| 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
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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? Celebrate Who We Are Celebrating 10 Years! A one-day seminar for leaders of conference-related ministries, conference leaders, and pastors...sponsored by Lancaster Mennonite Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference.
Friday, April 22, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Speaker: Rick Stiffney Garden Spot Village
433 South Kinzer Road, New Holland, PA 17557
Registration: $20.00 if you register after April 1
Click here for more information.
Leadership Assembly May 12, 2016, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Alive Church Ephrata Hear further information and explanation of the network of missional expertise and assessment resources (Pathways). Learn how to access these resources. Resource leaders on how to help identify inquirers in their congregation and how to connect these persons with the network of missional expertise. All are welcome to come. Registration is not required. Click here to see the Pathways flyer.
Shalom News Announcements Guest Team Member(s) for Shalom News Magazine For each issue of Shalom News, our editorial team invites a guest team member or team members to sit with us (Brinton Rutherford and Joselyn Santiago) for a 1-2 hour brainstorming/planning session to help shape the theme and articles, and maybe write an article or two.
News Blurbs Did your congregation celebrate a special anniversary? Did your congregation host an event in the community? We are inviting congregations to submit congregational announcements (i.e. retirements, baptisms, credentialing services, etc.) to be included in the Shalom News magazine. If your congregation is interested in sharing, please submit a 1-4 sentence story/update with a photo (if possible) to Joselyn Santiago (jsantiago@lancasterconference.org). Urban Education Grant Applications for the Urban Education Grant are being accepted, for the 2016-2017 academic year, for those who are in school or have children in school. Applications are due no later than July 1, 2016. Click here for the application. Quiet Shouts Seminar Scholarship Applications for the Quiet Shouts Seminary Scholarship are being accepted for the 2016/17 academic year. The purpose of the scholarship is to support and encourage Lancaster Conference Mennonite women pursuing pastoral studies in seminary master's degree programs. Scholarships are awarded annually to women who meet the following criteria: - member of a Lancaster Mennonite Conference congregation
- accepted into an accredited seminary master's degree program
- pursuing full-time or part-time pastoral studies
Applications must be received by May 1, 2016 to qualify for a 2016/17 academic year scholarship. A Quiet Shouts brochure and application are attached. Previous recipients are encouraged to apply as scholarships can be received for multiple years of studies. Last year's recipients were Sarah Bixler (Oxford Circle Mennonite), Gina Burkhart (Landisville Mennonite), Kristina Denlinger (West End Mennonite Fellowship), Rhonda Good (Connect Church), Nancy Maldonado (King of Glory Tabernacle), and Linda Gehman Peachey, (East Chestnut Street Mennonite). These scholarships are made possible through donations from individuals and through royalties from Quiet Shouts, a book authored by Louise Stoltzfus featuring 14 Mennonite women leaders of the 20th century. For more information, click on the links below. LMC Pastoral Openings If you are interested in a pastoral position at one of the LMC congregations, click here to see what positions are available. You can also go onto our website http://www.lancasterconference.org/ and click on the Pastoral Openings link. |
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.
Save the date! Save the date for EMM's event "35 years of saying YES: Launching people into life on mission," on Saturday, May 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Lancaster Mennonite School, Calvin and Janet High Fine Arts Center. For 35 years, EMM's YES program served as a place where people encountered God, His people, and the world in fresh ways. YES's joys and challenges transformed people - both participants and those they served. As EMM transitions the YES structures into new ways of catalyzing missional discipleship, we invite you to come remember, lament, and celebrate the experience of YES. Be encouraged to continue living out God's calling, wherever you are. For more information, visit emm.org/35years or contact Jessica Fellenger at 717 898-2251 ext. 235. ¡Tome nota de esta fecha! Aparte la fecha para el evento de EMM "35 años diciendo YES: Lanzando gente hacia una vida de misión", el sábado 21 de mayo, comenzando a las 6:30 p.m. en el Calvin and Janet High Fine Arts Center de la Lancaster Mennonite School. Durante 35 años, el programa YES de EMM sirvió como un lugar donde personas se encontraron con Dios, con su pueblo, y con el mundo en nuevas formas. Las alegrías y los desafíos transformaron a muchos-tanto a los participantes como a los que ellos sirvieron. A medida que EMM hace la transición de las estructuras de YES a nuevas formas para catalizar el discipulado misional, le invitamos a que venga para recordar, lamentar, y celebrar la experiencia de YES. Siéntase animado a continuar viviendo el llamado de Dios, dondequiera que se encuentre. Para obtener más información, visite emm.org/35years o póngase en contacto con Jessica Fellenger en el 717 898-2251, ext. 235. |
 Calling all LMS Alumni! If you are an LMS Alumni, please contact John H. Denlinger, Director of Church Relations (denlingerjh@lancastermennonite.org), at LMS. The next LMS Bridges will be highlighting alumni who are in pastoral leadership and we hope to have as complete a list as possible. If you know of others who aren't pastoring in Lancaster or ACC please submit their names to John as well. Thanks for your help.
