UMconnect 03-17-10

Dr. Daivd Maldonado

Dr. David Maldonado, president of the UMC's Hispanic caucus, to speak at Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln on April 20

Dr. David Maldonado, president of Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic American (MARCHA) and director of the Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religions at Perkins School of Theology, will speak at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) in Lincoln on Tuesday, April 20.

His lecture, "2040—The Minority Majority: Preparing for a New American Reality," will begin at 7 p.m., in Callen Conference Center. The general public is invited to attend; admission is free. Callen Conference Center is located on the lower level of the Smith-Curtis Administration Building, one block east of 50th Street and St. Paul Ave.

The 2009 recipient of the Perkins Distinguished Alumnus/a Award, Maldonado's service to Perkins and to the church spans more than 40 years. He holds a master's of divinity degree from Perkins and has held faculty and administrative positions at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Col., where he also served as president emeritus, at Perkins, located in Dallas, Texas, and at California State University in Los Angeles.

An ordained elder in the Rio Grande Annual Conference, Maldonado has also served as a local pastor and community organizer. He has written several books, including "Crossing Guadalupe Street: Growing Up Hispanic and Protestant." The memoir tells of his upbringing in Sequin, Texas, a town strongly divided by Hispanic Protestants and Hispanic Catholics.

"Having Dr. Maldonado in Nebraska is a wonderful and exciting opportunity," said the Rev. Mel Luetchens, special assistant to the president at NWU.

NWU is sponsoring Maldonado's visit to Lincoln, and he will be speaking to various classes at the University. He will also spend time with the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Cabinet members.

The church responds in Haiti—update from UMCOR

As we mark two months since the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti, please continue to be in prayer for the people of the island nation. Your continued partnership is important as UMCOR provides shelter and provisions for those who have lost so much. As of March 11, 2010, $14.5 million has been received for UMCOR Haiti Relief.

From the field:
UMCOR has begun implementation of a five-year work plan that contemplates three phases of assistance to Haiti: emergency, recovery and rehabilitation.

This week's highlights include:
—Following the earthquake many Haitians requiring medical care were evacuated to the U.S. Evacuees and those accompanying them have been granted humanitarian parole for 12 months, which may be extended. UMCOR Refugee Ministries is working with resettlement affiliates in Atlanta, Tampa, Philadelphia, New York and Boston to identify and offer temporary housing for those released from medical facilities.
—Bahamas Methodist Habitat, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, has been using its mission aircraft transportation services to support relief efforts in Haiti. Working with UMCOR Sager Brown, Bahamas Methodist Habitat transported health kits into Haiti.

U.S. mission in action
—UMCOR Health hosted "Haiti Health: Moving toward a Long-Term Strategy," a web cast meeting of long-time UMCOR partners that included, IMA World Health, Global Health Action, Curamericas Global, and Grace Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince. Representatives of Methodist Hospital Systems in Houston, Texas; Ohio Health in Columbus, Ohio; and Methodist Health Care in Memphis, Tenn., participated, as well as representatives of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.
—UMCOR Haiti has identified a need for layette kits and birthing kits to address the basic needs of babies born in displaced persons camps in Haiti. Volunteers have been preparing kits to send to Haiti.

To read this report in its entirety, click on the link below.

• UMCOR e-letter

Senator Lowen Kruse

Senator Lowen Kruse on faith and politics

Note: Senator Lowen Kruse served in the Nebraska legislature from 2001 to 2009, and was an active pastor in the Nebraska United Methodist Conference for 43 years. He is thus in a unique position to describe the mix of faith and politics, and often writes and speaks on the subjects. He urges that people in the "broad middle" can give balance to the noise of extremists by speaking up and joining in dialogue on issues.

We have asked Kruse to provide a monthly column in "UMconnect" on how persons of faith can be effective in discussing issues, affecting legislation and influencing community decisions. The following is his second column in this ongoing series.

Lobbying and Listening
We want to be effective in dialogue, especially on tense issues. Frankly, as Christians we are often good at the exchange of ideas. The legislative process teaches senators how to focus better and has applicable lessons for everyone.

My column in February reflected on the barriers created by the putdown of an adversary or through putting a bit of "spin" on another's thoughts and words. Those stances cripple listening, which is more than just memorizing the words of others.

