UMconnect — 07/23/09
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- Conference office relocation
- Administrative assistant position opening in the conference office
- Fall Vision and Funding Plan meetings set for districts
- Dates set for fall district pastor conferencing meetings
- Join the Blue River District for Faith and Family Night with the Lincoln Saltdogs
- Community forum on immigration at Hooper Faith UMC
- August is Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Fair Trade month in Nebraska United Methodist Churches
- Student and Aurora native joins peace mission to Israel/Palestine
- Bishop Robert Schnase DVDs delivered to churches
- Designated Sunday for Global Aids Fund set for Dec. 6, 2009
- Nebraska Licensing School graduates
- The time is now for peace in the Middle East, says CMEP
- HYLA seeks to empower Hispanic youths
- Lincoln Saint Paul to host workshop on teaching adults—leadership development opportunity
- "Omaha World Herald" features story, "New class fills void for immigrants"
- Pre-season training for all Sunday school teachers, leaders and helpers
- United Methodist Ministries launches new Web site
- Information for all refugees
- Volunteers in Mission newsletter "Action Steps" now available
- Clinton UMC celebrates 125 years
- UM missionary Becky Harrell to speak
- "What's in Worship?" book review
- Commercial dishwasher for sale
Conference office relocation
The Nebraska Conference Board of Trustees wish to share that as of Sept. 1, 2009, the conference office will relocate from 2641 N. 49th St. in Lincoln to 3333 Landmark Circle in Lincoln. Please note that no post office box will be maintained after Sept. 1, so for mailing purposes, please use only the street address after this date. The zip code which is 68504 will not change. Additionally, the telephone numbers will remain the same.Please know that the office will be closed from Aug. 31 through Sept. 7 during this time of transition. Staff members will be assisting with the move process and will not be able to address questions from churches or individuals at this time. Please pray for the relocation process and that all technology will be in working order on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The Board of Trustees wishes to thank those individuals and congregations that have donated toward this project. If you haven't had a chance to be a part of this exciting project and wish to make a financial contribution, please contact the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation Office, Anita or Jim at 402-323-8841/877-495-5545.
Administrative assistant position opening in the conference office
The conference office is seeking an experienced administrative assistant to support the Director of Connectional Ministries. The qualified candidate will work in Lincoln, under the supervision of the director to organize annual events, manage projects and communications. The candidate should possess strong interpersonal skills, be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and be technically proficient to produce reports, presentations, and event records and notes.The candidate will affirm the ministry of the United Methodist Church. Candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: Personnel Committee, P.O. 4247 Lincoln, Nebraska, 68504 or e-mail to umassistant@yahoo.com.
Fall Vision and Funding Plan meetings set for districts
You are part of a 10 million person worldwide movement group known as United Methodists. Your local church adds to the 80,000+ right here in Nebraska to form a powerful connection of mission, risk-taking justice and ministry work. We gather together to help local churches do ministry. Support and equipping is the primary role of the district and conference.Each district will host a meeting this fall where conference office staff members will discuss detailed information about the 2010 conference funding plan passed at the 2009 Annual Conference Session. At these meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to find out how conference apportioned ministry dollars are being used to further God's Kingdom. Most importantly, we want an opportunity to hear from our United Methodist members from all across the conference.
Holy conferencing is the way we continue to be in conversation with each other. There will be ample time for small group discussion and opportunities to ask questions. Everyone is welcome to attend and each church's lay member, clergy member, and Finance Chairperson is strongly encouraged to attend. Please plan to attend one of these meetings in your area.
DATES FOR 2009 DISTRICT FUNDING PLAN MEETINGS
Sept. 20—Great West District, 4 p.m. (MT), Scottsbluff First UMC
Sept. 21—Great West District, 7 p.m. (CT), North Platte UMC
Sept. 22—Gateway District, 7 p.m., Kearney First UMC
Sept. 27—Missouri River District, 4 p.m., Springfield UMC
Sept. 27—Blue River District, 7 p.m., Lincoln Saint Paul UMC
Sept. 28—Elkhorn Valley District, 7 p.m., Norfolk Westridge UMC
Oct. 1—Prairie River District, 7 p.m., Central City UMC
Dates set for fall district pastor conferencing meetings
This pastors-only meeting is set in each district by the district superintendent. The purpose of the meeting is to review plans for fall 2009 and beyond and receive feedback from individual pastors regarding their discipleship plans and ministry. Specific questions should be directed to the district superintendent. Pastors will receive a personal invitation from their district superintendent.Aug. 29—Blue River District, 9-11 a.m., Hallam UMC
Sept. 3—Elkhorn Valley District, 9:30 a.m., Valentino's in Norfolk
Sept. 8—Gateway District, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Kearney First UMC
Sept. 1—Great West District, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Ogallala
Sept. 3—Missouri River District, 9 a.m., St. Paul Papillion
Sept. 9—Prairie Rivers District, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Aurora
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Join the Blue River District for Faith and Family Night with the Lincoln Saltdogs
Join the Blue River District of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference on Sunday, Aug. 9, for Faith and Family Night with the Lincoln Saltdogs. The game begins at 6:05 p.m., but the fun begins at 4 p.m., with free hotdogs and soda for the first 400 guests. United Methodist youth, their friends and family are encouraged to come and enjoy the pre-game tailgate party located in the south parking lot of Haymarket Park near the center boulevard.You may purchase a reserved ticket by calling the Saltdogs box office at 402-474-BALL. Youth and youth groups receive a free, general admission, berm ticket for every $5 general admission ticket purchased. These tickets must be purchased from the conference office.
