Upcoming events.

Aug
24

Fellowship Meal

If your last name begins with A-M, kindly bring a salad or veggie dish. N-Z please bring a main dish. If you are inspired, bring a dessert as well.

If you are not prepared to bring anything, please be our guest!

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Fall Retreat
Sep
19
to Sep 21

Fall Retreat

  • Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

FMC’s Fall Retreat

Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center

9275 Barnes Rd, Toano, VA 23168 (about 45 minutes from FMC)

September 19-21, 2025

FRIDAY, SEPT 19

6:30-7:00pm     Arrive and check in          Jim and Matthias

7:00-7:30pm     Ice Cream Social              Christine       

7:30pm               Trivia Night!                       Paul

9:00pm               Telescope viewing            Jim Lehman

SATURDAY, SEPT 20

8:00am            Breakfast

9:15-10:15am    Free time

10:30-11:30am   Sessions              

·         Ross Erb: Trusting Your Gut / Pat Rohr: Watercolor Painting

·         Children 5-13 activity: Pickleball / Under 5: Supervised Play

12:00pm              Lunch

1:30-2:30pm       Sessions              

·         Ross Erb: Digital Safety / Jean Oswald: Nature Photography

·         Children 5-13 activity: Sling Shot / Under 5: Supervised Play 

2:45-3:45pm      Bonfire and popcorn

4:00-5:00pm    Sessions              

·         Ross Erb: How to be an Askable Adult for Youth

·         Intergenerational Team Building Games (5-adult)

5:30pm              Supper

7:00-8:30pm     Table games

8:30pm               Telescope viewing            Jim Lehman

SUNDAY, SEPT 21

8am                    Breakfast

9:00am              Check-out and free time

9:30am               Set up for joint worship service / choir practice

10:30am             Joint Worship (followed by Fellowship Meal—bring nonperishable dessert)

Dear family and friends of First Mennonite Church,

You are all invited to FMC’s annual Fall Retreat, September 19-21 at Williamsburg Christian retreat Center. Lodging and meals are covered by the church budget. Lodging is in motel-type rooms that can accommodate singles, couples, and families. There is also a camping option!

We will kick off the retreat on Friday night with an Ice Cream Social and Trivia Night with competing teams. The Saturday bonfire and popcorn has been moved to Saturday afternoon, and for Saturday evening you are invited to bring board games to play.

Our main speaker for the retreat is Ross Erb who served as associate pastor for Children, Youth and Families at Park View Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He is now the Associate Director of the Collins Center, a local non-profit that seeks to eliminate sexual violence. Here are his three session topics:

·         Trusting Your Gut If we are serious about wanting to protect children from sexual harm, it is important for us to recognize "yellow flag" and "red flag" behaviors that might be indicative of someone manipulating a young person to the point where they might experience sexual abuse.

·         Digital Safety Parents, teachers, almost everyone, is concerned about the risks posed by social media and online interactions with children and youth. What are the steps adults can take to help young people stay safe in our digital world?

·         How to be an Askable Adult for Youth When young people are facing big concerns or have important questions, adults want to be the safe person turned to. How can you position yourself to increase the likelihood of the young people important to you seeking you out when needed?

In addition to the sessions led by Ross Erb, there are alternate sessions available for adults, as well as supervised activities for children of all ages. Parents may drop off their children for these planned activities so long as their children listen to the supervising adults and remain with the group. The sessions are voluntary! You may choose your own activities. The camp has a frisbee golf course, hiking trails, tennis courts, and other attractions.

The retreat will conclude with a joint worship service with the Eastern District Mennonite churches in the outdoor pavilion, followed by a fellowship meal. Each FMC household is asked to bring a nonperishable dessert for the potluck. There will be no service at the FMC location on September 21.

A sign-up is in the Commons to indicate nights for lodging and meals you plan to eat. Please sign up in the Commons or online on FMC website by August 31st.

We hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us this year!

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Kids Peace Camp 2025
Jul
28
to Jul 31

Kids Peace Camp 2025

All rising kindergarten through fifth graders are invited to attend Peace Camp - sponsored by First Mennonite Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Anointed New Life Baptist Church, and West Richmond Church of the Brethren! Interested middle and high schoolers are welcome to sign up as teacher assistants. And new this year: an adult class!

An optional dinner for participants is available at 5:30pm (sign-up sent after registration).
Programming will kick off at 6:15pm.
On the final night, dinner will be an extended potluck for all participants and families before classes.

Registration ends July 18.
Maximum 50 kids, so sign up soon!

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