AC DAILY

Friday, June 6, 2025

Ashley Boggan returns to discuss
'Wesleyan way of discovering God'

The last time Dr. Ashley Boggan was in the Great Plains Conference, she admittedly faired poorly in a game called "Who Said It? John Wesley or Taylor Swift?" during the Orders & Fellowship clergy gathering in October.

The general secretary of the General Council of Archives & History returned for the annual conference session Friday with a keynote speech titled "Look What You Made Me Do (John's Version)."

She called it "historic context for a Wesley way of discovering God."

Boggan showed three pictures of the founder of Methodism, all looking extremely stoic.

"We don't exactly see a joyous person," she said. "John realizes he has joyous moments, but not abiding joy."

Boggan dug into Wesley's journals from 1735-1791 -- "My therapist assured me this is normal," she quipped -- where he named the day and time he "submitted to be more vile."

Being vile, causing trouble and upsetting the system were Wesley trademarks said Boggan, whose book, “Wesleyan Vile-tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity" was released in April. She signed copies in the Mabee Center lobby following her presentation.

Boggan said T-shirts and coffee mugs were being sold to benefit GCAH, with "Generally Scandalous United Methodist" on the front, and Wesley's 1739 quote on the back: "O may you also be vile, exceedingly vile for (God's) sake! God forbid you should ever be other than generally scandalous." A QR code to order both is below.

 

More than 200 celebrate noontime
communion with reinstated pastor

More than 200 people gathered at the labyrinth on the Kansas Wesleyan campus for an LGBTQ-led pop-up communion.

It was the first large gathering of queer clergy and allies during an annual conference session.

"All you've seen of us is trying to get into the room or getting kicked out of the room," said Rev. Lora Andrews, pastor of Roots Kansas City.

The elements were blessed by Rev. Joe Cobb, who was reinstated during the clergy session Thursday after surrendering his credentials in 2001. 

Cobb told the audience it was the 40th anniversary of his ordination as a deacon in the former Kansas West Conference, as well as the 26th anniversary of his divorce from Rev. Leigh Ann Taylor, a fellow clergy whom he remained close with after coming out. The two co-authored a book, "Family Outing: A Memoir of Coming Out and Coming Through," and she was at his side during the Great Plains conference this week.

In an interview Thursday, Cobb said he was excited about the reinstatement.

"It's been a long journey, but I'm honored and delighted and grateful to the bishop and the Board of Ordained Ministry and the clergy," he said.

After seven years in city government, Cobb was elected mayor of Roanoke, Va., with a term that began in January and concludes in 2028.

Getting reinstated is "symbolic in a way, but it's also finishing up my ministry in the United Methodist Church, where I started," he said. He said he hoped he could transfer his credentials to the Virginia Annual Conference, where he would make himself available for consideration as clergy.

 

Bishop Wilson looks at conference's accomplishments during past year

Bishop David Wilson looked back at the accomplishments of the Great Plains Conference in the past year, and how they fit into the new vision statement of The United Methodist Church.

He praised Basehor UMC for offering shelter to stranded travelers during a blizzard; the clergy of Wichita churches for offering support to the city after a fatal plane crash; and to volunteers working in Grinnell, Kan., after a tornado struck last month, destroying 90 homes, including that of Pastor Missy Byerly.

Bishop Wilson also commended the UMC in Gering, Neb., for deciding to sell its building and move in with the local Lutheran church; Wichita Heart of Christ UMC, for moving its services to Wichita East Heights; and Salina Church of the Cross UMC, whose building was donated to Kansas Wesleyan, while retaining its worship services.

"What a wonderful witness to the community to be working together," he said.

Rev. Michelle Reed, chair of the episcopacy committee, praised Bishop Wilson for his "worldwide impact," including serving as chair of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, while still maintaining his episcopal duties.

"His story begins and continues to be focused on the local church," she said.

 

Friday night session passes
resolutions, one after lengthy debate

Friday night was reserved for taking action on the seven resolutions that came before the annual conference.

