Download the printable version of the Jan. 1, issue of GPconnect.
In this edition of GPconnect:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- GCFA offers tip for those having trouble filing year-end reports
- Help visitors find your church by updating your information
- KAUMF announces Certificate of Participation January rates
- Mount Sequoyah searches for new CEO
- Register now for O&F meeting and childcare
- Videos aim to help clergy fill out their tax forms
- Dudley gift goes to Crounse Fund for clergy
- Horizons of Faith to be April 22-24
- Perkins names 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients
- Prepare to “Reach Deep” at Ministers Week 2016
- Register now for February, March ABIDE retreats
- Congregational care training event planned at Church of the Resurrection
- It’s not too early to think aboutVBS 2016
- Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University
OTHER NEWS
GCFA offers tip for those having trouble filing year-end reports
The General Council on Finance and Administration has heard from a few annual conferences that their users have had some Internet Explorer issues when trying to access the Ezra website for entering year-end statistics.
GCFA reminds users that Explorer is well known for putting out updates that do not work well with Ezra. Please have any users having troubles such as logging in, downloading PDFs and a few other challenges put their browsers in compatibility mode.
Read instructions on how to do so.
Internet Explorer 10
By default Internet Explorer 10 in Windows 8 does not run in compatibility mode.
To enable the compatibility mode for Internet Explorer 10, follow these steps:
Windows 7 users start at step 2.
1. Windows 8 only - From the Windows 8 start screen select the Desktop.
2. From the Desktop launch Internet Explorer 10.
3. Navigate to http://ezra.gcfa.org
4. Press the Alt key on your keyboard to bring up the top menu.
5. Go to Tools | Compatibility View settings
6. Either
Add gcfa.org to the Compatibility View websites by clicking “Add”
or
Select Display all websites in Compatibility View
7. Click “Close”
---------------------Help visitors find your church by updating your information
Help make finding your church easier for visitors by making sure the information on the United Methodist Church’s website is up to date.
You can go to the Find-a-Church site and search for your church. You have the option of providing updates on some crucial pieces of information:
Worship times
Pastor’s name and contact information
Physical address
Website address
Once the information is updated, the details then are vetted by an administrator, who will make the updated information visible to the outside world.
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KAUMF announces Certificate of Participation January rates
Start off the new year with a great investment. Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation’s (KAUMF) January Certificate of Participation rates are one year at 1.20 percent and two years at 1.50 percent. The Certificate of Participation Fund provides an investment alternative for those who are seeking the security of a fixed income type vehicle at competitive rates. It is an excellent option for investors who like to invest in certificate of deposits or money market funds. These certificates have been registered with the State of Kansas Securities Commission.
It is the funding source of our Church Development Loan Program by providing loans to United Methodist churches and Institutions throughout the state of Kansas to purchase real estate, purchase buildings for new church starts, renovate existing buildings, operating needs and refinancing existing indebtedness.
Investing in the Foundation's Certificate of Participation Fund is available to residents of Kansas as well as Kansas United Methodist churches and institutions who value the concept of helping grow the United Methodist churches throughout the state while earning exceptional rates.
$1,000 minimum investment - 12-month term or 24-month term
Simple Application Process - Must obtain an offering circular
Interest is reinvested semi-annually or paid semi-annually or paid quarterly
No fixed rate is possible and there is no minimum rate of interest
If you are interested in investing in a Certificate of Participation, please contact the Foundation’s office at 888-453-8405 or online atwww.kaumf.org for the current interest rates, updated application and offering circular.
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Mount Sequoyah searches for new CEO
Mount Sequoyah, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is currently seeking a qualified chief executive officer to lead and guide the organization to the future.
The ideal candidate will be a committed and practicing Christian with knowledge of and belief in Wesleyan traditions and faith, having at least 10 years of leadership experience. Five of those years must be in a senior management role. The ideal candidate will also have proven fundraising ability. A master’s degree in business administration or master’s degree in theology or Christian education is preferred. A bachelor's degree is required. Experience managing a retreat and conference center is a plus.
