Wednesday, October 5, 2016

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 5 October 2016

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 5 October 2016
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Download the printable version of the Oct. 5 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CLERGY EXCELLENCE
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EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Lay Servants called to be witness in the local congregation
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MERCY AND JUSTICE
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ADMINISTRATION
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OTHER
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Grant applications accepted for poverty-alleviation initiative
The 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference session voted to create the Poverty Alleviation Initiative, which has as one of its goals the plan to provide seed money to initiate sustainable and relationship-based programs that address poverty.
Grants are now available to help churches do the necessary work. While Circles, Networx and Bridges Out of Poverty training have been suggested models, churches are not limited to initiating these programs with the grant money.
These grants are available prior to congregations incurring any costs. The deadline for applications is Nov. 30. Grants may be as large as $6,000 to be distributed each January over a three-year period.
While the dollar amount may not allow for the creation of a robust program by itself, the funds can be a catalyst for securing resources necessary to continue to grow an effective poverty-alleviation program.
Download the grant application as a fillable Word document.
Download the grant application as a PDF.
Instructions for submitting the applications can be found on the forms themselves.
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Church of the Resurrection launches site full of free resources
Church of the Resurrection – based in Leawood, Kansas – has developed a website filled with a variety of resources designed to help local churches reach their congregations, their communities and beyond.
And it’s all free for use.
The website – www.sharechurch.com – allows for free registration, which allows access to curriculum, children’s ministry tools, sermon series, training programs, administrative forms and materials for small groups.
The Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor at Resurrection, said in a Facebook post introducing the site that the site contains several hundred resources at launch, and more will be added.
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Bishop schedules welcome meetings in districts of Great Plains
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has started has greeting tour around the Great Plains Conference. With stops already made in the Five Rivers, Flint Hills and Parsons districts, he has scheduled stops to meet with clergy and with laity in the remaining 14 districts between now and Dec. 6.
See when your district’s meetings are scheduled, along with dates, times and locations.
And don’t forget that everyone is invited to his welcome celebration at10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, at the corner of 84th Street and Pioneers Boulevard in Lincoln.
Or watch the livestream of the event at http://www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream.
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Missionary in Haiti shares tale of aftermath of Hurricane Matthew
Sharon Harbottle is a British Methodist missionary in Haiti working in Christian education. She wrote the following message the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 5.
Thank you all for your messages and prayers. We are now past the worst of the hurricane and have been very fortunate on the Methodist Compound here in PétionVille. The compound was sheltered from the worst of the wind and although there has been very heavy rain we had the roof leaking slightly in only one room. Some branches have come down, but everyone here is safe. We have had no electricity for 2 days and our inverter has almost run out now, but we anticipate that the offices will reopen tomorrow, and we will then be able to find out what information others have about the situation.
Many areas of Port au Prince however have suffered worse, there is extensive flooding and the water pouring out of the mountains is likely to continue to increase for a day or two yet as it is still raining. Roofs have been blown off many homes and many people are in refuge centres. We understand that the authorities tried to clear people from the areas most at risk before the hurricane arrived, and everyone received text messages on their mobile phones giving guidance.
Now that the wind has died down and the rainfall lessened the city is eerily quiet. There is no traffic or people on the streets. Nightclubs are silent and everywhere is in darkness. No doubt the bustle and noise will return to the city tomorrow morning.
The situation further to the west, where the centre of the hurricane made landfall, a little to the west of Les Cayes, is much worse. A few reports have been received from there indicating the town has had significant flooding, damage to buildings and trees are down. We have not been able to make contact with folk in that area nor in the Jeremie area, and we have now heard that one of the bridges on the main road from Port au Prince to the west has been washed away so there is no road access to the worst hit parts of the southern peninsula.
Please continue to pray for the country and especially those in the areas closer to the central track of the hurricane.
We will inform you further as information becomes available. We would also like to share with you this prayer we have received from an American minister friend.
Love,
Sharon and John.
Prayer:
Merciful, Mighty God
Bless and protect John and Sharon,
And all who find themselves in the path of the storm.
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Fall boundary/ethics training dates set
All clergy serving churches in the Great Plains Conference are required to have Safe Gatherings certification.
A second training that conference policy requires is called “boundary and ethics training.” Boundary training focuses on developing healthy boundaries in ministry and is specific to the role of a clergyperson.
Of particular concern is the power difference between a person in a ministerial role and a member of his or her congregation or a person being counseled. Boundary training also includes conversation about personal and professional health and the use of social media.
Boundary training 101 has been scheduled across the conference for those who have not previously had training, primarily for new clergy, DSA or CLM. Boundary training must be renewed every four years and for those needing renewal.
