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UMconnect 02/22/12

Want to submit a letter to the editor? Email Kathryn Witte at kwitte@umcneb.org.

For more information about events going on around the Conference, visit the events calendar.

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Click here for a printable version of UMconnect.

 

In this edition of UMconnect:

Nebraska-Kansas Transition Team hosting listening session this Saturday, watch online

Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson and members of the Nebraska-Kansas Episcopal Area Transition Team are eager to hear from the laity and clergy of Nebraska regarding the recommendations from the Transition Team to become one new annual conference.

The second of two listening sessions will be held at the Conference Center in Lincoln, on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to noon CST. This session will be streamed live at www.umcneb.org/umstream. Submit your questions for the Transition Team during (or prior to) the event by emailing them to info@umcneb.org or by calling 1-800-435-6107.

Several recommendations have come forward in the past few months. A summary of all recommendations that have been made and a brief recap of the history of the Transition Team can be found in the attached document, created by the Writing Dream Team.

All three conferences have informational pages on their websites; Nebraska’s can be found at www.umcneb.org/nebkan. Recent news releases and information are posted there as well.

For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Carol Roettmer Brewer at crbrewer@umcneb.org.

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Nebraska-Kansas Transition Team hosts listening session at Cozad First UMC

Nebraska Area Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson welcomed the approximately 25 people who gathered at Cozad First UMC on Sunday, Feb. 19, for a listening sessions hosted by the Nebraska-Kansas Episcopal Area Transition Team. She offered devotions from Jeremiah, about adapting to change in a new place, and how it is “an opportunity for resurrection.”

Chair of the Transition Team, Tom Watson presented a summary of the Team’s report. He described the process of the decision for the three conferences (Nebraska, Kansas East and Kansas West) to become one episcopal area. He shared that the suggestion to become one new conference actually arose from a listening session.

A question and answer period was entered into; Sherer-Simpson and Watson took turns answering. The Q&A session included the following:

Q. What about location of the conference offices?
A. Nebraska has a beautiful Conference Center and it will continue to be used. The Bishop (whomever that ends up being) will work with the personnel committee(s) and Annual Conference to decide about office locations. Sherer-Simpson said that even three conferences could have a combined staff.

Q. Who will make up the Cabinet?
A. The district superintendents will continue to do their work; there will be no changes in district lines for now.

Q. How many churches does each district superintendent currently supervise?
A. The three-conference average is 50 to 60 churches.

Q. When do we vote on becoming one conference?
A. The vote will be taken during the Friday (June 8) of the 2012 Annual Conference Session and announced on Saturday (June 9).

Q. What affect will this have on Mission Shares?
A. Sherer-Simpson said that Mission Shares will not increase since the Conference leaders know that increases are not in the best interest of the local churches at this time.

Sherer-Simpson discussed the strengths of each conference and noted that we are already working together in numerous ways, including the Small-Membership Church Dream Team.

Watson clarified that all three conferences have to approve becoming one new conference in order for it to happen.

For more information on the Transition Team and its work, visit www.umcneb.org/nebkan.

Photo: Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson answers a question at the listening session.

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Join us for a Change the World webcast on Thursday, Feb. 23

Do you want your church to participate in Change the World weekend (May 19-20), but aren’t really sure where to start? Or have you’ve gotten started but have some questions?

The Nebraska Conference communications team of Kathryn Witte and Trish Johnson will host an hour-long webcast on Thursday, Feb. 23, starting at 12 p.m. CST, to answer all of your Change the World-related questions. Just tune into our live streaming page, www.umcneb.org/umstream. Submit your questions to info@umcneb.org before, during or even after the webinar (please put "Change the World" in the subject line). Or you’re welcome to tweet your questions — the Nebraska Conference’s handle is @umcneb. (The Change the World hashtag is #CTW2012.)

For more information on Change the World, visit www.umcneb.org/changetheworld.

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Partnership between Panama and Nebraska official, how to make a donation

The following was submitted by Ellen Cunningham, Panama/Nebraska Partnership chair.