Please see the following complete job description.
Send all resumes to npexecsearch@gmail.com.
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Orders and Fellowship
Register now for the meeting and childcare
If you have not done so already, now is the time to register for the Orders and Fellowship Meeting scheduled for Feb. 17-18 at St. Mark’s UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska. The last day to register without incurring a late fee is at midnight on Feb. 2. The final day to register is Feb. 10.
It is very important that you register for childcare if it is needed. The final day for childcare registration is Jan. 20. Please spread the word to your fellow clergy if you know someone who might need childcare.
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Videos aim to help clergy fill out their tax forms
Members of the clergy in the Great Plains Conference who have questions about how to fill out their W2 forms for taxes or who want some helpful reminders that could ensure you receive all of the tax benefits available to them are invited to view two videos featuring the Rev. Gary Beach, conference treasurer.
Beach share reminders about housing allowances, Medicare and Social Security, among other topics, in one video. The second video walks clergy through the filling out of their W2 forms.
Access both videos and some sample documents.
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Dudley gift goes to Crounse Fund for clergy
The family of the Rev. Donna Dudley, a retired pastor from the Great Plains Conference who passed away in April, has presented the conference with a gift of $25,000 in Donna’s honor.
The money will be placed in the Crounse Fund, a pool of money available to clergy facing exorbitant medical expenses.
“She was blessed to serve the Methodist Church and often told people that she had a job, 90 percent of which she would do for free and, therefore, she was well paid for the other 10 percent,” her children wrote in the note accompanying the check. “We are grateful, truly appreciative of the connections and relationships that blossomed because of our mother.”
Donna’s wishes were for the money to go the Great Plains Conference, but her children said she left no instructions as to how the money should be spent. The appointive cabinet and bishop decided to place the money in the Crounse fund to help clergy members in need.
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Horizons of Faith to be April 22-24
First UMC in Omaha, Nebraska, will host Horizons of Faith on April 22-24, 2016. This event will feature Wayne Muller. Muller is an executive leadership mentor, therapist, minister, community advocate, consultant, public speaker and bestselling author of several books. Muller is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School, and will bring a meaningful, timely message of wholeness, reflection and exploring the undeniable importance of rest and renewal.
For more information, and to register, go to horizonsoffaith.com.
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Updates from Perkins School of Theology
Perkins names 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients
Two exemplary United Methodist clergy have been selected as the 2016 Perkins School of Theology Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.
The Rev. John McKellar, pastor of White’s Chapel UMC in Southlake, Texas, and the Rev. Linda Roby, associate minister of local and global missions at First UMC Dallas, will be honored at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, during the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards banquet taking place in conjunction with Ministers Week.
The recipients were chosen by members of the Perkins Alumni/ae Council for their demonstrated effectiveness and integrity in service to the church, continuing support and involvement in the goals of Perkins School of Theology and SMU, distinguished service in the wider community and exemplary character.
Read full announcement.
"Perkins School of Theology Names 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients: Revs. John McKellar, Linda Roby to be honored Feb. 1 at annual awards banquet"
January 5, 2016DALLAS (SMU) – Two exemplary United Methodist clergy have been selected as the 2016 Perkins School of Theology Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.
Rev. John McKellar, Pastor of White’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, and Rev. Linda Roby, Associate Minister of Local and Global Missions at First United Methodist Church Dallas, will be honored at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, during the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards banquet taking place in conjunction with Ministers Week.
The recipients were chosen by members of the Perkins Alumni/ae Council for their demonstrated effectiveness and integrity in service to the church, continuing support and involvement in the goals of Perkins School of Theology and SMU, distinguished service in the wider community and exemplary character.
“Through their respective ministries, Linda Roby and John McKellar have impacted untold lives not only in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex but also throughout the world,” said Perkins School of Theology Dean William B. Lawrence. “Their faithfulness to the ministries to which they have been called and their effectiveness in communicating the transformational love of Jesus Christ has garnered the respect of peers and colleagues alike. We look forward to honoring them both as the 2016 Distinguished Alumni of Perkins School of Theology.”
