UMconnect — 11/25/08

Conference office to be closed Nov. 27-28

The conference office will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The office will reopen Monday, Dec. 1 at 8:30 a.m.

IRS adjusts mileage rate for 2009

The Internal Revenue Service has reduced the standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the standard mileage rate will decrease to 55 cents per mile compared to the rate of 58.5 cents per mile for miles driven through Dec. 31, 2008. The charitable rate remains the same at 14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization. For more information about this action, see the article below or go to http://www.irs.gov.

• IRS announces 2009 standard mileage rates

Move over YouTube, here comes UM-TUBE

Access the Nebraska United Methodist Conference's very own video sharing Web site by going to http://www.umcneb.org and clicking on the UM-TUBE link under the Quick Links.

Show the entire conference what is going on in your church by simply setting up a user account and uploading videos of your church gatherings, sermons and activities.

Mission share stories now available on UM-TUBE:

What is Church and Community Work?

Bulletin insert

Turning the Tithe

Bulletin insert

The Nebraska/Nigeria Partnership

A mission share story.

Meeting our mission share goals is a responsibility taken quite seriously by United Methodist Churches in the Nebraska Conference. For some, their giving nature doesn't end there. It extends past the fulfillment of mission share goals and reaches out to do good works across the world. Specifically, the African country of Nigeria has long been a recipient of this generosity.

Both AIDS and Malaria have devastated Nigeria, leaving many children orphans and without hope for their futures. In response to this dire reality, the Nebraska Conference worked to raise more than $250,000 to aid in the construction of an orphanage in Jalingo, Nigeria. In addition, $2,000 per child, per year is needed to provide for the children living in the orphanage.

With the help of people like you, the Nebraska Conference is fulfilling this continued need and providing a quality life for each of the 48 children living in the orphanage.

To view more mission share stories, go to http://www.umcneb.org and click on the UM-TUBE link under the Quick Links.

• Bulletin insert

	Latvian hymnal committee with Carlton Young and S.T. Kimbrough.

Churches of Latvia plan new United Methodist Hymnal

Methodism was revived in Latvia in 1992 after the fall of communism, and today there are 12 thriving congregations. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Latvia published its first hymnbook in 1924. It shared a unique feature with the Methodist hymnals of Lithuania (1924) and Estonia (1926), namely, in addition to hymns it contained all of the primary liturgies or worship services of the church. In 1993 and 1997, the Rev. Arijs Viksna, then district superintendent of Latvia, published two provisional "words only" hymn books consisting of hymns from existing free church Latvian hymnals.

The new United Methodist Hymnal, however, is an intergenerational effort of the Latvian Methodists to bring together songs of faith which strengthen the ties to the historic hymnody of the church, the Wesleyan tradition, contemporary compositions (including choruses and songs of praise), hymns and songs of European churches and of the global church.

The new hymnal has received support from the Northern Europe Central Conference, the General Board of Discipleship, the General Board of Global Ministries, the Fred Pratt Green Trust, and generous donations from a number of United Methodist individuals.

Dr. S T Kimbrough, Jr., founder of the Global Praise Program of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) and editor of many of its books of song, and Dr. Carlton R. Young, editor of the last two hymn books of North American Methodism and Music Consultant of the Global Praise Program of GBGM, are serving as editorial consultants for the new hymnal and providing technical support. They met with the Hymnal Committee on November 13-15, 2008, in Liepaja, Latvia. The committee has been working since May 2008 and had processed over 600 hymns and songs for consideration. The basic format and content of the hymnal has now been determined and a first draft will be completed some time in 2009. The members of the Hymnal Committee of the Latvia United Methodist Church are: Gunta Sneidere, Edgars Sneiders, Miervaldis Ziemelis, Ruta Beike, Inese Budņika, Rūdolfs Vainovskis.

"A Christmas Lament"

By Dean McIntyre*

Some years ago while serving as music director in a large church (16 choirs!), I found that particular Advent and Christmas season to be particularly stressful because of all of the demands on my time. I was also aware of others in the church who seemed to be experiencing the same thing. After the final late night Christmas Eve service, I went home and collapsed exhausted into my favorite chair. Recovering somewhat with my family's Christmas morning and dinner celebration, I began to feel better about the holiday, but I was aware that I had missed any sense of personal satisfaction or joy from my own Advent-to-Christmas journey that year. By bedtime I had composed the text, indeed a lament over my own sense of loss that season, even with all of the joy that so many people must have experienced through my efforts.

These words have been available on the GBOD Web site since 2000, but I have never made them available with music so that they can be sung. This musical setting makes use of the "St. Louis" tune, to which we usually sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem." I offer them here with great admiration for church musicians of all kinds who serve so selflessly, even to the point of self-sacrifice, and with great hope that music leaders take care of themselves through this busy season and, along with their choirs and congregations, experience the coming of Jesus once again.

*Dean McIntyre is the Hymnal Revision Project Co-Editor and Director of Music Resources, for the General Board of Discipleship

• "A Christmas Lament"
  This song, set to the tune of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is a reminder to church musicians and all those who get so busy during Advent and Christmas that they may miss the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

Join the Nebraska AIDS Project on World AIDS Day

Monday, Dec. 1, join the Nebraska AIDS Project on World AIDS Day at 4 p.m., on the Memorial Park Overpass in Omaha for a candlelight vigil and awareness event.

