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ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Online business meeting tonight to kick off conference
A week from today, the Great Plains Conference returns to La Vista
Parking Lot Party set for Thursday night adjacent to venue
Foundations holding fundraising event for UMM 100 Club Wednesday
Clergy, laity invited to gather for fellowship on first night of conference
Celebration Dinner set for June 8 in Omaha
Make this an eco-friendly annual conference with these tips
No weekly GPconnect next week, but four daily editions
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
New round of capital grants opens this week; deadline June 30
New Olson Lodge points to future of Camp Fontanelle
Pastor brings labyrinth to Fort Scott, landing in former grocery store lot
Remembering Carlton 'Sam' Young, United Methodists' music maestro
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Petitions open for 2024 GC; updated logo for Charlotte revealed
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Openings still available for both weeks of sermon planning retreat
Clergy invited to consider reflective supervision
Renewal Grant applications for 2024 are now available
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Get help in planning kids ministry for this fall with online session July 8
Registration open for 2023 Leadership Institute at Resurrection
UMY Institute returns from June 26 to July 1 at Baker U
RESOURCES
Books for parents, caregivers available from media center
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Deadline extended to June 30 for African American history grants
In other news
Newsletters
Classifieds
Annual Conference
Online business meeting
tonight to kick off conference
A week before clergy and members of the Great Plains Annual Conference meets in an in-person session in La Vista, Nebraska, they will gather online tonight for a business session that includes voting on the disaffiliation of 158 churches.
“A number of the largely technical items can just be considered quickly with members voting from the comfort of their own homes,” Scott Brewer, director of administration and interim chief of staff, said recently. “That gives us time for more generative content and conversations when we meet face-to-face.”
The online session, at 7 p.m., will include approving the disaffiliation of churches that have decided to leave the denomination.
Those churches are:
KANSAS
Dodge City District: Burdett, Copeland, Deerfield, Elkhart, Greensburg, Hugoton, Jetmore, Kismet, Lakin, Lydia, Offerle, Plains, Richfield, Rolla, Satanta
Five Rivers District: Baldwin City Vinland, Blue Mound, Burlington, Fulton, Kincaid Selma, Olpe Ebenezer, Paola Plum Creek
Flint Hills District: Cottonwood Falls, Dwight, Leonardville, Madison, Marysville, Oketo, Randolph, Swede Creek
Hays District: Agra, Amherst, Arnold, Bazine, Brewster, Downs Rose Valley, Grainfield, Healy, Kanorado, Kirwin, Long Island, Lucas, Luray, McCracken, Natoma, Natoma Pleasant Plains, Ness City, Quinter, Ransom, Russell Otterbein, Sharon Springs, Stockton, Utica
Hutchinson District: Bushton Salem, Ellsworth, Kanopolis
Kansas City District: Leavenworth Fairmount, Overland Park Central Korean
Parsons District: Caney, Cherryvale, Howard, Liberty
Salina District: Alida, Beloit, Burr Oak, Cawker City, Concordia Huscher, Glasco, Glen Elder, Green, Gypsum, Ionia, Jewell Trinity, Miltonvale, Republic, Wakefield, Webber
Topeka District: Cottonwood Falls Camp Creek, Denton, Effingham, Lancaster, Leona Bellevue, Mayetta Potawatomi, Oneida, Robinson Zion, Sabetha, Topeka New Hope
Wichita East District: Oxford, Tisdale
Wichita West District: Coats Glendale, Iuka, Medicine Lodge, Norwich, Sawyer, Wellington, Wichita New Covenant
NEBRASKA
Blue River District: Daykin, Endicott, Fairbury, Raymond
Elkhorn Valley District: Atkinson, Bartlett, Bassett, Laurel, Looking Glass, Newman Grove, Newport Jamison, O’Neill, Springview
Gateway District: Ansley, Banner, Bartley Kemper Memorial, Bertrand, Burwell, Callaway Morning Star, Cambridge, Elwood, Eustis, Farnam, Holdrege, Huntley, Taylor Calvary
Great West District: Benkelman, Chappell, Clinton, Cody Hunt’s Chapel, Curtis, Curtis Garden Prairie, Elsie, Imperial, Lewellen, Lodgepole, Max, Maywood, McCook Memorial, Mullen, Oshkosh, Tryon Community, Wallace, Wuaneta
Missouri River District: Louisville, Omaha Living Faith, Omaha Water’s Edge, Rulo Trinity
Prairie Rivers District: Benedict, Chester, Exeter, Giltner, Hebron, McCool Junction, Monroe, Phillips, Silver Creek, St. Edward, Trumbull
Fourteen church closings also will be voted upon:
Kansas: Burchfiel, Holcomb, Lenora, Mount Hope, Peru, Roeland Park, Virgil
Nebraska: Burchard, Hollinger, Hooper Faith, Logan Center, Madrid, Melbeta, Pender
The conference also is asked to consider a 3% raise for pastors as recommended by the Personnel Committee.
