Download the printable version of the May 25, issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Catch up on what happened at General Conference
- Watch GPconnect daily for updates from annual conference session
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
- Become "immersed" in your faith while at Camp Fontanelle
- New at the resource center
- Send us your students!
- Learn more about getting involved with Lay Servant Ministry
- Christian author to speak about Nebraska’s death penalty
- Youthville to be called EmberHope
- Holy Land Task Force thankful for General Conference’s call on Israel
- UMM group prepares for annual scholarship dinner, auction
- #WearOrange for gun violence awareness at annual conference
OTHER NEWS
Catch up on what happened at General Conference
The Great Plains Conference's communications team observed the recent 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon, and provided a series of videos and stories about the delegation of clergy and laity who represented Kansas and Nebraska from May 10 to 20.
- See the home page for all of coverage, including stories.
- Watch videos of delegates sharing their reflections.
- Check out our photo gallery of images from General Conference.
- Read a letter from the Council of Bishops to UMC members.
- Read Bishop Scott Jones' letter regarding General Conference and what it means for the charge against the Rev. Cynthia Meyer.
Watch GPconnect daily for updates from annual conference session
The weekly GPconnect email newsletter will not publish June 1 because of the annual conference session. Instead, watch for updates after each day's events to stay up to date on news from our time together in Topeka, Kansas.
The newsletter will be emailed as usual, and you can find saved versions each day on our archive.
GPconnect will return to its usual Wednesday afternoon publication schedule June 8.
-------
Scholarships available from the Nebraska UM Foundation
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation has scholarship applications available online for seminary students or students pursuing a career in church leadership. Materials can be found atwww.numf.org/scholarships. The foundation is pleased to be able to administer these scholarships to individuals who are members of a Nebraska United Methodist church and pursuing a degree for service in the Great Plains Conference.
Applications are available for the following scholarships:
- The Albert R. Murdoch Ministerial Scholarship
- The Alice Kruse Ministerial Scholarship
- The Alice Kruse Seminary Scholarship
- The Alva Clark Seminary Scholarship
- The Baldwin F. and Amy L. Kruse Scholarship
- The Charles and Marilyn Humphrey Seminary Scholarship
- The Cowles United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship
- The Darrell and Joyce Pickett Scholarship
- The Harlan and Mabelle Wyrick Memorial Scholarship
- The Lincoln St. Mark's United Methodist Church Foundation Scholarship
- The Murdock Ebenezer UMC Professional Church Leader Scholarship
- The Myrtle E. Williams Seminary Scholarship
- The Scahill Family Scholarship
- The Verl & Sylvia Miller Memorial Scholarship
- The Wilson's Tither Scholarship
Those students applying for the scholarships listed above will also subsequently be considered for the following scholarships:
- The Cal Leeds Scholarship
- The Rev. Albert W. Winseman Scholarship Endowment
- The Atherton Memorial Scholarship Fund
- The Ben and Martha Simmons Scholarship Fund
- The Andrew & Nevabelle Howe Scholarship.
If you would like to talk to someone about how you can honor the memory of a loved one or help a seminary student, please call us at877-495-5545.
-------
Become "immersed" in your faith while at Camp Fontanelle
The Merriam Webster online dictionary defines immerse as "to make yourself fully involved in some activity or interest."
Camp Fontanelle has a chance for teenagers in grades 8-12 to become fully immersed in their faith development. With the help of the camp dean, Eduardo Bousson, campus minister at Nebraska Wesleyan University, this high school experience is meant to immerse students in a deeper walk with God. Through music, teaching, small groups and traditional camp activities, students will experience the grace of God in their lives during Immerse.
There will be a lot of fun at this camp session. There will be swimming, ziplining, Gaga Ball, playing at the new fort, laughing and praising God. But there will also be times of reflection, refreshment and refinement. This camp has it all!
This is a perfect camp for the busy teen. It will begin on a Wednesday and finish on Saturday, a shorter camp which may fit into a work schedule or summer activities. This new camp may just be what your teen needs to break up a humdrum summer. There will be nothing humdrum about this camp!
Register today. For any questions, please contact the camp at
402-478-4296 or email fontanelle@greatplainsumc.org.