Julius Caesar April 28-30, 2016 Lancaster Mennonite High School will present William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar April 28-30, 2016, at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for senior citizens (Thursday only) and $8 for adults, and may be reserved by calling the box office at 299-0436, ext. 340, or emailing the box office at boxoffice@lancastermennonite.org.
Locust Grove Benefit Auction Friday, April 29, 4 p.m. The Locust Grove Campus of Lancaster Mennonite School is holding a benefit Auction on April 29. Food stands, kid's games and the live auction begin at 4 p.m.Food includes sausage, pork barbecue, walking tacos, Vietnamese rice, egg rolls and more. Games include balloon art, pedal tractors, a barrel train and a bounce house. The auction will feature quilts, travel and dining experiences, sports and show tickets, and lawn and garden tools. The Locust Grove Campus is located at 2257 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster.
Kraybill 39th Annual Benefit Auction and Pig Roast Friday, May 6, 3 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. The Kraybill Campus of Lancaster Mennonite School is holding a Benefit Auction and Pig Roast on May 6. The auction begins at 4 p.m., selling unique experiences, dining opportunities, a variety of plants, patio furniture, art and class projects. A plant auction will run simultaneously from 7-7:45 p.m. The famous all-you-can-eat Pig Roast runs from 4-7 p.m. For more information, click here.
LMS Golf Tournament Wednesday, May 11, 2016 A day out of the office to exercise, fellowship and support students at Lancaster Mennonite School! LMS Golf Tournament May 11 at Conestoga Country Club Pick a 7:15 Tee Time or a 12:30 Tee Time Select your foursome and have a great day! Noon meal and Evening dinner are served by Hess BBQ & Catering at the CCC Register with John H. Denlinger at LMS Lots of Skill prizes and Door Prizes for everyone. More details on the LMS Website or contact John H. Denlinger Mennonite Children's Choir of Lancaster Spring 2016 Concert Series
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
Mennonite Children's Choir of Lancaster Auditions The Mennonite Children's Choir of Lancaster is now scheduling auditions on May 10 and 11 for the 2016-2017 choir year. Children and youth in kindergarten through grade 12 may contact Artistic Director Darlene Hein (717-333-4202) to schedule an audition. Singers meet Tuesday evenings late August through early May to rehearse for a fall and spring concert series. The mission of MCCL is training children and youth to glorify Jesus Christ through excellent choral singing. The MCCL program is open to children and youth from all church backgrounds and is a program of Lancaster Mennonite School as a service to the community.
LMS Campus Chorale 2016 Spring Tour
Sunday, April 24, 7 p.m. Mount Joy Mennonite Church
Sunday, May 1, 7 p.m. Mellinger Mennonite Church
Sunday, May 15, 7 p.m. Stumptown Mennonite Church |
In Our Blood: Nazism, MCC, and the Invention of Mennonite Ethnicity In Our Blood: Nazism, MCC, and the Invention of Mennonite Ethnicity- Harvard University Historian Ben Goossen traces the entanglement of Anabaptist and Aryan ideologies before, during, and after Hitler's Third Reich. He will talk on Friday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at Ridgeview Mennonite Church.
En nuestra sangre: el nazismo, el CCM, y la invención de la etnicidad menonita El historiador de la Universidad de Harvard, Ben Goossen, trazará el entrelazamiento entre la ideología anabautista y aria antes, durante, y después del Tercer Reich. Ben expondrá su charla el viernes 20 de mayo, 7 p.m. en la Iglesia Menonita de Ridgeview.
