UMconnect 11-25-09

The Nebraska United Methodist Conference Office closed for Thanksgiving

The Nebraska United Methodist Conference offices will be closed Nov. 26-27, 2009, for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
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A teacher brings students of different ethnicities together through fun dances.

Students join together and color outside of the lines

Middle school students from across the Omaha metro area gathered together on Nov. 7 for Color Outside the Lines, a celebration of cultural diversity sponsored by the Missouri River District, United Methodist Ministries.

Approximately, 75 middle school students from diverse backgrounds came together at Hanscom Park UMC to share experiences and traditions through art, music, dance, storytelling and poetry. As students explored the arts together they had the opportunity to learn about their similarities and differences, and gain a better understanding of the diversity in the world.

A team of professional teaching artists facilitated the various workshops and also guided the students in activities designed to help young people learn about the effects of discrimination.

The United Methodist Ministries sponsored the event for their ongoing series called, Dismantling Racism through the Arts. This series is meant to help young people become leaders in removing racism and working toward a world of mutual understanding and respect.
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Nov. 24 begins the Rethink Church TV campaign

The United Methodist Church begins its Advent television advertising campaign tomorrow with a new commercial that emphasizes the importance of giving of one's self at Christmas.

"This Christmas, remember those who are shopping for hope, acceptance and love. Find out how you can give of yourself," is the message that appears on-screen imposed against a poignant photo of a homeless woman with a shopping cart. The ad, which begins airing on CNN Headline News Nov. 24 and continues through Dec. 27, will hopefully direct viewers to 10 Thousand Doors Web site to learn more. Banner advertisements will also appear online on CNN's home page.

In addition to advertising, United Methodist Communications is offering resources for local churches to help in creating and sharing messages to encourage their congregations to Rethink Church over the Advent season, please see the next article for more information.
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With Advent approaching, RETHINK CHURCH offers creative resources to bring Advent alive

Now available online is a four-week series of lectionary-based sermon starters written specifically to equip pastors as they help congregants navigate the spiritual pitfalls of a hectic and emotionally challenging time of year. The 2009 Advent series suggests rethinking themes of promises, salvation, repentance and servant hood.

Each sermon starter features a preaching focus, a response, suggestions on multi-media resources, and ideas for using social media like Facebook, Twitter, texting and e-mail to engage people before the presentation of a sermon and to share messages and reflections after worship. Included, are thought-provoking pre-sermon questions applying to weekly themes. If pastors choose, congregational responses to the questions can be used during the sermon to give real-life illustrations and attention to issues raised. Following worship, "tweets" that use quotes to summarize the sermon are encouraged so people can share the message of the Advent service with others. The resources also offer suggestions for post-sermon activities, which will allow worshipers to respond through action or contemplation.

These innovative resources can bring a church body together and help individual members reflect on their own personal life. Furthermore, the series ability to combine technology with the sermons will reach out to members after they leave the church and be helpful reminders of how to continue living for God in their everyday lives. If you are interested in these valuable Advent ideas, please visit the RETHINK CHURCH Web site.
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Help support World AIDS Day on Dec. 1

Last year nearly 4 million people were infected with AIDS and over 2.1 million died from the disease. Unfortunately, many people have become numb to these appalling statistics and choose to remain unattached to the victims of this disease. However, on Dec. 1, 2009, people will have a chance to observe and participate in the World AIDS Day. By becoming educated on how this disease affects so many individuals, hopefully more Christians will join the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, which raises money for grants that help support the education, prevention, and treatment for HIV/AIDS.

If you are already interested in participating in the cause, then you can donate to the fund or become a United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Ambassador. If becoming an Ambassador for your local church is of interest, here are the specifics Ambassador's agree to:

—Provide a monetary gift to the UM Global AIDS Fund (This Special Offering is on Sunday, Dec. 6.)
—Promote the work of the UM Global AIDS Fund in his/her local church, district and conference.
—Pray daily for the work of the UM Global AIDS Fund
—Share inspiring stories
—Read a book on HIV/AIDS or read "52 Ways to Create an AIDS-Free World" by Don Messer, which is $10 to purchase.

If you are interested in becoming an AIDS Ambassador, please email Maureen Vetter at mvetter@charter.net and she will send information to Linda Bales at the Board of Church and Society, Washington, DC. You will receive information from Linda through an AIDS newsletter.

Currently Nebraska only has six AIDS Ambassadors. The HIV/AIDS special offering goals are to increase the number of ambassadors and raise funding for AIDS programs. Remember that 25 percent of the offering's from Nebraska for the UM Global AIDS Fund goes to local Nebraska HIV/AIDS projects through the "Working to Create an AIDS-FREE World Grants." The applications are due by Nov. 1 and Nebraska's UMC HIV/Aids Task Force members select the grantees.

The Nebraska Conference HIV/AIDS Task Force is a part of the Risk Taking Mission and Justice Team. Grant forms are available online in recent UM Connects and will be on the Risk Taking Mission and Justice Team page of the Nebraska Conference Web site at www.umcneb.org.

Offering envelopes are free and available through Cokesbury. All offerings are sent to the Neb. Church Conference Treasurer (Nebraska Advance # 578). To collaborate with more HIV/AIDS helping agencies in your area, such as the NE AIDS PROJECT visit www.nap.org. In addition, there is now a video called, "52 Ways to Create an AIDS Free World," on UM-TUBE on the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Web site.
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Othella Morrison after recieving her certificate for 85 years of membership with Gering First UMC.