While the first six -- supporting Medicaid expansion, opposing Christian nationalism, establishing a conference fund that would allow parental leave to extend from the current eight weeks to 13 weeks, creating a nonpaid staff position for caretake of God's creation and a task force to help churches transition to clean energy -- passed easily, the final resolution of the night caused more debate than the rest combined.

The resolution called on the Great Plains Conference to affirm the statements by both the World Methodist Council and the World Council of Churches as they both called for an end to the genocide in Palestine.

While many adults and several of the youth at the conference expressed their opinions, including whether to replace the word "genocide" with "violence," the resolution was approved as written.

The night ended with approval of the closing of these churches:

• Kansas: Barnard, Beattie, Beverly, Liberal Iglesia Methodista Unida Rosa de Sharon, Milton, Oswego Mason Chapel and Ozawkie.
• Nebraska: Julian, Merna, Palmyra and Roca.

 

Clergy, spouses remembered
during memorial services Friday

In a darkened arena, preceded by various clergy and laity bringing candles to the altar, Great Plains Conference clergy and their spouses were remembered Friday.

"Grief, when wrapped around the presence of God, becomes sacred ground," said Rev. Yolanda White-Oliver, pastor of Wichita University UMC.

Clergy remembered were Rev. Sondra Atkins, Rev. W. Ray Bailey, David Bearden, Rev. Phillip Bede, Riley Cartwright, Elin Colglazier, Joni Davis, Rev. Jayne Ann Duncan, Robert “Bob” Folkers, Darren Frazier, Patrick Freeman, Rev. Donna Friesen, Rev. Dennis Hanneman, Rev. Duane K. Harms, Rev. Jack D. Harris, Calvin Hartman, Rev. Joyce Iwig, Charles F. (Chuck) Kallaus Jr., Rev. Ray Loren Keller, Kay Kincaid, Rev. Marion Knoell, Nicholas “Nick” Marsh,  Rev. Harold Nelson, Ray Norris, Rev. Gerald “Jerry” Schwarz, William “Bill” Siebert, Rev. Verl Strong, Laura Stubblefield, Rev. L. Dean Thompson, Rev. Paul Weinert, Nicholas Woods and Rev. Richard Zimmerman.

Clergy spouses memorialized were Mary Ann Bede, Penny Birdsong, Juanita Karen Brian,  Richard Bringelson, Julia Chinn, Peggy Coriell, Clarolynn “Scotty” Deever, Nieta C. Devor, Leslie (Lois Mae Hansen) Ellis, Larna Sue Henderson, Joan Hughes, Doris Hurtig, Jean Kirkus, Rhonda Kramer, Sharon Ann LaRue, Donald McKibbin, Mary Odgers, Mary Phelps, Georgia Pringle, Roberta Rager, Dorothy Mau Graue Schmidt, Barbara Schrag, Darlene Snyder, Ona Belle Stephens and Gordon Tasker.
 
 

Retiring clergy honored
for their years of service

Clergy retiring from the Great Plains Conference were given recognition during a ceremony Friday afternoon and a dinner Friday evening.

This year’s class of retirees are Susan Barham, Lorna Boden, Michael Burgess, Jim Corson, Jayne Duncan, Lenise Eddings, Jane Florence, Kevin Hopkins, Kibum Kim, Lynn Lamberty, Tom Langhofer, Michael McGregor, Barbara Moore, Daniel Norwood, Jim Parrish, Warren Schoming, Nancy Spearow, Nancy Tomlinson, Richard Webster and Raynold Weinerman.

"Thank you for loving us and letting us love you," said Tomlinson, Southeast Nebraska District superintendent.

Earlier in the service, Bishop Wilson performed three baptisms on the arena floor: Caroline Haru Lee, 13-month-old daughter of Rev. Keunsik Lee and Rev. Seulki Choi; Daniel Diur Milosi, 1-year-old son of Ivan Milosi Mumba and Heureuse A. Kaj Gianna; and Ban Kim — 1 ½-year-old daughter of Changhyun Kim and Yeokyeong Ban.

