God’s extravagance through congregational and individual donors during the month of June 2023. Donor contributions in June totaled $61,299.50, which was 28% of the total congregational and individual giving for our fiscal year. This allowed us to end the year with $2668 of income over expenses. We may have done a few happy dances as we celebrated your display of support for our conference!! As we celebrate, we will continue to plan carefully for the coming year.
Sophie Lapp Jost and her ministry at Bammental Heidelburg Mennonite Church in Germany. Sophie will be ordained at College Mennonite on Sunday July 16; Joanne Gallardo will officiate the ordination.
The eager YES from Hudson Lake congregational members Marcella Hershberger and Marcia Carpenter to serve as co-pastors of their congregation. This call developed during the recent transitional ministry led by Becky Helmuth. Sharon Yoder and congregational coach Ruben Chupp will participate in a joint farewell for Becky and installation for Marcella and Marcia on July 30.
Joanne Gallardo, Sharon Yoder, Moderator Steve Slagel, Moderator-elect Becky Helmuth, and youth delegate Camila Perez-Diener represented our conference at MC USA Delegate Assembly in Kansas City July 7-8. Joanne, Sharon, Camila, and Clayton Gladish also attended MennoCon23 July 3-6.
Sharon met with Parkview Mennonite Church leaders in Kokomo, along with their congregational coach Russell Jensen, on June 28.
Sharon connected with the MHS Midwest Chaplains gathering via zoom on July 11 to network with chaplains who are credentialed by our conference.
Steve Slagel will be installed as transitional pastor and Sean Swanson as interim pastor at Kern Road Mennonite Church on August 6. Sharon Yoder and congregational coach Phil Waite will lead their commissioning.
Current congregational pastor openings in our conference include a ½ time position to join newly-called Maria Hosler Byler as co-pastor beginning in October, a ¾ time position to join Monica Miller at First Mennonite in Indianapolis, and a ¼ time position at Fairhaven in Fort Wayne. We invite your prayers for God to nudge potential applicants to apply for these openings.
The Intercultural Working Group presented a preliminary draft of recommendations at Annual Sessions. These included theological/ideological work, relational work, and structural/systemic work. The IWG will continue to refine the document so it can be made available to individuals and congregations.
Again, we are so grateful for the generosity and faithfulness of our congregations and the Missional Seeds Giving Club members who helped us to finish the year well!
These creative retreats are open to all who wish to scrapbook, craft, quilt, or sew in a community setting. A full 6 or 8 foot table with power will be provided for every guest. Cutting and ironing stations will be available in the quilting/sewing work area.
Working on your projects next to friends, new and old, is a great way to fellowship and live into our calling as co-creators with our Creator. Enjoy the peaceful setting in the woods at Amigo. Weather and season permitting, enjoy a guided hike, a pontoon ride, bird watching, a campfire, and kettle corn, among many other amenities. Devotions/blessings at meals and an optional, casual Sunday morning worship service will also be available. These retreats will run from Friday through Sunday. As usual, Thursday and Monday are available as add-ons. Register here!
MCC Bike Michiana:
September 15-17
Bike Michiana is a cycling fundraiser for an MCC project. Each day’s ride, on Saturday and Sunday, will begin and end at Amigo Centre, with Saturday’s ride being approximately 50 miles, and Sunday’s ride having approximately 50 and 35 mile options.
Bike Michiana riders will raise money in 2023 for MCC’s newest kit – Dignity Kits. Dignity kits are distributed through schools and orphanages where sanitary supplies are not readily available allowing young women to stay in class when they have their period. The kits include supplies and fleece pads that are washable, reusable, and durable enough to last for a year or longer. These kits help to relieve the financial burden on vulnerable families, giving young women the opportunity to complete their education and reducing the risk of early marriages.
Conference Minister Joanne Gallardo writes one of the monthly Five Things Friday Roundups for Anabaptist World. You can read her most recent article here: Five Things Friday Roundup: MennoCon23
Amigo is a camp and retreat center in Sturgis, Michigan that connects people to God, creation and each other. At Amigo, we are in need of a Head Cook with experience to continue a long tradition of delicious food at camp, as well as a Guest Services Coordinator and Food Services Administrator to support the effective running of camp. All positions are part-time. For more information, see the website. Interested applicants should contact Executive Director Jessica Weseman at jessica@amigocentre.org
