Download the printable version of the Aug. 16 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Epworth Village leaders meet to discuss its future
Summit Youth Academy deepens faith, broadens perspectives
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Clergy Consultation Groups set to begin in September
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
More than 100 ‘Connect’ at Camp Fontanelle
Camp Fontanelle corn maze gets Nebraska designation; events Sept. 17
MERCY & JUSTICE
Micah Corps interns reflect on their summer
Remember during immigration discussion: They are humans too
Who is our neighbor? DACA recipients at risk
ADMINISTRATION
Mission share letters for 2018 available on website
Are your business cards up to date?
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
‘Ellie’ keeps memory of Wesley House director alive
Salina’s Grand Avenue UMC celebrates its centennial
Roots and Wings Educational Mission Trip meaningful for youth, adults
Churches, store help with Third Thursday in Hutch
Native American Methodists gather in Oklahoma for International Family Camp
In other news
Resources
Newsletters
Blogs and opinions
The week ahead
Classifieds
Epworth Village leaders
meet to discuss its future
Through the years Epworth Village in York, Nebraska, has modified, changed and otherwise reinvented itself to meet the needs of the day — the ultimate startup in today’s terms. In fact, we could speak in terms of iterations. What will be the next iteration of Epworth Village?
During a task group retreat on Aug. 5, the group drew a timeline of Epworth Village and then set their personal interactions with Epworth Village and their life experiences alongside it. It made for an interesting blend of discovery of what experiences and knowledge the task force members shared. It helped the group have a common understanding of the current reality of Epworth Village and enabled deeper relationships and community among the task force group.
Read more about the discussion.
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Summit Youth Academy
deepens faith, broadens perspectives
For seven days at the end of July, 36 rising high school juniors and seniors from Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and as far away as Mexico attended the Summit Youth Academy on the campus on Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.
The Summit, which was designed by the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship and others at the college, focused on helping young people hear God through practicing spiritual disciplines, understanding the Wesleyan faith, learning missional approaches to poverty, and discerning a vocational call.
“When we arrived on Sunday afternoon, none of us were quite sure what to expect,” said participant Ben Tiller, Wichita. “But soon, we found ourselves involved in an incredible week of learning, worship and service.”
Read more about the inaugural Summit Youth Academy.
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Clergy Excellence
Clergy Consultation Groups
set to begin in September
Clergy Consultation Groups are gatherings of six to 12 persons meeting monthly to focus on their pastoral work in context of peer support, reflection and consultation. These are confidential groups under the guidance of a trained mental health/AAPC pastoral counselor professional.
The groups have established their schedules for the upcoming year:
- Wichita (Doug Morphis, leader): Noon to 3 p.m. third Thursday, Counseling & Mediation Office, 200 W. Douglas, Suite 560; 1-4 p.m. second Tuesday, University UMC
- Hutchinson (Jim Godbey, leader): 9 a.m. to noon third Thursdays, Trinity UMC
- Topeka (Jim Godbey, leader): 9 a.m. to noon third Tuesdays, Countryside UMC
- Salina/Concordia (Doug Morphis, leader): 1-4 p.m. third Tuesdays, site to be announced
- Western Kansas (Jim Godbey, leader): 9 a.m. to noon second Thursdays, Dodge City First UMC; 9 a.m. to noon fourth Tuesdays, Hays UMC; 9 a.m. to noon second Tuesdays, Liberal First UMC
- Pittsburg (Jim Godbey, leader): 10 a.m to 1 p.m. first Tuesdays, Pittsburg First UMC
- Superior: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. fourth Tuesdays, Superior UMC
For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Jim Godbey or Rev. Dr. Doug Morphis.
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Equipping Disciples
More than 100 ‘Connect’
at Camp Fontanelle
More than 100 youth and adults from 13 churches found themselves connecting through music, worship and fun Saturday at Camp Fontanelle. This was the third year an event like this was held out at camp. But this was the first time the event was a Great Plains Conference event held at four locations in Nebraska and Kansas.
The day began with music by Caleb Lovely and message from the Rev. Bill Gepford. After lunch, youth and adults had a chance to connect with others through ziplining, laser tag, a stroll through the corn maze and roasting marshmallows around a campfire. One of the more popular activities was GaGa Ball.
The day ended with music from Lovely and a message from Rev. Gepford.
The day was meant for youth to connect with their own youth group as a way to kick off a new year of activities and a way to connect and share with other church groups about what works in their programming. It was also a way for Camp Fontanelle to introduce its programming to those not familiar with the camp offerings and to extend, a little, the fun that was held over the summer.
Camp Comeca also hosted the first weekend of Connect Events. They will conclude this upcoming weekend, with activities at Camp Horizon and Camp Chippewa. There is still time to make reservations for those events.
