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Download the printable version of the December 11 issue of GPconnect.

In this edition:

THIS WEEK'S NEWS
‘Potluck’ podcast presents two-part interview with Maye Saenz
Rev. Cecil Bliss, who led Lincoln St. Mark’s in big move, remembered
Thursday is deadline for childcare registrations for Orders & Fellowship
Rev. Dee Williamston endorsed by SCJ Women's Leadership Team
GPconnect’s final issue of 2019 will be next week

ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Childcare director sought for 2020 Conference in Topeka

GENERAL CONFERENCE
Six months away from Minneapolis, fewer are keeping on the sidelines

CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Students, churches and mentor pastors sought for pastoral leadership interns
Harried December is made easier with reminder of Jesus’ gift
Ministry entrepreneurship program available in March
Dare to Dream Like Jesus online workshop offered in 2020
‘Preparing for Your Future’ set for April 20-22 at Salina Trinity UMC

EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
‘Rekindle the Fire’ training set for Feb. 7-8 in York
Plastic bags turn into comfort for the homeless, thanks to UMW
United Methodist Men pave way for greater spiritual growth in 2020
Sunday is deadline for group registration for OneEvent Reimagined, June 14-18

DISASTER RESPONSE
Get prepared for what could be an eventful 2020

ADMINISTRATION
Southwestern budget cuts include elimination of 13 positions at college
South Central Jurisdiction sues Southern Methodist University
Kansas Area UM Foundation announces discipleship grants
Changes to IRS Form W-4, Employee Withholding Certificate for 2020

RESOURCES
Can you use that photo? How to avoid copyright conflicts

ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Roeland Park UMC offers prayers, hot chocolate for shoppers
In other news
Newsletters 
Blogs and commentaries
The week ahead
Classifieds

 

‘Potluck’ podcast presents two-part interview with Maye Saenz

Her husband has been bishop of the Great Plains Conference for more than three years, but how much do you know about Maye Saenz?

In a two-part “Potluck” podcast, host David Burke talks with the bishop’s wife about a wide range of subjects.

In Part 1, she talks about her upbringing and her family, as well as her high-school sweetheart – a football player named Ruben, the principal’s son – and the family that they have raised.

In Part 2, she discusses the Christmas traditions that she grew up with, as well as the traditions she continues to the next generations.

“Potluck,” one of three podcasts introduced this year from the Great Plains Conference, is now available on Spotify, as well as Podbean.

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Rev. Cecil Bliss, who led Lincoln
St. Mark’s in big move, remembered

The pastor at the helm of Lincoln St. Mark’s United Methodist Church when the denomination’s largest congregation in the state decided to move to a new, larger location is remembered by those throughout Nebraska. 
 
The Rev. Cecil Bliss died Nov. 29 in Lincoln at age 86. 
 
During Bliss’s 18 years as pastor of St. Mark’s, the church grew from 2,000 to 3,800 members. It also was prepared to make a move from its previous location at 740 N. 70th St. in northeast Lincoln to a sprawling campus at 84th Street and Pioneers Boulevard, formerly the Mid-America Seventh-day Adventist headquarters. A new, 2000-seat sanctuary was added in 2009. 

Read more.

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 Thursday is deadline for childcare
registrations for Orders & Fellowship

Thursday is the deadline for childcare registration for the 2020 Orders & Fellowship, Jan. 15-16 at Lincoln St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. The cost is $75 for one child, $115 for two, $155 for three, and $195 for four or more children.

The Rev. Michael Mather, pastor of Indianapolis Broadway UMC, will join Darryl Answer, pastor of New Community Church in Kansas City, Missouri, and Rachel Metheny, pastor of Congress Street UMC in Lafayette, Indiana, to discuss Asset Based Community Development, or ABCD.

The Orders & Fellowship page for 2020 is now active on the Great Plains website, including group reservation discounts at 10 hotels in Lincoln.

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Rev. Dee Williamston endorsed
by SCJ Women's Leadership Team

The Rev. Delores "Dee" Williamston is one of two clergy candidates for bishop to receive endorsements from the Women's Leadership Team of the South Central Jurisdiction.

