10218 SE 12 St., Whitewater, Ks 67154
March 31, 2025
Prayer (from Christ Collides Lent at Home):
God, we confess that we are selfish. We often lose perspective of how our personal needs and desires fit into your dream for the community. Help us release the things that we hold too tightly.
To Congregations and Pastors in the Newton area,
Interfaith prayer vigil gathering: WDC will host an in-person gathering on Thursday, April 3, beginning at 5:15 pm at KIPCOR (Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution), 2515 College Avenue, North Newton, KS, to watch the online interfaith prayer vigil on the eve of the first hearing of Mennonite Church USA’s historic lawsuitagainst the Department of Homeland Security’s rescission of the sensitive locations memo. Congregation members and friends are welcome to come gather in solidarity, lifting prayers for justice, compassion and the protection of immigrant communities. (For individuals who prefer to join separately online, you may RSVP here.) For more information see below…
| Sensitive Locations, Sacred Spaces Prayer VigilJoin MC USA for an interfaith prayer vigilon the eve of the first hearing of our coalition’s historic lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security’s rescission of the sensitive locations memo. The vigil will take place on Thursday, April 3rd, at 6:30 p.m.ET at National City Christian Church in Washington, DC. Together, we will gather in person and online in solidarity, lifting prayers for justice, compassion and the protection of immigrant communities. All are welcome to stand with us in this moment of faith and resolve.If you and your congregation can attend in person, we strongly encourage you to do so! For those congregations that are not able to attend in person, please consider gathering together to hold your own in-person prayer vigil or join with others in your local context and watch the livestreamed event in community. Please prioritize the safety of all in doing so. Please invite your members and community to RSVP to register here to attend in person or via livestream. Thursday, April 3rd 6:30 p.m. ET National City Christian Church (also livestreamed) 5 Thomas Circle NW WDC 20005 (Directions and parking) Please note: Our legal team has asked us to limit access to the hearing to just the plaintiffs’ representatives and to avoid gathering at or near the courthouse on the day of the hearing. Please convey this to those members who may be planning to attend in person.  Jon Carlson. Moderator, Mennonite Church USA |
| Shareable social media post (use image above): Join us for an interfaith prayer vigil on the eve of our historic lawsuit against DHS’s rescission of the sensitive locations memo. Thu., April 3 6:30pm National City Christian Church, DC. Stand with us in faith and solidarity. Register to attend in person or via the livestream: https://tinyurl.com/mr3xdv58 |
| For deeper backgroundOur Anabaptist witness as Mennonites by MC USA Associate Executive Director of Operations Iris de León-HartshornThe free exercise of our faith by MC USA Associate Executive Director of Church Vitality Michael DannerAssociate Press story about the lawsuit |
Michelle Hiebert, Administrative Assistant
Western District Conference
2517 North Main, PO Box 306
North Newton, KS 67117
(316) 283-6300
wdc@mennowdc.org
www.mennowdc.org
Karen Andres will be available to the congregation for critical pastoral care and funeral needs in the short term. Please contact Care Council Chair Doug Claassen with any care needs during this time of transition for our congregation.
Karen Andres will be filling the pulpit throughout Lent – Sunday, March 9 through Easter Sunday, April 20.
Western District Conference: Pray for WDC Commissions meeting this month, as they provide ministries to support congregations and leaders in the conference.