Information for leaders and congregations UPDATES These UPDATES are shared so that leaders and congregations are aware of Biblical Classes 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. | | Educational Programs for Churches | | Mennonite World Conference | | YABs Fellowship Week Mennonite World Conference | | | Grace and peace to you on behalf of the YABs (Young Anabaptists) Committee! As the YABs Committee, our vision is that on the foundation of our Anabaptist identity, through global and local networking, we can walk together, empowering and supporting each other as young Anabaptists in fellowship, decision-making and peace-making initiatives. Often we don't realize we have a global community that shares our same roots in Anabaptism. This year, our 8th annual YABs Fellowship Week continues to strengthen our global sense of the Anabaptist community within the young adult context. During this time (18-25 June 2023) youth and young adult groups from all over the world can participate (see below) by sharing prayer requests and praise with each other, and discussing Scripture based on our theme: The family I found in my salvation (Luke 15:4-7). As young people, we are not just the future of the church, but the present. A diverse family, we all have gifts and lessons to offer in our local and global church, both as individuals and as collective cultures. So, consider this an official invitation to participate in YABs Fellowship Week. Although we can't be together physically, we can worship together in spirit and in truth as we strive to live kingdom-focused lives in our respective cultures and countries. | | | | How can you participate? Here are some suggestions below! | | Use and adapt the materials | ...(Scripture, songs, discussion questions, prayer requests, testimonies, media, etc.) to your respective youth or young adult group that week. Available via Facebook and our website. | | | | Share with us! | It could be the impact of GYS, a testimony of how God is working in your local context, a meaningful worship song, a prayer or prayer request, etc. We want to be able to share these things on a broader scale so please send these to us via Facebook or by email. | | | | Organize a YABs Fellowship Week event | ...in your local community with other youth/young adult groups! Take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy fellowship within the broader Anabaptist community: worship, discuss and pray together. | | | Join the discussion | ...on Discord, in a private Facebook group, on Instagram. Meet other YABs from around the world and share conversations on our different perspectives. | | | | Follow us | ...on Facebook and Instagram to stay engaged via social media! | | | | | | Other Educational Events & Information from LMC resource partner organization Events | | Easter Mennonite Missions | | Landis Communities offers a Speakers Resource Listing to serve church and community groups. Team members are available at no cost to present in worship services, Sunday School classes, and other settings. Resourcing can happen in person or via Zoom. Subjects include Living Options for those who are Aging, Providing Care at Home, Memory Loss, Doing Church in an Aging Society, Financial Planning for Retirement, Environmental Care in Retirement Communities, Church History and Aging, and Spiritual Life and Aging. Please contact Larry Guengerich, Director of Communications & Engagement, at LGuengerich@Landis.org or call (717) 381-3526. | | Intro to Cemetery Research If you would like to learn how to include cemetery records in your family history research, the Intro to Cemetery Research class is a great place to begin. Join genealogical research expert James C. Landis on Saturday, June 3 at Mennonite Life, 2215 Millstream Rd. Lancaster, from 9:30-11:30 am. Kenn LeFever will also offer insight into the specific resources available at the Mennonite Life library. If weather permits, the class will conclude with a visit to a local Mennonite cemetery. For more information or to register for the class, visit mennonitelife.org/events or call 717.393.9745. | | | | |