Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Great Plains Annual Conference Communications of The United Methodist Church GPconnect for Wednesday, 29 July 2015

Great Plains Annual Conference Communications of The United Methodist Church GPconnect for Wednesday, 29 July 2015

Click here for the July 29 printable version of GPconnect.
In this edition of GPconnect:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EQUIP DISCIPLES
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
MERCY AND JUSTICE
OTHER NEWS

Are you looking for ways to start a partnership with a school in your area? The Great Plains Conference may be able to help with that effort.
The deadline to apply for grants for local churches is Sept. 11. Click here to apply.
United Methodist congregations in Nebraska and Kansas can apply online for up to $1,000 to match local contributions. Priority will be given to churches that are forming or have formed a partnership or collaboration with one or more local public schools.
Grant applications will be reviewed and awarded based on project merit and likely sustainability.
In support of the Great Plains Education Partnership Resolution, an initiative passed during the 2014 annual conference session, these grants are for the use of Great Plains United Methodists and others who join the “Great Plains Public Education Partnership” and commit to:
Strengthen an existing or establish a “hands-on” partnership with a local public school or schools;
Encourage and equip members to contact their state legislators to advocate for public education; and
Attend a conference-sponsored regional event supporting public education.
Read more about the partnership initiative.
Share thoughts with United Methodist Communications
United Methodist Communications is asking United Methodists to answer a question that will be featured in an upcoming issue of “Interpreter.”
How do you define “evangelism?”
Please respond to the question in 50-75 words, being as specific as possible. A few responses will be included in the September–October “Interpreter” (edited as necessary for length). The magazine will post many more at Interpreter Online. Send your responses tointerpreter@esp.umcom.org and be sure to include your full name, local church and city/state in your response.
Great Plains business card orders being collected
If you need additional Great Plains United Methodists branded cards or if you are in need of updated cards, contact Roxie Delisi atrdelisi@greatplainsumc.org. Please provide the information you would like on your card, including church or agency affiliation, address, phone numbers, fax, email, website, etc.
The cost is approximately $35 or less for 500 cards, depending on the number of people who choose to purchase cards. View a sample card.
Conference receives ‘clean’ opinion on recently completed audit
Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Dave Platt, chair of the Audit Committee.
As a member of the Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) and chairperson for that body’s Audit Committee, I am pleased to announce that the conference’s audit of its financial statements for 2014 has now been completed. The full Audit Committee met recently with the conference’s auditors from McGladrey to review the financial statements and supplemental information and to discuss the results of the audit. Below are some highlights from our meeting with the Conference’s auditors:
The auditors found no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the conference’s system of internal controls. (Internal controls are those policies, procedures and practices designed to properly safeguard the conference’s assets and ensure the conference’s accounting records accurately reflect the assets, liabilities and business transactions of the conference.)
The auditors did not propose any adjustments to the conference’s financial records as a result of their audit procedures. This means the conference’s accounting staff appropriately combined the assets and liabilities of the three separate conferences into the GPC’s financial accounting systems upon the formation of the new conference on January 1, 2014, and accurately maintained the financial records of the conference throughout 2014.
The auditors indicated they would be issuing an “unmodified” opinion (sometimes referred to as a “clean” opinion), indicating they agree the balance sheet of the conference fairly presents the assets and liabilities of the conference as of Dec. 31, 2014, and the financial activities (often referred to as the income statement) of the conference and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
The final audit report, together with the conference’s 2014 financial statements and related footnotes and supplemental schedules, will be available on the conference’s website in the near future. I would encourage anyone who has an interest to review these statements, and if you have questions, provide those to Gary Beach, our conference treasurer.
In closing, I would like to thank Gary Beach, treasurer, and Niki Buesing, controller, and their finance team for their tireless efforts to close out the “books” for our three former conferences and set up new accounting systems and related processes for our new conference, all the while meeting the day-to-day and month-to-month financial requirements of our new conference in its initial year of operation. This was an amazing accomplishment, and our Audit Committee and full CFA are grateful for their efforts.
Annual UM Men 4-Conference rally to be Sept 18-20
The annual United Methodist Men 4-Conference Rally will be held Sept. 18-20 at the Lake Okoboji Camp and Retreat Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Conference included are the Dakotas, Iowa, Great Plains and Minnesota.
The rally is hosted by the Minnesota UMMen, and has the theme of “Sharing the Holy Spirit as it Appears in Scripture and Our Lives." The rally costs $60 for both nights, $30 for one night, and there is a discount for working on Friday.
For more information, or to register, contact Karl Schwichtenberg atkschwichtenberg@bellbanks.com or 952-334-8279.
Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation hosts auction

