United Methodist Men

UMM Summer Rally at Comeca

Larry Malone from Nashville to lead the Summer Rally at Camp COMECA, Aug 20-22 -- Sign up Now!
Malone is Director of Men's Ministry for the General Commission on UMMen. He and Roger Cooper, Music Guide, will lead several GodStories about Men Alive in their GodStories. Also there is time for relaxation and fellowship. Come for all weekend, Friday eve through Sunday morning, or come for whatever portion you can. Don't miss this one! Click here to dispaly the registration Flier, and send it in today.

• Link to registration flyer

2010 BIKE RIDE AGAIN A SUCCESS

Bikers and Walkers Raise $9,700 for Nebraska United Methodist Men's Missions
Thirty-one people rode or walked or provided on-site support for the ninth annual UMMen's Cowboy Trail ride/walk for various missions. Most of the activity centered starting at Norfolk and going west toward Tilden on May 29, but riders also participated in Bellevue and walkers in Lincoln. Many donors contributed to create a net of at least $9,700.

At their August 21 meeting at Camp COMECA, the men will distribute this money between about twenty various mission causes including Nigeria-Nebraska UM Partnership, Society of St. Andrew hunger relief in America, Nebraska VIM disaster response, Heifer Project, UM camps in Nebraska, youth ministries, jail ministry, ethnic ministries, rural and urban Ministries, scholarships for Christian service, Hope of Hearing-Haiti, Epworth Village and Upper Room Prayer Line.

Thanks to Rocky Plettner of Columbus for organizing the activity, and special thanks to Kade Bussen of Ashland, a first-time rider who rode all the way to Tilden and back (44 miles) plus raised $235 for missions from twenty donors. The day was beautiful and meaningful to all involved. Next year, please consider joining this cause in some form.

2009 Annual Report of the Nebraska UMMen to the GCUMM

Click on this link "2009 Annual Report" to the General Commission on UMMen for details on Nebraska UMMen activities in 2009 such as: leadership and district status, bike ride/walk results and missions supported, 100 Club seminary scholarships, Barnabas encouragement scholarships, statewide and national men's rallies, Boy Scout unit celebrations, and more.

• "2009 Annual Report"

Schedule of Upcoming Events

Summer Rally (Cozad, Camp COMECA, Aug 20-22, Fri eve -- Sun morning)
Winter Rally (Chadron, Camp NORWESCA, Feb 18-20, 2011 Fri eve -- Sun morn)

BSA 100th BIRTHDAY

Scoutmasters and UMMen Celebrate 100 Years of Scouting
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is 100 years old this year. The United Methodist Men (UMMen) helped Scoutmasters and their spouses celebrate at the Beaver Crossing (Nebraska) United Methodist Church on February 6. Forty people enjoyed the evening dinner, program and recognitions, complete with a birthday cake.

All twenty three scoutmasters of the Prairie Winds District, Cornhusker Council, BSA, were honored with certificates and given two devotional books for their troops. Spouses received a special gift pen for all their support. Chris Collins, District Executive, and Rene Monarez, Scout Executive, were also recognized and honored. The dinner and program were sponsored by the UMMen of the Prairie Rivers District of the Nebraska Conference, United Methodist Church.

A message of appreciation was read from Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson. Master of Ceremonies Duane Daake, Scouting/Youth Coordinator for both the Nebraska Conference and the Prairie Rivers District, and Larry Ulmer, UMMen President, Prairie Rivers District, expressed the church men's heartfelt thanks to the scoutmasters and the support of the spouses as these commitments result in boys' lives being positively affected.

This message was amplified by the keynote speaker, Brian Bresnahan, crop consultant from Stromburg, and a former Scout. Bresnahan focused on the skills and character traits being taught by the scoutmasters. Especially, how these skills and traits served him well as an infantry major in the U. S. Marine Corps. Over a span of fourteen years, Bresnahan served in three war zones. He related several stories about helping the Iraqi people and what is expected of a leader and gave credit to the scoutmasters for their important part in molding boys into men.