-------
New at the resource center
If you are a fan of the books and DVD studies of Adam Hamilton, you won’t want to miss his two newest studies that have been added to our library.
“Half-Truths – God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn’t Say” provides a five-session study in which Hamilton searches to expose the flaws in familiar and well-worn sayings of our culture that people often think are helpful and biblical, but can actually be harmful and hurtful and do not reflect the grace and truth of the Bible.
The five sessions and phrases that are discussed are
- Everything Happens For A Reason
- God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
- God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle
- God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It
- Love the Sinner, Hare the Sin
“John – The Gospel of Light and Life” was Hamilton’s study for Lent this year. But the study of the Gospel of John can be done at any time of the year. Hamilton share his insights on the major themes of John with a small group of young adults and answers their questions. The six sessions of this study are
- The Word Made Flesh
- The Miraculous Signs of Jesus
- The “I AM” Sayings of Jesus
- The Farewell Discourse
- The Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion of the King
- Eternal Life
To reserve one of these studies by Adam Hamilton, please email Diane Dunkerson at ddunkerson@greatplainsumc.org or call her at 800-435-6107. To view a complete listing of all the resources available at the Resource Center visit our online catalog at www.gpresourcecenter.org.
Please stop by the Great Plains Resource Center booth to learn more about the resource center and the wonderful resources available for your church.
-------
Send us your students!
As the school year is coming to a close, we celebrate the ways your church has nurtured youth in discipleship and leadership. You may have received graduation invitations, celebrated with local high schools or recognized seniors in your worship service this month. As you know, graduation is one of the most important times for a young adult as they begin explore life, faith and leadership. You can help students and their families in this important transition by helping them get connected with faith communities on the next part of their journey.
With your help, we can connect students to United Methodist campus ministry and/or a United Methodist church nearby. Would you please share a list of graduating high school seniors as well as any information you have on next steps for them at https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/studentcontact or show this article to the person that would know?
Our colleagues, United Methodist campus ministers and local church leaders, will follow up with them and extend an invitation to get connected. Thank you for your ministry and connecting our next generation of leaders.
-------
Learn more about getting involved with Lay Servant Ministry
In the latest Lay Servant Ministry blog, Mary Feit, Great Plains Conference LSM director, invites you to stop by the organization's booth during the annual conference session June 1-4 in Topeka, Kansas.
Read the blog.
Learn more about upcoming Lay Servant Ministry training opportunities.
-------
Christian author to speak about Nebraska’s death penalty
National best-selling Christian author and activist Shane Claiborne will be in Nebraska in June to promote his new book “Executing Grace” and to join the conversation about Nebraska’s death penalty leading up to this November’s ballot question.
Claiborne will speak at two events on Tuesday, June 7:
In Lincoln at South Gate UMC (3500 Pioneers Blvd.). There will be a first-come/first-served book signing at 5 p.m., followed by a talk and Q&A at 5:30 p.m.
In Omaha at Faith Westwood UMC (4814 Oaks Lane), 8 p.m., with a Q&A to follow.
Books will be available for $15. The event is being sponsored by Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. There is no cost. For more information, contact Matt at 402-650-4485.
-------
Youthville to be called EmberHope
Youthville has been involved with child welfare services for almost 90 years, and it's not stopping now. The organization will just be referring to itself by its agency name, EmberHope, beginning next month.
-------
Holy Land Task Force thankful for General Conference’s call on Israel
One of the groups present at General Conference was United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR), which was formed several years ago in answer to an urgent plea from Christians in the Holy Land for decisive action in support of a just peace for all. Numerous volunteers helped staff the booth and sit in on legislative committees. Several events with speakers were also organized. The call from Palestinians as well as United Methodist missionaries who serve or have served in Israel/Palestine over the last decades continues. The situation in Palestine is deteriorating. Every day is a struggle to survive. One focus was the detention of children. Each year the Israeli government arrests and prosecutes around 700 children in military court.
In a press release, UMKR stated that “despite fierce opposition, which included calls to delegates from Israeli ambassadors and consulates, the United Methodist General Conference passed strong measures calling for an end to Israel’s unjust practices toward Palestinians.”
