Click here for a printable version of the August 20 GPconnect.

In this edition of GPconnect:

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Great Plains business card order to be placed soon

EQUIP DISCIPLES
Ministry grants available in Nebraska
Bishop Jones coverage in Zimbabwe
Small Wonders Conference to be held in October
ABIDE preview coming in October
Mount Sequoyah announces interim executive director
Join UMM for Harvest for Hunger
Prayer retreat to be held Aug. 30 in Lincoln
Chapel Hill UMC senior director receives volunteer award
Horizons Stewardship Academy of Faith and Money launches website
United Methodist women in Lancaster County invited to join Bryan Health group

MERCY AND JUSTICE
Invitation to participate in the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel
Updates from Epworth Village
Touching peoples’ lives
Support Haitian scholarships
Social Justice Seed Money grants available

CLASSIFIED
Leawood UMC in need of organist/accompanist
Trinity UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska, seeks outreach coordinator
United Methodist Open Door, in Wichita, Kansas, seeking finance director
Organist needed at First UMC in Nebraska City
Nebraska First UMC looking for nursery worker
Stairlift for sale

Great Plains business card order to be placed soon

If you need additional Great Plains United Methodists branded cards or if you are in need of updated cards, contact Roxie Delisi at rdelisi@greatplainsumc.org. Please provide the information you would like on your card, including church or agency affiliation, address, phone numbers, fax, email, website, etc.

The Great Plains logo treatment retains the fonts from the Kansas Area and the watermark from the Nebraska logotypes and stationery treatments. The cost is approximately $35 or less for 500 cards, depending on the number of people who choose to purchase cards. Click here to see a sample card.

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Ministry grants available in Nebraska

Nebraska United Methodist churches are encouraged to apply for a Revitalization Grant or New Faith Community Grant from the Nebraska Area Foundation. The deadline is set for Sep. 30, 2014.

This is an opportunity for you to fund a project or ministry area for which you might not otherwise have funds. Keep in mind that the Great Plains Missional Priorities will be used as a guideline for determining qualification for a grant. Those priorities are:

• Enhancing the ministry of local churches through excellence in: Youth Ministry, Preaching and Worship, Engaging in the Community and Transforming Service to the World.
• New Church Starts – especially in areas of Hispanic Ministry, other ethnic communities and high population growth areas.
• Leadership Development as we credential clergy, develop strong spiritual leaders and build lay and clergy relationships.
• Strengthen our global partnerships with Haiti, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Applications for Revitalization or New Faith Community Grants are made through the annual conference. Download the requirements and application forms:

• Revitalization grant
• New Faith Community grant

Also available from the Nebraska Foundation are Ministry Grants, which may be used for missions, youth and camping, extension ministries, or other greatest needs. These grants likewise have an application deadline of Sept. 30, 2014. Application information is available at www.numf.org/churches/grants.html Ministry Grants are submitted directly to the Nebraska UM Foundation.

The Nebraska Area foundation will determine which grants are accepted by mid-fall.

Bishop Jones coverage in Zimbabwe

Editor's note: The Zimbabwe Episcopal Area provides the following report about Bishop Jones at the Ebenezer Convention in Zimbabwe.

From day one, [Bishop Jones] has never missed a second of the proceedings at the historic convention and whilst the church is celebrating 117 years and counting, he is counting priceless commodities of substance gained from his time in Zimbabwe.

Soaking in the atmosphere and feeling the vibe, his expression said it all as he summed up his feelings just before the procession on Saturday morning.

“We have told our people that conventions are a nice idea as they build spiritual power. This is the biggest convention that I have ever been to,” said Bishop Jones.

Having been accustomed to his native country America for long, he finds something unique about the way United Methodists in Zimbabwe express themselves through this Convention.

“I found that the joy of the Lord comes through worship and singing of the people. It is a blessing to feel God’s presence among so many people at the same time,” he said.
 
Read the full article on the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area’s website.

Small Wonders Conference to be held in October

The Small Wonders Conference is for laity and clergy from small congregations looking for resources and ideas for vital ministry. Sessions are intended to create an experience that will help you in your ministry setting.

The conference will be held Fri., Oct. 10, at 5 p.m., through Sat., Oct. 11, at 5 p.m., on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kan. Online registration will be available soon. The cost of $45 per person includes supper on Friday and lunch on Saturday.

If you want to create and sustain youth ministry; engage in Hispanic ministry in your community; work on unresolved conflict in your church; understand how your church can address mental health needs; or understand your community better for outreach, Small Wonders is for you.

