THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Podcast shares new opportunities in Great Plains internship program
Heart of Christ gets a transplant thanks to Wichita East Heights
Hub Argentine’s inaugural fundraising gala nets $156K
CONAM seeking help for Haskell Indian Nations University
Can Fresh Expressions rescue the epidemic of loneliness?
LGBTQ advocates aim to build on 2024 gains
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
New web page provides explanation about racial justice amendment
April 4 is deadline to submit legislation for 2025 AC session
Expand your leadership skills, lift up emerging leaders
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Interested in learning how to be a coach?
East Central Kansas CRCC clergy family gather at Rossville
Duke Divinity offers Summer Study Leave
Clergy Wellbeing mini-grant requests are now open
Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation scheduled for May 4-9
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Can we get 75 volunteers to go to Sager Brown in 2026? Yes, we can!
Mission Build Week set for Sept. 7-12 at Sager Brown
Learn, connect during Healthy Congregations retreat
MERCY & JUSTICE
Micah Corps recruiting interns for summer 2025
Training in racial healing, equity continues in Shawnee, Kearney
SW Kansans worrying about anti-immigration rhetoric
DISASTER RESPONSE
Be hands, feet of Jesus through our Disaster Response Ministry
ADMINISTRATION
New HR-payroll-benefits coordinator joins conference
Applications open for KMF’s Pathways for Discipleship grants
Nebraska Foundation announces its spring grant opportunities
RESOURCES
Black History Month resources available from media center
Here are resources for UMCOR Sunday, March 30
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
Roots Church KC has first service tonight
Aurora UMC renews its sanctuary cross in time for 150th anniversary
Hutchinson’s Fair Price Store distributes $41,000
Pastor keeps her promise, gets pie in face after roof repair funds raised
Saint Paul School of Theology hosting exhibit on human origins
Hamilton among 12 Ripple of Kindness winners
In other news
Newsletters
Classifieds
Podcast shares new opportunities
in Great Plains internship program
Changes to the Great Plains Conference internship program and a heartwarming story of a former intern now working with an intern at her church are the subjects of a new episode of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast.
In this episode, Todd Seifert, conference communications director, talks with internship coordinators Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford and Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford about changes to the Great Plains program.
An additional guest — Rev. Grace Woods from Topeka First United Methodist Church — shares her journey from summer intern to a pastor working with a Great Plains intern.
Download the episode.
Read a story about the internship program changes.
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Heart of Christ gets a transplant
thanks to Wichita East Heights
Faced with a deteriorating 83-year-old building with broken HVAC, Wichita Heart of Christ UMC was looking for a solution and found one.
The 5 ½-year-old Black church moved its services to East Heights UMC in its chapel.
“God has just been moving in this whole thing,” Pastor Ronda Kingwood said. “When we came over here, this was a new way to collaborate and still keep who we are.”
Rev. Dr. Kalaba Chali, South Central Kansas District superintendent, says it's a decision he hopes more churches would consider.
“How can we free ourselves from making the buildings our mission, so that we are able to engage people and ministry without that burden?” Chali said. “What are the other ways that we can collaborate? Otherwise we’re killing ourselves with these buildings.”
Read more and see a photo gallery.
Transforming empty church properties
A “tsunami of emptying houses of worship” is sweeping across the United States, as church membership drops, writes real estate consultant Rick Reinhard. Faith communities, real-estate professionals, government leaders and planners all have a role to play in responding to this trend. Reinhard, a principal for Niagara Consulting Group and former administrator for The United Methodist Church, shares recommendations.
Read commentary.
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Hub Argentine’s inaugural
fundraising gala nets $156K
The Hub Argentine’s first fundraising gala proved to be a mouth-watering success as donors gathered to raise $156,670 in a single night, Feb. 21.
The Hub is a ministry that focuses on building community while providing opportunity for people in and around the Argentine community of Kansas City, Kansas. Based in the former Metropolitan Avenue United Methodist Church building, the ministry includes afterschool programs, a clothing closet, community food market, showers, a community garden, and connecting groups, as well as a program in which people share their personal stories.
