The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 03 August 2016Download the printable version of the Aug. 3 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Church trial averted as agreement is reached in Rev. Meyer case
- Save the date: Celebration service for Bishop Saenz set for Oct. 15
- Support our new bishop by participating in 100 days of prayer
- Receive help discerning your call
- Grant available to help nurture a Culture of Call
- Continuing education for our clergy in the Great Plains
- Columbus church opens Outreach Center
- Lydia Patterson Institute students serve as interns in Wichita church
- Have one last blast for the summer at Camp Comeca
- Close out the summer with a day of fun at Camp Fontanelle
- United Methodist Men re-forming leadership team, planning for future
- New women’s studies at the resource center
- New KU campus minister announced
- Wichita church gets creative with mural, tiny house project
- Kansas refugees in need of household items, furniture
- Elders for the Earth scheduled for Oct. 3-6 at Mahoney State Park
- Labor laws change on federal level
- Order business cards through conference office
- GCFA welcomes new board of directors, officers
- PAUMCS meeting set for October
- Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation shares August rates
Church trial averted as agreement is reached in Rev. Meyer case
The parties involved in the case against the Rev. Cynthia Meyer have averted a church trial scheduled for later in August by coming to a resolution in the case.
With a trial date of Aug. 24 looming, the parties met for approximately 12 hours Aug. 1 in Topeka, Kansas, for a conversation mediated by Stephanie Anna Hixon and David Anderson Hooker of JustPeace Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation, a United Methodist ministry based in Washington, D.C., that states its mission as preparing and assisting leaders and faith communities to engage conflict constructively and to strive for justice, reconciliation and restoration of community.
Read the agreement as well as a “statement of faithful witness and hopeful resolution” from Rev. Meyer.
Parties in Rev. Meyer case reach resolutionOn August 1, the parties involved in the complaint against Rev. Cynthia Meyer met to have conversation about the possibility of a just resolution. The parties worked for 12 hours and made a good-faith effort to find common ground. At the end of the day came to the following agreement:
The disconnect between my gay identity and my church's policies has distressed me for many years. I’ve long recognized and now assert that it’s past time for the denomination to change. It’s my time to share my story as a part of that change.
By treating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer members as “less than,” the United Methodist Church turns faithful people into victims rather than celebrating all as beloved children made in the image of God. The church has lost countless gifted members and leaders by not valuing the sacred worth in everyone.”
I wrote these words in January 2016, for publication in conjunction with the sermon I preached to my Edgerton, Kansas United Methodist congregation on Epiphany Sunday, January 3. A charge was filed against me for violating the Book of Discipline, asserting that I am “a self-avowed practicing homosexual.” None of my actions or statements have met the standard required for charges or punishment on these grounds. Nonetheless, as required, I have participated fully in all processes required following the charge, including efforts toward just resolution, a hearing with the Great Plains Conference Committee on Investigation, and finally the lengthy, intense process facilitated by JustPeace, which has resulted in the attached agreement.
When I spoke my truth in January, my hopes were many, including that of joining with other bold spirits in advocating for the UMC to better follow the way of Jesus, the ways of justice, love and full inclusion, particularly for those often marginalized, judged, and harmed. I acted, then and now, out of love for and commitment to the United Methodist Church. I'm honored to have joined in action with so many faithful UMs striving for the betterment of the church they love, even as it excludes them, fails to live into the covenant made to them in baptism, denies them the right of holding their weddings in UM church sanctuaries and forbids their open service as clergy.
These injustices continue, because the 2016 UM General Conference chose not to remove discriminatory policies and practices from its Book of Discipline. The denomination is now in a liminal moment, filled with possibility. Even as I accept this agreement, recognizing it as a resolution to the charge against me, not a just response, I move ahead in hope. I hope that the UMC, through a fully representative, inclusive commission, then a focused General Conference, will intentionally, prayerfully remove all discriminatory language and practice from its Book of Discipline. Then the Church may welcome the gifts of all who are called and gifted for ministry and all members may receive all the graces and services of the church, including marriage in their sanctuaries, performed by their UM clergy.
I continue to live in hope, even as I seek new ways to live out at least part of my calling, while I am forbidden for administering the sacraments and other duties and ministries of ordained elders.
As we ended our thirteen hours of conversation and negotiation on August 1, I added this to my notes from the day: “I've signed away my right to live out my calling – to be most fully who God has called me to be – I hope only for a time. My heart is broken, yet I trust that God will work through even this for good. Through this small act of reconciliation, this act of hopeful love, may greater reconciliation come in the UMC. Harm continues to be done, even through this agreement. This doesn't get us to justice, but perhaps it bends the arc just a bit closer.” I pray it may be so.
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Save the date: Celebration service for Bishop Saenz set for Oct. 15
The Great Plains Conference will host a Celebration of Assignment service for Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
More details about the event will be shared as they become available.
The event will be broadcast via livestream via the conference’s website,www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream.
