Wednesday, June 22, 2016

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 22 June 2016

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 22 June 2016
Download the printable version of the June 22 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SESSION
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
MERCY AND JUSTICE
SOUTH CENTRAL JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bishop's Bicycle Challenge raises $9,200 for Open Door

It was bookended by rainstorms, with temperatures in the 90s in between, but 89 riders enjoyed their time on two wheels on June 18 during the Bishop’s Bicycle Challenge.
Riders had their choice of a 22-mile, 50K or 100K ride through the streets of Wichita and the roads of Sedgwick County, beginning and ending at Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
Storms causing low-level flooding occurred late that afternoon, but “they missed out on the rain during the ride,” said Jeremy Kindy, development director of United Methodist Open Door in Wichita, the beneficiary of the ride.
This year’s ride raised more than $9,200 for Open Door, which provides food, clothing and shelter for the underprivileged and homeless in the Wichita area.
The ride began in 2010 under the leadership of Bishop Scott J. Jones, who rode in this year’s outing – his last as the conference leader – along with his wife, Mary Lou Reece, and his daughter, Marynell Popst.
-------
GraceMed to expand its services into the Topeka area
GraceMed has built a solid reputation in its 37 years of providing care for the people who need it most.
GraceMed operates eight clinics in Wichita that provide health care, dental, vision, behavioral health and pharmacy services and last year served 36,000 unique patients. Later this summer, the United Methodist-affiliated organization will expand into the Topeka area. Starting July 1, GraceMed will inherit 5,000 health care patients with the transition.
-------
Purchase artwork, help two of our
fund-raising campaigns
You have two opportunities to beautify your home, church or workplace while helping with two of our fund-raising efforts in the Great Plains Conference.
One opportunity involves buying a print of a Nativity scene prepared by artist Kansas artist Meredith Radke-Gannon (pictured above). The artwork was presented to Bishop Scott Jones and his wife, Mary Lou Reece, as part of the celebration of the bishop’s ministry in the Great Plains during the recently completed annual conference session.
If you would like to purchase a print, fill out this form. Each 5-by-7 print costs $25. Each 8-by-10 print costs $35. Proceeds will go to help the renew Camp Comeca campaign.
Also during the annual conference session, the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC) presented the bishop with artwork depicting the first American Indian pastor evangelizing to other natives (shown below) by artist John Walkabout, a Cherokee from Oklahoma. To purchase a print, contact Courtney Fowler, conference lay leader, at courtney.fowler@greatplainsumc.org. The cost for each print is $125. Proceeds will go to the OIMC pastoral salaries endowment.

-------
Review what took place during the annual conference session
Did you miss the annual conference session? Or do you just want to see that cardboard cutout of the bishop dressed as Superman one more time?
No problem. You can find links to videos from each of the segments of this year’s annual conference in Topeka on our website. Go to www.greatplainsumc.org/annualconference to find links to our daily recaps, nearly 60 videos from the plenary sessions and worship services, as well as a gallery with almost 700 photos from the June 1-4 event in Topeka, Kansas.
-------
Openings remain for Young Preachers ConferenceThe United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is gearing up for the Young Preachers Festival and Conference, scheduled for Thursday-Friday, July 21-22, at its Leawood, Kansas, campus.
The event is designed to inspire young leaders age 16-34 in their call to ministry, and current leaders looking to invest in their preaching gifts. Participants can look forward to fun and fellowship through group meals, lawn games, an interactive sermon slam, a potential encounter with John Wesley and more! In addition, the festival will include practical workshops focused on preaching and sermon preparation, featured sessions with denominational leaders and an opportunity to give a sermon and receive feedback from a panel of ministry leaders.
Check out the conference on Facebook (United Methodist Young Preachers) and Twitter (@umyoungpreacher). #youngpreachersfestival2016. Spread the word and invite a young leader!
There is still time to register. Details and registration link can be found at youngpreachersfestival.org. Questions? Contact the conference at sharechurchevents@cor.org or 913-232-4157.
