In this edition of GPconnect:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OTHER NEWS
New administrative assistant hired for Missouri River District
United Methodist membership pins available
“Meet and Greet” for laity and clergy scheduled Tuesday, June 9
Commission on the General Conference to hold listening session in Portland
Council of Bishops to meet in Berlin
EQUIP DISCIPLES
Spring Training for youth ministry knocks it out of the park
Why settle for a “good” marriage, when you can have a great marriage?
Increase worship attendance with live streaming
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Applications now being accepted for fall 2015 classes at Perkins
MERCY AND JUSTICE
Envision a future without gun violence
New Facebook page launches for GP Peace with Justice Ministries
UM Global AIDS Fund issues grants to 2 Nebraska churches
Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty asks for help
Participate in prayer vigils to help families in detention
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Newsletters
Classified
Editorials
New administrative assistant hired for Missouri River District
Christine was also a program facilitator for the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, located in Wichita, where she worked within a majority of the schools in Wichita, serving at-risk youth. Before moving to Ashland, Nebraska, last summer, Christine was a member of the United Methodist Church at Park City, in Park City, Kansas. She is still a board member of the Lifehouse Ministry, a home for young mothers who need a safe place that points them toward Jesus.
Christine is now an active member and volunteer at Ashland United Methodist Church where she sings in the praise band and leads the children’s ministry on Wednesday nights. Her husband happens to be the pastor at Ashland UMC.
United Methodist membership pins available
Honor your 25, 50, 60 or 75-year members with a unique lapel pin, designed with the cross and flame emblem. Many churches use these pins to recognize special members on Heritage Sunday, Laity Sunday or All Saints Sunday.
Corresponding certificates are also available. More information can be found at greatplainsumc.org/unitedmethodistmembershippins.
“Meet and Greet” for laity and clergy scheduled Tuesday, June 9
Day before 2015 Annual Conference Session
Laity and clergy will meet separately. Laity are invited to gather atWichita First UMC (330 N Broadway St.) and clergy will meet at Wichita East Heights UMC (4407 E. Douglas Ave.)
Commission on the General Conference to hold listening session in Portland
“Our goal for the day is not to attempt to convince anyone of any particular position or to influence legislation, but rather to hear where you are and to see how we might move forward together as we prepare for the 2016 General Conference,” wrote Commission Chairperson Judi M. Kenaston in her invitation.
The decision to engage in these conversations came as an attempt to faithfully respond to the charge given to the Commission in the closing hours of the 2012 General Conference, to move General Conference debate from issues of governance and towards building consensus on ministry and treating the $12 million investment in the General Conference as a means for advancing the mission of The United Methodist Church and our global effort to transform the world.
A motion to engage in listening sessions was made at the October 2014 Commission meeting and, in consideration of issues of expense and space availability, the number of group representatives invited was limited.
The listening sessions will be held on the opening day of the meeting, which is the Commission’s last scheduled meeting before the 2016 General Conference.
The General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, and meets once every four years to consider revisions to church laws, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for churchwide programs for the next four years. The next General Conference takes place May 10-20, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Council of Bishops to meet in Berlin
Main topics on the agenda include the development of vital congregations, the implementation of the four Areas of Focus, preparation for the 2016 General Conference of The United Methodist Church, and the role of bishops in helping to maintain the unity and faithfulness of the church in the face of many significant challenges and opportunities.
“The Council of Bishops is meeting in Europe because The United Methodist Church is a global church with approximately 40 percent of United Methodists living outside the United States,” said Bishop Peter D. Weaver, executive secretary of the Council of Bishops. “It is important, as John Wesley emphasized, to be ‘connected’ with each other as we celebrate the diversity of gifts in our church and learn from each other how best to ‘make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world’ in this 21st century.”
On Sunday, May 3, the bishops will split into groups and worship with different United Methodist churches in Berlin and nearby congregations. Bishops will have the chance to meet with local United Methodists; afterwards, they will have the opportunity to learn more about unique local history, as well as current challenges in Europe.
