• Retreat Gathering: Join us Sunday, September 6 at our retreat property in Geauga County. We will gather at 4pm for hiking, games and fellowship and have a potluck dinner around 5pm. Please bring a dish to share as well as your own table service. All are welcome!

• Worship & Song Leader Retreat: This retreat is for anyone considering, and/or already involved in helping to lead and plan Sunday morning worship. It will be a time for us to meditate together on being a worshipping community, and to think through the practical parts of planning and leading worship. We’ll discuss worship resources, copyrights, assembling a slideshow presentation, some accessibility considerations, and more. If you’re interested please complete the Google form using the QR code or talk to Pastor Alvis for more information. 

• Sunday School Kickoff: Sunday school will start up September 13 at 10:00am. This first Sunday will be an intergenerational Sunday school and will be led by Pastor Alvis. There will be a presentation about his time on the Camino trail as well as interactive activities.

• Children & Youth Activities this Fall: It’s no secret that the youth and children of FMC are actively involved in tons of extra-curricular activities. As a way of supporting our youth and children outside of church, we invite students and their families to notify Pastor Alvis of a few of the extra-curricular events that they would like members of the congregation to be able to attend (games, concerts, plays, etc.). Families should send the dates/times/locations of a few of these events to Pastor Alvis: pastor.alvis.pettker@gmail.com 

• Worship & Song Leader Retreat: This retreat is for anyone considering, and/or already involved in helping to lead and plan Sunday morning worship. It will be a time for us to meditate together on being a worshipping community, and to think through the practical parts of planning and leading worship. We’ll discuss worship resources, copyrights, assembling a slideshow presentation, some accessibility considerations, and more. If you’re interested please complete the Google form using the QR code or talk to Pastor Alvis for more information. 
• Waging Peace Webinar: Tuesday, August 25 7pm on Zoom. Join MC USA’s Lorraine Stutzman Amstutzon Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET as she hosts a panel discussion on the importance of pursuing peace in the face of war, polarization and nationalism — and provides a preview of the upcoming Waging Peace: A Militarism Summit. Panelists are keynote speaker Joy Metzler, seminar leader Hannah Rose Martin and planning committee member Iris de León-Hartshorn. Register using the QR code.
• Sunday School Kickoff: Sunday school will start up September 13 at 10:00am. This first Sunday will be an intergenerational Sunday school and will be led by Pastor Alvis. There will be a presentation about his time on the Camino trail as well as interactive activities.

• Children & Youth Activities this Fall: It’s no secret that the youth and children of FMC are actively involved in tons of extra-curricular activities. As a way of supporting our youth and children outside of church, we invite students and their families to notify Pastor Alvis of a few of the extra-curricular events that they would like members of the congregation to be able to attend (games, concerts, plays, etc.). Families should send the dates/times/locations of a few of these events to Pastor Alvis: pastor.alvis.pettker@gmail.com 

This Sunday, August 16

This Sunday, August 16, we will gather at Friendship Retreat in Geauga County (located at 17215 Old State Road, Middlefield, OH 44062) for our worship service at 11am. There will not be worship at the building or online. Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on during the service. 

We will also be assembling MCC school kits this Sunday, so please bring any supplies that you have collected. 

Following the service, we will share lunch together. You can either bring something to share for the potluck or bring your own picnic. Please be sure to bring your own plate, silverware, water bottle, etc. 

Next Sunday, August 23

Sunday, August 23 is FMC’s annual “Blessing of the Backpacks. Anyone who is going back to school (student or teacher) is welcome to bring a backpack, bag, laptop, or other item. We will have a special time during the service for people to come up with their item and receive a blessing as we transition into the new school year. 

Children & Youth Activities this Fall

It’s no secret that the youth and children of FMC are actively involved in tons of extra-curricular activities. As a way of supporting our youth and children outside of church, we invite students and their families to notify Pastor Alvis of a few of the extra-curricular events that they would like members of the congregation to be able to attend (games, concerts, plays, etc.). Families should send the dates/times/locations of a few of these events to Pastor Alvis: pastor.alvis.pettker@gmail.com 

• Sunday Worship at Retreat: Next Sunday, August 16 we will gather at Friendship Retreat in Geauga County for our worship service at 11:00am. There will not be worship in the building or online. Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on during the service. Following the service, we will share lunch together. You can either bring something to share for the potluck or bring your own picnic. Please be sure to bring your own plate, silverware, water bottle, etc.

