UMconnect — 03/26/09

Save the date—Weaving a Web of Connections, May 16

Using Internet Technology for Effective Ministry

Do you want to develop or expand a Web presence for your local church, district or conference organization? If so, join local church, district and conference volunteers, staff, webmasters/servants, communicators, editors and pastors for this exciting training event.

Through interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations and detailed handouts, you will be able to explore a variety of options for creating a dynamic Web ministry as we weave a Web of connections and learn how to use Internet technology for effective ministry.

This training opportunity is hosted by the Nebraska United Methodist Conference and will be conducted by United Methodist Communications but is open to any and all persons interested in attending.

The May 16 event will take place in North Platte at Mid-Plains Community College from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

For more details, please see the brochure below.

• Brochure

Laity Convocation canceled

The Laity Convocation scheduled for this weekend at Lincoln Christ UMC has been canceled. It is the hope of the planning committee to set another date (maybe this fall) with the same program and location.

Annual Conference booth space available

If your United Methodist group or organization would like to have booth space at the Lincoln Cornhusker-Marriott Hotel during the Annual Conference Session, June 9-13, please contact Barb Grenemeier at bgren@umcneb.org, or call 402-464-5994, ext. 114.

In order for organizations to have a booth at the Nebraska Annual Conference Session, the organization must be connected with and endorsed by a recognized Nebraska or General Board United Methodist committee, board or organization.

There is a limit of 45 booths, so please register early. PLEASE NOTE: May 15, 2009, is the absolute deadline for space rental—unfortunately, there can be no exceptions. Please e-mail Barb Grenemeier for further information.

• Registration

Special offering to support Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership Orphanage set for Mother's Day, May 10

This is the second in a series of bulletin inserts intended to help you and your church promote the May 10 special offering to support the Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership Orphanage.

Mother's Day is an appropriate time to remember all the children in the world who have been left homeless and parentless through no fault of their own. For example, student Koga Myabun, is in the Nursery 2 class. He's learning his alphabet and numbers. His father Myabun died of a car accident and his mother died from an unknown cause.

Koga likes to study the alphabet. He is a quiet and shy young man. He enjoys playing soccer (football) with his good friend Villanah. Koga is from the Mumuye Tribe from the Euigine Wesely District in Taraba State, Nigeria.

Your contributions see that Koga receives an education, along with supporting his accommodations, food and general care. It takes about $2,000 to support one student for one year. Perhaps your congregation would like to join in the conference mission in Nigeria by supporting one student. Nickels for Nigeria is also a way to involve the entire congregation—even children and youth can get involved.

Each year an offering is taken at the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Session when all of the aggregated money generated by Nickels for Nigeria is offered up to the Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership.

• Bulletin insert #1
• Bulletin insert #2

Native American Ministries Sunday, April 26

Whether it's providing shelter for victims of domestic violence, filling food pantries, starting new churches or educating Native American seminary students, the special offering is one way United Methodists honor Native Americans.

On Native American Ministries Sunday, United Methodist's cultivate and support urban missions with Native Americans and fund scholarships for Native American seminarians. Your annual conference may retain 50 percent of the offering to strengthen and develop Native American ministries. However, if no Native American ministries exist in the conference, the entire offering is remitted to the General Council on Finance and Administration for Native American ministries in other areas.

The remaining 50 percent of the offering expands mission work with the Native American Urban Initiative and provides scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist and other approved schools of theology.

Is it easier to learn Native American traditions from a Native American or an Irish American? This is why the Native American Ministries Sunday offering is critical—to continue the traditions and nurture the gifts of Native Americans.

The Nebraska United Methodist Conference Common Table has identified Sacred Winds Indian Community Church in Lincoln as one of its mission projects/new church starts for 2010 and placed it under the Congregation Transformation Team's responsibility for funding and pastoral leadership.

Robert Barrick, a retired UMC pastor/Cherokee Indian is currently providing Sunday morning worship services as they meet weekly in the Lincoln Indian Center.

The Native American Ministries Committee is working to keep 50 percent of this Special Sunday offering in Nebraska to support the Sacred Winds Indian Community Church.

For more information contact the Rev. Dick Turner, chair of the committee, at richluturn@windstream.net.

Last call to register for Global Youth Service Day 2009

The registration deadline for Global Youth Service Day 2009 is quickly approaching, and we do not want your youth groups to miss out! United Methodist Ministries is inviting teams of youth and youth leaders to participate in this international day of service on April 25. The day of service will feature work at local agencies in the metro-Omaha area and the opportunity for youth learn about ways to make change in their own communities.

Teams will meet at Dietz United Methodist Church, 1423 S. 10th Street, Omaha, NE, for check-in at 9 a.m. The day will conclude at 3 p.m. The cost to participate is $15 per youth which includes lunch and a commemorative t-shirt. Pre-registration is required, and the deadline for registration is April 1.

