ANNOUNCEMENTS
Introducing Julie Kohr, new staff in the Great Plains Episcopal office
Nadia Bolz-Weber to be at College Hill UMC in Wichita
Great Plains Annual Conference Benefit Golf Tourney to be June 9
EQUIP DISCIPLES
Gateway District hosts Epiphany Dinner
Otterbein UMC experiences big move
Lenten resources at the Great Plains Resource Center
Compassionate people needed for response team
Upcoming opportunities for lay servant training
Boundary trainers requested
Could your church have developed WD-40®?
A lesson in embracing "Ebenezers"
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Great Plains Pastoral Leadership internships offer clergy experience
TiM blog offers associate pastor’s reflection on program
Saint Paul School of Theology announces full-ride scholarships
Courage and Renewal Retreat to be held in August
MERCY AND JUSTICE
Gun violence prevention event to be March 21 in Wichita
Kansas faith leaders plead for repeal of Death Penalty
Are we "tiptoeing around" our prophetic call?
OTHER NEWS
Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation announces February rates for Certificates of Participation
Newsletters
Classifieds
Press Clips
Introducing Julie Kohr, new staff in the Great Plains Episcopal office
Her responsibilities at First Church included working with the Membership, Evangelism and Pastoral Care teams. She enjoys working with volunteers and has been blessed by the relationships formed from working with a terrific group of volunteers at First UMC, Wichita.
Kohl and her husband Steve have been married 18 years. They do not have children but love to spoil their nieces and nephews. Steve currently works for Bombardier Learjet after working at Boeing for 25 years.
They love to travel and enjoy going on mission trips. A favorite vacation was going to Kodiak, Alaska, with Steve’s parents to visit relatives at the Munsey Bear Camp where they spent their days fishing, hiking or watching bears fish for salmon.
Julie can be reached at the Episcopal Office phone number 316-686-0600 or by email at officeadmin@greatplainsumc.org
Nadia Bolz-Weber to be at College Hill UMC in Wichita
In her bestselling book, “Pastrix, the Cranky, Beautiful, Faith of a Sinner and Saint,” she writes of resurrection, “It happens to all of us, God keeps reaching down into the dirt of humanity and resurrecting us from the graves we dig for ourselves through violence our lies, our selfishness, our arrogance, and our addictions. And God keeps loving us back to life, over and over.”
Check out the flier for ticket and contact information. This is going to be a great event.
Great Plains Annual Conference Benefit Golf Tourney to be June 9
Proceeds go to Clergy Emergency Fund
Laity and clergy, expert or novice, young and old golfers are invited to sign up for the Benefit Golf Tourney at Annual Conference.
Tee-off time is 7:30 a.m., on Tuesday, June 9, at the Arther B Sims Golf Course in Wichita, Kansas (10 minutes from the Century II where the Annual Conference Session is held). This tournament is in best ball scramble format which means each foursome of golfers hits their ball from the location of the best ball hit from the previous location.
There are some very unique rules to make it even more fun. View examples of rules. Additional examples will appear in future GPconnect articles.
This tournament is sponsored by the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness with support from St. Mark’s UMC, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Center was created to support pastors to be as healthy as possible. Through our work we have become intimately aware of the many very painful situations which, from time to time, occur for clergy and/or their families. The Center believes that the Clergy Emergency Fund (to assist clergy in these situations) is one of the most valuable front line resources that everyone in the annual conference, but especially clergy, can work to support.
Register by sending an email to integrity4u@comcast.net. Download a flier with more information.
Gateway District hosts Epiphany Dinner
Epiphany Dinner was held at the Classic Car Collection in Kearney, Nebraska, where Greg McCollough, Gateway District Administrative Assistant Peg McCollough’s husband, is director. Several people arrived in the afternoon to take in more than 200 cars on display, ranging from the early 1900’s to 1970’s and 1980’s muscle cars.
"Epiphany party is an important time for building and renewing relationships every year in the Gateway District," said Alan Davis, Gateway District superintendent. "It is our way of saying how grateful we are for the commitment and dedication of our pastors, and their desire to make disciples for Jesus Christ. We also use this time to say thank you to those special lay people in the district who have provided leadership beyond expectation, and to say thank you to everyone for understanding the importance and commitment of Mission Shares."
A catered dinner from Whitefoot Catering in Boelus, Nebraska, was enjoyed by all. Many pastors commented on how much they enjoyed the evening.
Otterbein UMC experiences big move
Otterbein UMC is having a community wide fund raiser in June to help raise funds, and every month the church members are turning in their change to Pop Ur Top for Otterbein. To date, the change offering has raised more than $2,500. Church members at Otterbein UMC are excited about what the future holds and looking to increase our visibility in our community.
Lenten resources at the Great Plains Resource Center
As we move into the season of Lent, instead of giving up something for Lent, consider adding some food for your soul and enrichment for your spiritual journey.
Adam Hamilton, writer and pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, has written many books and DVD study series that have become favorites of Bible study groups throughout Kansas and Nebraska. He has enhanced Christians knowledge of the Bible and deepen their spiritual walk with God. Following are some of Hamilton’s Lenten studies as well as his two newest studies. Please take a moment and read the review by one of our church Bible study leaders of “Making Sense of the Bible.”
“Final Words From the Cross,” “The Way” and “24 Hours” have remained the most used Bible studies in the Great Plains Resource Center. Visiting the Holy Land and the sites of Jesus miracles and reading first person stories of those who stood at the foot of the cross have given many Bible study groups new appreciation and knowledge of the land where Jesus lived and died and rose again. And Hamilton’s studies “Why-Making Sense of God’s Will” and “Forgiveness - Finding Peace Through Letting Go” have helped many Christians find comfort and answers when going through difficult times.
Hamilton’s two newest studies are “Revival-Faith As Wesley Lived It” and “Making Sense of the Bible.” “Revival …” follows the life and ministry of John Wesley through England and will call your heart and soul to a revival that our churches and world so desperately need. “Making Sense …” is a wonderful study about how the Bible came to be and how its words of wisdom are still relevant to our world today.
Steven Hershberger of Wichita West Heights UMC writes a wonderful review of the book and study. View the review.
If you have any questions about the availability of one of Adam Hamilton’s studies or would like to reserve one for your Bible study group, contact Diane Dunkerson at ddunkerson@greatplainsumc.org or800-435-6107. To see a complete listing of resources go to the online catalog at www.gpresourcecenter.org.
Response teams: responding to clergy sexual misconduct
Compassionate people needed for response team
The Great Plains Conference is forming a response team made up of compassionate lay people and clergy who are willing to help be part of the healing process within a congregation when there has been an allegation of clergy misconduct. Do you know someone who would be perfect for this? Maybe it is you. Two trainings for response team members have been scheduled Feb. 27, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Feb. 28, in Topeka, Kansas.
