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Download the March 17 edition of GPconnect.

In this edition:

THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Virtual second Laity Summit is happening this weekend
Dotson remembered by friends, colleagues in Great Plains video
Iowa native, camping advocate named site director at Fontanelle
Hutchinson First to host COVID vaccination clinic
Great Plains communications team receives 6 awards from UMAC
Bell among Black UMC clergywomen featured in new book
Racism must go, but how to get there?
Clergy care a priority during pandemic year

CLERGY EXCELLENCE
What path will we take when our bodies break?
Pastors needed as clergy, candidacy mentors for 2021-22
Zedek returns to Saint Paul as Rabbi-in-Residence

EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Camp Fontanelle schedules springtime activities for March, May
ShareChurch hosting online training in ‘Art of Hospitality’

MERCY & JUSTICE 
Micah Corps interns are available to speak in Great Plains
Discount for Virtual Ecumenical Advocacy Days ends on April 1

DISASTER RESPONSE 
Guidelines released for when, how to return to in-person services
Organization offering Mental First Aid Course to Nebraska churches

ADMINISTRATION 
Nebraska UM Foundation offers Lunch & Learn on clergy, suffering
Deadline is April 1 for New Start, New Faith Community Grants

ACROSS THE CONNECTION
In other news
Newsletters 
Commentaries
Classifieds

 

Virtual second Laity Summit
is happening this weekend

After a year of planning and adjustments, the virtual second Laity Summit for the Great Plains Conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST this Saturday.

This is for Lay Servants, Speakers, Ministers, Leaders and for anyone discerning a call to leadership. It will be a one-stop virtual leadership event for church and community leadership.

The keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Scott Hughes, executive director of congregational vitality and intentional discipleship for Discipleship Ministries.

Workshops from 10-11 a.m. will be a choice of class meetings and leadership basics, Rev. Mark Baldwin and Arla Kvanig; disrupting racism and learning to be anti-racist, Michelle Ledder; "Finding Peace in an Anxious World," Rev. Bonnie McCord; and "Growing Our Spheres of Influence," Mark Queen.

Afternoon workshops from 1:15-2:15 p.m. will be a choice of "Charge It! Credit Cards and Leadership," Laurie Sampson; "Communications in a Virtual World," Todd Seifert; Gospel discipleship," Rev. Michelle Morris; and launching congregational care, Susan Bell and Nanette Smith.

The "Festival of Booths," featuring 26 agencies and organizations in the Great Plains and United Methodism, will be from 11-11:45 a.m.

Worship services will open and close the Laity Summit.

Registration is still open, for $10.

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Dotson remembered by friends,
colleagues in Great Plains video

Whether it was his church plant in California, his 14 years at Wichita Saint Mark UMC or his nearly five years as the head of Discipleship Ministries, the Rev. Junius Dotson left at impact on United Methodists.

In this video produced by Eugenio Hernandez of the Great Plains Conference, Dotson’s friends and colleagues from the two-state area – Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., Rev. Adam Hamilton, Rev. Kevass Harding, Rev. Cheryl Jefferson Bell, Rev. Dr. Rose Booker-Jones, Rev. Kirstie Engel, Ronda Kingwood and Rev. Steve Spencer – say how they and the church will remember Dotson, who died of pancreatic cancer Feb. 24 at age 55.


Iowa native, camping advocate
named site director at Fontanelle

Ryan Siver, who has worked in various camps and camping ministries all of his adult life, has been named as the new site director for Camp Fontanelle.

The Iowa native begins work on April 1.

Read more about him.

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Hutchinson First to host
COVID vaccination clinic

The Reno County Health Department will host a daily coronavirus vaccine clinic in the Fellowship Hall of Hutchinson First UMC, 101 E. 1st Ave.

The clinic will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

It is believed to be the first church in the Great Plains Conference to serve as a vaccine distribution center.

If you are a worker providing critical services, and your job requires consistent and close contact with a large number of individuals, then you are a High-Contact Critical Worker and can schedule your appointment at this time.

Appointments can be scheduled online at https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/. If computer access is limited, call the health department at 620-694-2900 and select option 6.

For more information about the vaccines, visit www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19.

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Great Plains communications
team receives 6 awards from UMAC

 

The Great Plains Conference communications team won six awards last week from the United Methodist Association of Communicators during a virtual awards ceremony.

The team won awards for best article series, website, blog, internet communications, TV ad or promotion, and video production categories.

Read more here.

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Bell among Black UMC
clergywomen featured in new book

Rev. Cheryl Jefferson Bell, pastor of community justice at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, is among the nine Black United Methodist clergywomen featured in a new book.