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. One hundred percent of all funds contributed go directly to the projects. To donate, go to http://www.umglobalaidsfund.org.


Please see the flyer below for more details.

Rev. Dr. Charles Olsen

"Selecting Church Leaders: A Practice in Spiritual Discernment"—Register by Dec. 1

Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Lexington, the Gateway District of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference is sponsoring "Selecting Church Leaders: A Practice in Spiritual Discernment" featuring the Rev. Dr. Charles Olsen. This lay leadership training event will provide pastors, lay leaders and chairs of committees on lay leadership instruction on how to pick the best men and women for particular positions within their churches.

Of the workshop, the event's coordinator, Paul Matson said, "In most local churches, the laity committee tries to find people to put into the positions that are required to be filled. In some cases, they are just looking for someone to say instead of determining what skills are needed for that position and who in the congregation is most qualified to accomplish the tasks of the position. This workshop is intended to help the laity committee members identify the skills of the people in the church, identify the purpose of the committee or position, and determine what additional skills the members might need to learn to better equip them to do the job."

As program director with the Heartland Presbyterian Center in Kansas City, the Rev. Dr. Charles Olsen directed the Lilly Endowment funded "Set Apart Lay Leader Project," a four year effort focusing on the integration of spirituality and administration in church boards and councils. His book, "Transforming Church Boards Into Communities of Spiritual Leaders," tells that story. It was selected as one of the top ten religious books in 1997 by the Academy of Parish Clergy and is one of The Alban Institute's all-time best sellers.

Olsen was the founder of "Worshipful-Work: Center for Transforming Religious Leadership," an inclusive ecumenical ministry focusing on the integration of spirituality and administration in church leadership which offered consultation, conferences and organizational spiritual direction to clergy and lay leaders. He is coauthor, with Danny E. Morris, of "Discerning God's Will Together" and, with Sister Ellen Morseth, of "Selecting Church Leaders: A Practice in Spiritual Discernment," both from The Alban Institute and The Upper Room.

There is no registration for this event, however, participants are asked to meet the registration deadline of Dec. 1, in order to guarantee enough training materials for all participants. For more information, please see the materials below or contact Paul Matson at 308-324-7152 or pmatson@alltel.net.

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.

• Vigil of peace flyer

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.

• Comeca Holiday Brunch flyer

"Making a Difference"—a day of learning, worship and fellowship

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.

• "Making a Difference" brochure

Ethnic Young Adult Summer Internship application deadline is Feb. 1

Applicants, age 18-22, will work in social justice placements in Washington, D.C.

The deadline to apply for an Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in Washington, D.C., is Feb. 1. The EYA program is for young adults, ages 18-22, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change.

Sponsored by the Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group and administered by the United Methodist Church's General Board of Church & Society (GBCS), interns will work in social justice placements in the U.S. capital from June 1 to Aug. 1, 2009.

Interns will live in Christian community together at George Washington University, in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. Work placements will be supplemented by evening intern-led devotions, Friday seminars on topics of social justice concern, area field trips, and Sunday worship in area United Methodist churches. Participants must commit to being present at these activities.

Every Sunday, the intern group will experience the rich and diverse nature of The United Methodist Church by visiting a different congregation. The congregations will reflect diversity in ethnic makeup as well as worship style.

• Read more

Clergy Special Session set for Jan. 20-22 at Lincoln St. Marks

The clergy of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference will be gathering in Lincoln for their annual session on Jan. 20-22, 2009, at St. Marks, in Lincoln.

Just as with the annual conference session in June, a packet will be distributed at the time of registration. Ministries and programs wishing to have something placed in the packet should contact the conference office at 402-464-5994 and ask for Kathryn Witte (ext. 113) or Roxie Delisi (107) to arrange for receipt of an item to be included in the packet.

• Clergy Special Session brochure

SAVE THE DATE—Blue River District Youth Skate Night, Jan. 18

Sunday, Jan. 18, youth in grades 7-12 are encouraged to join in the fun of the Blue River District's Annual Youth Skate at Mahoney State Park. The event is $5 per person and will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

In addition to ice skating, food and an indoor playground will also be available. This year's event also includes a challenge to all Blue River District United Methodist Youth Groups. For all of the details, please see the flyer below.

• Flyer

Join in the Missouri River District 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.

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

• 2008 Holiday Food Challenge flyer

The Shelves are bare at Pearl Pantry

Pearl Food Pantry in Omaha is in need of non-perishable food items to stock its shelves. As the only pantry in its neighborhood, Pearl Pantry is struggling in its efforts to fill all requests.

Needed items include: canned fruits and vegetables, boxed dinners, cereal, rice, pasta, instant potatoes, canned soups and peanut butter. Another giving option is to donate $10 or $15 gift cards for No Frills Supermarkets to individuals and families for the purchase of perishables that cannot be stocked in the pantry such as eggs, milk and bread. Monetary donations are also welcome.

Pearl Pantry is a food pantry in North Omaha at Tri-Community United Methodist Church (Ogden location). To arrange for delivery of items please contact Barb Gresham at 402-453-7440. The address for Pearl Pantry is 2319 Ogden Street, Omaha, NE.