Local Events
Join the Shenandoah Valley MEDA chapter on January 22 at 7 pm to hear Lauren Good, a senior consultant/project manager for MEDA, speak about his work with the Tanzania Cassava Seed Champion project. The event will be held in the Campus Center 105 Strite Conference Room at Eastern Mennonite University. A dessert bar will be provided with a small suggested donation. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Patty Eckard at eckardp@emu.edu.
Registration is open for the VMC Youth Workers' Retreat, January 23-25, 2015 at Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center (9275 Barnes Rd., Toano VA 23168). Rachel S. Gerber, Mennonite Church USA Denominational Minister of Youth and Young Adults, will provide resources on "The Changing Face of Youth Ministry." Register by January 16. Learn more at virginiaconference.org/ministries/youth-ministry/2015-youth-workers-retreat/
Are you compassionate and willing to give a lot of your heart to those facing end of life? Sentara Hospice Services’ goal is to improve the quality of a person’s last days by offering comfort and dignity. Our carefully selected and well-trained volunteers are a vital part of this program, working alongside the professional staff to provide comfort and support to patients and their families. Our hospice volunteers have a strong desire to reach out with care and compassion. Volunteer opportunities range from administrative support, bereavement support, special events, vigil volunteers, sewing and quilting, pet therapy, and small household errands. Volunteering for direct patient care is also available to offer friendship, respite care, and non-medical support. Direct patient care may include sitting with patient, reading, listening to music, and socialization. If interested, please contact: Annie Ytterock, Volunteer Coordinator
540-433-4276.
Join us for the 6th Annual Pennsylvania Groundhog Day Fest on Monday, February 2, 2015 at Park View Church Fellowship Hall. Gathering at 5 p.m. and Meal at 5:30 p.m. this invitation is for anyone with Pennsylvania roots, spouses are included! Please bring a generous portion of an old-time favorite Pennsylvania dish that can be shared with others. We will supply fresh Belleville sausage and scrapple butchered by Amish farmer. Las year we had 13 different pies! Come prepared to have a good time visiting with friends and sharing memories of good old PA food from yesteryear! We will also have singing and storytelling. Table service and drinks will be provided. There will be a donation basket available to cover expenses for this event. You may pass this invitation along to friends that have Pennsylvania roots. Any questions contact: Mary Ann Heatwole at maryann@heatwoles.us or 540-434-7678 or Lee M. Yoder at leeyoder2008@comcast.net or 540-209-1180
Looking for Affordable Health Insurance? Call the Harrisonburg Community Health Center to get assistance. We have trained application counselors that can help you step-by-step through the process! (540) 437-5051
Making disciples through Life Transformation groups workshop: Interested in exploring a deep, reproducible yet simple way of making disciples within your congregation? Tired of talking about becoming missional and eager to gain traction in the disciple-making task? VMC pastors, congregational leaders & those interested in developing a discipling culture within their congregations are welcome to Join us Saturday, January 31 (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at Park View Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. Sponsored by Virginia Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Mission Network. Lunch is included in the registration cost of $10. RSVP to Sarah Showalter at <sarah.showalter@vmmissions.org> or (540) 434-9727
Delegates: Winter Delegate Session will be February 7 at Waynesboro Mennonite Church, beginning at 8:15 a.m. and ending by 3 p.m. There will be a $10/person cost to cover the meal. RSVP to Anieta McCracken, Administrative Services Manager, at 540-434-9727 ext 135 or via email to: <Anieta.mccracken@virginiaconference.org>
The Virginia Mennonite Conference Ministry Retreat on "Learning from the Early Church" with Alan Kreider will be February 27-March 1 at Willamsburg Christian Retreat Center, Toano, Va. Register at virginiaconference.org/news/2015-vmc-ministry-retreat/ <http://virginiaconference.org/news/2015-vmc-ministry-retreat/>
You are welcome to join in a transformative healing retreat. Tilda Norberg will be guiding another Opening to Grace Retreat at the Highland Retreat Center in Bergton, Va., on March 5-7. If you know of people who may be interested in attending please forward the brochure; or if you are interested yourself, please fill out the registration form and send it, along with your deposit, to me at the address in the brochure. Pat Hostetter Martin, for the Shenandoah Gestalt Pastoral Care Community of Practice. Opening to Grace Retreat Brochure
All leaders holding ministerial credentials in VMC are invited to: “God’s Gift of Sexuality”: a Pastoral Leadership Consultation on May 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mountain View Mennonite Church, 5252 North Carolina 10 Hickory, NC 28602. Transportation arrangements to and from the Harrisonburg area are in the works. Speakers are still to be decided. RSVP to Anieta McCracken, Administrative Services Manager, at 540-434-9727 ext 135 or via email to: <anieta.mccracken@virginiaconference.org>
An End-of-life train the trainer event will be hosted at VMRC and led by Beryl Jantzi, Everence director of stewardship education, March 17 (snow date is March 19) from 9:00 – 3:00 with registration starting at 8:30. The fee is $15 payable at the event and covers the 40 page manual, snacks and lunch. For more information and to register contact Patty Skelton at patty.skelton@everence.com or call 540-437-7422. You must register in advance and space is limited.
Click to view the online VMC calendar <https://www.google.com/calendar/render?hl=en&tab=wc&gsessionid=OK#g|month-3+22874+22918+22904>.
Virginia Mennonite Missions Prayer Request:
January 18
Richard and Elsie Bowman returned the states in December for Richard to have hip replacement surgery. Pray for God's good timing in the healing as they hope to return to Albania at the end of February.