AC 2014 Daily
June 10, 2014
Welcome to Lincoln, Neb., and the first Great Plains United Methodist Conference Session!
The weather will be mild, but there may be some showers. We hope you enjoy the city and its amenities, while taking in the grand worship, productive business and timely learning of this conference session.
Each day there will be a special edition of "GPconnect." You can expect to receive GPconnect Daily today through Saturday. Below you can find information on what attendees can expect during AC 2014, along with announcements and featured stories.
Watch the live streaming of the session at www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream. See the official schedule to help make your viewing plains. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to view photos and stay current with everything AC 2014. Don't forget to use hashtag #GPUMC. Have a great week.
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) truck collecting donations
A semi-trailer will be available June 10-11 to accept UMCOR kits, cleaning buckets and donations. The truck will be located at 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, Neb., adjacent to the Lincoln Office of Great Plains United Methodists. The truck will be open Tuesday until 8 p.m., Wednesday from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., and Thursday from 7-10 a.m.
The best way to know how to assemble kits would be to go to www.midwestmissiondc.org and click on ‘Projects’ or ‘Kits.’ There you can see all the requirements for items.
Items currently needed include treadle sewing machines (MMDC has a repair shop to work on them), cloth diapers (MMDC has a pattern for making them), receiving blankets, hand towels and any of the UMCOR kits listed online — bedding kits, sewing kits, school kits, birthing kits, cleaning buckets, health kits and more. Individual/bulk items will be accepted in addition to complete kits.
If you have questions, contact Mary Ann Bede at stringbedes@windstream.net or 402-421-8264 or Pastor Alan Gager, conference secretary of global ministries, at agager@greatplainsumc.org.
Photo: Donations being collected Tuesday, June 10.
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Peace with Justice Sunday this Sunday
The Peace with Justice Pastor’s Kit is now available. By planning for an offering, your church is joining thousands of other ministries across the country in supporting Peace with Justice Sunday on June 15.
The customized downloadable kit provides worship resources, devotional, bulletin inserts, graphic images and more. From children’s sermons, news release templates to Facebook images, this one-stop tool kit will simplify your daily to-do list and enable you to share this giving opportunity visually, informatively and inspirationally.
Using these tools, it’s easy to explain, promote and inspire your congregation to donate to ministries within a ministry.
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Global Mission Fellow accepts two from Great Plains Conference
Two area young adults have been selected to attend Global Mission Fellows, a Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church program. The program offers young adults opportunities to engage in mission service, vocational discernment, cross-cultural engagement and leadership development.
Sarah Roemer, from First UMC in Emporia, Kan., and Maria Niechwiadowicz, from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Neb., will participate in The United Methodist Church’s Global Young People Convention – which coincides with the training this year. The two will participate as a non-voting delegate and will be commissioned to become a UMC missionary that will take place July 19, 2014, in Tagaytay, Phillippines.
Both Roemer and Niechwiadowicz are waiting for their placement locations with Global Mission Fellows. They ask for continued prayers throughout this process. To stay in contact with these women, please contact them at the following emails: marianiech@aol.com and sroemer04@gmail.com.
Read more about Roemer, Niechwiadowicz and the program.
Maria Niechwiadowicz (knee-shadow-witz)
was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD and recently graduated
from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE with a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in Religion. Throughout her college career she has been discerning a call to ministry, holding
positions within Children’s Ministry, High School Youth Ministry, and working in the University Ministries office on campus.
It was her semester abroad in India that opened her eyes to the world and its needs.
As a Global Mission Fellow, Maria is hoping to serve in children’s/youth education and the arts.
Sarah Roemer was born and raised in Emporia, KS and recently graduated with a B.S. in Rehabilitation from Emporia State
University. Sarah has spent the ast two years in college working
as a student associate for the United Methodist Campus Ministry, teaching middle school sunday school, chaperoning the local youth
group, and has served as a delegate to annual conference for several years. She is a former Global Justice Volunteer for the General Board of Global Ministries, serving in Tochigi, Japan and looks forward to continuing her journey into missions and
ministry by serving as a Global Missions Fellow for the next two
years.
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Both Maria and Sarah are patiently waiting for their placement locations with Global Mission Fellows. They ask for your
continued prayers throughout this process! To stay in contact
with these women, please contact them at the following emails: marianiech@aol.com sroemer04@gmail.com
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Hands on the Great Plains encouraged to be year-round
Transforming service to the world is one of the Great Plains Conference’s missional priorities. Engaging in service to the community demonstrates an interest in the people outside the church walls and conveys Christ’s love to all.
