The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 7 September 2016Download the printable version of the Sept. 7 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Celebration service planned for Bishop Saenz
Support our new bishop by participating in 100 days of prayer
Deadline drawing near to assemble buckets for flooding victims
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Saenz gives first sermon as bishop
Grant available to help nurture a Culture of Call
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Small Wonders conference to focus on young-adult ministries
Amid many changes, why we serve remains constant
Council of Bishops offers grants for ecumenical cooperation
EmberHope plans foster care parent training session
Epworth Village plans gala fundraiser
Registration open for Lewis Center livestream on churches' futures
MERCY AND JUSTICE
One more opportunity to help 3 mission partnerships
Many Native Americans, United Methodists oppose pipeline
Seven named to poverty task force
Jalingo-area donations help orphanage in Nigeria
Wichita-area member to take part in concert to end gun violence
ADMINISTRATION
Digital version of 2016 conference journal now available online
Earlier deadline for GPconnect
OTHER
Across the Connection
Newsletters
Opinion
Classifieds
Celebration service planned for Bishop Saenz
The Great Plains Conference will host a Celebration of Assignment service for Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd., in Lincoln, Nebraska.This setting will provide for a worship-filled experience and will be followed by an opportunity to welcome our new bishop and his wife, Maye, to the Great Plains. A light lunch will be served during the fellowship time following the service.
Hotel rooms are available at a discounted rate at the Fairfield Inn and Suites (8455 Andermatt Dr., 402-325-6400) at $89 per night and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites (8801 Amber Hill Ct., 402-423-1176) at $76 per night. Make sure to state the “United Methodist Conference” group to receive the rate.
The worship service will be broadcast via livestream on the conference’s website,www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream.
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Support our new bishop by participating in 100 days of prayer
United Methodists across the Great Plains Conference are encouraged to lend a hand to Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. as he begins his ministry in Kansas and Nebraska by participating in 100 days of prayer, beginning Sept. 1.
The Rev. Nathan Stanton, coordinator of New Church Development, and Corey Godbey, coordinator of Hispanic Ministry, assembled the prayers for transition, family, relationships, vision, wisdom, leadership, self-care, renewal, hope and boldness are broken down in 10-day increments.
Download the prayer card.
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Deadline drawing near to assemble buckets for flooding victims
The deadline is drawing near for providing flood buckets to help people harmed by the recent flooding in Louisiana.The biggest need beyond ongoing prayers is flood buckets to help people clean up.Assembled buckets can be delivered to the following locations by the indicated dates:
By 5 p.m. Sept. 9, Great Plains United Methodist Church Conference office in Lincoln, Nebraska, 3333 Landmark Circle.
By 5 p.m. Sept. 9, Great Plains United Methodist Church Conference Topeka, Kansas, 4201 SW 15th St.
By 5 p.m. Sept. 9, First United Methodist Church in Dodge City, 210 Soule St.
By 5 p.m. Sept. 16, Great Plains United Methodist Church Conference office in Wichita, 9440 E. Boston St.
The conference’s disaster relief team will deliver the buckets to Louisiana soon after those dates.
Read a story about the flooding from United Methodist News Service.
See what each bucket should include and how to assemble it via the UMCOR website. It is very important that all flood buckets be complete, so please double check the list of items and ensure they are all included in the buckets you provide for the people who so desperately need these supplies.
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Saenz gives first sermon as bishop
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. helped First United Methodist Church in Topeka continue a tradition on Sunday by giving his first sermon as the episcopal leader of the conference at the downtown church.Read more about his first sermon – and his feelings during Saturday’searthquake.
Bishop Saenz delivers first sermon as episcopal leader in Great Plains
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. delivers the sermon Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, at First United Methodist Church in Topeka. His appearancemaintained a tradition from the former Kansas East Conference for the new bishop to deliver the first sermon of the new assign-
ment at the church. Photo by David Burke
The first weekend in the Great Plains Conference proved earth-shaking for Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.
Saturday morning, he told the congregation Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Topeka, he had his earphones in listening to music, and his coffee cup started to shake.