Boundary 201, the renewal course for those who have previously had the 101, has been scheduled for November 2016. Boundary training must be renewed every four years.
If you have questions about your need for boundary training, please contact your district office. You may also contact the Rev. Nancy Lambert at nlambert@greatplainsumc.org or 402-464-5994, Ext. 126.
Boundary 101
There are currently seven 101 trainings scheduled, which are all listed below. All trainings begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. except for Ogallala which will be 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain time. The cost for lunch and the participant book is $25, but BOOM is covering a portion of this so your cost is only $10.
Register for any of these trainings.
Oct. 11: First UMC, 14410 Folkestone St., Waverly, Nebraska
Oct. 17: First UMC, 421 N Spruce St., Ogallala, Nebraska
Oct. 17: Faith UMC, 1623 Central Ave., Kearney
Oct. 18: Scott City UMC, 412 S. College St., Scott City, Kansas
Oct. 19: Trinity UMC, 1602 Main St., Hutchinson, Kansas
Oct. 21: Wamego UMC, 600 Lincoln St., Wamego, Kansas
Oct. 22: Yates Center UMC, 307 S Grove, St., Yates Center, Kansas
Boundary 201
There are currently seven 201 trainings scheduled, which are all listed below. All trainings begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. The cost for lunch and the participant book is $25, but BOOM is covering a portion of this so your cost is only $10.
Register for any of these trainings.
Nov. 1: Scott City FUMC, 4123 S College St., Scott City, Kansas
Nov. 3: Emporia FUMC, 823 Merchant St., Emporia, Kansas
Nov. 4: Wahoo FUMC, 714 N Beech St., Wahoo, Nebraska
Nov. 4: Holdrege FUMC, 604 West Ave., Holdrege, Nebraska
Nov. 12: McPherson FUMC, 1200 E Kansas Ave., McPherson, Kansas
Nov. 14: Countryside UMC, 3221 SW Burlingame Road, Topeka
Nov. 17: Aldersgate UMC, 7901 W 21st St. N, Wichita
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Strengthen Biblical foundation at ‘Great Preaching for Great Plains’
Pastors who want to strengthen their foundation for preaching are invited to take advantage of “Great Preaching for the Great Plains.
This five-session opportunity starts with a retreat Oct. 24-25 at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Road in Topeka. The retreat begins at 1 p.m. Monday and ends at 3 p.m.Tuesday.
The presenters will be Dr. Alyce McKenzie, LeVan professor of preaching and worship, Altshuler distinguished teaching professor, Perkins School of Theology, and Dr. O. Wesley Allen, Lois Craddock professor of homiletics, Perkins School of Theology.
This event marks the third year of the Great Preaching for the Great Plains Studio, which is being conducted in conjunction with The Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence at Southern Methodist University.
A lot of preaching these days focuses on human needs and problems, which is important. But as the presenters will point out, we don’t want to lose our Biblical and theological bearings on our weekly sermonic journeys. These workshops will explore approaches to preaching sermons that connect the profound insights of scripture and theology to both the pain and the promise of the human condition.
The studio consists of five sessions consisting of three two-day teaching retreats. The first session is Oct. 24-25. The remaining two sessions – scheduled for Jan. 30-31 and March 27-28 – will be gatherings of a small group of participants and one facilitator. These groupings will be geographically determined.
Christ-centered excellence in preaching and worship is one of the missional priorities of the Great Plains Conference. The Rev. Nancy Lambert, director of clergy excellence and assistant to the bishop, says that “Preaching is one of the most visible skills of a clergyperson. Each of us can improve our preaching no matter how many sermons we have already delivered.”
The studio will challenge clergy to refresh their preaching style and content, leading to more effective preaching.
The studio is limited to 30 participants. The cost to participate in Great Preaching for the Great Plains is $200, which includes meals for all sessions. Motel rooms (double occupancy) for those needing them also are included. The purchase of required books is the responsibility of the participant.
Register now.
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Pastoral Leadership interns share experiences
The Pastoral Leadership internship program is for young adults aged 18-22.
This 10-week program will provide young leaders the opportunity to experience pastoral work in the most “hands-on” way possible while being supported by a mentoring pastor and a teaching congregation. Twice a week, interns will share their experiences.
On Tuesday, Lily Jones’ (left in photo) experiences were posted. Over the summer, Jones served at Springfield, Nebraska, UMC.
Go to www.greatplainsumc.org/news to view the stories as they’re posted.