“Twenty-five years ago the Berlin Wall came down,” said Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of the Germany Episcopal Area. “Recently one of our pastors, who grew up in the German Democratic Republic, said at a gathering in Berlin: ‘Whenever I cross the former border, just walking along without any constraints, I am rejoicing in my heart.’ The German nation and the people in Europe have indeed many reasons to rejoice. At the same time, we know of the challenges caused by rapid changes.”
Time for spiritual reflection is a part of the Council’s agenda, including daily worship. Plenary business sessions, held Friday through Thursday, are open to the news media and public. There will also be various committee and sub-group meetings throughout the week.
The Council of Bishops provides leadership and helps set the direction of the 12.5 million-member church and its mission throughout the world. The bishops are the top clergy leaders of The United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.
Spring Training for youth ministry knocks it out of the park
Darren Falk of Silver Lake UMC teaches junior high and high schoolSunday school. He came because, “I’m an amateur and I always need new ideas.” He attended the event in Salina that ran from 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and ended at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. With him was Stephanie Seth who serves as youth director and oversees Christian education at Silver Lake UMC, a Topeka-area congregation that averages around 140 worshippers each Sunday. Stephanie has participated in the National Youth Workers Convention a couple of times and is registered for the next one. These four-day events in distant cities are not affordable for an entire team. “With the super early bird rate, registration is $300,” said Stephanie, which doesn’t include airfare, lodging or meals.
While such events attract youth workers from around the country, Theresa Heinrich and Alice Killian of Wilson UMC agreed their small church which averages 30 worshippers each Sunday couldn’t afford to send one person, much less several. “We try to get as much as we can that’s close to home,” said Theresa. She and Alice, along with Kristina Heinrich, a young adult who served as a Great Plains VBS intern last summer, made the 50-mile drive back to Wilson Friday night to avoid the cost of a hotel. “We work with Sunday school and youth group. Our motivation for coming was to get fresh ideas so the kids don’t get bored,” said Theresa.
The “coach” for Spring Training was Mark Oestreicher, a partner in The Youth Cartel which provides services and resources for individual youth workers and organizations. He brought good news for the youth workers of Wilson UMC and the other 19 congregations who were represented. “Small churches have a shorter pathway to great youth ministry,” said Mark. “Larger churches are often seduced by their resources into believing that’s what brings success. It doesn’t.” Fortunately the answer isn’t complex, but neither is it easy. “The heart of great youth ministry is a caring, growing adult with a smallish group of teenagers, plus the power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus Christ,” said Mark. That’s the math of great youth ministry. It’s that simple and that difficult.
The dominant need of today’s teenager is to find meaningful belonging. “In most of our churches we’re running youth programs full of activities,” said Mark. While we wouldn’t say we’re trying to entertain kids, in many ways that’s what it seems like. “We need to move to offering a place of meaningful, unconditional belonging,” he said. In order to help teenagers be in a space where they can verbalize their questions, verbalize their faith and be known, churches need to “embrace the value of small.”
Read more and see a slideshow of photos from the event in Salina.Spring Training for youth ministry knocks it out of the park
Great Plains United Methodists who work in any aspect of youth ministry were invited to a brand new training event called Spring Training which took place this past weekend. Each church was encouraged to send their Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, pastors, confirmation mentors and others to one of two locations to learn together how to have a great youth ministry.
Darren Falk of Silver Lake UMC teaches junior high and high school Sunday school. He came because, “I’m an amateur and I always need new ideas.” He attended the event in Salina that ran from 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and ended at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. With him was Stephanie Seth who serves as youth director and oversees Christian education at Silver Lake UMC, a Topeka-area congregation that averages around 140 worshippers each Sunday. Stephanie has participated in the National Youth Workers Convention a couple of times and is registered for the next one. These four-day events in distant cities are not affordable for an entire team. “With the super early bird rate, registration is $300,” said Stephanie, which doesn’t include airfare, lodging or meals.
