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For more information about Black Rock Retreat please visit us at www.blackrockretreat.com
SummeR CampLast year counselors at Black Rock Retreat agreed to sleep on cots on the porches and in the center of our cabins so that we might host additional campers and cut into our waiting list of more than 500 children, a testimony of the passion to see young people experience the love of Christ and His Church. In 2012 we hosted 889 campers with 280 of them being sponsored children from both urban and rural settings. During their week of camp, 37 of these young people made a decision to become a follower of Jesus for the first time.
OuTDOOR eDuCaTIONmore than 1800 students/teachers/chaperones participate in our spring and fall 3-day Outdoor education experiences. The goal of these experiences is to lead young people to their Creator through studying and learning about His creation. 35 of these students surrendered their lives to their Creator for the first time and hundreds acknowledged that they grew closer to God through their time at Black Rock Retreat. In addition, nearly 1000 individuals stretched their capacity and understanding through taking part in our Ropes Course program. Of the 44 participant groups, 13 came from non faith based organizations.
2013 mINISTRY SuppORT eVeNTSWe welcome your participation in our 2013 auction, (may 18th), Open House/Summer Camp Commissioning, (June 2nd), BR2RB 125 mile bicycle ride, (September 6 & 7), Golf Outing, (September 16th) , and annual Banquet (October 24th).
ReTReaT GROupSIn 1954 Frank enck and his son Daniel purchased 29 acres in Colerain Township in order to provide a place to take at risk youth from Lancaster City. It was their conviction that if you got these young men out of the city and into God’s creation, it would open the door for them to give their lives to Christ. although much has been added to that original land and it is a part of what we now know as Black Rock Retreat, the vision has not been lost. In 2010 matt Kroll, pastor at Lord’s House of prayer, in Lancaster City founded a program called mountain Conquerors for at risk young men from Lancaster City. He called Black Rock Retreat to see if we might allow him to use our facilities as a part of this program. Of course we found a way and for the last three years he has brought these youth to Black Rock Retreat for several nights. at Black Rock they experience the ropes course and other challenges in order to push them beyond their zones of comfort. matt and volunteer helpers or youth from previous years also introduce these young men to Christ and numbers of them have committed their lives to Him. We praise and give glory to God that, 58 years later; God continues to work, fulfilling the original vision for this sacred space at Black Rock Retreat. During 2012 Black Rock Retreat hosted hundreds of groups and thousands of children and adults during their self planned retreat events.
A Report to the
Atlantic Coast Conference of
Mennonite Church USA
The 2012 year was very busy for Brook Lane as we continue to
expand services to meet the growing mental health needs of the
community. Our outpatient services grew by 17 percent and
hospital admissions were up by seven percent. The growth is
positive, yet it also creates great concern because we have to
turn away many admissions every week since our beds are full. In the past year over 650
individuals were not able to be admitted due to bed availability. Nearly, 60 percent of those
referrals were for children and adolescents. We have explored a variety of options to help with this
challenge.
We are strongly considering a hospital expansion of 14 beds for a children’s unit. The current
children’s unit would become flex space that could be used by any of the units that are full. The flex
unit could serve as an additional adult unit, adolescent unit or children’s Unit. At this writing we
are bidding the potential project so our Board of Directors can decide if it will move forward. We
have received a 1.1 million dollar grant from the State of Maryland, which must be matched. A
feasibility study suggests that we can raise 2.5 million dollars for the new addition. The Brook
Lane Foundation Board is planning a capital campaign to aid the project.
Our medical staff has grown to 20 members as we continue to expand our outpatient services. Last
year, we expanded our adult partial hospitalization program to adults age 18 and older. This allows
us the serve more individuals with a program that can avert a hospitalization or shorten a hospital
stay. Our Frederick, Maryland outpatient office relocated in December and now has a suite of 16
offices with separate waiting areas for children & adolescents and adults. This more than doubles
the size of the previous location and allows us to provide more services to a greater number of
people. Brook Lane has leased the remainder of the building that houses Laurel Hall School in
Frederick and the child and adolescent partial hospitalization program. This additional space will
provide much needed indoor recreation space and offices for the programs. The expansion is in the
design stage and is expected to be completed in 18 months.
Please visit our website: www.brooklane.org to learn more about any of the programs in our
continuum of services or volunteer opportunities. You can also view our new video on the Brook
Lane homepage.
Currently, we do not have a representative from the Atlantic Coast Conference on our Board of
Directors. If you have an interest in being part of the team that guides Brook Lane, please call me
or send an email to [email protected].
Thank you for your on-going interest and support of our work.
Respectfully Submitted,
R. Lynn Rushing, Chief Executive Officer
A Not-for-Profit Organization Serving the Region Since 1949
P.O. Box 1945
13218 Brook Lane Dr.
Hagerstown, Maryland 21742
www.brooklane.org
A Ministry of the New York City Mennonite Churches
Ken Bontrager – Executive Director E-mail [email protected]
845) 754-8669 www.campdeerpark.org
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
On Sunday, December 2
nd, Deborah and I visited Immanuel Community Church in Queens. During the
worship time we sang the Chris Tomlin song “Forever”. It struck me at the time how fitting the Psalm
136 passage is for us at Camp Deerpark. God has been faithful to Camp Deerpark this year.
