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Download the printable version of the Aug. 2 issue of GPconnect.

In this edition:

ANNOUNCEMENTS
New district superintendents installed in weekend ceremonies
Get a look inside United Methodist Youth Institute
Retired judge, active in UMC and social issues, dies at 91
October is domestic violence awareness month; online workshop coming soon

CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Duke offering leadership development program in Omaha
‘Tending the Soil’ workshop set for Aug. 12 in Colorado

EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Free Bible study available just in time for fall programming
Strengthening Families Program set for September
Lay Servant Training set for Parsons in September
Five Rivers Youth Rally, Lock-In set for Sept. 9-10

MERCY & JUSTICE
Christians, Jews, Muslims working together for peace in the Middle East
Micah Corps interns learn about racism, microagression
Nigeria Mission Partnership Orphanage announces graduation of four students

ADMINISTRATION
Take survey to help evaluate use of Resource Center
Indiana Conference offers free school for historians
Workers’ comp, property renewal questionnaires due Sept. 15
KAUMF announces Certification of Participation rates
Carol Taylor retires from Great Plains Conference

ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Bishop visits historic Nebraska City church
‘Brother’s Keeper’ series set for Wichita Aldersgate
KC District group to make presentation on gender issues
Council of Bishops offers scholarship to Parliament of World’s Religions
Emporia supply drive expands to high-schoolers
LSM classes taught in Nebraska City
In Other News
Newsletters
Blogs and Opinion
Classifieds

 

New district superintendents
installed in weekend ceremonies

New superintendents for districts in the Great Plains were celebrated during ceremonies over the weekend.

The Rev. Eldon Davis and the Rev. Cindy Karges (above, with Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.) were formally installed as the Great West District superintendents during services Saturday in First UMC in Sutherland, Nebraska.

The Rev. Chad Anglemyer (below) was celebrated in his new post as the Missouri River District DS with an installation service Sunday at Clair Memorial United Methodist Church in Omaha.

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Get a look inside United
Methodist Youth Institute

For more than 100 years, United Methodist Youth Institute has brought young people together for a week in the summer to the campus of Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.

But what is the Institute?

“You can grow in your faith and meet many friends along the way,” says one participant in this video, created and produced by the campers and student leaders at the latest gathering, last month.

The Institute is part of the ministry of Camp Chippewa and the Great Plains Conference.

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Retired judge, active in UMC
and social issues, dies at 91

A retired federal judge, active in the United Methodist Church and an advocate for human rights on the bench, is being remembered in his home state of Nebraska this week. Read more about Judge Warren Keith Urbom.

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October is domestic violence awareness month; online workshop coming soon

 

Domestic violence occurs in all communities, regardless of a person’s age, ethnicity, or socio-economic status, and the physical, mental and spiritual effects of such violence can be devastating. Do you know how to spot the signs and act to help someone in your church or community? An online workshop by Dr. Martha Banks (pictured above) is being hosted at BeADisciple.com which looks at domestic violence from a Christian standpoint and will help churches, clergy and individuals recognize signs of domestic abuse and support victims in their community.
 
Cost is $45 for this comprehensive two-week course. Class starts on Monday, Sept. 11. Learn more and enroll here.

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Clergy Excellence

Duke offering leadership
development program in Omaha

Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School is offering a two-session leadership development program in Omaha this coming winter. Foundations of Christian Leadership benefits emerging leaders, lay and clergy, who seek to energize and deepen their theological imagination and commitment to Christian institutional leadership, grow in self-understanding and hone their organizational leadership skills with colleagues in an encouraging and collaborative ecumenical and interdisciplinary learning environment.

The Omaha sessions are scheduled for Nov. 13-16 and Feb. 19-22. The application deadline is Sept. 13.

The program cost is $1,500, with some scholarships available. There is an opportunity for a $5,000 grant to fund a project for your organization.

Participants will:

  • Form a learning community rooted in Christian practices
  • Refine a vision of thriving communities that includes the work of Christian institutions
  • Learn how to assess the context in which they are serving and appropriately plan for the future
  • Hone skills in human resources, administration and theological reflection
  • Explore the concepts of traditioned innovationtransformative leadership and vibrant institutions as the underpinnings of effective Christian leadership

More information is available here.

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‘Tending the Soil’ workshop
set for Aug. 12 in Colorado

Sacred Stones Ministries presents the workshop “Tending the Soil: Practices to Enrich Your Ministry,” scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 12, at the United Methodist Church in Burlington, Colorado.

Topics included in the workshop are Bringing the Word to Life in Worship; Teaching the Faith to Multiple Generations; Reaching Out in Love to Diverse Neighbors; Christian Discipleship in the 21st Century; and Designing Your Space for Worship.