“My Native American flute music is a little too far off the charts,” Saenz recalled.
It turned out to be an earthquake near Pawnee, Oklahoma, measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale, whose tremors could be felt throughout the Great Plains.
“I’d never experienced them before,” Saenz told the congregation, then smiled. “Welcome to Kansas.”
Saenz continued a long-standing tradition that Topeka First started in the former Kansas East Conference, the Rev. Jeff Clinger said – hosting the new bishop for his first sermon.
“I was uncertain it would happen because we’re the Great Plains Conference now, and maybe there was someone in the former Kansas West or the former Nebraska Conference that had similar traditions,” Clinger said. “But we asked him, and he said yes.”
Saenz delivered the sermon at three Sunday-morning services at Topeka First, two in the chapel and one in the sanctuary. And with Topeka District Superintendent, the Rev. Kay Scarbrough, he also served communion.
Clinger said the congregation was impressed with the new bishop, who started Sept. 1 after ministry in the Rio Texas Conference.
“They’re excited about his personability, his grace, his humility, his humor,” Clinger said. “They’re really excited for his leadership in the conference.”
Saenz spoke on discipleship and how, like a former church of his in Texas, Topeka First is a downtown church.
“Being a downtown church requires different spiritual material,” he said. “You’re engaged in kingdom work that matters – you make a difference.”
Church member Andrea Clifton said she felt encouraged by Saenz’s sermon.
“I think he’s going to be great as far as helping our district feel like a community. He’s already started that feeling of community in our church. He’s helping us. He’s encouraging us, being a downtown church, to engage the community – which we’ve been trying to do,” Clifton said.
Mary Lou Auer, a Stephen Ministry leader at Topeka First, said she was impressed by Saenz’s warmth and loving nature.
“There’s been a long line of people that he’s followed and a lot of people he has to live up to,” she said. “But he looks like he can do it.”
Contact David Burke, communications coordinator, at dburke@greatplainsumc.org.
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Grant available to help nurture a Culture of Call
Grants will be awarded in the range of $500 - $2,000 for churches, campus ministries, and United Methodist organizations in the Great Plains UMC to fuel their imaginations in creating opportunities to cultivate a Culture of Call.Creating a Culture of Call means that the behaviors, beliefs and attitudes of your congregation/community readily supports the members of the community to identify and explore a call by God to serve God as a lay, licensed, or ordained person. Not everyone who feels a call will work “in ministry” for a church, but as everyone seeks to live out his or her faith more deeply, we pray that everyone will consider their work in the world, and even their interactions with other people will be an opportunity to live out God’s call.
The second deadline to apply is Sept. 15, 2016 (the early deadline wasApril 15). Learn more including FAQs and information on applying at greatplainsumc.org/cocgrant.
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Small Wonders conference to focus on young-adult ministries
Registration is open for the annual Small Wonders conference, which aims to help churches with fewer than 100 people in average worship attendance better live out the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.This year’s event will focus on presentations and conversations about young-adult ministry. Join us Oct. 7-8 at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas. The two days will be filled with worship, workshops and brainstorming about how to best participate in ministry to young adults in small churches in rural, urban and suburban settings. Young adults will be among our leadership for the conference.
The Peterson Brothers – from Assaria, Kansas – will perform their farm parodies of pop songs and talk about their faith. Learn more about the Peterson Brothers. And check out some of their parodies.
For more information on workshops, hotel options and registration, please go to www.greatplainsumc.org/smallwonders.
Contact the Rev. Micki McCorkle, coordinator of small-membership church ministries, at mmcorckle@greatplainsumc.org.
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Amid many changes, why we serve remains constant
Lay Servant Ministries are constantly evolving and growing. New courses are being created and approved. How we are structured is being modified. What should not change is why we are doing what we do.Bryan Hankins, director of Lay Servant Ministries in the Missouri River District shares some thoughts on the subject in the latest LSM blog.
Learn more about Lay Servant Ministries in the Great Plains.
