UMconnect--07/23/08

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

Disaster assistance for homeowners, renters and business owners

If you sustained losses or damage from summer storms, you may be eligible for disaster aid. Please see the flyers below for more information.
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Attention all youth and youth groups!

Join us for Faith and Family Night with the Lincoln Saltdogs, Sunday, Aug. 10, as they take on the St. Paul Saints at 6:05 p.m.

All youth are eligible to receive one FREE general admission ticket with purchase of each general admission ticket. So, if you buy one ticket, you get one free. If you purchase two tickets, you get two free and so on!

There will also be a pre-game tailgate, beginning at 4 p.m., featuring FREE hotdogs and soda.
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Nebraska UM Men's Summer Rally, Aug. 15-17

This year's Nebraska UM Men's Summer Rally will be held at Camp COMECA near Cozad, Aug. 15-17.

The theme for this year's rally is "No Man Left Behind: How to Build and Sustain a Thriving Disciple-Making Ministry for Every Man in Your Church." Jim Angelakos, a national ministry consultant, will summarize the ideas and teachings from the book of the same name while the group's purpose will be to brainstorm and plan applications to local church and district men's ministry.

Register early in order to receive this book, written by Patrick Morley (The Man in the Mirror), David Delk and Brett Clemmer, at no charge. Read the book in advance; otherwise, come anyway!

This book is highly recommended by Larry Malone, General Commission, UMMen. "Get this book, read it, know it, practice it—it works."

Check out the Web site for Man in the Mirror ministries at http://www.maninthemirror.org, and please join us for a weekend of entertainment, recreation, praise, worship, fellowship and steak! This could be the weekend that makes a difference for you and your group.

Check out the flyer below for more details and to register. For more information, contact Craig Nordaker at 402-453-6666 or cnordaker@cox.net.

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What is a friend?

A friend is more than an acquaintance. A real friend cares about us, challenges us and helps us grow. A friend shares our sorrow, our joy, and makes a difference in our lives.

On September 14, the Nebraska United Methodist Conference encourages all congregations to truly open their hearts, minds and doors and celebrate "Invite a Friend to Church Sunday." On this day, everyone in the congregation is asked to invite at least one friend or relative to join him or her for a special morning worship and fellowship.

Below you will find links that will provide tools to help your congregation prepare for its own "Invite a Friend to Church Sunday," including a flyer to help promote the event.

Also, look next week for a series of bulletin inserts that may be used each Sunday in the weeks leading up to "Invite a Friend to Church Sunday."
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Save the date—Conference Funding Plan meetings scheduled in all districts

Please mark your calendars for the fall district meetings to discuss the 2009 Conference Funding Plan. Financial stewardship resources and suggestions will be shared as well as the challenges faced by many churches and how congregations may overcome troubling times. Robin Kilgore, Conference Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services, will be available to answer questions and assist local church finance committees, pastors and laypersons. More information will be shared at a later date. Please plan to attend.

Meeting Dates:

September 14—Elkhorn Valley District Funding Plan Meeting at 3 p.m., Norfolk Westridge UMC

September 21—Prairie Rivers District Funding Plan Meeting at 4 p.m., location TBA

September 22—Great West District Funding Plan Meeting, 7 p.m. CT, at North Platte UMC

September 23—Great West District Funding Plan Meeting, 7 p.m. CT, at Scottsbluff UMC

September 28—Gateway District Funding Plan Meeting, time and location TBA

September 29—Blue River District Funding Plan Meeting at 7 p.m., St. Marks UMC, Lincoln

October 12—Missouri River District Funding Plan Meeting at 3 p.m., Springfield UMC
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Shown in the photo is the Rev. Jim Miller and his wife Karen. Photo submitted by Cathy Hiemer.

"Pound the Pastor"—the people of Christ UMC in Lincoln hold event to welcome new pastor

The people of Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln had an evening event on July 13 to welcome their new pastor. The evening of getting acquainted and fellowship was promoted as "Pound the Pastor." This is a southern tradition and was sponsored by the Hospitality Committee and SPRC.

In keeping with the theme for the evening, each person or couple attending that evening was to bring a pound of something to welcome the pastoral family. Their pets were also included and several "pounds" were treats for the family dog or cat.

Pastor Jim, not quite sure of the plans for the evening, wore shoulder pads and helmet in case someone was, as he thought, actually going to pound the pastor.

A great time was had by all who attended, including the children and youth who had special games and activities set up. When all the pound gifts were loaded into the pickup at the end of the evening, the truck was full. The Millers did take some food to the city mission due to the mission's plea for assistance with their shortage.
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The annual Singer/Songwriter Retreat, August 14-17 at beautiful Mount Sequoyah is less than a month away. The retreat will feature eight workshops and showcase two concerts. Choose to attend the entire weekend, individual workshops for $25 each or just attend the concerts. Early registration deadline is July 31. For details, choices and registration go to http://www.mountsequoyah.org or call 800-760-8126.

Mount Sequoyah Unplugged—singer/songwriter retreat, August 14-17

The weekend retreat, sponsored by Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center, is scheduled for August 14-17, at the Conference Center in Fayetteville. The retreat will feature a workshop and showcase concert on Saturday by Gretchen Peters. Thursday evening a free Guitar Masters Concert will feature Jack Williams, Shane Adkins, and Kelly Mulhollan. Song Circles in the evenings will give everyone a chance to share their songs with other songwriters in the supportive and peaceful environment of the Mountain.

The event will also include workshops featuring:

Shane Adkins - 2005 International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion
Jack Williams - One of the best guitar players in America
Charles Gaby - Musician, songwriter, and Director of the Center for Creative Transformation at First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth.
Effron White - 2006 & 2007 Northwest Arkansas' Best Singer/Songwriter of the year
Emily Kaitz - Northwest Arkansas Music Hall of Fame Inductee
Kelly Mulhollan - Voted "Best Guitarist" in NWA
Donna Stjerna - Prolific songwriter with over 400 songs to her credit
Steve Smith - Award winning songwriter for Hannah Blaylock and Eden's Edge

The retreat is open to artists of all ages and skill levels. This is a great opportunity to learn from outstanding professionals. Details about the retreat and registration information are available online at http://www.mountsequoyah.org or call 800-760-8126.
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