GP Connect - News & Announcement from The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church for Wednesday, 30 April 2014
In this edition of GPconnect:
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trained early responders needed for tornado clean-up
Connectional Table Seeks to Focus Sexuality Discussion
Need childcare for the Great Plains Annual Conference Session?
EQUIP DISCIPLES
Aldersgate Covenant seeks spiritual revival
Discover a time of fun-filled learning about you, God and your church
Small Wonders conference for laity and clergy in small membership churches
Great Plains UMW at #Assembly2014
Trinity UMC men reenact the Last Supper
Invitation to contemporary Christian benefit concert
Pastor named visiting summer scholar at St. Olaf College
Miller UMC’s Annual Family Night held April 27
Registration open for fine arts camp at Christ UMC in Lincoln, Neb.
UMCOM offers training
Women’s studies at the resource center
Newsletter links
MERCY AND JUSTICE
Ogallala disaster ERT training this Saturday
CLASSIFIEDS
Woodland UMC in Wichita looking for custodian
Organ available to church in need
Pew cushions available to church in need
Southwestern College seeks director for discipleship program
Director of adult spiritual formation needed in Wichita
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Trained early responders needed for tornado clean-up in Baxter Springs
Trained early responders are needed for clean-up in the aftermath of the Sunday tornado that hit Baxter Springs, Kansas.
Those interested must have completed ERT training. Following is critical information needed for those planning to volunteer:
•Lodging is available at the Baxter Springs UMC, or in motels at nearby towns. If you plan to stay at the church, you will need to be totally self sufficient.
oBring your own linens/sleeping bag for overnights.
oBring your own food, utensils, personal care items, cleaning and paper products (pretend you are on a primitive camping trip).
•Volunteer by contacting the Rev. Russell Anderson, regional disaster response coordinator, at 620-714-1499.
If volunteers would like to bring extra bottled water it would be greatly appreciated.
For more information on the tornado damage and the Great Plains United Methodist response, go to the Great Plains website where you can also make monetary donations.
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Connectional Table Seeks to Focus Sexuality Discussion
Meeting in Chicago today, the Connectional Table affirmed the value of continuing in conversation about human sexuality, while also beginning to draft legislation for further consideration by the body.
The Connectional Table voted to begin developing language that would demonstrate what a change to the Book of Discipline might look like. The stated goal was to further the conversation, while allowing time for discernment, input, and opportunities to improve recommendations the Table might make to the General Conference.
“The Connectional Table believes that we need some specific language to inform the discussion before we can seek effective feedback from the Connection and fully discern what our next steps will be," said Bishop Bruce Ough, chair of the Connectional Table. “This decision has empowered the Table to begin developing such language, which would be open to debate, amendment, and improvement before any final decision is made on adoption.”
The action followed the first of three live-streamed events hosted by the Connectional Table over the next 12 months, designed to foster ongoing conversation about sexuality issues in the wider church, as well as among its 59 members.
“Today's conversation was a valuable one,” said Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, chair of the Human Sexuality Task Force. “As we continue this dialogue and begin working on specific language to help us discern how our Discipline can best reflect the spirit and witness of The United Methodist Church, we ask for prayers and input from others within the Connection."
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Need childcare for the Great Plains Annual Conference Session?
The deadline for childcare is tomorrow, May 1. Register now.
Annual Conference is scheduled for June 11-14, 2014, in Lincoln, Neb. Information specific to childcare is posted at www.greatplainsumc.org/ac-childcare.
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Aldersgate Covenant seeks spiritual revival
United Methodists are invited to attend a gathering of the Aldersgate Covenant on May 16-17 at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan. This is not a typical church meeting. In this commentary on UMC.org, Mary Brooke Casad, former executive secretary of the Connectional Table, and Arkansas Area Bishop Gary Mueller shared the background and purpose of this prayer gathering. The Aldersgate Covenant meeting 20 years ago helped lead to the mission statement for the United Methodist denomination.