While such events attract youth workers from around the country, Theresa Heinrich and Alice Killian of Wilson UMC agreed their small church which averages 30 worshippers each Sunday couldn’t afford to send one person, much less several. “We try to get as much as we can that’s close to home,” said Theresa. She and Alice, along with Kristina Heinrich, a young adult who served as a Great Plains VBS intern last summer, made the 50-mile drive back to Wilson Friday night to avoid the cost of a hotel. “We work with Sunday school and youth group. Our motivation for coming was to get fresh ideas so the kids don’t get bored,” said Theresa.
The “coach” for Spring Training was Mark Oestreicher, a partner in The Youth Cartel which provides services and resources for individual youth workers and organizations. He brought good news for the youth workers of Wilson UMC and the other 19 congregations who were represented. “Small churches have a shorter pathway to great youth ministry,” said Mark. “Larger churches are often seduced by their resources into believing that’s what brings success. It doesn’t.” Fortunately the answer isn’t complex, but neither is it easy. “The heart of great youth ministry is a caring, growing adult with a smallish group of teenagers, plus the power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus Christ,” said Mark. That’s the math of great youth ministry. It’s that simple and that difficult.
The dominant need of today’s teenager is to find meaningful belonging. “In most of our churches we’re running youth programs full of activities,” said Mark. While we wouldn’t say we’re trying to entertain kids, in many ways that’s what it seems like. “We need to move to offering a place of meaningful, unconditional belonging,” he said. In order to help teenagers be in a space where they can verbalize their questions, verbalize their faith and be known, churches need to “embrace the value of small.”
Each of the four 45-minute sessions with Mark were punctuated by moments of directed discussions between the youth workers of each congregation who were directed to apply the teachings to their own context. One session on the six values great youth ministries embrace called for each group to consider the values they feel called to embody as they seek to host opportunities for youth and God to connect.
Mandi Feil serves as the youth director of Trinity UMC in Salina where they regularly average 20 to 30 youth gatherings throughout the week. She recruited Misty Long and Kathy Olson to join her at Spring Training. They were energized by Mark’s teaching on integrating youth in the life of the church rather than isolating them. “Our congregation loves when the youth are active and a part of it, and I think if the youth contributed they would also feel better,” said Misty. Like the other attendees, they like having training that is near home. “Going out of state is hard for me because my mom lives on the farm by herself,” said Mandi. “I’m her emergency back-up.” Misty likes having multiple training opportunities even if the groups are small because multiple dates increase the probability the people who need the information will be able to attend. Mandi said, “I almost think you can get more out of a small group.”
Both days ended with seeking God through prayer, praise and Bible study. With a guitar and a partner playing a cajón (drum box), Andy Williamson led the group in worship. Andy was director of worship and youth ministries for nearly three years at the United Methodist Church @ The Well and led worship at the Uniting Conference in 2013. Dr. Amanda Drury needed only her Bible to speak to the group, although she likely tapped into her experience from 15 years in youth ministry. She served as a youth pastor in a local church before returning to school for a Ph.D. and now teaches youth ministry courses at Indiana Wesleyan University.
For one of her two teachings Amanda chose the story of Elisha and the Shunamite woman from 2 Kings 4:8-35. After her son dies quickly from some disease, the woman ran to Elisha, her friend, at Mount Carmel. When seeing her from far away, Elisha had his servant rush to meet her and ask, "Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?" In spite of her distress, she answered, “It is well.” Once she caught up with Elisha, though, she fell to her knees and grabbed his feet, stating, "As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." Amanda asked how many of us fall at the feet of Jesus when we are struggling, share our grief and fears, and yet still declare it is well. One extreme reaction would be to lose all hope. The other is to get lost in denial. The middle ground is where Jesus stands. “You know that even if you spend the rest of your life clinging to His feet, there’s no better place you can be.”
