Download the printable version of the April 6, issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Wichita St. Mark pastor elected as a new general secretary
- Bishop refers complaint against pastor to counsel for the Church
- UMW veteran to take over as SC Jurisdiction group's president
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
- ‘Road Trip’ Vacation Bible School curriculum available
- Identify spiritual gifts to start discerning your call into ministry
- You’re invited to take part in Holy Land tour with El Dorado First UMC
- Epworth Village in Nebraska needs your help to acquire a new mini-van
- Native American Ministries Sunday set for April 10
- Peace With Justice Sunday planned for May 22
- United Methodist Open Door close to goal for new Wichita facility
- Connecting Neighbors training scheduled
- Volunteers make return trip to Haiti
- Registration open for the 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference session
- Health kit, school kit, cleaning bucket items sought at Conference
ADMINISTRATION
OTHER NEWS
- Heart health is subject of Heritage speaker series
- Newsletters
- Editorials and Blogs
- Classifieds
- Press Clips
Ever since his childhood in Houston, the Rev. Junius Dotson says, “being a part of a growing, vital church has been a part of my DNA.”
Now Dotson – senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita for the past 14 years – will be transferring those skills and passions to the worldwide level. The 50-year-old has been elected as the new general secretary, the chief executive position, with Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. He will begin his new position July 1, replacing interim general secretary MaryJane Pierce Nolan.
Read the full story.
Wichita St. Mark pastor elected as a new general secretary of Discipleship Ministries
The Rev. Junius Dotson shares ideas for effectively marketing a local church during a New Church Development meeting in 2015 in Salina, Kansas. Dotson has been elected as the next general secretary of Discipleship Ministries. He starts in his new role on July 1. Photo by Todd Seifert
Ever since his childhood in Houston, the Rev. Junius Dotson says, “being a part of a growing, vital church has been a part of my DNA.”
Now Dotson – senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita for the past 14 years – will be transferring those skills and passions to the worldwide level.
The 50-year-old has been elected as the new general secretary, the chief executive position, with Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. He will begin his new position July 1, replacing interim general secretary MaryJane Pierce Nolan.
“I’m very, very passionate about the ministry of discipleship,” Dotson said Sunday afternoon, after making the announcement to his Saint Mark congregation.
A former member of the Board of Disciples, Dotson founded Genesis United Methodist Church in California’s Silicon Valley in 1996, and saw it grow to 500 members. In Wichita, he helped increase the membership at Saint Mark from 2,500 to its current 3,500.
“Through the years it’s been a passion for me,” Dotson said of growing churches. “The thought of actually being able to lead the agency into a bright future is really, really was appealing to me.”
Dotson was elected last week at the Discipleship Ministries Board of Directors meeting in Overland Park, Kansas.
“Junius Dotson knows how to lead people inside the church to introduce people outside the church to Jesus and invite them into Christian discipleship,” Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky of the Mountain Sky episcopal area, who is president of the Discipleship Ministries board of directors, said in a news release.
“Working with board and staff, we believe Rev. Dotson can focus the church on three missional fronts: strengthening partnerships in our increasingly global church, improving the effective ongoing ministries in our churches, engaging the growing number of “spiritual but not religious” people in the United States,” she added.
In his new position, Dotson will be the chief executive for Discipleship Ministries, will serve on the Connectional Table and will work with central conferences.
Dotson, married and the father of two children, said it was a difficult decision to leave Saint Mark, Wichita and the Great Plains Conference.
“As I told my congregation this morning, the hardest thing to choose from is two great things,” he said. “I feel like this is the place where God would have me be right now.”
Dotson said some of the challenges he sees ahead for Discipleship Ministries includes improving the disciple-making systems of local churches, using emerging technology to help reach potential church members and reaching out into the communities United Methodist churches serve.
“If we’re truly focused on disciples, making disciples, it’s all about sharing our faith beyond these four walls,” he said. “We need to be intentional about our conversations with people, especially those who consider the church to be irrelevant.”
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Bishop refers complaint against pastor to counsel for the Church
Bishop Scott Jones of the Great Plains Annual Conference today referred the complaint made against Rev. Cynthia Meyer to the Rev. David Bell as counsel for the Church.
The bishop’s decision came after the parties involved in the supervisory response process – outlined by The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline – were not able to agree upon a just resolution. Bishop Jones has chosen to refer the complaint as the next step in the complaint process.
Read the bishop’s statement.
Bishop Jones refers complaint against Rev. Cynthia Meyer to counsel for the Church
Bishop Scott Jones of the Great Plains Annual Conference today referred the complaint made against Rev. Cynthia Meyer to the Rev. David Bell as counsel for the Church.
Now Dotson – senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita for the past 14 years – will be transferring those skills and passions to the worldwide level.
The 50-year-old has been elected as the new general secretary, the chief executive position, with Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. He will begin his new position July 1, replacing interim general secretary MaryJane Pierce Nolan.
“I’m very, very passionate about the ministry of discipleship,” Dotson said Sunday afternoon, after making the announcement to his Saint Mark congregation.
A former member of the Board of Disciples, Dotson founded Genesis United Methodist Church in California’s Silicon Valley in 1996, and saw it grow to 500 members. In Wichita, he helped increase the membership at Saint Mark from 2,500 to its current 3,500.
“Through the years it’s been a passion for me,” Dotson said of growing churches. “The thought of actually being able to lead the agency into a bright future is really, really was appealing to me.”
Dotson was elected last week at the Discipleship Ministries Board of Directors meeting in Overland Park, Kansas.
“Junius Dotson knows how to lead people inside the church to introduce people outside the church to Jesus and invite them into Christian discipleship,” Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky of the Mountain Sky episcopal area, who is president of the Discipleship Ministries board of directors, said in a news release.
“Working with board and staff, we believe Rev. Dotson can focus the church on three missional fronts: strengthening partnerships in our increasingly global church, improving the effective ongoing ministries in our churches, engaging the growing number of “spiritual but not religious” people in the United States,” she added.
In his new position, Dotson will be the chief executive for Discipleship Ministries, will serve on the Connectional Table and will work with central conferences.
Dotson, married and the father of two children, said it was a difficult decision to leave Saint Mark, Wichita and the Great Plains Conference.
“As I told my congregation this morning, the hardest thing to choose from is two great things,” he said. “I feel like this is the place where God would have me be right now.”
