News

Conferences to consider church structure
United Methodists meeting in this year’s annual sessions will vote on 32 proposed constitutional amendments, many of them related to the denomination’s structure as a global body.

Delegates to the 62 U.S. annual conferences and the 73 conferences in Africa, Europe and Asia will consider 23 amendments approved earlier by the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, the denomination’s top legislative body. The amendments, proposed by the Task Force on the Worldwide Nature of the Church, are for the creation of regional conferences to establish a uniform denominational structure.

The legislation would make it possible to create a U.S regional conference in the future. Each annual conference would belong to a regional conference that will be able to organize into jurisdictional conferences if the amendments are passed by the 2009 annual conference sessions.

Learn more at www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2789393&ct=6833305.

Episcopal survey results for South Central Jurisdiction now available
Last fall clergy and laity in conferences of the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church were invited by the jurisdiction's College of Bishops to complete a survey on realigning episcopal areas in 2012 to accommodate one less bishop.

The results of the survey are now available on the Lewis Center Web site. Go to www.churchleadership.com/research/default.htm and select “South Central Jurisdiction Episcopal Areas Study” to download the survey results.

10,000 Christians tell president of their commitment to climate stability
Thousands of Christians sent President Obama a letter March 11 expressing their commitment to limiting the future impacts of climate change. The letter, released by The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program, focuses on climate change as a moral issue that demands immediate, effective and just action. More than 10,000 people signed the document.

“Climate change is no longer just a Sunday morning conversation for Christians and communities of faith,” said Cassandra Carmichael, director of the NCC's Eco-Justice Programs.

“People understand that climate change will continue to impact not only God’s Creation, but all of God’s people, particularly those living in poverty around the world; this realization is calling people and communities to action.”

The complete text of the letter can be found on the NCC Eco-Justice Program website at www.nccecojustice.org/presidentialletter.html.

UM hymnal revision information, discussion online
The website for the United Methodist hymnal revision project has went live March 10. Information on the project, the committee members, press releases, legislation, meetings and more is available at http://www.umchymnal.org/.

There also is an informative discussion group related to the development of a new hymnal on Facebook.

New “The Parish Paper” issues now posted online
The May issue:
http://kesite.brickriver.com/newsletter_detail.asp?TableName=oNewsletter_Archive_HP9B4E&PKValue=456

The June issue:
http://kesite.brickriver.com/newsletter_detail.asp?TableName=oNewsletter_Archive_HP9B4E&PrimaryKey=oNewsletter_Archive_HP9B4E_ID&PKValue=457

Events

One Great Hour of Sharing, March 22
You and your congregation can join United Methodists worldwide by making a special offering through One Great Hour of Sharing to support humanitarian aid through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

By giving to One Great Hour of Sharing, designated gifts to UMCOR can go to the specific causes and not administrative costs. UMCOR receives no World Service or other apportionment money.

For more information and worship resources, visit http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/give/oghs.

Online workshops from BeADisciple.com
The Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship is dedicated to providing educational opportunities that nurture and enrich Christian leaders, lay and clergy, for effective living and ministry. The institute offers a variety of online workshops through the BeADisciple program.

Upcoming workshops include:

Elements of Stories, March 20-22, 2009
Elements of Storytelling, March 27-29
Beginner Storytelling, April 13-26
How to Become a Disciple Online Facilitator, April 20 - May 1
Storytelling Beyond the Sermon, May 4-17

For information and to register, go to www.beadisciple.com/workshops.html.

‘Church Security Training Seminar,’ March 24
The Center for Personal Protection and Safety will be conducting “Church Security Training Seminar” March 24 at Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave. in Leawood.

Topics will include:

Shots Fired: Guidance to surviving an active shooter incident
Pros and cons of outsourced security guards supporting ministry organizations
Keys to creating a healthy and safe workplace environment within your church or ministry
Keys to recognizing signs of a potential crisis before it occurs
Strategies for handling a difficult person in a public environment
How to develop a crisis-management plan for your church or ministry
How to train church leaders and congregation members to travel safely

There also will be an interactive session to discuss specific issues.

The cost is $250. To register for this seminar or to find future dates and locations, contact Jerry McConnell at 509-252-8533 or jerry.mcconnell@cppssite.com.

K-State Wesley new building consecration, March 29
The consecration of the new United Methodist campus-ministry building at Kansas State University will be from 2 to 4 p.m. March 29. Funds from the “Bridges to the Future” capital campaign is helping to pay for the new building.

Bishop Scott Jones will preside as the new building is offered to God. An ice-cream social will follow the service.

For more information, call 785-776-9278.

Camp Chippewa help days, April 4, 18
Camp Chippewa is preparing for a busy season ahead and could use your help. Two work dates have been scheduled.

On April 4, the Coldsmith Area will open for the season, and volunteers are needed to clean kitchen cabinets, beds, mattresses and the bathhouse, and perform yard work .

April 18 is the follow-up date for anything not finished.

Both days will begin at 9 a.m. and finish around 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

If you have a group that can help or to volunteer individually, contact the camp office at 785-242-6797 or office@campchippewa.org.

Scholarship fundraiser at Camp Chippewa, April 19
Camp Chippewa will have a “Soup-Salad-Sunday” from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 19 to raise money for camp scholarships. The free-will donations will go towards the summer camp scholarship fund. There also will be a silent auction, and the Richter Ramblers will provide entertainment.

For more information or to donate items for the silent auction, contact the camp office at 786-242-6797 or office@campchippewa.org.

Songwriting workshop, May 2
St. Marks UMC in Overland Park will host a songwriting workshop May 2 featuring Lee Domann. “Songwriting Mysteries: Creation & Craft” will be an opportunity to meet and learn with others who understand the trauma and drama of the creative process. A perfect blend of songwriting craft and songwriting business.

See the event description on the conference calendar at www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2705 for more information.