Click here for a printable version of GPconnect.
In this edition of GPconnect:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Residential community at K-State Wesley taking applications
EQUIP DISCIPLES
Friend UMC in process of rebuilding
Time for Safe Gatherings certification
Not too late to register for Wesleyan Live
Christian Copyright Solutions newsletter
Youth ministry for a mobile generation
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary announces guaranteed tuition rate
MERCY AND JUSTICE
Nebraska to open Child Advocacy office at Epworth Village
Shoes for Epworth Village
United Methodists share experiences on Nigeria mission trip
Bishop Jones headlines "A Breakfast Awakening"
Worship and prayer vigil to shine light on gun violence
Which of these do you think became a neighbor?
One-day Mission u in Blue River District
CLASSIFIEDS
United Methodist Open Door looking for a development director
Administrative assistant position available
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Residential community at K-State Wesley taking applications
If you know a Kansas State University student, let them know about the opportunity for residential living at K-State Wesley.
Apply now for fall 2014 — connect with campus ministry, make incredible friendships and save significant money on housing. There are 25 spaces for men and 25 spaces for women in an intentionally Christian residential community.
Click here to learn more or to apply.
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Friend UMC in process of rebuilding
On Feb. 12, 2012, a fire caused by a lit candle, destroyed Friend UMC, in Friend, Neb. The fire happened shortly after the congregation finished a $100,000 remodeling project. Now the church is in the midst of rebuilding, with the completion date to be late spring.
Go to the Lincoln Journal Starr’s website to view more of the story.
Friend UMC is hosting a fundraiser on March, 14 at The San Carlo Room in Friend. The fundraiser includes a buffet dinner, music and a silent auction. To read more about the fundraiser – including a list of current silent auction items and contact information – download this flier. The San Carlo Room is located street level, below the Opera House, at 511 2nd Street Suite B, Friend, NE.
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Time for Safe Gatherings certification
Everyone who works with children, youth and/or adults from vulnerable populations are required to become certified through the Safe Gathering program. This includes paid or unpaid staff, lay or clergy, who have direct contact with children, youth and/or adults from vulnerable populations. You must be 16 or older in order to be certified to serve within the Great Plains Conference. Those younger than 16 years old can still serve in a ministry area but they must serve with a certified worker who is at least 5 years older.
Training may be completed anytime, anywhere using the online system. Applicants may complete the training modules at their own pace and request references from laity and clergy electronically. The $30 cost is for background checks. Allow a month from the time you submit your application to receiving notification of certification.
Go to greatplainsumc.org/safegatherings to start the process
The Safe Gatherings program protects you, protects our most vulnerable and protects the conference. But the best reason to become certified … by giving of yourself and your time to those in their formative years – you will be rewarded. Get prepared to be blessed with what proves to be life’s most enriching and enduring memories.
Contact safegatherings@greatplainsumc.org or 800-745-2350 for more information or with questions about the program. Or, just get started at greatplainsumc.org/safegatherings.
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Not too late to register for Wesleyan Live
Wesleyan Live Spring 2014, “Was Jesus a zealot? The historical question and its significance today” kicks off Monday, March 3. Every class will be uploaded to the Great Plains Conference website.
The course is being taught by Dr. Robert Jewett. Participants who want to be in the classroom with Professor Jewett and are within easy travel distance, may come to the Great Plains United Methodist Conference Lincoln office, 3333 Landmark Cir., Lincoln. Those who wish to participate online may watch the live stream on the conference website.
The class begins promptly at 7 p.m. and ends promptly at 1 p.m. Sessions continue at 7 p.m. on six successive Mondays.
In his best-selling book, "Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth," Reza Aslan makes a case that Jesus favored violent revolution. In this series of Wesleyan Live, Robert Jewett evaluates the evidence in the gospels to show instead that Jesus sought to transform Israel so that it could avoid a revolt that would have disastrous consequences because the divine intervention expected by the zealots was illusory.
