UMconnect 12-16-09

A Christmas greeting full of thanks

In our connectional United Methodist Church, we have many opportunities to fulfill God's mission of transforming lives. Here is a note from the General Council on Finance and Administration during this Advent season thanking each congregation for its support of connectional giving. Each church has graciously committed to fulfilling the mission share obligations and assisting with mission and ministry around the globe. The generosity from each church is greatly appreciated and significantly impacts the connectional giving.
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Cutting costs and saving trees—read "The Messenger" online

In an effort to reduce printing costs and to be environmentally friendly, Nebraska United Methodist Communications has been offering "The Nebraska Messenger" online in a PDF form for a couple of years. We invite you to cancel your printed subscription and begin reading "The Nebraska Messenger" newspaper online via the PDF.

Please complete the e-mail subscription form and submit your request to stop receiving "The Nebraska Messenger" via U.S. Mail. In return you will begin receiving e-mails that notify you when the new edition has been posted on the Web site. "The Messenger" link is located under the Communication quick link on the upper left corner of the home page at www.umcneb.org.
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ABC to air United Methodist Christmas Eve service

ABC television affiliates nationwide will broadcast a United Methodist produced Christmas Eve candlelight service, on Dec. 24 and 25.

"We are privileged to open our doors, via television, to viewers who seek a Christmas Eve worship experience," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. "We celebrate this opportunity to express our faith within the broader culture."

The hour-long broadcast was taped at the First United Methodist Church of Dallas, Texas. The traditional service includes Christmas carols, scripture readings and features a 100-voice choir, accompanied by a brass and drum ensemble and the church's pipe organ. Dr. John Fiedler, senior minister, delivers the message "I Am Bringing You Good News."

"We are honored to be chosen by The United Methodist Church to represent our denomination on such an important night," said Fiedler.

Airtime for the service is made possible through The United Methodist Church's participation in the National Council of Churches. The National Council of Churches is a founding member of the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, which works with the three major networks to provide faith-based documentaries and liturgical specials.
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2010 Youth Winter Retreat

Winter youth event--B1...one being, being one...Jan. 29-31 The Nebraska United Methodist Conference Youth Ministry (along with the Nebraska-Nigeria Partnership and the Risk-Taking Mission and Justice Team of The Common Table) are hosting a youth event for all senior high youth starting Friday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. and ending on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010 at 12:30 p.m.

Camp Comeca will be the site for this event. The B1 Campaign is a program of the General Board of Global Ministries promoting the idea that each person should live with a sense of responsibility and connection to others. Participants will be encouraged to take part in voluntary food fasts, education and contributions to anti-poverty projects. Education will be centered on understanding how youth around the world struggle each day to survive. Participants will be empowered to make a difference in the lives of others and in turn the participants' own lives will be changed.

The weekend will also be infused with time for recreation, meeting new friends and enjoying the amenities of Camp Comeca.

Watch for more details to come in a mailing to all pastors as well as the "Messenger" and Web site at www.umcneb.org. For more information contact the Rev. Michael Patzloff, Hanscom Park UMC at 402-553-3312 or e-mail michael@hanscomparkchurch.org.
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SpouseConnect: a blogsite established for ministers' spouses

Created by a small group of United Methodist pastors' spouses, SpouseConnect seeks to provide a safe place for the husbands and wives of pastors and others in congregational ministry to share frustrations, joys, concerns and ideas with others who understand.

SpouseConnect was created because pastors' spouses too often feel lonely, disconnected and frustrated. These feelings are only magnified by the lack of not having others they can openly and honestly talk to.

Co-developer of the blogsite, Kathy Armistead, sees SpouseConnect as reaching out and helping various categories of persons. "We're happy to include all or any pastor's spouse, not just United Methodist's and not just ordained clergy spouses. We want to reach out to the local pastor spouses as well." For further questions, please e-mail spouseconnect@gmail.com
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A learning circle on ministry with the poor

The first of a series of open conversations on Ministry with the Poor, a current priority of The United Methodist Church, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 16, and will also broadcast live on the internet.

