The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 29 June 2016Download the printable version of the June 29 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Case against Rev. Cynthia Meyer referred to church trial
- New pastor announced for Wichita Saint Mark UMC
- Learn more about concert for jurisdictional conference area night
- Volunteers needed to help with hospitality during conference
- Last call to claim lost and found items
- Staff helps repair quilt in Wichita office
- Elisha Grant applications for young clergy now being accepted
- Openings remain for Young Preachers Conference
- Continuing education in the Great Plains
- Amp It Up camp develops worship leadership skills in youth
- Rossville UMC youth make difference at Forest Park
- Church Planter Incubator available to clergy, laity
- Camp Fontanelle offering worship at end of camp
- Website offers tools for children, families in case of disasters
- Christ UMC in Schuyler promotes accessibility to books with Social Justice Seed money
- York farmer directs donation to Epworth Village Foundation
- Great Plains immigrant families continue to live in shadows
Case against Rev. Cynthia Meyer referred to church trial
The case against the Rev. Cynthia Meyer, who stated in a letter to her district superintendent earlier this year that she was in a committed homosexual relationship, has been referred to a church trial.
The decision was made June 21 by the conference's Committee on Investigation and was announced June 24.
Read more about the case.Case against Rev. Meyer referred to church trialThe case against the Rev. Cynthia Meyer, who stated in a letter to her district superintendent earlier this year that she was in a committed homosexual relationship, has been referred to a church trial.
The decision was made June 21 by the Committee on Investigation, whose function is similar to that of a grand jury. It is comprised of Great Plains Conference clergy and laity, with duties outlined by The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline in paragraph 2706. The committee conducted a hearing June 21 at the conference office building in Topeka, Kansas, and announced its decision June 24.
Under the Book of Discipline, the denominations book of law and procedure, the Church does not allow self-avowed, practicing homosexuals to serve as ordained clergy.
The Committee on Investigation’s decision does not imply Rev. Meyer’s guilt or innocence, but rather means reasonable grounds exist to bring her to a church trial, the date for which is yet to be set but likely will take place later this summer at a to-be-determined location.
Read the June 24 letter Bishop Jones has sent to all clergy and lay members to annual conference.
Prior to the announcement of the committee’s decision, parties for the Church and for Rev. Meyer agreed to a face-to-face meeting at some point in August with a mediator from the Just Peace Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation, a United Methodist organization based in Washington, D.C., that states its mission is to prepare and assist leaders and faith communities to engage conflict in ways that strive for justice and reconciliation. That face-to-face meeting is expected to take place despite the committee’s referral of the case to a church trial.
“I am very sorry that we are moving toward the holding of a trial, and yet it appears to be a necessary next step following the preaching of Rev. Meyer’s sermon last January," Bishop Scott J. Jones said. "I still hold out hope that the just resolution process will reach an agreement that upholds the Book of Discipline. I ask that all parts of the Great Plains Conference keep Rev. Meyer and all parties in their prayers as I am doing.”
According to the Book of Discipline in Paragraph 2707, a church trial is considered to be “an expedient of last resort” in disputes within the denomination. A guilty verdict could result in the revocation of credentials for ordination, suspension or a lesser penalty.
The case against Meyer is one of several actions against clergy in the United States over issues associated with human sexuality. The General Conference, the Church’s top governing body that meets once every four years, convened May 10-20 in Portland, Oregon. The actions taken by more than 850 delegates from around the world included the adoption of a proposal by the Council of Bishops, the denomination’s executive branch, to set up a special commission to review every paragraph in the Discipline regarding human sexuality. The council could call a special General Conference prior to the scheduled 2020 gathering in Minneapolis, Minnesota, likely to deal only with matters pertaining to human sexuality.
The General Conference’s decision contains some ambiguity. It expresses a desire by the Council of Bishops to “continue to explore options to help the church live in grace with one another – including ways to avoid further complaints, trials and harm … .” But it closes with the phrase “while we uphold the Discipline.”
During the Great Plains Annual Conference session June 1-4 in Topeka, Kansas, clergy and laity from across Kansas and Nebraska approved an “aspirational resolution” urging counsel for the Church and counsel for Rev. Meyer to agree to refer her case back to the resident bishop to seek what the Discipline calls a “just resolution.” In such a process, the bishop can seek the assistance of a third-party mediator. Such a process is allowed in the denomination under Book of Discipline Paragraph 2706.5c3. The resolution is non-binding, meaning representatives for both sides in the case are not required to do so. Throughout the process, both parties still could resolve the issue. A just resolution could be agreed upon at any time.
The case began Jan. 3, when Rev. Meyer preached a sermon at Edgerton United Methodist Church in which she said she was in a “committed relationship” with another woman characterized as a “covenant.” She sent a copy of the sermon to her district superintendent, the Rev. David Watson. On Jan. 5, Rev. Watson, filed a complaint against Rev. Meyer alleging that she is a self-avowed, practicing homosexual.
The complaint process, outlined in the Book of Discipline, has included a time of discussion and inquiry that eventually led to the Committee on Investigation’s hearing June 21 in Topeka.
Despite the trial, Rev. Meyer will continue to serve the church in Edgerton, Kansas, throughout the remainder of the complaint process.
In his June 24 letter to all clergy and lay members of the annual conference, Bishop Jones said all people engaged in the process covet prayers.
“I hope to avoid a trial and still uphold my covenant vows,” Bishop Jones said. “Nevertheless, our church’s constitution guarantees Rev. Meyer the right to a trial, and we may end up having one. I believe that all of us will do the best we can to follow the General Conference’s admonition that we seek to live in grace with each other while we uphold the Discipline of our Church.”