Purchase a general admission ticket by contacting Sara Brockhoft in the conference office at 402-464-5994, ext. 115 or sbrockhoft@umcneb.org.
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Community forum on immigration at Hooper Faith UMC
Micah Corps interns Brian Copley and Rachel Boellstorff share, listen and learn at a community forum in Hooper.A group of sixteen folks from the Hooper Faith UMC and broader community came together on Tuesday evening, July 22, to share personal stories of immigrant ancestors, biblical understandings of welcoming strangers, and diverse viewpoints on what welcoming the stranger means today.
Intern Brian Copley opened the discussion by reading a passage from Matthew 25 about welcoming the stranger. He also spoke of Nebraska communities that take pride in their immigrant roots through ethnic celebrations and encouraged folks to tell about their particular immigrant past.
A lively discussion included questions about the proper role of the government versus personal responsibility to open one's heart to the stranger. A sharp critique of the "spin" of the media was raised as one person talked about unfair stereotypes of immigrants portrayed in the media.
Concern was raised about the economic drain of undocumented workers and intern Rachel Boellstorff shared some facts that differ with that perception.
One person believed that businesses weren't allowed to ask if a prospective employee was a U.S. citizen and another person said that the business she worked for had a policy that mandated proof of citizenship. This exchange was a good example of the need for more in-depth discussion and accurate information when the topic of immigration comes up.
Scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments guiding the church to welcome the stranger were laced through the conversation.
Towards the end of the evening, one participant reminded us all that the church is the body of Christ and should be a place to come together to hear and respect different perspectives.
The group was a positive model of how people of faith can come together, speak, listen, disagree in love, and hopefully grow in their journeys to be the body of Christ here on earth.
The interns had a display with educational materials and hand-outs with specific ideas of how Christians can foster healthy dialogue around linking our faith with immigration and shared that very soon a faith-based curriculum, that Brian and Rachel have been working on this summer, will be available for church school classes. Stay tuned for more details about this!
Brian and Rachel are two of five Micah Corps interns who are supported by Mission Share dollars. While Rachel and Brian have focused on immigration and our faith, interns Kathryn Cunningham and Ross Janovec have focused on children in poverty in Nebraska and intern Sabrina Miller has centered her learning on access to health care in rural Nebraska.
You can learn more about all the interns and what they are up to this summer by going to their blog at micah-corps.blogspot.com.
Click below to view the slide show.
August is Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Fair Trade month in Nebraska United Methodist Churches
"Today's transcontinental head of lettuce, grown in California but eaten in Washington, D.C. is emblematic of our dysfunctional food economy.For every calorie of food energy this lettuce provides, roughly 35 calories of fossil fuel energy will have been burned to grow, harvest process and ship it. Compare this to 60 years ago when one calorie of fossil fuel produced roughly two and a half calories of food. From the standpoints of energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, we would be better off drinking the oil."
—Excerpt from "Sunshine-powered," an article in the May 19, 2009, issue of "The Christian Century," by Norman Wirzba who is on the faculty of Duke Divinity School.
Nebraskans, here are some of the things you can do right now to further the sunshine economy:
1) Plant lettuce in a window box. Learn more at kitchengardeners.org.
2) Urge members of Congress to create a farm bill that separates nutrition programs from funds for agribusinesses, so that a sustainable farm program can be developed. Go to UMCOR endorsed, Bread for the World at bread.org.
3) Buy from a local farmer or a farmers market. For farmers markets in Nebraska, click here.
4) Take the 100-Mile challenge—eat only food available from your region. For more details, go to 100milediet.org.
For more ideas, contact Peace with Justice Ministries at cawindrum@gmail.com.
