WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SPROUTS

 January 23, 2018

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:

*Season of Lasts

*Announcements

Season of Lasts

     by Phyllis Regier, WDC Business Manager

There is a season for everything and this is a time of “lasts” for me. As you may know I am retiring from Western District in a few months and so this is the last time, for instance, that I will send out the W-2’s to the WDC staff. They are my old friends that I shared a work place with for many years as well as some new friends that I was just beginning to know. It is the last time I will be sending out 1099’s to people who have helped WDC this past year with conferences, people who have used their gifts to consult in our churches and people who are working with the health needs of Low German immigrants in Kansas overseen by our Low German Support Committee. These people, along with the many volunteers that do everything from serving on our committees and commissions to helping with the management of our building, work for the benefit of our conference.

The WDC fiscal year ends on January 31 and so this is the last time that I will worry about whether we will be able to cover our expenses. I won’t miss this feeling very much, but I will miss processing the donation checks that come in from all over the conference. These donations are from people who appreciate the help that WDC provides for their congregation. The checks come from many different people but I feel that they all have one similarity – they feel that in order to be a successful church they need the help and connection of other churches. Other churches that are not necessarily the same as ours but maybe because they are different and have different ways and ideas they could help their sister congregations continue to learn and grow.  They recognize that people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions.

I have spent 22 years at WDC watching a staff that is truly concerned with the congregations in our conference and who work diligently to help our churches provide a meaningful church experience for their members.

In February I will start a new fiscal year—one that will be ended by someone else. My hope is that person will also feel the support and encouragement that I have felt and that they will feel blessed to be a part of Western District Conference.

(Phyllis Regier plans to retire March 31 from her position as WDC Business Manager.)

WDC Announcements

  1. Thanks to all who attended the WDC Year of Evangelism Kickoff:  Anabaptist Witness last weekend.  Please remember to fill out the feedback survey at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TWHCZH9.
  1. Are you thinking about Evangelism?  Whether you attended the WDC Year of Evangelism Kick-off last weekend or not, we’ve got lots of fantastic resources about sharing the Good News of God in our lives.  Come check out the Evangelism: Anabaptist Witness display in the Conference Resource Library.  (Or contact us to mail resources to you!)
  1. Attention: Worship planners, leaders, Sundayschool teachers, etc. Yes! We have Lent/Easter resources available.  Stop by the WDC Resource Library and take a look at the special display.
  1. Our next Leadership Lunch (bring your own sack lunch) will be on Thursday, January 25 from 12-1:30 pm at the WDC offices. Each month, we discuss a different Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) competency and how it relates to scripture, Anabaptist theology and practice, and our own areas of ministry. This month, we will focus on “Distinguish technical and adaptive work (Diagnose Situation)”.  All pastors and ministry leaders from both WDC and SCC are welcome even if you haven’t attended a KLC training. We hope these lunches will encourage and empower each of us to exercise more leadership for the common good in our churches and communities. If you want to join by Zoom video conference, see info below.  If you have questions, contact Kathy Neufeld Dunn (kathynd@mennowdc.org), Rachel Siemens (pastor.rachel@faithmenno.org) or Phil Schmidt (pschmidt@tabormennnonite.org).

Zoom video conference information – January 25, 2018 – 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/372353692

Or iPhone one-tap :  US: +16699006833,,372353692#  or +14086380968,,372353692#

Or Telephone:   Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):  US: +1 669 900 6833  or +1 408 638 0968  or +1 646 876 9923

Meeting ID: 372 353 692

  1. Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA) seeks 3/4-time business manager:  accounting experience desirable; computer and organizational skills; ability to work independently and set goals; effective communicator – team player; committed to WDC mission.  Please share this job opening with others who may have interest.  See mennowdc.org for further information.

Camp Mennoscah announcements

  1. You’ve got kid skills–spend the summer at camp!  Camp Mennoscah will be talking with people interested in being on summer staff for the upcoming summer.  We’ll be at Goshen College on Feb. 9and Hesston, Tabor, Bethel, and McPherson on February 12-15 respectively.  Get started on those applications!  Go to campmennoscah.org/application!  We’ll schedule interviews soon.  It’s going to be an absolute blast of a summer!
  2. Hymn Sing and Dessert Auction for “Creation, Craftiness, and Cooling Off”! Camp Mennoscah invites everyone to join us from 4-6 p.m.on Sunday, February 25, at Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston. We’ll sing our favorite hymns, bid on delectable desserts, and hear about how, with your help, camp provides afternoon activities for campers to stay cool, be crafty, and learn about God’s creation. Funds raised will go toward the Camp Mennoscah general fund. Come and join us!
  1. 2018 Retreat Registration is open!  You are now able to sign up for all 2018 Camp Mennoscah Retreats.  Those coming up soon are the Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats (Feb. 23-25and March 2-4) and the Youth Volunteer Weekend (March 16-17).  We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Mennonite church announcements
Raise the Roof in Song – a Hymn Sing and Fundraiser for Mennonite Disaster Service – Sunday, February 18, 4 pm (doors open at 3:30 pm to view auction items) – at Southern Hills Mennonite Church, 511 SE 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66605.  Join us in a fun way to raise funds for Mennonite Disaster Service:
•         An old fashioned hymn sing led by Andrew Voth, and instrumental accompaniment from our own talented musicians!
•         Learn about MDS via Carole and Wayne Stucky, Co-Directors of Region 3
•         Silent Auction – bid on one of twelve homemade desserts/baked goods!
•         Reception to follow the singing. A time for fellowship and to wrap up the silent auction!
•         Special music by The Flannelbacks from North Newton to play during reception in the Fellowship Hall. A wonderful folk & bluegrass band!
•         Start thinking about your favorite hymns!
•         The more the merrier! Bring your friends! Looking forward to seeing you!
If you are unable to attend but still wish to donate to MDS, please make checks payable to MDS – Region 3, and send to the address above.

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