Thursday, September 22, 2016

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 21 September 2016

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States "GPconnect" for Wednesday, 21 September 2016 
Download the printable version of the Sept. 21 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
MERCY AND JUSTICE
ADMINISTRATION
OTHER
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GP seeks more volunteers to help flood victims in southern Kansas
The Great Plains Conference has answered the call to help in the wake of disasters in Louisiana and closer to home in Mulvane, Kansas. Both areas suffered significant flooding from storms over the past few weeks.
The call for flood buckets was answered by many churches and by some outside the United Methodist Connection. Almost 600 buckets were compiled in Nebraska and were packed up and shipped by volunteers, including truck driver Rich Vanderslice, to Goddard, Kansas, where they then were loaded to a truck from buckets compiled in the Wichita area for transport to Louisiana by volunteer driver Lamoine King.
After the call for buckets for Louisiana was made, the floods hit Mulvane, so many of those buckets full of cleaning supplies stayed in Kansas to help people there. While Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., the appointive cabinet and our new ordinands participated in a mission project to help clean impacted homes, the bishop issued a plea for ongoing volunteers in the Mulvane area to help people who lost so much in the flooding.
UPDATE: Wednesday morning from Hollie Tapley, disaster response coordinator: "All current work orders in Mulvane and the surrounding areas have been fulfilled from the disaster phase, and there are no outstanding projects at the moment. A long-term recovery plan for the area is just being established. We anticipate more projects and volunteer opportunities in the future, once assessments are completed. If you are interested in volunteering in the future, please follow the ‘Volunteer Signup’ link."
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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.
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 Drive, 402-325-6400) at $89 per night and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites (8801 Amber Hill Court, 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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Countryside UMC Topeka to host Great Preaching
Countryside UMC in Topeka has been set as the location for the third-annual Great Preaching for the Great Plains studio, conducted in three, two-day sessions.
The studio will challenge clergy to refresh their preaching styles and content, leading to more effective preaching.
“Preaching is one of the most visible skills of a clergyperson,” said the Rev. Nancy Lambert, director of clergy excellence and assistant to the bishop. “Each of us can improve our preaching no matter how many sermons we have already delivered.”
The sessions will be:
“Where is the Bible in My Sermon?” Oct. 24-25
“Where is God in My Sermon?” Jan. 30-31
“What is the Human Condition in the Sermon?” March 27-28
Each retreat will last from 1 p.m. Monday through 3 p.m. Tuesday. Mondaysessions are 1-5 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday sessions will be 9-11:30 a.m.and 12:30-3 p.m.
Each studio is limited to 30 participants. The cost to participate in Great Preaching for the Great Plains is $200, which includes meals for all sessions. Motel rooms (double occupancy) for those needing are included. The purchase of required books is the responsibility of the participant.
Instructors will be Dr. Alyce McKenzie and Dr. O. Wesley Allen, both from the Perkins School of Theology. The Great Preaching for the Great Plains Studio is in conjunction with The Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence at Southern Methodist University.
It is expected that each participant will complete all reading assignments and incorporate insights into sermons that are recorded and made available to the professors and facilitators. More information and registration can be found at greatplainsumc.org/greatpreachingforthegreatplains, or contact Lambert at nlambert@greatplainsumc.org.
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Pastoral Leadership interns share experiences
The Pastoral Leadership internship program is for young adults aged 18-22. This ten-week program will provide young leaders the opportunity to experience pastoral work in the most “hands-on” way possible while being supported by a mentoring pastor and a teaching congregation. Twice a week, interns will share their experiences.
Yesterday, Briana Hutton’s experiences were posted, and tomorrow Greg Reffner’s will be shared. Over the summer, Hutton served at New Covenant UMC in Wichita, Kansas, and Reffner (shown above center in photo) served at Harper and Argonia (Kansas) UMCs.
Go to www.greatplainsumc.org/news to view the stories as they’re posted.
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Camp Fontanelle unveils plans for new facility
With the support of the Great Plains Camps, Camp Fontanelle is moving forward with a key donor campaign to support a possible capital campaign project.
