Newsweekly for Sunday, September 16, 2018

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Worship this Sunday, September 16, 2018

Theme: You’re Invited: Follow Me

Worship Leader: Greg Yoder

Song Leader: Nancy Heisey

Prelude: Brad Lehman

Preacher: Jennifer Davis Sensenig

Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-33; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

 

Upcoming CMC Events

Wed, Sept 19    Kids’ Club, 6 pm, basement

Sept 21-23         CMC Annual Fall Retreat at Camp Brethren Woods

 

CMC Events and Announcements

Time for Recess! Church recess is for children ages 4-grade 6. We aim for recess to begin generally after the offering is taken in the worship service. Children may exit the sanctuary at that time to meet the recess supervisors in the Fellowship Hall. Recess provides an opportunity for children to be outside running and playing with adult supervision, and gives time for Sunday school teachers to prepare their rooms for Sunday school. Children on the playground will be accompanied to the Sunday school singing/gathering rooms at approximately 10:25 am. If your child does not participate in recess, you may take your child to the Sunday school area in the church basement at 10:25.

 

Fire Drill During Sunday School Hour. On Sunday, September 16 near the end of the Sunday School hour we will be practicing a fire drill. The pre-kindergartners up through Grade 6 (all the basement classrooms) will be involved in this fire drill to prepare the children in the event of a real emergency. Sunday school teachers have already talked to classes about the fire drill and how to proceed. Parents of Sunday School age children should pick their children up at 11:30 in the alleyway behind the Dean House. We will have ushers helping to guide students across Water Street and into the alley. Sunday school teachers will lead their students across the road to the designated pick up area. If you have questions please contact Monica Carlson (m.carlson.piano@gmail.com).

Piano Update from Aili Huber, Council Chair and Jeremy Nafziger, Council Vice Chair:

“CMC has a new piano. More than 70 people responded to the survey, more than 85 percent of them in support of the purchase, and about 54 households pledged money—enough to cover the cost. Church council approved the purchase in the first week of September. The sound of this beautiful instrument, played by so many talented members of the congregation, will be part of our worship services for many years. To God be the glory.

If you pledged money for this year, now is the time to make your contribution, preferably by November 1. You can do this with a check in the regular offering (put “Piano” in the memo line) or online through the church website (the contribution form there has a Piano Fund option). If you missed the survey and want to contribute anyway, you may still donate. When the total cost has been collected, we will inform people who pledged money in future years that they can direct their contributions elsewhere. "

CMC Leadership Development Cohort 2018-19. Are you interested in clarifying the Christian spiritual resources for leadership (in the church, in the community, in work/service/study settings)?  Would you like to grow in your capacity to respond to God’s call to mission, ministry and service of all kinds? The CMC Leadership Development Cohort will meet in four Sunday afternoon seminars:  Oct 21, Jan 13, March 10 and May 19. We’re seeking 4-10 participants committed to ongoing spiritual formation and attending all seminars. Seminars include a focus on spiritual disciplines, leadership identity, and practical skills.  Participants will be encouraged to identify a mentor from within the congregation. Sponsors include: Larry Miller, Lee Snyder, Sue Cockley, Shirley Showalter and Pastor Jennifer. Applications are available at the following link and due Sep 30th. https://cmcva.breezechms.com/form/a29045

It’s Time to Register for the Fall Retreat. CMC's Annual Fall Retreat will be held September 21-23 at Camp Brethren Woods. Registration details are in church mailboxes and at the back of the sanctuary. To learn more about this year's retreat, click here.  It is easy to register online!  If you want to pay by credit card, click here.  If you want to pay by check, click here. Questions? Visit the retreat registration table following worship on Sunday, September 9 and 16 or contact Ben or Hannah Bailey or Linda Martin Burkholder.

Want to help with campfire songs at retreat? We're having a campfire and songs Friday night at retreat (Sept. 21) and I'm seeking help with instrumentation and song leading. Will you play guitar, tambourine or djembe? Do you have a favorite camp song you want to lead? Join the team by contacting Brian Martin Burkholder (brian.burkholder@emu.edu).

