Download the printable version of the Nov. 29 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Active-shooter workshop planned for Sunday afternoon
Charge conferences change formats in Kansas' Salina, KC districts
Small-town Kansas church wins discipleship award
Kansans mark 40th – and final – Bishop’s Roundup Against Hunger
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Optional evening workshops added to Orders & Fellowship 2018
Church of Resurrection, Saint Paul offering fellowship program
Pastoral care, mental illness forum offered in Omaha
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
New options available in path to becoming Certified Lay Minister
New ‘Harvesting the Great Plains’ episode features camping ministry
Great Plains students receive more than $180K in scholarships
Five Rivers District youth ministry council completes busy year
MERCY & JUSTICE
Justice For Our Neighbors responds to termination of TPS for Haiti
Micah Corps leader speaks out on Boston Declaration
ADMINISTRATION
Health Ministry Fund board selects new president
Remittance reminder from conference controller
Volunteers being sought for Annual Conference planning committee
United Methodist Insurance now offering cyber liability protection
Builder is new ministry partner with GCFA
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Retired pastor, state senator Lowen Kruse dies at 88
'Little White Church' in Nebraska celebrates its 150th anniversary
In other news
Newsletters
Blogs and opinion
Classifieds
Active-shooter workshop
planned for Sunday afternoon
The recent tragic shooting in a Texas church sparked a renewed interest in training for congregations on how to do what they can to prevent similar events from taking place in their churches and how to address similar situations should they occur.
The Rev. Hollie Tapley, Great Plains Conference disaster response coordinator, will provide a free training on this important subject starting at 3 p.m. Dec. 3. The event will be livestreamed from Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Wichita. Go to www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream for the link to the Chapel Hill UMC website.
Tapley says the training will stress awareness training and how to positively respond.
Please register, even if you intend to view the livestream, so we can gauge participation.
Download Tapley’s PowerPoint presentation so you can follow along and so you have it for future reference.
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Charge conferences change
formats in Kansas' Salina, KC districts
The annual church charge conference, usually a business-laden necessity in most congregations, got a different look this year in two Great Plains districts.
In both the Salina and Kansas City districts, churches combined forces. In Kansas City, it included a series of workshops to take back to their local congregations. For Salina, it was a celebration of the large and small work that churches had done during the past year.
Read more about the Kansas City and Salina district events.
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Small-town Kansas church
wins discipleship award
Coffee and conversation.
It sounds simple, but it was key for Culver UMC in Kansas to reach out to its community, which resulted in an increase in attendance. Parishioners credit Pastor DeMerle Eckart for the growth, but he says “the Holy Spirit does the work.”
Eckart and the church received the One Matters Award from Discipleship Ministries during the Salina District charge conference, Nov. 19 in Concordia.
Read more about the Culver church, and watch a video of its pastor and parishioners.
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Kansans mark 40th – and final – Bishop’s Roundup Against Hunger
A lot has changed in 40 years, including approaches for helping the hungry and homeless.
And so the Bishop’s Roundup Against Hunger, which began four decades ago, celebrated its final mission on Nov. 18.
The Rev. Shirley Edgerton, a retired United Methodist pastor from Topeka, said many churches now have their own food pantries, and the Roundup served as the “middleman.” The event, which began its Western theme for a cowboy hat-wearing bishop four decades ago, was also too parochial to the former Kansas East Conference, and Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. is urging more conference-wide events, rather than those for just one of the former conferences.
Read more about the 40th and final Bishop’s Roundup Against Hunger.
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Clergy Excellence
Optional evening workshops
added to Orders & Fellowship 2018
Optional evening workshops have been added to the 2018 Orders & Fellowship Gathering, Jan. 17-19 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.
“You will be able to select from options that build on the topics of the day, while others will provide information about conference opportunities,” said the Rev. Nancy Lambert, director of clergy excellence and assistant to the bishop.
The topics scheduled include Year-Round Generosity; Preparing for a Capital Campaign; a panel of Pastors and What they Learned; Making the Ask; Minister as Leader/Preacher; Peer Coaching in the Great Plains Conference; and Developing a Covenant Group.
The theme of Orders & Fellowship is “Transformational & Entrepreneurial Stewardship.” All event details can be found here.
The event schedule was released this week.
Presenters for the event are Dr. Clif Christopher and Mike Slaughter from Horizons Stewardship, bringing The Horizons Academy of Faith and Money.
