*Lee Lever, Interim Conference Ministry Liaison for Texas:
leelever@xxxxxxxxxxxx
On Tue, Mar 31, 2020, 6:33 PM Pastor AustinMC <austinmennonite@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
*Pastor Lee: Austin Mennonite Church is a member congregation of a
regional group of fifty-five churches called Western District Conference.
The WDC main office is in North Newton, Kansas, across the street from
Bethel College. Thirty-five of the WDC churches are in Kansas, thirteen in
Texas and a few more in Nebraska and Oklahoma. I receive monthly emails and
notices of events and resources from WDC relating to the wider church. I am
passing along the current newsletter titled "Sprouts." WDC Conference
Minister Heidi Regier Kreider has written a reflective piece in it that is
worth reading. The newsletter gives us a glimpse of what is happening in
WDC and the wider Mennonite church.*
*WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE*
*SPROUTS*
*March 31, 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
<http://www.mennowdc.org/> (Publications)*
*We invite your continuing support for WDC! C**ontributions may be
made HERE
<https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=Dc8dzPGn4-LCajFevTkh9NgNt9Eh9DdVWbI4-3JXDjhN5yIL6FPWjj71nu5i47pQpnQMr3FtmeKLjmbYMkY-Q7o7zqy-JU_UuLu19bUbJx3tZHqjE2K6j8dQW8yZv0d9k0PpduXvnt8gXUeZjQYbnw-ZEHl7ApR0IdZH5umnmf4=&ver=3>.*
*IN THIS ISSUE:*
*Pausing to reflect on coronavirus
*Prayer requests
*Coming Events
*Announcements
*Pausing** to reflect on coronavirus*
*by Heidi Regier Kreider, WDC Conference Minister*
Wow, March has been a long month...or at least it feels that way! Just a
month ago I attended a 100th anniversary celebration banquet for Mennonite
Central Committee along with several hundred other people. Now, that kind
of gathering seems unthinkable! Every day since then the coronavirus
pandemic has brought changes and challenges that we never considered
before: Cancellations, school closings, lay-offs and economic downturn,
stay-at-home orders, daily news of suffering, death and rising numbers of
COVID cases, the exhaustion of medical providers and the anguish of making
hard choices about care-taking and social isolation… These are just a few
of the new realities that surround us and bind us together with our global
community.
As conference minister, I have been focusing on offering encouragement to
pastors, gathering resources to communicate to congregations and leaders,
exploring
forms of financial assistance, and coordinating adjustments for WDC
staff. As we prepare to enter another month of this unfolding situation,
I pause a few moments to share some reflections and observations:
In a crisis, priorities shift. Hygiene and meeting basic daily needs are
now our first concern. Suddenly hand sanitizer and toilet paper are scarce!
Other staple supplies like flour, sugar and milk have become more
precious. Garden seeds and baby chicks are in high demand for their
promise of fresh vegetables and eggs in the months to come. Emotional and
mental health practices are more crucial now than ever, whether that means
a daily walk, listening to music, chatting with a friend (by phone/video or
from a distance, of course), or just getting enough sleep. Beneath the
stress and anxiety of this time, we are also feeling a lot of sadness and
loss as our dreams, plans and goals have been set aside with the
cancellation of church events, conferences, banquets, fund-raisers,
concerts, birthday parties, graduation ceremonies, vacations, projects,
travels, family visits and more. Yet, at the same time, resourcefulness
abounds! Pastors and church leaders are creatively using all kinds of
social media, phone calls and old-fashioned mail to connect with church
members, hold Sunday school, worship together, pray for one another, and
reach out to their communities. Congregations are sharing ideas and
resources with each other. New gifts and talents are being realized and
offered for the common good. New skills are being learned that will serve
us well into the future.