Williamston is district superintendent for the Salina District and portions of the Hays District in Kansas. She was ordained as an elder in 2010, and her background includes a 22-year military career with the Kansas Army National Guard.

The other endorsement was for the Rev. Laura Merrill of the Rio Texas Conference.

The Women’s Leadership Team is comprised of lay and clergywomen committed to advocacy for the full inclusion of women in the life and leadership of The United Methodist Church. 

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GPconnect’s final issue
of 2019 will be next week

Next week will be the final GPconnect for 2019. Any information that needs to be distributed to the rest of the conference will appear in the Dec. 18 edition. The deadline for submitting information is noon Tuesday, Dec. 17.
GPconnect will be taking Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 off, and return to your email on Jan. 8.

A reminder that conference and district offices will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as New Year’s Day.

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Annual Conference

Childcare director sought
for 2020 Conference in Topeka

 

Every year at Annual Conference we have around 25 children who attend with their parents and caring adults are needed to provide activities and safe places for them to hang out while mom and dad are attending Annual Conference sessions. 
 
This childcare is organized by a paid childcare director. Would you be interested in this position for 2020? Annual Conference is May 27-30 in Topeka at the Stormont Vail Events Center. The work for the director begins in January or February and will encompass about 50 hours prior to the event, supervising childcare during Annual Conference, and turning in needed paperwork following Annual Conference.

Responsibilities include: 

  • Collecting registrations (handled through the conference office) 
  • Recruiting teachers 
  • Communications with parents 
  • Collection of needed information from parents 
  • Keeping records of childcare teachers 
  • Organizing forms needed for each room 
  • Set-up and tear-down of childcare rooms 

If you are interested in serving in ministry as the childcare director, please send an email or letter to Rev. Nancy Lambert (nlambert@greatplainsumc.org; 1207 SW Executive Drive, Topeka, KS 66615). Include information about yourself, your experience with children, and involvement in your local church. 
 
If you are interested in being a teacher for a childcare room at Annual Conference, also contact Rev. Lambert! All childcare teachers/workers are paid as well. Teens are welcome as well.  

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General Conference

Six months away from Minneapolis,
fewer are keeping on the sidelines

United Methodists across the theological spectrum are taking public stands on the homosexuality debate and strategizing for the coming General Conference. As denominational leaders weigh whether or how to split, more church members are speaking out.

Read more from the United Methodist News Service.

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Clergy Excellence

Students, churches and mentor pastors sought for pastoral leadership interns


The Pastoral Leadership Internship program is doing a new thing in 2020! Well, sort of …
 
While we will continue to provide opportunities for young adults to explore their gifts for ministry, we are also expanding the ways that churches and interns can connect for ministry. We will continue to have pastoral leadership internship opportunities for college students looking for a placement for the summer (and for churches looking for a pastoral intern for the summer), BUT, we will add the possibility of a church and an intern who already know that they want to work together, but perhaps need some funding to help make it happen!
 
If you’re a young adult and you’re up for a summer exploring ministry as a pastor, check out the information here. (Applications are open, but early deadline is Jan. 20 with late deadline March 15)
 
If you’re a pastor and you want to apply to have a young adult intern in your church in the area of pastoral leadership, check out the information here. (Priority deadline is March 1)
 
If you’re a young adult and have a church in mind where you’d like to intern (kids ministry, youth ministry, or pastoral leadership) check out the information here and approach a pastor to explore the possibility. (Priority deadline is March 1)
 
If you’re a pastor or youth pastor with an intern in mind (kids ministry, youth ministry, or pastoral leadership) and are interested in a matching grant of up to $1,750, check out the information here. (Read more here about this possibility as well!) (Priority deadline is March 1)
 
And, if you’re confused by all the possibilities but are interested anyway, contact the Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford, clergy recruitment and development director, to learn more! aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org or 785-414-4216.
 
This could be a life changing summer for a young adult or for your congregation to nurture the call of an intern. Will you check out the possibilities today?

--Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford

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Harried December is made
easier with reminder of Jesus’ gift

A pastor’s typical month is busy and hectic enough as it is.
 
December, the Rev. Shelly Petz writes, only compounds it with Advent and Christmas preparations.

“In this season of preparing for the coming of the Christ child, there is a gift that is given to you. Jesus offered this gift to the disciples as he knew he was nearing the end of his earthly life. Jesus gives this gift to you,” Petz writes in her monthly Clergy Faith & Wellness blog.
 

Ministry entrepreneurship
program available in March

A ministry entrepreneurship certificate program, available for clergy and laity, is being offered by American University and the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The program will be March 5-7 in Washington, D.C.

The Ministry Entrepreneurship Certificate Program guides you in thinking beyond the old ways of doing church so that you become a more effective leader. The program is designed for pastors and other ministry leaders seeking innovative ways of addressing ministry challenges today. 

More information and registration information are available here.

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Dare to Dream Like Jesus
online workshop offered in 2020

Jesus was a visionary who dreamed big dreams. Those dreams are reflected in his prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is heaven.” Although we follow this visionary, our churches are not always thriving.

Why? Almost 100% of church decline is due to lack of a bold vision.

Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter will help you “Dare to Dream Like Jesus,” a life-giving, faith-building, interactive course that will show how to bring those dreams to fruition.

When: Tuesdays, January 14, 21, 28, and February 4, 6-7:30 p.m.; Sessions will be recorded.
Cost: $179, includes a signed copy of “Dream Like Jesus: Deepen Your Faith and Bring the Impossible to Life.”

Click here to register today.

Rebekah Simon-Peter, who pastored churches for over 25 years is now the creator of an award-winning group coaching program, Creating a Culture of Renewal and has energized church leaders across the country to reclaim their calling and to grow their ministries. Known for teaching leaders how to bring out the best in the people who frustrate them the most, her work transforms church leaders and the congregations they serve.

Simon-Peter is the author of “Dream Like Jesus: Deepen Your Faith and Bring the Impossible to Life,” “The Jew Named Jesus,” “Green Church” and “7 Simple Steps to Green Your Church.” Read more about her at www.rebekahsimonpeter.com.

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‘Preparing for Your Future’ set for
April 20-22 at Salina Trinity UMC

The Great Plains Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits, along with the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, invite you to “Preparing for Your Future,” April 20-22 at Salina Trinity UMC. 
 
All active clergy members of the United Methodist Church who are preparing for their future. Spouses are welcome. 
 
This event is an opportunity to learn about the many benefit issues that affect your life and ministry. You will be given guidance on an active ministry to a retirement lifestyle. Caring for one’s physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being is essential to maintaining — even improving — one’s quality of life. 
 
For any participants who need lodging, the UMC Board of Pensions will cover the cost of the Monday and Tuesday night stay at a hotel. If you indicate on the registration form that you need lodging, the UMC Board of Pensions will make the arrangements. You will not need to make your own reservations. 
 
The Monday night meal, Tuesday lunch and dinner will be provided by the Great Plains Conference Board of Pensions. Event begins at noon on Monday and ends at noon on Wednesday. 
 
Download the seminar brochure here for more information.

Register for “Preparing for Your Future.”

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Equipping Disciples

‘Rekindle the Fire’ training
set for Feb. 7-8 in York

If you are near the Prairie Rivers area, save the dates of Feb. 7-8 for “Rekindle the Fire; Reclaim the Call,” a laity and clergy training aimed at building a culture of leadership development for a common purpose that is Christ-centered and God-sized impact.

The keynote speaker is Kay Kotan, director of the Center for Multiplying Disciples in the Arkansas Conference.

The event is at York First United Methodist Church, and the registration deadline is Jan. 27.

While February seems far away, mark it on your calendar to attend today!

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Plastic bags turn into comfort
for the homeless, thanks to UMW

Like many of us, I slip into my cozy bed and pull up the covers every night.

The grim reality is, on any given day, there are over 4,500 homeless people in the Great Plains Conference and over a half-million across our nation. Equally disturbing is there are not enough shelters to meet this urgent need, so many of these persons are sleeping outdoors on the ground or concrete surfaces.

