Download the printable version of the Aug. 5 issue of GPconnect.
In this edition:
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Bishop Saenz records three videos for children, youth in conference
‘Virtual Spirit Week’ celebrates education in Great Plains
During webinar/podcast, educators welcome collaborations with churches
Laity session for 2020 going virtual with three online events
Template for ‘mask-required’ signs available on conference website
News about coronavirus pandemic from beyond the Great Plains
'Where Do We Go From Here?' wraps 'Time to Listen' series this Saturday
News in the stand against racism from the Great Plains and beyond
Podcast continues its look at class meetings with church taking first steps
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
For Your Life (virtual) clergy retreat set for Sept. 14-15
‘Therefore Go’ to continue as virtual race; register before Aug. 17
New district superintendents to be installed in virtual ceremony Aug. 16
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Institute for Discipleship offering four practical ministry certifications
Send your college student off with a Methodist connection to campus
Readiness 360 surveys gives a current picture of your congregation
RESOURCES
‘Leading in Crisis’ looks at next steps to take with weary feet
Map shows United Methodist presence around world
‘Worship from Home’ banners available from Rethink Church
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hollands to celebrate their 60th anniversary with parade
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Kingman UMC partners for local, no-barriers food sharing
In other news
Newsletters
Blogs and commentary
Classifieds
Bishop Saenz records series of three
videos for children, youth in conference
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has recorded three videos, all for kids involved in various aspects of the life of the church at this time of year. One involves a message to students and teachers at the beginning of what looks to be the most unique of school years. Another provides encouragement for young people beginning their journey of confirmation. And a third celebrates with children the presentation of their first Bibles from the congregation.
Each video has an English and Spanish version and can be downloaded by following the links below.
Blessing of Backpacks and Lesson Plans for Teachers
Message to Kids Starting Confirmation
Message to Kids Receiving Their First Bible
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‘Virtual Spirit Week’ celebrates
education in Great Plains
School is starting back up, and that means the church is gearing up for fall programming. Though most ministry settings will look vastly different this year, we can still celebrate special milestones for kids and teens.
Next week, watch our social media to participate in our Virtual Spirit Week. We'll have a special theme and video for each weekday. You're invited to dress up for the theme, take a picture, and post it to social media – Facebook, Twitter or Instagram -- typing #GPSpiritWeek in your post.
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During webinar/podcast, educators
welcome collaborations with churches
There’s never been a better time for churches and schools to work together, two educators told an audience of clergy during a recent webinar and podcast.
Tawana Grover, Grand Island Public Schools superintendent, and Tabatha Rosproy, Winfield, who was named as 2020 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers, were the guests of the Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford and the Rev. Dr. Shelly Petz on their “At the Threshold: Ministry in Liminal Time” webinar and podcast last week.
The Great Plains Conference offers two grants for churches wanting to assist their local school districts. Education partnerships are matching grants of up to $1,000 for new partnerships and collaborations. The application form is available here.
The next episode of "At the Threshold":
- Material Poverty in the Midst of a Pandemic (August 13, 10:30 a.m. CT) -- While the pandemic has impacted all of us, the materially poor among us seem to have been impacted the most. We’ll hear from two people who can help us see those who may be invisible and discuss ways that we might be able to share hope in tangible ways: Rev. Kalaba Chali, the Conference Mercy & Justice coordinator and Rev. Marcee Binder, the newly appointed Mission Outreach and Justice Ministries Coordinator for the Missouri River District. Register for this important conversation here.
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Laity session for 2020 going
virtual with three online events
The Laity Session for the 2020 annual conference is moving to an online experience due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Save the dates of Oct. 1-3, 2020, for three special events — all hosted via the Zoom online conferencing software — to allow laity in the Great Plains Conference to meet, discuss subjects of interest and renew relationships. Details are being developed, so watch GPconnect and the conference Facebook page for updates as more information becomes available.
The three events include:
- Oct. 1, 7 p.m. CDT — The official Laity Session will feature an interactive format that will include worship, opportunities to celebrate mission and?joys of ministries, as well as a moderated panel of the conference lay leadership answering questions from those in attendance.
- Oct. 2, 5:30-6:45 p.m. CDT — The Online Family Reunion Potluck will be a social time designated for laity to chat, catch up with friends and meet new people. Settle in with your dinner as you attend breakout rooms established based on districts, ministry interests and affinities. There is no formal program planned beyond chatting with our Great Plains family. This session will conclude in time for participants to view the Memorial Service, which will appear on the conference website and Facebook page beginning at 7 p.m.
