UMconnect 10-28-09

Marriage Encounter Weekend scheduled for South Sioux City on Nov. 20-22

Do you desire a closer, more intimate relationship with your spouse? Attend the Nov. 20-22, 2009 Marriage Encounter Weekend in South Sioux City and you will learn ways to make that happen! To receive more information or to register, contact Russell and Lanita Evans, Nebraska State Registration Couple, 2002 Cedarberry Road, North Platte, NE 69101. You can contact them by calling 308-520-1491 or e-mail them at russellevans@internet-usa.net. You may also go to the website www.encounter.org for more information. Marriage Encounter is the official marriage program of the United Methodist Church and is an affiliate of the General Board of Discipleship.
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United Methodist youth pledge to stand against poverty

Forty-four Nebraska United Methodist youth and adults stood with over 173 million people worldwide on October 18 and pledged to take a Stand Against Poverty. The pledge was part of United Methodist Ministries' Stand Up Against Poverty event which combined education on poverty, advocacy for changes and hands-on local service work.

A major portion of the event was spent engaging in hands-on local mission and justice work. Teams spent time at local agencies to witness how they address poverty issues in the metro-Omaha area and assist the agency with completing work projects. During this time event participants learned about how the agencies are responding to the systemic issues of poverty and the current increase in demand for their services. They identified ways that they can continue to be active in eliminating poverty concerns in their communities, nation and world. Host agencies and projects for the day included the Big Garden, Blue Flamingo Thrift Store, inCommon Community Development, Pearl Pantry and Together, Inc.

Stand Up Against Poverty is an international event that encourages individuals and groups to stand up and take action in the eradication of poverty in the world. The event utilizes the Millennium Development goals outlined by the United Nations as guidelines towards ending poverty and inequality.

United Methodist Ministries--Missouri River District hosts Stand Up Against Poverty as one of its annual youth-focused events. Participating congregations included Dietz Memorial United Methodist Church, Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, Hanscom Park United Methodist Church, Murdock Ebenezer United Methodist Church and Ralston Trinity United Methodist Church.

For more information regarding upcoming youth events hosted by United Methodist Ministries--Missouri River District please contact Lisa Maupin, 402.898.9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.

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Rethink Church registration deadline Nov. 8, lodging information

Lodging for the Rethink Church conference scheduled for Nov. 13-14, 2009, in Lexington, is available at several locations including:

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
If you need more information regarding the Lexington area attractions or loding contact:

Julie Harris>br> Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce
302 E. 6th St., Suite 2
Lexington, NE
308-324-5504

If you haven't registered yet, you still can by going to the Rethink Church registration Web site.
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Celebrate the fall harvest with the Big Garden on Nov. 1

The Big Garden is celebrating another successful growing season on Nov. 1, 2009, from 4-6 p.m. The fall harvest event will be held at the Hot Shops Art Center, which is located at 1301 Nicholas St., Omaha, Neb. There will be appetizers accompanied with stories of the season and a new garden stand. All proceeds from the event will benefit the activities of the Big Garden. There is a $20 charge to attend. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Jessica by calling 402-898-9862 or emailing jmews@bigmuddyumc.org.
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From Don Messer, chair of the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund

I hope some of you might consider being an AIDS Ambassador in your local church very soon-- to promote the United Methodist Global AIDS fund and special offerings in your conference/and Sunday. The Nebraska United Methodist Conference Global AIDS Fund special offering is scheduled for Dec. 6—t's not too early to plan and promote that offering!

In addition, you might find others who can work with you on a World AIDS day task force at your church to bring awareness to your congregation or faith group. Resources are available at www.umglobalaidsfund.org.

Offering envelopes for this Special Offering on Dec. 6, in Nebraska are availble now through Cokesbury and free of charge.

Some of you might want to check out the Web site for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee called: I Embrace AIDS : Let your light shine for youth," go online and check it out at www.IEmbraceAIDS.com.

I also wanted you all to know about the free plastic HIV AIDS bracelets you can order online through this project www.iEmbraceAIDS.com. They can be used for promoting special offerings offerings, education and projects.

To order the bracelets and others resources go to: http://www.faithaliveresources.org/Embrace-AIDS-Poster and then look on the list for the free bracelets towards the bottom of the list.
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Join in the Holiday Food Challenge—Missouri River District

The fourth quarter is proving to be a difficult time for many of the local food pantries. The numbers served are increasing dramatically and the pantry shelves are bare. Some pantries are seeing a 400 percent increase from last year! United Methodist Ministries is calling out to all of our friends to help these pantries meet the increased demand with the annual Holiday Food Challenge.

What is the Holiday Food Challenge?
Churches and groups from the Missouri River District are encouraged to collect food items and money for the local food pantries during the months of November and December. The Holiday Food Challenge starts on November 1 and continues through December 31. To participate collect items and then count the number of items and money collected for local agencies during that time and report those efforts to United Methodist Ministries.

