[amc] FW: WDC Memo and Check it Out, November 2007
- From: "garland robertson" <pastor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Austin Mennonite Church" <amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:11:07 -0600
Members and Friends of Austin Mennonite Church
I am sending this information for your awareness.
May it go well with you. Sincerely,
Garland Robertson
...always hold firmly to the thought that each one of us can do something to
bring some portion of misery to an end
-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Funk [mailto:wdc@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 2:04 PM
To: WDC
Subject: WDC Memo and Check it Out, November 2007
Attached and pasted below are the November 2007 issues of WDC Memo and Check
It Out. If you receive multiple copies of this email, it is because you are
on several of the WDC group lists that it is sent to. We are sorry for the
inconvenience.
<file:///C:\DOCUME~1\NANCYF~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.jpg>
November 2007
A Word from Dorothy
50 + 100 + 20 + 75 + 3= Priceless!
During this year, WDC has enjoyed celebrating congregational anniversaries.
I attended the Southern Hills Mennonite Church's 50th in Topeka; I traveled
to Turpin, OK for their 100th; here in Newton, Shalom
Mennonite marked 20 years and just this month Lorraine Avenue in Wichita
celebrated their 75th anniversary. Each one was marked with special music,
banners, good food, and ceremonies that inspired and encouraged all who were
present.
However, last Saturday (October 20), I was in Dallas and helped to celebrate
more milestones. The Leadership Commission interviewed eight (yes, eight!)
candidates for credentialing. Four women and four men trouped into the
Monte Horeb building in the Oak Cliff community and gave their glowing
testimonies of God's call on their lives--some from childhood where a mother
(who, at 83, accompanied her daughter to the interview!) imparted a love of
God and the Bible to her family--to a psychologist trained to listen to
people but now is feeling the call of God to lead people to faith! We ended
most interviews in tears as we prayed for them and experienced their
gratefulness for the affirmation of the church for their ministries.
Yet, the priceless celebration was yet to come. I was not prepared for the
celebration of the third anniversary of the Iglesia Menonita Mi Redentor in
Dallas, a church plant led by pastor Jorge Quintanilla, originally from
Nicaragua. Our car was met in the parking lot by all the congregation--all
in formal "Sunday" clothes including fancy dresses for the little girls and
a striking white suit on the pastor. We were escorted to a rented building
which I knew was to be their church home--but I thought was not yet
remodeled. Unknown to all of us, the congregation had received its final
occupancy permit that week after hours and hours of painting, installing a
new floor, lights, etc. I was led to the door and invited to open the door.
I opened the door while the little children circled me, all giggling and
smiling. There, to my surprise, was a giant ribbon across the threshold. I
was given a scissors and cut the ribbon to great applause, cheering,
screaming, laughing
and hugging. Joy was uncontrollable! "Lead us into our church!" was the
command. And so I did--with flashbulbs popping and more clapping and
cheering. "We are in our church. Gracias Señor!"
The worship was spirited and heartfelt. The youth, the children, the adults
all celebrated with their whole beings and I was their guest. It was
positively incredible. The Holy Spirit had guided Western District
Conference to plant this church and provide nurture to its pastor and
leaders. Come to think of it--we were all there! This is the church alive.
Gracias Señor!
---Dorothy Nickel Friesen
Western District Conference empowers its Anabaptist/ Mennonite congregations
to:
* Witness and invite others to faith in Jesus Christ,
* Dwell in just and loving relationships,
* Connect to God's mission in the world.
Celebrate!
We celebrate Camp Mennoscah
? cabin ants, prayer times, and river play
? great food, new friends, and peace on the prairie
? a new director?s house with willing workers and growing funds.
We celebrate WDC congregations and pastors
? commitments, growth, and service
? dedicated pastors, serious study, and growing faith
? energized members who care deeply, pray daily, and give generously.
We celebrate the WDC Resource Library
? new lights, new shelves, and carpeting
? quiet spaces to read and study, talk and pray
? a vision captured, embraced, and now in use.
