In this edition of GPconnect:
ANNOUNCEMENTSNext week's GPconnect
Register today for the Big Hairy Audacious Education Caravan
Countdown to Zero: Just Save One
Lincoln’s New Vision Community to host yard sale Aug. 9
EQUIP DISCIPLES
Visitors’ booklet available for United Methodist churches
Youth Basic Lay Servants Course deadline extended
Christian Copyright Solutions offers interview with Chris Quilala
Newsletter links
Training for cross-racial/cross cultural pastors and congregations
MERCY AND JUSTICE
Mission opportunities at our doorstep
Appeal for volunteer teams in Baxter Springs, Kansas
Invitation to 2014 SCJ Disaster Response Academy
Hastings Multicultural Alliance: Diversity Mom’s Day Out
Social Justice Seed Money grant making a difference in Bradshaw
Children migrating to U.S.
CLASSIFIED
Michigan Valley UMC seeking pianist
Paola UMC looking for youth pastor
Organist, accompanist sought for Paola UMC
Eudora UMC in need of office administrator
Free organ available
St. Paul's UMC in Lenexa, Kan., looking for bell choir director
Holdredge First UMC looking for office administrator
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Next week's GPconnect
There will be no July 30 edition of GPconnect.
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Register today for the Big Hairy Audacious Education Caravan
The Big Hairy Audacious Education Caravan will be rolling into three Kansas communities this month to support the Great Plains Education Partnership Resolution and heighten awareness for public education. Register your congregation's group today so appropropriate preparations can be made at each site. Our goal is to have every congregation bring 6-10 people or more to a caravan event.
The events in Kansas are located in Garden City, Iola, and Topeka. Congregations near the Wichita area are encouraged to bring a team to attend a live streaming event on July 31st at First UMC in Wichita. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the live streaming presentation at 7 p.m., and then small group discussion and refreshments. The event will conclude around 8:30 p.m.
Resources for your congregation available at www.GreatPlainsUMC.org/education include suggestions for how to engage local schools, examples, bulletin inserts, videos, case studies and more.
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Countdown to Zero: Just Save One
AIDS conference to be in Denver, Co., Sept. 11-13
The equipping conference, “Countdown to Zero: Just Save One,” will emphasize how to prevent HIV infections and deaths from AIDS and features three targeted tracks: one for training the trainers, another for Native American high school youth and one for Latina (brochure in English and Spanish). A general track is also available for participants not involved in other sessions.
Visit www.umglobalaidsfund.com for more information. The deadline for registration is Aug. 15. Partial scholarships are available. For information and deadlines about scholarships, contact Linda Bales Todd, joylab47@yahoo.com. If you have questions, send an email to countdown@rmcumc.com.
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Lincoln’s New Vision Community to host yard sale Aug. 9
The New Visions Community (Calvary, Southminster and St. James United Methodist churches, in Lincoln, Nebraska) is hosting its sixth annual yard sale on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Calvary site located 11th & Garfield streets.
Space and tables are provided for $5. Register by contacting New Visions Community at 402-474-6035. Your unwanted merchandise is another person’s treasure. Proceeds support New Visions Community (Calvary, Southminster and St. James United Methodist churches, in Lincoln, Nebraska).
See other conference events on the “Events” tab on the website.
Please note when submitting items that GPconnect and the Events calendar are intended for conference-wide events. For local events, we suggest you contact your district office for district newsletter and other more localized promotion.
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Visitors’ booklet available for United Methodist churches
“Welcome to a Congregation of The United Methodist Church,” by Ronn Kerr is a 16-page, coat-pocket sized (3 1/2 x 8 1/2") booklet designed to be given to worship visitors, handed out by visitation teams, mailed to visitors and added to new member packets. The booklet covers United Methodist history and our unique beliefs, practices, and structures. The concise, easy-to-understand text reflects the many traditions and the unique diversities which come together in the modern United Methodist Church.
Excellent for new member classes, adult church school classes, youth programs and churchwide events in which time and budget considerations require a briefer presentation. Quantity discounts are available for 10, 50, and 100 booklets.
Complete text of booklet and ordering information are available online.
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Youth Basic Lay Servants Course deadline extended
The deadline for registering for the Basic Lay Servants Course for youth is now Friday, Aug. 1. This will be held at First UMC in Wood River, Neb., on Friday, Aug. 8 and Saturday, Aug. 9. This is intended for all youth who have completed confirmation and are members of their local church. It is an excellent opportunity for them to grow in their commitment to Christ and to take their discipleship up to the next level. Please consider this course if you have any youth who might have a call to ministry. Share this information with them.
