Download the May 4 edition of GPconnect.

In this edition:

THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Disaster Response teams help guide volunteers after Andover tornado
Good Faith Network gets OKs from officials at first Nehemiah Assembly
Police investigate vandalism at Overland Park church as hate crime
United Methodists urged to relaunch their church
What happens when a new denomination launches?
Seminary dean tackling the problem of ‘preacher’s block’

ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Monday is last chance for early bird discount for AC, June 8-11

CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Spiritual formation retreats planned for August, October
After sermon planning retreat, clergy have six months' worth of ideas

EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Denman evangelism awards deadline extended until May 10
High school students invited to join new Leadership Lab
Ethnic Minority Local Church Grant funding is available to churches

DISASTER RESPONSE
Conference is sponsoring NAMI Walks May 21 in Omaha, Topeka

ADMINISTRATION
Upcoming webinars to give information on loan forgiveness
UMMen 100 Club, NUMF offer  legacy giving seminar May 12
Nebraska UM Foundation announces scholarship programs 

RESOURCES
Discipleship, peace and Mister Rogers among featured subjects

ACROSS THE CONNECTION
After 150 years, still following to lead
Harveyville pastor to run for Kansas House
Refugee resettlement among topics of UM Men meeting
In other news
Newsletters 
Classifieds

 

Disaster Response teams help guide
volunteers after Andover tornado

The Rev. Hollie Tapley (center, in this photo from the Sedgwick County Facebook page), disaster response coordinator, and 15 early response team members from the Great Plains are leading volunteers after devastating storms Friday night in Andover.

"Volunteerism is going great," said Tapley, whose crews have processed 500 volunteers in the first two days.

More volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, and possibly the same hours Saturday. Volunteers do not have to be certified, Tapley said. Meet at Andover UMC for processing.

Those who wish to donate to those hit by the storm can click on this link: https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/DisasterFundAssistanceRequest

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Good Faith Network gets OKs from
officials at first Nehemiah Assembly

The first Nehemiah Assembly for the Johnson County-based Good Faith Network on Tuesday night at Church of the Resurrection included commitments for improved mental health services and decreased homelessness by county officials, with some efforts already underway. 

A product of the Direct Action & Resource Training network, or DART, the Good Faith Network consists of 20 congregations in Johnson County, including nine United Methodist Churches. It began as a part of the conference’s Doing Justice Initiative. 

Read more here.

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Police investigate vandalism at
Overland Park church as hate crime

Destruction last week of a rainbow "All Are Welcome" sign outside Overland Park Indian Heights UMC is being investigated as a hate crime.

Ali Haynes, pastor of the church, told the Great Plains Conference communications staff that community members have made donations to order a new sign for the church.

Read coverage from KSHB and the Kansas City Star.

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United Methodists urged
to relaunch their church

While acknowledging the start of a breakaway denomination and the departure of a fellow bishop, the United Methodist Council of Bishops shared hopes for a revived United Methodist Church. United Methodist ministry continues, including outreach to people displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Read more from United Methodist News Service.

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What happens when a
new denomination launches?

The Global Methodist Church, a theologically conservative breakaway denomination, began May 1. However, it will take time for any potential separations from The United Methodist Church to take place. The UM News Service reports on some frequently asked questions.

Related: Former Central Texas bishop turns in credentials.

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Seminary dean tackling
the problem of ‘preacher’s block’

Preacher's block, like writer's block, is a real problem, says the Rev. Jessica LaGrone.

She devised a Zoom co-working group strategy to help hold one another accountable for getting focused work done on sermons.

"It’s like study hall," LaGrone says. "You get a sense that you're not alone. But at the same time, there are no distractions." LaGrone is dean of the chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary. 

Read more here.

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Annual Conference

Monday is last chance for early
bird discount for AC, June 8-11


 

Monday is the deadline for early bird registration for the 2022 annual conference, June 8-11 at the La Vista Convention Center in La Vista, Nebraska.

Any registration after Monday will have a late fee of $25.

Here is the annual conference page. 

Bring kids to camp during Annual Conference, Overnight Camp at the Omaha Zoo, Day Camp at Water’s Edge and on-site for children. More information and registration here: https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/2022ChildcareRegistrationForm.

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Clergy Excellence

Spiritual formation retreats
planned for August, October

  

Clergy of the Great Plains Conference, you are invited to take some time away from the routines and challenges of ministry and be attentive to your relationship with God. We hope you will consider attending “Roots For Your Soul,” a spiritual formation retreat planned just for you.