“Pioneer Black Clergywomen: Stories of Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church 1974-2016,” written by Josephine Whitely-Fields, is available now.

Read more here.

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Racism must go,
but how to get there?

Black United Methodists are hopeful that current efforts to eliminate racism in the denomination will be effective, but some remain wary. The “Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom” campaign is a churchwide initiative to dismantle racism and work toward racial justice.

Read more from United Methodist News Service.

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Clergy care a priority
during pandemic year

This month marks the first anniversary of churches having to close their doors because of the pandemic, and for pastors, it has been a yearlong stress test. A grant from the Florida Conference let one pastor buy a bicycle, and other conferences have found creative ways to support clergy in taking time off and renewing themselves.

Read more from United Methodist News Service.

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Clergy Excellence

What path will we take
when our bodies break?

In the midst of the Lenten season, we are reminded that it has been a year since clergy, churches and laity have seen their worlds turned upside down.

How have the literal and figurative bodies of pastors held up during this tumultuous year? Rev. Shelly Petz, clergy faith and wellness specialist, examines the question in this month's poetic blog.

Read it here.

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Pastors needed as clergy,
candidacy mentors for 2021-22

Ministry does not happen alone. It happens with people — church members, other clergy and members of our community. Mentors are among the most significant influences in the life of someone discerning a call to ministry and developing effectiveness in ministry. Have you felt called to come alongside those in the beginnings of ministry?

The primary way that the Great Plains does mentoring is in a group context. 101 Candidacy Summit and 401 Residency participants are assigned to mentoring groups. However, certified candidates and licensed local pastors who are required (by the Book of Discipline) to participate in mentoring are able to select their mentoring group from two options: 201 Preparation for Ministry and 301 Practice of Ministry. To find out more about the distinction of the two groups and other resources, visit the mentoring page.

We are currently requesting people to serve as clergy and candidacy mentors for the 2021-2022 Conference year. Those who have completed Course of Study or are ordained as a deacon or elder are eligible to serve as a mentor. Are you interested? If so, would you consider applying to be a mentor? Our deadline for applying is May 22, 2021. You can register here.

Are you currently serving as a mentor and want to continue? Please register even if you are intending to continue mentoring with a current group. The application will give you a chance to identify your intention about which type of mentoring you’d be willing to do and will be used to match willing mentors with mentoring needs.

If you have questions, please contact the Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford, clergy recruitment and development coordinator, at aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org, or 785-414-4216.

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Zedek returns to Saint Paul
as Rabbi-in-Residence

Saint Paul School of Theology has announced the return of Rabbi Michael Zedek as Rabbi-in-Residence beginning fall 2021.

After serving as chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and senior rabbi at Emanuel Congregation in Chicago, Rabbi Zedek returns to Kansas City metro area. Before departing Kansas City, Rabbi Zedek ministered as senior rabbi at Temple B’nai Jehudah and worked as a Saint Paul adjunct professor in Bible and Midrash from 1985-1991. 

In his new role as Rabbi-in-Residence, he will serve part-time teaching courses in Judaism and interreligious dialogue and collaboration, as well as advising students on what “every Christian minister should know about Judaism.”

Read more here.

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Equipping Disciples

Camp Fontanelle schedules
springtime activities for March, May

This spring, Camp Fontanelle has on site opportunities for which you are invited to participate.

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, March 21
The first opportunity is a means of thanks. The site director home has gone through a transformation, over the last four months. The site council and the volunteers who have worked so tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming home for the new site director, Ryan Siver and his family, are inviting you to an open house from 2:30-3:30 p.m. this Sunday, March 21. Take the opportunity to tour the home and thank the volunteers for their hard work. It is the first major remodel since it was built in 1960 and the outcome is beautiful. Refreshments will be served at the 7:24 Shelter. (Please wear a mask.)

EASTER FAMILY FUN DAY: Sunday, March 28
Camp Fontanelle is excited to bring back Easter Family Fun Day from 2-3:30 p.m. Palm Sunday, March 28. There will be ziplining, the Petting Barn, Jumping Pillow, Pedal Karts and the Barrel Train. Easter egg hunts will be held at 2:30 (preschool and younger), 2:55 (grade school and younger) and the last hunt will be at 3:20 for all ages. Ziplining will be $5; all other activities are at no charge. Don't forget to bring your Easter basket or bag for the hunts. All hunts will receive instructions at the 7:24 Shelter. (Masks highly suggested.)