Session titles:
1.“The challenge of Reza Aslan's new book, ‘Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth’"
2.“Jesus' new approach to the Kingdom of God as an alternative to zealous violence — then and now”
3.“Paying taxes to Rome as a rejection of theocracy: Jesus' strategy for coexistence — then and now”
4.“Divine impartiality and the love of enemies: replacing zealous campaigns of annihilation”
5.“Cleansing the Gentile court of the temple: respecting God's concern for "all the nations — then and now”
6.“Moving beyond Aslan: the current significance of Jesus' effort to prevent self-imposed disasters”
Wesleyan Live offers continuing education courses for clergy, laity and community members. United Methodist clergy members may receive six contact hours for continuing education credit. Courses are taught by Nebraska Wesleyan faculty and by other guest faculty members from across the country with a wide range of expertise.
The registration fee is $40; $20 for those retired, $10 for students and $75 for groups. For more information, contact Mel Luetchens at mluetchens@nebrwesleyan.edu, 402-465-2570 or 402-450-3924.
Click here to register online.
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Christian Copyright Solutions newsletter
The February edition of Christian Copyright Solutions' newsletter discusses camp licensing information and other resources. Read more.
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Youth ministry for a mobile generation
You're mobile, they're mobile. It's hard to get everyone in the same place. Even families are on the move. What does this mean for your youth ministry? How do you engage youth? How do you engage families?
Be a part of Youth Workers' Gathering 2014, on March 28-29, at Calvary UMC in Wichita, Kan., and discover answers to these questions and more.
The theme for this gathering is Beyond Youth Groups: Youth Ministry for a Mobile Generation, and will feature keynote speaker Charles Harrison.
Click here for more information and registration or go to www.ExtraordinaryYouthMinistry.Com/YWG2014.
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Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary announces guaranteed tuition rate
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is pleased to announce a guaranteed tuition rate for master's level students, starting in the fall of 2014. This initiative provides students a new layer of financial stability by guaranteeing the same tuition rate for two or three years, pending which masters degree program they seek to complete. Garrett-Evangelical is committed to affordable theological education for students with a call to ministry in The United Methodist Church.
Please read the full press release. For more information, contact:
Shane Nichols
Manager of Communications & Event Planning
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
2121 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60201
847.866.3866
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Nebraska to open Child Advocacy office at Epworth Village in York, Neb.
Epworth Village in York, Neb., one of our Mission Agency Support groups, is now a satellite office for the Child Advocacy Center. See the full news release.
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Shoes for Epworth Village
Last September, Horizons Community UMC in Lincoln, Neb., adopted Epworth Village as a result of the Epworth Partners program. The boys in Epworth's Residential Program and Foster Care Program were invited to describe the new shoes they would like to have, the style, color and size.
On Friday, Feb. 21, John and Kristin VanMeter delivered the footwear to Epworth Village on behalf of Horizons UMC — cowboy boots, athletic shoes, dress shoes and more. Andy Marquart, director of youth and family services, is pictured accepting the shoes from the VanMeters.
Located in York, Neb., Epworth Village is a National Mission Institution of the United Methodist Church whose goal is to offer hope and healing to children and families. The Epworth Partners program is an opportunity for individuals and groups to develop a personal relationship with Epworth Village and ensure the future of this important ministry.
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United Methodists share experiences on Nigeria mission trip
Dorothy Halvorsen, Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership chairperson; the Rev. Jim Miller, pastor at Lincoln Christ UMC, in Lincoln, Neb.; and Kathryn Witte, Great Plains Conference communications director recently returned from a Nigeria mission trip. The trio’s trip was Feb. 6-18, and they would like to share their experience with all in the Great Plains Conference. You can view photos from the mission trip on the Great Plains Conference’s Facebook page, read Witte’s daily blog posts, and read Halvorsen’s thoughts.
