News Briefs - March/April "Nebraska Messenger"

Dr. Jerry Elrod writes tribute honoring Dr. Alva Clark

Dr. Jerry Elrod writes tribute honoring Dr. Alva Clark

While I scan each issue of "The Messenger," I dwell on the Death Notices section. In the last issue, I was struck that the three persons listed had all been contemporary to my time in Nebraska.

Particularly was I struck by the notice regarding Dr. Alva Clark and the additional piece and picture on the back page. Joan Raney was also one whom I knew well.

Dr. Clark was a moving force in Nebraska for so many years and so many people. It was my joy to be tutored by him for the almost 20 years I served in Omaha. He was the epitome of John Wesley's quadrilateral: scripture, tradition, reason and experience. But to those he added the dimensions of grace, compassion, insight, patience, kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness and devotion.

He was a colleague, to be sure, more so as I matured, but more than that he was a friend. I would often stop by St. Paul Church late at night and find him in his study. It would be then that I came to know the Alva Clark that gave my life direction and peace. It was then that I sat at the feet of one who had served with Harry Emerson Fosdick, whose leadership in the conference intimidated some, but inspired most others. It was then that I saw why he was seriously considered for the episcopacy in the 70s.

I came to know him, his wife, Edith, and participated in the memorial service for his beloved daughter, Carolyn.

In the tornado of 1975, striking west Omaha, he was helpful and instructive as some of us engineered an interfaith response to that devastation. Together Inc. stands as a tribute to that time and that service.

In 1969, Alva, among others, participated in the design and implementation of the Urban Rural Crisis Fund.

Over the years his influence reached around the world through United Methodist Committee on Relief.

Upon retirement, in 1982 when I was superintendent of the Omaha District, Alva "retired." And from there he set out upon his next adventure through his work with Nebraska Methodist Hospital Foundation. He added much to their largesse and much to his own legacy.

Alva Clark is one of those treasures that comes along now and again. It is deserving that the Nebraska Conference hold him in perpetual honor as one of its most notable saints.

Dr. Jerry D. Elrod
Director, United Methodist Ministries, 1966-82
District Superintendent, Omaha, 1982-85

Mike Mook on the Camp Comeca grounds during his first week.

Personnel update
Mike Mook named Camp Comeca director

The Nebraska United Methodist Conference announces the hiring of Michael Mook (rhymes with "look") as the new camp director of Camp Comeca United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center.

Mook graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies and political science from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He brings a diverse professional background to the position with extensive experience in program development, implementation and evaluation in both a camp and corporate setting.

Camp Comeca board director Mickey Solomon said that Mook brings much more than his professional experience to the role of camp director.

"Mike is personable, articulate, and enthusiastic. Some of the board members commented that he is, 'wise beyond his years,' Solomon said. "His many years of personal experience as a camper in his youth will enhance the professional abilities he brings to this position. The board looks forward to working with him."

As camp director, Mook will be responsible for the operation of the camp in accordance with the bylaws, mission statement and policies as developed by the Comeca Board of Directors and the Nebraska United Methodist Conference. Responsibilities will include the hiring, training and supervision of all staff as well as developing camp programming, support services and budget.

Camp Comeca is a year-round camp and retreat center located on Midway Lake outside Cozad, Neb. Camp Comeca is an approved American Camping Association site and features a variety of camper housing accommodations, lakefront activities, adventure course, zip line, tennis courts, outdoor activities, and a recreation center that houses a full-sized gym, pool and Jacuzzi. Camp Comeca serves children, teens and adults and welcomes both secular and non-secular groups to use the facilities for religious, personal and business retreats.

For more information about Camp Comeca please visit the camp Web site at www.campcomeca.com.

Bergman named assistant

Camp Fontanelle welcomes new assistant camp director
Camp Fontanelle welcomed Derek Bergman as its new assistant camp director. As assistant camp director, Bergman's area of focus will be on the programming side of the camp operations.

Bergman graduated with an associate's degree from Central Community College in Columbus, Neb., in 2000. Following graduation, he went on to attend Peru State College in Peru, Neb., to pursue a degree in elementary education.

