UMconnect — 06/03/09

The Rev. Dr. Ebb Munden retires

Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) celebrated its 120th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16. At the occasion, NWU President Dr. Fred Ohles announced the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Ebb Munden and commended him on his years of service to the university as well as the 25 years he faithfully served as senior minister at First United Methodist Church in Lincoln. Ohles' statement can be read below.

"At the end of this month another well-known and much beloved individual will leave our campus and our state for the life of a full retirement.

It gives me great honor to recognize the Rev. Dr. Ebb Munden. Ebb has served Nebraska Wesleyan as Special Assistant to the President for Church Relations since 1991. Prior to this appointment, he was senior minister for 25 years of First United Methodist Church in Lincoln, a place and a congregation dear to Nebraska Wesleyan since the beginning, just across the way. This statesman of the campus is a wise and vigorous counselor who has been a valuable assistant to three presidents here. Ebb knows this campus community. This campus community knows and appreciates Ebb—and Lucy, his cherished wife.

Congratulations to you, Ebb, (and to Lucy) and thanks to you for your many years of dedicated service to Nebraska Wesleyan.

I invite Ebb Munden to stand to receive the appreciation of his colleagues, students and friends."

Tex Sample explains why delegates should vote "YES" for the constitutional amendments before their annual conferences this year

There will be 32 General Conference Amendments that will be voted on during the Nebraska United Methodist Annual Conference Session. Resources for review, study and discernment of the 2008 General Conference Amendments to "The Discipline of the United Methodist Church" are available on the conference Web site.

Provided below as an additional resource, is a YouTube video featuring Tex Sample.

If you have questions regarding the amendments, contact the Rev. Charlotte Abram at tricoumc@aol.com or Lavina Schwaninger at lschwaninger@huskeraccess.com.

• Click here to access these materials.
• Tex Sample on UMC Constitutional Amendments
  Well-known teacher, author and United Methodist Tex Sample explains why delegates should vote "YES" for the constitutional amendments before their annual conferences this year.

Youth Annual Conference attendees

If you know youth who want to come to Youth Annual Conference but missed the deadline, they may still register. Just contact Michael Patzloff at 402-657-3548. Bring your registration forms and payment to the YAC registration table at time of check-in.

Stream, stream, streaming video for this year's Annual Conference Session

This year's Annual Conference Session will be streamed on the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Web site at www.umcneb.org. Click on the video streaming quick link on the left side of the home page.

Don't miss the opening worship on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 1 p.m. All Are Welcome is the theme with a memorial tribute to our deceased clergy.

Special music and dynamic preaching will set the stage for the session which will run through Saturday, June 13, at noon.

Play ping-pong, fight malaria

On Saturday, June 6, the Blue River District of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference is sponsoring its second annual Nothing But Nets Ping-Pong Tourney. The main event will be a full, bracket-style ping-pong tournament, and the entrance fee of $10 will be donated directly to the Nothing But Nets campaign. The tournament will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lincoln, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Nothing But Nets is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a disease that claims the life of a child every 30 seconds in Africa. Each $10 registration fee will cover the purchase, distribution and education on the proper use of one, anti-malaria net. Just one net can help keep a family of four safe for up to four years. For more information about the Nothing But Nets campaign, visit www.nothingbutnets.net.

Designed for those of all ages interested in playing or watching, the event will feature a lunch at noon and concessions all day. The brackets will be designed to foster competitive play at all skill levels and will include a losers bracket to ensure at least two games per player. The winner of the ping-pong tournament will receive a trophy, presented by a prominent member of the Lincoln community.

So you're interested? Point everyone you know to http://www.trinitylincoln.org/pingpong/ for more information and to register. If an internet connection is unavailable, call the district office at 402-323-8849 to register. Sign up today. Spots are limited!

Stamp out malaria, one match at a time. For more tournament information, contact andy@umcmneb.org.

Wendy (left) and Kasey experience prayer by walking a labyrinth.

Please observe Peace with Justice Sunday, June 7

Peace with Justice Sunday is one of the six churchwide Special Sundays of The United Methodist Church. Peace with Justice Sunday enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs.