Congregations across the Great Plains Conference were encouraged to engage in hands-on mission in their communities between April 26 and May 18. The effort was kicked off on the weekend after Easter and ended with Change the World weekend.
Even though the official dates for Hands on the Great Plains have past, congregations across the Great Plains Conference are still encouraged to engage in hands-on mission in their communities.
Many felt the need to organize projects beyond May 18 at www.HandsOnTheGreatPlains.org. After all, engaging in community service is actually a year-round effort.
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Superhero inspires community outreach
On June 1, 2014, the Rev. Jeff Slater began a special sermon series that he hoped would be both spiritually rich and a lot of fun: Lessons from Smallville. As pastor for First UMC in Hutchinson, Kan., Slater wanted to connect with plans for a Smallville festival and share the gospel.
Slater had read in the Superman comics that Clark Kent was raised a Methodist in Kansas. He structured the sermon series to allow his congregation to “grow along with Superman,” starting the topic of dual identity and looking at Romans 7:13-21. The second sermon considered how Superman would go away by himself from time to time, to reconnect with his origins at his “fortress of solitude.” Connecting with Matthew 6, Slater looked at prayer and how we all benefit from time away to be with our Creator. Some of the kids are now wearing Superman shirts to church, and this past Sunday one even wore a cape.
The Hutchinson News noticed the sign announcing the sermon series and found it intriguing. See their story here. Slater said he hopes the sermon topics “will allow people who haven’t stepped foot in church for a while to feel comfortable enough to join back in.”
On June 21, 2013, Hutchinson proclaimed itself to be Smallville, the home of Clark Kent, for a day. This year Mayor Bob Bush declared Hutchinson as Smallville for four days, June 19-22, during which the Smallville festival will be held. Visit www.smallvillekansas.org for more information.
Slater said, “This isn't definite yet, but during the festival itself, we're hoping to hang a bright red cape on the side of our steeple to enrich the festival and to reach out at the same time. If we can pull it off, it should be quite visible” from the festival area.
With two more Sundays in the series to go, Slater’s congregation is on the edge of their seats to find out what’s next. Services at First United Methodist Church in downtown Hutchinson, Kan., are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. The second service is broadcast live at 11:05 a.m. on radio station KWBW (1450 AM, 98.5 FM).
Photo: Rev. Jeff Slater and the president of the First UMC youth group, Alexus Torres, display their superhero smiles. Photo contributed by Kim Peirce.
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Some people just can't call it quits
For most people, retirement means relaxation, a chance to travel or an opportunity to pick up a hobby. But for many clergy members, retirement means continuing their ministry in a slightly different way.
The Rev. Charlotte Abram officially retired in 2012. However, she has still been active and serving Tri-Community in Omaha, Neb. But now, the time has come for Abram to actually retire.
“Momma went ‘part-time in 2012, but has still been acting like she is ‘full time,’” Abram’s daughter, Noni Cambridge, said in an email. “This time, it is for real … we all hope.”
Read the full story on the Great Plains website.
For most people, retirement means relaxation, a chance to travel or an opportunity to pick up a hobby. But for many clergy members, retirement means continuing their ministry in a slightly different way.
The Rev. Charlotte Abram officially retired in 2012. However, she has still been active and serving Tri-Community in Omaha, Neb. But now, the time has come for Abram to actually retire.
“Momma went ‘part-time in 2012, but has still been acting like she is ‘full time,’” Abram’s daughter, Noni Cambridge, said in an email. “This time, it is for real … we all hope.”
On June 10, 1988, Abram became the first fully ordained black clergywoman in the former Nebraska Conference of The United Methodist Church.
“A lot of people said she couldn’t do it,” Cambridge said. “She is an overcomer. It just shows you what God can do in your life.”
Abram was born in Omaha in 1948. That is where she went to school and where she worshipped. Abram was always active in her churches and even held jobs at United Methodist Community Centers and daycares.
In her pastor’s profile, written in May of 2004, Abram described her call to ministry.
“I have been a child of God from my earliest recollections. As a young adult, I was a lay employee in my local church. It felt right and good. As I took on more roles and responsibility, people began to teasingly call me “pastor.” At the same time I felt God nudging me. God spoke again and again. I answered.”
