Download the Feb. 22 edition of GPconnect.

In this edition:

THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Bishop Wilson offering encouragement on Ash Wednesday
Pastor remembered for his ambition, energy, hopes for future
Bishop asks for donations to UMCOR for Turkey, Syria
A Super Bowl win for KC, Philly food banks
Hunger for God on display during Asbury revival in Kentucky
Amid budget woes, church sees slight rise in giving

ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 31 is deadline for submitting legislation for AC2023, June 7-10
Nominations for youth, young adult, person of color reps to AC open
Nominations committee seeking volunteers for 2023

CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Year's first Roots for Your Soul retreat scheduled for April 10-12
Clergy wellbeing mini-grants can be used for spiritual, emotional needs
Continuing education opportunities are available in the year ahead

EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Ministry innovation grants available from Great Plains Conference
Dare to dream at this year's Laity Summit
Nominations open for evangelism awards
UWF hosting session on nurturing your faith walk for Topeka District
Neighboring Movement is subject of next kid ministry webinar
Author Simon-Peter to make five stops in Great Plains in April, May

MERCY & JUSTICE 
Micah Corps looking for young adults with interest in social justice

DISASTER RESPONSE
Olathe Grace seeking physician, pharmacist for medical mission team

ADMINISTRATION
‘Screen Sanity’ is subject of PAUMCS spring workshop
Preparing for Your Future returns to live format April 25-26

RESOURCES
Easter DVDs for adults are available from resource center

ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Adam Hamilton interviews Bishop Wilson in video for COR
99-year-old recalls uniting General Conference of 1968
Fredonia UMC receives Chamber of Commerce award
In other news
Newsletters
Commentaries
Classifieds

 

Bishop Wilson offering
encouragement on Ash Wednesday

This Lenten season, Bishop David Wilson, along with some conference staff and members of the laity, are inviting the people of the Great Plains Conference and beyond to “Pay Attention to God’s Voice” during this season of Lent.

The theme for this first, short week is Repentance. Starting today, check out the daily devotions each day for a scripture from the daily lectionary, links to other scriptures set aside for that day, a prayer and a few thought-provoking questions meant to help enhance your experience during Lent.

This video on Ash Wednesday is the bishop's invitation to take part in this devotional faith practice during Lent.

Click here to subscribe to our daily devotions.

President of the Council of Bishops calls for United Methodists to reclaim, revive and renew our UMC.

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Pastor remembered for his
ambition, energy, hopes for future

Chris Nord is being remembered for his enthusiasm, his way of connecting with people of all ages, and his dreams of becoming an elder in The United Methodist Church.

Nord, who was serving as a local pastor at Rossville UMC after many years as a volunteer and staff member at Topeka Susanna Wesley UMC, was halfway through seminary at Saint Paul School of Theology.

He died unexpectedly last week leaving survivors including his wife of two months and 16- and 12-year-old daughters.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Susanna Wesley.

Read more here.
See his obituary.

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Bishop asks for donations
to UMCOR for Turkey, Syria

Bishop David Wilson has issued a plea to United Methodists in Kansas and Nebraska to donate funds to UMCOR -- United Methodist Committee On Relief -- to assist with aid efforts after another strong aftershock hit the already embattled region along the border of Turkey and Syria.

Read/download his letter here.

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A Super Bowl win for
KC, Philly food banks

A down-to-the-wire finish with Kansas City triumphing over Philadelphia.

That was the case with not only Super Bowl LVII with the Chiefs edging the Eagles, but with the nearby United Methodist conferences of both teams, gathering nonperishable items for food pantries in their areas.

The reality is both communities won. The final score?

The Kansas City side – the Great Plains and Missouri conferences — totaled 105,367 pounds (55,367 for the Great Plains, 50,000 for Missouri).

Eagles backers — the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences — totaled 74,560.

Read more and see Bishop Wilson’s video here.
Read coverage from Eastern Pa. Conference.
See coverage from KSNT, Topeka.

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Hunger for God on display
during Asbury revival in Kentucky

The revival at Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary has drawn considerable media coverage and large crowds, with United Methodists among those waiting in line to be part of worship services. This on-the-scene account from the Kentucky Conference includes comments from a United Methodist pastor who said the revival shows "people are hungry and thirsty for God."

The school announced that on-campus public services would end on Monday. But there will be additional services through today for high schoolers and young adults up to age 25. Revival services open to all are expected to shift to other locations in central Kentucky.

Read more here.

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Amid budget woes, church
sees slight rise in giving

Overall giving to support The United Methodist Church's denomination-wide ministries saw a small uptick in 2022 even in a time of rising church disaffiliations. However, worries remain — especially about the funding for bishops. 

Read more from United Methodist News Service.