The cost is $10 per person or $30 per church, and registration can be done online.

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Equipping Disciples

Free Bible study available
just in time for fall programming

 
What does it mean to be the church?

What is the role of the church in today’s world?

How can we, as United Methodists, be a witness for Christ in the world amid our own turmoil?

These are some of the questions to be explored in a new Bible study developed by the denomination’s Committee on Faith and Order. The study – “Wonder, Love and Praise: Sharing a Vision of the Church” –  is designed as a four-session small-group study or Sunday school class. In those four sessions, participants will explore for themselves the distinct convictions of the United Methodist Church, our Wesleyan heritage, our identity as a denomination and how we can preserve unity amid diversity.

Todd Seifert, conference communications director, explains the study, the goals for participation and how you can access student curriculum, leader guides and videos for the course – all for free – from the conference website in his latest “In Layman’s Terms” blog.
Read about the study.

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Strengthening Families
Program set for September

Want to start a church-based parent support program that really works? Great Plains churches are encouraged to sign up today for the Sept. 22-23 Strengthening Families Program training, provided at no charge through sponsorship from the General Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.

Strengthening Families is an internationally recognized parenting and family strengthening program for both high-risk and general population families. SFP is an evidence-based family skills program proven to:

  • Significantly improve parenting skills and family relationships
  • Reduce problem behaviors, delinquency, and substance abuse in children
  • Improve social competencies and school performance
  • Decrease child maltreatment through strengthened bonds between parent and child, and more effective parenting skills.

This is an opportunity for community outreach and engagement, in addition to the benefits to congregant families.

The May training session filled to capacity, and spaces are going quickly for the September session, so register today to reserve your church's space. GBGM is covering the expense of the two-day training session, which is open to all UM congregations. The Health Fund is covering overnight accommodations and travel expenses for existing and newly signed Healthy Congregations churches -- making the training available at no cost. The September training session will be held in Council Grove, Kansas. 

Churches interested in participating are encouraged to visit healthfund.org/strongfams for full details and to register. The website also includes a recorded webinar with additional information about the program. If you have questions, please contact Katie Schoenhoff, foundation@kaumf.org or 620-662-8586.

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Lay Servant Training set
for Parsons in September

Lay Servant Training will be Friday-Saturday, Sept. 15-16, at Wesley UMC, 500 Leawood Drive, Parsons, Kansas.

A basic seminar will be conducted by Linda Stotler.
Advanced courses:

  • Lay Pastoral Caregiving by the Rev. Dorcia Johnson, Galena
  • Afire with God (Stewardship) by the Rev. Dallas Peterson, Girard/Farlington
  • Leading Worship by the Rev. Peggy Hillmon, Lenexa

The class size limit is 20. Enrollment is on a first-come basis, and registration deadline is Sept. 7.
More information is available in this flier.

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Five Rivers Youth Rally,
Lock-In set for Sept. 9-10

Seventh- through 12th-graders are invited to the ninth annual Five Rivers District Youth Rally and Lock-In, Sept. 9-10, at the West Campus of First United Methodist Church, Lawrence.

The lock-in includes a live band, The Perks, outside games, barbecue dinner, worship, movie, breakfast and a themed T-shirt. This year's theme is “Leave it at the Cross.” Register online by Aug. 20 to get a T-shirt with your $20  paid registration fee. 

Each group of one to six youth needs to have a Safe Gatherings-certified adult with them.

All youth in attendance must have a signed health waiver on file with their youth coordinator at the event, or bring it that day. The form is available on the registration site. 

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Mercy & Justice

Christians, Jews, Muslims working together for peace in the Middle East

At our Great Plains Annual Conference in June, the resolution “The Right to Peacefully Address Injustice” was passed. Numerous other conferences passed resolutions in regard to the situation in Israel-Palestine.  

Resolutions from General Conference state that as United Methodists “we seek for all people in the Middle East region an end to military occupation, freedom from violence, and full respect for the human rights of all under international law.” (Resolution #6111) We also urge all United Methodists to “support, and participate in, the work of international peace and human rights organizations, such as the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine & Israel and Christian PeacemakerTeams, to provide protection for Palestinians and Israelis seeking nonviolently to end the occupation.” (Resolution #6114)

