Central District Conference

05/28/2026

Josh Richardson was ordained in his role as pastor at St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship (Missouri) this past Sunday, May 24. Congratulations, Josh!
Photo credit: Paula Luginbill

05/22/2026

Phil Yoder, lead pastor of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Ohio published an article in the forthcoming June issue of Anabaptist World on how their congregation is thoughtfully observing the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country.
We encourage you to read it here:

“Why are we doing anything related to the United States’ 250th year of independence?” a member of our church asked after looking at the brochure of our yearlong worship series, “USA at 250.” “Shouldn’t we just ignore it?”

05/19/2026

Connector Highlights
In case you missed it in the recent Connector, the CDC leadership council recently attended a training on power.

CDC Leadership Council Learns about Power
by Sarah Werner

In late April the CDC leadership council met for their biannual meeting with the addition of a few special guests to attend a training on power and boundaries. The leadership council consists of the conference board, the ministerial committee, the missional church committee, and conference staff. We were joined that weekend by the gifts discernment committee and the resolutions committee along with the board of Camp Friedenswald. The training was led by justice educators Alicia T. Crosby and AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez to help the conference leadership become more attuned to the complexities of power dynamics in our decision-making and governance structure.
Participants shared experiences of power imbalances, particularly in religious and community contexts, highlighting the importance of addressing invisible and unnamed power. The discussion emphasized the need for restorative practices, integrity, community alignment, convergence, and expansive justice. Key points included the impact of power on marginalized communities, the role of institutional knowledge, and the necessity of continuous, interconnected justice work.
During the workshops we had a chance to discuss within our committees how power and authority are wielded, and how we can take collective responsibility for addressing potential power imbalances in our work. We also had the opportunity to discuss scenarios of injustice in local congregations that involved immigrant families, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals, single people, and disabled and neurodivergent parishioners. Our groups assessed the situation and made a plan for how to address the problem and right the situation.
The training emphasized the interconnectedness of inner, relational, and structural work in promoting equity and justice and gave CDC leadership some important tools to continue working for equity and inclusion in the conference.

05/18/2026

Ben Kreider was ordained as pastor of Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship (NC) yesterday. He is pictured here with Conference Minister Doug Luginbill. Photos by Xaris Martinez. Congratulations, Ben!

05/14/2026

Central District Conference Weekly Announcements -

This month we are gearing up for CDC's Annual Meeting (June 25-27) with a preview issue filled with all the details of worship, youth programming, seminars, and more! There are also stories about our conference's relationship with Mennonite Church Manitoba and a recent training on power dynamics wit...

05/14/2026

Central District Conference and Mennonite Church Manitoba are developing a relationship through "Companion Congregations" and through conversations between Michael Pahl (MC Manitoba Executive Minister) and CDC Conference Minister, Doug Luginbill. Doug found this article to provide excellent wisdom for healthy congregations.

https://www.commonword.ca/Browse/8205This is the ninth in a series of reflection...

05/07/2026

Central District Conference Weekly Announcements -

The Lunch and Learn on Dementia and Congregational Care was this past Wednesday. If you missed it and would like to view a recording, please email Sarah Werner at [email protected]

05/06/2026

Noah Raines was licensed for specific ministry as a church planter at New Life in Fellowship in Wooster, OH on Sunday, May 3. Congratulations, Noah!
Photos: Paula Luginbill

05/01/2026

A Summer Camp Opportunity: Quaker Haven Camp in Syracuse, IN, is inviting youth going into grades 6-12 to experience "Blessed are the Peacemakers" June 7-11. This is another opportunity to experience a Christian camp with a peace witness and focus. See the flyer below for more information. -Doug Luginbill