Camp Fontanelle has lofty goals for its camping ministry. To attain these goals, an additional facility needs to be constructed.
The site council for Camp Fontanelle envisions 1,500 summer campers by 2025. This would be an increase of more than 100 percent from its summer camp programming numbers for 2016. It is also the goal of the site council to see 15,000 guests during the season beyond the summer camping program.
Proposed is a two-story, 12,000 square foot facility that could accommodate 60 guests in six sleeping suites. This air-conditioned facility would be constructed adjacent to the current Riverview Lodge, which houses the kitchen/dining hall, 44 beds, staff offices and meeting space.
Additional amenities for the new building would include two large meeting spaces for flexibility in summer camping programming, office and storage space, private work space for summer camp deans and additional bathroom and shower facilities. This proposed building would allow Camp Fontanelle to provide greater privacy and flexibility compared to current facilities.
Not only would this proposed facility allow Camp Fontanelle to grow in its ministry, it will also satisfy current needs which the camp has. Some of those needs include: the ability to have a nurse’s station in Riverview Lodge, additional air-conditioned sleeping quarters for summer campers, housing for volunteers, break room for staff and additional housing space and adequate bathroom and shower facilities for summer camp staff. These are just a few of current needs for the camp.
Camp Fontanelle is working to try to meet current needs through remodeling A-Frame cabins and creating other sleeping quarters, like treeboats in Fort Jones or camping caves. The construction of the proposed facility will help meet the camp needs and presumed shortcomings with the addition of air-conditioned sleeping quarters and handicap-accessible restroom and shower facilities.
The new facility will also offer up-to-date accommodations for retreat groups within the United Methodist Church and also local groups and churches not tied to the UMC. This new building would allow Camp Fontanelle to host larger camps and groups with the addition of more beds and restroom/shower facilities.
It is the belief of the site council that this proposed facility is the best move for the camp in supporting the Camp Fontanelle mission of “Impacting lives through intentional Christian community.”
If you would like additional information about the key donor campaign, please contact site director Trent Meyer at tmeyer@greatplainsumc.org or 402-459-0686.
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Camp Fontanelle raises $35K with BBQ, Quilt Auction
Camp Fontanelle had a perfect day for its annual BBQ & Quilt Auction on Sunday, Sept. 18. Guests began the day with worship led by the Rev. Lew Kaye-Skinner.
After his message, worshippers were invited to eat in Riverview Lodge with pulled pork, grilled chicken and homemade Pigs in a Blanket, as well as hamburgers or hot dogs at the Grilling Station.
Generous camp supporters donated items for the silent auction and quilt auction. Almost $14,000 was raised from these two activities alone. There were more than 130 items donated for both the silent and quilt auction.
It was also the opening day for the Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze at Camp Fontanelle. Guests could be found zipping across the ravine on the zipline, little ones riding ponies, bouncing on the jumping pillows or wandering through the maze. The pumpkin patch and corn maze can be visited on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-7 p.m. through Nov. 6. See the camp websitefor special dates.
More than $35,000 was raised to support the ministry at Camp Fontanelle. If you would like to make a donation to the camp to support its ministry, checks can be sent to 9677 County Road 3, Fontanelle, NE 68044.
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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. 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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Leaders' summit to focus on cultivating vital congregations
As a new quadrennium begins for The United Methodist Church, U.S. episcopal leaders and their extended cabinets will gather Nov. 2-4 in Jacksonville, Florida, to focus on building strong and vital congregations. Similar gatherings will be held in Europe, the Philippines and two locations in Africa.
The bishops will lead the learning experience, the purpose of which is "to start the new quadrennium in a focused and disciplined way on the mission of cultivating vital congregations that make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
"We gather as a new quadrennial team of leaders whose primary task is to cultivate vital, healthy congregations to the end of making disciples and changing lives, our communities and the world," said Bishop Bruce Ough, president of the Council of Bishops.
The Council of Bishops has made a commitment to work toward increasing the number of vital congregations, churches that are engaged in developing principled Christian leaders, creating new places for new people, engaging in ministries with the poor and improving global health. Over the next four years, the goal is to double the number of vital congregations.
