Installment at Mennonite Church of Normal

This past Sunday, September 15, Lauren Satchwell was installed and licensed toward ordination at Mennonite Church of Normal. Lauren serves 1/4 time on the pastoral team with Kevin Chupp and Lynette Miller. CDC Conference Minister Doug Luginbill and IMC’s Bryan Miller led the service.

The picture credit belongs Paula Luginbill.

Conference Ministerial Team Announced- Welcome Pastor Bryan

 

The Missional Leadership Team would like to inform the Illinois Conference churches that three IMC pastors have agreed to serve Illinois Conference churches as a Conference Minister team.

Bryan Miller, Eric Potter, and Calvin Zehr will collaboratively serve IMC churches in the conference staff position of Conference Executive Minister. This team of pastors will be collectively responsible for providing the leadership and function of a Conference Minister. Each individual pastor is not responsible for every responsibility of a Conference Minister.

Although a team of pastors sharing Conference Minister responsibilities is not something new in MCUSA, it is a new arrangement for Illinois Mennonite Conference. It is understood that this approach will involve a degree of trial and innovation.

The search committee of Richard Gehring, Debra Sutter, and Darrel Miller recommended these pastors for this arrangement and the MLT has developed a Memo of Understanding with this team of pastors. Each pastor will serve on a quarter time basis. Bryan will begin September1; Cal begins November1; Eric’s beginning date is yet to be determined.

Churches, of course, will receive the necessary details about how this will initially work as they are determined.

We trust that the Lord’s Spirit is leading us in this step of service in God’s kingdom.

We thank God for the gifts given these leaders and their willingness to serve.

 

IMC Missional Leadership Team

Peoria Rescue Ministries is now PATHWAY MINISTRIES

Peoria Rescue Ministries is now Pathway Ministries.

As we look to clearly communicate our mission and vision for those in need, we have taken on a new name and identity. Our commitment to guiding individuals out of poverty into progress through the love of Jesus remains the same.

Pathway Ministries simply and beautifully describes both what we do and how we do it. We create pathways from poverty to progress through Jesus. The arrows themselves speak to paths – a Biblical concept that all point to the centrality of the cross and wholeness of Jesus.

Addressing Poverty:
A Whole-Person Approach

Poverty stems from a disruption in four fundamental relationships: with God, Self, Others, and Work. We all experience these broken relationships in a sinful world. We believe that only Jesus can truly renew and restore these relationships within us — leading to transformation that goes beyond material needs.

Nepali Ministry – November + December

Jaimashi, dear prayer partners and friends,

I trust this email finds you well. I want to express my sincere gratitude for your unwavering prayers and support for our Nepali ministry. Your encouragement has been instrumental in the progress and impact we’ve been able to achieve.

As a token of appreciation and to keep you updated on our activities, I have attached the Nepali Outreach Ministry Activity Report (Nov-Dec 2023_ Activity Report). This document provides an overview of our recent initiatives, milestones, and the positive outcomes we’ve experienced.

Should you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to reach out. We value our partnership and look forward to keeping you informed about the ongoing developments in our ministry.

Thank you once again for standing with us in this journey.

Peace,

Olak Sunuwar

Ten Thousand Villages opening in Peoria Heights

Hello friends!

As many have heard, after serving the Champaign-Urbana community for 38 years SelfHelp Village Crafts, Inc. (dba Ten Thousand Villages Champaign) is expanding to Peoria Heights! After learning that Global Village would be closing after operating in downtown Peoria Heights for 20+ years, we felt called to action. Our mission is to bring artisan products and stories to communities through long-term fair trade partnerships. We want our communities to have access to these fair trade products and stories and feel strongly about continuing efforts to bring these to Peoria Heights.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the sales of products help us pay our operating expenses (which we do our best to keep minimal) and help us place consistent orders with our artisan partners. Volunteers have been at the heart of our operations since we opened in 1985. They are our most passionate supporters, who love spending time surrounded by beautiful products and sharing our fair trade stories with customers. We couldn’t do what we do without volunteers and are hoping you will consider joining us in Peoria Heights!
Our store hours in Peoria Heights will be Tuesday-Saturday 11-5 (and 12-4 on Sundays in December). Volunteers will be asked to work two 3-hour shifts per month with two time options (11-2 or 2-5 and 1-4 on Sundays). We welcome you to volunteer more than twice a month if you are able, but it will not be required! Shifts will be self-scheduled through a SignUp Genius calendar and can be regular or spontaneous each month, depending on your schedule and preferences. We will have a paid staff person in the shop as well, so no one will have to work alone. As we get established, we hope to expand both our hours and our volunteer opportunities to offsite sales, educational events and speaking engagements.
Our soft opening is planned for October 19, 2023. We are looking for volunteers willing to be trained and ready to start shifts by late October. If you are ready to jump in, you can email me your availability for October 23-31 and we can set up a time for training!
Please reach out to me with any questions about volunteering or the shop and feel free to forward this email to any friends and family members you think might be interested! We are grateful for your consideration of this opportunity and look forward to seeing each of you (in any capacity) at our new store soon!

