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Haitian Methodist president expresses appreciation By Rev. Gesner Paul On behalf of the Methodist Church in Haiti and the Haitian people, we thank you. Thank you all for your outpouring of love, support and Christian brotherhood in our great hour of need. Haiti has suffered a great tragedy, and to rebuild, recover and strengthen, it will take us all. You have kept us in your prayers, and we are grateful. You have sent donations through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). We thank you for your generosity. You have expressed your selfless interest in volunteering your time to come to Haiti to help with the recovery effort, and we look forward to welcoming you. In the coming days and weeks, the Methodist Church in Haiti will complete an assessment of the damage and communities impacted by the earthquake and will prioritize areas for relief and rehabilitation in partnership with UMCOR. Teams of United Methodist Volunteers In Mission will be integral in the long-term recovery of the church and communities in Haiti, and opportunities will soon be available to come and help in meaningful ways. In the short-term, the immediate needs of providing emergency aid of food, water, shelter and medical care are being addressed by UMCOR and a host of national and international relief organizations and technical specialists. Soon, the work of clearing debris in preparation for rebuilding will be done by teams of locals in cash-for-work programs led by these same aid groups and local community groups, including the Methodist Church in Haiti. The participation of international volunteers is welcome after this initial emergency phase is complete, at which time the Methodist Church in Haiti will work closely with UMCOR and UMVIM to identify rehabilitation projects [that] match the needs prioritized in the country. With great appreciation for the outpouring of support and offers to come in person to help volunteer in Haiti as quickly as possible, the Methodist Church in Haiti, in partnership with UMCOR, requests that volunteer teams consider delaying their arrival into Haiti in light of the following: The Methodist Church in Haiti and UMCOR are still undertaking assessments and evaluations in the six circuits most impacted by the earthquake, to determine the extent of the damage in church communities and beyond. Suitable projects and assignments for volunteer teams wishing to contribute to the recovery effort will not be identified until this process is complete. The Methodist Guest House is currently being assessed for structural integrity and will undergo some rehabilitation and reconstruction of the security wall before being brought to full capacity and security to host teams of volunteers. Commercial flights into Haiti are currently suspended, and all travel into Haiti must be done via the neighboring Dominican Republic. Once in Haiti, transportation and logistics are further complicated due to the influx of international aid groups and the reality of debris and closed roads. The emergency relief and debris removal phase may last at least another one or two months, depending on the severity of the impact to the communities. Volunteers wishing to work on the programs identified as priority by the Methodist Church in Haiti and UMCOR can begin to schedule trips for late March and April, once this initial emergency response and recovery phase is completed. Volunteer teams with pre-existing travel plans to Haiti are urged to reconsider the timing and nature of their trip, in order to allow for re-assessment and prioritization of earthquake recovery programs. Please continue to communicate with us your interest in volunteering for the recovery effort, and we will connect you with recovery projects and rehabilitation programs as soon as possible. We thank you again for standing by us in this time of great need and look forward to working in Christian partnership to build a better Haiti. Rev. Gesner Paul is president of the Methodist Church in Haiti. Episcopal Area Transition Team seeks to ask the right questions By Kathryn Witte Director of Nebraska Area Communications LINCOLN, NE—“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” With this reading from Isaiah 43, Nebraska Area Bishop Ann Sherer-Simpson opened the second meeting of the Episcopal Area Transition Team. The team is tasked with determining the best way to merge the Kansas and Nebraska areas, which was directed by vote of the South Central Jurisdiction Council of Bishops in October 2009. Sherer-Simpson reflected on an experience from a trip she took to Mozambique when she was serving as bishop of the Missouri Conference. She told a story about a boy who was part of a group that came to worship along with many other groups in order to offer the best of the fruits of their labor to the Lord (what we might call a Lord’s acre celebration). The boy’s group’s harvest had not been substantial, and after some distress on the part of the group, the boy said, “Can’t you offer me up to the Lord? I would like to serve God in the ministry.” The entire worship community of that Mozambique church came together during that service and celebrated his commitment to the work of the Lord. Sherer-Simpson noted that each of the people in the room came with a commitment to the Lord to create something new. Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle, senior consultant for the Alban Institute, was to have facilitated the weekend meeting, however, snow storms on the east coast kept him at home in Pennsylvania. Rev. Dr. Jesse Foster, director of Christian leadership development for the Nebraska Conference, accepted the offer to facilitate the weekend’s work in collaboration with Rendle. Foster is new to the Nebraska Conference staff having just begun his role in a new position on Jan. 1. Foster led the group in team building and kept the agenda moving. Foster, along with a 30-minute teleconference presentation by Rendle, framed the weekend’s work by encouraging the group to focus on adaptive change rather than technical change. The group decided to embrace the concept of adaptive change with the concern that people in the three conferences want quick answers to questions such as “Where will the episcopal office be located?” In Ronald A. Heifetz’s book “Leadership Without Easy Answers,” he presents the need for adaptive change in cases where the problem or challenge is definable, but a clear-cut answer is not readily available. Or, when the definition of the problem or challenge is not clear and clear-cut technical answers are not available. Technical change is more mechanical—a known solution for a known problem. During the 30-minute teleconference, Rendle reminded the group that they could view these changes from only a technical perspective. Whenever a system doesn’t know what to do, it does what it does know how to do. “If we only do technical work, we will only get what we already have,” he said. Adaptive leadership leads people into asking questions that will make us learn things in new ways, Rendle continued. “How do we stop controlling so that there is room for the Spirit of God?” Rendle asked. Adaptive change makes room for new things to happen and fosters “positive” conflict, leading to creativity. Rendle asked the group not to run ahead by identifying a question and then looking for the answer. He pointed out that we often frame a question to go with an already identified solution. He also encouraged the group members to not be representative of their annual conference, but to think instead of the combined new area and its missional “big picture.” Finally, Rendle encouraged the transition team to “extrovert” its work from the very beginning and enable ways to receive feedback. Demographics Foster handed out graphs of the combined demographic figures for the three conferences. In large part, the three look very similar; all show declining worship attendance and membership. Each conference has a large number of small churches, and all three had added at least one 900-plus-member church. Small group work followed, with each group identifying cultural, environmental, denominational, conference and local church factors that have contributed to the shared statistics. The groups rotated to discuss the factors and then sorted the list into factors that were in either our direct or indirect control. Book discussion Following Friday night dinner, the group reconvened to discuss Phyllis Tickle’s book, “The Great Emergence.” The book had been assigned to spark discussion. Tickle takes on the task of reviewing the major turning points, or “great” events, in the life of the Christian church. Her contention is that every 500 years or so the church goes through such a transformation. Rev. Eduardo Bousson, from Washburn Campus Ministry in Topeka, said the book made him ask, “What is our story; what is our common story?” He went on to say that we have prescribed educational materials, but that on a regional level we need to adapt to change, that we need to review what it means to be United Methodist. He also said that he liked the context of the book but wondered how to teach it. “I loved this but needed to adapt it,” Bousson said. The idea of describing ourselves as a tribe emerged in the discussion. Rev. Jan Todd, Pleasant Hill UMC in Topeka, said, “ I saw that we had tribes; however, our tribes were not well defined.” Nancy Brown, from Stanley, Kan., commented, “Once we know what our tribe is, I believe we have to follow up with the adaptive question of how we fit those tribes into a global family. How does that tribe relate to the world?” Discussion continued around determining metrics of success, the ability to define affinities across a broad geography, and more. Heads nodded around the idea that new ways of ministry have to be created; just saying “UMC” is not enough anymore. Kansas Bishop Scott Jones said, “The ideas of creating new ways of ministry are where we have to turn our energy.” Later he asked, “What do we do as an annual conference to get out of the way [of doing things differently]?” Team steps up adaptive work On Saturday, Jones opened with a review of adaptive versus technical change and the idea of creating a “holding environment” for the annual conferences, where adaptive change can take place. Small group work followed with both technical and adaptive questions resulting. Technical questions were passed around and collected. Adaptive questions were discussed and prioritized by four groups. What will the new episcopal area be called? How will the role of the director of connectional ministries change with a mobile bishop? These were but two of the nearly 75 technical questions raised. The four small groups developed five adaptive questions and were then asked to rank them. Top-ranking adaptive questions from each group included:
