WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
November 10, 2015
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
Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, KS – Pastor (Search Committee appointed)
Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge, KS – Pastor
Faith Mennonite Church, Newton, KS – Associate Pastor (Search Committee appointed)
Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, Inman, KS – Pastor
New Creation Fellowship Church, Newton, KS – Pastor (Search Committee appointed)
San Antonio (TX) Mennonite Church – Pastor (Search Committee appointed)
News and Transitions
Our sympathy to Eric Buller, Pastor of Inman (KS) Mennonite Church, upon the death of his wife, Ruth, on November 7. There will be a visitation at Inman Mennonite Church on Tuesday, November 10 from 5-8 pm (family present from 6-8 pm). The memorial service will be on Wednesday, November 11 at 11 am at First Mennonite Church in Newton. Graveside service will be Thursday, November 12 at 2:00 pm at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. A Rally for Ruth will be held Saturday, November 14 from 5-7 pm at the Inman Community building, with a time of fellowship and worship, and a meal of hot dogs, baked beans and chips will be served. Donations will be accepted, with all proceeds going to the Buller family for medical and other expenses. If you are unable to attend, but want to send a donation, checks can be made out to “Rally for Ruth Benefit” and sent to: Amy Brunk, PO Box 261, Inman KS 67546.
Grace Mennonite Fellowship, a church plant in Gladewater, TX closed on October 31.
A new church plant has opened in east Dallas, TX – Iglesia Cristiana Menonita Camino Nuevo, where Antonio Caceros is the church planter.
Congratulations to Brett (Pastor, First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, NE) and Cassie Klingenberg on the birth of their third child, Kate Willow, on October 17.
Weldon Martens has accepted a call to become Pastor at Grace Hill Mennonite Church, Whitewater, KS, beginning February 1, 2016. He is currently serving as Interim Pastor at Hoffnungsau, where he will continue until February.
WDC Announcements
- Hope Mennonite Church, Wichita, Kansas, will host their 20th annual church Craft Bazaar and Peppernut Sale on Saturday, November 14 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Peppernuts and a wide assortment of other bake sale items including cinnamon rolls, zweibach, homemade pie and other specialty items will be for sale. Lunch options include homemade bierocks, homemade chicken noodle soup and sloppy joes. Come early if you want peppernuts and/or bierocks as they always sell out! Various exhibitors also have craft items for sale. To celebrate the 20th anniversary, the Flannelbacks, a local musical group from Bethel College, will be performing. All proceeds go to missions. Admission is $1 or 2 canned food items to be donated to the Kansas Food Bank. Call Hope Mennonite at 316-722-0903 for more information.
- Hopeful Blues, a musical group from Hope Mennonite Church, Wichita, has recently compiled an instrumental CD of several musical numbers – many of which are from Sing the Journey and Sing the Story songbooks. The group, made up of 5 musicians, play an assortment of gospel, contemporary worship, and folk music. CDs can be purchased by calling Hope Mennonite at 316-722-0903. All proceeds from CD sales go to Camp Mennoscah.
- The Newton Chorale will present its annual concert on Sunday, November 15 at 7 pm at the Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton. Under the direction of Renae Schmidt Peters, the program is entitled, “Psalm Settings: Gratitude for abundant life & yearning for the Divine Mystery.” Admission is free, an offering will be taken to help support the concert expenses. Join us for an evening of inspirational music.
Mennonite Church Announcements
The Eastern Mennonite University Presidential Search Committee in collaboration with Mennonite Education agency, seeks nominations and/or applications for the 9th President of Eastern Mennonite University. Candidates should demonstrate these qualities:
*Christian Faith: A mature and committed follower of Jesus Christ who embodies and lives Anabaptist practices, demonstrated through commitment to and involvement with a community of faith in the Anabaptist tradition.
*Proven Leader who is mission-driven, relational, collaborative, strategic, able to develop resources and entrepreneurial.
*Education: Terminal degree such as Ph.D., Ed.D., J.D., D.Min. or M.D.
The new president is expected to assume office between July 1 and December 31, 2016. Details at emu.edu/presidential-search. Applications to: SearchCommittee@mennoniteEducation.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