UMconnect — 11/13/08

Missing November mission share and health/pension statements

During a recent training event at the conference office, a simple keystroke led some church treasurers to have difficulty in locating their monthly mailing. Instead of being mailed to church treasurers, the statements were mailed to local churches. The database has been corrected and future statements will again be mailed to church treasurers. If treasurers are searching for the November mission share statements and/or health and pension statements, please check the church office first and then contact Tina Watteyne at 800-435-6107, ext. 118 for a replacement. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Robin Kilgore, Conference Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services
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Have you had your flu shot yet?

The flu season is just around the corner. Remember that flu shots are covered 100 percent as part of your annual wellness benefit.

Flu shots are usually handled on a walk-in basis, and an appointment with your primary care provider is not needed. If you haven't already done so, get your vaccination soon!
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Attention HealthFlex members—open enrollment is Nov. 10-30

Now is the time to make elections for 2009. Election packets were mailed Nov. 8. Open enrollment is your only opportunity to elect a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for next year. FSAs include Medical Reimbursement Accounts (MRA) and Dependent Care Accounts (DCA). FSAs enable you to use pretax dollars to pay for health care and dependent care expenses not covered by your insurance. An MRA can be used to pay for co-pays, deductibles, dental expenses and over-the-counter medications. A DCA can be used to pay for day-care expenses for children or adult care if you are the legal caregiver.

All Healthflex members will receive an e-mail with more details. More information is also available on the conference Web site (www.umcneb.org) under the administration tab.
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Robbie Lonewolf, church and community worker

What is church and community work?

A mission share story

"I came here tonight to learn how to protect myself and not be afraid to fight back if someone is trying to attack me," said Kid's Club participant Kassie Phillips of Walthill.

Recently, girls in the Walthill Kid's Club learned self-worth while learning to defend themselves against predators at a women's self-defense class. Made possible through a mini grant from the Committee on Children and Poverty and the collaborative efforts of the committee, the Kid's Club and the Walthill UMC, the class taught the young girls self-defense mechanisms under the supervision and instruction of martial arts instructor Richard Lundy.

Robbie Lonewolf, church and community worker with the United Methodist Church serving at the Nebraska Rural Ministries Project, explained why the women of the Walthill UMC collaborated on this effort, "One of the reasons this happened is because the Walthill Church doesn't have any youth, and the ladies still wanted to have a connection with youth in the community, and this is a really good way to do that. They're service mentors."

While the self-defense class helped the girls develop confidence and a sense of security, participants were also able to enjoy themselves and just be kids. "I like the programs Robbie puts on a lot, because they're usually fun, and she doesn't make it really awkward and like a classroom," said Jessica Garcia of Winnebago.

It is with your mission share dollars that efforts like the women's self-defense class are made possible. Thank you for your generous giving and dedication to make a difference in communities across the conference.
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Comeca Holiday Brunch

Sunday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 14, you are cordially invited to join the staff of Camp Comeca for a casual holiday brunch. Homemade goodies will be available for purchase, fun activities for children will be offered, and an opportunity to make your own handmade wreath will be available on Dec. 7.

For more information, please see the flyer below.
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"Making a Difference"

The Elkhorn Valley District will host its annual day of learning, worship and fellowship entitled "Making a Difference," on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at First United Methodist Church in Norfolk. All who wish to grow as disciples are invited. Certain workshops focus on the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee as well as the six signs of discipleship. Workshops are intended for leaders of education and youth, finance and stewardship, council chairs and Lay Leaders.

All are invited to come to brush up on their skills to enhance the work of the local church. Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer will be speaking on the topic "Through you...blessing," and participants will have the opportunity to attend two of the eight workshops.

Early registration is encouraged (by Dec. 15), although late registrants will be welcomed. Early registration ensures the workshops of your choice. Please read the brochure below to learn about the variety of interesting and helpful workshops that are available.
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1...2...3, start counting for the holiday food challenge

It is that time of year again for the Missouri River District Holiday Food Challenge! In 2007, congregations and groups in the Missouri River District collected over 4,000 pounds of food and $18,000 to benefit local food agencies. Can those numbers be topped in 2008?

The Holiday Food Challenge starts on Nov. 1 and continues through Dec. 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.

Recognition will be given to the small and large churches for amount collected, most food and money collected overall, most creative food drive and out of district participants.

Check out the first challenge participant!
Tecumseh-Sterling United Methodist Church youth collected 287 items while trick-or-treating.

For more information or to report your efforts, contact Lisa Maupin at 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org

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"Holiday Happenings for Missions"—sponsored by the United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church in Lincoln will hold their annual "Holiday Happenings for Missions" on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The event will feature a cookie walk, silent auction, baked goods, crafts and used books. A lunch of homemade soups, pies, and sloppy joes will also be available. Proceeds benefit mission work around the world.

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United Methodist Ministries invites you to join in a prayer of peace

United Methodist Ministries is encouraging congregations and groups to participate in a unified effort to pray for peace on Dec. 7, at 5 p.m. This peace vigil is a symbol of our commitment to the end of violence in our communities, nation and world. Congregations are asked to organize a group and come together in circles, by candlelight, outside our places of worship.


Suggestions for the peace vigils include incorporating songs of peace, prayers and readings into the designated time. Congregations are also encouraged to invite our faith communities to join with them in this call for peace. Additional resources will be available.