-------
Elisha Grant applications for young clergy now being acceptedThe Rev. Nancy Lambert, director of Clergy Excellence/assistant to the bishop, has announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Elisha Grant. The Elisha Grant is a reimbursement to young clergy serving local churches in the Great Plains Conference for some of the costs incurred while attending seminary.
Tuition and books are not the only expense of attending seminary, and some individuals exhaust their savings in order to incur minimal debt while in seminary. This might result in being financially strapped after graduation. This grant is intended to relieve some of that financial pressure for a clergy family beginning their ministry career.
Persons are eligible to apply if they:
  • Are 45 years old or younger
  • Have graduated from a seminary approved by the University Senate in the last five years (May 2012 or later)
  • Are appointed for full-time service at a local church in the Great Plains Conference and in their first five years of such service after graduating from seminary, and
  • Are an approved candidate, provisional member or full member of the Great Plains Conference
  • This is the final year for the Elisha Grant, due to budgetary restraints.
  • Download the application.
More information and a link to the application can be found at www.greatplainsumc.org/elishagrant.
-------
Registration open for Global United Methodist clergywomen gatheringUnited Methodist clergywomen from around the world will gather Aug. 29-31 in Houston to celebrate 60 years of full clergy rights for women in the Methodist tradition and 20 years of the full-clergy-membership diaconate for United Methodist deacons. The gathering is the culmination of regional gatherings of United Methodist clergywomen that have taken place throughout the connection and will be held in the days leading up to the World Methodist Conference.
Themed “ONE: Birthing a Worldwide Church,” the gathering’s events are designed to foster unity among clergywomen and strengthen their Methodist identity. The three-day event provides clergywomen with leadership building, education and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to explore how women in leadership influence The United Methodist Church.
“We are an international church, and it is important that United Methodist clergywomen build upon the church’s legacy of leadership,” said the Rev. Dr. Kim Cape, general secretary, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). “We need clarity of purpose and flexibility in strategy. This assembly of clergywomen from around the world creates a rich intellectual, intercultural and spiritual space that every clergywoman can contribute to, and grow from.”
The gathering begins on Monday evening with an opening worship designed by Rev. Dr. Beauty Maenzanise, an ordained elder and global clergy formation consultant for GBHEM. The opening worship speaker is Rev. Helen Manalac-Cunanan, an ordained elder and pastor of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Angeles City, Philippines. The Rev. Manalac-Cunanan organized the Filipino UM Clergywomen Consultation in Manila last year.
Tuesday offers a multitude of interactive learning and networking activities.Tuesday night will be capped by a UMC Clergywomen banquet featuring women bishops and leaders of the World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church Women; Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of the Houston Episcopal Area will be a speaker. The General Secretary of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, the Rev. Charmaine Morgan, will greet participants. This year, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa is celebrating 40 years of ordination of women in their ministry.
During Wednesday’s discussions, women bishops will share their vision for women leading the church into the future, and clergywomen will set forth their views of UM clergywomen as church changers and world changers. The gathering culminates at a luncheon with United Methodist Women bishops, and a celebration of deacons.
For additional information, please go to www.gbhem.org/clergy/clergywomen.
-------
Scholarships available from Nebraska UM Foundation
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation has scholarship applications available online for seminary students or students pursuing a career in church leadership. Materials can be found at www.numf.org/scholarships. The Foundation is pleased to be able to administer these scholarships to individuals who are members of a Nebraska United Methodist church and pursuing a degree for service in the Great Plains Conference.
Applications are available for the following scholarships:
  • The Albert R. Murdoch Ministerial Scholarship
  • The Alice Kruse Ministerial Scholarship 
  • The Alice Kruse Seminary Scholarship
  • The Alva Clark Seminary Scholarship 
  • The Baldwin F. and Amy L. Kruse Scholarship
  • The Charles and Marilyn Humphrey Seminary Scholarship
  • The Cowles United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship
  • The Darrell and Joyce Pickett Scholarship
  • The Harlan and Mabelle Wyrick Memorial Scholarship
  • The Lincoln St. Mark's United Methodist Church Foundation Scholarship
  • The Murdock Ebenezer UMC Professional Church Leader Scholarship
  • The Myrtle E. Williams Seminary Scholarship
  • The Scahill Family Scholarship
  • The Verl & Sylvia Miller Memorial Scholarship
  • The Wilson's Tither Scholarship
The application deadline is June 30, 2016.