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Small Wonders is this weekend; still time to register for conference
Registration is open for this weekend's annual Small Wonders conference, which aims to help churches with fewer than 100 people in average worship attendance better live out the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
This year’s event will focus on presentations and conversations about young-adult ministry. Join us Friday and Saturday at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. The two days will be filled with worship, workshops and brainstorming about how to best participate in ministry to young adults in small churches in rural, urban and suburban settings. Young adults will be among our leadership for the conference.
The Peterson Brothers – from Assaria, Kansas – will perform their farm parodies of pop songs and talk about their faith. Learn more about the Peterson Brothers. And check out some of their parodies.
For more information on workshops, hotel options and registration, please go to www.greatplainsumc.org/smallwonders.
Contact the Rev. Micki McCorkle, coordinator of small-membership church ministries, at mmcorckle@greatplainsumc.org
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Lay Servants called to be witness in the local congregation
As Lay Servants we are entrusted with a calling that goes beyond us! Indeed, “Lay Servants are to serve the local church or charge in any way in which their witness or leadership and service inspires the laity to deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship.
Jeanie Leeper, lay servant ministry director in the Prairie Rivers District in Nebraska, shares some thoughts on this subject in the latest LSM blog.
Lay Servants called to witness, inspire in the local church
Lay Servant Ministries
As Lay Servants we are entrusted with a calling that goes beyond us! “Lay Servants are to serve the local church or charge in any way in which their witness or leadership and service inspires the laity to deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship. This includes the interpretation of scriptures, doctrine, organization and ministries of the church” (umcdiscipleship.org).
That is a lot of responsibility and requires, not only service, but training!
Lay Servants are required to attend classes to obtain and maintain certification in the Lay Servant Ministries program. At the end of each class we receive a certificate indicating that we completed the class. It is the hope, though, that what we learn in the class does not end when the class does!
2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman (tested by trial) who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth."
As Lay Servants, we must focus on the big picture! It is not about the certificate – It is about becoming an effective disciple!
Jeanie Leeper is Lay Servant Ministry director in the Prairie Rivers District in Nebraska.
Read the blog.
Learn more about Lay Servant Ministries.
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How do race, gender and environment link to poverty?
The Great Plains Mercy & Justice team invites you to this day of learning and action, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Oct. 29, at First United Methodist Church, 2723 N. 50th St., Lincoln.
For clergy: This event will count toward your continuing education.
Cost: This event is priced to make it accessible to as many people as possible. The registration fee is a suggested donation of $5. If the cost prevents you from attending, please contact the Rev. Kalaba Chali atkchali@greatplainsumc.org or by phone at 316-684-0266, or register here.
One of the panelists will be the Rev. Dr. Charlotte Abram, pictured here.
Abram is the daughter of the late Fred and Pauline McGruder. In 1989 she graduated with a masters of divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri.
She was the first African-American woman to be ordained an elder in the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church, and has received an honorary doctorate from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. She has pastored a variety of United Methodist congregations, both large and small, African-American, European-American and multicultural, in north, south, east and west Omaha.
In retirement she serves as the Christian education director at Living Hope, a mission congregation in northeast Omaha.
Charlotte has served on numerous national, regional and local church boards and has been a part of community building efforts such as Omaha Together One Community and United Methodist Ministries since their inception.
Charlotte has been married to Terry Abram for 48 years. They enjoy spending time with their three grown children, four grandchildren and extended family.
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After 20 years in a refugee camp, family finds new home in Omaha
On April 22, members of the Immigration Ministry Team of First United Methodist Church in Omaha welcomed a refugee family as they arrived at the airport. The family is of the Karen ethnic group from Burma, now Myanmar. Karen peoples do not have a family name. Individual names are dad Poh Poh, mom Naw Moo, 14-year-old daughter Htoo Ler, 7-year-old son Eh Doh Say, 4-year-old daughter Tha Say, and 3-year-old son Bwe Au Jay. The parents spent more than 20 years in a refugee camp in Thailand before arriving in the United States and Omaha in April.
On Saturday, July 23, there was a picnic attended by our refugee family and many of the Immigration Team members who helped to prepare for the family's arrival but had not yet had a chance to meet them. The next day Suzanne Doupnik, her husband Chris, and their children Evan (age 10) and Levinya (age 8) together with Natalie Masada took them shopping to purchase clothes, especially school clothes for the children about to attend school.
Suzanne Doupnik shares about their time together:
As imagined, the family was a little overwhelmed at the picnic yesterday. Poh Poh, Naw Moo and Htoo Ler fully understand that the people at the picnic are responsible for furnishing their home in Omaha and providing support after their arrival. They are so appreciative and were surprised at the number of people involved. I think it is hard for them to express their appreciation in an unfamiliar atmosphere but when in their home, they are comfortable and so gracious. Poh Poh told Chris on the way home that everyone at the picnic was invited to his house.
