In this edition of GPconnect:ANNOUNCEMENTS
Retiree Recognition Dinner to be held at Annual Conference Session
Register now for Hispanic Ministry lunch — June 13
Zimbabwe part of celebration of mission partnerships
EQUIP DISCIPLES
Connectional Table online conferencing on human sexuality — April 29
Spark12 opens fellowship application for innovative ministry
Great Plains administrative services department update
Bishop Jones addresses Prairie Rivers District men in Palmer, Neb.
Madison UMC celebrates
Registration opens for Imagine What’s NEXT 2014
Huffington Post editor to discuss religion and internet at NWU lecture
Churches lead disciples on a journey
Newsletter links
MERCY AND JUSTICE
Disaster response: learn more about timing and ways of offering help
The great commission in the Great Plains: a mini mission trip
INM Wants You to “Cover the ‘Net” for World Malaria Day
Justice for at-risk students in Topeka
General Board of Church & Society decides on legislative priorities
Epworth Village staff builds relationships in juvenile services community
Epworth Village names employee of the quarter
Newsletters from our Mission Agency Support organizations
CLASSIFIEDS
Camp Horizon in need of golf cart and trailer
Communication specialist sought at Woodland UMC in Derby, Kan.
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Retiree Recognition Dinner to be held at Annual Conference Session
All are invited to the 2014 Retiree Recognition Dinner during the Great Plains Annual Conference Session. The dinner will be held on June 12, at 5:30 p.m., at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln, Neb. The cost is $18. You can register for the dinner on the Annual Conference Session registration form. Retired clergy registration fee for the Annual Conference Session is $30. Guests also may reserve dinner tickets online.
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Register now for Hispanic Ministry lunch — June 13
When you register for Annual Conference Session, you can sign up for the Great Plains Hispanic Ministry lunch scheduled for Friday, June 13, noon-2 p.m., at Saint Paul UMC in Lincoln, Neb.
William Sanchez, a Colombian born harp, bass and maracas musician who plays traditional western Venezuelan and eastern Colombian folk music, will share his gift. The Rev. Jorge Acevedo will be the speaker.
Contact Corey Daniel Godbey at cgodbey@greaplainsumc.org with any questions about registration or the program agenda. If you registered for Annual Conference already and need to change your registration to include the lunch, send an email to Dana Reinhardt at dreinhardt@greatplainsumc.org.
Download the flier for the event.
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Zimbabwe part of celebration of mission partnerships
Plans are developing to recognize and celebrate our Chabadza Covenant at the upcoming session of the Great Plains Annual Conference in Lincoln, Neb.
•A mission offering for our international mission partnerships at the opening worship service on Wed., June 11, at 1:30 pm. This will be divided among the three partnerships.
•A Zimbabwe mission partnership presentation is currently scheduled for Wed., June 11, between 4 and 5 p.m. During the 10-minute presentation the Rev. Mark Conard will invite all pastors and lay members of partner congregations to stand for a moment of recognition. Separately, anyone who has gone to Zimbabwe on a mission trip will also be recognized.
•A mission partnership buffet and celebration will be held on Thurs., June 12, at noon in the Embassy Suites. The cost is $12. Sign up for this event as part of your registration for Annual Conference Session. All three partnerships will be highlighted, along with a brief presentation by the Micah Corps.
•With the emphasis on international mission partnerships on Thurs., June 12, everyone is encouraged to wear whatever Zimbabwean attire that you might have. People with connections to the other partnerships (Nigeria and Haiti) are encouraged to do the same. If you need an attire for this special to reflect your support for our three partnerships, get in touch with Rev. Chali.
•A display booth about the Chabadza Partnership will be set up in the Lied Center. Please drop by.
We are sorting out the membership and function of the Chabadza Leadership Team. If you or someone you know might be interested in helping to plan, promote, and coordinate this partnership, contact the Rev. Kalaba Chali at kchali@greatplainsumc.org.
Mission trip to Zimbabwe with Bishop Scott Jones – Aug. 12-Aug. 24
Take part in the "Ebenezer Convention and Mission Trip" this coming August. This is an unparalleled opportunity to experience the richness, creativity, and diversity of the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. The group along with Bishop Scott Jones will leave Aug. 12 and arrive in Zimbabwe on Aug. 13. Following the three-day convention, participants will be able to work alongside our African sisters and brothers in building the church through mission projects organized by the host team leader Rev. Austern Chepiri. The team returns on Aug. 24. The cost of the trip per person traveling from Wichita, Kansas City, Omaha, Lincoln, or Denver is $3,196.
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Connectional Table online conferencing on human sexuality — April 29
Members of the Connectional Table will converge in Chicago, Ill., April 27-30 for the semi-annual meeting of the 59-member body, which is responsible for guiding the vision, missions and ministries of The United Methodist Church.
