WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SPROUTS

January 26, 2021

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:

*A More Christ-Like Way

*Prayer requests

*Coming Events

*Announcements

*WDC Ministerial and Credential Announcements

A More Christ-Like Way

     by Heidi Regier Kreider, WDC Conference Minister

In December, Mennonite Church USA conference ministers gathered online with speaker Brad Jersak, an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Brad has been a Mennonite pastor, and currently serves as a reader and monastery preacher at All Saints of North America Orthodox Monastery.  (for more information on his ministry, see https://bradjersak.com/)

In his presentation, Brad recognized that we are all seeking to live out our Christian faith in the midst of political divisions, the ongoing pandemic, and other global conflicts and crises.  He spoke on the timely topic, “A Christ-like Approach to Leading Polarized People.”  Now more than ever, he said, our world needs an Anabaptist message centered on Christ who is the image of God and also shows us what it means to be fully human.  In contrast to the many forms of what he called “counterfeit Christianity” in today’s world, Brad listed seven facets of a more Christ-like way: 

  1. Radical self-giving:  Not false humility, but setting aside our privilege in order to practice empathy for and with others.
  2. Radical hospitality:  Welcoming others rather than focusing on self-justification.
  3. Radical unity:  Embracing the unity Christ has already prepared for us, rather than cutting off others with whom we disagree
  4. Radical recovery:  Letting go of self-deceit and a dominating self-will that is the root of violence, and instead offering our brokenness to God.
  5. Radical peacemaking:  Practicing peace and forgiveness not as a political position, but as liberation from a spirit of revenge and hatred.
  6. Radical surrender:  Offering our anger and pain to Jesus, who gives rest for the weary.
  7. Radical compassion and justice:  Loving the poor and marginalized not only in theory but through first-hand relationships.

I share these seven “radical” facets of faith as guides to help us find our way as Christians in these confusing and complicated times.  The word “radical” can mean extreme or different than what is considered traditional; in that sense, these facets call us to follow Jesus even if it means going against the mainstream or forsaking the power, comfort and privilege of the world.  “Radical” also means to be rooted, grounded in a foundation that is solid and true, even in the midst of our world’s chaos and pain. That, too, is needed in today’s world.   May we find moments each day to practice these facets of a Christ-like way, as marks of a true and lifegiving faith, for the sake of the world God loves so dearly.

—–

Un camino más semejante a Cristo

de Heidi Regier Kreider, Ministra de la Conferencia de la WDC

En diciembre, los ministros de las conferencias de la Iglesia Menonita de los EE. UU. se reunieron en línea con el orador Brad Jersak, autor y profesor que vive en Abbotsford, Columbia Británica, Canadá. Brad ha sido pastor menonita y actualmente se desempeña como lector y predicador de monasterio en el Monasterio Ortodoxo de Todos los Santos de América del Norte. (para obtener más información sobre su ministerio, consulte https://bradjersak.com/)

En su presentación, Brad reconoció que todos tratamos de vivir nuestra fe cristiana en medio de las divisiones políticas, la pandemia actual y otros conflictos y crisis globales. Habló sobre el tema oportuno, “Un enfoque como dirigir como Cristo a las personas polarizadas”. Ahora más que nunca, dijo, nuestro mundo necesita un mensaje anabautista centrado en Cristo, quien es la imagen de Dios y también nos muestra lo que significa ser completamente humano. En contraste con las muchas formas de lo que él llamó “cristianismo falso” en el mundo actual, Brad enumeró siete facetas de una forma más similar a la de Cristo: 

  1. Autoentrega radical: no humildad falsa, sino dejar de un lado nuestro privilegio para practicar la empatía por y con los demás.
  2. Hospitalidad radical: dar la bienvenida a los demás en lugar de enfocarse en la autojustificación.
  3. Unidad radical: abrazar la unidad que Cristo ya ha preparado para nosotros, en lugar de cortar a otros con los que no estamos de acuerdo
  4. Recuperación radical: Dejar ir el autoengaño y una voluntad propia dominante que es la raíz de la violencia y, en cambio, ofrecer nuestro quebrantamiento a Dios.
  5. Pacificación radical: practicar la paz y el perdón no como una posición política, sino como liberación de un espíritu de venganza y odio.
  6. Entrega radical: Ofrecer nuestra ira y dolor a Jesús, que da descanso a los cansados.
  7. Compasión radical y justicia: Amar a los pobres y marginados no solo en teoría sino a través de relaciones de primera mano.

Comparto estas siete facetas “radicales” de la fe como guías para ayudarnos a encontrar nuestro camino como cristianos en estos tiempos confusos y complicados. La palabra “radical” puede significar extremo o diferente a lo que se considera tradicional; en ese sentido, estas facetas nos llaman a seguir a Jesús incluso si esto significa ir contra la corriente del mundo o renunciar al poder, la comodidad y el privilegio del mundo. “Radical” también significa estar arraigado, cimentado en una base sólida y verdadera, incluso en medio del caos y el dolor de nuestro mundo. Eso también es necesario en el mundo de hoy. Ojalá que encontremos momentos cada día para practicar estas facetas de una manera semejante a la de Cristo, como marcas de una fe verdadera y vivificante, por el bien del mundo que Dios ama tanto.

Prayer Requests

Feb 7 – Pray for members of WDC congregations and communities grieving the death of loved ones during the pandemic.
Feb 14 – Pray for health care workers and chaplains in WDC congregations and communities, as they care compassionately for those in need.
Feb 21 – Pray for WDC congregations as they seek safe and effective ways to do congregational business and discernment together during the pandemic.
Feb 28 –Pray for WDC congregations reaching out to support members and neighbors suffering economic hardship during this time.