On a deeper level, the coronavirus pandemic is revealing very starkly the
systemic inequities that have always existed in our society. While some of
us are only experiencing minor inconvenience, others among us are facing
immediate crisis due to lack of dependable income, healthy food,
child-care, adequate medical care, or internet connection. The pandemic
also exposes our common humanity and frailty, and contradicts the myth that
we are invincible and in control. While we should, of course, do all we can
(please, *please* follow guidelines for stopping the spread of
COVID-19!), we must also humbly acknowledge our human limitations and
mortality. This is a time to be honest with our doubts, questions and
fears - and also to affirm our hope and trust in our Creator God who enters
our suffering in solidarity with us. In the same way, this crisis is a
time for us to practice compassion and generosity, to share sacrificially
with others, to give what we can to support those who are struggling most.
It is a time to practice patience and kindness for care-providers, our
families and friends, co-workers, and ourselves.
As we find our way forward in these uncertain times, may we know the deep
peace of God’s care, Christ’s call to justice and compassion, and the wise
guidance of the Holy Spirit.
*Prayer Requests*
April 5 - Pray for WDC pastors as they plan creative and meaningful ways
for congregations to observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter in the midst of
difficult circumstances.
April 12 - On this Easter Sunday, give thanks for God's gift of life! Pray
that WDC congregations and members will be a witness for healing and hope
in the Easter season.
April 19 - Pray for WDC members who serve as chaplains, medical staff,
social workers, counselors and others offering care for people experiencing
illness.
April 26 - Pray for WDC pastors and congregation members facing financial
stress due to the impact of coronavirus.
*Coming Events*
*Due to Covid-19 concerns, all meetings of WDC Executive Board,
Commissions and Committees are being held via Zoom video conference until
further notice. *
Apr 1 - WDC Gifts Discernment Committee meeting
Apr 3 - WDC Ministerial Leadership Commission meeting
Apr 4 - WDC Executive Board meeting
Apr 6 - WDC Staff Relations Committee meeting
Apr 15 - WDC Gifts Discernment Committee meeting
Apr 17 - Healthy Boundaries 101 Training (Zoom)
Apr 23 – Leadership Lunch (Zoom)
May 14 – WDC Church Planting Commission
May 19 - WDC Stewardship Commission meeting
May 21 – WDC Resource Commission meeting
July 31-Aug 2 - WDC Annual Assembly (Plans are being assessed and
updates will be provided in April.)
Aug 25 - WDC Stewardship Commission meeting
Sept 26 - WDC Reference Council
*WDC announcements*
1. Due to Covid-19 concerns, the WDC office and Resource Library are
closed until further notice. As staff is working from home, the best way
to communicate with WDC is by email. Email addresses are listed below for
your convenience, and they can also be found on our website (
www.mennowdc.org/staff/).
*Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Associate Conference Minister (Kansas-Based):
kathynf@xxxxxxxxxxxx
*Nancy Funk, Administrative Assistant: wdc@xxxxxxxxxxxx
*Heidi Regier Kreider, Conference Minister: heidirk@xxxxxxxxxxxx
*Lee Lever, Interim Conference Ministry Liaison for Texas:
leelever@xxxxxxxxxxxx
*Sandra Montes-Martinez, Administrative Assistant (Texas):
sandram@xxxxxxxxxxxx
*Dwight Regier, Bi-Conference Youth Ministry Network Team Leader:
dwightr@xxxxxxxxxxxx
*Jennie Wintermote, Resource Library Director: crlib@xxxxxxxxxxxx
*Beth Yoder, Business Manager: busmgr@xxxxxxxxxxxx
2. *COVID-19 response resources:*
***How does the new CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security)
Act relate to churches? * On Friday, March 27, the President signed into
law the *CARES Act*
<https://www.vanderbloemen.com/blog/details-of-care-act> which provides
financial assistance to both 501(c)(3) organizations and small businesses.