 

Churches, individuals
receive awards, recognition

Churches and individuals received honors during Friday's sessions.

Mynard Liberty UMC, near Plattsmouth, Neb., was the recipient of Discipleship Ministries' One Matters Award, doubling its membership in 2024 thanks to 12 professions of faith and seven baptisms.

Hunter Verhage, a recent graduate of University of Nebraska-Kearney, received the Francis Asbury Award from the General Board of Higher Education in Ministry for his work with United Campus Ministry and touring area churches to encourage students to become involved in the ministry.

Churches marking their 150th anniversaries were:

• Kansas: Nickerson, St. Marys and Vassar.
• Nebraska: Alma, Aurora, Cortland, Cozad, Friend, Geneva, Milford and Sutton Federated.

Celebrating 125 years were:

• Kansas: Miltonvale Mount Liberty.
• Nebraska: Gibbon Bethel, Gretna and Plymouth Peace.
   

Lunch celebrates Hispanic
ministry initiatives in conference

The Hispanic Ministry hosted a luncheon to celebrate the Biblical Institute's inaugural class of over 20 emerging Hispanic lay leaders. Friends, family, and the conference community gathered at University UMC for music, food, and congratulatory messages from conference leaders. 

Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, Eastern Nebraska District superintendent, reflected on the importance of learning in your “heart’s language” and the conference’s vision to train the next generation of Spanish-speaking Lay Servants. Rev. Jeff Clinger, outgoing director of congregational excellence, Rev. Nicole Conard, interim director of congregational excellence, and Kathy Williams, director of clergy excellence, offered their congratulations and pledged continued support for Hispanic ministries. 

Bishop Wilson recognized the inaugural class and spoke on the importance of community.

“I look across and see such diverse people,” he said, “It is a beautiful part of the Great Plains Annual Conference.”

 

United Women in Faith get
interest going in Mission U

Interested in deepening your faith in community? Working towards healing for yourself, your community, and all of creation? United Women in Faith of the Great Plains Conference invites you to attend a Mission U event in Kansas (June 27-28) or Nebraska (July 18-19).

The 2025 Mission U explores the theme “Practicing Hope Together,” focusing on the resurrection. The curriculum explores the resurrection appearances of Jesus and the example of the early Christian communities to explore what it means to practice hope in God even when things fall apart.

To get involved or learn more, please visit: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=841642&

 

Brothers bring a colorful
coincidence to conference

The Coates brothers think alike, yet completely different.

Rev. Dale Coates, in a retirement appointment at Brainard-Rising City UMCs, wore an all-blue shirt, and carried a matching blue umbrella. His brother, Duane, a lay member from Grand Island First-Faith UMC, wore a red shirt and had a red umbrella.

 

Our photo gallery continues to
grow; did our cameras find you?

Our annual conference Flickr account continues to grow. Thanks to photos from Michael Turner, Will Ravenstein, Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, Shontell Marshall, Michelle Ferris and David Burke.

Click here or on the photo above.

 

Saturday's schedule

6:45 a.m.	Golf carts start in parking lots (only in-person at Kansas Wesleyan University)
7:15 a.m.	Extension Ministry breakfast — Bieber Dining Hall Child care opens at Student Activity Center — rooms 203 and 207 Cabinet and Ordinand/Commission class photos in Student Activity Center room 202
8:15 a.m.	Youth-led morning worship and communion — Mabee Arena
9:00 a.m.	GP Camps Introduction of the Cabinet and sessions planning team Kansas Wesleyan University thank you Adopt the Budget KS and NE Foundations Nominations Closing Business Closing Announcements
10:00 a.m.	Break Ordinands in Student Activity Center — room 202 All other clergy robe in Muir Gym
11:00 a.m.	Ordination and setting of appointments featuring Bishop Bruce Blake in Mabee Arena
12:30 p.m.	Annual conference concludes Childcare closes
12:45 p.m.	Ordination celebration with appetizers and beverages in Student Activity Center
1:30 p.m.	End of Reception