*Mennonite Church USA Convention News *Delegates pass resolution on
Israel-Palestine overwhelmingly
<https://themennonite.org/daily-news/delegates-pass-resolution-israel-palestine-overwhelmingly/>
For a Facebook look at the Mennonite Church USA Convention, go to your
Facebook and in the "search" window type in #MennoCon17
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*Sharing of Joys and Concerns from Sunday, July 2, 2017*
- Marcia & Craig - had a good trip to AR/IA/IN, saw family and friends,
including Aaron & Karen in their new home in Goshen.
- Gloria and family - heading to Portland, OR soon.
- Josh - traveling with Aidan, Jayden, Adriel, & Nathan to Orlando, FL
for Mennonite Youth Convention, prayers for safe travels and an meaningful
experience for the youth.
- Walter and family - traveling to the Texas Coast next weekend for some
camping.
- Bob Koehn - happy to have his Kansas family in town, including two
nieces and their husbands, celebrating his 85th birthday! (We sang happy
birthday to Bob and since some folks claimed said it was Bob Knipe's
birthday as well we sang happy birthday again at the fellowship meal and
included both Bobs.)
- Sam & Rebecca - Rebecca is dealing with a cancer diagnosis and is
exploring treatment options.
- Lee & Terri - Terri is having some more pain, but increased medication
seems to be helping; Terri is knitting baby blankets and spending time
keeping up with family and friends, prayers for Terri and Lee and their
family on the journey.
- Rudy - Michelle is starting community theater next week and will be
auditioning for a part in *The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe*, prayers
for Michelle and for Rudy's family.
- Peggy - needs to have sinus surgery but that requires a successful CAT
scan, so prayers to complete the CAT scan on Monday morning.
- Dama - her sister Gloria, in Orlando, FL, has been gaining weight and
getting better, and her sister in Mexico who has cancer has been improving
too, prayers of gratitude for healing.
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Calendar
Jul 7, FRI, 6pm – Small group serves the homeless at the Front Steps, 500
East 7th St. The team so far includes Ellie, Janice and Steve. *A couple
more volunteers would be good.*
Jul 8, SAT, 9am - Volunteers needed at the Community Garden behind the
church for the final push to spruce things up for Brisa and Omar’s wedding.
*Jul 9, SUN Schedule*:
9:30-10:30am – Sunday School for all ages.
-
v Preschool thru K and older youth are learning the Old Testament story
of Esther.
-
*Adult Sunday School Class *will look at the presence and role of the
refugee in the biblical narrative and what that means for today’s Church.
In addition, the work of the *Multicultural Refugee Coalition* (MRC)
will be featured as an example of the call to assist the sojourner.
Besides maintaining a monthly drop in community center, the MRC creates
livelihood opportunities for refugees through three primary programs:
1.
Open Arms, which manufactures sustainable apparel and sewn goods while
empowering refugee women through fair-wage employment.
2.
The New Leaf Refugee Agriculture Program offers refugees from
traditional farming cultures the chance to "get their hands back in the
dirt" and cultivate a piece of land in their new community. New Leaf
participants are growing fresh, healthy food for their families, saving
money, exercising and connecting with others.
3.
Interpreter Training, equipping refugees for employment throughout the
city as interpreters.
10:30am –Snacks, coffee, tea.
11:00am – Worship with James Puglisi preaching on - Border Crossing: Is
there ever an abiding home for the Christian Sojourner? How should the
Christian, or any person of faith, respond to the growing divides in our
world? What role does the migrant, the refugee, and the displaced play in
our understanding of our global world as we navigate being Christian and
being a citizen?
1-2:30pm – Contemplative Prayer Group meets (location via email).
Jul 10, MON, 6:30pm – Deacons meet at the church.
Jul 14-15 – Brisa and Omar wedding. The ceremony is actually Saturday
morning, July 15, 9am, in the community garden behind the church. The
congregation is invited.
Jul 16, SUN – Report on the Mennonite Church USA Convention (Youth and
Sponsors). Young Adult lunch.
Jul 20, THU, 6:30pm – Women’s Group (location via email).
Jul 23, SUN – Sunday school, worship, Fellowship Committee meeting,
Jul 24, MON, 7pm – North Small Group meets.
Jun 30, SUN – Sunday school, worship, Men’s Group.
*Lee Lever, Pastor*
*Austin Mennonite Church*
AustinMennonite.org