One of the resolutions that passed (#60206) “calls on Israel to correct the unequal distribution of water in the West Bank, where illegal Israeli settlers receive four times as much water as the indigenous Palestinians. It also demands that Israel recognize existing titles to land owned by Palestinians within the West Bank.”
The Great Plains Holy Land Task Force had recommended to our delegates the support of this as well as several other resolutions. The goal in our work is “to reject all acts of aggression and violence, to respect the equality and dignity of all the region’s people, and to forge solutions based on the principles of international laws and human rights.” (Great Plains Conference Resolution “Christians in the Holy Land,” passed June 2015).
Read the press release from UMKR.
News & Analysis Press Releases
United Methodist General Conference Calls on Israel to End Unjust Practices Toward Palestinians
download this press release »
May 20, 2016 – Despite fierce opposition, which included calls to delegates from Israeli ambassadors and consulates, the United Methodist General Conference passed strong measures calling for an end to Israel’s unjust practices toward Palestinians.
One of these measures, Resolution 60206, calls on Israel to correct the unequal distribution of water in the West Bank, where illegal Israeli settlers receive four times as much water as the indigenous Palestinians. It also demands that Israel recognize existing titles to land owned by Palestinians within the West Bank.
Another measure passed by the conference, Resolution 60843, calls for accountability from the Israeli government for the destruction of land and life. It urges US officials to contact the Israeli government to halt the expansion of illegal settlements and confiscation of Palestinian land.
A third measure, Resolution 60868, calls for a church-wide Task Force led by key agencies to review and research actions that respond to the requests by church missionaries and Palestinian Christians. All United Methodist missionaries who have served in the Holy Land and thousandsof Palestinian Christians have asked the church to cut its financial ties to the occupation.
Resolution 60206 reflected concern that Israeli settlers have access to four times as much water as Palestinians, though the major aquifer is located beneath Palestinian land. This allocation of water according to ethnicity is a violation of United Methodist principles and international law. Throughout the West Bank, Palestinian land is
being surrounded and confiscated for Israeli settlements, which the church opposes. Orchards and homes are being destroyed.
Resolution 60843 focused on the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin, where the UMC has a partnership with the village. Church members traveling to Wadi Foquin have seen the human rights abuses villagers suffer, including raw sewage running from the large illegal settlement of Beitar Illit onto the village farmland below it. In 2014, the Israeli government declared over 1,000 acres of private land belonging to Wadi Foquin and neighboring Palestinian villages to be “state land,” in violation of international law. In June 2015, the Israeli army accompanied bulldozers that destroyed 1300 fruit trees belonging to farmers in the village. The Israeli government also issued a stop work order for construction of a soccer field funded by United Methodist donations through the church’s Board of Global Ministries.
The task force created by Resolution 60868 was established in recognition of the growing movement within the church working for Palestinian human rights. The rationale included in that measure referenced Resolution 6111 from the last General Conference in 2012 that called on all nations to ban the import of goods and services coming from illegal settlements. In addition to the boycott action, the church’s pension board excluded five Israeli banks from investment this past December, divesting from two of the banks and one Israeli construction company.
Rev. Michael Yoshii, Co-chair of the advocacy group United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR), said, “We were humbled by the widespread support for Palestinians, especially among indigenous people and ethnic caucuses within the church. Bishop John Yambasu of Sierra Leonedelivered a powerful sermon during the conference calling for justice for the Palestinian people.”
A UMKR event during the conference featured three Bishops, including the President of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, who called for the use of decisive action by the church to cut its ties to the occupation. Japanese Americans, Filipino Lumad natives, Africans and the head of the Native American International Caucus were among those highlighting the parallels between the Palestinian plight today and the ethnic cleansing of other indigenous peoples.
Rev. Yoshii also noted the strong interfaith support for UMKR and its efforts in Portland, saying, “We are grateful for the chance to work with such dedicated people in this continued quest for justice as we seek to answer the Palestinians’ call for freedom.”
United Methodist Kairos Response is a global grassroots group within the United Methodist Church seeking to respond to the urgent call of Palestinian Christians for actions that can end the Israeli occupation of their land. For more information, visit www.kairosresponse.org.
