GPconnect 1/13/16 - gp-email.brtapp.comgp-email.brtapp.com/files/gpconnect/.2016/01.13... · meet Thursday-Saturday, April 14-16, at the Marriott Hotel, 9100 Corporate Hills Drive,

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GPconnect 1/13/16 Volunteers sought for SE Kansas flood relief beginning this afternoon The disaster response coordinator for the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church is seeking trained early response team members for work in Baxter Springs in southeast Kansas as the area recovers from flooding.

“Two homes are identified that need to be mucked out at this time, according to emergency management,” the Rev. Hollie Tapley said Monday, with the possibility of as many as a dozen others in need of assistance in the Cherokee County town of 4,200.

Tapley will meet volunteers at 1 p.m. Wednesday, with work scheduled through the end of the day Thursday with the possibility of more to be done on Friday, she said.

Those interested in participating can email her, [email protected], for information on a meeting place. A local church will provide housing with showers for volunteers, but those arriving must bring their own bedding, she said.

Floods late last month along the Spring River were about 19 feet over flood stage.

No GPconnect next week Due to the fact that some of the communications staff will be at the United Methodist Association of Communicators conference, there will not be a GPconnect next week. The email newsletter will resume the following week.

Church secretary conference is April 14-16 The Great Plains Chapter of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries will meet Thursday-Saturday, April 14-16, at the Marriott Hotel, 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita.

Speakers for the conference will include the Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas; Bishop Scott Jameson Jones of the Great Plains Conference; and the Rev. Dee Williamston, Salina District Superintendent.

The group’s mission project will be collecting items for “Life Bags” for EmberHope. Outings before the conference on April 13 include the Kansas Cosmosphere and Kansas Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson. Saturday afternoon activities include a choice of Botanica, the Botanical Gardens in Wichita; shopping at Bradley Fair in Wichita; and packing Life Bags for EmberHope.

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Early bird registration, with a March 1 deadline, is $360 for national members and $410 for non-members. After March 1, the cost is $410 for national members and $460 for non-members. Registration can be made at PAUMCS.org. For more information, contact Connie Christopher, [email protected].

SC Receives Lilly Grant to Fund Summer Leadership Summit Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, has received a grant of more than a half million dollars to establish an annual youth leadership summit through the college’s Institute for Discipleship. The $506,403 grant is part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative, which seeks to encourage young people to explore theological traditions, ask questions about the moral dimensions of contemporary issues, and examine how their faith calls them to lives of service.

The grant will fund a full-time Southwestern College employee who will work within a 350-mile radius of the college to identify students who will be invited to apply to attend a selective one-week summer summit. The Summit will help participants explore the spiritual call in each of their lives and will be administered by the Institute for Discipleship.

Dr. Stephen Wilke, vice president for planning and new programs and executive director of the Institute for Discipleship, has been instrumental in setting the vision for The Summit and obtaining the Lilly grant.

“We are looking for students who have a fit and affinity for the culture of Southwestern College, for its values and its interest in making a difference in the world,” Wilke explains. “The college has a long-standing tradition of emphasizing each person’s call to service, with programs in place that help our current students explore their call to ministry.”

“The Summit will supplement what we already do by reaching out into the community, identifying and encouraging high school students to begin this exploration before they even apply to attend college, and connecting them with a network of religious leaders and scholars, college students and peers who share a deep desire for faithful discipleship,” Wilke adds.

The Summit will be non-denominational, although its programs will be based on Wesleyan theology.

A director for the program is expected to be named in April.

Southwestern College is one of 82 schools participating in the Lilly initiative. The schools are located in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Although some schools are independent, many reflect the religious heritage of their founding traditions. These traditions include Baptist, Brethren, Lutheran,

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Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian and Reformed churches, as well as Roman Catholic, non-denominational, Pentecostal and historic African-American Christian communities. “These colleges and universities are well-positioned to reach out to high school students in this way,” said Dr. Christopher L. Coble, vice president for religion at the endowment. “They have outstanding faculty in theology and religion who know how to help young people explore the wisdom of religious traditions and apply these insights to contemporary challenges.”

The Lilly endowment is giving $44.5 million in grants to help a select group of private four-year colleges and universities around the nation to create the institutes. The grants are part of the endowment’s commitment to identify and cultivate a cadre of theologically minded youth who will become leaders in church and society.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family - J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli - through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. The Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development. Lilly Endowment’s religion grant making is designed to deepen and enrich the religious lives of American Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes.