Additional information with a link to register can be found atgreatplainsumc.org/responseteam. Registration must be completed byFeb. 20. Please share this information with a friend.
Upcoming opportunities for lay servant training
Lay servant training through the South Central Jurisdiction
Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center will be opening registration soon for their Lay Servant Academy which is May 13-16. Make plans to attend now for both basic and advanced classes.
Lay Servants are to serve the local church or charge in any way in which their witness or leadership and service inspires the laity to deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship. This includes the interpretation of scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the church.
Lay Servants are leadership among the laity who desire to be better equipped for service. The basic course serves as a platform and the advanced courses build upon that. Courses offered are in a wide range of areas of the ministry of the church. Those who go through the basic course can be an asset to their local church. It is a great model of how God does not call the equipped, but equips the called.
Lay servant training to be in Hutchinson District next month
The Hutchinson District will have lay servant training on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, at the Heartland Center for Spirituality in Great Bend, Kansas. The classes will include a basic course for those who are beginners; Afire With God: Stewardship led by Lee Sankey; and Advanced Preaching led by the Rev. Jane Voelkel of Halstead, Kansas. Registration and information can be obtained by contacting Phyllis Stoppel at 620-345-8290 or stoppelphyllis@hotmail.com.
View flier for more information including schedule, course descriptions and registration form.
Other opportunities for lay servant training
BLUE RIVER DISTRICT: March 13-14 in Lincoln
Contact Mary Feit for more information:marykfeit@windstream.net
GATEWAY DISTRICT: March and October at Camp Comeca
Contact Ardith Davenport for more information:a.r.davenport@gmail.com
HAYS/DODGE CITY DISTRICTS: March 27- 28 at Camp Lakeside
Contact James Thompson for more information:jamiet@ruraltel.net.
PARSONS DISTRICT: March 13-14 in Parsons, Kansas
Click here or contact Pat McReynolds for more information: pemcreynolds@hotmail.com
For information on Great Plains Lay Servant ministry, visitwww.greatplainsumc.org/layservantministries
Boundary trainers requested
At least twenty people are needed to lead training across the conference for Boundary (sexual ethic) Training that is required of all clergy. Trainers can be lay members of churches or clergy. The only requirement is that you are comfortable teaching and that you will be willing to teach others. A training event for new trainers will be held March 3, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Find out more information at greatplainsumc.org/boundarytraining and onthis PDF. Registration must be completed by Feb. 20.
If you have questions, please contact Deanna Holland athollandfarms1@gmail.com or 402-228-0720 or the Rev. Nancy Lambert at nlambert@greatplainsumc.org or 402-464-5994, ext 126.
Could your church have developed WD-40®?
Lewis Center for Church Leadership sends out a regular “Update,” or report from the seminary’s director. The most recent “Update” features Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr.’s, report “Could your church have developed WD-40®?” In this report, Weems challenges the reader to think of the challenges and opportunities God has put in the reader’s context right now and think which one of those has the reader made 40 tires to address.
A Report from the Director
Could Your Church Have Developed WD-40®?
Think of the challenges and opportunities God has put in your context right now. Which one of those have you made 40 tries to address?
The church today requires innovation, not improvement. Making things better through improvements is always welcomed, but we are past the time when merely improving what we are already doing is sufficient to address the new cultural and social context in which the church finds itself. In a stable environment in which the church held sway as a cultural icon and enjoyed virtuallyuniversal deference, making incremental changes from one decade to the next and one generation to the next was sufficient. Updating the facilities, adding staff, introducing new programs, and making other changes to align with changing expectations and sensitivities made for continuity. Today the challenges go well beyond recruiting a few younger people for the choir or refurbishing the youth room.
A Report from the Director
Could Your Church Have Developed WD-40®?
Think of the challenges and opportunities God has put in your context right now. Which one of those have you made 40 tries to address?
The church today requires innovation, not improvement. Making things better through improvements is always welcomed, but we are past the time when merely improving what we are already doing is sufficient to address the new cultural and social context in which the church finds itself. In a stable environment in which the church held sway as a cultural icon and enjoyed virtuallyuniversal deference, making incremental changes from one decade to the next and one generation to the next was sufficient. Updating the facilities, adding staff, introducing new programs , and making other changes to align with changing expectations and sensitivities made for continuity. Today the challenges go well beyond recruiting a few younger people for the choir or refurbishing the youth room.
This is one reason that so many congregational leaders, lay and clergy, find that approaches that worked in the past no longer seem adequate to address the declining participation and influence of their churches. Most of the efforts of the past were based on the assumption that people valued what the church offered and, even if they did not participate, knew that they should. The changes of the past were never sufficient to reach a society that each day grows more indifferent or even hostile to institutional church life.
Technical changes of the past may still help with those remaining in the church, but a new type of thinking will be required to reach the increasing numbers of people outside the church who see no need for our church or any church. The spiritual hunger may be there, but most churches are no longer seen as the place to satisfy that hunger. To recognize this new reality is not to judge what worked in the past so much as it is to name a new context into which we have entered.
Often new efforts are implemented after a long process of developing the idea, perfecting it to deal with objections, discussing it generously, building support for the idea, and taking a series of votes in committees and councils to authorize the new worship service, or new campus, or new ministry. Only then is there implementation of a full-scale version of whatever the project is. It may succeed or it may fail. In either case, it has taken a great deal of time and consumed abundant energy that may have been needed elsewhere. The time required for this process means that few new initiatives can be attempted in any single year. In the meantime, even if the project is a success, the environment may have changed enough that you are addressing yesterday’s need.
The innovation of a fast-changing context calls for a more agile and less uptight approach to new things. This is where experiments by a few or trial periods of limited duration can help. An atmosphere in which there is more permission to try things and less fear of failure can set the stage for learning that is far faster and less costly than fully polished ideas. However, such innovation requires more than good ideas. The ideas must be targeted toward the fruitfulness the church is seeking. The only test of the effort will be whether it bears the fruit God led us to seek. God may reveal to us new fruit we should be pursuing, but no project cancontinue without a missional purpose and outcome.
This is where WD-40® comes in. This product has been a mainstay in industry andhomes for over 50 years. The “WD” stands for “water displacement.” In 1953 a small group of chemists at the RocketChemical Company in San Diego were attempting to perfect a formula to prevent corrosion by displacing water. The “40” in the name refers to the number of attempts they made before coming up with a formula that worked!