View more information at Greatplainsumc.org/smallwonders.

Photo: Vacation Bible schools are evidence of small wonders at work.

ABIDE preview coming in October

If your church needs a booster shot of grace, energy and vitality ABIDE could be the perfect solution. Through prayer, study and spiritual formation your church will reenergize and revitalize for fruitful ministry.
 
Come to the ABIDE preview on Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to see if it will be a fit for you and your church. The preview will be in in Lincoln, Nebraska, and other sites as determined by geography of registrants.
 
Photo: Men from Mason Memorial UMC, in Kansas City, Kansas, help with VBS. Mason Memorial UMC is part of ABIDE this year.

Mount Sequoyah announces interim executive director

Lamar Pettus of Fayetteville, Arkansas, has been named interim executive director of Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center, also in Fayetteville. The last day of employment for the former CEO was July 31. Mr. Pettus, a member of Central UMC in Fayetteville has been a member of the board of trustees since 2008 and served as interim executive director for seven months in late 2011 and 2012. A search for an executive director will be conducted in the near future.
 
Mr. Pettus can be reached by phone at 479-443-4531 (office) or 479-530-4719 (cell) and by email at lamar.pettus@mountsequoyah.org. Please update all contacts lists.   

Join UMM for Harvest for Hunger

Groups and individuals of all ages are invited to join together in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday, Oct. 4, to engage in United Methodist Ministries’ (UMM) new, re-vamped day of service — Harvest for Hunger. This event takes the place of UMM’s annual Stand Up Against Poverty Day of Service, which is traditionally held in October. The aim of Harvest for Hunger is to highlight the role that all can play in creating more just food systems.

Harvest for Hunger is unique this year in that participants will focus exclusively on hunger and food systems. Also new this year, groups and individuals of all ages are encouraged to participate. Participants will receive extensive context in issues relating to hunger, poverty and food security before traveling to nearby farms to do field gleaning. The practice of gleaning, collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been harvested, dates back to biblical times. Gleaning also has modern applications, with increasing numbers of Americans having inadequate access to healthy foods. After gleaning the fields, participants will help prepare the produce for delivery to local food pantries.

In the event of rain, participants will engage in an in-depth indoor educational session devoted entirely to issues of hunger and poverty.

Harvest for Hunger will be held from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The cost to participate is $15 which includes lunch, transportation (to and from service sites) and a commemorative T-shirt. Hanscom Park UMC at 4444 Frances Street in Omaha, will be the host church for this event. Pre-registration is required. Registration deadline is Sept. 22. Each group should bring one adult for every five youth.

Go to UMM’s website or email info@bigmuddyumc.org for more information.

Prayer retreat to be held Aug. 30 in Lincoln

New Hope UMC in Lincoln, Neb., to host prayer retreat Come Away – to Pray. All are welcome to attend the retreat to be held on Aug. 30, from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the Worship (Warren UMC) campus at 1205 N 45th St., in Lincoln, Neb. Cost is $5. Sally Ruggia-Haden, pastor at New Hope UMC, will lead the retreat. This is an opportunity to enrich your spiritual life with some early and new prayer practices. To register, call 402-466-5238 or 402-467-6351. Please bring a sack lunch or place an order with Jimmy John’s. Pray always – pray all ways.

Chapel Hill UMC senior director receives volunteer award

Rick Eberhard, senior director for the Chapel Hill UMC in Wichita, Kansas, won the 2014 Bonnie Lynch Volunteer Award on Monday, Aug. 11, 2014 at the 9th Annual Safety for Seniors Day at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Wichita.

The Bonnie Lynch Volunteer Award is given to an individual who has displayed superior dedication and commitment to the plight of abused elders in our community and who lives life with the “Joy” that Bonnie found in it.
 
Rick Eberhard is a current member of the TRIAD Council under the leadership of the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas. TRIAD is a national community policing initiative wherein law enforcement professionals, seniors and community groups partner to meet the crime-safety needs of seniors. Rick has cancer, had one kidney removed earlier this year and other health issues he is currently dealing with.
 
Dr. Bonnie Lynch set an example of dedication and effort that led to the establishment of Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Dr. Lynch was a retired administrator and educator who found meaning in her life through the act of volunteerism. She also was a survivor of three episodes with breast cancer. She continued to work with the TRIAD Council until the last days of her life. In spite of her struggle with cancer she still presented elder abuse workshops throughout the state, repeatedly driving to places like Liberal, Hays, and Independence, Kansas, on the same day she received chemotherapy.

