This newsletter was sent on: 10/15/2008

Communique 258 – Oct. 15, 2008

News

‘Respect others in election year’

Rev. Gilbert Caldwell Jr., retired Rocky Mountain Conference member, believes in the political chaos of presidential election, it might be time to cry, "TIMEOUT."

Caldwell says regardless of our presidential choice, we seem too often to set aside reason, respect, rationality and responsibility.

Read his commentary at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=1723955&ct=6083773.


Religious leaders urge the presidential candidates to use their voices for persons living in poverty

On October 13, leaders of the National Council of Churches and its member organizations wrote a letter expressing their hope that Senators John McCain and Barack Obama remember that persons living in poverty in the United States and around the world are hurt the most by the economic downturn.  Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer, President of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church, and Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader, Ecumenical Officer in the United Methodist Church, were some of the members who signed the letter.

"As we consider bailouts and recovery plans, we now need to hear your voices demanding that the plight of America’s poorest citizens, and the needs of people living in poverty around the world, will be addressed," the letter states.  “We pledge to you our commitment to making poverty a moral priority for our nation.  We trust you will embrace that commitment with us.”

To read the full letter and to learn more about the National Council of Churches, visit www.ncccusa.org/news/081013lettertocandidates.html.


The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund announces new grants to Kansas agencies and churches

The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund recently awarded over $644,000 in new grants to thirteen agencies to increase access to health care, improve oral health, and promote healthy lifestyles through better nutrition and exercise in Kansas. 

Based in Hutchinson, the mission of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is “Healthy Kansans through cooperative and strategic philanthropy guided by Christian principles.”  Its funding comes from an endowment established in 1986 by the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Wesley Hospital in Wichita.

Read more about the agencies www.healthfund.org/news/20081013gen.php.


The Advance releases e-newsletter

In a few days, The Advance is launching a free monthly email newsletter about UM missionaries and their work. Advancing Hope will give you the updates on United Methodist missionaries and projects that can be supported through The Advance.

The Advance is an accountable, designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church that ensures 100% of each gift reaches its intended mission or ministry. You decide which program or ministry to support through The Advance. The Advance is part of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church. Visit us at www.advancinghope.org/.

To subscribe, click on  http://list.gbgm-umc.org/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=advancinghope%20.


Washburn campus ministry purchases new building

Thanks to contributions to the “Bridges to the Future” capital campaign, the United Methodist Campus Ministry at Washburn University closed Sept. 15 on a new building.

“The building will be a center for the Washburn community to gather as a community for our weekly small group and fellowship gatherings,” said Campus Minister Natasha Murray-Norman.

To read more about the new Washburn campus ministry building and the plans for it, visit www.kansaseast.org/news_detail.asp?TableName=oNews_PJAYMY&PrimaryKey=oNews_PJAYMY_ID&PKValue=486.


Wellness ministry article from the General Board of Church and Society

The General Board of Church and Society has posted an article in their “Faith in Action” newsletter on wellness ministries in local churches.

“Many local churches, recognizing the need to improve and sustain the health of those in their congregations and communities, offer wellness ministries that address physical, mental and spiritual health issues. Such ministries, however, miss the boat if they do not include relationship education and supports for all family configurations,” the article reads. 

Author Jane Ives of Portland, Maine, makes the point that interpersonal relationships crucial to health and wellness and shouldn’t be ignored.

Read the full article at www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=4661855&ct=6061105&tr=y&auid=4117247.


Guilt-free chocolate for Halloween

Equal Exchange, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) of the United Methodist Church have partnered to raise awareness about Fair Trade this Halloween.

Fairly traded products provide small-scale farmers a fair living wage and an opportunity to break out of the cycle of poverty. The three organizations have created an educational resource to increase awareness of the UMCOR Coffee Project and the need to advocate with our wallets and voices for better working conditions and prices for cocoa farmers throughout the world.

Susan Burton, Director of the UM Seminar Program at the General Board of Church and Society, said of the project, “I realized that [buying fairly-traded chocolate] was another way that I could put my faith into action.” 

Mini-chocolates and trick-o-treat bags can be purchased at http://www.equalexchange.coop/ from the Equal Exchange Interfaith Store.