Cost for the course is $25 per person. Send completed registration form, health form and covenant along with fee to Wood River First UMC, PO Box 35, Wood River, NE 68883 by Aug 1.?
View flier for more information.
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Christian Copyright Solutions offers interview with Jesus Culture's Worship leader Chris Quilala
Jesus Culture Music’s highly anticipated new worship recording, Unstoppable Love, released last month and was recorded live during Jesus Culture's annual Encounter Conference held this January in Sacramento at California's historic Memorial Auditorium.
Read more.
INTERVIEW WITH JESUS CULTURE'S WORSHIP LEADER CHRIS QUILALA
Jesus Culture Music’s highly anticipated new worship recording, Unstoppable Love, released last month and was recorded live during Jesus Culture's annual Encounter Conference held this January in Sacramento at California's historic Memorial Auditorium. One of the most influential youth and young adult movements around the world, Unstoppable Love features Jesus Culture band members: Chris Quilala (lead vocals and Rhythm Guitar), Kim Walker-Smith (lead and background vocals), Brandon Aaronson (bass), Josh Fisher (drums), Jeffrey Kunde (lead guitar), Ian McIntosh (keyboards and programming) and Skyler Smith (acoustic guitar and percussion).
"Our prayer for this album is that you would encounter the unstoppable, over-the-top, zealous, extravagant love that God has for you," says Jesus Culture Director Banning Liebscher.
The band wrapped up its “Still Believe Tour” in May with back-to-back sold out concerts at four city venues. They are launching three conferences this summer, including one in Minneapolis (June 27 - 28), Los Angeles (July 17 - 19) and Atlanta (August 1 - 2).
We recently had a chance to talk with Jesus Culture Band member/worship leader Chris Quilala.
Q: How did you come to be a part of the Jesus Culture Ministry? How were you equipped to do what you’re doing today?
A: My parents went to Bethel Church, so I was born and raised in the church. I was active in our youth group in our local church going after God, and Jesus Culture really just grew out of our youth group. When I first started playing in the band, I actually played drums and on the first couple of recordings.
In 1999, we said let’s do a conference and gather the local church in our region (Redding, CA) and we started doing conferences. In 2006, we decided to record a live album of our youth group just going after God on a Wednesday night and said let’s put it on album. Then we did another album. Things took off from there with our videos on YouTube. We just wanted to go after and encounter His love, and His presence. We want people to encounter God’s radical love and presence….whether live or recorded.
Q: What is the writing and co-writing process like….do song inspirations come from live worship events?
A: I often start with a hook or word and I track and record it on my iPhone. Just spontaneous moments, lots of random iPhone messages and ideas. Then I’ll play or share it with one of our band members, like Ian MacIntosh (keyboards and programmer) or one of our guitarists and they’ll collaborate with instrumentation and musical ideas. Kim (Walker-Smith) writes with other writers….writes with other friends of ours.
Q: Tell us about the new Unstoppable Love recording.
A: It just came out in June….almost every album we’ve done the recordings have been the first time we’ve led the songs. It’s the first live recording in our new city….Sacramento. It was recorded in early January. Writing the songs we kind of discovered there was a cross centered theme--focusing on the cross--as we were writing. We have a winter conference every year, and this recording contains the most original songs we’ve done.
Q: What is the mission and passion of Jesus Culture Music?
A: We want to help mobilize a generation of revivalists and reformers who will shape culture and transform nations. It was formed organically through the momentum of a movement whose focus is to equip a generation to transform society by bringing people into an encounter with God's love through worship and discipleship. Jesus Culture was the name of our summer youth group (at Bethel Church in Redding, CA) and our heart was to go out to the streets and proclaim Jesus….create a culture and to bring Jesus where you are...then the name became the ministry, then the band, then the music, then church (Jesus Culture is launching a new church in Sacramento, CA this fall).
Q: Tell us about the move that Jesus Culture has made to Sacramento this year and the new church that you’re planting in that city?
A: It’s a big move….larger city with 2 million people in the area vs. about 150,000 in Redding area, so it’s a big change. The Jesus Culture ministry is really anchored in the church so it’s really important. We’re excited about the church launch in Sacramento. It’s important that we minister out of the context of church community. Any decisions we’ve made come out of community. Making decisions as a team….band...we don’t want to just be a band out there touring. Stay in community. This is a new season as we’re starting a church. A lot of people get isolated, worship leaders touring need to be connected, and it’s important to have people speaking into my life...make sure we’re all heading the same direction. When we’re doing concerts, we’re usually never out longer than two weeks...various one night events. On average, we are traveling 90 days out of the year. It’s quite a bit but it’s spread out. We all have young families, so we don’t want to be gone that much.
