Click here for a printable version of the August 13 GPconnect.
In this edition of GPconnect:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bishop Jones begins weekly blog
World Communion Sunday is October 5
Make sure your Great Plains business cards are current
EQUIP DISCIPLES
Supercharge your youth group with One God, One Day, One Love
Financial Peace offered at Trinity UMC, in Lincoln, Nebraska
Horizon Community UMC exceeds 500 at VBS
Importance of connecting collegians with campus ministers
Iola Calvary’s Centenarian, Ruby Davis
Pastor partakes in Wesley Pilgrimage
Visitors’ booklet available for United Methodist churches
Newsletter link
In the News
Small Wonders: conference small membership churches
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Discover Ministry – Great Leaders for Great Churches – registration open
Blue River District welcomes the Rev. Bill Ritter as superintendent
MERCY AND JUSTICE
Great Plains United Methodists travel to Zimbabwe
600 people attend Block Party hosted by Wichita's East Heights UMC, package 30,000 meals
Volunteer teams still needed in Beaver Crossing
Oct. 4: United Methodist Ministries to host first Harvest for Hunger
Just in from Epworth Village in York, Nebraska
Nebraska City FUMC visits White Mountain Apaches
UMCOR executive secretary visits United Methodist Ministries
Global Mission Fellow blog
Fremont Calvary youth take mission trip to Superior
Climbing wall proves fun and challenging for Epworth Village youth
United Methodists from the Great Plains Conference attend Walking with Palestinian Christians for Holy Justice and Peace Conference
Norfolk First UMC ministers to people with HIV/AIDS through grant
Micah Corps internship draws to a close
CLASSIFIED
Trinity UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska, seeks outreach coordinator
Faith UMC in Hutchinson, Kansas, looking for youth coordinator
Bishop Jones begins weekly blog
Starting this week, Bishop Scott Jones will offer a weekly blog that will be posted most Mondays.
In this week’s blog, Jones discusses the necessity of two-way mission partnerships as he embarks on a mission trip to Zimbabwe with 14 other Great Plains Conference members. To follow his blog, go to greatplainsumc.org/bishopsblog.
World Communion Sunday is October 5
Our church is at its best when we reach out to sisters and brothers in need. World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God’s children. United Methodists relate to World Communion Sunday by celebrating communion with other Christians around the world on this special Sunday. Churches are also encouraged to receive an offering to support ethnic undergraduate and graduate students, which often enables first-generation students to attend college.
Download the World Communion Sunday pastor’s kit.
Order leaflet offering envelopes and posters to enhance your World Communion Sunday celebration at www.umcgiving.org/ss or call 888-346-3862.
Make sure your Great Plains business cards are current
With the appointment season here, be sure your business cards are updated. If you need additional Great Plains United Methodists branded cards or if you are in need of updated cards, contact Roxie Delisi at rdelisi@greatplainsumc.org. Please provide the information you would like on your card, including church or agency affiliation, address, phone numbers, fax, email, website, etc.
The Great Plains logo treatment retains the fonts from the Kansas Area and the watermark from the Nebraska logotypes and stationery treatments. The cost is approximately $35 or less for 500 cards, depending on the number of people who choose to purchase cards. Click here to see a sample card.
Supercharge your youth group with One God, One Day, One Love
Bring your middle and high school students and join youTheology Institute for One God, One Day, One Love on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is sure to be an exciting day of worship, community building, community service and a place to link work and faith. Be a part of something larger as you connect with other youth groups for fun and growth. Lunch is included.
Early bird registration ends Aug. 30, and is $10 per person. After Aug. 30, the cost is $12. One God, One Day, One Love will be held at Old Mission UMC, 5519 State Park Road, Fairway, KS 66205 (in the Kansas City metro area).
Register and find more information at youtheology.org/oneday. One Day, One God, One Love is sponsored by youTheology Institute.
Financial Peace offered at Trinity UMC, in Lincoln, Nebraska
This life-changing class taught by Dave Ramsey and the FPU teaching team on video will help you achieve your financial goals by showing you how to eliminate debt, save for the future and give like never before. You will be challenged and motivated to make a plan for your money and change your family tree forever.
A free preview class will be held Aug. 24 at Trinity UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska, and will begin at 2 p.m., in the lower level of the church in the youth room (123). Kevin and Rachel Rotert who have reaped the benefits of taking this class, now volunteer their time to teach others about it.
This nine-week course begins September 14, starting at 2 p.m., free childcare is provided. Registration is $93 per family.
Register and find out more information.
