UMconnect--07/09/08

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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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Confessing Movement

Please visit http://www.confessingumc.org/ for information and resources about the Confessing Movement in the UMC. We are United Methodists who love our church and who are centered on Christ. We believe in the historic Christian faith and are especially grateful for our Wesleyan understanding of God's grace and his call for personal and social holiness. We are committed to renewing the United Methodist Church by promoting biblical truth and by praying for God's Spirit to unite his people around our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

With God's grace and because of people like you, we believe that the best years are ahead for the church we love.

If you want to start a local Confessing Group or become a local contact for your church, please contact Dave Uhrich at paco10133@msn.com.
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Chappell UMC hosts an ecumenical Vacation Bible School

"Calling All Heroes: Bible Adventure," a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program built around the Veggie Tales characters "The Pirates That Don't Do Anything," was held at the Chappell United Methodist Church, May 27-31. Fun was discovered by all.

The Community VBS, held aboard the imaginary HMS Steadfast, was sponsored by the Chappell-Lodgepole Ministerial Association. Folks from the Chappell and Lodgepole United Methodist churches, area ELCA Lutheran churches, Lodgepole's New Hope Fellowship Church, Chappell's Assembly of God Church, Chappell's Four Square Gospel, and St. Joseph's Catholic Church all pitched in time, talent and resources to make this offering.

On day one the kids learned of God's hero Moses was able to faze Pharaoh, because true heroes know that God is with them! On day two, the ordinary man Gideon became extraordinary, because as we all learned, God can make anyone a hero. Day three saw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego avoid becoming "toast," because God protects true heroes that do the right thing. Day four saw Peter taking a leap of faith, and we learned that true heroes reach out for Jesus.

Finally, day five saw Paul encouraging his fellow travelers and others amidst a stormy trip, and we learned that true heroes share God's love.

Thanks to all who had a hand in making this experience happen! We didn't do it alone. From our heads to our shoulders, knees and toes we lived our theme verse for the week: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me Strength." Phil. 4:13
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"Welcoming the Sojourner: Finding the Church's Voice on Immigration," Sept. 11-13

This gathering, which is to be held at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., is being offered to United Methodist leaders from across the South Central Jurisdiction to inform and challenge the church to respond faithfully and compassionately to the challenges of immigration. Speakers will include: Bishop Charles Crutchfield of Arkansas, Bishop Minerva Carcano, Bill Mefford of General Board of Church and Society, Mark Sills addressing the root causes of immigration, and Joan Maruskin, author of "The Bible as an Immigration Handbook."

To learn more and register now, visit www.umc-gbcs.org or www.umc-gbcs.org/scjimmigration.
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Hammond organ in Genoa, Neb. to be given away

The organ is two manuals, five octaves each, with two octaves in foot pedals. For more information, please contact Ruth Alice Maurice at 402-993-6664. Please leave a message.
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Looking for eastern Nebraska mission sites

Chris Kellogg leads a week-long, mission-based camp at Camp Fontanelle each year. The format is to stay at camp each night but to leave each day to serve some local ministry. Between 10 and 25 teenagers (13-18 years old) and four or five adults will be gathered with their shirtsleeves rolled up and ready to go to work. Kellogg needs mission partners for Monday-Thursday, July 29-31.

The group typically leaves Camp Fontanelle, near Fremont, around 9 a.m. (noon on Monday). Generally, the group tries to return to camp for dinner around 5 p.m. Times aren't set in stone, however, so if you have an idea for a site that could use us a little longer, the group could plan to stay overnight somewhere else if a two-day mission site or group of sites were discovered. Kellogg is also willing to split the group between sites or to travel to multiple sites during one work day.

In the past, there have been projects with a pretty wide range of intensity, including things like packing school kits, washing tables and chairs, clearing trash and debris, cutting down trees, building retaining walls and re-stringing a barbed-wire fence. The young people like to work hard, and they don't mind getting dirty. If it's possible, they also would enjoy having some "face time" to help them understand how their work affects real people.

If you have a potential project, contact Chris Kellogg, Camp Fontanelle "Road Rules" Dean, at 402-203-1367 or chris@kelloggsoft.com.
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This week on "Interrobang?!"--Eric Elnes, Emerging Christianity

Eric Elnes, author of the "Phoenix Affirmations," a set of twelve principles that articulate the theological core of "an emerging Christian faith" will be the featured guest on "Interrobang?!," Saturday, July 12.