- Oct. 3, 8:30-9:45 a.m. — Breakfast at the Festival of Booths will provide a time for laity to learn about resources available for ministry and to discover new information and connections around initiatives, mission and ministries. This virtual expo hall will feature a variety of conference groups, and laity will have the opportunity to chat with people and learn more about what they can take back to their home congregations.
Registration information will be available soon, but for now, please save those dates!
Please send any questions to Lisa Maupin, conference lay leader, at lisamaupin45@gmail.com.
In case you missed it: Conference plans following cancellation of special session.
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Template for ‘mask-required’ signs
available on conference website
Your church may want to post signs that face masks are required, but you may want ideas for how to do so tactfully.
The conference has provided a template for use in local churches that choose to do so on our coronavirus landing page on the Great Plains website. The sign uses John Wesley’s three simple rules of “Do no harm,” “Do good,” and “Stay in Love with God” as the basis for the messaging in the sign.
Churches that choose to use it can download the Word document here, or by clicking on the link on that page or the mask icon. Then you just need to include the name of your church and city toward the bottom of the sign.
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News about coronavirus pandemic
from beyond the Great Plains
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'Where Do We Go From Here?' wraps
'Time to Listen' series this Saturday
The third and final segment of the webinar series "A Time to Listen," titled "Where Do We Go From Here?: Voices of diverse clergy serving the Great Plains Conference," will be from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.
Panelists will include Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., as well as the Rev. Kathy Williams, Holton UMC; Rev. Dr. Jeff Gannon, Wichita Chapel Hill UMC; Rev. Andrew Finch, Hiawatha UMC; and the Rev. Chris Jorgensen, Omaha Hanscom Park UMC.
The facilitator is the Rev. Dr. Rose Booker-Jones, a retired district superintendent from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference now living near Wichita.
The webinar series is coordinated by the Rev. Dee Williamston, Salina-Hutchinson district superintendent, and the Rev. Nicole Conard of the Great Plains Conference congregational excellence team.
Download a flyer.
Register for the webinar.
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News in the stand against racism
from the Great Plains and beyond
Find out how a Wichita clergy couple is using a podcast to stir discussion about racism and white privilege in our ongoing series "Responding to Racism." Read more here.
Pastor examines Black church history in New England
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Podcast continues its look at class meetings with church taking first steps
In the latest “In Layman’s Terms” podcast, host Todd Seifert continues his look at class meetings and class leaders by examining a pilot project in the Great West District in Nebraska, where Pastor Mark Baldwin is helping mentor a class leader. Seifert also talks with Lisa Maupin, Great Plains Conference lay leader, about the way the class meeting model can help shift the story of smaller congregations from one of scarcity to one of abundance.
Listen to this latest episode.
Listen to the first episode in the series that explains what class meetings are and why they are of benefit now to churches in the Great Plains Conference.
A third episode in the series will be published soon with information about upcoming training and resources regarding class meetings.
RELATED: Zimbabwe churches embrace Wesley’s concept of small classes.
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Clergy Excellence
For Your Life (virtual) clergy
retreat set for Sept. 14-15
The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted much of our typical day-to-day life, both personally and in the life of the church. Every leadership skill that clergy have developed in the past has been utilized, and new needs have emerged for many clergy. And, while it’s always been important to minister out of a depth of a relationship with Christ, it’s never been as critical as it is now to be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. Would you benefit from having a two-day, guided virtual retreat to give you an opportunity to connect with others through (virtual) worship together, take an honest look at how you’re doing, and also walk away learn about creating a Rule of Life and Learning Plan for focusing your plan for growth?
For your Life: Giving your soul time and means to grow is a virtual retreat that will introduce you to the framework for creating a Learning Plan, give you resources, guide you in worship, and most importantly, give you space to spend time in solo reflection and/or connection with others. Participants will join by Zoom and we encourage you to join us from a place that you can have space to create an environment for reflection and rest for the whole time of the virtual retreat. We will start at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14 and will meet at various times between then and 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. While we will be meeting for worship, conversation, and feedback, the retreat will include several videos that will provide instruction and guidance for your solo work. The expectation is that you will be able to be fully engaged to the work of the For Your Life retreat during the length of the time we’ve identified, even if you are meeting from your home. The cost to participate in the For Your Life virtual retreat is $10 and includes a “Retreat in a Box” kit with resources, items for worship and a little bit of fun thrown in for good measure! The deadline for registering for the retreat is Tuesday, Sept. 1.
To register and for more information, check out the website, www.greatplainsumc.org/foryourlife or email the Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford at aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org.