Horizon Community UMC exceeds 500 at VBS
This past month Horizons Community UMC, in Lincoln, Nebraska, kicked off their event, Weird animals! VBS (vacation Bible school). This joint effort represented not only the unity of Horizon’s community but their neighboring communities as well. On Sunday, July 27, Horizons surpassed its benchmark of more than 500 youth and 360 volunteers at VBS.
The opening ensemble launched a fun series of events with the reminder of the main message of the camp, “Jesus loves you!” and that they were about to experience the best week of summer during VBS. There were more than 400 volunteers — 200 were from the Horizon community. This created an amazing environment for the participating children.
“Many of the children here are friends of friends of friends that come to Horizon, we are glad to welcome everyone at our church,” said Lisa, a volunteer. “Many of the children contribute to the unity and joy of our church. And this year we have more than 200 volunteers from our community alone. We are happy to have people of all ages participating in this fun and spiritual event.”
All of the participant kids were split into six different teams. Each team had the opportunity to experience ministry in different, fun ways (crafts, games, Bible study and interactive activities) remembering the message “Jesus loves you!” all day. The VBS lasted five consecutive days and gave hundreds of youths the opportunity to experience ministry in a fun way as their summer vacation drew to a close.
Importance of connecting collegians with campus ministers
Did you know that when college students arrive on campus there are more than 70 organizations that compete for the new college students’ attention? They are recruited to join this organization or that club, and these decisions can influence their life in these critical formational years.
Your church has nurtured the faith of students for the past 18 years. As some leave for college, how can you help them continue to explore and grow in their faith during these years? Connect them with a campus minister or church leader where they are going to school.
Send student information to www.greatplainsumc.org/studentcontact or contact the campus minister directly, so that they can be connected with a campus minister/pastor who can offer a faith connection and ultimately offer Christ.
Iola Calvary’s Centenarian, Ruby Davis
The following was submitted by Marvé Ralston, Five Rivers District administrative assistant.
A birthday celebration too place for Ruby Davis on Saturday, July 26 from 2-4 p.m., at the Calvary UMC in Iola, Kansas. This was no common birthday party — Ruby is their oldest member and was celebrating her 100th birthday.
More than 250 family members and friends, were there to help her celebrate and it is easy to see why she is so beloved. Two people from her church sent an email to the Five Rivers District office telling me about this grand event. Although I missed her party due to other obligations, I did get to meet her. She made quite an impression on me that left me smiling and still brings joy as I write this.
Ruby became a member of the Iola Evangelical United Brethren Church (which later merged with the Methodists and became Calvary United Methodist Church), on April 18, 1954, while the Rev. Lyle Roe was the presiding pastor. She transferred from the LaHarpe Baptist church, by way of a letter of recommendation.
She accepted Jesus, and was baptized on Easter Sunday, at the age of 13. It was a very brisk baptism in a nearby creek, with three other young girls. Afterwards she wanted to dry her dress on the clothes line. Her friends reminded her it wasn’t proper to hang anything on the clothes line on a Sunday.
Sunday school, worship and United Methodist Women (UMW) are still a priority for Ruby today. Her friends, Bill and Marjorie Mentzer have been faithful to provide transportation to church events for Ruby. “She is always waiting by the door and comes right out, you never have to wait on her,” said Bill.
Ruby replied, “That’s the least I can do if someone is good enough to come pick me up. I can be on time.”
That said, Ruby just passed her driving test. At 100, Ruby is very proud of the fact that she manages to get her own groceries.
When asked for the secret of her long life, she was at a loss. Her friend Bill was there to remind her of how active she stays. Ruby volunteers with the blood bank by calling and lining folks up to participate. She often will make 50-60 calls, and does this five to six times a year.
If a pie is needed for a funeral dinner, Ruby is famous for her lemon meringue. Asked to elaborate on how they are made, she doesn’t follow a regular recipe. Some quick tips: she uses real lemons, is careful when separating the egg and makes sure to seal the edges well.
Asked what surprises her most about reaching this age Ruby replied, “To be able to get up every morning and still do what I want to do.”
Her pastor at Iola Calvary UMC, is the Rev. Gene McIntosh, had to say the following about Ruby.
“Ruby is a blessing! She always has a big smile, is full of life — can’t believe she is 100 years old. She and Nadine McClain (also a member of Calvary) are ‘partners in crime.’ They are humorously ornery together.”
Ruby still enjoys reading her bible. She figures she has read it through at least 25 times. It never fails to provide new knowledge. She said that either she forgets what she previously read or understands it differently each time. She always gets something positive out of her daily bible reading time.
