WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SPROUTS

April 16, 2013

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)

 IN THIS ISSUE:

*Pastoral Openings
*News and Transitions
*Announcements

Pastoral Openings

Congregational Information Forms can be viewed at:  www.mennowdc.org (Pastoral Openings)

Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge, KS – Associate Pastor

Kingman Mennonite Church, Kingman, KS – Youth Pastor (1/2 time)

Grace Mennonite Church, Enid, OK – Pastor

First Mennonite Church, Hutchinson, KS – Associate Pastor (1/2 time)

Trinity Mennonite Church, Hillsboro, KS – Youth/Young Adult Pastor

Rainbow Mennonite Church, Kansas City, KS – Pastor

News and Transitions

  • Jerry Acosta, ended as Church Planter at Manos de Cristo Iglesia Menonita on March 15.
  • Leland Harder, father of Tom Harder, Pastor at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, Wichita, KS, passed away on March 21.
  • Rosie Jantz has been called to be the half-time Associate Pastor of Education and Pastoral Care at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, KS, beginning on May 15.
  • Heidi Regier Kreider, pastor at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, KS, is on sabbatical from April 8 through July 7.
  • Eric Massanari, pastor at Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton, KS, has announced his resignation effective later this year.
  • Congratulations to Marty Troyer (pastor at Houston Mennonite Church, TX) and his wife Hannah, on the birth of their third child, Ruby Osborne Troyer, on March 28.

WDC Announcements

1.  Recent polls indicate that biblical literacy is at an all-time low – even among Bible-believing evangelicals.  Do you care?  Do you want to know the Bible better?  Check out this fun little pop quiz to find out how many Bible basics you already know… go to yearofthebiblenetwork.org and scroll down to the Bible quiz.  Plan to attend the Year of the Bible Launch on August 1-2 at Bethel College in North Newton.

2.  Does your congregation have a surplus of songbooks (Hymnal:  A Worship Book, Sing the Story, Sing the Journey), that you could donate or sell to Austin Mennonite Church?  Their attendance is increasing and they need more!  Contact Pastor Lee Lever at leelever@hotmail.com, 512-926-3121.

3.  Early Registration Discount!  May 1st is the last day for Camp Mennoscah’s early registration discount ($10) for summer youth camps!  Registration forms and full payment must be postmarked no later than May 1 to receive this discount.  Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 if you have any questions and then send in those forms–there’s no easier way to save $10.

4.  Quit hiding your light under a bushel!  We know there are gobs of folks out there who are stunning nurses and others who have the skills to stir gravy, boil water, and peel potatoes–we just can’t find you!  Camp Mennoscah is looking for nurses for June 16-20, July 14-20, and July 21-27.  We’re also looking for kitchen helpers (only a basic understanding of kitchen stuff needed) for most of the weeks of our summer youth camps.  Don’t be shy about it–shine your light at Camp Mennoscah!  Contact us at 620-297-3290 for bushels of fun.

5.  Feeding the Multitude of Staff–Beginning June 3rd, the 2013 summer staff will arrive at Camp Mennoscah for orientation.  During orientation, the staff spend their days learning how to use the dishwasher, abuse prevention, CPR, and a multitude of other things.  We’re inviting you to be part of this important time by providing a meal for the staff.  This allows them to focus more time preparing to be part of our ministry to our many campers and guests.  Interested?  Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290.

Kansas Announcements
1.  John Roth will be the featured speaker at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church in Harper, KS, April 20-22.  John is professor of history at Goshen College and Director of the Mennonite Historical Library.  He also feels called to help the church understand its historical and theological tradition in such a way that it helps the church flourish in its current contexts and prepares it to move into the future.  The overall theme for the series is “The Future of the Faith: Questions, Challenges, and Directions.”  John will be speaking at three evening sessions as well as during the Sunday Morning Worship service.
– Saturday evening: “Why the Gospel is Good News: A Mennonite Perspective.”
– Sunday Morning Sunday School: “Why I am Hopeful About the Future of the Mennonite Church.”
– Sunday Morning Worship: “By Whose Authority? The Church as Mission.”
– Sunday evening: “The Earth is the Lords: Sharing the Anabaptist story in the 21st Century.”
– Monday evening: “Do Denominations Matter?”
Tentatively each evening session will begin at 6:30pm.  Sunday School is at 9:30am and Worship is at 10:30am.  If you have more questions contact the church office at (620)-896-2004 or check the church website for more details: www.pleasantvalleymennonite.com

2.  BCWA Annual Meeting change of date.  The Bethel College Women’s Association will hold its annual meeting and Faculty Public Lecture on Thursday, May 2, at 7:00 p.m. in Krehbiel Auditorium on the Bethel campus.  This event was previously scheduled for June 6.  The faculty lecture will be given by Dr. Rachel Epp Buller, Assistant Professor of Art.  Dr. Epp Buller– artist, author, professor, researcher, wife, and mother–will examine why motherhood has not been considered legitimate subject matter in contemporary art, and will present ways that artists are drawing attention to maternity.   The public is invited to this free event.  A reception will follow the lecture.

3.  Kansas Christians United announces openings for six Regional Organizers to facilitate the Dinner Dialogue program. Position runs from June to December and is stipended $1000. Regional Organizers will develop leadership skills and deepen faith in an intergenerational context. Flexible schedule makes this the perfect position for college students, young adults, or others looking for a creative ministry opportunity. More information about the project, position, and application can be found at kansaschristians.org/dinners. Application deadline is May 15.
Mennonite ChurchUSA Announcements

A convention for all ages – When you think of Mennonite Church USA’s convention, you might think of thousands of high school youth gathered for worship or about adult delegates sitting down to prayerfully engage the business of the church. But did you know that convention is not just for high schoolers and adults? We have great, creative programming for people of all ages! Kids from newborns through 5th grade will play, attend times of worship, see a puppet show and take an offsite field trip. Hesston College is helping to prepare an excellent program for junior youth in grades 6-8. They are planning times of worship, a trip to the Arizona Science Center, a downtown scavenger hunt, an Anabaptist game and more. We hope you’ll make convention a family affair and join us in Phoenix in July. For more information, visit www.MennoniteUSA.org\Convention.
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