Dear sisters and brothers,
Please check this area for our most recent newsletters. Contact us if you would like the newsletter emailed directly to you.
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Accessible Fellowship Newsletter 9/9/26
Visit us at www.accessiblefellowship.org
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday, 9:00 AM. SALT & LIGHT: On September 13, we continue with our new quarterly, The Soul of a Nation, Unit 1, From Nomadic Tribes to Settled People. Lesson 2, Remember God’s Actions, (Joshua 4:1-24). Because the scriprture is not printed in our textbook, you should read it out of your own Bible in preparation for your study.
Sunday, 10:15 AM. WORSHIP: Riverside Anabaptist Collective, Carmen’s topic is Prelude to Victory, from I Cor. 10.
Monday, 8:00 AM. KAFFEEKLATSCH: Casual, free-wheeling fellowship, open to all!
Wednesday, 7:00 PM. BIBLE STUDY: Last week, we took a short break from exegesis and watched the beginning of an Anabaptist Perspectives video podcast, What Did Patriotism Look Like for Mennonites in 1776? This week, we will go back to the basics with a study on Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”.
Join any scheduled Zoom by clicking here: MEETING
EDITORIAL COMMENTS
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I hope that you all had a pleasant Labor Day weekend. Perhaps you were able to get together with friends or family, or perhaps took some time to enjoy a beautiful late summer day. Of course, you might have spent the day cleaning up after that late summer storm of earlier in the week.
One of the high points of our weekend was listening to Carmen’s message, Change is in the Air, an insightful obituary of Moses. The point was how beneficial it can be to move away from centralized leadership to community, where every believer is a priest with her or his gifts that contribute to the community. A community where every need is met, and nobody falls through the cracks. We have every reason to be strong and courageous. Our best days are still ahead!
The current issue of Sojourners magazine has a wonderful article on how to choose your reading material. Of course I liked the article: it reinforced what I have been saying for some time. I hope to provide a synopsis in next week’s newsletter.
Don’t forget to RSVP to Peter or Laurie for our Fall (potluck) Feast on Sunday, September 27th. The tentative schedule looks something like this:
2:00 Doors open for socializing.
3:00 Sunday Dinner Potluck. If you are able, bring a dish to place on the buffet tables.
4:00 Short program.
4:30 Back to socializing.
6:00 Help clean up!
Note that we will be celebrating communion near the end of our meal together. Carmen and Xaver hope to join us, as they are able.
2(P+L)
Accessible Fellowship is benefiting greatly from our synergistic partnership with Riverside Anabaptist Collective. You can view information on Riverside Anabaptist Collective content at www.riversideanabaptist.com and view select content on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@RiversideAnabaptistCollective
We encourage Christians to worship in community. For most, this means an in-person gathering. For some, however, an in-person gathering is not possible. If you cannot physically attend community worship and a streamed service seems cold and distant, Accessible Fellowship offers an alternative. Yes, we do stream some components of our gatherings, but we also spend plenty of time in personal “Zooming” fellowship. Regardless of the reason you can’t attend church, whether a one-time blizzard or a long term situation, we would love to have you join us. Contact us at accfell843@gmail.com or through our website, www.accessiblefellowship.org
Ramirez, Frank. (Fall 2026). Salt & Light: A Guide for Biblical Studies. The Soul of a Nation. MennoMedia (VA) and Brethren Press (IL). Vol 1, No. 1.
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Accessible Fellowship Newsletter 9/2/26
Visit us at www.accessiblefellowship.org
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday, 9:00 AM. SALT & LIGHT: On September 6, we begin our new quarterly, The Soul of a Nation, Unit 1, From Nomadic Tribes to Settled People, Lesson 1, The Covenant Continues, (Joshua 1:1-11). Note that we WILL observe communion.
Sunday, 10:15 AM. WORSHIP: Riverside Anabaptist Collective, Carmen’s topic is Change is in the Air, also from Joshua 1:1-11
Monday, 8:00 AM. KAFFEEKLATSCH: Casual, free-wheeling fellowship, open to all!
Wednesday, 7:00 PM. BIBLE STUDY: Last night, we took a short break from exegesis and watched the beginning of an Anabaptist Perspectives video podcast, What Did Patriotism Look Like for Mennonites in 1776? Next week, we will go back to Sermon on the Mount basics.