Now think about your church. Is there anything to which you are so committed that you have made 40 efforts to accomplish? Don’t we sometimes say, “We tried that once”? Think of the challenges and opportunities God has put in your context right now. Which one of those have you made 40 tries to address? So, maybe you tried the new service once, or tried to restart the youth group once, or tried to organize small groups once, or tried to reach people different from the makeup of the congregation once. If the ministry need is still there, what about one or two more tries, even if you cannot manage 40?
Lovett H. Weems, Jr.This is one reason that so many congregational leaders, lay and clergy, find that approaches that worked in the past no longer seem adequate to address the declining participation and influence of their churches. Most of the efforts of the past were based on the assumption that people valued what the church offered and, even if they did not participate, knew that they should. The changes of the past were never sufficient to reach a society that each day grows more indifferent or even hostile to institutional church life.
Technical changes of the past may still help with those remaining in the church, but a new type of thinking will be required to reach the increasing numbers of people outside the church who see no need for our church or any church. The spiritual hunger may be there, but most churches are no longer seen as the place to satisfy that hunger. To recognize this new reality is not to judge what worked in the past so much as it is to name a new context into which we have entered.
Often new efforts are implemented after a long process of developing the idea, perfecting it to deal with objections, discussing it generously, building support for the idea, and taking a series of votes in committees and councils to authorize the new worship service, or new campus, or new ministry. Only then is there implementation of a full-scale version of whatever the project is. It may succeed or it may fail. In either case, it has taken a great deal of time and consumed abundant energy that may have been needed elsewhere. The time required for this process means that few new initiatives can be attempted in any single year. In the meantime, even if the project is a success, the environment may have changed enough that you are addressing yesterday’s need.
The innovation of a fast-changing context calls for a more agile and less uptight approach to new things. This is where experiments by a few or trial periods of limited duration can help. An atmosphere in which there is more permission to try things and less fear of failure can set the stage for learning that is far faster and less costly than fully polished ideas. However, such innovation requires more than good ideas. The ideas must be targeted toward the fruitfulness the church is seeking. The only test of the effort will be whether it bears the fruit God led us to seek. God may reveal to us new fruit we should be pursuing, but no project can
This is where WD-40® comes in. This product has been a mainstay in industry and
Now think about your church. Is there anything to which you are so committed that you have made 40 efforts to accomplish? Don’t we sometimes say, “We tried that once”? Think of the challenges and opportunities God has put in your context right now. Which one of those have you made 40 tries to address? So, maybe you tried the new service once, or tried to restart the youth group once, or tried to organize small groups once, or tried to reach people different from the makeup of the congregation once. If the ministry need is still there, what about one or two more tries, even if you cannot manage 40?
This is one reason that so many congregational leaders, lay and clergy, find that approaches that worked in the past no longer seem adequate to address the declining participation and influence of their churches. Most of the efforts of the past were based on the assumption that people valued what the church offered and, even if they did not participate, knew that they should. The changes of the past were never sufficient to reach a society that each day grows more indifferent or even hostile to institutional church life.
Technical changes of the past may still help with those remaining in the church, but a new type of thinking will be required to reach the increasing numbers of people outside the church who see no need for our church or any church. The spiritual hunger may be there, but most churches are no longer seen as the place to satisfy that hunger. To recognize this new reality is not to judge what worked in the past so much as it is to name a new context into which we have entered.
Often new efforts are implemented after a long process of developing the idea, perfecting it to deal with objections, discussing it generously, building support for the idea, and taking a series of votes in committees and councils to authorize the new worship service, or new campus, or new ministry. Only then is there implementation of a full-scale version of whatever the project is. It may succeed or it may fail. In either case, it has taken a great deal of time and consumed abundant energy that may have been needed elsewhere. The time required for this process means that few new initiatives can be attempted in any single year. In the meantime, even if the project is a success, the environment may have changed enough that you are addressing yesterday’s need.
The innovation of a fast-changing context calls for a more agile and less uptight approach to new things. This is where experiments by a few or trial periods of limited duration can help. An atmosphere in which there is more permission to try things and less fear of failure can set the stage for learning that is far faster and less costly than fully polished ideas. However, such innovation requires more than good ideas. The ideas must be targeted toward the fruitfulness the church is seeking. The only test of the effort will be whether it bears the fruit God led us to seek. God may reveal to us new fruit we should be pursuing, but no project can continue without a missional purpose and outcome.
This is where WD-40® comes in. This product has been a mainstay in industry and homes for over 50 years. The “WD” stands for “water displacement.” In 1953 a small group of chemists at the RocketChemical Company in San Diego were attempting to perfect a formula to prevent corrosion by displacing water. The “40” in the name refers to the number of attempts they made before coming up with a formula that worked!
Now think about your church. Is there anything to which you are so committed that you have made 40 efforts to accomplish? Don’t we sometimes say, “We tried that once”? Think of the challenges and opportunities God has put in your context right now. Which one of those have you made 40 tries to address? So, maybe you tried the new service once, or tried to restart the youth group once, or tried to organize small groups once, or tried to reach people different from the makeup of the congregation once. If the ministry need is still there, what about one or two more tries, even if you cannot manage 40?
Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
A lesson in embracing "Ebenezers"
Great Plains retired clergy Mark Conard wrote a short column for the newspaper in Hutchinson, Kansas, about his experience at the Ebenezer Convention in Zimbabwe this past August.
The question was first raised several years ago. The church choir was rehearsing “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” The second stanza begins, “Here I raise mine Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come.” “What’s an Ebenezer?” the choir wanted to know, and I had to go look it up.
The answer is that an “Ebenezer” is a “stone of help,” marking how God has blessed our lives. It is referenced in I Samuel 7:12: “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’ ” (NRSV)
I tucked that information safely away to be used when needed. But my understanding was vastly expanded last August when I attended an “Ebenezer Convention” in the south central African country of Zimbabwe.
Great Plains Pastoral Leadership internships offer clergy experience
Is God calling you to work in a church? The Great Plains Conference wants to help you find out.
The Great Plains Conference is on the lookout for students 18-22 years old who want to spend their summer making a difference and exploring their options for the future. If you believe God is working to transform the world, if you think the local church might have something important to do with it and if you are ready to get up-close and personal with real ministry, apply today one of three spots in the Pastoral Internship Program.
Pastoral interns in the Great Plains Conference will serve for 10 weeks in a local church, experiencing the great diversity, challenge and satisfaction of being a pastor. Guided by a mentor pastor, interns will participate in all aspects of congregational life, shadowing, observing, learning, trying and exploring ministry.
Congregations will be carefully chosen to be places who welcome the energy of young leadership and who are interested in teaching and nurturing those exploring a call to ministry. Housing will be provided for interns along with a $3,000 stipend for 10 weeks of full time work.
