Wednesday, September 10, 2014

The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church "GP Connect" for Wednesday, 10 September 2014

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The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church "GP Connect" for Wednesday, 10 September 2014
In this edition of GPconnect:
Free organ lessons at First UMC, Lincoln
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Unity of the Church webcast, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. CDT

Bishop Scott J. Jones will host a webcast on the unity of the church in the midst of controversy around human sexuality and other divisive issues. There will be a test webcast on Friday, Sept. 12, at 3:30 p.m. CDT, so you can test your equipment and ensure you have the bandwidth to accommodate video streaming, as well as make adjustments to audio, etc.
Viewing groups are encouraged. The webcast will also be video recorded for later viewing. Watch the webcast at www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream. If you would like to pre-submit questions, you can do so at info@greatplainsumc.org with the subject line Unity of the Church question.

Register today for the Nebraska tour of the Big Hairy Audacious Education Caravan, Sept. 29, 30 and Oct. 2

The Big Hairy Audacious Education Caravan will be rolling into three Nebraska communities in three weeks to support the Great Plains Education Partnership Resolution and heighten awareness for public education. Register your congregation's group today so appropriate preparations can be made at each site. Our goal is to have every congregation bring 6-10 people or more to a caravan event. And don’t forget to invite your community friends and colleagues who are interested in education.
The events in Nebraska are located in Scottsbluff (Monday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m. MDT), Kearney (Tuesday, Sept. 30) and Lincoln (Thursday, Oct. 2).The Lincoln event will also be webcast at greatplainsumc.org/livestream. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the presentation at 7 p.m., and then small group discussion and refreshments. The event will conclude around 8:30 p.m. Congregations and communities and encouraged to form viewing groups for the webcast if it’s not possible to attend a site in person.
Each event features local public education experts, advocates, interactive displays showcasing successful partnerships, small group conversations and a short address by Bishop Scott Jones.
Resources for your congregation available at www.GreatPlainsUMC.org/education include suggestions for how to engage local schools, bulletin inserts, videos, case studies and more -- including a grant application form for your congregation to request matching grant funds for a sustainable church partnership start-up or addition with your local school(s).

Update now

Find-a-Church useful tool for your congregation

Find-a-Church is the United Methodist Communications tool to help seekers and others find your congregation. Let’s say a new family arrives into your community. If they search for “find a church” in one of the common search engines, they will very likely see the link to the United Methodist “Find-a-Church” official website.
It is important to note that the congregation has the responsibility of ensuring the information provided is correct. The information is pulled from General Conference on Finance and Administration numbers and automatically populated with their data. It is of vital importance that you check the entry for your church and make corrections as needed. The link for updating is in the lower, right-hand menu called “Update Your Church Information” on the Find-a-Church site.
The link takes you to a registration form that will give you access to your congregation’s content.  You will need your GCFA number in order to complete this transaction. If you don’t know your number, the GCFA number is located on the Great Plains website.
Churches without a website may find this a useful place to send your own congregation until such time as you can build your own. Your church URL can be forwarded to the Find-a-Church location.
You can load current photos, worship times, and ministry information. Please check your content soon as fall is a time when seekers are often looking for a place to worship. You’d hate for the family described above find your website, note the worship times, only to get to the church and find out the worship times are wrong.
The Find-a-Church website is also a quick link on the lower right-hand side of the Great Plains website.
Update now!

View and pay benefit statements online

Benefit and Pension Statements are now able to be viewed and paid online. Watch for your personalized information and instructions in your statements that are mailing out on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. All questions regarding the online viewing and paying should be emailed to pmihoover@greatplainsumc.org.
A letter was sent out displaying the website to be https://webview.Shelbyinc.com/04703. You can also reach this website by going to greatplainsumc.org/payment.