We will also be offering some mini-grants for those who might be interested in creating their own retreat setting at St. Benedict’s Retreat Center in Schuyler, NE. Individuals can make their own arrangements for a personal solo retreat and will reimburse the cost of one night after the event, minus $25. To request a personal mini-grant, contact Rev. Nancy Lambert, nlambert@greatplainsumc.org.
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‘Therefore Go’ to continue as
virtual race; register before Aug. 17
Thanks to a generous grant from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, we are excited to announce that there will be a 2020 Great Plains Conference Virtual Race! Your health and wellness is vitally important. This is an opportunity for clergy and laity to be connected, and care for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. In preparation for the race this year, you will have the opportunity to receive training, support, and encouragement ahead of time. The Great Plains Conference has been focusing on the theme: “Therefore Go: Seek Justice.” Tying into this theme, donations given toward this race will go toward making a difference for antiracist justice education and advocacy within the conference. Clergy and laity are encouraged to sign up together to hold each other accountable and help strengthen our work together.
Who: Open to anyone in the Great Plains Conference
What: Virtual 1 Mile/5k/Half Marathon--your choice of race
When: Training encouragement, spiritual support, and coaching will be available starting Aug. 17; race to be completed by Oct. 10
Where: Your choice of where to walk/run
Why:
- Incentive to tend to your faith and wellness
- You will receive support along the way
- You can support antiracist justice ministries
- You will receive a T-shirt and 5K medal
- You can join others in the Conference in the first ever virtual race!
- If you have done something like this before, you can help encourage others
- If you have never done anything like this before, there will be a program for you to help you go from “couch to 5k”
Suggested donation: $15
Please register here by Aug. 17.
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New district superintendents to be
installed in virtual ceremony Aug. 16
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Three incoming district superintendents -- two newcomers to the cabinet and a third with new responsibilities -- will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16.
Rev. Tom Brady, serving Five Rivers and Parsons Districts; Rev. Jenny Collins, Flint Hills and Topeka districts; and Rev. Dee Williamston, who has added the Hutchinson District to her duties with the Salina District, will each speak and receive gifts for the new appointive year. The combined worship service will a joint online service for all six districts.
Download the flyer with Zoom registration information.
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Equipping Disciples
Institute for Discipleship offering
four practical ministry certifications
August is the ideal time to equip those in leadership positions in our faith communities (paid and/or unpaid), and the Institute for Discipleship is here to help in an affordable and convenient way-- especially during the time of COVID. The Institute will offer several certifications based on GBHEM education requirements, as well as other leadership courses.
There are four practical ministry certifications that are starting on Aug. 24, which are designed to give laity in the church affordable and accessible foundations for ministry. Certifications are available in Spiritual Formation, Christian Care and Counseling, Youth Ministry and Ministry to Those With Disabilities.
Each certification consists of four online courses, each just $125. Students receive over 20 weeks of high-quality, small-group instruction for a total of $500. The youth ministry certification adds a 12-week practicum led by the experts at Youth Ministry Institute for an additional $325. The certifications are split evenly between Biblical and theological instruction and practical, on-the-ground skills.
All programs are also pay-as-you-go.
A United Methodist emphasis can be added to any certification with one additional course in United Methodist Studies.
More info on these certification programs and those that will be launching in January can be found here: https://www.beadisciple.com/ifd-certifications/.
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Send your college student off with
a Methodist connection to campus
As students prepare for heading to college, this semester will be unlike others. Give the gift of connection by connecting them with the United Methodist Campus Pastor and ministry at their school. While the school year has been different help them live into the next chapter of their lives, you can help give a gift of connection to a student’s life this fall.
Simply enter their name(s) at www.greatplainsumc.org/studentcontact to receive a direct personal connection with a campus minister.
If you prefer to connect them directly with the campus minister with an email or conversation with information at www.greatplainsumc.org/campusministries.
Thank you for your ministry and work in investing in youth and giving them the gift of the United Methodist connection throughout the Great Plains.
For more information, check out the list of campus ministries in our Great Plains Conference at www.greatplainsumc.org/campusministries.
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Readiness 360 surveys gives a
current picture of your congregation
Surveys are a great way to get a snapshot of where the congregation currently is. The summer is a great time to invite people to take a survey and have a wealth of information to jump off of for the fall. Leadership teams can take it in these summer months and expand the invitation to the congregation. The Readiness 360 Survey also provides a baseline data for pastoral transitions and ways to talk about the current areas of the church.
There are two open-ended questions that leadership can choose what they would like to ask, in addition to four key areas of cultural openness, spiritual intensity, missional alignment, and dynamic relationships. It is a free resource with free coaching with a leadership team, all available online.
Updated resources and information are listed on www.greatplainsumc.org/readiness-360.