The hours of the broadcast are from, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST, and can be accessed online. The discussion will take place at the United Methodist Church of the Village in New York City and is sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries, which is the international mission agency of the denomination. Global Ministries has the special responsibility of focusing on ministry with the poor.
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Asbury Theological Seminary announces new dean of the Beeson Center

President Timothy C. Tennent announced the appointment of Dr. Tom Tumblin as the Dean of the Beeson Center at Asbury Theological Seminary on Dec. 1, 2009.

Tumblin has most recently been professor of Leadership and executive director of Mission Outreach, which oversees the Asbury Cluster Education and Doctor of Ministry programs. He has been a professor at the seminary for the past 10 years. His expertise is organizational behavior, change, decision-making, church leadership and research.

When President Tennent was asked about his thoughts on Tumblin stepping into this position, he replied, "Dr. Tumblin's leadership abilities, visionary capacities, administrative acumen and strong people skills coupled with his strong commitment to the church make him the most well-positioned person to lead Asbury to truly fulfill the vision of the Beeson Center."
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Wesleyan Live: Spring 2010 course

Save the date for Wesleyan Live's new 2010 course, "Turning the Diamond: Religion from the Perspective of Research." The course will be led by Rev. Dr. Jerry Bockoven, chair in the Psychology Department, and the Rev. Larry Moffet, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Lincoln. It begins Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 12-1 p.m., and will conclude on March 9, 2010.

Wesleyan Live will host nine video downlink sites and the option of streaming live on the conference Web site. Also, United Methodist clergy members may receive six contact hours for continuing education credit. For more information or to register for the spring course, please contact Kim Ochsner at 402-465-2222.
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Wesleyan/Nebraska Conference survey responses due by Dec. 21

More than 275 people have responded to the survey regarding the relationship between the Conference and Nebraska Wesleyan University. It is an excellent response and these numbers give the results a great deal of validity.

If you have not responded and would still like to give your opinion, please select the below link and it will take you to the questionnaire. However, all responses must be made by Dec. 21. Anything received after that date will not be included in the results.

The survey responses will be shared in various settings at both NWU and in the Nebraska Conference. Your time spent sharing your opinions through the survey is much appreciated and tremendously helpful with this important relationship. If you have questions or comments, please e-mail Mel Luetchens at mluetche@nebrwesleyan.edu or call 402-465-2570.
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Deadline for Christian Mission 2010 is Jan. 15, 2010

Pastors, did you know that you can get Continuing Education Unit credits for attending the School of Christian Mission or a Mission Education Event such as Mid-Winter SCM or the Weekend Mission Education Event in July? A Mission Education Event lasts two to three days, compared to the School of Christian Mission, which is four days.

Certified Lay Speakers, did you know that attending all sessions at School of Christian Mission or a Mission Education Event is equivalent to an Advanced Lay Speaking Course?

Did you know that Schools of Christian Mission, Mission Educations Events, and One-Day Mission Studies are part of the largest adult education program in the United States?

"The theme 'Together at The Table' brings to mind the image of everyone being invited to come and share in the abundance of the Lord's Table. I was reminded that because of my 'plenty' there are others who do not have 'enough'..." from a Reflection on School of Mission July 2009 by Rev. Rebecca Hjelle, a first-time attendee and Associate Pastor at Kearney First United Methodist Church.

This theme is carried over to the Mid-Winter School of Christian Mission Education Event held at Camp Norwesca January 29-31, 2010. The mission studies will be "Food and Faith" led by Kathy Pierce, Conference United Methodist Women Education and Interpretation Coordinator, and "The Courage and Beauty of Sudan" led by Rev. Heidi McGinness. Rev. McGinness is a Presbyterian Clergywoman and is the Outreach Director for Christian Solidarity International and has been to Sudan several times in that capacity.

Click on the links for the registration form and health waiver. Send completed forms with $45 registration fee to registrar Brenda Alt, 225 W. Washington, Shelby, NE 68662-5619. Registration deadline is January 15, 2010.

For further questions, please contact Joyce Solomon; dean of Nebraska Conference School of Christian Mission, at 308-643-9461 or e-mail her at solomon.joyce@gmail.com or msolomo@neb-sandhills.net.
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Blue River District Safe Sanctuaries training—Jan. 24, 2010

The Blue River District will hold a Safe Sanctuaries training on Sunday, Jan. 24, at South Gate UMC in Lincoln, from 2-5 p.m.. The Rev. Steve Flader will lead the training; it is open to all members of the Blue River District. The cost is $20, which covers course materials.