Photo: The Rev. Melissa Gepford tries her hand at ziplining at Camp Fontanelle.
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Camp Fontanelle corn maze gets Nebraska designation; events Sept. 17
The Camp Fontanelle Corn Maze was chosen to be a Nebraska 150 designated event during Nebraska’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. Guests can begin venturing through the corn maze on its opening day of Sept. 17. The maze and other activities will open at 1 p.m.
Every year, the camp chooses a theme for its corn maze design. With Nebraska celebrating 150 years, it seemed right that the camp apply to have its corn maze recognized as a designated event. Being chosen a NE 150 partner, meant that the NE 150 logo could be used in marketing, and the NE 150 website would promote those partner events/activities.
The theme design for the corn maze includes the Sower statue, which sits on top of the capital building, a covered wagon and an ear of corn. It is an exciting partnership for this year’s design and the camp’s second season activities.
Other activities include a pumpkin patch, where guests can pick up a pumpkin and leave a freewill donation, Fort Jones, Human Foosball or MoleBall, the Petting Barn, yard games, zipline (for an additional cost), Laser Tag (additional cost), hayrack rides, the Mine Shaft (a vertigo tunnel) and the Barrell Train. It is a day of fun for all. On opening day, guests will only pay an entrance fee for the corn maze, zipline and laser tag activities, all other activities are at no cost.
After opening day, each guest will need to pay an entrance fee which includes the corn maze and all of the other activities (excluding zipline and laser tag.) For more information contact the camp, 402-478-4296 or visit the website at campfontanelle.com.
Barbecue, auction
Sept. 17 is also Fontanelle’s annual barbecue and auction. The day is meant to highlight the successes of the camp over the past year and to raise money to continue to grow its camping ministry.
The day will begin with worship at 11 a.m. Music will be led by the summer camp staff and the message will be delivered by the Rev. Chad Anglemeyer, Missouri River District Superintendent. After worship, held under the big white tent, guests may enjoy a barbecue meal or a grilled meal before the other activities begin. The barbecue meal at the Riverview Lodge will include pulled pork or grilled chicken with sides or grilled hamburgers or hot dogs at the grilling station near the gazebo. The meals are a freewill offering but there is a suggested minimum gift for food.
There will be a silent auction and a live quilt auction to help raise money to help continue the ministry at the camp. Items and quilts are still being collected for the auctions. If you have an item you would like to donate, please contact the camp at 402-478-4296.
Visiting Camp Fontanelle on Sept. 17 is a wonderful way to support its mission of being an intentional Christian community. It will be an opportunity to visit the camp and tour its facilities and enjoy all of the activities being held on that day.
GaGa Ball
Camp Fontanelle will hold its annual GaGa Ball Tournament on Sunday, Sept. 17. Check in begins at 12:30 p.m.
This is a fun, competitive event for youth groups and friends who love to play GaGa Ball. Get your team together and start practicing to compete on the 17th.
Rules and registration can be found online. While trophies are given, the tournament is more about friendly competition and spending time with friends and doing something you love. It is a fast paced game and there is a lot of excitement involved. For specific questions, please contact the camp at 402-478-4296. Seed placement is based on the registration donation. The suggested registration fee is $100, but donating more, will help with placement in the brackets. Money raised will help with the camping ministry at Camp Fontanelle.
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Mercy & Justice
Micah Corps interns
reflect on their summer
Ten young people from Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Tennessee, Ethiopia, Haiti and Morocco joined together this summer for the 10-week Micah Corps internship. Led by two co-coordinators, Maddie Johnson and Deb Metcalf, who are both seminary students, this diverse group of people spent the summer connecting their faith with social justice work. They build relationships, learned from and with each other, and became a team.
Watch this student-produced video for more of their experiences.
Reflecting on the summer, the interns agreed that they had met the goals to grow in their spiritual walk with God, to link their faith with social justice action, to learn from social justice experts in Nebraska, Kansas and Washington, D.C., to strengthen their leadership skills, and to connect with Great Plains United Methodists across Nebraska and Kansas.
Micah 6:8 says: “And what does the Lord require of us but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?”
Plans are already underway for next summer.
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Remember during immigration discussion: They are humans too
Ahlam El Mernissi: Two years ago, when I first arrived in the U.S. as an international student, I noticed that illegal immigration was a big issue. I have encountered many people who are against undocumented immigrants while others feel that it is their duty, as sisters and brothers, to help them, despite their illegal status. President Donald Trump said that he would build a wall to stop people from entering the country. But what is never mentioned in many of the discussions I have witnessed is: why are these people leaving Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in the first place?