We celebrate Vision 2012
? prayer partners, the steering committee, and the executive committee
? Dorothy and WDC staff with innovative ideas and meaningful work
? God?s people?all of us?with profound commitments to pray and give and
serve.
Thanks be to God!
---Rosella Wiens Regier, prayer partner for Vision 2012
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please include announcements from this Memo in your bulletins and
newsletters. You are encouraged to copy and distribute
the entire Memo in your churches.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WDC prayer reminders
Nov. 4 - Pray for the new church plant, Comunidad de Fe, Grand Prairie, TX,
and church planters Natan and Rosalba Navarrete, that the Holy Spirit will
give guidance, strength and encouragement in this ministry of planting a
church. Also pray for Jerry Kaiser as he completes 18 years as pastor of
Inman (KS) Mennonite Church this Sunday and moves to Aberdeen, ID to pastor
First Mennonite Church. Pray for Harold D. Thieszen as he becomes the
interim pastor of the Inman congregation.
Nov. 11- Pray for LeNora Duerksen as she is installed at Bethel Mennonite
Church, Inman, KS as Coordinator of Senior Ministries (1/2 time); and for
Matt Simon as he is installed for joint ministry with Buhler (KS) and
Hoffnungsau (Inman, KS) Mennonite Churches, as Associate/Youth Pastor.
Nov. 18 - Pray for Houston (TX) Mennonite Church and Peace Mennonite Church,
Dallas, TX as they search for new pastoral leadership.
Nov. 25 - Pray for the Mi Redentor congregation, Dallas, TX, as it
celebrates its third anniversary as a church plant with pastor, Jorge
Quintanilla--now credentialed (licensed) by Western District Conference for
two years towards ordination.
Pastoral openings
(Congregational Information Forms completed & available):
Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, KS -associate pastor for youth
pastor (half-time)
Houston (TX) Mennonite Church - pastor (full-time)
Inman (KS) Mennonite Church - pastor (pending CIF)
Peace Mennonite Church, Dallas, TX - pastor (pending CIF)
Transitions
Michelle Armster, a member of Peace Mennonite Church, Dallas,
TX, was licensed toward ordination on October 21, but will continue to live
and serve with Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, PA, as Director of
Mennonite Conciliation Services and also co-pastor part-time at St. Andrews
United Church of Christ congregation in Lancaster, PA.
Susan Jantzen has been called to serve as a part-time Interim Pastor for
Deer Creek (OK) Mennonite Church beginning November 11. She continues her
seminary studies at St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, MO, commuting
both to Deer Creek and St. Paul from her home in Newton, KS.
Joyce Pankratz, has resigned as Director of Camp Mennoscah effective January
31, 2008. A search process is being formed.
Todd Schlosser, former co-pastor at Bergthal Mennonite Church, Pawnee Rock,
KS, began as Campus Pastor at the Mennonite Manor retirement community in
South Hutchinson, KS on October 15.
Matt Simon is the new Associate Pastor for Buhler (KS) and Hoffnungsau
(Inman, KS) Mennonite churches. Also congratulations to Matt on his
marriage on October 13 to Jami Reeves.
Harold D. Thieszen becomes the interim pastor (3/4/ time) at Inman (KS)
Mennonite Church on November 5.
Financial update
As of October 15, WDC has received $216,384 (45%) towards its
2007 annual budget of $472,300.
The Vision 2012 capital campaign?s total is $717,946 (3-year goal of
$1,500,000).
Check It Out
Jim and Casper go to Church. Amish Grace. 10 Excellent Reasons Not to
Join the Military. Asphalt Jesus. How do these titles grab you? These
are just a few of the recent resources added to the Conference Resource
Library that connects real life to real faith. Check out the most recent
listing of new additions by going to www.mennowdc.org
<http://www.mennowdc.org/> / Library.html. Call or email to reserve your
top choice! 316-283-6300 / crlib@xxxxxxxxxxxx
--Marlene Bogard, Resource Library Director
The Leadership Commission breaks a record!
