F M C OF REEDLEY CHURCH NEWSCaught in the act of reading: C Jay Page is reading A Guide for the Perplexed by E.F. Schumacher. Nick Boldt recently shined in a polo match, notching several

VOX SIMONIS “The Voice of Menno Simons”

Volume 58, Issue 2

FIRST MENNONITE CHURCH OF REEDLEY

CHURCH NEWS

April/May 2014

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 [email protected] 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: [email protected]

FMC STAFF

Stephen Penner, Pastor ……………………….………E-mail: [email protected]

Juan Montes, Pastor ………………………..………….………….. E-mail: [email protected] Barbara Ewy, Director of Children’s Ministries …………………………..E-mail: [email protected] Dee Patrick, Office Coordinator ……………………………….……E-mail: [email protected] Paul Reimer, Custodian …………………………………...………...E-mail: [email protected]

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

EVENTS IN OUR FMC FAMILY AND BEYOND 3

PEACE CENTER CALENDAR 4

BIRTHDAYS 5

ANNIVERSARIES 5

BULLETIN BOARD 6

RUMBLINGS AROUND THE CAMPUS by Paul Reimer 6

CHURCH PICNIC 7

APRIL CALENDAR 8

MAY CALENDAR 9

For Paul Reimer, it’s been Twenty Years

Our church custodian, Paul Reimer, is retiring from his post after serving our church for twenty years. That’s a long time and I think it is safe to assume that no one has served in that role for that long in the history of our congregation. On Sunday evening March 30, we intend to have a little time where we thank Paul for his diligent and faithful service here at our church. Paul’s behind-the-scenes work is part of the core infrastructure of our church that makes our church go. It’s work that often goes under-appreciated. We just sort of expect there to be soap in every dispenser and windows free of handprints. We expect that the sidewalk is clean and the Fellowship Hall vacuumed. We expect the pews to be dust free and the kitchen floor freshly mopped. But all these things, and many more, don’t just happen—someone has to have the organization and discipline to see that as many wants and needs as possible get met. Paul’s work means he has many bosses. All of us in the church have our own individual sense of what is most needful and we have our individual standards of what a lawn should look like, and how spotless a sanctuary ought to be. Paul has had the unenviable task of trying to keep us all happy. This is what Paul has done. Working in tandem with the trustees of our church, Paul has been instrumental in making sure things are moving forward at our church. We have an old facility, with many different crooks and crannies, plenty of places to get lost, and enough oddities to keep the most eccentric satisfied. But Paul, moving steadily and persistently around it all, knows this place like the back of his hand. We all wish for Paul nothing but the best as he moves to the next chapter of his life. I imagine that he will continue to take his daily two mile runs with his dog Brownie and that he’ll continue to contemplate what to do with his orange trees. He’ll be a good neighbor out at his home east of town and he’ll continue to be a friend to the folks around our church facility whom he has come to know: Bud and Judy, Jose and his family, Robert and his family, Glen and Jennifer, Sebastian, Arett and Laura, and more. He’ll probably still be found stacking chairs after an event in the Fellowship Hall and he will continue his voracious reading habits. He will follow world politics and he’ll make the time to advise his sons and dote on his grand-son. And who knows what new vistas Paul might explore. Scripture advises that the qualities of patience and persistence are worthy of a Christ-follower. These have been characteristics of Paul across the years he has served at our church. We thank Paul for his faithful service among us.

REFLECTIONSREFLECTIONS

from Steve Penner

1

THOUGHTS... by Barbara Ewy

As I write there are several upcoming events on my calendar. Tomorrow evening we plan to

dedicate the playground with new playground equipment so generously provided through funds from

the Lichti estate . On Thursday evening I plan to fly to Pittsburgh to attend the annual Resource

Advocates Retreat hosted by MCUSA and intended to acquaint us with resources that are available

to our area conferences and congregations. I am aware of new Sunday school material called

"SHINE" that I am sure we will be learning more about at the retreat. I've also been looking at

this year's Vacation Bible School material. Planning time has arrived! And I've been planning

children's times during Lent for our early worship services and writing lesson plans for Kids Club

and Sunday School.

All of these activities and events share at least one common theme: the care and nurture of our

children. As a congregation we do love our children and care deeply about their well-being. We

want them to grow in healthy ways. We want them to learn to know and love God. We pray that

they will follow Jesus and make good choices. We want what is best for them.