At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday as the teams in Salina continued to wrestle with what they had learned, before they had their final sendoff of worship and Bible study, Mark Oestreicher and the Great Plains Local Church Youth Coordinator Shane Hinderliter took to the highway, headed for First UMC in Kearney, Nebraska, where more teams of youth workers arrived that evening for their own Spring Training. Andy Williamson and Amanda Drury drove up to arrive in time to lead worship and Bible study again. In the end 65 Great Plains United Methodists from 20 congregations were treated like MVPs and went back to their churches with a bundle of “major league” resources for use in their ministry.
https://www.flickr.com//photos/greatplainsumc/sets/72157652052321495/show/
Why settle for a “good” marriage, when you can have a great marriage?
United Methodist Marriage Encounter Weekend
Wichita Kansas, Nov. 13-15, 2015
Make the leap from just "good" to great on a United Methodist Marriage Encounter Weekend. Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores and phones — and focus only on each other. If you'd like greater depth, growth and enrichment in your relationships, you'll like the difference a Marriage Encounter United Methodist Weekend can make.
United Methodist Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held Friday-Sunday, Nov. 13-15, 2015, in Wichita, Kansas.
For more information and to registration, contact David and Dana Williams at 316-993-2308 or d_twilliams@hotmail.com (underscore between d and t).
Increase worship attendance with live streaming
Techshop is pleased to offer discounted pricing through myumclive.comon live video streaming for United Methodist churches.
Live video stream your worship services and other events to reach new people who haven’t yet visited your church, connect with members when they are unable to attend worship at your church – whether they are homebound, travelling for work or on vacation.
Techshop’s myumclive.com program connects churchs with live video streaming services of OCV, a leader in church communications technology, and provides special pricing for United Methodist Churches.
The current myumclive.com special is free equipment consultation (a $295 value). Be sure to use discount code: EQUIP before May 31, 2015.
Applications now being accepted for fall 2015 classes at Perkins
Deadline is May 1
Prospective degree and non-degree students interested in attending fall 2015 classes at Perkins of Theology, in Dallas, Texas, should apply byMay 1, 2015. The May 1 deadline also applies to prospective students with existing incomplete applications.
Applicants for fall 2015 are eligible for Perkins’ recently streamlined M.Div. degree program, which makes it possible for full-time students to complete the degree in three years. In addition to the time and cost savings for students, the revamped curriculum provides greater flexibility in areas of ministerial focus.
Perkins’ recently expanded “Master of Arts in Ministry” (M.A.M.) provides a two-year degree program with the option of five concentrations: Christian education, urban ministry, social justice, Christian spirituality or evangelism and mission. The goal of the program is to increase students’ knowledge about the church and its ministries and to foster their ability to work meaningfully and creatively in a specialized area of ministry.
Other degree and non-degree program provide a variety of opportunities for a vocation in ministry or a deepened theological understand for faithful living and working as a committed layperson.
For more information about the May 1 deadline or enrolling at Perkins, contact Herbert Coleman at hcoleman@smu.edu or 214-768-2139; or Mary Gallegos Rubio at gallegos@smu.edu or 214-768-2293.
Envision a future without gun violence
On Tuesday, March 17, the Rev. James Atwood, the author of “America and Its Guns: A Theological Exposé,” visited Omaha, Nebraska. His talk at noon at Clair Memorial UMC, a primarily African American congregation, began with an illustration of gun law absurdities. Holding up a pink, plush toy, he noted that under the 1972 Consumer Protection Act, such items must be non-toxic, have no rough edges, no loose parts and not be flammable. The Consumer Protection Act covers everything except guns and ammunition. He went on to tell the story of two guns.
The first was a rifle that he bought as a teenager from a mail order catalogue which, upon receiving, he immediately began to use to hunt. The second was a hunting rifle that accompanied him to Japan when he, with his family, went there as a missionary. It was taken from him at customs and he was told that the police in the town where he was to live would contact him about the gun. Some days later the police came with his rifle. They asked him to identify it as his, to open it and close it and then informed him that he could have it back when he presented them with three items: a note from a physician saying that he was mentally and physically fit, a certificate verifying that he had passed a gun safety class and a license for the gun. Japan has few deaths from guns. In contrast, one-third of Americans know someone who has been shot and killed.
