Bulletin notes

Visit EMS Feb. 24 or April 3: Prospective students for Eastern Mennonite School in grades 6-12 are invited to visit Monday, Feb. 24 or Monday, April 3. Parents/guardians will tour and learn about financial aid, academic philosophy, and school culture. Prospective students will shadow a student with similar interests till 12 noon. Contact Marsha Thomas with questions or register here.

Registration closes Sunday Jan. 29 at 11:59 for Virginia Conference’s 2023 Winter Delegate Assembly. On February 4th, 2023 we will gather at Washington Community Fellowship. Open to all VMC members. Registration is $35/person and bus from Harrisonburg can be purchased for $55/each. Register at virginiaconference.org/events

Tickets to the Eastern Mennonite High School performance of the musical Godspell are now on sale. Show times: Fri. and Sat., Feb. 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. All reserved seating: $15 for center, $12 for sides and balcony. Discounts for seniors and students. Purchase tickets at the door, by calling 540-236-6025, or online at easternmennonite.org/tickets.

VMMissions

Tuesday, January 31 is the last day to apply to join VMMissions on Border Perspective, a service and learning trip on the U.S-Mexico border at McAllen, Texas, March 5-10, 2023. This E3 Collective trip will provide learning and service opportunities. Participants will better understand the complexity of immigration on the border and will help support local immigrant ministries. Learn more and register at https://vmmissions.org/service-opportunity/border-perspective/

What happens the first weekend in June? Motorcycle for Missions! It’s time to roll that motorcycle out of hibernation and get it tuned up! Save the date and enjoy the fun and fellowship on June 2-3, and raise awareness and support for VMMissions. Have to work? Ride just one of the two days! Learn more at vmmissions.org/motorcycle-for-missions/. Registration will open soon!

tranSend is a one-year to two-year VMMissions placement designed to help you discern your spiritual giftings and give you the opportunity to put them into practice. The program functions more like an internship or apprenticeship, and gives you a chance to explore your calling and learn from established ministry mentors while you consider your own future steps in joining God’s mission to the world. The next cohort application deadline is April 30. Learn more about the program, see open service opportunities, and apply at vmmissions.org/tranSend/

Beyond VMC

Meat canning at Hinton Mennonite Relief Center Feb 20-24. We plan to start each day at 6am with a need for 20 volunteers, with work for an additional 20 by 8AM. Approximately 40 volunteers will be needed at any given time for the remainder of the day, which will end at around 8pm. The offerings and contributions you make will go towards purchasing and processing chicken, as well as supplies for both MCC relief bucket kits and CAM Hygiene kits. Offerings and individual contributions can be sent to the Hinton Mennonite Relief Center, PO Box 519, Dayton, VA 22821. For more information call Lloyd Knicely (540) 820-9003 Gerald Knicely (540) 478-4203 or Fred Knicely (540) 810-5075. Virginia Conference Day to contribute help to can Chicken is Tuesday, February 21, 2023. View Flyer Longer version of Announcement

Join the Shenandoah Valley Men’s Choir, directed by Jared Stutzman. Group practices are Sunday’s at 2:30-4:15 in January and February held at Eastern Mennonite High School. Concerts scheduled for February 26 and March 5. Contact Roman Miller 540-383-0281.

Pastoral Care for Climate: From Anxiety to Action. Pastors and church leaders have a unique role in bringing together spiritual, emotional and social roles. This year-long experience in 2023 explores how churches and communities can become places where people learn to engage climate with active hope. Cosponsored by Eastern Mennonite Seminary and the Anabaptist Climate Collaborative with the first gathering February 6 – 9, 2023. More information, https://emu.edu/seminary/pastoral-care-for-climate

 

Mennonite Church USA

February is Black History Month. Be sure to check out Mennonite Church USA’s timeline honoring “Black History in the Mennonite Church.” mennoniteusa.org/resource/black-history

Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Central Committee are partnering in a new, four-part webinar series on mass incarceration, beginning Feb. 7 at 7:30 ET/4:30 PT. Join us to learn about the ways the faith community is actively understanding and working against these complex systems of confinement. Learn more and register here: mcc.org/beyond-incarceration-webinars

#MennoCon23
Registration for MennoCon23 will open on March 1. Mennocon23 will be held in Kansas City, Mo., July 3-6, immediately followed by the Mennonite Church USA Delegate Assembly and the new Youth and Young Adult Climate Summit. View a MennoCon23 slide: mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MennoCon23.pptx

Subscribe to MC USA’s PeaceMail weekly newsletter for the latest updates. Mennoniteusa.org/peacemail View a slide for PeaceMail: mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PeaceMail-slide.pptx

Upcoming Events

Feb 4, 2023 – VMC Winter Delegate Assembly – Washington Community Fellowship
Feb 17-19, 2023 – Worship, Singing, Scriptures & Prayers – Ministry Retreat with Ben Bergey
April 21, 2023 – Peaceful Practices with Jes Stoltzfus Buller – Location TBD
July 3-8, 2023 – MennoCon ’23, MC USA National Assembly
July 13-15, 2023 – VMC Summer Assembly