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Support our new bishop by participating in 100 days of prayerUnited Methodists across the Great Plains Conference are encouraged to lend a hand to Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. as he begins his ministry in Kansas and Nebraska by participating in 100 days of prayer, beginningSept. 1.
The Rev. Nathan Stanton, coordinator of New Church Development, and Corey Godbey, coordinator of Hispanic Ministry, assembled the prayers for transition, family, relationships, vision, wisdom, leadership, self-care, renewal, hope and boldness are broken down in 10-day increments.
Download the prayer card.
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Receive help discerning your call
Those considering a call to ministry should visit greatplainsumc.org/exploringcall. Here you will find information on how to discern, nurture, equip and live your call.
Some of the many tools offered for discerning your call includes other’s call stories, podcasts and this month’s featured article, “Called to both ministry and motherhood,” from Ministry Matters. Great resources found for those nurturing a call is 50 Ways to Cultivate a Culture of Call and 5 Cups of Coffee along with other’s stories on how they have nurtured their call. For those ready to equip for call, several videos are offered explaining Candidacy Summit and what it means to be an elder, deacon, licensed local pastor and SPRC member. Resources for living your call including the TiM program, Elisha Grant and more are also offered.
Check out the greatplainsumc.org/exploringcall, or contact the Rev. Ashlee Alley at aalley@greatplainsumc.org, for more information on all of these resources.
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Grant available to help nurture a Culture of Call
Grants will be awarded in the range of $500-$2,000 for churches, campus ministries, and United Methodist organizations in the Great Plains UMC to fuel their imaginations in creating opportunities to cultivate a Culture of Call.
Creating a Culture of Call means that the behaviors, beliefs and attitudes of your congregation/community readily supports the members of the community to identify and explore a call by God to serve God as a lay, licensed, or ordained person. Not everyone who feels a call will work “in ministry” for a church, but as everyone seeks to live out his or her faith more deeply, we pray that everyone will consider their work in the world, and even their interactions with other people will be an opportunity to live out God’s call.
The second deadline to apply is Sept. 15, 2016 (the early deadline wasApril 15). Learn more including FAQs and information on applying at greatplainsumc.org/cocgrant.
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Continuing education for our clergy in the Great Plains
Preaching Rocks
Preaching Rocks is a workshop academy for sharpening skills in public speaking to effectively present the good news of Jesus Christ. Persons who can benefit from Preaching Rocks include:
Those who are new to the preaching experience.
Those who are aware that their preaching isn’t to the level they would like it to be.
Those who want to become the best preacher possible (which hopefully is every pastor).
The leader for Preaching Rocks is the Rev. Dr. Lew Kaye-Skinner. Lew, who has been teaching public speaking since the mid-1990s. He directs the Writing Center at Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, Nebraska, and teaches courses in public speaking, communications, writing and religion. He is an elder in the Great Plains Conference and has been practicing public speaking since childhood.
This preaching academy will rely on group learning, consultation and support for one another to increase individual skills in preaching and worship leadership. Each participant will be asked to complete a preliminary skills assessment and to invite members of their congregation and their district superintendent also to complete the assessment.
Preaching Rocks group gatherings will be held every other month, beginning Sept. 16-17, at Grace UMC (1832 W Ninth St.) in Hastings, Nebraska. Individual conferences will be via Skype, GoToMeeting or Google Hangouts.
View complete details and the link to register at greatplainsumc.org/preachingrocks.
Leading Out of Drama
Does your church have drama? Most do, at some time or other. The question is whether or not the drama consumes the energy of everyone and takes over the mission of the church, or if people respond in ways to defuse it to a manageable level.
Lay people and clergy can benefit from a workshop called "Leading Out of Drama." Leading Out of Drama will help leaders transform the interpersonal and group dynamics that sabotage morale, engagement and productivity by helping to identify drama behaviors in self and others and increase self-awareness. This means that conflicts can be defused early on, leading to positive change.
Two Leading Out of Drama workshops are being offered this fall. Each consists of two one-day retreats.
Sept. 26 and Nov. 3, at First-Faith UMC in Grand Island, Nebraska, led by the Rev. Adam Barlow-Thompson
Sept. 20 and Nov. 1, at Chapel Hill UMC in Wichita, Kansas, led by the Rev. Phyllis Provost-Saas.
You can find the full information, including cost and registration link at greatplainsumc.org/leadingoutofdrama.
Experiencing Excellence
Experiencing Excellence, led by the Rev. Adam Barlow-Thompson, is an opportunity to receive an overview of the Process Communication Model (PCM). The assessment participants complete helps the individuals gain valuable self-awareness which can lead to greater missional effectiveness in the local church with further training and practice in PCM. This training is for clergy and lay members of local churches.
Three Experiencing Excellence trainings will be offered (you only register for one):
Sept. 6 at First UMC (946 Vermont St.), Lawrence, Kansas
Oct. 11 at First UMC (2123 Forest Ave.), Great Bend, Kansas
Oct. 12 at First UMC (2710 14th St.), Columbus, Nebraska
More information and the registration link can be found at greatplainsumc.org/experiencingexcellence.