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Council of Bishops offers grants for ecumenical cooperation
The Council of Bishops Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships will award three Local Initiative Grants to groups within annual conferences enacting special projects with the goal of strengthening ecumenical and/or interreligious relationships. Such projects may include building networks on a local level, among specific groups, for example young adults, and online through social media.Each grant is in the amount of $1,000. The deadline to apply is Sept. 16. Recipients will be announced by Nov. 18.
Preference for Local Initiative Grants will be given to groups elected to lead in Christian unity and interreligious relationships. Past recipients include the Interfaith Mission Service, First United Methodist Church of Dallas, Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges Incorporated andDetroit Annual Conference CUIR with projects ranging from ecumenical racial reconciliation, interfaith worship exchanges, ecumenical curricula and certificate program in ecumenism.
The 2017 Local Initiatives Grants are designed to fulfill the Council of Bishops' focus on developing ecumenical and interreligious ministry within annual conferences. These grants offer a unique opportunity for local conference groups actively leading ecumenical or interreligious programs to expand their efforts.
Is your organization creating ecumenical and interreligious ministries in a local context? Apply today!
For more information about the Local Initiative Grant, past grantees, and to download the 2017 application, visit: http://www.ocuir.org/local_initiatives_grants/
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EmberHope plans foster care parent training session
EmberHope Youthville Foster Care is having a foster parent training 6-9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 12, at First UMC (101 E. First Ave.) in Hutchinson, Kansas. Anyone interested in learning about becoming a foster parent is welcome to attend. Download a bulletin insert.
To register for the class, please contact Victor Peterson at 316-239-4486or vpeterson@emberhope.org. You can also register online.
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Epworth Village plans gala fundraiser
Epworth Village, a United Methodist ministry that works with children in York, Nebraska, is hosting a fundraiser program and auction to benefit the youth home, its school and other aspects of the ministry there.The Harvest of Blessings is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave., in York. Following a fellowship time, the dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. The evening includes an inspirational program as well as silent and live auctions.
Download a flier.
The cost is $40 per person, $160 for a table of four and $320 for a table of eight. To make reservations or for more information, call 402-362-3353or send an email to ecampbell@epworthvillage.org.
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Registration open for Lewis Center livestream on churches' futures
Registration is open for the “Discovering God’s Future for Your Church” Conference and Live Stream. Hosted by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary, the event will provide a step-by-step process to help congregations discern God’s vision for their future.
“Discovering God’s Future for Your Church” is Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m.-noon Central Standard Time. Conference attendees may participate in person at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, or via live stream from their own computer or mobile device across the globe. The event is ecumenical and designed for both laity and clergy.
At “Discovering God’s Future for your Church,” attendees will learn how to discern God’s vision for their congregations — a step-by-step process for considering the strengths, challenges, and people that God has given them both in their churches and in communities. This process can reveal what God is calling their congregation to be and to do.
Attendees will learn that whether God’s vision for their church is large or small, it has to be right for their congregation — right at this time, right in their context. And they will learn how to make this vision come alive in their churches to be faithful and fruitful to God’s will.
Topics include: Your Church’s Future and the Clarity of Vision; How to Discern a Vision; Living the Vision; and The Power of Vision.
Discovering God’s Future for Your Church is presented by Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., distinguished professor of church leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary and director of the Lewis Center.
Additional conference and live stream information and registration is available at https://www.churchleadership.com/discovering-gods-future-church.
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One more opportunity to help 3 mission partnerships
A push to raise funds for three of our mission partners is coming to a close, but you still have a couple of weeks to pool resources and make a difference.The Great Plains is raising money to help build a new Zimbabwe East Conference office; help pay for renovations to the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas; and help raise funds for a salaries endowment for the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.
While funds have been raised for these three through our annual conference session in June, we came short of our goals for all three partners.
Go to a special page on the conference site to see and download videos and bulletin inserts, as well as to see how to donate.
Donations should be sent to the conference office in Topeka, 4201 SW 15th St., PO Box 4187, Topeka, KS 66604, and postmarked by Friday, Sept. 16.
