Download the printable version of the April 1 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Conference website filled with pandemic-related ministry resources
Stories of ministry during virus continue to inspire
More COVID-19 news
Bishop explores thirst, completion in latest podcast episode
Bishop Saenz to host online Maundy Thursday service next week
Virtual Stations of the Cross video designed for Good Friday remembrance
Lydia Patterson Institute continues education amid virus, border closing
GENERAL CONFERENCE
After postponement, leaders working to handle budgets
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Clergy Excellence offers online support for pastors
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Workshop exploring online worship offered next Tuesday
MERCY & JUSTICE
Student at Africa University thanks Great Plains churches
DISASTER RESPONSE
Here’s a pattern for making your own surgical masks
ADMINISTRATION
Conference offers free online giving portal for churches
Finance Fridays webinars begin this week on Zoom
Nebraska UM Foundation announces new scholarships for local pastors
Nebraska UM Foundation announces scholarships for 20-21
RESOURCES
Advice for churches about Facebook groups
United Methodist Communications offers daily tech tips for local churches
UMPH grants permission for Book of Worship, hymnal online
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Parsons Wesley UMC continues its meal ministry
In other news
Newsletters
Blogs and commentaries
Classifieds
Conference website filled with
pandemic-related ministry resources
The Great Plains Conference staff has been working to provide resources you need to continue and augment your ministry during this time of sheltering in place amid the coronavirus pandemic. The conference website now has more than 10 pages of resources available.
- Latest News — The Rev. Hollie Tapley, disaster response coordinator, is updating this page several times a week with pertinent information from the governors and emergency and health officials in Kansas and Nebraska.
- Worship Tools — Tips for preaching to an empty room, helping parishioners prepare a holy space for worship at home, tips about livestreaming and/or recording your services and copyright licensing tips are some of the resources you’ll find here.
- Online Communion — Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. and the Appointive Cabinet have developed guidelines for officiating communion online. We also have provided liturgies for a Wesleyan Love Feast and Dr. Marcia McFee’s Comfort Food service.
- Virtual Church Life — Learn options for staying in touch with parishioners, tips for being the church while sheltering in place, free online Bible studies, prayer practices, and activities for children’s and youth ministries.
- Giving — The conference has developed a platform to allow parishioners to give to your church online, and this page has all the instructions needed for them and for your church treasurer. You’ll also learn about upcoming webinars and see videos with tips from the Kansas Area and Nebraska United Methodist foundations.
- Family Resources — On this page you’ll find health flyers, tips for how to talk to kids about the pandemic, and even some educational resources for you parents out there who now are teachers, too.
- Social Distancing — This page provides instructions from professionals aimed at people of all ages — from kids on up to senior citizens.
- Training — Check this page out for upcoming webinars and Zoom calls. A special box on the page tells you about upcoming discussions open to people of the Great Plains Conference via Zoom videoconferencing software on a wide range of topics you’ve expressed interest in with our staff.
- Frequently Asked Questions — This page will be updated as we field more common questions from around our two states.
- Clergy Resources — This page is meant to provide clergy with one-stop shopping for all of these resources, with what is likely the most pertinent from each category available in one location.
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Stories of ministry during
virus continue to inspire
Stories of caring and creativity during the time of coronavirus continue to make themselves known in the Great Plains Conference.
In the past few days, we’ve shared stories of serving lunch to the community, helping college students, lifting the fortunes of a small town café, yoga as a spiritual medium, cooperation with fellow churches, and how the largest African American church in the conference sees virtual worship as the future.
You can read more about it here. If you’d like to share what your church is doing, contact David Burke in our communications department at dburke@greatplainsumc.org.
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More COVID-19 news
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Bishop explores thirst, completion
in latest podcast episode
In the fifth of seven special episodes of the "In Layman's Terms" podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on John 19:28 and John 19:30, “I thirst” and “It is finished,” respectively.
The bishop provides his reflections on these two verses and provides guidance of why the writer of the Gospel of John may have included a statement about thirst and in what tone was Jesus speaking when He declared His work on earth “finished.”
Download the podcast.
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Bishop Saenz to host online
Maundy Thursday service next week
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. will host a conferencewide online communion service via the conference website at 7 p.m. CDT Thursday, April 9.
