Newsletter

Accessible Fellowship Newsletter 10/08/26

Visit us at www.accessiblefellowship.org

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, 9:00 AM. SALT & LIGHT: On Sunday, October 11, we tackle Session 6, God Works Despite Evil, (Joshua 2:1-19). Because the scripture is not printed in our textbook, please read it out of your own Bible in preparation for your study. As you know, I encourage all to read the lesson’s Home Daily Bible Readings and consider the week’s Spiritual Preparation.

Sunday, 10:15 AM. WORSHIP: Riverside Anabaptist Collective, Pastor Carmen’s topic is Writing the Vision for Riverside. The scripture for this week is Habakkuk 2:2-3. We appreciate the resources that Riverside Anabaptist Collective continues to provide for our spiritual edification and health.

Monday, 8:00 AM. KAFFEEKLATSCH: Casual, free-wheeling fellowship, open to all!

Wednesday, 7:00 PM. BIBLE STUDY: Last night, we enjoyed worship and our first ever congregational meeting. Attendance was very good and the outcome was a unanimous, enthusiastic vote to extend a call to Carmen Shenk to be our pastor. More information below!

Join any regularly scheduled weekly Zoom meeting by clicking here: MEETING

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

WE HAVE A PASTOR!

I have already mentioned last night’s congregational meeting, which resulted in a unanimous, enthusiastic vote to extend a call to Carmen Shenk to be our pastor. I am pleased to report that Carmen has accepted the call. In a way, this call is only an acknowledgement of how Carmen already has been blessing us by providing us with a weekly message for the last year. Sometimes, it has been a message of encouragement. Sometimes, exhortation or a reminder to examine our own souls. Always, a blessing.

We began the meeting with a time of prayer and testimony. It was a blessing to hear each person at the meeting give a brief synopsis of what Accessible Fellowship means to them. The long (alphabetized) list included facets of community, encouragement, friendship, learning, love, support, and more. We had fun talking about last Sunday’s potluck dinner and worship, and getting to know Carmen and Xaver better. Many questions were asked and answered, but our discussion was big on the positive. It is clear that we do not want to be passive listeners. We want to be actively involved in each using our own gifts toward the growth of the Kingdom of God. We want to be inclusive in showing God’s love to those around us, and we don’t want to be trapped in bureaucracy. Not at the bottom, not at the top, and not anywhere in between. We are an ekklesia that encompasses many diverse talents and whose high priest is the Lord Jesus.

VOTE!

Trump’s name will not be on the ballot, but what he stands for certainly will be there, and the results of this November’s elections will shape the history of the world.

It is a cop out to shrug one’s shoulders and say that the election results are in God’s hands. God has a long history of allowing mortals to suffer the consequences of their poor decisions, even when those consequences have grieved Him so deeply that He sent His Son Jesus to bear the eternal consequences on our behalf.

The election is coming up fast. Make certain that you and your family, friends, and neighbors voice their convictions at the polls.

2(P+L)

Accessible Fellowship is benefiting greatly from the resources provided by 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

Bibliography

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 9/30/26

Visit us at www.accessiblefellowship.org

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, 9:00 AM. SALT & LIGHT: On Sunday, October 4, we continue with our new quarterly, The Soul of a Nation. We will begin Unit 2, Lacking Leadership and a Moral Compass, with Session 5, Radical Commitment to God’s Way, (Joshua 24:14-27). Because the scripture 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 Famous Last Words. The scripture for this week is Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Monday, 8:00 AM. KAFFEEKLATSCH: Casual, free-wheeling fellowship, open to all!

Wednesday, 7:00 PM. BIBLE STUDY: This week, we might wrap up our study of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7).

Join any regularly scheduled weekly Zoom meeting by clicking here: MEETING

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

CONGREGATUIONAL MEETING

We will have a congregational meeting – our FIRST congregational meeting – Wednesday night at 7:00. I will send out a meeting agenda in the near future.

POTLUCK

It was a blessing and a joy to see so many at our Fall Potluck last Sunday, September 27^th. We all were particularly blessed to have Carmen and Xaver drive up from Virginia to join us. The only item left in our lost-n-found was one short knife with a black handle and narrow, serrated blade.

VOTE!

Vote as if Trump was on the ballot. In a way, he is, regardless of your political persuasion.