In September of 1968, she married Terry Lee Abram. They had three children: Noni, Terra Lynn and Fredrick. In 1971, Abram received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Nebraska. But she didn’t go on to Saint Paul School of Theology until later.
As Abram wrote in her profile, she felt God nudging for a while before she acted on it. In the March/April 1999 edition of “Today’s Omaha Woman,” Abram said she resisted the call to ministry due to the baggage that would come with it. At the time, women had not been pastoring long and Abram said she ran from the call because she was scared.
“It’s not a call you answered [for women],” Abram said. “Usually, you’re going to be in for serious rejection and criticism.”
Until one day, she looked at the pulpit:
“[I heard] a voice – either external or internal, I couldn’t tell you – which said, ‘If you were a man you would be a minister by now,’” Abram said in her interview with “Today’s Omaha Woman.”
So Abram began attending Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo., with three young children at home.
According to Cambridge, Abram did everything she could to still be there for her children while attending seminary school. She would leave for Kansas early Tuesday morning and come back by Wednesday afternoon. Abram would stay for most of the day before leaving again on Thursday morning, but she would always be back in Omaha on Friday before her kids were out of school. Then, she had the weekend and Monday to spend with her family.
“Even through rain, thunderstorms, snow storms – she was always back on Friday,” Cambridge said. “She did more than her best. She wanted us to not miss out on her time. I appreciate her and love her for that.”
Cambridge added that her father and her grandmother – Abram’s mother – would take care of her and her sister and brother while Abram was away.
“I’m grateful to God for such a supportive family. I thank them for all their love and support. I especially thank my husband and three children who had to share so much of my time with others,” Abram said in an email.
In 1987, Abram was appointed to her first congregation – Union Memorial in Omaha. But even after becoming a full-fledged pastor, she was still met with resistance. In some places, she wasn’t allowed to preach at the pulpit.
“It doesn’t matter where I preach from,” Abram said. “I can preach in the streets.”
Union Memorial was Abram’s first cross-racial appointment – something she said she learned a lot from.
“It was a good time of growth,” Abram said. “They helped me grow [in inclusiveness] and I hope I helped them grow in that area.”
Abram added that she wanted to help Union Memorial realize their potential. At the time, the building they were worshipping in was more than 50 years old. Abram convinced the congregation to leave this building and follow her from location to location while the new church was being built.
She said she was thankful that she and the congregation could walk out of the old building together and that they trusted her.
“I don’t use the word ‘proud,’” Abram said. “It was amazing that God chose to work in and through me. I’m not confused about that.”
Since that first appointment, Abram has served at Union Memorial and Lefler; First Church; Pearl and Asbury; Pearl, Asbury and Trinity; and Tri-Community – all in Omaha. She has also served on the General Board of Church and Society, the Board of Christian Social Witness, the Board of Ordained Ministry, the Episcopacy Committee and on the Bishop’s Initiative on Children and Poverty.
Abram was also the head of the Nebraska Delegation to the General Conference, which, in 2003, passed petitions to delete portions of The Discipline that restricted full participation rights of homosexuals in the church.
She has also spoken and written columns in favor of equality – be it racial, gender or economic. She is also an advocate for children’s protection and rights.
“The assumptions we make based on how someone looks, dresses, talks, acts and walk shape how we treat each other,” Abram said.
She said that United Methodists do a lot to help those in need – especially children in poverty. But Abram added that people need to look at the issues, policies and systems in place and discuss changes that need to be made.
“Church is one place we should be able to talk about difficult problems,” Abram said. “We can leave still holding hands and not hating each other.”
In February of 2013, United Methodist Ministries held a breakfast fundraiser to alleviate poverty, hunger, violence and substance abuse. In her keynote speech, “Kick it up a notch,” Abram was quoted as saying:
“We kick it up a notch when we make conscious decisions to build a community in which people of all races, ages and various economic levels are treated as equals – a community that not only has compassion for the poor, but seeks to address the systemic issues which are root causes of that poverty – a community which moves beyond teaching tolerance to teaching cultural competency, practicing inclusiveness and respecting - and even embracing - each other’s differences.”
Through all the things Abram accomplished, she still remembers some of the women who inspired her to become a pastor.
“Seeing Carol Windrum, Nancy Phillips and Carol Roettmer-Brewer [preach] – I thought they were so brave to be a pastor,” Abram said. “They were the trailblazers for me and I was blessed to walk in their path.”
