Download the Jan. 26 edition of GPconnect.

In this edition:

THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Clergy get Wise words to combat  racism from O&F keynote speaker
Podcast talks to creator of guide that helps discuss LGBQIA+ issues
Debate about church future heats up with General Conference on horizon
Micah Corps seeking young adults to make a difference in social justice

CLERGY EXCELLENCE 
Video available with info about Clergy Self-Care Mini-Grants 
Financial wellness program provides holistic financial training for clergy
Something new: Clergy Excellence suggestion box now open for pastors

EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Applications now being accepted for community garden, orchard grants
Workshops set for Laity Summit 2022 
Mental Health First Aid training sessions open for February
New resources available to discuss diversity, Lent

MERCY & JUSTICE
Virtual Ecumenical Advocacy Days scheduled for April 25-27
Mercy & Justice team partners with national, state justice groups

DISASTER RESPONSE
After massive fire, Kansas ranchers hoping for snow, hay
Kansas health department offering vaccination funding

ADMINISTRATION
New Start/New Faith Community grants available from foundation
Nebraska Foundation announces new mission grant opportunity

RESOURCES
Lenten, family faith formation studies available

ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Pastor leading fight against payday loan rates
Wichita church’s chicken noodle dinner celebrates 75th anniversary
KWU to hold gospel brunch to kick off Black History Month
In other news
Newsletters
Classifieds

 

Clergy get Wise words to combat
racism from O&F keynote speaker

Recommended steps toward living in “The Beloved Community” were made Tuesday at the annual Orders & Fellowship clergy gathering. 

Originally planned as a three-day, in-person event in Kearney, Orders & Fellowship was changed to a one-day, online-only format because of continuing COVID concerns. About 500 clergy attended online. 

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,” was the plenary speaker. 

Read more here.

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Podcast talks to creator of guide
that helps discuss LGBQIA+ issues

In the latest episode of his “In Layman’s Terms” podcast, communications director Todd Seifert has another conversation with Rev. Dr. Leah Schade about an issue guide she spearheaded to help United Methodist congregations talk to each other about concerns with the upcoming General Conference and the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons in ordination and other aspects of the church.

This tool may be a huge part in helping people understand each other on what can be a difficult topic.

Listen or download here.

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Debate about church future heats up
with General Conference on horizon

United Methodists are gearing up to go in different directions. At the same time, disputes over church rules and the status of LGBTQ people continue to flare.

Council of Bishops President Cynthia Fierro Harvey acknowledged that anxiety is running high for many in the church.  

“We need to navigate this season with love and care for one another and not heap more harm on one another and The United Methodist Church,” she said.

Read more from United Methodist News Service.

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Micah Corps seeking young adults
to make a difference in social justice

Do you have a young adult (18-24) interested in learning about social justice, building relationship with community and faith leaders in Omaha, growing in leadership skills, and nurturing your faith in action? Then click here to apply to be a part of the 2022 Micah Corps intern team. 

The Micah Corps internship program is a full-time, paid, summer opportunity for young adults (ages 18-24) to explore living out their faith through social justice action. A cohort of six to eight interns spends 10 weeks (typically mid-May to the end of July) living and working in community together in Omaha, connecting with an assigned local church, diving deep into the Omaha community through conversations with faith, political and community leaders, and leading and presenting within the assigned local church. The program culminates in an immersive learning trip to Washington D.C. or Montgomery, Alabama (COVID-permitting). The Micah Corps is designed as a social justice leadership development experience for United Methodists from across the denomination but welcomes those from a variety of faith backgrounds and those exploring faith.

As a Micah Corps Intern, your work will consist of:

  • Living and working in community with other Micah Corps interns. 
  • Learning new spiritual practices throughout the summer
  • Learning about social justice through the UMC Social Principles and training in social justice community organizing principles 
  • A typical day might include: a morning spiritual practice, learning from a social justice speaker, having a conversation with a community member or faith leader in Omaha, independently preparing for an upcoming presentation, and offering a reflection through social media. 
  • Presenting and sharing in churches every Sunday (and some additional days)
  • Learning and leading a study on social justice at a local church
  • Having learning conversations in the Omaha community and presenting these findings to the local church you are assigned
  • Micah Corps interns typically take a trip to Washington, D.C. or Montgomery, Alabama each summer (COVID-permitting). 
  • Keeping close contact with the Great Plains conference through attending Annual Conference, posting on social media, in the GPconnect, offering devotionals, and other communications efforts (i.e., podcasts, videos).