In his classic book on parenting John Drescher identifies seven things that children need:

significance, security, acceptance, to love and be loved, praise, discipline, and God. Drescher's

book is written for parents but I think it is suggestive for us at church as well.

Significance refers to a healthy sense of self worth--self esteem. We encourage that as we

allow children to help at home and also here at church. Reading scripture, picking up songbooks,

handing out bulletins, going onstage in the Christmas program all can contribute to a sense of self

worth. Spending time with children and allowing them to make choices also builds a sense of self

worth. One Sunday during class the children planned a short worship service and then led it in

class. Each had something to contribute. The service they led in class was meaningful to me as an

adult.

Security in Drescher's book talks a lot about relationships in the home. Promoting strong

marriages through our adult classes here at church also builds security for our children.

Consistent appropriate discipline and regular routine also promotes security. We try to provide

some of that in our children's program. Wednesday evenings generally follow a regular routine.

Structure helps children know what to expect. We also care about the safety of our physical

environment here at church. The new playground structure is part of that. We are happy and

thankful that we can provide a safe place for children to play and have fun together. We also

teach "Circle of Grace" to help children understand that God is with them and to respect them-

selves and others in their circles of grace--all part of providing security and a sense of belonging

for our children.

We do believe our children need God. We teach about God in our Sunday and Wednesday classes

and at Bible School. We also want children to meet God, not just talk about God. So we pray with

the children. Sometimes we write responses to God. We look for ways to build relationships with

God. Last week in Sunday School the children's memory verse came from Psalm 40:8, "I delight to

do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." We decoded that verse to find out what was

within the heart. On the back of that paper children were invited to draw a picture. Laurelin drew

a wonderful picture of giving a hug to God. What a beautiful response to a loving God! May that be

so for all of us. 2

3

Events in our FMC Family and Beyond~~~ Tyler Linscheid likes his physics class at Reedley High School.

Noe Hernandez aspires to be an engineer.

Caught in the act of reading: Fran Loewen is reading The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin and Hemingway

by Kenneth S. Lynn.

Manuel Otero knows a good used car when he sees one.

Laura Penner is taking a French class at Reedley College.

How can it be possible to ride a bike 20 miles but not go anywhere at all? Just ask Rusty Moyer.

Caught in the act of reading: Brent Auernheimer is reading Dark Summit: the True Story of Everest’s

Most Controversial Season.

Corinna Ruth and Hope Nisly are both active in the California Mennonite Historical Society.

Larry Harder went to Bullhead City to play in a slow-pitch softball tournament.

Caught in the act of reading: Andy Ewy is reading The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan.

Lexamarie Sandoval can stand for a long, long time in the flamingo position.

Caught in the act of reading: Glena Penner is reading Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver.

Sebastian Andrade and Juan Montes spent a lot of time moving wood chips into the new playground

area.

Marvin Ambriz spends a lot of time in his job looking in a microscope at cells.

Believe it or not, Paul Reimer’s dog Brownie recently caught a live squirrel and proceeded to enjoy in-

teracting the captive squirrel.

Caught in the act of reading: C Jay Page is reading A Guide for the Perplexed by E.F. Schumacher.

Nick Boldt recently shined in a polo match, notching several goals for his Cal Poly team.

Ted and Fran Loewen, as well as Karen and Dick Peterson, recently spent some quality time at the

Squaw Valley herb garden.

Suzi Ewy recently took a tumble off her skateboard and ended up with a bruised elbow as well as a

stiff shoulder.

Caught in the act of reading: Christine Moyer is reading The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty.

Paul Reimer said one day, “it’s going to rain tomorrow, I can feel it in my head.” And it rained the next

day.

Ricardo Trejo is a distance runner for the Immanuel High School track team.

Don Ewy, Roger Zimmerman, Juan Montes, Sebastian Andrade, Raul Zarco, Dave Hasegawa, Alan and

Barbara Ewy, Wayne Zimmerman, Alfredo Mejia, Alberto, Christine Moyer, and Rusty Moyer all put

time into constructing the new playground.

Larry Harder and Dave Hasegawa did some painting of old playground equipment.

While rehabbing his injured shoulder and thus enable to take his usual position on his UCLA crew team,

Peter Boldt tried his hand at coxswain.

A good number of folks from our church journeyed to Sacramento to lend their voices in opposition to

fracking in the Central Valley.

One night at MYF, Maritsa Ambriz played the parts of a dolphin, a whale, a cow, a chess table, and

more, all in one hour long stellar performance.

