WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
June 14, 2016
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
Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, KS – Pastor
Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge, KS – Associate Pastor (Search Committee appointed)
Faith Mennonite Church, Newton, KS – Associate Pastor
First Mennonite Church, Halstead, KS – Pastor (Search Committee appointed)
Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, Inman, KS – Pastor
Iglesia Menonita Aposento Alto, Wichita, KS (Church Planter-Pastor)
Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton, KS – Associate Pastor (Search Committee appointed)
News and Transitions
James Branum, Minister of Peace & Justice at Joy Mennonite Church in Oklahoma City, OK, graduated from AMBS on May 21 with a Certificate in Theological Studies.
John Garland will become the Pastor at San Antonio (TX) Mennonite Church on June 19.
On May 31, Camp Mennoscah announced that Jerry Kroeker has resigned as Director. The Board of Directors at Camp Mennoscah is currently accepting applications to fill Kroeker’s position. For more information contact David Weaver at 620-327-0371.
Phyllis Regier, WDC Business Manager, commemorates 20 years of working at Western District Conference on June 15!
Phil Schmidt, Pastor at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, KS, is on sabbatical from May 16 until August 16.
Jennie Wintermote will conclude as Interim Pastor at New Creation Fellowship Church in Newton, KS on August 7.
We extend sympathy to the family of pastor Steve Yoder, who died June 1 at the Cleveland Clinic (OH). Steve served in Western District Conference from 1996-2003 as an associate pastor at Bethel College Mennonite Church (North Newton, KS), and currently was on the pastoral staff at First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, OH.
WDC Announcements
- At Western District Conference Annual Assembly, we’ll share stories of how the Spirit is moving among us as disciples of Jesus, and celebrate God’s presence with us. What are the mission-centered opportunities that have inspired us to greater faithfulness? Join us on the Bethel College campus July 29-30. For more information, go to: mennowdc.org/annualassembly/#2016annualAssembly.
- WDC is looking for people in the Newton area to host persons coming to the Annual Assembly, July 29-30. Let us know if you can be a host – call Nancy at 316-283-6300 or email wdc@mennowdc.org. Thanks!
- Conference Resource Library Open House – don’t miss it! On Friday, June 17, the Conference Resource Library will be open from 8 am to 8 pm! Read alouds at 8, 10, 12, 2, 4, and 6 o’clock. Come check out our fantastic adult and children’s collections! Explore our new Makerspace Creation Station! Snacks! Build with Legos and Lincoln Logs! Try out the new Makey Makey (what on earth is that?) We’d love to see many new faces coming to check out our fantastic library! We’re located at 2517 N Main in North Newton.
- The Young Adult Weekend is getting closer! Youthful adults aged 18 and older will be gathering at Camp Mennoscah on July 29-31 for a weekend of worship, camp activities, and all stuff fun. There’s a chance to roast your own meal, go swimming, sing around the campfire, and be in the midst of creation. Register online at www.campmennoscah.org! Scholarships are available.
- The annual Camp Mennoscah Camp Sing is August 7 at 6:30pm at Grace Hill Mennonite Church in Whitewater. You’re invited to bring your friends and join us for camp songs, hymns, and that camp favorite–popcorn and generic pop! Summer staff will be there to lead the festivities. Come join in the fun!
- Camp Mennoscah’s Mental Health Spiritual Retreat is September 4-5. This retreat is for all who are affected by mental illness–family, friends, and anyone who knows someone affected by mental illness. Join us for support, worship, and sessions on Courage in Community. Activities include singing, swimming, hayrack ride, and crafts. Find the brochure at www.campmennoscah.org under Retreats or call us at 620-297-3290.
- It’s a combo event! Work & Play Camp and Camp Mennoscah’s Annual Meeting have joined together for five days of making Camp Mennoscah better! Put September 16-21 on your calendar with a big star for Sept. 18 for the Annual meeting. We’ll be working on a slew of different things. Tasks for all ages and skills will be available. Keep looking for more information! Register online at www.campmennoscah.org
Mennonite church announcements
- Everence Financial will present an informative webinar, Tools to maximize your charitable giving, on Tuesday, June 21, at 12 noon and 7 p.m. (CDT). Charitable Services Representative, Mitch Stutzman, will discuss tools to help you support your favorite causes, maximize giving through special assets and receive personal income while supporting the causes you believe in. There will also be time for your questions. To participate, contact Sandy Popp at (620) 662-7900, (877) 893-8647 or sandy.popp@everence.com<mailto:sandy.popp@everence.com>. Or visit everence.com/kansas. Everence Charitable Services are administered by Mennonite Foundation and/or Everence Trust Company, affiliates of Everence.
- The 2016 issue of Mennonite Life is now online at ml.bethelks.edu. It includes tributes to Robert Kreider, explorations of many aspects of Mennonite/s writing, book reviews, a look at Swiss-Volhynian Mennonite worship, writing by high school and college students, and much more.
- Adult Bible Study (ABS), MennoMedia’s premier faith formation curriculum for adults, begins a new six-year cycle this fall of studying the whole Bible. The outlines for weekly lessons, based on eight biblical themes, were developed by the Committee on the Uniform Series, an ecumenical group of Christian educators and publishers in which MennoMedia participates. Anabaptist pastors, teachers, and lay leaders in Canada and the United States write the study materials. ABS Online offers “just in time” commentary that relates the Bible studies to current events in the church and in the world. Estudios Bíblicos para Adultos, a Spanish-language version of ABS, is also available. “The themes provide a helpful way to see connections between the Old and New Testaments,” commented James E. Horsch, ABS editor emeritus. “We are particularly excited about a New Testament unit featuring women who were called to minister.” Horsch served as chair of the Committee on the Uniform Series during the development of the 2016–22 study cycle. “ABS offers meaty, relevant, Anabaptist commentary that invites spiritual growth and practice,” said editor Sharon Williams. “ABS is great for congregations looking for Sunday school or Bible study curriculum that draws people into God’s Word and results in a closer walk with Jesus in the world.” More information about ABS and EBA is available at www.MennoMedia.org/abs or 1-800-245-7894. Individual and bulk subscriptions are available.
- The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders (MSTI) are offered year ’round. The three remaining trainings in 2016 will be: August 1-5 at Glen Ellyn, IL; October 3-7 at Ferguson, MO; and Nov 14-18 at Madison WI. More info at: www.LMPeaceCenter.org.
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