• PHOTOGRAPHS

MORE BOY SCOUT HONORS

Boy Scout leaders honored by United Methodist Men

Sixteen Boy Scout leaders and their spouses from 11 communities were honored Saturday, Feb 13, at First United Methodist Church in Hastings for their work with youth in a six-county area of Prairie Rivers District of United Methodist Men of Nebraska. The previous week 23 leaders and their spouses had been recognized at the Beaver Crossing United Methodist Church for their work with youth. Both programs were sponsored by the United Methodist Men and were in the Cornhusker Council and Overland Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Leaders were presented with a framed certificate of appreciation, a leaders religious guide book and a troop chaplain program book for their youth leader. Spouses were given hand-crafted gifts from the Amana Colonies in Iowa. Meals were provided in both locations by United Methodist organizations.

Council executives Rene Monarez of Lincoln and David Plond of Grand Island and district executives were also recognized. and presented awards.

Master of Ceremonies Don Russell read a letter to all scout leaders and their spouses from Bishop Anne B. Sherer-Simpson, Bishop of the United Methodist Church, State of Nebraska at the program which coincided with the 100 year anniversary of scouting in the United States. Scouting coordinator for the UMM Duane Daake of Utica presented the awards with Prairie Rivers District president Laurence Ulmer of Sutton.

This appreciation message was amplified by the keynote speaker, Brian Bresnahan, crop consultant from Stromburg, and a former Scout. Bresnahan focused on the skills and character traits being taught by the scoutmasters. Especially, how these skills and traits served him well as an infantry major in the U. S. Marine Corps. Over a span of fourteen years, Bresnahan served in three war zones. He related several stories about helping the Iraqi people and what is expected of a leader and gave credit to the scoutmasters for their important part in molding boys into men.

by Doug Kallesen, UMMen

NEW GENERAL SECRETARY GCUMM, Nashville, TN

Gilbert Hanke

Veteran leader named top executive of United Methodist Men

NASHVILLE, Tenn.----Gilbert C. Hanke, 59, the first layman to serve as president of the General Commission on United Methodist Men (2005-2008), will become the top staff executive of the Nashville-based agency on Feb. 1.
Having served as president of United Methodist Men in his local church, district, and annual conference, and having served as president of the National Association of Conference Presidents of United Methodist Men, Hanke would seem to be the obvious choice to serve as top staff executive of the commission.

"From a distance, my coming to this position follows a logical progression," Hanke said. That progression was not always visible to me, but it was clear to my brothers and sisters in Christ. No one that really knows me is surprised by my decision to accept this position. All that has gone before has prepared me for this time.

"In my past positions in the church, my greatest personal frustrations involved splitting my time between my jobs in Nacogdoches and my tasks for the church. One great advantage for me is now, finally, I can put 100 percent of my work time in full-time service to this ministry," he concluded.

Welcomed by leaders
"I am delighted with the selection of Gil Hanke as the new general secretary," said Bishop James King, who now serves as president of the 23-member commission. "Gil has a profound faith in God combined with a love for men's ministry which makes an awesome combination for effectiveness. He is aware of the issues facing men's ministry today and the resources available to address those issues.

"Gil's experience as a former president of the United Methodist Men means he can hit the ground running," said the bishop. "His appointment comes at a crucial juncture in the history of men's ministry. His experience and commitment makes his new assignment very timely. I await his first day on the job with enthusiasm and great expectations."

Glenn Wintemberg, chair of the General Secretary Search Committee, said the six-member team conducted personal interviews with five exceptional candidates. "It wasn't until we interviewed Gil Hanke that we knew we had the man that would serve in the position of general secretary," said Wintemberg who is vice-president of the commission. "Gil's knowledge, understanding and passion for men's ministry were evident in his responses to the panel. In addition to that we gained an insight into the extensive history of United Methodist Men he possesses and to the groundwork he has made in dealing with the higher levels of the church. The committee made its unanimous decision and feels Gil will be able to hit the ground running when he does take his place as our third general secretary."

Leader in local church and conference
A member of Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches , Texas , Hanke said it will be difficult for him to leave the church where he serves as president of United Methodist Men (until January 29). He also teaches an adult Sunday school class and directs both the sanctuary and bell choirs.

