GPconnect 2/25/15 Missouri River District announces new administrative assistant

Cindy Sorlein, has been hired to be the new administrative assistant in the Missouri River District office in Omaha, Nebraska. Sorlein is taking over the position after Catherine McGowan retired. Sorlein started on Feb. 9, and worked with McGowan until her last day of Friday, Feb. 20.

Sorlein was raised as a ‘PK’ (Preacher’s Kid). Her father was a Lutheran pastor (ELCA), and her most recent position was as administrator of the Oakland Manor and Oakland Heights in Iowa, as administrator for the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa, and as a marketing consultant for Assistance Restructure Kinetics in Underwood, Iowa. She has

also served as a regional vice president of operations and administrator for Infinia Health Care out of Omaha and as the chief operating officer for a number of care facilities. Sorlein lives in Underwood, Iowa, just 20 minutes from Omaha. She has a 14 year old son.

"We are blessed to find someone with Cindy's breadth of experience,” said Dan Flanagan, Missouri River District superintendent. “She has the technical background and a great personality. And she understands the church culture."

Submission deadline for AC is March 13

The deadline to submit legislation, petitions and resolutions for the 2015 Great Plains Annual Conference Session is March 13. AC will be held June 10-13, at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita, Kansas

To find more information about the Great Plains Annual Conference Session, go to greatplainsumc.org/annualconference. Instructions for submitting can be found here.

A call to area pastors to pray for high school

The Rev. Greg Bolt, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Nebraska City, Nebraska, is asking all area pastors to come to Nebraska City to be in prayer for the city’s high school students, teachers and administrators.

Westboro Baptist Church has announced plans to picket the high school on Feb. 27 from 3-3:30 – typically the time school is let out. Westboro released the following message:

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“WBC will picket Nebraska City High School to warn this nation that the teachers, faculty, staff and students push fag filth under the guise of education to this nation's eternal peril. The Lord God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to total destruction for the sin of sodomy and this nation likewise runs toward its destruction by promoting the same filth. You cannot find a single high school in this nation that does not promote fag filth and cram it down the throat of the students daily. So WBC will kindly remind Nebraska City High School that the Lord made a promise to bless those that keep His commandments and to curse those that refuse to obey. Which option would you prefer?”

Great Plains Conference looking for media producer

The Great Plains Conference communications department is seeking a media producer. The media producer is responsible for audio and video content for the Great Plains webpage, educational material and presentations. Typical content includes feature stories, teaching webcasts, video streaming and themed presentations, including worship services.

Skills for this position, which is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, must include the ability to write news as well as scripts. Must have some familiarity with social media and other online delivery systems for media, in particular, webcasts and video streaming. Must be able to collaborate and integrate with other communications team members. This is a full-time, salaried position.

Primary duties and responsibilities

• Act as the primary producer of audio and video content. • Provide innovative consultation on the best uses of audio and video content. • Collaborate with the communications team. • Event set-up and support. • Contribute text stories and photos as needed in coordination with others on the communications team. • This position requires driving to various events covered by the communications team throughout Kansas

and Nebraska

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter and links to video work to Todd Seifert, director of communications, at tseifert@greatplainsumc.org.

Hispanic ministry internship offers unique opportunity

(español) As a Hispanic ministry summer intern you will work alongside other leaders to strengthen the vision for the future of ministry with young Hispanic/Latinos in the Great Plains. You will work in a team of interns toward:

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1. Investigating the realities and needs of ministry with young Latinos within the United Methodist Church 2. Recruiting and enlisting young Hispanic/Latino participation for programs and projects (including the work

of future Hispanic ministry interns, HYLA [Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy], the OneEvent, district gatherings, etc.)

3. Helping to form and lead a design team that will craft a strategic plan for future ministry with young Hispanic/Latinos in the Great Plains Conference

As a Hispanic ministry intern you will be paid $3000 for the 10 week period, plus all ministry related expenses will be covered. Housing will be provided. The majority of your time will be spent onsite with Hispanic ministries around our conference. You will be trained and equipped to engage exploratory conversations and interviews with pastors and leaders regarding ministry with Hispanic/Latino youth. Additionally you will spend a week as support staff during HYLA, and be present during the week of the Great Plains Annual Conference sessions.