Join any scheduled Zoom by clicking here: MEETING
EDITORIAL COMMENTS
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
As mentioned above, our Bible Study group watched the beginning of an Anabaptist Perspectives video podcast, What Did Patriotism Look Like for Mennonites in 1776? It was fascinating at many levels, not the least of which was the confirmable statement that only about 1/3 of New Englanders strongly supported a rebellion against Britain. Another 1/3 of the populace were inclined to retain subjection to the British throne. The final third didn’t care. The rebellion went forward and the Revolutionary War was fought because of the enthusiastic activism of a minority of colonists. One of our study group members commented that today’s Canada is our neighbor and peer without having a long history of engaging in warfare. Something to think about, shedding light on some of today’s complexity.
This Sunday, we begin with lesson #1 in our new Salt and Light: A Guide for Biblical Studies. The theme for this quarter is The Soul of a Nation, and we will start with Joshua 1:1-11.
Don’t forget to RSVP to Peter or Laurie for our Fall (potluck) Feast on Sunday, September 27th. The tentative schedule looks something like this:
2:00 Doors open for socializing.
3:00 Sunday Potluck. If you are able, bring a dish to place on the buffet tables.
4:00 Short program.
4:30 Back to socializing.
6:00 Help clean up!
I have mentioned that Carmen Shenk has been working on Riverside Anabaptist Collective’s Internet presence. Check it out!
Web page: www.riversideanabaptist.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RiversideAnabaptistCollective
Have a wonderful, blessed, peaceful weekend!
2(P+L)
Accessible Fellowship is benefiting greatly from our synergistic partnership with Riverside Anabaptist Collective. You can view information on Riverside Anabaptist Collective content at www.riversideanabaptist.com and view select content on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@RiversideAnabaptistCollective
We encourage Christians to worship in community. For most, this means an in-person gathering. For some, however, an in-person gathering is not possible. If you cannot physically attend community worship and a streamed service seems cold and distant, Accessible Fellowship offers an alternative. Yes, we do stream some components of our gatherings, but we also spend plenty of time in personal “Zooming” fellowship. Regardless of the reason you can’t attend church, whether a one-time blizzard or a long term situation, we would love to have you join us. Contact us at accfell843@gmail.com or through our website, www.accessiblefellowship.org
Green, Stanley W. (Winter 2025-26). Salt & Light; Called to be Witnesses. MennoMedia. Harrisonburg, VA, USA.
Ramirez, Frank. (Fall 2026). Salt & Light: A Guide for Biblical Studies. The Soul of a Nation. MennoMedia (VA) and Brethren Press (IL). Vol 1, No. 1.
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Accessible Fellowship Newsletter 8/26/26
Visit us at www.accessiblefellowship.org
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday, 9:00 AM. SALT & LIGHT: Lesson 13, The Good News for All (Acts 28:17-31)
Sunday, 10:15 AM. WORSHIP: Riverside Anabaptist Collective, topic is Curtain in Tatters on the Floor, from Carmen’s archives.
Monday, 8:00 AM. KAFFEEKLATSCH: Casual, free-wheeling fellowship, open to all!
Wednesday, 7:00 PM. BIBLE STUDY: On 8/26, we are working to wrap up Ephesians.
Join any scheduled Zoom by clicking here: MEETING
EDITORIAL COMMENTS
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
First of all, I want to be sure that you received an invitation to RSVP for our Fall (potluck) Feast on Sunday, September 27th. Everyone who receives this newsletter was invited in an email that went out Monday. Just checking! 🙂
I have mentioned that Carmen Shenk has been working on Riverside Anabaptist Collective’s Internet presence. Check it out!
Web page: www.riversideanabaptist.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RiversideAnabaptistCollective
This week’s Salt & Light lesson wraps up a fascinating and inspiring quarter. Guided by Stanley W. Green, we have worked our way through the book of Acts: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the early ministry of Peter, and the later ministry of Saul/Paul. It is no surprise that our final lesson, The Good News for All, talks about the Good News, No surprise, either, that it talks about the for All part. God wants everyone to hear the gospel and have a chance to believe. Our part is to spread the gospel by word and by deed. It is not our responsibility to pull up weeds or separate goats from the sheep. All we have to do is spread the word. Be thinking of how God is calling you to fulfill that final instruction from Jesus. Remember that we are never alone.
Over the last thirty years or so, Mennonites in the United States have experienced significant reordering. Laurie and I were drawn and led to a Mennonite church about 25 years ago, and at the time were not acutely aware of the shuffling. Eventually, it impacted us significantly. Now, enough water has gone under the bridge to give a historical perspective of sorts. Along that line, the August issue of Anabaptist World magazine has devoted much space to presenting a historical panorama of the changes taking place to and through the present time. If you can get your hands on a copy, I recommend spending an hour or two on quiet reading and contemplation. Mosaic denomination leader Jeff Wright said it well: “I continue to hope that churches that self-identify as ‘conservative ‘ and churches that self-identify as ‘progressive’ can find ways to remain in mission together through a shared confession that Jesus Christ is Lord’”. (Schrag, p.17).