Enhancing Emotional IntelligenceEmotional Intelligence (EI) refers to a distinct combination of emotional and social skills and competencies that influence our overall capability to cope effectively with the demands and pressures of work and life. Professionals who have chosen to utilize it in their personal development report increased work and life satisfaction. The good news is that emotional intelligence can be grown.
EI is invaluable to a leader’s success as it enhances both personal and professional satisfaction. The EI assessment will provide participants with insight into their leadership strengths and potential areas for development.
In order to learn more about Emotional Intelligence, a webinar is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 23. Facilitators will share how understanding one’s emotional intelligence can lead to greater joy in work and life and greater effectiveness as a leader.
The Great Plains Conference is offering Emotional Intelligence to clergy at a reduced cost as an investment in the gifts and talents of pastors. Clergy who register for Emotional Intelligence will participate in a 360 assessment, which provides opportunity for others to give their feedback about the pastor. Following this there will be one to three feedback sessions for the pastor and at least one SPRC member to meet with one of the facilitators. An action plan will be developed, identifying areas for development. Additionally, there will be a one-day skill-building session for clergy and SPRC members to attend.
More information can be found at greatplainsumc.org/emotionalintelligence.
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Columbus church opens Outreach Center
After outgrowing its location in a local strip mall, the First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Nebraska, has a new building for its Outreach Center.
The new location, four times the space it had held for the past four years, includes a meditation room, a coffee house named Cup of Grace, a nursery and kitchen. A contemporary worship service will begin in the Wesley Room in September, and its Community Room is a multipurpose facility.
Half of the downstairs is the Youth Underground for fifth- through 12th-graders, including areas for fellowship, Bible study, confirmation and music programs, as well as a full-size kitchen.
The Outreach Center is home to the weekly Platte County American Red Cross blood drive, plus a quarterly church blood drive. It also houses a backpack nutrition program for Columbus Public Schools. Groups already meeting there include Quilters, The Daniel Plan, National Alliance on Mental Illness and Bible studies.
An open house was held on July 31. The building will be dedicated at the church's fall festival on Sept. 25. More than 100 volunteers spent two months cleaning, painting and moving into the new Outreach Center.
More information is at www.columbusfumc.com.
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Lydia Patterson Institute students serve as interns in Wichita church
During the summer of 2016, Asbury United Methodist Church in Wichita was pleased to host two interns, Damaris Martinez and Brayan Martinez, from the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas.
Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI) is one of our successful educational institutions supported by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. LPI's goal is to provide quality bilingual, cross-cultural academic education by creating opportunities for students to develop skills to succeed and transform a changing world.
Read the story from Asbury UMC's Sara Brooks.
Lydia Patterson students intern at Asbury church in Wichita
During the summer of 2016, Asbury United Methodist Church in Wichita was pleased to host two interns, Damaris Martinez and Brayan Martinez, from the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas.
Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI) is one of our successful educational institutions supported by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. LPI's goal is to provide quality bilingual, cross-cultural academic education by creating opportunities for students to develop skills to succeed and transform a changing world.
Brayan Martinez (left) and Damaris Martinez from the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas, served as interns this summer at Asbury United Methoidist Church in Wichita,
Kansas. Submitted photo
The idea of hosting the interns from LPI serving at Asbury came about after to a trip the Asbury pastors took to El Paso earlier this year.
“Pastors Aaron Wallace, Gordon McClure, and myself visited Lydia Patterson Institute in February this year and were moved by the incredible impact the school was having on students along the El Paso/Juarez border, “ said the Rev. Rick Just, Asbury senior pastor. “We felt it would be a great opportunity for both the students and the church to work alongside each other for the summer months.”
The benefits of having the interns here at Asbury were felt by both the church members and the students.
“It was our hope that each of us (here at Asbury) would benefit from the cross-culture nature of having them with us,” said Gordon McClure, Asbury executive pastor, “but primarily we wanted to expose the interns to the dynamics of daily ministry.”
Damaris, who is 17 years old, arrived at Asbury on June 3. Eighteen-year-old Brayan arrived just days later. Both interns are from Ciudad Juarez in Mexico.
From the beginning of their time in Wichita, Damaris and Brayan jumped right into the daily ministry and activities throughout the church. They did everything from preparing the sanctuary for Sunday worship to helping out at both Asbury ‘s central and west campuses' Vacation Bible Schools to helping with office work during the week. But, one job turned out to be the favorite of both interns.
“I loved working with kids and teenagers,” Brayan, said. “I loved making lessons for kids, but I also learned a lot from them! They are more open-minded. I have realized what I have lost. Sometimes, the kids are more mature than me.”
Damaris agreed.
“Before coming to Asbury, I was serious about studying business,” she said. “Now after spending time with the kids and working with Tara and Patty, I want to get involved in the ministry of children.”
Their passion for ministry and especially ministry with kids and teens showed through to the pastors.