Established by the 1988 General Conference, Peace with Justice Sunday supports programs that advocate peace and justice at home and around the world. Since half of the offerings collected by your annual conference are retained to fund local peace with justice programs, you can see a difference made locally. In addition, half of the offering is remitted to the General Board of Church and Society to help fund U.S. and global work in social action, public-policy education and advocacy.

So how is the offering used in Nebraska? Wendy Zook from Cozad First United Methodist Church and Kasey Farwell from Grace United Methodist Church in Lincoln were supported, in part, by the generous offerings from Nebraska churches on Peace with Justice Sunday in 2008. As young adult summer interns with Peace with Justice Ministries, they explored different prayer practices and linked them with actions for God's peace and justice.

If you're looking for support materials to help educate your congregation about Peace with Justice Sunday, click here. You will find a list of resources available online as well as a link to an online store where you can order additional FREE printed resources. If you would rather call and order resources, call toll free 1-888-346-3862.

Annual Conference Session Awards and Courtesies

On Wednesday, June 10, the opening day of the Nebraska 2009 Annual Conference Session, Awards and Courtesies will be presented at 7 p.m., in the Cornhusker-Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom, followed by district dessert receptions in the lower level.

If you are a presenter at the Awards and Courtesies event, please let Communications Director Kathryn Witte know if you plan to use PowerPoint or video, or no audio/visual support. No presentation should be longer than five minutes. Contact Kathryn at kwitte@umcneb.org.

Prayer room, Labyrinth available during the 2009 Nebraska United Methodist Annual Conference Session

Saint Paul UMC will have a floor Labyrinth set up in their chapel for those who desire
a quiet place to pray during the session.

Additionally, The Cornhusker-Marriott Hotel rooms Garrat 1 and 2 will host the on-site prayer room. The hours of operation for both prayer areas will generally be the hours the conference is in session.

Holy Communion is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. each day.

Groups will be hosting the hotel prayer rooms to add to the tone and variety of the experience. Following is a list of days and each day's respective host.

Wednesday, June 10 will be hosted by the UM Men and led by prayer advocate, Gary Spivey. Contact Gary at garyspivey@cox.net.

Thursday, June 11 will be hosted by the UM Women and led by Ruby Eschen, the spiritual growth coordinator. Contact Ruby at honey0@windstream.net.

Friday, June 12 will be hosted by Nebraska's Emmaus Communities and led by Ron Gaddis. Contact Ron at rongaddis@neb.rr.com.

Saturday, June 13 will be hosted by the Risk-taking Mission and Justice Team and led by the Rev. Roger Gilming. Contact Roger at gillming52@yahoo.com.

For more information, contact Dave Mendyk, prayer room coordinator at superdaveumc@yahoo.com.

	Douglas A. Dillon

Nebraska United Methodist Foundation to host Annual Conference pre-session workshop, June 9 at 7 p.m.

The funding of our church's ministry can be a struggle regardless of the state of the economy. Generational shifts in giving patterns are impacted by how our church's ministries are perceived by our members.

Does your church struggle to raise money in a troubled economy? Are you in search of meaningful ways to motivate members to become involved in supporting the church's ministry? Are you looking for more meaningful ways to encourage others while educating yourself in ways to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy in your church or community? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this fast-paced, inspirational and motivational time with Douglas A. Dillon will be an hour that you won't want to miss.

Douglas A. Dillon, senior partner with Jerold Panas, Linzy and Partners, will be the featured presenter at a workshop presented June 9, at 7 p.m., at the Lincoln Cornhusker-Marriott Hotel, just prior to the beginning of the 2009 Annual Conference Session.

Dillon has been actively involved in the management of nonprofit institutions since 1988. He works as a fund-raising consultant for organizations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. This includes a variety of institutions of all sizes—medical centers, hospitals, universities, colleges, YMCAs and a number of social service agencies.

He brings to his position remarkable experience in driving all aspects of fund-raising programs. His contributions include preliminary campaign design and direction, strategic planning and management. Doug has personally directed and now provides oversight to numerous capital campaigns for institutions in North America.