Ahlam El Mernissi, one of this summer’s Micah Corps interns, reflects on a session at their seminar at the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS):
During our seminar at GBCS in Washington D.C. in June, the Micah Corps interns attended a discussion on Palestine and Israel. It was led by Janet Lahr Lewis, GBCS Peace with Justice Program Associate and the Advocacy Coordinator for the Middle East with the General Board of Global Ministries, Rabbi Joseph Berman from Jewish Voice for Peace and Kareem El-Hosseiny from American Muslims for Palestine.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict began in the mid-20th century when the persecuted Jews in Europe began migrating to Israel, a movement known as Zionism. They wanted to create a Jewish nation, Israel, where they would all be united and protected on a land they believe is holy. However, this land is also holy to the Palestinians (Muslims and Christians) who have been living there for centuries. Nevertheless, Zionism continued to increase year after year, and led to more conflicts as Israelis took over the homes of Palestinians. Two state solutions were drafted several times but were never accepted by Israel. Today, Israel is recognized as a nation while Palestine is made up of two separate territories known as the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Unfortunately, Israel is continually creating and expanding settlements in these areas. According to Kareem El-Hosseiny, Palestine looks like a piece of cheese and the holes represent Palestine.

El-Hosseiny, a Palestinian Human Rights Activist, referred to Israel as a colonial power. He explained that Israel took over Palestine, created Israel and reduced Palestine to two small territories on opposite sides. Rabbi Joseph Berman emphasized that Israelis should not expel Palestinians from their own land. Throughout his childhood, he dreamed of joining the Israeli military and he believed that the Palestinians could simply move to other Arab countries and allow the Jews to create an Israeli state where they all felt safe. However, he came to realize that it is not fair to simply take over the lands of Palestinians.
Today, the two state solution seems to be out of reach. But the presenters -- a Muslim, a Jew and a Christian -- are all working towards gaining human rights for the Palestinians. Their hope is to help the Palestinians to nonviolently resist the Israeli injustices. All people should be granted full human rights.
 

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Micah Corps interns learn
about racism, microagression

As part of their summer travels, the 2017 Micah Corps interns took a trip to Washington D.C., to work with the General Board of Church and Society. Over the course of one week they met with several different advocates and lobbyists to discuss work that relates to some of the intern’s topics, whether it be the environment, food security, immigration, children in poverty, or peace and non-violence. They also discussed another topic, one that transcends all social justice issues: racism.

As the Rev. Michelle Ledder, director of program ministries with the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), began her three-hour anti-racism training, a workshop she seemed delighted to conduct, mixed emotions floated through the room. Despite this group of interns being diverse in every aspect, racism does not appear to be a thing that very many are comfortable discussing. It’s no surprise that everybody is quiet, the usual morning drowsiness still lingers in the conference room, but today is different. When Ledder brings out phrases such as “white privilege,” the atmosphere seems dry, almost tense. Sure, nobody in the room is racist, but over half of the room is white, and now Ledder is telling them that their white skin gives them benefits that other races aren’t afforded. Nobody questions this, but she goes on to reference a study in which identical resumes were given out to several hundred companies across the United States, some with “African-American sounding” names, and some with “white sounding” names. Of the resumes that were responded to, those with “white sounding” names were typically favored.

Ledder had many interesting concepts to introduce to the group, including a type of racism called exceptionalism, which is to accept individual people as an exception to the racism that you cast on their race. “No, I like you. You’re not like other Hispanics,” is a great example, or the more common, “I’m not racist, I have a black friend.” Yikes. But why is this racist? If a person has a black friend, then obviously they don’t hate black people, right? Wrong. A person can have a friend of every race and still be the walking, talking Jim Crow. Having a token black friend does not excuse the fact that a person regards the rest of the black community as less than, as subhuman. It just means that they were able to accept one of millions, which is not impressive in the slightest.

By this point in the workshop, some of the interns are becoming more comfortable with speaking their mind, and some of the interns still have not said a word. It seems as if there is an inhibiting power at work, something that may stop them from crossing a line they wouldn’t dare touch. It may be the minorities in the room, Ledder’s presence, or simply the subject itself, but some of the interns refrain from talking voluntarily during the entire workshop.
Ledder also discussed microaggressions, the sneaky, and oftentimes subconscious, quiet racism. To those who are unfamiliar with the term, an example of a microaggression would be a woman comfortably walking down the street, only to tightly clutch her bag as she passes a Hispanic man, or a teacher expecting an Asian person to be the smartest in the classroom before they’ve even said a word. Microaggressions are often dismissed by those on the receiving end because they fear they will appear sensitive, or that the microaggressions just aren’t a big enough deal to raise cane over, but they are.

To let microaggressions slide, whether you are the victim or a bystander, is to let racism slide, and racism is never OK.

The session is winding down, and some of the interns are longing for lunch, but the work is not done. Before Ledder concludes, she wants to empower the interns, and in turn have the interns empower one another. She instructs them to place oil on their neighbor’s hand and then recite a simple prayer, something that we should all remind ourselves of: “The work of anti-racism is not always comfortable, it is not always easy, but it is always worth it.”

