News

Marilyn Zehring, Columbus, Neb.

Marilyn Zehring re-elected as Women's Division director

Marilyn Zehring from Columbus, Neb., was re-elected as director of Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, at the South Central Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting in Albuquerque, NM on March 29, 2008. She is the First Nebraskan ever re-elected to this position.

Marilyn was first elected to this position at the Jurisdiction Quadrennial meeting in San Antonio, Texas four years ago. She is one of eight directors elected to represent members of United Methodist Women in the 15 conferences that comprise the South Central Jurisdiction for the next four years. The eight women elected in the South Central Jurisdiction will become part of the 50 member Women's Division which is the official global policy making body for United Methodist Women. The directors are the only voting body.

The quadrennial meeting theme was "Called by Name as Resurrection Women." Candidates were asked to reflect on what a Resurrection Woman means. Zehring's response was "A resurrection woman is faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ and sharing His love by ministering to the least of His children throughout the world."

Zehring is the immediate past president of the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Women. Other nominees from the conference were Dixie Allbery and Deanna Holland.

Other Nebraska women who have served as directors include Trish Trumble Oliver, formerly of Springfield, Neb., was a young adult director from 1992-1996. She was elected through the jurisdictional process that addresses the issues of diversity including age. Fern Heim, Lincoln, who was an elected director and Yvonne Ferris, Central City, by virtue of being president of the South Central Jurisdiction, served from 1972-1976.

Elkhorn Valley District hosts workshop

"Discipleship for the 21st Century Rural Church" was the theme for the Jan. 13 workshop held at the Norfolk United Methodist Church with Bishop Ann Brookshire Sherer providing the keynote address.

Workshops focused on the development of discipleship plans, mutual accountability, working with people in poverty, caring for inactive members, ways to enhance worship experiences for people of all ages, how rural communities are changing, and using technology to help improve church communication. The day ended with a shared meal and fellowship.

Journey of the Heart−HIV/AIDS Awareness Weekend, Feb 16-17, 2008 at Trinity UMC, Grand Island, Neb.

40-60 people gathered throughout the weekend to hear the HIV/AIDS awareness message from retired Bishop Fritz Mutti and his wife Etta Mae. The Muttis' two oldest sons died of HIV/AIDS within nine months of each other.

Attendees included students, health educators and workers, church workers and congregation members. The Grand Island Independent ran a front-page story on Sunday, Feb. 17, with a color photo of the Muttis in Trinity's Gollaher Chapel.

In addition to their personal story, the Muttis provided information on the worldwide HIV crisis and the United Methodist Church involvement through The Global AIDS Fund.

When the AIDS fund was established at General Conference in 2004, a goal of $1 per member or $8 million dollars for AIDS projects worldwide was endorsed.

On Sunday, the Muttis held an early dialogue service followed by a workshop in the main sanctuary. Bishop Mutti preached from the John 3:16 text and lectionary, along with his story about the ways that people gave them support as a community after they started telling friends their two sons, Fred and Tim, had HIV/AIDS. The Muttis' response to the world crisis and Global AIDS fund is their way of giving support to those with HIV/AIDS. Their goal is to offer love and support not judgment.

A health session targeted to Sudanese people was held Sunday afternoon and led by Susan Goodman.

Mission leader voices concern on Gaza

by Elliott Wright*

The head of the mission agency of The United Methodist Church has expressed deep concern about the situation in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza following incidents in which Israel closed the border to essential supplies of food and fuel.

Bishop Felton E. May, interim top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, said the picture is extremely complex but that his main concern is for the welfare of the people in both Gaza and Israel. Israel's border action has been attributed to rockets fired into Israel by the Hamas faction now in control in Gaza, a sliver of land along the Mediterranean Sea.

The bishop noted that The United Methodist Church has a long history of concern for peace and justice in Israel-Palestine. He urged world political leaders to take action to deal with the current border crisis and United Methodists to pray for protection of the dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians in the troubled Holy Land.

"I share the astonishment of Christian leaders in Israel-Palestine that the Israeli government would even temporarily block the movement of food and fuel into Gaza," May said. "Political expediency cannot be used to starve, or threaten to starve, people or to demean the humanity of any people."

