Volume 15, Issue 6 June 2015 The monthly newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church

Transcription

1 RidgeVIEWS Volume 15, Issue 6 June 2015 The monthly newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church We are moving into the season of travel. We might get reminders to service our vehicles before putting on the miles during family trips that occur over the summer time. We might hear reports of the price of gas this summer compared to last summer. If we recorded all the travel persons from Ridgeview will do this summer, how wide a geographic range would we find? I think our range will be wider than in past decades as travel has certainly become more efficient with our technology enabling us to cover greater distances in shorter periods of time. We plan family day or weekend trips to the shore or mountains; the youth plan to take a bus to Kansas City; and Jared, Joel, Carissa and Kayla are flying with the Lancaster Mennonite Children s Choir trip to Europe. Travel will be on the minds of many Mennonites as numerous youth groups, adults, and delegates finalize plans to travel to Kansas City for the Mennonite Church Convention June 30 to July 5 and as persons the world over get needed documents and arrangement s to travel to Harrisburg for the Mennonite World Conference in July. As Mennonite Church USA gathers in Kansas City, the church will consider a story of travel, the account Luke gives to Jesus time here on earth. Luke uses the idea of travel to describe how Jesus moved with his disciples, teaching in words and by example, on the way. In the middle of the events on the way the disciples saw what it meant to walk in this new way which Jesus was living and teaching. A number of the messages in Kansas City will draw on Luke 24, the account of Jesus resurrection and the way he joined two disciples as they walked to Emmaus. Jesus picked up on the conversation they were having about the disappointment they felt since the one who had been their teacher was killed. As they walked on the way Jesus shared with them from scripture and, after blessing bread at a meal, was revealed to them as indeed Jesus, the one whom they had followed. People in Kansas City will be thinking about what it means to be on the way with Jesus. The invitation to be on the way is for all of us. We have celebrated Easter, discovering that Jesus is alive and still with us; we have been aware of his ascension and return to be seated by the Father; and we have just celebrated Pentecost and heard that through the Spirit God is now present with us. Whether traveling to Kansas City, to Europe, or a quick trip to the shore or mountains, all of us are still on the way with Jesus. How will we keep our ears and hearts open to the Spirit s guidance whether traveling or staying at home? Mennonite Church USA has made a six week spiritual discernment guide available for delegates and others in preparation for Kansas City. You will find it at The-Way-Discernment-Guide.pdfy. Blessings as you are on the way. Pastor Nelson MAY OFFERING REPORT Year to date budget $204, Year to date receipts 192, Education $6, SERMON REFLECTION/DISCUSSION you re invited to an evening of discussion/reflection on the Sunday morning sermon, June 28, 6:00 p.m. at Bob & Jill Heine s home. The evening will include refreshments and an opportunity to socialize.

2 JUNE IN-GATHERING New Holland Food Pantry The food pantry in New Holland (located at Trinity Lutheran Church) has many friends - volunteers, staff, clients and persons like you - our faithful contributors! We are so grateful for your continued support. This year Ridgeview has changed the NHFP in-gathering to June instead of November as done previous years. Over the summer months the food donations drop off considerably but of course our pantry is still open every Wednesday from 3:00-5:00 for persons needing food. A summer food drive will be very much appreciated as it is harder to keep the shelves stocked during this time. We are asking you to bring all or any of the following 4 items: laundry detergent canned fruit spaghetti sauce cereal Please bring in anytime during the month of June. There will be a bin in the foyer marked New Holland Food Pantry. Thank you in advance for your generous response. Evie Blank CHORAL MISSION TRIP Eastern Mennonite Missions and the Chamber Choir of the Mennonite Children's Choir (MCCL) will be partnering in a choral mission trip to Bulgaria and Albania. GO! Balkans 2015 offers MCCL singers an opportunity to be part of what God is doing in Bulgaria and Albania and to experience Eastern European culture. Since music touches the soul and opens hearts to the Gospel, sending a choir to this region is an ideal way to share God's love with both believers and unbelievers. MCCL singers will join Albanian youth to sing at their school, tour the region together, and encourage each other. The choir will sing at different types of venues including an orphanage, an opera house, cathedrals, small and remote churches, and old fortresses and castles. Singers will stay in host homes and experience the culture through personal contact with families. The choir will partner with local congregations that have a relationship with present or former EMM workers in the country. EMM representatives have meet with the choir monthly to give helpful training in preparation for the trip. Jared and Joel Gingrich and Carissa and Kayla Heine will be participating in this mission. They leave on June 10th and return on June 24th Please pray for them as they go. GROOVIN IN THE GROVE Wednesday, June 17 6:00 PM ** Hot dogs & beverages provided ** Every family unit bring a dish to share ** Bring lawn chairs and a favorite outdoor activity LAY MINISTER TERMS The terms for Joyce Thomas' time as Lay Minister of Education and Joanne Dietzel's time as Lay Minister of Worship will end October 1. While Joanne has decided to remain in her role (pending congregational affirmation), Joyce is opting not to continue for a second term. This month, through Sunday School class and individual participation, we will begin the process of discernment to fill this role in the leadership of our congregation. You are invited to be in prayer and reflection for the process and whoever will eventually offer themselves to this role. SOFTBALL SCHEDULE All games played Paradise Park JUNE 1 7:45 RV/ Grace Point 8 9:00 RV/ Bellevue 15 6:30 RV/ Hershey 22 9:00 RV/ Weaverland :45 RV/ Little Britian COMMUNITY WORSHIP SERVICE INTERCOURSE PARK June 21, 10:00 AM (NO services at Ridgeview 2