On the morning of Saturday, July 25, in Belpre, Kansas, the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation (KAUMF) and Carr Auctioneers held a farm equipment auction. The funds raised will establish a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT) for the couple who donated all the equipment to the Foundation. KAUMF feels that it is an honor working with the couple and the United Methodist ministry they will be sustaining.
If you would like to learn more about establishing a CRUT, or other charitable services the Foundation provides, please contact the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation at 888-453-8405 or www.kaumf.org.

Disciple Bible Study makes God’s word available on the fast track

The developers of Disciple I, which provides a survey of the entire Bible, are attempting to address the issue of people not having time for such an in-depth Bible study with Disciple Fast Track: Bible Study for Busy Lives. This 21st century version of the popular study condenses the coursework from 34 weeks to 24 and each class period from approximately 150 minutes to 75.
Read more about Fast Track.
Nickerson youth raise money for Camp Comeca

Nickerson (Kansas) United Methodist youth campers are selling giant peanut butter cookies for $1 at the Nickerson Summer Celebration to raise money for the Camp Comeca Capital Campaign.
The children baked 100 giant cookies for the project. These Kansas youth and their leaders want to help with the refurbishing and winterization of the Nebraska camp. They want to challenge all United Methodist campers to develop a local project that will help raise achieve the goal of matching funds from the Wilson Foundation for Camp Comeca.
View more information, and to donate to the Camp Comeca Capital Campaign at www.campcomeca.org/renewal.
Share how your church is raising money for Camp Comeca atgreatplainsumc.org/submitanewsstory.

Fall Event for youth planned at Camp Fontanelle

Church youth directors will have an opportunity to kick off their 2015/2016 ministry at Camp Fontanelle, in Fontanelle, Nebraska, with the first ever "Fall Event," to be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, from 9 a.m. -9 p.m.
This event is planned to start the school year with high energy and fun activities. Participants will have a chance to fly across a ravine on the camp's zipline. The gaga pits will be available for gaga ball games and laser tag activities will be planned. Camp Fontanelle has added a second jumping pillow, which will allow plenty of room for soaring in the air. Two meals will be served and worship will be held. It is a chance to meet other youth from across the area.
Youth directors just need to get their youth group registered and come out to camp for a day filled with fellowship, worship and a lot of fun. For specific questions about the event, contact Chad Schuchmann at 402-990-4851 or Derek Steinacher at 402-540-4803.
View flier. For more information, contact the camp atfontanelle@greatplainsumc.org.
Camp Fontanelle hosts Sixth Annual Halloween Wilderness Run

Angry Birds running through the woods, you say? Cave people meandering along the creek and super heroes trying not to get distracted? It is all taken in stride at the annual Camp Fontanelle Halloween Wilderness Run.
The sixth annual event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, with the stop watches being clicked at 10:30 a.m. Take a 5K run or a 1.25 mile walk through the woods. Travel over Butter Milk Creek and up Christmas Tree Hill and end back at the 7:24 Shelter for a spaghetti meal prepared by the wonderful cook staff.
Early bird registration is open now for $25 and that cost is good to Aug. 31. After Aug. 31, the registration fee is $30. The registration covers a T-shirt, spaghetti meal, awards and a free pass to the corn maze. (If registering after Oct. 13, no T-shirt will be given.) This is a great way to see other parts of the camp during the race and an opportunity to spend the day, with family, at the Camp Fontanelle Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch.
For additional information, please contact site director and event organizer, Trent Meyer at 402-459-0686. Register through the Camp Fontanelle website under the events tab. This year's event is sponsored by Fremont Health Medical Center, Monke Brothers, D & T Shirtified and Dalton Chiropractic.
Download poster.
Register now for Men Make the Difference gathering in Wichita

