Wednesday, November 5, 2014

The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church "GP Connect" for Wednesday, 5 November 2014

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The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church "GP Connect" for Wednesday, 5 November 2014
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In this edition of GPconnect:
EQUIP DISCIPLES
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
MERCY AND JUSTICE
IN THE NEWS

 

Council of Bishops meeting in Oklahoma

Bishop Scott Jones joins his episcopal colleagues at the Council of Bishop’s meeting held in Oklahoma City this week. See Heather Hahn’s story on accountability.
Photo by Andrew Jensen, United Methodist Communications
Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr., the new president of the Council of Bishops, accepts the gavel from Bishop Rosemarie Wenner.

Bishops called to be more accountable to each otherby Heather Hahn

OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS)United Methodist bishops must be accountable not only to United Methodists in their areas but also to the full Council of Bishops, asserted the council’s new president.

Bishop Warner Brown Jr. concluded his first address as the body’s president by asking his fellow episcopal leaders to affirm the vows they took when they were consecrated as bishops. The bishops stood in unison to show their assent.
Brown, who also leads the San Francisco Area, spoke to a group that included 64 active and 43 retired bishops from around the globe. The council is meeting this week as the denomination is struggling with declining U.S. membership, deep divisions regarding homosexuality, and questions of what it means for church leaders to be accountable.
A group of United Methodists has argued that the church should split unless clergy who violate the denomination’s ban on same-gender weddings are held accountable. That includes bishops.
Be sure to add the alt. text
Bishop Warner Brown Jr., president of the Council of Bishops, presides over Communion at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. Photo by Holly McCray.

Holding each other accountable

Brown offered a broad understanding of how bishops should work together, including “not a looking over one another’s shoulder to second guess” each other.
“It is an accountability focused on the mission of the church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” he said. “Being mutually accountable requires intentional collaboration. We will need to stay engaged with one another long enough to trust each other.”
For years, bishops have discussed how they can hold each other accountable for effectiveness in ministry. Many of those discussions have focused on how they can help each other increase the number of vital United Methodist congregations and nurture both love of God and love of neighbor.
Before the 2012 General Conference, the council approved a motionto have its executive committee develop measures for accountability.
Charlotte (North Carolina) Area Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster, who leads the council's accountability task force, gave the bishops an update Monday afternoon on that work. He invited bishops to send their input on what should be part of a code of conduct. To start the conversation, Goodpaster shared with small groups some common courtesies that bishops can agree to follow, such as responding to email and calls promptly.
"We realize this is low-hanging fruit," Goodpaster said. "How do we go deeper? And then, what happens when someone does not do what we wrote down? What are the consequences?"
The effort remains a work in progress.
In his address, Brown said his role as president is “to help us be an effective leadership organization.”
“The challenge is for us to come together on that which we agree is most important and lead together in a cooperative way,” he said. “In other words, we must speak as pastors to the church and keep the Wesleyan spirit.”

Accountability and sexuality debate

Brown’s address also came almost a year after the council’s last meeting when a majority of active bishops requested a formal complaint be filed against retired Bishop Melvin G. Talbert after he officiated at a same-gender blessing in violation of church law.
Talbert stood with all other bishops to reaffirm his vows. He and Brown are both part of the Western Jurisdiction, which is now handling the complaint. Before his retirement, Talbert led the California-Nevada Conference as Brown does now.
Talbert said Brown gave a good address, and added that he believes he has personally lived "an accountable life."
The dispute remains a difficult one for bishops. After lunch, the bishops convened in a closed-door session to discuss human sexuality.
He told his fellow bishops that as leaders of a church as “diverse as ours, we need to let people know we hear them.” That includes people in the majority and the minority, he said.

Other bishops praise speech

Retired Bishop Violet Fisher said Brown delivered a powerful message the bishops need “right now.”
Zimbabwe Area Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa agreed.
“What the church is facing right now is that we need leaders of encouragement, leaders who know leadership means addressing very hard issues, not evading them,” Nhiwatiwa said. He was hopeful Brown could provide that kind of leadership.
San Antonio Area Bishop James E. Dorff said he was particularly moved by Brown’s request that bishops reaffirm their commitment “because that is where our accountability lies.”
As his fellow bishops stood, Brown prayed over them.
“Gracious God, look in mercy on these your servants,” he said. “Replenish them with holiness and life, and fill them with the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, fill us, so that both by word and by deed we may serve you faithfully and joyously.”
Hahn is a multimedia news reporter for United Methodist News Service. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org .

Two GP staff members resign

Linda Stewart, Great Plains disaster response coordinator, has announced her retirement. This is her second retirement as she came out of retirement to set the organizational foundation for the Great Plains Conference disaster response team. Her last day is Nov. 14.

“I hope that I have set a good foundation for those who come after me. We had an active summer and were able to bless many lives through the helping hands of volunteers,” said Stewart. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with people all across the Great Plains Area and will carry you in my heart always.”

Stewart intends to spend time with and enjoy her husband and grandchildren quite a bit more. She also said she is looking forward to moving to Arkansas and becoming a volunteer.

Disaster response questions should be forwarded to the Rev. Kalaba Chali at kchali@greatplainsumc.org until the position is filled.

Kathryn Witte, Great Plains communications director, has accepted a position as marketing director for Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her last day will be Nov. 26.