The only cost to you is $50 to reserve your spot for this two-night, three-day retreat. Contact Hours for Continuing Education Units are available. Scholarships are available upon request. See the registration form for details. 
 
Summer 2022 
Aug. 29-31 
St. Benedict’s Center, Schuyler, Nebraska 
Presenter: Rev. Dr. Charlotte Abram (top left)
Theme: Sabbath as Soul Food 
Click here to register for the Summer 2022 retreat by Aug. 15. 
 

Fall 2022 
Oct. 24-26 
Saint Benedict’s Center
Presenter: Seanne Emerton, LMFT, LIMHP, LPC (top right)
Click here to register for the Fall 2022 retreat by Oct. 10. 
Read bios of Roots for Your Soul presenters here. 

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After sermon planning retreat, clergy
will have six months' worth of ideas

Jesus took time away for prayer and silence before proclaiming to the crowds. You are invited to take time apart in a retreat setting with other colleagues and create long-range plans for worship and preaching with retreat leader Rev. Dr. Theresa Mason. The cost is $200 and includes lodging and meals and will be held Monday, July 25 (5 p.m.) to Friday, July 29 (3 p.m.) at Heartland Spirituality Center in Great Bend, Kansas.

Participants are invited to plan worship and preaching for six months to a year in a retreat setting with other colleagues. You’ll be able to brainstorm and bounce ideas off colleagues and/or plan alone. You can expect blocks of time for planning, spiritual renewal, and rest.

Space is limited, so register early! Participants may arrive early or stay longer by making arrangements directly with the retreat center. Check out the website to hear testimonies of past participants, learn more about the retreat, and register: www.greatplainsumc.org/atimeapart.

Questions? Email Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford, aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org.

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Equipping Disciples

Denman evangelism awards
deadline extended until May 10

Each year the Foundation for Evangelism works with annual conferences to offer the Denman Evangelism Award to three recipients: one clergy, one laity, and one youth. This is a meaningful way to honor and thank people who demonstrate evangelistic passion to reach others for Christ. Awards are presented at Annual Conference sessions.

Nominations for the 2022 awards are due by May 10, 2022. Instructions and guidelines are on the nomination form; specify whether you are nominating clergy, laity or youth

Nomination forms in the Great Plains should be submitted to the Rev. Nicole Conard at nconard@greatplainsumc.org.

More information is available at www.greatplainsumc.org/evangelism.

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High school students invited
to join new Leadership Lab

High school students are invited to Leadership Lab – a choose-your-own-adventure Christian Leadership experiment for youth in the Great Plains Conference.

In Leadership Lab, they'll engage in a web of relationships, resourcing, and experiences that culminate in eligibility for a trip to the Holy Land!

We know that growing in discipleship and leadership requires more than just sitting in meetings and talking about ministry – and this new opportunity is designed with that in mind. Students will complete a series of “Quests” each year – quests that they get to choose. During each quest, they will learn something, experience something, and then lead something – all with the help of a mentor that they get to choose!

For more information and to apply, go to https://www.greatplainsumc.org/leadership-lab.

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Ethnic Minority Local Church Grant
funding is available to churches

In 1984, money was set aside by the former Kansas East Conference to strengthen the ethnic minority churches, pastors, and laity. The investment has grown and recently has been opened to all Great Plains Conference to be able to apply. Ethnic minority clergy, lay and churches can apply to receive the grant in the following four priorities:

  • Support for any ethnic minority youth to attend any United Methodist camp or development program. Great Plains ethnic minority youth can type in the code ELMC in a Great Plains United Methodist Camp registration when registering for camp for camp fees.
  • Leadership development for ethnic minority lay and clergy ($800/individual),
  • Support for ethnic caucuses or networks ($800/individual) and programming and
  • Support for ethnic minority churches. 

More Information is available at www.greatplainsumc.org/grants.

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Disaster Response

Conference is sponsoring NAMI
Walks May 21 in Omaha, Topeka

NAMI Walks are all about building awareness, ending stigma, and helping NAMI offer educational and support programs across both states. Great Plains Conference is a sponsor for both walks. Churches, families, and individuals are encouraged to take part in these walks. For this year the NAMI Walk will take the place of the Great Plains 5K at Annual Conference. So, lace up your shoes, start training in the next month and support the area of mental health in our communities!

