Download the Nov. 10 edition of GPconnect.

In this edition:

THIS WEEK'S NEWS
New Community Market builds on mission at The Hub Argentine
In new podcast episode, learn how laity can serve the local church
Bishops offer a framework for an inclusive church

CLERGY EXCELLENCE 
Orders & Fellowship page now has registration, lodging info
Deadline for clergy self-care mini-grants for up to $450 is Dec. 1

EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Interactive Advent calendar now available for families
'Courage to Thrive' theme of 3rd annual Laity Summit, set for March 19

MERCY & JUSTICE
Churches who help Afghan refugees eligible for grant
Equitable vaccination distribution is goal of new Advance project

RESOURCES
Lucado, small groups topics of available material
Webinar offers tools for reaching unvaccinated

ACROSS THE CONNECTION
In other news
Newsletters
Classifieds

 

New Community Market builds
on mission at The Hub Argentine

Don’t call The Hub Argentine’s new Community Market a food pantry.

The term food pantry may conjure a vision of a hodgepodge of disorganized donations, but the Community Market — which opened Oct. 19 at The Hub Argentine in Kansas City, Kansas — has items crisply and clearly arranged that shows respect for its patrons while being cosmetically appealing.

“At The Hub and so many of our local churches, we want to treat people as equals and in everything we do, with dignity and respect and authenticity,” The Rev. Carter Ellis, Hub director, said. “We wanted to give people the same decision-making freedom and ability that finances might limit.”

Read more here.

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In new podcast episode, learn
how laity can serve the local church

The “In Layman’s Terms” podcast continues a series exploring certified lay ministry with an interview with the Rev. Dr. Carl Ellis. Besides serving two rural churches near Fort Scott, Kansas, as a retired elder, Ellis is the founder and leader of The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries.

Learn more about the academy and how lay people can serve in the local church by listening to this discussion between Ellis and podcast host Todd Seifert, the conference communications director and a CLM.

Listen to the episode.

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Bishops offer a framework
for an inclusive church

As the denomination edges toward some form of separation, bishops offer a narrative to describe their hopes for the continuing United Methodist Church. The bishops’ narrative aims to paint a picture of a church where all have a home.

Read more here.
Bishops take on climate, finances, vaccines.

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Clergy Excellence

Orders & Fellowship page now
has registration, lodging info

The Orders & Fellowship page on the Great Plains Conference website has been updated to include a registration link, information on hotels nearby the Younes Center North, and a tentative schedule.

The Orders & Fellowship gathering is Jan. 24-26 in Kearney. The guest speaker is Tim Wise, author of nine books, including "White Like Me, Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son," and "Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority."

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Deadline for clergy self-care
mini-grants for up to $450 is Dec. 1

Are you interested in squeezing in some intentional time before the end of 2021 for soul-care? The Office of Clergy Excellence is offering clergy the opportunity to create space to check in on your own soul by investing up to $450 per clergy in a self-care mini-grant to be used before December 31, 2022. The grants could be used to enhance a planned renewal leave or to create space for spiritual self-care in the midst of your ministry and are intended to be the sort of things that would be approved by your continuing education or travel budget.

We have generous but limited funding and will be funding three cycles:

  • 2021 — applications received through Dec. 1
  • 2022 — Early: applications received Feb. 1-May1
  • 2022 — Late: applications received July 1-Nov. 1

Check out some soul-care resources for planning your own solo (or small group) retreat, meeting with a conference peer coach or having conversation with a Spiritual Director. Clergy, would you give yourself the gift of reflection and self-care?

Check out our website for self-care mini-grant opportunities.

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Equipping Disciples

Interactive Advent calendar
now available for families

Families want quick and simple ideas to celebrate Advent at home. Help families reclaim and reframe their time at home as spiritual formation and share this Advent Calendar with them!

The Great Plains Advent Calendar includes videos, prayer activities, games, and more – just one link per day, so your families won’t feel overwhelmed this season!

Find the Advent Calendar here.

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'Courage to Thrive' theme of 3rd
annual Laity Summit, set for March 19

The next Laity Summit is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, 2022.

Laity Summit is a one-stop virtual leadership event for church and community leaders, like Lay Servants, Speakers, Ministers, Leaders and anyone discerning a call to leadership. The overall theme for the 2022 gathering is “Courage to Thrive.” Each of the workshops will facilitate a courageous conversation around a key leadership learning. More details and registration are coming this winter. Check this page for updates -- https://www.greatplainsumc.org/laity-summit .

Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries Mary Feit, Conference Lay Leader Lisa Maupin, Gateway District Lay Leader Kathy Pierce, and Conference Coordinator of Lay Leadership Shane Warta have been planning this gathering since the summer. If you have any questions, please email:

 

Mercy & Justice

Churches who help Afghan
refugees eligible for grant

Churches helping refugees from Afghanistan resettle in the U.S. are eligible for $1,000 grants through a partnership between the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Church World Service.

Read press release and apply here.

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Equitable vaccination distribution
is goal of new Advance project

“Love Beyond Borders,” a new Advance project, has been set up to support UNICEF and COVAX in the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world.

The project is being led by First UMC, Boise, Idaho.

To introduce the project to the wider church, a webinar is planned for 11 a.m. CT Tuesday, Nov. 16.

Register at this link.

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Resources

Lucado, small groups
topics of available material

The latest offerings from the United Media Resource Center are 17 different selections of Max Lucado DVD studies and seven DVDs and 26 different books about small group ministry

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Webinar offers tools for
reaching unvaccinated

A Nov. 17 webinar will address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and offer tips for overcoming barriers to access. The Rev. Dana Horrell, who has written a handbook to help congregations reach out to the unvaccinated, will lead the webinar at 1 p.m. CT.

Register here.
Download handbook.
 

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Across the Connection

In other news

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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 jmcfarland@greatplainsumc.org to update or renew your classified. Submit your classified here. 

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