The minimum compensation for 2024 would be:
- Full elders and deacons -- $50,039
- Provisional elders and deacons -- $47,327
- Associate members -- $44,615
- Licensed local pastors -- $41,903
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A week from today, the Great Plains Conference returns to La Vista
Following tonight's online business session to vote on disaffiliations and closings, with an online clergy session scheduled for June 5, the in-person sessions of annual conference are June 7-10 at the La Vista Convention Center in La Vista, Nebraska.
The conference begins with a service of commemoration and communion at 3 p.m. June 7, followed by the laity session. Addresses by Bishop David Wilson and conference lay leader Lisa Maupin and recognition of retirees on June 8, and reports from connectional ministries and the service of ordination and commissioning on June 9. The budget is scheduled to be approved on June 10.
Download the annual conference workbook here.
Download the addendum, updated last week.
From earlier: AC a chance to look back, forward
Watch orientation video featuring conference lay leadership team.
For all information about the annual conference session, visit greatplainsumc.org/annualconference.
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Parking Lot Party set for
Thursday night adjacent to venue
The Congregational Excellence team is hosting a Party in the Parking Lot, from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the Cabela’s parking lot, adjacent to the La Vista Conference Center.
Food trucks from 402 BBQ and The Modern Waffle will be at the party. Their menus are available through QR codes here.
Music and games will also be a part of the party.
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Foundations holding fundraising
event for UMM 100 Club Wednesday
 
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation and Kansas Methodist Foundation will present "Leaving a Legacy: Planned Giving That Makes an Impact" from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at Papillion St. Paul's UMC, as a fundraiser for the United Methodist Men 100 Club.
Get more information and register here.
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Clergy, laity invited to gather for
fellowship on first night of conference
In celebration of our clergy's gifts and ministry, you are invited to our first Great Plains Annual Conference “Clergy Party.” The Party will be held on Wednesday, June 7 from 4:45-5:45 p.m. in Dapper Rooms I, II, and III at the convention center.
Come and mingle with your clergy friends, meet our candidates for commissioning and ordination, gather with our retirees, enjoy refreshments, win prizes, and simply relax and have fun. It will be a great time of reconnecting and community building with clergy colleagues across our conference. We hope to see you!
While the clergy enjoy a time of fellowship, lay members are invited to participate in the laity session, which will include a celebration of ministry and discussion with leaders of the Great Plains Conference.
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Celebration Dinner
set for June 8 in Omaha
Black Methodists for Church Renewal will have its annual conference Celebration Dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at TRI Community UMC, 6001 Fontanelle Blvd., Omaha.
The cost is $25 adults, $15 youth and $10 children and the reservation deadline is June 1.
Register at this link. For more information, contact the Rev. Andrew Finch at 402-968-8197.
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Make this an eco-friendly
annual conference with these tips
If you are heading to annual conference in June, the Great Plains Creation Justice Team wants you to consider the following tips to make your experience eco-friendly!
1. Think Before You Print
Before you print out all of the conference journal, consider which pages you actually need printed. Or considering downloading a PDF version ahead of time.
2. Carpool
If you’re driving to La Vista, find others in your area who are also driving to the conference. When in La Vista, carpool to dinner or other events.
3. Bring Reusable Items
Be sure to pack your own water bottle and coffee cup, to avoid using single use plastics and cups.
4. Recycle
Place any paper, water bottles or other recyclable items into recycling bins instead of trash.