Southwestern College is a private institution granting undergraduate and graduate degrees and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. About 1,600 students attend classes at the main Winfield campus, at five professional studies sites in Kansas and Oklahoma, or online around the world.

Aaron Walker selected as 2016 Rural Health Fellow Aaron Walker, vice-president for Strategic Development at the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, has been selected through a competitive review process as one of 16 2016 Rural Health Fellows by the National Rural Health Association. The fellowship is a yearlong, intensive program aimed at developing leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America. “We are very pleased to announce this new class of fellows as this program enters its tenth year. Once again, this class represents various levels of rural health expertise,” NRHA CEO Alan Morgan said. “With the successes achieved by the previous classes, we look forward to continuing the tradition of building rural health care leaders through this valuable program.” The fellows’ first meeting will be during NRHA’s Rural Health Policy Institute Feb. 2-4 in Washington, D.C. NRHA is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health and wellbeing of rural Americans and providing leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education and research. NRHA’s membership is made up of more than 21,000 diverse individuals and organization, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health. More information is available at ruralhealthweb.org. Walker joined the staff of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund in January 2015 with a primary responsibility of guiding the strategic direction of the Fund as the health foundation seeks to broaden its work beyond traditional grant-making to achieve a greater and more lasting impact on the health of

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Kansans. A significant part of his current work revolves around managing the Kansas Rural Health Systems Improvement Pilot Project – a $2.6 million project spanning seven sites in western Kansas, which is testing several care coordination and mental health integration models as a means to improve rural health care delivery. Since its founding in 1986, the Hutchinson-based United Methodist Health Ministry Fund has invested more than $65 million in work to improve health, healing, and wholeness in Kansas. More information about the Fund’s initiatives may be found at healthfund.org.

The Rev. Paul F. Holmes Memorial Scholarship fund The Paul F. Holmes Scholarship was established in 1994 to provide continuing education to clergy members. This scholarship can be used towards a sabbatical leave, a renewal leave or for a major continuing educational experience. Applications need to be sent to Destiny Kucera at the Great Plains office in Lincoln. Her address is listed on the bottom of the application form . The application for the scholarship will then be brought to the Covenant Team of the Board of Ordained Ministry for approval. Please know that all scholarships are subject to the availability of funds and that consideration will be given to first time applicants. If you have any questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Karen Nyhart, vice chair for the Covenant Team.

View application.

Christian Heritage Seminar to take place at Ogallala First UMC Ogallala First United Methodist Church will host a Christian heritage seminar March 1-3, and the event will count toward clergy continuing education requirements.

The seminar will be led by Philip E. Thompson, professor of systematic theology and Christian heritage at the Sioux Falls Seminary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The seminar topics will include:

• Study of the early church, looking mainly at the first three to four centuries. • Examination of the changing composition and status of typical churches throughout the Roman

world as well as the principal questions that they faced. • The Nicene (more properly the Niceno-Constantinopolitan) Creed and Apostles Creed.

Clergy and laity are invited to attend.

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Please submit the registration and fee well in advance so that the church may effectively plan for seating and meals. The registration fee is $50 and includes lunch on Wednesday, March 2. Call 308-284-8455 with questions.

Download the flier and registration form.

Registration open for February and March ABIDE ABIDE is a 15-month process for small attendance congregation to strengthen leaders and deepen spiritual lives. It consists of three retreats over the course of the 15 months, as well as team time and readings each month.

The first retreat will be Feb. 12-13 at College Ave UMC in Manhattan, Kansas. The schedule will be Friday, 5-9 p.m., with dinner included,

and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be a one-day retreat in March as well. All small congregations are welcome to attend at this location.

You can find out more about ABIDE at greatplainsumc.org/abide.

Interested churches should contact the Rev. Micki McCorkle, coordinator for small membership church ministry, at [email protected] or the Rev. Evelyn Fisher, director of congregational excellence, at [email protected]. Both McCorkle and Fisher can also be reached at 800-745-2350.

Application deadlines set for UM Men, Fleming scholarships The United Methodist Men is celebrating its 27th year of awarding scholarships to students who are pursuing degrees in Christian leadership and related fields. Deadlines are set for May 1 for three of the scholarships to be awarded during the annual conference session in June in Topeka, Kansas.