The last morsel of wisdom that Ruby gave is that she doesn’t worry and takes things one day at a time. That is obvious from the joy she exuberates about her life and the lack of wrinkles on her face. What a pleasure to encounter someone like Ruby Davis in the Five Rivers District. Happy 100th Birthday Ruby!
Pastor partakes in Wesley Pilgrimage
The Rev. Jo Mead, of Hugoton, Kansas, participated as a pilgrim for the Wesley Pilgrimage on July 13-24 in England. The pilgrimage was led by the Rev. Steve Manskar, director of Wesleyan leadership at the General Board of Discipleship, and the Rev. Victoria Rebeck, director of provisional member and deacon ministry development at the General Board of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Dr. Paul W. Chilcote, academic dean and professor of historical theology and Wesleyan studies at Ashland Theological Seminary taught about the continued influence of the Wesleys and has brought new understanding to many of John Wesley's prayers with contemporary language.
The pilgrims were immersed in the history of the Methodist Church with visiting the historic sites of Epworth, Bristol, Oxford and London. Each day began with a morning prayer and Eucharist and ended with compline. Sarum College in Salisbury, England, was the host site for much of the trip. Sarum College is adjacent to the Salisbury Cathedral where Evensong, Eucharist and worship were enjoyed. Small group time invoked the historic involvement with bands for growth and accountability.
Visitors’ booklet available for United Methodist churches
“Welcome to a Congregation of The United Methodist Church,” by Ronn Kerr is a 16-page, coat-pocket sized (3 1/2 x 8 1/2") booklet designed to be given to worship visitors, handed out by visitation teams, mailed to visitors and added to new member packets. The booklet covers United Methodist history and our unique beliefs, practices, and structures. The concise, easy-to-understand text reflects the many traditions and the unique diversities which come together in the modern United Methodist Church.
Excellent for new member classes, adult church school classes, youth programs and churchwide events in which time and budget considerations require a briefer presentation. Quantity discounts are available for 10, 50 and 100 booklets.
Complete text of booklet and ordering information are available online.
Newsletter link
In the News
The Friend UMC in Friend, Nebraska, was reconsecrated on Sunday, Aug. 10, after the church caught fire in December 2012. Read more about the church and the celebration in an article in the Lincoln Journal Star.
To see other United Methodist congregations in the news, view our press clips at greatplainsumc.org/inthenews.
Small Wonders: a conference for laity and clergy in small membership churches
Laity and clergy from churches with 75 people or fewer in worship needing resources and ideas for vital ministry will want to attend the Small Wonders conference. If you have ever been to a workshop and thought, “This is great – but it’s not feasible in our congregation,” this is the conference for you!
Organized by the Rev. Micki McCorkle, Small Membership Church Coordinator for the Great Plains Conference, the sessions are intended to create an experience that will help you in your ministry setting. The conference will be held Friday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m., through Saturday, Oct. 11, at 5 p.m., on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kan.
Go to www.GreatPlainsUMC.org/SmallWonders for more information including names of speakers and a list of workshop topics.
Discover Ministry — Great Leaders for Great Churches — registration open
Is someone in your church possibly just waiting for you to direct them toward serving as a pastor in a local church? Do you know someone who has the gifts for ministry? Are you a lay person who is wondering if full- or part-time ministry is for you? Often those of us who are leaders in the church are not sure how we can help someone else discern a call from God. Discover Ministry is a place for that to happen.
Discover Ministry is an event designed for those who are wondering about responding to God's call to either full- or part-time ministry. It is also for those who are serving as a district superintendent supply (DSA), Certified Lay Minister (CLM) or Certified Lay Servant to learn more about the opportunity for becoming a local pastor.
The next Discover Ministry will be on Sept. 27, in Beatrice, Nebraska. from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT, with lunch included. Register now. There is no cost to participate.
Please share this invitation with someone who might be called. If you have questions, contact the Rev. Nancy Lambert, clergy excellence director and assistant to the bishop, at 402-464-5994, ext 126.
Blue River District welcomes the Rev. Bill Ritter as superintendent
The Rev. Bill Ritter was welcomed as the new district superintendent for the Blue River District on Sunday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Elmwood, Nebraska. Ritter, along with four other new district superintendents, was appointed effective July 1, 2014.
Attendees included extended cabinet members; Great Plains Conference staff members; laity from Ritter’s previous churches; clergy and laity from the Blue River District; and his fellow Nebraska United Methodist Bike Ride for Hunger (NUMB) riders.
