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THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Podcast series shares stories of civil rights immersion
Bishop, others walking where Apostle Paul did in Greece
Deadline set for March 15 to submit legislation for annual conference
Retired, active clergy invited to Butler Bass online workshop
A dynasty of caring: KC side wins another Sacking Hunger Challenge
Medicaid expansion dominates discussion at this year's Kansas LEAF
Northwest Kansas church opens its doors to junior, senior high after fire
Registration open for annual Laity Summit, set for March 10 online
United Methodists nationwide are embracing Amy-Jill Levine
GENERAL CONFERENCE
WCA, Good News plan on lobbying in Charlotte
GC2024 welcome site updated for delegates, visitors to Charlotte
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
New resources available for clergy, congregations in pastoral transition
Spiritual renewal retreat for clergy scheduled for the week after Easter
Matching internship grants are open for kids, youth, pastoral ministry
Duke Divinity School offering study leave for ministry professionals
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Laity invited to Academy for Spiritual Formation; deadline is March 15
Early deadline for Resurrection's Art of Hospitality Conference is Friday
National Care Ministry Webinar is this weekend; still time to sign up
Share your thoughts through Daily Devotions; sign up through June
MERCY & JUSTICE
Need an explanation of what’s going on in Holy Land?
Second video from Wichita District on Unity in Diversity is now available
Ideas on food insecurity in Kansas? Health foundation wants them
ADMINISTRATION
March 19 is deadline to register for event all stages of ministry
Nebraska UM Foundation has three grant opportunities
RESOURCES
DVD studies available from Robb, Hamilton, Terkeurst
UMCOR Sunday is March 10; materials available to promote offering
UMCom seeking volunteers for ethnic leadership panels
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Lincoln Saint Paul UMC to host First Nations Festival
In other news
Newsletters
Classifieds
Podcast series shares
stories of civil rights immersion
As part of the Great Plains Conference’s celebration of Black History Month, the latest three-episode series of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast features reflections from pastors and laity from Kansas and Nebraska who took part in a civil rights immersion journey to Alabama last summer.
Over the course of four days, the group lived the history of Alabama. Todd Seifert, communications director in the Great Plains, interviewed some of the participants from that journey. The group spent much of its time in Montgomery, viewing such historic sites as Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King served and the Legacy Museum, a mission of the Equal Justice Initiative that uses the latest in technology to help tell the story of racism — from kidnappings in the African continent to the often-deadly voyage to North America to the brutality of slavery. It also explains the injustice of Jim Crow laws and addresses the modern-day inequity of mass incarceration.
The group walked the famous bridge in Selma and traveled to Birmingham to visit the 16th Street Baptist Church, where four girls were killed by a bomb.
All three episodes are available for download:
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Bishop, others walking where
Apostle Paul did in Greece
A group from the Great Plains Conference is leaving this week for a trip to Greece to visit sites traditionally recognized as places where the Apostle Paul spent time on his missionary journeys.
Bishop David Wilson is leading the trip, which was open to all people but involved special invitations to recent ordinands.
The group will visit Thessaloniki, Corinth and Athens, among other locations.
Watch the Great Plains Conference’s website and Facebook page for news from their journey beginning today and continuing through March 1.
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Deadline set for March 15 to submit
legislation for annual conference
Instructions for submitting resolutions and petitions for the Great Plains Annual Conference session this summer are available for review at www.greatplainsumc.org/annualconference.
The website page includes details about submissions, including instructions on how to structure your proposed legislation.
The deadline for submissions has been set for March 15. That will allow for the proposals to be included in the workbook that is published prior to the annual conference session, which is scheduled for June 6-9 in Kearney.
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Retired, active clergy invited
to Butler Bass online workshop
Renowned author Diana Butler Bass will be the featured speaker at the annual online learning event sponsored by the Great Plains Association of Retired Clergy and Spouses (GPARCS).