Listening is key in any discussion where there are differences of opinion, because listening is quite simply a way to gain information. But far more important, if you want to object to a position you had better know it so well that you can detect any holes in the argument. Some would say you should know the opposing position better than your "adversary" does.

Lobbyists represent interest groups. So do you and I! Each of us is a member of several interest group, e.g., education for our children, health of our citizens, reducing violence, farming, business, care of the elderly, raising our youth with defined values, protecting infants and providing emotionally healthy families. Every one of these can be a Christian issue. When we speak up for one of them, without apology, we are advocates. When we share values, or give information to an elected official, we are lobbying.

Professional lobbyists fill the rotunda at the capitol. Most Nebraska lobbyists are honest. When one is not, trouble abounds. I have stories on that, but they distract from the point. Lobbyists do not volunteer facts on the other side. You have to ask the right question. However, few of us volunteer information that is negative to our view.

A well-informed advocate for an interest group is very helpful if a senator is seeking more data. I cannot, by myself, know all that should be known on a legislative bill.

After a lobbyist made his/her best pitch to me on why a particular bill would save the world, I would ask what the opposition to the bill was going to tell me. That is a "right question." The lobbyist always knew and would tell me accurately. It had to be honest because I was going to question the other side. Remarkably, most had worked hard to be able to state the opposition's stand in clear, concise language.

That is listening—earnestly learning the other side so well that you can put that position into words that clarify. Words that are accurate.

Try it. You will be surprised at how much more you learn about a lot of things beyond that subject, but especially how much better you understand the person with whom you are fussing and the reasons for the feelings involved. More important, you learn how that person thinks.

More lessons on stewardship on UM-TUBE: A servant's heart

In an ongoing series, Lincoln St. Mark's United Methodist Church is producing short videos on stewardship, which they show during their services every Sunday. Our thanks to St. Mark's UMC and producer Brad Penner for sharing these inspiring videos.

You never know when or how God will put you and your experiences to work for someone else. Recently, St. Mark's member Mike Johnson put his passion for helping others to use in an unexpected way. A woman, lost in Lincoln, found her way to St. Mark's, and Mike was just the person to get her where she needed to go. See radical hospitality in action in this short video on UM-TUBE.

• "A servant's heart" video on UM-TUBE

One of the five groups from Auburn First UMC that participated in packaging meals for "Kids Against Hunger" the weekend of March 6-7. The effort was organized by the Rev. Dr. Fred Richart (back row, fourth from the left), pastor at Auburn UMC; his intention was to have the event be an ecumenical, communitywide one. Nearly 60,000 meals were packaged and sent to the local food pantry, as well as to Haiti.

Auburn First UMC gets entire community involved in effort to help fight hunger

First United Methodist Church of Auburn took the lead March 6 and 7 by creating a packaging event for Kids Against Hunger. The Rev. Dr. Fred Richart, pastor of Auburn First UMC and project coordinator, estimated more than 375 volunteers worked during the event, which packaged nearly 60,000 meals in two days for people who are hungry and malnourished. The effort also raised $9,000 to pay for the meals and for shipping to get the food to the local food pantry and to Haiti. On Saturday, March 6, four teams of 12 worked each hour. These teams then trained the next shift. There were five shifts on Saturday and four on Sunday.

"The project began during the Nebraska United Methodist pastors' event in Lincoln," said Richart. "Pastor Wayne Alloway of Lincoln St. Mark's UMC talked about how important the Kids Against Hunger program is. Phil Sloat-Delley, pastor in Tecumseh, agreed and talked about how his community pitched in and made this food program really work."

After he learned more about the project and packaged the food himself, Richart approached his congregation, on Sunday, Jan. 24. "I told them I had a dream," he said. "And I needed them to tell me if this was a good dream or a bad dream. The response was definite; they said, 'Do it.'"

To read this story in its entirety, visit the Conference Web site, linked below.

• Read the full story

Pictured with Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman (fourth from the left) are, from L to R: Epworth Village Vice President of Finance Pam Phillippe; Development Coordinator Megan Linnell; client, Derek; Lead Residential Manager Dave Rea; volunteer Tammy Boston and Administrative Assistant Eilene Hansen. Heineman officially proclaimed March 17, 2010, "Epworth Village Day" in the state of Nebraska.