With her newfound free time, Abram said she wanted to spend time with her family but still wants to continue her ministry in other ways. Whether it’s helping a new pastor as a secretary or custodian, working with other clergywomen in their projects, working with the Autism Society or helping her family.
“I want to support my husband. He’s been such a support to me I want to support him,” Abram said.
In addition to traveling and learning her family’s genealogy, Abram added that she wants to write a cookbook with interwoven stories about her family, inspirational stories and stories on acceptance.
“She can’t ever stop – not ever,” Cambridge said. “It’s been a long road. Now it’s time for her to rest and relax.”
Photo: Charlotte Abram and family at the Omaha Tribute to Women in 2013.
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Spreading smiles through Vacation Bible School
Five young adults from the Great Plains Conference are spending their summer strengthening their walk with God as they disciple children through Vacation Bible School. This internship program through the Small Membership Church ministry has the team in churches across Kansas and Nebraska, in small towns and larger cities, for nine weeks.
The first VBS for the summer was held last week in Axtell, Kan. The congregation anticipated 35 children to participate but attracted 78, which was a pleasant surprise. One family who had not been to church previously, asked about worship times and planned to return.
See photos of the many smiles on the faces of the children who enjoyed the curriculum of Cokesbury’s Workshop of Wonders. (A video is available here but only for a few weeks.) While the interns sharpen their leadership skills and open congregations to current young adult culture, they spread their enthusiasm for serving the body of Christ.
Please pray for Anna Dixon from Kingman, Kan.; Felicia Edson from Fredonia, Kan.; Colin Eurit from Marion, Kan.; Phillip Friesen from Derby, Kan.; and Kristina Heinrich from Wilson, Kan. This week they are serving in Meade and Kalvesta, Kan., and they head to Chappell and Logepole, Neb., next week.
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Five ways you can better equip Vital Congregations
Every month the General Board of Discipleship offers just five ways you can better equip Vital Congregations and make disciples of Jesus Christ.
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=756434a4416d9bc710b1f7cfe&id=4fc20c8550&e=d10d564ba4
View the June issue.
Every month we send you just 5 ways you can better equip Vital Congregations and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Here’s this month’s issue!
Idea 1: Equip those inquiring about membership in the United Methodist Church. Give them a copy of Our Membership Vows in the United Methodist Church by Mark W. Stamm. This 28-page booklet provides solid information about the vows of membership. It is asset for anyone who works with adults seeking more information about the church. The booklet is provided through World Service offerings. Request free copies from GBOD’s Office of Communication by contacting Carolyn Dandridge at cdandridge@gbod.org.
Idea 2: Learn a kind and gentle way to restart dying churches. Mark Jobe, lead pastor at the non-denominational New Life Community Church in Chicago, has helped re-start more than 10 dying churches. Speaking recently to United Methodist congregational developers, Jobe shared stories about helping churches in decline by honoring their past, learning their history and offering a way forward toward vitality and new life. To learn more, read Restarting Sacred Spaces by Jobe at http://bit.ly/UfSnaq.
Idea 3: Do you hunger for deep spiritual experience? The Academy for Spiritual Formation, a ministry of The Upper Room, offers spiritual retreat, learning and growth for both clergy and lay persons committed to the church. The next academy begins July 21 in San Antonio, Texas. For more information, go to http://academy.upperroom.org.
Idea 4: Here’s help for establishing discipling systems in your congregation. A new book by Thomas R. Hawkins, Apprenticed to Jesus: Discipleship Practices for Growing Christians, is an excellent resource for small group leaders, pastors, Christian educators and other church leaders responsible for discipleship formation. The book motivates participants to reflect on their own discipleship in engaging and effective ways. It is available from the Upper Room Bookstore at http://bit.ly/1mXJYAq.
Idea 5: Looking for a way to support military chaplains and troops abroad? Join other generous donors whose gifts provide copies of The Upper Room daily devotional to both military and prison chaplains. Deployed troops have received the devotional since World War II. Today, about 45,000 copies of each issue are provided to chaplains. The Upper Room makes a difference to soldiers and prisoners who need daily encouragement and strength. For more information and to donate, go to http://bit.ly/Uf9vgG.
That’s all this month. 5 more ideas coming your way in July.
P.S. Seen Chuck Knows Church? Check out our latest online video series at: ChuckKnowsChurch.org.
