- Download the printable version of the April 13, issue of GPconnect.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- ‘Road Trip’ Vacation Bible School curriculum available
- Hamilton to speak at First UMC Wichita; livestream option available
- The Big Garden gets new home as UM Ministries celebrates 50 years
- Mid-career clergy have opportunity for retreat in May
- GBHEM releases new candidacy guidebook
- Complete list of Orders & Fellowship resources now available
- Students urged to apply by May 1 for UM Men, Fleming scholarships
- Learn how to calm anxiety in Lay Servant training course
- ‘God's Presence in Sacred Space’ webinar set for May 12
- Teens get chance to learn more about faith at Chrysalis event
- Check out these ideas for churches, schools to work together
- Nigeria Partnership committee seeking members
- Peace With Justice Sunday is May 22
- Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light holds third annual conference
- UMW shares resources for being better stewards of Earth
- Free social media, website workshops offered day before annual conference
- Registration open for the 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference session
OTHER NEWS
- Norfolk walk-run to support United Methodist Men's missions
- Editorials & Blogs
- Newsletters
- Classifieds
- Press Clips
The VBS "Road Trip" curriculum is now available for all congregations! For only $50 you can download all materials – skits, crafts, recreation, country info, story time, music, posters and more!
The Road Trip curriculum was specifically written for the Great Plains Conference. It focuses on the journeys of Paul alongside our own mission partnership journeys as a conference with Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Haiti. Childrenand adult helpers will learn about Paul’s mission partners: Barnabas, Lydia, Silas, Priscilla and Aquila, and Timothy.
Join in faith forming fun with this journey through the stories of Paul and our mission partnerships. With daily themes of Work Together Bravely, Share Generously, Pray Constantly, Care Boldly and Welcome Gladly, children will experience God’s love for them with tangible, exciting lessons. Each day, your children will be challenged to see how they can live into their faith in God with loving actions, knowing that God walks the road with them as they head around the world and back home, where they know they can make a difference. In this Vacation Bible School, children will learn that when they start their faith journey with God, God is with them no matter what!
To preview or order the curriculum go to: http://www.greatplainsumc.org/VBS.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Micki McCorkle, mmccorkle@greatplainsumc.org, or phone: 316-210-3996.
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Hamilton to speak at First UMC Wichita; livestream option available
The Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, will speak on “Making Sense of the Bible” at7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita.
The evening will include an hour-long talk in which Hamilton will give an introduction to the Bible, what it is and what it is not, and then spend time walking through the topics that people most frequently ask questions about including: the Bible and Science, Violence in the Name of God, the Bible and Suffering, Who Goes to Hell in the Bible, the Bible and Sexuality, and the Bible and the End Times.
Following this there will be 20 minutes of Q&A. A reception will follow with an opportunity to have your book signed by Hamilton. A book store will be open before and after the event with several of Hamilton’s selections available to purchase.
This event is free and open to the public. Livestream will be available atlive.firstwichita.org.
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The Big Garden gets new home as UM Ministries celebrates 50 years
United Methodist Ministries kicked off a celebration of 50 years of ministry and its new home by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 8 at the new Big Garden headquarters. About 75 people attended the ribbon-cutting at 5602 Read St. in Omaha, Nebraska.
Nathan Morgan, executive director at the Big Garden, welcomed everyone and shared that with this new space UM Ministries hopes to “grow more food, teach more people and feed more people.”
Read the story about the event.
UM Ministries cuts ribbon to new space for The Big Garden
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/greatplainsumc/26309957531/in/album-72157666932353331" title="Big Garden ribbon cutting"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1500/26309957531_6e1250bbd0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Big Garden ribbon cutting"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
United Methodist Ministries kicked off a celebration of 50 years of ministry and its new home by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 8 at the new Big Garden headquarters.
About 75 people attended the ribbon-cutting at 5602 Read St. in Omaha, Nebraska. Nathan Morgan, executive director at the Big Garden, welcomed everyone and shared that with this new space UM Ministries hopes to “grow more food, teach more people and feed more people.”
Guests included former Sen. Lowen Kruse, a founding member of United Methodist Ministries; the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, former UM Ministries executive director and The Big Garden founder; Harriett Jane Olson, general secretary and CEO of United Methodist Women; James McKnight, a representative from U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford’s office; current board members and staff; and others.
