1. education
2. graduate school
3. college

MC USA Prayer Retreat
Sunday, May 3, 4:30 p.m.
Concludes with a 6:00 p.m. shared "finger foods" faspa (potluck)
Dyck Arboretum of the Plains
177 W Hickory Street
An update of the ministry of Hesston Mennonite Church
Welcome to our Church Family
Michael and Jen Smalley recently bought their first home
in Hesston and are excited to be back living in this
community. Michael was raised in Cheney, KS and Jen in
Gibson City, Illinois. They met 10 years ago at Hesston
College as students and did not imagine they would be
living here someday raising a family. Michael is currently a
case manager at South Central Mental Health in Andover,
but he recently accepted a position in the admissions
department at Hesston College where he will begin soon.
Jen is an outpatient therapist at South Central Mental
Health Counseling Center, also in Andover. Their son
Holden, almost 2, and dog Mia keep them busy!
Kayla Kauffman—I grew up outside of Hutchinson near
Yoder, Kansas. My parents are Dan and Shelley Kauffman.
I have a sister Keri who is a freshman at Taylor University
in Indiana, and a brother Jeff who is a junior at Haven High
School. I attended Hesston College where I was involved in
the music department for 3 years. I participated in Bel
Canto, Chorale, Amahl and the Night Vistors, and costarred with a special someone in the musical "She Loves
Me". I graduated from the nursing program in 2014 and
now work as a registered nurse at Schowalter Villa. I enjoy
reading, cook-outs, going for walks, and spending as much
of my summer as possible at Camp Mennoscah. I would
like to become a member here and be involved in a
supportive church body that will strengthen me spiritually
as well as support David (Rudy) and me as we build our
lives together.
David Rudy—I live in Hesston, having graduated from
Hesston College in 2013 with an Associate degree in
Aviation. I currently work for Air Associates of Kansas. I
will marry Kayla Kauffman, also a new member, in just
over a month! I am transferring my membership from
Landisville Mennonite Church in Lancaster, PA. I am
excited to be joining a congregation in my new home area
with my bride! I grew up overseas in Swaziland and the
Philippines during two six-year terms with MCC. I enjoy
reading, playing guitar, and practicing traditional archery in
my free time.
Hesston Mennonite Church
A community of God’s people,
seeking and following the way of Christ,
experiencing and sharing the good news
of healing and hope.
May 3, 2015
Gaylen and Loretta Neufeld. We were both raised in
Mennonite Brethren communities, Gaylen in Balko, OK
and Loretta in Hillsboro, KS. We both joined our respective
churches in our youth. Our life together started after we
met at Tabor College. From there we moved to Manhattan,
KS and Austin, TX for Gaylen to finish his education.
Before taking a permanent job Gaylen took a research
position at the University of Melbourne in Australia. We
then settled in Emporia where Gaylen taught in the
Department of Biology at Emporia State University and
Loretta worked for many years in the University Library.
Upon retirement, we moved to Hesston. Both of us enjoy
reading, gardening and travel. We have three children, a
daughter in Tucson, AZ, a son and family in Harrisonburg,
VA and a daughter and family here in Hesston.
Hesston Area Vacation Bible School
This year VBS will be held
June 8-12 from 6:15-8:30
pm. The community wide
theme is "SonSpark Labs:
God's Plan 4 U = Jesus."
Hesston Mennonite Church will again host incoming and
outgoing kindergarteners from our community. The last
two years we have averaged 60 children each evening,
which means we need lots of help! Below are some ways
you might consider volunteering:
--by serving as a group leader (takes no preparation)
--by serving as a center leader (takes minimal preparation;
we have materials available to use)
--by providing casseroles for volunteers to take home
--by providing snacks for volunteers during the week
--by helping at the registration tables Monday evening
--by donating consumable items for the centers: packs of
construction or scrapbook paper, bags of clothespins, 15
men's XL plain white undershirts
--by donating pool noodles for decorations
--by helping with set-up and decorating Sunday afternoon
before VBS begins
VBS con’t… Pg. 2
1
VBS con’t… from Pg. 1
Please prayerfully think about how you might be able to be
involved in the lives of children in our community during
the week of VBS, and contact Rachel Yoder or Danae
Kaufman with your ability to help.