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Student and Aurora native joins peace mission to Israel/Palestine
Greta Leach, of Denver, Colo., will join a team of 13 peacemakers traveling to the Middle East July 21-Aug. 4, 2009. The delegation will meet with Israeli and Palestinian peace and human rights workers and gain their perspective on the current political and social situation. Delegates will also document the daily reality of life under occupation for West Bank residents, visiting Palestinian families whose lands, homes and livelihoods have been threatened by expanding Israeli settlements and construction of the so-called "security fence.""When media attention focuses on the most glaring incidents of violence, it is important that people concerned about a just solution to the conflict see what conditions are like for ordinary people in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Hebron," said Ms. Leach.
The group is organized by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), a faith-based initiative supported by several churches and Christian peace groups. Since 1993, CPT has placed violence-reduction teams in conflict settings in the Middle East, Haiti, Latin America, Europe and North America. CPT has maintained a peace presence in the West Bank since June, 1995.
Ms. Leach is a native of the Aurora United Methodist Church, is a seminary student at Iliff School of Theology, and formerly served as Associate Pastor at North Platte First United Methodist Church. She is the daughter of Steve and Donelle Leach and the granddaughter of Bob and Loretta Leach and Don and Janis Davis, all members of Aurora UMC. Ms. Leach blogs at http://teamshiphrah.blogspot.com and is available for interviews regarding this peacemaker mission by contacting 308-530-2471.
Peace with Justice Director Carol Windrum asks for your prayers for Greta as she sets out on this peace-making trip. Below, the General Board of Church and Society offers up some other ways to show your support.
Bishop Robert Schnase DVDs delivered to churches
Churches across the Nebraska Conference will receive the video presentations of Missouri Bishop Robert Schnase as he delivered them at the 2009 Annual Conference Session.Additional DVD copies are available upon request at info@umcneb.org. A $5 charge will made for postage and handling. Checks can be made to the Conference Treasurer and sent to:
P.O. Box 4553
Lincoln, NE 68504.
Designated Sunday for Global Aids Fund set for Dec. 6, 2009
The Nebraska Council on Finance and Administration has approved Dec. 6, 2009, as the designated Sunday in the Nebraska United Methodist Conference for the Global AIDS Awareness Fund offering (Advance #982345).More promotional information will be available as the date draws nearer. Visit the United Methodist Committee on Relief Web site for more information on the Global Aids Fund.
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Nebraska Licensing School graduates
The time is now for peace in the Middle East, says CMEP
The United Methodist Church's highest policy-making body, the General Conference, readopted a resolution last year that urges all United Methodists to advocate with the U.S. administration and Congress to accomplish peace in the Middle East. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) offers some suggestions for summer activities to keep the movement towards a just peace in the Holy Land going strong.The upcoming summer congressional recess is a good time to engage your members of Congress on Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. During the recess, Aug. 3 to Sept. 7 (House) and Aug. 10 to Sept. 7 (Senate), schedule a meeting with your members or their staffs. Urge them to support the Obama administration's efforts to resolve the Holy Land conflict.
"New Hope For Peace: What America Must Do To End the Israel-Palestine Conflict" features four U.S. statesmen—Jimmy Carter, James Baker, Brent Scowcroft and Zbigniew Brzezinski—who say the time is right for a new U.S. initiative. This 20-minute DVD is presented by Landrum Bolling with cooperation from the Foundation for Middle East Peace and Mercy Corps International. You can preview the DVD, New Hope for Peace, on YouTube. Copies are also available on request from the Foundation for Middle East Peace by sending an e-mail to Keith with your name and address.
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HYLA seeks to empower Hispanic youths
HYLA (Hispanic Youth Summer Academy) was held at the Missouri River District Hispanic Community Center June 3 through June 7, 2009. HYLA, in partnership with The Mexican American Program of Perkins School of Theology—SMU and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, seeks to help high school youth and college young adults discover and embrace their relationship with God while encouraging them as they complete their education. For a young person to be accepted into the program, they meet strict requirements: high school or college student in good academic standing, participate in local ministry setting, be a member of the United Methodist Church and desire to serve in the leadership of the United Methodist Church.Twenty students from Nebraska and the surrounding five state areas, gathered at the Hispanic Community Center to consider issues such as Christian discipleship, vocational development, leadership training, college prep assistance and a variety of other issues for the development of Hispanic youth in the United Methodist Church. Scholarships for room and board plus transportation are provided for most participants. The Academy students give credit to the HYLA program for supporting them, providing direction, resources, leadership skills and being able to meet and network with other young adults from across the nation.
Among the participants were James Heredia and Anamely Cruz, both from Texas. They have both participated in HYLA for three years, are very intelligent and articulate young leaders of their local churches and conferences. They are high school graduates and attending college. James has a very structured plan for his future and after he graduates from college at Texas State University, plans to enter seminary school. Anamely will begin her college career in a few weeks at Mt. View College in Dallas and is interested in accounting.