Editor’s note: The following was submitted by George Houle.
Much is written about how men hate coming to church. Even more is written about how our churches are in decline, our culture losing its way. Don’t believe it! Jesus got us started with just twelve uneducated men.
John Wesley believed that all he needed was a few good men (people), either laity or pastors, and the Gates of Hell would not prevail against us. At Wichita Calvary UMC we believe that spiritually strong men can make the difference in our churches and in our culture.
We are inviting men who share that believe to join us on September 19 to explore how we can make that difference by being involved in mentoring others and being engaged in small groups.
We will hear inspiring messages from Rev. Tom Albin, Dean of the Upper Room and from Don Davis, a two time super bowl champion. The Keynotes from Southwestern College will share their music and message. Men will meet in small groups to ask questions and listen for the Holy Spirit to help them find answers.
You will be anointed and blessed as you leave.
Best of all, we believe you will leave inspired with His Spirit to go into the world ad use the gifts given to you for the work he has prepared for your to do. (Ephesians 4)
The cost is only $35 and our vision is to use that money to establish a scholarship fund for young men and woman who want to explore a Christian based education or who want to intern in Christian ministry.
We can seat only 300 men so register early on the Calvary web site.
If you are interested in helping to plan this and next year’s event, or you feel called to be a financial sponsor for this annual gathering of men, contact George Houle at ummwbb11@att.net.
UMC Global Ministries missionaries to travel through conference

Sandy Rasch will be traveling the entire Great Plains Conference Sept. 5 - 20. Emmanuel and Florence Mefor will be in the Hutchison and Wichita area Oct. 2 - 4.
If your church or church group is interested in hosting one of these missionaries, contact the Rev. Alan Gager atagager@greatplainsumc.org as soon as possible with the following information:
Preferred speaking date and time.
If the above date and time is not available, would an alternate be feasible for you?
To what group will they be speaking?
Who will be the direct contact person for your church/group?
Has your church/group hosted a missionary before?
If housing is needed would your church/group be able to financially pay for a hotel room or find a host bedroom? (Depending on the schedule this may be the night before or the night of the speaking engagement.)
Would your church/group be able to financially assist with transportation costs?
If needed (instead of the prior question) would your church/group be able to pick up and/or drop off the missionary from/to their next speaking location?
Once Gager receives this information, he will contact the person listed in question four.
Registration open for jurisdictional clergywomen consultation

Registration is now open for the South Central Jurisdictional Clergywomen Consultation, which will focus on “telling our story” to impact, transform and provide hope to the world.
Clergywomen from across the Great Plains Conference are invited to attend this event, which is scheduled for Sept. 28-30 in Houston, Texas.
This event will be hosted at the Royal Sonesta, in the Galleria area, in Houston and will feature speakers Dr. Alyce McKenzie from the Perkins school of Theology at Southern Methodist University, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey of the Louisiana Conference and Bishop Janice Riggle Huie from the Texas Conference.
Workshop selection starts at 11 a.m. Sept. 28, and the conference will close with worship starting at 11 a.m. Sept. 30. The fee is $175 prior toSept. 1 and $225 from that date and after.
Click here to register.
Find more information by going to tellingourstoryclergywomen.com. Or contact Nancy Slade at nslade@txcumc.org or by calling 713-521-9383, ext. 322.
Discover Ministry to be Sept. 26in Manhattan
Maybe you have heard the quiet whisper from God or a voice in your head that doesn't go away, nudging you to serve the church in a new way. Maybe a friend or a pastor has told you that you have gifts for ministry and you wonder what that means.
Discover Ministry is a place for you to listen to God and explore what a call might mean in your life. Discover Ministry is an event designed for those who are wondering about responding to God's call to either full-time or part-time ministry. It is also for those who are serving as a district superintendent supply (DSA), certified lay minister (CLM), or lay speaker/servant to learn more about the opportunity for becoming a local pastor.
Discover Ministry is for you. Come with your questions. Come with hearts and minds open to the work of the Holy Spirit. Come with a trusted friend.
The next Discover Ministry event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, at College Avenue UMC in Manhattan, Kansas. Registration will begin at9:45 a.m., with the event lasting 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. CST, with lunch included. Please register online at greatplainsumc.org/discoverministry. There is no cost to participate.
Download a flier to share.
Gathering to look at future of worship in United Methodist Church