Rug Braiding Learn how to make your own rug on Saturday, May 7, at the 1719 Hans Herr House & Museum. Deborah Weinhold will teach this folk art class. Register by April 22 by calling (717) 464-4438 or online at www.hansherr.org.
Trenzando una alfombra Aprende a crear tu propia alfombra el sábado 7 de mayo en la Casa Museo de Hans Herr del 1719. Deborah Weinhold enseñará esta clase de arte folklórico. Regístrate para el 22 de abril llamando al (717) 464-443 o en el enlace www.hansherr.org.
Tour of Early Mennonite Homes in Lititz Discover the early buildings in and around Lititz, including those related to the Becker, Bomberger, Brubaker, Carpenter, Eby, Hess, Landis, and Shenk families during a field trip on Saturday, June 11, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is due May 11. Get your ticket at www.lmhs.org or by calling (717) 393-9745.
Gira a casas menonitas antiguas de Lititz Descubra las casas antiguas en y alrededor del pueblo de Lititz, incluyendo las que están relacionadas a las familias Becker, Bomberger, Brubaker, Carpenter, Eby, Hess, Landis y Shenk. Esta gira se llevará a cabo el sábado 11 de junio de 8 a.m. hasta las 4:00 p.m. Regístrate para el 11 de mayo en www.lmhs.org o llamando al (717) 393-9745.
Tour to Puerto Rico: Island of Enchantment Join us on a five-day tour to Puerto Rico exploring Mennonite history and popular attractions on the Island. The tour will be held from Thursday, October 20, to Monday, October 24. Cost per person is $1,975. Price of the tour includes airfare, motor coach, lodging, seven meals, and site tours. A $500 deposit is required by June 1, and full payment, by August 5. Interested persons can learn more and register at www.lmhs.org or by calling 717-393-9745.
Gira a Puerto Rico: Isla del Encanto Únete a una gira de cinco días a Puerto Rico para explorar la historia menonita y visitar lugares populares en la Isla. La gira se llevará a cabo de jueves, 20 de octubre a lunes, 24 de octubre. El costo por persona es de $1,975. El precio incluye boleto de avión, autobús, hospedaje, siete comidas, y giras locales. Se requiere un depósito de $500 para el 1ro de junio, y pago completo para el 5 de agosto. Personas interesadas pueden aprender más sobre el viaje y registrarse en www.lmhs.org, o llamando al 717-393-9745.
Volunteers Needed Would you be willing to volunteer with the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society? There are dozens of opportunities to consider. We invite any able-bodied persons between ages 12 and 112 to help at the headquarters on Millstream Road, Lancaster, or at the 1719 Herr House near Willow Street. If you are interested in volunteering, call (717) 393-9745 or email Dorothy Siegrist at manager@lmhs.org.
Se necesitan voluntarios ¿Estarías dispuesto a ser voluntario con la Sociedad Histórica Menonita de Láncaster? Hay docenas de oportunidades. Invitamos a cualquier persona físicamente capaz entre las edades de 12 a 112 a ayudar en la oficina central en Millstream Road en Láncaster, o en la Casa de Hans Herr de 1719 cerca de Willow Street. Si tienes interés en ser voluntario, llama al (717) 393-9745 o envía un correo electrónico a manager@lmhs.org. |
Landis Communities
 Preparing for the Aging Process By 2050, the population aged 65 plus will be 84 million, nearly double what it is today. That means one out of every five persons will be that age. Is your congregation talking about this? How might this affect how your work as a congregation? Landis Communities is thinking about this and would love to hear what you are thinking and share what we are learning. Why not start a conversation? Invite Landis Communities to be part of these conversations in Sunday School Classes, small groups and other settings. For more information, contact Larry Guengerich at LGuengerich@LandisCommunities.org or (717) 381-3526.
"A Caregiver's Journey" Come hear from a person who has been intimately involved with caring for a loved one with Memory Loss. Rosalie Custer will be sharing "A Caregiver's Journey" Tuesday, April 26, 2016, 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the Warwick Room in the Heritage Memory Support Area of Landis Homes, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz PA 17543. The event is Co-Sponsored by Landis Homes and the Alzheimer's Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. It is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Landis Homes at 717-581-3939.