Kansas missionaries recall Haiti earthquake By Susan Cooper Associate director of Communications WICHITA—When the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, two United Methodist missionaries from Kansas were in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Joe and Shirley Edgerton had lived on La Gonâve, an island of Haiti west of Port-au-Prince, for two years as long-term volunteers through the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). They ended their term and came back to the United States in 2009. But they returned to Haiti in January for a visit. “We went to La Gonâve on Jan. 7, primarily for the baptism of a baby I had delivered in the fall. We were on the island for three or four days. On Jan. 11, we went to Port au Prince to attend the meetings,” Shirley said. Representatives from humanitarian agencies were scheduled to meet Jan. 12-14 at the Haitian Methodist Church compound to explore ways to improve health services and agriculture in Haiti. After the first day’s meeting ended around 4 p.m., the Edgertons returned to the compound guesthouse. Three GBGM representatives, Revs. Sam Dixon, Clinton Rabb and James Gulley, were driven to the Hotel Montana to meet informally with three other people. As the earthquake hit, the group was walking across the lobby, and the hotel collapsed. The group was trapped beneath the rubble. “The guest house [at the compound] held up pretty well, but one wall fell down. Buildings around the area had collapsed, and we immediately started trying to dig people out, doing triage. Shirley’s nursing skills came into play,” Joe said. “There were about 40 people in the parking lot of the compound. People were in shock. We were covering people up with sheets and towels and whatever we could find.” That night, the driver who had taken Dixon, Rabb and Gulley to the Hotel Montana told the Edgertons that the hotel had been completely destroyed by the earthquake. The next day, the Edgertons went toward the Hotel Montana. “It looked pretty hopeless. We dug around and talked to some of the survivors,” Joe said. The United Nations had a few people there, and rescue crews began forming. But it became apparent that there was little the Edgertons could do at the hotel. “The people who run the guesthouse are personal friends—we’ve stayed there off and on for two years—and they needed us to help them evacuate people.” So, the Edgertons decided to return to the compound and help there. “We couldn’t make any phone calls out of Haiti, but people in the United States—GBGM—could call us. So, we were in contact with GBGM staff.” The next day, the Edgertons tried to go back up to the Hotel Montana, but because of landslides, they weren’t allowed in the area. After about 55 hours, the United Methodist and Interchurch Medical Assistance World Health representatives were dug out of the rubble. However, Dixon had already died. Joe was called upon to identify Dixon’s body. “We had Sam’s passport because he had left his things at the guesthouse,” Joe said. Rabb succumbed to his injuries a few days later after being transported to a Florida hospital. “We had all the luggage from the three [United Methodist officials], and we were needed to accompany the luggage back to the United States. We would have been evacuated one way or the other, although,” Joe said. Feeling like they had done all they could do and that they were “eating up food other people would need,” the Edgertons left Haiti Jan. 20. Like so many missionaries, the Edgertons had led normal, working lives previously. Joe had been in newspaper publication and building maintenance. Shirley was an operating-room nurse who later became a local pastor in the Kansas East Conference. “We started leading medical mission teams in 1988,” Shirley said. Joe had served on volunteer water-drilling teams in the 1980s and 90s. After Hurricane Georges hit the island of Hispaniola, comprising Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Shirley took a small medical team to Haiti. “There was a church-operated, micro-finance program there, so the people had a little money. But when I went back in 2006 as a part of a Vacation Bible School mission team, only 40 percent of the children were going to school. The people were so terribly, terribly poor. There was no revenue coming in. Water on the island was a critical situation. We ran out of water the third day we were there. The buildings on the compound were in poor repair, and there were no Volunteers In Mission teams going there because there was no one to host them,” Shirley said. “When I came home and told Joe and other people about the conditions, everyone was really upset about the situation.” The Edgertons volunteered in Bay St. Louis, Miss., after Hurricane Katrina and were beginning to consider seeking a long-term mission appointment. They were thinking about going to Cameroon, but the Haitian Methodist Church issued an invitation through GBGM for long-term volunteers in 2006. They went to Haiti in October of 2007. One of their goals was to serve as hosts for VIM teams. “The schools were in horrible repair,” Shirley said. The other primary project was to deal with the water wells on La Gonâve. There is very little fresh water on the island, and people have to walk 12-14 miles to get water for cooking and drinking. Rectangular, above-ground, concrete cisterns are used to collect rainwater. The cisterns are covered with a tin roof and catchment system. “There’s two rainy seasons during the year—one very short one that doesn’t always happen and the other is during hurricane season, which breaks a lot of the cisterns,” Shirley said. “The west end of the island is completely dependent on the cisterns.” “It was really critical that we work on the water system.” They received, somewhat unexpectedly, a $30,000 grant from GBGM that had been earmarked for water projects in Haiti. The Edgertons began working in concert with the Haitian Methodist Church and other organizations that are partners in what is known as the Water Platform. One of the few existing wells on La Gonâve had a huge, broken windmill that had powered it in the past. The windmill has been removed now, and a solar-power system has been purchased and installed on the well. “But the well pipe was damaged when solar system was being installed. This is typical of what happens in Haiti. Nothing happens fast in Haiti. But the well is almost done,” Shirley said. “GBGM also let us use part of the grant money for a geophysical study. The Episcopal Church had geophysicists on the island doing studies, and we targeted an area centrally located on the west end. They agreed to survey an area for us there for a reduced fee,” she said. “We just recently got the results back. If there is water on the west end, it’s at 800-1,000 feet deep. Haiti Outreach, a drilling organization, called after we got back in the U.S. They would drill three wells on the west end but only 650 feet deep. But we would be able to use grant money to get them drilled deeper.” No one who was on La Gonâve at the time of the earthquake was killed, but 200 La Gonâve residents who were on the Haiti mainland died. “One of the young people we knew was killed,” Joe said. An early estimate was that about 1,300 homes were demolished on La Gonâve, and about 4,700 were damaged. “The biggest problem the island had was the influx of 40,000 people looking for something to eat and a way to get out of Port-au-Prince. The normal population [of La Gonâve] is 90,000-100,000 people,” Joe said. The Edgertons have been in contact with people on La Gonâve since they returned to Kansas. “They’re all afraid to stay inside. Food is very expensive because of the influx of people,” Joe said. The Edgertons intend to return to Haiti at some point. “We don’t really know when yet. GBGM and the Haitian Methodist Church will determine that. There are engineers looking at the Methodist structures to see what to do with them. Medical teams are welcome, and anyone with a specialized service is welcome. The others—they’re not ready for yet. Maybe in April or May,” Joe said. “GBGM will send U.S. teams on a schedule. We will work through them, but we may go back a little early as individuals to help with the guesthouse and getting it ready.” The Edgertons are committed to plans in Haiti for the next three years. “Rather than live there, we’ll go back and reinforce the projects we’re working on,” Shirley said. “We feel change is in the wind in Haiti,” Joe said. “[The earthquake] is an opportunity people should not pass over to help the Haitians, to keep working with them to help them improve their system.” The Edgertons are encouraging people to donate generously to UMCOR’s relief efforts in Haiti and will be speaking about the situation there at United Methodist churches in Kansas. Donations to support UMCOR’s Haiti Relief efforts can be made online to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325. The entire amount of each gift will be used to help the people of Haiti. Donate online at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor. Checks can be made payable to local churches with the notation “Haiti Relief” and put in the churches’ offering plates. Kansas West gives 10,000 health kits to UMCOR By Susan Cooper Associate director of Communications WICHITA—More than $14,000 and 10,000 health kits donated by members of the Kansas West Conference were delivered Feb. 21 to the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, La. UMCOR staff plans to distribute the kits, which consist of personal hygiene items, to survivors of the earthquake in Haiti. The kits were collected at several churches in the Kansas West Conference, then brought to First United Methodist Church in Wichita for transportation to the Sager Brown Depot. According to Bonnie Laycock, conference Volunteers In Mission chairperson, it required a 26-foot rental truck to transport the health kits to the Louisiana depot. Thirty volunteers worked for an hour to load the truck. After receiving the donations, Kathy Kraiza, executive director for UMCOR Relief Supplies, said in an e-mail message, “We received the kits Sunday. Wow! Please thank the folks of Kansas West Conference for your compassion! I enjoyed meeting the folks on the team who delivered them.” Kansas Area Resource Center is Back in Business The Kansas Area Resource Center suffered quite a blow with the May 2009 fire at the Kansas West Conference Office. It was quite a challenge putting the catalog back together and replacing all of the materials that Kansas Area churches have come to depend on. The task was long and arduous but the Kansas Area Resource Center is once again “OPEN FOR BUSINESS!” They are still replenishing resources but should be back to 100% by the time they are able to return to the Kansas West Conference Office.
