UMconnect--06/25/08

Conference office closed for Independence Day

The conference office will be closed Friday, July 4, in honor of Independence Day. The office will reopen on Monday, July 7.

IRS adjusts mileage rate for 2008

The Internal Revenue Service has raised the standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning July 1, 2008, the standard mileage rate will increase to 58.5 cents per mile compared to the current rate of 50.5 cents per mile. The charitable rate remains the same at 14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization. The primary reasons for the increased rate include higher prices for vehicles and fuel costs.

Children and the Poor Committee is pleased to announce the endorsement of TeamMates Mentoring Program

In keeping with the Nebraska conference-wide, three-year emphasis on Children and the Poor, including support of the Millennium Development Goals, the Children and the Poor committee is pleased to announce its endorsement of TeamMates Mentoring Program.

The Children and the Poor committee believes that TeamMates will be a great resource for churches in the Nebraska conference who were seeking ways to advocate for and reach out to children and the poor. TeamMates fits in well with the goals of this committee and is another excellent resource for churches who plan to complete the required activities to become "A Church for All God's Children."

The stated mission of TeamMates is to "positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential through mentoring. Tom and Nancy Osborne founded the TeamMates Mentoring Program in 1991 in an effort to provide support and encouragement to school aged youth. The goal of the program is to see youth graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education. To reach this goal, youth meet one hour per week with a caring adult who serves as a mentor. Mentors are volunteers from the community who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the life of a young person. Mentors give youth a sense of hope, purpose and vision."

Pictured is the Rev. Tony Dawson at his farewell gathering at Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln. Many well-wishers were in attendance to wish Dawson the best as he moves on to Syracuse UMC. Photo courtesy of: Teresa Moody.

Christ UMC bids farewell to the Rev. Tony Dawson

NUMB 2008 to kick off on June 28 in Wahoo, Nebraska

Over 145 NUMB riders and support staff kick off NUMB 2008 Bike Ride for Hunger on June 28 in Wahoo, Nebraska. NUMB is full for this year and cannot take any more riders, but you can still be a part of NUMB through your donations to your local United Methodist Church designated for "NUMB." In its 13 year history, NUMB has raised over $300,000 for Nebraska Conference Hunger projects. NUMB 2008 anticipates approximately $40,000 will be raised on this ride.

Since NUMB is visiting the town of Memphis and riding by Nashville, a band made up of NUMB riders Jonathan Jones, Ann Frame, both of Omaha and Roy Steiner, Doug Olson and Bill Ritter of Columbus, will perform on opening night in Wahoo and the last evening in Columbus. NUMB would like to thank the host churches in Wahoo, Tekamah, Wayne and Columbus for their hospitality and also the churches of Ashland, Memphis and Ithaca for additional support.

2008 Extended Cabinet members

July 1, begins a new term for Extended Cabinet members. Please welcome Galen Wray, the new District Superintendent for the Blue River District, and Harold Backus, the new District Superintendent for the Prairie Rivers District. Former Blue River District Superintendent Keith Johnson will be serving Omaha St. Paul UMC, and former Prairie River District Superintendent Gary Main will be serving Kearney First UMC.

Conference Lay Leader Lavina Schwaninger retires from her term on the Extended Cabinet with Tom Watson, the new Conference Lay Leader, assuming that role. Please keep all former and current Extended Cabinet members in your prayers.

Please see the printable PDF below for the contact information of the 2008 Extended Cabinet members.

• 2008 Extended Cabinet members contact information

Church of Resurrection's '08 workshop on leadership..."Leadership Defined"

The general sessions include Adam Hamilton on "Ten Great Ideas and Ten Leadership Principles" and also a special session with Jim Wallis on his book, "The Great Awakening," inviting churches and Christian leaders to be a part of the next great awakening in Christianity.

There will be great music and Kansas City barbecue! The dates are October 1-3. See the PDF below for details.

• Brochure

St. Andrew's helps a refugee family

by Mandy Barkhaus

During the month of March, St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Omaha took on the task of sponsoring a Karen refugee family from the country of Burma. Sein Chit and Mi Cho and their four children arrived in Omaha on March 18, coming from a refugee camp in Thailand. Through donations from its members, St. Andrew's put together a home with beds, couches, tables, clothes, food and other essentials. This was a lot of work and a rewarding experience. There was an overwhelming amount of help given to this family from St. Andrew's.

The family is settling into their new home, but their journey is far from over. St. Andrew's, through Church World Service, has become Sein Chit's family co-sponsors. Now St. Andrew's will help with all of the things that will enable them to become independent--learn English, enroll in school, ride the bus, go grocery shopping, budget their money, use the washing machine...