I am so excited to let everyone know that the Panama/Nebraska Partnership is a reality! We will be sending a brochure out to every Nebraska United Methodist church in the near future. This is an awesome opportunity we have to create a "common agreement between the Evangelical Methodist Church of Panama and the Nebraska Conference." Upon retiring last year, the Rev. Secundino Morales returned to his home in Panama, in the village of Bongo, a province of Chiriqui; he will serve as our coordinator/liaison.

This agreement of cooperation will work in areas of mutual needs such as:

  • Volunteers in Mission groups from both Panama and the Nebraska Conference.
  • Resources of persons from both places.
  • Student and teacher exchanges (Methodist High School in Panama-Wesleyan University).
  • Training leadership for the church in Panama.
  • Exchange experiences.
  • Working with the people of the village of Bongo: gardening, canning, health classes, adult education, etc.
  • Other areas that will come in the future.

The Global Advance number is 00441A; the Nebraska Advance number is 588. All checks can be made payable to “Conference Treasurer,” write: Advance #588 – Panama/Nebraska Partnership in the memo line and send to the Nebraska UM Conference Center, 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504.

A Volunteers in Mission trip to Panama is being planned for July 12 -22, 2012. For more information, contact Ellen Cunningham at 308-324-2397 or 308-325-0298.

Photo: Bishop Pablo Morales of Panama (left) and Former Gateway District Superintendent, Secundino Morales.

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A Guide to Giving: Nebraska Conference-approved Advances

Confused about differences amongst The Advance, Mission Shares and Second Mile Giving? Check out the “Guide to Giving attached below – it should answer all of your questions and also lists all Nebraska Conference-approved Advances.

Be sure to also check out the Conference Advances page of our website, which provides links to websites and/or Web pages with more information on each Advance.
 

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Stewardship webinar offered by General Board of Discipleship

Telling Our Mission Story: Put a Face on Your Apportionments Many United Methodists hear the word "Mission Share" and think only of a burden placed upon the local church, but they have only seen it from one side. What if they could see the countless ways lives are touched, and the how their church has made a difference by participating in our global shared ministries? Find out how you can help tell those stories!

Click here to reserve your webinar seat now.

A complete list of GBOD Webinars for local church leaders can be found at www.gbod.org/committee_resources.

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Mixed blessings in U.S. church numbers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.(UMNS) –– United Methodist churches in the United States continued a declining membership trend and weathered a difficult economy in 2010, but recently released statistics for that year also show increased giving.

Click here to read the full story.

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Dreaming of Vital Congregations: A five-part film series from GBOD

The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) is producing a five-part video series to help local churches think about and implement change. The second film in a five-part series, is now available for viewing. Produced by the GBOD, the Dreaming of Vital Congregations series is designed to encourage conversation among church leaders as the 2012 General Conference nears.

All of us want to be a part of a church that's vital and vibrant. We dream of a church that touches our soul and sends us into the world to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” It's in that spirit this five-part film series was produced. The first and second films in the series are available for free online. A brief study guide is also available for each film.

Be a part of the growing number of church lay and clergy members to watch and comment on this thought-provoking series, and watch for future releases.

Click here to be notified when coming films are released.

For more info, go to: www.GBOD.org/Dreaming.

You can download the videos. Click here to access file format options. 

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Study guide for Council of Bishops' Call to Action

The study guide attached below will help those wishing to engage small groups in conversation around the Council of Bishops' Call to Action. The Call to Action sets forth a vision for the denomination and priorities for ministry. Congregations may find the study useful as they refine their discipleship plan.

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UM Communications offers resources for Lent and Easter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist Communications has compiled an online guide for Lenten resources. Find devotionals, meditations, news articles, suggestions for family observances, aids for worship, study guides, videos and ways to take action.

Click here to view these resources.

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United Methodist News Service offers daily, weekly online subscriptions

Want to follow all the latest news and information from the United Methodist denomination? Sign up for either weekly or daily news briefs from the United Methodist News Service.

