Download the Sept. 15 edition of GPconnect.

In this edition:

THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Pastors use renewal leave as time to regroup, reflect
Great Plains to join with Illinois for United Media Resource Center
Nebraska church’s recipe for ‘Water Pie’ gets new life on Tik Tok
Celebrating Francis Asbury’s impact on shores of England, America

CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Bishop taking fall tour to meet with clergy beginning this weekend
Moderators workshop trainings scheduled for October, November

EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Amp It Up!, Summit combine their forces at Southwestern
Gospel Discipleship course is Saturday; registration closes Thursday
Fontanelle’s barbecue, quilt auction this weekend
UM Men 100 Club celebrates barbecue dinner

DISASTER RESPONSE
No need for UMCOR relief kits; make financial contribution instead

ADMINISTRATION 
Pat McKaig retiring today as conference property coordinator
Nebraska UM Foundation awards Course of Study scholarships
Nebraska UM Foundation awards $30,000 in seminary scholarships
Nebraska UM Foundation ministry grants deadline is Sept. 30

RESOURCES
Webinar Thursday night will discuss being ‘More Than Allies’

ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Topeka First opens ‘Play and Pray’ park
'Twine-a-Thon' includes pastor, lay member kissing pig
In other news
Newsletters
Classifieds

 

Pastors use renewal leave
as time to regroup, reflect

A handful of pastors in the Great Plains Conference, including the Rev. Jacob Cloud, left, and the Rev. Jeff Clinger, were the first to take advantage of a new renewal leave program that was introduced last year after being proposed from the floor of the 2019 Annual Conference session.

Cloud and Clinger talk about what they did on their time away, and how it's improved them as pastors and improved their churches.

Read more here, including how clergy can apply for renewal leave.

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Great Plains to join with Illinois
for United Media Resource Center

To continue providing high-quality studies and curriculum to our churches, the Great Plains Conference has partnered with the United Media Resource Center of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. This partnership will increase the number and types of studies and curriculum offered to our churches.

All Great Plains Conference churches are now members of the United Media Resource Center, and there are no individual church membership fees. GPconnect will provide a weekly listing of new material added to the resource center.

For your convenience here is the information on how to order: 

Items to note: 

  • Borrower pays to return items. 
  • Borrower is responsible for replacement or lost resources. 

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Nebraska church’s recipe for
‘Water Pie’ gets new life on Tik Tok

Water pie, a Depression-era recipe featuring water and not much else, is getting renewed attention in today's hard times. A popular TikTok video had a bit of fun with the recipe from “90th Anniversary Cookbook — Women of United Methodist Church, Gordon Nebraska.” You may not want to try this one at home.

Read more here.

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Celebrating Francis Asbury’s
impact on shores of England, America

The 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury’s crossing of the Atlantic from England to America is being celebrated jointly by the Methodist Church of Britain and The United Methodist Church. Though virtually unknown in England, Asbury went on to build the Methodist movement in America and became one of the first two bishops of what is today The United Methodist Church.

Read more from United Methodist News Service.

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Clergy Excellence

Bishop taking fall tour to meet
with clergy beginning this weekend

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. will meet with clergy from throughout the 17 districts of the Great Plains Conference in a tour beginning this weekend.

Here is the schedule:

  • Sept. 18 (Saturday) — Prairie Rivers and Elkhorn Valley at 2 p.m. at York First UMC  
  • Sept. 19 (Sunday) — Great West at 3 p.m. MT at Alliance UMC  
  • Sept. 20 (Monday) — Great West at 10 a.m. at North Platte First UMC
  • Sept 20 (Monday) — Gateway at 3 p.m. at Kearney First UMC
  • Sept. 21 (Tuesday) — Blue River at 10 a.m. at Seward UMC  
  • Sept. 21 (Tuesday) — Missouri River & Elkhorn Valley at 2 p.m. at Fremont First UMC  
  • Sept. 26 (Sunday) — Kansas City at 5 p.m. Church of the Resurrection-Overland Park campus
  • Oct. 4 (Monday) — Hutchinson at 1:30 p.m. at Hutch First UMC
  • Oct. 5 (Tuesday) — Dodge City at 1 p.m. at Garden City UMC
  • Oct. 6 (Wednesday) — Hays at 1 p.m. at Wakeeney UMC  
  • Oct. 7 (Thursday) — Salina at 1 p.m. at Salina Church of the Cross  
  • Oct. 11 (Monday) — Parsons at 9:30 a.m. at Parsons Wesley UMC
  • Oct. 11 (Monday) — Five Rivers at 1:30 p.m. at Garnett UMC  
  • Oct. 13 (Wednesday) — Topeka at 10 a.m. at Topeka First UMC
  • Oct. 13 (Wednesday) — Flint Hills at 2 p.m. at Emporia First UMC