In a marathon period of 24 hours, the WDC Leadership Commission interviewed
eight individuals in Texas for credentials. The following individuals were
all affirmed for leadership: Michelle Armster, member of Peace, Dallas, but
now working for MCC in Akron and pastoring part-time for a United Church of
Christ congregation, licensed toward ordination; Blanca Vargas,
pastor/church planter of Communidad di Vida, San Antonio, for ordination;
Oneida Duenas, commissioned for specialized ministry as a teacher/tutor for
the Anabaptist Bible Institute in Dallas; Juan Limones, pastor of Luz del
Evangelio, Dallas for ordination; Natan Navarrette, commissioned for church
planting in Grand Prairie; Antonio Caceros, pastor of Monte Horeb, Dallas
for ordination; Esther Vazquez, pastor/church planter of House of Healing,
Dallas, for ordination; Jose Vazquez, co-church planter with Esther,
transfer of ordination from Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church
USA.
Also, upon the recommendation of Marco Guete, associate conference minister
for Texas, the following five church planters' credentials were moved from
"commissioning for specialized ministry as church planter" to "licensed
toward ordination"--a two-year period of testing and further education
before ordination. Those people were: Jorge Quintanilla, Mi Redentor,
Dallas; Natavidad Hernandez, Casa de Dios, Dallas; Alberto Parchmont, Casa
del Alfarero, Houston; Aurora Parchmont, Neuva Jerusalen, Houston; Feliz
Marquez, Rey de Gloria, Dallas.
Give thanks to God for this tremendous outpouring of leadership and new
church development!
Visioning grants
Vision 2012 offers vision grants (up to $5,000) to current
Western District Conference congregations for strategic planning, visioning
and redevelopment planning. Area conference staff and others will provide
consultation, resources and training. For application form, go to:
www.mennowdc.org <http://www.mennowdc.org/> , click on Grants.
Camp Mennoscah
Camp Mennoscah and WDC invites you to the groundbreaking
ceremony for the new Director's House on Sunday, November 4 at 4:00 p.m. on
the campgrounds. Come see Vision 2012 funds at work, tour the new
maintenance apartment, and enjoy fellowship--and some refreshments. (In
case of rain, event will be held in the Dining Hall.)
Interim pastors
Persons currently involved with or interested in the possibility of interim
pastor ministry with Western District Conference are invited to a November
15 gathering from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the WDC office for a time of
getting acquainted, sharing and resourcing about interim ministry. Lunch
will be provided. Please RSVP to Nancy Funk at the conference office
(316-283-6300; wdc@xxxxxxxxxxxx) by Nov 12.
Discipleship Now
Discipleship Now, being held Nov. 16-18, in Newton and Wichita,
KS, is an intense experience-based retreat where youth will be led to
encounter God through dynamic individual and group prayer practices,
worship, and reflection. The retreat also encompasses in-depth teaching on
discipleship and a specially designed outreach experience to apply and
reflect on what it means to call oneself Christian. This event is for
sophomore through senior high youth, who are referred by leadership in their
local congregation as someone growing in their relationship with Christ and
open to exploring their gifts in leadership. For information, contact Doug
Krehbiel, Conference Youth Minister, 316-283-6300; dougk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Register by Nov. 8.
Resource Library open house
Sunday, December 2, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Come, celebrate and explore the newly remodeled and expanded Western
District Conference Resource Library. A brief program at 4:00 p.m. will be
followed by refreshments and story telling, including a reprise of the now
famous...Possum Come A Knockin'!
Upside Down King musical
Coming in January 2008! The ?Upside Down King? - an upbeat, fun, and
powerful re-telling of the life and ministry of Jesus. This original
musical, with script by Carol Duerksen and music by Doug & Jude Krehbiel
(Road Less Travelled), features a five-member young adult cast, and a live
classic rock and roots band. Six presentations will be done throughout
Western District Conference in January. Offerings will be taken for WDC
youth ministry.
Receive the benefits - before time runs out
If you are 70½ or older, you can make outright gifts to qualified charities
like the Western District Conference with a direct transfer from your
individual retirement account (IRA) ? and pay no income tax on the amount
distributed!