                                                                      -- Roy Koech, Micah Corps Intern

 
Here is the 2016 resolution for annual conferences, districts and local congregations’ responsibilities to eradicate racism.

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Nigeria Mission Partnership orphanage announces graduation of four students

Four Nigeria Mission Partnership orphanage students in Jalingo, Nigeria, graduated in early August. Mission Shares directed to the orphanage through Great Plains Conference Advances 300 and 301 contribute to the upbringing and education of these young people. Kathryn Witte, chair of the conference orphanage committee said, “Great Plains churches engaged in Mission Partnership ministries make it possible for these young people to have hope for the future.”
 
Tentative plans for these students include attending Taraba State University and Africa University. Applications are in process.
 
Any church or group wanting to learn more about the Nigeria/Great Plains Mission Partnership that supports the Jalingo Orphanage should contact Kathryn Witte, Nigeria Partnership chair at kathrynwitte75@yahoo.com or 402-499-1009.
 
From left to right: Pennah Isuwa, is among the first Jalingo Orphanage students to graduate from JSS and attends Taraba State University; Patience Gayus; Bethuel Innasu, teacher; baby Peculiar Innasu, Boer Peter and Lami Joseph all gather at the graduation ceremony. Graduate Stella Uziel not shown.

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Administration

Take survey to help evaluate
use of Resource Center

 

The Great Plains Resource Center for Churches is conducting a survey to evaluate the ways that resources are used, and the ways congregations benefit by accessing the variety of resources that can be checked out. 

Why are we doing this? This evaluation was asked for by the Connecting Council of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference and Great Plains Resource Center Board.  During the Great Plains Annual Conference session in June, the decision was made to combine three conference offices into one location, with Topeka as the new home for the United Methodist conference office. Before automatically deciding to move the Resource Center, it was decided that the usage needed to be evaluated.

The current conference office at 3333 Landmark Circle in Lincoln eventually will be sold, so if the Resource Center is to continue, it will need a new home.  The new home could be the new conference office in Topeka, a United Methodist Church in Lincoln or a church of another denomination.  There are financial implications for these options, of course. Input from users of the Resource Center will inform these decisions.

The conference asks all people who have used the Resource Center in the past three years to take the survey online by going to https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/ResourceCenterSurvey.  All surveys need to be completed by Aug. 11.

The Resource Center is still open, and still sending out resources requested by a local church, so please continue to use this service. Regina Bergman and Roxie Delisi are managing the day to day needs of the center since the retirement of Diane Dunkerson in June.

Search and reserve materials from the Resource Center.

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Indiana Conference offers
free school for historians

The Indiana Conference is opening its proven Local Church Historians’ School to all conferences this fall.  Any number of people from your Conference with a serious interest in “doing” United Methodist history well may register at this time

Starting in September, 12 weekly email lessons will cover the basic principles of effective church historianship within the integrative concept of a “program of local church history.”

This brochure contains more information.

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Workers’ comp, property renewal questionnaires due Sept. 15

This is a reminder that all Workers’ Compensation renewal questionnaires are due no later than Sept. 15. Also, the property/liability renewal questionnaires for the former Kansas East Conference churches is also due no later than Sept. 15.  If you haven’t received your packet, please contact our broker, Assured SRA. Call Karen Hoskins at 913-236-3015 or Sue Courtney at 913-236-3017. 

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KAUMF announces
Certification of Participation rates

The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation's Certificate of Participation provides an investment alternative for those who are seeking the security of a fixed-income type vehicle at competitive rates. It is an excellent option for investors who like to invest in certificate of deposits or money market funds. These certificates have been registered only with the State of Kansas Securities Commissioner and are not offered in any other state or jurisdiction.

It is the funding source of our Church Development Loan Fund Program providing loans to United Methodist churches and United Methodist institutions throughout the state of Kansas for the purchase of real estate, building new church starts, renovating existing buildings, large maintenance projects, operating needs and refinancing existing indebtedness. Participation in a Foundation’s Certificate of Participation is available only to residents of Kansas as well as Kansas United Methodist churches and institutions.

If you would like to receive a copy of the Foundation’s Certificate of Participation Offering Circular, including an application for participation, please contact the Foundation office directly at 1-888-453-8405, foundation@kaumf.org or www.kaumf.org.

