| 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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Please Note The LMC office will be closed, but open by Appointment Only, Monday, December 26 through Monday, January 2. The office will reopen on Tuesday, January 3.
Save the Date! Celebration of Church Life Friday, March 17, 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 18, 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Weaverland Mennonite Church, 210 Weaverland Valley Rd., East Earl, Pa. 17519 More information to come... LMC Youth Workers Monthly Breakfast On the 4th Tuesday of each month, youth ministry workers gather at 8:00 a.m. at Lyndon Diner in Lancaster, Pa. to share ideas and, encourage and support one another through conversation and prayer. Anyone involved with youth ministry in any way in Lancaster Mennonite Conference is welcome! Please RSVP on the LMC Youth Workers FB page if you are coming. 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.
Classified Ads LMC and LMC agencies, fraternal organizations, and congregations, often post classified ads under the "Classifieds" tab on the LMC website. Click here to see the postings. |
LMC Agency Events & Information
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Eastern Mennonite Missions  EMM receives many gifts to help support God's work around the world. Now we have a gift for you!Starting on the first Sunday of Advent (November 27), you can visit emm.org/advent to find our new online Advent calendar, "Waiting with hope." The calendar pages will include words from EMM missionaries and Scripture verses, all tied together with stunning international photos from our workers. This calendar is meant to help you await Christ's coming with hope as you ponder and pray during the Advent season. Check back for a new calendar page each day of Advent through Christmas Day.
Un regalo para usted de parte de EMM EMM recibe muchos regalos para prestar apoyo a la obra de Dios alrededor del mundo. En esta ocasión, ¡tenemos un regalo para usted! Comenzando el primer domingo de Adviento (el 27 de noviembre), usted puede visitar emm.org/advent para encontrar online nuestro Calendario de Adviento, "Waiting with Hope". Las páginas de este calendario incluyen palabras de misioneros de EMM y versículos de la Biblia, todo conectado junto con impresionantes fotos internacionales provistas por nuestros obreros. Este calendario fue creado con la intención de ayudarle a esperar la venida de Cristo con esperanza a medida que medita y ora durante el tiempo de Adviento. Visítenos repetidamente para obtener una nueva página cada día de Adviento hasta el día de Navidad.
Christian + Muslim = friends?
Heard any of these ideas? -
All Muslims are militant jihadists. -
Jesus followers need to hide their faith when relating to Muslims. -
Muslims are inaccessible or unapproachable. -
Muslims already have faith and don't need the gospel.
Invite EMM's Christian/Muslim Relations Team to your church to challenge myths like these. Equip your congregation or group for life-giving interaction with Muslims. Work with the team to choose the best mix of core and optional seminar components for your context. Learn more at emm.org/peacemakers. To book a seminar, email Jonathan Bornman at peacemakers@emm.org.
Cristiano + musulmán = ¿amigos?
¿Ha escuchado alguna de las siguientes ideas? - Todos los musulmanes son yihadistas militantes.
- Los seguidores de Jesús deben ocultar su fe cuando se relacionan con musulmanes.
- Los musulmanes son inaccesibles.
- Los musulmanes ya tienen fe y no necesitan del evangelio.
Invite al Equipo de Relaciones entre Cristianos y Musulmanes a su iglesia para desafiar mitos similares a estos. Capacite a su congregación o grupo para tener interacción vivificante con los musulmanes. Trabaje con el Equipo para elegir la mejor combinación de componentes básicos y opcionales de un seminario aplicable a su contexto. Obtenga mayor información visitando emm.org/peacemakers. Para reservar fechas para un seminario, envíe un correo electrónico a Jonathan Bornman a peacemakers@emm.org.
Launch into life on mission Want to learn cross-cultural disciple-making skills that will launch you into life on mission? Explore mission internship possibilities at emm.org/internship.
Develop a Christian camp in Chile. Teach English in the Czech Republic. Start a business in Central Asia. Or intern in a social impact business right here in North America. Four to twelve month assignments for those 18 and older.
Impulsados hacia una vida en misión
¿Desea aprender habilidades interculturales de discipulado que le impulsarán a tener toda una vida en misión? Explore las posibilidades de un internado o pasantía en misiones visitando emm.org/internship.
Desarrolle un campamento cristiano en Chile. Enseñe Inglés en la República Checa. Inicie un negocio en Asia Central. O sea un interno o pasante en un negocio de impacto social aquí mismo en Norteamérica. Posiciones de cuatro a doce meses para mayores de 18 años.
Missional Pathways Missional Pathways is a network for mission involvement. It connects people with the skills, opportunities, resources, and expertise necessary to make their missional impulses a reality. Missional Pathways serves as an extension of its sponsoring congregations and mission organizations, linking people together for increased effectiveness in mission.