In July, the Micah Corps interns had the opportunity to take part in a discussion led by Sister Kathleen Erickson who gave legitimate reasons for why it is the United States’ duty to start welcoming these refugees and immigrants. According to her, the U.S. played a huge role in the conflicts that drove and is driving many people from Central America to risk their lives and cross the border. For example, the U.S. supported the 2009 Honduran coup d’état of a leader who promised to reform the country and help the poor of Honduras. But since this was going to affect its interest, the U.S. put an end to his reign. Today, Honduras is facing corruption to the extent that its people are no longer in a safe place and in return flee to the U.S. for survival and economic opportunities.
What surprised me most is hearing that crossing the border is not a criminal but a civil offense. The people committing this offense did nothing but flee for their lives. Sadly, as one family stepped in the U.S., they were shot by helicopters. Others have been captured and taken to detention centers, put in so-called “freezers” to be punished or sent back to Central America. We tend to forget that these undocumented immigrants are humans too. Sister Kathleen’s passion is to raise awareness and help them. She feels it is her responsibility to care for them. She even went to the desert by the border to plant water tanks under the bushes for the immigrants crossing the border. According to her, something as little as providing them with water during their dangerous journey can help them.
If you want to learn more or become involved, you can contact Sandy Sypherd, Chair of the Great Plains Immigration Rapid Response Team at ssypherd@windstream.net or Andrea Paret, Great Plains Peace with Justice coordinator at amparet08@yahoo.com.
-- Andrea Paret, Great Plains Peace with Justice coordinator
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Who is our neighbor?
DACA recipients at risk
Aug. 15 was the fifth anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DACA allows undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as children to contribute to their communities. This program has been a social and economic success for our nation. DACA has helped more than 750,000 immigrants and has opened doors to these young people to fulfill their dreams and give back to their families and communities. Right now, President Donald Trump's administration is considering terminating the DACA program. Some of our pastors in the Great Plains Conference are DACA recipients.
“Since the inception of DACA, its recipients have used their talents and skills to make our community a better place. We are grateful for the sacrifice of DACA recipients and their families,” said Emiliano Lerda, executive director of Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska (JFON-NE).
JFON-NE has helped numerous young immigrants with their DACA status. Constanza is one of them. When Constanza was 10 years old, extreme poverty and generalized violence drove her family from their home in Mexico. They left everything familiar to immigrate to the U.S. Later, she was nearly returned to a country she no longer knew. When she contacted JFON-NE, its attorneys were able to help her. Read her story.
The General Board of Church and Society is urging us to speak out in support of DACA. Rev. Jeania Ree Moore, the director of civil and human rights, says, “Ending DACA would be morally reprehensible, denying hundreds of thousands of young people the chance to integrate and thrive. Our immigrant brothers and sisters deserve dignity, welcome, and the opportunity to flourish.”
Read more about the importance of DACA and learn how to send letters to members of Congress.
Photo: Jeanie Ree Moore and the Micah Corps in front of the Supreme Court.
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Administration
Mission share letters for
2018 available on website
The 2018 mission share letters for local churches have been sent in the mail and are available for viewing and download on the conference website at http://www.greatplainsumc.org/statementsremittanceforms.
Mission shares for 2018 have been calculated by factoring a 10 percent tithe from each church’s 2016 operating income. An additional 1 percent is requested to assist with mission work for key partner agencies.
Questions about mission share calculations should be directed to Niki Buesing, conference controller, at 877-972-9111.
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Are your business cards up to date?
If you are in need of business cards, send your name, church or agency affiliation, address, phone numbers, email and website to Roxie Delisi at rdelisi@greatplainsumc.org.
She will be placing a bulk order in the next few days, so now is a great time to place your order and receive your business cards quickly. The cost is approximately $35 for 500 cards.
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Across the Connection
‘Ellie’ keeps memory of
Wesley House director alive
During its recent open house, Wesley House in Pittsburg, Kansas, dedicated a new food procurement van “The Ellie,” to late Ellie Foster who was a past executive director and pastor. The open house highlighted the work staff, volunteers and donors who have helped reduce the number of underserved and underemployed in Crawford County over the past few years.
Foster was an executive director and pastor at Wesley House for 10 years. “To know her was to love her,” Wesley House Executive Director and Pastor Marcee Binder said. “She had dreams for the Wesley House.”
Read more in this story from the Pittsburg Morning Sun.
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Salina’s Grand Avenue UMC
celebrates its centennial
Grand Avenue United Methodist continues in the place where it began 100 years ago on Ninth Street in Salina.
“For anything to be around for 100 years that takes a lot of commitment from the people who serve and a lot of faith to maintain it,” said Grand Avenue’s pastor, the Rev. Doug Birdsong.
The Salina Journal celebrates with an article and timeline.
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Roots and Wings Educational Mission Trip meaningful for youth, adults
The Roots and Wings Educational Mission Trip to Washington, D.C., was structured to do just that.
