WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
April 20, 2021
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:
*Reimagine, Revitalize, and be Relevant
*Announcements
*WDC Ministerial and Credential Announcements
Re-imaginar, Revitalizar, Relevante
by Sandra Montes-Martinez, WDC Associate Conference Minister (Texas-Based)
¿Cuándo fue la última vez que su congregación se dio permiso de imaginar lo que podría pasar si hicieran cambios en algunas de las practicas congregacionales y en la forma de relacionarse con la comunidad alrededor?
Regularmente las múltiples reuniones de liderazgo de la congregación son para atender asuntos de mantenimiento o resolución de conflictos dentro de la congregación.
En este último año donde nada fue como lo planeado, nos damos cuenta de que si hay espacios para cambios que podrían llevarnos a desafiarnosa Re- imaginar Revitalizar y ser Relevantes en la forma de ser iglesia.
Unirnos a la misión de Dios en el mundo, es en cierta manera dejar espacios para que Dios y el poder del Espíritu Santo nos guie en formas que aun podrían sorprendernos.
En nuestro deseo de regresar a una normalidad conocida, tal vez estamos dejando pasar la oportunidad de regresar al tablero de planeación e imaginarlo que podría ser, si adoptamos ciertos cambios como por ejemplo en nuestras modalidades de culto, o en cómo estamos invitando a otros a la fe, que tal, si incluimos diferentes generaciones en la toma de decisiones dentro de las congregaciones para que se parezcan más al modelo que Jesús enseño.
La Comisión de Plantación de Iglesias de WDC abre la conversación a:
Replantando iglesias: discerniendo el llamado de Dios al cambio (APRIL 21 @ 11:00 AM)
Dios continúa llamando a la iglesia de Dios a cambiar para que podamos encarnar mejor nuestra misión dada por Jesús. Quizás el Espíritu ya se esté moviendo en su corazón: ¿Ha estado anhelando implementar cambios que resulten en un discipulado más profundo, mientras invita y da la bienvenida a otros en el camino de Jesús?
Pero ¿cómo podemos hacer eso si nos hemos quedado estancados en lo que fue y lo que ha sido?
¿Cómo podemos acercarnos con oración a cambios saludables como comunidad por el bien del Evangelio?
Únase a los miembros de la Comisión de Plantación de Iglesias de WDC para una conversación y discusión de Zoom / Facebook sobre estos temas y más el 21 de abril a las 11:00 a. M. (Para conectarse por Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84445430211?pwd=Y3A4V2toK3YxUEVhZGtVcEQzU21nQT09, Meeting ID: 844 4543 0211, Passcode: 173971).
Tim Amor, pastor de la Iglesia Menonita Beatrice, compartirá la historia de ‘replantación’ de su congregación y participará en nuestra propia exploración de cómo el Espíritu de Dios se está moviendo dentro de nosotros y las congregaciones a las que servimos, considerando preguntas orientadoras como:
- ¿Qué estás dispuesto a cambiar para que tú y tu iglesia puedan encarnar y compartir mejor el amor de Jesús?
- ¿Qué no está dispuesto a cambiar?
- ¿Cómo podemos discipular mejor e invitar a otros a unirse a nosotros para orientar la vida hacia el amor radical de Jesús?
(Anuncio por Tonya Ramer Wenger and Tim Amor)
Re-imagine, Revitalize, and be Relevant
When was the last time your congregation gave itself permission to imagine what might happen if they made changes in some of the congregational practices and in the way they relate to the surrounding community?
Congregation leadership meetings often address maintenance or conflict resolution issues within the congregation.
In this last year where nothing went as planned, we realize that there is space for changes that could lead us to challenge ourselves to Re-imagine Revitalize and be Relevant in the way of being church.
Joining God’s mission in the world is, in a way, leaving space for God and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in ways that could still surprise us.
In our desire to return to known normality, perhaps we are missing the opportunity to return to the drawing board and imagine what it could be if we adopt certain changes such as in our worship modalities, or in how we are inviting others to the faith, or how about, if we include different generations in decision-making within congregations so that they more closely resemble the model that Jesus taught.
WDC Church Planting Commission is opening the conversation to: Church Replanting – Discerning God’s Call to Change (APRIL 21 @ 11:00AM)
God is continuing to call God’s church to change so that we can better embody our Jesus-given mission. Perhaps the Spirit is already moving in your heart: Have you been longing to implement changes resulting in deeper discipleship, while inviting and welcoming others into the way of Jesus?
But how can we do that if we have become stuck in what was and what has been?
How can we prayerfully approach healthy changes as a community for the sake of the Gospel?
