WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
April 14, 2020
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)
We invite your continuing support for WDC! Contributions may be made HERE.     
IN THIS ISSUE:
*Ministry openings
*Announcements
Ministry Openings
WDC Associate Conference Minister, Texas-Based
Turpin Mennonite Church, Turpin, OK
Southern Hills Mennonite Church, Topeka, KS
WDC announcements
1.  Western District Conference has established a Hope Fund to support congregations and ministers, in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.  We invite your contributions online at https://mennowdc.org or send a check to WDC at PO Box 306, North Newton, KS 67117.  For more information and application forms, see https://mennowdc.org/wdc-hope-fund-response-to-the-coronavirus-pandemic/   
2. WDC is beginning the search process for a full time Associate Conference Minister with focus on supporting congregations and pastors in Texas and promoting church planting across WDC.  Job description and qualifications are posted on the WDC website at  https://mennowdc.org/wdc-associate-conference-minister-texas-based/.   For more information contact Heidi Regier Kreider, Conference Minister, at heidirk@mennowdc.org.  Candidates will be requested to send a letter of intent to WDC, and complete a Ministerial Leadership Information (MLI) form through Mennonite Church USA. 

3. Webinar resources in a time of COVID19:
  • MC USA webinars:  http://mennoniteusa.org/leadership-development/webinars/ on topics such as financial resources, trauma exposure, death and dying, and youth ministry. 
  • Eastern Mennonite Seminary is offering a free Online Pastors Forum Series beginning Wednesday, April 15 through June 24, 2020 for pastoral leaders. For more information and to register, see https://emu.edu/seminary/forum-series
  • Roots of Justice is hosting a panel discussion on Anti-Asian Racism. To be a part of this conversation, send your name and email address to Roots@rootsofjusticetraining.org by Wednesday, April 15.  You will receive an invitation with the call in information. The discussion is on April 16, Thursday, at 6 pm (Central Time).
4.  KLC Leadership (Virtual) Lunch:  Thursday, April 23 from 12-1:15 pm.  To request a Zoom link for this virtual meeting, email: wdc@mennowdc.org.  Each month a leadership competency is presented and we will practice teaching it to the group.  You are welcome if you have attended a Kansas Leadership Center training or if you are curious to learn more.      
 
5.  What seeds are growing in WDC?  Each issue of the WDC Garden (quarterly newsletter) in 2020 will feature some “seeds” – brief highlights from congregations about new initiatives, creative ideas, missional practices and connections within WDC.  If you have some “seeds” to suggest for consideration in the Garden, please send a note to WDC at wdc@mennowdc.org!
6.  We Own This Now, a drama addressing the Doctrine of Discovery, has been rescheduled to Sunday, November 22, 4 pm.  This show is sponsored by Mennonite Church of the Servant, Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, and other Wichita, KS congregations. Please put this date on your calendar.   More information to follow.
Camp Mennoscah announcements
1.  Keep in touch on the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page and YouTube channel!  You can also reach us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org.  We will continue to update our website and social media sites, as well as through email.  Stay healthy!
2.  You can still sign up for summer youth camps!  Camp Mennoscah is planning to have summer youth camps, but recognizing the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 situation, a final decision will be made closer to the start of camps.  Your camp fees, including the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, will be refunded if camp is canceled.  Further information can be found at www.campmennoscah.org or by calling 620-297-3290.
3.  Send words!  Camp Mennoscah will create the 2020 tee shirt from three pairs of words representing important parts of Camp Mennoscah, serious or playful.  An example would be Gaga Ball, Verenike Casserole, Campfire Songs.   Send your ideas to olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or send a message to the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page by April 30.
Mennonite church announcements
1.  Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), Everence and Mennonite Central Committee U.S. (MCC U.S.) have joined together to launch a COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund to aid churches facing financial crisis due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The fund will accept grant requests of up to $5,000 each from churches that might not have means to recover from this unprecedented global situation. Recipient churches may use the grants to meet their congregational financial needs (such as rent, mortgage, utilities, staff salaries, etc.) or to assist families and individuals in their midst recover from COVID-19 hardships. Churches with historic roots or relationships with the Anabaptist faith community are eligible to apply for a grant. Priority will be given to racially and ethnically diverse churches serving in historically under-resourced communities, i.e. communities and households that are underbanked, underinsured and/or uninsured. To learn more and/or apply for a grant, see everence.com/covid-19-congregational-relief-fund.  Click here to see additional information on the Everence website.
2.  Work as a temporary registrar at Good News Theological College and Seminary, while the permanent registrar is getting further education.  Good News is committed to training pastors and leaders from a wide range of denominations, as well as African Independent Churches.  Learn more at MennoniteMission.net/Serve.
3.  2020 MCC Centennial Bike Ride, August 9-14, based in Albany, Oregon.  Registration open.  More details at:  https://www.oregonfestivalforworldrelief.com/bike-2020.html.  Beautiful green spaces at Mennonite Village.  Various route options.  Lots of local areas to explore.  Evening festivities.  Ride, dine, discover, celebrate!
WDC Sprouts announcement guidelines:  Announcements pertain to Western District Conference (WDC) ministries and churches, institutions with which WDC has formal relationships, and Mennonite Church USA agencies and ministries.  
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