United Methodist pastors, musicians and worship leaders will meet in February to explore how to use the wide variety of worship styles and resources currently available to revitalize their worship services now and for the future.
Fusion: The Future of Worship in the UMC, scheduled for Feb. 4-6, in Raleigh, North Carolina, will bring together practitioners from vital congregations and recognized expert professors to delve into current worlds of worship resources and leadership in the areas of music, worship planning and design, preaching and sacraments.
“Fusion is designed to help students, pastors and worship leaders revitalize, update and modernize their worship services without losing sight of what identifies us as United Methodists,” said Dawn Chesser, director of preaching ministries at Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
Read full announcement.
Spotlight on ERTs

So ... what is this ERT that I hear about???
Early Response Teams (ERT) are United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) trained and self-sustaining teams providing assistance as soon as it is safe to supplement the first official responders’ efforts following a disaster. ERTs help those affected by securing property and helping that property safe and as sanitary as possible. Teams may be called upon for a three day deployment and may tarp roofs, muck (clean out) flooded homes or move debris. ERTs may also be called upon to assist local communities when known flooding is a great potential. Teams can help with sandbagging and helping homeowners move items to higher ground.
Early response teams do not perform rebuilding or repair work that may jeopardize a survivor’s eligibility for financial assistance from insurance and government agencies.
ERT training takes eight hours and costs $25 per person. Prior to taking Early Response Team training, Safe Gatherings certification must be completed. An UMCOR ERT identification badge and T-shirt will be issued upon completion of the training requirements.
Once you have completed your Safe Gatherings online training and received your email confirmation with expiration date, please email that information to the Rev. Hollie Tapley, conference disaster response coordinator, at htapley@greatplainsumc.org.
View more information at greatplainsumc.org/disasterresponse.
Dellrose UMC puts faith into service and action

Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Partners for Wichita, an inter-denominational not-for-profit organization working for peace and well-being in the Wichita community by building partnerships among neighbors, social service agencies and congregations.
A marquee at 14th and N. Oliver in Wichita, Kansas – the sign for Dellrose United Methodist Church – inspires those passing by and indicates the service-oriented outlook of the congregation. The members know that people are hungry – physically and spiritually. Food ministries have been part of their outreach for years.
Right now they are gearing up for “Filling the Gap Lunches for Kids” as a site with Partners for Wichita. Members will welcome children each day for the summer 2 weeks, as they have for the past 4 years, spring and summer. This follows the Summer Meals Program that has been at Dellrose for many more years.
Pastor Kevass Harding says, “Lots of kids are hungry.” He is especially concerned about children at home with no food in the refrigerator. Church office administrator Debi Childers says that the children especially look forward to “Filling the Gap” snacks to take home, and looking for the surprise goodies in their bags. She says, “Volunteers want to be part of this ministry.”
With this in mind, member Renee Deggs is exploring how to offer a food assistance pantry, assessing neighborhood need and resources. She would like to create a partnership Pantry with other congregations.
She is visiting other pantries to learn what works best. She has an idea for electronic client files for easiest access to information.
Community service includes their "Del-Mart Clothes Store" in friendly competition with neighboring Wal-Mart. They are always in need of clothes, especially for men, children, and babies, and especially shoes and boots.
Back to School Day is coming up soon, a Sunday afternoon when the whole church will volunteer together, providing backpacks and school supplies along with free food, haircuts, and children’s on August 16. See below for other “Back to School days.”
Dellrose takes part in the Head to Toe Hygiene Pantry, collecting essential items, and serving as volunteers. Men of the congregation provide a cookout for students, teachers, staff and families of Adams Elementary School nearby as a community partner. At Vacation Bible School Dellrose welcomed about 70 neighborhood children.
Partners for Wichita salutes this congregation, a partner in community service!
Photos: Pastor Harding with Debi Childers and Renee Deggs, along with men and women volunteers for “Filling the Gap Lunches for Kids.” This follows the Summer Meals Program that has been at Dellrose for many years.
Service in the community - Aldersgate UMC has left the building