Q: What do you recommend for training and a nurturing environment for worship songwriters and worship leaders?
A: Really two to three main things:
1) Be excellent on your instrument. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. When you rehearse, rehearse, rehearse, you can feel confident enough to get on stage and say, “God what do you want to do….to be able to flow spontaneously with where the Spirit leads.
2) Get into that secret place with the Lord. You can only give out of the overflow. So we can always be giving out of the overflow that comes from spending time with the Lord in private worship.
3) Community….minister out of the context of church community.
Q: What common theme or word are you hearing in songs today?
A: I’ve noticed a few...Oceans (Hillsong), Trust and Stepping Out on the Water, You Make Me Brave (an anthem by Bethel Music), courage, faith and stepping out. That’s really stuck out. The courage to step out and to see our families and cities changed. To see the worship have that impact.
Q: What songwriters, worship leaders & teachers have been your biggest influence and why?
A: Martin Smith. He’s had a huge influence on me. It was a real honor to record with him last year.
Matt Redman ….his songs are written and designed for the church.
Brian Johnson....he's written some great songs for the church.
CCS’s INDIEadmin provides copyright management and licensing for Jesus Culture Music. If you’d like to obtain licensing for Jesus Culture songs and/or sound recordings, click here.
About Christian Copyright Solutions: CCS's quest is to help churches and Christian ministries "do music right." CCS is an expert on church music copyrights and our primary focus is providing licensing and clear educational resources to churches, as well as representation, administration and advocacy for copyright owners. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only, and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel.
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Newsletter links
•YouTheology: July 2014
•The United Methodist Church Foundation: Spiritual Giving July 2014
•David Upp: Mission Link
•United Methodist Communications: July 2014
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Training for cross-racial/cross cultural pastors and congregations
Save Sept. 5-6, Trinity UMC, Grand Island, Nebraska
General Secretary of The United Methodist Church General Commission on Religion and Race Erin M. Hawkins is coming to the Great Plains Conference on Sept. 5-6. She will focus on helping clergy and congregations in cross-cultural/cross racial appointments and how to develop communication strategies with leaders in the congregation. In order to achieve clergy/congregational excellence, strategies must be in place for creating space for cross cultural appointments in places all across the Great Plains Conference.
Bishop Scott Jones said, "We will contact churches with cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments and invite the pastor, lay leader and Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) chair from each of them." Bishop Jones will be present on Saturday, Sept. 5.
A full schedule and online registration will be available soon. Watch the conference calendar for updates. The workshop will be held at Trinity UMC in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Hawkins is the lead official of the denominational agency that cultivates racial inclusion and the full participation of all people into the work, witness and life of the denomination. GCORR empowers church clergy and lay leadership to utilize the values of inclusion, racial equity and justice in the transformative work of vital congregations in order to build up the body of Christ. Hawkins works to share lessons in creating holy relationships with God by, “holding in tension our capacity for greatness that calls us, as Christians, to persevere in the struggle towards becoming our better selves, and to combat our worst tendencies, of racism, sexism and classism.”
Hawkins holds a masters degree in organizational development from American University in Washington, D.C., and a masters degree in public policy from Indiana University. She teaches an awareness of how system processes can perpetuate the sin of racism and how we carry that racism from the local to the global arena. Hawkins will offer ways to break that system of perpetuation of racism.
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Mission opportunities at our doorstep
The following letter is from Kalaba Chali, Mercy and Justice coordinator for the Great Plains Conference.Friends,
The communities of Beaver Crossing, Nebraska and Baxter Springs, Kansas are now ready to welcome Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams as they begin to rebuild their homes and communities. I am so grateful that many of you are ready to mobilize teams to accompany our sisters and brothers as they rebuild their lives, homes and communities.
It is important that we use best practices in mission volunteering so that our services can have a positive lasting impact upon people’s lives and their communities. We realize that our good intentions sometimes can cause harm to those who are trying to rebuild their lives and communities. Our call to service is not only to go serve, but to do it right, with fairness and justice. As Christians and United Methodists, we are called to serve others while affirming their dignity as beloved children of God. This is done through relationship building and by demonstrating the love of Christ through our service.