Gov. Heineman declares March 17 as "Epworth Village Day" in the state of Nebraska

When Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman stepped up to the podium in the Warner Legislative Chamber on "Proclamation Day" his audience included a nice mix of Epworth Village clients, staff and volunteers. Ninth on the morning's agenda was the presentation of a signed proclamation declaring Wednesday, March 17, 2010 "Epworth Village Day" in the state of Nebraska.

Following the presentation, Epworth Village clients, staff and volunteers attended a reception hosted by Sen. Greg Adams and his wife Julie in the legislator's office located in the State Capitol building.

Epworth Village Learning Center is an Interim Program School under Rule 18 by the Nebraska Department of Education. Credits students earn while attending the school are transferable to their home school upon their return. It is located in the former Edison Elementary Ward School in York. The school is one component of Epworth's multi-faceted family-centered treatment program serving more than 1,000 people each month. Epworth Village was founded in 1889, as Mother's Jewels home.

• Epworth Village Web site

The importance of membership records

This is an important reminder that the permanent record of a United Methodist member is kept at the local church. It is imperative that all churches keep current, accurate records of memberships and baptisms. This is the ONLY permanent record of this information kept by our denomination. Should a church close, those records are then kept by the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Historical Center.

Recently the Conference archivist fielded numerous calls requesting membership and baptism information from closed church members. However, the records of the member of the closed church had not been forwarded or transferred to the Historical Center upon that church's closing. This means that the persons making the requests have no way to verify their baptism, church membership or other United Methodist historical information connected to their life in the church.

Again, we want to repeat how important it is to keep the records of your members in tip-top shape, and to be sure and forward or transfer those memberships whenever appropriate, such as in the case of a church closing.

If you have questions or concerns, contact Nebraska Conference Historical Center Director Terri Raburn at traburn@umcneb.org or Director of Connectional Ministries/Staff Leader the Rev. Dr. Carol Roettmer Brewer at crbrewer@umcneb.org.

Dr. Marcia McFee

Don't miss the Marcia McFee workshop at Lincoln Trinity UMC—April 16-17

Dr. Marcia McFee—author, professor, preacher, artist and worship designer and leader—will be presenting a workshop on creating dynamic worship for all churches at Lincoln Trinity United Methodist Church, 7130 Kentwell Lane, on April 16 and 17.

The evening of Friday, April 16, will feature worship and discussion with McFee from 7-9 p.m. Saturday's events will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m.; there will be four sessions throughout the day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Among the session topics are "Creating Worship with Deep Soul" and "The Rhythms of Liturgy and Life." The workshop will conclude at 3:30 p.m. The complete schedule is attached below.

The cost for an individual to attend is $45; for teams of three or more the cost is $30. Lunch will be served. Register online or call Lincoln Trinity UMC at 402-435-2946. Registration is limited.

McFee will also be leading worship at Trinity UMC on Sunday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m., the general public is invited to attend.

After attending one of her workshops, you will never see worship in the same way again. McFee is committed to teaching the nuts and bolts of worship in an interactive, fun and inspiring way that enables anyone to return home and create a spirit-filled encounter with God for their church service. (View a short video clip of her teaching one of her workshops, linked below.) She has provided worship design and leadership at numerous national and regional gatherings, and also specializes in designing and leading conference worship. Most recently, she designed and led 22 worship services over a 10-day period for the international quadrennial General Conference of The United Methodist Church. To learn more about her, visit her Web site, linked below.

• Online registration
• Workshop schedule
• Marcia McFee's Web site
• Video clip—Creating Worship with Deep Soul

Great West District offering Basic Lay Speaking Course at Bushnell Calvary UMC on April 9-10

The Great West District is offering a Basic Lay Speaking Ministries Course the evening of Friday, April 9 (6:00-9:30 p.m.) and all day Saturday, April 10 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), at Bushnell Calvary UMC, 206 3rd St., in Bushnell, Neb.

Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course is the required orientation book that focuses on the three primary aspects of lay speaking ministry: leading, caring and communicating. It is designed for lay speakers and those who plan to serve in Lay Speaking Ministries, but it can be used in any church to equip laity for ministry. Persons of any denomination may attend this training; however, you must be a member of a United Methodist Church to be consecrated as a lay speaker.