We spent a few hours with the family when we got back to their house today after shopping. The family was overwhelmed again with the clothes we got the children. Poh Poh and Naw Moo were very insistent that we not purchase them clothing and focus just on the children. It was awesome seeing the kiddos get to pick out things they like and as imagined, shopping for a 15 year old girl was the hardest :). We were finally able to convince Poh Poh and Naw Moo that they had to get at least a pair of tennis shoes because they cannot wear flip flops in the winter. Naw Moo's parents came over after we got back to the house and it was better than Christmas morning watching Htoo Ler show her grandma her new clothes. Naw Moo was showing off Eh Doh Say and Tha Say's outfits and then remembered that she got a pair of tennis shoes too. She quickly found the box and excitedly showed her mom. It was truly a loving moment to see the appreciation from generation to generation. With Poh Poh translating the grandparents expressed their appreciation to the church multiple times.
The highlight of my day was when we were getting ready to leave I asked Naw Moo if she was still washing all of her clothes by hand in the bathtub. Although she would never complain, handwashing clothes for six people has to be hard and knowing she won't be able to hang the clothes to dry outside during the winter has worried me. She answered yes but pointed to Poh Poh. He tells us that Naw Moo's parents bought them a washer and dryer, but no one knows how to use them. My eyes huge, I ask if they are in the house and Poh Poh casually says yes, in the basement. After ensuring they were hooked up and working, Chris and Evan ran to the store for laundry soap and Naw Moo and I went over basic instructions in how to use it. I asked if she had dirty clothes and she ran upstairs coming back with a large laundry basket full. We got a load started and as I was explaining that the 39 meant the minutes until done she was down on the floor looking in the door of the washer with her eyes sparkling and smiling ear to ear. Life Changing day for Naw Moo!
I had no idea how life changing this experience was going to be for me and my family but can say we are blessed to be part of this.
I will close with a conversation Chris had with Poh Poh today about grapes. Whenever we visit, the family always brings out a plate full of grapes. Since our first visit, this has always happened. Poh Poh told Chris the reason they always serve a big plate of grapes is because it represents abundance to them. A pile of grapes is something they could never have in the camp and so having a plate of grapes and offering them to others shares their abundance.
To learn more about how you can get involved and help, watch a recorded livestream event from this past summer or contact the Rev. Hollie Tapley at htapley@greatplainsumc.org.
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Hastings UMC spurs creation of mobile food pantry
A mobile food pantry has now become a reality in Hastings, Nebraska.
Brian Winfield, chair of the Outreach and Mission Committee, knew of a similar program through the United Methodist Church in Wayne, Nebraska. He was inspired to begin a similar ministry in Hastings. He brought the idea to the committee and then to the Administrative Council at First United Methodist Church. Jean Heriot, a Hastings College professor, was invited to speak at First United Methodist on July 17regarding the results of her study on food insecurity in Adams County. This clarified the need for this outreach program.
First Church members realized that because of the logistics of the church, they could not handle this ministry by themselves. First Presbyterian Church is located very close to First Church so they were asked if they would like to be involved and offer the use of their annex building as the place of distribution. They agreed to do this and thus the ministry, United Harvest, was launched!
The first distribution date was Aug. 27. Six thousand pounds of food were given to 200 families which represented 528 individuals who were served. The second date on Saturday, Sept. 24, was a dark and rainy morning but in spite of the inclement weather, 225 families including 697 people were served. Over 14,000 pounds of food was given out in less than two hours.
Other Hastings churches have expressed interest in becoming involved in this ministry opportunity. With more involvement we will be able to reach out to many more people in the area. The distribution dates will now be the third Saturday of each month.
The United Harvest Ministry is a project of two churches in Hastings, Nebraska, that are excited to be committed to providing care to "the least of these” (Matthew 25:37-40).
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Applications accepted for next class of Global Mission Fellows
The General Board of Global Ministries has opened its application period for Global Mission Fellows. The agency has aggressive goals for growth and encourages young people passionate about engaging in mission to apply.
The application period for the 2016-17 class of Global Mission Fellows began Sept. 30. Online information sessions for those interested in learning more about the program will be conducted:
Oct. 11
Nov. 16
Dec. 14
Register for an information session.
The application deadline is March 31, 2017.
Download the application.
Find out more about the Global Mission Fellows program.