Please also keep in mind that Archbishop Elias Chacour of the Melkite Catholic Church of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth and Galilee will be at the Great Plains Annual Conference Session on June 2. He will also speak in Wichita on June 3 and in Lincoln on June 5.
-------
UMM group prepares for annual scholarship dinner, auction
The United Methodist Men is celebrating its 27th year of awarding scholarships to students who are pursuing degrees in Christian leadership and related fields. Student will be awarded scholarships during a dinner in their honor at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Road in Topeka, Kansas.
Part of the dinner is an auction that raises money for future scholarships. See some of the items up for auction as well as more information about the event.
Additional items for auction include shirts, wall-hangings and other artwork from Zimbabwe.
------
#WearOrange for gun violence awareness at annual conference
Thursday, June 2, is a national gun violence awareness day in the United States. In order to raise awareness and support victims of gun violence, you are invited to wear something orange on this day at the annual conference session.
View the history of this event and how you can be involved on the flier below. Also, please encourage your congregations to remember victims of gun violence by connecting through the #WearOrange movement.
View flier.
-------
Jurisdictional conference concert highlights Grammy Award nominee
You won't want to miss the upcoming Area Night Concert event featuring Grammy award nominee, gospel artist William McDowell along with the area wide mass choir! The vision for this special evening of worship and praise is to be a blessing to the city of Wichita and the surrounding areas.
One of the primary goals is to make a tangible gift to two local charities that are on the front lines of serving area residents in need: Grace Med and United Methodist Open Door. These two agencies serve, combined, more than 100,000 individuals per year! A percentage of our proceeds from the ticket and T-shirt sales are going to both charities. This is a wonderful gesture in giving to our local community.
That’s the driving force behind the conference's ticket and T-shirt sales. Tickets cost just $5 and can be purchased online at wichitatix.com or you may purchase in person at the Century II Box Office during regular business hours. The "God’s Love Is" T-shirts cost $10 and can be purchased by following the link to https://spectrumpromotional.com/clients/gpumc/default.aspxThe concert is scheduled for 6:30 p.mFirst UMC, Wichita
download this press release »
May 20, 2016 – Despite fierce opposition, which included calls to delegates from Israeli ambassadors and consulates, the United Methodist General Conference passed strong measures calling for an end to Israel’s unjust practices toward Palestinians.
One of these measures, Resolution 60206, calls on Israel to correct the unequal distribution of water in the West Bank, where illegal Israeli settlers receive four times as much water as the indigenous Palestinians. It also demands that Israel recognize existing titles to land owned by Palestinians within the West Bank.
Another measure passed by the conference, Resolution 60843, calls for accountability from the Israeli government for the destruction of land and life. It urges US officials to contact the Israeli government to halt the expansion of illegal settlements and confiscation of Palestinian land.
A third measure, Resolution 60868, calls for a church-wide Task Force led by key agencies to review and research actions that respond to the requests by church missionaries and Palestinian Christians. All United Methodist missionaries who have served in the Holy Land and thousandsof Palestinian Christians have asked the church to cut its financial ties to the occupation.
Resolution 60206 reflected concern that Israeli settlers have access to four times as much water as Palestinians, though the major aquifer is located beneath Palestinian land. This allocation of water according to ethnicity is a violation of United Methodist principles and international law. Throughout the West Bank, Palestinian land is
being surrounded and confiscated for Israeli settlements, which the church opposes. Orchards and homes are being destroyed.
Resolution 60843 focused on the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin, where the UMC has a partnership with the village. Church members traveling to Wadi Foquin have seen the human rights abuses villagers suffer, including raw sewage running from the large illegal settlement of Beitar Illit onto the village farmland below it. In 2014, the Israeli government declared over 1,000 acres of private land belonging to Wadi Foquin and neighboring Palestinian villages to be “state land,” in violation of international law. In June 2015, the Israeli army accompanied bulldozers that destroyed 1300 fruit trees belonging to farmers in the village. The Israeli government also issued a stop work order for construction of a soccer field funded by United Methodist donations through the church’s Board of Global Ministries.