On Tues., April 29, from 9 – 11:15 am CDT, the Connectional Table will stream live online a conversation on human sexuality, our mission and United Methodist church law. The event will begin with Bible study led by Bishop James Dorff, followed by a panel of United Methodist leaders and theologians who will discuss how we witness to Christ’s love to the world in relationship to our doctrine.
The panel includes Bishop Daniel Arichea, Jr. (retired), Dr. Mark Teasdale of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Dr. Pamela Lightsey of Boston University School of Theology.
The event is the first in a series of three the Connectional Table will host over the next year to foster ongoing dialogue – both to provide an opportunity for Connectional Table members to listen and consider varying theological perspectives, as well as to create an ongoing conversation in the wider church.
“Unity is God's gift to the church. We participate in that unity when we listen well and speak wisely to one another. It is our prayer that the live-stream forum and conversation on April 29 will be a means of grace to us,” said Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, who chairs the Connectional Table’s Human Sexuality Task Force.
The Connectional Table invites anyone who is interested in the topic to participate online. Listeners can submit questions via Twitter by using the hashtag #CTtalks. Registration information is available here. For more information, contact the Connectional Table office at ConnectionalTable@UMC.org.
Photo: Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger with the Northern Illinois Conference speaks during the Fall 2013 meeting of the Connectional Table. A UMNS photo by Kathleen S. Barry.
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Spark12 opens fellowship application for innovative ministry
Spark12 provides funding, coaching and other support for young adult leaders and those working with young adults who have innovative ideas they believe will change the world. Applications for grants are accepted through May 4.
Spark12, supported by the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, is accepting applications from teams or individuals who want to bring their ideas to life.
“The world is constantly changing as are the needs of our neighbors. The church needs new ideas infused into its work to keep what we’re doing relevant and meaningful. There are young people today with innovative ideas that will transform our communities. Spark12 is designed to help support promising ideas and individuals as they bring innovative solutions to a world in need of transformation,” said the Rev. Trip Lowery, director of Young Adult Ministry Discernment and Enlistment at GBHEM who oversees Spark12.
Those selected as Spark12 fellows will receive funding, mentors with expertise in a related field, and a network of peers eager to perfect the work of the team. Spiritual formation coaches will help fellows remain grounded and oriented toward doing the most good.
As a Spark12 fellow, participants will be challenged to refine their vision, learn how to express their goals, and be networked with people/organizations that might be inclined to support an idea like theirs. Spark12 organizers believe the process will help participants be more successful than if they launched their ideas alone.
Finalists will be interviewed in June, and those that are selected as fellows will be invited to a retreat in Nashville in August for coaching and mentoring sessions.
For more information or to submit an application, visit the Spark12 website or contact Nicole Burdakin at nburdakin@gbhem.org. Burdakin is editorial and production assistant, Office of Interpretation, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
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Great Plains administrative services department update
The administrative services department of the Great Plains Conference has sent out their second newsletter. This month’s newsletter includes information the administrative department needs to share with persons in local churches, responses to questions that they have received and news of upcoming events. The administrative department staff hopes that you find it helpful in your work in your church and in its relationship with the Annual Conference.
Read the newsletter.
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Bishop Jones addresses Prairie Rivers District men in Palmer, Neb.
On March 24, 2014, 70 UMMen from 19 churches in the Prairie Rivers District met in Palmer, Neb., for their annual banquet and meeting.
Bishop Scott Jones was the keynote speaker. Jones’ message focused on participating in the Wesleyan Way by inviting non-believers and those not active to “come and see.” He gave some factors behind people’s lack of commitment to the church and described the Wesleyan Way: creation, sin, repentance, justification and sanctification. He showed a testimony from his new study and concluded with practical steps for United Methodist Men (UMMen) to build the kingdom.
The Rev. Martin Leeper; local president, Ted Rutten; and several other Palmer UMMen hosted the meeting. The Palmer UMC Praise Team sang and led singing. District president, Ed Dexter of Central City, Neb., led the business meeting during which officers were elected. The election results were: president – Dexte, vice president – Ed Felske of Grand Island, Neb., treasurer – Barry Marsh of Central City, Neb., secretary/communicator – Doug Kallesen of Columbus, Neb., and Scouting/youth coordinator – Don Russell of Sutton, Neb.
An offering of $646 was collected (including Palmer’s donation of meal proceeds) for division between the evening’s selected mission causes of Epworth Village in York, Neb., and Imagine No Malaria in Africa. The Rev. Lance Clay, Prairie Rivers District superintendent, gave a benediction and challenged the men to support their neighboring men’s groups.
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Madison UMC celebrates
The sunrise celebration of the Madison UMC, in Madison, Kan., on Easter Sunday, took on a new level of excitement as four youth were baptized in the Madison City Lake by Pastor Laura Burnett. A crowd of about 35 gathered in support of Jake, Blake, Kenny and Becca as they openly declared faith in Jesus Christ.