Dotson said some of the challenges he sees ahead for Discipleship Ministries includes improving the disciple-making systems of local churches, using emerging technology to help reach potential church members and reaching out into the communities United Methodist churches serve.
“If we’re truly focused on disciples, making disciples, it’s all about sharing our faith beyond these four walls,” he said. “We need to be intentional about our conversations with people, especially those who consider the church to be irrelevant.”
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Bishop refers complaint against pastor to counsel for the Church
Bishop Scott Jones of the Great Plains Annual Conference today referred the complaint made against Rev. Cynthia Meyer to the Rev. David Bell as counsel for the Church.
The bishop’s decision came after the parties involved in the supervisory response process – outlined by The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline – were not able to agree upon a just resolution. Bishop Jones has chosen to refer the complaint as the next step in the complaint process.
Read the bishop’s statement.
Bishop Jones refers complaint against Rev. Cynthia Meyer to counsel for the Church
Bishop Scott Jones of the Great Plains Annual Conference today referred the complaint made against Rev. Cynthia Meyer to the Rev. David Bell as counsel for the Church.
The Rev. Cynthia Meyer gets a hug and well wishes from
supporters after a meeting with Bishop Scott Jones on
March 28 in Wichita, Kansas. Photo by Todd Seifert
The bishop’s decision came after the parties involved in the supervisory response process – outlined by The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline – were not able to agree upon a just resolution. Bishop Jones has chosen to refer the complaint as the next step in the complaint process.
Rev. Bell now will review the evidence and then could choose to take the complaint to the Committee on Investigation, a body that could decide whether to move the matter to a church trial. No date has been set for such a step.
On Jan. 3, Rev. Meyer preached a sermon at Edgerton United Methodist Church in which she said she was in a “committed relationship” with another woman characterized as a “covenant.” She sent a copy of the sermon to her district superintendent, the Rev. David Watson. On Jan. 5, Rev. Watson, filed a complaint against Rev. Meyer alleging that she is a self-avowed, practicing homosexual. This is a chargeable offense for clergy in The United Methodist Church.
On Jan. 7, Bishop Jones notified Rev. Meyer of the complaint and began the supervisory response process, which included times for discussion and discernment about the situation.
The United Methodist Church’s General Conference is scheduled for May 10-20 in Portland, Oregon. This collection of more than 860 delegates from around the world will consider amendments to the Book of Discipline, which serves a similar function in the church as legal codes serve in the secular world. The General Conference will consider legislation on multiple issues surrounding human sexuality. The vote of the General Conference is akin to the “law” of the church’s processes and procedures. Items considered during General Conference that are not tied to the Church’s constitution pass or fail on a majority vote. Therefore, human sexuality-related issues will be decided on a majority vote of those delegates.
“While many persons within The United Methodist Church disagree with the rule that says persons who are self-avowed, practicing homosexuals may not be ordained and may not be appointed as pastors, the rule is currently in effect,” Bishop Jones said. “Rev. Meyer’s sermon prompted the supervisory response, the attempt to find an agreed-upon just resolution and this referral to Church counsel, as outlined in the Book of Discipline.”
As the process continues, Rev. Meyer will continue to serve Edgerton United Methodist Church.
Bishop Jones asks that persons keep Rev. Meyer, Edgerton United Methodist Church and the Great Plains Conference in your prayers. - ----------------------
UMW veteran to take over as SC Jurisdiction group's president
From the time she was a 20-year-old newlywed, Charlotte Morrow has been a part of the United Methodist Women.
“I think that UMW has the ability for women to grow spiritually,” the current Overland Park, Kansas, resident said, “and it is a way women can have a community of other women – all different ages – that help them learn that life in Christ can begin when you’re very young but continues all through your life.”
The last UMW president in the former Kansas East Conference, Morrow takes on new responsibilities the weekend of April 15. She is nominated for president of the South Central Jurisdictional UMW, and the slate of nominees is scheduled to be approved at its meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Read the full story.
UMW veteran from Kansas to take over SCJ presidency
From the time she was a 20-year-old newlywed, Charlotte Morrow has been a part of the United Methodist Women.
“I’ve never not been active,” the 68-year-old native of Madison, Mississippi, said.
Charlotte Morrow
“I think that UMW has the ability for women to grow spiritually,” the current Overland Park, Kansas, resident said, “and it is a way women can have a community of other women – all different ages – that help them learn that life in Christ can begin when you’re very young but continues all through your life.”
The last UMW president in the former Kansas East Conference, Morrow takes on new responsibilities the weekend of April 15. She is nominated for president of the South Central Jurisdictional UMW, and the slate of nominees is scheduled to be approved at its meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
“If someone stands up and says they want someone else, they’ll have my vote,” she said with a laugh.
Another Great Plains Conference UMW veteran is also on the ballot: Louise Niemann of David City, Nebraska, the last president of the Nebraska UMW, is a candidate for the nominating committee.
Once approved, all candidates will serve a four-year term. They will fan out among the 12 conferences in eight states of the South Central Jurisdiction to offer support and assistance to their UMW sisterhood as well as planning the conferences.
“It’s kind of a support system on a different level,” Morrow said.
“The way I look it, it’s going to be easier being jurisdictional president than it was to be conference president,” she chuckled. “I may be surprised, but I don’t think that’s going to be the case.”
Morrow was also previously director of spiritual growth for the former Kansas East UMW, and is president of her local group at Church of the Resurrection in Lenexa, Kansas, after being active in her previous church, Old Mission UMC in Kansas City, Kansas.
A lifelong Methodist, Morrow attended the UMC-funded Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, and married the son of a Methodist pastor.
“We’ve been Methodists forever and two days,” she said of her husband, John. They have four children, a dozen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
At 20, Morrow taught school during the first year of desegregated schools in Jackson, including two 18-year-olds in her sixth-grade class. She and her husband moved to the Washington, D.C., area, where she again taught sixth grade in Fairfax County, Virginia. Morrow retired from teaching when her daughter, now 44, was born.
She praised UMW for being a “wonderful way to learn about the mission of our church and all the mission work.”
Morrow said she always believed in “F-U-N” as the key to fundraising.
“Women always have fun when they’re raising money to send overseas or support a mission close by,” she said. “It’s a way we bond, but it’s also a way we help other people.”
Contact David Burke, communications coordinator, at dburke@greatplainsumc.org.