The course will be led by the Rev. Roger Gillming and Schatzie Gillming, CLS. The cost of $30 covers materials and lunch on Saturday. Please fill out and submit the attached registration form, along with a check made payable to Great West District, to Lay Speaker Training, c/o Great West District office, P.O. Box, 56, Ogallala, NE 69153. The registration deadline is April 2; the class is limited to the first 10 registrations.

Scholarship funds may be available; please check with your local church.

• Basic course registration

Elkhorn Valley offering Basic and Advanced Lay Speaking Courses in April

The Elkhorn Valley District is offering a Basic Lay Speaking Course on the evening of Friday, April 16 (6:30-9:30 p.m.), and all day Saturday, April 17 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), at Plainview United Methodist Church, 103 W. Woodland Ave., in Plainview, Neb.

This course is for all individuals who serve in The United Methodist Church with compassion, commitment and skill, and who are wishing to enhance their leadership ability. The cost to participate is $20 per person, which covers course materials and lunch on Saturday. Please fill out and submit the attached registration form, along with a check made payable to Elkhorn Valley District, to Elkhorn Valley District office, P.O. Box 1283, Norfolk, NE 68702-1283. The registration deadline is April 2. The materials will be mailed to you, it is requested that you read them prior to the course.

An Advanced Lay Speaking Course on stewardship will be held on the evening of Friday, April 30 (6:30-9:30 p.m.), and all day Saturday, May 1(8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), at Osmond UMC, 601 N. State St., in Osmond, Neb.

This course is for people who have completed the Basic Lay Speaking course and wish to continue their education; it is designed to assist you in developing a holistic understanding of stewardship. Course instructors will be the Rev. Carol Jean Stapleton and Judy Carlson, CLS. The cost to participate is $35 per person, which covers course materials and a light lunch on Saturday. Please fill out and submit the attached registration form, along with a check made payable to Elkhorn Valley District, to Elkhorn Valley District office, P.O. Box 1283, Norfolk, NE 68702-1283. The registration deadline is April 16. The materials will be mailed to you, it is requested that you read them prior to the course.

Be sure to check with your church, as you may be eligible for a scholarship to attend one of these courses.

• Basic course registration
• Advanced course registration

Great West District offering Advanced Lay Speaking Course at North Platte First UMC on April 23-24

The Great West District will offer an Advanced Lay Speaking Course titled "Lay speakers discover spiritual gifts," on Friday evening, April 23 (6:30-9 p.m.), and all day Saturday, April 24 (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.), at North Platte First UMC, 1600 West E St., in North Platte, Neb.

This course will focus on acquiring a better understanding of the church and its ministry needs; learning what it means to be a minister; doing the work of Christ in the church and in the world; and being more fully equipped to lead others in exploring and using their spiritual gifts. The course leaders are the Rev. Bonnie McCord and Ardeen McCord, CLS. The cost to participate is $35, which covers course materials and lunch and snacks on Saturday. Please fill out and submit the attached registration form, along with a check made payable to Great West District, to Lay Speaker Training, c/o Great West District office, P.O. Box, 56, Ogallala, NE 69153. The registration deadline is April 16; the class is limited to the first 12 registrations.

Scholarship funds may be available; please check with your local church.

• Advanced course registration

Gateway District offering Basic and Advanced Lay Speaking courses at Arapahoe UMC, April 30-May 1

The Arapahoe UMC will host both a Basic Lay Speaking course and an Advanced Lay Speaking course on April 30 and May 1.

The Basic Course is the foundation for other texts in the Learning and Leading series for lay speakers. In this new course individuals are encouraged to recognize and employ personal spiritual gifts for the church in order to use them as God fully intended. It offers guidelines for best practices as a church leader and outlines a number of ministries in which lay speakers may assume roles. The course leaders will be the Rev. Michael Flury and Michelle Carlson, CLS. This course is $30, which includes textbooks and meals, and will be held the evening of Friday, April 30, and all day Saturday, May 1, at Arapahoe UMC, 701 5th St., in Arapahoe, Neb. Please fill out and submit the April registration form (attached below) by April 20.

The Advanced course "Go Preach!" is designed for lay leaders, pastors and student pastors who have not completed formal preaching training, for people seeking further development of their witnessing and speaking skills and for anyone who has been or will be called upon to preach in a pastor's absence. Course leaders will be the Rev. Sherry Sklenar and Kathy Pierce, CLS. This course is $30, which includes textbooks and meals, and will be held the evening of Friday, April 30, and all day Saturday, May 1, at Arapahoe UMC, in Arapahoe, Neb. Please fill out and submit the April registration form (attached below) by April 20.

