Berkey Announcements

Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale Results

Cheese Booth
We are grateful to all who pitched in to help at the Berkey Cheese Booth during the sale. Once again it was a great success; we made approximately $4,300 from cheese sales to benefit the work of MCC. Thank you to all who made this possible. – Cheese Booth Committee: Dan & Vanessa Adcock, Justin & Hannah Heinzekehr, Joel & Naomi Kern

penny

My Coins Count and Relief Sale Total
Thank you to all the children and adults at Berkey Ave.for your generosity and enthusiasm in supporting My Coins Count this year at the Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale (MMRS) with your contribution of $3,580.98. Congregations, along with matches from local businesses, raised over $121,000 for MyCC - helping families gain access to life-giving water.

Available water in Nairobi, Kenya helps kids improve their health and gives them a better chance to succeed in school. In Afghanistan, available water makes kitchen gardens possible, with better nutrition and health for the whole family. Clean water in Haiti reduces the spread of deadly cholera. Water is life and its availability improves lives and reduces conflicts over scarce resources.

The MMRS total this year will be over $445,000. Thank you for your work and support of the sale, and for sharing your resources in the name of Christ, so other families can have their basic necessities met through Mennonite Central Committee and our partners around the world. – John Martens, MyCC Coordinator, MMRS

Children's Sale

Children's Auction
Thank you to all who supported the Children's Activity Center last weekend. Our church, toy collection box seemed to magically fill for the Children's Auction. The willing persons giving an hour of time, Friday and Saturday, were a real contribution, despite the rain. Unofficially, over $1,200 will be donated toward MCC projects. Plan now for getting involved, planting good seeds in children, in the 2020, the one hundredth anniversary, vision of Mennonite Central Committee. – Patti MacGregor, Children's Activity Coordinator

Solar Tour at Berkey

Berkey Avenue is participating in the National Solar Tour from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5. This means that community members are invited to come talk with us about our solar array. Curt Wenger, Jennifer Schrock and Jonathon Neufeld will host them. If you or your friends want to drop in, please come to Jubilee Hall, as another event is happening in the fellowship hall. Additionally, you may learn more about our solar production on the Berkey website.

Intercessory Prayer Group Cancelled This Week

The Intercessory Prayer Group is cancelled this week but will resume at their normal time next Monday, October 14, 7:00 p.m. The group prays for Berkey members who have shared joys and concerns during the worship service, by using the blue prayer cards, or through individual concerns specifically expressed to them. All prayer requests are kept confidential. Additionally, they pray for the life of Berkey Ave, the community surrounding it, and the wider world.

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)

Our turn to host IHN is coming up, October 13-19. Our schedule is almost complete. If you have not confirmed that your regular time suits you, please do so as soon as possible and let us know of any changes.

A New Volunteer Training is being offered by IHN at St. Mark's Church during our week on Tuesday evening, October 15, 6:30 p.m. If you volunteer and have not attended one of these yet, it would be great if you could do so. We are excited and grateful that we have several new volunteers who have stepped up to help for the first time!

IHN will be having their annual Dessert Fundraiser on Thursday, October 24, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at College Mennonite. Mayor Jeremy Stutsman will be the guest speaker along with a past guest. Each church gets a table again this year. Please let us know if you are interested in attending as soon as possible. We need to send in the names of who will be at our table and if we happen to need more than one table! We plan to attend, who will join us?!

Contact Brenda Grimes or Missy Kauffman Schrock to RSVP or with any questions.

Small Group Opportunity: Earth-keeping as Spiritual Practice

In my role with Mennonite Creation Care Network, I know it is a lot easier to dispense creation care advice than it is to act on it. I am interested in beginning a small group for people who would like to work on lifestyle issues, connect these things to our faith and provide support and accountability for each other. Read more and fill out the survey if you are interested. - Jennifer Schrock

Youth Events

Are your children involved in theater, musical, athletic, or other activities? We want to know! Please submit information to the office about any upcoming activities so that our members can come and support Berkey youth. Direct any questions to Sarah Morrison.

