WDC-Stories Archives - Page 2 of 44 - Western District Conference

Growing Together as a Spiritual Family

On Sunday, our pastor was preaching on the power of our spiritual family (at church in particular) for growth in faith. As Palmer Becker writes in What is an Anabaptist Christian?, […]

Western District Conference gathers for 116th Annual Assembly

*Pictured: Delon Martens, now former WDC Moderator, leads the 2024 WDC Assembly Delegate Session. Photo by Caleb Gingerich Approximately 170 people gathered for the Annual Assembly of Western District Conference, […]

WDC Dismantling Racism Action Team Article

*Pictured: Gilberto Hernandez, member of San Antonio Mennonite Church The WDC Dismantling Racism Action Team will periodically offer articles in the WDC newsletter, featuring stories and resources related to racial […]

Gardening and Gathering

Early in Spring I sort through my garden seeds, tossing out what is outdated and keeping seeds that might still germinate. I clear away dead plants and left-over weeds from […]

A Unique Library

What makes the WDC Resource Library special? We have a curated collection of faith-based resources to help people of all ages grow in faith and their relationship with God. We […]

Our collective efforts will transform lives, strengthened communities, and a growing witness to God’s Kingdom

The calling of the Western District Conference (WDC) Church Planting Commission to plant new churches is a beacon of hope and renewal, grounded in the vibrant Anabaptist tradition. By fostering […]

Young Adults and REAL Faith Formation

Want to reach out to young adults? Do you want to do authentic faith formation together with them? Get comfortable with doubt. Young adults don’t want easy “Sunday School” answers. They can […]

Why do we gather?

Why do we gather? This question is posed by facilitator and author Priya Parker, in her book The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters. Our lives […]

Why You Might Not Like Your Estate Plan

In my work in charitable gift planning for some 26 years, I have come to understand that many consider the topic of estate planning with the same dread as tax […]

Unsung Heroes

*Pictured: Jennie’s daughter sketching the statue of George Washington Carver as a boy in the woods at George Washington Carver National Monument, June 2024. Last night we arrived home from […]

Empowering Leadership Training in Church Planting with Integrating Cultural Values

*Pictured: Gilberto Flores, WDC pastor at Iglesia Cristiana Anabautista Casa de Paz in Guatemala City, works with leaders of WDC church plant, Iglesia Arca de Salvación in Uspantán, Guatemala. Developing […]

Thoughts on Real Community

Our Annual Assembly theme is “In Community We Transform.” How do we recognize real community? I have said, “I recognize it when I see it—or when I’m in the midst of […]

In your light we see light

*Credit: Photograph by Mark Kreider On the weekend of May 10 the earth witnessed one of the largest geomagnetic storms on record, a result of massive eruptions on the Sun […]

A New Community

*Pictured: Members of the June 2007 AMBS !Explore program pose for a group photo. The summer after I graduated from high school, I participated in a program through Anabaptist Mennonite […]

Embracing the Pain: A Call to Peace Work in a Broken World

*Pictured: The reunification site for Bowie High School students and families. The news has reported another school shooting. This time at James Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas. As a […]

Lonely or Linked?

Our society is in the midst of another epidemic. Not a virus, but an epidemic of loneliness. Too many people don’t have adequate support systems. They don’t have family, friends, or a […]

Listening and Learning Together

*Pictured: WDC Listening Process visit at Peace Mennonite Church, Dallas, TX. Over the past year, the WDC Listening Process has been unfolding across our conference, as teams of volunteers and staff […]

Book Bundles for Group Study–Newly Expanded

Looking for your next Sunday school class study? Want to read something to challenge your faith with your book club? Wish you could read the same book as your friend […]

Easter Sermon, John 18

Sandra Montes-Martinez, Associate Conference Minister (TX-Based), would like to share the sermon she heard given by Samuel Voth Schrag (pictured), pastor of Peace Mennonite church in Dallas TX, on Easter Sunday 2024: […]

Safety in Church

“Be wise as serpents, gentle as doves,” Jesus said. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child abuse prevention in church is crucial. Our congregations are intended to be welcoming […]