News

During Sunday school this week at 9:30, Jude will continue the series on early Christian history. We will be discussing the Didache, one of our earliest examples of church orders. A 1st, maybe 2nd century document that was very popular in the early church.

We will be having our annual Thanksgiving Feast on Sunday, Nov. 8th following Gracious Space. The turkey will be furnished. Attendees are asked to bring your favorite food to compliment the turkey.

It is with much gratitude that the Coordinating Committee writes to share the names of the people who have agreed to be a part of the Nominating Committee for gathering our PMC 2027 Committees!
Coming together for this important and holy task is:  Jim Russo, Sharon McCulley, Jeri Butkus and Sondra Tolle,  with Anne Bailey (liaison to CC)!
All of these people will be offered for affirmation on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at our quarterly Congregational Meeting directly after church.
After their affirmation, the work of the committee begins and contacts will be made. Please consider what tasks/gifts/talents you can share with the church in 2027!

The next Ministry Team meeting is set for Tuesday, October 27, at 11:00, at the home of Steve and Eileen Unruh.

The Coordinating Committee will next meet November 4th, 6:00 p.m.

Save the Date: The Fall Bonfire Party will be November 7th this year–see this week’s newsletter for more information.

The October Congregational Meeting will be held after church this Sunday, October 25, 2026. We will affirm the nominating committee for 2027, discuss and affirm the cost for building sound panels for the sanctuary (along with the purchase of darkening blinds), committee reports, changing the constitution to allow all participants to be part of the Ministry Team as well as the Coordinating Committee, as well as adding the land covenant to the constitution, and more! Here is a link to the proposed constitutional changes.

Thanks to generous donations from the PMC Peace & Justice Committee and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Joni has raised the $400 in funds to pay travel expenses to bring the film “The Doctrine” to Haskell. So please disregard last week’s announcement asking for contributions.

Lawrence Taize Services
Upcoming in-person services will be on the following dates and locations.
All services are at 6 p.m.
Oct 23, 2026 – Plymouth Congregational Church
Dec 4, 2026 – Peace Mennonite Church
Dec 11, 2026 – Plymouth Congregational Church
Dec 12, 2026 – St. John the Evangelist Church

Notice to the Congregation
Exciting news!!!!  Starting on September 1, 2026, Pastor Rosi Penner Kaufman and Pastor Roger Neufeld Smith will be available for pastoring our congregation.  We have “prepaid” for their services for a year, and you may contact them in times of crisis, possible hospice visits, upcoming surgeries, for prayer, and pastoring with life’s issues at no additional cost.  These two wonderful people have agreed to help us as we navigate without a settled pastor, giving us the gift of their skills and time.  This is a casual relationship, and the “rules” are fuzzy as no one else in the Western District Conference has ever had this kind of relationship with former pastors.  We will discuss “How is it going?” at our fall congregational meeting tentatively scheduled in October.
Questions?  Please reach out to the Ministries Coordinator, Anne Bailey, or to anyone on the Coordinating Committee!

Peace Mennonite ODIM Guatemala Service Trip — February 20-28, 2027
The purpose of our trip is to learn about the work of the Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya (ODIM) and to experience Guatemalan culture. We will also serve the local communities of San Juan and San Pablo la Laguna by helping to install clean-burning stoves and providing water filters for potable water for local families. Additional cultural activities may include touring the local coffee, weaving, chocolate and honey cooperatives, exploring the historic colonial town of Antigua, and other cultural cooperatives and galleries in the villages around Lake Atitlán.  Activities are subject to change due to weather, schedule, or availability.
You can find written information about this trip in the church foyer.
Please contact Roberta Renz or Vickie Eaton if you are interested.

 Photos related to the Service of Repentance and Restoration can be accessed at this Link.

The second Sunday of every month our in-person service will be our Gracious Space event at 4:00, which will include a shared meal. Our meals together on the second Sunday of each month are an important opportunity for us to connect and build community.

For announcements, contact information updates, and other general questions and information please continue to use the regular office email peacemennonite@gmail.com. Email checked most Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If you would like to receive our weekly email newsletter, please sign up on our home page.

The Peace Mennonite Church library is now searchable online, linked to the church website, and accessible via the library heading on our website.

Your regular financial contributions to Peace Mennonite as well as contributions to the church benevolence fund (to help those with financial difficulties) can be mailed to the church (PO Box 451, Lawrence, KS 66044) or online. (Please indicate if the money is intended for the benevolence fund.)

Broader church resources/links

BETHEL COLLEGE
WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE (WDC)
Mennonite Church USA MC USA
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE NEWS (MCC)
Center for Justice and Peacebuilding
Mennonite Creation Care Network
CAMP MENNOSCAH NEWS– website link
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp
Mennonite Mission Network website link
Mennonite World Conference
MWC’s Courier magazine here
Mennonites Against Militarism
Mennonite Women USA —website link
Mennonite Men — website link
Mennonite Disaster Service