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Many Native Americans, United Methodists oppose pipeline
The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation faced many struggles even before a proposal for a four-state oil pipeline threatened their water quality, said the Rev. David Wilson, superintendent of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.Wilson spent a week at the site where protesters have been fighting the project since April. The camp near the reservation in North Dakota has swelled with protesters as Native Americans from distant tribes have joined the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s fight against the $3.8 billion pipeline, which the tribe said would disturb sacred sites as well as pollute drinking water for the tribe and millions of others downstream.
Read more about the protest.
Many Native Americans, United Methodists oppose pipeline
Tribal people from several nations gather daily at the protest campsite to pray for an end to the Dakota Access Pipeline construction.Photo by Dallas Parker, Oklahoma Indian
Missionary Conference.
The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation faced many struggles even before a proposal for a four-state oil pipeline threatened their water quality, said the Rev. David Wilson, after a visit this week to the site where protesters have been fighting the project since April.
The camp near the reservation in North Dakota has swelled with protesters as Native Americans from distant tribes have joined the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s fight against the $3.8 billion pipeline, which the tribe said would disturb sacred sites as well as pollute drinking water for the tribe and millions of others downstream.
Wilson, conference superintendent for the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, joined a delegation evaluating how to support the tribe.
Meanwhile, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Bruce R. Ough issued a statement supporting the protesters and the tribe. Some United Methodist clergy across North and South Dakota are staging efforts of support through social media.
The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, responsible for advocating for the denomination's social teachings, also announced that it stands in solidarity with the peaceful protesters and advocates that national leaders listen to communities affected by the pipeline.
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference has already helped provide food, gasoline for generators and paper goods to feed the swelling camp, which ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 people. The conference also bought three large canopy tents and solar lights. Standing Rock Sioux Tribal leaders are making sure to provide three meals a day for those coming to support their cause.
“The reservation is already facing catastrophic numbers of social ills and now they have to deal with the water being polluted and, again, people taking advantage of what they have,” said Wilson. “That angers and saddens me.”
He recalled visiting the reservation in 2011, when there was a rash of 29 suicides in one month by young people.
Wilson said this struggle is similar to the story of David and Goliath. “They have taken so much from this tribe in terms of land, and now they want to take away probably the most precious resource, which is water.”
Court ruling expected this month
A federal judge is expected to rule before Sept. 9 on whether to grant a preliminary injunction against the Army Corps of Engineers that would stop pipeline construction while a federal lawsuit filed by the tribe is heard. The protests had already resulted in a temporary halt to the construction of the Missouri River-crossing portion of the pipeline.
The tribe’s lawsuit contends the construction and operation of the pipeline threatens its environmental and economic well-being and would damage or destroy sites that have great historical, religious and cultural significance to the tribe. The lawsuit said the pipeline violates the National Historic Preservation Act and the Clean Water Act, among other laws.
Bishop Ough said in his statement of support for the Lakota and Dakota people that the protest “is informed by the memory of broken treaties and disingenuous promises.”
“Ultimately, this is a protest about the stewardship of God’s creation and justice for the indigenous peoples of the Great Plains. Ultimately, this is a spiritual battle,” Ough said.
“I stand with my Lakota and Dakota brothers and sisters because I believe the central question of the creation story is at the heart of their lament and their protest: What will we do with the blessing of power God has given us? This is a particularly poignant God-question for those of us who have the power of privilege in our country and the world. I urge all Dakotas United Methodists to wrestle with this question so central to our faith and witness,” he said.
United Methodist support builds
As support built for the protesters, one United Methodist couple packed their bags and went to join the protests after reading an article about the fight, which they contend is not just a Native issue.
“The whole time we were at the campsite, it kept occurring to me, where are all the white people?” said Lynne Hunter, a 63-year-old environmentalist. “It is time for everyone to step up and stop the pipeline.”
A member of Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield, Kansas, Hunter and her husband, Charles, a 70-year-old retired biologist, made the 13-hour drive because they thought it was important to stand in solidarity.