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Conference providing funding for Young Preachers Festival
The Great Plains United Methodist Conference is providing funds for young leaders to attend the Young Preachers Festival and Conference,July 21-22 at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Members of a church in the Great Plains Conference can attend this event designed to encourage and equip the next generation of church leaders free of charge through a scholarship provided by the conference. Travel and lodging are not included.
To receive the scholarship, email the Rev. Ashlee Alley, clergy recruitment and development coordinator, at aalley@greatplainsumc.org. Once you’ve contacted her, visit youngpreachersfestival.org for the link to registration. Select Catalyst Registrar Group and select Great Plains Annual Conference as your group name. Select Pay by Check at checkout. DO NOT pay with a credit card. The Great Plains Conference will pay the fee on your behalf.
Join young leaders from across the denomination for practical workshops, plenaries featuring denominational leaders, networking with peers and seminary representatives and an opportunity to preach a sermon and receive relevant and encouraging feedback.
For more information, contact sharechurchevents@cor.org or 913-232-4139.
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‘Road Trip’ Vacation Bible School curriculum available
The VBS Road Trip curriculum is now available for all congregations! For only $50 you can download all materials – skits, crafts, recreation, country info, story time, music, posters and more!
The Road Trip curriculum was specifically written for the Great Plains Conference. It focuses on the journeys of Paul alongside our own mission partnership journeys as a conference with Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Haiti. Childrenand adult helpers will learn about Paul’s mission partners: Barnabas, Lydia, Silas, Priscilla and Aquila, and Timothy.
Join in faith forming fun with this journey through the stories of Paul and our mission partnerships. With daily themes of Work Together Bravely, Share Generously, Pray Constantly, Care Boldly and Welcome Gladly, children will experience God’s love for them with tangible, exciting lessons. Each day, your children will be challenged to see how they can live into their faith in God with loving actions, knowing that God walks the road with them as they head around the world and back home, where they know they can make a difference. In this Vacation Bible School, children will learn that when they start their faith journey with God, God is with them no matter what!
To preview or order the curriculum go to: http://www.greatplainsumc.org/VBS.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Micki McCorkle, mmccorkle@greatplainsumc.org, or phone: 316-210-3996.
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Identify spiritual gifts to start discerning your call into ministry
The Great Plains Conference is focusing in 2016 on creating a culture of call within Kansas and Nebraska. In fact, this was the focus of the annual Orders and Fellowship clergy meetings in February in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Some people in our congregations may feel a calling to ordained ministry. But many others may be called to help serve the numerous functions within the local church that make ministries of all kinds possible – from teaching Sunday school to feeding the hungry to maintaining the building and more.
One of the first things we have to do is identify the gifts and graces that people have to help fulfill ministries. Need some ideas on how to get started? Check out this page and click on the link found there for “Identifying Spiritual Gifts.”
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You’re invited to take part in Holy Land tour with El Dorado First UMC
On May 22, 2017, a group from the First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, Kansas, will depart on a 10-day tour of the Holy Land. The journey will include touring Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, the Mount of Olives, the Upper Room, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Garden Tomb and more.
Those participating in the tour will experience an awakening of their understanding of the teachings of Jesus, rejuvenate their spiritual life and enhance their church family relationships.
The travel/study program is being arranged by Educational Opportunities, a Christian tour company whose main objective is to provide pastors and their congregations affordable, first-class learning experiences in the lands of the Bible. The program will combine sightseeing with informative lectures. The cost of the all-inclusive pilgrimage starts at $3,746 and includes airfare from Wichita, Kansas. The journey is open to all persons who wish to enhance their spiritual life, see the wonders of the Holy Land and grow closer to other Christians.
An informational meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday, April 17, in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church, 421 W. Central Ave., El Dorado, Kansas.
Further information can be found at www.FirstUMCElDorado.org/HolyLand2017 or by calling Paul Erickson at 316-322-9730.
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Epworth Village in Nebraska needs your help to acquire a new mini-van
Epworth Village, a United Methodist ministry in York, Nebraska, needs your help collecting Campbell’s labels by June 1 in an effort to acquire a new van.
Epworth Village has been one of the ongoing participants in the Campbell’s Labels for Education redemption program for many years. For the past 42 years, Campbell has proudly offered the program, which has contributed more than $110 million in school supplies to tens of thousands of schools across the U.S. Sadly, Campbell’s has reached the point where the decision was made to wind down the Labels for Education program.
Epworth Village’s current Labels for Education program has been geared to accumulating 1.6 million points to redeem for a new mini-van. Epworth has close to 400,000 points in its account. For Epworth Village to reach its goal, it is planning a big push through June 1 to achieve the 1.6 million points. Points can be found on Campbell’s product labels – a designated point value attached to the bar code. The label, as shown above, is the only part of a label that needs to be submitted.
Pastor Mark Schutt of Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice, Nebraska, made an announcement from the pulpit this past Sundaysaying, "We have all heard of Epworth's label project for years, if we all get the word out we can put a dent in this and see how many labels we can come up with, and if every church did this, think what would happen?"
On that note, Epworth Village is seeking Labels for Education be collected and received by Epworth Village by June 1 to meet Campbell’s deadline for label submission. Participating products include Campbell’s, Pepperidge Farm, Pace and Prego Sauces, V-8 products and BIC pen products. Epworth Village wishes to thank the many individuals, UMW units and churches who have spent time submitting labels over the years helping Epworth Village meets the needs of its clients. The Campbell’s redemption catalog will be utilized to redeem points if Epworth Village falls short of the 1.6 million – so please check the participating product list for your favorites from the list above and remember to submit your Labels for Education by June 1 to Epworth Village.
Trimmed labels can be submitted by your church, UMW unit or mailed in direct to Epworth Village at PO Box 503 York, NE 68467.
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Native American Ministries Sunday set for April 10
This time of the year reminds us of our great potential to be generous and show compassion as United Methodists. On April 10, thousands of United Methodists will share a special offering for Native American Ministries Sunday.
This very special Sunday affects Native American congregations and people across the United States, including the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference in our jurisdiction. When you support Native American Ministries Sunday, you contribute to scholarships for Native American seminary students and Native American ministries that minister to their communities with the love of Christ.
Native American communities are rich in heritage, with unique languages and cultures. We are passionate about honoring the heritage and teaching communities how to live as Jesus followers.
