
Our Identity
We are an
Anabaptist
Mennonite
Community situated in the heart of Wichita, Kansas (see the
map). As of September
2016, we have
22 covenanted
members, 8 children under the age of eighteen, and about 5 non-member
participants.
Anabaptist Mennonite
We are dedicated to following Christ in the radical
tradition of Anabaptist-Mennonites. We are members of the
Mennonite Church U.S.A.
Mennonites trace their lineage back to
Menno Simons,
a leader of the
Anabaptist movement during the
16th century Reformation. As followers of Christ, the Anabaptists
embraced nonviolence, loved neighbor and enemy, built a community of equals, and shared
materially. We try to bring that commitment and spirit to the city of
Wichita in the 21st century.
Neo-Monastic
We also identify with the "New
Monastic Movement," which is
characterized by
twelve marks.
These marks include, practicing spiritual disciplines as the way
of Christ, sharing economic resources with community members, practicing
hospitality to the stranger, humble submission to Christ's body (the
church), nurturing the common life, and keeping the Rule of
Christ (Matt. 18:15-20).
Our "monastic" character is summarized by
our three identity statements:
Committing ourselves to radical and
biblical spirituality
Living in relational and accountable
community
Seeking Christ's peace within and in
the world
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Our Covenant
Every year during Easter week, we
gather to renew our membership or become a new member by signing the
following covenant.
We commit ourselves to following Jesus Christ, through whom God has made friends
with the world and in whom we continue the the work of reconciliation.
We commit ourselves to each other, the church, to love our brothers and sisters in Gods
family, sharing our decisions, our talents, our time, and our possessions.
We
commit ourselves to caring for the world, to bringing good news to the poor and setting
free the oppressed, to proclaiming Jesus the Servant as Liberator and Lord.
We commit ourselves to the
way of the cross, to a life of simplicity and prayer, in this is our joy, peace, and new
life.
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Our Understandings
To supplement Our Covenant, we have written
Our Understandings,
which function like "by-laws" for the church. It clarifies the meaning of the
covenant, the process we call covenanting, church life, and leadership.
We affirmed our current
Understandings on November 17, 2013.
Our Confession of Faith
We affirm A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective
(Scottdale, Pennsylvania, Herald, 1996). Here is an official
summary.
Our Sharing Fund
We
maintain a small Sharing Fund in an account separate from our general
fund for the specific purpose of aiding members and participants who have
financial needs. Such money can be considered a l.o.a.n or a gift.
These funds are made available by the treasurer after approval by
at least two members of the Church Council (excepting the pastor and the
treasurer). The current
Sharing Fund Policy
(June 15, 2014)
gives details for administration of this fund.
Our Mission
Our mission is to build "a community
covenanted to follow the way of Jesus Christ through practicing peace and
reconciliation, sharing our lives in love and accountability, and
bringing the good news of the Reign of God to the world."
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Shepherds
Lois Barrett
Pat Cameron
Vangie Truex
Marcia Stoesz
Ministers
Lynn Schlosser
Moderator
Bret Preheim
Treasurer
Jeanette Stucky
Trustees
Tom Mierau
Cindy Snider
Doug vonEhrenkrook
Contact Us
Google Map
Email:
mcswichita@gmail.com
Phone: 316-260-9095
Address:
2401 North Woodland
Wichita, KS 67204
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Etching of Dirk Willems, who rescued his jailor, but was then
executed for being an Anabaptist (1569). Source: John S. Oyer and
Robert Kreider, Mirror of the Martyrs (Good Books, 1990).
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Policies & Practices
Our
safe sanctuary policy offers precautionary
guidelines in a spirity of care for the most vulnerable among us. We
recognized that the care of children rests not just with parents but the
entire church community, and we encourage everyone to be diligent about
the care of our children.
Building Use Policy
Child
Care Policy
Decision Making at MCS
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