• Blessing of the Backpacks: Sunday, August 23 will be Friendship’s annual “Blessing of the Backpacks.” Anyone who is going back to school (student or teacher) is welcome to bring a backpack, bag, laptop, or other item. We will have a special time during the service for people to come up with their item and receive a blessing as we transition into the new school year.

• MCC School Kit Challenge: This summer you can help MCC reach a new goal of collecting 30,000 kits! Together, we can share God’s love with some of our youngest global neighbors. To learn more about this challenge and to download a free activity guide, visit mcc.org/school-kit-challenge 

• Children & Youth Sunday School: We are already beginning to dream about Fall Sunday school starting up on Sunday, September 13! As always, it takes a village to make Sunday school possible at Friendship Mennonite Church. If you would like to sign up to teach, please scan the QR code.

• MCUSA “Waging Peace – a Militarism Summit”: Registration is now open for MC USA’s “Waging Peace: A Militarism Summit,” Nov. 6-7, in Leola, Pennsylvania. Rooted in Anabaptist faith values, the two-day gathering brings Christians together to explore faithful responses to war, political polarization, nationalism and violence. High school youth attend free with a youth sponsor/pastor. Learn more and register here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/militarism-summit/

• Welcome, Brian Walls!: Guest Speaker Brian Walls is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Youth for Christ Greater Cleveland.   

• MCC School Kit Challenge: School kits provide essential school supplies that families navigating war, displacement or financial struggles would not be able to buy otherwise. This summer you can help MCC reach a new goal of collecting 30,000 kits! Together, we can share God’s love with some of our youngest global neighbors. To learn more about this challenge and to download a free activity guide, visit mcc.org/school-kit-challenge 

• Children & Youth Sunday School: We are already beginning to dream about Fall Sunday school starting up on Sunday, September 13! As always, it takes a village to make Sunday school possible at Friendship Mennonite Church. If you would like to sign up to teach, please scan the QR. We will also plan on having Intergenerational Sunday school on the last Sunday of the month and need volunteers to help with activities.

• MCUSA “Waging Peace – a Militarism Summit”: Registration is now open for MC USA’s “Waging Peace: A Militarism Summit,” Nov. 6-7, in Leola, Pennsylvania. Rooted in Anabaptist faith values, the two-day gathering brings Christians together to explore faithful responses to war, political polarization, nationalism and violence. Best-selling author Shane Claiborne is the opening keynote speaker. High school youth attend free with a youth sponsor/pastor. Learn more and register here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/militarism-summit/

• MCC School Kit Challenge: School kits provide essential school supplies that families navigating war, displacement or financial struggles would not be able to buy otherwise. This summer you can help MCC reach a new goal of collecting 30,000 kits! Together, we can share God’s love with some of our youngest global neighbors. To learn more about this challenge and to download a free activity guide, visit mcc.org/school-kit-challenge 

• Children & Youth Sunday School: We are already beginning to dream about Fall Sunday school starting up on Sunday, September 13! As always, it takes a village to make Sunday school possible at Friendship Mennonite Church. If you would like to sign up to teach, please scan the QR. We will also plan on having Intergenerational Sunday school on the last Sunday of the month and need volunteers to help with activities.

• MCUSA “Waging Peace – a Militarism Summit”: Registration is now open for MC USA’s “Waging Peace: A Militarism Summit,” Nov. 6-7, in Leola, Pennsylvania. Rooted in Anabaptist faith values, the two-day gathering brings Christians together to explore faithful responses to war, political polarization, nationalism and violence. Best-selling author Shane Claiborne is the opening keynote speaker. High school youth attend free with a youth sponsor/pastor. Learn more and register here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/militarism-summit/

• Funeral for Dan Bohrer: Dan Bohrer, a long-time, former member of FMC along with his wife, Denise, passed away at home on July 19, 2026. Cards can be sent to Denise at: 1424 Richmond Road, #B1 Lyndhurst, OH 44124. Further information regarding the viewing and funeral service details can be found on the Riczo Funeral Home website (riczofuneral.com). You can also call Rhonda Savage if you have any questions.