The Academy was developed to respond to the requests of pastors, laity and denominational leaders for a comprehensive training in church giving.
The Academy will provide training to confidently and effectively lead a church in financial stewardship. You will leave with a notebook full of resources that will increase your financial acumen whether you serve a church of 50 or a church of 550. There will be useful information for you whether you have served two years or 20 years.
Be sure to register before Jan. 2, to avoid the $25 late fee. The final registration deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Childcare is available onsite at the Younes Center for ages six weeks to 6 years old. Parents must register by Dec. 13 in order to receive childcare. Childcare registrations will not be accepted after this date.
Many hotel blocks are set aside at a discounted rate specifically for this event. Be sure to say you are with the “United Methodist Conference” when you make your reservation. Lodging arrangements must be made by Dec. 20 to receive the discounted rate. Please know that rooms are available at other motels that are not in the list.
For questions, email Regina Bergman or call 402-464-5994, Ext. 128.
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Church of Resurrection, Saint Paul offering fellowship program
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, in partnership with Saint Paul School of Theology, is offering an innovative program to educate future church leaders.
The three-year, full-ride Resurrection Fellows program equips candidates called to fulltime ministry with academic formation and real-life pastoral experience while eliminating the need for student loans.
The program covers tuition, books and fees.
Resurrection Fellows will receive a pastoral mentor and a paid 20-hour-per-week fellowship opportunity at Church of the Resurrection, the largest United Methodist congregation in the country, to learn about multiple ministry skills in areas such as evangelism, worship, pastoral care and discipleship.
The application deadline for prospective students interested in the Saint Paul Fellows Program is Jan. 31, 2018. Finalists will be invited for on-site interviews following application review and acceptance.
Find out more details about the Resurrection Fellows program at www.spst.edu/resurrectionfellows.
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Pastoral care, mental illness
forum offered in Omaha
“Understanding Your Congregation: Pastoral Care and Mental Illness,” a forum for pastors and religious professionals for the deepening and improvement of pastoral care and clinical skills, is being offered in early 2018.
The five-session forum meets on the third Tuesday of each month from January to May at the Adlerian Center, 11911 Arbor St., Omaha. Its sessions will include the art of listening, what happens in the brain to create behavior, managing personality disorders, the cycle of shame and addictions and compassion fatigue and how to manage stress.
More information is available in this brochure.
The cost is $425 for the five sessions, and the deadline for registration is Dec. 15.
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Equipping Disciples
New options available in path to becoming Certified Lay Minister
Those interested in becoming a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) now have options regarding how they may obtain the necessary educational requirements to become certified. Under our current system, candidates must first apply to be accepted into the CLM curriculum, then complete the 11 classes offered by the conference.
Under our new system, persons interested in becoming a CLM have two options:
- Complete the four modules from Discipleship Ministries, which are offered online through BeADisciple.com; or
- Enroll and complete the 10-month CLM curriculum offered by the “Lay Academy for Rural Church Ministries.”
In addition to those requirements, each candidate must also satisfactorily complete the three classes of Old Testament, New Testament and Preaching offered each year by the conference. These courses can be found on the Great Plains website.
Persons interested in taking these classes need not apply to become a CLM in order to take them. They are open to any interested party, and we encourage those interested to pursue furthering their Christian education.
Those who have already begun the process of completing the 11 classes may continue to do so, or may transition to either option.
The details of these changes are spelled out in the Lay Servant Ministries Guidebook which can be found on the Great Plains website.
These options will allow those interested in becoming a CLM the means by which they can complete the educational requirements in a fashion that best suits their needs and learning style. The 11 classes will continue to be offered, as they are excellent training for those wishing to deepen their faith and understand being active in the Church. The classes also qualify as “Advanced Classes” that meet the continuing educational requirements for renewal as a Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker and CLM. For questions on any of the above please contact your District Director of Lay Servant Ministries; Mary Feit, Great Plains LSM Director; or Dave Brant, Great Plains Lay Leadership Coordinator.
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New ‘Harvesting the Great Plains’ episode features camping ministry
Our fourth episode of "Harvesting the Great Plains" features our conference camping ministry.
Titled “Harvesting the Great Plains," this show draws inspiration from Mathew 9:37, which states “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers.”
Each show features interviews with people helping with the harvest so we can make more disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The goal is to tell stories of people and churches working in their respective mission fields and to provide information and resources vital to the mission of the Great Plains Conference.