Hanke serves on the District Leadership Team, and District Lay Speaking Team, and he is a member of the Texas Annual Conference Episcopal, Missions, and Nominations Committees. He has been a delegate from the Texas Conference to the 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 General Conferences. In 1996, he served on the legislative committee that approved a proposal to create the General Commission on United Methodist Men, and he presented the resolution to the Denver assembly.

Professional experience
Hanke is a graduate of Lynchburg College of Virginia with a baccalaureate degree in speech and drama, and the Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University , San Marcos ) with a master's degree in speech pathology and special education.

He currently serves as an adjunct faculty member of Stephen F. Austin State University , and manager of speech pathology for the Nacogdoches Medical Center where he is responsible for all inpatient and outpatient speech/language pathology and dysphasia services. He has held both positions since 1993.

He has written several professional articles, and he has made presentations at 75 local, state, regional, and national meetings in the areas of speech-language pathology, mental retardation, autism, and swallowing disorders.

Gilbert Hanke screens a child for hearing at a Haitian school for children with special needs.

Hanke has combined his professional career with his service in the United Methodist Church to lead 18 mission trips to Haiti , eight trips to Costa Rica , and one trip to Tomsk , Siberia . The primary focus of these trips has been to provide assistance and training for children with hearing impairments and other handicapping conditions which affect communication and swallowing. Through contacts with the church, his profession and Rotary International, he and other team members provided training, equipment, and over 1,000 hearing aids to Haitian children and adults.

Early training
Hanke grew up in Dulin United Methodist Church , Falls Church , Va. , where his mother was minister of music and his father, chairman of the Official Board, introduced Hanke to Methodist Men. He has two brothers, Myron, an award winning physics teacher in Loudon County , Virginia , and Jay, a retired United Methodist pastor and district superintendent living in Winchester , Va. Hanke is named after his grandfather, Gilbert C. Meyer, who was a pastor in the Kansas East Conference.

Following his 1972 enlistment in the U.S. Army, Hanke served as an instructor in the Psychiatric Nursing Branch, Behavioral Science Division of the Academy of Health Sciences at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Following his 1977 graduation from Southwest Texas State University , he served as senior speech/language pathologist for Brenham ( Texas ) State School . In 1980 he served as director of Habilitation in the Therapies Department of Mexia ( Texas ) State School and in 1981, he entered into private practice to provide speech and language services in Nacogdoches .

Hanke was named a fellow in the John Wesley Society of the United Methodist Men Foundation in 1996 and in 2009, he was named a men's ministry specialist by United Methodist Men and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The future
"I have had the humble honor of watching men leave burdens and pain at the cross and at the same time pick up skills, knowledge and a new and revived relationship with their families and friends through a new and revived relationship with Jesus Christ." said Hanke.

"Since our mission as a church is to ‘make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,' then reviving and renewing men's relationships with Jesus Christ is a vital part of that ministry." he said. "The continuous growing of personal faith and opportunities to practice social justice through action----so important to Wesley----are still the essential elements of vibrant men's ministry in the United Methodist Church ."


Mailing Address:
General Commission on United Methodist Men
PO Box 340006
Nashville, TN 37203
US

UMM Prairie River District

Prairie Rivers District - Many Men Attend Annual Meeting

About sixty men attended the annual Prairie Rivers district UMMen meeting hosted by the Central City men on March 22, 2010. All enjoyed the barbecue sandwiches with all the trimmings. Special guests offered greetings, including District Superintendent Rev Harold Backus and Nebraska UMMen president, Dave Mendyk from West Point.

Larry Ulmer presided over the business meeting, and announced that all current officers will continue serving. Doug Kallesen, secretary, presented minutes from the 2009 meeting and introduced Joe Ford, Grand Island area Habitat for Humanity chair, who gave a brief presentation on three ways men's groups can get involved helping with Habitat: (1) sponsor a work day, (2) provide noon meals for the St Josephs' University from Philadelphia who will be here May 24-28 to frame a house, and (3) collect aluminum cans. Discussion led by Kallesen included the hope to focus on Habitat for Humanity mission work this next year. Majority of the group concluded that the officers and Ford are to develop some opportunities for involvement. Treasurer's report by John Ferguson indicated a current balance of $82.15 with outstanding bills of $804.55 and a donation of $20.00 -- thus needing $702.40 in the evening collections to get the bills paid. Grand Island Trinity men volunteered to host the annual meeting in late March, 2010, specific date to be determined later, but likely 4th Monday, March 28, 2010.

