September 15, 2022

Upcoming Events

From the Missional Leadership Team

Blessings, salutations, and greetings in the name of our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Reflection is at the forefront of our ministry as we pursue the goal of understanding why the Almighty picked us for service.

Take a deep breath of gratitude and say thanks, as the Apostle Paul would illustrate it, for it is by grace that we are saved and not by our own works. James says that faith without works is dead and we must count it all joy when are up against diverse temptation. We must stand knowing that the trying of our faith worketh patience (James 1:3, KJV).

Look at how the Holy Spirit is at work because of our faith! Abraham believed God and it was accounted as righteousness. We, as the Body of Christ, have power and authority to overcome every obstacle that gets hurled our way. Exploit your faith with me! We’re on this conquest because of the majestic plan of God, through Jesus, and now by the Holy Spirit.

John 3:16 says for God soooo loved the world 🌎 that he gave his only begotten son, (full of grace) that whosoever would believe in him wouldn’t perish but that we would have everlasting life. Believe it or not; this is fact.

— Pastor Shawn Lange, MLT Member

Celebrating

• Journey Weekend Learning Event Sept 9-11. The weekend focused on the importance of self-awareness for church leaders. 3 people “graduated” and the group welcomed a large group of new cohort members.
• Pastor Simon and Lucy Muange will hold the first gathering of International Bethel City Church, Detroit, on Saturday afternoon September 17. We rejoice with them in their new relationship with a church only 3½ miles from their home that welcomes a space-sharing arrangement for the weekly Saturday gatherings. We invite you to join us in prayer for God’s Spirit to be poured out upon this new church plant.

Connecting

• All Teams Retreat will be held September 16-17, with Joanne Gallardo and Zenebe Abebe leading our equipping sessions. All Teams is a gathering of the leadership teams in IN-MI Mennonite Conference.
• Sharon Yoder met with interim and transitional pastors for their quarterly zoom meeting September 13.
• Sharon officiated the credentialing and installation service for Billy Funk at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship on September 11. 
• Joanne preached at College Mennonite Church on September 4.
• Joanne and moderator-elect Steve Slagel will visit congregations in northern Michigan this October.

Credentialing and Leadership Development

• Healthy Boundaries 101 will be offered jointly by IN-MI conference and MCUSA on November 7, the first day of Pastors Gathering at Amigo Centre. This will be a hybrid event led by Nancy Kauffmann and Michael Danner. Healthy Boundaries trainings are required every 3 years for leaders with active credentials. Check out additional training dates for HB 101 and 201 and register here: Healthy Boundaries Training | Mennonite Church USA (mennoniteusa.org).
• Sharon Norton’s lifetime of pastoral ministry will be honored through ordination on October 2 at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church with Sharon Yoder officiating. Sharon Norton gives leadership to Outdoor Sanctuary, Wild Church of Goshen and teaches German in Goshen Community Schools.
• LET spoke with Ingrid Friesen Moser, Wellness Coordinator for MCUSA, asking for input on pastoral wellness. LET is working out the final details for Pastors Gathering in November.

Financial Update

Five Things Friday Roundup

Conference Co-Minister Joanne Gallardo writes monthly for the Anabaptist World. Check out this month’s Five Things Friday Roundup: A potpourri of autumn

Employment Opportunities

• Mennonite Mission Network has several employment opportunities listed on their employment page.
• Mennonite Education Agency lists openings throughout Mennonite-affiliated schools on their employment page.
• Explore pastoral opportunities in Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference and beyond on MC USA’s  Pastoral Openings list.

If you would like to list an opportunity here, please contact the Conference Office.