Fwd: Build bridges of understanding

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mennonite Mission Network <Beyond@mennonitemission.net>
Date: Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 1:07 PM
Subject: Build bridges of understanding
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Mustard Seeds June 2019 Civil rights activist, Mr. Roscoe Jones, shared with the alumni tour group on the porch at Pine Lake Camp in Meridian, Mississippi. Photo by Susan Nisly. Bridges of understanding Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. —James 1:5   The civil rights struggle stepped out of history and came to life for 12 alumni of Mennonite Mission Network short-term service programs. From Mar. 9–16, Arloa Bontrager, SOOP and Youth Venture director, and Susan Nisly, Service Adventure director, led a learning tour through Mississippi. Each tour participant had served in one of Mission Network's smorgasbord of mission opportunities designed to help people in every stage of life share their gifts with others.   The itinerary included the Service Adventure unit in Jackson and workdays with members of the unit's hosting congregation, Open Door Mennonite Church. Tour participants also immersed themselves in the history and vision of Pine Lake Fellowship Camp, a SOOP location near Meridian, and learned about the ministry of Jubilee Mennonite Church. More workdays in Mashulaville, where Mennonites have served with African-American and Choctaw communities for six decades, were a welcome boost to the Mennonite Service Center there.    Sandra Rush of Jubilee Mennonite Church shares her story with tour members Scott Nelson and Ron and Liz Martin. Photo by Susan Nisly. A visit to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson deeply impacted tour group members as they learned about atrocities that aren't recorded in school history books. Exhibits took on flesh and blood as participants later sat on porches and in church fellowship halls listening to firsthand stories of those who had experienced the events illustrated in the museum displays.     Scott Nelson, a Mennonite Voluntary Service alumnus, reflected on new understandings about race that occurred during the tour. Nelson, who now lives in St. Louis, Missouri, wrote about how "eerily similar" history is to what happened in Ferguson, a St. Louis suburb, just five years ago, when a police officer fatally shot an unarmed 18-year-old African-American youth, Michael Brown, Jr.     "I feel too many of us today are guilty of the MLK quote [about sincere ignorance]. I witnessed [scenes from the 1960s] in 2014. Black fear is REAL … lots of Whites disregard these fears … we, as White people, must learn to just listen to Black people and their perspective," Nelson wrote.   Nelson sees that the roots of "weeds of racism" have remained dormant under the surface of our society, despite civil rights laws. He asks, "What are we willing to do to uproot the powers and principalities [of racism]?"  Give today to build bridges across divisions in society so earth can be more like heaven. Check out more highlights from the trip and stay tuned for the next alumni tour to take place fall 2019! A note from the directors Stories created sacred space on the tour. We visited the site of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, which was, in reality, the first step in the forced removal of the Choctaw Nation from their homeland. We stood in somber silence at the place where voting rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were murdered in 1964. Their friend and fellow activist, Mr. Roscoe Jones, told us, "We fought for equality, but instead they gave us integration." This thought keeps returning to us and we ask ourselves, "When have we given those fighting against injustice a crumb instead of the whole loaf?"   We heard many stories of pain and evil, but we also heard stories of hope and resilience. We ended this trip with profound gratitude for the ways we were challenged, the new friendships forged during the week, and a strengthened commitment to spreading God's peace in this world we share together. Stories from our brothers and sisters in Mississippi, who passionately and sacrificially love their neighbors in both big and ordinary ways, inspire us in our ministry of continuing to make these kinds of opportunities for service available to people of all ages and abilities.   P.S. Because of you, youth and people of all ages have an opportunity to broaden their perspectives on life and learn listening habits that lead to service and a more just world. Give Now Copyright © 2019 Mennonite Mission Network, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because of your relationship with Mennonite Mission Network. "UNSUBSCRIBE" WILL REMOVE YOU FROM ALL MISSION NETWORK SUBSCRIPTIONS. Use "update your preferences" to remove your name from this list ONLY. Our mailing address is: Mennonite Mission Network P.O. Box 370 Elkhart, IN 46515-0370 Add us to your address book. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Fwd: Gehman Mennonite Church, we're almost there but time is running out!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Good Samaritan Services <nate@goodsamservices.org>
Date: Thu, Jun 27, 2019 at 10:25 AM
Subject: Gehman Mennonite Church, we're almost there but time is running out!
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

50K Match - We need you!