Are you sensing an impulse? Ready for an adventure? Active in a venture? Wherever you are on your journey into missions, Missional Pathways is here to help. To request a meeting with a staff person, please write to info@missionalpathways.org or call 717 584-4404 (if no answer, leave a voicemail or send a text).
Missional Pathways Missional Pathways (Sendas misioneras) es un sistema de interrelaciones para la participación en misiones. Conecta a las personas con los conocimientos, oportunidades, experiencia, y recursos necesarios para hacer realidad sus impulsos misionales. Missional Pathways sirve como una extensión de las congregaciones y organizaciones misioneras que la patrocinan, conectando a las personas para lograr una mayor eficacia en misiones.
¿Siente usted un impulso? ¿Está listo para una aventura? ¿Está activo en una aventura? Dondequiera que se encuentre en su viaje a las misiones, Missional Pathways está aquí para ayudar. Para solicitar una cita con un miembro del staff, por favor escriba a info@missionalpathways.org o llame al 717 584-4404 (si no hay respuesta, deje un voicemail o envíe un texto).
Want to become a disciple who makes disciples? Multipliers is a mentored group of disciples committed to learning about and sharing disciple-making principles. Meet weekly with like-minded people for accountability and encouragement as you practice the four concepts of EMM's Scripture-based discipleship philosophy: relationship, obedience, transformation, and multiplication. With coaching from EMM staff, take practical steps to implement discipleship methods in church and community. Bring back simple skills to empower your congregation to multiply disciples. The next group begins in January. For more information, visit emm.org/multipliers or contact Troy Landis at 717 898-2251 ext. 245.
¿Quiere llegar a ser un discípulo que hace discípulos? Multipliers (multiplicadores) es un grupo de discípulos con mentores comprometido a aprender y compartir principios de cómo hacer discípulos. Reúnase semanalmente con personas que piensan en forma similar para dar cuenta y ser alentado a medida que practica los cuatro conceptos de la filosofía de discipulado de EMM basados en la Escritura: relación, obediencia, transformación, y multiplicación. Con entrenamiento provisto por personal de EMM, tome medidas prácticas para implementar métodos de discipulado en la iglesia y en la comunidad. Recupere habilidades simples para darle a su congregación la capacidad para multiplicar discípulos. El próximo grupo comienza en enero. Para mayor información, visite emm.org/multipliers o póngase en contacto con Troy Landis en el 717 898-2251 ext 245. |
Pennsylvania German Folk Art Sale Come to the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society for their annual sale of handcrafted goods. Enjoy a variety of work ranging from textiles to pottery and beyond, all done in traditional forms. The sale runs 8:30 to 4:30, Tuesday through Saturday, until December 31 at 2215 Millstream Rd., Lancaster, Pa.
Venta de Arte Folklórica Alemana de Pensilvania Ven a la Sociedad Histórica Menonita de Láncaster para la venta anual de artesanía. Disfruta de una variedad de obras que abarcan textiles hasta cerámicas, y mucho más. La venta se lleva a cabo entre 8:30 a.m. y 4:30 p.m., de martes a sábado, hasta diciembre 31, en la Sociedad ubicada en la 2215 Millstream Rd., Lancaster, Pa. |
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Mennonite Children's Choir of Lancaster Auditions Children entering grades 2-12 are invited to audition for the Mennonite Children's Choir of Lancaster (MCCL) second semester (January through May). The auditioned choirs include: Carol Choir (grades 2-5), Concert Choir (grades 6-8) and Chamber Choir (grades 9-12), led by interim director Sarah Wingard and artistic director Rosemary Blessing. Prelude Music (grades 1-2) and Choristers (grades 3-7), also part of the MCCL program, are non-auditioned classes. Second semester registration for these classes is also open. To schedule an audition, contact interim director Sarah Wingard at (540)-383-9986 or
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. |
Caring For Our Elders Does your small group, Sunday School class or other group want to learn more about how rapid changes in caring for our elders is happening? Would you like to hear about creative ways other congregations are walking with their own members through the aging process? Landis Communities offers a Speakers Resource Listing to serve church and community groups. Landis Communities' team members are available at no cost to present on a variety of topics. For more information, contact Larry Guengerich at LGuengerich@landiscommunities.org, or 717-381-3526. You can see some of the potential presentation titles at http://www.landiscommunities.org/speakers/
Memory Loss Support Group  The first Memory Loss Support Group of the year will be held Tuesday January 21 at 7 PM. The group will be viewing a DVD from Teepa Snow, one of the leading educators on dementia. The meeting takes place in The Heritage, Warwick Room at Landis Homes 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543. For more information call (717) 581-3939 or email supportgroups@landishomes.org.
