WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SPROUTS

February 9, 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:

*Ministry openings

*Announcements

*WDC Ministerial and Credential Announcements

Ministry Openings

First Mennonite Church, Beatrice NE – Pastor
First Mennonite Church, Newton KS – Pastoral Team
Turpin Mennonite Church, Turpin OK – Pastor

WDC announcements

  1. WDC  Gifts Discernment Committee seeks nominees: Do you know persons who can contribute to the ministry of WDC?  The Gifts Discernment Committee invites suggestions of names to consider for positions on the Executive Board and Commissions.  All suggestions are recorded for consideration in this or future years.  For more information about the work and current members of these groups, see http://mennowdc.org/executive-board-commissions/.  Nominees will be presented for affirmation by delegates at the WDC Annual Assembly, July 30-Aug. 1, 2021.  Please contact WDC at wdc@mennowdc.org or 316-283-6300 to offer suggestions.  Thank you!
  1. TechSupport & Tech Equipment:  Do you still have questions related to the technological aspects of online worship or other aspects of congregational life?   The WDC Resource Commission wants to make sure that churches have the resources they need for ministry in the digital world.  So, amateur consultants are available. If you have technology questions, feel free to contact Derek King, dking@edenmennonite.org, or Steve Wilcox, rskw31@gmail.com. And since we are very amateur, we also welcome the input of other, more knowledgeable individuals. If you are willing to provide this kind of assistance to congregations in need, please contact Derek.  Also, if you have older, but still working technology equipment to share, please let Derek or Steve know.  If you need a piece of equipment that others might have, we’ll try to help get you connected
  1. Brad Roth, pastor at West Zion in Moundridge, Kansas, will be the featured speaker at the Ohio Mennonite Conference Annual Assembly, March 4-5.  Brad will speak on the context and mission of the rural church.  He’s the author of God’s Country: Faith, Hope, and the Future of the Rural Churchand is working on a new book on the rural church for the Lexham Ministry Guides series.  You can register to join the conference online.

WDC Ministerial and Credential announcements

Kristine Regehr ended as Intentional Interim Pastor on January 31 at Joy Mennonite Church, Oklahoma City, OK.

Camp Mennoscah announcements

  1. Camp Mennoscah is seeking names of persons interested in being program directors for a Junior week of summer youth camp.  This camp week is for 6-7th grades.  Program directors should strongly believe in the mission of Camp Mennoscah, have a good understanding of camping ministry, and be dedicated to creating an environment for youth to grow in Christian faith, leadership, and community.  Please contact Camp Mennoscah by February 13. Names received after the 13th will be considered for future years.
  1. Registration is open for the Spring Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats at Camp Mennoscah on March 5-7 and March 19-21!  Once the retreats are full, sign up on the waitlist.  Register at www.campmennoscah.org!
  1. Nothing’s better than a summer at camp!  Watch this videocreated by Mennonite Camping Association about why you should work at camp.  Applications for Camp Mennoscah Summer Staff positions are now being accepted!
  1. Camp Mennoscah is an amazing space for families and groups to connect!  Facilities for differently sized groups are available with a variety of gathering areas.  Trails and fields are waiting to be hiked and used for fun activities, too!  Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or office@campmennoscah.orgto reserve.

Mennonite church announcements

  1. MC USA’s first Learn, Pray, Join initiative of 2021 will focus on the “Cost of War”to highlight a core peace church value: resistance to war, both in our neighborhoods and overseas. In a webinar on Thursday, February 25 at 6:30-7:30 pm Central Time / 7:30-8:30 pm Eastern Time, panelists will bring awareness to the economics of war and share the various ways they have resisted paying for war.  For more information and to register, go to

https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ministry/peacebuilding/learn-pray-join/cost-of-war/webinar/

  1. Virtual Prairie View Pastors’ Lunch: Are you experiencing significant loss and grief while also doing your best to support others in similar situations? Join Dr. Elizabeth Guhman, licensed psychologist of Prairie View, on February 23, 12 noon via Zoom. Contact Sara Lyon at lyonsk@pvi.orgto receive the Zoom link.
  1. Join the Youth Venture Civil Rights Tour! Visit places of historical significance, hear stories and learn why our faith calls us to stand against injustice and with the oppressed. Visit MennoniteMission.net/YouthVenturefor more information on this summer trip.
  1. Mennonite Voluntary Service is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 service term. Serve, learn and grow in faith through intentional community! Visit MennoniteMission.net/MVSto learn more!
  1. The Amigo Centre will offer Transitional Ministry Training – Leading in Ministry in Times of Transition– fully online –  April 12, 19, and 26, 9 am-4 pm.  This course is helpful for those currently in pastoral or lay leadership as well as those exploring the next phase of their ministry vocation. The goal is to teach creative responses along with skills and methodology that are recognized as required skills for pastoral leadership in our current times.  Cost $500 for 18 hours of online training and full complement of resources. Conference staff may audit this course for $300.  Register on or before March 12, 2021; limited to 30 participants.  An additional opportunity for in-person training (dependent on the status of the pandemic at that time) is scheduled for October 18-20, 2021, at Amigo Centre. Cost for in-person training is $600; Conference staff may audit this course for $400. Registration deadline is September 17, 2021; limited to 12 participants.  Register online at: http://tmt.amigocentre.org/.  Email: program@amigocentre.org with questions or to register.  See attached flyer for more information.  (WDC scholarships available – contact Heidi Regier Kreider (heidirk@mennowdc.org) by February 12.)

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