WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SPROUTS

May 25, 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:

*Change

*Announcements

*WDC Ministerial and Credential Announcements

Change

by Beth Yoder, WDC Business Manager

We have all experienced a lot of change over the past year. Some change has made us stronger, even though it was hard and made us weary.

One change at WDC in the past year that has greatly affected me has been selecting and implementing a new accounting software. It was a long decision-making process looking at various options and having conversations to determine what was the best fit. As business manager, I began training in December to learn the new program and began getting it set up. On Feb 1, I started using it, still fumbling my way around like walking into an unfamiliar room in the dark. Everything took longer, as I learned both the software and some changes in our chart of accounts and processes.

We are now 3+ months in. While I’m still learning, I feel more comfortable with many of the day to day processes. I still have more learning in order to make the best use of all the features, but we feel there will be benefits in the long term. The change has forced us to look at some of our processes and determine if there is a better way. It has also helped me learn even more about our books. So while it has been hard there will be benefits in the end and I am personally starting to see some of the benefits.

I share this change at WDC with you, because I know we are all experiencing change. Change causes anxiety as it is anticipated, weariness as you go through it, and yet in the end hopefully brings a sense of accomplishment and benefit, as the software change has brought. It can be good to evaluate how things are done periodically and make changes, but it also takes time and energy.

To say churches have had to make many changes in the past year is an understatement, and those changes are likely larger than a software change. Some changes may stay, some are or were temporary, but hopefully the process of adapting brought about good. Among many other things, giving may have also changed, along with how people give and possibly financial processes. I hope that congregations can continue to share ideas and resources with each other. Keep in mind that Everence has a number of good resources on their website for stewardship, finances, budgeting, etc.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says –

16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

May you continue to be renewed each day as we continue to endure change, which feels like more than momentary affliction as we go through it!

———————————-

El Cambio

Todos y todas hemos experimentado cambios a lo largo del año pasado. Algunos cambios nos han hecho más fuertes, aunque fue difícil y nos cansamos.

Hay un cambio para WDC este año pasado que me afectó mucho a mí, y eso es la selección y la implementación de un nuevo software para la contabilidad. Fue un proceso largo para tomar la decisión, probando varias opciones y conversando para determinar cuál nos serviría mejor. Como gerenta comercial, empecé entrenamiento en diciembre para aprender el nuevo programa y empecé a configurarlo. El 1 de febrero, comencé a usarlo para las tareas de contabilidad; todavía iba a tientas, como caminar en un cuarto desconocido en la oscuridad. Cada tarea me llevaba más tiempo, mientras aprendía tanto el software como los cambios en nuestras cuentas y procedimientos.

Llevamos ya más de tres meses. Sigo aprendiendo, pero ahora estoy más acomodada a los procesos comunes y cotidianos. Todavía me falta más por aprender para aprovechar de todo lo que ofrece el programa, pero creemos que valdrá la pena a largo plazo. El cambio hizo que examináramos algunos de nuestros procedimientos para determinar si hay mejores alternativas. Provocó que yo aprendiera más sobre nuestras cuentas. Aunque el ajuste es difícil, habrá beneficios al final, y ya veo algunos de ellos.

Comparto este cambio de WDC con ustedes, porque sé que todos/as experimentamos el cambio. El cambio provoca ansiedad mientras se anticipa y cansancio al atravesarlo. Sin embargo, se espera que traiga beneficios y un sentido de logro al final, así como hemos visto con el cambio de software. Es bueno reevaluar las cosas regularmente y hacer los necesarios cambios, pero eso requiere tiempo y energía.

No les hago justicia si digo que las iglesias han visto muchos cambios en el último año, cambios mayores que el cambio de software. Algunos cambios serán permanentes, otros temporales, pero esperamos que el proceso de adaptación haya producido el bien. Entre otras cosas, puede que haya cambiado la cantidad y la forma de las ofrendas y diezmos, además de los procedimientos financieros de la iglesia. Espero que las congregaciones compartan ideas y recursos entre sí. Recuerden que Everence tiene varios recursos en su página web acerca de mayordomía, las finanzas, los presupuestos, etc.

Dice 2 de corintios 4:16-18:

16 Por tanto, no desmayamos; antes aunque este nuestro hombre exterior se va desgastando, el interior no obstante se renueva de día en día. 17 Porque esta leve tribulación momentánea produce en nosotros un cada vez más excelente y eterno peso de gloria; 18 no mirando nosotros las cosas que se ven, sino las que no se ven; pues las cosas que se ven son temporales, pero las que no se ven son eternas.

Que sigan renovados, día tras día, mientras enfrentamos los cambios que nos puedan parecer tribulaciones momentáneas al atravesarlos.

