Fwd: October Church Announcements from MCC

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Laura Pauls-Thomas, MCC East Coast <EastCoast@mcc.org>
Date: Tue, Oct 16, 2018 at 3:36 PM
Subject: October Church Announcements from MCC
To: info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

October 2018 Church Announcements

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Ongoing Bulletin Announcements

NYMIP 20th Anniversary Celebration

Join Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and the New York City Council of Mennonite Churches (NYCCMC) to honor the New York Mennonite Immigration Program (NYMIP)'s history, heritage and legacy in assisting immigrants in New York City. On October 20th we'll share a meal at 4:00 p.m., followed by a service at 5:00 p.m., when we'll recognize local churches, partner programs, clients and special guests Sandra Perez, Pastor Celso Jaime and Bishop Nicholas Angustia.

The event will be held at United Revival Mennonite Church (390 Melrose Street, Brooklyn, NY) in both English and Spanish. For more information, visit mcc.org/20th-nymip.

Anabaptist high school students can win $750!

Do you have a passion for writing about the causes you care about? The MCC Washington Office is now accepting submissions for its annual high school essay contest! This year's topics include gun violence, immigration and North Korea.

Anabaptist youth who are of high school age within the U.S. and Puerto Rico are eligible to enter and win up to $750! The deadline for submitting essays is January 25, 2019. To learn more, visit mcc.org/essay-contest.

Grocery boxes for your neighbors

Are you seeking ways to help your neighbor this fall? MCC is collecting grocery items from now until Christmas to distribute to vulnerable families in cities like Reading, Philadelphia and New York City. The program has one sole purpose—to help Anabaptist congregations respond to needs in their communities. These groceries are meant to supplement what people already have.

Fill a bag or box with the following grocery items and bring them to the MCC Material Resources Center (517 West Trout Run Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522):

vegetable oil (32 oz.)
pasta (2 lbs.)
raisins (1 lb.)
white rice (32 oz.)
2 cans meat (chicken or tuna) (12 oz.)
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz.)
2 cans fruit (14-20 oz.)
2 cans vegetables (14-16 oz.)
2 cans beans (15.5 oz.)
1 box of cereal (14-18 oz.)
peanut butter (28 oz.)

For more information, contact the MCC East Coast Material Resources Center at EastCoastMRC@mcc.org or call 717-733-2847.

Donate comforters and blankets to MCC

Cooler weather is here, and we're all thankful for the comfort of our cozy homes and warm blankets. But for many families who have been forced from their homes due to natural disaster or violence, a colorful handmade comforter or blanket from MCC can bring hope and comfort in the midst of challenging circumstances.

MCC is in urgent need of comforters so that we may respond to the needs of displaced people around the world. Please consider making comforters or purchasing blankets (twin or full size) to donate to MCC. For instructions, shipping information and drop-off locations, visit mcc.org/kits. For more information, contact the MCC East Coast Material Resources Center at EastCoastMRC@mcc.org or call (717) 733-2847.

"Piecing Together Tradition" Quilting Fest

Join MCC and the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society for a day of learning, quilting and connecting on Saturday, November 3, 2018. from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the MCC Material Resources Center (517 West Trout Run Road, Ephrata, Pa. 17522).

Kyra Hicks, an expert on African American quilting, and Janneken Smucker, an authority on Mennonite and Amish quilting, will introduce the history and culture of the two groups. Attendees are invited to tell the story of one of their quilts. Enjoy fellowship over soup with a dessert potluck. The quilts will be auctioned at relief sales to support MCC's ministries.

Please register for this event ($15) by October 3 by visiting lmhs.org or calling (717) 393-9745.

Download and share the event flyer.

Volunteer groups needed this fall at the MRC!

Is your church group looking for a way to get involved and make a difference in the world? Consider volunteering your time at the MCC Material Resources Center (MRC) in Ephrata, Pa., this fall. During the months of September through December, volunteer numbers at the MRC are low and we need groups to help with baling, book cutting, quilting and sewing, among other tasks. Children ages 11 and up are welcome to serve alongside adults!

Contact David Miller-Glick at DavidMillerGlick@mcc.org or call the MRC at (717) 733-2847 to get started. Thank you for serving in the name of Christ!

Open positions

Legislative and Communications Assistant (Stipend): Half of this full-time position involves public policy advocacy, focused primarily on mass incarceration and needed reforms to the U.S. criminal justice system, with a secondary focus on gun violence. The other half of the role focuses on the office's public communications. Candidates need to be legally authorized to work in the United States. Application deadline is November 9, 2018.

Website Developer (Salaried): This position is an integral part of the MCC Digital Communications Team focused on our external audience and responsible for maintaining and enhancing MCC's digital communications infrastructure including websites, social media and email newsletters for MCC in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. This includes maintenance and creation of new projects.

Sewing and Textile Coordinator (Stipend): This person coordinates the work of the sewing room and areas of the warehouse related to fabrics at the Material Resources Center (MRC) in Ephrata, Pa. We're looking for someone who's creative and can upcycle donated materials to sell at the Hands of Love Gift Shop.

To learn more and to view more open positions, visit mcc.org/careers.

Resources for Church Leaders

Practical steps to address gun violence

MCC offers these resources to you and your congregation to help you address the issue of violence related to guns:

Let's talk about it. "A loaded conversation" is a new conversation guide that will help people talk together and listen to each other as they discuss different perspectives of violence related to guns. This resource also provides some helpful content for pastors of all theological backgrounds who choose to preach about the issue of gun violence. D ownload "A loaded conversation" here.
Organize a peace walk. You can organize a pilgrim walk in your city to celebrate life, pray and draw attention to places where gun violence has affected your community. Read about a peace walk here. For tips on organizing a walk, email KristaDutt@mcc.org or CurtisBook@mcc.org.
Guns to garden tools. MCC is partnering with RAWtools to offer peacemaker events – worship services that include song, story, scripture and art, addressing the ways violence related to guns has affected your local community. A gun is forged into a garden tool on site at each event. For more information and a schedule of events, visit RAWtools.org.
Address policy. If you are looking for action steps and information around changing policy, check out this guide to preventing violence involving guns.
No guns at church? MCC has declared its properties to be gun-free zones. Consider doing the same and posting signs around your church property.
What else? We strongly encourage you to find and support local initiatives that work against gun violence. For ideas, contact Curtis Book, MCC East Coast peace and justice coordinator at CurtisBook@mcc.org or call MCC East Coast at (717) 738-0885.

"Kits are for Caring" Curriculum

MCC has a new curriculum for churches to get children (and people of all ages) excited about collecting relief kits! This curriculum is designed to be ready to use, with everything you need to guide a group of children toward a celebration of sharing God's gifts by collecting material resources for those in need around the world.

Download the curriculum!

Contact MCC East Coast at (717) 738-0885 if you need help downloading the PDF files or for more information.

My Coins Count 101

Coins add up. Each year, spare change collected by churches, children and families for MCC's My Coins Count program add up to more than $600,000 for MCC's work around the world. This video contains great ideas on how you can mobilize your church to collect coins to benefit MCC's work in food, water and education around the world.