WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
October 2, 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:
*Joy Every Day
*Announcements
Joy Every Day
by Jennie Wintermote, Library Director
Grapes. Stroller. Crayons. Music. Did you know these are special, powerful words? At my house they are. Any one of them results in a shrieking, gleeful toddler radiating joy–pure joy. Every hour of every day has the potential for excitement, discovery, and delight in the world around us. Yet as adults, it’s so easy to forget about the day’s potential when faced with the realities of our broken world and the daily demands of work and responsibility.
What would happen if we all took a moment to stop and to look around us with eyes of wonder? God moves in the changing of seasons, in bugs and good food, in music and the embrace of a loved one. What if we looked for the beauty, the good, and responded in joy?
In the coming months, you’ll have a variety of different “special” times that might be easier to seek joy. The beginning of fall, gathering with family over the holidays, starting the new liturgical year with Advent, and the anticipation of Christ’s entrance into our world–these are all special times that invite us to shout to God with joy.
As you may have already guessed, I have resources in the library to help you look for joy and celebrate the fall season, thankfulness, Advent and more! Stop by or contact the library to send you resources via mail. 316-833-6300 or crlib@mennowdc.org
In our congregation, parents are invited to select a “life verse” for their child when they are dedicated. Our daughter’s verse is Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ” My hope is that people all over WDC will be filled with joy and peace in the coming months as we trust in our ever-present God.
WDC announcements
- Announcing — the 2019 WDC Annual Assembly will be held on July 26-27 at Bethel College in North Newton, KS. Put it on your calendars!
- Prayers are requested for the MC USA Constituency Leaders Council as they gather in Chicago, Illinois on Oct. 11-13. Ray Reimer (WDC Moderator), Heidi Regier Kreider (WDC Conference Minister) and Damian Rodriguez are WDC representatives to CLC, appointed by the WDC Executive Board.
- Attention members of WDC elected leadership groups (Executive Board, Commissions, and Gifts Discernment Committee) – You are invited to the WDC Reference Council at the WDC office in North Newton on October 20, 8:30 am – 12:00 noon. The focus will be on building relationships, equipping and collaborating for ministry, and planning for the year to come. People at a distance may participate through Zoom video conference. RSVP to wdc@mennowdc.orgor 316-283-6300.
- The WDC Resource Commission invites you to join other WDC friends in Dallas for the exciting “Telling the Jesus Story” Year of Evangelism event October 26-27. Hear inspiring stories, share and learn how to strengthen evangelistic and discipling efforts in your congregation. Come to Iglesia Luz del Evangelio (1524 Dowdy Ferry Road, Dallas, TX) or ride the van from North Newton, KS with others. More information and register at: mennowdc.org/year-of-evangelism/
- The WDC Executive Board has appointed Lois Barrett, Lesther Caceros, Willmar Harder, June Krehbiel, Ray Reimer, Phil Schmidt, Heidi Regier Kreider and Byron Pellecer to serve as delegates from WDC to a special delegate meeting of Mennonite Church USA on November 26, 2018 (most delegates will participate electronically) regarding the proposed merger of The Mennonite and Mennonite World Review. The purpose of the meeting is to give counsel to the MC USA Executive Board regarding termination of The Mennonite as a program entity of MC USA. The proposed action is to “Authorize the Executive Board to update MC USA bylaws as needed to reflect the change in status of The Mennonite as a churchwide program entity.” This is a reminder that congregations have also received notice to appoint delegates to the special meeting (one delegate for each 100 members or fraction thereof) by November 1. For more information contact Shelley Buller at ShelleyB@MennoniteUSA.org, 316-281-4257.
Camp Mennoscah announcements
- Taking out the dam! We will be removing the dam at Camp Mennoscah on October 7 at 2pm. All are welcome to participate or watch this annual process. Any changes due to weather will be announced on Facebook.
- Monster Cookies at Fall Fest! Camp Mennoscah will have a booth at Bethel College’s Fall Festival on Saturday, October 6. The booth will feature monstrously tasty monster cookies, water, and camp souvenirs for sale. Stop to say howdy, buy a cookie or 70th anniversary tee shirt and then head off to your next Fall Fest adventure. Look for us by the Schultz Student Center!
- Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats are filling up quickly! These retreats at Camp Mennoscah are are October 26-28 and November 2-4 and are a hootin’ good time to work on your scrapbook or your favorite craft–or just spend time relaxing with friends! Register online at campmennoscah.org! Further questions? Call 620-297-3290.
Mennonite church announcements
1. “Kits are for Caring” New Resource: MCC has a new resource for churches to get children (and people of all ages) excited about collecting relief kits! Designed to be ready to use, the resource includes curriculum to guide a group of children toward a celebration of sharing God’s gifts by collecting humanitarian aid for those in need around the world. Whether you use the curriculum in Sunday School classes, during the children’s story or in a Bible camp, there are games, stories and activity sheets that will engage children of all ages. But there are also resources to use with adult groups, including prayer cards and in-depth info sheets. Would you consider collecting relief kits this Thanksgiving or Christmas season? Contact tinaschrag@mcc.org or call 316.283.2720 if you need help downloading the PDF files or for more information. https://mcc.org/stories/kits-are-caring-resource
- The annual Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA) benefit dinner will be heldFriday, Oct. 19 at 6:30 pm at First Mennonite Church of Newton, KS fellowship hall. Join us to enjoy a Smothered Pork Burrito dinner by Chef Carlos Lujano. (Meatless burritos available by request). A program will follow: a dance performed by Iglesia Casa Betania’s children, IBA graduation, student testimony and some words by IBA Director, Marco Güete. You will also have an opportunity to participate in a free will offering to support the program financially. For more information contact Violeta at: VioletaA@MennoniteEducation.org or call 316-281-4342. (For church bulletins on Oct 7 and 14.)
- MCC has an abundance of video resources available for you to share with your congregation on our YouTube channel! We encourage you to “subscribe” to our channel so you are alerted when a new video is posted. These are great to use during gathering time prior to worship, during announcements or potentially during sermons and Sunday School! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP_Nj9J4fVDJ0tVeV-gMfEQ
- Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary Pastors and Leaders 2019: “Loving Our Neighbors in Tense Times”: Feb 25-28. How do we respond to hate, intolerance and systemic racism in productive, transformative ways? What does the gospel of Jesus Christ call us to do in situations like these? We’ll explore the biblical and theological grounding of our call to get involved and become equipped to lead – right here, right now. Speakers: Andrew Draper, Ph.D.; David Hooker, Ph.D.; Maren Tyedmers Hange, M.Div. ambs.edu/pastorsandleaders
- Let’s Connect! Would you like to develop your leadership abilities from an Anabaptist perspective while staying in your current vocation? Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary’s Master of Divinity (MDiv) Connect program offers you in-depth biblical and theological study, spiritual formation and vocational internships – right where you live. ambs.edu/mdivconnect
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Early registration for the Women Doing Theology conference ends on October 12. Join MC USA’s Women in Leadership in “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution: Dialogue, Practice and the Work of Liberation” on Nov. 8-10. Register now at http://mennoniteusa.org/wdt18.
7. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is October 8, and MC USA will make worship materials available on this day with the theme “Lament in response to the Doctrine of Discovery” for Mennonite Heritage Sunday on October 28. Find them at mennoniteusa.org/heritage2018.
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
Website: www.mennowdc.org