“I began this work in 2003 and value my many wonderful personal and professional connections developed over that time,” said Witte. “Through this ministry I learned what a blessing it is to be United Methodist and often tell people that it’s the best way to create a spiritual, non-partisan political way of ‘being’ in today’s world.”

She said the communications department is well-positioned to move forward in exciting ways to support Great Plains Conference efforts to help equip local churches.

The Rev. Nancy Lambert, assistant to the bishop and director of clergy excellence will oversee the communications department activities until a replacement is hired. Lambert can be reached atnlambert@greatplainsumc.org.

News submissions should go to greatplainsumc.org/submitanewsstory. Requests for project assistance can be directed to communication coordinators Cindy Kelly (ckelly@greatplainsumc.org) in Wichita or to Rachel Moser (rmoser@greatplainsumc.org) in Lincoln.

Top court affirms Schaefer’s reinstatement as clergy

The Rev. Frank Schaefer will remain a clergyman in The United Methodist Church.
In a ruling made public Oct. 27, the denomination’s top court upheld a June decision by a regional appeals committee to reinstate Schaefer’s ministerial credentials, modifying the penalty imposed upon the Pennsylvania pastor after he was found guilty last November of violating church law by performing a same-sex wedding for his son in 2007.
“The Judicial Council upon careful review of the decision of the Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals in the matter of the Rev. Frank Schaefer and the questions of law presented by the counsel for the church finds there are no errors in the application of the church law and judicial decisions,” said Decision 1270. “The penalty as modified by the Committee on Appeals stands.”
In its decision, Judicial Council also recognized the fact that “some within the church do not support this outcome today.”
The ruling came during the Judicial Council’s Oct. 22-25, fall meeting in Memphis, Tennessee, and followed an oral hearing on the case. The Rev. Christopher Fisher, who served as counsel for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference during Schaefer’s trial, appealed the decision of the committee on appeals to Judicial Council. 
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
The Rev. Frank Schaefer (third from right) stands with family and supporters during a prayer service for unity at Court Square Park in Memphis, Tennessee, prior to the Oct. 22 oral hearing on his case by the United Methodist Judicial Council. Schaefer was found guilty in a November 2013 church trial of performing a same-sex wedding ceremony for his son but regained his clergy credentials upon appeal.


Top court affirms Schaefer’s reinstatement as clergy

by Linda Bloom
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UMNS)
The Rev. Frank Schaefer will remain a clergyman in The United Methodist Church.
In a ruling made public Oct. 27, the denomination’s top court upheld a June decision by a regional appeals committee to reinstate Schaefer’s ministerial credentials, modifying the penalty imposed upon the Pennsylvania pastor after he was found guilty last November of violating church law by performing a same-sex wedding for his son in 2007.
“The Judicial Council upon careful review of the decision of the Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals in the matter of the Rev. Frank Schaefer and the questions of law presented by the counsel for the church finds there are no errors in the application of the church law and judicial decisions,” said Decision 1270. “The penalty as modified by the Committee on Appeals stands.”
In its decision, Judicial Council also recognized the fact that “some within the church do not support this outcome today.”
The ruling came during the Judicial Council’s Oct. 22-25 fall meeting in Memphis, Tennessee, and followed an oral hearing on the case. The Rev. Christopher Fisher, who served as counsel for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference during Schaefer’s trial, appealed the decision of the committee on appeals to Judicial Council. 
Penalty imposed by trial court
Fisher raised a question before the council on whether Schaefer lost the right to appeal his case by disobeying the penalty imposed on him.
During the Nov. 19, 2013, penalty phase of the trial, the full penalty imposed was an immediate 30-day suspension, followed by a written report to and interview with the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Board of Ordained Ministry “regarding his call and his willingness to uphold the Book of Discipline in its entirety.” Not being able to do so would evoke a call to surrender his credentials to the annual conference.
Schaefer’s written report concluded with his commitment “to working together with my clergy colleagues, providing a ministry to all people under my care, continuing to advocate for our LGBT community within the UM Church while using proper channels toward changing the discriminatory language and provisions in our Book of Discipline.”
When asked, Schaefer told the board of ordained ministry he could not uphold the Discipline in its entirety and would not voluntarily surrender his credentials. The board’s chair then said Schaefer’s ministerial credentials would be taken from him.
The trial court did not describe a voluntary surrender of credentials as a requirement, the Judicial Council found, nor is there any record that Schaefer “engaged in any sort of flagrant disobedience to the trial court penalty.”
‘Mixing and matching’ penalties
The Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals used two previous Judicial Council decisions — Decision 240 and Decision 725 — as a basis for its June 24 decision that the trial court’s “compound penalty” improperly involved the “mixing and matching of penalties that are designed to be distinct.” One of those was a penalty based on a future possibility rather than a past or present act.
In general, a trial court “may stipulate conditions” for ending a suspension as part of the penalty of suspension, Judicial Council said.
In this case, however, the council said “the trial court combined aspects of two discrete and distinct alternatives, suspending the Rev. Schaefer for 30 days and then crafting a subsequent proceeding, in which another body, namely the Board of Ordained Ministry, was given the power to change the suspension to termination by the surrendering of his credentials, depending on what assurances the Rev. Schaefer was able to provide regarding his future conduct.”
That action violated church law and was “the primary basis for changing the penalty of the trial court,” the council said. The Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals is granted the authority to do so by the Discipline if the penalty “is not higher than that affixed at the hearing or trial.”
The decision acknowledges the tensions within The United Methodist Church on issues related to homosexuality.
The ruling notes that some may see the appellate committee’s decision as “a flagrant disregard for parts of the Discipline” and some “may have wished the trial court’s penalty had been differently constructed so as to meet the requirements of the Discipline and impose a harsher penalty.”
However, the Judicial Council pointed out, its task is to “review the process and decisions of the trial court and the appellate process in order to determine if any parts of the Book of Discipline were violated or were interpreted in error.”
The Rev. Kabamba Kiboko, a council member, was not at the Memphis meeting. The Rev. Timothy K. Bruster, first clergy alternate, took part in the decision.
Bloom is a United Methodist News Service multimedia reporter based in New York. Follow her at http://twitter.com/umcscribe or contact her at (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org

