UMconnect — 09/24/09

Interested in submitting an item for UMconnect? Click here.

For more information about events going on around the conference, visit the events calendar.

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

Vision and Funding Plan webcast plus questions and answers with Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer-Simpson, Sunday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. on UM-STREAM

The live webcast on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, offering a Q & A as follow-up to the South Central Jurisdiction realignment announcement generated close to 300 hits on UM-STREAM. The communications department wants to continue to offer up live interactive events.

Bishop Sherer-Simpson, district leadership and conference staff are offering fall listening sessions to learn more about the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Vision and Funding Plan. Additionally, Bishop Sherer-Simpson is conducting question and answer sessions on the decision to make a Nebraska-Kansas Episcopal Area effective Sept. 1, 2012.

In an effort to offer up this information more broadly, we will webcast the Blue River District meeting scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m., at Saint Paul UMC. Just go to the Conference Web site at www.umcneb.org, and click on UM-STREAM or save the link below.

http://www.umcneb.org/streaming_video.htm

Remaining Vision and Funding Plan meetings are scheduled for:

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

Remaining Q & A sessions with the Bishop are scheduled for :

Sept. 27—Blue River District, 7 p.m., Lincoln Saint Paul UMC, following the Vision and Funding Plan presentation
Oct. 1—Missouri River District, 11:30 a.m., at the Gretna UMC (Q & A only)
Oct. 1—Prairie Rivers District, 7 p.m., Central City UMC, following the Vision and Funding Plan presentation
Oct. 9—Elkhorn Valley District, 11:30 a.m., Norfolk (TBA, Q & A only)
to top

Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer-Simpson hosts webcast, live Q and A in response to South Central Jurisdiction (SCJ) realignment announcement

On Saturday, Sept. 19, Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer and members of The Common Table hosted a webcast from the new Nebraska United Methodist Conference Center to discuss the realignment announcement made on Friday, Sept. 18. In the announcement on Friday, Bishop Earl Bledsoe, president of the SCJ College of Bishops announced the making of a Nebraska-Kansas Episcopal Area effective, Sept. 1, 2012. This announcement does not impact conference boundaries, as conference boundaries are the work of each Annual Conference.

- SCJ Episcopal area realignment announcement
- SCJ Realignment Webcast Q & A #1
- SCJ Realignment Webcast Q & A #2
- SCJ Realignment Webcast Q & A #3
- News Release
- SCJ Announcement Video Script
- Timeline
- FAQs Regarding the New Nebraska-Kansas Episcopal Area
- SCJ Study
- South Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops Web site
- UM-TUBE
to top
#

Nebraska United Methodist Conference Center move reminder

The headquarters of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference recently moved to its new location at 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504-4760.

Conference Center Calling

402-464-5994
800-435-6107 (toll free)
402-464-6203 (fax)

When calling the conference center at 402-464-5994, please dial your intended party's extension from the list below. When calling the conference center you will have the following options also available: For a directory listing, dial 1; for a dial-by-name directory, dial 2; for office hours, dial 3; or to leave a message dial 4. Or e-mail us at info@umcneb.org.
to top

2009 Journal now available online

  • 2009 Journal
    The 2009 Journal can be accessed by clicking on the link above or by clicking on the "Journal" Quick Link at www.umcneb.org
to top

Changes in the conference-sponsored HealthFlex Plan for 2010

There are several changes in the conference-sponsored HealthFlex Plan for 2010 for both. The document below will help explain some of these changes.

All forms and benefit summaries for 2010 are available on the conference Web site at www.umcneb.org. Click on Administration, then on Benefit Summaries. A DVD about the changes in the Active Plan is available on UM-TUBE. Go to www.umcneb.org and click on the "UM-TUBE" Quicklink. The changes in the Medicare Companion Plan will be outlined in the October ARMS Newsletter.
to top

A message from Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer-Simpson

In the continuing series of messages from Bishop Sherer-Simpson, we link to her comments on our mission and vision as the United Methodist Church in Nebraska.
to top

Well-known Clair UMC minister of music passes away

Faye Bailey Johnson passed away early Sept. 22. She was very well known in the conference and was the former minister of music at Clair Memorial UMC. The funeral will be on Monday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m., at the Salem Baptist Church in Omaha.
to top

Oct. 1 deadline for social justice seed money applications is quickly approaching

The Risk-taking Mission and Justice Team is excited about offering support to local churches that wish to work on social justice issues and need some start-up money to help begin the project!

To learn about what constitutes a "social justice" issue and how to apply for funds, please see the form below. The deadline for applications is Oct. 1!
to top

Fall into missions with the October Mission of the Month!

The mission of the month series features local, conference and international missions along with recommended readings and needs from our agencies. The Mission of the Month series is intended as an educational opportunity to learn more about ways to get involved in the field of risk-taking mission and justice work.

Local congregations and church organizations have incorporated the series into their monthly newsletter, purchased books for their church libraries or started personal and group studies or used the resource as a way to educate the local church on what agencies the United Methodist Church supports locally and globally.