Over the course of the summer you will learn more about Hispanic ministry in the local church. You will see how churches are working on a district and conference level and you'll put your gifts into practice. Internships will begin the last week of May and will end the last week of July. The Great Plains Conference is offering internships in many other areas of ministry this summer as well. Apply or learn more at greatplainsumc.org/internships. All interns will participate in two collaborative retreats with all other interns — one at the beginning of the summer and one at the end of the summer. Please contact Corey Daniel Godbey, Hispanic ministry coordinator, at cgodbey@greatplainsumc.org with any questions.

Como Aprendiz de Verano con el Ministerio Hispano vas a trabajar junto a otros líderes para fortalecer la visión para el futuro del ministerio con jóvenes hispanos/latinos en la Conferencia “Great Plains”. Vas a trabajar en un equipo de aprendices hacia:

1. la investigación de las realidades y necesidades del ministerio con jóvenes hispanos/latinos dentro de la Iglesia Metodista Unida,

2. el reclutamiento y alistamiento de la participación de jóvenes hispanos/latinos para programas y proyectos (incluyendo el trabajo de los futuros aprendices del Ministerio Hispano, HYLA [Academia Hispana de Liderazgo Juvenil], el “OneEvent”, reuniones de distrito, etc.),

3. ayuda en formar y dirigir un equipo de diseño que elabora un plan estratégico para el futuro ministerio con los jóvenes hispanos/latinos en la Conferencia “Great Plains”.

Como Aprendiz del Ministerio Hispano se te pagará $3,000 dólares para el periodo de 10 semanas, más todos los gastos relacionados con el ministerio estarán cubiertas. Se proporcionará hospedaje también. La mayor parte de tu tiempo lo pasarás en las comunidades con los Ministerios Hispanos alrededor de nuestra conferencia. Tu serás entrenado y equipado para conversaciones exploratorias y entrevistas con pastores y líderes con respecto ministerio con la juventud hispana/latina. Adicionalmente pasarás una semana como personal del “staff” durante HYLA, y estarás presente durante la semana de las sesiones de la Conferencia Anual de la “Great Plains”.

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A lo largo del verano, aprenderás más sobre el Ministerio Hispano en la iglesia local. Verás cómo las iglesias están trabajando a nivel de distrito y de conferencia y podrás poner tus dones en práctica. El trabajo comenzará la última semana de mayo y finalizará la última semana de julio.

La Conferencia “Great Plains” está ofreciendo posiciones para aprendices en muchas otras áreas del ministerio de este verano también. Puedes informarte en: www.greatplainsumc.org/internships. Todos los aprendices participarán en dos retiros de colaboración con el resto de los aprendices - uno al principio del verano y uno al final del verano. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Corey Daniel Godbey, Coordinador del Ministerio Hispano, al correo eléctronico: cgodbey@greatplainsumc.org con cualquier pregunta.

Guiando transiciones de tamaño en el Ministerio Hispano

(English text below.)

Este evento llega justo-a-tiempo a la Great Plains. Con oración, considere hacer de esto una prioridad en su agenda, y animar a otros de su congregación a hacer lo mismo. Esta es una experiencia de aprendizaje que usted no querrá perder.

Un taller orientado a: Equipar a los líderes del ministerio hispano-latino con el conocimiento, las técnicas y la confianza necesarias para vencer las barreras que presenta el crecimiento, y liderar a esas congregaciones, en distintas etapas de crecimiento organizacional, incorporando las dinámicas y realidades socioeconómicas y relacionales, de las comunidades hispanas-latinas.

Aprender las mejores prácticas y ayudar a las congregaciones a crecer y luego a vencer las barreras que presenta la transición de una congregación que crece de 65 miembros, a otra de 125 y a otra de 250. Crear, durante el taller, "pasos generadores de acción". Dichos "pasos", guiarán su crecimiento como líder y mejorarán los sistemas de crecimiento (numérico, financiero/económico y espiritual).

• Ver documentos PDF (2 pág.) (ingles) para detalles del evento. • Fechas del evento: viernes, 1 de mayo - sábado, 2 de mayo • Lugar: Primera IMU, Wichita, Kansas • Registro en línea. • Fecha límite: 17 de abril • Costo de registro: $20 (incluye refrigerios, 2 comidas y materiales) • Cada participante es responsable por su propio hospedaje. • Cuidado de niños gratuito. Registro en línea.