To learn more about the Micah Corps Internship, visit our website at: https://www.greatplainsumc.org/micahcorps. If you have further questions or know of a young adult who would be interested, please reach out to Micah Corps Program Director, Rev. Maddie Johnson, at mmjohnson@greatplainsumc.org.

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Clergy Excellence

Video available with info about
Clergy Self-Care Mini-Grants 

Are you interested in finding out what is covered in the Clergy Wellbeing Mini-Grants? Check out the video explaining more about the $450 grant that is available to clergy that can 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 two cycles in 2022:

  • 2022 — Early: applications received Feb. 1-May 1; reimbursements received by June 30.
  • 2022 — Late: applications received July 1-Nov. 1; reimbursements received by Dec. 31.

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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Financial wellness program provides
holistic financial training for clergy

Applications are now open for the Kansas Methodist Foundation’s Clergy Financial Wellness Initiative.

The financial wellness initiative is an eight-month program designed to provide deep and holistic financial training for clergy. Participants will be provided with resources and tools to be financially healthy in their family life and with their leadership in their church. The program will bring clergy together from different churches and ministries across Kansas.

There is no cost to participants. CEUs will be earned upon successful completion of the program. For more information to apply, please visit kansasmethodistfoundation.org/leadershiptraining/. 

Applications will be accepted until Feb. 19. Space will be limited to provide greater depth and to help establish meaningful, long-lasting connections. KMF is grateful for a grant from the Lilly Endowment and the generous donors who make this program possible.

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Something new: Clergy Excellence
suggestion box now open for pastors

Do you have an idea you’d like to share with the Clergy Excellence team for the Conference? We likely can’t do everything to support, resource or equip Great Plains clergy, but we can do some things. Would you share your idea, hope, or resource that you think we could consider implementing in 2022 or beyond?

Share your feedback here.

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Equipping Disciples

Applications now being accepted for
community garden, orchard grants

The Big Garden is now accepting applications for 2022 community gardens and orchards for Kansas and Nebraska United Methodist churches who participate in the UM Health Ministry Fund’s Healthy Congregations Program.

The Big Garden is an Omaha-based non-profit organization that works to address food security by developing community gardens and orchards, creating opportunities to serve, and providing horticulture education to home gardeners and garden leaders. In 2015, The Big Garden began expanding outside of the Omaha area into rural Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. The Big Garden currently has 30 active community gardens and 10 orchards in Kansas and rural Nebraska that are a part of the Healthy Congregations Program. Many of the gardens and orchards are located at United Methodist churches or community partner organizations, such as schools, parks, food kitchens, food pantries and foster care facilities.

If your church is part of the Healthy Congregations Program (or wish to join), I encourage you to apply for the community garden grant and/or the community orchard grant.

Community Garden Grant: Those who qualify may receive up to $2,700 to start a community garden. Existing community gardens may apply if there is a comprehensive plan for expansion or improvement to the gardens.
Community Orchard Grant: The community orchard grant provides up to 10 fruit trees for free! One hundred percent of the food grown must be donated to those in need. The Big Garden will assist in designing the orchard, provide the trees and materials needed to plant an orchard, and assist on planting day. On-going horticulture education such as, how to plant a fruit tree, orchard tree maintenance, pest and disease management, holistic orchard sprays, etc. will be provided for all Giving Grove sites.