Morgan was then joined by current board members and staff to cut the ribbon – with garden shears. After a prayer of dedication led by the Rev. Charlotte Abram, Morgan invited all to a celebration dinner at First United Methodist Church in Omaha. The dinner featured a locally sourced gourmet dinner, awards and recognitions, a choir and a keynote address by Olson.
“There is a standing invitation for you to come and get your hands dirty” Morgan said while concluding the ceremony at the new Big Garden location.
Before heading to the dinner, guests were invited to plant mint seeds in plant boxes.
The celebration continued into Saturday, when guests were treated to tours of the new location, local music, a blessing of seeds, workshops and a living history discussion of UM Ministries.
Contact Rachel Moser, communications coordinator, at rmoser@greatplainsumc.org.
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Mid-career clergy have opportunity for retreat in May
A retreat for mid-career clergy is scheduled for Monday-Thursday, May 2-5, at Pendle Hill in Wallingford, Pennsylvania.
Each season of ministry has its own rewards and challenges. By the time we are mid-career in our clergy careers, we are facing some questions, decisions and discernment that would have never occurred to us when we began our ministries. How we navigate and respond to this critical period of ministry has an impact on our personal, spiritual and ministerial lives. In this retreat, participants will engage in presentations, personal and small group reflections, and spiritual practices that will allow you to listen deeply to our own gathered wisdom and to the emerging imagination of your ministry so that you might discern next steps.
The cost is $500, including a single-occupancy room, board and materials for the retreat, subsidized by the Pastoral Excellence Network. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 15.
More information is available at http://www.cpx.cts.edu/network/events/2016/02/09/spiritual-and-leadership-renewal-for-mid-career-clergy.
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GBHEM releases new candidacy guidebook
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry released a new Candidacy Guidebook, “Answering the Call: Candidacy Guidebook” on April 12.
Designed for group candidacy mentoring, this resource provides a more robust discussion of United Methodist beliefs, and defines the sharp distinction between the discernment the application processes. It includes a guide to assist mentors as they lead discussions and prepare mentor reports.
The guidebook features two new chapters, “Health and Wholeness” and “Financial Literacy” to help candidates fully understand health considerations and educational expenses.
“Our hope with this new edition is that we have been responsive to conferences as they have developed a model for mentoring in candidacy groups as well as addressing some of the emerging needs of candidates regarding health and financial literacy,” said the Rev. Meg Lassiat, editor of “Answering the Call” and dDirector of candidacy, mentoring, and conference relations for the Division of Ordained Ministry at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Candidates and conference representatives can order the new guidebook through UMCARES. An electronic version of the guidebook also is available. Candidates who have begun using the 2009 Guidebook, “Fulfilling God’s Call” may complete that edition rather than changing books midstream. For additional information, please contact the Candidacy Office atcandidacy@gbhem.org.
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Complete list of Orders & Fellowship resources now available
All videos and photos from the Orders and Fellowship clergy meeting in February are now uploaded to the conference website and are available for viewing and to download. The meetings this year focused on creating a culture of call in our local churches.
You can view all resources at http://www.greatplainsumc.org/of2016.
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Students urged to apply by May 1 for UM Men, Fleming scholarships
The United Methodist Men is celebrating its 27th year of awarding scholarships to students who are pursuing degrees in Christian leadership and related fields. Deadlines are set for May 1 for three of the scholarships to be awarded during the annual conference session in June in Topeka, Kansas.
Application forms can be downloaded for the following financial aid awards:
Learn how to calm anxiety in Lay Servant training course
Learn how to be an agent of calm and clarity during anxious times by taking part in a Lay Servant training session July 8-9 in Grand Island, Nebraska.
The Rev. Bill Selby, creator of Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies, and the Rev. Kelly Karges, pastor of churches in Doniphan and Rosedale, will lead the class, which is titled “Dynamics – How to Be a Nonanxious Leader in Anxious Times.” The seminar empowers congregational members and leadership by offering a basic understanding of Systems as it applies to the congregation.
The focus is on influencing and enhancing the strengths of the congregation; addressing the natural reactivity, both positive and negative, that occurs in any family system; learning about systems thinking; the human brain; self-differentiation; leadership; and anxiety – what triggers it and how it spreads like a virus, as well as healthy characteristics of response.
This seminar is designed to empower each person to become a healthier leader in their home, personal life, and professional life.
The seminar is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. July 8 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 9 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 511 N. Elm St., in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Register by June 15 so the church can properly plan for the classroom, the snacks and the meal.
‘God's Presence in Sacred Space’ webinar set for May 12
“God’s Presence in Sacred Space” is the subject of a webinar presented by Upper Room eLearning from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12.