Also, if you are a parent of a child who will attend VBS,
don't forget to pre-register your child! It is very helpful to
the church coordinators as they plan. Forms are available
on the shelf below the literature boxes.
Thank you for your prayers and for your contributions of
time and materials as we work to make VBS a meaningful
experience for the children of Hesston!
HMC VBS Coordinators
Rachel Yoder 620-951-8016
Danae Kaufman 620-217-9583
Dorcas Circle
Thursday, May 7, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
at Hesston Mennonite
9-11:30 a.m.— A variety of work projects.
Lunch —
1-3:00 p.m.— More activities
Meal: Provided—Bring your own table service.
Hostess: Ardith Brunk, Roma Schmidt
Project: Black and white sewing thread (not quilting)—
large spools if you can find.
Come all or part of the day. We invite you to come chat,
encourage each other, sing, work, pray and eat together.
Congratulations!
Emry Cadence Day was born April 21
to James and Allison Day. Paternal
Grandparents are Dean and Maria
Day. The Day Family rejoices in the
Lord for this miracle of life and
promise! -Maria
Ava Iris was born April 23 to Nick
(former pastoral intern) and Shari Ladd
and welcomed by siblings Natalie, Eli,
Maggie and Sophie.
Summer Theatre Camp
Hesston College Theatre will host a summer theatre camp
June 1 to 6 for middle school students ages 11 to 13. The
workshops will give participants opportunities to work in
every aspect of staging a performance from creating the
script to painting the set, working backstage and
performing. Registration is $40. Financial assistance is
available
upon
request.
Register
online
at
hesston.edu/theatrecamp by May 11, or by contacting
Laura Kraybill at 620-327-8142 or [email protected].
Find Your Own College Savings Plan
Did you know???
 The Prayer Shawl Circle would like to expand this
ministry to include shawls sized for children. Beginning
and experienced knitters and crocheters are encouraged
to join the Circle. Meeting times are second and fourth
Wednesdays each month from 6:30-7:30 pm, in the
church library. Some yarn has been donated for use by
the Circle. Yarn ideas and patterns are available from
Norma Diller or Barb Kaufman.
 THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the 47th
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale a huge success! You are
all invited to celebrate this success at the KMRS annual
meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 6:30 pm at
Buhler Mennonite Church, 220 West Avenue B, Buhler.
The meal is $12 a plate and you will pay at the door.
Please RSVP to Barb Reeves at 620-543-6863 or
[email protected] by May 7.
Saving money for college can seem like an uphill climb.
That’s why Everence is offering Current strategies for
college savings, a webinar scheduled for noon to 12:30
p.m. (CDT) Tuesday, May 19. Join us as we talk about the
value of a college education and how having a plan can
help you save for college in spite of competing priorities.
Register by visiting everence.com/kansas.
Harvey County Homeless Shelter
May 27-30 are the dates for meals and staffing by Hesston
Mennonite Church. Meals have been scheduled. Contact
Kent Rychener to volunteer for staffing. If you have not
had training through the Shelter, Kent can assist with that
information. Next training date is May 12, 6:30 p.m. at the
Harvey County Homeless Shelter, 900 West Broadway,
Building 7, Newton.
 The deadline to apply for Mennonite Mission Network’s
Mennonite Voluntary Service program is May 31.
2
in touch is published 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly—items should be in the church office by noon Wednesday prior to publication.
309 S Main.Hesston.KS.67062.Telephone 620-327-4885.E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.hesstonmc.org
Council Minutes
April 12, 2015, 7:00 pm
Sharing – Phil Diller read phrases of wisdom about worry
versus trust, as he has thought about Grant Raleigh’s
accident and hospitalization recently, and how this can
apply to anything in our lives. Today, weed out worry and
look to Jesus; who of us could add a minute to our life; God
continues extension of life; worry never hurries answers;
face worry with God’s word; God never leads us in the
wrong way; have unconditional trust in God who loves us;
love God without fear or rejection when we let God’s love
flow through us.