More resources about the featured missions and activities are available through the United Methodist Ministries office at 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.
to top

RETHINK Church Conference is just around the corner

Join the Nebraska United Methodist Conference for a two-day, Rethink Church Conference to hone your leadership skills and develop a Rethink Church strategy for your local church. Formerly known as the Laity Convocation, the event will take place on Nov. 13 and 14 at Lexington First United Methodist Church, located on 201 E. 8th Street, Lexington, NE 68850. Clergy and laity are encouraged to attend.

Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is a "train the trainer" session (an optional Leadership Development Day) where we will train folks to be trainers for Rethink Church. People who attend will be prepared to lead Rethink Church efforts for their own and other churches. While it's geared for training a trainer, we think all church leaders will benefit and be able to take key components back to their local churches.

Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 at 6 p.m. is the traditional start of the conference. The night will include "best practices" and a keynote.

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 is the full-day workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with several sections to equip local church teams to develop a Rethink Church strategy and plan. It will include MissionInsite and the Church Vitality Indicator to help each local church reinvigorate its ministry, identify target audience groups and begin doing old things in new ways and spark new ideas for new ministries.

NOTE: The University of Nebraska Cornhusker football team plays at Kansas on Saturday, Nov. 14. Depending upon game time and the televised schedule, we will do everything possible to keep you close to the action and even use this opportunity in the Rethink Church workshop.

Cost:
$50 for the two-day training and workshop includes three meals and breaks, all materials, resources and sessions. First-time attendees for the Nebraska Conference Laity Convocation can enter the code (rethinkne09) to receive a $15 discount in the registration fee. Use of the discount code is on the honor system.

Register now through Nov. 8, 2009

For more information, contact:
Kathryn Witte
Communications Director
Nebraska United Methodist Conference
402-464-5994
kwitte@umcneb.org
to top

Rethink Church lodging

The following are lodging options in Lexington:

—Comfort Inn, 2810 Plum Creek Parkway, 308-324-3747
—Days Inn, 2506 Plum Creek Parkway, 308-324-6440
—Holiday Inn Express, 2605 Plum Creek Parkway, 308-324-9900
—Lexington Super 8, 104 E. River Road, 308-324-7434
—Minuteman Motel, 801 Plum Creek Parkway, 308-324-8400
to top

Crete's Grace UMC celebrates 140 years

There will be a Worship of Memories on Nov. 15, celebrating the 140th anniversary of Grace UMC in Crete. Following worship, there will be a dinner based on 1950s fall dinners. Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer-Simpson will be in attendance.

Grace UMC is located on 13th and Juniper Avenue in Crete.
to top

Wesleyan Live announces courses for Nebraska clergy, laity and community members

This program offers continuing education courses for clergy, laity and community members. Courses are taught by Nebraska Wesleyan faculty in Lincoln and televised live across the state. The participants and professors are able to interact with each other throughout each telecast.

Course Location
The sessions are televised live from the Nebraska Education Telecommunications building in Lincoln. The possible transmittal sites, which will be determined according to registrations, include Ainsworth, Beatrice, Grand Island, Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha and Scottsbluff. A minimum of six registrants is needed at each location.

Registration and Credit
The enrollment cost is $40 per person or $20 for retired clergy and retired clergy spouses.

Wesleyan Live, Fall 2009
"Theology, Ecology and the Great Plains Parish"
Tuesdays, 12 - 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, 2009 - Nov. 17, 2009

Wesleyan Live, Spring 2010
"Turning the Diamond: Religion from the Perspective of Research"
Tuesdays, 12 - 1 p.m.
Feb. 2, 2010 - March 9, 2010

To read more details on these courses and for more information, please see the flyer below.
to top
#

Register by Sept. 30 for EXPLORATION 2009

Are you considering serving God as a profession or know of someone who may be? Exploration 2009, Nov. 13-15 in Dallas, will help discern your calling. There is a group from Nebraska that is attending and there are scholarships available. Please contact Victoria Hatterman for more information at 308-991-5663 or amplifyyan@gmail.com

The event, sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, is open to high school seniors and young adults up to age 24. The registration fee of $150 includes a two-night stay at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, meals and program fees. To learn more, or register online now through Sept. 30, visit www.gbhem.org/exploration.
to top
#

Special Sundays fund important scholarships

The combination of the recession and an online application process dramatically increased the demand for United Methodist loans and scholarships this year — making contributions to the Student Day, World Communion Sunday, and Native American Ministries Sunday offerings even more important.

More than 9,000 students applied for United Methodist scholarships this year, although only 2,877 completed all the required recommendations and documentation by the May 15 deadline, according to Angella Current-Felder, executive director of the Office of Loans and Scholarships at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

GBHEM awarded 3,365 students about $4.6 million in scholarships in 2008. Awards totals are not complete for 2009 yet. So far this year, the Board has provided another $1.6 million in loans to 333 students.
to top