The task force created by Resolution 60868 was established in recognition of the growing movement within the church working for Palestinian human rights. The rationale included in that measure referenced Resolution 6111 from the last General Conference in 2012 that called on all nations to ban the import of goods and services coming from illegal settlements. In addition to the boycott action, the church’s pension board excluded five Israeli banks from investment this past December, divesting from two of the banks and one Israeli construction company.
Rev. Michael Yoshii, Co-chair of the advocacy group United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR), said, “We were humbled by the widespread support for Palestinians, especially among indigenous people and ethnic caucuses within the church. Bishop John Yambasu of Sierra Leonedelivered a powerful sermon during the conference calling for justice for the Palestinian people.”
A UMKR event during the conference featured three Bishops, including the President of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, who called for the use of decisive action by the church to cut its ties to the occupation. Japanese Americans, Filipino Lumad natives, Africans and the head of the Native American International Caucus were among those highlighting the parallels between the Palestinian plight today and the ethnic cleansing of other indigenous peoples.
Rev. Yoshii also noted the strong interfaith support for UMKR and its efforts in Portland, saying, “We are grateful for the chance to work with such dedicated people in this continued quest for justice as we seek to answer the Palestinians’ call for freedom.”
United Methodist Kairos Response is a global grassroots group within the United Methodist Church seeking to respond to the urgent call of Palestinian Christians for actions that can end the Israeli occupation of their land. For more information, visit www.kairosresponse.org.
Please also keep in mind that Archbishop Elias Chacour of the Melkite Catholic Church of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth and Galilee will be at the Great Plains Annual Conference Session on June 2. He will also speak in Wichita on June 3 and in Lincoln on June 5.
-------
UMM group prepares for annual scholarship dinner, auction
The United Methodist Men is celebrating its 27th year of awarding scholarships to students who are pursuing degrees in Christian leadership and related fields. Student will be awarded scholarships during a dinner in their honor at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Road in Topeka, Kansas.
Part of the dinner is an auction that raises money for future scholarships. See some of the items up for auction as well as more information about the event.
Additional items for auction include shirts, wall-hangings and other artwork from Zimbabwe.
------
#WearOrange for gun violence awareness at annual conference
Thursday, June 2, is a national gun violence awareness day in the United States. In order to raise awareness and support victims of gun violence, you are invited to wear something orange on this day at the annual conference session.
View the history of this event and how you can be involved on the flier below. Also, please encourage your congregations to remember victims of gun violence by connecting through the #WearOrange movement.
View flier.
-------
Jurisdictional conference concert highlights Grammy Award nominee
You won't want to miss the upcoming Area Night Concert event featuring Grammy award nominee, gospel artist William McDowell along with the area wide mass choir! The vision for this special evening of worship and praise is to be a blessing to the city of Wichita and the surrounding areas.
One of the primary goals is to make a tangible gift to two local charities that are on the front lines of serving area residents in need: Grace Med and United Methodist Open Door. These two agencies serve, combined, more than 100,000 individuals per year! A percentage of our proceeds from the ticket and T-shirt sales are going to both charities. This is a wonderful gesture in giving to our local community.
That’s the driving force behind the conference's ticket and T-shirt sales. Tickets cost just $5 and can be purchased online at wichitatix.com or you may purchase in person at the Century II Box Office during regular business hours. The "God’s Love Is" T-shirts cost $10 and can be purchased by following the link to https://spectrumpromotional.com/clients/gpumc/default.aspxThe concert is scheduled for 6:30 p.mFirst UMC, Wichita
- First UMC, Winfield
- First UMC, Eldorado
- Aldersgate UMC, Wichita
- Chapel Hill
- Dellrose UMC, Wichita
- East Heights, UMC, Wichita
- Grace UMC, Winfield
- Saint Mark UMC, Wichita
- Hutchinson, district office
- Wichita Great Plains Conference office. Friday July 15, at Century II, Convention Hall. The following churches and conference offices, all in Kansas, are designated to sell tickets and collect pre-orders for T-shirts:
Want to be part of the experience and sing in a mass choir? Learn more information by reading this flier.
