GP Connect: News & Information for Wednesday, 12 February 2014

GP Connect: News & Information for Wednesday, 12 February 2014
In this edition of GPconnect:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Elkhorn Valley District administrative assistant retiring
Lenten studies at the Great Plains Resource Center
Annual membership deadline for Great Plains Resource Center extended
EQUIP DISCIPLES
Space is available at ABIDE
2014 Great Plains Annual Conference will receive items for UMCOR
Interpreter magazine features UM Mexican American Ministries
Springfield First UMC’s garden featured in rural magazine
Welcome to the new umc.org
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Dr. John Holbert of Perkins to speak Feb. 28 & March 1 in Wichita
2014 Church Growth Leadership Summit in Lincoln
Saint Paul offers Explore events
Registration open for UM clergywomen seminar
MERCY AND JUSTICE
Bishop Jones to keynote event tomorrow in Omaha
Clothing needed at Open Door in Wichita
Registration open for mission trip to Zimbabwe in August
Give Ye Them To Eat monthly newsletter
South Central Jurisdiction Work Week scheduled for April 20-25
CLASSIFIEDS
Auburn First UMC seeks administrative assistant
Elkhorn Valley District administrative assistant retiring
Sue Jensen, who has served for over 15 years as the administrative assistant in the Elkhorn Valley District will be retiring on April 15, 2014. Sue has demonstrated excellent relational skills as she has worked with four district superintendents, several pastors of local churches and numerous laity. She has been a true blessing and asset to the district.
There will be a retirement party for Sue following the Elkhorn Valley District leadership event that will end approximately 3 p.m., on March 1, at the Lifelong Learning Center located on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb. There will be a money tree available to help you express your gratitude for her dedication and service to the district. The district thanks Sue for the sacrifices she has made over the years and wish her God speed and many blessings in the future.
Cards and gifts may be sent to the Elkhorn Valley District office if you are unable to attend the celebration. Click here to download an invitation.
Elkhorn Valley District Office
PO Box 1283
406 W. Phillip Ave.
Norfolk, NE 68702-1283
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Lenten studies at the Great Plains Resource Center
As we move towards the season of Lent, Diane Dunkerson, director of the resource center, invites you to join others in a spiritual journey to the cross. Whether your group is interested in a more in depth study of the events of the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, or if you simply want to take time out of your busy life to learn more about the Christian practices of forgiveness, grace and prayer, the resource center will have a study for you.
Adam Hamilton’s Lenten studies are by far the most popular and requested studies in our library. We are so very lucky to have such a talented author and pastor as a member of our Annual Conference. Dunkerson recommends three of his Lenten studies. In “The Way: Walking In the Footsteps of Jesus,” we explore the places in the Holy Land where Jesus called his disciples and did his ministry. In six lessons we renew our baptismal vows in the chilly waters of the Jordan River, walk the desolate roads of the wilderness and see the ruins of Capernaum where Jesus healed the sick. You will climb the Mount of the Beatitudes hearing Jesus’ wonderful words of hope in your heart, fish in the Sea of Galilee and finally walk and wave your Palm branch in the city of Jerusalem. The epilogue shows us a glimpse of the places Jesus appeared after his resurrection. A leader guide, devotional, book and children and youth editions are all available with the DVD.
“The Final Words From the Cross” contains seven lessons that provide fresh insight into Jesus’ final words from the cross through the perspective of those who witnessed the crucifixion. Hamilton moves forward in the final session to those disciples who witnessed the resurrection and walked on the road to Emmaus with him. A leader guide and book are included with the DVD.
“24 Hours That Changed the World” is very familiar to many churches in Kansas and Nebraska, but there are still churches waiting to discover this diamond. This study provides material to welcome the whole church to take part in this Lenten journey. You will not only visit the holy sites where all the significant events of Holy Week took place from the Upper Room and the Mount of Olives to Calvary and the Garden Tomb, but you will gain new insights and understandings of these events that changed the world forever.
For all your Lenten study needs, email Diane Dunkerson at ddunkerson@greatplainsumc.org or call her at 800-435-6107. To see a list of all the wonderful Lenten studies available go to our online catalog at www.GPresourcecenter.org.
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Annual membership deadline for Great Plains Resource Center extended
In 2014, a congregation can choose to become a member for a one-time annual fee, or may pay on a per-use basis. The membership fee is based on the average worship attendance at the church, so small churches pay less than a large church. If a congregation only uses the resource center two or three times a year, then paying for each one that is ordered is a good option. If you would like to become a member, download the registration form or register online. The deadline has been extended to Feb. 28.
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Space is available at ABIDE
If you are part of a small membership congregation that desires to go deeper with God and to revitalize your ministry, ABIDE is for you. ABIDE will be held March 7-8, 2014, and you can choose from two locations, Ainsworth, Neb. or Salina, Kan.