• Next Sunday – My Coins Count: Sunday, July 26 we will have our monthly My Coins Count collection during the worship service. Please bring your cash, coins, and checks to help support the mission and ministries of the Mennonite Central Committee.

• MCC School Kit Challenge: School kits provide essential school supplies that families navigating war, displacement or financial struggles would not be able to buy otherwise. This summer you can help MCC reach a new goal of collecting 30,000 kits! Together, we can share God’s love with some of our youngest global neighbors. To learn more about this challenge and to download a free activity guide, visit mcc.org/school-kit-challenge 

• MMN Prayer Request: This week, this year’s new Service Adventure leaders will attend orientation in Elkhart, Indiana. Pray for these new unit leaders as they learn about Mission Network, the Service Adventure program and their role as unit leaders. Pray also for guidance as they plan and prepare for the participant orientation that will take place in August. 

• FMC Retreat: Join us this afternoon at our retreat property in Geauga county. We will gather at 4pm for hiking, games and fellowship and have a potluck dinner around 5pm. Please bring a dish to share as well as your own table service. All are welcome!

• Outdoor Worship Next Sunday: Next Sunday, July 19, join us for an outdoor worship service at FMC. We will gather near the playground at 11:00am. Please consider bringing a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. The worship service will not be live-streamed.

• Celebration 2026 Registration: Today is the last day to register for this year’s Allegheny Mennonite Conference Celebration weekend at Laurelville, July 31- August 2. Scan the QR code below to register. This year, they are offering special discounts to welcome first-time attendees.
• MMN Prayer Request: Kalonda Bible Institute is a seminary that trains Mennonite pastors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As their academic year ends this week, pray for the graduates returning to their home communities and stepping into new positions of leadership. Pray also that the school will be able to raise enough funds to pay their professors’ salaries and provide scholarships for students next school year.

• Welcome, Rev. Dr. Glenn Nestletrode! Glenn was born and raised in Southern Californian where he loved playing on the beach, reading, watching classic movies, singing in the church choir, acting in plays, and performing humorous sketches.  He graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State University in Dominguez Hills majoring in psychology and minoring in communications. He graduated from Claremont School of Theology with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. He has founded, written and acted in drama troupes performing humorous sketches on the themes of peace and social justice issues at many churches as well as Regional and National Church Assemblies. He has worked as a campus minister, local pastor, and Hospice Chaplain.  He retired from Hospice work at the end of May.

• FMC Retreat: Join us Sunday, July 12 at our retreat property in Geauga county. We will gather at 4pm for hiking, games and fellowship and have a potluck dinner around 5pm. Please bring a dish to share as well as your own table service. All are welcome!

• Lauren Out-of-Office: FMC Secretary Lauren Hurley will be out of office June 27-July 5. During this time, Ben Speros will act as the point of contact for FMC.

• Celebration 2026 Registration: Registration is open for this year’s Allegheny Mennonite Conference Celebration weekend at Laurelville, July 31- August 2. Scan the QR code below to register. This year, they are offering special discounts to welcome first-time attendees.

• Welcome, Amy Yoder McGloughlin! Amy serves as the Conference Minister with Allegheny Mennonite Conference and is the Denominational Minister of Education with the Mennonite Church USA.

• Last Summer Sunday School: Today was our last Sunday school gathering for the summer. Sunday school classes will resume after Labor Day.

• Lauren Out-of-Office: FMC Secretary Lauren Hurley will be out of office June 27-July 5. During this time, Ben Speros will act as the point of contact for FMC.

• FMC Retreat: Join us Sunday, July 12 at our retreat property in Geauga county. We will gather at 4pm for hiking, games and fellowship and have a potluck dinner around 5pm. Please bring a dish to share as well as your own table service. All are welcome!

• Celebration 2026 Registration: Registration is open for this year’s Allegheny Mennonite Conference Celebration weekend at Laurelville, July 31- August 2. Scan the QR code below to register. This year, they are offering special discounts to welcome first-time attendees.
• MMN Prayer Request: Ben and Laurel Woodward-Breckbill are serving as the directors of the Paris (France) Mennonite Center. They and their two children will soon be traveling back to the United States for their two-month North American Ministry. Pray for them as they spend July visiting churches and supporters on a cross-country road trip, and August in Kansas.