A year ago, congress passed the Pension Protection Act of 2006
effective for taxable years 2006 and 2007. Your gift can only come from an
IRA. The Rollover you transfer directly to a charity, such as the Western
District Conference, helps you meet the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
from your IRA. You may transfer any amounts up to $100,000 directly from
your IRA. You have until December 31, 2007, to make an outright gift from
your IRA directly to a qualified charity, without paying any income tax on
the withdrawal.
You can make the gift by contacting the company that holds your
IRA and request a charitable distribution to the Western District
Conference. Ask that the check be mailed to Western District Conference, P.
O. Box 306, North Newton, KS 67117. Then contact the Western District
Conference Office (316) 283-6300 to let us know to expect your gift, where
you would like the gift directed, such as Vision 2012. It is important to
let us know, since some IRA companies do not identify the donor on the
check.
Your gift is an investment in the Western District Conference.
It is an investment in ministry through ministerial services, camping
ministries, church planting, and congregational resourcing. Please consult
with your financial planner or tax accountant or contact Harold D. Thieszen
316-283-8623.
AMBS-Great Plains
Study the Minor Prophets with Dr. Patricia Shelly in North
Newton, January 2008. This AMBS-Great Plains class will meet Tuesday and
Thursday evenings, January 8-24 and Saturdays, Jan. 12 and 19. Details
available at 316-283-7098 or lbarrett@xxxxxxxxx
WDC Ski Retreat
February 1-5, 2008 - Cooper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado.
For information, contact Ken Regier, 316-283-5155, ext. 275.
National sermon contest
FaithTrust Institute is sponsoring a sermon contest. Through
this contest, they intend to encourage and support preaching that addresses
sexual and domestic violence. Sermon topic - Addressing Sexual and Domestic
Violence in a Religious Context. Deadline: November 30. For information:
www.faithtrustinstitute.org <http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/> .
Christmas gift idea
New CD available from Mennonite Media, ?Abide With Me.? All a
cappella music from the former Mennonite Hour radio program, the CD features
?comforting? music. $12.95 CD only. Call 800-999-3534 or visit
www.store.mennomedia.org <http://www.store.mennomedia.org/> .
Churches Supporting Church
Churches Supporting Churches is a program encouraged by Mennonite Central
Committee where struggling New Orleans churches are connected with other
supporting churches for the purpose of being centers for revitalization for
New Orleans. More info at www.cscneworleans.org
<http://www.cscneworleans.org/> .
Office closed
The WDC office and Conference Resource Library will be closed
November 21, 22, 23 for Thanksgiving holiday break.
Western District Conference Coming Events
Nov. 3 - Reference Council, First Mennonite Church, Halstead, KS
Nov. 4, 4:00 p.m. - Groundbreaking ceremony for new director?s house, Camp
Mennoscah
Nov. 15 - Interim pastors luncheon, WDC office
Nov. 16-18 - Discipleship Now, Newton & Wichita, KS
Dec. 2, 4:00-6:00 p.m. - Open House, WDC Conference Resource Library
Dec. 24, 2007-Jan. 1, 2008 - WDC office closed
Feb. 1-5, 2008 - WDC Ski Retreat, Copper Mountain Resort, CO
Feb. 8-10, 2008 - Junior High Snow Camp, Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, CO
Feb. 15-17, 2008 - Senior High Snow Camp, Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, CO
March 9, 2008 - Children?s Choir Festival, Bethel College Memorial Hall,
North Newton, KS
March 14-16, 2008 - Senior High Snow Camp, Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, CO
May 1, 2008 - Pastors? Day Apart
June 27-28, 2008 - WDC/SCC Annual Conference, Hesston College, Hesston, KS
Conference Ministers? schedules