This month’s webcast includes:
- Sara Shaw, conference coordinator of camping ministries, who takes us on a brief tour of the six Great Plains camps, complete with footage from each location.
- Shaw and some of our camp counselors help us understand the way camps can help start a young person on their journey with Christ.
- The Rev. Bill Ritter, Blue River District superintendent, tells us about confirmation camp and how it can be a positive experience for kids exploring their faith.
View the latest episode.
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Great Plains students receive
more than $180K in scholarships
The General Board of Higher Education Ministry’s Office of Loans and Scholarships will be awarding more than 2,500 students a total of $5 million in financial assistance for 2017. Thank you for your support in recognizing United Methodist Student Day, World Communion Sunday, and Native American Sunday which help fund a portion of our scholarships. The remaining funds for these awards come from gifts, annuities and endowments GBHEM has invested and administered for decades.
Seventy students representing churches in the Great Plains Conference received scholarships totaling $180,982. Students have used the funds for seminary, United Methodist colleges, public colleges and universities and nursing schools.
Here is a list of the scholarship recipients for 2017.
Students who are members of The United Methodist Church may apply for a Fall 2017 GBHEM scholarship online between Jan. 3 and March 7 at www.gbhem.org/scholarshipapplication. Student loans are also available at interest rates as low as 3.75 percent (lower than federal educational loan rates) with a credit-worthy cosigner.
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Five Rivers District youth ministry council completes busy year
What motivates a group of youth to come together every year, meet at least six times, amidst all kinds of their own activities, and work on planning a lock-in and concert for their peers? It’s not money, fame, prestige, or much of what the world has to offer. It is the love of their fellow teens, along with a possible nudge from their youth coordinators. Their desire is to introduce Jesus to their peers, and hopefully steer them towards, a relationship with Him. The group of youth that take this on each year, are the DCYM (District Council on Youth Ministry) of Five Rivers District.
This year’s Project Revolution (the name chosen by the first group of youth in 2008, for the youth Lock-In and Rally) was another testament to that love generated work. It was Five Rivers District’s 10th year to hold this event. They have averaged around 100 youth every year in attendance. This year they opened attendance and welcomed the Parsons District, and had a group attend with their youth coordinators. There are youth in attendance each year that have been attending since they were in sixth grade and gradually work their way into leadership positions on DCYM.
Of course it also takes dedicated adults to help modulate the discussions and keep things on track, but by and far, the group are youth-led. Every year they elect a president, vice president, secretary and chaplain. These officers are usually junior and seniors in high school. They can be depended on to lead, plan and invite others. At the end of the year, it is so easy to write letters of recommendation for them, they “shine.” They show up, and lead by example to the younger youth that are new to DCYM.
“Leave it at the Cross” was this year’s theme. The theme and a scripture that goes with it, is one of the first things the DCYM works on. Then they come up with a T-shirt design, find a band within their budget, plan worship and games, and develop a food committee. This usually involves breaking into groups. Everyone on the committee is needed and their “super powers” are utilized. Naturally we have parent “volunteers” that help as well. It takes a lot of folks to help with the barbecue dinner, cleanup, and supervision of that many youth.
Friends are made, honest and life changing testimonies are given. The bands are different every year but all have some faith based songs. This year’s band was The Perks. They also helped with the transition from “live concert” mode, to our more serious worship time. Some years are better than others with regards to sleep. But lives are always changed. We end the weekend after worship the next morning, in a circle of prayer outside the church. Many of these same youth go on to attend a Great Plains youth activity like The One Event in January, Institute at Baker University or Camp Chippewa the following summer.
It is with a heart of gratitude, that we thank the adults responsible for supervising this group and being our DCYM adult coordinators, Tami Clark (Lawrence 1st Youth Coordinator), Richard Croll (Burlington Youth Coordinator) and Eva Durand (Baldwin 1st Youth Coordinator). Along with each group of one to six youth, we require a Safe Gatherings-certified adult sponsor, these parents and local church members/pastors are invaluable to this group, thank you! Lawrence 1st West Campus has been the host for eight years, and Worden UMC hosted us twice. We thank them as well. We also thank our local churches that have donated financially to this group through the years. This truly is a Five Rivers ministry we all can be proud of.
Want to know more about events for Great Plains youth?