God has been faithful to provide Pastor Ben Stevens, pastor at King of Glory in the Bronx, as our
summer camp pastor and director. God has been faithful to provide another amazing group of summer
counselors and summer camp support staff including Lauren Hewell to take amazing photos and tell the
story of camp. God has been faithful to provide a young man named Kenton Baer to head up the
construction work for the capital improvements. God has been faithful to provide committed staff that
consistently go above and beyond expectations for this ministry. God has been faithful to send hundreds
of volunteers to camp this year who have made so many improvements. Although this has been another
difficult year for Camp Deerpark in terms of finances, God has been faithful to touch the hearts of many
folks to give generously to this ministry.
After more than two years of waiting for
permits, this December we have started
the excavation work in preparation for
the Children’s Camp Village. Again
God has been faithful to provide skilled
and committed volunteers like John and
Linda Horst, Keith Horst, Chet Martin,
Mike Longacre, and Neil Kuhns. When
our campaign needed a boost of
encouragement, God was faithful to send
two families with an unsolicited gift to
cover the cost of the first two of eight
cabins. And as if that were not enough,
God was faithful to provide a sunny 60
degree day in December for us to start the
excavation work.
Forever, God is faithful
Forever, God is strong
Forever, God is with us
Forever, Forever
Prayerfully consider how you might be part of God’s faithfulness to the children, youth, and
families of New York City.
Prayer of dedication before work was started on December 3rd. For more photos go to Facebook.
Thank you so much to each and every one of you for your continued, faithful support of Camp Hebron’s ministry. We continue to provide a sanctuary where people of all backgrounds come together and en-joy the fruits of His creation. Many lives were touched by our Lord including commitments with eternal implications. We were excited to see so many children, youth, adults and families connect with God, nature and each other. Camp has been instrumental in the faith de-velopment of the children of the church. Family Camps were full and children/youth camp registrations have continued to increase. The struggles in the economy have been offset by the generosity of donors that allowed us to give 77 scholarships this year.
In 2013 Camp celebrates 56 years of dynamic ministry. ACC has been a significant partner in that tradition. We invite you and your church to be even more actively involved. Our Board has been blessed with two ACC members. (Bruce Stauffer (Forest Hills); Lamar Weaver (Community Mennonite). In addition we had a large con-tingent of summer staff, volunteers and campers from a broad spectrum of ACC churches. We also love to host your constituent churches for gatherings and retreats. Several have experienced the benefit of time away to grow as a congregation. Our campground and leaseholder cottages provide great options for family use. As always, we welcome pastors to come to camp for two nights (complementary lodging) for a personal/family spiritual renewal retreat. Call the office for details.
The hallmark of Camp Hebron has been hospitality and a strong, Christ-centered, caring staff. The staff faithfully prays for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all of our campers and guests. It is exciting to see the fruit of those prayers and very rewarding to hear stories of the impact of the Hebron experience in homes, schools and communities. The Sum-mer Staff experience is a profound leadership training ground.. Many of our staff go on to church leadership and service roles. Camp also provides many opportunities for all ages to serve through volunteerism. These op-tions include food service, skilled maintenance, office tasks, program facilitation and serving in the gift shop.
It is a privilege to serve the Lord through Camp Hebron and witness His power and redeeming love in the lives of people of all generations. You are valued partners in helping us to fulfill our mission of helping people to connect with God, nature and each other. We are blessed to be involved as a Conference Related Ministry and enhance each other’s efforts to build up the Kingdom of God. Respectfully submitted
Lanny MilletteExecutive Director
Camp Hebron, IncCamp & Retreat Ministries
957 Camp Hebron Road, Halifax, PA 17032Phone: (717) 896-3441 • Fax: (717) 896-3391
CAMP HEBRONwith God, Nature & Each Other. ANNUAL REPORT
Since 1962, Choice Books, an inter-Anabaptist book evangelism ministry, has distributed nearly 90 million books in the general marketplace. In 2012, its 50th year of ministry, Choice Books purchased/sold 5,334,613 books marking the seventh consecutive year that annual sales exceeded 5 million books. The earliest recorded annual sales were 28,554 books sold in 1967. In the early 1970’s, only about 600 retailers carried Choice Books. Today, Choice Books services more than 11,000 permanent displays nationwide in supermarkets, mass merchandise stores, airports, drug stores, travel centers, hospital gift shops, military base exchanges and a variety of other retailers.
Originally organized as Life-ine Books in 1962, Choice Books (CB) first purchased/sold one million books in one year in 1991, celebrated the two million book milestone in 1997, surpassed the three million books in one year milestone in 1999, topped the 4 million book milestone in 2003, and reached 5 million books sold annually in 2006 and each year since. At the current rate, CB purchases/sells approximately 14,615 books per day! Choice Books’ mission is “to share the ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ in the general marketplace through inspiring and wholesome reading material.” A recovering alcoholic from Steelton, PA, wrote, “I was waiting for some meds at CVS and the book, The Bible Promise Book for Women, caught my attention so I bought it. Am I glad I did! Today I carry your book around with me in my purse. Not only do I read it often, I’m telling other people about the different verses. I hope to soon leave the crisis house where I have been living for three months. I never had hope before and even though it feels great, it’s uncomfortable. I will continue to have a lot of support from the crisis house staff, plus I now have your book!” Ray Brubaker, Executive Director of CB of Pennsylvania, says, “It is exciting to know that each week thousands of people are finding hope in the message of Jesus Christ in the books being sold from over 780 displays that Choice Books of Pennsylvania services in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York and West Virginia.”