Join members of the WDC Church Planting Commission for a Zoom/Facebook conversation and discussion on these topics and more on April 21 at 11:00 am (To connect by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84445430211?pwd=Y3A4V2toK3YxUEVhZGtVcEQzU21nQT09, Meeting ID: 844 4543 0211, Passcode: 173971).
Tim Amor, pastor at Beatrice Mennonite Church, will share his congregation’s ‘replanting’ story and engage our own exploration into how God’s Spirit is moving within us and the congregations we serve, considering guiding questions such as:
- What are you willing to change so that you and your church can better embody and share the love of Jesus?
- What are you not willing to change?
- How can we better disciple and invite others to join with us in orienting all of life toward the radical love of Jesus?
(Announcement by Tonya Ramer Wenger and Tim Amor)
WDC announcements
- KLC Competencies: “Why Purposes Matters (and Why Experimentation in Crucial)” is our discussion topic – Thursday, April 22, 12-1 pm. Join us if you are a Kansas Leadership Center alum or if you’re curious. Zoom link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84286455892?pwd=KzdKK1NMRGt2bnVKZExvSERnNDNSUT09,
Meeting ID: 842 8645 5892, Passcode: 827423.
- A Shot for your Right (to Party)? Energizing Others to Beat the Virus – A Virtual Discussion and Journal Launch event – April 27, 6:00-7:45 pm
The latest edition of The Journal, the Kansas Leadership Center’s magazine, explores how the return to “normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic requires most Americans to take an approved coronavirus vaccine. But fears exacerbated by the unprecedented speed of vaccine development, growing political fissures, barriers to access and a shameful history of medical experiments on people of color complicate the return to normal.
What kind of leadership can everyday people exercise to help boost the chances that the pandemic will finally come to an end, and truly bring about a cause for celebration?
Join The Journal and the Kansas Leadership Center for this free, virtual launch event to discuss leadership challenges being elevated by the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. You’ll hear from experts to gain a better understanding of why Kansans are skeptical of the vaccines and how to communicate effectively about them without jeopardizing close relationships with family, friends and neighbors.
Following the presentation by experts, a small group discussion will help you reflect on your own efforts to help end the pandemic, learn from the experiences of others and explore how to contribute going forward. All participants of the Kansas Beats the Virus and Voices on Vaccinations efforts are encouraged to attend.
Camp Mennoscah announcements
- Smorgasborg of volunteer opportunities for you! Starting with the Work Day on April 24, Camp Mennoscah has multiple opportunities to support the maintenance and upkeep of the campgrounds. Get Involved and be part of the fun! Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer.
- Camp Mennoscah is seeking to fill a part-time custodian/housekeeper position. Hours average 10 per week and are flexible, dependent upon the camp schedule. For more information, contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org
- Camp Mennoscah is seeking a full-time Director of Development, Marketing & Communications to lead our ongoing operational and advancement needs. More information at www.campmennoscah.org. Applications accepted until the position is filled. Please send application materials (resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements) to campmennojobs@att.net.
Mennonite church announcements
- Are you a pastor or professor that feels God’s call to mission? Join Mission Network as we partner with agencies all around the world. Serve globally in various short-term assignments. Contact MichelleR@MMNWorld.net.
- If you are being called to walk in mission with partners around the world, Mission Network has a place for you. JCS International in Mongolia is seeking a full time Funding and Communications Management Director. Partner in God’s work in these or many other placements around the world! Contact LaurenEH@MennoniteMission.netfor more information.
- Felipe Hinojosa, author of “Apostles of Change,”shared stories about Latino activists transforming churches into staging grounds for protests against urban renewal and displacement, in a recorded webinar from Mennonite Church USA. View it here: mennoniteusa.org/webinars4. Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference recently licensed Katerina Friesen for ministry at Wild Church Fresno (California), a Mennonite Church USA church plant that meets outdoors and feels a particular call to care for God’s creation. Read more at https://www.mennoniteusa.org/friesen-licensed-wild-church5. What are the causes of war? And what can we do to end war before it begins? David Lapp-Jost answers these questions in his blog, “Nurturing more life-giving community.” Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/life-giving-community6. Pastor Graciela Tijerina listened when God called her to lead Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania (Bethany House Mennonite Church), in Newton, Kansas. Read her story here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/iglesia-casa-betania/
En español: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/menoticias-tijerina - Award-winning syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts Jr., who packed out Memorial Hall at Bethel College in September 2017, makes a return appearance on Sunday, April 25, at 2 p.m. Pitts will be live online, speaking on “Is America Possible?” This is part of the Peace Lecture Series from the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR). Register for the Zoom link at kipcor.org
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