Click here to sign up.

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General Conference 2012: George Tinker to keynote repentance service

NEW YORK (UMNS) — The Rev. George E. “Tink” Tinker (pictured), renowned indigenous advocate and theologian, will be the keynote speaker for The United Methodist Church’s “Act of Repentance to Indigenous Peoples,” April 27 in Tampa, Fla. The service will take place during the denomination’s 2012 General Conference. Tinker, a citizen of the Osage Nation, serves as the Clifford Baldridge Professor of American Indian Cultures and Religious Traditions at United Methodist-related Iliff School of Theology in Denver and is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Click here to read more.

Click here to visit the "Countdown to General Conference" Web page.

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Bishop Sherer-Simpson updates reading list

Nebraska Conference Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson has made some additions to her reading list. In this era of leadership development and small group studies, this list might make a good resource for selecting a study topic for your congregation.

Click here to download the Bishop's reading list (PDF).

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One Great Hour of Sharing: March 18, 2012

One Great Hour of Sharing is just weeks away. Now is the time to order your free offering resources to use on this special Sunday.

“Oh my poor children, they will become orphans soon!” This was the painful response from Dalita, a mother of three children who learned she was HIV positive during a voluntary HIV testing event in Armenia. She is now living a healthier life, thanks to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) office in Armenia, which provided Dalita with counseling, support and antiretroviral medication.

UMCOR Armenia’s Prevention and Control of HIV, STIs and TB program is providing comprehensive testing and counseling services through mobile medical teams, helping people like Dalita to live healthy lives as they gain a new perspective about their HIV status. In the past year, UMCOR Armenia served 16 villages through 146 trained health volunteers and mobile medical teams.

One Great Hour of Sharing provides the money to pay UMCOR’s overhead costs to make life-changing programs like these possible.

Watch videos and find other free resources about One Great Hour of Sharing online.

Order your free One Great Hour of Sharing resources today. Bulletin inserts, posters, worship resources, stories and videos are all available to download or order at www.umcgiving.org/OGHS and www.umcor.org.

If you cannot celebrate One Great Hour of Sharing and receive the offering on March 18, you can observe this special Sunday on any other day of the year.

You can give online to One Great Hour of Sharing at any time. Click here to give now.

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Register now for Confirmation Day 2012 or miss out on t-shirts for your confirmands

Confirmation Day is sure to be a Spiritual powerhouse to enliven and “spark” the ministry of young people as they prepare for Confirmation. Scheduled for March 2-3, at Nebraska Wesleyan University, in Lincoln, the day includes:

  • Friday, March 2 — Visit Jewish Synagogue, Wesleyan Ghost Story, Taize Worship, Games
  • Saturday, March 3 — Mini Sessions: Local Leadership, More Than Just Service, United Methodist Heritage, Loving the Sacraments; Lunch and Worship with Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson.

Optional Friday night sleepover at Lincoln First UMC (additional $5 fee)

This portion of the event offers an opportunity for youth to experience a Jewish worship, listen to the Nebraska Wesleyan Ghost Story, join in Taize-style worship and play camp games at First UMC. Bring sleeping bags and overnight gear.

Confirmation Day requires one adult Safe Sanctuary certified sponsor for every five youth.

Friday night Synagogue visit

Friday night begins at the Congregation Tifereth Israel Synagogue (3219 Sheridan Boulevard). Plan to meet at the Synagogue front door at 6:15 p.m., attend the service at 6:30 p.m. and have a short Q&A with the lay leader following the service.

Plan to travel back to First United Methodist Church (2723 North 50th St.), at 8 p.m., where evening registration and activities will begin. Friday night programming will end around 11 p.m. Individuals and groups are responsible for transportation to the Synagogue and back to First United Methodist Church. Dinner is not provided, but snacks will be available throughout the evening.