Each year, Choice Books recognizes the highest retail volume accounts in various retail categories. In 2012, CB of Pennsylvania serviced the following retailers who were the top CB retailers in their respective categories nationwide: Independent Supermarket – Shady Maple Farm Market, East Earl, PA, sold 2,856 books,
$37,970 retail from two displays. Restaurant Location – Shady Maple Smorgasbord, East Earl, PA, sold 6,613 books, $87,513
retail from seven displays. Travel Center Store – Sunoco #7080, PA Turnpike Service Plaza, Waterfall, PA, sold 4,252
books, $32,247 retail from one display. Choice Books (CB) operates through a network of seven regional CB Distributors who work cooperatively with a Central Office in Harrisonburg, VA. The organization employs approximately 250 staff and volunteers and services more than 11,000 displays scattered across the continental United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Choice Books purchases books from over 80 publishers and sells both English and Spanish language inspirational Christian books. For more information about Choice Books, please visit their website at www.choicebooks.org.
Choice Books Celebrates 50 Years in Ministry
1
EASTERN MENNONITE MISSIONS
REPORT TO ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE February 14, 2013
Global Ends: Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) exists so that all peoples will encounter Christ and
become his disciples in reproducing kingdom communities.
Vision and mission statement:
Serving together, we
share God’s love,
empower Christlike leaders, and
nurture Spirit-inspired partnerships to create
transforming communities of worship among all peoples.
EMM has more than 100 workers (long-term, mission interns, GO! participants, and YES teams)
serving among unreached peoples and working in partnership with churches here at home and around
the world. These missionaries are committed to the witness of Jesus, forming disciples, and creating
kingdom communities.
EMM continues to serve in both pioneering and partnering locations. Our missionaries in China and
the Middle East, for example, continue to build relationships and make disciples. In the Middle East
we’re training both Israeli and Palestinian believers, demonstrating our belief that God desires to reach
all peoples. In rural West Africa, the Mennonite Church of Guinea-Bissau recently sent out local
missionaries to start new communities of faith in the surrounding villages. In urban Berlin, our
missionaries share Jesus with the large immigrant Muslim population through the arts and
relationships. These are examples of EMM and ACC congregations working together internationally.
EMM has also made it a priority to connect with ACC and other partner churches both at the individual
congregation level and more broadly. EMM teams have gone to various congregations, not only to
share the Sunday sermons but also to participate in Sunday school settings, fellowship meals, and
worship. In meeting with leaders, we have facilitated discussion around each congregation’s and
district’s mission initiatives and how EMM can partner together in those efforts.
We are empowering Christlike leaders through Bible schools in Tanzania, Ghana, Vietnam, Honduras,
and Guatemala, and through an international university in Lithuania. Our holistic approach is evident
through medical ministry in Cambodia and Peru; education in Honduras, several parts of Africa, and
Peru; and agricultural development in Guinea-Bissau. In South Asia we have missionaries committed
to changing their communities through intercessory prayer.
One of the goals in the 2011 restructuring of EMM was to see a greater alignment and effectiveness in
our work. These changes resulted in the sale of the Harrisburg Discipleship Center (HDC). We believe
that this will open the door for a new way of doing YES, our vision for a network of “on-the-field”
mentors and “on-the-job” training opportunities for young people. We are excited to see a new
generation of young adults get involved in YES, GO! assignments, and mission internships. They gain
deeper levels of cultural awareness as they connect with our long-term workers, and they create a
greater sense of team on the field.
Our ministry to Children at Risk currently is focusing on training those who feel called to go. We
currently have a young woman in Belize serving alongside a long-term missionary among the Deaf,
2
and a young woman in Cambodia working with women and children who are victims of human
trafficking. Many more opportunities for ministry abound!
Our Business for Transformation Ministry continues to open doors for our workers in restricted places
around the world. In these pioneering mission contexts, EMM seeks to recruit, equip, send, and support
Anabaptist entrepreneurs. These workers start businesses that seek holistic transformation in their
communities – for spiritual, economic, social, and environmental impact. For example: in Guinea-
Bissau we supported the development of a cashew processing plant, in Central Asia a computer
programming/English school, in the Balkans a milk processing plant, and in Southeast Asia, a water
filter manufacturing factory. These businesses open doors to share the gospel. We have written a first
draft of a Business for Transformation Resource Manual; it will facilitate our vision for Business or
Transformation in both pioneering and partnering locations.
We are grateful for the opportunities to go to all the world and make disciples of all peoples! We are
partnering together with local churches, and working with ACC in church planting and revitalization
efforts. We are going where the church is weak or nonexistent to share God’s love, empower Christlike
leaders, and nurture Spirit-inspired partnerships – to create transforming communities of worship
among all peoples!
