VOX SIMONIS “The Voice of Menno Simons”

Volume 57, Issue 3

FIRST MENNONITE CHURCH OF REEDLEY

CHURCH NEWS

June/July 2013

The Vox Simonis is published bi-monthly. The Vox Simonis is designed to inform the FMC Congregation and friends of the congregation of “God‟s work” through the individuals, families, church groups, and the greater community.

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with

all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your

strength. The second is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other

commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:29-31

Individual submissions are welcome. Please bring contributions to the church office. You may also email submissions to fmcreedley@juno.com You may now read this newsletter on our website at: www.fmcreedley.org/Worship/Newsletters

WEB SITE INFORMATION

First Mennonite Church now has a website on the internet. This publication may be viewed on our website at:

www.fmcreedley.org

You may email the church office at: fmcreedley@juno.com

FMC STAFF

Stephen Penner, Pastor ……………………….………E-mail: stephenjamespenner@gmail.com

Juan Montes, Pastor ………………………..………….………….. E-mail: jmontesimh@juno.com Barbara Ewy, Director of Children‟s Ministries …………………………..E-mail: abewy@cvip.net Dee Patrick, Office Coordinator ……………………………….……E-mail: fmcreedley@juno.com Paul Reimer, Custodian …………………………………...………...E-mail: psreimer@netzero.net

Contact us... 1208 „L‟ Street (P.O. Box 111), Reedley, California, 93654

(559) 638-2917 (559) 637-8826 Fax

Submissions are accepted and are used by discretion of the editor.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REFLECTIONS by Steve Penner 1

THOUGHTS by Barbara Ewy 2

VBS 3

PEACE CENTER CALENDAR 4

EVENTS IN OUR FMC FAMILY AND BEYOND 5

GRADUATES 6

BIRTHDAYS 7

ANNIVERSARIES 7

BULLETIN BOARD 8

RUMBLINGS AROUND THE CAMPUS by Paul Reimer 8

KID‟S CORNER 9

JUNE CALENDAR 10

JULY CALENDAR 11

The Walk I am Taking

By Sunday morning, June 2nd

, when this edition of the Vox Simonis is in your box at church, I will have completed the Migrant Trail Walk. This 75 mile walk, from Sasabe, Mexico, to Tucson, Arizona is organized “to express our solidarity with the migrants and to advocate for positive change in the borderlands.” The first day of walking is on Memorial Day, May 27. I learned about the Migrant Trail Walk years ago and am glad that this year it clearly seemed right to me and the Spirit to just do it. So I am. I‟m also glad to know that four other people who I know from around our Anabaptist world, will also be participating. This is of encourage-ment to me, that I‟ll be with such kindred souls. I‟m not sure what to expect. When you read this I will be much the wiser. I‟m anticipating it to be a spiritual, physical, and emotional adventure. I figure I ought to be able to walk that far, even in the heat, given the amount of running I‟ve done over the years. But the spiritual and emotional challenges will be of another nature. I hope to, in some meaningful way, draw closer to what dear people within our own church have known, and continue to know today. The immigration challenges facing our country are immense and complex. At our church we‟ve been around this issue for years, and over these years we‟ve gathered together to talk about it from time to time. I certainly don‟t have many answers. I just know that I want meaningful reform that allows people I know, right in our church, to live without a hint of fear. This walk is a symbolic act. It‟s going to inconvenience me for a week. It‟s probably going to be hot, it could get pretty boring and monotonous, some of the personalities in the group may be prickly, and I‟m going to miss not taking a shower every day. But this is rather insignificant compared to what people have gone through to enter this country. My family entered our country about ninety years ago. I‟m not aware of any paperwork associated with their border crossing and entry into America, but maybe there is somewhere, buried in some extended family member‟s files. In due course my grandparents became citizens. From what I know, back then it was relatively uncomplicated. But that was then, and it‟s a different kind of world now. I hope that just by thinking about the people I know while engaging in the simple act of walking for seven days, God somehow deepens my heart and my resolve.

