Witness
Men’s Retreat to focus on sharing faith
Church consultant J. David Eshleman will be the speaker at the annual Men’s Retreat at Camp Luz in Kidron March 31-April 2. During the weekend, David Eshleman will focus on material from his newest book, Share the Irresistible Story of Jesus. In the preface to the book, Eshleman states that his purpose is “to motivate Christians and churches to make…
New book focuses on evangelism
David Eshleman, who has worked with Ohio Conference congregations to provide revitalization resources, has written a new book, Share the Irresistible Story of Jesus, published by ChurchSmart Resources. Many Christians feel free to talk about the weather, news, cars, sports, or their job but have difficulty verbalizing their faith. Share the Irresistible Story of Jesus seeks to help Christians to…
Funding available for Sentralized Conference
Are you interested in learning how to engage in God’s mission in life-changing ways? Ohio Conference is offering financial assistance for up to four people from Ohio Conference to attend Sentralized, a missional conference which will be held in Little Rock, Ark., May 5-6. Sentralized is organized by Forge America and sponsored by a variety of Christian organizations. Among the…
Everence members help with Affordable Christmas Project
KIDRON, Ohio – Members of Everence Financial in Northeast Ohio recently purchased and donated children’s gifts to support the Affordable Christmas Project at Lighthouse Ministries in Canton. Gifts were collected throughout November at Everence Financial offices in Kidron and Hartville, and Everence staff delivered the presents to Lighthouse Ministries. The Affordable Christmas project is an annual event that makes it…
Soccer camp builds connections
By Dave Maurer Pastor, Bethel Mennonite During the evenings of July 27-30, 2015, Bethel Mennonite Church in West Liberty, Ohio, hosted its fifth annual soccer camp for the community. The camp, which took place from 6 to 8 p.m. each day, was done in partnership with the West Liberty Soccer Association, which helped the congregation get the word out about…
My Trip to a Farm
Girl Talk is a ministry of Friendship Mennonite Church in Bedford Heights, Ohio for girls ages 9 to 13. The majority of the girls who attend are from Bedford Heights Daycare, a 35 year old community daycare that rents space from the church. Pastor Nan Kanagy leads the group. My name is Michelle and I am here…
Celebrating 50 years of raising funds for MCC
The annual Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale was held July 31-Aug. 1 at the Buckeye Event Center in Dalton, Ohio. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this fundraising sale for Mennonite Central Committee, everyone in attendance on Saturday was invited to have a free piece of cake. Fundraising results from the weekend sale will be posted on the Ohio Mennonite…
Don’t miss the 2015 Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale
The annual Ohio Relief Sale takes place the first Friday and Saturday of August every year. This year the sale begins Friday, July 31. At 4 p.m. Friday food is available and the booths are open; the evening program begins at 6:30 p.m. Then at 7 a.m. Saturday, breakfast is served. The 5K Run and Walk start at 8 a.m.…
Flat Menno goes to Bible School at Inlet Mennonite Church
Flat Menno recently spent time visiting Inlet Mennonite Church in Wauseon. He especially enjoyed participating in Bible School. While at Inlet, Flat Menno also helped with a work project. Flat Menno also spent time visiting with people at Inlet.
Flat Menno visits Tedrow Mennonite
Flat Menno enjoyed spending some time with the Tedrow Mennonite Church Family recently. Flat Menno enjoyed celebrating at Brandon (holding Flat Menno) and Evan’s birthday party at MYF one night. He sneaked into the church office to have some fun as he copied himself on the copy machine. Flat Menno enjoyed playing games and visiting with some of the older…
Good Shepherd Mennonite hosts Flat Menno
Flat Menno recently spent time at Good Shepherd Mennonite Church in Archbold. Flat Menno was introduced to the congregation, and they were exited to hear how he has been visiting different Mennonite churches and has been impressed with what he has witnessed. Praise the Lord! Earlier, before Flat Menno’s visit, the church hosted a women’s gathering on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. They had…
Flat Menno visits Pine Grove Mennonite
Is there anyone more fortunate than Flat Menno? Recently when Flat Menno traveled up to the northwest corner of Ohio to visit Pine Grove Mennonite Church in Stryker, he discovered he had the opportunity to visit not one but two congregations! Flat Menno just happened to be present on the very day that Pine Grove Mennonite and Good Shepherd Mennonite…
Sharon Mennonite welcomes Flat Menno
Flat Menno received a warm welcome when he visited Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City. He participated in service projects, enjoyed meeting the youth and even assisted the pastor in sermon preparation! Flat Menno joined the youth group in making “yarn” out of plastic bags that will be crocheted into sleeping mats for the homeless. Flat Menno helped to…
Flat Menno meets children and youth at Lockport
While at Lockport Mennonite Church in Stryker, Ohio, Flat Menno had the chance to meet with some of the children and youth of the congregation. During Lent, Lockport is using worship materials based on the magazine Leader, following the theme “Upside Down and Inside Out.” Each week during children’s time, the children are invited to learn more about different ways…
North Lima Mennonite welcomes Flat Menno
Despite the cold February weather, Flat Menno found a warm welcome at North Lima Mennonite Church in Columbiana County. He spent some time participating in congregational life. While at North Lima, Flat Menno helps prepare Valentine boxes for college students. Flat Menno helps to get things ready for the monthly breakfast buffet. Flat Menno joins Pastor Bob Wengerd at…