As was true 20 years ago, we are a diverse group of laity and clergy seeking revival that will truly enable The United Methodist Church to carry out our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in bold new ways. We are not associated with any interest group, caucus or organization in the United Methodist Church. …
The purpose is simple. We will engage in prayer, worship and watching for a revival of the Holy Spirit over 20 hours to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit for those present, and for the United Methodist connection as a whole. Additional information and registration forms can be accessed at www.aldersgatecovenant.org
We believe a sign of God’s grace has already been evidenced in the timing of this event. As our church continues to struggle with various viewpoints and interpretations of the issues of our day, anxiety runs deep throughout our connection. The opportunity to gather and pray for our church’s spiritual revival is indeed timely and — perhaps more than any other time in recent years — absolutely necessary.
While this event is not organized by the Great Plains conference, Bishop Scott Jones and the Rev. Amy Lippoldt were on the steering team that planned the event. All laity and clergy are welcome to join the gathering.
Photo: Mary Brooke Casad and Bishop Gary Mueller
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Discover a time of fun-filled learning about you, God and your church
Spend one week with a diverse group of teens who share your interest in God and see yourself grow in the faith. If you’re not a teen read on to see how you can invest in a teen having this life changing experience.
Mini-youTheology is a time when young people together will worship, serve in the community, explore what it means to be United Methodist and how God might be calling them. They also experience what it means to love God and others through this community that is enhanced by doing spiritual disciplines.
If you are a high school sophomore, junior or senior, you should register for this amazing, life changing week.
If you are an adult interest in youth, encourage a youth to have this incredible experience that results in amazing growth.
Find out how to register and/or help a young person register at youtheology.net/belong.
It’s your time. Don’t delay. Go to youtheology.net/belong, for this amazing time. Registrations close on May 23.
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Small Wonders: a conference for laity and clergy in small membership churches
Laity and clergy from churches with 75 people or fewer in worship needing resources and ideas for vital ministry will want to attend the Small Wonders conference. If you have ever been to a workshop and thought, “This is great – but it’s not feasible in our congregation,” this is the conference for you! Organized by the Rev. Micki McCorkle, Small Membership Church Coordinator for the Great Plains Conference, the sessions are intended to create an experience that will help you in your ministry setting. The conference will be held Friday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m., through Saturday, Oct. 11, at 5 p.m., on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kan. Save the date and go to www.GreatPlainsUMC.org/SmallWonders for more information including names of speakers and a list of workshop topics.
Download the event flier.
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Great Plains UMW at #Assembly2014
More than 180 United Methodist Women from the Great Plains traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, April 25-27 to attend the National UMW Assembly. At this quadrennial event women from around the world gather to learn more about the scope of the work of UMW in the general church, local communities and on global initiatives that benefit women, children and youth. This was the first time the Great Plains UMW was represented at a national event.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage in meaningful worship, listen to nationally recognized speakers, attend workshops and participate in local mission and justice activities. The event theme was “Make It Happen” with a scriptural focus on the feeding of the five thousand that challenged attendees to think beyond limited resources and do more in terms of mission, justice and practicing hospitality in the community. Hillary Rodham Clinton encourage attendees: “We need to wake up our world to what can and should be done,” she said. United Methodist women have a great tradition of “rolling up our sleeves and taking the social gospel into the world.”
A more detailed account of the event with photos will be posted next week.
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Trinity UMC men reenact the Last Supper
The men of Trinity UMC, in Kimball Neb., completed a very successful run of Da Vinci's "Last Supper." The men did three amazing performances during Holy Week, Sunday evening (with a snowstorm raging), Tuesday night and Thursday night. People came from many different areas of the Nebraska Panhandle to enjoy the performance.
For those unfamiliar with this pageant, the men are made-up to look like the characters in the painting. They are posed exactly like their characters, sitting motionless until it's their turn to perform. Through the performance, each character "comes to life" and explains his involvement in the Last Supper, always staying in character. Each man does an impressive job of portraying his character. The finale is when Jesus "comes to life" and speaks. They performed before nearly 400 people through the week and amazed family, friends and neighbors.
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Invitation to contemporary Christian benefit concert
The mission team from St. Paul's UMC in Lenexa, Kan., invites everyone to a benefit concert featuring Mitch McVicker on Wednesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. McVicker is a contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter, who attended Friends University in Wichita, Kan.