Local United Methodist Women have organized to provide sleeping mats, made from recycled shopping bags. Under the direction of Jan Hauser, Prairie Rivers District Journey in Action leader, women in the district and across the conference have found a common purpose: collecting, cutting and crocheting plastic bags into 3-by-6 foot mats.

At the Great Plains United Methodist Women’s Annual Conference in 2019, Jan instructed others on making sleeping mats. She didn’t request plastic bags, but they came by the carload. The gym at Lincoln First UMC was covered with mountains of plastic sacks.

And so, the UMW began the process. Using approximately 800 plastic shopping bags for each mat, they flattened, folded and cut the bags into 2-inch strips. After linking the strips, they formed balls of plyarn (plastic yarn), and the crocheting began. Depending on crocheting experience, it will take approximately 72 hours to complete a mat.

Working through Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach, Lincoln, the sleeping mats are distributed to individuals who can really use them. This partnership also connects individuals with additional services that may be helpful.

When the sleeping mats are given to displaced individuals, they are used as barriers against natural elements to protect belongings in backpacks and as ground cover under sleeping bags and other blankets. “Roadside workers have seen them stored under highway overpasses to secure people’s possessions,” Jan shared with the group.

Through this ministry, UMW gather together discussing relevant issues of homelessness, mental health, environmental impact and landfills. By their service they put faith into action, caring for others and our planet.

--Louise Niemann, Mercy & Justice Team, United Methodist Women

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United Methodist Men pave way
for greater spiritual growth in 2020

As the secular year comes to an end and our church year begins anew, the men of our conference look to the new year with HOPE and VISION.

Guided by Psalm 39:7 “And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.” We give thanks to all the churches and men who directly support the ministry though church charters and individual legacy giving. Without your help our ministry could not serve our Lord and our Conference. In 2020, we are keeping our focus beyond the organization turmoil, our hope in Jesus. We are keeping our focus on Jesus and His Lordship. Our VISION is for a ministry by men, with men and for men serving ALL members of the Conference -- both women and men, younger and older. Our vision is centered on “building an ongoing relationship between Jesus Christ and men of all ages, inside and outside the church, by mentoring other men and engaging in small groups, recognizing each man’s unique fit within the body of Jesus Christ.”

Part of our strategy to support this vision is to offer a series of seminars to help women and men of the conference Lead Like Jesus, develop a Small Group Discipleship process and develop a Strategy for Ministry. We are thankful for the great start we had as almost 40 women and men from across the Conference gathered at First UMC in McPherson for our Lead Like Jesus seminar. Our next offering, developing a strategy for ministry, will be at Bonner Springs UMC on Feb. 21 (7-9:30 p.m.) and Feb. 22 (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.). This offering is approved for Advance Lay Speaker credit and CEUs are available. Stay tuned for a small group discipleship seminar this spring in Nebraska.

For more information and to register for the Feb. event, go the Great Plains website, UMM tab and click on Understanding Men’s Ministry – Discipleship.

The three or more women and men you send to this seminar will come home with the essentials for a strategy that may be used in any ministry you want. It will be a strategy based on the simple model shown above. Using your vision, you create value to attract disciples to attend your event, capture them into the life of the ministry and then sustain them in their spiritual growth.

We look forward to serving with you with HOPE.

--George Houle, Conference UMM Leadership

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Sunday is deadline for group registration
for OneEvent Reimagined, June 14-18

Sunday is the deadline for groups to register for OneEvent Reimagined, a conference-wide youth mission trip scheduled for June 14-18 in Lincoln and Omaha.

Group leaders should register with a $100 nonrefundable deposit, then individuals from each group can register in the spring with paperwork and payment. Groups are 5-10 youth and two adult sponsors.

The cost for individuals is $215 for Jan. 6 to March 8, then increases to $225 from March 9 to April 5, and $250 for April 6 to May 10.

From July: Information on changes to OneEvent.

