Pastors are invited to participate in a Financial Wellness Seminar on January 18, 2023 from 9am to 2pm at Belmont Mennonite Church (Elkhart, IN). All who participate will receive a $100 gift card to use for personal retreat and rejuvenation.

Click here to learn more and register.

Rejoice, and Again I say Rejoice (Philippians 4:4)
by Rolando Sosa Granados

Greetings to our beloved brothers and sisters in Indiana and Michigan Conference. Greetings from our beloved Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we have the promises of a better world, and from your servants in the Ministerial Leadership Team (MLT).

It is not a surprise for any of us that we are in the height of the Christmas season. We find ourselves making all kind of preparation to celebrate with family and friends. Many of us are playing and/or singing Christmas carols, some sacred ones and some other not so sacred but still meaningful and fun, like It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year. Andy Williams reminds his listeners that Christmas is not only the most wonderful time of the year but also the happiest seasons of all. With a contagious melody and his beautiful and magical voice, Williams invites his listener to be of good cheer. The singer asserts his listeners that there will be parties for hosting and marshmallows for toasting and caroling out in the snow…

But how could we be of good cheer when there is so much suffering in our midst and in our world? How could I rejoice when in our own country we are divided into partisan politics and nativism which has led us to grow into an intolerant society and see our neighbor, not as our fellow human being, my brother /my sister, but as my enemy? How could I be of good cheer when my brothers and sister in Ukraine are suffering, and Christmas seems to vanish from the mind of the innocent child that only wishes that Saint Nick will not forget to visit his/her home? I wonder if the Ukrainian children this year would trade their toys and cookies in exchange for peace to come to their land… I bet they would. How could I celebrate and be of good cheer when a prolonged pandemic—COVID—and uncertainties in the economy cause me to be anxious? How could I be of good cheer…? Can I be of good cheer…? A resounding yes!

Read More…

• The many ways that Jesus comes to us in our everyday lives as we wait and watch expectantly in this Advent season.
• The effective ministry of Terri & Charlie Geiser at Sunnyside (4 years) and Suella Gerber at Fellowship of Hope (13.5 years). With their retirements this month, Sharon will join farewell celebrations at both congregations on December 18.
• Jeff Miller’s “yes” to join the conference Stewardship Team. Jeff is a member of Waterford Mennonite Church.

• Joanne preached at Hudson Lake Mennonite Church on December 11th
• Joanne and Sharon found meaningful connection with other MC USA and MC Canada conference ministers at their annual in-person gathering in San Francisco November 30 – December 3. One day was spent in STAR training (Strategies for Trauma Awareness & Resilience), led by Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. With ongoing stress and trauma in our local and global communities, trauma awareness training empowers leaders to listen and respond more effectively.
• Conference staff joined East Goshen Mennonite Church staff for a Christmas lunch at the office on Wednesday December 14. The team relationships are enjoyable and the food was scrumptious!

• Rachel Nafziger Hartzler and Rebecca Helmuth will begin as co-interim pastors at Sunnyside Mennonite in January. Rebecca continues as part-time transitional pastor at Hudson Lake Mennonite Church.  
• Sharon Norton will begin part-time transitional pastoral ministry at Fellowship of Hope in January. She also continues leading Outdoor Sanctuary, Wild Church of Goshen, a ministry of Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.

How to Read the Financial Update

• Pass-Through: these are funds sent to IMMC from congregations that are designated for partner organizations, such as Mission Network, Mennonite Central Committee, etc..
• Expenses: These represent the operating expenses, publications, salaries, etc. but do not include any grants to congregations or individuals (such as the Capital Grant Fund).
• Income: These represent funds received from congregational and individual contributions, as well as income from investments.
• Budget: These represent the amount that IMMC anticipated spending on expenses based on our Spending Plan divided equally over 12 months. Please note, our Spending Plan is based on equal amounts of expenses and income.

We are looking forward to Winter Youth Retreat season, coming in January/February 2023. As we plan and prepare for these weekend events, we pray that each person in attendance will experience God through community throughout the weekend. We invite you and your youth group to join us for one of the following retreats.

• January 13-15, Senior High with JE Misz
• February 19-17, Junior High with Trisha Cousino

For more information and registration, visit https://www.amigocentre.org/winter-youth-retreats.html

2023 Scrapbook, Craft, and Quilt Dates

• March 9-13
• April 13-17
• September 28-October 2
• November 30-December 4

Elkhart Community Chorus, with director Juan-Carlos Alarcon, and Maple City Community Orchestra will perform Handel’s Messiah Part I at Sauder Concert Hall (Goshen College) on Sunday December 18 at 7 pm. All are welcome to attend this free concert.

Pastors: Are you struggling in ministry? Have you experienced pain as a pastor? Are you under increasing pressure as a leader? The Kineo Center, a ministry partner of Mennonite Church USA (MC USA), is offering a free online seminar, “Facing Ministry Pain: Four Ways We Cope,” for pastors and leaders on Jan. 4 from 2-3:00 p.m. ET/11 a.m.-noon PT. The Kineo Center’s Co-founder Tonya V. White and Cohort Director Matt Alexander will explore the coping responses that pastors often utilize to deal with their pain and will offer practical ways to address pain in a way that brings health. More info can be found here: The Kineo Center offers new cohort and online seminar to help MC USA pastors cope.

Conference Co-Minister Joanne Gallardo writes monthly for the Anabaptist World. Check out this month’s Five Things Friday Roundup: A Very Five Things Christmas.

Did you know that nonprofits, like churches, are eligible for discounted or free (by way of a grant) subscriptions for Microsoft Office 365 directly from Microsoft? I didn’t either but when I was searching for some options for purchasing a subscription for our church staff, I discovered that you can apply to receive a discount or free copy for each church staff person and executive volunteers. Learn more and apply here: https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/en-us/getting-started.

Contact me if you have any questions,
Clayton (Office Administrative Coordinator)

• Mennonite Mission Network has several employment opportunities listed on their employment page.
• Mennonite Education Agency lists openings throughout Mennonite-affiliated schools on their employment page.
• Explore pastoral opportunities in Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference and beyond on MC USA’s  Pastoral Openings list.

If you would like to list an opportunity here, please contact the Conference Office.