Annual golf Tournament Golfers of all levels are invited to the 25th annual golf tournament raising money for the Adult Day Services (ADS) at Landis Homes. Since 1991, friends and colleagues of Landis Homes have provided scholarships for eligible ADS clients who are not able to afford the full cost of these quality services. The event will be held Friday June 3, at Foxchase Golf Club. For more information click here or call 717-509-5490. |
LMC Fraternal Ministries Events & Information
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Amish Educational Series: Of Funerals, Forgiveness and the Media Thursdays, May 5 & May 12, 7 p.m., Chapel Upcoming series organized by the Lancaster Mennonite Society focuses on funerals, forgiveness and relationships with the media in the Amish community.
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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. |
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. |
No Longer Alone Ministries Meets at: Rossmere Mennonite Church, 741 Janet Ave, Lancaster PA Time: 3:00-4:00 Educational Program, 4:10-5:00 Share and Care Groups Dates/Topics: April 24: Affordable Housing, Presented by Ann Linkey, Tabor May 22: How to Access Mental Health Services, Presented by Rebecca Sangrey, MSW,LSW, Lanc Co BH-DS Paths to Discovery Meets at: No Longer Alone Ministries, 630 Janet Ave, Lancaster PA Room B-103 Time: First Thursday of each month from 11:00-12:30 Dates/Topics: May 5: A Working Workplace
Special Movie Screening Featuring the movie Canvas At Penn Cinema Thursday, May 12, 5:00 Hors d'oeuvres, 6:00 feature presentation |
Congregational Events & Information
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Weaverland Mennonite Church Night of Music with the Gap Male Chorus Saturday, April 23, 7 p.m. |
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 |
Women's Spring Bible Study Discerning the Voice of God Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 9-10:30a.m., 2-3:30p.m., or 6-7:30p.m. Do you know when God is speaking to you? No blessing surpasses a relationship with God in which you know when He is specifically calling to you. The more intimate your relationship with Him, the clearer God's voice becomes. Discerning the voice of God provides participants with practical help in knowing what you hear is from God. Through this study you will become more familiar with God's Holy Spirit, his character, language and tone of voice. Registration is required. Choose time of day. You may change a time if necessary. No cost for the session. Work book cost, $12.99. Bible Study is held at the home of Rhoda S. Oberholtzer, 807 Lititz Pk. PO Box 318, Lititz, PA 17543. If you have any questions, contact Rhoda at Home: 717-626-5658, Cell: 717-940-5500 or e-mail: jroberho@ptd.net. |
April Workshops
Monday, April 25 at 7 p.m. Led by Dr. Larry Colvin, Professor & Director of Continuing Education at Lancaster Theological Seminary At the Parish Resource Center, 2160 Lincoln Hwy E #18, Lancaster Pa Free to anyone attending a Member Church $15 for nonmembers Defining, naming and distinguishing Institutional Racism in the context of the church. Too often we lack understanding of how institutional racism manifests itself within religious institutions and traditions. This conversation intends to highlight the nuanced complexities of institutional racism, and its relationship to personal bias and prejudice. Some of the takeaways from this workshop will be: * How cultures are often in conflict in the church * How traditions are often maligned in the church * Differentiating personal bias from Institutional Racism
Wednesday, April 27 from 11:30am to 1:00pm At the Parish Resource Center, 2160 Lincoln Hwy E #18, Lancaster Pa Free to all attending All church administrative assistants and secretaries are invited! Check out our new space. 25 spaces available. First come, first served. Reserve your spot today! Includes giveaways, gift bags, and more.
There is more detail on all workshoops on the Parish Resource Center website: www.parishresourcecenter.org |
Chatter, Chow & Cheerful Service |
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 |
PA Friends of Meserete College in Ethiopia Blossom Hill String Band The Pennsylvania Friends of Meserete College in Ethiopia has scheduled a concert by the Blossom Hill String Band on Sunday, May 22, 7 pm at Blossom Hill Mennonite Church. There will be a free will offering taken for the college scholarship fund. |
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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| Lancaster Mennonite Conference
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Lancaster, PA 17602
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