The presenter is Karla Kincannon, an artist, author, teacher, spiritual director and United Methodist minister who believes God’s gift of creativity is an essential tool for navigating the spiritual journey. She invites participants to be courageously creative as a way of knowing God, embodying God’s image and building God’s kingdom on earth.
The cost is $15, and a recorded version will be available.
To register, go to http://www.cvent.com/events/soulfeast-favorites/event-summary-7fe385cc3c5848d0829c380243a6ab7c.aspx.
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Teens get chance to learn more about faith at Chrysalis event
Youths ages 14-19 have an opportunity to find out more about how God’s grace is real in their lives by taking part in a Chrysalis gathering June 16-19at Camp Comeca, near Cozad, Nebraska.
The young people will take part in singing, learning times, worship and, of course, fun activities at the camp. This is a great way to worship God, learn more about your faith journey and make new friends, all at the same time.
For more information, contact Peggy Kennedy at 308-340-9309 or via email to pkennedy@gpcom.net.
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Check out these ideas for churches, schools to work together
As United Methodist churches, working with nearby schools can mean everything from reading with youngsters to constructing outdoor classrooms to preparing Thanksgiving dinners.
From our friends at the Holston Conference in Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia, here’s a top 10 list of how churches and schools can work together.
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Nigeria Partnership committee seeking members
Anyone interested in learning more about the Great Plains’ Mission Partnership with the Nigeria Conference Orphanage is invited to a Monday, April 18, meeting at the Great Plains Conference center at 3333 Landmark Circle in Lincoln, or by video conference.
Please contact kathrynwitte75@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining by video conference.
Download a PowerPoint presentation of recent photos of secondary school children cared for by the partnership.
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Peace With Justice Sunday is May 22
In 2015, 376 churches across our conference contributed to the Peace with Justice Sunday offering. This was an increase from the 345 churches in 2014. With 45 churches, the Prairie River District had the highest number for a district.
The amount of offerings also increased from about $26,000 to $35,000. Half of the raised amount stays in our conference to support peace and justice work. The other half is sent to the General Board of Church and Society to support such work around the globe.
Thank you to all the faithful peace and justice advocates. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers and not just lovers of peace when he tells us “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Let us joyfully pray and discern where, when and how we can take actions that promote peace. Please celebrate and support Peace with JusticeSunday on May 22 (or on another Sunday that works better for your congregation).
For resources to celebrate this special Sunday and to read more about peace and justice ministries, go to www.greatplainsumc.org/peacewithjustice.[Andrea Paret, Peace With Justice coordinator]
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Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light holds third annual conference
(Back row left to right) Bill Black, Trinity UMC/Lincoln; Paul Swanson, Hastings Grace UMC; Gus Dornbusch, St. Mark's UMC/Lincoln; Richard Randolph, Christ UMC/Lincoln; Bonnie McCord, Wauneta/Palisade UMC; and Sandy Black, Trinity UMC/Lincoln. (Front row, left to right) Carol Windrum, Tim Fickenscher and Cheryl Mach all from First UMC/Omaha.
Nine Nebraska United Methodists participated with others of faith in learning more about how faith connects with care of the earth during an event hosted by Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light (NE IPL) at Sheridan Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Saturday, April 9.
Break-out sessions included: Sustainable agriculture in Nebraska, Climate change impacts to Nebraska, Understanding the bee pollinator crisis and Religious foundations for healthy stewardship of the land (led by the Rev. Bonnie McCord of the Great Plains Creation Care Team and board member of NE IPL).
Congregations in Nebraska are encouraged to become covenant congregations with NE IPL.
Here is some information from the NE IPL website:
With this covenant, and with the help of Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light, we agree to:
Speak about climate change as a moral issue in our congregational life — in discussion groups, retreats, worship services, meetings and more.
Lower the carbon footprint of our congregation by investigating and implementing energy-saving practices.
Use resources wisely in our congregational life like water, food, paper, electricity, waste and more.
Be informed about public policy issues affecting climate change on the local, state and federal level, and to discern when to raise our moral voices to advocate for positive change.
Support the work of Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light, which may include making an annual donation.
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UMW shares resources for being better stewards of Earth
United Methodist Women is sharing resources in hopes all United Methodists will be motivated every day, not just on Earth Day, to become better stewards of Earth and her people.
Choose Life! A Bible Study on Sustainability.
Share illustrator and writer Chavah Billin’s environmental justice comic with young people and start a discussion about how industries pollute whole communities.
