• Encounter Invitation: You are invited to Encounter! Encounter meets once a month on Sundays at 7pm, led by Ted and Anita in a small space at First Baptist Church (3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights). It’s an opportunity to be with one another in prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never attended before. Our upcoming meeting dates are: January 25, February 22, March 22, April 19, and May 17.

• NEOCH Donation Request: The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) just opened a brand-new seasonal shelter. It is a place for the unsheltered homeless (people living on the streets) to get in out of the cold during the winter months. It is a beautiful facility. They are looking for reusable kitchenware. They serve coffee in the evening and mornings and are in need of coffee mugs, reusable plates, bowls, silverware, and food storage containers. If anyone has items to donate, they can bring them to church over the next few weeks and Christina Stehouwer will deliver them.

• MMN Prayer Request: The Taiwan Mennonite New Dawn Educare Center brings God’s hope to people with intellectual disabilities by providing resources to help with independent living, personal development and health. Pray that the people they serve find belonging, purpose and hope.

• Celebrating 50 years of More-with-Less! Herald Press and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) invite you to share stories of food, joy, and resilience to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the More-with-Less cookbook. This beloved cookbook’s call to thrift, Christian compassion and abundant living is just as urgent and relevant today as it was in 1976. Go to https://bit.ly/MoreWithLess50 to learn more and to submit stories, blessings or ideas for simple approaches to sharing food and fellowship. Please share your story by Feb. 15 for a chance to be featured in the 50th anniversary edition or additional digital resources—and receive a chocolate oatmeal cake recipe as thanks!

• Film Screening at FMC: On January 24, 2026, at 7:00pm, Friendship Mennonite Church invites you to a film screening rooted in Anabaptist history. ‘Under the Peach Trees’ is a documentary about a massive family association celebrating their common ancestor. The film was directed and edited by FMC’s own Eric Miller and written by Cristina Jantz. After the film, there will be a Q&A with the director. Visit underthepeachtrees.vhx.tv to purchase the film.

• Church Life Meeting: Join us Sunday, January 25 after the worship service for a potluck and our annual Church Life Meeting. Please bring a dish to share. All are welcome!

• Encounter Invitation: You are invited to Encounter! Encounter meets once a month on Sundays at 7pm, led by Ted and Anita in a small space at First Baptist Church (3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights). It’s an opportunity to be with one another in prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never attended before. Our upcoming meeting dates are: January 25, February 22, March 22, April 19, and May 17.
• Tactics That Work Training: Led by Josiah Quarles (NEOCH) and Suzanne Zilber (SURJ NEO), this training will help participants learn how to identify institutions that uphold regimes and strategies for how to make demands and then encourage cooperation or impose costs on those institutions. The emphasis is on nonviolent cooperation tactics and is interactive. The workshop will take place at Forest Hill Church (3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Heights) on Saturday, January 24 from 9:30am-1:30pm. To register for the training and for more information, click this link: http://bit.ly/Jan24Info

• Film Screening at FMC: On January 24, 2026, at 7:00pm, Friendship Mennonite Church invites you to a film screening rooted in Anabaptist history. ‘Under the Peach Trees’ is a documentary about a massive family association celebrating their common ancestor. The film was directed and edited by FMC’s own Eric Miller and written by Cristina Jantz. After the film, there will be a Q&A with the director. Visit underthepeachtrees.vhx.tv to purchase the film.

• Church Life Meeting: Join us Sunday, January 25 after the worship service for a potluck and our annual Church Life Meeting. Please bring a dish to share. All are welcome!

• Encounter Invitation: You are invited to Encounter! Encounter meets once a month on Sundays at 7pm, led by Ted and Anita in a small space at First Baptist Church (3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights). It’s an opportunity to be with one another in prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never attended before. Our upcoming meeting dates are: January 25, February 22, March 22, April 19, and May 17.
• Tactics That Work Training: Led by Josiah Quarles (NEOCH) and Suzanne Zilber (SURJ NEO), this training will help participants learn how to identify institutions that uphold regimes and strategies for how to make demands and then encourage cooperation or impose costs on those institutions. The emphasis is on nonviolent cooperation tactics and is interactive. The workshop will take place at Forest Hill Church (3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Heights) on Saturday, January 24 from 9:30am-1:30pm. To register for the training and for more information, click this link: http://bit.ly/Jan24Info

• Sunday School Break: Sunday school classes are on pause until the New Year. Classes resume at 10:00am on Sunday, January 11.