Those students applying for the scholarships listed above will also subsequently be considered for the following scholarships:
  • The Cal Leeds Scholarship
  • The Rev. Albert W. Winseman Scholarship Endowment
  • The Atherton Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • The Ben and Martha Simmons Scholarship Fund
  • The Andrew & Nevabelle Howe Scholarship.
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation would like to acknowledge the generous gifts donors have made to make these scholarships possible, and thanks them for being a partner in ministry. For more information, please visit www.numf.org.
If you would like to talk to someone about how you can honor the memory of a loved one or help a seminary student, please call us at 877-495-5545.
-------
Neil Blair to serve as Saint Paul School of Theology president
The Board of Trustees has named the Rev. Neil Blair as president of Saint Paul School of Theology. Blair is a 1980 Master of Divinity graduate of Saint Paul School of Theology. He will begin his leadership on July 1, 2016.
"We are fortunate that Neil Blair has agreed to provide leadership to Saint Paul during this time. Neil has a long and fruitful history with Saint Paul. He brings with him knowledge and love of the seminary as well as a strong understanding of the church and theological education’s special role in the life and vitality of the church,” said Saint Paul Board chair Twila Glenn.
Blair returns to the seminary with a combination of passion for Wesleyan evangelism, knowledge of The United Methodist Church and a variety of development leadership experiences. Blair most recently served as the executive director for Institutional Advancement for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Previously, he was the president of The Foundation for Evangelism of the UMC in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, and vice president for Institutional Advancement at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. Additionally, he served 19 years as vice president for Development at Saint Paul School of Theology.
Blair is an ordained elder in the Dakotas Annual Conference and served eight years in a local church in Missouri. He has two grown sons. David, his wife, Jennifer and their daughter Gracie, live just outside of Fort Worth, Texas in Aledo. Ben, Pamela, and newborn daughter, Vera Foster Blair, born June 7, live in Chicago, Illinois.
Learn more about Saint Paul at www.spst.edu.
-------
Confirmation Camp a hit with students at Fontanelle
Confirmation students from Auburn, Martell, Lincoln South Gate, Milford, Columbus and Elmwood United Methodist churches attended Confirmation Camp at Camp Fontanelle from June 13 to 16. The camp was directed by the Rev. Bill Ritter, Blue River District superintendent, and the Rev. Emily Cannon, pastor at Auburn UMC. Instructors included the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, South Gate UMC; Rev. Karen Jeffcoat, Great Plains Conference Board of Ordained Ministry registrar; the Rev. Lyle Schoen, pastor at Palmyra and Cheney UMCs; the Rev. Jeff Kelley, pastor at Milford UMC; and the Rev. Michael Burgess, pastor at St. Paul UMC in Elmwood.
Campers completed 14 sessions from "Credo" and participated in the United Methodist history game show, “Who Wants to Be a Methodist.” In addition, they enjoyed crafts such as tie dye T-shirts and walking sticks. Between confirmation class sessions they could be found in the pool, zip line, jumping pillow, archery or Ga-Ga ball pits. Each day concluded with worship around the campfire and a special “no flashlight” night hike to Christmas Tree Hill on the last night.
Three confirmation campers shared that they gave their lives to Christ for the first time at Confirmation Camp. Camper Hannah summed up her Confirmation Camp experience by saying, “I decided I believe in God.”
-------
Check out the latest Lay Servant Ministry blog

Sure, we’re all pretty busy these days. But is all of that time spent bearing fruit for Christ? That’s one of the questions asked by Ardith Davenport in this latest edition of the Lay Servant Ministry blog.
Sure, you're busy; but are you being fruitful?
Lay Servant Ministries
The days, my personal planning calendar has a way of ?lling up with activities and obligations. Some of the dates are ?lled by appointments and meetings. Others I have ?lled by planning neighborhood cook-outs and family trips.