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Bishop Jones headlines "A Breakfast Awakening"
On Feb. 13, more than 135 people attended United Methodist Ministries' annual gathering held at Omaha's Metropolitan Community College Culinary Arts Institute in Omaha, Neb. The morning's program included welcoming remarks by Nathan Morgan, executive director of United Methodist Ministries, an opening prayer offered by the Rev. Charlotte Abram and a keynote speech given by Bishop Scott J. Jones.
Morgan announced plans to deepen United Methodist Ministries' commitment to fighting hunger by developing 27 new community gardens in 2014. "Year-round mission opportunities will remain much the same, providing life-changing mission experiences for hundreds of young people who will have the opportunity to be in ministry with people in need and learn about systemic issues related to hunger and poverty," said Morgan.
Bishop Jones' keynote, “Transforming the World,” challenged those in attendance to work to build communities that will permanently change the world. Of Bishop Jones' address, Morgan said, "His message resonates with the work that United Methodist Ministries has been engaged in for nearly 50 years, and it inspires us to increase our efforts."
Guests at A Breakfast Awakening consisted of United Methodist church members as well as representatives from local non-profits and social service agencies. This included many partners of the Big Garden and Blue Flamingo. Guests were treated to Fair Trade coffee and chocolates from Equal Exchange and breakfast pastries catered by students of the Culinary Arts Institute.
Two guests were honored: Page Moore and Byron Bothwell of Hanscom Park UMC in Omaha. They were recognized for their numerous volunteer hours spent on behalf of United Methodist Ministries. Both have volunteered at the vast majority of UMM's Days of Service, working with youth in gardens, and have been instrumental in the installation of multiple Big Garden sites.
Sponsors of the event included: Associated Tax; Missouri River District United Methodist Women; First United Methodist Church, Omaha, Neb.; St. Luke United Methodist Church, Omaha, Neb.; Jim & Deb Suttle; the Rev. Scott & Marjorie Shreve; United Methodist Women, First UMC, Omaha, Neb.; Dr. Deb Romberger; Esther Hay; Sara & James Masters; the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede; Mary Spurgeon; Abbi Kleinschmidt; as well as an anonymous sponsor.
For more information about United Methodist Ministries, please contact info@bigmuddyumc.org or visit www.bigmuddyumc.org.
United Methodist Ministries is funded in part by Missouri River District Askings and Mission Share Dollars from the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church.
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Worship and prayer vigil to shine light on gun violence
In response to intolerable levels of gun violence in our communities, and in hopes of putting a stop to the senseless deaths of youth and children due to gun violence, Wichita Woodland UMC, in Wichita, Kan., is participating in a worship service and prayer vigil as part of the National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath weekend.
The service will be held at Woodland UMC, 1100 W. 15th Street, Wichita, Kan., on Sunday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall.
Places of worship across the nation are joining the Washington National Cathedral and Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, a coalition of 50 national denominations and faith-based organizations, to remember those who have lost their lives to gunfire, pray for those whose lives have been forever changed because of the loss of a loved one, and to continue the discussion on how communities of faith can work together to help reduce gun violence.
The Rev. Michelle Reed, pastor of Woodland UMC, has recently become a lead volunteer in the Kansas Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “This service is an opportunity for people with like minds to gather, to pray, to remember victims of gun violence, and to rely on our faith in God to lead us through these violent and sad times,” said Reed. “I hope that it will be a time to motivate Kansans to wake up and get active on behalf of our youth and children.”
As part of the service, there will be a display of empty shoes — one pair will represent one child or youth who has been killed as a result of gun violence since the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown. “At a time when Kansas is looking at further relaxing its gun laws through HB2453, it is good to pause for a moment and prayerfully reflect on the issue of gun violence and appropriate solutions,” said Kansas Chapter Leader, TerriLynn Miller.
Congregations can host a Sabbath in their local congregation using resources found here or at www.marchsabbath.org.
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Which of these do you think became a neighbor?
Editor's note: The following was submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains Conference peace with justice coordinator.
