UMconnect--03/13/08

The Big Garden is growing

This winter The Big Garden refused to be dormant. Instead of growing vegetables during the cold winter months, The Big Garden grew its ability to reach more people, adding programming and staff. This growth can be attributed to the awarding of capacity building grants from the Peter Kiewit Foundation and three other anonymous foundations. These grants totaled $144,000 over the course of the year.

"When it became clear that we were going to exceed our three-year goals in two years, we realized it was time to strategize for further growth," said the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, Executive Director of United Methodist Ministries--Missouri River District. "We were able to utilize annual conference funding and district askings to respond to a matching grant from a local foundation. A second foundation then matched that funding and two others got interested in adding their resources. It is exciting how conference funding provided the 'seed' that helped grow the gardens."

The increase in funding allowed The Big Garden to add staffing resources to the garden, including Jessica Reinert Mews as the new project coordinator. She is responsible for the oversight of The Big Garden including community outreach, securing new garden sites and new program initiatives. Reinert Mews joins the staff with experience in community building, grant management and social justice issues.

Irene Perez has also joined The Big Garden as a bi-lingual neighborhood health promotora. Perez will be responsible for the development and teaching of health and nutrition classes at garden sites and for outreach into the Latino communities surrounding the gardens.

"Irene and Jessica bring us expertise and organizational skills that are needed as we grow from our original five gardens to the 25 we will be sponsoring this year," said Ahlschwede. "There was no question that with the increase in sites, volunteers and funding, we needed to add staff to focus on The Big Garden."

The Big Garden will be adding new programming to the project as well. The new programming will focus on the garden as a centerpiece for not only growing fresh food but for building communities, creating safe neighborhood spaces, and development of a healthy lifestyle. New programs to be launched in summer 2008 will include garden yoga classes, health and nutrition classes, public art displays, and literacy and art events.

"We estimate at least 800 people will be participating in the gardens this year," said Ahlschwede, "which gives us quite an opportunity for teaching. We are thrilled to add bilingual art and movement classes."

The Big Garden is a series of community gardens located in the metro-Omaha area focused on empowering neighbors to grow nutritious food, build community partnerships, improve their health, and start small businesses. Each community garden site is specifically designed for the needs of the neighborhood.

In 2006, The Big Garden harvested over 3,000 pounds of food, 1,000 pounds of which was donated to local food pantries. Over 230 youth donated approximately 1,000 hours of time to make the gardens a success. In 2007, The Big Garden added eight new sites to the five already in existence, bringing the total to 13 Big Garden sponsored community gardens in the metro-Omaha area. Over 12,000 pounds of food were produced in 2007 and one-third of the food was donated to local food agencies. The Big Garden plans on increasing the number of community garden sites in the metro-Omaha area to 25 in 2008.

The Big Garden is partially funded by a USDA Community Food Projects Grant, Peter Kiewit Foundation and the United Methodist Church. Donations can be sent to: The Big Garden, 2418 E Street, Omaha, NE 68107. To register a VIM team, contact Lisa Maupin at 402-898-9862 or e-mail lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

Financial Update--February

Local churches in Nebraska have supported the 2008 mission share goal very strongly during January and February.

Contributions toward mission shares totaled $788,108 as of Feb. 29, 2008, or 11.1 percent of the 2008 funding plan--compared with $702,147 or 10.24 percent of the funding plan at Feb. 28, 2007. Because of this support, the ministries approved by the annual conference continue to be funded in our state, our country and our world.

Thank you for your generous contributions toward mission share giving.

- Robin Kilgore, conference treasurer and director of administrative services

Application deadline approaching for 2008 Peace with Justice Ministries young adult summer internship

The Nebraska Conference offers a unique opportunity for young adults interested in vital faith formation and risk-taking mission and justice work. Consider applying for the summer internship.

For more information and an application form, go to http://www.umcneb.org and click on Ministries in Action where you'll find the Peace with Justice Web page. You may also contact Peace with Justice Ministries by phone at 402-455-4281 or e-mail cawindrum@yahoo.com.