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Mercy & Justice
Justice For Our Neighbors responds
to termination of TPS for Haiti
In the last few weeks, the administration has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from several different countries who have been living in our communities for many years. TPS allows people to live and work in the United States if extraordinary and temporary circumstances occur in their home country, like war, an epidemic or a natural disaster, preventing them from safely returning home. About 50,000 persons from Haiti are living in the U.S. under TPS which was granted after the devastating earthquake in 2010.
Recently, the administration has revoked TPS for Sudan, Nicaragua and Haiti and there are more countries for which decisions will be made in the near future.
Emilano Lerda, Executive Director of Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska says, “Our hearts go out to all the children and families from Sudan, Nicaragua and Haiti that will be affected by the administration’s decision to revoke their TPS that will likely result in the separation of thousands of honest, hard-working families. We urge immigrants with TPS to consult with a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible.”
At our Annual Conference this past June, we remembered together that “early in Jesus’ life, he was a refugee to Africa fleeing persecution and violence in his homeland (Matthew 2:13-15). Jesus told us that nations would be judged on the basis of the way they fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the prisoner (Matthew 25:31-46).” We encourage all churches in our conference “to educate and equip their members to provide hospitality and welcome to migrants and refugees in their communities and to take further actions and advocate for just policies through prayer and discernment.”
The resolution, “Welcoming Migrants in Our Midst.”
National Justice For Our Neighbors (NJFON) released a statement strongly opposing the decisions of our government regarding ending TPS for several countries. “The Justice for Our Neighbors network has helped hundreds of TPS beneficiaries throughout the years with their applications and work permit renewals. In doing so, we have gotten to know these amazing men and women and their families. The Administration’s ill-informed and cruel decision means that individuals with TPS from these countries must choose between separating from their families (including U.S. citizen children), taking their children into unsafe conditions in an unknown country, or living on the fringes of our society, unable to work legally and under the constant threat of deportation….We believe in upholding human dignity, keeping families together and providing refuge to our most vulnerable neighbors.” To take action, read the full statement.
The Great Plains Immigration Rapid Response Team urges congregations across our conference to observe Global Migration Sunday (the suggested date is Dec. 3, but other Sundays can be chosen) to help church members learn about the plight of immigrants (including TPS holders, refugees, asylees) and to offer support. Resources can be found at www.umcmigration.org
-- Andrea Paret, Peace with Justice coordinator
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Micah Corps leader speaks
out on Boston Declaration
Maddie Johnson is a member of the Church of the Resurrection and was one of our Micah Corps coordinators this past summer. Even though she is away at seminary, she keeps involved in what is going on in our conference in a variety of ways, especially through the Mercy & Justice Team as well as Peace with Justice Ministries.
Here she shares about The Boston Declaration which was just published a few days ago:
I started my Master of Divinity at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in the fall of 2016, and within months, it became clear that my education would be inescapably impacted by the crisis that our nation, our world, and our United Methodist Church is in. The necessity of integrating theologies of liberation and hope with the practical application in the local church and community has seemed much more urgent, much more essential in these times. On Nov. 18, a statement was released by an ecumenical group of Christian leaders that, from the first sentence, denounced the evils and oppression that exist in our world and churches, as well as called for a Spirit-filled life that follows a God whose nature is one of mercy, justice, and love. The Boston Declaration is a bold and prophetic statement that challenges followers of Christ to be the church: to embrace diversity, to resist systems of injustice and exclusion, and to stand in solidarity with our neighbors in love and joy. I invite you to read the collective voice of theologians who, with clarity and discernment, have articulated the urgent and essential message for a world in crisis, and if you feel led, to add your signature to The Boston Declaration. As the document names, “this declaration is [to choose life], hoping and clinging to the God of life and seeking to bear witness to that life in our present moment.” May it be so.
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Administration
Health Ministry Fund board to
retire in January; successor chosen
The Board of Directors of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is pleased to welcome David Jordan as the Fund’s new President, effective in February. Jordan is currently Executive Director of Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, where he has served since 2016. Jordan will succeed the Fund’s first president Kim Moore, who has led the organization since 1987 and is retiring at the end of January 2018.
“David emerged as the best individual to assume leadership of the Fund following an extensive nationwide search,” according to the Rev. Max Clayton, fund board chairperson. A search committee comprised of six current and three former directors led the 10-month search process with advice from Kittleman Associates, a Chicago-based executive recruitment firm exclusively serving nonprofit organizations.