Amen.
Blessings for all
2(P+L)
Accessible Fellowship is benefiting greatly from our synergistic partnership with Riverside Anabaptist Collective. You can view information on Riverside Anabaptist Collective content at www.riversideanabaptist.com and view select content on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@RiversideAnabaptistCollective
We encourage Christians to worship in community. For most, this means an in-person gathering. For some, however, an in-person gathering is not possible. If you cannot physically attend community worship and a streamed service seems cold and distant, Accessible Fellowship offers an alternative. Yes, we do stream some components of our gatherings, but we also spend plenty of time in personal “Zooming” fellowship. Regardless of the reason you can’t attend church, whether a one-time blizzard or a long term situation, we would love to have you join us. Contact us at accfell843@gmail.com or through our website, www.accessiblefellowship.org
Green, Stanley W. (Winter 2025-26). Salt & Light; Called to be Witnesses. MennoMedia. Harrisonburg, VA, USA.
Ramirez, Frank. (Fall 2026). Salt & Light: A Guide for Biblical Studies. The Soul of a Nation. MennoMedia (VA) and Brethren Press (IL). Vol 1, No. 1.
Schrag, Paul. (2026, August). Era of Realignment. Anabaptist World, August 2026. Vol 7, No. 8).
Accessible Fellowship Newsletter 8/19/26
Visit us at www.accessiblefellowship.org
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday, 9:00 AM. SALT & LIGHT: Lesson 12, A Journey Fraught with Dangers and Opportunities (Acts 22:30-23:11)
Sunday, 10:15 AM. WORSHIP: Riverside Anabaptist Collective, topic is Last Call, by Laurie.
Monday, 8:00 AM. KAFFEEKLATSCH: Casual, free-wheeling fellowship, open to all!
Wednesday, 7:00 PM. BIBLE STUDY: On 8/19, we worked through Eph 6:9. We will start at Eph. 6:10 on 8/26.
Join any scheduled Zoom by clicking here: MEETING
EDITORIAL COMMENTS
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
No matter how uncluttered my weeks look at the start, reality always fills in the blanks. On Monday, I had the pleasure of traveling to nearby Chesterland, Ohio to visit an old high school friend and tour one of the more renown ham radio contest stations in the country. Beside that, I have been busy preparing to set up and run the sound system for an upcoming political Town Hall meeting. You remember how the only kid with a basketball had moments of popularity? Well, I guess I am the only kid with a competent portable public address sound system.
That was my gentle segue into the next topic. Yes, for a brief but important season I am dedicating some of my time to worldly politics. It is distasteful, but I feel a growing urgency to watch for and warn against false prophets.
We know from the words of Jesus himself that we will face false prophets (Matt 7:15 and 24:4-5). Peter echoes Jesus’ warning (2 Peter 2:1-3), as do Paul (Acts 20:29-30 and 2 Timothy 3:13) and John (1 John 4:1).
Watch for false prophets. Easy, right? Not so easy. How can we follow leaders who commingle some of the highest values taught in the Bible with some of the most reprehensible? How can we recognize leaders who honor the life-sanctity of somebearing God’s image, but not all? How can we follow leaders who proclaim freedom and prosperity, but only for some, and at the expense of others? Or those who are unabashedly driven by pride and greed to exploit the poor and vulnerable, and to persecute anyone who dares to defy them? Or who start wars on a whim? (OK, I am tipping my hand a bit.)
The easy answer is to listen to someone who says that the solution is to stick one’s head in the sand and chant the mantra, “this world is not my home, I’m just a-passin’ through…”
I say that a better answer is to search scripture for yourself, fall on your knees and thank God for the privilege of following and serving HIM, Ask for wisdom and courage to know and do what is right in a complex and confusing world. While you are doing that, do consider the brothers and sisters worldwide who have felt compelled to repent for sticking their heads into the sand during the late ‘30s and early ‘40s.
Some brothers and sisters may be led to separate themselves completely from the world. We must honor that. Some may be led to different levels of activism. We must honor that, too. Just keep searching the scripture and praying. Don’t let someone else search, pray, or speak on your behalf. Do it for yourself, in the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings on all
2(P+L)
Bibliography
Green, Stanley W. (Winter 2025-26). Salt & Light; Called to be Witnesses. MennoMedia. Harrisonburg, VA, USA. https://www.mennomedia.org/salt-light/
