From David Toler, Kansas East Conference United Methodist Men’s hunger advocate:

Because of the economic downturn, there has been a greater call for help from local food pantries, which are running low on food and, in some cases, are completely out of emergency food supplies.

The Roeland Park United Methodist Men’s group would like your help, so they can provide a tractor-trailer load of non-perishable food items that can be distributed to food pantries. The men are participating in a Fill-a-Semi Bowl-a-Thon Feb. 2 at Mission Bowl, 5399 Martway St. in Shawnee Mission.

We need people to sponsor our team in the bowl-a-thon. We are only asking folks to pledge a penny a pin for every pin we knock down during league play on this day. This is a “per pin” not total score bowl-a-thon, which means that as a team the most your pledge would be is $18. But this would mean we would all have to bowl perfect pin fall totals, and I can tell you this is not a reality. To be realistic, your pledge would be between $12 and $15.

If you would be willing to help us raise enough money to fill-a-semi, please contact me at 913-481-9034 or dvdtlr@aol.com.

You can also make a flat donation. Make checks payable to either Society of Saint Andrew or Kansas East Conference UMM and send to:

Fill-A-Semi
Att: David Toler
5525 Crest Drive
Kansas City, KS 66106

News

More information on 2008 Statistical Reports
Local church 2008 Statistical Reports, including Tables I, II and III, are due by Jan. 31. The data for these reports are entered online at https://umcdata.com/dataHome.cfm?confPass=KSE . If you do not have access to computer, please mail your paper reports to your district office.

When using the online entry website, you are provided with the 2007 amounts in parenthesis in front of the 2008 field. If your 2008 amount is significantly different (higher or lower), please review the 2008 calculation to make sure you are entering the correct amount.

Some common errors include:

1. Entering capital project expenses on line 72. Capital improvements must be reported on line 74. Examples:

a. Re-carpeted the entire church is capital project.
b. Replaced heating furnace or air conditioner unit is capital project.
c. Replaced entire roof is capital project.

2. Entering interest payments on line 72. Debt service, including interest expense on mortgages, must be reported on line 73.

3. Not reducing program expenses by amount of income (fees) received for the program in line 71. Examples:

a. Bible study program costs should be reduced by amount of fees received from participants for their books and materials.
b. Day care program costs should be reduced by amount of fees received from families.
c. Report only a “net cost” in line 71.

If you have questions, call your district office.

Tax-exempt status of local churches
Recently, the Administrative Services office has received several requests for certification that the local church is, in fact, tax exempt. All local United Methodist churches are covered under a “group ruling” issued in 1968 by the IRS to our General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) in Nashville, Tenn.

The above information only applies to exemption from federal income tax and permits donors to give tax-deductible gifts to your church. Your church may also be exempt from state sales and use tax.

Only the GCFA can issue a certification letter that states your local church is covered under this group ruling. Every church should obtain this certification letter and maintain the original in your permanent files.

To request this letter you may:

1. Call GCFA at 618-369-2334 and talk with their legal department.

2. Go to http://www.gcfa.org/PDFs/TaxPacket2006(Current)/Tax_Information_for_Local_Churches/Tax_Exempt_Status_of_Churches/Group_Ruling_Request_Form.pdf to download and print a request form, then complete the form, and fax or mail it to GCFA.

A pdf document is available that answers common questions concerning your federal tax-exempt status at http://www.gcfa.org/PDFs/TaxPacket2006(Current)/Tax_Information_for_Local_Churches/Tax_Exempt_Status_of_Churches/Group_Ruling_for_United_Methodist_Churches.pdf.

To apply for a sales tax-exempt certificate, contact the Kansas Department of Revenue. The Kansas State Sales Tax Exemption Application Publication is available online at http://tinyurl.com/9vtqer.

If you have any questions, contact the Administrative Services office at 877-972-9111 or rhinshaw@kansaseast.org.

Worship resources support next week’s celebrations
Next week is an important time in both the life of the church and the nation. This Sunday, Jan. 18, is Human Relations Day, a time to “recognize the right of all God’s children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other.” Free resources for Human Relations Special Sunday with offering, Jan. 18, are available online at www.umcgiving.org/site/c.qwL6KkNWLrH/b.3833823/k.150D/Human_Relations_Day__Support_Materials.htm.

Human Relations Day is observed on the Sunday before the nation’s Marin Luther King Jr. holiday. Together, these days celebrate the connections between all God’s people.

The inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States will be Tuesday, Jan. 20. Many people will be joining those festivities, both in Washington, D.C., and around the nation.

Lastly, next week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is the 101st observance of this week devoted to the hope of all Christians coming together.

The General Board of Discipleship is providing several resources to help in planning worship for these events online at www.gbod.org/worship. They include litanies, prayers, collects and benedictions from bishops, pastors and scholars throughout the connected church.

UMNS to offer inauguration coverage
United Methodist News Service has posted a package of stories, video and audio reports related to the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.

Continuing UMNS coverage will include the Jan. 20 inauguration, with news and video about United Methodist events and activities related to it.

The coverage will be available online at http://www.umc.org/. The inauguration coverage will carry a logo and the title, “44 Steps Closer: A Nation’s Journey.”

Twitter users can receive headlines on their cell phones as well as through RSS feeds and other applications provided by Twitter online. Visit www.twitter.com/umns for more information.

'Understanding Giving Patterns in Your Congregation' and 'What Motivates Giving?'
Dr. Lovett H. Weems, distinguished professor at Wesley Theological Seminary, has written two articles offering perspective of stewardship and giving practices in local churches, which may be especially relevant in these tough economic times.

Read both articles at http://www.churchleadership.com/leadingideas/issues/2009issues/090107.html.

