Wednesday, October 19, 2016

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect clarification" for Wednesday, 19 October 2016

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect clarification" for Wednesday, 19 October 2016
Deadline nears for clergy to enroll in dental, vision, other insurance
A headline in the regular edition of GPconnect from Oct. 19 requires clarification. Open enrollment for optional clergy health insurance, such as dental and vision coverage, in 2017 concludes Oct. 21. Clergy serving churches receive a stipend to purchase standard health insurance.
The Great Plains Conference will be using PlanSource again, an online enrollment and support software for all optional benefit plans which began Oct. 3, 2016. 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 at www.greatplainsumc.org/healthinsurance. Be sure to select the information under 2017 Clergy Health Insurance Information.
-------
Want More?






-------
The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 19 October 2016
Download the printable version of the Oct. 19 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
MERCY AND JUSTICE
ADMINISTRATION
OTHER
-------
Bishop calls for action in celebration ceremony
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. called for those in the Great Plains Conference to take action during his sermon Saturday at his Celebration of Appointment Service at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Lincoln.
Bishop calls for work to continue during celebration of assignment service
A call to further the mission that already has been started by Jesus Christ highlighted the formal introduction of Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. to the Great Plains Conference on Oct. 15.
“We have a lot of unfinished work to do,” Saenz told several hundred clergy, laity, conference officials and guests at a service at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Lincoln.
Basing his sermon off John 21: 15-17, Saenz said the people of the church need to counter those walking away from the faith by giving them a “fresh encounter with Christ.”
The church, he said, should take a greater role in fighting poverty, hunger, violence and injustice.
“We cannot stop at advocacy and legislation,” Saenz said. “We need a fresh vision and a fresh encounter that calls us to that.”
Saenz called on those in the conference to “build – not burn or destroy – bridges.”
The Great Plains’ new bishop, who comes from the Rio Texas Conference, said he enjoys “people watching” at airports and shopping malls, and sees a cross-section of backgrounds and experiences.
“You love all these people,” Saenz said of Jesus. “And I don’t think I could,” he said of human shortcomings.
To further develop Jesus’ calling is to reach out to everyone, he said.
“We can do it with joy and excellence,” Saenz said, “with a love of Christ and with a love of Christ’s lambs.”
“People of the Great Plains,” he said, “we are not finished.”
Saenz’s 20-minute sermon received the immediate endorsement of the Rev. Anne Gatobu, who followed him on the program by offering a prayer for the new episcopal leader.
“People of the Great Plains,” said Gatobu, pastor of the United Methodist Church in Ashland, Nebraska, “are we blessed or what?”
Likewise, those who heard Saenz’s sermon – many of whom had met him for the first time – were impressed.
“I enjoyed his focus on social justice and how much he cares for the poverty-stricken,” said the Rev. Jacob Cloud, pastor of the United Methodist Church in Hiawatha, Kansas. “I got to go on a mission trip with Bishop Saenz several weeks ago (to flood-ravaged areas of south central Kansas) and saw his passion for the needy and that he was mucking out stuff out of houses right there with the rest of us. That shows leadership that I really appreciate from him.”
“I’m very pleased with what I heard today. I think he has a sweet heart. The work isn’t finished, and the work is all of us,” said Abby Henre, wife of the Rev. Robert Henre, pastor of Seward United Methodist Church in Nebraska.
The Rev. Ron Harris, pastor of United Methodist Churches in Aurora and Bradshaw, Nebraska, said he was impressed with the bishop, particularly his background that included owning his own jewelry store.
“I think it’s interesting that he has a business background and a little bit of ‘worldly’ experience,” he said. “I think that’ll be a real blessing.”
The 90-minute service included a communion served by Saenz and the district superintendents, as well as ceremonial presentations of a wooden pastoral staff, Bible, water pitcher, bread and cup, towel and basin and a stole, all elements of the bishop’s leadership roles.
Music included a 30-voice choir from throughout the conference, a six-child choir from Seward and interpretive dancers who performed to the Lord’s Prayer during the offering, whose proceeds went to the conference’s educational partnerships.
Contact David Burke, communications coordinator, at dburke@greatplainsumc.org.
-------
Conference announces recipients of latest Culture of Call grants
Nine churches, campus ministries and colleges have received Culture of Call grants in the latest round of awards given by the Great Plains Conference.