Be sure to check with your church, as you may be eligible for a scholarship to attend one of these courses.

• Basic course registration
• Advanced course registration

Omaha First UMC hosting Stations of the Cross: A migrant's journey, beginning March 18

Join us as we explore "the migrant's journey" through the skilled lens of photographer Michael Hyatt in the reflective space of Mead Chapel at First United Methodist Church in Omaha, 7020 Cass St.

The dates and times are:
Thursday, March 18, 5-6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 21, 12-7 p.m.
Thursday, March 25, 5-6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 28, 12-6:30 p.m.

There will be an Interfaith Worker Justice Vigil on March 21, at 6 p.m. For more information, visit Omaha First UMC's Web site, www.fumcomaha.org.

Alvo UMC to host Country Music Show on March 20

Alvo United Methodist Church is hosting a Country Music Show on March 20, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alvo UMC is located at 2nd and Harrison, in Alvo, Neb. The show will feature local performers, including the Rev. Murry Johnston. There is no admission fee, a free will offering will be taken and non-perishable items for the Eagle Alvo Food Bank will be collected. Lunch will be served, all proceeds will go to support church programs. Come out for a day full of music, fellowship and food. See the attached flyer for further details, or contact Karen Lamb at klamb45@hotmail.com.

Palmyra UMC co-hosting benefit supper and concert for couple with cancer, on March 28

Neither Jeremy nor Michelle Bruce, parents of four young children, can work while they both struggle with cancer and the effects of treatment. They need our help. Please join us for a supper and concert in their honor, on Saturday, March 28, from 4-7 p.m., at the Bennet Community Church, 350 Monroe, in Bennet, Neb. The Palmyra UMC and Bennet Community Church are co-hosting this event. For more information, view the attached flyer.

Donations can also be sent to Bruce Family Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, 3901 Old Cheney Road, Lincoln, NE 68501.

• Benefit flyer

Camp Fontanelle holding Easter Family Fun day on March 28

Camp Fontanelle, located near Nickerson, Neb., is hosting a fun-filled family day in celebration of Easter, on Sunday, March 28, from 2-6 p.m.

All activities are free and include:
—Egg dyeing: Bring your own boiled eggs or we can boil them for you. Also bring your favorite egg decorations; dye and crayons will be provided.
—Tree climbing for eggs: Climb 40 feet off of the ground to hunt for eggs, from 2-5 p.m., weather permitting. Climbs are limited, so sign up upon arrival. All minors will need to have a tree climbing waiver form signed prior to climbing. Forms can be downloaded at Camp Fontanelle's Web site, www.campfontanelle.com, and be signed by parents prior to arrival. Forms will also be available to sign the day of the event, but parents/guardians must be present.
—Laser tag: For older kids and adults, from 4-6 p.m., in groups of 15 to 30, weather/mud permitting.
—Egg hunts will be by age, with children 4 and under starting at 2:30 p.m.

For further information on the day's events, view the attached schedule; for driving directions to Camp Fontanelle, visit the camp's Web site, www.campfontanelle.com, or call 402-478-4296 or 402-459-0686.

• Easter Family Fun schedule

Gateway District sponsoring Youth Outreach Lock-in at Camp Comeca on April 1—register by March 26

The Gateway District is sponsoring a Youth Outreach Lock-In at Camp Comeca, from 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, until 10 a.m. on Friday, April 2. This event is for youth in grades 7-12. Registration begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Wilson Center. There will be swimming, speakers and a variety of fun activities; the United Campus Ministry praise band will also perform.

The cost is $20 per youth. Breakfast and snacks will be served. The registration form is attached; please fill it out and send, along with $20 per youth who will be attending, to the Gateway District office, P.O. Box 995, Kearney, NE 68848. The deadline to register is Friday, March 26. Also attached below is a health waiver that will need to be filled out and turned in when you sign in on April 1; please do not forget to bring it, it is required in order to attend. Come join in the fun and fellowship!