Zion Mennonite hosts Flat Menno
Flat Menno traveled to Archbold to spend some time with the members of Zion Mennonite Church. He found a warm welcome there. Flat Menno was able to meet participants in Zion Mennonite’s LOGOS children’s program. LOGOS is an intergenerational program dedicated to the breaking of bread, bible study, fun, and worship. It is enjoyed by children from throughout the community.…
Flat Menno Visits LifeBridge North in Strasburg
Flat Menno recently traveled to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and spent time in Strasburg, getting to know the LifeBridge North congregation. Flat Menno joins a Wednesday night community Bible Study that is led by LifeBridge North’s Mike Mast. One of the younger members of LifeBridge North says “hi” to Flat Menno. Flat Menno joins pastor Jason Rissler making espresso at…
Flat Menno enjoys movie at Pleasant View
Flat Menno has been spotted again! This time he was seen visiting Pleasant View Mennonite Church in North Lawrence. The congregation recently showed the movie God’s Not Dead as a free event for the community. In the picture above, Flat Menno is welcoming all for food, fellowship and a great movie. If your congregation would like to host Flat Menno,…
West Clinton welcomes Flat Menno
Flat Menno’s first stop at West Clinton was the Monday night Ladies’ Bible Study. Clockwise from upper left are Darlene Rufenacht, Deb Short, Naomi Engle, Joyclyn Nafziger, Terri Rufenacht, Flat Menno and Lori King. Photo by Pam Graber. Reported by Pam Graber Flat Menno arrived at West Clinton on a snowy, blustery weekend and spent the weekend trying to keep…
Flat Menno helps at Crown Hill food pantry
We haven’t seen much of Flat Menno in a long time, but recently, he stopped in at Crown Hill Mennonite Church in Rittman. He spent some time at the food pantry at Crown Hill, seeing how the congregation is meeting needs of people in the community.
Flat Menno visits Pennsylvania
Flat Menno’s travels took him to western Pennsylvania, where he was able to meet the members of Maple Grove Mennonite Church. The Maple Grove congregation is active in the local community. During the first weekend in September, New Wilmington held a 150th year celebration, and several people from Maple Grove helped with the Saturday afternoon games for the children. Several…
Flat Menno visits the Plain City Free Clinic
When Flat Menno visited Cornerstone Mennonite Fellowship in Plain City, he went to the Plain City Free Clinic. The clinic was started by retired pharmacist Charles Holcombe, a member of Cornerstone, and a local doctor, Dr. John Adams. Flat Menno also spent some time at a community outreach event called Be the Church Sunday which members of Cornerstone participates in.…
Wooster Mennonite enjoys hosting Flat Menno
Wooster Mennonite has been so blessed by the presence of Flat Menno these past few weeks. He attended the congregation’s outdoor worship service at Kidron Park on Aug. 11 and joined them in receiving four new members. He also visited the women’s sewing group where he learned about their quilting and service projects. In addition, he attended an elder leadership team meeting where he entered…
Flat Menno visits Orrville Mennonite
When Flat Menno visited Orrville Mennonite Church this summer, he went to Camp Luz, participated in Bible School, went on a mission trip, and was able to meet lots of people. WINGS (Walking in God’s Strength), an elementary age outreach ministry has a yearly retreat at Camp Luz. On the Sunday morning of the retreat, Orrville Mennonite holds its…
Flat Menno visits Peace Mennonite
Flat Menno visited Peace Mennonite Church in Elyria during June and the beginning of July. While at Peace Mennonite, he was even able to do some gardening! Flat Menno took part in the church’s worship planning committee meeting with Mae Logan, Edna Troyer, Pastor Adam Houser and Patty Thompson. Flat Menno enjoys leading from Hymnal: A Worship Book. …
Flat Menno travels to Pennsylvania, visits Beaverdam Mennonite
Flat Menno decided it was time to travel to Pennsylvania. He went to Corry, Pa., to visit the congregation at Beaverdam Mennonite Church. While there, he spent time with a variety of people and even helped with some of the renovations going on at the parsonage in preparation for the new pastor and his family, who will be coming to…
Flat Menno witnesses baptisms, attends Bible School at Beech
Flat Menno came to Beech Mennonite Church in Louisville just in time to witness baptisms on Sunday, May 26. He spent time with the congregation for the next few weeks, and was able to attend Vacation Bible School June 10-13 as well. Flat Menno checks out the baptismal font. During the children’s time in the worship service, Flat…
Flat Menno explores downtown Canton
When Flat Menno visited First Mennonite Church in Canton, he joined the youth group on a trip to downtown Canton. He also spent some time visiting the church. Flat Menno rode along with the First Mennonite youth group on a trip to downtown Canton. The group hit one of the local coffee shops, where Flat Menno had way too…
Moorhead Mennonite celebrates 48th anniversary during Flat Menno’s visit
Flat Menno recently traveled to Moorhead Mennonite Church in Shreve and spent some time there. He was present during the 48th anniversary celebration of the church’s first service on May 5. Flat Menno enjoyed food during the fellowship meal following the worship service. Flat Menno met four members of Moorhead who were present on May 5, 1965, for the…
Dayspring sends Flat Menno to camp!
When Flat Menno visited Dayspring Christian Fellowship, he soon found himself on the way to camp! After spending some time learning more about Dayspring, Flat Menno traveled to Camp Luz with Andrew Michaels, a member of Dayspring who also is executive director of Camp Luz. Flat Menno helped fill orders from Dayspring’s food pantry. Sue Bruce is one of Dayspring’s…