Home | About Us | Worship | Nurture | Outreach | News & Events | Leadership | Contact & Visit Us
SEARCH THIS SITE

TO CHILDREN
Children are important to us. We include a Children's Time in every Sunday morning worship service, and regularly welcome the participation of children. Sunday School is held every week from September through the beginning of June (no S.S. during the summer). Parents and others in the congregation endeavor to pass on our values to our children through nurture, fun events, and education. One event enjoyed each year is a trip to the Resource Center of the Mennonite Central Committee in Ephrata (PA), where aid material is gathered to send to refugees all over the world. The children are given a tour and they help with projects, such as filling school kits.

The winter quarter begins November 30, 2008. Look for the weekly themes and scriptures included in the Worship Schedule. If you have questions about Sunday School, or would like to receive a take-home "Talkabout" for your family, speak with Kathie Sauder, Sunday School Coordinator.

Sunday School Classes:

Preschool - ages 3 & 4

Where: Rm #5, across from nursery
Teacher: Amanda Esh Bouwman

Primary - Grades K, 1, 2

Where: back half of nursery
Teacher: Carol Martin Johnson
Helper: Tim Martin Johnson

Middler - Grades 3, 4, 5

Where: in the nursery
Teacher: Marcy Zimmerman

Junior High - Grades 6, 7, 8

Where: Door in fellowship hall, on right
Teacher: Don Brunk

Senior High - Grades 9-12

Where: 2nd Fl, above church office
Teacher: Alex Esh Bouwman and Lorie Hershey

TO YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Young adults comprise a significant portion of WPMF's members and attenders at worship services and other events sponsored by the church. Recent discernment by the church body brought to light a renewed desire to invite in and minister with this age group.

WPMF Youth Group Leadership Team :

Youth Ministries Elder
Senior Youth Leader
Junior Youth Leader
Activities Director
Senior Youth Sunday School Coordinator
Youth Convention Sponsor

Students who attend Mennonite Colleges are eligible to receive grants of $500 per semester from the WPMF Mennonite College Assistance Fund. We currently support two students at Goshen College (Goshen, IN) and three at Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, VA).

ADULT EDUCATION
Adults meet for Sunday School every Sunday while the school year is in session. Bible studies are also led by the pastor at her/his discretion or at the pastoral team's recommendation,and forums on different topics occur at various times.

"Where Faith and Culture Meet"

October 26 #1: Begin – 1 Peter 2:9-17

November 2 #2: Dwell – John 1:1-4, 14

November 9 #3: Unite – Luke 10:1-9

November 16 #4: Reconcile – Galatians 3:28, Revelation 7:9-17

November 23 #5: Invest – II Timothy 1:1-7, 2:1-7

November 30 #6: Abide – Colossians 3

SMALL GROUPS
Small groups meet throughout the year for fellowship, study, sharing, and prayer. All are currently open to new members. These groups are:

**Anti-Racism Small Group is just getting started; time and place to be determined; contact Drick
** Cedar Avenue Small Group meets one Sunday a month (usually 3rd) for lunch; Location varies; contact Carol
**New Thursday Small Group meets Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at 804 S. 48th Street (and other rotating locations); contact Christel
**Parents-of-Young-Children Small Group meets 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month (3:30 p.m.). Location varies; contact Amy
**Lectio Divina Small Group meets every other Sunday (5:00 - 7:00 p.m.) at 7117 Pennsylvania Ave. Upper Darby (possibly elsewhere); contact Sheri
**Loving Response Small Group meets every other Monday (7:00 p.m.) at 4708 Kingsessing Ave.; contact Alex
** Spirituality Small Group meets the first Wednesday of every month (7:30 p.m.), rotating between members' homes; contact Anne
** West Philly Women's Small Group meet every other Sunday (7:00 p.m.), alternating between 828 S. 48th Street and 4708 Kingsessing Ave.; contact Marla

As we've done in the past, October is an intentional opportunity to explore small groups. Individuals and families are invited to consider how small groups contribute to the life and mission of our church and to one's own support and growth. If you would like to visit a new or different small group during the month of October, plan to do so by connecting with the small group's contact person. Sherri Michalovic is available to help discuss options if desired and make initial contact with a group. If you have ideas for a new or different group, we can explore that as well.

ANNUAL CHURCH RETREAT
Every spring the whole congregation is invited to a WPMF Church Retreat, held at Tel Hai Camp & Retreat in Honeybrook (PA). The retreat is held from Friday evening through Sunday lunch, and includes discussion of various topics, fun activities, and time for fellowship and intimate conversation. Sleeping options include cabins or the campground. Meals are provided.

2009 Date: May 1-3

PRAYER RETREAT
Prayer retreats are not currently being scheduled.


WOMEN'S RETREAT
The annual women's retreat takes place in October at Tel Hai Camp & Retreat in Honeybrook (PA). The retreat is held from Friday evening through Sunday lunch, and includes discussion of various topics, fun activities, time for walks and quiet contemplation, and for fellowship and conversation. All women, and girls above the age of 10, are encouraged to participate. The retreat is planned by, and often led by, women of WPMF.

2009 Date: October 2-4

West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship, Calvary Center, 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143; 215-729-2050; www.wpmf.org