Bonnie’s dream was to establish a day to honor seniors and at the same time recognize the issue of senior abuse threatening their lives. She was committed to establishing the Elder Abuse Awareness Day and worked tirelessly to make it come true. On the day of the first Elder Abuse Awareness Day, she convinced her doctor to excuse her from the hospital for two hours, in order that she could attend. She passed away shortly after the event, but she was able to see Elder Abuse Awareness Day become a reality.

Bonnie lived life to its fullest, choosing to find the “Joy of Living”, even in the darkest days.

For more information about Rick Eberhard or the senior ministry at Chapel Hill UMC, call 316-744-1337 or email seniorministries@chapelhillwichita.org.

Horizons Stewardship Academy of Faith and Money launches website

The website www.horizonsacademyoffaithandmoney.com went live today. The goal for this website is to provide useful information to pastors, foundation heads, denominational leaders and laity who are interested in providing their leaders with some of the best practical and spiritual disciplines to lead their congregations in the area of financial stewardship.

View more information.

United Methodist women in Lancaster County invited to join Bryan Health group

The Woman's Board of Bryan Health, out of Lincoln, Nebraska, would like to extend an open invitation for membership to all Lancaster United Methodist Women to be a part of this great group of United Methodist Women. The Bryan Board began in the 1920's with their 'Purpose to support the hospital through prayer, inspiration materials (Upper Room) and scholarships to the School of Nursing'. There is an annual contribution of $30 per member.

Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday, September through May with a luncheon followed by a Bryan Hospital program. These meetings are hosted by and held at the various United Methodist Churches throughout Lincoln.

If you are interested in being a part of the Woman's Board of Bryan Health or would like further information please contact Margie Smith, president, at blanche2210@windstream.net.

Invitation to participate in the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel

The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) encourages local churches to be a part of the initiative from the World Council of Churches and the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum in celebrating the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel from Sep. 21 – 27, 2014. 

Resources to pray, educate and advocate are available on the GBCS website.

Updates from Epworth Village

Epworth Village to celebrate 125 years

Let the sun shine in and support Epworth Village. Attend the mission’s annual fundraiser and celebration of its 125 year legacy on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014 at First UMC in York, Nebraska.
 
“Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.”  ~ Ecclesiastics 11:7
 
View and download invitation.

Mission of Grace

Hastings Grace United Methodist rolls up sleeves

Members of Grace UMC, in Hastings, Nebraska, have been regular visitors to the Epworth Village campus recently. Their mission is the repair and cleaning of Stevens Cottage. Epworth thanks them for the donation of their time, talents and good old-fashioned elbow grease.
For information on volunteering contact Marcia Schlegelmilch at mschlegelmilch@epworthvillage.org or by calling 402-362-3353 ext. 1144.

Photos: Rich Reimer came prepared for a day’s work, repairing siding on the gable of Stevens Cottage at Epworth Village in York, Nebraska; Epworth Village employee Chara Bauld (at left) and Barb Jenkins of Hastings Grace UMC worked, scrubbing down the kitchen; and Vacuuming at Epworth Village is Roger Selley of Hastings Grace UMC. Selley has spearheaded the mission efforts of the church.
 

Epworth Village teacher builds upbeat message

Epworth Village Learning Center math teacher Tonia Nantkes has decorated her bulletin board with what she calls her EPBOOK posts.
Epworth Village Learning Center (EVLC) math teacher Tonia Nantkes is posting the positive in her classroom this year; using social media to enhance her students’ educational experience.

Nantkes uses the long line of upbeat messages to inspire and encourage youth. Messages like the one with a little girl pointing her finger and saying, “You are special … yes you, the one reading this.” Other favorites include; “The only limits you have are the limits you believe,” by Dr. Wayne Dyer and “Don’t judge people, you never know what kind of battle they are fighting.”

Each of the over-size sticky notes scattered along the top of Nantkes’ bulletin board have been laminated and gifted with a dot of Velcro. That’s so the teacher can change the line-up whenever she is inspired to do so.

“There are so many neat messages on Facebook, I just wanted to share them with the kids,” Nantkes states. “I interchange them like they change on social media. Everything I put up is positive.”

She calls her design her EPBOOK, for Epworth Village Book, her own classroom newsfeed.

With the new school year kicking into gear, students are welcomed each day by uplifting, thoughtful and funny words as Nantkes posts the positive.

Epworth Village, Inc., is a non-profit agency based in York, Nebraska. From its beginning as an orphanage in the 1880's, the mission of Epworth Village has been to bring hope and healing to children and families in the name of Christ.

