Dear Friends of the Kansas East Conference,

I’ve had requests to share information on how people can order videos of General Conference.

You can choose which sessions you would like to purchase and order online at http://secure.umcom.org/store/catalog/General-Conference-2008,53.aspx.

Lisa Elliott Diehl
Kansas Area Marketing and Communications director

Annual Conference News

10 days of prayer and devotions
Kansas East Conference members are asked to pray during the ten days prior to the 2008 Kansas East Annual Conference. Pray for conference members, organizers, speakers, delegates and the congregations represented in the conference, as well as for God's direction.

Ten days of devotions will be available online, and you can have them sent directly to your e-mail inbox. Sign up at http://2008kansaseast.wordpress.com/

To download a copy of the 10 Days of Prayer, go to http://ke.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/10_Days_of_Preparation_ZYF2WAEG.pdf.

Instructions for Annual Conference
All clergy are expected to be robed and wear red stoles for the Ordination Service on Friday, June 6, at 8 p.m.

During the Sending Forth Service on Saturday, June 7, all clergy and lay members of a church/charge are asked to sit together.

Check the final agenda in the registration packet for instructions regarding pictures for special services.

Health screenings
Procheck Health screenings will be offered by the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits on June 5 and 6, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. during the Kansas East Annual Conference. No appointments are necessary. Screenings are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For the most accurate results, individuals should fast (except for water) for a minimum of eight hours before taking the Procheck health screening. Fasting, however, is not mandatory. Snacks will be available following the testing; however, you may want to bring something of your own as a supplement.

If you choose to fast please keep this in mind when registering, so you don’t order a meal on the day you would like to do your testing.

Learn more about Procheck by downloading an informational flier at http://ke.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/Procheck_Health_Screening_WWFXSQQM.pdf or contact Carol Fusaro at cfusaro@kansaseast.org.

Alumni luncheons
The Perkins School of Theology Alumni luncheon is June 5 during lunchtime on the lower level in Harter Student Union. Those attending are invited to get their lunch in the cafeteria or reserve a boxed lunch by e-mailing Molly.Simpson@rezwest.org by May 28.

The Saint Paul School of Theology alumni luncheon is June 5 during lunchtime in Harter Student Union in the room next to the cafeteria. Those attending are invited to get their lunch in the cafeteria or reserve a boxed lunch by e-mailing Paul Onuzuruike at paulo@spst.edu or by calling 816-245-4863 by May 30.

Iliff School of Theology will not be having a luncheon this year.

Clergy spouse gathering
The clergy spouse gathering will be Saturday, June 7, from 8:15 to 9:45 a.m. at the Collins House, which is located at 505 8th Street in Baldwin City. The theme for this year is “Just Go: Find Yourself in a Crowd.”

Youthville
You are invited to stop by the Youthville display and visit with Shelley Duncan, president and CEO of Youthville, on Thursday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To schedule a personal meeting with her, e-mail Matt Johnson at mjohnson@youthville.org.

News

Six Kansas East seminarians graduate from Saint Paul School of Theology
On Friday, May 16, six seminarians from the Kansas East Conference received their Master of Divinity degrees from Saint Paul School of Theology during the seminary’s 47th commencement convocation: Kimberly Dominic, Gina Gile, Joshua Gooding, Tony Hazen, Brad Wheeler and Morgan Whitaker. Whitaker received the Brady Preaching Award for her demonstrated excellence in preaching.

United Methodists respond to China earthquake
United Methodists are working with a longtime partner, the Amity Foundation, to provide immediate relief to those affected by the massive earthquake in Sichuan Province May 15.

On May 15, China’s state-run media announced that the death toll from the May 12 earthquake, which registered 7.9 on the Richter scale, could reach as high as 50,000. The earthquake’s epicenter was in Wenchuan County, about 60 miles from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.

Both the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, including the United Methodist Committee on Relief, and Church World Service are responding to the earthquake through the Amity Foundation.

Learn more at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2433457&ct=5363223.

Immigration issues

Mariela is the primary caregiver for her sisters ages 2, 4 and 7 now that their mother is gone––arrested in an immigration raid at her workplace.

U.S. immigration officers arrested Mariela’s mother on April 16 at the Pilgrim’s Pride poultry processing plant in Chattanooga during a crackdown on an alleged scam to provide fake IDs for illegal immigrant workers. Poultry plants in four other states also were raided.

Read “Churches help families left behind after raids” at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2433457&ct=5362549.

Following a May 12 raid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Agriprocessors, the world's largest kosher meatpacking plant, in Postville, Iowa, a vigil was one of a series of faith events held across Iowa to drawn attention to the plight of immigrant workers and their families.

Iowa's United Methodist episcopal leader, Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, called for an end to such raids and urging U.S. government leaders to pass a comprehensive immigration policy that recognizes the contributions of migrants to the U.S. economy and culture.

Read “United Methodists stand with arrested workers” at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2433457&ct=5369099.

Evaluating worship and music
How should we evaluate our church’s worship services and music? We can always look at worship attendance and trends, membership statistics, and offerings, but beyond those numeric measurements, are there other ways to think about the effectiveness of congregational worship and music?

Some other ways to think about it and a list of 25 statements that will help you evaluate your church’s worship is offered at www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=46345.

Featured Events

Conference office closed Monday, May 26
The Kansas East Conference office will be closed May 26 for Memorial Day.

Bishop’s Week early-registration deadline extended
Due to a large number of requests, the early registration deadline for Bishops’ Week at Mount Sequoyah has been extended to May 23. After this date, there will be a late registration fee of $75.

The theme for this year is “Ministry in Hard Places.” Key leaders will address the issues of prison ministries, immigration, the homeless, rural ministry and rehabilitation and community development ministry.

For more information, visit the Programs & Events section of the Mount Sequoyah website at www.mountsequoyah.org/www.mountsequoyah.org/Programs_%26_Events.html.

For more events, check the conference calendar at www.kansaseast.org/calendar.asp.