There is no better way to find out if God is calling you to pastoral ministry than to give it a try. Without a doubt your faith will grow, you will meet amazing people, you will be challenged and it will be fun.
Get more information and application by March 8. If you have any questions, contact the Rev. Ashlee Alley, clergy recruitment and development coordinator, at aalley@greatplainsumc.org.
TiM blog offers associate pastor’s reflection on program
The Transition into Ministry (TiM) Program is designed to assist young pastors in making the transition from seminary to effective full-time pastoral leadership. The TiM associates offer weekly blogs sharing their experiences.
This week, Pastor Aaron Duell, currently serving as a TIM associate pastor at First UMC in Columbus, Nebraska, shares her thoughts in “Interpersonal Relationships and Ministry.” Read Duell’s blog.
Past articles authored by TiM pastors can be viewed on the Great Plains website. Learn more about the TiM Program.
Saint Paul School of Theology announces full-ride scholarships
This week Saint Paul School of Theology announced four full-ride scholarships to seminary students commencing study in the fall of 2015. The awards will be granted to two students in the Fellows program at each Saint Paul campus (Leawood, Kansas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) and will cover tuition, books and fees for three years. Through the three-year Fellows program at Church of the Resurrection (COR), in Leawood, Kansas, students will serve on Saint Paul’s team, learning from the school’s lead staff and exploring nearly every dimension of COR's ministry. They will graduate with experiences and tools few seminary students have when beginning their full-time ministry.
The application deadline for prospective students interested in the Saint Paul Fellows at Church of the Resurrection or the Saint Paul Fellows at Oklahoma City University-Oklahoma Conference is March 15, 2015. A total of eight finalists will be invited for on-site interviews in March and Saint Paul will announce scholarship recipients on April 15, 2015. If you know someone who might be interested, please share the Fellows page on Saint Paul’s website with them.
Courage and Renewal Retreat to be held in August
Center for Courage and Renewal is hosting its third annual Habits of the Heart for Healthy Congregations: Risking the Call to Belong. This year’s retreat will be held Aug. 3-6, near Chicago, Illinois, and will bring together the gifts of Parker J. Palmer with the insights of up to 100 clergy and faith leaders from around the globe.
Attendees of the retreat will experience large group sessions, a presentation from Parker as well as interaction time with Parker, small group Circle of Trust® approach and time for personal retreat, rest and renewal.
Register here or view more information about cost, lodging and travel. Discounts for individual early bird registration and group registrations of four or more people are available.
Gun violence prevention event to be March 21 in Wichita
The Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice present Envisioning a Future Without Gun Violence featuring the Rev. James Atwood, author ofAmerica and Its Guns: A Theological Expose.
Envisioning a Future Without Gun Violence will be held Saturday, March 21, at Woodland UMC, 1100 W. 15th St. (next to Marshall Middle School), in Wichita Kansas, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coffee, lunch and snacks will be provided.
The Rev. James Atwood has been working to prevent gun violence for 40 years – since an afternoon in 1975 when he rushed to the bedside of a member of his congregation, who lay dying. The man had been shot by a teenager who picked up a gun from his buddy at a bowling alley, then went in search of money.
A gun owner and deer hunter for more than 55 years, as well as a member of the National Rifle Association, the Rev. Atwood nevertheless is convinced that Americans must address this public health crisis.
Kansas faith leaders plead for repeal of Death Penalty
From the Topeka Capital-Journal:
Leaders of Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, Episcopal and United Methodist denominations converged at the Statehouse yesterday to offer religious, financial and moral arguments for abolition of capital punishment in Kansas.
The faith group acknowledged strong convictions and deep passions raised by political consideration of the death penalty as well as suffering of families made victims by heinous crimes, but they also put forth the proposition that state-sanctioned execution conflicted with God’s message of forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation.
...
The Rev. Kay Scarborough, Topeka district superintendent with the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church, said citizens of Kansas were diminished when the state punished people by execution.
“It denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings,” she said. “We believe all human life is sacred, created by God, and, therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable.”
Though the death penalty remains a point of debate, there has been a growing consensus among faith traditions in favor of ending capital punishment. Years of theological discourse, coupled with problems and injustices persistently plaguing capital punishment that have received increased attention, have resulted in more people of faith calling for repeal of the death penalty in Kansas and nationally.
The Rev. Kay Scarbrough spoke at the event, encouraging Christians to pray for wisdom and courage for our legislators to make these difficult decisions and lead our state, and to pray for peace and healing for all those involved in violent incidents. Scarbrough referred to the United Methodist social principles on the death penalty and restorative justice.
Download a flier that answers six questions about the death penalty.
Download a bulletin insert on the social principle on the death penalty.
More news stories on yesterday’s event
Religious leaders demand Kansas leaders abolish the death penalty – KSNT.com [includes video]
Faith Leaders Rally To Repeal Death Penalty – WIBW.com[includes video]
Bills currently in committee
Kansas House Bill No. 2057: Amending procedure for review and appeal of death sentence; restricting second or successive motions attacking sentence filed by prisoners; providing additional procedures for motions attacking sentence filed by prisoners under death sentence.
Kansas House Bill No. 2129: Abolishing the death penalty and creating the crime of aggravated murder.
The Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty is a not-for-profit corporation organized for the purpose of promoting public education about capital punishment and disseminating information about the death penalty and the effects of executions. Rev. Dennis Paschke, senior pastor at Holton UMC, serves on the KCADP board of directors.
Photography provided courtesy of the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
Are we "tiptoeing around" our prophetic call?
Editor’s note: the following was submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains Conference Peace with Justice coordinator.
What is our call as Christians, as United Methodists, what is the call for our churches? How can we be prophetic? How can we share God’s unmeasurable love in our neighborhoods and communities, in our country and worldwide by working against injustices that impact so many of our sisters and brothers?
Sheron C. Patterson, communications director for the North Texas Conference, reports about the Convocation for Pastors of Black Churches in Atlanta, Georgia, in January. Bishop Julius C. Trimble of the Iowa Conference told the pastors during closing worship to go home on fire. “Trust God when the air is rough and the enemy is real,” he said. “Eric Garner’s cry of `I can’t breathe,’ is a collective cry of a people.” “But I can’t breathe when our churches are secret societies instead of saving stations. I can’t breathe when we are tip toeing around our prophetic call,” Trimble said.
Last week, many United Methodists across the United States joined in a phone conversation about the recently released movie “Selma” and how we need to continue to work for racial justice as the body of Christ. One of the participants on the call had been part of the civil rights movement and had marched in Selma. She commented that “history has not changed substantially since that time.” “We have so much longer to go to build Dr. King’s beloved community,” was another comment. And yet there are many who are not aware of the institutional racism that is part of our country. Resources and ideas were shared for local churches to become active in this area.
