Flat Al Joins Pastors in Study Week

EvieC — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:27:31 +0000

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.

Tri-State Workday Supports MCC

EvieC — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:25:47 +0000

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.

Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship to explore Moral Dilemmas

EvieC — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:24:30 +0000

“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 helps Morgantown Create their Purposeful Plan

EvieC — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:48:08 +0000

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

New Master of Divinity with Distance Option at AMBS

EvieC — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:45:35 +0000

Elkhart, Ind. (AMBS) – A new Master of Divinity program will begin at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in August, giving students options for study from a distance as well as on campus. The new program has received accreditation approval from the Association of Theological Schools. Approval from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association is pending.

MDiv Connect, the distance option, includes online courses and hybrid courses, which involve both online and on-campus learning. Students entering the program will come to AMBS for orientation in August. Then over the course of five and a half years, they should plan to make two annual week-long visits to campus for classes, spiritual formation and vocational discernment.

MDiv Campus, the option for residential students, builds on long-standing strengths of AMBS. Intentional community living provides advantages for mentoring, spiritual practices and integrating study with ministry in diverse settings in Elkhart and other locations.

The new MDiv, in both forms, will comprise 80 credit hours, a reduction of ten from previous requirements. More interdisciplinary courses make this shift possible and allow students to better integrate understanding and skills for ministry. The program also requires cross-cultural studies and two internships. Christian leadership is a new major, added to continuing majors of pastoral ministry; pastoral care and counseling; faith formation; biblical studies; peace studies; and history, theology and ethics.

Additional information for MDiv Connect and MDiv Campus is available on the AMBS website, www.ambs.edu, and from the AMBS admissions office, admissions@ambs.edu.

AMBS is a seminary of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA, preparing leaders for God’s mission in the world. In addition to the Master of Divinity degree, AMBS offers Master of Arts degrees in theological studies, peace studies and Christian formation, as well as undergraduate ministry studies. Through the Church Leadership Center, Institute of Mennonite studies and library, AMBS also offers enrichment for people in ministry and for people who wish to enhance their contributions to their congregations and vocations.

Mary E. Klassen

Flat Al Visits Philippi, WV

EvieC — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:42:03 +0000

I was happy to have the opportunity to meet the sisters and brothers of the Philippi congregation. Come inside with me and share in our Good Friday observance.

Flat Al, here. Greetings from Wild, Wonderful West Virginia!

The Philippi congregation marked Good Friday with a simple supper, followed by a Communion and Footwashing service. I helped oversee the preparations for the meal.

This photo was taken just before the service. I’m posing with Service Adventure leader Hallie Cable (left) and Ines Binfet, SA participant from Lichtenau, Germany. Behind Ines are SA leader Amos Cable (L) and SA participant Josiah Dahl of Archbold, OH.

Philippi Mennonite held their Easter sunrise service on the grounds of Adaland Mansion, near Philippi, WV. I’m standing with one of Philippi Mennonite’s two church coordinators, Jim Skidmore, with the mansion in the background.

Here are some of the worshipers at the Easter service.
We shared a potluck Easter breakfast back at the Meetinghouse after the worship service. I’m holding hands with two Philippi Service Adventure alumnae (2008-09), Hannah Eberly from Harrisonburg, VA, and Ruthi Wiens from Newton, KS.

I’m so glad I had the chance to meet with the members of Philippi’s Service Adventure Unit. These folks have a real impact in the community. I even got to meet the Leaders’ dog, Bailey.

It was great fun meeting all the wonderful folks at Philippi Mennonite Church, but it’s time to move on. There are many more wonderful folks to meet in the days and weeks ahead. Peace! Flat Al

Leafing Through the New Testament at Maple Grove

EvieC — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:37:21 +0000

One Sunday morning, our pastor explained a new program that we could participate in called, “Leafing through the New Testament”. It would begin January 1st and end on Easter. He provided a schedule for reading each day and if we completed the reading for that week we would sign our name on a leaf which would be collected in a basket during the offering time and later placed on the tree. The tree was a thorn bush about twelve feet high with many branches on which paper leaves could be hung. As we read the scriptures we knew many other members of our congregation were reading the same verses we were reading. God used that “joining” and spoke through sermons, songs and testimonies. It was beautiful.