Bill’s message captured the spirit of the afternoon. He spoke of John Wesley, how he took the secular music tunes of the people brought the words of Jesus to the people. Ritter brought out his guitar and played couple of songs that illustrated that point. He wondered out loud why the first one he played — “I’ve got the Sunday Morning Sittin’ in the Back Row in the Sanctuary Blues” — was never put the hymnal. With smile and bit of laughter it told a story of sitting in worship on Sunday morning. He then played “Bo Jesus,” taking the tune from “Mr. Bojangles,” and told story of Jesus’ last days. The song session ended with “O Living God” to the tune of “Oh Shenandoah.“
Ritter’s message to the laity and clergy of the United Methodist Church is hear the words of the Great Commission. Simply put … just go … go is two-thirds of word God.
The Blue River District is excited to welcome Ritter.
On Sunday, July 27, the Rev. Dee Williamston was welcomed as the new district superintendent for the Salina District and the Rev. Rick Just was welcomed to the Wichita East District. The Rev. Marvin Neubauer was welcomed to the Elkhorn Valley District on Sunday, Aug. 3. The Rev. Jim Akins will be welcomed to the Hays District on Sunday, Sept. 7, at First UMC, 305 W 7th St., Hays, Kansas.
Great Plains United Methodists travel to Zimbabwe
Great Plains Conference Mercy and Justice Coordinator Kalaba Chali is leading a group of 15 from the Great Plains Conference, including Bishop Scott Jones, to join with the two annual conferences in Zimbabwe for an historic gathering called the Ebenezer Convention.
Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa has dreamed of bringing all United Methodists in Zimbabwe together for a time of worship, fellowship and celebration of 117 years of United Methodist ministry in Zimbabwe. His dream will be realized Aug. 15-17 in Harare. The Great Plains Conference has a chabadza partnership with the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference.
Check out Zimbabwe Episcopal Area on Facebook and at www.umczea.org where Taurai Emmanuel Maforo posts regular updates.
Great Plains Communications Director Kathryn Witte is traveling with the group and will be blogging when possible.
Please join us in praying for this group as they represent Great Plains United Methodists in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe.
600 people attend Block Party hosted by Wichita's East Heights UMC, package 30,000 meals
On Friday, Aug. 8, East Heights UMC’s Block Party in Wichita, Kansas, drew 600 people who came to enjoy food, games, music and pack meals for the hungry. This is the third year the Wichita church has invited neighbors over for a night of fun before school begins.
This year the church added something new by packaging 30,000 macaroni and cheese meals, coordinated through Outreach. Church leaders wanted to include a mission focus for this year’s party that would involve people of all ages and make a difference in the community. The meals have been shared with the Communities in Schools program, which serves 22 schools in Wichita and the surrounding area.
One of the schools served by CIS is Jefferson Elementary, which is near East Heights. Jefferson was the meeting site for East Heights when the church began in 1945. The church continues to partner with Jefferson staff and families today through mentoring programs, school supply drives, helping with the weekend backpack food ministry and LOVE Wichita. Watch a video about their partnership and read more.
Volunteer teams still needed in Beaver Crossing
The following is written by Dorothy Aspegren, disaster response site manager in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska.
Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, has seen much progress in the last two months. Many of those with insurance have new roofs, windows, siding and interior work done. Those without insurance have had to rely on organizations to help them in the process. Great Plains Disaster Response housed at the United Methodist Church in Beaver Crossing has been a large part of the process of restoring, repairing and rebuilding homes.
Currently, case managers are working actively with about twelve clients to advocate for their unmet needs. To date, we have completed one roofing job and are helping this person obtain siding and windows, which volunteers will help complete. This person could not stop smiling as he watched his new roof being shingled. Materials for another roof for a single mom with four kids are ordered and will be completed after some repair to the eaves. Then repairs will begin on the interior especially in her son’s bedroom which saw much damage from the leaky roof.
One structurally unsound house has been demolished thanks to a local person’s generous help in providing and running excavation equipment at very low cost. Another lot has been cleared of debris in preparation for the rebuilding of a home that was destroyed in the tornado. Several homes are in the process of being repaired as soon as estimates are available and resources are identified.
Anderson Ford from Lincoln has a charitable arm called Because People Matter which has worked with us to provide a vehicle to a single mom with three young children. She had been driving a car filled with mold from the rain that came when her windows were blown out in the tornado. Seeing the look on her face when the keys to a newly repaired and detailed car were handed to her was emotional for everyone involved. Collaboration between Because People Matter, Blue Valley Community Action Partnership and Great Plains Disaster Response Case Management provided another nine passenger vehicle to a family of eight.