A freewill donations will go to reStart, a local nonprofit committed to providing housing and supportive services to homeless children, youth, families, men and women in Kansas City.
View the flier for more information.
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Pastor named visiting summer scholar at St. Olaf College
The Rev. Dr. Craig Finnestad, pastor at The Water's Edge UMC, in Omaha, Neb., has been named a visiting summer scholar at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. St. Olaf is home to the Howard and Edna Hong Kierkegaard Library, which contains the largest collection of Kierkegaard* books, journals and documents in the English speaking world. Finnestad will be researching Kierkegaard's three primary interests — anxiety, boredom and despair — and writing about their implications for today's American culture.
*Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, (1813-1855) was a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher.
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Miller UMC’s Annual Family Night held April 27
Miller UMC, in Miller, Neb., hosted its annual family night on April 27. During the family night Hannah Robbins, from Elm Creek, Neb., performed a medley of religious songs along with other well-known songs, on her accordion. More than 60 parishioners and visitors from surrounding communities attended the event. After the entertainment, all enjoyed food and fellowship — including refreshments made by the United Methodist Women.
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Registration open for fine arts camp at Christ UMC in Lincoln, Neb.
Christ UMC in Lincoln, Neb., will hold their annual Fine Arts Camp for children currently in kindergarten through fifth grade, June 23-27. The camp, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, allows students to prepare musical performance which will be presented on Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m. This is a great activity for children who love to sing, dance and act. It is open to anyone from any church or community who would like to attend. View more information and registration forms. Auditions are May 7, so register today.
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UMCOM offers training
United Methodist Communications is offering training opportunities starting in May.
Are you a lifelong United Methodist? Are you new to United Methodism? United Methodism 101 is designed for new church members and anyone else wanting to know more about our history, structure, beliefs, ministries and challenges. You may be surprised at all there is to discover about our demonization. This course includes four web-based lessons, each with many interactive features. Lessons take about 30 minutes to complete and costs $9.99. Lessons dates are May 14-June 25 – registration ends May 13. Upon successful completion, learners are awarded 0.5 ALLLM CEU.
There are six additional lessons that will be held May 7-June 18. Those lessons include Communicating Faith in the 21st Century ($29), Connectional Giving (FREE), Moodle 100: Basic Training ($119), Moodle 300: Course Facilitation ($119), Web Ministry 100: What Is Web Ministry? ($49) and Welcoming Ministry 100 ($29). All six courses award 1 ALLLM CEU. Registration ends May 6.
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Women’s studies at the resource center
During the month of May I would like to highlight many of the wonderful studies at the resource center that not only celebrate the lives of the women of the Bible, but also speak to the issues faced by women today and their walk in the life of faith.
In the six-week study, “The Christ-Centered Woman, Finding Balance in a World of Extremes” Kimberly Dunnam Reisman provides a guide for helping women find balance at every age and stage of life using the book of Ephesians Chapter 3. She challenges women to ask the question “How do I make choices that reflect my relationship with Christ and his direction for my life?” The leader and participant guides, as well as a pocket sized preview book, are included with the six lessons.
1.Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing “Good Enough”
2.Fighting Fragmentation with Temperance
3.Finding Your Identity Through Self Discovery and Authenticity
4.Valuing Your Calling
5.Recognizing Your Power and Purpose
6.Being Flexible
Whether you are a woman of biblical times or of the modern day, the demands and expectations of life can often feel overwhelming. In “Twelve Women of the Bible” we meet six Old Testament women and six New Testament women who encountered God and were changed. Lysa TerKeurst and five other women presenters provide not only insights into these biblical women’s lives but connect their lives with ours of today, challenging but also encouraging us to be open to God’s transforming power. A study guide is included with the twelve women featured.
1.Eve: finding lasting contentment in the truth
2.Rebekah: breaking free of feminine stereotypes
3.Leah: overcoming rejection and insecurity
4.Hannah: surrendering in waiting
5.Abigail: dealing with confrontation in relationships
6.Gomer: learning to accept unconditional love
7.Mary, Mother of Jesus: moving from comfort to courage
8.Mary Magdalene: transforming from outcast to follower
9.Mary of Bethany: putting faith into action
10.Martha: finding our identity in Jesus
11.The Woman at the Well: turning our messes into messages
12.The Syrophoenician Woman: approaching God with persistency and boldness
To view a complete listing of all our women’s studies go to our online catalog at www.gpresourcecenter.org or contact Diane Dunkerson at ddunkerson@greatplainsumc.org to reserve your study today.