Jerold Panas, Linzy and Partners is one of the nation's most highly regarded firms in the field of campaign services and financial resource development. A major force in the industry, the firm has offices in Chicago and Boston. Since its founding in 1968, the firm has served over 1,600 client-institutions.

Jerold Panas, Linzy and Partners is made up of a partnership of experienced men and women engaged in all phases of financial development. This includes pre-campaign feasibility studies, development office audits, public relations and design communications, foundation research and grants, resident campaign services, and consultation for strategic, governance and leadership attainment.

All pastors and church members, even if not a delegate to Annual Conference, are invited to attend. There is no registration fee for this event.

• Registration

Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members to hold luncheon meeting, June 10

The Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members will hold a luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m., on June 10, at the Cornhusker-Marriott Hotel. The meal will be a chicken salad croissant, and the cost is $10. Payment can be made at the meeting, but you will have to order before June 3. To order a meal, contact Ray Weinerman at 308-772-3537 or gcumparish@embarqmail.com.

New HealthFlex success story

Our latest success story has been provided by the Rev. Eldon Davis and his wife, Nancy. Eldon was beginning to experience health problems and identified some serious health risks by doing the Health Quotient when he first went into the ministry. He decided to do something about it. He and Nancy joined Weight Watchers although Nancy went very reluctantly at first. They started eating sensibly and getting more exercise, first on their own and then by adding the Virgin HealthMiles program when it was introduced.

The pounds have come off, and they feel better and have much more energy than before. Nancy has reached her goal at Weight Watchers, and Eldon is off his many medications and has his blood sugar well contained. Eldon has lost 68 pounds and is well on his way to reaching his Weight Watcher goal.

Congratulations to Eldon and Nancy on their achievement! Thank you both for sharing your wellness journey.

Read more about Eldon and Nancy at www.umcneb.org. Click on Administration, then on Health and Pension Resources.

More help needed at the wellness screenings at Annual Conference

The Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits needs people to help take blood pressure readings during the wellness screenings at Annual Conference. The screenings will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings (June 11, 12 and 13) from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., each day. We are looking for persons with expertise in this area—parish nurses, doctors, nursing students, EMTs, first responders, etc. Please bring your own blood pressure cuff.

We would also like to be able to take body mass index readings during the screenings to help Virgin HealthMiles participants comply with Virgin HealthMiles requirements. If you have a body mass reader and could help out, we can use you.

If you are able to help in either way or would like more information, please contact Carole Otto, conference benefits administrator, at 1-800-435-6107 or 402-464-5994, ext. 108 or e-mail at cotto@umcneb.org.

Attention Virgin Healthmiles participants...

Are you worried about getting enough steps during Annual Conference? As we all know, most of the time at Annual Conference is spent sitting in session all day long and is not very conducive to getting much activity on those days.

The Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits has a solution for you. A Virgin HealthMiles Walk is scheduled for three mornings: Thursday, Friday and Saturday (June 11, 12 and 13). It's easy to participate. Just meet the Rev. Greg Reed at 6:30 a.m., in the Cornhusker-Marriott Hotel lobby. The walk will take place in the State Capitol area and will last about 30 minutes.

The walk will be held rain or shine. In the event of rain, the skywalk system will be used. So bring your walking shoes and get up and get moving each day by joining in the Virgin HealthMiles Walk. Don't be surprised if you receive a challenge for Annual Conference from your conference benefits administrator!

An opportunity to earn more $$$!

HealthFlex participants: The Health Quotient (HQ) Blitz is on. You probably remember the HQ Blitz from last year, because it was a chance to earn a $100 gift card. Well, the HQ Blitz is back again this year. This time you can earn $100 in HealthCash. This is in addition to the $300 you can earn by reaching goals in the Virgin HealthMiles program.

All you need to do is go to www.gbophb.org, log in to HealthFlex/WebMD and click on "Update Health Quotient Now."

The $100 HQ Blitz incentive applies only to participants and spouses who are enrolled in the HealthFlex active plan (not the Medicare companion plan). To earn $100, you must complete the HQ before June 30, and be enrolled in the Virgin HealthMiles program before June 30. For married couples both enrolled in HealthFlex, you both must take the HQ and you each will earn $100. If only one takes the HQ, neither will earn the incentive. (Log in under your own usernames and passwords and make sure you're both enrolled in HealthMiles.)

