On Wednesday, April 26 from 6:30-8:00pm, the Vitality Committee invites members and friends to a Social Justice Write-In, a casual event for people to spend time together reading and writing or just sitting quietly in community. You might write to local policy makers, a neighbor, a close or estranged family member, or in your diary. We will provide coffee and tea, as well as writing materials and stamps. Feel free to bring your supper or snacks. Contact Rachel Gintner for information or suggestions.

​ Released: March 29, 2017
 
 
‘Jewish and Palestinian Voices for Peace Tour’ announced
 
People of Manhattan and the surrounding area have the opportunity to come together to explore prospects for peace surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in our new political climate. 
 
On April 19th Manhattan Mennonite Church, will be hosting the Jewish and Palestinian Voices for Peace Tour at the Ecumenical Campus Ministry located at 904 Sunset Ave from 7:00 – 8:30 PM.  The event features Jewish and Palestinian peacemakers who will provide diverse perspectives on Israel-Palestine. They will also invite participants to take part in a shared vision of what Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews need to live free, dignified and whole lives in the land.
 
Laura Tillem, (Wichita) will present on behalf of Jewish Voice for Peace and the Peace and Social Justice Center of South Central Kansas.  Jewish Voice for Peace is a prominent peace organization with nearly 50 chapters across the United States. Their members are “inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, equality, human rights, respect for international law and a U.S. foreign policy based on these ideals.”
 
Jonathan Kuttab will also be speaking.  Kuttab is a leading human rights lawyer in Israel and Palestine. He was born in West Jerusalem, but after the Six Day War, his family moved to the United States. After practicing with a Wall Street law firm for several years, he returned home to co-found the Palestinian Center for the Study of Nonviolence, Al-Haq (lawyers and others who assist with human rights issues), and the Mandela Institute for Political Prisoners. He is licensed to practice law in Palestine, Israel, and New York, and serves on the board of The Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem. He has also served as the lawyer for Mennonite Central Committee and Christian Peacemaker Teams’ in Palestine.
 
The goal of the tour is to raise the profile of Jewish and Palestinian groups in America who are working for peace in Israel-Palestine.  For more information about the events contact Bob Atchison at 785-539-5352 or by e-mail at [email protected].
 
Story by:
Bob Atchison
Manhattan Mennonite Church
[email protected]
785-539-5352
 
Jonathan Brenneman
Coordinator, Israel/Palestine Partners in Peacemaking
Mennonite Church USA
[email protected]
574-523-3086

PDF FLYER TO SHARE

If we have your e-mail address on file you are now able to log in to the website and app to access the online version. Once photos are submitted, printed copies will be made available in mid-April. 

INFORMATION FOR ALL MEMBERS & FRIENDS (even if you are not planning on accessing the directory online)
Add your photo: 
You'll soon receive an email from the church office inviting you to upload your photo to the directory. You can either upload it yourself, bring it, or send it to the office. Additionally, Gina Davidson is taking photos after worship this Sunday.

Check your information:
Our new directory can accommodate the following information: First name, Last name, child name, address, city, state, zip, home phone, cell phone, email address, birthday, and anniversary.

If you'd like to update any of the information listed, please contact the church office at [email protected] or 537-7006.


INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO USE THE ONLINE VERSION 
Access via InstantChurchDirectory.com
Get started at InstantChurchDirectory.com by using your email address to connect to the directory.

If this is your first visit, you'll need to create an account. From the home page, click on "Church Member Sign In" and then "Create a login now"

If the email address you use matches the one the church has on record, you'll receive an email message to verify the account and then... you're in!

However, if the email you use is different than the one the church has, you'll receive a message to contact the church. No worries. Call the office (785-537-7006) and Sandy will be sure the emails match properly.
 
Access via the smartphone/tablet app:
There is a free app available for Apple and Android devices. Once you've downloaded the app you will be able to request a password (sent to the e-mail address we have on record) or log in with the credentials you've already created via the website. The app will allow you to e-mail, call, and text people directly from the app. 

Access a PDF via our website:
In addition to using the directory online, a PDF version is posted on the church website under the "Community Life" tab. It is updated automatically each time a new version of the directory is generated. Contact the church office for the password. 

Questions about any of this? Please contact the church office and we'll get you sorted out. 

During our recent Choose Your Own Adventure classes, Pastor Caela shared with participants some free online resources that might be helpful for those who are wanting to enrich their own spiritual practices. Here they are compiled in one place so you can browse and find new resources that might help you lengthen your own faith this Lent. 