Duane Daake of Utica and Don Russell of Sutton presented results and impacts from the two Scoutmaster honor banquets sponsored by the district UMMen (described in two other articles on this webpage), while showing a PowerPoint presentation with pictures of the events. Daake related immediate usage by the units of the devotional books provided. Russell reported coverage by six newspapers of the appreciation bestowed by the UMMen. Also the keynote talk served as useful background for an emergency fill-in sermon the next day for Russell when his pastor got sick. The impacts of scouting on our church and on our society are amazing as the statistics were recounted. Daake ended with a history of scouting and a challenge to the men to support scouting. An offering of $1,064 was gathered as Rev Paul Blanchard led the group in singing a couple inspirational praise songs.

• Leadership Team
• Group Pictures

Nebraska UMM Shirts

In preparation for our participation at the 2009 United Methodist Men Gathering in Nashville, TN, your Nebraska United Methodist Men have logo shirts available. Styles include heavy duty t-shirt, polo shirt and sweatshirt. Color is ‘Nebraska' red (of course!) and they proudly display our Nebraska UMMen logo. 75% of profit go towards our Nebraska John Wesley fund with the remaining contributed to our annual mission fund. Pictures and order form can be viewed and printed here.

• shirt information

"Men's Ministry Sunday"

• Check out this web site.

UMM Missouri River District

• Link to web site.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Nebraska UMMen's Leadership Team

Contact information for conference officers and other positions in Nebraska UMM are listed below.

Conf President and Exec Board
Dave Mendyk
130 West Neligh
West Point, NE 68788-1224
402-372-2149 home
superdaveumc@yahoo.com

Conf Vice-President and Exec Board
Craig Nordaker
3510 Hancock St, Lot 151
Bellevue, NE 68005-5684
402-453-6666
cnordaker@cox.net

Conf Secretary and Exec Board
Tim Brown
2914 Kelly Dr
Bellevue, NE 68123-2762
402-292-7185
04silver@gmail.com

Conf Treasurer and Exec Board
Curt Copple
PO Box 1232
Scottsbluff, NE 69363-1232
ccopple@northfieldvilla.com

Conf Clergy Rep to UMMen and Exec Board
Rev. Carol Roettmer-Brewer
333 Landmark Circle
Lincoln, NE 68504-4760
402-464-5994/ext. 111
crbrewer@umcneb.org

Conf Lay Rep to UMMen and Exec Board
Tom Watson
3 Sycamore Pl
Kearney, NE 68847-8311
308-234-4736
nhjwlaw_twatson@msn.com

PAST Conf President
Bill Stambaugh
7520 Maywood St
Ralston, NE 68127-3919
402-331-5129 home
sirwilliam@cox.net

West Regional Representative
Vacant

East Regional Representative
Vacant

Conf Communicator
Doug Kallesen
3917 Adamy St
Columbus, NE 68601-2987
402-563-1570 home
dkallesen@neb.rr.com

Conf Prayer Advocate
Gary Spivey
2609 Ponderosa Dr
Bellevue, NE 68123-1506
402-291-3121 home
garyspivey2003@cox.net

Conf Scouting/Youth Coordinator
Duane Daake
4130 Superior Rd
Utica, NE 68456-8158
402-534-3442 home
skipper@stewireless.com

Conf Website Coordinator
Ken Walker
5503 Blondo St
Omaha, NE 68104-4262
402-556-5654 home
ken_walker@cox.net

Gateway District Temp President
Vacant

Blue River District Temp President
Vacant

Elkhorn Valley District Temp President
Vacant

Great West District Temp President
Stacy Swinney
636 Deadhorse Rd
Chadron, NE 69337-7108
308-432-2759 home
bridges@bbc.net

Missouri River District President
Willy Lucht
1529 South Street
Blair, NE 68008-2216
402-426-2083 home
402-427-4060 cell
w_mlucht@peoplepc.com

