Newsweekly for Sunday, July 15, 2018

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Worship this Sunday, July 15, 2018

Worship Leader: Brendon Derstine

Song Leader: Jeremy Nafziger

Children’s Time: Jordan Luther

Scripture Reader: Rachel Bowman Koop

Preachers: Rose Shenk and Bruce Buckwalter

Prelude/Offertory: Bradley Lehman, Kathryn Schmidt

Pastoral Prayer: Jordan Luther

Scripture: Romans 12:14-18        

Bulletin: 071518-Bulletin.docx

                                                                          

Upcoming CMC Events

Sat, July 14          Open Circle Small Group, 6 pm, Dean House (note location change)

Sun, July 15         Drop-in Reception for Jacinda Stahly and Isaac Dahl, 2-4 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tues, July 17       Monthly Gathering, 6 pm, Morrison Park

Wed, July 18       Kids’ Club, 6 pm, Basement

Fri, July 20           CMC Office Closed (Pastors and Staff attending Virginia Menn. Conf. assembly)

July 19-21            Virginia Mennonite Conference Assembly, Hampton, VA

July 27-28            CMC Vacation Bible School

 

CMC Events and Announcements

Open Circle Small Group. The CMC Small Group Committee has created a small group opportunity called the Open Circle. It meets monthly on Second Saturdays at 6 pm. The next meeting is Saturday, July 14 in the Dean House. This group invites folks who are looking for a way to connect with others in the church through fellowship, discussion and mutual support. So if you are new to the congregation, new to the idea of small groups, or are not currently in a small group and are looking for a way to connect, you are invited. The circle is always open! Children are welcome and there will be snacks. For more information contact Heather Harris at heatherjill_81@hotmail.com.

Jacinda Stahly and Isaac Dahl Wedding Reception. Isaac, Jacinda, and their families invite you to drop by the Fellowship Hall any time between 2 and 4 pm on Sunday, July 15, to help celebrate their marriage!

Monthly Gathering. All are invited to attend CMC’s July monthly gathering potluck picnic this Tuesday, July 17 at 6 pm at Morrison Park. Bring food to share and table service. Water provided. See you at the park!

Fifth Sunday Offering for Dean House Renovations on July 29. CMC’s Fifth Sunday Offering on July 29 will go toward covering costs for renovations being done in the Dean House in preparation for opening a Voluntary Service Unit. Our goal is $10,000. We have openings for 1 or 2 more VSers, so spread the word and contact Jason Gerlach if you know of someone who may be interested in serving. We ask for your generous financial support on Sunday, July 29 as we prepare the Dean House for this new ministry.

Listening for Grace. Ted & Co presents the original play, Listening for Grace on July 20 and 21 at EMU’s Lee Eshleman Studio Theater at 7:30 pm. The play will be videotaped and seating is limited. Tickets available to purchase for $15 at this link or at the door.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/listening-for-grace-tickets-46157018886?aff=efbeventtix. Listening for Grace, written by and starring CMCer Ted Swartz, with music by Justin Yoder and Phillip Martin, uses Ted's distinctive humor to give voice to our fears and hopes when a faith community engages in questions around sexuality and same-sex relationships. It’s about a father’s journey, a church’s struggle and a search for commonality.

Moving Help Needed. Dave and Sue Cockley are moving to 1571 Pine Court (on VMRC campus) from 487 S. Mason Street the end of July.  We would like help moving an empty chest freezer and lots of boxes on Saturday, July 28, 8:30 – 11:00 am.  We will have a small pick-up but a second one would be great!

Eastern Mennonite High School Touring Choir alumni are invited to sing in an alumni choir — directed by Jay Hartzler — for six weeks this summer. Rehearsals will be Tuesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. at Community Mennonite Church. On Sunday, August 12, the choir will give a benefit concert at CMC to support the ongoing ministry of CMCers Jay and Sheri Hartzler in Romania. If you can commit to at least three of the six rehearsals, please come! Indicate your interest by filling out this Google survey so Jay knows how to plan. Contact Sheri Hartzler with questions, shartzler@comcast.net.

CMC Children and the Walking Roots Band. What a wonderful summer opportunity!  Saturday, August 18th from 9-11 am, The Walking Roots Band (Greg Yoder and Seth Crissman) are offering a morning for CMC children (rising 1st through 5th graders) to plan a CMC worship service using music and drama.  The service will focus on the story of Jonah. On Saturday, parents can drop off children at the CMC building at 9am and pick them up at 11am.  The next morning children and The Walking Roots will lead our worship service.  Please RSVP to the CMC office (cmc_office@cmcva.org) if children from your family will participate and indicate their age or grade.  Greg and Seth are both approved adults through the Safe Church program.

