THIS WEEK'S NEWS
Task force members start to work on strategic plan
Pastor plays Santa in community-building breakfast
Prepare for a Week of Faithful Witness, Jan. 4-10
A funny thing happened for Kansas pastor-entertainer Jaron Bell
With goals met, advocacy group ceases its operations
CLERGY EXCELLENCE
Dates set for 2026 spiritual formation retreats in April, September
Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation scheduled for April 12-17
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES
Registration open for leadership training, scheduled for Jan. 20-22
Lay persons needed to volunteer for various conference committees
MERCY & JUSTICE
Advent resources address food insecurity
Hub Argentine: Celebrating the God-given gifts of every person
Mediation Center, Justice in Action launch eviction prevention program
ADMINISTRATION
Foundation awards over $45,000 in fall ministry grants
RESOURCES
Here's books to learn more about Methodist history
ACROSS THE CONNECTION
1,000 visitors enjoy live nativity at Camp Chippewa
Money from Bird City women’s group helps school get new clavinova
In other news
Newsletters
Classifieds
Task force members start
to work on strategic plan
Six clergy and two laity will help set the strategic plan for the Great Plains Conference staff operations into 2026 and beyond.
Conference executive director Scott Brewer, who is staffing the strategic planning work, said the purpose of the team is to gather ideas and opinions from clergy and laity across the Great Plains and develop propose a plan and priorities for the conference.
Find out who's on the task force, when clergy and laity leaders can give their input, and the proposal for a finished product.
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Pastor plays Santa in
community-building breakfast
When the man who played Santa Claus at Norfolk First UMC passed away last year, there was one logical choice to take over -- the church's white-bearded pastor, Rev. Neil Gately.
“It’s his alter ego,” church council chair Deb Beutler said with a laugh.
Gately has had his own Santa suit for a decade -- even after losing 120 pounds -- and will make his third appearance at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Christmas night in full regalia, passing out candy canes.
Norfolk First's "Pancakes with Santa" is also unique for another reason: There's no expectation of donations.
Read more and see a photo gallery here.
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Prepare for a Week of
Faithful Witness, Jan. 4-10
The Mercy & Justice team, in conversation with Bishop Wilson, Pastor Keith Anglemyer and El Dorado First UMC’s Justice First team, is inviting all Great Plains United Methodists to begin the 2026 year with a week of faithful witness. Inspired by the Wesleyan call to social holiness, we encourage all Great Plains churches to stand together in faithful witness through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness against systems that harm God’s creation and God’s people.
Members of the Justice and Mercy team and Great Plains Conference staff will be providing resources to participate in this week including daily devotionals, worship resources for Epiphany Sunday (Jan. 4), a congregational prayer guide, and calls to action through education and advocacy! You can find all resourcing on the website within the next week.
If you have questions, please reach out to Rev. Maddie Johnson at mmjohnson@greatplainsumc.org. We look forward to engaging in this week of faithful witness with you!
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A funny thing happened for
Kansas pastor-entertainer Jaron Bell
From playing at Willie Nelson's Picnic to viral videos, Jaron Bell shares how his love for music and comedy turned into a calling the country-singer-turned-pastor never expected.
Bell, pastor at Brookville UMC in central Kansas, is the latest guest on United Methodist Communications’ “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast.
Listen/download the podcast, approximately 45 minutes.
Read our story on Jaron Bell from November.
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With goals met, advocacy
group ceases its operations
With the overwhelming ratification of worldwide regionalization, the board of the advocacy group Mainstream UMC, which began in the Great Plains Conference, announced that its work is done and it is shutting down. The board also announced that it voted unanimously to entrust the group’s remaining assets to Reconciling Ministries Network, which advocates for the full inclusion of LGBTQ church members.
Read press release.
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Clergy Excellence
Dates set for 2026 spiritual
formation retreats in April, September
Clergy of the Great Plains Conference:
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 a spiritual formation retreat planned just for you. The only cost to you is $50 to reserve your spot for a two-night, three-day retreat.
Roots for Your Soul: Creativity, Healing, Music, and Art
April 20-22, 2026
Marillac Center, Leavenworth, Kan.
Presenters: Rev. Michael Tomson-DeGreeff and Rev. Lacey Wheeler
$50 to include two nights, three days of lodging and food
Sept. 21-23, 2026
Presenter: TBA
St. Benedict’s Center, Schuyler, Neb.
$50 to include two nights, three days of lodging and food
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Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation scheduled for April 12-17
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 Word of Life-Rule of Life led by presenters Rev. Mary Earle and Dr. Roger Owens. Earle is an Episcopal priest, author, poet, and retreat leader. Owens is professor of Christian spirituality and ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary who is also a retreat leader. Participants will be invited to be attentive to God in the present moment in daily life and also to engage scripture in ways that are formative, communal, and liberative.