Any questions? Call the Health Team at 1-800-851-2201. At the prompt, select option 1, then 0.

To enroll in Virgin HealthMiles, go to www.gbophb.org, log in to HealthFlex/WebMD and click on "Join Now!"

Parsonage Connection brunch

What: The Parsonage Connection Annual Meeting and Brunch.
When: Saturday, June 13, 2009, from 8:30-10 a.m.
Where: The Green Gateau Restaurant, 330 S. 10th St. #110, Lincoln
Menu: Gateau's traditional, wholegrain pancakes, scones or stuffed strawberry french toast. For more information, go to www.greengateau.com.

Attention all clergy spouses. You are invited to attend the Annual Parsonage Connection Brunch at the Green Gateau Restaurant. We are not mailing registrations out this year, but are asking that each person pay for their own meal at the time of the brunch. Dues can also be paid that day.

If you cannot attend the brunch, we ask that you mail your $5 annual dues to Pat Andersen, 401 West 20th Street, Schuyler, NE. If you have announcements you want shared in "The Happenings" newsletter (graduations, weddings, births, etc.), please e-mail them to fa53230@msn.com to be shared with the group. If you have questions, call 402-352-3400.

Nebraska Hispanic/Latino Ministry Lay Missioner visits national office

by Sandy Sypherd
Lay Missioner
Hispanic/Latino Ministry
Prairie Rivers District
Columbus First United Methodist Church

On April 27, the Rev. Francisco Cañas, coordinator of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino ministries, gave me an appointment to visit with him in his New York office at the General Board of Global Ministries. I began working as a lay missioner in the Prairie Rivers District about a year and a half ago, and I was amazed that the Rev. Cañas took more than an hour out of his extremely busy schedule to visit with me. However, his servant heart was readily apparent.

We discussed some of the challenges that this ministry faces, including immigration reform and other social issues, grants and funding matters, his work with annual conferences, leadership formation, equipping lay missioner and pastor-mentor teams, seeking more facilitators and consultants for the strengthening of Hispanic/Latino ministries, plus much more. He challenged me to think about how to invest time and resources in reaching new immigrants versus second and third generations of Hispanic/Latino people.

Arrangements were made for me to visit an interesting church which has a service in Spanish but is a Hispanic/Latino/African-American congregation. It was a small group but very friendly. The pastor is Luisa Martínez who had a wonderful sermon!

The Rev. Cañas is so knowledgeable about what is happening in the conferences across the United States, and I was fascinated to hear how the United Methodist Church is seeking to embrace and celebrate multiculturalism but so much more remains to be done!

Racism, ageism, classism and sexism still divide humans from one another. We need to listen to our neighbors with open hearts and minds to hear and feel their struggles, needs, loneliness, rejection, dreams, styles of worship and music and their culture. We need to see each person as someone in need of God's love and remember that we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are to receive others, include others and care for others as we would care for ourselves.

I pray that we can bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our multicultural and multiethnic world. The world has come to us and we must respond!

Upcoming Marriage Encounter weekends

Right now, before your fall calendars fill up, please take a moment to put the following dates on your calendar for Marriage Encounter weekends. Then spend time in prayer to decide which one you will attend.

Have you desired a closer, more intimate relationship with your spouse? Attending a Marriage Encounter weekend is an excellent way to make that happen. The 2009 fall weekends for Marriage Encounter United Methodist are:

Sept. 18-20 in Grand Island;

Oct. 23-25 in North Platte;

Nov. 20-22 in South Sioux City.

To register or receive more information, please contact Russell and Lanita Evans, Nebraska State registration couple, at 308-535-1833, 308-520-149 or russellevans@internet-usa.net.

Marriage Encounter is designed for married couples who want to live out their wedding vows to the best of their ability. Marriage Encounter is the official marriage program of the United Methodist Church and is an affiliate of the General Board of Discipleship.