In order to ensure we are using best practices in our mission volunteering, all leaders of disaster relief teams must take the VIM training. Check on our VIM webpage (greatplainsumc.org/vim), for upcoming team leader trainings. Alternatively, if your church has more than four leaders who need training, contact me at kchali@greatplainsumc.org so that we can arrange for a date to provide the training at your local church.
When you prepare your team, be intentional about bringing people with the needed skills. To do this, I encourage you to contact Lin Harris for Baxter Springs, Kansas at 918-607-5125 or umc.dr.baxter@greatplainsumc.org and Dorothy Aspegren for Beaver Crossing, Nebraska at 402-641-9698, umc.dr.beaver@greatplainsumc.org.
As you serve, remember that because of these natural tragedies, the economy of these two communities has been affected. As Volunteers in Mission teams, our services can also help these communities to regain their economic strength. We can do that by choosing to buy construction and cleaning materials from local stores rather than bringing them in from outside the community. This will help stimulate the local economies.
Thank you for your service and generosity in the name of Jesus Christ!
Peace,
Kalaba Chali
Photo: Ten Americorps volunteers arrived July 14 in Beaver Crossing, Neb., to help with the disaster relief. The team will be there for four weeks. Pictured are the volunteers along with Greg Donovan, Serve Nebraska coordinator (far left), and Dorothy Aspegren, disaster relief coordinator (far right).
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Appeal for volunteer teams in Baxter Springs, Kansas
The long term disaster recovery rebuilding projects in Baxter Springs, Kansas kicked off last week. There are many opportunities for volunteers and particularly skilled roofers to be involved. A few skilled, general-carpentry teams have committed to help, but if there are more skilled teams considering Baxter Springs for their mission field, they would be welcome them as well – anytime. If you have a heart to help and hands to offer then please contact Lin Harris at umc.dr.baxter@greatplainsumc.org or 316-641-9549.
Project #1 kicked off last week in a big way. This project has a challenging roof, but the team from Evangel UMC climbed up, tore off and shingled three sides of the roof. The east side; front and back porch roofs; and flat top remain unfinished.
Project #2 is ready and tasks will include removing old shingles and putting on a new roof, replacing windows and more.Many sincere thanks to the hard working teams who logged total of 293 hours:
•Nine members from Evangel UMC, in Holton, Kansas
•Roger Dressler and Webster Thomas from Common Ground Ministry, Worden UMC, in Baldwin City, Kansas
•Darrell Webber from Tisdale UMC, in Winfield, Kansas
•Eleven members from World Renew youth group, in Pella, Iowa,
The disaster response teams are asking for prayers and for God’s guidance as work to rebuild the town of Baxter Springs continues.
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Invitation to 2014 South Central Jurisdiction Disaster Response Academy
The South Central Jurisdiction Disaster Response Academy will be held this year at the Oklahoma United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center, “Canyon Camp and Conference Center”, in Hinton, Okla., on Sept. 7-11, 2014. Hinton is located about 54 miles west of downtown Oklahoma City.
The event is planned with workshops for everyone — from the person who is just interested in disaster response to the person who is the defined conference disaster response leader. With all of the storms that have been across Kanas and Nebraska, disaster preparedness and response skills can be very practical means of ministry to our families, church, community and world.
Early event registration by Aug. 15, will save you $40 for a total cost of $175.00 (lodging, meals, workshops included), after that date the fees are $215.00.
The Great Plains United Methodists’ Disaster Response Team is encouraging all interested persons to consider participating in this event. Workshops include the following topics:
•Overview of UMCOR Program
•Basic Disaster Ministry 101
•Connecting Neighbors Leadership Training
•Spiritual and Emotional Care (general information)
•Volunteer Coordination: On-site Management for Early Response Teams (ERTs)
•ERT Team Leader
•ERT Site Assessment
•Cleaning out a Flooded Home
•Managing Unsolicited Donated Goods – The Second Disaster
•Everyone’s Role in a Disaster
•Transitioning to Long-term Recovery & UMCOR Grants
•Crisis Planning and Response: Communicating Under Pressure
•Overview of Missouri Conference DRC Impact Ideas
Read more information and register for the event.
Read information about the Canyon Camp and Conference Center.
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Hastings Multicultural Alliance: Diversity Mom’s Day Out
The following was submitted by Sandy Sypherd, CLM in the Prairie Rivers District and organizer of the Hastings Multicultural Alliance.The Hastings Multicultural Alliance started a new program last January called “Diversity Mom’s Day Out.” The objectives of the program are to provide an opportunity for mothers to interact with adults and to listen to speakers on a variety of topics while their children are being cared for in a safe environment.