Prairie Rivers District President
Larry Ulmer
2051 Road 325
Sutton, NE 68979-3011
402-773-4776 home
lucent@mainstaycomm.net

Man Camp at Fontanelle -- Rethinking Men's Ministry

Taking a cue from "RETHINK CHURCH", the guys attending the UMMen's Mid-Winter event at Camp Fontanelle chose to rethink men's ministry. Friday night, Feb 19, about thirty men enjoyed the piano ministry of Calvin Phillips. Feeling God's Spirit, we did not want to quit singing and sharing.
On Saturday, Glen Stinn, of the Corps of Engineers, shared about his time in Afghanistan. This was the "building up" story we don't often hear on the news.

Rev Craig Finnestad told 45 men of the exciting growth available through Christ. He pastors the Water's Edge UMC congregation. Meeting at Millard West High School, the congregation just voted to go to two worship services on Sunday morning! Rev Craig shared his testimony, what pastors wish their men knew, and a challenge for us to rethink our personal mission of men's ministry.

Vice President Craig Nordaker, demonstrated practical video conferencing. We spoke with and saw our new General Commission secretary, Gil Hanke, and our Youth Service Coordinator, Larry Coppock.

Camp food is great! We enjoyed the fireside setting and the intricate harmonies of the 7th Avenue Revue quartet. We learned that Christian camping is a ready local mission opportunity just like 100 Club seminary scholarships, Barnabas fund, and Upper Room prayer ministry. The guys at camp answered the Upper Room Living Prayer Center line, taking 25 prayer requests from California to Florida!

We were counseled by Rev Terry Otto to "Walk to Emmaus". We shared joyful communion through the ministry of Rev Dr Joe Scahill (a Camp Fontanelle prodigy!). The entire experience left us willing to rethink men's ministry.
Reported by Dave Mendyk, Nebraska UMMen Conference President

• PICTURES-Winter Rally

UMMen 100 Club Scholarship Dinner and Auction

UMM's 100 Club 21st annual scholarship dinner and auction raises $7,000
By Trish Johnson

The United Methodist Men's 100 Club 21st annual scholarship dinner and auction was held Wednesday, June 9, at First United Methodist Church in Lincoln. Former director of fund development and emcee/auctioneer for the night Randy Fleming welcomed the approximately 200 people in attendance, including nearly 100 members of Youth Annual Conference (YAC). Attendees were treated to a delicious dinner coordinated by Ruth Knight and made by the United Methodist Women of Lincoln First UMC and serenaded by the acapella group 4 and a Chord from North Platte, Neb.

Following dinner, the 2010 scholarship recipients were recognized; each was handed their check and a certificate by Marv Schliefert, chairman of the 100 Club Board. A total of $7,500 in scholarship monies was awarded.

The 100 Club $1,000 scholarship winners were: Douglas G. Gahn, who is attending Asbury Theological Seminary; James (Jim) A. Corson, who is attending Saint Paul School of Theology; Carla Jean Gunn, who is attending Saint Paul; Mollie Ronge, who is attending Illif School of Theology; and Janice Farrell, who is attending Saint Paul. All were present to receive their scholarship with the exception of Gahn, who was also the recipient of the Fleming Family Foundation Scholarship, worth $1,500.

The final scholarship awarded was the Dean, Jean and Randy Fleming 100 Club Scholarship, worth $1,000, it went to Mark Crist, who is attending Saint Paul.

It was announced two weeks prior to the dinner that Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson and her husband Wayne were once again offering as an auction item dinner for six at their home. Sherer-Simpson has made this generous offer every year since she became bishop of the Nebraska Episcopal Area in 2004 and it always proves to be a popular item. The bids for this year's dinner totaled $1,800, bringing the full amount raised over the past six years to approximately $10,000.

Special recognition was paid to Marv Schliefert for his service as chair of the 100 Club Board the past five years. Fleming announced that a scholarship will be established in his name; he was also presented with a certificate of appreciation by Mel Andrews, who served as chairman from 1995-2005.

