We are continuing to address the e-mail issues involving the
delivery of the Communique. If you know of people who should be
receiving the Communique but aren’t getting it, particularly people
who use earthlink.net e-mail service, tell them to check their
“spam” or “bulk” box for missing issues and to add the following
people and e-mail addresses to their contacts and/or approved
senders:
Lisa Elliott Diehl, ldiehl@kswestumc.org
Susan
Cooper, scooper@kswestumc.org
Britt
Bradley, bbradley@kswestumc.org
Beverly
Fanestil, bfanestil@kswestumc.org
If you ever feel that you have not received a copy of the
Communique, or you have deleted your copy in error, you can always
access an archive of all conference e-newsletters at www.kansaseast.org/newsletter_find.asp.
Susan Cooper
Associate director of Kansas Area Marketing and
Communications
News
“Bridges to the Future” update
The “Bridges
to the Future” capital campaign for the Kansas East Conference
continues to move forward with receptions with individuals, church
presentations and pledges. Bishop Scott Jones and campaign director
Laura Murphy are continuing to meet with individuals and hold
receptions while several of the churches that were not able to
receive a presentation or make a pledge prior to Annual Conference
are in the process of doing so now. As pledges continue to come in,
the campaign goal of $5.35 million is only $135,000 away from being
met! The endless support of prayers and pledges continue to be
instrumental in making this campaign a success!
How has your church decided to pay their pledge? A packet of
materials was sent to each church (attention to the pastor) earlier
this month outlining a variety of ideas as well as a DVD that
contains two videos that can be used to help publicize the “Bridges
to the Future” initiative. For help setting up some of these or
other ideas, contact Laura Murphy at 913-393-4201 or LMurphy@kansaseast.com.
Fund-raising resources and a list of fund-raising ideas are
available at www.kansaseast.org/page.asp?pkvalue=1033.
Tony Ikenberry updates
Missionary Tony
Ikenberry recently sent two newsletter updates about his ministry
and struggles in Bangladesh. He shares a poignant story about a
local 15-year-old girl in the first update.
Read his most recent messages at http://kesite.brickriver.com/page.asp?PKValue=416#ikenberry
or go to the e-newsletter archives at www.kansaseast.org/newsletter_find.asp
and search for “Tony Ikenberry’s Bangladesh Newsletter.”
Project Transformation
Katie Trinter, program
director for Project Transformation - Kansas City, recently
wrote:
As we approach the end of our second summer serving in
Kansas City, I feel so grateful for all God has done through Project
Transformation. I have watched our 12 interns grow as leaders as
they spend long days always giving their best to the kids even when
they feel exhausted, countless reading volunteers taking time out of
their schedule to provide one-on-one attention, and so many others
play a role in transforming our city.
I love seeing the
children's excitement when they discover places they've never been
through field trips to places like the Children Peace Pavilion, the
Puppetry Arts Institute or the Lakeside Nature Center. Last week, at
St. Luke's UMC, I watched the Project Transformation kids join with
the Vacation Bible School to learn more about God's word through a
Beach Party that was provided through so many loving volunteers. And
perhaps best of all, was the packed worship service the college
interns led at University UMC this Sunday, where the children and
their families were invited to come worship with the church. The
interns provided a wonderful sermon, liturgy, children's message and
music that welcomed the community into the church with open, loving
arms.
Watch the latest Project Transformation - Kansas City's Weekly
Update at www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2RNPM2CG9I.
To find out how to support Project Transformation, visit http://wesleyku.org/justice/projecttransformation/
partner_churches/partner_church_sign_up.
To learn more about Project Transformation, go to www.projecttransformation.org/index.cfm.
When folks resist change in the church
In
Gordon MacDonald's most recent book, "Who Stole My Church?: What to
Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century," he
uses a semi-fictional approach to show that many older folks don’t
feel comfortable when their congregations start adding praise bands
and PowerPoint presentations. He also illustrates how positive
change can happen in a church.
Read a question-and-answer session with McDonald at www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=3761.
Faith leaders call for end to U.S. ‘poverty
train’
Faith leaders say it is time to stop the "poverty
train" in the United States and rescue its 37 million citizens
living below the poverty line.
"Poverty leads to violence," Rev.
Kip Banks, director of Progressive National Baptist Convention
said.
Find out more at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=1723955&ct=5666977.
Saint Paul School of Theology events,
lectures
Stay informed of special events and lecture
series at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City by
subscribing to their e-newsletter at www.spst.edu/site/enews_signup.php.
The latest issue includes information about the 50th Opening
Convocation Sept. 2. Dr. Myron F. McCoy will be preaching.
To find out about other events, visit their online calendar at www.spst.edu/site/calendar_list.php?list_search=1.
Classified ads online
New classifieds have
been posted on the conference website:
- 2002 Chevy 15 passenger van, private owner
- Hammond electric organ, private owner
See all the current classifieds in the News & Events section
at www.kansaseast.org/classifieds_find.asp.
Featured
events
Hispanic/Latino outreach workshop
A
Hispanic/Latino outreach workshop will be Sept. 6 at Southwestern
College in Winfield. Sponsored by Kansas West Conference Hispanic
Ministries, Southwestern College and the Institute for Discipleship,
the event will feature bilingual worship, tips for locating and
utilizing demographic statistics, a film and other useful
information. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Pamela Clark.
For more information and to download an event brochure, go to www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2384.
‘All God’s People’
“All God’s People,”
Oct. 13-15, provides an opportunity for clergy and lay leaders to
look closely at how culture, life transitions, demographics,
ministry settings and stages of human development interact to form
and influence faith.
Event participants, together with leaders from the Family, Life
Span & Latino Ministries Team, will explore how faith is formed
in people from birth through older adulthood and how we can be more
effective in nurturing faith for people at all ages.
Registration is limited to 120 participants. Get more information
and register at www.gbod.org/allgodspeople.
‘Children in Poverty’ seminar
A Children in
Poverty” seminar will be Oct. 25 at St. Paul’s UMC, 1356 N. Broadway
in Wichita.
Author Dr. Pamela Couture, Saint Paul School of Theology in
Kansas City, will be the featured speaker. Her latest book is “Child
Poverty: Love, Justice and Social Responsibility.”
Lunch will include a presentation and dialogue with a
representative from SRS and be followed by three workshops:
- After School Church - a program that is more than just
custodial care
- Community Health Program-meeting the health needs of those
living in your community
- Children in Crisis - helping children cope with the many
losses they face
The cost is $20 for the first person and $15 for any additional
registrations included in same envelope.
Get more information at http://kesite.brickriver.com/event_detail.asp?TableName=oEvent_Calendar_EUXQLB&PrimaryKey=
oEvent_Calendar_EUXQLB_ID&PKValue=2379
For more events, visit the conference calendar at www.kansaseast.org/calendar.asp.