Five Day Academy registration is now open

The Upper Room Ministries, The Five Day Academy Council and Leadership Team invite you to register now for the 2015 Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation.

April 2015 marks the 25th annual event. To celebrate, we have invited Dr. Wendy Wright, Creighton University, who presented at the first Five Day at Crosier Monestary, in Hastings, Nebraska. Wendy will share with us views of the faith of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We have also invited the Rev. Grace Imathiu who has experienced the world and knows the power of the gospel. Grace calls us into God and in relationship with all. She is a powerful speaker that will wake us up and engage all of our senses.

Please review the brochure, check out the websites contained within, and prayerfully consider registration. Some financial support is available.

Also, coming up in 2016, the St. Benedict Renewal Center, near Schuyler, Nebraska, is hosting the Upper Room Two-Year Academy. More information will be forthcoming. The Upper Room Ministries website has information about that amazing experience as well.

For more information contact Russ Terman-White, 2015 Five Day Academy in Nebraska Retreat Leader at rterman@greatplainsumc.org.

Upper Room call-in seminar on prayer

The Upper Room is offering a call-in program to help those struggling to have honest conversations with God. If you seek to live an authentic life, if you want to hear more from our modern day theologians and historians of the church, you won't want to miss this honest, heart-felt conversation.

View more information.

A helping of hamburger

Epworth Village freezers filling up

What a gift, beef was delivered to Epworth Village this week thanks to generous donors who realized a need and took action to fill it.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Epworth Village youth assisted in unloading packages of hamburger, roasts, cube steak and stew meat from an agency van. Under the direction of Epworth Village USDA Coordinator Tammy Henry, packages were carefully stacked onto waiting shelves in a walk-in freezer.
To say the gift was appreciated would be an understatement. “Oh, our children will appreciate the meat. Having the beef will make menu planning easier. I can’t wait to make pot roast, chili, meatloaf … warm meals for cold days,” says Henry, with a smile.
Thanks to the donation Epworth Village clients will be enjoying lots of home cooked meals.
Donations such as this not only provide sustenance, they lift the spirits of Epworth Village clients and staff — demonstrating just how many people care about the 125 year-old mission.
Funding for processing the beef came from Benedict (Nebraska) UMC and Trinity UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska.
So, if you were wondering where the beef is, know it is on the shelves of the freezer in Mills Dining Hall.
Epworth Village, Inc., is 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.
Donate to Epworth Village on their website at www.epworthvillage.org.
Photos: Epworth Village youth assisted in unloading donated beef and carrying it into a large walk-in freezer, and Tammy Henry, Epworth Village USDA coordinator, smiles as she surveyed the shelves of her walk-in freezer which is now filled with beef.

Chapel Hill Senior Ministry to host banquet honoring veterans

Rick Eberhard, senior director for the senior ministry at the Chapel Hill UMC, in Wichita, Kansas, has announced they will be hosting a special Veterans Day Banquet on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014.
The banquet will start at 6 p.m., with a public viewing of some of the memorabilia from some of the veterans who have served their county.
Then at 6:30 p.m., the Chapel Hill Food Committee will serve a delicious meal followed by the presentation of the USA flag by Boy Scout Troop 405.
Following the meal, the Cross Connection Men’s Ensemble from the Riverlawn Christian Church in Northwest Wichita will perform some patriotic numbers for everyone to enjoy.
Following their performance, each veteran will have the opportunity to share a brief history of their military career with the audience. The Boy Scout Troop will present each veteran with a USA flag after they speak. Family members who have lost a loved one who served in the military (active duty, nonactive duty or post-service) will be encouraged to talk about them.
The banquet will close by thanking all the veterans and or families for their faithful service.
For more information about Chapel Hill UMC Senior Ministry you can contact Rick Eberhard at 316-744-1337 or seniorministries@chapelhillwichita.org.

Caregivers conference in Wichita set for Nov. 15

First United Methodist in Wichita, Kansas, is excited to offer a one-day workshop on Saturday, Nov. 15: Caring for Ourselves While Caring for our Elders. This event will be led by Maren C. Tirabassi, a United Church of Christ pastor in New Hampshire who is also a leader in the areas of eldercare and self-care. She is the author of 18 books. Her personal favorite, Caring for Ourselves While Caring for our Elders, will be given to workshop participants.

This workshop will be beneficial to anyone involved in care for a family member or close friend, and worthwhile for those in congregational care, Stephen Ministries, and those who are anticipating these commitments.

The workshop will be held at First UMC, Wichita, 330 N. Broadway, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Individual registrations of $35 include a copy of Maren’s book, a morning snack, and lunch. A pair may register for $50 and share a book. Registrations may be made online atwww.firstwichita.org or by calling the church, 316-267-6244.  Libby Eaton, Director of Adult Discipleship at First UMC,  is available to answer questions. Email Libby at libbye@firstwichita.org.