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Leading size transitions in Hispanic Ministry We are excited to offer this timely event in the Great Plains. Prayerfully consider making this a priority on your calendar, and encourage others in your congregation to do the same. This is a learning experience that you will not want to miss.

A workshop to equip leaders for Hispanic/Latino ministry with the knowledge, skills and confidence to break through growth barriers and lead congregations as they transition organizationally while taking into account socio-economic, and relational dynamics and realities within the Hispanic/Latino community.

Learn of best practices to grow and transition congregations through the 65, 125, and 250 growth barriers. Develop “action steps” throughout the workshop that will help guide your development as a leader and improve your growth systems (numerically, financially and spiritually).

• See two-page flier (also in Spanish) for event details. • Dates: Friday, May 1 - Saturday, May 2 • Location: First UMC, Wichita, Kansas • Register online. • Registration deadline: April 17 • Registration cost: $20 (includes training materials, snacks, 2 meals) • Each participant is responsible for their own lodging. • Childcare is free. Register online.

Blue River District to host lay servant training

The Blue River District will be hosting lay servant training on Friday evening, March 13 and Saturday, March 14. This workshop will focus on pastoral caregiving and will be held at Christ UMC, 45th and A Streets in Lincoln, Nebraska. The featured speaker will be the Rev. Dusty Sprague, pastor at First UMC in Crawford, Nebraska, Warring Memorial UMC in Whitney, Nebraska and Memorial UMC in Harrison, Nebraska. The sessions are designed to be enriching for lay servants and pastors alike, with continuing education credits available for both.

The Rev. Sprague will focus sessions on the tools of pastoral care, dealing with crisis, illness and healing, suffering and grief and the needs of the elderly. Pre-registration is required, at $15.00 per person, which covers a lunch provided at the church on Saturday. Registrations must be received in the Blue River District office by Friday, March 6, 2015.

Participants are also encouraged to purchase and review the text for the workshop, “Lay Pastoral Care Giving,” by Timothy Farabaugh, available at Upper Room Books for $18.00. Place orders by calling 800-972-0433 or at upperroom.org.

• Flier

• Brochure

If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact the Blue River District office at 402-323-8849.

For additional lay servant training opportunities and other info on lay servant ministry, visit greatplainsumc.org/layservantministries.

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Conference camps looking for counselors

The five camps in the Great Plains Conference are currently looking for seasonal summer staff.

This opportunity is open to anyone in college and looking for summer employment. The ideal counselors are mature, responsible, men and women who like working with children and youth, love the outdoors and all that it offers and want to help others grow in their faith.

Room and board is provided and a competitive counselor salary is offered – not to mention a fun summer. It is a chance to meet some great people, facilitate and participate in lively activities and enjoy all that summer camp offers.

The Great Plains Conference camps include:

• Camp Chippewa (near Ottawa, Kansas) • Camp Comeca (near Cozad, Nebraska) • Camp Fontanelle (near Nickerson, Nebraska) • Camp Horizon (near Arkansas City, Kansas) • Camp Norwesca (near Chadron, Nebraska)

If you are interested in learning more, contact Sara Shaw, coordinator of camping ministry, at 316-684-0266 or sshaw@greatplainsumc.org.

Congregational Excellence: Multiple generations, 1 purpose in Lawrence

The Rev. Jacob Cloud dreamed and prayed about coming home to Lawrence to serve in ministry. In fact, as soon as he found out he was selected to be a church planter, he started asking about the possibility of doing so in the city where he grew up.

Would the church be catered toward students at the University of Kansas? Would it be catered to the estimated 75,000 people in the surrounding area who had no church affiliation?

Turns out, the answer was not either/or but both.

“What was a real surprise was that it would be a mixture of locals and university students,” Cloud said. “Eight months into it, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Read the full story.

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March 1 is deadline for need-based grants application, waived application fee

The deadline for applying for tuition grants and annual conference endowment grants offered by Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University is March 1, 2015. Financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis to current students and students who have been admitted for fall 2015. Learn more about need-based grants.

Prospective students can also take advantage of the waived $50 application fee through March 1. The waived fee is available for applicants to all Master’s degree programs at Perkins.

Perkins is committed to helping students make their theological education affordable, according to Tracy Anne Allred, director of Student Services.