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Disaster Response

Get prepared for what
could be an eventful 2020

Spring flooding and tornadoes took a great toll on the Great Plains Conference this year. Many of our families, communities and churches suffered damages from large ice pieces, flood waters and damaging wind and rain from tornadoes. Relief was slow due to so many obstacles, yet our people joined each other and made it happen. Our Disaster Case Managers are working hard to promote healing and assist in recovery efforts. Because of your outpouring of love, prayers, and support, the Great Plains Disaster Response Ministry continues to provide hope and help during recovery. 

Recovery in many areas happened fast, while some areas continue to see a few families still in need of support. We continue to aid through volunteer help and financial grant assistance.

The outlook for 2020 is a dire one. Projections call for “widespread record flooding in the spring.” Your GPDR is getting ready! Preparations are under way for better organization and ready response. Watch for details as we move closer to the spring season.

Now is the time for all Great Plains local churches to get prepared! Trainings available, at no cost:

  • Basic Disaster – explains how disaster relief and recovery work and provides examples of how your church can be involved.
  • Early Response – 18 years and older, who can respond when a disaster happens to help make a home “safe, secure and sanitary”.
  • Connecting Neighbors – preparation planning for individuals and families, church facility planning, and how local churches can respond to aid in the healing after a disaster.
  • Active Shooter Awareness – situational awareness and how to either run-hide-fight. As people of faith, we are called to be responsible in a Christ-like way.
  • Until Help Arrives: Stop the Bleed – learn how to control bleeds, position survivors for comfort, and provide support.

The local church is our first source of healing and hope in a community which experiences a disaster. You can serve as our early entrance! Schedule your training(s) now!

--Rev. Hollie Tapley, htapley@greatplainsumc.org

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Administration

Southwestern budget cuts include elimination of 13 positions at college

Budget adjustments announced last week by Southwestern College include the reorganization and restructuring of several administrative and staff functions. Among the downsizing of 13 staff members, the positions of campus minister and director of discipleship will be combined into a single role.

Southwestern President Brad Andrews said that the adjustments are necessary in order for the college to reach a balanced budget and to achieve the financial latitude for future investment in the college.

“We are in the middle of a 20-year chapter of Southwestern College’s story,” Andrews said. “A chapter that began with the recession in 2008, since then the landscape for institutions of higher education has been shifting dramatically.”

Read more here.

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South Central Jurisdiction sues
Southern Methodist University

The South Central Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church, which includes the Great Plains Conference, is suing Southern Methodist University, claiming the school's board improperly moved to sever ties with the conference and denomination. SMU said it "cherishes" its relationship with the denomination but updated governance documents recently to make clear that its own board controls the school.

Read coverage from the United Methodist News Service, Dallas Morning News and Religion News Service.

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Kansas Area UM Foundation
announces discipleship grants

The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation is pleased to announce and congratulate the recipients of this year’s Pathways for Discipleship Grants.

The grants started with a vision to help United Methodist churches and organizations across the state in three key areas: children and youth programs, ministry and outreach, and leadership education. Through generous gifts, the Foundation funded 16 grant requests in its inaugural year. Thank you to the families who have given a legacy gift to make an enduring difference across Kansas.

The following churches and organizations received a Pathways for Discipleship Grant: Alida Upland Cooperative Parish, Andover UMC, Camp Lakeside, Colby UMC, Fort Scott First UMC, Fredonia First UMC, Gypsum UMC, Haysville UMC, Hutchinson Trinity UMC, Minneapolis UMC, Newton Trinity Heights UMC, Parsons Wesley UMC, Pleasanton UMC and Wesley KU.

Recipients of a leadership education grant were Cara Carthrae and Susan Mercer.

Gifts to the Pathways for Discipleship Grants can be made through your estate or on an annual basis. The Foundation offers estate planning services for individuals as well as presentations for Kansas churches on legacy giving. For more information, please contact the Foundation Office at 888-453-8405 or foundation@kaumf.org.

