RidgeVIEWS

Volume 15, Issue 7 July 2015 The monthly newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church

One of the characteristics common to the biennial gatherings of Mennonite Church USA is the reconnecting with friends and acquaintances that occurs on site. Some of the people will be friends that you have known for dec-ades while other relationships may have been forged only at the most recent assembly. Either way convention involves a great deal of “hey, how are you doing” and “it’s good to see you again.” Indeed, building and sus-taining relationships is a high priority for the church both at the congregational level as well as among the glob-al body of Christ.

This month we are going to have numerous opportunities to make first time connections and rekindle earlier re-lationships as well. Beyond those who will make the trip to Kansas City for the MCUSA assembly, persons from around the globe will gather together in Harrisburg for Mennonite World Conference and that gathering will spill over into local churches including Ridgeview. In conjunction with MWC our relationship partners from Ar-gentina will be in our area for a number of days and will be sharing with us on Sunday morning July 19. In spite of the wonderful possibilities of reconnection an unfortunate reality for some of us is a foggy memory for names or faces. Even though you know that you know that person you just can’t pull their name up at that moment. To that end here are a couple pictures of some of our VEMZO partners who you may run into in the weeks ahead.

There will be others from VEMZO with us as well. Along with these friends on the 19th some mission and service leaders from across the globe will join us for the morning worship time and on the 26th we could be rubbing shoulders during church with quite a few folks from another country or any of the other states in the US. We will be sharing a meal with them as a congregation on that day as well so I hope you take the extra effort to meet, greet and interact with those who are guests among us.

Meeting new people and building relationships can be hard work, I know, but the opportunities for growth and unexpected blessing is always present. July is a month for connections and hospitality. May we all do our best to offer welcome and interaction with new and familiar faces. Pastor Mick

JUNE OFFERING REPORT Year to date budget $222,000.00 Year to date receipts 208,203.68 Education $6,077.08

Amer Oyanguren Daniel Oyanguren (left) Raul Garcia (right)

Magali Oyanguren

NO Sunday school the month of August and September 6.

Worship service 9:30 AM

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SOFTBALL SCHEDULE All games played

Monday @ Paradise Park JULY 6 6:30 RV vs Pequea Baptist 13 9:00 RV vs Calvary Monument 20 6:30 RV vs Leacock 27 9:00 RV vs Weaverland 1

EVIE HERSHEY and her Support Group

Loretta, Carol, Evie, Nancy Ranck, Etta. Missing from photo..Joycetta Wanner. Evie is serving a one year mission assignment in Nai-robi, Kenya at Amani Garden Inn as the hostess. You can follow Evie on her blog address: evelyninkenya.wordpress.com. When you connect to this link, you will need to register to view the blog. "Snail mail" is unlikely to reach Evie, but she appreci-ates our prayers.

MENNONITE CHURCH USA CONVENTION...

If you are interested in what is happening at the Mennonite Church USA convention in Kansas City, June 30—July 5, but not going, there are several ways to stay connected. Check this link to follow a blog, Twitter, or to connect through Facebook: http://convention.mennoniteusa.org/.

Additionally, the MennoCon mobile app is available. For instruction to download the free app go to http://convention.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/June_2015_Newletter.pdf

VBS IN THE PARK 2015

Samuel heard it in the middle of the night. Lydia heard it from Paul. The disciples were hard at work when they heard it. They all heard God’s special message just for them. Message Received: Hearing God’s Call lets children know that God continues to call all kinds of people – including them! Children will see Bible Stories come to life in the dramas during worship time, and will reflect on them during group time and at the Games Site, Bible Site, Craft Site and Snack Site.

July 13-16 6:15-8:30 PM 3 year olds – 5th graders

Intercourse Community Park Register in the church lobby or call 768-3143

ANNIVERSARIES 10 Nathan & Sarah Horst 13 Bob & Jill Heine 15 Dan & Joanne Dietzel 17 Dick & Joyce Thomas 18 Levi & Nellie Beiler 20 Rick & Gwen Fellenbaum 24 John & Debbie Denlinger 27 Omar & Sara Lapp

BIRTHDAYS 1 Rose High Elmer Stoltzfus 2 Leon Yoder 3 Darlene Lapp 4 Heidi Loncosky 6 Marie Stoltzfus 7 Carter Echternach Josiah Gingrich 8 Joanne Dietzel 9 Paul Miller 11 Jim High 12 Jill Heine 14 Naaman Yoder 16 Charlotte Lapp 17 Shirley Nolt 19 John Gehman 20 John Denlinger 22 Ruth Martin 26 Ray Martin Esther Smoker 27 Anna Sauder Ben Stoltzfus 28 Levi Beiler 30 June Landis

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JULY WORSHIP SERVICES

July 5 Jeff Pauls will give the mes-sage

July 12 Pastor Mick preaching

July 19 VEMZO speaker. The Ridgeview, Neffsville and Akron Men-nonite congregations have been in partnership with VEMZO (Visión Evan-gelística y Misionera de la Zona Oes-te/Evangelistic Missionary Vision for the Western Zone) congregations in Argentina since 2003. The relationship is intended to build connections be-tween cultures while learning from and supporting one another. We hope to have Daniel Oyanguren with us to share on Sunday morning July 19. Mission/service workers involved in mission and service work around the world who are in the area for Men-nonite World Conference will be in attendance.

