Volume 15, Issue 7 July 2015 The monthly newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church

Transcription

1 RidgeVIEWS Volume 15, Issue 7 July 2015 The monthly newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church One of the characteristics common to the biennial gatherings of Mennonite Church USA is the reconnecting with friends and acquaintances that occurs on site. Some of the people will be friends that you have known for decades while other relationships may have been forged only at the most recent assembly. Either way convention involves a great deal of hey, how are you doing and it s good to see you again. Indeed, building and sustaining relationships is a high priority for the church both at the congregational level as well as among the global body of Christ. This month we are going to have numerous opportunities to make first time connections and rekindle earlier relationships as well. Beyond those who will make the trip to Kansas City for the MCUSA assembly, persons from around the globe will gather together in Harrisburg for Mennonite World Conference and that gathering will spill over into local churches including Ridgeview. In conjunction with MWC our relationship partners from Argentina will be in our area for a number of days and will be sharing with us on Sunday morning July 19. In spite of the wonderful possibilities of reconnection an unfortunate reality for some of us is a foggy memory for names or faces. Even though you know that you know that person you just can t pull their name up at that moment. To that end here are a couple pictures of some of our VEMZO partners who you may run into in the weeks ahead. Amer Oyanguren Daniel Oyanguren (left) Raul Garcia (right) Magali Oyanguren There will be others from VEMZO with us as well. Along with these friends on the 19 th some mission and service leaders from across the globe will join us for the morning worship time and on the 26 th we could be rubbing shoulders during church with quite a few folks from another country or any of the other states in the US. We will be sharing a meal with them as a congregation on that day as well so I hope you take the extra effort to meet, greet and interact with those who are guests among us. Meeting new people and building relationships can be hard work, I know, but the opportunities for growth and unexpected blessing is always present. July is a month for connections and hospitality. May we all do our best to offer welcome and interaction with new and familiar faces. Pastor Mick NO Sunday school the month of August and September 6. Worship service 9:30 AM JUNE OFFERING REPORT Year to date budget $222, Year to date receipts 208, Education $6,077.08

2 EVIE HERSHEY and her Support Group Loretta, Carol, Evie, Nancy Ranck, Etta. Missing from photo..joycetta Wanner. Evie is serving a one year mission assignment in Nairobi, Kenya at Amani Garden Inn as the hostess. You can follow Evie on her blog address: evelyninkenya.wordpress.com. When you connect to this link, you will need to register to view the blog. "Snail mail" is unlikely to reach Evie, but she appreciates our prayers. VBS IN THE PARK 2015 Samuel heard it in the middle of the night. Lydia heard it from Paul. The disciples were hard at work when they heard it. They all heard God s special message just for them. Message Received: Hearing God s Call lets children know that God continues to call all kinds of people including them! Children will see Bible Stories come to life in the dramas during worship time, and will reflect on them during group time and at the Games Site, Bible Site, Craft Site and Snack Site. July :15-8:30 PM 3 year olds 5 th graders Intercourse Community Park Register in the church lobby or call SOFTBALL SCHEDULE All games played Paradise Park JULY 6 6:30 RV vs Pequea Baptist 13 9:00 RV vs Calvary Monument 20 6:30 RV vs Leacock 27 9:00 RV vs Weaverland 1 ANNIVERSARIES 10 Nathan & Sarah Horst 13 Bob & Jill Heine 15 Dan & Joanne Dietzel 17 Dick & Joyce Thomas 18 Levi & Nellie Beiler 20 Rick & Gwen Fellenbaum 24 John & Debbie Denlinger 27 Omar & Sara Lapp BIRTHDAYS 1 Rose High Elmer Stoltzfus 2 Leon Yoder 3 Darlene Lapp 4 Heidi Loncosky 6 Marie Stoltzfus 7 Carter Echternach Josiah Gingrich 8 Joanne Dietzel 9 Paul Miller 11 Jim High 12 Jill Heine 14 Naaman Yoder 16 Charlotte Lapp 17 Shirley Nolt 19 John Gehman 20 John Denlinger 22 Ruth Martin 26 Ray Martin Esther Smoker 27 Anna Sauder Ben Stoltzfus 28 Levi Beiler 30 June Landis MENNONITE CHURCH USA CONVENTION... If you are interested in what is happening at the Mennonite Church USA convention in Kansas City, June 30 July 5, but not going, there are several ways to stay connected. Check this link to follow a blog, Twitter, or to connect through Facebook: Additionally, the MennoCon mobile app is available. For instruction to download the free app go to 2