Atwood emphasized the faith community is the strongest voice to stop gun violence. It is a spiritual, ethical and moral problem, NOT a political problem. He quoted Martin Luther King, Jr. as comparing America to a large house in which we have to live together, because we can never again live apart. Speaking of the consequences of institutionalized racism which still have not been adequately addressed, he worried that we are just one or two incendiary events away from significant racial unrest. The Selma March, he reflected, scared the whites to death, leading them to purchase more and more guns to protect themselves from “them.” With sorrow, he acknowledged being a person who had held that view earlier in his life.
Today, America is a gun culture. The sporting goods section of Walmart stocks arms for children. Pink and blue, they look like toys and are lethal. Among the consequences, police and other first responders must now deal with PTSD acquired by the tension of dealing with members of the public with guns. “We are afraid to mention guns in churches,” Atwood observed, “especially white churches.” Asked how to begin to address this problem, he responded with three points: 1. Study the issue. 2. Be a church that is committed to address it. 3. Talk about it.
Concluding his message, Atwood invited questions and comments. At least three audience members commented on the need to educate young people in the community to interact with police so that the police would not be inclined to shoot them. Members of the Empowerment Network of Omaha were invited guests at this event. Learn atempoweromaha.com.
New Facebook page launches for Great Plains Peace with Justice Ministries
The Great Plains Peace with Justice Ministries has launched a new Facebook page aimed at helping the group communicate in a timelier manner.
The Peace with Justice Program aims to make shalom visible and active in people's lives and communities. The General Conference assigned the General Board of Church and Society to implement the program and called the church to "strengthen its capacity to act as a public policy advocate" in communities and nations throughout the world.
Peace with Justice Ministries invites you to engage with it through the new Facebook page. To find it and “like” it, go to facebook.com/peacewithjusticeministriesgp. The Mustard Seed and Voices to the Capitol will continue to be published a few times during the year and sent to those who signed up for it. After you "like" it, make sure to check "Get Notifications" so you won't miss a single post.
The Peace with Justice Sunday, one of the six special Sundays from the General Church, falls on May 31 this year. Information to use in church newsletters, on Facebook and in sermons can be found here.
For more information about Peace with Justice Ministries in our conference, go to greatplainsumc.org/peacewithjustice.
UM Global AIDS Fund issues grants to 2 Nebraska churches
Great Plains AIDS Ambassadors celebrate the generosity of those who have given to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. In 2014, churches across the Great Plains Conference and delegates at Annual Conference gave nearly $17,000 to UMGAF, and $4,900 stayed in our conference to further our HIV AIDS ministry.
The Great Plains UMGAF Task Force awarded grants of $1,000 each to Norfolk First UMC and the parish of Grand Island Trinity and First-Faith UMC. Each of these churches has shown risk-taking mission by reaching out to “the least of these” in their communities. These grants were requested for the purpose of community education concerning HIV AIDS, providing opportunities for HIV AIDS testing and helping meet client needs of the Nebraska AIDS Project in their regions.
Great Plains UMGAF will continue to offer grants to United Methodist churches in the future. Any church that wants to further understanding of HIV AIDS, reduce the stigma around this disease or reach out in love to individuals and families affected by HIV AIDS is encouraged to apply.
Learn more at greatplainsumc.org/globalaidsfund andwww.facebook.com/GreatPlainsUMAIDSFund.
Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty asks for help
Nebraskans for Alternative to the Death Penalty (NADP) is urging residents of the state to contact lawmakers in support of a bill that would end capital punishment there.
Our United Methodist Social Principles state: “We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings.” (¶ 164 G) United Methodists in both Kansas and Nebraska have joined others in working hard to repeal the death penalty. In Nebraska, LB 268, which would change the death penalty to life imprisonment without parole, is before the Legislature this term. Bishop Scott J. Jones submitted a statement in support of repeal for a hearing of this bill in March at the Nebraska Legislature.
