Fwd: A name from a father

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: EMM <catherine.merkey@emm.org>
Date: Sat, Oct 31, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Subject: A name from a father
To: <gehmanmennonitechurch@gmail.com>

The nomads of Central Asia live like Abraham in many ways: pitching tents, herding animals, keeping track of extended family clans and memorizing genealogies. Another similarity between their culture

A NAME FROM A FATHER The nomads of Central Asia live like Abraham in many ways: pitching tents, herding animals, keeping track of extended family clans and memorizing genealogies. Another similarity between their culture and that of the Bible is their belief that words have power: a blessing or a curse, a congratulatory wish, or the meaning of a child’s name are all expected to change the real world.  READ MORE   DAILY PRAYER SOUTHEAST ASIA 1| Pray for traveling mercies as Brody, Abby, Elijah, and Esmae leave for Thailand today. Ask for peace through goodbyes and a joyful three weeks of learning and building friendships with their host family in Isaan. 2| Ask God to supply the Loewen family’s remaining support as they prepare to join Doorways in Isaan. Pray for health and encouragement as the team equips workers to reach remote communities. 3| As Thailand prepares for Loy Krathong this month, pray for conversations about forgiveness. Ask God to help Thai Christians explain the freedom they have found in Jesus. 4| Ask the Lord of the harvest to send short-and long-term workers to Southeast Asia. 5| Give thanks for the field workers selected as EMM’s next Southeast Asia regional representatives. Pray for wisdom as they prepare to assume these responsibilities in early 2027. 6| As Hindu families light lamps for Diwali, pray that the Holy Spirit opens conversations about Jesus to make Him known as the true Light of the World. 7| Pray for wise leadership choices at the Vietnam Mennonite Church’s General Assembly, younger leaders’ spiritual growth, and safe travel for LMC and EMM representatives. LANCASTER, PA 8| Pray that EMM’s Kairos participants feel the weight and wonder of Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations. Give instructors words that move learning toward personal obedience. 9| Ask God to guard Advance participants’ devotion to Christ as they set apart this season to serve Him. 10| Ask God to bring new volunteers to Neighbors Community Center and praise Him for those already serving. Pray that all who offer willing hearts and unique gifts to the body of Christ find blessing and encouragement as they serve. 11| Remember EMM’s Lancaster office staff, from maintenance to leadership and every role in between. As God has arranged the members of the body, may each recognize His purpose in their role and the importance of their work. 12| At today’s EMM Vision and Fundraising Banquet, pray that each guest sees their part in God’s mission and responds joyfully and generously. 13| Anchor Christian Academy students visit Day@450 today. Pray that a story or conversation stays with them, giving them a concrete picture of how their own lives could serve God’s mission locally and globally. 14| Remember recruitment events at Messiah and Eastern universities this month. Pray for honest conversations about the joys and demands of serving as 2027 Kingdom Team staff or 2027–2028 Advance participants. 15| May central administrative office staff's Sukkoth celebration bring honest prayer, restorative fellowship, and joy in the Lord. WEST AFRICA 16| Ask God to send short- and long-term workers to West Africa, bringing teachable spirits and a readiness to encourage local ministry partners. 17| As 'Nyandengoh!', a ministry serving children with disabilities in Sierra Leone, grows, pray for God’s provision and direction. May He be glorified as families find support and children are welcomed as bearers of His image. 18| Pray that West African church leaders facing difficult decisions follow the faithful who came before them, fixing their eyes on God when they cannot see the way forward. 19| Pray for those weighing the gospel’s claims—that their questions find answers and fear does not keep them from following Jesus. CENTRAL ASIA 20| Pray for households in Central Asia where following Jesus has strained family ties. Ask God to restore relationships and help relatives see the change Christ has made, drawing entire families to faith. 21| As parts of Central Asia highlight tolerance this month, ask God to turn public commitments into freedom to worship, teach Scripture, and share the gospel. 22| Pray for workers in Central Asia serving carefully under scrutiny. Ask God to fill their cups as they pour into others—with protection, fellowship, joy, comfort, and peace. 23| Ask God to send short- and long-term workers to Central Asia and prepare those still growing up. Pray for parents and churches nurturing their faith, teachers recognizing their gifts, and experiences that will help them love the people they may one day serve. CENTRAL EUROPE 24| Ask God to send short- and long-term workers to Central Europe who will share their lives alongside the gospel. Remember local partners preparing for and guiding visiting workers. Pray that their needs are heard and that each placement strengthens the work already underway. 25| Pray for Central European churches caring for Ukrainians displaced by war. Ask God to sustain their hospitality through another winter and bring healing through Christ. 26| On this U.S. Thanksgiving Day, remember workers who miss familiar gatherings back home. Thank God for those who have welcomed them, and pray for companionship around their tables today. May they have room to acknowledge homesickness while enjoying the friendships God has given them. 27| Amid Central Europe’s Black Friday sales, pray that God breaks materialism’s grip and exposes the emptiness of wealth without Him. Ask Him to awaken a hunger for Christ that possessions cannot satisfy. OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD 28| Pray for Steve and Beth Gibbs as they encourage pastoral couples in Peru through regular video calls. Ask for attentive listening, freedom for pastors to share difficult concerns, and questions that help each couple discern God’s direction. 29| Praise God for a good school-year start and residency approvals for Peter and Christy*. Pray for progress in Lebanese Arabic and patience when words are hard to find. Ask God to guide Peter’s seminary teaching, help the children thrive in school, and clear the way for the remaining paperwork. 30| Pray for the All-nations Association of Bible Schools in North Africa. Ask God to open access to biblical training and equip faithful students who will teach others. Some prayer requests adapted from joshuaproject.net. *Names changed for sensitivity reasons.

