Home - Central Plains Mennonite Conference

The mission of Central Plains Mennonite Conference is to create settings for our congregations and partners to grow in holistic witness to God's reconciling mission in the world by developing leadership, encouraging fellowship and promoting lifelong discipleship.

Pastors and Spouses Seek Balance
More than 40 pastors and pastor's spouses had a great time together at the annual retreat April 27 – 29, 2012, at the St. Benedict Center in Schuyler, Nebraska. David and Janice Yordy Sutter, pastors at Kern Road Mennonite Church in South Bend, Indiana, spoke on the theme of finding balance in ministry. They named four areas that need to be in balance: the spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual.
In addition to the input, the group worshiped together and had time for relaxing and visiting during meals and free time. See photos on our Facebook page.

New Resources from Menno Media
See what's new at Menno Media! Two national awards, a "Top Pick" VBS curriculum, a new Bible commentary...see for yourself!

Youth Escape 2012: August 3-5 in Central Iowa
Youth Escape 2012 is for our youth to focus on their relationship with God. The theme, Plugged In & Charging, reminds us that sometimes we need to give ourselves a break from texting, Facebook, and gaming to connect with the God who calls us and loves us. Knowing God is more vital to faith formation than knowing about God, so everything we do in worship and breakouts at Youth Escape will show kids new ways to communicate with God.
Sponsors, encourage your group to register together for Youth Escape 2012. Flyers and registration forms have been mailed to churches. Questions? See the Youth Escape page , or contact Shana Peachey Boshart at 319-936-5905.

Dive: A new devotional book for teens
      High school youth had a direct hand in shaping the development of a devotional book for their age group. Dive: Devotions for Deeper Living is a new release by Herald Press. The author, Cindy Massanari Breeze, dedicated the book “to the youth of First Mennonite Church in Urbana, Ill.” because the book was actually their idea.
      Rooted in Scripture and prayer, the devotional looks at a variety of issues important to youth who want to grow in their relationship with God. Woven through more than 100 meditations is the guarantee of God’s unconditional love and acceptance, the assurance that each young person is a worthwhile creation, and the challenge to courageously grow in faith.
      Dive covers difficult topics like trauma and failure. But it also offers plenty of humor, real-life stories, and celebration. Each topical section in the book concludes with specific suggestions for “living it out.” This would be a great graduation gift for seniors.

Scattered Seeds is available in Spanish
The February 2012 issue of the Scattered Seeds has been translated into Spanish. Paper copies of the Semillas Esparcidas will be mailed within a week to each of our Spanish-language churches. Our goal is to have the Spanish version of the newsletter available at the same time as the English version in the future.

From the WDC Library
What's the Buzz? The new on-line library catalog is the Buzz! Visit it soon. Using your very own PIN, you can log in and reserve and renew books on-line, as well as check your library patron account. We mean to serve you very well - so call or email soon to get your PIN! www.mennowdc.org/library/catalog/—Marlene Bogard, director / 316-283-6300

"Take Faith Home" in 2012
Now is a good time to order Taking Faith Home, a great resource for your congregation’s families. This weekly bulletin insert gives families daily Bible readings and prayers on one side, and on the other side, practical ideas for family devotions, faith conversations, service, and traditions. For $50, your congregation receives bulletin inserts for the whole year. Taking Faith Home follows the Revised Common Lectionary, which will be a bonus for congregations that follow the RCL, but should not deter those who do not. The lectionary year begins with Advent, so Year B is now available.

Web page on Conscientious Objection is updated
Our page on Conscientious Objection has been updated. The How To Create a CO File document has been updated. New on the page are links to brochures from the Center on Conscience and War, Who is a CO? and Should I register? As before, the Christian Peacemaker Registration Form is available, but now we also have a link to the Spanish version. Other Spanish resources include the brochure "Do You Know Enough to Enlist?" (also in English) from the American Friends Service Committee and Third Way Cafe's pages on peace theology in the Spanish language. Check it out!

Congregational Budgeting Packet
Mennonite Church USA has created a budgeting packet to help congregational finance and stewardship committees develop annual spending plans for their congregations. The packet includes information about Mennonite Church USA organizations and how much to give, reasons for supporting area conference and denomination, check writing options and other resources on stewardship and charitable giving.

Curriculum for keeping kids safe
The children and youth in your church want to be safe; you want them to be safe too. The Circle of Grace curriculum helps to open channels of communication between adults and children and youth in your congregation about this important subject. Supplement your current Sunday School curriculum with Circle of Grace . Lessons are self-contained and grade-specific, with 1-4 age-appropriate lessons each year for children and youth in preschool through 12th grade. The curriculum is available in English and Spanish. It is provided on CD, and it includes training and an implementation checklist.

Thanks to a generous donation, Circle of Grace is available to Mennonite Church USA churches for no charge. Visit the Dove's Nest website (www.DovesNest.net) for an overview of the curriculum and to request a copy of the Circle of Grace curriculum for your church today. For information, email .