The livestream event featuring music, liturgy, prayer, a message from the bishop and communion will be visible from www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream.
Participants are asked to have some form of bread and juice, if possible. Crackers and water are suitable substitutes.
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Virtual Stations of the Cross video
designed for Good Friday remembrance
The Congregational Excellence team of the conference is presenting an online Virtual Stations of the Cross video prepared for Good Friday next week.
The Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford, intergenerational discipleship coordinator, leads the 27-minute service that depict Jesus' last hours on earth.
The service is available here.
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Lydia Patterson Institute continues
education amid virus, border closing
With a capital campaign five years ago to provide tablets to each of its students, Lydia Patterson Institute was ready for the forced closing of schools in El Paso, Texas, last month.
What is hurting the United Methodist private school, supported by the South Central Jurisdiction, is that many of its parents are not able to cross the Mexican border to drop off tuition money for their students.
Read more about Lydia Patterson’s challenges, and how you can contribute.
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General Conference
After postponement, leaders
working to handle budgets
After the pandemic-forced postponement of General Conference, United Methodist financial leaders grappled with how to handle the denomination's budget after 2020. Their goal: To stay within the bounds of church rules while recognizing the new economic realities experienced across the denomination.
Read more from UM News Service.
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Clergy Excellence
Clergy Excellence offers
online support for pastors
Clergy, are you in need of prayer for yourself, your family, or someone in your congregation or community? Would you like ideas from other clergy about how to care for your congregation remotely? Do you need help figuring out the best way to use technology for worship, Bible study, or daily devotions? Would you like a reminder that you are not alone?
Do you need a safe space to share about the challenges you are facing? Or to vent your frustrations? The Clergy Excellence Team has scheduled an hour every weekday morning to connect with clergy and to offer support and prayer by Zoom. There is space for 10 persons to sign up for each day, and you can sign up as many times as you would like.
The link to the signup genius is here: (click here). Currently, dates are available through April 24 and more will be added if the need continues. This link will stay active and will be posted on the Clergy Excellence page on the conference website so that you can find it easily.
You will be sent a Zoom link shortly before the time you have signed up for and will be joined by a member of the Clergy Excellence Team (Rev. Nancy Lambert, Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford, Rev. Karen Jeffcoat) or Rev. Shelly Petz, who provides some additional resourcing on clergy well-being for the team.
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Equipping Disciples
Workshop exploring online
worship offered next Tuesday
From 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 7, Jason Moore from Midnight Oil Productions will offer an online workshop, “Telling the Old Story in A New Time: Best Practices for Online Worship & Beyond in a Physically Distanced World” to reinvigorate worship leaders and clergy to continue online worship well.
The workshop will be offered to Upper New York and Great Plains conferences at the same time for the first 500 registrants.
Moore will lead your church into a deep dive through the questions and answers as we worship today.
To join, just click on the zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/830424439 or call in via telephone, 646-876-9923, Webinar ID 830 424 439.
You can download the handbook here.
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Mercy & Justice
Student at Africa University
thanks Great Plains churches
Through our international partnerships, the Mercy & Justice team is supporting several students by making it possible for them to continue their education and develop their leadership potential. Sarudzai Manando shares a heartfelt thank you with all of the Great Plains churches that contribute to her education through their mission shares:
“My name is Sarudzai Manhando, a girl aged 25, living in Mutare, Zimbabwe. I like to make every moment beautiful by doing what makes me happy without offending those surrounding me and most importantly enjoying life as it is, that is, embracing every situation no matter what comes. I am interested in making friends, chatting with others and wearing a smile to lighten the day. My smile makes me feel good from head to toe since it’s a natural pain killer. I am a hard working lady who is eager to learn and work under minimum supervision so as to develop and improve myself in knowledge, skills and life experience. I was a shy person but because of extending my tertiary education at Africa University and being engaged with many people I am now confident and have courage to face my fears. On a daily basis, I learned that it is good to know people and help others in every situation. I am a kind, good hearted person and I love my family.
