A New Season - Franconia Mennonite Church

April 2015
A New Season
by Louise Halteman
Seasons: they come, they go. We look forward to some; we eagerly await
the exit of others! And no matter what we do, they come, and then they
go. This time of year, we anxiously await the slightest hint of green in the
grass, the very last of the “onion snow” to melt away, and the crocus
blooms to push their little faces out of the dead leaves of last fall’s foliage.
Even though this week’s weather is spring according to the calendar, the
weather feels more like winter. And yet, the wind doesn’t quite have the
bitter sting it did in January and the sun is with us later in the day. And that
is such a welcome change! We see signs of spring with the pretty pastels of
Easter making appearances around us in the shades of purple, green, pinks
and yellows. Ah, the lighter shades of colors seem so fresh after the heavy,
dark colors of wintertime. We crave the brightness and lightness around
us!
Ecclesiastes 3 says: there is a time for everything, a season for every
activity under heaven…a time to plant and a time to harvest.
Each season has its own beauty, even winter! Each season has its own
colors, created by God, for us to enjoy. Some are vibrant, some are more
subdued. Some are so bright, you can almost taste them, and others are
quiet and tender in their magnificence. Can we see them? Can we taste the
colors of spring, as they start to show their beauty all around us? Can we
be quiet long enough to enjoy even the most tender and quiet of
blossoms? It seems I observe and enjoy different trees and plants almost
every year. The yellow azaleas always remind me of a row of them we had
at my house growing up, at the back of our property line. Daffodils that my
mother in law planted with great care surround our property, and also
remind me of my own mother, who declares them as her favorite flower!
Irises, with their huge showy faces, remind me of a flowerbed my mother
planted, and all their different colors: purple, amber, white, and yellow. I
carried them in my wedding bouquet. The list goes on and on. And
seasonally, we have the privilege of enjoying them each and every year.
(continued, page 2)
Women’s Ministry Mission Statement:
Encouraging women to
connect in deeper, genuine
relationships both with each
other and with Jesus Christ.
THE WORD
“He has made everything beautiful in
its time.”
—Ecclesiastes 3:11a
THINK ABOUT IT
Not only are we seeing a new season
in the spring surrounding us, but we
also have seasons of life constantly
changing around us. Are you thankful
for the “New Season” God is bringing
your way?
Women’s Ministry Contact:
Kristi Wile 215-723-2898
[email protected]
APRIL 2015
(A New Season, continued)
Each season has beauty of its own. I don’t believe in the early days of spring we hear “Boy, I really wish I could see a
poinsettia!” or “How I long to see a dark mum in full bloom!” In addition, when we start decorating for Christmas, most
times we aren’t thinking “I'd really love to see a pink geranium right now!”
Certainly, it’s a gift to be able to enjoy each season that we are in. To be able to appreciate the beauty each season
offers us in abundance! A wise friend once told me “our praise and thanksgiving turns the head of God”! How many
times I have thought about that. I want to turn the head of God!
Jesus, Lord, let my thanksgiving be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear! May we learn to appreciate whatever season we
are in, thanking God for the beauty of the earth He has graciously given us! May the beauty of this season shine brightly
in our lives!
What’s Happening for Women
Paint for the pregnancy clinic
Looking for a fun night out with friends? Come out and enjoy painting and delicious desserts!
Benefiting the Pregnancy Resource Clinic of North Penn
Friday, April 24th, choose from two timeslots: 6:30 pm or 8:30 pm.
Location: Penn Valley Church, 320 N. 3rd St., Telford
Not artistic? No problem! Marie of Canvas Creations will be demonstrating easy, step by step instructions
to paint a beautiful bird painting.
Entry fee is $20, covering the cost of dessert and paint supplies.
An opportunity will be extended to give an additional gift to the Pregnancy Resource Clinic.
Please RSVP by April 20 to [email protected] or 215-855-2424.
Please include your name, number of spots reserved, and your choice of time slot.
Take advantage of this awesome opportunity to spend a night out as girlfriends, mothers and daughters,
and women of all ages, all benefiting a great cause!
(Check out the flyer for more details and see the picture you will paint!)
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for April 30
Thursday evening,6-9 pm
Upper Fellowship Hall
More info to follow.
Girl’s Night Out!!
th
Come for a night of fun,
fellowship, and dessert!
Invite your friends!
Watch for sign-ups.
APRIL 2015
Making Connections
Meet Jill Fallon. She and her family have been attending Franconia for about a year
and a half. She married to Brian for 17 years this May. They have 2 beautiful daughter;
Rachel is 13 and Carissa is 8. She was a stay at home mom for 12 years until she started
working at LifeWay Christian Book Store in Souderton. Perhaps you’ve seen her there?
