MWR : Returning youth

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Sept. 28, 2009 issue

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Tags: Congregations

Returning youth

East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, Ill.

By Kathleen Springer

Two of our youth returned home in July from service terms.

Laura Good, daughter of Jeff and Kendra Good, returned from Israel, where she had worked in the REACH program through Rosedale Mennonite Missions. One of her experiences there inspired her to set up a prayer room at East Bend soon after she returned. She is now a student at Hesston College. Jacob Good, son of Pete and Dawn Good, lived among members of the Mennonite congregation in Choele Choel, Argentina, and finished an intensive seminary course there. He is anxious to continue using his gifts at East Bend.

The congregation has been meeting on Sunday evenings to discuss our core values. These “Claiming Our Future” meetings have focused on discipleship, community, intimacy with God, empowerment, relevance and service.

Associate pastor Jeff Ressler was commissioned on Aug. 2. He and his family will move to Mount Vernon to minister there as continuation of a contact made by Southern Illinois Mission Partnership. He and his wife, Cindy, were presented with a quilt, which was cross-stitched by many ladies of the congregation.

Mary K. Oyer from Goshen, Ind., led congregational singing on Aug. 16. On Aug. 30, The Reflections gospel quartet led worship as they performed their last concert. Tony Ramirez began the quartet in 1977, and present members include Ramirez, Joan Cender, Angie Beachey and Royal Springer.

Wedding: Richard Kelley and Linda Tutko, July 26.

Edna Grieser, 100, died July 21.

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