News

United Methodists in Nebraska and Iowa collect nearly 17,000 health kits for Haiti relief efforts (2-12-10)

In the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, the Nebraska United Methodist Conference encouraged its members to collect health kits as a tangible way to help the victims of the natural disaster.

The health kit drive kicked off on Jan. 18, and ended on Feb. 8; over the three-week period, over 12,000 kits were dropped off at nine designated locations across the state. The Nebraska Conference also coordinated with the Iowa Conference to pick up any kits that remained from their own statewide collection, that hadn't already been sent on a truck or mailed directly. Their final tally was approximately 4,300 kits, bringing the total number to just under 17,000.

"I want to express my profound gratefulness and my amazement at what has been accomplished," said the Rev. Lyle Schoen, the Nebraska Conference secretary for the General Board of Global Ministries, who was responsible for coordinating the drive. "I want to pass along my thanks to everyone, and to stress the importance of each and every kit."

James Taylor, on behalf of Soucie Trucking in Cambridge, Neb., volunteered to pick up the health kits at each location. The company donated the truck and fuel, and Taylor volunteered his time and labor, the third time he has done so; he made two trips with relief donations from Nebraska after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2006.

Taylor started out in Cambridge on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 9, and made his last of 10 stops in Des Moines on the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 10, before heading to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Depot in Baldwin, La., where he arrived on the morning of Friday, Feb. 12. The kits will ultimately be sent to Haiti; no shipments have been made from the Depot to the country yet, UMCOR is awaiting improved transportation and a good distribution arrangement. Shipments may begin as early as March.

The health kits, valued at about $12 each, contain everything from towels and washcloths to sterile bandages and bar soap. UMCOR Supply Kits help to care for the most vulnerable people during times of crisis. They also help to sustain everyday life by providing basic necessities to people who lack ready access to essential supplies. In addition to the health kits, the other urgent need in Haiti is for layette kits, which provide basic supplies for an infant's needs. The layette kit is valued at $35 per kit; its contents include cloth diapers, receiving blankets and gowns or sleepers. For a complete list, visit UMCOR's Web site, www.umcor.org.

The Sager Brown Depot is the headquarters for UMCOR's relief supply operations. Approximately $4 million in supplies are shipped each year from the Baldwin, La., campus to disaster locations around the globe. More than 2,000 volunteers visit Sager Brown each year to help make these shipments happen. As it would happen, there was a team of seven United Methodists from Elmwood, Neb., there to meet and help unload the semitrailer.

Schoen also noted that, while Methodists led the effort, donations came from churches of many denominations and from individuals, making it a truly ecumenical and communitywide effort.

"It's so worthwhile to do this kind of work when the response across the state is so wonderful," he said.

The Nebraska United Methodist Conference will also collect kits in June during its Annual Conference Session in Lincoln. A large truck will be parked for the duration of the conference to collect UMCOR kits of all kinds. Contact Schoen at 308-874-4557 or lschoen@umcneb.org for more information.

United Methodists call upon Nebraskans to create health kits for Haiti earthquake relief effort (1-20-10)

The Nebraska United Methodist Conference is calling on everyone in Nebraska looking for a tangible way to contribute to the Haiti Earthquake relief efforts to consider putting together health kits.

The health kits will then be sent to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) distribution centers and disbursed to Haiti. The Nebraska Conference Haiti Relief Health Kit Drive will run through Monday, Feb. 8. Soucie Trucking of Cambridge, Neb., has volunteered to pick up the health kits from Nebraska's six United Methodist districts. Final pick-up locations are still being determined. In the meantime health kits can be assembled locally and prepared for delivery to the pick-up locations.

Soucie Trucking driver James Taylor said to the Rev. Lyle Schoen, director of the health kit drive, "I've been wondering how long it would be before you'd call." Taylor, on behalf of Soucie Trucking, has helped out on two previous emergency occasions to deliver flood buckets and other kits to distribution points for hurricane relief.

UMCOR Sager Brown, which coordinates the kits ministry, is asking United Methodists to provide health kits that can be sent to earthquake-devastated Haiti.