MAY SERVICE DAYS: May 1, 8
Our third opportunity is a means of service. Join other volunteers and staff to help prepare the camp for summer campers. There will be a lot of cleaning, tree trimming, wood chipping, sweeping, weeding and all of the things that happen during a spring clean. You can bring your own tools or use the camp tools. The days begin at 9 a.m. and you may stay as long as you are available. Lunch will be served at noon. We will be blessed with whatever time you are able to give.

For questions about any of these events, please contact the camp at 402-478-4296 or campfontanelle@greatplainsumc.org.

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ShareChurch hosting online
training in ‘Art of Hospitality’

Church of the Resurrection’s ShareChurch Ministry will host an online training session on “The Art of Hospitality” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST Thursday, April 22. 

Featured speakers are Yvonne Gentile and Debi Nixon.

“The Art of Hospitality” is designed to equip church leaders to make everyone feel welcome and included, from first-time visitors to deeply engaged members -- in person or online. Whether the doors of your church are open, or you are worshiping 100% online, now is the time to reimagine church in a new “hybrid” world. The principles of radical hospitality remain the same, even amidst contextual and practical changes.

During the conference, you’ll:

  • Be reminded that our demonstration of hospitality is at its best when we are outwardly focused
  • Examine the principles of radical hospitality in this new reality
  • Explore the power of having an effective digital front door and online worship experience
  • Share ideas on ways to equip the congregation for new hospitality practices

All participants will receive a copy of “The Art of Hospitality,” published by Abingdon Press. Register by April 9 to ensure you receive a copy to review before the training.

Cost of the training session is $49 (includes a copy of The Art of Hospitality) More details and registration is available at: https://sharechurch.com/event/art-of-hospitality-conference-2021/.

The Art of Hospitality is part of the ShareChurch Training Series introduced for 2021. ShareChurch also hosts “Serve with Impact: Missions” on June 24. Registration opens soon, visit ShareChurch.com for updates.

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Mercy & Justice

Micah Corps interns are
available to speak in Great Plains

The Micah Corps, a young adult internship program linking faith and justice, is beginning to schedule our presentations with conference churches this summer. We would love to connect with your congregation through a full message during your service or through leading a small group discussion or Sunday school class.

Attached is a PDF of our topic areas this summer. If you'd like for the Micah Corps to visit your church (virtually or in-person) please fill out this Google form or email program coordinator Sam Redfern at micahcorps@greatplainsumc.org.

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Discount for Virtual Ecumenical Advocacy Days ends on April 1

Virtual Ecumenical Advocacy Days, this year with the theme “Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored,” will take place April 18-21. Early bird registration ends April 1 ($25); after that you can still register for $35.

After attending Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) in 2019 with a scholarship from Peace with Justice Ministries Valecia Scribner (currently serving Woodland UMC in Wichita) reflected, “It was refreshing to see so many Jesus followers living out the belief that our faith must compel us to act in this world to bring about God’s kin-dom.”

The virtual gathering will be different but Peace with Justice Ministries invites you to join hundreds of believers for EAD 2021 to advocate for Climate Justice.

“EAD 2021 is an opportunity to support this global movement centered on and led by the people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. Together, we will passionately advocate and reimagine a world that lives out the values of justice, equity and the beloved community.

“We continue to see how the historic reality of colonialism and structural racism has designed systems that live on today through environmental racism and a myriad of other injustices that grew out of the same evil roots. Throughout 2020, these systemic issues manifested themselves in the disproportionate number of racial and ethnic minorities who became sick with and died of COVID-19, as well as the continued extrajudicial killing of Black men and women. The Earth and its people are groaning. We are called to respond.

“Around the world, we again bear witness to protests for racial justice, this time set amidst unprecedented climate-induced disasters, an economic crisis, and the deaths of more than one million people globally from the pandemic. For example, Amazonian indigenous communities face the existential threats of COVID-19, wildfires, and brutal mining operations. East Africans are affected by hunger and malnutrition due to the coronavirus restrictions and to crop failures from flooding and locusts. We have an opportunity to reflect on this moment as Christians. Together we can seek the balm to heal God’s Earth and all humanity.

"Addressing the history of colonialism and structural racism is key to achieving climate justice. Together, we will rise up with the climate justice movement against these systemic wrongs and respond in hope. Join us in 2021 as we gather virtually for worship, workshops and advocacy to ‘imagine God’s Earth and its people restored.’”

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Disaster Response

Guidelines released for when,
how to return to in-person services

As more Great Plains congregations are having conversations about when and how to return to in-person services, here is a guide from covidactnow.org, with recommendations for worship, adult small groups, children/youth, nursery, church staff and worship team.

It is approved by the bishop and appointive cabinet.

Download it here or find it on our coronavirus page.