UCC Daily Devotionals - sign up for a daily devotional from the Stillspeaking writers delivered right to your inbox every morning OR visit the site each day to see new devotionals

D365 - this website is geared towards teens but is delightful for people of any age. Each day features music, scripture, prayer, and a very brief reflection. There's also a free app for your smartphone or tablet. 

Daily (or weekly) devotionals from Fr. Richard Rohr and the Center for Contemplative Action - Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations explore the contemplative foundations of Christianity “From the Bottom Up.” They are for all spiritual seekers, regardless of religion or denomination! Drawing from his own Franciscan heritage and other wisdom streams, Fr. Richard reframes neglected or misunderstood teachings to reveal the basic pattern of reality: God as loving relationship.

Upper Room Prayer Center - The mission of The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is to help individuals, small groups and local congregations grow in their understanding and experience of prayer. For more than 33 years, we've had a single purpose: to help disciples of Christ experience the living, transformative power of prayer. Intercessory prayer is not something that "just happens." That's why we've created a way for the thousands who need prayer to connect with prayer partners who are called and trained to meet those needs. You can even call a number to request prayer. 

Lectio Divina - if you're looking for a new way to read the Bible or you're plunging into individual study for the first time, please consider giving Lectio Divina a try. You can google for all kinds of tips on how to use this style of reading/prayer. This article gives a nice overview. 

Reimaginging the Ignatian Examen - if you're looking for a new method of prayer to try, consider using the Ignatian Examen. There is a free app that walks you through the process or you can borrow the book by the same name from our church library. 

You may have seen these signs popping up around town. The design was created by a Mennonite congregation in Virginia and you can read about the viral spread of these yard signs here.

​Our Vitality & Outreach Committee created signs for our community and you are invited to pick one up on Sunday or during the week. There are metal stakes available if you'd like to put one in your yard or you can also prop it in a window. If you'd like to make a donation to pay it forward, the signs cost about $8 a piece (but you are also very welcome to just have one as a gift).

Thanks, Vitality, for helping us spread the good news of God's extravagant welcome one sign at a time!

We are honored to be co-sponsoring this event at Ecumenical Campus Ministry. 

Wednesday, April 19th
Ecumenical Campus Ministry (ECM) 904 Sunset, Manhattan, KS
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Diverse perspectives on Israel-Palestine and prospects for peace in our new political climate.

The event features Jonathan Kuttab, a Palestinian Mennonite and human rights lawyer who serves on the Boards of Sabeel and Al Haq. Jonathan will speak on the vision of Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews to live free, dignified and whole lives in the Land belonging to both.

Kuttab will be joined by Laura Tillem, Jewish Voice for Peace and Peace and Social Justice Center of South Central Kansas . Jewish Voice for Peace, “opposes anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, and anti-Arab bigotry and oppression”. JVP seeks an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem; security and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians; a just solution for Palestinian refugees based on principles established in international law; an end to violence against civilians; and peace and justice for all peoples of the Middle East.”

For more information contact Bob Atchison, Manhattan Mennonite Church (see flyer)

Jewish and Palestinian Voices for Peace Partners/Sponsors
Ecumenical Campus Ministry,
K-State Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan
Manhattan Mennonite Church
Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice
UFM Community Learning Center
First Congregational United Church of Christ
Islamic Center of Manhattan 
​
PDF Flyer to Share

Many thanks to all who were able to come and join us for our service yesterday! What a joy to see familiar faces from the community and connect with  new friends. We are especially thankful for the leadership of Br. Sayed Haroon bin Farrukh and Br. Sajid Rahman, who taught us about prayer and fasting during the sermon. Thank you to our Vitality Committee who prepared the brunch for us. It was so good to visit and break bread together. 

Some of us plan to go to the Islamic Center this Tuesday evening for prayer. If you'd like to join us, please meet in the parking lot of the Islamic Center (1221 Hylton Heights) at 7:55pm. Women are invited to bring a head covering if they are able. 

​As we continue to revitalize our church library we are now in phase two of three: giving books away. We appreciate the help you've given us so far as we ensure the books remaining are relevant and in good condition. Before we take the "give away" pile to the Public Library and Dusty Bookshelf, we invite members and friends to take a peek and see if there are any you might like to take home and add to your collection. You may take any of the books marked "give away" any time before March 15th.
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