Celebrating at Camp Fontanelle

Sept. 21 set for Fall Festival

Ever thought about taking a ride in a helicopter? Visitors to Camp Fontanelle’s annual Fall Festival/Barbecue and Quilt Auction on Sunday, Sept. 21, will have a chance to bid for one of four seats during the silent auction. Husker Helicopter owners, Kim and Jill Wolfe, will have their helicopter at the annual event. Weather permitting, the helicopter will land at the camp and the ride, for four individuals, will take place on the day of the barbecue.
The day will start with a worship service at 11 a.m. The message will be given by Bishop Scott Jones.
The annual event will be filled with many activities including; the annual Gaga Ball tournament, face painting, rope and harness tree climbing, ziplining, a silent auction and live quilt auction. Throughout the day there will be live music, puppet shows, face painting and celebrating a successful summer camping program. Food will be available in different locations throughout the camp.
After a full day of celebration and fundraising, the Rev. Bill Ritter, Blue River District superintendent, will close out the day with the ending worship service at 5 p.m.
Sept. 21, is also Camp Fontanelle’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. This second season programming will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 1-7 p.m., through Nov. 2. More information may be found at CampFontanelle.com.

First UMC in O’Neil hosts potato gleaning weekends

First UMC in O’Neil, Nebraska, is offering two weekends for potato gleaning at the RDO Potato Company's fields. The dates will be Saturday, Sept. 20 and Saturday Sept. 27. Both days will start at 9:30 a.m. at the church and conclude at the field by 4 p.m.
Participants are asked to meet at the O'Neill First UMC fellowship hall, 404 W. Cedar St. (just off North Hwy. 281) at 9:30 a.m. to organize/register for the trip and leave for the field. Donuts and coffee will be provided before we leave. Bathrooms will be available to use. We are making arrangements to have portable toilets available in the field.
Items groups will need to bring: old clothing (dressing according to that day’s weather), old shoes/boots and gloves. Net gleaning bags will be available, but buckets are welcome. Chairs are also welcome if needed in the field or while bagging. Participants should also bring their own sack lunch and drinks.
Participants are invited and encouraged to take home potatoes for food pantries, church dinners, elderly, shut-ins and anywhere else a few spuds can be enjoyed. These potatoes would be plowed under if they were not gathered. As many of us know, it is biblical to glean. It is mentioned in Ruth 2:2 and Leviticus 19: 9, 10.
Please let First UMC know with the registration form how many group members and what day the group will be participating. This event is the only gleaning activity that has permission to do any gleaning per RDO's insurance. This could be a fun service project for your youth groups. Please email the registration form, or call the O'Neill UMC with your attendance information, to Charlene, church secretary, at oneillumc@q.com or 402-336-1883. Please leave a message if there is no answer.
The weather tends to be changeable this time of year, please call if the weather looks questionable the morning of the gleaning.
Feel free to use this poster to display in your churches. If you have any questions, please contact the church.  