Jesus asked: “Which of these do you think became a neighbor to the man who was attacked by the robbers?” The man responded: “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him: “Go and do the same.”--Luke 10: 36 37
How do we become neighbors to our sisters and brothers near and far? What am I, what are we called to do to change the harsh reality of 16.1 million children living in poverty, including over seven million living in extreme poverty, in our nation with the world’s largest GDP?
As the Great Plains peace with justice coordinator my task is to share resources for education, interpretation and advocacy with church members to engage in peace with justice work. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of Justice.” In January I shared The Mustard Seed with you with ideas for peace making.
Today you will find the first issue of “Voices to the Capitol” in our new conference. This resource alternates between a major focus on peace/non-violence in one issue and hunger/food justice in the next. It includes an invitation to use the gift of our voices to speak out on these issues by contacting our representatives and senators in Washington, D.C. Christ calls us to help create God’s beloved community, a community with abundant life for everybody.
If you are interested in receiving this resource, please email me at amparet08@yahoo.com and put “Voices to the Capitol” in the subject line. It would also be nice if you could include which church you belong to so we can find out if we have people from all across our new conference. Some of you have been on the mailing list in the past. If you have not received the February issue on Saturday, Feb. 22, please also email me since I must not have your current email address. I received a few mail failure notices.
Together we can lift up our voices to praise God and to love our neighbors by working for God’s justice!
Shalom – Salaam – Peace, Andrea
Voices to the Capitol Feb. 2014
Photo: In October 2013, United Methodists Sandy Sypherd and Andrea Paret and others from Nebraska advocated for the need for compassionate immigration reform in the offices of our three representatives in Washington D.C.
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One-day Mission u in Blue River District
Centenary United Methodist Women are hosting a Blue River District one-day Mission u on Saturday, March 15, at Centenary UMC, 608 Elk St., Beatrice, NE.
Formerly called the School of Christian Mission, it is an opportunity to grow in understanding of the mission of the church in the current world context. The studies give particular attention to our responsibilities for fulfillment of the mission work of the church. Everyone is welcome to attend —women, men, youth, laity, clergy, UMW members and non-members. Child care will be provided at no cost upon request
The Rev. Stephen Griffith will lead The Call: Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly and the Rev. Lyn Seiser will lead The Roma of Europe.
Coffee and registration begin at 9:15 a.m. in the church dining room, basement level. Classes begin at 9:30 a.m., and the day will conclude with worship and communion about 2:45 p.m.
Pre-paid registrations are required by March 5. Lunch and snacks are included in the $5 registration fee. Other costs are covered by a 2013 grant from the Nebraska Conference United Methodist Women.
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United Methodist Open Door, Inc., looking for a development director
United Methodist Open Door, a basic needs public charity in Wichita, Kan., is seeking a full time development director. This position is responsible for establishing fundraising goals/plans, advising the development committee of the board of directors, annual campaign and other campaigns such as endowment, planned giving, etc., special events, capital campaign, donor development and record keeping. Candidate must have successful experience in fundraising. You can view a full job description here. Please send your resume to dsmith@umopendoor.org or P.O. Box 2756 Wichita, KS 67201. Please include salary needs. EOE.
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Administrative assistant position available
The Elkhorn Valley District of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference, officed in Norfolk, Neb., is looking for a full-time administrative assistant for district superintendent located in Norfolk, Neb. This position, starting April 1, 2014, must be able to work independently and confidentially; demonstrate computer/technology competency including word processing, data entry and social media; manage the district office; and have strong relational and communication skills. Compensation will be commensurate to the applicants’ experience and qualifications.
The complete job description is posted at www.elkhornvalleydistrict.org. Send a resume and cover letter to elkhornvalleydistrict@greatplainsumc.org. Applications will be accepted through March 12, 2014.
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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.
Want to submit a letter to the editor? Email Kathryn Witte at kwitte@greatplainsumc.org.
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