5. Be Mindful about Food Waste
If you sign up for a catered meal, be sure to show up so your food doesn’t go to waste. Also, bring a reusable container for leftovers.
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No weekly GPconnect next
week, but four daily editions
Your weekly GPconnect email won't be appearing in your inboxes next week, but you can look forward to daily updates from the annual conference session from Wednesday through Saturday, including recaps of the day and previews of what's happening next.
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This Week's News
New round of capital grants
opens this week; deadline June 30
On the floor of last year's Great Plains Annual Conference session, a motion to allow churches to apply for matching grants for capital improvements from the conference was approved.
Application for a new round of grants opens this week, available until June 30.
Scott Brewer, director of administration and interim chief of staff for the conference, said 13 churches were selected last year out of about 90 applications.
“What really touched me was that for a lot of churches what they said was ‘This is really what gets us over the line,’” Brewer said. “It was really an honor and a privilege to get to be able to provide that sort of partnership and support and celebrate with folks as they get these projects underway.”
Here is the registration form.
Read more here.
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New Olson Lodge points to
future of Camp Fontanelle
The new Olson Lodge at Camp Fontanelle paves the way for its future, leaders say.
“The biggest thing is that it shows growth and it shows parents of campers that we’ve heard them and we are creating a space that they can look at it as a safe space that kids will have all the amenities that parents want them to have in this day and age, but still have the options of going for a night outdoors and being out in this space,” said Ryan Siver, site director. “Every parent who has come has been thrilled with where their kids are going to stay.”
A ribbon cutting for the new, 11,000-square-foot lodge took place last week.
Read more and see a photo gallery.
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Pastor brings labyrinth to Fort Scott,
landing in former grocery store lot
When the Rev. Christopher Eshelman began his appointment at Fort Scott First UMC nearly two years ago, one of his first thoughts was "Where can I build a labyrinth?"
A longtime devotee of the spiritual practice, Eshelman found the answer in a vacant lot next to his parsonage, on land from a former grocery store, that was owned by the Presbyterian church across the street.
The labyrinth was dedicated Sunday, but is already in use.
“We’ve got a bunch of people, especially in this area of town, who come through here for their walk and this is part of their walk now,” he said. “I don’t know if they have any particular vocabulary of spirituality, but they’re engaging. And I trust God’s grace does things when we engage.”
Read more and see a photo gallery here.
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Remembering Carlton 'Sam' Young, United Methodists' music maestro
The Rev. Carlton R. “Sam” Young is best known as the editor of The United Methodist Hymnal, but his contributions to church music and the denomination went well beyond that. Young died May 21 at age 97 and was working until almost the very end.
Read more from United Methodist News Service.
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General Conference
Petitions open for 2024 GC;
updated logo for Charlotte revealed
The window for petition submissions for the 2024 General Conference was opened was opened last week, at the conclusion of the meeting of the Commission on General Conference.
Petitions must be received by mail, email or via the official online General Conference 2024 Petition Submission Form by the Petitions Secretary no later than 11:59 p.m. CT, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. Instructions for preparing petitions can be found at: bit.ly/GC2024petitionform.
Sara Hotchkiss, Business Manager of the General Conference, noted that “there are a lot of details and moving pieces associated with our General Conference gatherings. But we want the members to know that we’re doing the due diligence to facilitate a successful and productive event.”
A new logo, updated with the skyline of Charlotte, North Carolina, replacing the skyline of Minneapolis, the proposed site of the 2020 General Conference, was revealed.
The 2024 General Conference is from April 23 to May 3.
Read more here.
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Clergy Excellence
Openings still available for both
weeks of sermon planning retreat
In response to the excellent registration for the clergy retreat A Time Apart, an additional week has been scheduled from 5 p.m. Monday, July 24 to 3 p.m. Friday, July 28, also being held at the Saint Benedict Center in Schuyler, Nebraska. The cost is $200. Registration for the previously announced week of July 30 to Aug. 3 is full, but if you’d like to be included in a wait list, contact Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org.
Participants may arrive early or stay for a longer time by making arrangements directly with the retreat center.
