Berkey Announcements
Special Guests This Sunday
Mennonite Central Committee's International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP) is bringing a number of their participants to Berkey this Sunday, May 19, to spend the morning with us. The IVEPers are from many different countries, including Colombia, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Laos, and Burkina Faso. They will begin the morning in worship with us. Then, during the nurture hour, everyone is invited back to the sanctuary to learn more about the program and for a time of questions and answers. The IVEPers are also planning to stay and enjoy the potluck meal with us. Please come prepared to give them a warm welcome.
Congregational Potluck Meal & Meeting
This Sunday, May 19, everyone is invited to gather for the congregational meal and meeting following the nurture hour, 12:00 p.m. Bring a main dish and a salad or dessert to share, as well as your own table service.
The meeting will begin after the meal. The agenda for the meeting includes:
- Approve minutes of the February congregational meeting.
- Report from Stewardship & Finance Commission on giving and budget planning.
- Discuss our Bethany plan.
Custodian Appreciation & Opening
It is with a sense of joy, celebration and some sorrow that we announce that Grant Miller will be ending his service as custodian following the third week of June. Grant is graduating this spring from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and plans to pursue new adventures that do not include custodial duties. In the coming weeks please express your appreciation to Grant for the outstanding job he has done as Berkey Avenue’s custodian over the past several years.
If you or someone you know might be interested in a part-time job as our custodian, please
contact Lisa Heinz, Dale Snyder or Al Weldy by June 9.
Graduation Open-House Invitation
The Schlonegers invite you to a graduation celebration for Aiden on Monday, May 27, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Fidler Pond Park Pavilion (1424 Lincolnway East).
Bible School Sign-up
Summer Bible School is just a few weeks away! You can sign-up children, ages 4 years old through 6th grade, by
clicking here. All child registration is online only. Bible School will be at College Mennonite Church, June 10-14, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Free Landscape Items
There are 123 landscape bullets and 28 stepping stones located on the north side of the rental house on the west side of the church. We no longer need these. Anyone is welcome to take them.
New to Our Library
Several books are being donated to our library:
The Hole in my Story, by Enid Miller Schloneger (mother of
Mark Schloneger). Born with a cleft palate and unable to speak clearly, the author shares the emotional anguish of being taunted and rejected as a child and how those wounds can linger well after physical ones have healed. In the midst of her struggles, she finds refuge on her family farm in Smithville, Ohio, and is offered solace by caring teachers, compassionate church members, loyal friends, a loving family and a living faith. As an adult, she experiences healing and fulfillment through her roles as a wife, mother, nurse, pastor and hospice chaplain.
Gray Matter, by David Levy, M.D. who decided to ask his patients whether he could pray with them prior to surgery but had no idea what to expect. While some patients found comfort in Levy's request, others were skeptical or even downright hostile. But in the end, everyone--even the good doctor himself--was transformed by the experience.
Home to Holly Springs, by Jan Karon. Thirty-eight years have passed since Father Tim Kavanagh left his Mississippi hometown, determined not to return. Then he receives a handwritten note postmarked Holly Springs. Cryptic and unsigned, it says only, "Come Home." These two words compel him to make the most disturbing journey of his life. They also lead him to a truth that will change his life--forever.
Can a Secret Be Kept Forever?, by Colleen Coble. Five years ago, Shannon Astor left the beautiful high-mountain country of West Texas as a single mother. She was desperate for a fresh start...and a way to keep the secrets of her past buried. It almost worked.
Rejoice, by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley. A story of unspeakable loss and the overwhelming miracle of new life.
Forgiven, by Karen Kingsbury. A story of God's divine leading and the realization that peace comes only after forgiveness.
Take Two, by Karen Kingsbury. A desperate temptation, a driven determination, an undying dream.
Going through a Difficult Time?
In the comforting Psalm 23 it says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;” Berkey’s Stephen Ministry is one way God provides that support. If you or someone you know is struggling with the loss of a loved one or friend, loneliness, a spiritual crisis, recuperation, relocation, or any of countless other life challenges, contact one of our Stephen Leaders (Peter Shetler, Clare Krabill, or Laura Moshier) about Berkey’s Stephen Ministry, or
send an email to their shared email address. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to provide focused, confidential, one-to-one Christian care—to help that person experience the healing power of Christ’s love.
