WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
June 9, 2020
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)
We invite your continuing support for WDC! Contributions may be made HERE.
IN THIS ISSUE:
*Ministry openings
*Pastoral news & transitions
*Announcements
Ministry Openings
Southern Hills Mennonite Church, Topeka, KS – Pastor
Turpin Mennonite Church, OK – Pastor
WDC Associate Conference Minister (Texas-Based)
News and Transitions
Karen Andres ended as Chaplain at Prairie View, Newton KS on May 28 and will become Associate Pastor at Zion Mennonite Church, Elbing, KS on July 1.
Rosie Epp, Co-Pastor at Zion Mennonite Church, Elbing, KS, will retire at the end of June.
WDC announcements
1, Children and Youth, you are invited to offer art for display online during our virtual WDC Assembly. Read or listen to Jeremiah 29.4-13 and 1 Peter 2. 11-12, then draw or paint a picture, write a poem, or other artistic response to these scriptures which are our theme texts for Assembly, “Living in Exile.” We will include them in a PowerPoint during the delegate session on August 1. Pastors, please invite your kids and youth to participate. Please send them to kathynd@mennowdc.org. Thank you.
2. Congregational Snapshot Videos for WDC Assembly: Ask a teen or young adult to help make your 3 minute max congregational snapshot video that will be uploaded to our public Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA) YouTube channel. Get a smartphone, hit record, and tell a story about something exciting or memorable that happened within your congregation this year. These videos are ways we can continue to get to know each other better in WDC. If you have privacy concerns or need tech assistance, please email Kathy Neufeld Dunn at kathynd@mennowdc.org. There are options for video visibility. Upload the video to your congregation’s YouTube channel, make sure it is “public,” then email the link to wdc@mennowdc.org.
3. Available Now – WDC Resource Library Curbside Pickup (2517 N Main in North Newton KS): Reserve resources any time through our online catalog at https://mennowdc.
4. Resources on Racial Justice: The Resource Library has suggestions for growing and learning about the issues of racism and white privilege facing our nations. Check out the list on our online catalog (under the “Lists” tab and the 2020 Resource Lists Heading) or here: Racism & White Privilege Education 6/9/20 Please contact the library to borrow materials or log into the online catalog to reserve them.
5. Virtual Summer Story Hour: Children ages 3-8, come take a dip in the ocean through Summer Story Hour! Virtually join Library Director Jennie Wintermote and volunteer Marjie Warkentine for “Oceans of Fun” with 8 weekly sessions June 15-August 3. Sign up today at https://forms.gle/
6. Summer Reading Programs–Running June 1-August 15
- Adults–This year you’re invited to read any title in our collection and submit a brief review. Each review will be a ticket into our prize drawings for books, giftcards, and more. Reviews may be submitted at https://forms.gle/
r4kpXQBQqZPuGjiw8, posted on the WDC Resource Library FaceBook page, or given to Library Director, Jennie Wintermote. - Children–Download a reading log here and mark off a box for each book you read (picture books) or every 15 pages (for chapter books) or contact the library for a copy. Turn in your reading log after August 15 for fun prizes. (Turn in by mailing, dropping off, or sending a picture of your log to crlib@mennowdc.org). We would appreciate it if you register your child(ren) at https://forms.gle/
mgPPft74HBDs9ZMu6 so we can have enough prizes ready!
7. The June/July/August 2020 issue WDC’s quarterly newsletter WDC Garden is now available at: https://mennowdc.org/wdc-
Camp Mennoscah announcements
1. Take a look! Summer staff are sharing camp with you from a distance! Videos are being posted on the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page daily. You’ll see some typical activities of camp and some of the wild, creative fun we strive for in a week of camp. A Facebook account is not needed, though they will try to get you to sign up. Just click “not now” at the bottom of the pop-up box. You can get to the Facebook page from www.campmennoscah.org
2. Camp Mennoscah is open to a limited number of individuals and families. Reservations must be made in advance. Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 for further information. We are excited to make this sacred space available to you!
3. It is with both appreciation and sadness that the Camp Mennoscah Board of Directors announces the resignation of Michael Unruh from the position of Executive Director, effective July 1, 2020. In a statement, Michael shared, “I am grateful for each staff person and board member who has worked tirelessly to develop camp’s ministry, and the hundreds of camp supporters I have had the privilege of getting to know.” Michael will begin as Campus Pastor at Bethel College this summer. In the interim period, the Camp Mennoscah Staff and Board of Directors will continue to fulfill camp’s mission by providing space and programs for people of all ages to connect with God, nature, others, and self. Full statement can be found at campmennoscah.org.
4. In the midst of the cancellation of in-person summer youth camps, you still have some great opportunities to support the mission of Camp Mennoscah!
- By praying for the staff, volunteers, and campers to find creative ways to connect with one another this summer.
- By making a general fund gift to support creative summer connection content and to sustain camp operations. Maybe even a little extra this year, if you are able to do so!
- By encouraging others to remain involved in camp’s ministry.
It is a blessing to have your support during this unique year! If you have questions about giving options, please contact Michael Unruh at 620-382-6560 or michael.unruh@
Mennonite church announcements
1. Service can be a family activity! Check out MennoniteMission.net/SOOP to find flexible service terms so the whole family can be the hands and feet of Jesus!
2. Free Debt Counseling: In these trying times, Everence has made free debt counseling possible through Lutheran Social Services Counseling. See https://www.everence.com/
Asesoramiento gratuito sobre deudas: en estos tiempos difíciles, Everence ha hecho posible el asesoramiento gratuito sobre deudas a través del asesoramiento luterano de servicios sociales. Vea el enlace adjunto para más información. No tienes que luchar solo. https://www.everence.
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