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Fwd: LMC Updates: Highlighting Parents Who Pray Ministries

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches <information@lmcchurches.org>
Date: Wed, Oct 28, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Subject: LMC Updates: Highlighting Parents Who Pray Ministries
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

And other news and events from LMC and its resource partners.

View this email in your browser. LMC Updates Parents Who Pray Ministries Over the summer, Parents Who Pray Ministries, which has connections within the New York City district of LMC, hosted a summer workshop series, "First the Heart." This three-part experience was designed to help parents experience God's transforming work from the inside out.  The workshops focused on the themes of identity, freedom, healing and wholeness, restoration, and communication, and how these things shape not only who we are, but also the atmosphere we create in our homes. Through biblical teaching, meaningful reflection, practical application, and authentic conversation, parents were equipped to lead their families with wisdom, grace, and confidence. The recordings of the three workshops are now available. Minister Betty Rice leads "Set Free to Love Well: Walking in the Freedom to Love God, Yourself, and Your Family Well;" Prophet Theresa Burns leads "Beyond Generational Patterns: Breaking Cycles, Building Legacy;" and Pastor Ron Tinsley leads "The Darkside of Digital Culture: What Happens When the Fake Reality of the Internet Replaces the Real Thing?" You can access the workshop recordings here.  Other LMC News 2027 Youth Leaders Retreat In February 2027 we will be holding a Youth Leaders' Retreat for youth pastors, leaders, and anyone who works with youth in LMC. Join us February 18-20 at the Welcoming Place! The theme for this retreat is Transformed, Not Conformed. We are excited to announce Ron Tinsley (Pastor Tee) as our main speaker! Pastor Tee is the Pastor of Outreach at Oxford Circle Mennonite Church in Philadelphia. In addition to the retreat, we will be hosting CruCon for a special, one-day training and equipping event on Thursday, February 18. This training is open to anyone interested in intergenerational wisdom-seeking conversations and youth formation in the digital age. If you would like to attend just the Thursday training, go to the registration form on our website and select "Thursday ONLY."  Costs: Thursday ONLY - $50 (includes the CruCon training and lunch) Retreat ONLY Individual - $175 (includes 2 nights lodging, 1 meal Thurs., 3 meals Fri., and 2 meals Sat.) Retreat ONLY Double Occupant - $300 (includes 2 nights lodging, 1 meal Thurs., 3 meals Fri., and 2 meals Sat.) Full Event Individual - $200 (includes 2 nights lodging, CruCon training, and all meals) Full Event Double Occupant - $325 (includes 2 nights lodging, CruCon training, and all meals) For more information and to register, go to lmcchurches.org/youth-leaders-retreat/. BE:Longing High School Fall Retreat – South Central District A weekend for high school students to chase Jesus, discover their gifts and purpose, and find community. High School is a time of asking deep questions like, "Who Am I?" "Where is my place in the world?" and "Can I make a difference?" During Be:Longing, we will discover together what Scripture has to say in answer to these questions. We will worship, dive into Scripture, eat good food, and have lots of fun! When: 12 p.m. on November 7 to 5 p.m. on November 8, 2026 Where: Journey@South Hutch (808 S Poplar, South Hutchinson, KS 67505) Cost: $30/person Accommodations will be in the lovely and comfortable Journey Mennonite Sunday School Classrooms. A detailed schedule, packing list, and other details will be emailed around 2 weeks before Be:Longing. For questions, contact Jesse at jesseb@journeymennonite.org. Youth Worship and Prayer Night If you're in the Southeast PA region, join local youth for a Worship and Prayer Night on Sunday, November 1 at Weaverland Church. Worship will be led by the band who led at YouthCon '26! Doors open at 5 p.m. for games, pizza, and specialty drinks. Worship and prayer start at 6:30 p.m.  