Stories Related to the Rev. Meyer Case (in chronological order)Jan. 15 – Bishop meets with Meyer as part of review process
April 4 – Bishop Jones refers complaint against Rev. Cynthia Meyer to counsel for the Church
May 17 – Great Plains delegates help take lead on debate
May 18 – Motion to accept bishops’ plan resurrected, passes
May 24 – Bishop Jones issues statement about General Conference, Rev. Cynthia Meyer case
June 4 – Great Plains Conference approves ‘aspirational resolution’ involving Meyer case
June 6 – Bishop issues letter regarding resolution on reconciliation
June 24 – Read the letter from Bishop Jones about the pending church trial
Contact Todd Seifert, communications director for the Great Plains Conference, at tseifert@greatplainsumc.org.
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Read a letter from Bishop Jones to clergy and lay members of the annual conference.
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New pastor announced for Wichita Saint Mark UMC
A Texas pastor with experience in leading large congregations has been chosen as the new leader of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita.
The Rev. Robert Johnson was announced June 26 as the new pastor of Saint Mark and will begin on Sunday, Aug. 14. Johnson, 50, replaces the Rev. Junius Dotson, who was selected in April as general secretary of the Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church after 14 years at Saint Mark.
Read the story.Texas pastor chosen to lead Wichita Saint Mark
A 22-year veteran pastor who considers Saint Mark United Methodist Church one of the “flagship” black churches in the denomination has been chosen as the new pastor for the Wichita ministry.
The Rev. Robert Johnson was announced as the new pastor of Saint Mark on June 26. He will begin on Sunday, Aug. 14. Johnson, 50, replaces the Rev. Junius Dotson, who was selected in April as general secretary of the Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church after 14 years at Saint Mark.
“Saint Mark is just a great church in every aspect of what people consider a great church,” Johnson said. “It’s a great worship experience, great teaching ministries, great involvement in the community.”
A native of Columbia, Mississippi, Johnson has served just less than two years as pastor of Aldersgate UMC in College Station, Texas. Prior to that, he spent 7½ years as the senior pastor of NewWorld UMC in Houston.
Johnson spent a decade as associate pastor at Windsor Village UMC in Houston, with a membership of more than 16,000, making it one of the largest protestant churches in the country. Windsor Village’s pastor, the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, taped a video introduction of Johnson for the Saint Mark congregation.
“It’s a good marriage,” Caldwell said on the video, “I’m happy for you.”
The Rev. Robert Johnson with his wife, Linda, andtheir children, Giselle and Kayla.
Johnson said he admired Caldwell’s boundless energy and dedication.
“I’ve never seen anyone who works more passionately, day-in and day-out. He loves it,” Johnson said. “The joy and passion of being a pastor and how that impacts what happens at your church.”
A church, Johnson said he learned from Caldwell, can have a multitude of ministries, but without a powerful presence on Sunday morning it’s like McDonald’s deciding not to serve hamburgers.
“He said, ‘I will put everything I’ve got into making that hour count,’” Johnson said. “Kirbyjon was really big on ‘We’re not perfect, but let’s make every effort to polish it up and make it appealing to reflect excellence.’”
Saint Mark, with two campuses in Wichita, is considered one of the top five black United Methodist Churches in membership in the country.
Johnson said he considered the church a flagship for other United Methodists.
“To have an opportunity to serve a church where you have other, smaller churches in the denomination looking to you for guidance, I just see that as a great opportunity,” Johnson said. “I’m passionate not only about local churches, but I’m passionate about the welfare of our denomination and the welfare of the global church.”
To continue to thrive, he said, the church must become more diverse in many different aspects.
“Sometimes local churches can do ministry in a way that makes it very clear that while they’re not excluding people, that they’re targeting a particular demographic. And that demographic can be super limited,” Johnson said.
“You can still be particularly relevant to a specific demographic without being exclusive. You focus on the things that are bigger than culture and are bigger than race and bigger than age and bigger than the worship wars. You’re intentional about seeking to communicate God’s truth and God’s presence to all human beings that you encounter,” he added. “That’s what church should be about.”
Johnson is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. His wife, Linda, is a senior financial manager for Shell Oil who will continue her career when the family moves to Wichita. They have two daughters, Giselle, a film student at Howard University in Washington, D.C.; and Kayla, who will be entering her junior year of high school this fall.
View a video welcome from Johnson.
Contact David Burke, Great Plains Conference communications coordinator, at dburke@greatplainsumc.org.
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Learn more about concert for jurisdictional conference area night
Want to know how you can participate in the South Central Jurisdictional Conference from July 13 to 16 in Wichita? One way is just to come out and have some fun at a concert featuring a Grammy-nominated artist and a mass choir of singers from throughout the Great Plains. Check out our promo video for our area night concert. Join us July 15 for great music and a spiritual pick-me-up!
Learn more about the conference.
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Volunteers needed to help with hospitality during conference
Join in the effort to share Great Plains hospitality with United Methodist leaders from surrounding states as they gather to vision and plan for the future of the United Methodist churches in the South Central Jurisdiction. Events are being conducted at the Hyatt in downtown Wichita.
Areas of service include helping with bags at the airport, greeters helping with receptions, hauling supplies, ushering at the concert, assisting with concert production, being host/hostess of our lunch vans or helping with buffet dinners.
View volunteer options and sign up.
If you prefer, call Kathie Monroe at the Wichita conference office at 316-684-0266 to sign up or with any questions.
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Last call to claim lost and found itemsThe conference office in Lincoln has accumulated various items from the 2015 annual conference session, 2016 Orders and Fellowship and the 2016 annual conference session. This is the last call to redeem your belongings. Items not claimed by Wednesday, July 20 will be donated or thrown away.
If you find that any of the items from the following list belong to you contact Dana Reinhardt at dreinhardt@greatplainsumc.org or call 402-464-5994 ext. 105.