Please be sure to take a look at the Kansas Area Resource Center Information Page and then check out the Online Catalog! Everything you need is right at your fingertips. Because resources are currently housed at a temporary location they are only mailed out on Tuesdays, so be sure to take this into consideration when making your requests. All requests made before NOON on Monday will ship out on Tuesday. Requests made after noon Monday will ship out the following week.
If you have not yet filed for your 2010 KARC Membership please do so by filling out the registration form located here. The form can be filled out and emailed back to KARC@kswestumc.org. You can also mail the form to:
Kansas Area Resource Center
9440 E. Boston Suite 120
Wichita, KS 67207.
2010 Membership rates are being offered at a “FIRE SALE” discount. So don’t waste another minute! Get that membership form in now and start enjoying all the ministry resources you need for one low price!
Hutchinson Trinity youth raise '2010 by 2010' By Kerrie Ollenburger Special contributor HUTCHINSON—A project by the youth of Hutchinson Trinity United Methodist Church, “2010 by 2010,” produced more than the goal of 2,010 food items. The youth delivered 2,591 items and nearly $400 before Christmas to the Salvation Army to help with their annual food-basket program. The idea for the project was born after the youth participated in a group simulation on hunger and poverty around Thanksgiving. The exercise had the youth “living” in different geographical groups for “Thanksgiving dinner” based on global population. They received food typical of their location, such as a small bowl of rice. The “2010 by 2010” project was kicked-off with a scavenger hunt for food all over town, with several hundred items collected that night alone. The congregation stepped up and supported them through the project above and beyond what had been expected. It’s been a really powerful project for the students. Kerrie Ollenburger is coordinator of Youth Ministries at Hutchinson Trinity UMC. Lindsborg Trinity launches recycling program By Julie Truhlar Special contributor LINDSBORG—“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1). During a recent planning retreat at Trinity United Methodist in Lindsborg, several ideas were generated based on the congregation’s personal mission statement as well as the Kansas West Conference’s vision: Invite, Excite and Unite. One of these ideas was “sprouting roots,” the basis of a new recycling campaign. Although still in its infancy, the members are striving to recycle and reuse all they can. But they are taking this environmental stewardship a step further. They also are inviting the community to recycle. Every third Saturday of the month, volunteers from the church either collect recyclables from the homebound, handicapped and senior citizens in the area, or they stand watch and assist recyclers at the local recycle center. In addition to collecting items recyclable at the Lindsborg center, members also collect items that are recyclable through the center in Salina, which accepts more items capable of being recycled. Trinity UMC is assisting the community as well as fulfilling God’s command to care for our world. Julie Truhlar is the church secretary at Trinity UMC in Lindsborg. Effective ministry is relevant ministry (part 2) By Susan Cooper Associate director of Marketing and Communications Recently, author Rev. Dr. Paul Nixon provided 10 “clues” to designing effective, relevant ministry. He addressed “Designing ministry for (and with) your community” at the 2010 Kansas Area Professional Ministry Seminar. The first five clues are in Part 1. Here are the second five clues. Clue 6: Tradition, liturgy and blended are not dirty words. There is a deep hunger for the ancient. “’Blended’ has really taken a bad rap lately. Every service is blended, even if the service hasn’t changed in 10 years. There are elements from many generations. There’s a range of music. “Pentecost was a blended experience,” Nixon joked. He said people want something with some roots. “We don’t have to be afraid of tradition. I have wandered into churches with a full liturgy with contemporary music, and the people in the pews were 32 years old or so. “There’s an artfulness to worship. If you’re doing blended worship, good for you. Just be sure to blend it well.” Instead of labeling worship service styles, he prefers referring to them by their times. “I’d rather just say, ‘the 9:30 service,’ and let people figure out what it is.” Clue 7: There is an even deeper hunger for the relevancy. Nixon showed a slide of a church sign that said, “What could this sign say to get you here Sunday?” “This shows the utmost irrelevancy. We don’t know what we’re doing. We don’t know what you want.’” Congregations need to be aware of the biggest personal challenges people are dealing with in their parish zones. “When you preach, be sure to touch base with those issues,” he said. “We just did street surveys. It was fun. Imagine being the United Methodist preacher out there finding out what people are dealing with. Some of you have done surveys within your church about what the members are dealing with and have done sermon series out of that. Why are we just asking the people inside the church?” He added that church signs should be aimed at passers-by, not the congregation. Clue 8: Pay attention to the power of the tribe. “I went to a church where I was greeted by an elderly man in a three-piece suit and a man about 30 years younger with a ponytail and wearing a leather jacket. There were two tribes coexisting in that church. People who drive big cars and wear suits and hard-living, blue-collar people. They really integrated both tribes in all activities of the church,” Nixon said. Even in a multicultural church, people still organize themselves into tribes—generational, cultural, ethnic, financial. Visitors who don’t see their “tribe” in a church don’t stay. “We need to help people find other people like unto themselves to get them to stay,” he said. Nixon said a typical church is doing well to tap into three demographic tribes. “Use the demographic information available to you to find out who the people are in your area. You need to know your tribes,” he said. Even in multicultural churches, one tribe still tends to control things. “You need to be aware of that. Diversify your leadership and be sensitive to how you make decisions.” Clue 9: Hopefully, the product of your worship is something more than simply more church people. “The world needs more of the fruits of the Spirit, not more church people. The product of what we’re doing should be making more disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” Nixon said. “Inviting people to be a part of transformation, of making a difference, that’s what will feel good about passing this off to the next generation.” Clue 10: Have fun. Playfulness and reverence are friends. Nixon shared a story about a church that had been holding a Mother’s Day service in a local cemetery, but it was causing disagreement in the congregation. They held a movie night with popcorn to bring the congregation together. A few members had been cued to start throwing popcorn at people in front of them. A popcorn fight ensued, and people had fun together. “When things like that go on around the edges, there’s life in the church,” he said. “Every church needs a wow factor every week. What’s going to be that special thing in the life of your church this week?” During his presentation, Nixon also stressed that shooting for excellence in everything doesn’t work. “Perfection and perfectionism are two different things,” he said. He talked about a church on the west coast that grew from 60 members to 10,000 members utilizing a “good enough” philosophy. “But there was excellence in that place—God’s excellence. In the overall scheme, we have to trust God for that excellence,” he said. “Look at the overall effect of your ministry on your community. Not everything has to be perfect; some things are more important than other things. “Think about doing less better,” Nixon said. To get information on community demographics, Kansas United Methodist churches can utilize MissionInsite or Percept free of charge. Contact Bonnie DeBusk at bdebusk@kansaseast.org or 877-972-9111 (toll free). Thanks to Kansas West churches for paying 100% of 2009 Mission and Ministry commitment Thank you to the churches of the Kansas West Conference listed below that paid at least 100 percent of their 2009 Mission and Ministry funds commitment by Jan. 7, 2010. The churches are arranged alphabetically by district. Mission and Ministry commitments, or apportionments, are the main funding source for ministries that feed the hungry, clothe the poor, care for the sick and much more. Church pastors have received resource materials for use in worship services to inform congregations about how Mission and Ministry funds are used. The bulletin inserts also may be downloaded from the conference Web site at www.kswestumc.org/MissionAndMinistry.