Registration is open now for the March 12 event with the theme of "Perceived Possibilities." Bass will share thoughts on the focused verse of Isaiah 43:19 and how the church — particularly mainline Protestant congregations — have license to try new things in the fast-changing world around them. She also will talk about how openly discussing politics can be a way of addressing the needs of young adults related to their spirituality and how imagination is important in ministry.
She will address what she calls the "deep spiritual structure" today, as well as the Three B's of Faith: Believing, belonging and behaving.
This online event is open to all retired and active clergy.
The cost is $20 per person or $30 for a group. Groups may join from anywhere, but gathering locations are planned for Hutchinson, Lenexa, Manhattan and Wichita in Kansas, as well as Lincoln in Nebraska.
Register here.
Watch Todd Seifert's video interview with Butler Bass.
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A dynasty of caring: KC side wins
another Sacking Hunger Challenge
The Kansas City Chiefs won yet again, this time on behalf of food pantries in the Great Plains and Missouri Conferences.
The two annual conferences teamed up against the California-Nevada and California-Pacific conferences for a friendly competition to collect food and donations for food pantries in the areas of the local churches that chose to take park.
The final score:
- Team KC — 168,253.66 pounds
- Team San Francisco — 32,945 pounds
In all, 221 churches across the four conferences took part, with 84 of those coming from the Great Plains. Like Kansas City, the victory was a repeat for the two conferences that are home to parts of the KC metro area. The two also defeated Philadelphia Eagles-boundary conferences in Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey last year.
“I am so pleased to see the great response to our efforts to provide good for the many in need,” Bishop David Wilson of the Great Plains Conference said. “The United Methodist Churches in Kansas and Nebraska are always ready to respond. Thank you to the 84 churches that contributed from the Great Plains! And a special thank you to Resurrection for making such an amazing contribution to this effort!”
Overall, the largest contributor was Resurrection, a United Methodist Church, with its main campus in Leawood, Kansas, and five others across the Kansas City area. The combined congregations donated 118,512 pounds of food. The second-largest contributor came from the California-Nevada Conference, with First United Methodist Church of Santa Rosa in California donating 12,134 pounds of food.
Find individual church totals; a photo gallery will appear in the next few days.
Great Plains Bishop David Wilson and Missouri Bishop Bob Farr ask for prayers after KC rally shooting.
In aftermath of KC shooting, keep these safety tips in mind.
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Medicaid expansion dominates
discussion at this year's Kansas LEAF
Meeting in person for the first time in four years, the Kansas Legislative Event for Advocacy in Faith was dominated by discussion about Medicaid expansion in the state.
The event, Sunday and Monday at Topeka First UMC, was presented by United Women in Faith, Church Women United and the Great Plains Conference.
Read more and see a photo album.
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Northwest Kansas church opens its
doors to junior, senior high after fire
Last Friday was the final day of school for Atwood UMC in northwest Kansas.
A fire at the century-old Rawlins County junior and senior high schools, and the UMC opened its doors to students, offering 11 classrooms as well as its sanctuary and fellowship hall as commons spaces.
Read more and see a photo album.
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Registration open for annual
Laity Summit, set for March 10 online
Laity across the Great Plains Conference are encouraged to register for the annual Laity Summit.
This online event is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, and participants are encouraged to gather together after worship to take part as a group. The event starts at 1:30 p.m. Central (12:30 p.m. Mountain) with a welcome from Bishop David Wilson and lay leadership from the Great Plains. The day feature two breakout sessions and a closing worship with online communion. Participants are encouraged to have bread and juice available to take part.
Register for the Laity Summit here. Direct questions to Jeanie Leeper, Great Plains Lay Leadership coordinator, at jleeper@greatplainsumc.org or by calling 308-380-7223.
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United Methodists nationwide
are embracing Amy-Jill Levine
Lots of people are having an Amy-Jill Levine experience these days. Through her books, videos and visits to churches, the renowned Jewish scholar of the New Testament has become one of the most popular Bible teachers for The United Methodist Church and other mainline Protestant denominations.
Read more from United Methodist News Service.