Minutes – Minutes of the March 12, 2015 meeting were
reviewed. Brad Liechty made a motion to accept the
minutes as presented. Phil Diller seconded. All voted in
favor.
Myron – opening prayer
Agenda: Visioning at HMC
 Amy shared that giving to building debt reduction was a
major shift above and beyond last year. Ted has been
thinking, what if we engage the motivation coming from
the congregation members to pay down the debt? How
do we transition to focus on other ministries?
 Ted gave a current update that the debt was reduced
significantly in 2014 – from $1,202,553 to $910,597. A
good organization likes to do strategic planning. What is
most important to the church at this time?
 John presented a history of the building project.
o March 18, 2007, began church service in old sanctuary,
continued in new sanctuary.
o Building turned out better than expected, and
incredibly functional.
o Step prior to naming committees was Stuart
Hamilton’s series of focus groups.
o Wisdom shared by architect, we shape our buildings,
and then our buildings shape us.
o Discussions centered on experiences we hoped to have
in the church building.
o What do we want to experience esthetically and
visually as individuals with space.
John suggests we begin with “visioning” as a first step
toward planning.
 Clayton mentioned thinking of visitors and finding
adjectives to describe unfiltered responses, such as 1)
What are the words we want to say to describe ourselves
to our neighbors? 2) When we get together as a
community, what do we want to feel and experience? 3)
What are the adjectives that the Hesston community
would use to describe us? 4) What do we want people to
be saying about us?
 Amy asked the question; who leads this process forward?
John suggested when we envision, let’s go back to revisit
our dreams, what and how we are shaped, and how we
want to be shaped.
Darren – closing prayer
LouAnn Eichelberger, recording secretary
Guest Author Presents May 14 and 17
Glen Miller, author of "Living
Thoughtfully, Dying Well"
(Herald Press) will make a
presentation of the themes of his
book during 9:00 a.m. Sunday
school (community center) on
Sunday, May 17, 2015. All
classes are invited to join this
presentation. (Miller’s book can
be found in our church library.)
He will also speak at Hesston Mennonite on Thursday, May
14 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, sponsored by Schowalter
Villa.
Glen brings a unique perspective from his background as a
1) doctor of internal medicine who cared for dying patients,
2) hospital administrator, 3) a degree in theology, 4) as a
patient with heart disease including two cardiac arrests, and
5) eleven years working overseas in healthcare and
administration.
All are encouraged to take advantage of this unique
Christian Education opportunity.
Lunch with MCC
What: A lunch with MCC and Proyecto MAMA
Where: MCC Central States Office, North Newton
When: Tuesday May 12, noon-1pm
You are invited to a lunch to welcome Rosa and Alejandra
from Proyecto MAMA in Honduras a MCC-supported
program of the Honduran Evangelical Mennonite Church
that works with 10 preschools, 8 basic education centers
and 3 tutoring programs in 12 communities near San Pedro
Sula.
Join us as we learn more about their work. A free-will
donation will be accepted to help cover the cost of food.
Please RSVP to Anna Yoder, [email protected] or
316.283.2720 by Thursday May 7th if you are planning on
attending. We look forward to seeing you!
Job Opportunity
Mennonite Central Committee Central States is hiring for a
Recycling and Warehouse Coordinator. This position is
available starting on July 1 at the MCC Center in North
Newton, Kansas. The Recycling and Warehouse
Coordinator completes tasks for the recycling program,
coordinates the meat canning process, volunteer
recruitment, grounds maintenance and other Warehouse
tasks as needed. The work schedule is 32 hours per week.
The full job description is available at http://mcc.org/getinvolved/serve/openings/recycling-warehouse-coordinatorcentral-states,
please
contact
Denise
Voth
at
[email protected] for more information.
