This Week
MYF Mowing Lauren Hooley
Thursday Ladies ' Lunch Bunch, 11:30 a.m. at Sue Byler's . (See the announcement below.)
Saturday Men's Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. at Old Mill Inn

It's back!! Our World (courtesy of Ron Good )
This week's question:
        I am a chain of 300 small volcanic islands nearly 1200 miles long and covering 6820 square miles. My largest city is Unalaska where it rains 250 days a year. Our population is about 8200 and my native people refer to themselves as Unangan. Our native language is of the Eskimo language family. Many anthropologists believe I was a route of the first humans to the Americas. Today my economy is primarily based on fishing and to a lesser extent the U.S. Military. My only crop is the potato. Chickens are raised in barns under protection from the cold. Sheep and llamas were raised but have nearly disappeared with the advent of synthetic fibers and lower values for wool. The growing season is a short 135 days. Because of cold weather and high winds few trees grow over 10 feet tall. Instead of trees, the islands are covered with luxuriant growths of grasses, sedges, and many flowering plants. Before 1867 I was known as the Catherine Archipelago while being owned by Russia. In th o se earlier years , sea otters were hunted for their furry pelts. The climate of the islands is oceanic, with moderate and fairly uniform temperatures and heavy rainfall. Fog is almost a constant. The first Christian missionaries were Russian Orthodox monks and priests. Two of these became known in the Orthodox Church as Saint Herman and Saint Innocent. I am the western most part of the USA. In 1924 the U.S. Congress extended American citizenship to all n atives. A hospital was built in Unalaska in 1933 by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Who am I?
        (The answer is hidden somewhere in this week's newsletter.)

From the Mission Commission
         Do you have a vision that you wish the Mission Commission would consider as it plans for our new church year, and beyond? And do you have a talent or gift you believe would help make that vision possible? You may share the two with the Mission Commission in a brief printed or handwritten statement. Please limit it to a half sheet of paper (5½ '' x 8½ '' ). Include your name, and give it to Richard Miller by noon on Monday, September 7.

         Charity Grimes arrives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania today, to begin her one - year assignment with Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE). Last Sunday, Charity announced her departure and asked for our prayers. Mission Commission invites you to be a member of Charity's Mission Support Team. To volunteer, please complete a Commitment Form which is available on the literature rack, and place the top portion in the Mission Commission mailbox. Keep the bottom part as a prayer reminder. Toget more information about PULSE, s ee mennocorps.org .

Berkey Avenue Announcements
         The PCRC recommended at the August 16 congregational meeting that the congregation affirm Lois Mast as our Youth Coordinator. They are also recommending that the congregation affirm Lois to the Indiana-Michigan Conference to be `` l icensed for spec ific ministry'' for this role . T he congregation will vote on the s e recommendation s today , August 30, during our worship service.

         Today , August 30, when we focus on ``tilling and keeping,'' we will broaden our offering to include garden produce, flowers or anything else that you would like to share with the community. Bring your offering to worship and together we'll make a glorious, colorful heap. After the service, anyone who can use the offering will be welcome to browse.

         As approved during the congregational meeting on July 26, the Elders, Stewardship and Finance Commission, and Christian Education Commission request that Berkey Avenue households make pledges of financial support for the BCS Tuition Support Plan.
         The purpose of asking for these BCS Tuition Plan pledges is to assess our c ongregation's ability to participate in the full-tuition level funding plan for coming years. We ask that you prayerfully and mindfully consider how much you will be able to give towards the plan. One clarification : As you're making your pledges, please report the total that you expect to give for the entire year, including anything you've already given. Pledges are due either in the offering or to Jim Alvarez, Beth Berry, or Darin Short today. Thanks much!

         On Thursday, Sept ember 3, at 11:30 a.m. , the Ladies ' Lunch Bunch group is invited to Sue Byler ' s home. Please RSVP so adequ ateplans can be made.
        
         You will find the September calendar in your mailboxes this week. If the date of your birthday or anniversary is incorrect or was missed, please contact the office.

         One of our s mall group s would like to borrow six books for a study, The Power of Enough by Lynn Miller. If you have a copy to share contact Bob or Lorraine Pflederer.

         Saturday, September 5 is the monthly toxic waste collection date. Our battery bucket is full. If you are making a trip to Elkhart that day and would be willing to take the battery bucket, let Jennifer Schrock know. Borden receives waste at 610 N. Wildwood Ave., 8 :00 a.m. 3 :00 p.m.

         WANTED/WANTED/WANTED (for the Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale, Sept ember 25 and 26) :
1.                Your Spare Change for Penny Power Jug
2.                Gently used or new children's toys for the
Children's Auction
3.       Baked Goods T hese sell out rapidly and
therefore we need more . (S ee Diane Beam for
information and containers . )
4.       Quilts for the auction
5.       Antiques for the Antique Auction
6.       Garage Sale items
7.       New & Used items - f urniture, gift certificates , etc.
8.       Hungry Stomachs to buy lots of food, especially CHEESE!
For more information, see /www.mennonitesale.org""> or a cheese booth committee member: Jim Alvarez, Diane Beam, Jeff Bauman, Phil Bauman, Joan Troyer

                To Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ at Berkey Avenue Mennonite: ``Too much time has already gone by, but still we'd like to extend our thanks for your generosity and hospitality in allowing East Goshen to continue hosting IHN, but to do so using your facility while our building was under construction. Your example of working together, sharing all things and being part of a body bigger than ourselves was appreciated. We would be happy to extend our help to you as well if you ever need us! Thank you!'' The GIHN steering committee for East Goshen Mennonite

        Thank you! Destiny Peshina-Higdon, her family, and Pleasant View Mennonite Church wish to thank Berkey Avenue for generous participation in the Help for Destiny hog roast fund-raising event. The sacrificial support of the community helped to raise over $5,500 in donations. Prayers and help with ongoing medical costs are still needed. If interested, please make donations to Destiny's Fund, payable to Pleasant View Mennonite Church. Contact Gwen Blea with questions at 534-5408 or .