Nelson Okanya,
EMM President
Cultivating Our Capabilities
In 2012 we celebrated 40 years of growth and change. That change-process took many people serving together knowing that the Lord was the source of strength for their lives. As we sought our future vision, we realized our mission had been enriched because we found that the organization was sincerely cultivating the capabilities of our Individuals and Team Members. Our Team Members truly strive for excellence in creating the extraordinary with passion and purpose. Relationships are built while inspiring unity, respect and perspective. We believe that by modeling authenticity, clarity and truth, we will be used of the Lord in ways we cannot possibly imagine. While embracing the whole person to encourage living in balance with God, self and others, we are Impacting the World with Capabilities! This vision encompasses the capabilities of our Individuals and Team Members. Each life is a miracle in itself and we have actualized this very fact in 2013. The annual State Inspection for our 24 group homes that are home to some of our Individuals reflected the earnest work of a Team committed to excellence. What an EXCITING Licensing Exit Conference we experienced! Friendship Community received no deficiencies or citations. Much work has been focused on hiring, training, guiding, directing, mentoring, monitoring and following through on the many regulations and criteria that we must meet for licensing purposes. Our belief is that this licensing process affords us the opportunity to weave into our culture that simply doing what is right and best for those we serve creates this culture of Excellence. The heART of Friendship ART Gallery has outgrown its space in Ephrata and with much discussion and prayer we are partnering with Landis Communities to create a positive addition to the arts Community of Lancaster City in the Gallery Row area (photo to right). We are now serving 45 Artists in this program and their artistic capabilities are phenomenal. This has impacted their entire life in such a positive way. We were thrilled to present this venture at the Mennonite Health Assembly this year.
Friendship Community also partnered with the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit-13 to provide classroom space for their basic occupational skills classes (photo to left). They in-turn will apply what they learn through various projects with Landis Communities and our organization. The final part of this project is underway and will become the first Maintenance Building for Friendship Community. This is a necessary component to meet the standards that Friendship Community has established for every property, thus striving to realize the goal to be more cost-efficient in every way. Since the reduction in State funding, Friendship Community joined in increasing advocacy efforts with
Families across the state of Pennsylvania. A rally in the Spring of 2012, at the State Capitol, sent a meaningful message to our State Legislators since the rotunda was packed with Individuals, Families, Providers and Friends. Busses of passionate people were actually turned away because of building capacity and security compliance. We believe these efforts made a significant impact on those making critical, life-changing decisions. We realize that Politicians need to be educated on how their decisions affect the vulnerable citizens that we embrace. These efforts shall continue so that we can be part of the solution for this changing world of economics. Thank you to all of YOU who have made a decision to partner with Friendship Community. Whether it be volunteering, sending a family member or friend for employment or sharing your particular God-given gifts or finances, we extend our sincere gratitude to each of you. May God bless you in your journey and current chapter of life. Rejoicing, Gwen Schuit, CEO
1149 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543 | 717.656.2466 | FriendshipCommunity.net | FriendshipART.net
Two additional community-based group homes opened in 2012, bringing the total number of properties operated by Friendship Community to 29 and Individuals served to 141. Home Based services continues to grow faster than any other residential living arrangement. Individuals who live in Home Based settings live on their own or with their family while Friendship Community Team Members provide in-home supports that are tailored to the needs of each Individual. Individuals are encouraged to become independent and self-supporting members of the community.
The Gift of Speech
Friendship Community recognized Nancy Shreiner as the 2012 Haverstick Award Recipient. Nancy has given back to the community, overcome significant obstacles in communication and exceeded the expectations of family and Team Members alike. She is pictured here with Brenda Gerlach, who is the Program Specialist where Nancy resides. With help from Team Members, Family and a communication device called a Dynavox Maestro, Nancy is learning to communicate with confidence. She uses the device, which is similar to a lap top, to build sentences. The device becomes her voice by speaking the sentences for her. Since receiving her device in January, Nancy was the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the Rotary Club. She has also enjoyed learning to use her device to send and receive text messages. Nancy is Impacting the World with Her Capabilities!
Residential Services Expand
A New Look for Friendship
Friendship Community unveiled its new Vision, Mission, Values and Logo during its 40th Anniversary Gala this past October. The journey to discovering our new brand was an organizational-wide effort, which included the Board of Directors. “The Friendship Community Board of Directors is proud to have participated with Team Members in developing the new brand. It has become the living guide in our daily lives. ~ Charles Kahler, Board President
Our New Vision: Impacting the World with Capabilities Our New Mission: Friendship Community is a Christian ministry cultivating capabilities of Individuals with developmental disabilities. Our New Values: R.I.S.E.
Relationships ~ Inspiring unity, respect and perspective Integrity ~ Modeling authenticity, clarity and truth Spirituality ~ Embracing the whole person to encourage living in balance with God, self and others Excellence ~ Creating the extraordinary with passion and purpose
We not only want to RISE up for Jesus, but we are striving to Impact the World for Christ with the capabilities of our Individuals and our Team Members. Our focus is not on disabilities, but on capabilities!
LIVING WITH GOD’S POSSIBILITIES: at Garden Spot Village
From putting a roof over the heads of a displaced family in
Alabama to helping women in Bangladesh build a business to
feed their families to enhancing opportunities for Christian
continuing education in Lancaster County, God is at work
among us at Garden Spot Village.
At work with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS): On April
27, 2011, an EF-4 tornado tore through Alabama, killing 250
people across the state and leaving many homeless. In 2012,
residents and staff from Garden Spot Village partnered with The
Community Church at Garden Spot Village and Weaverland
Mennonite Church to participate in MDS’s Partnership Home Program (PHP), building a
home for a family displaced by the tornados. As a project co-sponsor, we raised funds to
send volunteer laborers to Alabama. On a Saturday in September, a host of residents,
future residents, staff and community volunteers helped pre-fabricate wall partitions in a
parking lot on our campus. Many residents who couldn’t provide labor inscribed
scriptural messages on the building materials, which the family was able to read as the
house was being built. One group of women made a colorful queen-size quilt for the
client family. The house was finished in November and the family was in its new home
before Thanksgiving.