Bergman has a long history serving Camp Fontanelle dating back to when he first started working at the camp in 1998 as a lifeguard while simultaneously helping with kitchen work as well as lawn mowing and maintenance. During the summer of 1999, Bergman served as one of the camp's first paid counselors. He remained in this role until 2002 and served as an assistant in charge of programming for part of the summer in 2003. Camp Fontanelle is also where Bergman met his wife Amy--they were married at the camp in May of 2006 and now have a daughter, Tava, who will celebrate her first birthday this July.

Bergman hopes to enrich Camp Fontanelle with his background with the camp and sees this new role as more than just a job.

"I have strong ties with Camp Fontanelle and cannot wait to share with all those that visit camp the difference Christ can make it their lives," Bergman said. "I pray for God to use me and let my life serve as an example to other."

Bergman has already visited with some churches and will keep busy this spring with the planning for summer camps and obtaining certification in various camp-related skills.

Located just north of Fremont, Neb. on 183 acres of wooded hills, Camp Fontanelle seeks to provide its visitors with an opportunity for growth through the integration of nature and individuals' everyday lives. Camp Fontanelle is a facility of the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church.
For more information about Camp Fontanelle, please visit the camp Web site at www.campfontanelle.com.

Holly Woldt has been promoted from assistant director of communications for technology logistics to information technology director

Holly Woldt promoted to technology director

Holly Woldt began working as the Nebraska United Methodist information technology director on Feb. 15. She previously worked in the communications department with responsibilities for the conference Web site and UMconnect. In her new role she will oversee the conference computer network, servers and the day-to-day maintenance of the applications running on those servers.

Technology is one of the major tools identified in both the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Discipleship Plan and the Transition Team's recommendations to help move the conference forward in the delivery of resources and communications to the local church. Woldt is currently working on two projects that will connect conference churches with such things as common forms, conference directories and more. The second is called the Pastor Leadership Module (PLM), a pastor database that houses all the information needed for the appointment and pastor credentialing processes as well as a Web view that will enable pastors to check on their own information for accuracy.

Woldt came to the conference in 2003, before that she worked as a technology specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as a project manager for the Lincoln-Lancater County Health Department, as a computer assistant at Raymond Central Elementary and from 1982-1991, as a computing systems analyst/programmer at the University of Nebraska Central Administration.

She has a computer science degree from the University of Iowa.

She is member of the Raymond UMC, youth leader with the Conestoga Parish and a Girl Scout troop leader. Holly and her husband Wayne have three children, Weston (17), Dylan (16) and Cara (14). They live on an acreage north of Lincoln.

Sara Brockhoft will be working on UMconnect, Web content, public relations and other communication projects on behalf of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference.

Sara Brockhoft, communications coordinator

In February, the Nebraska Annual Conference welcomed Sara Brockhoft as its interim communications coordinator. She will be working on the conference Web site and UMconnect, the conference news and information e-mail.

She will also be assigned various communications and public relations projects. She is currently actively promoting the Nothing But Nets special advance raising money for bed nets to fight malaria in Africa.

Sara Brockhoft is a 2007 UNL graduate with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in advertising and broadcasting; and minors in economics and political science. While at UNL, Brockhoft was involved with the campus chapters of Public Relations Student Society of America, American Marketing Association, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and UNL Young Democrats. She is an alumna of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Brockhoft is originally from Sioux Falls, SD, where she graduated from Washington High School in 2003, and where her parents, Rodney and Julie, still reside.

Pastor Jeri Soens introduced game to children during Reach and Teach after school program.

Hemingford United Methodist Church has after school program called "Reach and Teach"

by Jeanie Sedivy, communications commissioner and Alliance UMC staff member

Hemingford United Methodist Church's successful elementary after school program is held on Wednesdays. Called "Reach and Teach," it meets from 3:30-5 p.m.

Adult helpers meet the children at the school. They have a sign that says, "Line up here for Reach and Teach." They walk back to the church together and upon entering the church the children begin to use their inside voices; quieter voices than the children used when walking up to the church.

The children go straight to the coat racks (specially made for small people). They hang up their jackets and backpacks. Pastor Jeri Soens says that the backpacks and jackets seem to magically disappear if they are not hung up; so the children have learned to take care of their belongings.

Children then line up in age groups and go to the basement for a snack and drink. Snacks do not consist of candy. This day they received two cookies and juice.

The program has three rotations; stories, games and crafts. This day's story alluded to shepherds that were seeking the baby Christ child.