Registration for the 2026 Great Plains 5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation is as follows:
- In-person single room occupancy with meals: $750 (beverages only, $575)
- In-person double room occupancy with meals: $690 (beverages only, $515)
- Online Zoom participation: $325
Some scholarships are available. You can earn 3CEUs for attending the 5-Day Academy.
To learn more and register, go to https://www.gpspiritualformation.org/.
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Equipping Disciples
Registration open for leadership training, scheduled for Jan. 20-22
The Great Plains Conference’s annual Local Church Leadership Training is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. CT (6-7:30 p.m. MT) Jan. 20-22.
The three-night virtual event will offer focused training for leaders serving on Administrative Boards/Church Councils, Finance Committees, Staff-Parish Relations Committees (SPRC), Boards of Trustees, Nominations/Leadership Development, and churches using a One-Board/Simplified Structure model.
Conference leaders are encouraging congregations to host local watch parties, noting that gathering leadership teams in the same room promotes collaboration, shared learning, and a stronger sense of purpose for the year ahead. Churches have increasingly used this model, and organizers hope even more congregations will participate together this year.
The event is especially recommended for first-time committee members, who will receive clear guidance about their roles and responsibilities as they begin serving in 2026. Returning leaders, pastors, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of local church structure are also invited to attend.
Register at this link.
-- Mark Nation-Ellis, Eastern Nebraska District Lay Servant Director
Local Church Leadership Planning Team
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Lay persons needed to volunteer
for various conference committees
The Great Plains Conference Nominations Committee beginning its work for 2026 and is inviting lay and clergy members to express their interest in serving on a conference committee. This is a great way for those who want to expand their own leadership skills and/or who want to lift up emerging leaders across Kansas and Nebraska.
How is God calling you to serve? Each year we have open positions for both clergy and lay persons. And there is definitely a significant shortage of lay persons in the nomination pool. As you think about nominating yourself or who a good person is to lift up is, here are some things you need to know about the nominations process.
- The nominations process involves two steps, where the person nominates themselves or lifts up someone else’s name via the nomination form and then the nominee is sent a more extensive survey questionnaire about interest areas, skills, etc. A person cannot be considered for a committee unless that survey form is completed.
- The conference currently does not allow persons, unless by virtue of their office, to concurrently serve on multiple conference committees. This was part of our organizing framework when we became the Great Plains. This means that if someone is already on a conference committee they cannot serve on another.
- The nominations committee does not fill openings on the Board of Ordained Ministry, Administrative Review, Transition into Ministry, or Committee on Investigation. Please check with your District Superintendent regarding interest in serving on those committees.
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 https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/leadershipnomination25
-- Esther Hay, nominations committee chair
estherhay56@gmail.com
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Mercy & Justice
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Advent resources
address food insecurity
The Great Plains Mercy & Justice team, in collaboration with the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund and their partners, will be offering resources throughout Advent that will focus on issues of food insecurity and hunger. According to the United Methodist Social Principles, we believe that “[f]ood systems that are ecologically sustainable, locally oriented, and equitably distributed are urgent priorities. We endorse policies and practices designed to ensure access to healthy nourishment [...], especially for communities that have been [...] deprived of adequate resources to produce or purchase their own food.”
In light of the recent government shutdown and federal cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, it is essential that we respond to the current and ongoing issue of food insecurity across the Great Plains in concrete ways. These Advent resources will include weekly lectionary devotionals, worship liturgy, fast facts regarding food insecurity and SNAP, stories across Kansas and Nebraska, and creative missional engagement strategies through funding, advocacy, volunteering, and more. Click here to access the resourcing, including downloadable bulletins and inserts.
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Hub Argentine: Celebrating the
God-given gifts of every person
Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories looking at mission agencies in the Great Plains Conference.
The Hub’s vision for the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, Kan., is “to be a diverse and welcoming community that celebrates the God-given gifts of every person where health, wholeness, and joy thrive.” And the mission is “to connect people to their God-given gifts, neighbors, faith and culture, vital resources for health and wholeness, stories, and joy. Through these connections, we affirm the inherent dignity and potential of every neighbor.”
Rev. Carter Ellis, executive director, says that through this mission agency funding, The Hub “continues to advance the church’s call to justice — ensuring human dignity for all, building community power to solve shared challenges, and holding ourselves accountable for measurable.” Learn more about The Hub and its ministry through the following stories.
Samuel used to teach English at a local community college. In August, he learned that new institutional requirements would force him to check the citizenship status of his students—a policy that conflicted with his values and led him to resign. Desperate for a place to continue teaching and caring for his students, Samuel turned to The Hub. We partnered with him to create a safe, inclusive space for language learning. Today, Samuel leads four English classes serving 100 learners. This opportunity not only preserves access to education for immigrant and refugee neighbors but also affirms the dignity and potential of both teacher and students, addressing systemic barriers to equitable education.
