UMconnect--06/04/08

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Conference office closed Wednesday, June 11, for Annual Conference

The conference office will be closed all day on Wednesday, June 11, for Annual Conference. Due to the number of conference office staff who will be at Annual Conference on June 12 -13, the number of staff in the office will be limited. If you are attempting to reach a member of the conference staff on these days, please leave a message for the individual you are trying to reach, and he/she will return your call as soon as possible. The conference office will reopen with its full staff on Monday, June 16.
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Free wellness screenings at Annual Conference

Don't forget to participate in the health screenings offered Thursday and Friday mornings, June 12 and 13, from 6 to 9:30 a.m. Once again, representatives from Pro-Check will be present to do the screenings onsite. The screenings will be provided free of charge to HealthFlex participants. Individuals should present their insurance card as proof of participation. Those not on the HealthFlex plan may take advantage of this opportunity for a nominal cost of $115, a significant discount from the screenings' value of $300-400. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for payment at the time of service.

The screenings count as the wellness physical required by the Conference to receive Healthy Lifestyle discounts for clergy and local churches on the HealthFlex billing next year. (Completion of the Health Quotient survey is also required for the discounts.)

Many times the screenings are more thorough than those offered by primary care physicians. It is recommended that individuals fast for a minimum of eight hours prior to the screening, and results will be mailed to participants within two weeks.
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Register now for the Foundation's Annual Conference Pre-Session Seminar!

Pastors and laity who are, or will, be involved in a campaign to raise funds for a new building, major repairs, or to reduce debt are strongly encouraged to attend the UM Foundation's Pre-Session Seminar, "DEVELOPING AND LEADING A SUCCESSFUL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN," on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, from 7:00 -- 8:30 p.m.

Sanford D. Coon, Executive Director of the New Mexico Conference Methodist Foundation, will be presenting on:

— Key factors that contribute to the success (or failure) of a Capital Campaign. (Hint: It's not having a list of the most affluent members of the congregation!)
— What is the Pastor's role? What do the Lay Leaders do?
— What decisions must be made? And by which committees or boards?
— How do we communicate with the congregation?
— Who is the District Board of Church Location and Building? Why do they have to be involved?
— Is it necessary to have a feasibility study?
— What is the value of having outside counsel? How do we know whom to select?
— Is the Campaign congruent with the stewardship program?
— What happens after the Campaign? What are the responsibilities and who takes care of them? What are the next steps and the timetable?

Plan to take advantage of this learning opportunity by registering yourself and other interested church members. The cost is $5 per registrant (dinner not included).

If you have questions or desire additional information, please contact the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation at 402-323-8844, 877-495-5545, or info@numf.org.
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CALLING ALL NURSES!

More nurses are needed to help with blood pressure checks at the Wellness Screenings scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday mornings from 6 to 9:30 a.m. If you will be attending Annual Conference and would like to help, please contact Carole Otto at 1-800-435-6107, ext. 108 or cotto@umcneb.org.
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Something new at Annual Conference this year—A Heart Smart Walk

On Saturday morning, June 14, there will be an excellent opportunity to get outside and get moving. A "fun walk" called the Heart Smart Walk will take place in the State Capitol area. The walk meets the American Heart Association's guidelines for daily exercise. It will be approximately two miles long and will last about half an hour.

No registration for the Heart Smart Walk is necessary. Just meet the Rev. Greg Reed in the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel lobby at 6:30 a.m. In the event of rain, the skywalk system will be used.
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The Lincoln-Cornhusker PFLAG AIDS QUILT will be on display at Annual Conference this year

If you know the names of persons who have died of HIV/AIDS from Nebraska, we would welcome the addition of their first names to the quilt which can be submitted at Annual Conference.