3
2015 Upcoming Area Events
May 3 Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus
7 p.m. - Presser Hall, Bethany College, Lindsborg
Annual Masterworks Concert with Bethel College
choirs, Oratorio Chorus and Philharmonia Orchestra,
Brahms’ A German Requiem, 3 p.m., Bethel College
Memorial Hall (ticket purchase required; available at
the door)
May 6 Jazz on the Green
Bethel College jazz ensembles present
8 p.m. (Krehbiel Auditorium if rain)
May 8 My Calling to Fulfill, The Orie O. Miller Story.
3:00 p.m. lecture by author John E. Sharp for his just
released book. Reception will follow. The event will
be held on the Hesston College campus in Room 125,
Friesen Center, as part of Commencement Weekend.
My Calling to Fulfill shares untold stories of Miller’s
childhood, college years, marriage, and internal
conflict between his commitment to family and
commitment to his beloved church. This inspiring and
comprehensive biography traces the contours of
twentieth-century Anabaptism through the theology
and vocation of one of its most influential leaders
who molded every agency of the Mennonite Church.
Prairie View invites visual artists to submit up to
three pieces of original art for its fine art
fundraiser/exhibition, "A Beautiful View." Deadline
(through digital submission) is May 8. Accepted
works are due May 22. For info or to enter, see
www.prairieview.org/abeautifulview (click on
"Invitation to Exhibit Original Art."). The event,
with silent and live auctions, is 6-8 p.m., Thursday,
June 4 at Carriage Factory Art Gallery, Newton,
Kan. Proceeds will go to Prairie View to treat
mental illness and addiction disorders. Questions?
Contact Misty Elder, [email protected], 316-2846385.
May 8 Concert by Woven a cappella women’s ensemble
7 p.m., Bethel College Memorial Hall.
May 9 HC Nurses Pinning Ceremony and Reception
10:00 a.m. Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary and
community center.
Hesston College Bel Canto “Asylum” Concert
4:00 p.m. Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary.
May 10 Hesston College Commencement
9:00 a.m. Yost Center
Open Road Concert a cappella men’s ensemble
7 p.m., Bethel College Memorial Hall.
Jul 3 Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus
9 p.m. - MCUSA Convention, Kansas City, MO
Fine Art Fundraiser and Exhibition
Thursday, June 4, 2015
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Carriage Factory Art Gallery
128 E. Sixth St. | Newton, Kansas
South Central Conference Notes
 South Central Conference Annual Meeting, Jun 12-14 at
Bethel Mennonite Church, Inman, KS.
Registration
brochures are available on the shelf below the literature
boxes or find the form at www.sccmenno.org/scc-annualmeeting/.
 Mennonite World Conference will meet for Assembly
Gathered in Harrisburg, PA, July 21-26. Another feature of
the event is a series of Assembly Scattered opportunities in
several locations across the country, both before and after
Assembly Gathered. One such opportunity to introduce our
international friends to Mennonites in the heartland will
occur on July27-29. We expect to include tours of sites of
Mennonite/Anabaptist interest both historically and
currently. On each of the three evenings (July 27, 28 and
29), there will be opportunities for sharing food and
fellowship, inviting all interested persons in south central
Kansas to participate. So make a note of these dates, and
watch for more details about how to get to know some
international Mennonite guests.
4
Focus on Health
Information provided by the Hesston Mennonite Health Circle.
Immunity Boost? – Eating more fruits and vegetables may
boost immunity in older people. Researchers in Northern
Ireland randomly assigned 83 healthy volunteers aged 65 to
85 to eat either their normal diets or to make sure that their
diets included at least five servings of fruits and vegetables
each day. (All participants reported eating no more than
two servings a day before the study began.)
After 16 weeks, the fruit-and-vegetable group had a better
immune response to a pneumonia vaccine (but not to a
tetanus vaccine) than the people who didn’t step up their
produce intake.
in touch is published 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly—items should be in the church office by noon Wednesday prior to publication.
309 S Main.Hesston.KS.67062.Telephone 620-327-4885.E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.hesstonmc.org