Application forms can be downloaded for the following financial aid awards:

• Fleming-Humphrey-Goff Scholarship • United Methodist Men’s 100 Club Scholarship • Fleming Family Foundation Scholarship

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Mini-grants available for community gardens and summer food programs

Through the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund’s Healthy Congregations program, Great Plains UMCs have access to special additional mini-grant opportunities to start or expand summer food programs or community gardens. Both of these opportunities are great ways for your congregation to combat hunger, improve nutrition, and build stronger community relationships. The mini-grants are open to churches either already enrolled in, or newly signing up for, Healthy Congregations. The Summer Food Service Program, funded by the USDA and administered by the Kansas State Department of Education, reimburses community providers (sponsors) who serve healthful meals to children and teens in low-income areas at no charge when school is out of session. Kansas currently ranks last among states in the level of Summer Food Service Program participation, but it doesn’t have to remain that way. Churches in the Healthy Congregations program may apply for an additional mini-grant of up to $2,000 to help cover one-time expenses associated with starting or expanding a Summer Food Service Program. Many churches have

found the program to be an opportunity to engage with their communities in very positive ways – including perhaps developing supportive programming to surround the food program. To learn more about this opportunity, attend the next Healthy Congregations Learning Community webinar Jan. 19th at 7 p.m. – or watch the recording if you can’t participate live that evening. See healthfund.org/hcwebinars.php for details. Full details for the program and application instructions are available at healthfund.org/rfp/hconly/HC-SummerFood.php. Continuing a special opportunity first offered in 2013, the Health Fund is partnering with United Methodist Ministries in Omaha, Nebraska, to expand United Methodist Ministries’ (UMM) Big Garden community gardening program into Kansas. The Big Garden is a collaborative community food initiative which partners with schools, nonprofits and churches to facilitate community building and increased access to healthful foods through the act of gardening. Mini-grants of up to $2,700 are available to Healthy Congregations churches to start or expand community gardens. The Big Garden provides a support network and helpful guidance to set your community garden project up for success and sustainability. For more information, including a webinar recording and informative slide presentation, please see healthfund.org/rfp/hconly/HC-BigGarden.php. The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund’s Healthy Congregations initiative encourages and supports intentional health ministry in Great Plains United Methodist churches. Healthy Congregations provides training, resources and annual $1,000 grant support to churches committed to health ministry

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programming encompassing the spiritual, physical, mental/emotional and social aspects of whole-person health. For more information about the program, including these mini-grant opportunities reserved for Healthy Congregations churches, please visit healthfund.org/churches.php or call 800-369-7191 and talk with Katie Schoenhoff. The mini-grant opportunities are time-sensitive – don’t delay, call Katie today!

The loud tolling of a historic bell rang in 2016 at Trinity UMC in southeast Lincoln

Thanks to two years of volunteer work and generous memorial donations by two Trinity families, the bell from the chapel where Trinity and three other Lincoln churches got their starts more than a century ago is now on permanent display near 56th Street and Pine Lake Road. Hoping to start a new New Year’s tradition, a small group of Trinity members — chilled by near-zero cold but warmed by hot apple cider, cookies and the strains of “Auld Lang Syne” — gave the steel bell a midnight push to tell the neighborhood that 2016 had arrived. The bell’s unofficial dedication had occurred six weeks earlier when it was rung as part of Trinity’s annual church conference. Funds to restore and display the 136-year-old bell were provided by memorials to Trinity members John Luethje and Konnie Howser, and Konnie’s mother, Mary

Hurlbert. Family members and elementary church school children shared in the first ringing of the bell.

Read full story.

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Micah Corps interns create several youth activities Creating change in the world — youth activities focus on poverty, environment, food security, peace/nonviolence and immigration. The 2015 Micah Corps interns have created activities for youth groups that offer a series of discussions, videos and activities which will teach youth how the issues connect to their faith and challenge and inspire the youth to use their power to change the world. These activities are formatted under five four-part units where through the activities, Scripture and discussion students will learn concrete ways to be accepting, be aware and create change in their

society. Download the activities. Throughout the next few months, we’ll highlight a different topic. This week, we focus on environment.

Environment — “Living With Our World”

When it comes to looking out at our lush greens, vibrant trees and thriving wildlife we sometimes ignore the presence of God in every living creation that is among us. The Bible is filled with natural imagery but we rarely take the time to connect it to God's good creation. Whether it’s by taking care of your dog, walking outside or picking up litter, this unit helps to teach students to love God while loving the land we live on. Download poster for peace lesson. (PDF) (image) Read more about the activities. You can learn more about the Micah Corps interns at greatplainsumc.org/micahcorps.

