Newsletter:  May 13, 2012

Today

Baptism Exploration Class, 3 p.m.

This Week

Monday – Christian Education Commission, 7:30 p.m.

Monday – Spiritual Leadership Team, 7 p.m.

Wednesday – MYF 7 p.m.

Thursday – Mission Commission, 7 p.m.

Upcoming Worship Services

•    May 20:  Baptisms at Martin’s Pond
•    May 27:  "We Don't Know How to Pray" (Romans 8:22-27), Pentecost
•    June 3:  "A Burned Mouth" (Isaiah 6:1-8)

Our World (courtesy of Ron Good)

         I received my independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. I have been known as the “Land of the Eagles”. Today I am a parliamentary democracy where the Lek is used as currency. I am divided into 12 administrative counties. My capital is called Tirana with 800,000 inhabitants. I joined NATO in 2009. Some of my work force has migrated to Europe and North America. However, the migration flux has slowly decreased as more opportunities have opened at home. My military has shrunk to 14,500 active troops with a small fleet of aircraft and sea vessels. I have a 300 mile coast line along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.  Nearly 70% of the country is mountainous with the highest peak being Korab at 9,032 feet above sea level. My climate is Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and warm, sunny and rather dry summers.  Ohrid Lake is shared with my neighbor that has depths up to 900 feet and a variety of unique flora and fauna. This lake is under the protection of UNESCO. In 2009 four small glaciers were discovered in the northern part of the country at a relatively low altitude of about 6,000 feet above sea level. Over one third of my territory is forested including oaks, black pines, beech, and fir.  Mammals such as the lynx, wolves, bears, wild boars, and chamois are at home in these forests.  The Golden Eagle is my national symbol. My economy is growing. Agriculture is my most significant sector, employing 58% of the work force. I produce wheat, corn, tobacco, figs, and olives. Tourism is gaining momentum with more visitors each year. I have 3 main four lane highways. Two additional highways will be built in the near future. I have one international airport that serves over a million passengers per year.  Railways carry a significant number of passengers and a sizeable amount of freight. My population is just over 3 million and my people are a largely ethnically homogeneous group with only a few minorities. The largest minority group is Greek at somewhere between 100,000 and 300,000. The official language bears my country name with two dialects, Gheg and Tosk. The Shkumbin River is the dividing line between the two dialects. The CIA World Fact book states that 70% are Muslim’s, 20% Orthodox Christian, and 10% Roman Catholics. However, one report states that religion plays a part in only 39% of my people’s lives. My folk music in the north has a “rugged and heroic” tone whereas the south is “relaxed”. These disparate styles are unified by the intensity that both performers and listeners give to their music as a medium for patriotic expression and a vehicle of oral history. Lullabies and vajtims are important kinds of folk song which are generally performed by solo women. The literacy rate is high for both men and women at nearly 99%. Soccer is the most popular sport both at the spectator and participatory levels. Other sports like basketball, volleyball, rugby, and gymnastics are also played and enjoyed. Our main meal is at midday. The main dish is of meat and vegetables. This is accompanied by a salad of fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, olives with olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Who am I?

(The answer is hidden somewhere in this week’s newsletter.)

Berkey Avenue Announcements

        Wedding Shower, May 13:  You are invited to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Hannah Roth and Jacob Geyer with a card/money shower today, May 13, between worship and nurture hour. Refreshments will be provided. Come and greet Hannah and Jake as they prepare for their July 29 wedding.

         Baptism Breakfast, May 20:  Join us at 9 a.m. for breakfast in the fellowship hall before heading to the pond for the baptism service. We will be serving breakfast casseroles, fresh fruit, and assorted beverages. If you would like to provide a breakfast casserole or fruit plate, contact Sue Byler (). Your contribution is much appreciated!

       High School Graduation Tea, May 27:  Join us for refreshments between worship and nurture hour in honor of our high school graduates.  Sunday school teachers may come to the kitchen to receive trays of cake and punch for their classes.  – The Fellowship Commission     

        Come celebrate the beginning of summer by eating dinner at an Amish home on Thursday, June 21. Cost is $15 per person including tip. Contact Lowell or Diane Nafziger for reservations. Limited to the first 60 people.

      The Mission Commission will be collecting relief kits, as well as the individual items that go in them, from now until June 3. Cash donations will also be appreciated to fill in for items needed to complete the kits. The laundry soap bars (Fels Naptha, Sunlight or Zote brands) should be available at Ace Hardware or Meijer. MCC also prefers the larger BATH SOAP size as opposed to the smaller ones available at dollar stores. If you have any questions, go to mcc.org/kits/relief or see Lori Good or Nancy Yoder from the Mission Commission. Thank you for your help in restocking these MCC supplies. Please note:  1 package of sanitary pads (18-24 thin maxi) should be added to the list of items. They are shown in the picture but got cut off when the list was printed.