At work with Ten Thousand Villages: The Mountain View Vision and Design Club in
our personal care community is serving as a product development workshop for Ten
Thousand Villages, a global fair trade retailer. The goal is for the women in Mountain
View to design folded paper products and provide instructions so artisan women in rural
Bangladesh can make the items and sell them through Ten Thousand Villages. The
crafters in Mountain View also make scented soaps to sell at our annual Fall Festival and
at our Village Store, both of which support our benevolent fund to provide for residents
who need financial assistance. The members of the craft club are not only helping fellow
residents as well as women in a developing nation on the other side of the globe, but they
are a shining testimony that just because someone needs health care doesn’t mean they
have to stop dreaming, contributing and making a difference in the world.
At work with Christian educators: Our popular Meet the Churches series continued in
2012, with a focus on ethnic churches and appreciating God’s diversity. In the spring we
teamed with Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS) to offer a six-week course called “The
Case for Christian Pacifism and Peacebuilding.” In the fall, we partnered with EMS and
two Mennonite Churches to offer “Discipleship: Following Christ Here and Around the
World.” These programs all are part of Garden Spot Village ALIVE (Active Lifelong
Learners in Vital Engagements), which regularly presents panel discussions, lectures by
EMS and Lancaster Bible College (LBC) faculty, living history presentations, bible
studies and more. Recently we forged an innovative partnership with LBC to offer adult
continuing education courses on our campus to Village residents and our neighbors in
eastern Lancaster County. All of these programs support individuals in their desire to
grow spiritually, intellectually and socially and to expand God’s work among us.
Our organization’s mission… is to protect and maintain the 1770 Germantown Mennonite Meetinghouse, a significant symbol of the first permanent Mennonite settlement in North America, and to interpret and share the history, faith and witness of Mennonites in German-town from 1683 to the present. We do this by preserving the Meetinghouse and cemetery; maintaining the nearby buildings and grounds; and preparing and implementing tours, exhibits, publications, curricula, and public programs. We accomplish this by work-ing with Mennonite churches, conferences and organizations, the Germantown community and many other partners. A special thanks to all the individuals and churches of Atlantic Coast Conference who contributed financially to our work this past year!
GMHT Board of Directors
Dave Hersh (EDC), John Arn (EDC), Ruth Arn (EDC), Jan Gleysteen (MCUSA), Leonard Gross (AL), David Haury (AL), Brent Hershey (FMC), Fred Kauff-man (AL), Ruth Marino (GMC), Lois Ann Mast (MCUSA), Chris Nickels (FMC), Dan Thut (GMC), Na-than Wright (GMC) EDC=Eastern District Confer-ence, FMC= Franconia Mennonite Conference, GMC=Germantown Mennonite Church, AL=At Large
Learn about the early history and heritage of Mennonites in America—contact us for a
tour or presentation!
Liz Einsig Wise, Executive Director email: [email protected]; (267) 240-7966 (cell)
Christopher Friesen, Program Director
email: [email protected]; (267) 297-6124 (cell)
Website: www.meetinghouse.info or “Like” us on Facebook! (215) 843-0943 office
Families, school groups, and summer campers like
this group from Teresa’s Little Treasures visit the
Meetinghouse each year to learn about the early
history of Mennonites in America.
Volunteers put in over 250 hours last year to repaint
sections of the historic 1770 Germantown Meeting-
house and wrought iron fence surrounding the prop-
erty.
Visitors at our summer festival enjoyed morning
devotions from the Anabaptist prayer book, a Rook
tournament, live music, Amish barbecue and a drop
spinning demonstration.
Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation God in Everything
Annual Report 2013
founded in 1992 by six people and 28 students
growth fills the Jesuit Center often in the 80's
62 students in current year
19 faculty and staff
12 board members
12 from Atlantic Coast Conference
many more retreatants & volunteers
budget of $310,845
scholarships = $10,000
Vision: Kairos envisions people transformed by God's love
into the mind and heart of Christ for their sake and for the
sake of the world.
Mission: Kairos is a Christian ecumenical ministry with
Anabaptist roots that provides programs of Spiritual
Formation and Spiritual Direction Training, inviting people
to an inner life of deepening prayer and ongoing journey of
contemplative living in the world.
In keeping with the mission, Kairos provides four
formation classes of prayer that take us deeper into the
Heart of God. Spiritual Direction Training with two
classes (one weekday and one weekend) are currently
equipping 23 people to become directors. Sabbath
Space provides pastors, chaplains and other leaders a
day apart for rest and prayer at two locations
(Wernersville and Carlisle). Retreats include one board
member who comes as Pray-er for students, faculty, and
others who join the Kairos community. Year One is
open for you to come and explore Kairos. Retreats are
held at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, PA.
Marlin Good testifies - Kairos is a
place of inspiration and rest, a place of
connection and solitude. You don’t have
to be an introvert to love this place. In
fact many extroverts have been coming to
Kairos at the Jesuit Center through the
years.
Spiritual transformation is not something
that comes easily or often to me. It’s easy to talk about
full disclosure and vulnerability but Kairos provides a
safe place where these things are more likely to happen.
On my last weekend I found myself sharing honestly
about what had transpired for me the day before and
realized in that moment of vulnerability, that healing
had begun in my heart. God always surprises me!