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kwitte@greatplainsumc.org from this list.
Our mailing address is:
Global Board of Discipleship
1908 Grand Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee 37212
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Susanna Wesley UMC in Topeka, Kan., seeks office manager
Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church (SWUMC) in Topeka, Kan., is taking applications for a full-time church office manager. The office manager will be responsible to the pastor for administering the business affairs of SWUMC and working with church members, vendors, community and staff to achieve the objectives of SWUMC, Great Plains Conference and the United Methodist Church. SWUMC is an EOE (equal opportunity employer). If interested, view a complete job description and download an application. Please submit resume and application to junruh396@yahoo.com.
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Trinity UMC in Lincoln, Neb., seeks director of ministry to children, youth and their families
Trinity UMC in Lincoln, Neb., is a vibrant, growing and progressive faith community. Trinity is currently seeking a dynamic and visionary individual to fill a full-time director of ministry to children, youth and their families.
The director is responsible for nurturing age-appropriate Christian discipleship, engaging in relational ministry with neighborhood families and schools and providing a ministry of care for children, youth and their families. The director will develop and coordinate programming that includes Sunday school, vacation Bible school, midweek offerings, community outreach events and experiences, partnerships with neighborhood schools and collaboration with community service organizations that serve children, youth and their families. The director is responsible for recruiting, developing and nurturing a volunteer team of leaders that is instrumental in implementation of programming and in connecting others to the ministry. The director will supervise the coordinator of youth ministry in order to facilitate an integrated ministry for children, youth and their families.
View complete job description.
POSITION OPENING
Director of Ministry to
Children, Youth, and their Families
Trinity United Methodist Church is a vibrant, growing, and progressive faith community located at 56th
and Pine Lake Road in Lincoln, NE. We are currently seeking a dynamic and visionary individual to fill
a full-time position leading our ministry to children, youth, and their families.
The Director is responsible for nurturing age-appropriate Christian discipleship, engaging in relational
ministry with neighborhood families and schools, and providing a ministry of care for children, youth,
and their families. The Director will develop and coordinate programming that includes Sunday school,
Vacation Bible School, midweek offerings, community outreach events and experiences, partnerships
with neighborhood schools, and collaboration with community service organizations that serve children,
youth, and their families. The Director is responsible for recruiting, developing, and nurturing a volunteer
team of leaders that is instrumental in implementation of programming and in connecting others to the
ministry. The Director will supervise the coordinator of youth ministry in order to facilitate an integrated
ministry for children, youth, and their families.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A passion for ministry—to children, youth, and their families within the congregation and in the
- broader community
- Strong organizational skills
- Experience in program development: planning, promotion, recruitment/training of volunteers,
- implementation, and evaluation
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
- Highly developed listening skills
- The ability to develop personal connections and resources for referrals
- 3 to 5 years of experience working with elementary age children and their families
- A bachelor’s degree preferred
TO APPLY:
- Email the following materials to bette@trinitylincoln.org:
- Cover letter highlighting your qualifications for this position
- Resume
- Names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references
We will begin reviewing application materials in late June and will interview selected candidates in early
July. We anticipate an August 1 start date for this position.
If interested, email the following materials to bette@trinitylincoln.org:
•Cover letter highlighting your qualifications for this position
•Resume
•Names, email addresses and phone numbers of three professional references
Application will be reviewed in late June and will interview selected candidates in early July. An August 1 start date is anticipated.
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Youth directors needed at Aldersgate UMC in Lincoln, Neb.
Aldersgate UMC in Lincoln, Neb., is now accepting applications for two part-time youth directors (average 10-15 hours per month). Duties include planning and leading:
•Meetings (3-4), activities or events per month for 6th – 12th grade youth
•Weekly Sunday morning Christian education for youth of confirmation age to 12th grade.
Applicants must be at least 20 years old.
For more information or to request an application, please contact the Rev. Joseph Rafique by June 29, at aldersgatelinc@windstream.net or 402-489-1510.
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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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9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita, KS 67207 United States
(316)686-0600
Topeka Office:
4201 SW 15th Street
PO Box 4187
Topeka, KS 66604 United States
(785)272-9111
Wichita Office:
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Wichita, KS 67207 United States
(316)684-0266
Lincoln Office:
3333 Landmark Circle
Lincoln, NE 68504-4760 United States
(402)464-5994
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