Following the baptism, everyone headed back to the church (some wrapped in blankets) to enjoy a hot breakfast and to welcome the four souls into the family of Christ.
All photos by Steve Burnett, Great Plains Disaster Response Team chair, and the regional disaster response coordinator for the east region
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Registration opens for Imagine What’s NEXT 2014
Editor’s note: the following was written by Nicole Burdakin, editorial and production assistant, Office of Interpretation, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
For college students, looking into the future can seem daunting or overwhelming. But what would happen if 600 Methodist college students gathered to listen to God’s call on their lives and to discern where God beckons them? What if vocation meant the creative arts, mission and service, theological education, and radical hospitality? What if you partnered with others to make a difference in the world now?
Imagine What’s NEXT is designed by and for students to facilitate this fertile ground for imaginative work, focused specifically on the spaces where church/world and present/future meet. Scheduled for Nov. 7-9, 2014, in Denver, Colo., the event is organized by a launch team of college students, campus ministers, and other creative disciples from across the United Methodist connection, and is sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Division of Higher Education.
General registration for NEXT opened on April 10 and closes on October 10, 2014. To sign up, visit the registration site. To apply as a speaker, complete the online application.
The speaker application, open until April 30, is for any student, campus minister or chaplain, or religious, nonprofit, or business leader who has a creative idea to share or a ministry or social entrepreneurial plan from which others can learn. Speakers and worship artists will be announced in July.
Read more about NEXT.
For more information or help completing your application, visit the NEXT 2014 website.
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Huffington Post editor to discuss religion and the internet at NWU lecture
Paul Raushenbush, executive religion editor of the Huffington Post, will present the Mattingly Visiting Scholar Lecture at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU), in Lincoln, Neb., on Thursday, May 1. Details about the event are available here.
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Churches lead disciples on a journey
If our purpose is making disciples, what does that mean? Bishop Jones answers that question in this video of his presentation "Building a Discipleship System" given as part of the Next Steps Academy. The bishop spoke at Calvary UMC in Wichita while groups gathered around the Great Plains Area watched the livestream. Time was allowed before and after the presentation for fellowship.
The final session of this year’s Next Steps Academy will be May 3 when the Rev. Kent Rogers will present on connecting with your community. The link for the livestream is www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream.
Photos: Lay and clergy participants at Calvary UMC with Bishop Jones
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Newsletter links
•General Board of Church & Society: Faith in Action – April 22
•Ministry Matters: Ministry Matters – April 22
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Disaster response: learn more about timing and ways of offering help
When do United Methodists get involved following a disaster? Are all disasters the same size and do we respond differently based on the magnitude of a disaster? Who helps, when do the help, and what type of help is needed? To learn about these answers and how you can be a part of a Christian Early Response Team, attend this one of these one-day UMCOR training classes.
The training in Ogallala, Neb., on May 3, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Ogallala First UMC (421 N. Spruce St.). Register here.
The training in Grand Island, Neb., on May 10, will also be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Grand Island Trinity UMC (511 N. Elm St.). Register here.
The cost for the disaster training is $25, which covers meal, training materials, t-shirt and ERT badge. Download a flier.
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The great commission in the Great Plains: a mini mission trip
In accordance with Matt. 28:18-20 and The Book of Discipline, two youth groups came together to embrace mission work, fellowship and fun. The youth group from Grace UMC in Topeka, Kan., joined the youth group from Clair Memorial in Omaha, Neb., to do mission work in Omaha. With the joining of the three former conferences, many locations that are new to many Great Plains Conference members. This was an excellent opportunity to take advantage of some of those locations.
Once the youth group from Grace UMC arrived, there was a meet and greet, followed by a Bible trivia session that included prizes. The next morning, youth and chaperons were in four teams and completed tasks that included room organizing, property clean up, closet clean out and a community garden clean and prep. After more games and a movie, the group had a structured time of reflection then lights out. While on the mission trip, the group was able to make time to go the Amazing Pizza Machine, a family fun center in Omaha, where all enjoyed food, fun and fellowship. Thanks to this mission trip the youth were able to gain mission work experience, forge new relationships and explore the Great Plains Conference.
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INM Wants You to “Cover the ‘Net” for World Malaria Day
As World Malaria Day approaches on Fri., April 25, Imagine No Malaria (IMN) is asking supporters to #CoverTheNet to raise awareness across social media networks about this killer disease that claims the life of a child every 60 seconds.
•Change your Facebook cover image using the one posted on IMN’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/imaginenomalaria. Like the page and check back during the week leading up to World Malaria Day for shareable videos and photo posts.
•#CoverTheNet with prayers for those at risk of death from malaria by posting a prayer on their Facebook wall on or leading up to April 25.