Youth won't want to miss this evening of worship, testimonies, Scripture, prayer, and hanging out with friends. Register yourself and/or your youth group HERE. Thank you Weaverland for hosting this regional, LMC event! Invitation to a Learning Journey to Palestine & Israel Our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters invite us to "come and see." An informational Zoom meeting, to help you discern your participation (or not), is being planned for anyone interested in participating in this "Learning Journey" sometime in 2027. The Learning Journey would be led by Jonathan Bornman, who led a similar learning journey with a group of young adults in May 2026. This trip is planned with a posture of prayer, listening to God, and listening to and relating with people who live in this land where there has been so much turmoil. Our Zoom meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4 at 9:30 AM ET. If you are interested in joining the Zoom call, email Mercedes at mthomas@lmcchurches.org. Come to the Table Retreat Are you a young adult in southeast-PA? Consider signing up for the Come To The Table retreat January 15–17, 2027. The retreat will be held at Camp Hebron (957 Camp Hebron Rd., Halifax, PA). If you pay before Thanksgiving, cost is only $150; cost increases to $180 after Thanksgiving.  For more info and to register, visit mxgrfx.wixsite.com/cttt. Join the Mission of LMC LMC is a Spirit-led movement to: • Make disciples of Jesus • Mobilize every member as a missionary • Multiply faith communities locally and beyond Donate Share Your Story Everyone has a story. We'd love to hear how the Lord is speaking to you, how the Spirit is at work in your congregation, or how you're experiencing life transformation. Share your story online at our website. Share Your Story From Our Resource Partners EMM Banquets EMM is hosting three Vision and Fundraising Banquets: November 12, December 3, and February 17. Banquets will be hosted in Lancaster, Lititz, and Sarasota, FL, respectively. During these banquets, partners will celebrate the doors God is opening around the world, hear stories of his faithfulness, and discover how you can continue to partner with EMM through prayer, participation, giving, or going. For more information, visit emm.org/events/. Rare & Used Book Auction Join Mennonite Life for their upcoming Rare & Used Book Auction on November 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.! The event is held in-person, however, you also have the opportunity to bid on books online and by mail before the auction. Registration for attending is not required. Find more information and the auction info page at mennonitelife.org/event/rare-used-book-auction-18/. ¿Quieres recibir las Noticias de LMC en Español? ¿Quieres recibir Noticias de LMC en español? ¡Haga clic aquí para registrarse! Suscribirse Copyright © 2026 LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches Our mailing address is: LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches 450 N Prince Street (Office) PO Box 1635 (Mail) Lancaster, PA 17608 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.