The April issue of response magazine focuses on climate justice.
The articles inspire us and teach us how to become true caretakers of all of God’s creations.
Purchase the April issue.
United Methodist Women’s 13 Steps to Sustainability teaches us how to reduce our carbon footprint when planning events and meetings.
United Methodist Women collaborated with environmental advocates to create three resource books that will open discussions for people of all ages about climate justice:
Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action, edited by the Rev. Pat Watkins, features essays by leading faith-based environmental justice advocates.
Joining Voices for Climate Justice: A Study for Youth by Jay Godfrey, will help youth approach the issue of climate change as both a justice and faith issue.
God’s Extravagant Garden: A Children’s Study on Climate Justice by Pat Hoerth provides a learning experience for children ages 5-12 in four sessions.
Children are encouraged to learn more about God’s creation through firsthand experiences during each of the sessions.
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Free social media, website workshops offered day before annual conference
The Great Plains Conference and United Methodist Communications are providing free workshops on creating a social media strategy for local churches and then how to bolster each church’s website presence.
The sessions begin with the social media workshop at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd., in Topeka, Kansas. The website workshop will follow in the same location at 3:30 p.m.Both workshops come at no cost to participants.
The workshops will be led by Craig Catlett, the training and development specialist at United Methodist Communications. He holds a bachelor’s degree in religion and a master’s degree in communication. Before coming to work for United Methodist Communications, Catlett taught interpersonal communication, public speaking and business and professional communication for Western Kentucky University. He has a background in ministry and teaching classes online and now combines his experiences to serve The United Methodist Church.
Please register for the workshops as you fill out the form for the annual conference session. Or send an email to Todd Seifert, communications director for the Great Plains Conference, at tseifert@greatplainsumc.org. Registration will help us plan for the best room and to ensure enough materials are prepared.
Here are descriptions of the two workshops:
Communicating Faith in the 21st Century – Communicating Faith in the 21st century will teach how to effectively communicate in today’s society and to equip the faith community to share transforming stories. This workshop focuses on going beyond just having a church website to effectively implementing a broader online presence. We will cover the basics of launching a successful online strategy that helps people connect with your church in a new way. This workshop will also focus on implementing a broader online presence, using the social media tools of today. By engaging your audience online first, you extend your reach beyond Sunday services and expose your audience to your message before they visit your church.
Your Church Website: Rethinking Your New Front Door – Your Church website focuses on going beyond just having a church website to effectively implementing a broader online presence. We will cover the tools to plan, build, and launch a successful online strategy that helps people connect with your church in a new way. This workshop looks at going beyond just having a church website focusing on how to effectively implement a broader online presence. By engaging your audience online first, you extend your reach beyond Sunday services and expose your audience to your message before they visit your church.
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Registration open for the 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference session
The 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference Session is scheduled for June 1-4 located at the Kansas Expocentre (1 Expocentre Drive) in Topeka. The theme, “Serving Christ Near and Far,” will focus on the global connection of the United Methodist Church. The featured guest speakers are Abuna Elias Chacour, retired archbishop of Galilee, and George Howard, deputy general secretary for Mission and Evangelism for the General Board of Global Missions.
Father Chacour was archbishop of Akko, Kaifa, Nazareth and all of Galilee from 2006 to 2014. His vision is that through education, children, youth and young adults of different faith traditions will learn to live and work together in peace. He is author of “Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land,” books about the experience of Palestinian people living in present-day Israel. George Howard has a long-standing passion for international missions and asset-based community development and has lived in several parts of the world. As leader of the Mission and Evangelism Unit, Howard is involved in the recruitment and placement of missionaries as well as the development and oversight for new mission initiatives.
Registration is now open for the annual conference session. You should register online in advance as it is difficult to have people register onsite. Registrations received after May 17 will incur a $25 late fee. The final date to register is by midnight on May 24. Register now. Other registration forms that are open include child care registration and youth registration. Child care registration will close at midnight on April 29. Youth registration will close atmidnight on May 24.
General information about the event is also available and it is recommended that you read through it thoroughly to be best prepared for the event and your travels.
Please visit the annual conference session webpage atwww.greatplainsumc.org/annualconference to view more details, including a tentative schedule, lodging options, flyer policy and more. For questions contact Dana Reinhardt at dreinhardt@greatplainsumc.org or call![]()
402-464-5994 ext. 105.
Watch a video that provides a tour of the venue.