• Registration form
• Lock-in schedule
• Health waiver

Lincoln Grace UMC to hold live dramatization of da Vinci's "The Last Supper" on April 1

Grace United Methodist Church in Lincoln will present a living dramatization of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" on Thursday, April 1, at 7 p.m. Grace UMC is located at 27th and R Streets, in Lincoln. View the attached flyer for further details, or contact Ricki Barber at 309-531-7507.

• "The Last Supper" flyer

Pastor Jeri Soens (right) of Hemingford UMC works with Epworth Village Learning Center teacher Kathy Highstreet. Soens travels around the Conference doing "Rethink Children's Ministries" workshops, featuring her many puppets.

Rethink Church workshop for Children and Young People's Ministries at Mullen UMC on April 10

Mullen United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Rethink Children's Ministries workshop on Saturday, March 13, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (MT). This will be a day of discovering how to do children's ministries outside of the Sunday school room.

This fun, interactive and constructive workshop will be led by Pastor Jeri Soens of Hemingford UMC.

Registration is $20 per person or $30 for unlimited attendees from the same church. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 5, but early registration is encouraged and happily accepted. The registration form is attached; please fill it out and send along with a check made payable to Conference Treasurer to:

Great West District office
Attn: Puppet Workshop
P.O. Box 56
Ogallala, NE 69153

If you have any questions, please contact Christy Baltzell at 308-284-8922 or e-mail cbaltzell@umcneb.org.

• Flyer/registration form

Nebraska United Methodist Men invited to road trip to Kansas for rally on April 10

United Methodist Men (UMM) of Nebraska, you are invited to go on a road trip to McPherson, Kan., on Saturday, April 10, to attend the 2010 Spiritual Rally. You'll make new friends and hear Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones and the new General Secretary of UMM Gilbert Hanke speak. There will also be various workshops, musical entertainment and a communion service. The registration fee is $20; after April 2 it is $25. Connect with two men who are going: Dave Mendyk of West Point at 402-372-2149 and Don Russell of Sutton at 402-773-4596. See the attached flyer for more information. This will be a fun and meaningful trip!

• UMM Spiritual Rally flyer

Wolbach UMC to host jamboree and chicken noodle supper on April 11

The Wolbach United Methodist Church will hold a Spring Fling Music Jamboree, featuring local area talent, on Sunday, April 11, from 3-5 p.m. A chicken noodle supper will follow;a free will offering will be taken. Wolbach UMC is located at 604 Drummond Ave., in Wolbach, Neb.

For more information, contact Pastor Martin Leeper at umcpalmer@frontier.com.

Is your marriage all you want it to be? Attend Marriage Encounter Weekend, April 16-18

Attending a Marriage Encounter Weekend is an opportunity to begin the journey to that marriage you've always dreamed of. The next scheduled weekend is April 16-18, 2010, in South Sioux City. For more information or to register, contact Russell and Lanita Evans, Nebraska registration couple, at 308-520-1491 or e-mail russellevans@internet-usa.net. The registration deadline is April 1. More information can also be found at www.encounter.org.

Save the date—spring Parsonage Connection retreat, April 23-24

The Parsonage Connection retreat is for men and women who are married to United Methodist clergy serving in any capacity, e.g., currently active, on leave or retired. Mark your calendars and plan on attending. We all experience grief throughout our lives, this year's presentation will be about how to help us heal by understanding the grief journey. Come for fellowship, fun, food and friendship.

Theme: Understanding The Grief Journey
Presenter: Jacque Amweg, LCSW bereavement coordinator
When: April 23-24
Where: Camp Comeca, located near Cozad, Neb.
Time: Registration starts Friday, April 23, at 5 p.m.; dismissal is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 24
Cost: $75 for a private room, $60 for two to a room, and $50 for three to four to a room. Commuter rates are also available.

It asked that participants pre-register by April 12; however, additional registrations will be accepted the week leading up to the event.

For more information, or to pre-register, contact any one of the following persons:
—Pat Andersen at 402-352-3400 or fa53230@msn.com
—Pat Joy at 402-772-2419 or dpjoy@windstream.net
—Mary Ellen Kilmer at 308-668-9423 or maryellen4k@yahoo.com

Invitation to attend "I Am Willing" prayer retreat in Hordville, Neb., on April 23-24

The "I Am Willing" prayer retreat will start on Friday, April 23, at 7 p.m., and end on Saturday, April 24, at 7 p.m. The retreat will take place at Covenant Cedars Bible Camp, in Hordville, Neb.