-------
Music with a mission at Epworth
Harrietta Reynolds sang “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” with her granddaughters when little Carlie Bauer was just 3 years old — but she had a big voice.
“That’s when I really took an interest in my grandma’s music. When I was five, my grandparents bought me a little kid guitar and then when I was nine they gave me a big girl guitar,” Bauer said.
Seeing her grandchildren develop a passion for the arts was music to Reynolds’ ears and her heart. Adding to that joy has been seeing Carlie join the Epworth Village Partners program — a 100 percent volunteer program designed by Reynolds to support Epworth Village, a United Methodist mission serving children and families based out of York, Neb. The purpose of Epworth Partners is to make sure every single United Methodist in Nebraska and other supporters know the story of the national mission project of the United Methodist Women and church that began in 1889.
Recently, Bauer spoke about Epworth at Fairview and Archer Zion United Methodist Church. While her words were powerful, what moved those present the most was her beautiful voice accompanied by her guitar. Much like her Grandma, Bauer was teaching through song.
Read more.Music with a mission
Grandma and Granddaughter duo use music and action to support Epworth Partners Program by Kerry Hoffschneider
Carlie Bauer spoke and sang about the Epworth
Village Mission to Archer Zion/Fairview United Methodist congregation members. Bauer is an Epworth Village Interpreter and Partner for the mission after being encouraged to sign up to help support the cause by her grandmother, Harrietta Reynolds, a long-time servant of the United Methodist Church.
Photo provided by Epworth VillageHarrietta Reynolds sang “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” with her granddaughters when little Carlie Bauer was just three years old — but she had a big voice.
“That’s when I really took an interest in my Grandma’s music. When I was five, my grandparents bought me a little kid guitar and then when I was nine they gave me a big girl guitar,” Bauer said.
Seeing her grandchildren develop a passion for the arts was music to Reynolds’ ears and her heart. Adding to that joy has been seeing Carlie join the Epworth Village Partners program — a 100 percent volunteer program designed by Reynolds to support Epworth Village, a United Methodist mission serving children and families based out of York, Neb. The purpose of Epworth Partners is to make sure every single United Methodist in Nebraska and other supporters know the story of the national mission project of the United Methodist Women and church that began in 1889.
Recently, Bauer spoke about Epworth at Fairview and Archer Zion United Methodist Church. While her words were powerful, what moved those present the most was her beautiful voice accompanied by her guitar. Much like her Grandma, Bauer was teaching through song.
“It all began when Grandma approached me in the fall of 2015 when she invited me to a training session for Epworth Interpreters. I am a busy college student, but felt very much called by God after talking with her. She is just so passionate about Epworth and her passion is catching. I went to a training in Lincoln and since have spoken at a couple of churches,” Bauer explained.
Reynolds explained the history and purpose of the program and how to get involved. “Epworth Partners and Interpreters like Carlie are a committed group of diverse people living throughout Nebraska. Some are retired clergy, some lay persons, all ages and genders.”
“The idea for this program was conceived in February of 2013. I remember the day,” Reynolds recalled opening up the 2012 Epworth Village Annual Report. “Epworth had been financially struggling for several years. In looking at the total 2012 income, 92 percent of the total income came from the State of Nebraska. Since I was serving on the Epworth Village Foundation and was a life-long United Methodist, I was amazed to see the United Methodist Church only contributed three percent of the income of Epworth that year. The United Methodist Women had always been heavily supportive of the Epworth Mission but the overall church support was disappointing.”
Reynolds did not allow her disappointment to disrupt her faith and passion. She has a long history of not giving up and was, in fact, commissioned a United Methodist missionary by the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church in 1977. Reynolds and her husband Cliff, a United Methodist clergy, have devoted their entire adult lives to the church.
-------
Music with a mission at Epworth
Harrietta Reynolds sang “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” with her granddaughters when little Carlie Bauer was just 3 years old — but she had a big voice.
“That’s when I really took an interest in my grandma’s music. When I was five, my grandparents bought me a little kid guitar and then when I was nine they gave me a big girl guitar,” Bauer said.