ABIDE Teams
ABIDE teams are formed to establish long-term spiritual and strategic leadership in their local congregations. Teams consist of the pastor and three to ten laypersons from each church. Usually ten to 15 congregations participate and embark together on a 15-month journey to discover in faith and joy how to:
Abide in Jesus and love one another
Learn from the best teachers available
Prayerfully discern the leading of the Holy Spirit for their congregation’s future
Trust each other to claim that future for God’s glory and greater fruitfulness
Startup Structure
ABIDE begins with an overnight weekend retreat full of inspiration and instruction presented by an experienced SLI team. Participants will:
Share, celebrate, and worship together
Begin shaping a new mindset for their church
Learn the details of the ABIDE process
Decide if ABIDE is right for them and if they are prepared to continue with the process
If so, commit to meet weekly for the next month following the assignments in the notebook provided and return a month later for a second one-day retreat
Contact the Rev. Micki McCorkle, small membership church coordinator, for more information and to sign up. McCorkle can be reached at 316-978-9768 or mmcorkle@greatplainsumc.org.
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2014 Great Plains Annual Conference will receive items for UMCOR
The UMCOR receiving truck will be sent by the closest UMCOR depot, which is Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) at Chatham, Ill., a suburb of Springfield, Ill. The truck will be located at the Great Plains Lincoln Office, 3333 Landmark Circle, on June 10 and 11 to receive your items.
More information will be provided in the Annual Conference registration material regarding how to locate the office and specific hours when your gifts will be received.
Now is the time to organize your UMW, youth groups, local congregation, etc. in gathering or preparing donations to load into the truck. The best way to know how to assemble kits would be to go to www.midwestmissiondc.org and click on ‘Projects’ or ‘Kits.’ There you can see all the requirements for items.
Items currently needed include treadle sewing machines (MMDC has a repair shop to work on them), cloth diapers (MMDC has a pattern for making them), receiving blankets, hand towels and any of the UMCOR kits listed online — bedding kits, sewing kits, school kits, birthing kits, cleaning buckets, health kits and more.
NOTE: Individual/bulk items WILL be accepted in addition to complete kits.
If you have questions or need ways to motivate participation in this mission giving, contact Mary Ann Bede at stringbedes@windstream.net or 402-421-8264 or Pastor Alan Gager, conference secretary of global ministries, at agager@greatplainsumc.org.
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Interpreter magazine features United Methodist Mexican American Ministries
United Methodist Mexican American Ministries, a Mission Agency Support institution, and Garden City First UMC in Garden City, Kan., were featured in the January/February 2014 edition of the Interpreter magazine. Interpreter is published six times a year by United Methodist Communications.
Click here to read the article.
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Springfield First UMC’s garden featured in rural magazine
Springfield First UMC’s Big Rural Garden was featured in the February 2014 edition of Successful Farmer® magazine. According to their website, Successful Farming magazine shares ideas that farmers can take to the field, shop, office or home.
Click here to read the article.
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Welcome to the new umc.org
A new website for the United Methodist Church debuts today, Feb. 12, at www.umc.org. The redesign is aimed to ease access to the stories and resources of United Methodism. United Methodist Communications manages the website. To share your feedback, email umc@umcom.org.
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Dr. John Holbert of Perkins SOT at SMU to speak Feb. 28 & March 1
Dr. John Holbert, Professor Emeritus, Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, will be in Wichita, Kan. to speak at East Heights UMC. On Friday, February 28, Dr. Holbert will lead a seminar from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. for clergy (and any interested laity) called “Making the Sermon POP!” Participants will have the opportunity to review real sermons and experience Dr. Holbert’s coaching input.
On Saturday morning, March 1, Dr. Holbert will share his teachings on the Book of Job, one the most challenging books of the Bible. This Saturday event is highlighted as a wonderful laity experience. Bishop Scott Jones calls Dr. Holbert one of the “most interesting biblical scholars for lay persons … in the church today.” This event begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m.
Dr. Holbert also will preach at East Heights worship services on Sunday, March 2, at 8:45, 9:45 and 11 a.m.
For more details and registration information, download this flier or click here for the event page on the conference calendar.
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2014 Church Growth Leadership Summit in Lincoln
Join a two-day summit Apr. 28-29 in Lincoln, Neb. to discover practical strategies to grow your church! How do churches grow? There is no "one size fits all" answer. At this event open to all denominations, a diverse group of successful church leaders will share a variety of strategies. Come, listen to these leaders, listen to other engaged churches, and listen for the Spirit to move. Your church can grow. Featured speakers include: Tex Sample, Shannon Craigo-Snell and Charles Arn.
Click here to learn more or register online.
