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Communique 285 - May 13, 2009 This newsletter was sent on: 5/13/2009
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Communique 285 - May 13, 2009

News

Spring storm destroys New Albany UMC
On May 8, a severe storm swept through central and southeast Kansas with winds of 80-110 mph, heavy rain and hail. Large trees were split or uprooted by wind and saturated ground.

New Albany, in Wilson County, was perhaps the worst hit. One death was reported and several buildings were destroyed, including the United Methodist Church and the town post office, the only two public buildings in town.

Read more at www.kansaseast.org/news_detail.asp?PKValue=511.

UM bishops combat poverty head-on during ‘Rethink Church’ launch
The top spiritual leaders of The United Methodist Church are rethinking the way they combat poverty and rolling up their sleeves in the process.

On May 5, Bishop Scott Jones of Kansas joined more than 40 other United Methodist bishops to embrace the plight of migrant workers by taking to the streets of the Washington, D.C., area to serve the workers breakfast. The bishops also prayed with and talked to the workers.

Find out more at www.kansaseast.org/news_detail.asp?pkvalue=509.

Bequest to UMCOR spurs challenge
A successful United Methodist businesswoman from Michigan has left a $1.7 million bequest to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Anne Ryckman, a lifetime and active member of St. Paul's UMC in Grand Rapids. Mich., was known for quiet acts of generosity throughout her life.

The first income generated from the bequest has been designated to a $200,000 challenge grant for a new campaign to provide every child in Sierra Leone under the age of 5 with an insecticide-treated bed net to provide protection from malaria.

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of Houston, UMCOR’s president, announced the challenge grant, May 6. The challenge is to United Methodist conferences and districts to match the funds.

Read more at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2429867&ct=6987435&tr=y&auid=4841426.


United Methodist Web site opens church doors
The United Methodist Church has launched a new awareness campaign that is allowing people to think about church, not as a building but as a doorway to service to the world.

A new Web site, http://www.10thousanddoors.org/, focuses on people ages 18-34. It uses doors, each opening to a new way to connect to the church, to help reach new people, help people rethink church and provide new thought to who United Methodists are and what they do as a church.


Do we need Twitter in worship?
Time magazine recently published an online article about ways in which some worshipping communities are beginning to integrate Twitter into Sunday morning worship. Time’s article describes primarily contemporary or "emergent" worship settings, often with additional screens devoted to posting the “tweets” responding to what's going on at the moment.

Some congregations keep the “tweet screen” running constantly throughout worship. Others seem to limit it to specific times—such as offering prayer requests, responding to a Scripture reading or asking questions during a sermon.

Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards, director of worship resources with the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, has written a commentary on the use of Twitter in worship. He asked for feedback from around the world about which circumstances using Twitter as part of worship might be helpful and under what circumstances it may do more harm than good.

Read the commentary at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2429867&ct=6968881&tr=y&auid=4829370.


‘The Source’ event to become online offering
Because of declining economic conditions in the United States, Young People’s Ministries of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship is shifting its regional leader development program called “The Source” to a free online offering.

The change will provide an avenue for the content of "The Source" events to be available to a much wider audience.

Find out more at www.gbod.org/youngpeople.

Register early for this year's Preaching from the Center
Pastors, preachers and lay speakers are encouraged to register for Preaching from the Center 2009. The convention is being hosted along with the Biennial Convocation of the Fellowship of United Methodist Musicians in Music and Worship Arts (FUMMWA), July 13-16 in Orlando, Florida. The early bird deadline is May 30.

Features of Preaching from the Center include a one day pre-event with Dr. Barbara Lundblad of Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and instructional sessions with John Bell of the Iona Community, Dr. Jana Childers of San Francisco Theological Seminary, and staff of the Center for Worship Resourcing at the General Board of Discipleship.

Visit http://fummwa.affiniscape.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=34 for registration information and details.


New Ikenberry update

A new newsletter from Tony Ikenberry, missionary in Bangladesh, has been posted in the newsletter archive on the conference website.

To read the update, visit the newsletter archive at www.kansaseast.org/newsletter_find.asp.

New lay speaking newsletter available
A new lay speaking newsletter has been uploaded to newsletter archive on the conference website.

To view the newsletter, visit http://ke.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/Current
Seminar_W4HF7CJI.pdf
.



Featured events

United Methodist Church - Kahbeah Fellowship dedication, May 17
On Sunday evening, May 17, the Conference Superintendent Rev. David Wilson of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference will preside over the dedication of the restoration of UMC - Kahbeah Fellowship building, near Horton.

There will be a potluck meal at 5:00 followed by the dedication, worship services, and holy communion at 6:30 p.m.

Visit the event on the conference calendar at www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2834.

United Methodist Church - Kahbeah Fellowship open house, May 29-30
UMC - Kahbeah Fellowship located on the Kickapoo Reservation, near Horton is having an open house on the weekend of May 29-31, 2009
The open house will include a concert on Friday, a Veterans Honor Dance on Saturday, and the first Sunday morning worship in 14 years.

For more information, visit www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2829, www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2828, and www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2830.

Clergy spouse breakfast for Annual Conference
All clergy spouses are invited to the Clergy Spouse Breakfast with Mary Lou Reece, wife of Bishop Scott Jones, on Saturday, June 6, from 8:15 to 9:45 a.m. The breakfast will be at the Collins House on the Baker University campus.

RSVPs for the breakfast must be received by Friday, May 15. Indicate your intention to attend by contacting Marve' Ralston at fiverivers@embarqmail.com or 785-594-4804. 

For more information, visit www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2827.

For a map of the Baker University campus, go to www.bakeru.edu/images/pdf/TN_contact_us/CampusMap.pdf.

Lay speaking training, June 19-20
You are invited to explore your call to lay speaking ministry. The June Seminar will feature the Basic Course, and two advanced courses. Rev. January Kiefer will lead a seminar on preaching that you won't want to miss. Jada Hodgson will bring a course on storytelling. We look forward to seeing you at Center of Grace in Olathe June 19-20.

For more information, visit www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2826.

‘Focus 2009’ conference, July 21-24
“Focus 2009,” the quadrennial conference for those in ministry for children, will be July 21-24 in Indianapolis, Ind. The conference will feature innovative workshops, unique worship experiences, inspiring and dynamic speakers, a resource center and activities for children and youth.

Adult registration is $290, if received by May 31, or $330 after that date. Additional prices, more information and online registration are available at www.gbod.org/ministries/children/focus2009, or call Melanie Gordon toll-free at 877-899-2780 ext. 1762.


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