“Damaris and Brayan have meant so much to our youth group,” Kane McEntire, Asbury Central youth pastor. “They have stepped out of their own comfort zones and built personal, lasting, friendships with many of our youth. These friendships are inspiring our students to enjoy life and the reality of joy found in God.”
The reality of joy found in God was made clear during the interns’ trip to Colorado Springs and the Desperation Conference July 13-15. This annual event brings thousands of students together to worship, pray and pursue Jesus. It was the highlight of the summer for both interns.
“Desperation was the climax of the summer! It was so unexpected. What I felt was so unexpected,” Brayan said. “Before Desperation, I was concerned about what I wanted to do. After Desperation, I realized what I really wanted to do with my life. It woke me up as to what my life can mean. And that I can’t do it without God. My purpose is to share God’s word.”
The end of the July brought the close of the interns’ time at Asbury. But the work God had begun before they came to Wichita was strengthened during their ministry here.
Damaris is heading back to El Paso and LPI for her senior year of high school.
“Classes begin on August 10,” Damaris said. “My goals are to do what God is planning for me to do in my school – to be strong enough to do what He wants me to do.”
Brayan will head even further north to Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska, to study Global Studies and serve at a sponsoring church.
“We have been so blessed to have them be a part of our ministry this summer,” Pastor Rick said. “We can’t wait to hear how God works in the lives of these two young persons. We will intentionally follow their progress as they continue on their high school and college careers and beyond.”
This story was written by Sara Brooks, marketing and publications director for Asbury United Methodist Church in Wichita.
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Have one last blast for the summer at Camp Comeca
The Last Blast of Summer is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 13, at Camp Comeca, located near Cozad, Nebraska.
Youth from sixth through 12th grades and adults working with youth are all encouraged to take part. We will gather at 9 a.m. and conclude at 7 p.m. Those who are interested may also arrive Friday evening before the event and spend the night at Camp Comeca. We'll have a campfire sing-along and S'mores for those spending Friday night. Bring along your guitars and musical instruments! We'll have breakfast on Saturdaymorning.
Activities that will be offered on Saturday include the rock-climbing wall, canoes and paddle boats, low ropes course and zip line, milk crate climb, disc golf, archery, crafts, gaga ball, nine-square-in-the-air, yard games, indoor swimming pool and an exciting, Spirit-filled worship service. Lunch and dinner are also included.
Camp Comeca is located on Midway Lake so persons interested in fishing are welcome to bring their rods and tackle! (Don't forget your fishing license).
Early bird registration is available through Sunday, Aug. 7. The cost is $20 for youth and $15 for adults. Friday night lodging is an additional $25. After Aug. 7 the cost for the event goes up to $30 for youth and $20 for adults. Register by going to the Camp Comeca website –www.campcomeca.com – or by calling 308-784-2808. Remember to bring your swim suits and towels if you plan to go boating or swimming. Registration is preferred but we will also accept walk-in registrations the day of the event.
The Last Blast of Summer is sponsored by the Prairie Rivers District, the Gateway District, the Great West District, the Hays District, and Camp Comeca.
Check out the flier.
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Close out the summer with a day of fun at Camp Fontanelle
Spend an exciting day with your youth group at the second-annual Fall Event at Camp Fontanelle, on Saturday, Aug. 27. Set to allow organized as well as relaxed activities, it will be a day filled with fun, fellowship and fabulous food!
Hang out with your friends and make new friends as you play GaGa Ball, take a ride on the zipline, hike some trails or fly high on one of two jumping pillows. Camp Fontanelle is pulling out all of the stops to make the day one to remember.
Contact your local church or youth director to ask if your church will be participating.
Registration will take place through your youth director. It’ll be a great way to close out your summer and begin your youth ministry for the fall.
Contact Camp Fontanelle if you have any questions-402-478-4296.
Download the flier.
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United Methodist Men re-forming leadership team, planning for future
The Great Plains United Methodist Men leadership team is re-forming and praying for, and planning for, an exciting and Spirit-filled future.
The group is in the process of filling-out our leadership contacts in each of the Great Plains Districts and hope to hear from you, if you feel led to serve.
Meanwhile, we are now building out our website presence and invite you to visit us at: www.greatplainsumc.org/ummen.
Questions can be directed to either:
Communicator: Craig Nordaker – (402) 453-6666 –cnordaker@cox.net.
President: Charley File – (785) 738-5496 –cfile7636@gmail.com.
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New women’s studies at the resource center
Melissa Spoelstra, popular women’s conference speaker and Bible study teacher, offers us insights into addressing conflicts and divisions as she guides you through her new Bible study of I Corinthians. “First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree” is a six-week study of Paul’s letter to the early Christian church at Corinth, which suffered from deep divisions. Learn what Paul advised them to do for their healing. The six lessons are
- In Christ Alone: I Corinthians 1-2
- Growing Up: I Corinthians 3-5
- Everybody’s Doing It: I Corinthians 6-8
- Beyond Ourselves: I Corinthians 9-11
- Living Love: I Corinthians 12-14
- Real Life: I Corinthians 15-16
- Acknowledging the Pain: Genesis 37 & 39
- Waiting to Be Remembered: Genesis 40
- Dreams Coming True: Genesis 41-42
- The Roller Coaster Ride: Genesis 43-44
- Grace and Boundaries: Genesis 45-46
- Moving Forward: Genesis 47-50
To reserve one of these studies please contact Diane Dunkerson at ddunkerson@greatplainsumc.org or 800-435-6107. To see a complete listing of all our studies at the Resource Center go to our online catalog at www.gpresourcecenter.org.