Dear Gehman Mennonite Church, Two weeks ago, I told you that we had a $50,000 donation challenge, and I asked for your help. Many of you responded, thank you! I am pleased to let you know that we have currently raised $40,270.00! Will you help us close the gap? Our goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of June, so please donate today. I want you to know that your gift changes lives. Recently, I was catching up with Matt (photo below, left), a former resident of our Emergency Shelter program. With our help, Matt was able to achieve sobriety, secure a good job, and eventually move into his own apartment. Today, Matt owns and operates two recovery homes that provide housing for 21 young men working at overcoming their addiction. I also just had the opportunity to speak with Suzy (photo below, right), a single mother who was a resident of our Shelter and Transitional Housing programs. When she and her daughters came to us, she was leaving an abusive relationship, and at the end of her rope. She told me that having a place to call home was an actual life-saver for her. She said that she will always be grateful to GSS for the way that we fulfilled the words of Christ, "I was a stranger, and you took me in." Will you take the time to make a donation today?  On behalf of the 200 men, women and children we are serving today in our shelter and housing programs, thank you! Matt (right) with Rich Baxter, GSS Resident Advocate Suzy and her daughters Donate Now Nate Hoffer Chief Executive Officer Good Samaritan Services Connect with us on Social Media so you do not miss any updates: ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Women's Shelter  PO Box 756 Ephrata, Pennsylvania 17522 T 717-733-3395 F 610-917-9815 Permanent Housing Services - Lancaster County 616 N. Lime St. Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602 T 717-394-7707  Men's Shelter  141 E. High Street, PO Box 551 Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460 T 610-933-9305 F 610-917-9815 Permanent Housing Services - Chester County 1516 Olive Street Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320  T 610-380-1360

Good Samaritan Services | 1516 Olive St., Coatesville, PA 19320 Unsubscribe info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org About Constant Contact Sent by nate@goodsamservices.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Fwd: Bulletin Announcement - Job Openings And Summer Camp Opportunities

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lancaster Mennonite School <kreideral@lancastermennonite.org>
Date: Wed, Jun 26, 2019 at 8:07 AM
Subject: Bulletin Announcement - Job Openings And Summer Camp Opportunities
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

Share opportunities with your congregation!

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT - JOB OPENINGS  & SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES Hello, Lancaster Mennonite School is looking for great people to join our team in full-time and part-time positions. Local congregations like yours are a great connection to help us find staff that will foster Christian values in students.  We also still have Summer Camp Opportunities available for all ages. Would you please place the following announcements in your church bulletin, e-newsletter or other means of communicating with your congregation in the next week or two? BULLETIN or E-NEWSLETTER ANNOUNCEMENTS Lancaster Mennonite School has several positions open, such as: Administrative Assistant -- full-time at High School Campus Academic Support/Project-Based Learning Teacher -- full-time at Lancaster Mennonite Middle School Elementary Spanish Immersion Classroom/After School Care Aide -- full-time at Locust Grove Campus Elementary Classroom Aide -- full-time at Locust Grove Campus Female Residence Hall Advisor -- Lancaster Campus Spanish Experience Coordinator -- part-time at New Danville Campus Food Service Assistant -- New Danville Campus Director of Annual Fund & Alumni Relations See the LM website for a full listing and more information about each position:www.lancastermennonite.org/employment. Please share these opportunities with family, friends and folks you think would be a great fit to join the LM team! Interested persons should download an application, then send the completed application and resume to humanresources@lancastermennonite.org. Lancaster Mennonite School Summer Camp Opportunities Sports Camps: July 8-11, Boys Basketball, Lancaster Campus August 5-8, HS Field Hockey, Lancaster Campus August 5-8, HS Boys Soccer, Lancaster Campus Educational Camps: Mondays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, Story Hour in the Garden, New Danville Campus July 15-19, Garden to Table - Gardening & Cooking Camp, New Danville Campus Mondays, July 8, 15, 22, 29 - MakerDays, New Danville Campus Summer Camp Information and Applications Thank you for your help in spreading the word, we truly appreciate it! STAY CONNECTED:

Lancaster Mennonite School, 2176 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602 SafeUnsubscribe™ info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org Forward this email | About our service provider Sent by kreideral@lancastermennonite.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!