The Hub is raising money for what it has named as the Neighbor’s Kitchen, a shared space for food entrepreneurs and members of the community to access affordable, industrial kitchen facilities to try out new dishes, launch small businesses and learn the basics of cooking and nutrition. The gala’s theme — “Taste of Argentine” — provided the food framework for the evening’s celebration.
The successful gala — conducted at Sporting KC’s Children’s Mercy Park — brings the total raised so far for the kitchen to more than $305,000.
The night featured a multi-course meal prepared by chef Pyet Despain, a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation who grew up in the Argentine neighborhood. She was the first winner of Gordon Ramsay’s “Next Level Chef” TV competition, and for the gala she provided food from her heritage as well as flavors she has learned from her career.
Despain is pictured above with Bishop David Wilson and Rev. Carter Ellis, Hub Argentine executive director.
The evening also included a live auction, a chance to “fund a need,” where participants committed to donate amounts from $10,000 to $25.
Local artists Vania Soto and Deaunte Thomas shared their talent for painting as the event took place.
To learn more about The Hub Argentine and to donate toward the Neighbor’s Kitchen, visit The Hub’s website at https://www.thehubargentine.org/.
See a photo gallery of the gala.
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CONAM seeking help for
Haskell Indian Nations University
The Great Plains Conference’s Committee on Native American Ministries invites United Methodists to donate to meet an urgent need at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.
The Haskell Foundation has launched an emergency fundraising campaign with a goal of $350,000 to bridge gaps created recently by cuts to personnel, university services and student-support programs by President Donald Trump’s executive orders.
CONAM is seeking the help of United Methodists by pooling our resources to donate to this cause. You can help by donating to the Great Plains Disaster Response Fund. When you submit your one-time donation, please type “Haskell” in the notes area so the conference knows your intention for the donation.
The Haskell Foundation has noted that the funds will be used to extend contracts temporarily for part-time coaches, bus drivers, custodial staff, dining services and general staff to maintain essential functions through the end of the academic year.
The funds also will be used to:
- Address emergency assistance for students impacted by financial aid delays and unexpected hardships.
- Provide relief for displaced employees facing financial instability.
- Help pay for long-standing cultural events to ensure continuity of community traditions.
- Create a reserve fund to address unexpected university funding cuts.
Supporters of Haskell students are urged to share their concerns by contacting their U.S. representatives at www.usa.gov/elected-officials/ and the secretary of Interior at www.doi.gov/contact-us.
Funds raised through this effort will not be used to rehire federal employees who have been dismissed. The foundation stated in a letter that while it stands in solidarity with those impacted, it recognizes that employees are federal workers, and their employment status must be addressed through appropriate federal processes.
Haskell Indian Nations University serves Native students from across the nation. Its mission is to build the leadership capacity of students by serving as the leading institution of academic excellence, cultural and intellectual prominence, and holistic education that addresses the needs of Indigenous communities.
Learn more about CONAM.
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Can Fresh Expressions
rescue the epidemic of loneliness?
A new book by the director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church diagnoses humanity as suffering from deep loneliness. The Rev. Michael Adam Beck believes that gathering people around common interests can combat loneliness and isolation. Groups can find community through hobbies like comic books, finding a good cup of coffee or a love of tattoos.
Read more from United Methodist News Service.
Also from UMNS: Michael Adam Beck, from prisoner to pastor.
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LGBTQ advocates aim
to build on 2024 gains
After decades of passionate advocacy followed by heartbreaking votes, those supporting LGBTQ inclusion in The United Methodist Church finally achieved their goals at last year’s General Conference.
So what happens when at long last you have met your goals?
You set new ones.
That’s what Reconciling Ministries Network has been doing after more than 40 years at the forefront of working to end the Book of Discipline’s restrictions against LGBTQ people.
Read more from UM News Service.
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Annual Conference
New web page provides explanation
about racial justice amendment
Changes to the Book of Discipline regarding racial justice are among four constitutional amendments clergy and lay members to annual conference will vote on this June.
If ratified, the amendment would change Article V of the Discipline to make an explicit acknowledgement of racism, express a commitment to active anti-racism actions, state the historical context, emphasize unity and healing, and to take moral leadership on the subject.
