From: Laura Pauls-Thomas, MCC East Coast <EastCoast@mcc.org>
Date: Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Subject: August Church Announcements from MCC
To: info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>
| August 2019 Church Announcements from MCC No Images? Click here  Information for church leaders and congregations: These monthly updates are shared so that you are aware of events and information from Mennonite Central Committee and our partners. We encourage you to share these announcements with your church leaders and congregation through email, a weekly printed bulletin, a monthly newsletter, Sunday morning announcements, your church website, or social media. Use your discretion and share what your congregation will find helpful. New Bulletin Announcements MCC High School Essay and Video Contest Calling all high school students! MCC's annual essay contest is now open, and we have an exciting change to announce. In addition to essays, we are now accepting short (2-3 minute) videos as well. Prizes of $750 will be awarded for the top essay and the top video. Students are invited to examine one of these three topics: climate change, gun violence or immigration. The deadline for entering is January 24, 2020 and winners will be announced in late March. For more information, visit mcc.org/essay-contest.  Advanced Immigration Law Training Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), in collaboration with Ayodele Gansallo and Judith Bernstein-Baker, the co-authors of Understanding Immigration Law and Practice, is now offering a 40 hour advanced immigration law training from October 21-25, 2019 at MCC's Welcoming Place in Akron, Pa. This intensive five-day (40 hour) training is designed for accredited (DOJ) representatives from the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recognized organizations, immigration case workers, paralegals and attorneys who are already practicing in the field and want to expand their knowledge. It is especially geared for those seeking full accreditation to practice before the agencies of the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS, ICE and CBP), U.S. immigration judges, and the BIA of the U.S. Department of Justice. For more information and to register by September 20, contact Saulo Padilla, MCC U.S. Immigration Education Coordinator, at SauloPadilla@mcc.org or visit mcc.org/events.  Peach Cobbler Mennonite Relief Auction Support MCC on September 13-14, 2019 at the Peach Cobbler Mennonite Relief Auction at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. Enjoy sumptuous food, joyful reunions, a remarkable hymn sing, quilting demonstrations and more. Last but not least, your support of the relief sale through the auction will enable you to make a difference in a hurting world. For more information, visit mcc.org/events, check out the Peach Cobbler Mennonite Relief Auction's Facebook page or contact Marilyn Schertz at (404) 373-2907.  Bike Shenandoah MCC Fundraiser Support MCC this fall through bicycling! Four rides of varying difficulty on September 14, 2019 provide an opportunity for the whole family to have fun on two wheels. The ride schedule is as follows:
All rides on September 14 begin at Eastern Mennonite School, 801 Parkwood Dr., Harrisonburg, VA, 22802. Riders are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the starting time. For more information and to register, visit mcc.org/events or contact Luke Schrock-Hurst, MCC Virginia Representative, at LukeSchrockHurst@mcc.org.  Relief kits and hygiene kits needed Relief kits and hygiene provide valuable supplies to families whose lives have been disrupted by war or disaster.
Will you give relief and hope to displaced families through donating relief kits and hygiene kits? Visit mcc.org/kits for kit information, shipping information and drop-off locations. For more information, contact the MCC East Coast Material Resources Center at EastCoastMRC@mcc.org or call (717) 733-2847.  Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale Support Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) on October 4-5, 2019 at the Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds! The sale offers a little bit of everything—quilts, artwork, homemade food, antiques, crafts, music and activities for the whole family. Be sure to stop by the Friends of MCC event Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. for storytelling and fellowship. Please join us in the big barn just outside the entry to the breakfast venue. Hope to see you there! For more information, visit mcc.org/events or contact Luke Schrock-Hurst, MCC Virginia Representative, at LukeSchrockHurst@mcc.org.  Open Positions at MCC Thrift Shops Executive Director (Ephrata, PA): The Ephrata Re-Uzit Store is completing a consolidation effort bringing all of their divisions into one new 36,000 sq. ft. building. The Board is searching for a full time Executive Director available by January 1, 2020. The successful candidate will build on current strengths with the goal of increasing contributions to Mennonite Central Committee and the local community. Candidates with experience in team leadership and strategic planning and with excellent communication skills are invited to submit a letter of interest and resume to agm@reuzit.org. A job description and application will be sent to qualified candidates. General Manager (Morgantown, PA): Morgantown ReUzit Shop is now accepting applications for the General Manager position. If you are interested or know someone who would be a good candidate to lead the shop, please submit your application and resume to info@morgantownreuzit.org for Board review.  