All Great Plains United Methodists are invited. Please spread the word.

Ministry news focusing on small and rural congregations

The Great Plains United Methodist Rural Advocates (GPUMRA) fall newsletter is below. The GPUMRA is a caucus group speaking for the small and rural United Methodist congregations. April Wagehaupt is the editor and can be reached at awagehaupt@greatplainsumc.org.

Newsletter PDF

Small membership churches

Coordinator for Small Membership Church Ministries, the Rev. Micki McCorkle is pleased with the Small Wonders event held in Salina last month. Plans are underway for next year’s event.

Small Wonders

Small Wonders was great fun. Thanks to each of you who helped make it happen and to all of you who participated. Read the recap here.
Planning is already beginning for Small Wonders 2015. If you would like to help create the next conference for small membership congregations, just let Micki know at mmccorkle@greatplainsumc.org. Next year our topic will be related to worship in small membership congregations.

 

ABIDE preview

Will be coming this spring. Dates will be out in January. Let Micki know if you and your congregation are interested. She will make sure and get you on the list to receive more information.

VBS 2015

The Great Plains Conference will once again have college student interns traveling around the Great Plains doing VBS this coming summer. If you would like a team of interns to come to your congregation, please download and fill out the application.
If you know of college students who might be interested, encourage them to apply. They shoulddownload and fill out an application.
This year’s curriculum is called “Mission Road Trip!” We will explore Paul’s journeys in the Bible and look at our own mission partnerships in the Great Plains: Zimbabwe, Haiti and Nigeria. There will be fun crafts from our partner countries and a live conversation with children in another country!
Pictured above from VBS 2014 are the Rev. Cynthia Smart, pastor at Mason Memorial in Kansas City, with the five VBS interns: Phillip, Felicia, Anna, Kristina and Colin.
 

Resources

Ethnic/Minority Young Adult summer internship deadlines

Deadlines have been announced to apply for a 2015 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in social justice placements in the U.S. capital. The EYA program is for persons, ages 18-22 from United Methodist racial/ethnic minority caucuses and Central Conferences, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change.
Sponsored by the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) and the denomination's Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group, the summer internship, May 27-Aug. 1, is for young adults representing the five ethnic minority caucuses of The United Methodist Church: Native Americans, Pacific-Islanders, Hispanic/Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans.
The program, administered by GBCS, also seeks to attract United Methodist young adults from the Central Conferences of Africa, Philippines and Europe. Applicants must be full members in The United Methodist Church.
Deadlines to submit applications for internships are the following:
  • Dec.1 for applicants outside the United States.
  • Feb. 1 for applicants in the United States.
Interns participate in weekly devotions and topical seminars to supplement their daily work experience. Interns also will visit the United Nations office of GBCS in New York City. They will participate in seminars that educate interns about the international advocacy work The United Methodist Church does at the United Nations.
Ethnic/Minority Young Adult Summer Internship deadlines
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 30, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Deadlines have been announced to apply for a 2015 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in social justice placements in the U.S. capital. The EYA program is for persons, ages 18-22 from United Methodist racial/ethnic minority caucuses and Central Conferences, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change.
Sponsored by the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) and the denomination's Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group, the summer internship, May 27-Aug. 1, is for young adults representing the five ethnic minority caucuses of The United Methodist Church: Native Americans, Pacific-Islanders, Hispanic/Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans.
The program, administered by GBCS, also seeks to attract United Methodist young adults from the Central Conferences of Africa, Philippines and Europe. Applicants must be full members in The United Methodist Church.
Deadlines to submit applications for internships are the following:
Dec.1 for applicants outside the United States.
Feb. 1 for applicants in the United States.
Interns participate in weekly devotions and topical seminars to supplement their daily work experience. Interns also will visit the United Nations office of GBCS in New York City. They will participate in seminars that educate interns about the international advocacy work The United Methodist Church does at the United Nations.
Concern for social justice
Applicants must be in good academic standing at their college or university, demonstrate evidence of their concern for social justice through extracurricular activity, academic study and have some history of involvement in their church and/or community.
If employed full-time, applicants must show active leadership and participation in their local church and community, including involvement in social-justice activities.
GBCS will provide round-trip transportation to and from Washington, D.C.; housing during the internship; commuter stipend for travel to work sites; and $1,500 for each intern for the eight-week period.
Applications will be evaluated on an applicant's passion and potential to engage in broad-based social justice ministries. Priority will be given to an applicant's commitment to public policy, demonstrated leadership and potential for leadership within The United Methodist Church and society.
Initial criteria for selection will include a substantial written response, evidence of leadership within the denomination at the local church, conference or general church level. Academic achievements and a readiness to apply university study to the internship will also be considered.
The EYA Interns are expected to return to their schools, churches and communities with an increased commitment to working with and on behalf of marginalized groups in society. Interns are also expected to share their experience with others.
Ethnic Local Church Grant
EYA is funded through GBCS’s Ethnic Local Church Grant program.
More details about the internship and application forms are available at 2015 Ethnic Young Adult Internship. The recommendation form is available at Recommendation.
For more information, contact the Rev. Neal Christie, assistant general secretary, Education & Leadership Formation, General Board of Church & Society, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002, (202) 488-5611, or send email to eya@umc-gbcs.org, or the Rev. Doris Warrell , EYA program coordinator
The General Board of Church & Society is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. The board’s primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education & Leadership Formation, United Nations & International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center at the United Nations.
Contact Info
Wayne Rhodes
Director of Communications
General Board of Church & Society
The United Methodist Church
(202) 488-5630 / wrhodes@umc-gbs.org

Growing up and staying in the Windside UMC

A surprise celebration was held Sunday Oct. 26, at the Winside, Nebraska, United Methodist Church to honor Helen (Wylie) Holtgrew, a 75-year church member. Holtgrew was confirmed in the Winside UMC on Dec. 17, 1939, and has since remained a member. Holtgrew’s grandfather was a pastor at Winside in 1916.