Some people come to Kairos for the friendships, and
outstanding teaching staff while others come for the
double pillow in their room, the train whistle in the
valley or the gorgeous 260 acre campus. I come simply
because I meet God at Kairos.
April 5-7 weekend offers retreats for silence and with
Year One. Ellie Stratton, Year One teacher, will present
In the Image of God: Beauty & Creativity for Year One
students and guests on Saturday, April 6.
Susan Classen's theme for May 3-5 is A Contemplative
Heart Engages the World. She manages Cedars of
Peace retreat cottages in Nerinx, Kentucky. God's
invitation is for us to open our hearts to the needs of the
world. Visualizing Your Spiritual Journey, a retreat that
weaves together spirituality and art explores spiritual
practices through the power of creativity. Silent Retreat,
a time for listening and reflecting, is also open. Register
today for one of these retreats! www.on-the-journey.org
Summer retreats offer the Enneagram Retreat on
Saturday, June 22 as well as a 5-day silent retreat from
June 23-June 28. The Guiding Light of Fear retreat
will be led by Lori Young and John Drescher-Lehman
June 28-30. The website (www.on-the-journey.org)
gives more details.
We welcome you to come and see!
Mary Etta King, Executive Director
Linford King, Director (Volunteer)
Going deeper...into God's love...in God's time
2160 Lincoln Highway East #13, Lancaster, PA 17602-1150 717.669.2957 [email protected] www.on-the-journey.org
The Lancaster Mennonite School Vision To be a leader in PreK-12 educational experiences of excellence and
character. Through local and global connections in a Christ-centered
environment students will be transformed and our world changed.
School Historical Timeline September 14, 1942 – First day of school at LMH
1946— First issue of the yearbook—The Laurel Wreath
1949— Graybill Residence Hall Built
1959— First Public Music Program Presented
1970— Beginning of the Interscholastic Athletic Program
1991— Calvin and Janet High Fine Arts Center Opens
2000— Lancaster Mennonite Middle School Formed
2002— LMS and New Danville Mennonite School Merge
2003— LMS and Locust Grove Mennonite School Merge
2006—LMS & Kraybill Mennonite School Merge to form the present LMS
2012—13—LMS Celebrates 70 years as missional center for Atlantic Coast
and Lancaster Conferences of Mennonite Church USA.
LMS Quick Facts 4 campuses—Kraybill, Lancaster, Locust Grove, New Danville
1440 students PreK- 12
123 International students from 10 countries
265 total staff including substitute teachers, bus drivers, etc.
14.8 to 1 student to teacher ratio
23 school board members
11,000 alumni
14.8 million Budget (including food services, transportation etc.)
$20 million annual cost savings to taxpayers (based Lancaster County
public school costs)
Lancaster Mennonite School 70th Anniversary: 1942-43 to 2012-13
LMS Educational Goals Exceeded Bible Memory
Grade 12: Understanding Global Citizenship & Senior Presentations
Positive Community Feedback (regarding the middle school) by Middle
School Students
Grade 8 Career Goals & Spiritual Autobiography
Grade 5 Reading Comprehension
Grades 4, 5, 8 Math
Average SAT Scores
Partner Churches of Atlantic Coast Conference
Lancaster Mennonite School recognizes these ACC
Congregations for their financial support of our
school:
Akron Mennonite Church
Blossom Hill Mennonite Church
Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster
Conestoga Mennonite Church
Forest Hill Mennonite
Neffsville Mennonite
Ridgeview Mennonite
Lancaster Mennonite School 70th Anniversary: 1942-43 to 2012-13
Verbal Math Writing
LMS 539 524 517
Pennsylvania 491 501 488
United States 496 514 480
Thank you for your partnership through 70 years of Anabaptist/Christian education. You help to prepare students for
college & career in a school where faith formation happens formally and informally through age appropriate experiences.
Our partnership empowers students to a lifelong journey following Jesus daily in life.
Spring 2013 Report to
Atlantic Coast Conference
Group Opportunities
Host a birthday party for residents
Grounds assistance (spring, summer,
fall)
Individual Opportunities
Escort residents by wheelchair to
physical therapy, barber/hair salon,
activities, and Sunday morning worship
services
Music —Share music with residents in
Personal Care and Healthcare
Campus Shuttle— drive residents
around campus
To find out more about
volunteer opportunities
call 717-509-5409 or visit
www.landishomes.org.
Enriching Lives
Landis Communities was formed in September 2011 and is a Conference Affiliated Ministry of the Atlantic Coast Confer-
ence of the Mennonite Church. It grows out of the nearly 50 year history of Landis Homes and remains committed to the
vision present at its beginning while preparing for growth and change during the years to come. Our Mission Statement
calls us to follow God’s call to creatively serve the diverse needs and interests of older adults by developing opportunities and collaborative rela-
tionships.
Landis Homes continues to provide a full continuum of care to nearly 750 residents. It provides a range of living options
including a wide range of advance and monthly fee options for apartments and cottages at Landis Homes, including the no-
advance fee Residential Suites. Landis Homes also is taking deposits for the next phase of newly designed hybrid homes
which bring together the space of cottages with the community aspects of apartment settings. Landis Homes continues to
be recognized both locally and nationally as a leader in how it cares for those living there.