Each week pastors face the humbling and awesome task of preparing a sermon and worship that touches the lives of worshippers in our congregations. Our perplexing and difficult times call for authentic worship and preaching where people can encounter Christ. Yet, the daily demands of ministry often keep us from having as much time as we would like for sermon and worship preparation, and especially for long range sermon and worship planning. Taking time apart, like Jesus, gives us the opportunity to root our planning in prayer and to open ourselves to the directions of the Spirit.
The retreat leader is Rev. Dr. Theresa Mason, a retired Great Plains Elder and a visiting instructor at United Theological Seminary.
Learn more and register here.
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Clergy invited to consider
reflective supervision
There’s a set-apart space waiting for clergy where you can regularly step out of the flow to catch your breath, reflect on and strategize around some aspect of your work as a minister and its impact on you and those with whom you work. It’s called reflective pastoral supervision. This is supervision, not in the sense of your being evaluated, but as a conference provided place of support and accountability for your development, safety, and well-being, and that of those with whom you work.
Every six to eight weeks you’ll meet with a person trained to help you reflect on an issue that you bring from your ministry on which you’d value some help in exploring.
Read more here.
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Renewal Grant applications
for 2024 are now available
The Office of Clergy Excellence announces the fourth round of Clergy Renewal Leave Grants for grants to be distributed in 2024. Clergy renewal leave is one way that the Great Plains Conference invests in developing, equipping, and empowering today’s leaders for the church of tomorrow. Is God calling you into an extended season of attentiveness to your own soul so that you might be faithful to the work that Christ is calling you to in your congregation(s) and community? Consider whether a Renewal Leave or Clergy Wellbeing Mini-Grant might be a resource for you. And read more about Clergy Faith and Wellness here.
Renewal Leave is a period of time (usually about 12 weeks) that is granted by one’s local church for pastors to take an extended length of time to take a respite from the normal pastoral ministries for the purpose of renewing one’s vision, restoring one’s soul, and refocusing for the season of ministry and life ahead. The Clergy Renewal Grants are up to $3,000 and are available for full or associate members of the Great Plains Conference or local pastors who have completed course of study who have served at least six consecutive years under appointment. Past grant recipients have used the funds to cover pulpit supply while they’re away or travel or program expenses for a program of their own design for their season of renewal.
The process of applying for the Renewal Leave grant is one that includes approval from the District Superintendent and one’s local church. The inquiry form that helps us identify if you’re eligible for the grant will be available on May 10. After your eligibility is confirmed, pastors are encouraged to begin creating a proposal for coverage of ministry responsibilities and plans for renewal during the time away. All Renewal Leave plans must be jointly approved by the District Superintendent and PPRC/Administrative Board of the church/charge.
Grant applications for 2024 will be received through August 1, 2023, and applicants can expect to hear by September 1 about the status of their application. Late applications received after Aug. 1 deadline will be considered on a rolling basis while funds are still available.
You can read more about Renewal Grants (including FAQ’s) at our website and hear from some past grant recipients here.
All clergy serving under appointment in the Great Plains UMC are eligible for a Clergy Wellbeing Mini-Grant, up to $400 (to be used in 2023 and 2024). The next grant cycle will open July 1 and will be open through Nov. 1. Learn more here.
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Equipping Disciples
Get help in planning your kids ministry for this fall with online session July 8
Great Plains children’s ministry volunteers, staff and pastors are invited to join in dreaming about kicking off the 2023-2024 school year in a Zoom session from 9-10:30 a.m. CT Saturday, July 8.
Register here: https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/FallPlanning202378.
Leaders across Nebraska and Kansas will be gathering to discuss how we can continue to impact the kids in our churches and in our communities. Choose from breakout sessions including:
Session 1 choices:
- Creative Arts Academy – How we used the gifts of the people in our church to reach the children in our community!
- Where it Begins – How do you find curriculum to help grow your kids’ faith? Once you have curriculum in hand, how do you know it will meet their needs? Join Ashley Prescott Barlow-Thompson in a conversation about picking, assessing, and applying curriculum to your education opportunities for kids.
- Help Needed! – Good volunteers make ministry a joy! Learn how to train, recruit and appreciate those who are working with your kids.
Session 2 choices:
- Kids in Worship – How can kids be incorporated into the worship life of your congregation? In this breakout session we’ll talk about some of the best practices for including children in worship.
- High Holy Days – Teaching kids about Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and more!