While sharing knowledge and experiences regarding vital congregations is the central purpose of the Extended Cabinet Summit, participants will also get an update on progress toward forming the Commission on A Way Forward and related matters.
"As we gather, there will be much on our minds, and the minds of our leaders, regarding the tensions we face in our church. Much has transpired since we first proposed and began planning for this Summit," said Bishop Ough, referring to the direction taken by the General Conference on human sexuality and the subsequent actions since that time. "We need to acknowledge this context."
"Because we are a new council team, and many of our conference teams are also newly configured, we need to remember the ‘why’ of our work and how far we have come," said Bishop Ough. "For those of us who have been engaged in this task for some time, we need to remember and claim again our purpose and priorities. For those new to our leadership tables, they need to know the work they are joining. Together, we need to imagine and be open to the ways in which the Holy Spirit will guide our next steps."
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Palestinian Christian to talk about nonviolent advocacy efforts
The Great Plains Holy Land Task Force wants to invite you to attend one of the following three events with Tarek Abuata, a Palestinian Christian and the executive director of Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA).
Sunday, Sept. 25 – 1 p.m. for a potluck at Hanscom Park United Methodist Church, 4444 Frances St., Omaha.
Sunday, Sept. 25 – 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 12th and Ivy streets, Crete, Nebraska.
Monday, Sept. 26 – 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1551 S. 70thSt., Lincoln.
Tarek Abuata was born into a Palestinian Christian family in Bethlehem. Tarek moved to Texas during the first Palestinian Intifada when he was 12 years old. His most recent position was executive director at Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP), a Washington, D.C.-based organization working among U.S. faith-based communities for justice in Palestine. He has also served as executive director at Love Thy Neighbor, a D.C.-based organization that provided nonviolence trainings in Palestine. Additionally, Tarek worked with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), coordinating their Palestine/Israel on the ground team for eight years; the United Palestine Appeal, directing programs and development; and the Negotiations Support Unit of the Palestinian Authority, researching legal and policy issues. Tarek holds a juris doctorate from the University of Texas Law School and is licensed to practice in Texas and Washington, D.C.
Sabeel is an organization of Palestinian Christians formed to raise consciousness around the world about the plight they face. Sister organizations like Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) have been founded around the world to assist with this effort. The events are sponsored by Nebraskans for Peace.
Download the flier for the Omaha event.
Download the flier for the Crete event.
Download the flier for the Lincoln event.
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Learn about variety of critical issues during daylong event in Lincoln
The Great Plains Conference Mercy and Justice Team invites you to a day dedicated to talking about poverty and related issues, especially women’s health, the environment, race and gender.
Leaders in these fields will come from several parts of the United States to Nebraska to share their knowledge.
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at First United Methodist Church, 2723 N. 50th St., in Lincoln.
The day features a panel discussion and presentations by the Rev. Susan Henry Crowe of the General Board of Church and Society, the Rev. Mark Holland, pastor at Trinity UMC in Kansas City and mayor of the city, and the Rev. Charlotte Abram, a retired pastor now serving in North Omaha. After the panel discussions, two workshop times feature presentations about maternal health, race relations, care for the environment and creating safer places for diversity of gender realities.
The cost is just $5 for individuals.
Register for the event.
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Wichita State hosts anti-trafficking concert
The Wichita State University Center for Combating Human Trafficking, WSU Campus Ministry and Songs Against Slavery are presenting a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the Rhatigan Student Center.
The band Shel will be the headliner, with opening acts En Power & Light and Grace Theisen. Tickets are free for students with ID, $5 for faculty and staff and $15 for the general public, available at songsagainstslavery.org.
This concert will not only educate our community about the realities of trafficking but also provide tangible assistance to the fight against trafficking in Wichita.
Human trafficking occurs in the United States and even here in Kansas. Within Wichita alone, it is estimated that 300-400 youth are at risk for sexual exploitation each year.