“All these years, I’ve been sensitive to how we treated Native Americans historically and this issue struck a chord with me,” Lynne Hunter said.
“They’ve had no power and have been used in the past. Now, they are showing a lot of power as a larger Indian Nation and they need our support,” Charles Hunter said.
The route of the Dakota Access Pipeline originally crossed under the Missouri River near Bismarck. Due to documented concerns over water contamination, the route was moved to cross near the reservation. The pipeline is designed to carry a half-million barrels of oil daily from the Bakken oil fields in northwest North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois.
“They could just have easily put this pipeline under the river at Bismarck. Well, guess what? That’s where the white people live,” Charles Hunter said.
Church commitment to indigenous peoples
JOINING THE EFFORT
Creating awareness and advocating on behalf of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe are just a few ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made directly to the tribe or through the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.
Both Wilson and Ough point to The United Methodist Church’s Social Principles, which call on all United Methodists to seek environmental justice and “to approach creation, energy production, and especially creation’s resources in a responsible, careful, and economic way.” (2012 Book of Discipline, p.106).
The Rev. Anita Phillips, director of the church’s Native American Comprehensive Plan, says the pipeline issue gives United Methodists a unique opportunity to fulfill promises made by the 2012 General Conference during the Act of Repentance to Indigenous Peoples. The Act of Repentance service acknowledged wrongdoing to indigenous peoples and began a journey of healing.
“This is a place where the church and the reality of life for Native American people are meeting,” said Phillips. “This is not just a physical place where we are talking about oil; it’s not just a racial justice issue; this is a time for us to claim our identity as disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Ginny Underwood is freelance writer in Oklahoma City. This story was written for United Methodist News Service.
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Seven named to poverty task forceSeven clergy and laity from the Great Plains Conference have been named to the Poverty Initiative Task Force, approved this summer during the Annual Conference.
Chair of the group is the Rev. Patrick McLaughlin, Kansas City, Kansas. Other members are Aubrey Mancuso, Ralston, Nebraska; Ruth Kruse, Omaha; Ken Sokol, Kansas City, Kansas; the Rev. Mark Crist, Wahoo, Nebraska; Sue Dondlinger, Wichita; and Debora Cox, Salina.
This task force will administer the grant applications for poverty-related projects. Please check your upcoming GPConnect news for the launch of the online application for projects that address the issues of poverty in our two states. The task force is working on the application criteria and hopes to have the application available by Sept. 30.
For any questions about the Poverty Initiative Resolution and application, please contact the Rev. Kalaba Chali, kchali@greatplainsumc.org or call316-684-0266.
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Jalingo-area donations help orphanage in Nigeria
The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation faced many struggles even before a proposal for a four-state oil pipeline threatened their water quality, said the Rev. David Wilson, after a visit this week to the site where protesters have been fighting the project since April.
The camp near the reservation in North Dakota has swelled with protesters as Native Americans from distant tribes have joined the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s fight against the $3.8 billion pipeline, which the tribe said would disturb sacred sites as well as pollute drinking water for the tribe and millions of others downstream.
Wilson, conference superintendent for the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, joined a delegation evaluating how to support the tribe.
Meanwhile, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Bruce R. Ough issued a statement supporting the protesters and the tribe. Some United Methodist clergy across North and South Dakota are staging efforts of support through social media.
The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, responsible for advocating for the denomination's social teachings, also announced that it stands in solidarity with the peaceful protesters and advocates that national leaders listen to communities affected by the pipeline.
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference has already helped provide food, gasoline for generators and paper goods to feed the swelling camp, which ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 people. The conference also bought three large canopy tents and solar lights. Standing Rock Sioux Tribal leaders are making sure to provide three meals a day for those coming to support their cause.
“The reservation is already facing catastrophic numbers of social ills and now they have to deal with the water being polluted and, again, people taking advantage of what they have,” said Wilson. “That angers and saddens me.”
He recalled visiting the reservation in 2011, when there was a rash of 29 suicides in one month by young people.