Grants in the first round totaled $8,000. The total for this round totaled $16,565, with each grant ranging from $1,265 to $2,000.
Creating a Culture of Call means that the behaviors, beliefs and attitudes of the church or organization supports the members of the community to identify and explore a call by God to serve 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.
See who received grants
-------
Clergy Excellence Bishop invites clergy to Orders & Fellowship
Please watch this video from Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. inviting the pastors of the Great Plains Conference to our annual Orders & Fellowship clergy gathering Jan. 18-19 at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kansas.
Watch in the next few weeks for registration information.
-------
New Saint Mark pastor wants to make change
The Rev. Robert Johnson, the new pastor at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, was already a longtime friend of his predecessor, the Rev. Junius Dotson. But the Mississippi native says their styles differ, as well as their approaches to the church. Read a profile of the new pastor of the Great Plains’ largest African-American congregation.
-------
Say ‘thank you’ to your pastor during Clergy Appreciation Month
Did you know October is Clergy Appreciation Month?
Pastors throughout Kansas and Nebraska work hard each day for their congregations. They are there for joyful moments in our lives, such as weddings, births and baptisms. They are there in our darkest hours, such as when we or a loved one is in the hospital or when there has been a death in the family.
Please consider taking time this month to show your congregation’s appreciation for your pastor.
Watch this video of appreciation from Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.
-------
Ten things great preachers do differently
The Rev. Charles Reeb, a United Methodist pastor in Florida, writes about 10 things that distinguish great preachers from the simply good ones. The Lewis Center for Church Leadership shares his advice.
10 Things Great Preachers Do Differently by Charley Reeb, Leading Ideas
What separates good preachers from great preachers? Charley Reeb, a Florida pastor known as a gifted preacher, says talent is less important than approaching the task with the right perspective and preparing effectively. He outlines ten things that you can do to become a great preacher.
While I wouldn’t argue that some great preachers are also gifted communicators, great talent is not essential to be a great preacher. All you have to do is learn and apply what great preachers do differently. The old adage is true: To be a success you must do the things others aren’t willing to do. This is far from an exhaustive list, but I believe it is a good start! So here is “The Big 10” (in no particular order):
Great preachers are always asking, “What do I want my listeners to DO with my sermon?” They are always moving from inspiration to application.
1. Connect with Listeners
Great preachers know that in order to get their messages across, they must connect with listeners. How do they do this? By preparing messages with their listeners’ perspective in mind, not their own. What they care about is if the message you are preaching will make a difference to their lives. Connecting with listeners doesn’t mean sacrificing the substance of your sermons. You can still preach rich, biblical, and challenging sermons, but in order for those sermons to be heard, you must frame them in a way that is interesting to your listeners. What questions are your listeners asking? Why should they care about your sermon?
2. Preach with Conviction
You know the old definition of a sermon, right? A sermon is a preacher speaking loudly to himself or herself. It is true. Great preachers study a Scripture text to find a sermon they need to hear and then preach that sermon to their listeners. This ensures that the sermon will be preached with genuine passion and conviction. Great preachers feel they will die unless they communicate what God has put on their hearts to say.
3. Preach for Response
Great preachers are always asking, “What do I want my listeners to DO with my sermon?” A lot of sermons contain the what, who, when, where, and why. Very few sermons contain the how. Great preachers are always moving from inspiration to application. They are always thinking about how their ideas and points can be applied in relevant and concrete ways. Great preachers also know that the gospel demands a response. They give listeners the opportunity to respond to their messages. Sermons should not be left in the sanctuary.
4. Open the Scriptures
Great preachers make Scripture come alive for their listeners. They bring out the wisdom and life changing truth in God’s Word. They make the Bible relatable and easy to understand. Great preachers motivate listeners to go home and read their Bible! If listeners tell you they went home after worship and read their Bible, you have succeeded, my friend.
5. Communicate Authentically
Great preachers have found their voice. They realize that God wants to use their unique personalities to communicate the gospel. Phillips Brooks defined preaching as “truth through personality.” It is okay to learn from other preachers and even emulate some of their qualities, but you will never become a great preacher trying to be someone you are not. Besides, today’s listeners can smell an inauthentic preacher from a mile away. God has called YOU to preach the gospel. Great preachers are not afraid to be themselves in the pulpit.