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Saint Paul offers Explore events
Explore Saint Paul is an opportunity for prospective students to visit the seminary – in either Greater Kansas City or Oklahoma City. The day includes sitting in on a class, chapel, meeting with faculty and students, touring the campus and learning more about the different degree programs and scholarship and financial aid possibilities available at Saint Paul School of Theology. Two separate Explore events will be held, March 11 or April 29. Both are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you would like more information or would like to register, click here.
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Registration open for UM clergywomen seminar
Registration is now open for the United Methodist Clergywomen Leadership Seminar, an event that offers a chance for theological reflection on women’s leadership and for the cultivation of women’s leadership skills.
The May 5-7 event, sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, is open to all UMC clergywomen — elders, deacons, local pastors and chaplains — and provides the opportunity for networking among clergywomen and women leaders of the church throughout the connection.
The seminar will be held in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The theme of the event is “Where Grace Meets Power — Standing for Each Other’s Greatness.”
Click here to read more.
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Bishop Jones to keynote event tomorrow in Omaha
Bishop Scott J. Jones will be the keynote speaker at United Methodist Ministries’ annual event, A Breakfast Awakening. The early-morning gathering will be held once again in the inviting space of Omaha’s Metropolitan Community College Institute for the Culinary Arts, and will be catered by the students. The goal of the event is to bring together United Methodist Ministries’ friends, supporters, and community partners to review the past year, share our successes, and look forward to further community engagement through collaboration. All are invited to attend.
A Breakfast Awakening will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 7-8:30 a.m. The event will be at Metropolitan Community College, Institute for the Culinary Arts. Tickets are $20 — advance purchase is required. For ticket information, contact info@bigmuddyumc.org or call 402-898-9862.
For more information about United Methodist Ministries and its programs go to www.bigmuddyumc.org.
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Clothing needed at Open Door in Wichita
United Methodist Open Door in downtown Wichita, Kan., assists more than 14,500 people in need each month. Their supply of clothing is getting low as the area deals with one of the coldest winters in decades. Information on what they need and how to donate items is available online. Open Door is one of the agencies on the Conference Advance Giving list.
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Registration open for mission trip to Zimbabwe for the Ebenezer Convention in August
Chabadza celebration at 2012 Kansas West Annual Conference
Join other Great Plains United Methodists and Bishop Scott for an historic gathering in August 2014. The group will leave Aug. 12 from Kansas and Nebraska, arrive in Zimbabwe on Aug. 13, and join thousands of United Methodists from Zimbabwe’s two conferences for a three-day convention. Following the event, trip participants will be able to work alongside their African sisters and brothers in building the church through mission projects organized by the host team leader Rev. Austern Chepiri. The team returns on Aug. 24. The cost of the trip per person is $3,196.
Click here to for more information or download the trip brochure.
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Give Ye Them To Eat monthly newsletter
Editor’s note: The following highlights a mission supported for decades by United Methodists of the former Kansas East Conference.
Give Ye Them To Eat (GYTTE) is a social outreach project and integrated development program founded in 1977 by Muriel and Terry Henderson to serve the people of an impoverished rural area in south-central Mexico. Missionaries Alejandro and Carmen continue the work by offering community-based and direct healthministries, promoting ecological construction and agricultural development, training individuals in productive rural culture, and doing much more.
Click here to read their recent newsletter. Follow them on Facebook where they regularly post photos, videos and updates on their efforts.
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South Central Jurisdiction Work Week scheduled for April 20-25
Mount Sequoyah Center in Fayetteville, Ark. will host and welcome volunteer groups from all over the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church for the 2014 Work Week set for April 20-25, 2014.
All ages and skill sets are welcome. Mount Sequoyah will offer excursion options to local attractions in and around the Fayetteville/ Northwest Arkansas area. Evenings will be time for fellowship and relaxation.
The cost ranges from $250-$375 per person depending on lodging requirements. Cost includes lodging for five nights, 15 meals, entertainment and programming
You can register online or by phone 479-443-4531. Please email Emily Gentry, emily.gentry@mountsequoyah.org, with any questions.
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Auburn First UMC seeks administrative assistant
Auburn First UMC in Auburn, Neb., is accepting applications for a part-timeadministrative assistant. Duties require general office skills and excellent interpersonal, communication and computer skills. Please send a letter of application and resume to: SPRC Chair, 1205 L Street, Auburn, NE 68305, or email to auburnumc@windstream.net. Application deadline is Feb. 21, 2014.
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Editorial Policy: The content, news, events and announcement information distributed in GPconnect is not sponsored or endorsed by the Great Plains Methodist Conference unless specifically stated.
Want to submit a letter to the editor? Email Kathryn Witte at kwitte@greatplainsumc.org
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