AmeriCorps volunteers have done a mammoth job of cleaning up the town, helping individuals around town with painting, debris clean, demolition, yard work, hauling lumber and logs, chain saw work, moving furniture and anything else they have been asked to help with. Local UM churches in the area from Dorchester, Friend, York, Seward, Utica and Ebenezer, as well as another church in Beaver Crossing, Hope Center, have provided an evening meal each work day for those volunteers. Twenty-two volunteers from Ainsworth UMC worked in the scorching heat to do chain saw work at two residences as well as pick up shingles, paint, put up a fence and take down a pole shed all on one Saturday.
Our greatest need right now is finding volunteer teams and developing new housing solutions for uninsured or under-insured very low income homeowners. Our team is working to develop partnerships and a new approach that might make it possible to help in new ways. We are appealing to the local churches in our conference to recruit volunteer teams who will be a part of the rebuild Beaver Crossing efforts. Working together and trusting God we have been able to do some great things. We know that with the help of our churches we will be able to help the people we are serving get what they need to recover from the Mother’s Day tornado that changed their world so drastically.
Oct. 4: United Methodist Ministries to host first Harvest for Hunger
Groups and individuals of all ages are invited to join together in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday, Oct. 4, to engage in United Methodist Ministries’ (UMM) new, re-vamped day of service — Harvest for Hunger. This event takes the place of UMM’s annual Stand Up Against Poverty Day of Service, which is traditionally held in October. The aim of Harvest for Hunger is to highlight the role that all cam play in creating more just food systems.
Harvest for Hunger is unique this year in that participants will focus exclusively on hunger and food systems. Also new this year, groups and individuals of all ages are encouraged to participate. Participants will receive extensive context in issues relating to hunger, poverty and food security before traveling to nearby farms to do field gleaning. The practice of gleaning, collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been harvested, dates back to biblical times. Gleaning also has modern applications, with increasing numbers of Americans having inadequate access to healthy foods. After gleaning the fields, participants will help prepare the produce for delivery to local food pantries.
In the event of rain, participants will engage in an in-depth indoor educational session devoted entirely to issues of hunger and poverty.
Harvest for Hunger will be held from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The cost to participate is $15 which includes lunch, transportation (to and from service sites) and a commemorative T-shirt. Hanscom Park UMC at 4444 Frances Street in Omaha, will be the host church for this event. Pre-registration is required. Registration deadline is Sept. 22. Each group should bring one adult for every five youths.
Call Jaimee Trobough at 402-898-9862 for more information.
Just in from Epworth Village in York, Nebraska
The first Wednesday of each month a member of the Epworth Village Foundation Board or Epworth Village Inc. Board will be providing a thank you lunch for staff. Serving as gourmet chef the first week was Suzanne Vanous, Foundation Board member and dedicated volunteer. Epworth Village thanks her for kicking off this yummy idea. What a great way to show appreciation to Epworth’s hard working employees.
Nebraska City FUMC visits White Mountain Apaches
The IGNITE UTC (Under the Cross) youth group from Nebraska City First UMC has long term mission. The mission is to build relationships with the Apache children and their families in East Fork, Arizona, through Riverside Church, also in Arizona. Three years ago, IGNITE UTC raised money through fundraising and a grant from the Nebraska City foundation, Friends of Faith, to plan and carry out their first mission — a carnival and Bible school for the children of Riverside church and East Fork. The young people of the reservation touched the hearts and souls of the Nebraska City youth and a long-term relationship was begun.
For three years now, in July, the teens of IGNITE UTC travel the 1,200 miles to work with the families of Riverside. During their time on the reservation the young people did service projects, such as painting, cleaning, minor repairs and Bible school each evening. The important piece is that they never do things “for” the church, they always do things “with” the church. Each year the relationships grow stronger.
This year 14 young people and five sponsors attended. Sixty-six Apache children and youth attended the Bible school and received as gifts, book bags and school supplies at the end of the school.
The group enjoys watching the Apache children grow in God’s love. Last year, two boys sat in the front row of the group every night during Bible school. One knew every answer about God’s Superheroes. One knew almost nothing and could barely read. At the end of the Bible school, the first boy received a Superheroes Bible in recognition of his knowledge and leadership. His best friend also received one with the stipulation that he practice reading in his new Bible so that the next year he could answer the questions this can be hard — there are so many factors pulling the youth in other directions.
The first night of this year’s Bible school, only the first boy was in attendance. IGNITE youth were saddened each night as his friend failed to attend. And then, on the last night, he came. He walked directly to the IGNITE leader who had challenged him and he asked if she remembered him. He said that he had not known until the previous night that IGNITE was in town. He wanted them to know that he had been reading his Bible and that he had learned about God. He was excited to demonstrate what he had learned and to be a part of this mission again.
