June announcements from MC USA

You are invited to consider using the announcements for one or more Sundays in your congregational bulletins or in your conference / congregational newsletters as you see fit. Thank you!

Any Sunday in June:
Traveling to the Mennonite USA 2017 Convention in Orlando? Learn everything you need about getting there and getting around at:http://convention.mennoniteusa.org/logistics/. The link takes you to information on transportation with an area map, shuttle information, attraction information, accessibility options, schedule and more.

June 4:
Be in prayer for the students at the various Mennonite-related schools around the country and the world this month as they finish up another academic year. Pray that they would have a good summer of fun and renewal as they build on what they have learned.

June 11:
Attending the 2017 Convention in Orlando? The convention planning office has arranged discounts at Orlando-area attractions. Visit:mennolove.orlandomeetinginfo.com.

June 18:
The Future Church Summit will add a new dimension to this summer’s Mennonite Church USA Convention, inviting participants to envision an Anabaptist future for the church. You can learn more at convention.mennoniteusa.org/future-church-summit/.

Pray for the “Crossing the Line: Women of Anabaptist Traditions Encounter Borders and Boundaries” conference taking place June 22-25 at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

June 25:
Surround the Mennonite Church USA 2017 Convention in prayer as it begins July 4 in Orlando, Florida. More than 3,000 youth, delegates and others are expected to attend.
 

—Walt Wiltschek, news editor, for the Mennonite Church USA Communications Team: mennoniteusa.org

Church Spotlight: Metamora Mennonite Church

The following is a snapshot of congregational life at Metamora Mennonite Church  provided by Doris Mullins. If you would like more information on news shared here, please contact the congregation directly. We’re sure they’d love to hear from you.

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We welcomed Lead Pastor Eric and Miley Potter and family on March 12. March 23-24 volunteers prepared and baked 150 Blackberry pies for the Relief Sale.

During Holy Week we met for special services on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Guest Speaker on Sunday evening April 23, Juana Alicia Ruiz, MCC Colombian Partner. She shared community made tapestries and stories of bringing healing and peace to Colombia’s violent history.

Sunday afternoon April 30 a Women/Girls Event was held. Concert of pop-folk music on Thursday May 11, preformed by Jenny and Tyler Somers. They are supporters of International Justice Mission in the fight against human trafficking.

Mennonite Women continue to meet every month and work on projects.

 

Important Events

Congratulations to our 2017 graduates: Hunter Debolt, Logan Schertz, Brandon Bryan and Christopher Mead.

Birth: Joanna Jean, to Matt and Kristyn Kennell

Birthday: Nell Schertz, 92, April 10

Anniversaries: Willis and Esther Sutter, 70, April 6; Don and Caroline Schertz, 57, May 28

Marriage: Rachel Sutter and Aaron Roberts on May 14

Death’s: Lyle Smith, 86, April 2; Lola Mae Ulrich, 92, May 4

It is your turn!

Church revitalization begins with telling a different story. But that’s not all.

It also requires you (and every you in the church).

It requires you because…

1.) It’s your turn! It’s your turn to engage in risky love, to extend radical hospitality, to proclaim the gospel with words and actions, to do what Jesus said, to clothe and feed and give a drink to the naked, hungry, and thirsty. You are not on the bench or even on deck. You’re up to bat. You’re on stage and they are about to open the curtain. The concert started and it’s time for your solo.

2.) There is no one else!  No one else can step into the opportunities that you have. Other’s can’t love the people in your life on your behalf. They can’t extend hospitality to the neighbor or stranger at your door. They can’t proclaim the gospel with your voice and life. They can’t do what Jesus taught for you. They cannot provide clothes, food, and water for those in need around you on your behalf. Your opportunities are uniquely yours.

3.) You are more than enough! Jesus prepared you to do this. The Spirit is working ahead of you. The Spirit is empowering you. The Spirit gives you every gift needed to do the good works God has in store for you. You are ready for such a time as this.

Are you responsible?

Are you able-to-respond to the opportunity that is yours? Will you take the opportunity to participate fully in what God is doing, in and through Jesus, by the Spirit, for the world?

It is not easy. It is not always fun. There are no guarantees.

Yet, Jesus points us to a kingdom that is worth the risk. 

Church revitalization happens when people in the church take responsibility for the mission that is uniquely theirs.

There are no short cuts. There are no workarounds or hacks. There is only the work of being present and responsible for the opportunities before you. A vital church is a collection of people, doing the daily work of living into their calling, as they follow Jesus together.

Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders, Aug. 7-11, 2017

Click here for registration form

You are invited to attend an upcoming continuing education opportunity for church leaders that Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will be holding in the Chicago area this August, focusing on conflict transformation and mediation skills.

Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
Monday-Friday, August 7-11, 2017

 St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
393 N. Main Street
Glen Ellyn, IL

This five-day training is intended to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal conflict, congregational conflict, and other forms of group conflict.  It includes lectures, discussion, and guided practice in role play, and is designed to be active and practical in focus.  The sessions emphasize hands-on skills training and role-plays based on the types of conflict faced by participants. This training is useful for pastors, lay leaders, and others who serve with church-related ministries.