Caught in the act of reading: Louise Auernheimer just finished reading Mad Bulls, Skinny Dipping and

God by A. Emersion Wiens.

After spending all school year roaming from classroom to classroom, Don Friesen finally got to teach

calculus in his own room on March 21.

Ethan Milton pitches and plays first base for his Little League club, the Red Sox.

Baldemar Ambriz is wondering why he didn’t know how much fun Dutch Blitz is long, long ago.

Caught in the act of reading: Allen Linscheid is reading The Chamber by John Grisham.

Meets at the Fellowship Hall of First Mennonite Church,

Located on L Street between 12th and 13th Streets in Reedley

Contact: ([email protected])

Come for the food, stay for the program, leave inspired!

CALENDAR Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5 (Note: No program)

West Coast MCC Relief Sale

Friday, April 11, 6:30-8:30

Speaker: John Saina, CSUF graduate student from Kenya. Topic: Using Technology for Peace in Develop-

ing Countries.

Friday, April 18, 6:30-8:30

Taize Service

Friday, April 25, 6:30-8:30

Speaker: Richard Stone will speak about his recent book, Hidden in Plain Sight

Friday May 2, 5:00 Reedley Peace Center will car pool to the CSU Fresno Satellite Student Union for this

program.

Documentary: Free Angela & All the Political Prisoners (2012)

Speaker: Dr. Angela Davis

Free Angela is a gripping historic account of the events that catapulted a young University of California phi-

losophy professor into a controversial political icon in the turbulent late 1960’s. Filled with elements of in-

trigue, suspense and conspiracies, the film delivers by empowering and inspiring diverse international audi-

ences with its message of hope and redemption

Friday, May 9, 6:30-8:30

Documentary:Dirty Wars. Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill is pulled into an unexpected journey as

he chases down the hidden truth behind America's expanding covert wars.

Friday, May 16, 6:30-8:30

Speaker: member and writer, Steve Penner will read Judge Arlene Dortman's Courtroom, and other

poems.

Friday, May 23, 6:30-8:30

Speaker: Vic Bedoian. Topic: The Importance of Independent Journalism

Friday, May 30, 6:30-8:30 TBD

4

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

5

April Birthdays

1—Jake Harder

1—Abby Moyer

2—Carmen Montes

3—Ray Jantz

3—Mary Lou Martens

8—Nick Boldt

8—Doris Fast

8—Bobby Stockdale

10—Suzi Ewy

11—Aaron Santa Cruz

11—Trent Scarbery

14—Chester Funk

18—Sheena Caron

19—Yessica Ambriz

19—Georgia Linscheid

20—Arly Loeffler

21—Joleen Siebert

22—Katharine Dettweiler

24—Nathan Boldt

24—Gail Harder

24—Dietrich Reimer

25—Sophia Milton

25—Al Unruh

25—Scot Unruh

27—Baldemar Ambriz

27—Stella Bohn

29—Leah Boldt

30—Gracie Harder

30—Brandon Linscheid

May Birthdays

2—Luke Montaño

3—Annarie Wergelund

4—Gus Penner

4—James Seale

5—Larry Harder

6—Chuck Bohn

6—Aaron Rodriguez

8—Sarai Gonzalez

9—Elijah Montes

9—Frances Rogalsky

10—Arnold Ewy

10—Carolina Valdovinos

12—Laura Penner

13—Guillemina Ibarra

13—Ben Janzen

15—Katherine Neufeld

15—Rosny Aguilar, Jr.

May Birthdays (cont)

16—Tim Warkentin

18—Ruby Kehler

20—Alan Ewy

23—Ligia Duran

23—Josh Montaño

25—Dorothy Boldt

25—Samantha Gonzalez

28—Juan Montes

29—Noah Mireles

April Anniversaries

1—Doug Kliewer & Hope Nisly (26years)

6—Michael & Mary Beth Janzen (30years)

8—Loren & Lauren Nikkel (4year)

13—David & Marissa Hasegawa (1 year)

14—Paul & Sharon Reimer (35years)

16—Jake & Renee Harder (9 years)

17—Allen & Georgia Linscheid (60 years)

26—Scot & Lea Unruh (11years)

May Anniversaries

22—Vern & Judy Warkentin (61 years)

28—David & Janet Linscheid (25 years)

29—Leonard & Katrina Mireles (4year)

31—Merle & Florence Siebert (66 years)

6

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 [email protected].