Nov. 1 - I-70 Pastors, Manhattan, KS (LL)
Nov. 2 - Executive Committee and Board (DNF)
Nov. 3 - Reference Council, First Mennonite Church, Halstead, KS
Nov. 4 - Inman (KS) Mennonite Church, Camp Mennoscah (DNF)
Nov. 7 - Kansas health ecumenical meeting, Wichita, KS (DNF)
Nov. 8 - Low German task force (DNF)
Nov. 9-12 - South Texas (MG)
Nov. 11 - Installation of LeNora Duerksen - Bethel Mennonite Church, Inman,
KS (DNF); Joint installation service for Matt Simon - Buhler (KS) &
Hoffnungsau Inman, KS Mennonite churches, (LL)
Nov. 12 - Staff Relations Committee, Stewardship Commission (DNF)
Nov. 13 - Vision 2012 Steering Committee, WDC Staff meeting, Vocations
Banquet (DNF)
Nov. 14 - Wichita pastors meeting (LL); Bethel College class
presentation/career fair (DNF)
Nov. 15 - Interim Pastors meeting, WDC office (DNF, LL)
Nov. 16 - Women pastors? breakfast (DNF)
Nov. 16-18 - Houston (TX) Mennonite Church (LL)
Nov. 17-24 - Thanksgiving break/vacation
Nov. 18 - Jorge Quintanilla licensing, Iglesia Menonita Mi Redentor,
Richardson, TX (MG)
Nov. 27-Dec 1 - Conference Ministers meeting, Portland, OR (DNF, LL, MG)
(Marlene Bogard?MB; Dorothy Nickel Friesen?DNF; Dave Gerbrandt--DG; Marco
Güete?MG; Doug Krehbiel-DK; Lee Lever-LL; Hugo Saucedo-HS)
The MEMO is published monthly for WDC pastors and committee members. Submit
articles and correspondence to:
Dorothy Nickel Friesen, <mailto:dorothynf@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
dorothynf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Western District Conference MEMO
PO Box 306, North Newton, KS 67117
316-283-6300, FAX 316-283-0620
E-mail: wdc@xxxxxxxxxxxx; Website: www.mennowdc.org
<http://www.mennowdc.org/>
--------------------------------
Check It Out ! New from the Conference Resource Library
2517 North Main Street, North Newton, KS 67117
Email: crlib@xxxxxxxxxxxx on-line catalog: www.mennowdc.org
<http://www.mennowdc.org/> 316-283-6300
Marlene Bogard, Director Pat Schmidt, Assistant November, 2007
Resourcing the congregations of the Western District, South Central and
Mountain States Conferences.
Resources on Connecting
Real Life and Real Faith
Asphalt Jesus: finding a new Christian faith along the highways of America.
Elnes, Eric. Jossey-Bass, 2007. 277.3083 Eln
In spring of 2006, a small band of Christians walked from Phoenix to
Washington D.C., in hopes of fostering deeper conversations with Americans
about what it means to be progressive Christians in an age of
fundamentalism. This book chronicles the journey and articulates a joyous
faith that moves beyond the simple categories of Christian "left" or
"right."
Jim and Casper Go To Church: frank conversations about faith, churches and
well-meaning Christians.
Henderson, Jim and Matt Casper. Tyndale, 2007. 277.3083 Hen
A Christian and an atheist tour around America visiting twelve best- and
least-known churches. All along the way they talked, observed and listened
to each other. This book is a chronicle of their conversations and
observations about faith, the church and each other.
Amish Grace: how forgiveness transcended tragedy.
Kraybill, Donald, Steven Nolt, David Weaver-Zercher. Jossey-Bass, 2007.
364.1523 Kra
Tells the story of forgiveness informed by deep faith, rooted in a rich
history and practiced in real life.
Sex God: exploring the endless connections between sexuality and
spirituality.
Bell, Rob. Zondervan. 2007. 261.8357 Bel
Yes, this is a book about sex, but also about respect, relationships, being
human, understanding being created in God's image and more.
Health Through Faith and Community: a study resource for Christian faith
communities to promote personal and social well-being.
Canda, Edward R. Haworth, 2006. 261.8321 Hea
A study guide that encourages Christian congregations to enhance the
well-being of both church members and society as a whole. Eight study
sessions about the physical, mental, social, spiritual and environmental
aspects of health.