Contact your Congregational Excellence staff person of your district if you would like more information or how to get started today:
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Resources
‘Leading in Crisis’ looks at next
steps to take with weary feet
How do we keep our mission alive right now? How do we drive engagement and dialogues with our community? How do we witness the Good News when today’s news seems so bleak?
The General Board of Higher Education Ministry is asking the experts.
Part III of its “Leading in Crisis” series will discuss how to keep your mission alive at a time when you might be struggling just to keep your lights on. Panelists will include Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Rev. Dr. Douglas F. Powe, Jr., and Rev. Ted Henry.
This “Leading in Crisis” e-panel is a free event that will be streamed live on GBHEM’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. There is no need to preregister.
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Map shows United Methodist
presence around world
Anyone looking at a map of the global presence of The United Methodist Church will notice some significant gray areas, especially in Latin America and much of Asia. David W. Scott of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries presents a world map that shows United Methodist presence and that of affiliated denominations.
Take a look.
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‘Worship from Home’ banners
available from Rethink Church
"Worship from Home" and other banners, signs and Facebook ads are available for purchase from Rethink Church.
See what’s available.
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Announcements
Hollands to celebrate their
60th anniversary with parade
This week we are introducing a new Announcements section, specifically designed to note celebrations of individuals and churches. Send your information to info@greatplainsumc.org.
A 60th anniversary parade for the Rev. Ron Holland and his wife, Marci, will be from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, outside their residence, 6001 W. 119th St., Overland Park.
Ron is a retired United Methodist elder, serving churches in Junction City First, Junction City Church of Our Savior, Kansas City London Heights, Kansas City Grandview, Lenexa and Topeka First before retiring in 1998. His career also included work as director of Kansas City Urban Ministries and director of the Kansas East Annual Conference Council on Ministries.
Those who want to mail cards can send them to 6001 W. 119th Street, Apt. 1111, Overland Park, KS 66209. If you'd like to send a note with a picture from your computer, please email them to Shari Holland at sholland57@gmail.com. The family will assemble electronic messages and pictures into a book to present to them.
Download a flyer for the celebration.
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Across the Connection
Kingman UMC partners for
local, no-barriers food sharing
It started with a casual announcement during worship. A load of potatoes was going to arrive in the community and distributors were needed. A few phone calls later and the Rev. Brad Kirk of Kingman UMC gassed up his pickup and headed to Cunningham, Kansas, to get a load of potatoes. A big load; specifically, 2,300 pounds of potatoes. In two hours, those potatoes had been distributed around the Kingman, Kansas, community.
The Kingman United Methodist Church is now regularly working with the Pantry of Hope and Cunningham Community Hands of Hope to share food with those in need in the area in a no-barriers giveaway. To date, Kingman UMC has given out 2,300 pounds of potatoes, 90 boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, and 1,180 pounds of frozen chicken.
“We are working closely with the local food bank and Main Place Youth, a local Christian girls' home, to make sure their needs are met with this food giveaway, then we are making the food available to anyone in the community who needs it,” Kirk says of the giveaway.
With the current economic issues people are facing, Kingman UMC is able to show the love of Christ by sharing food with anyone in need.
“Until people know that you care, they don't really care about your message,” Kirk said. “We hope this opportunity connects more people to the power of Christ's love.”
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In other news
Newsletters
- Leading Ideas, August 5, 2020
- A Sermon for Every Sunday, August 4, 2020
- MyCom, August 4, 2020
- Discipleship Ministries: Path 1 News, August 4, 2020
- The Big Garden, August 2020
- Institute Wrap Up, August 3, 2020
- Discipleship Ministries: Worship Planning, August 3, 2020
- United Methodist Now, August 3, 2020
- Slingstones (Korean), August 2020
- Leading Ideas Talks, August 1, 2020
- Ministry Matters, July 30, 2020
- Compass, July 30, 2020
- UMCOMtigo (Spanish), July 30, 2020
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Blogs and commentary
- A dream to carry on: The best way to honor civil rights leaders who have died in the past two years — Reps. John Lewis and Elijah Cummings and the Revs. C.T. Vivian and Joseph Lowery — is to continue their work, writes the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, general secretary of the General Board of Church and Society (pictured with Lewis). “Now is the time to lift high their dreams, press on to the goal of freedom and continue the work that they laid before us,” writes the top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
- Dangerous combination: Virus, poverty, immigration: It is imperative that the church inform and educate its membership with regard to the vulnerability of the immigrants within our communities, writes a United Methodist clergyman. Addressing the disproportionate number of Latino immigrants who are infected with COVID-19 is a matter of life and death, the Rev. David Maldonado writes.
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Classifieds
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