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

Bibliography

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 9/23/26

Visit us at www.accessiblefellowship.org

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, 9:00 AM. SALT & LIGHT: On September 20, we continue with our new quarterly, The Soul of a Nation, Unit 1, From Nomadic Tribes to Settled People. Session 4, God’s Compassion for Rahab, (Joshua 2:1-7 ; 6:16-17). Because the scripture 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, Dr. Chris Scott will speak on grace, “Receive, Become, Give”.

Monday, 8:00 AM. KAFFEEKLATSCH: Casual, free-wheeling fellowship, open to all!

Wednesday, 7:00 PM. BIBLE STUDY: This week, we will continue with our study of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”.

Join any scheduled Zoom by clicking here: MEETING

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

YOU READ WHAT?

Most people are listening to news that is at least somewhat based on truth. As a general rule, that truth is embellished with a spin that reflects the ideology of the writer. The exceptions are not an absence of spin, but rather an absence of truth. I strongly recommend this article, in the current Sojourners Magazine:

Littlefield, Christina. (Sept/Oct 2026). Bursting Our News Bubbles: Why all Christians need to build their media skills – and how to do it. Sojourners Magazine (Vol 55, No.08).

POTLUCK

We hope to see you at our Fall Potluck on Sunday, September 27^th. 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 Clean up

VOTE!

The Tuesday after the first Monday in November, Election Day is Tuesday, 11/3/26,. One thing you could do for the cause of peace is to prepare for the upcoming election. Encourage family, friends, and neighbors to vote. Help them overcome barriers to voting by offering reminders, rides, child care, and so forth. And don’t forget to get yourself to the polls! By definition, if everyone votes, the right person is elected.

2(P+L)

Bibliography

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.

Accessible Fellowship Newsletter 9/16/26

Visit us at www.accessiblefellowship.org

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, 9:00 AM. SALT & LIGHT: On September 20, we continue with our new quarterly, The Soul of a Nation, Unit 1, From Nomadic Tribes to Settled People. Lesson 3, God’s Complicated Promise, (Joshua 11). Because the scripture 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 Conquest in the Kingdom of God. Read Joshua 11 and 2 Corinthians 10:1-4.

Monday, 8:00 AM. KAFFEEKLATSCH: Casual, free-wheeling fellowship, open to all!

Wednesday, 7:00 PM. BIBLE STUDY: This week, we will continue with our study on Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”.

Join any scheduled Zoom by clicking here: MEETING

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Although we have no record of it’s existence before a 1930’s speech by Sir Austen Chamberlain, we seem to be living under the ancient Chinese curse disguised as a blessing: “May you live in interesting times.” Interesting times create interesting opportunities. Opportunities for good, and opportunities for evil.

A related quote came from President John F Kennedy: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” The original thought may come from John Stuart Mill’s 1867 comment that “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” An early (1770) assertion by Edmund Burke is “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”

According to Wikipedia, Edmund Burke was a devout Christian, worshiping as an Anglican. It is not surprise, therefore, that his observation is consistent with biblical teaching. For example, James wrote, “It is a sin when someone knows the right thing to do and doesn’t do it” (James 4:17 CEB). Jesus himself called us to action. He said:

“… let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16, CEB).

“Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt 7:12 CEB).

“When you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me” (Matt 25:40 CEB).

All are calls to action, using action verbs.

Our own prophets of this day reiterate the message in modern language. How often have we listened to Matthew West eloquently urge us to “Do Something”?

September 21^st is Peace Sunday. Why not “Do Something” to bring praise to our Father who is in heaven?

VOTE!

The Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 11/3/26, is Election Day. One thing you could do for the cause of world peace is to prepare for the upcoming election.

As we studied the first chapter of Joshua, we say God and Moses involved in the process of transitioning power to a younger man. Moses was around 120 at that time. He had known Joshua for about 40 years. Joshua could easily have been 60 years younger than Moses. Hmm.

Pennsylvania state law allows teens who will turn 18 before the next election to registration to vote. One way to encourage voting is to encourage the teens in your life to register to vote as soon as they are eligible. They may eventually decide NOT to vote, but if they haven’t registered, they will have squandered the opportunity to make a choice.

POTLUCK

Don’t forget to RSVP to Peter or Laurie for our Fall (potluck) Feast on Sunday, September 27^th. 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 Clean up

2(P+L)

Bibliography

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.