Unfettered Hope: a call to faithful living in an affluent society.
Dawn, Marva J. WJK, 2003. 261 Daw
Identifies the epidemic socio-cultural attitudes that destroy hope in our
modern lives. Because affluent people don't know what to value, we remain
dissatisfied with what we have and are compelled to want more at the expense
of the world's less fortunate.
Rethinking Holy Land: a study in salvation geography.
Jeschke, Marlin. Herald Press, 2005. 263.042 Jes
Salvation geography means that land is seen as a divine gift, not as a
subject of conquest, which is abhorrent to the heart of what Jesus came to
announce.
Anabaptists Meeting Muslims: a calling for presence in the way of Christ.
Krabill, James R., David W. Shenk, and Linford Stutzman, eds. Herald Press,
2005. 266.43 Ana
Essays and reports from people who serve among Muslims: administrators,
professors, scholars, missionaries, and theologians. These diverse voices
exude a spirit of dialogue, questioning, agreement, amazement, and sometimes
dissent.
Walking After Midnight: One woman?s journey through murder, justice &
forgiveness.
Hutchison, Katy. Raincoast Books, 2006. 362.88 Hut
Her husband's death at the hand of an unknown killer leads one remarkable
and courageous woman on a journey to discover the power of forgiveness and a
different kind of justice.
Diaspora in the Countryside: two Mennonite communities and
mid-twentieth-century rural disjuncture.
Loewen, Royden. University of Illinois Press, 2006. 289.7 Loe Dia
Examines the phenomenon of rural fragmentation by contrasting two related by
geographically-distant Low German Mennonite communities in Kansas and
Manitoba. A captivating analysis of cultural change and the varied
adaptations to modernity.
A Search for What is Real: finding faith.
McLaren, Brian D. Zondervan, 2007. 230 McL
Helps sort through the questions, objections and concerns that arise when
you consider God not as some theological abstraction but as someone you can
actually connect with and want to connect with. Each chapter includes some
questions, ideas for responses and prayers.
The Contented Soul: the art of savoring life.
McMinn, Lisa Graham. IVP, 2006. 248.4 McM
Sociologist McMinn invites us to slow down...be still...and learn the art of
savoring life. More than a manual of contentment, it is an invitation to
hunger and thirst for righteousness.
The North End Lives: a journey through poverty terrain.
Neufeld, Hugo. Herald Press, 2006. 261.8325 Neu
Describes the transformation that can happen when professional and class
boundaries are dropped and you can no longer tell who is serving and who is
being served.
A Framework for Understanding Poverty.
Payne, Ruby K. Aha! Process, 1996. 261.8325 Pay Fra
Teaches the hidden rules of economic class and spreads the message that
despite the obstacles poverty can create in all types of interaction, there
are specific strategies for overcoming them. The author is a Goshen college
graduate.
The Death of Innocents: an eyewitness account of wrongful executions.
Prejean, Helen. Vintage, 2005. 364.66 Pre
Tests the moral edge of capital punishment, asking the question: What if we
are executing innocent men?
Forgiveness: a legacy of the West Nickel Mines Amish School.
Ruth, John. Herald Press, 2007. 289.774 Rut
The extraordinary forgiveness that the Amish offered after five school
children were killed and five others wounded is held up as the true legacy
of that heartbreaking day.
Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church: exploring the
mission of two communities.
Shenk, David W. Herald Press, 2003. 261.27 She
Examines Islam and Christianity at their deepest scriptural, spiritual,
cultural and communal levels in this book that is filled with personal
stories and experiences that bridge the poles and build understanding.
10 Excellent Reasons Not to Join the Military.
Edited by Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg. The New Press, 2006. 956.704 Exc
Included in the reasons are: you may be killed; you may kill others; you may
be injured; you may be lied to and you may have other choices. Simple book
for youth and young adults to read, discuss with each other or with parents,
youth workers.
Nancy Funk, Administrative Assistant
Western District Conference, PO Box 306, North Newton, KS 67117
316-283-6300; wdc@xxxxxxxxxxxx; FAX 316-283-0620
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