UPCOMING EVENTS Hutch Youth Summit 2010 3/27/2010 Hutch-District Youth Summit Hesston United Methodist Church March 27, 2010, 10-3PM FUN, DEVOTIONS, FOOD, MUSIC, WORSHIP, GAMES, AND FELLOWSHIP All Youth and Youth Ministers/Volunteers of the Hutchinson District are invited for a district youth summit! Event cost is $5 per person. What is going down? Ben Wheeler, youth minister of Cheney UMC, will lead music with a praise band. Meaningful devotion. Little Caeser's Pizza and Pop for lunch! Extreme Dodgeball Tournament. Introduction to what the District Council on Youth Minsitry is, and how youth can get involved. Boundary Awareness Training will be provided at the event! www.hesstonumc.org/dcym Hutchinson District Men & Boys Rally This is event is hosted by the: Hutchinson District district 3/28/2010 Key Note Speaker: Hutchinson KAIROS Program Team March 28, 2010, Hutchinson Trinity UMC,1602 N. Main, Hutchinson, 67501 Contact: Mike Foster, 620 694-1695, or amylfoster@sbcglobal.net. Cost: $12 early registration, $15 at the door. Print out the downloadable registration form and mail with checks made payable to United Methodist Men to: Hutchinson Disrict Office, 100 E. First Ave., Hutchinson, KS 67501.Registration due by March 19. Youth Ministry Training 3/29/2010 Hutchinson District First Monday Gathering This is event is hosted by the: Hutchinson District district 4/5/2010 Hutchinson District First Monday Gathering Episcopal Area Transition Team - 4/6-4/7 4/6/2010 Congregational Growth and Development - Executive Team 4/6/2010 Clergy Covenant This is event is hosted by the: The Salina District district 4/8/2010 Boundary Awareness Training at Confirmation Rally. 4/9/2010 This will be in conjuction with Confirmation Rally. Attendance to the Boundary Awareness training is free. To become certified, there is a $30 registration fee. All clergy should be certified. Certification is good for 5 years. If you're not sure if you need to re-certify, contact Maria Miranda at the conference office: 1-800-745-2350, or mmiranda@kswestumc.org. Any church staff or laity who works with youth within the church would benefit from the training. Any adults who chaperone, accompany or supervise a group of young people overnight, or deal with youth at the district or conference level are required to be certified. Contact your local church about sponsoring you for this training event. Starting December 2009 the cost for the background checks is $30. Confirmation Rally 2010 4/9/2010 Check out the promo video below: (If video is not visible, click here to view) Health and Participation Form: Dowload this form, have each person fill one out and bring with them to the event. 2010 Confirmation Brochure: Click here to get a copy of the actual brochure. 2010 Hotel Option: Click here for a $68.00 great deal at La Quinta Inn and Suites! --------------------------------------------------- All these Boundary Awareness Forms need to be filled out prior to March 10th: BAT - Application Form: Fill out to sign up for the BAT Training. BAT - KBI Form: Fill out to have Kansas Bureau of Investigation background check done. BAT - SRS Form: Fill out to have Social Rehabilitation Services background check done. UMW Conference Program Committee Meeting 4/10/2010 2010 UMM Spiritual Rally 4/10/2010 Great worship, music and fellowship! Speakers and entertainment include Bishop Scott Jones, Gilbert Hanke, and a music group from the Kansas West UMM. There will be four to six workshops to choose from and communion service. An agenda will be available as soon as the program is finalized. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday or pre-register before April 2. Pre-registration fee is $20 and registration received after April 2 is $25. Registration fee covers meals, snacks, class materials and cost of instruction. Download the flier and registration form for more information. Basic Disaster Response Training - Mentor UMC 4/10/2010 South Central Jurisdictional Retreat for Women in Ministry - 4/12-4/13 4/12/2010 All women in ministry across the South Central Jurisdiction are invited to gather in Oklahoma City on April 12-13 to celebrate the “Sisterhood of the Travelin’ Shoes.” Bishop Judith Craig will be our guide as we kick off our shoes, relax, worship, eat and share together the joys of ministry. The event itself is basically 24 hours, from 1:00 pm Monday to 2:30 pm on Tuesday, but you’re invited to come early or stay late for some personal Sabbath time after Holy Week. St. Luke’s United Methodist Church at 222 NW 15th in downtown Oklahoma City will be hosting our conference activities. Download the brochure for more information, including hotel information, a schedule and registration form. Area Appointive Cabinet 4/12/2010 Board of Ordained Ministry - Great Bend 1st UMC 4/12/2010 Total Board Meeting Ready to Retire Seminar 4/16/2010 This seminar will focus on clergy who are two years away from retirement. Seminar topics include: Retiree Health Insurance Social Security and Medicare Benefits Pension Distribution Options Personal Consultations For more information, click here. To register online, click here. Sacred Compass - A Day of Training for Spiritual Formation This is event is hosted by the: Hutchinson District district 4/17/2010 Keynote Speaker - Rev. Jeff Gannon, senior pastor at Chapel Hill UMC Registration opens at 9 a.m., afternoon sessions end at 2 p.m. Cost: $10, including lunch by UMW Click on the event registration brochure for more information including a list of workshop sessions to chose from and registration information. Sponsored by the Hutchinson District Program Team Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries 4/17/2010 Youth Workers Gathering 2010 - 4/23-4/24 4/23/2010 Youth Workers Gathering 2010 Click Here to Register Schedule of Events Speakers and Facilitators Email with questions For more information, go to: www.youtheology.com. ReThink Church This is event is hosted by the: The Salina District district 4/24/2010 Rethink Church - 4/24 - 4/25 4/24/2010 What if on one weekend all around the world, 11 million United Methodists came together to work in their local communities? On April 24-25, Rethink Church invites all United Methodist congregations to demonstrate the church’s relevance in the world today by reaching out to neighbors—locally and globally. Ideas include: •Considering how your congregation currently impacts its community. Do you have a food pantry, a clothing closet, an ESL program, a tutoring program, etc.? •Scheduling an activity for either an existing or new outreach ministry on either April 24 or 25. •Inviting both your congregation and local community to be involved. •Using the Rethink Church World Malaria Day Sermon Starter, which will be available online at www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld. •Collecting a special offering to combat malaria. Find out more at http://www.umcom.org/site/c.mrLZJ9PFKmG/b.5801527/k.1EE2/Learn_more/apps/s/link.asp. Area Extended Cabinet 4/27/2010 UMW Assembly - 4/28-5/2 4/28/2010 Sessions Planning 4/29/2010 Healthy Congregations Retreat 2010 - 4/30-5/1 4/30/2010 Discover ways congregations can advance health, healing and wholeness at the annual Healthy Congregations Annual Retreat. The event brings together United Methodists with shared interests in congregational health ministries and the promotion of holistic health and healthy lifestyles. The annual retreat features a variety of sessions covering the spiritual, mental, physical, and social components of health. Plan to attend this relaxing, informational, and fun event in the beautiful natural setting at scenic Rock Springs 4-H Center. Get more information at www.healthfund.org/hcar.php. The retreat is a part of the Health Fund's Healthy Congregations Covenant program. Faithfully Fit Forever Leader Training - Rock Springs 5/1/2010 Faithfully Fit Forever (FFF) is a non-profit, cooperative community health program created by MeritCare Hospital Parish Nursing and Cardiac Rehab staff. It was implemented in April of 2000. Faithfully Fit Forever is a non-denominational faith community based exercise, devotion, and health education program. FFF focuses on the body, mind, and spirit connection. The program may benefit the physical and psychological well being of your parishioners. There are currently over 650 faith community leaders (nurses, pastors, teachers, and individuals interested in promoting health) who have completed this training workshop. To date, over 140 places of worship in 8 states have implemented FFF programs. It started in Kansas at Winfield First United Methodist church in September 2003. Follow-up survey results indicate that this program is improving the health and wellness of participants. Participants enjoy the safe, familiar and supportive environment that their place of worship has to offer and report weight loss, lower blood pressure as well as improved endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Articles describing the positive impact of this program have appeared in the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Journal. Seeds for Ministry (formerly "Know Your Job" workshop) This is event is hosted by the: Wichita East District district 5/2/2010 Seeds for Ministry Event "I have this job to do--now what do I need to know?" East Heights UMC Sunday, May 2, 2010 2:00 - 6:00 PM This workshop will now take place as part the Wichita East District Pre-Conference Briefing. We've added two more workshops: Nominations & Leadership and Pre-Conference Briefing. Please watch for updated information coming soon! A new brochure is in process of being created and will be posted as soon as it is available! 