At the Alliance, Jordan oversees a coalition of more than 100 organizations dedicated to making Kansas a healthier place to live and work. The Alliance’s top policy priority has been to expand KanCare. Under Jordan’s leadership over the last twenty months, momentum to expand KanCare has grown and the effort passed the Legislature only to fall a few votes short of overriding a gubernatorial veto. In his role at the Alliance, Jordan works with community-based organizations, providers, faith based groups, patient advocacy groups, members of the legislatures and health foundations.
Prior to joining the Alliance, Jordan demonstrated a passionate commitment to improving access to health care and health equity. Jordan served as the Dental Access Project Director for Community Catalyst, the leading national consumer health advocacy group, where he led a national campaign to expand access to dental care by adding dental therapists to the dental team. Jordan also served as Campaign Director for Massachusetts Affordable Care Today! (MassACT!), where he directed the ballot campaign which in part led to Massachusetts’ landmark health care law (also known as Romneycare). He also brings a wealth of experience in public policy and communications, as well as an extensive national network of colleagues, to the fund.
“The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund’s work to improve the health of Kansas and to partner with groups to help them achieve their goals of making Kansas a better state for all its residents is well-known and recognized. I am honored and humbled to join the Fund and its strong team to continue to work to fulfil its mission to achieve a healthy Kansas,” Jordan said.
Jordan currently lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, Suzanne Wikle, and young son. Jordan, a native of Carver, Massachusetts, graduated from Emerson College in Boston. Jordan is completing work on a masters of public administration at the University of Kansas.
United Methodist Health Ministry Fund was formed in 1986 by the Kansas West Conference (now Great Plains Conference) of the United Methodist Church with $30 million of the proceeds from the sale of Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. Since its founding, the Hutchinson-based Health Fund has invested more than $68 million to improve health, healing, and wholeness for all Kansans. Current strategic focus areas include young children’s healthy social emotional development, breastfeeding support for optimal infant and maternal health, sustainable rural health systems, equitable healthcare access for all, and partnering with local churches to support intentional, effective congregational and community health ministry.
Kim Moore, United Methodist Health Ministry Fund’s first president, is retiring at the end of January 2018 after a 30-year career with the Hutchinson-based philanthropy.
For those wishing to honor Moore on the occasion of his retirement, a scholarship has been established in his name at Southwestern College. The fund’s board of directors will match all contributions (up to $10,000) received by Dec. 20. Checks payable to Southwestern College may be forwarded to the Health Fund (PO Box 1384, Hutchinson, KS 67504-1384) or given to a staff member at the reception or office. Email healthfund@healthfund.org with any questions.
In 1987, the 22 charter trustees of the fund selected Moore as the fund’s first president, from a pool of 150 applicants nationwide. With his leadership, the fund has invested more than $68 million in grants supporting nearly 2200 projects to improve the health, healing, and wholeness of Kansans.
Rev. Max Clayton, board chair, highlighted how Moore’s leadership has shaped the organization over the years.
“The culture of the fund – its DNA, its way of operating, one might even say its personality – has been informed by Kim’s vision, passion, and embrace of constant learning and innovation. Our successes – and just as importantly, our willingness to take risks; to try though we may fail – have been made possible in large part by Kim’s ability to assess a problem, bring together the right people to address it, and nurture the solution until it takes lasting hold,” Clayton said.
The fund has taken a broad view of health – physical, social, spiritual, and mental/emotional health – focusing on the whole person. A long-running oral health initiative treated the health of the mouth as integral to the health of the body. The fund’s breastfeeding initiative reduces disease while improving not only nutrition but also bonding and emotional health for mother and child. The current NeuroNurture campaign addresses early childhood toxic stress, which can negatively “rewire” the brain in lasting ways and predispose the body to chronic disease later in life. The fund continues to support innovation and sustainability in health delivery systems (particularly in increasingly vulnerable rural areas) and in equitable payment models assuring individual access and provider viability. The fund’s Healthy Congregations Initiative supports United Methodist churches in organizing effective congregational health ministry and in serving as faith-based assets through more than seventy local teams communities throughout Kansas and Nebraska.
Prior to joining the Fund, Moore was an attorney for 11 years in Kansas’ largest law firm, Foulston Siefkin in Wichita. He emphasized employee benefits and tax-exempt organizations in his practice. He was also a former Law Clerk for Delmas C. Hill, U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Kim grew up in Longton, Kansas, where he still owns a small tenant-operated farm. He received his B.S. in history and political science from Southwestern College, and his J.D. from Washburn University School of Law. At Washburn, he was editor-In-chief of the law review. He also holds a certificate of nonprofit management from Wichita State University.