She says, “It’s been great to get back into the work force and meet many new people in
a Christian environment.” Here’s more from Jill:
I grew up in this area and attended Indian Creek Church of the Brethren from
the age of 9. My paternal grandfather, Joseph Moyer, was the free minister there for
many years. My parents, Dennis and Cathy Moyer, are still active members of the
congregation. I am the youngest of three children. My brother and sister (you may
already know her, Julie Stitt) also live in the area and we enjoy getting together
frequently.
After high school, I went to Antonelli Institute for Interior Design. Although I
never picked up a job in this field, it is still one of my passions and I am a hard core fan
of HGTV! I also enjoy photography. In addition to being known as the "family photographer", I really love taking pictures
nature and putting scripture to those prints. To me, there is nothing more rewarding than to see everyday scenes in a
unique and individual way.
Meet Jen Hagey. She is the older of the 2 daughters of David and Sandy
Dise. She and her sister, Joanne, grew up in a Christian home. Her mom’s
mother lived with them and her dad’s parents lived down the road, so her
family is “tightly knit.” She is a graduate of Pennridge High School and they
attended Christ Independent Bible Church in Perkasie. Here are her words:
My dad was a shop teacher and a farmer. My mom was a nurse.
During my childhood, my dad raised pigs and cows and a few chickens and
also raised crops. We always had a big garden. I remember working
together as a family. No matter what my parents were doing, my sister and
I were usually by their side helping. Although they are now retired, my
parents are still crop farming and raising beef cattle.
After I graduated from high school, I went on to Millersville University in Lancaster County. I was a French major
and was blessed to be able to spend a summer living in Tours, France. I attended the University there and earned a few
credits while I soaked up the culture and did a bit of traveling throughout the country. Upon my graduation, I started
working at Univest. First a teller, I later worked my way into Corporate Banking and eventually got to work in the Real
Estate Lending Department. Through my job, I met my husband, Jesse. We met on a blind date. We were married a
little over a year later!
After we were married for a few years, I learned that I was pregnant. We decided that I would leave my job at
the bank so that I could stay home full time and care for our son, William. I was a stay-at-home mom until Will started
attending pre-school. At that time, I started working part time in the office at Transportation Services, Inc. which is a
school bus company that is owned by my mother and father-in-law, Don and Linda Hagey. Will is now in third grade at
Penn View Christian School and I continue to work at TSI part time. On the days that I am not working, I take care of our
home and all that entails. I volunteer in the library at Penn View twice a month. I also attend a Ladies Bible Study,
currently I am with the group from Franconia that is studying Joseph at Calvary Church.
On November 1, 2009, I had emergency surgery after I learned that I had an ectopic pregnancy. It was one of
the most devastating experiences of my life. It is a long story, but that and the events that followed were some of the
darkest and saddest times of my life. However, the silver lining in that experience is that it drew me closer to God in a
way that I had never been before. Eventually Jesse and I began to look for a church closer to home. We were warmly
welcomed at Franconia and decided to make it our church home. Jesse and I joined the church and I was baptized in the
Branch Creek in June of 2012. We are so glad to be a part of this loving church family!
April
A Taste of What’s Happening for Women
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
Project of the month: Bath-size towels
Restless study
7-8:30 pm
Easter
6
7
8
Sunrise service A Praying Life
Joseph study
6:30 am
SMH
9:15-11:15 am
Easter service
10 am
Prayer Shawl
10:15 am
Class, 7pm
5
12
13
14
Joseph study
9:15-11:15 am
Prayer Shawl
Class, 7pm
19
20
A Praying Life
SMH
10 am
26
27
21
Thu
2
15
Fri
3 Good Friday
Sat
4
Communion
& Footwashing
Service
6:30 pm
9
10
11
Mom’s Market
16
17
18
22
23
24
25
29
30
Restless study
7-8:30 pm
Joseph study
9:15-11:15 am
Prayer Shawl
Class, 7pm
28
Joseph study
9:15-11:15 am
Prayer Shawl
Class, 7pm
Restless study
7-8:30 pm
Contact for more information
Kristi Wile 215-723-2898 [email protected]
Kari Landis 267-664-2834 [email protected]
Gail Reinford 215-679-6191 [email protected]
Janet Derstine 215-723-7413 [email protected]
Lisa Hunsberger 215-721-4437 [email protected]
Stephanie Weidemoyer 267-424-4884 [email protected]
Girl’s
Night Out!!
6-9 pm
Please consider volunteering to help with
the Mom’s Market or donating goods for
the bake sale. This is a wonderful outreach
to families in our community. And
proceeds from the bake sale will go to
support Big Sky Bible Camp where Jamy
& Lisa Landis and Ryan & Amanda Nice
serve. Thank you!
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