*Sharing of Joys and Concerns from Sunday, July 13, 2014* - Gloria - Ben Parker died this past week. He was involved with the Child Development Center over the years, especially facility issues. It is a difficult time for his family. - Janice - Steve is traveling in Turkey and doing well. - Steve H. - his mother had a kidney transplant this week and is doing well. He enjoyed Wimbledon and connecting with friends there. Visiting family in Oregon this week. - Peggy - George is struggling with back pain. - Ann - visited daughter in Spain. - Jim - his wife's mother starts chemo this week. - Karen Mascho shared about a young person involved with TREK, a young adult mission program - http://www.mbmission.org/trek - Becky - continue to pray for her daughter, Liz, on mission trip with youth. ******************************************* *Calendar:* *Jul 17, THU, **7pm* – Women’s Group at Marcia's, 7619 Parkview Circle. *Jul 20, **SUN**, 12:30pm *– Young Adult Lunch at Jen and Stacey's, 2057 Zach Scott. They will provide a Settlers game board (and expansion pack) as well as the fixings for BLTs. Folks can bring extra games if they have them as well as side dishes such as pasta salad or fruit salad.And folks should let us know if they're coming by Saturday so we can get enough bacon! jennifer.graber@xxxxxxxxx stacyvlasits@xxxxxxxxx *Jul 26, **SAT**, **9-11am* – Coordinating Council meets at AMC. *Jul 27, **SUN**, **6:30pm* – Men’s Group at Bob Koehn’s, 7809 Cheno Cortina. *********************************** *Western District Conference Annual Assembly 2014* 1. Delegate actions at WDC Annual Assembly (July 4-6 in Waxahachie, TX): a. Persons were elected to serve in WDC positions (some are new to these positions and some are continuing): Executive Board: Anita Kehr (Moderator Elect), Norma Johnson, Wendy Funk Schrag Gifts Discernment Committee: Phyllis Goertzen, Brian Stucky Ministerial Leadership Commission (formerly known as Leadership Commission): Terry Rediger, June Thomsen Resource Commission: Jeff Koller, Jennie Wintermote Stewardship Commission: Dwight Flaming, Karen Zehr Church Planting Commission (a newly-created Commission): Violeta Ajquejay, Nita Nikkel, Virgil Penner, Lici Roth, Lee Suderman, Marv Zehr b. A new commission was created in the structure of WDC - the "Church Planting Commission". This Commission provides leadership and resources for church planting initiatives and fosters relationships with emerging Anabaptist/Mennonite groups. The Church Planting Commission helps emerging groups and their leaders connect with the congregations, resources, staff, and structure of Western District Conference. c. The name of the Leadership Commission was changed to "Ministerial Leadership Commission" to more accurately reflect the focus of their work of credentialing ministers. d. The 2015 WDC budget of $554,450 was passed. 2. Bethel Mennonite Church, Hammon, OK, was officially closed on May 30, after many years of not functioning. 3. Burrton Mennonite Church, KS, will close on January 4, 2015. 4. There was a recognition of Gilberto Flores' 50 years of ministry. Gilberto will retire at the end of February 2015. 5. Delegates discussed a resolution brought by Rainbow Mennonite Church (Kansas City). A WDC Discernment Task Force has been formed to help WDC process the resolution. The Discernment Task Force is initiating a 20 question survey of alll WDC members and participants. The resolution is below: *Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Western District Conference of the Mennonite Church USA, out of respect for the responsibility and commitment “to see to understand and interpret Scripture in harmony with Jesus Christ as we are led by the Holy Spirit in the church,” upholds the right of individual congregations to discern how homosexuality will be subject to Biblical interpretation, and* *Be it further resolved that pastors, with the affirmation of their congregations, consistent with Mennonite polity, and without fear of censure, may officiate or refuse to officiate ceremonies that consecrate before God monogamous, life-long unions, regardless of the sexual orientation of those being united.* Rainbow Mennonite Church’s full letter of introduction and the full resolution is available at: http://mennowdc.org/conference-life/annual-assembly/ ********************************** Attached photo - Rosa and Gilberto Flores *Lee Lever, Pastor* *Austin Mennonite Church* AustinMennonite.org
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