KU campus ministry update 

By Jacob Cloud
This has been quite the ride so far! As our students are settling in to a rhythm with classes, we at New Church Lawrence/KU campus ministry are getting ramped up for the months to come. But before I tell you what is coming up, I would like to share with you what has happened since July.
This year, the cabinet decided to take a different approach to campus ministry. I was appointed as the campus minister for the University of Kansas (KU) to start a church as well as do campus ministry. The idea was never to do two completely different things, rather to create an integrated church which students were a part of every aspect. As we began to gather people this summer, we had a team of dedicated folks both students and local Lawrencians, that helped us to make the transition happen. We gathered students over the summer and before classes even started, we had a group of 40 students participating. The numbers continue to grow as week by week we reach out in one-on-one coffee meetings, participate in mission and as we prepare for our first Scripture based study of the semester.
Now, three weeks into the semester, nearly 70 percent of our participants are KU students who are excited to do mission every other week. They are leading teams and creating events. Their leadership has been amazing and transformative as we seek to find out where God is calling this new ministry to take stands and help the under-served in our community.  And we are still engaged on the campus as well.
I meet students on campus, and we are at campus events as an organization. We have been quite encouraged to find that we have brought in more sophomores, juniors and seniors than we expected along with reaching out to the freshman class.
But we still need your support. There are two things I would ask of you. You have students from your churches that are at KU who we haven’t met yet. Would you send me their information Jacob@newchurchlawrence.org? In fact, they get an amazing opportunity to be a part of the first year of New Church Lawrence KU Campus Ministry. They get to be a part of starting this new thing. And in addition to participation, there are always opportunities to step forward and do something new and unique. We like to say that we aren’t just doing church/campus ministry outside the box, we don’t actually have a box.
The second thing I would ask from you is that you come to the Cat/Hawk Challenge October 18.  We will be showcasing both KU and K-State campus ministry as we seek to raise funds for our respective programs. Come see what has happened, come hear the stories of the students and support them for the year.  Look for more information appearing in your inbox in the upcoming weeks.
For more information contact Jacob Cloud, KU Campus Minister/ New Church Lawrence, at Jacob@newchurchlawrence.org

Harvest for Hunger to be gleaning service day

One in six Americans do not have adequate access to food. One out of every five children in the U.S. are at risk of hunger. For African-American and Latino children, it's one in three.
Join United Methodist Ministries (UMM) in Omaha, Nebraska, for their new day of service event this October — field gleaning. Spend the day working on a farm outside of Omaha. After gleaning the fields, participants will help prepare the produce for delivery to local food pantries.
Harvest for Hunger day of service will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and will start at Hanscom Park UMC, in Omaha, Nebraska.
The practice of gleaning, collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been harvested, dates back to biblical times, but gleaning also has modern applications with increasing numbers of Americans having inadequate access to healthy foods.
The cost to participate is $15 which includes lunch, transportation to and from service sites and commemorative T-shirt. Pre-registration is required and the registration deadline is Sept. 22. Groups should bring one adult for every five youths.
Registration and more information available at BigMuddyUMC.org.

Guest pastor to be Cuba’s Orlian Mora Aguilar

The Rev. Orlian Mora Aguilar, pastor at the largest United Methodist Church in Cuba, will be the guest pastor on Sunday, Sept. 21, at Christ UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska. Aguilar has hosted Volunteer in Mission teams from Nebraska, and he and his wife, Yiama, are spending a month visiting the United States. The United Methodist Church in Cuba is the fastest growing church in the world. Visit Christ UMC for worship at 8:30 or 11:00 a.m. on Sept. 21, in hearing Aguila. Between services there will be a question and answer time with Orlian and Yiama.

GBHEM and GBOD renew and expand e-readers for theological education agreement

The following is written by Marcie Smeck, interim director, Office of Communications General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
A pilot project to provide e-readers loaded with theological texts has proven so successful that General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) General Secretary Kim Cape and General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) General Secretary Tim Bias renewed their joint agreement, continuing this interagency collaboration until December 2016. The renewed agreement extends the “E-Reader Project” and includes a partnership with the African Association of United Methodist-related Theological Institutions (AAUMTI) and its 16 United Methodist theology schools in Africa. The new agreement also includes four theology schools in the Philippines.
The pilot project at Gbarnga School of Theology (GST) in Liberia, tested simple and effective ways to help theology schools in remote, low-power areas have access to current textbooks and reference books necessary for a solid theological education in the Wesleyan tradition. In the evaluation of the 18-month pilot project (January 2013-June 2014), GST faculty reported that the use of the e-reader had raised the level of classroom discussion because students now have had the opportunity to read assignments before class. Faculty had previously written notes on the chalkboard for students to copy or depended on lectures as the main source of content for students.
GBHEM and GBOD renew and expand e-readers for theological education agreement by Marcie Smeck
GBHEM and GBOD renew and expand e-readers for theological education agreement | GBHEM
The Rev. Dr. Tim Bias of GBOD, left, and the Rev. Dr. Kim Cape of GBHEM, right, review plans for expanding the E-Reader Project.
A pilot project to provide e-readers loaded with theological texts has proven so successful that GBHEM General Secretary Kim Cape and GBOD General Secretary Tim Bias renewed their joint agreement, continuing this interagency collaboration until December 2016. The renewed agreement extends the “E-Reader Project” and includes a partnership with the African Association of United Methodist-related Theological Institutions (AAUMTI) and its sixteen United Methodist theology schools in Africa. The new agreement also includes four theology schools in the Philippines.
The pilot project at Gbarnga School of Theology (GST) in Liberia tested simple and effective ways to help theology schools in remote, low-power areas have access to current textbooks and reference books necessary for a solid theological education in the Wesleyan tradition. In the evaluation of the 18-month pilot project (January 2013-June 2014), GST faculty reported that the use of the e-reader had raised the level of classroom discussion because students now have had the opportunity to read assignments before class. Faculty had previously written notes on the chalkboard for students to copy or depended on lectures as the main source of content for students.
“The successful and positive results of the e-reader pilot project in Liberia last year encouraged us to step forward together with GBHEM to create even more access to theological resources by expanding the project to other United Methodist theological schools in Africa and Asia. Both agencies are called to develop leaders who make disciples of Jesus Christ and to equip and educate the saints for the transformation of the world,” said Bias. “Together we develop and equip leaders to build up the church for the work of God's transforming the world. We are excited to see how using digital devices and content can be a part of equipping our brothers and sisters across the world for the work of ministry,” he continued.
The e-reader team is refining English content and developing French and Portuguese content. In the next year the team will be meeting with the leadership of the 22 theological schools, providing their first e-readers and planning for the implementation on each campus in 2015 and 2016.
“This is a wonderful partnership with GBOD. It is a perfect complement to our ongoing work—promoting theological education in fast growing central conferences, expanding access to theological resources and enhancing the teaching/learning environment at each institution, no matter how remote they are,” Cape said.
The team settled on a “library model” for the work with AAUMTI schools in Africa. Going forward, the students will be able to freely use school-owned e-readers (checked out from the school library) and may be able to receive their own e-reader when they graduate.
Funding for the “E-Reader Project” comes from annual conferences, local churches, individual donors, universities and a student fee each semester, which helps offset the price of the e-reader and its content. To learn more or donate online, visit www.umcereader.org.
Smeck is interim director, Office of Communications General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Former president of Saint Paul School of Theology remembered