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Micah Corps Coordinators are preparing for this summer The Micah Corps Leadership team met this weekend in Omaha to begin planning for an exciting summer. Amy Kenyon and Joshua Manning will be serving as coordinators this year. Together they practiced researching and presenting on social justice issues, outlined schedules and expectations, prayed with a focus on our guiding verse of Micah 6:8, and shared fellowship time. Thanks goes to Urban Abbey for hosting us for work time and worship through the weekend. “I am excited about the opportunity to

coordinate the Micah Corps Summer internship with Amy, along with the rest of the leadership team. I look forward to journeying alongside the interns as they explore new ways to bring about change by challenging systems that promote inequality and perpetuate in justice,” shared Manning. “I'm excited to work with the Micah Corps interns as they learn about themselves, strengthen their faith, and take on valuable leadership roles,” added Kenyon. “I also hope to be guided alongside them and learn from their insights, as we seek to create a world of justice and mercy.” If you know young people who have graduated from high school, ages 18-23, who would like to participate in Micah Corps or another Great Plains summer internship, please direct them to the online application at greatplainsumc.org/internships.

Photo: Amy Kenyon and Joshua Manning, Micah Corps coordinators for 2016.

ERT trainings scheduled through mid-March Have a desire to be the hands and feet of Christ after a disaster? There are several Early Response Trainings scheduled throughout the Conference in the next couple of months.

• Saturday, Jan. 23, Quinter (Kansas) UMC Register now.

• Saturday, Feb. 13, Lakeview UMC, Lincoln, Nebraska Register now.

• Saturday, Feb. 20, Haysville (Kansas) UMC Register now.

• Saturday, Feb. 20, Evangel UMC, Holton, Kansas Register now.

• Saturday, March 5, Reading (Kansas) UMC Register now.

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• Monday-Tuesday, March 7-8, St. Mark's UMC, Lincoln, Nebraska Register now.

• Saturday, March 19, Meriden (Kansas) UMC Register now.

Racism, class and power – come worship, pray, learn and take action

Scholarships still available for Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington D.C.

Submitted by Andrea Paret, Peace with Justice coordinator, Great Plains Conference.

The Great Plains Peace with Justice Ministries still has scholarships available for the Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) in Washington D.C. from April 15 – 18. EAD is an empowering event where close to 1,000 people of faith from across the nation come together for inspiring worship and music, break-out sessions, workshops and panel discussions. The learning, sharing, praying and worshiping leads up to a day of advocacy where participants visit their senators and representatives and share their concerns as people of faith regarding the issues EAD focuses on in a particular year. Many sponsoring entities make this yearly event possible, among them United Methodist Women and the General Board of Church and Society. The EAD planning committee explains: In a major U.S. election year when lives, votes and the global economy are at stake, followers of Christ ask, “Who has a voice?” The response is, “Everyone!”

…As Christians, we believe that leaders and policy makers are called to act and to govern in fairness and with justice for all! Like the persistent widow who demands that the judge hear her plea (Luke 18:1-8), at EAD 2016, we will bring our petitions for justice to Capitol Hill. Like the persistent widow, we will not be silenced. Come to “Lift Every Voice” on April 15-18, 2016 ….Through prayer, worship, advocacy training, networking and mobilization with other Christians, we will face the reality of racism, class and power impacting politics and policies and advocate for the liberty of “Every Voice!” – all culminating with EAD’s Congressional Lobby Day on Capitol Hill. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Andrea Paret at [email protected]. View brochure.

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Great Plains Churches to play a pivotal role in welcoming refugees Submitted by Hollie Tapley, Great Plains Conference disaster response coordinator.

In the beginning . . . .then God said, “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all the crawling things on earth”. God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them. Genesis 1:1a, 26 – 27

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services defines a refugee this way: Person outside his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return because of persecution, or a well-founded fear of persecution, on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. ** Excludes persecutors or those who have assisted in

the persecution of others. Wouldn’t it be better if this definition is what we heard on the news, instead of stories that raise fear and increase a stations ranking?

Remember Anne Murray’s hit song in 2003, A Little Good News?