Be sure to check out our free pastor's download kit. We put together a series of resources for you so you can prepare, announce and share the amazing opportunity of Native American Ministries Sunday with your congregation and social-media audience.
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Peace With Justice Sunday planned for May 22
The 2016 Peace with Justice Sunday is on May 22 (it can also be celebrated on a different Sunday if that works better for your congregation).
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
Read about examples of work done through the peace with justice ministry worldwide at www.umcgiving.org/ministry-articles/peace-with-justice-sunday.
To help you plan and celebrate this important Sunday, a pastor and leader's kit is available with children's sermons, sermon starters, litanies, prayers, slides for power points, podcasts and much more atwww.umcgiving.org/resource-articles/peace-with-justice-sunday-pastors-leaders-kit[Andrea Paret, Peace With Justice coordinator]
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United Methodist Open Door close to goal for new Wichita facility
Donations from several foundations and local organizations, in addition to the Board of Directors, staff and many individual gifts, bring the United Methodist Open Door close to achieving its $2.75 million capital campaign to relocate both the Community Food Ministry and Commodity Supplemental Food Program in Wichita.
“We are pleased to recognize the important early gifts that move us closer to our goal of opening a new, more efficient and accessible food distribution center for our community,” said Jennifer Stephens, chair of the Open Door board of directors.
This January, the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation awarded Open Door a $500,000 grant and challenged the organization to raise the additional $414,000 needed to achieve that goal within one year. Open Door officials hope to complete fundraising by this summer.
Textron Aviation, Cargill, The Lattner Foundation, The Dewayne and Welma Wallace Foundation, The Goebel Family Foundation, Intrust Bank, Delta Dental, The Beach Family Foundation and The Daniel J. Taylor Foundation donated generous early gifts and a significant program readiness gift was given by the Kansas Health Foundation for equipment, furniture, fixtures, etc.
“The generosity of this community, and these organizations specifically, continue to be a source of inspiration and pride for me personally and for this organization,” said Steve Martens, chair of the capital campaign steering committee. “Their donations will have a lasting impact on the lives of so many people in our community.”
Open Door’s proposed site is the former Cessna Training Facility at 2130 E. 21st St. North. Plans call for Open Door’s current food programs – the Community Food Ministry and Commodity Supplemental Food Program – to be located in the building. The two programs have been operating out of two buildings that are worn out and no longer accessible on city bus routes.
The new facility is in the area where the largest percentage of people served by the food ministry live, and on the same street as other nonprofits serving lower-income families and individuals. The close proximity to each of these groups allows for easy access for those in need and provides further opportunities for partnerships. This facility is located along the Wichita city bus route.
“Our goal is to complete the fundraising this summer, and be serving the needs of our community by early next year,” Martens said.
United Methodist Open Door, Inc. is a community-wide public social service agency with a mission to provide the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. In addition to its food ministry, Open Door is a program that provides free clothing for infants, children and adults, a day shelter for the homeless that offers case management and two housing outreach programs.
Learn more about Open Door.
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Connecting Neighbors training scheduled
As we continue to pray and support Hesston United Methodist Church and the community following the active-shooter incident, there have been inquiries concerning how to handle these types of situations. Your Disaster Response Ministry offers an active-shooter training, free to any church, business or other organization. Contact the Rev. Hollie Tapley, conference disaster response coordinator, athtapley@greatplainsumc.org to find out more information and to schedule a training.
The Ellis, Kansas, United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Connecting Neighbors Training on Saturday, April 30. All area churches and individuals are invited to be a part of this all-day training as we discuss how to prepare our families and churches and how to respond after a disaster. Ellis UMC will be providing lunch with a freewill donation. To RSVP for the class and meal please, email the Rev. Tricia North atellisumc@gbta.net.
Spring is here and so has disaster season! It’s not too late to schedule an Early Response Team, or ERT, training at your church to prepare individuals on how to respond in times of disaster. All ERT’s must beSafe Gatherings certified and have completed an eight-hour training session. Contact Rev. Tapley at htapley@greatplainsumc.org to volunteer to host a training in your area.[Rev. Hollie Tapley, disaster response coordinator]
“I think that UMW has the ability for women to grow spiritually,” the current Overland Park, Kansas, resident said, “and it is a way women can have a community of other women – all different ages – that help them learn that life in Christ can begin when you’re very young but continues all through your life.”
The last UMW president in the former Kansas East Conference, Morrow takes on new responsibilities the weekend of April 15. She is nominated for president of the South Central Jurisdictional UMW, and the slate of nominees is scheduled to be approved at its meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
“If someone stands up and says they want someone else, they’ll have my vote,” she said with a laugh.
Another Great Plains Conference UMW veteran is also on the ballot: Louise Niemann of David City, Nebraska, the last president of the Nebraska UMW, is a candidate for the nominating committee.
Once approved, all candidates will serve a four-year term. They will fan out among the 12 conferences in eight states of the South Central Jurisdiction to offer support and assistance to their UMW sisterhood as well as planning the conferences.
“It’s kind of a support system on a different level,” Morrow said.
“The way I look it, it’s going to be easier being jurisdictional president than it was to be conference president,” she chuckled. “I may be surprised, but I don’t think that’s going to be the case.”
Morrow was also previously director of spiritual growth for the former Kansas East UMW, and is president of her local group at Church of the Resurrection in Lenexa, Kansas, after being active in her previous church, Old Mission UMC in Kansas City, Kansas.
A lifelong Methodist, Morrow attended the UMC-funded Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, and married the son of a Methodist pastor.
“We’ve been Methodists forever and two days,” she said of her husband, John. They have four children, a dozen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
At 20, Morrow taught school during the first year of desegregated schools in Jackson, including two 18-year-olds in her sixth-grade class. She and her husband moved to the Washington, D.C., area, where she again taught sixth grade in Fairfax County, Virginia. Morrow retired from teaching when her daughter, now 44, was born.
She praised UMW for being a “wonderful way to learn about the mission of our church and all the mission work.”
Morrow said she always believed in “F-U-N” as the key to fundraising.
“Women always have fun when they’re raising money to send overseas or support a mission close by,” she said. “It’s a way we bond, but it’s also a way we help other people.”
Contact David Burke, communications coordinator, at dburke@greatplainsumc.org.