• Upcoming Retreats at Laurelville: Three retreats, one weekend, January 16-18 @ Laurelville.  Winterville is a weekend camp that is jam-packed with fun, geared for students in grades 2-8.  It’s been such a hit that we’re adding Winterville High this year–a weekend camp for those in grades 9-12.  Students can register individually or come together with their youth group. Meanwhile, our longstanding Music and Worship Leaders’ Retreat will be in full swing and engaging new ideas around intergenerational worship.  You can register at laurelville.org or call 724-423-2056 for more information. 

• Church Life Meeting: Join us Sunday, January 25 after the worship service for a potluck and our annual Church Life Meeting. Please bring a dish to share. All are welcome!

• Film Screening at FMC: On January 24, 2026, at 7:00pm, Friendship Mennonite Church invites you to a film screening rooted in Anabaptist history. ‘Under the Peach Trees’ is a documentary about a massive family association celebrating their common ancestor. The film was directed and edited by FMC’s own Eric Miller and written by Cristina Jantz. After the film, there will be a Q&A with the director

• MMN Prayer Request: Although 2025 is ending with much suffering and violence in our communities and around the world, join Mennonite Mission Network in praying that we will not tire of proclaiming our hope in Jesus, who has overcome evil and injustice. May we continue to “be the Gospel” wherever we find ourselves. 

• Sunday School Break: Sunday school classes are on pause until the New Year. Classes resume at 10:00am on Sunday, January 11.

• Upcoming Retreats at Laurelville: Three retreats, one weekend, January 16-18 @ Laurelville.  Winterville is a weekend camp that is jam-packed with fun, geared for students in grades 2-8.  It’s been such a hit that we’re adding Winterville High this year–a weekend camp for those in grades 9-12.  Students can register individually or come together with their youth group. Meanwhile, our longstanding Music and Worship Leaders’ Retreat will be in full swing and engaging new ideas around intergenerational worship.  You can register at laurelville.org or call 724-423-2056 for more information. 

• Church Life Meeting: Join us Sunday, January 25 after the worship service for a potluck and our annual Church Life Meeting. Please bring a dish to share. All are welcome!

• Film Screening at FMC: On January 24, 2026, at 7:00pm, Friendship Mennonite Church invites you to a film screening rooted in Anabaptist history. ‘Under the Peach Trees’ is a documentary about a massive family association celebrating their common ancestor. The film was directed and edited by FMC’s own Eric Miller and written by Cristina Jantz. After the film, there will be a Q&A with the director

• MMN Prayer Request: Although 2025 is ending with much suffering and violence in our communities and around the world, join Mennonite Mission Network in praying that we will not tire of proclaiming our hope in Jesus, who has overcome evil and injustice. May we continue to “be the Gospel” wherever we find ourselves. 

• Longest Night Service: FMC is partnering with Hope UMC & South Haven UCC to offer a “Longest Night” service tonight at South Haven UCC. The service will begin at 7:00pm

• Christmas Eve Service: Join us Wednesday, December 24 at 7:00pm for a Christmas Eve service at FMC.

• New Years Reflection Service: Sunday, December 28 will be our New Years reflection service. There will be readings and poetry to help us reflect on how God has been with us in the past year and orient us toward God’s presence in the year ahead. During the service, there will also be a time of blessing and attendees are encouraged to bring an item from home which will receive a blessing for the New Year. Objects will be provided for those who do not bring their own. This service will not be live-streamed.

• Sunday School Break: Sunday school classes are on pause until the New Year. Classes resume at 10:00am on Sunday, January 11.

• Toothbrush Collection: There are people in Peru who need something as simple as toothbrushes. Sheri Banks will travel to Peru near the end of December. If anyone would like to donate toothbrushes, they need new ones that are labeled “Soft”.

• Film Screening at FMC: On January 24, 2026, at 7:00pm, Friendship Mennonite Church invites you to a film screening rooted in Anabaptist history. ‘Under the Peach Trees’ is a documentary about a massive family association celebrating their common ancestor. The film was directed and edited by FMC’s own Eric Miller and written by Cristina Jantz. After the film, there will be a Q&A with the director

• Children and Youth Christmas Program: Thank you to all of the children and youth for sharing their talents with us during this morning’s Christmas program. Special thanks to Maria Witmer-Rich for organizing the show!

• Note from the Treasurer: Missions giving came in at $1,665.  This giving will be divided between NEOCH, Meals on Wheels, and the SECC Hunger Center. November giving was $6,900 down from budgeted giving of $8,600.  However, we continue to be above average when we look at the year in total.