NADP remind us how crucial it is to let our senators know that we support the repeal and why. There are many reasons, among them that the risk of executing an innocent person is real.
"Nebraska lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly – 30-13! – to repeal the death penalty!” said NADP staff members. “Now the nation’s eyes are on Nebraska, but the struggle isn’t over. Contact your senator this week to tell them what you think of their vote. This vote is Round 1. We have to win two more votes before the bill goes to (Gov. Pete Ricketts’) desk. And if the governor vetoes the bill, as he promised, we need to hold on to all 30 of those votes to override it. Now that everyone knows how much support there is for repeal, our opponents could step up the pressure, so we need to make sure our voices are heard.”
See how your Nebraska senator voted.
For more information go to www.nadp.net.
Participate in prayer vigils to help families in detention
The Bible teaches us to welcome the migrant as not only an act of mission outreach but also an opportunity to experience God’s grace. In Hebrews 13:2 we read: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
United Methodist Women, National Justice For Our Neighbors, and the General Board of Church and Society in collaboration with other organizations offer a list of possibilities about how to help end family detention including sending Bibles, signing a letter addressed to the White House or participating in prayer vigils. Learn more about how to help.
Information from the Ecumenical Advocacy Days explains: “The United States has the largest immigration detention infrastructure in the world. The expansion of this system in recent years is partly due to the immigration detention bed quota, a policy passed by Congress under which 34,000 immigrants are held in ICE detention at any given time. … Funding made available under this heading shall maintain a level of not less than 34,000 detention beds. This policy is unprecedented; no other law enforcement agency operates on a quota system. Many detained people are seeking protection from persecution, sexual assault, trafficking and violence. The bed quota is a particularly egregious element of the immigrant detention system.”
Private companies are making huge profits. In the facility at Dilley, each detained person costs the taxpayer more than $300 per day.
All of us are invited to organize or participate in prayer vigils in solidarity with others. Many are participating in prayers April 22, but more will gather May 2 at the Dilley Detention Facility in Texas.
Prayers are available in English and in Spanish.
Newsletters
Spiritual Giving: 4/7/2015 - We Are the Church
Ministry Matters: April 21, 2015
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas
Classified
Director of middle school ministry sought at Old Mission UMC
Saint Paul School of Theology looking for development officer
Projector needed at Christ Community UMC
Lenexa UMC looking for director of children's ministries
View these and other classifieds at greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
Editorials
Krusing the Capitol: Playing Loose with Truth
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.
To submit a letter to the editor, send it to info@greatplainsumc.org.
Wichita Office: 9440 E Boston Suite 110 Wichita, KS 67207 316-684-0266
Lincoln Office: 3333 Landmark Circle Lincoln, NE 68504-4760 402-464-5994
____________________________
Why settle for a “good” marriage, when you can have a great marriage?
United Methodist Marriage Encounter Weekend
Wichita Kansas, Nov. 13-15, 2015
United Methodist Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held Friday-Sunday, Nov. 13-15, 2015, in Wichita, Kansas.
For more information and to registration, contact David and Dana Williams at 316-993-2308 or d_twilliams@hotmail.com (underscore between d and t).
Increase worship attendance with live streaming
Techshop is pleased to offer discounted pricing through myumclive.comon live video streaming for United Methodist churches.
Live video stream your worship services and other events to reach new people who haven’t yet visited your church, connect with members when they are unable to attend worship at your church – whether they are homebound, travelling for work or on vacation.
Techshop’s myumclive.com program connects churchs with live video streaming services of OCV, a leader in church communications technology, and provides special pricing for United Methodist Churches.
The current myumclive.com special is free equipment consultation (a $295 value). Be sure to use discount code: EQUIP before May 31, 2015.