“Applicants who apply now have a great opportunity to access financial resources to help support a top quality theological education here Perkins School of Theology. As you respond to your call to ministry in whatever form it takes, Perkins will be on your financial aid team,” she said.

In order to be considered for need-based grants, prospective students must have completed both their Perkins admissions application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) via the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov, by March 1. Applicants should enter the SMU school code (003613) when completing this on-line form. Submit or complete applications here.

For additional information, contact Herbert Coleman, hcoleman@smu.edu, 214-768-2139; or Mary Gallegos Rubio at gallegos@smu.edu or 214-768-2293.

Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, and Doctor of Ministry, as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

New Testament Scholar joins Phillips Seminary faculty

Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, welcomes Dr. Sharon Jacob as the newest member of the faculty of the 109-year-old-institution. She will begin teaching courses in the New Testament in the fall semester 2015.

Jacob, a native of India, studied at Bangalore University, received a Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2003, and a Master of Sacred Theology from Yale Divinity School in 2005. In 2013, she earned her PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity from Drew University. Her PhD dissertation is now a book-in-progress under contract with Palgrave Macmillan’s Bible and Culture Series. The title is “Reading Mary, the Mother of

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God, Alongside Indian Surrogate Mothers.” Publication is anticipated early next year. In it, Jacob compares the life of the Virgin Mary, as presented in the gospels, to the lives of Indian women who are paid nominal fees in what has become an international reproductive tourism industry.

“India has enthusiastically embraced globalization, including outsourcing,” Jacob said. “It was only a matter of time before Indian reproductive labor began to be outsourced. Critics say it exploits poor Indian women, while supporters suggest it is a symbol of empowerment. Either interpretation fails to take fully into account the complex realities of impoverished women fighting to survive in a global economy.” Jacob juxtaposes these women to Mary, whose consent to become a mother to another embodies her hope for a better life for herself and her people. “My goal is to reimagine early Christian images of Mary in ways that make her more relevant to other women like me,” she said.

Currently teaching at Luther College in Iowa, Jacob brings a range of interests in multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice. “My scholarly interests and my experience of growing up in a religiously diverse country like India equip me to work with my students to construct nuanced interpretations of New Testament texts that seek to encapsulate the complex realities of our world today,” she said. “I firmly believe that my task as a biblical scholar is to bridge the gap between the biblical text and the world in which we live.”

Phillips Theological Seminary is a graduate seminary, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), dedicated to learning the way of Jesus in order to cultivate vital communities, vital conversations, and the public good. We are a community of teachers and learners seeking to be faithful to God through disciplined, reasoned, and reflective study of scripture, religious tradition, and human experience.

GraceMed: providing compassionate, accessible, high-quality health care

GraceMed Health Clinic is a Christ-centered, non-profit community health center that provides access to affordable quality health care for the residents of south central Kansas. Its goal is to provide high quality health care services for uninsured and underinsured residents in Wichita and the surrounding areas. GraceMed’s mission is to show and share the love of Jesus Christ by providing compassionate, accessible, high-quality health care for those who are in need.

“We currently have eight Wichita locations with three more scheduled to ‘go live’ this year,” said David Sanford, CEO of GraceMed Health Clinic. “We are also planning expansions to McPherson and Topeka as well,” Sanford said.

Read the full story. See the list of other mission agencies supported by the Great Plains Conference.

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Cost of Poverty Experience expels myths through understanding

Wichita Circles Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families and individuals make the journey out of poverty. Circles is a community driven solution to addressing the underlying causes of poverty and supporting families with their efforts to reach and maintain economic stability. The Wichita Circles Network strives to build bridges between social classes in order to foster relationships that will help strengthen the Wichita community.

The Wichita Circles Network sponsored a Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) simulation this past weekend at West Heights United Methodist Church. Its purpose was to inspire and equip individuals and families in the community to resolve poverty. The simulation included a series of role-playing scenarios that gave participants the opportunity to learn about the realities of poverty and its effects. Each participant was assigned a new persona and family profile of an individual living in poverty.

“It’s an experience that many middle and upper class families have never experienced,” said Judy Castor, COPE event coordinator. “So its purpose is to help us bridge that gap and to provide understanding.”

The power of this unique simulation was that it generated real insight into the difficulties and life barriers that low-income families endure daily.

“There are a lot of myths about what people in poverty are like,” Castor said. “This event is to help erase those myths and broaden our understanding.”