The youth of Nebraska City know that reaching and sustaining relationships with the young people of East Fork is a challenge and that they cannot — in four or five days each year — change the world. But their hope is that they can change a few lives, one at a time.
UMCOR executive secretary visits United Methodist Ministries
On Tuesday, August 5, United Methodist Ministries welcomed Alice Mar, the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) executive secretary of sustainable agriculture and food security. Mar, who only recently returned from an extended stay in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, visited United Methodist Ministries in Omaha, Nebraska, and toured Big Garden sites to see how the Big Garden is working to address issues of food security in our area.
The Big Garden received a grant from UMCOR this year, which has allowed it to expand programming across the river into Iowa. The purpose of Mar’s visit was to see the Big Garden in person, meet staff and explore possibilities for future working partnerships. Mar was welcomed with an open house at Urban Abbey coffee shop in Omaha’s Old Market.
Global Mission Fellow blog
Maria Niechwiadowicz, a Global Mission Fellow, is blogging about her experiences. Be sure to check out her latest blog as she plans to leave for China, Friday, Aug. 15.
Follow along with Niechwiadowicz’s experience.
You can also read an article from United Methodist Global about the Global Youth Convocation that several young adults from the Great Plains conference attended.
Fremont Calvary youth take mission trip to Superior
Mission trips can be a little uncomfortable ... that is how the Calvary Connection Youth (Calvary UMC in Fremont, Nebraska) and sponsors started their mission trip. Their devotion before leaving Fremont centered on finding things in common with those they would meet and reach out in faith. Their mission trip, June 28-30, took them to First UMC in Superior, Nebraska, where they led a vacation Bible school (VBS). The children and youth learned through stories of Ruth and Naomi, Joseph and his brothers, and Samuel and Eli that they too, can be superheroes for God.
The group also painted a wall at the local food bank, and ate lunch while visited with senior citizens in the local Vestey.
The group quickly discovered that being uncomfortable in their new surroundings faded quickly as they made friends with the children attending VBS. They also were blessed to have three youth from Superior First UMC help them lead the children in games, crafts, music, lessons and worship.
Mission trips can be uncomfortable, but it was in the uncomfortable places that the youth from Fremont Calvary UMC were able to grow in their faith.
Calvary Connection Youth would like to thank the Superior First UMC children, youth, parents, congregation and pastor for making them feel comfortable and welcome.
Climbing wall proves fun and challenging for Epworth Village youth
On Friday, Aug. 8, youth from Epworth Village (located in both York and Grand Island, Nebraska) and one brave staff member from Kruse Group Home (Epworth Village’s group home in Grand Island) met the challenge of the climbing wall at Boy Scout Camp Augustine, near Grand Island.
The outing was sponsored by the Boy Scouts and their Scoutmasters Ray and Tammy Boston of York who organized Epworth Village Troop 314.
After receiving instruction from camp staff, youth geared up and took on the four-sided wooden structure. Climbing and repelling techniques were put into use as young men did their best to scale the 25-foot tower.
Camp Augustine climbing specialist Dave and counselor Cameron monitored the afternoon activity, providing both instruction and encouragement to the youth. The youth, cheered each other from the ground as fellow climbers reached new heights.
Photos: Boy Scout leader Ray Boston (left) assists Cade in gearing up for his climb at Camp Augustine in Grand Island. Joel (middle) smiled after giving the top of the wall a traditional slap as he reached the pinnacle. Repelling down from the tower was mastered by Brad, pictured (right) returning to ground.
United Methodists from the Great Plains Conference attend Walking with Palestinian Christians for Holy Justice and Peace Conference
Submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains Conference peace with justice coordinator.
Nearly 300 participants representing many Annual Conferences came together at Ginghamsburg UMC, in Tipp City, Ohio, on Aug. 7 and 8, for the Walking with Palestinian Christians for Holy Justice and Peace Conference organized by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM).
Thomas Kemper, general secretary of GBGM, welcomed all to the conference by saying the following.
“To this experience of walking with Palestinian Christians for ‘holy’ justice and peace. I emphasize the word HOLY because if we take the New Testament seriously, if we listen to Jesus in the Beatitudes, justice and peace are holy —instruments of God’s grace to be honored and shared. We know from long, painful centuries that conflict and warfare are not holy — in the Middle East or elsewhere. We are on a prayer pilgrimage, a prayerful quest, for peace and justice in an important land with holy roots and holy possibilities …
“As you might expect, the title and the purpose of our event here these two days has not been clearly understood by everyone. To some it sounds like a rally favoring one side in a protracted political and military conflict — a contest of historical wills. That is far from the case. We are here to join hands with fellow Christians, Palestinians, in considering how our faith commitments can contribute to holy justice and peace for all the people of Palestine and Israel. It would be quite unthinkable for us not to meet with other Christians in this cause. And while our lens here is through that of Palestinian Christians, we remain deeply committed to working with people of all faiths — Christian, Jewish, Muslim — to achieve justice and peace in the Middle East.