How to participate:
Plan a holiday food drive and/or special offering during the months of November and December.

Record how much food was collected and where it was delivered. Need help figuring out where to take donations? Give us a call!

Share your efforts with the United Methodist Ministries office at 402.898.9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org. Pictures will be gladly accepted.

Recognition will be given for large and small church participation, most food and money collected overall, most creative food drive and out of district participants.

Congregations from other districts are welcome and encouraged to participate. Be creative and have fun. For more information contact: Lisa Maupin United Methodist Ministries 402.898.9862 lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org
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Confirmation Day is set for Feb. 20, 2009--save the date!

Confirmation Day will take place on Saturday, Feb. 20 , from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held at the First United Methodist Church located on 2723 North 50th Street in Lincoln, Neb.

Confirmation Day is about gathering confirmands from across the state to celebrate this special experience of the confirmation journey.

During this day confirmads will celebrate their common heritage, examine their call to serve, learn about social holiness, as well as receive an introduction to Nebraska Wesylan University. The day will include worshiping together and celebrating in the Baptismal Renewal through Holy Communion and a special Blessing from Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer-Simpson.

A tentative schedule, flyers, and registration will be available on the conference Web site soon. If you have further questions, please contact the Rev. Pauletta Lehn at 402-465-2398.
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Check church mailing lists for Nebraska Conference address

Many churches send their newsletters to Nebraska United Methodist Conference staff members. Please update those addresses as many are still being forwarded from the North 48th St., Lincoln location.

Please note the new Nebraska United Methodist Conference mailing address is:

3333 Landmark Circle
Lincoln, NE 68504

We no longer have a U.S. Post Office Box. All mail comes to the address above. The Postal Service will continue to forward mail for a few weeks, however, we encourage you to review your lists for conference addresses and change them accordingly.
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Church photos wanted by the General Board of Discipleship

We need photos of United Methodist Churches for the GBOD weekly website Church of the Week feature. When submitting photos please provide the following: the church name, address, phone, email, and Web site. You are also invited to include up to a 50-word statement about your church if you wish.

However, due to privacy law restrictions we cannot publish pictures with people unless they have signed the available release form, which accessible in the provided links. Also, you can see previously featured churches at the Church Photo Gallery Web site.

Once you have submitted your photos to the General Board of Discipleship, please also forward them to Roxie Delisi at rdelisi@umcneb.org
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United Methodist communicators meet in Nashville

About 70 United Methodist communicators took part in the annual meeting of the United Methodist Association of Communicators (UMAC) Oct. 20-24. Podcasts of Bishop Sally Dyck and General Secretary Larry Hollon are available on the UMAC Web site at http://umcommunicators.org/pages/detail/2.

The Rev. Hilly Hicks, long time video producer for UMCOM and former Hollywood actor and producer was named to the 2009 Hall of Fame. Hilly retired from UMCOM in 2007 and currently serves the Crenshaw united Methodist Church in South Central Los Angeles. Hilly was instrumental in launching the first weekly TV national news magazine show called "Catch the Spirit" and also served as anchor. His work led to current national television advertising campaigns.

"United Methodist Reporter" Managing Editor Robin Russell was named the United Methodist Communicator of the Year. "Robin's thorough and balanced coverage of major events and issues relevant to the Unite Methodist Church has brought United Methodists around the country into greater understanding and honest dialogue with each other, "said Ms. Shari Goodwin, chair of the board of directors of UMR Communications, the "Reporter's" parent company.

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Mission trip to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center

Mission trip to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC), located in Chatham, Ill. For seven of the ten years that Midwest Mission Distribution Center at Chatham, Ill., has been operative...Nebraska women, especially United Methodist Women, have traveled there for work volunteering and have stayed home sewing and collecting countless gifts for others that have been delivered there. Last year the spring group was 24 persons and the fall group 22 women. We are just home from a trip with great fun, experiences with the center's activities and evenings of learning many mission opportunities from each other.

MMDC is strongly supportive of UMCOR. Example: In March 2009 UMCOR called the director of MMDC requesting flood buckets and health kits. UMCOR paid for transport of about 4,000 flood buckets and 3,800 health kits to Fargo, ND. MMDC paid for the buckets and kits or persons donated them. Also this month MMDC joined with the Sisters of St. Francis to send a container of flood buckets, bicycles, medical supplies and health kits to the Philippines! Our commitment is to the people who need our outreach and love. Women from Nebraska have felt the mission call to work at the distribution center and to give so many in-kind gifts.

Last week we delivered 633 pounds and this weekend when I return to the Board of Directors meeting we will have 385 hospital gowns, 32 dozen sewn diapers and two tubs of health kits which should bring the total over 1/2 ton of goods in this one month.