—

Emily King 
Executive Director

Ten Thousand Villages Champaign

217.352.8200

IMC Leadership Gathering at Menno Haven Camp and Retreat Center

Dear IMC churches,

Following up on previous listening gatherings, your brothers and sisters in Christ who are serving in IMC leadership invite churches to send representatives to meet at Camp Menno Haven on Saturday, November 4. The morning starting time will be announced later and we should conclude by 3 pm.

Our objective for the day is to actively discern and create a path forward as to how IMC will credential
pastors. Our work will build on the foundation of our gatherings these last two years of carefully
listening to each other, sharing stories, worshiping together, and learning and wrestling together within our own congregations. We will take time to center on Jesus, invite the presence of the Holy Spirit, consider credentialing options presented so far, and options anyone may bring. Again, we hope to discern specific paths forward and have invited Dr. Malinda Berry of AMBS to guide and facilitate this shared work.

We encourage you to send people with gifts of creativity and discernment, empowered by your
congregation to listen to others and God’s Spirit as we meet. Please reply by October 27 with the names of those who will attend.

Over the following four to five months, IMC leaders plan to meet with congregations to listen and answer your questions. During this time window, congregations will be asked whether they can support the credentialing option (or one of the options) presented. This canvasing procedure will be explained and questions answered at this Nov. 4 meeting. IMC leadership will use this canvas to determine how pastors will be credentialed in IMC.

Further information about our gathering will be passed along ahead of this meeting.

In faithful anticipation of God’s guidance,

IMC leadership

MEDA Convention 2023: 70 Years of Investing in Entrepreneurs

 

For 70 years MEDA has been focused on harnessing the power of business to create sustainable and lasting solutions to poverty for entrepreneurs around the globe. From MEDA’s first investment in Paraguay in 1953 to today, we’re honored to have worked with hundreds of thousands of business owners and farmers over the last 7 decades. Brilliant, innovative and resilient entrepreneurs who, with access to the right business supports, have lifted themselves, their families, and their communities out of poverty and fulfill their God-given potential to earn a livelihood. Join us in Toronto Nov 2-5, 2023 to join the conversation around faith, business and international development. 

  1. Rich Legacy and History: This convention is an opportunity to commemorate MEDA’s impressive 70-year legacy of empowering entrepreneurs worldwide. Attendees will have the chance to connect with pioneers, visionaries, and supporters who have played a pivotal role in shaping MEDA’s journey. 
  2. Diverse and Influential Speakers: With special guests like Agnes Kalibata and Cesar Garcia headlining as plenary speakers, attendees will be exposed to a wealth of knowledge and experience. On Thursday evening, Robert and Lisa Shuh will host a panel of special guests which will include past MEDA staff and clients, donors and partners through MEDA’s rich 70 year history.
  3. Unveiling Success Stories: The convention will showcase the remarkable success stories of entrepreneurs whose lives have been transformed through MEDA’s initiatives. These stories serve as powerful testaments to the organization’s impact on communities around the world. We’ve invited guests from three project countries – Guatamala, Ethiopa and Kenya.
  4. Power of Partnerships: The partnership panel, featuring key partners from MEDA’s history, will delve into the transformative power of collaboration. Attendees will gain insights into how partnerships have been instrumental in driving sustainable economic development and creating lasting change. This panel will be hosted by MEDA staff member, Nadia Guerch.
  5. Experiential Tours: The convention offers immersive tours, allowing participants to explore Toronto’s vibrant cityscape, experience the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls, and discover the quaint charm of St. Jacobs, Ontario. These excursions offer a blend of leisure and exploration, making the convention experience truly memorable.
  6. Musical Entertainment: Special musical guests will provide entertainment that complements the convention’s theme, fostering a lively and celebratory atmosphere. This adds an artistic and cultural dimension to the event, ensuring a well-rounded experience for attendees.
  7. Networking Galore: Attendees will have ample opportunities to network with like-minded individuals, from longstanding supporters to new faces. These connections can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and friendships that extend beyond the convention. Dine with friends new and old while exploring Toronto’s best restaurants.
  8. Enriching Seminars: The seminars scheduled throughout the convention will delve into business, faith, and economic development. Participants can expect thought-provoking discussions, practical insights, and fresh perspectives that are applicable to both personal and professional growth.
  9. Celebrating Impact: Donors are an integral part of MEDA’s success, and we want to celebrate with them! Let’s honor MEDA’s legacy together as we continue to pave the way towards a brighter future for entrepreneurs around the globe!
  10. Early birds get the worm! Register before October 11th and receive $100 off your registration.

LINK TO WEB:  MEDA Convention 2023: 70 Years of Investing in Entrepreneurs