WDC announcements

  1. It’s not too late!  Join us this Thursday (May 27) from 7:00-8:00pm via Zoomto discuss The Gospel Next Door: Following Jesus Right Where You Are by Marty Troyer.  RSVP to the library at crlib@mennowdc.org
  2. KLC Zoom Lunch: “Uncertainty and Conflict” is our May 27 (note corrected date, not May 25 as was stated in the May 18 Sprouts!), 12-1 pm topic and it’s appropriate as we say goodbye to Clayton Gladish who’s been a faithful advocate for KLC through the years.  Join us whether you’ve been to a KLC training or are interested to learn more.  (Zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83458158470?pwd=TGpEdG8yWjg4MFpzcUJ0djVtK0QrQT09, Meeting ID: 834 5815 8470, Passcode: 760463)
  3. The WDC Resource Library invites children ages 3-8 to join us for an outdoor Green Things Summer Story Hour.  On Thursdays starting June 3 at 10:00am, we will meet in front of the North Newton (KS) City Building at 2601 N. Main.  Register hereor at mennowdc.org/library  If registration numbers are low, Story Hour will move to virtual format.  Please contact the library if you would be interested in a virtual Story Hour.  (Central Kansas-area churches please run this announcement and post the attached flier.) 
  1. Your Story, My Story:  “Woven into God’s Story” is our Annual Assembly theme and StoryCorps has invited WDC to partner with their storytelling project, One Small Step, to share and record our own stories within WDC. One Small Step is an initiative to facilitate conversations across differences.  Take time to listen to another WDC member and discover the stories behind each other’s beliefs.  Sign up at https://onesmallstep.storycorps.org/wdc/.The deadline for registrations is June 25 and virtual recordings will be scheduled July 28-30 (space is limited). For more information about One Small Step see attached flyer.
  2. Faith Formation:  What have we learned? John Roberto, Vibrant Faith, put together a very useful set of evaluation tools to help us learn what we can from our faith formation experiences during the past year.  The WDC Resource Commission encourages you to look these over and use them as you see fit with your congregation.  Find them here:  https://www.lifelongfaith.com/march-15-2021.html
  3. BIG NEWS from the Western District Women in Mission! The Women’s Retreatat Camp Mennoscah will happen in-person this September! Details are being discussed but please circle the dates of Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 and consider joining our fellowship and reconnecting. Of course, some things will look different including no programming for girls, only meeting on Saturday and Sunday, building use being limited, bodies being one year older, etc. We’ll send out more details and registration information later this summer; hope to see you there!
  4. The WDC office will be closed Friday, May 28 and Monday May 31.

WDC Ministerial and Credential announcements

Renee Reimer’s credential changed from License Toward Ordination to Ordination on May 21.

David Richardson Spaite’s credential changed from License Toward Ordination to Ordination on May 21.

Camp Mennoscah announcements

  1. Kitchen staff needed!  Camp Mennoscah is still looking for kitchen staff for June 6-12 and July 18-24.  No professional cooking skills needed–just an ability to follow directions and some happiness to share!  Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.orgor 620-297-3290.
  2. Congratulations!  Deborah, Camp Mennoscah’s dedicated and generous office assistant of over 7 years, is retiring!  She has reduced her hours and has graciously agreed to stay on while the next assistant is found.  Camp Mennoscah is seeking someone to share in office/support operations and guest services in a position with potential growth.  Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.orgfor information.
  3. Putting up the tents on May 28 & 29 at Camp Mennoscah!  We will start at 9am each day and camp will provide a simple lunch.  Wear closed toe shoes.  Contact 620-297-3290 with questions.  We’ll see you for a good “old-fashioned” tent raising!
  4. There’s still time to register for camp!  Camp Mennoscah has a few openings at most camps.  Register online at campmennoscah.org!
  5. Camp Mennoscah campers and parents!  If your camper is fully vaccinated (2 weeks after the final shot) for COVID-19 before they come to camp, they will not have to quarantine (go home) if they are a close contact unless they have symptoms.  Preventative measures are being taken, but that virus can be sneaky.  Completed vaccination cards can be uploaded to the camper’s account.

Mennonite church announcements

  1. The Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR) at Bethel College is offering its core mediation training (Practical Skills for Managing Interpersonal Conflict) via Zoom June 14-18. There is a fee discount if you register before May 28. See the attached flyer or visit kipcor.orgfor more information.
  2. Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) has updated its ministerial misconduct file-sharing policy to allow MC USA agencies to request misconduct files on any credentialed leaders they are considering hiring for paid or volunteer positions. Find out what went into this policy change here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/mc-usa-updates-misconduct-policy/3.  Jen Helmuth Shenk felt the need to deepen her spiritual walk, so she began meeting with a spiritual director. Read about Shenk’s journey – from being a stay-at-home mom, to a photographer, to a pastor – in Evan J. Miller’s blog, “Where God’s Spirit is Already at Work.” https://www.mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/gods-spirit-already-at-work/4.  Tim Nafziger reflects on the power of stories in fighting against militarism in his blog, “The Courageous, Vulnerable, Improbable Story of Peace.” The blog is part of Mennonite Church USA’s Learn, Pray, Join: Cost of War initiative. Read more about Nafziger’s story here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/courageous-story-peace/5.  Authors Elain Enns and Ched Myers shared a presentation based on their new book, “Healing Haunted Histories: A Settler Discipleship of Decolonization” in a recorded webinar from Mennonite Church USA. View it here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/webinars/

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