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New KU campus minister announced
Susan Mercer will serve as the director of KU campus ministries at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Students will have a chance to connect with a United Methodist campus ministry on the campus of the University of Kansas, starting this fall.
As the director of campus ministry, Susan will be responsible and provide vision and oversight for daily operations of the campus ministry, student intern program, spiritual care and counseling, mission and justice opportunities, small group formation, fellowship opportunities, evangelism activities, worship design and production and connecting students with leadership and service opportunities within the church.
The KU United Methodist campus ministry will be congregation-based with Lawrence: First UMC. If you know students who are attending or will be attending in the fall, please send their information via the Great Plains Conference website or to Susan at susan@fumclawrence.org.
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Wichita church gets creative with mural, tiny house project
New Covenant United Methodist Church in Wichita is getting creative to provide hope to its Delano neighborhood.
Intern Briana Hutton has crafted a mural that will remind people that God is always present. And the church’s Life Support Center is providing a home for a project that may bring affordable, “tiny” houses to the Wichita area.
Read more about these two projects.
Great Plains internship leads to creation of church mural
This artist rendering shows what a mural for the side of the Life Support Center at New Covenant United Methodist Church in Wichita will look life once the painting has been completed.
Like many other interns in the Great Plains Conference this summer, Briana Hutton is leaving her mark on the church where she served.
Her mark, however, is physically larger and more public.
An art major entering her sophomore year at Sterling College in Kansas this fall, Hutton has created a mural for the side of the Life Support Center at New Covenant United Methodist Church in downtown Wichita.
Hutton and the Rev. Cathy Holley, pastor of New Covenant, drove around the Delano neighborhood of Wichita, where the church has its storefront home, to get ideas for its mural.
“When we were driving around looking at murals, she really liked the geometrically designed ones,” Hutton said. “So I kind of chose that.”
Holley, who admits she has no artistic talent, had considered a mural on the side of the building for years, she said. That was sparked after witnessing a man who had left the tavern on the other side of the church, talking on his cellphone, hanging up and wiping away tears.
“I thought, ‘We need something out here in this space to remind people that God is here,’” Holley said. “I knew nothing about painting murals or designing murals. I didn’t even know who to start a conversation with.”
The two worked together to use an adaptation of Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’’ – for the mural. With a gray background, a series of triangles decorates the mural, creating a lion’s head on the far right side.
Hutton’s internship ended at the end of July, and she left the mural unfinished, to become a project for the church.
“It’s outlined, every triangle has a number. You just have to know what number for what color,” Hutton said. “It’s paint-by-number. Anybody can paint it.
“I wanted it to be something that the whole church could do, not something the summer intern came in and painted and left,” she added.
Some church members have been skeptical about their abilities, Hutton said.
“Everybody comes, and they’re like, ‘I don’t know if I can paint anything,’” she said. “It’s hard, but you can do it because it’s God’s work.”
Even uncompleted, Holley and Hutton said the project already has made an impact in the neighborhood. One man drove by and offered use of a projector to help Hutton with the outline. A local company donated a scissor lift.
“Other people from the neighborhood have stopped. People from the bar have stopped by,” Holley said. “It’s had an impact on the whole neighborhood already.”
The project also has impacted the life of Hutton, a native of Scott City, Kansas, who suffers from severe arthritis throughout her body.
“It’s been really hard and taxing these few weeks,” Hutton said. “But for some reason, every time I get up on that scissor lift to work on the mural I’m fine.
“The pain goes away,” she added. “It’s a God thing.”
The project, and working this summer at New Covenant, have been “amazing,” she said.
“I’ve very much discerned my call” into ordained ministry, Hutton added.
Contact David Burke, communications coordinator, at dburke@greatplainsumc.org.
Bob Johnson and Kimberly Simms, founders of Let's Rock & Roll & Change the World, gives a T-shirt from the group to University of ansas architecture professor Chad Kraus, as well as T-shirts for the members of his DesignBuild classes that are creating tiny houses for a Wichita project. Photo by David Burke
Tiny house program may start in Wichita with help from KUThe founders of a Wichita-based program to help the homeless have enlisted the assistance of a University of Kansas architecture professor in starting a tiny homes project.
Bob Johnson and Kimberly Simms, founders of Let’s Rock & Roll & Change the World, introduced Chad Kraus, associate professor of architecture at KU, at a gathering July 29 at New Covenant United Methodist Church in Wichita, whose Life Support Center is the organization’s home.
