WDC-Stories Archives - Page 7 of 44 - Western District Conference

Response to Crisis in Ukraine

As the crisis in Ukraine deepens following the invasion by Russian military forces on February 24, I invite you to join Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) and Mennonite World Conference in offering prayer […]

WDC Church Planting Commission Announces a New Strategic Plan

Church planting. Revitalizing congregations. Fostering relationships with emerging Anabaptist/Mennonite groups. These are the priorities and vision giving shape to the new strategic plan created by the WDC Church Planting Commission. […]

Book Bundles for Group Study and More!

Have you seen the books Herald Press has been publishing recently? They are thinking about and engaging writers who are addressing some of today’s difficult topics–racism, immigration, the opioid crisis, peacemaking, […]

Atrevernos a Conectar con Otros…

Me gusta pensar que si la biblia esta llena de historias de gente y su relación con Dios, es porque al conocer estas historias conectamos con lo que pasa en […]

Photo credit: Nycholas Benaia on Unsplash

Why Are There So Few Ministers Out There?

Search Committees, and frankly, church members not on Search Committees, keep asking me this question: Why are there so few ministers out there looking for a congregation? If you are […]

Replanting in Nebraska—Becoming Summit Street Church

In replanting our church, one of the hardest parts is trying to not just tell our story to others, but to invite others into the story with us. I’m fortunate […]

God’s Love

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” —John 3:16 I […]

Replanting in Nebraska—Becoming Summit Street Church

In replanting our church, one of the hardest parts is trying to not just tell our story to others, but to invite others into the story with us. I’m fortunate […]

“The Shepherd’s Wish List”

“The Shepherd’s Wish List” –Sarah Klassen, Voices Together Hymnal #871 Barely midnight. All of us hunkered downaround ashes of a fire. The animalsasleep. Our companions: hunger, nagging doubt.Our wants are […]

Rejoice–He’s Coming, Coming for Everyone

A few years ago I ran across “A Waiting Carol” with lyrics by Carol Greene. It’s an Advent song to the tune of “Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel.” My family […]

Resources for Leading Youth in Lament

High/Low check-ina. Ask for highs, lowsb. Then add a simple questioni. What is one thing you’re missing?ii. What is one thing you’re grieving? Make a mini Wailing Walla. Make a […]

Reading the Story of Jesus’ Birth Again for the First Time

Most of us have grown up reading and hearing the story (or stories) of Jesus’ birth. There’s nothing new about it. Right before the pandemic, I heard someone talk about […]

Season of Thanksgiving

In this season of Thanksgiving, I want to say thank you to all who are a part of WDC: staff, pastors, congregations, commission/committee/task force members, volunteers, donors, and others who […]

Longing for Light: Preparing for Advent

In Sing the Journey, there’s a beautiful hymn in the praying section by Bernadette Farrell. The first verse and refrain are: Longing for light, we wait in darkness.Longing for truth, we […]

Seasons of Ending Well

Autumn is my favorite season. It’s not so beasty hot nor frigid. For those of us who live in areas with four, distinct seasons, we know the joy of watching […]

Connecting with God’s Mission

The mission of Western District Conference is to empower Anabaptist/Mennonite congregations to Witness and invite others to faith in Jesus Christ, Dwell in just and loving relationships, and Connect to […]

Not Individual, but Part of One Body

“So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” – Romans 12:5 Growing up my parents helped start our congregation’s midweek program, called Hope Friends (at […]

Hablemos de la Iglesia. Borrón y… Cuenta Nueva.

Como un árbol, así también cualquier comunidad religiosa depende de sus raíces para mantenerse con vida. En las raíces encuentra su identidad y firmeza para crecer. Pero también, como un […]

El Shalom de Dios por medio de Jesús

Durante el seminario de Educación continuada patrocinado por Ministerios Hispanos de MEA, un grupo de pastores hispanos hemos estado reflexionando sobre lo que significa para nosotros el Shalom de Dios […]

Tools for Safe Singing

The WDC Resource Commission commends to you and your congregation this article on safer singing: Singing is a powerful part of worship; thanks to Covid, it’s now also dangerous. Every […]