2015 Great Plains Annual Conference Session
Red Morona button down sweater, size medium
Sheer pink and purple scarf accessory
Book – “The First 48 Hours: Spiritual Caregivers as First Responders” by Jennifer S. Cisney and Kevin L. Ellers
Duck TAGgie Toy
KC Chiefs key
Palmer Physical Therapy for Women seat cushion for back
2016 Orders and Fellowship
Ten Thousand Villages purchase of three children’s books
“Where is God?” by Lawrence and Karen Kushner
What Does God Look Like?” by Lawrence and Karen Kushner
What is God’s Name?” by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Ten Thousand Villages purchase of a bacon and egg card.
Black leather eyeglass case with clip
Grey hooded zip up sweatshirt by Champion, size extra large
2016 Great Plains Annual Conference
Black leather seat cushion by Seat Solution
SMU Perkins bag with a black Pyro Maniac 2016 One Event shirt, size 2XL
Book – “Trust Me” by Jeff Abbott
Eyeglasses with dark brown frame
Headband with brown and gold flowers
Ring – plain silver band
Large gold key with the number 210 on it
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Staff helps repair quilt in Wichita office
Some of the staff in our Wichita office are putting their sewing skills to work to help repair and reinforce the quilt that many of you have seen in our front lobby.
The quilt, originally given to Dr. Augustus Phillips George — a traveling deacon in the former South Kansas and Southwest Kansas conferences — in about 1892. It was donated to the former Kansas West Conference by George's great-grandchildren in 2012.
It includes blocks to represent different cities in the conference, as well as one city in Oklahoma.
Assisting with the sewing and repair are receptionist Ann Manske, lead administrative assistant TruDee Little and administrative assistant Lydia Harbutz.
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Elisha Grant applications for young clergy now being acceptedThe Rev. Nancy Lambert, director of Clergy Excellence/assistant to the bishop, has announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Elisha Grant. The Elisha Grant is a reimbursement to young clergy serving local churches in the Great Plains Conference for some of the costs incurred while attending seminary.
Tuition and books are not the only expense of attending seminary, and some individuals exhaust their savings in order to incur minimal debt while in seminary. This might result in being financially strapped after graduation. This grant is intended to relieve some of that financial pressure for a clergy family beginning their ministry career.
Persons are eligible to apply if they:
Are 45 years old or younger
Have graduated from a seminary approved by the University Senate in the last five years (May 2012 or later)
Are appointed for full-time service at a local church in the Great Plains Conference and in their first five years of such service after graduating from seminary, and
Are an approved candidate, provisional member or full member of the Great Plains Conference
This is the final year for the Elisha Grant, due to budgetary restraints.
Download the application.
More information and a link to the application can be found at www.greatplainsumc.org/elishagrant.
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Openings remain for Young Preachers ConferenceThe United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is gearing up for the Young Preachers Festival and Conference, scheduled for Thursday-Friday, July 21-22, at its Leawood, Kansas, campus.
The event is designed to inspire young leaders age 16-34 in their call to ministry, and current leaders looking to invest in their preaching gifts. Participants can look forward to fun and fellowship through group meals, lawn games, an interactive sermon slam, a potential encounter with John Wesley and more! In addition, the festival will include practical workshops focused on preaching and sermon preparation, featured sessions with denominational leaders and an opportunity to give a sermon and receive feedback from a panel of ministry leaders.
Check out the conference on Facebook (United Methodist Young Preachers) and Twitter (@umyoungpreacher). #youngpreachersfestival2016. Spread the word and invite a young leader!
There is still time to register. Details and registration link can be found at youngpreachersfestival.org. Questions? Contact the conference at sharechurchevents@cor.org or 913-232-4157.
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Continuing education in the Great Plains
Preaching RocksPreaching Rocks is a workshop academy for sharpening skills in public speaking to effectively present the good news of Jesus Christ. Persons who can benefit from Preaching Rocks include:
This preaching academy will rely on group learning, consultation and support for one another to increase individual skills in preaching and worship leadership. Each participant will be asked to complete a preliminary skills assessment, and invite members of their congregation and their district superintendent to also complete the assessment.
Preaching Rocks group gatherings will be held every other month, beginning Sept. 16-17, at Grace UMC (1832 W 9th St.) in Hastings, Nebraska. Individual conferences will be via Skype, GoToMeeting or Google Hangouts.
View complete details and the link to register at greatplainsumc.org/preachingrocks.
Leading Out of DramaDoes your church have drama? Most do, at some time or other. The question is whether or not the drama consumes the energy of everyone and takes over the mission of the church, or if people respond in ways to defuse it to a manageable level.
Lay people and clergy can benefit from a workshop called Leading Out of Drama. Leading Out of Drama will help leaders transform the interpersonal and group dynamics that sabotage morale, engagement and productivity by helping to identify drama behaviors in self and others, and increase self-awareness. This means that conflicts can be defused early on, leading to positive change.
Two Leading Out of Drama workshops are being offered this fall. Each consists of two one-day retreats.
Sept. 26 and Nov. 3, in Grand Island, Nebraska, led by the Rev. Adam Barlow-Thompson
September and November in Wichita, Kansas (location and dates TBD), led by the Rev. Phyllis Provost-Saas.
You can find the full information, including cost and registration link at greatplainsumc.org/leadingoutofdrama.
Experiencing ExcellenceExperiencing Excellence, led by the Rev. Adam Barlow Thompson, is an opportunity to receive an overview of the Process Communication Model (PCM). The assessment participants complete helps the individuals gain valuable self-awareness which can lead to greater missional effectiveness in the local church with further training and practice in PCM. This training is for clergy and lay members of local churches.
Three Experiencing Excellence trainings will be offered (you only register for one):
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Amp It Up camp develops worship leadership skills in youth
It’s not every day that summer campers get a chance to both gain experience leading worship and professionally record music, but that’s precisely what high school campers did at Southwestern College’s annual Amp It Up worship band camp last month.
Amp It Up is for students who want to use their musical talents to lead worship. This year, 29 students attended the five-day camp May 26-30, 2016. In partnership with adult mentors and college-age camp counselors — all worship leaders themselves — campers formed bands and experienced practicing and performing together as a group.