Kraus – who told the 100 people gathered at the church his father’s life story, including several years of being homeless late in his life – teaches the DesignBuild Studio at KU.
“How to build what they’ve designed,” he explained.
Kraus said the prototype would be built to fit on an 8 ½-by-20 foot trailer in Lawrence and then be hauled to Wichita.
Let’s Rock & Roll & Change the World used the church’s family night to announce its plans for the tiny home project, with a $30,000 goal that would provide 27 acres of land for 150 of the homes. The area, according to Johnson and Simms, would ideally include a garden, community center, on-site medical and social work personnel.
Kraus worked as a designer and architect with Shigeru Ban Architects, which worked as tirelessly creating affordable housing for the downtrodden as it did elaborate structures for corporations and municipalities, he said.
He said he hoped to duplicate the firm’s principles of human architecture, sensorial experience, environmental stewardship and blending the familiar with the extraordinary.
Johnson began his work with the homeless several years ago, beginning with efforts as simple as arriving at local parks with a loaf of bread and a pound of bologna.
“I know I couldn’t change the world,” he said, “but I could change one person.”
Johnson praised New Covenant UMC and its Life Support Center for its work with the homeless.
“They don’t just preach about what we’re supposed to do,” he said. “They live it.”
Simms helped found the Community Connections at the Life Support Center, located in the Delano neighborhood of Wichita. It, she said, is trying to help break the cycle of homelessness in the city.
“If we work together through God’s strength is us, I know we can change that cycle,” she said.-------
Kansas refugees in need of household items, furniture
A large group of refugees in the Wichita area identified by the Great Plains Conference is in need of household items and basic furniture.
If you or your church is willing to volunteer to assist with these needs, please inform the Rev. Hollie Tapley, conference Disaster Response coordinator, at htapley@greatplainsumc.org or 316-684-0266.
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Elders for the Earth scheduled forOct. 3-6 at Mahoney State Park
With the support of a mini-grant from the Great Plains Conference and funding from the Peace with Justice Sunday offering, there will be a multi-disciplinary gathering including fellowship, lectures, music, the arts, being in nature and even some fun in the midst of the climate crisis. Elders for the Earth: A Retreat in the Spirit of Chautauqua, will be heldMonday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 6, at Mahoney State Park (between Lincoln and Omaha in eastern Nebraska). The event will start at 4 p.m. Monday and end at 11 a.m. Thursday.
In the words of climate scientist, James Hansen, "Only in the last few years did the science crystallize, revealing the urgency — our planet is in peril. If we do not change course soon, we will hand our children a situation that is out of their control."
And from our United Methodist Bishops' document "God's Renewed Creation": "In order to help the world, we must change our way of being in it."
The climate crisis is both a challenge and an opportunity for those who are concerned about the world our children and grandchildren will inherit. This event is geared for those 50 and older, but all are welcome (faith-based and broader community). Elders will come together to learn and share our collective wisdom in informative and creative ways.
Community and state leaders will speak, including the Rev. Kim Morrow, former executive director of Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light. A variety of workshops/playshops will be offered, including Nebraska Life photographer Alan Bartels teaching how to take beautiful nature photography; learning about green business models; hearing from students from Asia about how a changing climate is impacting where they live; writing poetry for the earth; and mindful walking on the earth.
This event is best experienced if you can be there the whole time, and accommodations at Mahoney State Park include camping, lodge rooms and cabins, or you can commute. If you can only come for part of the event, that works as well.
Details about registration, costs and schedules can be found atelders4theearth.com or call 402-431-2338. Registration deadline
A large group of refugees in the Wichita area identified by the Great Plains Conference is in need of household items and basic furniture.
If you or your church is willing to volunteer to assist with these needs, please inform the Rev. Hollie Tapley, conference Disaster Response coordinator, at htapley@greatplainsumc.org or 316-684-0266.
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Elders for the Earth scheduled forOct. 3-6 at Mahoney State Park
With the support of a mini-grant from the Great Plains Conference and funding from the Peace with Justice Sunday offering, there will be a multi-disciplinary gathering including fellowship, lectures, music, the arts, being in nature and even some fun in the midst of the climate crisis. Elders for the Earth: A Retreat in the Spirit of Chautauqua, will be heldMonday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 6, at Mahoney State Park (between Lincoln and Omaha in eastern Nebraska). The event will start at 4 p.m. Monday and end at 11 a.m. Thursday.
In the words of climate scientist, James Hansen, "Only in the last few years did the science crystallize, revealing the urgency — our planet is in peril. If we do not change course soon, we will hand our children a situation that is out of their control."
And from our United Methodist Bishops' document "God's Renewed Creation": "In order to help the world, we must change our way of being in it."
The climate crisis is both a challenge and an opportunity for those who are concerned about the world our children and grandchildren will inherit. This event is geared for those 50 and older, but all are welcome (faith-based and broader community). Elders will come together to learn and share our collective wisdom in informative and creative ways.
