weLink
Vol.
3, No. 3: Feb. 13, 2008
n Conference
prayers
n Annual
Sessions 2008: “Knock, knock | Who’s there?”
n Expenses
from Annual Sessions 2007
n Connecting
congregations
n IN-MI
Conference people in the news
n At Bethany Christian
Schools
n Mid-states
conferences collaboration update
n In the wider church
n Executive
Committee (EC) updates
If possible, please include
blurbs from weLink (as applicable) in your church bulletins and/or newsletters.
Thank you!
Conference prayers
Give thanks for Jim Gerber’s successful open heart surgery on Feb. 11 and pray for his continued recovery. Jim serves as overseer for two congregations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: Naubinway Christian Fellowship and Rexton Mennonite. (Jim also has served as interim pastor at Wildwood Mennonite, Engadine, Mich., and Hilltop Fellowship, Petoskey, Mich. He was pastor of Maple River Mennonite in Brutus, Mich., for 25 years. Last summer he concluded 23 years of service on the IN-MI Executive Committee.)
Pray for discernment as conference staff members search for a person to fill Annette Brill Bergstresser’s role as Gospel Evangel and weLink editor during her maternity leave in May and June. (She and her husband, Deron, are expecting their second child around the end of April. Deron serves as pastor at Faith Mennonite, Goshen.)
Annual Sessions 2008: “Knock, knock | Who’s there?” (Luke 10:1-12)
June 19–21
at Westview
Junior-Senior High School, Topeka, Ind.
New this
year:
n An all-day seminar will
be held on Friday for all delegates and guests, led by Alan Roxburgh
(co-author of The Missional
Leader and consultant to the IN-MI Transition Team), who will invite
participants to engage the deeper implications of the conference’s new mission
statement: Joyfully following Jesus, we
will cultivate a missional imagination in every
congregation. (Other seminars will not be held this year.)
n Youth group events
will be hosted throughout the weekend by the three youth groups of the LaGrange
Area Council (Emma, Marion and Shore). The youth will join adults for worship
Saturday morning.
Expenses from Annual Sessions 2007
Expenses (including meals) were approximately $16,800, and income was about $14,400 ($10,860 from registration/meal payments and $3,520 from Friday night's offering), leaving a deficit for the year of about $2,400. Approximately $1,500 of the deficit can be accounted for by funds needed to cover facility and technical costs for the hymn sing at Sauder Concert Hall. While the planners had hoped to offset this expense to a greater degree, an overwhelming number of participants indicated that the hymn sing was a highlight of their weekend. Thank you for your generous contributions!
Connecting congregations
Fellowship of Hope (FoH) Mennonite Church, Elkhart, Ind., sends thanks for capital fund grant. The congregation sent this thank-you letter to the IN-MI Executive Committee on Jan. 15: “We want to express our deep gratitude for the generous grant that IN-MI Conference has given to Fellowship of Hope Mennonite Church for the building project we have undertaken. The central purpose of the project is to make the building accessible to all by adding an entryway with a lift and some additional space for office and Sunday school use. New siding and a new roof are also a part of the project. This will not only allow our congregation to be more inclusive but also expand the usefulness of the building to other neighborhood and church groups that use the building.
Again we want to thank you for your part in making this improvement to our building and to our neighborhood possible. Please pass our thanks to all the churches of the conference.
Blessings in the name of Jesus --
Lyz Weaver, pastor; Dave Janzen, congregational chair
IN-MI Conference people in the news
When Tara McCoy found herself
on the brink of becoming homeless, she, like others, was brought back on track
by the Emerge Ministries program of Church Without
Walls, Elkhart, Ind. See: MennoniteMission.net/?Story_ID=1180
From a dairy farm
in Elkhart, Ind., to Nairobi. In July 2007, Kevin and Sharon Yoder -- now pastors
of Olive Mennonite, Elkhart, Ind. --
returned from six years of service with Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite
Mission Network in Nairobi, Kenya, with their three daughters. Sharon said
their children “wouldn’t trade [the experience] for the world.” Read more about
their experiences in Kenya: www.emm.org/news/feature/2007/October/dairyfarm.html
At Bethany Christian Schools
Bethany Christian High School students to present “Dead Man Walking” Feb. 21, 22, 24. This compelling drama, based on Sister Helen Prejean's interactions with inmates on death row, prompts us to reflect on the role of Christian faith in contemporary social justice issues. Thursday and Friday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday performance at 3 p.m. Reserve tickets ($8 for adults and $6 for students) by calling the school: 574 534-2567
Mid-states conferences collaboration update
Leaders of the four mid-states conferences -- Central District, Illinois, Ohio and IN-MI -- held their semi-annual meeting Jan. 28. A mid-states conferences celebration festival is being planned for August 2010 at Goshen (Ind.) College to celebrate together what God is doing among us. Kathy Smith of Central Mennonite, Archbold, Ohio, was appointed to chair the planning committee, and each conference will select two people to serve on the committee.