Those recruiting students to come in groups are responsible for bringing one Safe Sanctuaries certified sponsor for every five youth to help on Saturday. For the Friday night sleepover, youth will be divided into small groups and disbursed around the church. Attendees should bring a sleeping bag, pillow and blanket as needed, as well as any needed toiletry items. There will be staff to aid in sponsoring the overnight stay at First UMC. If you, as a Saturday sponsor, do not wish to stay at First UMC on Friday, there will be a block of rooms reserved at a local hotel for a discounted rate. For more information, view this flier or contact Stephanie Nelson at snelson3@NebrWesleyan.edu or 402-465-2222. Please indicate if the group sponsor is staying at the church on Friday night so that we are assured of enough sponsors.

Saturday and Registration

Saturday will begin with groups checking in from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Welcoming will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Click here to register online.

Note: Those registering after Feb. 22 will be not be guaranteed Confirmation t-shirts.

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Attention youth leaders: WEIRD Middle School and Confirmation Retreat coming up at Camp Comeca in April

The spring Middle School/Confirmation Retreat is scheduled for April 13-15, at Camp Comeca, located near Cozad, Neb. This retreat is for all students currently in grades 6-8 or enrolled in a church Confirmation preparation program.

See pg. 2 of the registration packet (attached below) for all of the pertinent details. Youth leaders, please read over the instructions carefully. Questions should be directed to: Chad Schuchmann, chad@watersedgeomaha.com, or John Butler, john.butler85@gmail.com. The early bird registration deadline is March 30.

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Churches invited to participate in Global Youth Service Day, April 21

On Saturday, April 21, teams of youth and youth leaders will join together to engage in local service projects such as gardening, stocking food pantries, light construction, and sorting donations in the metro-Omaha area. Global Youth Service Day will take place in more than 100 countries, making it the largest annual celebration of young volunteers. The aim of the day is to highlight the role that youth can play in service to their communities.

Speaking about Global Youth Service Day, anthropologist Jane Goodall commented, "I have often said that every individual counts, every individual has a role to play, and every individual makes a difference. Global Youth Service Day proves it." Kofi Annan said that, "Volunteers are some of our most valued partners, and Global Youth Service Day celebrates the efforts of the youngest of them."

The cost to participate is $15 which includes lunch, transportation to and from service sites, and commemorative t-shirt. TRI-Community UMC will be the host church for this event. Registration deadline is April 9. Call Jaimee at 402-898-9862 for more information. Go to www.bigmuddyumc.org/group-registration to register online. We hope you'll join us for this exciting day of service!

Photo: A group from Omaha First UMC help out at the Habitat ReStore garden at last year's Global Youth Service Day.

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Micah Corps applications due March 2

Risk-taking Mission and Justice Ministries is once again sponsoring the Micah Corps, a 10-week young adult summer internship program. This experience helps young adults deepen their walk with God, learn about connecting their faith with social justice, and practice leadership skills throughout the conference.

Click here to apply online. The application deadline is March 2, 2012.To learn about some of the exciting work of the 2011 Micah Corps interns, go to www.umcneb.org/micahcorps.

Photo: Micah Corps interns spend several days in Washington, D.C. during their ten-week internship.

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Grand Island UMCs offering ministry internships

UM4GI (United Methodists for Grand Island) is a cooperative parish made up of Faith, First, and Trinity United Methodist churches in Grand Island. The parish is served by four pastors, each of whom is assigned primarily to one of the congregations as well as to the parish.

Two intern positions are available for the summer of 2012. Applicants must be at least 20 years old or have graduated from high school at the time of making application. Priority will be given to persons preparing for or exploring careers in the church, education and human services.

Working together and under the supervision of the pastors, the interns will assist with a variety of ministry and program activities.

Obtain a job description an application at www.um4gi.org.

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Youth Service Fund applications due March 20

The Youth Service Fund is a unique ministry because it is completely by, with, and for youth. Youth contribute the money, they decide what projects receive the money and the projects supported are youth-designed, youth-led, and benefit youth. Youth Service Fund truly is youth in ministry.