Helen has faithfully served the church in a variety of ways. She is the church organist, starting when she was in high school. She continues to be active as the United Methodist Women president and has served in many offices of the church over the years.

During the worship service Holtgrew was presented a 75-year pin. The children and youth of the Sunday school presented her with cards they had made. The younger children then sang to her "This Little Light of Mine.” A poem written in her honor by Joan Field was read. There were 70 people in attendance. Many family members were present for the celebration. Cake and coffee was served after the worship service.

Prairie View 4-H participates in 4-H service challenge

To culminate National 4-H Week, Prairie View 4-H Club took part in the Kansas 48-Hours of 4-H Service Challenge.

On Oct. 12, 2014, 19 members of Prairie View 4-H Club assisted with the church service at Deerfield United Methodist Church, in Deerfield, Kansas, by assisting the Rev. Natalie Faust in leading worship with praise music, songs, children’s time, prayers and readings.

Following the service, the 4-H club served a beef and noodle lunch with all the fixings to about 70 congregation members. The club’s friends at the Deerfield United Methodist Church are very supportive of its 4-H projects and other service events. The club meetings are held at Deerfield UMC each month. The club appreciates the church support and the opportunity to be in fellowship and serving those who serve them.

Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people. Recent findings from the Tufts University "4-H Study of Positive Youth Development" indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H are nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities.

Kansas Kearny County 4-H is a network of families that grows great kids and it's for all residents living in rural, town and city locations. For more information about how you can get involved in 4-H, contact Kearny County Extension Office at 620-355-6551 or check outwww.JoinKansas4H.org.

Learn more about 4-H at www.Kansas4H.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Kansas4H and on Twitter athttps://twitter.com/Kansas4H. Deerfield UMC is found on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/deerfieldumc

Editor’s note: In Nebraska, contact University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s 4-H website at http://4h.unl.edu/.

Men’s fall potato drop at Bonner Springs UMC

There are thousands of families throughout the Great Plains Conference that despite having a household member with a regular income, they will go to bed hungry. This does not have to happen in our conference or anywhere else.

The United Methodist Men’s Fall Potato Drop means a large truckload of potatoes will be delivered and volunteers will unload and load them into vehicles to be distributed to local hunger relief ministries or to anyone else that needs them to help supply a meal to a needy family.

Take part in the drop on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, from 9 a.m. to noon(come join in all the fun or just part of the fun). There will be plenty of activity for everyone, and the best thing will be the great blessings received by doing something for Christ.
    
To participate please complete the registration form or contact David Toler at 913-481-9034 or email dvdtlr@aol.com. The Bonner Spring UMC is located at 425 W Morse, Bonner Springs, KS 66012.

View the registration form.

Burlington, Kansas UMC sponsors fourth annual Trunk-or-treat


Burlington, a town of 2,700 located southeast of Emporia, hosts an annual community Trunk-or-treat event. This year about 140 trick or treaters and their families celebrated Halloween in the parking lot of the church. A dozen or more decorated cars opened their trunks to children and youth with candy and treats while the parking lot teemed with games and activities for all ages.

Adrienne Fleming, Christian Education Director, plans the games while Youth Director Richard Croll and his wife Susan organize the meal.

A light supper is provided and was served out of the “mouth” of the church (a window dressed up like mouth from which walking tacos and hot dogs were served). Great weather, decorations and costumes contributed to make it a success.

Church Administrative Assistant Luella Masters said, “It’s really a fun, interactive program that fits our motto of ‘sharing God’s love with Coffey County and world.’” She said it also inspires the congregation to be in outreach with the community.

Attendees are encouraged to return for other church activities through signs, posters and announcements posted in the parking lot. Pastor Scott Hannon handed out cards printed with, “Catch the Sweet Spirit” at the Burlington United Methodist Church, inviting community attendees to engage in the church.

Photos: Susan Croll, a youth sponsor, serving food out the decorated church office window to Trunk-or-Treat participants. Photo courtesy of the church. Additional photos provided by the “Coffey County Republican.”

TiM associates offer blog

The Transition into Ministry (TiM) Program is designed to assist young pastors in making the transition from seminary to effective full-time pastoral leadership. We recently had a time of Q&A with the Rev. Wendy Mohler, who currently serves at Chapel Hill UMC in Wichita, Kansas.

The Rev. Andy Frazier has recently made his transition into his first solo pastor appointment. Read his thoughts, “On Sewer Lines and Car Troubles, Lessons for Ministry (and Life) in Transition.”

Past articles authored by TiM pastors can be viewed on the Great Plains website. Learn more about the TiM.

