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 High School's musical performances of
Children of Eden, will be presented Thursday - Sunday, March 5-8. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and may be purchased through
Bethany's website beginning this Monday, February 17. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. The two-act musical follows the Biblical stories of creation and Noah’s ark while exploring the universal themes of family, relationships and love. Berkey attender
Norah Schloneger is part of the production.
A Honey’s Give Back Day to benefit Bethany Christian Schools will be held all day, Wednesday, February 26. Honey’s will donate 20% of purchases to Bethany, but be sure to mention you are there for the Bethany Give Back Day or
present a token. Honey’s serves a variety of frozen treats as well as gourmet coffees and teas. Thank you for your support of Bethany!
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.
- Men's Basketball vs. RV Spring Arbor University, Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 p.m.
- Women's Basketball vs. Spring Arbor University, Wednesday, February 19, 7:00 p.m.
- Men's Volleyball vs. Robert Morris University, February 20, 7:00 p.m.
- Men's Volleyball vs. Trinity Christian College, February 21, 7:00 p.m.
View the Maple Leaf's full schedule here.
Curious about attending Goshen College? The President's Day open house on Feb. 17 is a great opportunity to learn more about GC's distinctive programs, talk to professors and have your college questions answered. Join us and other students from around the world considering making Goshen College their home.
Learn more.
Five Goshen College students will present speeches during the 2020 C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest on Tuesday, February 18. The annual event will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Umble Center and is free and open to the public. Speakers include Ronit Goswami of Goshen; Jace Longenecker of South Bend; Jazmine Macias of West Covina, California; Mandira Panta of Bhaktapur, Nepal; and Nasim Rasoulipour of Tehran, Iran.
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
Menno Media
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. In honor of the celebration, Menno Media recommends these two books published by Herald Press:
- Plantation Jesus, Race, Faith, and a New Way Forward, by Skot Welch and Rick Wilson and Andi Cumbo-Floyd.
- Trouble I’ve Seen, Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, by Drew Hart
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes welcomes you to join them on a learning tour designed to bring awareness to the issues caused by the border wall along the Mexico/U.S. border. Participants will increase their understanding and knowledge of the social, economic, political and theological significance of migration in border communities, including advocacy tools and capacity building to engage others on borderlands and migration issues. The learning tour will take place on May 17-23 in Arizona and will include crossing the border into Mexico. Attendees will also have the option to participate in the Migrant Trail walk following the tour.
Learn more.
Mennonite Church USA
The Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) Archives' Oral History Project seeks to document and preserve the voices of young people, ages 24-40, who are part of MC USA. Hear what Theresa Peachey Crissman, a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University and long-term mission worker for Virginia Mennonite Missions, has to say about
listening to others and risk-taking.
Retired pastor Jane Thorley Roeschley documented her personal spiritual journey by creating "prayer mandalas." Read about how this spiritual practice became a powerful expression of her faith walk through joy and angst in
her blog.
Mennonite Creation Care
Many people are still in denial about the climate crisis and still, others are in despair. How can congregational ministries help us navigate the myriad emotions we experience related to climate, moving us from inaction to hopeful engagement? Join the webinar
Caring for climate: Beyond denial and despair, part of Mennonite Church USA’s
Learn, Pray, Join initiative on Climate Justice, on Thursday, February 27 at 7:30-9 p.m. Presenters are Doug Kaufman, Dr. Christy Miller Hesed, Dr. Sibonokuhle Ncube and Ken Pitts.
Mennonite World Conference (MWC)
A composer, health manager and auto mechanic – all church leaders – joined the Mennonite World Conference team. These newly appointed regional representatives complete the team that helps Mennonite World Conference and its member churches maintain a close connections to encourage one another in following Jesus, our hope.
Read more.
Community Announcements
Fundraiser for The Window
The Window is having a fundraiser at Hacienda next Tuesday, February 18. Hacienda is donating 20% of each purchase back to The Window. So, skip cooking dinner, and enjoy a night out! All money collected from Hacienda will go to our Meals on Wheels Program.
Print your tickets here. Hacienda will not accept the image on your mobile device, it must be printed. Tickets may also be picked up at The Window.
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.
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.
Documentary Film Event
Join Michiana Voices for Middle East Peace (MV4MEP) for a free film screening and discussion of,
Disturbing the Peace, at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27 at Southside Fellowship.
Disturbing the Peace tells the story of former enemy combatants as they work for peace in Palestine-Israel.
View the trailer.
Child Abuse Prevention Training
Registrations is now open for a March 6 child abuse prevention training. Hosted by CAPS, Stewards of Children® is an award-winning training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Through interviews with child sexual abuse survivors, experts, and treatment providers, Stewards of Children® teaches you practical steps you can take to protect the kids in your life.
Learn more and register.
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.
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!
Indiana Michigan Mennonite Conference Annual Sessions will be held in Goshen on June 18-20, 2020. Local hosts are needed to provide lodging for those who don’t have friends and family in the Goshen area. If you are interested in hosting, please
contact local coordinator, Marty Lehman.
Youth age 15-22, register by April 1 for
Summer 2020 Youth Venture locations for Benin, Colombia, Spain, Peru, Israel, and the USA. Join a team of young people to serve, learn, worship, and build relationships in local communities around the world. Discover and experience God’s work in the world!
Eighth Street Preschool is now accepting registrations for 3 and 4 year olds. For the 2020-2021 school year. The 3’s class meets Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. The 4’s class meets Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:00-1:30 p.m. The 4’s morning only class is already full after priority registration. There is a $30.00 application fee to reserve your spot. Eighth Street Preschool emphasizes discovery learning and social interactions developmentally appropriate for 3-5 year olds, and believes that all children can learn and grow in a safe and inclusive environment. All Lead Teachers have education degrees and Spanish Translation is available. Children must by 3 or 4 by August 1 and potty-trained. Tuition costs vary depending on the class. Financial aid applications are available. Call 533-6720 for more information and to get a registration form. Eighth Street Preschool is located on the corner of Eighth and Purl Streets in Goshen.
Amigo Centre is looking for youth that want to make a difference in the lives of children, while making new friends and earning a bit of money too! If you know of youth in your family or community that would be interested in summer employment at Amigo in 2020,
contact them by email or
apply online. They are also looking for a few staff to help in maintenance, dining hall and housekeeping.
The Elkhart County Work Release program is looking for people to lead bible studies. If you are interested,
contact Jenny Hooley in the office for more information.
Berkey Announcements
This 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 
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.