"For people who are feeling powerless in being able to help those in Haiti, providing health kits is a tangible way they can make an immediate difference," said Kathy Kraiza, director of UMCOR Sager Brown. She estimates that hundreds of thousands of kits will be needed in the days and months ahead.

The kits, valued at about $12 per kit, contain everything from towels and washcloths to sterile bandages and bar soap. They will be distributed to those who have been forced to leave their homes as a result of the recent disaster.

For individuals or groups that want to contribute basic necessities, UMCOR requests that the following NEW items be placed in a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.

- 1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27". No kitchen towels.

- 1 washcloth

- 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)

- 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)

- 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)

- 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)

- 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

- $1.00 to purchase toothpaste

(NOTE: Toothpaste is purchased in bulk to be added to health kits to ensure that the product does not expire before they are sent.)

Because the emergency kits are intentionally designed to make them usable in the greatest number of situations and strict rules govern product entry into international countries, UMCOR requires that the kits contain only the requested items -- nothing more.

An additional $1.00 per kit is a suggested donation to assist in shipping costs. The money can be in one check for any number of kits being sent. Made payable to Conference Treasurer, the checks should indicate amounts for each need: toothpaste and shipping. Each packed box cannot exceed 66 pounds.

Questions regarding the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Health Kit Drive should be directed to the Rev. Lyle Schoen, conference secretary for Global Ministries, who will soon be announcing the pick-up locations. He can be reached at 308-784-2887 or lschoen@umcneb.org.

Nebraska United Methodist Conference announces leadership and support staff changes (12-8-09)

Lincoln, Neb.—After two years as the director of connectional ministries, and many nights and weekends walking around Zorinsky Lake in his Omaha neighborhood discerning his future, the Rev. Chad Anglemyer announced his desire to return to serve a local church. On Friday, Nebraska United Methodist Conference Personnel Committee Chair Charlene Adden announced that the Rev. Dr. Carol Roettmer Brewer will be assuming the position of director of connectional ministries/staff leader beginning Feb. 1, 2010; Anglemyer will then be appointed to a local church.

"During my time with the Conference I grew and stretched in new ways and those experiences taught me a great deal. Through prayer and reflection I realized my ministry is best expressed in the local church," said Anglemyer.

"Chad Anglemyer has brought many gifts to the Nebraska Conference as director of connectional ministries. His preaching, worship leadership and thoughtful teaching, as well as his gracious relational skills, bless every ministry to which he is assigned," said Bishop Ann B. Sherer-Simpson.

Roettmer Brewer is currently serving as district superintendent for the Elkhorn Valley District with offices in Norfolk, Neb., where she has served since 2005. The Rev. Nan Kaye-Skinner has been named as the new Elkhorn Valley District superintendent and will also begin her duties on Feb. 1. Kaye-Skinner currently serves Trinity UMC in Ralston, Neb.

Roettmer Brewer said, "I am thankful for the laity and pastors of the Elkhorn Valley District as I have served with them as their district superintendent. I look forward to the new challenges and relationships in this new appointment."

Bishop Sherer-Simpson added, "We welcome Carol Roettmer Brewer. Her 37 years of experience in the Nebraska Conference and her 10 years as a District Superintendent will serve this conference well as she staffs the Nebraska-Kansas Episcopal Area Conversations and leads our conference in supporting the local church mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

"Rev. Nan Kaye-Skinner brings much knowledge about ministry, clergy and laity of the Nebraska Conference to the cabinet. We welcome her," Bishop Sherer-Simpson continued.

In other announcements, the Rev. Jesse Foster, Lincoln, Neb., has been named as the new Christian leadership development director and will begin his duties on Jan. 1. Foster is filling a newly created position intended to help the Nebraska Conference focus on leadership development for Nebraska United Methodist clergy and lay persons and is part of a Conference restructuring effort that began nearly four years ago.

"Rev. Jesse Foster is just the person we have been hoping to find to enable the leadership development focus of the Nebraska Conference. All his skills and experience converge as he begins this ministry," noted Bishop Sherer-Simpson.

Barb Grenemeier, long-time office manager and assistant to the director of administrative services/conference treasurer, will retire Feb. 1.

"We appreciate the leadership that Barb Grenemeier has offered us and we rejoice for her that she can now join her husband in retirement," said Sherer-Simpson in gratitude.