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Moderators workshop trainings
scheduled for October, November

Would you like to be equipped to find common ground within the red/blue divide in your congregation? This one-day training is designed to equip clergy and laity to facilitate deliberative dialogue in “The Purple Zone.” Investing your time and energy for this training will serve as a refresher of what you learned last January during Orders & Fellowship and also prepare you for making an impact in your context.

Workshop dates and facilitators:

Monday, Oct. 18: Amy Lippoldt, Jeff Clinger

Thursday, Oct. 28: Brad Wheeler, Marshall Johnson

Monday, Nov. 8: Morita Truman, Kara Eidson

Tuesday, Nov. 16: Loren Drummond, Grace Gichuru

  • Choose one of four online trainings.
  • Time: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT
  • Maximum of nine participants in each workshop; minimum of four.
  • Training is open to clergy and church leaders.
  • CEU available.
  • Cost for the 1-Day training is $10

Put this on your calendar today. Further details are coming soon!

Register here.

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Equipping Disciples

Amp It Up!, Summit combine
their forces at Southwestern

The pandemic has changed the format of two Southwestern College-based youth events this year, combining them into one event.

Amp It Up!, a gathering for teen praise band musicians, and Summit, which helps young people find their calling, were held with two weekend events -- one July 14 at Mulvane UMC, and another coming Nov. 13 at Ulysses UMC.

Read more here.

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Gospel Discipleship course is
Saturday; registration closes Thursday

Are you in need of an online advanced course to complete for certification before charge conference paperwork?

In high demand from last year’s Laity Summit, Rev. Michelle Morris will provide an online course that introduces people to Gospel Discipleship, a means of understanding our unique paths of discipleship as individuals and churches through the lenses of the four gospels.

Through a brief assessment, people determine if they are Markan (Holy Spirit driven), Matthean (Action oriented), Lukan (Relationship centered) or Johannine (Mentor-Apprentice nurtured) disciples, and then learn not only how to live into their discipleship but how to work better alongside other types in ministry.

Students also learn how to bring this process to their church to help the church fully live into their unique identity. Although this is an approved advanced Lay Servant Ministries course, this course is open to all! The course will take place online from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 18.

Register here by Thursday, Sept. 16 -- https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/GospelDiscipleshipCourse
Participants need to take the free, online assessment found at www.ministrymatters.com/gospeldiscipleship.
Available online and through Cokesbury - https://www.cokesbury.com/Gospel-Discipleship-Participant-Guide?refq=gospel%20discipleship%20participant%20guide (The Congregation Guide is recommended for more in depth application.)

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Fontanelle’s barbecue,
quilt auction this weekend

Camp Fontanelle is set to begin its second season on Sunday, Sept. 19. The annual BBQ and Quilt Auction raises money for the summer ministry and community outreach programs the camp offers throughout the year.

The day begins with worship under the Big White Tent at 11 a.m. The message will be given by the Rev. Cathy Cole. After worship a meal may be purchased from Riverview Lodge or outdoors at the Grilling Station. Food will be served from noon to 2 p.m.

Over 50 quilts have been donated for the Quilt Auction, that begins at 2. The quilts have been donated from all over the state of Nebraska. There are Bed-size quilts, wall hangings, antique quilts and utility quilts. Hundreds, if not thousands of hours, have gone into the quilts and it is hoped the bidding reflects the investment that has gone into the creation of the quilts.

