WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
December 8, 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)
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IN THIS ISSUE:
*The Home of God
*Announcements
The Home of God
by Heidi Regier Kreider, WDC Conference Minister
It is December, and 2020 is almost over! During this past year we have suffered a global pandemic, confronted systemic injustice and climate change, and struggled through election turmoil. Many familiar routines and social connections are disrupted, and some practices that used to make sense now seem to have lost their meaning. In the midst of these circumstances, I have more frequently been asking, “What exactly is the purpose of life, anyway?” And, as many congregational habits and traditions become less feasible or even seem irrelevant in light of current realities, my question becomes, “What exactly is the purpose of church, anyway?”
With these questions in mind, the title of a book recently caught my attention: For the Life of the World: Theology that Makes a Difference” by Miroslav Wolf and Matthew Croasmun. Though it was published in 2019 (which now seems like a long time ago!), the book’s definition of Christian theology presents a purpose that is very relevant as we anticipate the end of 2020 and beyond. The authors write that “…the grand goal of God” is “fashioning each human and the entire world into God’s home and our true home as well.” (p. 8) “…the purpose of theology is to discern, articulate, and commend visions of the flourishing life in light of God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ…” (p. 11) “The flourishing life of human beings and of the entire creation is their existence as the ‘home of God” – the kind of existence that depends on creation coming to itself by becoming a dwelling place of God.” (p. 64)”
This description of a “flourishing life” does not focus on how much human beings are in control, or free of suffering, uncertainty or inconvenience. Rather, it re-orients us to God’s purpose and presence within creation, inviting us to ask: What does it mean for us to embrace God’s “grand goal,” that is, to see ourselves, all human beings, and all of creation as the “home of God?” It is an affirmation of the Incarnation, re-directing us to the coming of Christ that we await in this season of Advent, and the birth of Emmanuel “God-With-Us” that we celebrate at Christmas.
In this spirit, WDC congregations are engaging in many creative ways to celebrate Advent and Christmas during the pandemic: Using visual images of Advent candles and communion symbols in online worship as a sign of Christ’s presence, inviting members to light candles and share the bread and cup at their own kitchen tables; offering gifts for COVID relief, comforters and refugee kits for Mennonite Central Committee, or other supplies for those without food and shelter; recording scripture readings, music, poetry, and nativity scenes to share with members of the congregation and community; sending cards and gifts; planning outdoor Christmas Eve gatherings with candles, electric lights or a warm fire.
The light of Christ continues to shine! Our lives and this world – with all the disruption, pain, struggle and uncertainty we face – are the home of God. The Word became flesh and dwells with us in the midst of the world’s real-life conditions. Let us welcome the Divine Presence, here and now, and in the year to come.
——–
El Hogar de Dios
De Heidi Regier Kreider, Ministra de la Conferencia de la WDC
¡Es diciembre y el año de 2020 casi ha terminado! Durante el año pasado hemos sufrido una pandemia global, hemos enfrentado la injusticia sistémica y el cambio climático, y hemos luchado contra el caos electoral. Muchas rutinas familiares y conexiones sociales se han interrumpido, y algunas prácticas que solían tener sentido ahora parecen haber perdido su significado. En medio de estas circunstancias, me he preguntado con más frecuencia: “¿Cuál es exactamente el propósito de la vida?” Y, como muchos hábitos y tradiciones congregacionales se vuelven menos factibles o incluso parecen irrelevantes a la luz de las realidades actuales, mi pregunta es: “¿Cuál es exactamente el propósito de la iglesia?”