Many of those in poverty do not have relationships with people in the middle class. Often times, people find success in their lives through their relationships. However, if someone doesn’t have relationships with people in the middle class to upper-middle class, it can be difficult to climb out of poverty. That’s where Wichita Circles comes in by helping people get out of poverty through relationships.

One of the ways this organization is able to cultivate these relationships is by assigning “allies” (people willing to build relationships to support those who are moving out of poverty) to individuals called “circle leaders,” who are trying to make the journey out of poverty. Individuals seeking to make this journey go through a 15-week class called “Getting Ahead”, that investigates the causes of poverty, the choices they’ve made and life’s systemic barriers. After completing the class, they have the option to make an 18-month commitment to pull themselves out of poverty.

Gail Biberstein, a Circles ally and lay leader at East Heights United Methodist Church, said that before circle leaders are paired with allies, they each have a chance to meet with one another in order to provide the circle leader an opportunity to see which allies they would like to work with.

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“The point is to gather around the table to visit and become good friends through food and fellowship, Biberstein said. “A lot of the real positive work is done through breaking bread together.”

During the 18-month program, circle leaders meet with their allies at least once a week in order to meet and set new goals. The role of an ally is mostly to be a friend, and to support them in making those changes. They can do this by listening, collaborating, and introducing them to individuals in the community that can help them reach their goals.

Allison Celik, city-wide coordinator for Wichita Circles Network, said that the goal of Circles is to build strong communities. If you have a thriving community, it means you have a group of people that know each other and support each other.

“In order to have that, you have to set up a structure where people get to know other people that aren’t like them,” Celik said. “Part of this COPE simulation is sharing the experiences of living in a different economic class so that you can increase your understanding.”

See more photos from the event.

Dellrose UMC in Wichita shows love to its community

Dellrose United Methodist Church in Wichita is exploring what it really means to “love one another,” as Christ commanded us all to do.

As part of a five-sermon series titled “Love Period!” the congregation decided to show how much it loved its community and how it showed love by serving others, by giving to those in need and by sharing through the wearing of bright red T-shirts that said “I love my church.”

The accompanying photo shows a portion of the congregation who braved the snowy conditions on a recent Sunday to attend worship and gather for this group photo.

To learn more about the “Love Period!” sermon series, see the church’s website at www.dellrose.org.

NEVOAD invites churches to take part in Ready Sabbath 2015

As tornado season approaches, many Nebraskans are concerned about the impact of severe storms on themselves and their communities. To better prepare for these events, Nebraska Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NEVOAD) invites all congregations to participate in the Nebraska Ready Sabbath 2015 preparedness event this spring.

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Ready Sabbath is an event that helps congregation members prepare a family disaster kit and highlights preparedness and care for families and communities.

Congregations across the state are asked to designate one weekend or day of worship in March or April 2015 as a Ready Sabbath. During this time, NEVOAD askes you to use their materials or materials of your choice to inform your members about preparedness.

The NEVOAD materials are available at nevoad.communityos.org/cms/readysabbath. These materials include: a list of materials for families to gather for a kit, a sample announcement for your congregational bulletin or newsletter, sample prayers and other activities.

This is the first statewide event sponsored by the Nebraska VOAD, and the first Nebraska-wide congregational event known to NEVOAD.

If you plan to participate, please send an email to crisisdogs@gmail.com with your congregation's name, location and the date of your Ready Sabbath. NEVOAD would like to send your congregation a certificate of participation and also support you in your activities. If you would like further information or suggestions for additional activities, please see the NEVOAD website, nevoad.communityos.org, or at crisisdogs@gmail.com.

Dr. Gerald Durley to speak on climate change at Wichita State and KU

Globally influential speaker and long-time civil rights leader, Dr. Gerald Durley of Atlanta, Georgia, will stir the campus of Wichita State University at three separate events, Thursday, March 5.

• Register online. Admission is free.

• Download promotional materials.

• Open the event page on Facebook where you can "join" and invite your friends.

Three chances to hear Dr. Durley at Wichita State

• Shocker Hall (Peace Pole Ceremony) at noon • CAC Theater (Lecture) at 2 p.m. • Marcus Welcome Center (Lecture & Roundtable) at 6 p.m.

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Durley’s message, “Climate Change Is A Civil Rights Issue,” has people turning their heads, as many have not made the connection between the two globally systemic concerns.