See the Discipline’s proposed wording changes, view resources provided by the legislation’s sponsor, the General Commission on Religion and Race, and find liturgical resources you can use in worship services or small groups.
This is the third of a four-part series on the conference website related to the constitutional amendments.
Find out more about the racial justice amendment here.
Read our webpages on other proposed amendments for inclusiveness and regionalization.
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April 4 is deadline to submit
legislation for 2025 AC session
The deadline for submitting legislation for the 2025 Great Plains Annual Conference session has been set as April 4.
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 April 4.
Items should be submitted to the conference secretary at gpsecretary@greatplainsumc.org.
Instructions for formatting and submitting resolutions may be found here.
The 2025 annual conference is June 4-7 at Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina.
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Expand your leadership skills, lift up
emerging leaders through nominations
The Great Plains Conference is seeking people who want to expand their leadership skills and who want to lift up emerging leaders across Kansas and Nebraska. Our Nominations Committee is looking for people to serve on a number of conference committees, including Archives and History, Vital Congregations, Camping Ministries, Campus Ministries, Nominations, and Pensions and Health, just to name a few.
There are a large number of positions open for both clergy and lay persons. And there is definitely a significant shortage of lay persons in the nomination pool. It is important to note certain nuances of the nominations process when thinking through who is a good person to lift up.
To indicate your interest or to lift up the name of another person please fill out the nominations form on the Great Plains Conference website.
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Clergy Excellence
Interested in learning
how to be a coach?
Have you ever wanted to support others in achieving their goals, unlocking their potential, and creating positive change in their lives? Have you had a positive experience working with a coach?
Lia McIntosh, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Coach will be starting a new cohort of 12 months of training for Coaches for clergy and lay leaders who are ready to lead transformational change in May.
The training will be done through synchronous and asynchronous learning and include live virtual instruction, self-paced learning, and mentor coaching with ICF-certified coaches. You can read more about McIntosh’s coaching philosophy here: https://www.liamcintosh.com/upward-coaching.
If you’re interested in learning more about this opportunity, please email Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org, for more information. McIntosh will meet with folks interested in learning more if she hears from you by March 1.
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East Central Kansas CRCC
clergy family gather at Rossville
The Clergy Family Gathering in East Central Kansas District on Feb. 21 brought together clergy and families of Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural ministry for fellowship and story sharing. Though small in number, the group enjoyed meaningful conversations and connections.
Participants enjoyed two hours of icebreakers, relaxed conversation, sharing stories from their CRCC ministry experiences and discovering common challenges and joys in their service. The informal setting allowed for genuine connections that are sometimes difficult to establish during busier conference events.
The gathering would not have been possible without the tremendous support of Rev. Jenny Collins, East Central Kansas District superintendent, who graciously allowed the event to take place in her district. Her continued support of the CRCC ministry has been invaluable.
Pastor Sandra Fatuma and Rossville UMC deserve special recognition for providing both a beautiful venue and delicious food for the gathering. Their hospitality truly made the event shine and created a warm, welcoming atmosphere for all who attended.
The family gatherings in different districts continue to focus on building supportive relationships among clergy families, recognizing the unique challenges and blessings that come with serving in CRCC ministry. Events like this gathering play a vital role in strengthening these connections.
--Rev. Seulki Choi, intercultural family ministry coordinator
From UM News Service: New program to help Korean American pastors in CRCC appointments.
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Duke Divinity offers
Summer Study Leave
Find time to read, reflect, research, or just relax with 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. Study is a great opportunity to work on commissioning or ordination papers, engage in worship planning or to simply take a week to escape the rigors of ministry.
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.
Two sessions are being offered this summer for you to attend a week of Study Leave: June 2-6 or July 14-18.
Registration opens March 1 for Summer Study Leave.