My thoughts as I look at the pictures are simple; tree number one is my life before Jesus, tree numbers two through ten are my journey with Jesus. He makes my life beautiful, fruitful, interesting, full, rich, lovely, fun, alive and purposeful. Just as the tree kept getting more full each week; my life is more and more full as I walk yet another day with my Lord Jesus. I once was empty, barren and like thorn bush was harsh and painful; but now the beauty of the Lord has covered my thorns and made something beautiful of my life. He has decorated my life through His grace and the living word of God. I praise God for His amazing grace and love. Lynn Peachey

Other responses from the congregation included:

Reading the passages of the New Testament has been a revelation to me (no pun intended). I had no idea it could be so interesting and informative. Although I taught Sunday School classes of most ages for many years, my research was mostly from teachers manuals and personal experiences. The Bible verses were just part of the session. I wasn’t and am not a Bible scholar. Bible study classes are not for me!! Now there are so many things that have just come alive!! Just trying to understand some of the scope of Jesus ministry – the belief of the disciples – the single mindedness of Paul – and on and on. Thank you Alan and Maple Grove for this project. - Ray Confer

When I heard we were to read the New Testament through until Easter, I thought that was a big task. But I found it easy to keep up with the readings. I enjoyed it very much. I never read the whole book of Revelation; that was interesting. The discipline was good for me. – Dave Spicher

This project of reading through the New Testament has been a real blessing. I have been amazed how the Sunday School lessons and the teaching by Erv Stutzman all meshed together which increased our understanding of God’s word and His purpose for our lives. It united the congregation in a tremendous way. I could feel the Spirit moving in ways beyond my expectations. It also united Raymond and I in a deeper spiritual knowledge of scripture. It encouraged us in discussion about what we read during the week. This was GREAT! I look forward to greater growth here at Maple Grove. Praise the Lord! – Sandy Tussey

Tri-State Sale Board Welcomes Flat Al

EvieC — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:15:01 +0000

Flat Al attended the TriState Relief Sale Board meeting April 8. He can’t wait to attend the event on July 19 & 20 at the Garrett County Fairgrounds.

Front Row: Gloria Miller, Judy Saylor, Yvonne Devers, Joyce King, Verna Bender, Janet Miller
Back Row: Jesse Maust, Phoebe Wiley, Dan Saylor, Eric Hagland, Lowell Bender, Doug Berg, Dale Miller
Missing from the photo were Edie Butler, John & Lois Hepler, Brian Devers & Harriet Berg

Churches represented: Gloria Miller, Dale & Janet Miller-Scottdale MC; Dan & Judy Saylor, Yvonne Devers, and Joyce King – Kaufman MC; Lowell & Verna Bender – Cherry Glade MC; Jesse Maust, Phoebe Wiley, Eric Hagland and Doug Berg – Springs MC

Urgent Request for Volunteers at the International Guest House

EvieC — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:05:07 +0000

If you are interested in the International Guest House’s mission of extending Christian hospitality to travelers, here’s your chance to learn more about it by lending a hand without having to make a long-term commitment.

The Guest House has urgent needs for help from May 10 through the end of June and again from July 13 through the 31st. Room and board are provided. If you can help, please contact Annabelle Kratz at 301-596-9057 or at dakratz@juno.com.

Area Conference Resource Advocates Meet with CLC

EvieC — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:42:00 +0000

Area Conference Resource Advocates joined the Constituency Leaders Council (CLC) on the morning of March 11 for worship and reporting during the CLC’s spring meeting, held March 11–13 at Camp Hebron in Halifax, Pa.

Cathy Spory of Allegheny Mennonite Conference addresses the CLC; Lynette Miller of Illinois Mennonite Conference is on the right (photo by Chuck Neufeld).

CLC members met the resource advocates, heard about the work they do for their respective area conferences and shared ideas for ways to improve the resource advocate system.

Leading the CLC meeting were Elizabeth Soto-Albrecht, moderator-elect of Mennonite Church USA, and CLC co-chair Tom Kauffman, conference minister of Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA. The theme for the gathering was, “The Earth is the Lord’s, and we belong to God” (Psalm 24:1-2).

Each morning the group began with worship led by the CLC worship team of Nicole Francisco (African American Mennonite Association—AAMA), Chuck Neufeld (Illinois Mennonite Conference) and Edward James (AAMA). Those present then had a time of Dwelling in the Word with Psalm 24.

CLC members heard stories from Arlene Tubby of Native Mennonite Ministries and from representatives of Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeast Mennonite Conference, Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference and the North Central Conference of the Mennonite Church.

Other items on the agenda included discussing Mennonite Church USA polity, giving feedback on an update to the Mennonite Polity for Ministerial Leadership (a polity manual shared by Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada), discussing membership issues and membership guidelines, giving feedback on resolutions proposed for the upcoming delegate assembly at Phoenix 2013, and learning about different decision-making methods.

The CLC’s next meeting will be Oct. 14–16 at Amigo Centre, Sturgis, Mich.

—Marty Lehman, director of churchwide operations for Mennonite Church USA