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Changes to IRS Form W-4, Employee Withholding Certificate for 2020

Due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has made significant changes to federal Form W-4 (Employee Withholding Certificate) for 2020. On December 5, 2019, the IRS released a new version of the form and instructions which can be found on the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf

Because the 2020 Form W-4 is very different from previous versions, communicating the changes to employees will be challenging. A sample letter as well as additional employment info has been provided on the Great Plains website at https://www.greatplainsumc.org/employmentstaffing. The letter provides an explanation of why the form has changed, recommends that employees perform a “paycheck checkup” using the IRS’s Tax Withholding Estimator, and provides basic information about the new steps employees will take to complete the form.

Important info regarding the IRS Form 2020 W-4

  • Changes to Form W-4 should not impact clergy. Clergy are considered self-employed for social security purposes and cannot use the withholding tables provided by the IRS. Instead, clergy should estimate their annual tax liability with assistance from their tax accountant. Clergy should pay for their tax liability in one of two ways:
  • The clergy person should file quarterly estimate payments.
  • If the clergy person elects to have the church withhold income taxes, they must select a fixed withholding amount that will be deducted from their paycheck each pay period.
  • If the employee was hired before Jan. 1, 2020, the IRS does not require a new form to be submitted. The employees withholding will continue to be based on the previously submitted W-4. The IRS has provided withholding tables that will be used for both sets of forms.
  • If the employee wishes to change their withholding after Jan. 1, 2020, they will need to use the new form.
  • If a new employee does not submit a valid Form W-4, taxes will be withheld as if the employee is a single filer with no adjustments (per IRS regulations).
  • For those employees who furnished forms before 2020 and who do not furnish a new one after 2019, you must continue to withhold based on the forms previously submitted. You are not permitted to treat employees as failing to furnish Forms W-4 if they don’t furnish a new Form W-4.
  • The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act does not directly affect state tax withholding, though state tax laws and forms may change from time to time. Please visit the state department of revenue website for further information. Kansas: https://www.ksrevenue.org/. Nebraska: https://revenue.nebraska.gov/

-- Niki Buesing, assistant treasurer/controller

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Resources

Can you use that photo?
How to avoid copyright conflicts

In his latest "In Layman's Terms" blog, Todd Seifert, conference communications director, shares some strategies to help you make a good-faith effort to use only photos that will avoid copyright conflicts. He is raising the subject again now that one of our churches has been approached by a copyright collections company to pay for an image used innocently enough for a small item in a newsletter.

Read his blog.

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Across the Connection

Roeland Park UMC offers prayers,
hot chocolate for shoppers

Throughout the weeks of Advent, Roeland Park UMC has been offering free hot chocolate and prayer to the community.

More than 10 members of the congregation, which averages about 40 in attendance, showed up in the intersection by Walmart, across the street from the church, last Sunday, the Rev. Nancy Pauls said.

“It really felt uplifting,” Pauls said. “Not a whole lot of people got out of their cars and actually stopped to get hot chocolate and prayer, but lots of people were honking and waving.”

Church members will be at the same spot on Dec. 22 and will decide if they will return for Christmas Eve, Pauls said.

Passersby could choose to leave a prayer request or be prayed with for needs large or small, she said. Most importantly, however, the church's presence in and among the community is a sign of hope all by itself, she added.

The idea for this new ministry came from their visioning retreat where goals were set to take part in more community events and to encourage a more vibrant prayer connection with God and God's children. 

“We focused on prayer and outreach instead of worship numbers,” Pauls said.

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In other news

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Newsletters 


Blogs and commentaries

  • Consider small-membership churches: The discussion about the future of The United Methodist Church isn’t taking into consideration the multitude of small-membership churches in the denomination, according to the Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis, executive director of the Lay Academy for Rural Church Ministries. “A successful small membership church is great at adopting and loving all types of people,” Ellis writes. “In short, the small family church operates like our personal families.”
  • Desire to keep congregations intact: In his "Glorious Life" blog, the Rev. C. Don Jones, a Tennessee pastor, observes that for all the talk about The United Methodist Church dissolving or separating as a denomination, few people seem to expect or want the same for their own congregations. 

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The week ahead

 
 
 
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