- Mini Story Learning -- As a culture centered on literacy, the oral tradition of the Bible is often overlooked. Embodied storytelling is an oral tradition. It is great for use anytime, but especially on Wednesday nights to give kids a different style of learning than they receive at school.
If you need more information, contact one of the Regional Coordinators organizing the event: Rebecca Hjelle rhjelle@greatplainsumc.org, Ashley Prescott Barlow-Thompson apbarlow@gmail.com or Derek Steinacher derek@horizonschurch.org.
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Registration open for 2023
Leadership Institute at Resurrection
Resurrection, a United Methodist Church's Ignite: Leadership Institute 2023 registration is LIVE and it's time to start planning your trip to the Leawood campus this fall. Clear your calendar for Sept. 27-29 because we have an incredible experience planned for you.
Is this conference for you?
Well, ask yourself these questions:
- Are you a clergy member, staff person, lay leader or volunteer?
- Are you committed to helping your church do everything you can to impact your community by sharing God's love?
- Do you like connecting with people around the world who share your passion?
- Are you reading this?!
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then YES - Leadership Institute is for you!
What's next? Click the link below and register before July 15 to lock in the lowest price. leadership.sharechurch.com.
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UMY Institute returns from
June 26 to July 1 at Baker U
UMY Institute will meet this summer on the Baker University campus the week of June 26 to July 1. This will be our second summer in-person post-pandemic. Institute is a week-long event focusing on faith formation and spiritual growth. Our theme for this summer is "Fruit Full Faith." Youth who have completed the 8th grade through those who graduate from high school this May are eligible to attend.
At UMY Institute youth have the opportunity to experience powerful worship daily, grow in their faith through awesome small groups, and have the opportunity to lead their peers. Young people have been gathering on the Baker University campus for UMY Institute for over 100 years. It is a grand tradition of Kansas Methodism. Young people can register for the week of UMY Institute on the Camp Chippewa website, www.campchippewa.org.
Institute really is a life-changing week. As the Community Life Coordinator for this summer, I look forward to meeting youth from your faith community at UMY Institute this summer! As always if you have questions about the week, or about scholarship opportunities do not hesitate to reach out to me.
-- Rev. Kurt Cooper, UMY Institute
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Resources
Books for parents, caregivers
available from media center
School's out for summer in most if not all of the Great Plains, and books for parents and other caregivers of children are available from United Media Resource Center.
Titles include "<18> Faith for the Next Generation" by Bob Lenz, Rich Melheim and Jenica Halula; "100 Things Every Child Should Know Before Confirmation: A Guide for Parents and Youth Leaders" by Rebecca Kirkpatrick; and "Born to be a Blessing: A Parent's Guide to Raising Christian Children" by Myrtle Felkner.
Find those and more here.
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Across the Connection
Deadline extended to June 30
for African American history grants
The African American Methodist Heritage Center, Inc. (AAMHC) is now accepting applications for the Bishop Forrest C. Stith Grant for preservation of the history of United Methodist African American congregations. The $5,000 award is named for retired Bishop Forrest C. Stith, the Center’s first president and current President Emeritus who retired from the Board in 2011.
How to apply: The successful candidate must submit an application in English to include the following:
- Biographical information
- A description of the project, including its significance, what resources will be used, and how it will be made available to the public, no more than 3 pages.
- A timeline for the project, including the expected date of completion.
- A budget.
- A description of how the results will be disseminated.
- Three letters of recommendation in English from persons who can attest to applicant’s ability to complete project.
Submitted proposals should be postmarked no later than June 30, 2023. Grant recipients will be announced and notified by July 31, 2023.
Submit materials electronically (preferred) to aamhc@aol.com, or Carol L. Travis, Executive Assistant, c/o AAMHC, 6501 Hillwood Dr., Riverdale, MD 20737.
More information is available at AAMHC-UMC.org.
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In other news
Newsletters
- Discipleship Ministries: Generous Living, June & July 2023
- NUMF, June 2023
- Ministry Matters, May 31, 2023
- Leading Ideas, May 31, 2023
- BeADisciple.com, June 2023
- Discipleship Ministries: Worship Planning, May 29, 2023
- Discipleship Ministries: Young People’s Ministry, May 2023
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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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