Landis Communities is connecting with people beyond the Landis Homes Retirement Community. Designed for people
55+, Steeple View Lofts is located in downtown Lancaster, Pa. The building contains 36 rental apartments with no ad-
vance fees. Applications are being accepted with opening set for May 2013. Videos, photos and other information are
available at www.steepleviewlofts.com . Another new connection is the affiliation between Welsh Mountain Homes of
New Holland, Pa., and Landis Communities. Welsh Mountain Home is a non-profit personal care home that has been pro-
viding compassionate, affordable care for over 85 years. Together the organizations are looking for ways to grow housing
options for those with less than median income.
Two additional parts of the organization are available to the wider public. Both Landis At Home and Adult Day Services
were strengthened by the hiring of a full time administrator. These important programs expand our reach beyond the
Landis Homes campus to those in the surrounding community who live in their homes, while also giving residents the op-
tion of additional services as needed. If you have questions about this information, please feel free to contact any of the
members of the Landis Communities Leadership Team. They are: Larry Zook, Allen Heinly, Carolyn Burke, Daryl Peifer,
Eva Bering and Larry Guengerich. Contact information: Larry Zook, President/CEO Landis Communities
(717) 381-3561 or [email protected]
Clergy Breakfast
Thursday, April 25, 2013 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Westview Community Room
“Resources for Pastors” Panel Discussion with persons who
work with seniors in a variety of settings from senior care agencies to congregations
Clergy members are invited to RSVP by April 12 to 717-381-3510
or [email protected] Breakfast is complimentary.
1001 East Oregon Road Lititz, PA www.landishomes.org
2012
YEAR IN REVIEW
Mobile Psychiatric Rehab
Professionally trained staff work
with clients to help them live,
learn, work, and make social
connections in the community.
This program served 33 people
through 525 home/community
visits this year.
Through REACH, clients
exchanged isolation with positive
relationships. They obtained
employment and became involved
in the community. They managed
symptoms and carried out daily
tasks like shopping, cooking, and
budgeting. Most clients stayed out
the hospital (91%), met at least
one recovery goal (80%), and
required fewer units of service
(83%).
Congratulations to this year’s
REACH Graduates who have
achieved much on their road of
recovery! Bravo to your courage
and hard work!
Sharing Support & Hope R.E.A.C.H.
The Family Support Group
(FSG), started in 1991 by
Lowell and Ruth Detweiler, was
the foundation for the beginning
of NLAM and continues to be a
safe place for learning and sup-
port today. Respondents to the
annual survey indicate they have
gained a better understanding of
mental illness and feel supported
in caring for their loved one. A
family’s note of thanks stated,
“We have found great comfort,
support and education.”
The Family Support Group
meets the fourth Sunday of each
month from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at
Rossmere Mennonite Church.
The next meeting will be held on
March 24, when we will hear
from a family member who lost a
loved one to death by suicide.
The Paths to Discovery
Support Group experienced
significant growth in 2012,
increasing from 68 to 108
attendees, averaging 10 people
per meeting. Through the group,
people are finding hope and
support on their journeys of
recovery.
Paths members are giving feed-
back like, “I can bring my concerns
to the group and feel like I am being
heard. “ “The leader is kind and
informative.” “Even though we are
each on our own unique path, we all
share common ground.”
Paths to Discovery meets the first
Thursday of each month from
11:00-12:30pm at 630 Janet Ave.
Krishana Suckau is the group
leader.
Speakers Bureau took us to St
Stephens UCC, Chiques Church
of the Brethren, Connect Church,
Manheim Grace Brethren Church,
Martindale Mennonite Church,
and Bowmansville Mennonite
Church. Our display visited places,
too. We would love to speak at
your church or organization!
Organizational Notes:
Throughout the year the board
and taskforce worked at develop-
ing a Financial Sustainability Plan,
which was adopted by the board
in November 2012. As part of this
process we worked at cost
containment, funding streams and
collaborative ventures. We have
adjusted well to a smaller office
space (in the same building). We
joined the Lancaster Grantwriting
Collaborative, and are beginning
to see a positive return on this
investment.
We were blessed to co-sponsor
with H*VMI, Mental Health
Treatment: Putting the Pieces
Together event on the National Day
of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery
and Understanding. We were
pleased to partner with Philhaven
and local churches to bring Ted &
Company on stage with the
comedy, Laughter is Sacred Space.
We look forward to opportunities
to continue Building Hope for
Mental Wellness in 2013!
No Longer Alone Ministries, Inc.
No Longer Alone Ministries provides supportive, caring services for individuals and families experiencing significant mental illness, as an expression of Christ’s love.
Wellness Workshops WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) workshops were held
throughout the year. Through this seven week course individuals
build their personalized recovery plans. It includes everything from
Daily Maintenance to Crisis Planning. In the coming year, we will be
taking WRAP on the road to different locations around the county. If
you are interested in hosting a WRAP class, please contact our office.
Family Counseling Family Counseling has been
described as a lifeline. The
professional, caring approach puts
families at ease to process difficult
situations and gain a better
understanding of their loved ones.
Through intentional work they find
better ways to cope and respond to
the challenges of mental illness in
the family. Families find ways to
build on the strengths they already
have and experience recovery
themselves.
Services Provided
4%
1%
56%
39%
REACH: 525 visits
Support Groups: 370 attendees
WRAP: 14 attendees
Family Counseling: 34 sessions
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT OUR OFFICE 717-390-4891
OR VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: www. nlam.org
Atlantic Coast Conference Report
for Philadelphia Mennonite High School
Phone number / web
page: 215-769-5363
/pmhs98.org
Mission/Vision Statement:
The Mission of Philadelphia Mennonite School is to provide an excellent Christ-centered
education to urban students that equips them for leadership, service and peacemaking.
