WDC-Stories Archives - Western District Conference

Faith Born and Strengthened as We Walk Together

By Sandra Montes Martinez, Associate Conference Minister, Texas-Based Faith is deeply personal, yet it was never meant to grow in isolation. It is born in moments of encounter with God […]

Embodied Faith

–Kathy Neufeld Dunn, WDC Associate Conference Minister (KS based) “…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This particular Greek word for “dwell” did not mean just spending time […]

Why WDC members choose to own our shared ministry

By Sarah Bryan, WDC Fund Development Worker During my first few months as the Fund Development Worker with Western District Conference, I’ve spent a lot of time in one-on-one conversations […]

The Story Isn’t Enough

For the last 2 weeks, our family has been enjoying the adventures of Amon–a young man living in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. While those […]

What Is the Neighborhood Church?

An Introduction to “That’s Why I’m a Neighborhood Church Pastor: The Dance of the Spirit.” I was invited by the Western District Conference (WDC) to reflect on the Neighborhood Church […]

What’s Happening in the New Year with WDC Resource Commission?

There is so much going on in the news that is unsettling that I choose to share some good news stories of what’s happening in Western District Conference. A Latina […]

People of the Living Word

Power-hungry rulers deposing other power-hungry rulers, killing others who oppose their power, seizing resources, stockpiling weapons, deporting immigrants, intimidating communities, plundering the environment, scapegoating the poor and vulnerable… If these […]

A Barren Time? Or An Abundant Time?

It’s easy to feel the barrenness of this time of year. The hustle and bustle, lights and sounds, services and tastes of Christmas are over. I look out the dining […]

Making Something Beautiful

–Pictured: Participants at the Kids Meet Christ event in San Antonio in September; photo by Absalon Calix. A year ago, as I looked toward the beginning of 2025, I wrote […]

Mary’s Song Is Our Song

–Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Associate Conference Minister (KS-based) I honor Mary’s song, the Magnificat. Here is a simple version of Luke 1.46b-55 (from The Soil and the Seed Project, Vol. 8, […]

La diversidad en la identidad

*Pictured: Monte Horeb church in Dallas, TX Este es un tema maravilloso y desafiante principalmente para la iglesia anabautista menonita “hispana” en Western Disctrict Conference (WDC) y para nosotros en […]

Stillness this Season

Advent has begun; Christmas parties and programs, musical events and rehearsals, shopping, wrapping, and baking fill the calendar, our time, and mental capacity. We can be so busy with Christmas activities […]

Gratitude for What Is, Hope for What Will Be

How our attitude, thankfulness, and resilience shape both our present and the future we are building *Pictured: Items from a food market in Uspantan, Guatemala. Photo by Sandra Montes-Martinez. As […]

Who Is Kids Meet Christ for?

Lately, when I’ve tried to talk about Kids Meet Christ (KMC), I hear people say, “But, we only have a couple kids or we have no children. This isn’t for us.” May […]

WDC Staff Announcement

WDC staff announcement: Welcome to Sarah Bryan, who has been appointed to do interim fund development work for WDC between now and Annual Assembly 2026! Her activities in the coming […]

Gifted to Give: Courageous Leadership in Gratitude and Mission

*Pictured: Ministers gathered for the WDC Ministers Appreciation event at the 2024 WDC Annual Assembly at First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, NE. Photos by Caleb Gingerich *Pictured: WDC staff and church […]

Prevention and Accountability: It’s a Tool Box

The new Prevention and Accountability document is not a litmus test to check for ministerial perfection. It can’t be. Not one of us is perfect. Instead, this document provides “resources for […]

Investing in shared ministry

*Pictured: A Tabor Mennonite Church barbecue fundraiser. Being part of a church community and church-related organizations invites us into a wonderful array of creative fundraising events and celebrations this time […]

A New Beginning?–Advent

We were driving home from my daughter’s Volleyball game last week when she observed that darkness was coming earlier these days. This is the first time she’s voiced to me […]

Spiritual Discernment: It’s a Lot More than Decision-Making!

Sometimes we are inclined to use “church lingo.” Instead of hiring a pastor, we talk about pastoral call. Instead of talking together, we call it “fellowship.” Likewise, sometimes “discernment” becomes […]