3 MINISTRY TEAM Ministry Team met Wednesday, June 3, 7:00 a.m. at Bird-in-Hand Restaurant. Updates were given on persons experiencing health concerns. Sunday school classes will be invited to submit nominations for Lay Minister of Christian Formation. Joyce Thomas term expires this fall. MWC On Sunday, July 19, Ridgeview will host 5-6 people from the Mission & Service Leaders Conference. Two weeklong passes have been purchased for persons desiring to attend the conference; a small donation is suggested. Sunday, July 26 up to fifty people will be in attendance as part of Assembly Scattered. A fellowship meal will follow the worship service. A breakfast for new attendees will be held at the church at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 21. This is an informative meeting on our structure, commissions, etc. The Haitian Children s Choir will give a program on August 19. Commission Reports Administration Vaunda Siegrist In conversation about staffing due to Carol s resignation; annual congregational business meeting scheduled for September 9. Mission Loretta Lapp 55 Alive attendees donate items for the Material Resource Center; will be asking for donations of sneakers at the request of Moses Sakuda s brother. Christian Formation Joyce Thomas VBS to be held July The offering that week will go to The Factory. Community Life Cordelia Stoltzfus In need of kitchen helpers; working on setting up wheel groups. Worship Joanne Dietzel Planning a service on September 13, Grandparents Day, to celebrate the gifts of older persons from the congregation. June Gehman SUNDAY, JULY 26, 7:00 PM EASTLEIGH CHOIR FROM NAI- ROBI, KENYA. The Eastleigh Choir comes from the Mennonite church in the community of Eastleigh in Nairobi, Kenya. After participating in Mennonite World Conference, they will be at Ridgeview on Sunday evening, July 26, at 7 PM sharing their joyful four part acapella singing. Persons from Kenya became familiar with Mennonites in Tanzania in the 1940s and began fellowships in Kenya. The government recognized the Mennonites in 1965 and the Kenya Mennonite Church was established in "To reach large numbers of Somali Muslims in Nairobi, a community center was established at Eastleigh in It provided a study center, classes and other ministries, including a correspondence course for people of Islamic background. The center also spearheaded ministry to Muslims in other towns, part of the interchurch "Islam in Africa" project." JULY WORSHIP SERVICES July 5 Jeff Pauls will give the message July 12 Pastor Mick preaching July 19 VEMZO speaker. The Ridgeview, Neffsville and Akron Mennonite congregations have been in partnership with VEMZO (Visión Evangelística y Misionera de la Zona Oeste/Evangelistic Missionary Vision for the Western Zone) congregations in Argentina since The relationship is intended to build connections between cultures while learning from and supporting one another. We hope to have Daniel Oyanguren with us to share on Sunday morning July 19. Mission/service workers involved in mission and service work around the world who are in the area for Mennonite World Conference will be in attendance. July 26 Mick will give the message. Assembly scattered...approximately 50 persons from Mennonite World Conference will join us for worship and a fellowship meal. 7:00 PM Eastleigh Choir from the Mennonite church in the community of Eastleigh in Nairobi, Kenya. 3

4 INTERCOURSE HERITAGE DAYS 2015 Thanks to everyone who helped with trash pickup, wiping tables, etc. LOOKING AHEAD... August 19 Haitian Choir, 7:00 Ridgeview Paul and Marie Kurtz have provided transportation for this choir for the past several years as it sang in churches in New England and New Jersey. This year their choir trip will be concluding as they swing through Pennsylvania and bless us with an evening of music. More details to follow. NEW ADDRESS Eli & Betty Smucker ebsmucker@gmail.com 4

5 July 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT MCUSA General Assembly Kansas City 5 8:15am Prayer SS & Worship Jeff Pauls preaching 6 6:30pm softball 7 8 7am Ministry Tm Facility reserved for wedding/reception 12 SS & Worship 13 9:00pm softball am Alive with am Men s breakfast VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 6:15-8:30 Intercourse Park 19 8:15am Prayer SS & Worship VEMZO person preaching 20 6:30pm softball 21 7:30am Prayer 9am Comfort knotting Mennonite World Conference Harrisburg PA 26 SS & Worship..Mick preaching...assembly Scattered 7pm Eastleigh Choir 27 9:00pm softball

6 Ridgeview Mennonite Church 3723 Ridge Road Gordonville PA Mick Sommers, Lead Pastor Everyone is welcome to submit material to the RidgeVIEWS, the newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church. Ridgeview connects persons and groups in the congregation together and with the broader Mennonite Church. It strengthens the congregation to answer the call of God to learn and share together God s love with all of creation. Priority will be given to articles that serve this purpose, with Ridgeview staff providing editorial responsibilities. AUGUST NEWSLETTER INFORMATION DUE JULY 27 Nelson Yoder, Associate Pastor nelson@ridgeviewmennonite.net Carol Wenger Minister of Youth & Young Adults carol@ridgeviewmennonite.net Joyce Shirk, Administrative Assistant office@ridgeviewmennonite.net 6