2010 Kenya mission trip

Norfolk United Methodist Parish is organizing a Volunteer In Mission (VIM) trip that will be taken in June of 2010. Those interested in joining are invited to contact the church office at 402-371-2785 for more information. During this year's Annual Conference Session, the trip information will be at the VIM booth, and you are invited to visit the booth and pick up some information.

• Flyer

Wesleyan Live announces courses for Nebraska clergy, laity and community members

This program offers continuing education courses for clergy, laity and community members. Courses are taught by Nebraska Wesleyan faculty in Lincoln and televised live across the state. The participants and professors are able to interact with each other throughout each telecast.

Course Location
The sessions are televised live from the Nebraska Education Telecommunications building in Lincoln. The possible transmittal sites, which will be determined according to registrations, include Ainsworth, Beatrice, Grand Island, Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha and Scottsbluff. A minimum of six registrants is needed at each location.

Registration and Credit
The enrollment cost is $40 per person or $20 for retired clergy and retired clergy spouses.

Wesleyan Live, Fall 2009
"Theology, Ecology and the Great Plains Parish"
Tuesdays, 12 - 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, 2009 - Nov. 17, 2009

Wesleyan Live, Spring 2010
"Turning the Diamond: Religion from the Perspective of Research"
Tuesdays, 12 - 1 p.m.
Feb. 2, 2010 - March 9, 2010

To read more details on these courses and for more information, please see the flyer below.

• Flyer

Enough—Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity

First United Methodist Church of North Platte will be starting a six-week DVD study called "Enough—Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity," on June 24 at 6:30 p.m., at 1600 West E Street. To register, call the church office at 308-532-1478 or visit the Web site at www.npfumc.org.

Facilitated by the Rev. Charles Spence, this DVD study, led by the Rev. Adam Hamilton from the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, deals with finding faith in the midst of financial crisis, wisdom and finance, cultivating contentment and overcoming fear, becoming defined by generosity, plus a series of financial management assessment tools.

Dave Ramsey is quoted as saying, "We Americans love our stuff. We're living in a fast-paced, me-first, instant-gratification world, and it's finally catching up to us... What the world needs today is the message of contentment and simplicity, and that's exactly what Pastor Adam Hamilton delivers in 'Enough'."

"Evening of Creativity," Sterling UMC Salad and Sandwich Supper

On June 20, Sterling UMC will host an "Evening of Creativity," at 6 p.m. The event will take place at the Sterling UMC, located at 110 Iowa Street in Sterling.

The program will feature renowned author Mary Elizabeth Anderson of Lincoln and Nebraska poet Charlene Nealy. Music will be a karaoke duet of Hannah Fontanna and Bill Ray Cyprus. "Whose Line Is It Anyway" will end the evening's festivities.

The price of tickets is $8 per ticket or $15 a pair. Seating is limited, so reserve your tickets by calling 402-335-3888 or 402-866-5647. You may also e-mail lbvermeer@windstream.net. Proceeds from this event will help support the Sterling United Methodist Mission projects of the Sterling Food Bank and the Sterling Soup Kitchen.

Choir robes available

North Platte First United Methodist Church has 25 cream choir robes, 25 royal blue choir robes and 23 reversible silver/gold stoles. These are dry clean only, and some robes need repair. The blue robes are youth robes, and the cream robes are adult robes.

If your church is interested, please call the North Platte church office at 308-532-1478 by June 1. The robes could be delivered to Annual Conference if desired. A donation would be gratefully accepted.

Mount Sequoyah Health and Faith Conference early bird deadline extended

Early bird discount registration has been extended until June 10. "Connecting Health and Faith... Our Call to Action," bishops' conference will be Wednesday through Saturday, June 24-27, at Mount Sequoyah Conference Center, 150 N.W. Skyline Drive, Fayetteville, AR.

Some of the topics addressed will be insurance, health costs, rural health, parish nursing and effective health ministries. The district superintendents and laity seminars will be on Wednesday, June 24.

For details, contact Marilyn Braswell at 800-760-8126 or programs@mountsequoyah.org. To register, download a registration form at www.mountsequoyah.org.