United Methodist Ministries is asking that all churches wishing to participate register their peace vigil with our office so that a complete list can be published prior to Dec. 7. Register your peace vigil at 402-898-9862 or
lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.
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Surviving the holidays

If you're separated or divorced, the holidays can be a lonely, stressful and depressing time—but there's hope. Dec. 15, from 6:30-8 p.m., join the people of St. Andrew's UMC in Omaha for an encouraging seminar to discover how to enjoy the holidays again. The study guide costs $5. Please contact Diana Faust at dfaust@standrewsomaha.net to register.
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SAVE THE DATE—Confirmation Day
Saturday, March 7, 2009

Confirmation Day is about gathering confirmands from across the state to celebrate the special experience of the confirmation journey. The goal is to celebrate common heritage and connection, examine the call to serve
and learn about social holiness. Students will be introduced to Nebraska Wesleyan University while exploring faith and taking part in worship together. Baptismal Renewal, Holy Communion and a special blessing from Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer are part of this special day.

Confirmation Day will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at First UMC, 2723 N. 50th Street, Lincoln, Neb. Be sure to mark your calendars now to attend this spring event with your confirmands!

For more information, contact Nebraska Wesleyan University Ministries at 402-465-2222 or kochsner@nebrwesleyan.edu.
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The Big Garden celebrates 2008 growing season

The Big Garden celebrated a successful growing season on Oct. 12, during its Harvest Party at Hot Shops Art Center in Omaha. Over 125 guests enjoyed food, music, silent auction and stories of the 2008 growing season. The event is the annual fund-raiser for the Big Garden.

The Big Garden recognized its collaborative partnerships that contribute to the effectiveness of the Big Garden. Special recognition was given to the Habitat for Humanity Restore. The Restore garden site was a new site in 2008 and received significant damage from the June 27, 2008, wind storm that swept through the metro-Omaha area. The garden site was replanted and restored by the gardeners, Restore employees and the Big Garden staff. According to the Reverend Stephanie Ahlschwede, executive director of United Methodist Ministries—Missouri River District, "Our collaborating partners are the heart of this project. Partners like the Habitat Restore not only donate garden space, water and tools, but help us to recruit and train volunteers from the neighborhood and other community partners. We would not be the Big Garden without them."

Reverend Ahlschwede announced new initiatives for the Big Garden as it begins its fourth year. Plans are underway for expansion of the Big Garden outside of the metro-Omaha area, further addressing justice issues such as racism and the establishment of permanent public art at garden sites. "We've completed our initial plans for the first three years, ending up with twice the gardens we had originally projected," says Ahlschwede. "Now we are looking to continued growth in the metro area, as well as branching out to the rural areas in the Missouri River District with a new pilot program, funded by the USDA. We will also be adding arts programming to our existing health and nutrition programming for youth."

The Big Garden also thanked Dave Anson, the Big Garden Master Gardner, for his time and dedication. Dave retired following the conclusion of the growing season on Oct. 31. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Big Garden with growing seedlings, designing garden sites and day to day gardening operations.

Special thanks to the sponsors of the Harvest Party: Dietz United Methodist Church, City Sprouts, Southern Sudanese Association, Dr. Randall and Ronnette Sailors, Paul and Jessica Mews, Blue Flamingo Thrift Store and Hanscom Park United Methodist Church.

The Big Garden is a series of 22 community gardens located in the metro-Omaha area focused on empowering neighbors to grow nutritious food, build community partnerships, improve their health and start small businesses. Each community garden site is specifically designed for the needs of the neighborhood.
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World AIDS Day—Dec. 1, 2008

The theme of the 2008 World AIDS Day is "Leadership: 'Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise'." This year marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Since 1988, the face and response to AIDS has greatly changed. While many of these changes are positive, this anniversary offers an opportunity to highlight how much more still needs to be done. Our theme encourages leaders at all levels to stop AIDS. "Leadership" highlights the discrepancy between the commitments that have been made to halt the spread of AIDS, and actions taken to follow them through. Leadership empowers everyone—individuals, organizations, governments—to lead in the response to AIDS. Visit the World AIDS Campaign Web site at http://www.worldaidscampaign.org.

To access a United Methodist worship service for World AIDS Day, go to http://www.umc-gbcs.org/WorldAIDSDay. Other resources can be found at General Board of Global Ministries and the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance. World AIDS Day is a wonderful opportunity to promote the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, an Advance Special that provides funding to many AIDS projects around the globe. 100 percent of all funds contributed go directly to the projects. To donate, go to http://www.umglobalaidsfund.org.
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Upcoming events at Mount Sequoyah—save the dates!

Mount Sequoyah has three great conferences coming in early 2009. Click on the links below for more information about each of these great events.

Addiction Ministry Responders Conference, Feb. 23-25, 2009
A conference for all church leadership, clergy and laity, to help shape the church's response to substance abuse problems within their communities and congregations.

Small Church Leadership Institute, March 9-13, 2009
A conference to equip laity and clergy with the knowledge and skills for leading their small attendance church into the future.

Caring for Creation Conference, March 27-29, 2009
A conference designed to educate, network, and inspire faith communities to initiate, develop, and sustain stewardship programs that will protect and celebrate God's creation.
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Editorial Policy: The content, news, events and announcement information distributed in UMconnect is not sponsored or endorsed by the Nebraska United Methodist Conference unless specifically stated.

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