6. Cultivate a Deep Spiritual Life
I once heard someone say that congregations never rise above the spiritual maturity of their leaders. I believe this with all my heart. Great preaching comes from the fruit of your relationship with God. If you are always seeking to grow in your relationship with God, you will never run out of sermon material. Congregations cannot thrive without feeding on nutritious spiritual meals, and pastors cannot survive ministry without proper spiritual nutrition.
7. Build a Big Tool Box
Great preachers are always on the prowl for sermon material and illustrations and develop the discipline of writing them down and filing them away. There are many ways to do this. Write small topic notes in the table of contents of books, type in ideas in the “notes” app of your phone, keep a small notebook in your pocket at all times, create a box for sermon material and illustrations and throw copies of articles and notes in it, or keep a legal pad and pen on your desk and on your bedside table. Great preachers keep filling the well.
8. Preach from Brokenness
Great preachers are not afraid to be vulnerable. This does not mean using the pulpit and your congregation as a therapist and airing all of your dirty laundry. However, profound healing can occur in your listeners when you are willing to share out of your brokenness. In fact, it could be said that you really don’t start preaching until you have been broken and experience God in your brokenness. What you learn in the midst of your valleys will make up some of your best sermons.
9. Rehearse
Great preachers always rehearse their sermons before they preach them. They truly know their sermons “by heart.” Whether you prepare a manuscript, an oral manuscript, or outline, if you want to go from good to great as a preacher, rehearse your sermons. And don’t think that rehearsing will prevent your sermons from sounding lively and fresh. The opposite is true. Rehearsing your sermons will give you more freedom in the pulpit because you will never feel lost or afraid of forgetting your ideas. There will be a well worn sermon path in your brain which will allow you to deviate from the path when led and still find your way back home.
10. Listen to Other Preachers
Gone is the excuse that we as preachers can never listen to other preachers because we are always preaching. The internet contains millions of sermon videos from great preachers. Carve out time to watch them and learn from them. Observe and study what they do effectively. There will always be something you can learn and apply to your preaching ministry.
This article is adapted from Charley Reeb’s blog about preaching at charleyreeb.com. His new book, That’ll Preach! 5 Simple Steps to Your Best Sermon Ever (Abingdon Press), comes out in 2017 and can be pre-ordered at Cokesbury and Amazon.
Related Resources:
Read Rev. Reeb’s commentary.
-------
Equipping Disciples
Advent studies at the Great Plains Resource Center 
This year, make your journey through Advent not only a time of buying gifts, decorating the house and trimming the tree; but also a time to be with others studying and finding new wonder in the story of Jesus birth.
Let God’s great surprise change everything! Mike Slaughter and Rachel Billups new Advent study “Down To Earth – The Hopes and Fears of All the Years Are Met in Thee Tonight” shows how greatness is redefined in Jesus who comes down to earth as a helpless infant and lives among people as a servant. The four lessons are
Down To Earth Love – How do you show love to family and neighbors?
Down To Earth Humility – Jesus did not consider equality with God something to strive for
Down To Earth Lifestyle – Blessed are the meek, the poor and the pure in spirit
Down To Earth Obedience – Mary was obedient to God’s plan for her life.
This study includes material for an all church study and includes children’s leader guide, youth study book, devotional, DVD, a leader guide and participant book.
For those study groups who enjoy the writings of Max Lucado, he has a special Advent study entitled “Because of Bethlehem – Love Is Born, Hope Is Here.” Because of Bethlehem, God knows what it is like to be human. Because of Bethlehem we have the promise that God is always near us. Always for us. Always in us. The four sessions are
God Has A Face – God chose to come to us in the face of a child.
Worship Works Wonders – Wonderful things happen when we worship God with others
God Guides The Wise – God calls us all to do a “magi journey.”
Every Heart A Manger – The tree is the symbol in Christianity of new life, whether it be a Christmas tree or the “tree” of Christ’s crucifixion.
This study included the DVD, study guide and book.
To view a complete listing of our Advent studies please go to our online catalog at www.gpresourcecenter.org. To reserve an Advent study contact Diane Dunkerson at ddunkerson@greatplainsumc.org or 1-800-435-6107.
-------
Lay Servants called to do their work in the valleys of life
We all want mountain-top experiences when it comes to our faith. We appreciate the view as we move closer to God. But as Lay Servants, we must recognize that the work our Savior needs us to do takes place in the valleys.