Rev. John McKellar (M.Div. '90) Rev. McKellar received his Master of Divinity from Perkins in 1990. After serving churches in Grandview, Haslet, and Fort Worth, Texas, he began his appointment at White’s Chapel in 1992. During his tenure, Rev. McKellar has helped increase church membership there from 490 members to more than 13,000.
In addition to regularly teaching Bible study groups, Rev. McKellar also serves on the Central Texas Conference Committee on Finance, the Committee on the Episcopacy and is one of the conference’s delegates to both the 2016 General Conference and South Central Jurisdictional Conference. He also received his Doctor of Ministry degree in Applied Ministries at The Graduate Theological Foundation in 2004.
“John is an incredible model for what it is to live the Christian life in the community,” said Rev. Todd Renner, co-pastor at White’s Chapel UMC. “In every way, he exemplifies the grace that forms the foundation of Wesleyan theology and defends it with humility and passion.”
Rev. Linda Roby (M.Div. '00) Rev. Roby received her Master of Divinity from Perkins in 2000. Since her appointment to First UMC Dallas in 2009, Rev. Roby has directed the UrbanLife Ministry, congregational care, and the church’s Mission and Outreach efforts. Previously, she served at Highland Park UMC overseeing adult education, Sunday school, and local and global mission outreach opportunities. At both churches, Rev. Roby was instrumental in cultivating relationships and identifying global partners – notably in Latin America – that led to significant growth in outreach participation.An ordained Deacon in the North Texas Conference, Rev. Roby graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She also serves on the board of directors of Golden Cross Academic Clinic in Dallas and is a member of the Perkins School of Theology Executive Board.
“Linda fully exemplifies the mission of Perkins and its interpretation in the local church and community context,” said Rev. Andy Stoker, senior minister at First UMC Dallas. “She has sought to connect the church and the world in profound ways both locally and globally and embodies the very best of the Perkins spirit through vital piety and social witness.”
The awards banquet will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall, 5901 Bishop Blvd. For more information and to purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/1RYLBkg
###
Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology ofThe United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music (June 2016) as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.
January 5, 2016DALLAS (SMU) – Two exemplary United Methodist clergy have been selected as the 2016 Perkins School of Theology Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.
Rev. John McKellar, Pastor of White’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, and Rev. Linda Roby, Associate Minister of Local and Global Missions at First United Methodist Church Dallas, will be honored at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, during the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards banquet taking place in conjunction with Ministers Week.
The recipients were chosen by members of the Perkins Alumni/ae Council for their demonstrated effectiveness and integrity in service to the church, continuing support and involvement in the goals of Perkins School of Theology and SMU, distinguished service in the wider community and exemplary character.
“Through their respective ministries, Linda Roby and John McKellar have impacted untold lives not only in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex but also throughout the world,” said Perkins School of Theology Dean William B. Lawrence. “Their faithfulness to the ministries to which they have been called and their effectiveness in communicating the transformational love of Jesus Christ has garnered the respect of peers and colleagues alike. We look forward to honoring them both as the 2016 Distinguished Alumni of Perkins School of Theology.”
Rev. John McKellar (M.Div. '90) Rev. McKellar received his Master of Divinity from Perkins in 1990. After serving churches in Grandview, Haslet, and Fort Worth, Texas, he began his appointment at White’s Chapel in 1992. During his tenure, Rev. McKellar has helped increase church membership there from 490 members to more than 13,000.
In addition to regularly teaching Bible study groups, Rev. McKellar also serves on the Central Texas Conference Committee on Finance, the Committee on the Episcopacy and is one of the conference’s delegates to both the 2016 General Conference and South Central Jurisdictional Conference. He also received his Doctor of Ministry degree in Applied Ministries at The Graduate Theological Foundation in 2004.