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
Bright Time Summer Camp, June 3-7, has more than 60 athletic, fine arts, science, and all kinds of fun camps for rising grades 1-8. Camps are $35-$40. Additionally, Shine On Campcare will provide a place for children for before, between, and after their camps.
View camp listings and register.
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS)
Celebrate AMBS’s unveiling of eight large-format portraits from the
“Dancing for My Tribe” collection by Sharon Hoogstraten (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) on Monday, June 3, 7;00 - 9:00 p.m. in the AMBS Lounge. Sharon will share her reflections as a visual storyteller committed to documenting and honoring contemporary Potawatomi stories, artwork and cultural revitalization. “My intention is to create images so compelling that they become the record for our place on the timeline of Potawatomi and American history,” Hoogstraten says. Appetizers will be provided by Gary Morseau, Tribal Council Member of the Pokagon Band Potawatomi Nation, and will highlight the Pokagon Band’s efforts toward greater food sovereignty. This event is part of the AMBS
Trail of Death Pilgrimage course and will close with a commissioning of pilgrimage leaders and participants.
The Spring 2019 issue of
Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology, on the theme, “Be not afraid,” is now
available for free online. The authors of the essays reflect on resources within the Christian tradition to help us cope with, and even overcome, our fears.
Our Mennonite Institutions
Mennonite Mission Network
Join Mennonite Mission Network’s webinar celebrating the 75th anniversary of Mennonite Voluntary Service, May, 7:00 p.m. Learn how God inspired many to live out their faith through service and how the program continues to move young people to put their faith into action.
Learn more and register.
Join
Joe Sawatzky’s weekly blog on global and local mission. Add your thoughts and responses.
Mennonite Church USA
Meet the MennoCon19 worship speakers through
video and hear a bit about what they are preparing for worship.
There's still time to
register to attend MennoCon19 in Kansas City this summer.
Mennonite Creation Care
In column based on tips by Carole Suderman, Boulder Mennonite Church, Boulder, Colorado, Carole has been offering her congregations challenges like these for the past 20 years:
Are dandelions popping up in your yard? Those yellow flowers are more than just "flags" alerting us to dandelion locations so we can dig them out. Dandelions are often the first and most prolific source of food for bees and other essential pollinators. Meanwhile, you can eat the leaves, which are high in vitamins and iron.
Mennonite World Conference
A Sunday school assignment in the 1940s to exchange letters with a missionary began a Canadian woman’s a lifelong investment in prayer for India.
Read more.
Michiana MEDA
Join Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) for dinner on Thursday, May 23, and hear Dr. Dorothy Nyambi share about her passion for social justice and international development, and how MEDA is unleashing entrepreneurial spirit to alleviate poverty around the world. Cost is $15 for members, $20 for non-members, $5 for students. Dinner begins 6:30 p.m. at AMBS Lambright Center (3003 Benham Avenue, Elkhart). Please
RSVP by email or call/text (574)355-3607 by Monday, May 20.
Community Announcements
Open Fifths Concert
Men's vocal ensemble,
The Open Fifths, presents their spring concert, "Toward the Light," on Friday, May 17, 7:30 p.m., at the AMBS chapel and on Sunday, May 19, 3:30 p.m., at College Mennonite Church. Tickets are $10; $5 for students, available from members or at the door.
Pathways Retreat Events
Join Pathways retreat for an Iona Healing Prayer service at noon, Wednesday, May 22. In the
half hour service participants will pray for themselves, loved ones, community, and the world.
Learn more.
Pathways Retreat invites you to walk their Stations of the Resurrection. Read the written reflections and gaze upon the images posted along our wooded paths from April 21 - June 8. Individuals, families and groups are welcome anytime from dawn to dusk; there is no registration or cost, though donations are always gratefully accepted. A golf cart makes the Stations accessible to all; please make arrangements for the cart in advance by calling or texting Linda at (574)333-1822.
Learn more.
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 seeks a full time bookkeeper to serve in the school’s business office. Duties include managing accounts payable, cash receipts and bank deposits, account reconciliation, maintaining the general ledger in the accounting software, maintaining appropriate backup records for all financial transactions, preparation for annual audit, and administrative support work. Requirements include excellent Excel skills, accounting software experience, and attention to detail. This position offers flexible hours in a positive work environment. Bethany offers a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as generous vacation.
See more information and apply.