Trisha Johnson, formerly Trisha Randolph and a former Nebraska United Methodist Conference employee, has been hired to fill the recently vacated position of communications coordinator.

As the new staff members were announced, Bishop Sherer-Simpson stated, "These leaders are an asset to the Nebraska United Methodist Conference."

Rev. Dr. Jesse Foster

Rev. Dr. Jesse Foster to be Nebraska United Methodist Conference's director of Christian leadership development (12-2-09)

Lincoln, Neb.—The Rev. Jesse Foster II, Ph.D., will join the Nebraska United Methodist Conference as its new Christian leadership development director. He begins Jan. 1, 2010.

Foster comes to the Nebraska Conference from Newman United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Neb., where he has served as senior pastor since 2006.

"Jesse will work closely with the cabinet and other members of the conference staff to facilitate the development of effective clergy and lay leaders for local churches," said the Rev. Chad Anglemyer, director of connectional ministries.
Foster received a bachelor's degree in English and psychology, a master's degree in secondary education and psychology and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Alabama University. He earned his master's in divinity from Virginia Union School of Theology in Richmond, Va.
Foster's previous roles include associate professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Teachers College; youth learning academy chair and senior executive coach for Talent Plus Inc. in Lincoln; instructional technology instructor for Stillman College in and associate minister and director of Christian education position at Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and high school English teacher and athletics coach at two Alabama high schools.

"Jesse will bring a wealth of educational background and experience in leadership development," Anglemyer said. "He is especially interested in working with youth and young adults, seeing them as both present and future leaders."

Foster's office will be in the newly relocated Nebraska United Methodist Conference Center at 3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, NE, 68504.

Offering to support Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership Orphanage set for Mother's Day (4-29-09)

Lincoln, Neb. -- A special offering will be taken on Mother's Day, May 10, in United Methodist churches across the state of Nebraska. The offering will support the Nebraska United Methodist Conference's initiative to enhance the support of the orphanage built in Jalingo, Nigeria, in partnership with the United Methodist Church of Nigeria.

Currently, 48 students benefit from the generosity of the Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership. It takes about $2,000 annually to support one student's living and educational expenses.
Chair of the Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership Dorothy Halvorsen said, "The cost to run the orphanage is about $100,000 per year. This includes the salaries for staff, food for the children and upkeep of the buildings and grounds." Halvorsen continued, "The Nebraska United Methodist Conference is the primary source of funds for the orphanage at this time."

The Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership was created in 1999 in response to the United Methodist Council of Bishop's initiative called "Hope for the Children of Africa." In March of 2000, a task force went to Nigeria under the direction of Bishop Joel Martinez because of his relationship with then Nigerian Bishop Debale. A significant need for an orphanage was recognized due to the high mortality rate of young parents.

Halvorsen said, "Nebraska along with three other conferences has a relationship with Nigeria." Halvorsen went on to say, "It was decided that our emphasis would be to help children who had lost their parents and were living with extended families. It is difficult for families to earn enough to feed their own children and when orphans are added it becomes almost impossible."

Construction for the orphanage began in 2002, and the facility was built over a three-year period. In the fall of 2005, the orphanage opened as host to 28 students. In August of 2007, the orphanage was dedicated. Later that fall, 20 more orphans were added to make the current total orphanage student enrollment 48.

"A special offering will be held on Mother's Day for these children who have no mothers," Halvorsen said. "Please give generously to ensure bright futures for these orphans."

Nebraska United Methodist Conference announces new director at Camp Comeca (4-9-09)

Lincoln, Neb.—The Nebraska United Methodist Conference announces the hiring of Aaron Stanley as the new camp director of Camp Comeca United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center.

Camp Comeca board director Peg Lackore said, "Aaron brings with him an amazing understanding of the business side of the camp." Lackore continued, "He has already had a huge impact on the budget process as well as in other business areas that were lacking before he became camp director."

As camp director, Stanley 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.
"Aaron also brings a wealth of information that will help freshen and revitalize the programming at Camp Comeca," Lackore said. "He has a broad vision for the changes that can be made at the camp with the facilities we have."
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.