“John is an incredible model for what it is to live the Christian life in the community,” said Rev. Todd Renner, co-pastor at White’s Chapel UMC. “In every way, he exemplifies the grace that forms the foundation of Wesleyan theology and defends it with humility and passion.”
Rev. Linda Roby (M.Div. '00) Rev. Roby received her Master of Divinity from Perkins in 2000. Since her appointment to First UMC Dallas in 2009, Rev. Roby has directed the UrbanLife Ministry, congregational care, and the church’s Mission and Outreach efforts. Previously, she served at Highland Park UMC overseeing adult education, Sunday school, and local and global mission outreach opportunities. At both churches, Rev. Roby was instrumental in cultivating relationships and identifying global partners – notably in Latin America – that led to significant growth in outreach participation.An ordained Deacon in the North Texas Conference, Rev. Roby graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She also serves on the board of directors of Golden Cross Academic Clinic in Dallas and is a member of the Perkins School of Theology Executive Board.
“Linda fully exemplifies the mission of Perkins and its interpretation in the local church and community context,” said Rev. Andy Stoker, senior minister at First UMC Dallas. “She has sought to connect the church and the world in profound ways both locally and globally and embodies the very best of the Perkins spirit through vital piety and social witness.”
The awards banquet will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall, 5901 Bishop Blvd. For more information and to purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/1RYLBkg
###
Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology ofThe United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music (June 2016) as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.
Prepare to “Reach Deep” at Ministers Week 2016
Renowned author and theologian Dr. Walter Brueggemann headlines an esteemed group of lecturers and workshop leaders planned for Ministers Week at Perkins School of Theology, scheduled for Feb. 1-2, 2016.
This year’s theme is “Reach Deep,” and the planned activities will instill in the clergy and church leaders participating how to aspire higher, reach deeper and connect wider with their congregants. Ministers Week at Perkins School of Theology is an annual continuing education program and major unifying event not only for United Methodism in the South Central Jurisdiction but also ecumenical in nature across Dallas.
Brueggemann – the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, a past president of the Society of Biblical Literature and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ – will speak at three lectures during Ministers Week.
Read more."Prepare to 'Reach Deep' at Ministers Week 2016: Dr. Walter Brueggemann highlights annual continuing education program at Perkins School of Theology"
DALLAS (SMU) – Renowned author and theologian Dr. Walter Brueggemann headlines an esteemed group of lecturers and workshop leaders planned for Ministers Week at Perkins School of Theology, scheduled for Feb. 1-2, 2016.
This year’s theme is “Reach Deep,” and the planned activities will instill in the clergy and church leaders participating how to aspire higher, reach deeper and connect wider with their congregants. Ministers Week at Perkins School of Theology is an annual continuing education program and major unifying event not only for United Methodism in the South Central Jurisdiction but also ecumenical in nature across Dallas.
Brueggemann – the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, a past president of the Society of Biblical Literature and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ – will speak at three lectures during Ministers Week.
The Jackson Lecture, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, is titled “The Peculiar Gift of the Old Testament” and will take place in Wesley Hall at Highland Park United Methodist Church. This lecture also will be available for livestreaming, and a book signing will immediately follow.
Additionally, Brueggemann will present two lectures in Perkins Chapel on Tuesday, Feb. 2: the Peyton Lecture at 9:30 a.m. (“Preaching from Elsewhere in the Public Square” and the Johannaber Lecture at 1:30 p.m. (“Almost Talked Out of the Image of God.”)
Two noted clergywomen also will provide keynote addresses at this year’s Ministers Week.
Bishop Janice Riggle Huie will conduct the opening and closing worship services in Perkins Chapel. Bishop Huie has been appointed to the Texas Annual Conference since September 2004 and has witnessed the conference’s expansion to nearly 700 congregations totaling more than 284,000 members.
Rev. Dr. Loida Martell-Otero, a professor of Constructive Theology at Palmer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, will present the Barton Lecture at 3 p.m. Feb. 1. Dr. Martell also is a licensed doctor in veterinary medicine and an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches/USA.