Community and state leaders will speak, including the Rev. Kim Morrow, former executive director of Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light. A variety of workshops/playshops will be offered, including Nebraska Life photographer Alan Bartels teaching how to take beautiful nature photography; learning about green business models; hearing from students from Asia about how a changing climate is impacting where they live; writing poetry for the earth; and mindful walking on the earth.
This event is best experienced if you can be there the whole time, and accommodations at Mahoney State Park include camping, lodge rooms and cabins, or you can commute. If you can only come for part of the event, that works as well.
Details about registration, costs and schedules can be found atelders4theearth.com or call 402-431-2338. Registration deadline
is Thursday, Aug. 25.
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Labor laws change on federal levelOn May 18, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced its changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) “white collar” overtime exemption rules. The "Final Rule" strengthens overtime protections for workers.
Generally, in order for a worker to fall within the scope of the “white collar” overtime exemptions, the worker’s pay must exceed the standard salary level. Through the adoption of the Final Rule, the DOL has increased this salary level to equal the 40th percentile of earnings of full-time salaried workers from the lowest wage Census Region. This change raises the salary level from its previous amount of $455 per week (about $23,660 per year) to $913 per week (about $47,476 per year). The Final Rule also raises the compensation level for highly compensated employees subject to a more minimal duties test from $100,000 to $134,004 annually.
These changes take effect on Dec. 1, 2016. The Final Rule also establishes a mechanism for automatically updating the salary and compensation levels every three years, with the first update to take place in 2020.
To see how this could impact your church and resources from the Department of Labor, go to greatplainsumc.org/laborlaws.
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Order business cards through conference office
If you are in need of business cards, send your name, church or agency affiliation, address, phone numbers, email and website to Roxie Delisi at rdelisi@greatplainsumc.org.
She will be placing a bulk order in the next few days, so now is a great time to place your order and receive your business cards quickly. The cost is approximately $35 for 500 cards.
An example – in this case, from Todd Seifert, conference communications director – accompanies this item so you can see the design of the cards.
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GCFA welcomes new board of directors, officers
The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) Board of Directors met July 27-29 in Nashville to induct the new board of directors and provide orientation for their work for the quadrennium. The GCFA Board consists of 21 members – 16 nominated by the Council of Bishops and elected at General Conference and five selected by the board itself. One person elected by the General Conference has since been elected a bishop and therefore will be replaced.
Bishop Marcus Matthews, recently elected Executive Secretary for the Council of Bishops, and currently the episcopal leader for the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, conducted the induction ceremony. The elected officers of the full board are: Bishop Michael McKee of the North Texas Annual Conference was elected as the president; Christine Dodson, the treasurer for the North Carolina Annual Conference, was elected vice-president; and Judy Colorado of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference was elected as recording secretary.
The board elected Moses Kumar to serve as general secretary and treasurer of the General Council on Finance and Administration.
“The members of the board are looking forward to our time together in this ministry,” said Bishop McKee. “The expertise and commitment of the board and staff reassures me that our church leadership is focused first on making disciples and then on how we can effectively work in the ministry of administration to do so.”
The board also approved a sabbatical leave for Kumar to begin in 2017.
To begin the meeting, on July 27 at McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville, the board and several staff members participated in a “Stop Hunger Now” campaign. More than $2,900 was raised, and the team packed 10,000 meals during the event. “Stop Hunger Now”, a General Board of Global Ministries Advance Special (#982795), works to end hunger around the world.
Regarding the Episcopal Fund distribution for support of bishops, the board determined that in regard to the election and consecration of all bishops, the Board of Directors of GCFA will continue to follow its existing policies pertaining to the compensation and benefits of bishops unless or until such time that the Judicial Council rules differently.
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PAUMCS meeting set for OctoberThe fall meeting of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries, or PAUMCS, is Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 4-5, at the Great Plains Conference Office, 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln.
Guest speaker is Angela Janzen-Fairbanks, productivity coach and owner of Janzen Marketing.
Sessions include “Goal Setting and Time Management,” “Breaking Through Bad Habits,” What to do Next,” “Office Organization” and “Relationship Management.”
The cost is $25 for Great Plains PAUMCS members, $40 for nonmembers.
Download a flier and registration form for the sessions.
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Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation shares August rates
A Certificate of Participation is an investment in building the United Methodist witness through the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation’s loan program for Kansas United Methodist churches and agencies. A Certificate of Participation is a time investment. An individual or church may invest a $1,000.00 minimum for one or two year participation so that you may strengthen the expansion of the United Methodist witness.
Certificate of Participation August rate:
One year: 1.20%
Two year: 1.50%
To learn more how you may increase your investments at the same time expanding the United Methodist witness, download promotional material for your church such as fliers, postcards or newsletter/bulletin ads, etc. atwww.kaumf.org or call 888.453.8405.
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Opinion
In Layman's Terms: Todd Seifert, conference communications director, re-starts his blog with a look at how sometimes our statements in the heat of political debates call into question our true devotion to God.