Sally shops regularly at our Community Market, our free grocery store. While waiting in line, she attended a Know Your Rights training. Inspired, she later came to our office hours with a family plan and paperwork needing notarization. Though we could change the injustices she faces within our current immigration system, The Hub provided guidance, resources, and dignity as she navigated the complexities of the immigration system. Through this support, Sally gained confidence, practical tools, and a renewed sense of agency in a system that often marginalizes vulnerable neighbors.
Ellis and her staff and volunteers thank you all for your support of mission agencies. “Through this funding we can provide programs that address immediate concerns in the community, while affirming the God-given dignity and worth in every person.”
Learn more about the history of The Hub Argentine.
-- Andrea Paret, Peace with Justice coordinator
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Mediation Center, Justice in Action
launches eviction prevention program
The Mediation Center in Lincoln joined representatives of Justice in Action on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of a New Pre-Filing Eviction Mediation Program, a free service designed to help landlords and tenants resolve housing conflicts quickly, fairly, and outside the courtroom.
Justice in Action is a Lincoln- and Lancaster County-based grassroots justice organization partially funded by the Great Plains Conference that had included eviction mediation on its goals for the year during its Nehemiah Assembly on May 1.
Read more from KLIN.
Read our story from August.
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Administration
Foundation awards over
$45,000 in fall ministry grants
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation would like to recognize and congratulate the 18 churches and ministries that received a ministry grant this fall: Aurora UMC, Aldersgate Bellevue UMC, Blair First UMC, Blue Hill UMC, Camp Fontanelle, Camp Norwesca, Denton UMC, Ericson UMC, Fremont First UMC, Gretna UMC, Guide Rock UMC, Methodist Men’s Club, Papillion St. Paul UMC, Seward UMC, Stromsburg UMC, Tecumseh First UMC, The Tent UMC in Omaha, and Wahoo First UMC.
Ministry grants are available to create or enhance programs and activities at a Nebraska United Methodist Church or ministry. The ultimate goal of these grants is to provide assistance that will help a ministry become self-sustaining. They are not made for building repair, replacement, or expansion.
If you would like to partner with us in this ministry through a contribution to the fund, please contact Sharon Schmidt, director of stewardship, at 402-323-8841 or e-mail info@numf.org.
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Resources
Here's books to learn more
about Methodist history
Learn more about your denomination with these books on Methodist history from United Media Resource Center.
In this first list, titles include "Early American Spirituality: Selected Women's Writings" by Paul Wesley Chilcote, "Poisoned Chalice: Eucharistic Grape Juice and Common Sense Realism in Victorian Methodism" by Jennifer Roodruff Tait, and "Wesley Country: A Pictorial History Based on John Wesley's Journal," edited by Richard Bewes.
Find those and more here.
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Across the Connection
1,000 visitors enjoy live
nativity at Camp Chippewa
A huge group of volunteers provided an immersive experience into the nativity story at Camp Chippewa, Dec. 5-7. Visitors start at the city gates and enter into the timber paths lit beautifully with Christmas lights and campfires. There were many stops on the ¾-mile walking tour to watch actors act out the nativity story with some live animals from the camp! The costumes and props added to the experience, but the most special part was being in the quiet timber area with a full moon overhead and very few lights — maybe like it was when Mary and Joseph were looking for a room at the inn so many years ago.
James Rickner, camp director, and Courtney Troyer, program director at Camp Chippewa, worked hard recruiting sponsors and volunteers to make the Bethlehem Project go smoothly. The camp had over 1,000 people visit over the three nights. There was no charge for admission, but donations were requested. In addition to the walking tour, visitors could purchase items from local artisans and view many nativity scenes that were displayed at the dining hall. After the walking tour, visitors were treated to fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate in the dining hall and then driven by golf cart back to their vehicle.
Plan to come to the live nativity on the first weekend of December 2026.
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Money from Bird City women’s group helps school get new clavinova
The Women's' Group of Immanuel United Methodist Church in Bird City, Kan., raises money each summer at the Tri-State Antique Engine and Thresher Show, a four-day event. Bird City is a very small town of less than 450 residents in extreme Northwest Kansas. In recent years, the ladies have sold pies each day, until their supplies run out, from which the proceeds go to mission work. This year, it was discovered there was a need for a new clavinova in the school music program. No music teacher had been at the school for a few years, as none could be found. One was found for the 2025-2026 school year.
The ladies decided to donate to Cheylin USD 103 $1,492.50 the entire amount necessary to purchase a new one. Additionally, the Women's Group donated $1500 to UMCOR towards wildfire relief, $200 to Dr. Seuss Day at Cheylin Elementary School, $200 to a fundraiser to help offset adoption funds for a local fund adopting a baby, $500 to the ministerial alliance, and $200 to the community youth group. It has been a busy year for the ladies. Thanks to all of you who purchase their pies at the Thresher Show.
-- Pastor Kevin Dixson, Bird City Immanuel UMC
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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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