3 ON THE WAY - MC USA - KANSAS CITY 2015 This assembly is being held in Kansas City, Missouri from June 30 July 5. Attendees will be participating in worship, seminars, learning experiences and service opportunities. Appointed delegates will be spending many hours in discussion, prayer and discernment. Some of the worship themes include Come Together on the Way, Amazed on the Way, and Catching Fire on the Way. In preparation, a six week study guide has been created to help delegates and attendees walk through a process of spiritual discernment. Delegates to KC2015 are sent by each of the 21 conferences of MC USA, as well as from churchwide agencies and constituencies, i.e., Mennomedia, Everence, Mennonite Mission Network, African-American Mennonite Association, Iglesia Menonita Hispana, Native Mennonite Ministries. Each congregation is also invited to send delegates. Information for delegates and a delegate job description is available on the Mennonite Church USA website. Delegates from this congregation are Pastor Mick, John Gehman and Etta Esch. On April 9, delegates from Lancaster and Atlantic Coast Conference churches met at the 2160 Lancaster Conference office with Ervin Stutzman for an overview of the work to which delegates will be called. This orientation is being held in each of the 21 conferences as a way to reflect on the work of past assemblies and to introduce what will be on the agenda for this assembly. Delegates will be guided by these priorities: Jesus is the center of our faith Christian Formation Community is the center of our lives Christian Community Reconciliation is the center of our work Holistic Christian Witness Delegates will be assigned tables of 6-8 persons, their discerning group for the week. Decisions will be made on a slate of nominees, guidelines for status of MC USA membership, a polity manual update re credentialed leadership. Significant time will be spent on four resolutions and a statement submitted for discernment. (Thanks to RVMC s Education Commission, these resolutions were introduced to participants of the Sunday School hour each Sunday in May.) The resolutions come to the delegates through sponsors. After the resolutions passed several other layers of discernment, they are to be presented for delegate discernment. The resolutions for 2015 are the following: *Faithful Witness Amid Endless War, sponsored by Atlantic Coast, Lancaster and Central Plains Conferences, as well as a number of individual congregations. *Israel Palestine, sponsored by sixteen congregations *Forbearance in the Midst of Differences, sponsored by Chicago Community Mennonite Church, Reba Place Church and North Baltimore Mennonite Church *On the Status of the Membership Guidelines, sponsored by Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA This resolution included the input from a survey delegates were asked to submit in shaping discussion and decisions on denominational organization and polity. *Churchwide Statement on Sexual Abuse is sponsored by Mennonite Church USA Discernment Group on John Howard Yoder and is brought for consideration to the 2015 delegate assembly. See the MC USA website to read complete resolutions and agendas for the adult assembly and for youth gathering events. Etta Esch Mennonite World Conference July 21-26, 2015 Harrisburg PA July Intercourse Park Explore to. Shared registration now available Volunteer Register to host guests in your home. Go to the website (listed above) and choose offer home stays. Homes one hour from Harrisburg will be given priority. Homes beyond one hour are encouraged to register so they are available if needed. 3