Mission Opportunity

Berkey's Mission Commission invites you to consider participating in a Habitat for Humanity Faith Build. Elkhart County will partner with local churches of all sizes and denominations to build a home on Stiver Avenue (near AMBS) for a partner family. Applicants must demonstrate a need for housing, a work history, commit to 250 hours of sweat equity, and attend classes in financial management. This Faith Build is scheduled for October 5 to November 16. There are many ways you can be involved, working alongside almost 20 other congregations:

Volunteer individually or as a group, building at the Faith Build home. Over 200 volunteers are needed spread out over the next 6+ weeks
Donate towards the home. Each home requires nearly $75,000 of materials and subcontracted services.
Prepare lunch for the construction volunteers. Lunch for 10-20 volunteers will be needed on 20+ days.
Commit to pray for the success of the project and partner family

If you are interested, please contact a member of the mission commission (Darin Short, Jenny Miller, Joanne Gallardo, Laura Horst, or Rafael Barahona) as soon as possible, since the project is already underway. Learn more.

Lost & Found

Lost items have been moved to the Fellowship Hall for this Sunday, October 6. There are several jackets, a lawn chair, and many kitchen items. Be sure to check out the table and collect what is yours. The Lost & Found table can usually be found in the north coat closet.

Joanne Taking Time-off

Pastor Joanne Gallardo will be taking some much needed time off during October 5 - 26. This time will be a combination of bereavement days and vacation days. Please direct any of your pastoral needs to one of the other pastors or deacons during this time.

Dan Schrock's Sabbatical

You may read a summary report of Dan Schrock's sabbatical here.

Throwback Thursday

Head on over to our Facebook page for a photographic collection of our early history -- complete with difficult to recognize building features, incredible hairstyles and clothing, and who knows what else we will dig up! Play along and see if you can spot anybody you know, and don't forget to like our page if you haven't already!

Submissions to Our Weekly Letter (The Owl)

Do you have an announcement for the Newsletter? Submit your announcement to the office by noon on Thursday. Announcements received after the deadline will be printed the following week. Announcements run between 1-3 weeks.

Our Local Mennonite Schools

Bethany Christian Schools

Bethany Christian Middle School instrumental groups will present a fall concert on Tuesday, October 8, at 7:00 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

Goshen College

All are invited (alumnus or not) to Goshen College's Homecoming Weekend, October 4-6. Events include alumni awards, theater events, bicycle ride, athletic events, student and faculty presentations, First Friday events, food trucks, Ultimate Frisbee, a music gala and more. See the full schedule.

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS)

Join conversations on faith, migration and peacebuilding. AMBS’s Witness Colloquium is an informal setting open to the AMBS community and fellow travelers who are interested in discussing faith in the public sphere, in Anabaptist perspective. This semester we are focusing on migration as our context and reading the Bible as a tool for social analysis and peacebuilding. We meet on Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in Room H of Lambright Center at AMBS. (No meeting October 30; last meeting is December 11.) Questions? Visit the AMBS website or send them an email.

When God calls someone to ministry, a journey begins. Perhaps you are on that journey. Perhaps you are looking for mentors and companions along the way. Indiana-Michigan Conference invites you to join Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. This program is for pastors and other congregational leaders who are called without specific training for ministry or who are exploring a call to pastoral ministry. The early application deadline for Winter 2020 is December 16. Find more information on AMBS's website or contact Dan Miller, 574-534-4006.

Our Mennonite Institutions

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)

MEDA Michiana Network Hub is hosting the program, "Businesses as Stewards for Creation" on October 24, 6:30 p.m. Come hear local environmental experts Doug Kaufman and Leah Thill share how caring for creation can be embraced as both a viable business practice and an extension of faithful living. The program will be held at Bethany Christian School. (Please enter using the south doors near the cafeteria, and park in the south or east parking lots). Cost is $20 per adult; $5 per student. RSVP by October 21 by email/phone to Abbe, 574-355-3607 or RSVP online. Admission payable at event.