Wilson said this struggle is similar to the story of David and Goliath. “They have taken so much from this tribe in terms of land, and now they want to take away probably the most precious resource, which is water.”
Court ruling expected this month
A federal judge is expected to rule before Sept. 9 on whether to grant a preliminary injunction against the Army Corps of Engineers that would stop pipeline construction while a federal lawsuit filed by the tribe is heard. The protests had already resulted in a temporary halt to the construction of the Missouri River-crossing portion of the pipeline.
The tribe’s lawsuit contends the construction and operation of the pipeline threatens its environmental and economic well-being and would damage or destroy sites that have great historical, religious and cultural significance to the tribe. The lawsuit said the pipeline violates the National Historic Preservation Act and the Clean Water Act, among other laws.
Bishop Ough said in his statement of support for the Lakota and Dakota people that the protest “is informed by the memory of broken treaties and disingenuous promises.”
“Ultimately, this is a protest about the stewardship of God’s creation and justice for the indigenous peoples of the Great Plains. Ultimately, this is a spiritual battle,” Ough said.
“I stand with my Lakota and Dakota brothers and sisters because I believe the central question of the creation story is at the heart of their lament and their protest: What will we do with the blessing of power God has given us? This is a particularly poignant God-question for those of us who have the power of privilege in our country and the world. I urge all Dakotas United Methodists to wrestle with this question so central to our faith and witness,” he said.
United Methodist support builds
As support built for the protesters, one United Methodist couple packed their bags and went to join the protests after reading an article about the fight, which they contend is not just a Native issue.
“The whole time we were at the campsite, it kept occurring to me, where are all the white people?” said Lynne Hunter, a 63-year-old environmentalist. “It is time for everyone to step up and stop the pipeline.”
A member of Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield, Kansas, Hunter and her husband, Charles, a 70-year-old retired biologist, made the 13-hour drive because they thought it was important to stand in solidarity.
“All these years, I’ve been sensitive to how we treated Native Americans historically and this issue struck a chord with me,” Lynne Hunter said.
“They’ve had no power and have been used in the past. Now, they are showing a lot of power as a larger Indian Nation and they need our support,” Charles Hunter said.
The route of the Dakota Access Pipeline originally crossed under the Missouri River near Bismarck. Due to documented concerns over water contamination, the route was moved to cross near the reservation. The pipeline is designed to carry a half-million barrels of oil daily from the Bakken oil fields in northwest North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois.
“They could just have easily put this pipeline under the river at Bismarck. Well, guess what? That’s where the white people live,” Charles Hunter said.
Church commitment to indigenous peoples
JOINING THE EFFORT
Creating awareness and advocating on behalf of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe are just a few ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made directly to the tribe or through the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.
Both Wilson and Ough point to The United Methodist Church’s Social Principles, which call on all United Methodists to seek environmental justice and “to approach creation, energy production, and especially creation’s resources in a responsible, careful, and economic way.” (2012 Book of Discipline, p.106).
The Rev. Anita Phillips, director of the church’s Native American Comprehensive Plan, says the pipeline issue gives United Methodists a unique opportunity to fulfill promises made by the 2012 General Conference during the Act of Repentance to Indigenous Peoples. The Act of Repentance service acknowledged wrongdoing to indigenous peoples and began a journey of healing.
“This is a place where the church and the reality of life for Native American people are meeting,” said Phillips. “This is not just a physical place where we are talking about oil; it’s not just a racial justice issue; this is a time for us to claim our identity as disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Ginny Underwood is freelance writer in Oklahoma City. This story was written for United Methodist News Service.
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Seven named to poverty task forceSeven clergy and laity from the Great Plains Conference have been named to the Poverty Initiative Task Force, approved this summer during the Annual Conference.
Chair of the group is the Rev. Patrick McLaughlin, Kansas City, Kansas. Other members are Aubrey Mancuso, Ralston, Nebraska; Ruth Kruse, Omaha; Ken Sokol, Kansas City, Kansas; the Rev. Mark Crist, Wahoo, Nebraska; Sue Dondlinger, Wichita; and Debora Cox, Salina.