• FMC Brunch Potluck: Sunday, December 21 at 10:00am join us for a brunch potluck in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a dish to share. This event will also serve as a fundraiser for the youth to help cover outstanding costs related to convention. 

• Sunday School Break: Today is the last Sunday of 2025 that we will have Sunday school classes. There will not be any Sunday school on December 21, 28 or January 4. Classes will resume on Sunday, January 11.

• Toothbrush Collection: There are people in Peru who need something as simple as toothbrushes. Sheri Banks will travel to Peru near the end of December. If anyone would like to donate toothbrushes, they need new ones that are labeled “Soft”.

• Longest Night Service: FMC is partnering with Hope UMC & South Haven UCC to offer a “Longest Night” service on Sunday, December 21. The service will take place at South Haven and will begin at 7:00pm.

• Film Screening at FMC: On January 24, 2026, at 7:00pm, Friendship Mennonite Church invites you to a film screening rooted in Anabaptist history. ‘Under the Peach Trees’ is a documentary about a massive family association celebrating their common ancestor. The film was directed and edited by FMC’s own Eric Miller and written by Cristina Jantz. After the film, there will be a Q&A with the director

• FMC Brunch Potluck: Sunday, December 21 at 10:00am join us for a brunch potluck in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a dish to share. This event will also serve as a fundraiser for the youth to help cover outstanding costs related to convention. 

• Toothbrush Collection: There are people in Peru who need something as simple as toothbrushes. Sheri Banks will travel to Peru near the end of December. If anyone would like to donate toothbrushes, they need new ones that are labeled “Soft”.

• Longest Night Service: FMC is partnering with Southhaven UCC to offer a “Longest Night” service on Sunday, December 21. The service will take place at Southhaven and will begin at 7:00pm.

• FMC Brunch Potluck: Sunday, December 21 at 10:00am join us for a brunch potluck in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a dish to share. This event will also serve as a fundraiser for the youth to help cover outstanding costs related to convention.  

• Mennonite Action Training: The Mennonite Action potluck and training will take place next Sunday, December 7, at Lee Heights Community Church (4612 Lee Rd) as part of the national To Build Our Courage tour! The potluck and discussion begins at 1:00 p.m. in the downstairs fellowship hall, and the training is from 2-4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. It includes a presentation and activities based in noncooperation, grassroots organizing, and mutual aid, along with time for worship in prayer and song. This is a great opportunity to join with other Mennonites and friends around Northeast Ohio to gain skills and support in seeking courage, inspiration, and deeper commitment to peace and justice. You can register here: https://www.mennoniteaction.org/tour and sign up for the potluck here: https://bit.ly/MAPotluckSignUp Please reach out to Kayla Berkey with any questions.

• Missions Month: Today is the last Sunday of Missions Month at FMC. The following organizations will receive donations collected from our special Missions Month offerings: NEOCH (Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless), Southeast Clergy Meals on Wheels, and the Southeast Clergy Hunger Center. Thank you for your generosity!  

• MMN Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Jonah and Memee Yang, as they offer trainings in Southeast Asia that focus on discipleship, equipping youth and families, and holistic community building. Pray for Jonah, as he teaches Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary’s Journey Missional Leadership Development program, and for Memee, as she works with women, using the Sister Care curriculum.

Encounter Invitation: All are welcome to “Encounter,” a monthly gathering led by Ted Steiner and Anita Yoder. We will meet tonight at 7pm at First Baptist Church in Shaker Heights for a time of silence, singing, and sharing. We think it is very important to build community with one another, listening together for God’s loving voice. Please feel free to invoice any neighbors or friends who might enjoy and benefit from our gathering.

No Sunday School – November 30: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we will not have Sunday school November 30. Classes will resume December 7.

Mennonite Action Training: Mennonite Action is coming to Cleveland at Lee Heights Community Church on December 7th as part of their national To Build Our Courage tour! This training will take place at 1:00 pm and offer skills in noncooperation, grassroots organizing, and mutual aid, along with time for worship in prayer, song, and sharing a meal together. Join us as we continue to organize against ICE and for an end to the genocide in Gaza; join us as we seek courage, inspiration, and deeper commitment to peace and justice. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.mennoniteaction.org/tour.

Missions Month: November is Missions month at FMC. We will be highlighting three of the organizations that FMC supports each Sunday and collecting a special offering that will be distributed evenly to the organizations at the end of the month.