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Newsletter links
•General Board of Church & Society: Support Workers - Raise the Minimum Wage
•United Methodist Communications: How does the UMC give witness to God’s call for peace and justice?
•Money & Ministry – April 2014: Naming Opportunities
•The Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Partner with the Lewis Center
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Ogallala disaster ERT training this Saturday
Emergency response training can bless a life following the chaos and destruction of a disaster.
One disaster victim recalls, “When my home was damaged first by a flood and then by a fire, it was difficult to feel God’s presence or to grasp the impact of the disaster on my life. I felt alone, bewildered, and confused. In the early days after the disaster early response volunteers who were total strangers to me arrived and offered to help sort through the debris. They treated me so kindly, respectfully touched my damaged possessions and listened as I expressed my grief.”
Would you like to be trained as an early responder and be equipped to offer this type of active compassion? You are invited to attend a one-day UMCOR training class.
The training in Ogallala, Neb., on May 3, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Ogallala First UMC (421 N. Spruce St.). Register here.
The training in Grand Island, Neb., on May 10, will also be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Grand Island Trinity UMC (511 N. Elm St.). Register here.
The cost for the disaster training is $25, which covers meal, training materials, t-shirt and ERT badge. Download a flier.
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Woodland UMC in Wichita looking for custodian
Woodland UMC in Wichita, Kan., is looking for a part time custodian (25 hours per week). If you would like more information, including full job description and application, contact Michelle Reed, pastor at Woodland UMC, at 316-265-6669 or pastormichelle@woodlandumc.com.
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Organ available to church in need
A free, two-tiered organ with foot pedals is available for free to a church in need. The organ, originally purchased in the mid-1950s, is in excellent condition and is currently located in Wilber, Neb. If you are interested, or would like more information, contact Susan or Mark Bigham at 402-488-8553.
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Pew cushions available to church in need
The Lebo/Olivet UMC in Lebo, Kan., has replaced the pew cushions in the Lebo church and would like to donate their previous cushions. The previous cushions are still in good shape and if there is a church if needed, they would like to help them. The quantity and lengths of the 15 inch cushions are:
•24 - 10' 7"
•1 - 11' 2"
•1 - 9' 7"
•1 - 7' 7 1/2"
•1 - 3' 5 1/2"
Please contact Pastor Tony Hazen at 620-256-6485 or 620-256-6417 if you have any questions.
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Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., seeks director for discipleship program
Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., is looking for a director for discipleship program. The responsibilities for this position includes leadership of the Discipleship Southwestern service-learning team. This requires close work with students, faculty and staff relative to faith formation of emerging adults as well as service on the church relations committee and the service-learning council for the support and coordination of shared goals. The director of discipleship program will work closely with the college’s office of admission to market Discipleship Southwestern and meet student recruitment goals for the discipleship service-learning team and the Christian discipleship studies minor.
The director will build and sustain relationships with area youth ministers, camp directors, campus ministers as well as the Great Plains United Methodist Conference and other church organizations. The director will also support academic instruction on relevant subject matter in collaboration with faculty and academic departments to support the general curriculum and college vision. View the full job listing.
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Director of adult spiritual formation and discipleship needed in Wichita
Chapel Hill UMC in Wichita, Kan., is looking for a full-time director of adult spiritual formation and discipleship. This position would involve discipleship through adult Sunday school, small groups and classes. It also includes the supervision of the children and youth ministry directors. Salary commensurate with years of experience and credentials.
For more information or to apply, contact, the Rev. Jeff Gannon, senior pastor of Chapel Hill at jgannon@chapelhillwichita.org or call 316-684-1117.
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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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9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita, KS 67207 United States
(316)686-0600
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PO Box 4187
Topeka, KS 66604 United States
(785)272-9111
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(316)684-0266
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