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First UMC youth in Omaha make lanterns for General Conference vigil
On the evening of May 12 in Portland, Oregon, hundreds of lanterns from around the globe will be on display as part of a vigil for the earth. The United Methodist Council of Bishops wrote in God's Renewed Creation: "We cannot help the world unless we change our way of being in it."
Youth designed lanterns to express their love of God's creation and attached written prayers. Congregations across the Great Plains Conference are invited to decorate lanterns and send them to Portland. For more information go to www.pnwumc.org/climatevigil.
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Norfolk walk-run to support United Methodist Men's missions
A Saturday, May 28, bike ride and walk in Norfolk, Nebraska, will help support United Methodist Mens missions.
The missions supported are Upper Room Prayer Line, Society of St. Andrew (hunger relief in America), Stop Hunger Now (worldwide hunger relief), Imagine No Malaria (mosquito nets for Africa), disaster response, camping ministry, jail ministry, youth ministry and scholarships for Christian service.
Donations are most welcome, too.
Learn more and register.
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Editorials & Blogs
To submit a letter to the editor, send it to info@greatplainsumc.org.
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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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United Methodist Ministries kicked off a celebration of 50 years of ministry and its new home by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 8 at the new Big Garden headquarters. About 75 people attended the ribbon-cutting at 5602 Read St. in Omaha, Nebraska.
Nathan Morgan, executive director at the Big Garden, welcomed everyone and shared that with this new space UM Ministries hopes to “grow more food, teach more people and feed more people.”
Read the story about the event.
UM Ministries cuts ribbon to new space for The Big Garden
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/greatplainsumc/26309957531/in/album-72157666932353331" title="Big Garden ribbon cutting"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1500/26309957531_6e1250bbd0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Big Garden ribbon cutting"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
United Methodist Ministries kicked off a celebration of 50 years of ministry and its new home by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 8 at the new Big Garden headquarters.
About 75 people attended the ribbon-cutting at 5602 Read St. in Omaha, Nebraska. Nathan Morgan, executive director at the Big Garden, welcomed everyone and shared that with this new space UM Ministries hopes to “grow more food, teach more people and feed more people.”
Guests included former Sen. Lowen Kruse, a founding member of United Methodist Ministries; the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, former UM Ministries executive director and The Big Garden founder; Harriett Jane Olson, general secretary and CEO of United Methodist Women; James McKnight, a representative from U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford’s office; current board members and staff; and others.
Morgan was then joined by current board members and staff to cut the ribbon – with garden shears. After a prayer of dedication led by the Rev. Charlotte Abram, Morgan invited all to a celebration dinner at First United Methodist Church in Omaha. The dinner featured a locally sourced gourmet dinner, awards and recognitions, a choir and a keynote address by Olson.
“There is a standing invitation for you to come and get your hands dirty” Morgan said while concluding the ceremony at the new Big Garden location.
Before heading to the dinner, guests were invited to plant mint seeds in plant boxes.
The celebration continued into Saturday, when guests were treated to tours of the new location, local music, a blessing of seeds, workshops and a living history discussion of UM Ministries.
Contact Rachel Moser, communications coordinator, at rmoser@greatplainsumc.org.
---------------------
Mid-career clergy have opportunity for retreat in May
A retreat for mid-career clergy is scheduled for Monday-Thursday, May 2-5, at Pendle Hill in Wallingford, Pennsylvania.
Each season of ministry has its own rewards and challenges. By the time we are mid-career in our clergy careers, we are facing some questions, decisions and discernment that would have never occurred to us when we began our ministries. How we navigate and respond to this critical period of ministry has an impact on our personal, spiritual and ministerial lives. In this retreat, participants will engage in presentations, personal and small group reflections, and spiritual practices that will allow you to listen deeply to our own gathered wisdom and to the emerging imagination of your ministry so that you might discern next steps.
The cost is $500, including a single-occupancy room, board and materials for the retreat, subsidized by the Pastoral Excellence Network. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 15.
More information is available at http://www.cpx.cts.edu/network/events/2016/02/09/spiritual-and-leadership-renewal-for-mid-career-clergy.
---------------------
GBHEM releases new candidacy guidebook
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry released a new Candidacy Guidebook, “Answering the Call: Candidacy Guidebook” on April 12.
Designed for group candidacy mentoring, this resource provides a more robust discussion of United Methodist beliefs, and defines the sharp distinction between the discernment the application processes. It includes a guide to assist mentors as they lead discussions and prepare mentor reports.