Mennonite Church USA

Introducing PeaceMail from Mennonite Church USA! PeaceMail will deliver all of MC USA's news and blogs in one weekly e-newsletter. Those who have been subscribed to the news and Menno Snapshots emails will begin receiving this in their place. Subscribe here.

Mennonite World Conference

"Unity is not being in unison, but, with all the differences we have, it’s to come with one purpose – for the glory of God,” says Dawit Getachew Abraham, a band leader and musician who has played in worship sessions at Mennonite World Conference gatherings. Read more.

Community Announcements

First Friday at The Window

The Window Kitchen will be hosting the October 4 First Friday meal, 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. The menu will consist of chili with toppings, awesome slaw, homemade cinnamon rolls, water and coffee. The suggested donation of $9 will benefit The Window and its programs.

Fundraiser for The Window

Nelson's Catering & Fundraising will be at Eastlake Athletic Club (201 Chicago Ave.), October 5, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., to sell chicken and pit-tatoes. Proceeds will benefit The Window and its programs. Pre-sale tickets may be purchased and picked up at The Window by 12:30 p.m., the day before the sale.

Michiana Voices for Middle East Peace

Michiana Voices for Middle East Peace is honored to welcome Lesley Williams to their fall lecture series on Christian Zionism. Her talk, "Progressive Except Palestine: Rescuing Judaism from Israelism," will take place at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 10 at College Park Mennonite Church Room 300. The event is free and open to the public.

Children's Concert

Bring the whole family, and join the Maple City Community Orchestra for an afternoon with some of your creepy favorites! Featuring Funeral March of a Marionette, Night on Bald Mountain, Danse Macabre, Peer Gynt (Mountain King), and a Phantom of the Opera Medley. The concert is presented at Goshen College Sauder Music Hall on Sunday, October 13, 3:00 p.m. All Maple City Community Orchestra concerts are free and open to the public. Donations are accepted.

Youth Choir Festival

Mennonite Youth Choir Festival invites children in grades 3-9 to join in a weekend of singing, February 29-March 1 2020, in Goshen, Indiana. The church has a long and deep tradition of praising God through singing. In order for this to continue it is up to parents and the faith community around them to encourage their children with opportunities that develop a love for music in worship. Youth of all denominations are welcome to participate. See more information and to register.

Classifieds

Have something to sell, rent or lend? Want to buy or borrow something? Looking for a job or wanting to volunteer? This is the place to have it be known!

Bethany Christian Schools is seeking persons to assist in our Farm to School cafeteria. Our school aspires to incorporate food services into the educational program by producing meals with healthy, fresh local foods. Students engage in hands-on learning through gardening and participate in educational activities related to agriculture, health and nutrition. No experience is necessary, though candidates that enjoy the school setting and have an interest in from-scratch cooking are encouraged to apply. Responsibilities primarily consist of meal preparation, service, and clean-up. Hours may vary, but generally are between 4.5 - 5.5 hours per school day. Bethany is an equal opportunity employer. View more information. To apply, email Tim Lehman.

Model Elementary School needs men to volunteer as readers in the 1st-4th grades during the 2019 Real Men Read program. Every year, men volunteer to read to elementary classrooms in Goshen Community Schools. They set aside a small portion of their day (30 mins/week for 4 weeks) to provide children a desperately-needed positive male role model, to help foster a love of reading, and to show that the community cares. The goal is to provide volunteers in all 1st-4th grade classrooms in Goshen Schools. If interest, contact Sharon Sarber for a volunteer form and details. October 11 is the deadline for volunteer registration.

Mennonite Church USA is seeking a Communications Production Coordinator to manage the production process of its communications department. Learn more.

October 6, 2019