UMconnect--06/18/08

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Click here for a printable version of this week's UMconnect.

Iowa United Methodists respond to storms and flooding

Iowans are experiencing major flooding, and 83 counties in the state have been declared disaster areas. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is currently responding to emergency needs in the Cedar Rapids area, according to Chuck Smith, Iowa Conference Treasurer.

Donations for UMCOR's relief efforts in the Midwest can be made to Domestic Disaster Response, Advance #901670. More information can be found on the Iowa Conference Web site at http://www.iaumc.org along with other ways to assist these persons in need. Please remember these people in your prayers.
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Annual Conference Offerings

Thank you to all participants who exhibited and experienced "gracious generosity" during the 2008 Annual Conference. Together we are making a difference in today's troubled society and your commitment toward helping other people in need is greatly appreciated. Here is a breakdown of the offering totals, as of June 17.

Nigeria Partnership—$6,514.95
Central Conference Pension Initiative—$27,736.45
Peace With Justice—$1,016.75
Contain Your Joy—$4,057.64
Nothing But Nets—$4,371.80
Material Resources—$1,884.00
Global HIV/AIDS—$1,740.22
Youth Service Fund—$1,054.64

TOTAL—$48,376.45
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Submit your Interpreter magazine story leads

General Conference is over for the quadrennium...
Annual Conference is over...
In another five weeks, Jurisdictional Conference will be a memory...

In the midst of all of this, I thank you in advance for providing us with leads for some of the stories in the September/October issue of Interpreter when we will focus on a few of the "Challenges in Christian Education."

Below you will find some of the stories for which we are looking for good local church and/or conference leads.

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The Lincoln Saltdogs will take on the St. Paul Saints Sunday, August 10, at 6:05 p.m.

Join us for Faith and Family Night with the
LINCOLN SALTDOGS

Join us Sunday, August 10, at 6:05 p.m. for an evening of food, friends and baseball at Faith and Family Night with the Lincoln Saltdogs.

A pre-game tailgate party, located in the south parking lot of Haymarket Park, near the center boulevard, will take place at 4 p.m. All are encouraged to come and enjoy FREE hotdogs and soda while they last. The evening will also feature music from the pop/rock/funk Christian group, "No Better Cause."

TICKET INFORMATION
The conference is offering youth a free general admission ticket when they purchase one of the tickets for $5. This offer is eligible to groups, so youth groups are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

Beginning July 1, youth ticket orders of six or more may be made online by going to the Nebraska United Methodist Web site at http://www.umcneb.org and clicking on the registration tab to the left of the page. Youth ticket purchases of five or less may be made by filling out and submitting the youth ticket form located under the communications tab at the top-left of the page.

Adults may purchase tickets directly from the Saltdogs by visiting the team's Web site at http://www.saltdogs.com or by downloading and completing a ticket order form from the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Web site located under the communications tab. Completed forms must be sent by July 30, 2008.

For more information on Faith and Family Night, please contact Sara Brockhoft at 402-464-5994, ext. 104 or sbrockhoft@umcneb.org.
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Calvary UMC to celebrate World Refugee Day

Calvary United Methodist Church will be celebrating World Refugee Day on Sunday, June 22 at both their 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. worship services.

Christine Kutschkau, who works with refugee settlement for the State of Nebraska, will be the featured speaker. At the 10:30 a.m. service there will be special music featuring a choir of our friends from the Karen community. Calvary UMC is located at 1610 South 11th Street in Lincoln.
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North Platte First UMC to offer Safe Sanctuaries Training

North Platte First United Methodist Church, 1600 West "E" Street, will be offering two opportunities for Safe Sanctuary Training this month. Get your Vacation Bible School leaders trained!

One of the opportunities will take place on Thursday, June 26, 7:00 p.m. CDT in the North Platte First UMC media center. The second will take place on Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m. CST, also in the North Platte First UMC media center. To register, contact Cheri at 308-532-1478.
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Youth director needed at Asbury UMC in Sioux Falls, SD

Asbury United Methodist Church is looking for a youth director to lead and build on an established program. The position is part-time with flexible hours (up to 30+ per week). The church has a weekly attendance of approximately 350 with a membership of 650. Youth ministry currently has 50 active youth.

Responsibilities include weekly programming, empowering and leading adult volunteers to be in ministry with youth, connecting youth with the rest of the church, and facilitating camping and missions programs. The director has the responsibility to guide and develop the Youth ministry according to the vision, purpose, and doctrine compatible with the United Methodist theology and the existing pastoral leadership.
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August is "Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Fair Trade" month

All of August is "Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Fair Trade" month in Nebraska United Methodist Churches. For ideas and more information, contact Peace with Justice Ministries at 402-455-4281 or e-mail cawindrum@yahoo.com.
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Conference to build connections for health ministries

"Empowering Ministries of Health: Connecting Around the World" will be the focus of the fourth annual National Congregational Health Ministries Conference Sept. 21-24, at Lake Junaluska, N.C.

The conference is designed for health and welfare chairpersons, clergy, parish/faith community nurses and others with a passion for health ministries. Sponsors are the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits.

For more details and registration, see http://www.gbophb.org and click on events and education, or contact Anne Green at AGreen@gbophb.org or 847-866-4560. For questions about scholarships, contact Patricia Magyar at pmagyar@gbgm-umc.org or 212-870-3683.
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Volunteers In Mission trip not too far from home

The United Methodist congregations of Norfolk, Stanton, Winside and maybe yours, are working together to do vacation bible school in the park at Woodland Park subdivision, located east of Norfolk. The Woodland Park subdivision has a great deal of turnover, a large proportion of families with children and no church near by.

We will do full days (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) of vacation bible school, August 5, 6 and 7, using Cokesbury's Beach Party Bible School theme. As your congregation begins vacation bible school, please keep in mind that leftovers from other beach party themed VBS courses would be a great help! Below you will find a list of more ways you and your congregation can help.

Volunteers for this VIM opportunity must be Safe Sanctuaries certified; and because this is a VIM opportunity, we will make arrangements for housing, etc.

Come to the Beach Party! If you are interested in helping, or have something to donate please contact the Norfolk Parish: 402-371-2785, or kathyf@norfolkumc.org or Mickella@norfolkumc.org.
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