Other items discussed: Each conference has given attention to the denominational issues of healthcare and national identity. Cooperative procedures relating to dual-conference congregations, their affiliation choices and conference minister responsibilities were confirmed. Those present worked on a Transitional Pastors Policy Proposal that will be recommended to each of the mid-states conferences for approval. They also discussed the role of conferences at meetings of the Constituency Leaders Council, with a desire to focus on matters of church-wide interest. The next meeting of mid-states conference leaders is scheduled for Aug. 25.
In the wider church
Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP), a program of Mennonite Central Committee -- Great Lakes, seeks a location coordinator for its Harlan, Ky., site. This position coordinates volunteer groups and oversees home repair for low-income families, and would be ideal for a married couple. See online: mcc.org/serve/assignments. Or, contact Mary Ann Weber: 574 534-4133 or mweber@mcc.org
“Uprooted Peoples: Action & Advocacy in the Face of Displacement.” Mennonite Central Committee’s Washington Office Spring Seminar will be held March 2–4. Participants will look at issues facing immigrants, refugees and displaced people through workshops, plenary, worship and congressional visits. See online: mcc.org/us/washington
Mennonite Central Committee -- Great Lakes 2008 Annual meeting: March
7–8 at Arthur (Ill.) Mennonite. Register by Feb. 15. (See next item for part of the agenda.)
See: www.mcc.org/greatlakes/
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Immigration Listening Project. This past year MCC U.S. and regional staff organized 36 listening sessions across the United States to listen to perceptions and concerns regarding new immigrants and to learn what new immigrants experience as they adjust to the U.S. Some listening sessions took place in the Great Lakes region. The findings from these listening sessions have been analyzed and compiled into a report entitled “MCC Immigration Listening Project: What the Church Is Saying.” The findings will be discussed at the Arthur gathering. Access the report online at www.mcc.org/greatlakes/ or call 574 534-4133 for a printed version.
Women’s
retreats: “Women in Conversation: Daring To Let Your Spirits Soar.” Join speaker Carolyn Holderread
Heggen for a retreat designed especially for women to
explore “women’s unique way of experiencing the Divine.” The weekend
includes workshops, worship, pampering and fellowship. Retreats are
co-sponsored by Mennonite Women USA and Laurelville Mennonite Church
Center. Choose from two locations: April 11–13 at Laurelville, Pa.; or April 18–20
at the Wichita (Kan.) Airport Hilton. Registration deadline is March 28. Register by March 1 and save $10: 800 839-1021 or info@Laurelville.org.
See also: www.Laurelville.org
Author/speaker/pastor
Brian McLaren will visit Goshen (Ind.)
College May 9–10 as part of his “Everything Must Change” speaking tour, focusing on the
question, “How do the life and teachings of Jesus address the most
critical global problems in our world today?” He will speak four times on Planet, Poverty, Peace and Purpose,
emphasizing the message of Jesus. The event also will include time for
dialogue, networking, and conversation about faith, art, justice, mission,
spiritual formation, worship and community. Cost is $99 before Feb. 15;
$109 after. Questions? Contact Becky Horst: 574
535-7206 or beckybh@goshen.edu. To register, see: www.deepshift.org
Executive Committee (EC) updates
The IN-MI
Executive Committee met Jan. 18–19
at Fellowship of Hope (FoH), Elkhart, Ind. On Friday,
Lyz Weaver, pastor, shared about the
congregation and led a devotional and prayer. (See also FoH’s thank-you letter for the
recent capital fund grant under “Connecting congregations” above.) On
Saturday, Tim Burkholder, interim executive conference minister, led a time of
Dwelling in the Word, focusing on Luke 10:1-12. Highlights from the meeting:
A conference in transition …
n 2007–08 priorities. The EC members reviewed the following
priorities for the fiscal year and identified ways in which they are being
lived out: In this time of transition we
will listen to God and to each other, nurture caring connections, and open
ourselves to God’s surprises.