To register visit the Study Leave website: https://divinity.duke.edu/programs/study-leave
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Clergy Wellbeing mini-grant
requests are now open
Since 2021, the Office of Clergy Excellence has awarded Clergy Wellbeing mini-grants to those serving our Great Plains UMC churches, as well as GPUMC clergy serving in Extension Ministry. Our pastors have used these grants in a variety of ways in nurturing their body, mind, and spirit. Here’s just a sampling of what the grants have funded:
- Personal spiritual retreat (self-directed or a pre-planned program)
- One-on-one support: Spiritual Direction, Coaching, Reflective Supervision, or Counseling
- A focus on one’s body through a gym membership, home gym equipment, or personal training/coaching
- Music lessons or musical instrument
- Pulpit supply
- Registration, travel, and/or lodging for an event related to spiritual mental or physical wellbeing
Clergy of the Great Plains Conference, plus laity who are serving our congregations (DSAs or CLMs) are eligible to receive $400 of funding within a two-year period (in other words, if you received a wellbeing grant in 2024, you won't be eligible until 2026).
The 2025 Clergy Wellbeing grant has two annual cycles. The spring cycle will remain open until May 1 for use between Feb. 1 and June 30. There will also be a fall cycle from Sept. 1 to Nov. 1 for use through Dec. 31, 2025. 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.
For more information click here: https://www.greatplainsumc.org/spiritual-self-care
The grant application will be available here: gp-reg.brtapp.com/ClergyWellBeingGrant.
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Five-Day Academy for Spiritual
Formation scheduled for May 4-9
Mark your calendars for a spiritual retreat held right here within the Great Plains that could provide you with an opportunity to learn, worship, and connect — with God, yourself, and others.
The Five-Day Academy is for laity and clergy of all denominations who hunger for renewal and spiritual growth. It is a program of Upper Room Ministries with regional leadership, providing an 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 Eyes to See and Ears to Hear—Attentiveness to the Wor[l]d led by presenters Amy Oden and Juan Carlos Huertas. The teachings will be focused on “Jesus’ invitation to Mindful Living” by Oden and “Scripture as Liberative Text” by Huertas. Participants will be invited to be attentive to God in the present moment in daily live and also to engage scripture in ways that are formative, communal, and liberative.
Registration for the 2025 Great Plains 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation are as follows:
- In-person single room occupancy: $670
- In-person double room occupancy: $630
- On-line Zoom participation: $325
Some scholarships are available. You can earn 3CEUs for attending the 5-Day Academy.
To learn more and register, go here: https://www.gpspiritualformation.org/
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Equipping Disciples
Can we get 75 volunteers to go to
Sager Brown in 2026? Yes, we can!
Our next UMVIM Trip to work in the Sager Brown UMCOR Depot is Jan. 31 to Feb. 7, 2026.
Our goal is to have 75 individuals from the Great Plains to fill up Sager Brown for the week. We can do this! Travel dates will be Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 (arrival at Sager Brown) and Feb. 6-7 (arrival back home). We will work from Monday through Thursday of that week.
The cost is $340 per person which includes housing, meals, and a $50 non-refundable deposit. You can hold your space by submitting your check, made payable to Great Plains Conference, on the memo line write “2026 UMVIM Trip” and mail to PO Box 4187, Topeka, KS 66604.
For more information, contact Rev. Hollie Tapley, UMVIM coordinator, at htapley@greatplainsumc.org.
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Mission Build Week set for
Sept. 7-12 at Sager Brown
Join Sager Brown UMCOR Depot in Baldwin, La., in serving individuals in need and improving local communities the week of Sept. 7-12. When you volunteer during Mission Build Week, you will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful service projects that have a lasting impact on residents and neighborhoods near Sager Brown’s campus. This Christ-centered mission will spark conversations and are constructed to help adults and youth grow together in their relationship with God.
The cost is $340 per person, which covers meals, housing and a $50 non-refundable deposit. If you are interested, let Rev. Hollie Tapley, UMVIM Coordinator, know at htapley@greatplainsumc.org.
Find out more here.
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Learn, connect during
Healthy Congregations retreat
The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is hosting its annual Healthy Congregations retreat April 10-11 in Salina.
This year’s theme is “Faithful Living: Connecting & Deepening Relationships for Health.”
This two-day, uplifting event will focus on connecting, learning, sharing and developing relationships with others who share a passion for congregational and community health.