Game 1
The kids wrote their names on a marshmallow. The marshmallow's were then put into a pie tin in the middle of the floor. There were four teams; each in a corner of the room. On the count of three they ran to the pie tin, grabbed a marshmallow, but it had to have a different name than their own. They carried it back on a small plate and then gave the plate to the next person in their line. And then the process started again until the marshmallows were all gone. The object of this lesson was to teach, "God knows everything about you."

Game 2
The second game was based on the parable of the Lost Sheep. Pastor Jeri had all the kids put their shoes in buckets. She then had helpers that went and hid the shoes. After the shoes were hidden the kids went and looked for them. That analogy is to the shepherd looking for his lost sheep. When all the shoes were found there was great praise and joy given as the shepherd did.

Crafts
At craft time the youth colored a beautiful Christmas picture. Leaders and kids were discussing what the picture intended for us to gain from it, how we might interpret the image.

Pastor Jeri said, there was another church in the community that offered an after school program and chose not to continue. "God's timing is so perfect," said Pastor Jeri. Pastor Jeri asked her congregation if they would have an interest in an after school program. She said folks stepped up and have been very supportive. She did however say they could use many more helping hands. If God is calling you to help with a children's ministry call the Hemingford UMC.

When asked where she received her inspiration for this program. Pastor Jeri said, "It came from Renee Meyers at the United Methodist Church in Ogallala."

This program takes a great deal of energy to do, from the leaders and the children. I witnessed joy, laughter, and most important respect from all. You can just feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.
This program truly gives God the glory.

The staff on woring that Wednesday included Pastor Jeri Soens, Ron Soens, Lori Glendy, Bev and Bob Crownover, Barb and Lee Messersmith, Patti Wobig, Virgil Elliott, Abby Williamson, Joe Frazee, and Shelley McConville.

If you're interested in initiating an after school program and want to learn more about the Hemmingford UMC effort, contact Pastor Jeri Soens at 308-487-3758 or jazz@bbc.net.

Nakashima Brock, author and co-director of Faith Voices for the Common Good.

Horizon's of Faith to feature Rita Nakashima Brock, April 11-13

Horizons of Faith to feature Rita Nakashima Brock, April 11-13
April 11-13, First United Methodist Church of Omaha will host Horizons of Faith featuring Rita Nakashima Brock, Ph.D.
The three day event will run Friday evening through Sunday featuring four presentations by Brock including: "Paradise in This Life: Rivers of Justice, Lives of Wisdom, and Rituals of Beauty," "Peace by the Blood of the Cross and Paradise Expelled," "Conquest, Colonization, and the Re-creation of Paradise in America," and "Loving This World: The Struggle for Paradise in This Life." The Rev. James M. Keyser; Susan A. Calef, Ph.D.; and the Rev. Nancy Erickson are also scheduled to present.
Brock is an award-winning author and Co-Director of Faith Voices for the Common Good, Senior Editor in Religion for The New Press, and a visiting scholar at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, Calif. She taught for over two decades at several colleges and universities and from 1997-2001, directed the Radcliffe Fellowship Program at Harvard University.
Full weekend registration includes lunch on Saturday and is $45 if postmarked on or before March 18, 2008. If postmarked after March 18, registration is $65. The registration fee to attend the Friday evening lecture and reception in only $20.
The registration form and brochure for the event can be downloaded from the First United Methodist Church Web site at www.fumcomaha.org under the Horizons of Faith link. For more information, please call Sue Rood at 402-556-6262 ext. 1008 or send an e-mail to Sue.Rood@fumcomaha.org.

Native American Sunday, April 6, O'Neill UMC's successful celebration

Breaking barriers of history and culture
Celebrating Native American gifts and contributions is the focus of Native American Ministries Sunday. The observance of day is an opportunity--through a special offering--to nurture mission with Native Americans and provide scholarships for United Methodist Native American seminarians.

O'Neill First UMC recognized Native American Ministries Sunday with a special service and by hosting an art show that featured works created by local Native American artists. The art was obtained by Dave Cole who has built a relationship with the artists over the years. During the service, Cole spoke of the strong family units within the reservation and focused on the kindness and beauty of the people living on the reservation whom he had built relationships with.
First UMC recognized Native American Ministries Sunday last year on July 1, 2007. The links below provide pictures of this special Sunday.

First UMC plans to hold a special service again this year on April, 6, during their 10:45 a.m. service if Cole's schedule will allow. This art show will feature different pieces than last year from different artists.