Aldersgate UMC, located on the corners of 84th and South streets in Lincoln, Nebraska, focuses on being a welcoming church. With its small town atmosphere inside the city limits of Lincoln, Aldersgate provides a place to grow one's faith as well as friendships. Offering Sundaymorning services at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., visitors are always welcome.
In 2010, the church council of Aldersgate UMC formed the Rethink Church Team to develop ideas and actions for reinvigoration. Over the last five years, the Rethink Church committee has sponsored events that have served the congregation and the broader community. Most recently, at the encouragement of the Great Plains Conference, the Rethink Church Team organized a large outreach service project titled, The Church has Left the Building. During this event, Aldersgate attendees took the church’s mission statement and put it into action; the attendees transformed lives through the compassionate love of God, demonstrated by their service for the Lincoln community.
On April 26, 2015, Aldersgate left the walls of the church, taking the good news and their helping hands to the community of Lincoln. Participants helped with the Girl Scouts artVenture setup in the Haymarket. The artVenture program encourages self-expression and creativity as local youth create works of art to display with the community’s support. Participants helped with cleanup, repair and updating of two local early childhood centers: Northbridge Early Childhood Community Center (part of CEDARS for children) and Northeast Family Center. Both childhood centers serve populations in need, working to foster growth and development of our future leaders – our youth. Remaining participants helped to build UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) relief kits; in total 18 school kits and 17 health kits were built. UMCOR sees that relief kits are available to areas in need around the world.
Aldersgate celebrates their Lincoln community and the work done by all of their community members. The Church has Left the Building Event, which was sponsored by Aldersgate’s ReThink Church Team, was both a rewarding and fun event.
The Aldersgate mission is “to transform lives and prepare disciples through the compassionate love of God.”
Micah Corps interns encourage us to take action

Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains Peace with Justice coordinator.
“...whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Matthew 25:45
Over the summer, the Micah Corps interns worked in five teams with each team focusing on a different issue (poverty, food security, immigration, environmental stewardship, peace and non-violence). It became easily apparent how all of these issues are interrelated. One example are climate refugees, people who have to leave their homes because climate change causes them to flee rising water levels or other environmental degradation.
What does being faithful to God’s plan mean in our daily lives? Where are we challenged to get out of our comfort zone and speak up if we see injustices around us? What is God calling each one of us to do? These are just some of the questions the interns worked with during their internship. In the newest issue of The Mustard Seed, each team shares about their work and suggests how we can get or stay involved. View the July 2015 issue of The Mustard Seed.
If you use Facebook and haven’t yet, please “like” the PWJF page,facebook.com/peacewithjusticeministriesgp. You can also view more information at greatplainsumc.org/peacewithjustice.
Photo: The 2015 Micah Corps team around the Peace Pole at the General Board of Church and Society in Washington, D.C.
Retired pastor Griffith to lead Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