        Health care access conference calls: Join a one-hour conference call with Mennonite experts giving a Christian viewpoint of the United Stated health care access debate. You might get a group together so you can first listen and then discuss further after the call. You may send questions by email to . Questions must be received by September 1. After the call, you may send comments to . More details and visuals will be available on /www.MennoniteUSA.org/nationalhealthcare""> by September 1. A flier is posted on the bulletin board with more information, including the call-in number and access code.
        Conference call times are: September 3, Thursday, 10:00 p.m. Eastern and September 8, Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
        There is space for 1,000 attendees. You are responsible for any applicable long distance charges the may apply to your phone line. The conference call costs nothing extra.

Our Schools
                Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College hosts its annual Autumn Hope Conference, ``At Home with God's Wild Side: Finding Our Place in Nature,'' September 18-20. How does our faith shape our relationship with the natural world? David Miller, chair of Goshen College's biology department, and Luke Gascho, Merry Lea's executive director, will lead the event. For more information, visit /www.goshen.edu/merrylea"">or call (260) 799-5869.

Community Announcements
        ``From MEDA to the Gates Foundation,'' Thursday,September 10, 6:30 p.m. at Bread and Chocolate (1401 Lincolnway East, Goshen):
Come for dinner and a program by Joyce Lehman, Program Officer for Microfinance at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Joyce will share some of her work experiences at both MEDA and the Gates Foundation and will explain current micro-finance projects that the Gates Foundation is currently working on. RSVP by Friday, September 4 by calling 87-RSVP-MEDA(877-787-6332), by emailing or by going to /www.michianameda.org/"">. Meal and program costs are $15 for members, $20 for non-members, and $5 for students. Please indicate any special dietary needs with your reservation. (Aleutian Islands)

        Singing men! Relief Sale Chorus rehearsals are set for 4:00-5:30 p.m. on the Sundays of August 30 and September 6, 13, 20 and on Thursday, September 24 at North Goshen Mennonite Church. Mark these dates on your calendar. If you have any questions, contact Darrel Hostetler, 537-4850 or Matt Tschetter, 295-4349.

        Senior Tuesday Luncheon and Program at Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, Tuesday, September 15, 12:00 noon, in the Fellowship Hall: Cost is $5 per person to be paid at the door. Galen Johns will provide the program and will depict the story of Job. Lunch includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert and drink. For reservations call the church office, 862-2595 or Esther Martin, 533-7460 by Monday, September 7.

        The Elkhart County chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness's Family to Family Education Program is a series of 11 weekly classes structured to help caregivers understand and support individuals with a serious mental illness while maintaining their own well-being. Classes will be held on Mondays, beginning September 14, 6:00-8:30 p.m., at Oaklawn, 2600 Oakland Avenue, Elkhart. There is no cost for the program; however, registration is required. For more information or to register, call Gwen Preheim-Bartel at 533-1234, ext. 330, or Jeannie Stuckey at 266-0581.

        The ASSETS program of Elkhart County will begin its 2009 sessions on September 17. The ASSETS program provides help for entrepreneurs who anticipate beginning their own businesses. See the poster on the bulletin board for more information.

                        The International Day of Prayer for Peace arose in 2004 from a meeting between World Council of Churches secretary, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia and the United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan. It is celebrated on September 21 or the closest Sunday.
On September 21, Goshen City Church of the Brethren plus many area individuals and congregations will gather in our Fellowship Hall for worship. The time around tables includes group worship, hearing how 3 different individuals are affected by the current economy, conversation and prayer. Reserve 7 p.m. on Monday, September 21 to Pray for Peace in the midst of our local economy.

       Emerge Women's Outreach, a ministry of Church Without Walls in Elkhart, is in need of cleaning supplies. A list of what they need is posted on the bulletin board.

        Researcher seeks stories about Goshen-area Mennonites: Janis Thiessen, a researcher from the University of Winnipeg, is collecting stories about Mennonites in and around Goshen, their involvement in and attitudes toward work and religion. Specifically, she is interested in the role of Anabaptist values and the actions and beliefs of the Christian in the workplace: duties, responsibilities, and opportunities. She hopes to interview business owners and managers, pastors, academics, and workers and/or their children and grandchildren. Interested individuals should contact her: Janis Thiessen, Department of History, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3B 2E9; 204 282-0785; or .

Our Church
Office Hours:   Tuesday - Friday
                8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
                12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.
Statistical Report for August 23, 2009
        Attendance: 205
        
Today, August 30, 2009
        Greeters:       Jud and Rita Gingrich
        Bulletins:      Ruth Hathaway
        Nursery:        Sherry and Lyman Hug
        Offering Counters:      Shawna Born             
                        Diane Nafziger
        Audio/Visual: Michael Sherer
Next Sunday, September 6, 2009
        Greeters:       David and Gail Heusinkveld      
        Bulletins:      Molly Heusinkveld
        Nursery:        Priscillah and Elijah Metekai
        Offering Counters:      Eleanor Nafziger
                        Greg Smucker
        Audio/Visual: Phil Bauman
___________________________________________
Pastors: Anita Kehr, Dan Schrock
Youth Coordinators: Lois Mast
Elders: Beth Berry, Evan Bontrager, David Heusinkveld, Dan Nafziger, Trish Shenk, and Renae Yoder