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Ministry grant applications are now being accepted
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation awards annual grants to Nebraska churches and affiliated agencies of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference. Through these awards of grant dollars, we seek to enhance and expand Nebraska ministries. The ultimate goal of these awards is to provide assistance, whether it is a start-up grant or a grant that will help a ministry become self-sustaining.
These grants are made for programs and activities, including operating expenses and supplies, necessary for those programs or activities. They are not made for building repair, replacement, or expansion.
Go to the Foundation's website to learn more and apply. Please review the Ministry Grant criteria, information and application carefully before applying.
Application deadline is Sept. 30, 2016.
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Former Kansas East churches still in group property insurance plan
Several churches from the former Kansas East Conference have made inquiries related to an article in the Sept. 14 edition of the weekly GPconnect email newsletter about the General Council on Finance and Administration’s interpretation of a petition from General Conference.
Please remember that by a vote during annual conference, former Kansas East churches are enrolled in group property insurance, and that status will not change. However, the conference Trustees recently put that group insurance plan out for bid, and churches involved are expected to see a decrease in premiums for 2017. More details will be shared about the revisions to the group plan as they become available
Churches from the former Kansas West and Nebraska conferences should also note that while the original letter came from United Methodist Insurance (UMI), there is no obligation to consider it as a potential insurer, although churches may do so if they so desire.
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Great Plains announces winners of education grants
The Great Plains Conference has issued its Education Partnership grants for the 2016-17 school year. The committee responsible for reviewing grant applications chose to fund projects at 13 schools ranging from $350 to $1,000 each.
Priority this year was given to funding projects that laid groundwork for sustainable ministries, that leveraged in-kind giving, utilized volunteers to build relationships with students and/or that were unique and creative partnerships between congregations and schools.
Grants this year were awarded to:
  • Dellrose UMC in Wichita, Kansas – Funds go for publicity and for added activities for a school supplies bash and end-of-year cookout.
  • Alma UMC in Alma, Nebraska – Funds to help launch a preschool for special-needs children.
  • Valley View UMC in Overland Park, Kansas – Funds to help in preparation of a “backpack snacks” program.
  • Kismet UMC in Kismet, Kansas – Funds for clothing for emergency needs during the school day due to accidents and illnesses.
  • Faith Westwood UMC in Omaha, Nebraska – Funds for curriculum.
  • Trinity UMC in Salina, Kansas – Funds for an after-school program that works with kids from three elementaries.
  • Burwell UMC in Burwell, Nebraska – Funds “breakfast in a bag” for students.
  • Burlington UMC in Burlington, Kansas – Funds for training volunteers for the elementary school library.
  • Urban Abbey in Omaha, Nebraska – Funds for a teacher for conversational Spanish to be taught to English-speaking parents.
  • Marquette UMC in Marquette, Kansas – Funds for tutors and mentors for students.
  • Calvary UMC in Taylor, Nebraska – Funds for healthy snacks for students during late-start and early-out days.
  • Wyandotte UMC in Kansas City, Kansas – Funds for tutors and reading assistance.
  • DeSoto UMC in DeSoto, Kansas – Funds for “Girls on the Run” to foster a focus on healthy living.
To learn more about educational partnerships and to gain ideas for how your church could get involved with a neighborhood school, go to a page dedicated to the subject on our website.
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Lay Servants can fill many roles in the local church, in the community
Do you see a ministerial need in your community? You see a need to help the homeless. Or you may see the need to serve as an advocate for children. Perhaps you recognize a need for serving meals for the elderly or a way to help children stay in school.
If there is a need, then there is an avenue for a Lay Servant to help. Pat McReynolds of the Parsons District shares some reflections on how the laity can serve important roles in a wide variety of ministries.
The joy of serving 
Lay Servant Ministries
Being involved with the Lay Servant Ministries has been a true blessing. Unique to the lay servant program are the wide range of ministries offered to and by each of us. The only restrictions to the good that we can do are the limitations of our own passions. Isn't it a joy to have such a broad spectrum of possibilities from which to serve others? So, you may ask, "Don't Lay Servants and Lay Speakers just fill in for vacationing ministers or fill pulpits in small churches?" The answer is a resounding, No!