Open positions HR Generalist - Akron, PA (Salaried): This position will join the MCC U.S. HR Team in carrying out an organization-wide recruitment strategy and selection processes to fill primary vacancies in MCC U.S. departments, and in ensuring that all on-boarding logistical details flow smoothly from lead candidate to start of employment/service with MCC. This position will be called on to communicate/translate HR information (recruitment, selection, hiring, benefits, compensation, policy interpretation, worker care, exit info, etc) with both English and Spanish-speaking Team Members of MCC. This position will provide back up support to HR colleagues during peak work times such as General Orientations and seasons with a high volume of openings/new placements in Shared International Program. MCC Representative for Nepal (Stipend): From here to...Katmandu? Why not - if you're looking for a place to use your leadership skills of administration, supervision, networking, listening for & implementing a vision, finding creative paths through conflicts/bureaucracy/change, etc.! Come serve as MCC Representative(s) for Nepal and you'll see more than the Himalayan mountains! Occupational Therapist – Vietnam (Stipend): Seeking Occupational Therapist(s) to help children & youth with disabilities reach their fullest potential -- in the beautiful province of Quang Ngai, in Central Vietnam! Join the dedicated staff of VAVA to help individuals & families, impacted by the effects of Agent Orange, learn new skills and utilize the resources they have to meet everyday challenges. Suggested start date is October 28, 2019. To learn more and to view more open positions, visit mcc.org/careers. Ongoing Bulletin Announcements SWAP needs your helping hands! Is your group looking for a summer or fall opportunity to serve others in the name of Christ? Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP) is a program of MCC Great Lakes, addressing multiple challenges of low-income families in Appalachia, including home repair and personal need. Groups of all ages are an essential component of SWAP's ministry. Fall is a great time for adult volunteer groups and home-schooled families. Please consider forming a group, large or small, to come and experience a week at one of the locations in West Virginia or Kentucky. For more information, visit mcc.org/swap or call Angela Maggard at 606-633-5065. Read the latest SWAP newsletter Download and share the 2019 SWAP poster  Interfaith Network on Drone Warfare - National Training Conference The Interfaith Network on Drone Warfare (INDW), a coalition of national denominations and faith groups, is sponsoring a national training conference on September 27-29, 2019 to equip people of faith interested in organizing within the faith community on ways to advocate and educate against drone warfare. It will be held at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Stipends are available to cover travel costs. For more information and to register, visit interfaithdronenetwork.com or contact Rev. Sandra Strauss, Director of Advocacy and Ecumenical Outreach with the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, at s.strauss@pachurches.org or (717) 545-4761. Download and share the flyer and registration form  Visit an MCC Thrift shop this summer! Did you know National Thrift Shop Day is on August 17? Thrift shopping is more than just a fun way to find a new outfit, de-clutter your home or escape the summer heat. When you visit an MCC Thrift shop, you help raise money for MCC's relief, development and peace work here in the U.S. and around the world. Last fiscal year, MCC Thrift in the U.S. contributed nearly $7 million to support MCC's ministries! Whether you're interested in shopping, donating items or volunteering at an MCC Thrift shop this summer, you can be part of the work MCC is doing around the world. To find an MCC Thrift shop near you, visit mcc.org/thrift.  Looking for opportunities to serve? The MCC Material Resources Center (MRC) in Ephrata, Pa. needs volunteer groups from September through December. Tasks include book recycling, baling items for recycling, kit checking, sewing, quilting and more. Tasks are available for people with and without physical limitations. Groups of 15 to 30 people can volunteer Thursdays from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. For more information and to get started, contact David Miller-Glick, Volunteer Coordinator, at DavidMillerGlick@mcc.org or call the Ephrata MRC at (717) 733-2847.  Save the Date(s) for the Great Winter Warm-up Join MCC in celebrating 100 years in January 2020 by collecting 5,000 comforters in the East Coast for distribution to people in need all around the world. To participate, you can...
These comforter events are just a handful of various events in 2020 to celebrate MCC's centennial. Learn more about the three distinct comforter events at the Ephrata MRC, MRC of Harleysville and Franconia Mennonite Church by visiting the MCC Material Resources Center - Ephrata Facebook page. More locations and dates will be announced soon! MCC encourages your church or sewing group to host your own comforter event as part of the Great Winter Warm-up! For general information, tips and resources for the Great Winter Warm-up, visit greatwinterwarmup.org or contact the Ephrata MRC at 717-733-2847 or email EastCoastMRC@mcc.org.  2020 Alumni Reunions at the Welcoming Place MCC welcomes alumni to host reunions at the Welcoming Place in Akron, Pennsylvania in 2020 as we celebrate our 100th anniversary. To see if a reunion is already scheduled for the country where you served or to organize a reunion, call 888-563-4676 or contact alumni@mcc.org. Resources for Church Leaders New mass incarceration video from MCC Are you looking for a way to engage your congregation with the work of MCC in the U.S.? Check out MCC's Youtube channel for a new video that shows how MCC works in mass incarceration alongside partner organizations to reach out to inmates through Christian discipling and training, and to returned citizens through housing and employment opportunities. Watch on Youtube: Mass incarceration and the Christian mandate Download and share the video at your gathering  "Kits are for Caring" MCC relief kit curriculum Is your congregation looking for a giving project to connect children with the work of the global church? MCC has a resource for churches to get children and people of all ages excited about collecting relief kits! Relief kits are a valuable resource for families who have been displaced due to war or disaster. Last year, MCC distributed more than 24,500 relief kits, and the need for relief kits continues to grow. This resource is designed to be ready to use and even contains a curriculum that includes everything you need to guide a group of children toward a celebration of sharing God's gifts by collecting humanitarian aid for those in need around the world. Download and share Kits are for Caring |