        Beginning in May we will have a special Inter-generational Summer Sunday School program. The following are the summer classes. Look on the bulletin board by the mailboxes for more information. If you have any questions, ask someone from the Education Commission (Lois Mast, Evie Nafziger, Merrill Krabill, Eric Hostetler, Ruth Roth)

1.  Discovering God Through Play (international cooperative games)

Team Coordinator – James Yoder

Team Leaders – Trish Yoder, Doug Baker, Eric Hostetler, Jonathan Neufeld, Terri Neufeld, Abe Thorne, Evan Grimes, Andrew Snyder, Jacob Rudy-Froese, Peter Schrock, Lucas Nafziger, Dave Krabill, John Mast, Daniel Mast

2.  Discovering God Through Music (informal playing and singing a wide range of music)

Team Coordinator – Marilyn Rudy Froese

Team Leaders –Terri Brenneman, Quinn Brenneman, Andy Martin, Lois Mast, Lane Miller, Morgan Short, Patsy  Sherer, Deb Williams, Miriam Augsburger, Ben Rudy Froese, Anna Nafziger, Cindy Warner Baker, Deb Brubaker

3.  Discovering God Through Art (hands-on art projects)

Team Coordinator – Randy Horst

Team Leaders – Anne Berry, Beth Berry, Laura Horst, Roxanna Sommers, Merrill Krabill, Dee Albrecht, Ruth Roth, Lana Smucker, Ben Mast, Tavi Mounsithiraj

        We are seeking Stephen Ministers who will get training to walk with persons in the congregation and community during difficult times. Training will begin August 29 and conclude mid January.  

        If you are a good listener, someone others are comfortable talking with, accepting, and trustworthy, consider applying for this meaningful ministry. Training will add to your skills. Also if there is someone in the congregation you think would be a good Stephen Minister, let them know.

        Stephen Minister application forms are on the literature rack, or you can ask us to e-mail one to you. Completed application forms may be placed in the Stephen Ministry church mailbox or e-mailed back to us. We would like the applications by May 13.  

We welcome continued prayers for the launching of this ministry - for those who will be Stephen Ministers and for the care receivers.

Your Stephen Ministry Leaders,

Shirley 238-5842  

Marilyn 971-5150  

  The nominees for the 2012-2013 church year that will be affirmed on June 3 are as follows:

Spiritual Leadership Team/Elders (3-year term)

        Roy Bergey

        Jan Shetler

Congregational Chair (an elder, 1-year term)

        Greg Smucker

Congregational Secretary (1-year term)

        Steve Garboden

Caregiving Commission/Deacons (3-year term)

        Richard Miller

Christian Education Commission (3-year term)

        Allan Rudy-Froese

        Deb Williams

Fellowship Commission (3-year term)

        Ruth Hathaway

        Marcia Weaver

        Matthew Williams

        Julie Zimmerman

Mission Commission (3-year term)

        Clare Krabill

        Curt Wenger (2 years)

Stewardship and Finance Commission (3-year term)

        Phil Miller

Worship Commission (3-year term)

        Anne Berry

        Deb Brubaker

        Michael Sherer

IN-MI Conference Delegates (1-year term)

        Roy Bergey

        Dick Yoder

Mennonite USA Delegate to Phoenix 2013 (1-year term)

        Daniel Grimes

Our Schools

        Bethany Christian Middle School will present its spring concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, in the school chapel. There is no admission charge and all are welcome to attend. (Albania)

         Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary extends an invitation to the 2012 commencement service, May 26, beginning at 2:30 p.m. at College Mennonite Church, 1900 South Main Street, Goshen. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, president of the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education in Chicago, will bring the address.

         Host Families Needed: Bethany Christian Schools needs host families for international students who would like to attend Bethany. This opportunity for cross cultural experience in your own home often becomes a rewarding experience for the host family as well as a blessing to the student. Families receive compensation. To inquire contact Denise Reesor (849 4471 or  ) or Rachel Roth Sawatzky ( or 534-2567)

Community Announcements

        GOLFERS:  Play a round of golf June 2 on the beautiful Island Hills Golf Course (Centreville, MI) and help send a child to camp! The Amigo Centre Camp Scholarship Golf Scramble helps provide funding for 90 children who would have no opportunity to come to camp without your help.  Put a team together and enjoy a morning with friends and others interested in helping children.  Registration forms are available on Amigo's website:  amigocentre.org

Office Hours:

Monday

8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday - Friday

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.

Statistical Report for May 1, 2012

Attendance:  175

Today, May 13, 2012

Greeters:  Dave and Bev Krabill

               Robert and Lorraine Pflederer

Bulletins:  Ruth Hathaway 

Nursery:  Anita and Dale Snyder

Offering Counters:  Ron Good

                            Rick Hostetter

Audio/Visual:  Ben Buckwalter

Next Sunday, May 20, 2012

Greeters:  Dave and Bev Krabill

              Robert and Lorraine Pflederer

Bulletins:  Ruth Hathaway

Nursery:  Sherry and Curt Wenger

Offering Counters:  Lowell Nafziger

                            Denise Risser

Audio/Visual:  Ben Buckwalter