Campers, some of whom were attending the camp for the second time after participating in previous years, said they enjoyed gaining experience working in a team and having the chance to learn from skilled musicians. Another perk was that camp bands recorded their versions of popular Christian songs and received professionally mixed and mastered recordings of their performance.
“It’s really fun to work something up as a team and then get the chance to record it. Not a lot of people get to go through that recording process,” said Emma Bathurst, who attends Emmanuel UMC in Abilene, Kansas.
Not only did campers learn from college-age and adult mentors, they also had the opportunity to hear from Nashville-based Christian recording artist Mark Schultz. Schultz, who grew up in Colby, Kansas, and his band members spoke about their experiences as musicians and the lessons they’d learned along the way, then broke out into small workshop groups to share tips and techniques with campers learning their particular instruments.
The students appreciated the individualized attention and focus.
“I’m part of the adult worship team at my church, and I’m one of only two pianists. So instead of just doing your same, day-to-day thing, it’s good to have the experience of talking to other keyboard players and get some insights on what they do to get a different perspective so you know how to push yourself,” Bathurst said.
While in Winfield, Schultz and his band performed a concert to a large crowd in Richardson Auditorium on the Southwestern campus. Amp It Up campers had front-row seats, and during his concert Schultz lifted the students up as an example young people who are actively pursuing their faith and learning skills to help share that faith with others.
Next year’s Amp It Up band camp is scheduled for June 1-5. More information can be found at www.sckans.edu/other/amp-it-up and www.institutefordiscipleship.org/amp-it-up/. - Britt Bradley, Southwestern College
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Rossville UMC youth make difference at Forest ParkTen children from Rossville UMC in Kansas demonstrated being in “ministry with” instead of “ministry to” when they attended day camp at Forest Park Retreat Center in Topeka from June 13 to 17.
Every morning, the students were transported 23 miles from Rossville to Forest Park to interact with children from east Topeka and participate in the morning activities at camp. USD 321 school district provided vans for transportation.
Forest Park Day Camp was an alternative to Vacation Bible School for the Rossville church. Instead of inviting children to join them at their church, the Rossville children witnessed their faith by making new friends with children in east Topeka.
Every afternoon upon returning to the church, the RUMC children would talk about what they had learned that morning and what new friends they had made. Children who had experienced conflict that day (often as a result of cultural and social differences) were encouraged to think of ways they could be loving and kind in the midst of disagreement.
This experience was part of an ongoing collaboration between Rossville UMC and Forest Park. Members of RUMC also have donated flower bulbs and participated in work days at the park. In lieu of purchasing materials for VBS, the congregation was able to make a cash donation to offset expenses for the day camp.
Learn more about Forest Park Conference and Retreat Center.
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Church Planter Incubator available to clergy, laityIn 2015, the Great Plains Annual Conference adopted a strategic goal of starting 20 new congregations by 2020.
This bold goal set by the Great Plains also called for the recruitment, nurture and development of great new church planters who could prayerfully lead and plant healthy new congregations. To support this strategic vision, Great Plains New Church Development, Inc., is supporting the recruitment and training of as many as 100 Great Plains laypersons and clergy in a five-session process. Each session includes teaching and coaching from Great Plains planters and some of the best planters and trainers from the greater United Methodist Church.
Every person, clergy or lay, is welcome to participate and challenge themselves in this process. Even if you do not find yourself as the pastor of a new church start or part of a team working on a new start, this incubator process will help you develop as a disciple who seeks to engage new people one on one or through your current church setting.
Churches on the edge of mission fields where the neighborhoods are either changing or where the United Methodist Church has closed other churches may be interested in exploring the possibilities of what God might be calling you to do in that area again.
Incubator dates are:Connecting to your Mission Field Launch Pad – Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas
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Camp Fontanelle offering worship at end of camp
Camp Fontanelle is excited to announce that the Joyful Noise session will be offering a worship service at the end of camp. The session, which runs from Tuesday-Saturday, July 5-9, will offer a worship at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The campers will spend the week preparing music and dramas to share with the public at this service. This is a new venture for this camp which has traditionally gone to a church on Sunday and participated in the service. Having the service at the camp will give the campers and Camp Dean Aaron Bostwick complete freedom to share their joy in the Lord and celebrate in song and drama their Fearless Faith.
The Joyful Noise Camp is a camp to help empower campers to improve their worship experience through singing, playing instruments and drama. While practicing for the Saturday service, the campers will deepen their faith through prayer and worship. Campers will also have an opportunity to participate in all of the fun activities at camp.
Camp Fontanelle is located in Washington County, Nebraska, just south of the community of Fontanelle on 9677 County Road 3. Plan to take time out of your Saturday and join in worship at camp.
For more information, contact Jane Van Horn, camp coordinator, atfontanelle@greatplainsumc.org.
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Website offers tools for children, families in case of disasters
Prepare, prepare, prepare – we can never do enough to get ready for disasters!
A great tool for children’s ministries is www.savethechildren.org/getready. This website is loaded with all kinds of tools to educate children and it provides a downloadable ICE (In Case of Emergency) Card for the family.
Check it out today!
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Christ UMC in Schuyler promotes accessibility to books with Social Justice Seed money
On May 8, members and friends of Christ UMC in Schuyler, Nebraska, gathered to dedicate the town’s first Little Free Library.
Envisioned and organized by Sheri Balak with the help of many others, the Little Free Library provides a place to exchange or share books and personal stories. The free book exchange exists to promote literacy and the love of reading, and to build a sense of community as people share their stories, skills, creativity and wisdom across generations and cultures.
To celebrate the opening of the Little Free Library, a new book was given to each elementary, middle school and preschool student in Schuyler and the rural schools in the district. Thanks to Schuyler Community Schools Foundation, Schuyler Community Schools and PTO, and the Mercy and Justice Team of the Great Plains Conference for partnering to provide 1,400 books to students in their first languages.
