Harvest Mission 2019
Yesterday was our annual Harvest Mission celebration. On this Sunday every year we think about the organizations which we partner with that allow us to do work beyond our local communities. Yesterday we highlighted the work of three organizations: the Mennonite Mission Network, the Mennonite Central Committee, and the Mennonite Disaster Services.
More information can be found about the Mennonite Mission Network on their website: https://www.mennonitemission.net/. The Mennonite Central Committee is an organization that our congregation partners with on several projects every year. When we collect for the school kits and the relief kits, these are distributed to those who need them through the MCC. The annual Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale which we participate in is a fund-raiser for the MCC as well. Finally, there are opportunities for short-term mission trips with the MCC in which our youth have participated in the past. More information about the Mennonite Central Committee can be found here: https://mcc.org/.
Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) is an organization who specializes in coming in after a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, flood, fire, or tornado, and helping rebuild. Our community youth group will be going on a short-term mission trip next summer with MDS. There are lots of opportunities for volunteers, both those who have specific construction skills and those who are simply willing to help with clean up. You can find these opportunities and much more at their website: https://mds.mennonite.net/.
I would encourage all of us to think about opportunities that we may have to be able to help others who find themselves in difficult situations. It’s an aspect of our faith that we believe God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others.
Remember that Sunday afternoon at 4pm will be our annual Hanging of the Greens. It will be a fun time and you will be guaranteed to be in the Christmas spirit afterwards. There will be a light supper at 5pm. Come out with the whole family to take part!
Hope to see you Sunday!
God bless,
Brian