Seeing her grandchildren develop a passion for the arts was music to Reynolds’ ears and her heart. Adding to that joy has been seeing Carlie join the Epworth Village Partners program — a 100 percent volunteer program designed by Reynolds to support Epworth Village, a United Methodist mission serving children and families based out of York, Neb. The purpose of Epworth Partners is to make sure every single United Methodist in Nebraska and other supporters know the story of the national mission project of the United Methodist Women and church that began in 1889.
Recently, Bauer spoke about Epworth at Fairview and Archer Zion United Methodist Church. While her words were powerful, what moved those present the most was her beautiful voice accompanied by her guitar. Much like her Grandma, Bauer was teaching through song.
Read more.Music with a mission
Grandma and Granddaughter duo use music and action to support Epworth Partners Program by Kerry Hoffschneider
Carlie Bauer spoke and sang about the Epworth
Village Mission to Archer Zion/Fairview United Methodist congregation members. Bauer is an Epworth Village Interpreter and Partner for the mission after being encouraged to sign up to help support the cause by her grandmother, Harrietta Reynolds, a long-time servant of the United Methodist Church.
Photo provided by Epworth VillageHarrietta Reynolds sang “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” with her granddaughters when little Carlie Bauer was just three years old — but she had a big voice.
“That’s when I really took an interest in my Grandma’s music. When I was five, my grandparents bought me a little kid guitar and then when I was nine they gave me a big girl guitar,” Bauer said.
Seeing her grandchildren develop a passion for the arts was music to Reynolds’ ears and her heart. Adding to that joy has been seeing Carlie join the Epworth Village Partners program — a 100 percent volunteer program designed by Reynolds to support Epworth Village, a United Methodist mission serving children and families based out of York, Neb. The purpose of Epworth Partners is to make sure every single United Methodist in Nebraska and other supporters know the story of the national mission project of the United Methodist Women and church that began in 1889.
Recently, Bauer spoke about Epworth at Fairview and Archer Zion United Methodist Church. While her words were powerful, what moved those present the most was her beautiful voice accompanied by her guitar. Much like her Grandma, Bauer was teaching through song.
“It all began when Grandma approached me in the fall of 2015 when she invited me to a training session for Epworth Interpreters. I am a busy college student, but felt very much called by God after talking with her. She is just so passionate about Epworth and her passion is catching. I went to a training in Lincoln and since have spoken at a couple of churches,” Bauer explained.
Reynolds explained the history and purpose of the program and how to get involved. “Epworth Partners and Interpreters like Carlie are a committed group of diverse people living throughout Nebraska. Some are retired clergy, some lay persons, all ages and genders.”
“The idea for this program was conceived in February of 2013. I remember the day,” Reynolds recalled opening up the 2012 Epworth Village Annual Report. “Epworth had been financially struggling for several years. In looking at the total 2012 income, 92 percent of the total income came from the State of Nebraska. Since I was serving on the Epworth Village Foundation and was a life-long United Methodist, I was amazed to see the United Methodist Church only contributed three percent of the income of Epworth that year. The United Methodist Women had always been heavily supportive of the Epworth Mission but the overall church support was disappointing.”
Reynolds did not allow her disappointment to disrupt her faith and passion. She has a long history of not giving up and was, in fact, commissioned a United Methodist missionary by the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church in 1977. Reynolds and her husband Cliff, a United Methodist clergy, have devoted their entire adult lives to the church.
Pictured is Harrietta Reynolds and her
granddaughter, Carlie Bauer. Bauer serves as
a volunteer in the Epworth Village Partners and Interpreters program. She is also a sophomore at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln studying journalism, speech communications and theater.
Bauer is also one of the “Big Red Singers.” With all she does, Bauer is so thrilled to be serving Epworth as a volunteer.
Photo provided by Epworth VillageThroughout her career she has served in seven states and the Virgin Islands and was also an Interim Director for United Methodist Agencies that were in a time of transition. She even took a break from her Epworth Partners work in June of 2014 to serve as the interim executive director for Epworth until the fall of 2015.