The Rev. Dr. William K. McElvaney who served as second president of Saint Paul School of Theology from 1972 to 1985 died peacefully Sunday morning, Aug. 24, after a battle with liver cancer. Services were held at Northaven UMC in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.
Dr. William K. McElvaney Remembered by Saint Paul
Rev. H. Sharon Howell, President of Saint Paul School of Theology, announces the death of  Rev. Dr. William K. McElvaney who served as second president of Saint Paul from 1972 to 1985.   
At the 55th Opening Convocation of Saint Paul, Dr. McElvaney was remembered through pictures, the ringing of a bell and as Rev. Howell began her scripture and sermon, she shared words of honor and lit a candle of remembrance on the altar in Wesley Covenant Chapel at Church of the Resurrection.
"I was honored to serve on the Search Committee when Bill was chosen to lead the school," said H. Sharon Howell. "I was also honored to work with him from 1980 to 1985 as the Director of Recruitment. Bill McElvaney was a preacher of preachers; a prophet of prophets and a faithful leader across the denomination."
William K. McElvaney, 86, died peacefully Sunday morning, August 24. Bill had recently informed his congregation at Northaven United Methodist Church, Dallas TX, that his liver cancer had spread and he was entering hospice care.
Dr. McElvaney preached and lectured in pastors' schools, annual conferences, laity conferences, ecumenical and United Methodist chaplains' retreats, universities, and local churches throughout the United States, and in Germany, South Korea, and Northern Ireland. His presentations frequently focused on worship and liturgy, spiritual formation, and peace and justice issues. Upon return to Dallas, he taught preaching at Perkins School of Theology, and in 1988 a preaching chair was established at Saint Paul School of Theology in his honor.
McElvaney received many awards related to action and peace including Peacemaker of the Year, Fitzpatrick Award for Ecumenical Leadership, and Heroes of Hope Award. He was known for taking a public stand on controversies, beginning with school integration in the late 50s in Texas. He participated in marches in the 60s, worked on fair housing, immigration, guided Saint Paul through twelve years of social conflict, introduced women into the administrative level, and confronted Perkins regarding the Bush Library. The Bishop of North Texas recently resolved a suspension of Bill due to his presiding at the marriage of partners in a 53-year relationship.
Among his many publications are titles such as The People of God in Ministry, Abingdon Press, 1981, Preaching from Camelot to Covenant, Abingdon Press, 1989, Winds of Grace, Ways of Faith, Westminster/John Knox Press, 1991, Eating and Drinking at the Welcome Table, Chalice Press, 1999, and Becoming a Justice Seeking Congregation, iUniverse Publishers, 2009.    
Services will be held at Northaven UMC in Dallas, Texas on September 8th at 2pm. Condolences can be sent to his wife, Fran McElvaney, and children, Shannon and John at 12367 Montego Plaza, Dallas TX, 75230. Memorials include Northaven UMC Human Development Fund, the SMU Perkins School of Theology and North Dallas Shared Ministries.

ReThinking Welcome seminar offered in Oklahoma

Leaders from the United Methodist and Wesleyan family in Oklahoma and surrounding states are invited to attend ReThinking Welcome, sponsored by World Methodist Evangelism Institute of the World Methodist Council and Emory University. This event focuses on training lay and clergy leaders to reach new persons and become more missional for Christ. It will expose leaders to some new thinking and practice of the congregation welcome in the United Methodist/Wesleyan movement in North America. The ReThinking Welcome seminar will be held at the Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Pinnacle Bank Arena offers fundraising opportunity

Nonprofit groups are sought to work during events at the Pinnacle Bank Arena, in Lincoln, Nebraska. This is a great opportunity for groups to raise money. There are 36 Nebraska basketball games, family shows and concerts over the next year that will need staffing. The average shift is five to six hours and the number of workers depends on the size of the stand (minimum of eight for a smaller stand). Pinnacle Bank Arena will pay 10 percent commission based on net sales after sales tax -average commission per event ranges from $250-500.
All workers are required to have food handler permits and alcohol serving permits for those over age 19 working concerts. Minimum age is 16.
If this is something your organization might be interested please contact Paula Obrien, concession manager, at pobrien@smglincoln.com.

Learn how to establish a cancer support group at lunch and learn

Rick Eberhard, senior director for the Chapel Hill UMC (CHUMC) in Wichita, Kansas, has announced they will host a special lunch and learn event for Victory in the Valley on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 11:30 a.m.
The guest speaker will be Diana Thomi RN BS from Victory in the Valley in Wichita. She will be discussing how to establish a new cancer support group.
If you have a family member, friend or know of someone who has or has had cancer they are encouraged to attend this event to learn more. The public is invited and you do not have to be a member of the church.
The church will be providing a light lunch for $5 per person that includes your drink. Advance RSVP’s are appreciated. You can also attend and not each lunch.
The lunch and learn will be held in the church’s fellowship hall located at 1550 N. Chapel Hill Drive (on East 13th street at the K-96 exit across from the Warren Theatre). Plenty of parking will be available and you will enter the west entrance to the church.
To RSVP or learn more about this new cancer support group or if you have any questions about the CHUMC senior ministries you are asked to contact Eberhard, at 744-1337, 734-7530 or seniorministries@chapelhillwichita.org.

