• Morning Star Mennonite Church and their food pantry ministry, operating in a depressed area of Muncie, IN. Sharon Yoder and Central District Conference Minister Doug Luginbill were touched by countless stories of God’s Spirit moving in this ministry when they visited Morningstar pastors Gladys Maina and Simon Mungai on September 26.  
• One-word take-aways from our annual IMMC leadership teams gathering September 15-16: Purpose. Hope. Joy. Inclusive. These are celebrating words!
• Conversations with an emerging congregation in northwest Ohio. Representatives from their group joined our leadership teams gathering on September 16 to learn more about our conference culture. Joanne Gallardo will join their worship service October 29, to preach and entertain further conversation about possible affiliation.

• Joanne preached at First Mennonite Indianapolis on September 24^th
• Sharon heard moving stories about the ministry of Thrift at Woodland Crossing when she attended their Minister and Pastor Appreciation event on October 11. You are invited to join their ministry of sorting, pricing, and selling gently used goods, offering a listening ear to patrons in South Central Elkhart, and helping to raise funds for Mennonite Central Committee projects around the world. To volunteer, contact manager Haiam Gendi at elkhartthrift@gmail.com or 574-326-3674.
• YOU are conference and we appreciate our connections with you! YOUR prayers and financial support make it possible for IMMC staff to preach in your Sunday morning worship services, support congregations in leadership transitions, recruit new pastors, and continue our quest to Grow our Intercultural Witness as a community of congregations. To help us support IMMC congregations in these ways and more, please consider making a financial contribution today: im.mennonite.net/give/

• Maria Hosler Byler will be installed as pastor at Sunnyside Mennonite Church on November 5, with Sharon Yoder officiating.
• Healthy Boundaries training is required every 3 years for leaders with active ministry credentials. Congregational lay leaders are also encouraged to take the training. First time attendees must enroll in HB101; repeat attendees may repeat 101 or do 201. To register: Healthy Boundaries Training | Mennonite Church USA (mennoniteusa.org)
• LET hosted a Congregational Coach resourcing session on Oct. 4. Coaches shared stories and reflected on questions presented by Joanne.

Joanne Gallardo, Conference Co-Minister, made Pastor Appreciation Month the focus of her most recent Five Things Friday Roundup for Anabaptist World. Check out How to Appreciate Your Pastor.