The Sower Your monthly news from Central Plains Mennonite Conference prayer requests September 24 Pray for those who are planning and participating in the webinar on Tuesday at 7:30pm, "Don't Mourn or Weep: Goals and problems," the first in our series of three free webinars offering practical tips for leading Bible study. Also, pray for Max Villatoro on Thursday from 11:30am when he has a very significant meeting. October 1 We invite you to pray and fast for the Max and Gloria Villatoro family on Tuesday of this week, that their family might be reunited soon. October 8 The situation for both documented and undocumented immigrants creates uncertainty and stress for families. Pray for immigrants you know and for the leaders who have the ability to improve the situation, that the Spirit of Christ may bring wisdom and guidance to all. October 15 Pray for the Christian Formation Committee meeting this weekend in a planning retreat. Upcoming events Welcoming the Stranger: A biblical view of immigration workshop will be held at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, Wayland, Iowa, on Saturday, September 23. Open the Book: Practical Tips for Leading Bible Study webinars , Tuesdays at 7:30pm on September 26, October 24 and November 28. Christian Formation Committee Planning Retreat , October 14-15 in central Iowa. finance update The Central Plains budget experienced its own version of an "eclipse" the month of August as our income (the sun) was not enough to meet our expenses (the moon) casting a deficit (darkness) in its path of totality! Income for the month came in at $30,053.09. Meanwhile, expenses came in at $35,208.37. This created a monthly deficit of $5,155.28 and extends the overall deficit to $28,905.56. However, the sun will rise and shine again, and we are all thankful for this promise God has given to all of us. Thank you for all of your generous contributions and we look forward to reversing this trend soon. – Stewardship Task Group staff news September 21-24 Shana will attend the ReKnew conference in St. Paul. 23 Dave will attend an immigration workshop at Sugar Creek, Wayland, Iowa. 26 Staff will participate in the Bible study webinar. 27-30 Dave will attend MC USA Executive Board meetings in Kansas City. October 1 Tim will preach at Washington (IA) Mennonite. 8 Tim will preach at Milford (NE) Mennonite; Dave and Shana will attend their son Corben's installation and licensing in Archbold, Ohio. 13-15 Dave will preach at Salem and Salem-Zion's Mission Emphasis Weekend in rural Freeman, SD. 14-15 Shana will attend the Christian Formation Committee planning retreat near Manson, Iowa. welcome the stranger workshop Immigration is fundamentally an issue about people. Come to learn more from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, September 23, at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church in Wayland, Iowa. Topics include biblical perspectives on immigration, facts on US immigration and refugee resettlement, and resources for discipleship and teaching. Gloria Villatoro will share her story, too. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. rSVP Here “Open the Book” Bible Study Webinars We are offering three webinars to equip members of Central Plains congregations to facilitate Bible studies. Everyone is welcome, but Sunday School teachers, Bible study leaders and small group facilitators are especially encouraged to participate. This opportunity grows out of our Covenant of Spiritual Practices , in which we covenant to study the Bible together and with our neighbors. Each webinar will last from 75-90 minutes. Our presenter will be Keith Slater, a member of Central Plains who is experienced in teaching Bible study methods and how to interpret the Bible. His work history includes InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and SIL International. Here are the dates and session titles: September 26 Don’t Mourn or Weep: Goals and problems October 24 Listen Closely: Facilitating good discussion November 28 A Unified Purpose: Preparing to lead Please RSVP by the Thursday before the webinar. RSVP for the WEbinars Seedlings blog Check out our refreshed blog, now called Seedlings ! We'll feature posts highlighting resources for covenant practices. First up: three short posts from Dave about what we heard from delegates at Annual Meeting about the difference the covenant practices are making in their churches. Covenant of Spiritual Practices Reflection 3: Is it Making a Difference? by David BoshartExecutive Conference Minister Members of Central Plains... Read More max villatoro call to prayer PLEASE PRAY FOR MAX on Thursday, September 28, from 11:30am TO 12:30pm CDT. Update -- Max is currently in Honduras. -- We need funds to replenish the Villatoro Family Fund. Since Max was deported, the fund has supported the family with monthly allocations, and the fund has paid legal bills. After two years and a recent large bill, the fund is empty. Please consider donating to the Villatoro Family Fund at www.centralplainsmc.org/donate. --We invite you to set aside one meal on the first Tuesday of every month to fast and pray for the Villatoro family. --Congregations, please remember the Villatoros in prayer on the first Sunday of every month. Sing! Leading worship with energy and grace Worship Workshop on Saturday, November 4 (9am-3pm) Join with worship leaders and pastors from around our conference to practice your worship leading skills. Faith Mennonite Church in Minneapolis is hosting a worship leading workshop with Christopher Montgomery, pastor at Sermon on the Mount Mennonite Church and facilitator of The Anabaptist School of Worship. Learn skills and techniques for worship leadership that can be applied to any style of worship or music. This interactive workshop will include opportunities to practice worship leading with feedback from a trained worship specialist, as well as your peers in the conference. Go to WorshipCrafting.com/Sing for information and registration details. Register by September 30 for the early rate. understanding our muslim neighbors God has brought many Muslims into American life as immigrants, refugees and converts. Yet if all that Christians know of Islam and Muslims is what we see on TV and online, fear and even hatred can easily dominate our attitudes. Better understanding is crucial, not only for living peaceably, but for faithful and creative witness here at home in a situation that is new and may even feel “foreign” to many of us. Consider offering your congregation an “Islam and the Gospel” weekend with John Spaulding and Philip Friesen. Find more details here. The Sower is published the third Wednesday of each month for Central Plains pastors, delegates, conference leaders and other interested persons. Please include items from this newsletter in your church bulletins and newsletters. Find back issues at www.centralplainsmc.org . Click on Publications > The Sower. Editor: Shana Peachey Boshart:
[email protected] Spanish translation by Steven Rhodes: 319-930-7303 Office: P.O. Box 101, Freeman, SD 57029 Monica Clem, Office Manager: 605-929-3325;
[email protected] Conference Ministers: P.O. Box 352, Kalona, IA 52247 David Boshart:
[email protected] ; 319-936-5904 Tim Detweiler:
[email protected] ; 319-458-0224 Shana Boshart:
[email protected] ; 319-936-5905 Hispanic Ministries Coordinator: Ramiro Hernandez
[email protected] 319-621-3725 Moderator Sid Burkey:
[email protected] 402-761-2093 Assistant Moderator Shawn Nolt:
[email protected] 402-627-204 The mission of Central Plains Mennonite Conference is to create settings for our congregations and partners to grow in holistic witness to God's reconciling mission in the world by developing leadership, encouraging fellowship and promoting lifelong discipleship.