Now Reynolds is on a mission to re-ignite the hard work she and others have started, “When we started all of this, I went through the channels of the United Methodist Church and was given permission to prepare a packet to go into every church in Nebraska. Packets were given out at the Nebraska Annual Conference Session in June of 2013. Either the pastor or lay delegate for each church needed to sign for the packet. We prepared 375 packets and all but about 60 churches were signed for in June. Then in July, we called the pastors of the churches who had not picked up their packet and we mailed them.”
During that summer, Reynolds recruited and trained about 15 speakers — all committed and ready to go to churches to share about Epworth Village, “Bishop Ann Sherer-Simpson, Abbi Kleinschmidt, my husband Cliff and I were all working together to help lead the process. By the end of 2015, we had speakers in 150 local churches. In 2014, the Epworth Annual Report revealed the United Methodist support increased to 10 percent and individual gifts to 10 percent of the total income. It is estimated that eight percent of individual gifts came from individual United Methodists. This means that the percentage of church giving went from three to approximately 18 percent.”
And the work continues, “We are recruiting committed persons to be part of our Epworth Partners program and to serve as Epworth Mission Interpreters, like Carlie, and to go out and share. Congregations should note there is absolutely no charge for speakers and the volunteers travel at their own expense and do not accept honorariums. Epworth Partners has no budget. Epworth Village, Inc. prints what brochures are needed and the volunteers themselves also prepare materials on their own.”
“It feels good,” Bauer said. “Life is more than about fulfilling our own individual goals and desires. It’s about serving Jesus’ desires for our gifts.”
“It is indeed pure joy to know that Carlie and others supporting Epworth Village truly ‘get it,’” Reynolds said. “Our relationship with Christ is one that calls us to share and model what He teaches his followers – as in all times, that is especially needed today.”
Learn more about Epworth Village at www.epworthvillage.org.
-------
Opinion and Blogs
Ecumenical Advocacy Days: Immigration
On April 15, my fiancée, Emily DeVore, and I headed to Washington D.C. for Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD). This trip was made possible thanks to the help of the scholarships we received from Peace with Justice Ministries. EAD’s theme for this year was “Lift Every Voice! — Racism, Class & Power.” It was an energetic weekend filled with amazing speakers and workshops with a strong emphasis on social justice. All of the issues in regards to voter registration, the environment, women’s issues and race are very important but the one that hits close to home for me is immigration.
I am originally from Acapulco, Mexico. When I was 15 years old, I came to the United States without documents by myself. I came to Waterloo, Iowa, to live with my older brother Jonas. While crossing the border, when I was hungry and scared, I met God as an undocumented immigrant. I manage to go to college at the University of Northern Iowa and I graduated with my master's of divinity degree from Saint Paul School of Theology without documents. In 2012, I obtained Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This allowed me to get a work permit, a Social Security number and a driver’s license. DACA allowed me to start the process of becoming ordained in The United Methodist Church. This year, during the annual conference session, I will officially become a provisional member of the Great Plains Conference.
Immigration issues are personal for me because they affect my life in the United States. Without DACA, I would not have been allowed to listen to my call to ministry. On April 18, I was able to witness a rally outside the Supreme Court calling for Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) to pass. DAPA would benefit 3.6 million undocumented immigrants who like me came to this country looking for opportunities for a better life. It was a powerful experience to be surrounded by people who believe that all humans are created equal. We all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Why denied people the right to obtain work permits, social security numbers and driver’s license? When they can contribute so much more to our society once they become documented. Is it that some politicians believe that we should continue to have undocumented immigrants so that we can continue to exploit them? Is this a racist issue that some politicians simply don’t like immigrants? I believe it is all of the above.
“Give my people freedom …” God says to the Pharos of today. Recognize us as humans who have been created equal in the Imago Dei so that by fixing the immigration system with documents we can pursue in the United States life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.[Orlando Gallardo-Parra]
-------
Newsletters
UMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
United Methodist Communications: MyCom
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas
United Methodist Committee on Relief: Hotline
Ministry Matters: May 25, 2016
-------
Classifieds
- First UMC in Lubbock, Texas, seeks associate director of youth ministry
- Youth ministries director sought at Manhattan First UMC
- Paola UMC hiring for multiple musical positions
- Central Avenue UMC in Wichita seeks secretary
-------
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. Find the press clips 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
---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment