July 30-August 1, 2021
Faith Mennonite Church, Newton KS
Videos from 2021 Assembly
Woven into God’s Story
The WDC Annual Assembly will be held July 30-August 1. This will be a “hybrid” event – some parts will be only virtual, other parts will be only on-site, and much of it will be hybrid with people on-site and virtual sharing together. The on-site parts will be held at Faith Mennonite Church, 2100 North Anderson, Newton, KS.
The Assembly theme will be “Woven Into God’s Story” using Scripture themes from Colossians 2:2-7. Michele Hershberger, Bible and Ministry Professor, Hesston College, will be our keynote speaker and storyteller. We look forward to other storytellers throughout the weekend, as well.
SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEKEND
Friday, July 30
7:00 pm – Worship (On-site or YouTube Live), followed by sno-cones outside!
Saturday, July 31
7:45 am Morning Prayer (Zoom link)
8:30 – 10:30 am – Delegate Session (A Zoom link will be emailed to registered delegates on July 30; non delegates may observe on YouTube Live.)
11:00 am – 4:30 pm – Seminars (On-site and online options)
12:00 – 1:30 pm – Lunch
2:45 – 3:30 pm – Snack Break (Thanks to Everence for sponsoring our break treats!)
4:30 – 5:00 pm – Free Time (Options: Resource Library book sale under the tent, display tables and institutional partner videos in sanctuary)
5:00 pm – Food available on-site, Love Feast worship around supper tables (On-site only)
7:00 – 8:00 pm – Storytelling Festival (On-site and online options), enjoy fresh popcorn in the tent!
Sunday, August 1
10:30 am – Worship (On-site or YouTube Live)
For the delegate session on Saturday morning, July 31, each delegate will need to join via Zoom on their own (not shared) device, with their own email address. With this format, as was done last year, delegates may only carry one vote. Due to limited internet bandwidth at Faith Mennonite Church, delegates should plan to connect to the delegate meeting from their homes or locations other than the church. Congregations are eligible for one vote for every thirty members or fraction thereof (ex: a congregation with 32 members has two votes).
There will be a good assortment of seminars representing the work of WDC Task Forces and Committees, as well as some guests from beyond our conference.
Saturday meal options: A box lunch can be ordered with your Assembly registration. (As of 7/21/21 – box lunches are no longer available.) Food for purchase will be available on-site for supper. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch and/or supper. We will be sharing communion around the supper table and virtually, so we hope you will join us for the evening meal.
Childcare available for children age 3 and under. Childcare will be offered on Friday from 7:00-8:30 pm, on Saturday from 11 am-12 pm, and 1:30-4:30 pm, and on Sunday from 10:30-11:30 am. Just let us know on the registration form if childcare is needed.
Registration fee: By donation. (Suggested donation: $85/person – participating on-site or $35/person – participating virtually.) Note that box lunch orders have an additional cost. Congregations that will gather for a virtual “viewing party” could consider sending a donation of ~$300 for the group. Please give as you are able in order to cover the costs of this event. Any donations given above Assembly expenses will go toward WDC Ministries. Please pay online when registering, or send payment to: WDC, PO Box 306, North Newton KS 67117 by July 23. Thank you!
7/27/21 UPDATED pandemic protocols: Following the new CDC guidelines, everyone (vaccinated and unvaccinated) is asked to please wear a mask when indoors. Tents outside will provide safer spaces for meals and snacks.
Special Storytelling Opportunity! WDC’s Assembly theme is “Woven into God’s Story.” In connection with this theme, StoryCorps has invited WDC to partner with their storytelling project, One Small Step, to share and record our own stories within WDC. One Small Step is an initiative to facilitate online conversations between people of different viewpoints and life experiences. It’s not a debate. It’s a chance to build bridges and listen to the stories behind each other’s beliefs. It’s up to the two conversation partners if they choose to share their recording or not. (Facilitators are bilingual, so conversations may be either in Spanish or English). We are still seeking additional registrants to meet the number needed for the project, so StoryCorps has rescheduled WDC’s virtual recording days for October 7-9 (instead of July). This means you still have time to sign up up! To register, go to https://onesmallstep.
CHURCH DELEGATE LIST Churches – use this FORM to submit delegate names.
MINUTES, BUDGET, ELECTION RESULTS, DELEGATES ACTA, PRESUPUESTO, RESULTADOS DE LAS ELECCIONES, DELEGADOS
NOTICE OF AUDIO VIDEO RECORDING
RESOLUTIONS POLICY: Resolutions must be submitted a minimum of 120 days prior to Annual Assembly (in 2021, that date is April 2). Send to: WDC Executive Board, PO Box 306, North Newton KS 67117