Sunday, May 15
- 9:15am Informal Fellowship Time
- 9:30am Zoom Worship (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
- Speaker: Suzanne Ford
- 10:30am Sermon Discussion
Tuesday, May 17
- 7:00pm Action/Reflection Creation Caring Zoom meeting (contact Anne for details on how to join)
- Join us for a discussion of recycling. Anne will send out the Zoom link.
Thursday, May 19
- 7:00pm Bible Study on Revelation led by Shane (contact Anne for details on how to join)
Sunday, May 22
- 9:15am Informal Fellowship Time
- 9:30am Hybrid (Civic Center and Zoom) Worship (contact Anne for details on how to join Zoom)
- Speaker: Shane O’Leary
- 10:30am Sermon Discussion
Mennonite Church USA has unveiled a new shareable video titled “We are better together.” The video features different voices from across the denomination discussing what it means to do church together. Watch it here: mennoniteusa.org/better-together
Mennonite Church USA has created a new role focused on racial/ethnic engagement and announced several other staff transitions. Sue Park-Hur, the newly appointed director of racial/ethnic engagement, will work with the various racial/ethnic entities within MC USA, support the program agencies in this work and help denominational leaders to define diversity, equity and inclusion goals, standards and desired outcomes. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/new-position-transitions
Mennonite Church USA has announced the worship speakers, led by Dr. Samuel Sarpiya, for the Special Session of the Delegate Assembly, May 27-30, in Kansas City Missouri. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/worship-special-session
Abby Endashaw encourages all individuals and communities within the Christian tradition to utilize the Intercultural Development Inventory assessment to engage effectively and appropriately with people who are different than ourselves. This concept is part of the new curriculum from Mennonite Church USA called Diversity: God’s Design. Read Abby’s blog here: mennoniteusa.org/cultural-reflection-growth
“Grief has a way of sneaking up on us.” When Ben Wideman set out to produce a podcast episode about the life and legacy of Michael “MJ” Sharp for the MennoMedia ~ing podcast series, his emotions triggered other difficult memories as well. Read more about his experience with carrying grief here: mennoniteusa.org/we-carry-grief
Reuse Those Plastic Containers
It’s easy to reuse plastic food containers for freezing soups, vegetables, and meals. See how long you can make each one last. (Thanks for the tip, Linda!)
Step Away from Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are unequally distributed on the planet, making some countries richer and giving them leverage over others. Clearly, that inequity can lead to and exacerbate war. Renewable sources of energy (wind, solar, geothermal) are more equitably available, do not produce carbon emissions, and are sustainable without war. Speak up to government and corporate officials to move away from fossil fuels now.
How to Make a New Shampoo Bar
Good for you—you are avoiding plastic by switching to shampoo and conditioner bars! But as they get smaller from use, they may break. What to do with the pieces? Save them and put them in a three-ounce paper cup. Heat them in the microwave, watching carefully, for under 30 seconds. Let the liquid cool. Peel off the paper and you have a new bar. No waste. Good for you!
Kitchen Green Tip of the Week
Reuse parchment paper and aluminum foil. Parchment paper is great for simplifying cleanup and keeping foods from sticking, but it, along with aluminum foil, can also be reused. As long as it’s not ripped or extremely soiled, simply wipe it down (or even throw it in the dishwasher in the case of aluminum foil), fold it up, and save it for another use. Looking for a more durable option? Silicone baking mats make cleanup a breeze.
A little bit of humor from actual church signs, courtesy of Jim—
Under the same management for 2000 years!