Read a story from the Schuyler Sun about the project. More information about the seed money can be found on this flier or on the Great Plains website.
Social Justice Seed Money grants are available to support ministries and projects addressing issues of social justice. Deadlines are June 30 and Sept. 30.
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York farmer directs donation to Epworth Village Foundation
The Epworth Village Foundation has received a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund and directed by local farmer Fred Scheele of Waco. The donation will help the Epworth Foundation in its continuing effort to provide permanent financial foundation and support to Epworth Village, Inc., which is a United Methodist ministry associated with foster care and helping at-risk children based in York, Nebraska. In doing so, the foundation further extends a healing touch to children and families in the name of Christ. The foundation was formed in the 1990s to financially enhance and support the programs and services to youth and families Epworth Village serves.
For six years, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate more than $22 million to more than 8,000 community non-profit organizations across rural America. There were 79 Nebraska farmers who received awards for 2016. The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. The program, which launched in 2010, allows farmers to enter to win a $2,500 donation to direct toward their favorite community nonprofit organization. One winner is selected in each of the 1,326 eligible counties across 40 states. Visit the Monsanto Fund.
America’s Farmers Grow Communities partners with farmers to support local nonprofit causes that positively impact farming communities across rural America. Grow Communities is one program in the America’s Farmers community outreach effort, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Other programs include America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, which encourages rural youth to remain in agriculture and provides $1,500 college scholarships to high school and college students pursuing ag-related degrees and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, which works with farmers to nominate rural school districts to compete for $10,000 and $25,000 math and science grants. Visit www.AmericasFarmers.com to learn more.
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Great Plains immigrant families continue to live in shadows
It was a sad day for staff and volunteers at Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska, or JFON-NE, but even more so for the immigrant families living among us, when the ruling of the Supreme Court in U.S. vs Texas was announced last week. The court’s 4-4 indecision means that the expanded Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals, or DACA , and Deferred Action For Parents of Americans, DAPA, programs cannot go forward at this time. These programs, first announced by President Obama on Nov. 20, 2014, have been on hold since February 2015 when a District Court Judge in South Texas issued a preliminary injunction. This profoundly disappointing ruling forces millions of immigrant families who have long resided in the U.S. and who have significant connections to this country to remain in legal limbo.
“Our hearts go out to the almost 5 million immigrants and their families that could have benefited from DAPA/DACA but now will have to continue to live in fear,” said Emiliano Lerda, executive director of JFON-NE.
JFON-NE states that the news underscores the importance of the upcoming election and the need to continue to call upon Congress to enact compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform. The human cost to this failure to act is a perpetuation of a system which tears families apart, forces people into the shadows, and denies our immigrant neighbors the ability to fully contribute to our communities. JFON-NE encourages all eligible voters to register and vote their conscience in November.
At our general conference, May 10-20 in Portland, Oregon, delegates approved a resolution affirming the president’s executive action. “Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S.” called the action to halt deportations a “necessary temporary step that allowed certain groups of immigrants to apply for temporary legal status, though not citizenship.” Acknowledged that legislative change is “the permanent step that is needed.”
“Separating children from their parents is immoral and is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ and The United Methodist Church,” said the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive, United Methodist Board of Church and Society, and Bishop ElÃas Galván, executive director, Metodistas Representando la Causa de los Hispanos Americanos, in ajoint statement.
Church members across our conference will continue to advocate for compassionate immigration reform and for an end to deportations. To become part of the Great Plains Immigration Rapid Response Team, contact Sandy Sypherd at ssypherd@windstream.net or Andrea Paret atamparet08@yahoo.com.— Andrea Paret, Great Plains Peace With Justice coordinator
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Other News
It's the time of year when many of our churches celebrate Vacation Bible School. Here are some reports about VBS from across the conference:
Saint Paul (Nebraska) UMC Vacation Bible School
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NewslettersUMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
Ministry Matters: June 28, 2016
United Methodist Communications: MyCom
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas
Christian Copyright Solutions: June 2016
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Classifieds
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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.
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Editorial Policy: The content, news, events and announcement information distributed in GPconnect is not sponsored or endorsed by the Great Plains Methodist Conference unless specifically stated.
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---------------------
Learn more about concert for jurisdictional conference area night
Want to know how you can participate in the South Central Jurisdictional Conference from July 13 to 16 in Wichita? One way is just to come out and have some fun at a concert featuring a Grammy-nominated artist and a mass choir of singers from throughout the Great Plains. Check out our promo video for our area night concert. Join us July 15 for great music and a spiritual pick-me-up!
Learn more about the conference.
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Volunteers needed to help with hospitality during conference
Join in the effort to share Great Plains hospitality with United Methodist leaders from surrounding states as they gather to vision and plan for the future of the United Methodist churches in the South Central Jurisdiction. Events are being conducted at the Hyatt in downtown Wichita.
Areas of service include helping with bags at the airport, greeters helping with receptions, hauling supplies, ushering at the concert, assisting with concert production, being host/hostess of our lunch vans or helping with buffet dinners.
View volunteer options and sign up.
If you prefer, call Kathie Monroe at the Wichita conference office at 316-684-0266 to sign up or with any questions.
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Last call to claim lost and found itemsThe conference office in Lincoln has accumulated various items from the 2015 annual conference session, 2016 Orders and Fellowship and the 2016 annual conference session. This is the last call to redeem your belongings. Items not claimed by Wednesday, July 20 will be donated or thrown away.
If you find that any of the items from the following list belong to you contact Dana Reinhardt at dreinhardt@greatplainsumc.org or call 402-464-5994 ext. 105.
