UPDATES 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 | |  In 2024, we celebrate 20 years of STEP, a discipleship training opportunity for leaders. To date, we have graduated over 150 students serving throughout LMC as bishops, pastors, teachers, missionaries, worship leaders, children, youth leaders, and in a host of other leadership roles. STEP is an opportunity to affirm and train the next and current generation of LMC leaders. For more information, you are welcome to watch this short introductory video by clicking this Video link here and checking out the STEP brochure. STEP orientation is August 17, 2024 | | | 
July 2024
Dear LMC Credentialed Leaders,
In Mark 1:17, Jesus said to Simon and Andrew, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." And in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul writes, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." LMC is on a journey to be a Spirit-led movement to make disciples of Christ. One place where disciples are being made is in STEP which stands for Study, Transform, Engage, Prepare: a ministry training program.
How and why do people come to STEP? It begins with an invitation from people like YOU! As we know from scripture, this was not Simon and Andrew's first encounter with Jesus. They had been hearing about Him, perhaps had even followed him for a few days, and now with this invitation, they made the decision to be all in.
The same is true for STEP. Often, people need more than one invitation to be part of this ministry training opportunity. They may need to visit class, ask questions of those who have been through the program, and talk with the family and church leaders as they pray and discern. Over the years, we have learned that it can take at least four to seven nudges before people commit to STEP. Please click HERE to learn more about STEP or to access the promotional video.
As pastors and leaders, you are a critical part of this process. How are you inviting people to follow you as you follow Christ? In what ways are you involved in raising up, equipping and preparing the next generation of leaders? Each of us is called to serve for a season and at some point, our season in leadership will change. As the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us, "There is a time for everything". There is a time to lead and a time to raise up new leaders.
There is a critical need in LMC for more leaders! Many congregations ask if we have a "list" of available leaders and the answer is "no, there is no list."
We invite you to prayerfully consider who in your congregation or district you may want to invite to follow you as you follow Christ. Let them know that you sense God at work in them and want to affirm and encourage them to pursue His call on their lives. Discipleship resources such as STEP, RadiX, and classes taught by William Higgins are available to help train and equip these new leaders.
Please join us in praying for God to raise up a new generation of Spirit-led leaders in LMC to make disciples, mobilize every member as a missionary and multiply communities of faith.
We are available to answer questions, speak at your district meeting and pray with you as part of the discernment process. Please contact us at step@lmcchurches.org.
The Bishop Elders Team | | Biblical Learning Opportunities at LMC | | | LMC resource partner organizations' Events & Information | | Kairos course
October 19- November 19
This course is for Christians at any point in their journey with God, guiding each participant into a biblical worldview. It is not strictly a "missions" course but is an opportunity for all God's people to be transformed and aligned with God's heart for the nations. It uses a unique combination of facilitated introductions, reading, videos, group discussions, special activities, and prayer for unreached people. Kairos is one of several mobilization tools produced by Simply Mobilizing International, based in the Philippines but active in over 100 countries around the world.
Register by October 12
The registration fee covers materials, refreshments, and lunches. For questions, please contact Krista Martin. Course Schedule - Sat, Oct. 19, 8 am-3 pm
- Tues, Oct. 22, 6:30-9 pm
- Tues, Oct. 29, 6:30-9 pm
- Tues, Nov. 5, 6:30-9 pm
- Tues, Nov. 12, 6:30-9 pm
- Sat, Nov. 16, 8 am-4:30 pm
- Tues, Nov. 19, 6-9:30 pm
REGISTER HERE | | CORE tutoring is an after-school program dedicated to providing quality educational support to middle and high school immigrant students in a setting that fosters personal connections. We aim to bridge the literacy gap, strengthen foundational skills, and build mentoring relationships. We invite you to be a part of it! CORE seeks volunteers to support the program in the next school semester (September-December 2024). If you are a retired teacher, Swahili speaker, or just someone who loves spending time with young people- we would love to have you a part of the CORE team! Reach out to corereadingprogram@gmail.com
if this opportunity interests you.
CORE runs every week on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:45-5:00 p.m. at Neighbors Community Center at Hub450, 450 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA. | |  Join Us
First Friday at Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio
5:00 – 8:00 pm, Monthly on the first Friday
Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio
118 N. Water Street, Suite 101, Lancaster, PA 17603
There's nothing like a First Friday in Lancaster! Join in Lancaster's highly popular arts extravaganza each and every First Friday. You'll be swept up in the creative energy that pervades the city. Discover innovative exhibitions, performances, and perhaps a few surprises as you walk our attractive streets lined with trees and distinctive architecture. Unique boutiques and excellent restaurants complement the art galleries, artisan studios, museums, performing groups, professional theater, symphony orchestra, and art college that comprise Lancaster's arts community. | |  | Former Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society EVENTS
Pennsylvania Dutch Conversation Group Learn and speak Pennsylvania Dutch together on Tuesday, July 23, 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the Mennonite Life Community Room. All levels of experience are welcome—from beginner to fluent speaker! Feel free to bring Pennsylvania Dutch songs, poems, and sayings to share. The recommended text for the group is Speaking Amish: A Beginner's Introduction to Pennsylvania German by Lillian Stoltzfus. For more information about the group, call 717.393.9745.
Join us July 25, 6:30 p.m for an exploration of Amish kitchen gardens with author Beth Oberholtzer. Oberholtzer's book explores Amish family gardens as portraits of the women who design, tend, and harvest them. Included are 32 family recipes straight from the garden: hot-pepper jam, fried green tomatoes, sweet dill pickles, sauerkraut for a crowd, corn fritters, and creamed celery.
 Annual Storytelling Night
Mennonite Life will host our Annual Storytelling Night at Mellinger Mennonite Church on Monday, August 5, at 7 p.m. Join us for an evening of listening, fellowship, and story-sharing. This event is complimentary. Mennonite Life welcomes donations to support our storytelling and conservation efforts. See more details at mennonitelife.org/events.
 Annual Storytelling Night
Join Mennonite Life on Monday, August 5, 7 p.m., at Mellinger Mennonite Church for Annual Story telling Night, featuring storytellers Josef Berthold and Becky Hess. Josef and Becky will take turns telling stories throughout the evening, inviting us to listen and learn from their rich experiences. This event is complimentary. Mennonite Life welcomes donations to support our storytelling and conservation efforts. Find more information and speaker bios at mennonitelife.org/events.
1719 Museum! The 1719 Museum is open for the season! Stop in Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., or book your tour in advance at mennonitelife.org and 1719 Museum Seasonal Hours Summer Internship Mennonite Life offers a Summer Internship Opportunity p in two areas: the archives and the museum. Working alongside staff members, interns will gain insight into the daily operation of a museum and archive. While the intern will work primarily in one of the two areas, they will be introduced to both throughout their time at Mennonite Life. Interns will also receive career counseling and coaching. Find application information at mennonitelife.org/about/employment/. | |  . 
Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning Fall Kick-Off EventTuesday, August 13 •
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
High Foundation Auditorium, the Crossings Building
Landis Homes,
1001 E. Oregon Rd, Lititz PA 17543 GPS address 1 Freesia Lane, Lititz PA 17543
Please Join Us for the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning Fall 2024 Kick-Off Event! This is a come-and-go, drop-in event with music and refreshments, designed to give you an opportunity to meet with other lifelong learners, age 55 plus, and Pathways Institute instructors and pick up a Fall 2024 course catalog. - No RSVP is required.
- Light refreshments will be provided.
Get your copy of the Fall 2024 course catalog: Registration for the Fall 2024 Term opens August 14 for Members, and August 21 for Non-Members
The No Longer Alone Family Support Group, supported by Landis Communities, will meet the fourth Sunday of the month. The guest speaker for July will be Fred Kiemle. His presentation "A Parent's Journey Through Mental Health Advocacy" will be followed by a time of sharing.
The public meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 28, 2024, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the Crossings Meeting Room of the Calvin G. and Janet C. High Learning and Wellness Center at Landis Communities, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA. The monthly meetings provide a place for those who have a loved one living with mental illness to learn and share their experiences. For information or to receive a monthly meeting reminder, call 717-381-3599 or email JAlbright@landis.org. | | | Want to know more about LMC events?
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