Music is the heartbeat of Amish and Mennonite church life. Join us at 5:00 pm on the evening of Sunday, September 12 for A Cappella singing at Menno-Hof in Shipshewana, ranging from 16^th century German chorales to 20^th century Gospel songs. Hear the music of groups from local congregations and schools. Pre-service singing will begin on the front porch of the Menno-Hof farmhouse at 4:45. An ice-cream social, museum exhibits, and more singing will follow the worship service. There will be a free will offering to support Menno-Hof’s mission. People from Amish, Amish Mennonites, Conservative Mennonites, and Mennonite Church USA congregations cooperate in running Menno-Hof and this is a wonderful opportunity to sing together.

Earth as Ally: Facing Climate Change Together is the theme of a conference at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College, Friday, September 17, 6 p.m. through Sunday, the 19^th, noon.  Find hope for overwhelming environmental challenges through a blend of fieldwork outdoors, theological and personal reflection, worship and networking with others concerned about the earth. See http://www.goshen.edu/merrylea for more information or call 260-799-5869.

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This Friday evening and Saturday morning, August 27 & 28, 2010 is the 12th Annual MDC Goldenrod Benefit Auction and Haystack Breakfast.  It will be held at the Shipshewana Auction Barn on St Rd 5, 1 ¼ miles north of St Rd 20.

Open House begins Friday at noon.  BBQ Chicken meal by Project Promise served from 4:30-7:30 pm.  Musical program by Les & Gwen Gustafzon-Zook and some of the MDC Goldenrod residents at 7:15.

Saturday August 28 schedule: homemade cinnamon rolls at 6 a.m, Amish Haystack Breakfast from 7:00-11:00 am, both a silent and live auction at 9:00 am.  Bid generously on quilts, indoor and outdoor furniture, wooden toys, crafts, and more.  Take home cheese or other food items.  Proceeds benefit persons with developmental disabilities served by MDC Goldenrod.  For more info call MDC Goldenrod at (574) 533-9720 ext. 5 or email .

If you have baked goods to contribute, please bring them by Friday noon to the MDC Goldenrod Office in Goshen or to the auction site by 4:00 pm.  We need lots of bake sale items so please bring what you can!  Visit the website at at www.goldenrodonline.org to see some of the items to be sold.
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Searching for an exciting way to serve the church? MCC is looking for a fourth member of the Mobile Meat Canner. Canner operators travel to 33 different locations in the United States and Canada, canning meat, which is then sent around the world to hungry people. Canners need to be male, at least 20 years old, able to lift 75lbs, and willing to get a CDL. Come serve in this exciting way. Meet new people, and take advantage of experiences you'll never forget. For interest or more information please contact John Hillegass at jrhmcc.org or (717) 859-1151.

Looking for new ways to love your neighbor s yourself? Help make a difference in one woman’s life! You are invited to become a volunteer mentor for a participant in Soup of Success—a Church Community Services Program—who is striving to make positive changes in her life. If you have ever parented a child, held a job, managed a household, gone to school or figured out how to make ends meet, you have all the expertise necessary to be a mentor. Come pass on the encouragement and support that has helped you along the way, and join a group of women who are making a difference. Training and support is provided. For more information contact Kathy or Abbie at 574-523-1551.

LaCasa has been awarded Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits.  Your donation will fund counseling that helps families improve their financial management and save for a home.  LaCasa also has opportunities for volunteers, groups or individuals to paint and rehab houses.  Call LaCasa at 533-4450 for more information.

Volunteer Opportunity: Oaklawn, a local not-for-profit, faith-based psychiatric and addiction treatment center, seeks volunteers to work in the gift shop at their Goshen facility. Commitment can be as minimal as two, 3-hour shifts per month, with flexible dates. All proceeds from Oaklawn's gift shop directly benefit programs/clients. Contact the volunteer office at (574) 537-2646. Join us and help make a difference in the lives of those needing mental health services!