The Missouri River District Hispanic Community Center, under the direction of the Rev. Patty Gandarilla, was designated as the third site for HYLA to cover the Midwest. If you would like more information about the Community Center, please, contact the Rev. Patty Gandarilla at the Missouri River District Office, 402-898-8962.
Lincoln Saint Paul to host workshop on teaching adults—leadership development opportunity
On Friday, Aug. 14, 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Nebraska Lay Speaking Ministries will offer a workshop intended for teacher and leader development. Persons seeking advanced certification for lay speaking and teachers and other education volunteers in the local church are encouraged to attend.If you have a calling to educational ministry—the formation and transformation of people from the time of baptism to the maturity of faithful, committed disciples (whom we United Methodist believe desire to "go on to perfection,") this workshop will be helpful to you.
You are the hands, eyes, minds and voices in the classroom or small group as you lead persons by faith, example, and your own learning to a fuller, deeper life in Christ.
A Call To The Ministry of Teaching
Most likely you are participating in the course because:
Saint Paul UMC is located at 1144 M Street, in Lincoln. Bob Aderholt, CLS, and Victoria Hatterman will be the course instructors.
The class is designed to help church leaders with a basic understanding of the ways in which adults learn and grow. You need not be in the Lay Speaking Ministries program to participate in this class. All Lay Speakers who do complete the course will receive advanced course credit.
ARRANGEMENTS: None included, please make your own. A light lunch will be provided on Saturday.
REQUIREMENTS: Register by Aug. 7, and read the materials that will be sent to you. Register with the Blue River District Office at 402-323-8849 or blueriver@umcneb.org.
COST: $30.00 per person. This includes materials and meal.
"Omaha World Herald" features story, "New class fills void for immigrants"
The "Omaha World Herald" ran "New class fills void for immigrants" in its Thursday, July 16, edition. Written by staff writer Cindy Conzales, it focuses on the Esperanza de Vida community center at 1945 Vinton St., in south Omaha. The community center was opened by the United Methodist Church.You can read the story on the Omaha World Herald's Web site.
Pre-season training for all Sunday school teachers, leaders and helpers
Get in the huddle and join in the training for how to use and enliven Cokesbury curriculum for all age groups. Learn what works with different age groups, and you can also take part in Safe Sanctuary training.If you are in the planning phases of your children and young people's ministries, come to the Pre-Season Training, Aug. 22, at First UMC, in Wayne, Neb. See the attached flyer for all the details.
United Methodist Ministries launches new Web site
United Methodist Ministries is excited to announce the launch of its new Web site, bigmuddyumc.org. The site includes breaking news articles, volunteer opportunities, a calendar of events, photo galleries, resources and much more. Registration forms will be available on the site for events and activities throughout the year, and the new online donation tool makes it convenient to make financial contributions to United Methodist Ministries with a click of a button.New information and articles are added daily, so bookmark bigmuddyumc.org today and visit often to stay abreast of the latest events and opportunities.
Information for all refugees
The Southern Sudan Community Association has an information session for refugees on July 25 from 1 p.m to 4 p.m. Presentations will be available in Arabic, Nuer, Karen and Somali Bentu. You can RSVP by calling 402-554-0759 or see the flyer for more information.Volunteers in Mission newsletter "Action Steps" now available
For those that may be interested in Volunteers In Mission (VIM), the newsletter can be read here.Clinton UMC celebrates 125 years
The people of Clinton UMC will celebrate the church's 125th anniversary with games and festivities on Saturday, Aug. 22, and a special worship service at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23. The worship service will be followed by a special dinner and time of fellowship and remembering. All previous pastors are invited.UM missionary Becky Harrell to speak
Becky Harrell, a United Methodist missionary serving in northern Chile, will be speaking at the following times on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009:— 11 a.m. at the Community Center in Eagle, Neb.
— 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Murdock
From 5-7 p.m., there will be a come and go time at the Cass County Fair Grounds. Becky will be in the New Exposition Center in the office in the northwest corner of that building.
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"What's in Worship?" book review
Below you will find a review by Bishop Clifton Ives about "What's in Worship?" It's now available at Cokesbury and Amazon, and any other bookstores can order it if they don't have it on hand. It helps those who have sat in our pews all their lives and don't know why United Methodists do certain things in worship, such as why we stand for the first hymn. Published by Chalice Press, this book is also appropriate for new members. It's a small book and contains a study guide."What's in Worship?" is an accessible overview of Christian worship that is instructive and challenging. For some it will become a reference when seeking information about liturgical colors, the Christian year, or the meaning of symbols and sacraments. For others, particularly parents of young children, here is fresh insight for introducing a child to worship in the years prior to grade three in school. Delia Halverson challenges parents to be their child's initial spiritual guide during those years. Suggestions, examples and resources for being that guide are spread throughout the book to encourage readers, young and old.