That is the focus of the latest Lay Servant Ministry blog, written this time by Janice Gillberg, LSM co-director in the Salina District.Lay Servants appreciate the mountains but do their work in the valleys
Lay Servant Ministries
We have rebooted, and the fit feels great! The Salina District just completed a very big weekend. We had three large classes with a total of 47 students from all across Kansas. We offered the Basic course, Go PREACH! and Lay Pastoral Care.
Meeting on the beautiful Kansas Wesleyan University campus, we used the classrooms and mezzanine in the new Student Activity Center. Evaluations were positive. We have another school planned in March 2017.
As I write this blog, I am traveling to the San de Cristo mountains near Westcliff, Colorado, by way of Pueblo. Pike’s Peak is to my right and the 14’s are to my left. I am nestled between two of my most favorite mountain ranges and two of the most wonderful places in Colorado.
I remember a brief conversation with a GO PREACH! student regarding mountain-top experiences. He said he was on a mountain top, and I reminded him not to stay there. God’s work is done in the valleys.
God’s work is best appreciated in the valley. Pike’s Peak is not so grand as you ascend it. It is only standing miles away can one appreciate the height and grandeur. The mountain top is a pretty awesome place to be, however, and we all need to travel to the top once in a while for perspective of those valleys.
So, I would encourage all Lay Servants and Lay Speakers to remember to appreciate the mountain tops, but, do your work in the valleys.
Learn more about Lay Servant Ministries in the Great Plains, including upcoming training opportunities.
Peace to all.
Janice Gillberg is Lay Servant Ministries co-director in the Salina District.
Read her blog.
Learn more about upcoming training. One deadline is this week for training in the Lincoln area.
-------
This year, Small Wonders Conference thinks young
How do churches, especially those with small congregations, best reach millennials? The answer comes in being genuine, offering valuable experiences and thinking outside the box. That was the consensus from many of the Great Plains experts and those interested in reaching younger churchgoers at this year’s Small Wonders Conference. Here's a recap.
--------
Registration open for The One Event youth rally
Each year, the youth of the Great Plains Conference gather together to have fun, enjoy music and grow in their faith. This one event each year is appropriately named “The One Event.”
This year’s theme is based on Luke 15:32: “Lost & Found.” The One Event is scheduled for Jan. 14-15 at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kansas.
Learn more about or register for The One Event at http://www.greatplainsumc.org/youth.
-------
Some summer 2017 internship applications ready
It’s barely fall, but it’s time for college students to be thinking about their plans for the summer of 2017.
The Great Plains Conference is opening up the applications for summer camp workers and internships beginning today. Read information about the internships for camps and apply for camps internships.
Information and applications for internships in other ministry areas will be available soon on the Great Plains Conference website, so check back later for more details.
-------
Culture of Call Retreat postponed
Due to lack of interest, the Culture of Call Retreat planned at Camp Fontanelle has been put on hold.
While the staff at Camp Fontanelle is still dedicated to helping youth in their faith journey, at this time it is not going to happen through a separate retreat.
Site Director Trent Meyer says he hopes that this event can happen at a later date.
-------
Mercy and Justice
Chabadza partners collaborate on pilot project in Malawi
As part of our Chabadza partnership with the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference, a group from the Great Plains Conference is traveling in Malawi from Oct. 12 to 28 to participate in young people’s ministry training.
The group includes the Rev. Micki McCorkle, Great Plains small-membership church coordinator; Rick Bartlett, a member of the Chabadza Leadership Team; the Rev. Sophirina Sign, a leader in the Zimbabwe Conference; and a team from United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.
Chabadza partners work together on pilot project in Malawi
As part of our Chabadza partnership with the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference, a group from the Great Plains Conference is traveling in Malawi from Oct. 12 to 28 to participate in young people’s ministry training.
The group includes the Rev. Micki McCorkle, Great Plains small-membership church coordinator; Rick Bartlett a member of the Chabadza Leadership Team; the Rev. Sophirina Sign, a leader in the Zimbabwe Conference; and a team from Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.
Following the young people training, McCorkle and Sign continue to have conversations with the leaders of the Malawi United Methodist Provisional Conference to explore ways of collaboration, especially in providing resources and training for laity and clergy.
Before departing Wichita for Malawi, McCorkle shared a few words about the opportunity to travel to Malawi and participate in this pilot project.