This includes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding 2 ½ months of
an organization’s average monthly payroll costs (including benefits) as a
loan. This loan can be forgiven if the size of the organization’s workforce
remains the same in 2020 as it was in 2019. *Mennonite Church USA has
sent out more information* about this from Vanderbloemen, a Christian
staffing and search firm: Click here
<https://www.facebook.com/vanderbloemen/videos/204831917618916/?mc_cid=2224f15522&mc_eid=af2c6e3f57>
to
see a webcast from last Friday, Mar 27. Click here
<https://www.vanderbloemen.com/blog/details-of-care-act?fbclid=IwAR1V3cfaRjr1iJUAOI2YzBfUx7A9s025YOngIz65r9ySv4su8xQez_d_9mM>
for
more resources.
***Eastern Mennonite Seminary* *is offering an Online Pastors Forum, *led
by Sarah Bixler, this *Wednesday, April 1, at 3 pm (EDT)*. The spread of
COVID-19 brings unprecedented challenges for congregations. Pastoral
leaders are navigating their own personal transitions while scrambling to
take worship services online and care for their congregants. With social
distancing practices in place, how can pastors resist isolation in their
ministry during this time? Now more than ever, pastoral leaders need
networks of support and spaces for innovation. Join Sarah Bixler, EMS
instructor in formation and practical theology, for an online facilitated
conversation about the realities, challenges and innovative ideas you have
for ministry during this time. Register here to receive the Zoom link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHNebfnXzzR1x6KOdq5yZPmxQs2IxPBjM6Fnl1d9JD1AP7kA/viewform
*Camp Mennoscah announcements*
1. Camp Mennoscah will be closed at least until April 30 with respect to
your health and the statewide Stay Home order. Camp staff will be working
from home and at a distance. You can reach us at 620-297-3290 or
olivia.bartel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Keep in touch on the Camp Mennoscah
Facebook page! We send you many prayers. Stay healthy!
2. You can still sign up for summer youth camps! Camp Mennoscah is
planning to have summer youth camps, but recognizing the ever-changing
nature of the COVID-19 situation, a final decision will be made closer to
the start of camps. Your camp fees, including the non-refundable,
non-transferable deposit, will be refunded if camp is canceled. Further
information can be found at www.campmennoscah.org or by calling
620-297-3290.
3. With attention to the safety of all, our Retirees Retreat (scheduled
for April 20-22) has been cancelled. It has not been determined if the
retreat will be rescheduled for a later date. Take a moment over these next
weeks, have a personal coffee break, remember a story about Camp Mennoscah,
and know we are thinking of you.
4. Men and Boys Retreat (previously scheduled for April 3-5) at Camp
Mennoscah has been rescheduled to September 4-6, 2020!
5. The 2020 Camp Mennoscah tee shirt contest ends April 30! We're
looking for three two-word phrases representing the important parts of Camp
Mennoscah. The best combination of phrases will become our camp tee! One
(generic) example would be River play, Campfire songs, Love all. Be
creative! Send all your stunning ideas to olivia.bartel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx!
(Or send a message to the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page.)
*Mennonite church announcements*
1. The Mennonite, Inc., invites your original submissions for our June
2020 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on
*Community
in the face of COVID-19. *https://themennonite.org/june-
2020-call-submissions-community-face-covid-19/
2. Don't miss your chane to join in the work God is doing in Spain,
Colombia, Arizona, Peru, Nazareth Village or Benin. Visit
www.MennoniteMission.net/Serve <http://www.mennonitemission.net/Serve> to
learn more, or contact Lauren Eash Hershberger at:
LaurenEH@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx today! Term: 2-3 weeks. Application
deadline April 1.
3. Join an international community with peers, serve with a local
nonprofit, and plug into your neighborhood and local congregation. Join
MVS and do work that matters. Age: 20+; term: 1-2 years. Learn more at
www.MennoniteMission.net/Serve <http://www.mennonitemission.net/Serve>.
*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@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Website: www.mennowdc.org
*Lee Lever, Pastor*
*Austin Mennonite Church*
AustinMennonite.org