The Board of Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty has announced that the Rev. Stephen Griffith, a recently retired member of the clergy from the Great Plains Conference, will become executive director of the organization.
Griffith, a lifelong Nebraskan, has served United Methodist congregations in Hardy, Bertrand, Loomis, Lexington, Osceola, Omaha and Lincoln. His ministerial career concluded in June after 13 years serving Saint Paul United Methodist Church in downtown Lincoln.
“The voices of faith leaders have been important as Nebraskans realize that the death penalty is a broken system that fails to provide justice,” said Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Board President Laurel Johnson. “Since 1981, it has been NADP’s mission to have a conversation with all Nebraskans about this failed experiment. We are thrilled that Rev. Griffith will be talking to Nebraskans about why alternatives to the death penalty makes the most sense for taxpayers and for public safety as well as the broad support of death penalty alternatives from faith leaders.”
Griffith said he first spoke publicly about the sacredness of all life and the ineffectiveness of the death penalty 32 years ago.
“I may have retired from the pulpit, but my lifelong work is to carry a message of compassion and hope,” Griffith said. “While my support of death penalty alternatives comes from my faith and belief that God can work in the life of every person, I’m excited to join with other Nebraskans who oppose the death penalty for many reasons: faith, the waste of taxpayer dollars and the harm it does to victims’ families. In many roles I’ve brought together and leaders from business, health care, education, human service organizations, neighborhoods, state, city and county government. I believe most Nebraskans already understand that Nebraska’s death penalty is unworkable. I’m excited to continue the conversation about smart alternatives that NADP has been having for over three decades.”
Learn more about the organization.
Scholarships available for Peace Conference at Lake JunaluskaNovember 12–15

Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains Peace with Justice coordinator.
“Longing for Peace - Exploring the Heart of God” is the theme for this year’s peace conference at Lake Junaluska, in North Carolina, Nov. 12-15, 2015.
The goal for the participants is to “advance the work of reconciliation and peace by learning peace making and contemplative practices from the Abrahamic traditions. The 2015 Lake Junaluska Peace Conference leadership includes Dr. Sam Wells, Rabia Terri Harris, Rabbi Or Rose and Yuval Ron. The Lake Junaluska Peace Conference is an ongoing response to God’s call to peacemaking and reconciliation. Affirming the community of Abrahamic faiths, the Peace Conference seeks to work in partnership with Christians, Jews, Muslims, and members of other religious traditions to advance the work of reconciliation and peace.”
View more information.
Peace with Justice Ministries of the Great Plains Conference is making scholarships available (up to $700 (with an additional $100 when action is taken after the conference)). If you are interested, please contact Andrea Paret, PWJ coordinator, at amparet08@yahoo.com.
Commemorating 70th anniversary for Hiroshima, Nagasaki bombings

The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has highlighted resources for action and events that are available to commemorate the 70th anniversaries of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki onAug. 6 and 9.
Peace and Planet — the Global Mobilization for a Nuclear-Free, Peaceful, Just and Sustainable World — has called for actions and events around the world to commemorate the 70th anniversaries of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Peace and Planet will host an online database of such actions and events.
Global Wave 2015, a project of Peace and Planet, has prepared a shortAug 6-9 action guide with suggested actions you could take. Please inform Peace and Plant of any actions/events organized in your town or by your organization. Send event/action notices tosofiawolman@gmail.com.
One of the missions of Peace and Planet is to broaden and deepen the connections between nuclear disarmament and other related issues and movements. This includes those against militarism and war, to reverse climate change and protect the environment, to move public spending from militaries to social and economic needs, to end poverty, and to support civil rights and end racism.
Read the full article.Nuclear Remembrance & Action Week, Aug. 6-9
70th anniversary of Hiroshima, Nagasaki bombings
July 10, 2015
Peace & Planet — the Global Mobilization for a Nuclear-Free, Peaceful, Just & Sustainable World — has called for actions and events around the world to commemorate the 70th anniversaries of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Peace & Planet will host an online database of such actions and events.Global Wave 2015, a project of Peace & Planet, has prepared a short Aug 6-9 action guide with suggested actions you could take. Please inform us of any actions/events organized in your town or by your organization. Send event/action notices tosofiawolman@gmail.com.