All Great Plains United Methodists are invited to join this free retreat.
The retreat is especially valuable for members of Healthy Congregations teams. Community partners invited by Healthy Congregations teams are welcome, as well.
If you want to learn more about approachable, effective ways to connect, partner and engage to improve health in your congregation and community, you’ll want to attend this fun, inspirational retreat.
You’ll hear highlights and stories from Healthy Congregations churches, have opportunities to learn and converse on timely health topics, and leave equipped with useful tools and resources.
The event is free to attend, and a hotel stay is included if needed. Please register by March 14 to secure a free room.
To learn more and register for the event, visit: https://healthfund.org/a/2025hcretreat/.
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Mercy & Justice
Micah Corps recruiting
interns for summer 2025
Micah Corps is an internship program for young adults centered around faith and social justice. For 10 weeks, interns learn from church leaders, social justice activists, and community organizers in Kansas and Nebraska. Interns engage in intentional living community and spiritual practices, deepening their love for God, neighbor, and self.
With the relationality of justice work in mind, interns partner with a local United Methodist church where they will connect with the pastors, staff, and laity to learn about justice and mercy efforts in that congregation and community. They also assist in worship and teach classes about justice and other learnings from the summer.
Find out more here.
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Training in racial healing, equity
continues in Shawnee, Kearney
You're invited to Be a Bridge Builder!
Are you passionate about making your church or community group equitable and inviting for everyone, regardless of background? Elevate your leadership skills with this transformative training event. The Great Plains Board of Ordained Ministry, the Mercy & Justice team, and other committed partners from the Annual Conference have collaborated with Be the Bridge — an organization focused on fostering racial healing, equity, and reconciliation — to offer this opportunity.
Who Should Attend?
- Pastors: Guide congregations in a culturally diverse world effectively and gain leadership skills (You also will earn 2 continuing education units, or CEUs).
- Church Staff: Build skills for a diverse and inclusive environment.
- BOM and DCOM Members: Be ready to engage with diverse clergy candidates.
- Educators: Foster cultural accountability in spiritual and academic settings.
- Community Leaders: Enhance cultural awareness and responsibility.
Dive into today’s essential conversations about race, culture, and diversity, all while using the Bible as our guide. We’ll use scripture to understand how to make things equal and include people of diverse cultures in our faith communities. We’ll also look at the past and future race issues in America. We’ll also share tips on spotting and stopping unconscious bias to help more people feel welcome in our congregations. The program will introduce you to ways to understand people from different backgrounds better. www.greatplainsumc.org/bethebridge
Training dates
Choose one of these opportunities to attend the training.
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SW Kansans worrying about
anti-immigration rhetoric
The re-election of Republican President Donald Trump and harsh rhetoric about immigrants in the state without legal status have worried undocumented residents of southwest Kansas, where almost 20% of the population is living without legal status.
Read more from Kansas Public Radio/Kansas News Service.
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Disaster Response
Be hands, feet of Jesus through
our Disaster Response Ministry
Make plans now to become a part of our Great Plains United Methodist Conference Disaster Response Ministry. Four dates of training are confirmed (in-person):
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Administration
New HR-payroll-benefits
coordinator joins conference
Jordan Carlein has joined the Great Plains Conference administrative services staff as human resources-payroll-benefits coordinator.
A native of the Alta Vista-Dwight area, Carlein attended Baker University and previously worked for Prairie Band LLC, Kansas Department of Revenue and McCrite Plaza, a Topeka senior living facility.
He will be a contact for payroll and benefits questions.
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Applications open for KMF’s
Pathways for Discipleship grants
The Kansas Methodist Foundation is honored to support Methodist churches and organizations in Kansas through Pathways for Discipleship Grants. KMF is offering a limited number of one-time (one to one) matching grants, ranging from $500 to $5,000 to Kansas Methodist churches and organizations to advance ministries across our state, especially in ways that are creative, innovative, and new.