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 Annual Conference

March 31 is deadline for submitting legislation for AC2023, June 7-10

For the purposes of the Great Plains Annual Conference, a resolution asks the Annual Conference to take a stand on a particular issue or to direct a body within the Conference to consider a specific action. A petition is passed on for consideration at General Conference, which takes place in May 2024.

Resolutions and petitions for consideration by the conference must originate from an individual or entity within the Great Plains Annual Conference. These may include, but are not limited to: congregations, groups within a congregation; individuals (both lay and clergy), district organizations, or conference boards and committees.  
 
Any action item to be considered by the conference must be presented as legislation. Action items referenced in committee reports will not be acted upon unless properly submitted as legislation before the conference.  
 
To be included in the conference workbook, resolutions and petitions must be submitted by March 31, 2023. Any items for action received after the deadline may be published on the conference website in a Workbook Addendum, subject to approval of the action team by the Sessions Planning Team. The Workbook Addendum shall be published at least one week prior to the opening of the Annual Conference Session, and these items must be received by the conference secretary no later than 21 days prior to the opening of the Annual Conference session. Any item submitted after 21 days prior to the Annual Conference session shall be prepared and distributed by the sponsoring person or agency at their own expense, following the procedure outlined in the Standing Rules of the conference.

Items should be submitted to the conference secretary at gpsecretary@greatplainsumc.org.

A guide to formatting resolutions may be found here. 

--  Lori Richey
Conference secretary

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Nominations for youth, young adult,
person of color reps to AC now open

Editor's note: Last week's entry on this subject contained outdated language.

Nominations for district lay representatives to Annual Conference are open now! Each district can elect three youth (12-18), two young adults (18-30), and one person of color (must be at least 12) to vote on behalf of their constituencies in their districts. To nominate, fill out the forms below:

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Nominations committee
seeking volunteers for 2023

The nominations committee is beginning its work for 2023 and we need people willing to volunteer to serve. Each year we need hundreds of volunteers to serve on Conference Committees. We always have more open laity volunteer positions to fill than we do for clergy volunteers, however we do need both clergy and laity volunteers. How is God calling you to serve in 2023? 

Individuals can either nominate themselves or nominate someone else. Pastors, do you have laity who would be excellent serving on a conference committee? Please nominate them to serve. We are working to be sure that we have diverse representation on our conference committees from all areas of the conference. The Nomination Form is online at https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/leadershipnomination.

Once the nomination form is received, the nominee will be emailed a survey to complete. It is important that the nominee completes the entire survey as soon as possible so we can better match nominee’s gifts with the needs of the committees. If you do a self-nomination, you will also need to complete the survey.

If you have questions about nominations, contact nominations chair Esther Hay at esther.hay@windstream.net.

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Clergy Excellence

Year's first Roots for Your Soul
retreat scheduled for April 10-12

Clergy, 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 a spiritual formation retreat planned just for you, clergy of the Great Plains Conference. The spring retreat is designed specifically for clergy to attend right after Easter, to do what you need to do. The only cost to you is $50 to reserve your spot for this 2-night, 3-day retreat. Space is limited, so please register early. Scholarships available. See the registration form for details.

Spring 2023 – Time for rest and renewal after Easter

  • April 10-12, 2023
    • Webster Conference Center, Salina
    • Collaborators: Rev. Doug Gahn, Rev. Anne Gahn, Rev. Shelly Petz
    • Click here to register for the Spring 2023 retreat by March 24

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Clergy wellbeing mini-grants can be
used for spiritual, emotional needs

The spring cycle of clergy wellbeing mini-grants are now open for applications. Mini-grants can be requested in this grant cycle through May 1. There will also be a fall cycle from Sept. 1 to Nov. 1.

The clergy wellbeing grants are available for clergy who are related to the Great Plains Conference as well as Certified Lay Ministers (CLMs) who are assigned to churches in the Great Plains Conference.  Clergy and CLMs are encouraged to customize a grant to give space, resources, and/or persons to help renew and recharge for your present season of ministry.  Areas of focus can include spiritual, emotional, mental, and/or physical wellbeing.

For more information click here: https://www.greatplainsumc.org/spiritual-self-care.

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Continuing education opportunities
are available in the year ahead

Clergy, don’t forget to check out the Great Plains Clergy Excellence Continuing Education events for the year ahead. They’re affordable, close-by or virtual, and will help you extend your continuing education budget. Some of the deadlines are approaching quickly and all of them have limited capacity. There are scholarships available for some of the retreats upon request.

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Equipping Disciples

Ministry innovation grants available
from Great Plains Conference

The New Church Development Board of the Great Plains Conference is offering grants to congregations interested in doing new things to reach new people in new places and ways. Grants are available in a variety of categories. Applications are due April 1. You can learn more about the opportunities and apply here: https://www.greatplainsumc.org/newchurchdevelopment

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Dare to dream at this
year's Laity Summit

One month away! Dare to dream, 2023!