“Being at school and learning new ideas is great. Academically I like to be challenged and have hands-on experiences getting busy with life. I am studying BSc in Crop Production at Africa University under the College of Health, Agriculture and Natural Resources. I am now in my final year and hoping to graduate this year in June 2020. I am a beneficiary of the Great Plains Conference scholarship which added life in my studies as well as widening my passion. The Great Plains Conference Scholarship is helping me academically to fulfill my dreams. I always dreamt to be an agriculturalist, surrounded by plants, mainly flowers, since they are very important in our daily lives, agriculture being my passion. Since my childhood I discovered how beautiful plants are and my mother told me that flowers make someone comfortable and plants look like people they live with. I will always love agriculture as a means of supporting my family and society at large.
“I am forever grateful for the help I am receiving from the Great Plains churches. I will always remember this help of getting this wonderful opportunity, with the Almighty Lord being my guide. I appreciate your kindness and helping hand from the Great Plains churches hoping that someday I'll be in a position to do the same, Thank you.
Lots of love from Sarudzai Manhando”
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Disaster Response
Here’s a pattern for making
your own surgical masks
Surgical masks have become one of the most in-demand and increasingly difficult to find items during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some people are taking the do-in-yourself approach, making their own masks.
Here is a pattern for making your own surgical mask.
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Do you have enough of a food supply
for three days without outside help?
Have an emergency food supply that will meet the needs of your household for three days without outside help.
Tasks
Administration
Conference offers free
online giving portal for churches
For churches that do not have access to online giving systems, the Great Plains Conference is pleased to offer a simple, no-frills online giving service to any congregation that needs it.
For any church that does not currently have an online giving system, your members can give RIGHT NOW at this address: https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/GPlocalchurchoffering. From now until May 31, 2020, the Great Plains Conference will waive the cost of the merchant fees charged for each donation, so 100% of every donation will be sent to the church that donors choose.
Note to local church treasurers: If you would like to use the Great Plains Conference online giving platform to receive donations from church members electronically, please contact Niki Buesing at nbuesing@greatplainsumc.org or call 785-414-4202. You will need to complete a separate form so the conference can send all donation funds electronically directly to the church bank account as quickly as possible.
Check out these frequently asked questions for additional information: http://gp-email.brtapp.com/files/admin_forms/giving+faq.pdf.
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Finance Fridays webinars
begin this week on Zoom
Beginning this Friday, April 3 at noon CDT and continuing every Friday thereafter, Great Plains Administrative Services staff will host a weekly lunchtime webinar on the week’s developments in church finance and administration as well as a chance to get answers to your questions. This week will focus on the recent U.S. federal legislation and how it can aid local churches. This webinar is free and available to the first 300 people who sign on for the live event. Please join us this Friday at: https://zoom.us/j/954636464
--Scott Brewer, treasurer/administrative services director
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Nebraska UM Foundation announces new scholarships for local pastors
The Foundation is pleased to announce a new program to support local pastors. Through this new and young program, the Foundation has $5,500 available in scholarship funds for the 2020-2021 academic year. The following is a list of scholarships available:
- Frederick and Esther Paulus Local Pastor Scholarship (3 scholarships, $1,500 each)
- NUMF Gifts From The Heart Local Pastor Scholarship (1 scholarship for $1,000)
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation would like to acknowledge the generous gifts donors have made to make these scholarships possible. Mr. Paulus, and his late wife, have had a passion through the years for supporting post-secondary education. By setting up an endowment fund at the Foundation, they have been able to fulfill this dream of supporting students. Thank you for being our partner in ministry.
The Foundation’s own Gifts from the Heart Program continues to support five areas: Missions, Youth & Camping, Pastoral Education & Support, New Start/New Faith Communities, and Greatest Needs. We are honored to put the good work and generosity of United Methodists in action through this new scholarship opportunity.
If you are interested in learning more about Gifts from the Heart, we would be honored to partner with you and continue to grow these funds as added resources for our churches. Please call the Foundation at 1-877-495-5545 or visit www.numf.org.
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Nebraska UM Foundation
announces scholarships for 20-21
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation has scholarship applications available online for seminary students, undergraduate students, pursuing a career in church leadership at www.numf.org. Application deadline is June 30.
