Our mission: "To be the body of Christ in our community,
sharing God's love and living the example of Jesus."

 

Vision Statement

Information for the Congregation for Sunday, January 29, 2012

Posted January 27th, 2012

Congratulations to Wesley and Verda DeCoursey who will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, February 14. On Sunday, February 12, from 3 -5 p.m., the church family is invited to celebrate with them at a reception in The Cedars Wellness Center. No gifts, please.

 February Newsletter – Printed copies are available today. Check for e-mail updates on www.macbrethren.org. Stay up-to-date with church news by signing up for e-mail alerts on our church web site. Visit www.macbrethren.org and enter your e-mail address in the left column of the screen under “Subscribe to E-mail Updates” and follow the instructions in the confirmation e-mail.

All-Church Fun Night At the “Y” is planned for 5:30-7:30 p.m. today. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the gyms, pool, and youth center. Bring your family, friends, swimsuit, and a snack to share for this time of fellowship and fitness on a winter evening.

“How can the Church of the Brethren Western Plains District choose where to gather for business sessions and other purposes?” An opportunity to offer ideas and concerns is planned for 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday, February 4 (lunch provided), at the Lowell and Barbara Flory home. For information and reservations (due Monday, January 30), contact the district office (620-241-4240 or wpdcb@sbcglobal.net).

Alexander Mack Men’s Fellowship will meet for dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, in the Church Social Room. For the program, Lois Grove, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) employee, will tell about the agency’s work. Involvement with FEMA has taken her to disasters including KATRINA and the Joplin and Greensburg tornados. She has experienced working alongside Red Cross, Mennonite and Church of the Brethren disaster programs. Allan Ayella will be contacting those with email and Art Snell will be making phone contacts. You may also reserve your place by emailing Allan (ayellaa@mcpherson.edu) or by calling Art (241-2427). Reservation deadline: Sunday, February 12.

Worship Team is looking for volunteers to fill the roles of Children’s Story Coordinator and Acolyte Coordinator. If interested, please contact a team member: Doris Coppock, Ellen Gilbert, Shane Kirchner, Brenda Rothrock, or Rick Tyler.

From Offender/Victim Ministries, Inc:  All men who enjoy singing and wish to interact with inmates at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility, are invited to join a volunteer choir and sing with men who are in prison. Rehearsals are planned for Tuesday evenings, February 21-April 22. For registration/information (required by February 1), contact Nathan Koontz (316-215-1758 or nathan.ovm@sbcglobal.net).

Watch for future information and registration inserts concerning the 2012 Annual Women’s Fellowship sponsored Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner event. It’s a great time for meeting with unknown church members, sharing food and fellowship, in a casual setting. Dates: Thursday, March 1 through Sunday, March 4. Mark your calendars and plan to participate. Questions, contact Judy Stockstill (241-2978 or judy.r.stockstill@gmail.com).

Western Plains District Women’s Retreat is planned for Friday – Sunday, April 20 – 22, in Allenspark, Colorado. “Untangling the Threads of Our Lives” will be presented by Connie Shelley. She currently serves as Coordinator for the Spiritual Direction Program at the Denver Women’s Prison Complex. Registration forms are available in the Church Gathering Space and on the literature stand in the Education Building. For group transportation, scholarship assistance, or questions, contact Carolyn Weddle (620-241-8327) by Friday, March 16.

The Cedars is looking for someone who is interested in leading a weekly Bible Study for the residents. If you are available and wish to help, contact Florence Crago (241-4386).

Church Office Hours

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1–5 p.m.

Thank You Notes

Posted January 23rd, 2012

Members of the McPherson Church of the Brethren:

Thank you so much for the wonderful baby shower that you had for us recently. We sincerely appreciate your caring and generosity as we welcome Brielle into our family. Thanks again! – Jonathan, Jaymie and Bri Rothrock

The family of Weldon G. Howell acknowledges with deep appreciation your kind expression of sympathy. Many thanks for your memorial contribution for Weldon. Special thanks to Chris and all the participants.

The church office has received thank you letters from the following for contributions to their programs and ministries:

      •McPherson County Food Bank

      •Mt. Hope Sanctuary, Inc.

Information for the Congregation for Sunday, January 22, 2012

Posted January 20th, 2012

February Newsletter:  available today in the Church Gathering Space, Good Shepherd Foyer, Church Social Room

Congratulations to Marge Stauffer who is celebrating her 90th birthday today.

We will be hosting the STEPMC Soup Supper Fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. today, in the Church Social Room. Plan to attend this free-will donation event and to learn about volunteering your help. For questions, contact Kristen Reynolds (620-241-5037). For additional information about STEPMC, go to stepmcks.org.

The Annual Meeting for Church Women United will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 27, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Everyone is welcome.

All-Church Fun Night At the “Y” is planned for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 29. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the gyms, pool, and youth center. Bring your family, friends, swimsuit, and a snack to share for this time of fellowship and fitness on a (potentially) cold winter’s evening.