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Organization offering Mental First
Aid Course to Nebraska churches

Region V Systems, a Lincoln-based organization which promotes comprehensive partnerships in behavioral health, is providing Nebraska churches with a free Mental Health First Aid Course, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Mental Health First Aid Course focuses on recognizing the patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors and appearance that show there might be a mental health challenge. Participants are taught an action plan that they apply to non-crisis and crisis situations. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the purpose of Mental Health First Aid and the role of the Mental Health First Aider.
  • Identify the impact of mental health challenges on the well-being of adults in the U.S.
  • Explain that recovery from a mental health challenge is possible.
  • Describe the principles of safety and privacy for both the Mental Health First Aider and the person receiving first aid.
  • Explain the five steps of Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE).
  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges that may impact adults. Evaluate the impact of early intervention on mental health challenges.
  • Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) when a person shows early signs of a mental health challenge.
  • Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) when a person shows worsening signs of a mental health challenge.
  • Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to crisis situations.
  • Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of Mental Health First Aid in a crisis or non-crisis situation.

For more information, contact project director Kerri Peterson at 402-441-4335 or kpeterson@region5systems.net.

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Administration

Nebraska UM Foundation offers
Lunch & Learn on clergy, suffering

All clergy and laity are invited to attend this one-hour event from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 25, via Zoom. Rev. Dr. Janice Japp will present on “The Suffering of the Clergy in Their Role as Spiritual Leader.”

Clergy experience suffering through our roles as spiritual leaders. Suffering reflects the lack of validation: we question our own meaningfulness. Greater healing results as clergy work with God to create our own meaning. When we integrate the suffering for deeper faith and enhanced gifts for spiritual leadership, then we have “wrestled a blessing” from the difficult circumstances.

Japp grew up on a farm in Washington County, Nebraska. After her degree in Accounting at the University of Nebraska, she earned her CPA designation and worked five years as an internal auditor while wandering in the wilderness of east Texas. After hearing the call toward representative ministry, she graduated from Perkins School of Theology (Southern Methodist University, Dallas) with a Master of Divinity degree and later from Wesley Seminary, Washington D.C., with a Doctor of Ministry. Her doctoral project was “Crisis or Kairos? The Suffering of the Clergy in Their Role as Spiritual Leader.” Japp is married to Dr. Ed Mantler, a family practice physician. Their two young adult children are flying the coop for careers in accounting and law. She has served congregations in Douglas and Sarpy counties since 1990. Currently she is the Donor Support Director for Camp Fontanelle. Japp is also certified as a spiritual director.

For questions, call the Foundation at 402-323-8844 or email at mfowler@numf.org. RSVP at www.numf.org/rsvp to receive the Zoom link.

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Deadline is April 1 for New Start,
New Faith Community Grants

The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation announces a new church development grant opportunity available to Nebraska churches and affiliated Nebraska agencies of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference.

Due to the generosity of donors supporting congregational development, the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation has grants available to enhance and support your new church development. The ultimate goal of these awards is to alleviate a little bit of the financial burden.

Grant applicants should be aware that priority will be given to the following:

  • A New Start that is recognized by Congregational Excellence as a New Start/New Faith Community.
  • A New Start deemed to be of an outreach and beneficial nature to the larger community.
  • A New Start that is in collaboration with other United Methodist entities.
  • A New Start that has identified other sources of revenue.
  • A New Start that is an integral part of a long-range plan for growth and outreach.

Grants will be awarded on an annual basis. Applications must be received by April 1 to be considered. For application materials and more information, visit www.numf.org/scholarships-grants.

If you have questions about the application process or would like to talk to the Foundation about how you can help grow these types of grants, please call 877-495-5545.

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Across the Connection

In other news


Newsletters 


Commentaries

  • 5 ways to revitalize amid pandemic: With increased vaccine distribution in sight, people are looking toward life returning to pre-pandemic normal again. But why settle for normal when something even greater is possible? The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, a coach and consultant in Casper, Wyoming, offers five ideas for revitalizing churches during the pandemic.
  • Black pastor champions vaccine: The Rev. Ronald Henderson, a district superintendent in the North Texas Conference, shares why he got his COVID-19 vaccinations and why other African Americans should do the same.
  • Faith, gaming help us survive worst of times: When the Rev. David Petty, pastor of Meeker United Methodist Church in Colorado, founded an online gaming ministry in 2017, he had no idea that everyone would one day be adapting to worship in a virtual setting. "I didn't start an online faith community in order to endure a pandemic or change the world," he writes, "but the pandemic has made the necessity of such a project more evident than ever before."

Classifieds

Classifieds are posted for 30 days unless otherwise requested. Submit your classified here.

 
 
 
 
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