The moms met on the third Friday of each month from 10-11:30 a.m. at Hastings Grace UMC, in Hastings, Neb. At each session there was a presenter from different agencies in Hastings focusing on topics such as parenting, nutrition, banking, the public school system and health issues. Child care was provided by people who have Safe Gathering credentials. A Hastings College professor brought her junior and senior education majors and they did literacy activities with the children and brought free books for the families.
In June and July it was decided to have fun activities in which both the moms and the children could participate. The alliance thought it was important to keep the educational component of the program intact so everyone went to the Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning in June and the Hastings Museum in July.
The Prairie Loft’s mission is to teach agriculture appreciation, outdoor education, cultural traditions and the wise use of natural resources. The value and importance of community, nature and agriculture are cultivated. The moms and the children enjoyed hiking, snacks and a variety of activities. It’s a great place to learn and to enjoy nature. All had a great time.
The July, activity was held at the Hastings Museum. On the third Friday of every month, starting at 5 p.m., admission to the Museum is “pay what you can.” You determine the price.Museum collections include fine and decorative arts, local and natural history and world art, including significant Native American collections. Features for children include fossils that transform into dinosaurs, a play corner and a dressing up box.
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Social Justice Seed Money grant making a difference in lives of children of Bradshaw
The following was submitted by the Great Plains Mercy and Justice Team.
Last fall, the Rev. Mary Scott serving the UMC in Bradshaw, Neb., sent in an application for seed money to help start up a public library in their community of 273 inhabitants. Having to drive to another town to access a library is often not possible due to transportation costs which can be the largest expense for a family. Church and community members were already involved in planning and working towards this goal when the application was received. In early July, Mary Scott reported, “Our lending library is up and running. Last week saw 15 books checked out. One little boy comes to the church or lending kiosk three times a week. He thoroughly enjoys reading and without the grant funds our library project would not have gotten off the ground.” The project has good church and community support and is a wonderful outreach for the church. Many books have been donated. And books are being included with stories from different countries and cultures and books with a focus on justice issues like gender equality and environmental issues.
The Great Plains Mercy and Justice Team wants to encourage local churches or groups within churches to engage in outreach ministries focusing on transforming justice. Small start-up grants are made available (up to $1,000). A flier was included in each Annual Conference Session packet and you can also find one below. Contact information is on the flier.View flier for more information.
Photos: A reading table of boys at the newly decorated library room located at the Bradshaw UMC and their lending library being visited by Luke and Kevin
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Children migrating to U.S.
The following was submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains Peace with Justice coordinator
Why are children from Honduras making the dangerous journey to come to the United States?
The Rev. Juan Guerrero, superintendent of the United Methodist Mission in Honduras, explains the current situation many church and community members are dealing with today with violence and poverty and why parents are letting their children make this dangerous journey.
“In our United Methodist churches in Honduras, we know of several terrible cases. In days gone by, a fellow United Methodist in Ciudad, España, had to sell his house to pay a network of smugglers who kidnapped one of his children. When the boy was released, he described how another boy was killed in his presence while his parents were on the phone, to intimidate them and force them to sell their properties in Honduras to pay the ransom.”
“They leave because here there is hunger, violence and poverty. But maybe it's good to reflect a little on the causes of poverty in Honduras,” Guerrero adds, looking at the history of the country. At one time it had a lot of wealth and resources but foreign corporations, mainly from the United States, have been exploiting these resources and taken them out of the country.
Suggesting how we can best help, Guerrero said “I think the best way to respond to this humanitarian crisis, is to try to see what happens on both sides of the border and be as generous as we can.
“It is good to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ became incarnate in the world as a migrant, and because Herod sought to kill him, he had to flee to Egypt.
“Also the first Christian community had to meet in private because of fear. We are all God's people and called to express solidarity and feel this human drama with heart. God hears us all but decided to side with the poor.”
Read the whole article.
Commentary: Why Honduran children are coming to U.S. by the Rev. Juan Guerrero
These days, there is extensive reporting on children crossing the border and entering the United States undocumented. It is said that U.S. immigration services have intercepted in the past year more than 50,000 undocumented children.
A few days ago, I was in Texas visiting Methodist communities on the border, both Anglo and Hispanic. I also visited a shelter where I had a chance to talk, see and learn different points of view.
In the United States, some see this humanitarian disaster as a policing and security problem, and argue for more border controls, more laws that allow police to quickly deport these children. Others want a more humane and compassionate response.