Genesis 28 recounts Jacob’s dream. Jacob was summoned and blessed, to “Get up and Go to.” Jacob had to have an idea that the journey would be slow and difficult. There were probably many questions, mysteries, and obstacles along the way. As we read the narrative, there are promises of blessings and abundance as well. Can you relate to all the aforementioned?

Scripture states that Jacob “reached a certain place and spent the night there.” And Jacob dreamed! There are many lessons we can glean from Jacob’s life narrative. For this purpose, let’s land on a couple thoughts.
I invite you to view Laity Summit as a certain place to spend some time dreaming together! We are on a journey together! We have been called for a certain purpose!

Laity Summit will provide space to hear the summons to keep going! We will hear abundant testimonies of how God is working in and through the lives of those who are willing to take the risk to keep climbing. We will hear from and about the many resources available to us in the Great Plains Conference.

God has a vision, for each one of us, to help fulfill the Great Plains calling – Great Churches, Great Leaders, Great Disciples, Transformed world. Our LORD God, is “with us now.” In the Wesley Study Bible notes for Genesis 28:12 it says, “According to Wesley, the overall effect of the dream was to assure Jacob that he had both a good guide and a good guard.” My hope is that you hear the encouragement in that statement! Not only is God with us, but each person on the journey is with us as we seek to live out our calling as Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

As we prepare to meet together in the “sacred space” called Laity Summit on March 18, study and pray through “Jacob’s dream” narrative. Ask God to set a Dream deep in your heart! And hold on to verse 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” For, if you Dare to Dream, God will supply the passion to help fulfill the mission! We, together, join God’s work until all that He has promised is revealed! Keep inviting others to join us for Laity Summit – Dare to Dream 2023!

THANK YOU for taking time to join us as we Dream! Blessings of Grace and Holy Spirit Filled Enthusiasm

-- Jeanie Leeper
Conference director of Lay Servant Ministries

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Nominations open for
evangelism awards

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 2023 awards are due by May 1. Instructions and guidelines are on the form below:
Download the 2023 Nomination Form and specify whether you are nominating clergy, laity or youth.

Nomination forms in the Great Plains should be submitted to the Rev. Jeff Clinger, director of congregational excellence, at jclinger@greatplainsumc.org.

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UWF hosting session on nurturing
your faith walk for Topeka District

The purpose of the United Women in Faith “shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and become whole persons through Jesus Christ.”

There is more, but this is the focus of a new event.

The Topeka District of United Women in Faith has been working with Rev. Melinda Harwood and Rev. Sandy Vogel to design a one-day gathering to provide enriching ways to nurture your faith walk. There will be guided meditation, guided journal writing, chair yoga and cardmaking. It will be held at Topeka First UMC on March 11.

Registration is now open until March 3.

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Neighboring Movement is
subject of next kid ministry webinar

“Children’s Ministry and the Neighboring Movement” will be the subject of a Zoom webinar from 9-10:30 a.m. CT Saturday, March 25.

We all want to reach the kids not only in our church, but in our entire community! That's why we work hard to host VBSs and other special events. But what if your spring or summer included something brand new this year?

How can we be sure that the kids in our neighborhoods have a community of support of their own? Whether we are volunteers, part time staff, or working full time in Children's Ministry, we know that you have a passion for all the kids in your church AND the kids in your local community.

"Children's Ministry and the Neighboring Movement" is a 90-minute opportunity to explore the idea of how to introduce authentic gifts-focused community right in your own neighborhood. Join our Children's Ministry Regional Coordinators and special guests from the Neighboring Movement for a morning of learning, connecting, and collaborating.

Register here in advance and receive a care package.

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Author Simon-Peter to make five
stops in Great Plains in April, May

Author, speaker and Christian leadership expert Rebekah Simon-Peter will make five stops in the Great Plains Conference in April and May, discussing “Lessons From Pandemics Past.” Her most recent book, “Forging a New Path: Moving the Church Forward in a Post-Pandemic World,” was published last year.

Her tour schedule in the Great Plains:

  • North Platte, 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29
  • Columbus, Nebraska, 3 p.m. Sunday, April 30
  • Ottawa First UMC, 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2
  • McPherson, 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 3
  • Hays, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4

The McPherson stop will be livestreamed at
www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream.

Register at this link.

Simon-Peter also will be the keynote speaker for the fifth-annual Laity Summit, March 18.

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 Mercy & Justice

Micah Corps looking for young
adults with interest in social justice

We are so excited to begin recruitment for our 2023 Micah Corps summer internship.

We are looking for four to six young adults aged 18-24 who are interested in connecting their faith with social justice. The interns will spend their summer in Omaha, building relationships with churches and leaders in the community, learning about justice issues, and growing in their spiritual walk.

