This newsletter was sent on: 5/6/2009

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Kansas East Conference
4201 SW 15th Street
Topeka KS 66604

Communique 284 - May 6, 2009

From Rev. Ronald Williams:

Food banks are being stressed because of the economic conditions. If you have even one extra can of food, please bring it to the Kansas East Annual Conference “Food Shower.”

I’ve heard people say things like, "I am going to support the food bank close to home." Of course, do that! But, if you are going to Annual Conference anyway, the agencies are going to be there to pick up food. So please bring a few cans of food along for the “Food Shower.”

Contact me at ronaldj7@cox.net for more information.

News

Swine Flu, hygiene and Holy Communion resources
The high profile of the Swine Flu outbreak has provoked new concerns about contact with people in public settings. There are a number of people who already have concerns about communicable disease and Holy Communion.

United Methodist bishops are urging church members not to panic and to avoid stereotyping people or countries to prevent any backlash against immigrant populations.

The General Board of Discipleship has assembled resources on handling concerns about the spread of Swine Flu in worship services.

The list of resources is available at www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=7908.

Page correction for Annual Conference venue proposal
There is an error in the pre-conference workbook in Section D – Items for Action, page 10, which is part of the Venue Proposal. The online workbook has been corrected, and this single page is available for those who have already printed their workbooks. This page also will be available in the registration packet at Annual Conference.

Download the the corrected page.

Correction to ordination list
Janet (Jan) Justice should be added to the list of members who will be ordained this year during Annual Conference.

Join the Annual Conference Choir
You are invited to join the Annual Conference Choir, which will sing at the ordination service Friday evening, June 5, at 7 p.m. in Collins Center on the Baker University Campus.

This year’s choir director is Dr. John Buehler, and the accompanist is Dr. Susan Buehler. They have been active in the conference and will be retiring from their long-held positions as music professors at Baker University at the end of the spring semester.

The anthem will be “A Covenant Prayer” by Allen Pote. (Hope Publishing, # AP645). The choir will also sing a benediction response, # 902 in the UM Hymnal.

A rehearsal will be at 6 p.m. June 5 at Collins Center.

To join the choir or for more information, contact Sara Wentz at 785-841-7500 or sara@fumclawrence.org.

Torch Award nominations due May 10
Each year, the annual conference presents a special award called the Torch Award to a deserving adult who is in ministry to young people the United Methodist Church and one or more youth agencies such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire or 4-H. The person must be a member of a United Methodist church and have been serving an agency for a minimum of 10 years.

Download an application. Completed applications should be sent by May 10 to Garry Scott, 4140 S.E. Dyre Drive, Tecumseh, KS 66542-9738.

For more information, contact Scott at gscott@topeka.org.

UM youth invited to create logo YSF
A team of United Methodists working in an office in Nashville is looking to youth for some divine inspiration.

United Methodist students, grades 6-12, are invited to design a new logo for the Youth Service Fund administered by The United Methodist Division on Ministries with Young People. The contest is open from May 1 to July 31.

Find out more at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2429867&ct=6958215&tr=y&auid=4800903.

‘Transform, Rejoice, Experience & Know God’ with Society of St. Andrew’s VBS mission project
Each day during Vacation Bible School, students can be “sent” on a mission adventure with the Society of St. Andrew’s new VBS mission project, “TREK.” The adventures put them on the front line of learning the importance of eating healthy, sharing with others, and using their hands to help God’s hungry children.

“TREK Mission Adventure” is offered at no cost by the Society of St. Andrew and is designed to supplement VBS programs.

This year’s program features daily “Go Green” facts. Daily activity sheets for all ages also contain short scripturally based stories, facts about hunger and SoSA’s hunger-relief ministry, potato trivia and pencil activities.

To order a sample kit, go to www.endhunger.org/vbs.htm or call Rev. Moore at 800-333-4597.

Native American ministries update
Rev. Julienne Judd has an update on the exciting happenings and continued needs of Native American congregations within the bounds of the Kansas East Conference.

Download a ministry update.

UMCom offers 'What is Web Ministry?' online course
United Methodist Communications offers a free, self-directed online course, "What is Web Ministry?" that provides foundational information and the biblical and theological basis for creating and maintaining a Web ministry for local churches and districts.

Find out more from What is Web Ministry?

Facebook safety resource available
Susan Hay, General Board of Discipleship, Effective Practices in Youth Ministry director, has created a resource for safety and protection tips while using Facebook.

The resource is available on the Safe & Sacred Spaces Forms and Resources Web page at www.kansaseast.org/SafeandSacred#FacebookSafety.

Join Facebook discussion on new UM hymnal
United Methodists are encouraged to join an online discussion of the new United Methodist hymnal project that’s taking place on Facebook. The discussion is dynamic, active, informative, interesting and lively.

To access the group discussion, you must first join Facebook. Go to http://www.facebook.com/ and follow the simple prompts.

To find the group, enter New United Methodist Hymnal (only those four words, no quotes) into the search box in the upper right corner of your Facebook home page and click the little magnifying glass icon next to the Search box. On the group page, click Join Group.

Methodist Review launches as online journal
“Methodist Review: A Journal of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies” was launched May 1 as an open access, peer-reviewed electronic academic journal. Methodist Review publishes scholarly articles in all areas and eras of Wesleyan and Methodist studies, including biblical, theological, ethical, philosophical, practical, historical, biographical and social-scientific topics and methodologies.

The journal is partly a successor to and partly a transformation of “Quarterly Review: A Journal of Theological Resources for Ministry (QR), which was published jointly by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry and The United Methodist Publishing House from 1980 to 2005.