We are called to be prophetic – but not in the sense of foretelling the future. The Rev. Adam Hamilton writes about the prophets in biblical times: “The prophets were the spiritual and ethical conscience of the nation.” (Making Sense of the Bible, p.28.) What is one step in your own life you can take and what steps can your congregation take to become more prophetic?
Marchers carrying banner lead the way as 15,000 parade in Harlem, 1965.
Black church pastors told to move beyond safe, demure
By Sheron C. Patterson
ATLANTA, Ga. (UMNS)
The Rev. Vance P. Ross called on more than 450 pastors of black churches to “move beyond a safe and demure gospel to a saved and dynamic gospel.”
Ross was the opening speaker at the Convocation for Pastors of Black Churches in Atlanta, Georgia, in early January.
“We need fire because only Holy Spirit energy moves us to make love live as justice. We need to be ‘in-spirited’ so that we will move beyond a safe and demure gospel to a saved and dynamic gospel, one that takes real risks for the reign of God,” he said.
Ross, pastor of Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, has been the convener of the convocation since it started in 1999.
“The convocation mission is to offer inspiration, information and encouragement to pastors of black churches and those who support them," he said. “It is structured to address the current, felt and expressed ministerial issues confronted by attendees. It sets an environment that encourages dialogue so that registrants share ideas, passions, principles and hurts. It builds a community that makes Wesleyan connection a reality across lines of geography and congregational size.”
The Rev. Cynthia Smart, pastor of Mason Memorial Community Church in Kansas City, said she attends get new ideas of how to do ministry more effectively and to connect with colleagues who serve in different ministry contexts.
“Each time I attended it provided me with a safe place to be vulnerable before God, and listen to God speak to me. . . . I do believe if I had not been attending this conference throughout these past eight years I would not be in ministry in a local church today,” she said.
Focus on social justice
Social justice was the focus of a plenary centered on Ferguson, Missouri. The Rev. Pamela Lightsey, professor and associate dean at Boston School of Theology, and the Rev. F. Willis Johnson, pastor of Wellspring United Methodist Church, the denomination’s only presence in Ferguson, are both involved in front line ministry there.
They presented compelling and intense accounts of their involvement with Ferguson residents, the police and the denomination. In response, the pastors often jumped to their feet with cheers of support and “Amens.”
“Our workshop focused on highlighting the social inequalities and theological considerations surrounding the fatal shooting of an African American male by a white police officer in Ferguson and subsequent events,” Johnson said.
Johnson also urged other clergy to get involved in their communities.
Bishop Julius C. Trimble of the Iowa Conference told the pastors during closing worship to go home on fire.
“Trust God when the air is rough and the enemy is real,” he said. “Eric Garner’s cry of `I can’t breathe,’ is a collective cry of a people.”
“But I can’t breathe when our churches are secret societies instead of saving stations. I can’t breathe when we are tip toeing around our prophetic call,” Trimble said.
Patterson is communications director for the North Texas Conference.
News media contact: Vicki Brown, news editor, newsdesk@umcom.org or 615-742-5469.
Photo: Bishop Trimble from the Iowa Conference
Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation announces February rates for Certificates of Participation
The Certificate of Participation Fund provides an investment alternative for those who are seeking the security of a fixed income type vehicle at competitive rates. It is an excellent option for investors who like to invest in certificate of deposits or money market funds. These certificates have been registered with the State of Kansas Securities Commission. For February the rate for 12 month term is 0.80% and the rate for 24 month term is 1.10%.
The Certificate of Participation Fund is the funding source of our Church Development Loan Program by providing loans to United Methodist Churches and Institutions throughout the state of Kansas to purchase real estate, purchase buildings for New Church starts, renovate existing buildings, operating needs and re-financing existing indebtedness.
Investing in the Foundation's Certificate of Participation Fund is available to residents of Kansas as well as Kansas United Methodist churches and institutions who value the concept of helping grow the United Methodist churches throughout the state while earning exceptional rates.
$1,000 minimum investment - 12 month term or 24 month term
Simple Application Process - must obtain an Offering Circular
Interest is reinvested semi-annually or paid semi-annually or paid quarterly
No fixed rate is possible and there is no minimum rate of interest
If you are interested in investing in a Certificate of Participation, please contact the Foundation’s office at 888.453.8405 or online atwww.kaumf.org for the current interest rates, updated application and Offering Circular.
Newsletters
Discipleship Ministries: 5 ways you can better equip Vital Congregations
General Board of Church and Society: Faith in Action
Lewis Center for Church Leaders: Leading Ideas, Feb. 11, 2015
Ministry Matters: Jan. 10, 2105
UMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
UM Committee on Relief: UMCOR Hotline
UM Communications: Imagine No Malaria resources
Classifieds
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries seeks executive director
Director of preschool and Children's Day Out sought at St. Paul UMC
West Virginia Wesleyan College seeks chaplain and director of religious and spiritual life
"Power Surge" books needed
View these and other classifieds at greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
Press Clips
Congregations across the Great Plains Conference are making the news in their local newspapers. View our newspaper clipping reports to see if there are stories, ideas and ministry happenings you can learn from to use in your own congregation. Press clips can be found at greatplainsumc.org/inthenews. You can see education partnership ideas at greatplainsumc.org/education.
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.
To submit a letter to the editor, send it to info@greatplainsumc.org.
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
____________________________
Technical changes of the past may still help with those remaining in the church, but a new type of thinking will be required to reach the increasing numbers of people outside the church who see no need for our church or any church. The spiritual hunger may be there, but most churches are no longer seen as the place to satisfy that hunger. To recognize this new reality is not to judge what worked in the past so much as it is to name a new context into which we have entered.
Often new efforts are implemented after a long process of developing the idea, perfecting it to deal with objections, discussing it generously, building support for the idea, and taking a series of votes in committees and councils to authorize the new worship service, or new campus, or new ministry. Only then is there implementation of a full-scale version of whatever the project is. It may succeed or it may fail. In either case, it has taken a great deal of time and consumed abundant energy that may have been needed elsewhere. The time required for this process means that few new initiatives can be attempted in any single year. In the meantime, even if the project is a success, the environment may have changed enough that you are addressing yesterday’s need.
The innovation of a fast-changing context calls for a more agile and less uptight approach to new things. This is where experiments by a few or trial periods of limited duration can help. An atmosphere in which there is more permission to try things and less fear of failure can set the stage for learning that is far faster and less costly than fully polished ideas. However, such innovation requires more than good ideas. The ideas must be targeted toward the fruitfulness the church is seeking. The only test of the effort will be whether it bears the fruit God led us to seek. God may reveal to us new fruit we should be pursuing, but no project can continue without a missional purpose and outcome.