For more information or to register your group, contact Lisa Maupin at 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

• Flyer
• Registration

Ethics in Ministry: Establishing Boundaries, Preserving Connections and Restoring Hope

This cooperative education event is the equivalent to Boundaries Training for clergy. Please see the flyer below for more information.

• Flyer

Experience a communion service to the music of U2 with a live band at Omaha's St. Paul UMC, Wednesday, April 1

The songs of U2 have messages of global reconciliation, justice for the poor and oppressed, and the importance of caring for your neighbor. U2 supports using their music in these Eucharists to help people rally around the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

First initiated in 2003, the U2charist has gained wide acclaim as a way to reach a new generation for Christ. Located at 54th Street and NW Radial (5410 Corby St.), the St. Paul event begins with a centering labyrinth walk at 6 p.m., followed by the service of Holy Communion at 7 p.m. For more information call 402-556-2433.

• Flyer

The Rev. Joy Savage to lead Beth Moore retreat at the Central City UMC on April 18, please note date change

On April 18, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., the Central City UMC will host a one-day Beth Moore retreat/study. This video study, entitled "Loving Well," will be led by the Rev. Joy Savage.

The cost of the retreat will be $15 which includes a study book and the noon meal. Childcare will be provided by the church if needed. Please request childcare when you register and bring a sack lunch for your child/children.

Register for this event by April 6, by calling Denice at the church office at 308-946-2853 or at home at 308-946-3094.

• Flyer

Marriage Encounter weekends coming up

To register or receive more information and/or brochures, about the next Marriage Encounter weekend, please contact:

Russell and Lanita Evans
Nebraska State Registration Couple
2002 Cedarberry Road
North Platte, NE 69101

They may also be reached at 308-535-1833, 308-520-1491 or russellevans@internet-usa.net. You can also go to the Web site at www.encounter.org, click on publicity, then M.E. tri-fold brochure. While you are there, watch the video!

2009 Weekend Dates:

April 17-19 in Omaha
September 18-20 in Hastings
October 23-25 in North Platte
November 20-22 in South Sioux City

"Come to the Table" spiritual retreat

"Come to the Table" spiritual retreat workshops include: labyrinth, Bible study (bring your Bible), celebrating with song and bread baking in the bag. The cost for the day is $10.

To register, send your name and check to Sharon Bauer, spiritual growth coordinator, by April 7, 2009. Her address is 35870 Eagle RD, Pleasanton, NE 68866-3139. For more information, call Sharon at 308-388-3727. Please make your check payable to Gateway District UMW.

Deconsecration services for Wilsonville and Hendley UMCs scheduled

The deconsecration services for the closing of Hendley/Wilsonville churches has been set. The deconsecration service for Wilsonville will be on Sunday, May 24, 2009, at 11 a.m., and the service for Hendley will be on Sunday, June 7, 2009, at 4 p.m.

Easter Family Fun—April 5, 2009, at Camp Fontanelle

Camp Fontanelle is planning some great FREE fun for Easter on Sunday, April 5, with egg decorating, an easter egg hunt, laser tag and more. There will be something for all ages! With egg hunts, different times will be allotted for various age groups starting with the youngest at 2:30 p.m., and continuing all afternoon.

Egg dyeing and tree climbing begin at 2 p.m. Bring your own boiled eggs, or we can boil them for you. Bring your favorite egg decorations. Dye and crayons will be provided for decorating. Climb 40 feet off the ground in trees to get eggs between 2 and 5 p.m. All minors will need to have a Tree Climbing Waiver form signed prior to climbing.

Forms can be downloaded at the "Register for Camp " link and signed by parents prior to arriving to climb. Forms will be available at Camp Fontanelle to sign if parents/guardians are present. Older kids and adults can play laser tag from 4 to 6 p.m. in groups of 15 to 30. Egg hunts will be by age with children age 4 and under starting at 2:30. Little ones can participate in later hunts with older kids.

For further information on activities and times, plus directions to Camp Fontanelle, please log onto the camp Web site at www.campfontanelle.com, or call 402-478-4296 or 402-459-0686.

• Bulletin inserts

2009 Peacemaking Workshop

Friday, April 3, and Saturday April 4, 2009, Anna Baltzer will keynote the "2009 Peacemaking Workshop" at First United Methodist Church, 50th and St. Paul Avenue in Lincoln.

Baltzer is a Jewish-American Columbia University graduate, Fulbright scholar, writer and three-time volunteer with the International Women's Peace Service. Her presentation, "Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories and Photos," will be at 7 p.m., Friday, April 3.

The workshop will continue Saturday morning, April 4, at 8:30 a.m., at First Mennonite Church, 7300 Holdrege Street. Both events are free and the public is invited.