“We as Methodists — we as Christians — have not always taken seriously the realities and prospects of the ancient or contemporary Christian communities in the Holy Land. We too-often have looked away as political and social pressures resulting from decades of military occupation have resulted in emigration and exile — self-selected and forced. We raised our voices, and still do so, for the formation and continuation of Israel, but we have been less forceful in noticing and addressing the conditions of Palestinians, including the Christian minorities, in the West Bank, Gaza and Israel…
“This ‘walk’ at Ginghamsburg is a further step in our pilgrimage to contribute to holy justice and peace in this part of the world. Much of the planning for this walk took place at a time when peace talks were active. But then we had terrible violence and death and weeks of warfare in Gaza. And now we hope and pray that the ceasefire will hold and the blockade be lifted. My heart is drawn to the words of Pope Francis: "Brothers and sisters, never war, never war! I am thinking above all of children, who are deprived of the hope of a worthwhile life, of a future." With this escalation of the long conflict we must devote ourselves even more to peace so that we have no more situations of dead and injured children — children, as Pope Francis says, ‘Whose toys are things left over from war, children who can't smile anymore.’
“The Kairos Palestine document, which is a gift to us from our Palestinian sisters and brothers … says and I quote, ‘The word of God is a word of love for all His creation. God is not the ally of one against the other, nor the opponent of one in the face of the other. God is the Lord of all and loves all, demanding justice from all and issuing to all of us the same commandments.’
More information about the conference will be shared in the next few weeks.
Read the whole presentation by Thomas Kemper.
Photo: Andrea Paret, Nancy and Walter Coziahr, Carol Ekdahl-Garwood and the Rev. Gene Watson at the GBGM Conference on Palestine
Norfolk First UMC ministers to people with HIV/AIDS through grant
Submitted by Christin Woockman, client service specialist at The Nebraska AIDS Project and Andrea Paret, Mercy and Justice Team.
The Great Plains Global AIDS Fund received an offering at the Annual Conference Session in June, and also has a yearly Special Sunday offering. Twenty-five percent of the offering stays in the Great Plains Conference for local AIDS projects. For the past two years, First UMC in Norfolk, Nebraska, has been awarded a grant and has worked closely with Christin Woockman at the Norfolk office of the Nebraska AIDS Project to utilize these funds.
In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the United States and approximately 50,000 people are infected with HIV each year. Every 3.5 days, someone in Nebraska is diagnosed with HIV. The Nebraska AIDS Project is a state wide organization working with people living with HIV/AIDS. The Norfolk office covers 20 counties in northeast Nebraska and works with approximately 35 people.
Woockman shared, “With the grant funds, we have been able to provide assistance with items that aren’t available through our funding or through other agencies. We have helped with personal care items, winter clothing, school supplies, prescription costs, clothes for job and gas for appointments. Several people who work with the Norfolk office have received assistance through this grant and have greatly appreciated the help. A woman who recently moved to Nebraska was given a voucher to purchase warmer clothing she needed to get through the winter months. When she returned the receipt to us showing what she purchased, she included a note saying ‘Thank you and God bless you.’ These funds have provided a needed ministry to those living with HIV/AIDS in Nebraska.”
This year, the Great Plains Global AIDS Task Force and the Mercy and Justice Team invite local congregations to observe the special Sunday offering on Sunday, Dec. 7 in connection with World AIDS Day (or any other Sunday that works for you). Free offering envelopes, videos as well as other resources are available.
For more information, go to the website at www.greatplainsumc.org/globalaidsfund, like the Global Aids Task Force at www.facebook.com/GreatPlainsUMAIDSFund or contact Frances Moore at fcmoore2@cox.net.
To give to this fund, please put the following information into the subject line of your check: UM Global AIDS Advance #982345, and send it to Great Plains Conference, PO Box 4187, Topeka, KS, 66604.
Micah Corps internship draws to a close
The following was submitted by Gloria Kimbulu, Micah Corps intern.
“Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.” Micah 6:8 is what the Micah Corps is all about. The Micah Corps began in 2009 in the former Nebraska Conference and is now a part of the Mercy and Justice Team of the Great Plains Conference. It is a unique model of young adult leadership development within our denomination.