Moore is an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he frequently teaches the Serendipity Sunday school class and serves on the finance committee. Moore currently serves on the board of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center after two stints as Board Chair. Kim is also a member of the board of the Kansas Hospital Association. He joined the Southwestern College Board in July 2013 and is chair of the Business Affairs Committee and a member of Executive Committee. He also serves on the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, Great Plains Conference and the Conference Investment Committee. As a result of his position with the Fund, he is involved in many statewide organizations. He has special interest in nonprofit governance, public education, leadership development and investments. He is a member of Rotary and a men’s book club.
Moore commented on his upcoming retirement, “My work at the fund has given me 30 years of great associations and opportunities. The staff and board members over the years have helped me grow, learn and persevere during all seasons of our work to improve the health of Kansans. I look forward to a new stage of my life and hope to find some part-time nonprofit consultative work to add to my plans for more family time, gardening, travel and reading those dozens of books waiting for me.”
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Remittance reminder
from conference controller
All 2017 remittances must be postmarked on or before Jan. 8, 2018. Remittance sent after Jan. 1 must clearly be marked with “December 2017” if you are remitting 2017 money. Money postmarked after Jan. 8 will be considered 2018 money regardless of how the remittance is marked. Tips for submitting final payment:
- Verify that the total of your remittance form and the check amount agree.
- Make check payable to GREAT PLAINS CONFERENCE and mail it along with a remittance form to P.O. Box 4837, Topeka, KS 66604. Do not include benefit payments in this mailing as they go to a different PO Box.
- If you are unable to meet the mailing deadline contact the office in Topeka (1-877-972-9111) to authorize a one-time automatic debit out of your church account. You must turn in the ACH withdrawal form no later than 10 a.m. Jan. 8 to ensure the payment is received at the bank by the deadline.
Mission Share letters for 2018 are already posted on the website, at http://www.greatplainsumc.org/statementsremittanceforms. Remittance forms for 2018 will be loaded to the website Jan. 9, 2018, after 2017 remittances close.
-- Niki Buesing, controller
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Volunteers being sought for Annual Conference planning committee
The conference nominations committee is looking for people who want to help plan the 2018 Annual Conference, June 13-16 in Wichita.
The team has an opening for any interested people who have a desire to serve, with a preference toward people who are not clergy or pastors. Experience in conference planning is a bonus. Having attended the Annual Conference is very helpful as this is a group of about seven who work with subcommittee members to plan this event each summer.
If you are interested or know of someone who would be good on this team please nominate them here. Thank you for your help!
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United Methodist Insurance
now offering cyber liability protection
The Federal Trade Commission reports that if you have a credit report, there’s a good chance that you’re one of the 143 million American consumers whose sensitive personal information was exposed in a data breach at Equifax that lasted from mid-May through July 2017. Hackers into the Equifax database were able to access sensitive information stored by Equifax.
To continue its ministry of protecting United Methodist properties, the board of directors of United Methodist Insurance announced that it added Cyber Liability Protection to its policies on Oct. 1, 2017.
Cyber Liability Protection shields the insured from liability associated with data and privacy breaches of their systems. Churches keep personal information on their membership and finances and having Cyber Liability coverage can help the church respond to a breach, once a claim is made.
This enhanced coverage has been added automatically to all United Methodist churches insured through UMI as another benefit to being protected by the denominational insurer. Mike Plesko, president and CEO of UMI said, “United Methodist Insurance has as its goal to protect United Methodist properties from a broad spectrum of situations. Offering Cyber Liability Protection is the latest way we do that. I am pleased we can bring this much needed coverage to our customers.”
For additional information about UMI’s ministry of protecting people and property of The United Methodist Church, contact Sid Gray, vice president and treasurer of United Methodist Insurance, info@umins.org or 1-800-293-3525.
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Builder is new ministry
partner with GCFA
The External Relations Department of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) has coordinated a new ministry partner, Vanguard Modular Building Systems.
Many churches are looking at ways to update existing worship and ministry space. John Roy, of Coker (Texas) United Methodist Church, said “Over a two-year period, Vanguard Modular Building Systems worked with our building committee to design a facility that met our growing health/wellness and food pantry ministries. The new facility was welcomed by our church members (and) the 300 families we serve on a weekly basis … growing our outreach into the community we serve.”