July 26 Mick will give the message. Assembly scattered...approximately 50 persons from Mennonite World Conference will join us for worship and a fellowship meal.

7:00 PM Eastleigh Choir from the Mennonite church in the community of Eastleigh in Nairobi, Kenya.

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 7:00 PM EASTLEIGH CHOIR FROM NAI-ROBI, KENYA. The Eastleigh Choir comes from the Mennonite church in the community of Eastleigh in Nairobi, Kenya. After participating in Mennonite World Conference, they will be at Ridgeview on Sunday evening, July 26, at 7 PM sharing their joyful four part acapella singing. Persons from Kenya became familiar with Mennonites in Tanza-

nia in the 1940s and be-gan fel-lowships in Kenya. The gov-ernment recog-nized the

Mennonites in 1965 and the Kenya Mennonite Church was es-tablished in 1987. "To reach large numbers of Somali Muslims in Nairobi, a community center was established at Eastleigh in 1977. It provided a study center, classes and other ministries, including a correspondence course for people of Islamic back-ground. The center also spearheaded ministry to Muslims in oth-er towns, part of the interchurch "Islam in Africa" project."

MINISTRY TEAM Ministry Team met Wednesday, June 3, 7:00 a.m. at Bird-in-Hand Restaurant. Updates were given on persons experi-encing health concerns.

Sunday school classes will be invited to submit nominations for Lay Min-ister of Christian Formation. Joyce Thomas’ term expires this fall.

MWC – On Sunday, July 19, Ridgeview will host 5-6 people from the Mission & Service Leaders Conference. Two weeklong passes have been purchased for persons desiring to attend the conference; a small donation is suggested. Sunday, July 26 up to fifty people will be in attendance as part of Assembly Scattered. A fellowship meal will fol-low the worship service.

A breakfast for new attendees will be held at the church at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 21. This is an informative meeting on our structure, commissions, etc.

The Haitian Children’s Choir will give a program on August 19.

Commission Reports – Administration – Vaunda Siegrist – In conversa-tion about staffing due to Carol’s resignation; annual congregational business meeting scheduled for September 9. Mission – Loretta Lapp – 55 Alive attendees donate items for the Material Resource Center; will be asking for donations of sneakers at the request of Moses Sa-kuda’s brother. Christian Formation – Joyce Thomas – VBS to be held July 13-16. The offering that week will go to The Factory. Community Life – Cordelia Stoltzfus – In need of kitchen helpers; working on set-ting up wheel groups. Worship – Joanne Dietzel – Planning a service on September 13, Grandparents Day, to celebrate the gifts of older persons from the congregation. June Gehman

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INTERCOURSE

HERITAGE

DAYS

2015 Thanks to everyone who helped with

trash pickup, wiping tables, etc.

LOOKING AHEAD... August 19 Haitian Choir, 7:00 PM @ Ridgeview Paul and Marie Kurtz have provid-ed transportation for this choir for the past several years as it sang in churches in New England and New Jersey. This year their choir trip will be concluding as they swing through Pennsylvania and bless us with an evening of music. More details to follow.

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

Eli & Betty Smucker

ebsmucker@gmail.com

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 6:15-8:30 pm @ Intercourse Park

MCUSA General Assembly—Kansas City

Mennonite World Conference—Harrisburg PA

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ridgeviewchurch@frontiernet.net Mick Sommers, Lead Pastor

mick@ridgeviewmennonite.net

Nelson Yoder, Associate Pastor nelson@ridgeviewmennonite.net

Carol Wenger

Minister of Youth & Young Adults carol@ridgeviewmennonite.net

Joyce Shirk, Administrative Assistant

office@ridgeviewmennonite.net

Everyone is welcome to submit material to the RidgeVIEWS, the newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church. Ridgeview connects persons and groups in the congregation together and with the broader Mennonite Church. It strengthens the congregation to answer the call of God to learn and share together God’s love with all of creation. Priority will be given to articles that serve this purpose, with Ridgeview staff providing editorial responsibilities.

AUGUST NEWSLETTER INFORMATION DUE JULY 27

Ridgeview Mennonite Church 3723 Ridge Road

Gordonville PA 17529 717 768-3143

office@ridgeviewmennonite.net www.ridgeviewmennonite.net