Applications now being accepted for fall 2015 classes at Perkins
Deadline is May 1
Prospective degree and non-degree students interested in attending fall 2015 classes at Perkins of Theology, in Dallas, Texas, should apply byMay 1, 2015. The May 1 deadline also applies to prospective students with existing incomplete applications.
Applicants for fall 2015 are eligible for Perkins’ recently streamlined M.Div. degree program, which makes it possible for full-time students to complete the degree in three years. In addition to the time and cost savings for students, the revamped curriculum provides greater flexibility in areas of ministerial focus.
Perkins’ recently expanded “Master of Arts in Ministry” (M.A.M.) provides a two-year degree program with the option of five concentrations: Christian education, urban ministry, social justice, Christian spirituality or evangelism and mission. The goal of the program is to increase students’ knowledge about the church and its ministries and to foster their ability to work meaningfully and creatively in a specialized area of ministry.
Other degree and non-degree program provide a variety of opportunities for a vocation in ministry or a deepened theological understand for faithful living and working as a committed layperson.
For more information about the May 1 deadline or enrolling at Perkins, contact Herbert Coleman at hcoleman@smu.edu or 214-768-2139; or Mary Gallegos Rubio at gallegos@smu.edu or 214-768-2293.
Envision a future without gun violence
The first was a rifle that he bought as a teenager from a mail order catalogue which, upon receiving, he immediately began to use to hunt. The second was a hunting rifle that accompanied him to Japan when he, with his family, went there as a missionary. It was taken from him at customs and he was told that the police in the town where he was to live would contact him about the gun. Some days later the police came with his rifle. They asked him to identify it as his, to open it and close it and then informed him that he could have it back when he presented them with three items: a note from a physician saying that he was mentally and physically fit, a certificate verifying that he had passed a gun safety class and a license for the gun. Japan has few deaths from guns. In contrast, one-third of Americans know someone who has been shot and killed.
Atwood emphasized the faith community is the strongest voice to stop gun violence. It is a spiritual, ethical and moral problem, NOT a political problem. He quoted Martin Luther King, Jr. as comparing America to a large house in which we have to live together, because we can never again live apart. Speaking of the consequences of institutionalized racism which still have not been adequately addressed, he worried that we are just one or two incendiary events away from significant racial unrest. The Selma March, he reflected, scared the whites to death, leading them to purchase more and more guns to protect themselves from “them.” With sorrow, he acknowledged being a person who had held that view earlier in his life.
Today, America is a gun culture. The sporting goods section of Walmart stocks arms for children. Pink and blue, they look like toys and are lethal. Among the consequences, police and other first responders must now deal with PTSD acquired by the tension of dealing with members of the public with guns. “We are afraid to mention guns in churches,” Atwood observed, “especially white churches.” Asked how to begin to address this problem, he responded with three points: 1. Study the issue. 2. Be a church that is committed to address it. 3. Talk about it.
Concluding his message, Atwood invited questions and comments. At least three audience members commented on the need to educate young people in the community to interact with police so that the police would not be inclined to shoot them. Members of the Empowerment Network of Omaha were invited guests at this event. Learn atempoweromaha.com.
New Facebook page launches for Great Plains Peace with Justice Ministries
The Peace with Justice Program aims to make shalom visible and active in people's lives and communities. The General Conference assigned the General Board of Church and Society to implement the program and called the church to "strengthen its capacity to act as a public policy advocate" in communities and nations throughout the world.
Peace with Justice Ministries invites you to engage with it through the new Facebook page. To find it and “like” it, go to facebook.com/peacewithjusticeministriesgp. The Mustard Seed and Voices to the Capitol will continue to be published a few times during the year and sent to those who signed up for it. After you "like" it, make sure to check "Get Notifications" so you won't miss a single post.
The Peace with Justice Sunday, one of the six special Sundays from the General Church, falls on May 31 this year. Information to use in church newsletters, on Facebook and in sermons can be found here.
For more information about Peace with Justice Ministries in our conference, go to greatplainsumc.org/peacewithjustice.
