The Allegheny Mennonite Conference’s Minister’s Spring Study was held at Laurelville on April 29-May 2.  Duane Yoder, pastor at Lindale Mennonite Church near Broadway, Virginia, taught the Bible study focusing on “John: 7 Signs and 7 Sayings”.  Twenty-one credentialed ministers were in attendance at various times during the week.  Denise Spory provided delicious meals and Flat Al also joined the group.

Flat Al oversees Vera Beitzel, Maple Glen Conservative Church (left), and Jane Benson, Springs MC (right) as they sew for MCC

The TriState Relief Sale Workday to raise funds for Mennonite Central Committee was held at the Springs Mennonite Church on Saturday April 20 with over 50 in attendance.  Volunteers completed 7 comforters, 50 kit bags and worked on 2 large quilts.  Susan Wadel from the MCC East Coast office thanked everyone for their support as they continue to respond to urgent needs.

Woodworker at the Kaufman MC TriState Workday: Jake Philibin, Kaufman MC

A workday was held last fall at the Kaufman MC and in addition the guys created swings and other wood items to be sold at the TriState Relief Sale on July 19 & 20, 2013 at the Garrett County Fairgrounds, McHenry, MD.

Go to www.tristatesale.org to begin viewing some of the items to be sold on auction including a chicken coop and a hunters’ blind.  If you have an item you would like to donate, please email daheberg2@aol.com or call 814-442-4594.

“Moral Dilemmas in Healthcare” is the theme for the second Annual Gathering of Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF), June 21-23, 2013, on the campus of Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana.  Speakers include Timothy Stoltzfus Jost, national expert on healthcare reform, and Ervin R. Stutzman, Executive Director of Mennonite Church USA.  Formed in 2011, MHF is an inter-disciplinary association of healthcare workers who identify themselves as Mennonite or Anabaptist and desire to integrate their faith with their professional life.

All healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, therapists of all types, nutritionists, social workers, educators, etc.) and other interested persons are warmly invited to come and bring the whole family for this weekend event which runs from Friday evening through Sunday noon.  Those who aren’t already MHF members will receive free membership through Dec. 31 if they register for the full weekend by the early deadline of May 31. For more information and registration, visit www.mennohealth.org, write to info@mennohealth.org, or call toll-free to 1-888-406-3643.

Flat Al joined members and friends of Morgantown Church of the Brethren/Mennonite Church USA at their congregational retreat the weekend of April 12-14.  Al and friends gathered at beautiful Chestnut Ridge Park to envision their purposeful plan, skillfully facilitated by Donna Mast, AMC Conference Minister.

When asked what his favorite part of the weekend was, Al had this reflection:

“I learned so much about these West Virginia people!  They have a passion for worshipping together and caring for one another.  Not only that, they have decided to focus their energy on Creation Care in their education, outreach, and witness to the community.  And I learned to knit!  I have never worshipped outside before, and I don’t think I ever hiked in more beautiful mountains.  I watched while people tried to teach me how to start a campfire, and even slept with a baby.  So…my favorite part?  It’s hard to say.  I’m just feeling blessed by these people and my travels”

Morgantown COB enjoyed having Flat Al discern and celebrate their future together.  For more photos of Flat Al and our congregational retreat, visit our website