This newsletter was sent on: 7/30/2008

The Communique
News of the Kansas East Conference

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Contact us:
office@kansaseast.org
or 877-972-9111

Kansas East Conference
4201 SW 15th Street
Topeka KS 66604

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.


Communications Staff

Lisa Elliott Diehl
Area Director

Susan Cooper
Associate Director
Beverly Fanestil
Secretary
Britt Bradley
Electronic Media Specialist

Area Communications Office, 9440 E Boston, Suite 110, Wichita KS 67207
866-915-3638 or 316-684-3638; Fax: 316-684-0044