Please fill out the short Interest form and send the completed form to Molly Baurain, Kansas Program Manager, at mbaurain@biggarden.org. Please indicate if you are interested in the community garden grant or the orchard grant. You will then be asked to fill out a more comprehensive application and site assessment. Deadline for orchard applications is Feb. 15. Awards will be announced March 1. The community garden grant does not have a firm application deadline, but applicants are chosen on a first come-first-serve basis. Please apply as soon as possible. Please contact Molly Baurain at mbaurain@biggarden.org for questions or additional grant details. 913-897-2418.

--Molly Baurain, Big Garden

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Workshops set for
Laity Summit 2022 

This year’s Laity Summit will include 15 workshops in three separate workshop sessions. While you won’t be able to attend them all on March 19, they will be recorded for your viewing at a later date. The precise workshop schedule is still being determined.

Workshop topics for the day will include: 

  • Anti-Racism & the Local Church: Creating Courageous Conversational Space 
  • Mission, Vision and Strategy of Youth Ministry 
  • The Power of Connection 
  • Inclusive Ministry & Programming 
  • The Purple Zone Space 
  • Church as a Good Neighbor 
  • Social Media Impact 
  • Radical Hospitality 
  • At a Loss: How to Thrive & Nurture Hope During a Prolonged Crisis 
  • Education & Growth in Ministry 
  • Connecting Neighbors 
  • Energizing Leadership & Mentoring 
  • Mercy & Justice Now: Understanding God’s Call 
  • Lay Leadership Development Panel 
  • Church Budgeting in Uncertain Times 

For more information about the workshops and presenters visit this page -- https://www.greatplainsumc.org/LS2022-workshops 

Go ahead and register today -- 
https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/LaitySummit2022  

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Mental Health First Aid training
sessions open for February

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is a proven and effective resource that teaches lay people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in their community.

In this one-day, 6.5-hour online training, participants will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and substance use concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. The training helps anyone who wants to learn how to provide initial help to someone who may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or crisis, and provides tools to help friends, family members, colleagues, and others in the community.

The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is offering sessions of MHFA on Feb. 5 and 17. You must register at least one week prior to your preferred training. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The trainings are open at no cost to any interested individuals in the Great Plains Conference. Anyone in your church may attend but each person should register individually. Please contact Dashinika@healthfund.org with any questions. Register at https://healthfund.org/a/healthy-congregations/mental-health-first-aid/

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New resources available
to discuss diversity, Lent

In connection to the theme of this year’s Orders & Fellowship, the Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford, intergenerational discipleship coordinator, is introducing “Beloved Community” resources.

“This is a resource for kids, youth, and families to discuss the Beloved Community through picture books, videos, music and art,” she wrote. “They’ll read, watch, wonder, create and pray.”

Find it here.

Also new, in collaboration with the Rio Texas and Michigan conferences, is “10 Ways to Observe Lent,” with family activities for the 40 days.

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Mercy & Justice

Virtual Ecumenical Advocacy
Days scheduled for April 25-27

Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2022 will be online again this year, from April 25-27.

EAD calls us into solidarity to restore, protect and expand voting rights in the United States and to realize human rights around the world. As people of faith, we know each person to be created in God’s image, imbued with dignity, and having a voice that demands to be heard, heeded, and treated justly. We arise in unity, holding up a mirror to leaders of nations, putting injustice on display and tearing down the veil of oppression that obscures the beautiful, God-born light shining from within us all ….

As we gather in 2022, we are called to reflect the urgency and determination found in Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. In his Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence speech, he reminds us, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late.” As people of faith, we are called to meet the challenges of this moment.

At Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2022, we will unite to amplify our Christian voice in advocacy for civil and human rights in the United States and abroad. Won’t you join us?

Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community, and its recognized partners and allies, grounded in biblical witness and our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Our goal, through worship, theological reflection and opportunities for learning and witness, is to strengthen our Christian voice and to mobilize for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues.

To learn more: https://advocacydays.org/2022-fierce-urgency/

-- Submitted by Andrea Paret, Peace with Justice coordinator

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Mercy & Justice team partners
with national, state justice groups

 

The Great Plains Conference's Mercy & Justice team is working with two national organizations and one Kansas-based agency to take on justice issues in Kansas and Nebraska.