This is where WD-40® comes in. This product has been a mainstay in industry and homes for over 50 years. The “WD” stands for “water displacement.” In 1953 a small group of chemists at the RocketChemical Company in San Diego were attempting to perfect a formula to prevent corrosion by displacing water. The “40” in the name refers to the number of attempts they made before coming up with a formula that worked!
Now think about your church. Is there anything to which you are so committed that you have made 40 efforts to accomplish? Don’t we sometimes say, “We tried that once”? Think of the challenges and opportunities God has put in your context right now. Which one of those have you made 40 tries to address? So, maybe you tried the new service once, or tried to restart the youth group once, or tried to organize small groups once, or tried to reach people different from the makeup of the congregation once. If the ministry need is still there, what about one or two more tries, even if you cannot manage 40?
Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
A lesson in embracing "Ebenezers"
The question was first raised several years ago. The church choir was rehearsing “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” The second stanza begins, “Here I raise mine Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come.” “What’s an Ebenezer?” the choir wanted to know, and I had to go look it up.
The answer is that an “Ebenezer” is a “stone of help,” marking how God has blessed our lives. It is referenced in I Samuel 7:12: “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’ ” (NRSV)
I tucked that information safely away to be used when needed. But my understanding was vastly expanded last August when I attended an “Ebenezer Convention” in the south central African country of Zimbabwe.
A lesson in embracing 'Ebenezers' by Mark Conard
The question was first raised several years ago. The church choir was rehearsing “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” The second stanza begins, “Here I raise mine Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come.” “What’s an Ebenezer?,” the choir wanted to know, and I had to go look it up.
The answer is that an “Ebenezer” is a “stone of help,” marking how God has blessed our lives. It is referenced in I Samuel 7:12: “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’ ” (NRSV)
I tucked that information safely away to be used when needed. But my understanding was vastly expanded last August when I attended an “Ebenezer Convention” in the south central African country of Zimbabwe.
I was familiar with conventions in the United States, but this was not that kind of gathering. Instead, it was what we would call a “revival” or “camp meeting.”
It consisted of a weekend gathering of United Methodists from across Zimbabwe (and around the world). It was held at the National Sports Stadium in the capital city of Harare. It lasted from Friday morning until Sunday.
The attendance was phenomenal, by American standards. There were probably 10,000 people or so at the beginning on Friday morning, Aug. 15. That rose to 55,000 by Saturday afternoon, when attendance was at its peak.
The purpose was to celebrate what God has done and is doing in the lives of the people called United Methodists in Zimbabwe. It had grown from humble beginnings in 1897 to a church of well more than 100,000 – and still growing.
It began that Friday at 9 a.m. with a procession of clergy, many of them wearing pulpit robes. There were international guests, including several of us from Kansas. Most of the event was in Shona, but it wasn’t hard to tell what was being said, sung, heard or celebrated.
The event ran until 10:00 Friday evening, and it resumed on Saturday at 8 a.m. This time, it went until 8 a.m. Sunday. I had to bow out for a few hours of rest on Saturday evening, but I made it back for closing worship, which began about 6 a.m. The convention was filled with preaching and teaching, singing and praying, fasting and feasting.
People of faith in Zimbabwe do not have the comforts or conveniences that we enjoy in the United States. But they have the joy of the Lord in their hearts, on their faces, and in their voices. They rejoice in how much the Lord has helped them, and they anticipate God’s continuing guidance and grace on their ongoing journey.
My hope and prayer is that we – even in the “better part of Kansas” – might also have a sense of joy in the Lord, find ways to bless God for how far we have come along the way, and identify our own “Ebenezers” to commemorate what God has done, is doing, and will yet do.
Mark Conard is a retired United Methodist pastor.
See Mark's photos from Zimbabwe.Great Plains Pastoral Leadership internships offer clergy experience
Is God calling you to work in a church? The Great Plains Conference wants to help you find out.
The Great Plains Conference is on the lookout for students 18-22 years old who want to spend their summer making a difference and exploring their options for the future. If you believe God is working to transform the world, if you think the local church might have something important to do with it and if you are ready to get up-close and personal with real ministry, apply today one of three spots in the Pastoral Internship Program.
Pastoral interns in the Great Plains Conference will serve for 10 weeks in a local church, experiencing the great diversity, challenge and satisfaction of being a pastor. Guided by a mentor pastor, interns will participate in all aspects of congregational life, shadowing, observing, learning, trying and exploring ministry.
Congregations will be carefully chosen to be places who welcome the energy of young leadership and who are interested in teaching and nurturing those exploring a call to ministry. Housing will be provided for interns along with a $3,000 stipend for 10 weeks of full time work.
There is no better way to find out if God is calling you to pastoral ministry than to give it a try. Without a doubt your faith will grow, you will meet amazing people, you will be challenged and it will be fun.
Get more information and application by March 8. If you have any questions, contact the Rev. Ashlee Alley, clergy recruitment and development coordinator, at aalley@greatplainsumc.org.
TiM blog offers associate pastor’s reflection on program
The Transition into Ministry (TiM) Program is designed to assist young pastors in making the transition from seminary to effective full-time pastoral leadership. The TiM associates offer weekly blogs sharing their experiences.
This week, Pastor Aaron Duell, currently serving as a TIM associate pastor at First UMC in Columbus, Nebraska, shares her thoughts in “Interpersonal Relationships and Ministry.” Read Duell’s blog.
Past articles authored by TiM pastors can be viewed on the Great Plains website. Learn more about the TiM Program.
Saint Paul School of Theology announces full-ride scholarships
This week Saint Paul School of Theology announced four full-ride scholarships to seminary students commencing study in the fall of 2015. The awards will be granted to two students in the Fellows program at each Saint Paul campus (Leawood, Kansas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) and will cover tuition, books and fees for three years. Through the three-year Fellows program at Church of the Resurrection (COR), in Leawood, Kansas, students will serve on Saint Paul’s team, learning from the school’s lead staff and exploring nearly every dimension of COR's ministry. They will graduate with experiences and tools few seminary students have when beginning their full-time ministry.
The application deadline for prospective students interested in the Saint Paul Fellows at Church of the Resurrection or the Saint Paul Fellows at Oklahoma City University-Oklahoma Conference is March 15, 2015. A total of eight finalists will be invited for on-site interviews in March and Saint Paul will announce scholarship recipients on April 15, 2015. If you know someone who might be interested, please share the Fellows page on Saint Paul’s website with them.