Currently, only U.S. annual conferences fund the account. Money is raised at local youth events or by church youth groups. Seventy percent of the money raised is kept in the local community, while 30 percent is forwarded to the national portion of the Youth Service Fund. With that 30 percent, Young Peoples Ministries funds youth-designed and youth-led projects around the world. The youth of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference raise funds year-round through coin wars and other fundraisers.

If you are interested in applying, fill out the writable application form YSF12_distributed.pdf. The form can also be accessed via the following link: https://acrobat.com/?d=5bWsIgbvJrZ1ST*m69PMlA. You can use Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader* to fill in this form. When you are finished, click Submit to return your data to the form author. You do not have to use the submit by Email button.

The deadline to apply is March 20, 2012.

*Get the free Adobe Reader 9 from http://www.adobe.com/go/reader. Questions? Contact the Rev. Dr. Jesse Foster at jfoster01@umcneb.org.

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Pastors and UMW groups, don’t forget you can send a kid to camp at half-price

Pastors, Nebraska United Methodist Women (UMW), and UM Camps are collaborating to get first-time campers to camp! Every pastor and every UMW group Conference-wide will be able to offer one first-time camper the opportunity to attend the camp of their choice (Comeca, Fontanelle, or Norwesca), at half-price.

If a church has two pastors then those pastors can each send one first time camper at half-price. If a pastor serves more than one church, that pastor can send one first time camper at half-price from EACH church they serve. If a church has no kids that can attend, then a first-time camper from the community or a relative of a church member could attend. Every UMW group will also be able to select one first-time camper from their church. Often times UMW groups or the church will pay for a portion of the cost of camp which means some first-time campers may have the opportunity to attend for the first time at no cost or at limited cost to the family. Conference scholarships up to one-third of the cost of camp are also available where need exceeds a family’s ability to pay for camp registration fees. Camps will work with families and their churches so that every child can attend camp.

A 2012 camp brochure was mailed to every pastor and UMW group a few weeks ago. Inside the brochure was a letter explaining this exciting opportunity to share camp with first-time campers from EVERY United Methodist church in Nebraska, along with a “Certificate of Hope and Promise” to return with the selected camper’s registration form.

This certificate reads:

As a community of faith, we believe in providing every opportunity to partner in the camps’ mission “To provide unique settings for INTENTIONAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY where persons may deepen their Christian experience, grow in understanding, and respond in faith joyfully". We pledge to honor baptismal vows to our children when the pastor said “Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love” and when we responded “We rejoice to recognize you as members of Christ’s holy church, and bid you welcome to this congregation of the United Methodist Church. With you we renew our vows to uphold it by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service. With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ that, surrounded by steadfast love, you may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.” To God be the glory!

We hope you'll take advantage of this incredible opportunity! Click here to visit the UM camps Web page.

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Work or volunteer at a UM camp this summer

All three of our Nebraska UM camps are still in need of employees and volunteers for the upcoming camping season.

The quality of hired staff largely lies with your words and actions through your referrals of qualified, generally college-aged applicants and sharing of this opportunity. Please give careful thought about qualified applicants and take the time to talk to them about this opportunity.

Camps can be contacted for applications and further questions.

If you are interested in volunteering for a camp, a brochure listing all of the camps and their respective dates is attached below. Click here to fill out an application, or contact the UM camp at which you want to volunteer (contact information listed above).

*Camp Fontanelle is in need of male applicants at this point; all of the female positions have been filled.

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Scholarship opportunities

There are numerous scholarship opportunities available for the 2012-13 school year, for both undergrad and graduate studies. Click here to view a list of scholarship on the Resources page.

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Horizons of Faith 2012 asks, Does Christianity still make a difference? Register now

Omaha First United Methodist Church is pleased to announce Joerg Rieger, Ph.D., will be the featured speaker for Horizons of Faith 2012. The theme is "Empire, Economics and Christ: Does Christianity Still Make A Difference?" It is scheduled for March 23-25, 2012, at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., Omaha, Neb.