“The United Methodist Church in Malawi is growing as it makes disciples for Jesus Christ,” McCorkle said. “I am excited to go and hear firsthand and see with my own eyes – in the spirit of Chabadza – from United Methodists throughout Malawi about their faith and the ways they are creating discipleship opportunities for new Christians and those who have been Christians for a long time. I am especially eager to visit rural areas and talk and pray with those in small congregations about life and faith and how they apply their faith to all aspects of living. I ask your prayers for Malawi and all of southern Africa as they deal with food issues related to drought. Maize, a food staple there, has tripled in price.”.
Bartlett said he also was looking forward to the trip to Malawi this month for a variety of reasons.
“I'm excited to meet our brothers and sisters in the church in this part of the world,” he said. “I know I have much to learn from their vibrant faith, expectancy and hope. In addition, as a long-time youth pastor, I anticipate our sessions with young leaders from around Malawi to be rich with energy and fresh ideas. I love seeing youth released into ministry!"
Bartlett also is traveling with his 17-year-old son.
“He's been with me on three other international trips, and I can't wait for him to see and experience the beauty and opportunities of Africa,” Bartlett said. “I know there are difficult things we will both experience while over there, but I'm looking forward to hearing how God is speaking to him about his future.”
The Chabadza Leadership Team has been engaged in conversations with the Mercy & Justice Team, The United Methodist Church of The Resurrection and our Zimbabwe partners to identify ways to provide support and training to our Malawi friends. Since Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, the resident bishop of Zimbabwe, oversees the Malawi Provisional Conference, it makes sense to engage Zimbabwe leaders who are the closest to Malawi to provide training.
Zimbabweans understand the Malawi culture. In addition, as an established episcopal area, the Zimbabwe United Methodist leaders are well equipped to accompany the young and rapidly growing Malawi Provisional Conference in the spirit of Chabadza.
As members of the Great Plains Conference, we are honored to be part of what God has been doing in Malawi. We offer prayers for the Malawi people and the church as they continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Check back for updates on the Great Plains delegation’s trip to Malawi.
Read the latest update from their journey.
-------
College Hill UMC hosting judges forum
You’ve seen the signs in your neighborhood. “Retain the judges!” “Replace the Kansas Supreme Court!” But how much do you really know about those who serve in our state’s judicial system? Do you remember a case or two? Are you up-to-date on the school funding discussions? Are you hopelessly lost?
If you’re ready to learn more, The Richard D. Greene Memorial Lecture Series at College Hill United Methodist Church is hosting a non-partisan, “Informed Voters – Fair Judges” voter education lecture, from 2-4 p.m.Saturday, Oct. 29 at the church, 2930 East First Street, Wichita.
State Court of Appeals Judges Karen Arnold-Burger, pictured, and Michael B. Buser will present the forum. The talk, a part of The National Association of Women Judges “Informed Voters -- Fair Judges” project, is a non-partisan voter education project developed to increase the knowledge of citizens about the judicial system, and to give them the tools they need to exercise an informed vote in favor of fair and impartial courts.
“It’s important to be informed as you go into any voting booth for any election,” said the Rev. Kent Little, senior pastor at College Hill UMC. “While we might learn a great deal about those at the top of a party ticket, we may not know as much about candidates in the court system. As we ponder the future of Kansas, we need to remember the importance of our courts and be educated as we vote. The Informed Voter Project serves to do just that in an impartial and non-partisan way.”
The presentation by Buser is part of The Honorable Richard D. Greene Memorial Lecture Series at College Hill. A church member, Greene practiced law in Wichita with the firm of Morris Lang, Evans, Brock and Kennedy for 28 years before also being named to the Kansas Court of Appeals. He served Kansas until his death in October 2012. The lecture series was established to honor Greene and his commitment to progressive religious scholarship and adult Christian education. Greene, in addition to his work in law, was a dedicated teacher of Sunday School classes his entire adult life.
-------
Workshop looks at gender, race, poverty and environment
The Great Plains Annual Conference’s Mercy & Justice Team invites you to spend a day with us encountering poverty and related issues. Leaders in the field will be coming from several parts of the United States to Lincoln to share their knowledge with us.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at First United Methodist Church, 2723 N. 50th St., Lincoln.
The registration fee is a suggested donation of $5.
Find out more about the workshops, and register online.
-------
Administration
Four churches receive digital advertising grants from UMCOM
Four churches in the Great Plains Conference have received grants for digital advertising for the Advent season. In each case, the church will receive RethinkChurch digital ads on various social media and search platforms with links that take interested Internet users to the churches’ websites to find more information about the congregation, special worship services and other information pertinent to seekers of faith.
