Thursday, October 30, 2014

The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church "GP Connect=News & Announcement" for Wednesday, 29 October 2014

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The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church "GP Connect=News & Announcement" for Wednesday, 29 October 2014
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In this edition of GPconnect:

Early bird registration for The OneEvent ends Friday

The early-bird registration rate of only $49 per person ends this Friday, Oct. 31. Visit greatplainsyouth.org to register.
On-site meal options have been added with budget-friendly meals for lunch and dinner on Sat., Jan. 2. You can pre-order these meals when you complete your registration.
Visit greatplainsyouth.org for all the details including housing options,elective seminar choices, and more. If you have any questions or need help preparing for the event, contact the planning team attheoneevent@greatplainsumc.org.

Great Plains Conference receives communications awards

Last weekend, Kathryn Witte, communications director, traveled to Savannah, Georgia, for the United Methodist Association of Communicators (UMAC)’s annual meeting. More than 75 communicators from local churches, conferences and general agencies of the United Methodist Church attended for professional development, general agency updates, fellowship, workshop and the annual awards program.
The Great Plains Conference communications team of Witte, Cindy Kelly and Rachel Moser received three awards at the Friday night awards gala. The Great Plains Conference website received first place, Great Plains Conference brand/logo received second place and weekly enewsletter GPconnect received third place. A special shout out to former Kansas Area communications director Lisa Diehl for her role in the web design project, prior to its launch in late December 2013.
Judges’ comments for the website read: “Wow! Very beautiful website with an impressive store of information, easily navigated. Wonderful use of photos, clean typography and pleasant colors.”
Photo: Kathryn Witte holds GPconnect’s third place award. Photo by the Rev. Dr. Arthur (Art) McClanahan, Iowa Conference director of communications.

Hispanic ministry partners pray for one another

The morning of Saturday, Oct. 18, First UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska, hosted the third Desayuno de Oración (Spanish for prayer breakfast) for the Great Plains Hispanic Ministry Partners. There were partners from the Lincoln/Omaha area as well as students from Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) in attendance. The gathering was aimed to reaffirm their commitment to ministry and to pray for one another.
The meal started early in the morning and became a space where worship and prayer reinforced the main goals of the partners in Christ’s name through unity —doors opened, paths shortened and processes accelerated.
“This is a great chance for Hispanic leaders in the community to reach out to other leaders in the area. Lincoln has a growing Hispanic community and we need be in touch with their communities and need for ministry,” said Corey Godbey, coordinator of Hispanic ministry.
Attendees participated in prayer and reflection in both English and Spanish for about two hours. Many of the attendees were students at NWU. “This is a very cool experience,” said Jeremiah Lee, NWU sophomore. “I have never attended a service in both Spanish and English, today was my first time — I love it!”
The most recent Prayer Breakfast took place in Topeka, Kansas, on Oct. 25. If you would like to be part of the last breakfast on Nov. 8, in Garden City, Kansas, contact Godbey atcgodbey@greatplainsumc.org or visit their Facebook page for the most recent updates.

Last weekend for Camp Fontanelle Corn Maze 

Camp Fontanelle’s second season will come to a close on a chilly note this Sunday, Nov. 2. Weather has cooperated and the public has taken advantage of the mild and sometimes warm temperatures. Families from all over the area have found their way to Camp Fontanelle, near Nickerson, Nebraska, only to get lost in the corn.
The final weekend will be busy with a scary night being offered onFriday, Oct. 31. This will be the third and final scare night for the corn maze. Volunteers will be found in the long part of the maze, giving visitors a scare — or two — as they find their way through the maze in the dark. The short part of the maze will be dark only, with mannequins placed throughout both parts of the maze to add surprise and suspense.
The Scary Maze will be open from 7-10 p.m., on Friday. Laser tag and the zip line will be operating and the movie “Signs” will be playing at the petting barn area throughout the evening. The concession stand will also be open offering the full menu.
Saturday and Sunday will have the regular operating hours of 1-7 p.m.Visit Camp Fontanelle and take the chance to go through the maze, one last time, before the harvest. Pony rides, hayrack rides, laser tag and the zip line will also be available Saturday and Sunday.