Gering First UMC celebrates their heritage through lasting members

On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Gering First United Methodist church celebrated "Heritage and Thanksgiving Sunday." For the celebration, the church recognized three members that have been dedicated to the congregation. Pam Richter was presented a with 25 year pin and certificate, while W. Duane and Bonnie Brown were presented with a 50 year pin and certificate as a sign of gratitude for their service. Additionally, the congregation had the privilege of acknowledging and presenting a certificate for 85 years of continuous membership in the Gering church to Othella Morrison. She is currently 97 years old and has been with Gering since her confirmation at the age of 12.

Following the presentation at Northfield to Othella Morrison, Gering First UMC also visited Alice Christian in her home. She had celebrated her 103rd birthday on Thursday, Nov.19. Alice lives with her daughter Jean and regularly attends the Unit meetings of UMW at the church. Her grandson, David Christian, followed his grandmother's example by becoming a Lay Leader at Gering First UMC. Christian said she joined the Methodist Church in 1927 at Bayard and has been happy with her decision to become a Methodist ever since.
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Lincoln Saint Paul hosting holiday events on Dec. 4

Lincoln Saint Paul UMC will host a holiday cooking sale from 10 am to 2 pm. The church is located at 1144 M St., Lincoln, Neb. Sweets and goodies will be offered for $8 a box, which is about three dozen treats per box. Lunch is also available that day for $5.

Also, on Dec. 4, is the First Friday concert at noon. The concert will feature organist Dr. John C. Friesen presenting Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite." For more information on the Christmas Cookie extravaganza or to pre-order, please email Cathy at clink@saintpaulumc.org. Or for information on the concert, please email Michael Bennett at mbennett@saintpaulumc.org.
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Legislation deadline is Dec. 31 for Young People's Convocation in Berlin

The Global Young People's Convocation and Legislative Assembly is July 21-26, 2010, but it's already crunch time for one of the most important aspects of the event. The deadline for submission of legislation to attend the gathering in Berlin is Dec. 31.

"It's one of the major reasons we'll be gathering," says Elizabeth-Ann Rowlison, coordinator of the event for Young People's Ministries, a division of the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), an agency of The United Methodist Church. Of course, the gathering will have much to offer the young people, from influential speakers to making use of the cultural and historical backdrop that is Berlin.

"We were drawn to Berlin because the city itself echoes our event theme of One Church, One Lord, One World," says Rowlison, noting that the city—once divided by ideology as well as a wall—now is among Europe's most vibrant.

Yet, the legislation is a top priority when the young people gather. Rowlinson explains, "The Legislative Assembly is one of the major aspects of the event that is mandated by the Book of Discipline." This is the second gathering designed for the young people. The first took place in 2006 in South Africa. Any legislation that is approved goes forward for consideration at the next General Conference.
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Check out the General Board of Church and Society's weekly newsletter

In this week's edition of "Faith in Action," the newsletter from the General Board of Church and Society, are articles on health care reform, a Thanksgiving prayer, a word from the General Secretary Jim Winkler and many more relevant topics. If you are interested in reading about the activities of the General Board of Church and Society, visit their Web site.
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Asbury Seminary restores its full-ride fellowship program

Asbury Seminary's Beeson International Center for Biblical Preaching and Church Leadership returns to its full potential in 2010. The Center was created by the generous gifts of Ralph Waldo Beeson, a successful insurance executive who put God first in everything. Known for its scholarship program, the Beeson Doctor of Ministry program provides full-ride residential fellowships for pastors who take a sabbatical from ministry for one year to pursue further study.

They also offer a nonresidential model, which allows pastors to hone in on their leadership abilities without leaving their parishes. A third model is the Beeson International Leaders track. This model currently equips 35 students to represent 21 countries. Thankfully, in July 2010, residential fellowship recipients whose 2009 entrances were delayed due to a drop in endowment funding will begin the program. For more information on Beeson Center programs, please call 1-888-5Beeson or email the Center at beeson.center@asburyseminary.edu.
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Ceresco United Methodist Women to host a Cookie Walk Dec. 5

The Ceresco United Methodist Women are hosting a Cookie Walk Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 am to noon, at the Ceresco Community Center, which is located at 217 South 2nd St., Ceresco, Neb. There will be a wide variety of delicious cookies to choose from for $5 per pound. Rada cutlery and Ceresco Church cookbooks will also be available at the Cookie Walk.
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Let Your Light Shine Conference will be held April 15-18 in Orlando, Fla.

The Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) will be holding their 28th Annual Conference, Let Your Light Shine, in Orlando, Fla., from April 15-18, 2010. There will be three main seminars at the conference.

The first seminar, Keeping Your Mind, Body, and Soul Healthy in the Workplace, will be led by Barbara Bruce. This seminar will help participants learn how to deal with the everyday stress incurred from their home or work lives in order to continuously represent God. Vicki Wallace will lead the Rethink Church seminar, which explores the reasoning behind Rethink Church. Participants will gain an understanding of why it is crucial to reach individuals outside of the church. Lastly, Buena "Beanie" Rankin will speak on Every Member Counts and We Count Every Member, as well as Effective Cyber Communication. These two useful seminars were designed to assist the church staff with understanding the new terminology as of 2005 and professionally using E-mail to represent the church.

If you are interested in attending, the registration deadline is March 1, 2010.
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