The team working with this family learned that they have another daughter, age 14, who still is in a refugee camp in Thailand and will be doing whatever it takes to get their daughter over here to be with her family.
Please keep them in your prayers for all their family and friends that are still in Myanmar (Burma) with the recent tropical cyclone. If you are interested in helping with our family, please contact Mandy Barkhaus 402-431-8560, ext. 23 or mbarkhaus@standrewsomaha.net.

Society of St. Andrew opens western headquarters in Kansas City

The Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) has opened its Western Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri with the goal to fight hunger by salvaging excess produce grown west of the Mississippi and getting it to those in need.

Founded in Big Island, Va., in 1979, the Society of St. Andrew (Advance #801600) salvages wholesome, nutritious produce that is destined to be wasted, and transports it to food banks and agencies that feed people in need. SoSA works with farmers, growers and produce packing plants at two crucial points--in fields and orchards after the harvest and during the produce grading process--to salvage nutritious, edible fruits and vegetables that don't meet the aesthetic standards of many produce vendors.

For more information, please see the PDF below or contact their national headquarters at sosausa@endhunger.org or online at http://www.endhunger.org.

• Read more

	Jenkins is shown here (far right) with his wife, Sarah, and a member of his congregation, Wade Genkins. Genkins has just pinned his Corsage for Missions on the front of Jenkins shirt.

The Rev. Corey Jenkins honored by his congregation

On April 29, the congregation of Gordon First United Methodist Church honored the Rev. Corey Jenkins and his wife Sarah Jenkins. He was surprised when members of the congregation came forward with ribbons of Corsage for Mission and pinned them on Pastor Corey and presented Sarah with a bouquet of flowers. This was done to show appreciation and love for them in a surprise gesture that Sunday from all who attended the event. They even ran out of ribbons that day.

Pictured are (left to right) Sunday school teacher Sue Mosier, Foster Galaway, Morgan Lowery, Tyler Reece, Harrison Galaway and Colton Lowery.

Davenport UMC's five Sunday school children tackle Nothing But Nets Challenge

"Our Sunday School children are very mission-oriented and chose to take on the Nothing But Nets Challenge," said Pastor Lorri Kentner. "They researched and gave a 10-minute presentation to the church during worship. These five children raised $660 in our church with an average attendance of 30 people."

"The Davenport children issue a challenge to the other children of Nebraska," Kentner continued. "If we can buy 66 nets by taking up an offering on two Sundays, imagine what you can do. Buy a net--save a life."

The Big Garden is at the Summer Arts Festival

The Big Garden will have a booth in the children's craft tent at the Summer Arts Festival in Omaha, June 28-29. We have been asked to provide craft projects for kids that highlight the summer activities of The Big Garden.

About 3,000 kids are expected to visit the childrenʼs tent on Saturday and Sunday and we need your help! To make the weekend a success we are asking for donations of supplies for the craft projects.

Items Needed: Crayons, markers-all colors (water-based and permanent), empty soda cans (un-crushed and rinsed),craft scissors.

Items can be delivered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to the Missouri River District Office, 2665 Farnam St., Suite 102 by June 24.

We are also looking for volunteers 16 and over to assist on June 28-29. The hours of operation for the children's tent is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. Shifts are available in two and a half hour increments.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, contact Lisa Maupin at 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

Young Adult VIM Trip to Oklahoma

Invite your young adults or young at heart to take a mission trip of a lifetime. Living the Sacred is a mission/study experience that will be an opportunity to learn about the values, culture and needs of Native Americans and to be in
mission with them. The trip will be from July 25-31 to Oklahoma and will include attendance at the School of Christian Mission as well as hands-on mission work with and among low-income persons in and around Cookson, Oklahoma.

Team size is limited and there are currently five spots available. Cost is $300. For more information or to register, contact the Rev. Nan Kaye-Skinner at 402-331-4054 or nanagram@trinityralston.org.

Fridays at the Blue Get Healthy

The focus of the June Fridays at the Blue will be health and fitness! Get free diabetes and blood pressure checks, meet with personal trainers, take a yoga class, make healthy snacks and learn how to have a great and healthy summer. Mark your calendars for June 27th, 5-8 pm for this event at the
Blue Flamingo Thrift Store, 1716 S. 10th Street.

For more information, visit http://www.blueflamingo.org.

Literacy in the Garden

Family Garden Reading Activity nights start in July, every Thursday night from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Blue Flamingo Thrift Store, 1716 S. 10th Street. Registration is required.

This free event will include art activities, healthy cooking, theater games and reading books about gardening. The
goal of the activity nights is to provide a fun, family oriented environment that highlights gardening and all the projects
of The Big Garden. Recommended for children ages 5-11 but all ages are welcome. Each child will receive a workbook, a new garden book, and the art project they complete at the end of each workshop.

For more information or to register, contact Stephanie Jacobson at 402-964-2740 or sjacobson@bigmuddyumc.org.