Only the first name is embroidered on the stars that go on the quilt in order to remember those who have died of AIDS. We hope this quilt encourages churches to take offerings for the Global AIDS fund in the UMC which reaches out to many across the world to bring assistance, research, support and love.
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Apostles' Creed to perform free concert, June 14, at St. Paul's UMC in Papillion

Apostles' Creed will perform a one hour, free concert at Papillion Days on Saturday, June 14, beginning at 5:45 p.m. The concert is scheduled to take place in City Park at the corner of Washington and Lincoln Streets. Apostles' Creed is the praise band at St. Paul's UMC in Papillion.

For more information, please contact George Seth at georgeseth@cox.net.

"Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises."
Psalm 47:6 NIV
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Certified Lay Minister (CLM) resources now available

Certified Lay Ministry resources are now available to support the work of the certified lay minister (a new form of leadership in The United Methodist Church, authorized by the 2004 General Conference). These resources, developed through a partnership between staff at the General Boards of Discipleship and Higher Education and Ministry, are intended to prepare laity for assignments as pastoral leaders.

A CLM may serve smaller churches, faith communities and ethnic/culturally diverse ministries where a traditional clergy appointment is simply not viable. A CLM may also serve in the church where he or she regularly worships when it is determined that a pastoral team would enhance faithful mission and ministry in that community.

For more information, click here or see the brochure below.
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"For the Bible Tells Me So"

"For the Bible Tells Me So," the documentary movie you have been hearing about, is coming in June to the RUMOLA (Reconciling United Methodists in the Lincoln Area) gathering in Lincoln

All are welcome to come Thursday, June 12, and enjoy the sandwiches, snacks, popcorn, movie, Rainbow Night and Save the Planet Night! Set up and sandwich making will begin at 4 p.m. with food sharing to begin at 5 p.m. The movie is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. The entire details can be seen in the flyer attached below.

Also, please join us to celebrate eleven years of RUMOLA by bringing cookies or cupcakes if you are so inspired!

Please contact Liz at lizabethjoan@aol.com or Chery at cmoncure48@gmail.com if you would be willing to donate sandwich fixings with bread.
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A $10 Mosquito Net Is Making Charity Cool

Nothing But Nets was recently featured in The New York Times article, "A $10 Mosquito Net Is Making Charity Cool." The article discusses the dramatic success the campaign has had resonating with youth across the nation. The article even ventures to call the campaign a modern version of the March of Dimes, created in 1938 to defeat polio. Click here to read this article.
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Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN)

Please visit http://www.RMNetwork.org for information, resources, churches and communities that are reconciling, devotions, and sign up information on how to become a Reconciling United Methodist (RUM) and part of this growing circle of friends who desire a fully inclusive UMC.

We hope to have an updated list of Reconciling United Methodist contacts in Nebraska at Annual Conference. If you want to start a Reconciling group or become a local contact for your church, please contact Maureen at Mvetter@charter.net or Betty at bobcdorr@aol.com.
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Update on free VISA gift card

HealthFlex participants, you have until June 30 to go online to the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits' Web site and complete the Health Quotient (HQ) to receive a free $100 VISA gift card. You should update as much information as possible, even if you have not yet had your annual physical. You can always update your HQ later after you've had your physical. Please note that for couples, each person needs to complete the HQ for either one to receive a gift card. The gift cards will be mailed automatically by August 31. New addresses will be taken into account.

The results from the wellness screenings at Annual Conference may not arrive in time to complete the HQ by the deadline, so please update your HQ now.
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DivorceCare and GriefShare training for beginners or first-year leaders

This is basic training to assist leaders in developing a better understanding of the tools, concepts and entire ministry program to give them a strong foundation for a successful ministry. The training will be held Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Omaha. St. Andrew's UMC is located on 15050 W. Maple Road.

For more information, please contact Diana Faust at dfaust@standrewsomaha.net or go to http://www.churchinitiative.org/training.
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Affirming and Welcoming Everyone (AWE) gathering to be held July 15 at Christ UMC

The event will be held in the conference room of Christ UMC, located on 4350 "A" Street in Lincoln. For more information, please contact Cheryl Moncure at cmoncure48@gmail.com.

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