The guidebook features two new chapters, “Health and Wholeness” and “Financial Literacy” to help candidates fully understand health considerations and educational expenses.
“Our hope with this new edition is that we have been responsive to conferences as they have developed a model for mentoring in candidacy groups as well as addressing some of the emerging needs of candidates regarding health and financial literacy,” said the Rev. Meg Lassiat, editor of “Answering the Call” and dDirector of candidacy, mentoring, and conference relations for the Division of Ordained Ministry at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Candidates and conference representatives can order the new guidebook through UMCARES. An electronic version of the guidebook also is available. Candidates who have begun using the 2009 Guidebook, “Fulfilling God’s Call” may complete that edition rather than changing books midstream. For additional information, please contact the Candidacy Office atcandidacy@gbhem.org.
---------------------
Complete list of Orders & Fellowship resources now available
All videos and photos from the Orders and Fellowship clergy meeting in February are now uploaded to the conference website and are available for viewing and to download. The meetings this year focused on creating a culture of call in our local churches.
You can view all resources at http://www.greatplainsumc.org/of2016.
---------------------
Students urged to apply by May 1 for UM Men, Fleming scholarships
The United Methodist Men is celebrating its 27th year of awarding scholarships to students who are pursuing degrees in Christian leadership and related fields. Deadlines are set for May 1 for three of the scholarships to be awarded during the annual conference session in June in Topeka, Kansas.
Application forms can be downloaded for the following financial aid awards:
- Fleming-Humphrey-Goff Scholarship
- United Methodist Men’s 100 Club Scholarship
- Fleming Family Foundation Scholarship
Learn how to calm anxiety in Lay Servant training course
Learn how to be an agent of calm and clarity during anxious times by taking part in a Lay Servant training session July 8-9 in Grand Island, Nebraska.
The Rev. Bill Selby, creator of Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies, and the Rev. Kelly Karges, pastor of churches in Doniphan and Rosedale, will lead the class, which is titled “Dynamics – How to Be a Nonanxious Leader in Anxious Times.” The seminar empowers congregational members and leadership by offering a basic understanding of Systems as it applies to the congregation.
The focus is on influencing and enhancing the strengths of the congregation; addressing the natural reactivity, both positive and negative, that occurs in any family system; learning about systems thinking; the human brain; self-differentiation; leadership; and anxiety – what triggers it and how it spreads like a virus, as well as healthy characteristics of response.
This seminar is designed to empower each person to become a healthier leader in their home, personal life, and professional life.
The seminar is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. July 8 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 9 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 511 N. Elm St., in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Register by June 15 so the church can properly plan for the classroom, the snacks and the meal.
- Download the flier and registration form.
- Learn about other Lay Servant Ministry training opportunities in the Great Plains Conference.
- Find out more about the Lay Servant Academy, scheduled for April 21-23 at Mount Sequoyah, near Fayetteville, Arkansas.
‘God's Presence in Sacred Space’ webinar set for May 12
“God’s Presence in Sacred Space” is the subject of a webinar presented by Upper Room eLearning from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12.
The presenter is Karla Kincannon, an artist, author, teacher, spiritual director and United Methodist minister who believes God’s gift of creativity is an essential tool for navigating the spiritual journey. She invites participants to be courageously creative as a way of knowing God, embodying God’s image and building God’s kingdom on earth.
The cost is $15, and a recorded version will be available.
To register, go to http://www.cvent.com/events/soulfeast-favorites/event-summary-7fe385cc3c5848d0829c380243a6ab7c.aspx.
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Teens get chance to learn more about faith at Chrysalis event
Youths ages 14-19 have an opportunity to find out more about how God’s grace is real in their lives by taking part in a Chrysalis gathering June 16-19at Camp Comeca, near Cozad, Nebraska.
The young people will take part in singing, learning times, worship and, of course, fun activities at the camp. This is a great way to worship God, learn more about your faith journey and make new friends, all at the same time.
For more information, contact Peggy Kennedy at 308-340-9309 or via email to pkennedy@gpcom.net.
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Check out these ideas for churches, schools to work together
As United Methodist churches, working with nearby schools can mean everything from reading with youngsters to constructing outdoor classrooms to preparing Thanksgiving dinners.
From our friends at the Holston Conference in Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia, here’s a top 10 list of how churches and schools can work together.
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Nigeria Partnership committee seeking members
Anyone interested in learning more about the Great Plains’ Mission Partnership with the Nigeria Conference Orphanage is invited to a Monday, April 18, meeting at the Great Plains Conference center at 3333 Landmark Circle in Lincoln, or by video conference.