As I review these calendar dates and the plans associated, I try to remember to pray over each day and the plans I have made or others have made for me. Today, I was listening to a wise Christian friend talk about how busy our lives are. She asked those of us gathered whether we are just busy or are we fruitful.
What a great question! And I ask of my fellow lay servants of the Great Plains Conference: Are you busy or are you fruitful in your walk with the Lord?
Several courses for lay servants are on the Great Plains Conference calendar for this second half of 2016. Would taking a course in lay pastoral care, small-group leading, planning worship, speaking from the pulpit, or leading prayer help you to be more fruitful in your life with Christ? Would focus on growth in an area of service to your local church be a more fruitful way of spending your time?
I encourage all members of our local churches to ?nd ways to serve, to be in unity with the vision of your church and the conference, to walk beside your pastor in offering Jesus Christ to the world in our cities, towns, and rural areas for the transformation of that world.
Ardith Davenport is director of Lay Servant Ministries for the Gateway District.
-------
Lay Servant Ministries
Who are lay servants?(Formerly lay speakers)
A lay servant is a member of a local church or charge who is ready and desirous to serve the church and who is well informed on the Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization and life of The United Methodist Church and who has received specific training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken communications, church and community leadership, and care-giving ministries. Lay servants serve a variety of needs including help and assistance in servicing their personal ministry at home, in their local church, their community, county, district and conference. An applicant must be active in the support of a local United Methodist congregation.
Annual Report Forms
Local Church Lay Servant Report (Word) (PDF)
Certified Lay Servant Report (Word) (PDF)
Lay Speaker Report (Word) (PDF)
Lay Speakers in the Great Plains Conference
Lay Speakers in the Great Plains Conference (available soon)
Related links
Lay Speaking Ministries (GBOD site)
BeADisciple.com (offers online lay speaking courses)
New Blog
Thoughts from lay servants across the Great Plains
District LSM Directors
Great Plains Conference Director
Mary Feit
marykfeit@windstream.net
Blue River
Jan Claassen
jclaassen3@charter.net
Dodge City
Dan Hutton
dthutton@sbcglobal.net
Elkhorn Valley
Carol Jean Stapleton
cstapleton@greatplainsumc.org
Five Rivers
David Wasserfallen
drw1490@hotmail.com
Flint Hills
Marvin Tischhauser
tseeds@tctelco.net
Gateway
Ardith Davenport
a.r.davenport@gmail.com
Great West
Gloria Louch
gjlouch@gmail.com
Hays
James C Thompson
jamiet@ruraltel.net
Hutchinson
Phillis Stoppel
stoppelphyllis@hotmail.com
Kansas City
Julie Schropp
julie.schropp@gmail.com
Missouri River
Bryan Hankins
heartlandhouse@cox.net
Parsons
Pat McReynolds
pemcreynolds@hotmail.com
Prairie Rivers
Jeanie Leeper
leeps4christ@gmail.com
Salina
John Burchill
john@kwu.edu
Topeka
Kirk Pemberton
kpembert1@gmail.com
Wichita East
Dion Lefler
lefler74@msn.com
Wichita West
Paul Saas
paul@paulsaas.com
Upcoming Courses
Stay up to date with the latest schedule of Lay Servant Ministries courses by checking back here regularly. Questions or ideas related to this section should be emailed to Mary Feit at marykfeit@windstream.net.
GATEWAY DISTRICT
Oct. 21-22, time and place to be determined.
Basic Course
Advanced Course - Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
Advanced Course - Dancing with Words (storytelling)
Advanced Course - Lay Pastoral Care
PRAIRIE RIVERS DISTRICT
June 24th (6-9 p.m.) and June 25th (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) - McCool Junction United Methodist Church, 109 South 3rd, McCool Junction, NE 68401
Basic course
Cost is $25 payable upon arrival and includes snacks and Saturday lunch. $5 payable to Great Plains UMC-Prairie Rivers District, mailed with registration.
Call Jeanie Leeper with questions at 308-894-5275, or via email to leeps4christ@gmail.com.
View flier and registration.
July 8 (7-9 p.m.) and July 9 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) Trinity United Methodist Church, 511 N. Elm St., Grand Island, Nebraska
Cost is $65. Make checks payable to "Great Plains Conference PR District Lay Servant Training" Cost includes Sunday lunch and Saturday snacks.
