Proclamation Newsletter from the Southeast Mennonite Conference. Summer 2011

1. July/August 2011
A Word from Marco:
Southeast Mennonite Conference, 35 S. Beneva RD,
Sarasota, FL 34232, Telephone: 813-373-
9459, confoffice@southeastmennonite.org
SMC Mennonite Women News
A Word from Marco SMC Mennonite Women News
God has been helping the Conference according to 1 Sam- Minister Ethel Mays was anointed Sunday afternoon May 22,
uel 7:12 to Dream Dreams and to implement them. by SMC Conference Minister
Dreaming Dreams for planting churches and church growth Marco Guete as a servant of God
in the SMC was the theme of the pastors and leaders en- at Newtown Gospel Chapel. “God
counter that the Conference held in conjunction with Cape calls and the church blesses a
Christian Fellowship in Cape Coral this past March. More servant leader to those leadership
than 30 people representing 17 Mennonite churches at- responsibilities as designated by
tended this significant time of spiritual renewal and Chris- the local body of elders. This
tian fellowship. Bahia Vista Mennonite Church shared their certificate recognizes leadership
strategic plan to grow and reach new people in the com- Photo by Doris Diener gifts in the above named person
munity. The Haitian Prince of Peace Church in Miami has as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ at Newtown Gospel
filled its building to capacity and is seeking a larger facility Chapel in the Southeast Mennonite Conference.
to accommodate it growth. The Ark of Salvation Church in
Arca de Salvacion After many years of faithful ministry,
Celita Pacheco was recently affirmed for licensing as an
Associate Pastor for the Arca de Salvacion congregation in
Ft. Myers. She will join David and Madeline Maldonado as a
part of the ministry team serving in Fort Myers Florida.
New SMW President and Vice President
At Women’s Retreat at Lakewood, April 1-3, Lori Yoder was
affirmed as president of Southeast Mennonite Women and
Alma Ovalle as vice-president. Doris Diener was credentialed
to be the Minister of SMC Mennonite Women. Other execu-
tive committee members are Fannie Birky, Jiny Brutus-
Pierre, Carol Clark, Susie Fox, and Elizabeth Perez.
New Website: www.southeastmennonitewomen.org
Fort Myers is constructing a new building with a capacity SMC Upcoming Events: Fall Inspiration Day: Satur-
of more than 400 people with an estimated value of 2 day, Sept. 10 at The Church of God Prince of Peace, 210
million dollars upon completion. Light and Truth Church of NE 119 St., Miami. There will be a minimum fee to help
Lakeland is renovating a recently purchased building. The cover snacks and lunch. More details coming soon.
Leadership Conference Board has two new members who
have begun serving with much enthusiasm. The original SMC Annual Assembly: September 30 – October 1, 2011
plan to transform and restructure the Conference included at Ashton Community Fellowship in Sarasota, FL.
having a virtual office, which is being implemented begin-
ning in August. The physical office located in Sarasota will SMC Pastor News: Joshua Yates was Licensed toward
be closed at the end of July and I will be working from
Ordination on June 7 at Cape Christian Fellowship in Cape
home, my car, and on the road. The expense budget this
Coral.
year has been reduced by 11% to balance it with incoming
funds. We are trusting God to abundantly bless all SMC Artemio de Jesus will end as a pastor of Iglesia Menonita
congregations to enable you to support the financial needs Luz y Verdad in Lakeland Florida at the end of October
of your conference. “So far, the Lord has helped us.” 2011
1 Samuel 7:12

2. Page 2 PROCLAMATION
What are you doing this summer? Allen Slabaugh, with Pastor Andrew Bodden of SMC, MCC, and El Encuen-
Alyssa Hostetler, and Ryan Iafigliola of Americus Mennon- tro Renovacion serving as moderator of the evening’s ser-
ite Fellowship in Georgia have dedicated theirs to one vice. In addition, Susan Wadel, East Coast Human Resource
Coordinator for MCC brought greetings as did Doris Diener,
crazy adventure in ser-
Minister of SMC Women and Larry Diener, Worship Minister
vice. Get this: They will from Bahia Vista Mennonite Church in Sarasota. Pastor
be biking 3,600 miles Hillare fed us from the Word of God before we gathered to
from Seattle, Washing- share food and fellowship together to complete our evening
ton to Washington, of multi-cultural celebration.