The retreat will be led by Tom and Karen Cobb of Life Unlimited Ministries. Their mission is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ, teaching people how to apply the principles of the abundant life, found in the Word of God, to day-to-day life. The Cobbs are from Merriman, Neb., and have been in ministry for over 30 years.

The cost to attend is $50, which covers Friday night's lodgings and three meals on Saturday. To register, contact Jeanie Leeper at 308-894-5275 or e-mail leeps4christ@cablene.com. The registration deadline is April 16.

Driving directions to Covenant Cedars Bible Camp: From Grand Island, travel on Hwy 30 to Central City. South 3 miles to Hwy 66. East 6 miles to Hordville. North 3 miles. Note: Last two miles are gravel.

• "I Am Willing" flyer

Clinic with a Heart holding fifth annual Rx For Hope fundraiser in Lincoln on April 30

Clinic with a Heart is celebrating its seventh year of providing critical health care support to the community with its annual Rx For Hope Fundraiser, on April 30, at the Nebraska Alumni Champions Club, in Lincoln. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and will include silent and live auctions as well as a program and entertainment.

The event is designed to raise awareness of the Clinic's mission, which is to serve the uninsured and underinsured with free health care, and with dignity and grace. The silent and live auctions will feature items from the Husker athletic program, a golf outing to Dismal River Club, gift certificates to area restaurants, a golf bag autographed by former Nebraska star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and much more.

Organizations are invited to partner with the Clinic as a sponsor of the fundraiser as well as opportunities to support the Clinic's efforts year-round. For more information regarding the Rx for Hope Fundraiser, view the attached flyer/invitation. For more information on volunteer opportunities with Clinic with a Heart, visit their Web site, linked below.

• Rx For Hope flyer
• Clinic With a Heart Web site

Celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday on April 18

Without help from Native American Ministries Sunday, Ray deZafra never would have found his way to the Third Sunday Native American Fellowship. For the first time in his life, the Potawatomi Indian feels that he belongs, not just to a tribe, but also to a community of Christians. The offering on this Special Sunday educates Native American seminarians, plants Native American churches and cultivates Native American outreach to seekers like Ray.

Call 888-346-3862 today to order envelopes and other resources so your congregation can participate in this churchwide offering. They will be sent at no cost to your church! Find more at www.umcgiving.org/specialsundays.

Save the dates—Camp Fontanelle holding work days on April 24 and May 15

Camp Fontanelle will hold a work day on Saturday, April 24, from 9 a.m- 4 p.m., to help prepare the camp for summer campers. Bring your work gloves, chainsaws, pole saws, cleaning supplies/gloves, and handy man tools. Lunch will be served at noon.

There will be a second work day on Saturday, May 15, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Families, youth groups, UM Men, UM Women, and individuals needed. Partial listing of jobs includes cleaning A-frames and the bath houses, spring cleaning in the kitchen and lodges, wood chipping, wood sawing, wood splitting, trail maintenance, tree trimming, mowing, weed whacking, a phone-a-thon and lots of handy man jobs. Bring your cell phone, saws, tools and cleaning supplies.

Camp Fontanelle is located at 9677 County Road 3, in Fontanelle, Neb. Call Trent Meyer at 402-459-0686 for further details.

Oklahoma Area hosting "Sisterhood of the Travelin' Shoes," a retreat for women in ministry, April 12-13

All women in ministry across the South Central Jurisdiction are invited to gather in Oklahoma City on April 12-13 to celebrate the "Sisterhood of the Travelin' Shoes." Bishop Judith Craig will be our guide as we kick off our shoes, relax, worship, eat and share together the joys of ministry. The event itself is basically 24 hours, from 1 p.m. on Monday, April 12, until 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, but you are invited to come early or stay late for some personal Sabbath time after Holy Week.

St. Luke's UMC in downtown Oklahoma City will be the site of the conference's activities. The Courtyard Marriot in Bricktown is the retreat hotel and is offering the special rate of $109 per night for up to four people in a room. The hotel's phone number is 405-232-2290. Reservations must be made by March 29 (code: Women in Ministry).

Registration for the retreat is just $50, which can be sent to the Rev. Jeannie Himes at 208 S. Douglas Blvd., Midwest City, OK 73130-4208. For more information, e-mail revjeankc@aol.com.