n Transition Team (TT) chair Gene Hartman reported on the TT’s preparation for this spring’s cluster meetings. The team has agreed on a strategy to begin putting in place the new Missional Leadership Team and Advisory Council and to bring closure to some current committees/commissions.
n Cluster meeting agenda. During the morning, the TT will introduce the timeline for their work and invite feedback from delegates on qualities desired in a lead conference minister. At least two representatives from the Transition Team and one representative of the search committee will be present at each meeting. The afternoon agenda will include the proposed 2008–09 spending plan and discussion about suspending the conference’s constitution at Annual Sessions 2008.
n Increasing representation of people from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in conference leadership. Out of a desire for the conference to become more diverse, the EC took action to ensure that all future search activities for ministry staff and elected positions include qualified or qualifiable African-American and Hispanic candidates. Two subgroups of leaders from those groups are being formed to develop a pool of names as a resource for future searches.
n Gifts Discernment Committee (GDC). The EC affirmed Wes Bontreger as GDC chair. The GDC will ask people whose terms are ending if they would be willing to extend their service through the transition period (up to a year). Regular appointments are being made for the boards of Amigo Centre and Bethany Christian Schools.
Commissions at work
n Stewardship and Finance Commission. Galen Kauffmann, treasurer, was pleased to report that congregational contributions are up 9 percent over last year. The EC approved the proposed spending plan -- which includes adjustments to reflect the process of transitioning to the new conference structure -- for review at cluster meetings. The commission continues to foster work on a planning grant to explore economic challenges facing Indiana pastors. Also, Karl Cender of Valparaiso (Ind.) Mennonite has accepted the invitation to serve as interim chair.
Other agenda
n Communications update. Annette Brill Bergstresser shared about the overall theme for Gospel Evangel for 2008: “God’s surprises.” She also responded to EC members’ interest in ways for Mennonites/Anabaptists to connect with each other online by sharing a Mennonite Mission Network article about resources available on the web.
n Withdrawal of Providence Mennonite. EC members read a letter from Providence saying that the congregation has applied for membership in the Conservative Mennonite Conference (CMC), and heard from Tim Lichti, conference regional minister, about the circumstances of their withdrawal from IN-MI Conference. The EC approved a recommendation from the Church Life Commission -- for action by delegates at annual sessions -- to accept with regret Providence’s withdrawal. Those present prayed for the congregation and for conference leaders who have walked with them. Delegates will receive more information in the annual report book this spring.
n Potential global connections. In response to a suggestion to initiate a relationship with the Mennonite Church in Bolivia, the EC asked the Mission Commission to explore possible avenues for such a connection -- including consulting with Mennonite Mission Network -- and to pass ideas on to the Transition Team for consideration after the new structure is implemented.
n The EC heard reports on annual sessions planning; from the ministry team; and from staff. Nancy Kauffmann will serve as the staff representative to the Constituency Leaders Council, which relates to Mennonite Church USA as a representative group serving an elder role. (Brent Eash and Justin Heinzekehr also attend these meetings on behalf of the EC.)
n IN-MI Conference Resource Advocate. Eldon Stoltzus reported on his work in this role and noted that he will attend the annual meeting of all conference resource advocates in March.
n EC
representative to Bethany Christian Schools board. Justin Heinzekehr agreed to serve in
this role.
n Next meeting. The EC will meet April 4–5, 2008.
weLink serves to connect IN-MI Conference congregations to
each other, to Amigo Centre and Bethany Christian Schools, and to the wider
church. It is published on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. weLink issues are archived
on the conference web site at: www.im.mennonite.net/News_Calendar/weLink
To subscribe to or unsubscribe from the weLink mailing list, contact the conference office: imoffice@im.mennonite.net
Editor: Annette Brill
Bergstresser, annette@im.mennonite.net
Indiana-Michigan
Mennonite Conference
Mailing address: 212 S. Main St., Goshen, IN 46526-3723
Phone: 574 534-4006; 800 288-8486
E-mail: imoffice@im.mennonite.net
Web site: www.im.mennonite.net