Sunday, Sept. 19, is also the opening day for the corn maze and pumpkin patch. This second season activity has grown to offer many family-oriented, multi-generational activities. Camp Fontanelle is the only pumpkin patch in the area that offers a tower zip line. Other activities include: the 9-acre corn maze, Jumping Pillows, Petting Barn, laser tag in the maze, hayrack rides, giant slides, pick-your-own-pumpkin, a full concession stand and more. The corn maze and pumpkin patch will be open weekends through Oct. 31: Saturdays 1-7 p.m. and Sundays 1-6 p.m.

This year’s corn maze theme is Kingdom Quest. Travel back to a time of princesses, knights and dragons as you quest through the maze. The design takes you through the castle, where the princess is safely guarded from the dragon, by her knight in shining armor. The laser tag maze is designed with the trails creating a dragon. It is a time to get out your tiara and your shining armor and visit Camp Fontanelle.

Special events are planned throughout the seven-week season. For more information go to https://countryfun.org/.

All money raised goes to enhance and improve the facilities and summer programming at Camp Fontanelle. Information about the camp may be found at https://www.campfontanelle.com or phone 402-478-4296.

Unable to attend the BBQ and Quilt Auction? Donations may be made by sending a check to: Camp Fontanelle, 9677 County Road 3, Fontanelle, NE 68044 or go online to make a donation.

Your support of the ministry at Camp Fontanelle allows transformations in the lives of those who participate in the ministry, hear, and feel the presence of God in their lives, while at camp.

--Jane Van Horn, Camp Fontanelle

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UM Men 100 Club
celebrates barbecue dinner

The United Methodist Men 100 Club celebrated its 16th annual fundraising barbecue dinner Sunday near Springfield, Nebraska.

Besides the barbecue, Jane Van Horn of Camp Fontanelle provided three cheesecakes with special toppings.

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Disaster Response

No need for UMCOR relief kits;
make financial contribution instead

Southcentral and Southeastern portions of the United States have seen their share of disasters in the past few weeks and months.  With few disasters in 2020, our UMCOR Sager Brown Depot is not in need of any relief kits. 

Sager Brown and the Alabama Conference Warehouse had stored enough kits to currently be taking care of the needs in the disaster areas. While your thoughtfulness is much appreciated, the greatest need is for financial donations. 

Use this link to donate to UMCOR.

--Rev. Hollie Tapley, disaster response coordinator

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Administration

Pat McKaig retiring today as
conference property coordinator

Today is the final day of work before retirement for Pat McKaig, property coordinator for the Great Plains Conference.

He began work for the former Kansas West Conference in December 2010 and moved from the former Great Plains office in Wichita to Topeka in 2018. He plans to return to Wichita with his wife, Suzanne, a retired teacher.

“Pat has worked quietly and steadily to care for a lot of critical responsibilities that normally go unnoticed. While he’s never sought recognition or praise, Pat’s love of the Church has always been evident to me,” said Scott Brewer, treasurer and director of administrative services. “I’m deeply grateful for his commitment to the Kansas West and Great Plains conferences over the past decade.”

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Nebraska UM Foundation awards
Course of Study scholarships

The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation is pleased to announce the distribution of over $7,000 in Course of Study scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year. This new program is assisting five pastors with their Course of Study curriculum.

Recipients of the Frederick & Esther Paulus Course of Study Scholarships are Esther Achi, Juan Carlos Veloso, and Victor Peterson. Recipients of the Rev. Robert E. & Lily A. Berlie Course of Study Scholarships are Mandy Barkhaus and Ryan Findley.

The NUMF Course of Study scholarship program began last year in an effort to help an increasingly growing group of individuals who are already ministering to a congregation while at the same time pursuing his or her education.

These scholarships would not be possible without donors. If you are interested in setting up a scholarship in honor of or in memory of a loved one, contact the Foundation at 877-495-5545.