Find out more in this update from the Rev. Loren Drummond, a board member of Kansas Interfaith Action and retired United Methodist pastor.

Read here.

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Disaster Response

After massive fire, Kansas
ranchers hoping for snow, hay

Many of you have heard or read about the four-county fires that swept through western Kansas in December. The stories I hear all tear at my heartstrings.
 
This morning I met with one family that ranches in one of the counties. “God was with us” – were the wife’s first words. She went ahead telling me about the fierce wind that was howling that night, and not knowing there was a fire danger. She said her husband got up to go check on the horses, walking through the flames of the fire and not knowing it. Never could recall realizing that they were in serious danger and really could not recall their next steps. The wife said, we are just now coming out of shock and beginning to look ahead.
 
We spoke about what their current needs are and how could I pray for them? “Pray for snow, a gentle covering of the land.” “The grounds need tender loving care.” I asked them how long before the land is ready for new horses, and to my shock the answer came, “it will take 1 ½ years before the land will be ready to accept horses.” What will the need be around that time, I asked. “Six months from now (end of June), we will need hay.”
 
We prayed for God’s presence, a gentle snow to lay upon the burnt earth, for their needs to be met. We all gave thanks to God for His hands upon them.

--Rev. Hollie Tapley, disaster response coordinator

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Kansas health department
offering vaccination funding

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Administration

New Start/New Faith Community
grants available from foundation

The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation is pleased to announce 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 postmarked 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, call 877-495-5545. 

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Nebraska Foundation announces
new mission grant opportunity

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

The Mission Grant program has been established through an endowment fund by Dr. Dean and Keitha Thomson. Grants will be awarded annually to a United Methodist-associated entity or individual who is in need of funding for mission work. Mission work may be located locally, nationally, or internationally with a focus on global health, including but not limited to medical needs, or disaster and recovery efforts. The mission work must be considered to be of a beneficial nature to the larger community and an integral part of a long-range plan for growth and outreach.

For more information on this grant opportunity or to apply, please visit https://www.numf.org/scholarships-grants. The deadline to apply is April 1.

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Resources

Lenten, family faith
formation studies available

Lent begins on March 2, and here are some Lenten studies from United Media Resource Center, including three dozen DVD studies and seven book studies.

Also highlighted are materials on faith formation in families, including two DVD sets and more than three dozen book studies.

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Across the Connection

Pastor leading fight
against payday loan rates

The Rev. Annie Ricker, pastor of Berryton UMC, is working with Topeka JUMP to urge Kansas lawmakers to take action on payday loan reform.

Ricker found herself in need of a loan when she moved to Hays after completing college.

“I didn’t have banking history established in that community, and we had a vehicle repair, and the only lender that we could find to lend us money was a payday lender,” Ricker said. “We took out less than a thousand dollars, but by the time we paid back the loan, we paid over $3,000. It set us up for failure and it cost us far more than it needed to.”

Watch video from KSNT.

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Wichita church’s chicken noodle
dinner celebrates 75th anniversary

After having its longtime chicken noodle dinner just before the pandemic hit in 2020 and having to cancel last year because of COVID, Wichita St. Paul’s UMC decided to split the difference last weekend and offer a drive-thru dinner this year.

Find out more from the Wichita Eagle, KSN and KAKE.

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KWU to hold gospel brunch
to kick off Black History Month

Kansas Wesleyan will begin its annual Black History Month celebration with a gospel brunch on Saturday, Feb. 5 in Muir Gym on campus. The event gets underway at 10 a.m., and the community is encouraged to attend.

A goodwill donation of $10 is requested, but KWU students can use their meal plans for free admission.

“We’re excited to get Black History Month underway with a great event,” said Dr. Allen Smith, KWU’s Director of Diversity and Student Success. “This brunch will have great food, great music and great fellowship.”

Music for the event will be provided by Brody Carrasco, Kristin (Garrett) Foy and Robert M. Cunningham, Jr.

All goodwill donations will support the annual operations of the Multicultural Student Union. RSVPs are requested, but not required, at www.kwu.edu/gospelbrunch.

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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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