Con estas preguntas en mente, recientemente me llamó la atención el título de un libro: Por la vida del mundo: For the Life of the World: Theology that Makes a Difference (Teología que marca la diferencia) de Miroslav Wolf y Matthew Croasmun. Aunque se publicó en 2019 (¡que ahora parece que fue hace mucho tiempo!), La definición de teología cristiana del libro presenta un propósito que es muy relevante anticipando el final de 2020 y más allá. Los autores escriben que “… la gran meta de Dios” es “convertir a cada ser humano y al mundo entero en el hogar de Dios y también en nuestro verdadero hogar”. (pág. 8) “… el propósito de la teología es discernir, articular y elogiar visiones de la vida floreciente a la luz de la autor-revelación de Dios en Jesucristo …” (pág. 11) “La vida floreciente de los seres humanos y de toda la creación es su existencia como el ‘hogar de Dios’, el tipo de existencia que depende de que la creación regrese a sí misma al convertirse en la morada de Dios ”. (pág. 64)”
Esta descripción de una “vida floreciente” no se centra en cuánto los seres humanos tienen el control o están libres de sufrimiento, incertidumbre o inconvenientes. Más bien, nos reorienta hacia el propósito y la presencia de Dios dentro de la creación, invitándonos a preguntar: ¿Qué significa para nosotros abrazar la “gran meta” de Dios, es decir, vernos a nosotros mismos, a todos los seres humanos y a toda la creación como el “hogar de Dios”? Es una afirmación de la Encarnación, que nos redirige a la venida de Cristo que esperamos en esta época de Adviento, y al nacimiento de Emmanuel “Dios-Con-Nosotros” que celebramos en Navidad.
Con este espíritu, las congregaciones de la WDC están participando de muchas formas creativas para celebrar el Adviento y la Navidad durante la pandemia: utilizando imágenes visuales de velas de Adviento y símbolos de comunión en la adoración en línea como un signo de la presencia de Cristo, invitando a los miembros a encender velas y compartir el pan y la copa en sus propias mesas de cocina; ofrecer obsequios para el alivio de COVID, edredones y kits para refugiados para el Comité Central Menonita, u otros suministros para lo/as que no tienen comida ni refugio; grabar lecturas de las Escrituras, música, poesía y Nacimientos para compartir con los miembros de la congregación y la comunidad; envío de tarjetas y regalos; planificar reuniones de Nochebuena al aire libre con velas, luces eléctricas o una fogata cálida.
¡La luz de Cristo sigue brillando! Nuestras vidas y este mundo, con todo el trastorno, el dolor, la lucha y la incertidumbre que enfrentamos, son el hogar de Dios. El Verbo se hizo carne y habita con nosotros en medio de las condiciones de la vida real del mundo. Demos la bienvenida a la Divina Presencia, aquí y ahora, y en el año venidero.
WDC announcements
Due to the rise in cases of Covid-19, the WDC office and Conference Resource Library are closed, and all staff members are working from their homes. The best way to contact WDC is by email:
–Heidi Regier Kreider, Conference Minister – heidirk@mennowdc.org
–Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Associate Conference Minister (Kansas-Based) – kathynd@mennowdc.org
–Sandra Montes-Martinez, Associate Conference Minister (Texas-Based) – sandramm@mennowdc.org
–Beth Yoder, Business Manager – busmg@mennowdc.org
–Jennie Wintermote, Library Director – crlib@mennowdc.org
–Dwight Regier, Youth Ministry Network Team Leader – dwightr@mennowdc.org
–Nancy Funk, Administrative Assistant – wdc@mennowdc.org
Camp Mennoscah announcements
- Camp Mennoscah is a wonderful space for families and groups needing space to spread out! Facilities for differently sized groups are available with a variety of gathering areas. Trails and fields are waiting to be hiked and used for fun activities, too! Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or office@campmennoscah.orgto reserve! You are invited to enjoy this sacred space!
- Miss ordering your Camp Mennoscah hoodie for that dedicated camp enthusiast? No worries! A few extra will be available. Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org Grab yours before they’re gone!
Mennonite church announcements
Service Adventure is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 service term! Grow in leadership and faith, as you spend a year serving and living in community with others your age and with unit leaders. Visit MennoniteMission.net/ServiceAdventure to learn more!
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