It was then time for the much-anticipated live auction, which had gotten an impromptu start earlier in the evening when Fleming auctioned off a special item with some UMM 100 Club auction history. A black and yellow smiley face tie was donated by Pastor Pat Norris this year, which she herself had received as a "gift" from Mel Andrews some years ago. He had the highest bid on the tie, but gave it to Norris, as he knew she had been eyeing it. She then donated it to the auction two years ago, and before she knew it, she was bidding on it herself. That was when a group of YAC attendees intervened and insisted that they would buy it for her; they pooled their money and ended up being the highest bidder. It was then only fitting that Norris ended up taking the tie home with her again this year; she just can't seem to part with it.

Other items auctioned off included a one-week stay in a condo in Glendale, Az., a Thomas Kinkade print and a one of-a-kind, handcrafted, engravable welcome sign with a "dancing" Cross and Flame. The Rev. Chad Anglemyer offered his "master chef" skills for the third year; he will cook a five-course barbeque dinner for up to 50 people at the home of Dwight and Bette Trumble, near Springfield, Neb.

Cody Vance, lay leader of Grace UMC in Crete, served as co-auctioneer. Fleming and Vance were assisted by Fleming's nieces Claire, 14, and Jillian, 12, who helped showcase each item and then delivered it to the highest bidder. Marlene Flaming from North Platte and founding 100 Club Board Member Mel Andrews were also involved in emceeing and showcasing the auction items. Flaming also provided the lovely table decorations, including glass bowls filled with live goldfish that served as the centerpiece at each table.

Altogether the items from both the live and silent auctions raised approximately $7,000, with 100 percent of the proceeds going towards scholarships for young men and women entering full-time Christian service.

• Event Photos

UMM Elkhorn Valley District

• Link to web site.

SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREW

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2010

Contact:
Carol A. Breitinger
Communications Director
Society of St. Andrew
800-333-4597
sosapr@endhunger.org
www.endhunger.org


Churches challenged to raise hunger awareness
and action to end hunger

September is National Hunger Action Month

Hunger is a year-in-year-out problem. But during September hunger advocates, agencies and alliances across the country work together to focus attention on the issue of hunger in America .

Make no mistake -- there is hunger in this, the wealthiest nation on the planet! Some 49 million Americans now live with food insecurity -- the situation in which one never knows from day to day if they will have enough food for their children and themselves. And this plight is exacerbated by the nationwide depression affecting just about everyone.

September is "National Hunger Action Month," which offers the opportunity for your church to become more aware of the need that exists right in your own communities and all across the land, and to rise to the challenge of feeding the hungry.

The Society of St. Andrew (Advance #801600) is providing a variety of free, ready-to-used resources to motivate church congregations to step out on faith to follow Jesus' commands concerning the poor and hungry. These resources can be used in September or anytime during the year to raise hunger awareness and to call your congregation to action. The resources include: scripture readings related to hunger, poverty and justice; five sample sermons; prayers; a prayer calendar; litany; dramatic reading; bulletin insert; "feed my sheep" art; U.S. and world hunger fact sheets; and steps to fight hunger. The prayer calendar is specially designed as a way to help your congregation get personally engaged, through prayer and action, in the mission of helping our brothers and sisters who are hungry and to work for an end to the needless injustice of hunger.

All of these resources are available for free download at http://www.endhunger.org/hunger_action-month.htm or by contacting the Rev. Jennifer Vestal Moore at the Society of St. Andrew at 800-333-4597 or church@endhunger.org

The Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) is a national nonprofit hunger relief ministry founded in 1979. SoSA saves fresh vegetables and fruits from going to waste in fields and packing houses and donates this nutritious food to critical feeding agencies for their clients. Each year SoSA saves 20-30 million pounds of perfectly good produce that would have been dumped into landfills or plowed under and uses it instead to provide 60-90 million servings of the most nutritious food to the hungry. So far this year nearly 15 million pounds of food have been donated to agencies throughout the nation. Last year 26.5 million pounds of produce, saved by nearly 35,000 volunteers, provided almost 80 million servings to hungry Americans.

For more information about Hunger Action Month worship resources or about the Society of St. Andrew's hunger-relief ministry, contact Rev. Moore or go to www.endhunger.org.