Sabbath Book. Anita Amstutz, Mennonite pastor and author of Soul Tending: Journey into the Heart of Sabbath will be our resource person for the CMC Retreat (Sep 21-23).  We are circulating several copies of her book prior to retreat.  If you're interested in borrowing a copy, please contact the church office at cmc_office@cmcva.org or 433-2148. –Pastoral Team

CMC Seniors: Support the MCC Relief Sale by Helping with Potato Preparation. Last fall the CMC seniors supported John and Jennifer Murch and the MCC Relief Sale by helping with potato preparation for the thousands of donuts that were made and sold at the Relief sale.  This year we are asking the CMC seniors to again help with the potato preparation.  The Murches supply the potatoes. The seniors peel, cut up, boil, mash and then refrigerate in 4# bags till sale day.  When we work together the work gets done and we have an enjoyable time working together.

Time and place:  October 4th at the church fellowship hall. 1st shift from 3-5:00 p.m.  2nd shift from 5-7:00 p.m.

Please bring: a potato peeler, small paring knife and bowl to peel potatoes in. Bring a butcher knife for cutting up potatoes  If you have large 16 quart (or nearly that size) stainless steel bowls please bring those.

Call and inform: Vi Miller if you can help. Home phone: (432 9262) cell (540-820-4535)  or email visammill@gmail.com  Please notify Vi as soon as possible.

And attention to those who are not seniors:  The CMC Seniors welcome anyone interested, regardless of age, to join the "active potato peeling seniors"  in our effort to peel ___ (you guess) pounds of potatoes.  Call or email Vi Miller and give her your name if you can help. Thank you! The CMC Seniors planning committee

Approved Adult Training at CMC on Sunday, Oct 7, during potluck. Do you require training to complete the Approved Adult process for volunteering with CMC children and youth? If so, please join us during October’s potluck. We will review Safe Church practices for working with our kids and will also discuss how to keep our children and youth safe from sexual abuse. Fill your plate with tasty morsels and meet Marsha Thomas and Pastor Jason in Room 205 on October 7. We hope to begin by 11:45am and end at 1:00. Questions? Contact Marsha at Marsha.thomas8417@gmail.com.

Immigration Advocacy. CMC, Trinity Presbterian, and Shalom Mennonite have formed a small advocacy group called "Faith Allies" to provide direct support services to the immigrant community.  We are currently working on providing a transportation network for local immigrants to get to Immigration Court, ICE check-ins and other needed services.  A workshop will be held on October 14, 2:00 PM at Trinity Presbyterian to provide information for possible volunteers.   If you are interested in being a volunteer for this transportation service, please attend this workshop or contact Tina Beachy at dtbeachy@verizon.net or 540 564-1820. Thank you.

Wellbeing for Minds and Hearts. Personally, and as supportive friends and family, many of us make our life journey navigating various mental health concerns.  This 8-week adult education series (Sundays in Oct and Nov) will include a variety of presenters–CMCers who are mental health professionals as well as other guests–who will share about their work, local services, and ways that congregations can reduce stigma and respond as the caring community Christ calls us to be.  Join us for a diverse series and a concluding session about next steps for our congregation. Facilitated by Pastoral Team.

Ride to Dulles Needed. We are in need of someone to drive the VS participants (Taylor Hodges and Ali Zuercher) to Dulles airport for their departure to Chicago on Sunday, October 28 for a 1:45 pm flight time. The driver will need to leave Dean House at around 9:45 am (or an agreed upon time). We will also need someone to pick them up from Dulles airport on Thursday, November 1 at 7 pm.  If you would be willing to drive, please contact Pastor Jason (Jason.gerlach@cmcva.org). Thank you!

Toy Donations for the CMC Nursery. The Nursery Committee is seeking gently-used, non battery-operated toys for children up to age 5.  Toys can be dropped off in the nursery Sunday Sept 30th and Sunday October 7th. Please contact Tiffany Showalter if you have questions (tiffany.showalter@gmail.com). 

We Want to Keep in Touch with You! Please notify the church office (cmc_office@cmcva.org) if you would like to receive the Newsweekly, CMC announcements and prayer requests. Mailboxes (located in the Fellowship Hall) are available to CMC members and regular attenders. A regularly updated version of the CMC directory is available online on the CMC Breeze site. To request a mailbox or to find out how to access the directory, please contact the church office.