The deadline for application is March 17, 2008.

Laity Convocation offers quality program free of charge

The 2008 Laity Convocation is scheduled for March 28-29, at the First United Methodist Church in Kearney. The theme this year is "Developing Lay Leadership."

There is an exciting change this year--NO FEE! However, registrations are still required. Registrants are asked to please fill out both forms completely, including the box at the bottom of the health form. You may either send the forms to Deanna Holland by mail or scan the completed forms and e-mail them.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to learn and fellowship at an outstanding event. Please forward this information to anyone you feel would be interested.

For more information, contact Deanna Holland, registrar at hollandfarms@alltel.net.

• Registration form
• Scholarship form

"Burnout and Exhaustion are pervasive ailments of Clergy"--The Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies

July 21-23, 2008, The Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies will begin its sixth Nebraska retreat series in Lincoln.

"Burnout and exhaustion are such pervasive ailments among clergy that the need for this work is great. The Center accomplished this journey toward pastoral and congregational health by offering an in-depth understanding of the role of the leader, creating healthy boundaries, avoiding triangles, and growing in self-differentiation. The work, however, is not simply theoretical; it is practical and applicable in a variety of settings: churches, institutions, families and neighborhoods. I have been greatly helped by this work, and my church has grown stronger for it. I no longer shy away from conflict. Tough issues and difficult people no longer paralyze me. I have learned how to successfully develop appropriate working boundaries. I am more energized and enthusiastic about ministry than I have been in years."
-- Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, Rawlins, Wyo.

As you begin planning your continuing education for the coming year, you might want to consider The Center for Pastoral Effectiveness of the Rockies. Now in its ninth year, 290 clergy have attended the center from five different denominations. It is most popularly described as "the most valuable continuing education experience I have ever attended." The center has had sites in Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Montana and Kansas.

What is the Center? It is a program, which focuses on family systems in the church. Yes, there are several resources available which also focus on family systems, but what makes the center unique is that it is neither a therapeutic nor academic model, it is a "pastoral" model. Everything we do together enables clergy to be healthier leaders of their church.

Beginning July 21 and running through July 23, 2008, the sixth series of the center for Nebraska will be located at Nebraska Wesleyan University. It includes six, three-day retreats scheduled over eighteen months.

For more information, e-mail your Nebraska center representative, Kelly Karges, at kjkarges@hotmail.com; visit http://pastoraleffectiveness.org; or register by contacting the Rev. Bill Selby, center mentor, at integrity4u@comcast.net.

Missouri River District United Methodist Women Spring Retreat--Saturday, April 12, 2008

The Aldersgate and St. James United Methodist Women will host "Publish Glad Tidings," a spring retreat featuring artist Sara Malone at Bellevue St. James United Methodist Church. The deadline for registration is April 7, 2008. For more details on the event, please see the flyer below.

• Missouri River District United Methodist Women Spring Retreat

United Methodist Men's 19th annual scholarship dinner and auction

Join in the fun and fundraising on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 M Street, Lincoln.

We will enjoy a dinner to recognize the 2008 scholarship recipients as well as a live auction. We hope you can attend. The auction donation form can be found below. For more information, contact Randy Fleming, executive director of fund development, by e-mail at auctioneer_32@msn.com.

• Auction donation form

Safe Sanctuaries training

Safe Sanctuaries protection policy training is being offered at the Chadron United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m.-noon MT.

We are asking that participants fill out the paperwork ahead of time and bring the completed forms with them, along with $20, which is required for the background check. Checks are payable to the Nebraska Conference Treasurer.

All forms may be downloaded from the Nebraska Conference Web site at http://www.umcneb.org. Please call Mollie at Camp Norwesca at 308-432-3872 or e-mail norwesca@bbcwb.net if you are planning to attend. The church is located at the corner of 9th Ave. and Shelton St. in Chadron.

