Community
The unit house is located on the west side of town, though not far from downtown. The church, Beth-El Mennonite, is about 8 miles to the north, but Service Adventurers and church folks have regular interaction. Church members lead different learning components each year like hiking up Pikes Peak, rock climbing, and immigration simulations. With its large military population, Colorado Springs has a unique need for a Mennonite/Anabaptist perspective on what it means to follow Jesus, living in peaceful and “upside-down kingdom” ways. Unit members attempt to reflect Jesus’ love in the unit and to those they encounter daily.
Church
Beth-El Mennonite Church is an active congregation of around 180 people. They have “blended” worship services each week that include traditional, contemporary, and/or international music, drama, unique celebrations of the Lord’s Supper, plus lots of time for fellowship. Participants in the past have become involved in music teams, children’s ministries, as greeters and ushers, scripture readers and by sharing “faith stories.” All gifts are welcomed.Theologically, the congregation is a diverse group, and so they work at listening and speaking with care. They hold each other in love, serving a God who is larger than their differences.Iglesia El Centro, a Spanish-speaking congregation that is part of Mountain States Mennonite Conference meets in the church building each Sunday afternoon, and the congregation enjoys the growing relationships they have with this body of believers. Beth-El has small groups for anyone and everyone. The young adult group meets regularly as do impromptu groups of friends.
Service
Beyond our daily work placements, we also get to serve by helping with the Mennonite Relief Sale (October), Beth-El’s Ten Thousand Villages Sale (November), with Interfaith Hospitality Network when it is at Beth-El (August and February), and at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp during their Snow Camps (February and March).