---------------------
Conference providing funding for Young Preachers Festival
The Great Plains United Methodist Conference is providing funds for young leaders to attend the Young Preachers Festival and Conference,July 21-22 at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Members of a church in the Great Plains Conference can attend this event designed to encourage and equip the next generation of church leaders free of charge through a scholarship provided by the conference. Travel and lodging are not included.
To receive the scholarship, email the Rev. Ashlee Alley, clergy recruitment and development coordinator, at aalley@greatplainsumc.org. Once you’ve contacted her, visit youngpreachersfestival.org for the link to registration. Select Catalyst Registrar Group and select Great Plains Annual Conference as your group name. Select Pay by Check at checkout. DO NOT pay with a credit card. The Great Plains Conference will pay the fee on your behalf.
Join young leaders from across the denomination for practical workshops, plenaries featuring denominational leaders, networking with peers and seminary representatives and an opportunity to preach a sermon and receive relevant and encouraging feedback.
For more information, contact sharechurchevents@cor.org or 913-232-4139.
---------------------
‘Road Trip’ Vacation Bible School curriculum available
The VBS Road Trip curriculum is now available for all congregations! For only $50 you can download all materials – skits, crafts, recreation, country info, story time, music, posters and more!
The Road Trip curriculum was specifically written for the Great Plains Conference. It focuses on the journeys of Paul alongside our own mission partnership journeys as a conference with Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Haiti. Childrenand adult helpers will learn about Paul’s mission partners: Barnabas, Lydia, Silas, Priscilla and Aquila, and Timothy.
Join in faith forming fun with this journey through the stories of Paul and our mission partnerships. With daily themes of Work Together Bravely, Share Generously, Pray Constantly, Care Boldly and Welcome Gladly, children will experience God’s love for them with tangible, exciting lessons. Each day, your children will be challenged to see how they can live into their faith in God with loving actions, knowing that God walks the road with them as they head around the world and back home, where they know they can make a difference. In this Vacation Bible School, children will learn that when they start their faith journey with God, God is with them no matter what!
To preview or order the curriculum go to: http://www.greatplainsumc.org/VBS.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Micki McCorkle, mmccorkle@greatplainsumc.org, or phone: 316-210-3996.
---------------------
Identify spiritual gifts to start discerning your call into ministry
The Great Plains Conference is focusing in 2016 on creating a culture of call within Kansas and Nebraska. In fact, this was the focus of the annual Orders and Fellowship clergy meetings in February in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Some people in our congregations may feel a calling to ordained ministry. But many others may be called to help serve the numerous functions within the local church that make ministries of all kinds possible – from teaching Sunday school to feeding the hungry to maintaining the building and more.
One of the first things we have to do is identify the gifts and graces that people have to help fulfill ministries. Need some ideas on how to get started? Check out this page and click on the link found there for “Identifying Spiritual Gifts.”
---------------------
You’re invited to take part in Holy Land tour with El Dorado First UMC
On May 22, 2017, a group from the First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, Kansas, will depart on a 10-day tour of the Holy Land. The journey will include touring Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, the Mount of Olives, the Upper Room, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Garden Tomb and more.
Those participating in the tour will experience an awakening of their understanding of the teachings of Jesus, rejuvenate their spiritual life and enhance their church family relationships.
The travel/study program is being arranged by Educational Opportunities, a Christian tour company whose main objective is to provide pastors and their congregations affordable, first-class learning experiences in the lands of the Bible. The program will combine sightseeing with informative lectures. The cost of the all-inclusive pilgrimage starts at $3,746 and includes airfare from Wichita, Kansas. The journey is open to all persons who wish to enhance their spiritual life, see the wonders of the Holy Land and grow closer to other Christians.
An informational meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday, April 17, in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church, 421 W. Central Ave., El Dorado, Kansas.
Further information can be found at www.FirstUMCElDorado.org/HolyLand2017 or by calling Paul Erickson at 316-322-9730.
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Epworth Village in Nebraska needs your help to acquire a new mini-van
Epworth Village, a United Methodist ministry in York, Nebraska, needs your help collecting Campbell’s labels by June 1 in an effort to acquire a new van.
Epworth Village has been one of the ongoing participants in the Campbell’s Labels for Education redemption program for many years. For the past 42 years, Campbell has proudly offered the program, which has contributed more than $110 million in school supplies to tens of thousands of schools across the U.S. Sadly, Campbell’s has reached the point where the decision was made to wind down the Labels for Education program.
Epworth Village’s current Labels for Education program has been geared to accumulating 1.6 million points to redeem for a new mini-van. Epworth has close to 400,000 points in its account. For Epworth Village to reach its goal, it is planning a big push through June 1 to achieve the 1.6 million points. Points can be found on Campbell’s product labels – a designated point value attached to the bar code. The label, as shown above, is the only part of a label that needs to be submitted.
Pastor Mark Schutt of Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice, Nebraska, made an announcement from the pulpit this past Sundaysaying, "We have all heard of Epworth's label project for years, if we all get the word out we can put a dent in this and see how many labels we can come up with, and if every church did this, think what would happen?"
On that note, Epworth Village is seeking Labels for Education be collected and received by Epworth Village by June 1 to meet Campbell’s deadline for label submission. Participating products include Campbell’s, Pepperidge Farm, Pace and Prego Sauces, V-8 products and BIC pen products. Epworth Village wishes to thank the many individuals, UMW units and churches who have spent time submitting labels over the years helping Epworth Village meets the needs of its clients. The Campbell’s redemption catalog will be utilized to redeem points if Epworth Village falls short of the 1.6 million – so please check the participating product list for your favorites from the list above and remember to submit your Labels for Education by June 1 to Epworth Village.
Trimmed labels can be submitted by your church, UMW unit or mailed in direct to Epworth Village at PO Box 503 York, NE 68467.
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Native American Ministries Sunday set for April 10
This time of the year reminds us of our great potential to be generous and show compassion as United Methodists. On April 10, thousands of United Methodists will share a special offering for Native American Ministries Sunday.
This very special Sunday affects Native American congregations and people across the United States, including the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference in our jurisdiction. When you support Native American Ministries Sunday, you contribute to scholarships for Native American seminary students and Native American ministries that minister to their communities with the love of Christ.
Native American communities are rich in heritage, with unique languages and cultures. We are passionate about honoring the heritage and teaching communities how to live as Jesus followers.
