WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
August 6, 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:
*Double Feature on the Bible
*Announcements
Double Feature on the Bible
by Clarence Rempel, WDC Conference Minister
The Year of the Bible Launch, August 1-2, featured three primary presenters, twelve intriguing learning centers, and 220 enthusiastic participants looking for new ways of helping their congregations engage the Scriptures.
Dr. Loren Johns, AMBS dean, named “perspicuity” as one of seven Bible interpretation principles. The Bible has sufficient clarity and understandability for everyone to read it. He noted Menno Simons’ encouragement that everyone can and must read the Bible with great profit.
As one of the twelve Learning Centers, Laurie Regehr shared how members of Hope Mennonite rose to the impossible challenge of reading the Bible in 90 days – twelve pages a day. Laurie reported that her take away is “an overriding sense of God’s relentless pursuit of us, His children. He wanted us badly – and never gave up on us…no matter how difficult we made it for Him to love us!”
Western District Conference Assembly 2013, “Shaped by the Word,” August 2-3, was the second feature with 260 registrants participating in two grand worship services, two delegate sessions, and ten Bible-focused seminars.
Thanksgiving was offered for the 138 years of ministry by the Bergthal Mennonite Church, Pawnee Rock, KS. A prayer of blessing was offered for the seven churches which left Western District in the past year.
A highlight was receiving the Chin Emmanuel Church, Houston, Texas, as a member congregation. Twelve representatives of the congregation made the pilgrimage from Houston to North Newton to share their story and give us a flavor of their singing. After the official action of being received as members, Pastor Simon Hmung held the membership certificate aloft with the joyful pronouncement, “Now we have a spiritual mother and father.”
A standing ovation was given to the four Miller family children from First Mennonite Church, Hutchinson, KS who quoted all of Acts 2 from memory to choreographed action. Comedic dramas by pastors and members of the I-70 churches kept all engaged.
Assembly 2014 will be hosted in the Dallas, Texas, area next July.
WDC Announcements
1. Mental Health Spiritual Retreat–Camp Mennoscah’s Mental Health Spiritual Retreat for those affected by mental illness, including family and friends, will be held Sept. 2-3, 2013. The theme for the retreat is Create Yourself Anew! Sessions will look at new ways to see ourselves–there will also be swimming, a hayrack ride, and music & worship! Call 620-297-3290 for the brochure or find it online at www.campmennoscah.org in the Retreats section!
2. The Burrton Mennonite Church has 18 sets of four round, not oval, snack trays and cups available free of charge. Contact Jim Dunn at 316-215-1257.
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
IT’S NOT TOO LATE to register for a class at AMBS-Great Plains Extension for the fall semester. “Ethics in the Congregation” taught by Keith Harder would be an excellent option for pastors, deacons, elders. It meets Tuesday evenings beginning September 3. “The Gospel of John” would be a good option for Sunday School teachers, pastors and anyone who wants to dig deeper into the biblical text. It meets Monday evenings beginning September 9 and meets “Year of the Bible” scholarship offer. Either course may be taken for credit or audit. Register online at www.ambs.edu/forms/One-course-
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