Vanguard Modular offers permanent and portable building solutions designed for the specific ministries of each local church. Vanguard works with church leaders who may not be construction specialists to go through each step of the process of determining needs and offering products that fit the budgetary and time requirements for each facility.
Peter V. Eberle, President of Vanguard Modular Building Systems, says "We are excited about the opportunity we have, through GCFA, to connect with United Methodist church leaders, and offer assistance in developing affordable facilities to accommodate ongoing growth in their ministries."
Vanguard and their partners can work with churches across the United States. To learn more about the products Vanguard Modular Building Systems offers United Methodist churches, visit www.vanguardmodular.com, or contact Chris Brown, cbrown@vanguardmodular.com or 610-350-6642.
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Across the Connection
Retired pastor, state senator
Lowen Kruse dies at 88
The Rev. Lowen V. Kruse, 88, a retired clergy member of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference and a former Nebraska state senator, died Friday, Nov. 24. His “Krusing the Capitol” blog appeared frequently in GPconnect, the last one published Nov. 1.
Born in Boelus, Nebraska, he grew up on a farm in the tightknit community centered around the Ebenezer Church. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, and Garrett Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He served the United Methodist Church from 1956-94 as a pastor in Muscatine, Iowa, and in Nebraska at Shelton, Custer County and Omaha First; as Northeast District superintendent in Norfolk; and as conference director of ministries in Lincoln. He wrote and published four Nebraska history books. Represented District 13 as a Nebraska State Senator from 2000-08, successfully strengthening impaired driving laws.
Kruse was impassioned about racial justice, peace, immigrant issues, feminism and LGBTQ equality. His involvement in faith ministry, Nebraskans for Peace, Lions Club, Kiwanis, AARP, OTOC and other organizations emanated from his early childhood experiences where community was essential to facing life's challenges. And he received a host of community service recognitions throughout his life.
Memorials may be made to Southern Poverty Law Center or First UMC in Omaha (for their racial diversity program). A memorial service will be held Dec. 30, at 2 p.m., at First UMC in Omaha.
‘He was a force of nature,’ Kruse’s daughter tells the Omaha World-Herald.
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'Little White Church' in Nebraska celebrates its 150th anniversary
The United Methodist Church celebrated 150 years of ministry at the Little White Church in Burr, Nebraska, on Sept. 10. The Rev. Karen Lamb, the current pastor, led the service and the Rev. Bill Ritter, Blue River District superintendent, gave the sermon.
Special music was provided by Deb Sears and Cheri Wirthele.
Pastors attending were Duane Waddle (a former member at Burr), Roger Gillming, Chuck Leypoldt and Michael Davis, pastors serving Burr, and Wes Ballard, who grew up in the church. In the afternoon former pastors Lyn Seiser and Ed Millican joined the group.
A circuit rider originally helped start the church by meeting in homes. Later the group started meeting in a building near Rocky Ford, northwest of Burr.
In 1883, the present building was erected on a hill near Rocky Ford. The total cost including furnishings was $1,950. In 1887 the railroad came through, and the town of Burr was established. It was decided to move the Little White Church into Burr to its present location.
The church remains focused on ministry in the community, children and poverty.
In June, the church concluded a 12-year project of providing a monthly food distribution for the local community.
At the present time, donations are providing flood buckets, health and school kits for those in need through the United Methodist Committee On Relief.
The Little White church currently has two members serving in ministry. Michelle Kuskie Chestnut is associate pastor at St. Paul’s UMC in Lincoln and campus minister at the University of Nebraska and David Daire is pastor at Republic, Kansas.
It has been said that there is no generation gap in the Little White Church.
The church has a rich heritage and plans to continue serving God with love in mission.
-- Sandy Scheef, Burr UMC
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Blogs and opinion
- Welcoming millennials by preserving anonymity: Churches often welcome young adults with such urgency and expectation that younger visitors can feel overwhelmed. The Rev. Scott Chrostek (pictured above), pastor of Resurrection Downtown, the Kansas City campus of Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, offers ideas for being hospitable while letting newcomers blend in.
- Challenging stereotypes that exclude: It’s easy to criticize the overt racism of neo-Nazi groups and some politicians, writes the Rev. Paul Jeffrey, a Pacific Northwest Conference missionary. But Jeffery said what is hard is challenging that rhetoric of fear with a language of solidarity and hope. “We in the church must speak words that unequivocally break through the stereotypes that exclude others from our communities,” he writes.
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