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Habit of Asking

Free workshop on fundraising in the local church

The Habit of Asking workshop gives pastors practical fundraising skills in ethical and non-shame-based ways. We know that how pastors ask for money can either amplify their overall ministry – or, worst case, seriously impede it. We also know that many pastors don’t receive skills-building training for fundraising skills.
The Habit of Asking is a three-hour workshop that unpacks how to do non-shame based fundraising for churches and ministries. It offers a brief overview of the emerging behavioral science around generosity, a quick assessment tool for churches, ministries and church plants, then pivots to skills building with a focus on individual donors, often around smaller asks ($50 to $5,000 range).
The workshop will be in Overland Park, Kansas, on Oct. 8, at Atonement Lutheran Church (1-4:30 p.m.) and Oct. 9, at Jacob’s Well in central Kansas City, Missouri, (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). The event is free and a meal will be provided.

Closing the cultural divide in our churches

On Sept. 5-6, clergy and laity from the Great Plains United Methodist Conference met for the Cross-Racial/Cross Cultural Workshop at Trinity United Methodist Church, in Grand Island, Nebraska. The Rev. Sun Hee Kim and the Rev. Dr. Dale Weatherspoon led an intercultural competency workshop that helped more than 60 participants to develop skills to relate across racial, ethnic and cultural differences. Erin Hawkins, general secretary of The United Methodist Church General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) sent staff member, the Rev. Giovanni Arroya, to represent GCORR.
The workshop included an engaging mix of thoughtful presentations, activities, videos, case studies plus small and large group activities that gave the participants insights into their own cultural/racial backgrounds. Skill building tools and activities were offered for interacting with people from different backgrounds.
Workshop leader Kim used the analogy that we wear different “glasses” to see the world. These differences are not right or wrong, good or bad, but they affect how we see the world and encounter different situations. She gave an example of when she first went into a huge Chinese restaurant she thought everyone was eating rice the wrong way. Diners lifted the bowl and put the chopsticks close to their mouth. Kim, who is from Korea, had been taught that it was proper to eat rice with a spoon keeping the bowl on the table. When she asked her friend who was Chinese about the way people were eating rice, the friend said, “That’s the proper way to eat rice.”
We develop a more intercultural mindset when we can begin to understand how our own ways of seeing the world are shaped by our cultural backgrounds. Some of the skill building addressed the confusion and conflict that can erupt in intercultural interaction through what Weatherspoon and Kim described as “culture as an iceberg.”
Only about one-tenth of an iceberg can be seen—such as cultural dress, arts and food. The other nine-tenths of the iceberg includes beliefs and values about social relations, worship, leadership, responsibility and other values that come from our cultural context. Misunderstandings are often a clash of different perceptions of the world that we may not recognize about ourselves or our neighbor. We can begin to build bridges and connections with one another through “bridge people” who help interpret differences and by getting to know more about another culture. The more we share stories and listen to multiple stories, the more we can build bridges.
Both workshop leaders gave examples of different expectations for a pastor that may exist in different cultural traditions. For example, in one cross-cultural appointment, Weatherspoon was expected to be present throughout a wake, even though he wasn’t expected to speak until after he had been there for at least five hours. Workshop participants considered case studies of conflicts between pastors and congregations that developed because of different cultural expectations and beliefs. Participants began to prepare “next steps” for building and strengthening hospitality and inclusion within the church in their own contexts.
On Saturday, Bishop Scott Jones spoke to the group stressing the importance of this workshop given the realities of numerous cross-racial appointments in this conference and our goals of becoming a more diverse and inclusive people. He said, “Together we have the common mission of sharing Jesus Christ for the world.”
The Rev. Sun Hee Kim is a United Methodist clergy woman who is currently serving as the Pastor of Discipleship and Leadership Development at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Freemont, California. As an Asian-American immigrant from Korea, she has served mostly Anglo churches and has worked in various cross-cultural/cross-racial settings both within the United Methodist denomination as well as in broader ecumenical settings. She has organized and facilitated cross-cultural/cross-racial workshops for congregations and for clergy over the past five years. She is passionate about helping people to connect and to build relationship beyond cultural and racial differences.
The Rev. Dale M. Weatherspoon has served four churches in the California-Nevada Annual conference: Almaden Hills in south San Jose, First UMC of Redwood City, Alum Rock in east San Jose, and currently Good Samaritan UMC in Cupertino. All of these appointments have been cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments. He has a passion for justice ministry and teaching. He sees himself as a cultural bridge person who works to help people see not only their commonalities but to appreciate and value their differences. He believes that “only in community and in service together can we grow in love for one another and deepen our trust in God through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Early Response Teams needed in Warren, Michigan