Touching peoples’ lives

(JFON-NE) volunteer shares her 14 years of experience

Submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains Conference Peace with Justice coordinator

Over the years, Doris Peterson, a member of First UMC in Omaha, Nebraska, has been active in her local church in many ways and has held volunteer positions at the district, conference and jurisdictional levels. In addition, she got involved with Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON) almost from the beginning of its existence in Nebraska around the year 2000.

Peterson reflects on her years of service as a board member and a volunteer at the monthly legal clinics for immigrants held at Grace UMC, also in Omaha. “It has been the most significant thing I have ever done in the church. I never considered quitting,” said Peterson. “Touching peoples’ lives through this ministry, following God’s command to love and care for the most vulnerable persons among us is what this is all about.”

In 1999, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) started this ministry to help refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants after the passage of one of the harshest immigration laws in 1996. JFON provides legal help, education and advocacy for low-income immigrants. Soon after the launching of JFON on the national level, UMCOR helped start up a site in Nebraska and Iowa with legal clinics being held in Omaha, Sioux City and Des Moines. Funding came from both the Iowa and Nebraska Annual Conferences. Several years later, Iowa (IAJFON) and Nebraska (JFON-NE) each had their own sites.

Over all these years, the need for legal help for immigrants as well as advocacy for immigration reform has not decreased. For several weeks now, the news media has been reporting on the high number of unaccompanied minors arriving in the United States causing a variety of reactions from people.

"These children and their families are truly choosing between life and death when making the heartbreaking decision to leave their home country,” said Emiliano Lerda, JFON-NE’s executive director. “JFON has a moral responsibility to serve the most vulnerable among us, and unaccompanied children are one of our top priorities."

Lerda is thankful for all who are making it possible for JFON-NE to welcome the stranger among us as Jesus asked us to do. "With the help, support and guidance of our volunteers, staff, board members, and the United Methodist community, JFON-NE has been blessed to serve our newest and most vulnerable neighbors," he said. 

JFON-NE is one of the Great Plains Conference Mission Agencies and Conference Advances. JFON-NE asks for your prayers and financial support. To donate, go to www.jfon-ne.org or put a check in your offering plate, specifying JFON-NE, Conference Advance #721.

Read an article by C. Sol Cotto “Standing on the side of love - Movement gaining momentum to stop deportations.”

Support Haitian scholarships

Pastor Shirley and Joe Edgerton served on La Gonave Island in Haiti from 2007 to late 2009. One successful project that is on-going is the provision of scholarships to young adults from the island to university, vocational training and advanced high school programs.

Now is the time to pay tuitions for the coming semester. Support from Bishop's Round-Up Against Hunger and other sources have been reduced this year and the Advance Special account is does not have enough funds to pay all tuitions. Shirley’s recent blog has photos and information on the program and some of the students. Included is the Advance Special # and how to send to the sponsoring UMC.

Shirley will be attending the Partnership Summit in Port a Prince, with Kalaba Chali, Great Plains Mercy and Justice coordinator, and Sheryl Crooks, Haiti Task Force chairperson, the second week in September.

Social Justice Seed Money grants available

In the U.S. the average age of a homeless person is nine years old

The following was submitted by the Great Plains Mercy and Justice Team.

Homelessness, hunger, domestic abuse, violence and racism — we are confronted with so many issues at home and around the world. We often wonder what we can do as individuals when the problems seem so overwhelming. And yet Jesus asks us to do all we can in community with others to bring about God’s kingdom or kin-dom where all humans are able to live in dignity and security. Jesus encountered individuals and gave them what they needed. But he also challenged the status quo exposing the injustice in the society of his time, e.g. the oppression of women. As disciples of Christ, what can we do to challenge the status quo and make changes to our institutions, our laws that favor some over others? What can we do to show God’s overwhelming love for all?

The Rev. William Sloan Coffin says: “Had I but one wish for all the churches of America today, I think it would be that they come to see the difference between charity and justice. Charity is a matter of personal attributes; justice is a matter of public policy. Charity seeks to alleviate the worst effects of injustice; justice seeks to eliminate the causes of it. Charity in no way affects the status quo, which is why charity is so popular in middle-class churches, while justice leads inevitably to political confrontation.

The Great Plains Mercy and Justice Team wants to encourage local churches or groups within churches to engage in outreach ministries focusing on transforming justice. Small start-up grants are made available (up to $1,000). Possible projects could be to advocate for hunger relieving legislation while strengthening local food pantries or offering English as a Second Language classes while advocating for immigration reform.