He also said that "Israeli policy inflexibility is intensified by the actions of Hamas and its rockets."

The full text of the statement on Gaza follows:

I am deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Gaza, that small strip of land between Israel and Egypt that is home to 1.5 million Palestinians, about half of whom are under 14 years of age. New conflicts are endangering many lives and rekindling animosities in a place where peace seems to have become a vague hope.

The issues are complex, involving control of borders, the movement of food and fuel into Gaza, the continuing launch of rockets into Israel from the militant Hamas faction in Gaza and retaliatory actions by Israel. Evaluations and proposed solutions are also complex and there is little agreement within the international community or within the church on steps that might lead to peace.

The welfare of people both in Gaza and Israel is uppermost in my mind. A bad situation is made worse when Israel closes the border crossings where essential food and fuel pass into Gaza, as has been done in recent days. Gaza is heavily dependent on such imports from Israel since its southern border with Egypt is sealed, or was until it was breached in response to a blockage by Israel in the north. Israeli policy inflexibility is intensified by the actions of Hamas and its rockets.

I share the astonishment of Christian leaders in Israel-Palestine that the Israeli government would even temporarily block the movement of food and fuel into Gaza. Political expediency cannot be used to starve, or threaten to starve, people or to demean the humanity of any people.

The United Methodist Church has a long history of commitment to peace and reconciliation in Israel-Palestine. We believe in the right of Israel to exist within secure borders and the right of Palestinians to self-determination in a secure homeland.

We are concerned for all of the people in a land sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. We identify strongly with the dwindling Christian minority within the Palestinian population.

I have read with anguish a Jan. 21 statement from the heads of Christian churches in Jerusalem and Holy Land describing the suffering and frustration caused by the Gaza border crisis and the shut down of supply lines from Israel. Those of us who care about human welfare cannot remain in complicit silence but, rather, urge the political leaders of the world to, indeed, lead--to lead toward real peace and justice in Israel-Palestine without waiting to garner political advantage from half-measures.

We need also, perhaps first of all, to pray. I bow my head and urge other United Methodists to join me in lifting to God the words of the Christian leaders of the Holy Land in their statement:

"We pray for the Israelis and Palestinians to respect human life and God's love for every human life, and to take all possible measures to end this suffering. Only bold steps towards just peace and ending the violence will protect the human life and dignity of both people."

Bishop Felton E. May
Interim General Secretary
General Board of Global Ministries

*Wright is the information officer of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

Conference challenges congregations to create their own March Madness

by Sara Brockhoft

The Nebraska United Methodist Conference, along with four other UM Conferences, has embarked on its campaign to raise $50,000 in support of Nothing But Nets. To help reach the $50,000 goal, the conference is challenging congregations across the state to create their own March Madness this basketball season in an effort to raise funds to send nets, and save lives.

It's a well known fact that $10 can't buy you a whole lot these days. To many Nebraskans, $10 may mean a trip to the movies, two cups of gourmet coffee, or a couple of gallons of gas. For families living on less than a dollar a day, however, $10 can mean the difference between life and death−this is true for millions of people living in Africa.

Three-on-three basketball tournaments can serve as an ideal way to raise money for the lifesaving bed nets−all while engaging in some friendly competition in honor of March Madness. A $10 entrance fee for each team member translates into the purchase of three bed nets. Plus, each net purchased is matched net for net by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation−that's six lives saved. By simply organizing a three-on-three basketball tournament, congregations across the conference can save lives.

The success of Nothing But Nets relies on the support of individuals and groups with a desire to eliminate the devastation of malaria. Congregations around the conference have the power to make this campaign a success. Whether it's a direct donation or contributions from a fundraising effort, 100 percent of the monies raised go directly towards the purchase of bed nets, and each bed net purchased can save a life.