Early Response Teams are still being requested to assist with the massive effort of evaluating and mucking out of homes in Warren, Michigan, after the storms of August 11. More than 18,000 homes were affected after the storms. Anywhere from 16 inches of flood water to reports of over 7 feet have been reported and confirmed. Working with the City Council, the Detroit Annual Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Eric Miller, has currently identified over 350 homes (with more being reported daily) that still have immediate and urgent needs.
ERTs have been requested to work alongside the City of Warren in the evaluation of, mucking out and cleaning of the affected homes. Remember your training and be prepared to “self support” in the area of meals and logistics. Housing has been secured at New Hope Church in Shelby Township, Michigan, a few miles north of the affected area. There is room for tool trailers.
Contact Eric Miller at emiller629@wowway.com for more information, documents and to confirm your team’s reservation.
Please pray for those affected, those that will respond and also about your response to this invitation.

Food drive brings relief to local pantry

The shelves at the Tri-City Food Pantry, in Papillion, Nebraska, are brimming now and the Back Pack Buddies Program has food for more than seven months, thanks to the members of St. Paul’s UMC’s, also in Papillion, food drive on Aug. 31.
More than 40 boxes food items were delivered to the pantry, which has experienced a 128 percent increase in the number of families served over the past 12 months. It assists people in Papillion, LaVista and Ralston, communities in suburban Omaha, Nebraska.
The Back Pack Buddies Food Program provides 40 back packs each weekend filled with breakfast, lunch and dinner items for area children that are “food challenged.” The food in the back packs supplements the breakfasts and lunches provided at school during the week, but not available on weekends.
Church members collected bags of food from porches throughout central Papillion. The food was returned to the church for sorting, labeling and boxing for delivery on Sept. 2.
Photos: Borrowed grocery carts were used by Becky Hoch to bring the collected food from the cars into the Fellowship Hall for sorting, labeling and boxing. Sorting was the first step in processing of the thousands of food items that flowed from area homes into St. Paul’s and then to the food pantry. An arm load of can goods destined for the Tri-City Food Pantry are cradled by Nicole Ricchini at the sorting and label table.

Produce donation much appreciated

When Sylvia and Stu Stuart of Central City UMC, in Nebraska, pulled up behind Mills Dining Hall on the Epworth Village main campus, in York, Nebraska, bright and early Thursday morning, Sept. 4, they were on a mission; to deliver a trunk load of fresh produce into the kitchen courtesy of Daniel’s Produce of Monroe, Nebraska.
In the blink of an eye the counter was covered with seasonal goodness — a half-dozen nice sized watermelon, twice as many cantaloupe, cucumbers, green peppers and zucchini that would soon become bread.
“Oh, this means so much, said Tammy Henry, Epworth Village USDA coordinator. “It means more vegetables and fruits for our residents. Fresh is always better. The kids will love the corn on the cob and all of it. We appreciate it so much.”
Epworth Village, Inc., is a non-profit agency based in York, Nebraska. From its beginning as an orphanage in the 1880's, the mission of Epworth Village has been to bring hope and healing to children and families in the name of Christ.
Photo: Sylvia and Stu Stuart of Central City UMC, in Nebraska, delivered fresh produce to Epworth Village recently. The fruit and vegetables were donated by Daniel’s Produce of Monroe, Nebraska. 