Read the full article at www.kansaseast.org/news_detail.asp?TableName=oNews_PJAYMY&PrimaryKey=oNews_PJAYMY_ID&PKValue=487.


Reformation Day: What is it, and why do we celebrate it?

Reformation Day, celebrated every year on October 31, is a day set aside to recognize, remember, and celebrate the Protestant Reformation. In some countries, it is observed as an official holiday. It remembers Martin Luther and the central role he played in the reform movement that split the western church of Rome.

To learn more about Reformation Day and to see a list of songs and prayers that can be used in recognizing the day, view the full article on the General Board of Discipleship website at www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=15084&loc_id=17,823.


Featured events

Cat-Hawk Challenge, Oct. 18
A promotional video for the Cat-Hawk Challenge is posted online at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhd7zvQCwwg. The 2008 fund-raiser for campus ministry will be Oct. 18 at the Overland Park Marriott hotel.

Visit http://www.cathawkchallenge.com/ for more information about the event.


Volunteers Needed at Mount Sequoyah, November 3-9

Mount Sequoyah is making a request for volunteers to help prepare the flower beds and winterize the retreat center. The week will begin with dinner on Monday, November 3, and continue through breakfast Friday, November 7. Mount Sequoyah provides lodging at no charge to volunteers. There is a per-person charge for meals of $95.50.

For more information on volunteering, call 800-760-8126 or email programs@mountsequoyah.org.


Self-care workshop, Nov. 5

The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is sponsoring a free workshop Nov. 5 at Wesley UMC in Parsons for Kansas clergy to provide a structured opportunity for individuals to examine their current choices within the areas of mental/emotional, physical, social and spiritual health.

Learn more about the workshop at www.healthfund.org/selfcare.php

Pre-registration is required and can be completed online at http://www.healthfund.org/scworkshop/scw_reg2.php?s=Parsons:%20Wesley%20UMC--Wed.11/5/08%209:30am-5:30pm%20(Cl or contact the Health Ministry Fund office at 620-662-8586.


Leadership Nexus event - The Great Emergence, Dec. 5-6


The Leadership Nexus is co-sponsoring an event in Memphis December 5-6, 2008, called The Great Emergence. The principal speaker for the event is Phyllis Tickle, author of the book The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why. The event will include workshops and presentations from other well-known speakers. Registration is $145 before November 5; regular registration is $195 after that.  Student and group rates are available.  All sessions and workshops, two lunches and five coffee breaks, and a signed copy of The Great Emergence  are included in the registration fee. 

For more information on the event, go to: www.thegreatemergence.com/TheEvent.
For more information on the Leadership Nexus, visit: http://www.leadershipnexus.net/.


The Congress on Evangelism, Jan. 6-9 

The 2009 Congress on Evangelism will take place January 6-9, 2009, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville.   Every year, the Congress on Evangelism hosts a series of lectures and workshops and is sponsored by the Council on Evangelism and the General Board of Discipleship with the support of The Foundation for Evangelism. 

Several presenters at the event have affiliations with the Kansas East Conference.   Chuck Russell, who chairs the conference Communications Commission, and fellow COR staff member Clif Guy are speaking about “Wesleyan on the Web.”  Nikki Alexander, who along with her spouse, Creighton, served KU Campus Ministry until recently, will speak about “Campus and Young Adult Ministry.”

Other notable presenters include Tom Albin, who was the plenary speaker at Annual Conference a couple of years ago and will speak on “Emmaus and Chrysalis,” and Bishop Robert Schnase of Missouri, who will introduce the major feature -- based on his book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. The book has been the focus of the Topeka District’s training this year and was the focus of work in many other congregations.  Also, Tyrone Gordon (formerly of St. Mark UMC in Wichita) will be a worship leader at the event.

Registration fees range from $52 to $170 and there are some scholarships available; please see the registration page on the website for information.  PLEASE NOTE: The registration fee is waived for all UM seminary students enrolled full-time and full-time local pastors enrolled in Course of Study.  Lodging is available for $114/night at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

To find out more about the event and to register, go to http://congressonevangelism.org/.