Do you have students in Lincoln?
Third Way Fellowship, the campus group related to First Mennonite Church, Lincoln, Neb., requests the email addresses and telephone numbers of Mennonite students who may be at school there. TWF meets weekly in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Student Union for Bible study, discussion, and fellowship. Send information to David Orr: or call 402-467-1526 .

New resource for families with children
Growing Deeper is a packet of ideas and help for parents as they nurture faith at home. It includes the book Sleeping with Bread and was sent to each congregation from Annual Meeting. The Christian Formation Committee intends for this book and packet to be put into your church library. A bulletin announcement was in the packet to explain and promote the material in your congregation.

Readings bring Anabaptist leaders to life
Anabaptist Dramatic Readings bring to life the colorful personalities of Michael Sattler, Menno Simons, Margaret Hellwart and others as they deal with state authorities and Anabaptists with opposing viewpoints. Alan and Eleanor Kreider, former Mennonite Mission Network workers, originally developed the readings for use by Anabaptist Study Groups in England. At the request of Mennonite Education Agency and Mennonite Schools Council, the Kreiders have prepared them for wider distribution.

Have you see the new Talkabout?
Talk about impressive!! The at-home discussion starters that accompany the Gather 'Round material are now easy-to-use leaflets and bulletin announcements. See for yourself and be sure the Talkabout is ordered with your curriculum. If you are serious about equipping parents to nurture faith at home, you want to see this!

For your mid-week kid's club
There are great curriculum options for Mennonite churches offering a mid-week children's ministry! There are more curricula available now than just two years ago, plus a number of wonderful resources to supplement or adapt. Check out the list of resources we put together on the Christian Formation page.

Wondering what to think about immigration?
Central Plains Outreach & Service Committee encourages conference congregations to explore what the Bible says about immigration. The committee has assembled a study kit that can be borrowed by Central Plains congregations. Find it on the committee's web page on immigration.

Free Spanish language e-zine
Meno Acontecer is a free monthly Spanish language electronic magazine. It is the joint effort of Hispanic Pastoral and Leadership Education, The Mennonite and Iglesia Menonita Hispana (IMH) to keep the entire church informed. Email MenoAcontecerthemennonite.org to subscribe.

Take Our Moments and Our Days prayer books are out in hardcover
Both volumes of this wonderful prayer book are now available in hardcover. The first volume is a four-week cycle of morning and evening prayer services for Ordinary Time. The second volume contains prayers for Advent through Pentecost. A distinctive Anabaptist flavor is evident in the predominance of Jesus' voice, space for communal reflection on scripture, and the choices of Bible readings. While the previous editions were bulky and somewhat hard to handle, these new hardcover books have thin pages and better binding. Order from www.mpn.net.

Executive Conference Minister Dave Boshart has published a book which presents interesting case studies of new churches in Central Plains, describing their struggles, challenges and opportunities. Dave’s research explores the relationship between conference and denominational structures and church plants in order to understand how conferences can best be positioned to support new church development and to understand the gifts that new churches bring to the established churches and leaders. Becoming Missional: Denominations and New Church Development in Complex Social Contexts is available on the publisher’s web site, WipfandStock.com, and on Amazon.com.

The Shalom Readers Club is a wonderful resource for faith formation. Children read books that promote Jesus’ way of peace, guided by one or two committed adults in your congregation. Everything you need to understand and implement the club is provided on our Shalom Readers Club pages. Shalom Readers Club can easily be incorporated into most Sunday School or mid-week children’s programs. SRC is sponsored by the Central Plains Outreach & Service Committee.

Sunday School Teachers, did you know about Roundabout, the monthly tip sheet for teachers of the Gather ’Round? Find it on the Gather ’Round web site. This site has quite an array of resources and helps for teachers, parents and congregations. Superintendents and Christian Education committees, please distribute the Roundabout to teachers each month. Teachers and superintendents will also want to subscribe to Roundabout Online, the monthly e-newsletter.

Behind the camouflage: A primer on military enlistment for youth pastors, mentors and counselors is an online resource that equips youth pastors, sponsors and mentors to give good counsel, both practical and spiritual, to youth who are considering military enlistment. Download it here.

Help for Church Librarians
The Western District Conference Resource Library web site has a number of helpful documents posted for church librarians. They give advice on planning a church library, weeding the library, selection policies and promoting the library.

Youth Escape 2010 went very well, thanks be to God! Ninety-two youth, 32 youth sponsors and 28 volunteer staff had a wonderful time together July 30 through August 1. All responded favorably to speaker Shane Claiborne’s challenge to deeper discipleship to Jesus Christ. An offering of $373 was given for Edu-Paz, the neighborhood peace education ministry of Quito Mennonite Church. On Saturday night, the group played the game “Persecution” which teaches the stories of the early Anabaptists in a fun, active way. Sunday worship wrapped up the weekend with an invitation to express a deeper commitment to the Way of Jesus. Thank you for your prayers for Youth Escape!