“When your children suffer from asthma and cannot go outside to play, as is the case for many in Atlanta, it is a civil rights issue. When unprecedented weather disasters devastate the poorest neighborhoods in places like New Orleans, New Jersey, and New York, it is a civil rights issue,” said Durley. “When farmers in faraway lands cannot feed their families because the rains will no longer come, it is a civil rights issue,” he said.

Durley has spent the greater part of his retirement promoting a problem he believes can be solved. “I do not doubt that we will succeed in addressing climate change. After all, we have only scratched the surface when it comes to solutions such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and preparedness. But our success rests on the willingness of all of us – all races, creeds, and walks of life – coming together with a single purpose,” said Durley.

One-hundred-year-old organization Kansas Christians United has partnered with Campus Ministry CONNECT at WSU to bring Dr. Durley to Wichita State. Other sponsors for the day of events include: Student Government Association, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Student Involvement, Student and Faculty Green Groups, WSU Sculpture Guild, Center for Community Support and Research, Global Faith In Action, and the Greater Wichita Ministerial League.

Durley will take part in an inauguration ceremony for the “Peace Pole Project,” the first ever permanent student constructed art piece to be installed on the WSU campus. The ceremony and reception will be held at Shocker Hall starting at noon. He will move from Shocker Hall to a 2 p.m. lecture at the CAC Theater, and will end the day at an evening round-table event at the Marcus Welcome Center starting at 6 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. The evening roundtable event has a theme of Christian and faith-based action and requires online registration.

Dr. Durley will sign and sell copies of his book “I’m Amazed” at all three events at WSU. Similar programming is scheduled for the University of Kansas the following day, March 6, 2015.

Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light announces conference on climate change

Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light is delighted to announce an upcoming conference that will bring Nebraska’s spiritual and religious people together to address the challenge of climate change.

This year’s conference will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday, March 21 and will center on the theme of God, Creation and Climate Change. The keynote speaker is Dr. Richard Miller from Creighton University. Breakout sessions include topics such as talking about climate change in your congregation, how climate change is expected to impact Nebraska, culture change for the faith community, introduction to climate advocacy and clean energy efforts in our state. The half-day program will conclude with a catered, zero-waste lunch.

If you are curious about climate change and how it relates to your faith or spiritual practice, you should attend. If you are troubled by climate change and want to get more involved in working for solutions, you should attend. If

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you are a spiritual seeker who cares deeply about our natural world and wants to find like-minded people in your community, you should attend.

Registration is open now online. The price will increase on March 7, so make sure to get your discount now!

Download the flier.

Imagine No Malaria recognized as superhero at Global Meeting

Imagine No Malaria, an initiative of The United Methodist Church to prevent and treat malaria, has received a Superhero Award from the Rotarians Action Group on Malaria. The award was given during the recent annual meeting of the Alliance for Malaria Prevention in Geneva.

Imagine No Malaria, the only faith-based organization represented among the award recipients, was recognized for its grassroots efforts in reaching rural and hard to reach areas with its prevention methods. Dr. Olusimbo Ige, executive director, Global Health for the General Board of Global Ministries was on hand to receive the award, which was signified by the bestowing of a red “superhero” cape. Drake Zimmerman, vice chair of the Rotarians Action Group on Malaria, made the presentation.

“Rotarians Action Group on Malaria and all of Alliance for Malaria Prevention recognize the unique contributions of The United Methodist Church to malaria control, which is why we singled out The United Methodist Church’s Imagine No Malaria initiative as the only faith-based effort we honor this year,” Zimmerman said.

“The award honors the size, breadth and ongoing dedication of The United Methodist Church’s work, in which thousands upon thousands have donated, resulting in thousands of children being alive today, thriving today, in many countries! The contributions of United Methodists from across the globe, especially in the U.S. and Canada, means tens of millions of people now live healthier and more prosperous lives.

“Solve malaria and you solve so many other problems,” Zimmerman said. “Better stated, healthy people can solve their own problems! Malaria control makes prosperity possible now. The subcontinent is booming where it languished for so long, thanks in part to your generous gifts and tireless efforts. We say ‘thank you’ for the outstanding and ongoing work and sustained dedication.”

The Alliance for Malaria Prevention, with more than 40 partners, is a coalition of government, nonprofit, private sector, humanitarian and faith-based agencies working for malaria control.