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HOW THE CHURCH IS HELPING
Church seeks to meet needs in border crisis
United Methodists tending to immigrant minors
Bishops urge compassion, prayer for border crisis
A pastoral letter from Texas bishops (on PDF)
To donate through the United Methodist Committee on Relief
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Since a large number of children crossing the border are from Honduras, you ask me, as United Methodist superintendent of Honduras: How can the United Methodist Mission in Honduras bring understanding and solution to this humanitarian crisis?
It is hard to imagine that these children leave home to undertake such a dangerous, long and expensive trip.
The first thing I can answer is obvious, that the kids go because their parents live in the U.S., and they leave Honduras because there are no opportunities, no dignity. They leave because here there is hunger, violence and poverty. But maybe it's good to reflect a little on the causes of poverty in Honduras.
Wealth and exploitation
The first foreigner to set foot on Honduran soil was Christopher Columbus and was amazed at the wealth and fertility,but after five centuries this wealth has never been for the service of the Honduran people.
In the 19th century in Honduras, the term "banana republic" was born because the Americans in the late 18th century installed banana plantations in the style of the slave plantations in the southern U.S. And until today the owners of the best lands are American banana and small Honduran elites living in the U.S. and exploiting the land renter mentality, in order to get resources, without reinvesting in the country.
In the 19th century, the U.S. Embassy in Honduras was next to the largest gold mine in the Americas, in San Juancito. People wonder why the embassy was away from the capital city and next to a gold mine. Simple: because there were American corporations that exploited these mines. Honduras is poor because the wealth of this country was taken and not reinvested here.
Today, neither the banana nor gold is the main generator of foreign exchange, nor coffee, nor the cultivation of African palm. Today, the largest source of dollars entering the country is by way of remittances from undocumented immigrants living in the United States. In economic terms, the poor who migrate are today the greatest wealth of Honduras, because the U.S. needs cheap labor to harvest crops and construct buildings. The dollars that undocumented migrants send to their families are dollars that move the Honduran economy. It is a paradox.
Why are the children coming?
Back to children crossing the border. They do so because their parents live in the U.S., and they live in the U.S. because there is too much poverty in Honduras. These parents may not return for their children because they only have enough money to pay the coyotes and illegally cross the border.
The other reason why the kids go is because Mexican coyotes made illegal border crossing a business.
There are networks, and coyotes have their emissaries throughout Central America. In the past two years, these coyote networks have circulated information suggesting that children only have to cross the border and the U.S. authorities are responsible for bringing to them where their parents are.
Actually this information is correct. Honduran migrants know that once they cross the U.S. border, they are treated with more compassion than in the Mexican part. It is common in the Mexican portion for migrants to be kidnapped and women to be raped and killed.
In our United Methodist churches in Honduras, we know of several terrible cases. In days gone by, a fellow United Methodist in Ciudad España had to sell his house to pay a network of smugglers who kidnapped one of his children. When the boy was released, he described how another boy was killed in his presence while his parents were on the phone, to intimidate them and force them to sell their properties in Honduras to pay the ransom.
It is common for young women to take contraceptives during the trip to the border, to prevent pregnancy when raped.
Despite everything that involves undertaking a long journey (almost a month) so dangerous and so expensive ($ 6,000 in some cases), many Honduran parents in the U.S. prefer to give their children to these networks of coyotes, hoping to reunify the family.
The separation of families is also a humanitarian crisis, although little is mentioned. We are called to help children and adolescents in the transition to adulthood. There is a generation growing up in Honduras with the trauma of growing up without a father and a mother.
The other reason that children undertake this dangerous journey is the violence that exists in Honduras. It is a localized violence in urban areas and in the most marginalized and poor neighborhoods. The gangs capture the children from 10 to 12 years, and once the children are part of the gangs, they can never leave. There are codes of value, where if you get out of the gang, it is considered a betrayal that is paid with life.
Children are killed in the street
The United Methodist Mission in Honduras has communities in high risk areas that have personally had experiences where you can see the fear with which these communities live in. One Sunday a year ago in San Pedro, in Faith Methodist Church, two boys were killed in the street outside the building when the service began. The children in the choir cried inconsolably. As they left the church, they discovered they had family members who had just died.
On another occasion I visited a very marginal neighborhood, La Primavera, in San Pedro, for a day of door-to-door evangelism, but I found that many houses were empty and are barred to visitors because that week saw a massacre. The gang members went to some houses and forcibly removed young kids to kill them in the street.