Be sure to check out our free pastor's download kit. We put together a series of resources for you so you can prepare, announce and share the amazing opportunity of Native American Ministries Sunday with your congregation and social-media audience.
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Peace With Justice Sunday planned for May 22
The 2016 Peace with Justice Sunday is on May 22 (it can also be celebrated on a different Sunday if that works better for your congregation).
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
Read about examples of work done through the peace with justice ministry worldwide at www.umcgiving.org/ministry-articles/peace-with-justice-sunday.
To help you plan and celebrate this important Sunday, a pastor and leader's kit is available with children's sermons, sermon starters, litanies, prayers, slides for power points, podcasts and much more atwww.umcgiving.org/resource-articles/peace-with-justice-sunday-pastors-leaders-kit[Andrea Paret, Peace With Justice coordinator]
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United Methodist Open Door close to goal for new Wichita facility
Donations from several foundations and local organizations, in addition to the Board of Directors, staff and many individual gifts, bring the United Methodist Open Door close to achieving its $2.75 million capital campaign to relocate both the Community Food Ministry and Commodity Supplemental Food Program in Wichita.
“We are pleased to recognize the important early gifts that move us closer to our goal of opening a new, more efficient and accessible food distribution center for our community,” said Jennifer Stephens, chair of the Open Door board of directors.
This January, the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation awarded Open Door a $500,000 grant and challenged the organization to raise the additional $414,000 needed to achieve that goal within one year. Open Door officials hope to complete fundraising by this summer.
Textron Aviation, Cargill, The Lattner Foundation, The Dewayne and Welma Wallace Foundation, The Goebel Family Foundation, Intrust Bank, Delta Dental, The Beach Family Foundation and The Daniel J. Taylor Foundation donated generous early gifts and a significant program readiness gift was given by the Kansas Health Foundation for equipment, furniture, fixtures, etc.
“The generosity of this community, and these organizations specifically, continue to be a source of inspiration and pride for me personally and for this organization,” said Steve Martens, chair of the capital campaign steering committee. “Their donations will have a lasting impact on the lives of so many people in our community.”
Open Door’s proposed site is the former Cessna Training Facility at 2130 E. 21st St. North. Plans call for Open Door’s current food programs – the Community Food Ministry and Commodity Supplemental Food Program – to be located in the building. The two programs have been operating out of two buildings that are worn out and no longer accessible on city bus routes.
The new facility is in the area where the largest percentage of people served by the food ministry live, and on the same street as other nonprofits serving lower-income families and individuals. The close proximity to each of these groups allows for easy access for those in need and provides further opportunities for partnerships. This facility is located along the Wichita city bus route.
“Our goal is to complete the fundraising this summer, and be serving the needs of our community by early next year,” Martens said.
United Methodist Open Door, Inc. is a community-wide public social service agency with a mission to provide the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. In addition to its food ministry, Open Door is a program that provides free clothing for infants, children and adults, a day shelter for the homeless that offers case management and two housing outreach programs.
Learn more about Open Door.
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Connecting Neighbors training scheduled
As we continue to pray and support Hesston United Methodist Church and the community following the active-shooter incident, there have been inquiries concerning how to handle these types of situations. Your Disaster Response Ministry offers an active-shooter training, free to any church, business or other organization. Contact the Rev. Hollie Tapley, conference disaster response coordinator, athtapley@greatplainsumc.org to find out more information and to schedule a training.
The Ellis, Kansas, United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Connecting Neighbors Training on Saturday, April 30. All area churches and individuals are invited to be a part of this all-day training as we discuss how to prepare our families and churches and how to respond after a disaster. Ellis UMC will be providing lunch with a freewill donation. To RSVP for the class and meal please, email the Rev. Tricia North atellisumc@gbta.net.
Spring is here and so has disaster season! It’s not too late to schedule an Early Response Team, or ERT, training at your church to prepare individuals on how to respond in times of disaster. All ERT’s must beSafe Gatherings certified and have completed an eight-hour training session. Contact Rev. Tapley at htapley@greatplainsumc.org to volunteer to host a training in your area.[Rev. Hollie Tapley, disaster response coordinator]
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Volunteers make return trip to Haiti
Spring break offered the opportunity for a Volunteers in Missions group to make a return visit to the island of Lagonave, Haiti.
Andover United Methodist Church in Kansas had sent a previous team to work on building a church and entered a partnership with the leaders of the village on the north shore of the island.
The recent team that made the trip March 10-17 was a mix of people who had been on the previous team and new team members from various other churches in the Great Plains Conference.
The amount of work completed by Haitian community members (with a little help from the team) was phenomenal!
Beginning with just footings to outline the church to be built over the next four days, the foundation was completed and all the block walls were put up, leaving the floor and roofing to be done.
All workers were fed well along with the team, and with some additional funds the cooks agreed to provide a community meal to feed about 150 children and 50 adults.
Nan Zeb is a very isolated village that has had little to no rain for three years and consequently no crops of corn, melons or peanuts to sell. All foliage is being prepared to make charcoal for market, and they are aware that will not help with the drought. It is a situation of desperation with not much hope for the near future.
The work provided by the building project brought them some "sweet relief" for a time.[Shirley Edgerton, retired pastor]
---------------------
Registration open for the 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference session
The 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference Session is scheduled for June 1-4 located at the Kansas Expocentre (1 Expocentre Drive) in Topeka. The theme, “Serving Christ Near and Far,” will focus on the global connection of the United Methodist Church. The featured guest speakers are Abuna Elias Chacour, retired archbishop of Galilee, and George Howard, deputy general secretary for Mission and Evangelism for the General Board of Global Missions.
Father Chacour was archbishop of Akko, Kaifa, Nazareth and all of Galilee from 2006 to 2014. His vision is that through education, children, youth and young adults of different faith traditions will learn to live and work together in peace. He is author of “Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land,” books about the experience of Palestinian people living in present-day Israel. George Howard has a long-standing passion for international missions and asset-based community development and has lived in several parts of the world. As leader of the Mission and Evangelism Unit, Howard is involved in the recruitment and placement of missionaries as well as the development and oversight for new mission initiatives.
Registration is now open for the annual conference session. You should register online in advance as it is difficult to have people register onsite. Registrations received after May 17 will incur a $25 late fee. The final date to register is by midnight on May 24. Register now. Other registration forms that are open include child care registration and youth registration. Child care registration will close at midnight on April 29. Youth registration will close at midnight on May 24.