D.C., sleeping on
Berea Mennonite Church is excited to be hosting her first
church floors and vol-
farm camp for school aged children this year. One and one
unteering on projects
half years ago, Berea started a farm on the church
of the Fuller Center for
grounds. The first year, we managed to encourage
Housing, a non-profit
Ryan & Allen / Provided by Fuller Center the Georgia clay to produce vegetables for 25 shareholders
housing ministry. They
are also raising money for Fuller Center projects around and to sell at the local farmers markets. Not only have we
the world, in places like Haiti, Peru, Sri Lanka, and tor- doubled our vegetable production, but folks are sending
nado-ravaged areas of Alabama. They are riding as part their children to our first farm
of the 4th annual Fuller Center Bike Adventure and would camp. The farm camp will include
like to invite the other Mennonite congregations in the things about forestry, how to grow
area to consider sending a rider representative in 2012. vegetables, what is a chicken, and
They are also in need of additional donations from why we need worms. Pray that as
churches and individuals to help them reach their joint Berea continues to reach into the
$36,000 goal. See the route, donate, and learn more on community via the farm that others
their website at: www.fullercenter.org/bike adventure, or will grow to love coming to a church
contact them directly at bike@fullercenter.org. where both God and His creation are
respected and nurtured. Pictured are
Cape Christian Fellowship of Cape Coral, FL. is thrilled Photo by Joy Hostetler
to have seven interns completing their one year of minis- two children planting potatoes at
try experience at the end of August: Jamie Bazerra, Stacy Oakleaf Mennonite Farm, a ministry
Photo by Joy Hostetler
Frerichs, Julia Hartlieb, Heather Johns, Tony Lombardo, of Berea Mennonite Church.
Nick Sewell and Chuck Wheelock. These interns have Everence Job Opportunity
served at least 10 hours per week in their chosen areas of
Children's Ministry, Missions, Creative Arts, Discipleship, Everence (formerly MMA) is seeking a Financial Advisor for
the Sarasota, Florida area. Qualified applicants will possess,
Teaching and Care Ministry. The interns are also required
or be able to obtain, a license to sell life/health insurance
to read multiple books for a weekly Leadership class and investments. For complete information about this posi-
taught by Founding Pastor Dennis Gingerich. The interns tion, please visit our website, www.everence.com. Send
range in age from 25-48. The 2009-2010 internship cover letter and resume to: Everence Human Resources,
program had 3 participants. Plans are underway in Sep- P.O. Box 483, Goshen, IN 46527,
tember to add to the internship program a full-time 11 email: hr@everence.com, Fax: (574) 537-6635.
month program for post-high school students that will
include a 2 months overseas component. To our 2011 Graduates
Church of God Prince of Peace Mennonite Church Congratulations to all of SMC High School and College
of Miami Florida, Pastored by students who have graduated this year. Our prayers and
Pastor Jean Louis Hilaire and wishes for success go with you as you step into the next
this growing Haitian congrega- phase of your life’s journey. We are proud of your accom-
tion, opened their doors Sat- plishments this year and wish you much joy for the journey
urday, May 28th, to about 150 as you step into the future that God has planned for you.
people representing more than
half a dozen Mennonite con- Special Note:
gregations and four languages Please include announcements from the Proclamation in
from South Florida who gath- your bulletins or correspondence. You are encouraged to
ered to worship our Lord. copy and distribute Proclamation in your church. Please
Photo by Andrew Bodden submit articles or correspondence for he Proclamation to
Scripture, song and dance were
offered as we worshipped in Creole, English, Garifuna and Dale Lehman at lehman.dale63@gmail.com Thank you!
Spanish