Recently, also in another of our churches, Fuerzas Unidas, in a very marginal area of Tegucigalpa, a group of heavily armed gang members entered the church during the Sunday service. They were shooting and looking for someone who supposedly had hidden in the temple. Finally, there were only minor injuries and some that fainted from fear and anxiety. Now, our church in Fuerzas Unidas has decided to hold their services with the temple doors closed to prevent these cases.
Last year in Fuerzas Unidas, a stray bullet shattered the spine of a boy who sings in the choir. The boy, named Alonso, is 17 and and is now invalid.
Violence in Honduras is very focused. But for parents who live in the U.S. and whose children live in a marginalized urban eighborhood, this violence and the phenomenon of gangs is a constant source of concern. It is true, as the media report, that 70 percent of Honduran migrant children, who have been arrested in the last year in the U.S., come from violence-hit areas (as the president of Honduras said last week).
According to the United Nations, Honduras has the highest homicide rate in the world. This violence is the phenomenon of gangs, which are highly organized. Gangs weave networks through several cities and countries, and are fueled by drug trafficking.
Most of the cocaine consumed in the U.S. passes through Honduras. Mexican drug cartels collect the drug in Honduras, mainly from Colombia. Honduran gangs provide "security" for the drug cartels. Children are recruited by gangs in high-risk urban neighborhoods, who find in the gangs a family of "blood" covenant. Children living with hunger and without opportunities suddenly feel strong and powerful when they belong to a gang.
In conclusion, I think the drama of children crossing the border every day in the United States, has to do primarily with the poverty and injustice that Honduras has endured for centuries. Children travel seeking the reunification of their families, travel because networks of coyotes are all over the Central American triangle trading in this human dram.
And these children also travel because the drugs consumed in the United States leave a trail of pain and death throughout the Central American triangle.
After the previous diagnosis, may we ask: What can we do?
The best way to respond
The United Methodist Mission in Honduras is under the supervision of the United Methodist Council of Bishops and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, I'm just a missionary appointed and sent by them. The Mission in Honduras is growing. In three and a half years that I've been in Honduras, I can say that the membership has doubled. There is much joy. We have 19 congregations across Honduras and an attendance each week of more than 2,000 people.
About 500 volunteers from the U.S. visit our mission each year. Through these volunteers in mission and their work of our communities, we have not only built temples and parsonages but also now offer programs such as community kitchens for more than 200 children, scholarships for more than 1,000 children, water purification systems, rural projects of planting corn and many medical and dental clinics.
We have never had any security problems with groups visiting us, and we were able to serve the poor with all our strength.
This year, 2014, we started the first United Methodist school in Honduras. We started with 230 children, many of whom have parents living in the United States. But we have also had to close day cares for poor children in high-risk communities because of lack of resources.
We also have closed soup kitchens because of lack of resources. We had to close clinics in our churches because of lack of resources. We always want to do more.
I think the best way to respond to this humanitarian crisis, is to try to see what happens on both sides of the border and be as generous as we can.
It is good to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ became incarnate in the world as a migrant, and because Herod sought to kill him, he had to flee to Egypt.
Also the first Christian community had to meet in private because of fear. We are all God's people and called to express solidarity and feel this human drama with heart. God hears us all but decided to side with the poor.
In Christ Jesus.
*Guerrero, Ph. D., is superintendent of the United Methodist Mission in Honduras. To learn more about him and contact him.
This commentary was submitted by retired Bishop ElÃas G. Galván, the assigned bishop to the Honduras mission.
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Justice for Our Neighbors–Nebraska (JFON-NE), one of our Great Plains Mission Agencies, joined with 12 other Nebraska organizations to call on our senators and representatives to urge Congress to protect children seeking safety. One of the principles the groups listed states the need to “preserve legal and due process protections in the bipartisan Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2008, and reject proposals to circumvent these protections that would expedite the removal of children, many of whom could have asylum or legal relief claims.”
Emiliano Lerda, excecutive director of JFON-NE, emphasizes “As policy makers debate the best way to address the humanitarian crisis along the border, it is absolutely crucial that the integrity of the legal system be maintained. Efforts to expedite the process cannot come at the cost of depriving children their due process rights or their rights to protection from persecution under U.S. and international law.”
Please contact your congressional delegations urging them to not return these children to unsafe situations but to protect them and care for them in a humane way.
Read the statement.
Photo: The Rev. Guerrero baptizing a child in Honduras
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Michigan Valley UMC seeking pianist
Michigan Valley UMC, in Quenemo, Kan.,is seeking a qualified, part-time pianist. The ideal candidate would be a Christian with experience in performing on a piano. In particular, possess a general understanding of traditional hymns of the Christian faith and occasionally more contemporary works. This position is required to participate in one service each week, with special occasion services around the holidays. Our service time is 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. each Sunday. High school students, college students and adults are encouraged to apply.