Board Members (list name and congregation): Richard Delp, President-Grace Mennonite; Fred
Kauffman, Secretary-West Phila. Mennonite; Dimitria Davenport, Treasurer- New Hope Temple
Baptist Church; Luke Bergy- Calvary Church-Quakertown; Drick Boyd- West Phila.
Mennonite; Gregory Mobley- Faith Emmanuel Baptist Church; Randy Delp- Calvary Church-
Souderton; Eileen Frierson-Saint Simon the Cyrenian Episcopal Church; Jay Johnson
- Germantown Mennonite; Ernestine Tucker-Second Mennonite; Oliver Gingrich- Plains
Mennonite; Joshua Smedley; Ellyn Jo Waller- Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
Update for 2013:
• Golf is a new sport in place for seniors.
• New Sculling program in place this year for freshmen
• The Director, of the Breaking Barriers Sculling program, Dwayne Adams, was honored as a
"Hometown Hero" by the 76'ers Basketball Organization, at the Wachovia Center. PMHS students
were featured in his photo shoot, during half-time events.
• The new Chapel Choir is lifting regular praise to the Lord, in and outside of PMHS. They are under the
direction of Ms. Carla Robinson.
• Student Ambassadors established to support Open Houses and Recruitment efforts, under the direction
of Ron Tinsley, Director of Communications.
• Dr. Moses served, as a delegate to the 2012 International High School Summit, in Beijing, China.
• Dr. Moses and alumna Nyelle Brooks (a senior at Shippensburg U.) appeared on cable Channel 60. The
interview was also aired on WFIL Radio.
• PMHS was invited to become a member of "Schools That Can".
It is a program for schools that works successfully with urban youth. Dr. Moses was invited to serve on the
Regional Board.
• New Member of the Mayor's Great Schools Compact.
• New Member of the Philadelphia Schools Partnership (PSP). Our Assistant Principal, Rev. Douglas
Powell, is a recipient of the KIPP Emerging Leaders Initiative, sponsored by PSP.
• Hosted Watoto, the Children's Choir from Uganda, during a special Chapel.
• Hosted guest from Landis Homes at Chapel and lunch
• We are actively seeking businesses to support the Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) or the
Opportunity Scholarships Tax Credit (OSTC) Programs, through tax credits offered by the State of PA.
These programs help provide scholarships for students to attend better schools. OSTC is particularly for
students stuck in schools performing at the lowest 5% level of education. Of the 144 low performing schools in
the State of PA, 91 are in Phila. These funds would enable more students to attend PMHS. Businesses can
make a donation to support educational scholarships and receive up to a 90% tax credit.
Atlantic Coast Conference Related Ministry Annual Report
2012: The Dimensions of Tel Hai
God was surely at work among us here at Tel Hai during fiscal year 2012. We celebrated 56 years in
service to residents, acknowledging our faith tradition in word and deed. The Faith Connections program
shepherded by Tim Herr, VP of Pastoral Services, has grown to include covenant relationships with
seven local churches and provides practical mutual support to all parties and maintains a vital link to our
faith-based roots. Pastoral Services also engaged 51 different congregations and ministries on campus
through Bible studies, chapel services and music programs.
We were blessed with the opportunity to offer expanded living options through the construction of
Woods Edge, a 55-cottage neighborhood in the northwestern-most corner of our campus. Groundwork
was also underway to develop StoneCroft, a new 111-apartment and community center complex
affording additional choices for future residents. All this was aided by the completion of our Welcome
Center which now houses Marketing Department staff.
Beautification efforts included restoration of the lake bank shared with the Tel Hai Camp and Retreat
Center, the addition of new walking trails, and the renovation of our Garrett Community Center offering
new and exciting dining venues to residents and guests.
Through the extraordinary service of resident volunteers, Board members, staff and the public, we also
were enriched through various forms of giving. The June 2012 gala, Lanterns on the Lake, generated
funds to support residents dependent upon the community’s Care Assurance Fund. In this period $2.26
million in uncompensated care was provided. Our Good Samaritan Fund, which offers support to staff
members, provided $12,000 in assistance to employees in emergency situations.
The continued maturation of our Wellness initiative was demonstrated through a myriad of
opportunities for residents and staff to enhance physical, social/emotional, intellectual, spiritual and
vocational wellness through the year. Volunteers provided 41,400 hours of service on campus and in the
greater community. Outreach included cultivating a community garden that supplied hundreds of
pounds of fresh produce to the Chester County Food Bank; volunteers served at the Twin Valley Food
Pantry (Morgantown) and the Honey Brook Shepherd’s Kitchen; sewing items were donated to area
cancer centers, the Chester County Domestic Violence Center, as well as donations to veterans hospitals
and a nursing facility in rural Georgia.
We engaged our neighbors also, inviting them to attend concerts, lectures and educational programs on
our campus. We welcomed two seminary interns and sponsored sacred concert programs at Maple
Grove Mennonite and Pine Grove Church. The annual Children’s Outgrown Sale helped stretch local
parents’ back-to-school shopping budgets and generated a $4500 donation from net proceeds to the
Chester County Food Bank.
The Lord has surely been at work in us, through us and with us in this year. As instructed in Philippians
2:4—“Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others.” It is our
hope we have served faithfully in His name.
Joseph J. Swartz, President/CEO, Tel Hai