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General Conference
WCA, Good News plan
on lobbying in Charlotte
Good News and the Wesleyan Covenant Association have in recent years encouraged congregations to leave The United Methodist Church for the Global Methodist Church. The two traditionalist caucuses are clearly aligned with that new denomination, but both plan to be at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, lobbying on legislation. Some United Methodists are unhappy about that.
Read more from UM News Service.
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GC2024 welcome site updated
for delegates, visitors to Charlotte
The Western North Carolina and North Carolina conferences have updated their informational website dedicated to enhancing the General Conference experience for those attending the April 23 to May 3 gathering.
WelcomeToGC.org shares opportunities to serve at the legislative assembly, ways to connect with local churches and tips for navigating Charlotte.
Read press release.
Visit site.
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Clergy Excellence
New resources available for clergy, congregations in pastoral transition
Transition of Pastoral Leadership can create stress and opportunity, grief and excitement. The clergy and congregations who will be experiencing a transition of pastoral leadership are invited to join several new opportunities to navigate the change in healthy ways.
- Zoom-based training meetings designed by the Offices of Clergy and Congregational Excellence to provide a healthy foundation amid pastoral change for the outgoing pastor, plus1-2 congregational leaders (SPRC, Administrative Board, Lay Leader, or other key leaders from the congregation) to identify healthy strategies for the leadership change. Participants can choose to attend one meeting of the following options that will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. (CT) on March 7, April 9, and May 9.
- New and Updated Resources added to our website for creating healthy pastoral transitions.
- Clergy who are moving appointments this year are invited to attend a For Your Life retreat that will be focused on soul care and creating a plan for spiritual health amid the transition. For details, contact Rev Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org.
Learn more and register for events here: www.greatplainsumc.org/pastoraltransitions.
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Spiritual renewal retreat for clergy scheduled for the week after Easter
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 Roots For Your Soul, 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 two-night, three-day retreat. Space is limited, so please register early as there are a limited number of private rooms available. Scholarships available. See the registration form for details. Registration deadline: March 18.
Spring 2024 — Time for rest and renewal after Easter
April 1-3, 2024, $50 to include two nights, three days of lodging and food
- Webster Conference Center, Salina
- Collaborators: Rev. Doug Gahn, Rev. Anne Gahn, Rev. Dr. Shelly Petz
- Register for the Spring 2024 retreat by March 18
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Matching internship grants are
open for kids, youth, pastoral ministry
Do you have a young adult, at least 18 years old, who has the gifts for serving in your church full or part time as an intern in kids, youth, or pastoral ministry this summer? The conference is offering Matching Internship Grants for churches this summer up to $2,400 for the summer. The deadline for applying is April 15. Check out more information here.
Our objectives for Church Matching Internship Grants are:
- To help churches identify a young person with gifts for ministry.
- To support a vibrant and creative summer season of ministry.
- To connect interns with a learning community of other interns throughout the summer.
Our expectations for the churches applying:
- Your intern will be paid an hourly rate (at least minimum wage) for up to 40 hours per week. Internship must be a minimum of 10 weeks, running from May 20 to July 29.
- Mentors will receive onboarding resources and interns will receive a welcome box from the conference.
- Someone from the church staff will be an assigned supervisor throughout the summer and will meet weekly with the intern for supervision and making space for reflecting on the intern’s summer learning.
Contact Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford to learn more about the Pastoral Leadership internship, aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org or 785-414-4216 or Rev. Melissa Gepford to learn more about the kids or youth internships, mgepford@greatplainsumc.org or 785-272-9111. And if having an intern is new for you and you’d like to learn more about best practices, reach out to Ashlee or Melissa. This could be a life-changing summer for a young adult or for your congregation to nurture the call of an intern. Will you check out the possibilities today?
Do you know a young adult interested in an internship opportunity outside of the local church? Check out the Micah Corps Internship opportunities here.