General information about the event is also available and it is recommended that you read through it thoroughly to be best prepared for the event and your travels.
Please visit the annual conference session webpage,greatplainsumc.org/annualconference, to view more details including a tentative schedule, lodging options, flyer policy and more. For questions contact Dana Reinhardt at dreinhardt@greatplainsumc.org or call 402-464-5994 ext. 105.
Watch a video that provides a tour of the venue.
---------------------
Health kit, school kit, cleaning bucket items sought at Conference
Those attending the Great Plains Annual Conference session June 1-4in Topeka are asked to bring items for health kits and school kits, as well as cleaning bucket materials, to help fill a truck for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, or UMCOR.
The truck will be located at the loading dock – look for signs – from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
Items for health kits are hand towels, washcloths, combs, metal nail file/clippers, bath soap toothbrush, adhesive bandages and a gallon-size plastic bag.
School kit items are a pair of blunt scissors, three pads of paper, a handheld pencil sharpener, a 30 cm ruler, six unsharpened pencils, a 2-inch or larger eraser, a 24-count box of crayons and a 14-by-16 inch cloth bag.
Cleaning bucket materials include a five-gallon bucket, liquid laundry detergent, liquid household cleaner, dish soap, air freshener, insect repellent, scrub brush, cleaning wipes, sponges, scouring pads, clothespins, a clothesline, trash bags, dust masks, dishwashing gloves and work gloves.
More information on the items in all kits is online at umcor.org.
For more information, contact the Rev. Hollie Tapley, conference disaster response coordinator, at htapley@greatplainsumc.org.
---------------------
Bishop Jones shares information about General Conference
Bishop Scott Jones shared information about the upcoming General Conference of The United Methodist Church during a livestream broadcast April 2 from the episcopal office in Wichita, Kansas.
The broadcast featured the bishop sharing details about the purpose and structure of General Conference, the way it handles legislation and its role in the worldwide church. He then explained what he thinks will be some of the more hotly debated issues facing the 2016 General Conference, which is scheduled for May 10-20 in Portland, Oregon.
Watch the video of his broadcast.
---------------------
Ecumenical staff officer to retire
Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church,has announced the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Sidorak, Jr., ecumenical staff officer for the OCUIR (Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships) of the Council of Bishops, effective July 1.
Beginning immediately, Dr. Sidorak will take a leave of absence in order to address medical issues.
"The Council is appreciative of Dr. Sidorak's leadership which has been instrumental in strengthening our ecumenical relationships and working towards greater unity," said Bishop Brown. "We thank him for his dedicated efforts."
During his tenure, Sidorak guided the restructuring of the former GCCUIC (General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns) into the OCUIR under the Council of Bishops. He resourced the organization of the Committee on Faith and Order. Sidorak played a key role in facilitating the Full Communion Agreement with the Pan-Methodist family at the 2012 General Conference. At that same General Conference, he worked on the adoption of the resolution "Healing Relationships with Indigenous Persons." He also held membership and leadership on Joint Study Committee on the Sand Creek Massacre Study Project. Sidorak was a co-lead staff person on the Organization of Joint Commission on Full Communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and implementation of its work, and provided key leadership with various ecumenical bodies.
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Consider investment in Kansas Area UM Foundation program
You work hard for your money, so why not make your money work hard for you? You can by investing in the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation’s Certificate of Participation Program. The Certificate of Participation Program not only offers returns consistently higher than bank money market and CD investments in a secure environment, but it also provides seed money for loans to newly developing, expanding, or revitalizing United Methodist churches and institutions.
The Certificate of Participation Program 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 Program 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- or 24-month term
Simple Application Process -- Must obtain an offering circular
Interest is reinvested semi-annually, 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, contact the foundation’s office at 888-453-8405 or online at www.kaumf.org for the current interest rates, updated application form and offering circular.
April 2016 Rates
12 Month term - 1.20%
24 Month term - 1.50%
---------------------
Heart health is subject of Heritage speaker series
Heritage United Methodist Church in Overland Park, Kansas, will host the third in its “Inspiration and Education Speaker Series” at 7:30 p.m.Monday, April 11 at the church, 12850 Quivira Road. This series features speakers who will inspire and educate on a variety of topics.
April’s speaker will be Liz Tatham, a wife and mother of four who nearly lost her life in 2010 to a heart defect that required open heart surgery. Tatham has represented the “Go Red for Women” as the 2012 National Spokesperson for the American Heart Association and has joined celebrities in talking about women’s heart health. She continues to be active in getting the word out about women’s heart health, as well as sharing her personal experience.
Tatham will share her amazing story of faith, strength, hope and healing as well as speak about her passion to help others determine what they were created to be and how to live life following that path.
Email info@heritageumc.org for more information.
---------------------
Newsletters
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
---------------------
Volunteers make return trip to Haiti
Spring break offered the opportunity for a Volunteers in Missions group to make a return visit to the island of Lagonave, Haiti.
Andover United Methodist Church in Kansas had sent a previous team to work on building a church and entered a partnership with the leaders of the village on the north shore of the island.
The recent team that made the trip March 10-17 was a mix of people who had been on the previous team and new team members from various other churches in the Great Plains Conference.
The amount of work completed by Haitian community members (with a little help from the team) was phenomenal!
Beginning with just footings to outline the church to be built over the next four days, the foundation was completed and all the block walls were put up, leaving the floor and roofing to be done.
All workers were fed well along with the team, and with some additional funds the cooks agreed to provide a community meal to feed about 150 children and 50 adults.
Nan Zeb is a very isolated village that has had little to no rain for three years and consequently no crops of corn, melons or peanuts to sell. All foliage is being prepared to make charcoal for market, and they are aware that will not help with the drought. It is a situation of desperation with not much hope for the near future.
The work provided by the building project brought them some "sweet relief" for a time.[Shirley Edgerton, retired pastor]
---------------------
Registration open for the 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference session
The 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference Session is scheduled for June 1-4 located at the Kansas Expocentre (1 Expocentre Drive) in Topeka. The theme, “Serving Christ Near and Far,” will focus on the global connection of the United Methodist Church. The featured guest speakers are Abuna Elias Chacour, retired archbishop of Galilee, and George Howard, deputy general secretary for Mission and Evangelism for the General Board of Global Missions.