REFLECTIONSREFLECTIONS

from Steve Penner

1

THOUGHTS... by Barbara Ewy

Picture a valley, perhaps in a desert. The sun is beating down and the air is a dry heat, like an oven baking the earth. The valley is full of bones that have been parched dry and scattered across the valley floor. It is a desolate scene, full of despair. Into that scene step two figures. One is the prophet Ezekiel. He is conversing with God and as the scene progresses the breathe of God brings a wind that rattles the bones and brings them to life. In the midst of despair, Ezekiel discovers that God offers hope and a way forward. The breath of God gives life, even in desperate situations. Breathe It In: God Gives Life is the theme for our Vacation Bible School this year. Each evening as we gather for worship we will follow the adventures of a grandfather and grandchild as they share a hike and camping trip together. Their experiences will provide the setting for a retelling each evening of a Bible lesson that features breath and wind. Through those lessons, from both Old and New Testaments, we will focus on God as the giver and creator of life for people and for the church. We will hear how God is with us in difficult time and learn of the wisdom of building our life's foundation on God. Our worship times will include music and a new memory verse each evening. We will also learn about Mennonites in the Argentine Chaco who travel many hours to visit the Toba and Mocovi communities to share God's love. Sometimes visits are informal. Other times they meet with local pastors for Bible study, singing and prayer. Each year they travel thousands of kilometers. Our offering project this year will assist with travel expenses. $0.25 covers the cost of one kilometer of travel. Students will participate in three centers each evening. Bible Response will meet in class-rooms and be led by classroom teachers. Students will receive a student booklet and have opportunity to respond to the Bible lesson in various ways. Memory verses will also be worked on in class. The Creative Response center will offer a variety of arts and crafts related to our daily themes. Snacks will also be served in this center. Active Response Center will meet on the church playground for games and recreation. Classes will be offered for children ages three through grade eight. The preschool class will be self-contained and have its own age appropriate activities related to the daily theme. Older children will be divided into three age groupings: Kindergarten through Grade 2, Grades 3 through 5, and Junior Youth grades 6 through 8. Bible school will meet June 24 to 28 from 6:15 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. each evening. Preschool will dismiss at 8:00 p.m. We are looking forward to an exciting and fun week of learning and experiencing the life that God offers to us.

2

VBS

June 24-28

6:15-8:30 pm

Ages 3 thru Grade 8 3

4

CALENDAR Friday, June 7, 6:30-8:30

Speakers: Mike Beevers, new President of FFCF, and Rych Withers, Executive Director. Topic: KFCF and Free

Speech Radio

Friday, June 14, 6:30-8:30

Speaker: Steve Penner. Topic: The Migrant Trail Walk. Steve is participating in this tenth annual walk from

Nogales, Mexico to Tuscon, Arizona.

Friday, June 21, 6:30-8:30

Documentary: Searching for Sugar Man

The 2013 Oscar winner for Best Documentary tells the incredible story of Rodriguez, the greatest '70's rock

icon who never was. After being discovered In a Detroit bar, Rodriguez's sound struck two renowned producers

and they signed a recording deal. But when the album bombed, the singer disappeared into obscurity. A bootlegged

recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, he became a phenomenon.

The film follows the story of two South African fans who set out to find out what really happened to their hero.

Friday, June 28 no meeting

Saturday, July 6 (time to be determined)

Drama: My Name is Rachel Corrie, a one person play edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner, will

be performed by Bethel College student Renee Reimer. University student Rachel Corrie served with International

Solidarity Movement in the Gaza Strip in 2003. She was killed by an armored Caterpillar bulldozer while she pro-

tested the destruction of a Palestinian house by the Israeli Defense Force. The script is based on Corrie's diary

and emails.

Friday, July 12, 6:30-8:30

Documentary: God Grew Tired Of Us

After raising themselves in the desert along with thousands of other "lost boys," Sudanese refugees John, Daniel

and Panther have found their way to America, where they experience electricity, running water and supermarkets

for the first time.