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Duke Divinity School offering
study leave for ministry professionals
Find time to read, reflect, research, or just relax with Duke Divinity School’s Study Leave for Ministry Professionals. Over the span of five to seven days, participants can immerse themselves in learning and renewal through self-directed study, worship, and prayer on the Duke University campus. Designed for Christian institutional leaders, pastors, program staff, or laity; participants select their topic and Duke Divinity School provides the resources needed for a relaxing and productive week.
Are you looking for a time and place for renewal and study this summer? Have you been granted sabbatical time and are looking for a peaceful and inspiring location to spend it? Duke Divinity School is pleased to offer three opportunities this summer to provide you with what you might be looking for.
- June 3-7
- June 24-28
- July 15-19
Registration opens March 1. Summer Study Leave will include the same amenities and resources as fall and spring sessions except for faculty engagement in classes or meetings. Information and the registration link are available at https://divinity.duke.edu/programs/study-leave.
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Equipping Disciples
Laity invited to Academy for Spiritual Formation; deadline is March 15
Clergy and laity: mark your calendar for a spiritual retreat held right here within the Great Plains for an opportunity to learn, worship, and connect — with God, yourself, and others. The Five-Day Academy will be offered shortly after Easter at St. Benedict’s Center in Schuyler, Nebraska. It is a program of Upper Room Ministries with regional leadership, that provides the opportunity for participants to tune their hearts toward God through a daily rhythm of prayer, worship, learning and reflection. Each day includes teachings by gifted spiritual leaders for deeper discipleship, periods of silence, morning and evening prayer, Eucharist, and an opportunity to share with one another. It is open to anyone — laity or clergy — and is ecumenical.
The theme of the upcoming retreat is "Loving Well: Community, Healing, and Resilience," led by presenters Elaine A. Heath and Jeanine B. Heath-McGlinn. They are sisters whose vocations as theologian and therapist emerged from their own healing journeys. In this series they will explore what it means to foster spiritual communities that love well, that build resilience, offer healing, and hope in a broken world.
Registration for the 2024 Great Plains 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation are as follows:
- In-person single-room occupancy: $625
- In-person double-room occupancy: $590
- On-line Zoom participation: $300
Some scholarships are available, $200 for in-person or $100 for online, especially for first-time laity participants. CEUs are available. To learn more and register, check out the website: https://www.gpspiritualformation.org/.
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Early bird deadline for Resurrection's Art of Hospitality Conference is Friday
The ShareChurch Ministry at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church, has scheduled the Art of Hospitality Conference for April 16-17, in person in Leawood. Led by nine speakers, including the Rev. Adam Hamilton and authors Yvonne Gentile and Debi Nixon, the conference offers an in-depth immersion into the art of creating exceptional guest experiences. This year will include new sessions, scalable solutions, interactive workshops and more. Super early-bird rates for registration end Friday, Feb. 23.
Learn more and register.
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National Care Ministry Webinar
is this weekend; still time to sign up
The Caring Congregation, a non-profit ministry, presents its National Care Ministry Webinar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-24.
This is a two-day livestreamed introductory course for churches of all sizes to establish and equip pastors and laity to provide excellent care for their congregations and communities. It includes a special session on care for congregations after disaffiliation. Sample Schedule. Registration cost is $250 per person or view our discounted Group Watch Party pricing for churches.
Register at this link.
Listen to Todd Seifert's podcast interview with Rev. Karen Lampe, The Caring Congregation founder.
Read a story about Caring Congregation and the webinar.
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Share your thoughts with us through Daily Devotions; sign up through June
Our Daily Devotions are written by clergy, retirees, laity and staff of the Great Plains Conference and delivered to the emails of more than 3,000 people every morning.
Everyone is encouraged to write a devotion, approximately 300 words, with a related scripture and prayer.
Signups are now available through the end of June at this link. Please note that devotions during Holy Week may be pre-empted for a special project.
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Mercy & Justice
Need an explanation of
what’s going on in Holy Land?
What is happening in the Holy Land?