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Justice for at-risk students in Topeka
What does the Lord REQUIRE of you?
Editor’s note: The following was submitted by the Rev. Sarah Marsh, pastor at Tecumseh UMC in Topeka, Kan.
Four Topeka area United Methodist churches invite you to join them on April 29, as they work for justice in Topeka’s public schools. Asbury Mount Olive, Grace, Lowman and Tecumseh UMC are members of an ecumenical coalition of churches (Topeka Justice and Unity Ministry Project — JUMP) who plan to turn out 1,200 people at the Ramada Regency Ballroom on April 29, at 7 p.m., to urge the Topeka 501 school district to address the needs of the more the 5,000 at-risk elementary students in the district. Registration for the Nehemiah Action Assembly begins at 6:15 p.m.
Students considered at-risk (for academics, low socio-economic status, special needs or English language learning) are currently served by Student Intervention Teams (counselors, social workers and psychologists) with the capacity to serve roughly 600 students effectively. This is not nearly enough to ensure that every student has what they need to show up to school each day ready to learn. Research has shown that for at-risk students to meet and exceed academic standards, they need integrated supports in place which can help them move beyond academic and non-academic barriers to learning.
Communities in Schools (www.communitiesinschools.org) is a national, evidence-based crisis intervention program for at-risk students which is currently serving students at five Topeka schools. At the Nehemiah Action Assembly the school district will be asked to expand this program, bringing additional site coordinators to elementary schools with the greatest need.
Contact the Rev. Sarah Marsh, co-chair of JUMP’s education committee, for more information at 785-379-5005. Read more about JUMP at topekajump.weebly.com or about DART, the community organizing network of which JUMP is an affiliate, at thedartcenter.org.
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General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) decides on legislative priorities
Submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains
Conference peace with justice coordinator
Each year, the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) decides on legislative priorities to work on for the U.S. Congress. This year, priorities include several issues that have been in the headlines recently — immigration reform and health security. There are also holdovers from 2013, such as combating human trafficking and fully funding international family planning. The Rev. Cindy Karges and the Rev. Kurt Cooper from the Great Plains Conference serve on the board of directors of GBCS.
The complete list of priorities.
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Epworth Village staff builds relationships and connections in the juvenile services community
Epworth Village staff members have been working very hard to get the word out on the services Epworth offers for youth and families in Nebraska. Recently, Julie Clark, admissions and marketing coordinator, and Holly Fuhr, director of therapeutic services, attended the Heartland Juvenile Services Association’s Annual Conference. At this conference, Julie and Holly shared with other juvenile service providers and members of the juvenile justice system information on Epworth Village’s residential group homes, foster care services, in-home safety services, out-patient therapy services and the Epworth Village Learning Center. Staff members also shared similar information at the Lancaster County Juvenile Provider Forum and will be attending the Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association’s Annual Conference in Kearney, Neb., in the beginning of May.
Photo: (below, right) Julie Clark, admissions and marketing coordinator at Epworth Village, at a recently attended conference.
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Epworth Village names employee of the quarter
Recently the employee recognition committee at Epworth Village asked employees to vote for an employee who went above and beyond meeting their work expectations each and every day. This quarter, Don Rush who works in the maintenance department received the award. Don works very hard each day to complete work orders, help with various campus projects and assist in building and grounds upkeep. Don was honored in an award ceremony attended by the youth, employees and board members of Epworth Village. Those at Epworth Village feel truly blessed to have Don as a staff member. Please join them in congratulating Don.
Photo: (above, left) Patrick Garcia, president and CEO of Epworth VIllage and Don Rush, employee of the quarter.
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Newsletters from our Mission Agency Support organizations
•EmberHope: Faith Connection – April 2014
•Epworth Village: Partners
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Camp Horizon in need of golf cart and trailer
Camp Horizon, near Arkansas City, Kan., is looking for a gas powered golf cart and a trailer that is at least five feet by eight feet. If you know of any available, please contact Joel Wilke, camp director, at 620-442-5533 or joel.wilke@horizoncenter.org.
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Communication specialist sought at Woodland UMC in Derby, Kan.
Woodlawn UMC in Derby, Kan., is looking for a communications specialist, in a 19 hour/per week position. The communications specialist must possess strong attention to detail, ability to work independently as well as within a team and have the ability to use current design software (preferred: InDesign and Photoshop). College degree or equivalent experience in design, communications, marketing or related field is preferred, but not required. Can work remotely and at flexible times. Minimum of 10 consistent office hours, attendance at monthly evening meeting with volunteer team, and weekly staff meetings are required. This person will be responsible for all print and digital communication. This position will work closely with staff and volunteers to develop publications for internal and external communications.
Read full job description.
If you are interested, please send resume and cover letter to adambt@woodlawnumc.net
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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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