WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
November 17, 2020
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:
*Reflections
*Announcements
Reflections
by Lee Lever, as he concludes his role as WDC Interim Conference Ministry Liaison in Texas on November 30, 2020. Thank you, Lee, for your ministry!
During this past year’s transition of the WDC Associate Conference Minister position in Texas, Conference Minister Heidi Regier Kreider asked me to serve as the Interim Conference Ministry Liaison, Texas, for a few days each month beginning in February. I agreed on a volunteer basis and I have been enriched by the experience of getting to know the Mennonite pastors and community leaders of WDC’s Texas congregations. The Texas Mennonite congregations are located in the major urban areas of Texas – Dallas/Fort Worth, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. I had envisioned traveling around Texas a bit and meeting with pastors in their church offices or a local coffee shop or restaurant. The pandemic changed the plan and we began meeting online via Zoom a couple of times a month.
The online meetings turned out to be a great way for Texas Mennonite pastors to bond and support each other. Zoom broke down the time and distance barriers between us. Conference Minister Heidi Regier Kreider from North Newton, Kansas was able to join many of our gatherings and develop deeper relationships with Texas Mennonite pastors. We shared the journey of ministry and helped each other with advice, prayer, and good counsel. We wept and laughed together through the ups and downs of a turbulent year. I have been richly blessed! Thank you Texas Mennonite pastors and community leaders for your friendship and support. You indeed are resilient, gifted, and faithful servant leaders. I love you and will continue to pray for you and cherish our ongoing relationship as pastoral colleagues.
I have deeply appreciated the gifts and initiative of Sandra Montes-Martinez as I have served in this role. As she steps into the Associate Conference Minister position, I congratulate Sandra and wish her God’s blessings in this new chapter of ministry.
Thank you to the Austin Mennonite Church for its support as I served in this interim role. I appreciate their willingness to let their pastor serve in this capacity.
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Reflexiones
por Lee Lever, al concluir su papel como Enlace Ministerial de la Conferencia Interina de WDC en Texas el 30 de noviembre de 2020. ¡Gracias, Lee, por su ministerio!
Durante la transición de este año pasado del puesto de Ministro Asociado de la Conferencia de WDC en Texas, la Ministra de la Conferencia Heidi Regier Kreider me pidió que sirviera como Enlace Interino del Ministerio de la Conferencia, Texas, durante unos días cada mes a partir de febrero. Acepté como voluntario y me ha enriquecido la experiencia de conocer a los pastores menonitas y líderes de las comunidades de las congregaciones de la WDC en Texas. Las congregaciones menonitas de Texas están ubicadas en las principales áreas urbanas de Texas: Dallas / Fort Worth, Waco, Austin, San Antonio y Houston. Había imaginado viajar un poco por Texas y reunirme con pastores en las oficinas de su iglesia o en una café o restaurante local. La pandemia cambió el plan y comenzamos a reunirnos en línea a través de Zoom un par de veces al mes.
Las reuniones en línea resultaron ser una manera excelente para que los pastores menonitas de Texas se unieran y se apoyaran entre sí. Zoom rompió las barreras de tiempo y distancia entre nosotros. La ministra de la conferencia, Heidi Regier Kreider, de North Newton, Kansas, pudo unirse a muchas de nuestras reuniones y desarrollar relaciones más profundas con los pastores menonitas de Texas. Compartimos el camino del ministerio y nos ayudamos mutuamente con oración y consejos buenos. Lloramos y reímos juntos durante los altibajos de un año turbulento. ¡He estado sumamente bendecido! Gracias a los pastores y líderes comunitarios menonitas de Texas por su amistad y apoyo. De hecho, son líderes siervos resistentes, talentosos y fieles. Los amo y continuaré orando por ustedes y apreciando nuestra relación continua como colegas pastorales.
He apreciado profundamente los dones y la iniciativa de Sandra Montes-Martinez mientras he desempeñado este cargo. Como asume el puesto de Ministra Asociada de la Conferencia, le felicito a Sandra y le deseo las bendiciones de Dios en este nuevo capítulo del ministerio.
Gracias a la Iglesia Menonita de Austin por su apoyo mientras serví en este cargo interino. Agradezco su disposición a permitir que su pastor sirva en esta capacidad.
WDC announcements
- Rosanne Penner Kaufman’s ordination celebrationat Rainbow Mennonite Church has been changed to this coming Thursday, November 19, at 4 pm. Joining by live-stream is also an option by clicking here. You are also invited to send a special note for inclusion on the stole being made for Rosi. Click here to submit your note of blessing.
- Join this year’s final WDC Leadership Lunch Conversation on November 19 at 12:00 noon. Each month a Kansas Leadership Center leadership competency is presented. This time the conversation will focus on “speaking to loss”. Anyone is welcome. Email wdc@mennowdc.orgfor a Zoom link to join the conversation.
- Keep Awake! The WDC Israel-Palestine Task Force invites you to use these worship resources for the First Sunday of Advent that highlight liberation for oppressed peoples, including our sisters and brothers in Palestine. See the link here: https://www.fosna.org/keepawake
Camp Mennoscah announcements
- Camp Mennoscah is a wonderful place for family gatherings of whatever size! A variety of facilities fit any number of family groupings. Or maybe you only need a space during the day for walking the trails or playing disc golf. There is plenty of outdoor space! Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or office@campmennoscah.orgto reserve! You are welcome here!
- We’re thinking s’mores and socially distanced activities. The Camp Mennoscah Christmas Gathering is tentatively being planned as an outdoor event on Saturday, December 12 at 2:30pm. Registration required. Call 620-297-3290! Plans may change depending on coronavirus case rates and the desire to keep everyone safe. Bring your mask!
Mennonite church announcements
- Order Christmas goodies and gifts at Bethel College Women’s Association online market. Find hand made crafts, and one-of-a-kind items, and fresh homemade treats including peppernuts, zwieback, cinnamon rolls, poppyseed rolls, and candies at bcwamarketonline.com. Place your order by December 1, and pick up at Bethel College Mennonite Church south entrance from 10:00am to noon Saturday, Dec 5. This event is part of the annual Five Places of Christmas, sponsored by Newton Chamber of Commerce, and all proceeds will support Bethel College. And, if you are not local, most items can be shipped including peppernuts! Christmas shopping and supporting Bethel at the same time doesn’t get much better than that.
- Mennonite Voluntary Service is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 service term. Two units are still accepting applications for this year! Serve, learn, and grow in faith with a community of your peers! Visit MennoniteMission.net/MVS to learn more!
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