WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SPROUTS

 November 13, 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:

*Pastoral Openings

*News and Transitions

*Announcements

Pastoral Openings

Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, KS – Associate Pastor for Faith Formation

Mennonite Church of the Servant, Wichita, KS – Pastor

Peace Mennonite Church, Dallas, TX – Pastor

News and Transitions

James Branum, Minister of Peace and Justice at Joy Mennonite Church in Oklahoma City, OK, has resigned effective December 31, 2018.

Jaime Cazares, Pastor at Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania in Newton, KS has resigned effective March 2019.

Our sympathy to Nancy Funk, WDC Administrative Assistant, on the death of her father, Melvin Hiebert, on November 6 in Goessel, KS.

Zachary Gleason, Pastor at Joy Mennonite Church in Oklahoma City, OK, has resigned effective January 10, 2019.

Lou Gomez, Campus Pastor at Friendship Manor in Hutchinson, KS, passed away on October 17 in Newton, KS.

Vernon Lohrentz, retired pastor, died on October 13 in North Newton, KS.

Peter J. Neufeld, retired pastor, died May 31, 2018 in Hutchinson, KS.

Terry Rediger has resigned as Pastor at Turpin (OK) Mennonite Church effective at the end of May 2019.

WDC announcements

  1. Giving Tuesday is November 27 – Western District Conference invites you to join this global giving initiative! Share a gift with WDC during this season, to help our congregations Witness & invite others to faith in Jesus Christ, Dwell in just & loving relationships, and Connect to God’s mission in the world. You may make an online contribution at https://mennowdc.orgor send a check to Western District Conference, PO Box 306, North Newton, KS 67117.  Thank you for your generosity!
  1. Updated Child Protection Policy: Has anyone reviewed your congregation’s Child Protection Policy lately?  Dove’s Nest has updated their model policy.  To view it, go to https://dovesnest.net/sites/default/files/Short_model_policy_2018_0.pdf
  1. The WDC office and the Conference Resource Library will be closed on November 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving.
  1. All are invited to Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, KS to hear Brass Christmas with the McPherson Community Brass Choir under the direction of Jerry Toews and the Goessel High School Elbiata Singers under the direction of Braden Unruh on December 9 at 7 pm.

Camp Mennoscah announcements

  1. Christmas Gathering for Volunteers of All Years!  Volunteers of all sorts from all years are invited to come to Camp Mennoscah on December 15 at 2:30pm-ish for a time to have conversation and cookies!  Add this time of relaxation to your holidays!
  1. Online summer staff applications now open!  For all you snazzy folks interested in being a full-summer staffer at Camp Mennoscah, the time to apply is NOW!  Grab your quick-typing fingers and fill out an application at campmennoscah.orgunder Summer Youth Camps.  This is for the positions of music, nature, office, crafts, lifeguard, and grounds.  (Counselors and cooks, we’ll be in touch later.)
  1. Pizza Gathering with a touch of recruiting!  Camp Mennoscah invites everyone interested in being on summer staff to Papa John’s in Newton at 6:15 pm-ish on Nov 14.  We’ll shoot the breeze about camp (and other stuff), chat about being on summer staff, and eat pizza!  Can’t make it?  Check out the information and online application at campmennoscah.orgunder Summer Youth Camps.  Or give us a call at 620-297-3290 to speak to Olivia!

Mennonite church announcements
MC USA Executive Board has decided to retain both the corporate shell and mission of The Mennonite, Inc. – and will not be “terminating an entity.” Because there is no longer need for an immediate change to the MC USA bylaws, and there is no formal agreement of merger to discuss at this time, we are canceling the special Delegate Assembly meeting scheduled for November 26.  Please contact Shelley Buller atShelleyB@MennoniteUSA.org, 316-281-4257, if you have any questions.  –David Boshart, Moderator – Mennonite Church USA

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