2015 Great Plains Annual Conference Session
Red Morona button down sweater, size medium
Sheer pink and purple scarf accessory
Book – “The First 48 Hours: Spiritual Caregivers as First Responders” by Jennifer S. Cisney and Kevin L. Ellers
Duck TAGgie Toy
KC Chiefs key
Palmer Physical Therapy for Women seat cushion for back
2016 Orders and Fellowship
Ten Thousand Villages purchase of three children’s books
“Where is God?” by Lawrence and Karen Kushner
What Does God Look Like?” by Lawrence and Karen Kushner
What is God’s Name?” by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Ten Thousand Villages purchase of a bacon and egg card.
Black leather eyeglass case with clip
Grey hooded zip up sweatshirt by Champion, size extra large
2016 Great Plains Annual Conference
Black leather seat cushion by Seat Solution
SMU Perkins bag with a black Pyro Maniac 2016 One Event shirt, size 2XL
Book – “Trust Me” by Jeff Abbott
Eyeglasses with dark brown frame
Headband with brown and gold flowers
Ring – plain silver band
Large gold key with the number 210 on it
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Staff helps repair quilt in Wichita office
Some of the staff in our Wichita office are putting their sewing skills to work to help repair and reinforce the quilt that many of you have seen in our front lobby.
The quilt, originally given to Dr. Augustus Phillips George — a traveling deacon in the former South Kansas and Southwest Kansas conferences — in about 1892. It was donated to the former Kansas West Conference by George's great-grandchildren in 2012.
It includes blocks to represent different cities in the conference, as well as one city in Oklahoma.
Assisting with the sewing and repair are receptionist Ann Manske, lead administrative assistant TruDee Little and administrative assistant Lydia Harbutz.
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Elisha Grant applications for young clergy now being acceptedThe Rev. Nancy Lambert, director of Clergy Excellence/assistant to the bishop, has announced that applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Elisha Grant. The Elisha Grant is a reimbursement to young clergy serving local churches in the Great Plains Conference for some of the costs incurred while attending seminary.
Tuition and books are not the only expense of attending seminary, and some individuals exhaust their savings in order to incur minimal debt while in seminary. This might result in being financially strapped after graduation. This grant is intended to relieve some of that financial pressure for a clergy family beginning their ministry career.
Persons are eligible to apply if they:
Are 45 years old or younger
Have graduated from a seminary approved by the University Senate in the last five years (May 2012 or later)
Are appointed for full-time service at a local church in the Great Plains Conference and in their first five years of such service after graduating from seminary, and
Are an approved candidate, provisional member or full member of the Great Plains Conference
This is the final year for the Elisha Grant, due to budgetary restraints.
Download the application.
More information and a link to the application can be found at www.greatplainsumc.org/elishagrant.
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Openings remain for Young Preachers ConferenceThe United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is gearing up for the Young Preachers Festival and Conference, scheduled for Thursday-Friday, July 21-22, at its Leawood, Kansas, campus.
The event is designed to inspire young leaders age 16-34 in their call to ministry, and current leaders looking to invest in their preaching gifts. Participants can look forward to fun and fellowship through group meals, lawn games, an interactive sermon slam, a potential encounter with John Wesley and more! In addition, the festival will include practical workshops focused on preaching and sermon preparation, featured sessions with denominational leaders and an opportunity to give a sermon and receive feedback from a panel of ministry leaders.
Check out the conference on Facebook (United Methodist Young Preachers) and Twitter (@umyoungpreacher). #youngpreachersfestival2016. Spread the word and invite a young leader!
There is still time to register. Details and registration link can be found at youngpreachersfestival.org. Questions? Contact the conference at sharechurchevents@cor.org or 913-232-4157.
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Continuing education in the Great Plains
Preaching RocksPreaching Rocks is a workshop academy for sharpening skills in public speaking to effectively present the good news of Jesus Christ. Persons who can benefit from Preaching Rocks include:
- those who are new to the preaching experience
- those who are aware that their preaching isn’t to the level they would like it to be
- those who want to become the best preacher possible (which hopefully is every pastor)
This preaching academy will rely on group learning, consultation and support for one another to increase individual skills in preaching and worship leadership. Each participant will be asked to complete a preliminary skills assessment, and invite members of their congregation and their district superintendent to also complete the assessment.
Preaching Rocks group gatherings will be held every other month, beginning Sept. 16-17, at Grace UMC (1832 W 9th St.) in Hastings, Nebraska. Individual conferences will be via Skype, GoToMeeting or Google Hangouts.
View complete details and the link to register at greatplainsumc.org/preachingrocks.
Leading Out of DramaDoes your church have drama? Most do, at some time or other. The question is whether or not the drama consumes the energy of everyone and takes over the mission of the church, or if people respond in ways to defuse it to a manageable level.
Lay people and clergy can benefit from a workshop called Leading Out of Drama. Leading Out of Drama will help leaders transform the interpersonal and group dynamics that sabotage morale, engagement and productivity by helping to identify drama behaviors in self and others, and increase self-awareness. This means that conflicts can be defused early on, leading to positive change.
Two Leading Out of Drama workshops are being offered this fall. Each consists of two one-day retreats.
Sept. 26 and Nov. 3, in Grand Island, Nebraska, led by the Rev. Adam Barlow-Thompson
September and November in Wichita, Kansas (location and dates TBD), led by the Rev. Phyllis Provost-Saas.
You can find the full information, including cost and registration link at greatplainsumc.org/leadingoutofdrama.
Experiencing ExcellenceExperiencing Excellence, led by the Rev. Adam Barlow Thompson, is an opportunity to receive an overview of the Process Communication Model (PCM). The assessment participants complete helps the individuals gain valuable self-awareness which can lead to greater missional effectiveness in the local church with further training and practice in PCM. This training is for clergy and lay members of local churches.
Three Experiencing Excellence trainings will be offered (you only register for one):
- Sept. 6 at First UMC (946 Vermont St.), Lawrence, Kansas
- Oct. 11 at First UMC (2123 Forest Ave.), Great Bend, Kansas
- Oct. 12 at First UMC (2710 14th St.), Columbus, Nebraska
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Amp It Up camp develops worship leadership skills in youth
It’s not every day that summer campers get a chance to both gain experience leading worship and professionally record music, but that’s precisely what high school campers did at Southwestern College’s annual Amp It Up worship band camp last month.
