WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
JULY 6-8, 2012
Magnuson Hotel & Meridian Convention Center
737 S. Meridian Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
ANNUAL ASSEMBLY BROCHURE / REGISTRATION FORM – ENGLISH
FOLLETOS SOBRE LA ASAMBLEA ANUAL (SPANISH)
Everyone is welcome to register and attend.
THEME: Becoming One To Be Sent in Christ (John 17) is the theme of this year’s Western District Conference Annual Assembly. Jesus invites us to join in and act on the unity we already have. We invite you to come to this important gathering and express our unity through loving and careful conversation, worship, learning and fellowship. As we express our love to each other, we will fulfill our mission of representing Christ to the world. (John 17: 23)
SCHEDULE: See the full schedule on the brochure (seek link above).
SPEAKERS:
Chuck Neufeld – Through his songs, stories and talks, Chuck communicates a deep commitment to community, peace, justice, and service. He believes that a dedicated response to Christ’s call requires compassionate action and redemptive living, and that this results in radically altered lives and communities. In addition to serve as Conference Minister of the Illinois Mennonite Conference, Chuck is Pastor Emeritus of Community Mennonite Church of Markham, Illinois. Music continues to play a very significant part in Chuck’s life. His eleventh album will be debuted at a concert on Friday night!
Eugene Thieszen – Eugene grew up on a farm near Henderson, Nebraska, and has served in Botswana under MCC and COM/AIMM. He is currently the pastor of the Herold Mennonite Church in Bessie, Oklahoma and the chairperson of the WDC Leadership Commission. Gene is an avid student of ancient church theology and in his spare time enjoys fishing and storm chasing.
LEARNING COMMUNITIES: Eleven Learning Communities will be offered – pick two that interest you! See the full list of Learning Communities available on the brochure (see link above), and be sure to circle your choices on the registration form.
DELEGATES: Churches are entitled to send one delegate for every thirty members (or any fraction thereof). Church plants may send one delegate. Non-delegates are also welcome to attend.
LODGING: Call 1-800-784-7830 to book your lodging with the Magnuson Hotel & Meridian Convention Center in Oklahoma City by JUNE 6. Identify yourself with the code 13408 for the “Western District Mennonite Convention” to get the special rate of $69/night. Please do not make reservations online; as this will not allow us to get meeting rooms at no cost. For more information about hotel, see: www.magnusonhotelokc.com
MEALS:
Breakfasts are complimentary with your room. All other meals will be on your own.* There are dozens of restaurants close to the hotel.
*Two special meals are planned:
1) Pastor/Spouse Appreciation Dinner on Friday evening (for pastors & families only) – $10 per person
2) Women in Mission luncheon on Saturday (for all women) – $14 per person
You must register and pay for these meals, no walk-ins allowed.
REPORT BOOKS: In order to save paper and postage costs, paper copies of the Report Book will not be sent out. Read the Report Book in English or Spanish by clicking on a link below. If desired, request to pick up a paper copy at the Annual Assembly on the registration form.
Report Book (English) Report Book (Spanish)
CHILDREN ARE INVITED! Childcare will be provided for infants through preschool. Activities are planned for those who have completed Kindergarten through Grade 8. More information will be sent to parents who register their child.
PLANNING TEAM: Jenny Castro, Carol Duerksen, Joanna Pinkerton, Terry Rediger, Miles Reimer, David Stevens, William Zuercher (logistics coordinator), and Marlene Bogard, Assembly Director.
We look forward to seeing you at Assembly this summer!
Together, let us seek and claim God’s presence and Spirit.
Policy Regarding Resolutions for WDC Delegate Discussion and Action
Resolutions and Background Information ENGLISH
Resolutions and Background Information SPANISH
Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, 1995
Resolution on Human Sexuality, 1986
A Call to Affirmation, Confession and Covenant Regarding Human Sexuality, 1987
A Mennonite Polity for Leadership – (Buy it here.)
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD TO DELEGATES TO THE WDC ASSEMBLY (MAY 16, 2012)
Delegate Session Information
Mennonite World Review Blog, by Joanna Harader, May 9, 2012
A resolution on Mennonite church statements, by C. Norman Kraus, May 2012
Naming what unites us, by Mark Thiessen Nation, May 2012
Naming what divides us, by John D. Rempel, February 2012
Who wants to hang in there? by Andre Gingerich Stoner, February 20, 2012
Being a Faithful Church: Testing the Spirits in the Midst of Hermeneutical Ferment, by Robert J. Suderman, June 2009 (Click here for Spanish)