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Job opening for 2012 General Conference worship and music director

The worship and music director, an individual with a high level of organizational and communication skills, is responsible for the overall worship and music program management at General Conference. The director is responsible to the Commission on the General Conference functioning as a part of the staff coordinated by the business manager. The worship and music director receives a modest honorarium with transportation, housing, and food paid through the submission of expense reports to the business manager of the General Conference. Those interested in applying may view the worship and music director position description at http://www.umcevents.org/2012GC/Worship&Music_Director_Position_Description.pdf.

Applicants should send a brief resume outlining their background and professional references with a brief audition video highlighting music leadership abilities in a variety of settings by February 1, 2010 to: Rev. Alan J Morrison, Business Manager of General Conference, P.O. Box 340029, Nashville TN 37203-0029. The position description provides technical requirements for the audition video.

Organization: Commission on the General Conference
Contact: Rev. Alan J Morrison
Phone: (615) 369-2350
Email: amorrison@gcfa.org
Closing Date: 2/1/2010
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Here comes the bus...

Here comes the bus... sign up for bus to United Methodist Women's Assembly, Apr. 30-May 2, in St. Louis

All United Methodist women in the conference are invited to take part in attending the United Methodist Women's Assembly scheduled for April 30-May 2, in St. Louis.

The following link offers complete information regarding the Assembly trip. In order to secure a bus and reduce overall costs to attend the trip, a minimum number of women need to sign up.

Scholarships are available. For more information regarding the Assembly event, registration or scholarships, contact Ruby Thelander rubyt3.1@juno.com.
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Call for church Web addresses

In order to make our Web site directory more effective we would like to ensure local church Web sites are included. Please send your Web site address to rdelisi@umcneb.org to be included in the Web directory.
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Paxton UMC to celebrate Lord's Acre Day on Nov. 15

Join the Paxton UMC for a soup supper at 5 p.m. and an auction at 6 p.m. The Lord's Acre Day celebration is the congregation's major fund raiser for the year and is always a lot of fun.
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Search begins for General Secretary for the General Commission on United Methodist Men

The General Commission on United Methodist Men is seeking a qualified individual to serve as its General Secretary. This person will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission on United Methodist Men. Below is an outline of the duties and responsibilities as well as qualifications for the position. Interested persons should contact Mrs. Martha Davis at (615) 620-7266 or email: mdavis@gcumm.org for complete application and job description forms. Forms are also available on the GCUMM website: http://www.gcumm.org.

Please distribute this information to interested people in your organization, community or church. Completed applications and materials must be postmarked by Monday, November 16, 2009. The Search Committee will prayerfully and carefully review all applications, select candidates to be interviewed and recommend a person to the full membership of the General Commission on United Methodist Men. Thank you for your attention in this matter.
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Social Justice workshop scheduled for Nov. 21 at Lincoln St. James UMC

Saturday, Nov. 21, 9:00-12:00
Saint James UMC
Sponsored by the Calvary, St. James, and Southminster Partnership

This workshop is designed to present the "Social Principles" of the United Methodist Church and define the difference between a ministry of mercy and a ministry of social justice.

How does one advocate for social justice? Interested in becoming and advocate? Come and find out how.

Call Richard Haden at 402-326-9940, or e-mail him at rhaden@umcneb.org.
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Twelve ethnic young adults complete summer internships in Washington, D.C.

Twelve Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) summer interns, based at the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS), worked in nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations in the nation's capital for two months.

Young adults are selected annually from United Methodism's five ethnic caucuses to participate in the internships. To qualify, applicants must be passionate about social justice and active in the denomination, according to the Rev. Neal Christie, program director.

Christie, an EYA intern in 1984, said the internship is The UMC's only leadership-development program with a public policy and advocacy focus that reaches out to under-represented racial and ethnic young adults of color. This year's placement sites included the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, the National Council of Churches of Christ-USA and Justice for Our Neighbors.

The 12 interns represented 11 UMC annual conferences and all five jurisdictions. They included four African Americans, three Hispanic/Latinos and five Asian American/Pacific Islanders.

Interns also participated in weekly seminars exploring issues that affect racial/ethnic communities. "For the first time, five of our 12 interns will receive significant college credit for their eight-week internship," Christie emphasized. "This puts the EYA internship in another league when their universities trust our faith-based approach to leadership development, and our commitment to excellence in terms of intern placements, mentoring, community building, advocacy and organizing skills and evaluation."

"Funding for the internship is very limited," said Christie. "With increased funding, we could open the internship to many more students from Africa, the Philippines and Europe."

United Methodists support the internships through the World Service Fund. The GBCS sets aside "a significant portion of those funds to strengthen racial and ethnic leadership ministries in the local church and conferences," Christie said.
--Wayne Rhodes
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Pleasanton hosts bazaar on Nov. 1

Join the Pleasanton UMC in celebrating their fall dinner and bazaar.
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Blue River District United Methodist Women announce dates

The attached flier announces programming of the Blue River District United Methodist Women.
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