The four churches are Dodge City First United Methodist Church, El Dorado First United Methodist Church and Newton Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Kansas and Havelock United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The grants come from United Methodist Communications, and all churches are allowed to apply. The next round of grants are expected to be open for applications after the first of the year for the Easter season.
Watch for information as it becomes available in the weekly GPconnect email newsletter and on the conference’s Facebook page.
-------
Keep kids’ safety in mind during Halloween events
Halloween can be a magical night for the children and youth of your church. It’s the one day of the year when young people use their imagination to dress up as someone or something else and fill their bags with treats!
But as you invite the community in for trunk-or-treat or other Halloween-related activities, it’s important that your staff and volunteers are ever-vigilant.
Share these tips with your clergy, staff, and volunteers to promote safer Halloween activities:
Be sure that everyone working with children and youth has been trained and screened through Safe Gatherings.
Instruct all volunteers and staff members to wear badges, nametags or lanyards.
Register all of the vehicles participating in a trunk-or-treat event, including information on the owner and vehicle make, model and license number.
Appoint a few people to monitor your facility, keeping a watchful eye. Equip them with walkie-talkies or other means of communication.
Make sure all young children are accompanied by a parent as they navigate church activities. If you see a child alone, locate his or her parents as quickly as possible.
Instruct older children and youth to walk in groups.
Plan a trick-or-treating route, and encourage kids to stay on the path.
If you see something that doesn’t look right, say something!
We are here to help you keep children safe for fun events like Halloween activities—and every other day of the year!
Learn more about Safe Gatherings on the conference website.
-------
Time is running out on KAUMF’s investment opportunity
The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation is close to reaching its goal this month towards the “A Great One-year Rate of 1.90 percent” for the first $500,000 invested.
The Certificate of Participation program provides the seed money for the growth and stability of many United Methodist churches that the Foundation serves. Individuals or United Methodist churches may invest in the Certificate of Participation program to earn competitive, often superior, interest. Churches and congregations receive these resources through low-cost loans they need to carry out their vision of the world that God imagines.
A vision everyone benefits from.
Time is running out! Call or email today to receive information regarding the “A Great One-year Rate of 1.90 percent” appeal for the first $500,000 Certificate of Participation invested this month.
Individual and church forms are online at www.kaumf.org.
-------
Open enrollment for clergy
health insurance concludesFriday
Open enrollment for clergy health insurance in 2017 is currently going on. Enrollment will be open through Oct. 21.
The Great Plains Conference will be using PlanSource again, an online enrollment and support software for all optional benefit plans which began Oct. 3, 2016. 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 at www.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.
-------
Other
Bishop preaches at church’s mortgage-burning celebration
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. delivered the sermon Oct. 16 as the congregation at Clair Memorial United Methodist Church hosted its mortgage burning celebration.
The celebration included contributions in the service by Omaha-area Baptist and African Methodist Episcopal church leaders, and music proclaiming the risen Savior by members of the Clair Memorial congregation.
The service also included the physical burning of the mortgage documents for the predominantly African-American, 103-year-old congregation in northern Omaha.
-------
Family shares story of its journey through foster care to adoption
Foster care can be intimidating. But as parents open their homes and hearts to children, they learn why God has called them to take on such a responsibility. In this story, one family involved with Epworth Village, a United Methodist ministry based in York, Nebraska, shares how they made the journey from foster care to adoption.
'It was a calling': Family talks about journey through foster care to adoption
HENDERSON, Neb. – Jeremy and Amy Janzen were listening to My Bridge Christian Radio when their hearts were inspired to pursue a journey into the world of foster care that would eventually lead them to welcome two, precious, adopted children into their home – Anna and Jonah.
“We were having a hard time starting a family and were pursuing our options,” Amy said. “We then began our foster care journey by getting licensed with Christian Heritage out of Lincoln. That was September of 2010.”
“Then we took our foster care classes at Epworth Village in York,” Amy said, explaining the family switched to Epworth Village in 2011. “We wanted to have children in our home right away and from September to the following summer we invested our time with three boys we took into our home. We would have them on the weekends and on breaks as well. We would also do respite for families and then on May 1, 2012, is when Anna came to be with us and then another child, Jonah, on Feb. 28 of 2013.”
Amy explained that in addition to all the heart it takes to become a foster care parent, it also takes, “A lot of paper work, a home study and part of the home study are background checks through the state. There are also trainings and classes that are required. It takes at least three months with paperwork and classes to become licensed in our experience. Then you have to get re-licensed every two years.”