KMF offers grants from the following Pathways for Discipleship Funds:
Children/Youth Program Fund: This pathway fund provides grants for all aspects of programming for children, youth, and young adult ministries. This includes the development of new, unique programs to attract children, youth, and young adults to the church through a local church, district, campus ministry, or conference experiences. This fund may assist camping and campus ministry leadership development or training.
Ministry and Outreach Grant Fund: This pathway fund provides ministry grants that will expand the missional outreach of the church. These grants will be for programing, outreach ministry requests, and mission trips. (This fund will not be used for brick-and-mortar requests.)
Justice Ministries: This pathway provides grants for programs focused on healing racial divisions, increasing equity among God’s children, encouraging inclusion, and broadening people’s understanding of diversity and bias.
Leadership Education Fund: This pathway fund provides support for education and leadership development of clergy and lay leaders. This fund may also assist in providing training for a church, network, or regional gathering.
Grant applications are due to the KMF office by April 1. The program/ministry must take place between June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. Only one application per church/organization will be accepted.
Through these Pathways for Discipleship Grants, KMF supports programs and ministries all across Kansas to be adaptable to new possibilities. Many churches or organizations have new ideas that, if they were supported with additional funding, could make an impact. These grants come alongside local support for helping make disciples of Jesus Christ, change lives, and transform communities.
Find the application here.
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Nebraska Foundation announces
its spring grant opportunities
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation announces its spring round of grants.
Mission Grants: The Dean & Keitha Thomson Mission Grants are for individuals who are in need of financial assistance in order to participate in a mission trip.
The Gifts from the Heart (GFTH) Mission Grants are for Nebraska United Methodist Churches who are planning mission trips within their congregation.
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.
New Start/New Faith Community Grant: The 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.
The deadline for all grants is March 31. For more information including grant guidelines and applications, visit https://www.numf.org/scholarships-grants.
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Resources
Black History Month resources
available from media center
United Media Resource Center has DVDs and books available for Black History Month studies during and beyond February.
DVDs include “Black Methodism: Legacy of Faith – Revival,” “Forged by Fire: Untold Stories of Faith” and “Standing on My Sisters’ Shoulders.”
Books include “African American Heritage Hymnal,” edited by Robert Batastini, “Black Church Beginnings” by Henry Mitchell, “Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man in America” by Nathan McCall, and “Pioneer Black Clergywomen: Stories of Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church, 1974-2016” by Josephine Whitely-Fields.
Find those and more here.
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Here are resources for
UMCOR Sunday, March 30
Individuals and congregations are encouraged to support The United Methodist Church’s collective relief work by giving to the UMCOR Sunday offering. Gifts given on UMCOR Sunday, March 30, this year, help strengthen the church’s global humanitarian response by underwriting the administrative costs of the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Learn more and download resources.
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Across the Connection
Roots Church KC
has first service tonight
The former Roeland Park UMC is reopening focusing on “people on the margins” -- LGBTQ, people of color and younger generations – in the Kansas City area.
Roots Church KC will have its first official worship service at 7 tonight.
“Roots (Church) is rooted in Jesus, justice and joy, and centers those voices so that there’s a place of liberation,” Rev. Lora Andrews, the founding pastor, told the Johnson County Post. “Not to exclude people who have kind of the more privileged narrative in their world, but to have a place where both those groups can be welcome and be together but be led by folks who have maybe experienced more marginalization in the church previously.”
Read more here.
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Aurora UMC renews its sanctuary
cross in time for 150th anniversary
With its 150th anniversary approaching, Aurora UMC restored the fabric on the large cross at the front of its sanctuary.
“This cross is a powerful presence in our worship and ministry,” Rev. Michelle Reed said of the cross, new to the church when it was constructed in 1976. “It means a lot to us as we find it to be an inspiring symbol of our faith in the risen Jesus.”
Read more from the Aurora News-Register.
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Hutchinson’s Fair Price
Store distributes $41,000
The Fair Price Store, supported by the United Methodist Churches in the Hutchinson area, has announced the distribution of its funds for 2025.
Funds ranging from $500 to $6,000 accounted for the $41,750 that was distributed to area organizations.