Volunteers In Mission (VIM) day trip to Indian Cave State Park, Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Join the Missouri River District on a Volunteers In Mission (VIM) day trip to Indian Cave State Park, Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

This day trip is a great opportunity for United Methodist Men's groups, youth groups, Sunday school classes and mission committees (just to name a few) to participate in a VIM day of service.

A flyer and registration form are attached with more information. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Lisa Maupin at 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

• VIM flyer
• VIM registration form

Conference office phone extensions

When calling the conference office, please dial your intended party's extension from the list below. For office hours dial 2, and dial 0 for assistance.

Carole Otto -- 108 -- Benefits
Roxie Delisi -- 107 -- Messenger Mailing List
Barb Grenemeier -- 114 -- Administrative Assistant, Move Coordinator, Office Manager
Tina Watteyne -- 118 -- Accounts Payable/Receivable
Robin Kilgore -- 117 -- Treasurer
Kathryn Witte -- 113 -- Communications
Rev. Chad Anglemyer -- 111 -- Director of Connectional Ministries
Rev. Nita Hinds-Park -- 110 -- Congregational Development
Lorie Lindenmuth -- 119 -- Comptroller
Diane Dunkerson -- 106 -- Resource Center
Holly Woldt -- 115 -- Information Technology
Sara Brockhoft -- 104 -- Communications Coordinator
John Jones -- 105 or (cell) 402-450-4992 -- Camping
Terri Raburn -- 402-465-2175 -- Archives

For Bishop Sherer and Elaine Michaud -- 102 or dial directly at 466-4955.

To hear your options again, dial 9.

OFFICE HOURS:

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are calling on Tuesday between 9 and 10 a.m., we are in staff meeting. The conference office will be closed when Lincoln Public Schools are closed.

• Conference office phone extensions

Musical Moments of Hope and Healing--featuring therapeutic harpist, Tami Briggs

Tami Briggs, a therapeutic harpist, will perform at Omaha's First United Methodist Church on April 6, in the chapel from 4:00-5:15. This will be followed by a Taize service at 5:30 p.m.

Healing music can play a unique role in our life's journey. This experiential session will explore how music can be used to enhance our self-care, giving us renewed hope. The harp, as a healing instrument, has been called "the perfect instrument" for relaxation and stress reduction. It is paradoxical--incredibly gentle, yet very powerful at the same time.

Join Briggs as she weaves together practical tips, powerful stories and plays musical examples, demonstrating music's role in the healing process.

Briggs is the founding principal of "Musical Reflections," whose mission is to provide therapeutic music to the health care environment and the health-conscious community. She is a certified harp practitioner and has played the harp at the bedside of hundreds of hospital and hospice patients. Through speaking engagements, she educates audiences about the healing power of music and encourages groups to use therapeutic music as a healing modality. As a composer and recording artist, she has released 13 CDs for relaxation, comfort and stress reduction. Her CDs as well as "Grace Notes," her first book about using therapeutic music at the bedside, are all available on her Web site at http://www.musicalreflections.com.

Hispanic Ministries fund-raiser scheduled for April 13

Gateway District Cluster Four will have a Hispanic Ministries fund-raiser for the Gateway District, hosted at the Elm Creek UMC on April 13.

"Rough Around the Edges" is scheduled to entertain at 7 p.m., and an "American Picnic" themed meal will be served from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The meal will be furnished by the Elm Creek, Overton and Williamsburg churches. A freewill offering will be taken for the meal and the performance.

Everyone is welcome to attend and help support our Hispanic Ministries of the Gateway District.

• Hispanic Ministries fund-raiser flyer

Drawing from the Well: A Women's Spiritual Walk and Retreat

April 4-5, 2008, the North Platte First United Methodist Church will be hosting a women's retreat called "Drawing from the Well."

Women of all traditions are welcome to join in this celebration of women's spirituality and journey of self-discovery. This event is sponsored by the Labyrinth Committee of the First United Methodist Church, which includes several women of different traditions from our community.

The retreat will have group and individual labyrinth walks; small group reflection times; times for creative activities, journaling or meditation; and free time to rest, recuperate and revive body and soul.

