WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
April 24, 2018
A weekly communication for:
WDC Churches and Pastors
WDC Executive Board, Commission, Committee and Task Force members
Any content may be used in bulletins and newsletters and
forwarded to congregational leaders and members.
WDC Sprouts is also available at: www.mennowdc.org (Publications)
IN THIS ISSUE:
*Introducing Beth Yoder!
*Announcements
Introducing Beth Yoder!
by Beth Yoder, WDC Business Manager
‘Tis a season of spring and new beginnings! I am happy to include WDC Business manager as part of my new beginnings. My husband Caleb and I moved to North Newton from Iowa in January of 2017 and he began serving on the pastoral team at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in Goessel. On February 25, 2017, our first child, Austin, was born. Thus, we have had our share of new beginnings in the past year. My primary focus for the past year has been caring for Austin. I am grateful for the time I have been able to have at home with him, however, the opening at WDC came at a time when I was feeling ready for additional work outside of the home. I look forward to the work here, I know it will have its challenges as well as joys.
I was asked to give a little intro of myself so here are some of the highlights of the past 30 some years. I grew up in Miller, South Dakota, where some of my family still lives. Kansas is not a completely new place for me as I attended Hesston College. After graduating from Hesston, I lived in the Hesston/Newton area for almost a year and worked at United Methodist Youthville. I then moved to Sturgis, MI and worked at Amigo Centre as their Guest Services Coordinator/Office Manager. I was there for 2 ½ years before moving to Iowa to be a little closer to family and friends. During the 14 years I lived in Iowa, I worked as an administrative assistant at RSM, which is an accounting firm. I also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems online through Indiana Wesleyan University. While in Iowa, I was actively involved at East Union Mennonite Church through music, children’s ministry and women’s Bible study. It was also during that time that I met Caleb. We survived a long distance relationship while he finished seminary in Indiana and then served in Ecuador for 2 years with Mennonite Mission Network. We became engaged during one of my visits to Ecuador (after I carried my engagement ring with me in my suitcase without knowing it) and married 3 months after he returned. In my spare time I enjoy being outside – running, biking, and hiking. With a one year old spare time doesn’t come around as much as it did at one time, but we wouldn’t trade the enjoyment of watching him learn and grow (and thankfully one of his loves is the outdoors as well!). I also enjoy travel both in and out of the United States, though that has also slowed down with marriage and a child. I have been to Europe, Rwanda, India, Honduras, and Ecuador.
I am excited to be in this role, learning new things and meeting new people. Thank you in advance for your patience with me as I learn all the ins and outs of the office and this role.
WDC announcements
- The next Leadership Lunch is on Thursday from 12-1:30 pm at the WDC office. The topic is: “Start Where They Are (Energize Others)”. All are welcome to attend this conversation on Kansas Leadership Center concepts, even if you haven’t attended a KLC training. Bring your own lunch. (To join this meting by Zoom video conference: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/942966385, Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16699006833,,942966385# or 14086380968,,942966385#, or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 646 876 9923, Meeting ID: 942 966 385)
- Mustard Seed grants: As part of the WDC Year of Evangelism, Resource Commission is offering several $250 grants. They are seed money for creative ideas for connecting with neighbors, so relationships can be strengthened and the reconciling love of God can be shared. Go to https://mennowdc.org/mustard-seed-grants/to apply.
- Are you doing MennoMedia’s Peace Lab VBSthis year? If so, the Resource Library has almost all of the picture books suggested by the curriculum. Contact us today to sign up to borrow these books during your week of VBS. crlib@mennowdc.org or (316)283-6300.
- You are invited to the 10th anniversary celebration of Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania, Newton, KS on June 10 at 4 pm at First Mennonite Church, 429 E First in Newton. A reception meal will be included – please RSVP by June 3 to Pastor Jaime Cazares: jscazares@cox.net; 316-212-1824.
- Mennonite Church of the Servant (2401 N Woodland, Wichita KS) invites you to participate in Centering Prayer and study on Wednesdays (starting April 25 and going indefinitely) from 7-8 pm.After prayer, we will discuss Marlene Kropf’s Praying with the Anabaptists: The Secret of Bearing Fruit (used copies available through Amazon for as low as $5.00). For more information, contact Pat Cameron: 316-371-8274, patcam@southwind.net.