Perkins School of Theology also will present its annual Distinguished Alumnus/a Award at a banquet in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall at 5 p.m. Feb. 1.
Onsite registration begins at 1 p.m. Feb. 1, and the conference adjourns at 6 p.m. Feb. 2.
For more information on registration, pricing, workshop descriptions, and lodging, visitwww.smu.edu/perkins/mw.
###
Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology ofThe United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music (June 2016) as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.
Renowned author and theologian Dr. Walter Brueggemann headlines an esteemed group of lecturers and workshop leaders planned for Ministers Week at Perkins School of Theology, scheduled for Feb. 1-2, 2016.
This year’s theme is “Reach Deep,” and the planned activities will instill in the clergy and church leaders participating how to aspire higher, reach deeper and connect wider with their congregants. Ministers Week at Perkins School of Theology is an annual continuing education program and major unifying event not only for United Methodism in the South Central Jurisdiction but also ecumenical in nature across Dallas.
Brueggemann – the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, a past president of the Society of Biblical Literature and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ – will speak at three lectures during Ministers Week.
Read more."Prepare to 'Reach Deep' at Ministers Week 2016: Dr. Walter Brueggemann highlights annual continuing education program at Perkins School of Theology"
DALLAS (SMU) – Renowned author and theologian Dr. Walter Brueggemann headlines an esteemed group of lecturers and workshop leaders planned for Ministers Week at Perkins School of Theology, scheduled for Feb. 1-2, 2016.
This year’s theme is “Reach Deep,” and the planned activities will instill in the clergy and church leaders participating how to aspire higher, reach deeper and connect wider with their congregants. Ministers Week at Perkins School of Theology is an annual continuing education program and major unifying event not only for United Methodism in the South Central Jurisdiction but also ecumenical in nature across Dallas.
Brueggemann – the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, a past president of the Society of Biblical Literature and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ – will speak at three lectures during Ministers Week.
The Jackson Lecture, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, is titled “The Peculiar Gift of the Old Testament” and will take place in Wesley Hall at Highland Park United Methodist Church. This lecture also will be available for livestreaming, and a book signing will immediately follow.
Additionally, Brueggemann will present two lectures in Perkins Chapel on Tuesday, Feb. 2: the Peyton Lecture at 9:30 a.m. (“Preaching from Elsewhere in the Public Square” and the Johannaber Lecture at 1:30 p.m. (“Almost Talked Out of the Image of God.”)
Two noted clergywomen also will provide keynote addresses at this year’s Ministers Week.
Bishop Janice Riggle Huie will conduct the opening and closing worship services in Perkins Chapel. Bishop Huie has been appointed to the Texas Annual Conference since September 2004 and has witnessed the conference’s expansion to nearly 700 congregations totaling more than 284,000 members.
Rev. Dr. Loida Martell-Otero, a professor of Constructive Theology at Palmer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, will present the Barton Lecture at 3 p.m. Feb. 1. Dr. Martell also is a licensed doctor in veterinary medicine and an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches/USA.
Perkins School of Theology also will present its annual Distinguished Alumnus/a Award at a banquet in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall at 5 p.m. Feb. 1.
Onsite registration begins at 1 p.m. Feb. 1, and the conference adjourns at 6 p.m. Feb. 2.
For more information on registration, pricing, workshop descriptions, and lodging, visitwww.smu.edu/perkins/mw.
###
Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology ofThe United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music (June 2016) as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.
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Register now for February, March ABIDE retreats
ABIDE is a 15-month process for small attendance congregation to strengthen leaders and deepen spiritual lives. It consists of three retreats over the course of the 15 months, as well as team time and readings each month.
The first retreat will be Feb. 12-13 at College Ave UMC in Manhattan, Kansas. The schedule will be Friday, 5-9 p.m., with dinner included, and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be a one-day retreat in March as well. All small congregations are welcome to attend at this location.