Amp It Up is for students who want to use their musical talents to lead worship. This year, 29 students attended the five-day camp May 26-30, 2016. In partnership with adult mentors and college-age camp counselors — all worship leaders themselves — campers formed bands and experienced practicing and performing together as a group.
Campers, some of whom were attending the camp for the second time after participating in previous years, said they enjoyed gaining experience working in a team and having the chance to learn from skilled musicians. Another perk was that camp bands recorded their versions of popular Christian songs and received professionally mixed and mastered recordings of their performance.
“It’s really fun to work something up as a team and then get the chance to record it. Not a lot of people get to go through that recording process,” said Emma Bathurst, who attends Emmanuel UMC in Abilene, Kansas.
Not only did campers learn from college-age and adult mentors, they also had the opportunity to hear from Nashville-based Christian recording artist Mark Schultz. Schultz, who grew up in Colby, Kansas, and his band members spoke about their experiences as musicians and the lessons they’d learned along the way, then broke out into small workshop groups to share tips and techniques with campers learning their particular instruments.
The students appreciated the individualized attention and focus.
“I’m part of the adult worship team at my church, and I’m one of only two pianists. So instead of just doing your same, day-to-day thing, it’s good to have the experience of talking to other keyboard players and get some insights on what they do to get a different perspective so you know how to push yourself,” Bathurst said.
While in Winfield, Schultz and his band performed a concert to a large crowd in Richardson Auditorium on the Southwestern campus. Amp It Up campers had front-row seats, and during his concert Schultz lifted the students up as an example young people who are actively pursuing their faith and learning skills to help share that faith with others.
Next year’s Amp It Up band camp is scheduled for June 1-5. More information can be found at www.sckans.edu/other/amp-it-up and www.institutefordiscipleship.org/amp-it-up/. - Britt Bradley, Southwestern College
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Rossville UMC youth make difference at Forest ParkTen children from Rossville UMC in Kansas demonstrated being in “ministry with” instead of “ministry to” when they attended day camp at Forest Park Retreat Center in Topeka from June 13 to 17.
Every morning, the students were transported 23 miles from Rossville to Forest Park to interact with children from east Topeka and participate in the morning activities at camp. USD 321 school district provided vans for transportation.
Forest Park Day Camp was an alternative to Vacation Bible School for the Rossville church. Instead of inviting children to join them at their church, the Rossville children witnessed their faith by making new friends with children in east Topeka.
Every afternoon upon returning to the church, the RUMC children would talk about what they had learned that morning and what new friends they had made. Children who had experienced conflict that day (often as a result of cultural and social differences) were encouraged to think of ways they could be loving and kind in the midst of disagreement.
This experience was part of an ongoing collaboration between Rossville UMC and Forest Park. Members of RUMC also have donated flower bulbs and participated in work days at the park. In lieu of purchasing materials for VBS, the congregation was able to make a cash donation to offset expenses for the day camp.
Learn more about Forest Park Conference and Retreat Center.
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Church Planter Incubator available to clergy, laityIn 2015, the Great Plains Annual Conference adopted a strategic goal of starting 20 new congregations by 2020.
This bold goal set by the Great Plains also called for the recruitment, nurture and development of great new church planters who could prayerfully lead and plant healthy new congregations. To support this strategic vision, Great Plains New Church Development, Inc., is supporting the recruitment and training of as many as 100 Great Plains laypersons and clergy in a five-session process. Each session includes teaching and coaching from Great Plains planters and some of the best planters and trainers from the greater United Methodist Church.
Every person, clergy or lay, is welcome to participate and challenge themselves in this process. Even if you do not find yourself as the pastor of a new church start or part of a team working on a new start, this incubator process will help you develop as a disciple who seeks to engage new people one on one or through your current church setting.
Churches on the edge of mission fields where the neighborhoods are either changing or where the United Methodist Church has closed other churches may be interested in exploring the possibilities of what God might be calling you to do in that area again.
Incubator dates are:Connecting to your Mission Field Launch Pad – Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas
- July 19-21: Crucible – Community Connections, Faith Sharing, Staying Connected to God
- July 20-21: Incubator – Rev. Scott Chrostek, Rez Downtown, Kansas City, Missouri; Rev. Matt Miofsky, The Gathering, St. Louis
- Aug. 22: Incubator – Process Communication Model for planters and spouses
- Aug. 23: Crucible – Team, Covenant and Focus
- Sept. 13: Crucible – Focus, Systems, Budgets
- Oct. 6-8: Crucible – Teams, Context, Discipleship Systems, Fundraising
- Oct. 7-8: Incubator – Dr. Phil Maynard, Director of Path 1 Coaching Network, New Church Strategist
- Nov. 15: Crucible – Vision, Mission Values, Narrative Budgets
- December Crucible – Video Conferences
- Jan. 17: Crucible – Strategy, Transformation and Ministry Action Plan
- February – Financial Stewardship and Ministry Action Plan
- March – Video Conferences & Benchmark Meetings
- May – New Community Launch Pad
- June 2017 – Retreat
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Camp Fontanelle offering worship at end of camp
Camp Fontanelle is excited to announce that the Joyful Noise session will be offering a worship service at the end of camp. The session, which runs from Tuesday-Saturday, July 5-9, will offer a worship at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The campers will spend the week preparing music and dramas to share with the public at this service. This is a new venture for this camp which has traditionally gone to a church on Sunday and participated in the service. Having the service at the camp will give the campers and Camp Dean Aaron Bostwick complete freedom to share their joy in the Lord and celebrate in song and drama their Fearless Faith.
The Joyful Noise Camp is a camp to help empower campers to improve their worship experience through singing, playing instruments and drama. While practicing for the Saturday service, the campers will deepen their faith through prayer and worship. Campers will also have an opportunity to participate in all of the fun activities at camp.