Rumblings Around the Campus by Paul Reimer, Custodian

This is my last article for the Vox Simonis because I am retiring on April 4 from

my position here as custodian for the church.

Twenty years went by fast. I will be training a new custodian, Leonard Mireles.

This church has a lot of memories for me. I remember interviewing for my position

with Dave Koop and he told me this was a part-time, temporary position, and twenty years

later, here I am!

I have plans for retiring, such as traveling to Oklahoma City to visit Johann, Laura,

and Lucas, my grandson, for several weeks.

I will be around home, on the farm, which I have leased to Mark Isaac, a farmer from

Dinuba, for the last three years.

I hope to see you around the church on Sunday or some other event.

. . . Paul Reimer

WEST COAST MENNONITE RELIEF SALE

APRIL 4-5 AT FRESNO PACIFIC

UNIVERSITY

Digitize Your Pictures

Tyler Linscheid will scan slides and pictures

this summer and put them into a digital format. He can be reached at 305-3098 for

more information.

SAN JOAQUIN CHORALE SATURDAY

MAY 3 7:30 P.M.

All-Church Outdoor Worship and Picnic: "Sharing Your Gifts"

Sunday, April 27

at Riverview School on Lac Jac

Worship at 10:30 a.m.

Potluck meal following worship

Every family bring a main dish

and a dessert or salad

Bring your own table service

Drinks will be provided

Toda la Iglesia Culto y Picnic al Aire Libre:

"Compartiendo Dones"

Domingo, Abril 27

Riverview School

en Lac Jac

Culto a las 10:30 horas.

Cena comida siguiente culto

Cada familia traen un plato principal

y un postre o ensalada

Traer su propio servicio de mesa

Las bebidas se proveen

7

8

WEDNESDAY

6:00 p.m. Los Amigos / AA Meeting in Spanish

7:00 p.m. Kids Club & MYF

7:00 p.m. Alabanza y Oración

7:00 p.m. Marriage & Family Class in Rm. 5

7:00 p.m. PIM Young Adults

7:30 p.m. Choir Practice

THURSDAY

7:00 p.m. OA Meeting in the Library

FRIDAY

6:30 p.m. Peace Center in the Fellowship Hall

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

SATURDAY

4:00 p.m. PIM Worship Team Practice

SUNDAY

5:00 a.m. Prayer Time in the Sanctuary

8:45 a.m. Prayer Time in the Infant Nursery

9:30 a.m. Worship Services in English

11:00 a.m. Christian Education

12:00 p.m. Spanish Worship Services

MONDAY

12 noon AA Meeting in the Library

TUESDAY

6:15 a.m. Anabaptist Prayer Gathering in the Library

6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting in the Basement

April 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

7pm Deacons

Meeting

2

6pm Dine Out

3

7pm Mission &

Service Comm

4

West Coast MCC

5

Auction

7pm Mennonite

Men’s Chorus at

RMBC

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15

7pm Council

Meeting

16

5pm Lenten

Prayers

17

7pm Maundy

Thursday Service

18

5pm Good Friday

Service

7pm Taize

Service

19

20 21

9am Education

Committee Mtg

22

8am MCC Volun-

teer Breakfast

23 24 25 26

27

10:30am Church

Picnic

28 29 30

6:30pm Trustees

Meeting

9

SUNDAY

5:00 a.m. Prayer Time in the Sanctuary

8:45 a.m. Prayer Time in the Infant Nursery

9:30 a.m. Worship Services in English

11:00 a.m. Christian Education

12:00 p.m. Worship Services in Spanish

MONDAY

12 noon AA Meeting in the Library

TUESDAY

6:15 a.m. Anabaptist Prayer Gathering in the Library

6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting in the Basement

WEDNESDAY

6:00 p.m. Los Amigos / AA Meeting in Spanish

7:00 p.m. Kids Club & MYF

7:00 p.m. Alabanza y Oración

7:00 p.m. Marriage & Family Class in Rm. 5

7:00 p.m. PIM Young Adults

7:30 p.m. Choir Practice

THURSDAY

7:00 p.m. OA Meeting in the Library

FRIDAY

6:30 p.m. Peace Center in the Fellowship Hall

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

SATURDAY

4:00 p.m. PIM Worship Team Practice

May 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

7:30pm San

Joaquin Chorale

4 5 6

7pm Deacons

Meeting

7

6pm Dine Out

8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20

7pm Council

Meeting

21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28

6:30pm Trustees

Meeting

29 30 31