Call Jeanie Leeper with questions at 308-894-5275, or via email to leeps4christ@gmail.com.
View the flier and register.- See more at: http://www.greatplainsumc.org/layservantministries#sthash.JatsyuBF.dpuf
-------
New at the resource centerHow do we move people in our churches away from conflict and towards a more positive, service oriented culture? The Great Plains Resource Center has two new resources from two United Methodist bishops that offer positive ways to move beyond discord and toward a world that desperately needs the church’s message of the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
“What Are We Fighting For? Coming Together Around What Matters Most”: This is a six-session study by Bishop Thomas J Bickerton that offers a way to move beyond the discord in the church by coming together around what matters most, the gospel of Jesus Christ. By using storytelling and relevant insights Bishop Bickerton paves a way for healing discussion. A leader guide, six-week devotional and book are included with the following sessions:
  • Getting to the Heart of the Matter
  • Three Reminders for the Journey
  • Discerning What Matters Most
  • Filling In The Blanks With the Essentials
  • Paddling in the Same Canoe
  • Finishing With Love
Do churches say “no” too often and thereby squelch creative, enthusiastic people who are looking for ways to use their gifts to serve.
“Just Say Yes! Unleashing People For Ministry”: Bishop Schnase offers insights and 10 short video clips and stories of how churches have used “yes” to empower their ministries. A leader guide, participant guide and devotional are included with these 10 sessions:
Just Say Yes!
Unlocking the Power of Yes: Becoming More Permission Giving
Unleashing Systems: Creating a Culture Shift
Failure-Tolerant Leadership
Permission-Giving Leadership: When NO is the Right Answer
Legacy: Clayton UMC and The Gathering
A New Way of Being: Sturgeon UMC
Hope in the Baking: Bridge Bread
Kuomba Pamoja (Worship Together): Central UMC
Warm Start- Beginning to Know Jesus: Asbury UMC
To view a complete list of all the resources available at the Great Plains Resource Center please go to our online catalog at www.gpresourcecenter.org. To reserve a study, email Diane Dunkerson at ddunkerson@greatplainsumc.orgor call at 1-800-435-6107.
-------
Southwestern students intern at large Houston church
Three Southwestern College students are serving internships at The Woodlands (Texas) United Methodist Church until July 31.
The students, all from Kansas, are Victoria Lybarger, Winfield; Jaime Davison, Hugoton; and Jordan Butler, Arkansas City.
The Woodlands UMC is an 11,000-member congregation in suburban Houston. The evangelical Methodist church offers eight live worship services each week in three unique worship styles.
“Last week we met a ton of amazing people and got a feel for the place,” Lybarger reports. “We had the chance to lead worship at their staff chapel service last Wednesday, then we led worship for the special needs service last Sunday. This week we are getting to lead worship for the Vacation Bible School attended by more than 1,000 children ages kindergarten through fourth grade, and for a fifth- and sixth-grade day camp with more than 100 children. It’s been quite amazing so far.”
Lybarger learned about this opportunity when Mark Swayze, director of contemporary music at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, visited Southwestern.
“He had heard about our program from Martin Rude,” (director of outreach ministries), Lybarger says. “Martin had met him at a conference during the year. After Mark came and saw the great things worship outreach was doing, he felt we would be good for a program he’s been trying to start up at his church.”
-------
Youthville offers poverty workshop
EmberHope’s Youthville Foster Care is hosting a Bridges Out of Poverty training workshop 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday, July 19, at First UMC (1106 N. Main St.) in Garden City, Kansas. The training is open to the public, but seating is limited, so please register in advance.
Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities is a nationally recognized program helping agencies prevent, reduce and alleviate poverty. This workshop is a comprehensive approach to understanding the dynamics that cause and maintain poverty from the individual to the systemic level.
Participants will review poverty research, examine a theory of change and analyze poverty through the prism of the hidden rules of class, resources, family structure and language; gaining insight and strategies for improving outcomes for people living in poverty.