Read the Methodist Review at http://www.methodistreview.org/.

‘Prayers for Hard Times’ booklet available from Upper Room
“Prayers for Hard Times: Words of Faith in a Financial Crisis,” a booklet addressing financial hardship and crisis, is a collection of scripture, prayers and meditations about finding hope and discovering God's presence in the face of fear, worry and distress.

A package of 20 booklets are available for $10 through the Upper Room at www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=626762.

‘A Blueprint for Discipleship’ builds on ‘Three Simple Rules’
“A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living” by Kevin M. Watson provides a clear, attractive, readable guide for contemporary Christians to understand and follow the three simple rules today. It is a resource for both individual reading and group study with discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

For more information or to order, go to www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=638558 or call 800-972-0433.

Edgertons’ latest Haiti newsletter
Read Joe and Shirley Edgertons’ newsletter at from the newsletter archives at www.kansaseast.org/newsletter_find.asp.

Resurrection member sworn in as Kansas governor
Mark Parkinson is the new governor in the State of Kansas. Governor Parkinson, his wife, Stacy, and their children have been members of The Church of the Resurrection since for many years. Most recently, they have been a part of the Resurrection West campus.

Resurrection’s senior pastor, Rev. Adam Hamilton, asks United Methodists to take a moment to pray for the Parkinsons as Mark assumes the mantle of leadership for our state.

Topeka Center for Peace and Justice to receive Peace with Justice grant
The Topeka Center for Peace and Justice Peace Camp will receive a $500 grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society. The Peace Camp, now in its 16th year, teaches conflict-resolution skills and multi-cultural appreciation for children ages six to 12 in the Topeka area.

Peace with Justice Sunday is June 7 this year. Half of the Special Sunday offering is retained in the annual conference to fund local peace with justice programs. Half of the offering is remitted to the General Board of Church & Society to help fund U.S. and global work in social action, public-policy education and advocacy.

Learn more about Peace with Justice Sunday at www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2571.

Featured events

Forest Park reception for retiring managers, May 9
A reception honoring Buddy and Chris McCall, the retiring resident managers at Forest Park Conference and Retreat Center, will be May 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Forest Park Dining Hall. All are invited to attend. The retreat center address is 3158 SE 10th, Topeka.

‘Ministry 2.0’ workshop, May 30
“Ministry 2.0,” a hands-on workshop and live event designed for church leaders and volunteers interested in enhancing their ministry using the latest in Web technology, will be May 30 at Indian Creek Community Church, 12480 S. Blackbob Road in Olathe.

A 10 percent discount can be redeemed through the online registration by using the code COUP0540. Early-bird registration ends May 9.

Get more information, rates and registration, go to www.ministry2.org/kansascity.

Christian Educators Fellowship luncheon, June 4
The Christian Educators Fellowship will host a luncheon during Annual Conference June 4 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Baker University. Boxed lunches will be $8.50.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Sondra Matthaei from Saint Paul School of Theology, and her topic will be “Formation in Faith.”

Christian Educator’s Fellowship is open to anyone that is involved in Christian education.

To attend the luncheon, contact Karen Nyhart by May 15 at karen@oldmission.org.

More information is available at www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2823.

Faithfully Fit Forever leader training, June 13
A Faithfully Fit Forever leaders’ training session will be June 13 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Old Mission UMC, 5519 State Park Road in Fairway. Faithfully Fit Forever is a non-denominational faith community-based exercise, devotion and health education program that focuses on the body, mind and spirit connection.

People who want to start or lead this program at their church are encouraged to attend.
The training and materials are $50 and $10 for each additional person sharing materials.

Get more information and a registration flier from the event description, or contact Susan Harvey at 316-775-6324 or lsharvey@cox.net.

Fundraiser for Tallgrass Spiritual Retreat Center, June 13
College Hill UMC in Wichita will host a fundraiser for Tallgrass Spiritual Retreat Center June 13. The event, “Tallgrass Treasures and Tennessee Tunes,” will be a combination silent auction, which will begin at 6 p.m., and concert, which will start at 7 p.m.

The “tunes” will be performed by Celia Whitler, a singer, songwriter and author from Tennessee who communicates with a powerful and unique voice. “Treasures” will be the silent auction portion.

Tickets are $25, of which $20 is tax-deductible.

For more information, visit www.tallgrassretreats.com/TallgrassTreasures-TennesseeTunes.html or call Rev. Billie Blair at 620-753-3465.

KC Royals UM Family Day, July 17
The 18th annual United Methodist Family Day at the “K” hosted by Kansas and Missouri United Methodist Men will be July 17 for the Kansas City Royals versus Tampa Bay game, the grand opening of the Royals Hall of Fame and the Hall of Fame Classic exhibition game.

The Classic will feature Royal greats in an exhibition game against former MLB stars at 5 p.m. Gates will open early for the event giving fans an opportunity to tour the Royals Hall of Fame and watch batting practice prior to the Classic. The Royals game will begin at 7:10 p.m., and fireworks will follow the game.

Tickets are $14 each.

The order deadline is July 6, but there is high demand for tickets for this event. As a result, tickets sales will not be held open indefinitely. People who are interested in attending are encouraged to order their tickets soon.

Order tickets through your church’s UMM. Churches that don’t have an organized unit of UMM are still urged to advertise the event and collect orders through their church office.

For more information, contact John Reimer at 785-379-9828 or 785-383-1670 (cell) or Warren Livingston at 913-631-6818. Make checks payable to: Kansas East UMM.

A ticket order form may be downloaded at www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2699.


Visit the conference calendar at www.kansaseast.org/calendar.asp for additional events.


Communications Staff
   Â

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