Clergy to gather at Lincoln St. Mark’s in January

The Orders and Fellowship gathering for clergy will be held Jan. 21-22, 2015, at St. Mark’s UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska, 8550 Pioneers Blvd. The theme is HIGH DEF: Growing the Church — Highly defined practices for church leaders.
The featured speakers are the Rev. Jay Hansen, Senior Pastor, and Anne Bosarge, director of discipleship, from The Chapel, a United Methodist congregation in Brunswick, Georgia. Their messages will focus on helping clergy grow local church leaders.
The presenters do not have names that you would recognize from their latest book or having been speakers at a continuing education event you attended because they have not done either of these. What they have done is develop a discipling and leadership program for their congregation. The discipleship program begins intentionally with children in the fourth grade. Small group work will enable clergy to select a topic to focus on for their discussions. Clergy will be instructed to find a table and sit with people of similar interests. Small group topics include:
  • Congregational Leadership Development
  • Systems Leadership Development
  • Family Ministry Leadership Development
  • Staff/Key Leaders Development

Preparing licensed local pastors for ministry

The Clergy Excellence Team is committed to developing clergy leaders. Licensing School is one pathway to serving a local church. Licensing School is an intensive course designed to prepare lay people called to serve in pastoral ministry and fulfills the requirements of the “Book of Discipline.” After completion, participants who are certified candidates approved for license as a local pastor can be appointed to serve in local churches as Licensed Local Pastors. Licensing School focuses especially on the pastoral behaviors, practices and theological framework necessary to enable lay people to thrive as pastoral leaders under appointment in The United Methodist Church.

Licensing School is generally offered in two, one-week segments. In 2015, about 10-15 people will take part in week one of the school in January. A second week one will be offered in June with 15-20 students expected. All participants in the January or June week one will also participate in a week two session in July.

Deans for the 2015 Licensing School are Cynthia Meyer, Charles Murithi and Kathy Symes. Questions about Licensing School may be addressed to Karen Jeffcoat, registrar for the Board of Ordained Ministry at registrar@greatplainsumc.org.

Bishop’s Round-Up Against Hunger

The Annual Bishop’s Round-Up Against Hunger is coming Saturday, Nov. 15, in Lawrence, Kansas, at the Douglass County Fairgrounds, starting about 8 a.m. Come and celebrate what the church is doing in the Great Plains to meet the needs of the poor and hungry.
The evening before the Bishop’s Round-Up Against Hunger event will be a youth lock-in. More than 100 youth gather for worship, fellowship and a mission challenge. They then attempt to get some rest for the day of work ahead. This event is held at the Lawrence First UMC’s West Campus. Details will be posted on the Bishop’s Round-Up Against Hunger’s Facebook page.
One major aspect of the Bishop’s Round-Up Against Hunger is raising cash donations for Mexico, Haiti and local agencies through grants. All cash donations are divided 40 percent to Mexico, 40 percent to Haiti and 20 percent to local agencies. Churches can give to these ministries through the Bishop’s Round-Up Against Hunger. Churches bring their cash donations to the celebration event or they mail the offerings to the conference office using “968 Hunger Roundup Funds” in the memo. Please consider making a cash donation to the Bishop’s Round-Up Against Hunger.
The Bishop’s Round-Up Against Hunger also tracks what each church is doing throughout the conference in regards to their local involvement in hunger ministries. Churches can use the report form on the Great Plains Conference website to report what they do locally to fight hunger in their community. It is requested that each church submit this form by the end of each calendar year. If you are unable to come to the celebration event in Lawrence, you can still participate in the celebration bycompleting this form with information about your work locally.
Thank you for your part in meeting the needs of the poor and hungry.

Nigeria Partnership orphanage announces secondary school graduation of first class of students

The following is written by Al-hassan Abdullahi Agyo, director of communication and governmental affairs, United Methodist Church of Nigeria Orphanage.

The orphanage home of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN), Mile Six, Jalingo, Taraba State, celebrated the first set of orphans to graduate from secondary school on Nov. 1, 2015, at the orphanage multi-purpose building.

The set of students who are all female include Rejoice Anthony, Rose John, Bukata Kefas, Feleciah Kuvah and Pennoh Isuwa.
              
Nigeria Episcopal Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, who is also the chairman of the orphanage board of directors, encouraged the orphans to always remember that there is no disability in being an orphan.

Yohanna commended the Rev. Dr. Eunice Iliya, head of the Nigeria Area youth department, orphanage supporters and staff for their dedication to the orphanage. He prayed God to bless them in all their undertakings.

Guest speaker, the Rev. Dan Gombe, of Jalingo, emphasized that God is the one that cares for the needs and wellbeing of orphans. His sermon referenced Psalms 68:5, 104:26, 139:14 and Hosea 4:6. He called on the first set of the students to remember the days of their beginning as they become accomplished and successful adults.

In her remarks on behalf of her graduation class, Rejoice Anthony expressed her appreciation to God and those that contributed to their upbringing. She pointed out that their support has helped them to see the light and love of God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
              
Earlier in his address of welcome, Coordinator of the Orphanage Home, Simon Benjamin, said the orphanage has a total of 158 orphans in its records.

Out of the aforementioned number, 100 are housed at the orphanage, 40 are in foster care and 18 have been given for adaption. He explained that in addition to the five students who completed their secondary school education, there are 33 more enrolled in secondary school education. The coordinator gave thanks for the support being enjoyed by the orphanage from overseas partners, Taraba State Government, churches, corporate organizations and individuals. Benjamin pointed out that generous, ongoing support is needed for the orphanage to continue to meet its care and education goals for the students.

A highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the certificates to the five students.
Orphanage Director Simon Benjamin prepared this PowerPoint to help tell the graduation story. Keep up to date with the Nigerian Orphanage on their Facebook page.

For more information on Great Plains Mission Partnerships contact the Rev. Kalaba Chali (Chali) at kchali@greatplainsumc.org. For more information on the Nigeria Partnership contact Dottie Halvorsen athalvorsen312@yahoo.com.

The Great Plains United Methodist Conference Advance for the Nigeria Partnership is 300 for the orphanage and 301 for secondary student scholarships (this enables the five students who graduated to receive scholarships to go on to post-secondary school). Donations can be made through your local church offering plate or by mailing your check to Nigeria Partnership, Great Plains Conference Administration, 4201 SW 15th St., Topeka, KS 66604. (Be sure to put the Advance number in the memo line of your check.)
Editor’s note: This report has been aired by one of the Nigerian television houses. The plan is to also publish it in one of the widely and only circulating Christian magazines in Jalingo, owned by the Christian Reformed Church, CRC in Nigeria.

Scavenger Hunt Ministry during Advent

Do you want to make the Christmas season about more that decorating, shopping and parties? Jeremy Steele shares ideas from different United Methodist churches. The following is one about a scavenger hunt ministry.

“Most youth scavenger hunts focus on collecting clues or pictures and using a lot of gas while having a great time with friends. The youth at First United Methodist Church in Port Saint Joe, Florida, transformed this good time into an opportunity for outreach. They made it a "Random Acts of Kindness" game. Youth meet at the church and are divided into teams (cars) and receive instructions for eight to 10 activities to complete. The acts of kindness range from taping quarters to machines at a coin-operated laundry to helping someone carry groceries to their car to picking up trash at the local park. The teens run all over town serving in small ways.”

Read about other ideas.

4 great Advent outreach ideas

By Jeremy Steele
Most people want to make the Christmas season about more than decorating, shopping and parties. Many want to reach beyond their families, friends and themselves to share God's love. Gathered from throughout the church, these ideas can help your congregation and individual members reach out to the community in new ways this Advent.
Scavenger hunt ministry
Most youth scavenger hunts focus on collecting clues or pictures and using a lot of gas while having a great time with friends. The youth at First United Methodist Church in Port Saint Joe, Florida, transformed this good time into an opportunity for outreach. They made it a "Random Acts of Kindness" game. Youth meet at the church and are divided into teams (cars) and receive instructions for eight to 10 activities to complete. The acts of kindness range from taping quarters to machines at a coin-operated laundry to helping someone carry groceries to their car to picking up trash at the local park. The teens run all over town serving in small ways.
Pitching a tent for worship
Almost every church offers a Christmas Eve service. The reality is many people cannot attend because of work schedules. Others are hesitant to walk into the church down the street but still feel called to celebrate the birth of God's son—in church. In Longview, Texas,  the people at Grace Crossroads United Methodist Church take a page from the Old Testament and pitch a tent for worship on the Sunday before Christmas. They set up a tent in the parking lot of the local high school, plug in microphones and worship without pews. The Rev. John Whitehurst says 25 percent of people who show up each year are not a part of the congregation!
If tents aren't feasible, you might consider using the gymnasium at your high school or the meeting room in a local business. You know best how to take your service into the community.
Christmas Eve goodies for people who must work
The people at Trinity United Methodist Church in Waverly, Iowa, decided Christmas Eve would be more than a time to have a special Communion service. They knew many in their community were working on a night many reserve for worship and gathering with loved ones. Early on Christmas Eve day, the Rev. Deborah Wise gathers with youth and college students to make and bag Christmas treats (usually chocolate-covered pretzels). After Christmas Eve worship, families attending take the goodies and hit the streets. They stop at hospitals, fire stations, gas stations—anywhere they know people may be working—and share the  expressions of God's love with everyone they meet as they travel home.
Advent is enough
In the small town of Salem, Arkansas, Viola United Methodist Church is the only mainline church and the only that follows the liturgical calendar. During Advent, they add extra community-building opportunities before and after worship. Rather than playing down their traditions, they celebrate them and focus their advertising on the unique voice they offer in their community. The Rev. Cherie Baker says many people in their community who have come from more traditional church backgrounds attend the services simply to connect with  long-standing expressions of faith. Follow the lectionary, she advises. Meditate on peace, joy and love, and maybe even have a 12th Night celebration. Celebrate your traditions, and you will find people who love them as much as you do!
Try these ideas—or come up with others of your own—to reach into your community and embody the very thing we celebrate: God's love coming in human form as Jesus Christ is born!