Friday, July 19, 6:30-8:30

Documentary: Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune

Fiercely devoted to championing peace and social justice, folk singer Phil Ochs rose to fame at the height of the

1960s protest movements, yet his incisive lyrics and resonant melodies remain relevant for audiences today. This

film tells his story. With comments by Joan Baez, Tom Hayden, Pete Seeger, Sean Penn, Peter Yarrow, Christo-

pher Hitchens and others.

Friday, July 26, 6:30-8:30

Documentary: Bag It

With a humorous tone, Suzan Beraza's documentary follows average guy Jeb Berrier as he embarks on a personal

quest to figure out where plastic bags come from, why they're so ubiquitous and where they end up after they're

thrown away.

5

Events in our FMC Family and Beyond~~~ Caught in the act of reading: Sharon Reimer just finished reading Brilliant Idiot by Dr. Abraham

Schmitt.

Suzi Ewy played her trumpet for the Reedley High School jazz band at the Reedley Street Faire.

We learned recently that Pastor Juan Montes preached his first sermon in Colombia when he was

14 years old.

While working high in a tree on May 27, Sebastian Andrade fell to the ground. He’s going to be

okay but his arm is in a cast for a few weeks.

Caught in the act of reading: Beth Bohn is reading Wicked by Gregory Maguire.

Andy Ewy took the long train ride home from Bethel College…boarding in Newton, Kansas in the

wee hours of the Kansas morning.

Noemi Palma maintains close contact with a female pastor friend who preaches in the mountains

of Mexico.

Glena Penner boards a plane on June 26 to fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She’s looking forward to

seeing her grandchildren.

Caught in the act of reading: Louise Auernheimer is reading The Meadow Lark’s Song by Phyllis

Amoth Dirks.

Guilermina Ibarra Otero recently was given a surprise birthday party by her family.

Caught in the act of reading: Lance Zimmerman is reading Dying to be Me by Anita Moorjani.

Peter Boldt is going to be on the varsity crew team at UCLA in the Fall semester. Way to go,

Pete!

Who do you think was at the back of a large van and called out “I can’t hear what you are saying

up there in the front?”

Ricardo Trejo was a member, as a freshman, of the North Yosemite League boys league

championship track and field team.

While Paul Reimer was in Oklahoma, Alexis Sandoval and Larry Harder shouldered some of Paul’s

normal activities.

Noticed on Facebook: young Grace Montes’ hair is described as wonderfully “wild and crazy!”

Our neighbors across the street, Glen and Jennifer Quiring, took a fortunate turn on their

recent trip to the Midwest and missed the tornados.

Noticed on Facebook: Sophia Milton takes to the water just like her big sister.

There’s a new shower down in the basement of our church.

Lillian Dueck left in mid-May to visit her family in the Midwest.

Caught in the act of reading: Doris Reimer just finished reading Threads by Arlene Richardson.

Noe Hernandez is a valued employee at Big 5 in Dinuba.

Andy Ewy, majoring in history at Bethel College, maintains an active interest in the Civil War.

Josh Montaño celebrated his tenth birthday at Kids Club! Cupcakes were served.

Sharon Reimer has completed training to be a Stephen’s Minister.

Caught in the act of reading: Allen Linscheid is reading Down the Up Escalator: How the 99%

Live in the Great Recession by Barbara Geason.

While fishing in Florida near a submerged tree, Alex Boldt turned around to notice a pair of eyes

attached to a long snout peering at him.

Nohelly Palma Hernandez maintains a solid appreciation for IHOP restaurants.

6

Congratulations to our 2013 Graduates!

8th grade

Emily Milton, T.L. Reed

High School

Brandon Linscheid, Reedley High School

College

Francisco Ortega, Fresno State University, BA in Education

Graduate School

Jordan Penner, University of Texas at Brownsville, MA in History

Events in our FMC Family and Beyond (cont.)~~~

Fran Loewen was on the front page of the Life section of the May 22nd Fresno Bee. Ted Loewen

was quoted in the accompanying article.

Noticed on Facebook: our FMC IVEP friend Daleap Hut, smiling in front of a big bowl of ice

cream!