Father Chacour was archbishop of Akko, Kaifa, Nazareth and all of Galilee from 2006 to 2014. His vision is that through education, children, youth and young adults of different faith traditions will learn to live and work together in peace. He is author of “Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land,” books about the experience of Palestinian people living in present-day Israel. George Howard has a long-standing passion for international missions and asset-based community development and has lived in several parts of the world. As leader of the Mission and Evangelism Unit, Howard is involved in the recruitment and placement of missionaries as well as the development and oversight for new mission initiatives.
Registration is now open for the annual conference session. You should register online in advance as it is difficult to have people register onsite. Registrations received after May 17 will incur a $25 late fee. The final date to register is by midnight on May 24. Register now. Other registration forms that are open include child care registration and youth registration. Child care registration will close at midnight on April 29. Youth registration will close at midnight on May 24.
General information about the event is also available and it is recommended that you read through it thoroughly to be best prepared for the event and your travels.
Please visit the annual conference session webpage,greatplainsumc.org/annualconference, to view more details including a tentative schedule, lodging options, flyer policy and more. For questions contact Dana Reinhardt at dreinhardt@greatplainsumc.org or call 402-464-5994 ext. 105.
Watch a video that provides a tour of the venue.
---------------------
Health kit, school kit, cleaning bucket items sought at Conference
Those attending the Great Plains Annual Conference session June 1-4in Topeka are asked to bring items for health kits and school kits, as well as cleaning bucket materials, to help fill a truck for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, or UMCOR.
The truck will be located at the loading dock – look for signs – from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
Items for health kits are hand towels, washcloths, combs, metal nail file/clippers, bath soap toothbrush, adhesive bandages and a gallon-size plastic bag.
School kit items are a pair of blunt scissors, three pads of paper, a handheld pencil sharpener, a 30 cm ruler, six unsharpened pencils, a 2-inch or larger eraser, a 24-count box of crayons and a 14-by-16 inch cloth bag.
Cleaning bucket materials include a five-gallon bucket, liquid laundry detergent, liquid household cleaner, dish soap, air freshener, insect repellent, scrub brush, cleaning wipes, sponges, scouring pads, clothespins, a clothesline, trash bags, dust masks, dishwashing gloves and work gloves.
More information on the items in all kits is online at umcor.org.
For more information, contact the Rev. Hollie Tapley, conference disaster response coordinator, at htapley@greatplainsumc.org.
---------------------
Bishop Jones shares information about General Conference
Bishop Scott Jones shared information about the upcoming General Conference of The United Methodist Church during a livestream broadcast April 2 from the episcopal office in Wichita, Kansas.
The broadcast featured the bishop sharing details about the purpose and structure of General Conference, the way it handles legislation and its role in the worldwide church. He then explained what he thinks will be some of the more hotly debated issues facing the 2016 General Conference, which is scheduled for May 10-20 in Portland, Oregon.
Watch the video of his broadcast.
---------------------
Ecumenical staff officer to retire
Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church,has announced the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Sidorak, Jr., ecumenical staff officer for the OCUIR (Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships) of the Council of Bishops, effective July 1.
Beginning immediately, Dr. Sidorak will take a leave of absence in order to address medical issues.
"The Council is appreciative of Dr. Sidorak's leadership which has been instrumental in strengthening our ecumenical relationships and working towards greater unity," said Bishop Brown. "We thank him for his dedicated efforts."
During his tenure, Sidorak guided the restructuring of the former GCCUIC (General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns) into the OCUIR under the Council of Bishops. He resourced the organization of the Committee on Faith and Order. Sidorak played a key role in facilitating the Full Communion Agreement with the Pan-Methodist family at the 2012 General Conference. At that same General Conference, he worked on the adoption of the resolution "Healing Relationships with Indigenous Persons." He also held membership and leadership on Joint Study Committee on the Sand Creek Massacre Study Project. Sidorak was a co-lead staff person on the Organization of Joint Commission on Full Communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and implementation of its work, and provided key leadership with various ecumenical bodies.
---------------------
Consider investment in Kansas Area UM Foundation program
You work hard for your money, so why not make your money work hard for you? You can by investing in the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation’s Certificate of Participation Program. The Certificate of Participation Program not only offers returns consistently higher than bank money market and CD investments in a secure environment, but it also provides seed money for loans to newly developing, expanding, or revitalizing United Methodist churches and institutions.
The Certificate of Participation Program 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 Program 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- or 24-month term
Simple Application Process -- Must obtain an offering circular
Interest is reinvested semi-annually, 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, contact the foundation’s office at 888-453-8405 or online at www.kaumf.org for the current interest rates, updated application form and offering circular.
April 2016 Rates
12 Month term - 1.20%
24 Month term - 1.50%
---------------------
Heart health is subject of Heritage speaker series
Heritage United Methodist Church in Overland Park, Kansas, will host the third in its “Inspiration and Education Speaker Series” at 7:30 p.m.Monday, April 11 at the church, 12850 Quivira Road. This series features speakers who will inspire and educate on a variety of topics.
April’s speaker will be Liz Tatham, a wife and mother of four who nearly lost her life in 2010 to a heart defect that required open heart surgery. Tatham has represented the “Go Red for Women” as the 2012 National Spokesperson for the American Heart Association and has joined celebrities in talking about women’s heart health. She continues to be active in getting the word out about women’s heart health, as well as sharing her personal experience.
Tatham will share her amazing story of faith, strength, hope and healing as well as speak about her passion to help others determine what they were created to be and how to live life following that path.
Email info@heritageumc.org for more information.
---------------------
Newsletters
- Global Ministries: connectNmission
- Global Ministries: Global Health
- KAUMF: Sustaining the United Methodist Witness
- UMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
- Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Update
- Ministry Matters: April 4, 2016
- UMCOR: Hotline
- In Layman’s Terms: Conference Communications Director Todd Seifert shares some thoughts on the vows we take as United Methodists and how the sharing of our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness can help shine the light of Christ in the world today. Read the blog.
- Lay Servant Ministry: Mary Feit, LSM director for the Great Plains Conference, provides a blog that declares "Gone are the days when we believed clergy had to do it all!" Read the blog.
- Communication specialist needed at Woodlawn UMC
- First UMC in Dallas seeks youth minister
- Pews available at no cost
- To view these and other classifieds, go togreatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
- 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.
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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