Looking for Small Groups to Host First Friday. CMC hosts a "First Friday" art opening every other month. We're looking for Small Groups to volunteer to host them. Host duties include providing refreshments and being on site to welcome the artists and musicians, assist them and members of the public if needed, and manage cleanup. If your group would like to sign up for one, please contact Matt Carlson (matt31275@gmail.com).

Apartment Needed. Dave and Sue Cockley's daughter, Kate Clark, has a good friend who is looking for affordable housing following a painful divorce and now living on a minimum wage income.  If any of you know of a small (basement?), one bedroom apartment that she (and her cat) could rent for $200 per month or less please Kate know (email kate.clark@emu.edu).  She needs to move in Oct 1.  Ideally, she is looking for a 1 year lease, but even 6 months would be very helpful.

Car Needed: A Puerto Rican family of five will be visiting the area (and making pinchos for the relief sale) from September 21 through October 8. They will be staying at the Murch's home, but need a car to get around the area. If anyone has an extra one that they're comfortable loaning out for the duration of their stay, please contact the Murches at jmurch6@gmail.com or 540-833-4161.

Community Preschool Fall Mums Fundraiser. Community Preschool (located in our church basement) is selling mums again this year. Visit the signup board in the fellowship hall to order. Orders and payments are due September 16. Flowers will be delivered to CMC on September 26.

WHALE I'LL BE . . . If something looks fishy on the “CMC Today” bulletin board on the west wall of the fellowship hall, it's because the latest posted photo display features scenes from the August worship series on "the down-in-the-mouth" prophet Jonah, including the fantastic Aug. 19 service led by children of the congregation assisted by members of the Walking Roots Band.  And, there's photos from Jay and Sheri Hartzler's Aug. 12 program of music and stories from Romania with EMHS Touring Choir alumni. But wait, there’s more – a reflective essay, "Push, Pull or Get Out of the Way" (HealthQuest magazine) and a Virginia Ham column, "Come Early for a Back-Row Seat" (2-14-99) from Mennonite Weekly Review. Hope you don't find all this hard to swallow!  – Jim Bishop

RETREAT TO THE FRONT – CMC's annual retreat is coming soon. But it doesn't seem that long ago that we had one. Remember? If you don't, gaze ye upon the “CMC Yesterday” bulletin board on the east wall of the fellowship hall for a double-poster collage from our September 22-24, 2017 church retreat, "Love, Joy and Resistance" at Camp Brethren Woods. –  Jim Bishop

 

Greening CMC : Speaking Out.  Residents of Buckingham County, including nearby historic African-American communities, are likely to have their health risks increase if a proposed natural gas compressor station is built there. The station is part of the planned Atlantic Coast PipelineJoin others giving voice to concerns during the public comment period with the DEQ.  

 

Announcements from Virginia Mennonite Conference, Harrisonburg area and beyond

Pray for the MC USA Worship Planning Committee as they meet in Kansas City on September 21-23 to plan worship for MennoCon19.

Volunteer for the Relief Sale. Please sign up after church this Sunday to help out with the relief sale on October 5 and 6. One need we have this year is someone to make Raita for the Indian food booth.  This involves peeling, seeding, and grating (in a food processor) 32 cups of cucumbers and mixing it with 2 quarts of yogurt and other ingredients.  This is usually done on Friday night but could possibly be done on Thursday.  It might be a fun mentor/mentee activity.  Please consider taking this on. Thanks! –Tim Jost (JostT@wlu.edu).

Donations for Relief Sale Kiddie Corner. Everyone can help in the effort to collect items for the Relief Sale's Kiddie Corner!  It's Easy!  We take not only toys but also craft supplies, nature items like shells, back packs and bags, games and puzzles, room decor, piggy banks, and books, pet supplies, etc!  Easy drop off in the bin by the front door at the Virginia Mennonite Conference Center.  Nice, clean items are of greater value. Thank you for helping kids be part of the giving and fun!  Contact Greta Kreider for more information or to help at leinbach.kreider@gmail.com

Patchwork Pantry is looking for one or two people to be on the supervisors team for Wednesday evening operations. We are especially in need of someone to take the lead position at least once a month starting in January (so the other lead supervisor isn't working all four weeks). The lead supervisor comes at 5:45 pm to open and starts getting ready for the evening. The two other supervisors come at 6:15 pm or 6:30 pm to help out with set up and other tasks. Supervisors stay to help clean up until about 8:15 pm or so.  Training is provided.  It would be good if the person could start training this fall.  Mostly the time commitment is one or twice a month, although supervisors do trade schedules and fill in for others at times. Contact Jennifer Ulrich – ulrichjm@comcast.net if you might be interested.