To learn more and to sign up for the Nebraska NAMI Walk in Omaha:
https://naminebraska.org/
To learn more and to sign up for the Kansas NAMI Walk in Topeka:
https://namikansas.org/

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Administration

Upcoming webinars to give
information on loan forgiveness

Two webinars about student loan forgiveness for people who pursue careers in public service are set for May 9 and 11, courtesy of Wespath Benefits and Investments. The U.S. Education Department started allowing people who work in faith-based organizations to get loan forgiveness last year.

Read press release
Register for May 9 webinar
Register for May 11 webinar

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UMMen 100 Club, NUMF offer 
legacy giving seminar May 12

 

The UMMen and NUMF would like to invite you to a luncheon workshop on faith and finances called “Leaving a Legacy: Planned Giving That Makes an Impact.” The event will take place on Thursday, May 12, at The Ball Room at Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland, Nebraska. An 11:30 a.m. fellowship with a complimentary lunch will precede the presentation beginning at noon.

The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation is here to help guide and support you in building the legacy you wish to contribute to others. We will assist in identifying ways to plan for the future and help you decide how to utilize your gifts to maximize their impact on others.
The seminar will be presented by Andrew M. Loudon of Ball, Loudon, Ebert, and Brostrom, LLC, and Kristine Roberts of NUMF.

Reserve your spot at www.numf.org/rsvp or by contacting Randy Fleming at 402-210-4885 or at auctioneer_32@msn.com or Kristine Roberts at 402-323-8844 or at kroberts@numf.org.

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Nebraska UM Foundation
announces scholarship programs 

The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation opened its scholarship season on April 1 with over $50,000 in scholarships available for undergraduate students, seminary students, and local pastors pursuing a career in church leadership:

  • The Seminary Scholarship Program has 24 seminary scholarships available.
  • The Course of Study Scholarship Program has seven scholarships available to individuals enrolled in a Course of Study program. Candidates must be a member of a Nebraska United Methodist Church and a Certified Candidate. They must also be available to be an appointed member of the Great Plains Area Conference with the intention of serving ministries approved by the Conference.
  • The Tither’s Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship and is available to students who will attend or are attending an accredited two- or four-year college or university in Iowa or Nebraska, or any UM affiliated and accredited institution of higher learning (post-secondary) education. Parents must have tithed for at least five consecutive years prior to which the scholarship would begin. The students and parents must be members of a United Methodist Church in Iowa or Nebraska. 

For more information on these scholarships, visit www.numf.org. The deadline is June 30, 2022.

The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation would like to acknowledge the generous gifts donors have made to make these scholarships possible. Thank you for being our partner in ministry. If you would like to talk to someone about how you can honor the memory of a loved one through a named scholarship or provide further financial assistance for a student, please call the Foundation at 877-495-5545. 

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Resources

Discipleship, peace and Mister
Rogers among featured subjects

This week’s sampler from the United Media Resource Center includes DVDs such as “Disciple’s Path: A Guide for United Methodists,” “Grow Together Now: Forgiveness, Peacemaking, Servant’s Heart” and “Missing Peace: Women of Faith and the Failure of War”; as well as book titles “Faith for the Next Generation,” “Christ in the Feast of Pentecost” and “The Mister Rogers Effect: 7 Secrets to Bringing out the Best in Yourself and Others from America’s Beloved Neighbor.”

See those and more here.

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Across the Connection

After 150 years,
still following to lead

Though the Juniata UMC in Central Nebraska has seen many changes over its 150 years, one constant remains.

“We’re all preaching the Gospel,” said the Rev. Kathy Uldrich, a 38-year congregation member who has served as pastor for the past three years. “Sometimes we use words. That’s who we are.”

Get an in-depth history of the church from this article in the Hastings Tribune.

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Harveyville pastor to
run for Kansas House

The Rev. James “Mic” McGuire, a retired elder currently serving as pastor of Harveyville UMC in central Kansas, has announced that he is running as a Democrat for the Kansas House 60th District seat currently held by Republican Mark Schreiber.

McGuire had previously served Hutchinson First, Overland Park Heritage, Kansas City Living Water, Emporia Grace, Prairie Village Asbury and Leavenworth Trinity UMCs.

Read more from KVOE Radio, Emporia.

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Refugee resettlement among
topics of UM Men meeting

Fifty-five men and women from the Prairie Rivers District United Methodist Men enjoyed dinner fellowship and program at Sutton Federated Church, hosted by their men’s group on April 25.

Read more here.

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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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