Elnes is internationally recognized for creating multi-sensory, experiential worship that transcends classification as "traditional" or "contemporary." His books include, "Igniting Worship: The Seven Deadly Sins" (Abingdon, 2004) and "Asphalt Jesus: Finding a New Christian Faith Along the Highways of America" (Jossey-Bass, 2007).

Previously senior pastor of Scottsdale (AZ) UCC, Elnes is now senior minister of Countryside Community Church (UCC) in Omaha.

"Interrobang?!" with Stephen Griffith is an upbeat exploration of the varied expressions of spirituality, featuring guests, essays and features on faith and culture, spirituality, creativity and the arts. It airs Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. on KZUM Radio Lincoln, 89.3 FM. You can also catch live streaming of the program on http://www.KZUM.org.
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Forty-four year crusade

Singing groups come and go but not the Crusaders. his gospel group has been singing together for 44 years—the same four people—and they are coming to Elmwood on July 27.

As teenagers in the mid-60s, the Crusaders grew to be one of the Midwest's best-known gospel groups. In the 70s they started traveling full-time sharing the stage with other nationally known southern gospel groups, like the Blackwood Brothers and Stamps Quartet. Today, because of their powerful presentation and the resurgence in popularity of gospel music, their music and message is in its greatest demand.

Their unique blend of praise and worship songs and southern gospel music appeals to all ages. The Crusaders will be presenting a concert at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 400 West G Street, Elmwood, NE at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge, but a free will offering will be taken.

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Mission share stories

Two DVD resources packets have been distributed to pastors in the past six months to help tell how mission share dollars contribute to the life of people here in Nebraska and across the globe.

If you have forgotten about the two DVDs, please consider using their contents during offertory time in a worship service, for small group discussion or other creative ways. Video segments range in length and are accompanied by helpful tips on how to use them.

An evaluation card was also included in the DVD Resource packets. Please complete those evaluation cards and return them to the conference office so that we can better evaluate the use of these resources.

Summer is a great time to plant the seeds of giving. There is no better way to plant those seed than to share stories of hope and stories of ministry in action.

For more information, or if the packet is missing in action, please contact Kathryn Witte at kwitte@umcneb.org.
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September is Open House Month

September is United Methodist Open House Month. As part of United Methodist Open House Month, the Nebraska Annual Conference has designated Sept. 14, as "Invite a Friend to Church Sunday." Congregations are encouraged to open their doors to new guests on this day, welcoming them to take part in a special day of welcoming. Congregations may also designate another Sunday in September as their church's own "Invite a Friend to Church Sunday." In fact, every Sunday is an opportunity to invite a friend !

"Invite a Friend to Church Sunday" also serves as a perfect opportunity to welcome back current members from summer vacations and trips. The welcoming outreach of an open house can start in September and can carry forward with events throughout the year. Examples of events include hay rides and hot cider, a chili cook-off, celebrating spring with an Easter egg hunt, and welcoming members of your church and surrounding community to a mid-summer barbeque.

Hosting special events, worship festivals, or making other efforts to welcome those in your community, present perfect opportunities to intentionally recognize Christ in everyone and to remember that guests may look for Christ in us.

Below you will find links that will provide tools to help your congregation prepare for its own "Invite a Friend to Church Sunday."
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Nebraska United Methodist Youth to create a Common Table

A new structure for the conference youth ministries was adopted during the 2008 Annual Conference Session. Attached is the structure document.

The Fall Youth Common Table meeting (this takes the place of Fall CCYM) will be Friday, Oct.10 through Saturday, Oct. 11, at Kearney First UMC. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., Friday and ending at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, this event is open to any youth in the conference. It is mandatory for those who were chosen to sit on the Youth Common Table at YAC 2008.

More information and registration details will be coming soon.
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Ice cream social at Friend UMC, July 20

Friend United Methodist Church will hold its annual ice cream social on Sunday, July 20, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The ice cream social will feature homemade ice cream, pie and sandwiches. A freewill offering will be taken.
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If you are interested in purchasing the photo to support the church's "Dollar Challenge," contact the Rev. Dan Flanagan at flanagan@saintpaulsumc.net.

The Rev. Dan Flanagan and the Rev. Craig Collins of Saint Paul's United Methodist Church in Papillion dress to impress to raise money for good cause

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Everybody polka with Dietz Memorial United Methodist Church!

You are invited to join Dietz UMC for Polka Sunday on July 27, at the 11 a.m. worship service. The special worship service will feature polka music provided by the Barry Boyce Polka Band.

Dietz United Methodist Church is located at 1423 S. 10th Street in Omaha. All are welcome!
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