4 TUESDAY ALIVE WITH 55 & UP May 12 meeting began with a harmonica, guitars and singing led by Dan Lapp and Roy Glick. Omar Lapp shared some of his life story and his experiences of serving as an Amish youth with PAX in Europe in PAX is Latin for "peace, and is a program MCC started in 1951 to help Post World War II German Mennonite refugees from Russia and Poland, building homes for the widows and their children. Omar learned about PAX through the Heifer Project. His home farm was one where cattle were gathered to ship to Germany. Omar accompanied one load and visited a PAX unit while there. He quit school at fourteen, worked on his father's farm, and went into PAX service at 25. He first worked in Germany about five months, then to Greece for two years where he did not understand the language and experienced a vastly different culture. Working with hybrid seed corn and fertilizer, he did crop demonstrations and was able to help the people double their crop yields. Worship in the Greek church he thought as pure "heresy" but later had a profound worship experience there. After a three week trip to Egypt and Palestine, International Work Camp in Austria, and European Mennonite Bible School in Switzerland, he returned home. He says "there was nothing to do", so he decided to go to college where he met an Amish girl named Sara from Holmes County, Ohio. He later taught school at Linville Hill and at Conestoga Christian, then decided teaching was not for him. Books were a big part of his life, and he then worked at Provident Bookstore for 25 years, retiring in After hiking Pikes Peak he decided to tackle the Appalachian Trail, which he hiked in its entirety, half when he was 65 and half when he was 70. He ended with: "I'm 85 now. What have I learned? I've learned, I think, to take my beliefs more lightly and walk more humbly. I don't know as much as I used to and I'm aware that what I think I know may not all be true. And I'm comfortable with that. Jesus said 'Loving God and neighbor is as fulfilling the law and the prophets'. I try to remember that. It is more important than anything else." June 9 Dr. James Johnson, a licensed counselor who is involved in Upward Call Counseling Services, will share on mental health for seniors. Reba Ranck MINISTRY TEAM met Wednesday, May 6, 8:00 a.m. at Bird-in-Hand Restaurant. The agenda included reviews of the previous Envisioning Meeting and Ted & Co. which was well received with a good crowd in attendance and the cost being covered with some extra. On July 26 Ridgeview is registered to host fifty people as part of Assembly Scattered. There will be a luncheon after the service. Joyce Thomas (Education) and Joanne Dietzel's (Worship) terms as lay ministers expire this fall. Nominations and discernment will be forthcoming. Carol Wenger reported that the fundraising goal for the youth to attend MCUSA Convention has been achieved. Commission Updates (Administration Vaunda Siegrist) looking into extending the horse tie in the lower parking lot, the youth will repair, etc. the swing set as a service project, working at getting everyone up-to-date on the Child Protection Policy. (Education Joyce Thomas) VBS July 13-16, Carissa Heine and Andrew Pauls will attend the Global Summit, no Sunday school the month of August and first Sunday of September. (Worship Joanne Dietzel) June 21 no service at Ridgeview due to a service at Intercourse Park as part of Heritage Days. (Mission Loretta Lapp) About fifty hygiene kits were filled, no in gatherings scheduled for July and August, Summer/Fall service project is an opportunity to help plant trees on riverbanks, November service project is serving a Chestnut Street Church on a Monday evening. (Community Life Cordelia Stoltzfus) Guess Who s Coming to Dinner, June 7; Groovin in the Grove, June 17; Church Picnic, August Mines Pool, rain date August 30. June Gehman 4

5 2015 Graduates Conestoga Valley Tyler Glick Garden Spot Adam Fellenbaum Ally Martin Erica Martin Lampeter-Strasburg Katelyn High Lancaster Mennonite Zack Alderman Jeffrey Ling Jen Winters BIRTHDAYS Elias Esh Reub Smoker Michael Bentivogli Merv Landis Sara Bushong Rick Loncosky Theresa Yoder Anna Esh Barb Glick Gwen Fellenbaum Dick Winters Jake Lapp Alex Fellenbaum Kathy Martin ANNIVERSARIES Bill & Joanne Zimmerman Sam & Nadine Echternach Bruce & Patty King Ken & Sadie Shertz Nelson & Pat Yoder Jeff & Melissa Siegrist Paul & Marie Kurtz Ray & Edna Lapp Paul & Mary Stoltzfus George & Rhoda Beiler Marv & Gladys High 5

6 June 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT am Ministry Tm :45 pm Softball game 12 noon Food Pac 7 8:15 am Prayer SS & Worship Guess who s coming to dinner 8 9:00 pm Softball game 9 10 am Alive with am Envisioning mtg 6:30 pm Softball game SS & Worship 16 7:30 am Prayer 9 am Comfort knotting 7 pm Caring Team mtg am Men s breakfast 1990 Hall reserved Groovin in Grove 21 Community Intercourse Park...NO RV 22 7pm VBS training mtg 9:00 pm Softball game pm VBS training mtg Hall reserved 28 SS & Worship 6 pm Sermon Heine s 29 7:45 pm Softball game 30 MC USA GENERAL ASSEMBLY KANSAS CITY

7 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. JULY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION DUE June 22 Nelson Yoder, Associate Pastor nelson@ridgeviewmennonite.net Carol Wenger Minister of Youth & Young Adults carol@ridgeviewmennonite.net Joyce Shirk, Administrative Assistant office@ridgeviewmennonite.net 7