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LMC Fraternal Ministries Events & Information
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January 6-8, 2017
January 13-15, 2017 Help your kids take root in their faith by attending this year's Sr. High Retreat. Kids will be inspired through devotional sessions led by Tom DelRocini, and engage in topics of interest during break-out sessions. Music led by worship band, Saline.
January 27-29, 2017 Are you ready to make a dent in those piles of photos waiting for albums? Enjoy an atmosphere of fellowship, laughter, and of course, time to work on your scrapbooks.
February 24-26, 2017 Looking for spiritual refreshment? Escape the circus at home and reconnect with God at Camp Hebron's Women's Retreat, featuring speaker and blogger, Bonni Greiner and worship led by Annie Brown. |
Saturday Evening Concert Series Saturday, January, 21, 7 p.m. Garden Spot Village invites the public to come out for an evening of fun and music with a showing of a silent film accompanied by organist Wayne Zimmerman, on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m.
"The combination of a silent film and a live musical score is a popular event that we hope our friends in the community will come out to enjoy with us," said Colleen Musselman, director of life enrichment at Garden Spot Village.
All concerts begin at 7 p.m. in the chapel at Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland. The concerts are free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door.
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Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation is offering a Centering Prayer Retreat on Saturday, February 4, 2017 from 9 -4 pm at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville. Todd Friesen, lead pastor of East Chestnut Street Mennonite will be the facilitator. Centering Prayer is a way of praying that deepens our relationship with God and God's presence within us through being still and "resting in God' in silence. Todd will provide instruction as well as able time for silent prayer. For additional information please visit the Kairos website (click here). Early bird registration deadline is January 6, 2017.
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No Longer Alone Ministries Sunday, January 22, 2017, 3-5 p.m. Rossmere Mennonite Church, 741 Janet Ave, Lancaster FSG brings Christian support for families and friends of loved ones with mental illness. There are informative topics to enhance insight and understanding of mental illness. Click here for more information. PATHS to Discovery Support Group PATHS participants experience fellowship, encouragement, and mutual support for their personal journeys with mental illness. Click here for more information - First and third Tuesday of each month from 2 -3 :30 p.m. at Aspire Community Center, 45 E Main St, Mt Joy.
- First, third, and fourth Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at NLAM location, 630 Janet Ave, Room B103, Lancaster.
- Second Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at The Salvation Army, 121 S Queen St, Lancaster.
- Third Wednesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at The Factory Ministries, 3098 Lincoln Hwy E, Paradise.
Feeling generous? The excitement and joy our clients experience at the annual client Christmas Party is something to behold. For many of them this is their only Christmas celebration. As we prepare once again for this festive event, we are seeking gift-givers like yourself to donate $20-25 gift cards that we can include in a gift bag of tasty treats and small personal/household items. Would you be willing to donate a card or two? You can either purchase a card(s) and bring it to the office, or send a check designated for client gift cards in the amount you wish to contribute. If you choose to purchase a card, please consider businesses such as grocery stores, gas stations, department stores, or restaurants as these are the most useful to our clients. To help us plan accordingly, an indication of your willingness to make a donation is requested as soon as possible ( office@nlam.org). Thank you for considering this opportunity! |
Congregational Events & Information
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Willow Street Mennonite Church Live Nativity Event Willow Street Mennonite Church invites you to attend our LIVE NATIVITY on the evenings of Dec. 17, 18 & 24. Park at the church and journey with us outdoors to the stable in Bethlehem (a nearby barn). Presentations are approximately every ½ hour from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This is a FREE event, but donations will be accepted for "Homes of Hope". For more information, visit willowstreetmennonite.com or call 717-464-2422, ext. 1.
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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:
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Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity workshop Saturday, February 11, 2017, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Lititz COB Church, 300 W. Orange St., Lititz Our popular Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity (CCCG) workshops have awakened a spirit of generosity within many congregations! You may see the challenges of the economic climate, be concerned about the financial stability of your congregation, and desire to foster generosity among your attenders. Consider participating in Everence's CCCG workshop on Saturday, Feb 11, 2017, which specifically helps pastors and their leadership teams rethink their role in congregational finances, become better stewards of their members gifts, and awaken an ongoing spirit of generosity within their communities. Attached is an overview of what CCCG is (click here), some testimonials from pastors who have attended (click here), and an informational flier about the Feb 11 workshop (click here). Space is limited, so please be in touch with me via email or phone no later than Friday, Dec 30 if your congregation is interested in participating. If the Feb 11, 2017 date does not work for you but you are interested in a future CCCG workshop, please let me know and I will put you on a list for the future! For questions/information, contact Kevin Nofziger, Church and Member Relations Representative 717-653-6662, Stewardship University Saturday, April 8, 2017, Calvary Church More than 30 workshops focusing on holistic stewardship. Click here for more information. For questions/information, contact Kevin Nofziger, Church and Member Relations Representative 717-653-6662, |
Wednesday, February 15, 2017, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mount Joy MC, 320 Musser Road, Mount Joy, Pa.