This will be an overnight experience, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and ending at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The registration fee is $25 with a limited number of $15 scholarships available. The retreat is limited to 40 women, and registrations must be in by March 21. Registration forms are available at the church or by contacting the church office at 308-532-1478. The church office is located at 1600 West E Street, North Platte.

If you have questions about the event, contact Jacque Amweg at 308-534-4571.

United Methodist hymnal research

We want to know what you think about our current hymnal (The United Methodist Hymnal, 1989) and some common practices related to congregational worship and singing. We invite you to participate in a survey open to all United Methodists--pastors, musicians, laity, children, youth and adults. Your responses will be used in planning future resources in the areas of congregational worship and music.

The survey will be available for responding March 17-30, 2008. It will consist of about 35 simple statements related to the hymnal, worship and congregational singing. You will be asked to register your agreement or disagreement with each statement by mouse-clicking on a button. The entire survey should take no more than 15 minutes.

In order to maintain the integrity of the survey, only one response per computer will be accepted. It is important NOT to log in to the survey until you are ready to complete it in one session since you will not be able to access the survey once you have exited it.

If you would like to sign up NOW to take this survey when it is available online, you may do so by going to http://www.gbod.org/hymnal where you can register. When the survey is available, we will send to you an e-mail notification and a link that will take you to the survey.

Thank you for your willingness to contribute your time to this important research. We encourage you to share this invitation with other United Methodists.

Messenger correction

The Nebraska Messenger story titled "Immigration work" incorrectly identified the phone for Justice for Our Neighbors for Columbus and Omaha. Both centers are operated from one phone number, 402-898-1349. Their updated mission statement is, "Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON) is a faith-driven ministry, welcoming immigrants into our churches and communities by providing free, high-quality immigration legal services, education, and advocacy."

Sorry for any inconvenience the error may have caused.

Register now for SCJ Volunteer Work Week at Mount Sequoyah, March 31-April 4

Lodging is provided at no cost in appreciation of your work at Mount Sequoyah. There is a per person charge of only $89 to cover the cost of meals. It will be a great week of faith in action. Donations will be accepted for materials and supplies.

Time will be spent repairing buildings, cleaning windows, sealing decks, and making the grounds beautiful. Your landscaping, carpentry, drywall, maintenance, cleaning or painting skills will be put to good use.

We have several curtains from the hotel furniture move that need to be trimmed and hemmed to fit the windows in some cottages, so this year we have a special need for sewing machines and seamstresses.

We look forward to welcoming you to Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center. For more information, please call the office at 800-760-8126, 479-443-4531 or email programs@mountsequoyah.org.

DVDs of the TEACH-IN from the AIDS Awareness Weekend

If you would like to purchase a DVD of the afternoon TEACH-IN at Journey of the Heart: HIV AIDS Awareness Weekend in February at Trinity UMC, Grand Island, Neb. with Bishop Fritz and Etta Mae Mutti, you can purchase one for your local church or community group.

The Rev. Scott Taylor of First Christian Church will fill your order if you send him a $10 payment to: Rev. Scott Taylor, First Christian Church, 2400 W. 14th Street, Grand Island, NE 68803. If you have any questions, please call 308-382-6738.

Saint Paul United Methodist Church to host the seventh concert of the 2007-2008 First Friday concert series

Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 M Street, Lincoln, will host the seventh concert of the 2007-2008 First Friday concert series Friday, April 4. The concert, featuring K. Joyce Mynster on the Bedient pipe organ, will begin at 12:10 p.m. and end at 12:50 p.m.

K. Joyce Mynster is the organist and music coordinator for Saint John Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Her recital, entitled "Fascinating Rhythm," features 20th century composers.

The concert is free and open to the public. Donations are welcomed. A light lunch consisting of soup, sandwich, dessert and beverage will be available for $5 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served in Paine Parlor, adjacent to the Sanctuary.

If you have questions, please contact Sherry Melecki at 402-477-6951 or by e-mail at smelecki@saintpaulumc.org.