To register, e-mail Flader at sflader@umcneb.org, or call South Gate UMC at 402-489-1641.
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Charles Wesley's birthday letter

Charles Wesley will be celebrating his birthday on Dec. 18. In response, Dean McIntyre has written the fourth annual letter to Charles Wesley for the occasion of his birthday. To read the letter, please follow the link below.
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Applications for Conference administrative assistant position due by Dec. 31

The Nebraska United Methodist Conference is seeking an experienced administrative assistant to assist the conference treasurer with all administrative functions and support the Administrative Services Department. The qualified candidate should possess three years of experience in a similar position and be proficient in technology applications; an associate degree is preferred. The application deadline is Dec. 31, 2009.

Send a letter of application and resume to the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Center, Director of Administrative Services/Conference Treasurer, 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504, or e-mail to info@umcneb.org.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day brings an opportunity for service

Youth groups are invited to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, Jan. 18, 2010. United Methodist Ministries will be sponsoring a day of service that engages youth and youth leaders in activities that celebrate the teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a look at justice issues that exist in our present day. The day will include service work at local agencies in the metro-Omaha area and education on race and poverty in our communities.

The day will begin at 9 am. The teams will meet at Tri-Community United Methodist Church-Ogden location, 2319 Ogden Street, Omaha, Neb.

The cost to participate in the day is $15 per youth. This includes lunch and a special MLK Day of Service commemorative t-shirt. Pre-registration is required. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Maupin at 402-898-9862 or lmaupin@bigmuddyumc.org.
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A candlelight service for Christmas Eve

Kathie Wilkinson has provided a moving and unique Christmas Eve service layout for churches that utilizes candles and hymns to set off the service of light theme. If you are interested in seeing the layout for your congregation, please visit the Web site below.
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The month following Christmas

Shirley Holden Carpenter found a creative way to remind believers that even after Christmas has passed, the worship and praise of Jesus Christ should not be forgotten. Set to the classic poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore, Carpenter illustrates the importance of remembering Jesus after all the tinsel and ornaments are tucked away for next year.
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Attend the Mount Sequoyah Conference for church planting strategies

Are you planning to start new United Methodist churches this quadrennial? If so, the United Methodist's New Church Leadership Institute (NCLI) will be held on, Feb. 8-12, 2010, at Mount Sequoyah Conference Center in Fayetteville, Ark. The conference is designed to equip potential new church pastors with the knowledge and skills for a successful new church start.

By sending your potential planters to NCLI, it provides the pastors with time to discern if they are called to this unique ministry, gives them the knowledge and skill to avoid fatal mistakes, and allows the cabinet time to discern which mission field a pastor might have the greatest success.

Key note speakers at the conference will be Jim Griffith, Don Smith, Candace Lewis, Rusti Moore, Brad Kalajainen, and Clif Christopher. Also, several individuals will speak about their own personal church planting testimonies.

Registration is now open for all the annual conferences. For housing and meal information and registration forms, you can visit Mount Sequoyah's Web site. If you have problems or questions, please contact Mount Sequoyah 800-760-8126. For further questions, you can contact Director Dr. Bob Crossman, Arkansas Conference by his e-mail bcrossman@arumc.org, or Registrar Rose Kuonen at her e-mail rkuonen@arumc.org.
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Epworth Village and Lincoln Benefit Life honor Scott Young

Scott Young, Director of the Food Bank of Lincoln, was awarded the Leader in Communication Award from the Lincoln chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). The award recognizes a non-IABC member who exhibits leadership in fostering excellent communications in their organization. The award was presented Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Chez Hay during a lunch gala celebration sponsored by Epworth Village and the Lincoln Benefit Life Company.

Epworth Village saves more than $20,000 on food items annually due to their relationship with the Food Bank of Lincoln. As a part of the award ceremony, Epworth Village partnered with Ann Cerveny, a United Methodist Woman from St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Lincoln, to help solicit a reverse drive for the Food Bank of Lincoln. Overall, 433 pounds of paper goods and food products were collected for the event.
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