Bruce Auernheimer spent quality time with his children and grandchildren in Tennessee May 18 to

27.

Baldemar Ambriz hopes to take good care of his feet from now on. First, he broke a bone in his

foot playing a pickup game of football. Then recently he accidentally stepped on a piece of

broken glass, injuring his foot again. Let’s hope that his foot woes have come to an end.

Paul Reimer took off on his motorcycle over the Memorial Day weekend.

Caught in the act of reading: Fran Loewen is reading Wild….From Lost to Found on the Pacific

Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed.

Dee Patrick is planning to take a 3000 mile road trip with her husband in July.

Suzi Ewy played her French horn for the Reedley High School symphonic band during their recent

Spring concert.

Who do you think proclaimed “I love Camp Keola!” while standing on the church green?

Arnie and Melva Ewy will head to New York to be present for their twin granddaughters’ birthday

in June.

Sarah Clemmer played her trumpet for the Reedley High School jazz band at the Reedley Street

Faire.

Caught in the act of reading: Christine Moyer is reading Salt: A World History by Mark

Kurlansky.

Carolina Valdovinos recently spent time with her big sister Angelica in Los Angeles.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Anniversary

7

June Birthdays

1—Ruth Rogalsky

3—Ted Harder

5—Terry Novack

8—Maxi Ambriz

10—Margarita Serrano

13—Lillian Dueck

14—Betsy Funk

16—Thomas Unruh

17—Yesemia Lozano

17—Freda Prjnak

18—MaryBeth Janzen

20—Kate Milton

20—James Salyers

20—Alex Vasilenko

22—Oscar Ambriz

22—Melva Ewy

22—Blake Linscheid

22—Ricardo Trejo

23—David Kope

24—Kyle Bohn

28—Graciela Sandoval

July Birthdays

1—Karen Peterson

2—Jemima Andrade

4—Jerry Janzen

5—Tracy Gonzalez

7—Corinna Ruth

8—Bernice Isaak

13—Angelica Valdovinos

14—Nayeli Becerra

19—Aneesa Gomez

20—Allen Linscheid

20—Christabal Vasquez

21—Lexamarie Sandoval

22—Leonard Mireles

22—Caleb Montaño

23—Marianna Habegger

24—Amos Mireles

24—Uriah Mireles

27—Laurelin Zimmerman

28—Frank Rogalsky

28—Christy Zimmerman

29—Mary Hiebert

June Anniversaries

4—Jerry & Ro Linscheid (30 years)

7—Rusty & Christine Moyer (38 years)

10—Tom & Sheena Caron (7 years)

15—Alan & Barbara Ewy (22 years)

15—Robert & Carolyn Ewy (17 years)

18— Jim & Annie Compton-Schmidt (30

July Anniversaries

2—Chuck & Stella Bohn (37 years)

6—Ed & Barbara Boldt (34 years)

8—Wayne & Marty Zimmerman (58 years)

18— James & Dana Salyers (26 years)

28—Francisco & Lydia Ortega (1 year)

28—AJ & Katie Salyers (1 year)

8

THE BULLETIN BOARD

If there is something you would like to post

on “The Bulletin Board,” please call Dee in

the church office, 638-2917, or send her

an e-mail at fmcreedley@juno.com.

CHURCH DIRECTORY CHANGES/CORRECTIONS

Bruce Auernheimer—280-0723

Remove Jacob Krahn (passed away 5/12)

C Jay Page—arkiebell2@gmail.com (remove dougpage2@earthlink.net)

Jordan Penner add Jennifer (Regier) Penner

Rumblings Around the Campus by Paul Reimer, Custodian

I was on vacation from April 23 to May 7. We visited our grandson, Lukas. Our son and daughter-in-

law, Johann and Laura, live in Oklahoma City in the Joy Mennonite Church on the second floor. The

weather was cool with a rain storm one night.

While I was gone Alexi Sandoval, our new trustee, cleaned the inside of the buildings and Larry

Harder edged and mowed the lawns outside. It was nice to come back to a clean church!