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Mercy & Justice intern ready for new challenges
Hello! My name is Katie Lamb and I am the new staff intern for the Great Plains Conference Mercy & Justice Team. I earned my bachelor’s degree in global studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and have just returned from England where I got my master’s in youth work and community development.
This is my third internship with the conference. Previously, I was the Risk-Taking Mission and Justice Team intern for the former Nebraska Conference from 2011-2013 and a Micah Corps intern in 2012. These internships were great experiences which helped me grow in my faith and develop my passion for social justice, so I am excited to be back to work with the Micah Corps internship program, researching the impact this internship has had on young adults over the years.
The Micah Corps internship is a 10-week paid internship for young adults focusing on social justice issues which relate to our faith. Interns have the opportunity to work with agencies such as Kansas Appleseed and Voices for Children throughout both Kansas and Nebraska, speak with congregations and Sunday school classes, and visit Washington D.C. I will be working specifically with the Micah Corps internship program to get in contact with former interns. I will hopefully be gaining their insight on what they learned through their time as a Micah Corps intern and how that has helped shape them in their personal and professional lives. We will then use this information to show all of you throughout the Great Plains Conference how great this program is and ask that you share it with the young adults in your life who may be interested in participating in the Micah Corps.
If you have any questions about the Micah Corps internship, please contact me. I can be reached at 402-464-5994, Ext. 163or micahintern@greatplainsumc.org.
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Open enrollment for clergy option benefits plans going on now
Open enrollment for 2017 optional benefit plans for clergy of the local churches is currently underway. The enrollment period is Oct. 3-21, 2016. Do not miss out on enrolling, changing or dropping your benefits.
The Great Plains Conference will be using PlanSource again, an online enrollment and support software for all optional benefit plans. You must use PlanSource to update any personal information (address, phone number, earnings, etc.) and to enroll or make changes to coverages you selected last year.
View more information including premiums and how to enroll atwww.greatplainsumc.org/healthinsurance. Be sure to select the information under 2017 Clergy Health Insurance Information.
Open enrollment dates for conference clergy and lay staff and camp employees will be announced at a later time.
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Commission on the Way Forward membership selection progresses
The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops has narrowed the list of potential nominees for membership on the Commission on the Way Forward from more than 300 persons to 29. The group includes 8 bishops, 13 clergy, and 8 laity who are representative of our global connection and theological diversity.
Letters have been sent to those individuals informing them they have been nominated for membership on the commission, sharing the mission, vision and scope of the work before them, as well as a projected meeting schedule. Potential members were asked to prayerfully consider whether they are willing and available to serve and respond within a couple of days.
Following those responses, the Executive Committee will make additions or modifications as necessary and will then propose a final list of nominees by email to the full Council of Bishops for their consideration.
Following action by the Council of Bishops, individuals who are selected will receive an invitation to serve on the commission, and the membership list will be made available. These remaining steps are expected to take a couple of weeks.
The moderator team, which consists of Bishop Ken Carter, Bishop Sandra Steiner-Ball and Bishop David Yemba, will convene the commission this fall, possibly by telephone or video conference, to begin organizing the commission's work.
Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the Council of Bishops, acknowledged that the selection process has taken longer than initially hoped. He said that vetting the nominee list, consultations and gathering biographical and contact information for potential nominees have all contributed to the time needed to complete this critical task.
“We are working to move this process forward with as much dispatch and care as possible,” Bishop Ough said. “The additional time has honored the values we have of being a global church, seeking representative voices and experiences, and creating space for the discernment of the nominees and the bishops who are guiding the selection process.”
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A 'Too Good to Be True' investment opportunity
The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation would like to offer a great one-year rate of 1.9 percent for the first $500,000 invested this month.
What if you knew you could earn great rates, have peace of mind, and support United Methodist ministries through just one investment? Welcome to the Certificate of Participation. This investment opportunity pays returns consistently higher than bank money market or CD rates while providing seed money for loans to growing United Methodist churches. Backed by the financial strength of the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation and an impeccable track record of never having suffered a loss of principal on any Foundation originated loan, Certificate of Participation investments are secure, too.
To receive more information on the reality behind the Too-Good-to-Be-True appeal for a great one-year rate of 1.90 percent for the first $500,000 invested this month in the Certificate of Participation, please call Brenda Koehn toll free at 1-888-453-8405 or visit the Foundation online at www.kaumf.org.
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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.
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In other news
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Newsletters
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Blogs and Opinion
In Layman’s Terms: Todd Seifert, conference communications director, uses the retirement of broadcaster Vin Scully as a platform to discuss the need for us to be modern-day prophets broadcasting the love of Christ.
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Classifieds
To view these and other classifieds, go to greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
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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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