$2,000 was given to all of the churches who volunteer to manage the store: Hutchinson First, Tenth Avenue, Faith and Trinity; Nickerson, Haven, South Hutchinson and Mitchell Chapel UMCs.
Read more in the Hutch Post.
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Pastor keeps her promise, gets pie
in face after roof repair funds raised
When Rev. Julie Raridan came to Dakota County United Methodist Parish (a three-church parish in the Eastern Nebraska District) in July 2023, a member of the Dakota City United Methodist Church mentioned that the DC Fellowship Hall roof was leaking and needed to be replaced.
Planning for the replacement included bid-taking and the bids ranged from $28,000 to $32,000 – a daunting figure for the small church with an average attendance of 30 each Sunday. On the first Sunday in October 2024 the “Raise the Roof” campaign began, and donations started pouring in. Donations came in from church members, constituents, the two other parish churches, people who didn’t attend the church but knew the importance of having the church, fundraisers held in Dakota City, a generous grant from the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation, and matching funds from one very generous donor.
When the endeavor began, the leadership of Dakota City prayed to God for the funds. The amount needed was so large for such a small congregation! Rev. Julie and the entire leadership team kept reiterating to the congregation that they all needed to have faith, and God would make it happen.
At one point in the fundraising endeavors, Raridan encouraged giving by saying she would take a pie in the face if Dakota City UMC reached half the needed funds by the end of 2024. What a surprise that after only eight weeks the entire amount needed to replace the roof had been raised!
Before the end of 2024, the Fellowship Hall roof was completely replaced! No more leaks; no more patches; no more worrying about it; and a whole lot of faith in God’s presence.
Keeping her promise, Pastor Julie did take a pie in the face after the Watchnight service on Dec. 29. Tickets were drawn to see who would throw the pie and one of our youngest members ended up winning and was very excited as she gave the pie a good splat into Pastor’s face!!
God is so good, so faithful. All we need is faith the size of a mustard seed.
-- Contributed article
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Saint Paul School of Theology
hosting exhibit on human origins
Saint Paul School of Theology will host the traveling exhibit “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?” after the seminary was selected through a national competition offered by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the American Library Association.
“Saint Paul is very excited to be one of just six theological seminaries in the country to be selected to host this unique and fascinating exhibit,” said seminary exhibit coordinator Dr. Nancy Howell. “No one will want to miss seeing the seminary transformed into a science museum, and we have an impressive line-up of programs planned, with offerings for students, clergy, teachers, and other adults. Visitors of all ages are invited to tour the exhibit, and the seminary welcomes school groups. We hope everyone will join us in a conversation about what it means to be human.”
In addition, scientists and other experts from the Human Origins Program will visit the Saint Paul Kansas Campus to host events on campus and online for the community, including a science program, educator workshop, community conversations, clergy tour, and more. To register for events, visit spst.edu/special-events.
Through panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays, and videos, “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human?” invites viewers of all ages to explore and learn about the milestones in the evolutionary journey of becoming human. The traveling exhibit encourages a public conversation that invites multiple perspectives on what it means to be human — one that embraces the ideas and beliefs of non-scientists and fosters a greater appreciation of the complexity of the science of human evolution.
The exhibit will continue at Saint Paul School of Theology through May 14.
Saint Paul School of Theology Kansas Campus is located at 13720 Roe Ave, Building C, Leawood. The exhibit is free and open to the public daily – please visit the website for exhibit hours. We are happy to offer group tours to schools, churches, and other interested parties. Get in touch with Howell (howellnr@spst.edu) to schedule your group’s visit. For more information on exhibit hours and a schedule of events, visit spst.edu/special-events/ or call 913-253-5000.
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Hamilton among 12
Ripple of Kindness winners
Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of Resurrection, a United Methodist Church, was among a dozen recipients of the Ripple of Kindness Award by SevenDays, a Kansas City-based nonprofit organization that overcomes hate by promoting kindness and understanding through education and dialogue.
SevenDays was founded after a White Supremacist murdered Dr. William Corporon, his grandson Reat Underwood and Teresa LaManno outside of Jewish facilities in Overland Park in 2014.
Read more from Kansas City Jewish Chronicle.
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