Now everything is leading toward summer. I put a new water faucet on the playground because the

old one wouldn’t shut off. I also fixed a window in Room 9 that was broken. Spring is almost over and

summer will be here this month.

I will be gone again at the end of June for a trip back to Indiana to celebrate Sharon’s mom’s 90th

birthday.

That is all for now. . . Paul Reimer

CONGRATULATIONS TO MORE GRADUATES! College Graduation on May 18 - Michelle Andersen, granddaughter of Doris Reimer, daughter of John and Cindy Andersen, graduated from California State University Channel Islands with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with an Emphasis in Health. College Graduation on May 19 - Sarah Elizabeth Vaughn, granddaughter of Doris Reimer, daughter of Carolyn and Larry Vaughn of Chicago, Il., graduated from Columbia University, New York, NY., with a PhD in Anthropology. She will be starting a postdoctoral fellowship position at the University of Chicago in the Department of Anthropology.

SUMMER DINE OUT PIM will be hosting Dine Out

this summer to raise money for

PIM’s Family Camp. So join us on

June 5

July 10

August 7

At 6PM in the Fellowship Hall

for some wonderful food

prepared by our PIM families.

KID’S CORNER

9

10

SUNDAY WEDNESDAY

5:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer Time in the Sanctuary 9:30 a.m. Needles & Notions

8:45 a.m. Prayer Time in Room B4 6:00 p.m. Los Amigos / AA Meeting in Spanish

9:30 a.m. Worship Services in English 7:00 p.m. Kids Club & MYF

11:00 a.m. Christian Education 7:00 p.m. Alabanza y Oración

12:00 p.m. Spanish Worship Services 7:00 p.m. Marriage & Family Class in Rm. 5

7:00 p.m. PIM Young Adults

MONDAY 7:30 p.m. Choir Practice

12 noon AA Meeting in the Library

TUESDAY FRIDAY

6:15 a.m. Anabaptist Prayer Gathering in the Library 6:30 p.m. Peace Center

6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting in the Basement 6:30 p.m. PIM Young Adults Meeting in the Basement

THURSDAY SATURDAY

7:00 p.m. OA Meeting in the Library 4:00 p.m. PIM Worship Team Practice

June 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 4

7PM Deacons

Meeting

5

6PM Dine Out

PIM Camp Keola

Fundraiser

6 7 8

9

5PM Mid-Year

Business Mtg

10

7PM Worship

Committee Mtg

11 12 13

7PM RELISER (PIM Leadership)

14 15

16 17 18

7PM Council

Meeting

19 20

5PM Educ Comm

Meeting

21 22

23 24

VBS 6:15-8:30pm

25 26 27 28 29

30

11

SUNDAY WEDNESDAY

5:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer Time in the Sanctuary 9:30 a.m. Needles & Notions

8:45 a.m. Prayer Time in Room B4 6:00 p.m. Los Amigos / AA Meeting in Spanish

9:30 a.m. Worship Services in English 7:00 p.m. Kids Club & MYF

11:00 a.m. Christian Education 7:00 p.m. Alabanza y Oración

12:00 p.m. Spanish Worship Services 7:00 p.m. Marriage & Family Class in Rm. 5

7:00 p.m. PIM Young Adults

MONDAY 7:30 p.m. Choir Practice

12 noon AA Meeting in the Library

TUESDAY FRIDAY

6:15 a.m. Anabaptist Prayer Gathering in the Library 6:30 p.m. Peace Center

6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting in the Basement 6:30 p.m. PIM Young Adults Meeting in the Basement-

THURSDAY SATURDAY

7:00 p.m. OA Meeting in the Library 4:00 p.m. PIM Worship Team Practice

July 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

MCUSA

2

Conference in

3

Phoenix, AZ

4 5 6

7

4PM Doug Page

Memorial Serv

8 9

7PM Deacons

Meeting

10

6PM Dine Out

PIM Camp Keola

Fundraiser

6:30 Trustees

11

7PM RELISER

12 13

14 15

4:45PM M&S

Committee Mtg

16

7PM Council

Meeting

17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31