Primary Responsibilities: To assist in the congregation’s spiritual growth through music, carried out under the leadership of the pastor and the worship committee.
Attention to detail and accuracy of the following is a key prerequisite:
•Provide music accompaniment for Sunday worship
•Commit to limited special services (Christmas Eve Service, Ash Wednesday, and Holy Week Services)
•Be as available as possible for weddings, wedding rehearsals and funerals as requested (with an honorarium decided by the administrative council).
•Select music for church services, keeping in mind the scripture passages for the week, in conjunction with the pastor, if necessary.
•Contact the pastor at earliest convenience if you are unable to play due to illness, planned vacation or other family circumstances.
Salary is $50 per week, with honorariums for special services.
If you are interested or need more information, please contact Kristen Bell, pastor, at 405-291-0303 or MichiganValleyUMC@gmail.com.
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Paola UMC looking for youth pastor
Paola UMC, in Paola, Kan., is seeking a part-time youth pastor. This person is a high-energy leader with a strong desire to profess the Christian faith to young people and the strength of faith and emotional maturity to be a good role model for them. Good communication and organizational skills are necessary. You must be at least 20 years old and obtain Safe Sanctuaries certification.
For the last several years, our youth program has taken this shape:
•Three or four regular meetings each month; one often a fun event such as going bowling or to the movies; in summer this may be only one or two meetings a month
•Two or three district or conference events each year (such as Bishop’s Round-Up and Project Revolution in the fall and the OneEvent in January)
•Two or three lock-ins each year, local or part of a district or conference event
•Once a year, possibly a Christian concert event such as Acquire the Fire
•Once a year, possibly a trip to Worlds of Fun or Oceans of Fun
•A few in-house and community fund-raisers
•In summer, when possible, a mission trip; the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in 2010, Henderson Settlement in Kentucky in 2014
•Ideally, planning and teaching of youth Sunday school
•Ideally, regular participation in worship, plus planning of one or two youth-led worship services each year
Youth group attendance averages 12, but recently, as many as 20.
The position is event-based rather than hourly, but the time commitment probably averages out to 10 hours a week over (Five or six hours most weeks but more other weeks because of special events and overnights). Salary is negotiable, starting salary will most likely be about $7,000.
For more information, contact the pastor, Jim Hopwood, at revjhopwood@gmail.com or 913-706-8133.
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Organist, accompanist sought for Paola UMC
Paola UMC, in Paola, Kan., is seeking an organist and choir accompanist (may be same person). The organist/pianist plays hymns, worship songs and service music for year-round Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. The choir accompanist provides piano accompaniment for the choir during 10:30 a.m. worship and rehearses with choir on Wednesdays from September through May at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the Rev. Jim Hopwood at 913-706-8133 or jhopwood@greatplainsumc.org.
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Eudora UMC in need of office administrator
Eudora UMC, Eudora, Kan., is seeking an office administrator. The ideal candidate would be a good organizer, offer a welcoming presence, possess computer tech skill, have the ability to write/edit and be a strong self-motivator and manager. This salaried position is part-time with 27 hours per week. If interested, send resume to eudoraumc@gmail.com or call 785-542-3200 for more information.
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Free organ available
Living Water UMC in Kansas City, Kan., has an Allen MDC Classic 20 organ available. This model organ was intended for smaller venue, even home. It can be connected to external speakers to use in a sanctuary. Condition is used, but the organ still works great. View photos here. If you are interested please contact Living Water UMC at 913-400-7203, or livingwaterumc@gmail.com.
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St. Paul's UMC in Lenexa, Kan., looking for bell choir director
St. Paul's UMC in Lenexa, Kan., is hiring a part-time bell choir director. St. Paul's is a vibrant, growing church that utilizes a variety of musical styles to enhance worship. View application and full job description.
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Holdredge First UMC looking for office administrator
First UMC in Holdrege, Neb., is seeking a qualified applicant for the position of office administrator. This is a part-time position with a minimum of 30 hours per week. Pay rate between $11–$13 per hour based on experience and qualification. Includes paid sick leave and vacation. For more information, or to submit a letter of application and resume contact the Rev. Jeff Adams, First UMC, PO Box 30, Holdredge, NE 68949, 308-995-8961, or jadams@greatplainsumc.org. Please submit by Aug. 4, 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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