This training is open to the public, but seating is limited, so please register in advance. Community leaders, social service workers, area UMC pastors, staff, lay leaders and other church leaders are encouraged to attend.
RSVP today at bridgestraininggardencity.eventbrite.com.
-------
Micah Corps visits Immigration CourtOn June 14, Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska, or JFON-NE, invited Micah Corps interns to visit and observe the immigration court in Omaha. It was a day when unaccompanied minors were scheduled to come before the judge. Through the Attorney of the Day Program, JFON-NE has been recruiting and training attorneys to provide limited representation for that day of court only. How frightening it is to come before a judge as a child or youth, often not even knowing the language and not knowing what the court hearing is all about. Thankfully, since JFON-NE started the Attorney of the Day Program, almost all minors have had representation when coming before the judge.
Maria Penrod and Divine Dansou are two interns focusing on immigration this summer.
They share about their experience at the immigration court. Maria is from Overbrook, Kansas, and is majoring in public relations and minoring in political science at Kansas State University. Divine was born in Togo and grew up in Ghana. He lives in Atlanta and will be studying computer engineering at Georgia State University this fall.
Visiting the Immigration Court, June 2016 Maria Penrod, Micah Corps intern A toddler and his mother are playing under a tree. It’s June in Omaha, and 90 degrees in the shade. Yellow flowers surround a modern, low building of brick and glass. The sign says Department of Homeland Security. We walk into the building and pause to turn off our phones. We hand our IDs to the security guard. He jokes that we don’t need an ID if we’re under 18, but we do have to arm wrestle him. Do we really look that young? I’m 21, and try to carry myself like an adult. We are led into a small court room. There is a translator, who looks just a few years older than me. The judge looks like the guy you would cast as a judge in a movie: bushy white mustache and glasses. The government attorney is probably in her 30s, she speaks slowly and thoughtfully, like a lawyer. I shrink myself onto a bench, wedged between the wall and the woman sitting beside me. First are the persons with representation. Their lawyers are confident and in charge. Most of the immigrants sit meekly, kids on their parents’ laps or spinning in a swivel chair. These cases are quick. People tiptoe in and out of the courtroom. The attorneys, judge and translator all know each other. They talk and laugh between the cases. The judge talks to us, asking why we are there and what our internship is about. Always a student, I pull out my notebook. I number each case. 1: A 17 year-old boy, lives with his aunt. The judge asks every kid if they are in school. If not, why not? When will they be in school? He asks them where they live, and how they know the person they are living with. He quizzes some kids more, asking if they feel safe where they are living, and who provides their food and clothing. He even asked one boy if he knew what to do if he felt unsafe. What clued the judge into asking more questions of some kids than others? Would anyone ever confess to feeling unsafe in their home to this courtroom full of strangers who don’t speak their language? The translator does not translate everything that is said. He only translates questions directed at the immigrants. The translator also only translates between English and Spanish. Many of the immigrants are from Central America, places like Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. A lot of them only speak a little Spanish, their main language is a local dialect. I wonder how much they understand of what is happening. Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are countries that have been ravaged by gangs, as a result, many of the immigrants are claiming asylum. 4: Boy, 17, lives with a family friend. He is not in school. He was detained in San Antonio from December to February. He couldn’t go to school because he did not have his birth certificate. These are short master calendar hearings, and the judge tells him he needs to be in school before his next court date. Next we hear from two cousins by phone. The Omaha Immigration Court hears cases from all over Iowa and Nebraska, and sometimes people cannot make the trip. They are both 16, have been in the United States since February, and will start school in August. Like many of these kids, their parents are still in their country of origin. One boy says that his mom is still in Guatemala, and his father has passed away. How did his dad die? When did he die? Had the son already left? Did he get to say goodbye to his father? After hearing the eleventh case with representation, we started with the cases Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska (JFON-NE) was representing through the Attorney for the Day Program. Through this program, JFON-NE recruits and trains attorneys to provide pro bono services for that day of court only. JFON-NE attorneys Anna Deal and John DeWald waited in the lobby for unaccompanied children/youth without legal representation and consulted shortly with them before they were seen by the judge. Today there were seven of them. The Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska attorneys shuffled kids into the room. Most of them are teenagers, just a