Cost is $60 per person. An early-bird discounted price of $40 is offered to Flourish participants and Landisville-Manor pastors and teams, if they register by Friday, January 6, 2017 by sending full payment to Mount Joy Mennonite Church, 320 Musser Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552. Please note Flourish/5 Voices on the check. Note that checks must be received by this date to receive the discounted pricing. Registration is welcome after that date until Friday, February 3, 2017 for the regular price of $60. No lunch is included in this event.
We strongly encourage you to bring your leadership teams or elders or persons who assist you in your local context. You may want to consider planning to have lunch together following this event, or to schedule a time when you will review what you heard. There is no need to buy the book before attending. Some of the key aspects of the day will be helping us each accurately assess our leadership voice, as well as recognize the weapons system of each of the voices (including our own!).
Click here to view the flier for the event.
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Mennonite & Brethren Marriage Encounter Engaged Encounter Take a break from wedding planning and spend a weekend away with your fiancé(e) focusing on your upcoming marriage by attending our upcoming Engaged Encounter, January 6-8, at Kenbrook Bible Camp! Learn more about each other as you learn about communication, how to deal with stress in marriage, how to make your marriage last a lifetime, and more! Visit our website (www.marriageencounter.org), send us an email (love@marriageencounter), or give us a call at 717-569-5676 for more information or to register.
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Mennonite Central Committee One of our partners in Serbia is in need of cotton and flannel fabric for use in sewing linens, pajamas for children, curtains and tablecloths. If you have extra cotton or flannel fabric, please consider donating it. Fabric can be dropped off at the MCC East Coast MRC in Ephrata, PA, the MCC East Coast regional office in Philadelphia, PA, the MCC MRC of Harleysville in Souderton, PA, or the Cumberland Valley Relief Center in Chambersburg, PA. Please label the donation "Fabric for MCC Relief." For more information, contact the MCC East Coast MRC at EastCoastMRC@mcc.org or (717) 733-2847. |
Mennonite World Conference Global Songfest A Mennonite World Conference Global Songfest will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 7 p.m. at Akron Mennonite Church. International music (including songs from MWC Assembly) will be the focus of the congregational songfest. As part of the Songfest, watch for details of the Saturday morning, January 21, workshop for congregational music leaders called "Bringing the Music Home." This is a workshop for congregational musicians to learn how international music can be shared with local congregations. Please note that Sunday January 22, 2017 is World Fellowship Sunday. Resources for Sunday worship services for local congregation can be found at: |
Parish Resource Center An Evening with Kenda Creasy Dean Thursday, February 23, 7:00 p.m. Highland Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean, Professor of Youth, Church and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary, will speak to this question during this event. Millennials' faith is "not durable enough to survive long after they graduate from high school. One more thing: we're responsible," Dean says. What should churches do? Dean urges churches to stick to their message, their faith community, and their mission, rather than watering down their beliefs with the hopes of attracting more young people. That is simply "a do-good, feel-good spirituality," as she calls it. Dean argues in her book, Almost Christian, that young, committed Christians share several traits, all of which churches can learn from and respond to when creating a youth ministries program: a personal relationship with God, a dynamic congregation and/or youth group, a sense of call, and hope. How do churches help to create and foster these good environments and opportunities? How do they create the authentic atmosphere young people crave? Join us as Dean speaks with hope about how to address these questions. If you have any questions, please call the PRC directly at 717-299-1113. Your tickets will be emailed to you immediately after your purchase is completed. If you do not receive them, please check your spam folder. All tickets are for General Admission. An Evening with Krista Tippett Saturday, March 4, 7:00 p.m. Lancaster Mennonite School's Fine Arts Center Beloved for her "On Being" podcast, Krista Tippet, the New York Times bestselling author and Peabody-award-winning broadcaster, will speak on Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at an event hosted by the Parish Resource Center. The event will be held at Lancaster Mennonite School's Fine Arts Center. Each ticket includes a free copy of Tippett's latest book, Becoming Wise. Why not make tickets to this event Christmas gifts for your family and friends this year (and be sure to get a ticket for yourself!). Your tickets will be emailed to you immediately after your purchase is completed. If you do not receive them, please check your spam folder. All tickets are for General Admission. How do churches minister to Millennials, a generation who embrace Christianity, but are apathetic, even wary, of the organized church?
For more information on these, and other workshops - and to register for workshops - visit |
| | | | | Quick Links
Lancaster Conference
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| Lancaster Mennonite Conference
2160 Lincoln Highway East
Lancaster, PA 17602
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