usadas de las categorÃas 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. Se llevará a cabo en el salón multi-propósito de la Sociedad Histórica Menonita de Láncaster. No se requiere inscripción. Abierto al público.
Pa. German Dialect Classes Open for registration now! Beginner classes run Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m., from March 10 through May 12. Intermediate classes are on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., March 12 through May 14. To register,visit www.lmhs.org/classes or call (717) 393-9745.
Clases del dialecto alemán de Pensilvania ¡RegÃstrate ahora! Clases para principiantes se llevarán a cabo los jueves, 7-9 p.m., del 10 de marzo al 12 de mayo. Clases avanzadas se darán los sábados de 10 a.m. a 12 p.m., 12 de marzo al 14 de mayo. Para registrarte, visita a www.lmhs.org/classes o llama al (717) 393-9745.
Pies in the Mennonite Tradition (Rescheduled) Bring your friends and enjoy homemade pies and hot drinks in a homey setting at a drop-in on Saturday, March 12, between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. The cost is $10.00 per person. Children under 12 are free. Pie baker Valerie Baer will demonstrate the art of making a tender pie crust. Be top bidder in a silent pie auction. Browse displays featuring the lives of Lancaster Mennonite women in the early to mid 1900's. Register by March 5.
Tortas en la tradición menonita (nueva fecha) Trae a tus amigos y prueba tortas ("pies") hechas a mano. Con las tortas, toma refrigerios calientes en un ambiente hogareño en esta actividad pactada para el sábado 23 de enero entre 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. en la Sociedad Histórica Menonita de Láncaster. El costo es $10 por persona. Los niños bajo 12 años entran gratis. Valerie Baer, una horneadora de tortas, demostrará el arte de hacer una costra tierna. Haz la oferta más alta en una subasta de tortas. Observa exhibiciones que muestran las vidas de mujeres menonitas de Láncaster de principio a mediado de los 1900. RegÃstrate para el 5 de marzo o antes.
Amish Quilts: A Social History Learn about the origin and influence of Amish quilts with Janneken Smucker, a fifth-generation Mennonite quiltmaker and author of Amish Quilts: Crafting an American Icon. She will relate the stories of local quiltmakers and explore how the commercial success of Amish-branded goods has influenced Amish artisans. Hosted on Monday, March 28, 7 p.m., at Ridgeview Mennonite Church. This event is free and open to the public.
Las colchas amish: historia social Aprende sobre el origen y la influencia de las colchas amish con Janneken Smucker, de la quinta generación de colchadoras menonitas y autora de Amish Quilts: Crafting an American Icon. Ella narrará cuentos sobre colchadoras locales y discutirá cómo el éxito comercial de productos marcados amish han influenciado a las artesanas Amish. Se llevará a cabo el lunes 28 de marzo, 7 p.m., en Ridgeview Mennonite Church. Este evento es gratuito y abierto al público.
Annual Banquet Come to this year's Annual Banquet of the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society and hear Nelson Kraybill, president of Mennonite World Conference, speak on "Alternating Currents among Global Anabaptists." He will promote an understanding of the lively dynamics of Christian mission, service, and evangelism across cultures today. The banquet will be held at 6 pm on Saturday, April 2, at Yoder's Restaurant in New Holland. Tickets cost $25 per person and can be purchased online at lmhs.org or by calling (717) 393-9745. The deadline for registration is Saturday, March 26.
Banquete Anual Ven al Banquete Anual de la Sociedad Histórica Menonita de Láncaster para escuchar a Nelson Kraybill, presidente del Congreso Mundial Menonita, hablar sobre las "corrientes alternas entre los anabautistas globales." Kraybill promoverá mejor entendimiento sobre las dinámicas animadas entre las misiones, el servicio, y el evangelismo a través de culturas hoy dÃa. El banquete se llevará a cabo a las 6 p.m. el sábado 2 de abril, en Yoder's Restaurant en New Holland. Boletos cuestan $25 por persona y se pueden comprar en lmhs.org o llamando al (717) 393-9745. La fecha lÃmite para la registración es el sábado 26 de marzo.
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Landis Communities
Pathways Institute There is still time to register for some of the Pathways Institute® of Lifelong Learning classes set for this spring at Landis Homes. To see a list of courses with space available to all persons age 55+ please click here or direct inquiries to Alice Whitman at 717-569-3271 (Ext. 3060) or by email at AWhitman@landishomes.org.
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LMC Fraternal Ministries Events & Information
| Servant Stage Company-"Embraceable You" February 26 & 27, 7 p.m., Chapel Servant Stage Company will perform "Embraceable You", an engaging song and dance tribute to George Gershwin's classic catalogue. For information, call 717-355-6000.
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Camp Hebron Complimentary Pastor Retreats 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 Chestnut Street Mennonite Church Goshen College's Chamber Choir will present a program of sacred music entitled "I thank You God" at East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church on Thursday, February 25 at 7 pm. All are welcome. A reception will follow the concert. |
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. 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 |
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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Go Beyond Breakfast Wednesday, February 24, 7:30 a.m. (previous meetings were postponed) 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! |
Flourish "Taster": Next Steps in Missional Living Wednesday, February 24, 7-8:45 p.m. "Your Life is Your Mission" Thursday, February 25 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. "Next Steps for Missional Leadership" & Thursday evening dinner, 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 26, 9-11:30 a.m. All sessions will be held at Mount Joy Mennonite Church, 320 Musser Rd, Mount Joy PA 17552 (except Thursday evening dinner; location to be announced) Click here for more information |
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. |
MCC 2016 Ephrata Quilt Preview March 3 -5, 2016 Thursday & Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Material Resource Center 517 W. Trout Run Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522 View more than 100 of the quilts that will be available for sale at the Pennsylvania Relief Sale, April 1 & 2, 2016. |
EMU Eastern Mennonite University invites you to Amazed with Grace, a program of Medieval and Contemporary scripture, poetry, and song on Saturday, March 5, 7 p.m. at Akron Mennonite Church. The Emulate Chamber Ensemble is an intimate vocal ensemble, specializing in jazz; modern, and contemporary concert literature, both secular and sacred. The ensemble was founded and directed by assistant professor of music, Dr. Ryan Keebaugh.
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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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Friends of Shirati Annual Banquet Supporting Shirati Hospital & Nursing School Saturday, March 12, 6 p.m. Friends of Shirati, a nonprofit supporting the medical work of Shirati KMT Hospital in Tanzania, will hold its annual banquet on Saturday, March 12, at 6:00 pm at the Gathering Place in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. Proceeds from the banquet will fund solar, water, and medical projects at the Shirati Hospital and Shirati College of Health Science, ministries of the Tanzanian Mennonite Church. Special music provided by Victor Muhagachi of Tanzania. |
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 |
Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship Annual Gathering Attention Healthcare Workers! Registration is now open for Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship's Annual Gathering, June 17-19, 2016 in Estes Park, CO. Plan now for this weekend of workshops, worship, networking, and sharing together with other healthcare professionals. Visit www.mennohealth.org/annual-gathering-2016 |
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| Quick Links Lancaster Conference
| Lancaster Mennonite Conference
2160 Lincoln Highway East
Lancaster, PA 17602
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