Deacons, elders, retirees, lay pastors, students, deaconesses, diaconals and lay missioners are all invited. Students may register for $25; other partial scholarships are available. This retreat is sponsored by the Women's Leadership Team of the South Central Jurisdiction and hosted and coordinated by the women of the Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Mission Conferences. For more information, view the attached flyer/registration form.

• Flyer/registration form

Seminary scholarship applications to be accepted beginning April 1

Beginning April 1, the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation will accept application materials for the nine seminary scholarships it administers for students planning to pursue careers in the ministry within Nebraska. These scholarships are as follows:

—The Alva Clark Seminary Scholarship
—The Cowles United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship
—The Alice Kruse Ministerial Scholarship
—The Alice Kruse Seminary Scholarship
—The Baldwin F. and Amy L. Kruse Scholarship
—The Verl and Sylvia Miller Memorial Scholarship
—The Albert R. Murdoch Ministerial Scholarship
—The Andrew and Nevabelle Howe Scholarship
—The Scahill Family Scholarship

The deadline for application submissions is June 30, except for the Baldwin F. and Amy L. Kruse Scholarship, which is May 31.

For more information and printable application materials, please visit the Foundation's Web site, linked below.

• Nebraska United Methodist Foundation's Web site

Urgent action needed to protect prenatal care for low-income women and their unborn babies

The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state that "Health is a condition of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being, and we view it as a responsibility—public and private. Health care is a basic human right." Yet thousands of expectant moms in Nebraska are at risk of losing access to prenatal care.

Voices for Children in Nebraska, which is endorsed by our Risk-taking Mission and Justice Team, urges people to contact members of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee. Our legislators need to know that Nebraskans care about the health of all babies born in our state. Prenatal care for expectant moms has been shown to save babies lives and save the state money.

To find out more about this important issue and learn how to contact the Health and Human Services Committee members, click on the link below. At this link, you may also join the advoKID Network to receive weekly updates about current legislature impacting the lives of children.

If you choose to take action, please inform Risk-taking Mission and Justice Ministries at rtmj.umc.nebraska@gmail.com.com so we can record these advocacy efforts within our Conference.

• Voices for Children Web site

Lincoln Grace UMC seeking organist/pianist

Grace United Methodist Church in Lincoln is in need of someone to fill the full-time position of organist/pianist, effective April 5. This person would need to be available for the 10:00 Sunday morning worship service and also for 7:30 p.m. rehearsals every Wednesday. Salary to be discussed at time of interview. If interested, call the church office at 402-435-1606 (leave message) or e-mail graceumclincoln@yahoo.com to set up an interview.

General Board of Discipleship to host train-the-trainer event for "Created by God"

Registration is now open for a "Created by God" train-the-trainer event on Friday and Saturday, April 30 and May 1, 2010. It will be in Montgomery, Ala., at Aldersgate UMC. The cost is $55.

Additional information can be found on the attachment. For more information, contact Mary Alice Gran at 877-899-2780, ext. 7143 or e-mail mgran@gbod.org.

• "Created by God" flyer

The GBOD's Dean McIntyre discusses praise team configurations in contemporary worship today

The General Board of Discipleship's Director of Worship Resources Dean McIntyre reposts and gives his thoughts on an article from Don Chapman of www.WorshipIdeas.com, who described what he sees as the four main praise team configurations in contemporary worship today. Follow the link below to see what McIntyre had to say.

• GBOD Worship Web site

Save the date—Spirituality and Medicine Conference 2010 to be held at The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha on May 12

The 2010 Spirituality and Medicine Conference will be held at The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha on Wednesday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to noon.

The featured guest speaker will be Farr Curlin, M.D., a hospice and palliative care physician, researcher and medical ethicist at the University of Chicago. He will be sharing research on how physicians and other caregivers integrate their own faith or secular values into their care for patients.

More than 150 people participated in last year's Spirituality and Medicine Conference with Dr. Keith Meador from Duke University. Join us as we welcome Dr. Farr Curlin and explore the human connections, spiritual dimensions and conversations in this intersection of religion and the practice of medicine.

For more information, view the attached registration form. The pre-registration deadline is Friday, April 30.

• Flyer/registration form

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