few years younger than me. Several request Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), which means (among other requirements) that they have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents, that reunification with one or both parents is not viable, and that they can never petition for their parents to come to the US. SIJS is usually more of a sure path to citizenship. Others ask for Asylum Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). TVPRA means that they fall into a particular social group that is at risk. TVPRA provides procedural protections to UAC (Unaccompanied Child) asylum applicants. One of those major protections that they can present their case in an interview with an asylum officer rather than in Immigration Court. When asked about where she was living, one girl said she lived with her mom. The judge asked if her mother was present, and she said her mother was waiting outside, because she did not have an ID to get in. Was that the woman we had seen earlier? Two brothers were the final cases of the day. Attorney Deal brought them in, and said they had been waiting in the lobby for 2 hours, but did not know what their lawyer looked like, and no one ever approached them. The JFON-NE attorney and the judge deduced who their lawyer was, called her, and she represented them by phone. The judge gave the boys their lawyer’s address so that they could go find her. There are two main things I learned at Immigration Court. First, everyone involved seemed to genuinely care about the kids and had compassion for them. The system needs to be fixed, but there are people involved who are fundamentally good. Second, no one chooses where they are born. I was fortunate to be born into a caring family in a stable country. Not everyone is so lucky. These kids could have been any of us. We are all brothers and sisters in a global family, and we have to take care of each other.
-------
Divine Dansou, Micah Corps intern Sometimes you would like to wonder why things are not perfect for other people but on the other hand real life is not always going to be perfect, but recalling and acknowledging what it is that God Almighty provides for us will help us surmount our difficulties. My name is Divine and I am from Togo and am one of the Micah Corps interns. All through my life I have never been in immigration court before and now for the first time I have learned something different from what I know. In the immigration court, children from different parts of the world were present. They are asylum seekers and I asked myself, “Where are your parents?” Unfortunately none had come with their parent to the court. The saddest part of it all is that some of their parents had passed away and some of the children/youth are not even in school. But then I ask myself, “Why do I think I am the only person who suffered?” When I heard some of their stories, my own story looked different. I was born in Togo but due to the killing and violence in Togo, my parents took me to Ghana. I grew up and went to school In Ghana. I have not enjoyed parental care for some years because of my parents’ search for work and taking care of my younger siblings. So I know how it feels like not having your parents around. That made me relate to the children in immigration court. It is too much for children under the age 20 to have to be passing through on their own. On the other hand, some of them apparently don't even know what is going on. Two of these children were waiting almost four hours for the lawyer who had agreed to represent them in court and yet nobody had been willing to help them. Fortunately, the Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska lawyer brought these children to the courtroom and presented them in front of the judge. What would have happened if they had missed their appointment? The judge was so passionate -- he asked questions which gladdens my heart. He asked these children if they are in school or if they are safe with the people with whom they are living and none of these children could summon the courage to tell the judge what they are passing through without their parents.
-------
Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska is one of the Great Plains Conference mission agencies (Conference Advance #721). To learn more and/or give a donation, go to www.jfon-ne.org.
-------
Conversations about migration, borders and human rights this week
Social justice educators Hugo Perez Trejo and Margi Ault-Duell will host an interactive discussion of their work at Mexico’s borders with Guatemala and the United States in three Nebraska churches this week:
1-3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23 – First United Methodist Church, 614 N. Hastings Ave., Hastings
7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23 – Trinity UMC, 511 Elm St., Grand Island
6-7:30 p.m. Friday, June 24 – First UMC, 7020 Cass St., Omaha (Room 112, enter at Door 6)
These events are made possible through Peace with Justice Ministries of the Great Plains Conference.
-------
Disaster Response helping farmers after tornadoes that struck Kansas
We are currently serving as volunteers in the Abilene and Chapman, Kansas, areas assisting farmers after the recent tornado. Volunteers are walking the farm fields and picking up debris so that they can harvest. There are still several more fields to walk! If you are interested in helping (not just Disaster Response individuals; anyone can participate) please call our local contact, Sonya, at 785-922-6600.