This email includes a brochure for the event, which contains information and a registration form.  People can also visit the LMPC website at www.LMPeaceCenter.org <http://www.lmpeacecenter.org/>  to download the brochure or register online.
<http://www.lmpeacecenter.org./>

We are trying to spread the word about this opportunity with church leaders in Illinois, especially among Anabaptist congregations.  We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this announcement with your ministry colleagues and congregations.  Please contact LMPC at peace@lmpeacecenter.org or call 630-627-0507 if you would like more information or want hard copies of the brochure to distribute.

For more information contact Daniel Foxvog at 630-627-0507 or email – dfoxvog@lmpeacecenter.org

MAY DAY ROYALTY

MAY DAY ROYALTY

Bluffton University’s annual May Day ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, and will include the traditions of the crowning of a king and queen and the Maypole dance by first-year students.

Filling the roles of king and queen this year are seniors CHAD GUNDY of Flanagan, Ill., and RACHEL BEINING of Ottoville, Ohio.

Gundy is majoring in mathematics and information technology. He has been involved in many activities on campus including Camerata Singers and the Ultimate Frisbee Club. He has served as a resident adviser for three years. His parents are Gary ’84 and Carolyn (Stuckey ’85) Gundy.

Beining is majoring in food and nutrition. She is a member of the Bluffton University Nutrition Association (BUNA) and was a member of the varsity women’s basketball team for four years. Her parents are Jerry and Sue Beining.

Church Spotlight: First Mennonite Church of Champaign/Urbana

The following is a snapshot of congregational life at First Mennonite Church of Champaign-Urbana provided by Rebecca Bare. If you would like more information on news shared here, please contact the congregation directly. We’re sure they’d love to hear from you.

A Habitat House blessing was held on Feb. 19 for the house that FMC is helping to build.
Kathy and Keith Springer spent the month of March in Mississippi volunteering through SOOP. They did home repair, tutoring, and painting. They related their experiences to us on April 30.
Harold and Mary Ann Heiser celebrated their 68th anniversary on March 4.
The theme for Lent was Enliven Us O God. Each Sunday, we focused on a different aspect: wonder, hunger, thirst, see.
Jan Sabey, Rebecca Bare, Keith and Kathy Springer, Deb Sutter, and the Crosby family were the delegates to the Illinois Mennonite Conference meeting at Menno Haven on April 1.
We celebrated Easter with lots of music from our choir and concluded the worship service with the Hallelujah Chorus.
Sheryl and Peter Dyck shared with us their experiences with SOOP in Puerto Rico in January.
Bharat Phillipe and Joyce Wyse announced their engagement. They will be married in June.
Dannie Otto preached on April 30 and Jonathan Kuttab, a Palestinian Mennonite and human rights lawyer, preached on May 14.

 

Tell a different story

If you want to revitalize your church, start by telling a better story!

The stories we tell to ourselves about ourselves are powerful. These stories do more than describe reality, they help create reality.

Church A and Church B

Church A has sixty regular attendees and an annual budget of $175,000. Ten years ago, this church had 200 regular attendees and double the annual budget. The story they tell themselves about themselves is that they are dying. That is a reasonable story because, by all appearances, they are.

Church B has sixty regular attendees and an annual budget of $175,000. Ten years ago, they were a dream in the mind of a seminary student and a few of his friends. One year ago, that same student, now graduated, planted a church with five others. The story they tell themselves about themselves is that they are growing. That is a reasonable story because, by all appearances, they are.

Both churches have the same number of people and the same budget. Which church is more likely to produce health and growth going forward?

I’d bet on Church B every time.

Why? Church B tells a better story to themselves about themselves. That makes all the difference in the world.

What if Church A told a better story?

I believe that the starting point to revitalizing your congregation is telling a better story to yourself about yourself. That story contains some key plot elements.

  1. God is for you, not against you!
  2. God is with you, not absent!
  3. God has given you all you need to be what God has called and created you to be!
  4. God is always and forever drawing people into relationship.
  5. Those people need to hear the gospel – perhaps from you.
  6. God is always and forever leading his new people into relationship with his existing people.
  7. As his existing people, you can welcome his new people into the church.

The Potential in Revitalization

Many people have given up on churches like Church A. They conclude that the momentum is going the wrong direction. They throw their energy and resources towards church planting.

Don’t get me wrong, I love church plants. There is a place for church planting. As an Anabaptist, I’m all for planting new Anabaptist churches where none currently exist.

However, I do not see church planting as an alternative to revitalization. The reality is, there are already resources – both people and financial – in existing congregations that simply need to tell themselves a better story about themselves.

What would happen if Church A started telling themselves the same story about themselves that Church B was telling? Do you think it would make a difference?

I do.

I believe that a core group of persons in a declining congregation can actually tell, and believe, a better story that can lead to growth. I believe that Church A can begin to think of themselves as a new work! I believe that when they do so, the past loses its grip on the present and new life can emerge?

It takes courage. It takes leadership. It takes perseverance. It can be done.

I believe that because I trust that God is at work in the world and invites us to participate in the world God is making.