I rolled out this morning kids had the morning news show on, Bryant Gumbel was talking bout the fighting in Lebanon. Some senator was squawking about the bad economy. There’s a local paper rolled up in a rubber band, one more sad story’s one more than I can stand. I’ll come home this evening I’ll bet that the news will be the same, somebody takes a hostage, somebody steals a plane . . . we sure could use a little good news today.

It seems that all we hear about is the negative, the bombings, visuals of individuals fleeing their countries fill the TV screen, yet, it seems that that all we see is bad side, a negative impression that we see which puts a bad taste in our mouths.

While we cannot deny what we see on TV or what we read in the papers, we must be careful not to place everyone in that stereo type. As people of faith, we must maintain our belief in each other, that we are all created in the image of God to relate and to live and to make a difference in this world. As people of faith we are called to love one another, to believe in one another, hope for and endure the moments of our lives that bring us together in community.

The Mercy and Justice Ministries and the Disaster Response Ministry of the Great Plains Conference supports and stands with Bishop Scott Jones, as we welcome those individuals who are fleeing their countries because of persecution or the fear of being persecuted. We take seriously our call to love our neighbor, to do justice, embrace the faithful love, and to walk humbly with our God. (Reference Micah 6:8) Over the next several months, we will be holding webinars filled with educational tools and plans as we welcome our new brothers and sisters into our communities. We will assist our churches in “how to”

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welcome individuals into our communities and churches. You will notice the next piece entitled Ways Your Church can Welcome a Refugee. These are just a few ways that we can volunteer our time.

Our goal will be to show God’s grace to these refugees who will come into a foreign land, knowing no one, and most likely filled with anxiety as they begin their new lives among strangers. May we, the hands and feet of Christ extend God’s grace to in this ministry.

Ways your church can welcome a refugee Volunteer your time and make a new friend:

• Gather furniture and household items to go in their home (list provided by Great Plains Conference).

• Furnish their home with cultural appropriate groceries (list provided by Great Plains Conference).

• Welcome the family(ies) into your community: meet them at the airport, transport them to their new community and home.

• Prepare a culturally appropriate and familiar meal for them. • Transport refugees to appointments – doctor’s appointments, job interviews, English classes,

Social Security office, schools, grocery stores, etc. • Tutor children, practice conversational English or help teach English as a Second Language. • Provide housing orientation (check list provided by Great Plains Conference). • Help them apply for Food Stamps/Medicaid. • Recreation time with children, youth and entire families.

This is just a sampling of ways your church can welcome refugees. Your help can be as wide as your creativity. If you find these suggestions opening doors for more discussion and brain storming, contact the Rev. Hollie Tapley at [email protected].

Schedule your VIM experience in Omaha Now is the time to register your church group for a summer Volunteers in Mission (VIM) experience with United Methodist Ministries/The Big Garden in Omaha. Last summer, United Methodist Ministries (UMM) welcomed groups from throughout Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. The usual length of stay in Omaha was two to five days. Groups worked in a variety of Omaha’s pantries, shelters, community gardens and other social service agencies gaining valuable hands-on mission experience, which served as a blueprint for activities to implement in their home communities.

UMM/The Big Garden is an accredited VIM site, placing teams with trusted community partner agencies. Each group’s experience is tailored to its specific needs, with lodging and worship in local United Methodist churches arranged if needed.

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Contact Matthew Cronin at 402-906.2718 or [email protected] now to arrange your group’s mission experience. Space is filling up fast — don’t miss out! Learn more at biggarden.org/overview.

Photo: 2015 kindergarten/adult mission team from Church of the Resurrection.

Invitation to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 18-25 January

At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The event that touches off this special experience is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for 2016 is "Called to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord" (1 Peter 2:9). Read more information and find resources. Material for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is available for the first time on smart phones, computers and tablets in 2016. The World Council of Churches (WCC) has initiated collaboration with YouVersion, developer of the “Bible App.”

Meal packing event set for March 5 An event to pack more than 100,000 meals for the hungry will be Saturday, March 5, in Lenexa, Kansas.

“Together We Can End Hunger” is seeking more than 400 volunteers from the Kansas City area for either of two shifts, 9-10:45 a.m. or 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Volunteers are also asked to donate $29 apiece, which will sponsor 100 meals.

The packing is in the Heritage Activity Room of Lakeview Village, 9100 Park St. Register online at http://events.stophungernow.org/100KinKC. For more information, call 913-871-8107 or [email protected].