The Connectional Table hosts human sexuality live stream event

United Methodists finding ways to engage in important conversations  

The Connectional Table’s Human Sexuality Task Force is hosting a live online streaming event focused on the Abingdon Press book “Finding Our Way: Love and Law in The United Methodist Church.” The panel discussion will take place Saturday, Nov. 1, 8-10 a.m. CST. That day, those wishing to join the event can access it by visitingumc.org/connectional-table-webcast. Members of the Connectional Table hope that the event will foster ongoing dialogue to provide an opportunity for listening and considering varying theological perspectives, as well as to create an ongoing conversation in the wider church.
The panelists participating in the live-stream are members of the Council of Bishops who contributed to “Finding Our Way,” as well as Neil M. Alexander, the president and publisher of The United Methodist Publishing House. The book was written to move readers through tensions related to views about homosexual practice, same-gender unions, qualifications for ordination and related issues of church teaching and governance. It encourages frank and constructive dialogue and prayer to help The United Methodists conference together and open themselves to God’s guidance in seeking faithful, fair, just and loving resolution to issues that challenge the faith community.
Confirmed bishops include Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, Bishop Michael J. Lowry, Bishop John K. Yambasu, Bishop Rosemarie Wenner. Each will be discussing their perspectives on human sexuality based upon their chapter in the book.
The Connectional Table is encouraging viewers to read the book prior to the live stream discussion. United Methodist leaders are also encouraged to gather church members for viewing and joining the discussion on Saturday morning. Additional resources to support the discussion can be found at: umc.org/what-we-believe/human-sexuality-homosexuality.
People sitting in on the event are also welcome to submit questions to be addressed by the panelists via Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #cttalks during the live stream.
The Connectional Table is a 59-member body which is responsible for guiding the vision, mission and ministries of The United Methodist Church. Connect with them online at umc.org/who-we-are/connectional-table-main.
Abingdon Press is the publishing imprint for The United Methodist Publishing House and has a tradition of crossing denominational boundaries with thought-provoking and enjoyable books. It has a commitment to providing the best, most effective religious publications available which include a wide array of quality Christian living, fiction, devotional, academic, professional and reference titles published each year to enrich church communities across the globe. Visit them online atabingdonpress.com. 

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.

Newsletter links

  • Nebraska United Methodist Foundation: October 2014
  • Great Plains Conference – Administrative Services: October 2014

Local church commits to clergy leadership development through scholarships

Certified candidates for ministry (that is a person who has been approved by the District Committee on Ministry) in the Great Plains Conference qualify to apply for a scholarship from Centenary UMC in Beatrice, Nebraska. This local church is offering a scholarship to grow leaders wherever they may be in the conference.

Reverend Charles Spence, pastor of the Centenary United Methodist Church, said, “The scholarship committee has had four endowed seminary scholarship funds for several years with no candidates coming from the church.  So the decision was made to offer monies to the Great Plains Conference to support seminary candidates.  It is great that Christians like the Shackelfords, Reids, and Smiths thought about the future and made these scholarships possible.

Scholarship funds from the Beatrice Centenary UMC  have been directed to support Great Plains Conference Clergy Excellence. The need-based scholarship is for any certified candidate in the ordination process in the Great Plains Conference who is currently enrolled in seminary. 
There are two scholarships in the amount of $1250 each for use in fall 2014. There is an application available here.  Please be prepared to provide financial information as well as answer three short questions.

The deadline for applying is Monday, Nov. 17, 2014.  A disbursement of the funds will made by Dec. 1, 2014.  If you have any questions, please contact Ashlee Alley at aalley@greatplainsumc.org.

“It is no secret that many of our recent seminary graduates are burdened with significant amounts of educational debt. Scholarships like the one given by Centenary UMC will provide a helpful investment as students are pursuing their seminary education and also serve as an encouragement to those who are preparing for ministry in the local church.  We are so grateful for this investment by Centenary UMC,” said Ashlee Alley, deacon, clergy recruitment and development coordinator.