From Aug. 10-13, 21 youth and 10 mentors from Living Hope, TRI Community, Clair Memorial and Saint Paul Benson explored the “roots” of the African American people through a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Martin Luther King Memorial. They gained a deep appreciation for those who sacrificed to pave the way for freedoms many enjoy today.
Following the tours, the youth meet with senior citizens from Clair Memorial (who were also in DC) to dialogued with those who lived through the Civil Right Era.
“I’ve supported and participated in Volunteers In Mission efforts that build houses and repaired churches, yet this is the first time I’ve been involved in a VIM trip whose goal was to consciously build the capacity of youth to identify, address and overcome poverty, racism and other injustices.” said Rev. Charlotte Abram, retired clergywoman.
The youth were also challenged to use their “wings,” their ability to fly into the future making a difference in this world. They heard stories about the difference between mission as mercy and mission as justice. They talked about possible ways to identify and address some of the root causes of poverty, racism and other injustices.
Youth toured the U.S. Capitol, posed outside the White House and later wrote notes to their congressional representatives asking them to address an issue that youth are concerned about.
The youth and adults concluded the trip by attending Sunday school and worship at Asbury UMC. They engaged in mission as mercy by donating personal care bags to the Asbury UMC Neighbor to Neighbor ministry.
The youth and mentors thank the Peace and Justice Team of the Great Plains Annual Conference, the Missouri River District and their local churches for financial support that helped make this trip possible. Additional thanks go to the organizations and businesses that supported the many fundraiser held by Living Hope youth. Those organizations include Soul Desires Book Store, Omaha Economic Development Corporation’s Fair Deal Market Place Farmers Market, Walmart and The Cooler Snowball Company.
Flying home to Omaha the youth had a new appreciation for those on whose shoulders they stand and realized that by their actions, they will become the shoulders future generations will stand upon.
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Churches, store help with
Third Thursday in Hutch
On Thursday Aug. 17, the Hutchinson Fair Price Store was once again open for business during the Third Thursday events.
Third Thursday is a regular community event that promotes the arts and fills downtown Hutchinson with a variety of events. It has become a great opportunity for the Fair Price Store to be open during the evening for those in our community that are not able to make it during our regular business hours.
As we partnered with Third Thursday events, creator Jennifer Randle asked us if we would be willing to host a kid-friendly event and we rose to the challenge. The Rev. Jeff Goetzinger (Fairview and Mitchell Chapel) and his wife Beth, the Rev. Claire Gadberry (South Hutchinson) and Rev. Alan Gager (Hutchinson Faith and Nickerson) joined together to partner with a growing movement in Hutchinson called Hutch Rocks that promotes painting rocks with a positive message and/or art and hiding the rocks through our community for others to find and bring a smile. Even though the kid traffic was sparse at times, there was still great opportunities to engage kids and adults as we gathered around the tables and painted rocks with smiley faces, emojis and yes, even a minion.
As the evening progressed it was a great opportunity to be outside and enjoy the weather, fellowship and have conversation, and yes paint. Throughout the night young and old stopped by our painting table outside the store as they were heading in, walking around downtown Hutchinson, or coming out to paint with us. One conversation that stood out for all of us was a conversation that Claire had with one of the kids. When asked what his favorite subject was he told her history and specifically African American history. This led to a conversation about Black Lives Matter and in turn provided an opportunity to reaffirm the vision of hope and grace that the United Methodist Church continues to share.
As we continue to look for new ways to use the Fair Price Store as a vital ministry in our downtown community we look forward to ways we can partner with the downtown community and let people know about the clothing ministry we provide for our community. We are always looking for ways in which we can engage our community and live out the United Methodist vision of making disciples for Jesus Christ and the transformation of the world.
-- Rev. Jeff Goetzinger
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Native American Methodists gather in Oklahoma for International Family Camp
For the first time in nearly a decade, Native American United Methodists gathered for the Native American International Caucus’ Family Camp, held in Gore, Oklahoma. The theme for the gathering was “Act of Repentance: Healing the Wounds from Within.”
“Family Camp was always an opportunity for our Native community to stay connected,” said Cynthia Kent, chair of the Native American International Caucus. The camp hadn’t been held in nine years due to a lack of funding. “Some of the kids who attended when they were little are now here with their own kids.”
Read more about the International Family Camp.
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In other news
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Resources
50 Ways to Take Church to the Community
Churches can no longer open their doors and expect that people will come in. Effective congregations go into the world to encounter those in need of the gospel. "50 Ways to Take Church to the Community" provides tips on reaching beyond the walls of your church with worship, community events, ministries, and service.
Read now and download free.
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Newsletters
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Blogs and opinions
The week ahead
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Classifieds
Submit a classified and view other ads at greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.
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