Mental Health First Aid Training. CMCers are invited to participate in a local grant-funded public education and training program through the Community Services Board.  The Mental Health First Aid training will be Tuesday and Wednesday, August 21 and 22 from 8 am-12 noon both days.  (A total of 8 hours.)  Four years ago CMC sent a cohort of 5 participants to this training.  Only two of these participants are still active at CMC.  Being a peace church where everyone is welcome, we want to respond appropriately to one another when we have mental and emotional struggles.  The training will include risk factors and warning signs for mental illness and information related to specific illnesses such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.  For more information visit their website at https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/. Please contact the church office by August 6 if you are able to join Pastor Jennifer and other CMCers for this training.  There is limited number of openings.    –Pastoral Team

CMC Summer Reading. Anita Amstutz, Mennonite pastor and author of Soul Tending:  Journey into the Heart of Sabbath was CMC's guest preacher on July 1st.  Anita will also be our resource person for the CMC Retreat (Sep 21-23).  We are circulating several copies of her book prior to retreat.  If you're interested in borrowing a copy for a few weeks, please contact the church office at cmc_office@cmcva.org or 433-2148. –Pastoral Team

CMC Piano. The CMC piano has been in declining condition for some time. Recently we were told by some piano technicians that its mechanical problems are beyond repair. A group of CMC keyboard players has been tasked with looking into replacement options, and this process has led us to the Baldwin piano that is on loan from Gary's Pianos for several weeks this summer.

Pastoral Gifts?  Do you know someone who is spiritually sensitive and demonstrates good discernment in their lives?  Do you know CMCers who care about the life of our congregation and have leadership gifts?  Gifts discernment is receiving names of members who might serve on Pastoral Team beginning in 2019.  Our continuing pastoral elders are Mike Brislen and Matthew Hunsberger, so please consider CMC women who might serve well in a 3-year term on our team of pastors and pastoral elders. A job description for the pastoral elder can be found on the CMC website.  Pastoral Team will also appoint a young adult to serve a 1-year term beginning in 2019.  Who are the gifted young adults at CMC who might serve with Pastoral Team?  Please share names with Brendon Derstine, chair of gifts discernment committee.  brendon.derstine@gmail.com

Breeze Reminder. Are you signed up for Breeze, CMC’s new directory system, yet? It is quick and easy to set up and use. Please take the time to sign up and check your information. If you aren’t signed up already you likely received an invitation email from Breeze in the last couple of weeks. If not, please contact Joyce in the church office (cmc_office@cmcva.org) or Aili Huber (technology@cmcva.org).

To use the directory go to https://cmcva.breezechms.com/login.

Once you have created your account and signed in:

  1. Click "My Profile" at the top to see what information we have for you.
  2. To add or update any information, put your mouse on the gray box at the top of that section (it will say something on it like "Main" or "Family."). When your mouse is on the box, text should appear that says "Click to edit section." Click it to reveal a form that you can edit. When you're done, click the green "Save" button at the top of the section.
  3. Add your birthdate by following the instructions in step 2 to edit the "Main" section. Other members of the congregation won't be able to see this, but it is very helpful to the office staff to be able to search people by age.
  4. Add your picture. Click in the big gray box with a person outline on it in the top-center area of your profile page. A box will pop up where you have the option of uploading a picture from your computer. Click "Upload image," navigate to the picture you'd like to use, and click "Open." Once the image has uploaded, expand the cropping rectangle and move it around so that your face is included. Then select "Set as Profile."
  5. Edit your Family–you should have the ability to edit/correct information for any member of your household by going to their profile page. If there are people in your household who don't show up under "Family" on your profile page, please let me know so I can fix this.
  6. Play around. You should be able to use the search box on the top left of the page to look up other CMCers. You can also check out "Tags," which is a way of organizing people; right now, we have only church leadership and small groups, but this will be expanding. "Events" doesn't have anything right now, but soon, that will be a place where we'll host event registrations.
  7. Get the app. If you have an Android or iPhone, search for "Breeze CMS" in the app store to install the mobile app.
  8. Offer feedback. Is there something that's not working? Let me know. Is there a piece of information that it would be helpful for your commission or committee to be able to track? Let's talk.
  9. Confused or have more questions about Breeze? That's okay. Feel free to contact Aili Huber at technology@cmcva.org.

CMC Lending List. Did you know that CMC maintains a list of items that members are willing to share? Items available to borrow include pick-up trucks, sports and camping gear, tools and kitchen equipment. The list is available on the CMC website. If you have an item that you’d like to add to the list, please contact Michael Ann Courtney at mac1572@gmail.com.

Looking for Small Groups to Host First Friday. CMC hosts a "First Friday" art opening every other month. We're looking for Small Groups to volunteer to host them. Host duties include providing refreshments and being on site to welcome the artists and musicians, assist them and members of the public if needed, and manage cleanup. If your group would like to sign up for one, please contact Matt Carlson (matt31275@gmail.com).

Patchwork Pantry Volunteer Needed. Patchwork Pantry is looking for someone to take charge of purchasing personal hygiene items including toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and diapers.  The person checks supplies, assesses the needs, purchases the items and puts them away either for use on Wednesday or for repackaging.  We have been purchasing at Walmart and it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours a week.  We'd like to have someone start ASAP. Contact Jennifer Ulrich – ulrichjm@emu.edu  or 540-383-9050 for more information. Thanks for considering!

