Newsweekly: 9/28/14

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Newsweekly 9/28/14

Local Events

  • Join the conversation Advocating for a just peace for Palestine and Israel – What can U.S. Christians do? Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 8-9 PM EDT Dial: 1-866-740-1260. Participant Access Code: 2419972#.

    The aftermath of 50 days of fighting has left devastation in Gaza which still struggles under a suffocating blockade.   More and more land continues to be confiscated for expanding settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The occupation of Palestinian lands continues unchecked. Israelis and Palestinians both suffer from the lack of a peaceful resolution.   Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers look to the international community for support in their efforts to change the status quo and work toward a just peace.   With the breakdown in peace talks, what direction should U.S. policy take? How can persons of faith be part of the solution through their public policy advocacy?     Join us as we take a look at these questions, hear perspectives from experienced advocates on what churches are doing and can do, and engage in conversation about directions for advocacy.

    Presenters: Catherine Gordon, Representative for International Issues, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Office of Public Witness; Mike Merryman-Lotze, Israel-Palestine Program Director, American Friends Service Committee; and Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, Director, Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office.

    There will be time for questions and answers, as together we seek a constructive way forward in advocacy for a just peace in Palestine and Israel.  Sponsored by the Faith Forum on Middle East Policy, a network of national Christian denominations and organizations working for a just peace in the Middle East with a primary focus Israel and Palestine.

  • Women's Bible Study has started again and is each Wednesday morning at Park View Mennonite Church, in the fellowship hall. Join Pastors Barbara Moyer Lehman and Jennifer Davis Sensenig as they lead studies on Sharing Our Lives With Others and Ready or Not… Romans! The series will run through Dec. 17. Join us at 8:30 for coffee and 8:45 for teaching and conversation. Childcare will be provided each week. For more information, please call (540) 434-1604.
  • The annual Harrisonburg churches CROP walk to raise funds for Church World Service’s program’s to combat hunger around the world will take place Sunday, September 28, at 2 pm, starting from Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg.  This is a great activity for a family, Sunday School class or small group.  Even if you do not have persons to donate money for your walk it is a good way to educate people about hunger in the world and CWS’s programs to feed the hungry.  Some of the money raised will go to local agencies such as People helping People and the Refugee Resettlement Program.
  • The Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale will be October 3-4 at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, Harrisonburg. The relief sales offers a little bit of everything—quilts, artwork, homemade food, antiques, crafts, music and activities for the whole family. We hope you’ll join us! Proceeds go to the work of Mennonite Central Committee. Keep collecting for Penny Power and consider matching your church’s total! Watch the new video from VMM on this year's Penny Power projects at vmmissions.org/support/penny-power/ <http://vmmissions.org/support/penny-power/>   Learn more about the sale at vareliefsale.com <http://www.vareliefsale.com/>
  • Registration is now open for the 5th annual 5K for Relief that will be held at the Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale on October 4 at 8:30 am.  Runners, joggers, walkers, strollers, and youth are all welcome to participate.  Participants who register by Sept 26 will get a free T-shirt. Sign up now at runwalkjog.com/relief <http://runwalkjog.com/relief>.
  • A four-session Marriage Maintenance class will be offered at Family Life Resource Center from 7-8:30 each Tuesday evening starting October 7. The class is offered on a freewill offering basis and will be led by Harvey Yoder (who just celebrated his 50th anniversary). a text, Lasting Marriage-The Owners' Manual, will be available for $10. Register at services@flrc.org or 434-8450.
  • The VMRC Foundation and the law firm of Wharton, Aldhizer & Weaver, PLC, are co-sponsoring a free seminar, Learn the top 10 mistakes in estate planning and how to avoid them, from 9 to 11 a.m., October 9, in Detwiler Auditorium, 1501 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg.  A light breakfast will be served beginning at 8:30 a.m. Speakers are Marshall Yoder and Matt Von Schuch, attorneys from Wharton, Aldhizer & Weaver. The seminar will include topics on estate planning, trusts, transfer of retirement accounts, and health care plans. Attendees will receive a packet of estate planning literature. To register, contact the VMRC Foundation office at (540) 437-4306 or e-mail Janice Rhodes at jrhodes@vmrc.org
  • VMRC Memory Care program looks at cognitive changes: Local neurologist Robert McMahon will present “What Happens When the Brain Fails” at 7 p.m., October 9, as part of VMRC’s Memory Care program. McMahon, will speak on the affects of cognitive impairment on personality, mood, language and daily function. The program will help families communicate with healthcare professionals and in caring for persons with dementia. The program is free and will be in VMRC’s Detwiler Auditorium, 1501 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg.
  • There will be a Gestalt Pastoral Care Retreat led by Tilda Norberg at Highland Retreat, October 16-18, 2014.Tilda's healing ministry was featured in the 2013 School for Leadership Training at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. See attached brochure(Open to Grace Retreat) for more information.
  • The Walk for Our Community Place will be October 18 at 9 am. Walk options are a 10K or 10 blocks. This Walk is a way for the community to help Our Community Place in its mission to promote personal growth and community well-being in the Harrisonburg area.
  • The women of Coffee, Croissants and Conversation would like to local women to an event at The Gathering Place on Saturday, October 25, from 10 to 11:30 am. Ann Graber Hershberger will speak on “Reflections on Women Serving Around the World”. Light breakfast provided (donation welcomed). This is the third of many inspiring quarterly gatherings to come. Please feel free to invite other interested women. RSVP by October 20, 2014, to 316-304-4077 <tel:316-304-4077>  or harrisonburgwomen@gmail.com.

Job Opening:

Virginia Mennonite Missions seeks an Executive Assistant and Human Resources Manager, a full-time position beginning January 15, 2015. This position  provides administrative support to the President and manages human resources matters and personnel. A job description can be seen at vmmissions.org/serve/employment-opportunities <http://vmmissions.org/serve/employment-opportunities>  Send resume/cover letter to Lynn Suter at lynn.suter@vmmissions.org or mail to 901 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

Office Suite for Rent:

A spacious two-office suite, partially furnished, with separate entrance, good parking, and good signage is available at 901 Parkwood Drive (office building of Virginia Mennonite Missions and Virginia Mennonite Conference).  All utilities, taxes and most insurance included, together with access to shared kitchen, copier/mail room, and restrooms.  $500/month.  For more details, contact Lynn Suter at lynn.suter@vmmissions.org <mailto:lynn.suter@vmmissions.org>  or 540-434-9727 <tel:540-434-9727> . See photos at vmmissions.org/2014/09/office-suite-for-rent/ <http://vmmissions.org/2014/09/office-suite-for-rent/>

Please see the Relief Sale flyer for September

Virginia Mennonite Missions Prayer Request:

September 28

Continue to hold the work of ministry in China in prayer. Pray that the seeds planted through English camps this summer will take root and be nurtured, bearing much fruit.
 

Community Mennonite Church
70 South High Street Harrisonburg, VA
office@cmcva.org
540-433-2148