New law may affect sale of used children’s clothes, toys
Some local churches sponsor annual consignment sales. Because of a newly passed law that prohibits the sale of children’s clothing containing high levels of lead, there has been some confusion about whether or not churches, consignment shop and non-profits will be allowed to re-sell children’s clothing.

For the official statement from the U.S. Product Safety Commission, go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html.

Free daily Lenten Devotions available from Society of St. Andrew
The Society of St. Andrew, a national, ecumenical, nonprofit hunger relief ministry and Advance #801600, has a free Lenten Devotions program, “Christ’s Marvelous Hands.”

“Through spiritual reflection, prayer and giving, the reader is challenged to take seriously the scriptural injunctions to care for the poor, while also being provided an opportunity to feed our hungry neighbors,” said Rev. Jennifer Vestal Moore, church relations director for the Society of St. Andrew. “Each day of Lent the reader is introduced to a unique way to see Jesus through His divine, yet human, hands, and is encouraged to reflect and pray about how they might use their hands to be more Christ-like to others.”

An optional “Good Friday Fast” is available for use in conjunction with the daily devotions or as a stand-alone program.

The Society of St. Andrew’s (SoSA) produce-salvage programs (Gleaning Network and Potato & Produce Project) are a common sense and cost-efficient way to gather what is left in farm fields after the harvest to feed the hungry.

All materials for the Society of St. Andrew’s Lent Devotions program are free. Individuals can order their own packet, and churches can order a sample packet by calling 800-333-4597, e-mailing church@endhunger.org or ordering online at www.endhunger.org/lent.htm.

Online seminar teaches how to win grants
Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry is being offered by The Alban Institute Jan. 28. More and more congregations are exploring grant funding as a possible source of support for their ministries-particularly programs focused on community outreach. To secure foundation and corporate support, communities of faith need to understand the grant-funding process and know how to "package" their ministries into compelling proposals. Veteran grant-writer and webinar leader Joy Skjegstad will lead the webinar, which costs $39.

For more information and to register, go to http://www.alban.org/learningdetail.aspx?id=6830.

New “The Parish Paper” issues now posted online
The March issue: http://kesite.brickriver.com/newsletter_detail.asp?TableName=oNewsletter_Archive_HP9B4E&PrimaryKey=oNewsletter_Archive_HP9B4E_ID&PKValue=433

The April issue: http://kesite.brickriver.com/newsletter_detail.asp?TableName=oNewsletter_Archive_HP9B4E&PrimaryKey=oNewsletter_Archive_HP9B4E_ID&PKValue=434

Saint Paul School of Theology events, lectures
Check out special events and lecture series at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City by visiting their online calendar at www.spst.edu/site/calendar_list.php?list_search=1.

Classified ads online
Classified ads are posted on the conference website, including:

Part-time music director, Indian Heights UMC

See all the current classifieds in the News & Events section at www.kansaseast.org/classifieds_find.asp.

Featured events

Spiritual Life Retreat, Jan. 23-25
There is still time to sign up senior-high youth for the Kansas East Conference Spiritual Life Retreat, Jan. 23-25, at Camp Chippewa. The theme of the retreat is “Superhero” and is based on Ephesians 6:10-11a.

The deadline for signing up is Jan. 20, either by sending the registration to the conference office by that date or by e-mailing your information to Brenda Davids, the conference director of Student Ministries, at bdavids@kansaseast.org.

The cost of the retreat is $65, which includes two nights of lodging at the camp, four meals and a t-shirt.

The event begins Friday evening with registration from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and ends Sunday at 2 p.m. Attendees should eat before arriving for the event. The weekend will be filled with small groups, worship, a special movie and a variety of activities to help youth grow in their relationship with God.

Download a registration flier at http://kesite.brickriver.com/page.asp?TableName=oPages_6KF3UU&PrimaryKey=oPages_6KF3UU_ID&PKValue=538, or contact one of the co-conveners Michael Rice, Twdlsnare01@hotmaill.com, or Holly Snyder, blondieholls@juno.com.

Addiction: How will the Church Respond?, Feb. 23-25
Nearly every congregation has at least one—a family who needs you and others in the congregation to help them better respond to a crisis of addiction.

Learn how to equip clergy and laity for effective healing ministry at this jurisdictional conference Feb. 23-25 at Mount Sequoyah Conference Center in Fayetteville, Ark.

This model conference will prepare laity and clergy leadership at the local church, district and conference levels for how best to engage congregations in addiction intervention, treatment and recovery ministry. Send your planning team for education, resource materials, examples and building strategies for their own ministry.

CEU credit and limited scholarships are available through SPSARV, GBGM for the event. Contact SPSARV (866-944-3330) for details.

For more conference details, registration and the schedule, go to http://www.mountsequoyah.org/www.mountsequoyah.org/Programs_%26_Events.html or call 800-760-8126.

Worship Workshop Live!, March 7
Energize your staff and congregation and enhance your worship with new ideas from Worship Workshop Live! March 7. Dr. Marcia McFee will lead a workshop on the Saint Paul School of Theology Kansas City campus from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants will get an overview of worship trends, understanding tradition and the politics of change, why sensory-rich experiences are needed, and how to get more congregants involved in seasonal design teams. 0.5 CEU credit is available.

To register, visit http://www.spst.edu/ or contact Leigh Precise at leighp@spst.edu or 816-245-4819.

Small Church Leadership Institute, March 9-13
Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center is hosting a Small Church Leadership Institute March 9-13. Get more information from the list of upcoming events at http://www.mountsequoyah.org/www.mountsequoyah.org/Programs_%26_Events.html or call 800-760-8126.