This summer, the Micah Corps was made up of nine interns from different parts of Nebraska and Kansas. We connected our faith with four social justice issues: immigration, peace and nonviolence, children in poverty and the environment. As a team we also practiced different ways of praying such as the lectio divina and the centering prayer to get in touch with their spirituality.
“It was great to finally be a part of a group that explored different prayer methods and looked at different faith communities,” said Rachel Nyhart, Micah Corps intern. “I hope to continue to practice some of the different prayer methods and incorporate them into my daily life if possible. They greatly strengthened my faith and improved not only my spirituality, but also reinforced that as a human being, wonderfully made, I am of a sacred worth.”
Another key part of the internship was reading “The Great Awakening” by Jim Wallis. Wallis wrote about all four of the social issues we focused on and also wrote about many other social justice issues such as abortion, homosexuality and racism. “I thought that the book was a fantastic springboard for group discussion,” said Hannah Bannister, Micah Corps intern. “I always enjoyed hearing my teammates’ opinions about the content of Wallis's writing. We had some great philosophical/moral/intellectual pondering in each of our discussions.”
In July, we went to Washington, District of Columbia, to learn about our issues at the General Board of Church and Society. We were all so amazed at the fact that it was the only non-governmental building on Capitol Hill. While there, we delivered more than 200 handwritten letters urging more funding to eradicate malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS to our senators' offices. These letters were written at the Annual Conference Session in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Great Plains United Methodists.
Throughout the summer we also worked with a variety of organizations and groups in Nebraska and Kansas such as Nebraska Appleseed, Justice for our Neighbors, Institute and The Land Institute.
We practiced leadership skills when making presentations at many churches and enjoyed connecting and learning from “experts in the pew” about some of our issues. We also led classes at Institute and Mission u.
On behalf of myself, and the rest of the Micah Corps, I would like to thank all of you in the Great Plains Conference for supporting us in our endeavors this summer. I encourage you to check out our Facebook page, facebook.com/MicahCorps, Twitter account, twitter.com/micahcorps, and blog, micahcorps.wordpress.com. Although the internship is over, I am staying on as a part-time intern, and will be updating the social media accounts. Thanks again for your support!
Trinity UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska, seeks outreach coordinator
Trinity UMC is currently seeking a dynamic and visionary individual to lead outreach ministries.
The outreach coordinator will develop and lead the congregation in relational outreach and mission ministries that connect with those outside our congregation. The position will direct the care of guests from their initial contact through their engagement as active members in the life of the congregation, providing small group opportunities and other experiences through which they can deepen their understanding and practice of their faith. The coordinator will develop and nurture a volunteer team of leaders that is instrumental in implementation the ministry. This position is a part-time (20 hour a week) position that requires flexible hours, including occasional weeknights and Sunday mornings.
Read full job description.
If interested, email cover letter, resume and three professional references to bette@trinitylincoln.org.
Faith UMC in Hutchinson, Kansas, looking for youth coordinator
Hutchinson Faith United Methodist Church is seeking a youth coordinator. The coordinator of youth ministries shall work with the junior and senior high youth fellowship program and church school program to maintain a thriving youth program. For the last five years the youth program has taken this shape.
- Regular Wednesday evening meetings (supper is provided by church members during the school year) where a lesson is taught and some fun, in-house events (games) happens afterward, approximately 6-8 p.m.
- Coordinate youth Sunday school during Sunday school hour, teaching lesson or facilitating someone teaching. Attend 10:45 a.m., church service.
- Annually, the youth group takes a mission trip, normally out of state for approximately 7-10 days. A shorter trip might take place during the summer of 2015 to an adjacent state.
Several fundraisers that are planned by parents of youth and carried out by parents and youth. Youth pastor works alongside youth at fundraising events.
- Lock-in once or twice a year at the church.
- Possible area concerts or local service projects as opportunities arise.
- Working with the music director and pastor on youth participation in the worship services on at least two occasions during the school year.
- Coordinate with volunteers so that there are two adults at youth activities.
Qualifications and Conditions of Employment
- Must have a valid drivers license and be at least 20 years old.
- Must exhibit a personal faith in Jesus Christ and conduct themselves in a professional and competent manner.
- Must take Safe Gatherings training prior to employment and become certified by the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church to work with children, youth and vulnerable adults.
Salary is $300 per month plus $500 for the annual mission trip.
If interested, please contact Ron Kite, Faith UMC pastor, at hutchfaithumc@sbcglobal.net or 620-663-2676.
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Want to submit a letter to the editor? Email Kathryn Witte at kwitte@greatplainsumc.org
