Conference Sunday 2021 is less than a week away! We are excited to share a number of Conference Sunday Resources with you including children’s worship resources and a sermon by Dan Miller. Those who would like to participate are welcome to use as many of these as are helpful. If your congregation is participating, please let us know!

Access the resources here: https://im.mennonite.net/2021-conference-sunday/

Delegate meetings are March 6 and 20 on Zoom. We encourage you to bring a warm drink plus a snack! We look forward to seeing delegates and other interested individuals on whichever Saturday works best for you. We will worship. MLT will report learnings from last year’s demographic survey and propose next steps. Stewardship Team will bring a financial update. Register by March 5 at https://2021regionalmeetings.eventbrite.com

• the Annual Sessions 2021 theme of Becoming One, with a theme text from Ephesians 4. Planning team are Wanda Bradford (Community Christian), Jeremiah Chuiha (Emmanuel Living Christian), Muthoni [Gladys] Maina (Morningstar), Shawn Lange (New Foundation), Izaete Nafziger (North Goshen). Anna Board and Dan Miller meet with them.
• that Frances Ringenberg is available to serve as sabbatical pastor at East Goshen Mennonite Church during February, March, and April, while Naomi Yoder takes time for spiritual renewal and rest from regular ministry routines.  
• the work of Ministry Credentialing Team (MCT). MCT works with Leadership Enhancement Team to nurture a culture of growth and accountability. Specifically, MCT attends to pastoral and congregational transitions by accompanying candidates through the credentialing process and beginning years of ministry, by promoting training in healthy boundaries, and by responding to complaints of pastoral misconduct. MCT guides the process for those wishing to become member congregations of IMMC.

• Constituency Leaders Council meets March 12-13 on Zoom. Every member conference in Mennonite Church USA can send three representatives to these meetings. Dan Miller, Brenda Hostetler Meyer and Steve Slagel will represent IMMC.
• At the Journey Weekend Learning Event on January 29-31 on Zoom, Ellen Morey and. Dan Miller said goodbye with reflections on their times in Journey. Ellen is graduating this summer from Journey, and this was Dan’s last WLE as conference pastor.
• Dan attended Lombard Mennonite Peace Center’s Advanced Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process on February 1-3. This event draws people from a range of faith traditions. See the website for information about joining this clergy group and deepening your understanding of family systems theory.
• Sharon Yoder joined the quarterly Mennonite Midwest Chaplains Group meeting via zoom on January 19.

• Fourteen people attended the February 6 training session for new and continuing Congregational Coaches. Leadership Enhancement Team will check with congregations in the coming months to see if they would like to have a congregational coach.
• Leadership transition conversations increased significantly after the holidays. In January, Sharon had contacts with 9 congregations and 13 pastoral applicants.
• Waterford Mennonite Church recently launched their search for a ½-time Pastor of Senior Ministries. Becky Horst is serving as the volunteer search guide on behalf of conference.
• Ministry Credentialing Team has been reviewing documents and credentialing processes to incorporate greater awareness of intercultural competence in conversations with ministry leaders.

The income for the month of January was $3,112 less than expected and $1,924 less than expenses.  For the year to date the income was $4,832 less than expected but $6,574 more than expenses. –Jim Norton, IMMC Bookkeeper

FEBRUARY AMIGO HIGHLIGHTS

• February 20 – Shelter Building:  Learn winter survival techniques and how to make an emergency shelter.
• February 26 & 27 – Full Moon Campfire:  Options this month include a chili and cornbread supper and a night hike by moonlight (if it isn’t too cloudy). Night hikes have been a long tradition within the Outdoor / Environmental Education program and provide a unique perspective of Creation.
• February 26 & 27 Amigo Centre Chili Supper. Warm up with a quart of soup from Amigo Centre’s dining hall. Orders can be placed at www.amigocentre.org, starting Feb 10 and will go through February 24th. A vegetarian option is available too.