“How can the Church of the Brethren Western Plains District choose where to gather for business sessions and for the purposes of worship, education and fellowship that is fair, practical, and convenient for planners, district participants, and reflect on a wise use of resources?” An opportunity for offering thoughts, ideas, and concerns is planned for 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 4 (lunch provided), at the home of Lowell and Barbara Flory. For additional information and reservations, due by Monday, January 30, contact the district office (620-241-4240 or wpdcb@sbcglobal.net).

On Sunday afternoon, February 19, individuals and musical groups from the McPherson area and churches are invited to present musical selections at the McPherson Community Building. If interested in participating, contact Carolyn Moore (242-3351). Information about the April 28 Numana food packaging event in McPherson will also be presented.

From Offender/Victim Ministries, Inc: All men who enjoy singing and wish to interact with inmates at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility, are invited to join a volunteer choir and sing with men who are in prison. Rehearsals are planned for Tuesday evenings, February 21-April 22. For registration/information (required by February 1), contact Nathan Koontz (316-215-1758 or nathan.ovm@sbcglobal.net).

Watch for future information and registration inserts concerning the 2012 Annual Women’s Fellowship sponsored Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner event. It’s great time for meeting with unknown church members, sharing food and fellowship, in a casual setting. Dates: Thursday, March 1 through Sunday, March 4. Mark your calendars and plan to participate. Questions, contact Judy Stockstill (241-2978 or judy.r.stockstill@gmail.com).

 

2012 Western Plains Women’s Retreat –

April 20-22, Allenspark Colorado

Registration Forms Available

Church Gathering Space and Education Building Foyer

Musings from Ministry Team Members

Posted January 19th, 2012

In my interim pastoral role I have been assigned the responsibility to organize our congregation’s invitation to persons into membership and discipleship. In assessing our situation I find three groups who may want to consider our invitation.

1. There is a group of persons (particularly teenagers) who are having their first opportunity to accept Christ and to become a member of our congregation. For these persons we hope to offer the opportunity to:

  • Attend weekly discipleship/membership classes after Sunday worship starting February 12 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Attendees are invited to bring a sack lunch.
  • Choose a person older than you who is a church member who will assist/mentor you during your learning experience and attend the weekly classes with you.
  • Consider being baptized Easter morning, April 8.
  • Attend Love Feast Maundy Thursday evening.

2. There is a sizable group of persons who have joyfully participated in our fellowship, either long or short-term, and have not yet officially become members but are perhaps wishing to explore being baptized or joining. For these persons I would like to call a meeting at 7 p.m. Sunday, February 12, in the Community Room to explore interest and options to care for this.

3. Those who are in neither group 1 or 2 are another important group in this process. What does your baptism mean to you? Is there something about it that makes you want to encourage others to be baptized? You and I together have a joint responsibility to call others into baptism as disciples and members into our body of Christ. Talk to others, share your faith, and offer your encouragement to persons who might benefit from this as you have. Encourage participation in the opportunities listed above. Share their names and interest with your pastoral team. Consider your own participation as an encouragement to others and for your own benefit. Last year I was invited to participate in the membership class as a mentor for my granddaughter. I think she benefitted by attending, but wow! So did I! What will it be like if we end up having to deal with more participants than for what we are prepared?

Stay tuned for more information about this. Feel free to talk about it with your youth leader or Sunday school teacher, your deacons, or one of the pastors.
Ken Holderread

Introduction from Ken Holderread

Posted January 19th, 2012

Even though I have been a member of the McPherson Church of the Brethren for the past 10 years, I think it might be helpful to introduce myself as I would like you to know me. I realize you probably know me differently than I know myself. Your perception helps me to know who I really am.

  • Lifelong Christian disciple/Church of the Brethren member

This identity and participation has likely done more to shape and sustain my 73 years of life than any other aspect. It perhaps has influenced me more than my family connections.

  • Committed family member

My family relationships are very important to me. I cannot really separate them from my faith relationship. Who and where would I be without the love of my family? This includes my marriage relationship with Elsie, my children and their spouses, my grandchildren, and my extended family. My participation and relationship with them adds a significant dimension of meaning and support that I realize not everyone has. I am blessed and grateful.

  • Christian elder; spiritual director/partner; wounded healer
    • Christian elder – I have a calling to see the good/Christ in others. I am called to listen to, believe in, encourage, support, understand, and offer hope as an experienced Christian
    • Spiritual Director/Partner – This is a form of eldering with special training. I sit regularly with several persons throughout this region. This ministry adds significant meaning to my life. I am available for new relationships.
    • Wounded healer – My own sense of depression and desperation is my “thorn in the flesh,” as Paul referred to his. It just doesn’t seem to go away. Yet it is the foundation of my passion for, caring, understanding, and desiring to walk beside others on their faith/life journeys. I believe the heart of my meaning for ministry is found here.
  • Retired Church of the Brethren minister
    • Congregational pastor – 17 years
    • Missionary – 5 years
    • Denominational leader – 18 years
  • Education/training
    • B.S. Industrial Education – McPherson College
    • Master of Divinity – Bethany Theological Seminary
    • Doctor of Ministry – Bethany Theological Seminary
    • Clinical Pastoral Education and supervisor training
    • Psychotherapy – about 12 years
    • Spiritual direction – about 20 years
    • Spiritual direction training – Shalem Institute

Ken Holderread