Camp Mennoscah announcements
1. To everyone who attended the dedication of the new kitchen at Camp Mennoscah (in person or in spirit), we thank you. Many hours of hard work have gone into this project to improve this much used space and many of you have given generously. Thank you over and over! We can’t wait to start the next phase of the kitchen/dining hall renovations.
- Ends April 30! Camp Mennoscah will give the following items to the person with the highest offer: two upright freezers, the stove/griddle with 2 convection ovens, and the double-decker conventional oven. As is and you are responsible for transporting the item(s). Contact us at 620-297-3290 or office@campmennoscah.orgto make an offer or get an update on the current bid. Photos of the items are on Facebook.
- Early Registration Discount ends May 1! Don’t miss your chance to save on your summer youth camp registration at Camp Mennoscah! Register and pay in full by May 1. Questions? Contact us at 620-297-3290 or office@campmennoscah.org!
- Grab your paring knives and aprons! Camp Mennoscah has a brand new kitchen and we’re looking for kitchen helpers to test it out. We need kitchen staff for June 24-30, July 15-21, and July 29-Aug. 3. No great skills are needed–just a willing heart, listening ears, and a love of camp and youth. Parent discounts up to full camp fees are available. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org. Free tee shirt, too!
- “Rebuilding the Whale!” Camp Mennoscah plans to start construction of the new playground, “The Whale,” by the end of April, and we’ll be looking for volunteers to come out and help! Stay tuned to your church bulletins, e-mail, and social media for the types of work we’ll be doing, dates, and times. With your help, we’ll have it ready to go for summer youth camps!
Mennonite church announcements
1. Updates to MCC kits: after a recent evaluation of material resources, including input from our partners around the world, MCC has made updates to each kit. Please visit mcc.org/mrc/kits for all the updated lists and contact katemast@mcc.org or call 316.283.2720 with questions. New printed kit cards are available from the MCC Central States office in North Newton, Kansas. Thank you for your continued donations that bring dignity and hope to people around the world.
2. MCC’s SWAP (Sharing With Appalachian People) home repair program has summer positions open in both West Virginia and Kentucky. The assignments run from May 30 – approximately August 11. Applicants should be at least 19 years old, but positions are not limited to young adults. More information about SWAP and an application are available at swap.mcc.org or by calling 606-633-5065. In both positions, an exceptional 18-year-old might be considered. A stipend, room and board and travel expenses are provided.
· Job Site Coordinators – Will be the liaison between homeowners and volunteers. Carpentry skills are helpful but not required. Must be willing to learn, follow instruction and work well with others, both homeowners and volunteers, youth and adults.
· Meals Coordinators – Will assist the Location Coordinator with menu planning, meal preparation, kitchen duties and other. Should be able to work well with staff and volunteers, both youth and adults.
- Sexualized violence and the church: Mennonite Central Committee is offering a series of free webinars this spring for churches and individuals who want to learn more about how to address sexualized violence within the congregation and how to encourage healthy sexuality and healthy masculinity among members. Each webinar will be led by church leaders and others with expertise in the topics. All three webinars are free and begin at 2 pm and end at 3 pm CST. Please join us on Wednesday, May 9 for Sexualized violence- How should churches respond?Speakers Cyneatha Millsaps and Silvia Rios will lead the discussion about what we mean when we talk about sexualized violence and what we can do when our congregations experience sexualized violence. The final webinar will be on June 13, Healthy masculinity.Learn more and register for the webinars at mcc.org/wwso. Contact karinkaufmanwall@mcc.org with questions.
WDC Sprouts announcement guidelines: Announcements pertain to Western District Conference (WDC) ministries and churches, institutions with which WDC has formal relationships, and Mennonite Church USA agencies and ministries.
Western District Conference
2517 North Main, PO Box 306
North Newton KS 67117
316-283-6300; FAX: 316-283-0620
Email: wdc@mennowdc.org