Coming Events

Due to COVID-19 concerns, all meetings are being held via Zoom video conference until further notice. 

Feb 3 – WDC Low German Task Force meeting

Feb 3 – WDC Gifts Discernment Committee meeting

Feb 4 – WDC Church Planting Commission meeting

Feb 11 – WDC Staff Relations Committee meeting

Feb 17 – WDC Gifts Discernment Committee meeting

Feb 18 – WDC/SCC Youth Pastors meeting

Feb 19 – WDC Ministerial Leadership Commission meeting

July 30-Aug 1 – WDC Annual Assembly

WDC announcements

  1. WDC announces that Violeta Ajquejay Suastegui will join the WDC staff team as part-time Interim Administrative Assistant on February 1. She will assist in supporting pastors and congregations in Texas, Hispanic ministries, and in church planting. She brings a wide range of church and ministry-related experience.  She currently serves as Associate Director for Hispanic Ministries for Pastoral & Leadership Education, a program of Mennonite Education Agency (MEA), where she assists in providing leadership to the work of the Hispanic Ministries office and programs, especially the Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA).  Through her work, she enjoys working with and meeting people from different nationalities.  Violeta is a graduate of Bethel College and Hesston College.  In her free time, Violeta serves on the Et Cetera Shop Board (Newton, KS).   Violeta has served with WDC for many years (Executive Board, Home Missions Committee, Church Planting Commission, conference minister search committees, WDC 125th year anniversary taskforce). Her love of serving the people of God and her experience will be a great contribution to WDC’s core tasks and denominational networking. We are excited to welcome Violeta to this new role!

    WDC anuncia que Violeta Ajquejay Suastegui se unirá al equipo del personal de WDC como asistente administrativa interina. Ella comenzará en este rol a tiempo parcial. Para ayudar en el trabajo de apoyo a pastores y congregaciones en Texas, ministerios hispanos y plantador de iglesias en la Conferencia.  Ella aporta una amplia gama de experiencia relacionada con la iglesia y el ministerio. Violeta actualmente sirve como Directora Asociada de Ministerios Hispanos de Educación Pastoral y de Liderazgo, un programa de la Agencia de Educación Menonita (MEA). Violeta es responsable de ayudar a proporcionar liderazgo al trabajo de la oficina y los programas del Ministerio Hispano, especialmente el Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA). A través de su trabajo, disfruta trabajar y conocer gente de diferentes nacionalidades. Violeta se graduó de Bethel College y Hesston College. En su tiempo libre, Violeta sirve como miembro de Et Cetera Shop Board. Violeta, es conocida por servir en diferentes comisiones, comités de búsqueda y grupos de trabajo en todo WDC durante muchos años. Su amor por servir al pueblo de Dios y su experiencia serán una gran contribución a las tareas centrales de WDC y al trabajo de conectar con las diferentes instituciones denominacionales.  ¡Estamos emocionados de darle la bienvenida a Violeta a este nuevo rol!

  2. We want to express our appreciation to everyone who has given to WDC over the past year to help our congregations Witness & invite others to faith in Jesus Christ, Dwell in just & loving relationships, and Connect to God’s mission in the world. Your generous gifts are appreciated as we have all navigated ministry in these uncertain times! We continue to invite your contributions as we are looking toward our fiscal year end on January 31! You may make an online contribution HEREor send a check to Western District Conference, PO Box 306, North Newton KS  67117. Thank you for your generosity!
  1. KLC Leadership Lunch:  In these complex times, good leadership is vital. Please join us to practice a leadership competency January 28, 12-1:15 pm.  You’re welcome if you’re a Kansas Leadership Center alumni or if you want to learn more.  Please email wdc@mennowdc.orgfor the Zoom link.
  1. Anabaptist & Adaptive Leadership (aka Leadership Lunch) Engagement Survey:  Growing the leadership capacity of those in Western District and South Central Conference has been a priority for several years. We have enjoyed a partnership with the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) that has helped introduce us to the idea of adaptive leadership. In monthly gatherings, our hope has been to find ways to make the connection between the concepts of adaptive leadership for use in our uniquely Anabaptist-Mennonite communities. In the coming year, we plan to hold these gatherings via zoom. We will begin each gathering with a video from KLC explaining one of the concepts or competencies. This will be followed by a time to discuss what was heard and clarify the concept. Lastly, we will discuss how this might work in our Anabaptist/Mennonite contexts. Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey: https://forms.gle/sUfHsAqfRQtApthU7 so we can plan for how to make this most accessible to those interested in it.

WDC Ministerial and Credential announcements

Robert Kaufman’s (former pastor at Rainbow Mennonite Church, Kansas City, KS and currently living in North Carolina), credential was changed to “Withdrawn” as of January 22, 2021, upon his request.

Randy Smith started as Interim Pastor on January 1 at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, Inman, KS.

Camp Mennoscah announcements

  1. There are volunteer opportunities for you! Camp Mennoscah continually has year-round work to support the maintenance and upkeep of the campus and facilities. We can accommodate every group size, skill set and length of project you would like to tackle. Check out these ways to Get Involved! Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer.
  1. Registration is open for the Spring Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats at Camp Mennoscah on March 5-7 and March 19-21!  Once the retreats are full, sign up on the waitlist.  Register at www.campmennoscah.org!
  1. Nothing’s better than a summer at camp!  Watch this videocreated by Mennonite Camping Association about why you should work at camp.  Applications for Camp Mennoscah Summer Staff positions are now being accepted!
  1. Camp Mennoscah is an amazing space for families and groups to connect!  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.

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