This task force will administer the grant applications for poverty-related projects. Please check your upcoming GPConnect news for the launch of the online application for projects that address the issues of poverty in our two states. The task force is working on the application criteria and hopes to have the application available by Sept. 30.
For any questions about the Poverty Initiative Resolution and application, please contact the Rev. Kalaba Chali, kchali@greatplainsumc.org or call316-684-0266.
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Jalingo-area donations help orphanage in Nigeria
Mission Partnership, Nigeria Orphanage in Jalingo is the recent recipient of some local kindness. Toiletries and other supplies were delivered recently and distributed among the students.Food stuffs continue to be of a high cost, doubling in some cases in the past few months due to drought. Contributions to help with student learning supplies, daily living needs and teacher salaries can be sent to the conference treasurer, Great Plains Advance 330, or placed in your local offering plate.
Download a PowerPoint presentation.
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Wichita-area member to take part in concert to end gun violence
Becky Farris, member of Woodland United Methodist Church, has a day job as a mail carrier at which she’s very good, but her real talent is teaching and playing guitar. Last year Becky took on the teaching role for the 11th Hour Project, a guitar class for middle school students that also teaches alternatives to violence. Now she and her band, Two Travelin' Birds, have decided to participate in the National Concert to End Gun Violence. The concert is a project of Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence and features musicians from across the country performing at concerts and venues to "raise the volume on the national effort to save lives from gun violence." Concerts, be they humble or humongous, will take place on or around Sunday, Sept. 25.
Wichitans celebrate the second day of its annual Pride Celebration on the 25th, which includes an entertainment stage with a variety of local talent. Becky and her band will be featured from 4:40 to 5:15 p.m., and both Becky and Pastor Michelle Reed, who has been active in the movement to prevent gun violence for several years, will have a chance to address the audience to speak up for victims of gun violence.
"Gun violence has been a controversial topic here in Kansas, as the majority of Kansans did not approve of a law passed last year that allows persons to conceal carry without training or registration," said Reed. "This year, many groups are working together to change current legislation that would allow students on college campuses to carry concealed weapons beginning next July, a law that many believe will lead to even more senseless gun violence."
For more information regarding the National Concert to End Gun Violence, visit http://www.faithsunited.org.
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Digital version of 2016 conference journal now available online
The 2016 Great Plains Annual Conference Journal will go to the printer in the next week to 10 days. But you can read it now.The digital version is available on our website at http://www.greatplainsumc.org/journal.
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Earlier deadline for GPconnect
Because of communications staff training and travel, items to be submitted for the Sept. 14 edition of GPconnect must be received bynoon Monday, Sept. 12.Items may be submitted either by using our website at https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/Submitanewsstory or by sending an email to info@greatplainsumc.org.
The usual noon Tuesdays deadline will be back in effect for the Sept. 21edition.
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Across the Connection
News from United Methodist News Service and other sources on subjects of interest:World Methodist Conference gathers Wesleyan family
Update on bishops’ commission on a “Way Forward”
Professor says division of United Methodist Church ‘a given’
Promoting women’s health in Uganda
See how a church changed its name and found its focus
Clergywomen gather in Houston to empower the future of UMC leadership
Appeal made for refugee petition to United Nations
NewslettersDiscipleship Ministries: Generous Living
Global Ministries: connectNmission
Horizons Stewardship: Money & Ministry
Global Ministries: Global Health
Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation: Sustaining the United Methodist Witness
UMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas
Opinion
In Layman’s Terms: Todd Seifert, conference communications director, reflects on the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and considers how the 15th anniversary of the attacks may be an opportunity for laity to serve as modern-day prophets to call people back to God.Editorial praises two Kansas City-area churches: The Kansas City Star shares thoughts about how two churches have come together to build bridges across the racial divide.
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ClassifiedsSolar Oven Partners UMC seeks director
Leavenworth First seeks director of youth ministries
Youth director needed at Hiawatha First UMC
Spanish Bibles needed at Indian Heights UMC
To view these and other classifieds, go to greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
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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-------
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