Please contact kathrynwitte75@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining by video conference.
Download a PowerPoint presentation of recent photos of secondary school children cared for by the partnership.
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Peace With Justice Sunday is May 22
In 2015, 376 churches across our conference contributed to the Peace with Justice Sunday offering. This was an increase from the 345 churches in 2014. With 45 churches, the Prairie River District had the highest number for a district.
The amount of offerings also increased from about $26,000 to $35,000. Half of the raised amount stays in our conference to support peace and justice work. The other half is sent to the General Board of Church and Society to support such work around the globe.
Thank you to all the faithful peace and justice advocates. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers and not just lovers of peace when he tells us “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Let us joyfully pray and discern where, when and how we can take actions that promote peace. Please celebrate and support Peace with JusticeSunday on May 22 (or on another Sunday that works better for your congregation).
For resources to celebrate this special Sunday and to read more about peace and justice ministries, go to www.greatplainsumc.org/peacewithjustice.[Andrea Paret, Peace With Justice coordinator]
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Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light holds third annual conference
(Back row left to right) Bill Black, Trinity UMC/Lincoln; Paul Swanson, Hastings Grace UMC; Gus Dornbusch, St. Mark's UMC/Lincoln; Richard Randolph, Christ UMC/Lincoln; Bonnie McCord, Wauneta/Palisade UMC; and Sandy Black, Trinity UMC/Lincoln. (Front row, left to right) Carol Windrum, Tim Fickenscher and Cheryl Mach all from First UMC/Omaha.
Nine Nebraska United Methodists participated with others of faith in learning more about how faith connects with care of the earth during an event hosted by Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light (NE IPL) at Sheridan Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Saturday, April 9.
Break-out sessions included: Sustainable agriculture in Nebraska, Climate change impacts to Nebraska, Understanding the bee pollinator crisis and Religious foundations for healthy stewardship of the land (led by the Rev. Bonnie McCord of the Great Plains Creation Care Team and board member of NE IPL).
Congregations in Nebraska are encouraged to become covenant congregations with NE IPL.
Here is some information from the NE IPL website:
With this covenant, and with the help of Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light, we agree to:
Speak about climate change as a moral issue in our congregational life — in discussion groups, retreats, worship services, meetings and more.
Lower the carbon footprint of our congregation by investigating and implementing energy-saving practices.
Use resources wisely in our congregational life like water, food, paper, electricity, waste and more.
Be informed about public policy issues affecting climate change on the local, state and federal level, and to discern when to raise our moral voices to advocate for positive change.
Support the work of Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light, which may include making an annual donation.
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UMW shares resources for being better stewards of Earth
United Methodist Women is sharing resources in hopes all United Methodists will be motivated every day, not just on Earth Day, to become better stewards of Earth and her people.
Choose Life! A Bible Study on Sustainability.
Share illustrator and writer Chavah Billin’s environmental justice comic with young people and start a discussion about how industries pollute whole communities.
The April issue of response magazine focuses on climate justice.
The articles inspire us and teach us how to become true caretakers of all of God’s creations.
Purchase the April issue.
United Methodist Women’s 13 Steps to Sustainability teaches us how to reduce our carbon footprint when planning events and meetings.
United Methodist Women collaborated with environmental advocates to create three resource books that will open discussions for people of all ages about climate justice:
Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action, edited by the Rev. Pat Watkins, features essays by leading faith-based environmental justice advocates.
Joining Voices for Climate Justice: A Study for Youth by Jay Godfrey, will help youth approach the issue of climate change as both a justice and faith issue.
God’s Extravagant Garden: A Children’s Study on Climate Justice by Pat Hoerth provides a learning experience for children ages 5-12 in four sessions.
Children are encouraged to learn more about God’s creation through firsthand experiences during each of the sessions.
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Free social media, website workshops offered day before annual conference
The Great Plains Conference and United Methodist Communications are providing free workshops on creating a social media strategy for local churches and then how to bolster each church’s website presence.
The sessions begin with the social media workshop at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd., in Topeka, Kansas. The website workshop will follow in the same location at 3:30 p.m.Both workshops come at no cost to participants.
The workshops will be led by Craig Catlett, the training and development specialist at United Methodist Communications. He holds a bachelor’s degree in religion and a master’s degree in communication. Before coming to work for United Methodist Communications, Catlett taught interpersonal communication, public speaking and business and professional communication for Western Kentucky University. He has a background in ministry and teaching classes online and now combines his experiences to serve The United Methodist Church.