Through this program, the Foundation has over $30,000 available in scholarship funds for the 2020-2021 academic year. The following is a list of scholarships available:
- Albert R. Murdoch Ministerial Scholarship
- Alice Kruse Ministerial Scholarship
- Alice Kruse Seminary Scholarship
- Alva Clark Seminary Scholarship
- Andrew & Nevabelle Howe Scholarship
- Baldwin F. & Amy L. Kruse Scholarship
- Ben & Martha Simmons Scholarship
- Charles & Marilyn Humphrey Seminary Scholarship
- Cowles United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship
- Floma Taylor Ministerial Scholarship
- Harlan & Mabelle Wyrick Memorial Scholarship
- Murdock Ebenezer UMC Professional Church Leader Scholarship
- Myrtle E. Williams Seminary Scholarship
- Scahill Family Scholarship
- Verl & Sylvia Miller Memorial Scholarship
- Tither’s Scholarship
- Women in Ministry Scholarship
Those students applying for the scholarships listed above will also subsequently be considered for the following scholarships: Cal Leeds Scholarship, Darrell & Joyce Pickett Scholarship, Rev. Albert W. Winseman Scholarship, and Atherton Memorial Scholarship. Read the criteria and guidelines for each scholarship carefully prior to applying.
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation would like to acknowledge the generous gifts donors have made to make these scholarships possible. Thank you for being our partner in ministry. If you would like to talk to someone about how you can honor the memory of a loved one through a named scholarship or provide further financial assistance for a seminary student, call the Foundation at 1-877-495-5545.
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Resources
Advice for churches
about Facebook groups
Many churches have Facebook pages now, but Facebook group pages may be new to them. United Methodist Communications offers a tutorial online to help church communications leaders get started.
Read more here.
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United Methodist Communications
offers daily tech tips for local churches
As churches shift to digital ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, United Methodist Communications is posting a week of daily Local Church Learning Sessions on the ResourceUMC and UMCom Facebook pages. Topics include tips for using technology such as Zoom and Facebook Live, electronic giving and utilizing text messaging as a connectional tool.
View resources here.
Also: Five tweaks for online church services
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UMPH grants permission for
Book of Worship, hymnal online
The United Methodist Publishing House announced that it is granting permission to use and post online selected contents from the United Methodist Book of Worship as congregations care for their members during the international health crisis.
Read more here.
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Across the Connection
Parsons Wesley UMC
continues its meal ministry
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way Parsons Wesley UMC has gone about its monthly meal distribution to the community. The distribution site was changed to a supermarket parking lot from the church lot.
Read more from the Parsons Sun.
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In other news
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Newsletters
- Communication Essentials, April 1, 2020
- Discipleship Ministries: Young people’s ministry, April 1, 2020
- Discipleship Ministries: Path 1, April 2020
- Discipleship Ministries: Slingstones (Korean), April 2020
- Leading Ideas, April 1, 2020
- Camp Norwesca, April 2020
- Camp Horizon, April 2020
- The Source, March 31, 2020
- Church and Society, March 31, 2020
- A sermon for every Sunday, March 31, 2020
- MyCom, March 31, 2020
- Discipleship Ministries: Worship Planning, March 30, 2020
- United Methodist Now, March 30, 2020
- Larry Kies newsletter, March 2020
- Leading Ideas Talks, March 28, 2020
- Discipleship Ministries: Generous living, March 28, 2020
- Native American Ministries Sunday, March 26, 2020
- CCS, March 2020
- UMCOMtigo (Spanish), March 26, 2020
- Ministry Matters, March 25, 2020
- The Big Garden, March 2020
- Safe Gatherings, March 2020
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Blogs and commentaries
- Leading in a coronavirus world: Our darkest moments can bring out our best leadership, according to Iowa Conference Bishop Laurie Haller. “How is God calling you and me as leaders, whether clergy or lay, to be the hands and feet and head and heart of Jesus during this time of worldwide crisis?” she asks in this commentary.
- God’s role in times of crisis: Much unhealthy theology emerges when people face all kinds of crises. The coronavirus pandemic is no exception, writes the Rev. Knut Refsdal, a district superintendent for The United Methodist Church in Norway.
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Classifieds
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