Good morning to you all!
It's with a good deal of heaviness that I've followed news these past days
both of the police shooting of Jayland Walker in Akron, Ohio (he was shot
60 times), and the mass shooting in Highland Park yesterday at a 4th of
July parade (6 people dead and many, many more injured - I've learned now
that there were 5 others mass shootings just yesterday in Massachusetts,
California, Missouri, Virginia, and Chicago). In both stories, police
stopped the men in their cars and a chase happened. In one instance, the
man was shot 60 times; in the other, the man (who also fled the scene and
was or had been clearly armed, having killed 6 and injured dozens), was
apprehended "without incident." It's impossible to look at these two
situations and not see how race is involved - a black man pulled over for a
traffic violation shot by police officers; a white man who had shot others,
apprehended peacefully.
At the Mennonite Church USA Special Delegate Session in May, one of the
resolutions that was accepted was one about the criminal justice system and
our call as the church to respond to injustices there. I encourage you to
read the resolution and we can think/talk more as a congregation about how
to get involved:
https://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/MC-USA-For-Justice-Resolution-FINAL.pdf
*Scripture for Sunday: *1 Samuel 1:4-22
*Recording of Last Sunday's Worship:*
Meeting Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/udtFwtcCnE2D7TwXGlISiRVYcSy-sbhbsG03TK9G2v7aVzUEkjA2_Wadbeonpn9I.zi5chTwyG5oP56OR
Access Passcode: p^Z*3.Eo
*This Week at AMC (with zoom links):*
Tues @ 6:30 pm - Deacons/Moderator/Treasurer/Pastor meet -
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87908621204
Sun @ 9:30 am - Sunday School for all ages
Sun @ 11:00 am - Worship - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88586969295
*Announcements:*
Reminder to *women at AMC* - at our July 21st gathering, we'll be
discussing the book, "The Girl with the Louding Voice" by Abi Dare. Reading
the book is not required for attending Women's Group, but it will shape at
least some of our conversation.
We continue to gather nonperishable food items for the children's *Food
Drive* at AMC. All donations will go to help people at Community First!
Village.
*Joys and Concerns *from Sunday are attached.
Through an incredible outpouring of support by people like you, Mennonite
Central Committee has raised *US$8.8 million* to respond to the needs of
the people of Ukraine. Your donations have empowered MCC's local partners
to provide life saving emergency support since day one of this conflict.
You've provided shelter for people fleeing for safety, brought food to sick
and elderly people who cannot leave their homes and fueled vehicles
ferrying vulnerable people to safety.
This month's* iACT's Passport Program* will visit the ISKCON Hare Krishna
Community on July 10. This the first time visiting this community - so our
curiosity is peaked to learn more about this faith. Please register at the
following link to come along with us to experience this service:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8GlsHDrR2LnrYA1ZDjlFb0zpZJHWMPqy_Hs-6o0If3Xylxg/viewform
*Looking Ahead:*
*July 17, Sun after worship* - Farewell for Janice & Steve
July 18-26 - Rachel on vacation
July 21, Thurs @ 7:00 pm - Women’s Group (zoom)
July 29-31 - Western District Conference Annual Assembly (Rachel attending
as AMC delegate)
July 31, Sun @ 11:00 am - Music Sunday
Aug 2, Tues @ 8:00 pm - Education Committee meeting (zoom)
Aug 7, Sun after worship - Potluck lunch
Aug 14, Sun - Back to School Sunday
Blessings in your week!
Rachel
