WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SPROUTS

February 12, 2019

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:

*Pastoral openings

*Pastoral news & transitions

*Announcements

Pastoral Openings

Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, KS – Associate Pastor

Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, KS – Associate Pastor for Faith Formation

Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania, Newton, KS – Pastor

Mennonite Church of the Servant, Wichita, KS – Pastor

News and Transitions

Richard and Barb Krehbiel Gehring have resigned as Co-Pastors at Manhattan (KS) Mennonite Church effective May 5.  In mid-May they will become Co-Pastors at Lombard (Illinois) Mennonite Church.

Congratulations to Brad and Lici Roth on the birth of a son, Pablo on January 26.  Brad is the Pastor at West Zion Mennonite Church in Moundridge, KS.

Samuel Voth Schrag will begin on March 1 as Pastor at Peace Mennonite Church in Dallas, TX.

Congratulations to Roger and Cynthia Neufeld Smith, recipients of AMBS Alumni Ministry and Service Recognition Award!

John Voth, retired pastor from Chouteau, OK, passed away on April 19, 2018.

WDC announcements

  1. Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, KS, will host the launch of A NEW VBS CURRICULUM on Saturday, February 23, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., in the BCMC Fellowship Hall.  VBS PLUS, written and produced by SPRINGS FORTH!, Faith Formation, Inc., features two new, five-session curricula for all ages:  pre-school, children, youth, adult so entire congregations can study the same Biblical texts.  This preview is a free event but register at springsforthfaith@gmail.com, by February 15.  Bring all teachers, education committees and pastors to learn about multi-generation VBS (or short-term sessions) resources called “Smelly Camels” or “Nighttime Sleuthing”.  Website www.springsforth.comfor further information.
  1. “What Would They Say Now?  Encounters with People of the Bible – Six Reflections for Lent” by Friends of Sabeel North America is available for your Lenten study and prayer group now.  WDC Israel-Palestine Task Force encourages you to go to:  https://www.fosna.org/sites/default/files/Lent2018.pdf to use this powerful resource.  “Let us journey through the Scriptures by immersing ourselves in the experiences of particular Biblical characters—in this booklet, Abraham, King Hezekiah, the exiled community in Babylon, Mary of Nazareth, the Magi journeying to Bethlehem, and Jesus on the Mount of Olives—and by subsequently pondering the similarities and differences between the “then” and the “now” in each sacred location. Our own personal experiences of life will help us to connect with the events of that far-away land, regardless of whether we have ever visited or will ever have any plans to travel there. By looking for some small role that each of us can actively fulfill in cultivating holiness in the Holy Land, that is, by promoting the growth of justice and compassion there, we can maintain a close relationship with the environment in which the Lord God chose to reveal the divine will to humanity.”  —Carole Monica Burnett & Diane Dublin, FOSNA Theology Committee
  1. Call for artwork from WDC congregations! WDC staff invites congregations to loan visual art pieces for temporary display in WDC’s office facility and Resource Library (in North Newton, KS), with these guidelines:  Created by members of your congregation or local community, and representing your congregation or reflecting elements of the WDC Mission Statement (seehttps://mennowdc.org/identity/), or MC USA Journey Forward themes  (see http://mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/JF-_-DRAFT-Document-V3.pdf).   Art pieces may be in various media including print, photograph, painting, children’s drawing, textile/fabric, sculpture, etc.  Art pieces will be returned to your congregation after 6 months (or an alternate period of time to be mutually determined).  To suggest an art piece for consideration, a congregational representative should first send a digital photo and written description to WDC at wdc@mennowdc.org.  WDC staff will then coordinate with your congregation to receive and display the art pieces.  We hope these visual gifts will provide ongoing glimpses and reminders of the diversity and beauty of WDC!

Camp Mennoscah announcements

  1. Still a few spaces in the March 15-17 Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat at Camp Mennoscah!  It will be a great weekend to dive into your favorite craft or scrapbook project.  The weekend is overflowing with time for you.  You can relax, walk around camp grounds, talk to other creative folks, join in devotions, or go nose-first into your current project.  Go to www.campmennoscah.orgto register or call us at 620-297-3290!
  1. Refill your Soul!  The YouthVolunteer Weekend at Camp Mennoscah is March 15-16 and youth in grades 7-12 are heartily welcomed. There will be singing, worship, s’mores, service projects, and likely some silliness. Parents and sponsors do not need to attend.  Register online at campmennoscah.org in Summer Youth Camps or call 620-297-3290 for assistance.  Full scholarships are available.  (See attached poster.)
  1. It’s time for DESSERT!  Camp Mennoscah will be holding the annual Hymn Sing and Dessert Auction at Bethel College Mennonite Church on February 24 from 4-6pm.  We’ll be celebrating and raising funds for our summer staff who provide mentoring relationships and faith formation, which is what camp is all about!  One set of hymns will be “bluegrass” and led by (former) summer staff!  (See attached poster.)
  1. Online registration for Summer Youth Camps at Camp Mennoscah is open!  In fact, registration is open for all upcoming camps and retreats, so power up your computer and register for all sorts of relaxation and fun!  Call us at 620-297-3290 with questions.

Mennonite church announcements

  1. The Mennonite, Inc., invites your original submissions for our April 2019 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on Just relationships. (See:  https://themennonite.org/april-2019-call-submissions-just-relationships/.)   Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than March 1.  
  1. “All are welcome to join the fun at the 12thannual Mennonite Central Committee Comforter Blitz on March 4, 5 and 6 at the Journey Yoder Campus, one mile north of Yoder, Kansas. Times are Monday, 9:00am to 5:00pm Tuesday, 9:00am to 5:00pm and Wednesday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Come and have a good time while helping others. No sewing skills are required. Lunch is available by donation each day, or you may bring your own sack lunch. Bring snacks to share during the work day.  This event is hosted by Kansas Friends of MCC.”  
  1. MCC’s Sharing With Appalachia People (SWAP) program is seeking volunteer groups, individuals and summer staff. Summer will be here before we know it, so make your summer plans now to join SWAP in Kentucky or West Virginia. Don’t miss out on your chance to serve with this home repair ministry while learning about life in Appalachia. Groups or individuals can volunteer to serve as week-long volunteers. SWAP is also looking for summer staff to serve as job site coordinators and meals coordinators/cooks for three month assignments. For more information about bringing a group to SWAP or serving as summer staff, visit swap.mcc.org or contact Angela Maggard at AppalachiaAdmin@mcc.org or 606-633-5065.
  1. For a quick recap of Mennonite Central Committe’s work in the past year and perhaps as a way to help promote an upcoming MCC relief sale in your area, watch the following video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWW_yKF0-T0

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