Dr. Joerg Rieger (pictured) is Wendland-Cook Professor of Constructive Theology at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. His early seminary education in Europe and subsequent studies in the United States drew him to examine the relationship between existing oppressive expressions of political and economic power and the range of theologies that support them.

His prolific writings over the past two decades have been internationally recognized for their visionary nature as he has worked to develop more helpful and faithful visions of Christianity.

His most recent books include “Traveling” (2011), “Grace Under Pressure” (2011), “Globalization and Theology” (2010), “No Rising Tide: Theology, Economics, and the Future” (2009).

Rieger has lectured throughout the U.S. and presented in 11 countries, on three continents. He is a founding member of the Progressive Christian Center of the South. For more information on his work, visit www.joergrieger.com.

Horizons of Faith is an annual educational weekend of speakers and discussion, instituted to lend understanding, hope and courage to faith seekers. For more information, and to download a registration form, go to www.horizonsoffaith.com.

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Hear Jim Hightower speak at 2012 peacemaking workshop on March 4

Jim Hightower will be the featured speaker at Peacemaking Workshop XXVI, March 4, 2012, at Lincoln First United Methodist Church, at 1:30 p.m.

Hightower (pictured) is a popular public speaker who is fiery and funny, a populist road warrior who delivers more than 100 speeches a year to all kinds of groups. He publishes a populist political newsletter, "The Hightower Lowdown," which now has more than 135,000 subscribers and is the fastest growing political publication in America. The hard-hitting “Lowdown” has received both the Alternative Press Award and the Independent Press Association Award for best national newsletter. Hightower is a national radio commentator currently heard on KZUM and will be speaking on The Role of Wealth in this Country/the Widening Gap Between Rich and Poor.

Through the years, the Peacemaking Workshop has sponsored such speakers as Jim Wallis, Jane Goodall, Joel Sartore and Joseph Lowery. The community has grown in its ability to respond to peacemaking initiatives because of these workshops. 

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Register now for 2012 Nebraska Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation 

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

If you are a 5-Day alum, you know better than anyone what your experience has been. If, like many, it was a spiritually meaningful time away, we hope you will prayerfully consider joining us again for the 2012 version, April 15-20. If past experience was not what you hoped for or expected, we hope you too will prayerfully consider coming in April. As with most events, no two 5-Day academies are the same. If you’ve never come, we hope 2012 will be the year you will become part of this spiritual blessing. 

Once again this year we have two excellent presenters: Sister Joan Delaplane and Rev. Im Jung. These two women might not be as familiar to you as some past presenters but the leadership team is confident you will find them to be excellent spiritual guides for our journey. For a more detailed bio on each, visit the Nebraska Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation Facebook page.

We have also attached an application for your convenience. The deadline is March 24, 2012. Please submit your application as soon as possible. Early application provides us a better opportunity to make this a great experience for all.

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Nebraska UMW and RTMJ Team sponsoring immigration seminar in April

The Nebraska United Methodist Women and Conference Risk-taking Mission and Justice Team (RTMJ) are sponsoring an Immigration Seminar at St. Benedict's Center in Schuyler, April 13-14. Titled "Who is my neighbor?" this is a seminar for all men and women who have an interest in immigration's impact on Nebraska and how we can respond through a Christian perspective. Designing the seminar will be Jay Godfrey, a seminar designer for the United Methodist Seminar Program on National and International Affairs at the Church Center for the United Nations.

For more information, view the attached brochure/registration form.

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Conference on AIDS coming this spring: April 23, in Tampa

The following was submitted by Maureen Vetter, co-chair of the Nebraska UM Global AIDS Fund Task Force.

The UM Global AIDS Fund is missions at its best! Go to www.2020aidsfreeworld.org to learn how you can help eliminate AIDS by 2020!

Click here to read a recent article about upcoming Lighten the Burden IV Conference on AIDS, taking place April 23, in Tampa, Fla. There’s still time to register! The cost is $10 for all day Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the cost includes lunch. Click here to learn more, or view this flier.