2014 Youth Rally & Mission Project at Camp Fontanelle


On Saturday, Oct. 18, 22 youth and five adults from Orchard, Clearwater, O’Neill and Bloomfield (Nebraska) traveled to Camp Fontanelle near Nickerson, Nebraska, for the fifth annual Elkhorn Valley District Youth Rally and Mission Project.
The day started with registration at 10:30 a.m. at the new 7:24 Shelter followed by a youth rally that included a welcome, prayer, icebreaker, songs, scripture lesson and a presentation about Volunteers in Mission (VIM) by Pastor Trudy Hanke from Bloomfield/Verdigre who is a member of the Elkhorn Valley District VIM Committee.
At noon, a campfire meal of grill-your-own hot dogs, chips, potato salad and s’mores was served. At 1 p.m., the youth and adults divided up to help with the corn maze, jumping pillow, concession stand, zipline and petting zoo area and to pick Indian corn and gourds, pull weeds in the pumpkin patch and fill the wood box at the 7:24 Shelter. A mid-afternoon snack break was held and at 4 p.m., everyone gathered back at the 7:24Shelter for a time of reflection and a closing prayer to thank God for the beautiful day he provided and the opportunity to serve and work at Camp Fontanelle. By 4:30 p.m., each youth group was on their own to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at Camp Fontanelle and go through the corn maze, use the jumping pillow, play laser tag, take a ride on the zipline and explore the other areas of the Camp.
Special thanks to Trent Meyer and Derek Bergman for organizing the campfire meal and work projects and allowing the group to have this year’s Youth Rally and Mission Project at Camp Fontanelle. It was a fun day and a great opportunity to get acquainted, work together and be in mission with other youth and adults from around the Elkhorn Valley District.
The Youth Rally and Mission Project is held in October of each year and is organized by the Elkhorn Valley District Youth Ministry Action Team.

Is there a place at the table for all at Thanksgiving?

The following was submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains Peace with Justice coordinator.
In the November issue of United Methodist Women’s Response magazine, Sharon A. Schmit writes about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday by reflecting on Mark 7:24-30. This is the story of the Syrophoenician woman who implores Jesus to at least give her the crumbs that dogs would get. Jesus crosses political and cultural boundaries in his encounter with this woman. Schmit summarizes this scripture passage “The beauty of the story is that healing occurs with no strings attached. The woman is recognized as worthy just as she is. There is a place at the table for people just as they are.”
Schmit writes that “the traditional celebration of Thanksgiving has been greatly romanticized and does not reflect the reality of historic encounters between native peoples and European immigrants.” Many Native Americans do not celebrate Thanksgiving but consider it a “day of mourning” because it meant the beginning of the end for many Native American people?
At the 2012 General Conference, Resolution # 3324 “Trail of Repentance and Healing” calls The United Methodist Church to “begin a process of healing relationships with indigenous persons.” How can everyone reach out and open their tables at home and in the church to all of God’s children? And who are excluded?  
In her video submitted to the Connectional Table’s Human Sexuality Task Force, Julie Wood, a long-time United Methodist shares about her son Ben’s suicide. Her son had been an active member of the United Methodist Church but later had been excluded by a youth minister because of being gay.
She asks “What is our chief purpose as a church? Is it to bring people into a loving relationship with Christ or to create barriers that push people away from Christ?” And she challenges “What can we do to change this?”
As all give thanks for God’s love and goodness poured out, also repent of the many times God’s love has not been shared with others, especially those who are different, whether they have different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, come from different countries, have a different sexual orientation, a different economic status, different traditions or whatever else the differences might be. And go beyond sharing some extra food items for the food pantry or buying a turkey for a family that can’t afford it. Be creative and think about how to develop a relationship with someone we usually would not be in contact with. Start up a conversation and then be prepared to listen and learn. Jesus invited all to God’s table.
I encourage you to borrow the November 2014 Response magazine from a United Methodist Woman and read the article “A Place at the Table” by Sharon A. Schmit.
View the video by Julie Wood or visit umc.org which has the link to the video.
Photo: The Rev. George Tinker at the 2012 General Conference.

Seven van loads delivered to distribution center


A group of Nebraska women traveled to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC), in Chatham, Illinois, from Oct. 27-31. MMDC is one of the network depots where items are collected for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Seven vanloads of supplies were delivered including three treadle sewing machines, many boxes of sewing, health, layette and school kits, cleaning buckets and fabric. Total donations weighed 2,191 pounds.

While at MMDC, the 15 volunteers in the group sorted inventory, kept five sewing machines constantly humming, cut out 200 school bags, worked on school desks, sorted and packed school kits, personal dignity kits and much more.

In 2015, the first volunteer trip to MMDC on behalf of the Great Plains United Methodist Women will be April 20-24. Twenty-five Kansas and Nebraska women have paid the $20 non-refundable deposit to go on the trip. If you would like to be on the waiting list, please call Mary Ann Bede at 402-421-8264. Reservations are being taken for Oct. 26-30, 2015, April 18-22, 2016, and October 10-14, 2016. Email Teena Faubel at 402-217-3775 or tfaubel@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining these wonderful groups.

Redirected gifts from MMDC to communities included 95 girls’ hospital gowns and 73 boys’ tee tops and shorts to be taken by Kiwanis doctors and nurses to a clinic in Zambia. Eight boxes were brought back to Nebraska full of health and school supplies for a Nebraska-to-Jamaica medical mission.  Fabric returning with the group will become hospital gowns, and school bags and returned to MMDC.

Teena Faulbel said, “We bonded through work, fun activities, hearing an inspirational talk by a woman who has traveled for our denomination to Liberia 28 times and bonding as new friends with a mission. Join us in 2015 or 2016!”

Press clips

Evangel UMC in Holton, Kansas, hosts an after-school tutoring program. Read about Evangel UMC and it’s tutoring in Tomari Quinn’s article for the Topeka Capital-Journal: Children, retired teachers bond through tutoring effort.
To see other United Methodist congregations in the news, view our press clips at greatplainsumc.org/inthenews. You can also see other education partnership ideas at greatplainsumc.org/education.

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Editorials

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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