Imagine No Malaria is committed to ending death and suffering from malaria through prevention, communication, trained health workers and facilities, and grassroots education. To date, INM has raised 86 percent of its goal with more than $65 million in gifts and pledges. United Methodists across the world are working hard to reach and celebrate the initiative’s $75 million goal before the denomination’s General Conference in 2016.

Safe, secure and easy giving opportunities are available on the site so that anyone can participate and join the effort to eliminate this disease. Visitors can make one-time gifts and pledges of any amount, but many individuals

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participate with a recurring pledge of $28 per month over three years, to potentially save the lives of up to 100 children at risk for contracting the deadly disease.

Additionally, visitors can get a glimpse at the lives Imagine No Malaria is changing through video diaries, touching photos and news stories.

Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska encourages communities to not lose heart

Immigration legal service providers across the nation have been preparing for the new expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program since President Obama made the announcement on November 20, 2014. These programs would allow millions of immigrants to come forward and apply for deportation relief and work authorization. Even though these deferred actions are not a solution to our broken immigration system, they are a step forward in the right direction.

But on Feb. 16, 2015, a federal district court in the Southern District of Texas temporarily blocked the implementation of these immigration actions.

Staff from Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska (JFON-NE) share these thoughts:

“While JFON-NE is very disappointed by the Texas District Court’s decision to temporarily block implementation of the new expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program, we would like to urge the community to not lose heart. We believe the Court’s legal analysis is flawed. The Administration has announced it will appeal the decision and we are confident that justice will prevail before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.”

Undocumented immigrants who might be eligible for these programs are encouraged to continue to save money and collect the necessary documents. And all of us can continue to learn about the situation so many of our new neighbors are struggling with and advocate for better laws that treat all of God’s children with dignity. Our United Methodist Social Principles say: “We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.” (¶162 H)

Resources about the immigration situation for churches.

Photo: Church members at St. Paul UMC in South Sioux City, Nebraska, getting information on how to welcome the strangers among us at the JFON-NE booth.

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GBCS sends letter to Congress

On Feb. 20, 2015, The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) sent a letter to members of Congress signed by its chief executive, the Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, emphasizing that The United Methodist Church has long called for just, humane immigration reform that upholds the dignity of immigrants and their families.

Read the letter.

Approved snacking Beatrice Centenary UMC holds fundraiser

Sunday morning, Feb. 22, Centenary UMC in Beatrice, Nebraska, held a bake sale. Epworth Village Ambassador Jane Nider and the Thursday morning Bible study group planned the event benefiting the York mission. Nider invited the entire church to participate and the response was overwhelming. Coffee cakes, turnovers, pies, cakes, caramel corn, black walnut meats and various other homemade goodies were a big hit — with the Rev. Charles Spence even issuing his approval for snacking during worship. The free will offering bake sale raised a total of$452.75 for Epworth Village, a mission of the United Methodist Church since 1889.

The Community Relations Committee of the Epworth Village Board of Directors has been encouraging churches, United Methodist Women’s units, youth groups and Bible study classes to plan their own fundraisers. Two recent “Souper” Bowl soup fundraisers held by the Epworth Village Foundation and Fairview United Methodist Church of Central City were very successful as well.

Epworth Village CEO and United Methodist Missionary, Harrietta Reynolds stated, “My heart was warmed too as I looked at the pictures and read the great report of work well done. All on behalf of Epworth Village. Thank you all so much.”

Photos: Bev Ewer enjoyed her after-worship coffee while she shopped. Epworth Village Ambassador Jane Nider set up a display about Epworth Village.

Newsletters

• Christian Copyright Solutions: February 2015 • General Board of Church and Society: Faith in Action • Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church: connectNmission

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• Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Leading Ideas • Ministry Matters: Feb. 24, 2015 • United Methodist Church Development Center: Spiritual Giving • United Methodist Communications: Connection News

Classifieds

• Youth ministry director needed at First UMC of Clary, North Carolina • Small church seeks paraments • Pianist sought for Trinity Heights UMC in Newton, Kansas • Youth director needed at Chapel Hill UMC in Wichita, Kansas • Chapel Hill UMC in need of director of praise team

View these and other classifieds at 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.

Want to submit a letter to the editor? Send it to info@greatplainsumc.org.

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