You can seek funding from your local church, district, friends, groups and still book your ticket to attend this life-changing conference!

Click here to register online.

Former Pres Jimmy Carter will be giving a video greeting at this one-day conference, taking place ahead of General Conference 2012. Lighten the Burden will be held at Tampa’s Hyde United Methodist Church. Sponsored by the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Committee, the conference will address how faith-based organizations are tackling HIV and AIDS with an emphasis on eradication of stigma.

We have four people from Nebraska going at this point: Sarah Ashley from Nebraska Wesleyan University; the Rev. Cindy Karges from Hastings Grace UMC; Katie Karges from Hastings Grace UMC; and Maureen Vetter from Grand Island Trinity UMC.

For more information, contact Maureen Vetter at mvetter@charter.net.

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Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries celebrates 30 years

The next conference of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS), April 12-15, in Richmond, Va., celebrates 30 years of programming and professional development opportunities for church administrative assistants.

Click here for online registration and conference information.

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Spiritual renewal retreat for clergy couples being held March 10 at Phillips UMC

“Craning for Clergy Marriage Renewal” will be held Saturday, March 10, from 7 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Phillips United Methodist Church (Prairie Rivers District). This retreat is intended for clergy and their spouses. It will be a day of sharing our journey in marriage and the tools God gave us to become irreplaceable to one another after 35 years. We will begin with the uplifting experience of the Sandhill Cranes and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to guide us on this retreat day.

For more information, view the attached flier or contact Pastor Marta Wheeler at mwheeler@umcneb.org.

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Done the DISC? Put it to work, attend workshop in Lincoln on March 21

If you have completed the DISC personality discernment, or if you’ve been wanting to complete it and haven’t had the opportunity, please consider attending Power Tools for Persuasion.

Power Tools for Persuasion is a workshop scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Lincoln Country Inn and Suites Convention Center. Be a guest of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Center marketing/communications department and learn how to put the DISC profile to work for you. The event is sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators.

The workshop will feature Robin Dreeke, author of “It’s Not All About Me.” Dreeke’s website www.peopleformula.com offers information about him and his methods for teaching how to connect with people who are important to you. He will help attendees focus on what they do well and how to discern where others are coming from. He’ll teach you how to build a strong rapport with others that gets results.

There are six discounted seats available; they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. This offer, a $125 value, will be made available to the first six inquirers for just $25. If you miss this opportunity you can still attend by registering online at http://lincoln.iabc.com; click event registration. (Register online only if you are not participating in this offer.)

Contact Kathryn Witte at kwitte@umcneb.org to reserve your $25 spot.

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2012 Wesleyan Pilgrimage in England announced

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Board of Discipleship is organizing a 10-day Wesleyan Pilgrimage in England to help clergy and lay leaders to understand the missional nature of Methodism practiced by John and Charles Wesley. The pilgrimage is scheduled for Oct. 4-14, 2012. Discounts are available with early registration, and scholarships are available for 20 provisional elders and deacons.

Click here to learn more.

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Mexico mission team returns

Mission team members from south central Nebraska returned safely on Jan. 16, after spending 10 days learning and working in Mexico.

The team flew into Mexico City and traveled by bus to visit the headquarters of the “Give Ye Them to Eat” (GYTTE) mission in Puebla and continued on by bus to the GYTTE training center, located on the western border of Puebla state.

The team completed several maintenance projects at the training center and also helped in the construction of an open-air sanctuary for the Methodist Church in the nearby village of Tlancualpican. Team members included Pastor Cindy Karges, George Yerger, Ginger Turner and Roger and Sharon Selley from Hastings Grace UMC, Karina Perez from Hastings Cristo Poder de Dios, John and Jan McBride from Hastings First UMC and Dave Anderson from Doniphan UMC. GYTTE is an integrated rural development program and an Advance Special project of the UMC that Terry and Muriel Henderson, UMC-GBGM missionaries, helped initiate in 1977.