Church-wide Special Sundays with offerings enable United Methodists to offer refuge in times of disaster, promote peace and justice, provide scholarships and student loans, reach out to the community, teach skills to encourage self-sufficiency, and share the love of Jesus Christ with God's people everywhere.

Six times throughout the year, United Methodist congregations celebrate church-wide Special Sundays with offerings. Your support is critical to the survival of these important ministries and for sharing God's gifts around the world.

North Platte UMC's prayer shawl ministry

Reprinted with permission from the North Platte Telegraph

It starts with a ball of yarn
Church's ministry provides love and comfort through prayer shawls
by Jenniver Nelson, reporter, The North Platte Telegraph
What begins as a simple ball of yarn soon turns into a colorful shawl full of prayer, love and comfort.

It's a ministry that has touched many lives not only in the community but across the country and overseas as well.
Each Wednesday morning and evening, women of the "Knit Wits" and "Crocheters for Christ" of First United Methodist Church in North Platte get together to chat as they crochet and knit prayer shawls. Their shawls have gone to people in North Platte but also to those as far away as China and Iraq.
The ministry began in the summer of 2004 and was inspired by a dream of Cathy Cole, associate pastor at the Methodist Church. The ministry has already made nearly 500 shawls and has since inspired other churches in the community as well as in other parts of the world to start a similar ministry.
Most of the shawls have gone to people with a need, who may be struggling with an illness, are troubled in some way or have lost a loved one. However, some of the shawls have also gone to those with celebrations such as weddings, new babies and anniversaries.

"It's not just for those who are ill," said Laurie Morrison, who is part of the ministry group and has made several shawls.
Morrison said she plans to make a shawl for her granddaughter for when she graduates from high school.
"When she goes off to college, she'll have the prayers of her family with her," Morrison said.

Before the shawls are sent out, there is usually a prayer said for those who will receive them.

In the past some schoolteachers have helped knit or crochet during the summer. During the ministry's first summer, a teenager and a man joined them. According to Morrison, sometimes completed shawls will just show up and they won't know who made them.

The group has seen many who know how to crochet and knit, but also some beginners.

"From the very beginning we had several people who said they really wanted to do this, but said. ‘I don't know how to knit,'" Cole said.

Several people who knew how to crochet and knit were sought to join the group and help teach those who wanted to learn.

"Come on in," Cole said. "Someone will teach you."
Others in the group have also made lap robes to take to care homes and afghans to take to The Connection, but their primary ministry is the prayer shawl.

"We want to honor their hard work, so we find them a home. Nothing that's come here has gone to waste. Every shawl, every article, finds its home," said Cole.

The supplies used to make the shawls are usually donated. Morrison said if people want to donate yarn to donate at least four or five skeins of one color, because it takes quite a bit to make one shaw

South Central Jurisdiction episcopal candidates

South Central Jurisdiction episcopal candidate interviews

All nine South Central Jurisdiction episcopal candidates recently attended a reception hosted by the jurisdictional Women's Leadership Team on Monday evening, January 28th during Perkins Ministers' Week at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas.

The candidates 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

Steve Rankin, endorsed by the Kansas West Conference

Every four years, well before General Conference begins, each delegation in the 15 conference of the South Central Jurisdiction interviews each candidate separately. In preparation for these interviews, each candidate provides written responses to a series of questions that are provided by the jurisdiction.

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

The South Central jurisdictional candidates for the episcopacy endured a grueling round of interviews that stretched over 6 weeks from Feb. 1 to March 15 and traveling from the Rio Grand and soutwest Texas to Omaha Nebraska.

Laity Convocation, March 28-29, Kearney, free, reminder

Laity Convocation March 28-29, 2008, at Kearney First UMC
Join laity from around the conference for two days of leadership and ministry development. This convocation is intended for those who want to learn how to enable lay leaders to thrive in leadership in the local church. Members of lay leadership committees in particular will benefit from learning how to identify and nurture spiritual gifts. Attendees will also learn how to enlist congregational involvement and engage the congregation in ministry. Laity leadership sessions will be led by Bishop Bruce Blake and the Rev. Janice Japp. Nebraska United Methodist Foundation Executive Director Jim Heller will lead a session on stewardship as a lifestyle--helping congregations understand the Biblical concept of tithing. Contact Deanna Holland for more information at hollandfarms@alltel.net.