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 Visit Opportunities are a great way for prospective students and families to experience a day at Bethany Christian Schools. Upcoming visit days include:
- Grades 4-5 on Feb. 12: Parents may bring children K-4 to visit the grade 4-5 classrooms from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
- Grades 6-10 on Feb. 17: Students in grades 5-10 interested in exploring Bethany can shadow a Bethany student, 8:40 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Parents are invited to an 8:45-9:15 a.m. coffee and conversation followed by an optional tour at 9:15 a.m.
For more information, to register, or to schedule a visit on another date,
visit Bethany's webite.
Goshen College
Come cheer for the Maple Leaf teams on their home court. This week's home games include:
- Men's Volleyball vs. Siena Heights University, Friday, February 14, 7:00 p.m.
- Women's Basketball vs. Marian University (Senior Day), Saturday, February 15, 1:00 p.m.
- Men's Basketball vs. Marian University (Senior Day), Saturday, February 15, 3:00 p.m.
View the Maple Leaf's full schedule here.
Charles W. Fluharty, the founder, president and CEO of the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI), will present a Yoder Public Affairs lecture titled “Change in Rural America: Culture, Equity, Impact” on Tuesday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Goshen College Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Elkhart County Historical Museum and Goshen College, and is free and open to the public. Fluharty’s visit is in conjunction with a Smithsonian exhibit, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” which is on display at the Elkhart County Historical Museum in Bristol, February 1 - March 15.
Join the Goshen College Music and Theater Departments as they celebrate Broadway and classic operatic works with fully staged Musical Theater Scenes:
A Musical Cabaret of Light and Love, February 14 &15, 7:30 p.m. and February 16, 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 general admission in the Umble Center, and can be purchased
online.
Michelle Alexander, a writer, civil rights advocate and professor, best known for her 2010 book "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," will present the Atlee and Winifred Beechy Peace, Justice and Reconciliation lecture on Wednesday, February 19, 7:30 p.m., in the Goshen College Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS)
Ready to pursue seminary studies? Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary offers scholarships for students learning both on campus and at a distance. Generous need-based financial aid is also available to help make your education affordable. Apply for merit-based scholarships by March 1 and ministry scholarships by April 1.
Learn more.
Register now for
Shaping Faith in a Digital Culture: March 2–5. Join fellow faith leaders at a joint conference of
Pastors and Leaders 2020 and
Deep Faith on the AMBS campus. You’ll think and reflect theologically together about living, worshiping and playing in digital spaces. Registration ends February 17.
Learn more and register.
Our Mennonite Institutions
Amigo Centre and Camp Friedenswald
Our Mennonite affiliated camps have many new programs and retreats coming up, including a retreat on climate and community. Look for information on the bulletin board by the mailboxes and on the literature table. Alternatively, learn more by visiting their websites:
Amigo Center,
Camp Friedenswald.
Everence
Everence members and their children are eligible to apply for the Everence college scholarship. Awards given are for $1,000, $2,000 and $3,000!
Learn more.
Everence's Medicare Monday educational workshops are designed to help people navigate the questions that come with Medicare. The workshops are held at Everence, the second Monday of every month, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Details that are covered, include:
- Enrollment details and deadlines.
- Budgeting for health care and income in retirement.
- Social Security - when do I start?
- What are your options if you continue to work?
- Plans that supplement Medicare.
- Any other questions people may have.
Questions about Medicare Mondays may be directed to
Sarah Bonebrake, 574-533- 9515, ext. 3537.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
Join MCC Great Lakes for an informational meeting to explore opening an MCC Thrift Shop in Elkhart. MCC is excited about the possibility of a new thrift shop in the city where MCC first began 100 years ago. We want to listen to the community as we are in the very early stages of discerning whether there is enough energy and interest in starting and sustaining a thrift shop. Join us at Belmont Mennonite Church (925 Oxford Street) in Elkhart on Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. for a time of information sharing, discussion and brainstorming. For more information
contact Eric Kurtz by email or call 574-534-4133.
Mennonite Church USA
As part of its "Climate Justice: Learn, Pray, Join" Initiative, Mennonite Church USA is providing a free webinar on “Caring for climate: Beyond denial and despair” on Feb. 27 at 7:30-9:00 p.m. ET. The panel discussion will explore ways that congregational ministries can help people navigate the myriad emotions they experience related to climate and how they can move from inaction to hopeful engagement.
Learn more and register.
The Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA recently met to discuss revisions to the church’s resolution policy, the Membership Guidelines Advisory Group’s report and more.
Learn more.
Mennonite Creation Care
The National Park Service hopes to improve its workplace culture by learning about restorative justice. Eastern Mennonite University's Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience program provided training for a number of the organization's staff. Yet another reason to like national parks!