You can find out more about ABIDE at greatplainsumc.org/abide.
Interested churches should contact the Rev. Micki McCorkle, coordinator for small membership church ministry, atmmccorkle@greatplainsumc.org or the Rev. Evelyn Fisher, director of congregational excellence, at efisher@greatplainsumc.org. Both McCorkle and Fisher can also be reached at 800-745-2350.
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Congregational care training event planned at Church of the Resurrection
The congregational care team at Church of the Resurrection announced, Tuesday, Jan. 5, that registration is open for an important training event being held April 7-9, 2016. The Congregational Care Ministry Seminar is designed to train volunteers to become partners in ministry with pastors and staff to provide care for a congregation.
Several years ago Church of the Resurrection developed a program transforming the way care is provided for the congregation. Volunteers are equipped to be congregational care ministers (CCMs) and are deployed to work alongside pastors and staff to minister to and holistically care for the congregation. This partnership between lay and clergy has enabled the church to provide a more consistent and deeper level of care to the church family.
Congregational care is critical in every local church and no one person can address all the hurt of a congregation or community. The ministry of congregational care is carefully designed to connect the church with people during difficult times. The CCM Seminar consists of comprehensive training and networking with other local church leaders regarding congregational care best practices and standards, based on the resource developed by Executive Pastor Karen Lampe, The Caring Congregation. This resource serves as a manual to guide pastors and churches to organize their congregations for care and equip volunteers to listen, visit, comfort and encourage congregants.
Topics to be covered include: prayer, theology of care, boundaries, listening, visitation, death and grief and organization. With this training, volunteers will be empowered to make hospital visits, telephone persons in need of contact, meet one-on-one with persons in need of a listening ear, offer support to grieving families and proactively seek to encourage and care for persons in need.
For more information, please visit cor.org/ccm. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Carter at kathy.carter@cor.org or 913-544-0272 or Kari Burgess at kari.burgess@cor.org or 913-232-4139.
Registration is limited. Super early bird registration available for $140 through Feb. 3. Early bird registration for $160 is Feb. 4 - March 16. The regular registration fee is $200.
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It’s not too early to think about VBS 2016
The Great Plains Conference has developed a Vacation Bible School curriculum based on our three mission partnerships – Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Haiti. This curriculum uses the journeys of Paul, along with our journeys to visit our mission partners, as a way to learn about working together, praying for each other, caring, sharing and welcoming. It is a tried-and-true curriculum tested in 24 congregations in the summer of 2015. It will be available for download in February 2016. Provided with the curriculum:
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Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University
The United Methodist church of St. Paul, Nebraska, will be offering the Financial Peace University starting Sunday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. at the church. Registrations can be made by phoning the church at 308-754-4247 from 9 a.m. to noon or leaving a message. The course runs for 10 weeks.
For more information you can visit www.daveramsey.com/fpu. The church is located at 1320 Baxter Street in St. Paul.
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Hispanic pastor works to quell immigration concerns
When a member of his Nueva Vida congregation from Holton Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton, Kansas, was among those threatened with deportation by the Department of Homeland Security over the weekend, Pastor Hector Sanchez took action.
Sanchez on Monday took the young man to Kansas City to meet with immigration officials to have an ankle bracelet with global positioning system, or GPS, removed.
“If I wouldn’t have taken him today they would have come to get him,” Sanchez said en route to Holton from Kansas City. “If they would have come to his house to get him they would have found others, and it would have been worse.”
Read the full story."Hispanic pastor works to quell immigration concerns"
When a member of his Nueva Vida congregation from Holton Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton, Kansas, was among those threatened with deportation by the Department of Homeland Security over the weekend, Pastor Hector Sanchez took action.
Register now for February, March ABIDE retreats
ABIDE is a 15-month process for small attendance congregation to strengthen leaders and deepen spiritual lives. It consists of three retreats over the course of the 15 months, as well as team time and readings each month.