UM Global AIDS Fund issues grants to 2 Nebraska churches
Great Plains AIDS Ambassadors celebrate the generosity of those who have given to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. In 2014, churches across the Great Plains Conference and delegates at Annual Conference gave nearly $17,000 to UMGAF, and $4,900 stayed in our conference to further our HIV AIDS ministry.
The Great Plains UMGAF Task Force awarded grants of $1,000 each to Norfolk First UMC and the parish of Grand Island Trinity and First-Faith UMC. Each of these churches has shown risk-taking mission by reaching out to “the least of these” in their communities. These grants were requested for the purpose of community education concerning HIV AIDS, providing opportunities for HIV AIDS testing and helping meet client needs of the Nebraska AIDS Project in their regions.
Great Plains UMGAF will continue to offer grants to United Methodist churches in the future. Any church that wants to further understanding of HIV AIDS, reduce the stigma around this disease or reach out in love to individuals and families affected by HIV AIDS is encouraged to apply.
Learn more at greatplainsumc.org/globalaidsfund andwww.facebook.com/GreatPlainsUMAIDSFund.
Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty asks for help
Our United Methodist Social Principles state: “We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings.” (¶ 164 G) United Methodists in both Kansas and Nebraska have joined others in working hard to repeal the death penalty. In Nebraska, LB 268, which would change the death penalty to life imprisonment without parole, is before the Legislature this term. Bishop Scott J. Jones submitted a statement in support of repeal for a hearing of this bill in March at the Nebraska Legislature.
NADP remind us how crucial it is to let our senators know that we support the repeal and why. There are many reasons, among them that the risk of executing an innocent person is real.
"Nebraska lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly – 30-13! – to repeal the death penalty!” said NADP staff members. “Now the nation’s eyes are on Nebraska, but the struggle isn’t over. Contact your senator this week to tell them what you think of their vote. This vote is Round 1. We have to win two more votes before the bill goes to (Gov. Pete Ricketts’) desk. And if the governor vetoes the bill, as he promised, we need to hold on to all 30 of those votes to override it. Now that everyone knows how much support there is for repeal, our opponents could step up the pressure, so we need to make sure our voices are heard.”
See how your Nebraska senator voted.
For more information go to www.nadp.net.
Participate in prayer vigils to help families in detention
The Bible teaches us to welcome the migrant as not only an act of mission outreach but also an opportunity to experience God’s grace. In Hebrews 13:2 we read: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
United Methodist Women, National Justice For Our Neighbors, and the General Board of Church and Society in collaboration with other organizations offer a list of possibilities about how to help end family detention including sending Bibles, signing a letter addressed to the White House or participating in prayer vigils. Learn more about how to help.
Information from the Ecumenical Advocacy Days explains: “The United States has the largest immigration detention infrastructure in the world. The expansion of this system in recent years is partly due to the immigration detention bed quota, a policy passed by Congress under which 34,000 immigrants are held in ICE detention at any given time. … Funding made available under this heading shall maintain a level of not less than 34,000 detention beds. This policy is unprecedented; no other law enforcement agency operates on a quota system. Many detained people are seeking protection from persecution, sexual assault, trafficking and violence. The bed quota is a particularly egregious element of the immigrant detention system.”
Private companies are making huge profits. In the facility at Dilley, each detained person costs the taxpayer more than $300 per day.
All of us are invited to organize or participate in prayer vigils in solidarity with others. Many are participating in prayers April 22, but more will gather May 2 at the Dilley Detention Facility in Texas.
Prayers are available in English and in Spanish.
Newsletters
Spiritual Giving: 4/7/2015 - We Are the Church
Ministry Matters: April 21, 2015
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas
Classified
Director of middle school ministry sought at Old Mission UMC
Saint Paul School of Theology looking for development officer
Projector needed at Christ Community UMC
Lenexa UMC looking for director of children's ministries
View these and other classifieds at greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
Editorials
Krusing the Capitol: Playing Loose with Truth
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