Investment Particulars
• $1,000 minimum investment – 12-month term or two-year term
• No penalty for early withdrawal for special circumstances
• Simple Application Process – Must obtain an Offering Circular
• Variable rate of interest adjusted monthly based on Wall Street Journal Prime
• No fixed rate is possible and there is no minimum rate of interest

August 2017 Certificate of Participation Rates
1 year - 1.20%
2 year - 1.50%

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Carol Taylor retires from
Great Plains Conference

After more than 12 years in working at the Wichita office, Carol Taylor retired Friday as assistant benefits officer.

Any inquiries that would have gone to her should now be directed to Carol Fusaro, pension and health benefits officer and human resources director, at the Topeka office, 785-272-9111 or cfusaro@greatplainsumc.org.

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Across the Connection

Bishop visits historic
Nebraska City church

Great Plains Bishop Rueben Saenz Jr. made a surprise visit to the Mother Church of Methodism in Nebraska, the Nebraska City First United Methodist Church, on Thursday afternoon, July 27.

The Rev. Charles Kathurima gave Bishop Saenz a tour of the church, which has part of the original church wall at the front of the sanctuary. Pastor Kathurima informed the bishop that the church would be celebrating its 165th anniversary in 2018.

Bishop Saenz also got to meet some of the youth IGNITE UTC mission team members who were preparing to depart the next morning for their 10-day mission trip to the White Mountains of Arizona. He prayed with the team before his departure.

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‘Brother’s Keeper’ series
set for Wichita Aldersgate

“My Brother’s Keeper,” a series of presentations by the social justice team at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Wichita, will take place on Wednesday nights from Sept. 13 to Oct. 18.

The presentations will be from 6:30-8 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church, 7901 W. 21st St. N, Wichita.

The subjects covered, with guest experts serving as speakers, are:

  • Sept. 13: Human trafficking
  • Sept. 20: Identifying and responding to victims of human trafficking and other forms of abuse (adults only)
  • Sept. 27: Pornography and its effect on the brain (adults only)
  • Oct. 4: Family rapid rehousing
  • Oct. 11: Foster care/Wichita Children’s Home
  • Oct. 18: Refugees: How can we help?

More information is on this flier.

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KC District group to make
presentation on gender issues

Wide is God’s Welcome-KC, a group of United Methodists from the Kansas City District, is offering a program dealing with definitions of terms related to sex, gender, gender identity, sexual preferences, etc. This topic is being widely discussed in our society and has barring upon the issues before the United Methodist Church. Our leaders will reflect upon this topic from both science and faith perspectives and the topic’s implications for 21st Century Christians, including the UMC. This program is an educational program and not an attempt to advocate for disobedience of the Book of Discipline. 

The program will be from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Valley View UMC, 8412 W. 95th St. (95th and Antioch Road), Overland Park. Dr. Charlene Muehlenhard (pictured above), professor of psychology and of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Kansas, will speak about the intersections of sexuality, gender, biology and culture. A faith perspective will be shared by Leighann Prothro, director of children and youth ministry at Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Kansas.

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Council of Bishops offers scholarship
to Parliament of World’s Religions

The 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions (PWR) was a huge success, with more than 200 religions sending representatives from around the world.  It was apparent this event needs to take place more often.  Therefore, the next PWR has recently been announced. It will be held in Toronto, Nov. 1-7, 2018.
 
Your Council of Bishops will be offering scholarship to three seminary students and to three others (laity or clergy) who previously have not attended a PWR.  However, applicants MUST ACT FAST. 
 
In order to take advantage of an early registration discount, applications are due no later than Aug. 7.  That is next week.
 
Please contact Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst immediately for an application.  She can be contacted at jhawxhurst@umc-cob.org.

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Emporia supply drive
expands to high-schoolers

Already a success at lower grade levels, Emporia’s First United Methodist Church has expanded its school supply drive to high school students for the upcoming school year.

Read more about the expansion in this story from the Emporia Gazette.

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LSM classes taught
in Nebraska City

Lay Servant Ministries classes were held July 28-29 in Nebraska City. The Rev. Dorthea Fairbanks taught “Leading in Prayer” to eight attendees, and the retired Rev. Sara Malone taught “Introduction to Lay Ministry: The Basic Course” to six attendees.

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In Other News


Newsletters

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Blogs and Opinion

  • Lay Servant Ministry blog: Kirk Pemberton, the Topeka District director of Lay Servant Ministry, shares some of the many ministries in which people can take part as part of the laity of the church.
  • Music and justice: “In all genres of music, we can find lessons about justice,” writes the Rev. Jeanne Torrence Finley, a retired United Methodist pastor in the Virginia Conference. Many have religious underpinnings. She writes about the songs that have inspired change from the American Revolution to today’s struggles. 

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Classifieds

Submit a classified and view other ads at greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.

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