It can be very difficult to find reliable news about the situation in Palestine/Israel these days. Censorship is happening in many places. The Great Plains Holy Land Task Force put together a flyer with several news sources to hear from a variety of groups and organizations who are working hard for peace in the Holy Land.
Find the flyer here.
Board of Global Ministries supporting people in Gaza Strip.
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Second video from Wichita District
on Unity in Diversity is now available
Rev. Dr. Kalaba Chali, superintendent of the Wichita East and West districts, leads a discussion with pastors of varying experience and disciplines in a discussion about finding unity in our diversity. This is the second of four planned videos on the subject from these districts in the Great Plains Conference.
Watch the second video (approx. 24 minutes) here.
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Ideas on food insecurity in Kansas?
Health foundation wants to hear them
Kansas Health Foundation is launching an initiative to crowdsource ideas to eliminate food insecurity in Kansas.
United Methodist Church congregations throughout the state can go to https://kansashealth.org/opportunities/food-crowdsourcing/ to learn more and submit their idea. (As a bonus, they are entered into a weekly drawing for $2,500 to a nonprofit of their choice for every idea that they submit.)
Because of their close proximity to community needs and their connection to community resources, churches are well-suited to lift up creative ideas that address the challenge of food insecurity. United Methodist churches are integral partners for charitable food efforts in their communities. At the same time, we also know they’re looking for ways to move from “mercy” activities on these types of issues to a more “justice-based” approaches. We want to hear their ideas for doing that!
Here are some examples that might help people think of ideas:
- Church commercial kitchen opens up for community use for small, local entrepreneurs.
- Church food pantries working with local grocery stores and farmers markets to recover fresh produce on a consistent basis. Maybe they serve as a distribution hub to other community partners (ex. hospital, school district, Federally Qualified Healthcare Center) or create healthy, freezer-friendly meals to add to their products.
- Broaden the scope of church community meal programs. Integrate Community Health Workers/Navigators to connect clients with other resources and aid benefits enrollment. Offer engaging literacy activities for children or financial aid training/legal advice for caregivers before or after meals.
Kansas Health Foundation would love to hear from as many United Methodists as possible!
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Administration
March 19 is deadline to register for event for those in all stages of ministry
The 2024 Preparing for Your Future seminar will be Wednesday-Thursday, April 3-4, at Salina Trinity UMC.
Preparing for Your Future is a unique opportunity to learn about the many benefits affecting your life and ministry. You will be given guidance on all life stages from active ministry to a retirement lifestyle. Caring for one's physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing is essential to maintaining, and even improving, one's quality of life.
Here is the schedule:
April 3, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Clergy not retiring in the next five years will gain understanding on their worksheet and pay, financial wellness, dissolving debt, and on planning for retirement in a 3½ -hour presentation. Clergy having not been to a Preparing for Your Future seminar or have not been in the last five years and not retiring in the next five years are encouraged to come to the morning session. You will gain a wealth of knowledge and enjoy socializing over lunch before heading home.
April 3, 2-5 p.m. -- Clergy retiring July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2029, will benefit from the remaining presentations on estate planning, Social Security and retirement, Medicare and Medicare supplementals.
April 4, 9-11 a.m. -- Pension and Making Retirement Selections.
Lunch and dinner will be provided April 3. Hotel accommodation for the night of April 3 will be provided by the Board of Pensions. Breakfast will be provided by the hotel at no cost on April 4.
Learn more and register here. The deadline is March 19.
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Nebraska UM Foundation
has three grant opportunities
Nebraska United Methodist Foundation announces three grant opportunities for churches and individuals
Dean & Keitha Thomson Mission Grant: The Dean & Keitha Thomson Mission Grant is available to a member of a United Methodist church or a member of a recently disaffiliated UM church who is in need of financial assistance for a mission trip. Mission trips may be located locally, nationally, or internationally with a focus on global health, including but not limited to medical needs, or disaster and recovery efforts. The mission trip work must be considered to be of a beneficial nature to the larger community and an integral part of a long-range plan for growth and outreach.