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Nebraska UM Foundation awards
$30,000-plus in seminary scholarships

The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation is pleased to announce the distribution of over $30,000 in scholarships to twelve students pursuing the ministry. The following is a list of scholarship recipients for the 2021-2022 academic year:

  • Rev. Richard Atherton Memorial Scholarship - Victor Peterson
  • Alva Clark Seminary Scholarship – Albert Longe
  • Cowles UMC Memorial Scholarship – Ross Janovec
  • Andrew & Nevabelle Howe Scholarship – Victor Peterson
  • Charles & Marilyn Humphrey Seminary Scholarship – Albert Longe
  • Alice Kruse Ministerial Scholarship – Kalingwishi Anny Kapundu
  • Alice Kruse Seminary Scholarship - Kalingwishi Anny Kapundu
  • Baldwin F. and Amy L. Kruse Scholarship – Albert Longe
  • Cal Leeds Memorial Scholarship – Victor Peterson
  • Verl & Sylvia Miller Memorial Scholarship – Albert Longe
  • Albert R. Murdoch Ministerial Scholarship – Debra Copple
  • Darrell & Joyce Pickett Scholarship - Victor Peterson
  • Scahill Family Scholarship – Debra Copple
  • Ben and Martha Simmons Scholarship – Venedith Vargas
  • Floma Taylor Ministerial Scholarship – Lami Oladimeji, Rachel Stone
  • Myrtle E. Williams Seminary Scholarship – Cameron Miller
  • Rev. Albert W. Winseman Scholarship – Victor Peterson
  • Women in Ministry Scholarship – Marcee Binder
  • Harlan and Mabelle Wyrick Memorial Scholarship – Matthew Borland, Tiffani Brewer

These scholarships would not be possible without donors. Thank you to all the donors and their families for relieving the financial burden of our future pastors. If you are interested in setting up a scholarship in honor of or in memory of a loved one, please contact the Foundation at 877-495-5545.

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Nebraska UM Foundation ministry grants application deadline is Sept. 30

The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation is pleased to announce a ministry grant opportunity available to Nebraska churches and affiliated agencies of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference.

The Foundation is able to award these grants due to the generosity of donors to the Gifts from the Heart Endowment Fund. These grant dollars are available to enhance and expand your ministries. The ultimate goal of these awards is to provide assistance both for new ministries and thriving ministries wishing to grow.

These grants are made for programs and activities and include operating expenses and supplies necessary for those programs or activities. They are not made for building repair, replacement, or expansion.

The application deadline is Sept. 30. For application materials and more information, please visit our website at https://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, call 877-495-5545.

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Resources

Webinar Thursday night will
discuss being ‘More Than Allies’

The Rev. Tex Sample will join Bob Zellner, a white civil rights leader, for a live webinar at 7 p.m. CT Thursday, Sept. 16. During Discipleship Ministries' "More Than Allies" webinar, Zellner will share stories from his work during the U.S. civil rights movement and discuss how discipleship and social action align for a faithful commitment to the common good.

Register here.

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Across the Connection

Topeka First opens
‘Play and Pray’ park

Topeka First UMC opened its “Play and Pray” park next to its building on Topeka Boulevard this weekend.

The park includes a playground, musical play and a labyrinth with a bench in the center.

See more from KSNT.

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'Twine-a-Thon' includes
pastor, lay member kissing pig

The weekend of Aug.20-22 brought great fun to the little community of Cawker City, Kansas.

Like so many other communities, towns and cities around, Cawker City was unable to have their yearly “Twine-A-Thon” and Picnic to celebrate the World’s Largest Ball of Twine.

To have some fun this year, the committee opted to do a “Pig Kissing Contest”. They had four prominent individuals from the community, who agreed to kiss a pig if their jar had the most money in it by the time the parade was over. During the day and during the other activities, people would put money in the jar of who they wanted to have to kiss the pig.

By the time the day was over, two people were neck in neck to have to kiss the pig. Pastor Earl J Haggard and Linda Clover, lay member to Annual Conference, were poised to pucker up. The committee opted to have both of them kiss the pig.

So, in the spirit of good sportsmanship both Linda and Pastor Earl had to kiss the pig. It was a great community event, and a way for the Cawker City UMC and its members to be a part of the community festivities.

-- Hannah Haggard
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In other news


Newsletters

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Classifieds

Classifieds are posted for 30 days unless otherwise requested. Please allow three business days for your classified to appear on the website.

Email info@greatplainsumc.org to update or renew your classified.

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Conference Office
1207 SW Executive Dr.
PO Box 4187
Topeka, KS 66604
  785-272-9111