From Russ Hinshaw, Kansas East Conference treasurer:

A reminder to all local churches that your 2008 Statistical Reports are due no later than Jan. 31, 2009. You can find the instructions and forms at www.kansaseast.org/page.asp?PKValue=727.

When you are ready to enter your 2008 Statistical Tables, log in at https://umcdata.com/dataHome.cfm?confPass=KSE and enter the appropriate amounts in each table.

After completing each table, remember to save and print a copy for your records before submitting the table.

Once all of the fields on a table are complete, you will then be able to submit the report. You must click on the “Submit” button at the bottom of each table to submit each table.

In other words, you will need be clicking the submit button three times for the report—once for each table.

If you have questions, please contact your district office or call the Administrative Services office toll-free at 877-972-9111.

News

Child care training workshops and grants offered to church-based programs
Healthy Kansas Kids (HKK), a Kansas project aimed at integrating more physical activity and quality nutrition into child care programs is being made available to child care programs provided by Kansas United Methodist churches at no charge.

With grant support from the Health Fund, the Kansas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (KACCRRA) has agreed to make its Excellent Care for Early Learning (EXCEL) training available to church-based programs, which would then be eligible to receive $500 grants for program improvements related to nutrition and activity.

If your church might be interested in participating, fill out an online form at www.healthfund.org/newsletters/hfn_2008-12.php#hl2.

Legal training program for local churches
The four-hour legal training program for church boards is available for use. Contact the Kansas East Conference treasurer's office if you would like to view them. The toll-free number is 877-972-9111.

Free worship and music planning calendar available from GBOD
The General Board of Discipleship has free downloadable calendars for music and worship leaders. These planning calendars for 2009 and 2010 contain the Revised Common Lectionary citations for every Sunday and major day of the church year, as well as United Methodist observances and special days and holidays from the secular and civil calendars.

Give them to your pastors and musicians, worship leaders and planners, choir directors and members, Sunday school teachers, and committee members.

2009 calendar: www.gbod.org/worship/2009cwrplanningcal.pdf

2010 calendar: www.gbod.org/worship/2010cwrplanningcal.pdf

New Healthy Congregations Covenant program aims to support and grow health ministries
For 12 years, the Health Fund has supported health ministries through Healthy Congregations grants, annual retreats and a recognition program. A new, simplified approach has been developed to make it easier and more rewarding for churches to participate.

The Healthy Congregations Covenant program offers two participation options, including $100 or $1,000 grants, to fit churches at different stages of health ministry development and commitment.

Find out more at www.healthfund.org/newsletters/hfn_2008-12.php#hc1.

Mission updates
Tony Ikenberry, long-term Volunteer In Mission serving in Bangladesh, sent two recent updates about his work.

Christmas greeting: http://tinyurl.com/7vbyyt

2008 overview: http://tinyurl.com/7abylu

Terry and Muriel Henderson, missionaries in Mexico, sent a Christmas greeting that can be viewed and/or downloaded at http://ke.brickriver.com/files/oNewsletter_Archive_HP9B4E/GYTTEXmas08-revised_F8D7B3XX.pdf.

Check the archived e-newsletters any time for other issues at www.kansaseast.org/newsletter_find.asp.

Young Pastors Network receives grant
The Young Pastors Network, developed in part by Kansas East Conference pastor Rev. Adam Hamilton, has received a grant from The Foundation for Evangelism. From 70 proposals, the foundation chose four grant recipients whose initiatives address the foundation’s goal to “develop leaders with a passion for evangelism who will have a multiplying impact on the United Methodist Church.”

For more information on the Foundation for Evangelism’s 2009 grant recipients, go to http://tinyurl.com/743tdo.

To learn more about the Young Pastors Network, visit http://youngpastorsnetwork.org/.

UM churches offer hospitality and services for inauguration
United Methodist churches in and around Washington D.C. are opening their doors to people coming to the capital for the presidential inauguration in January. Floorspace will be available for overnight stays, and churches will be open during the day for prayer and reflection. Area churches are also hosting workshops and presentations on the themes of change and current social issues.

For more information, visit www.bwcumc.org/microsites/d/about.

Ethnic Young Adult Summer Internship deadline approaching
The application deadline is Feb. 1 for the Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) summer internships. The EYA program is for young adults, ages 18-22, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change.

For more information and to download the application form, go to www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=4764329&ct=6334115.

New Kansas Area Resource Center hours
Beginning Jan. 5, the hours for the Kansas Area Resource Center are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. The resource center is located at 9440 E. Boston in Wichita.

Check out and request resources from the online catalog: http://www.karconline.org/.

Featured events

Self-care workshop, Jan. 13
The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is sponsoring a free workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 13 at Grace UMC in Olathe for Kansas clergy members.

Find out more and register at www.healthfund.org/selfcare.php.

Human Relations Day, Jan. 18
Human Relations Day, a United Methodist Special Sunday with offering, is Jan. 18. The Human Relations Day offering helps church-based community developers in racial- and ethnic-minority communities.

Learn more at www.umcgiving.org/site/c.qwL6KkNWLrH/b.3833821/k.47CA/Human_Relations_Day__Overview.htm.

For resources, visit www.umcgiving.org/site/c.qwL6KkNWLrH/b.3833823/k.150D/Human_Relations_Day__Support_Materials.htm.

Bridging the Gap, Jan. 22-24
Bridging the Gap: Connecting Church and Academy, Jan. 22-24, will provide opportunities to examine the history of Wesley and higher education, development of student leadership, vocation and discernment, resources through church relationships, and opportunities for UM loans and scholarships.

One of goals of the events is to consider how to increase the number of United Methodist students enrolled in United Methodist-related schools, colleges and universities.

The event in Arlington, Texas, is for:

Conference youth coordinators, ministers and volunteers
Christian education leaders
Chaplains
Church relations directors
Admissions and financial-aid directors
Conference Connectional Ministries directors
Chairs of Higher Education and Area Chairs
District superintendents and bishops

Find out more at http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Invitation.aspx?i=c40c5c7a-94c6-485f-94ca-88237962e993.

Listening events on the reduction of episcopal areas, Feb. 7 & 21
There are two opportunities to attend a Kansas Area listening event on the reduction of episcopal areas:

Feb. 7 at Aldersgate UMC in Wichita http://www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2648

Feb. 21 at First UMC in Topeka http://www.kansaseast.org/event_detail.asp?PKValue=2440

These events provide opportunities to give input about how the College of Bishops should reduce the number of episcopal areas in 2012.

Mission Encounter Weeks scheduled at Red Bird Missionary Conference
The Red Bird Missionary Conference is hosting two Mission Encounter Weeks for youth who have completed 11th grade and young adults through age 25. The Mission Encounter Weeks will be July 19-25 and July 26 - Aug. 1 at Camp O’Cumberlands in Kentucky.

It is a chance to focus on the call to missions, rather than only the project. Teams will spend the week working on a variety of projects and seeing missions from many angles. Each day, team members will spend time in intense worship with several Associate in Missions (AIMS) pastors and staff.

Each week is limited to 25 individuals. The cost is $400, which includes food, housing and team supplies. Each individual is responsible for their own transportation to and from the camp.

Download an application form at www.redbirdconference.org/pdfs/Mission%20Encounter%20camp%20registration.pdf.

Learn more about the Red Bird Missionary Conference at http://www.redbirdconference.org/.