Calling all bicycle enthusiasts, small and tall!  You are invited to participate in the 21st annual Bike Shenandoah ride on Saturday, September 15 at Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, VA.  This family-friendly event includes rides of 5, 15, 30, or 62 miles in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.  All proceeds benefit Virginia Mennonite Missions, MennoMedia, Mennonite Central Committee, NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center, Our Community Place, and Roberta Webb Childcare Center. And this year we have included the opportunity to support MCC by assembling relief kits. Individuals and congregations can also participate by sponsoring riders, and by volunteering to assemble relief kits the day of the ride. A free lunch will be available to all riders and volunteers. Register today at bikeshenandoah.org!

SOS Band (Sharing Our Surplus). A newly formed "SOS Band" will highlight a special youth event at the Harrisonburg Mennonite Church on Wednesday evening, September 19. It will start with free hot dogs at 6:30 in the pavilion and will be followed by lots of music and a brief presentation highlighting world refugee needs and promoting the S.O.S. (Sharing Our Surplus) cash giving campaign for MCC at the October 5 & 6 Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale. Contributions can be made at this event as well.

You are invited to the Harrisonburg Sacred Arts Festival, September 21-22. Our theme this year is "Welcoming the Stranger." For more details, see www.hburgsacredarts.org.

Apple Butter Boiling for the Virginia Relief Sale is being rescheduled to Sept. 22 due to an ordering error beyond our control.  It will be Sept 22 from 5am to 5pm at Friendship Park in Stuart's Draft (The old Augusta Mennonite School).

Valley Arts Society invites you to sing with us! The adult choir and children's choir are for anyone who loves to sing at any level of musicality. These non-auditioned choirs will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm starting September 20 until November 8, with concerts on November 9 and 10. We'd love to have you join us! If you have questions, please contact Angie Clemens. Registration and more choir information can be found at https://valleyartssociety.regfox.com/valley-arts-society-choirs-fall-2018

Strength in Peers will hold a free training in “Caring for Trauma” on Saturday, September 29 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm at the Manor Memorial United Methodist Church in New Market. This training will help primary care and social service providers engage with people who have a history of trauma. The speaker is Dr. Allison Jackson. To register go to Caring4Trauma.eventbrite.com or call 540-217-0869 for more information.

You are invited! Speakers from El Salvador, Zimbabwe and Nepal will describe the substantial climate change impacts being felt now in the global south.  Come for learning, discussion, bonding and light refreshments on Sunday, September 30, 6pm at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. The Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions is making this opportunity possible.

The Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center invites all lovers of a cappella singing to join us for a benefit concert with Good Company, Sunday evening, October 7, 7 PM at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. Good Company is a six-member a cappella ensemble known and loved for their exquisite harmonies, professional performance, and engaging stage presence. The Bridgewater Church of the Brethren features an acoustic hall exceptionally well-suited to Good Company's sound, so you won't want to miss this unique opportunity to hear this fantastic group in concert. A free-will offering will support the work of the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center.

VMC Women’s Retreat. A wonderful weekend retreat is planned for women of all ages on Oct 26-28. Join your sisters at Short Pump Marriott, in Richmond. Our theme this year is “Experiencing the Journey” presented by Sue Miller. She and her husband, Gordon, attend Lynside Mennonite, where he is pastoring. Scholarship funds are available by calling Gloria Lehman, 540-420-2122. Registration form found on the Mennonite Women page on the Virginia Mennonite Conference website.

Help bring some hope to an inmate at the Rockingham Regional Jail by becoming a pen-pal for an inmate. Jason Wagner, the chaplain serving through VMMissions, is looking for pen-pals for seven men. If you're interested, please contact Jason at jason.wagnerrrjchaplain@gmail.com.

 

 

 

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