Read more.
Mennonite World Conference (MWC)
In December 2019, a joint delegation from Mennonite World Conference’s Peace Commission and Deacons Commission visited three Mennonite churches in Hong Kong, other denominations and also some educational institutions to offer solidarity and to respond to the request for further perspectives on Anabaptist peacemaking.
Read more.
Community Announcements
Chorale Welcome New Members
The Goshen Community Chorale will begin rehearsing for its upcoming spring season on Tuesday evening, February 25, at College Mennonite Church, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Chorale will be preparing a program built around the theme of “Holy Jazz and Sacred Broadway” and will be accompanied by the Lost Luggage Trio on vibraphone, drums and bass. The Chorale welcomes new members who have a background in choral singing and who wish to commit themselves to regular attendance at rehearsals and to learning challenging repertoire. Interested persons should
contact the music director, William Mateer, 574-533-2562.
In The Artlab: Ongoing Matter
Anne Berry and
Rafael Barahona are both participating in an exhibition, displayed now through March 8 at the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, MI. The exhibition
Ongoing Matter, is a collection of poster designs developed by 11 designers across the United States intended to increase access to, and facilitate engagement with, the
Report On the Investigation Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election, more colloquially known as
The Mueller Report. The exhibition follows a long history of posters as a medium for empowering citizens at crucial, societal, political, and cultural moments in time. As a non-partisan undertaking, an overarching goal of the designers is to help educate and inspire activism, regardless of political ideology affiliation.
Learn more.
Ash Wednesday Service at Pathways Retreat
Pathways Retreat welcomes all to a noon hour Ash Wednesday Service on February 26, 12:00-12:30 p.m. The service includes communal prayer and marking of ashes.
Worship Workshop
Worship leaders, planners, musicians, and biblical storytellers are invited to a morning of inspiration, affirmation and learning together at Sunnyside Mennonite Church on Saturday, March 7, 9:00 am - noon. The event will be led by Rachel Miller Jacobs, Associate Professor of Congregational Formation at AMBS. Potential topics include:
- What makes it a call to worship? (or a confession, or an offering, etc)
- Biblical storytelling, scripture reading (what's the difference?)
- Worship-centered worship (Who and what is worship for?)
- Preparing prayers for worship (for the fearful in heart)
- Participant's questions (What are you wondering about?)
There is no cost or this event.
Email Amy Kratzer to sign up.
Community Summit on Children
The 12th Annual Elkhart County Community Summit on Children is now open for registration. The event is Friday, March 27 with the theme, "2020: A New Vision," presented by the Elkhart County Juvenile Court. Registration is $25 per person which includes lunch and CEUS.
Learn more and 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!
Abby Gallegos (Berkey's next door neighbor) is available for childcare for those in the Berkey community. She would work best with 2-3 year olds on up. For more information,
contact the church office.
Berkey Announcements
Wilma Shank will be moving this Sunday, February 9, and her family is requesting some help with moving a few large furniture items. They are asking for people to arrive at her current apartment at Greencroft (1553 Redbud Court) between 2:00-2:30 p.m. Lowell Nafziger will be bringing his trailer for loading. Please email 
On Sunday, February 16, everyone is invited to gather for a congregational meal and meeting following the nurture hour, 12:00 p.m. Bring a main dish and a salad or dessert to share.
Following the potluck at noon, our congregational meeting will have three agenda items.
The Creation Care Committee is creating a proposal to decrease Berkey's carbon footprint. We REALLY value your input regarding ways our congregation can demonstrate care for God’s creation. Please take time to complete the Creation Care Survey by 
Thank you to those of you who have designated Berkey as the recipient of your Everence "MyNeighbor" credit card donations. Berkey received approximately $900 in donations from Everence last year as a result of individuals who use Everence's MyNeighbor credit cards from Everence Federal Credit Union. A portion of each credit card transaction amount is designated as a donation from Everence to the organization of the cardholder's choice. Berkey does not receive details regarding who supports Berkey in this way.
The Everence Sharing Funds provided $500.00 in matching funds to support special needs in our church last year. John Roth serves as the Everence advocate for Berkey. Please contact him for more information.
In Galatians 6 Paul tells us to "carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." At Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship our Stephen Ministers have been trained and organized to do just that. They provide one-to-one care, prayer, and support to those who are going through a challenging time. If you would like more information on receiving Stephen Ministry please call or email 
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!
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.
Berkey owns a Church Video License (CVLI) to show select movies in church. If you plan to show a video or movie, 
If a decision is made to cancel church because of severe weather, we will inform you via email, by posting on the closings section of the WNDU website, and by an announcement on Facebook. In general, we will try to make a decision no later than 8:15 a.m.