Contents:
Global Appeal (petition) for nuclear abolition
The Japan Council against Atomic & Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo) is circulating aGlobal Appeal for a Total Ban on Nuclear Weapons. Eight million people have signed so far. Help us get to 10 million endorsers by the end of Nuclear remembrance and action week.
Actions:
  • Sign the global appeal;
  • Organize signature gathering events in local shopping centers, market places, universities, work places, churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship;
  • Circulate the appeal to your social network.
  • Origami crane
It is believed that folding 1,000 origami cranes brings one a peaceful and healthy life. Following the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, origami crane folding became an action for peace and nuclear abolition, particularly for young people. This arose from the story of Sadako Sasaki, a child at the time of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima. Sadako contracted leukemia from the radioactive fallout. She tried to make 1,000 cranes but passed away before she could finish. Her classmates finished the 1,000 cranes for her, and then made crane making their message for peace. They raised funds for a memorial to Sadako in the Hiroshima Peace Park. Origami crane making is now taught in schools around the world.
Action: 
  • Organize a crane-making workshop at your local school, youth group, workplace or place of worship.
Resources:
Religious and faith-based communities can reflect on the morality of nuclear weapons, the role that ethics can play to abolish nuclear weapons, and the peace-making power of religious leadership and action.
Actions:
  • Organize a special service at your church, mosque, synagogue, temple or other place of worship.
  • Organize an interfaith statement or a joint statement of religious leaders and parliamentarians in commemoration of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Resources:
Legislators play a key role in determining government policy regarding nuclear abolition. They are able to ask questions to which governments have to reply, propose motions, release joint statements and organize events. >
Over 800 parliamentarians from across the political spectrum have joinedParliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation & Disarmament (PNND) in order to enhance their impact globally. The Inter Parliamentary Union, a body of over 160 parliaments, has adopted a resolution by consensus calling on parliaments to work with governments to eliminate the role of nuclear weapons in security doctrines and negotiate a nuclear weapons convention.
Actions:
  • Invite your legislator/parliamentarian to join PNND and attend the 2015 PNND Assembly in Prague;
  • Ask your legislator/parliamentarian to ask a question in parliament, or submit a motion, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and calling on the government to support the total abolition of nuclear weapons;
  • Organize a joint statement of religious leaders and parliamentarians in commemoration of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Resources:
For four days, from Aug. 6-9, there will be a number of group fasts for nuclear abolition. Currently these are planned in Dijon-Valduc (Center for the Modernization of French Nuclear Weapons); Bordeaux-Mégajoule, (laser research center for perfecting new nuclear weapons); Büchel, Germany (NATO base where 20 nuclear weapons are stationed); London, United Kingdom; Livermore Lab, California (NIF laser for perfecting new nuclear weapons); Los Alamos, N.M. (laboratory for the modernization of U.S. nuclear weapons); and Kansas City, Mo. (National Nuclear Security Administration centre).
Action: 
  • Organize a four-day fast in your city center
Resource: 
Over 6,000 cities are members of Mayors for Peace, which is led by the mayor of Hiroshima. The Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign has projects which member cities can support, including "I was her age" and quot;Cities are not Targets."
Actions:
Resources:
Engaging peace, justice and environment constituencies
One of the missions of Peace & Planet is to broaden and deepen the connections between nuclear disarmament and other related issues and movements. This includes those against militarism and war, to reverse climate change and protect the environment, to move public spending from militaries to social and economic needs, to end poverty, and to support civil rights and end racism.
Actions:
Resource: 
  • International Peace Bureau, the international coalition of grass-roots peace and justice organizations, with a focus on disarmament for sustainable development.
  • Nuclear disarmament film/video event
Organize a nuclear disarmament film event. Documentaries include “” and “In my Lifetime.” Movies include “Thirteen Days” (based on the Cuban Missile Crisis), “Crimson Tide” and “The Peacemaker.”
Share your action
Send event/action notices to sofiawolman@gmail.com. Post your action on Facebook and share with www.facebook.com/globalwave2015.
For more information visit www.peaceandplanet.org< and www.gloalwave2015.org.to top
Newsletters
Classifieds
Business administrator sought at Salina First UMC
View these and other classifieds at greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
Press Clips
  • Congregations across the Great Plains Conference are making the news in their local newspapers. View our newspaper clipping reports to see if there are stories, ideas and ministry happenings you can learn from to use in your own congregation. Press clips can be found at greatplainsumc.org/inthenews. You can see education partnership ideas at greatplainsumc.org/education.
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.

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