Honduras mission opportunity

All are invited to partake in a Honduras mission trip Dec. 27-Jan. 8. For 15 years, team members have been assisting community in Honduras in building a water system. The purpose of the trip is to make a difference through participation in hands-on mission activities. They go not so much to complete the task, but to share love and learn from the people. Participants as well as gifts are requested to build the water system. Cost for the trip is $1,300. If you would like to learn more about this volunteer in mission opportunity, contact Bloyd Funk at bfunk@wbsnet.org.

Butterflies alight at Benedict United Methodist Church

Colorful butterflies have settled themselves upon the walls of the Benedict United Methodist Church sanctuary and they aren’t just passing through.
For the third year, Benedict Community Sunday School has chosen Epworth Village as the recipient of the loose change it collects during offering at Sunday worship. Coins are collected in soup cans.
Nancy Dob says, “The clinking, clunking and rattling of the coins make a joyous noise in the sanctuary. Everyone gets involved, from grandmas and grandpas to the littlest kiddos. We like making and hearing the noise because it is going to a good cause.”
Epworth Village is a national mission institute of the United Methodist Church. Formerly known as Mothers’ Jewels Home, Epworth Village provides in-home safety services, therapy, group homes and education to at risk youth and families in need. Although things have changed quite a bit from its humble beginnings as an orphanage, the mission remains; to provide hope and healing to children and families.
“Thanks to the dedication of the Epworth Village Staff, administration and board, as well as the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, Epworth Village is celebrating its 125th year,” Dob points out.
Dob reports Sunday School kids collected a whopping $1307.19 in change, quite a lot of money considering average attendance is 30. This was supplemented by the donation of half of the proceeds from their annual biscuit and gravy feed and $51 collected at Vacation Bible School.
For Each $20 collected throughout the year … a beautiful butterfly flies into the sanctuary resulting in a colorful reminder of what can happen when an idea like this takes flight.
“The Benedict Sunday School will continue to collect loose, noisy change this year for Epworth Village. … And, by the way, we will take silent money as well,” Dob declares.
Photo: Harrietta Reynolds, President/CEO of Epworth Village (left), accepts a check from Nancy Dob in the amount of $1,307.19. The funds represent a year of collections by the Benedict Community Sunday School.

Indian Heights UMC in Overland Park, seeking piano/organ accompanist

A piano/organ accompanist is needed at Indian Heights United Methodist Church in Overland Park, Kansas. This part-time position is needed for Sunday morning worship, Wednesday night choir rehearsals (September - May), special services (funerals, Christmas Eve, etc.). Other job duties include staff meetings and verifying pianos are tuned twice a year. Please send resumes to Suzette in the church office at indianheightsumc@sbcglobal.net. The position begins the first of October.

Free organ lessons at First UMC, Lincoln

As a ministry of First UMC, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and in celebration of their new pipe organ, the church organist Brent Shaw is offering a semester of free organ lessons to anyone interested. Some piano experience required.
If interested, please contact Brent at brent@firstumclincoln.org, 402-466-1906 or 919-609-5362. Brent received his Master of Music from Meredith College in Raleigh, and his Bachelor of Arts. from Mercer University in Georgia.
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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Episcopal Office:
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita, KS 67207 United States
(316)686-0600 
Topeka Office:
4201 SW 15th Street
PO Box 4187
Topeka, KS 66604 United States
(785)272-9111 
Wichita Office:
9440 E Boston, Suite 110
Wichita, KS 67207 United States
(316)684-0266 

Lincoln Office:
3333 Landmark Circle
Lincoln, NE 68504-4760 United States
(402)464-5994 
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