Orchestra Omaha to perform at Papillion St. Paul UMC on March 29

All are invited to attend an Orchestra Omaha concert on Sunday, March 29, at 3 p.m., at St. Paul UMC, located at 324 South Jackson Street, in Papillion. Appreciation will be shown through a free-will offering.

Orchestra Omaha was originally formed in 1998 as the Omaha Municipal Orchestra. They are recognized as a not-for-profit, funded in part by a grant from the Nebraska Arts Council.

Orchestra Omaha is dedicated to offering the public an opportunity to enjoy a symphony orchestra concert in a convenient and casual atmosphere. They are also committed to providing performance opportunities for music students in the community.

Please come to St. Paul and enjoy one of Omaha's treasures.

Omaha's Soul Desires book store to host special author events on March 25 and 28

On Wednesday, March 25, from 5-6:30 p.m., meet Michael Lux, author of "The Progressive Revolution: How the Best in America Came to Be."

Lux begins by restoring Tom Paine to his rightful place as the inspiration for the American Revolution and reclaiming the Declaration of Independence as a clarion call for progressive democracy that has echoed around the world and through the ages. He goes on to recount the big change moments in American history, from the Bill of Rights through the ending of slavery to the great twentieth-century accomplishments of the Progressive Era, the New Deal and the civil rights movement. He also documents the conservative backlash that strove to prevent and then reverse each of these expansions of freedom.

On Saturday, March 28, at 5 p.m., meet the Rev. Dr. Phil Wogaman, author of "Moral Dilemmas: An Introduction to Christian Ethics."

How can we make decisions that are consistent with our basic values? We must first, Wogaman says, identify basic moral presumptions that can guide our thought as we face moral dilemmas. These basic moral presumptions include equality, grace, the value of human life, the unity of humankind, preferential claims for the poor and marginalized, and the goodness of creation.

Soul Desires is located at 1026 Jackson, in Omaha's Old Market. Call 402-898-7600 for more information.

First Friday Noon Concert Series welcomes in the spring with a serenade

Jennifer Bailey will perform a program entitled "Spring Serenade" on Friday, April 3, at 12:10 p.m. at Saint Paul UMC in Lincoln. She will perform works by J. S. Bach and Robert Schumann for flute and piano with Nancy Schoen, Celtic and sacred pieces for flute and harp with Jennifer Buehler, and a jazzy flute duet by Gary Schocker with her husband, John Bailey.

Jennifer Bailey currently teaches private flute, piano and beginning band lessons out of her home studio. She is co-director of the Saint Paul United Methodist Church Children's Choirs and accompanies the adult praise choir. Jennifer performs with Jennifer Buehler in the "Prairie Flute & Harp Duo," her husband, John, in the "Bailey Flute Duo," and with Jennifer Buehler and Margaret Nelson in the "One Flute & Two Harps Trio."

She is also active as a board member of the Lincoln Music Teachers Association. Jennifer received a Master of Music degree in 2005 in flute performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied with Dr. John Bailey (no relation). In graduate school, Jennifer was a graduate teaching assistant in the flute studio where she taught flute methods, private lessons, and assisted other music professors.

Jennifer has served as principal flutist of the Greater Grand Forks Symphony (ND) and holds bachelor degrees in music education and speech-language-pathology from the University of North Dakota. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and 2-year-old daughter, Alayna.

The concert is free and open to the public. The event will take place in Saint Paul UMC's sanctuary, located at the corner of 12th and M streets.

This is the seventh year that Saint Paul UMC has hosted the First Friday Noon Concert Series and this is the National Year of the Organ. More information about the Year of the Organ can be found at http://www.agohq.org/home.html.

To Lunch or not to lunch?

World Malaria Day is April 25: Skip a lunch. Send a net. Save a life.

The people of The United Methodist Church are marking the lead up to April 25, World Malaria Day, with a renewed call to members and friends to support Nothing But Nets, a grassroots anti-malaria effort which allows anyone, for $10, to send a lifesaving bed net to a family in Africa. Bed nets protect children and their families from the bites of malaria-infected mosquitoes.

"Malaria is a crisis that is threatening many of God's children across the globe," said Bishop Thomas Bickerton, referring to malaria's rank as Africa's leading killer of children under age five. "Insecticide-treated mosquito nets are the most scientifically proven way to stop its spread."

Bickerton, chairperson of The United Methodist Church's Global Health Initiative, joins with the people of The United Methodist Church in urging everyone to forego a lunch out, and to direct that $10 savings toward the purchase of a bed net.

"We're asking people to 'skip a lunch, send a net, save a life,'" said Bickerton.

Dubbed "To Lunch or Not to Lunch?," the campaign highlights how $10, the cost of lunch, is all that it takes to provide a potentially lifesaving bed net to an African family. A $10 donation at www.umcnothingbutnets.org covers the cost of the bed net, its distribution, and education on its use.

• Read more