Please register for the workshops as you fill out the form for the annual conference session. Or send an email to Todd Seifert, communications director for the Great Plains Conference, at tseifert@greatplainsumc.org. Registration will help us plan for the best room and to ensure enough materials are prepared.
Here are descriptions of the two workshops:
Communicating Faith in the 21st Century – Communicating Faith in the 21st century will teach how to effectively communicate in today’s society and to equip the faith community to share transforming stories. This workshop focuses on going beyond just having a church website to effectively implementing a broader online presence. We will cover the basics of launching a successful online strategy that helps people connect with your church in a new way. This workshop will also focus on implementing a broader online presence, using the social media tools of today. By engaging your audience online first, you extend your reach beyond Sunday services and expose your audience to your message before they visit your church.
Your Church Website: Rethinking Your New Front Door – Your Church website focuses on going beyond just having a church website to effectively implementing a broader online presence. We will cover the tools to plan, build, and launch a successful online strategy that helps people connect with your church in a new way. This workshop looks at going beyond just having a church website focusing on how to effectively implement a broader online presence. By engaging your audience online first, you extend your reach beyond Sunday services and expose your audience to your message before they visit your church.
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Registration open for the 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference session
The 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference Session is scheduled for June 1-4 located at the Kansas Expocentre (1 Expocentre Drive) in Topeka. The theme, “Serving Christ Near and Far,” will focus on the global connection of the United Methodist Church. The featured guest speakers are Abuna Elias Chacour, retired archbishop of Galilee, and George Howard, deputy general secretary for Mission and Evangelism for the General Board of Global Missions.
Father Chacour was archbishop of Akko, Kaifa, Nazareth and all of Galilee from 2006 to 2014. His vision is that through education, children, youth and young adults of different faith traditions will learn to live and work together in peace. He is author of “Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land,” books about the experience of Palestinian people living in present-day Israel. George Howard has a long-standing passion for international missions and asset-based community development and has lived in several parts of the world. As leader of the Mission and Evangelism Unit, Howard is involved in the recruitment and placement of missionaries as well as the development and oversight for new mission initiatives.
Registration is now open for the annual conference session. You should register online in advance as it is difficult to have people register onsite. Registrations received after May 17 will incur a $25 late fee. The final date to register is by midnight on May 24. Register now. Other registration forms that are open include child care registration and youth registration. Child care registration will close at midnight on April 29. Youth registration will close atmidnight on May 24.
General information about the event is also available and it is recommended that you read through it thoroughly to be best prepared for the event and your travels.
Please visit the annual conference session webpage atwww.greatplainsumc.org/annualconference to view more details, including a tentative schedule, lodging options, flyer policy and more. For questions contact Dana Reinhardt at dreinhardt@greatplainsumc.org or call
Watch a video that provides a tour of the venue.
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First UMC youth in Omaha make lanterns for General Conference vigil
On the evening of May 12 in Portland, Oregon, hundreds of lanterns from around the globe will be on display as part of a vigil for the earth. The United Methodist Council of Bishops wrote in God's Renewed Creation: "We cannot help the world unless we change our way of being in it."
Youth designed lanterns to express their love of God's creation and attached written prayers. Congregations across the Great Plains Conference are invited to decorate lanterns and send them to Portland. For more information go to www.pnwumc.org/climatevigil.
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Norfolk walk-run to support United Methodist Men's missions
A Saturday, May 28, bike ride and walk in Norfolk, Nebraska, will help support United Methodist Mens missions.
The missions supported are Upper Room Prayer Line, Society of St. Andrew (hunger relief in America), Stop Hunger Now (worldwide hunger relief), Imagine No Malaria (mosquito nets for Africa), disaster response, camping ministry, jail ministry, youth ministry and scholarships for Christian service.
Donations are most welcome, too.
Learn more and register.
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Editorials & Blogs
- Krusing the Capitol: Positive Thinkers, Arise!
- Ministry Matters: April 11, 2016
- Discipleship Ministries: GenerousLiving
- UMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
- Nebraska United Methodist Foundation: April 2016
- United Methodist Communications: MyCom
- Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas
- Church Copyright License: April 2016
- Organ available for free
- Campus minister sought at KU
- Church seeks carillon chips
- To view these and other classifieds, go to greatplainsumc.org/classifieds
- 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.
To submit a letter to the editor, send it to info@greatplainsumc.org.
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Want More?
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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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