Ministry Grant: The NUMF ministry grants are available to all Nebraska United Methodist churches and affiliated agencies of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference. These grants are available to enhance and expand church ministries. The ultimate goal of these awards is to provide assistance, both for new ministries and thriving ministries wishing to grow. These grants are made for programs and activities, and include operating expenses and supplies necessary for those programs or activities. They are not made for building repair, replacement, or expansion.
Congregational Support New Start/New Faith Community Grant: The Congregational Support New Start/New Faith Community Grant is available to Nebraska United Methodist churches and affiliated Nebraska agencies of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference to enhance and support new church development. Grant applicants should be aware that priority will be given to the following:
- A New Start that is recognized by Congregational Excellence as a New Start/New Faith Community.
- A New Start deemed to be of an outreach and beneficial nature to the larger community.
- A New Start that is in collaboration with other United Methodist entities.
- A New Start that has identified other sources of revenue.
- A New Start that is an integral part of a long-range plan for growth and outreach.
The deadline for all grants is March 31. For more information including grant guidelines and applications, please use this link.
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Resources
DVD studies available from
Robb, Hamilton, Terkeurst
In the third of a four-part series on DVD studies available from United Media Resource Center, you’ll find “Called: Hearing and Responding to God’s Voice” by Susan Robb, “The Lord’s Prayer: The Meaning and Power of the Prayer Jesus Taught” by Adam Hamilton, and “Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions” by Lysa Terkeurst.
Find those and more here.
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UMCOR Sunday is March 10;
materials available to promote offering
The 2024 Special Sunday Kit provides a full package of ready to use resources to help your church celebrate UMCOR Sunday and define how we give, why we give and the impact we make through connectional efforts. The official date for UMCOR Sunday is March 10, 2024, but we encourage you to celebrate on a day that works best for your church.
All resources are available in digital format and we encourage you to use them in the best format that works for your church. For suggestions on how to use the material, check out the How to Guide or for those who value a schedule, the planning calendar is the perfect way to consolidate all the opportunities.
Find out more here.
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UMCom seeking volunteers
for ethnic leadership panels
United Methodist Communications is seeking people in leadership roles within local United Methodist churches to participate in upcoming ethnic leader panel discussions. Panelists will be invited to take part in online surveys and focus groups throughout the year. People may volunteer for the agency’s Latino leader, Asian leader and/or Black leader panels. Additional panels will be introduced soon.
Black leader panel
Latino leader panel
Asian leader panel
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Across the Connection
Lincoln Saint Paul UMC to
host First Nations Festival
The First Nations Festival is set to take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Lincoln Saint Paul United Methodist Church. This groundbreaking event aims to celebrate Indigenous choral art, showcase the talents of First Nations artists, and foster cultural exchange and understanding.
Organized by the choirs of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Saint Paul UMC, Westminster Presbyterian, Standing Bear High School, and Lincoln North Star, attendees will be treated to an unforgettable evening of Indigenous music, art, and storytelling. The event will feature performances by students from Standing Bear High School and Lincoln North Star High School, as well as multiple University of Nebraska-Lincoln choirs, and two local church choirs.
Nebraska youth poet laureate poet Aliyah AmericanHorse and Indigenous artist Sarah Rowe will also be presenting their work, alongside distinguished guests including UMC Bishop David Wilson and Lakota-Sioux Composer Linthicum Blackhorse. One of the highlights of the evening will be the world premiere of a newly commissioned Native American choral piece, symbolizing the festival's commitment to promoting and preserving Indigenous cultural heritage.
"We are thrilled to bring together such a diverse and talented group of artists and performers for the First Nations Festival," said Mary Young, festival coordinator. "This event not only celebrates First Nation composers of choral music but also provides a cross-curricular event that combines legend, music, poetry, and storytelling.”
The First Nations Festival is free and open to the public. Join us in honoring Indigenous culture and creativity at the First Nations Festival – an evening that promises to inspire, uplift, and unite communities through the power of music and art.
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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 David Burke to update or renew your classified. Submit your classified here.
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