WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SPROUTS

April 14, 2015

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)

WDC Conference Minister

Beatrice Mennonite Church, Beatrice, NE – Pastor

Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton, KS – Pastor

Buhler/Hoffnungsau/Inman (KS) Mennonite Churches – Joint Youth Pastor

Grace Hill Mennonite Church, Whitewater, KS – CIF will be posted soon

Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge KS – CIF will be posted soon

Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, KS  – CIF will be posted soon

News and Transitions

Antonio Caceros ended as Pastor at Iglesia Menonita Monte Horeb in Dallas, TX, on December 31, 2014.

Marvin Ewert, retired chaplain and hospital administrator died March 25 in North Newton, KS.

WDC Announcements

  1. WDC has granted 21 Leadership Transformation Scholarships representing 11 churches. Thirteen are left. These scholarships are available to pastors and church leaders in Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas as well as Kansas and include overnight lodging in Wichita. You.Lead.Now. will also be offered in Kansas City, Nov. 2-4. The next registration deadline is April 27 for the May 18-20 You.Lead.Now. seminar. Go to https://mennowdc.org/grants/ or talk to Clarence Rempel, 316-283-6300, to find out more.
  1. Western District Conference is eligible to send one delegate for every 1000 members or fraction thereof in our area conference to the Mennonite Church USA convention.  The following persons have been appointed by the Executive Board to be WDC delegates at Kansas City 2015:  Norma Duerksen, Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Howard Garver, Richard Gehring, Anita Kehr, Norma Johnson, Wendy Funk Schrag, Diana Schunn, and possibly the new WDC Conference Minister.
  1. Save the date – A come and go farewell for Clarence Rempel, retiring WDC Conference Minister, will be held on June 28, from 2:30 – 5:00 pm at the WDC Office in North Newton, KS.
  1. Anabaptist Faith Formation Launch – June 12-13 – Bethel College, North Newton, KS – Practical, meaningful ways for congregations to form faith!  More info and register at:  https://mennowdc.org/anabaptist-faith-formation-launch/
  1. Camp Mennoscah’s early registration deadline ends May 1!  We know it feels like a long, long time from now, but in just a few short weeks, that discount will disappear.  Go to www.campmennoscah.org to register online or contact us at office@campmennoscah.org for a paper form.  Returning campers–bring a new friend and receive a free camp tee shirt!
  2. Dear folks, you make the lives of campers and staff so much better.  You cook, you volunteer as counselors or custodial or maintenance, and you laugh with us.  More of you are needed for the summer youth camps at Camp Mennoscah.  We need kitchen helpers for June 7-13, June 29-July 2, July 19-25, and July 26-31 especially, and head cooks for June 29-July 2, July 5-9, and July 19-25.  A nurse is needed for June 7-13.  Kitchen helpers can receive a camper discount for up to full camp fees.  Head cooks and nurses receive a stipend or the camper discount.  Contact Camp Mennoscah at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290.
  1. Remembering Our Mennonite Mothers:  Are you a daughter, mother, or grandmother with family ties to the Mennonite Church? Join us for a pre-Mother’s Day time of sharing on Sunday, May 3, 2:00-3:30pm, at Salina Mennonite Church, 600 State St, Salina, KS. Author and editor Rachel Epp Buller will lead a discussion based on her recent book, Mothering Mennonite. Writers in the book share how their Mennonite mothers and grandmothers imparted religious and cultural traditions, even as some of them strained against boundaries. You will be invited to reflect on how the roles of daughters, mothers, and grandmothers in your life have informed, been shaped by, or even been at odds with your Mennonite roots.

Mennonite Church Announcements

  1. New in 2015:  Mennonite World Conference’s Assembly (July 21-26, Harrisburg, PA) will feature small groups!  These multicultural groups will meet daily for conversation and prayer as we get to know our Mennonite brothers and sisters around the world.  Find out more or give to the world scholarship fund at mwc-cmm.org/pa2015.
  1. Healthcare workers–past, present, and future:  Don’t miss this event immediately prior to Mennonite World Conference Global Assembly!  Bring the whole family to the Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) Annual Gathering, July 19-21 in Harrisburg, PA.  The theme is “Walking Together for Healthy Communities.”  Plenary presenters include Ted & Company, Shane Claiborne, and Dr. Ann Thyle from India.  Grants are available for students, volunteers, and those from outside the US and Canada.  Children and youth program for ages 0-18 provided.  For more information and registration, go to www.mennohealth/gathering, email info@mennohealth.org, or call toll-free to 1-888-406-3643.

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