Photo: Front row, L to R: Karina Perez, Sharon Selley, Muriel Henderson, Liberty Catacora, Cindy Karges and Barbara Garcia. From row, L to R: Gerri Holmes, Dave Anderson, Roger Selley, George Yerger, Terry Henderson, Ginger Turner, John McBride and Jan McBride.

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Faith communities invited to take part in ServeNebraska’s book drive

Access to books is the most successful way to improve reading achievement. You can help!

Civic organizations, faith communities, schools, Scout troops, and other groups throughout Nebraska are encouraged to start planning to take part in the statewide Cornhusker Community Book Drive this spring. Click here for sign-up information, more details, and tips for success.

The Cornhusker Community Book Drive is an initiative of the ServeNebraska InterCorps Council with leadership provided by RISE AmeriCorps member Charles Lieske and his wife, New York Times best-selling Author Victorine Lieske. 

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Spotlight on Lenten studies at the Resource Center

How can my prayer life be more satisfying? It is especially during the Lenten journey that many Christian pilgrims seek to develop a deeper communion with God through a more intentional prayer life. The following series on prayer are but a taste of the many wonderful studies on prayer at the Resource Center.

“Prayer: Does It Make A Difference?” filmed in the Rocky Mountains and taught by author Philip Yancey, struggles with some of the hardest questions about prayer: Is God listening? If God knows everything, what’s the point of praying? The six inspiring lessons are:

  1. The View From Above – Prayer is seeking to see reality from God’s point of view
  2. Why Pray? – Because Jesus did
  3. Keeping Company With God – Prayer helps us discover who we are and who God is
  4. How to Pray – Find a time and place each day to connect to God
  5. Prayer Problems – What do you do when prayers are not answered
  6. Does Prayer Change Anything – Maybe ourselves

The Gospels portray Jesus as a man of prayer who knew and valued intimate communion with God. “Deeper Connections: The Prayers of Jesus” is a six-week series that gives an in-depth look at the prayers of Jesus, the nature of God and prayer and ways to deepen our relationship with God. The six lessons are:

  1. Watch and Pray: Jesus’ Model Prayer Life – Although Jesus is busy healing and teaching, He values quiet spiritual time.
  2. Our God Listens – The parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow.
  3. Joining in Jesus’ Prayer – The Lord’s Prayer
  4. Praying to a Good God – Our God is generous, giving us all we need.
  5. Praying With Purpose – Our prayers need to include the needs of others as well as having an eternal purpose.
  6. A Friend in High Places – God doesn’t always give us what we want, but assures us of his constant companionship.

Both studies include a leader’s guide and participant’s guide.

To learn about other prayer studies at the Resource Center go to our website at www.umcneb.org/ResourceCenter. Or, if you would like to reserve one of these studies, call Diane Dunkerson at 1-800-435-6107 or email her at ddunkerson@umcneb.org.

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From the Lewis Center for Church Leadership newsletter

An excerpt from a column by John Southwick of the General Board of Global Ministries: "Readers of Leading Ideas are familiar with the Lewis Center’s focus on the church’s challenge to “reach more people, younger people, and more diverse people.” I recently attended two churches not of my own denomination that seem to be succeeding in this task ..."

Click here to read more.

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Employment listings: Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska, Board of Ordained Ministry and Camp Comeca hiring

Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska is seeking to hire a young adult (under 35 years of age) as an assistant to the chair of the Peace and Justice Joint Strategy and Action Team (JSAT).
Click here to view full job description and application information.

Micki McCorkle, registrar for the combined Boards of Ordained Ministry for the Nebraska and Kansas Areas, is seeking an assistant. Click here to view full job description and application information.

Comeca Conference Center and Camp, an ACA-accredited Nebraska United Methodist camp located outside of Cozad, is seeking an office and program assistant, responsible for assisting the site director in the operation of the Camp in accordance with the bylaws, mission statement and policies as developed and authorized by the Comeca Board of Directors and the Nebraska United Methodist Conference. Click here to view the full job descriptions and application information.

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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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