This internship is a paid, full-time opportunity which includes free housing, travel reimbursement, and travel and housing for a week-long justice immersion trip. You can find the application and more details at our website: https://www.greatplainsumc.org/micahcorps.

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis through mid-March. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Micah Corps Program Director, Rev. Maddie Johnson, at mmjohnson@greatplainsumc.org.

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Disaster Response

Olathe Grace seeking physician,
pharmacist for medical mission team

Olathe Grace UMC has a medical mission team going to serve the community of Tochimizolco, Puebla, Mexico, April 11-18. We are in need of one medical doctor and one pharmacist to join our team. 
Below is pertinent information about our medical mission trip:

  • April 11-18 to Puebla, Puebla Mexico
  • April 12 in Puebla completing supplies
  • April 13-16 in the village of Tochimizolco
  • April 17 a recuperation/sight-seeing day
  • April 18 travel to Mexico City and then to Kansas City

The team from Grace is met in Mexico City by a team from Dayspring UMC, Tempe, Arizona. Usually, the combination of the two teams is around 30 persons: doctors, nurses, dentists, support persons. We don't have an optometrist this year however we have in the past few years. We are joined by support people from the surrounding cities in the work. The team usually sees around 500 patients in two full days and two half days. Food is provided by the people of the church and is very good. They have been trained by community-based health workers to use safe cooking practices. Health workers will be there to teach basic health education and nutrition to patients waiting to be seen by the doctors. Worship and team fellowship are important aspects of the trip. The cost is $1,200 per person but may be offset by fundraising or scholarships.

-- Lois Waters, Olathe Grace
Loisdwaters@gmail.com

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Administration

‘Screen Sanity’ is subject of
PAUMCS spring workshop

“Screen Sanity” is the topic for the Great Plains PAUMCS, or Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Connectional Structure, spring workshop, March 28-29 at Salina Trinity UMC.

Here’s the registration form for the workshop.

A membership form is available here. For more information, email greatplainspaumcs@gmail.com.

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Preparing for Your Future
returns to live format April 25-26

Preparing for Your Future, an informational meeting for clergy and their spouses, will return to a live format, April 25-26 at Salina Trinity UMC.

The morning session April 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is for clergy not planning to retire in the next five years. They will gain prospective on planning for retirement, financial wellness, and dissolving debt during the three-hour presentation.

The afternoon session, from 2-5 p.m., is for clergy planning to retire from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2028 and will include sessions on estate planning, Social Security, and retirement and Medicare.

The April 26 presentation, from 9-11 a.m., will be on pension and making retirement selections.

Lunch and dinner will be provided April 25. Hotel accommodations for the night of April 25 will be provided by the board of pensions. Breakfast will be provided by the hotel at no cost on April 26.

More information and registration are available here.

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Resources

Easter DVDs for adults are
available from resource center

Want to fill the gaps in your schedule for the rest of the Lenten season? The United Media Resource Center has non-study DVDs available to help that need.

Included are "Christ in the Passover," "Drive-Thru History: Jerusalem to Calvary," "Path to the Cross" and "True Easter Story: The Promise Kept."

Find those and more here.

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Across the Connection

Adam Hamilton interviews
Bishop Wilson in video for COR

The Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, interviewed Bishop David Wilson in a video for Hamilton's Tuesday night Vespers at COR. Hamilton and many of the church members are currently visiting the Holy Land.

The wide-ranging, 50-minute interview can be found here (Vimeo) and here (YouTube).

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99-year-old recalls uniting
General Conference of 1968

Melvin Schlender, a member of Wichita Pleasant Valley UMC, was a voting member of the 1968 Uniting General Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Schlender, who turns 100 in July, talks about his experience with the church and the uniting conference with Rev. Dr. Kalaba Chali, Pleasant Valley pastor.

Watch here.

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Fredonia UMC receives
Chamber of Commerce award

Fredonia UMC received an award for its work and ministry in the community from the Fredonia Chamber of Commerce on Saturday night as part of its Mardi Gras celebration.

Rev. Dr. Alice Purvis, the church’s pastor, shows the award.

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In other news

Newsletters

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Commentaries

  • What does Black history mean to white people?: The current hostility to critical race theory reflects the resistance to embracing Black history as part of the collective history of Americans, writes Emily Jones on the Red Letter Christians website. Jones is executive for racial justice at United Women of Faith. "Few of us enjoy sitting with uncomfortable truths," she says. Jones encourages white learners to engage in deeper understanding and action during Black History Month and beyond.
  • Managing the fast pace of change: As a young pastor in a new appointment, the Rev. Steven Morton was once scolded by his staff-parish relations committee, "Slow down! You’re exhausting us." Now, he reflects on the debilitating level of constant change in local churches and the need for pastors to slow down.

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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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