RETREAT TO AMIGO: If you are looking for a way to get out of the house and have a safe place to stay, consider coming to Amigo! By using the Retreat Center and West Shore Lodge we have created six small designated suites to limit contact with people outside of your group. Meals and staff led activities available, and limited access to the Activity Center. When’s the last time you just sat and listened to the birds, Sandhill cranes and geese communicating around a lake… or watched the chipmunks and squirrels play… it’s very entertaining! Bring your family and we will provide the space for you to relax and play.  Call 269-651-2811 or email us at info@amigocentre.org

Amigo Park is taking reservations for summer 2021 (mid-May to mid-October). We look forward to a more normal summer at the Park, including the availability of the bathhouse. Call or email to inquire about availability soon.  Phone: 269-651-2734 or email: amigopark@amigocentre.org

Schoolgirl Sampler Quilt Workshop…scheduled for a small group of quilters (two groups of five maximum) is scheduled for February 25-28 or March 25-28, 2021, at Amigo. Led by Janis Nelson and Marie Troyer. Register through Mandy Yoder at Mandy@amigocentre.org. Check our web site under Adult Programs, Scrapbooking retreats for more details: https://www.amigocentre.org/scrap-craft–quilt-retreat.html   There is a specific brochure for this event. Call or email with questions.

April 12, 19, 26, 2020, an online Transitional Ministry Training will be held for individuals interested in pursuing this type of ministry. Transitional ministry offers a unique gift in a congregation’s life. Whether a change in pastor comes because of conflict, retirement, shrinking numbers and weariness, or questions of congregational viability, transitional ministry walks alongside a congregation while it answers questions of mission, courage and transformation.  Visit tmt.amigocentre.org for additional information, or contact Amigo Centre at 269.651.2811 or mandy@amigocentre.org

SAVE THE DATE! 24th Annual Amigo Centre Golf Scramble will be June 5, 2021 at 8 am. Registration to come soon. If you are interested in joining and want registration information feel free to contact Amigo Centre at 269-651-2811 to have your name added to the list.

Summer 2021 Day Camp registration is open! Residential camp registration is closed until mid-March as we determine what we are able to offer this summer. Let us know if you or someone you know is interested in working as a counselor or providing leadership to our programming. Contact colton@amigocentre.org for more information.

Scrapbooking, Crafting and Sewing retreat update: we are currently only able to accommodate small groups. Instead of our normal large gatherings, the scheduled dates are limited due to providing all participants with a single room. We set groups of friends up in smaller areas to work (masks are still required inside). Dates outside our already scheduled retreats are possible!  Call for availability – 269-651-2811.

Amigo Bike Michiana scheduled for October 8-10, 2021. Our speaker will be Dr. Sibonokuhle Ncube, founding Executive Director/National Coordinator of the Brethren in Christ Compassionate and Development Services in Zimbabwe, currently studying at AMBS. In fall of 2018, Dr. Ncube was part of a Global South Voice Speaking Tour of the Great Lakes region, co-sponsored by MCC and the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions. Here’s a story about our project: https://mcc.org/stories/addressing-conflict-caused-limited-resource Visit our web site for registration and additional information.

Save the date: March 18-20, 2022 – Women and Girls’ Retreat at Amigo. Speaker: Rachel Ringenberg Miller, Pastor of Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton, Kansas. Watch for more details!

Employment Opportunities

Bethany Christian Schools is accepting applications for three positions: Art instructor, Director of enrollement and an evening custodian. More information is available here: https://www.bethanycs.net/apps/pages/employment

What if They Don’t Come Back? Pastoring Through the Pandemic

Pastors and church leaders have had unprecedented challenges during COVID-19. How do we care for each other when we can’t be together? How do we move toward each other in a time of historical division if we can’t be in proximity? How do we reach out when we really should stay home? Tensions, divisions and frustrations abound and the Pastor is at the center of it all. But what if in the midst of challenge comes the opportunity for transformative change?

Hesston College is offering an online weekend event on the topic of pastoring through the pandemic. Cost is $50 per person. More information on how to register is found here: https://www.hesston.edu/academics/departments/call-program/weekend-college/what-if-they-dont-come-back/