To aid in the effort, send donations directly to: Nothing But Nets−Advance 573, P.O. Box 4553, Lincoln, NE 68504. For fundraising ideas and more information on how to get involved in this fight against malaria, visit the Nothing But Nets Web site at http://www.nothingbutnets.net. Every contribution makes a difference in the life of a child living in Africa, so send a net, and save a life today.

taken at a reception hosted by the Jurisdictional Women's Leadership Team on Monday evening, January 28 during Perkins Ministers' Week at Highland Park UMC in Dallas

Nine South Central Jurisdiction Episcopal candidates interview with conference delegates

The South Central Jurisdiction Episcopal candidates pictured are, from left to right: Earl Bledsoe, endorsed by the Texas Conference and Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR); Jim Welch, endorsed by the Texas Conference; Tim Bruster, endorsed by the Central Texas Conference; Roberto Gomez, endorsed by the Rio Grande Conference, Black Methodists for Church Renewal, and Methodists Associated for the Hispanic American Cause (MARCHA); Jim Dorff, endorsed by the North Texas Conference; Cheryl Bell, endorsed by the Kansas West Conference, the Kansas East Conference, Black Methodists for Church Renewal and the Women's Leadership Team (WLT); Rodney Steele, endorsed by the Arkansas Conference and Black Methodists for Church Renewal; Mike Lowry, endorsed by the Southwest Texas Conference and Steve Rankin, endorsed by the Kansas West Conference.

Every four years, well before General Conference begins, each delegation in the 15 conferences of the South Central Jurisdiction interviews each candidate separately (interviews occur between Feb. 1 and March 15). In preparation for these interviews, each candidate provides written responses to a series of questions that are provided by the jurisdiction. Candidates were in the Nebraska Conference on Feb. 22.

Not all jurisdictions follow this process. Some jurisdictions wait and interview candidates just before their jurisdictional conference in July when Bishops are elected.

United Methodists prepared for online visitors at General Conference

United Methodist Communications is prepared for thousands of online visitors to watch and gather information on the denomination's 2008 legislative conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

"The Internet is the window into the General Conference for people around the world," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive of the denomination's communications agency. "Live video and audio streaming offer an opportunity to view and listen to many of the proceedings of the General Conference."

About 1,000 delegates from around the world will gather April 23 to May 2, 2008, to determine priorities and set a direction for the 11 million member denomination. The General Conference's proceedings will be available through http://GC2008.umc.org or http://www.umc.org. Worship, special addresses, celebrations, and other selected plenary sessions will be available on live video streaming.

Since the 2004 General Conference, United Methodist Communications has markedly expanded and upgraded its Internet capability to meet users' needs and expectations.

"Our goal is to be the online leader among major denominational organizations," Hollon said. "We are confident we will not have the issues that affected many persons who followed the work of the General Conference on the Internet four years ago." The denomination's Web sites were often overloaded during the 2004 conference, resulting in shutdowns and lengthy delays in accessing vital information.

After 2004's General Conference, Hollon said United Methodist Communications selected Kintera, Inc. (NASDAQ: KNTA), a San Diego, Calif. based software as a service provider, to host the organization's Web site. By selecting Kintera, United Methodist Communications will be able to handle high volumes of Web traffic and continually meet the demands placed by the church's growing number of Web visitors.

"Kintera is focused on continually providing our clients with the software they need to meet their mission," said Scott Crowder, chief technology officer for Kintera. "Kintera's fault tolerant and redundant data centers help to ensure that clients like United Methodist Communications can safely increase Web traffic without sacrificing performance."

"We live in a different Web world in 2008. We learned from 2004 and we are benefiting from expanding technology," Hollon said. "We are better prepared. We have the right systems in place, and we have the right people positioned to deal with any issues."

Epworth Village Inc. Executive Director, Tom McBride, presenting the "Green Book" award to Jeff Santema, legal counsel for the Nebraska Legislature Health and Human Services Committee at the Epworth Village Holiday Dinner

Santema recipient of the prestigious Epworth Village "Green Book Award"

This year, Epworth Village Inc., a residential and day treatment facility in York and Grand Island for boys dealing with severe, emotional and behavioral disorders, introduced a prestigious award that uniquely reflects the mission of the family-centered program.

The "Green Book Award" is meant to honor an individual who has made a significant contribution to children and families in his or her own way. The first recipient of this prestigious award is Jeff Santema, legal counsel for the Nebraska Legislature Health and Human Services Committee.

The "Green Book" award was inspired by the green signature books that each boy receives upon completion of his journey at Epworth Village. The books are significant to Epworth boys because they carry in them messages of positive encouragement and inspiration from peers and staff who have been with them throughout their treatment.