Courage and Renewal Retreat to be held in August
Center for Courage and Renewal is hosting its third annual Habits of the Heart for Healthy Congregations: Risking the Call to Belong. This year’s retreat will be held Aug. 3-6, near Chicago, Illinois, and will bring together the gifts of Parker J. Palmer with the insights of up to 100 clergy and faith leaders from around the globe.
Attendees of the retreat will experience large group sessions, a presentation from Parker as well as interaction time with Parker, small group Circle of Trust® approach and time for personal retreat, rest and renewal.
Register here or view more information about cost, lodging and travel. Discounts for individual early bird registration and group registrations of four or more people are available.
Gun violence prevention event to be March 21 in Wichita
Envisioning a Future Without Gun Violence will be held Saturday, March 21, at Woodland UMC, 1100 W. 15th St. (next to Marshall Middle School), in Wichita Kansas, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coffee, lunch and snacks will be provided.
The Rev. James Atwood has been working to prevent gun violence for 40 years – since an afternoon in 1975 when he rushed to the bedside of a member of his congregation, who lay dying. The man had been shot by a teenager who picked up a gun from his buddy at a bowling alley, then went in search of money.
A gun owner and deer hunter for more than 55 years, as well as a member of the National Rifle Association, the Rev. Atwood nevertheless is convinced that Americans must address this public health crisis.
Kansas faith leaders plead for repeal of Death Penalty
Leaders of Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, Episcopal and United Methodist denominations converged at the Statehouse yesterday to offer religious, financial and moral arguments for abolition of capital punishment in Kansas.
The faith group acknowledged strong convictions and deep passions raised by political consideration of the death penalty as well as suffering of families made victims by heinous crimes, but they also put forth the proposition that state-sanctioned execution conflicted with God’s message of forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation.
...
The Rev. Kay Scarborough, Topeka district superintendent with the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church, said citizens of Kansas were diminished when the state punished people by execution.
“It denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings,” she said. “We believe all human life is sacred, created by God, and, therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable.”
Though the death penalty remains a point of debate, there has been a growing consensus among faith traditions in favor of ending capital punishment. Years of theological discourse, coupled with problems and injustices persistently plaguing capital punishment that have received increased attention, have resulted in more people of faith calling for repeal of the death penalty in Kansas and nationally.
The Rev. Kay Scarbrough spoke at the event, encouraging Christians to pray for wisdom and courage for our legislators to make these difficult decisions and lead our state, and to pray for peace and healing for all those involved in violent incidents. Scarbrough referred to the United Methodist social principles on the death penalty and restorative justice.
Download a flier that answers six questions about the death penalty.
Download a bulletin insert on the social principle on the death penalty.
More news stories on yesterday’s event
Religious leaders demand Kansas leaders abolish the death penalty – KSNT.com [includes video]
Faith Leaders Rally To Repeal Death Penalty – WIBW.com[includes video]
Bills currently in committee
Kansas House Bill No. 2057: Amending procedure for review and appeal of death sentence; restricting second or successive motions attacking sentence filed by prisoners; providing additional procedures for motions attacking sentence filed by prisoners under death sentence.
Kansas House Bill No. 2129: Abolishing the death penalty and creating the crime of aggravated murder.
The Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty is a not-for-profit corporation organized for the purpose of promoting public education about capital punishment and disseminating information about the death penalty and the effects of executions. Rev. Dennis Paschke, senior pastor at Holton UMC, serves on the KCADP board of directors.
Photography provided courtesy of the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
Are we "tiptoeing around" our prophetic call?
What is our call as Christians, as United Methodists, what is the call for our churches? How can we be prophetic? How can we share God’s unmeasurable love in our neighborhoods and communities, in our country and worldwide by working against injustices that impact so many of our sisters and brothers?
Sheron C. Patterson, communications director for the North Texas Conference, reports about the Convocation for Pastors of Black Churches in Atlanta, Georgia, in January. Bishop Julius C. Trimble of the Iowa Conference told the pastors during closing worship to go home on fire. “Trust God when the air is rough and the enemy is real,” he said. “Eric Garner’s cry of `I can’t breathe,’ is a collective cry of a people.” “But I can’t breathe when our churches are secret societies instead of saving stations. I can’t breathe when we are tip toeing around our prophetic call,” Trimble said.
Last week, many United Methodists across the United States joined in a phone conversation about the recently released movie “Selma” and how we need to continue to work for racial justice as the body of Christ. One of the participants on the call had been part of the civil rights movement and had marched in Selma. She commented that “history has not changed substantially since that time.” “We have so much longer to go to build Dr. King’s beloved community,” was another comment. And yet there are many who are not aware of the institutional racism that is part of our country. Resources and ideas were shared for local churches to become active in this area.
We are called to be prophetic – but not in the sense of foretelling the future. The Rev. Adam Hamilton writes about the prophets in biblical times: “The prophets were the spiritual and ethical conscience of the nation.” (Making Sense of the Bible, p.28.) What is one step in your own life you can take and what steps can your congregation take to become more prophetic?
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Conversations About Selma
Marchers carrying banner lead the way as 15,000 parade in Harlem, 1965.
A few weeks ago, Bill Mefford of the General Board of Church and Society gave out an interesting “assignment.” He asked United Methodists all over the country to arrange a group viewing of the movie Selma. Then, on February 2, he invited all those who had seen the movie to join a group phone call to discuss the issues raised by the film and how The United Methodist Church and its members can continue and expand the work for racial justice. The filmSelma chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965 when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition.
For over an hour, callers from across the country took part in a lively, and at times profoundly honest, discussion on the topics of race, racial justice, Selma, and what the church can do next. Representatives from various organizations of The United Methodist Church were also on hand, including Sophia Agtarap (United Methodist Communications), Kristin Kumpf (General Board of Church and Societies), and Barbara Michelman and Jeehye Pak from the General Commission on Religion and Race. The call was hosted and moderated by Bill Mefford, Director of Civil & Human Rights at the General Board of Church & Society.
Using their own words, the callers gave true insight into what they and other members are experiencing in terms of racial justice, what their concerns are, and what concrete steps they would like to see taken — and they themselves would like to take. The callers' voices acted as a clarion call for action – both big and small — against all racial injustice. Here is what some of the participants had to say.
In Their Own Words
One of the first callers to speak remembers the march to Selma personally. She herself had marched to Washington, D.C. to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech. The movie took her back to that time, and, sadly, she feels thathistory has “not changed substantially. As an African American, I often feel I am still treated the same way, if not as openly.”
