Western District Conference Annual Delegate Assembly Agenda

August 5, 2017 –8:30 am – 12:00 Noon - Delegates sit at assigned table groups

Worship

Welcome and table talk – Anita Kehr, moderator

Roll call and introduction of guests - Ray Reimer, moderator-elect

Review of minutes – Allen Jantz, secretary

  • Proposed action: Approve minutes of July 30, 2016, delegate assembly

State of the conference report – Heidi Regier Kreider, conference minister

Commission reports (see Report Book and financial report posted separately for written reports)

Ministerial Leadership Commission – June Thomsen, chair

Church Planting Commission – Marvin Zehr, chair

Resource Commission – Jeff Koller, chair

Stewardship Commission report – Phyllis Regier, business manager

Table Talk

Break

Credentials report – Credentials Committee

Discussion of proposed 2018 budget

  • Proposed action: Approve 2018 budget (see attachment)

Presentation of ballot – Gifts Discernment Committee

  • Proposed action: Approve ballot (see attachment)

Presentation of amendment to bylaws

  • Proposed action: Approve amendment to Bylaw 3. A.1.d. (see attachment)

Tending to WDC membership

  • Proposed action: Approve release of Kingman Mennonite Church from membership in WDC (see attachment)

Reports from selected institutional relationships (see Report Book for other reports)

  • Mennonite Church USA – Glen Guyton, chief operating officer
  • Camp Mennoscah – Michael Unruh, executive director

Open microphone conversation

Closing

  • Announcement of WDC Fall 2017 Reference Council
  • Announcement of WDC Annual Assembly 2018
  • Resolution of thanks

Adjournment

2017 Annual WDC Delegate Assembly - Proposed Delegate Actions:

To approve annual delegate assembly minutes of July 30, 2016 (see document posted separately)

To approve proposed 2018 budget (see document posted separately)

To approve ballot of nominees for Executive Board and commissions (see documented posted separately)

To amend Western District Conference Bylaw 3. Commissions, Section A. Ministerial Leadership Commission, 1. Duties, point d.

  • Current reading: “Support a code of ministerial ethics in keeping withA Mennonite Polity for Ministerial Leadership.
  • Proposed amendment: “Support a code of ministerial ethics in keeping with Mennonite Church USA documents.”
  • Rationale: The bookA Mennonite Polity for Ministerial Leadershiphas been replaced byA Shared Understanding of Ministerial Leadership, making that point in our bylaws obsolete. By broadening our reference to Mennonite Church USA documents, we will not need to amend the constitution if/when the name of the book changes, and it also becomes inclusive to updates in other documents like the Ministerial Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedure.

To approve release of Kingman (KS) Mennonite Church from membership in Western District Conference.

  • Rationale: Kingman Mennonite Church has requested release from membership in Western District Conference, citing differences in theological beliefs and convictions relating to the issue of human sexuality, specifically as it relates to a accepting individuals who are engaged in same sex relationships, and in response to WDC's adoption of the "Rainbow Resolution" in October 2015. Kingman Mennonite Church plans to join South Central Mennonite Conference.