The youth at First UMC in Omaha, Nebraska, have been participating in an activity called “Box City” for several years. Youth erect a card board city and spend one night in their cardboard houses. A few years ago, First UMC received Social Justice Seed Money for this event and included speakers to raise awareness regarding homelessness and possible legislative advocacy to work on root causes as well as immediate relief.

In Nebraska, 20,000 persons are homeless every night. A statistic focusing on children shows more than 5,000 children in Kansas experiencing homelessness each year — 2,000 of them under 6 years old. Housing is essential for the healthy growth and development of children. Yet housing costs are often higher than low-income wages and public assistance programs can support.

Advocating for a living wage so that hard working people are able to support their families is one way to reduce homelessness.

Watch a video posted by Rethink Church.

Other examples of Social Justice Seed Money outreach ministries were featured in articles in GPconnect. View the article, Social Justice Seed Money grant making a difference in lives of children of Bradshaw (Bradshaw Community Library), in the June 25, 2014, edition of GPconnect. View the article, Mercy and Justice Team offers Social Justice Seed Money grants (The Amigo Project), in the July 23, 2014, edition of GPconnect.  

Application deadline is Sept. 30, 2014.

Photos - Box City at First UMC in Omaha, Nebraska, an event where youth sleep in cardboard boxes to engage with the issue of homelessness.

Leawood UMC in need of organist/accompanist

Leawood UMC, in Leawood, Kansas, is seeking a part-time organist/accompanist to join their worship arts ministry team. Leawood UMC is a joyful community seeking to make God's transforming love real for themselves and others. The worship services utilize a variety of different musical styles and traditions. The organist/accompanist responsibilities include playing Sunday worship services, Chancel Choir rehearsals and special occasional services. The position may also include additional hours for direction and rehearsal of the Handbell Ensemble. Find the full job description at www.leawoodumc.org/#/job-opportunities. Contact Melanie Melcher Cuthbertson, director of worship arts at worshiparts@leawoodumc.org or 913-648-2131 to apply.

Trinity UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska, seeks outreach coordinator

Trinity UMC is currently seeking a dynamic and visionary individual to lead outreach ministries.

The outreach coordinator will develop and lead the congregation in relational outreach and mission ministries that connect with those outside our congregation. The position will direct the care of guests from their initial contact through their engagement as active members in the life of the congregation, providing small group opportunities and other experiences through which they can deepen their understanding and practice of their faith. The coordinator will develop and nurture a volunteer team of leaders that is instrumental in implementation the ministry. This position is a part-time (20 hour a week) position that requires flexible hours, including occasional weeknights and Sunday mornings.
 
Read full job description.
 
If interested, email cover letter, resume and three professional references to bette@trinitylincoln.org.

United Methodist Open Door, in Wichita, seeking finance director

The United Methodist Open Door, Inc., in Wichita, Kansas, currently has an opening for a finance director. This position requires a four-yearr college degree, with a major in accounting or related subject. It is preferred that the candidate has experience with  GAAP; AR; AP; PR; GL; bank reconciliation; depreciation schedule; financial statement preparation; budget preparation and process; tax preparation and reporting; audit preparation; grant writing and management; Abila MIP accounting software; and MS Office including Excel and MS Word. The candidate must also have strong attention to details and be self-directed.  If interested, send resume to the United Methodist Open Door, Inc., P.O. Box 2756, Wichita, KS. 67201-2756. Atten: Deann Smith. You can also email Deann at dsmith@umopendoor.org.

Organist needed at First UMC in Nebraska City

Nebraska City First UMC, in Nebraska, is looking to hire a church organist. This position will play alternating Sundays and Wednesday and accompany the choir. Other duties as assigned.

If interested, please call 402-873-3821 for more info and to apply.

Nebraska City First UMC looking for nursery worker

First UMC, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, is seeking a reliable, energetic nursery worker during Sunday worship services from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during September through May and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. through the summer months. The individual would be responsible for children five years old and under. Must be 18 years old and obtain a Safe Gathering certification.

If interested, please send a letter of introduction and resume to First UMC, 1023 1st Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410, Attn: Ereline Clements.

Stairlift for sale

Editorial Policy: The content, news, events and announcement information distributed in GPconnect is not sponsored or endorsed by the Great Plains Methodist Conference unless specifically stated.

Want to submit a letter to the editor? Email Kathryn Witte at kwitte@greatplainsumc.org

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