1:00 - 2:00--Worship Celebration Worship Leaders: New Beginnings Band from Benton UMC Message by Gary Brooks Communion 2:00 - 3:30--Woskshops Session 1 Staff Parish Relations Committee--Gary Brooks Wichita East DS Church Council/Church Council Chair--Tom Graber, leader Finance Committee /Financial Secretaries & Treasurers Debbie Maltbie Kansas West Conference Treasurer Disaster Response--Mark Eastman, Disaster Response Coordinator with Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Cheri Baer Trustees--Mike Dillmon, Kansas West Conference Board of Trustees 3:30 - 5:00--Wokshops Session 2 Rethink Church/Welcoming Ministries--Charles Cadwell, District Lay Leader Stewardship--Rev. Dr. Lisa Wiens Thompson, leader Strategic Planning--Rev. Dr. Paul Wilke, leader Mission Outreach--Paul Burger, Kansas West Conference Mission Coordinator Health & Wellness--Matt Kuzma, United Methodist Health Fund The "Seeds for Ministry" is more than just training folks to do their elected jobs in the local church. It is growing into an event that helps us see the broader picture and vision of ministry in each of our contexts. Put this date on your calendars -- invite people to attend. Let's plant, cultivate, and nourish seeds for ministry! Congregational Growth & Development - Executive Team Meeting 5/11/2010 Area Appointive Cabinet 5/12/2010 Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries 5/15/2010 H482 Intermediate Rider Boots 'n Bible Horsemanship Camp 5/24/2010 Date: May 24-28 Grades: 3-12 Max: 10 Cost: $400 ($410 after May 1st) Please note: To be eligible for intermediate level rider must be able to move horse with control at walk and trot using good balance in the saddle without using the saddle horn. Board the bus! Each day you will go to Simmons Horse Ranch for fun-filled days of riding, Bible Study, and sharing. Four wranglers have combined experience of more than 100 years of horsemanship and instruction. Rain or shine with an indoor and outdoor arena. You will learn to do a variety of horsemanship skills with a horse for the week. Also learn games on horseback along with so much more. Prizes will be awarded after the performance for family and friends. Horses and tack are provided. Horses and tack are provided, limited space available, register early. Dean: Sue Simmons, 620.438.2998 H441 Junior High Journey 1 (Boys Signup Here) 5/24/2010 H441 Junior High Journey 1: Date: May 24-28 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240 after May 1st) Connect with friends, old and new this summer as we explore what it really means to be a “superhero.” High ropes, crazy games, swimming, late nights and God’s Word are all still on the agenda, along with the opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ, our Original Superhero. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H421 Young Wonders 1 (Girls sign up here) 5/24/2010 Date: May 24 - 28 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $210 (After May 1st $220) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H421 Young Wonders 1 (Boys sign up here) 5/24/2010 Date: May 24 - 28 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $210 (After May 1st $220) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H441 Junior High Journey 1 (Girls Signup Here) 5/24/2010 H441 Junior High Journey 1: Date: May 24-28 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240 after May 1st) Connect with friends, old and new this summer as we explore what it really means to be a “superhero.” High ropes, crazy games, swimming, late nights and God’s Word are all still on the agenda, along with the opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ, our Original Superhero. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H431 Elementary Explorers 1 (Boys sign up here) 5/24/2010 Date: May 24 - 28 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $220 (After May 1st $230) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H431 Elementary Explorers 1 (Girls sign up here) 5/24/2010 Date: May 24 - 28 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $220 (After May 1st $230) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 Board of Ordained Ministry - Salina University UMC 5/25/2010 Total Board Meeting Board of Ordained Ministry - Clergy Session 5/25/2010 2010 Annual Conference - 5/26-5/28 5/26/2010 The 2010 session will focus on the intentional faith-sharing portion of the Kansas West Conference mission statement adopted in 2008: “Invite through radical hospitality; excite for intentional faith-sharing; unite in risk-taking mission for the transformation of the world.” Annual Conference This is event is hosted by the: Hutchinson District district 5/26/2010 Peace with Justice Sunday 5/30/2010 Established by the 1988 General Conference, Peace with Justice Sunday supports programs that advocate peace and justice at home and around the world. Funds that are collected are split with half going to the General Board of Church and Society to help fund U.S. and global work in social action, public-policy education and advocacy. Half stays in the conference to fund local peace with justice programs so that a difference can be seen locally. Download Peace with Justice Sunday resources. For additional assistance, contact the Advocacy Ministries Coordinator, Conne Wooldridge, at pastorconnie@hotmail.com . Additionally, you can give online anytime at https://donate.gcfa.org/funddetails.aspx?name=pwjs. Together, we can work together for a faithful and loving world for all and bring hope for our future. Congregational Growth and Development - Committee Meeting 6/1/2010 H410 Little Explorers 1 Day Camp 6/1/2010 Grades: 1-3 Max: 24 Cost: $45 ($55 after May 1st) Theme A: Rocket into the Hero World All you little heroes out in space come join all the other heroes in the galaxy. Join us as we get to learn about the biggest hero of them all - JESUS and how he saved the world! You will be able to use your super powers as you hike, play games, sing songs at the campfire, and meet new friends. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H442 Junior High Journey 2 (Girls Signup Here) 6/1/2010 H442 Junior High Journey 2: Date: June 1-2 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $180 ($190 after May 1st) Connect with friends, old and new this summer as we explore what it really means to be a “superhero.” High ropes, crazy games, swimming, late nights and God’s Word are all still on the agenda, along with the opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ, our Original Superhero. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H422 Young Wonders 2 (Boys sign up here) 6/1/2010 Date: June 1 - 4 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $160 (After May 1st $170) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H422 Young Wonders 2 (Girls sign up here) 6/1/2010 Date: June 1 - 4 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $160 (After May 1st $170) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H451 High School Amazing Adventures (Boys Signup Here) 6/1/2010 H451 High School Amazing Adventures: Date: June 1-4 Grades: 10-12 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $200 ($210 after May 1st) Do you ever feel like you need a hero? This summer is all about heroes, from the Bible to the halls of the school, you will discover the inner hero in yourself while selecting your own daily activities and spending some time out in God’s creation. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H442 Junior High Journey 2 (Boys Signup Here) 6/1/2010 H442 Junior High Journey 2: Date: June 1-2 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $180 ($190 after May 1st) Connect with friends, old and new this summer as we explore what it really means to be a “superhero.” High ropes, crazy games, swimming, late nights and God’s Word are all still on the agenda, along with the opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ, our Original Superhero. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H432 Elementary Explorers 2 (Boys sign up here) 6/1/2010 Date: June 1 - 4 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $170 (After May 1st $180) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H451 High School Amazing Adventures (Girls Signup Here) 6/1/2010 H451 High School Amazing Adventures: Date: June 1-4 Grades: 10-12 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $200 ($210 after May 1st) Do you ever feel like you need a hero? This summer is all about heroes, from the Bible to the halls of the school, you will discover the inner hero in yourself while selecting your own daily activities and spending some time out in God’s creation. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H432 Elementary Explorers 2 (Girls sign up here) 6/1/2010 Date: June 1 - 4 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $170 (After May 1st $180) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H418 Adventurous Little Explorers 1 (Boys sign up here) 6/3/2010 Date: June 3-4 Grades: 2-3 Max: 10 girls/10boys Cost: $75 (After May 1st $85) Buckle up for high-flyin’, rope-swingin’ adventure at Camp Horizon! This overnight expedition is full of great fun for campers ready for a night away from home. You’ll get to participating in all of our activities from the Little Explorers Day Camp AND spend a night at camp as well! There’s swimming, singing, crafts, and learning about God! Are you ready to be adventurous? Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H418 Adventurous Little Explorers 1 (Girls sign up here) 6/3/2010 Date: June 3-4 Grades: 2-3 Max: 10 girls/10boys Cost: $75 (After May 1st $85) Buckle up for high-flyin’, rope-swingin’ adventure at Camp Horizon! This overnight expedition is full of great fun for campers ready for a night away from home. You’ll get to participating in all of our activities from the Little Explorers Day Camp AND spend a night at camp as well! There’s swimming, singing, crafts, and learning about God! Are you ready to be adventurous? Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 C583 North Central Youth Camp: "Making a Play for Jesus, Act 2" 6/4/2010 Dates: June 04-06 Grades: 5-8 Max: 30 Cost: $60 ($70 after May 1st) Location: Courtland UMC, Courtland, KS Title of the Camp: "Making a Play for Jesus, Act 2" This is a short-term, introductory church camp. Campers will enjoy opportunities for adventure, fellowship, fun and learning about the Good news of Jesus Christ. Campers will be acting out their faith in short skits and dramas. There also will be outdoor camping, cookouts, music, swimming, and a few surprises along the way. We hope campers will join us to make a play for Jesus in 2010. Deans: Jim Rice, 785.428.3531 and Kathy Aeillo, 785.374.4520 North Central Youth Camp - 6/4 - 6/6 This is event is hosted by the: The Salina District district 6/4/2010 C501 LEAD Camp 6/7/2010 LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) is a camp designed for students by students. It’s a place where leadership is learned and practiced. But there’s more to LEAD than just leadership. Each of us also has a longing to connect. Nobody wants to be alone. LEAD is a place where four areas of connection will be served… connections with God, self, friends, and world. It’s going to make a difference! For incoming middle school (6th-8th grade) students. Cost: $240 ($250 after May 1st) Sponsored by the Conference Council on Youth Ministries. Deans: Blake Heiman and Casey Long H423 Young Wonders 3 (Girls sign up here) 6/7/2010 Date: June7 -11 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $210 (After May 1st $220) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H483 Boots 'n Bible Horsemanship Camp 6/7/2010 Date: June 7-11 Grades: 3-12 Max: 10 Cost: $400 ($410 after May 1st) Board the Bus! Each day you will go to Simmons Horse Ranch for fun-filled days of riding, Bible Study, and sharing. Four wranglers have combined experience of more than 100 years of horsemanship and instruction. Rain or shine with an indoor and outdoor arena. You will learn to do a variety of horsemanship skills with a horse for the week. Also learn games on horseback along with so much more. Prizes will be awarded after the performance for family and friends. Horses and tack are provided. Horses and tack are provided, limited space available, register early. Dean: Sue Simmons, 620.438.2998 H423 Young Wonders 3 (Boys sign up here) 6/7/2010 Date: June7 -11 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $210 (After May 1st $220) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H433 Elementary Explorers 3 (Boys sign up here) 6/7/2010 Date: June 7- 11 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $220 (After May 1st $230) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H433 Elementary Explorers 3 (Girls sign up here) 6/7/2010 Date: June 7- 11 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $220 (After May 1st $230) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H467 Legend of the Aztec Tomb 6/7/2010 Date: June 7-11 Grades: 7-12 Max: 15 Cost: $200 (After May 1st $210) There’s more than one kind of treasure to unearth this summer at Camp Horizon. The stakes are high and the time is short as campers learn from the adventures of Indiana Jones to discover that the most valuable treasures aren’t found in gold or jewels, but in the teachings of the Original Adventurer. Cook over an open fire, camp under the stars, and unravel the mystery surrounding Camp Horizon’s own Aztec Tomb…bring your imaginations! Dean: Tim Fleming, 800.542.3511 H411 Little Explorers 2 Day Camp 6/8/2010 Grades: 1-3 Max: 24 Cost: $45 ($55 after May 1st) Theme A: Rocket into the Hero World All you little heroes out in space come join all the other heroes in the galaxy. Join us as we get to learn about the biggest hero of them all - JESUS and how he saved the world! You will be able to use your super powers as you hike, play games, sing songs at the campfire, and meet new friends. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H412 Little Explorers 3 Day Camp 6/10/2010 Grades: 1-3 Max: 24 Cost: $45 (After May 1st $55) Theme B: Adventurous Indiana Tim? Hold on to your hats as you discover adventures beyond anything you can imagine. Follow Indy in a whip-crackin’ adventure through God’s beautiful nature. Cook s’mores, sing camp songs, swim, learn about how Jesus helps us, and so much more! Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 UMW - METour, Southeast USA 6/13-6/23 6/13/2010 Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries 6/19/2010 H463 Granny and/or Gramps Go Camping 6/28/2010 Date: June 28-July 1 Grades: 3-Adult Max: 36 Cost: $150 ($160 after May 1st) per person What precious moments are spent with our grandchildren! No one is better than your wonderful grandparents! Add them together and you get a perfect combination! You’ll laugh and talk together as you spend time in God’s beautiful creation. You will be able to choose from a list of activities during the day. Naps are allowed! You will study together about how Jesus taught us to love Him and our neighbors too. Dean: Horizon Staff, 800.542.3511 H484 Boots 'n Bible Horsemanship Camp 6/28/2010 Date: June 28-July 1 Grades: 3-12 Max: 10 Cost: $400 ($410 after May 1st) Board the bus! Each day you will go to Simmons Horse Ranch for fun-filled days of riding, Bible Study, and sharing. Four wranglers have combined experience of more than 100 years of horsemanship and instruction. Rain or shine with an indoor and outdoor arena. You will learn to do a variety of horsemanship skills with a horse for the week. Also learn games on horseback along with so much more. Prizes will be awarded after the performance for family and friends. Horses and tack are provided. Horses and tack are provided, limited space available, register early. Dean: Sue Simmons, 620.438.2998 H436 Elementary Sports Camp (Girls Signup Here) 6/28/2010 Date: June 28-July 2 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240) Just do it! It doesn’t take running a marathon or winning gold medals to be a hero in the challenges and games this year at Horizon’s sports and survivor camps. Whether faced with friendly competition or group-building team exercises, campers will unite to tackle obstacles of Biblical reference, while still learning about the challenges that Jesus overcame, the only hero to ever really save the world. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H436 Elementary Sports Camp (Boys Signup Here) 6/28/2010 Date: June 28-July 2 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240) Just do it! It doesn’t take running a marathon or winning gold medals to be a hero in the challenges and games this year at Horizon’s sports and survivor camps. Whether faced with friendly competition or group-building team exercises, campers will unite to tackle obstacles of Biblical reference, while still learning about the challenges that Jesus overcame, the only hero to ever really save the world. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H444 Junior High Sports Camp (Boys Signup Here) 6/28/2010 Date: June 28-July 2 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240) Just do it! It doesn’t take running a marathon or winning gold medals to be a hero in the challenges and games this year at Horizon’s sports and survivor camps. Whether faced with friendly competition or group-building team exercises, campers will unite to tackle obstacles of Biblical reference, while still learning about the challenges that Jesus overcame, the only hero to ever really save the world. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H444 Junior High Sports Camp (Girls Signup Here) 6/28/2010 Date: June 28-July 2 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240) Just do it! It doesn’t take running a marathon or winning gold medals to be a hero in the challenges and games this year at Horizon’s sports and survivor camps. Whether faced with friendly competition or group-building team exercises, campers will unite to tackle obstacles of Biblical reference, while still learning about the challenges that Jesus overcame, the only hero to ever really save the world. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H424 Young Wonders 4 (Boys sign up here) 6/28/2010 Date: June 28 - July 2 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $210 (After May 1st $220) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H424 Young Wonders 4 (Girls sign up here) 6/28/2010 Date: June 28 - July 2 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $210 (After May 1st $220) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H462 Family Road Trip: Fabulous Family Fun 6/28/2010 H462 Family Road Trip: Fabulous Family Fun Date: June 28-July 1 Grades: All Ages! Max: 36 Cost: $ ($150) (160) per person Pack your suitcase! Load up your car! It’s time to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend some quality family time in God’s beautiful creation. The hiking is amazing; the swimming is fun; the food can’t be beat! You’ll stay in Horizon’s beautiful Renewal Lodge where the bedding and towels are provided! You will be learning about how Jesus invites and loves all people. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.542.3511 H413 Little Explorers 4 Day Camp 6/29/2010 Grades: 1-3 Max: 24 Cost: $45 ($55 after May 1st) Theme A: Rocket into the Hero World All you little heroes out in space come join all the other heroes in the galaxy. Join us as we get to learn about the biggest hero of them all - JESUS and how he saved the world! You will be able to use your super powers as you hike, play games, sing songs at the campfire, and meet new friends. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 Annual Church Audit This is event is hosted by the: Hays District district 6/30/2010 Audits are due into the District Office by this date. Submit on the Fund Balance Form. H419 Adventurous Little Explorers 2 (Boys sign up here) 7/1/2010 Date: July 1 - 2 Grades: 2-3 Max: 10 girls/10boys Cost: $75 (After May 1st $85) Buckle up for high-flyin’, rope-swingin’ adventure at Camp Horizon! This overnight expedition is full of great fun for campers ready for a night away from home. You’ll get to participating in all of our activities from the Little Explorers Day Camp AND spend a night at camp as well! There’s swimming, singing, crafts, and learning about God! Are you ready to be adventurous? Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H419 Adventurous Little Explorers 2 (Girls sign up here) 7/1/2010 Date: July 1 - 2 Grades: 2-3 Max: 10 girls/10boys Cost: $75 (After May 1st $85) Buckle up for high-flyin’, rope-swingin’ adventure at Camp Horizon! This overnight expedition is full of great fun for campers ready for a night away from home. You’ll get to participating in all of our activities from the Little Explorers Day Camp AND spend a night at camp as well! There’s swimming, singing, crafts, and learning about God! Are you ready to be adventurous? Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H466 Explore and Celebrate God's Stars, Planets, Critters, and More 7/5/2010 Date: July 5-9 Grades: 5-8 Max: 25 Cost: $200 (After May 1st $210) Celebration time – come on! Explore and experience the wonder of nature from the stars and constellations to the amazing cliffs around Camp Horizon. You will explore science and faith together in a unique way. Dean: Ken Hathaway, 620.221.2282 H465 Picture This! 7/5/2010 Date: July 5-9 Grades: 7-Adult Max: 15 Cost: $200 ($210) That’s right! It will be you taking those incredible pictures of such beautiful landscapes and so much more! Bring your digital camera so you can take your skills back home to use again and again. You will tie in God’s inspiring creation with the Lord’s Word. You’ll be able to keep your memories of Camp Horizon for a lifetime. General camping, canoeing, and the Challenge Course will be great ways to add to your favorite picture collections. Dean: Jan Hathaway, 620.221.2282 H434 Elementary Explorers 4 (Girls sign up here) 7/5/2010 Date: July 5 - 9 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $220 (After May 1st $230) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H434 Elementary Explorers 4 (Boys sign up here) 7/5/2010 Date: July 5 - 9 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $220 (After May 1st $230) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H468 Puppet Camp 7/5/2010 Date: July 5-9 Grades: 3 and up Max: 15 Cost: $200 (After May 1st $210) A new addition to the camp roster, Puppet Camp allows campers to express their creativity through the interactive imagery of puppetry! Work with fellow campers in creating your own dramatic masterpiece, all the while learning how God pulls the strings in all our lives. Co Deans: Ben Hanne, 316.573.6909 and Emma Shrack, 800.542.3511 H445 Junior High Survivor Camp (Boys Signup Here) 7/5/2010 Date: July 5-9 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240) Just do it! It doesn’t take running a marathon or winning gold medals to be a hero in the challenges and games this year at Horizon’s sports and survivor camps. Whether faced with friendly competition or group-building team exercises, campers will unite to tackle obstacles of Biblical reference, while still learning about the challenges that Jesus overcame, the only hero to ever really save the world. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H445 Junior High Survivor Camp (Girls Signup Here) 7/5/2010 Date: July 5-9 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240) Just do it! It doesn’t take running a marathon or winning gold medals to be a hero in the challenges and games this year at Horizon’s sports and survivor camps. Whether faced with friendly competition or group-building team exercises, campers will unite to tackle obstacles of Biblical reference, while still learning about the challenges that Jesus overcame, the only hero to ever really save the world. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H485 Advanced Rider Boots 'n Bible Horsemanship Camp 7/5/2010 Date: July 5-9 Grades: 3-12 Board the bus! Each day you will go to Simmons Horse Ranch for fun-filled days of riding, Bible Study, and sharing. Four wranglers have combined experience of more than 100 years of horsemanship and instruction. Rain or shine with an indoor and outdoor arena. You will learn to do a variety of horsemanship skills with a horse for the week. Also learn games on horseback along with so much more. Prizes will be awarded after the performance for family and friends. Horses and tack are provided. Horses and tack are provided, limited space available, register early. Max: 10 Cost: $400 ($410 after May 1st) Please note: To be eligible for advanced level camp, rider must be able to move horse with control at walk, trot, and lope using all gaits and good balance in the saddle without using the saddle horn. Dean: Sue Simmons, 620.438.2998 H414 Little Explorers 5 Day Camp 7/6/2010 Grades: 1-3 Max: 24 Cost: $45 ($55 after May 1st) Theme A: Rocket into the Hero World All you little heroes out in space come join all the other heroes in the galaxy. Join us as we get to learn about the biggest hero of them all - JESUS and how he saved the world! You will be able to use your super powers as you hike, play games, sing songs at the campfire, and meet new friends. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 Congregational Growth & Development - Executive Team Meeting 7/6/2010 H415 Little Explorers 6 Day Camp 7/8/2010 Grades: 1-3 Max: 24 Cost: $45 (After May 1st $55) Theme B: Adventurous Indiana Tim? Hold on to your hats as you discover adventures beyond anything you can imagine. Follow Indy in a whip-crackin’ adventure through God’s beautiful nature. Cook s’mores, sing camp songs, swim, learn about how Jesus helps us, and so much more! Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H443 Junior High Journey 3 (Boys Signup Here) 7/12/2010 H443 Junior High Journey 3: Date: July 12-16 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240 after May 1st) Connect with friends, old and new this summer as we explore what it really means to be a “superhero.” High ropes, crazy games, swimming, late nights and God’s Word are all still on the agenda, along with the opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ, our Original Superhero. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H443 Junior High Journey 3 (Girls Signup Here) 7/12/2010 H443 Junior High Journey 3: Date: July 12-16 Grades: 7-9 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $230 ($240 after May 1st) Connect with friends, old and new this summer as we explore what it really means to be a “superhero.” High ropes, crazy games, swimming, late nights and God’s Word are all still on the agenda, along with the opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ, our Original Superhero. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H461 Counselor in Training: Learning to Lead (Boys Signup Here) 7/12/2010 H461 Counselor in Training: Learning to Lead Date: July 12-16 Grades: 9-12 Max: 5 boys/5 girls Cost: $250 ($260) This camp is designed to train and encourage older campers with a desire to become a top-notch, well-trained counselor. Counselors-in-Training (CITs) will assist camp deans with elementary campers and their activities including hiking, swimming, canoes, arts and crafts, singing, and nature study. CITs will get to experience the fun of camp while growing in their own faith. In order to register for this camp, campers will need permission from the dean. All registered campers will go through a selection process; this will require an interview. Dean: Ben Wheeler, 316.542.3511 H435 Elementary Explorers 5 (Boys sign up here) 7/12/2010 Date: July12 - 16 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $220 (After May 1st $230) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H435 Elementary Explorers 5 (Girls sign up here) 7/12/2010 Date: July12 - 16 Grades: 5-6 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $220 (After May 1st $230) Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Come join us at camp this summer and learn about how Jesus and his powers can overwhelm all evil forces, while hiking, canoeing, enjoying the challenge course, and getting a chance to gaze at the stars while enjoying s’mores. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H425 Young Wonders 5 (Boys sign up here) 7/12/2010 Date: July 12 - 16 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $210 (After May 1st $220) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H425 Young Wonders 5 (Girls sign up here) 7/12/2010 Date: July 12 - 16 Grades: 3-4 Max: 18 boys/18 girls Cost: $210 (After May 1st $220) Calling all young heroes!!! It is time to come and share your super powers with Camp Horizon. This year at camp you will learn about the biggest super hero in the universe, Jesus Christ, while having fun hiking, canoeing, meeting friends, and enjoying a s’more around the campfire. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H461 Counselor in Training: Learning to Lead (Girls Signup Here) 7/12/2010 H461 Counselor in Training: Learning to Lead Date: July 12-16 Grades: 9-12 Max: 5 boys/5 girls Cost: $250 ($260) This camp is designed to train and encourage older campers with a desire to become a top-notch, well-trained counselor. Counselors-in-Training (CITs) will assist camp deans with elementary campers and their activities including hiking, swimming, canoes, arts and crafts, singing, and nature study. CITs will get to experience the fun of camp while growing in their own faith. In order to register for this camp, campers will need permission from the dean. All registered campers will go through a selection process; this will require an interview. Dean: Ben Wheeler, 316.542.3511 H416 Little Explorers 7 Day Camp 7/13/2010 Grades: 1-3 Max: 24 Cost: $45 ($55 after May 1st) Theme A: Rocket into the Hero World All you little heroes out in space come join all the other heroes in the galaxy. Join us as we get to learn about the biggest hero of them all - JESUS and how he saved the world! You will be able to use your super powers as you hike, play games, sing songs at the campfire, and meet new friends. Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 H417 Little Explorers 8 Day Camp 7/15/2010 Grades: 1-3 Max: 24 Cost: $45 (After May 1st $55) Theme B: Adventurous Indiana Tim? Hold on to your hats as you discover adventures beyond anything you can imagine. Follow Indy in a whip-crackin’ adventure through God’s beautiful nature. Cook s’mores, sing camp songs, swim, learn about how Jesus helps us, and so much more! Deans: Horizon Staff, 800.486.4425 Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries 7/17/2010 PAUMCS 2010 Certification Institute - July 18-23, 2010 7/18/2010 Who should attend? United Methodist church secretaries, administrative assistants, general agency office personnel, Episcopal, district and Annual Conference office personnel The program begins Sunday, July 18 with check-in from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and orientation at 5:00 p.m. The program ends at approximately 12:00 noon on Friday, July 23. The registration fee is $315.00*. This includes course materials, a continental breakfast Monday through Friday and a couple of lunches and dinners (Sunday & Thursday). Travel, room, additional meals and any other incidentals are the responsibility of each participant. Arrangements have been made with Emory University for air-conditioned dormitory rooms at $38.00* for singles, per day and $30.00* per person, per day for doubles. *These rates are as of November 2009. Please see the brochure/registration form for more details including why you should attend, how your church will benefit, why you should become certified and how to register. Class size is limited to 30 participants. Registrations will be honored in the order in which they are received. If someone needs financial help, there are a limited amount of scholarships that cover the cost of the registration fee. A written request explaining the need for the scholarship is required. This program is sponsored by the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN BISHOP'S COLUMN Transforming the world PUBLISHED: 2/19/2010 The mission of the United Methodist Church is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” I am excited to participate in God’s mission that includes evangelism, worship, discipleship and Christian action. I know from the Bible that God is in the business of saving the world, and God has given me the privilege of participating in that process as part of his church. The transformation of the world has been on my mind in the last several weeks. The news reports out of Haiti after the earthquake have been quite disturbing. Two friends of mine, Revs. Sam Dixon and Clint Rabb, died when the Hotel Montana collapsed. But my sense of loss is miniscule compared to the tens of thousands of Haitians who mourn their dead and worry about having enough to eat. I have visited with Joe and Shirley Edgerton, who were in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake struck, and heard some of their story. I asked their advice about the future. I am asking, “What are Christians to do?” A team of people from the Kansas West Conference has just returned from a visit to Zimbabwe. As guests of Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa and the Zimbabwe East Conference, they were exploring a possible covenant relationship between our two conferences. Zimbabwe has suffered from corruption and political oppression for decades. There is hunger there. Although no natural disaster, a cultural disaster is tearing the country apart. I am asking, “What are Christians to do?” A full discussion about transforming the world would go far beyond the limits of this short article. But there are several traits of United Methodist social action that help us know how we are participating in God’s transforming work: Responding to human need. My daily Bible study this year has focused on Matthew 25 where Jesus is clear—those who make it to heaven are the ones who feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give water to the thirsty and care for those who are sick and in prison. The power of television and Internet focuses our attention on the latest disaster, and I am proud that United Methodists are involved. However, Haiti is not the only place where people are hungry, homeless and in great need. I believe Christians should be involved in social action in their home communities, in their state and internationally. Addressing deep issues. We have learned a lot about the causes of poverty, and we should be giving attention to the steps that will make the greatest difference in people’s lives 20 to 30 years from now. Offering personal salvation through Jesus Christ makes a difference. Education makes a difference. Teaching people economic skills and agricultural skills makes a difference. When I was in Mozambique, Gracie Michel, the first minister of education in independent Mozambique and the wife of Nelson Mandela, thanked the United Methodist Church for teaching that education is important, that women are equal to men and that healthy practices can cure disease. Our missionary work for more than 150 years has made a difference. Focusing on fruitfulness and effectiveness. Sometimes well-meaning people want to make a contribution that feels good to them. Christians should be asking how to maximize our fruitfulness. We have a powerful network through our connectional system. United Methodist missionaries have been in Haiti and Zimbabwe for decades. Our General Board of Global Ministries and its United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) have effective ways of delivering the help that is most needed. Sending money is more effective than sending bottles of water. Sending health kits is a tangible way of contributing. Eventually, there will be a need for Volunteers In Mission teams to go, but we know from past disasters that such involvement must wait until the time is ripe. Staying for the long term. The attention of the media will leave Haiti soon. The need for response will still be around for years to come. People are still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Katrina four years later. The devastation in Haiti was even greater, and we need to be prepared for the long-term help that should be offered. The problems being generated in Zimbabwe are not going to be fixed quickly even when genuine democracy returns. At our best, we United Methodists stay longer than others. After the Greensburg tornado when many other relief groups left, we continued to help. Demanding accountability. Often people are uncritical about where they give their money. United Methodists are committed to accountability, transparency and faithfulness in handling our money. Our connectional way of doing church means we know where the money is going and we have ways of making sure that it is used well. Unfortunately, there are many people who give money that ends up being wasted, embezzled or misused. Our United Methodist connection minimizes those problems. Respecting the local Christians. A group of Baptists has been in the news and currently is in jail on charges related to an attempt to take children out of the country without proper permissions. One of the hallmarks of United Methodist mission work is our respect for and cooperation with local Christian leaders. Many times, well-meaning Americans don’t take the time to understand the local situation and the local perspective on important issues. We do not always have the right answers, and we need to work in partnership with our Christian sisters and brothers who are on the ground. Our mission philosophy emphasizes partnership. If the Kansas West Conference continues its work in Zimbabwe, it will be a covenant where both conferences have something to offer and something to receive. God is a missionary God who is in the business of saving the world. At our best, the United Methodist Church is a missionary church making us available for God to use for God’s purposes. Over the years, we have built up good procedures and structures for effective mission. At times like this, we need to remember what we know. BISHOP'S BLOGFollow the Leader Yesterday, I preached at an Ecumenical Worship Service in Topeka. It included Lowman UMC and several other congregations in their neighborhood and focused on a blessing of the palms. It was a powerful way to begin Holy Week! My message focused on following the leader. Holy Week is a time of recommitting ourselves to the triune God as the leader for our lives. Who you follow does make a difference. Many in modern society are practical atheists—they follow their own desires or thoughts. Others follow false gods of various sorts. Christians are by definition those who acknowledge God the father and seek to be obedient to his will. They are disciples of Jesus who wish to serve others. It is of deep significance that Christ calls us to follow him, and his path was one of sacrificial service for the good of others. We are also empowered by the Holy Spirit whose work of inclusive love and inspirational evangelism leads all of us to change lives and transform communities. May this Holy Week help all of us to recommit to following the leader revealed in the Bible.
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