If you are a trained and Safe Gatherings certified ERT, and have not been receiving the emails, please contact Rev. Hollie Tapley athtapley@greatplainsumc.org to update your records.
-------
Volunteers needed to help during Jurisdictional Conference
View volunteer options and sign up.
If you prefer, call Kathie Monroe at the Wichita conference office at 316-684-0266 to sign up or with any questions.
-------
Enjoy music while you encounter the Holy Spirit during conference

You won't want to miss the upcoming Area Night Concert event featuring Grammy award nominee, gospel artist William McDowell along with the area wide mass choir! The vision for this special evening of worship and praise is to be a blessing to the city of Wichita and the surrounding areas.
One of the primary goals is to make a tangible gift to two local charities that are on the front lines of serving area residents in need: Grace Med and United Methodist Open Door. These two agencies serve, combined, more than 100,000 individuals per year! A percentage of our proceeds from the ticket and T-shirt sales are going to both charities. This is a wonderful gesture in giving to our local community.
That’s the driving force behind the conference's ticket and T-shirt sales. Tickets cost just $5 and can be purchased online at wichitatix.com or you may purchase in person at the Century II Box Office during regular business hours. The "God’s Love Is" T-shirts cost $10 and can be purchased at https://spectrumpromotional.com/clients/gpumc/default.aspx
The concert is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday July 15, at Century II, Convention Hall. The following churches and conference offices, all in Kansas, are designated to sell tickets and collect pre-orders for T-shirts:
  • First UMC, Wichita
  • First UMC, Winfield
  • First UMC, Eldorado
  • Aldersgate UMC, Wichita
  • Chapel Hill
  • Dellrose UMC, Wichita
  • East Heights, UMC, Wichita
  • Grace UMC, Winfield
  • Saint Mark UMC, Wichita
  • Hutchinson, district office
  • Wichita Great Plains Conference office
Want to be part of the experience and sing in a mass choir? Learn more information by reading this flier.
-------
Other NewsIt's the time of year when many of our churches celebrate Vacation Bible School. Here are some reports about VBS from across the conference:

Saffordville UMC
The Saffordville, Kansas, United Methodist Church hosted its annual Vacation Bible School on June 6-10. Learning about "surfing" on the wave of "God's Amazing Love" was enjoyed by 61 children, 26 adults and 19 teenagers.
Each day the participants wore a different color to correspond with the day's Bible Story and Wave Words: God Creates, God Helps, God Loves, God Calms, God Sends.
All ages participated in the variety of activities: singing, outdoor games, crafts, Bible storytelling tent, class discussions and refreshments.
The group made daily contributions to Heifer Project International and raised $1,260 to help purchase water pumps for areas in need such as Haiti.
VBS at Saffordville UMC is dedicated to teaching young children Bible stories, scriptures, growth in their love for Christ, and to develop a heart for global mission.

Pierce UMC
Pierce United Methodist witnessed June 12 a great celebration of our Confirmation Service. The church baptized, confirmed and welcomed nine young folks (Jeremiah and Michael Kruntorad were baptized, and Aiden Gnat, Carter Rohrich, Cruz Michael Gleason, Jade Dickey, Katelynn Anderson, and Ren Edward Lee and Zane Adolph Gleason were confirmed) into membership of the congregation.
Following the Rev. Kalaba Sander–Chali's message, confirmands were reminded that “confirmation is not graduation, rather the beginning of their journey with Christ." They were, therefore, invited to “live as a resurrected people."
We praise God that Pierce United Methodist Church is fulfilling the United Methodist mission statement “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
-------
NewslettersGeneral Board of Church and Society: Faith in Action
UMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
Ministry Matters: June 21, 2106
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas
Global Ministries: connectNmission
-------
ClassifiedsTo view classifieds, go to greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
-------
Press ClipsCongregations 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. Find the press clips at greatplainsumc.org/inthenews. You can see education partnership ideas at greatplainsumc.org/education.
-------
Editorial Policy: The content, news, events and announcement information distributed in GPconnect is not sponsored or endorsed by the Great Plains Methodist Conference unless specifically stated.
To submit a letter to the editor, send it to info@greatplainsumc.org.

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
---------------------
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)