Another caller, from Alabama, also left the movie with an ache. “I left disturbed; I have been to the Edmund Pettus Bridge ... we have so much longer to go to build Dr. King’s beloved community.”
The discussion soon turned to what could be done toward ending racial injustice. On a local level, one group is holding a seminar on the Charter for Racial Justice, with a number of conferences joining. Others called for a larger, national conversation headed by the church, while at the same time addressing national and local systemic racism.
Several participants addressed the institutionalized racism that those unaffected may not see. “A lot of the people in my local church don’t think there is a problem. Institutional racism – a lot of people in my church don’t see it. They don’t realize that other people have different experiences.” Those who are affected by current immigration laws are also impacted: ”There are challenges they face that others are not aware of,” said another caller.
Change on a local level was an ongoing topic during the call. One young woman from South Carolina spoke of the Confederate flag that is still flying at her state capital, and how after seeing the movie this really made an impact on her. Her taking action in her community would be one example of change on a local level.
Another caller spoke about a book club of African-American teenagers that went to see the movie on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and the discussion that followed. Her hope for change rests with younger people : “I want to focus on the generation coming up. And my emphasis with them is on the issue of voting.”
Local Action
Bill Mefford pointed out how local action was a major theme in Selma. The march, he said, “was the culmination of months and years of work on the local level. The then unsung heroes ... did the work of building the relationships, the coalitions.” We, too, must emphasize local outreach and action. “I believe the local church is the focus for transformation in the world,” he said.
The United Methodist Church is committed to making this transformation toward a more just society. One of its many resources is Rethink Church, a ministry of United Methodist Communications that supplies churches, conference and districts with tools to help them "think outside the box." Other United Methodist resources include the General Commission on Religion and Race, which is committed to attracting more diverse people to the Methodist faith, the General Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Women, and many more.
Bill Mefford and everyone who participated from The United Methodist Church are immensely grateful to the callers for the enlightening and thoughtful discussion. Concrete steps are already being taken as a result of this conversation. May the movement continue to grow.
Photo courtesy of Linda Furtado
“Trust God when the air is rough and the enemy is real,” Bishop Julius C. Timble of the Iowa Conference told pastors attending conference for pastors of black churches.Black church pastors told to move beyond safe, demure
By Sheron C. Patterson
ATLANTA, Ga. (UMNS)
The Rev. Vance P. Ross called on more than 450 pastors of black churches to “move beyond a safe and demure gospel to a saved and dynamic gospel.”
Ross was the opening speaker at the Convocation for Pastors of Black Churches in Atlanta, Georgia, in early January.
“We need fire because only Holy Spirit energy moves us to make love live as justice. We need to be ‘in-spirited’ so that we will move beyond a safe and demure gospel to a saved and dynamic gospel, one that takes real risks for the reign of God,” he said.
Ross, pastor of Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, has been the convener of the convocation since it started in 1999.
“The convocation mission is to offer inspiration, information and encouragement to pastors of black churches and those who support them," he said. “It is structured to address the current, felt and expressed ministerial issues confronted by attendees. It sets an environment that encourages dialogue so that registrants share ideas, passions, principles and hurts. It builds a community that makes Wesleyan connection a reality across lines of geography and congregational size.”
The Rev. Cynthia Smart, pastor of Mason Memorial Community Church in Kansas City, said she attends get new ideas of how to do ministry more effectively and to connect with colleagues who serve in different ministry contexts.
“Each time I attended it provided me with a safe place to be vulnerable before God, and listen to God speak to me. . . . I do believe if I had not been attending this conference throughout these past eight years I would not be in ministry in a local church today,” she said.
Focus on social justice
Social justice was the focus of a plenary centered on Ferguson, Missouri. The Rev. Pamela Lightsey, professor and associate dean at Boston School of Theology, and the Rev. F. Willis Johnson, pastor of Wellspring United Methodist Church, the denomination’s only presence in Ferguson, are both involved in front line ministry there.
They presented compelling and intense accounts of their involvement with Ferguson residents, the police and the denomination. In response, the pastors often jumped to their feet with cheers of support and “Amens.”
“Our workshop focused on highlighting the social inequalities and theological considerations surrounding the fatal shooting of an African American male by a white police officer in Ferguson and subsequent events,” Johnson said.
Johnson also urged other clergy to get involved in their communities.
Bishop Julius C. Trimble of the Iowa Conference told the pastors during closing worship to go home on fire.
“Trust God when the air is rough and the enemy is real,” he said. “Eric Garner’s cry of `I can’t breathe,’ is a collective cry of a people.”
“But I can’t breathe when our churches are secret societies instead of saving stations. I can’t breathe when we are tip toeing around our prophetic call,” Trimble said.
Patterson is communications director for the North Texas Conference.
News media contact: Vicki Brown, news editor, newsdesk@umcom.org or 615-742-5469.
Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation announces February rates for Certificates of Participation
The Certificate of Participation Fund is the funding source of our Church Development Loan Program by providing loans to United Methodist Churches and Institutions throughout the state of Kansas to purchase real estate, purchase buildings for New Church starts, renovate existing buildings, operating needs and re-financing existing indebtedness.
Investing in the Foundation's Certificate of Participation Fund is available to residents of Kansas as well as Kansas United Methodist churches and institutions who value the concept of helping grow the United Methodist churches throughout the state while earning exceptional rates.
$1,000 minimum investment - 12 month term or 24 month term
Simple Application Process - must obtain an Offering Circular
Interest is reinvested semi-annually or paid semi-annually or paid quarterly
No fixed rate is possible and there is no minimum rate of interest
If you are interested in investing in a Certificate of Participation, please contact the Foundation’s office at 888.453.8405 or online atwww.kaumf.org for the current interest rates, updated application and Offering Circular.
Newsletters
Discipleship Ministries: 5 ways you can better equip Vital Congregations
General Board of Church and Society: Faith in Action
Lewis Center for Church Leaders: Leading Ideas, Feb. 11, 2015
Ministry Matters: Jan. 10, 2105
UMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
UM Committee on Relief: UMCOR Hotline
UM Communications: Imagine No Malaria resources
Classifieds
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries seeks executive director
Director of preschool and Children's Day Out sought at St. Paul UMC
West Virginia Wesleyan College seeks chaplain and director of religious and spiritual life
"Power Surge" books needed
View these and other classifieds at greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
Press Clips
Congregations across the Great Plains Conference are making the news in their local newspapers. View our newspaper clipping reports to see if there are stories, ideas and ministry happenings you can learn from to use in your own congregation. Press clips can be found at greatplainsumc.org/inthenews. You can see education partnership ideas at greatplainsumc.org/education.
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.
To submit a letter to the editor, send it to info@greatplainsumc.org.
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
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