A few years ago th former Certified Lay Speaker designation was renamed Certified Lay Servant. This very intentional change has expanded the ministry to include an ever-wider spectrum of essential ministries to our congregations, conference and denomination. The chances are that if you have a passion for serving, if you see a need not being met, or if you see those around you in need of God's grace, you are being called to service. And rest assured that the Lay Servant Ministry program can provide training, guidance and insight to focus your passion into a loving, caring, grace-filled ministry that will fill your heart and those you help with the presence of God.
As you match your gifts with your passion, you will find that there are others who share your commitment. As you provide leadership and organization to your ministry and seek God's persistence and guidance, you will find that energy that only He can sustain. Where can lay servant training lead us? A partial list might include pastoral care, prison ministries, pulpit supply, outreach, homeless ministries, court child advocacy, big brother/sister programs, small church ministries, social justice issues, food pantries, community meals, elder care, environmental issues, sex crimes and trafficking, urban or rural poverty, stay-in-school programs, GED support, new-church development, programs to enhance congregational growth, nursing and health care ministries, support of campus ministries, camping ministries, mission trips, youth programs, minority (African American, Native American, Hispanic, gay and lesbian) outreach and advocacy. You can add your own to the list, but you get the idea.
Our challenge, you see, is not determining if there is a need, but rather narrowing our focus. The Lay Servant/Speaker ministry may not provide specific classes on each of the areas listed, but it will help you understand your calling and help you realize that, with God's strength, we can do more than we could ever imagine. The program can help us realize that we most fully realize our blessings when we are in service to others.
Learn more about Lay Servant Ministries in the Great Plains Conference.
Pat McReynolds is Lay Servant Ministries director in the Parsons District.
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Hope in Action set in western KansasHow did the northwest Kansas town of Quinter grow by 30 residents when the rest of the area saw its towns’ populations dwindle? Find out in a rural revitalization event, “Hope in Action,” from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Quinter United Methodist Church.
Find out more about the event.
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Silver Lake UMC marks 90th year of festivalIt is time again for Harvest Home at Silver Lake, Kansas, United Methodist Church! This year is a BIG celebration as 2016 marks the 90th year for the Silver Lake UMC Harvest Home Lunch and Dinner!
This year’s celebration will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 at the fellowship hall of the church, 204 Madore St., west of Silver Lake High School on U.S. 24. Lunch – featuring soups, sandwiches and homemade pies – will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dine-in and carry out are available. Dinner will be served from 5-7 p.m., featuring roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, side salads, roll, dessert and beverage. The cost is $9 for adults, $4 for children 12 years and younger.
The history of Harvest Home can be traced to the farming heritage of Silver Lake when, just before Thanksgiving, church members would gather for anoon-time meal and bazaar to give thanks for the completion of harvest season. In 1931 the celebration switched to an evening meal open to the community. In 1970, in addition to the dinner, a lunch was added -- primarily to feed the ladies in the kitchen who were busy preparing the evening Harvest dinner -- but when word of the lunch began to spread, people started to come and it grew so popular that it was decided to expand the bazaar hours and incorporate the lunch into the celebration.
Planned and hosted by the Silver Lake United Methodist Women, Harvest Home has become a popular fall tradition and community event that is open to all! Mark your calendar and enjoy a pleasant fall drive to Silver Lake for the SLUMC Harvest Home! Come hungry … leave fulfilled!
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Topeka church celebrates its history on a decorative wall
First United Methodist Church in Topeka, Kansas, has crafted a wall that uses photos and informational tidbits to share the history of the 161-year-old congregation and its interactions over the years with the community.
It’s eye-catching. It’s educational. And it’s fun.
See for yourself in this United Methodist Communications video.
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Across the ConnectionBelow is a list of stories from United Methodist News Service and other sources on topics United Methodists may find of interest:
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Newsletters
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Opinion
In Layman’s Terms: Todd Seifert, conference communications director, provides thoughts on the parable about the rich man and Lazarus.
Krusing the Capitol: Populism Vs. Establishment (Part 1)
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Classifieds
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.
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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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