Alley offers other recent information and resources regarding student debt and scholarships.

Mercy and Justice Team hard at work

The Great Plains Mercy and Justice Team met last weekend at Camp Comeca at Cozad, Nebraska. During the past months, the team worked together by phone conference and email, so it was good for the team to work together in person. There was a lot of positive energy in the room and engaged discussions and discernment while working on the tasks before them. The team’s primary purpose is to help local congregations transform the world through ministries of mercy and through ministries of justice that address systemic issues.
The agenda was packed and even though the weather was beautiful there wasn’t much time to explore the grounds of Camp Comeca - whose hospitality was wonderful. Team members who were unable to attend were missed.
As a team building activity, the Rev. Kent Little, team chair, had each team member cut out their own puzzle piece. The task was to find other pieces to which we could add ours. Spontaneously all pieces were arranged together showing a lot of variety (different colors, shapes and sizes). There were gaps indicating room to grow and spaces for those team members who weren’t with the group. The devotional scripture was from 1. Corinthians 12, and focused on everyone’s different spiritual gifts yet all work together as one body for the transformation of the world.
The team worked on the strategic plan for 2015 and beyond, approved the proposal from one of the sub-teams regarding Social Justice Seed Money applications, brainstormed possibilities for encouraging local churches to get involved with the resolutions passed at the Annual Conference Session, made decisions in regard to several requests that had been received and much more. Dates were set for future meetings through the end of this year and 2015.
Visit the Mercy and Justice Team’s page on the Great Plains Conference website to see some of the ministries in which the Great Plains Mercy and Justice Team is involved.

Updates from Epworth Village

Sun Shine - Heart of the Matter 2014 fundraiser a success

The sun was definitely shining on Epworth Village Thursday evening, Oct. 23, as 250 staff, clients and supporters gathered to celebrate the mission’s 125th year.
First UMC in York, Nebraska, provided use of its beautifully remodeled facility for the evening of inspiration, food, fun and fellowship.
Epworth Village CEO Harrietta Reynolds was beaming from ear to ear as she looked out over the crowd. This year, the event theme “Let the Sun Shine In” was more than meaningful. After a tough year, supporters could feel the sun shining on the mission once again.
“The support of many people, working and praying for Epworth is a miracle. The clients from Stevens and Kruse were very helpful. Our staff is doing caring and loving work and it is showing. Thanks be to God for each and every one,” Reynolds said shortly after Epworth Village’s annual fundraiser, The Heart of the Matter.
In her address, Reynolds spoke of her experience working with other United Methodist missions and the lessons learned which have served her well. She shared a favorite spiritual song as she thanked those in attendance for lifting the 125 year-old Epworth Village mission in prayer
To date, the fundraiser, which included a live auction, has raised more than $38,000 for Epworth Village which provides residential care for young men, trains and supports foster families and provides in-home and safety services to children and families in Nebraska. 

Memory and honor - Balloons sent skyward to raise awareness 

Loved ones affected by cancer were honored and remembered by Epworth Village youth as they watched pink balloons soar skyward; each carrying the name of a friend or relative — each carrying a message of hope.
Epworth Village Learning Center (EVLC) Head Teacher JoAnn Norquest, herself a cancer survivor, served as inspiration for the lift-off. For her name was present on several of the balloons released by students.
This isn’t the first year EVLC has joined in the effort to fight breast cancer and all cancers; however, it was the first time for most of the youth taking part. Names of grandfathers, grandmothers, cousins, dads, moms and friends took flight, tied to the strings of balloons.
On a perfect fall Nebraska day, Epworth Village staff and clients joined in the national effort to raise awareness and honor those who have battled the disease called cancer.
Photos: Epworth Village Learning Center students attached the names of loved ones to pink balloons prior to releasing them on Friday, Oct. 24. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Getting ready for the release meant pausing to remember loved ones with notes. 

Classifieds

View these classifieds and more at greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
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 atkwitte@greatplainsumc.org
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