Apartment Needed. We're looking for an apartment in or near Harrisonburg on behalf of friends who are expecting their first baby. Any leads will be greatly appreciated. Paulson and Shirley Kurtz, 540-209-2239.

Apartment Needed. My daughter, Alcinda Brubaker, is looking for a studio or one bedroom apartment between Downtown Harrisonburg and EMU. She will be attending school in the fall and working part time. She has a pet cat, but he can live at home on our farm if needed. Please contact her at 540-246-1484 or alcinda.brubaker@gmail.com. Her current lease is ending so she’d like to sign a lease for a rental starting in July or August.  –Wayne Teel

Going to Goshen? If anyone is driving to Goshen in the next month, we have a large cooler that we need to get back to there and would appreciate the help. Contact Tim Jost, jostt@wlu.edu or 540 421 1529.

CMC: 'Fast Forward' into a 'Sacred' Summer . . . with a brand-new phot collage just posted on the "CMC Today" bulletin board on the west wall of the fellowship hall. It features the final Sundays of our "Journey Forward" worship series and the start of an emphasis on "S is for Sacred . . . and Summer." To the right, you'll find a reflective essay, "Just for Today," a "Bishop's Mantle" "swan song" column (July 16, 2011) after writing the weekly Daily News-Record column for 21 years and a CMC 'congregational report' for Mar.-Apr. in Mennonite World Review. So, stop, look . . . and enjoy!  — Jim Bishop

Summer Better Than Others:  Another visual feast awaits you on the "CMC Yesterday" bulletin board on the east wall of the fellowship hall with a poster of activities from July, 2013 on the theme, "Citizens in God's Kingdom" and a one-day Summer Bible school collage from July 27, 2013, "God's BIG Backyard is a Blast." Indeed it is! — Jim Bishop

Greening CMC : Educating ourselves.  As you go about your business on the Harrisonburg streets in the hot summer season, take solace in knowing that even a single urban tree can help keep walkers more comfortable in citiesAlthough Harrisonburg’s tree canopy cover is about 25%, lower than other nearby towns and cities, there are efforts to make our city more tree friendly.  Join the Harrisonburg community on July 25 for a meeting to learn about Harrisonburg efforts at tree planting.   ​

 

Announcements from Virginia Mennonite Conference, Harrisonburg area and beyond 

Pray for Virginia Mennonite Conference as they meet for their annual gathering in Hampton, Virginia, and for South Central Mennonite Conference as they meet in Yoder, Kansas, both the weekend of July 19-21.

The Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center hosts "Worship in the Woods" each Sunday at 7 PM until Aug. 12. Bring your families to the beautiful natural amphitheater at the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center for Worship in the Woods. A free-will offering will be received to support the mission and vision of VBMHC. 1921 Heritage Center Way, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Taryn Zander’s MST and VMMissions are hosting a dessert fundraiser on the evening of July 26 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.  This event is a “donations accepted” event and any money raised will be used to finish out the modest balance needed for Taryn’s remaining MST budget and to start a “diversity grant” fund to help persons of color participate in next year’s E3 trips.  The evening will also be an opportunity for the Jordan teams to share what they’ve recently experienced and for the Greece team to share what its expectations and prayer requests are. We especially welcome those interested in participating on an E3 team next year! As a courtesy to Taryn’s MST, please let Melanie Sherer know if you are planning on coming, at melanie.sherer@vmmissions.org or (540) 434-9727.

On Sunday, August 12 at 4 pm in the Ix Art Park in Charlottesville, an event called "The C'ville Sing Out!" will take place.  Everyone in the community and surrounding counties are invited to participate in a positive celebration of the City of Charlottesville to promote love and brother/sisterhood among all races, cultures, and beliefs.  Website: https://www.CvilleSingOut.org.  Contact:  Pastor Alvin Edwards, Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church.

How Then Shall We Live?  A week-long immersion in the wild to bring out the deep wisdom, fierce joy and sacred strength of men. Come wade into the wilds of New Mexico! Highlights include homemade meals in an adobe hacienda, visiting Taos Pueblo, plunging into the waters and canyons of the Rio Grande Gorge, wilderness solos, songs and campfires, morning meditations and biblical analysis in wild places—all designed to open radically new possibilities for men seeking a wilder way of fierce love for God, humanity and our precious earth. Guided by Todd Wynward for adventurous men 18+ in Taos, New Mexico, September 8-15, 2018. For registration information on this Mennonite Men experience, visit www.mennonitemen.org.

Rooted and Grounded Conference. Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary will host the fourth Rooted and Grounded Conference on Land and Christian Discipleship, Sept. 27–29, 2018 in Elkhart, Indiana. Keynote speakers are: Valerie Bridgeman of Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Karenna Gore of Union Theological Seminary, and Randy Woodley of Portland Seminary.

Community Mennonite Church
70 South High Street Harrisonburg, VA
office@cmcva.org
540-433-2148