The first retreat will be Feb. 12-13 at College Ave UMC in Manhattan, Kansas. The schedule will be Friday, 5-9 p.m., with dinner included, and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be a one-day retreat in March as well. All small congregations are welcome to attend at this location.
You can find out more about ABIDE at greatplainsumc.org/abide.
Interested churches should contact the Rev. Micki McCorkle, coordinator for small membership church ministry, atmmccorkle@greatplainsumc.org or the Rev. Evelyn Fisher, director of congregational excellence, at efisher@greatplainsumc.org. Both McCorkle and Fisher can also be reached at 800-745-2350.
---------------------
Congregational care training event planned at Church of the Resurrection
The congregational care team at Church of the Resurrection announced, Tuesday, Jan. 5, that registration is open for an important training event being held April 7-9, 2016. The Congregational Care Ministry Seminar is designed to train volunteers to become partners in ministry with pastors and staff to provide care for a congregation.
Several years ago Church of the Resurrection developed a program transforming the way care is provided for the congregation. Volunteers are equipped to be congregational care ministers (CCMs) and are deployed to work alongside pastors and staff to minister to and holistically care for the congregation. This partnership between lay and clergy has enabled the church to provide a more consistent and deeper level of care to the church family.
Congregational care is critical in every local church and no one person can address all the hurt of a congregation or community. The ministry of congregational care is carefully designed to connect the church with people during difficult times. The CCM Seminar consists of comprehensive training and networking with other local church leaders regarding congregational care best practices and standards, based on the resource developed by Executive Pastor Karen Lampe, The Caring Congregation. This resource serves as a manual to guide pastors and churches to organize their congregations for care and equip volunteers to listen, visit, comfort and encourage congregants.
Topics to be covered include: prayer, theology of care, boundaries, listening, visitation, death and grief and organization. With this training, volunteers will be empowered to make hospital visits, telephone persons in need of contact, meet one-on-one with persons in need of a listening ear, offer support to grieving families and proactively seek to encourage and care for persons in need.
For more information, please visit cor.org/ccm. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Carter at kathy.carter@cor.org or 913-544-0272 or Kari Burgess at kari.burgess@cor.org or 913-232-4139.
Registration is limited. Super early bird registration available for $140 through Feb. 3. Early bird registration for $160 is Feb. 4 - March 16. The regular registration fee is $200.
---------------------
It’s not too early to think about VBS 2016
The Great Plains Conference has developed a Vacation Bible School curriculum based on our three mission partnerships – Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Haiti. This curriculum uses the journeys of Paul, along with our journeys to visit our mission partners, as a way to learn about working together, praying for each other, caring, sharing and welcoming. It is a tried-and-true curriculum tested in 24 congregations in the summer of 2015. It will be available for download in February 2016. Provided with the curriculum:
- Recorded music from our partner countries with lyrics on videos.
- Scripts for openings and closings
- Curriculum for all five days for story, craft, recreation and country with ideas for snacks
- There is a different friend of Paul for each day: Barnabas, Lydia, Silas, Priscilla and Aquilla and Timothy
- Along with our three partner countries, the students travel to the Great Plains region of the United States and then to their own town on day five, when they discuss welcoming others
- Crafts are easy to make, with most of them made from recycled materials
- Templates for posters
- Ideas for decorating
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Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University
The United Methodist church of St. Paul, Nebraska, will be offering the Financial Peace University starting Sunday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. at the church. Registrations can be made by phoning the church at 308-754-4247 from 9 a.m. to noon or leaving a message. The course runs for 10 weeks.
For more information you can visit www.daveramsey.com/fpu. The church is located at 1320 Baxter Street in St. Paul.
---------------------
Hispanic pastor works to quell immigration concerns
When a member of his Nueva Vida congregation from Holton Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton, Kansas, was among those threatened with deportation by the Department of Homeland Security over the weekend, Pastor Hector Sanchez took action.
Sanchez on Monday took the young man to Kansas City to meet with immigration officials to have an ankle bracelet with global positioning system, or GPS, removed.