Jeff Santema was born and raised in Rock Valley, a farming community in northwest Iowa. He attended Dordt College in Sioux Center where he achieved a B.A. in History. He then completed law school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1995. In 1994, Santema was hired by Senator Jim Jensen as his legislative aide. When Jensen was elected chair of the Health and Human Services Committee in 1999, Santema was asked to serve as legal counsel to the committee. After Jensen was term-limited in 2006, Senator Joel Johnson was elected chair of the committee and asked Santema to continue as committee counsel. Santema's faith and family play the key role in his life. He and his wife Sharon have two adopted sons.

"Mr. Santema has helped draft, create and enact legislation that has been tremendously important to the wellbeing of the citizens of Nebraska. He does this without fanfare and without desire for recognition. His work comes from his heart," said McBride.

"Jeff is the most humble man I have ever known," said Senator Jim Jensen. "He has great compassion for those in need and a desire to improve their lives in any way possible."

MissionInsight to replace Percept as demographic resource

The Nebraska Congregational Development Committee announces a new, innovative demographic tool for the churches and districts of Nebraska. This tool has been created by MissionInsight (MI), an organization that uses real-time data, calendar year information and five-year projections. Fifty demographic categories may be selected.

The MI System provides a new way to access community information. It moves beyond static reports to customized, real-time neighborhood or district information. This new, next generation of demographic-based community information is available to churches 24/7 and includes the ability for churches to plot members and visitors on the conference map. Churches will be able to custom draw the area they want to study and select the criteria of the neighborhood area they want to study.

The General Board of Discipleship has also contracted with MissionInsight, so conferences are offered this tool at a reduced rate. The Congregational Development Committee contract enables the first 70 Nebraska conference churches to enroll in MissionInsight to enroll at no cost. After that, churches will be charged $75 yearly. For further information, please e-mail Nita Hinds-Park at nita@umcneb.org.

"The Lord's Prayer" as presented by T. Mari Vos at the special clergy session in January

Source: Saadi Neil Douglas-Klotz, based on the work of Saadi Neil
Author: Mark Hathaway
This is a translation of the "The Lord's Prayer" directly from the Aramaic into English (rather than from Aramaic to Greek to Latin to English).

"O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration!
Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your presence can abide.
Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission.
Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire.
Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish.
Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.
Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.
For you are the ground and the fruitful vision, the birth-power and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again."

Advisory: Series examines church's pension initiative

The Rev. Karmah Early spent most of her life bringing the light of Jesus Christ to the poor in rural Liberia.
Now blind and alone, Early is a captive of the darkness. She isn't sure how old she is or how many years she served as a United Methodist pastor in a rural area outside of Monrovia, Liberia.

She knows she has been blind for the past five years and that the pension she receives from the United Methodist Liberia Annual Conference isn't enough to guarantee "daily bread." She often sits alone in her hut if a relative or friend can't come to her aid.

Early's story is not unusual. Most of the retired pastors and surviving spouses of pastors live in poverty in Africa, Eastern Europe and the Philippines after serving the church for 20, 30 or 40 years or more.

The United Methodist Church, directed by its 2000 and 2004 General Conferences, has been working to develop pension models so that pastors and church lay workers in annual conferences outside of the United States can retire with dignity, hope and an adequate pension.

Starting March 20, United Methodist News Service will feature a four-week series on clergy retirees and surviving spouses of pastors from Mozambique, Liberia, Zimbabwe and Estonia. Each week's stories will profile one country's pension needs, along with personal and video stories about pastors such as Early. An interactive map will give a geographic snapshot into the lives of these servants of the church. The package can be viewed at www.UMC.org.
The Central Conference Pension Initiative is a campaign to fully fund the pension needs of the church outside of the United States by raising a minimum of $20 million in gifts and pledges over the next five years.

The Central Conference Pension Initiative Committee consists of members from the denomination's Board of Pension and Health Benefits, General Council on Finance and Administration, Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Publishing House and United Methodist Communications.

For additional information about the initiative, visit www.ccpi.umc.org or write to ccpi@gbophb.org.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., 615-742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.