“You have to be tough and caring at the same time,” Amy added. “Honestly, if God is calling you to be a foster parent, God will help you through it all. That doesn’t mean there are not challenges. But some days are the most rewarding ever.”
Amy said that foster care specialists like Hannah Miller, who helped them start their journey at Epworth, and Heather Hultgrien, who now serves as Epworth’s foster care recruiter and trainer, are helpful to families like them.
"I am also part of a Facebook page that offers articles and information and a connection to other foster parents who share ideas and offer suggestions,” she said.
Hultgrien said she has thoroughly enjoyed working with the Janzens,
“I have known the Janzens for about a year now, and I have a high level of respect for them," Hultgrien said. "They are a fantastic family to work with. I can tell they truly care about the kids who have been brought into their lives. This family is a great example of what it means to be a foster/adoptive home.”
“All it takes to become a foster/adoptive home is the willingness to open your hearts and homes and to give your time selflessly,” Hultgrien added. “It is a time commitment, but it is worth the long hours of training, waiting for licensing approval and getting those calls looking for a place for children to go. As a foster parent myself, I understand this all too well. It is hard but nothing worth doing or having is easy.”
Currently, both Anna and Jonah have moved from foster status to their adoptions being finalized. Amy said it has been rewarding to make new memories with their children, “It is rewarding to see Anna and Jonah know Jesus and to give them a consistent life. We have been able to take Anna to Disneyland and to see the ocean and mountains. She has her friends here and the children are able to see our marriage is strong.”
“We simply want to help them have good lives and know they are loved. We look forward to seeing them graduate high school, go to college, maintain homes of their own and maybe have children of their own someday. We want to raise them to be people of character,” Amy said, noting the entire extended family has been very supportive of them. “Both Jeremy and my parents love the kids as much as any of their grandchildren. They spoil them too. Our siblings are also very supportive and love having Anna and Jonah in our family.”
Jeremy Janzen serves on the Epworth Village Board of Directors, and he also has found foster care a rewarding experience.
“I did not realize the love for the children that I would have going into the foster care and adoption process," he said. "Now I cannot imagine life without them. It has been a blessing and a joy to care for the children we have come to know through the foster care system.”
Hultgrien said. anyone with questions on how to get involved in foster care can call any time at (402) 710-3650 or reach out via email to hhultgrien@epworthvillage.org.”
This story was provided by Kerry Hoffschneider.
Read the story by Kerry Hoffschneider.
-------
Kendra Weddle Irons to lecture at Southwestern College
Kendra Weddle Irons, associate professor of religion and humanities at Texas Wesleyan University, will present the Parkhurst Lecture at Southwestern College at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Wroten Hall on the Southwestern campus. There is no admission charge and the public is invited to attend. Additionally, at 7 p.m., inside Grace United Methodist Church, Southwestern will host a panel on women in ministry featuring Irons and several area women clergy.
The title of the lecture is “M. Madeline Southard: From the Plains to the Pulpit and Beyond.”
“Dr. Irons is the foremost scholar on Madeline Southard, a Southwestern alumna who was a pioneer for women clergy,” says Jackson Lashier, assistant professor of religion at Southwestern College
The Parkhurst Lecture is one of three annual endowed lectures hosted by the philosophy and religion department of the social sciences division at Southwestern College. This lecture focuses on Biblical studies.
-------
St. Paul UMC Wichita
garage sale is Oct. 20-22
St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1356 N. Broadway in Wichita, will have its annual garage sale Oct. 20-22. More information is available here.
-------
Across the Connection
-------
Newsletters
-------
Blogs and Opinion
In Layman’s Terms: Our collective ministry needs to go beyond where the pavement ends – Todd Seifert, conference communications director, encourages churches to leave the pavement and embrace the dusty ministry that comes along the gravel roads of life.
Schism is failure of love: Bishop Kenneth L. Carder writes about the current prospects of a split in the United Methodist Church.
Two weeks at Dakota pipeline protests: Kim Bender, director of individual giving for Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, writes about her experiences while standing with the Standing Rock Sioux in North Dakota.
Krusing the Capitol - Populist vs. Establishment (Part II): The Rev. Lowen Kruse, a Great Plains Conference retired elder and former Nebraska state senator, shares his monthly piece, Krusing the Capitol.
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)