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Newsletters
Classifieds
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.
OTHER RESOURCES
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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Labor laws change on federal levelOn May 18, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced its changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) “white collar” overtime exemption rules. The "Final Rule" strengthens overtime protections for workers.
Generally, in order for a worker to fall within the scope of the “white collar” overtime exemptions, the worker’s pay must exceed the standard salary level. Through the adoption of the Final Rule, the DOL has increased this salary level to equal the 40th percentile of earnings of full-time salaried workers from the lowest wage Census Region. This change raises the salary level from its previous amount of $455 per week (about $23,660 per year) to $913 per week (about $47,476 per year). The Final Rule also raises the compensation level for highly compensated employees subject to a more minimal duties test from $100,000 to $134,004 annually.
These changes take effect on Dec. 1, 2016. The Final Rule also establishes a mechanism for automatically updating the salary and compensation levels every three years, with the first update to take place in 2020.
To see how this could impact your church and resources from the Department of Labor, go to greatplainsumc.org/laborlaws.
-------
Order business cards through conference office
If you are in need of business cards, send your name, church or agency affiliation, address, phone numbers, email and website to Roxie Delisi at rdelisi@greatplainsumc.org.
She will be placing a bulk order in the next few days, so now is a great time to place your order and receive your business cards quickly. The cost is approximately $35 for 500 cards.
An example – in this case, from Todd Seifert, conference communications director – accompanies this item so you can see the design of the cards.
-------
GCFA welcomes new board of directors, officers
The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) Board of Directors met July 27-29 in Nashville to induct the new board of directors and provide orientation for their work for the quadrennium. The GCFA Board consists of 21 members – 16 nominated by the Council of Bishops and elected at General Conference and five selected by the board itself. One person elected by the General Conference has since been elected a bishop and therefore will be replaced.
Bishop Marcus Matthews, recently elected Executive Secretary for the Council of Bishops, and currently the episcopal leader for the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, conducted the induction ceremony. The elected officers of the full board are: Bishop Michael McKee of the North Texas Annual Conference was elected as the president; Christine Dodson, the treasurer for the North Carolina Annual Conference, was elected vice-president; and Judy Colorado of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference was elected as recording secretary.
The board elected Moses Kumar to serve as general secretary and treasurer of the General Council on Finance and Administration.
“The members of the board are looking forward to our time together in this ministry,” said Bishop McKee. “The expertise and commitment of the board and staff reassures me that our church leadership is focused first on making disciples and then on how we can effectively work in the ministry of administration to do so.”
The board also approved a sabbatical leave for Kumar to begin in 2017.
To begin the meeting, on July 27 at McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville, the board and several staff members participated in a “Stop Hunger Now” campaign. More than $2,900 was raised, and the team packed 10,000 meals during the event. “Stop Hunger Now”, a General Board of Global Ministries Advance Special (#982795), works to end hunger around the world.
Regarding the Episcopal Fund distribution for support of bishops, the board determined that in regard to the election and consecration of all bishops, the Board of Directors of GCFA will continue to follow its existing policies pertaining to the compensation and benefits of bishops unless or until such time that the Judicial Council rules differently.
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PAUMCS meeting set for OctoberThe fall meeting of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries, or PAUMCS, is Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 4-5, at the Great Plains Conference Office, 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln.
Guest speaker is Angela Janzen-Fairbanks, productivity coach and owner of Janzen Marketing.
Sessions include “Goal Setting and Time Management,” “Breaking Through Bad Habits,” What to do Next,” “Office Organization” and “Relationship Management.”
The cost is $25 for Great Plains PAUMCS members, $40 for nonmembers.
Download a flier and registration form for the sessions.
-------
Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation shares August rates
A Certificate of Participation is an investment in building the United Methodist witness through the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation’s loan program for Kansas United Methodist churches and agencies. A Certificate of Participation is a time investment. An individual or church may invest a $1,000.00 minimum for one or two year participation so that you may strengthen the expansion of the United Methodist witness.
Certificate of Participation August rate:
One year: 1.20%
Two year: 1.50%
To learn more how you may increase your investments at the same time expanding the United Methodist witness, download promotional material for your church such as fliers, postcards or newsletter/bulletin ads, etc. atwww.kaumf.org or call 888.453.8405.
-------
Opinion
In Layman's Terms: Todd Seifert, conference communications director, re-starts his blog with a look at how sometimes our statements in the heat of political debates call into question our true devotion to God.
-------
Newsletters
- United Methodist Committee on Relief: Hotline
- Ministry Matters: July 27, 2016
- Cokesbury: Become a church of generosity
- Notes from the Journey: Foglemans in South Sudan, July 2016
- Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation: Sustaining the United Methodist Witness
- UMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
- Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas
- Discipleship Ministries: Generous Living
Classifieds
- Monticello UMC seeks assistant director of music ministry
- Director of audio visual needed at Chapel Hill UMC
- To view these and other classifieds, go to greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
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.
OTHER RESOURCES
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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