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Faith leaders call for an end to the ICE raids Submitted by Andrea Paret, Great Plains Conference Peace with Justice coordinator, and member of Great Plains Immigration Rapid Response Team. Many United Methodists across the Great Plains Conference are deeply concerned about the raids which were announced shortly before the Christmas holidays, a time when people celebrate with families and friends. Exactly at that time, thousands of families in the USA were filled with fear of being torn apart and being sent back to the violence they had been fleeing. Raids have taken place in several states. Faith leaders have joined together to call on President Obama and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Johnson to immediately put a halt to the raids. “We people of faith have learned that the laws that govern immigration in the U.S. are not only unjust, but they discourage us from living out our faith imperative to love and help our neighbor with particular concern to those who suffer most,” said Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, United Methodist Bishop for the Los Angeles Area. “We stand together on this day to oppose ICE raids on Central American families, to offer sanctuary to these families, and to renew our commitment to working for immigration reform in this country.” Rev. Alison Harrington, Pastor at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona said, “The U.S. government is once again violating their own asylum laws and international human rights standards. Human lives are on the line and our faith traditions are very clear that our salvation is dependent on what we do in this moment.” Members of the Great Plains Immigration Rapid Response Team have joined others across our nation in calling the White House and our senators and representatives to voice our belief that each and every human being has been created in God’s image and that we need to treat all with dignity and respect. People fleeing situations where their lives are threatened need our protection. Read a statement by Bishop Carcaño. Read more about faith leaders coming together. For more information about the Great Plains Immigration Rapid Response Team, contact Sandy Sypherd at [email protected] or Andrea Paret at [email protected].

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UMW invites all to attend legislative days Invite a friend to witness UMW as a faith voice in the world … place Faith.Hope.Love in action by attending a legislative day

The Great Plains United Methodist Women participates in two legislative days that educates and engages members of the faith community on issues that are being addressed within the state legislatures. The purpose of the legislative days is to provide a forum of education on social justice issues, create a context for how the issues intersect with faith and prompt ways that the faith community can respond in advocacy. Both legislative days have a long standing tradition as a visible way for United Methodist Women to enter the discussions surrounding current event topics with a faith and social justice lens. Great Plains United Methodist Women are encouraged to use the legislative days as platforms to learn more about issues on the local and state levels and identify ways to add a voice as a faith community. These events are a great way to invite women (and men) to learn more about the work and attention of the faith community on advocacy issues. For United Methodist Women it is a perfect opportunity to invite someone to discover more about United Methodist Women beyond the boundaries of monthly unit meetings. What a great opportunity to invite younger women, potential members, inactive members, local church leaders or clergy to witness the social justice aspect of United Methodist Women! Take a moment to think of one person to invite to join you. Both events are ecumenical and open to all. A variety of workshops are available at both Legislative Days. Particular care is paid to topics that are part of the focus areas of United Methodist Women on a national spectrum. These topics have been given a local and regional spin for a greater understanding of what is happening with these focus areas in our states and communities. Topics include climate change, education, human trafficking and food security. View more information on topics and workshops.

Kansas LEAF:

Feb. 21-22, 2016, Topeka First UMC, Topeka, Kansas: Register now

• Download promotional flier • View list of workshop descriptions • Download registration form

Nebraska Ecumenical Legislative Day

Feb. 13, 2016, Lincoln Christ UMC, Lincoln, Nebraska: Register now

• Download brochure that includes registration form, workshop descriptions and schedule

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Newsletters • Global Ministries: connectNmission • Ministry Matters: Jan. 8, 2015 • Nebraska United Methodist Foundation: January 2016 • United Methodist Communications: MyCom • UMC Development Center: Spiritual Giving • Lewis Center for Church Development: Update – A Report from the Director

Classifieds • Emmanuel Church seeks ministry and worship coordinator • Director of youth ministry needed at Custer Road UMC • West Heights UMC seeks director of youth ministry

To view this and other classifieds, go to greatplainsumc.org/classifieds.

Press Clips Congregations across the Great Plains Conference are making the news in their local newspapers.

View our newspaper clipping reports to see if there are stories, ideas and ministry happenings you can learn from to use in your own congregation. Press clips can be found at greatplainsumc.org/inthenews. You can see education partnership ideas at greatplainsumc.org/education.

Editorial Policy: The content, news, events and announcement information distributed in GPconnect is not sponsored or endorsed by the Great Plains Methodist Conference unless specifically stated.

To submit a letter to the editor, send it to [email protected].