Camp Fontanelle is located in Washington County, Nebraska, just south of the community of Fontanelle on 9677 County Road 3. Plan to take time out of your Saturday and join in worship at camp.
For more information, contact Jane Van Horn, camp coordinator, atfontanelle@greatplainsumc.org.
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Website offers tools for children, families in case of disasters
Prepare, prepare, prepare – we can never do enough to get ready for disasters!
A great tool for children’s ministries is www.savethechildren.org/getready. This website is loaded with all kinds of tools to educate children and it provides a downloadable ICE (In Case of Emergency) Card for the family.
Check it out today!
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Christ UMC in Schuyler promotes accessibility to books with Social Justice Seed money
On May 8, members and friends of Christ UMC in Schuyler, Nebraska, gathered to dedicate the town’s first Little Free Library.
Envisioned and organized by Sheri Balak with the help of many others, the Little Free Library provides a place to exchange or share books and personal stories. The free book exchange exists to promote literacy and the love of reading, and to build a sense of community as people share their stories, skills, creativity and wisdom across generations and cultures.
To celebrate the opening of the Little Free Library, a new book was given to each elementary, middle school and preschool student in Schuyler and the rural schools in the district. Thanks to Schuyler Community Schools Foundation, Schuyler Community Schools and PTO, and the Mercy and Justice Team of the Great Plains Conference for partnering to provide 1,400 books to students in their first languages.
Read a story from the Schuyler Sun about the project. More information about the seed money can be found on this flier or on the Great Plains website.
Social Justice Seed Money grants are available to support ministries and projects addressing issues of social justice. Deadlines are June 30 and Sept. 30.
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York farmer directs donation to Epworth Village Foundation
The Epworth Village Foundation has received a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund and directed by local farmer Fred Scheele of Waco. The donation will help the Epworth Foundation in its continuing effort to provide permanent financial foundation and support to Epworth Village, Inc., which is a United Methodist ministry associated with foster care and helping at-risk children based in York, Nebraska. In doing so, the foundation further extends a healing touch to children and families in the name of Christ. The foundation was formed in the 1990s to financially enhance and support the programs and services to youth and families Epworth Village serves.
For six years, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate more than $22 million to more than 8,000 community non-profit organizations across rural America. There were 79 Nebraska farmers who received awards for 2016. The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. The program, which launched in 2010, allows farmers to enter to win a $2,500 donation to direct toward their favorite community nonprofit organization. One winner is selected in each of the 1,326 eligible counties across 40 states. Visit the Monsanto Fund.
America’s Farmers Grow Communities partners with farmers to support local nonprofit causes that positively impact farming communities across rural America. Grow Communities is one program in the America’s Farmers community outreach effort, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Other programs include America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, which encourages rural youth to remain in agriculture and provides $1,500 college scholarships to high school and college students pursuing ag-related degrees and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, which works with farmers to nominate rural school districts to compete for $10,000 and $25,000 math and science grants. Visit www.AmericasFarmers.com to learn more.
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Great Plains immigrant families continue to live in shadows
It was a sad day for staff and volunteers at Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska, or JFON-NE, but even more so for the immigrant families living among us, when the ruling of the Supreme Court in U.S. vs Texas was announced last week. The court’s 4-4 indecision means that the expanded Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals, or DACA , and Deferred Action For Parents of Americans, DAPA, programs cannot go forward at this time. These programs, first announced by President Obama on Nov. 20, 2014, have been on hold since February 2015 when a District Court Judge in South Texas issued a preliminary injunction. This profoundly disappointing ruling forces millions of immigrant families who have long resided in the U.S. and who have significant connections to this country to remain in legal limbo.
“Our hearts go out to the almost 5 million immigrants and their families that could have benefited from DAPA/DACA but now will have to continue to live in fear,” said Emiliano Lerda, executive director of JFON-NE.
JFON-NE states that the news underscores the importance of the upcoming election and the need to continue to call upon Congress to enact compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform. The human cost to this failure to act is a perpetuation of a system which tears families apart, forces people into the shadows, and denies our immigrant neighbors the ability to fully contribute to our communities. JFON-NE encourages all eligible voters to register and vote their conscience in November.
At our general conference, May 10-20 in Portland, Oregon, delegates approved a resolution affirming the president’s executive action. “Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S.” called the action to halt deportations a “necessary temporary step that allowed certain groups of immigrants to apply for temporary legal status, though not citizenship.” Acknowledged that legislative change is “the permanent step that is needed.”
“Separating children from their parents is immoral and is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ and The United Methodist Church,” said the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive, United Methodist Board of Church and Society, and Bishop ElÃas Galván, executive director, Metodistas Representando la Causa de los Hispanos Americanos, in ajoint statement.
Church members across our conference will continue to advocate for compassionate immigration reform and for an end to deportations. To become part of the Great Plains Immigration Rapid Response Team, contact Sandy Sypherd at ssypherd@windstream.net or Andrea Paret atamparet08@yahoo.com.— Andrea Paret, Great Plains Peace With Justice coordinator
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Other News
It's the time of year when many of our churches celebrate Vacation Bible School. Here are some reports about VBS from across the conference:
Saint Paul (Nebraska) UMC Vacation Bible School
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NewslettersUMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
Ministry Matters: June 28, 2016
United Methodist Communications: MyCom
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas
Christian Copyright Solutions: June 2016
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Classifieds
- Piano free to church in need
- Director of after school programs sought at Woodland UMC
- Wooden benches for sale
- Basehor UMC seeks youth director
- Worship leader needed at St. Andrew's in Omaha
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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.
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Editorial Policy: The content, news, events and announcement information distributed in GPconnect is not sponsored or endorsed by the Great Plains Methodist Conference unless specifically stated.
To submit a letter to the editor, send it to info@greatplainsumc.org.
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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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