All-Teams Retreat | Fri, Sept 12th – Sat, Sept 13th | College Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN
Friday evening from 6 to 9 pm; Saturday morning from 8:30 am to noon
An opportunity for new and returning team members to have cross-team conversations, plan for the year, and reflect together on the call of our theme verse, Amos 5:24: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Pastor Gathering | Mon, Nov 17th – Wed, Nov 19th | Amigo Centre, Sturgis, MI
A time of retreat, fellowship, and equipping for pastors in IMMC
Gospel Evangel
The Summer edition of Gospel Evangel will soon hit your inboxes and mailboxes. You can also find the most recent editions here:
* “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24, CEB). The Conference staff and board are beginning to imagine how this new theme verse will guide our ministry in the coming year. God’s justice will come! How will we watch and join God’s justice work?
* With deep gratitude, we celebrate the service of those who recently concluded ministry on IMMC leadership teams: Naomi Yoder-Hess (Secretary, IMMC board); Duane Yoder (Treasurer, IMMC board and Stewardship Team); Jeff Miller (Stewardship Team); Kelly Carson and Ruben Chupp (Ministry Credentialing Team); Kent Miller (Leadership Enhancement Team); Rod Maust and Sharon Norton (Gifts Development Team).
* LightHouse Fellowship Church is the new name for Grand Marais Mennonite Church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Pastor Phil Bontrager has been leading the congregation in identifying their values, vision, and purpose as a congregation. Nearly two years ago, they began prayerful discernment about what their names says about who they are in a tourist town. This new name emerged as a meaningful expression of their identity.
* The IMMC board, our missional leadership team, met for our annual retreat August 15-16 at Augustine Center in Petosky, MI. This time of gathering in-person to vision and plan for the year helped build relationships that will be foundational for our zoom meetings in the coming year.
Board (MLT) members and staff at the retreat
* Becky Helmuth, conference moderator, and Sharon Yoder, conference co-minister, traveled north from the board retreat to worship with Wildwood Mennonite Church, Engadine, Michigan, on August 17. Sharon led the service and preached; Becky, pastor at North Goshen Mennonite, had the opportunity to discuss how the sister relationship between Wildwood and North Goshen might develop.
* Leaders from Maple River and Wildwood congregations gathered for lunch with Sharon and Becky in St. Ignace, Michigan, on August 17.
* Chaplains credentialed by IMMC gathered for their quarterly meeting on August 19, hosted by Joanne Gallardo, conference co-minister.
* Pastor Gathering in November: Leadership Enhancement Team (LET) is organizing this year’s Pastor Gathering around the theme of “Gifts to the Pastor.” Along with time for fellowship and restfulness, there will be guided discussion on what kinds of support our pastors need in the areas of encouragement, growth and development, and accountability.
* Monica Miller will begin August 26 as interim pastor at Kalamazoo Mennonite Fellowship. East Goshen Mennonite Church recently announced Kyle Slabaugh as their candidate of choice to join Naomi Yoder-Hess on their pastoral team. Kyle will have a candidating weekend at East Goshen in September. We invite your prayers for God’s Spirit to lead in these transitions.
Amigo Bike Michiana | September 12-14. Join bikers of all ages and abilities for a weekend of biking through the beautiful lake and farmland of southern Michigan and northern Indiana. Choose shorter routes and enjoy afternoons of family-oriented activities at main camp, or choose longer routes while children are cared for by Amigo staff. Find more information at AmigoCentre.org/bike. Register by August 29.
Amigo Park Carry-in and Auction | August 30. Celebrate the community and rich history of tent & RV camping at Amigo Park! Bring a dish to share and place your bid on baked goods, quilts, home decor, and other auction items! Proceeds from this year’s auction go toward the insurance and renovation costs for the Park Managers’ house, which was badly damaged by a house fire earlier this year. The meal starts at 4:30 pm, with the auction to follow.
Amigo Scrapbooking, Quilting, and Crafting Retreat | September 26-28. Treat yourself to a weekend of intentional time spent on creative projects, and let Amigo take care of the finer details! Extend the weekend; arrive early and stay late. Register by September 12 at bit.ly/AmigoRegistration.