“If I wouldn’t have taken him today they would have come to get him,” Sanchez said en route to Holton from Kansas City. “If they would have come to his house to get him they would have found others, and it would have been worse.”
Read the full story."Hispanic pastor works to quell immigration concerns"
When a member of his Nueva Vida congregation from Holton Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton, Kansas, was among those threatened with deportation by the Department of Homeland Security over the weekend, Pastor Hector Sanchez took action.
Hector SanchezSanchez on Monday took the young man to Kansas City to meet with immigration officials to have an ankle bracelet with global positioning system, or GPS, removed.
“If I wouldn’t have taken him today they would have come to get him,” Sanchez said en route to Holton from Kansas City. “If they would have come to his house to get him they would have found others, and it would have been worse.”
The 60- to 70-member Nueva Vida, or “new life,” congregation meets Saturday nights at the church in Holton.
“They’re frustrated,” Sanchez said through Corey Godbey, Hispanic Ministry coordinator for the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church, who served as translator. “I’ve gone around from house to house to inform them of what they should do. There’s a lot of panic.”
Sanchez is advising members of the congregation, many of whom are Guatemalan, to move their cars from in front of their houses to a safer place, such as the church, and not to open their doors.
“Anything that happens, they should call (me) or a member of the church or notify our board from Evangel or Neuva Vida,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said he is hopeful that Holton, a city of 3,300 north of Topeka, might not get the negative attention as other cities in the government’s search for families from Central America.
“Immigration has the names and address of a lot of people in Holton, a lot of people who have not presented themselves at their appointments with immigration,” he said. “That’s a big problem if you don’t show up for your appointment.”
While some people sell rides from Holton to Kansas City for $500, Evangel and Nueva Vida do so for free.
“We’re thankful to God and to our conference that we’re equipped to respond to these things when they happen,” Sanchez said. “I’m really encouraged we’re united in this way.”
Godbey said he encouraged members of the conference to be in prayer for the congregations and “the impact this has on the body of Christ."
“No matter what our views of immigration laws in the U.S. might be, it has an impact on our United Methodist congregations,” Godbey said.
“If I wouldn’t have taken him today they would have come to get him,” Sanchez said en route to Holton from Kansas City. “If they would have come to his house to get him they would have found others, and it would have been worse.”
The 60- to 70-member Nueva Vida, or “new life,” congregation meets Saturday nights at the church in Holton.
“They’re frustrated,” Sanchez said through Corey Godbey, Hispanic Ministry coordinator for the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church, who served as translator. “I’ve gone around from house to house to inform them of what they should do. There’s a lot of panic.”
Sanchez is advising members of the congregation, many of whom are Guatemalan, to move their cars from in front of their houses to a safer place, such as the church, and not to open their doors.
“Anything that happens, they should call (me) or a member of the church or notify our board from Evangel or Neuva Vida,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said he is hopeful that Holton, a city of 3,300 north of Topeka, might not get the negative attention as other cities in the government’s search for families from Central America.
“Immigration has the names and address of a lot of people in Holton, a lot of people who have not presented themselves at their appointments with immigration,” he said. “That’s a big problem if you don’t show up for your appointment.”
While some people sell rides from Holton to Kansas City for $500, Evangel and Nueva Vida do so for free.
“We’re thankful to God and to our conference that we’re equipped to respond to these things when they happen,” Sanchez said. “I’m really encouraged we’re united in this way.”
Godbey said he encouraged members of the conference to be in prayer for the congregations and “the impact this has on the body of Christ."
“No matter what our views of immigration laws in the U.S. might be, it has an impact on our United Methodist congregations,” Godbey said.
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To submit a letter to the editor, send it to info@greatplainsumc.org.
Want More?
Episcopal Office: 9440 E Boston Suite 160 Wichita, KS 67207 316-686-0600
Topeka Office: 4201 SW 15th Street PO Box 4187 Topeka, KS 66604 785-272-9111
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
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